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CANCER SUCKS!!! This week’s article is dedicated to the amazing show of love and devotion of friends....... Saturday nights “Cancer Sucks” party in honor of Michele Yeatts, was truly the most amazing outpouring of love, friendship, loyalty and devotion of friends I have EVER seen. Last weekend, a comment between myself, Michele, Candis (Michele’s mom) and Melissa Ballengee Hall about having a party “while Michele still looks good” turned into an outright PAR-TAY!! I put out an event invite on Facebook and it was on!! SO many old and new friends showed up to celebrate Michele. Michele was diagnosed with cancer in December and this has sparked our new rally cry of “CANCER SUCKS” and has faced this fight of her life head on with such courage, and strength and she still has her sense of humor and infectious smile!! She is an example to live by!! I am soo proud of her. Those celebrating with me were Greg Boitnott, Darren Yeatts Melissa B. Hall, DeeDee Faris, Kristi (Meador) Doolan, Kelly Buck-Cunningham, Amy (Adcock) Pilcher- from Indiana, Liz Spraker, Steve and Tara Jones, Scott Yeager, Dulcie Loyd, Stephanie Brown, Didi France, Simmons Family (not to be confused with the Gene Simmons family jewels Simmons family)Dal, Heather, Grayson, Katie, and Emily, Sam and Angie Chewning Lewis Sarah Wilson, Jake, Brian and Holly Blevins, Ian McRoy, BOO_TEE@msn.com Stacie Brown Brinkley, Todd and Angie Ross, Glenn Griffin, Frankie Bradford, Jeff and Nonie Hall, “Chubs”-Nathaniel Stovall, “Smiley” Scot Leavelle, David Nakle, Mike and Cheri Carroll (and baby on the way April 18th) Patrick Carroll, Steve and Heather Gabris, Scott Law, Karen Williams, Tracy Kelly, Lindsey Bell Wells(Richmond, VA), Greg and Donna Payne, Valerie and Kyle Hendrick (Richmond Va) Kim Barker, Abbey Halderman, Lisa Abshire, Vicki and David Tyree, Catherine and Kenny Ferrell, Ila Cox, Charlene Nance, Keith Lyles and Lisa Abshire. and Ila Cox who made a surprise visit form Galax. If I have forgotten anyone, I am so sorry, there were so many there and so much love, it was quite emotionally overwhelming. It just goes to show you how precious loved ones are to you, make sure you tell them!!! I won’t forget to! So to all you out there -- I love you, thanks for making MY life AWESOME!! Michele says to send her love and many thanks to everyone that made it and to those that didn’t, you were missed. And if you get a chance, send her a message or drop by for a visit. And remember to join us for Vinton’s Relay for Life, April 16 & 17th. An overnight walk,
cause Cancer never sleeps. If you want to join a team, form a team or donate, check out the ACS Vinton relay for life website, it’s not too late to start. At the party we took order for the “CANCER SUCKS” t-shirts.(Pictured) Made by Debbie Arthur Adler. They are $15.oo each, if you want to get one of these contact Debbie @ debbieadler@cox.net. Also, we have Cancer Bead Bracelets for sale $15.00; these •See ‘BOOTIE’ - page 10
We tookone of the best checking rates in the nation and added one of the bestsavings rates. 3.51% APY* on Checking balances up to $25,000 when requirements are met. 1.01% APY* on balances over $25,000. 0.10% APY* if requirements not met. No minimum balance requirement No service fee ATM access fee refunds nationwide** Simple requirements Each Statement Cycle: • make 12 check card transactions • have 1 direct deposit or 1 auto debit • accept an electronic statement
** For any statement period that you do not meet the requirements stated above, ATM fees will not be refunded but you still earn a base annual percentage yield of 0.10% APY* on your balance. Plus, you still get many other rewards including a free Generations Gold® membership. * APY= Annual Percentage Yield as of 01/04/10. We use the daily balance method to calculate the interest on your account. APY may change at any time after the account is opened. Minimum opening deposit of $100 for Checking and $1 for Savings. Available to personal accounts only.
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Research all the benefits. Speak with any Valley Bank associate or visit our website.
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In Brief Byrd’s Hoos earns SARA distinctions
Photo by Danny Cruff
WBHS’ Ashley Blackman soccer player Madelyn Ard and coach Russell Dishman
116 S. Poplar Street - Suite 1 Vinton, VA 24179 540-904-5836 - Office 540-904-5838 - Fax info@vintonvoice.com www.vintonvoice.com
William Byrd student and amateur skier Dylan Hoos (subject of the January 20 Sports Spotlight in the Voice) recently won the athlete of the year for the Southern Alpine Racing Association, and earned first place in West Virginia, Virginia and North Carolina State Team. During the weekend of February 20-21, Hoos competed at the 2010 SARA J1/2-3 Championships. Hoos had runs of 54.88 (1 Run Slalom) and 1:34.24 (Slalom), both first place finishes on Saturday. On Sunday, Hoos’ times were a second place of 1:17.63 (Giant Slalom) and a third place of 39.93 (1 Run Giant Slalom). Congratulations Dylan on these great accomplishments.
Miss America Homecoming Gala
The Miss Virginia Organization asks that you join them in welcoming home Caressa Cameron, Virginia’s own Miss America, at her first public appearance in Virginia as Miss America 2010 The event takes place at the Taubman Museum of Art in downtown Roanoke Friday, March 12, from 6:30 – 8:30 PM. All three Miss Americas from Virginia will be attending, in addition to several Miss Virginias and three 2010 Miss America finalists. There will be delicious food, lots of fun, and oncein-a-lifetime photo opportunities with several title-holders, including Chinah Helmandollar, the newly crowned Miss Virginia from Smith Mountain Lake; and three Miss Americas! A silent auction featuring merchandise from well-known nationally-known celebrities will add even more class and elegance to this special evening. Tickets cost $45 each (includes food, tax and gratuity) with a cash bar.
Lacrosse team still taking registrations
The East Roanoke Lacrosse Bandits are still taking registrations for their upcoming season. You can find out more by visiting them on the web at http://www.eteamz.com/eastroanokelacrosse. Interested parties can also reach League Coordinator Matt Viar by cell phone at 597-3793 with questions.
Friends of Roanoke County Public Library bus trip
EDITORIAL Dan Vance Editor-in-Chief dan@vintonvoice.com Chris Manning Advertising Director chris@vintonvoice.com Brian Manning Circulation Director brian@vintonvoice.com Jacob Clifton Delivery/General info@vintonvoice.com Danny Cruff Senior Contributor danny@dannycruffphotography.com
COLUMNISTS Bootie Bell Chewning General Info BOO_TEE@msn.com Angie Chewning Lewis Special Columnist BOO_TEE@msn.com Dale Russell Financial wheresmymoney@vintonvoice.com
CONTRIBUTORS Barbara Dillon Contributor news@vintonvoice.com Terrier Times Staff Contributors news@vintonvoice.com Town of Vinton Contributors news@vintonvoice.com Copyright © 2010 All rights reserved by Vinton Voice Newspapers
The Friends of the Roanoke County Public Library is sponsoring a bus trip to Thomas Jefferson’s second home, Poplar Forest, to hear “Conversations with Thomas Jefferson.” Join the Friends as they ride by luxury bus to Poplar Forest to hear historical interpreter Bill Barker as Thomas Jefferson engage a historical contemporary, Patrick Henry. Bill Barker is best known for portraying Thomas Jefferson in historic Williamsburg, Virginia. In addition to the actual event, heavy hors d’oeuvres and wine as well as tours of Thomas Jefferson’s home are provide as part of the cost. The Friends organization has gone for two years now and it’s always been a delight. The food is delicious and the entertainment wonderful. Bus departs the Brambleton Center at 5:00 pm and returns approximately 10:00 pm. Cost is $60.00 per person with Friends of the Library membership and $75.00 for non-members. Call 772-7507 for more information or to register.
