Friday, February 20, 7:30 PM
Danish Radio Big Band brings powerhouse sound alongside three-time Grammy-winning jazz vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant.
NEW RIVER VALLEY MAGAZINE
P. O. Box 11816
Blacksburg, VA 24062
o: 540-961-2015 nrvmagazine@msn.com www.nrvmagazine.com
PUBLISHER
Country Media, Inc.
Phillip Vaught
MANAGING EDITOR
Joanne Anderson
DISTRIBUTION MANAGER
Dennis Shelor
WRITERS
Joanne Anderson
Emily Alberts
Evan Hull
Becky Hepler
Nancy Moseley
Caitlyn Koser
Emily Meade
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Tom & Christy Wallace
Kevin Riley
Madison Underwood
Jon Fleming
Meredith White Photography
Chelsea Hartman Photography
Cover by Chelsea Hartman Photography
© 2025 Country Media, Inc. Country Media, Inc. will not knowingly publish any advertisement that is illegal or misleading to its readers. Neither the advertiser nor Country Media, Inc. will be responsible or liable for misinformation, misprints, or typographical errors. The publisher assumes no financial liability for copy omissions by Country Media, Inc. other than the cost of the space occupied by the error. Corrections or cancellations to be made by an advertiser shall be received no later than 5 p.m. the 20th of each publishing month. No claim shall be allowed for errors not affecting the value of the advertisement. Paid advertising does not represent an endorsement by this publication. Content cannot be reproduced without written consent from Country Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Real Estate advertised in this publication is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968.
IIt’s a challenge to think on your feet when someone asks: If you could spend an afternoon with anyone, who would it be? Helen Keller, Teddy Roosevelt, maybe Walt Disney, Queen Elizabeth II, Carrie Underwood. I fell in love with [the late] Kris Kristofferson in college and never fell out. He was a singer, actor, prolific songwriter, Army captain, Rhodes scholar, literature professor at West Point. When Johnny Cash did not respond to the demo tape he sent, Kristofferson – also a helicopter pilot – landed a chopper in Cash’s yard. Needless to say, he got Cash’s attention. His song “Why Me, Lord?” is my personal theme song.
I have an original letter written by Helen Keller. She had recently moved and writes: The new balcony up among the tree-tops outside my window gives me a chance to take a brisk walk every morning. Thus I, who may not venture alone on the road, can still enjoy freedom in the open sunshine, and sit down again to my work with a light heart. No matter how narrow my life may be, I have many blithe hours, and know not that all is dark and still about me.
Closer to home, I’d like to spend an afternoon with Logan Smith, if I can keep up with him. Closing in on 10 years since a freak accident placed him in a wheelchair for life (“we’ll see about that”, he would say), the 27-year-old indulges in his all-time favorite sport – before and after the collision – scuba diving. He also fishes, skis, hikes, bikes and travels. He and his family knew things would be different, and they have set about figuring things out every step of the way.
Pasture Talk
In Logan’s words: I really hit a high note when we figure something out. There are lots of low notes, too. I have learned to be flexible and bounce along through obstacles. It’s not all highs, not all lows. It’s a roller coaster, but that’s life for everybody, right?”
Logan is the poster boy for Teddy Roosevelt’s insight: Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Teddy also suggested: In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.
Inspirational people are all around us … in the shops, offices, restaurants, neighborhoods and communities throughout the New River Valley. Logan Smith is one of our very own local NRV influencers and public speakers to venture forth in active, engaging, encouraging pursuits on the roller coaster of life.
Logan’s equipment is extremely expensive. He never loses faith, and the community continues to meet his needs on the financial front. The family moved to a one-floor house when his elevator repair would have cost $25,000. Donations always welcome. 5014 Southern Drive, Dublin, VA 24084. www.walkwithlogan.com. Gofundme.com, search WalkwithLogan.
Joanne Anderson ManagingEditor jmawriter@aol.com
The Technology behind Lighting the Holidays
Text by Emily K. Alberts
The origin of the modern-day Christmas tree may hearken back as far as 1550 BCE, when Egyptians would bring palm fronds inside during the winter solstice to celebrate the return of Ra, the sun god. However, the custom of adding lights came much, much later.
The idea was first “sparked” by Martin Luther in the 16th century. As legend has it, he was walking home one snowy winter night in Wittenberg, Germany, and became so taken by the stars glistening in the black sky above the swaying branches of evergreen trees, that he rushed home, determined to recreate that magic for his children. These first lights were actually lit candles, sitting on branches held by melted wax. Luther, who was a priest, taught his children that these candles were like their very own stars, and they represented the star that guided the wise men to Jesus. As this tradition began to spread across Europe, people were careful to keep a large bucket of water near the tree.
