Welcome to your fourth edition of “Getting to Know BOCO”. This month’s edition is all about celebrating the spirit of the holidays! We are so glad you are on this journey with us… so grab a cup of hot cocoa and a treat and let’s “Get to Know BOCO!”

Botetourt County Administrative Offices will be closed on Monday, January 20, 2025 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Botetourt Libraries will be closed Saturday, January 18th and Monday, January 20th.

*Make sure to sign up for our BOCO Calendar for up-to-date information at www.botetourtva.gov/notifyme.

Yule Love This: A Botetourt Holiday Contest Winner!

Congratulations to Bill Price for winning our “Yule Love This” Holiday photo contest. He has chosen to receive a $50 giftcard from Donnie D’s Bagels. With his winnings, he will purchase goodies to share with the Sheriff’s Office and E-911 Dispatchers. Bill – we are BOCOGrateful for you!

Feb 06

Fall in Love with BOCO: Botetourt County State of the County

What does it mean to Fall in Love with BOCO in 2025? Join us for a morning filled with hearing about the awesome things happening right here in Botetourt County as we reflect on the past year and look forward to what lies ahead. This is a hybrid event. You can attend in person or virtually (see registration information below)

We welcome questions during State of the County. Please submit your questions by January 25, 2025 to communications@botetourtva.gov

Free

Work for BOCO!

Looking for a new career in the new year? Then take a look at some of the job opportunities we have right here in Botetourt County! You’re not typical and neither are we! Browse our job openings at www.botetourtva.gov/jobs

Small Business Grant Award Winners Spotlight: BOCO Fit Rage

Meet Kristen, owner of BOCO Fit Rage and a recipient of a Botetourt County Economic Development Small Business Grant! Kristen is using funding to purchase equipment that can be utilized by all athletes at any fitness level, including our Special Olympics athletes who train at her gym each week! She's been helping to keep BOCO fit since 2014 - learn more about her passion for community and helping people get and stay healthy right here in Botetourt County!

Fire & EMS Graduation Ceremony – Recruit Acadmey #1

Botetourt County Fire & Rescue graduated Recruit Academy #1 on Friday, January 3, 2025. Ten recruits were officially pinned after completing a rigorous 24 week training academy. Many thanks to our community partners that made this academy a success: Troutville Volunteer Fire Department, Botetourt YMCA, Radford University Carilion (RUC), Bedford Fire Department and Botetourt County Public Schools for the donation of a school bus we now lovingly call “Tater Tot”. Congratulations to the recruits and their families for this prestigious accomplishment – welcome to the BOCO family! *Photo courtesy of Patrick Perkins Photography

Get to Know BOCO – Meet Jaime!

Meet Jaime Thrasher, Botetourt County’s Recreation Coordinator! Jaime started at the beginning of January and will be working out of the Parks & Rec Office in Fincastle. She will be coordinating memorable events for our community! We invite you to “Get To Know” Jaime:

What inspired you to work in recreation, and what do you love most about it? I started working in recreation because of my background in health and wellness. Recreational activities set the foundation for health and well-being as children. It instills that fitness is fun. That is what I love about recreation, you get to play, which is vital to our health and well-being. That is important, even as an adult.
If you could describe your vision for our community’s recreation programs in three words, what would they be? Encouraging, Uplifting, Informative
What’s one activity or event you’re excited to introduce that everyone in the community can enjoy? There are so many activities that I want to do, and I am excited to hear from the community about what they want. I would love to host a beginners paddleboard yoga class series and some running/walking/hiking groups. There are so many possibilities!

Welcome to the BOCO Family, Jaime!

Baseball/Softball/TBall Registration ends January 31st! Click here for all the info.

Breaking Bread, Building Bridges

Thu, Jan 16, 5:30pm, Buchanan

Join your neighbors for light refreshments and talk about things that matter with our host, writer and astronomer Josh Urban. Bring up the things that interest you and engage with ideas in an environment where people can disagree and still get along.

Art Club

Ages 18+. Explore simple art techniques and concepts in a relaxing atmosphere.

Fri, Jan 24, 11am, Blue Ridge

Fri, Feb 7, 3pm, Buchanan

Fri, Feb 28, 11am, Blue Ridge

Cozy Mystery Author Talk with Libby Klein

Sat, Jan 25, 11am, Blue Ridge

Join us for a morning of coffee and conversations with author Libby Klein, best known for her mystery series about gluten-free baker Poppy McAllister and her aunt Ginny at their B&B in Cape May.

Genealogy Research Using City Directories

Tue, Jan 28, 2pm, Fincastle

Dig into your family history by using city directors to find out about people, where they lived, and their professions. Presented by Rena Worthen, Library Genealogist.

True Crime Book Club

Tue, Jan 21, 6:30pm, Blue Ridge

Tue, Feb 18, 6:30pm, Blue Ridge

Discuss “whodunnit” books and authors with fellow true crime enthusiasts.

January: "Abuse by the Trusted"

February: "Con Artists and Swindlers"

 Find even more events at BOCOLibraries.info.

Adult Reading Challenge 2025

Read just twelve books before the end of the year to complete the challenge! Pick up a bookmark at a library or join through our online Beanstack challenge. Receive a prize as you reach each milestone on your bookmark or through Beanstack!

Beat the Winter Blues!

Shorter days and colder weather can leave us feeling sluggish or even down. For some, it’s the winter blues, while others may experience seasonal affective disorder (SAD)—a type of depression linked to seasonal changes.

Boost your mood this winter with these simple tips:

✔ Get outside – A daily walk provides fresh air, movement, and a change of scenery.

✔ Up your vitamin D – Consult a doctor about diet and supplements.

✔ Plan fun activities – Stick to plans to avoid isolating yourself.

✔ Stay social – Time with friends and family lifts your spirits.

✔ Keep moving – Even light activity can boost energy and mood.

✔ Lean on your support system – Let loved ones know how you’re feeling so they can check in.

Small changes can make a big difference—stay active, stay connected, and keep your spirits up this season!

Did you know that Botetourt County is a proud partner of the Regional Center for Animal Care & Protection? The amazing humans that work at the RCACP have the weighty goal of providing temporary shelter for stray, abandoned, and surrendered animals to return them to their owners or find them permanent, suitable new homes. Each month we will be teaming up with RCACP to share one of their adoptable furry friends.

Meet Jack and Roscoe

Jack and Roscoe are 9-month-old, twin brothers. We suspect them to be Miniature Pincher hound mixes, and currently they weigh about 20lbs. They are very curious boys! A little shy at first but will quickly warm up to you- especially when treats are involved. Their confidence soars when they are together! While they do love each other very much, they can also be adopted separately. Like all available pets at RCACP, these guys have been neutered, are up to date on their vaccines, microchipped, and current on flea/tick/heartworm prevention.

What’s Your Fav Winter Activity?

Skiing/Snowboarding

Sledding

Ice Skating

Hot Cocoa & a Good Book

Hibernating

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