Sunday crash sends motorcycle riders to Hospital
Two motorcycle riders were sent to Roanoke Memorial on Sunday afternoon after a two-vehicle crash, police are reporting. The crash was between the motorcycle carrying two people and an SUV on Mountain View Road. Fire and EMS crews responded to the crash at 3:28 pm and both motorcycle riders were taken to the hospital, their condition remains unknown as of press time. The crash is under investigation.
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The Vinton Voice accepts and encourages letters to the editor. Letters must not exceed 400 words, must be signed and accompany contact information of the writer for verification purposes. Send to editor@ vintonvoice.com with the subject line ‘Letter to the Editor.’
VOICE 03
Experiencing life’s changes Change is something that doesn’t come easy in life. I would be lying if I said I liked change; sometimes things staying the same is so, so much easier to deal with and sometimes it is even the best thing for any given situation. But on other occasions, change is necessary. Moving to Virginia was a big change for me last Fall, but one that was needed to not only continue my career but also to elevate the news coverage that the wonderful Town of Vinton was getting. It was a change, a big one– but an example of the right one. Some of you may have already noticed, and if not probably soon will, that Chris Manning’s title in the staff box just a page back now reads ‘Advertising Director.’ This is a change that is the right one. Chris has been the epitome of the Vinton Voice longer than most of you have even known about the concept of this publication. Before the first issue hit newsstands August 26, 2009, before the oh-so recognizable Voice logo was first created in January 2009, way back in December 2008, Chris was the Voice. With that said, I knew that a change in title next to Chris’ name would raise a lot of eyebrows and possibly even worry some of our most avid readers. And that is why this column is necessary– because change happens and when it does, we all want to know if it is for the best or for the worse. The first thing that I believe needs to be addressed is this: while a title may, nothing else changes here. The Vinton Voice has prided itself for the entire existence of the publication on bringing everyone what they want, the news that is important to VINTON, not Cave Spring, Fincastle or Salem. If you go back to Issue 2 (nice plug to visit us at issuu.com/vintonvoice), you will read my very first column under the headline “Who Dan Vance Cares About Content?” The answer has always been clear to us and I am quite sure has become clear to you. Any changes indan@vintonvoice.com house for us will not change that goal. So for anyone who may need their mind put at ease, there you go...the Vinton Voice will continue to be what we have been, something that we are proud of. When it comes to Chris, he will still be around and as equally valuable to this publication as he has ever been. Nothing will ever change the fact that Chris Manning is the Vinton Voice and the Vinton Voice is Chris Manning. Will he be less visible in the day-to-day? Possibly. Will he care less about Vinton or the Voice? Never. The spirit that Chris developed in this publication – even before I was anywhere near as critically involved as I am today – is unrivaled. The fact is that many of you believed in the Vinton Voice from day one solely because of Chris. It was a justified decision to make and one that shouldn’t change just because Chris’ title does. Chris’ reasons to taking a step back are Chris’ reasons, it is a change that he is making on a personal level but a change that will not be for the worse– ask him if you don’t believe me. Change works more ways than just here at the Vinton Voice. Many of you may have noticed by now that during the month of March, the Voice is donating 20 percent of all subscriptions to the Vinton Relay for Life. This donation is hoping to help inspire and encourage change in an area that has very likely had an effect on all of our lives at some point. Events like the Relay for Life are an important element and one that we are glad to do what we can for. I personally encourage each of you to get involved with the Relay in some way, whether it is participating in the actual walk, through donation or by subscribing to the Voice. As I am sure the heads of the event and the people at the American Cancer Society would tell you, every thing big or small helps and is always welcome. This year’s event is taking place April 16 at William Byrd High School. More information is available on Facebook (search: Vinton Relay for Life) or by getting in contact with a number of people, including Carolyn and Don Williams or Angie Chewning Lewis. The group has been using the (i’m pretty sure unofficial) catchphrase “Cancer Sucks” and I couldn’t help but to agree more. If you live in Vinton, you should be involved in this event in some way and I truly hope that each person reading this does just that and brings along a friend or two while they are at it– it’s time to change how cancer effects each of our lives and that change has to start somewhere.
04 VOICE
Speaking of change, is it in the high 50’s outside or is it just me? Warmer weather has meant getting out of the gym at William Byrd High School, leading to boys and girls soccer, baseball and softball. Now you got a chance to read about all of the spring sports teams at WBHS last week in the Voice and can read about those opening scrimmages in the pages of this issue, so I won’t go into details– but it sure was nice Saturday to get out in the fresh air and watch baseball scrimmage with Brookville and girls soccer participate in the first Byrd Jamboree– it was a needed change. Another needed change in that area comes with the Jamboree. Though a first year event, this was a great event that brought seven other teams from across Southwest Virginia and it needs to grow. My hope is that next year the stands will be packed by those who like soccer, those who want to support the Terriers or even those who just want to get out of the house on a bright, sunny Saturday. I hear all of the time how people in Vinton want more things to do in the town and this event is one of those things that would be great to spent even just part of a day doing, so where was everyone at. Getting more things to do in the Town of Vinton starts with participating in the things that do already exist, even if they are minimal in your mind. So as a community, we need to get out to the already existing events like a Relay for Life or Soccer Jamboree, a play at WBHS or the Chamber of Commerce’s 60th Anniversary Celebration this weekend. That way, other people in Vinton will have reason and justification to plan more nice events to go along with great things like the yearly Fall Festival and Christmas Parade And now, with the downtown development moving forward and your feedback requested by the town in this issue’s “From Around Town” column, now more than ever is the chance for everyone to help change Vinton into what you want it to be. March 24 will mark our official first issue of the Spring and it is another chance for your Voice to be heard while you make those changes in your life. What are your plans for the spring? How do you want to change your life as 2010 eases out of that first slow, cold quarter and splashes into warm weather, days at the ballpark, gardening (anything and everything spring)? Most importantly, how do you want Vinton to change this Spring? Let us know by e-mail me at dan@ vintonvoice.com. If you want change in Vinton and/or in your life, then let’s make it happen. It is going to be a Spring of Change in Vinton and the Voice is happy to be leading the charge in any way we can, because change– that’s not a bad thing, it’s a good thing.
Everybody Reads the Voice
Onzlee Ware
Member, House of Delegates Eleventh District
325 N. Jefferson Street Telephone: 540-344-7410 Part of Roanoke City and Town of Vinton Committees: Appropriations, Counties, Cities and Towns, and Education Paid for and Authorized by Delegate Onzlee Ware
With the March 3 WBHS Spring Sports Preview issue in hand, the Liberty Tax’s active “Statue of Liberty” shows that even during the hustle and bustle of tax season...Everybody Reads the Voice.
