The New Board of Directors Takes the Helm January 1st. The following board members were elected to serve two-year terms beginning January 1, 2011. We are happy to provide a brief description of their unique talents and experience.

Marcia Neighbors - Is a fifth generation “Fincastlian”. Other than my years in college and teaching 5 years in northern Virginian, I have lived here all my life. I taught choral music and drama for 34 years in Virginia and 30 of those years here in Botetourt County. I have just retired and am finding that my life is busier now than ever. I am married to my wonderful husband, Mack, and have three children, Chad (Cherie), Christine (David) and Ginni Ellen and one grandson, Isaiah. We live in a farmhouse dating from the 1830’s and have had a great time restoring it and finding just the right antiques for it. Of course, this is an ongoing process. I have been involved with HFI for many years. However, there was a big gap in my involvement as my children hit their teen years. I served on the board during the late 80’s and early 90’s as well as chaired the Craft part of the Fincastle Festival. I am excited to be working with Patty King and Weldon Martin and the Botetourt Historical Society on the outreach program for the schools. I feel that it is vitally important to show these children their past and
get them excited so they can take this history to the future. There is so much that needs to be shared with the students so that our history will live on.

Gretchen Greiner - When I graduated from Smith College with a degree in education I had no idea of the journey I was embarking upon. I taught first grade in a military school in Ft. Knox, KY, then 5th grade in upstate New York in a school half of which had been burned the previous year. During my “sabbatical” while having two children I acquired my masters degree in library science from the University of Maine, and when the kids were in school I returned to work as a middle school media specialist. Computers came on the scene and I took a second masters degree, this time in instructional technology from Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. When we moved to Harpers Ferry I was fortunate enough to land my dream job in Frederick County, Maryland schools as Coordinator of Instructional Technology for the 56 schools in this county which spans the miles between Gettysburg in the north and Washington, DC in the south. I served in this position for 13 years. In my “spare time” during our years in Harpers Ferry I helped my husband with our farm, which specialized in harvesting your own apples from trees grown on trellises, your own pumpkins from our pumpkin patch, and your own Christmas trees from our rows of carefully sheared trees. I’ve always been interested in researching and preserving history. While in Harpers Ferry we delved into the history of our farm and were fascinated to discover that it was once owned by Isaac Dust, who served on the jury that convicted John Brown. We loved it there, but time marches on. When it was time for us to retire both Lee and I independently of each other chose the Roanoke area as the place where we wanted to spend the rest of our lives.

Mitch Bowman - Spent thirty-two years with Roanoke County Schools serving as teacher, elementary supervisor, and the last twentysix years as principal; eleven years at Hollins University as Associate Professor of Education and Chair of the Teacher Education Department. Mitch has a B. S. in Elementary Education from Radford University, M.S. in Psychology and School Administration from Radford University, and a Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Virginia. Has been a resident of Fincastle for thirty-two years; past member of Fincastle Town Council; assisted his wife when she was on the HFI Board with the Country Store during the Fincastle Festival as well as purchasing and selling HFI tee-shirts as souvenirs. Mitch is interested in preserving Fincastle and its history. He and his wife, Bobbie Waid Bowman, have worked on the restoration of five houses in Fincastle.

Marni Jones - Marni grew up in New York (Long Island) and has also lived in Norfolk, Charlottesville and Roanoke. She came to Fincastle because of its history and old homes. With her husband, Brian, she has restored their home, the Israel Christian house on Back St., and reportedly, the oldest residential dwelling in town. Marni became interested in HFI through its various activities and Brian’s recent position on the board of directors. Marni worked in publishing before becoming a mom. Currently she works for Greenberg Law Firm in Roanoke. She will serve as the HFI Secretary.

