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WRITERS
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Nancy Moseley
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W“When I was growing up in the hills of East Tennessee, I knew my dreams would come true. The seeds of these dreams are often found in books … “ says singer-songwriter Dolly Parton.
Research is specific about reading books. Academic achievement has been connected to books at home many times over. Without getting into brain science particulars, the facts are clear that reading from the printed page is better for one’s brain, especially a child’s. Attention span and cognitive reasoning skills are far more advanced in kids who read real books.
“The tactile experience of holding a book, feeling its weight, and turning pages supports spatial memory and helps readers create a mental map of the text, aiding comprehension and recall,” reports Tami Katzir, a researcher and professor at the University of Haifa.
I don’t know how much scientific analysis was part of Melissa Wood’s drive to open The Little Bookworm, a children’s bookstore, in downtown Blacksburg. It is one very happy place, with an incredible inventory of children’s books to amuse, educate, entertain and contribute positively to kids’ mental and emotional development.
containers with wood lids at the farmer’s market, I might venture down to the Fort Chiswell Animal Park outside Wytheville to ride the safari bus and see zebras, buffalo, monkeys, alpacas, parrots and more. From there, it’s just a skip over to the Flying Flowers of Beagle Ridge, a 210-acre haven for butterflies, aka flying flowers. I might stop at Wilderness Road Regional Museum in Newbern and Thee Draper Village. Ah, so much to do, so little time.
Meredith White Photography
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This is one of the most wellplanned, whimsical, colorful, thoughtfullyarranged shops. The child in me sprung to the forefront, and I wanted to be one again or go round up some kids for the day. We’d spend it right there, looking for the little bookworm hiding somewhere, crawling in and out of the teepee and buying lots of books. We’d schedule the next birthday party or baby shower or gender reveal party, too. [See page 22.] For grown-ups, Blacksburg Books, another independent bookstore (yay for independent!), is just a couple doors away.
When I am not book shopping or buying wonderful granola in little glass
My favorite place is on the trails with Remington, my trusty Thoroughbred. Another fave now is my own backyard. The perceptive vision and professional efforts of Back to Nature Landscaping have upgraded my 10-year-old, DIY, 50foot, half-operational, dual water streams into the classic cliché of a backyard oasis. What a class act they are!
The big question this spring is: Can I overdose on breezes? With windows open 24/7, a few curtains billowing, laundry on the clothesline and all the action in the New River Valley, there may be no sweeter place to live. Bring on the staycations!
Joanne Anderson ManagingEditor jmawriter@aol.com
I got one Christmas card in my life from my late brother-in-law, Owen Nagel. Somewhere in the family grapevine, he apparently learned that I got a horse, if late in life. He wrote one sentence: Dirt bikes are safer. Considering that dirt bikes do not have a mind of their own, and they are not afraid of rocks and tree limbs that might vaguely resemble bears and lion paws, one could buy into that train of thought. I hold a
motorcycle license, and my first bike was a Honda 100 with knobby tires. I prefer trail riding on a horse, but there’s no doubt that trail riding with a dirt bike is also a heap of fun. There are similar advantages in getting a physical workout, whether you are riding on four hooves or two wheels. Mental well-being has been documented, along with fostering friendships and camaraderie. Navigating trails takes not only keen eyesight, but also the mental acuity
to manage, steer, lean (or not) and expertly control your horse or bike. Leaving the horse behind to eat grass, which is their favorite activity in the whole world, dirt bikes offer an adrenaline-rush sense of adventure in the great outdoors. Monica Perdue’s parents took up off-road riding when she was in high school. “I got my first dirt bike when I was 19 and dabbled in it throughout my 20s,” she relates. Her own boys, now 10 and 5,
began riding on Strider® bikes about the same time they learned to walk. These don’t have pedals, and they promote balance.
At Strider®, we love riding bikes, and we love inspiring kids to ride. Our mission is to build lightweight, efficient, all-terrain bikes that develop twowheeled balance, coordination and confidence in children.
[www.striderbikes.com]
From there, Monica relates, they moved on to a Yamaha PW 50. Today, Drew (10) rides a Husqvarna 85, while Reece (5) has a Honda CRF 50. This mom rides a Beta X-Trainer (300), adding that knobbies are a must (for tires). “We ride the dirt bikes on wooded trails, through creeks and mud, anything that comes our way!” Initially, she explains, like on a PW 50, there are not any gears. After that one, they move up to a bike with a foot lever. Then you add the clutch
(like Drew’s 85). Kairos in Giles County is their favorite riding ground, and they are usually joined by friends who ride. They all kayak, too, sometimes, on the New River.
One day after riding with a friend, his mom and a couple other adults on forest trails and conquering a hill climb, Drew exclaimed: “That was the best day I’ve ever had!”
The younger one, Reece, is stuck on saying: “I just want to go fast!” His mom sighs: “He’s the one I’m going to
have to worry about.”
Many parents consider dirt biking to be dangerous and expensive. Monica embraces all the benefits. “It teaches independence, problem solving and respect for the outdoors. It’s a hobby that builds lasting relationships you won’t find anywhere else. It takes a special kind of person to enjoy some of the pain and the challenges that come with our sport, and it’s 100% worth it.”
For her, nothing else compares. Her kids learn to safely navigate across varied terrain, close
their mouths when riding through mud and water, use body positions to control the bike and critical thinking skills for successful rides. They know how to check tire pressure and gas, clean and store all the equipment, use hand tools for maintenance, employ safety measures and gear, and get along with other riders with different personalities and skill levels.
When you factor in fresh air, the unspoiled beauty in nature and a wonderful sense of achievement
during and after every
ride, well, that builds character,
endurance, stamina and tenacity. Coupled with their kayak excursions, these kids are growing up with a giant love and appreciation for being outdoors for their entertainment and good times.
Safety is priority (just ahead of having fun). The boys know if you don’t wear the gear (helmet, chest protector, knee/elbow pads, boots), you don’t ride at all. – Monica Perdue
Text by Nancy S. Moseley
April 1st to April 1st is how time is measured for the honeybee. As I write this article, news (dare I say, 'the buzz') on how their health, vibrancy and survival rate fared over the past year is just days old. And the buzz is bleak. CBSnews.com's click-bate headline reads: "Millions of bees have died this year. It's the 'worst bee loss in recorded history,' one beekeeper says."
However, news from this same time one year ago announced quite the opposite. Washingtonpost. com's tongue-in-cheek headline read: "Wait, does America suddenly have a record number of bees?"
