Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, January 30, 1995 TAG: 9501310002
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BILL COCHRAN
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
4 Anyone for volleyball at Snowshoe Mountain Resort?
No, the snow hasn't melted. This is snow volleyball, the wintertime version of the beach game. It is part of the Jose Cuervo Games of Winter on Saturday.
The competition also includes snowboarding, a cardboard vehicle race, a team rescue competition and snow tug of war. If all this sounds a bit demanding, there will be a singing contest at the base lodge.
The "mini-Olympics" are free and open to participants 21 or older. You can sign up the day of the event from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.
\ A school for fly fishermen
11 The members of the New River Chapter of Trout Unlimited are a hard-nosed bunch of trout fishermen. One is the author of a book on angling, a couple are fishing guides, another owns property along a trout stream.
Club members will share their knowledge Feb. 11 at the Virginia Tech Jamerson Athletic Center during an "Introduction to Fly Fishing" class, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The class will cover tackle selection, fly tying, stream tactics, fly selection, casting, knot tying, local places to fish and more. If you are interested, send a check for $75 (the fee includes lunch) made out to New River Valley Trout Unlimited to W. Miller Williams, Route 1, Box 143-W, Newport 24129. Do it soon, because space is limited. Additional information is available from Williams at 703-544-7792, or from Doug Hudgins at 703-951-9360.
\ Exploring winter's wonderland
11 Winter is no reason to give up hiking. In fact, it is a season when interesting things happen to wild areas. Naturalists will point out some of these during a 10 a.m.-to-noon workshop-hike at Virginia's Explore Park, Feb. 11. The program is designed for ages 12 and older. Advanced registration is required (427-1800) by Wednesday. There is a $5 fee.
\ Spreading a table for grouse
18 With the grouse season ending Feb. 11, what's left for a brush-worn hunter to do? Go to the seventh annual Virginia Mountains Chapter Sportsmen's Banquet.
That event is set for 6 p.m. Feb. 18 at the Tanglewood Holiday Inn. Tickets are $40 or $60 for a couple. That covers a $20 membership fee in the Ruffed Grouse Society.
The grouse banquet is patterned after Ducks Unlimited banquets, where raffles and auctions and other fun events are designed to raise money for this woodland species. Research designed to increase grouse numbers is a common goal of the society. One project is underway in the nearby Jefferson National Forest.
Tickets may be obtained from Mike Taylor, A Cleaner World, 679 Brandon Ave., Roanoke 24015, 345-2634.
\ Boat show back on track
24 The Southwest Virginia Boat Show is back in its old time slot, the last weekend of February, at the Roanoke Civic Center. The three-day show, Feb. 24-26, is viewed by many boat dealers as the beginning of the boating season. But last year it was delayed a month because of the Roanoke Express hockey season. This time, the ice will be melted for the show.
The 1994 boating year saw a thawing of its own, when the business broke out of a recession. The good sales last year will be followed by dealer enthusiasm this year, which means the show should have the best display of boats in its history.
Ticket prices have been boosted by 50 cents, to $4.50, but you won't have to pay for parking this time.
\ Elk Banquet a tough ticket
25 Four years ago, people were wondering if anyone would show up for a banquet sponsored by the fledging Blue Ridge Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Now it is one of the toughest tickets in town. In fact, with the Feb. 25 event at the Tanglewood Holiday Inn still nearly a month away, most of the 300-plus tickets are gone, said Wayne Gould, the chapter chairman. If you want to be included, call Bob Corbitt at 703-982-3588 or 800-289-2808. Tickets are $50, $75 for couples.
The foundation is dedicated to the preservation of habitat critical to elk. The banquet speaker will be Vince Yannone of the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks. His presentation is at 5 p.m., dinner begins at 7 p.m.
by CNB