National Night Out August 7th and Funeral for The Wicked Witch of Countryside

I found a UTube clip titled "Funeral at Countryside". It gave me the idea to have a ceremony after putting the feed on Tuesday evening. The winner of the naming contest will be announced. The "noname" wicked witch will be present at the ceremony to accept her name/fate. We will then have a procession in full regalia (all wearing our Save Countryside T-Shirts) carrying her with us as we walk the Ranch and Mattaponi gauntlet. We will then stop at the Save Countryside Banner for a moment of silence, stick (name here) into the ground beside the banner wearing the Countryside T-Shirt. Have her pointing at the banner and leave her there to whatever fate may befall her. Oh, the humanity!

A present for Newt ...

Can you spot them here?.

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Easy pickin's for a skilled golf ball hunter like Newt and his trusty staff. I got tangled up in butterfly bushes and whatever else I have not controled this year due to the demands of my second unpaid job. Newt, you better come get them as it is now public knowledge that these gemstones have been unearthed. Thanks for all your help, dude!

Pilgrims

Pilgrims

There is a muscular energy in sunlight corresponding to the spiritual energy of wind.
Annie Dillard

A Pilgrim at Tinker Creek

Annie Dillard penned those words in her Pulitzer Prize book, A Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, in 1974. At the time she was writer in residence at Hollins College and spent hours upon hours sitting beside that ordinary stream. I read her book shortly thereafter, and it had a profound impact on me.

First I felt a keen sense of community pride in knowing that Annie Dillard wrote that internationally acclaimed book right here in the Roanoke Valley. One of my best friends was living in faculty housing at Hollins back then and would frequently go with Annie to just hang out by the creek with her. She even was mentioned in the book several times. I thought that was so cool.

Even more importantly, that book impacted the way I perceived my environment. Growing up beside the Kinsey Dairy which later became Arrowood (Countryside), I was used to traipsing around the course as my father played rounds of golf. While he played, I wandered the wilder sections just off the fairways.

Before Annie’s book, I already found great enjoyment in finding living treasures under the flight path of the Piedmont DC-3’s and later Boeing 707’s. I’d see all types of snakes and invariably all of them were misidentified as copperheads or water moccasins (There are no poisonous water snakes in these parts). I’d surprise red foxes and even the more shy grey foxes as they slinked around the seventeenth hole. All manner of birds flitted around, singing atop their lungs. My favorite birds were the Meadowlarks. They’re hard to come by these days, but back then, they’d nest in the grassy rough areas beside twelfth hole fairway. Their brown-speckled white eggs were tough to spot nestled in the tall grasses. Nice bass and catfish swam in the sixteenth hole lake and good-sized perch there made for some excellent fishing afternoons. The lake at the seventh tee and sixth green had some of the largest bullfrogs hiding in their mud holes on the shore. I’d walk past those big 'ole frogs, and they would let out resonating burps before diving into their mud homes. I never was quick enough to catch them. Over at the second hole pond, snapping turtles ruled the water like alligators. Frankly, I was always scared of them. Dillard’s book made me realize how rich and fragile this living world really is.

As a judgment day looms, I find myself sitting back and wondering why I care so deeply about saving Countryside. In the end my best response to myself is that if I don’t stand up and be counted, then I’d always live to regret it. Countryside is more than a golf course and recreation space to me. It’s a living wild society co-existing with Man’s mechanical world. That society has endured the scars of Man; planes, roads, homes, and golfers. It’s learned to adapt to all of that. But the changes being contemplated by our city leaders this time, if enacted, would permanently erase that society.

There’s an avenue that is being ignored by the city, however. Countryside is a gem; a rough one, but one that only needs polishing. Wise city planners could use the existing space as a recreational hub that would utilize the existing beauty of the land coupled with the accessibility of the tract for its citizens’ benefit. Such a recreational plan, which includes golf, tennis, swimming and recreation center, need not permanently pave over the existing environment.

So as decision time nears, I say very loudly to anyone reading this: SAVE COUNTRYSIDE!

It is horrifying that we have to fight our own government to save the environment.
Ansel Adams

Letter to Editor

Jim Skinner of Roanoke had a letter to the editor posted in today's Roanoke Times.

