Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 19, 1992 TAG: 9203190385
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: N-10 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The picture of Jim Williams in the Feb. 6 Neighbors edition certainly was familiar to me. Soon I recognized him as a member of Boy Scout Troop 580 at the Roanoke County Occupational School, where he was a student for a half-dozen years and where I have been the Scoutmaster for the past eight years.
Boy Scout Troop 580 is a unique operation. First, because of the double disabilities under which the young boys function, and secondly, because of the program that is available to them. In addition to a meeting each month, the troop schedules field trips into the mountains and wilderness areas five to seven times during the school year, weather permitting. Thus far this year, Troop 580, accompanied by two to four teachers, has hiked in the Bennett Springs end of Carvins Cove to the exit tunnel that brings water from Catawba Creek through Tinker Mountain to the cove; at Bobblets Gap on the Blue Ridge Parkway; and at Carvins Cove, around the edge of the lake to the exposed site of a dairy barn and silo.
The ultimate achievement is the annual walk to the top of Tinker Mountain through Angles Gap, the same trail taken by Col. George Washington when he visited this area in 1756.
Because of their disabilities, some of the Scouts may not have had the opportunity. But for this bounty, we can thank the Boy Scouts and the teachers and staff of the Roanoke County Occupational School. And also Ruth Wade, who procured a school bus on very short notice, thus assuring us of at least one hike.\ T.C. Fisher Jr.\ Scout leader and former member of the Roanoke County School Board
by CNB