Vinton Voice (Volume 2, Issue 3) January 20, 2010

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Last Friday night at Twist ‘n Turns was the place to be for the Miss Virginia Caressa Cameron send off party. Yes she is off tomorrow for a fun filled week in Las Vegas for the Miss America Pageant. Jan 30, TLC at 8:00pm ET. Tune to cheer her on.

Don’t send cards. She found out that people sending cards the girls will have to pay $6 to get each one. I can’t believe that. ???? There will be a special blog set up on The Miss Va website to send blogs. Thanks to Laura Bradford Godfrey for planning the party and Cynthia Gardner for the wonderful hospitality at Twist and Turns. Caressa is a beautiful girl with a wonderful voice. We wish her well in the pageant an our love goes with her!!!

Break-a-leg Caressa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Congratulations to Cynthia Gardner and Bo Willis on their engagement. May you two have a great life together.

The Byrd Herd met at Teaberry’s for our monthly Bootie Bell Chewning meeting and laughing session. Those attending were June S. Dudley, Nadine Q. Dulaney, Naomi F. Snead, Helen K. West., BOO_TEE@msn.com Jean G. Lawhorn and Yours truly. As always the food was great. Brenda Johnson, owner announced she is adding night hours Wed- Friday 11:00 am -8:00 pm. Monday and Tuesday Lunch 11:00-2:30 as always. Now if you want some where to eat dinner Checkout Teaberry’s , located Behind Cundiff’s Drug.

Totera Woman’s Club held it’s monthly meeting at Logan’s Jan 13. It was Arts and Crafts month. We do have some talented ladies in the club. Winning Blue ribbons were- Leigh Williams (photography), Becky Stinett (needlework, cross stitching, and quilting), Nikki Rhea -(needlework ( cat Collar), children’s outfits, and Holiday centerpiece), Alda Brown (Birdhouse) Karen Jackson( Jewelry, Lunchbox /first aid kit) Handbag ( all recycled material), Needlework and Writing.

Congrats to all. Now they will go on to the district to be judged and I’m sure there will be more blue ribbons given.

Happy birthday wishes go out to Tim Greenway, Phillip Weddle, Bill Shannon., Amy Alls, Denise Allen Membro, Haley Fugate (11), Jennifer Brooks, Ed Easterling, Vicki Gugger, John Overstreet, Hunter Osbourne (17),Norma Rogers, Pat Irby, Clay Owen, Gareth Snow, Jonathan Rice (4), Mathew Kelly(11), Shaffer Kelly (14), Mary Kelly Bowser, Dan Bowser and Don Halliwill, Patty Hill and George “Buddy “ Bell. Hope you all had or have a good one Get well wishes and prayers go out to Frank Kelly, Bill Hufton, April Hall, Doris Eanes, Eva Craig (Miss you) and all those having health problems. May you all get well soon.

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Don’t forget we are still selling bricks for the Vinton/Roanoke County Veterans Monument.

Hoping the weather continues to be pretty. I think you will see more activity going on at the site. Remember a loved one that has served or is serving our country. Let them know they are loved. Checkout the website for more info. Call or email me or Mary Beth Layman. We really need to complete this wonderful project then all of Vinton and Roanoke County will be proud.

Caressa Cameron

Bootie with Caressa Cameron and Carolyn Williams

Bootie with Caressa Cameron, Steve and Billie Sue Musselwhite and Carolyn and Don Williams

Bootie with Caressa Cameron and Steve Musselwhite

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In Brief Ridge Road Break-in

Last week, there was a break-in on Ridge Road (Rutrough Rd. area). The thief (or thieves) broke into the house, locked the family dog in the basement and proceeded to take numerous items. This occurred during the daylight hours. We have not gotten anything official from Roanoke County Police yet, but will pass along more information as we get it.

Please be sure to take notice of vehicles in your neighborhoods. When you see an unknown vehicle jot down the color and type of vehicle, time of day and anything else you notice. Then if a break-in occurs in your area, police will know what kind of vehicles they should be looking for.

You can give this information anonymously.

Looking at the history of William Byrd High School’s Big Orange

Downtown Project team selected Photo by Dan Vance

Based on the ranking in the selection and interviewing process of firms for the downtown project, Hill Studio will be awarded the contract to prepare and complete the Downtown Plans.

The work is to begin by the first week in February 2010.

Staunton River PTSA Fundraiser

116 S. Poplar Street - Suite 1 Vinton, VA 24179 540-904-5836 - Office 540-904-5838 - Fax info@vintonvoice.com www.vintonvoice.com

EDITORIAL Chris Manning Publisher

chris@vintonvoice.com Dan Vance Editor-in-Chief

dan@vintonvoice.com Jacob Clifton Delivery/General

info@vintonvoice.com Brian Manning Circulation Director

brian@vintonvoice.com

COLUMNISTS Bootie Bell Chewning General Info

BOO_TEE@msn.com Michele Gunter Lifestyle

avoiceofreason@vintonvoice.com Dale Russell Financial

wheresmymoney@vintonvoice.com Amanda Stump Lifestyle (Female)

info@vintonvoice.com

CONTRIBUTORS Danny Cruff Contributor

dannycruffphotography@cox.net Barbara Dillon Contributor

news@vintonvoice.com Paul Richardson Contributor

news@vintonvoice.com Dwight Ward Contributor

bonsackva@anytimefiness.com Danae Wensley Contributor

news@vintonvoice.com Copyright © 2010 All rights reserved by Vinton Voice Newspapers

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.’

Staunton River Highschool’s PTSA will be holding an After Prom Fundraiser in the form of an Applebee’s Breakfast on Saturday, February 4 from 8:00 am to 11:00 am at the Bedford Applebee’s across from Wal-Mart.

Tickets are $5.00 each for pancakes, bacon and juice to benefit the PTSA After Prom party, an alcohol and drug free event.

Students, school staff and parents will act as waiters and hostesses. For more information, contact Amy Sowers at 540-904-8139 or bluerdgemtngrl@aol.com.

Donations also gratefully accepted.

Barnes & Noble Book Store host Fundraiser for Library

The Roanoke County Public Library announced that the Barnes & Noble Book Store at Tanglewood Mall will host a book fair to benefit the Friends of the Roanoke County Public Library beginning Saturday, January 30, and lasting until Friday, February 5. During the book fair, Barnes & Noble will contribute a percentage of every sale made to the Friends organization.

“The only requirement is that you tell the cashier that you want to support the Roanoke County Public Library or present a voucher with an 8-digit number [1011797] on it,” said Michael Meise, the Assistant Director of the library system. Vouchers are available at all County libraries, online at the library’s website and also in the store. “What’s really nice about this,” stated Meise, “is that purchases can be made at any Barnes & Noble store across the country and they will credit us with the sale as long as you give them the voucher number.”

As part of the book fair, there will be two puppet shows for the children; one at the Tanglewood Mall and the second one at the Valley View Mall Barnes & Noble store on Saturday, January 30. The Tanglewood Mall show will be at 10:00 am and the Valley View Mall show at 1:30 pm.

As a highlight, Curious George and the Man in the Yellow Hat will make a special guest appearance at the end of the puppet show. “The children really love the Curious George series of books and having Curious George make a guest appearance will really be a treat for the children,” stated Wendy Rancier, the Children’s Librarian. “Parents are more than welcome to bring their cameras and get their Regular Vinton Branch patron children’s pictures taken with Curious George and the Man Winter Blake poses with Curious in the Yellow Hat,” continued Rancier.

George.

Barnes & Noble and the Friends of the Roanoke County Public Library will also be hosting a tea tasting for adults on Tuesday, February 2, in which various teas will be served. The tea tasting begins at 11:30 am at the Tanglewood Mall Barnes & Noble. “When it’s this cold out, those delicious hot teas will taste even better!” said Meise. When asked what purchases qualify for the book fair, Meise stated that all books, individual magazine purchases, CDs and DVDs qualify; even food and drinks purchased in the café qualify. “If someone received a Barnes & Noble gift card over the holidays, now would be the perfect time to use it . . . during our book fair,” stated Meise. All proceeds from the book fair benefit the Friends of the Roanoke County Public Library. The Friends is a non-profit organization which supports the Roanoke County Public Library system by promoting, advocating and raising funds for the library. For more information, please visit our website at www.yourlibrary.us or call 772-7507.

