Radford Magazine 2021 Fall/Winter

Radford Yo u r F R EE G u i d e t o R a d f o r d a n d t h e S u r r o u n d i n g N R V !

Fall/Winter 2021 Volume 1 Issue 1

M a g a z i n e

outique Charmed B

Farmers Insurance Belinda Blodgett

hop Dean’s Body S

- A R i v e r R u n s T h r o u g h It -

W W W. R a d f o r d M a g a z i n e . c om www.RadfordMagazine.com

Fall/Winter 2021-2022

Radford M a g a z i n e

Charmed Boutique & Consignment

Fall/Winter 2021

On The Cover Train crossing the bridge into Radford.

Photo by Kelly Phillips Photography

Farmers Insurance - Belinda Blodgett

A charmed life starts here!

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1057 E Main St, Radford, VA 540-838-2258

1055 E Main St, Radford, VA 540-838-2198

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Radford Magazine Team John Brill - Publisher Vickie Holt - Editor

Volume 1 Issue 1

Dean’s Body Shop Friendly customer service & quality work for 40 Years!

1620 E Main St, Radford, VA 540-633-0879

Farmers Insurance Belinda Blodgett

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bblodgett

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deansbodyshopinc

Welcome to Radford Magazine!...........................................4-5 Miss Sally is the Heart and Soul Behind Elliott’s Military Surplus & Fishing Tackle................6-8 One Woman’s Journey and Dedication to Fight Hearing Loss......................10-12 P.R. Sturgill Fine Jewelry - The Gem of Radford, Run by a Man with a Heart of Gold............................14-15 Places of Interest..............................................................16-17

For publication information,

The Local New River Valley................................................... 18

call John Brill 540-815-1079

Long Way Brewery Pours Great Craft Brews

For additional copies, email

john@brilldesigns.org © 2021 RADFORD MAGAZINE, LLC. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or part, without written permission from RADFORD MAGAZINE is prohibited. Every attempt has been made to verify the information contained in this publication. We assume no responsibility for incorrect, omitted or outdated information contained herein. We publish ads and stories without any implied endorsement of organizations, the views they express or the products/ services they offer.

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while Helping Those in Need........................... 20-22 Radford Area Fall Happenings 2021..................................... 23 Dean’s Body Shop A Radford Tradition and Family Legacy............24-26 Painting Consultants Then & Now.....................................28-29

Alphabetical Listing of Advertisers Page 30 Fall/Winter Fall/Winter 2021-2022 2021-2022

Ryan L. Pry Attorney-at-Law

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P.R. Sturgill Fine Jewelry

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www.prsturgills.com Fall/Winter 2021-2022

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Welcome to Radford Magazine!

Hello dear reader!

You are holding the debut issue of Radford Magazine! The very first one! How exciting! The mission of Radford Magazine is to celebrate the people and businesses of Radford, Virginia, as well as the nearby parts of the New River Valley. Radford Magazine is free to the public and will be published twice a year, featuring a Spring/ Summer issue and a Fall/Winter issue. The magazine will be sharing the stories of small business owners, events and festivals, art, theater, wine, beer, and more!

In this issue we begin by visiting the fine jewelry institution that is P.R. Sturgills, the legendary lady behind Elliott’s Military Surplus & Fishing Tackle, the legacy of Dean’s Body Shop, the colorful story of Painting Consultants, a clear-ringing piece about New River Valley Hearing, and the refreshing new tale of Long Way Brewing.

The Radford Magazine Team My name is John Brill and I am the publisher of Radford Magazine. Historically, I have been a layout graphic designer. As a graphic designer, I have worked on a lot of different publications over the years, but my favorite has been Floyd Virginia Magazine. Floyd Virginia Magazine was launched in 2008. In 2013, I joined the team as the graphic designer, and in 2018, I became the publisher. Floyd Virginia Magazine was my first experience working as a publisher.

Suddenly, in addition to the graphic design work I had always done, I was now doing sales, coordinating stories, and doing the physical distribution of the magazine! It was a challenge, but I took to it well.

Now, I will be bringing that publishing experience to Radford.

Oddly enough, this will actually be the second time I have been behind the layout and design of a Radford publication. From 2015 to 4

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2018, I was one of the layout graphic designers on the Radford New Journal. It’s funny how things work out. With Radford Magazine, I plan to use the same formula that has made Floyd Virginia Magazine a success for these past fourteen years.

The only thing I don’t do is the editing, for which I am eternally grateful to Vickie Holt. I have known Vickie for over fifteen years, and she is a very talented woman! She even edited this article. Her writing and editing backgrounds include international publication as the writer behind several issues of the once-popular ElfQuest comic book series from 1993 – 2000. In 1998, she completed a novel that was adapted by a company in New Jersey to a radio-show style, audio format. In 2003, she wrote briefly for the Vinton Messenger, and in 2005, her investigative article about Britain’s first mega-rockstar, Tommy Steele, was published in Blue Suede News magazine.

In 2014, Vickie took an interest in Bollywood, the Indian film industry. In an effort to introduce this exceptional entertainment source to America, Vickie created “Vickie’s Bollywood Beat”, a website for which she wrote movie reviews, actor biographies, informative articles, and news items. Because of her activity, representatives from the India-based news platform, UCNews, approached her to become a contributing entertainment journalist!

Between July 2017 and November 2018, Vickie wrote no fewer than thirty-one articles that became available to the Indian public. She was thrilled that one article about up-and-coming actors that bigbudget producers should be paying attention to resulted in actor, Harshvardhan Rane, contacting her personally to thank her!

Throughout 2016 and 2017, Vickie regularly wrote for ColorsVA Magazine. From 2017 – 2019, she was the main writer for a craftbeer and community-focused magazine that went through a couple name changes, ending up as Brew Hub Magazine. She wrote the majority of almost every issue, covering the region’s craft breweries,

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local musicians, and local food trucks. In 2018, Vickie came on board as editor and writer for Floyd Virginia Magazine, and now she will be bringing her deft expertise to Radford Magazine

Where will I find it?

Chances are, you found the Radford Magazine you are holding on a business counter, in a convenience store, in a restaurant, in a tourist spot, or in a hotel. Those are the five broad categories of locations where the magazine will be displayed. More broadly, the magazine will be distributed in the City of Radford, Montgomery County, Pulaski County, and Floyd County. As we grow the magazine, the distribution may go even farther afield. If you know of a spot where you think the magazine should be available, please let me know!

Stories!

The articles themselves will mostly be submitted to us by the people and businesses of Radford. That’s right! If you want to submit a story for the next issue, you can! One person cannot replicate the knowledge of many. Over the past four years with Floyd Virginia Magazine, I have often had people ask me how I find some of the niche stories that we have featured. They are always surprised when I tell them that most of the time, I don’t find the stories. The stories find me!

Many may be reluctant to submit because they feel they may not be the best writer in the world. That feeling is natural. The talents of the people and businesses of Radford are focused on the activities that define their lives and livelihoods. But that is why we provide writing guidelines and a talented editor. If you are thinking about submitting to the magazine, please see our article submission guidelines online at www.RadfordMagazine.com.

