Vinton Voice (Volume I, Issue 4)

VOICESof theVOICE pg.05 • TA’I CHI pg.11 • BOOTIE’S PL ACE pg.02

pg.12/13

Volume I • Issue 4 September 16, 2009

116 S.Poplar St. - Suite 1 Vinton, VA 24179 540.904.5836 - Office 540.904.5838 - Fax

EDITORIAL

We went to a Family reunion recently in Richmond at the beautiful home of Kelley (Chick) and Steve Hellams. Not only for a reunion but for a Pampered Chef wedding shower with consultant Angie Chewning Lewis. Yes, we have 3 couples getting married in the next 2 months, Fallon Brown & Tommy Burch, Mark Griffith and Hollyn McCoy and Claire Magaha and Deaton Bell.

While there, a wedding broke out. We decided since some of us could not go to Texas for Mark & Hollyn’s. What else! Have a mock wedding here. Murphy Chick made the Bride’s veil out of paper napkins, we picked flowers from yard (little Brown), ring made of Reynolds wrap, flower petals cucumbers thrown by Flower girl Blair Aluzro. Yes, we all Bootie Bell Chewning gathered around the pool as the wedding party marched from the house with cameras clicking and Videographer BOO_TEE@msn.com Greg Chewning rolling the video. Dahl Brown (Ordained minister really) performed the ceremony in a fun way.

In the wedding party; Best man Mel Griffith Father of the groom, Sally Lamb Griffth Mother, Matron of Honor Sister Stephanie G. Lyman & Thad Lyman , others were Fallon Brown , Tommy Burch, MacKenzie Crizer, Leighton Huffman, Troy Huffman ( Sang” Keeper of the Stars,” he was great,) Amber & Lindsey Bell Wells, Valerie, Kyle, Chase & Cade Hendricks.

Joining in were. Polly & Bobby Huffman, Ginger & Addison Huffman, David Brown.Suzanne & Jim Bell, Drake & Abbie Lewis, Sam & Pynia Crizer, Karen , Laura & Tad Robertson , Jack Hellams, Linda Vess, Susan O’Neil,Bryan O’Neil and yours truly. I guess Hollyn wonders just what she has gotten herself into.” This Crazy Family.” We are a loving Family and welcome and welcome all the new ones. I think that day we had about 45 people there. Thanks Kelley ,Steve Jack & Blair for being wonderful Hostesses for the day.

•See ‘BOOTIE’ - Page 17

02 VOICE

Chris Manning Publisher chris@vintonvoice.com Dan Vance Editor-in-Chief dan@vintonvoice.com Brian Manning Circulation Director brian@vintonvoice.com Ashlee Manning Advertising info@vintonvoice.com

COLUMNISTS Bootie Bell Chewning General Info BOO_TEE@msn.com Dale Russell Financial wheresmymoney@vintonvoice.com Erin E. Delauder-Brooks Pharmacy askthepharmacist@vintonvoice.com

CONTRIBUTORS Gene Marrano Senior Contributor gmarrano@cox.net Danae Wensley Contributor news@vintonvoice.com June Eanes Contributor news@vintonvoice.com Danny Cruff Contributor dannycruffphotography@cox.net David R. Jones, Jr. Football Cover Photo news@vintonvoice.com Briana Campbell William Byrd High School Katie McGuire Terrier Times

Copyright @ 2009, All rights reserved by The Vinton Voice email: info@vintonvoice.com http://vintonvoice.com vintonvoice.blogspot.com For advertising rates and information, please call 540-904-5836

4 Issues Down Wow, can you believe it? Our fourth issue of the Vinton Voice is in your hands right now. First of all, we want to thank each and every one of you that have subscribed, picked up or read nearly every single one of our 3,000 issues week in and week out. That’s a lot of papers, a lot of stories and a lot of kind words from all of you. Having an office in Vinton (at 116 S. Poplar, Suite 1, by the way) gives us an opportunity to talk to our readers, our advertisers and our friends. We feel like we’re very accessible and although we’re not always there, we’re there more times than we’re not, it isn’t likely if you come during business hours that you’ll see a locked door.

Since we’ve been “open for business” we’ve had hundreds of people walk through our doors and they’ve had questions and compliments. When we’ve been out at middle school, JV or Varsity sporting events we’ve run into folks who’ve had questions and compliments. When we’ve been at the Barbeque Grill or the Dogwood, we see folks there and they’ve had questions and compliments too. We absolutely love hearing what you have to say, we love your story suggestions (there have been at least two stories per issue that have been suggested by someone that has walked into our office.) Since we realize we can’t be everywhere (even though we try) and when you’re at the volleyball or football game, you might be pre-occupied with something else, we’ve decided to share and answer some of the most common questions we’ve been asked as well as some of the compliments we’ve received. First, the questions.

Q; Are you associated with (insert numerous names of several Roanoke Valley publications here?)

A: No. We are an independently owned and operated newspaper. We have no association with any other publication or media outlet in the area, although we are very friendly and on good terms with some. Our main and only focus is the Vinton/Mt. Pleasant/Bonsack areas and will continue to stay that way.

Q: How much do you charge for your paper?

A: If you want to stop by the office or any of our 70+ distribution locations in our readership area, the cost is nothing ,absolutely free. If you want it delivered to your home, you can purchase a subscription for the low cost of $25 per year or $40 for two.

Q: I want a subscription but I don’t live in Vinton, how much is it then?

A: The same price.

Q: Well, if you’re not charging for the papers that are picked up, how are you going to survive?

A: Our advertisers. That’s why it is very important for you, or readers, to make sure that you tell our advertisers that you saw them in our publication. If they have a coupon, make sure you bring it in. Keep talking us up to your friends and neighbors, no matter where you are, because without our advertisers, you’re right, we wouldn’t survive.

And now, some of the compliments and feedback we’ve received.

Lots of stuff to read, very nice job. Full of content for everyone. Great job all of you.

Great issues! I know Vinton is excited about “The Voice!”

Great issue! From a fan in the middle of Beautiful Downtown Bonsack :) Great idea for next year this time--I have asked my facebook family to share where they were and what they were doing on 9/11/01. The responses have been very moving. Maybe you guys can do that next year and share with us.

This is great...I grew up just below Vinton on Jeters Chapel Mountain lots of great memories of times spent in Vinton at the Dogwood Festival’s, Christmas parade’s etc Awesome keep up the good work.

Looks Great!!!You got a real winner!!!

First issue was great, looking forward to the next issue!

We appreciate every single one of those comments and the hundreds more just like them that we’ve gotten over the past month. Please keep ‘em coming!

We also appreciate every single one of our readers and some of our most loyal and active readers are “fans” of ours on Facebook. We made a deal a couple weeks back that if we made it to 500 “fans” we would print all of their names in this issue.

They took the challenge and ran with it. By the time you read this, we will probably be well over 700 and we’ve put the names in this issue of everyone who was a “fan” as of this Sunday the 13th. It was just our small way of saying thank you.

Our big way of saying thank you to nearly 3,000 of you is going to be for us to continue doing what we’re doing. Giving you the stories you want to read, having new and exciting content week in and week out and continuing to listen. Keep bringing us those stories, keep talking about us, keep subscribing, keep showing your friends and neighbors the most recent issue and just keep being you Vinton.

After all, our Voice is your Voice.

Vinton Area Chamber of Commerce to Host a Fall Festival Scarecrow Contest Enter a Scarecrow constructed by you, your family, your class, your church group or your organization. The theme of your scarecrow can be traditional, athletic, character, Halloween . . . let your imagination be your guide. 1st, 2nd and 3rd place ribbons as well as prizes will be awarded.

Since we can only display 12 scarecrows at the Fall Festival, entries will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis. You must enter your completed Scarecrow for display

by Thursday, October 1.

Judging will be held on the day of the Fall Festival. You will be contacted after the Fall Festival to pick up your prize and scarecrow. Scarecrows must be on display from October 1 thru October 12.

How do you enter? Either drop by our chamber office at 116 S. Poplar St., Suite 2 to pick up an entry /guidelines/rules form or download form at www.vintonchamber.com.

Emma Patterson visits the scarecrow at the Chamber of Commerece

VOICE 03

Gotta know the Lingo

Dale Russell, MBA wheresmymoney@vintonvoice.com Ok, we have spent three weeks now talking about the psychology of money and how vital it is to have the right mindset is when dealing with money.

We have talked about honesty, and hope, and your personal view of money. We have discussed the stigma that you may have and how to overcome then so that you can give yourself a chance to be financially free.

Today we get into the vocabulary of money. If you want to be successful in this area you need to know the language. It’s not difficult, but it’s new and may seem a bit strange at first. You should get that pad of paper and pen now. You may need it.

Here are some basics terms you have to know: APR Annual Percentage Rate: the amount of interest charged annually on things line mortgages or credit cards.

Asset Something tangible that is owned by you. Remember, if you OWE anything on that item, it reduces the equity you may have in the item and it makes it an asset for the lender not for you unless it produces income.

Collateral The item offered to the lender to secure the amount borrowed. i.e. your home for a mortgage loan.

Compounding interest An investment term referring to

04 VOICE

the repeated adding of interest on capital invested or borrowed.

Equity The difference between what an asset is worth versus what is owed on an asset FICO Your stay in debt score. This number indicates your credit worthiness and is used by lenders to determine your ability to repay a loan.

Income Your earnings from business or employment.

Interest rate The percentage of interest a lender will charge for lending you money. The interest rates will vary depending on the type of loans.

Liability The amount you owe on secured debt, such as a home.

Liquid Cash or asset that can be quickly turned into cash.

Net Worth The difference between the total value of all assets and all liabilities.

Non-Secured Debt (or consumer debt) Items you purchase on credit that have little to no collateral value.

Return on Investment (ROI) The amount you expect to receive as a result of an investment.

Secured Debt Items purchased on credit that has collateral value to offset risk in the loan. i.e. auto loan.

Solvency Simply put, you have liquid assets valued in excess of your liabilities.

Taxable income The amount of income the IRS will base your tax liability on.

Teaser Rate A super low, temporary credit card interest rate utilized to entice a consumer to purchase on credit.

Under Water/Upside Down When more is owed on something that it could be sold for.

Now understand, this is a short list but it’s enough to get you thinking. How many of them sound familiar already? As the weeks pass and we get more in depth I’ll add a few new terms from time to time, but I’ll make sure to define it in a way that makes sense.

Let’s dig into the mail bag…

“I saw on TV during a VISA advertisement that my debit card doesn’t give me the same protection that their credit card does…Is that true?”

-Geoffrey, Bonsack Geoffrey, Let’s look at it this way . . . who sponsored the TV Ad? If you aren’t using a VISA credit card, then they can’t charge you interest on your purchases nor do they collect merchant fees from the stores you shopped at. Of course, they

will discourage you from using anything but their credit cards.

Now look at your VISA Debit card…They provide you the same types of protections that a regular credit card would carry. However, it is a matter of timing. In the case of a debit card, you have two days to notify the bank of a fraudulent transaction to limit your liability to $50. From day three to sixty, your liability could go up to $500.