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Photo Courtesy of Southern Indiana Athletics

Leavin’ it all out there This week my column does not have anything to do with Vinton. This is a first and hopefully a last. Instead, it has to do with something personal - something that I just felt that I needed to sit down and write.

For any of you who watched Sportscenter or looked at any sports coverage on a national level last Friday, you may have likely read about the death of University of Southern Indiana basketball player Jeron Lewis. Jeron passed after collapsing on the court with just over four minutes to play in USI’s victory over rival Kentucky Wesleyan. Later, it was released that Jeron’s death, at age 21, was due to natural causes potentially from an enlarged heart and possibly from an all-too common problem called HCM. The story has become a tragic tale nationwide, with people from all across the nation, some who knew Jeron and some who didn’t, posting on a Facebook page set up by USI students to memorialize him.

I am proud to personally say that Jeron Lewis was a friend. During my first three years coaching basketball at North Side High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana, I was one of Jeron’s coaches.

I watched him grow both physically (to the 6’9’’, 240 pound gentle giant he was at his time of death) and mentally. On the court, Jeron was the cornerstone to a team that restored a tradition of basketball excellence at North Side. Off Dan Vance the court, he was a sweet, kind and as previously mentioned, gentle young dan@vintonvoice.com man who was always a joy to be around.

It is never easy to cope in a situation like this one, which is something I had previously known all too well in the loss of family and friends. Though, it certainly was a new level of heartache to lose someone I have coached and mentored, even on the smallest levels.

Through coping, you learn. I’ve learned, through another former player of mine named Richard England, to not ‘cry because he’s gone, but smile because he’s happened.’

If nothing else, this story shows us all just how precious life is. You always hear the phrases like ‘live everyday like it is your last.’ Usually they sound corny and you write them off without a second glance back in their general direction.

And instead, it is not too uncommon for us to just back to our daily lives, back to the ‘grind’ and back towards just going through life. Jeron Lewis didn’t go through life, he lived life. On Thursday, before his team took the court for the game with their rival, Jeron posted a new Facebook status that included the

04 VOICE

phrase “Leavin’ it all out there...” That is what Jeron Lewis did each and every time he took to a basketball court, doing one of the things he loved most in life. It is something that Jeron, during the time that I was privileged to know him, did in his everyday life. I never knew Jeron Lewis to short change anything.

I take that as a life lesson, to always ‘leave it all out there,’ to charge forward in life and live every single day like it is the most important day you have ever lived. From all of my experiences, I can tell you that Jeron lived that way for 21, almost 22 years...and he would want his near newborn son to do the same.

It is something that I challenge each person reading this to be able to do.

We all have bad things happen in life and sometimes, it is hard to even get out of bed in the morning– because of what happened yesterday, because of what we are afraid might happen today. But what do we really have to fear?

No matter what, each of us still holds that precious gift of life.

Now I know fully well that someone standing on a soapbox like I kind of am right now can come across as too overbearing and I accept that. Normally, I wouldn’t take this place, but with the events of the past week all over the nation and in my personal life, with Jeron and others, I know now as well as I ever have, just how important that each and every second is, not just to me, but to all of those people around me too.

I know my Redskin basketball family back home is grieving and I also know that nobody reading this column in Vinton had the slightest idea who Jeron Lewis was until last Friday at the earliest. But I think that each of those people, the near and the far should take Jeron’s lesson to heart and should just LIVE.

Obituaries PAUL LEWIS MONTGOMERY, 86, passed away Saturday, January 16, 2010, surrounded by his children.

Enjoying excellent health for most of his life, Paul faced a difficult last decade with courage, determination, enthusiasm and an unfailing desire to help others. His indomitable spirit inspired many people. Giving up was never an option for Paul.

Paul was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Jean Campbell Montgomery, a lifelong educator who passed two years ago, his father, Jesse B. Montgomery, an Indiana farmer, his mother, Helen Hunt Montgomery, and his brother, Max Lee Montgomery.

He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, John A. and Joyce Montgomery; his daughter and son-in-law, Sue Ann and Robert Blades; his grandchildren, Elizabeth Montgomery Woolwine and husband, Trey; Laura, Matthew and David Blades; his aunt, Mae Hunt Rouse; his niece, Linda Montgomery Page (Wally); and a large number of cousins and extended relatives. His family offers deep thanks to his primary care physician, Dr. Michael Jeremiah, and his staff for their devoted care; cardiologist, Dr. John Lystash; pulmonologist, Dr. Robert Keeley; and neurosurgeon, Dr. Ray Harron, whose masterful repair of Paul’s broken neck in 1999 enabled him to enjoy many additional years.

Paul was born August 3, 1923 in Rosedale, Indiana and was a 1941 graduate of Rosedale High School. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II as a cryptographer.

Upon discharge, he attended Purdue University on the G.I. Bill, earning a civil engineering degree in less than three years. An excellent but humble student who was always thoroughly prepared, Paul was employed by the Nickel Plate Road and upon subsequent mergers, Norfolk & Western Railway and Norfolk Southern, for a total of 41 years, retiring in 1987.

Paul’s initial employment was in Cleveland, Ohio. He then served in succession as division engineer in Frankfort, Indiana; Ft. Wayne, Indiana; and Crewe, Virginia before accepting a transfer to the home office, Roanoke, in 1969.

At his retirement, he held the position of Assistant Chief Engineer. Paul was without question a company man.

A key to Paul’s success as a manager of people was that he never asked an employee to do anything that he wouldn’t do himself. Indeed, he usually jumped in alongside.

Paul was devoted to his church and to his family. A lifelong member of the Disciples of Christ denomination, he met his wife, Jean, at Euclid Avenue Christian Church in Cleveland in the late 1940s. An active member of Westhampton Christian Church for the past 41 years, Paul was a tireless volunteer who served in many capacities, including deacon, elder, membership committee chair, financial secretary, and treasurer. In recent years, he was a proud member of the WCC Friendship Club and a regular Rescue Mission volunteer from the church.

Paul was dedicated to many causes and quietly generous in his support of those efforts. His dependability, loyalty and modesty were among his most remarkable qualities. Paul possessed a high level of intelligence, but perhaps more important than being smart, he was wise. He was a firm believer in his convictions, and seldom conceded a point.

Paul earned his master’s degree in civil engineering from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland in 1957 and completed many computer classes at Virginia Western Community College in the 1970s. He pursued learning avidly and worked extensively on his family genealogy in later years. He was a proud member of the SAR. A celebration of Paul’s life and his entrance into God’s Kingdom will be held Monday, January 18, 2010 at 10 a.m. at Westhampton Christian Church, 2515 Grandin Road, SW, immediately followed by a graveside service at Sherwood Memorial Park in Salem. Rev. Dr. Jim Crockett will officiate. The family will receive friends Sunday, January 17, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at Oakey’s South Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Westhampton Christian Church Memorials Fund, 2515 Grandin Road, SW, Roanoke, VA 24015.

Arrangements by Oakey’s South, 540-989-3131.

JERON M. LEWIS, 21, passed away Thursday, January 14, 2010 in Owensboro, Kentucky.

Born on April 9, 1988, Jeron spent most of his life in Fort Wayne, Indiana where he was a basketball standout at North Side High School before graduating in 2006.

Upon graduation, he attended Wabash Valley Junior College (Ill.) and Northeastern Junior College (Co.) before winding up at the University of Southern Indiana in Evansville, Indiana, where he was a senior majoring in Business Management.

Jeron is survived by his mother, fiancee Shaqueta Latriece Thomas and infant son Jamel, born December 8, 2009.

The University of Southern Indiana (USI) Foundation is partnering with Old National Bank to establish a fund to benefit Jamel Lewis. Anyone who would like to contribute to help the month-old son may do so at any Old National Bank throughout the country. The USI Foundation also serves as a collection point for donations. Checks should be made payable to Jamel Lewis Education Fund in memory of Jeron Lewis. Donations may also be sent to Old National Bank, 100 North Main Street Evansville, IN 47711-5497.

Contact Old National bank at (812) 464-1244 for any other needed information.

Services for Jeron will be held Saturday, January 23 in Fort Wayne.

CHRISTINE MARGARET CADD, 92, of Roanoke, went home to the Lord Sunday, January 10, 2010.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Garland “Chicken” Cadd; parents, John W. and Charmie Nimmo Spradlin; brother, Dewey Spradlin; sister, Virginia S. Brown; and nephew, Eddie Spradlin. Surviving are her brother, Clarence Spradlin and his wife, Janet; her sister, Bobbie Campbell and husband, Butch; five nephews, Bobby Brown, Steve and Todd Campbell, Toby Cox, and David Spradlin; and her caretaker, Violet Clingenpeel.

