Vinton Voice (Volume 2, Issue 13) March 31, 2010

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Last week in Richmond history was being made as Anne Bell Sculptor unveiled the bust she had done of Brigadier General Andrew Lewis to be in the permanent collection of the Commonwealth of Virginia old Hall of the Virginia House of Delegates. What an Honor for such a wonderful lady.

Anne is not only a sculptor, she is a famous artists with her works all over the world. Examples are - The Andrew Lewis Statue at the Salem Civic Center, Noel Taylor & Judges portraits in the Court House in Roanoke, Bronze plaque of Mickey & Bill Cundiff , Movie stars for Debbie Reynolds wen she had the hotel in Vegas, Portraits of John Payne , Patricia Neal & Mickey Rooney for our film festival plus many other stars. Plus work thorough out Florida where she lives and has received many awards. I can’t say enough about her Fantastic work ,she is a genius when it comes to art. She has been a friend of mine for years ,in fact we were in the 4th grade together at Roland E. Cook. Betcha didn’t know she lived in Vinton. Just another one of Vinton’s outstanding citizens making a mark on the world. Friday morning , I had the pleasure of having breakfast at the Roanoker with Anne , Joann P. MCElmurray Pres/Ceo Bootie Bell Chewning of Global Events & Meeting management and Betsy McClearn, BOO_TEE@msn.com Chairman of the General Andrew Lewis Educational Tribute Campaign. What a treat. Congrats to Anne , Proud of you.

With all that has been happening to her lately her Biggest thrill and most excited about is being a grandma to her new Grandson Little Carson Bell. Check her website-AnneBellstudio -Need a portrait???

Happy Birthday wishes go out to Curtis Kirby , Linda Ranson Drum, Gary Beveridge , Tammy Howell Simmons,Collin Rice (now Teenager), Todd Rice, Shirley Calhoun , Anthony Conner, Hank Ebert, Tonya Weaver Kirk, Carl Woolum.

Lordy Lordy someone’s 40 the sign said at McDonald’s . Guess Who. ??

I guess it just might be Kevin Lewis ,now that really I hard to believe. I hope you all had or have a wonderful birthday.

A very special Birthday party was held Sunday at Thrasher in honor of a Great lady who just turned 90 years old and doesn’t look a day over 60. I say with affection and mean it. This Young lady is Edna Anderson mother of Fred Anderson I understand there were quite a few Dignitaries there to celebrate. Happy Birthday Edna May you have many, many More.

Congratulations !! to Bill and Janet Tyree who celebrated their 26th anniversary March 24.

May you have many more together.

Rudd Peters - The Landscape is sponsoring a fundraiser In Honor Of Michele Yeatts .

Purchase mulch this sat Apr.3 and $5.00 per scoop will be donated to the fund. CANCER SUCKS tee shirts will also be available to buy from Debbie Arthur.

So many Fun raiser are in full swing Check them out and Donate to Make this Years Vinton’s Relay for life the biggest and best ever. Apr. 16 &17 WBHS You might want to come and bid on our own Editor Dan Vance. Make him happy.

Want something new to do. Check out The Best of No Shame this Friday and Sat, Apr. 2 & 3 at 8pm at Studio Roanoke . It is held twice a year and showcases the best from the year. This let’s people who are are night owls get a glimpse of what happens at No Shame every Friday night at Studio Roanoke. Advance tickets $10.00 you can go on line to get them at studioroanoke. org/tickets.html. at the door they will be $15.00 . More info call Chad Runyon at 343-3054.

Hats off! to all the cast & crew and Author Adam Hahn for a brilliant production of “Dear Abe”. I really enjoyed it. Thanks too for letting me be part of the recorded voices. Studio Roanoke is located downtown on Campbell Ave. and they are doing some great new shows there.

Hope everyone has a HAPPY EASTER!!!!!!!!

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Photo by Danny Cruff

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Byrd baseball returning seniors Kevin Bowles, Jacob Clifton, Aaron Stidham and Jacob McMillan

In Brief Vinton Branch Library to host “Yack & Yarn” fiber arts group

The Vinton Branch Library will be hosting a “Yack & Yarn” group starting Tuesday, April 27, from 6:30 pm until 8:30 pm. Meetings will be held every fourth Tuesday of the month and will be led by Kimberly Burnette-Dean (pictured) from the Vinton Branch Library.

Kimberly was first taught how to spin, weave, knit, and use natural dyes by an elderly lady in the late 1980s. She continued to learn more about the fiber arts over the next 20 years while employed by the Blue Ridge Parkway and then Virginia’s Explore Park where she portrayed the life of an 1850s farm woman. Employed by Roanoke County Public Libraries since 2007, Kimberly still works with yarn on a regular basis.

If you like to knit, crochet, spin, or weave, this meeting will be a chance for “fiber-minded” folks to get together, meet new friends, share techniques, ideas, and skills. Participants are encouraged to bring a current project. Intended audience is those who love to knit, crochet, spin, and weave Meetings will be held at the Vinton Branch Library, 800 E. Washington Street (next to the Vinton War Memorial), on the fourth Tuesday of each month beginning Tuesday, April 27, 2010. Meetings are intended for people 18 and older. For more information please call the Vinton Branch Library at 8575043.

Roanoke Valley Sr. Golf Tour Kickoff

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

EDITORIAL Dan Vance Editor-in-Chief

dan@vintonvoice.com Chris Manning Advertising Director

chris@vintonvoice.com Brian Manning Circulation Director

brian@vintonvoice.com Jacob Clifton Delivery/General

info@vintonvoice.com Danny Cruff Senior Contributor

danny@vintonvoice.com

COLUMNISTS Bootie Bell Chewning General Info

BOO_TEE@msn.com Michele Gunter Lifestyle

avoiceofreason@vintonvoice.com

CONTRIBUTORS Barbara Dillon Contributor

news@vintonvoice.com Samantha Hoback Contributor

news@vintonvoice.com Melanie Meador Photography Intern

melanie@vintonvoice.com John A. Montgomery Special Contributor

jmonty@cox.net 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.’

The Roanoke Valley Senior Golf Tour kicked off it’s 2010 season on Tuesday with 117 players battling 35 mile per hour winds and cooler than normal temperatures at Ashley Plantation.

James (Jim) Saul of the Bonsack, VA area, playing in Division 2, was the overall winner with a net score of 67. Other net score winners in Division 2 were: 2nd place - Richard Smith - 68; 3rd place -Ken Voudren - 70; 4th place - Lee Hipp - 71; 5th place - Forrest Hodges - 71; In Division 1, 1st place went to John Hubbard, of North Roanoke County with a net 69; 2nd - Garry Mundy - 70; 3rd - Andy Shumate - 71; 4th - Woody Deans - 71; 5th - Dallas Helems - 72.

Division 3 winners were: 1st place - Jim McDaniel, of the Bonsack, VA area, net 70; 2nd - Ira Clingenpeel - 73; 3rd - Fred Williams - 74; 4th - Robert Fischer - 74; 5th - Doug Woundy - 75.

Thanks to Peter Gardner and his staff at Ashley Plantation for hosting our first tournament of the year. Tour results and further information on the Roanoke Valley Senior Golf Tour can be found at: http://www.rvsgt.org.

School Board approve 2010-2011 Budget

At their March 25 meeting, the Roanoke County School Board approved a budget of $128,821,750 for the 2010-2011 school year, a reduction of seven-percent from the 2009-2010 budget.

State funding to Roanoke County Public Schools was reduced by $12.2 million (including $2.1 million of stimulus funding). However, the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors helped to offset the funding shortfall by $3 million thanks to a revenue sharing agreement between the school board and board of supervisors. Additionally, more than 90 employees elected to retire. Many of the positions left vacant by retirees were eliminated. School leaders also used a new method for scheduling classes that helped to keep class sizes small, while reducing the number of teachers needed. Most importantly, the approved budget will not result in layoffs for full-time contracted employees.

“Thanks to the support of our friends on the Board of Supervisors, a large number of retirements, and a new staffing method, we were able to reduce positions without resorting to layoffs,” said School Board Chairman Mike Stovall. “I want to express my sincere thanks to Dr. Lange and her entire staff and all our teachers for their dedication and commitment to providing outstanding education in Roanoke County,” Stovall added.

“I’m thankful that we were able to avoid layoffs,” said Roanoke County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Lorraine Lange. “Some employees may be moving to different jobs in different locations, but we won’t see layoffs for full-time contracted employees,” Lange said. The school board approved budget must now be approved by the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors. The Board of Supervisors is expected to approve the school system budget April 13.

Here are a few of the key budget items: * No layoffs for full-time contracted employees - * About 92 retirees (many vacated positions will be eliminated) - * No employee raises - * No employee increase in the health premiums (the required increase will be paid from the health reserves for 2010-11) - * No charge to employees for the Va. Retirement System - * Reduction in the emergency contingency fund - * Closure of Bent Mountain Elementary - students will be moved to Back Creek Elementary - * Elimination of the Central Middle School program - * Elimination of eleven central office positions (in addition to 13 in last year’s budget) - * Combination of driver’s education and health curriculum - * Elimination of four bus routes - * Elimination of nutrition subsidy - * Elimination of Stanford 10 funding (test will be funded with another source) - * Elimination of 6th grade intramurals - * Reduction in debt service due to competitive construction bids this year - * Reduction in elementary assistant principals contracts from 260 to 230 days to equalize all elementary assistant principal positions - * Reduction in Governor’s School tuition of 20% - * Reduction in preschool spending (but increase in slots available to state standards) - * Increase in preschool tuition for the LEAP program.

