floyd_virginia_magazine_2025_spring_summer by John Brill

Wildwood Farms Celebrates the 25th Anniversary of the Daylily Garden

Judy and Bob Bowman, the owners of Wildwood Farms Daylilies, both had a love of gardening and flowers instilled in them from their mothers. Judy had seen and shared daylilies from her mom and sisters, and she, along with her family and Bob, visited local daylily gardens and fell in love with daylilies because of the variety of colors, bloom styles, and ease of care. The Bowmans then traveled to Cherokee, NC, to visit a farm there. As fate would have it, the garden owner they visited wanted to reduce his inventory. The Bowmans obliged him and took home inventory to start their own cultivation. There began a dream. They started a daylily garden with selections that were both beautiful and stable enough to thrive in Floyd’s climate.

The couple chose to cultivate daylilies partly for their beauty and because they have been a major garden plant since ancient Chinese culture when Hemerocallis plants were primarily used for medicinal purposes and food from their buds and roots. The plants were mainly used for medicinal purposes until they were brought to Europe in the 1500s. By 1890, most known species of Hemerocallis had been introduced into American gardens. Today’s daylilies were derived from about sixteen original species native to Eurasia.

The history of the daylily plant is fascinating. Its botanical name is Hemerocallis, Greek for “beautiful for a day.” Daylilies are not true lilies, as they are not bulbs but herbaceous perennials. Each bloom only lasts one day but provides many bloom scapes with

Bob Bowman and Judy Bowman digging in the daylilies at peak blume

multiple buds in a “clump.” In 1921, Dr. A.B. Stout was given living plants and seeds of daylilies from China and patiently worked on the hybridization of the species. His contributions to the botany and horticulture of Hemerocallis are many, and the most prestigious yearly award for a daylily variety, “The Stout Medal Award,” is named after him. Throughout the years, hybridizers have patiently worked with the daylily, developing significant characteristics such as hardiness, resistance to disease, and bloom production, as well as visible traits such as color, form, and texture varieties. The strides made in developing the daylily are truly remarkable! Today, over 80,000 named, registered daylily varieties are available.

Daylilies are hearty, easy plants to incorporate into your garden. They require little care and are not bothered by diseases

or insects. The most common pest of daylilies is deer. Like most other landscape plants, deer love every part of the daylily. After bringing home some of their own inventory, the Bowmans purchased Judy’s stepdad & mother’s land to start the farm. Judy and her family are from Patrick County but spent much of her life in Floyd. George Royal, Judy’s stepdad, and his family were lifelong residents of Floyd. They had land on Black Ridge Rd. and built their house on Rte. 221 in 1953, this property hosts Wildwood Farms to this day. When looking for a name, they saw the name “Wildwood Community” up the hill at the edge of the property; as a family, they decided to adopt the name.

When they started their business, it was quite a challenge to move daylilies from Cherokee, NC, and plant hundreds of rows quickly to be prepared to serve customers

Judy and her sisters behind the second office in 2006. From left to right: Sue Nester, Judy Bowman, and Lou Hall

for the first time in June 2000. They could not have done it without the help of Judy’s family. Her mom cooked for all of them, and Judy’s sisters, brother, and nieces helped create and plant the raised bed.

The garden started with a tent for their “sales office” and no bathroom facilities for the first couple of years before they moved up to a small office building and a porta-john! For the next five years, the Bowmans increased the planting beds and the number of available varieties each year. It started small, but the Bowmans added new planting areas until there were two acres of beds for field-grown daylilies.

Bob and Judy had to learn a lot on the spot during their first years. One year early on, they experienced a bad summer drought. Judy and her sister, Lou, smelled smoke in the office. They ran outside and saw that the whole bank above the upper driveway was on fire, likely from a car backfire. The fire department came and put out the fire, and they believed that the hundreds of planted daylilies there were dead. Much to their amazement, within two weeks, the green from the daylilies was already peeking out of the ground, and the following year, they bloomed beautifully.

The couple also dabbled with some hybridizing of daylilies. Judy and her niece, Kaitlyn, who worked at the garden from age 12, worked for a few years, crossing varieties and planting seeds. They wanted to create hardy but spectacular varieties. At their peak, Wildwood grew around 1500 varieties of daylilies from hybridizers nationwide, with approximately a hundred varieties on offer. Bob and Judy kept the business open from April through September.

In 2011, Bob and Judy discussed adding a general store to the business. They talked to Judy’s Mom, and she was excited and looking forward to being involved. Judy and her mom were best friends, but unfortunately, Judy’s mom, Ethel, became ill at the beginning of 2012 and passed away in February, while her stepdad, George, passed away three weeks later. The Bowmans were so devastated that they put their general store plans on hold. They finally opened the store on April 13, 2013, to honor Judy’s mom’s birthday, April 8th. The first bloom season after Ethel’s passing was so hard, but Judy knew that Mama was there with her, and she would talk with her as she walked amongst the blooms, as she still does.

What started as a seasonal business became a retail store

Judy Bowman and her sister Sue Nester under the first office on the Grand Opening day June 24, 2000.

The second office

Judy Bowman and her mother Ethel Royal in 2005

Judy Bowman next to the original sign on Grand Opening day

with live music events and cruise-ins. Marrying a true, working farm with a retail business has been challenging. The Bowmans still work hard on the daylily farm and have the help of Judy’s sisters and brother-in-law, which is a blessing.

Wildwood has had excellent employees over the years who are now like family, even after moving on. For most of the Spring and Summer, the store is open seven days a week, so most farm work occurs during the evening. This means that the Bowmans sometimes have to settle for less-thanperfection. It is a hard lesson but a good life lesson to look past your weeds and still see the beauty.

The Store consists of home and garden décor, great gifts for all occasions, and a selection of foods, including VA canned jams and jellies. “George’s Kitchen” has been open since 2014 and has a great lunch menu. The Bowmans offer a music venue with regular live music events featured on stage. Despite some interruptions caused by Covid, Wildwood resumes hosting regular bands in the Spring.

The Bowmans also host classic car cruise-ins every 1st and

3rd Sunday from 1-4 pm from April through October. The cruise-ins are a fun way to enjoy the gathering of friends, classic cars, motorcycles, tractors, and any vehicle that you choose to bring. Wildwood Daylilies seeks to be known as the “neighborhood” place to be. Bob and Judy want to keep their events free for the public so everyone has somewhere to go. They do this to express gratitude to all the hard-working, kind, and caring people who make Floyd!

The Bowmans wonder where all the time went. Looking at their future, they know there will be changes, as with any small family business. For now, Bob and Judy are excited about this daylily season and hope to welcome anyone and everyone to celebrate Wildwood Daylillies’ 25th anniversary!