Flowers are appreciated by the family, but donations may also be made to the Roanoke Rescue Mission. Christine touched so many lives in a very positive way.

Christine, I LOVE YOU and you surely will be missed. Words could not express what you did for me. You were ALWAYS there to help, would talk and listen to me no matter what time it was. You were never, ever too busy or tired to give me your support. I am what I am today, because of you. You were my guardian angel.

With a very saddened heart, you “BE CAREFUL ON THE ROAD”, Love Toby.

Services will be conducted 12 noon, Wednesday, January 13., 2010 at Oakey’s Vinton Chapel with Rev. Dr. Wayne E. Sellers officiating. The family will receive friends from 7-8 p.m., Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at Oakey’s Vinton Chapel, 982-2221.

JOYCE ANN JOHNSON, 70, of Vinton, Va., went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, January 13, 2010. She was born on May 8, 1939, the daughter of the late Thomas Arthur Overstreet and Mary Frances Gross Overstreet. She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank W. Johnson; granddaughter, Stephanie A. Kingrea; and niece, Wendy G. Gaskin. She retired after many years from Halmode Apparel Company as a clerk in the shipping and receiving department. She attended New Beginning Baptist Church in Roanoke. Surviving are son, Donald Robinson and wife, Lauren; daughter, Melissa Clemons and husband, Ricky; two grandchildren, Jessica Kingrea and fiancé, Matt Tingler, and Travis Robinson; great-grandchild, Deontae Tingler; sisters, Nancy Chambers and Willie, Janie Robertson; brothers, Kenneth (Chubby) Overstreet and Josephine, Arthur Wayne (Shorty) Overstreet, and Ronald (Ronnie) Overstreet and Shirley; uncle, Eddie (Bunk) Overstreet and Betty Lou; aunt, Jeraldine Divers and Lois Gross; nieces, Cindy Lee Wickline and Mary Frances Chambers; and nephews, Chuck Overstreet, Tommy Chambers, Douglas Overstreet, and Travis Overstreet. Funeral services were conducted 11 a.m. on Monday, January 18, 2010, at Lotz Vinton Chapel with the Rev. Jeff Gardner officiating. Interment followed in Cedar Lawn Memorial Park. The family received friends on Sunday, January 17, 2010, from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Arrangements made by Lotz Funeral Home, Vinton Chapel. Online condolences may be placed at www.lotzfuneralhome.com

RUTH B. CAMPER, 83, of Roanoke, went home to be with her Savior on Sunday, January 17, 2010.

She is joyously able once again to lift her beautiful voice to sing praises to His name. She was born on November 14, 1926 in Botetourt County, VA, to the late Gilmer, Sr. and Eula Burton.

She is also preceded in death by her loving husband, Frank M. Camper; brothers, Charles, George, Ralph, and Gilmer Burton, Jr.; sisters, Marguerite St. Clair, Catherine Woolwine, Carrie Shedwell, Thelma Evans and Agnes Bishop. Ruth was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her life revolved around God and family. Her loving example will carry on through her children and grandchildren as well as others that knew her. Left to cherish her memory are five children: daughters, Patti Johnson, Nancy Fischetti, Vicki Duffy and husband David, Diana Wilson and husband Layne; son, Billy Camper and wife Kathie; 18 grandchildren and spouses; Anna (Eric) Helmer, Adam Johnson, Allen (Melanie) McClure, Mike McClure, Leanna (Jessie) Kirkland, John (Liz) Fischetti, Kim (Jim) Vokel, Mary Beth (Craig) Hodges, Heather Camper, Matt Camper, Cody Camper, Brennan (Gail) Duffy, Darin (Amy) Duffy, Kevin Duffy, Kathleen Duffy, Paul (Angela) Wilson, Cary (Kristin) Wilson, Nathan Wilson; 21 great-grandchildren; many loving nieces, nephews, and special friends. She was a faithful and longtime member of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church where she served as Sunday School teacher and historian. She strongly believed in the ministries of her church, particularly the construction of the new Family Life Center. In lieu of flowers, friends are asked to donate to the building fund at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, 3000 Pitzer Rd, Roanoke VA 24014. A funeral celebrating her life will be held at Oakey’s Vinton Chapel on Wednesday, January 20, 2010 at 12 noon with the Rev. Dr. Eric Spano officiating.

Interment will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, January 19, 2010, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at Oakey’s Vinton Chapel. 540982-2221.

COREY WAYNE FLOWERS, 26, of Vinton, Va., passed away on Monday, January 11, 2010. He was born on October 13, 1983, and was a sheet metal worker with W.C. Butler. Corey is survived by his companion, Cassie Paquette; his mother, Donna Lynn Meador and fiancé, Timmy Roach; his father, Michael Wayne Flowers; one brother, Shawn Michael Flowers; one sister, Kelly Lynn Flowers; stepsisters, Amanda Holdren and Lakeon Roach; stepbrother, Joshua Holdren; uncles, Lewis Flowers and wife, Alice, Gene Meador and wife, Vicki, and Keith St.Clair and wife, Carole; nieces and nephews, Wyatt Tolbert, Sage Flowers, and Brooklyn Tolbert; close friend, Jackie Thompson; and many other friends and relatives. Funeral services were conducted 11 a.m. on Friday, January 15, 2010, from the Lotz Vinton Chapel with the Rev. Joey Phillips and Mr. Larry Seay officiating. Burial followed in Roach Family Cemetery in Huddleston. The family received friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, January 14, 2010, at the Lotz Funeral Home, Vinton Chapel. Condolences may be sent to the family at www. lotzfuneralhome.com.

WILLIE EDWARD FLOWERS, 84, of Vinton, Va., passed away on Tuesday, January 12, 2010. He was born on October 8, 1925, the son of the late Frank Flowers and Cora Elizabeth Flowers Greer. He was a veteran of the United States Navy and worked for over 40 years with Adams Construction Company retiring as Vice President. He loved NASCAR racing. He was preceded in death by his wife, Edna M. Flowers; three sons, Eugene B. Flowers, Willie E. Flowers Jr., and John C. (Jay) Baldwin; grandson, Ronnie Baldwin; and brother, Herbert H. Flowers. Surviving are daughter, Sophia B. Moticha; son, Ed Baldwin and wife, Nancy; grandson, Jerry Baldwin and wife, Katrina, of Vinton; three great-grandchildren, Aaron, Joshua, and Zachary; great-great-grandchild, Alexia Reynolds; and many nieces and nephews. Graveside services were conducted 2 p.m. on Friday, January 15, 2010, at Mountain View Cemetery with the Rev. Frank Feather officiating. The family received friends on Thursday, January 14, 2010, from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. The family would like to thank the staff of the Virginia Veterans Care Center and Lewis Gale Medical Center. Arrangements by Lotz Funeral Home, Vinton Chapel. Online condolences may be sent at www.lotzfuneralhome.com.

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A Female Perspective

The sometimes difficult resolution of dieting

Amanda Stump info@vintonvoice.com Well the holidays have come and gone ladies!

How many of you opened your closet for New Year’s Eve festivities … went to grab that great little black dress and surprise it was DEFINITELY a “little black dress”, too little that is!

I imagine like millions of busy females across the United States you are finding yourself wanting to make that “New Years’ Resolution” to shed a few pounds. You want to get back into the clothes you have pushed farther and farther back into your closets and look as good as Heidi Klum, Carrie Underwood or any female star usually gracing the front of Cosmo as you wonder “What’s the secret?”.

Now those thoughts just started creeping into your mind didn’t they? Something like “I’m just so busy I don’t know when I could get to the gym” or “ Diets just don’t work for me!”.

Ladies its time for someone to say this as nicely as possible, if YOU don’t choose to put the plan in motion nothing will change. Wishing, hoping and “I’ll just start on Monday” gets old. Monday leads to Tuesday which turns to Saturday and then you have lost another week and the 1-2 pounds you should have dropped are still there.

