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Hats Off to Vinton Chamber of Commerce, Town Of Vinton, all that planned or were in the parade. It was one of the best I have seen in a long time. Loved all the Floats, was so excited to see 6 bands, and all the other marching units. It was just great. The Reception after at the War Memorial was icing on the cake. Thank you one and all. The ceremony before with the WBHS stage band , Floyd Ward dancers and of Course one of my favorite’s The Revelations , Really put everyone in the Christmas Spirit. Thanks to Mayor Brad giving the key to Vinton to Guest Artist and Movie Star, from London England Caroline Munro. She has been with Carol Webster and her students at Arnold R. Burton School of performing Arts all week. She was one of the THE BOND girls. James Bond that is. She rode on the WBHS Players float in the parade. She had 3 first,1- Key to a town 2-Riding in a parade on a float 3- Riding in a Bootie Bell Chewning police car thanks to Chris Lawrence for getting her over to the parade BOO_TEE@msn.com route from the municipal Building. She was thrilled to death with all 3. She says the people here are so friendly and nice. Her host family and friends are Dr Fred and Carolyn Eichelman . They have been wonderful, getting her from place to place and shopping. William Webster took the family to Radford University for a visit. He is a freshman there and Grandma Carolyn loved visiting her old stomping grounds, even in the snow On Tuesday Night she attended a social for the Performing Arts advisory board and the parents. As You see in the pic the men loved having their Photo taken with a Bond Girl . Caroline Left on Sunday after a long week of events. I hope with great Memories. I’m sure she will. We Susan Mansfiled Whitfield, Daughter Katie (7) and son - Stevie/3) made the trip back to Roanoke last week for their Thanksgiving break week. They arrived in time to go out Saturday (21st) ‘Magnificent 7’ with former ‘Bond with Valerie Bell Hendricks and many Girl,’ Caroline Munro. other friends from high school. Needless to say, it was a very good time! :) They were in all week, so she was also able to join in the fun down at Martin’s last Wednesday night, too! Her parents and brother had a blast with the kids, so all in all, it was a GREAT trip home! :) Happy Birthday wishes go to, Penny Lloyd, Mitz Ferguson Keely, Dawn Seay, Catherine Meador Ferrell, Julie Chewning Creasy, Lee Brogan, Pam Ferguson Green Hagen, Darrell English 83 Dec. 10 Lisa Cannaday Greer, Troy Dickson, Sharon Patsell, Jackie Glover and Stephanie
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•See ‘BOOTIE’ - page 15
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Santa waves to Vinton residents from the back of a fire truck in last week’s Parade.
Main Photo by Danny Cruff - Secondary by Dan Vance
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 Gene Marrano Senior Contributor gmarrano@cox.net Danny Cruff Photo Contributor dannycruffphotography@cox.net Tommy Wood Photo Contributor news@vintonvoice.com Dwight Ward Special Contributor bonsackva@anytimefitness.com
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.’
Agreement allows teachers to get money; Stovall pleased The Roanoke County Board of Supervisors and Roanoke County School Board have come to a resolution regarding proposed bonuses for employees. The agreement came last Tuesday, December 1, in a private meeting shortly before a Board of Supervisors meeting where the situation was on the agenda. “It [the meeting] started with nothing on the table at all,” noted School Board Vice Chairman Mike Stovall after Tuesday’s meeting. “It once again shows the government’s commitment on the County side to our public schools. We just felt like it was the right thing to do here at Christmas.” The two boards have agreed to provide a $500.00 bonus to each full and part-time contracted school employee and each full and part-time regular county government employee. Stovall said after the meeting that the few teachers he had spoken to were happy with the agreement and that any prior displeasure likely came from misunderstanding of the situation as it was. The money for the bonuses will come
from overages in the county’s and school’s health insurance reserves. A mandatory public hearing to vote on transferring the money will be held on December 15. Board of Supervisors Chairman Mike Altizer was agreeable with Stovall and the decision throughout the public meeting. “Teachers jobs and County jobs have always been of the utmost ALTIZER importance,” Altizer said. “I hope what today shows is two boards coming together again to what is the best thing, the right thing, for all of our employees and the citizens of Roanoke County.” Roanoke County STOVALL Board of Supervisor members Joseph McNamara, Joseph Church and Ronald Flora also spoke on the situation at the Board meeting.
In Brief Relay for Life Award of Excellence Presented Don and Carolyn Williams, Co-Chairmen of Vinton’s Relay for Life, presented an Award of Excellence for Collaboration from the American Cancer Society to the Town of Vinton at the Town Council Meeting on Tuesday night, December 1, 2009. Mayor Brad Gross accepted the award for the Town. Town Council was made aware of Vinton Relay for Life’s goal of $85,000 for 2010. Vinton will be supporting Relay for Life again next year.
Correction to Dave Culicerto Sports Spotlight (12/2 issue)
Due to an editing error, the 4th to last paragraph in the Dave Culicerto Sports Spotlight in the 12/2 issue read “In his final season...” before noting that he doesn’t plan to leave the game behind soon. The term ‘final season’ was meant to accompany a quote by senior Derrick Palmer that did not appear. We apologize for any inconvenience this error may have caused.
Foundation for Roanoke Valley accepting Grant applications
Foundation for Roanoke Valley is accepting grant applications from local nonprofit organizations for three of its endowment funds. Interested organizations should check the Foundation’s website, www.foundationforroanokevalley.org, to determine eligibility and to learn how to apply. Foundation for Roanoke Valley has switched to an online, internet-based grant application process, and is no longer accepting paper applications. Applications for the Katherine Nelson Fishburn Foundation Fund, The Spetzler Fund, and the Roanoke Valley Children’s Fund must be submitted by February 1, 2010. The Foundation encourages organizations to visit the Grants Section of its website to learn more about the new grant application process and to sign up for the Foundation’s email list to receive future notifications of grant opportunities. Foundation for Roanoke Valley administers over 200 endowment funds totaling $43 million and works diligently to help local individuals and families establish permanent charitable legacies which will touch the community now and for generations to come.