Fast forward to Thomas Edison’s invention of the incandescent light bulb in 1879, and suddenly families had a much safer way to enjoy the glow of a warmly lit tree. Edison’s carbon filament bulbs, filled with an inert gas to prevent oxidation and help transfer the heat to the bulb, could last nearly 15 hours. Edward Johnson, an associate of Edison, hand-strung 80 red, white and blue bulbs together in 1882 and within 20 years, General Electric was selling the first Christmas light kits. They were expensive at $12 (about $340 today), so other companies offered light string rentals
for $1.50 during the holiday season. Then the United States launched the Christmas light industry ever forward with the innovation of flame-shaped bulbs with a tungsten filament, which were longer lasting and affordable.
Color Christmas Bulbs
The National Outfit Manufacturer’s Association Electric Company (or NOMA) was able to repurpose its white bulbs into colored bulbs and successfully take over the industry from G.E. and become the largest Christmas light manufacturer in the world for roughly 40 years. In 1946, NOMA debuted the gimmicky “bubble light” to the American market, where methylene chloride was heated to a low boiling point just enough for a bubble to emerge, much like a lava lamp. The idea for bubbling lights was first demonstrated by Benjamin Franklin with oil, but Carl Otis adapted it for Christmas lights. NOMA alone sold 150 million series bubble lights in five years.
It’s no surprise that in the 1950s, when the Space Race began, aluminum Christmas trees hit the market. These futuristic trees never needed water, never dropped needles, and, of course, never caught fire. But unfortunately, since aluminum is a conductor, people could not add lights to their metallic branches and instead, used lighted, spinning color wheels to make the tree glow. This new fad tanked the traditional U.S. Christmas light companies.
G.E. was able to resurrect the industry by outsourcing production overseas and creating “Merry Midget” mini lights in 1966, which were so affordable people began lighting their whole houses with them. In 1969, Americans had won the Space Race and began a race against their neighbors to see who could have the most over-the-top holiday light décor.
LED Christmas Bulbs
Light Emitting Diode (LED) light technology, although first invented in 1962 by Nick Holonyak of G.E., did not become widely used in holiday lighting until 1998 due to issues in developing the colors and improving brightness. It certainly seems they have fixed the brightness issue today, as LEDs can blind someone faster than the Griswold house at Christmas! Today’s domestic holiday lighting engineers can not only change the colors and brightness levels of different series of LED bulbs, but also they can even change the color of each individual bulb, allowing them to program animations -- all from an app on a cell phone.
Many LED strips today come with a controller that has a built-in microphone that makes the lights react to the sound around them. Microcontrollers like Arduino can actually break down audio into frequency bands, controlling specific lights or sections.
National Lampoon’s “Christmas Vacation”
I wonder what Clark W. Griswold would think of today’s dancing lights with computer chips inside. First, he might spend less time cursing and kicking plastic reindeer because LEDs use far less energy and won’t trip his breaker. Second, he could spend more time drinking eggnog with Uncle Eddie and less time stapling lights to the roof (and his shirt) because low-profile, weatherproof LEDs can be left up all year.
Or perhaps Griswold, in his old age, would opt for a smart LED floodlight to make it appear that he has spent hours stringing lights, when really it is all smoke and mirrors … well, optics and reflectors. He could make it seem as though “snowflakes” were dancing across his roof or even project a giant Santa on his garage! To make life even easier, Clark could pick up some net lights and toss them over his front bushes. Done!
Emily K. Alberts implores everyone to always check the light strands before stringing them. When in doubt, toss them out (or recycle). A new set is just two bucks a box.
Gifts from A to Z – truly something for everyone!
Forget gift buying stress and shopping mall rushes. This year, avoid getting in a rut for your loved one’s stocking stuffers and gifts – spring for some of the intriguing and unique items on this A to Z list to put a spin on traditional gifting.
Creatively assembled and written by Caitlyn Koser
Amtrak tickets. With a cheap one-way ticket, you can be in Washington D.C. in time for dinner with a 5-hour train ride from Roanoke. Have a surprise for your spouse and don’t want to spend time in the car? Take the train. Bonus: Amtrak is coming to Cambria in 2027.
Bees. Do you have a honey lover who might be looking for a more hands-on approach? If your gift receiver is eager to learn and to harvest honey and honeycombs of their own, give backyard bees, a beehive and basic beekeeping supplies.