Judy and Bob Bowman • 540-745-5155 Wildwood Farms General Store and Daylillies 2380 Floyd Highway South, Floyd, VA www.WildwoodFarmsFloyd.com

Whiskers & Tails is Floyd’s New Veterinary Hospital

Dr. Helen Smith (Evans) was born in northern California and moved to a farm in small-town Alden, New York, at age 11. From the start, she knew she wanted to be a Veterinarian and never strayed from that path. She attended Cornell University for her undergraduate degree in animal science and graduated with honors. Helen then attended Ross University in St. Kitts, where she graduated salutatorian, second in her class.

After graduating in 2008, Dr. Smith moved to Phoenix, Arizona, to start her career. She worked at a couple of locations, including a Dental Specialist facility, where Dr Nossaman, DAVDC, took her under her wing and taught her dentistry until she moved to Dallas to open a

dental-only practice. With specialized training, Dr. Smith quickly developed a passion for dental surgery and continued to grow her education and skills. After 11 years in the Phoenix desert, she moved to Knoxville, Tennessee. She settled into a practice in Farragut, Tennessee, and quickly took over the more complicated dental cases. There, Dr. Smith was able to have a little taste of the farm life she grew up with, having a flock of chickens and geese, and even started keeping honeybees.

Helen’s husband, Peter Smith, is a 4th fourth-generation veteran. His Great Grandfather was in the Army in WWI, his Grandfather was in the Navy in WWII, and his Father was in the Army for 22 years, most

Helen and Peter Smith

of that time spent during the Cold War. Peter was born in Germany and raised in several locations, as the Army moves service members around regularly. Peter joined the Army Reserves in 1999 and went on active duty in 2000. He spent his 21 years in the Army as an Animal Care Specialist (68T) or unlicensed Veterinary Technician.

His first duty station was Lackland Air Force Base, where he was able to work at the Department of Defense Military Working Dog Center. He learned more there than at any of his other assignments and had the privilege of working with some extraordinary people and animals. Peter augmented the 993rd Medical Detachment during a tour in Afghanistan. Unable to find an apprenticeship after retirement, he returned to veterinary medicine and worked at two emergency clinics and a practice in Farragut, Tennessee.

Dr. Smith and Peter met in Tennessee and hit it off. After a year of trying to find a house in Tennessee during the tough housing market, they decided to move to Floyd to be closer to Peter’s family. They quickly fell in love with Floyd’s agrarian community and charm. They live here in Floyd with Peter’s 14-year-old son, Mason, 1 Bassett hound, three cats, one lizard, two tropical fish tanks, and a flock of 7 chickens.

Dr. Smith worked at a practice in Roanoke but was unhappy with the commute. After learning there was a great need for a veterinarian in town, Dr. Smith and Peter decided to open Whiskers & Tails. The Smiths are thrilled

to provide the community with much-needed veterinary care. They strive to provide quality and compassionate care at affordable prices and a healthy workplace for employees. The selected staff, including Dr. Smith and Peter, combined, have almost 70 years of experience in the veterinary field.

Whiskers and Tails currently offers services for dogs and cats but may expand its services to other species in the future. They provide preventative care and medical and surgical care for sick pets. Their facilities feature three patient exam rooms infused with calming pheromones to help ease patient anxiety, with one room dedicated just to cats. Diagnostics include in-house bloodwork, send-out bloodwork, dental and full-body radiology, ultrasound, and microscopy. A complete surgical suite is available, equipped with a heated surgery table, LED surgical lighting, ECG, blood pressure, oxygenation, carbon dioxide, and temperature monitoring. Surgical procedures offered include routine sterilizations, some soft tissue surgery, some orthopedics, and, of course, dentistry (in a dedicated dental suite).

Whiskers and Tails offers the services of Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT) Robyn, with 17 years of

experience working at Virginia Tech Teaching Hospital. They also have two staff members enrolled in vet technician learning programs, Sarah and Peter. Former clients of the Animal Care Center in Floyd with Dr. McGrath may recognize Sarah from her time there before they closed. Likewise, although she is no longer practicing veterinary medicine, Dr. McGrath may be seen popping her head in to say “hi” and work on building maintenance from time to time. The receptionist, Seanna, hails from Texas and has 12 years of experience working in the veterinary field. They also have two veterinary assistants, Allie and Julia.

Whiskers and Tails Floyd Veterinary Hospital is excited to open its doors to serve Floyd and looks forward to years of serving this wonderful community. Feel free to stop by for a tour and to meet the staff any time before bringing in your four-legged friends!

Whiskers and Tails Floyd Veterinary Hospital Helan and Peter Smith • 540-745-3000 846 Webbs Mill Rd N, Floyd, VA https://FloydVetHospital.com

From the Garden To Art

Joanne and Bill Bell have created and sold original artwork for over thirty-five years. They traveled throughout the eastern United States for many years, showcasing their work at various art and craft shows. In 2001, they purchased an old building in downtown Floyd and opened the Bell Gallery and Garden a few years later.

The Bell Gallery prominently features Bill’s award-winning landscape photography alongside Joanne’s pressed floral artwork and handmade jewelry designs. Bill primarily captures the ridges and valleys of Virginia and North Carolina, with a special focus on the Appalachian Trail and the Blue Ridge Parkway. He personally prints his images and handles all aspects of production in his studio.

Joanne specializes in creating pressed floral art, suncatchers, wall hangings, mirrors, and, in recent years, pressed floral jewelry. She grows, gathers, and presses flowers, ferns, grasses, weeds, and leaves, enhancing their colors with inks and paints to prevent fading. Then, Joanne crafts pendants and

by Joanne Bell

suncatchers using traditional stained-glass methods, lead-free solder, and recycled glass, often embellishing them with semiprecious stones. Additionally, she creates beaded necklaces and earrings to complement her jewelry pieces.

The gallery also showcases the works of over one hundred local, regional, and national artists and craftspeople. Visitors can find an array of jewelry, pottery, baskets, woodworking, and other original, affordable arts and crafts. Conveniently located just steps from downtown Floyd’s stoplight, the Bell Gallery and Garden offers an inviting space for art enthusiasts to explore and appreciate unique handcrafted works.

Joanne’s passion for nature and art stems from a deep-rooted connection to the land. With over forty years of experience as a professional craftsperson, she has refined her skills in pressed floral artwork, suncatchers, and botanical jewelry. Joanne carefully selects and presses leaves, grasses, ferns, and flowers, enhancing them with inks, paints, and dyes to maintain their vibrancy. After a second drying process, she arranges her

Bill Bell and Joanne Bell

designs between sheets of glass and solders them using traditional stained-glass techniques with lead-free solder. Her distinctive soldering style, combined with various etched and stained glass elements, adds a unique touch to each piece. In her jewelry, Joanne encases flowers, feathers, birch bark, snake skin, wasp nests, and insect wings in glass, all while making sure to harm no animals in the process.