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Obituaries GENEVA DIXON ROWLETT, 86, of Vinton, passed away Sunday, March 28, 2010. She was the widow of Robert L. “Bob” Rowlett. Surviving are her four daughters and sons-in-law, Darlene & Butch Cook, Orlando, Florida; Rebecca & Otha Wheeler, Roanoke; Debra & Toby Fitch, Roanoke; Marie & Johnny Workman, Vinton.

Five grandchildren, David Cook, Diane O’ Neal, Lee Wheeler, Scott Wheeler, and Jaime Rowlett.

Nine great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted 12 Noon Thursday, April 1, 2010 at Oakey’s Vinton Chapel with the Rev. Gary Butcher officiating. Burial followed in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. The family wishes to give special thanks to the staff of Unit #3 at Berkshire. The family received friends from 2 to 4 PM & from 6 to 9 PM Wednesday, March 31, 2010 at Oakey’s Vinton Chapel (982-2221) JUDY S. HETHERINGTON, 62, of Hardy, VA went to be with her Lord Monday afternoon, March 22, 2010.

Judy was a member of Coopers Cove Baptist Church, active in the Roanoke Valley Baptist Association, instructor for Leland Theological Seminary, served as Past Director of Woman’s Missionary Union, and was Coordinator for the Powell River and Standing Rock Mission Efforts.

She was a graduate of Great Bridge High School (1965), Old Dominion University (1969), and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (1974).

Survivors are her devoted and loving husband of 41 years, Bob Hetherington; children, Gregory (Greg) Hetherington and wife, Kim of Roanoke and Kimberly (Kim) Hetherington of Salisbury, NC; grandchildren, Erin and Joel Hetherington; parents, Julius and Ruby Shoulars of Norfolk; sisters, Terrie Combs and husband, David of Shiloh, NC and Gayle Graham and husband, Joseph of Atlanta, GA; numerous nieces and nephews; and brother-in-law, Bill Hetherington and wife, Sue of Salisbury, MD. A celebration honoring Judy’s life will be held Thursday, March 25, 2010 at 3 p.m. at Oakland Baptist Church with Rev. Darryl Naff, Rev. Dr. Scotty Carpenter, and Rev. Larry Sprouse officiating. Interment will follow in Coopers Cove Baptist Church Cemetery in Franklin County.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Roanoke Valley Baptist Association, 3926 Plantation Road, Roanoke, VA 24012 in Judy’s memory.

The family will receive friends from 3-6 p.m., Wednesday, March 24 at Oakey’s Vinton Chapel, 982-2221.

JAMES H. “JIM” LYNCH, 87, of Montvale, went to be with the Lord Monday, March 22, 2010. Jim was an Army Veteran of World War II, who served at Pearl Harbor and earned three Bronze Stars.

He was a member of Local 100 Sheet Metal Worker’s Union with 50 years of service. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Rebecca Sledd Lynch. Three sons & daughters-in-law, Dennis & Judy Lynch; Ken & Teresa Lynch; & Dan & Vicki Lynch. Four daughters & sons-inlaw, Judy & Wendell Johnson; Bonnie & Rich Holloway; Teresa & Steve Gabrielli; & Debby & Mike Knecht. Nineteen grandchildren. Twenty three great-grandchildren. Three brothers, Charlie Lynch, Roy Lynch, & Gary Lynch. Four sisters, Bessie Perdue, Virginia Farrell, Brenda Vaughn, & Evelyn Pagans. Also numerous nieces & nephews. Funeral services were conducted 10 AM Saturday, March 27, 2010 at Oakey’s Vinton Chapel with the Rev. Henry Dodson, Rev, Dan Holdren, Rev. Jeremy Johnson, and Jeff Roudabush officiating. Burial with military honors followed in Cedar Lawn Memorial Park. The family received friends from 11 to 1 & from 6 to 8 Friday, March 26, at Oakey’s Vinton Chapel (9822221).

PAUL EARL GRAHAM, 73, of Rocky Mount, passed away on Saturday, March 27, 2010. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin and Martha Graham and one sister, Barbara Cox. A beloved husband and father, he is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Shirley Conner Graham; one son, Richard Graham; one daughter, Norma Saferight and her husband, Robert W. Saferight; grandchildren, Bryan Graham, Corbin Blair Saferight, Alex Ozuna; brothers, Homer Graham and his wife, Ruth, of Rocky Mount, Wendell Graham and his wife, Marcella, of Punta Gorda, Florida, R. Neal Graham and his wife, Kathy, of Richmond; sisters, Bonnie Hawks, of Christiansburg, Beatrice Belcher and her husband, Guy, of Floyd; and many nieces, nephews, wonderful brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law and friends.

The family wishes to thank everybody for all the help and support given.

A funeral service was held at 12 noon Tuesday, March 30, 2010 at Oakey’s Vinton Chapel with Pastor Joe Dillon officiating. Interment will follow in Sherwood Memorial Park. The family will receive friends on Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Oakey’s Vinton Chapel, 540-982-2221.

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MILDRED G. BOWLING McLAUGHLIN, formerly of Bedford County, Va., was carried by God’s Angels to eternal rest on Tuesday, March 23, 2010. She was born on May 12, 1923, and was the first-born child of Lewis and Thelma Bowling of Bedford, Va. Mildred was predeceased by her husband of 60 years, William Leroy McLaughlin; her parents; brothers, Robert and Mooreman Bowling; and daughters, Mary Frances Joyner (Tom) and Wanda Fay Bondi. She is survived by her sister, Della Delancey (Paul), of Concord, N.C.; daughter, Nancy Dunn (Craig), of Hampton, Va.; and son-in-law, Daniel Bondi, of Baton Rouge, La. She leaves behind five loving grandchildren, Michelle Mills (Dusty), Tom (Lisa) and Robert (Lisa) Joyner, Monica Cooper (Tom) and Marco Green (Roger); nine greatgrandchildren, Joshua (Elaine) and Brandon (Caitlin) Jones, Jennifer Austin (David Sr.), Jessie and Jamie Joyner, Dana Starnes, Jessica Robertson (William), James and Matthew Mills; seven greatgreatgrandchildren, David Jr. and Mariah Austin, Brianna and Nyla Jones, Nevin and Navaeh Lee and Christopher Robertson; nieces, Susan (Tim) Green, Gail Williams and Sue (Jerry) Henley, Ivy Hewitt; and many other nieces, nephews, family and friends. The family wishes to thank the staff of Northampton Convalescent and Heartland Hospice for their compassionate care during her illness. A special thanks to all her caregivers and to her special friend, Carolynn Hall. Services were held 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 27, 2010, at Lotz Funeral Home, Vinton, Va., by the Rev. Joe Hunt of Liberty Baptist Church, Hampton, Va., with interment at Mountain View Cemetery, Vinton, Va. The family received friends beginning 7 p.m. on Friday, April 2, 2010, at 227 Derosa Drive, Hampton, Va. 23666. Online condolences may be made at www.lotzfuneralhome.com.

JERRY DAVID BOGGS, 58, of Hardy, VA died on Friday, March 26, 2010.

He is survived by his wife, Frances Wood; sons, Augey and Cody Wood and Hoagie Hill; sisters, Sandra Goudie and husband, Vic and Linda Unruh and husband, Don; brother, Jimmy and wife, Barby; mother and father-in-law, Clarence and Christine Wood; and special friends, David and Judy Cokendolpher and Jim Proctor.

Funeral services will be held at 12 noon, Wednesday, March 31, 2010 at Oakey’s Vinton Chapel with Rev. Leonard Foley officiating. Burial will follow in Franklin Memorial Park, Franklin County.

Special thanks to We Care of Franklin County.

The family will receive friends from 6-9 p.m. on Tuesday, March 30, 2010 at Oakey’s Vinton Chapel, 9822221.

DOROTHY HILL WADE, 91, of Vinton, Va., passed away on Tuesday, March 23, 2010. She was born on April 25, 1918, the daughter of the late Creed T. Gillispie and Ella Mullins Gillispie. She was preceded in death by her husband, Audrey A. Hill; their three children, Louella Hill, Walter Hill and Kenneth Hill; also two step children, Patricia and David. She was also preceded in death by nine brothers and sisters. She was the last surviving Charter Member of Vinton Wesleyan Church. She was loved by everyone and famous for her cooking and her coconut cakes. She and her husband served for many years in the nursing home ministry. Surviving are her husband, Tom Wade, of Vinton; four children, James Hill and wife, Pat, of Cloverdale, Judy Catron and husband, Marvin, of Roanoke County, Fay Goodman, of Roanoke, and Frank Hill and wife, Joanne, of Vinton; two daughters-inlaw, Nancy Hill and Sandy Hill; 16 grandchildren; 28 greatgrandchildren; three greatgreat-grandchildren; seven stepchildren, Alvin Wade and wife, Polly, of Vinton, Arlene Wheeler and husband, Kenneth, of Goodview, Ronnie Wade, of Blue Ridge, Eunice McGuire and husband, Ronnie, of Bedford, Wanda Jacobs and husband, Jake, of Norfolk, Va., Roger Wade and wife, Debbie, of Vinton, and Phyllis Cisco and husband, Alvin, of Bedford; and numerous step grandchildren. Funeral services were conducted 3 p.m. on Friday, March 26, 2010, at Lotz Vinton Chapel with the Rev. Jesse Garman and Pastor Ricardo Rodriguez officiating. Interment followed in Mountain View Cemetery. The family received friends on Thursday, March 25, 2010, from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home. Words cannot express our thanks to Frank and Joanne Hill for their love and care of our mother.