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Photo by Dan Vance
Mankin, Cole deliver to cap special night for program Now I have seen some basketball before, but paint me impressed. Coming from Indiana – which you may have heard, and heard correctly, is the mecca of basketball – I never in my wildest dreams expected that I would see a game here in Virginia quite like what I saw last Friday night at William Byrd High School in the Terriers’ thrilling 63-60 overtime win against Salem. Don’t get me wrong, good teams bring good games. And as inexperienced as they are, as many growing pains as there are to come, these William Byrd Terriers have a good team. And all of that was shown to the highest degree Friday in that monumental comeback and win over the Salem Spartans. The Terriers showed a quick wit, a drive and the willingness to never surrender in some situations that would have seen most teams with triple the big-game varsity experience fold. Salem threw on a full court press. So, senior Jake Mankin bounced the ball off a non-alert Spartan’s back to get it into play and dribbled it up the court. Salem’s twins went high flying with an alleyoop that had to impress you no matter who you were. So Mankin responded by coming up the floor and hitting a little jumper from near the foul line. Was it as impressive? Probably not. But it counted for two points, just the same as any dunk would, and it showed that Mankin and this Terrier team would not be shown up
and would not run scared – not on this night anyway. It is something that Mankin showed pretty much all night. And he showed it to the tune of 39 points, missing only one two-point shot, three free throws and four three-pointers. Now it’s been a couple of years since I laced up those coaching shoes, but if my post player’s worst shooting stat was that he was 43 percent from three-point range, I would be pretty content. Needless to say, pointing out that Jake Mankin was – impressive to say the least – would be quite the understatement. But anyone in attendance could have told you that. Just from the Voice alone, Publisher Chris Manning, Columnist Bootie Bell Chewning and contributor Chris Carr, will all openly admit that his performance was above top notch. And as a (former) high school level coach, I know for sure now that this kid is legit. But equally impressive was the rest of the team. No, I don’t think that some of the lesser varsity-experience guys showed as much poise as Mankin, but they all showcased things that were critical to the success of the team. And while Mankin put up almost two-thirds of the points, without each of those kids, the game would not have been the same. Scott Cole showed a confidence throughout the game to drive to the basket and take the shots he needed to take. And while on this night, not many of them fell for Scott, he kept shooting and ended up hitting the game winner. Eric Slone made a mistake at the end of regulation (fouling a Salem player on a three-point shot and allowing him to force OT with free throws) that would have destroyed most kids. But instead, he shook it off and went into overtime playing hard on defense and recording a huge block with under a minute to go. Tack on Michael Hammond’s movement with the ball, Nick Janowicz’ gritty eight-rebound outing, Leon Williams’ clutch offensive putbacks in the second quarter and you have a team, that unlike most, is willing to chip in anything to help get the ‘W.’ And because I am...one, a name dropper and two, just that all around impressed– let us not at all discredit the heartened play of Will Trent, Ben Hayden and Tyreik Talley. And even Jordan Ronning, Eric Pearson, Akie Williams and Zack Barnes, while playing little or not at all, were all about the team. Coach Dave Culicerto told me Monday that one of the things that made him happiest about the win was that after the game in the locker room, everyone was excited about the win, nobody was in their own, selfish world. Now that is a team. And even while he waits out his return date, Derrick Palmer was right there too on the sidelines in his shirt and tie, jumping around in excitement like a little kid who just got a shiny new Huffy for Christmas (if this were the early 90’s and Huffys were still cool). A night like Friday, with the right accomplices (a smooth player like Jake Mankin, a true ‘we, not me’ team like Byrd and environment of pure energy), will always reaffirm to me why sport in its purest form can never be beaten. Yeah, I am from Indiana. I have played, seen and coached a lot of basketball and have an unrivaled love of the game. But Friday night was something truly special to witness and I hope all of those kids cherish it forever.
Chris Carr ~ Coach’s Corner
PART XI
If you weren’t at the William Byrd gym last Friday night, you missed out on a night of excitement. Last week I challenged the students to pack the gym for all the basketball games, and they certainly rose to the occasion on Friday. Playing the role of the sixth man, the Terrier fans cheered the boys on to a huge early season win over Salem. I was proud of the student fans who cheered on their team, became creative and spirited, and were very sportsmanlike. It was fun. And that type of fun can be had at every game, if you can bring the same enthusiasm. As for the game, Jake Mankin’s 39 points were an impressive feat. However, I was especially impressed with Nick Janowicz’s effort. It has been players like him that have allowed Byrd to achieve a level of success, over the years, that some might have thought unreachable. I know a lot of Byrd students read the Vinton Voice, so when you see Nick in the hallway, congratulate him on his hard work. Although his stats might not rival some of his teammates, its players like him that will allow this team to compete for a Blue Ridge District championship again this year.
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Ask the Pharmacist Eric DeLauder-Brooks, Pharm.D., MBA AskThePharmacist@vintonvoice.com Q: I have high blood pressure and was told there are certain cold medications I can’t take, but I can’t remember what they were. A: Pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine, the active ingredients in Sudafed and Sudafed PE, respectively, and many other combination cold medications, are decongestants that can increase blood pressure. Cold medications containing pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine should not be used in patients who have severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure or coronary artery disease. Patients with mild or well controlled high blood pressure, heart failure, or other cardiac diseases should use extreme caution when using a pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine containing product. If you have high blood pressure or heart problems and need an over-the-counter cold or cough medication, talk to your pharmacist about options that won’t raise your blood pressure or cause further problems. Make sure you always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking an over-the-counter cough or cold medication as some of these medications can interact with prescription medications. Dr. Erin DeLauder-Brooks is the pharmacy manager of the new Walgreens on Franklin Rd. If you have any pharmacy related questions, feel free to ask her at askthepharmacist@vintonvoice.com.
Buffalo Wing Dip Ingredients
8 oz. cream cheese 8 oz. shredded cheddar 8 oz. ranch dressing
8 oz. Franks brand Hot Sauce 10 oz. Swanson canned chicken breast (each can is 5 oz.)
Directions
As far as the chicken wing dip goes, mix all ingredients into a pan on the stove, stir constantly until everything is mixed well. The cream cheese always takes the longest to mix/melt. Then put it in a small crock pot that way it stays warm. Do take note that the 8 ounces makes a big batch, so just for a few people, you may want to use 4 ounces. -Submitted by Charlotte Vance
The Vinton Voice is looking for YOUR holiday recipes as Christmas and New Years Eve grow closer each day! Do you have a favorite recipe? Something your mom always made when you were young? A favorite of your family? Send it to info@vintonvoice.com
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State of the Town address delivers vision, praise Gene Marrano gmarrano@cox.net Vinton Mayor Brad Grose began his recent State of the Town address in a somewhat unusual way – by invoking legendary actress Elizabeth Taylor of all people. According to the story often repeated said Grose, Taylor told each of her eight husbands at the altar, “don’t worry, I won’t keep you long.” No doubt that drew chuckles from the crowd that included several other Town Council members and Mike Altizer, the Vinton district supervisor who narrowly won a recent reelection campaign. Grose wanted to talk “revitalization in the Town of Vinton,” mentioning efforts to create a partnership with the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, to secure funding for a master plan. Town staffers and a group that includes local residents called the Downtown Management Team has been formed to focus on just that issue. That management team said Grose helped secure a $35,000 planning grant that will be used to develop an economic marketing plan, for branding purposes and physical improvements for the greater downtown area. The Mayor outlined that area as extending from Virginia Avenue at 2nd Street to the Vinton War Memorial. The Virginia Housing Development Authority and a “partnership,” with Billy Vineyard, owner of the Vinton Motor Company property, will be used to conduct a feasibility study on that location. “We all know that this historic property is critical in the future development of downtown Vinton,” Grose told attendees at the meeting sponsored by the
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Vinton Area Chamber of Commerce. He also urged others to become part of the Downtown Management Team. After Town Manager Chris Lawrence spoke, Grose, a small business owner himself, returned to the podium to talk about what he termed “encouraging” signs of reinvestment in Vinton. Those signs included expansion of the Kroger store, now “one of the largest in Virginia.” The Vinton Kroger on Hardy Road even sells furniture and other household items. Advance Auto just cut the ribbon on a new location in Vinton, and façade improvements downtown have been made to the storefronts for Citizen Upholstery, Vinton Appliance, the Trading Post, etc. (The town has façade grant money available for businesses that qualify as part of an effort to spruce up the downtown corridor.) New businesses as noted by Grose include Up and Running Network Services, Super Dollar Discount Food Store, Country Cupboard
Antique Shop and this paper, the Vinton Voice. Grose had another bit of news: “yes, Teaberry’s is staying,” a reference to the restaurant in the Cundiff Drug building that first opened there temporarily. Look for a pottery shop and a tobacco products store said Grose. In fiscal year 20082009 there were over $9.1 million dollars worth of construction permits issued in the Town of Vinton, according to Grose. As for existing firms the mayor pointed out that M&W Fire Apparatus won the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce small business award for manufacturing, for a second straight year. Creative Occasions and the Vinton War Memorial were also nominated in that category. Grose pointed out that heading into December, 13,000 people had already come to the War Memorial for events there, not including repeat customers. About $3 million was spent to renovate and enlarge the iconic Vinton facility. In a down economy, “the Town of Vinton has experienced a decrease in our revenue,” said the mayor. To meet that challenge open positions were not filled, training was delayed, equipment was not purchased and staff salaries were frozen. “Everyone is working harder for the same amount of money – or less,” noted Grose, including many in the private sector. Nevertheless the town did what it had to in order to “maintain the level of service that our citizens and businesses deserve.” Grose ended by thanking those who work to make Vinton “such a wonderful place to live, work and shop.” He praised the “great working relationship,” between the Chamber and the Town as well. In tough times the Mayor offered some words of hope during his State of the Town address, and optimism about the future. Not to mention the Elizabeth Taylor quip.