In the letter Jim brings up several excellent points. One of his primary points is that many localities have municipal golf courses for their citizens. According to his research, Virginia Beach alone has eleven courses and Fairfax has nine.

Mr. Skinner also suggested that the course be restored and upgraded to take advantage of opportunities for tournament action and play from visitors and business people.

His greatest point in my opinion is...

Once this course is developed, it will be gone forever.

Close Encounters at Countryside

The Countryside Neighborhood has been stuck in the Twilight Zone for over 2 years now and it is wearing thin on all of us. We struggle to enjoy this treasured green space while still wondering what will become of us. Though the August 1st deadline looms large and the development team will be meeting with City Administration any day now we will not be privy to the discussion nor will we have a place at the table. Will there yet be another deadline extension? It has been almost a year since these developers submitted their response to the RFP (Request For Proposal) put out by City Administration. This Video is meant to amuse while presenting a satirical view of the insanity of building residences in the Roanoke Regional Airport overflight area and in the 65 DNL noise contour. The FAA discourages residential land use and considers a golf course a compatible land use for property this close to an airport runway. The VDOA website states that a municipality is opening themselves up to lawsuits by ignoring their citizens safety and not protecting unsuspecting citizens unaware their purchase is so close to an airport runway and the noise associated with aircraft flying overhead. Not to mention the guide lights that flash blindingly during poor visibility as demonstrated in this video.

It's a foggy night at Countryside

Runway 6 guide lights flashing towards the 12th green

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The Little House on the 13th tee blocks a guide light.

Close Encounters of the Third Kind on Runway 6 Approach
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This evening was one of those foggy nights here at Countryside Golf Course. The neighborhood was enveloped by very heavy wet air that activates the brightening of the guide lights on the approach to runway 6 at the corner of Ranch and Lewiston. This is where you golfers cross from the 12th green to the 13th tee. The brightening of the flashing strobe-like guide lights have to be experienced on a foggy night like this to get the full effect. The heavy air meeting the intensified brightness of the guide lights is almost 4th of Julyish. The first picture was taken from my patio. The second picture is of the little outhouse at the 13th tee location with a guide light flashing behind it? Sight of a fatal airplane crash in 1994 - CLICK HERE FOR ARTICLE. I'm sure someone will comment here on its real use of this little house for this non-golfer. The third picture is right out of the movie - "Close Encounters of the Third Kind". It is the little ships making way for the mother ship. Won't the new home owners be surprised when their living rooms and bedrooms light up for the first time one foggy night? Video to come later as I just returned from the mother ship and am feeling a bit disoriented.

The People Speak

The Petition

For months now, we’ve been trumpeting the message: “SAVE COUNTRYSIDE!” All we can say is that Roanoke has responded! Our community wants to save the course and utilize the green space as a golf and recreational area for the entire city.

Our online petition offers a unique public comment area. We’ve taken those comments and presented them here.

Countryside is an incredible asset to the entire Roanoke Valley and needs to be preserved and developed as a recreational facility for the Northwest section of the city. "Developing" the Countryside property as a residential/business area is shortsighted and destructive.

This is the perfect use for this property. Adding more people under will create liability for any builder, realtor, and the city in the future as I have seen it happen elsewhere with a crash and as planes get nosier.

THE ONLY REASON WE MOVED TO OUR LOCATION WAS THE GOLF COURSE. WE ARE CERTAIN WITHOUT ANY DOUBT THAT KEEPING A GOLF COURSE INTHIS LOCATION WITH SWIMMING AND TENNIS AND OTHER RECREATIONAL POSSIBILITIES WOULD BE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF ALL THE PEOPLE IN THE SURROUNDING CITY AREA AND FOR OUR FUTURE CHILDREN GROWING UP. THIS REALLY WOULD BE A WASTE TO DESTROY THE POSSIBILITIES.

Save the course!

Having a municipal golf course would be a great addition to the Parks and Rec. Dept!

No comment should be necessary; it obvious that the area should remain a golf course and other amenities updated and upgraded.

We definitely need indoor tennis courts on that side of town

Whether or not Countryside has a name change - the city of Roanoke would lose out by not keeping it as a public golf course. I've noticed that the staff at Countryside is afraid to spend any extra money to maintain the upkeep on the course now because they don't know what will happen there next.