Also special thanks to her friend, Vicky Adkins. Arrangements by Lotz Funeral Home, Vinton Chapel. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.lotzfuneralhome.com.

ELIZABTH ANN DANENBERG, 57, of Roanoke and formerly of Vinton, Va., went home to be with her Heavenly Father on Tuesday, March 23, 2010. She was the daughter of the late Grover and Esther Danenberg; her grandparents, Exomie and Delmer Jackson, and Grover S. Danenberg and Addie P. Austin. Survivors include her two sons, Stanley Ray Strickland, of Moneta, and Grover Lee Strickland, of Rocky Mount. She also cherished her special granddaughter, Elizabeth Dawn Strickland, of Moneta. Other survivors include a brother and wife, Harvey and Tina Danenberg; sisters, Myra and husband, Dennis Blankenship, of Roanoke, and Darlene and husband, Donald Jones, of Vinton; a niece, Brandi D. Crandall; nephew, Christopher Woolwine; her great-niece, Arielle Crandall; and other nieces and nephews. Aunts and uncles include Phyllis and Oscar Johnson, of Durham, N.C., Alice and Major Graybill, of Troutville, Judy and Curtis Tolley, of Roanoke, and Donna and Norman Richards, of Vinton; and the father of her sons, Rowland Strickland, of Moneta. She is also survived by a very special friend and companion, Vernon J. Alls and his family, of Roanoke; and other special friends, Mary and David Wade, of Stewartsville. The family wishes to express special thanks to Dr. Nobbee, his staff and employees at Lewis-Gale Medical Center of second floor Intensive Care unit and third floor West Intensive Care unit for their compassion and care. Also special thanks to her special “Buddy” as well as brother-in-law for all of the times he took her to her doctor’s appointment and other medical care. “Thank you Jack Rabbitt.” Funeral services were conducted at noon on Friday, March 26, 2010, from the Lotz Vinton Chapel with the Rev. Dava Hensley and the Rev. Eldridge Cullum officiating. Burial to follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. The family received friends on Thursday, March 25, 2010, from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Arrangements by Lotz Funeral Home, Vinton Chapel. Online condolences may be made to www.lotzfuneralhome.com.

Looking for an Internship for college credit?

The Voice is currently looking for interns for this summer Contact Editor-in-Chief Dan Vance at dan@vintonvoice.com for more info VA State Licensed

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Vinton holds kick-off for downtown revitalization Danny Cruff Senior Contributor A few weeks ago as part of the development of the Downtown Vinton Master Plan, you saw a survey about your likes, dislikes and ideas for the downtown area of Vinton. As an extension of that feedback process, the Town of Vinton held a Management Team Kick-off Meeting at the War Memorial on Thursday, March 25th.

The meeting was open to the public as both a way to share information, but as a forum on what the shape of the future of Downtown should be. The front of the room was lined with various maps showing everything from the project area to vehicle crash frequency in Town.

With over thirty-five people in attendance, Mayor Brad Grose welcomed the interested residents, business owners and other interested parties and introduced the various parties involved in the meeting. One of those was Tripp Muldrow of the Firm Arnett Muldrow & Associates.

Arnett Muldrow & Associates is a planning firm based in Greenville, SC which specializes in Downtown Masterplanning among other services such as Community Branding. Mr. Muldrow was in town to visit and interview the residents and property owners within the Project Area to gather their ideas and concerns for Downtown.

The interviews showed a wide variety of thoughts which echoed the sentiments of the Vision for Downtown portion of the meeting.

Participants were broken into groups in order to list and discuss the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats for Downtown.

These items included the post office as a strength, but the parking/entrance as a weakness and the location various businesses (including our own Vinton Voice) as strengths.

While some of the responses of the groups differed in the items listed on the flip chart, the consensus was clear that Downtown Vinton already had plenty of strengths and opportunities to build upon in this Master Plan.

Other portions of the meeting included a discussion on where to focus, let by Patrick Hughes of Hill Studio and “Where Do We Go

Photos by Danny Cruff

TOP: A full room at the Vinton War Memorial took part in the kickoff where they were able to see some of the already set plans for downtown, some of which can be seen in maps pictured below.

RIGHT: Anita McMillan jots down the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats for downtown.

From Here?” The meeting concluded with invitations to take a walking tour of Downtown with members of the Management Team, allowing for participants’ ideas to flow while they were in the area they were discussing.

Not only was the Downtown Revitalization Plan Management Team Kick-off Meeting considered a success for the number and enthusiasm of those who attended, but also the ideas that came from it.

For those who attended, they became a vital part of shaping the future of Downtown Vinton.

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Clean Valley Day

Copy by Danae Wensley • Photos by Mary Beth Layman

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The Clean Valley Council and the Town of Vinton would like to thank everyone who helped make this year’s Clean Valley Day a huge success! We had five teams with multiple volunteers who picked up 1.88 tons of trash and 54 tires. Everyone had a great time, and some interesting items turned up. Volunteers found scaffolding buck, large sections of angle iron and appliances in addition to the regular items such as drink cans, cups and cigarette butts. Thanks again to all the volunteers, sponsors, organizers and anyone else who is doing their part to make our Valley a more beautiful place to live.

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PHOTOS

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(4) Photos by Callie Hough (1 and 2), Danny Cruff (3, 4, 5 and 6) and Melanie Meador (7).

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On the morning of Friday, March 19, Thrasher Preschool held a teddy bear picnic (1) to help launch the spring. The PreKindergarten class crossed Washington Ave. with the help of Sgt. Doyle and other officers on their way to the picnic (2). On Thursday, March 25, more kids prepared for the spring at Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church as they stuffed eggs (3) and (4) for Saturday’s Easter Egg Hunt at Mt. Pleasant Park.

The park sits behind Mt. Pleasant Elementary School, which is currently under construction (5) with improvements to the facility, much like their feeder high school at William Byrd High School.

On Saturday night, the Roanoke County School Board Student Advisory Council held ‘BandFest 2010: Changing the Valley.’

The three-fold event was designed to provide a venue for valley students to showcase their music, have fun and also hear exciting messages to encourage students to follow their dreams and avoid risky behaviors. The event started at 7pm and ran through 11pm. Two of the bands participating had current and ex-WBHS students in them, including drummers Charles McKeever (left, from Charisma) (6) and Alex Warner (right, Smoke N’ Mirrors) (7).

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Michele Gunter, MSW, LCSW AVoiceofReason@vintonvoice.com Remember the old saying, “April showers bring May flowers”? Well, as I sit down to this week’s column, it has been raining heavily all day. If that saying holds true, we’re going to quite a few May flowers in Vinton.

In today’s column, I’d like to discuss briefly the mind-body connection. This is a rather broad topic, and we could (and just might) have 3 or 4 columns related to this point of interest. For today, though, we’ll just get started.

More and more Americans are becoming aware of the effects of their emotions and mental health on their overall physical wellbeing and health. Our emotions have an effect on our physical health and welfare. Some supporting evidence includes the following: 1. Two-thirds of all office visits to family physicians are due to stress-related issues

(American Academy of Family Physicians) 2. High levels of hostility have been found to better predict heart problems than cigarette smoking, obesity, and even high cholesterol and blood pressure (Health Psychology November, 2002) 3. Approximately 43 percent of all adults suffer from the adverse effects of stress.

4. 64 percent of Americans said they are taking steps to reduce the level of stress in their lives (APA 2005) 5. Employees receiving mental health counseling lowered the usage of medical insurance by 31 percent.

(Group Health Association) The bottom line is our body responds to the way we feel emotionally, think, and act.

When we are stressed, anxious, depressed, or otherwise taxed emotionally, our body tries to tell us something isn’t right. Physical symptoms that can indicate your emotional life isn’t in balance can include: 1. Back pain 2. Chest pain 3. Insomnia (unable to sleep) 4. High blood pressure 5. Stomach pain/difficulties with digesting 6. Headaches 7. Extreme tiredness or fatigue 8. Light-headedness So, given all that, what can we do to strengthen ourselves emotionally and thereby help our physical health? Well, here are a few

suggestions.

1. Express your feelings in appropriate ways. Keeping feelings of stress, sadness, anxiety, etc inside yourself can help cause or worsen physical problems you may be feeling.

It’s ok to let your loved ones, or those closest to you, know how you feel. Remember, though, they may want to help, but they may not be fully able to. When this occurs, consult with someone such as a counselor, therapist, or religious advisor.

2. Live a balance life. Try not to obsess over problems at work, school, home, etc.

Instead, try to focus on the positive things in your life and moving forward. There is some research that indicates having a positive outlook enhances your physical health. Try to keep your life in balance; work, play, love, laugh, have fun every day.

3. Calm your mind and body. Ask your doctor for relaxation strategies. One popular strategy is practicing guided thought and positive imagery. You can also try reflexology and diaphragmatic breathing.