You just don’t get it, Dale...
Dale Russell, MBA wheresmymoney@vintonvoice.com
OK, this week is a two-parter and sadly, I had to bring my soapbox with me. “You just don’t get it, Dale…” is something I hear a lot of these days when speaking to folks about the article usually prefaced by, “You give some great advice and I’m sure it will work for some folks, but…you just don’t get it, Dale…” OK, I’ll bite. What exactly don’t I get? I don’t make it a practice to share personal things with anyone but I will make an exception in this case just to prove a point. Long before the days of economic recession and government bailouts, my family and I suffered a complete and total financial reversal for reasons beyond my control or caused by my own hand. We lost virtually everything, and we survived. Yes, it was one of most difficult things my family and I has ever had to deal with, but we pulled together and survived. I remember the tear-filled nights; I remember not wanting to answer the phone because collectors were calling day and night, I remember looking at the growing stack of unpaid bills, I remember having to explain to my kids that bad things happen sometimes for no reason at all. Yes, I
remember… And we survived and flourished…and we, all of us, are better people for the experience. We all have control over our childish insides that say “I want it NOW…” and no longer use OPM, “Other People’s Money”, to get it; we are all smarter about the money choices we make and expect the best but plan ahead for the worst, and we have a new appreciation for diligence, wisdom, and perseverance. But most of all…we are closer as a family because adversity exposes a person’s true character and gives opportunity to mature. Our love and appreciation for each other grew and we understand each other much better. Yes, I would say we are much better for the experience. So I would ask again, what exactly do I not get? I have made it my quest to ensure that my family and I never go through financial adversity again. I made it a priority to learn everything possible about money and taxes and how they work, and I have the opportunity to share time tested proven methods with you. Now there may be folks that don’t agree with some of my ideas preferring to advise you in another way, and that’s ok. Except, before you completely dismiss me, examine their motives. Is the opposing view doing so for a profit motive or do they really have a better way? That’s for you to decide, but I offer this article asking nothing in return. Give it some thought… OK, so the soapbox is away, for the moment… So, let’s talk about taxes. Yes, taxes would be one of my most favorite topics because it is the single largest bill folks deal with and many pay the least amount of attention to. Hmmm… wonder why that is? I suspect it’s because many folks get confused and give up or just give in. That’s where I come in. As a tax advisor, I
have worked diligently to save the clients I have worked with thousands of dollars in reduced tax liability through locating and executing legal deductions and strategies either unknown to or missed by others. But that only happens through preparation and planning. Taxes are not magical nor are they rocket science, but they do require some effort on your part to understand. Some of you may decide to go it alone this year and do your own filings. You can get that tax software right beside the M&M’s at most stores starting around January. Just remember, even our Treasury Secretary didn’t do their own taxes right with those packages so…Hmmm. Let me ask you something. It’s getting cold outside right? If your heat-pump breaks down, are you going to try to fix it yourself or are you going to call someone that knows how it works and can fix it, for a cost, but fix it right the first time? I don’t know about you, but I’m calling someone because I don’t like the cold and neither does my family. More than that, I had the unit checked out before it got cold so I wouldn’t have to deal with it when the repairman can (and will) charge me the most because he knows I don’t want to be cold. Taxes are no different. Find someone that is educated and successful in your tax matters, is moral in how they conduct business, and that you like and let them help you. Sure, it will cost a little but it will save you time, aggravation, and money in the long run. Don’t delay… there are some things, easy things, that can be done right now to help you in January. Start your search; find someone that you are comfortable with, and get to work. If you want help finding someone, give me a shout Wheresmymoney@vintonvoice.com.
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Obituaries
RUSSELL LEWIS SHORT, 66, of Vinton went to be with our Lord and Savior on Monday, November 30, 2009. He was a wonderful and generous son, husband, father, and Pawpaw and loved his family with all his heart. He was a great friend and colleague to hundreds of people in the Roanoke Valley. For over 40 years, he was the Founder and CEO of Russell Short Excavating , and helped develop the Roanoke Valley through numerous commercial projects, subdivisions, schools and churches. He is preceded in death by his father, Robert Lee Short, Sr.; his son-in-law, Ty A. Hodges; and his niece, Christy L. Short. He is survived by his devoted and caring wife, Janet C. Short; loving mother, Frances Muriel Gray Short; brother, Robert Lee Short, Jr. and his wife, Brenda; three children, Cathy Short Watson and husband, Wayne, David Russell Short, and Linda Short Hodges; six grandchildren that he loved and cherished, Shayne, Whitney, and Sarah Short, Victoria Watson, and Renee and Seth Hodges; devoted lifelong employees Liz Thomas and Mickey Bowman and his men; and an endless number of loving family members and friends. Funeral services were held 12 noon, Friday, December 4, 2009 at Oakey’s Vinton Chapel with Rev. Joey Phillips and Dr. John Ott officiating. Interment followed in Mountain View Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Goodview Baptist Church Building Fund, 1057 Grace Court, Goodview, VA 24095. The family received friends from 2-4 and 6-9 p.m. on Thursday, December 3, 2009 at Oakey’s Vinton Chapel, 982-2221. RUTH MOORE CUNNINGHAM ANDERSON, 84, of Roanoke, passed away Monday, November 30, 2009. She was a member of Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses on Belle Avenue. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Faye Sheffield and widow of Jack C. Anderson. Surviving are sons and daughters-in-law, James “Jim” and Judy Cunningham, Vinton, Claude “Shorty” and Pam Cunningham, Roanoke; daughter and son-in-law, Gay and Dan Walke, Kansas; eight grandchildren; a number of great grandchildren; sister, Marguerite Smith, Roanoke; and brothers, Richard Moore, Johnson City, TN and Ernest Moore, Verona, VA. Funeral services were held 12 noon, Saturday, December 5, 2009 at Oakey’s Vinton Chapel with Gary White officiating. Interment followed in Mountain View Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Vinton First Aid – Fire Department, P. O. Box 314, Vinton, VA 24179 or the Bedford Fire Department, P. O. Box 161, Bedford, VA 24523. The family received friends after 1 p.m. Friday, December 4, 2009 at Oakey’s Vinton Chapel, 982-2221.