The most important thing about the articles we’re looking is the audience. There are three audiences for the magazine. People who live in Radford, people over the border from Radford in nearby localities, and tourists passing through. When it comes to our stories, the concern is that they speak to all three audiences. Aside from that concern, I pass stories onto Vickie, sight unseen, because you should trust your editor. Vickie then applies her polish in order to make each article meet professional, journalistic standards.

Also, it’s important that the articles are not a list of services and products currently provided. Radford Magazine offers an array of competitively priced advertising opportunities for that purpose.

Stories need to be about people.

Why Radford Magazine?

I have been asked about starting other magazines for other localities by a number of people for the past four years. Usually, the asker is a small business owner who has seen the quality of Floyd

Fall/Winter 2021-2022

Magazine and the positive results. I have always liked the idea, but I’ve always thought, “I won’t have time this year”.

In the Fall of 2020, however, I was approached by a Radford gentleman with extensive sales experience. He asked me about working together to launch Radford Magazine. I considered the geography and knew it would work. Having someone else to anchor the sales would also solve the problem of having enough time. After a few conversations, we formally began working on Radford Magazine.

Earlier this year, however, that gentleman had some unfortunate life events and had to step back from the team. But I had already started selling ads! Well, once I start a project I very much dislike letting it go. So, I made the time.

After distributing the Spring/Summer issue of Floyd Virginia Magazine, I set to work in earnest.

And here it is! Right here in your hands!

Anyway, all of that was to say Radford Magazine is my second magazine, ultimately because I was asked.

The future!

This issue of Radford Magazine is thirty-two pages, and the next issue will be bigger. The more advertisers we have, the larger we will grow, allowing more space to showcase Radford and the New River Valley!

Again, Radford Magazine is free to the public. It is paid for entirely by our advertisers. Every advertiser in this book is one that put their money where their mouth was and really wanted this magazine to exist. So, if you like Radford Magazine and want it to be the best it can be, please stop by some of our advertisers and thank them.

I would personally like to thank everyone who is making this work. Everyone writing the stories, the advertisers, and you, the reader. That’s right. This magazine doesn’t work without you, the reader.

After working on Floyd Magazine, I came to experience that readers talk to me. They tell me what they think about this or that, and the result is valuable feedback. With that, I try to do better on the next issue. They may suggest a story idea that can then be pursued. A reader may even point out that thing I’m missing from the map. It is an ongoing conversation with the community, and that conversation is already happening.

Another reason why you, dear readers, are making this magazine work is that before many of you even finish reading it, you will show it to others and say things like: “Have you seen this?”

“Look at it! And on such quality paper too!” “Did you see the picture of the dog?”

Anyway, thank you all! And here’s to Radford!

John A Brill John Brill - Publisher Radford Magazine

www.RadfordMagazine.com

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Miss Sally is the Heart and Soul Behind Elliott’s Military Surplus & Fishing Tackle

By Vickie Holt Sally Muse grew up on a farm in Vinton, Virginia and dreamt of a life working with animals. To help make this dream come true, she enrolled in Virginia Tech after high school, and earned Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology. From there, she wanted to travel while pursuing a career in wildlife biology. Life, however, seldom goes according to plan.

During her final year at Virginia Tech, Sally was contacted to help Longhorn Steakhouse in Blacksburg establish a strong wait staff. With wildlife biology in her rearview mirror, she spent the next ten years of her life at Longhorn.

But it wasn’t all waiting tables. Steve Elliott worked for the produce company that supplied the restaurant. After dating for a while, the couple were married and Sally’s life began not one, but two new chapters.

Steve and his father, B.J. Elliott, had opened a store in Blacksburg called Elliott’s Gun and Coin Shop. It was a popular place for enthusiasts, and one of their customers was the owner of Nester’s Trading Post in Radford.

Wanting to expand, Steve and his dad bought Nester’s when the owner was ready to sell. And because they couldn’t be in two places at once, the idea was that Sally would run the Radford store.

On January 6, 1986, Sally stepped behind the counter at 1400 First Street in Radford to begin her new adventure. Steve and B.J. had 6

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converted the space and moved in all the new inventory, but after the initial setup, it was up to Sally to run the store on her own. Steve rarely took part in the day-to-day operation.

She knew a little bit about the military surplus items she was meant to sell, and perhaps a little more about the fishing tackle and supplies, but her expertise today is fully credited to those who knew best. “I talked to everybody,” says Sally, “and learned a lot from my customers.”

She not only learned a lot from her customers, but she became their friend. In a business catering to enthusiasts, many of the same faces would come in time and again, and eventually, everyone felt like family. It wasn’t long till Sally had earned the affectionate moniker, “Miss Sally” among her regulars.

In 1990, Sally had done such a great job of running the store that it was outgrowing the location. Also, since 1400 First Street was one of the oldest buildings in Radford, she wanted to move to a space that was a bit more modern. Historic buildings might make great landmarks, but they do have their issues when it comes to trying to run a business in them. As luck would have it, H.C. Branscom had a furniture store on West Main Street, upon which he’d built a metal storage building.

As the storage building was empty, he offered it to Sally.

It was August of 1990, and it was really hot outside, but Sally’s close family of customers showed up in pick-up trucks to help her

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move the entire inventory to her new location at 2114 West Main Street. “I have the best customers in the world,” says Sally, remembering how they rallied to help her.

In the new space, Sally continued to grow Elliott’s Military Surplus & Fishing Tackle. She also continued to grow her knowledge and expertise. She became a much-loved and respected figure in the business, and because she was a woman, she also became a trusted confidante. As Sally explains, men sometimes feel uncomfortable admitting to other men that they lack knowledge that the others might have. It can open them to ridicule. So, when someone doesn’t know how to perform a technique, how to use a piece of fishing tackle, or anything about the function of the military items she sells, they will often come to her. They feel more relaxed learning from her. It’s taken a while, but folks have come to understand that she knows what she’s talking about, and it’s a service that deepens the family feeling between Sally and her customers.

In 2005, Sally’s life took another turn when she and Steve parted ways. As part of the divorce, however, she became sole owner of Elliott’s Military Surplus & Fishing Tackle, and she hasn’t looked back. By this time, she’d been running the store and building it up for almost twenty years. It was her baby.

Though she could have taken her life in a different direction, she didn’t consider anything else. She was part of something she had built, in a community that felt like family.

She was still so successful at growing the business that in 2009, Sally once again needed more space. By then, Mr. Branscom had built a storage facility across the street, sharing the building with Southwest Outdoor Power, a business owned by Mr. Branscomb’s

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son-in-law, Randy Campbell. Using the space to store additional inventory, this freed up significant space in the main furniture store. In turn, this allowed Sally to move from the old storage building into the main building on December 1 of 2009. To this day, she still shares the space with Branscom’s furniture at 2114 West Main Street.

Sally has always tried to obtain as much real surplus as possible, but recalls it was a different operation in earlier years. The government sold its military surplus by holding auctions at various military bases, where dealers would bid in person after being allowed to inspect the items. In recent years, however, the Government has opted for a virtual environment for surplus sales. Sally and other dealers are now required to bid online for lots, sight-unseen, and arrange pick-up or delivery. “Because the military is making things more difficult,” says Sally, “several surplus stores in the region have closed in the past few years.” As of 2021, Elliott’s Military Surplus & Fishing Tackle is the only surplus store left in the area.