The mind body connection is a large, complex topic. We could have several columns on this and how to keep things in balance. For now, keep in mind your thoughts and feelings do affect your physical health. If you have questions or concerns, please talk to your family doctor.

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

Derrick Palmer...Chris Lawrence...Brad Grose... Firehouse S8 ‘N Play...Kacy Edsall...Mike Altizer...

Pictures from every issue of the Vinton Voice...ever! Now Online!

VintonVoice.PhotoReflect.com Onzlee Ware

Member, House of Delegates Eleventh District

325 N. Jefferson Street Telephone: 540-344-7410 Part of Roanoke City and Town of Vinton Committees: Appropriations, Counties, Cities and Towns, and Education Paid for and Authorized by Delegate Onzlee Ware

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Everybody Reads the Voice

Photo by Danny Cruff

At last Tuesday night’s William Byrd High School boys basketball banquet, Jason Grieshaber, Eric Slone, Will Trent, Drake Lewis, Derrick Palmer and Jordan Ronning take time out with the March 24 issue to show that even when you should be enjoying a nice dinner, collecting awards and celebrating a season gone by....Everybody Read the Voice.

Editor’s Note: A special thank you to the Boys Basketball Booster Club, especially Barry Trent for the invite to be part of this night with the boys basketball team as they celebrated the year as well as recently retired head coach Dave Culicerto.

VOICE 09

A Different History of Vinton Barbara Dillon Contributor The Town of Vinton (population 7,665 in 3.2 square miles) was once known as Gish’s Mill, after a milling operation built in 1838 by David Gish.

At first there were two mills along Glade Creek owned by David Gish and his brother Christian. One mill was eventually abandoned.

In 1867 Gish sold his remaining mill to Isaac White Vinyard after Vinyard hit gold in the California Gold Rush. It burned down a few years later and last operated in 1946 as Vinton Milling Company. Visitors still can see portions of its brick walls where Holdren’s Country Store stands today on Gus Nicks Boulevard.

Early residents were a church-going group of Methodists, Baptists, Presbyterians and Lutherans who farmed the land and had a strong work ethic.

Vinton was chartered in 1884. The railroad offered jobs for Roanoke Valley citizens who then, as now, lived in Vinton and worked in Roanoke. In 1884, there were 584 people living in Vinton.

Councilman B. A. Jones is credited with

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suggesting that the new town be named “Vinton” to honor the Vinyard and Preston families. The land on which the town now stands was owned by mostly by the Vinyard and Gish families.

The most important event to both Vinton and nearby Big Lick (now known as Roanoke) was the coming of the railroad. In 1870, three Virginia railroads merged to form the Atlantic, Mississippi and Ohio railroad which later became the Norfolk and Western (currently Norfolk Southern). Vinton became a flag stop for the trains and a boxcar served as a depot.

Soldiers had earlier burned the Gish Dipot in April 1865 after General Robert E. Lee’s surrender at Appomattox.

Vinton also was known as a mercantile town with one of the most important businesses being a tannery operated by John W. and Edward M. Jones. Virginia Etna Springs mineral water and Crozer Furnace helped make a Vinton a “boom town.” Today, Vinton’s largest employer is Precision Weaving.

Another important reason for Vinton’s early growth was a trolley line that connected it to Roanoke. Transportation and access to the rest of the Roanoke Valley still play a significant role in Vinton’s growth.

Today Vinton is strategically located beside

the Blue Ridge Parkway, on Route 24, one of four Roanoke Valley exits. It is the gateway to Virginia’s Explore Park, a 2,000-acre historical park.

Vinton’s best known landmark is the Vinton War Memorial, a stately civic building dedicated in 1984 to honor Vinton’s soldiers.

The town also received national attention in 1991 for its Persian Gulf War Information and Support Center.

Another landmark is Vinton’s majestic town clock, which stands directly in front of the new municipal building. In 1990 the clock stood in front of A.J. Rankin’s jewelry store.

Vinton also is known state-wide as host to the oldest festival in the Roanoke Valley, the Vinton Dogwood Festival held each spring.

Parade marshals in the past have included Bobby Vinton, Steve McQueen, Minnie Pearl, Hank Snow and Judy Carne. Kylene Barker, who was later named Miss Virginia and Miss America 1979, was a contestant in the Miss Dogwood Pageant in 1972.

Vinton is known today as home to some important modern leaders, namely former Virginia House Majority Leader C. Richard Cranwell and David Goode, former CEO of the Fortune 500 Norfolk Southern Railway Company.

Photos contributed by Gary Walthall

Voices of the Past

Mark Sweeney:

Ex-Byrd standout rubbed elbows with the best These days, Mark Sweeney is a lieutenant with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department, handling a myriad of administrative duties that include overseeing the department’s SWAT team and supervising the neighborhood watch program.

Two decades ago, he was a promising pitcher who parlayed his talents into drawing a paycheck for hurling a baseball.

Sweeney, 41, hails from the Mount Pleasant section of Roanoke County; area baseball legend Gary Walthall was his physical education teacher in elementary school. “I was always playing some kind of sport,” Sweeney says, and by the fifth grade, he began playing organized baseball. “I was bigger than most kids my age. I was heavy as a child,” he says. Ultimately, Sweeney grew to be an intimidating presence on the mound, standing 6-4 and weighing 220 pounds.

By the time he reached William Byrd High School, Sweeney narrowed his sports participation to baseball and basketball. “I quit football after the ninth grade,” he says. “I saw myself John A. Montgomery primarily as a blocking dummy.” No jmonty@cox.net dummy, he.

Under the tutelage of coaches Roland Malone (basketball) and Walthall (baseball), Sweeney achieved first-team all-district status in both sports. As a forward who liked the outside shot, Sweeney often scored in double figures on the hardwood. His career best was a 26-point effort against Blacksburg. “I made 10 of 10 free throws,” he remembers. “It was just one of those nights.”

On the diamond, Sweeney showed even more potential. He recorded 201 career strikeouts as a right-handed pitcher for the Terriers, “getting some attention from some college coaches and a little pro attention, too,” he says. “But I had decided it was good to go to college [rather than sign professionally out of high school] and Richmond ended up being my choice.”

Sweeney says that Clemson, Liberty and Virginia were among the schools that courted him to varying degrees, but the scholarship offer from the Spiders was the clincher. “Looking back on it, I can see that asking my parents to pay for my college would have been a hardship,” he says.

Richmond funded about 90 percent of his expenses as a freshman; Sweeney earned a full ride his last three years.

Sweeney posted a very respectable career record of 17-11 during four seasons with the Spiders. “My freshman year (6-1) was actually my best year,” he says. “The coaches tinkered with my delivery a little bit; they said I was short-arming it. The last three years I was right around a .500 pitcher.”

At first, Sweeney relied primarily on a fastball and a curve, and his •See ‘SWEENEY’ - page 22

VOICE

William Byrd Ath

APRIL 2010 All games with split times are JV/VAR unless otherwise noted Thursday April 1

WBHS Girls Soccer @ Patrick Henry - 5:30/7pm WBHS Baseball @ Frankin County - 5/7pm WBHS Softball (VAR.) vs. Frankin County - 4:30 WBHS Softball (JV) vs. Frankin County @ Goode - 4:30 Middle School Softball vs. Northside @ Goode - 4:45pm Middle School Girls Soccer vs. Glenvar - 4:45pm

WBHS Softball @ Frankin County - 3pm

Friday April 9

WBHS Baseball @ Cave Spring -3/5pm

Monday April 12

WBHS Boys Soccer @ Patrick Henry - 5:30/7pm WBHS Girls Soccer vs. Hidden Valley - 6/7:30pm WBHS Softball (VAR.) vs. Christiansburg - 5pm WBHS Softball (JV) vs. Christiansburg @ Goode - 5pm Middle School Baseball vs. Ben Franklin - 4:45pm Middle School Softball @ Ben Franklin - 4:45pm

Wednesday April 14

WBHS Girls Soccer vs. Bassett - 5:30/7pm

Thursday April 15

WBHS Softball @ Christiansburg - 5pm Middle School Baseball @ Cave Spring - 4:45pm Starkey Park #3 Middle School Softball vs. Cave Spring - 4:45pm

Friday April 16

Saturday April 17

WBHS Baseball vs. Hidden Valley - 12/2:30pm WBHS Softball vs. Hidden Valley - 12/2:30pm

Middle School Boys Soccer vs. Cave Spring - 4:45pm

WBHS Track & Field @ Ameherst Invitational - 9am

Tuesday April 13

Middle School Softball vs. Hidden Valley - 10am

Monday April 19

Saturday April 3

WBHS Girls Tennis @ Jefferson Forest - 4:30pm

Middle School Girls Soccer @ Andrew Lewis - 4:45pm

Middle School Baseball @ Andrew Lewis - 4:45pm Kiwanis Field

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Middle School Boys Soccer vs. Andrew Lewis - 4:45pm

WBHS Girls Socce @ Northside - 5:30/7

WBHS Girls Tenni vs. Staunton River - 4

WBHS Baseball (V @ Northside - 5:15pm WBHS Softball (VA vs. Northside - 5:15

WBHS Boys Tennis @ Northside - 4:30pm

WBHS Baseball vs. Frankin County - 4:30/6:30pm

WBHS Boys Socce vs. Northside 5:30/7p

WBHS Boys Tennis vs. Lord Botetourt - 4:30pm

WBHS Girls Tennis vs. Northside - 4:30pm

Thursday April 8

Tuesday April 20

WBHS Boys Tenni @ Staunton River - 4

Middle School Boys Soccer @ Glenvar - 4:45pm WBHS Track & Field @ Bradford Relay - 9am

