Thank you to Juneteenth event participants
The Historic Greenfield Advisory Council (HGAC) of Botetourt County wishes to thank all 150 individuals from Botetourt and surrounding areas for their participation in the activities of the 2026 Juneteenth Freedom Jubilee event.
The return of Joe McGill to the county as guest speaker, his experience shared about his Slave Dwelling Project and “Sleeping with the Ancestors” highlighted the weekend’s educational activities – Campfire Conversation and Historic Greenfield: Past, Present, and Future. The inaugural 5K “Run to Freedom” Race was enjoyed by approximately 40 runners and walkers; and likewise, the music provided by local singer, Tina Enoch, and the event’s closing activity, a barbecue meal.
The two-day celebration and educational opportunity would not have been possible without the support of the following local businesses and individuals: Bank of Botetourt, and an anonymous donor as “Major Sponsors”; First Bank, Roanoke Cement, and Anna and Tom Lawson as “Sponsors”; Alfred (Bud) Preston, Patty and Richard King, Joe and Kathy Journiette, Linda G. Webb, and Danny and Elaine Kyle as “Friends.” To those who contributed to the “Donation Jar,” we thank you too. All contributions are tax deductible and will help to cover event costs, while remaining funds will be used to help restore Greenfield’s historic slave quarters.
We also wish to recognize those in-kind contributors – Kroger, Botetourt YMCA, Botetourt Chamber of Commerce, The Fincastle Herald for publishing weekly stories; WVTF Radio, and other media outlets throughout the region that supported the Juneteenth event. We especially want to thank our history/preservation like-minded friend organization, The Roanoke Valley Preservation Foundation (RVPF) for providing daily promotion through its website and linkage to others.
The Juneteenth 2026 Planning Committee is grateful to Botetourt County for the use of the county’s Administration Center where both the Campfire Conversation and the Historic Greenfield: Past, Present, and Future were held. In addition, Brent Watts and Kathy Butterfield of the Botetourt County Communication Dept. cannot be praised enough for their creative publicity.
Last, but not least, we pay tribute to the hard work of the HGAC’s Juneteenth 2026 Committee: Roblyn Brand, Beth Pappas, and Wendy Warren (registration, barbecue meal, and a variety of other tasks); Curtis Brown (musical entertainment); Edward Preston (5K race) and Cheryl Sullivan-Willis, (event emcee).
A great public turnout for a worthy cause– thank you!
Historic Greenfield Advisory
Council of Botetourt County
Writer expresses disappointment over Cloverdale recycling center closing
It is with great disappointment that we recently heard that the recycling center near Cloverdale Elementary School is going to be closed. My family has relied on this recycling center for years! The center has greatly reduced the amount of trash that we acquire.
Is there no possible way that we can manage to keep this recycle center? Please reconsider, Botetourt County!
Pat Deel
Cloverdale