After the sixty day period, your liability could be unlimited. So it pays to stay on top of your bank accounts, especially if you are a frequent debit card user. Finally, remember that with VISA credit cards, you are dealing with Visa’s money…with debit cards you are dealing with YOUR money. If a fraudulent charge hits your bank account from a debit card purchase, you are out the cash until the matter is resolved. If you decide to use Visa’s money, they will gladly charge you to do so.

Remember, you will NEVER beat the lender at their own game you just want to be smart about how you play their game.

Thanks so very much for the e-mails. I look forward to hearing from the readers of the Voice. If there is something specific you’d like me to write on, please by all means… speak up. It’s your VOICE. Send your questions or comments to Wheresmymoney@v intonvoice.com

Introducing Dan Vance What brings a guy from Fort Wayne, Indiana all the way to Vinton, Virginia?

Opportunity. From the first time that Chris Manning discussed the Voice with me months and months ago, I have seen a great deal of potential for the town, as well as for Chris and myself. Chris has had a tremendous vision for what he wants this publication to be and for what the town deserves. When you see the very top guy in any publication, small or large, be that in touch with and care about his audience, the opportunities at and for that publication are virtually endless.

What is your experience prior to this new position with the Voice?

I have been working in journalism on the various levels for going on 11 years now. In this industry, experience means everything so I have made a point of trying to diversify my experience in what I have covered and the things within journalism (writing, designing, publishing) to make myself a dynamic journalist. I have done everything from high school newspaper and yearbook to holding five different editorial positions over the years at my college paper in Indiana. I was the Sports Editor of a daily paper in a town about the size of Vinton at 20 years old and started my own publication at 22. On top of that, I have held many different design jobs and freelance writing gigs in Indiana, regionally and nationally (as with MaxPreps and CollegeHoopsNet). I have also been a part of workshops and conventions throughout the country and through all of these experiences, continued to cultivate my growth as an all-around journalist.

Some people will and may have already wondered, ‘how is this out of towner going to tell us about Vinton?’ What is your response to that and why do you think you were picked, over many people, to essentially be the ‘voice’ of Vinton?

I was picked as the ‘voice’ so to speak because Chris Manning knows that I am a strong person who can get my voice across. I share many of the same ideals and traits that Chris has, so I know that he trusts me fully to fulfill the tremendously important role of getting the voice of the community out and satisfying what all of you are looking for in a publication. I realize that most people will at some point have their criticism of the Voice and myself, that comes with the territory. Some of that will be do to the fact I am not a product of Vinton and all I can do is continue to show any doubters that I am the right person because I have the residents of Vinton, first and foremost, at heart when I do the work I do. And my knowledge and closeness to the town will continue to grow, as it has over the past almost year. I have learned so much already about Vinton now, Vinton’s history and the people of Vinton through this experience and also through doing design and layout for the Chamber of Commerce’s Vinton Image magazine this past summer. I am a hard working, diligent man and I am not a quitter. I will always fight for Vinton, it’s people and it’s voice.

Vance comes to Vinton with a heavy print journalism background and history of leadership through editorial roles and by spending five years as a high school basketball coach, as seen above.

What is your personal vision and goal for the Voice?

I am sure that my visions and my goals will be ever evolving. But to start off, it is pretty basic– to please our readers. When I started my publication in Indiana a few years ago (a basketball magazine for the city), the goal was to bring a different type of coverage than our local papers in Fort Wayne brought to the table. I’m not saying that any other coverage of Vinton is right or wrong, but I still want the Voice to be different, and that is the main goal. Over time, I want to continue to see the paper grow and I think that we are already well on our way to that point.

What are your expectations from the readers and residents here in Vinton when it comes to the Voice?

I expect them to chime in, to be our eyes and ears. We have a great core already of people who know the ins and outs of Vinton, like Gene Marrano and Bootie Bell Chewning, who are amazing assets. But also, nobody knows the experiences of the town like those people who have the experiences. We want those people to get involved. And even if it is criticism, I would like to see our readers stop by the office everyday.

The people themselves are the heart and soul of any town and that is sometimes overlooked by publications. I want the readers to expect us to tell the stories that matter and that they care about. So what I expect of them is to tell us those stories, get involved and themselves be a part of this paper that is for them.

dan

VANCE

inONEminute •Single or Married: Single •Favorite Sport: Basketball

•Favorite Movies: The Goonies, Stand by Me •Favorite Book: The Great Gatsby by F.Scott Fitzgerald

Learn more about Bootie Bell Chewning in next week’s fifth installment of Voices of the Voice.

•What do you do in your spare time?

I write all the time, whether it is for publication or for myself. Writing is the most theraputic thing I have. I also just love everything about basketball and playing it or watching it, I could do just about 24 hours a day. It was a big part of my life in Indiana, especially because I spent five seasons coaching it on the high school level.

•Your ”Soundtrack” song (that best describes you?): “The Resolution” by Jack’s Mannequin. It’s a very independent anthem that speaks about growing from the ups and downs in life. It is very relatable for most lives.

•How has your hometown made you who you are?

Fort Wayne, Indiana is such a diverse place. It is very urban in a state that is more rural overall. It is highly liberal in a state that is more conservative overall. So with that, I have become very receptive of different ideals and different lifestyles.

And because of that, I have enjoyed life with very different types of friends and co-workers. A place like Fort Wayne makes you more open as a person to so many things that stem from the diverse people that populate the city.

Readers, follow us

on FACEBOOK go to facebook.com and search The Vinton Voice.

Then follow along for breaking news and previews

VOICE 05

In Brief New Coffee House weekdays

Sacred Grounds Coffee House is now open week-day mornings from 8:00 AM to noon, serving the finest gourmet type coffee in a vaiety of flavors, as well as the regular blends and decaf. A variety of teas and pastries are also available. The quiet atmosphere is condusive for conversation and relaxation. Free internet Wi-Fi is also here along with a bookshelf with books you can have and take home. It’s on the West side of Thrasher Memorial Church and is open to everyone

Annual Mt. Pleasant Chicken BBQ

Mt. Pleasant Rec Club annual chicken bar-b-que. Saturday, September 26, 11-5 pm, behind Mt. Pleasant Elementary School. $7 for 1⁄2 grilled chicken, 2 sides, desert and drink.

Come and get your lunch or dinner and watch some youth soccer games while you are there.

All proceeds go to support the youth athletic programs sponsored by the Mt. Pleasant Rec Club.

Vinton Christmas Parade Applications

The Vinton Area Chamber of Commerce is NOW accepting entries for the Vinton Christmas Parade to be held Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. Register your entry today and join marching units, decorated floats, and various novelty units. Deadline for entries is November 14th. Contact the Vinton Area Chamber of Commerce at (540) 343-1364 for an application.

Allie Jamison Golf Tournament

DATE: Sunday, September 27, 2009 PLACE: Botetourt Country Club TEE TIME: Shotgun Start at 1:30 pm, Registration starting at 12:45 pm COST:$220 per team, $55.00 per person (includes green fees, cart, and prizes).

FORMAT:18 hole - Captain’s Choice CONTACT: Tony and Stacy Wiseman at H: 540-890-0992 Cell: 540-529-8871 - OR Ryan and Denise Salvi at H: 540-966-3929 Cell: 540-520-9332 ENTRY FORM: Download and print an entry form from the following location: http: //www.int-insights.com/portal/allie/AllieJami sonFundRaiserInvite_20090812.pdf DEADLINE: Entry fees must be returned

by Saturday, September 19, 2009 Hole Sponsorship or Special Donation If you or your business would like to become a hole sponsor ($100 per hole), make a cash donation, or would like to make a contribution of merchandise or services that could be offered as prizes, please contact either the Wisemans or the Salvis at the contacts listed above.

PROCEEDS TO: All proceeds raised from this event will go to the Family of Allie Jamison to assist with current and future expenses.

06 VOICE

Thank you for all of the donations and offers to help. Please never fear if you are not a golfer, for there are many ways to help out. One could either sponser a hole or make a monetary donation by sending it to the address on the pamphlet, or one can donate items needed for goody bags, raffles, etcetera, or volunteer their time at the event on Sunday, the 27th. We will stay in touch.

GFWC Woman’s Club of Vinton

On Friday, September 11th, the GFWC Woman’s Club of Vinton recognized the members of the Vinton Fire Department, First Aid Squad, and Police Department, by presenting the services with homemade pound cakes. The club realizes that because of the work of these three first-responder organizations, comprised of both paid staff and volunteers, our local community is a safer and better place to live. Pictured are: club member Kathryn Sowers, and Larry Miles, volunteer with the Fire Department.

William Byrd hosts band competition

This coming Saturday, the William Byrd High School Terrier Marching Band and Director Dan Plybon again host the “Preview of Champions” band competition Saturday, September 19 at the high school. Over 20 high school bands for across the region are signed up to compete in one of the first contests of the school year. This gives each school an opportunity to be judged early in the season and make adjustments to their program for later competitions. Because of the number of bands attending, the competition is being divided into two events. The first competition kicks off at 10:55 am in the morning and the second in the afternoon at 2:55 pm. Awards will be presented after each competition. The bands are being judged by the US Scholastic Band Association.

The William Byrd High School Marching Terrier Band will perform but not compete.

They will present their program “The Wizard of Oz” at the end of each competition while final scores are being tabulated.

Public Library Fall Book Sale

The Friends of the Roanoke County Public Library recently announced the date of their Fall Book Sale. The book sale begins on Saturday, October 10, and will run through Thursday, October 15 at the HQ/419 Library.

Doors will open promptly at 9:00 am on Saturday, October 10.

There will be a huge assortment of fiction and non-fiction books, thousands of children’s books, videos, DVDs, books on cassette, books on CDs. “If people are looking for the best selection, I would recommend they come early on Saturday morning. After that, they go fast,”

stated Priscilla Johnson, organizer of the books sale. The book sale is held at the Headquarters Roanoke County Public Library on Route 419 at Cave Spring Corners and is the library’s primary fundraiser. Sale starts Saturday, October 10, at 9:00 am and lasts until Thursday, October 15.

The book sale operates during normal library hours. Wednesday, October 14, is Half-price Day and Thursday, October 15, is Box Day which means a person can bring any box, any size and fill it with as many books as they can – all for only $3.00 – the library will even supply the box! All proceeds benefit the Roanoke County Public Library system. For more information call 772-7507.

Motorcycle Rally & Poker Run “Running with the Terriers” When: Saturday, September 26, 2009 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM * Poker Run Registration begins at 9: 00 AM, last bike out by 11:00 AM. * Bike Show Registration 2:00 to 3:00 PM * Classic Car Show Registration 11:00 AM to 12:00 Noon * All Prizes awarded at 4:00 PM Where: William Byrd High School Washington Avenue Vinton, VA 24179 Donations: Poker Run: $15.00 per Person Bike Show: $5.00 per Bike Classic Car Show: $5.00 per Car All proceeds from this event will benefit the William Byrd High School Track & Field Program.