Middle School Boy @ Read Mountain - 4

WBHS Girls Tennis @ Lord Botetourt - 4:30pm

Middle School Girls Soccer @ Cave Spring - 4:45pm

WBHS Baseball vs. Cave Spring - 5/7pm

Middle School Gir vs. Read Mountain - 4

WBHS Boys Soccer @ Franklin County - 5:30/7pm

WBHS Baseball (J vs. Northside - 5:15pm

WBHS Softball (JV @ Northside - 5:15

Wednesday Apri

WBHS Track & Fie @ Franklin County vs. FC and Northside

Middle School Bas vs. Read Mountain - 4

Middle School Sof vs. Andrew Lewis- 4:4

Middle School Tra @ Central Academy -

Thursday April 2

Middle School Sof @ Read Mountain - 4

hletic Schedules

rls Soccer 4:45pm

Middle School Girls Soccer @ Northside - 4:45pm

WBHS Baseball @ Staunton River - 4:30/7pm

WBHS Girls Tennis @ Northside - 4:30pm

ys Soccer 4:45pm

Middle School Boys Soccer vs. Northside - 4:45pm

WBHS Softball (VAR.) vs. Staunton River - 5:15

WBHS Boys Tennis vs. Northside - 4:30pm

0

Friday April 23

WBHS Softball (JV ONLY) @ Staunton River - 5:15

WBHS Baseball (VAR. ONLY) vs. Alleghany - 5:15pm

er 7pm

WBHS Girls Soccer vs. Lord Botetourt - 5:30/7pm

Middle School Baseball @ Glenvar - 4:45pm Green Hill Park

WBHS Softball (VAR.) @ Alleghany - 5:15

is 4:30pm

WBHS Girls Tennis @ Alleghany - 4:30pm

Wednesday April 28

WBHS Baseball (JV ONLY) @ Alleghany - 5:15pm

is 4:30pm

WBHS Boys Tennis vs. Alleghany - 4:30pm

VAR. ONLY) m AR.)

WBHS Baseball vs. Lord Botetourt - 5/7pm

er pm

JV ONLY) m

V ONLY)

WBHS Boys Soccer @ Lord Botetourt - 5:30/7pm

WBHS Softball (VAR.) @ Lord Botetourt - 5:15 WBHS Softball (JV ONLY) vs. Lord Botetourt - 5:15

Monday April 26

WBHS Track & Field @ Lord Botetourt - 5pm

Middle School Baseball vs. Hidden Valley - 4:45pm Middle School Softball vs. Glenvar - 4:45pm Middle School Track @ Ben Franklin - 4:30pm Middle School Girls Soccer vs. Andrew Lewis- 4:45pm

il 21

WBHS Baseball (VAR. DH) vs. Jefferson Forest - 5/7pm

Middle School Girls Soccer @ Andrew Lewis- 4:45pm

e - 5pm

Middle School Softball @ Hidden Valley - 4:45pm

Thursday April 29

seball 4:45pm

Middle School Girls Soccer @ Glenvar - 4:45pm

ftball 45pm

Middle School Boys Soccer vs. Glenvar - 4:45pm

ack - 4:30pm

Tuesday April 27

eld

22

ftball 4:45pm

WBHS Boys Soccer vs. Staunton River - 5:30/7pm WBHS Girls Soccer @ Staunton River - 5:30/7pm

WBHS Softball (JV ONLY) vs. Alleghany - 5:15

Middle School Girls Soccer @ Hidden Valley - 5:45pm Middle School Boys Soccer @ Hidden Valley - 5:45pm

Friday April 30

WBHS Boys Soccer @ Alleghany - 5:30/7pm WBHS Girls Soccer vs. Alleghany - 5:30/7pm

VOICE

Friends. Teammates. Seniors. Leaders. All of these words describe the four young men who grace the cover of this week’s Vinton Voice. They are the four returning seniors for the William Byrd Baseball program with high expectations for the 2010 season. They are the reason the expectations are so high. District Champions. Regional Champions. State Champions. Those are their expectations.

Jacob Clifton & Aaron Stidham

So, imagine you’re playing third base and it is your final game of your high school career. When you look on the field you see guys you’ve played with for years. You look behind the plate and you see a guy you’ve shared your whole career with. You’re the catcher, imagine the same thing. The guy playing third base has been on just about every field you’ve been on, played nearly every inning you’ve played and won and lost every game you’ve ever won or lost.

Even more, it’s your senior year and you’ve got new coaches and due to circumstances beyond anyone’s control, you get to start playing a new position…in your senior year. Welcome to the lives of Jacob Clifton and Aaron Stidham, senior baseball players for William Byrd. Clifton and Stidham both have big expectations for the 2010 year for the Terriers both as a team and individually.

Stidham has been in the Terrier program since his middle

14 VOICE

school days and is now the starting catcher, a position that he has played in the past, but not one he was ever expecting to play his senior year. Last season, under Coach Steve Sizemore, Stidham platooned at third base with current Roanoke College student Evan Ross. This year, due to the graduation of Jon Zimmerman and the injury to Jo Stickney, Stidham had to put on the catcher’s gear and lead the pitching duo of Jacob McMillan and Kevin Bowles.

Clifton, who had a strong finish to the 2009 campaign after a slow start due to an injury that he attempted to play through, was expecting to start the year the same place he ended the previous, at first base. However, for the same reasons Stidham ended up behind the plate, Clifton will now be patrolling the hot corner of third base, left vacant by Stidham’s move to catcher.

The two seniors began playing together at the coach-pitch level and then moved up together, fondly remembering their times

the no longer standing Jaycee Field and Stonebridge. Now, they don the maroon and orange together. Their expectations for 2010 as a team are similar, they expect nothing less than a district championship, “if they [McMillan and Bowles] pitch like they’re capable and we do what we’re expected, we should definitely win district” Clifton said, “I don’t see why we can’t win regions or go to state” Stidham chimed in.

Part of the reasons for their expectations is their belief in their own ability, they both know how to play the game and they know each other knows how to play the game, their belief in their pitchers and the newfound confidence they’ve received and instruction from the new regime in the coaching ranks, “Coach Carr has really boosted our hitting” Clifton said “Some of the things we’ve learned we just were never taught before, it is great to have so much focus and so much assistance on our hitting” Stidham followed. The difference in the hitting is very clear, last season

the Terriers hit around .240 as a team, with only one player (Dylon Hurt) hitting above .300, this year through four games Byrd is close to .400 as a team (.388) and Clifton is near the top of the list with a .462 average, “I feel so much better about my swing now” he says.

While Stidham isn’t quite up to the team average, he feels much more comfortable at the plate and knows its only a matter of time before he breaks through.

While these two are known primarily for their work with the bats and gloves, both of them are very competent pitchers as well.

Clifton is being used in a closer’s role and currently has a save on the season and has struck out nearly two batters per inning.

Stidham, who will be attending Hampden Sydney next year, will be expected to contribute on the mound, “yeah its kind of funny how it worked out, I’ll be pitching in college, but probably not too much in high school” he said as •See ‘MAFIA’ - page 20

Photos by Danny Cruff (basketball, baseball, girls track) and Melanie Meador (boys track, boys tennis)

Clockwise from top right: Shotputter Bryce Conner, Brennan Escobar on 3/29 at Glenvar, Ray Harron on 3/27 at Hidden Valley, Coach Dave Culicerto, Cynthia Stinette, inset: Culicerto presents Jake Mankin with his team MVP trophy at last Tueday’s Byrd Basketball Banquet.

William Byrd High School JV Girls Soccer - 3/24/10 @ Bassett win 6-0 - Goals: S. Shrader, Warren, S. Shrader, White, Cockerham, Olsen Assists: Warren, Cockerham, Barham, Barham, Pomerson --- William Byrd JV Softball - 3/23/10 Cave Spring @home win 5-2 - pitcher: Kelley 5 innings, 5 K, 2 hits - batting: McPhail 3 for 4 / 1B, 1B, 2B / 2 RBI - batting: Zimmerman RBI 2B

VOICE 15

Offense flourishes in back-to-back victories >Between pair of rain delayed contests, Byrd battles out-of-District foes with strong results double made it 5-2 in the sixth, Clifton’s two-RBI single in that same inning took the game out of reach.

A big swing in the momentum of the Early Saturday afternoon, it looked game, while not seen on the scoreboard as though the Terrier baseball team was itself, came in the top of the fourth going to have a barn-burner on their when left fielder Chad Hill was hit in the hands as they headed the sixth inning helmet with a pitch, but not awarded clinging to a 3-2 lead. By the time all a base at the discretion of the umpire, was said and done, co-head coach Chris sparking a divide among the fans, vocal Carr had to literally hold his players or not.

“I’ve heard a lot of people talk about back from routing host Hidden Valley– well, routing them more than they Chad getting hit as far as a momentum shift,” Carr noted. “Lots of times you’ll already were.