2010
the voice of vinton...this year and beyond
VOICE 05
Town of Vinton’s Downtown Survey
Part I - Introduction: On behalf of the Town of Vinton, thank you for taking time to participate in the development of Downtown Vinton Master Plan. The Plan will help guide Vinton in its efforts to revitalize its downtown, and we need your help! As residents and visitors to Vinton, your needs and wants for a vibrant downtown are very important. Please fill out the brief survey below, and help us improve your downtown! If you have any questions or concerns about this survey, please contact Anita McMillan at the Vinton Planning and Zoning Department by phone (540) 983-0601, or by email at amcmillan@vintonva.gov. Thank you for your assistance in this process. Please return your completed survey to Anita McMillan, Vinton Planning and Zoning Department, 311 South Pollard Street, Vinton, VA 24179 by March 31, 2010. 1.What is your home zip code (REQUIRED)? To be entered into the drawing for a prize, please provide (OPTIONAL): Name:_______________________________________ Address:___________________________________________ City and State:________________________________________ Phone Number:______________________________________ Email:____________________________________________ 2.Age:
16-20 30-39 50 +
21-29 40-49
Male
Female
3.What is your annual household income? Check one only. $0 - $25,000 $25,001 - $50,000 $50,001 - $75,000 $75,001 - $100,000 $100,001 or more Part II – Shopping in Downtown Vinton: 4. How often do you shop/visit downtown Vinton (including the post office, banks, hair salon, offices, stores, churches, etc.)? Check one only. ___more than once a week ___at least once a week ___once or twice a month ___once every few months ___once or twice a year ___never
06 VOICE
5.Please check yes or no for each of the following statements: I shop/visit downtown because… (Skip to question 6 if you do not shop/visit downtown Vinton.) a. it has good prices. Yes___ No___ b. it is convenient to home. Yes___ No___ c. it is convenient to work. Yes___ No___ d. of the quality of stores. Yes___ No___ e. of the variety of stores. Yes___ No___ f. it has convenient business hours. Yes___ No___ g. it has specialty stores and unique products. Yes___ No___ h. the stores offer personal service. Yes___ No___ i. the stores offer friendly service. Yes___ No___ Other (please specify)___________________________________ 6. Please check yes or no for each of the following statements: I do not shop/visit downtown because… (Skip to question 7 if you do shop/visit downtown Vinton.) a. of lack of stores, products, variety. Yes___ No___ b. of the quality of stores, products. Yes___ No___ c. it is inconvenient to home or work. Yes___ No___ d. of inconvenient parking. Yes___ No___ e. it does not have adequate parking. Yes___ No___ f. of inconvenient business hours. Yes___ No___ g. the traffic is too heavy. Yes___ No___ h. of the prices. Yes___ No___ i. of poor lighting/safety concerns. Yes___ No___ j. of poor service. Yes___ No___ k. of poor signage/window displays/advertising. Yes___ No___ l. of the appearance/cleanliness of businesses. Yes___ No___ m. there is no entertainment. Yes___ No___ n. of lack of restaurants. Yes___ No___ Other (please specify) __________________________________ 7. Please check for each shopping location listed below that best describes how frequently you shop there. 1 time 1-2 Few rarely
a. Downtown Vinton b. Downtown Roanoke
or more per week
times per month
times per year
or never
1 time or more
1-2 times
Few times
rarely or
per week
per month
per year
never
c. Downtown Salem d. Lake Drive Plaza (Kroger) e. River Park (Super Dollar) f. East Vinton Plaza (Food Lion) g. Valley View Mall h. Tanglewood Mall i. Other Areas of Roanoke j.Internet/Catalogues
8.Please circle one number for each of the statements below to rate downtown Vinton on its shopping environment. Scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being Very Poor and 5 being Excellent. Very Poor Poor Average Good Excellent a. Quality of retail 1 2 3 4 5 b. Variety of retail 1 2 3 4 5 c. Quality of restaurants 1 2 3 4 5 d. Variety of restaurants 1 2 3 4 5 e. Personal service 1 2 3 4 5
f. Friendly service 1 g. Prices 1 h. Convenient parking 1 i. Feeling of safety 1 j. Overall attractiveness 1 k. Traffic circulation 1 l. Sidewalks 1 m. Crosswalks 1 n. Upkeep of buildings 1 o. Maintenance of sidewalks 1 p. Maintenance of parking 1 q. Convenient hours 1
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4
5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5
9. Please check the blank or blanks (all that apply) below to indicate if you visit downtown Vinton to: ____ Dine in a restaurant ____ Shop for convenience/routine items (drugstore, groceries, etc.) ____ Shop for clothing ____ Do specialty shopping ____ Go to post office ____ Go to bank ____ Government function ____ Special event or festival ____ Shop at the Farmers’ Market ____ Other (please specify) _____________________________
10. Check a box for each statement below that corresponds with how strongly you agree or disagree with the following statements about downtown Vinton: a. Downtown is the heart of the community b. Downtown is easily accessed c. Regular events enhance the appeal of downtown d. Large annual events enhance the appeal of downtown e. I want more speciality/unique shopping downtown f. I want more convienence/routine (drugstore, groceries, etc.) items downtown g. I want more restaurant options downtown h. I want coffee shop(s)/cafe(s) downtown i. A strong retail presence in downtown is important j. I am optimisitic about the future of downtown
Strongly Agree
11. Please check Yes or No for each of the following statements: a. I like to park in one spot and browse the shops. Yes___ No___ b. I like to park directly in front of the shop I’m visiting. Yes___ No___ c. I walk/bike or use other transportation to get downtown. Yes___ No___ d. I avoid going downtown because of parking… (if I can’t find a place after driving through, I give up and go somewhere else). Yes___ No___ e. Downtown store hours are convenient to my schedule. Yes___ No___ f. The downtown stores are not open when I am able to shop. Yes___ No___ g. I would shop downtown more often if stores were open later. Yes___ No___ h. I shop elsewhere because of the downtown store hours. Yes___ No___ 12. What kinds of businesses would you like to see in downtown? ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ____________________________________________ 13. What kinds of activities would you like to see in downtown?
Somewhat Agree
Neutral
Somewhat Disagree
Strongly Disagree
________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ____________________________________________ 14. If you could make one single change in downtown Vinton, what would it be? ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ____________________________________________ 15. Are there other community components that would impact your decision to visit downtown Vinton? ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ____________________________________________ 16. Please use this space to provide additional comments about downtown Vinton. ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________
VOICE 07
Obituaries
classifieds
Vinton, Bonsack, Mt.Pleasant MARKET
WANTED
NOTICES
Shady Grove Baptist Church is seeking a part-time music director. If you are interested, please call Karen Foutz at 540-890-5636
CEMETERY
SERVICES
PUBLIC NOTICE
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
Please be advised that the Town Council of the Town of Vinton, Virginia, at its meeting on the 16th day of March, 2010 at the Municipal Building, 311 South Pollard Street, CLOTHING Vinton, Virginia, at CARPET 7:00 p.m. or as soon Wedding Dress Carpet Re-Stretching thereafter as the matter Size 8, never worn may be heard, will hold and Repair wedding dress with a public hearing on the 540-776-9591 matching flower girl following matter, to-wit: dress, slip, veil and sash. $500. OFFICE NEED TO SET A REAL ESTATE Call 540-910-1203 TAX RATE OF NOT Interns Wanted MORE THAN $.03 The Vinton Voice is ACTIVITIES currently looking for PER $100 ASSESSED interns for this summer. VALUATION IN THE Pinochole Players Must have computer, TOWN OF VINTON. Call Pete at communication, social 540-345-3342 media and research TO SET A PERSONAL skills. Contact Dan at PROPERTY TAX RATE 904-5836. OF NOT MORE THAN FOR SALE $1.00 PER $100 ASSESSED VALUATION Matching lounge IN THE TOWN OF and chair – both for VINTON. $1000. Almost like
RENTALS
brand new! Call 540-427-4466
Please call 540-983-0607 regarding the exact time, location, or other questions pertaining to the public hearing.
German Sofa Large, chocolate brown and orange. Call 540-354-8289 Worktop side doors and fiberglass covers And guess what, The Price is Right, A+ Price is Right Auto Parts & Supplies 441 Walnut Ave. Vinton 982-8777
BUSINESS
Darleen Bailey, Clerk of Council
Professional and/or Business space available, approx 400 sq. ft. 116 S. Poplar St. Woodland Square, off of Washington Ave. 580 4675
Reserve your spot today in Housing, Vehicles, Market, Jobs, Services, Notices and many sub-categories!