‘Neighborhood’ Yard Sale

ENTIRE NEIGHBORHOOD YARD SALE, DILLON WOODS September 19th 7:30am to at least 1pm Rain or Shine. Portions of the proceeds will go to the following organizations; • The Rescue Mission www.rescuemission.net Phone# 343-7227 Mailing Address P.O. Box 11525 ROANOKE,VA 24022 • (Tap) Total Action Against Poverty www.tapintohope.com Phone# 345-6781 P.O.Box 2868 Roanoke,VA24001 • (USO) United Service Organizations www.uso.org 1-800-876-7469 USO Headquarters • Department US P.O.Box 96860 Washington DC 20090

Obituaries STEPHEN HOWARD (STEVE) AUSTIN, SR., 63, of Moneta died Wednesday, September 9, 2009. Steve was a veteran of Vietnam, having served in the Navy.

He is survived by two sons, Stephen Howard (Steve) Austin, Jr. and wife, Rhonda, and Brent Austin; two grandchildren, Amber Jane Austin and Tyler Stephen Austin; one brother, Larry Wayne Austin; many nieces and nephews; and many loving relatives.

A funeral service will be conducted 5 p.m. Friday, September 11, 2009 at Oakey’s Vinton Chapel with Dr. Ken Scoggins officiating.

The family received friends Thursday, September 10, 2009 from 6-8 p.m. at Oakey’s Vinton Chapel, 982-2221.

MICHAEL (MIKIE) DOYLE LaPRADD, of Moneta, died suddenly on Friday, September 11, 2009. Mikie was born September 28, 1970, and graduated from Staunton River High School. He worked with his father in the contracting business. He is predeceased by his paternal grandmother, Minerva Rader LaPradd; and maternal grandfather, Harvey Saul. He is survived by his companion of 5 years, Nancy Henderson; his parents Michael C. LaPradd, of Moneta and Linda Huddleston, and Kay Saul Underwood and husband, David, of Goodview; brother, Charles David Underwood; and sisters, Shelby Freeman and Brittany Kay Underwood; grandfather, Junior S. LaPradd; maternal grandmother, Vivian Saul; uncle David LaPradd and wife, Leona; two nephews, David Wayne LaPradd Jr., and Dustin James LaPradd; and numerous other relatives. A service celebrating Mikie’s life was conducted 11 a.m.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009, from the Lotz Vinton Chapel with the Rev. Glenn Stevens officiating.

Burial to follow in Rader Family Cemetery in Moneta. The family received friends on Monday, September 14th, 2009 from 2-4pm and 6≠-8pm at the Lotz Funeral Home, Vinton Chapel. Online condolences may be made to www.lotzfuneralhome.com.

RICHARD JOSEPH (DICK) SLAN, 73, of Vinton, went to be with Jesus Wednesday, September 9, 2009.

He was born in Pittsburgh, PA, the youngest of nine children. Richard was a longtime member of St. Andrews Catholic Church and retired after 40 years of dedicated service to Norfolk Southern.

He was preceded in death by a son, Steven Mark Slan; his parents; and seven siblings.

Surviving is his wife of 51 years, Jo-Ann Slan, of Vinton; son, Rich Slan, Virginia Beach; brother, Bernie Slan, Pittsburgh, PA; sister-in-law, Elaine Slan, Columbia, SC; brothers-in-law, Joseph Rigo and John Rigo; sisterin-law, Mary McFarland and husband, Terry, all of Cleveland, OH; and two beloved cats, Luke and Dixie.

A funeral mass was conducted 12 noon Monday, September 14, 2009 at St. Andrews Catholic Church with the Rev. Msgr. Thomas G. Miller officiating.

Burial followed in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. The family received friends Sunday, September 13, 2009 from 2 to 4 and from 6 to 8 p.m. A prayer service was held during the evening visitation.

Arrangements by Oakey’s Vinton Chapel, 982-2221.

THOMAS DENNIS MARSHALL NIDAY JR., 46 of Hardy, Va., passed away after a lengthy illness on Sunday, September 6th, 2009. He was born on January 2, 1963, in Virginia. Surviving are his wife; Vanessa Niday of Hardy; daughter Michelle (Shelly) Leigh Niday of Hardy; son, Anthony (Tony) Marshall Niday of Hardy; three grandchildren, Anthony (A.J.) Jermaine Niday, Carmen Skylynn Niday and Thomas Haynes Niday; father, Thomas (Fuzzy) Dennis Marshall Niday Sr., of Roanoke; mother Nancy Louise Williams Niday, or Roanoke; brother, Jeffrey Wade Niday, of Roanoke; special motherin-law, Margie (Mom) Ratliff of Hardy; and many loving nieces and nephews. Funeral services were conducted at 2 pm Thursday, September 10th, 2009 at Lotz Vinton Chapel with the Rev. Melvin Harris officiating. Interment followed in the Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. The Family received friends on Wednesday September 9th at the funeral home. Arrangements by Lotz Funeral Home, Vinton Chapel.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.lotzfuneralhome.com.

PAUL ALLEN GOLVER, 49, of Lynchburg and formerly of Vinton, passed away suddenly on Friday, September 11, 2009, due to diabetic complications. He was a graduate of William Byrd High School, Class of 1978, and received his Associates Degree from V.W.C.C. He was a member of Heritage Baptist Church in Lynchburg, a member of the Society of Broadcast Engineers, and worked in the broadcasting industry for many years. He was a U. S. Navy Veteran, attaining the rank of Chief Petty Officer. Paul was predeceased by his daughter, Rebecca Sue Glover, and is survived by his sons, Brandon and Matthew Glover; his parents, Charles Henry and Gaynell Glover; brother, Chuck Glover; sister, Alice Anderson; and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and friends. A funeral service will be held at 12:00 Noon on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 at Oakey’s Vinton Chapel with the Rev. William C. Stovall officiating. Interment will follow in Mountain View Cemetery in Vinton. The family will receive friends on Monday from 6 to 8 PM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association, P. O. Box 1131, Fairfax, VA 22038-1131. Arrangements by Oakey’s Vinton Chapel, 540-982-2221.

NICOLE McDANIEL, 28, of Vinton, VA passed away September 4, 2009. She graduated from Staunton River High School in 1999. Nicole was employed in the insurance industry for eight years.

She is survived by her parents, Earl and Linda McDaniel; sisters, Stefanie Miller and Shirley Duke; brother, Dean McDaniel; nieces and nephews; many aunts and uncles, including Charles and Diana Tuck, Betty and Jerry Wolfe, Margaret and Linsey Austin, Junior and Judy McDaniel, Leroy and Athlen McDaniel and Joe and Anna McDaniel; and special friends, Justin Ferris, Eva Sprouse, Tonya Edwards and Amber Wright.

Nicole was known and loved by many; her energy and laughter were contagious and everyone loved to be around her. We will miss our “Buttercup”. A funeral service was conducted 10 a.m. Friday, September 11, 2009 at Oakey’s Vinton Chapel with Dr. E. M. Scoggin officiating.

Burial will follow in Liberty Cemetery, in Pittsylvania County.

The family received friends Thursday, September 10, 2009 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Oakey’s Vinton Chapel, 982-2221.

“DONNIE” GRAY, 56, of Blue Ridge peacefully passed this life on September 8, 2009 at Roanoke Memorial Hospital with his family by his side.

He was preceded in death by his father, Marvin Gray. He was also preceded by his twin brother, Ronnie Gray on June 23, 2009.

Donnie is survived by his wife of almost 39 years, Debbie Gray; son, Denny Gray; daughters, Tina Gray and Ginger Painter; granddaughter, Brandie Gray; grandsons, Brodyn Huddleston and Henry Gray; his mother, Dorothy Peters; sisters, Marie Flowers and her husband, Kenneth, and Mary Ann Werle and her husband, Jeff; special sister-in-law, Myra Gray; special uncle and aunt, Gerald and Sylvia St.Clair; and his very, very special four legged companion, “Scruffy Puppy.” He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Donnie and his twin brother owned and operated their own masonry business for over 30 years.

They were also partners in the car wash in Stewartsville. They had their own country band, “The Gray Boys Band” for years.

Donnie loved to hunt and deep sea fish. He was a member of the Cumberland Hunt Club for 50 years.

He was also President of the Hunt Club until he had to resign due to illness. Donnie faithfully attended Bible Truth Tabernacle in Bedford and also Christian Fellowship Tabernacle in Christiansburg.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, September 11, 2009 at Oakey’s Vinton Chapel with Pastor Ernest Fulcher and Pastor Wayne Lawhorn officiating. Burial to follow in Shady Grove Cemetery, Bedford County.

The family received friends from 2 to 9 p.m. Thursday, at Oakey’s Vinton Chapel, 982-2221. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the family to help with the medical expenses.

The Voice’s newest column....

Ask the Pharmacist

‘Tis the Season

Erin E. DeLauder-Brooks, Pharm.D., MBA askthepharmacist@vintonvoice.com The weather is cooling down and fall is coming! That means changing leaves, the Vinton Fall Festival, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and flu season. Now is the time to think about getting your flu shot. Getting the flu shot can

help protect you from getting the flu as well as passing the flu onto other people.

Who should get the annual flu vaccine? Simply put, anybody who wants to protect themselves or their loved ones.

Specifically, all children over the age of 6 months and all adults over the age of 50 should be vaccinated. If you have certain chronic health conditions you should also get the flu shot. Ask your pharmacist if the flu shot is right for you! If you have any severe allergies, are allergic to eggs, have had Guillain-Barre Syndrome, or are ill, talk to your pharmacist or physician before getting the flu shot.

What are the side effects of the flu

shot? The flu shot is a dead form of the flu virus, so you can’t develop a case of the flu by receiving a flu shot. You may have some soreness, swelling, or redness around the injection site. You might also develop aches, fever, or a cough which usually only lasts for 1 or 2 days.

Where can I get the flu shot? In the commonwealth of Virginia, pharmacists are allowed to vaccinate patients provided they have completed certain training courses. Your local Walgreens pharmacies will have a certified immunizer on staff every day from 10am to 4pm until September 30th. Come see us at your new Walgreens on the corner of Franklin and Wonju and get your flu shot. Flu shots are only $24.99 and we can bill Medicare or your insurance!

Our grand opening celebration is this Friday, September 18, so it’s a great time to stop by and meet us as well as get your flu shot. We’ll also have fun activities for the kids!

Dr. Erin DeLauder-Brooks is the pharmacy manager of the new Walgreens on Franklin Rd. If you have any pharmacy related questions, feel free to ask her at askthep harmacist@vintonvoice.com.

VOICE 07

VOICE

BOX

For Sale, 4 cemetery plots in Cedar Lawn Memorial Park.

Retail at $1400 a piece, will sell all 4 for $2900. Call 540 589 3936 Matching lounge and chair both for $1,000. Almost like brand new!

