Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 6, 1995 TAG: 9504130004
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: W-14 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
NEW CASTLE - The Virginia Department of Transportation will study a request to widen sections of Virginia 658, which run near the borders of Giles and Montgomery counties.
During Monday's board of supervisors meeting, Chairman Zane Jones presented a petition calling for improvements to the mountainous stretch to a VDOT representative. The petition contains about 250 signatures.
Scott Hodge, assistant resident engineer for the highway department, said the request will be studied.
Jones' request calls for widening portions of the narrow roadway "in areas where meeting oncoming traffic is extremely hazardous." The request also zeroes in on a stretch between John's Creek and Virginia 42. In other business, the board authorized County Administrator Stephen Carter to apply for a planning grant to complete a study on downtown revitalization in New Castle. With an application deadline of April 14, the supervisors gave their approval for the grant application contingent on town officials concurring on the project.
Carter said the results of the study will be a basis for applying for future grants to actually do the revitalization work.
- STEWART MacINNIS
MDA car show raises $33,000
The 15th Annual Muscular Dystrophy Association's Car Show for area MDA families set attendance records and raised $33,000 for local families in Southwest and Central Virginia.
All money raised from the event will be used to provide program services to local MDA families. Services include a monthly clinic at the Rehabilitation Center of Roanoke Memorial Hospital, support groups, therapy, assistance with wheelchair purchases, research and MDA Summer Camp for children and neuromuscular disease.
Housing authority offering repair loans
The Roanoke Redevelopment and Housing Authority has begun the Owner-Occupied Rehab Program to provide low- to moderate-income individuals with affordable loans for home improvements and repairs.
Through the program, the authority will assist individuals in making needed repairs to roofs, porches, windows, heating systems, ceilings or floors, and items that will enhance the livability and comfort of their home. Loans are offered at below market rates and free projected planning and supervision by construction specialists will also be provided.
To be eligible for the program, residential owner-occupied properties must be located within a Conservation or Rehab District designated by the city of Roanoke. In addition, the combined household income, adjusted for family size, may not exceed 80% of the median area income.
For application information, please contact Clarice Walker 983-9254, or Marnie Church 983-9243.
Mental illness group presents awards
The Alliance for the Mentally Ill, Roanoke Valley chapter, presented service awards at its 10th anniversary meeting recently.
Steve Clemons earned the Outstanding Consumer Service award for educating the community about mental illness, and contributing to various boards, including the Mental Health Association and On Our Own boards.
The alliance awarded Helen Dasse the Community Services Award for her work with the alliance and contributions made during her job as director of adult services, Blue Ridge Community Services.
Warren Simpson accepted the Volunteer of the Year award for his "dedication and compassion for people" and his management and interpersonal skills.
The award for Community Outreach was given to St. Gerard's Catholic Church Choir and Dick Hamlen, director, for their participation in the alliance's candlelight vigil observance of Mental Illness Awareness Week last October.
Legislators recognized for their public service by supporting legislation concerning people with mental illness and their families, were Dels. Richard Cranwell, Morgan Griffith, Vic Thomas, Chip Woodrum and Sen. Malfourd "Bo" Trumbo.
Geoff Seamans, editorial writer for the Roanoke Times & World-News, earned the Media Coverage award for his part in combating the stigma against the mentally ill with his editorial about Nobel Prize winner Dr. John F. Nash Jr.
In other action, the alliance also re-elected the following officers: Mildred Willis, president; June Poe, vice president; Warren Simpson, treasurer; and Shonna Allen, secretary.
Elderscholar program enrolling participants
Roanoke College is enrolling participants for its Elderscholarship program to be held June 13- 15.
This year, the group will study "The Southern Decorative Arts: Visual and 3-Dimensional" as it tours historic Winston-Salem, N.C. Participants will ride a horse-drawn carriage through the streets of Old Salem, reside in the historic Brookstown Inn and dine in an early 19th century Moravian atmosphere at the Old Salem Tavern. Visits to several landmarks will also be featured, including: Old First Baptist Church in Galax; Grayson County Courthouse; Shatley Springs; St. Mary's Episcopal Church in West Jefferson, N.C.; historic Bethabara Park, site of the first Moravian settlement in North Carolina; Southeastern Center for Contemporary Arts; Reynolds Village and the Reynolds House-Museum of American Art; and the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts.
For more information or to make reservations, please call the Center for Community Education & Special Events at 375-2206.
Ferrum alumni collect for food bank
The Roanoke Valley Chapter of Ferrum College Alumni collected 436 pounds of food for the Southwest Virginia Food Bank recently.
Alumni involved in the project were: Jane Blankenship, Floyd Boone, Lisa Crawford, Chris Eberhard, Raif Hastings, Anne Journell, Anne Millehan, Eric Parks, Rob Wade, Linda Waybright and Janice Wright. Jamie Lee, a student at the school, also contributed.
Junior League offering scholarships
The Junior League of the Roanoke Valley is accepting applications for The Mary Terry Goodwin Kuyk scholarship, which is awarded each year to students who volunteer in the community and are academically successful.
The league will award two scholarships this year; one to a young woman and one to a young man. Each scholarship is worth $1,000.
The stipend is for high school seniors who have shown outstanding participation in volunteer service and academic success for the last four years.
Applications are available at all high school guidance offices. The deadline is April 30.
Winners will be selected in early May. For more information, contact Anne Hagan 774-6976 or the Junior League Office at 774-3242.
Driving classes for seniors available
Senior citizens in Vinton will have the opportunity to participate in a "55 Alive" Mature Driving class later this month.
The class will be held in two sessions on April 25 and 27. Each session is four hours.
Seniors can sign up at the Senior Center, which is on the grounds of the Vinton War Memorial.
The driving class is one of many events held each month at the center. Other events include crafts projects, luncheons, shopping trips and daylong and overnight bus trips.
March of Dimes needs walkers for fund-raiser
The Blue Ridge Chapter of March of Dimes is seeking team and individual walkers for the 25th annual WalkAmerica to help raise funds to help prevent birth defects and infant mortality.
Registration for this year's WalkAmerica will begin at 8:15 a.m. on April 30. The walk will begin at 9 a.m. at the National Guard Armory on Reserve Avenue. Prizes will be awarded for the individual raising the most money, the school raising the most, the oldest walker, the organization team and the business teams raising the most money.
Those interested in organizing teams from their organization can obtain information from the March of Dimes office in Roanoke. For more information, call 989-8030.
by CNB