The three firefighters and a Roanoke County Police officer used an ATV to get part way up to the trail, then hiked the rest of the way. They packed Caesar off the trail and into a waiting crate, then took him to a local veterinarian to be evaluated.

The owner called 9-1-1 from the trail, Roanoke County Fire & Rescue’s Jennifer Conley Sexton told reporters, saying the dog had begun vomiting, they lay down and would not get up.

Roanoke County rescuers and trail volunteers say within the last year they have had several calls about large dogs who needed rescuing while hiking with their owners during hot weather on the steep trail off Rt. 311 near Catawba.

According to spokesman Jennifer Conley Sexton, the dog’s owner called 9-1-1 Tuesday afternoon asking for assistance after the dog started vomiting then lay down and would not get up. A rescue crew of three plus a police officer are on the trail off Rt. 311, working their way to the dog, which possibly had become dehydrated, Sexton said.

The officers are driving an ATV on a fire road part of the way, then hiking to the location to carry him back to Rt. 311.

According to a newly constructed Facebook page, which appeared online May 14, the Radford Theatre has been purchased and will reopen its doors in the near future.

“The Radford Theatre is BACK! Get ready to enjoy a new era of movie magic at your favorite downtown theatre,” the site’s first post, dated May 17, reads.

A 1-minute video posted to the site Tuesday morning, which shows three men sitting in the theatre seats with Kirk while holding tubs of movie popcorn, begins with a shot of the theatre’s marquee, which still reads, “1983-2013: Thanks for 30 wonderful years,” cuts to the theatre’s aging 35mm film projector then sweeps across its empty lobby. A dramatic, empty scene.

A needle skips, and the shot cuts to the group sitting at the front of the theatre. “Hey! Where are you going? ‘Cause we’re not going anywhere,” Paul Pallante, one of the new owners, says.

“Here’s to another 30 wonderful years,” Kirk states, then the four touch popcorn tubs in a toast, then break into laughter.

According to Kirk, who spoke with the News Messenger on Tuesday morning, Radford resident and longtime theatre patron Pallante, as well as James Houston and Blacksburg resident Josh Riggs, purchased the theatre May 13.

“They signed a lease and everything last Monday,” Kirk said. “They’ve already torn it up and started remodeling it.”

The three will reopen under the business name Radford Theatre LLC, and will likely open, Kirk said, in early June. For Kirk, the theatre’s new life lifts a weight off his shoulders.

“They approached me with the idea — I’m glad it’s over with, glad that someone’s taken it over.  I don’t have to worry about what’s going to happen to it any more,” Kirk said.

Pallante, Riggs and Houston did not immediately return attempts to reach them Tuesday afternoon.

By Aaron Atkins

The hood of the CPD memorial cruiser depicts the famous World War II raising of the flag photograph taken by Joe Rosenthal on the island of Iwo Jima on Feb. 23, 1945, along with the POW/MIA logo. Photo courtesy of Christiansburg Police Department.

The vehicle’s new look, a CPD release stated, is a tribute to members of all branches of the United States military, dedicated to servicemen from the past, present and future who have courageously served their country. Members of the Army, Navy and Marines were in attendance at the unveiling, which took place outside the Christiansburg Town Hall.

“This vehicle is a way for the Christiansburg Police Department to show our respect and admiration for the men and women who serve our country,” said Police Chief Mark Sisson.

The camouflage lettering and styling identifies the vehicle as a police cruiser and covers its roof, and the hood bears the iconic image.

Looking even closer, the hubs on each of the vehicle’s tires are adorned with the shadowy silhouette logo honoring prisoners of war and those missing in action (POW/MIA).

The cruiser is not the first of CPD’s fleet to shrug off a conventional paint job for something a little more dramatic — another is decked out in pink as a means to draw attention to breast cancer research.

“(The pink cruiser) was only supposed to stay colored that way for a short period. They were going to remove the wrap, but citizens liked it so much they kept it on,” said town public information specialist Allison Long. “The same thing may happen with this one as well. We’ll see.”

According to CPD PIO Dalton Reed, the memorial cruiser will be on patrol throughout the summer and is not assigned to a specific driver. The vinyl wrap and detailing was done by Sign-A-Rama in Christiansburg, and was paid for in full by donations from both that shop and elsewhere, totaling around $400.

Citizens wishing to get a look at the vehicle will have the opportunity — it will be on patrol immediately and will be on display during Memorial Day and July 4 holiday events.

