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Hope everyone had a great Christmas and looking forward to the new year. I had a wonderful present given to me by angels. These angels were from WBHS Players. They came with shovels in hand to shovel out a Granny (Me) in distress. I can never thank them enough. Hugs and kisses go out to William Webster (now at Radford U.), Christie Vernon, Julie Helm, MacKenzie Brewer, Tyler Lyon and mom Debbie Adler. What a terrific group of young people, their parents should be proud. Even built a snowman. Of course thank you Bootie Bell Chewning to brother Jim Bell and Daughter Angie, for helping me shovel off my BOO_TEE@msn.com flat top roof so it wouldn’t cave in. Angie can’t lift her arms now. As I said this was the greatest present ever Love you all! Christmas Eve tradition dinner at Suzanne and Jim Bell’s with Valerie B, Kyle ,Chase and Cade Hendricks, Lindsey Bell & Amber Wells, John Wells, Angie ,Drake, & Abbie Lewis, (Abbie’s Birthday with Family), Elena (her 10 B-Day too) & and Greg Boitnott. Christmas morning breakfast at my house & gift opening. Adding to the group Janet & Greg Chewning Ian & Cyndel, Conner & baby Cassidy Thompson, Jerry T, Kaylee T. and David Lewis. Back to the Bell’s for dinner. Now it’s diet time. Missed Shirley and Jim Rice. Jim use to cook the eggs. Thank You to Shirley for the marvelous coconut cake and candy. Always a hit! I know a lot of you had people in over the holidays. I want to hear about them. Please email me. Welcome home! Congratulations to Kim Looney Barker. She graduated from Radford University with her Master’s in Science in Educational Leadership and Administration. Kim is a graduate of WBHS. Go Kim!! Dale and Kim Barker hosted a small Christmas gathering even with all the snow on Saturday December 19. In attendance were Dale and Kim’s children, Katie Haldeman,in from college for the holidays, Abbey Haldeman, and Josh Barker, along with Brian, Tracey, Chandler and Taylor Roberts, Greg Boitnott and Angie Lewis and Drake Lewis, David and Vicki Tyree. Lots of good food and a good time were had by all. I do know Kim Horn (WVa), Whitney Lonker, Robyn Smith, Claris and Catherine “Shorty” Sublett Read and Kris Feazell were in. No there were parties need details. Get well wishes and prayers go out to Warren Holdren, Butch Miller (RMH), Baby Eli Crow (RMH) Bob Gillipie (RMH), Fred Spangler (VA) Ann Nicely, Barbara Payne &, Alfred Morgan, (all At home) and Danielle Boam Brown ( Rest till that baby gets here). To all having health problems, I hope you are better real soon. I wish Chris and Mary Beth Monroe a safe trip to India. Happy Birthday to “Shorty” Sublett Read, Penny Gross, Mary Beth William Glass , Ryan Ramos Morgan Willis, Matt Robertson, Garland Lotts, Angie Meador McCarty, Whitney Lonker, Sue Gearheart, Lisa Semones Cassell. Hope you all had or have a good one. The Valley especially Vinton, has lost, a wonderful man this week.
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•See ‘BOOTIE’ - page 13
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In Brief Road Closures for December 31 in Vinton
The following roads will be closed for the Enchanted Eve Celebration in the Town of Vinton. Washington Ave. (from S Poplar St. to Mountain View Rd.) Meadow St., Monroe St., & N. Blair St (from Washington Ave to Madison Ave.) Pine St, Church St., & S. Blair St (from Washington Ave to Lee Ave.) These streets will be closed from 12/31/2009 at 4:30 PM until 1/1/2010 at 12:30 AM to all traffic. Any questions in regards to these road closures please feel free to contact Lt. M. A. Va Vaught at mvaught@vintonva.gov or 540-342-8135 Ext 111.
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Button Price Information for Enchanted Eve The late William ‘Billy’ Obenchain Photo by Scott Brooks
116 S.Poplar St. - Suite 1 Vinton, VA 24179 540.904.5836 - Office 540.904.5838 - Fax
EDITORIAL Chris Manning Publisher chris@vintonvoice.com Dan Vance Editor-in-Chief dan@vintonvoice.com Brian Manning Circulation Director brian@vintonvoice.com Jacob Clifton Delivery/General info@vintonvoice.com
COLUMNISTS Bootie Bell Chewning General Info BOO_TEE@msn.com Dale Russell Financial wheresmymoney@vintonvoice.com Erin E. Delauder-Brooks Pharmacy askthepharmacist@vintonvoice.com
CONTRIBUTORS Danny Cruff Contributor dannycruffphotography@cox.net Michele Gunter Contributor news@vintonvoice.com Danae Wensley Contributor news@vintonvoice.com June Eanes Contributor news@vintonvoice.com Scott Brooks Photo Contributor Barry Brooks Photography
Copyright @ 2009, All rights reserved by The Vinton Voice email: info@vintonvoice.com http://vintonvoice.com vintonvoice.blogspot.com For advertising rates and information, please call 540-904-5836 Read something you don’t like? Find something in the Voice that you love? Just want to express your thoughts on the town of Vinton? The Vinton Voice accepts and encourages letters to the editor. Letters must not exceed 400 words, must be signed and accompany contact information of the writer for verification purposes. Send to editor@vintonvoice.com with the subject line ‘Letter to the Editor.’
In-Advance Button Prices: $7 for adults and $3 for children age 3-12. Buttons Purchased at the gate: $9 for Adults and $5 for children age 3-12. Purchase your button in advance at the following locations: Bank of America( Rke, Smith Mtn. Lake & Botetourt), First Citizens Bank( Rke, ,Bedford & Botetourt), HomeTown Bank ( Rke & Smith Mtn Lake), Member One ( Rke & NRV ), Kroger ( Rke, NRV, Botetourt, Rocky Mount & Smith Mtn. Lake) Roanoke County Parks, Rec. & Tourism (Kessler Mill and Brambleton Center Locations), HQ/419 Library, Hollins Library, Glenvar Library, Blue Ridge Public Library, Vinton Library, Vinton Baptist Church, Thrasher United Methodist Church, Vinton Municipal Building and Vinton War Memorial. The night of the event, tickets will be available at the following locations: Thrasher United Methodist Church in Gym and Old Fellowship Hall, Vinton War Memorial, Lawn of the Vinton Library, Charles Hill Recreation Center and on Washington Avenue.
Roanoke County Schools to hold Kindergarten Registration
Roanoke County Schools will hold registration for upcoming kindergarten children, and children presently enrolled in private kindergarten who will attend first grade in public schools during the 2010-2011 school year. All children who will be five years old on or before September 30, 2010, are eligible for kindergarten. Parents should register their children at the elementary school in their home area on Wednesday, January 13 and Thursday, January 14 from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Parents should bring the following information when registering their children: * child’s birth certificate * child’s social security card * child’s immunization record * proof of residency (a mortgage, a pending contract, a copy of a lease, or a property tax statement will be accepted as proof of residency)* Note: a current vehicle registration indicating a Roanoke County address and a current Virginia driver’s license with a Roanoke County address listed may be accepted if other proof of residency documents are unavailable. Schools must have the child’s physical and immunization record on file prior to the first day of school or students will not be allowed to attend school. Pupils who are presently attending kindergarten in Roanoke County Public Schools are not required to register. Children currently enrolled in a Roanoke County Public Schools preschool program who are eligible for kindergarten must go through the registration process. If the date of the current physical and immunization record on file exceeds 12 months prior the first day of school, an updated physical and immunization record is required before the first day of school.
