LINC Letter Sep Oct Nov 2024

LINC Letter Alleghany • Elliston • Ironto • Lafayette • Shawsville Linking Individual Needs in Our Community

September/October/November 2024

Volume 26 Issue 3

Welcome New Meadowbrook Branch Manager Jessica Tabor!

O n August 31, Jessica Tabor became the new Branch Manager of the Meadowbrook Public Library. The following is a message from Jess to our Eastmont community: “I am excited and happy to be joining the Meadowbrook Public Library staff and the Eastmont community. I will officially take the role of Branch Manager of Meadowbrook Public Library as of August 31. “My most recent position was the Assistant Branch Manager at the Chris tiansburg Library, and I have been with the library since 2008. I started as the Courier and have since earned my Master’s in Library Science from San Jose State University while working full time. “I am a baking enthusiast who loves reading and spending time with my family. I can’t wait to get to know the Eastmont community and continue Cindy Minnick’s work of making the library a safe space for everyone. “Please feel free to reach out to me anytime.”

Thank you, Cindy!

On behalf of every person in the Eastmont community and beyond who has been lucky enough to know Cindy Minnick during her 38 years of service, the LINC Letter expresses deep appreciation for your dedication to making the library a special, welcoming place for everyone.

See the back of this newsletter for locations to pick up your FREE copy of the LINC Letter.

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Linking Individual Needs in our Community Project LINC is an affiliate of the Eastmont Community Foundation, a nonprofit organization. P.O. Box 425 Shawsville, Virginia 24162-0425 lincstories@gmail.com eastmontcf.com/linc-letter facebook.com/eastmont.lincletter

From the Editor ...

The LINC Team:

Tim Thornton Carroll Carr Spencer Winfrey Shirley Shorter

Phill Stevens Sarah Orrick

Just after this issue of the LINC Letter went to press, Cindy Minnick retired as branch manager of the Meadowbrook Public Library after 38 years with the Montgomery–Floyd Regional Library system. We’re going to miss her. A good library is essential to any vibrant commu nity, and Meadowbrook Public Library certainly does a good job with all the services a person might expect from a library. You can find books, ebooks, audio books, music CDs, and DVDs. The library hosts authors and experts and blood drives. It offers GED classes and a space to hold meetings. You can even get things notarized there. All that and com puters and WiFi and a knowledgeable staff that’s happy to help. That’s all good, but Meadowbrook Public Library does much more than that. Cindy has been the propelling power behind making it truly a com munity center. She established and perpetuated the annual Prom Dress Extravaganza that provides free prom dresses and accessories. She has been instrumen tal in the summer backpack program that gives youngsters in Eastern Montgomery County a chance to get nutritious food during the summers.

Jeff Christenson Sara Addington Olivia Wilbon Debbie Lafon-Sandoval Tracy Jenkins

Editor Layout Editor Treasurer Advertising Eastmont Community Foundation Rep Eastmont High School Rep Logo Design Founder Vice President Emeritus

Tim Thornton Sarah Orrick Carroll Carr Phill Stevens Sara Addington Olivia Wilbon Ophelia Battle Dale Mull Toby Simmons

SPONSORS: W. K. Kellogg Foundation Shawsville Ruritan Club

LINC Advertising Rates 1/8 page – $ 50 ... 3-5/8"W x 2-1/4"H 1/4 page – $ 85 ... 3-5/8"W x 4-5/8"H 1/2 page – $150 ... 7-5/8"W x 4-5/8"H Full page – $275 ... 7-5/8"W x 9-1/2"H Distribution of 3000 copies of your preprinted insert – $125 Call 540-230-9433

Continued on page 6

September/October/November – 2024

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Meadowbrook Public Library

Free GED Classes at Meadowbrook Public Library New River Community College is offering FREE GED classes at the Meadowbrook Library every Monday and Tuesday evening from 5 to 8 p.m. For more information or to sign up, please call New River Community Col lege at 540-674-3000, ext 3653 or the Meadowbrook Library at 540-268-1964.