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PAUL RONALD ANDREWS, 71, of the Shady Grove Community of Bedford County, passed away Sunday, December 6, 2009 at the University of Virginia Medical Center. He was a loyal employee of Thor, Inc. for over 30 years. He was preceded in death by parents, Mamie and John Lewis Andrews. Surviving are his wife of 30 years, Carol Andrews; children and spouses, Sherry and Wes Keen of Stewartsville, Boyd Andrews and Vicki of Roanoke, Tim Andrews and wife, Sherrie of Shady Grove, Ann Andrews of Salem, Jeffrey Andrews of Roanoke, and Tommy Andrews of Montvale; five grandchildren, Brooks, Traci, Sami, Brandon, and Angel; and one great-grandchild. Funeral services will be held 12 noon, Wednesday, December 9, 2009 at Oakey’s Vinton Chapel with Rev. Harry Leland officiating. Interment will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. The family received friends from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, December 8, 2009 at Oakey’s Vinton Chapel, 982-2221. DARLINE F. DICKERSON THOMASSON, 76, of Goodview, Va., went to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, December 3, 2009. She was born on August 19, 1933, to the late Acie Dickerson and Mary Lucy Plunkett Dickerson. She was also predeceased by a brother, Howard Dickerson. Darline retired from Eli Lilly after many years of service. Survivors include two sons, James Alfred Thomasson and wife, Sandra, of Hardy, and Terry Lee Thomasson, of Goodview; two daughters, Julie Ann Buzik and husband, Donald, of Vinton, and Mary Belinda McKinney and husband, David, of Bedford; grandchildren, Lee, Samantha, Loretta, Amanda, Patricia and Jamie; nine great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Mary Jane Light, of Goodview, and Mae (Sis) Carner, of Stewartsville. A service celebrating Darline’s life was conducted 1 p.m. on Saturday, December 5, 2009, from the Lotz Vinton Chapel with the Rev. Joey Phillips officiating. Burial to follow in Goodview Baptist Church Cemetery. The family received friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, December 4, 2009, at the Lotz Funeral Home, Vinton Chapel. To send online condolences, please visit www.lotzfuneralhome.com. IMOGENE CRANFORD (GENE) ERICKSON, 78, of Vinton, Va., passed away on Thursday, December 3, 2009. She was born on May 6, 1931, to the late Oliver M. Cranford and Sallie Elizabeth Nunn Cranford. She was also predeceased by two sons, Randy Eugene Erickson and Nathan Max Erickson; a sister, Nell Brown; and brother, Max Cranford. Imogene worked in retail sales having spent time at W.T. Grant and K-Mart Stores. Surviving are her husband of 59 years, Richard Lee Erickson; two sons, Richard Keith Erickson and wife, Kay, of Richlands, Ga., and Warren McDonald Erickson and wife, Ginger, of Stewartsville; a daughter, Myra Nell Guilliams and husband, Jim, of Moneta; sister-in-law, Sissy Erickson, of Rocky Mount; 14 grandchildren; and one deceased grandchild; several great-grandchildren; and one sister, Myra C. Baker, of Covington, Ga. A service celebrating Imogene’s life was conducted 10 a.m. on Monday, December 7, 2009, from the Lotz Vinton Chapel with the Rev. Joey Phillips and Philip Clements officiating. Burial will be private. The family received friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, December 6, 2009, at the Lotz Funeral Home, Vinton Chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice.
Roanoke County Public Library system December Events In celebration of the holiday, all Roanoke County Public Libraries will close at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 24, and reopen at their regular time (9:00 a.m.) on Monday, December 28. Book Clubs for Adults (In chronological order) Vinton Book Club Vinton Library Thursday, January 7, 2:30 pm Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Shaffer 800 E. Washington Ave. Call 857-5043 for more information. Tween Events (Tweens are Grades 4 – 6) Tween Scene (Grades 4 – 6) Vinton Branch Library Seasonal Cards Thursday, December 10, 4:00 – 5:15 p.m. 800 E. Washington Ave. Call 857-5043 for more information Teen Events (In chronological order) Vinton Teen Council Vinton Branch Library Monday, December 14, 4:00 p.m. 800 E. Washington Ave. Call 857-5043 for more information Children’s Special Events (In chronological order) Holiday Parties Vinton Preschool Party with Santa! Vinton Library Tuesday, December 15, 10:30 am 800 E. Washington Ave. Call 857-5043 for more information Midweek Movie Madness! Vinton Library DVD movies shown on a large screen with surround sound system. Wednesday, December 16, 4:00 pm Computer Classes (In chronological order) The Library now charges a nominal non-refundable registration fee of $10.00 per class. December 16 Vinton Library Classes “FaceBook” 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., 800 E. Washington Ave. 857-5043 to register. December 17 Vinton Library Classes “Free Music on the Internet” 9:30 – 11:30 a.m., 800 E. Washington Ave. 857-5043 to register.
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Model X5150 Vinton Chamber of Lexmark Event Photos Commerce All in One printer, dannycruffphotography.com has moved offices scanner, copier, and fax Team Photos and is looking for the Real good condition, comes with....software dannycruffphotography.com following things: for windows and Desk, Desk chair, Desk macintosh, owners FOR SALE accessories, Desk manual, two extra black lamps or pole lamp, Matching lounge ink cartridges, one 3 chair mats without and chair – both for extra color cartridge, cleats, Table or stand power cable. USB cable $1000. Almost like for printer, Coat tree, brand new! not furnished. asking Umbrella stand, phone, Call 540-427-4466 $75.00...call Fred at Visual Aids: Screen, (540) 353-6268 Laptop; Speaker’s Drill Press, Bearing Stand, Kitchen supplies Press, Misc. shop CLOTHING (such as pitchers, items for sale. platters,etc for serving) Wedding Dress And guess what, Vinton Area Chamber Size 8, never worn The Price is Right. of Commerce NEW wedding dress with A+ Price is Right Auto location: 116 S.Poplar matching flower girl Parts and Supplies St., Suite 1A – Vinton, dress, slip, veil and sash. $500. VA 24179 341 Walnut Ave. Vinton Call 540-910-1203 Call: 540-343-1364 982-8777
Two Tickets, Virginia Tech vs. Tennessee in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl. May be interested in more if available. Please call, 540-597-8633
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Back issues of old Vinton newspapers, The FOR RENT older the better, dating back to the Vinton Professional Business Booster and Vinton space available, Record if available. approx 400 sq. ft. 116 Need to be able to S. Poplar St. Woodland keep, not just borrow. Square, off of Washington Please call, Ave. Next door to the 540-904-5836. Vinton Chamber and Vinton Voice. Call for information 580 4675 Toys for Tots, accepting donations Reserve your spot today in at M&M All-State Housing, Vehicles, Market, Insurance, 119 W.Lee Jobs, Services, Notices Ave. in Vinton and many sub-categories!
William Byrd grad given highest youth award Troop 18 sponsored by Evangel Church is proud to present the Eagle Scout Award to Ryan Hansbarger. The Eagle Scout award is the highest award given to an youth member of the Boy Scouts of America. Ryan built the support columns and walls for a new sign at New Beginings Church in Cloverdale. He is a graduate of William Byrd High School.
What better gift than that of knowledge?
This Saturday, December 12! At Virginia Western Community College in Roanoke, Crowning in Miss, Teen, PreTeen, Wee and Little Miss. Also, the new Miss William Byrd will be crowned!
Tickets are $12.00 and students are $8.00 with all proceeds benefiting the scholarship fund for both pageants. Sponsorship provided by:
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This holiday season, get your loved one a subscription to the only publication made in Vinton, for Vinton! See Page 10 for subscription info.
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VOICE 09
Everybody Reads The Voice
Sue Morrison sent in this picture of her children Ryan and Rachael Morrison, former William Byrd Middle School students, reading the Vinton Voice in Ft. Mill, South Carolina. From Sue: “Thanks to Jenny Stallard, Penny Slusher, and Janie Bible for the gift subscription, so that we can keep up with all our friends from the Vinton community.”
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FAR LEFT: Even Santa takes time from his busy Christmas schedule to read the Voice. Maybe that’s where he sees who is being naughty and who is being nice? LEFT: WBHS Principal Dr. Richard Turner and Caroline Munro check out Issue 15 of the Voice. Munro, who was featured as Bond Girl ‘Naomi’ in 1977’s James Bond: The Spy Who Loved Me, was in Vinton for the Christmas Parade. The woman who once co-starred with Roger Moore also spoke at WBHS and was awarded a key to the city.
