Archive for September, 2010

Today, Vinton is a broken community. Two of Vinton’s own have died in a shocking murder-suicide. Many towns would be pulled apart at the seams in the face of such tragedy.  Yet in Vinton, the fibers that bind the community have just pulled tighter, enveloping two children who are in so much need. Vinton... »

WEST AFRICA – Probably few people outside West Africa know about the Fulani people and even fewer white people – except Salemite Christoph Herby – can speak Fulfulde. In January, Herby and his Fulani friend will begin wandering across the bulge of Africa to document the lives of nomadic Fulani herders. He and his project... »

On Saturday, for the 16th consecutive year, Buchanan’s downtown will be busy with the Mountain Magic In Fall Bluegrass, Antiques and Crafts Festival. The October street festival has been a staple in the town’s revitalization efforts that started in the mid-1990s; and now it’s perhaps the largest single-day event in the county. The festival runs from... »

SALEM – Two Salem High School graduates and a cousin are bicycling across country to raise money for recent widows and widowers who have young children. Dan Petersen, his cousin Jonathan Miller and Eric Maughan plan to start out Oct. 4 from Virginia to ride coast to coast to support widows like Dan’s sister,... »

CRAIG COUNTY – Craig County emergency responders in Craig County have “come out of the dark ages,” in the words of Jim Cady “We’ve come out of the dark ages,” he said, referring to the Craig County Volunteer Rescue Squad that has seen its share of hard times as far as both staff and equipment... »

One of the most important—and certainly among the oldest—fixtures in the Blue Ridge community lies on a sloping hillside between Webster Road and Colonial Road not far off US 460. Brick pillars on both roads mark the entrances to this community treasure that is simply called Glade Creek Cemetery. It is the final resting place for... »

The Botetourt County Office of Tourism received the Shining Example Award in the category “Tourism for Tomorrow” from the Southeast Tourism Society at its meeting in Greenville, S.C. on September 8. The Shining Example Awards highlight the best work in travel and tourism across a 12-state region. This award recognizes the accomplishments of a destination in... »

CAVE SPRING–Community theater is always a family affair. The organization president, when not managing operations, sews costumes for the performers. The director’s son helps carry in furniture before a nighttime rehearsal. And the actors—not pampered, this bunch—come in every Saturday to work on the set. On Wednesday, Showtimers, a local jewel in the Cave Spring... »

VINTON–For most people, church fundraisers bring to mind potluck dinners and car washes. But New Testament Baptist Church members Cori Swanson and Kendra Meek have a different, and tastier, way to raise money. Their way involves moist cake, homemade icing, and, sometimes, a cherry filling. The two college students run Cupcakes for Christ, a business... »

SALEM – Gregory Irby barely knew where Mali was before he went there. But the Islamic country in West Africa’s bulge – which was formerly known as the French Sudan – made a lasting impression on him when he traveled there earlier this month to help a friend scout the area for future mission work.... »