Stop with the excuses and do it for YOU! If you truly want to see and feel a difference don’t look at it as a resolution or a diet, you have to change your line of thinking and realize you

need to make a change… a lifestyle change. Diets come and go and the pounds that accompany them come back and then some in most cases and crash diets are never good either. As a former Miss Virginia and Miss Virginia USA contestant I can tell you of many girls who chose to crash diet and in the process ruined their metabolism. These seem to work and give quick results but once you stop get ready for the pounds to come back quicker than normal.

Ok, so you’re ready to make a change but where do you start?

Let’s talk to Ally Bowersock (M.S, CSCS) and a professor of Exercise Science at Jefferson College of Health Sciences about how to have a successful and healthy 2010: “In working towards a healthier way of life, ultimately your daily activities and diet matter more than exercise. Daily activity like taking the stairs and playing with your kids outside, can contribute towards weight loss and health goals, so try to stay moving. You don’t have to be on a treadmill to be burning calories! Exercise is a great for many things both physically and mentally, but if you do not eat well and don’t keep your stress in check, you can’t create the caloric deficit that adds up to lost pounds over time.

That being said, the ultimate weight loss “toolbox” includes things like daily healthy eating, regular physical activity and stress management. Many people get overwhelmed and STRESSED over their plan to lose weight, so take weight loss one week at a time for greater success. One pound of fat is equal to 3500 calories, so if you can eat 250 calories less AND get at least 30 total minutes of physical activity EACH day, that creates a caloric deficit of 500 calories. If you can manage this “formula” every day, you will be on track to lose one pound a week, a very healthy rate for weight loss!”

Speaking of diet what does Ally suggest?

“Remember to eat a little something every 2-3 hours to stay energized and to ward off cravings that can lead to binges in the candy

cabinet! Better yet, empty out the candy cabinet altogether. If you don’t have it in the house, you will be less likely to eat it!”

“Cheers to your health, the greatest form of wealth!” ~ Ally Now, if you are like me and have a sweet tooth here are a few things I suggest that are healthy choices…

Last but not least (and sometimes the hardest for some people) yes, you really should think about putting down that soft drink. Did you know that drinking a soda a day can lead to an additional 10 pounds of weight gain a year? Try to substitute water into your daily diet as much as possible! If you aren’t a huge fan of water keep individual size flavored drink powders in your purse and mix it into your water bottle!

I would love to hear from some of you on what you have used to lose weight and most importantly KEEP IT OFF! Leave your tips on the Voice’s Facebook page and maybe yours will be published in The Voice!

Thanks for reading… and as always…” Keep it Classy!”

Obituaries RODNEY EDWARD JONES, SR., 61, of Roanoke died Wednesday, January 13, 2010.

Surviving are two sons, Rodney Jones, Jr. and John Lee Jones; two grandchildren, Kelly Mullins and John Martin; sister, Corliss Whorley; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be conducted 2 p.m., Saturday, January 16, 2010 at Oakey’s Vinton Chapel with Rev. Elmo McLaurin officiating.

Burial to follow in Quaker Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Friday, January 15, 2010 at Oakey’s Vinton Chapel, 982-2221.

WAYNE F. WAGNER, 76, of Vinton went to be with his Lord on Sunday morning, January 10, 2010. Wayne served in the United States Air Force during Korea, was a retired mail handler from the U.S. Postal Service and had worked for Bumper to Bumper Auto Parts. He was a long time member of Mount Pleasant United Methodist Church and was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Minnie Wagner; and his brothers, Gene and Gerald Wagner.

Surviving is his Devoted and Loving wife of 53 years, Claudine Mills Wagner; his daughter and son-in-law, Jane W. and Darren Taylor of Roanoke; his grandchildren, Michael, Brandon, Jordan and Devin; his sister, Florence W. Jones of Roanoke; his sister-in-law, Helen Wagner of Richmond; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, many special friends; special pet, Benji; and a guardian angel, Ann Coble.

Funeral services will be conducted 10 a.m., Wednesday, January 13, 2010 at Oakey’s Vinton Chapel with Rev. Elizabeth Mortlock officiating. Interment will follow in Mountain View Cemetery, Vinton.

The family would like to thank the nurses on 1 West at Friendship Manor and Good Samaritan Hospice for all their care and concern for Wayne during his illness.

The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at Oakey’s Vinton Chapel, 982-2221.

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First Mail bag of 2010...

Dale Russell, Sr., MBA wheresmymoney@vintonvoice.com Hey there everyone, it has been a while hasn’t it. I hope everyone had a great New Year filled with the promise of positive change and resolutions that don’t fade.

It’s time to dig into the mail bag…

“Dale, why does closing a credit card I don’t use hurt my credit score so much?”

-Trina, Stewartsville Trina, that’s a great question. Unfortunately, not a simple few word answer though. Before I answer, let’s take a moment to ding into the history and components of the typical FICO score.

First, FICO stands for Fair Issacs COrp. These are the folks with the reporting responsibility of what some have lovingly called the “stay in debt score”.

What makes up your credit score you might ask… well, in a nutshell your credit score is calculated from the following five weighted elements: 1. Payment History (35%), 2. Length of credit history (15%); 3. New credit (10%); 4. Types of used credit (10%); 5. Debt (30%)

It has been widely accepted that one way to attain a high FICO score you should maintain a debt level equal to about 50% of available credit and of course pay your bills on time. So, for easy math let’s pretend you have $10,000 of available credit but have only utilized $5,000.

That keeps you at the 50% debt ratio level which for the folks at FICO implies financial control.

But then you realize that you have tow (2) credit cards that you haven’t seen or used in years but they are still open accounts. Those two cards have a combined credit available balance of $2,500 and they haven’t had a balance in at least a year so you close them. Your credit report will note that the cards were closed at consumer request but guess what?

Your available credit balance is now $7,500 with a used credit balance of $5,000. That changes your debt ratio to 66.66% which is likely to drop your FICO score. So what’s a person to do? It has become popular to say that folks should become debt free but it would appear that the corporate reporting companies penalize you for eliminating your debt. My recommendation is an either or proposition.

If your FICO score is unimportant to you and credit card debt is something that you are working to eliminate without plans of securing any further credit via credit cards then close the accounts and pay off your other credit cards like crazy.

Once your unsecured debt is eliminated, then your score is likely to shoot back up. On the other hand, if you use debt and just can’t live with the prospect of a not having a high FICO score, then be ever mindful of that debt percentage. If you want to close a credit card account then you must first pay off a balance equal to the amount that will maintain the proper debt ratio. Meaning, that in the above example, one would have to pay down the debt of $5,000 by $1,250 to maintain the 50% debt ratio then close the $2,500 accounts.

Thanks for the question and I hope that helped…

“Dale, I keep seeing ads saying that our President will give me $2,500 to go back to school. Is that true?”

-Janice, Bonsack Janice, the answer is yes and no. The fact is that the $2500 was always there for folks to go back to school…kinda. What I mean is that you must first pay your tuition and then qualify for the Hope Education Credit. Having said that, recent changes to the Hope Credit gave birth to the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOC) which transforms a non-refundable tax credit into a partially refundable credit. Remember what that means? A non-refundable credit works to get your tax bill to zero and no more.

A refundable credit will go beyond your tax bill and refund the difference. You should consult with your tax professional for the specifics of your situation, but I would say to you that education is the best investment you can make in yourself so if you have the opportunity to go back to school to increase your skills or learn a new skill as perhaps a career change, you should do so.

Thanks again…keep the e-mails coming.

One last thing…How many of you made New Year’s resolutions that include a new financial strategy?

I can help you keep that resolution. I have partnered with New Testament Baptist Church to teach a FREE six week financial management class starting Wednesday, February 3 @ 6:00. We will be working through Dave Ramsey’s bestselling book Total Money Makeover. The only cost of the class is the book & workbook which you can pick up at just about any bookstore. If you are interested in participating, please contact me at wheresmymoney@vintonvoice.com and put Money Makeover in the subject line and I’ll get you specific information.

VOICE 07

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2010

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Snow Ice Cream

For our Media Kit, visit Issue.com/ vintonvoice

Barbara Dillon Vinton Historical Society We children were always pleased when it started to snow. We knew that when it started to snow and got at least an inch deep that our mother would say the snow had cleaned out the sky and air and now when it gets deeper she would bring out a big round aluminum pan and scoop up about a gallon of good clean snow. Then she would take it into the kitchen and our the cream off of the top of our bottles of milk and sprinkle sugar all over the snow and add some vanilla extract and enough cream to make it like ice cream.