Chamber of Commerce Breakfast Seminar
The Vinton Area Chamber of Commerce will be holding a Before Breakfast Seminar on income tax review and 401K review for business & individuals. This seminar is presented and sponsored by Chuck Neeley of Neely’s Accounting Services Inc. and Richard Pettit of Merrill Lynch. Continental Breakfast Included. The seminar will be held January 14th at 8:00 am at Woodland Place $5. for chamber members; $10. for non-members RSVP 343-1364 or info@vintonchamber.com
Letter to the Editor I think the town of Vinton should take the Vinton Motors and put the Post Office there. I love the town of Vinton but hate to have to go to the Post Office because of the parking lot and the lines in the Post Office. Betty Divers
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Winding down and looking forward A few weeks ago we sent out invitations through our Facebook group, emails, our website and in the Voice asking for your feedback. We were searching for what you as readers wanted, what you liked, what you might not like and we used your opinions, your voice, to help shape the direction that we’re heading in 2010. Some things were pretty clear, an overwhelming majority of you love our sports coverage, love the fact that we cover a business every week and of course, most of you love Bootie. In our survey, our Sports Spotlight was the most popular section we have, this week shouldn’t disappoint as John Montgomery takes a look at James “Hoolie” Childress in our “Voices of the Past” version of the Sports Spotlight. As far as sections you didn’t like, nothing really stuck out, there were a couple things that got a few more votes than the others, but with comments like “love them all,” “they’re all good,” and “like them all really” we feel pretty strongly about our sections. We are going to be changing the frequency of some of them, so nothing gets stale. When we asked what you’d like to see more of, nothing really ran away with the voting, it was pretty even across the board. Some of you said you’d like to see more sports, which of course makes us sports nuts happy, but you did also say you wanted to see more arts and entertainment (so do we) as well as lifestyles, schools and opinion. We did have several good suggestions out of this question, some of which we will be giving a shot to see what you all think. When we asked what your favorite cover was, the winner wasn’t the least bit surprising. Cover #10, the “Political Rumble” as we named it, took the top honors. If you’ve stopped by the office, you’ve seen that we have blown that one up and are pretty proud of it too. Rounding out the top five of your favorite covers were “Thank you Vets” and “Two of a Kind” tied for second, then “Breaking the Code” in third, our first ever cover “Vinton’s New Voice” in fourth and then a three way tie for fifth with “Parkway Bridge,” “Train Tracks” and “Nine Favorite Things.” Every cover got at least a vote, showing that we’ve all got different tastes, however we plan to keep outdoing ourselves week in and week out with creative, eye-catching covers that will make all of you happy. The next few questions of the survey is where it really started to get fun (and at times confusing) there were no choices, we asked for your specific answers and boy did we get them. We asked specifically what you would like to see more of in the Voice and we had answers such as -More focus on the academics of schools rather than sports -Less government and more opinions from citizens and business and less about Vinton war memorial and government -Maybe highlight a person in the community making a difference on any level. This could be someone who heads up a nonprofit, volunteer, a teacher or a student etc. -more about Bonsack, add weddings/celebrations -sports, high school and maybe even a college like Ferrum. Also feature stories on WBHS coaches and sandlot coaches- David Justice would be a good one for sandlot football coach. Also Milton Dowdy and Don Oaks. Also: rate the Vinton Restaurants There were tons more, but those are just some of the ideas that were thrown out to us. Several of these things we’ve done and will continue to do, some of them we NEED YOUR HELP with. We need you to send us story ideas, just a simple email to editor@vintonvoice.com will do. We also would love to have more of your pictures, when you take trips, when there’s something going on, whatever the case may be, we want it all. We want to know what’s going on in your lives, but we won’t know without your help. We also asked what you’d like to see less of and you guys didn’t have as many suggestions, but were vocal in your suggestions; -The feeling that the cheerleaders were cheated out of winning the state title. All of us need to learn and be taught to be gracious in defeat. We as a community did a very poor job of that! (Editor’s note: We’d just like to comment that we never insinuated that our cheerleaders were “cheated,” we did question some things and if we gave the impression that we were accusing anyone of “cheating” them we do apologize, that was never our intention.) -I really like it the way it is. Waaaaaay better than other papers. You have stories not just
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advertisements. They are important but you give readers something to actually read and focus only on Vinton not Salem and Botetourt too. -Fewer typos and grammatical errors! -Chris saying “Heck” LOL -More variety of sports coverage if you must have so much of it. Generally it is a bit much on sports though. We’ll keep trying to improve on anything you don’t like and if there is something you don’t like, you need to let us know. Some things we can change (like me saying Heck) and some we can’t (like sports, believe you me, there is a ton of sports and we don’t quite cover all of them, although we’re trying.) As far as the typos and errors, there are less and less every week, usually we catch those the same time you do, even though we go over it with a fine tooth comb prior to sending it, we’re human. Your favorite story was pretty clear, although there were plenty of stories mentioned, from Dan’s “Two of a Kind” profiles of Derrick Palmer and Kalyn Molnar, to the “Wish list for Vinton” and Dan’s column after Jake Mankin and William Byrd’s gutsy win in overtime against Salem. In all, there were 32 separate stories mentioned by you the readers, but there was one that was mentioned the most and that was Dan’s exclusive interview with “Perks of being a Wallflower” author Stephen Chbosky, shortly after his book made national news due to the situation that arose at the high school. Over half of you said you would be more likely to subscribe if the Voice were no longer available in as many locations. That’s a good thing, because starting in 2010, as our subscriber base grows, we will begin to eliminate the “free” locations, making subscribing the only guaranteed way to get your weekly copy of the Voice. One of the questions we were most focused on was “Do you feel the staff of the Voice is accessible and easy to get in touch with?” Luckily for us, that answer was a resounding YES, with only two people saying that we weren’t. For the two people that said we weren’t, we apologize and invite you to call us, either on the office or cell phones, or email us, day or night (that information can be found here in the issue). More than likely, you will get an answer. For the hundreds that took the survey, we thank you. We thank you for your taking the time, we thank you for giving us your opinion, we thank you for reading and we thank you for your continued support. We want to continue to be YOUR Voice and want you to know that it is an honor and a privilege to be considered as such. If you have any comments or questions, you don’t have to wait until the next survey rolls around, you can call or email us anytime, we’re proud to be the news source that you, the people of the Vinton area, depend on, starting in 2009 and continuing in 2010 and beyond.