So, what gives? Are the honeybees good ... or not? Is it known that bees either succumb or adjust to "boom or bust" volatility or should we be reading more into this dramatic ebb and flow? The answer is 'yes' — to all the questions.
known to use plastic or reused wax materials and often cart hives from place to place. "Bees are meant to stay in one location. They become rooted to a place, they learn what's in bloom and when. They have incredible intergenerational knowledge that passes through," Tuchman explains.
So, when 2024's headlines boasted of a "boom," with many articles citing "record high numbers" and "surges in colony growth," Tuchman's counterpoint was quantity does not equal quality.
"This thing where 'there have never been more hives’ is really challenging to relate to actual health and well-being. It doesn’t mean they're thriving just because there's a high number of hives," he sighs.
Which brings us back to the threat of colony collapse once again.
The honeybee came over the pond from Europe in the 1600s and landed in Jamestown, Va. More than 200 years later, they made it to the west coast, finally establishing their nationwide presence. In 1861, the first American Bee Journal was published and is still a highly regarded industry resource in circulation. At the turn of the century, and for most of the 1900s, intrinsic beekeeping methods existed in relative productive harmony alongside commercial, profitmotivated farms. Then enter the early 2000s when Colony Collapse Disorder was declared.
The Environmental Protection Agency hypothesized many causes for the disorder. Mites, new or strengthening disease strains, pesticides, environmental insecurity, climate instability and exploitive beekeeping practices have been considered.
Alex Tuchman, farm manager of Spikenard Farm Honeybee Sanctuary in Floyd County, adds: "Instead of approaching it as what’s best for the bee, the motivation became, 'How can we get as much honey as possible?' and 'How can we increase production to increase profit?' and 'What is the easiest thing to do? What is the most convenient?' All of which left the bees vulnerable."
He further explains that many beekeepers don't have a comprehensive awareness for the importance of a flourishing, diverse landscape of nutrients and often raise bees in mono-crop environments. They also artificially create queens and then split up hives to create as many hives as they want, often way more than the land can healthily support. Additionally, many commercial practices are
is a 41-acre rolling landscape farm adjacent to the Little River in Floyd County. Tuchman and staff oversee 25-30 hives using bee-first philosophies. It is the first honeybee sanctuary in the United States and one of the only establishments that offers robust educational programming, hosting multi-day workshops for nationwide school groups.
"We're trying to offer an alternative for anyone interested in a more natural way that's focused more on the health of the bees, their well-being and the interconnected relationship between the human being, the land and the bee," he relates.
Their mission statement: Our consciously cultivated honeybee sanctuary promotes sustainable and biodynamic beekeeping to help restore the health and vitality of the honeybee worldwide.
Biodynamic beekeeping uses principles that were established 100 years ago. It's looking to the bees as a compass, to understand and interpret what they need.
Due to a sensitivity to their environment, bees are trustworthy tells on the health of the surrounding landscape. Are there toxins, polluted air or waterways, magnetic fields? Is there sufficient plant diversity? The bees will sound an early alarm regarding threats to themselves and to the human.
Honeybees pollinate 40-70% or our food diet as well as medicinal plants, like echinacea, rosemary and sage. And, of course, they give us honey, both a food and a medicine.
Every day, the Spikenard crew go on a "bee walk," similar, perhaps, to a doctors' daily rounds. On
April 1st every year, they count how many made it through the winter. They look at the status of the queen and observe her egg-laying pattern. If the queen did not survive, they will either manually catch a swarm and introduce it into the queen-less hive, or the bees will understand to do that themselves. Do flight patterns infer an active hive? Does it smell healthy inside? Is there a lot of fermented pollen (aka, bee bread)? Is there enough honey to make it to the dandelion?
Spikenard has celebrated an 88% hive survival rate over its 15 years in operation. In fact, their most popular product for sale is the bees themselves, simply because there is a thriving abundance.
There is a reason the colloquial monikers we associate with bees are along the lines of "busy" and "worker." If ants are our land-dwelling workhorses, the same could be said of bees. They are smart, resolute and methodical in their covenant to support a biodiverse ecosystem and uphold their critically central role in sustaining a demanding food chain. Phew, talk about pressure.
But Spikenard, with Tuchman at the helm, is doing the good work. They practice what they preach and enthusiastically pay-it-forward by educating the next generation of bee caretakers.
He concludes: "We would love to see this work continue to spread by raising awareness and sharing this place for people to experience and have a joyful relationship with the bees. We're co-dependent. We need each other. The bees are our partners."
So plant your flowers, your trees and your shrubs, read up on best honey-consumption practices, (visit the sanctuary!), and, above all else, let those dandelions bespeckling your yard, bloom away!
Nancy S. Moseley is a freelance writer who isn't a huge fan of honey. Or bees. But she was so enamored with dandelions as a child (who isn't!?) that she cried when the neighbors once picked all the ones in her yard to make wine. Looking back, she hopes they at least enjoyed the buzz.
Text by Emily Alberts
Photos by Jon Fleming
The Kilgore Law Office in Gate City and The Mitchell Law Firm in Blacksburg recently combined their legal practices, in an effort to become the “go-to” firm serving Southwest Virginia.
“We have completely different practices of law,” says Jeff Mitchell. Where Terry Kilgore focuses on litigation, worker’s compensation, disability and other occupational aspects of law, Mitchell’s concentration is on corporate finance transactions. “Terry and I go way back – more than two decades, though neither of us remembers exactly where we met. It was somewhere around his brother Jerry’s successful campaign for Attorney General of Virginia in 2001. We have often referred work back and forth to each other, so naturally we started having conversations about
the prospect of linking up.”
Every single one of the Kilgore firms is across the street from the local courthouse. For a small-town guy like Jeff, with roots in Tazewell, “You just can’t get more small town than that!” he says.
Kilgore graduated from Clinch Valley returned to his hometown of Gate City after graduating from William & Mary. “A law professor told me to borrow a little money from every bank, so they all had a stake in my professional career,” he says of going on to law school. After serving as a Commonwealth’s Attorney, he ran for the Virginia House of Delegates in 1993 and continues to serve in the General Assembly.
Jeff Mitchell started his firm in Blacksburg on Memorial Day weekend in 2012, and his first order of business was representing the group buying First & Main. “I practiced on my own until the first of this year [2025],” he explains. “Terry Kilgore and I combined that day, and the firm serves Blacksburg, Gate City, Abingdon, Lebanon and Marion.
Mitchell made a very conscious decision to stay in Southwest Virginia many years ago. “This is one of those special places to live,” he professes. “Nestled in the mountains with a couple college towns nearby, and a bunch
of great little communities like Christiansburg, Radford, Pearisburg. It’s been such a fun place to raise our daughter -- and to me, probably the closest I can come to recreating the small town I grew up in.”