Camera. Consider a camera for a budding photographer. Put aside the glowing screen with its quick tap and snap camera and spring for one with manual settings that a cell phone can’t have, like ISO, aperture and shutter speed.
Dulcimer
. Do you have a born and raised or transplanted Appalachian lover on your list? A dulcimer is a traditional Appalachian folk instrument designed as strings over a fretted fingerboard, with the right hand strumming with a stick and the left hand stopping several strings.
Electric blanket. There’s nothing cozier than snuggling under a warm blanket to hibernate, preferably with a book, a mug of hot cocoa and a crackling fire nearby. Of course, with this kind of warmth, you may not need the cocoa or fire, the book definitely.
Frother. These delightful machines can be used for lattes, cappuccinos, frappes or plain old hot chocolate. While there’s a price range for fanciness factors, the cute gadgets are generally affordable and make great stocking stuffers, for the large stocking.
Gold. Gold can be a great store of value for years to come. A shiny gold brick is attractive and can be a creative alternative to gifting cash or gift cards. You could be über adored for this one, as gold hit an all-time high recently.
Hammock. Already looking forward to warmer months? Relaxing in a hammock on a warm spring, summer or autumn day… ahhh. Even winter can have a warm enough day for rocking in the hammock. They come in all sorts of colors, materials and price ranges.
Ivy. A cheery addition to the exterior of a house, ivy plants can make for a lovely face-lift to a house or garden. For a little indoor cheer, try potted ivy instead.
Jukebox. If someone on your list loves jamming out, a jukebox might be the perfect gift. Bring on the oldies and maybe a little dancing, too!
Kayak. Smaller and more maneuverable than a canoe, with double-sided paddles for a different dynamic, kayaks are the perfect relaxing activity for a lazy afternoon float. Consider buying a tandem for two or an inflatable for someone with limited storage space.
Land. The ultimate gift for adult children. Subdivide your property for kids who want to be close. Grandkids nearby is a win-win, while still leaving a barrier for independence. To quote Charlie Brown’s Christmas, Charlie Brown asks, “What is it you really want?” Lucy’s response: “Real estate.”
Magazine subscription. Gift a subscription for your hobbyist who already has all of their accoutrements. From foodies and horse lovers to
astronomers and coin collectors, getting a subscription can be a way to further expertise without added stuff. It’s the gift that keeps on giving all year.
Nativity set. This one’s rather self-explanatory. Celebrate the reason for the season with a nativity set. A carved wooden one looks beautiful on a mantle, or one with unbreakable pieces can be good fodder for kiddos.
Oysters. Using some creative gifting strategy, imagine transforming Christmas dinner for a seafood lover. You can sneak them into the stuffing or let them take center stage in a hearty Christmas oyster stew.
Parrot. Legally owned, social parrots make great companions. When researching the right fit, look for color, “communication,” and behavior. You might have to spring for the cage, too.
Quilt. Cuddle up this winter with a quilt in any array of colors and patterns, or give a quilt kit for easy assembly, yet qualifies as handmade. It’s the touch of Americana that is cherished all year.
Red Ryder BB gun. Bring on the nostalgia, baby. Just be careful and don’t let someone shoot an eye out. It can lay the foundation for shooting skills down the road.
Smoker. For the grillers on the list, consider upping the game this year with a smoker. They range anywhere from under $100 to over $1,000. Bonus: Smoked pork or brisket next summer? Sounds like a winner.
Typewriter. An old-fashioned typewriter’s benefits include less distractions, no fussy cords, and the
satisfying sound of clicking away. Find a typewriter at a thrift shop or online for the fledgling writer.
Ubes. Ubes are similar to purple yams from the Philippines, and they’re making their appearances everywhere … creamer, tea cookies, pancake mix, cheesecake … you get the idea.
Virginia peanuts come in all sorts of varieties – dill, chili, chocolatecovered or good old-fashioned sea salt. Order from the Peanut Shop of Williamsburg to browse habanero, bacon ranch or wasabi. Buy a carton for around $46 for three 10.5 oz tins.
Wok. Extend your cooking repertoire with a wok, the large, bowl-shaped pan ideal for stir-fries and Chinese cooking. Woks do require some maintenance, but the culinary rewards are great.
X-zylo ring. An x-zylo ring is a flying gyroscope that goes surprisingly far distances when thrown correctly. The way it’s thrown resembles throwing a football. Find one for around $20.
