Tag Archive

Kite festival gets blue skies

SALEM – Clear blue skies and a brisk wind made for a perfect weekend as a huge crowd attended the 15th annual Blue Ridge Kite Festival at Green Hill Park in Roanoke County. The festival welcomed cars from several nearby states along with the kite kids of all ages who attend every year from... »

Year of the Snake arrives

SALEM – Four-year-old Jolena Hylton bravely fanned a furry red lion with a colorful Chinese fan before shrinking in mock fear when her dad donned the costume and pretended to swallow her. The Year of the Snake had arrived, nine days earlier than the Jan. 10 calendar date. The occasion was the fifth annual... »

Inauguration provides lifetime excitement for Salem residents

WASHINGTON, DC – Even though she took photographs, the images from Monday’s inauguration of President Barack Obama are etched on her mind. “It was one of those things you don’t really have to take pictures to remember it,” Salem High School senior Sarah Gobble said. Gobble and her mother, Katie Elmore, had seats at... »

Giving identity to forgotten people

SALEM, VA. – Christina Budd follows spidery handwriting faded to walnut brown in giant ledgers of birth records from the mid-1860s. She’s doing detective work to give identity to forgotten people. The Randolph College senior spent her Christmas break searching old record books in the Roanoke County Courthouse for the Salem Museum, looking for... »

From courtroom to classroom – teacher arrests attention

SALEM – Students sit riveted as as Diane Brogan, Roanoke College sociology and public affairs teaching associate, paints a vivid picture of the social justice system with her characteristic candor. Discussions are lively and questions fly as Brogan skillfully leads students in her Juvenile Delinquency class, just one of her sociology courses offered at... »

Southard receives Charles Brown Award

SALEM – Twenty-two-year-old Eric Southard watched his mother receive Roanoke College’s Charles Brown Award for Community Service on Oct. 2, and pronounced it “pretty cool.” “She’s a pretty remarkable lady,” said the James Madison University senior. “She’s done a lot with her life.” Sally Southard was recognized for her contribution to Salem’s quality of... »

Gun supporters turn out for NRA field office opening

SALEM – Young gun enthusiast Richelle Hollenbach explained succinctly why she came to the grand opening of the NRA field office in Salem. “I like to go hunting and fishing,” said the 10-year-old who is a self-described tomboy. Richelle was among about 50 gun rights supporters on Sept. 14, including Craig County residents Lanier... »

Wanting to be Chinese

When I was little, I wanted to be Chinese. I tried taping up the corners of my eyes, and wondered how someone could bind their feet. Later I learned what a cruel and painful process foot binding was, and why wealthy husbands wanted wives who could not toddle far from them. My fascination with... »

Mongolian Phi Beta Kappa’s goal is to help her country’s economy

When she arrived four years ago, Mongolian student Nomin spoke little English. Now she is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate from Roanoke College, with honors, and is looking forward to learning more in environmental studies so she can go back home to help her country use its resources wisely. “We have a great deal... »

92-year-old charged with molesting youths 40 years ago

BOTETOURT COUNTY – A Botetourt County grand jury returned five indictments against Guy “Tex” Ritter of Salem Monday on child molestation charges that date to incidents in 1970 and 1971. According to Botetourt Commonwealth’s Attorney Joel Branscom, the incidents allegedly occurred at a time when Ritter, now 92, was serving at least one Lutheran... »