Five different Terriers had a hear baseball managers and coaches multiple hit game as Byrd ran away late talk about an argument with an umpire and won 10-2 to improve to 3-1 on the to kind of spark the team and get the young season. Seniors Jacob Clifton crowd fired up and definitely was the and Kevin Bowles each had a huge hand case.”

While Carr points out that he did in the win. Bowles started strong on the mound, became sluggish and then came not argue the call extensively, he saw it as ‘line-in-the-sand’ moment that made each side stand more united.

“One thing, as a team, Bowles, McMillan, we need to work on is Clifton, Britton Chocklette and Devin Cassity each understanding the momentum recorded two hits; Clifton had three RBI, while of the game...”

Chocklette drove in two and now leads the team with back to life in striking out six and getting five. Cassity’s two hits were the first of his second win of the season. Three of his varsity career. The freshman also Bowles’ strikeouts came in the fourth made the highlight reel with monstrous inning where he threw just 10 pitches in throw to home in the bottom of the six striking out all three Titan batters. On for a third out in cutting down tagging the offensive end, he was big as well, runner Carter Wright. getting his team leading sixth hit on a “I think that was the deciding factor leadoff solo blast in the top of the sixth. in the game,” Carr noted of Cassity’s “Once Bowles hit his homerun, you throw. “Throwing him out ended that could see all of our guys relax and just inning, out kids came in fired up...I was go to the plate hitting relaxed,” Carr shocked that Hidden Valley had any life said. at all. I thought they would probably While Bowles’ homer broke the game to 4-2 and a Jacob McMillan •See ‘BASEBALL’ - next page

Dan Vance Editor-in-Chief

16 VOICE

Photos by Danny Cruff (top) and Melanie Meador (bottom)

TOP: Jacob McMillan rounds third base to score one of his two runs in Saturday’s thrashing of Hidden Valley.

ABOVE: First baseman Easton Riggs takes things into his own hands in tagging out a Glenvar hitter last Wednesday evening.

Soccer comes out sluggish versus Titans The trip down Route 460 took the William Byrd Boys Soccer team to Liberty High School a week ago on March 24th to take on a team that Byrd had dominated earlier in the season allowing only two shots on goal while taking twenty-four of their own.

Liberty would show improvement against the Terriers mounting three shots on goal to the Terriers twenty-four in a game that Byrd dominated. Brian Fuquay scored the only goal of the game for the Terriers, assisted by Nick Leffell.

“We couldn’t get any shots to go in,” Head Coach Jeff Highfill said after the game, “but we played very well over all.”

The Terrier’s next contest would be at home against Hidden Valley on Monday on a rain soaked field. The wet conditions were noticeable throughout the game as both the Terriers and Titans were slipping.

Byrd opened the scoring early in the March 29th home contest with a goal from Nick Leffell less

than three minutes after the start of the game. Hidden Valley would strike back three minutes later with a goal of their own to tie the game. Keeping on the attack, the Titans would score again less than a minute after their previous goal to take the lead. The Titans would retain that 2 – 1 lead into half time.

“We were sluggish,” Coach Highfill said, “They out-hustled us in the first half.”

Byrd came back in the second half strong bringing themselves within striking distance on the rain-soaked field tying the game at two on a D.J. Welch goal just over three minutes into the half.

“We played really well at the beginning of the second half,” Coach Jeff Highfill noted, “we had them on the ropes.”

The Titans again would score two quick goals to take the lead.

Hidden Valley would do on to beat William Byrd by the score of 4 – 2 to bring the Terriers record even at three wins and three losses.

A long break is ahead of the Terriers, as they don’t play again until April 12th at Patrick Henry.

The Junior Varsity team will take the field at 5:30, to be followed by the Varsity team at approximately 7:00.

•‘BASEBALL’ continued from previous page just come in and roll over.”

“Which it didn’t amount to a whole lot,” Carr continued. “They tried to battle the best they could, but Ray [Harron] came in and did good.”

Harron pitched the final two innings, forcing the Titans to try and hit strikes. He closed out giving up just two hits but no runs while striking out one Last Wednesday, the Terriers traveled to Glenvar to make up Monday’s postponed game, with William Byrd surviving 5-4 in a five-inning game. The Highlanders showed momentum late, but could not manufacture enough runs before darkness began to set in.

Byrd had momentum from the second inning forward at Jo Stickney led off with a double; as of press time, he leads the team with three doubles. Byrd scored two and Glenvar struck back with a run of their own in the bottom half. The teams flip-flopped the scoring in the third to end the inning 3-3.

“One thing, as a team, we need to work on is understanding the momentum of the game and how that first at bat of the first or second inning may be the most important at bat of the game because you can either take the momentum or

Photo by Danny Cruff

Nick Leffell races to get past a Hidden Valley defender on Monday night. Byrd feel to HV just days after dominating the field against Liberty.

give the momentum,” Carr said.

Byrd got their run on a RBI double by Clifton, bringing in McMillan, who opened the inning with a single. Harron, who struggled throughout the game, picked up a pair of RBI in the fourth inning to help William Byrd.

The Terriers needed that help because of four passed balls throughout the later part of the five-innings of play. Senior catcher Aaron Stidham had to leave the game due to a previous commitment, leaving Evan Otey, in his first varsity appearance, to handle the catching duties for McMillan late.

“I didn’t think Mac was sharp but he definitely battled out of some trouble situations,” Carr said.

The Highlanders did threaten in the fifth, cutting the game to one-run on a double by Trent Wilburn. After the first out and a walk, co-Head Coach David Mitchell brought Clifton in from third base to close out the game– and he did so in good fashion. Clifton struck out the first batter and then after hitting Garrett Clay, closed it out as Karlyn East hit into a force out.

McMillan got the win after giving up just one earned run on 82 pitches. Clifton added a save to his young season. Bowles was the only Terrier to record two hits, he did so in the second and fourth innings.

“It was the tale of two games to me. I thought we had basically seized the momentum

Photo of Jacob McMillan at Glenvar by Melanie Meador

Danny Cruff Senior Contributor

at the beginning and I thought we were right on the verge of knocking them out and then we let them creep back into the game and all of the sudden we look up they have the bases loaded... one hit and they win the game,” noted Carr.

Byrd is back in action tonight as they play host to the Salem Spartans. Last time around, Salem used a late homerun to sneak out with a one-run win. On Thursday, Byrd will travel to Franklin County for a 5 and 7 pm JV/Varsity double header in a makeup of Monday’s cancelled contest.

VOICE 17

Soccer girls hammer out big win at Bassett Dan Vance Editor-in-Chief Pushed back a day, the Terrier girls soccer team traveled to Bassett last Wednesday and pulled through with a 4-0 victory in a homecoming of sorts for coach Russell Dishman.

Dishman spent part of the beginning of his coaching career at the school and was happy to come out with a strong win after a sluggish start.

“It was a bit of a slow start,” Dishman said.

“But they finally realized how to finish a team.”

William Byrd finished off the Bengals with another strong offensive output from senior

Kelli Kitchens, who netted two goals and also hammered out two assists, each on Byrd’s other scores.

“They [the Terriers] see what we’re trying to do works,” Dishman said. “The confidence is growing, I think they realize Bassett was not a bad team, but when we play like we know we can, we can be successful.”

Dishman equated the Bengal team a lot to last year’s Terrier team. But that year up makes all of the difference to Byrd, who improved to 2-1-1 in their quest to return to Regions this year.

Behind Kitchens, Byrd got another score from Kirsten Webber, who was coming off a three-goal performance last week. Haley Overstreet added the final goal, while freshman Katie Abelseth had a pair of assists.

Perdue helps lead tennis comeback past Glenvar

Photo by Melanie Meador

Senior Trevor Perdue knocks a little shot in singles action on Monday at Glenvar. Perdue has scored at least a point in every match this season, including in a singles win Monday.

18 VOICE

On the defensive end of things, Byrd gave up just two shots on goal; one in each half of play. Tiffany Viette played the first half in goal with one save on one shot. Hannah Henley made the other save in the second half.

The team now will host the Salem rematch before traveling to Patrick Henry to battle the Patriots on turf. The last time Byrd played on turf was in the first contest with Salem, one that Dishman believe they will bounce back nicely from this time.

“It’s going to be interesting to see how they bounce back [vs. Salem]. This team is focused,” he said.

Dishman also noted that Byrd will be able to take advantage on their narrow field that will stop the Spartans from spreading the ball out.

Dan Vance Editor-in-Chief After falling to Hidden Valley during the course of last week, the boys tennis team at Byrd bounced back on Monday with a 6-3 victory over Glenvar, clinched with big comebacks during doubles play.

“It was a very exciting day,” noted coach Jason Perdue.

For Perdue and the team though the match was much closer than the final score indicated.

Early on, Brennan Escobar beat Tim Howard in number-one singles, and Trevor Perdue beat Mike Roache in number-four singles to put Byrd ahead 2-0.

Glenvar surged ahead 3-2 with wins in numbers two, three and six singles. Down 3-2, William Byrd faced a tiebreaker in the number five singles match, with Bryce Martin pulling off the 7-5, 3-6, (7-5) victory to send the match to doubles all noted up.

In doubles, the Terriers again had to fight back, down in both number-one and number-two matches. The comebacks ended 9-6 at number one for Escobar and Perdue and 8-8 (7-4) at number two for Joseph Davis and Jim Fisher.

Martin and Will Trent finished the day off strong with an 8-4 win in the final doubles match.

