The Roanoker - May/June 2015 - 19

THE GIST

Cosmopolitan Invitational:
50 Years of Speed and Strength
It's a measure of the 50-year longevity of the Roanoke Valley's Cosmopolitan
Invitational Track and Field Meet that that for the first 10 years of the event, only
boys participated.
And in that 1966 event, there were 115 boys from four schools (Addison, Jefferson,
Patrick Henry, and William Fleming high schools), competing in 15 events.
Contrast that to the expected turnout for this year's event - April 30-May 2 at
William Fleming - with about 1,300 participants overall, about half male and half
female, competing in 76 events plus 16 relays.
The meet, with records still held by twin brothers Ronde (high hurdles) and Tiki
(triple jump) Barber, of Cave Spring/UVa/NFL fame, will see the return of William
Byrd High's Marcellus Fletcher, who according to meet director Randy Lower, "has
an outside chance to threaten Tiki's triple-jump record."
Fletcher recently set the 3A indoor record at the Indoor Championship.
Admission is $5; $2 for students.

-KR
At the '98 event, William Fleming's Lee Suggs accepted the 400 meter medal from log-time
meet director, the late Harry Whiteside; in 2000, Suggs would set the still-standing Virginia
Tech record for rushing touchdowns in a season, with 27.

The Art of the Party: Paint Nite Arrives
Maybe you've seen the easels and smocks lined up in

been in Roanoke since October, when owner Cora

three-person team of Carpenter, Kaydee Wertz and

banquet rooms of some of your favorite restaurants,

Carpenter launched what has quickly become the

Stephanie Akers has expanded to include more local

or the Facebook pictures of your friends proudly

ultimate after-hours social activity in the valley.

artists and hosts.

holding nearly identical paintings and sipping glasses
of wine.
The phenomenon that is Paint Nite has only

"My cousin owns Paint Nite Hartford, and my

Each week there are four to five events held

aunt told me I should open Paint Nite Roanoke,"

around the valley at venues such as 419 West, the

Carpenter says. Less than a year later, the original

City Market Building and Hunting Hills Country Club,
among others.
"The beauty of Paint Nite is that we try to give
you a variety throughout the city," Carpenter says.
"You can pick it by painting, by artist or by location."
You don't have to be an artist to enjoy Paint Nite.
The instructors take you step-by-step through the
colors and brushstrokes, so after two hours (and a
cocktail or two) you have an original work of art to
take home.
It seems the hard work has paid off. Carpenter
recently acquired the franchises for Paint Nite
Blacksburg and Paint Nite Lynchburg.
"We are trying to stay fresh and new for the
valley," Carpenter says. "And make sure everyone

In just two hours, attendees create a complete painting with the help of the artist teacher.
THE

R OANOKER.COM

has a really great time." -SAMANTHA HOBACK
MAY/JUNE 2015

http://www.THEROANOKER.COM

The Roanoker - May/June 2015

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Roanoker - May/June 2015