Though technology has changed all of our lives, and email and cell phones have turned many industries into what feels like 24/7 businesses, Mitchell is thrilled to be living his professional dream in the New River Valley.
“My parents say I talked about being an attorney when I was young,” he recalls. “If memory serves, I once drew up a contract between my brothers in an effort to stop them from picking on me. I even referred to everyone as ‘party’ and used as much legalese as I could conjure up.”
When it comes to doing business, that same level of professionalism still reigns today. “At the Mitchell Kilgore law firm, the no-suit covid phase is over. I don’t always wear a suit, but I try to most of the time,” says Mitchell.
No stranger to making a good first impression, after graduating from Virginia Tech with a bachelor’s degree in accounting, Mitchell joined the staff at the governor’s office in Richmond. “I formed some really great relationships there.” As a matter of fact, while riding in the back of a Lincoln Town Car together after a press event, Governor Baliles turned to Mitchell and asked what he was doing after this.
“I thought he meant after the event, so I told him I was probably going to grab a bite to eat.” But the governor had his sights set on something bigger, suggesting that Jeff take the next step and apply to law school. It turned out to be good advice, as Mitchell went on to graduate in the Top 10 of his class and was editor-in-chief of The University of Richmond Law Review.
Kilgore stayed close to home, graduating from Clinch Valley College, now UVA-Wise, before earning his law degree at William & Mary Law School.
Mitchell’s favorite thing to celebrate is the success of his clients. “When someone buys a business they’ve wanted to purchase or sells a business they’ve wanted to sell, that’s my favorite part of the job.”
Keeping close relationships with the public sector, Mitchell has always maintained a commitment to public safety. Early in his career, he helped the merger of two public safety support organizations in Richmond into the Virginia Public Safety Foundation. “My proudest moment of service on that foundation was convincing former Attorney General Jerry Kilgore and soon-to-be-Governor Terry McAuliffe to co-chair the finance committee that raised the funds to build the Public Safety Memorial in Richmond which sits just off Capitol Square.”
A commitment to public service is the cornerstone of any successful attorney’s career. The newly formed Mitchell Kilgore legal powerhouse remains steadfast in focusing on their small-town communities and has fully embraced the role of advocates for small towns and big deals.
Writer Emily K. Alberts has helped build a small business from the ground up and understands the many legal pitfalls that can squash a startup. A good lawyer is worth their weight in salt!
Text by Caitlyn Koser
Photos by Joanne Anderson
Whimsical, vibrant, playful and timeless –Blacksburg’s kiddos have a bookstore in town. With a finger on the pulse of the market and an undying love for books and children, Melissa Wood and The Little Bookworm have a new place in the heart of locals of all ages.
On South Main Street in Blacksburg, down the sidewalk from Blacksburg Books, The Little Bookworm has been open since last August, and it has already grabbed the attention of children and children-at-heart.
Wood’s story begins with her high school job at a bookstore in Northern Virginia that lasted for seven years. “I always had it in the back of my mind to bring a space like this to Blacksburg,” she states. Four kids and several years later, after earning her English degree, The Little Bookworm was launched.
The inspiration for the name? “Between my four children and my sister’s family, we came up with probably 100 names,” Wood laughs. “I believe it was one of my kids that had this idea. The response has been positive and supportive, and everyone’s happy to have a place like this in the New River Valley.”
Stepping into the book shop brings a warm, homey mix of both the classic and the novel. A mural painted on the left wall features Clifford, Madeline, the Mouse and the Cookie, the Little Engine that Could, and other lovable heroes against a backdrop of the New River Valley.
Roaming the bookstore is an entirely real and
You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me. -C.S. Lewis
not fictional character that’s just as lovable – meet Leah, the tortoise. She’s six years old and loves her veggies; lettuce, cabbage and peppers are some of her favorites.
“Kids expect her to be slow,” Wood states. She’s small but mighty, crawling through visitor’s legs and around bookshelves faster than its literary counterpart in The Tortoise and the Hare.
Speaking of the fable, Wood has learned – as many of us do – that owning a small book shop is a marathon, not a sprint. Like any new business, one of the biggest challenges is financial, along with finding a large enough customer base. Another obstacle is bringing creative ideas into a cohesive, concrete reality. “I have a lot of ideas, but getting them to come together is difficult,” Wood explains. Tying in with the local theme, stickers, teas, bath salts and postcards with well-loved local places give a
rooted, community-oriented feel to the space.
The children’s store is interactively-oriented, hands-on and tactile. One side of a bookshelf is peppered with sticky notes under the heading, what books do you love? Visitors have varied tastes like Winnie the Pooh, the Babysitters’ Club, Anne of Green Gables, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, and The Mysterious Benedict Society.
A bin with sensory items like rice and figurines, a hand-built train table with playmobil people, and a chalk wall with magnets, give kiddos hands-on and interactive experiences.
Classics like Miss Rumphius and Owl Moon grace the shelves, along with newer titles that appeal to up-andcoming Blacksburg youngsters. And, for the littlest ones, there’s a room full of board books, which is something near and dear to Wood’s heart as well.
The Little Bookworm hosts an array of story times. There are story times with a special guest for the preschoolers, and art and story combo classes that Wood’s sister hosts. The bookstore can be rented for to host baby showers and birthdays. The shop also has a cozy evening bedtime story time. “I can completely close the store, turn off the lights, and
put on fun music in the background,” Wood says. Kids bring PJs and blankets and make themselves right at home.
Wood’s favorite part of owning the bookstore? “It’s hard to say,” she responds. “I love choosing new books and rediscovering others.” She also loves the relationship aspect it gives with the children. “Kids are so comfortable, they take their shoes off at the door. It’s like a second home.”
Wood’s favorite books include The Seven Silly Eaters, The Rattletrap Car, and My Father’s Dragon. Coming here is more than a visit to a bookstore – it’s an interactive and relational experience. Young visitors can look for Beatrice the bookworm hidden somewhere around the store, lift whimsically illustrated flaps on the wall, plunk out well-known tunes on a mini piano, and talk to the in-store mascot, Leah.
Full of heart and brimming with youth and playfulness, Melissa Wood and The Little Bookworm remember and capture what it’s like to be a kid. She has taught others, too, that a voracious love for reading doesn’t have to – and shouldn’t – end with entrance to the adulthood.
“My goal is for this to be more than a retail store.” Instead, her vision is of a cohesive and caring place where Blacksburg can gather. “I want it to be a community space,” she concludes.
closed Tuesday–Friday, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sunday, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Parking is available behind the store
Imagine heading out to look at a property that boasts a pond, waterfall and terraced rock gardens. A lady who enjoys gardening and lovely outdoor spaces could fall in love with all that on the drive over and get enthusiastic about stepping into the next chapter of her life.