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Last Thursday night marked the annual Vinton Christmas Parade through downtown Vinton, with a total of 80 entries, led by the Marine Color/Honor Guard and concluding with Santa Claus on the back of a fire truck and the Vinton First Aid vehicle. Before the main event of the evening started, Mayor Brad Grose kicked things off from the Vinton Municipal Building by lighting the town Christmas tree, which had been donated by Karl and Jenny Stallard. Other featured events before the parade were the Floyd Ward Cloggers and the Revelation Quartet. Also before the event, Grose presented Vinton guest Caroline Munro with a ‘Key to the City.’ Munro, visiting from England, is an actress best known for her role in the James Bond movie “The Spy Who Loved Me.” The actress was delighted with the honor bestowed on her by Grose, as she let be known after the ceremony while spending time alongside Grose, Bootie Bell Chewning, Vinton Area Chamber of Commerce’s Sabrina Weeks and Judy Cunningham and Town of Vinton’s Mary Beth Layman while the William Byrd Marching Band took time to play some holiday tunes outside the Municipal Building. First, second and third place awards were given for parade entries in both Religious and Non-Religious categories. Awards were also given to childrens floats and the ‘Best in Parade’ category. That top award for ‘Best in Parade,’ also known as the Mayor’s Award, was given to the Parrot Heads of Blue Ridge. In the Religious category, first place went to Blue Ridge Christian Riders, second to Southside Baptist Church and third to Parkway Christian Academy. In the Non-Religious category, top honor when to Crowe Septic, followed by Vinton Veterinary Hospital in second and Wildwood Campground in third. Best Children’s Float was given to Girl Scout Troop 815, while Best Children’s Other went to Hollins Road Church of Brethren. Judges for the parade were Debby Grose, Dr. Richard Turner, Jessica Bohn and Ally Henderson. “It was cold but very seasonal for a Christmas Parade. We are always thankful for no precipitation,” said Cunningham, the Executive Director of the Vinton Area Chamber of Commerce. After the Parade concluded, the Chamber held an open house at the War Memorial with the Revelation Quartet again performing, and also with refreshments, crafts and a special visit from Santa himself. The 2010 parade will be on December 2 and the Chamber will begin working on the parade during the month of June, when applications for entry will be available on the Chamber website. •Christmas Parade Photos - next page
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Photo by Danny Cruff
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Photos (above and right upper) by Dan Vance
Photo by Danny Cruff
Photo by Danny Cruff
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Dan Vance
Photos (above and below) by Danny Cruff
Photos (left and above) by Danny Cruff
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‘The Razor Strap’ A Poem by Nancy Stovall Jones After our father had been laid to rest And the family gathered to recall the best Of times and relations we’d all held dear, With Mother and children, all so near, One brother’s treasure he boasted and held Was the razor strap father administered well. To each of his children, this projected on screen Various drams of times they’d “been mean”. Each one recalled episodes with the strap, But many more times spent on Father’s lap. For always discretion patiently presided, Even if in the end, you had to be chided. And afterward, he’d say the same thing you knew: “Honey, this hurts me more than it does you.” But, that never meant much at the time it was said… It’s strange how meaningful the words since he’s dead.
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It strikes me profoundly as a parent now, too. What a “milestone” in life when Father first knew He’d never need to use his leather strap again, And he gave it to Charles…Could he have known then? That his discipline was over, his children on track… He didn’t have to worry or even look back? From now on out, it could all be talk, For his children knew how to follow his walk. Because his steps throughout life had been sure; The memory of them, no doubt, would allure His family to follow in the steps he had to trod, Leading them closer, and closer, to God. What more could one ask from his example on earth, Than for all his children to have the new birth, Which, viewed in the eyes of their children too, Leads unendingly to Christian generations a’new?
Do you want to give a meaningful gift this holiday season? Consider purchasing and dedicating a brick-style paver for the Vinton/Roanoke County Veterans Monument in honor of a loved one. These beautiful pavers are a wonderful way to honor veterans, active military personnel or another special person. Upon completion in spring 2010, the Vinton/Roanoke County Veterans monument will serve as a constant memorial to those who serve and have served. What a powerful, heartfelt gift it would be for someone to know they brought such an important monument to fruition. The pavers can be purchased for $150 and engraved with up to 42 characters. To purchase a paver, please fill out the form below. Be sure to put only one character or space per box. Thank you for considering a donation to the Vinton/Roanoke County Veterans Monument. Please feel free contact Candye Ann Peters, Assistant Campaign Director at (540) 525-8449, or Mary Beth Layman, Town of Vinton at (540) 983-0613. Contact Name: __________________________________________________ Address: ____________________________________________ City: _______________________
State: _______
Zip: _____________ Phone: _________________
E-mail: _______________________
Please specify your engraving below (one character or space per space): ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ Cost per brick/paver: $150 ___ Cash
___ Check made payable to: Vinton Vision Committee P.O. Box 365, Vinton, VA. 24179-0365
___ Charge
Type: ______________________ Card #:___________________________________ Expiration: ______________________
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playing the music and all the kids singing and Dancing. To make it sweeter most of the Basketball team came by after Beating Salem in a nail biting game. Congrats Boys!!!!!!!!! Griffith Lyman all celebrating birthdays. Hope Congratulations to THE MAN OF THE HOUR, you all had a good one. I know Greg Boitnott Frank Wolfe on Nov. 21st at Vinton Bowling. He did. Angie had a surprise party for him at Bob’s bowled a 300 game. WAY TO GO FRANK!!!!!!!! Friday night. I understand there were lots of Get well wishes and prayers go out to Ann surprises. The place was rocking all night long. Nicely (1 operation down another to go on Another great Birthday party was held at arteries in her neck), she is home now. Now Ann Vinton Baptist for Christie Vernon’s Birthday that is too scary. Bob Gillispie (RMH) Karen It was called the party for the cure. Christie Miller (still waiting on the kidney), Jackie requested that instead of presents for her that Blount , Ann Brown, Bill Hufton, April Hall everyone makes a donation to Vinton’s Relay (Carrington Place), Doug Patterson (Friendship for life and her team. Now that is one unselfish Manor) Maude Hale (at home Now)Please young lady as always helping others and putting remember all those in the homes and shut -in them before herself. This is one young lady that with a card or visit. is a terrific role model. Thank You for being Congratulations to Jodie Moore and John you. With that said the party was a rocking Jay Tutalo who were married Nov.7 at the success with the King of DJ’s Joey Nicely lovely home of Jim and Dee Rivers. Jodie &
John live in New York ,where Jodie has been musical conductor or played in the orchestra for many shows on and Off Broadway, most recent 9 to 5. John works for the David Letterman Show. May you two have a great life together. Also Congrats to Dianne and Bill MCConnell who were Married Dec. 5 at Thrasher Memorial Methodist by Rev. David Vaughan. Best wishes you two. Hannah & Ethan Sutton Have a new baby sister Kara Faith born Nov. 21. Proud parents are Michael & Amanda Sutton. Grandparents are Tom & Cam Marriott, Red & Judy Sutton. Great Grandparents are Calvin and Louise Powers. Congrats!! to all Last week I listed lots of happenings Check them all out. Add this week Dec. 12 and Dec. 13 6:00pm “A Christmas Homecoming “at Vinton Baptist. Always a wonderful show.
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Oakey’s opens Funeral Home and Crematory for Pets Chris Manning Publisher Oakey’s has been a trusted name in Vinton for many years and now they have yet another service to offer in your time of sorrow. This one is a little different, however, as it isn’t for people, it’s for your pets. “We had people come to us wanting to purchase infant caskets to use for their dogs and cats” says Sammy Oakey, President of Oakey’s “and we were happy to do that, but I thought this might be something we could use to further our ministry to the valley.” The Oakey’s group did some studying on the subject, even going as far as heading to Columbus, OH for a meeting where they discussed pet funeral homes, as well as visiting pet funeral homes in Abingdon and Richmond. Finally, once the idea seemed feasible and seemed like something folks in the Valley would want, they decided to go forward with Oakey’s Pet Funeral Home and Crematory at 5416 Airport Rd. in Roanoke.