Joanne is a dedicated gardener who cultivates thousands of flowers, herbs, ferns, and wild plants. She continuously experiments with new botanicals and designs, appreciating the opportunity to merge her love for gardening with her artistic endeavors. Her favorites include hydrangeas, lavender, thyme, daisies, ferns, and tree leaves. Hydrangea bushes flourish within their deer-fenced garden, which she finds particularly easy

to grow and press. Herbs such as lavender, sage, thyme, and rosemary thrive both in her studio and kitchen, and she collects tree leaves and ferns from nearby woodlands. Weeds, often overlooked, also play a significant role in her work.

Queen Anne’s Lace is a particular favorite, growing freely in the wild patches of the property alongside other native wildflowers and weeds. With minimal intervention, fleabane, yarrow, black-eyed susans, bee balm, jewelweed, and white clover thrive. Joanne also maintains a sustainable approach to gardening by composting fallen leaves, kitchen scraps, and garden weeds. This natural compost enriches the soil without the need for expensive fertilizers. Grass clippings, pine needles, and straw serve as mulch, while white clover provides food for groundhogs and rabbits. Squirrels collect walnuts, birds and chipmunks feast on sunflowers, and bees and butterflies remain active throughout the growing season.

Once flowers are grown and gathered, they are pressed, painted, arranged, and soldered into glass pieces, and then Joanne’s work is ready for sale. She presents her creations at juried art and craft festivals across the mid-Atlantic states and in their very own store, the Bell Gallery and Garden, in downtown Floyd. Bill and Joanne established the gallery nineteen years ago, and today, their daughter, Darcie, manages the store and maintains the beautiful alley garden. Visitors are always welcome to explore the gallery and experience their artwork in person.

Bell Gallery and Garden • Joanne and Bill Bell 112 N. Locust Street, Floyd, VA www.BellGalleryandGarden.com • 540-745-4494 info@BellGalleryandGarden.com

Republic of Floyd Emporium Changes Ownership

Since opening in 2010, the Republic of Floyd Emporium, located in the heart of downtown Floyd, has provided visitors and locals with a wide selection of essentials, including gifts, gourmet snack foods, fine wines, imported and craft beer, and more. The emporium now finds itself with new ownership in 2024.

Not a country or a new political party, The Republic of Floyd Emporium was the brainchild of Thomas Cole Stone Ryan, a satire writer, weekend bartender, music event promoter, art agent, and businessman. Tom had a larger-than-life personality and a tremendous sense of humor. He, along with local artists, created a distinctive line of Floyd-inspired apparel, hats, prints, glassware, and other merchandise that stand the test of time!

After Tom’s unexpected passing in early 2013, a group of Floyd folks jumped in and bought the store from Tom’s estate, collectively owning it and protecting his legacy until fate brought a new owner. That group included Will Griffin, Chris Bond, Kerry Underwood, Martha Taylor, Lester Gillespie, Sam & Dottie Moore, Jim Newlin, and Dan Sweeney. The current ownership owes the group a deep debt of gratitude for saving

the store. More recognition and thanks go to the long-time store manager, Connie Colloca. Connie was hired in 2011; she was a significant asset to Tom and did a fantastic job running the store. After Connie retired in 2024, the group decided to search for a new owner.

In August of 2024, the group found that new owner in Terri Tishman. Terri was born and raised in Richmond and started her career as an administrative assistant, working for lawyers and, eventually, the Attorney General’s office. When Terri met her future husband, John Layman, in 1988, they went off to California to pursue a shared passion for natural foods. They spent the next 10 years in the Bay Area, working in the natural food industry. In 1999, Terri returned to administrative work at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg after being a stay-at-home mom to two young sons. The family moved to Floyd in 2000. After arriving in Floyd, Terri spent 20 years working for Across-theWay Productions, the parent company to FloydFest, and at the Harvest Moon Food Store.

Terri’s first involvement with The Republic of Floyd came when

Terri Tishman

Tom Ryan hired her to work his booth at FloydFest. Tom Phelps Pottery and The Republic of Floyd were booths #1 and #2 in the main stage field in those early years! Terri joined Connie and her team in December of 2022 as a part-time cashier. She was just getting to know Tom when he suddenly passed away, and she will always treasure her autographed copy of the Floyd Dysfunctional Family Cookbook, which simply said, “Call me when you leave your husband!”

She loved her job at the Republic of Floyd and, therefore, jumped at the offer to become the proud owner of the downtown establishment. It is truly a perfect fit for Terri as she enters her 60th year. Those who know Terri know that she loves people, humor, storytelling, and enjoying life. Terri’s vision for the store is not unlike other entrepreneurs’: to keep the lights on and turn a profit. The team intends to continue to provide the best wine, beer, gourmet snacks, and locally made goods. They are also working to expand their popular Floyd-inspired branded items while focusing on continuing to serve the community’s needs and offering exceptional customer service.

There are always challenges for any business or business owner, and the Republic of Floyd or Terri is no exception. However, a great business owner knows their limitations and involves others who complement their strengths and weaknesses. That is precisely what Terri has done; she hired Pamela Pinto-Sessions to serve as the marketing manager. Pamela has already renewed the store’s presence on Facebook and is bringing her knowledge and

love of wine to the role. She fits in well on the team!

The question often heard most at the store is, “What is the Republic of Floyd?” After careful deliberation over some frosty beverages, Tom concocted this fabrication and hoped it would suffice until he could elucidate a more disingenuous reply.

Tom said, “The Republic of Floyd is merely a loose confederation of underemployed artists and wannabe entrepreneurs that banded together in the current space/time continuum to turn a buck doing as little as possible. From time to time, a few of us help out at Floyd Fest, host musical events and art shows, cook food for the masses, and volunteer time to local fundraising projects. But for the most part, we drink coffee, wine, and beer and discuss all the things we’d accomplish if we only had the modicum of ambition. And this, folks, is where you come in, that hard-earned money you’re squandering on mortgages and retirement… let it go as the Buddha advises… spend it here. Your support and continued hard work will allow us to keep living the dream.”

Tom’s spirit is ever present as a reminder to never to forget why the store is kept open. The Republic of Floyd Emporium is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 am to 6 pm and Sundays from 12 pm to 4 pm.

