Cave Spring United Methodist Church invites all children to go to the edge this summer for Vacation Bible School! Camp E.D.G.E.: Experience + Discover God Everywhere is an extreme adventure camp taking kids on exciting Bible treks to experience and discover God everywhere, every day. Each Bible trek is supported with science activities, songs, crafts, games, and snacks.

The fun begins Sunday, June 21, and ends Thursday, June 25, from 6 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at 4505 Hazel Drive, Roanoke, VA 24018.

To be a part of all the extreme fun at Camp E.D.G.E.: Experience + Discover God Everywhere, call 989-3673 to register.

Justin Lee Adams graduates

U.S. Navy Ensign Justin Lee Adams, son of Sally and Wayne Adams, graduated from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., on May 22 and was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Navy. Adams successfully completed four years of intensive academic, physical and professional training, resulting in a Bachelor of Science Degree with a major in Mechanical Engineering. Adams has been assigned to the Charleston Naval Base to continue his studies/training in nuclear engineering in the fall. This will prepare him for service with the submarine force.

Adams is a 2005 graduate of North Cross School.

Submitted by Sally Adams

Derek O'Dell graduates

Derek O'Dell graduated in May from Virginia Tech with a Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences. He is a member of the Phi Sigma Society, which promotes study and research in the biological sciences. Derek was on the Dean's List, served as President of the Chess Club for three years, and was the Webmaster for the Pre-Veterinary Club, as well as its Team Captain in the Relay-for-Life.

He is the son of Roger O'Dell and Joanne Hawley of Southwest Roanoke County, and graduated from Cave Spring High School in 2005.

Derek will remain in Blacksburg to attend the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine.

Derek continues to recover from the tragedy at Virginia Tech. He was shot on April 16, 2007, while attending German language class in Norris Hall.

Submitted by Roger O'Dell

Divine Dance Center competes in Showstoppers event

Divine Dance Center competed against 43 dance studios from around the state and area this spring for prestigious top honors at Showstopper, the largest dance competition in the country.

Company members from Southwest Roanoke County are:

Christina Lauria -- Hidden Valley Middle School

Claudia Anderson -- Hidden Valley Middle School

Elle Copperman -- Hidden Valley High School

Jessi Buckley -- Cave Spring High School

Katie Walters -- Green Valley Elementary School

Kinsey Overfelt -- Penn Forest Elementary School

Lilly Mitchell -- Penn Forest Elementary School

Lucy Mason -- Hidden Valley High School

Tony d'Alelio -- Cave Spring High School

Joey d'Alelio -- Penn Forest Elementary School

Brittany Zeller -- Hidden Valley High School

All company members range in age from 7 to 16. This qualifies them to go to the Showstopper National Finals in either Myrtle Beach, Anaheim, or Galveston this summer.

Summer rec opportunities

Summer is finally here, and registration has begun for our exciting program offerings. County residents may register now. I've listed a few of my favorite options below, but there are hundreds more on our website and in REConnection Magazine.

It's not too late to sign up your child for an outdoor camp experience at Camp Roanoke. Spaces are filling quickly. Younger children can stay just for the day with free transportation from Tanglewood Mall. Older children will enjoy daily off-site adventures.

Looking for Theme Park Tickets to Busch Gardens or Kings Dominion? We've got discount tickets for designated times this summer, available for purchase at Brambleton Center and our Kessler Mill Rd. administrative office in Salem.

Finally, here's something to keep in the back of your mind as you try to beat the heat over the next few months. This time next year you can cool off at Splash Valley, an outdoor water park attached to Roanoke County's new Green Ridge Recreation Center. We're finalizing ticket and membership prices right NOW, so look for pre-sale by August. Green Ridge will open the first week of January.