I grew up in NW and have never moved far from my early beginnings. We need a recreational area in the NW, Why are we being left out from the city planning?

One of the things that was mentioned regarding the uniqueness and genuine beauty of Roanoke, when being named All American City, was the allure of the Countryside gold course. Located so snugly, yet effortlessly convenient, but it adds a nuance to a city the size of Roanoke, that most Major cities NEVER achieve. When I supported the 'development' of countryside, I as many of my friend ASSUMED they meant, taking our jewel of a golf course, and developing it into a diamond of a golf course. New club house, fixing the wonderful pool and indoor tennis courts to their previous luster. NONE of us THOUGHT the city was thinking of creating anything other than a better golf course. With what we have seen in areas of Roanoke where some of the most beautiful homes ever built are starting to fall into decay, or be destroyed, (another beauty that made Roanoke what it is),... we need to go back and review ways to save those precious works of art. Somehow, the leadership of Roanoke seems to believe that the only way to generate revenues, improve our ability to draw in new business etc, etc,....is to destroy the things that MADE Roanoke considered "the best kept secret in the US'.... and SHOEHORN as many new projects as possible, into the smallest spaces. (i.e. New Art Museum) A project that ballooned from a few million to over 40 million I hear? Wouldn't make more since to build a Five million dollar museum, and put 35 million dollars of great art into it? Same mentality is being used for the golf course. If we can shoehorn several hundred houses into it, we can get this amount of revenue. I have run business' since I was 20 years old, ...and I can tell you, ... Smart use of money collect beats rampant spending every time. Stop this direction, use my tax money in a way that IMPROVES the STANDARD of living for each resident, ...and no the NUMBERS of residents living. This too will provide the revenues needed.

This is the best use of this land.

Don't forget that they can still turn the course into an Arnold Palmer signature course and bring in The PGA & LPGA for tournaments which the revenue would be astronomical just for the City motels alone.

I remember Countryside very well from my undergraduate days at VT. It would be a shame to lose it.

Please pay attention to us and do the right thing for once. The lovely thing about the Roanoke Valley is that we have so many wonderful amenities within minutes, Countryside being one of the major assets. Please don't turn Roanoke into another no class Podunk town.

Keep the property as a golf course. Improve it and its associated amenities and it will pay for itself many times over, as well as providing a recreation area for area citizens and an attraction for visitors. Imagine ...a city owned entity that pays for itself and provides many avenues of recreation.

Keep the property as a Golf Course and improve on it.

I live on the golf course, so I have a personal interest. The City should not be in the Real Estate business to begin with.

I think the Name should remain Countryside and Name the signature hole after Roy Stanley.

I am in full agreement with this petition. Keep the golf course alive! It is always a pleasure to play there, and who better to name the course after than Roy Stanley. He gave so much to this community.

This is a great opportunity for Roanoke City to have a great Municipal Golf Course near the Airport and a major shopping area for Southwestern Virginia. It will not only be a good recreational area for Roanoke City citizens but an additional draw for tourism.

I live in Vinton now, but grew up in Roanoke and graduated from Fleming in 1978. Roanoke Country Club is only about 1 mile from Countryside. Why don't they put new housing and businesses there?

I agree with what was written and will be glad to sign any petition to keep Countryside.

ROANOKE CITY HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A STATE OF THE ART GOLF COURSE THAT COULD BE THE ENVY OF ALL LOCALITIES. IT CAN BE A TOURIST ATTRACTION BY OFFERING GOLF PACKAGES ALIGNED WITH ONE OF THE NEARBY MOTELS. THE PACKAGE COULD EVEN INCLUDE DINNERS AT ONE OR MORE OF THE FINE RESTAURANTS NEAR BY AND COULD EVEN INCLUDE TICKETS TO A PLAY AT THE MILL MOUNTAIN THEATRE. GOLFERS LOVE TO TAKE TRIPS TO GREAT GOLF COURSES AND THEIR WIVES WOULD LOVE THE SHOPPING AT VALLEY VIEW MALL. THE OPPORTUNITY IS THERE TO PUT ROANOKE ON THE MAP FOR ANOTHER VENUE OF TOURISTS. SALEM CITY HAS ATTRACTED TOURISTS WITH THEIR STATE OF THE ART BASEBALL AND FOOTBALL FACILITIES. ROANOKE HAS A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY IN THEIR HANDS. ALL THEY HAVE TO DO IS TAKE IT! PLEASE!