Obituaries WILLIAM E. OBENCHAIN JR., 57, of Vinton, VA, passed away at home surrounded by his family December 23, 2009, after a courageous nine year battle with T-Cell Lymphoma/ Leukemia. Billy was predeceased by his father, William E. Obenchain, Sr. He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Karen Lawhorn Obenchain; sons and daughters-in-law Jeremy Ryan and Samantha Obenchain; Zachary Randall and Danielle Obenchain; grandson and the joy of his life, his little buddy William Hunter Obenchain; Mother Frances Obenchain; Brother Randy Obenchain and Terry, and sister Alice Obenchain-Leeson and Dale. Billy was a loving husband, father, “Pops”, son, brother, friend, and dedicated community servant. A lifetime public servant, Billy retired from the Roanoke City Fire Department in 2007 after 25 years of service. He also served as a member of the Vinton Town Council for 15 years. A life member of the Vinton Volunteer Fire Department, he was also a former member of the Vinton First Aid Crew. He was also an adjunct Virginia Department of Fire Programs Instructor. Billy was also a lifetime member of Vinton Baptist Church. A special thanks to Gary Houff, Butch Wright, and “adopted” son, Jay Witt, for all of their love, care and support. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Duke CTCL Fund, c/o Dr. Elise Olsen, Duke University Medical Center, Box 3294, Durham, NC, 27710; Vinton Baptist Church India Mission Fund; or Vinton Volunteer Fire Department. Funeral services were conducted 11 a.m., Monday, December 28, 2009 at Vinton Baptist Church with Rev. Dr. William R. Booth and Rev. Mike Werle officiating. Interment will follow in Mountain View Cemetery. The family received friends from 1-4 and 6-9 p.m., Sunday, December 27, 2009 at Oakey’s Vinton Chapel, 982-2221.
ESSIE FRANKLIN HESTER, 104, of Smith Mountain Lake, died Sunday, December 20, 2009 in South Roanoke Nursing Home, Roanoke, VA. She was born July 23, 1905 to Texanna Tucker Vaughn and Thomas David Franklin. She was the widow of Henry Thomas Hester, Jr. of Marion, Virginia. She was a member of Bethlehem United Methodist Church of Moneta, Virginia. She is survived by two great nieces, Marilyn Galloway of Greensboro, North Carolina and Maxine Mills of Madison, North Carolina, and a great nephew, Ralph Mills of Summerfield, North Carolina. She is also survived by a number of nieces, nephews, great-great nieces and nephews, four great-greatgreat nephews. She was preceded in death by her beloved sister and niece, Eula Franklin Echols Smith and Eleanor Echols Mills. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Scruggs Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department or the Humane Society of Franklin County. A private graveside service was held at Vaughn Family Cemetery on the Leesville Road, Campbell County, VA. Arrangements were by Oakey’s Vinton Chapel (540-982-2221).
LUCILLE AGEE CRAIGHEAD SINK, 77, of Roanoke went to be with the Lord Friday, December 25, 2009. She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Abbie Agee, three sisters Gloria Ann Bolen, Beulah Wilson, and Verna Hartman; and two husbands Arnold Craighead and Carlton Sink. Surviving are two daughters, Lois Ladmirault, Penny Roberts and husband, Steve; two sons, Wayne Craighead, Agee Sink and wife, Mary; four grandchildren, Tony, Steven, Betty, and Nikki; two great grandchildren, Christa and Brandon; three sisters, Mary DeWeese, Vannie Sue Hale and husband, Edgar, and Doris Conner; one brother, Kainey Agee of Florida, and many other loving relatives and friends. Funeral services were conducted at 12 Noon Tuesday, December 29, 2009 at Oakey’s Vinton Chapel. Burial followed in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. The family received friends Monday, December 28, 2009 from 6 to 8 P.M. at Oakey’s Vinton Chapel, (540) 9822221.
SUSAN SIMPSON McLAIN, 59, of Roanoke passed away at home Monday, December 21, 2009. Susan had battled cancer for 4 years and 1 month. She is now at peace and no longer suffers. She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert (Bob) and Marylou Simpson and father-in-law and motherin-law, Robert and Agnes McLain. Surviving are her husband, Lewis McLain; daughters, Jennifer (husband, Gary Abbott) and Becky White (significant other, Dennis Nalley); grandchildren, Nicholas and Haley Herstine, Kristopher and Lee Abbott, and Cody Nalley; sisters and brothers, Nina Rhodes (husband, Billy), Margaret Bohon (husband, Randy), Pat Simpson (wife, Karen), Michael Simpson (wife, Anna), Al Simpson, Jim Simpson (wife, Becky), Chubby Wiggins (wife, Sherry); numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews; sister-in-law, Shirley Collins; and special friend, Colleen Faunce. Susan was employed by Thomas Rutherfoord Insurance. Funeral serviceswere held 3 p.m., Sunday, December 27, 2009 at Oakey’s Vinton Chapel with Rev. Gary Fowler officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the American Cancer Society . The family received friends from 3-7 p.m., Saturday, December 26, 2009 at Oakey’s Vinton Chapel and Crematory, 982-2221. HILDA SNEAD TOONE, 95, of Vinton passed away Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2009. The family received friends from 10 a.m. to noon on Monday, December 28, 2009 at Oakey’s Vinton Chapel, 982-2221.
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Saying goodbye to a true friend
Remembering William ‘Billy’ Obenchain After a courageous nine-year battle, Vinton the popular thing to do in malls and other lost a true friend, hero and one of a kind stores. individual in William “Billy” Obenchain, Jr. just Outside of Billy’s funeral service at Vinton two days before Christmas. Billy was the Vice- Baptist Church was an amazing sight. Prior to Mayor for the town of Vinton and has served the service, firemen gathered in front of the on town council for fifteen years. He was also church, making the sidewalk impassable, but a veteran of the Roanoke City Fire Department, retiring two years ago as Battalion Chief, after 25 years of A poem written by Billy submitted to us service and 33 total as a fireman. His by Wes Nance, fellow councilman. If you want to be a clown son Zak has followed in his footsteps you’d better be lookin’ for a circus. and is currently a firefighter. His If you’re lookin’ for a free ride, oldest son Jeremy is in the US here’s a dollar call a cab. Coast Guard, continuing the family If you want to be a showman tradition of serving and helping Vegas will welcome you with open arms. others. His wife of 29 years, Karen, If fullfillment of an ego is high on your priority list was by his side through the whole Might I suggest Hollywood. battle, including trips back and forth And if you wan...t to be a millionaire to Duke for treatments. Even during by all means this ain’t for you. the down times, just the mention of But, if you don’t mind hard work, sweating in freezing weather, getting back less than half of what you give, and finding his grandson Hunter would bring a your name at the bottom of your own priority list, then stick around! smile to his face. I believe you could be a firefighter!!! The admiration for Obenchain isn’t just found in Vinton or Roanoke, it can be found by anyone who has ever met him. They say you could tell they were there to honor Obenchain. Cars filled Obenchain liked you if he teased you, his way of the parking lot and the surrounding available showing affection. He also showed it in many spaces. Fire trucks and many Fire-EMS vehicles other ways, including the angel trees you’d see were seen all around, all to give thanks and in Obenchain’s Flowers, long before it became respect to a hero.