Call 540 427 4466 Slam man boxing partner with gloves $200 Call 540 910 2663 Looking for Pinochole players Call Pete at 540 345 3342

P. BUCKLEY MOSS My hands to thee -1979 print rare proof framed and matted 28x10 print plus framing $375 Call 540 774 3893 P. BUCKLEY MOSS Lakeside fun filled memories- sold out print prof framed and matted 24x12 print plus frame $500 Call 540 774 3893 P. BUCKLEY MOSS The Lowe house- rare print prof framed and matted 15x14 3/4 $185 Call 540 774 3893 Size 8 never worn wedding dress with matching flower girl dress, slip, veil and sash $500 Call 540 910 1203

Want to advertise a yard sale? Car for Sale?

Help wanted? Help needed?

Utilize our Community “Voice Box,” e-mail info@vintonvoice for more info!

RECIPE of the WEEK

submitted by Carolyn Williams

COLD SHRIMP SOUP Here is a nice summer soup recipe. Even though summer is about over, we will still have some hot days and nights to enjoy this.

Thaw 2/3 cup Small Salad Shrimp, (Drain and refrigerate to chill well) Juice of 1/2 Lemon 1 Cup Tomato Juice 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce 1/2 Cup Celery, finely chopped 2 Tablespoons Horseradish, grated 1/4 Teaspoon Texas Pete Hot Sauce or to taste Combine all soup ingredients. Refrigerate to chill.

Put 1/2 shrimp in two Crystal Cocktail Glasses - pour soup over top and serve on glass plates with crackers and fresh lemon slices. Squeeze some Fresh Lemon on Top of Soup Only Serves TWO.

If you have a recipe or a tip you’d like to share, send them to RECIPES@vintonvoice.com

08 VOICE

‘OOPS’

“Voices of the Voice” is becoming our vice when it comes to our “Oops” section.

Two mistakes in the last one.

First, in the first question to Dale, we asked “…what made you decide to give free advice THE the folks of Vinton.” Obviously, the first “the” should have been “to.”

Secondly, in the answer, it was almost as if it was pointed out to us in the second sentence of the first answer, the word “advise” we meant to be “advice.”

In our “9 favorites” section under the McDonalds headerSecond sentence, But “was” we all know.

We had one too many letters. That obviously should have been “as.”

And in the photo in Bootie’s place, Bootie’s dancing partner was idetified as Jeff Folen, not Jeff Nolan, as his name really is.

If you see any from any of the issues, send them on to info@vintonvoice.com

Photo by Rachel Jones Participants in the Town of Vinton’s recent Spanish class.

L-R: Lydia Verdillo, Keith Dalton, Julie Tucei, Joanna Blankenship, Allen “Bo” Cherry. Not pictured: Consuella Caudill, Anita McMillan, William Crumpacker, David Foley, Monica McCullough

Story by Danae Wensley If you have ever traveled to or lived in a foreign country, you know how frustrating communication can be. Simple things like ordering a meal or getting directions can seem impossible.

Such was the case for one Vinton resident of Hispanic descent, who recently came into the municipal building for help when he could not find his car.

Aware that Joanna Blankenship of the Town Police Department had been taking a Spanish class, staff directed the man to her. Blankenship says they were able to communicate pretty well.

“I had to ask him to slow down a few times so I could look in [a Spanish/English] dictionary and figure out [some of the words].

But other than that it went well, and I was able to help him find his car,” she said.

Because of our country’s growing diversity, situations like these are beginning to happen more and more. According to the US Census Bureau, Hispanics and Latinos now account for 15 percent of the country’s population, making them the largest minority in the United States.

Hispanics and Latinos are also the fastest growing ethnic group in the country. They account for 2 percent of Roanoke County’s population (up from 1 percent in 2000) and 1 percent of Vinton’s population. Vinton is also home to several Latino-owned businesses and a Hispanic church.

Because we believe it is our duty to accommodate as many citizens as possible, the Town of Vinton recently offered a Spanish class to our employees.

Blankenship is one of ten who took the class.

The class is part of the Town’s Leadership Series, a series of classes designed to enhance the skills and customer service of Town employees.

Although the classes are accredited through Virginia Western Community College and use VWCC instructors, they are only open to Town employees and are specifically targeted to the workplace, which makes them highly effective. “[In the Spanish class], we broke into groups depending on our department and learned common words and phrases,” said Lydia Verdillo, another class participant. For example, the police officers learned phrases like “may I see your license and registration?” and the finance administrators learned “would you like a receipt?”

“I didn’t like [the class] at first,” Verdillo admits. “But now I would like to take another one to learn more,” she said. Verdillo also said she would like to arrange a discussion group so Town employees can continue to practice their skills.

As a final assignment, the participants wrote all the words and phrases they had learned on a note-card to keep in their car or desk, for easy access when they need it. The knowledge came none too soon for Blankenship, who helped the gentleman locate his car before the class was even over.

Public Works employee Allen “Bo” Cherry said the class was very beneficial, but also fun as well, which made learning easier.

“The teacher would throw a ball and whoever caught it had to answer a question.

Our exams were oral, game-type exams,” he said.

Cherry said the participants also learned about Hispanic and Latino culture, from a Catholic man who visited the class.

“Vinton has a lot of diversity” and I hope we keep doing more to accommodate it, Cherry said.

PHOTO of the WEEK Photo by Chris Manning Students and fans get into the spirit as they cheered on the William Byrd Terriers last Friday, September 11 as they took on the Brookville Bees at Terrier Field.

VOICE 09

Save the date for Blue Ridge PBS KidsFest (Roanoke, Va.)—Elmo, Curious George, Arthur, Clifford, Mr. McFeely and friends are coming to the Roanoke Valley for the second annual Blue Ridge PBS KidsFest, Sunday, September 20 from 1-5 p.m. at the Salem Civic Center. Admission is free.

“This year we’re doing everything bigger and better. That means more characters, more hands-on activities, and double the amount of inflatables outside,” said James Baum, Blue Ridge PBS President and CEO. “One exciting highlight is a partial replica of Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood of Make-Believe, which people will pass through on their way to meet Mr. McFeely. This incredible set is being built by former Mill Mountain Theater set designer Jimmy R. Ward. We’re looking forward to a great afternoon of free activities and family fun.”

Activities include storytelling, live music, face painting, up-close experiences with animals from the Mill Mountain Zoo, and hands-on educational areas provided by local partners and regional organizations like the Danville Science Center and the William King Museum. Other PBS characters at KidsFest include Maya and Miguel, Princess Presto, Sid the Science Kid, and Buddy the T-Rex from the new hit PBS show “Dinosaur Train.” Bring your camera!

Blue Ridge PBS staff estimated last year’s

10 VOICE

KidsFest attracted more than 10,000 people, with volunteers from all over the Roanoke Valley. This year, students from William Byrd High School will be sharing their time as volunteers at this big community event.

Blue Ridge PBS KidsFest is sponsored by ITT Night Vision, proud to support familyoriented events in local communities and to promote safety and security enhancement in all aspects of daily life. Additional support is provided by Smart Beginnings.

Visit www.BlueRidgePBS.org for more information.

About Blue Ridge PBS Blue Ridge PBS, founded in 1967, is the sole public multimedia enterprise serving 4 million individuals in portions of five states.

The station’s 26,000 square-mile coverage area includes southwestern Virginia and bordering counties in Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia, and North Carolina. As the region’s storyteller, Blue Ridge PBS offers outstanding informational, educational and cultural programming, along with an award-winning local production team devoted to regional issues and interests. Further, over 200,000 schoolchildren and their teachers benefit from the station’s education services that provide a safe, trusted environment for innovative on-air and online learning. Blue Ridge PBS

TM&© 2008 Universal Studios and/or HMCo. All Rights Reserved

Curious George will be swinging into the Roanoke Valley for the second annual Blue Ridge PBS KidsFest.

is comprised of WBRA-TV/DT in Roanoke, WSBN-TV/DT in Norton, and WMSY-TV/DT in Marion, Va. www.blueridgepbs.org.

Steve Garay brings T’ai Chi to Vinton Story by Chris Manning Steve Garay stands a 6’3 and is, by the looks of him, a man you wouldn’t want to mess with if you saw him in a dark alley. When you find out he teaches classes that, from time to time, involve swords that probably just confirms your decision. However, this mountain of a man also teaches classes that can show you how to defend yourself with a cane, an umbrella or a walking stick.

Garay teaches the art of T’ai Chi Ch’uan, which is described as an exercise consisting of slow, relaxed movements that help develop internal and external balance and harmony, improve circulation, fitness level, as well as increasing oxygen to the body. Garay, who was a defensive instructor for the state of Virginia as well as being in law enforcement, always had in interest in the martial arts. “Most of the martial arts didn’t really fit me, with being a pastor.” He has been in the ministry since 1983 and didn’t feel that worked well with his impression of the martial arts being “the destruction of your opponent.”

Garay first tried T’ai Chi at Virginia Western Community College and fell in love with it. “It was the perfect fit because it focuses on yourself, as well as balance and flexibility and strength. It works well to improve your health and helps you literally transform yourself” Garay says. “That’s what it’s all about as opposed to trying to defeat an opponent even though it is an exceptional martial art in its own right.” Garay is now certified in nearly every possible T’ai Chi form and has learned from many experts across the country. Garay’s classes are taught at the Charles Hill Senior Center, but says he has

students as young as 14. “This is not just for the older folks, anyone that wants to be able to focus on balance and flexibility can benefit from T’ai Chi” he says.

Back to the original topic, the swords and canes, he does, in fact, teach those. The “42 combined sword form” of T’ai Chi classes begin October 8th starting at 7 pm at the Senior Center. He also teaches the “T’ai Chi Eight Immortals Cane Form,” or at least part of it, which he says is a good thing for folks to know. “A cane, umbrella or walking stick can be carried anywhere in the world and is a good thing to have, should you have to use it as a weapon to defend yourself.” Not only will Garay teach the class how to use these items as weapons in self defense, but he also goes over

“It works well to improve your health and helps you literally transform yourself.” the legal ramifications should the use of force become necessary.

There is nothing wrong with trying to better yourself and your health, as well as knowing how to defend yourself, should you need to. One to always find the positive in things, Garay considers T’ai Chi and its teachings an extension of his ministry and a “way for people to improve their lives.”

T’ai Chi classes are taught every Thursday as the Charles Hill Senior Center, next to the War Memorial at 9 am, 10:15 am and 6 pm. The Defensive Cane seminar is October 24th from 9am-1pm and costs $75. The T’ai Chi Sword classes begin October 8th and cost $30 per month.

Steven Garay can be contacted at 540 797 1256 or by email at bonsaitaichi@yahoo.com

CHECK US OUT ON THE WEB!

VdotCOM V

FACEBOOK

Search: The Vinton Voice

INTON OICE

TWITTER

twitter.com/vintonvoice

BLOGSPOT

vintonvoice.blogspot.com

VOICE 11

Photos by Chris Manning, unless otherwise noted

Rec. League football and soccer photos by Danny Cruff: Vinton PW Terriers (upper, #11), Vinton PW Big Orange (above), Vinton Seminoles (right), Vinton Hokies v.s Vinton Stars soccer (right and up).

