Archive for June, 2010

It starts with purple and white violets and bluets and unnamed tiny yellow flowers defying winter in our woods, then progresses way too fast through pink wild geranium, white fleabane, magenta redbuds, white dogwood if it’s a good season, and suddenly, Queen Anne’s lace and the lavender blue of chicory that signals full-blown summer... »

CAVE SPRING–Roanoke’s wealth of nature trails is about to get even better.      Roanoke seems to have it all when it comes to hiking spots. With the Appalachian Trail nearby, as well as the area’s famous Greenways and Carvins Cove, Roanokers have it made. One trail Roanoke has never had before, however, is in a wetland.... »

The potatoes, ice cream, drinks, hamburgers, hot dogs and fixings are all in. The bingo stand is clean and the cage and bingo cards are in place. The plates and goldfish are ready, the ring toss stand and quarter push are set to go. Assignments are pretty much in place where volunteers will be helping out. The strings... »

VINTON–For more than a year, Vinton and Roanoke County have been working towards creating a joint 911 communications center. Today, that merger goes into effect. From this point forward, all Vinton calls to 911 will be answered at the Roanoke County Emergency Communications Center on Cove Road. Calls from Vinton will still be directed to... »

SALEM – No one was too young nor too old to take part in the  Salem Relay on the track of Salem High School on June 18-19. The event raised more than about $200,000 and involved participants as young as  Carson Lane Weeks, who was born three days before the event. She was at the relay... »

NEW CASTLE – The carnival at the Craig County Fairgrounds in downtown New Castle last week provided fun for all ages, particularly children. Michael’s Amusements of Fayetteville, N.C., provided all kinds of rides, from the merry-go-round for the less adventurous to bumper cars for people who wanted to get out their aggression. Food booths offered such... »

Botetourt Tourism Director Kevin Costello has been recognized for his work promoting tourism. The Roanoke Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau (RVCVB) presented Costello with its 2010 Tourism Ambassador Award when it celebrated its 25th anniversary last week. The annual Tourism Ambassador Award is presented to an individual for outstanding dedication toward the promotion of tourism within... »

World Slam has a nice ring to it if you’re a turkey hunter. It means you’ve joined the rare group who have successfully hunted all four subspecies of the wild turkey found in the United States, the Gould’s bird in Mexico and the Ocellated wild turkey found in the same southern neighbor’s Yucatan Peninsula. Richard Pauley... »

Editor’s note: This column was originally published Feb. 23, 2006. Parents shouldn’t have to bury their children. But we do. This week my husband and I are preparing for the memorial service for our 30-year-old son Rex, who was fatally shot in Virginia Beach on Feb. 17. If you have to die young, it might as well... »

Editor’s note: This column was originally published June 21, 2005, and I’m so glad I wrote this as a letter to Rex and gave him a framed copy. A year later, Bill and I had to face what every parent fears most. Our firstborn, Rex Bachner Hibbert, was fatally shot in Virginia Beach where... »