Reserve Your Spot Today– it’s easy! Reach the Vinton Voice by phone at 540.904.5836 By fax at 540.904.5838 Or via e-mail at info@vintonvoice.com
08 VOICE
PATSY ESTEP BALL, of Vinton died Tuesday, March 2, 2010. She was born September 3, 1933 in Charleston, WV, a daughter of the late Hubert and Hazel Estep, Kenna, WV. She is preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Harold Ray Ball; sister, Mary Lou Estep; and brother, David Hubert Estep. She is survived by her two daughters, Ramona Ball Flint, Greensboro, and Katrina Ball (Richard) Dunlap, Chesterfield; grandchildren, Charissa Flint, Hilary Flint, Tyler Dunlap, and Spencer Dunlap; sister, Anna Ruth Bower, Ontario; and brother, Thomas Franklin Estep, Grove City, OH. She was a member of East Gate Church of the Nazarene and formerly a member of Roanoke First Church of the Nazarene, Huntington First Church of the Nazarene (WV), and Epworth United Methodist Church, Moneta. A memorial service will be conducted 12 noon, Friday, March 5, 2010 at Oakey’s Vinton Chapel with Rev. George Stevenson and Rev. Shannon Harris officiating. A private burial will follow at Sherwood Memorial Park. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at Oakey’s Vinton Chapel, 9822221. ELLEN CARTER HORNE, 68, of Hardy, VA went to be with her Lord on Wednesday morning, March 3, 2010 with her family surrounding her after a courageous battle with cancer. Ellen was retired from Nelson-Roanoke with 27 years service and was preceded in death by her parents, William (Bill) and Hazel Simmons Carter. She is survived by her devoted and loving husband, Donald (Don) R. Horne; children, Mark A. Lawrence and wife, Debbie, Roanoke, Trish L. Trent, Roanoke, Donny R. Horne, Roanoke, and Tammy Prime and husband, Steve, Hardy; grandchildren, Cory, Carter, Casey, Lexi, Kristin Lawrence and husband, Michael, and Garrett; sister, Suzanne Tyree, Roanoke; and her former husband, Al Lawrence, Roanoke. The family would like to gave a special thanks to Drs. Keeley and Smith, the respiratory and nursing staff at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital (8 Mountain PCU) for all their loving care and concern for Ellen during her illness. Funeral services will be conducted 12 noon Saturday, March 6, 2010 at Coopers Cove Baptist Church with Rev. Darrell Naff officiating. Interment will follow in Campbell Cemetery, Roanoke County. The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. on Friday, March 5, 2010 at Oakey’s Vinton Chapel, 982-2221. EMMA STUMP CUNNINGHAM, 80, of Vinton, Va., passed away on Saturday, February 27, 2010. She was a member of New Hope Christian Church. Surviving are her husband of 65 years, Earl Stuart Cunningham; daughter, Shelby Hylton; sons and daughter-in-law, Eric and Sandy Cunningham, Mark Cunningham; four grandchildren, Randy and wife, Lorretta, Stephanie Davis, Derek and wife, Stephanie, and Josh; and nine great-grandchildren, Lance, Michaela, Bailey, Amber, Jonathan, Kassie, Justin, Ayden and Katie. Graveside service was conducted 1 PM on Wednesday, March 3, 2010, at Evergreen Burial Park with the Rev. David M. Derrow officiating. The family received friends from 6 to 8 PM on Tuesday, March 2, 2010, at Oakey’s Vinton Chapel, 540-982-2221. VERONICA G. (RONNI) MOYERS, 74, of Roanoke, Va., passed away on Friday, March 5, 2010. She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Anna Graham; and a son, Scott G. Moyers. She is survived by her husband, Harry G. Moyers Jr.; son and daughter-in-law, Bobby and Emma Moyers; sister and brother-in-law, Ann and Ken Morris, of England; two grandchildren; five greatgrandchildren; sister-in-law, Mary Louise Stuart and her husband, Dr. Alfred Stuart, of Charlotte, N.C.; brother-inlaw, James P. Moyers, of Rhinebeck, N.Y.; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins from England and the United States. A memorial service were held 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 7, 2010, at Oakey’s Vinton Chapel. The family received friends from 1 to 2 p.m. on Sunday prior to the service. Those wishing to make a memorial contribution, please consider the American Diabetes Association . Arrangements by Oakey’s Vinton Chapel and Crematory, 540982-2221. CHERYAL AUDREY EDMONSON BARTON, 52, of Vinton, Va., passed away on Sunday, February 28, 2010. Cheryal was born on March 14, 1958, in Dayton, Ohio. Survivors include her husband, Woodrow (Woody) P. Barton; one son, Karl P.C. Budzevski and girlfriend, Leeann Webb, of Vinton; one brother, Russel Edmondson, of Arkansas; and a sister, Connie Barton. Funeral services were held Wednesday, March 3, 2010, from the Lotz Vinton Chapel with the Rev. Jeff Gardner officiating. Burial to follow in The Chapel of Hope Mausoleum at Old Dominion Memorial Gardens. The family received friends on Tuesday, March 2, 2010, from 2 to 4 PM and from 6 to 8 PM at the funeral home, Lotz Funeral Home, Vinton Chapel is serving the Barton family. FRANCES AMOS MILLS, 73, of Vinton, passed away Friday, February 26, 2010. She was born September 30, 1936, to the late Oscar L. and Vernie Cruff Amos. Frances was also predeceased by two sisters, Mildred Amos Maxey and Joyce Ann McDuffie. Survivors include one son, Dennis E. Mills and wife, Mary E. Mills, of Vinton; one grandson, Andrew Goolsby, of Blacksburg; two brothers, Lewis H. Amos, of Roxboro, N.C., and Willie Amos Sr., of Roanoke; one sister, Norma A. Cruff, of Vinton; brother-in-law, Kenneth Wayne Maxey, of Hardy. Also numerous nieces and nephews and a special niece, Crystal. Funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 2, 2010, from the Lotz Vinton Chapel with the Rev. Burrell Baker officiating. Burial to follow in Mountain View Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Monday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Lotz Funeral Home, Vinton Chapel is serving the Mills family. Online condolences may be made to lotzfuneralhome.com.
Nichols looks to Make an Impact in Class and Out
Julie Ensor Terrier Times Dionne Nichols, an English teacher at William Byrd High School, is the kind of teacher sports announcers would label as a standout, impact player. That’s what her students say about her, because her enthusiasm stands out and she strives to make an impact on students. “High school is hard,” said Nichols, “I wanted to let students know that they have many people that they can turn to not only academically, but emotionally as well.” Nichols has taught high school English for five years at WBHS, two years at Radford University and seven years off and on at the National College of Business and Technology in
Salem. “Mrs. Nichols has impacted my knowledge in English by expanding my mind on looking at things with different perspectives,” said freshman Dana Robinson. “She really has gotten me to be open my mind on all different kinds of topics and allowing new ideas into my head.” Nichols went to Radford University for her bachelors and masters degree. She has published and still writes poetry. Once she wrote three chapters of a book, but lost them because of a computer glitch. “I chose literature because of my love of it and I wanted to pass on my love of literature,” said Nichols, “I also enjoy being around kids and I wanted to strive to make sure they are
successful in college and they obtain skills necessary for that.” Other hobbies Nichols has outside of school are cooking, reading, watching sports and spending time with her family. Nichols has also travelled a lot internationally to places such as Switzerland, Italy, France and Germany. “I love to experience other cultures and see other places,” said Nichols. Nichols coached girl’s outdoor track, but resigned last year due to having her son, Sydney. She also coached outdoor track for four years and indoor track for one year. “I have always enjoyed running,” said Nichols, “I ran in high school, and you could always find me running around campus at Radford before they had a track team.”