“We persevered tonight, winning several matches without playing our best tennis. Joseph Davis and Jim Fisher both showed great resolve in their number-two doubles match,” Perdue said.

The team next battles Salem today at 4:30 at WBHS. “We are starting to believe in

ourselves and each other, and it’s no accident that our toughness level is rising with each match,” Perdue said.

Before the Glenvar match came around, Byrd fell to Hidden Valley last week, 7-1. In 2009, the margin was 9-0 in the Titans’ favor Escobar lost a tough and exciting match to Nick Barker 6-1; 3-6; (6-10) tiebreaker.

“In the loss, Brennan played his best tennis of the young season,” Perdue noted.

Martin and Fisher pushed the Titan number-two doubles team to the brink before losing 9-7. Down 3-7, the duo won four straight games to square the match at seven.

The highlight of the night came at number-five singles where Perdue dropped the first set 1-6 before surging from behind to take the second set 6-3 and the tiebreaker 10-4. Perdue employed a mix of solid ground strokes and pinpoint volleys to record his third singles win in a row. He has registered at least one point in every match this year.

Byrd lost the first two doubles contests, while number-three doubles saw their match suspended due to darkness.

GIRLS TENNIS

Monday’s match hosting Glenvar was halted due to rain in Vinton. The unfinished contests will be made up when the team travels to Glenvar to make up last Friday’s also rained-out contest.

Last Monday, the Terrier girls fell to Cave Spring 8-1, an improvement from a 9-0 loss during the first meet up this season.

The only win came from the number-three doubles team of Brittany Lane and Tiffany Hodges.

Relay teams bookend start for track The William Byrd Boys track team opened the season off at Roanoke College in the 3rd Annual Knights Classic hosted by Cave Spring High School.

The day started and ended similarly in the hands of Terrier relay teams.

The day started off with a second place finish in the 4x800, (Chris Boyd, John Williams, Jonathan Murphy and Josh Williams) in a time of 8:38.20.

The day ended with a third place finish in the 4x400 (Boyd, John Williams, Murphy and Kevin O’Connor) in 3:36.89. The relay team will mirror the Terrier girls relayers by using a purple baton (the girls will be using a pink baton) to help bring awareness to “Relay for Life” and “Susan G. Komen breast cancer”causes.

O’Connor also ran personal best in the 1600m with a 4:31.27 for a fourth place. Justin Smith finished third in High Jump at six-feet even.

“The day was filled with highlights for us,” said Coach Eric Royal. “We had several athletes out run their seeded time, showing the coaching staff that they can step up and run with intensity.”

Royal noted the work of two athletes in particular.

“Chris [Boyd] and Jonathan [Williams] both had great days and are starting to believe in them to what I have been telling both for months,” he said.

Christian Runyon set a personal record in discus by nearly 20’ 93’ 5”.

Dalton Royal continued to develop as a distance runner and improved his 3200m time by 25 seconds running 11:15.65.

“On the sprinter side I see improvements from some new faces,” Royal said.

The 4x100 team (Derrick Palmer, Darryl Preston, Caleb Harris and Tucker Suttles) ran 46.86 with a ninth place finish with Settles coming from behind for the last 15 meters to win their heat “It is very exciting to see the four guys compete and out run several AAA schools,” Royal noted.

Palmer was also the top sprinter in the 100m (12.11) and the 200m (24.65).

•See ‘BOYS TRACK’ - page 22 Photo by Danny Cruff

Jonathan Murphy passes the baton off during a 4x800 relay race last Saturday in the season opening outdoor track meet held at Roanoke College. The 4x8 team placed second overall.

Girls track makes waves in several events at opener Danny Cruff Senior Contributor The Lady Terrier Track Team traveled to Salem Saturday, March 27th for their first meet of the outdoor season. The Knight’s Classic, held at Roanoke College and hosted by Cave Spring High School, is an annual event drawing more than 30 teams this year.

Byrd made waves at the meet with multiple teams and individuals placing high in their events with a team that contains only seven athletes who had been in a high school meet before.

“We [the coaches] were curious to see how the team would respond to such a large meet,” Head Coach Brian Butler commented. “They took up the challenge turned a lot of heads.”

Senior Kayla Thomas, taking part in the first meet of her career, finished eighth in the 400 Meter with a time of 1 minute and 5.94 seconds.

“This was our first time seeing her run

a good race,” Butler said of Thomas’s run in the sunny weather, “Practice has been very inconsistent with all of the bad weather since practice started.”

The Terrier’s strongest showing came in the 4 x 800 Meter Relay. Running to a time of 11 minutes and 30.2 seconds, the team of Cynthia Stinnette, Emily Yeatts, Kara Kingery and Nicole Frey came in a strong sixth out of the thirty-two teams attending.

Other top-ten finishers for William Byrd were the 4 x 100 Meter Relay team of Caleisha Harris, Latishya Thornhill, Kayla Johnson and Bianca Gray with a time of 56.01 seconds in the finals for tenth place.

Keeping with the theme of firsts, Devin Distesano, primarily a sprinter, was entered in the mile for the first time.

“She had a good time and ran a hard race,” Butler said of Distesano’s performance, adding that she had ran hard at the end of the race to catch a runner in front.

The Lady Terriers head to Lynchburg for the Vince Bradford Relays at E.C. Glass High School on April 3rd, starting at 9 am.

Photo by Danny Cruff

Kayla Mabe rushes down the lane during her long jump attempt on Saturday.

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•‘MAFIA’ continued from page 14 he lifted his William Byrd shirt to show off his Hampden Sydney shirt. Stidham will, however, be working on pitching this year, just from behind the plate, as opposed to from the pitcher’s rubber, but he will still be expected to contribute some innings before the season is over.

The two seniors look at the year in the same light, they realize they are leaders of the team, “we wouldn’t want anyone else besides us seniors to be the leaders” says Stidham and they realize that they have the potential to do something great this year. They also realize that potential can only go so far, “we don’t want to be the team that coulda, shoulda, woulda” says Stidham, “like last year” Clifton followed up. “We want to be the team that the younger guys can look back on and remember what we did” Clifton said.

With a revitalized program, the pitching they have and leadership and ability coming from the two longtime friends and teammates, the odds are in favor that this Terrier team, will be one to remember.

Jacob McMillan & Kevin Bowles

Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine come to mind, so do Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling, some old timers might even think of Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale ….. that’s the kind of excellence expected from the lefty/righty William Byrd Terrier pitching duo of Jacob McMillan and Kevin Bowles.

2009 was a breakout season for both players, while both were expected to see time on the mound, the Steve Sizemore led Terriers were expecting to have a whole lot of hitting and expecting to send whomever had the freshest arm out to the mound to pitch.

What they got was nearly the exact opposite. While the team batter average was plummeting, the team earned run average was doing the same. Several pitchers got an opportunity, Jacob Clifton was the opening day starter, John Conner got to pitch in a few games and Brett LaPrad worked his fair share of innings, but when the game was on the line, there was only one of two names that was going to be penciled in to the lineup card, McMillan, or Bowles.

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McMillan, the lefty of the duo, had an amazing 2009 campaign, capped off with all-region honors and his place in the Terrier record books in single season ERA leaders. Anyone who is a fan of great pitching missed one of the top high schools games to last two days when McMillan and Trent Cundiff engaged in a full on pitcher’s duel, where both pitchers played the game of “here, hit this” blowing fastballs by the opposition for eight solid innings, until giving way to relief pitchers and darkness, causing the game to have to be postponed to a later date in the season.

Anyone who knows Kevin Bowles knows the kid has a cannon for an arm. All it takes is to watch a third base coach stop his running from trying to score when a ball is hit to centerfield to know that his arm is known and respected throughout the Roanoke Valley.

It’s only natural that he can bring the heat from the pitcher’s mound as well. Bowles came into his own as a varsity starter in a brilliant performance against 2008 State Runner up Hidden Valley, when he dominated and shut down the Titan offense, until a defensive breakdown in the bottom of the seventh caused Bowles to lose his gem.

Both pitchers pitched in big games as juniors, both pitchers were relied on as much as the other when the game was on the line and in 2010, it will be up to them, defensively, to lead the Terriers to what they expect to be an outstanding season. They’re both aware of the hype surrounding the two of them, as it is rare to have two pitchers who would be considered the ace of any staff in the area, on the same team. “It is hard to live up to the expectation” said McMillan “but I like it.” Bowles agrees and although most high school seniors would be feeling the pressure of all this hype, Bowles doesn’t feel it “nah, I don’t really feel it, I just go out there and I can do the best I can.”

McMillan, who played several years in the Mt. Pleasant system until he moved to the Vinton program due to the level of competition, already has a Terrier legacy to live up to as his brother Jeremiah has his name etched in the Terrier

record books and has also won a collegiate national championship at Bluefield, “it’s a drive to go out there and do better” McMillan says of following in his older brother’s footsteps.

Bowles, who played with McMillan for the Cavaliers as well as playing for former Terrier standouts Tommy Chambers and Ross Blankinship, has his feet planted firmly on the ground for his 2010 expectations, “I just want to go out there and do the best I can and do what I can for the team.” He and McMillan share the same expectations for the 2010 season, a district championship is the minimum, however they both

and Bowles has a little bit of a fiery personality on and off the field, both of them are solid competitors and team players, something they feel is an all-around change from previous teams they’ve been on, “its not about stats” Bowles said, while McMillan struggled to recall his 2009 ERA, both of them showing that they’re in it for the team, not the individual.

