First Baptist Church Amsterdam invites all to our Vacation Bible School.

Vacation Bible School Kickoff is Saturday, July 11, from noon to 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church Amsterdam

Vacation Bible School begins Monday, July 13, thru July 17 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. nightly.

Submitted by Tracy Toliver, Sunday School Secretary

Painting class at gallery

An artist from Gallery by the James will help you create a fun art project that you will take home at the end of class. No artistic skills or experience is required. Classes are taught "step-by-step." The class on July 10 is a charming painting of spring flowers by a picket fence. All supplies will be provided.

Pre-registration is required by calling 254-9708 or e-mail gallerybythejames@comcast.net. Cost is $20 per person. The fee will be collected the evening of the class. For a photo of the Fun Strokes photo collage, see The Notebook on botetourtview.com

Submitted by Gallery by the James

Longtime Botetourt Democratic chairman honored 

The late David Vernon Layman, a career communication worker and longtime chairman of the Botetourt Democratic Party, was memorialized at a party meeting at the Fincastle Library on June 1. Ann Layman, his wife of 42 years, and Lisa Virto, one of the couple's two children, received a commemorative plaque from state Sen. John Edwards of Roanoke.

The plaque, reproducing a state Senate joint resolution, stated that the Virginia General Assembly "mourns the passing of a fine community servant and outstanding Virginian." Layman died March 18, 2008, and a reported 2,000 people attended his wake and/or funeral.

Edwards remembered Layman as "a true friend and a wonderful Democrat ... a people person. Everybody loved David."

The plaque recalled that Layman worked 33 years for Verizon and was president for nine years of Communications Workers of America Local 2204, "an able leader and committed advocate for workers' rights.

Submitted by Bob Willis