By Aaron Atkins

“Nell Hatcher started this 56 years ago and it’s a great experience for the students. They gain an appreciation for the work it takes to make Radford great,” Radford High School principal Jeff Smith said.

Radford High School students became firefighters for a day during Students in Government day. The students participated in a mock automobile accident and accompanied EMS and fire personnel. Photo by Charlie Whitescarver.

Over 90 students took part in running the city Thursday, touring various government facilities and familiarizing themselves with the necessary equipment and complex machinery that keeps the city running smoothly on a daily basis.

The program has produced some of Radford’s current leaders as well. City Manager David Ridpath, Fire Chief Lee Simpkins, Sheriff Mark Armentrout, Building Official Tim Nester, and former city engineer and current city councilman Bobby Nicolson, are just a few of the RHS graduates that played roles during Students in Government Day when they were seniors, and are now working for the city — some in the very positions they portrayed.

Students began the day at the high school with a welcome by government teacher Wayne Pridgen and City Engineer Jim Hurt, also the president of the Radford Kiwanis Club. Paired up with their city counterparts, students left the school for tours and activities.

City Engineer Jim Hurt goes over city maps with Radford High School student Cypress Beach. Cypress was the acting City Engineer during Students in Government Day. Photo by Charlie Whitescarver.

Mike Goad, an engineer at the Little River Dam hydroelectric plant, gave tours of the facility that included descending into the dam itself. Students were led down flights of stairs to the turbine room and then into the cavernous area inside the dam.

Radford water treatment plant chief operator Wade Vanhoy conducted tours of the treatment plant as well. He explained how water is processed and made fit to drink and pointed out some of the issues the plant and its workers face when flooding occurs on the New River.

The city’s electricity department conducted tours directed by department head Bill Willis. Students were shown how electricity is routed and how the department responds to outages.

Bill Willis, Director of the Radford Electric Department shows Radford High School students drawings of electrical lines during Students in Government Day. Photo courtesy of Charlie Whitescarver.

The City Manager’s office, constitutional officers, the finance department, public works, public library, Recreation Department, School Board, Social Services, and voter registrar’s office were all taken over by students.

In addition, students adopted the roles of emergency services personnel as well, and were put to the test with a series of mock accidents and disasters.

A mock automobile accident was staged on Veteran’s Field that included the participation of fire, police, Radford EMS and a Carilion Lifeguard helicopter. An accident between two cars was staged, complete with a fatality and two critically injured occupants. The staged accident was caused by a drunk driver, who was given a field sobriety test while the fire department used various power tools to extract the injured occupants of a nearby pickup truck. The Lifeguard helicopter arrived and a seriously injured person was transferred into the airborne vehicle.

Students acting as firemen wore the position’s full regalia. Students milled around the accident scene, trying to get a good look at how rescue workers use precise tools to cut open a car to remove an injured person inside, and witnessed the care taken to immobilize a victim to prevent further injury.

During the mock automobile accident for Students in Government Day, a seriously injured person is loaded into Carilion Lifeguard helicopter for transport. Photo by Charlie Whitescarver.

At noon a mock City Council meeting was convened in the council chambers. Prior to the meeting Bobby Nicholson, Tim Cox and other councilmen briefed the acting students. RHS seniors Matt Turk, Walter Mogen, Daniel Hawke, Hunter Marshall and Jeff Feng served as councilmen.

The meeting agenda included special resolutions to recognize the Kiwanis Club, choral director Lois Castonguay, band director Daniel Frankenberger, and political science teacher Dr. Nicholas Pappas.

The students discussed bringing more sports tourism to Radford and converting the old railroad bridge near Radford University into a walking and biking path. They also considered creating an Art in the Park festival.

Following the City Council meeting, a luncheon, hosted by the Kiwanis Club for all participants, including city employees, was held at the high school. The luncheon program included remarks by Kiwanis President Jim Hurt and student mayor Matt Turk.

By Charlie Whitescarver

The Vinton Relay for Life Luminaria Ceremony was held on the grounds of the Vinton War Memorial on May 13, postponed from the April 19 Relay event at WBHS because of inclement weather. Over 1200 luminaria were lighted on the front lawn of the Memorial in honor and memory of loved ones affected by cancer.

On May 13, the evening began with the dedication of a brick paver at the Vinton-Roanoke County Veterans High Ground Monument in memory of Major Jeffrey Pruitt, Air Force JROTC instructor at WBHS, who passed away in the fall of 2012 after a twelve year battle with lung cancer.