Community members share their thoughts on Billy... The Town of Vinton is truly saddened by the loss of Billy. He was a great man who was well known and deeply loved by everyone. We will certainly miss him. -Mayor Brad Grose What a great guy Billy was. We had a lot of good times together, laughs and fun. He was a true example of a fighter. May god bless that whole family. -Mike Stovall Vinton has lost a wonderful person. A true Vintonite, and served for so many years. Always willing to help. Even in his years of illness he still kept going. He was loved by all that knew him. Now an Angel in heaven. R.I.P. No more pain. Love to Karen and family. -Bootie Bell Chewning Our thoughts and prayers are with the Obenchain family. Billy was a great person for the Town of Vinton. -Tim Greenway
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Our thoughts and prayers are with Billy’s family. May God comfort and give them peace through this very sad time. I guess Jesus wanted to add one more angel in Heaven for Christmas this year - we love you Billy and will miss you greatly. -Tammy Vaught Our deepest sympathy to the Obenchain family in the loss of Billy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Billy will be sadly missed by all who knew him! -Margaret Robinson WBHS Class of 1970 has lost one of our best. Met Billy in the fifth grade and had the good sense to have a crush on him. He was a beautiful boy with a sweet nature who grew into a handsome man with a caring nature. Rest in peace, Billy. -Catherine Ross Our family will pray for his in this time of sorrow! -Missy Brewer
Billy Obenchain was Vinton. He grew up in Vinton, went to William Byrd, he and his wonderful Mom, Dad, brother Randy, and sister Alice worked long, hard hours in Obenchain’s Flowers; his wife Karen has also been a huge part of the Vinton community, as well as his boys Jeremy and Zac. Their lives are woven into the fabric of what makes Vinton ...the special people who love and care for each other through the good and bad. Our hearts break with yours, Obenchain family. He was greatly loved and will be greatly missed. -Sarah Janney Billy Obenchain was a great public servant, and will be missed deeply. My prayers go out to his family. Vinton has lost a great man. -Aaron Lyles My thoughts and prayers are with the Obenchain family. The town of Vinton has lost one of it’s favorite sons. -Wanda Richards
Everybody Reads the Voice Even when you should be watching your sister’s game, Everybody Reads the Voice... just as seen here with Bradley Mattox, enjoying the December 23 issue during Monday’s William Byrd Girls Basketball Tournament, where the host Terriers topped Cave Spring. Mattox’s sister Brittany plays for the Terriers. The elder Mattox is a former Byrd basketball and baseball standout, and current Tusculum athlete.
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VOICE 07
Gregg Lee Insurance
Chris Manning Publisher Gregg Lee is the area’s newest State Farm Insurance agent. This self-described “smalltown guy” made his way to our small town after fate and an opportunity brought him our way. The journey started in South Carolina, where Lee was a graduate of the University of South Carolina and went on to be a teacher and high school football coach at Columbia High School in the Palmetto state, “I always wanted to be a football coach, that was my goal in life” says Lee. In 2003, Lee followed his wife to Maryland, which is where he got his “taste for business” and never looked back. Lee started with State Farm in 2007, going through their program which is widely known for weeding out the pretenders, and continued to wait for the opportunity to become an agent somewhere on the Eastern shore of Maryland. That opportunity never happened, but what did happen was an
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opportunity that Lee had always kept in his mind “I always wanted an opportunity to come back to the south” he says with a smile “when an opportunity came open here in Vinton to take over for Joe Gwinn, I applied for it and State Farm thought I’d be a good fit for it.” Growing up in a small town and with Vinton being a small town, Lee feels like he could relate to the way we do things around here. Lee was seen around town during the summer preparing for his August 1 opening of his office on 231 W. Virginia Ave., making sure he knew his way around and getting to know the town, the people and what makes Vinton so special. Taking over for Gwinn also included a new location, Gwinn was on Lee Ave. downtown, but State Farm corporate had made the move to the W. Virginia Ave location prior to Lee’s arrival, something that he sees positives and negatives too, “downtown areas have always been important to me” Lee says of the old location “but so many people have said how much they love the extra parking here at our offices now.”
Lee feels that State Farm’s 87 years of experience and their “love for middle America” really help set them apart as a company. He feels his passion for people is what personally sets him apart and keeps his clients returning to his offices and continuing to do business with him “it was a natural transition for me to go from a teacher and a coach into insurance and financial services because I’m always trying to help people formulate their goals and plan for their future” Lee says “my desire and my want to go the second mile and third mile and the focus on service are things I pride myself on.” Another thing that may help Lee be successful is his team which includes Emily Tiller, who is fully licensed and Lee calls a “great communicator.” Amy Carter, formerly Rucker, is a graduate of William Byrd and a girl from the area who he describes as “a person who just loves the area and loves helping people in the area.” His crew is rounded out with a couple of part-timers, both of whom are Byrd students. Lee, who is married to wife Pam and has three daughters, Cassidy, Allison and Gabrielle, has latched on to the community and has shown great support for our local programs at the high school, whether it’s through the marketing department, the athletic teams or even as a sponsor of the recent Miss Smith Mountain Lake pageants, which included Miss William Byrd. “I just think the next generation is so important and I wish we could do more, we plan on doing more” Lee says. Lee has a lot of plans for the Vinton area and points to the late Wallace Cundiff as someone he admires, “when he passed away, the reaction of the community was amazing, so many people looked up to him and it was because of the selfless things he did to help his community” he says when talking about Cundiff. Lee would like to be thought of in the same light one day, he plans on being in Vinton for many years to come. But before any of that can happen, he has to be also thought of as someone you’d want to do business with and someone you can rely on, both of which are goals he is working very hard toward and are very close to him.
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Absolute & Resolute A New Year’s Resolution – it is a pretty rough concept, right? We make them, we break them and then we end up regretting that we could not follow up. That is, if we don’t regret even making them. So a few years ago, I decided I would change it up a bit when writing the cliched ‘new years resolution’ column, much like this one. Instead of making resolutions for myself, I started making them up for other people, other ventures. Now lets first say that making resolutions is NOT a bad thing. A hope to better your own life is never something to frown down on, whether it is to eat better, work out more or whatever. And for all of you who make resoultions, I hope that you have the discipline to keep them. Whatever it was in your life or situation that you want to change, it can only change if you put in the work. But me, I am quite content making resolutions for anyone other than me. I mean, I didn’t make a single personal resolution for myself in 2009 and I think it turned into a pretty good year, complete with a move to Virginia and the ability to bring each of you the Voice each week. So without any further adieu, here are my top 4 New Year’s Resolutions for Vinton in 2010. 1. A state title for William Byrd baseball – that’s right, a state title much like the one they took home in 1997. And why would this be tops on my list? Well I have multiple reasons: first, something nice for first baseman/pitcher Jacob Clifton, who works here at the Voice. He is a genuinely good kid who deserves success and I would love to see him get it. Second, because I need someone else to be able to outbrag Chris Manning about winning a state title, because Chris is proud of his accomplishments and never the one to boast (and you all know this second part is a lie if you know the Chris Manning I know!) And third, because Chris Carr needs a ring so that everytime he is in the Vinton Voice office,
he doesn’t have to look at Chris Manning’s like he is Gollum from Lord of the Rings. 2. Something great to come out of the downtown development plan. The downtown area of Vinton could have a lot to offer pending what Chris Lawrence and the town decide to do with this plan in the long run. Personally, I am still pushing for a Ferris wheel on top of the post office. 3. Health and happiness. Yes, its as cliched as this column. But Vinton had a great deal of loss in 2009, including that of two great soldiers for this community in Wallace Cundiff and Billy Obenchain. Loss is a part of life, but I do hope in 2010 that the community can flourish with life and the things that make it so great. 2009 has been a great year for myself and for Vinton. We at the Voice appreciate each of you and can’t wait to join you in making an even better 2010. And that alone stands above any resolution that Chris or I have made for 2010. Number one will always be to bring the best Voice we can to each of you every week. See you all in 2010!