13

LEGEND’S EDITION OJ Thomason: Looks back, tries to help those going forward Story by Chris Manning When you look at the Virginia High School League all-time leading rushers, a lot of names pop out at you. Terry Kirby, Thomas Jones, Julius Jones, Antoine Womack, Mike Imoh and Brandon Semones, just to name a few. However, there is one name that stands at the top of that list. He gained more rushing yards than anyone who has ever played high school football in the state of Virginia, he’s from William Byrd and he never played in a regular season college game.

How in the world does that happen, you

ask? Well, OJ Thomason, “Juice” to his friends, has no problem telling you how in hopes that some of the things that happened to him don’t end up happening to other kids with bright futures.

“Juice” played all four years of his high school career for Coach Highfill’s Terrier teams, amassing 7,536 rushing yards in just a fraction under 1100 attempts, a mind blowing average of 1,883 yards per season and nearly seven yards per rush. He gives the credit to his offensive line “my success came from my teammates and I just complimented them with the run.” A fierce back who had the reputation that he’d rather run you over than make you miss him, he looks back on

the lessons taught to him by his coaches “I got to spend four years under Coach Highfill, Coach George, Coach Foutz, Coach Bush and Coach Oakes, just all the coaches, and they were no-nonsense guys who taught me lessons in life, lessons that have stuck with me. They’re all good men to this day.”

While the lessons might stick with him now, OJ admits he wasn’t the best listener back during his glory days, like •See ‘THOMASON’ - Page 15

CHECK US OUT ON THE WEB!

VdotCOM V

INTON OICE

14 VOICE

FACEBOOK

Search: The Vinton Voice

TWITTER

twitter.com/vintonvoice

BLOGSPOT

vintonvoice.blogspot.com

Native of Vinton places 2nd at Punt, Pass, Kick competition Matt Russell of Vinton (pictured to the left and below) competed in and placed second in his division at the punt, pass, kick competition recently at Bogle Field.

Logan and Jordan Baker of Vinton also competed on the day. Logan was in the 8-9 year old division, Jordan in the 10-11 year old division.

Vinton Heat places third The Vinton Heat competed in last weekends NSA Thunder Valley tournament at the Boutetourt Sports Complex. They outscored our opponents 41-10, despite a loss and third place finish. This was their last tournament of the 2009 season, going 4-1 on the weekend and finished the season with a 13-10 record in their first year of existence. The team will return 11 girls from this group to their 12U team next season. Also, they are starting a 14U group, which five of the girls will be moving up to.

The team is comprised of 12 current and future Terrier softball players (Vinton girls), three girls from the Botetourt area, and one girl from the North Roanoke area.

Bottom Row – Nataleigh Brown, Rachel White, Ashlee Sherk, Emily Logwood, Macey O’Neill, Marleigh Walsh, Kendall Maxey, Abby Chaszar. Back Row – Brooke Gray, Adriana Strum, Jasmine Price, Shannon Kelley, Amber Ewers, Brittany King, Jessica Dawson. Coaches (left to right) – Samantha Spradlin, Bob Cookston, Brian Rickerson, Tiffany Rickerson, Meaghan Berry. Not pictured – Tara Kelley

•‘THOMASON’ continued from page 14 some star athletes, he was more focused on the gridiron that he was on the classroom, “I had people telling me all the time that I needed to focus, but I didn’t listen, the young kids coming up need to listen.” Once his career was finished, he had passed everyone there was to pass on the all-time rushing list, he was alone at the top.

He had a couple offers from smaller schools and decided on Butler Community College in El Dorado, Kansas. “I wanted to get out of the area and get away from some of the bad influences that were around me” OJ remembers, when he got there, it wasn’t much different. “I ended up out here with some guys who ended up in a brawl and someone got killed. So, I tried to get away and ended up getting right back in it, only worse.” At that point, he realized Kansas wasn’t for him and he made his way back home, hanging up the pads for good.

After spending a few years working jobs that he knew wasn’t going to lead to anything, trouble reared its ugly head again. “When times would get tight, money wise, I knew had an easy way out,” he began selling drugs and getting heavy into drugs and alcohol. One night, there was a message sent to him when, after a night of drinking, he went out on Williamson Road. “A guy ran a red light and smashed right into me.”

It turned out the man who ran the light was in far worse shape than OJ, as he was well over

the legal limit and was “cracked out” according to OJ. While OJ ended up taking a blood test and was under the legal limit, the man who hit him ended up dying. Although he didn’t cause this, it hit him hard. “Its something you don’t get over.”

The accident however, didn’t stop him from the easy life and easy money of selling drugs, and that was always OJ’s out when times got tough, until one day, he was caught and arrested. When it came time for his sentencing, his notoriety helped him out one last time.

“The judge knew who I was and told me I might be the most talented person to ever be in his courtroom and he hated to see me throwing my life away and basically gave the option, he said you can do 5 years in prison or 11 months in a military boot camp. The decision was easy.”

December 17, 2008 is a day that OJ will never forget, it’s the day he reported for boot camp, the place that changed his life forever and for good. During his 11 months, he became part of the honor platoon and gained focus. It was difficult on him as he missed 11 months of his oldest daughter’s life and missed the birth of his youngest daughter (Olivia and Ohanna, both carry on the OJ initials.)

This time away and the time spent in camp, opened his eyes. “Everyone is just one bad decision away from being where I was.”

OJ is now out, happy, healthy, with a good job at Virginia Transformer and a great outlook on life. “When I went for my interview, I was concerned about whether or not they’d hire a convicted felon, but the HR man told me that he wasn’t interested in what I did in my past, but was interested in what I was going to do with my future” he says. Today, when money gets tight, instead of taking the easy way out, OJ works for it, just like he did on the field, whether its doing extra tasks at his company that might normally be outsourced or finding things he can do to earn a little extra. Instead of heading out with the “bad influences” he spends time with his daughters.

OJ has lived through some tough things, “stuff just kept piling up,” but he has a message for today’s group of kids coming up, hoping they may listen, unlike him. “I can’t stress enough the importance of getting an education and staying away from anything that might make you falter as a person.” In four years, he had games where he ran for over a hundred yards 38 times, two-hundred yards 15 times and a threehundred yard game, but it’s the 11 months he spent that he learned the most from, and it’s that 11 months he hopes no one else has to go through. And he’ll be the first one to tell you that.

VOICE 15

WBHS shows strength in large field at Knights Crossing meet With nearly forty teams participating at the Cave Spring “Knights Crossing” meet at Green Hill Park, no one was sure what to expect this past Saturday. The Terriers’ teams put on a good showing with the boys’ team finishing 13th overall and the girls finishing 21st. Kyle O’Connor was the story for the boys, finishing 12th in the overall standings, good enough to medal. Angela Sanibria was the top finisher for the girls.

The next meet is a quad against Glenvar, Lord Botetourt and Hidden Valley at Greenfields, Wednesday at 5:00 pm, followed by the Hilltopper Invitational Saturday at the Presbyterian Home in Lynchburg.

• For photos of the Knights Crossing meet, see ‘Sports Shots’ on pages 12 and 13.

Terrier golf readies for three match week Before the weather cools down, the Terrier golf team has a busy week ahead of them, as they will be in three matches this week, two of them on their home course, Blue Hills.

The Terriers took on Glenvar Tuesday, with results too late for publication and will take on Blacksburg Wednesday, followed by Salem Thursday at Roanoke Country Club.

The Terriers will be competing in the Blue Ridge District tournament next Wednesday the 23rd at the Botetourt Country Club and should the advance, they won’t play until October 5th and 6th at the Winton Country Club in Clifton, Va., home course of Amherst High School.

Byrd stung vs. Brookville •Terriers looking to rebound Friday at Salem William Byrd scored early, but Brookville scored often last Friday as they soundly outpaced the Terriers, 42-19.

Derrick Palmer opened the scoring with a 24-yard run in the first, but Brookville answered back many times. The Bees followed Palmer’s initial score with three of their own, the longest a 27-yard pass from Alec Thompson to Zach McCray.

Palmer managed two more scores in the game, but the Bees just proved too versatile in putting up two scores in each of the first two quarters and coasting in the second half. Palmer again led Byrd with 179 rushing yards on 35 attempts, bringing his season total to 645 yards. Palmer added another touchdown late, his eighth of the season.

Levi Haymaker completed all three of his passes for 60 yards including a 40 yarder to Seth Brown. The Terriers visit the turf of Salem on Friday night.

Photos by Chris Manning Top: The Terrier defensive line attempts to close in a Brookville Bee runner.

Above: Byrd defensive back Tyreik Talley races with a Brookville receiver for a pass.

Lady Terriers drop straight games to Glenvar The Varsity Lady Terrier Volleyball team is now sitting at 1-4 on the year. Going in to Tuesday’s match against Glenvar, the Terriers were hoping to avenge a five game loss from two weeks ago. The first game went 25-13 in favor of the Lady Highlanders as the home Terriers couldn’t get anything started. Game two was closer with a score of 25-17 and the sweep was complete with a 25-19 final frame. Byrd was led

by Candace Brady with thirteen kills and six digs, Samantha Webster with twelve kills and six digs, Sarah Vipperman with three kills and four aces, Sierra Spain with nine assists as well as twelve digs by Laura Belcher.

The Lady Terriers were in action Monday at home against Cave Spring, but results were too late for publication. See the Terriers in action Thursday at home against Hidden Valley, with the JV starting at 6, followed by the Varsity. The ladies also travel to Spotswood for the Spotswood Classic on Saturday the 19th and follow up with Monday night action with a JV/Varsity doubleheader at home against Craig County.

Photo by Chris Manning Candace Brady serves the ball in last week’s match with Glenvar. The loss was Byrd’s fourth on the season; 25-13, 25-17, 25-19.

16 VOICE

•‘BOOTIE’ continued from page 02

President’s Back-To-School Message Connects with WBHS Students Story by Briana Campbell & Katie McGuire Terrier Times Staff On Tuesday September 8, William Byrd High School students joined the nation’s public schools in watching President Barack Obama’s back-to-school speech delivered from Wakefield High School in Arlington, Va. “I’m here because I want to talk with you about your education and what’s expected of all of you in this new school year,” said Obama in his speech that was targeted to students in kindergarten, middle school and high school.

The messages in the speech echoed advice routinely given to students by teachers, staff and parents.

“I thought his speech was fantastic and right on target,” said WBHS Principal Dr. Richard Turner.

WBHS students focused less on the political jockeying that preceded the speech and more on its content, portions of which were inspiring to those seniors in their final year of high school and to freshmen who are just beginning their high school experience.

“He was pretty much straight up and it was not political. On education, I pretty much agree with everything he said. If you don’t work hard then you are not going to be successful and do things like get a good job,” said Ariel Lackey, a WBHS senior. “It was mostly common sense, but everyone needs to hear it.”

The president referred to his past speeches on education saying he had talked about the responsibility of teachers, parents and government in providing and promoting quality education.