“It was hard to identify these features, as time and nature had taken a toll,” relates Judy Keating. “The landscaping was installed nearly 20 years ago, and the state of disrepair included collapsed walls and abundant overgrowth. I could not see any pond or waterfall, and later I discovered a delightful swing in there.”
It was obvious, however, that someone once put a tremendous amount of thought and work into the design. Judy recognized a diamond in the rough and was not deterred. She, along with Chelsea, one of her daughters, purchased the townhouse.
Judy and her late husband, Phil, moved to the New River Valley for her to attend Virginia Tech and Radford University. The couple bought 28 acres in the quiet, pastoral Clover Hollow area of Giles County. Phil worked his entire career in plant pathology at Virginia Tech and devoted himself in the early years to building a home with reclaimed chestnut logs and local stone. Judy taught school at Giles County for 33 years.
The sweeping mountain views were spectacular in every season. The property had a barn, large pond and acres of pumpkins for a long time. The deer loved the pumpkins as much as they did, which eventually led to the end of the pumpkin patch.
“When my husband passed away, I knew it was time to let another family enjoy the property as much as
we did. Phil took great pride in the home that he built using local rock and chestnut logs from old barns, so leaving our farm was incredibly hard. However, the large house and expansive property was something I was ready to pass on to someone who had the excitement and energy to take over.”
Judy remains close friends with the family who bought the farm and enjoys watching them love the property as much
as she and Phil did.
Moving from their home in Clover Hollow presented a small worry for Judy leaving the deep ties within that community. “The beauty of small towns is that they become part of who you are,” she says of relocating to Christiansburg. Wonderful neighbors have welcomed them with open arms.
Downsizing ~ The Challenge and the Freedom
“Downsizing was a challenge, but honestly, I found it freeing and love the smaller floor plan and ease of the townhome,” she explains. “There is a great sense of relief in letting things go and moving forward. I was even excited for the next chapter of convenience living in town.” The townhouse has 3 bedrooms, 2 ½ bathrooms, 1,600 square feet and an expansive deck overlooking the backyard, sloped gardens and water features.
Besides the downsizing challenge, Judy now faced this overgrown garden project. While perhaps overwhelming at first, she loved redesigning it with her favorite flowers, vines and plants. And “best of all, I no longer have to compete with deer.”
The labor of love in the garden restoration included hours of planning, clearing and rebuilding rock walls and pathways. She and Chelsea worked hard all along the way with help from friends and professionals. “Determining which plants needed to stay or be removed while shuffling through everything provided me with many discoveries of things in the garden I did not know were there.”
Her favorite tree is the hugging tree, a weeping cherry that wraps its branches around anyone passing by. She has a bald cypress, dogwood and crepe myrtle as well, along with hundreds of flowers. The pond is home to goldfish and frogs, and a variety of birds visit her backyard year-round.
Judy Keating embodies the grace and courage to make tough decisions as life unfolds and move forward with confidence and fortitude. Just as she contributed to shaping young minds as a beloved teacher and a mother, she is the driving force in reshaping her beautiful gardens and stepping boldly into this chapter of her life.
• May 31, Sinking Creek Bluegrass Festival
• June 13-15, Mountain Lake Lodge presents Savor: Chefs, Farmers, & Friends
• June 28, 3rd annual George Pearis DAR Heritage Day
• July 2, Fireworks at Mountain Lake Lodge
• July 4, Narrows Homecoming and 4th of July Celebration
August 8-9, 90th annual Newport Agricultural Fair
June 20-22, No Name ADV Rally
June 5-7, 40th annual Pearisburg Festival in the Park
Text by Nancy S. Moseley | Photos by Jon Fleming
His affinity for bowling almost killed Terry Stike. Once an employee of the old Triangle Lanes in Christiansburg, he was told to change out a dead light bulb in the outside sign. He climbed the ladder, reached in and woke up in a hospital room. An electric shock had entered his left wrist, then careened throughout his body. But this story isn't about death or bowling, it's about living. And a little bit about bowling.
Despite near-death, Stike (unfortunately, no, not 'strike'), savored a full career in the bowling industry and is now pushing 66 years old, which means people keep asking him
about retirement. "I wish they wouldn't keep asking because then I have to acknowledge it exists!"
While many, many, people count the years down to punching in the last time card, Stike has no similar plans. "There hasn't been a day that I don't want to come to work. I can honestly say that. It's the coolest thing ever," he declares.
Stike has loved the recreational sport since he was 8 years old, when
his mom first put a bowling ball in his hands. Aside from a 4-year break in high school to play school sports as an Auburn Eagle, he's bowled. In his early 20s, he went to work for the Triangle Lanes — now the Walgreens on North Franklin Street. He picked up trash and cigarette butts while also working as a mechanic. Once he insisted that he could save the alley money by resurfacing the lanes himself, which he did by working through one long overnight.
Eventually, he took over the youth bowling program, an organized youth league for budding bowlers
associated with the United States Bowling Congress (USBC), similar in feel and execution to municipal rec sports. After a brief time building up the same program at Leisure Lanes in Pulaski (now closed), he returned to Triangle Lanes in the early 90s, this time as manager.
By 1996, it was time for a change. Stike was integral in designing and building what would replace the historic, beloved Triangle Lanes: Today's NRV Superbowl. He made conscious choices, like not having the small step up to the lanes, with his senior leagues in mind, and not installing ceiling panels to help alleviate the heavy, trapped fog
of cigarette smoke (which was still legal indoors then). On May 19, 1997, the Superbowl doors opened with 40 lanes, billiards, an arcade, a snack bar and a lounge area.
"Bowling had become a thing not to do instead of thing to do around 2014. It had a bad reputation because of smoking and drinking trends, and it had just become boring. You had to make a move or be finished." Stike met with consultants and decided to rethink the business as a ‘family entertainment center.’ Even a simple branding
adjustment away from the word 'alley' to 'center' was important, to better infer a full experience that is supported by friendly customer service.
He demolished eight lanes and the billiards area in favor of a 2-story laser tag room. He added more arcade games and bumper cars. The cars were ultimately removed during covid because of a parts shortage (spoiler alert: they may come back!). Because there were more activities, patrons stayed longer and bowled more.
To continue his affinity for putting bowling balls in the hands of kids, he takes portable lanes (carpet lanes, plastic pins and rubber balls) to
area elementary schools to teach the sport during P.E. classes. Afterward, the entire school gets to come bowl for free. He offers summer bowling camps and various kids-bowl-free specials.