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WBHS Girls Basketball @ Patrick Henry 6:00
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WBHS Swimming vs. Hidden Valley @ Gator 8:00 WBHS Boys Basketball @ Christiansburg 6:00
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Wedn
Tuesday
WBHS Boys Basketball @ Staunton River 6:00
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Have a break in your schedule too? Take a day to check out the EDGE
Fo fans me home ag
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hletic Schedules
RY 2010 Thursday
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All WBHS basketball games times are for JV, followed by Varsity games, unless otherwise noted.
Friday
Saturday
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Happ y New Y ear
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WBHS Girls Basketball @ Lord Botetourt 6:00 WBHS Swimming or Night vs. Staunton River and Roanoke Catholic 8:00 WBHS Wrestling vs. Staunton River @ 6:30 WBMS Wrestling vs. Northside 4:45
or all yo s, che u VaTech ck ou tt ens b asket heir b a e ope ner to ll n gains ight t Mia mi
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WBHS Girls Basketball vs. Staunton River 6:00 WBHS Wrestling @ Lord Botetourt 6:30 WBMS Wrestling @ Glenvar 4:45
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WBHS Wrestling vs. Northside 6:30
WBMS Wrestling vs. Cave Spring 4:45
WBMS Wrestling vs. Read Mtn./Staunton River 4:45
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Save up your energy and make su re to check out the area’s top wrestling event, the BIG ORA NGE this weekend at Byrd
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From the Gridiron to the Hardwood. VaTech and UVA men meet tonight WBHS Girls Basketball @ Northside 6:00
Nothing to do today? Well, just wait until tomorrow...
WBHS Indoor Track Asics Invitational @ Liberty 4:30
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WBHS Wrestling BIG ORANGE
WBHS Indoor Track Mid Area @ Liberty
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WBHS Swimming vs. Cave Spring @ Gator 6:00 WBHS Boys Basketball vs. Northside 6:00
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WBHS Boys Basketball vs. Glenvar - 2 pm WBHS Wrestling @ Spencer Chang 9:00 am
WBHS Girls Basketball @ Hidden Valley 6:00 WBHS Swimming High School Invitational WBHS Boys Basketball @ Northside 6:00 WBHS Wrestling @ Alleghany Duals 9:30 AM WBHS Indoor Track Bulldog Invitational @ Liberty TBA
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WBHS Girls Basketball vs. Christiansburg 6:00 WBHS Boys Basketball @ Lord Botetourt 6:00 WBHS Wrestling Glenvar Quad @ Glenvar 9:00 am WBHS Indoor Track Asics Invitational @ Liberty 9:00 am
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WBHS Girls Basketball @ Alleghany 1:00 WBHS Wrestling BIG ORANGE
WBHS Indoor Track Mid Area @ Liberty
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WBHS Indoor Track Heritage JV @ Liberty
WBMS Wrestling Northside Invitational TBA
VOICE
‘A Voice of Reason’ Parents, do you know what your kids are doing on their phones?
Michele Gunter, MSW, LCSW Abundant Life Family Counseling With Christmas just a few days behind us, I’m sure many children received the latest and greatest cell phones and mobile devices on the market. These are certainly great inventions allowing us to stay in touch with our children at all times, and allow them to contact us if they have an urgent need. I simply could never have even imagined these devices during my high school years. Of course, now, I can’t make it through the day without the convenience of my Blackberry. I’m sure this is the case for many of you. Along with these new technologies, however, come new dangers to our youth. Remember the saying, “There’s no free lunch.” This is certainly the case with today’s mobile communications. A dangerous, new trend that is developing is known as “sexting”. This is sending and receiving explicit text messages, video, or pictures utilizing cell phones and other mobile devices. An eHow article (http://www.ehow. com/how_4863054_preventing-sexting.html) estimates that in 2009, 1 in 5 teens will (or already have) send explicit content through their mobile device. The consequences of sexting can be absolutely devastating and must not be taken lightly. There have been recent media reports linking 2 teen suicides to sexting. In each case, a teenage girl sent nude photos of herself to a boy she liked. The photos were then forwarded throughout the school. The psychological and social torture that ensued allegedly led to each suicide. Psychological and social consequences, however, are only part of the picture. There are also legal ramifications. Possessing and/ or transmitting sexually explicit photographs of people under 18 is a felony offense in all 50
states, and can result in criminal charges of child pornography and a lifetime of registering as a sexual offender. In states including Florida, Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, felony charges have been brought against teens for sending sexually explicit content over their phones. For more details on criminal consequences, go to www.google.com and enter “sexting” as the search term. So, how do parents protect their children from this disturbing trend? 1. Communicate. Have frank, open discussions about this topic, and let your child(ren) know this is a serious topic with very serious, even criminal, consequences. 2. Set boundaries for cell phone usage. One suggestion is to require your child to leave their mobile device/cell phone in an open or common area at night. 3. Set up parental controls online for your teen’s cell phone. Your provider should be able to help you in this area. If they cannot, or are unwilling, consider getting a different provider. 4. Remind your teen of the consequences, both social and criminal 5. Know your teen’s lingo. Certain abbreviations should raise concern: IPN (I’m posting naked); GAP (got a picture?); P&C (private and confidential). 6. Remember who is in control. Most likely, you, as the parent, are paying the bills. It may seem heavy-handed, but if your teen resists, threaten to have the service cut off. If the resistance continues, cancel the service and confiscate the mobile device. 7. Consider using one of the many mobile device monitoring applications available. The mobile communications revolution is a wonderful development and has great benefits for all of us. However, these benefits are not without risk, especially for our children. With a little knowledge and diligence, we can greatly reduce this risk for the most vulnerable members of our society while still realizing the many benefits available. To contact me about this subject or pose questions for future installments, e-mail me at AVoiceofReason@vintonvoice.com.
The preceding column is a preview of a new feature, ‘A Voice of Reason,’ that will appear in the pages of the Vinton Voice on the second and fourth weeks of each month. For more on Michelle Gunter, see her Voices of the Voice entry in the Dec. 23 issue and check out ‘A Voice of Reason’ regularly in 2010.