Countryside is a Maples design. He designed 30 or 40 golf courses, mostly in North and South Carolina. He is acknowledged in golf circles to be one of the top American golf architects. What a shame it would be to destroy one of his great works.

I learned to play golf as a 13 year old at Countryside and continue to play there to this day, it's the best course for the money in town and is also a great layout, we're short on affordable courses in the Valley. It adds a lot to the community and should be preserved!

I learned as a child how to play golf at countryside and i still play today at countryside and do not want it to go anywhere!!!

I have played the course regularly for many years and consider it a very positive recreational outlet for the Roanoke valley.

I think the city should consider operating the golf course as a public course and a source of revenue.

Keep the course as it was intended--GREENSPACE.

With the lack of recreational facilities in this quadrant of town, it would be a shame to lose Countryside Golf Course, pool and tennis club. With the "proposed" Wm Fleming stadium/track this could become a recreation hub for the northern portion of the city. Properly run this area will be a revenue generating entity for the city. If the City can allow a methadone clinic to be located in this area (less than 1,000 yards from a middle and high school) it seems entirely fair to work with the area on something positive that would increase livability and recreational opportunity in this area.

THE HANGING OF THE BANNER!

This historic event took place today at approximately 4:30 PM. Mark it on your calendar as it will be the day the tide will turn for our community. Countryside Golf Course will have a new lease on life with such commitment and persistence of neighbors like those you see in this video clip - Ken and Rosanne Saunders and Al Steele. Countryside Neighborhood Alliance will prevail. Citizens of Roanoke, we need your help - CALL or EMAIL the City Council members. Tell them how important it is to the City of Roanoke to keep this treasured asset as a Municipal Golf Course. This vision will be applauded in years to come as the "smart" thing to do for the quality of life image for which Roanoke City is known. For more information email: savecountryside@cox.net

Tallyho!

Lining up a birdie putt on the 6th hole

Tallyho!

A Commentary

“Groundbreaking for the nation's newest golf retreat will be conducted Thursday.

Guess where it's happening, folks? How about right here.”

So opens Randy King, sports reporter at The Roanoke Times, in his weekend feature piece on the new Ballyhack Golf Retreat in Roanoke County. For me, the new course sounds like heaven. Any course with the word ball and hack in the name suggest lots of lost golf balls, and I’m one who enjoys hunting for them.

The Ballyhack course, however, will not be built for hacks. It will be a true championship course, one of the best links courses in the country. While links courses were originally developed in Scotland near the seashore, they’ve evolved into a style of course which utilizes open spaces, mounds, uneven fairways, and deep pot bunkers. In other words, the course utilizes the natural lay of the land. Ballyhack will do that, too.

The new course in Roanoke County is being marketed nationally. Only about 60 local memberships are being sought while 200 national members are being hunted. The founders of the course plan to market the course as a business retreat for the high-powered rollers across the country.

Why would someone want to come out to Roanoke to play golf? Randy King suggests the reasons in his article. Corporate business people are searching for places to play that are out of the mainstream, away from the hustle of the big city. Roanoke is attractive because it’s a nestled community far from the reach of unchecked urban sprawl and it’s close to Scottish Highland-like peace. In addition, “A terrific golf course is what makes the draw,” said Roanoke native Jonathan Ireland, [Ballyhack’s] director of golf operations.

Destination: Roanoke.

Reason: Golf.

Travel: Corporate and Commercial Air.

Accommodations: Local Hotel and onsite.

Local Business Impact: Definitely

With a steady stream of high profile golfers migrating to the region to play Ballyhack, these golfers will certainly be looking around for more to do. Perhaps they will visit Mill Mountain. Certainly they’ll eat out at some local fine restaurants. They’ll shop at our city market. Maybe they’ll ride a trolley. Perhaps they’ll visit the new art museum. Very likely, however, these visitors will be looking for places to play more golf. As they arrive in our Magic City, they’ll pass over a wide swatch of green space as they are landing, a golf course. They’ll become curious. They’ll investigate and then invest. If the city favors the wise course of developing Countryside into a fine Municipal golf course (Torrey Pines) and recreation area, our visitors will spend an afternoon on a round of fine golf before they return to their world. Soon, word will spread of a golf-friendly community rich in peace, charm, and golf nestled in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. That’s my vision. That’s what I can see as being possible. None of that can happen if Roanoke City decides to squander its opportunity. Developing the Countryside property as a municipal golf course and recreation facility makes sense from a community, environmental, and business standpoint.