Unlike some of their teammates, both pitchers have undecided futures when it comes to where they’ll be playing when they leave the maroon and orange.

Both of them have several schools interested and as the season progresses and they both continue to give performances like Bowles’ opening day ten strikeout, three hit performance, they’ll have more people knocking on their doors and calling their phones to see if they can bring their strong left and right arms to the next level, hoping to bring the success they and the 2010 Terriers expect, especially when you’ve got a pitching duo like the one they’ve got.

“It is hard to live up the expectation...but I like it.”

-Jacob McMillan hope and expect more, “states” they both said in unison.

Each of them have their quirks, McMillan has to look hard in his closet for a shirt with sleeves

College Perspective

Spring resolution brings forth new training regimen Samantha Hoback Contributor Last year during Spring Break, my mom and I participated in the Disney Princess Half Marathon in Orlando. While waiting in the corral, some women asked us if we had been training for the 13.1 mile loop around Epcot and the Magic Kingdom.

We laughed, said no, and it wasn’t until the race was over that we understood what they were talking about.

On campus, I am surrounded by avid athletes: my roommate works out every day, my friends have trained for and completed several half-marathons, and the gym is always packed with fit students working on the ellipticals and lifting weights. I am by no means out of shape—I am a dance minor, taking dance class two to four days a week each semester— but it is not hard to start to feel inferior when I pass students plugged into their iPods running laps around the school.

With the weather outside so beautiful and warm and sunny, I am drawn to be outdoors—running.

I’ve never tried to be a runner before, but I’ve never had the motivation to be a runner either. Not only am I inspired by the blue sky and spring flowers, but I am also motivated by the health benefits that running offers. Studies have shown that avid runners are more likely to live a longer, healthier life, and staying active can help prevent disease and injury in the future.

Nervous that I will start something that I will not finish, I have consulted with several resources to get me started and keep me on track. The campus nutritionist, an avid runner herself, has been an invaluable source of information about good nutrition for runners and training tips for beginners. The director of fitness at the campus gym, with whom I’ve been working to get certified to teach group exercise classes, recommended a couple of easy training programs and cross-training ideas.

Over the next nine weeks, I will be training to run my first 5K. By setting a goal I will stay motivated and keep up with my training. I’ve even conned my sister into doing the race with me: she runs track for William Byrd, so I’ve got a lot of work to do. After the 5K, I want to keep working towards a 10K, and eventually, maybe next year, I hope to return to Orlando to participate in the Disney Princess Half Marathon—as a runner.

What did you resolve to do in January? Lose weight? Eat more fruits and vegetables? Renew that gym membership? Drink more water? How is that going? Many New Year’s resolutions don’t last through the first month, but with the spring in the air and summer just around the corner, there’s never been a better time to re-up those goals and set your “Spring Resolution”. For me, this is my year to start running and make it a part of my routine. With the help of my family, friends and campus resources, I am well on my way to achieving this goal.

Each week I will update my progress and share some of the information from the campus

nutritionist, fitness director and other resources about running and setting healthy lifestyle habits.

In addition, I am writing a series of articles for the campus newspaper, the Old Gold & Black, about my training, and I have started a blog to track my progress and compile information that I have gathered from people, magazines and online articles.

As I began my research, I was reading an article about actress Ellen Pompeo in Self magazine. One of her quotes personifies why I am resolving to be a runner: “Because when you believe in yourself and have a strong sense of self-worth, you don’t look for validation from others.”

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•‘SWEENEY’ continued from page 11 pitching coach thought he needed more variety in his arsenal. “I had a period where I had trouble throwing strikes with my curve and my velocity had declined a little bit,” he says, “so I developed a changeup.”

Sweeney says that Richmond had a decent program during his tenure, “but we never made it out of the conference tournament.” A Spider teammate who went on to distinguish himself in both the major leagues and the National Football League was Brian Jordan, who had five interceptions with the St. Louis Cardinals and was a .282 lifetime hitter over 15 seasons in the bigs.

“He was a superior athlete,” Sweeney says.

After college, Sweeney thought his “ballplaying days were over. I was planning on going into the real world.”

It was his mother who encouraged him to participate in a Cleveland Indians tryout held at Virginia Tech in June of 1990. “There were 50, 60, 70 people there and I wondered what I was getting into,” he says, “but I guess they saw something they liked.” Sweeney was the only player that was offered a rookie contract. Two days later, he was on a plane to Florida, his first airline flight ever.

Sweeney joined the Winter Haven Indians in the Gulf Coast League. “It was quite an experience,” he says. “I was being paid to play baseball. I wasn’t paid a lot, but it was enough to survive.”

The following season, after reporting to spring training in Tucson, Sweeney was assigned to the Watertown Indians of the Class A New York-Penn League. In a season there, he threw three complete

games, posted a 4-3 record with an impressive 60 strikeouts in 63 innings and perhaps most importantly, was called up for a month with Columbus (Ga.) in the Class A South Atlantic League.

Sweeney was told he needed help with his mechanics and saw limited action, recording a 1-0 record and averaging slightly better than a strikeout an inning.

The next spring, Sweeney made the Columbus team and then was called up to Kinston for the majority of the ’92 season. A shoulder problem in the spring of 1993, however, ultimately ended his career.

“They called it the atrophy of the rotator cuff muscle and there was nothing surgically they could do,” Sweeney says. A month later, unable to pitch, he was released. His pro career was history.

“I was disappointed,” he says. “It seemed like the world had ended.”

Now Sweeney recognizes that his release was a blessing. He was able to spend the next 4-5 months with his father, Calvin, who eventually succumbed to cancer.

Sweeney married Pam Flora, an elementary teacher in Franklin County, in the summer of 1993, and within a year was hired by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office. Sweeney had majored in criminal justice at Richmond, so it was a natural fit.

Today, the Sweeneys are parents to three girls: Janelle (9), Lillian (7) and Colleen (3). There’s not much time to watch sports, but Sweeney says he’s still partial to Cleveland.

Sweeney was a teammate in the Indians organization with Manny Ramirez, the major league star that ranks in the top 20 all-time in career homers and runs batted in. “You could tell

he was head and shoulders above a lot of guys,” Sweeney says. “He had a world of talent. He was just naturally good.”

How many people from Vinton have spent the better part of a baseball season in the dugout with one of the best baseball players of all time? How many have been teammates with someone who played in both the major leagues and the NFL? And finally, how many have done both?

You can bet it’s a short list and Mark Sweeney’s at the top.

•‘BOYS TRACK’ continued from page 19 Another new face to the program, senior Jordan Ronning had a good showing, in the triple jump at 33’6.5” with what Royal calls no real practice time.

“Across the board we were very nice balanced, we have athletes in almost every event that are competitive which is the main reason we placed 8th out of 24 teams,” Royal said.

The team was scheduled to play host to Salem and Glenvar on Tuesday, March 30 and will be off to EC Glass for the Bradford Relays on Saturday were they will offer both JV and Varsity divisions. Royal says that Byrd is planning on bring several 8th graders to participate.

Senior Derrick Palmer looks down the line at his competition in one of his sprints on Saturday.

Palmer’s best performance may have come as part of the 4x100 team.

Photo by Melanie Meador

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Your doctor needs to keep up with current medical information and your hairdresser should know the latest trends.

It’s a comfort to know that Oakey’s is here for you.

The same holds true in the funeral industry. Oakey’s Funeral Service belongs to several industry-wide organizations. Of these organizations, Oakey’s is one of only 127 firms in the country to belong to both National Selected Morticians and Order of the Golden Rule. These associations keep us current and allow us to share ideas with our colleagues around the world. By continuing to learn, we continue our commitment to bringing exceptional service to your family.

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Families of the Community

Photo by Chris Manning

Years of haircutting, yet one first stands out at Pagans’ shop Luther Pagans of Vinton’s Professional Hairstylists, has given many first haircuts over the years...

“It would be hard, but just a pure guess….I’ve given a lot of them.”

None however, could’ve matched the feeling of giving his great-grandson Will Dudley his very first haircut. According to his mother Mary Beth, there was no doubt where Will was going to get his very first hair cut, “none at all” she said.

While Pagans has been at this shop 33 years, he spent 23 years before at Garlands in Southeast, the building he’s in at 107 W. Lee Ave is “the oldest shop in town.” Pagans, while still getting newer customers like Will, still has his regulars.

“I’m waiting on people still today that I was waiting on when I first became a barber” he said “they’re not great in numbers, but there are still some.”

While several shops have opened up in town, Pagans realizes the importance of the loyalty that he has gained in his lifetime as a barber, “I was cutting people’s hair in high school that are now bringing in their grandkids” he said “they just keep coming in.”

When Pagans started his profession, he comments that haircuts were a little cheaper than they are today “it was sixtyfive cents back then” he says with a laugh.

Although no money was seen changing hands, chances are, with a haircut this special, Will probably didn’t’ even pay that much for this one.

Luminarias and Moons are available for the Vinton Relay for Life through the team “A Way To Help” at The Vinton Voice ! Celebrate a survivor or purchase one in memory of a loved one. Luminarias are $10 while moons are $1. See Brian Manning at the Vinton Voice to purchase yours today!

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