Shirley Sydnor - A native Virginian, born in Buckingham County. Shirley worked as a Secretary at The Darden School, UVA. She and her husband, George, moved to Richmond in 1961, where they lived until moving to Fincastle in 2006. My volunteer past has been a very interesting and rewarding one and include: Junior Board Historic Richmond Foundation; Junior Board Retreat Hospital; Co-chair St. Stephen’s MayFair House, a food and gift shop sponsored by the ECW {Episcopal Church Women of St. Stephen’s, monies derived from the sales were donated to various charities both locally and abroad; Goochland County Historical Society Board; Goochland County Garden Club; Grace Episcopal Church ECW, served as Treasurer. I have always been interested in history and the preservation of the past. Fincastle is unique and affords such a wealth of history in its background.

Lyn Burton - I am a graduate of Florida State University. Early in my working years I was employed by Eastern Airlines. I was a military wife for 21 years, raised 3 children, and have taught at both the Middle School and High School levels. I became a member of HFI in 2007 and have worked on four committees for various fund raisers. During 2008 and 2009, I served as the Souvenir Chair and have coordinated the designing, purchasing and sale of souvenirs.

Carol Brenner - Carol is native of Fincastle, attending Botetourt County Schools and graduating from Lord Botetourt High School. She graduated from Radford University and earned advanced degrees from Virginia Tech. After a career in retail management with Leggett of Roanoke, and education positions in Roanoke City and Roanoke County Schools, she currently serves the students at James River High School as a School Counselor. As an HFI board member, Carol interests include supporting the Town of Fincastle in enhancing the physical environment of the town and promoting tourism in the area. Interests include preservation efforts that honor the historical nature of Fincastle and surrounding areas. Other areas include assisting with events that promote knowledge of the area’s history and growing arts community. Carol will serve as Vice President.

Missy Sigurdson (Board Member-Elect) - Missy grew up in the Roanoke Valley. She has a BS in chemistry from Roanoke College. Missy taught 7th grade mathematics in Franklin County for a number of years. She now is the Teacher Licensure and Accreditation Assistant at Roanoke College. Missy has been involved in HFI for a little over a year. She has helped for the Holidays Home Tour 2008, Ladies Luncheon 2009, and Heritage Days 2009. She and her husband, Scott, have been married for 9 years and have a son.

Lynne Bolton - Lynne was born in Fincastle and lived there until her father was transferred when she was 11. A graduate of Mary Washington University, Lynne first worked in corporate America for many years in the plastics industry. Five years ago, Lynne moved back to Fincastle from Philadelphia, Pa. in order to help with her aging parents. At that time, she also decided to try “giving back” some of what she was blessed to receive over her academic years. As a result, she is now a social studies teacher at Lord Botetourt High School, and very active in school activities while focusing on helping the students to excel whenever possible. Because of her love of history and historic preservation, Lynne was and is delighted to be a member of HFI, and to have been asked to serve on the Board of Directors over the next term.

Lissy K. Merenda - A resident of Botetourt County for over 30 years, Lissy located here from New Jersey by way of attending college at Hollins University.  There she received a BA in Psychology and Sociology.  Later she received a M. Ed in Counseling from VPI and SU.  She was employed for 31 years with Roanoke City Public Schools working briefly as a social-work counselor for six years and 25 years in community relations with job descriptions including their Public Information Officer, event coordinator, public relations and marketing,  and coordinator of their Volunteer Partnership Program. She has served on numerous committees and boards at the local, regional level and was the President of the Virginia School Volunteer Program for eight years.  “The Volunteer Partnership Program was my passion,” she said, “building it to national recognition and becoming a trainer and facilitator for the national organization.” It was through the national organization that she met her husband of 11 years, Dan.  Between the two of them they have five children ranging in age from 23-38.  Lissy has two sons and a daughter and Dan has two daughters. They have two Golden Retrivers, Meriwether and Hamilton. Very much members of the family, she says. Lissy took early retirement six years ago, worked briefly for United Way and then she and Dan discovered Santillane and decided to take on the project of renovating her. She is now a venue for special events and a B & B.  In addition to serving on the HFI Board, Lissy serves on her church board, Williamson Road Church of the Brethren where she has been an active member for 30 years. “I enjoy gardening, decorating, crafts and entertaining so Santillane is a pretty good match for me,” she says.