Pruitt’s Air Force JROTC cadets from the high school participated in the dedication ceremony.

“Major Pruitt touched many lives,” said JROTC Cadet Samantha Tyus. “His bravery, courage, and selflessness touched all of us.”

General Scott Van Cleef  presented the paver to the Vinton Vision Committee on behalf of the Air Force Association as their Vice Chairman of the Board for Field Operations. Major Pruitt was a member of the association.

General Scott Van Cleef from the Air Force Association presented a brick paver in memory of WBHS Air Force JROTC instructor Major Jeffrey Pruitt to his widow, Kelli Pruitt, Mayor Brad Grose, and Bootie Chewning of the Vinton Vision Committee for the Vinton-Roanoke County Veterans Monument. Members of the JROTC and their instructors participated in the ceremony.

Vinton Mayor Brad Grose and Vision Committee Chair Bootie Chewning, along with Pruitt’s wife, Kelli, accepted the brick, which will be placed at the Monument.

“When Major Pruitt passed away, General Van Cleef called and asked what the Air Force Association could do to honor him,” said Senior Master Sergeant Paul Richardson, Aerospace Science Instructor at WBHS. “The Monument meant a lot to Major Pruitt. We could think of nothing more fitting than the laying of a brick at one of his favorite places and at Relay which was one of his favorite events.”

“Major Pruitt’s selfless dedication to duty was a great example to us all,” said General Van Cleef.

Pruitt’s favorite singer, Germaine Fletcher of Vinton, performed the National Anthem and another song in his honor.

“I never met Major Pruitt, but I see his legacy in the faces of these cadets,” said Major John Napier, who became the Senior Aerospace Science Instructor at WBHS in January.

The WBHS Air Force JROTC team raised over $1600 for Relay this year with the slogan “Do It for Pruitt” in memory of their instructor.

Senior Master Sergeant Paul Richardson of the WBHS Air Force JROTC and Kelli Pruitt, wife of Major Jeffrey Pruitt, particpated in the brick paver dedication ceremony at the High Ground Monument.

At dusk, over 1,200 luminaria were lighted on the front lawn of the Memorial in honor or memory of someone affected by cancer. Each luminaria candle represented an individual and each was personalized with a name, photo, message or drawing in memory or honor of a friend or loved one.

According to the American Cancer Society, the Luminary Ceremony is a “time to remember people we have lost to cancer, to support people who currently have cancer, and to honor people who have fought cancer in the past. The power of this ceremony lies in providing an opportunity for people to work through grief and find hope.”

 As of May 14, thirty-two teams with 358 participants have raised $71,218 towards the 2013 Vinton Relay for Life goal of $100,000 for cancer programs and research.

The South African Longs were on their way from Washington, D.C., to visit Salem residents Bill and June Long – no relation – whom they got to know because of Rotary International conferences over the years and joint projects the Salem Rotary Club and its counterparts in South Africa did together.

South Africa visitors Trevor and Denise Long, with June Long in the center, visit in the home of Bill and June Long in Salem. They met through the civic club Rotary International. Some of the Salem Longs’ Rotary awards fill the wall behind them. Photo by Meg Hibbert

Trevor and Denise drove down from the Washington, D.C., area, passing signs for Lexington, Front Royal, Buchanan, Pulaski. “Those names were all ringing bells,” Trevor said.

“Our two districts have done between 50 and 60 projects in our district in South Africa,” explained Trevor. For instance, South African Rotary Clubs are currently doing the same project as those in District 7570 in Southwest Virginia and Eastern Tennessee, of donating wheelchairs to impoverished countries where polio and other diseases have crippled so many people.

June Long (whose father had polio) is in charge of this area’s Wheelchair Foundation project. “We sent five shipping containers with 280 wheelchairs each, one to Trinidad, and one to St. Lucia, for instance. She went to St. Lucia to oversee that delivery.

“Most recently my club – the Rotary Club of Algoa Bay – and the Rotary Club of Salem built a preschool academy at Zedamathle School for disadvantaged children who don’t receive sufficient stimulation at school,” Trevor explained.

His club is a twin club with the Rotary Club of Martinsville, and does a joint project every year, he added.

“The folks in this district have been absolutely wonderful. We wanted to meet and thank them,” Trevor said.

They had left Washington, D.C., after an “absolutely perfect day with sunshine and a visit with a university friend.”

When they arrived in Salem, it was literally a dark and stormy night, with inches of rain obscuring the last of the dogwoods and azaleas in the Longs’ yard. It didn’t matter to Trevor and Denise. “We had snow when we arrived in Chicago,” he explained.