What Happens at Miss Byrdie, Stays at Miss Byrdie Evan Nicely Terrier Times The dresses don’t seem to fit right. The dancing is a little questionable, but the humor is undeniable. This is what the infamous Miss Byrdie pageant is all about. It’s a long-standing drag pageant featuring William Byrd High School senior guys. It’s taking place on Thursday, March 11 at 7 p.m. in the WBHS auditorium. Admission is $5. This year promises to be a stand-out performance. “This year, the guys doing it
are absolutely hysterical,” said Student Council Association sponsor and co-director of the event Katie Heatherington. The pageant is not only for the guys to show off their inner female, but it is also a fundraiser for the Senior class and the SCA, who help put on numerous events for the high school students. In addition to the fundraising there will be plenty of laughs. Simply put, “What guy doesn’t want to put on a dress in front of everyone? Especially someone who can look fine in one” said senior participant Parker Hearst. The pageant features a group dance to kick things off followed
by the individual talents that the contestants picked out for themselves. The individual talent’s are top secret information until the night of the show but there could be some “hip-hops, some hipthrusting, and some dropping it low and bringing it back up,” according to participant and all-state tennis player Brennan Escobar. Miss Byrdie isn’t all fun and games though. “As I was booty shaking, everyone started laughing and then I realized I was in a leotard,” said participant and football player Paul Geddings. “(Practice) was almost like a class at times. Getting criticized (jokingly) for not fitting
in our dresses and saying that we need to hit the gym and get a tan.” The contestants will be judged by WBHS History teacher Kathy Laughlin, who is the originator of the pageant. The other judges include Mrs. Harrington, Mrs. Damasco, Mrs. Goin, Fashion Marketing teacher Mrs. Cassady, Cross Country/Track Coach Mr. Royal, Mrs. Martin and her husband who was a former participant. You don’t even have to be a WBHS student or teacher to enjoy the pageant; you just have to be free this Thursday night and there’s no better way to pass the time then with a good laugh.
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During the month of March, 20% of all subscriptions to the Vinton Voice will be donated to the American Cancer Society’s Relay event! VOICE 09
William Byrd trainer “trains” year round
Will Trent Terrier Times Ashley Blackman will run in the Trail Nut half-marathon on June 5th with one goal in mind – to finish. Sure, she’d love to win, but it’s her first halfmarathon. So, finishing well would be a success for the William Byrd High School athletic trainer. “I run, run, and run some more,” said Blackman, who takes pride in her training. She adds mileage weekly to her running workout, has a strength training workout, and participates in yoga classes. The Trail Nut race is 13.1 miles of grueling course that travels through Bedford’s Falling Creek Park. Blackman seems well prepared to achieve her personal goal at the race, and has also prepared herself for a very successful career in athletic training for her future. Blackman trains for this everyday at WBHS by running from practice to practice and from game to game to treat athletes’ injuries. She also helps the athletes with rehabilitation and various treatments. The Richmond native attended Varina High School where she played tennis and swam on the swim team. Blackman then attended Campbell
University in North Carolina and majored in sports medicine. An opening as an athletic trainer brought her to Vinton. “Vinton definitely has a slower pace than Richmond, and the people are so welcoming and helpful,” said Blackman. Blackman said that her drive to be an athletic trainer stems from the love of watching her athletes grow in their sports and grow as people in society. It definitely takes a special person to perform the duties of an athletic trainer, because of the extremely demanding hours. Blackman arrives to school around 1 p.m. and does not leave until every sport has completed their practice or home game. She also travels with the football team to care for their needs. “She seems to like it here, which is definitely a good thing,” said Crystal Worley, who is the athletic director at WBHS. “We are lucky to have her here. She probably puts in the most hours out of any of us. If she didn’t love it, she wouldn’t do it.” The loving feelings between Blackman and her athletes are mutual. “She treated me like I was one of her own,” said Leon Williams. The big 6’4 senior survived through basketball season thanks to foot taping, back heating, and elbow padding from Blackman.
“We are lucky to have her here. She probably puts in the most hours out of any of us. If she didn’t love it, she wouldn’t do it.””
•‘BOOTIE’ continued from page 02 bracelets have a bead that represents the color of each Cancer. Please contact Suzanne Bell at sbigboss99@yahoo.com. Proceed from these sales are being donated to Vinton’s Relay for Life. Get cha one!! **Miss America-, Caressa Cameron, Miss Va- Chinah Hellemdollar, Miss CA, Miss Kentucky, Miss LA,- all runners up for Caressa,
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and former Miss America’s Kyleen Barker and Nicole Johnson, will all be at the Hotel Roanoke @ 1:30 pm Sat March 13th for a free autograph signing. ***March 18th Thoroughly Modern Mille by the Burton Performing Arts Center Players, directed by Carol Webster @ the Jefferson Center. Happy birthday to all those celebrating this week Happy 40th birthday to Sabrina Weeks - Vinton Chamber Of Commerce President!! Thank you guest writer Angie. Guess this runs in the family!!!
Blackman attends to junior Evan Otey. “She was always friendly in offering concerned and precautionary advice like when she told me to wear two pairs of socks due to inflammation in my feet,” said Williams. “Miss Blackman giving me a band-aid was an extremely positive experience, and I was glad to know that I was okay,” said Jim Fisher jokingly after receiving a small cut. Fisher is a junior tennis player who, on a more serious note, added that Blackman is a very cheerful and positive person. “Miss Ashley is the best trainer in the world and she is the reason for my speedy recovery,” said Jo Stickney, a WBHS sophomore football and baseball player who spends about an hour a day doing rehab with Blackman after a serious shoulder injury and extensive surgery. Stickney goes through daily treatments including heat, ultrasound and stretching activities. Baseball coach Gene Riggs commented that Blackman consistently offers solid advice about exercises to do at home to speed recovery time. When Blackman isn’t working at WBHS, she can often be found at the Roanoke Athletic Club training for her upcoming half-marathon. Blackman previously ran several 5 and 10 kilometer races, but is participating in her first half-marathon at the end of this school year. More information about the race on June 5th can be found at www.mountainjunkies.net/Trail_ Nut.htm.
WBMS Prevention Council gives presentation Teen suicide is something that affects everyone in a community, not just the friends, family or classmates of the person who does it. Recently a group of William Byrd students took the time to explain this to Vinton Town Council and they got their attention “it had an impact on everyone in the room” said Mayor Brad Grose “it motivated me to make everyone aware of the problem on a personal level. “These kids have worked on this presentation for a couple months” said Sharon Claytor, SAP Coordinator for William Byrd Middle “they want to get a program at WBMS to help with random acts of kindness to help prevent risky behaviors in students.” Heather Balsley (WBMS Librarian), Sharon Claytor (SAP Coordinator),Lora Lee Bedwell, Tammie Goode (8th grade WBMS),Justin Mills (9th grade WBHS), Nancy Hans (Prevention Council of Roanoke County), Charisse Thompson (8th grade WBMS) Charisse Thompson (8th grade student at WBMS) and Tammie Goode (8th grade student at WBMS) were all present at the March 2 Council meeting (Sarah Kornegay (8th grade at WBMS) was not able to attend that evening due to a family emergency. However, Sarah was a huge part of the planning/writing of the presentation and will speak at future presentations) where they had a
presentation regarding the issues that are present in the student community. In the last five years, four William Byrd students have committed suicide, an alarming number. These were some of the things presented by the William Byrd Middle School Prevention Club. Also present was the family of a student, Hanna Bedwell, who had committed suicide in June 2008 who gave their own presentation in regards to their personal story. Some of the other disturbing things were facts such as; In 2009 a survey of sixth grade students at William Byrd, 54% reported that they have been bullied, 60% of former bullies have at least one criminal conviction by the age of twenty four, 64.6% of students are familiar with one or more people who intentionally inflict pain on themselves by cutting, pinching, bruising, or burning themselves, the Center for Disease Control list suicide as the third leading cause of death amongst 15 to 24 year olds and It is the fourth leading cause for 10 to 14 year olds. If you would like to see the presentation and learn more about the program, the group will be giving a presentation March 30, from 8:30 to 9:30 at William Byrd Middle School, “we are trying to do it for local clergy the Vinton Chamber of Commerce and other local organizations that might help our cause” said Claytor. For more information on the
program, please contact Sharon Claytor, Code Sizemore or Heather Bawlsey at the middle school.