2010 the voice of vinton...this year and beyond 12 VOICE
•‘BOOTIE’ continued from page 02
Good Ol’ Days Junes Eanes Vinton Historical Society When we say those were the “good ole days” just what do we mean? To walk down town to Dodie’s for an ice cream cone or get a hotdog that was split in half long ways was just a natural thing to do. To play outdoors all day was just the thing to do. Believe me, we did play outdoors. When my Father had a sidewalk put in at our home on Jefferson Avenue for us to play on he had made it wider than the average sidewalk. Thus, we called it the “Big Sidewalk”. Everyone on Jefferson Hill skated and rode their bicycles on the Big Sidewalk. One time the PTA at Roland E. Cook school decided to ask the fathers of the students to paint the cafeteria. We had a meeting of the Big Sidewalk and thought it was a good idea to have our dads help out on this project. Each of us talked our fathers into painting on a certain night. My dad came directly after work. He didn’t even go home for dinner. The other dads had gone home and changed clothes. We, the Jefferson Hill kids, decided to go and watch. When we got down to the cafeteria, there was my
father, white shirt and tie, painting up a storm. The other children teased me because my dad came in work clothes. I didn’t care, he was doing his job. The place did get painted and we were very proud that our dads did it. The Big Sidewalk was also a place we played Mumble peg. We would play all afternoon in my yard at the sidewalk and root around for a peg we hammered in the ground. Sometimes a bunch of us would just hang out and take turns playing tag, hide and seek or kick the can. We played anything to stay outdoors. Because Roanoke wanted to annex Vinton, it was the main conversation at our dinner. (My dad was the mayor of Vinton.) Many times dad’s picture was in the “Roanoke Times” discussing this matter. One time I came up to my house crying because my father’s picture was in the paper and my playmates’ fathers were not. I was afraid it hurt their feelings. I left them standing on the Big Sidewalk. You may ask me how a sidewalk can mean so much to our neighborhood. Well, this wasn’t just any sidewalk! My father may have paid to put this sidewalk in front of our house but to the children who played there, it belonged to us! Those were the “good ol’ days”!
Billy Obenchain was a terrific Husband, father, son, brother and Grandad (his Pride Hunter). Firefighter, first aid crew member, church member , Town Council Member, Neighbor and friend to all that met him. To know him was to love him. He fought long hard battle and continued going for so long although he was hurting . Now he is free of pain and may he rest in peace. He will be missed by so many. His contribution here on earth was huge. To Billy a job well done oh faithful servant. You will always be remembered and thank you. What are you doing New Year’s Eve? Come join Enchanted Eve, I’ll be at the Charlie Hill Center teaching line dancing. New this year Valley’s Enchanted Idol Contest. Get your act together and come on out. More info call 3876078. Check list in this paper or brochures are out in and around town. Lots of exciting things happening Happy New Year to all!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Danae Wensley Town of Vinton Looking for something fun to do on New Year’s Eve? Why not join us at the Sixth Annual Enchanted Eve? Enchanted Eve is an alcohol-free, community inspired New Year’s Eve celebration, known for providing a wide range of alternative possibilities to the traditional New Year’s revelry. This year’s theme is “Travel through Time.” No matter what your age, you will find the perfect activity to enjoy. Step back in time to the decade of your choice as you mark the advent of this New Year’s Eve. Various streets and buildings along a portion of Washington Avenue will make an amazing transformation, with thrilling performances and fabulous activities. Main venues are the Charles Hill Recreation Center, Thrasher United Methodist Church, Vinton War Memorial and all along Washington Avenue. This year, the Town of Vinton will be transported through ten exciting decades. Take an old fashioned carriage ride from long ago or embark on an electrifying Twitter scavenger hunt from Here and Now. Don your poodle skirt at the Sock Hop and learn a few new dance moves at the Beach Blast. You will find caricature artists, a video game tent extravaganza, flex-flyer, and a Kiddie Kamp where children can create their own crafts from classic television shows such as Romper Room, Sesame Street, and Mister Roger’s Neighborhood. Food vendors will be on hand both inside and outside with delicious food and drink.
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Try your luck in the casino or make your singing debut at the Enchanted Idol singing competition. This year’s Idol will win a sixmonth family membership to Roanoke County’s Green Ridge Center and lead the celebrating crowd in Auld Lang Syne – a fantastic end to an unbelievable evening. When you’re ready for a break, sit back and enjoy all the live entertainment. “Jesse & James and the Gang” is a nationallyrenowned act that has performed for esteemed guests such as President George H. Bush and President Bill Clinton. This act’s hilarious physical comedy and parade of trained dogs will make their “Mutts Gone Nuts” show one to you won’t soon forget. And don’t forget the countdown to midnight, the grand processional and the spectacular fireworks display with a breathtaking finale! All this and more awaits you when you purchase an Enchanted Eve button at any of our local button outlets. In advance, buttons will cost: $7 adults, $3 children age 3-12. Night of: $9 adults, $5 children age 3-12. Those under age 3 are free. Button Sale locations in advance include: Bank of America (Roanoke, Smith Mountain Lake, Botetourt), First Citizens Bank (Roanoke, Bedford, and Botetourt), Hometown Bank (Roanoke and Smith Mountain Lake), Member One (Roanoke and New River Valley), Kroger (Roanoke, New River Valley), Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism ( Kessler Mill Road and Brambleton Center), Roanoke County Libraries (HQ/419, Hollins, Glenvar, Blue Ridge, Vinton), Thrasher Methodist Church, Vinton Municipal Building, Vinton War Memorial. Night of the event at: Thrasher Methodist Church, Vinton War Memorial,
Charles R. Hill Recreation Center, and the entrance of event on Washington Ave. All seats are general admission for performances with your Enchanted Eve button. Indoor venues are heated but a few activities and vendors are located outside, so dress warmly. Layered clothing is recommended. Bring you camera. Please note that Washington Ave., from Poplar Street to Mountain View Road will be closed to vehicle traffic from 5 p.m. until 1 a.m. to allow revelers to enjoy the evening and the many activities planned along this corridor. For more information and complete details or to volunteer, please visit www. roanokecountyparks.com or call 540-3876078. Enchanted Eve is an event of Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism and the Town of Vinton.
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Model X5150 Teaberry’s Cafe, 129 Lexmark Event Photos All in One printer, dannycruffphotography.com E. Cleveland in Vinton, is looking for Kitchen scanner, copier, and fax help and Waitress staff. Real good condition, FOR SALE Experience is preferred, comes with....software but not necessary. for windows and Matching lounge Apply in person before macintosh, owners and chair – both for 11 or after 2 Mon thru manual, two extra black $1000. Almost like Fri. Ask for Brenda. ink cartridges, one FOR RENT CARPET brand new! extra color cartridge, WANTED power cable. USB cable Call 540-427-4466 Carpet Re-Stretching Professional and/or not furnished. asking and Repair Business space Vinton Chamber of $75.00...call Fred at 540-776-9591 Drill Press, Bearing available, Commerce (540) 353-6268 approx 400 sq. ft. Press, Forklift, Misc. has moved offices and 116 S. Poplar St. DRIVER shop items for sale. is looking for a few new CLOTHING Woodland Square, things on their wishlist. And guess what, DRIVER SIDE REHAB off of Washington For more, contact: Wedding Dress Enrolling new drivers Ave. Next door to the The Price is Right. Size 8, never worn Vinton Area Chamber Vinton Area Chamber of 36-period class runs wedding dress with of Commerce NEW A+ Price is Right Auto Commerce and the Vinton 1/12/10-2/22/10 matching flower girl location: 116 S.Poplar Voice news office. Parts and Supplies M/Tu/Th 4-5:45pm dress, slip, veil and sash. St., Suite 1A – Vinton, For information, BTW avail by appt. Call 341 Walnut Ave. Vinton $500. VA 24179 please call Call 540-910-1203 now 981-1665 982-8777 Call: 540-343-1364 580 4675
(2) On Monday, many residents of the town gathered to pay their final respects to Vinton Councilman William ‘Billy’ Obenchain (1). Thoughts from some Vintonites on Obenchain can be read on page 06.