“Salem is very pretty,” she said. “All these gardens. Everything is so neat and tidy, and everyone looks like they really take care. It must be a lot of work to get gardens and houses to look like this,” Denise said, after a driving tour of downtown Salem and its historic neighborhoods.

“What impresses us most of all is there are no walls and fences between houses,” she added, looking out the Longs’ back yard on Mount Vernon Avenue near Roanoke College. Trevor and Denise’s son and daughter, who both live in Johannesburg with their families, have gates and alarm systems on their houses.

In the Port Elizabeth area, the South African Longs live in a gaited community of eight houses, Trevor said. “We sit in our lounge and look out over the sea and the bay.”

While comparing notes about nuisance wildlife in their two countries and hearing about deer who love to snack on flowers and bear that get into trash cans and bird feeders, Denise and Trevor mentioned, “In South Africa, we have a similar problem with baboons.” Except there, baboons break into houses.

On their first night in Salem, June and Bill took their friends out to eat at THE Salem restaurant, Mack & Bob’s.
After visiting two days with the Fergusons, Trevor and Denise flew home from Dulles to London to Johannesburg to Port Elizabeth, S.A.

On their layover in Johannesburg, they were able to spend the day with their daughter, Fenella Johns, on her birthday. They also have a son, Royce, and a total of four grandchildren. Fenella holds a Ph.D. from Berkley, and so her parents had visited the United States before to see her while she was studying there.

Trevor retired after 16 years as headmaster of Victoria Girls High School in the state system in his home country. Denise was in charge of the residences there, and one is named for her, her husband said.
“The interesting part was the girls’ school was in the school building in Grahamstown I attended when it was a boys’ school,” he added.

Buchanan Moose Lodge presented a check for $9,716.86 to Olivia Eubank last week. Making the presentation are (from left) Melissa Hutchens, Dick Jackson, Caleb, Crystal, Olivia and James Eubank. Photo by Ed McCoy

Olivia Eubank got permission from her doctor to remove the facemask for a few minutes Friday afternoon to have her picture taken.

The photos got snapped, then the mask was back on. It didn’t slow her down, though. She was as busy as any 5-year-old— checking out a stranger, picking at her dad, seeing what mom was talking about with a family friend.

Only the mask gives away that something is amiss— that she’s still in the recovery stage from a bone marrow transplant the family hopes resolves the rare medical condition she was born with, Fanconi anemia (FA).

That transplant took place last summer when mom and dad, Crystal and James Edward Eubank, took Olivia to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital after finding a match. It was part of a saga that began the year before when she went for her 3-year-old doctor’s check up.

A blood test revealed FA. Both mom and dad carry the genetic mutation, which meant Olivia had a one-in-four chance of  having the disease.

It also meant months of blood work, doctor’s visits, trips to Cincinnati, the grueling chemotherapy and finally the bone marrow transplant.

That’s been followed by a regimen that has slowly allowed her immune system to begin to recover, thus the mask.

The stay at the hospital, the pain medications, the therapy, the step down to the Ronald McDonald House in Cincinnati and finally back home the end of November have been followed by continuing doctor’s visits, blood tests, good days and bad, and work on gaining some weight— not to mention the normal growing up that comes with turning 5.

In the process, the Eubanks have leaned on their own families and the community— and what support they’ve gotten.

Most recently, the Buchanan Moose Lodge held a two-day fundraiser to help with the expenses.

That was the reason Olivia got permission to take off her mask for a few minutes— to get her picture taken during a check presentation from the Moose.

She held one end of the oversized check that totals $9,716.86.

The fundraiser to support “our little ones” was a lodge effort, but Dick Jackson and Melissa Hutchens were instrumental in pulling it off.

The early-April event included the women and men of the Moose Lodge holding a bake sale/Krispy Kreme doughnut sale on a Friday, selling 50/50 and raffle tickets with some very nice donated door prizes, and on a Saturday the lodge held a poker run that started in Roanoke, went to Eagle Rock and ended in Buchanan at the Moose Lodge. That was followed by a luncheon, horseshoe and corn hole tournaments and Randy Riddle as the DJ for the evening.

The Moose Lodge acknowledged the many businesses and individuals who made donations to the effort, including Greg Austin who won the 50/50 raffle and donated all the proceeds to the Eubank family.