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A Very Stupid Action Barbara Dillon Contributor Time flies, it’s true! Many of us can look back at the years and wonder where the time has gone. Seventy years ago I did of the most stupid things I ever did in my whole life. My girlfriend and I often double dated. She was dating my boyfriend’s cousin. By the way, I met my boy friend through this cousin. He had been visiting his cousin over in Franklin County and the cousin and his dad had just bought a brand new black 1940 Ford so he told his cousin to come on over on Saturday and he would find him a date. It was the summer after I graduated from William Byrd High School. So on Saturday afternoon he had come to Roanoke to visit his cousin who already had a date with my girlfriend. SO she asked me if I would like to go to Lakeside Park with them. I said yes and walked down three blocks to her house on Cleveland Avenue and met my future husband on her front porch. (A blind date.) We all went to Lakeside and rode the thriller and other rides and then watched the outdoor movie and had a great time. After this meeting we double dated many times and shared lots of good memories. One Sunday afternoon the men wanted to take us down to Hardy to see the railroad track bridge on the Virginian Railroad that was about 100 feet or more high. We drove down there youth-like thinking – we decided to walk the tracks out and see how far down it was. I had on white sandals with 3” wedge heels. I remember them because they had been a graduation present and I had not yet learned how to walk well in high heels. The four of us walked out to the middle of the bridge and looked down between the cross ties all the way. Guess what! We heard a train whistle. Thank goodness there was a little platform on the bridge beside the track with metal barrels on it and a fence around it an there was room enough for all four of us. It was a very long freight train from Roanoke and no way could we have had time to get off the bridge before the train got there. We thought the train would never end passing us but when it did we really scampered to get off those tracks and back on good old earth again. I’m sure the good Lord above was watching over all four of us on that day. Why, buy why, didn’t we use our brains and stay off that bridge? I know that sometimes I say or have done pretty stupid things, but without a doubt this must top the list. It looks like at least one of us would have used our head and refused to do such a thing. Guess what! A year and a half later, on the day after Christmas, that boyfriend and I became husband and wife.
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Stimulus, Stimulus, where for art thou?
Dale Russell, Sr., MBA wheresmymoney@vintonvoice.com Hey everyone…It’s been a while hasn’t it? I’m glad to be back with you even for a short time. You know, I have really tried to keep these articles out of the social taboos…Religion and politics. But sometimes, like this time, it simply cannot be avoided. There’s been a lot of talk about the $787 Billion stimulus package and what a great thing it is. First thing is first. Here’s what that number looks like with the zeros. Ready? $787,000,000,000.00…See sometimes numbers get so big they just don’t seem real. So look at this number and let it sink in. As a fiscal conservative, I am NOT in favor of the stimulus package. It’s not good economics, it’s not good financial management, and it’s not good math. Here’s why… Ask yourself how does the United States Government create income? You of course, work for the income you create by your skills, talents, and sweat equity. The Government creates income one of three ways. They print more money, which weakens the dollar and creates inflation. They borrow more money, which increases the national debt. Or they
tax, business and individuals alike. Now if the Government had some stash of cash somewhere that they could inject into the economy which did not need to be paid back, didn’t lower the value of the dollar, or didn’t create inflation that would be a real stimulus. That situation would be much like when you tap into your savings account when you have a financial crisis. The Government is not so unlike your personal finances, they just make it sound complicated. The same financial concepts apply, just on a bigger scale. Now where might you think our Government came up with the $787 Billion? Well, I’m sure it will be financed in all three ways. The Government will borrow through the sale of debt instruments, they will print more cash, and they will tax. Here’s historical reality… if the Government did absolutely nothing our economy will eventually turn around and we would be back on track. But as we have all seen, our Government chose the other course which has lowered our financial standing in the global market because we are debtors to just about everyone and they have saddled our children and grandchildren with a debt that will produce little if any positive long term results. But what about the “jobs” it created? What about the jobs it saved? You ask… What about them? No one can accurately determine the number of jobs created or saved as a result of this stimulus and we have already seen the fuzzy math used to bolster those numbers. The jobs would have returned eventually anyway even if no action had been taken once so ever. Business always runs in cycles, sometimes moving upward and sometimes moving downward. You know it wasn’t all so long ago that the United States was an entrepreneurial economy. Since then,
we have transitioned to a corporate economy and now edging closer and closer to a socialistic economy riddled with entitlements and government controls. Here’s one from the Mailbag… What do you think about the “Fair tax”? S. Spotswood-Vinton I don’t like it simply because our government is a greedy government. Let’s say, for easy math that there was a 10% fair tax applied to everyone. Now if you make $100K, paying $10K may not be as big of a deal. But if you make say $25K, then $2,500 IS a big deal and places an undue hardship on those folks. Well why don’t we make anyone earning under $50K exempt from the tax so they don’t have to pay any? You ask…well then you have just taken away the foundation of the “Fair Tax” because when some don’t pay at all, then it’s not fair. By the way, with that sort of tax, where does the line get drawn as to what gets taxed and when? Our government has mastered the wandering eye looking for new and inventive means to tax the stuffing out of everything, so while our tax system may be flawed it does offer tax relief to those with the initiative to find it. Thanks again for the question. Keep them coming at wheresmymoney@vintonvoice.com. VA State Licensed
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VOICE 13
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(1) All Photos by Danny Cruff
(5) On Saturday afternoon, after weather delayed their planned first scrimmage, the Byrd baseball teams took to the field against Brookville. In the JV game, Brandon Byrd (1) helped pitch a strong game for the Terriers, who came up one run short. In varsity action, five Terrier pitchers saw action, including Kevin Bowles (2) who pitched in the third inning. Fellow senior Jacob Clifton (3) started at third, but also later moved to the mound where he had two strikeouts. Also on Saturday, the first annual Byrd Soccer Jamboree went off strong with eight teams each playing three games. Key returnees Emily Hanna (4) and Kelli Kitchens (5) helped the effort that saw many of the older players testing the water at new positions. Madelyn Ard (6) also headed some help as Byrd dropped all three games but was strong on the defensive end.
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Mahoney strikes out 17 in season prep contest >Softball squad tops Brookville, hopes to get in second scrimmage with Patrick Henry before season opens next week with Cave Spring Chris Manning chris@vintonvoice.com The William Byrd softball team got off to a good start when they visited Brookville Saturday. Although technically score wasn’t kept, coach Greg Barton knows that if it would have been kept, the Lady Terriers would have won 5-1 in what turned out to be an eight inning contest. Jessica Mahoney, Byrd’s ace pitcher, threw all eight innings and struck out a whopping seventeen Brookville Lady Bees and only gave up one hit. “All her pitches were working, she was in total control,” coach Barton said. “She’d been sick all day Friday and you could look at her and tell she didn’t feel great, but my goodness, if that’s how she plays when she’s sick you know when she’s well, she’s going to be hard to handle.” Barton points to the fact that Brookville, being in the Seminole district they’ve seen some good pitching, but in his opinion, they haven’t seen anything like Mahoney.