Though government auctions are the resource for most of the surplus at Elliott’s, they are not the only resource. Sally has also gotten some really interesting items from exPiper, hard at work. military folks just cleaning out their trunks and attics at home. She recalls coming across an empty Vietnam era rocket tube, a WWI era horse blanket, and even a Vietnam era helmet with a peace symbol painted in the inner lining.

Despite how special these items may sound, when it comes to their retail value, they are mainly coveted by collectors. For a military surplus dealer, the items on the racks and shelves are used and, sometimes, very old. Sally tells us most of it would have no practical use for anyone outside the military, so most of it is bought by the collectors. “Everyone wants BDU’s now,” says Sally, “but the military hasn’t used them for twenty years!”

Happily, however, there are several direct-buy companies that manufacture tactical and police-type gear. Sally buys from these companies to also offer useful new clothing, like 24/7 pants, and other tactical items. She is proud to tell us that police officers are among her customers for these items, and she offers a 20% discount for police, fire and rescue, and military.

And then there are the fishing enthusiasts! “Fishermen drive me crazy from March till hunting season,” quips Sally, “but they fish all winter.” Radford has a huge fishing community, and it’s no wonder.

Between the New River, Claytor Lake, the Little River Dam, and dozens of creeks and streams, there is plenty of fishing available in Radford! In

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the waterways of southwest Virginia, anglers can catch a variety of bass species, walleye, muskie, bluegill, sunfish, perch, crappie, and trout.

Radford has multiple ramps to access the New River, and lots of bass clubs travelling for tournaments across the area. Sally, herself, is a member of the New River Valley Bass Masters club and loves to fish!

What makes her unique, however, is that she is one of the very few women if Radford to own and operate her own boat!

Though most fishing customers come into the shop knowing what they need, Sally gets great enjoyment from folks who either misunderstand the kind of store she runs, or those who understand the store but have trouble understanding that a woman is in charge. “The fishing customers are really good,” she says, “but more than a few vendors have wandered in, saw me at the counter and asked, ‘where’s the boss?’”

In addition to the big “Elliott’s” sign above the door, someone also made a little sign that says, “Sally’s Place”, which one hapless customer chose to focus on. “He sauntered in,” says Sally, “and asked, ‘honey, where’s your sewing stuff?’ After seeing the kind of store he was actually in, he said ‘oh’, and left.”

Sally is really enjoying her life as Radford’s “Miss Sally”. She’s proud of what she has built-up on her own. She’s proud of the knowledge she has gained. She enjoys her work and loves her customers. In fact, many of the employees that have helped her over the years were first her customers. “They have all been assets,” says Sally, “and they have all been friends. I appreciate every one of them.” Now, however, Sally is running the store by herself. That is, except for Piper the pup! “She’s the door greeter,” laughs Sally. “She works for butt scratches and belly rubs!”

Looking forward, Sally’s plan is to keep going like she’s been going.

However, she would like to retire soon. After all, she’s been the face, the heart, the soul, and the backbone of Elliott’s for thirty-five years.

She’d like to spend more time fishing and working in her garden, outdoors, but it’s going to take a very special person to carry on the legacy. Life may not have gone according to young Sally’s plan, but Sally sure loves the plan that life had for her.

Elliott’s Military Surplus & Fishing Tackle is open Tuesday through Friday, 10:00am – 6:00pm, and Saturday, 10:00am – 3:00pm.

Elliott’s Military Surplus & Fishing Tackle Sally Elliott • 540-639-1038 2114 West Main Street, Radford, VA

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From left to right: Back row - Casey Dillon, Kaylynn Oliver, and Sharra Shores; Front row -Joanne Dillon

One Woman’s Journey and Dedication to Fight Hearing Loss

By Vickie Holt

New River Valley Hearing, Inc. was founded by Audiologist, Joanne Dillon, through a passion for making her community hear and understand well.

Born and raised in Roanoke, Joanne grew up and went to school in the Hanging Rock area. At the time of her high school graduation, she still had no idea what she was going to do. The only thing she knew for sure is that working in restaurants for the rest of her life didn’t sound fun.

To get herself started in some direction, Joanne got a job designing kitchens for Quality Kitchens in Roanoke and enrolled at Hollins College. There, she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology in 1988.

Even though she had received her degree, and even though she had loved the Psychology courses, Joanne just wasn’t sure she wanted to pursue it further. After all, she had a pretty good job with Quality Kitchens. It had paid her way through school and was allowing her to live comfortably on her own.

That is, until Quality Kitchens went out of business.

Not to worry, though. Joanne quickly found another job with a kitchen remodeling supply company at Smith Mountain Lake. Soon afterward, however, she was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes at the age of twenty-five. The diagnosis had come as a shock, out of the blue.

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“It was a setback,” says Joanne, “but I picked myself up and kept going.”

For the next ten years, Joanne’s life would be one that many could relate to. She met and married her husband, Virgil Dillon. The two made a home in Smith Mountain Lake, and pretty much got on with life.

They even started a family.

When she was nine months pregnant, however, Joanne was abruptly let go from the kitchen remodeling supply company. Suddenly facing joblessness with a new baby at home, she admits to feeling lost. She didn’t know what to do or in which direction to turn. She tried for a long time to find another job, then one day ran across some information about Speech Language Pathology and Audiology.

It had been a decade since she’d been in a classroom, but something told Joanne this was the right path. She looked around for schools that had a master’s program in Audiology and found that the closest one was in Radford. She applied and was accepted but was told she’d need a second bachelor’s degree before moving into the master’s program.

Unfortunately, the Psychology degree from Hollins was not sufficient to progress further.

During the next years of her life, Joanne dedicated herself to getting those degrees. It was a ninety-minute drive from her home in Smith

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Mountain Lake to college in Radford, but the commute was worth it. Once she’d started in on the new courses, she fell in love with Audiology and thought, “this is what I want to do.”

For years, Joanne kept up a hectic schedule that included home life, two more children, three hours commute each day, and classes. “I lived in my car’”, says Joanne. “I studied in my car.”

Halfway through her mission, Joanne got a second Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders with a 3.9 grade point average, then threw herself into the master’s program. She wanted it bad. In the end, she achieved her goal in 2000; a Master of Science degree in Audiology with a 3.8 grade point average. A degree, Joanne tells us, that is no longer available. To become an Audiologist now, a student must achieve a doctorate.

The journey to setting up her own practice, however, was just beginning. Following graduation, she did an internship at the office of ear, nose, and throat specialist, Doctor Bishop. “He was a kind and caring doctor,” says Joanne. “He was the kind that loved people and didn’t charge too much. I learned a lot from him.”

Her second internship was with the VA Hospital in Salem.

The position didn’t pay, but she continued learning a lot in her time there. It was rewarding and fulfilling, and Joanne tells us she still sees some of the veterans she had met there.

The next step on her journey was to find a clinical fellowship but was unable to find that kind of supervised position for almost a year. Suddenly, however, three positions opened at once. She interviewed for all three and ended up back in the office of Doctor Bishop where she worked for the next eight years.

During this time, she was also working as adjunct professor for Radford University’s Communication Sciences and Disorders department while seeing patients at the university’s Waldron College of Health Sciences. While in her position at Radford University, she also supervised graduate students’ clinical experiences.