Among the businesses that donated to the effort were Kroger, Fisher Auto Parts, Advance Auto Parts (Bedford and Roanoke), H&H Outdoors, Mt. Joy, SanMarCo., D&J Produce, BlueRidge Farm Center, Local 1023 Steel Workers Union, Snap On, New Reflections Hair Salon, Monroe Muffler, Harley-Davidson Chapter, Bank of Botetourt, Cracker Barrel and North Star Restaurant.

Many individuals donated time, food and other items, including Norma Broughman, Brenda and Donnie Barger, Robert and Jennifer Cupp, Ann Higgins, Sherry Driscoll, Forrest and Sandra Thrasher and Jimmy and Vicki Eubank.

In a statement, Jackson said the men and women of the Buchanan Moose Lodge have a mission to provide assistance for the community and individuals in need. “We may be considered a small town, but the people of Buchanan have big hearts,” Jackson said.

Olivia is not out of the woods yet.

She continues to be monitored to be sure her immune system doesn’t give way and that her blood counts continue to improve.

The bone marrow transplant is a Fanconi anemia patient’s only hope for living into their 30s and beyond, though.

According to the FA Research Fund Inc., the median lifespan for FA patients who don’t have successful transplants is 29 years.

While FA is considered a blood disease, it can affect other body systems. FA patients are extremely likely to develop a variety of cancers and at a much earlier age than the general population.

Olivia’s mother has been diligent over the past 18 months in keeping the community up to date on Olivia’s progress. Her numerous posts on CaringBridge.com tell the long story of Olivia’s diagnosis and all that has followed.

Things look good for Olivia. Within the next month or two she’ll be able to get out of the confinements that having a weakened immune system bring.

James Eubank said it was tough at times while they were in Cincinnati. Some families didn’t get to take their children home, he confided. “There were some rough weeks with some of the families out there with lots of complications.

“She’s a lot luckier than some of the other kids,” Eubank added. There were no real problems with the transplant, and he said although she’s small for her age (she’s close to 30 pounds now), she stays on the move.

She may occasionally even torment her 12-year-old brother Caleb at times.

He has endured it, though, and like the rest of the family is grateful they live in a caring and supportive community.

A recently discovered mention in an ancient newspaper sheds new light on the subject.

The Glenvar community name probably came from Glenvar Farm, now known as Pleasant Grove, which is on the state and national historic landmarks registry. Photo by Meg Hibbert

Yet for more than a century, there has been no clear-cut explanation of exactly how the name Glenvar came to be attached to the western corner of Roanoke County. It’s simply always been Glenvar for as long as anyone can remember. In 1940 a WPA (Works Progress Administration) history of the Roanoke Valley attributed the source of the name to one Frank Harman, a farmer and businessman who lived in that community. Few have ever questioned that conclusion.

A fuller explanation, one which has become tradition, can be found in Deedie Kagey’s 1988 local history “When Past is Prologue: A History of Roanoke County.” In 1987, Kagey interviewed longtime local resident and former librarian Blanch Pedneau to ask her understanding of the name Glenvar. Kagey recorded Pedneau’s response that “the name Glenvar came in 1891 from the daughter of Frank P. Harmon, a large landowner who was originally from Floyd County. His daughter, Mary Glenvar Harmon, was often seen near the railroad stop commonly referred to as ‘Deyerle’s Switch,’ a mile or two east of Glenvar.”

This highway directional sign is at the intersection of Main Street and Wildwood Road.

Pedneau did not identify the source of her information, but we can be sure she believed it to be accurate, and Kagey recounted it in good faith. Her idea, which we’ll call the Harman Theory, has become generally accepted, published in several sources and even recounted in Roanoke County’s Glenvar Community Plan in 2011. But is it an accurate explanation of the name Glenvar? To test the Harman theory, we might ask two questions:

1) does the theory fit the evidence at hand? and

2) is there a better competing theory?

What evidence supports the Harman Theory, and particularly Pedneau’s version of it? Did Mary Harman’s presence around the railroad depot inspire the name? First, one might note that records indicate that Mary Harman was born in either 1883 or 1884, and so would have been only 8 or 9 years old in 1891. Is it likely that an 8-year-old was so frequently found at the depot, and was so prominently known, that the entire area would be named in her honor?

This Glenvar Schools lighted sign is next to the new Glenvar Branch Library.

But if we cast doubt on the Harman Theory, what can take its place? A recently discovered mention in an old Salem newspaper from 1890 may just reveal the answer.