PHOTOS
Fun in the snow continued this weekend in Vinton. Jon Merchant sent in this photo (2) of some family fun in the over a foot of snow that Vinton received. Another Vinton Voice reader sent in a picture of a Christmas Day lunch for a squirrel outside of her home (3).
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Do you have pictures from your life in Vinton? Your Voice isn’t the only thing we are after. Send in your personal Around Town Photos info@vintonvoice.com
VOICE 15
Happy New Year....
Dale Russell, MBA wheresmymoney@vintonvoice.com
about them. Do a bit of research. There have been some changes in the town with regards to the professionals available and I’m certain there will be a slew of new names coming in to fill the gap. Just keep in mind that anyone can throw a shingle up and call themselves a “tax preparer” and always remember that CPA’s are not all created equal. Just be smart and do some research. Ask yourself if they are here to do business or support the community. If you are having trouble finding someone, please let me know. I can and will recommend someone to you.
Hello fellow Vintonites…By the time this edition of the Voice goes to print, many folks will be gearing up for New Year festivities. Tuxedos and evening dresses…Snacks and Champagne once the clock turns 12. Just be smart and use a designated driver if you intend to drink. And, once the clock strikes twelve, you will be witness to some changes in the Voice… Specifically this article. January through April is my busy season and therefore I will only visit with you once a month. So the final installment of “Where’s My Money” for 2009 will deal with, you guessed it, TAXES. I just want to leave you with a few last minute do’s and don’ts that you might find valuable as you prepare to file your Federal and State returns.
2. DON’T…Apply for refund anticipation loans. Read the name of this loan and give it some thought. REFUND ANTICIPATION LOAN. Let it sink in. You are getting a LOAN in the amount equal to your refund(less their processing charges and fees) payable upon receipt of your refund. The bank that underwrites the loan gets a fee and the firm offering the loans gets a commission. Hmmm…I once helped straighten out this gentleman’s return because he got some hotshot “professional preparer” to complete his filing and they really screwed things up taking deductions that weren’t allowed that in turn increased his refund. He got a refund anticipation loan and once he received notice from the IRS that many of his deductions were disallowed and his refund reduced, he owed the balance to the preparer’s firm. Not a good idea.
1. DO…Decide if you are going to use a professional preparer or if you are going to prepare your own taxes. I suggest that everyone do their own taxes at least once just so that you get a feel for how things work. After that, if you want to use a preparer, then fine. If you decide to engage a CPA or preparer, find something out
3. DO…Remember that even if you do have a CPA or tax professional complete your filing, YOU are responsible for knowing what is on your return and you are responsible “under penalty of perjury”(read the bottom of the return where you sign). Do yourself the favor and read your return, know what’s on it, and
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ask questions. After all, you are paying for their service. 4. DO…Know what type of return you are filling. If it’s a simple return then there are a number of FREE resources for you on the IRS website including vendors offering FREE filing. Hmmm…Free always fits into a budget huh? If that’s the route you want to go and you aren’t quite sure which vendor to use, give me a shout. I can push you in the right direction. 5. DON’T…Use a CPA or tax professional that charges for e-filing your return. E-filing is free, unless their software company charges them for it which isn’t your problem. See, sometimes these professionals will purchase their software kits which will charge them per return for e-filing to keep costs down or they might charge a fee for e-filing to increase fees without trying to convince you there are worth the increased fees. In any event, if an e-filing charge is part of the filing price, shop your return around. Go somewhere else. Be smart. 6. DO…File Form 4868 and VA760-IP for an automatic 6-month federal filing extension if you just can’t pull things together by April 15. The result, your federal return will be due October 15 and state due November 1. Be warned, this extension only related to filing not paying any tax liability. Hey that’s all for now. All I ask is that you be smart about your returns this year. If you need help, get it but don’t trust just anyone. Do the research; find out about whom you are having do your returns. After all, it is your return. If you need any help, let me know. Send me your e-mails to wheresmymoney@vintonvoice.com
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Photos by Danny Cruff
Photos by Chris Manning
Monday marked the opener for both the boys and girls Holiday Tournaments in the area. The day started with the William Byrd girls JV team, led by Kassie Brammer (1) and Stacy Shrader and Brianna Mack (2) as they battled Hidden Valley in a 10 am game. When the varsity took center stage later in the night, a wide array of Terriers saw action in the third win of the year over Cave Spring, including the scrappy play of Lauren James. Midway through the third quarter, James, Jessica Rhodes and Brittany Mattox (3) helped Byrd to a 27-10 lead.
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While the girls at William Byrd played host to their own tournament in Vinton, the boys made the trip on Monday to help open the Northside tournament with an evening game against the Brookville Bees. While Byrd stayed within reach from tipoff (4) and through the first quarter of play, the Bees went on a run in the second to give themselves a little breathing room on their way to a close 51-50 win and advancement in the tournament. Byrd’s Jake Mankin again led the team in scoring (5), this time with 18. Byrd also saw strong play from Eric Slone, Will Trent and Derrick Palmer, who did his best to avoid the downs of the game (6) and tied the contest at 14 with a three-pointer at the end of the first quarter.
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Girls open tourney with 3rd win over Cave >Rhodes puts in 12 as Coach Recchia leads Terriers to a win in their own tournament Chris Manning Publisher The William Byrd Varsity girls basketball team picked up a much needed win Monday night on their home floor. The Lady Terriers defeated Cave Spring 48-32 in the first round of the Lady Terrier Invitational. “It felt good,” said Byrd coach Fran Recchia. “We’ve told them, especially after the last few games, that you’ve always got to hustle– you’ve always got to keep working hard and getting better on every possession.” Byrd took the lead by their third possession and never looked back. Jessica Rhodes led the way for the team with twelve points, including 4-for-4 from the free throw line, as well as five rebounds. “She’s been playing really well,” said Recchia of the junior post player. “She’s going to sneak up on some people.” Concord signee Sammi Webster contributed ten points and four rebounds, while sitting out much of the second half allowing others to get some playing time. Senior guard Emily Hanna added seven points and five boards, while sophomore Kam Hagins matched the team high five rebounds and contributed six points. Lauren James also had four points.
Photo by Chris Manning
William Byrd guard Lauren James looks for an open teammate on Monday night. While the team hasn’t finished strong in recent games, there was no doubt about this one. Hardnosed defense and a balanced offensive attack kept the Knights out of the game from the middle of the first quarter on. “This was a team win, we ask them to stay focused for thirty-two minutes and tonight they really started to do that” said Recchia. After a quick speech and freshening up, the girls got to watch the late game which saw
district rival Staunton River take on Brookeville. Staunton River made a fourth quarter comeback, earning the right to take on Byrd in the semifinals Tuesday night in a preview of their first Blue Ridge District meeting on January 20. Results were too late for publication. Should the Lady Terriers beat the Lady Eagles, they’ll move on to the championship game Wednesday night at 7:45. Should they lose, they’ll play the early evening game at 6:00.