Don’t let the location throw you off, Oakey’s chose the site, which was at one time a residence, due to its central location, allowing everyone in the Valley the opportunity to give their pets a final farewell. That includes keeping the owners, or family, as Oakey’s prefers to look at them, involved in every step of the process, including being able to witness the animal being placed into the retort chamber, if they so wish. “We will treat their pets with the same dignity we treat people” Oakey says. The home is nowhere near the size of a typical Oakey’s, however there are rooms for the family to gather and be able to show their sorrow for their pet, as well as a lot of the same things you’d always find in Oakey’s, but instead of being for a person, they’re for your pet. While there are current options available beyond just “burying them in the back yard,” Oakey feels like some of the current options are unsatisfactory and wants to provide that additional option. Oakey’s plans to work with local veterinarians, not against them,
wanting to partner to give the pet owners the best possible send off for their dog, cat, bird, lizard or whatever kind of animal it may be. With any new venture, there is always a specific clientele in mind, this venture is no different “we’re aiming toward anyone who cares about their pets and wants to see their pet’s life celebrated.” There are different pricing packages
available and Oakey believes they’ve made giving your pet the proper send off “affordable for everybody.”
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Photo by Danny Cruff
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The Vinton Museum (1) held an Open House this past Saturday for visitors to check out the museum and view items and stories from the rich history of Vinton.
Photos by Tommy Wood
A single car crashed through a home (2&3) last week in Vinton on Wyndham and Colbourne. Nobody was injured when the driver lost control and went through the garage area of the house.
Photos by Chris Manning
Charades Nostalgic Grille
Chris Manning Publisher Many of you may remember Charades, a lounge style bar in the Marriot Hotel in Roanoke toward the airport. For years, it was one of the hottest places in town to go whether you were from here, visiting or returning to town, everyone knew Charades. According to long time Charades employee Jeremy Meador, corporate influence caused the downfall of one of the Roanoke Valley’s hot spots. Today, Jeremy and his Fiancé Tonya Powell have attempted to re-establish the memories of Charades and other Roanoke Valley memories with Charades Nostalgic Grille, opening on Black Friday this year. It came about due to a conversation with a good friend of Meador’s and the conversation turned to Meador’s hopes and dreams, when they were finished, Meador had a check from, who he calls, a silent investor and
they got to work. Inside the former “Blake’s” building, you will find a menu full of choices and that’s just on the temporary menu. Although the idea is based on the Charades bar, including some of the original furniture and the, soon to be put up, sign, this version of Charades is so much more. Although Meador admits his location doesn’t have the best track record of success, he’s confident that things are going to work in his favor “we’ve got the grocery store [Super Dollar] here now and before it was point specific, if you came here to this shopping center you were either going to the appliance store [Ward’s] or Pizza Hut, and if you were going for Pizza you weren’t also going to another restaurant” Meador says “it also probably didn’t help that the empty spaces next door had cardboard in the windows and just weren’t attractive, we took that out and cleaned up the windows to at least make it a little more attractive.” You can see the competitive fire in Meador’s eyes, probably the
same fire that he showed during his career as a professional wrestler, something that has snuck into his new business. “Boogie [Jimmy Valiant] is a good friend and wants to help out” Meador says of the wrestler who has been honored by being inducted into every major promotion’s hall of fame. The relationship is so close that one of Charades’ signature burgers is named after Valiant, “he picked it himself” Meador says “he picked the ingredients and toppings and now we have a “Boogie Woogie Burger.” “The competitiveness also shows when Meador talks about Charades, “part of doing this was the challenge” he says. The grand opening, although no official date has been set, is planned for sometime in January. There will be an appearance by Valiant, a muscle car show with cars from Star City Muscle and even a few surprises. Until then, Charades is open for business, serving up a temporary menu and continuing to improve the site they are in until it is everything they want it to be. Although temporary may sound like a bad thing, there is enough on this menu that you wonder how they’re going to have room for anything else. Currently there are more burgers than you
can shake a stick at, along with the Boogie Burger, you’ll also see things like the Johnny B. Goode (“So hot it will have you squealing like Chuck Berry’s Guitar,) the Leroy Brown (“The baddest burger in the whole darn town”) among more, including the Nostalgia Burger, Charades’ take on the Kenny Burger, in the original Kenny’s secret sauce. Meador and Powell hope that this version of Charades can take the place of or be even better than its namesake, there will be some differences, with their large family, they expect this to be a place you can bring the kids on a night when Mom just can’t or doesn’t want to cook. They expect this to be a place the “guys” can just come hang out after work or on the weekends and above all, they expect this to be a place Vinton can be proud of, “[Vinton Town Manager] Chris Lawrence has a vision for Vinton and really wants to improve it and we feel the same way and hope to be a part of that” Meador says. Charades is located at 1094 Bypass Rd. in the River Park Shopping Center [next to Super Dollar] and is open six days a week. For more information, stop by or visit www.charadesgrille.com.
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Photos by Danny Cruff (Rec.League basketball) and Dan Vance (WBHS boys basketball)
Basketball season tipped off officially this week with the WBHS boys opening up at Cave Spring for a battle between Jake Mankin and Knight Josh Henderson (1). The Terriers used several players inside, including Jordan Ronning (2) and Leon Williams, to help slow down Henderson. Before the varsity game, Zachary Doss (3) and the JV team did battle with the Knights. The JV also got things going, though with a tough loss, on Friday night with Robbie Sherwood (4) providing some muscle inside against Salem. In the varsity game that night, Mankin was the highlight, but the gritty, confident play of Scott Cole (5) helped the Terriers to the win. Over the weekend, Rec. play took center stage at William Byrd Middle School for a tournament, featuring teams such as the Vinton Terriers (6). Familiar Rec. League face Larry Basham (7) also took to the court alongside his teammates with the Vinton Tar Heels.
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(5) Photos by Danny Cruff (WBHS girls basketball) and Jacob Clifton (volleyball)
After a successful home and season opener, the girls basketball team from WBHS traveled to Salem for a close, physical encounter. Byrd led by as many as 17 points, led by 11 from Samantha Webster and Brittany Mattox (1) and eight points from junior post Jessica Rhodes (2). Before the varsity game, the JV also fell to the physicality of Salem despite a strong effort from many, including eighth graders Madison Morris (3) and Kassie Brammer (4).
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Last Tuesday, the volleyball team at WBHS held their end of the year banquet, where seniors including Laura Belcher (5) were honored. Also honored during the evening were captains (6) Kayla Mabe, Belcher, Candace Brady, Macie Hoback and Sierra Spain; and Samantha Webster and Kalyn Molnar were named Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year respectively.
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Ask the
Guy
>Expert answers to your health and wellness questions Dwight Ward Contributor Question: I keep hearing about the benefits of HIIT (high-intensity interval training). Can you tell me specifically what it is and the benefits of doing it? Answer: High-intensity interval training is a fantastic way to work out, and it offers many of the same advantages of more traditional training programs in much less time. The idea is to pick an activity that you like to do, and then fluctuate between periods of highintensity, sprint-type work and less intense, active recovery periods. This type of pattern is repeated several times until you’ve completed 15-20 minutes of exercise, not counting your warm-up and cool-down. The specific ratio you choose will depend primarily on your fitness level, but the goal is to finish the entire workout in about 30 minutes. Numerous studies have touted the benefits of this type of training, including improvements in VO2max, resting metabolic rate post-exercise, and overall endurance performance. Researchers also found significant improvements in whole body and skeletal muscle fat oxidation, meaning the body became more efficient at using fat as a fuel source. Despite these results, HIIT isn’t for everyone. If you’re new to exercise, make sure to improve your base fitness level first, before moving on to more advanced training programs. As always, if you have questions, contact a personal trainer in your area.