Yoyo aka yo-yo. Give these to your kids or kids-at-heart to enjoy going around the world, walking the dog, or hopping the fence. It is the ultimate travel-in-your-pocket toy. The limited edition Reward Banger Yoyo runs a whisker over $14,000, but you can find a great one for 1/1000th of that in the $14 range.
Zinnias. These sunny flowers are beautiful and cheery with vivid colors. They’re not fussy, but elegant, and a lovely addition to a holiday centerpiece. Check with a local florist for now, or order seeds online which will be good for planting indoors as early as March.
Notes of Nostalgia
a unique candle store that smells like tradition
Text by Nancy S. Moseley
Photos courtesy of Chelsea Hartman Photography [chelseahartmanphotographer.pixieset.com]
It's a common encounter that will stop most of us in our tracks. You're casually milling about life when you suddenly catch a whiff of something — something good, something familiar — and you immediately travel back in time to when that whiff first wafted across your nose. Grandma's spice cake, the seats on your older brother's first car, Dad's deodorant, or even the mane on your favorite My Little Pony.
How is it that our olfactory receptors seem to have an express track to our memories? Turns out, all the emotional warm fuzzies we get from that sudden nostalgic blast is just big brain science, people.
Smell-activated nerve signals register in the olfactory bulb first, a part of the brain closest to the nose.
Next, they travel to the piriform cortex which interprets the nerve signals into smell and then to the amygdala, our emotional center. If that emotional center reacts strongly, the nearby hippocampus, where memories are formed, will be triggered next. Sense of smell cues are stronger because they travel straight to the amygdala, entirely bypassing the thalamus, where sight, sound and touch signals get hung up.
For Astleigh Hill of Christiansburg, it was the science part, melted with a little bit of her own memories and several drops of divine timing, that motivated a significant professional jump.
Hill grew up in Giles County and graduated from Virginia Tech having studied psychology and professional
"I needed a creative outlet for myself. I love design, I love to be creative, and traditions are very important to me."
writing. She met her husband, Pete, a Hokie engineer, in school. When it came time to have children (three in total), she pivoted away from full-time work to full-time mom.
The Transition to Mom
"The transition is massive ... figuring out who you are now ... I needed a creative outlet for myself. I love design, I love to be creative, and traditions are very important to me," Hill relates.
Traditions were an integral part of Hill's wonder years. Her favorite was hunting for and subsequently tagging the family Christmas tree weeks before it was time to bring it home. Likewise, she wanted to instill a foundation of tradition in her own family. She got to work right in her own kitchen, over a double boiler, trying not to burn anything important, and started making candles.
Candles checked both of Hill's boxes: They can be something aesthetically pleasing in your home (creative design), and their fragrance would be a backdrop to memory making (tradition).
"If those smells are burning and wafting about
while you're in the middle of doing something or just in a moment, it would give my kids those particular notes. And as adults, if they came across those same fragrant notes, it would trigger their childhood."
The Transition to Entrepreneur [+ Mom]
She started an online marketplace to sell and ship her candles from home, but she always envisioned the candles as a steppingstone to something bigger - an intentionally, beautifully-designed retail storefront with space to expand beyond candle wares to home décor items. In January of 2022, Hill took ownership of a rundown 1930s building on North Franklin Street in Christiansburg that was originally a two-car auto mechanic’s shop. After an entire year of renovations, handled by her engineerturned-moonlighting-carpenter husband, The Chandlerie opened its doors in May of 2023. The name comes from the word "chandler," meaning a professional candle-maker. A farmhouse table takes up half of the store and is the site for bookable candle pouring workshops. The other half is lined with shelves of thoughtfully arranged home
décor and kitchenware items sourced from other small creators across the country, from simple syrups and oven mitts, to puzzles and earrings. Outside, a small patio area lit by string lights can be reserved for private, smaller, intimate gatherings.
The heart of the shop is the candle library, which is where workshop participants pick their fragrance, or shoppers pick their favorite poured candle. Each candle from the current collection (which changes seasonally or thematically) is covered by a cloche, or glass dome. To smell test the candles, pick up the cloche and smell inside it. Between candles, the smell of coffee beans or your own clothes will reset your sniffers.
Much like wine tasting, Hill provides you with a card that lists all candles by number for notetaking. If you have trouble making a final decision, you can fill out a candle library card to archive your favorites, which also purposefully recalls the non-electronic card catalogs of yesteryear. One side lists your candle purchase history and on the other, your candle wish list. So, if you're forgetful, you're taken care of, or if crazy Aunt Joan wants to "do
good" this year with a present you actually want, you're set there, too.
