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Botetourt County is an amateur photographer’s dream.

Or at least it is for Kevin Costello, Botetourt County’s tourism coordinator. “I am a bit of a photo buff and I really enjoy driving around many of the back roads of Botetourt County looking for interesting photos to take,” he said. “Botetourt has so many beautiful landscapes that it makes it easy for even an amateur photographer like myself to take nice photos.”

If you enjoy taking photos, consider traveling to some of these places while you’re in Botetourt. Not only are they picture perfect, they’re also free.

Wine Trail

One of Botetourt County’s newest features is the Wine Trail. The county is home to three local vineyards, each with its own special selection and each offering free wine tastings.

Blue Ridge Vineyards, the oldest of the three vineyards, had produced grapes for a winery in Amherst County for several years before the owners decided to make their own wine. Its selection includes Riesling, Gerwurztaminer and Sweet Shiloh.

Fincastle Vineyard and Winery, the oldest winery, but not the oldest vineyard, uses traditional Bordeaux techniques and produces wine in small batches. Its selection includes Cabarnet Franc, Cabarnet Sauvignon and Hybrid Vigor, a blend of white wines.

Virginia Mountain Vineyards, the newest winery, also produced grapes for other wineries for several years. The winery will be celebrating its one-year anniversary in July. Its selection includes Merlot, a rose wine and Holiday Spice, a sweet blend with select spices.

Blue Ridge Vineyards is located off U.S. 43 on Shiloh Drive (Virginia 612) in Eagle Rock. (540) 798-7642.

www.blueridgevineyard.com

Fincastle Vineyard and Winery is located off U.S. 11 and Virginia 640 on Maple Ridge Lane in Fincastle.

(540) 591-9000. www.fincastlewine.com

Virginia Mountain Vineyards is located off U.S. 220 on Old Fincastle Road (Virginia 655)  in Fincastle. (540) 473-2979. www.virginiamountainvineyards.com

Roaring Run

One of the best places in Botetourt to spend the day is the Roaring Run recreational area. Visitors can view the famous Roaring Run Furnace, an iron furnace built in the early 1800s. From there, follow the trail along the Roaring Run branch of Craig Creek to reach a breathtaking waterfall. Be sure to stop along the way to fish, as the water is stocked with trout. There’s also a fishing hole for those willing to brave the cold waters. Guides can also lead visitors on a wildflower walk. And be sure to bring lunch, as there are several picnic areas where visitors can dine beneath the trees.

Roaring Run recreational area is owned and cared for by the U.S. Forest Service. It is located off U.S. 220 and Virginia 615 on Roaring Run Road in Eagle Rock. (540) 864-5195. www.fs.fed.us

History

But Botetourt County isn’t just a nature haven. For the history lovers, the towns of Buchanan and Fincastle have self-guided historic walking tours.

Pick up brochures at the Botetourt County Museum and view the exhibits on display.

While in Buchanan, stop by pedestrian swinging bridge, one of the sites of Hunter’s Raid, a Union offensive during the Civil War. The original bridge was mostly destroyed, but the stone pilings are still intact; the swing bridge uses the original foundations.

Botetourt natives can also research their family history at the Botetourt County Courthouse or the Fincastle Library Genealogy Room.

And if you still haven’t satisfied your historic appetite, visit the county’s first genealogy fair, “Start Exploring Your Roots,” on Oct. 13.

The Botetourt Couny Courthouse and the Botetourt County Museum are located off U.S. 220 at 1 West Main Street in Fincastle. Courthouse: (540) 473-8274. Museum: (540) 473-8394. www.bothistsoc.org

The swing bridge is located by U.S. 11 where the bridge goes over the James River in Buchanan.

The Fincastle Library is located off U.S. 220 at 11 Academy Street in Fincastle. (540) 473-8339.

The genealogy fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Family Life Center of the Fincastle United Methodist Church. The church is located off U.S. 220 on Church Street in Fincastle. (540) 473-8339.

Fast facts

Population: 30,496 (2000 Census)

Area (in square miles): 548

History: Botetourt County was formed from Augusta County. It was named for Lord Botetourt, the last royal governor of Virginia. After the Revolutionary War, the County’s jurisdiction was extended to the Mississippi River, encompassing what is now West Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana and part of Illinois.