Let’s Talk Recreation

"I would love for us to be able to address a nice recreation center in the Northwest area,” Dowe said. “I'm not sure where in Northwest, but I'd certainly like to see us address that first.”

So begins Mason Adams in his July 22 edition of the Roanoke Times news piece.

I can suggest a place for Mr. Dowe’s recreation center. How about right next to William Fleming High School allowing for easy access to ½ the teenaged population in Roanoke City? How about including golf, swimming, tennis, biking, running, and walking in to the recreation center concept? How about fully utilizing the current space occupied by the Countryside pool, tennis courts and empty space between those and the high school for the recreation center hub? Why not? It just takes a vision and a will.

Having a recreation center next to William Fleming makes perfect sense for the Countryside property, much more sense than a large scale residential, high-density housing, commercial development now being contemplated.

A recreation center operated by city parks and recreation next to the high school will afford the youth of the city access to a wide variety of wholesome pursuits. Combined with open access to all city residents from all age groups, this multigenerational center could become a true anchor for the Northwest and a golden feather in the city’s cap. Why not? It just takes a vision and a will.

Salem Fireman play at Countryside today ...

PUBLIC WELCOME - anyone can play!

The old Kinsey Dairy Farm barn welcomes all to the Ellis Maples designed 18-hole championship public golf course where anyone can play.

Those of us who live on the Countryside fairways and more important those who learned the art and etiquette of golf at a very young age know how heavily this golf course is played. The serious golfers who have played here since it began operation in 1967 understand the importance of a having an affordable PUBLIC championship 18-hole golf course. I hope some golfers will post here on how they learned to play on a PUBLIC golf course. I know one of our Countryside Neighborhood members son, Kenny Saunders, learned here at the age of 5. He now operates a beautiful golf course in Vietnam. Then there is the woman who has played here for 50 years and would not play anywhere else. Where will the youth of modest means get their opportunity to excel in a non-contact sport. Do fights break out on the golf course? Tell me your story about "unnecessary roughness", "holding" and unsportsmanlike conduct. Any multi-stroke penalties out there? I do know plenty of you who are frequently "off sides" - I have your golf balls! See the parent of this blog Swimming Upstream for a lesson on Hunting for Balls.

Defending a Roanoke Times Reporter

I bet you have never read a headline like that anywhere.

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The Roanoke Times article today written by Mason Adams was very well written and accurate. However, reporters do not and let me emphasize DO NOT write their headlines. The reporter writes his story and their editor attaches the headline. So Mason Adams’ well written story was brutalized by a FALSE headline. Nothing in Mason’s story eluded to “Name tied to course’s fate”. It is not a quote. It was not even brought up by anyone in the article. The editor just pulled it out of his ahhh ... bucket of headline grabbing personal opinion bunk. The "course's fate" stands on it's own. The name change would have been an honor.

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The sad thing is people read the headlines and draw their conclusion from a headline without reading the story. A headline sets the tone for an entire article. I asked for a retraction of the headline as it was a false statement. As anyone who has been following the Countryside property issue knows our community has spent the last 2 years in opposition to development of this treasured city asset. Actually I have not met one citizen who favors developing the property.

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You don't suppose it was the same editor that wrote the editorial accusing the Countryside neighborhood of "bellyaching" do you? There is supposed to be a wall between the editorial staff and the news staff. I am guessing it was a coincidence that Shanna Flowers wrote about the same topic on the same day.

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City Council is under the impression that the golf course is losing money. This is not true. Show us the figures. Show us the number of rounds of play. Try to get a tee time on the weekends. Meadowbrook is under orders from City Administration to not disclose any of this information publicly. This begs the question where did Mr. Fitzpatrick get the information that the course was losing money when Meadowbrook themselves in a letter to City Administration stated "Countryside is one of their most profitable golf courses". Meadowbook continued by saying "the golf course would create an excellent source of revenue for the City". I am posting below the 2006 budget submitted by Meadowbrook to City management. This is a link to my previous posts regarding documents.