Hills candles are made of natural soy wax and feature a 100% wooden wick (read: that fun, audible crackle). Her fragrance oils are phyllite and paraben free. When taken care of properly, including trimming the wick before each burn and letting the first burn melt the entire top surface, the candle should last at least 78 hours.
"It's funny the things you tie to certain moments, something you may not even think about, but it's creating a cool connection and creating a space that feels really special,” Hill states. She set out to design a space — and offer a curated experience with a nostalgic feel within that space — that didn't exist anywhere else nearby. And with the genesis of The Chandlerie, perhaps she created a New River Valley tradition in the process.
Nancy S. Moseley is a writer from Blacksburg and a big fan of nostalgia. This usually leads her to smell all sorts of things that normal people won't smell. Most recently a Koosh Ball = field trip to D.C. with 8th graders.
Gratitude
Why the Thanks in Thanksgiving Feels So Good
As the aroma of roasted turkey and pumpkin pie fills the air, Thanksgiving beckons us to pause and give thanks. Beyond the feast, this holiday taps into the powerful human emotion of gratitude which science shows can profoundly boost our wellbeing. But why does giving thanks feel so good, and what happens in our brains during these moments of appreciation?
Gratitude, researchers find, is
more than a warm fuzzy feeling; it’s a neurological game-changer. When we express or receive thankfulness, our brains release dopamine and serotonin, neurotransmitters that spark joy and calm. A 2017 study in Scientific Reports found that writing thank you notes increased activity in the medial prefrontal cortex, a region tied to decision-making and social bonding, with effects lasting months. This explains why sharing what we’re
thankful for around the Thanksgiving table can leave us feeling connected and uplifted, even amidst family quirks.
Psychologically, gratitude rewires our perspective. Robert Emmons, a leading gratitude researcher, notes that it shifts focus from what we lack to what we have, reducing stress and envy. In a 2003 study, participants who kept gratitude journals reported better sleep, less anxiety, and stronger optimism compared to those focused on neutral or negative events. Thanksgiving’s ritual of naming blessings — whether for loved ones, health, home or pie — amplifies this effect, anchoring us in the present.
Socially, sincere appreciation strengthens bonds. When we thank others, we foster trust and reciprocity, keys to human survival. A 2010 study in Emotion showed that expressing gratitude increases prosocial behavior, making us more likely to help others. At Thanksgiving, this translates to passing the mashed potatoes with a smile or resolving old grudges, as gratitude softens tensions. Even virtual celebrations, common since 2020, trigger these benefits when we share heartfelt thanks via Zoom.
Yet, not everyone feels the glow. For some, Thanksgiving stirs stress or grief, especially if expectations clash with reality. Here, science offers a fix -- small, intentional acts like noting three things you’re grateful for daily can build resilience. As neuroscientist Glenn Fox notes: Gratitude helps us “find meaning in both joy and struggle.“ This Thanksgiving, as you gather — or reflect alone — lean into gratitude. Whether it’s savoring a kind word or a perfect slice of pie, science confirms what our hearts know – that giving thanks doesn’t just feel good — it can transform us.
The Huge Heirloom and a Vast View
Text by Joanne M. Anderson
by Jon Fleming
There are many particulars on the list of needs, wants and hopes in a suitable forever home, but rarely are they topped by seeking interior space for a handcrafted 12.5-foot by 8-foot mid-century modern breakfront heirloom piece of furniture. “In the late 1950s, my grandmother’s cousin custom crafted this huge piece for her New York City apartment overlooking the Hudson River. It was passed down to me, so, yes, a blank wall with space for this treasured heirloom was a must,” explains Victoria Cochran.
With her husband, Steven Cochran, the couple identified a few more needs, wants and hopes: View, acreage, woods, contemporary, south-facing for solar gain, stream, screened porch.
They searched all over Montgomery County for two years, looking at houses or land to build. For one, it’s not easy to find a floor-to-ceiling wall without a window to accommodate such a large piece of furniture. Besides the six generous storage cabinets along the bottom, there’s the surface above them and nine more shelves across the three sections that hold a delightful assortment of menorahs, family photos, books and a variety of carvings and art from all over the world.
One summer Sunday morning over coffee and the newspaper, Steven spotted a tiny black-and-white photo of a house in the woods for sale. They drove into the neighborhood but the trees were fully leafed-out, and they could not see the house from the road.