Meadowbrook Public Library 267 Alleghany Springs Rd. Shawsville, VA 24162 540-268-1964 www.mfrl.org Hours of Operation: Monday–Thursday 10 am to 7 pm Friday 10 am to 5 pm

Saturday 10 am to 4 pm ALL PROGRAMS FREE

Meadowbrook Community FREE FRIDGE During regular library hours, come inside and get fresh produce and other food necessities from our Free Fridge located to the left when you walk in. Available to anyone in need, no income restric tions. Please take only what you need so this food can serve the needs of many families. Sponsored by RedSun Farms, Eastmont Commu nity Foundation, Virginia Cooperative Extension, and Shawsville Ruritan Club, with donations from Eastern Montgomery residents. We appreciate our sponsors and the Eastern Montgomery communi ty for their donations!

STORYTIMES for Young Children and Parents Thursdays at 10:30 a.m.

children’s crafts Available during library hours. We will have a variety of take-and-make craft kits. Free while supplies last.

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Meadowbrook Library (cont’d)

Talking About Books — the library’s book discussion group. • Thursday, September 12, 11 a.m. – The Other Einstein by Marie Benedict • Thursday, October 19, 11 a.m. – All the Broken Places by John Boyne

FALL HARVEST CELEBRATION Meadowbrook Library Courtyard Saturday, October 5 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Build a Scarecrow. Saturday, Septem ber 7, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Join us to make your own scarecrow! All supplies will be provided. This is a free drop-in event for kids of all ages. Registration for this event is required.

Notary Public! Do you need documents notarized? We can help! This service is available at all branches and is FREE! Call to make an appointment. Cubside Service Still Availble. Feeling sick? In a hurry? Pull around to our drive-thru and call or ring the doorbell. We will bring your holds out to you. Mark your calendar NOW! Don’t miss out on this fun-filled event. Meadowbrook Public Library is having its annual Fall Harest Celebration. Lots of free activities/ vendors/music/food. Fun for the whole family! For more information or if you would like to be a vendor, please call the library at 540-268-1964 and ask for Jessica Tabor.

International Chocolate Day. Friday, September 13, 4 to 5 p.m. Are you a fan of chocolate? Are you curious to try chocolates from around the world? Join us to learn about this sweet confection and to celebrate “International Choc

olate Day.” A variety of chocolates from around the world will be available to suample. All ages welcome. Supplies limited.

Quilting Marathon. Saturday, October 26, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Meadowbrook Quilters are hosting a quilting mara thon! The public is invited to see these skilled quiters. The

group will be working on individual projects. This is a great opportunity for you to see their handiwork. You may bring your quilting projects or questions for assistance. At the Meadowbrook Community Room. Open to all ages.

Check out our web page at www.mfrl.org for more programs.

September/October/November – 2024

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Eastmont Community Garden

Free Veggies at the Garden! We are at the garden every Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon and every Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. Stop by, say hi, and grab some veggies! Our Roma toma toes, donated by the Middle School FFA program, are great for sauces and canning. Please come by and take some and bring a friend! We are also planning a community cookout for the garden in September. Keep an eye out for that!

English Class for Beginners September means its time to go back to class! Literacy NRV’s FREE classes for adult English language learners are enrolling now — includ ing a new option in partnership with the Pu laski Community Youth Center in Fairlawn. Child care and dinner are provided. Students MUST schedule a registration ap pointment by calling 549-382-7252, texting 540-324-9313 or completing a student appli cation: www.literacynrv.org/students. • Improve Your English • Practice conversation • Learn grammar and writing • Talk with your teachers • Improve listening and reading skills Thursday evenings from 6 to 7:30 p.m., Sep tember 19 through November 21 at the Pulask Community Youth Center. Child care and dinner are provided.

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Cindy Minnick — Continued from page 1

She was instrumental in establishing a Free Fridge at the library this year. She’s been vital to the Fall Harvest Festival and the Tomato Festival. She’s famous for her fried green tomatoes, her indefati gable energy, and her cheery disposiition. All that good work has gotten her some recogni tion, including the Kiwanis Club of Montgomery County–Blacksburg’s Teilmann Youth Services Award and the Eastmont Community Foundation Volunteer of the Year Award. She and her team even won the Virginia Association of Counties Achievement Award for the Montgomery–Floyd Regional Library and Montgomery County. She was the parade marshal at this year’s Fourth of July parade. That’s still not enough thanks for Cindy, who served this community so well from the first day she drove a bus-sized bookmobile until the last day she managed Meadowbroook Public Library. Thanks, Cindy. Enjoy your retirement.