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CLICK HERE for to see the letter from Ed Hall on how to “convince” the owner’s of Countryside Golf Course to sell by advising the airport commission to NOT renew the lease of the runway protection zone property used for fairways.

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CLICK HERE to see the 2006 budget and profit submitted to City management by Meadowbrook showing a $240,000 profit (adding back the $40,000 real estate tax that they do not have to pay since the City owns it now).

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CLICK HERE to see the Feasibility Study in 2003 and the negatives for developing the property.

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Read the Planning Commission agenda for Thursday, July 19th, item "J". Mr. Fitzpatrick wants to dip into the "name change" well too .... so I guess the headline should read "Name tied to Special Events Center's fate".

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City Planning Commission Agenda Item "J":

Discussion of the referral by City Council to name Countryside Golf Course after the late Roy Stanley Miller and to name the Roanoke Civic Center Special Events Center after the Honorable Linwood Holton and the late Honorable Elbert Lee Trinkle, former Virginia Governors from Roanoke.

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Not holding my breath for a retraction of the headline.

Golf Course Fate NOT tied to Name Change

The renaming of Countryside in memory of Roy Stanley Miller is becoming a distraction to the vision Countryside Neighborhood Alliance has for the revitalization of the championship Countryside Golf Course. I will be writing more on the Roanoke Times article later. However, I wanted to assure all that our vision for the property has not changed since Roanoke City purchased the Countryside property in November, 2005.
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Please continue to sign our petition to support Countryside remaining a PUBLIC championship golf course, retaining the indoor tennis building, and creating a world class indoor competition pool.
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PS: We have a paper petition with 700 signatures to date supporting our vision that does not include a name change.

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Golf Tournament - pictures added - video at right

End of the day food, trophies, and drawings. I asked who the gentleman was with the trophy just as his number was called to win a prize. Mr. J. C. Wade (left) has this luck every year according to an anonymous source.

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Saturday, July 14th, was the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Golf Tournament at Countryside Golf Course. Noticing that the golf course was packed (the nosy person I am) I just had to check it out. There were some great golfers and not so great golfers but it sure looked like everyone was having a good time. Thanks to our Counrtyside Neighborhood Alliance member, Darryl Burks, for collecting 44 petition signatures - way to go Darryl! So many so concerned about the future of the golf course. I hope Councilman Dowe who attended the event takes notice that most of his fellow Omega Psi Phi Fraternity brothers support the golf course. A big thank you to Alred Dowe, Sr., for signing our petition. Here are some pictures and the video clip is at the right under "My Videos" and titled "July 14th Golf Tournament". My first try at putting a video together so set your expectations accordingly.

Sponsorship at the 12th tee.

Searching, searching for my ball in the creek .

Councilman Alfred Dowe, Jr.,having a good time.

Sherman Lea, Jr.,

helps out (left).
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A good long

drive (right).

Preserve the Green Space

A Look Down the 18th Hole

Valerie Garner recently had an op-ed piece published by The Roanoke Times. In her piece, she makes a strong case for preserving and enhancing our treasure, Countryside Golf Course.

Voicing your feelings regarding the City's ill-conceived development plans is vital to keeping the issue alive. One place you can visit to do that is the Roanoke Times Message Boards.

Finally, keep in mind that this site welcomes comments and statements of support. All you have to do is click the comment link at the bottom of any blog entry.

Banner going here on the corner ....

The banner coming soon to Cove and Ranch.
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At our meeting Monday, July 9th, we discussed moving the banner that is now on the pavilion to another spot. Good news - John Kahn, the owner of the lots on the corner of Cove and Ranch gave his permission to put the banner there. It will diagonally face towards Peters Creek and be placed at the high point of the lot. Now we just need to get a "man's man" to figure out the best method to hang it. If this sounds like a "butter up" to get volunteers then I confess.

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We are continuing our petition and will bring numbers again to our National Night Out picnic Tuesday, August 7th, 6:30 PM, at the Countryside Pavilion. There will be no regular monthly meeting in August. National Night out on August 7th will serve for informal discussion and information sharing. Look for more information on National Night Out in emails coming soon.