It was a hectic eight years. She was spending eight hours a day at Doctor Bishop’s and time at Radford University, all while maintaining her home and family life, raising three children. She loved the practice and loved the people. Doctor Bishop was well loved in the community, but with sixty to eighty patients a day, it was becoming too much. There was no internet at the time, and no modern technology to make it easier. She was beginning to think she needed to do something different.

It was a thought that remained on her mind for the last two years of her time with Doctor Bishop, but she ultimately came to her limit.

An engineering firm from Blacksburg had approached her about a special project they’d been working on for the Department of Defense. Better hearing protection was needed for the crews aboard aircraft carriers, and all the other Audiologists they had tried thus far had failed.

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www.RadfordMagazine.com 11

At the time, she replied that she was opening her own practice, but they tracked her down months later and asked again. This time, she agreed. The year was 2008.

Even though she’d already opened her practice, for the next four years of her life, Audiologist Joanne Dillon was the supervisor for a tiger team whose job it was to make thousands of ear impressions for aircraft carrier crews in the waters off both the east and west coasts of America.

“It was exciting,” says Joanne, “and it was different. I had to learn a lot and had to do a lot, but I got to go to lots of amazing places.”

The project involved a lot of travel and it was a huge undertaking, but in the end was worth it. Having already worked at the VA Hospital, Joanne knew how big a problem hearing loss was among veterans. The work she did with the defense project would hopefully take some part in helping future generations of veterans from suffering as their predecessors had. “It was great money,” she says. “But it also served a great purpose.”

All the time at Radford University, earning her degrees. All the time spent working the internships. The time spent working the fellowship, being an adjunct, and helping our service men and women. She had done her diligence and she had done her duty. Finally, it was time for Joanne to concentrate on her practice.

NRV Hearing was established in October of 2008 at 616 West Main Street, Suite G, in Radford, with a second branch opening in May of 2015 at 1482 Floyd Highway, South, in Floyd. Joanne is the sole provider for both Audiology clinics and it is through a lot of planning and precision that she is able to take patients in both locations. She is also continuing her education by working toward her doctorate in Audiology online through the University of Florida at Gainsville.

Helping her is her daughter, Casey Dillon, who is a certified Audiology Assistant. As Joanne explains, because a doctorate is now required to become an Audiologist, America has a shortage of Audiologists compared to the population. This makes Audiology Assistants vital to the field. Casey Dillon, as well as Kaylynn Oliver, both received their certifications through the Audiology Academy; a program that is highly praised by Joanne.

In addition to performing exams, Casey and Kaylynn are educated in the devices produced by most major hearing aid manufacturers and are experienced in instrument troubleshooting and maintenance.

They can do cleaning, replacing filters, and ordering, as well as sending hearing aids off to be repaired. One of the few things their certification does not allow is making ear impressions for children.

Also on staff is Sharra Shores, a Patient Care Coordinator with many years’ experience attending to patient needs as they arise.

Each member of the NRV Hearing team is trained and qualified to provide the best possible patient care and hearing aid services. Because equipment can break, the team is also excellent at providing immediate care as needed for hearing aid services as needs arise. They are well versed with Bluetooth and wireless technology and are able to provide patients with many options with amplification. Giving patients the best care available is the goal of New River Valley Hearing and Joanne herself.

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“We’re dead serious about ears here,” says Joanne, grateful for the Psychology degree she earned after high school. “Folks with hearing issues often take it personally.”

Those with hearing loss often feel alone, but it is the third most common untreated health problem worldwide. It is also one of the most common birth defects in the entire world. Hearing loss can come from genetics, too much noise exposure, middle ear disease, metabolic disease processes, vertigo or dizziness disorders, ototoxic exposures, viral diseases, and the normal aging process. That means there is a lot of hearing loss in the world.

As humans, almost everything we do involves talking and listening.

That type of communication is what makes us human. Hearing loss impacts communication, and the impacts are significant. Primarily, hearing loss affects our ability to hear and understand. Secondarily, it puts people at greater risk for falls, memory loss, cognitive processing issues, dementia, Alzheimer’s, anxiety, depression, frustration, irritation, and isolation.

Although there is currently no surgical or medical intervention for sensorineural hearing loss, amplification through hearing aids can improve the overall negative impacts hearing loss has on an individual.

Hearing aids cannot restore hearing, but they can provide clarity that the ears have lost. Hearing loss treatment through amplification can give confidence back.

Wearing hearing aids can also improve some balance issues. Today’s digital hearing aids are radically different from the hearing aids from just ten or fifteen years ago. They can look good, feel good, and sound good.

They are Bluetooth and wireless and allow communication to other devices like TV’s, cell phones, and computers. They can help decrease the interference of background noise and they can be rechargeable, or battery powered. They can also be fine-tuned and adjusted precisely.

Better hearing and better quality of life is the goal at New River Valley Hearing. With a now-established customer base, Joanne and her team pride themselves on developing long-term relationships with their patients. These relationships are based on unsurpassed personal service that begins the first time the patient walks through door.

“When you start out in the working world, you’re not exactly sure what to do,” says Joanne. “So, you try to find your way, and sometimes struggle to find the things that make a difference. And in that struggle, you find something so meaningful that it becomes your life. That’s what Audiology has been for me. It’s the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done in my life. Helping people overcome the impacts of hearing loss, tinnitus, and balance issues became my passion roughly twenty-five years ago, and still is to this day. I want to continue to help people until I’m no longer able to.”

NRV Hearing • Joanne Dillon www.NRVHearing.com • 540-274-5145 616 West Main St., Suite G, Radford, VA 1482 Floyd Hwy S Floyd, VA

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www.RadfordMagazine.com 13

Standing from left to right: Eli Tuchler, Philip Sturgill, & Ruth Dodson; sitting, Cindy Mabry; and in lap, Zoe

P.R. Sturgill Fine Jewelry the Gem of Radford, Run by a Man With a Heart of Gold

By Vickie Holt

During art class at Radford High School, young Philip Sturgill found that he loved making jewelry. He loved it so much that he would often turn up at Luffman’s Jewelers to ask questions and get help with mistakes.

Curtis “CC” Luffman had started the jewelry store in 1961. Known as “the jewelry store on the corner”, Luffman’s quickly became a reputable name in the watchmaking and jewelry repair business, offering great service and quality pieces of fine and estate jewelry.

Where most other seniors of Philip’s graduating class were pouring over college applications, visiting the career guidance counselors, and otherwise trying to figure out what they wanted to do with their lives, Sturgill had only one aspiration – to become a jeweler. He had originally planned to go to college for jewelry making, but his frequent trips to Luffman’s resulted in a unique opportunity. Store manager, Fances Lyles, saw his potential and hired him.

“She was wonderful,” says Philip, reflecting on how much help Frances had been at the beginning of his career.

Philip learned a lot from everyone involved in Luffman’s jewelry business. Education came with every minute of the workday as he 14 www.Facebook.com/RadfordMagazine www.Facebook.com/RadfordMagazine

interacted with dealers, managers, and even customers. It was one big classroom, and he learned a lot from them all. The man who honed Philip’s skill, however, was Curtis Luffman, himself. Over the years, Luffman taught Philip the skills he needed to become one of the New River Valley’s best and most sought-after jewelers.

In 1989, it was time to graduate from the School of Luffman. Philip bought the jewelry store from his mentor and has never looked back.