Photos
The couple decided to take a closer look and were all the more enthused when they met their realtor at the house, waving his tape measure. The front hallway wall was a perfect fit for their prized antique! One box checked. 5 acres, check. Woods galore, check. Vast view, check. Contemporary, check. South-facing for solar gain, check. But, no stream; no screened porch. A bit more expensive than planned.
“I saw the wall first and knew my family heirloom could have a home there. I thought the sunken living room was cool,” Victoria recalls. “I was not sure I could live with an outdated kitchen and old cabinets, but then, l turned around and saw the view.”
The Cochrans made an offer just before 9/11 happened. “Even though we feared the world was going to hell in a handbasket, we decided this would be our forever home. We’d live in this mountain haven and retire here eventually,” says Steven. “And we are so glad we did,” Victoria chimes in.
In the almost quarter-century since, the Cochrans have undertaken three large projects. “My dad was in his 80s, and we wanted him near, so the first addition was a small apartment for him, under which we were able to add a basement, since there was none under the house. After he passed away, it became our ‘owner’s suite’, allowing us
to have everything we need on one floor. The upstairs is available and private for family members and others who visit,” Steven explains.
The second renovation involved modernizing the kitchen, repurposing the old cabinets to the laundry area. Ewing Cabinets installed custom cabinets and granite counters while revamping the way the kitchen flowed. And finally, the third project was Victoria’s screened porch, new deck and extended great room with a gas fireplace, maple wood flooring and enhanced views like framed nature paintings. The first and third additions were design-built by Shelter Alternatives.
Shortly after moving in, the Cochrans turned to their first outdoor project, clearing space for their 100 wedding guests. Little by little, they have cleared over an acre with delightful trails, a fairy garden, water features (the stream!), flower gardens and plants. While several mature trees had to be sacrificed, the Cochrans add a new tree each year for their anniversary.
What they love the most is the view, not only the 10-mile distant mountain vista, but also the close in gardens, water features and flowers. Providing possibly the greatest response to the question “What would you change if you could or what do you plan to modify?” is the Cochrans’ collective answer: “Not a thing!”
Lighting the Past: The Enduring Story of the Menorah
As winter approaches the New River Valley and shops are adorned with wreaths and aglow with twinkling lights, another kind of light — ancient, symbolic and deeply resilient —flickers to life: The menorah.
For most, the menorah may simply register as a candelabrum displayed during Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights. But behind its nine branches lies a story that stretches back more than two thousand years, bridging faith, survival and the universal human yearning for light in the darkness.
From Temple Flames to Family Windowsills
The menorah’s story begins in Jerusalem, not as a holiday symbol but
as a sacred object. The original menorah — a seven-branched lampstand — was described in the Hebrew Bible’s Book of Exodus. Cast from pure gold and fueled by olive oil, it stood within the ancient Temple, its flames symbolizing divine presence and enlightenment.
Centuries later, in the 2nd century BCE, the menorah became a powerful emblem of resistance. When the Jewish Maccabees reclaimed the desecrated Temple from the Seleucid Greeks, they sought to relight the sacred lamp — only to find enough oil for one day. Miraculously, the oil lasted eight days and nights. That event, remembered as the “miracle of the oil,” gave rise to Hanukkah and the menorah’s evolution from temple ritual to home tradition.
The Hanukkah Menorah: A Modern Symbol of Resilience
The Hanukkah menorah — technically called a hanukkiyah — differs from its biblical ancestor. It bears nine branches: Eight for each night of the miracle, and one “helper” candle, the shamash, used to light the others. Each night, an additional candle is kindled, accompanied by blessings and songs, fried foods and families gathering together.
Lighting the menorah has long been a declaration of identity. In ancient times, when Jewish practice was suppressed, simply kindling its flames was an act of courage. Today, even in small towns, public menorah lightings and displays — such as those organized
Mountain Lake Wilderness Cascade Falls
New River
by local Jewish student groups and synagogues — serve as reminders that this story of perseverance belongs not only to Jewish tradition, but to the broader human narrative.
A Light Shared Beyond Faith
For non-Jewish neighbors, the menorah offers an invitation — to witness, learn and reflect. Its light stands for more than a single religion’s memory; it speaks to endurance against odds, the renewal of hope, and the quiet strength of tradition carried forward through millennia. In a time when light feels ever more precious — whether literal or metaphorical — the menorah’s message resonates widely: Even a small
flame can outlast the darkness.
Most menorahs are placed near a window or interior doorway, and some have a back metal plate for mounting on a wall. Some still use oil, but wax candles and electric bulbs have become popular. Each light is the same height or arranged on a methodical slant. They come in all styles, materials and price ranges.