Terri Tishman • The Republic of Floyd Emporium 540-745-2898 • RepublicOfFloyd@gmail.com 114 S Locust St Suite B, Floyd, VA www.RepublicOfFloyd.com

FLOYD COUNTY, VA

The Town of Floyd

DIRECTORY PART 1

16 Hands www.16Hands.com

A New Leaf Gallery www.ANewLeafGallery.com 540-745-7367

American Pie Restaurant www.AmericanPieRestaurant.com 540-745-2501

Anahata Education Center www.AnahataEducationCenter.com 540-745-5811

Beacon Chiropractic www.BeaconChiroFloyd.com 540-745-4450

Bell Gallery and Garden www.BellGalleryAndGarden.com 540-745-4494

Bent Mountain Lodge Bed and Breakfast Inc 540-651-2500 www.BentMountainLodgeBedAndBreakfast.com

Blue Ridge Yurts www.BlueRidgeYurts.com 540-745-7458

Bread Basket facebook.com/BreadBasket.floydva 540-745-5382

Buffalo and More www.BuffaloAndMore.com 540-381-9764

Buffalo Hemp Company www.TheBuffaloHempCompany.com 540-745-8242

Buffalo Mountain Adventures www.BuffaloMtnAdv.com 540-755-0910

Buffalo Mountain Brewing Co www.BuffaloMountainBrewery.com 540-745-2491

Buffalo Mountain Disc Golf www.BuffaloMountainDiscGolf.com 704-807-1886

Buffalo Mountain Ziplines www.BuffaloMountainZiplines.com 540-200-5234

C.W. Harman & Son www.CWHarmanAndSon.com 540-745-2252

Carter and Company Insurance jcarterinsurance@outlook.com 540-267-5054

Chestnut Springs Retreat 540-745-2345

Citizens www.Citizens.coop 800-941-0426

Cocoa Mia facebook.com/CocoaMiaChocolates 540-695-0224

Concord Corner Store facebook.com/ConcordCornerStore 276-952-3400

Country Road Realty www.CountryRoadRealtyVA.com 276-952-6582

County Sales www.CountySales.com 540-745-2001

Crockett Home Improvement www.CrokettHomeImp.com 540-382-8747

Crooked Mountain www.CrookedMtn.com 540-541-9734

Crossroads Cafe 276-930-1850

Daffodils & Butterflies Boutique Daffodils.Floyd@gmail.com 540-204-7136

Daniel Bishop Homes www.DanielBishopHomes.com 540-239-9086

DeHart Tile Co www.DeHartTile.com 540-382-3271

Dogtown Roadhouse www.DogtownRoadhouse.com 540-745-6836

Dulaney’s Greenhouse www.DulaneyGreenhouse.swva.net 540-745-2994

Earth Dance Jewelry & Gems 540-230-7955

Edward Jones - David Cross www.EdwardJones.com/David-Cross 540-745-6851

Farm Credit of the Virginias www.FarmCreditOfVirginias.com 540-745-2071

Farmer’s Market / Sustain Floyd www.SustainFloyd.org 540-745-7333

Floyd Center for the Arts www.FloydArtCenter.org 540-745-2784

Floyd County Fair www.FloydCountyFair.com

Floyd Country Store www.FloydCountryStore.com

Floyd

Jacksonville Trading Co.

540-745-4653

Jerry & Connie’s House of Collectibles facebook.com/MeadowsOfDanAntiques 276-952-1095

LCF Group www.VirginiaMountainLand.com 540-808-4984

Lichen or Knot www.LichenOrKnot.com 540-267-6556

Liquid Fire Glass facebook.com/LiquidFireGlass 540-250-6728

Living Light River Studio www.LivingLightRiverStudio.com 540-745-5483

Main Street Mechanics 540-745-4224

McHale Arborscape facebook.com/ShaneMcHalesArborscape 540-810-1845

Mickey G’s Bistro www.MickeyGsBistro.com 540-745-2208

Mountainside Holistic Clinic www.MountainsideHolistics.com 540-745-4654

New Mountain Mercantile www.NewMountainMercantile.com 540-745-4278

New River Valley Hearing www.nrvhearing.com 540-731-4327

On the Water in Floyd www.OnTheWaterInFloyd.com 540-838-1877

Omnibuild www.OmnibuildConstruction.com 540-745-2599

Pine Tavern Lodge www.ThePineTavernLodge.com 540 745 4428

Phillips Real Estate www.PhillipsRealEstateVA.com 540-745-3700

Phoenix Hardwoods www.Phoenix-Hardwoods.com 540-745-7475

Poppy’s MODpoppys.com 276-952-8370

Premier Seamless Gutters PSG@ibyfax.com 276-952-8488

Poor Farmers Market 276-952-2670

RE/MAX Dominion www.ReMaxDominionVA.com 540-239-5222

Republic of Floyd www.RepublicOfFloyd.com 540-745-2898

Red Rooster Coffee www.RedRoosterCoffee.com 540-745-7338

Ron Campbell Art & Custom Framing www.RonCampbellArt.com 540-521-1986

Rorrer Well Drilling www.RorrerDrilling.com 540-745-6448

Sacred Stars & Stones www.sacredstarandstone.com 866-702-1455

Settler’s Choice www.SettlersChoice.com 276-266-5807

Schoolhouse Fabrics facebook.com/Schoolhouse.Fabrics 540-745-4561

SETEC www.SoilAndEnvironmentalTechnology.com 540-381-0309

Slaughters’ Supermarket

540-745-2908

Spencer’s Body Shop 540-745-5880

Sticks & Stones Construction 540-763-2003

StoneHaven Inn www.StoneHavenBnBFloyd.com 540-745-4018

Streamline Timberframe www.StreamlineTimberframe.com 540-230-5505

Sweet Providence - Tree Farm www.Facebook.com/SweetProvidenceFarm 540-525-8444

T & E Small Engine www.TESmallEngine.com 540-745-8383

The Maggie www.TheMaggieGallery.com 540-745-8000

The Schroeder Law Firm, PC www.Schroeder-Law.com 540-745-4435 The Woodshed 540-320-3057

Thomas & Wall Real Estate

Robley D. Evans, Civil War and Spanish-American War Hero Part 1 –

The First 20

Military heroes are usually well-recognized in their hometowns. Places, people, and things are named after them and discussed in programs and history classes. Not so for an American hero named Robley Dunglison Evans.

Robley D. Evans was born on August 18, 1846, to Samuel Andrew Jackson Evans (1816-1856) and Sara Alphonsa Jackson (1818-1892). The home that was the site of his birth stood between the Old Presbyterian Church and the Howard/Rakes Mansion, neither of which existed in 1846. The site was outside and across the street from the edge of the Town of Jacksonville, today Floyd.

Robley was the second of five children, and his siblings were Anna Marie “Annie” [Hines] (1844-1886), Samuel Taylor (1847-1890), William Moore (1853-1880), and George Wilson (1854-1854). During Robley’s childhood in Floyd County, his father was a medical doctor who had graduated from the University of Virginia. Dr. Evans served as the jail doctor for Floyd County for several years and represented the county as a member of the House of Delegates from 1846 to 1847.