Well…unless he’s reminiscing about the old days, that is.

Before the store was called P.R. Sturgill Fine Jewelry, and before the online shopping era, the old Luffman’s had a bridal section where they sold fine China, crystal, flatware, and other traditional wedding gift items.

Not only did Luffman’s offer these special items, but they also wrapped and delivered them! “No gift left the store without being wrapped perfectly,” says Philip, remembering the store’s proud, professional wrapper, Ruth Price. “She had a very specific way of wrapping. Five pieces of tape only. The seam was down the middle and the ribbon covered the seam. Flawless.”

As time marched on, however, and society changed, the bridal service was no longer profitable. Philip removed the bridal section

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from his jewelry store saying, “brides used to register for those kinds of things, but it has since gone out of style.”

Another change he made after buying the store was to add a parking lot. He says it was previously a hangout for youth in the area but adding the paved parking has done a lot to discourage the loitering. It has also provided better access for customers.

Despite a few changes, many things remain the same in that jewelry store on the corner. They are still sought after for their in-house jewelry repair, as well as their fine and estate jewelry. In fact, P.R. Sturgill’s has the largest selection of pre-owned estate and antique jewelry in the New River Valley!

The estate items are sometimes bought from individuals and dealers, but also from attorneys working to settle estates. They buy every day, and the more unusual the item, the better they like it! From one day to the next, frequent visitors can find the most unique and everchanging collection in the area.

If you can find it online, they don’t want it.

Between reputation, quality, and distinctiveness, the business has remained so successful over the years that Philip was even able to open a second location in Wytheville. But you can’t be in two places at once.

Philip says he is blessed to have Jeremy Jones as manager of the Wytheville store, as Jeremy is a man not unlike himself. He’s a young man with a passion for the business and an incredible talent with jewelry making. “Along with his people skills,” says Philip, “Jeremy doesn’t have a customer base in Wytheville, he has a fan base!”

Managing the Radford store is Cindy Mabry, and the only thing she loves more than jewelry is people. “Cindy and Jeremy both truly care, and that’s what makes it worth getting up in the morning.”

When it comes to finding people to operate and expand the business, Philip says, “You have to find talent, cultivate talent, and appreciate talent.” Philip Sturgill not only learned a lot about jewelry from his mentor, Curtis Luffman, he also learned how to pay it forward. As such, Sturgill’s has been the classroom for several more jewelry makers over the years.

Notable among them is Tommy Frank. Tommy worked for P.R. Sturgill Fine Jewelry for about six years and became a very talented bench jeweler. Since then, Tommy has gone on to purchase and run his own jewelry store.

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Then there was the aptly named, Nathan Talent. Like Philip, Nathan always wanted to be a jeweler. After working off and on at Sturgill’s for five years, Nathan obtained scholarships to attend the University of Southern California. He graduated magna cum laude and is now working at Harry Winston on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills.

But Philip hasn’t let all the talent get away. P.R. Sturgill Fine Jewelry has three talented designers on staff, like Eli Tuchler. Just like Philip, Eli started making jewelry in high school. Since Philip has obtained the finest laser-welding machines that money can buy, it also allows Eli to do excellent repair…and according to Philip, “he knows what he’s doing!”

At the sales counters in Sturgill’s are the amazing and wonderful Cleo Williams, Robin Martinelli, and Cherry Smith.

Philip deeply appreciates his team and his customers, saying, “I feel so blessed and so fortunate to have a place like this to come to every day.”

Philip says he has the best customers ever. Not only have the locals formed relationships with repeat visits, but word of mouth has also brought in people from farther away.

Selling jewelry to people who’ve never met him or his team is a level of trust that has meant the world to Philip.

Today, just as in 1961, P.R. Sturgill Fine Jewelry performs all jewelry repairs in-house. This includes ring-sizing, gemstone setting, custom engraving, and all other jewelry repairs. The work performed is quality work by certified jewelers who have a passion for what they do.

All repairs are 100% guaranteed.

When asked about his philosophy for business, Philip says, “Be kind, and for the love of God, be honest.”

When asked about his plans for the future: “I want to work here till I drop dead, because this is the happiest place I could imagine.”

For more information about P.R. Sturgill Fine Jewelry, visit online at prsturgills.com. The store is open 10:00am to 6:00pm, Monday through Saturday, at 1037 East Main Street in Radford and 115 East Main Street in Wytheville.

P.R. Sturgill Fine Jewelry • Philip Sturgill • www.PRSturgills.com pr@PRSturgills.com • www.Facebook.com/PRSturgill 1037 East Main Street in Radford 115 East Main Street in Wytheville

www.RadfordMagazine.com 15

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Pete Dye River Course of Virginia Tech

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www.RadfordMagazine.com 19

From Left to Right: Jeff Kleppin, Nicole Barnett, Rob Gropman, and Keith Weltens

Long Way Brewery Pours Great Craft Brews while Helping Those in Need Six years ago, Keith Weltens, Rob Gropman, and Jeff Kleppin were a group of brewing hobbyists that enjoyed sitting around the back yard with their friends, chatting, having a laugh, and drinking their home crafted brews. After a few years of this camaraderie, talk turned to speculation about what to do after retirement. It was Weltens who encouraged the others, saying that brewing might be the way to go.

Not only did the trio know something about craft brewing, but they also felt that Radford could use a popular brewery. Between funding, licenses, certifications, equipment, and supplies, there was a lot to do and a lot to plan for. The first concern, however, was to find a location.

Beginning around 2008, microbreweries began popping up all over the nation at a booming rate. It’s one of the newest and fastest growing industries that you don’t have to be a millionaire to start up.

One of the more curious characteristics of microbreweries, however, is how many occupy buildings with a past that few would connect with being transformed into breweries. Old industrial buildings, factories, warehouses, vintage homes, old retail businesses, bus depots, and even barns. Breweries across the nation have come to occupy many different kinds of structures.

When Weltens, Gropman, and Kleppin went looking for their perfect location, however, they decided to go all in on a vacant Seventh Day Adventist church that had been empty for several years. Built in the 20 www.Facebook.com/RadfordMagazine www.Facebook.com/RadfordMagazine

early 1950’s, the building’s unique charm and architecture lent itself to their vision of creating a welcoming space that could be a community gathering spot. A place where good brews and good conversation could go hand in hand.

The old church turned out to be a natural, central location. Blessed with original stained-glass windows, oak floors, and pews, the building had great bones. It also had plenty of outdoor space that the owners recognized as a perfect area for folks who wanted to be outside.

“We added the upper deck and the lower patio to the building,” says Weltens. “We wanted plenty of fresh air and outdoor seating once the weather turned warmer. We’ve seen that our customers really want to be out in the fresh air, so we’ve concentrated on improving that space.”

Shade sails were added to the patio, giving the brewery one of the most unique outside settings. They also installed several picnic tables and patio sets which can accommodate parties of different sizes. With everything in place, Long Way Brewing opened its taps in December of 2020.

“I probably wouldn’t recommend opening a brewery in December, in the middle of a pandemic,” jokes Kleppin. “But we couldn’t be happier with the way our customers have supported us.”

It’s definitely a support that goes both ways, too. Part of Long Way’s mission is to give back to the community. All three owners live in

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Radford and felt the need to make a positive mark on the city.

