Arts, Leisure and Sports

Virginia’s biennial budget that was finalized in June included funds for a 26-mile long gravel surface trail that will run from New Castle in Craig County to Eagle Rock in Botetourt. Pete Eshelman is the senior director of creative strategies for the Roanoke Regional Partnership. Eshelman says the “Craig-Botetourt Scenic Trail” is largely along VDOT right-of-way and a former railroad bed. The Commonwealth Transportation Board has also authorized one million dollars for pre-construction planning. Eshelman says the scenic trail could be open in less than two years.

(News release) A new rail trail running through Botetourt and Craig counties—the Craig Botetourt Scenic Trail is one of five priority trails identified by the General Assembly to receive support from the appropriation.

The Craig Botetourt Scenic Trail will parallel Craig Creek and run 26 miles from New Castle in Craig County to Eagle Rock in Botetourt County. It is anticipated to be a gravel trail that utilizes existing railbeds and some shared roadways.  Funding will go toward bridge repairs and preparing the trail surface; a multi-use trail for walking, running, biking, and horseback riding, that provides opportunities for residents and visitors to engage with the scenic beauty of Craig and Botetourt counties and Virginia’s Blue Ridge.

“People will be able to enjoy this unique and historical scenic trail with ease,” says Jessie Spence, chairman of Craig County Board of Supervisors. “The Craig Botetourt Scenic Trail will be an outstanding asset to Craig County, Botetourt County, and the region. It will be one of the most scenic, if not the most scenic, trails in the commonwealth.”

“The Virginia Creeper Trail, a similar trail to the proposed Craig Botetourt Scenic Trail, generates $2.3 million annually for its rural local economy when adjusted for inflation,” says Delegate Terry Austin, who was instrumental in securing funding for the Craig Botetourt Scenic Trail. “I very much look forward to how this trail will benefit the community and will open the door for more business opportunities like bike shops, coffee shops, restaurants, and lodging—all these ventures and more will be possible with the influx of trail users.”

“Craig and Botetourt counties are home to some of the most beautiful natural assets in all of Virginia, and the trail will give people the opportunity to experience it firsthand,” says Pete Eshelman, director of outdoor branding for the Roanoke Regional Partnership. “This is truly a transformational project that will have direct economic benefit for the communities while also adding to the region’s growing list of outdoor assets that make it a desirable place for businesses and talent to locate.”

Nick Devito Rail Yard Dawgs photo

FAYETTEVILLE, NC. – The Rail Yard Dawgs swept the Fayetteville Marksmen with a 3-2 win on Saturday night at Crown Coliseum, extending Roanoke’s lead for first place in the SPHL standings. Nick DeVito notched the winning goal late in the third period, with Nick Ford and CJ Stubbs also adding goals.

Roanoke struggled to find its offense until the Marksmen opened the score at 12:49. Austin Alger turned an odd-man rush into the opener for Fayetteville to give the hosts the lead. The Dawgs started unleashing shots at that point, and ended the period with a 15-9 advantage in the shots column, but trailed by a goal after the first frame.

The second period saw another tug of war for control of the game similar to Friday night. Ford’s incredible shot from the right wing dot tied the score just 48 seconds into the middle stanza. A greasy goal by Fayetteville’s Matt McNair at 18:39 seemingly gave the Marksmen a lead it could take into the locker room, but Stubbs finished off a rebound outside of the Fayetteville crease with just 7.6 seconds left before the intermission to tie the score at 2-2 heading to the break.

The Dawgs battered the Fayetteville net with shots in the final frame, but the Marksmen defense survived a swarm of Roanoke chances. Finally, DeVito was able to carry a puck all the way around the zone from the right wing, to the trapezoid, and out to the left wing where he let the game-winning goal fly into the Marksmen cage at 15:29. A few late empty net chances from the Marksmen came up empty, and the Dawgs won for the fourth straight game, including their fourth win in their last five games at Crown Coliseum.

Austyn Roudebush made 23 stops on 25 shots faced for Roanoke, while Fayetteville’s Connor O’Brien stopped 39-of-42 chances. Roanoke was 0-for-4 on the power play, while the Marksmen went 0-for-3.

Roanoke will return home on Friday, January 20 at 7:05 p.m. EST to face the Birmingham Bulls at Berglund Center. Season tickets and single-game tickets are available by calling the Rail Yard Dawgs office, visiting the ‘Tickets’ page on our website, or by visiting the Berglund Center box office.

Mill Mountain Theatre says something big, green and hilarious is coming to the Trinkle Main Stage at Mill Mountain for the winter holiday show. It’s “Elf the Musical,” based on the 2003 film favorite starring Will Ferrell. Producing artistic director Ginger Poole:

“Elf the Musical” follows Buddy, a young orphan, who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s toy bag on Christmas Eve and is transported to the North Pole. Tickets are on sale now.

*(MMT release) Something big, green and hilarious is coming to the Trinkle Main Stage at Mill Mountain Theatre during the winter of 2023.   Here to bring the Christmas spirit next holiday season is Buddy the Elf in “Elf the Musical.” This modern-day classic film from 2003, starring Will Ferrell, is just as memorable and fun onstage.

“Elf the Musical” follows Buddy, a young orphan, who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s toy bag on Christmas Eve and is transported to the North Pole. Buddy is raised as an honorary Elf, unaware that he is actually a human until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity. Faced with the harsh realities that his father is on the naughty list and his half-brother doesn’t even believe in Santa, Buddy is determined to win over his new family and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas.
“We were so excited to get the call, confirming our eligibility to produce Elf the Musical.” Said Ginger Poole, Producing Artistic Director. “This heartwarming and family-centric musical will be a great way to dive into the 2023 holiday season and is the perfect finale to our Season of Song.”  “Elf the Musical” opens November 29th, 2023 and runs through December 23rd on the Trinkle MainStage. The acclaimed musical will feature local youth performers and professional performers.  Tickets to “Elf The Musical” are available for immediate purchase through either a 2023 Season Ticket Package or individually. Tickets can be purchased online at millmountain.org or by calling the box office at 540-342-5740.

A $15,000 dollar grant from the National Endowment for the Arts will help Opera Roanoke collaborate with a production from Knoxville, Tennessee called “Glory Denied,” a new opera about Colonel Jim Thompson, America’s longest-held prisoner of the Vietnam war.  Opera Roanoke calls “Glory Denied” – which is sung in English – “a powerful, heart-wrenching story of loss, loneliness and hope.” Its on stage at Jefferson Center February 24 and 26. Brooke Tolley is Opera Roanoke’s General Director: