Arts, Leisure and Sports
Dan Bremner – Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs photo
Before their 2019-2020 season was cut short due to the pandemic, the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs had gone through several “rough patches” they were just starting to emerge from. With hockey back this Friday night at the Berglund Center after 600-plus days, head coach Dan Bremner said live in studio this morning he’s glad to have veterans like Travis Armstrong, Matt Beer and Jeff Jones back with the team:
It will have been more than 600 days since their last game when the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs hit the Berglund Center ice on Friday night for the season home opener. Head coach Dan Bremner said today he gets “goose bumps” just thinking about it. The Dawgs open against Fayetteville on Friday. Bremner is live in-studio with us tomorrow morning at 8:45 for a season preview.
(Zoo release) Mill Mountain Zoo is proud to partner with area Lowe’s stores (the South Roanoke, store #0664 and East Roanoke, store #1764 locations) as employees carry out the mission of Lowe’s Heroes Program by “giving back to the communities where [Lowe’s team members] live and work…” To accommodate the generous volunteer support, the Zoo will be closed to guests on Thursday, October 14 for this event.
Lowe’s began its company-wide Heroes Program in the 1990s. Annually, each store adopts a project of its choice that meets critical needs of the associates, communities, and their industry. This year, Mill Mountain Zoo considers itself lucky to team up with two stores for this day long volunteer event. Fifty+ volunteers from Lowes stores across the Roanoke Valley will work together to perform renovations and landscaping projects on the Zoo’s grounds.
“We are overwhelmed with gratitude for being selected by the Lowes management team as the recipient of their Heroes Program. Being a 69-year-old Zoo on the mountain presents plenty of maintenance challenges, and we are in constant need of renovations and repairs. This project is perfectly timed since the Zoo loses most of its modest revenue stream in the fall and winter months due to a drastic drop in attendance.” said Niki Voudren, Mill Mountain Zoo’s Executive Director.
The Anthem Go Outside Festival in Roanoke is back after a pandemic pause in 2020 – and its on the move in its 10th year. GoFest is shifting from the River’s Edge complex to the heart of downtown Roanoke, between Elmwood Park and the Market Plaza. Michael Clark is director for Roanoke City Parks and Recreation, one of the GoFest partners; he was live in studio this morning:
Image: LU Athletics Facebook
(from Liberty.edu) With alumni in the stands from all five decades of Liberty University history, the Flames rolled to a 41-13 Homecoming Weekend victory over Middle Tennessee, Saturday afternoon, at Williams Stadium. Liberty University, founded in 1971, welcoming its 50th anniversary alumni crowd back to campus during a special weekend to celebrate the school’s history.
The Flames did not disappoint their returning graduates, nearly doubling up the Blue Raiders in total offense (Liberty 449 yards; MTSU 265 yards). With the win, Liberty moves to 33-14 all-time during Homecoming Weekend games, including a 11-3 mark in its last 14 Homecoming contests. The victory also pushed Liberty’s home winning streak to 14 games in a row, extending its program record. Entering the day, Liberty’s win streak ranked as the fourth-longest home FBS win streak in the country.
Liberty rushed for 200-plus yards for the third time this season. The Flames finished the contest with 227 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns. Joshua Mack led all rushers with 91 yards and a touchdown. Malik Willis followed Mack with the quarterback rushing for 80 yards and a touchdown. The redshirt junior finished the game completing 17-of-30 passing attempts for 222 yards and two touchdowns, but he was picked off three times on the afternoon.
Liberty came into the game as one of five FBS teams in the country without having a pass intercepted. Demario Douglas posted his second 100-yard game in a row, leading all receivers with 10 receptions for a career-high 156 yards and his fourth touchdown in 2021. The Flames’ standout defensive, which held its fourth opponent this season below 20 points, was paced by Skyler Thomas, who finished with nine tackles (five solo, four assisted).