One way was to form an informal partnership with the Radford Fairlawn Daily Bread.

The RFDB is a non-profit organization that provides meals on wheels, as well as free sit-down lunches for anyone visiting their dining room, Monday through Friday. RFDB had outgrown their space on the east end of Radford. Weltens, who is a frequent volunteer, saw an opportunity to better serve the community by upgrading the organization’s space and making them more centrally located.

Radford Fairlawn Daily Bread occupies the lower level of the church, where they now have a new commercial kitchen and a larger dining area. Along with providing RFDB with a new space, the brewery encourages their customers to round up their tabs to the nearest dollar when closing out. To date, the loose change, as well as the generosity of customers through the Round Up for Downstairs campaign, has raised over $5,000 to help provide food for those in need.

“Folks have been very open and eager to help,” says Nicole Barnett, Long Way Brewing’s taproom manager. “Sometimes, our customers remind us when we forget to ask if they want to round up. We’ve really got a generous group of followers!”

That sense of giving back is an important part of Long Way Brewing’s mission. They don’t just want to produce great beer, but they also want to make a difference. They want folks to feel a sense of community as soon as they walk through the doors.

“We opened a brewery in an old church,” says Weltens. “If that isn’t a daily reminder that we should be finding ways to be charitable and help others, then we’re not paying attention to the opportunities that we’re given.”

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Though co-owner and general manager, Jeff Kleppin, received his beer brewer certificate from the Virginia Tech and University of Richmond collaborative program, Kim Pensinger was brought on board for her first professional gig as Head Brewer. Before joining Long Way, Pensinger was homebrewing with her husband Mike, who is the general manager and Brew Master at Parkway Brewing in Salem. Her trained palette and knack for combining flavors has been an asset for Mike, and the two have a healthy and unique collaborative relationship.

“We have an agreement that whoever comes up with a recipe idea first and says it out loud gets to keep it,” laughs Kim. “It’s good to have a resource that has to answer my calls!”

Pensinger and Long Way opened with eight beers on tap, and since then have had as many as thirteen unique brews available at one time. The Steppin’ Up blonde ale has been the brewery’s mainstay.

It’s what Pensinger likes to call “the beer for folks who really haven’t had craft beer.”

Other beers have proven to be popular also. Mary, Mary Why You Buggin’ is an English brown ale that is named after the heroine behind Long Way’s back story.

In the summer of 1755, Mary Draper Ingles was captured by the Shawnee and taken through the Kim Pensinger wilderness, up to Ohio. After several weeks in captivity, she escaped and made the arduous, six-hundred-mile trek back along the New River to her family home. The story of her escape and return has been the subject of the book, “Follow the River”. The saga has also been featured in a long-running outdoor drama called “The Long Way Home”, which has been occasionally performed in Radford over the last several years.

“Finding a local and regional tie-in for the brewery was a must for us,” says Kleppin. “We wanted our customers, really our friends, to identify with our brewery in a personal way. We want them to feel like this is their brewery too.”

Many of Long Way’s other popular beers also have names with local ties. Arnheim, an amber extra special bitter, is named after the historic 22 www.Facebook.com/RadfordMagazine

house built by city founder, Dr. John Blair Radford, in 1838. Other beers have been named after the Clover Creamery, Wildwood Park, and the New River.

Long Way Brewing also features live music outside on the patio when weather permits, and inside on the stage generally every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. To go along with the great brews and the great music, Long Way also follows the craft brewery trend of hosting regional food trucks that serve amazing cuisine!

“Food trucks and outdoor music are a natural partnership for us,” says Gropman. “We’ve tried to make live music on Thursdays a regular event for us. Our customers come for the beer but being able to pair the music with food trucks just gives our customers one more reason to hang out for another round!”

Food trucks from Wytheville to Roanoke have found that Radford likes good food as much as they enjoy great craft beer. Cabo Fish Taco from Blacksburg, Salty’s Lobster & Co. out of Roanoke, and Bluegrass BBQ in Pembroke have been some of the regular trucks that have set up shop in the upper parking lot.

When the owners of Long Way Brewing decided to start pouring beer in the middle of a pandemic, some folks thought they didn’t have a prayer. A fitting statement for a brewery that ended up occupying an abandoned church! Nearly a year later, after all the beer that has been poured, after all the needy that have been helped, after all the music and all the great food, those three friends that used to sit in Weltens’ back yard talking about the future feel completely vindicated for taking that risk.

Long Way Brewing is open Wednesday and Thursday from 3:0010:00 PM, Friday and Saturday from noon to 10:00 PM, and on Sunday from 1:00-7:00 PM. The taproom is available for private events.

Long Way Brewing • Keith Weltens, Rob Gropman, and Jeff Kleppin 501 2nd St, Radford, VA • 540-838-2229 www.LongWayBrewing.com • info@LongWayBrewing.com www.facebook.com/LongWayBrewing/

Fall/Winter 2021-2022

Radford Area Fall/Winter Happenings 2021 Located at the center of the majestic New River Valley in southwestern Virginia, Radford is an exciting city with an identity that spans centuries. From the daring journey of Mary Ingles in 1755, to the academic excellence of Radford University, to the New River, to the people that live, work, dream, create, and work here. Whether it’s outdoor activities, art, shopping, intellectual interests, sports, or even the nightlife, Radford has so much to offer!

Saturday, October 23rd Region Four Virginia Bass TBF 2021 Championship Event at Claytor Lake

SAMPLING OF EVENTS:

Saturday, October 30 PUMPKIN SMASH! at Motor Mile Speedway

Every weekend September 24th - October 30th St. Albans Sanatorium Unhinged - Haunted House at St. Albans Sanatorium Every weekend, September 25th - October 15th Pumpkin Festival at Sinkland Farms in Riner Every Day, October 1st -31st DAK Lights at Randolph Park in Dublin Saturday, October 2nd SMART Tour at Motor Mile Speedway Saturday, October 2nd October Cruiser Night at downtown Pembroke, VA Saturday, October 2nd Rockin’ Main Street—Fallin’ Into Fun at downtown Christiansburg Every weekend, Oct 8th - Oct 30th The Dark Woods Haunted Trail - Haunted House at 228 Peppers Ferry

Friday & Saturday, October 22nd & 23rd 12 Hours of Madness at Motor Mile Speedway Sunday, October 24th Spirits Along the Wilderness Wagon Ride at Wilderness Road Regional Museum in Dublin

Saturday, October 30 Jack-O’-Lantern Spectacular at Randolph Park in Dublin Sunday, October 31st Halloween Party with 220 South at Fatback Soul Shack in Christiansburg Friday, November 5th Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver at The Little River Bluegrass Barn Friday - Sunday, November 12th -14th 52nd YMCA Craft Fair & Annual Book Fair at The Christiansburg Recreation Center Thursday, December 2nd Town of Pulaski Christmas Parade Friday & Saturday, December 3rd & 4th Winterfest at Randolph Park in Dublin

WEEKLY

Saturday & Sunday, October 9th & 10th Newbern Fall Festival at 5240 Wilderness Road

Thursday Tunes 6:00 PM 9:00 PM at Longway Brewing See www.longwaybrewing.com/calendar for other music events

Saturday, October 9th Radford Highlanders Festival at Radford University

Every Saturday from May - October Radford Farmer’s Market 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Saturday, October 16th Craft & Draft at Glencoe Mansion Museum and Gallery

NOTE: The above events are scheduled as of time of printing.

We suggest that you check with the event organizers for continual updates. Also, we accept event submissions for subsequent issues

Saturday, October 16th Craft & Vendor Fair at The NRV Mall

Katrina A. Compton, Broker

Robert Alderman, Associate Broker

REALTOR®

REALTOR®

Cell 540-320-2694

Katrina@GiesenCaldwell.com

Cell 434-841-3143

robertsellsreal@gmail.com

“Making People at Home Since 1945” Office 540-639-1322 Fax 540-639-4657 Fall/Winter 2021-2022

www.GiesenCaldwell.com

700 W. Main St. Radford VA 24141 www.RadfordMagazine.com 23

- Dean’s Body Shop A Radford Tradition and Family Legacy Radford Virginia in 1981 was a different place in a different time.

Before the information age, things moved more slowly. Tasks that are instantaneous today took hours, days, and sometimes even weeks back then. During 1981, President Ronald Reagan was shot. NASA launched the first space shuttle flight. The Oakland Raiders beat the Philadelphia Eagles for the Superbowl trophy while Dolly Parton hit the charts with “9 to 5”. And while everyone was glued to their television sets to finally learn who shot J.R, a young man named Dean Young was just starting out on his new business adventure at 1620 East Main Street in Radford.

Dean’s father had been a mechanic, but the internal workings of the vehicles were not for him. Dean wanted to work more with the outside than the inside, so he began working for other body shops until he had the skill and motivation to strike out on his own.

What would eventually be called “Dean’s Body Shop” opened simply as “The Body Shop”, and with only Dean on the payroll, it was a oneman show. Using just three work bays, he would do the estimate, the repair, the refinish, clean up, and even the delivery on his own.

But the world was an easier, less stressful place in those years – even for someone starting a business. Where business start-up today means 24 www.Facebook.com/RadfordMagazine

long hours, exhausting effort, cutthroat competition, and anxiety, Dean remembers getting his work done early and taking his daughter, Lyndsay, fishing. As seen in many a popular television show from a more wholesome time in Hollywood, Dean would often draw a picture of a man fishing out of a boat and write “gone fishing” at the top. He’d then hang that little sign on the door and that’s what the father-daughter duo would do the rest of the day.

“Times were much simpler back then,” says Young. “The cars were easier to repair, and the process was much easier.”

But it wasn’t all Mayberry dreams. There was work to do. Dean remembers how lengthy the estimating process was back then. Using parts catalogs for reference, estimates were researched and handwritten instead of web-searched and computer-printed. The payphone that hung in the office was the business phone, and Dean would use it to call salvage yards and parts departments. Sometimes they had toll-free numbers, but Dean also kept a good supply of quarters.

Dean Young has seen a lot of changes over the years. Cars got more complicated, and were built with newer, different materials. As a result, the cost of parts and materials skyrocketed. Even the technology and

Fall/Winter 2021-2022

At the end of every journey should be a cold beer!

know-how needed to fix the cars had to keep up.

But Dean had lots of great help through all the years technology was marching forward. His wife, Debbie, ran the office while body-men and painters came on board to help Dean’s become what it is today. A nine-bay facility now stood where Dean’s original three-bay shop once was, and Dean was able to stop working on the cars himself. This allowed him to focus on writing estimates, helping the customers, ordering parts, and running daily errands.

In 2005 Dean and Debbie’s daughter, Lyndsay, joined the team. Though she originally had dreams of becoming an interior designer, Lyndsay started taking her dad’s notepad-written estimates and inputting them into the computer. Though Dean himself never got the hang of doing the computer work, Lyndsay says his estimates were just as sharp. “He can pretty much tell you the price of something and its right there with the software,” says Lyndsay. “I remember one time he missed an estimate by two cents, and I couldn’t believe it!”

Lyndsay also took on the responsibility for payroll and billpaying. Though she was unaware at the time, her part-time helping was just the beginning of a life-long journey that would become family legacy. Over the years, she took on many different jobs within the shop, and it was not always an easy process.

“Some days I was overwhelmed,” says Lyndsay, “and I wanted to quit. Somedays, I actually did quit. But I was always back in there the next morning.” Sixteen years later, and she’s still at it. Leaving the bulk of the body work to her team, Lyndsay has done some prepping and painting, as well as some diagnostics and detailing.

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www.RadfordMagazine.com 25

“I’ve enjoyed working day to day with her,” says Dean, “and teaching her the ins and outs of the business. She does a great job.” So great, in fact, that she took over the business in 2018.

In return, Lyndsay says she’s thankful and blessed to have learned so much from her dad, not only about the business, but about life in general. “Not everyone gets the opportunity to be a part of a family business. I’ll always be thankful for that and how it has allowed me to spend time with my dad every day.”

While Dean is retired now, he still comes into the shop almost every day, at least for a little while, to hang out with Lyndsay as she runs the office, does the estimating, and takes care of the customers on her own. But Dad isn’t the only family to be found hanging out with Lyndsay at the shop. Her husband, Dutch Devore, is the painter at Dean’s.

Dutch came on board as a detailer in 2009 and worked for about eighteen months before moving on to work at other places. He and Lyndsay began dating in 2010, then married in 2016. In 2018, he returned to Dean’s as painter.

“Not many people can spend twenty-four hours a day with their spouse,” says Lyndsay, “but we enjoy it, and it works for us.” She also explains that Dutch takes the same pride in his work that Dean always did, and that the two are a lot alike.

Lyndsay’s favorite part of the business is her customers, many of whom come back again and again. She also loves seeing damaged vehicles being towed or driven in, then leaving as good as new, with happy customers behind the wheel.

“I cannot say enough good things about Dean’s Body Shop,” says

26 www.Facebook.com/RadfordMagazine

customer, Whitney Roseberry. “I have trusted them with my vehicle repairs on more than one occasion and have always been very pleased.

Their work is remarkable, and their customer service and timeliness are unmatched!”

Eddie and Terry Kimbleton agree. “They have seen us through three teenage drivers, as well as four encounters with deer, and other accidents. We think of Dean and Lyndsay as part of the family.”

“That is our main focus,” says Lindsay. “Treating every vehicle as if it is our own. We take a lot of pride in our work.”

For this, Lyndsay depends on the great technicians working at Dean’s to keep things running smoothly. In addition to Dutch, there is Barry Spradlin, who is the auto-body technician. Mike Leonard is also on board, taking care of alignment, minor mechanical, and body work. And finally, there is Timmy Williams, taking care of prepping and detailing.

“Without a good team and people who care as much as you do,” she says, “it just wouldn’t work.” Dean’s Body Shop offers collision repair, alignments, and minor repairs to keep cars in tip top shape. They work with all insurance companies directly and do their very best at making the claims process as easy as it can be for customers. If your vehicle needs to be repaired, check out Dean’s Body Shop at 1620 East Main Street in Radford, or give Lyndsay a call at 540-633-0879. You can also follow Dean’s on Facebook.

As Dean has always said “We appreciate your business”.

Dean’s Body Shop • 1620 East Main Street in Radford, VA Lindsay & Dutch Devore • 540-633-0879

Fall/Winter 2021-2022

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/AirTechNRV/ Licensed And Insured. www.RadfordMagazine.com 27

Painting Consultants Then & Now Mark Brookner worked at the Lynchburg Foundry for eighteen years before finding work as a material handler at Mar-Bal in Dublin. Mar-Bal is a manufacturer of electric insulators, and Mark worked there till he was laid off from his third shift job in 2007. As it turns out, getting laid off was one of the best things to happen to Mark Brookner.

Over the years, Mark’s brother had taught him a great deal about painting. So, with plenty of time on his hands, Mark started painting for relatives and friends. Word spread. His aunt told a couple of her friends, and soon the requests began pouring in. “Hey, can you paint my house?”

It wasn’t long before Mark found he had regular work as a painter.

The painting, however, led to other odd jobs. Folks would hire him to paint, then ask if he could also take care of other things. Through this process, Mark became a general handyman as well as a sometimes landscaper, doing mowing and various lawn maintenance. The main work, though, was painting.

The layoff wound up lasting three months. Even after returning to his third shift schedule at Mar-Bal, Mark tried to continue painting during the day. But it was just too much. He told Mar-Bal “I appreciate the opportunity, but I’m going to see if I can make it on my own.”

Though he started out working from his shed, he still needed to call himself something. Amy Adams, Mark’s cousin, suggested Painting Consultants. The name stuck.

After working for somebody else for so many years, Mark felt it was great to be self-employed. Being self-employed, however, came with its own set of challenges. Doing the work was one thing. Getting the work to come in consistently was another, and managing people was yet another.

There was also bookkeeping, insurance, estimates, and payroll that had to be earned before paying his staff. Mark had never dreamed there would be so much paperwork!

As soon as he established Painting Consultants, Mark knew he would

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need help doing work. To this end, he first hired Joey Farlow from Pulaski.

“I didn’t know him from Adam,” says Mark. “He called me and said he heard I was looking for help. I don’t know how he even knew.”

Joey’s insight, however, paid off for him. He worked five years for Painting Consultants, and according to Mark, was a great help.

Eventually Mark’s crew grew to include as many as five to seven employees at any one time, and the one thing he is really proud of is that he never had to lay anyone off. Steven Hutchens, for example, has been providing Mark with excellent help for over twelve years. Mark’s wife, Heather even helps out when an extra hand is needed for the job. “Heather has been a big help,” he says, “and not just with assorted paperwork. She’s a good painter!”

Heather is Mark’s second wife. The two met when both would stop into the same Wilco convenience store for coffee on their way to work.

Heather was working for Thermasteel, and her day started just as early as Mark’s. With such frequent meeting, they naturally began talking. Mark didn’t think he would ever remarry, having been single for a long time, but the couple were married in September of 2017. Both Heather and Mark have two children each from previous marriages, and Mark is very proud of his two grandkids.

A good crew, however, wasn’t the only thing Mark needed to operate his business and grow. In the beginning, he used his personal, blue Ford Ranger pickup to get around. Though it already had a ladder rack, Mark had to borrow a thirty-foot ladder to get started. A little over a year later, he was able to afford his first work van. With a growing crew, however, Mark needed more than just one vehicle.

Today, Painting Consultants has a great selection of vehicles to haul materials: five vans, a pickup truck, a cherry picker, and a bucket truck – enough to do whatever work comes their way.

As it turns out, Mark’s fleet of vehicles hasn’t been the only sign of

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growth and success. Another milestone came after three years when he was able to move Painting Consultants from his shed to a rented space at 1002 West Main Street in Radford. In 2016, Mark’s success allowed him to purchase the property!

Over the years, it has been Mark’s pleasure to work on a variety of different places. In addition to many residential homes, Painting Consultants have also painted such business locations as the Tied Dyed Pig and Garrett’s & Meg’s Clothing in Radford. They also painted Phoenix Packaging and Martin’s Pharmacy in Dublin, as well as Haley Toyota in Roanoke.

“In a small town like this,” says Mark, “reputation is everything. If you do a bad job, it zooms out there!” But that also works in reverse.

If you do a good job, folks will be knocking down your door!

Painting Consultants have such a great reputation that word of mouth brings in a lot of their business. For instance, Mark ended up painting the interiors for a lot of the coaching staff at Virginia Tech.

It began with just the one coach hiring him for the job. However, the coaches all live close to one another. After their wives began discussing it, one turned into two, which turned into three, and more.

Pretty soon, Mark had painted the interiors for quite a few of them.

Painting Consultants have several regular customers. “Scott Hill,” says Mark, “keeps his properties very well maintained, pressure washing the outsides on a regular basis and keeping up with the painting on the inside.”

They also do a lot of work for churches, rental units, realtors, and property managers. Mark considers himself very fortunate to have this staple of regular customers. It comes as a great help, especially in the wintertime when business can be slow. During the peak season, however, Mark can do forty hours by Wednesday. Seventy to eighty hours for the week is not uncommon.

Today, Painting Consultants does interior and exterior painting for both residential and commercial properties. They also do pressure washing and deck restoration, as well as staining of log home exteriors.

The latter is not a job many would want to do on their own, since the outer walls are not flat.

Mark and his team also do work on the docks at Claytor Lake. In fact, Mark wants to get a little john boat for working around the docks since so much of that kind of work has come his way.

It has been fifteen years since Mark set out on his own as an independent businessman. “It has been a struggle,” he says. “There have been good times and bad times, but I’m really happy and really proud of what I’ve done about the past fifteen years, especially when my parents were alive. They saw what I accomplished, and they were really proud. I’m glad for that. I did it the right way.”

Over the years, Mark’s business has grown so tremendously that there are days when it seems like he has more than he can keep up with, but not a day goes by that he is not grateful or regret his decision to stay with this work. He has worked hard and succeeded.

Painting Consultants • Mark Brookner • 540-391-8837 www.paintingconsultantsnrv.com PaintingConsultants@yahoo.com

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INDEX OF ADVERTISERS Airtech Home & Business........................27 Arrow Stone Creations................................3 Beaver Creek Fencing...............................25 Blue Ridge Alchemy...................................7 Bread Basket.............................................19 BT’s...........................................................17 Buffalo and More......................................19 Buffalo Hemp Company...........................32 Charmed Boutique...............................1 & 2 Deans Body Shop.................................1 & 2 DeHart Tile Co.......................................... 11 Dogtown Restaurant..................................31 Elliott’s Military Surplus..........................21 Farmers Insurance - Belinda Blodgett.1 & 2 Floyd Center for the Arts..........................19

Floyd Country Store..................................19 Floyd Hemp Factory.................................13 Giesen-Caldwell Agency..........................23 Kelly Phillips Photography.......................13 LCF Group................................................21 Long Way Brewing...................................25 P.R. Sturgill - Fine Jewelry.........................3 Painting Consultants...................................7 Plott & French Financial Advisors..............9 Price-Williams Realty............................... 11 Rorrer Well Drilling....................................9 Ryan L. Pry Attorney-at-Law......................3 Sinkland Farms...........................................3 The Woodshed...........................................17 Troika Contemporary Crafts.....................29

Want to get in on the next issue?

Contact John Brill about advertising or submitting a story.

540-815-1079 • john@brilldesigns.org 30 www.Facebook.com/RadfordMagazine

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