On April 11, 1890, the Salem Times-Register reported on the sale of “Major Martin’s fine farm west of Salem” to a group of investors headed by A. H. Plecker (known locally as Salem’s first photographer) and A. W. Butler of Lynchburg. An examination of the deed in the Roanoke County courthouse indicates the purchase price was $23,000, with the exclusion of the old Deyerle Cemetery on the premises and with the Martins retaining rights to live in the house for several more months.

Most relevant to our subject, the paper reported that the name of the farm was none other than… Glenvar. The name, then, was demonstrably in use a year before the Harmans came to town. In fact, it is reasonable to assume that Martin named the farm Glenvar in 1884, when he purchased the land. Whether the Martins had some connection to the village in County Donegal is unknown.

So who was Major Martin and where was Glenvar Farm? Robert D. Martin was a Pulaski County native who moved to this area when well into his 60s; the military rank major refers not to service in the Civil War (he was too old) but to his time in the pre-war Virginia militia. His son, D. Terry Martin, would become a leading businessman, farmer and political leader in Roanoke County in coming years.

The farm and home he named Glenvar still stands, a familiar West County landmark better known today as Pleasant Grove or the Deyerle House. In 1884, Martin purchased the 358-acre property from the Deyerle family, and sold it in 1890 to Butler, Plecker and their group.

Interestingly, the group of investors then sold Glenvar a year later to none other than Franklin P. Harman. Harman, a savvy businessman, proceeded to open his store and cannery just up the road and attach the name Glenvar to them, a name he certainly took from the farm he’d just purchased. Later, a post office and railroad depot assumed the name Glenvar as well, and a community identity was born.
Harman saw little of this community development. He sold his land in 1903 and moved to Washington, D.C., where he died in 1925.

Over time the name of the majestic Deyerle house was changed from Glenvar to Pleasant Grove, and the farm was whittled down as the community grew and urbanized. Large industries and an interstate highway appeared in the neighborhood. The opening of the Glenvar schools solidified the community’s identity.

In time no one remembered where the name Glenvar came from. A librarian’s best guess became accepted legend. But had it not been for an obscure reference in an old newspaper, the origin of the name Glenvar may have been lost forever.
– By John Long, Salem Museum Director

The grant from the Community Catalyst Fund is to be used to purchase materials needed and to build and install a back stop and control fence for the Field of Dreams Diamond No. 4 which is scheduled to be ready for use this summer. According to Craig volunteer Leon McCaleb, materials have already been ordered for the project.

Joyce Ashley and Tracey Surface shovel dirt to fill in ruts at the Field of Dreams during a recent workday at the field. Submitted photo

“We moved dirt with a farm tractor and pickup trucks to fill in ruts caused by winter’s water,” McCaleb said. In addition there was a whole lot of shoveling going on by hand to fill in ruts on parts of the field that heavy equipment couldn’t be used on.

“Grass is already growing on that field, and in fact we had to mow it before we could begin work on it recently,” McCaleb added. After the field was mowed, it was aerated several times before 300 pounds of seed was put down. The field was then dragged with chain link fencing so the seed went into the aerated ground, he explained.

“We are hoping that the 5-plus inches of rain we had last week won’t cause a great deal of damage to the work we’ve already done,” McCaleb said. “We’re going to need some drying time to get back on it to determine the extent of any damage and begin work on the backstop and control fence. In some places the seed is puddled somewhat, but all we can do is wait and see.”

The $2-million multifaceted project was begun in 2006 to provide ball fields for the county’s youth because the only fields within in the county belonged to Craig County Schools. There were one or two make-shift fields in other places that served as practice fields only. The 18-acre complex that will eventually include a walking trail, access to the creek for boats and recreation, restrooms and a concession stand is vital to the community which does not have a department of parks and recreation.

Debbie Snead, coordinator of the volunteer project, stated “It hasn’t been easy in today’s economy to get this job done without the help of such organizations as Foundation for Roanoke Valley. The Town of New Castle, Craig Board of Supervisors, Farmer’s and Merchant’s Bank, Craig Fairgrounds Association, Castle and Adams Construction Company have also contributed significantly to help with the finances and equipment necessary to carry out this monumental job.

Volunteers such as Leon, Eugene Hannah, Randall Blankenship and Kenny Harden, and the support from the Craig County Recreation and Conservation Association have been invaluable.” Contributions for the project continue to be a challenge and can be sent to JoAnna Hutchison, CCR&CA Treasurer, P.O. Box 371, New Castle, VA 24127. There is still a lot to be done to get this project ready for Craig County children.