Three weeks ago, Isabella Jessee, Miss Southwestern Virginia, was crowned Miss Virginia Outstanding Teen, and now she has it all together and headed to Orlando to compete for the title of “Miss America’s Outstanding Teen.”

A send-off party was held last Sunday at Center In The Square. She is a violinist and we were treated with her performance of “The Devil Went Down to Georgia.” She was recently featured in BRAVUA Magazine – Road to Miss America Outstanding Teen. Her platform is Find Your Passion – Volunteermatch.org- website is isabellijessee.com.

Many of the girls that competed with her came to the send-off party to wish her luck, including Emily Allara, Miss Outstanding Teen 2016, and Miss Virginia 2017 Cecili Weber. Thanks to all that planned the party and Linda Haas, Executive Director, Outstanding Teens, Nikki Jonson Williams, Bob Zimmerman, Business Manager, Miss Virginia Board Member Rick Myers, photographer, family and friends. Local Ed’s are Chip Brown and Scotty Freda.

Isabella is a rising senior at Roanoke Catholic School. I know Headmaster Pat Patterson is proud of her. She is the daughter Dr. Tim and Melody Jessee. Grandparents are Pat and Thomas H. Sibold Sr. of Covington. Yes, found out they knew all my kinfolk there, LOL. We wish Isabella the best of luck there. She is already a winner and will always be our Miss Virginia Outstanding Teen!

Note to all the young girls, if you want to win scholarship money check into the program. Isabella has a scholarship to Hollins University. Either Miss Virginia or the teens have great scholarships. Check out the websites Miss Virginia or Teens. Don’t get them confused with other programs, this is for Miss America!

Happy Birthday wishes go out to Laura B. Hartman, Ray Sandifer, Ryan Pennington, Richard Evans, Gene Marrano, Catherine Welsch, Terry Hough, Margaret Wilkerson, Anita Wilkerson, Sam R. Carter, Derek Layman, Brad Archer, Meg Griffith, Nancy Gearheart-Scheie, Karen Haugh, Debbie Moore, Jon Cornett-Mckee, Dot Webb, Mary Hannah Garber Patti Johnson, Joey Nicely, Maddie Broderson, John Vail, Jennifer Gobble (50 and still looks nifty), Charlene Nance, Debbie Dickerson, Greg Huffman, Frank Flippen, Juanita Barbour, Richard Angell, Lisa Moorman Sumpter, Tim Hodges, Mark Madden, Paul Nester, Tim Leftwich, Christie C. Thompson, Jim McGrath, Eric Craighead, Melanie Sult, Cathleen Turner, Brenda Trussler, Donna Hogan, Chris Monroe, Robert Gevrekian, and Tommy Mckee (80 years young). Hope you all had a great one!

Happy Anniversary and congrats to Brenda and Darryl Dellis (celebrated their 50th at Billy’s Barn, shagging the night away and they still have it); Billy and Donna Entsminger, 52 years; Chad and May Morris, 8 years; Lana R. and Larry Bowles, 30 years; Angie and Tim Hodges, 20 years; Annette and Richard Wickham, 31 years; Candace M. and Chris Cobb, 3 years; Mary Beth W. and Kevin Glass, 33 years; Crystal B. and Paul Lineburg, 10 years; Martha and Freddie Akers, 64 years (fantastic); Don and Cara Blake, 22 years; Priscilla and Bill Parmelee, 52 years; and Shannon and Kathy Carr, 36 years. May you all have many more together.

Get Well wishes and prayers go out to Cody Gibson (surgery past week), Jack Ayers (another surgery), Jason Peters, John Wells, Mike Chewning and Tommy Wood (undergoing treatments), and Deborah S. Rogers (broken leg).

Ron Stone is now at Berkshire right here in Vinton. Ron was in a terrible accident and has been in the hospital in South Carolina, nine hours away from Mon and Dad Janine and Frank Stone. Now just 5 minutes away. Ron has really had a rough time, just so glad he is still alive – God is Good. Send him a card or drop by to see him! Hope all feel better soon.

Don’t forget the play “Bus Stop” at Star City Playhouse; this is the last weekend. They are doing a fantastic job. You won’t want to miss it. Again, yes, it is right here in Vinton on Pollard across from Vinton Motors, one door down from Twin Creek Brewing. Stop, have a beer and go see the play. You will enjoy it!

Event Zone is at Farmers Market Friday night with Legacy – Motown. Join the fun!!