Listen Up!

by Tim Thornton

September & October Music Beans & Banjos has evolved into a once-a-year event, but you can still hear some of the musicians who played at Beans & Banjos at some other venues. Here are some upcoming shows: • New River Bound will play a the Beaver Dam Farm Sunflower Festival in Buchanan on Sunday, September 15 from 10 a.m. to noon. • Tim Thornton will be playing during Americana Afternoons at the Floyd Country Store at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 28. • The Indian Run String Band will be playing for the Harvest Party Square Dance at Rising Silo in Blacks burg that evening from 6 to 9 p.m.. • Mike Gangloff and Kaily Schenker with Liam Grant, Devon Flaherty, and Grayson McGuire are playing at the Newport Community Center in Giles County at 7 p.m. on Friday, October 4. • The Lovely Mountaineers will play during the Fall Harvest Festival at Meadowbrook on Saturday, Octo ber 5. • Mike Gangloff, Kaily Schenker, and Matt Peyton will be appearing with violinist and violist Jack Bird of Nashville at Rising Silo in Blacksburg from 6 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, October 19. If you, your church, your band, your cousin’s band, or any other group with some connection to East Mont is hosting or playing any kind of music the public is invited to hear, let us know at lincstories@gmail.com. If anyone in East Mont is hosting such music, let us know that too. We’ll include that information in our emailed LINC updates.

September/October/November – 2024

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12th Annual GREAT ROAD ENCAMPMENT Living History Encampment 1700-1840 October 19th & 20th, 2024 Saturday 9AM-5PM Sunday 9AM-3PM Free Admission (Donations Welcome)

ld Town Printing Bringing Great Ideas To Print COMMERCIAL PRINTER

• Flyers • Postcards • Programs

• Brochures • Banners • Booklets • Business Cards • Office forms • Coupons • Invitations & Notecards • Labels and Decals • Manuals • Newsletters

Demonstrations by Living History Reenactors. Presentations on the history of The Great Road plus we will have The West Virginia Company of Roger's Rangers and More. Demonstrations Include: Flintlock Muskets, Camp Cooking, Knife and Tomahawk Throwing, Leather Work, Blacksmithing, 18th Century Clothing, Spinning, Weaving and More.

• Mailings • Magnets • Rubber Stamps • Stationery • Signs • Posters • Tickets • Rack Cards • Custom items

Location: East Montgomery Park Beside the Elliston Fire Department 5001 Enterprise Drive Elliston, Virginia

• Notepads • Envelopes

Sponsored by: Montgomery County Parks and Recreation - Fort Vause Out Þ tters Great Road Craft Guild - Seams Colonial and other Private Donors For more information, Call: Henry Bryant 540-380-3469 greatroadencampment@gmail.com A Brief History of The Great Road The Great Road was the main thoroughfare going west to the Frontier. It was traveled by the likes of George Washington, Daniel Boone, Andrew Lewis, William Preston, Adam Harman, the Ingles and Draper families. This Event honors all who passed through the Valleys of Southwest Virginia in the quest for a better life. (RAIN OR SHINE)

19 West Main St • Christiansburg 540.382.6793 MyJob@otprint.com www.otprint.com

OTPrint

otprint.com

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LINC Letter

Visit us for coffee and conversation and to view our exhibits, or contact us at mbm@meadowbrookmuse um.org to make a special appointment. Visit our online shop at meadowbrookmuseum.org/ shop to purchase prints by local artists and our two popular books: Voices from Eastern Montogmery County, Virginia and Senior Citizens of Montgomery County, Virginia.

Railroad Exhibit Continues!

The museum’s Railroad Exhibit, which opened in mid-August, will continue through September. Stop by any Saturday morning and check it out: old train artifacts, rail magazines, photos, and more. A feast for railroad buffs! The Meadowbrook Museum is located at 267 Allegany Spring Road in Shawsville, next to the Meadowbrook Public Library. We are open every Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon.

Attention NRV Artists! Show your work at Gray Gallery located in the Meadowbrook Center. Email studioappal@gmail.com for more information. Gray Gallery Is an inclusive community art space.

September/October/November – 2024

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Art at the Gazebo — a picturesque evening! Thanks to everyone who came out to support the Meadowbrook Museum at this fun event!