BASICS

Utilities

Craig-Botetourt Electrical Co-op: 864-5121 (serves rural areas)

Natural gas

Highland Propane Co.: 777-7928 or (800) 552-6514

Roanoke Gas Co.: 777-4427

Telephone

nTelos: 992-2211

Cable

Adelphia: (888) 683-1000

nTelos (wireless): 992-2211

GOVERNMENT

Local officials

County Administrator: Gerald A. Burgess: 473-8223

Board of Supervisors: 473-8223

Chairman: Wanda Wingo (Blue Ridge District)

Vice Chairman: Don Assaid (Valley District)

Steve Clinton (Amsterdam District)

Terry L. Austin (Buchanan District)

Donald Meredith (Fincastle District)

Sheriff: Ronnie Sprinkle: 473-8230

Treasurer: C. Benton Bolton: 473-8254

Commissioner of Revenue: John L. Etzler : 473-8270

Circuit Court Clerk: Tommy Moore: 473-8274

Commonwealth’s Attorney: Joel Branscom: 473-8227

Government services

General Information: 473-8220

Building Inspection and Permits: 473-8248

Chamber of Commerce: 473-8280 

Department of Public Works: 473-8316.

Developmental Services: 473-8233

General District Court: 473-8244

Government Offices: Buchanan, 254-1212; Fincastle: 473-2200; Troutville: 992-4401

Health Department: 473-8240

Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court: 473-8244

Magistrate: 473-8234

Marriage Licenses: 473-8274

Parks and Recreation: 473-8326

Planning and Zoning: 473-8320

Public Works: 473-8316

Schools: 473-8263

Social Services: 473-8210

Va. Cooperative Extension: 473-8260

Voter Registration: 473-8235

Water / Sewer: Troutville water: 992-4401; Fincastle water / sewer: 473-2200; Buchanan water / sewer: 254-1212

SERVICES

Retirement, assisted living, nursing facilities

Following is a list of some retirement, assisted living and nursing facilities in Botetourt County:

Cave Creek Home for Adults: 8088 Lee Highway, Troutville, 992-2599

The Glebe: 200 The Glebe Road, Daleville, 992-6711

Bethel Ridge Adult Home: 10535 Lee Highway, Fincastle, 992-6226

Brian Center Nursing Care: 188 Old Fincastle Road, Fincastle, 473-2288

Recycling

County Landfill: Virginia 779. Open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m.-noon. Accepts paper, aluminum, motor oil, car batteries and plastics (PETE #1 and HDPE #2). 992-5111.

Schools: Breckinridge, Buchanan, Cloverdale, Eagle Rock and Troutville elementary schools; Lord Botetourt and James River high schools. Accepts mixed paper, aluminum and plastics (PETE #1 and HDPE #2) 24 hours a day.

Child care

Following are some of the child care centers available in Botetourt County:

Little People Learning Center: 80 Summerfield Court, Cloverdale, 966-5828; and 161 Laymantown Road, Blue Ridge, 977-4806

Mini-World Child Care Center: 3199 Reed Mountain Road, Cloverdale, 992-6651

Prince and Princess Day School: 1701 Roanoke Road, Daleville, 992-1070

Millcreek Child Care Center: 11475 Lee Highway, Fincastle, 992-2232 

EDUCATION

Public schools

High schools

James River High School: 9906 Springwood Road, Buchanan, 992-3610 or 254-1121. Principal: Jamie Talbott.

Lord Botetourt High School: 1435 Roanoke Road, Daleville, 992-1261. Principal: Alan Brenner.

Middle schools

Central Academy Middle School: 367 Poor Farm Road, Fincastle, 473-8333. Principal: Vaneta McAlexander.

Read Mountain Middle School: 182 Orchard Hill Drive, Cloverdale, 966-8655. Principal: Mike Tetreault.

Elementary schools

Breckinridge Elementary School: 331 Springwood Road, Fincastle, 473-8386 or 473-8203. Principal: Laura Camp.

Buchanan Elementary School: 255 Schoolhouse Road, Buchanan, 254-2084. Principal: Debbie Garrett.

Cloverdale Elementary School: 833 Cougar Drive, Cloverdale, 992-1086. Principal: David Marcum.

Colonial Elementary School: 2941 Webster Road, Blue Ridge, 977-6773. Principal: Tammy Riggs.

Eagle Rock Elementary School: 145 Eagles’ Nest Drive, Eagle Rock, 884-2421. Principal: Wanda Martin.

Greenfield Elementary School: 288 Etzler Road, Troutville, 992-4416. Principal: Beth Umbarger.

Troutville Elementary School: 12 Barron Drive, Troutville, 992-1871. Principal: Karen Crush.