“She overpowered them….but I don’t think they’ve seen anything like Jess” he said. Jamie Green, the 2009 District Leader in homeruns, appears as if she isn’t missing a beat, picking up right where she left off with a monster shot over the centerfield fence in the first inning. “I was looking for a leadoff hitter to replace [Sarah] Ashby and Lyndsay Brown looks awfully comfortable in that leadoff” Barton said pointing to the first inning where Brown led off with a walk, then stole second, was sacrificed to third by Brittany Mattox and then was driven in the homerun by Green. “That was just textbook” Barton said. Barton was also high on the play of Mattox. “She looked awfully good” he said, and was equally high on Danielle Powell who not only was two for three along with two walks, but he was very high on how she handled Mahoney behind the plate. Jordan Meador, Haley Ross, Brittany Pickett and Katie Leatchman also added singles. “We were patient at the plate and drew a
ton of walks because we were so patient” Barton remarked. “Brookville was a good test because they played in the regional finals last year, this is a team that was used to winning and considering we were on the field four times, we looked really well.” Barton would have liked to see a little more tests of his defense, but when your pitcher strikes out all but seven hitters, you can’t argue with that. The Lady Terriers hope to be able to get their scrimmage in Saturday with Patrick Henry, “but the weather isn’t looking good” Barton said “Our field won’t take any rain,” he added. Should they not be able to get the scrimmage in, they will face Cave Spring in their first game of the season just two days later. “If its too wet to go Saturday, I’ll have all day Sunday to fix the field,” Barton said. Along with the Varsity win, the Scott Whitehead’s JV squad also had a big win in their first scrimmage of the season. “It’s awful good to open up like that with both teams coming out with a win” Barton said.
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Strong scrimmages start Soccer on the right foot Danny Cruff Senior Contributor With two shutout wins this past week in preseason play, Head Coach Jeff Highfill and the William Byrd Boys Soccer team are looking forward to this last week of practice prior to the start of the season to sharpen their game. The Terriers first win came against Martinsville Wednesday, outscoring the Bulldogs 2 – 0. “It was a typical first scrimmage,” Highfill commented about the game, adding that the weather was less than ideal, too. “It was miserable.” Coming out of the
opportunities in the first half,” observed Highfill after the game, adding “It should have been 3-0 at halftime.” Although Byrd kept the ball on the Red Devil’s half of the field for a majority of the first half and took numerous shots, they went into the half leading 1 – 0 on Nick Leffell’s first goal of the game seconds before the midway point of the half. Goalkeeper Nick Janowicz made a jumping save to keep Rustburg scoreless just prior to the end of the first half. The Terriers maintained their dominance in the second half, keeping the Red Devils on their heels while scoring three more goals. Sophomore D.J. Welch scored 5:54 into the half, while Leffell scored his second and third goals less than six minutes apart to complete the hat trick. Coach Highfill was happy with the outcome noting that all facets of the game were better than in the prior contest, but still cautioning there was plenty to continue working on in the week of practice ahead of the Terriers’ season opener at cross-county foe Cave Spring on Monday, March 15th. When asked about the communication in Monday’s game, Highfill stated, “It was much better than last week, but we still need to work on it.”
“We missed a lot of opportunities in the first half. It should have been 3-0 at halftime.” scrimmage, the Coach Highfill wanted to focus on ball control as well as communication during the game with the Head Coach calling it “big” in comparison to other areas of concern. Monday’s game against the Rustburg Red Devils was a onesided affair that could have been worse than the final 4 – 0 score. “We missed a lot of
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Photos by Danny Cruff
TOP: D.J. Welch works around a Red Devil defender on Monday night. ABOVE: Nick Leffell chips in his third goal of the Rustburg scrimmage with 20:12 remaining in the second half
Terriers close Jamboree on strong note >Defense shines in double shutout against Franklin County after 5-0 loss in Game two Dan Vance Editor-in-Chief
Photos by Danny Cruff
TOP: Laura Wood (2) works the ball against a Radford player during the second Byrd game on Saturday. ABOVE: Clearing her zone, Amanda Hollandsworth boots the ball down field during a 1-0 loss to C.Spring in the early game.
On Saturday morning and afternoon, the William Byrd girls soccer team got the chance to see exactly what they have to work with during the 2010 season. For the first time ever, Byrd hosted a Jamboree that kicked off at 9 am with a 1-0 Byrd loss to Cave Spring and concluded right around 5 pm with 0-0 tie for the Terriers against Franklin County. In the middle was sandwiched a 5-0 loss to Radford, as well as a number of other 35-minute scrimmages among the seven visiting schools, who each played three games. But overall, Byrd coach Russell Dishman sees the event as a strong success for it’s first active year, several coaches from the event have even already contacted him about returning next spring for the event. “The Booster Club did so much to help out,” Dishman said with a grin of the Jamboree as a whole and the smoothness of the event. “We got behind maybe ten minutes, which is awesome. The last game ended at five, I was the last one out of the stadium and I left at like 5:30.” On the field, the Terriers saw their gameplan from a week’s worth of practice pay off for the most part, starting in game one with the Knights. “It was the first time we’ve suited up, you can tell the kids were nervous the first 10 minutes,” Dishman said. “The other 25 [minutes] were pretty to watch, it was kind of fun, it was showing what we could be capable of.” The nervousness of the first outing included giving up one goal despite their defensive mindset during the opening days of the 2010 season’s practices. Still, Dishman doesn’t see the one goal given up in the first game as entirely upsetting. “The goal that we gave up was on a set piece, on a corner kick– no worries, it was actually a beautiful goal,” he said. Dishman later mentioned that even the goal against Cave Spring will help the team down the road and how the set play it was scored on will lead to a new teaching point for the players.
In the second game, Byrd was hurt by a barrage of offense from Radford, despite keeping the ball on the offensive end many times throughout the contest. “It was a little shaky, Radford is a pretty solid little group. I think we showed we need to focus not just on the feet and the body, but what is going on between the ears. We gave up an early goal and then everybody kind of got up on their heels and I think that taught a valuable lesson.” The 5-0 loss looks bad on paper in Byrd’s current three-person battle for the starting goalie spot, but Dishman hopes that there is no discouragement there, indicating how important the big picture is for Byrd, especially so early on in a season where he hopes to make a return to – and run at – Regions. “If you give up a goal, if you get beat– that doesn’t mean you did something wrong,” Dishman said of the focus on his group of goalies going into the weekend. “I’ve got certain things I want to see them do and I want them to try and do them....if we rely on bad habits just to keep your head above water for now, it’s going to be a problem later.” After refocusing his team by getting them to relax between games, Dishman was pleased with his team’s effort in the third, keeping the contest with the Eagles scoreless. Last season, Franklin County beat Byrd 5-1 in a regular season contest. “We got three looks, everybody got some time and now we’ve got a little better idea of who should play where,” Dishman said. “I think the kids learned that there is a little bit where we need to buckle down between the ears a little bit and that was good.” The team will spend the rest of this week preparing for a regular season opener with Glenvar, who Byrd split with in 2009 (both by 2-1 scores). Dishman says that practice will be about possession and penetrating passes, making kids compete for spots and making his players adjust outside their comfort zones. “I kind of on purpose gave us the tougher looks of everything,” Dishman said. “There were quality teams there. We didn’t play anybody that was struggling.”