"Creating a family atmosphere was the best thing we've ever done, better on my staff, better on my wife, better on my kids [two daughters] and better on me," he laughs. He used to get home at 3 a.m. or 4 a.m. on the weekends, now he's home by midnight. "We try to do everything we can do on the family-oriented side of it."
His favorite part is talking to people in the community, talking to all the friends he's collected over the years. "It's constant. It's one huge family," Stike says. "If you keep having the relationships and happy times with people, you don't want to retire. I've worked almost every Saturday for 34 years. We do it because it's what we like doing."
He is a firm believer in leading
by example and doesn't have any employee do anything that he wouldn't do. He works alongside them every day. Amanda Crawford, general manager, has been working with him for 24 years.
Every year he attends the largest entertainment expo in Orlando, IAAPA (International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions), to peruse 'what's next.' He currently has his eye on golf simulators and what's called a Neoverse LED wall (worth looking up). Later this summer, stop by and play the wildly popular tradeshow hit, the ICEE Slush Rush.
"You have to look at the future, at what can be. If you can't be about what's next, you get stale. Even though new things are expensive, they put you up into the next level of modernization. The bowling game itself is never going to change."
With a career marked with consummate hard work and forward thinking, a genuine appreciation for staff and a supportive family, one can understand how retirement might not be so attractive.
"If I had known when I was younger what I know now, watch out, I would've had a chain of bowling centers. I've toyed with buying other ones, but my wife won't let me."
While he's never bowled professionally, Stike attends tournaments nationwide for fun. In May, he'll be off to Baton Rouge, La., for a tournament. Again, this isn't really about bowling, more about living. But for some, the two things are kind of the same.
Nancy S. Moseley is a born and raised Blacksburg writer. She frequented Triangle Lanes' disco bowling nights in the spring of 1997. Not a huge fan of the sport (local record-holder for gutter balls), she was happy to ride the bench, cheer and keep the team hydrated.
clean-up from Hurricane Helene a massive, multi-agency undertaking
In late September 2024, communities across the Appalachians fell victim to devastating flooding and destruction left in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Claytor Lake, a haven for outdoor lovers and wildlife enthusiasts, was one of many waterways thrown into disarray by the historic storm.
“There was so much debris, not just wood, but hazardous materials and trash, that it appeared as though you could walk across the water,” says Laura Walters, chair of the Pulaski County Board of Supervisors. “It looked like a carpet of trash and junk.”
Helene swept through the New River Valley on Sept. 26, pushing the New River to crest at over 22 feet in Pulaski County two days later. “It was about the worst I’ve seen,” recalls Dave Dobyns, cleanup supervisor for the Friends of Claytor Lake [FOCL]. “I could look across and see that the lake was completely solid with rubbish. You could see boats, docks and other things floating in the debris field. It was absolutely devastating.”
A Virginia Tech assessment estimates around 135 acres of debris floated along the lake’s surface immediately following Helene’s flooding impact. As shocking of a scene as it was, there was no time to waste. FOCL, a non-profit organization, sprang into action, focusing its efforts on minimizing environmental damage and securing personal property.
“We were directed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency [FEMA] to get all hazardous materials up first, such as grills, gas tanks, propane tanks, refrigerators and more,” explains Steve Rapp, executive director of FOCL. “Along the way, we picked up personal things like boats, Jet Skis and docks.”
Early in the clean-up, FOCL stationed an excavator at Claytor Lake State Park to pull out larger items. According to Dobyns, FOCL extracted more than 40 propane tanks from the
water, including one with 250 gallons. From the day after the flooding began until late November, FOCL volunteers worked 10-hour shifts daily, moving and collecting debris to make operations more manageable. “Our volunteers worked hard to do everything we could for clean-up and water quality testing,” Rapp adds. “It’s the hardest working volunteer crew I’ve ever been on.”
After a few weeks of efforts, alongside Pulaski County Emergency Management and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, and with support from local and state representatives, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers [USACE] and FEMA initiated major debris removal operations in mid-October.
In Virginia’s largest debris removal mission since 2003, USACE mobilized heavy equipment including barges, hydraulic excavators, survey
vessels, and a 300-ton crane to Claytor Lake State Park. The equipment was a big help for FOCL, whose equipment had suffered already. “We had to get a motor for our Jon boat to help corral debris,” Dobyns states. “Both engines on our push boats had the lower units torn up by debris, so we had to replace those.”
Alongside USACE manpower, the clean-up process was expedited to a new level. A task that seemed insurmountable just weeks prior — one that many believed would take years to overcome — suddenly became achievable. Efforts continued through the remainder of 2024 by both FOCL and USACE. While USACE conducted large-scale operations, FOCL started cleaning docks and coves around the lake where trash had settled.
According to FOCL’s 2024 clean-up report, the organization removed 4,785 tons of debris from the lake, the majority of which came from Helene. Among the 319 roll-off loads were 36 tires, 189 bags of trash, 11 barrels, 32 docks, alongside gas tanks, refrigerators and other hazardous materials. Dobyns is full of praise. “I’m really proud of our foreman, our assistant foreman and crew members, who stayed with it all the way. It’s really hard work.”
Following USACE’s final subsurface clean-up in highly accessible locations such as swimming, boating and launch ramp areas, Claytor Lake was back to its sparkling self by January. “I’m overjoyed,” Dobyns smiles. “You can see the results. From what I saw at the end of September, I thought it would take years to restore the lake.’” “Claytor Lake is clean and beautiful, and we’re excited for folks to come out and support our businesses, which are ready to serve everyone,” Rapp declares. “Everyone’s itching to get back on the water.”
Although the lake is again in pristine condition, FOCL has no plans of slowing down on their mission to conserve and protect Claytor Lake and the surrounding community. “We have a crew of six people, and we were out on the lake until the Army Corps of Engineers was able to get involved,” Dobyns explains. “Our guys did an amazing job, and they’re getting their equipment ready again for whatever comes along this summer.”
Evan Hull is a Pulaski County native and freelance writer who is thrilled to be getting back on “his” Claytor Lake.
• Created in 1939 with Claytor Dam completion
• 4,633 acres
• 21 miles long
• 100+ miles of shoreline
• Boat fishing
• Water sports
• Pleasure boating, canoes, kayaks
• Marinas, boat and paddleboard rentals, lessons, equipment
• Swimming, walking, picnicking
• Fish ~ Largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleye, spotted bass, carp, catfish, bluegill, black crappie, yellow perch, alewife, gizzard shad, striped bass, hybrid striped bass
• Claytor Lake State Park ~ camping, cabins, nature programs, beach, bike rentals, gift shop, playgrounds
Friends of Claytor Lake
501 ( c ) (3) non-profit Founded 33 years ago
All volunteer, donations appreciated 6580 Valley Center Drive, room 318 Fairlawn www.focl.org
Text by Caitlyn Koser
From a $5 steal to a copy of the Declaration of Independence, thrift stores are a local gem for surrounding communities. And once you’re in the know, you’re likely to keep coming back for more.