Treat yourself to a day that can impact the rest of your life. Debbie Stevens will teach you about your body type or dosha and help you design a yoga style to fit your life style and meet your specific body needs. This practice will bring you back to health and well being. Health Supportive Chef Laura Pole will teach you how to nourish yourself based on the teachings of Ayurveda. You will learn the eight basic principles of health supportive food selection and preparation and link them to Ayurvedic principles as you learn how to fold this type of eating into your everyday life. You will also learn how to build flavor in your food by incorporating the 6 basic tastes. Finally, you will have the opportunity to put the Ayurvedic Principles of Eating Awareness into practice by enjoying a delicious and balanced meal.

 Job Search - Finding Employment: Sunday, June 28 at Blue Ridge Parkway Visitors Center and Wednesdays, through July 8 at Brambleton Center 6:00-7:30 p.m. --  This set of four classes provides basic principles in how to look for employment and the materials that can be used to present yourself in the most positive light. This program will teach you how to interview, develop a resume and ways to find a job that will put you ahead of the next person. Ben Johnson is a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor who has worked in the private sector helping people find employment for the past 14 years. Four week program.

Submitted by Scott Ramsburg, Roanoke County Parks, Recreation & Tourism

North Cross summer

Summer has officially begun at North Cross School! Although the school year have ended for NCS students last week, about 50 students, between four and 10-years-old started June Jamboree on June 15. Another 300 students are expected to participate in camps at NCS this summer, including other enrichment camps as well as middle school and sports camps. Students between four and 18 years old are eligible to participate in the various camps, which run through the middle of August. All camps are open to students, regardless of whether they attend NCS.

"The driving force behind everything we do is the experience of our campers. Our teachers and counselors care about our students and that's why North Cross School is a great place to be this summer," said Stephen Belderes, Summer Programs Director.

As part of the June Jamboree program, students spend their days making crafts, swimming in the on-campus swimming pool, playing outside, and taking field trips.

The Middle School Madness program, for rising fifth through eighth grade students, will start in early July. Sessions are offered on a variety of different topics include cooking, drama, video game design, guitar, and others as well. Morning session runs from 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. and afternoon sessions runs from 12:30 p.m.-3 p.m.

Sports Camps are offered to rising sixth graders up to graduating seniors. The camps begin in June and run from varies times throughout the week. The sports camps include basketball, volleyball, and lacrosse camps for boys and girls, as well as an All-Sports Camp to give students the opportunity to try out a few different sports.

For more information, or to register for a camp, please visit www.northcross.org/summerprograms.

This news release was written by Emily Ewoldt, a senior at Radford University, interning in the Development Office.

-Submitted by Laura Neff-Henderson

Grads

Six Hampden-Sydney College students with ties to Southwest Roanoke County were named to the Dean's List for the second semester of the 2008-2009 academic year. To earn this distinction, students must achieve at least a 3.3 semester grade point average out of a possible 4.0.

Stephen Donald Berry, a recent graduate Steve is a graduate of Hidden Valley High School and is the son of Mr. & Mrs. Gene P. Berry of Roanoke.

Grayson Carroll Hamlin, a rising senior Gray is a graduate of North Cross School and is the son of Mr. & Mrs. William P. Hamlin of Roanoke.

Matthew Ryan Hubbard, a recent graduate Matt is a graduate of Hidden Valley High School and is the son of Johnnie & Pamela Hubbard of Roanoke.

Matthew William Partsch, a rising junior Matt is a graduate of Hidden Valley High School and is the son of Bill & Sue Partsch of Roanoke.

John B. Pendleton, a recent graduate John is a graduate of North Cross School and is the son of Jill & John Pendleton of Roanoke.

Tyler J. Wilson, a rising sophomore Tyler is a graduate of Hidden Valley High School and is the son of Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth B. Wilson of Roanoke.

***

Emily Williams of Southwest Roanoke County was named to the dean's list for the 2009 spring semester at Messiah College. Williams is a senior majoring in English.

Dean's list is earned by receiving a 3.6 GPA or higher on a 4.0 scale.

Messiah College, a private Christian college of the liberal and applied arts and sciences, enrolls 2,800 undergraduate students in 55 majors. Established in 1909, the primary campus is located in Grantham, Pa., near the state capital of Harrisburg.