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Listen to WFIR on Monday and ...KEEP THE FAITH as Rev. Carl Tinsley advised us Monday night after the Virginia Baptist Association banquet. For those who did not attend our meeting Monday evening - the banquet let out the same time we concluded our meeting. We were quite a sight in our yellow SAVE T-Shirts in contrast to the formal attire of the banquet attendees. However, we received almost a full page of enthusiastic signatures including Rev. Tinsley who promptly "demanded" a T-Shirt. Yes, Rev. Tinsley, we will KEEP THE FAITH!

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PS: The Planning Commission will vote on the name change Thursday, July 19th. Then a vote by Council members will have to wait until the August 6th, 2:00 PM, Council meeting.

Comment on what you would like to have the "Wicked Witch of Countryside" say ...

Name our mascot in comments.

We will vote on the submissions. The winner will get a

T-Shirt and free membership for one year.

When you pass the Saunder's house on Mattaponi (first house on the right) be sure to comment on how lovely you think the silver monument (fire hydrant) looks in their front yard. I was in their living room looking out their picture window and the fire hydrant could not be more centered in the middle of their view. Note that the "Wicked Witch of Countryside" was unearthed from the bowels of the earth beside it. Did the "noname" witch have something to do with this?

Entering the Video World

We're experimenting with adding video clips from YouTube to this site. In the future we can cover important community events and rallys as well as the news of the day from our point of view.

Stay Strong! Be Loud!

My Friends Helped Me Today

It was another roller coaster like day at Countryside today. It was a good thing I accessed my work computer email while on vacation this week. There was a message from the Roanoke Times reporter, Mason Adams, wanting to tour our community and the Countryside property. I quickly called and said I was on vacation and could we meet Friday. It worked well and he toured this morning. Let me backup - I needed someone else to tour with me - someone who has more than my 8 years of history here in the community. To the rescue just like these fireman pictured training on Ranch Road today comes my hero, Thom Ryder. Thom grew up here though he now lives in the county. I won't embarrass him with a flurry of accolades but .... I will just say his love for this neighborhood should be an inspiration to us all. He was an excellent tour guide and historian for the reporter.

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The Roanoke Times also printed my Commentary today with a picture. A long silence from the Roanoke Times was broken and we hit a double today.

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I then visited my friends, the Saunders, and spent a few minutes wringing my hands with Rosanne and postulating on what will become of our neighborhood. Then I admired the big silver monument in her front yard which can be viewed right smack dab in the middle of the picture window. We needed a fire hydrant but right in front of their house? Look for pictures of the monument coming soon as our imagination got the better of us. Please bail us out!

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I wandered around in Kroger's with no mission other than accidentally finding something appealing to the senses and finally caved in by the hot chicken warmer. You know you can't resist the smell when you walk by ... right Vince Barci? After arriving home and cleaning off a few chicken bones I realized this was not the cure for my distress.

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I went to my computer and found an "atta girl" from Jeff Artis and an email from Pat Baker that I passed along to most of you. It never fails when I am at my lowest someone comes along to lift my spirits. Here is part of her email from Bermuda (she has relatives there) - " I am sending you this note in hopes that it will lift your spirits and keep you going. I know it is a lonely job and you feel no one is with you. But believe me there are a lot of people backing you and trying to Keep Golfside [Countryside] alive and functioning at a very very HIGH Level. We need improvement in NORTHWEST Too! please help Mrs. Garner. Love Patricia Bake

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I feel much better now thanks to Thom, Jeff, Patricia, Ken and Rosanne. Thank you, my friends.

Today's Roanoke City Council Meeting .......... Roy Stanley Memorial Golf Course

The Golf Course no one uses according to City Council

At today's Roanoke City Council meeting Councilman Lea asked City Attorney, Bill Hackworth, what was the status on renaming Countryside to Roy Stanley Memorial Golf Course. Mr. Hackworth advised that it would be on the Planning Commission's agenda July 19th.

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This will be after the July 16th Council meeting so the earliest it could be adopted would be August 6th. I don't understand why it could not have been discussed following the last City Council meeting on June 18th as the Planning Commission meeting followed on Thursday June 21st.

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The parking lot is empty and golf carts and golfers you see are a mirage.