Other

Botetourt Technical Education Center: 253 Poor Farm Road, Fincastle, 473-8216. Principal: to be announced.

School officials

Clerk of School Board: Betty Holland: 473-8263

Superintendent: Tony Brads: 473-8263

School Board: 473-8263

Chairman: Jack Leffel (Fincastle District)

Vice Chairman: Ruth Wallace (Amsterdam District)

Michael Beahm (Valley District)

James Ruhland (Blue Ridge District)

Kathy Sullivan (Buchanan District)

School calendar

AUG. 22: First day of school

SEPT. 3: Schools closed, holiday

SEPT. 12: Early dismissal

OCT. 3: End first six-weeks, early dismissal

OCT. 10: Report cards sent home

OCT. 25-26: Schools closed (parent/teacher conference) 

OCT. 29: Schools closed

NOV. 6: Schools closed

NOV. 21: End second six-weeks, early dismissal

NOV. 22-23: Schools closed, holiday

DEC. 3: Report cards sent home

DEC. 21-JAN. 1: Schools closed, winter break

JAN. 2: School resumes

JAN. 17-18: Schools closed

JAN. 21: Schools closed, holiday

JAN. 16: End of first semester

JAN. 24: Report cards sent home

FEB. 4: Schools closed

FEB. 6: Early dismissal

FEB. 15: Schools closed

FEB. 25: Schools closed 

MARCH 6: End fourth six-weeks

MARCH 12: Early dismissal

MARCH 13: Report cards sent home

MARCH 21: Schools closed

MARCH 24-28: Schools closed, spring break

APRIL 9: Early dismissal

APRIL 11: Schools closed

APRIL 15: End of fifth six-weeks

MAY 5: Report cards sent home

MAY 23: Schools closed

MAY 26: Schools closed, holiday

JUNE 11: Early dismissal, last student day

Libraries

Fincastle Branch: 11 Academy St., Fincastle, (540) 473-8339. Monday, Thursday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Tuesday, Wednesday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Buchanan Branch: 19795 Main St., Buchanan, (540) 254-2538. Monday, Thursday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Blue Ridge Branch: 28 Avery Row, Roanoke, 977-3433. Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday, Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

RECREATION

Parks and recreation

The following is a list of activities offered by Botetourt County Parks and Recreation. For details, call 473-8326.

Community activities: Art programs,  quilting, theater trips, computer classes, and senior strength and stretch programs.

Outdoor programs: Golf lessons, tennis lessons, zoo and amusement park trips, canoe trips and fly fishing. 

Recreation league sports

The following is a list of league sports offered by the Botetourt County Parks and Recreation Department. 473-8326. www.co.botetourt.va.us

Basketball: Youth fall basketball (boys and girls, ages 7-8). Youth winter basketball (boys and girls, ages 9-18).

Football: Youth football (ages 6-12) and cheerleading (ages 7-18). Adult flag football.

Soccer: Youth soccer (ages 5-18).

Softball and baseball: T-ball (coed, ages 5- 6). Youth baseball (boys, ages 7-18). Youth softball (girls, ages 7-18). Adult coed church league softball.

Volleyball: Adult coed volleyball.

Swimming pools

Following is a partial list of private swimming pools in Botetourt County:

Ashley Plantation: 919 Greenfield St., Daleville, 992-GOLF (4653)

Botetourt Athletic Club: 105 Summerfield Court, Roanoke, 992-2993

Botetourt Country Club: 2414 Country Club Road, Troutville, 992-3034

Limestone Park: 18291 Lee Highway, Buchanan, 254-2033

Read Mountain Swim Club: 59 Downing St., Roanoke, 966-4115

Golf courses

Following is a partial list of golf courses in Botetourt County:

Botetourt Country Club: Semiprivate; 2414 Country Club Road, Troutville, 992-1451

Ashley Plantation: Semiprivate; 919 Greenfield St., Daleville, 992-GOLF (4653)

Health clubs

Botetourt Athletic Club: 105 Summerfield Court, Roanoke, 992-2993

Curves for Women: 1436 Roanoke Road, Daleville, 966-3122

Tennis courts

Following is a list of some of the tennis courts in Botetourt County. In this list, the first figure indicates the number of courts at a site; the second is the number of lighted courts.

Ashley Plantation: 2-0

Blue Ridge Park: 2-2

Botetourt Country Club: 2-0

Limestone Park: 2-2

Troutville Town Park: 1-0