In those days mile was delivered by a milk man from a milk truck that would put your order on your step or porch in the wee hours of the morning before most folks got up. Milk was not homogenized and whole milk always had cream that would rise to the top as it cooled.

In freezing weather the glass bottle of milk with a cardboard flat top on it would freeze when outside and the cream would rise about two inches above the bottle like ice and we kids would like to eat the frozen cream.

Our mother was always pouring the cream off the top of the bottles of milk and saving it for two or three days and then have enough to whip and make a wonderful cream pie or have whipped cream to go on top of desserts or pies. We always loved real whipped cream. These were the days before Cool Whip existed and before all milk was homogenized and always had the cream on top.

Also most pies, cakes and puddings were made at home instead of buying them and whipped cream was a real treat to top them off.

Can you imagine a home make pie crust filled with real whipped cream flavored and sweetened as pie filling. Uhmmm good!

VOICE 09

“There’s no question, outside of the state tournaments, this is the toughest tournament around.”

Story by Chris Manning The Big Orange wrestling tournament Over the years, Byrd has had some is now in the 34th year of existence, kicking legendary figures grace their mats during the off Friday with seventeen teams making the Big Orange weekend, some of them either trip to Vinton to compete in this now historic had or still have ties to William Byrd. Long tournament. 1976 was the first year for time coach Barry Trent (Profiled in our Sports the tournament and the Spotlight Volume 1, Issue Terriers won their own 14, November 25, 2009,) 2010 TEAMS inaugural tournament now the Coordinator of that year, their first Health,/PE and Drivers Alleghany of three Big Orange Ed for Roanoke County Brookville championships for the schools, has seen more Terriers on the mats.

Big Oranges than just Cave Spring Over the years, there about anyone as a coach Staunton River have been several teams from 1978 until 1995.

Hidden Valley that have dominated the “It really was like our tournament for years at a version of a metro” said Liberty time, the first was William Trent “all the schools in Franklin County Fleming. the area came and we The Colonels won six had all three divisions [A, Lord Botetourt out of eight tournaments AA and AAA] involved.”

Martinsville from 1978 to 1985, Although other schools including a stretch of four have tournaments of Northside in a row from ’80 to ’83. their own now, the Big Patrick Henry Franklin County Orange is still thought became the next Big of as the one with the Pulaski Orange kingpin, winning history and the prestige, Radford their first tournament in especially considering 1984 and then taking six it was formed in a time Salem straight from 1987 through where there weren’t William Byrd 1993, then three in a row so many tournaments.

Grundy in ’97, 98, and ’99 as well “When this got started, as three out of the last teams were allowed to Broadway four. Overall, the Eagles go to two tournaments have won fifteen total a year” says Trent “and Big Orange tournaments.

ADMISSION: All tickets around here, one of Christiansburg went on a them was always the Big are $8.00 per day run of four in a row from Orange.” ’02 through ’05, plus a win Adam Williams, now in 2000, making them a General Manager of the five time champion before they formed their Edge Sports Performance Center, was the own tournament that tried to rival the success man who took over for Trent and coached the of the Big Orange, called the Big Blue.

Terriers from ’95 until 2000, including their

1996 Big Orange win. Williams himself was a two-time Big Orange champion in 1990 and 1991 as a wrestler for Cave Spring and has fond memories of the tournament. “I loved the atmosphere at the tournament, Vinton has a storied wrestling community” Williams says “the Big Orange is such a nice thing for around here because everyone came to this… this is what wrestling should be.” Williams has a different outlook on the tournament these days, as he’s no longer coaching the boys in maroon and orange, but he’ll still be there this weekend, but he’ll be in the navy and gold of Hidden Valley, where he is now assisting Titans head coach Ray Broughman.

There isn’t any animosity however, as Williams still finds himself wanting the Terrier wrestlers to win….so long as it isn’t at the expense of one of the Hidden Valley wrestlers, “it’s hard not to cheer for Byrd” he says.

Another former two-time Big Orange champion, this time a Byrd alum, is returning this weekend as well. Randall Sell is the head coach for the Salem Spartan wrestling team and a four-year wrestler for Coaches Trent and Williams. Sell won the event in ’96 and ’97 and thinks the Big Orange is one of the premier wrestling tournaments in the state. “Guys get the most excited for this tournament because it is the most publicized and you know you’ll always see it in the paper and on the news” he says “there’s no question, outside of the state tournaments, this is the toughest tournament around.”

Sell says both he as a coach and his wrestlers always look forward to heading to the Big Orange “it’s the measuring stick, and the kids get a chance to show off their hard work, it’s all about the kids being able to go out there and reap the benefits.”

Past Champions: Frankin County-15 (2009, 2007, 2006, 2001, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1995, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1988, 1987, 198 Christiansburg-5 (2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2000) ; William Byrd-3 (1996, 1979, 1976) ; Salem-1 (1977) ; Cave Spring-1 (1986) VOICE

ABOVE: The 2009 Big Orange: Byrd’s Andrew Nicely, Lord Botetourt’s Jamie Carr battles Franklin County’s Hunter Adams and Hidden Valley’s Tim Yang.

RIGHT: The Byrd team celebrates with their trophy at the Alleghany Duels on January 9. Byrd will look for their first Big Orange win since 1996.

84) ; William Fleming-6 (1985, 1983, 1982, 1981, 1980, 1978) ; ) ; Northside-1 (1994) ; Grundy-1 (2008)

VOICE 11

Dylan Hoos:

Byrd student making his mark in a different kind of sport Dan Vance Editor-in-Chief The exploits of William Byrd High School athletes is well documented, often here inside the pages of the Vinton Voice.

But where Derrick Palmer throws passes, Sammi Webster makes baskets and Jacob Clifton hits long balls – Dylan Hoos is clearing his path not in Terrier maroon and orange, but in the pure white powder running down the side of a mountain.

Hoos was two years old the first time he went skiing, 11 or 12 when he started racing and now with college a glimpse away, he has found his home – one he would one day like to make permanent – on a ski slope.

“I think if more people realized how fun skiing was, you would see more people be interested in it,” Hoos says, pointing out that in the last Winter Olympics, the United States had the most successful of all ski teams. “It’s one of those things that if you try once, it’s going to be a lifelong thing.”

A lifelong thing where starting at an earlier age is always to the benefit of the skier. Maybe that is why Hoos, the self described big fish in a little sea, has taken to the sport so well. Up until fourth grade, he and his family took ski trips around 10 times a year until his dad started teaching weekend “I would say the majority lessons in Snowshoe, of people don’t even West Virginia. At that point, skiing became an realize where I go on the every weekend thing for weekends....

Dylan and his family.

In fifth grade, he joined I wouldn’t say I was the the recently restarted ski team at Snowshoe and token ski kid or anything.” his flourished ever since.

Flourishment, in the sense of skiing in the south, is often not something judged in competition success, but in the enjoyment of the sport, Hoos will lead you to believe.

“In the south, skiing wouldn’t be fun without ski racing. Racing adds a new element to it,” he says.

But competition success is something that he is working towards just as hard as the fun aspect of it all.

On his team, as a member of the United States Ski Association and Southern Alpine Racing Association, Hoos has traveled north four times for Eastern Finals, competing against other skiers from different sections of the USSA. Last year, in a race that Hoos considers to be one of the biggest he has ever been in, he went up against near 140 other skiers at Eastern National, ranging in age from 15 to 19.

During winter break, he also competed in New Hampshire in races that included several Division I skiers from New Hampshire and Dartmouth.

“Alot of these kids one day may be going out for the US ski team and I can say I raced against them, I didn’t do very well against them, but I did race against them,” Hoos says with a laugh.

Photos (clockwise from top left) submitted by Dylan Hoos

Hoos skiing in Winter Park, Colorado (top), with his brother Tyler in Winter Park (bottom left) and skiing in Okemo, VT in 2009 at the J1/J2 Eastern Finals

VOICE

•See ‘HOOS’ - page 14

Photo by Danny Cruff

(2)

(3)

(6) Photo by Dan Vance

(1) Photos Above & Below by Danny Cruff

(4)

(5) Photo by Dan Vance

Photo by Danny Cruff

After exam week wrapped up at William Byrd High School, both basketball teams were back on the court Saturday night. At Lord Botetourt, the JV boys, still on a high from their Northside Holiday Tournament championship (1) over winter break, ran fast with Jaylen Board (2) and company to help set the pace for an exciting varsity District matchup. In the Varsity game, the Terriers used depth, including at guard where Michael Hammond led the way with 17 points, but several key contributors like senior Will Trent (3) helped open up the floor on their way to a key District victory that had the WBHS cheerleaders flipping in excitement (4).