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Want more good things to happen in your neighborhood? JOIN THE RURITAN CLUB! Organizations and activities supported by the Shawsville Ruritan Club include: • Shawsville Streetlight Fund • Median mowing and trash pickup • EMHS — two annual scholarships to graduating seniors, track & field programs, choral group trip, Future Business Leaders of America competition trip • SMS — Field Day (Mustang Madness) • EMES — Backpack Program to supplement food at home

• Boy Scouts of America • Meadowbrook Museum • Literacy NRV

• Eastmont Community Foundation • Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center • Salvation Army

Join us as our guest on the 2nd Thursday of the month at White Memorial Church in Shawsville. Enjoy a home-cooked meal with neighbors and friends and learn about how you can help make our community better! Email melindasmith1744@gmail.com.

September/October/November – 2024

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LINC Letter

What’s Happening in Our Schools?

Some of the booths included: • Corn hole boards by the Junior Beta Club • Ring toss by the Boys & Girls Club • DUI goggles by New River Valley Communtity Service counselors • Pictures by Ms. Comer (EMES Principal) • Mustang tattoos by the SMS and EMHS cheerleaders • Soccer kick by Devon Reynolds • Tug of war by the Student Council • Balloon toss by WyldLife • Sponge squeeze by Brandy Cole • Pizza box relay by Elizabeth Lafferty and Brandy Hutchison • Football toss by Jonathan Hagee and Carroll Carr • Fun board games by C.J. Kostenblatt • Popcorn by Colton and Raylan Conner and Eastern Montgomery Pianists • Matt and Katie Schendel, who helped with a booth

“Our Future, Our Children of Eastern Mont gomery County” Community Day for EMES, SMS, and EMHS students turned out to be a big success. This event was the brainchild of Carolyn Hale. Ayden Gravley, EMHS 2024 graduate, played the National Anthem on his trombone. A special thanks to the EMES and SMS PTO who sponsored the mechanical bull and the dunk tank. Those who helped with the dunk tank — Boys & Girls Club, Kirk Litton, Andrew Cole, Arlis Conner, and Christina Hales. Also, a shout out to Primo Water Company for donating water for the event. The EMHS Boosters (Deeann Bruce, Stacy Boone) provided the hot dogs. Others who helped with the concessions included Judy Kessinger and Jamie Conner. Thanks to everyone for making this a special day!

September/October/November – 2024

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What’s Happening in Our Schools?

Eastmont High School Welcomes New (and Returning) Teachers

Maggie Rusgrove is beyond excited to be returning to Eastmont this year! This will be her ninth year teaching and her fifth year at EMHS after a three-year stint with Botetourt County Public Schools. When Mrs. Rusgrove is not teaching math, she enjoys reading, camping, hiking, and other outdoor activities with her husband, three daughters, and three puppies. She is looking ahead to an awsome year and is excited to be coming home. GO MUSTANGm

Jeanette Orroyo is thrilled to be educating at Eastmont and Shawsville Middle School. As an Educator of Leadership for most of her life, Dr. Arroyo switched her career to invest directly in our community. She is originally from Puerto Rico and for 13 years lived in Virginia. For three years, she taught Spanish, Cultural Geography, and World Cultures with Botetourt County Public Schools. You will find that Dr. Arroyo teaches her classes with passion, excitement, and a lot of movement, so BE READY! Her hob bies include traveling, spending time with family, cooking, and singing! She is happily married, and through their love they were blessed with a son who will be in college this year and a daughter who will be a high school junior. Dr. Arroyo says she is ready to get involved in our community and excited about this amazing opportunity. Let’s learn Spanish, Mustangs!

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What’s Happening in Our Schools?

Shawsville Middle School Welcomes New Mustang Teachers

Hayley Hansen, General Music Teacher

Brandy Hutcchison, full-time Reading Specialist

Alysha Bates, Spanish Teacher

Amanda Vogler, Nurse

David French, Custodian

Amanda Jones, Special Education Paraprofessional

Alysha Bates, Art Teacher

September/October/November – 2024

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What’s Happening in Our Schools?

White Memorial United Methodist Church and Open Door Baptist Church brought all kinds of book bags and school supplies to share with SMS for the new school year.

Congratulations SMS Junior Beta Club Students!