Victoria Cochran is Jewish, raised in New York City. Her husband, Steven, was raised Methodist in Carroll County, just south of the New River Valley. For their first Christmas together in Blacksburg, “Steven thought it would be clever to buy me a menorah for his Christmas gift,” Victoria recalls. “I was so tickled by it, the irony and the thoughtfulness, that he was inspired to
buy one every year after that!”
The couple celebrates both Hanukkah and Christmas, not going all out for either one -- except perhaps with her menorah collection which now tops two dozen. She has several styles crafted by different artists on display in the front hall during the holiday season. Hannukah always falls in November or December, though the days change, starting on the 25th day of Kislev, the 9th month of the Hebrew calendar. As the candles burn through each evening, the story continues — not just in Israel, but here in the New River Valley where people gather around the glow of remembrance and renewal.
The “Thrifty Farmer”
Text by Joanne M. Anderson | Photos by Jon Fleming
Sears was launched in 1886 as a watch and jewelry mail-order business. The following year, Roebuck partnered with Sears, and the iconic catalog expanded. The first department store opened in 1925, and the retail giant stayed strong into the 1970s. The catalog went out of print in 1993, and the company caved as competition arose and some poor corporate decisions were made.
From 1908 to 1942, the Sears, Roebuck & Co. catalog sold kits for houses, an affordable mail-order home in 15 different models. It also carried the “Thrifty Farmer” tractor kit, produced by Peru Plow [in business from 1851 to 1941].
Times were hard in the 1930s through the Great Depression, and farmers experienced low crop prices, drought and dust storms. Tractors cost between $750 and $1800, which was out of reach for many agrarian families, but the “Thrifty Farmer” kit sold between $92 and $100. It was cleverly designed to fit on a Ford Model A or Model T chassis and could effectively replace two or three horses for work power.
Loving Tractors and Old Cars
“I was on a tractor about the time I learned to walk,” relates Ronnie Kitts, “and I’ve always enjoyed them.” Kitts grew up on a small farm in Prices Fork, and except for his stint in the U.S. Air Force during Vietnam (thank you, Mr. Kitts, for serving our country!) has lived in the New River Valley all his life.
“I was on a tractor about the time I learned to walk,” relates Ronnie Kitts, “and I’ve always enjoyed them.”
He also loves the old Fords and still has the 1930 Model A he drove to high school in 1962. He has other old cars, and both his sons have their own tractor collections. The “Thrifty Farmer” caught his eye years ago, and
he already had the old cars on which it would fit. “About 10 years ago, I put an ad in a tractor or farm magazine looking for a kit, and a man from Toledo called me. I drove up there, found it in an Ohio field and brought it home.”
It was originally attached to a Model T, and Kitts set about installing it on one of his Model A vehicles. “It was not especially complicated,” he explains. “I took off part of the body, rear spring, rear hub and brake housing. The pinion gear needed to be installed, and I turned over the rear differential because the ring gear’s teeth were on the outside.”
Kitts has never used the converted tractor. If anything broke, he is not sure he could find replacement
. . . these “Thrifty Farmer” tractors did not really work as well as a real tractor. Many of them were given to World War II scrap drives.
parts. Additionally, these “Thrifty Farmer” tractors did not really work as well as a real tractor. Many of them were given to World War II scrap drives. It might have been one of those “Edsels” or “8-track tapes” that looked good on paper, but did not perform or sell half as well as anticipated. As prosperity crawled back into the nation, farmers were able purchase real tractors, and the “Thrifty Farmer” kits were discontinued.
Still, it’s a novel concept and proved to be the perfect conduit for Ronnie Kitts to merge his passion for Model A and Model T cars with his love for vintage tractors.
Entrepreneurial Steps to Success
Text by Joanne M. Anderson
Photos courtesy of All American Hauling
In writing about entrepreneurship across decades, I made my own list of the high fives for running a business:
Common sense
Organizational skills
Passion
Leadership
Integrity
Every one of these squares with Ashleigh and Tyler Roop and their All American Hauling business. They were high school sweethearts who waited until after college to begin life and business together. Tyler has
approached the business model in a slow, measured, intelligent manner. Both of them graduated from Blacksburg High School [class of 2012] and attended and graduated from New River Community College. Tyler went on to vocational welding and machine work classes, while Ashleigh got a bachelor’s degree in finance from Radford University. “I wanted something to provide stability, and everyone deals with money, in business and at home.” She graduated in 2018, and they got married two years later.