“But at the end of the day, we can have the most dedicated teachers, the most supportive parents, and the best schools in the world – and none of it will matter unless all of you fulfill your responsibilities,” Obama said. “Unless you show up to those schools; pay attention to those teachers; listen to your parents, grandparents and other adults; and put in the hard work it takes to succeed.”

WBHS freshman Olivia Fallon said she found the speech “very encouraging.”

“It made me want to try harder in school

and it also reminded me of how lucky I am,” Fallon said. She sat the goals of “doing my best academic wise, keeping an A/B honor roll and making the tennis team.”

Obama’s message hit home with many students especially when he talked about challenges that he and First Lady Michelle Obama faced in their own childhoods.

WBHS freshman Jordan Bennett was one of those students who related most to the part of the speech where the president discussed his own circumstances and how he coped with them. “I liked when he talked about his childhood,” she said. “It made me thankful for what I have. I want to get honor roll so I don’t have to take exams.”

Before outlining the challenges of his youth, Obama said, “Now I know it’s not always easy to do well in school. I know a lot of you have challenges in your lives right now that can make it hard to focus on your schoolwork. I get it. I know what that’s like.”

Meanwhile, Fallon said she most liked the “no excuses” part of Obama’s midday address.

“But at the end of the day, the circumstances of your life – what you look like, where you come from, how much money you have, what you’ve got going on at home – that’s no excuse for neglecting your homework or having a bad attitude. That’s no excuse for talking back to your teacher, or cutting class, or dropping out of school. That’s no excuse for not trying. Where you are right now doesn’t have to determine where you’ll end up. No one’s written your destiny for you. Here in America, you write your own destiny. You make your own future.”

Another part of the speech often mentioned by students was when Obama called on students to succeed not only for themselves, their families and their teachers, but for their county. He cited examples from past generations who have won wars and cured disease to recent generations that have changed the way we communicate by creating Google, Facebook and Twitter.

“So I expect you to get serious this year. I expect you to put your best effort into everything you do. I expect great things from each of you,” Obama said in his closing remarks. “So don’t let us down – don’t let your family or your country or yourself down. Make us all proud. I know you can do it.”

Deaton & Claire we will be in Atlanta for the big wedding this Sunday. Fallon & Tom see you all on Oct 10 at Valhallia Vineyard.

Congratulations to Jennifer Joann Taylor and Joshua Michael Matthews on their recent engagement. Jennifer is the daughter of Darryl and Phyllis Taylor and Bryan and Shirley Thompson. Josh is the son of Mike and Anita Matthews and Dennis and Patricia Lavallee. A spring wedding is planned.

Get well wishes and prayers go out to Shirley Rice (Surgery Tuesday), Cammye Obenchain, and Karen Miller, Jesse (J.N.) Jones, broken ankle , Garrett Hudgins now back home, April Hall (Carrington Place), Jim Jones (Brandon Oaks) Ed Hepinstall at home. Also want to say, Robbie Craft to get well, he had surgery last Thursday and is doing great. For all those under the weather, I hope you are feeling better real soon.

Alexis Marie Lawson is on her way to Orlando, Florida!!! Lexie will be competing in the “Million Dollar Baby Pageant/Model Search” in Orlando on October 23rd and 24th. She was the overall supreme winner at the VA State Pageant and will now represent our state at nationals. Lexie is the daughter of Freddie and Kim (Chewning) Lawson of Christiansburg, VA. She is the granddaughter of Linda Markham and special friend Joe Miller of Montvale and Kenny and Nancy Chewning of Vinton. Lexie is a student at Christiansburg Middle School and dances at Dancers Dreams Performing Arts Academy in Christiansburg. All of her family want to wish her the best of luck in Orlando. Go Lexie!!!

Thanks so Much to Rebecca Holden for Visiting with Thrasher Last Sunday and Sharing her beautiful voice with us.

Thanks to Fred & Carolyn Eichelman and Carol Webster for bringing her down.

Visit the Scared Grounds Coffee House, Now open At Thrasher 8am -Noon weekdays.

Polly Holloway is walking in the memory walk for Alzheimer’s at Hollins University 9:00 am Saturday Oct 3rd. Please make donations to the Alzheimer Assoc.

You can drop it off at the Vinton Voice office. Thanking you in advance.

Thrasher’s got Talent Show was a huge success. Great Acts, more on that next week.

Put On Your Calendars Spaghetti Dinner Sat, Sept. 26, at Thrasher Memorial.

Fundraiser for Phoenix Star Club House.

This is for the brain injured and They will have to close if funds aren’t raised because they lost their funding. How sad this is.

It is a wonderful place and program and they need help. Please come or make a donation.

VOICE 17

Clockwise from top left: William Byrd Middle School sports coaches Jason Staples, Nicole Sarver and Adam Hill.

Fall sports at WBMS As teachers and students return to school for another year of academic achievement, coaches and players begin to rev up play on the field and on the court. This fall season sees the addition of three new faces to the William Byrd Middle School athletic program.

Coaches Adam Hill and Jason Staples are starting the year for the terriers as the head and assistant coaches for the middle school football team and Coach Nicole Sarver is leading the lady terriers volleyball team.

This is Coach Hill’s first year as the head football coach at WBMS. He has four years of football coaching experience, spending previous seasons as a varsity and junior varsity coach at Salem High School from 20052006 and at Hidden Valley High School in 2008. Coach Hill is a 2002 graduate of Glenvar High school where he played football, basketball, baseball and track and field. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Health and Human Performance from Roanoke College. Coach Hill

is currently teaching Health and Physical education at William Byrd Middle School.

Coach Staples is entering his first year as an assistant football coach for the Terriers. He is a 2002 graduate of Glenvar High school where he played both football and baseball. Coach Staples has a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Longwood University and is currently teaching 1st grade at Penn Forest Elementary in Roanoke County.

Coach Sarver is returning to familiar territory having graduated from William Byrd High School in 1995. She played volleyball at William Byrd Middle in 8th grade and played both JV and Varsity at William Byrd High School. After graduating from William Byrd, Sarver played volleyball at Hollins University and has coached volleyball for several years in local schools which include William Byrd High School, Roanoke Catholic School, Northside High School and now William Byrd Middle School. Sarver says she

is ecstatic to be coaching for her alma mater.

As for the outlook for the season, each of the coaches shares a sense of enthusiasm at working with the athletes.

“I have high expectations for the 2009 football team,” says Hill. “Coming off an undefeated season in 2008, we are looking to continue the success that Coach Nixon had with the middle school football team. We currently have 60 athletes on our roster between both the A and B teams. The eighth grade class has a great group of leaders, both on and off the football field. There are numerous athletes on both the A and B teams that display potential to be great middle school football players.

The team has been working hard since the first week of August, and we are ready for the 2009 season to get started!”

Coach Sarver continued to be

enthusiastic about the upcoming season.

“We held several open gyms this summer and had great turnouts with both rising 7th and 8th graders.

Tryouts went smoothly and we were able to select our team within 4 days. We only had two full weeks of practice before our first match so we had a lot of fundamentals and team building to work on in such a short period of time. Our team has really stepped up and worked hard before our first match. They are a great group of girls who have potential and talent. Between the matches and tournaments, the girls are getting a lot of experience this season. Everyone is playing together, communicating, and showing their improvement.

I believe as long as we communicate and play as a team, we can be one of the best teams in the district.”

For more information about the teams including season schedules, visit the school website at www.rcs.k12.va.us/wmbs. For questions, please contact William Byrd Middle School at 890-1035.

•‘NOTEBOOK’ continued from page 24 Bedford County, etc.

Getting motorists to stay for a while, to eat or shop in Vinton is the goal, but notes Lawrence the proper business mix must be there in order to realize that objective. (Lawrence, other town employees, Mayor Brad Grose and Vinton Area Chamber executive director Judy Cunningham were part of a Revitalization Management Team that took a recent trip to Galax and Floyd, to see how those communities are reenergizing their communities.)

Ironically, Lawrence worked a bit with former Vinton Town Manager Clay Goodman in Montgomery County, when Goodman was County Administrator there and Lawrence was a planner for the Town of Blacksburg. Goodman is now the Roanoke County administrator.

Lawrence sees regional cooperation among local governments as a necessity for Vinton, which is dependent on Roanoke County in many ways. (Town Council may discuss merging its 911dispatch center with the Roanoke County emergency center at a public meeting next month.) “I think it’s very important, [not only] with Roanoke County, but also with [Roanoke] City, Salem, Botetourt and Franklin Counties.” Lawrence says Vinton has a strategic connection to Roanoke County, which he calls “our big brother in a sense.”

18 VOICE

Spending $500,000 a year on a dispatch center “is a lot of money,” for a town Vinton’s size, which is why it may merge with the Roanoke County emergency center next year, if Council signs off on the change.

Chances are those dispatch center employees would relocate to the north Roanoke County facility.

“Those are the details we’re evaluating,” says Lawrence, who acknowledges that while its “comforting” to have 911 employees at the municipal building, “they don’t come out of their [locked] room,” and thus could be anywhere. “They’re on the other side of the wall.”

Communication is by phone – and that could happen just as easy if they were elsewhere. He’s studying the issue now; any changes could occur by early next year.

Lawrence says he can point to other localities around the state where dispatch centers have been merged “very successfully.” With his second year commencing on September 29, the town manager has shown he’s ready to tackle some tough issues head on. The budget crunch spurned by an economic downturn has necessitated a look at issues like the 911 dispatch center (Town Council honors a dispatcher of the quarter) but Lawrence says that might be a good thing in the long run. “It’s a very good time [to] get back to your roots – what’s most important? …we’re trying to work smarter.”

Photo by Chris Manning

Berkshire treats their patients like family Story by Chris Manning When most people in the Valley hear Berkshire Health and Rehabilitation the first thing that comes to their mind is quality care.

Often it is because they have had an excellent experience with a family member who was at Berkshire in the past for long term care. More and more people are experiencing Berkshire’s quality because they know someone who has been there and experienced their excellent physical therapy.

While they continue to provide excellent care to long term care patients in their facility conveniently located a few miles from Carilion at 705 Clearview Dr. in Vinton, the surprising fact is that each year Berkshire has almost 500 patients who are there for a very short rehabilitation stay. Berkshire has the most up-to-date equipment and a highly skilled therapy team who specializes in helping patients return to their home “Safe, Independent, and Functional” as

quickly as possible. Their Recovery Map individualizes each patient’s high intensity therapy program to get them home in as short a time frame as possible.

At Berkshire Health and Rehabilitation, they meet every rehabilitation need including Orthopedic, Cardio- Vascular, Surgical, Oncology and Trauma.

The Berkshire uses the “Life Works” rehab plan which progressively shows each patient the steps they will take to recovery and lasts anywhere from five to twenty-eight days. These steps start at the hospital and then move as quickly as possible until the patients return home. “Our patients go home ready” says Liz Lively, Berkshire Admissions Director. Each patient has their Recovery Map posted in their room that helps show them the progress they’ve made to prepare the patient for their return to home and the lifestyle they were accustomed to living.