Question: I’ve tried numerous diets in the past few years, but for some reason, my attempts always seem to end in failure. Can you explain this? Answer: You may have some personal reasons for your lack of success, so I can’t necessarily comment on that. However, I think we can safely sum up diet failures in three problematic scenarios. The first is the fact that almost all diet plans are too restrictive in one way or another. Either there are not enough calories, too few carbohydrates, or very little solid food, which ends up leaving people feeling unsatisfied and yearning for more of what their plans are missing. Plus, if you’re getting too little of one thing, you’re probably getting too much of another. Clearly, this is not the way to achieve variety, balance and moderation in your eating plan. Another potential problem is a general lack of monitoring. If you’re not paying attention to how much you’re eating, exercising, sleeping, and working, it’s going to become increasingly difficult to be successful. Research has proven this time and time again, but monitoring your progress takes extra work, and many never commit the time and energy needed to keep track of their habits. The last issue, and probably one of the most obvious, is the fact that people always seem to be looking for a quick fix. They simply aren’t interested in—or haven’t fully committed to—changing their behaviors permanently. Any changes made are generally short-lived, which means you’ll probably be back in the same boat in the very near future. Most diets are simply shortterms solutions to a long-term problem. Weight gain doesn’t happen overnight, and because of
this, it takes some serious planning and hard work to overcome. Question: Foods seem to be so high in salt these days, and I’m aware of the dangers of hypertension, heart disease, and stroke. Can you please clarify the amount of sodium I should be consuming daily? Answer: You’re right—salt is everywhere these days. Processed foods are the main culprit, but the increased reliance on fast foods and restaurant meals are problematic as well. To add to the confusion, people often have trouble differentiating between sodium and salt. Salt is actually 40% sodium, so when discussing recommendations, we need to be clear about what we’re talking about. The current Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends less than 2300 milligrams of sodium per day (5800 milligrams or 1 teaspoon of salt). On the other hand, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommends 1500 milligrams of sodium per day (3800 milligrams of salt), and they set the tolerable upper intake level at 2300 milligrams. It’s clear that your intake should fall somewhere between these two ranges, or even less, but it’s actually quite difficult to keep your sodium level as low as 1500 milligrams per day. In fact, the IOM points out that 95% of American men and 75% of American women consume sodium in excess of the tolerable upper limit—not good news for those of us looking to avoid chronic disease as we get older. In order to keep your sodium intake in check, you need to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, and make sure you buy foods that are fresh and unprocessed. And don’t forget to avoid adding salt at the dinner table as well. About the author : Dwight Ward is the club owner/ Certified Personal Trainer at Anytime Fitness in Bonsack. To submit a question for future articles, please contact the author at bonsackva@anytimefitness.com.
Byrd wrestlers open with crushing loss, but bounce back >Team prepares for two-day meet this weekend at large Hidden Valley meet The William Byrd wrestling team’s season opener wasn’t exactly what the Terriers hoped for. However when you’re a young team with a lot of learning to do and you’re facing one of the top teams in all of AAA, you look at the good as opposed to the bad. The bad has to be a learning experience and that’s exactly what the 63-18 loss on this past Wednesday was to Coach Reed Carpenter and his team, “we got our butt kicked, but they’re really good, but we had some good things come out of it too.” Derek Sheehan, Zach Johnson and Dustin Woods were all winners by pinfall, while Franklin County had eight pinfall wins over Byrd. This was originally supposed to be a quad with Cave Spring and Magna Vista in the mix, but between Cave Spring’s football hopes still alive and Magna Vista having scheduling issues, this turned into a one on one affair.
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Saturday, the wrestlers took a trip to EC Glass for a quad where they faced EC Glass, GW Danville and Liberty Christian Academy. After Wednesday’s “butt kicking” the Terriers were focused and took out their frustrations in their
with the score tied 30-30. His six point victory assured that Byrd would win, assuming their heavyweight Dustin Woods didn’t get pinned. He didn’t and Byrd won 36-33. “It felt good to go in there and come away with three wins and what I liked the best was the fact that everyone got at least a win Saturday.” The Terriers will be off until Friday when they have back to back days of the Titan Toughman, starting at 2pm Friday at Hidden Valley. “This is a big tournament and we’d expect to have some individual champions, Zakk Moorman won this last year and we’re expecting Dustin to win and Derek has been wrestling well and will be going in to this 4-0” Carpenter says. They are expecting around sixteen teams for the Toughman, including the Terriers and with action Friday and starting at 10am on Saturday, head across town and support your Terrier wrestlers.
“We really got our butt kicked, but they’re really good, but we had some good things come out of it too.” early matches against GW Danville. “We beat them as bad, or worse than Franklin County beat us” Carpenter said. They were also victorious against EC Glass and got a huge “pick me up” in the form of Zach Thurman who came away with a pinfall victory
William Byrd blasts Cave in opener >Dominating performance starts season on right foot; girls stumble in second game against physical Salem
Photo by Danny Cruff
Samantha Webster goes up for a shot early in last week’s dominating win over the visiting Cave Spring Knights.
Nothing went right for Cave Spring on Wednesday night, as the visiting Knights were rolled by William Byrd 56-22. Samantha Webster led the Terriers with 12 points and four rebounds, but Byrd also received crucial scoring from Jodi Overstreet (11), Jessica Rhodes (9), Brittany Mattox (8) and Kam Hagins (7). Hagins and Rhodes added seven and five rebounds respectively. “Cave Spring was a great home opener for us, we got after it on defense and forced Cave Spring into high turnovers which led to transition points for us,” said Byrd coach Fran Recchia. “ We were able to play several different lineups which will help prepare us for the season ahead.” As a team, Byrd shot 62 percent from the field and dished out a total of 18 assists. On Friday, Byrd opened well, but failed to close in a physical 53-48 loss in Salem. “We played very well in the first half, we were clicking offensively - setting each other up for success with our screens, passes and shots. We came out in the second half knowing
that Salem was going to turn up the pressure defensively and would try to make us play faster than we wanted,” Recchia said. Unfortunately, Byrd played right into the hand of Salem and their zone press, giving up a lead that was a large as 17. “We let Salem’s pressure get to us and force us into 30 turnovers for the game - the majority coming in the third quarter.” The turnovers keyed a Spartan 23-5 run that gave them the lead heading into the fourth quarter and Byrd could never rebound. Byrd still shot well from the field, hitting on 43 percent of their shots. Webster, Rhodes and Mattox again led the way, with 11, 11, and eight points respectively. Overstreet added seven more points and the four combined for 25 rebounds. Emily Hanna was 3-for-3 from deep in the first half, but did not score in the final two periods of play. Ashley Smith of Byrd left the game with a minor head injury, but did not return and is expected to be OK. Webster also left with a similar injury, but did return
Indoor track starts strong in two-day meet at Liberty
Moe helping to bring toys to tots
M&M Insurance Agency, located at 119 W.Lee in downtown Vinton is collecting toys for the ‘Toys for Tots’ program. The program is one that Moe Mattox has been participating in for many years and has had great success with in 2009, however donations are still being collected.
