V E S TED V E S TED P A RTR N E R S P A R T N EERR S A M U L T I - F A MILY O F F I C E A M U L T I - F A MMII LY OFFFF I C E LEGAL LEGAL FINANCIAL Salem FINANCIAL FIDUCIARY FIDUCIARY ZŽZ ďLJLJŶŶ^ŵ^ ŝƚŚŚ ů ůŝů Ɛ͕ƩŽŽƌŶŶĞLJ David ElEllis,s CFPFP®, AIF® www.vestedmfo.comm INSURANCE Times~Register INSURANCE www.vestedmfo.com 540.389.6060 Thursday, June 17, 2021 • (USPS 631-140) • $1.00 540.389.6060 OurValley.org Salem High School graduates celebrate their journey with family and friends Shawn Nowlin Camera phones were pulled [email protected] out as soon as the seniors began walking to their designated seats. Members of the Salem High One by one, graduates heard School Class of 2021 have been their names over the loudspeak- through a lot over the last four ers then proceeded to shake Prin- years. From the coronavirus cipal Scott Habeeb’s hand before pandemic to having to adjust receiving their long-awaited di- to virtual learning, among other ploma. things, the graduating seniors As Hallie Darnall waited for certainly have stories that they her name to get called, all she can tell for the rest of their lives. could think about was her cap While COVID-19 robbed not falling off her head. students of several precious mo- “I wouldn’t necessarily say ments, recently lifted restrictions that I was nervous, more like allowed for their families and really excited. I braced myself friends to appropriately honor to cry but the tears never came. the graduates for concluding After I got my diploma in my their high school journey. hands and moved my tassel, I Salem High held its com- yelled,” said Darnall who will mencement ceremony on June be attending Penn State Univer- 11 at the Salem Civic Center sity in the fall. “My favorite high arena. Last year the formal- school memories would be par- ity was held in the Salem Civic ties in my IB classes and having Center Annex because of social an easy fi rst-period with my best distancing guidelines. To say this friend and favorite teacher Mrs. year’s graduation brought much SUBMITTED PHOTO Harless. I’m really going to miss familiarity would be an under- Lifelong friends Allyson Gallagher, Madison Tussey and Regan Repasky, left to right, all say the statement. encouragement they’ve received from family and friends over the years means the world to them. See Graduation, page 5 Brookdale Living hosts Council appoints Sizemore-Hernandez cookout to celebrate residents in surprise move Meg Hibbert Others who applied reuniting with their families Contributing writer were Josh Kier and Jim Ruhland. Council met in In a surprise move, Sa- closed session earlier this lem City Council Monday month to interview the night appointed Teresa candidates. Sizemore-Hernandez to Sizemore-Hernandez fi ll out the unexpired six- is out of town but issued month term of the late a statement: “I appreciate Michael Chiglinski on the the confi dence Salem City Salem City School Board. Council has in me, and I Sizemore-Hernandez look forward to bringing was one of four who ap- a new perspective to the plied for the seat. She was School Board...I am look- unanimously approved ing forward to bringing a after Councilman Randy parent voice, as well as a Foley fi rst made a motion vocational perspective to – which died for lack of a the discussions.” second – to appoint for- Her oldest son gradu- mer School Board Mem- ated from Salem High ber Sally Southard. School and is a teacher, her Councilman John middle son just graduated Saunders made the mo- from SHS and is pursuing tion to appoint Hernan- a career as a heavy diesel dez, saying he believed mechanic. Her youngest there needed to be new blood on the board. See Council, page 4 Sandra Reeves dancing with her mother Virginia who is a Brookdale Living resident. PHOTO BY SHAWN NOWLIN Shawn Nowlin totally impressed with the staff.” ate a fantastic living experience [email protected] Last Thursday, the indepen- that ranges from delicious food dent senior living facility hosted options, engaging events, social When people think about a cookout to welcome back fam- gatherings and so much more.” Brookdale Living in Salem, usu- ily members who weren’t able to Sandra Reeves’ mother, Vir- ally what comes to mind is a see their loved ones for almost a ginia, is currently a Brook- quality facility that offers indi- year because of the coronavirus dale resident. She says that be- vidualized care for families and pandemic. ing quarantined to a room for their loved ones. Ricky Baker’s “The pandemic was tough for months on end was the most dif- mother is currently a resident