Compared to most Floyd County residents in the nineteenth century, the family was financially well off. As one of the two or three largest slaveholders in the county, the family owned fifteen enslaved people and owned a house in town and a farm about four miles away.

In the first of his two autobiographies, A Sailor’s Log, Robley describes his formative years: “The home of my parents was in the mountains of Virginia, which…were almost as wild and rough as the partially settled mountains of the West.” Back then, Floyd County had about ten people per square mile, and the area around the courthouse was still sparsely settled.

“My first distinct memory of myself is when I was about four years old. I had rather long, light-colored curls, was sturdy in health, and wore a blue velvet suit with a feather in my cap for ornament.”

Years

Robley continues, “at this time, I rode from my home to the schoolhouse every day, a distance of five miles, and while I can recall the way the teacher used to thrash the boys, first sending them to cut the birches, I cannot recall that I ever learned anything.

“Life in the mountains of Virginia in my early boyhood was very different from any I have ever known since. The country was thinly settled, and the people were, as a rule poor, but what they had, they freely shared with their neighbors. Their hospitality was great and sincere. They were honest, hard-working people who insisted on straight dealing, and they sometimes took the law into their own hands to enforce their ideas.”

“Churches and schools were few and widely distributed. In place of the former, we had the ‘circuit rider’…. Wheeled vehicles were not in use to any general extent for pleasure purposes, as the few roads we had were mere trails fit only for horses,” Robley explains.

“The winters were very severe, and, of course, life was mostly indoors. When the river was in condition for such sport, we spent much time sleighing on it. My father had brought from the East a two-horse sleigh, and on this, the family had many jolly rides, particularly on moonlit nights.”

Robley’s time in Floyd County ended when his father died in 1856. At age 10, he and the rest of the family moved to Fairfax to be among close family and to provide greater educational opportunities for the children. Robley’s mother, Sara, would later marry Joel Pepper and return to Floyd County to live.

In 1859, Robley was living in Washington, D.C., with an uncle through whom he came in contact with William Henry Hooper, the delegate to Congress for the Utah Territory. Hooper offered Robley the Utah Territory’s Naval Academy appointment. To accept the proffered appointment, Robley had to move to Utah to establish residency.

At age 13, Robley decided to move west to Utah alone. During his sojourn across the country, he was involved in a fight with Indians and received a slight wound from an arrow. However, he made friends with other Indians, who presented him with bows, arrows, pipes, and buckskin clothing when they parted ways. During the year he stayed in Utah, he met and introduced himself to Mormon leader Brigham Young.

In mid-July 1860, Robley left Utah and headed east on the overland coach; in Missouri, he took the train to Annapolis, Maryland. He stood for his entrance exam to the Naval Academy on September 15. He passed the exam not quite a whole month past his fourteenth birthday. On September 20, 1860, Robley reported for duty on the U.S.S. Constitution (“Old Ironsides”) for naval training.

When the Civil War began, and Southern states seceded from the Union, many Southern men left the Naval Academy to return to their native states. Robley’s mother and family demanded that Robley resign from the Academy and return to Virginia. His mother even sent a letter of resignation for her son; the U.S. military accepted the letter. However, this was against Robley’s wishes as he had determined to “stick by the ‘Old Flag.’” Through the intercession of an officer on the Naval Academy staff, the resignation was withdrawn and canceled; Robley stayed in the Academy. Afterward, Sara and most of the family cut Robley off. Sara did not make amends with her son until near her death.

Robley was due to graduate from the Naval Academy with the Class of 1864 but was called to active service in September 1863. He served until late 1864 on patrol duties on the U.S.S. Powhatan in the Caribbean and along the Atlantic Coast.

On December 22, 1864, the Powhatan was off the mouth of the Cape Fear River near Confederate Fort Fisher in Wilmington, North Carolina. Admiral David Dixon Porter attempted to blow up the fort using a boat packed with gunpowder. The ship blew up at 2 a.m., but with the sun rising, it was discovered that no damage had been done to the fort. Admiral Porter and General Alfred Terry were determined to make another attack on Fort Fisher.

The Second Battle of Fort Fisher started with an ineffective naval bombardment on January 14, 1865. Then, at 3 p.m., Ensign Robley D. Evans led his marines over 1200 yards of loose sand; the marines broke under fire, but the attack continued. Robley took a wound to the chest

in the initial charge; he patched that wound and continued. Moments later, he was shot three inches below his left knee. While continuing to move forward, he was hit a third time in the right knee. This third wound proved debilitating, and one of his men helped him to cover. Shortly thereafter, he received a fourth wound. While behind a sand hill, after that fourth wound took off the end of his toe, Robley shot and killed the sniper who shot him on the wall of Fort Fisher. He later declared, “in the excitement of the charge, getting wounded was fun.”

While lying on the sand, Robley watched much of the continuing battle for Fort Fisher. At 10 p.m., the Union troops finally took the Confederate fort. Toward the end of the fight, he was removed to a ship and eventually evacuated to Norfolk. In the hospital at Norfolk, the surgeon in charge wanted to remove his right leg. Robley argued with the staff, pulled a pistol loaded with six shots, and told the surgeons, “I would kill six before they cut off my leg.”

Robley would have a lifelong limp, but they did not remove his leg. He later credited the doctor’s wife and daughter for saving his life. Since there were no trained nurses, it was their care that allowed him to survive a fever, erysipelas in his left leg, and an abscess in his right. His wounds healed by June 1865, By June 1865, but his limp was permanent.

Believing that Robley could not perform the duties of a naval officer, the Navy Medical Board placed him on the retired list at 19. He was the only officer in the Navy up to that time to be retired for wounds received in battle. However, he had no intention of accepting this forced retirement and appealed to Congress. On January 25, 1867, now Lieutenant Robley D. Evans was reinstated to active duty. He would go on to spend another 40 years in service to his country.

To be continued next issue!

Amish Family Lays Down Roots

Opens Hardware and General Store in Meadows of Dan

Norman Zook and his family have built a life centered around faith, community, and hard work. With eight children and ten grandchildren, Norman and his wife have been together for 33 years, navigating life’s journey from Pennsylvania to Kentucky and now to Meadows of Dan. Their story is one of resilience, dedication, and a commitment to providing for both their family and the local community.

Norman and his wife, Mary, come from Amish families with deep roots in their faith and way of life. Their ancestors were among the original Anabaptists who came to America in the 1700s from Switzerland, seeking religious freedom. For generations, the Amish have upheld their values of simplicity, faith, and community, and

the Zook family is no exception.