WB boys drop close one to Brookville at Northside >Unfamiliar opponent brings streaky play from Terriers; Mankin leads with 18 and 12 Thanks to their second quarter hot-streak, Brookville went to the locker room at half-time with a nine-point lead, 29-20. The Terriers played aggressive basketball to start the second half in an attempt to chip The Terriers boys basketball team and their into the Bee’s lead. So aggressive that Palmer never-say-die attitude fell one point short in and Trent both were taken out of the game for their opening round contest of the Northside receiving their third fouls each prior to midway Invitational Tournament versus the Brookville through the period. Eric Slone stepped up to Bees Monday night, losing 51-50. score all of his seven points in the third. By the William Byrd played tough in the first end of the quarter, William Byrd had shaved quarter against a scrappy Brookville team the lead to six. with Ben Hayden opening the scoring for the Jake Mankin made his presence felt in Terriers and going on the the final quarter by scoring score the first five points of eight hard-fought points of WBHS boys basketball’s the game for Byrd. Thanks his team-high 18, leading the home game vs. Glenvar to a Derrick Palmer threeTerriers to within two points has been rescheduled for pointer, William Byrd pulled with 4:56 left in the game. this Saturday at 2pm. into a 14-14 tie in the closing Mankin also had 12 rebounds seconds of the first. in the contest. The Bees started heating Brookville wasn’t to be up in the second quarter, going on a 6-0 run stopped as they extended their lead back to to start the period and outscoring the Terriers four in the final minute. Trent hit his last three15-6 during the quarter. pointer with less than five seconds on the clock. Will Trent hit two of his three 3-pointers But, there just wasn’t enough time left, and for all of Byrd’s points in the second quarter. Brookville held on to win.
Danny Cruff Contributor
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Photo by Danny Cruff
Eric Slone shoots over a Brookville Bee on Monday. Slone scored seven points.
LEFT: Robert Wimmer and Childress confer with Byrd coaches
•‘CHILDRESS’ continued from page 20 a Roanoke County single-game record that still stands. In that game, which Byrd won 95-86, Childress scored 22 points in the second quarter alone – and remember, this was more than two decades before the 3-point shot. Childress was known for his ability to score from any spot on the floor; his height and jumping ability served him well on the boards, but he could also shoot accurately from long distance. Childress believes that shooting ability is what separates good players from great ones; he shakes his head at big men who don’t live up to expectations because of their inability to shoot well. Childress went on to distinguish himself in basketball at Bluefield State, earning first- or secondteam all-conference honors all four seasons he played there and averaging in the upper teens in scoring. He also served as team captain. Childress says the
football coach tried to entice him to play that sport as well, but he didn’t like playing in cold weather. As an adult, Childress continued to immerse himself in sports, earning induction into the Virginia State Softball Hall of Fame in 2006 for his work as umpire. Childress’ nickname “Hoolie” came from boyhood friend Allen Kasey, who would holler that moniker out the door when he was free to play. “It was a signal,” Childress says. Leaving Bluefield State just a few hours short of his degree, Childress has spent most of the past four decades working for General Electric, a company from which he will retire “anytime after” 2010. The name Childress is familiar to generations of Vinton basketball fans. Nephews Donald and Chris Childress were Byrd stars, as was niece Lisa, who went on to perform well at Ferrum College. Son James III was a scorer for Byrd, too, graduating in 2006. He has a ball in the family home inscribed with 1,000 career points. “Shoot, I scored almost that many in one season,” Hoolie says with a wink. In fact, Childress finished his career with 1,741 points, averaging 30 points per game his last two seasons. During a G.W. Carver game against Carver Price High School of Appomattox his junior year, Childress poured in 47, leading the Eagles to a very high scoring, 14167 win. That season Carver lost in the finals of the Group II VIA tournament at Petersburg; Childress scored 31 points in the state championship game. “If we get beat, we’re going to get beat running,” said Carver coach Roland Malone, who relocated to Byrd along with Childress during the integration movement. Malone became an assistant coach to Jim
Daughtridge, and Childress says the duo was an effective combination, mixing knowledge and enthusiasm. Church activities remain an important aspect of Childress’ life. He’s proud to serve as a deacon, a trustee and Sunday school superintendent at First Baptist Church in Vinton. He’s also active in family life with wife, Phyllis, whom he met at GE, son James III and daughters Charlene and Diane. Childress’ hobbies include fishing and hunting. But for most local sports fans, Childress will forever be known as Hoolie, a scoring machine who wouldn’t let any barrier slow him down.
William Byrd wrestlers fall at Turner Ashby Meet on makeup day The William Byrd wrestling team traveled to Turner Ashby last Wednesday in a makeup of the Turner Ashby Christmas tournament that was originally schedule for Saturday but re-scheduled due to weather. The Terriers headed into the tournament at less than full strength with three starters unable to wrestle due to sickness or injury. How Byrd finished overall in the tournament isn’t very clear due to the way the tournament was held “they didn’t run it like a regular tournament” said Coach Reed Carpenter “so I’m not really sure how we finished.” Zakk Moorman, the 119 pounder for Byrd, knows how he finished, first, “Zakk’s been wrestling very well, he’s only lost two matches and keeps getting better” said Carpenter. Dustin Woods finished 2nd in the heavyweight division and is starting to show signs of last year’s form. Saturday, the matmen head to Martinsville for the Spencer Chang tournament, which will field teams from North Carolina as well as powerhouses like Franklin County. This tournament is in a dual match format and the Big Orange hope to come away with some big victories as the season progresses.
VOICE 19
Voices of the Past James ‘Hoolie’ Childress: A man who set the bar high during his senior year at Byrd
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It’s been 43 years since James W. Childress, Jr. made his athletic mark at William Byrd High School, but the memory is still firmly etched in the minds of those who saw him play. His retired No. 31 basketball jersey hangs in the main hallway at Byrd, alongside a plaque engraved with some staggering numbers. Childress, “Hoolie” to those who know him, transferred to Byrd from G.W. Carver in Salem as a result of the integration of area schools in 1966. Childress lived in Vinton near the Craig Center, just as he does now, but he was bused across town to Salem until his senior year. And what a year it was! Childress has been described as the first black athletic superstar at a predominantly white high school in the Roanoke Valley. As he recalls, he was one of about six black students on the Byrd campus during the 1966-67 school year; whatever difficulties he faced in school due to racial tension, he didn’t allow them to carry over and hamper his athletic performance. “I had no trouble at all,” he says, praising the faculty and student body for working through the integration process smoothly. Childress was the B’nai B’rith nominee from his school, a bellwether of overall excellence as a studentathlete. Standing 6-foot-4 and weighting between 215 and 220 pounds (depending on the sport), Childress was a power hitter in baseball and earned All City-County honors as an end and kicker in football and a forward/center in basketball, his best sport. He averaged 30.9 points per game and 16 rebounds that year, leading the Terriers to a sparkling one-loss season until it was brought to an abrupt halt by a Northside upset in the district tournament. Even when Byrd was eliminated, John A. Montgomery Roanoke World-News sports editor jmonty@cox.net Bob McLelland’s game story focused on Childress. “The big story of the Northside victory was the fact Byrd’s James Childress was held to 12 points,” McLelland wrote. “The outstanding senior led the state in scoring, but he just didn’t get his hands on the ball last night. His mates failed to take advantage of his speed and scoring ability. It all led to a sad finale for the star who is regarded by many as the best all-around player ever produced in Roanoke City-County.” Childress received all-state and All-American recognition for his basketball performance his senior season. Against Covington during the regular season, Childress scored 59 points, •See ‘CHILDRESS’ - page 19