The Terrier indoor track team had their opening meet at Liberty’s track. Coach Eric Royal was ecstatic with the results, “a lot of the kids had wins in their heats, and although that doesn’t have a lot to do with the overall results, but when you race in a heat against a bunch of people and you win or you finish toward the top, that makes them feel good” says Royal “that was a great case for people like Kyle Yetter, Dalton Royal and Jonathan Murphy, who won or were very competitive in their heat, which makes them excited.” Overall, the team had some other great things happen. There was a school record broken in the 3200, Nick Lefell beat the record by twenty seconds, coming in at 9:57, followed closely by teammate Kevin O’Connor at 10:00, qualifying them both for the state competition already. “It was exciting to see them compete and they were fighting for their spots, seeing that happen was worth spending 12 hours at Liberty on a Saturday” Royal said laughing. He also saw some eyes opened with some of his competitors who were new to the sport, “to see them competing in something they weren’t used to and seeing them realize that this is pretty cool, that was great to see.” Other highlights were John Williams coming in third in the 500, and two relay teams won their races, the 4x400 team consisted of Jonathan Murphy, John Mooney, John Williams and Josh Williams, the 4x800 team consists of the Williams brothers as well as Phil Gilmore and Nick Lefell. There were a lot of higher finishes than expected, especially considering the fact that there were nearly 40 schools at this event and some events had more than 100 competitors. The team will make the drive back to Liberty this Saturday at 9 am for the Asics Elite and Royal is excited about watching his team continue to grow and strive towards February, when the team will be competing in the Blue Ridge District tournament meet.
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Mankin leads team effort vs. Salem >Career best numbers help stun Spartans in OT; Culicerto and team struggle in road opener, Leon Williams helps shut down Division I recruit Henderson Dan Vance Editor-in-Chief
Photo by Dan Vance
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Senior Jake Mankin scored 39 points, but it was a Scott Cole three-pointer that did in visiting Salem last Friday night, in a 63-60 overtime victory for William Byrd, despite not leading until late in regulation. “These guys want to win, they are motivated kids, they are competitive. They didn’t like the fact that they got down against Salem anymore than I did,” said Byrd coach Dave Culicerto, who slowed Salem down with a zone defense in the second half. Mankin tallied 18 of his points in the fourth quarter, the only Terrier to score in the final frame, to push Byrd to their first lead of the contest at the 1:21 mark. But a costly Eric Slone foul with 4.2 seconds remaining allowed Spartan Bud Tolliver to shoot and hit three free throws to send the game to overtime. In the extra period, it was a Cole three-pointer with 1:18 to play that pushed Byrd ahead for good, 61-60. Before the shot, Cole had missed his previous three shots from deep on the night and was shooting just 1-for-8 from the field. Salem was not without their chances to pull back ahead however. On the next trip up the court, the Spartans blew a pointblank layup and then, after Michael Hammond missed two free throws, the Spartans were again shut down with a block by Slone. Two Mankin free throws with 11.6 seconds to play sealed the deal, and the upset victory for the Terriers. “The win was very important for our team,” Mankin said. “Salem is a very good team and to beat them in a close game like that, it was awesome.” “Anytime you win a game, you’ve got to feel good about yourself. It’s easier to work off a win than it is a loss,” Culicerto added.
Mankin’s 39 points came on 12-of-17 shooting from the field, including three baskets from deep. The senior combo also hit 12-of-15 from the foul line and nabbed eight rebounds and a pair of steals. “I was just shooting the ball well that night and my teammates kept feeding the ball in a good position to score,” Mankin said. Nick Janowicz added eight rebounds for Byrd, who beat Salem on the glass, 35-26. No other Terrier reached double digits in scoring, led by Cole’s five. Janowicz, Hammond and Leon Williams each added four. Hammond had five assists. On Wednesday night, the boys opened their season at Cave Spring to do battle with the Knights and Josh Henderson, the 6’11’’ center who recently committed to Vanderbilt, falling 58-38. The inexperienced Terriers had problems scoring, with Mankin putting up all but two of the William Byrd first half points, with the team trailing 27-9 at the break. Tyreik Talley added the only other first half score with a buzzer beater near the basket. “There were a lot of one-onone things going on,” Culicerto said of the first half. “A lot of typical early season problems with offense where your timings not there.” In the second half, the Terriers held strong and matched the Knights step for step. Williams opened the half with a nice move inside to score on Henderson. It was Williams’ tough interior play that kept Henderson off his game all night. The big man scored just two points in the second quarter and was scoreless in the final period of play. “Leon provided some resistance inside for him,” Culicerto noted. “They scored 58 points, which a team of that caliber could have scored a lot more points if we hadn’t played well on defense – the team hustled.” A meeting at Glenvar came after deadline and the Terriers return home this Friday for a rematch with Cave Spring.
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The new and improved •‘MARTIN’ continued from page 24 teacher and assistant swimming coach. “It was nice to be able to teach and luckily they had a coaching position open and I was able to learn what it takes to be a head coach.” Fate would soon come calling as a position opened up at Byrd both as a math teacher and the swimming coach at the same time. “I was so excited and felt so lucky that the position was available and I was able to come back here, I just feel so lucky. This is my community and where I grew up and this is where I wanted to be” she says. She also spent some time coaching tennis before handing over the reins to Amanda Stump while Martin pursued her master’s degree. Now that she’s got the dream job and is head coach of the program she helped start, reality set in and she realized it isn’t all great right?.... Wrong. Martin is continuously having a blast and points to her swimmers and their successes in a still very young program as what makes it all worth it. “I love teaching, I love my classroom and my students, but nothing compares to coaching” she says “it doesn’t matter if its an experienced swimmer that is shaving tenths of seconds off their time or someone who is just learning and keeps getting better and better, it’s absolutely amazing to see what these kids are capable of and to know that I play some part in that.” The swimming community owes a lot of gratitude both past and present to what could be considered a founder, their first scholarship swimmer and now their head coach, Krista Martin will always be a part of William Byrd swimming.
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Krista Martin:
Living the Dream Chris Manning Publisher
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William Byrd swimming coach Krista Martin feels, no, she knows she’s got her dream job. She gets to teach at her alma mater, she gets to be the head coach of the sport that she helped bring to the school and she gets to watch her swimmers get better and better, every day “ “I swam for Gators for Doug Fonder for ten years” says Martin “that’s how I got started.” The Byrd graduate, along with some of her friends, was adamant about wanting to be able to bring the competitiveness that she had for her club team to her high school. “It was my senior year and it was really cool to finally get a team here, we really wanted to represent Byrd.” Between her encouraging, Fonder’s willingness and Dr. Turner’s openness, Byrd started their inaugural year of swimming in 2002. A Martin family trivia answer will always come out of that year, as Martin was able to talk her future husband James into joining the team that year as well, one of the few male swimmers that year. “He’s amazed when he sees how many guys are on the team now” Martin says. With well over a decade of swimming in her background, Martin points to making the YMCA National cut for the first time while she was a freshman in high school, as her favorite moment of her competitive swimming career, “In order to go to nationals you had to make certain cuts. I had trained so hard and wanted to so badly to go to Nationals with all my friends, I made the cut in a time trial session at the end of a meet at the Dedmon Center at RU” she remembers, “My teammates stayed after the meet to cheer for me and I was doing backstroke, so I could see them screaming at every wall! I could hear Doug [Fonder] whistling for me on the sidelines. I swam as hard as I could, and it hurt so bad. I remember hitting the wall and knowing I made the cut because I could feel my teammates arms all around me leaning over the block to give me a high five. The culmination of lots of hard work, great teammates, parents who always supported me and a fantastic coach” she says fondly. Martin used that desire and determination to land a full athletic scholarship to Radford University which was quite a feat “swimming is different than a lot of other sports because it’s not something you just go and practice after school, you’ve got to put in the time before school, early mornings all the time and there’s always someone out there who is working harder” says the third year coach. While on the team for four years at Radford, Martin, a backstroker, wasn’t, in her words “first place or anything” she was able to qualify for her conference events and talks fondly about her time at Radford. While at Radford she was also pursuing her dream of being a teacher, something she says she always wanted to do. Although Byrd was her first choice, she spent her first post-college years at Patrick Henry as a math •See ‘MARTIN’ - page 23