Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, May 25, 1995                   TAG: 9505250082
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: RAY REED
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

HOLIDAY SACRIFICED FOR SNOW

C.M., Roanoke County

A: Yes, school did start in August to allow for snow days.

However, one snow day still needs to be made up.

May 29 was scheduled as a holiday, but it also was designated a makeup day if needed, said Jim Gallion, assistant superintendent.

It's needed. County schools missed three days because of weather, and only two makeup days have been held: Feb. 3 and March 24.

Going to school May 29 keeps county schools on schedule to close June 8. That's the same day Salem schools will close and six days earlier than Roanoke.

Roanoke schools were not allowed to open before Labor Day because they missed fewer than 10 snow days the previous year.

Delicate salvage

Q: Why will it take 10 years and cost $200,000 to raise the Confederate submarine that was found recently in the Charleston, S.C., harbor?

T.D., Daleville

A: Neither the cost nor that time frame is likely to prove correct.

The hand-cranked vessel, which proved submarine warfare was possible, is too hot an item to leave in the water any longer than necessary.

The cost of $200,000 is a standard ocean salvage figure, but the submarine is a treasured historic artifact in delicate condition.

Expect a year to be spent on researching the submarine's condition and construction, and on talking to recovery experts about the best way to raise the sub in one piece.

The actual recovery operation shouldn't take more than 10 days, said Mark Newell of the University of South Carolina. He didn't know what the recovery will cost, but it could be twice the $200,000 figure.

The 40-foot sub was built in the shape of a standard boiler of the 1840s with some pretty sophisticated modifications.

The hull is believed to be 1/4-inch metal plate, which is fairly thin, Newell said.

The submarine Hunley sank the U.S. warship Housatonic during the Charleston blockade in February 1864. The Hunley and its crew never returned from the mission. Searchers reported its discovery May 11.

Store still planned

Q: I live in the Daleville area and usually have to shop so far from home that I need to take a cooler for the food. We heard several months ago that Food Lion is coming to our area, but when? There are "for sale" signs at its site.

G.G., Buchanan

A: Food Lion's plans haven't changed, but it hasn't signed the deal yet, a spokeswoman said.

The real-estate signs are for land adjoining the site just south of Daleville.

Got a question about something that might affect other people, too? Something you've come across and wondered about? Give us a call at 981-3118. Maybe we can find the answer.