Having a plan is a big part of a short term patient’s recovery, but what may be the Berkshire’s secret to success and the patients’ biggest asset is the staff that takes care of

them. Judy Hartman another LPN returned to the Berkshire after an absence and hasn’t looked back.

“I have a family here, and I look after my people as if they were my own kin” she says. Berkshire is pleased to have Dr. Aubrey Knight as the Medical Director. Aubrey is also personally responsible for the patients on the Therapy wing which is completely separate from the long term care part of the center.

The plan for the short term therapy population is to keep them with other folks who are also working through their therapy together so they can compare progress and encourage each other.

Along with the nursing and aides that treat you as if you were family, there are numerous activities to keep the residents busy and happy. Looking at the activities calendar you will see such things as “Wii day,” which includes games like bowling, baseball and

tennis. Crafts, bingo, book club, jewelry classes and even ceramics are available to the residents.

These take place in the in one of the Berkshire’s three newly rejuvenated day rooms, which all include large flat screen televisions, or the luxurious dining room.

During the spring and summer the dining room is provided with fresh flowers that are arranged by the residents that attend garden club.

There are two courtyards where patients can enjoy the outside and take in nature.

Each patient is cared for in the same compassionate manner by our highly trained professional staff, so next time you have a medical procedure that will require rehab, remember that how you recover is as important, as the procedure itself. There is a place that is right around the corner and will treat you like family, the Berkshire.

VOICE 19

A special thank you to all of the supporters and Fans on Facebook As promised, here is a listing of our over 700 Facebook fans as of Monday, September 14, 2009 Dale Russell Vinton Area Chamber of Commerce Gene Riggs Ann Russell Monty Williams Scott Brooks Gary Walthall Patrick Patterson Lora Trout LeeAnn Reich Rachael Leigh Chris Ribble Sarah Trout Ricky Gregg Jason Boothe Justin Ditmore Judy Cunningham Brian Rickerson Melissa Lamonde Diana Lombardo Tim Greenway Derek Hurt Jason Pritt Easton Riggs Jason Taylor Tommy Chambers Diane Conner Nick Entsminger Carolyn Pence Bootie Chewning Chris Moody Cindy Stump Tiffany Rickerson Tim Stacer Justin Likens Wendy Belcher Brant Somma Karen Robertson Josh Perrington Wes Nance Michele Gunter Velvet Hall Stephanie Wood David Ritchie Jason Gibson FL Slough Bobbi Poff Mary Butler Teresa Smith Tina Workman Dave McCoy Gene Henegar Shelby Croote Dylon Hurt James Wilhelm Lori Horne Brian Bartley Scott Kelley Shirl Light Ed Glover Craig Sheets Bob McDaniel Kimberly McBroom John Morgan Heather Lawrence Angie Lewis Danny Meyers Eric Roemer Hal Mabe Drew Hendrix Candice Storey Mark Nester Melissa Hall William Booth Mike Carter

20 VOICE

Wanda Richards Lenore Paradis Cat Simmons Ken Brown Troy Dickson Donna Arthur Barney Sink Pam Meadows D. Todd Bishop Barry Thompson Caressa Morgan STEVE FM David Hardie Jacqueline Bobbitt Matt Updike Mike Reid Thomas F. Hard Gayle Fink Angie Chaszar Denise LaFave Jackie Glover Suni Heflin Jacob Clifton Laura Franklin Gene Marrano Debbie Amos Kelly Sandrige Chris Craft Scarlet Mullen Barbara Huffman Linda Hoyle Marcy Doss Carrabbas Roanoke Karen Dillar Crystal Bolling Tasha Hicks Brian Keenum Caleb Mann Steven Crews Stephanie Cunningham Joel F. Turner Christopher Coon Chris Stull Josh Woolfolk Amber Dickerson Amanda Lilly Lisa Gibson Caroline Forbes Kim Wood Neil Zimmerman Lorrie Lawson Donna Payne Tracy Hamilton Roland Lazenby Andrew Minnix Ryan Beyel Jason Criss Tammy Carter Zach Slayton Kenny Moore Stacey Lane Tyler Boothe Brenda McGuire Dwayne Robertson Blair Peyton Chris Turner Mark Lawhorn David Clark Kevin Bowles Aaron Stidham Brett LaPrad Jerry English Dedra Pippin Mary Beth Layman Brian Brabham

Kellie Perrington Alan Collins Crystal Cruff Ron Bailey Kris Chumbley Lucinda Law Jenna Forbes Helen Gallagher Jonathan Thompson Joe Durham Kent Stock Bradley Mattox Betty Hayes Todd Bailey Thomas Kessler Mike McGuire Eva Lynn Joe Ball Kimberly Vann Phyllis McDaniel John Minnich Tammy Shepherd David Atkins Stephen Sboray Jason Mullen Daniel McCann Jr. Connie Fisher Julie Easley Danny Adams Quintin Bennett Betty Barnes Brooke Altizer Diana Likens Martha Clements Parker Manning Piper Manning Robin Hartsel Nicole Boothe Carol Webster Robert Gevrekian Mark Shepherd Todd Boothe Matt Edwards Chris Carr Candace Parnell Jay Brown Kristin Johns Amber Reed Allison Finney Bragg Alissa Hash Lindsey Wells Carolyn Williams Judy Ward Bob Bryant Jim Clifton Margaret Robinson Betty Kelly Tammy Riggs Amanda Stump Lisa Greer Lauren Hypes Dennis Carr Robert Meadows Bryan Musselwhite Sue Feazelle Michelle Rose Larry Lilley III Carolyn Fidler Dee Dee Borden Terry Mazeika Kevin Johnston Mitzi Wheeler Candie Tomlinson Lynn Thompson Ross Blankinship Chris Keaton Cindy Dickerson Georgia Laughlin Sue Gearhart Todd Foutz Debbie Adler Christelle Worley Jim Rice Chris Monroe Harold Clayton Sharon Patsell Betty Duff Karen Obenchain

Janett Leffell Drake Lewis Betty Jo Overstreet Chris Glass Kalyn Molnar Donna Hogan Philip Ashwell Amy Whittaker Keith Stone Lana Bowles Sarah Martin David Crush Lynn Peters Kierston Baldwin Kim Drew Michele Strum Carolyn Rector Dawn Erdman Sandra Rucker Mary Beth Cargill Mikey Mann Daneille Obenchain Suzanne Schupp Jon Weems David Mitchell Sandi Gibson Cristie Richards Mitzi Johnson Theresa Power Linda Rickabaugh Vicky Carrell Leigh Ann Conner Mark Schreier Stephanie Brown Michael Wiggins Aaron Kasey Michael White Jay Daniesl Connie Bowles Angela Clifton Bonnie Cecil Marcee Cook Kevin Dillon Norman F. Dillon Jr. Rick Wimmer Brad Dillon

Don Holliday Golf Tournament Dawn Blankenship Dawn Helm Paul Griffin Christi Martindale Brian Barton Jay Trout Russell M. Meador III Cindy Poff Carlton Mabe David Page Kent Wheeler John L. Vaughan Tim Doran Antonia Carrasco Sonja Phillips Brian Tanner Joey Nicely Laura Woods Sandra Reeves Natalie Kline Dana Doss Trudy Riley Sheri Weeks Jennifer Livingstone Margaret Wimmer Sharon Lehman Nick Jones Mary Mills Mary Cook-Moore Rebecca Gonzalez Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce Paula Greenway Danae Wensley Shannon Willis Michelle Manning Chelsea Greenway Hunter Cannaday Laurie Spotswood Julie Wensley Kimberly Horn Dan Wensley Reid Betty Kristen Ferguson

Emma Keane Chris Schmucker Cindy Callahan Sherry Trogdon Patti Thompson Carla Honaker Keith Thompson Joseph Bailey Megan Anderson Raymond Power Mark Clapper Jennifer Allen Julie Elliot Corey Hall Megan Robertson Lucas Carter Kimberly Lininger Tiffany Meadows Kelly D. Abell Sarah Janney William Whitworth Dan Smith Kathy Salyer Erin DeLauder Brooks Jennifer Brooks Travis Hatcher Aaron Lyles Danielle Brown Vicki Mayfield Steve Trout Sherman Burroughs Brian Weeks Sherry Beckner Kara Norcross Teddy Moberg Danny Cruff Kevin Hall Rick Lawhorn Brittany Lane Bob Goodlate Tim Beirne Curtis Kirby Coty Holt Mike Horn Shelby Phelan Harrison Austin Brandi Rabon Lisa McElhaney Kristie Burley Blake Martin Roger Smith Matt Bird Ryan Helm Eileen Lau Angie Carr Darlene Wheeler Dallas Simmons Kelly Camden Melissa Cook Tony Williams Suzanne Bell Whitney Jones OJ Thomason Chuck Spraker Dana Cook Karla Turman Jason Carter Ron Jones JoAnna Heaps Melanie Huber Chris Dean Valerie Garner Morgan Cannaday Mason Drew Craig Frye Wayne Guffey Danica West James Fedor Amber Cannaday Madison Worley Laura Jones Nancy Chewning Jannette Sink John Foutz Janet Smith-Tolley Becky Mushko Carol Simmons Alysha Tolley

Jessica Dann Keith Dalton Jimmy Hise Wanda Wills Angela Parker Lori Hall Amy Cruff Joyce Veasey Cheryl Pohlman Ashley D-s Anita Firebaugh Lori Hedrick Rhonda Lyon Andrea Lafferty Corri Hancock Pam Ferguson Lisa Hambrick Tracy Yates Catherine S. Read Chad Helms Doug Adams Donna Phillips Kelli Mayhorn Essence Andrews Peggy King Mary Heaton Julie Vance Wendy Helman Arthur Watkins Sian Norton Zack Irby Lisa Tuck Bill Tyree Jane Robertson Travis Coffman Brian Campbell Opie Joe Valerie Cummings Starla Porter Adrienne Sweeney Caleb Copper Eddie Easterling Janine Black KaRenda LaPrade Jennifer Tepper Denise Reedy Jane Glover Kate Grubbs Jared Martin Chuck Lionberger Joe Spigel Hank Ebert Courtney Hollins Andrew Nicely Helen Harrison Gerald Pope Diane DeHaven Cecelia Johnson Julie Creasy Ashley Rucker Cindy Gardner Jeff Walker Rudy Campbell Jo-Ann Lonker Diane Ewton Patricia Hall April Hall Karen Copper Linda Scarborough Jeremy Ambler Tammy Epes Marcia Patterson Claudia Ramsey Lisa Kirkwood Ryan Ramos Jeanie Baldwin Patti Esperti Eric Slusher Mita Lue Mike Hanger Sam Hubble Aubrey Grant Kenley Smith Danny Buck Michael Crowder Jay Sparks Leisa Mundy Shay Anderson