(7)

At Byrd, the girls played host to a tough Christiansburg team, but also because of depth, they rallied and put away the Demons. Freshman Lindsey Carver (5) and 10 other Terriers saw the court in the varsity game for the win. In the JV game, depth was again key with eighth grader Stacy Shrader (6) taking the ball hard to the basket. The girls returned to the court on Monday at Patrick Henry, with the varsity team charging back for a victory with nine points from Brittany Mattox (7).

VOICE 13

Back-to-back wins put Terriers at .500 >Coach Fran Recchia gets scoring from many contributors as team tops Christiansburg and Patrick Henry before they head into heavy Blue Ridge District play Dan Vance Editor-in-Chief With two key Blue Ridge District games looming this week, the Terrier girls basketball team used last week to warm up a little bit, topping Christiansburg on Saturday, 59-42 and knocking off host Patrick Henry in an exciting affair on Monday night, 55-53. The two wins push Byrd to 7-7 on the season.

Jessica Rhodes scored 11 points in the second quarter on Monday, the Patriots scored just 15 of their own in that quarter. Rhodes led the Terriers with 21 total points, followed by 18 from Samantha Webster. Brittany Mattox added nine, while Lauren James put in five points in her return.

James missed Saturday’s game with Christiansburg with a nagging injury.

“We used this week as an opportunity to sit out and rest her legs and let the swelling go down and rest her because Districts are coming up,” coach Fran Recchia said. “We just made the choice to rest her one more day and give her a full week off.”

The Patriots, led by Sarah Williams took several sizeable leads, but Byrd always clawed back. Williams led all scorers with 24 points and scored her 1,000th career point during the contest. It was Williams that helped push Patrick Henry out to a 15-5 first quarter lead.

“Refocus and concentrate of fundamentals,” Recchia said of what she told the team after

the first quarter of play. “Stay on balance on defense, concentrate on rebounding.”

“We use it kind of like a practice, just a practice against someone different and not ourselves,” Recchia said of the game with the Patriots early in the day Monday during a team shootaround. “PH is not a District game, so we use it to work on some things and use (PH) to prepare us for Wednesday.”

On Wednesday, they return to District play as they host Staunton River for Pack the Gym Night at Byrd.

Last Saturday, the girls played host to the Demons of Christiansburg and got scoring from all kinds of places. Webster scored 15 to lead the way, including nine points in the third quarter, with a rare three-point shot and make. Mattox followed with 14, Jodi Overstreet had nine, Rhodes scored seven. Ashley Smith and Emily Hanna added six and four point each.

Webster led a tough rebounding effort with nine. Rhodes added just one rebound.

“We played hard, but not too smart.

Rebounding was horrific, so that’s something we need to work on and get better at,” Recchia said. “Something that was a strength for us in the beginning, we’ve gotten away from.”

Byrd was outrebounded 25-19.

Overall though, Recchia was happy with the overall team performance and the surplus of production from all 11 players.

“I think everyone did a good job coming in.

Anytime you can take the load off of one or two people, it helps them to relax,” she said.

Photos by Dan Vance (top) and Danny Cruff (left)

TOP: Jessica Rhodes takes the ball up against a Christiansburg post defender on Saturday night. Rhodes scored 21 points in Monday night’s win.

LEFT: After missing the Christiansburg contest, Lauren James returned Monday at Patrick Henry with five points.

•‘HOOS’ continued from page 12 Also partially during a break from school, Hoos and his brother Tyler took a trip to Winter Park, Colorado to visit some friends and do a little skiing for fun.

Hoos wouldn’t mind skiing on the Division I level himself someday. He has applied to Virginia Tech, Virginia, Montana and Colorado. But while he says he could make the little-knownabout ski teams at Tech or UVA, he doesn’t see making a top tier ski team out West something he could take on with his current skill set

14 VOICE

alone.

For now, he will have to finish up this school year, where he has already missed four days since the start of 2010, something that he has become all accustomed to.

“It probably wasn’t good for my AP Physics Exam I just had,” Hoos says with a big laugh. “But I still make decent grades, it doesn’t hurt my grades, I have to do more work on the weekdays to make up for the weekends.”

He says that most of his teaches have been cooperative

and helpful with the fair amount of school he tends to miss in the months of January and February.

However, missing so much school is something that he is not quite, but near alone in.

“I am going up there [New Hampshire] to go against these kids, most of whom are in ski academies where they have school for half a day, ski for half a day, it is part of their curriculum,” he says. “They are driving a couple of hours, or even a couple of minutes to the race, where I am flying up to New Hampshire and taking all of this time.”

Overall, ski has become the main attraction in Dylan Hoos’ life.

He does it every weekend, plans to do it in college, would love to ski in Chamany, France, wants his kids to ski race and even plans to one day live at a ski resort - perhaps in Jackson Hole, Wyoming he says.

But none the less, he still sees himself as another face in the crowd and also the way he knows many of his peers see him, not as a racer, but just another kid.

“I would say the majority of people don’t even realize where I go on the weekends,” Hoos says.

“In my group of friends, they know me as the ski racer, but I would say the majority of kids at Byrd don’t realize so I wouldn’t say I was the token ski kid or anything.”

Hammond, Mankin help Byrd blast Botetourt >Combo scores 50 points in first 2010 District victory Dan Vance Editor-in-Chief Jake Mankin scored 33 points and pulled down 15 rebounds Saturday, but got plenty of help as Byrd downed host Lord Botetourt, 6451.

Michael Hammond gave Mankin the most help, with a season high 17 points.

“He came in and hit some key shots at some key times. Hopefully he can continue to step up, it not somebody else will next game,” said coach Dave Culicerto.

Among the candidates may be Ben Hayden, who put in five points in continuing his strong play. Eric Slone added four points and Nick Janowicz made some key free throws down the stretch according to Culicerto.

The game came after a week long layoff following a Blue Ridge District loss to Northside. The win against the Cavaliers, following Byrd’s exam week, was the first in the District this season for the Terriers.

“We were really ready to play. We had a good week of practice last week,” Culicerto said.

Hammond shot strong on his way to 17 points, hitting 6-of-11 from the field, including

three of his four three-point attempts. Mankin hit nine of his nineteen shots from the field, but took some hard hits down in the post, allowing for him to hit 16-of-19 from the free throw line.

Mankin, leading the area in scoring, is now averaging 24.8 points per game to go along with 9.7 rebounds. He is also shooting 81 percent from the foul line.

But Culicerto attributes much of the success at Botetourt to the defense.

“We forced them into 20 turnovers, that was a big part of the game.”

Point Guard Derrick Palmer is averaging four rebounds and 2.5 assists per contest.

As a team, Byrd is shooting 47 percent from the field.

Byrd plays their next three games on the road before returning home for six straight.

Indoor track team takes part in huge event at Liberty, place in fifth in the high jump Byrd’s indoor track team took another trip to Liberty this past weekend, this time competing in the Plains Invitational. The Plains Invitational was considered a huge meet, athlete wise, with over two-thousand people there to compete. Although there were some out of state teams, most teams competing in this meet were from Virginia.

The Terriers had a long two days, leaving Friday at 2pm to head on the road then getting back to Vinton around 11pm only to turn around and head back up the next morning and return late Saturday night, “it felt like one long day” said coach Eric Royal.

With that many athletes there were a large amount of people in each event, such as 224 runners in the mile, “it was just overwhelming for some of the kids, not just ours, but some of them” said Royal.

Although Byrd only had two places in events, Justin Smith 5th in the high jump and the 4x800 relay team of Nick Lefell, Kevin O’Connor, Josh Williams and John Williams, Royal was excited about his team’s performance. “We had some kids with some exceptional performances” said Royal. Royal also got to experience the proud moment of being father/coach when his son Dalton took 50 seconds off of his personal best in the two mile, finishing at 11:40.

Royal also talked highly about John Mooney and his continuous efforts on the track, “every coach that sees him run wishes they had a kid like him on their team” Royal said “it’s a shame the majority of the public doesn’t get too see kids like him.”

Royal is looking forward to the upcoming district meets and is preparing his team and finding possible holes to be filled such as using Philip Gilmore in the 500, something he doesn’t typically run in. “We don’t have a lot of speed so we need to find the right places to put people in for districts.”