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Kickoff scrimmage goes back and forth >Cassity’s three RBI, big seventh inning are highlights for rebuilding Terriers Chris Manning chris@vintonvoice.com The William Byrd Baseball team saw their first real action Saturday in a scrimmage against Brookville. Co-coach Chris Carr saw some good things out of his young team, including some strong showings from some of the younger players, “some of the guys I thought would hit were rusty, but some of the guys I thought we weren’t sure were going to hit, hit a lot better than I thought they would” Carr said. Chad Hill, Britton Chocklette, Devin Cassity and Easton Riggs combined for six of the team’s ten hits and six of their seven RBI’s. Jacob Clifton, Aaron Stidham, Jo Stickney and Kevin Bowles each added a hit to round out the Terrier offense. Neither team got on the board until the third inning, when both teams scored two runs on RBIs by Britton Chocklette and Devin Cassity. In the fifth, Chocklette and Cassity again RBI’d home runs along with a RBI single by Joe Barton to put the Terriers up 5-3. The sixth was uneventful offensively for the Terriers but they exploded for seven runs in the seventh after the Bees put up a fivespot on Ray Harron, to finish the game 12-8. “A lot of the younger guys hit the ball hit the ball better than the older guys” Carr said “we were trying to figure how who we were going to DH for and some of the guys we thought we might DH for ended up having big days.” Byrd got what they expected from their pitching, with Jacob McMillan throwing two scoreless frames and Jacob Clifton working a solid fourth and fifth, striking out two and only giving up one earned run. Kevin Bowles was the tough luck beneficiary of a missed call on a, not quite as close as it was made out to be, play at home
to give up two runs in one inning. “All our pitchers are throwing too many pitches” Carr remarked “it’s not like they’re walking people [only two total walks for the scrimmage] but they’re getting too deep in counts.” The Byrd pitchers added three strikeouts and two hit batsmen to their totals, including a HBP by Jacob McMillan, who, true to form then picked the runner off like he did half a dozen times in 2009. The pitchers need more time on the mound and the hitters need more time against live pitching, hopefully the Terriers will be able to get a little bit of both in prior to their first game of the season. With the weather, the field conditions and everything else that played a part in keeping the team off the field and away from live pitching, there were some kinks to work out in preparation for the team’s opening day March 15th at home against Glenvar. Prior to that, they’ll have one more chance to get on the field in a scrimmage against the much improved Patrick Henry Patriots who came off a second place district finish under coach Aaron Haigler and a much more confident team who would like to prove a point and show that they belong against a program as strong as Byrd’s, even if it is just a scrimmage. Starting March 15th and for every William Byrd home and away game, the action will be able to be heard live on ESPN 1240 AM on the radio and www. espninva.com online. These games will be broadcast by Coach Gary Walthall and Chris Manning and will be brought to you by; Hayden Insurance, Danny Cruff Photgraphy, The Landscape Store, Kroger, William Byrd High School, the William Byrd Baseball Booster Club, Gregg Lee of State Farm Insurance, Onzlee Ware, Woods’ Service Center and Towing, David Lucas of Campbell Realty, Servpro and the Vinton Voice.
Photos by Danny Cruff
TOP: Britton Chocklette makes a throw. The second baseman had two RBI in the contest. ABOVE: First baseman Easton Riggs (7) and Ray Harron (catching ball) work to throw down a Brookville runner during the early part of Saturday’s scrimmage.
Get Involved in Vinton’s Relay for Life! During the month of March, 20% of all subscriptions to the Vinton Voice will be donated to the American Cancer Society’s Relay event! Event is April 16 at WBHS. Visit ‘Vinton Relay for Life’ on Facebook for more.
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•‘DISHMAN’ continued from page 20 Eagles and an introduction into the club scene of the sport before Dishman decided to make a change. While working as the boys director for Valley AFC Soccer Club based out of Roanoke and commuting near daily, he made the decision that he wanted to relocate to the area. “I wanted to spread my wings,” Dishman says with a laugh. “When I saw the job here [WBHS]...I was like ‘I am going to be there next year,’ there was no doubt. I think I bugged them about ‘when do I interview, when do I interview.’” Then came a challenge for Dishman, not so much between going from coaching boys to coaching girls– because of the fact that he had coached both in the past, even together on one team. Instead, the challenging aspect came in creating soccer culture in Vinton and at Byrd. “It’s not we play soccer, but we are soccer players,” he will reiterate about that culture shift. With the balance in his personal life and spending time with his supportive wife and while he has gotten out of the administrative side and gotten back into coaching club, his focus and his heart in the game appears to be clearly on changing the lifestyle of the sport for those in Terrier orange. “My heart is coaching high school,” Dishman says fondly. “I really think that is where it is.” Now heading into the early stages of his third season at the helm of the girls team at WBHS, Dishman sees a big place for continued improvement and is, not surprisingly, happy about it. The changes in some ways also come with the help of that throwback outgoing personality, something that is not always too common among coaches. “Personality wise, I think soccer is one of the sports that can resemble life,” he says, talking about how the players he saw growing up often had the long hair and the wild personalities. “I never tell the kids to call me coach, I always thought coach was a really big word,” Dishman makes note of, but quickly transitions into how that fun-loving, light personality translates into a greater appreciation for the game. “I’m a little bit different with it– it’s fun and soccer is one of those sports where you can win a game and it can be absolutely frustrating as a coach because you didn’t play well. But you can have played phenomenal and lost, but it’s still a beautiful game to watch.”
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Photo by Danny Cruff
Russell Dishman:
Bringing a fresh personality and excitement to the game he loves Dan Vance Editor-in-Chief Russell Dishman is a different kind of coach– even he will tell you that. In a sport where even the wildest of personalities once took grasp of the spotlight, Dishman has forged his own path during his time in the sport, including his still young stint as the head girls soccer coach at William Byrd. In the terms of soccer, his big personality is a throwback. In the terms of sport, his love is motivating and maybe even a little inspiring. While you get the point talking to Dishman that soccer is not everything, it is clear that it goes a long way in keeping that youthful grin across his face. Dishman grew up in Danville, just two hours south of where he now calls home. “Growing up, soccer wasn’t a big thing,” Dishman reflects before talking about his early dreams of baseball stardom until he reached high school at George Washington High School, where he ran track. However, Dishman transferred schools before his junior year and wound up at Westover Christian Academy. Without a cross country team to run on in the Fall, Dishman took up soccer for the first time since playing on a recreational level at a younger age. Using the experience to meet new people at the private school, Dishman started to fall in love with the sport and found himself starting as he played through his junior and senior years. An injury playing baseball, the sport he originally wanted to play in college, opened up the doors for soccer to become a more permanent fixture. As he received letters from schools about soccer on the next level, Dishman decided to look into the possibility of playing both sports. In the end, it was Averett University that Dishman saw the most in and he played three years of soccer there, taking off his junior year. “It was the best choice I have made and its made a difference in my life,” Dishman says about his college choice. In coaching, he first became a volunteer assistant for the girls team at GW and was also a graduate assistant at Averett with the womens team. But strangely enough, volunteering could not last for Dishman, who began to find it hard to find openings of staffs, even in the volunteer positioning. Luckily for him, learning on the fly was something he was good at, as in the midst of looking for his next place to coach, he received word from Bassett High School that they wanted him to take over as the head coach of their co-ed program. “I knew I needed to learn something,” Dishman says. “But why turn down a head job when you get it?...It was a little rag-tag group of kids that wanted to play and that was a lot of fun. Wins and losses weren’t the big thing, it was ‘can we make them better’ and I think that is the best way to start as a coach.” “If you win as soon as you start, you don’t look at the developmental aspect of it,” he added. After just one year at Bassett, Dishman returned to Danville to become the second coach in the history of the boys program at GW, looking to move the solid program up a notch. It was five years running the show for the
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•See ‘DISHMAN’ - page 19