Originally from Pennsylvania, they moved to Mason County, Kentucky in 2005, where they worked in the lumber industry. In 2023, the Zooks relocated to Meadows of Dan with their Amish community from Kentucky. Today, they are practicing members of the Amish circle in their new home, where 13 Amish families have established a close-knit community.

When the Zooks moved to Meadows of Dan, they quickly recognized a need for a hardware and general store in the area. They planned to open their business within six months of arriving, working tirelessly to turn their vision into reality. In January, they purchased a store that had once been the Meadows of Dan Farm Service, a farm equipment

dealership. After holding an auction in May to clear out old inventory, the entire family pitched in to prepare the store for its grand opening in August.

Their hard work paid off, and Frontier Farm and Home Center has steadily grown thanks to overwhelming support from the local community. Customers come not only from Meadows of Dan but also from surrounding areas like Stuart and Patrick Springs, as well as travelers passing through on the nearby Blue Ridge Parkway.

The Zooks have created a full-line hardware and general store that caters to both specialty and local needs. They source their hardware supplies from a West Virginia-based supplier and work closely with local building contractors. In addition to traditional hardware items, their store features locally sourced products, including meats, honey, and storage buildings manufactured in Virginia. They also sell playsets, appealing to families in the area.

Norman and his family take pride in continuously expanding their inventory based on customer requests. They aim to provide high-quality products that meet their community’s practical and everyday needs.

The Zook family’s dedication to their store is a testament to their strong work ethic and commitment to family values. The whole family helped prepare the store for opening, and two of their youngest children, Lorene (18) and Marlene (14), currently work there.

Their oldest daughter, Barbara, now 32, lives in Kentucky with her own family, contributing to Norman’s growing number of grandchildren.

Despite their strong ties to Kentucky, the entire Zook family in Meadows of Dan is deeply invested in their new home. They are grateful for the support from the local community and are committed to remaining in the area for the long term.

“We have been very thankful and blessed by the local Meadows of Dan Community and their acceptance, helpfulness, and support with our move here and the opening of our business,” Norman expressed. “It seems like almost every day that customers tell us, ‘Wow! Now we don’t need to spend half the day running after supplies!’ We also get a lot of requests for bulk food and deli items. Who knows what’s next? All honor and glory to God for blessing us and the local community for its support.”

and a dedication to hard work. Their move to Meadows of Dan was not just about relocating—it was about building a future in a place where they could contribute and thrive. Their store stands as a testament to the power of community support and the enduring values of the Amish way of life.

As their business grows, the Zooks remain focused on serving their customers and adapting to their needs. They are happy with their current position and always look for ways to improve and expand their offerings. With their deep roots in the Amish tradition and their commitment to their new home, Norman Zook and his family have found a place to continue their way of life, support their community, and ensure a bright future for future generations.

Norman Zook • Frontier Farm and Home Center 2934 Jeb Stuart Hwy, Meadows of Dan, VA 276-952-2800

Norman and his family’s journey has been guided by faith

Floyd VA Spring and Summer Happenings 2025

Located atop the magnificent Blue Ridge Plateau in southwestern Virginia, Floyd is a haven of natural beauty, where the people are renowned for their hospitality. Floyd has a vibrant culture of music, arts, local foods and wines, and outdoor recreation. With nearly forty miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway running through it, Floyd is a wonderful place to visit. For more information about below and other events, go to VisitFloydVA.com or call the Visitor Center at 540-745-4407.

SAMPLING OF MAJOR EVENTS:

March 23 - Taste of Floyd - Floyd Center for the Arts www.floydartcenter.org/tast-of-floyd

April 5 - The Appalachian Journey - Floyd Family Campground www.theappalachianjourney.com

April 12 - Emergency Preparedness Fair Floyd EcoVillage

April 12 - Open House Celebration Floyd County Historical Society www.floydhistoricalsociety.org

April 26 - Earth Day & Appalachian Species Giant Puppet Parade

Warren G. Lineberry Park

April 26 - Veteran’s Community Yard Sale - Crooked Mountain www.crookedmtn.com

May 3-4 - 16 Hands Spring Studio Tour - www.16hands.com

June 6-8 - Little River Poetry Festival

June 7-8 - Floyd Artisan Trail www.floydartcenter.org/artisan-trail

June 15th - Virginia’s Blue Ridge Music Festival - Floyd Eco Village https://virginiasblueridgemusicfestival.org/

June 21 - House and Garden Tour - Floyd Center for the Arts www.floydartcenter.org/house-garden-tour

July 12 - Replenish Festival - Burnett Farm www.replenishfest.com

July 23-27 - Floydfest - www.floydfest.com

August 2-3 - ChanterelleFest - Tuggle’s Gap Roadside Inn www.ChanterelleFest.com

August 2-3 - Pickin’ Fest - Crooked Mountain www.crookedmtn.com

August 28-31 - Floyd Yoga Jam - www.FloydYogaJam.com

September 13 - Mountain Valor Fest - Crooked Mountain www.mtnvalor.org/

September 13 - Floyd County Fair - Floyd Family Campground www.floydcountyfair.com

WEEKLY

Music is happening in the town and county every week. Check with venues for details.

• Small Town Summers concerts: free on Thursdays - every other week in the Warren G. Lineberry Park from June 5th through August 28th

• Floyd Country Store: Tuesday Tunes, Honky Tonk Thursdays, Friday Night Jamboree, Saturday afternoon American Afternoon music, Sunday afternoon music Jams, Oldtime and Bluegrass. Watch for Saturday & other night special concerts and dances

• Wildwood Farm General Store: an affiliate site of Crooked Road, has free bluegrass music every Saturday night throughout the year, Sunday music Jams every 1st & 3rd Sunday afternoons, and monthly Cruise-Ins

• Dogtown Roadhouse features music: Friday, Saturday & Sunday evenings, downtown Floyd

• Chateau Morrisette Winery: Music in the Courtyard Series–Free music on Saturday and Sunday afternoons in the courtyard through October

• Buffalo Mountain Brewery: hosts free music many nights, Thursday through Saturday and Sunday afternoon.

Cycle Floyd

Spring and Summer are perfect times to check out Floyd’s Floyd County Bike Guide/Map on-line. Available on VisitFloydVA.com

More information is available online at www.VisitFloydVA.com.

Or, you can visit or contact our Floyd Visitor Center, open and staffed seven days a week by calling 540-745-4407 or emailing info@visitfloydva.com.

Explore Virginia’s Heritage of Moonshine at Mountain Spirit Trail

The Appalachian Mountains have long been a source of mystery and allure, but few tales capture the region’s spirit quite like that of moonshine. This spirit, born of necessity and carried forward by ingenuity, is more than a drink; it is a testament to survival, resilience, and community. And now, you can be part of that story by exploring Mountain Spirit: Virginia’s Moonshine Heritage Trail, a one-of-a-kind journey through Franklin, Floyd, and Patrick Counties.