This weekend, the Terriers head, once again, to Liberty, this time in the Mid-Area put on by Amherst.

Photos by Danny Cruff

Michael Hammond (above) and Jake Mankin (left) combined for 50 of Byrd’s 64 points in last Saturday’s BRD victory over the host Cavaliers of Lord Botetourt.

Wrestlers top one in weekend Quad The William Byrd wrestling team competed in the Glenvar quad this past weekend at the home of the defending group A state champion Glenvar Highlanders home gym. Other teams competing in the quad were Salem and Rockbridge. The Terriers won one of three matches, the win coming against Rockbridge. They lost to Salem, who they defeated earlier in the year and lost to Glenvar by three points.

“We didn’t have a very good first match against Salem” said Carpenter “they had a couple guys back they didn’t have last week.”

They had a strong showing against the defending state champion Highlanders and Carpenter felt if a couple guys came through, they would have had a chance to win. The Rockbridge match was pretty onesided with Byrd winning most of the matches.

Zakk Moorman and Dustin Woods went 3-0 on the day. The Terriers are looking forward to hosting this weekend’s Big Orange tournament, which includes 17 teams with action beginning on Friday.

“It is one of the biggest tournaments in the area” says Carpenter “we look forward to competing against some of the guys from Franklin County and Grundy.”

Carpenter doesn’t have any lofty expectations but hopes to see some of his younger wrestlers to step up and is looking for some “fight on the mat” from his wrestlers.

VOICE 15

Part Two >Former Vinton resident Betty Divers shares faith and finds motivation in writings Divers mother’s comment to her sticks out in her mind “I never thought I’d have a daughter that could do this [write a book]” Divers remembers “and to her it was something great.”

Divers has also seen support from folks in her church and has had fans who have purchased all of her books, including her choir director who told her “I don’t care what it costs, you wrote it and I’m going to buy it” Divers said, remembering the kind words. Divers interest wasn’t to sell the books, she just wanted to write them and she has given a lot of them away as gifts.

Divers can disappear for hours in her basement, which is where she does her writing, getting that prepared was quite the process, “I got some flooring and I tiled the

whole basement” she also painted the walls and added furniture and bookcase, making it a very impressive place to get in the creative mood, “we call it the hole” she says, at times you can

‘I don’t care what it costs, you wrote it and I’m going to buy it,’ she was told. even hear the dryer going off, making it the only thing to remind you that you’re in a basement.

For every poem Divers writes, she makes a copy. One goes to the proofreader and the

Everybody Reads the Voice

With the January 13 issue in hand on Monday night during the William Byrd High School girls basketball game at Patrick Henry High School, even when they should be keeping score...

Everybody Reads the Voice.

Do you have an ‘Everybody Reads the Voice’ photo? Reading the Voice at home, at a game, in the car, wherever...share your photos with us at editor@vintonvoice.com

16 VOICE

other goes in a notebook where she keeps her poems, “I have every one of them in my notebook in their original form” she says “now some of them have mistakes, but they’re there.”

She says that grammar and spelling aren’t her strong suit, but she is lucky to have a good proofreader.

The titles of her books have come from different sources, some from pastors, some from ideas of her own, but all of them have meaning. If you’d like to purchase any of Betty Divers’ books, they can be found on Amazon.com or BN.com (Barnes and Noble.) Any royalties she earns on her next royalty statement will be donated to Riverland Road Baptist Church to help with completion of a building program they were planning.

Danae Wensley Town of Vinton Upon retiring twenty-some years ago, Vinton resident Barbara Dillon promised herself she would not “grow to the couch” as she says, but would remain active for as long as she could. Involvement in the Vinton Senior Program is one way she has kept that promise.

Dillon, 87, has been involved with the senior program for twenty-four years. Although she admits she cannot do as many of the activities as she used to be able to do, she still plans the monthly devotionals, attends the monthly planning meetings and goes on as many trips as she can. And she makes sure not to miss any of the monthly potlucks.

“It’s the best food around,” she said.

The senior program started in 1969, when twenty-eight senior citizens began meeting monthly at the Vinton War Memorial. Since

then it has become a very active program offering classes, outings, luncheons, trips and much more.

Penny Beyer has been directing the senior program for thirteen years. Dillon was quick to say that everyone involved in the senior program loves Penny.

“Penny is very talented and outstanding at her job. If one of the seniors suggests [an activity], Penny does whatever she can to make it happen,” Dillon said.

Dillon particularly enjoys the trips the seniors take every so often. She has traveled many places with them, including Canada, New England, Myrtle Beach, Atlantic City and various cruises. This spring the seniors will be taking two trips: to Atlantic City in April and Pennsylvania Dutch Country in May. All [our] trips are very pleasant and wellplanned,” Dillon said.

Besides trips, the senior program offers many other wonderful activities, including

weekly ceramic classes, free weekly Tai Chi classes, monthly breakfasts, shopping, monthly lunches, bingo and game days and monthly potluck luncheons. There are also educational activities every so often, including conversations with Fire Department employees or Police Officers. The seniors also periodically raise money or collect things to give to those in need. “[The Senior Program] provides fellowship and enjoyment and is a great way to make new friends,” Beyer said.

Dillon can attest to that, saying that she has met many people and enjoys being around such a nice group of people.

“It keeps you interested [in life] and keeps you going,” she said.

The senior program meets at the Charles R. Hill Senior Center, located behind the Vinton War Memorial. The Senior Center provides ample space for all the classes and activities the seniors host, as well as an office for Beyer.

During evenings and weekends the building is rented out for birthday parties, baby showers, church functions, family gatherings and any number of activities.

The Vinton Senior Program is open to any interested senior from Vinton, Roanoke, Salem or any of the surrounding areas. Most activities are free or very low cost. For more information about the senior program, please call Penny Beyer at (540) 983-0643. A calendar of upcoming events can be found on the Town website at www.vintonva.gov.

For more information about the Town of Vinton and the programs we offer, please visit our website at www.vintonva.gov. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube by searching for “Vinton.”

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Photos by Danny and Amy Cruff

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(3) On Friday Jenna O’Leary Miss WBHS met Jonathan Kayne (1) from Project Runway and now prom fashion designer. She also participated and was a featured model for his “It’s My Prom” fashion show held at Northside High School.

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Photo by Dan Vance

The weekend brought youth basketball to the forefront, with church league games Saturday morning between the K-1 teams at Thrasher and Parkway (2) as they played at Vinton Baptist and Lynn Haven vs. Bonsack Baptist (3) at Lynn Haven. Saturday night, local Rec. League girls teams were recognized at halftime of the WBHS girls game (4).

Photo Submitted by Amanda Stump

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Ask the

Guy

>Expert answers to your health and wellness questions Dwight Ward Contributor Question: We are looking to join a fitness facility – can you offer some good tips so we will make a good decision?

Answer: This is an important decision and one that can’t be taken lightly! These tips should give you a good head start in your search.

Write down your goals (ie. weight loss, get off meds, increased balance etc.). Once your goals have been defined it will become more apparent what is needed in a facility.

Determine your level of fitness experience.

If you have never worked out before, who is going to teach you what you need and are they a certified personal trainer or just hired help?

If you’re not willing or financially able to pay a personal trainer, how much is provided with the membership?

Will you be provided a body composition analysis to determine weight, bodyfat, BMI, BMR, visceral fat and lean muscle (in other words, you need to have a beginning point)?

Who will help you plan for success?

Are the monthly fees reasonable and do you lock into that rate for life? (cheaper is not always better).

Most gyms will ask for some type of commitment from you – this is reasonable if you are receiving something by signing the agreement and since you should really be committing to a lifetime of fitness anyhow. If you start off thinking your won’t stick with it, you are defeating yourself before you start – commitment and consistency are the keys to success.

With recent health scares, how clean is

the facility? Is there cleaning solution readily available and are people using it? What about hand sanitizer? How clean is the facility in general?

Is the equipment new or at least well kept up or is it run down with cracked or patched pads?

What are the hours of operation, especially during inclement weather, weekends and holidays?

Is the facility convenient to your home or work – if you have to travel you probably won’t stick with it.

Does the facility have member success stories?

If they are a franchise, can you get into other facilities while traveling without a big hassle?

What are the busiest times and how busy do they get? Typically, most facilities will be busiest around 5-7pm – stop in and see how busy it really is.