“Thrifting” is an action, just as “thrifty” is a quality and “thrift” means a secondhand purchase or the act of thrifting. Merriam-Webster Dictionary describes “thrifty” as “thriving by industry and frugality.”
Wherever you live in the New River Valley, it’s likely you have a thrift shop in close proximity. Whether you’re a seasoned thrifter who enjoys the thrill of the hunt or a newbie to the world of thrifting, finding a few of your favorites is well worth your time.
There are many reasons one might choose to thrift. For many, it’s a savvy way to make dollars stretch farther. For others, it’s a big treasure hunt. The thrill of the chase is something that keeps people returning. Some use thrifting as an opportunity to find high-end brands at cheap prices.
According to Capital One, 16 to 18 percent of Americans thrift shop, and $53 billion in revenue comes from the secondhand market. They also report that clothes are the number one thrifted item, followed by books, furniture and décor.
First established in the 19th century, thrift stores in the U.S. were founded by religious organizations like
the Salvation Army to offer a hand to waves of immigrants coming into American cities. Goodwill opened its first store in 1902, and 33 years later there were almost 100 Goodwill stores. The stigma behind thrifting and secondhand shopping began to wear off as younger generations caught on to the trend.
Today, thrift stores are an essential part of the fabric of the United States. There are more than 25,000 thrift shops, according to CapitalOne. USA Today reports on the “best” cities for thrifting. New York City hits the top on their list, followed by Newark and Los Angeles.
Many thrift stores operate for charity, another reason to give your hard-earned money to these shops. One example is MCEAP (Montgomery County Emergency Assistance Program, pronounced affectionately as McKeep or McKeeps). It has deep roots in the community with two locations in Christiansburg and one in Blacksburg. The furniture portion of MCEAP, just off Roanoke Street in Christiansburg, has been faithfully serving NRV residents for six years. “We’re a step-up, not a hand-out,” Monty Thompson, manager of the home store MCEAP, explains. The wider organization opened in 1975, putting families back on the road to self-sufficiency. They take donations from residents and are completely volunteer based. Proceeds lend a hand to families who qualify.
The store boasts an expansive collection of household furniture in the front room, and also offers books, sports gear and more. “We receive pretty much everything from coffee mugs to furniture and things people didn’t want to take to the landfill,” Monty explains.
Margie Vitale is the manager of the original location on Main Street in Christiansburg. That thrift store is focused on household items, plus jewelry, antiques, clothing, decor, books, board games and more. “People are very generous,” Margie states. Last year, MCEAP brought in $450,000 in revenue between their three stores. They see this revenue only as an opportunity to graciously give a step up to more fellow NRVers.
Local resident Stacey Wilkin is a consistent thrifter. Her go-to thrift shops are Second Time Around and Treasure Trove, often going weekly. “I thrift because it’s fun and kind of like a treasure hunt. I find something new every time,” she says.
The Pulaski County Flea Market holds large events biannually at the New River Valley Fairgrounds. Its proceeds go to the Dublin Lions’ Club, which in turn pours money into charitable efforts and investing in the community.
In its 50th year, this flea market has more than 20,000 visitors and 800 vendor spaces. Swing by and try a famed “Lion Dog” or look into the opportunity to become a vendor yourself.
In 2014, a Vince Lombardi sweater was bought for 14 cents at a Goodwill. When the couple realized what it was, they sold it for $43,020.
In 2013, a Chinese cup made from the horn of a rhinoceros sold for $75,000 after being bought for $4 at a thrift shop.
And if you think that’s impressive–seven years earlier, a copy of the Declaration of Independence made by John Quincy Adams sold for almost $500,000.
Thrift stores are becoming increasingly trendy as shoppers find bang for their buck, a way to stretch dollars, and a thriving sense of community. National Thrift Store Day is August 17. Grab a friend or two and take a drive throughout the NRV. Who know what you’ll find?
Virginia Tech YMCA
Thrift Well (supports the Well at Eagles’ Nest Regeneration) Second Time Around (supports SPCA)
Treasure Trove (supports Warm Hearth Village)
Goodwill (three locations in the NRV)
ReStore for Habitat for Humanity
Pulaski County Lions’ Club Flea Market
June 7 and 8, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sept. 13 and 14, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. NRV Fairgrounds, Dublin
Text by Joanne M. Anderson
The allure of a farmer’s market is in the unique blend of nostalgia, sustainability, heritage, fresh-from-thefarm food, community connection, creative crafts and functional artifacts. The newly launched Draper Village Heritage Market promises to deliver on all fronts.
The first Saturday of every month April to December, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., people from all over the New River Valley and beyond will roll into Merc Farms to the sounds of live music and jovial laughter. There’s plenty of parking at the Heritage Market, and it’s easy to walk everywhere in Thee Draper Village. Each month embraces a different theme, and the local YMCA is hosting the kids’ corner.
For more than 135 years, with a few pauses along the way, the Draper Mercantile has beckoned locals, travelers and regional crowds. Since the mid-2000s, Draper Village has been offering creative shopping and dining experiences, along with special tea
events, an ice cream parlor and walking, jogging, bicycling and horseback riding along the adjacent New River Trail, a 57-mile rails-to-trails pathway.
Draper Village is a unique destination in and around a small, historical town revived across the past two decades to meet up with contemporary times – preserving its Appalachian culture while offering whole vacation packages with modern amenities. Charming cabins and waterfront rentals along the New River and Claytor Lake book early through newriverretreat.com.
This enchanting community attracts all ages - for a day, a weekend or a week or more. It is a perfect “staycation” destination in the New River Valley where you can spend your time relaxing, walking or bicycling, shopping, dining and people-watching from rocking chairs instead of hours on the highway putting miles on your tires. Mark your calendars now for the first Saturday of every month for the
rest of 2025. Must go to Draper Village Heritage Market. Gather a few friends and/or some family folks and show up and have a wonderful day in Draper! [Draperisfordreamers.com]
Quick Facts and Figures about Draper.
