Photo by Barbara Krzysko

The pig as he looked on June 19, after the Relay for Life crew repainted him for the third time.

Photo by Sara Blankenship

The pig with the original group of Relay pig painters on June 17: From left are: Kali Blankenship, from Glenvar Elementary, Allyson Topping from Glenvar High, Amy Brown from Glenvar High, Daniel Aldridge From Salem High, Wes Blankenship, team captain and steering committee member, (Holding Mandy Blankenship 20 months old), Courtney Aldridge, 2008 Salem Grad, and Keith Corey 2008 Salem grad.

The pig outside Henry's Memphis BBQ -- which has gone back and forth between being painted Salem maroon and Glenvar green, depending on which school got to it last -- turned purple for awhile recently.

On June 19, the day that Relay for Life was scheduled in Salem, Barbara Krzysko spotted the pig going through one of its periodic paint jobs:

"Adam Gordon and I were having lunch at McDonald's today and witnessed the pig's metamorphis at Henry's Memphis Barbeque. The pig is now purple and pink in recognition of Salem's Relay for Life. I inquired who the painters were but the day manager didn't have names."

Barbara's account prompted Sara Blankenship to supply the "story behind the story" -- and more photos. Here's what they have to say:

"Here is your timeline for the pig's transformation for the Relay for Life.

"Wednesday night (June 17), after asking permission from the manager at Henry's Memphis Barbeque, several steering committee members and a few teens from Salem and Glenvar painted the pig purple, sprayed "hope" in pink, and put a bow on his head. We also put up a sign for the Relay, and put stickers on him.

"Thursday morning (June 18) we discovered that someone else overnight had "vandalized our vandalism" and messed him up before anyone could see him. So two other steering committee members called the original painters (us) and we all met and fixed the pig.

"Thursday night, ANOTHER group changed the pig.

"So before the Relay started on Friday, we sent several of our original teens to fix the pig. THEY were the ones spotted painting on Friday. (But they weren't supposed to tag it too). By Saturday morning, it was painted again... but we were too tired, and the event almost over, so we let painted pigs be what they now wanted to be.

"Thank you for letting me tell the story to you, for accuracy sake. Signed- the pig painters."

For more photos of Henry's pig, see The Notebook on sosalem.com. Do you have photos -- or accounts -- or pig-painting? You can share at news@sosalem.com

Summertime events for teens at Glenvar library

Here are some of the events planned this summer at the Glenvar branch of the Roanoke County Public Library. For more information, call 387-6163.

Project Teenway Competition: Teens will be able to express their fashion creativity in teams by coming up with a quick design made from scrap fabric and paper to dress one of their team members with, then these designs will be compared and judged by members of the library staff.

Registration will be required in advance as space is limited; contact the local county library hosting the event for reservations.

Glenvar - Tuesday, June 30th, 12-2 PM

Altered Art Travel Journals: Teens will create travel journals based on their favorite vacation spot or a trip they dream of taking in the future. Old maps, travel photos, and card stock paper will be used to transform old books into new journals for recording your favorite travel memories and wishes. Registration will be required in advance as space is limited; contact the local county library hosting the event for reservations.

Glenvar - Tuesday, July 21st, 6-8 PM

Manga Drawing Contest for Teens

In July there will also be a Manga Drawing Contest for Teens.

Nintendo DS Drawing: There will be a drawing at the end of the Summer Reading Program. All teens who sign-up for summer reading and complete the program will have their names included in a drawing to win a Nintendo DS. Also for those teens who participate in the programs offered they will get an additional chance in the Nintendo DS drawing that will take place on August 5th.

Teen Anime Movie

Wednesday (July 29), 2:00 p.m.

Final Fantasy VII, Advent Children (PG-13)

Birdman Dave (Learn about our feathered friends)

Tuesday, July 7, 2:00 p.m.

Puppets with Pizzazz

Monday, July 20, 2:00 p.m.

Dideridoo Down Under (Learn about this cool Australian instrument and Australia culture)

Thursday, July 30, 1:00 p.m.

Art Explosion (Drop in to make and take your own masterpiece!)

Friday, August 7, 10:30 - 12:00 noon

Family Movie @ Glenvar

Monday, July 27, 2:00 pm

The move is "Coraline."

Movies played on a large screen with surroundsound. Families Welcome! Free admission! Free freshly popped popcorn too!!

Submitted by Michael Meise

Fort Lewis DAR to put on "Ringing of the Bells"

The Fort Lewis Daughters of the American Revolution is sponsoring the 12th "Ringing of the Bells" on the Fourth of July at 10:30 a.m. at the Salem Civic Center. Lynn Sinko of the Fort Lewis DAR will read the signers of the Declaration of Independence and Carey Harveycutter, Manager of the Civic center, will ring the Fire Department Bell after signatures of each state has been read. The program will be completed in Parlor A of the civic center.

Participating in the program will be Rev. Dr. Will Robinson of the Salem Presbyterian Church reading the scripture and prayer. Patsy Bean, Regent of the Fort Lewis DAR, will lead the Pledge of Allegiance. John Long, curator of the Salem Museum, will speak about verses of the Star Spangled Banner which are not usually sung. Jeanne Hanson is chairman presenting this program. Refreshments will be served after the program.

Submitted by Patsy Bean, Regent Fort Lewis DAR