Lastly, is the staff friendly and do they put you at ease? Why are they doing what they do and who is the “go to” person when you need something?

Question: I’ve set my New Year fitness resolutions, how can I make sure I succeed?

Answer: That’s a great question, there are no guarantees, but here are 10 tips that will assist you in your journey.

Be clear about what you want to do … make sure you don’t bite off too much!

Set REALISTIC goals that can easily be revised as you progress.

Create a game plan. Get assistance from a trainer or dietician if needed.

Make contingencies to deal with interruptions.

Reward yourself as you reach milestones

(with things that are healthy).

Find a partner or ask friends and family to help keep you accountable.

Keep a workout and food journal.

Make a commitment – pay for it up front.

Be consistent – remember, it takes 21 days to create a new habit.

Watch your body fitness level and body change – find the enjoyment!!

Question: How come I never see anyone else doing a warm-up prior to working out?

Answer: That’s a great question, and one that’s relatively easy to answer. Most people simply don’t make time for a warm-up. Lots of folks just want to “get in and get out,” and don’t really consider the benefits of properly preparing the body for exercise. Let’s highlight a few of these benefits, so you have justification for incorporating it into your workout.

Increases the temperature of your muscles and joints, which makes movement more efficient and reduces the risk of injury Causes blood vessels to dilate, which shuttles oxygen and nutrients to the muscles, allowing you to achieve peak performance Prepares you for exercise mentally, heightening your senses and allowing you to focus and concentrate on the work at hand There are lots of other benefits, but no matter why you do it, a simple fact remains. You will feel better and perform better if you include a warm-up in your exercise session. Take five minutes, and do some light cardiovascular exercise, along with a few basic bodyweight strength exercises. Try the elliptical or some fast walking, and throw in some lunges, push-ups, squats, or planks. And don’t forget, it’s best to try and mimic your actual workout if possible!

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

Air Force’s core values and JROTC at William Byrd Paul Richardson Contributor Construction is going on fast and furious here at William Byrd High School. Our Air Force JROTC classes have been moved out to one of the trailers behind the school while they work on the old auxiliary gym. We have an excellent vantage point to view the work going on and are anxious to move into our new facility when it’s finished. Our present location is fine but I do miss our old classroom for a few things. The students worked hard when we moved in three years ago to make it their own.

They painted the interior in bright blue and white to make it uniquely Air Force. It was a source of great pride. The part I miss the most is the entrance of the classroom. Art students volunteered their time to adorn the wall with airplanes and the Air Force’s Core Values, “Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do.” It was a constant reminder

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to the cadets as they entered the classroom what the corps is all about.

Well, we’ve left that physical reminder behind for now but we hope those values will follow our cadets wherever they go. In a recent article our senior instructor, Major Jeff Pruitt, stressed, “First and foremost, JROTC is a citizenship program. Our goal is to build better citizens for America, and we do this by preparing our cadets for their futures after graduation, no matter where that takes them.”

The Air Force’s Core Values on that wall are the cornerstone of what we believe will carry them through no matter what career choice they make in life.

Our corps ended last year and started the New Year by volunteering their time to Vinton’s Enchanted Eve celebration. As I watched the cadets shivering in the cold for six hours it was evident they were vividly displaying their second core value, “Service Before Self”! They continued to do an outstanding job throughout the evening and showed

that they were just as serious about their third core value, “Excellence In All We Do”. The values they displayed are clearly values that they have taken to heart and not just slogans painted on a wall.

We are extremely proud of William Byrd High School’s AFJROTC cadets and the service they have provided to their school and community. In order to continue this fine tradition of service we need to continue to attract new cadets to the program. If you know a young person or have a child in middle or high school, encourage them to explore the option of including AFJROTC in their curriculum.

SMSgt Paul Richardson is the Aerospace Science Instructor for the Air Force JROTC program at William Byrd HS. He started the unit at WBHS four years ago, and has worked hard to make it what it is today. SMSgt Richardson has lived in this area for over 12 years now; prior to his retirement in 1997, he also served as an Air Force recruiter in the Roanoke area for five years while on active duty.

Michele Gunter, MSW, LCSW AVoiceofReason@vintonvoice.com In the last week, we have seen the tragic events occurring in Haiti unfold on television and the Internet. These events remind us that although there are numerous differences between our nations, we are all members of the human race. Many of us have been deeply moved by the images of the injured and dead and the stories of the ongoing rescue efforts and their difficulties.

For those who have family/friends living in Haiti, the news can be particularly distressing.

Waiting to hear news about loved ones in a disaster

zone can seem overwhelming and make one feel helpless. Even for those of us who don’t know anyone in the earthquake zone, the constant barrage of bad news can become depressing.

Many people struggle with numerous emotions when a tragedy such as this occurs.

Grief, sadness, guilt; these emotions are experienced often during a crisis. And, not just by those with friends or family in the disaster area. Just watching the news on television or the Internet can bring out these emotions in any of us.

Here are a few tips to help manage your stress (courtesy of the APA) 1. Take a news break. Watching endless hours of news coverage of the disaster can increase your stress, depression, and feelings of helplessness. Taking a break from watching the news can alleviate these feelings.

2. Control what you can. Maintain your normal routines. Go to school. Go to work. Go out with your friends and family. Prepare your meals. Read a book or magazine. Whatever activities are normal to you, continue to do those.

3. Engage in healthy behaviors. Maintain

a healthy diet. Maintain an exercise routine. Go for a long walk, run, bike; whatever activities you enjoy.

Staying healthy and keeping up with healthy habits will make you more able to cope 4. Keep things in perspective. A disaster such as that in Haiti brings a tremendous amount of suffering and destruction. Remember to focus on the good things in your life. Trust in your own abilities to get through the difficult times in the days ahead.

5. Find a productive way to help out, if possible.

Many organizations are set up to assist when natural disasters strike. Research these organizations and contact them to see how you may be of assistance.

6. Strive to keep a positive outlook. Many people who have come through tragedies find they have grown from the experience and have a greater appreciation for life, and how fragile it can be.

If the reactions you are experiencing are overly intense, or you feel as though you are having difficulties maintaining your daily routines, it may be time to find additional help. A licensed therapist can assist you with developing your own personal strategy for moving forward.

Until next time, I wish you all peace, love, and happiness

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Campbell’s Barber Shop “Vinton is such a hometown atmosphere and the people are always so good to me.”

Campbell wants to be a team player for town of Vinton Chris Manning Publisher Terry Campbell, owner of Campbell’s Barber Shop on 224 S. Pollard St, is no stranger to Vinton. December 14th, 2009 marked the one year anniversary of his return to Vinton after a three year absence. Campbell spent 14 years in Vinton total and has no plans to leave again,.

“This is home,” he says.

The Raven (in Richlands) native is used to a small town atmosphere and knows that this is where he belongs.

From 1991 until 2005, Campbell was a

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fixture in the community and originally started at Sportsman’s and then went out on his own.

“Vinton is such a hometown atmosphere and the people are always so good to me,” says Campbell. “A lot of good people are gone but there are a lot still here, it’s such a personal atmosphere.”

Campbell knows about personal atmospheres and that it what he wants his shop to be, he sees a barber as a friend, a confidant, someone to talk to, someone who knows their customers “almost as well as a husband or wife knows them.”

When he left the area three years ago he spent some time with another passion,

“antiquing,” but the call to return to behind the barber’s chair would never let go. A mixture of the economy turning sour and the love of what made him want to be a barber to begin with is what brought him back to Vinton.

“I talked to Mr. Brown [of Southern Property Realty] and found that this building was for rent and moved in,” Campbell says.

“I’ve always been in a barber shop and I missed being a barber, it’s what I do.”

“It’s a little tougher to get re-established this time, for a bunch of reasons,” Campbell says, pointing to the time away and the fact that he is right in the middle of two competitors “but the way I look at it is if they can make it so can I.” Campbell points to the fact that a lot of his customers still might not be aware that he has returned but is wanting to get re-involved in the area that he cares so much about, “there are still some people left that believe in personal service and I’m one of those people” he says “I like to know my customers and I like to do my best work on every person.” Campbell is convinced that this will be a key to his long-term success this go around.

Campbell would also like to see some of the old-fashioned ways he remembers make a return “it’s nice when the merchants can work together, we could do things to better the town” he says. Campbell would like to see some teamwork with other businesses and merchant associations “when people work together it’s just better for everyone.”