Draper Mercantile: 3054 Greenbriar Road, Draper
Draper Village Heritage Market: 2980 Brown Road, Draper Off I-81: Exit 92
Coordinates: 37.0009° N, 80.7420° W
Population: 458 give or take
Official status: Unincorporated community County: Pulaski
Geographic size: 39.23 square miles of land; 1.14 square miles water
Special qualities: History, charm, natural beauty, friendly folks, rural America
Blacksburg Farmer’s Market
Saturdays and Wednesdays, year round, hours vary seasonally Corner Draper and Roanoke, Blacksburg blacksburgfarmersmarket.com
Christiansburg Farmer’s Market
Thursdays, May – October, 2-6 p.m. 1600 N. Franklin St., Christiansburg
Draper Village Heritage Market
1st Saturday, April to December, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
Merc Farms, Draper
Narrows Farmer’s Market
Thursdays, May – October, 9 a.m. –1 p.m.
118 Monroe Street, Narrows
Pearisburg Community Market
Saturdays, May – October, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
1410 Wenonah Ave., Pearisburg
Pulaski Farmer’s Market
Tuesdays, May – September, 4 p.m.
Historic Train Station
Radford Farmer’s Market
Saturdays, April – October, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
600 Unruh Drive, Radford. www.mainstreetradford.org
Tuesday Tunes, 5 – 7 p.m.
Friday Night Jamboree, 6:30 – 10 p.m.
Americana Afternoons, noon - 3 p.m. Saturdays
Sunday Music Jam, 1:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Old-time music, bluegrass, lots of stompin’ and dancin’, family-friendly Floyd Country Store, Floyd
Starlite Drive-in Flea Market
Saturday and Sunday, weather permitting 6 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Several vendors, interesting stuff, dickering 275 Starlight Drive, Christiansburg
Summer Mountain Music Series, Sundays, 4-6 p.m.
Music Bingo, Wednesdays, 7-9 p.m.
Dog Day Thursdays, Doggie Happy Hour, 3-7 p.m.
Live music, food, drink, great times
Salt Pond Pub, Mountain Lake Lodge, Pembroke
Friday Night Music, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Every Friday through October, no cover Beautiful setting, wonderful music, wine and snack sales
Beliveau Farm Winery, Blacksburg
Courtyard Concert Series
Every Saturday and Sunday, 1-4 p.m.
Weather permitting, spring, summer, fall Chateau Morrisette Winery, Floyd
Live Music at the Villa
Saturdays through October, 1-4 p.m.
Sundays with wood-fired pizza through October, 12-4:30 p.m.
Villa Appalaccia Winery
752 Rock Castle Gorge, Floyd
Pulaski River Turtles Baseball
Take me out to the ball game! Calfee Park, Pulaski
(note: 9th oldest Minor League baseball park in the U.S.)
May 3, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
Annual Kids Fishing Day
Ages 3 to 15
Narrows Town Park, Narrows
May 17, 4-9 p.m.
Music and Merchants
Corner Jefferson and W. Main, Pulaski
May 17, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Spring Fly-In
Bouncy houses, food trucks, family fun, aircraft on display
New River Valley Airport, Route 100, Dublin
May 22-26
Claytor Lake Music Festival @ M2I
5 days of great music on the waterfront
Rock House Marina, Claytor Lake
May 31, 5-8 p.m.
Ryan Greer Live Music
Rock House Marina, Pulaski
May 31, 12 noon open, 3 p.m. music begins
Inaugural Sinking Creek Bluegrass Festival
Bring chair or blanket, vendors, concessions, toe tappin’ tunes
Newport Ruritan Park, 641 Blue Grass Trail, Newport
June 7 and 8, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Pulaski County Lions Club
Flea Market
Admission $2, free parking
NRV Fairgrounds, Route 100, Dublin
June 5-7, 5-11 p.m.
40th Annual Pearisburg Festival in the Park
Carnival rides, music, food, drink, fun and more fun
1410 Wenonah Ave., Pearisburg
June 7, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Cruise Nights
Hosted by Scoops Arcade
610 Snidow St. Pembroke
June 14, 7 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Claytor Lake Festival
Live music, car show, arts & crafts, food, wine tasting, fireworks
Claytor Lake State Park, Dublin
June 7 and 8, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Floyd Artisan Trail
Art studios open, galleries, farms, demos, special events on backroads and in town
June 13
MusicFest at Randolph Park
Live music, food trucks, beer and wine, bring blanket or lawn chair 5100 Alexander Road, Dublin
June 14, 10:30 a.m. and all day Gusto Event
Paddleboard and kayak races, live music
Rock House Marina, Claytor Lake
June 15
Lavender Fest Sunday, 12 noon-6 p.m.
Fresh lavender, live music, learn about lavender, vendors, food trucks, take home wine glass, $12 per person.
Beliveau Farm Winery, Blacksburg
June 21
Annual Summer Solstice Festival
Live music, vendors, entertainment, food and drink, dog parade Downtown Blacksburg at Main and Lee St.
June 19-21, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Summer Solstice Festival
Seasonal celebration of honeybees, beekeeping, art
Spikenard Farm Honeybee Sanctuary, Floyd
June 22
Lavender Fest Sunday, 12 noon-6 p.m.
Fresh lavender, live music, learn about lavender, vendors, food trucks, take home wine glass, $12 per person.
Beliveau Farm Winery, Blacksburg
June 27, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Sanctuary Open Day and Pollinator Plant Sale
Spikenard Farm Honeybee Sanctuary, Floyd
June 28, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Independence Day Fincastle Resolves Event
Commemoration of this prelude to the Declaration of Independence Historic Smithfield, Blacksburg
June 29
Lavender Fest Sunday, 12 noon-6 p.m.
Fresh lavender, live music, learn about lavender, vendors, food trucks, take home wine glass, $12 per person.
Beliveau Farm Winery, Blacksburg
June 28
FCA Outdoors Faith & Follow Through Clays Tournament Clay shoot fundraiser for the
Fellowship of Christian Athletes and NRV Youth Ministry.
Kairos Resort, Giles County
4th of July ~ Independence Day!
Parades, floats, music, fireworks throughout the New River Valley
July 5, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Cruise Nights
Hosted by Scoops Arcade
610 Snidow St. Pembroke
July 12, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
New River Valley Garden Tour
Beautiful gardens and property grounds
Tickets and map, mfrlfriends.org/wp/ garden-tour
July 14-18, 9 a.m. – 12 noon
Summer Camp 2025, ages 8-12
Live Through the Revolution Historic Smithfield, Blacksburg
July 18, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sanctuary Open Day & Pollinator
Plant Sale
Experience the wonder of bees, gifts
Spikenard Farm Honeybee Sanctuary, Floyd
July 28 – Aug. 2
New River Valley Fair
Livestock, food, rides, evening events, blast for everyone!