The Moonshine Heritage Trail uniquely blends history, culture, and hands-on experiences. Visitors can explore sites where moonshine stills were once hidden in the backwoods, learn about the role of moonshine during Prohibition, and visit local distilleries producing authentic craft spirits. Guided tours, tastings, and interactive exhibits provide a comprehensive view of the moonshine legacy, while the breathtaking Appalachian landscape enhances the experience. Whether you’re sipping a traditional corn whiskey or marveling at the craftsmanship of a modern copper still, the journey is as enriching as it is enjoyable.

Moonshining in Virginia dates back to the earliest settlers who relied on the production of distilled spirits as a source of income and barter. Over time, the practice became deeply ingrained in

Appalachian culture. Families passed down distillation techniques through generations, creating a tradition rooted in survival and community. During Prohibition, the demand for illegal spirits soared, and moonshiners, along with the law enforcement agents pursuing them, became legendary figures. Tales of daring escapes, hidden caches, and secret networks still echo through the mountains today, adding an air of adventure to the trail.

The trail seeks to move beyond romanticized portrayals. The reality of moonshine is one of hard work, creativity, and adaptability. Visitors will hear stories of those who depended on moonshine as a trade, establishing a way to earn a living in the isolated, rugged terrain of the mountains. These are stories of grit and determination, of people who faced hardships, transforming challenges into opportunities.

Bridging the gap between past and present, the Mountain Spirit Trail celebrates both tradition and innovation. Modern craft distilleries honor their moonshine roots while pushing boundaries with new flavors and techniques. Many use locally sourced ingredients, creating spirits as unique as the mountains themselves. At these distilleries, you can sample moonshine infused with regional fruits, honey, or herbs, showcasing the

versatility and creativity of today’s distillers. Behindthe-scenes tours reveal the artistry and science of the distillation process, offering a deeper appreciation for the craft.

This trail isn’t just about what’s in the bottle, it’s about the culture and community that surrounds it. Along the way, you’ll find festivals and live music where you can tap your toes to bluegrass and old-time tunes that once echoed through moonshining hollers. You’ll also discover the thrilling connection between moonshine runners and the birth of stock car racing, a legacy steeped in motorsports history. Visitors will also learn about Curtis Turner, the famous stock car racer born in Floyd, who developed his love of driving fast while hauling moonshine through the winding mountain roads. Turner’s daring exploits and larger-than-life personality made him a legend in the racing world and a symbol of Appalachian inspiration.

So grab your map, rally your friends, and hit the road! Mountain Spirit promises adventure, stories, and flavors that’ll stick with you long after your trip. The Spirit of Virginia’s Moonshine Heritage Trail awaits, still shinin’ as brightly as ever.

Funded by matching grants from the Virginia Tourism Corporation, Mountain Spirit: Virginia’s Moonshine Heritage Trail is an initiative of Floyd, Franklin, and Patrick Counties and the West Piedmont Planning District Commission.

Mountain Spirit Trail • www.MountainSpiritTrail.com

Decades in the Making, the Story of Bethesda House of Mercy

The Bethesda House of Mercy Full Gospel Church, a branch off the Congregationl Holiness Church Conference, has a rich history rooted in faith and dedication. Located in Floyd, the church’s story intertwines with the lives of its founding members and the spiritual journeys of those it has served.

The church’s pastor, Ed Gallimore, and his wife, Debbie, reside in Christiansburg but hail from Floyd. Ed’s great-grandfather founded Wills Ridge Lumber Supply in the 1950s, where Ed began serving customers at the age of 10. At the age of 13, Ed began using drugs and partying; he continued this lifestyle through most of his teenage years. He was introduced to Debbie at 15, but she was uninterested in Ed because of his lifestyle. The two later began dating when he returned from a hitchhiking trip to Texas when he was 16. Ed would then attend church with her and her family, which sparked an interest in Ed for ministry and service. Ed and Debbie married at 18, and both were saved by 19.

Ed began actively participating in tent revivals and took up the spiritual baton from Rev. JB Shelton, son of Rev. Elmer Shelton. Before becoming a pastor, Ed served as a deacon at Shawsville Congregational Church for 30 years and would later lead tent revivals in Shawsville. He became a deacon at age 23 and served in that role for 30 years. Deb also served as a secretary and treasurer for 20 years at Shawsville. Pastor Ed and his wife have been married for 47 years.

a local community church that hosted Methodist, Baptist, and Pentecostal congregations. Rev. Elmer Shelton, the Pentecostal preacher, played a significant role in their faith journey. Ed’s grandfather, Leslie, the oldest of the eight children, was saved at one of Rev. Elmer Shelton’s tent revivals in the 1940s. Leslie actively supported Rev. Shelton’s ministry by bringing him groceries and firewood to assist those in need.

Rev. JB Shelton later continued his father’s tradition. As a boy, Rev. JB disliked traveling from Hiwassee to Floyd for services, yet he answered the Lord’s call to ministry. When Bethesda House of Mercy was founded, Rev. JB and his wife, Shirley, joined the congregation, serving as worship leaders, prayer partners, and mentors to young believers until their passing.

Ed was born in Christiansburg to Iris and Dale. Iris was raised in Copper Hill and Dale in Floyd. The couple also had two daughters, both of whom live in Floyd. Iris and Dale are no longer together; they divorced when Ed was in the second grade. Iris lives in Christiansburg and faithfully attends Grace Life Baptist Church, and Dale attends Shawsville Congregational Holiness Church, where Ed served years ago.

The family’s spiritual roots trace back to Ed’s great-grandparents, Cordell and Stella Gallimore, dedicated Christians who raised eight children in Indian Valley. Despite the demands of farming and land clearing, Cordell faithfully took his eight children to

The Bethesda House of Mercy building, constructed in 1904, initially served as a Primitive Baptist Church. After a period of vacancy, Mr. Marshall of Marshall Nursery purchased and upgraded the property, intending to establish a Catholic Church for his Hispanic employees. The building later hosted various startup church groups before becoming home to Bethesda House of Mercy 12 years ago.

Bethesda’s congregation includes individuals whose lives have been transformed by faith, including Kayla Shelton. Once

Kayla Shelton

Josh and Amanda Morgan, Brandon and Ashley Welcher

Wendy Pauly

Debbie Gallimore and Ed Gallimore

entangled in addiction, Kayla’s struggle led her to a five-year jail sentence, being released after five months of good behavior. Kayla said she “cried out to God for saving, and he did.” After embracing faith and sobriety, she sought direction and pursued education, earning a degree in human services. Despite previous brain injuries that hindered her ability to read and retain information, Kayla excelled academically, earning a place on the Dean’s List. Today, she is a certified peer recovery specialist. Kayla credits God and Bethesda for turning her life around.