Congratulations to the SMS Junior Beta Club students on their successful trip to Savannah, Georgia to compete at the National Junior Beta Convention! Students competed in a variety of academic and visual arts competitions, including Meeting of the Minds, a problem-solving and engineering competition, and Reimagine, Recreate, Recycle, a challenge where students had to build a transportation technology model using only recycled materials. Brayden Kingery and Gracie Walker both placed in the Top 10 of their competition categories, with Brayden bringing home a sixth place finish for his digitally enhanced photography piece and Gracie finishing seventh over all in jewelry design. While on the trip, SMS Betas visited the beach at Tybee Island and explored the museums and sights of historic downtown Savannah. The students even got the chance to meet King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of Holland while they were visiting the city as part of a diplomatic tour, and made the news! To check out the article, visit https://tinyurl.com/savannahnews. The Beta Club would like to thank the Eastmont Community Foundation and the SMS PTO for their generous financial support, which made the trip possible.

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What’s Happening in Our Schools?

Beta Club Students (continued)

Meeting of the Minds Group (L to R): Makenzie Work, Avery Gibson, Kenzie Dunbar, and Carly Davidson posing with one of the props from this year’s Beta Convention theme, “A Voyage of Adventure.”

Group Photo (L to R): Mrs. Ollis, Brayden Kingery, Mrs. Conner, Mrs. Dunbar, Kellan Stewart, Nate Ollis, Grayson Welcher, Avery Gibson, Kenzie Dunbar, Brookelyn Kingery, Raylan Conner, Carly Davidson, Hunter Neuhs, Lexi Perkins, Gracie Walker, Mrs. Drew, Owen Lafon, and Mr. Kingery, posing during their bike tour outside the fountain in Savannah’s Forsyth Park

Reimagine, Recreate, Recycle Group (L to R): Grayson Welcher, Nate Ollis, Kellan Stewart, Hunter Neuhs, and Owen Lafon, posing with their aircraft carrier the USS Mustang .

Brayden Kingery

Gracie Walker

September/October/November – 2024

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What’s Happening in Shawsville Middle School?

The Caring Closet

Dear SMS Community: We are pleased to offer a new and exciting resource to the SMS community. We recently opened The Caring Closet to help supply our community with high-need items like clothing and nonperishable food. These items are donated by community members and stored in a separate room in SMS. The Caring Closet contains the following items: • Youth to small adult clothing • Coats

Individuals wanting to pick up or donate goods have a separate entrance behind SMS, which will help eas ily move items. If you want to know if certain goods are still available, schedule a pick-up, or donate goods, please get in touch with the counseling office at 540-268-2262, ext. 1. A special thanks to the following community mem bers for contributing clothing, food, and other items to The Caring Closet: Eliana Brammer, Miriam Centimore, Jude and Rigby Rodrigues, Joyce and Warren Walker, Heather and Chris Wlaker, Gracie Walker, Olivia Wilbon, Cindy Minnick of the Mead owbrook Library, Hannah Eder, and many others.

• Nonperishable food • Hygiene products

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Scenes from the Fourth!

September/October/November – 2024

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Scenes from the Fourth!

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Cover Story: Welcome Jessica Tabor......................Page 1 From the Editor........................................................Page 2 Meadowbook Library...........................................Pages 3–4 Eastmont Community Garden..................................Page 5 Literacy NRV............................................................Page 5 Listen Up!.................................................................Page 6 Meadowbrook Museum..........................................Page 8-9 What’s Happening in Our Schools?..................Page 12-17 Scenes from the Fourth.........................................Page 18

Where to Find the LINC Letter Pick up your free copy at these distribution points:

Elliston Eastern Montgomery Elementary School Eastern Montgomery High School Eastmont Thrift Store Elliston Food Mart Dixie Caverns Camino Viejo Mexican Grill Rowe Furniture

Christiansburg Kroger

Shawsville Meadowbrook Public Library Waldron Fitness Center Meadowbrook Museum Carilion Clinic Shawsville Family Dentistry Shawsville Pharmacy Shawsville Middle School E&E Automotive Rosie’s Beauty Shop Hot Stuff Pizza & Chopz

Ace Hardware Literacy NRV Volunteer Montgomery

Shawnee Market Hale’s Restaurant Valero Wyatt’s County Store Bello Transportation