Bo Keister Larry “Moe” Mattox Vanessa Lane-Griffith Russell Painter Julia Link Kelley Hellams Thomas Anderton John Birmingham Lisa Ison Michael Ridenhour Melissa Anderson Maegan Puckett Jean Airington Susan Gross Sadie Hardy Molly Watson Waynette Anderson Eric Ferron Mackenzie Brewer Valerie Hendricks Matt Robertson Sarah Gross Dana Mabry Heather Haygood Rob Chewning Tosha Adams Stacey Cyrus Kelly Hall Kimberly Parrish Melissa Gibson John Boyer Mandy Townley Sheryl McCormack Donald Peters Victoria Garman Katie Holland Jodi Overstreet Bob Grogan Herb Grant Olivia Garman Stephanie Lyman Jacky Doty Christie Gibson Kathleen Dooley Sarah Vipperman Jeff Altice Dawn C. Howard Mc Gravely Kelly Gills Elaina Shepherd Crystal Patrick Samantha Mabe Trent Jones Judy Foutz Becky Harris David Branin Donna LaJoie Michelle Novitsky Teresa Strobel Amy Hise Amanda Houff Thalassa McBroom John Ferron Phil Sparks Katie Simmons Hallie Hodges Penny Gross Amy Stringer Judith Stinnett Dawn Brown-Windel Steve Stover Phillip Fuller Trey Gibson Kayla Creasy Dawn Gentry Michael Hollaway Karen Booth Jamie Butler Mary Bova Kelley Wharton David Semones Alice Brinkley Hollee Warlitner Joyce Allen Robin Clarris Jessica Hise Matt Ashby Amy Grammer

Keith Chittum Elizabeth Oliver Sheila Crosswhite Missy Brewer Ashleigh Patterson Megan Dudley Jeff Williams Lindsey Booth Tommy Figart Alex Brown Alexis Brown Haley Holdren Natalie Tomlinson Timberly Martin Elizabeth Harris Judy Wishneck Paula Beckman Kathy McDaniel Chad Sweeney Tobie McPhail Christine Guy Kimberly Riley Shannan Rosa Amanda Ferron K.C. Bratton Dorinda Wray Rhonda Gober Lisa Schenk Kim Craddock Elizabeth Dickerson Bonnie Cranmer Sammi Webster Gene Kent Sierra Spain Sandy Brown Dorothy Argenbright Chris Beckman Patricia Simmons Thomas Pike Cheyenne Carter Justin Kornegay Penny Slusher David Moore Sarah Kirk Dottie Kearns Amy Carter Jayne Brill Blue Collar Joes Amber Altice Nate Paxton Billy Martin Megan Poff Missy Minton Kristy Stinnette Justin Pruett Dennis Hayes Tammy Bohon Dustin Boothe Wanda Melchers Sherrie Harless Susan Hancock Darrell Saunders Nikki Sowers Evan Nicely Ricky Foutz Jordan Ronning Whitney Lonker Cynthia Stinnette Dianne Cannaday Heather Basham Karen Bowles Pat Willard Linda Williams Leslie Fizer Morgan Ayers Cindy Driscoll Kathryn Overstreet Sandra DeLong Morgan Poff Kelsey Owens LouAnn Howell Jim Bull Tami Molnar Megan Molnar Patricia Hammock Kevin Goins Betty Epling Teresa Henderson

Robin VonPloennies Jeni Meade Lisa Hawkins Sandra Elliot Cassie Groff Mike Locher Norman Smith Leigh Gusler Allen Epling Zach Emerson Carla Weaver Jason Corbett Christy Corbett JW Snyder Tom McCarty Brittany Lue Garland Lawton Sherry Lawton Amanda Smith Meagan Lewis David Steber Ann Brown Ashley Bailey Jennifer Emerson Damien Smith Amanda Dalton Juli Ferguson Nick Nester Kathleen Johnson Yaira Dalton Jessica Bowen Penny Ellis Vanessa Skidmore Alisha Ball John Carlin Nathan Wheeler Melanie Meador Kristina Van Dalsen Amber Tribbett Tim Hodges Brian Honaker Robbie Sherwood Melissa Ward Morgan Jackson Niki Hale Rae Byrd Tracy Alligood Kristin Osborne Becky Beckstoffer Darren Yeatts Jason Morris Amy Barcroft-Maddy David Crosswhite AshLeigh Mills Scott Beaman Tiffany Porter Karen Hopkins Mark Hypes Sandy Shelton Greg Capps Ellen Butler John T Payne Sarah Ashby Melissa Brammer Melissa Lewis Ashley Short Dawn Busch Lisa Abshire Kim Lewis Helen Foster Sommer Cobb Tim Guilliams Betty Pagans Kim Hurd Allison Crenshaw Kirk Lancaster Gwynne Myers Kenny Newman Tyler Parrish Lauren Strepka Ashley Lawrence Cristy Boothe Pat Ferris Mark Mitchell Angela Cyrus Christina Rickman Tracy Overstreet Kylee Mycock

VOICE 21

Where can you get YOUR Vinton Voice?

A+ Auto Sales Alarm Detection Services Anytime Fitness Barry Brooks Photography Bass Transmissions The Berkshire Best Little Hairhous Bill’s Auto Sales Bob’s Restaurant Bojangles Bonsack Elementary Foodette Cundiff Drug Curves The Dogwood East End Baptist Church EZN Famous Anthony’s Frank’s Pizza Grand Rental Herman L. Horn Elementary Hooter’s Jerry’s Family Restaurant Jiffy Automotive Kinsey Crane Lancerlot M&M Insurance Magic City Ford McDonald’s Mt Pleasant Elementary Napa Auto Parts New York Life Insurance-Anthony Connor New York Pizza Northwest Hardware Olde Colony Realty Parkway Physicians Parts Unlimited Perma Clean Power Line Rent Equipment Powers Tractor PSS Gun Range and Training Quantum Tire and Auto R&R Automotive Rancho Viejo Reed’s Automotive Scott’s Cars Shear Acts Hair Salon State Farm Insurance-Gregg Lee Steve’s Automotive Teaberry’s Restaurant The Barber Shop Village Family Restaurant Vinton Area Chamber of Commerce Vinton Car Connection Vinton Chiropractic Clinic Vinton Library WE Cundiff Elementary WE Cundiff Realty William Byrd High School William Byrd Middle School Wooding’s Auto Body Wood’s Auto Parts Wood’s Auto Edge Wood’s Service Center

As well as the Krogers, Food Lions and IGAs in the area and more!

22 VOICE

Everybody reads the Voice

The Vinton Revitalization Management Team during their trip to Galax and Floyd, taking time to read the September 9 edition of the Vinton Voice. If you want read the Voice weekly, check out our distribution points to the left our our subscription form below.

By June Eanes Vinton Historical Society From the time I can remember, it was drilled into my head. Vinton is the best place in the state of Virginia to live and Virginia is the best state in the United States to live. My father loves Vinton and instilled that love in me. Everyone knew everyone else and they all looked after each other.

Times were simple then.

There were very few cars in the days of my childhood. We walked or rode the bus. There were a few exceptions when a car became available to us. We felt extremely lucky if a boy’s father allowed him to drive the family car on a date. Duck (later my husband) and I and another couple George Bell and Sue Plunkett, often double dated. We would go for a short ride. One Sunday night, after attending MYF at the Methodist church, we decided to go for a ride in George’s dad’s ’40 Ford. Mr. Bell was an electrician and used his car to carry necessary tools needed for his work. He had coils of electric wire, boxes of tools and a small ladder in

D

the back seat. This is where Duck and I had to sit. We drove down the road where the Bush home stood. This is now Dick Cranwell’s home. It has always been a beautiful, big mansion with rolling grassland for all the cattle the Bush family owned. The Bushes were part owners of Clover Creamery, which sold and delivered milk to Vinton and the surrounding area. The plush green pastureland was where the herd of cattle grazed.

They produced much of the milk for the creamery.

Being a bit playful on this Sunday night, we decided to pretend we owned this beautiful home. George slowly pulled into the long driveway.

We laughed and played as owners of this wonderful piece of property.

All went well until we got into the middle of the drive at the front door.

It was dark and the lights of the car moved slowly over the entrance. We all giggled and put on airs as pretended owners of this stately southern mansion. Suddenly the Ford stopped running. We panicked. There we were on private property and we had no business being there. Mr. Bush and his sister lived there and both were elderly. A light came on in an upstairs window and we were sure the police were on the way. George tried and tried to start the car, but nothing worked. Duck jumped out, crawling over cables and tools. He and George pushed and pushed to get the car moving. Finally, it rolled and George was able to get it started.

Sue and I were too scared to speak until we were back on Washington.

The Bushes never knew who we were or why we were there on a Sunday night.

We laughed about it after it was all over; when we had a chance to calm down. However, believe me, we weren’t laughing at the time. We never pulled that “trick” again.

I have passed that magnificent home many times during my years in Vinton and I often smile when I remember the night we pretended to be owners of this beautiful, historic home.

����������������������������������������������

��������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������ ������������������������������������������������������������ ��������������������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������ �����������������������������������

�������������������������

VOICE 23

More from Town Manager Chris Lawrence: budget, dispatch center

Gene Marrano gmarrano@cox.net (Part two of a conversation with Vinton Town Manager Chris Lawrence) With the word coming down from Richmond that the next state budget cycle – Governor Tim Kaine has made cuts that may include the closing of a correctional facility in Botetourt County for instance – local governments like The Town of Vinton can also expect some belt tightening.

Town Manager Chris Lawrence says financial support for events or venues like the Dogwood Festival, Christmas Parade, Fall Festival, the War Memorial and the Farmer’s Market continues, despite the fact that they aren’t “essential services” like water and sewer.

That way says the young Town Manager, “we can be in a position where people want to come to Vinton. Those special events make the character and the community.”

Even in what Lawrence calls a “difficult” budget year, support was not cut off. “They’re important to people. That’s what the community is about.” At a time when many are remaining closer to home during time off, why not get them to “staycation” in Vinton he reasons?

Local nonprofit groups renting space for meeting at the Vinton War Memorial has helped fill in some of the booking holes there.

VOICE

Photos by Gene Marrno Above: Chris Lawrence (left) with Vinton finance director Barry Thompson.

Right: Revitalization Management Team that traveled to other towns.

Lawrence (a Virginia Tech alum) figures the veterans monument in the parking lot due to be finished this winter or early next spring should be “a bit of a draw,” helping focus more attention on an iconic facility that does not break even financial-wise, at least not yet.

With the lack of hotels in Vinton – there are none - the War Memorial does not see the overnight conference traffic that is the bread and butter for some convention centers. Attracting even a modest hotel/motel to town, like a Hampton Inn for instance, “would add a new dimension to

the clients that could use the War Memorial,” adds Lawrence.

With a downtown that closes for the most part at 5pm, (“it’s a service downtown” he notes) Lawrence is also looking for ways to keep more folks in Vinton,

once their meeting at the War Memorial ends for example. Tens of thousands of vehicles pass through the town every day, on their way to and from the lake, to •See ‘NOTEBOOK’ - Page 18