Another member, Wendy Pauly, overcame a 14-year battle with addiction. After her children were taken away, Wendy dedicated herself to the church. Inspired by a message on tithing, she began contributing faithfully. Shortly afterward, her employer, Food Lion, recognized her dedication by promoting her to a full-time position with benefits. Wendy continues to be a faithful witness and an encouraging presence within the church.

Ed and Debbie’s children have followed their family’s example of faith and service. Their daughter Amanda Morgan and her husband Josh live in Floyd, where they dedicate themselves to supporting foster and adoptive parents and their children through training programs. They have three children through adoption: Teagon, Paige, and K.G. Their second daughter, Ashley, lives in Elliston, Virginia, with her husband Brandon Welcher. They have one son, Grayson. Ashley and Brandon serve at Shawsville Congregational Holiness Church as teachers, continuing the family’s legacy of service.

Bethesda House of Mercy got its name from the Pool of Bethesda, where Jesus stopped to heal a crippled man in John 5. The church was born out of a desire to provide a spiritual home for families that Ed and Deb had prayed for and supported in their journey to faith. Through decades of dedication, the couple has witnessed many souls come to Christ, strengthening the mission of Bethesda House of Mercy as a beacon of hope and transformation in the community. Ed wants to remind readers what John wrote in his first epistle: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9).

The Bethesda House of Mercy • 540-230-9090

Pastor Eddie Gallimore • 209 Howard St., Floyd, VA

10th Anniversary of the Little River Poetry Festival

In 2015, newlywed poets Jack Callan and Judith Stevens kayaked down Virginia’s Little River while on vacation. As they paddled, they marveled at a stunning natural rock overhang that resembled a granite amphitheater. Inspired by the serene beauty of the spot, Judith envisioned an event that would merge poetry, nature, and adventure. She suggested bringing their poet friends from the coast to the mountains, where they could kayak down the river, write poems as they floated, and later share their creations with an audience on the riverbank.

To test the acoustics of their impromptu venue, Jack paddled across the river and listened as Judith recited a freshly written poem from her kayak. Her voice drifted effortlessly over the water, confirming that their vision was possible. With enthusiasm, they approached their friend Daniel Sowers, owner of “On the Water Outfitters,” who embraced the idea and offered his farm as the festival’s venue. By June 2016, the first Little River Poetry Festival was born.

In its early years, the festival primarily drew poets from the Tidewater region, where Jack and Judith had deep literary roots. Over time, the festival expanded to include local poets from Floyd and the surrounding mountain communities, creating a vibrant blend of voices and perspectives. Anchored on the first weekend of June each year, the event quickly gained a reputation for its unique fusion of poetry with outdoor activities.

Unlike traditional poetry readings confined to bookstores or cafes, the Little River Poetry Festival encouraged immersion in nature. Attendees could participate in dawn bird walks, hike to the summit

of Buffalo Mountain, or gather around a campfire for s’mores and singalongs. Yoga sessions, writing workshops, and meals prepared by Floyd’s talented chefs added further appeal. This mix of literary and outdoor experiences fostered a dedicated community of poets and poetry lovers who returned year after year.

Over the past decade, the festival has been a launching pad for many poets who have gone on to publish their work. It has also featured special guests, including Floyd area teachers and historians Sharon Wood and Beth Huddleston, as well as artists and musicians like Brian Magill, who introduced audiences to exotic Javanese instruments. The festival has continually evolved, adding new elements while maintaining its original spirit of creativity and camaraderie.

As the Little River Poetry Festival prepares to celebrate its 10th anniversary, organizers promise an exciting lineup of new and returning events. The festival will take place from Friday, June 6, to Sunday, June 8, at the Sowers’ Farm, also home to “On the Water Outfitters” at 2053 Thunderstruck Road in Floyd, Virginia.

Festival-goers can look forward to six open mic sessions where they can share their original poetry and a variety of creative workshops led by experienced poets. Those who prefer to listen can enjoy featured readings from some of the festival’s most celebrated voices. A Saturday morning kayaking trip down the river remains a signature event, allowing participants to write poems on the water before reading them aloud at the natural rock amphitheater. Primitive camping (tent, RV, or car) is available for $10 per night, and locally catered meals will be offered onsite.

A unique addition to this year’s festival is guided horseback riding led by horsewoman Jansen Sowers. Riders will explore the scenic trails of a fourth-generation family farm, experiencing some of Floyd’s most breathtaking landscapes from the saddle. Two two-hour rides are scheduled for Friday, June 6, offering an unparalleled way to connect with nature. This year’s Little River Poetry Festival will also feature Chef Adam Morrison of Two Trees Catering, who will provide meals in the meadow (meal tickets can be obtained via donation day of).

The festival’s literary lineup is as impressive as ever. Returning Floyd poets Colleen Redman and Katherine Chantal will be joined by Norfolk’s featured poet, Angela Stevens. The festival also continues to attract poets from Roanoke, Blacksburg, Richmond, and beyond, including Jamie Bell, Piper Durant, Michelle Acker, Rachel Anne Morris, Maggie Dillow, Dorian North, Rifke, and Erika Joyner.

Visual arts will also be part of this year’s celebration. Richmond-based artist Becky Taylor will showcase her work alongside Northern Virginia’s Kara Braciale, an artist affiliated with the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA). The festival will also feature the return of beloved poet-educator Beth Huddleston, who was formerly of Floyd and now lives in Winchester.

A highlight of the weekend is the Saturday night panel discussion, “Practice Makes Poets: A Conversation on Process,” led by Rachel Anne Morris. This engaging session will explore the creative practices that help poets refine their craft. On Sunday, the festival concludes with “Now, What Do We Do?”—a poetry ensemble discussion featuring Northern Virginia poet Eric Forsbergh, Roanoke teacher Maggie Dillow, and other distinguished guests.

With its unique combination of poetry, nature, and community, the 10th Annual Little River Poetry Festival promises to be an unforgettable experience. Whether you’re a seasoned poet, an aspiring writer, or simply a lover of literature and the outdoors, this festival offers something for everyone.

Weekend passes are $60, and single-day tickets are $20. Drop-ins are welcome. Primitive camping accommodations for tents, RVs, and cars can be reserved upon registration, and parking is free!

Kayakers should reserve their spots in advance at www.onthewaterinfloyd.com, and horseback riders can make reservations at www.alongthewaterinfloyd.com.

Little River Poetry Festival • Jack Callan and Judith Stevens www.facebook.com/LittleRiverPoetryFest/ www.LittleRiverPoetryFest.com

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