New River Fairgrounds, Dublin
July 23-27
Floyd Fest
Music-Magic-Mountains
100s of musicians and much more 5826 Floyd Hwy North, Check
August 1 and 2, 10 a.m.–10 p.m.
Annual Steppin’ Out Festival
More than 200 booths, food, drink, live entertainment Downtown Blacksburg
August 2, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Cruise Nights
Hosted by Scoops Arcade
610 Snidow St. Pembroke
August 8 and 9
Newport Agricultural Fair
More than 80 years, oldest
agricultural fair in VA. Kid rides, food, games, horse show, horse pull, produce, baking, flower competitions, live music. Saturday night fireworks. Newport
August 9, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Pirate Festival
Come in pirate garb or not, pirate music, dancing and more Rock House Marina, Claytor Lake
August 16
Virginia Championship Hare
Scramble Series
Dirt bike racing
Kairos Resort, Glen Lyn
August 22, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Sanctuary Open Day and Pollinator Plant Sale
Spikenard Farm Honeybee Sanctuary, Floyd
August 23, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Floyd Living Traditions Festival
Floyd Center for the Arts, Floyd
August 30
Hillbilly Shootout Clays Tournament Kairos Resort, Giles County
September 6-7
Tri-State Cross County Series Race
Off-road dirt bike racing
Kairos Resort, Giles County
September 6, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Cruise Nights
Hosted by Scoops Arcade
610 Snidow St. Pembroke
September 6 and 7, 12 noon-5 p.m.
Paw Paw Festival
Learn all about paw paws, tours of the vineyard, sip some fine wine, live music, food truck
JBR Vineyards, Pearisburg
September 13 and 14, 7 a.m.-5 p.m.
Pulaski County Lions Club Flea
Market
Lots and lots of vendors, $2 admission, free parking
NRV Fairgrounds, Route 100, Dublin
September 18-20, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Fall Equinox Festival
Autumn celebration, learn about bees
Spikenard Farm Honeybee Sanctuary, Floyd
September 20, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Annual Kiwanis Wilderness Trail
Festival
Vendors, kids fun, music, food, classic cars, raffles, silent auction, craft demos
Downtown Christiansburg
September 26, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Sanctuary Open Day and Pollinator Plant Sale
Spikenard Farm Honeybee Sanctuary, Floyd
September 27
Kairos Cup Clays Tournament
Kairos Resort, Giles County
September 25-26, 4-8 p.m.
September 27-28, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Pumpkin Festival
Live music, family activities, art & crafts, corn maze & hay rides, more!
Sinkland Farms, Route 8, Christiansburg
October 2-3, 4-8 p.m.
October 4-5, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Pumpkin Festival
Live music, family activities, art & crafts, corn maze & hay rides, more!
Sinkland Farms, Route 8, Christiansburg
October 4, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Battle of Kings Mountain Observance Reenactors, demonstrations, speakers recreate an epic story
Historic Smithfield, Blacksburg
October 4, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Cruise Nights
Hosted by Scoops Arcade 610 Snidow St. Pembroke
October 9-10, 4-8 p.m.
October 11-12, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Pumpkin Festival
Live music, family activities, art & crafts, corn maze & hay rides, more!
Sinkland Farms, Route 8, Christiansburg
October 11, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Radford Highlanders Festival
Heavyweight games, Celtic music, sheepherding, vendors, fun for all ages
Radford University Campus, Radford
October 11, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
October 12, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Newbern Fall Festival
Vendors, arts and crafts, music, food, family fun
Hosted by the Newbern Volunteer Fire Dept
Main Street, Newbern
October 18
Wolf Creek Runs Wild 5k and 10 k races
Narrows
October 16-17, 4-8 p.m.
October 18-19, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Pumpkin Festival
Live music, family activities, art & crafts, corn maze & hay rides, more!
Sinkland Farms, Route 8, Christiansburg
October 18 and 19
Virginia Enduro Essentials Clinic with Rich Larssen
Kairos Resort, Giles County
October 23-24, 4-8 p.m.
October 25-26, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Pumpkin Festival
Live music, family activities, art & crafts, corn maze & hay rides, more!
Sinkland Farms, Route 8, Christiansburg
October 24, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Sanctuary Open Day and Pollinator
Plant Sale
Spikenard Farm Honeybee Sanctuary, Floyd
October 25
Fall Roundup Clays Tournament
Kairos Resort, Giles County
October 30-31, 4-8 p.m.
November 1-2, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Pumpkin Festival
Live music, family activities, art & crafts, corn maze & hay rides, more!
Sinkland Farms, Route 8, Christiansburg
November 15, 1 p.m.
November 16, 2 p.m.
Thanksgiving during the Revolutionary War
Living history encampments, crafts Historic Smithfield, Blacksburg
November 29
Winter is Coming Clays Tournament
Kairos Resort, Giles County
December 6 and 7, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Winterfest Floyd
A-1 Heating & Cooling
Anne Collins Albimino
Beliveau Farm
Beliveau Farm B&B
Blacksburg Battles Cancer
Bonomo's Plaza
Brown Insurance
Celco Community Credit Union
Crockett Home Improvement
Dehart Tile & Flooring Center
Dwight Atkinson
Energy Check
Eric Johnsen State Farm
Freedom First Mortgage
Giles County Tourism
In Focus Interiors
Joba Designs
Kesler Contracting
Macado's
Member One
Mitchell Kilgore
Moss Arts Center
M-Rock Stone Manufacturing
Mutt's Primitives
Nest Realty New River Valley
NRV IP Law
Pearis Mercantile
Professional Rehab Associates
Progress Street Builders
Rayne Stenger
River Ridge Dermatology
Shelter Alternatives
Skyline National Bank
Sunshine Tours
Thee Draper Village
The Weight
Virginia Shoreline Contractors
“Rayne is an absolutely outstanding realtor who makes you feel like you are the only person that she is serving and that you are her #1 client. I'm not sure how she does this in light of her formidable reality workload, but she NEVER overlooks anything - she always keeps her promises and commitments to the seller, goes out of her way to maintain a customer-centric and customerfriendly posture, and makes you feel like you are the most important person! She is absolutely amazing and gets my highest recommendation. Thank you so very much, Rayne! You are a reality rock-star!”
“Anne is amazing! We felt so comfortable with her as our agent We appreciated her friendly and professional style of selling real estate. We actually enjoyed the entire process of listing and selling our beloved home of 23 years. Anne came highly recommended to us and we are extremely happy we took our friend's advice to call her. Anne is a true professional. She works efficiently and effectively Anne knows the real estate market and has a firm grasp on how to sell a home We have also gained a new friend in this process Do not hesitate if you are buying or selling a home in the NRV - call Anne!”