everyone. Our community serves ficult part of the pandemic. there, and he says he couldn’t be one of the most vulnerable pop- “Initially, we were able to happier with the care that she ulations that were impacted,” have outdoor visits. Once CO- has received. Allan Kirby, Brookdale Sales VID took hold, those ceased and “The staff knows her by name Manager of Admissions, said. that’s when it got difficult for ev- and go out of their way to make “While there were some incred- eryone - residents, families and sure she’s taken care of,” he said. ibly tough times, the pandemic staff. I know the challenge it was “Brookdale is the perfect place brought our team together, and for them to keep my mother in for that step away from living we grew closer to our residents. her room and that’s just one resi- alone to still living fairly inde- During a time when others were dent that wasn’t capable of un- PHOTO COURTESY OF TERESA SIZEMORE-HERNANDEZ pendently or at whatever level isolated, we still had a communi- derstanding,” she said. Teresa Sizemore-Hernandez was appointed Monday of help you need. We really like ty of people who were connected. night to a six-month term on the City of Salem School the facility, the location and are Our team works together to cre- See Brookdale, page 7 Board. LOCAL LENDERS. YOUR NEIGHBORS. Purchase | Refinance | Construction 540-591-5000 • www.vamtnmortgage.com NMLS #476841 Page 2 • Thursday, June 17, 2021 • Salem Times-Register www.ourvalley.org COMMUNITY CALENDAR The City of Salem •Glenvar Rotary Club Sensibly) at 5:15 p.m. at the at 11 a.m. Contact 540-375- has been monitoring FIRST AND meets 12:15 - 1:15 p.m. Salem Senior Center. For THIRD 3054 for more information. the potential spread THIRD TUESDAYS for lunch in Richfield more information, contact WEDNESDAY of COVID-19, and Retirement's Recovery and Linda at 540-389-4207. EACH SATURDAY like you, we have been Salem Host Lions Care Center cafeteria, first •Overeaters Anonymous Alzheimer’s /Dementia processing a great deal Club, 6:30 p.m., dinner floor. Guests welcome. (OA) meeting. 7 p.m. at Caregiver Support Group at •Salem Farmers Market of information. The and a program, Salem •Knights of Columbus Christ Lutheran Church at 2 p.m. at Salem Terrace at from 9:30 a.m. to noon, safety of citizens, school Civic Center. hosts bingo for charity. 2011 Brandon Avenue in Harrogate. weather permitting. Select children and visitors Proceeds support local Roanoke. Contact 540-293- vendors will have country is always the number SECOND MONDAY charities including RAM 4065 for more information. FIRST THURSDAY sausage, cage-free eggs, one priority from the House, Madonna House, •From 10 a.m. to 2 grass-fed beef, cage-pasture- Salem Civic Center to Paint Bank Ladies the Roanoke Rescue p.m., a chair caning and Roanoke County raised chicken, homemade City Hall. Emergency Auxiliary meeting, Mission, Saint Francis basket weaving class Woman’s Club meets at rolls, pieces of artisan bread, Management team 7:00 p.m. at the Paint House, food pantries and will occur at the Salem 10:30 a.m. in the conference muffins, seasonal greens and members are in constant Bank Fire Department. various youth projects. Senior Center. While free, room at College Lutheran more. contact with the Virginia Contact 540-897-5346 Games are played from 5:30 attendees are encouraged Church in Salem. New •Overeaters Anonymous Department of Health, for more information. - 9:30 p.m. at Gator Hall, to bring their own lunch. members are welcome. (OA) meeting. 11 a.m. at the Roanoke-Alleghany at 5301 Williamson Road, For more information, Christ Lutheran Church at Health Department and EACH TUESDAY near Happy’s Flea Market. contact 540-375-3054. EACH THURSDAY 2011 Brandon Avenue in area health professionals •Infinity Acres Ranch Roanoke. at our local hospitals. •Salem Chess Players Fundraiser from 4 p.m. to THIRD TUESDAY The Salem Senior During this time of meet at the Salem Senior 8 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Center’s Social Club, FRIDAY, JUNE 18 uncertainty, people are Center, 110 Union Street Church at 321 E. Church The monthly known as the 49ers Plus encouraged to monitor in Salem from 7-11 p.m. Street in Blacksburg. meeting for National Club, originally started the The 17th Annual Guns n’ the website (salemva. Open to anyone 16 years Tickets are $8 while Association of Women in senior program in Salem Hoses Charity Softball Game gov) for official city or older. Instructions are children eight and younger Construction (NAWIC) over 40 years ago. They will start at 7 p.m.