While Tyler bounced around a bit in the machining industry, Ashleigh started working as a receptionist
to get her foot in the door of the office environment. She has risen to senior accountant at Virginia Power Technology.
“I want to be a business owner”
One day, Tyler announced: “I want to be a business owner.” Ashleigh didn’t know this was a dream of his, but by now she felt she had the skills to manage the financial end of a small business.
Tyler set about investigating services which might be lacking in the New River Valley which he could fill. “He likes to work with his hands, be outside,
“Not to jump ahead of ourselves, we started with a 6-foot utility trailer we already owned and could pull behind our vehicle.”
“We prioritize what can be useful to donate to the AGAPE Center, Thrift Well and other places which accept contributions.”
in the field, so to speak,” Ashleigh relates. His research presented the discovery that there were no compact dumpster rentals in the area. “I found a company in Wytheville and one in Roanoke which offered short-term, small dumpster rentals, but nothing based in the New River Valley,” he explains.
“Not to jump ahead of ourselves, we started with a 6-foot utility trailer we already owned and could pull behind our vehicle,” he continues. They advertised on Facebook and got some little jobs. Moving forward slowly, they got money via a loan to buy a hook lift trailer on a hitch, which they could still pull with a personal vehicle, and one small dumpster.
Tyler did this for one year parttime while still working as a machinist. When Ashleigh became very ill after the birth of their daughter, Tyler had to take a lot of time off from his job, and the company let him go. As they mulled over options, Tyler decided this was just what he needed to jump full-time into All American Hauling.
Networking
In 2024, he ordered three more small dumpsters, and this year, four more. As business grew, the couple -- both Blacksburg natives –realized that Facebook was not going
to reach everyone. So, they joined several Chambers of Commerce, NRV Business Exchange, NRV Homebuilders Association and hosted a booth at Home EXPO last spring. In September, they launched a website. “We did realize not everyone looks to social media for services, and the website has already expanded our reach in the community,” Tyler shares.
When not scheduling and driving for pick-ups or deliveries of their 6-yard and 10-yard dumpsters, Tyler stays busy networking and developing partnerships with property managers, real estate professionals, homeowner’s associations and local contractors.
All American Hauling provides dumpsters for small renovations and construction jobs, eviction clean out, abandoned storage units and all manner of junk removal. “We prioritize what can be useful to donate to the AGAPE Center, Thrift Well and other places which accept contributions,” he states.
The high fives of entrepreneurship
Tyler and Ashleigh exhibit common sense and organization skills with their market research, financial acumen and slowly moving forward until their small business took root. Each one has a passion for entrepreneurship and the New River Valley. Leadership is obvious in the discipline and
commitment necessary to run one’s own business, being your own boss. And integrity is the hallmark of fair pricing, credibility and trustworthy business dealings.
This husband-wife duo each recently turned 31 years old. Their entrepreneurial spirit burns brightly, and with Tyler’s keen eye in noticing holes in the service market for small dumpster rentals, well, it’s possible this is the tip of the entrepreneurial iceberg for the Roops.
One example of small business savvy is converting a ginormous shipping expense into a transcontinental vacation adventure.
“Our first hook lift trailer and dumpster was a lot model in Reno, Nevada. After seeing the cost for transport, we used the equivalent money for a 2-week, cross-country trip to pick it up,” Ashleigh relates.
“We loaded up the dogs in our Toyota Tacoma and set off on the northern route,” Tyler adds. The pair stopped in one state each day. “After picking up the trailer, we drove down the coast of California and took the southern route back home!” It is one of their favorite memories in setting All American Hauling securely on its wheels for success.
The Experience, Quality, Countryside and More Walker Valley Market Delivers on All Counts
Text by Joanne M. Anderson
According to the Small Business Administration (SBA), there are more than 34 million small businesses --less than 500 people --- which employ around 59 million Americans. The SBA still reports that small businesses account for 99.9% of companies. The numbers are staggering. Entrepreneurship is alive and well in the New River Valley and beyond.
Many are family endeavors, which was the case of an itty bitty store in a remote location in Giles County. Around 2006, an Amish family opened and ran a very small store for eight years. When they closed the business and moved on in 2014, it remained vacant for two years. Recognizing the need for a store nearby, along with figuring they could attract outside clientele with high quality merchandise, the Amish community in the White Gate enclave of Giles bought it and re-opened as a larger community store named Walker Valley Market. “We expanded the store by six or eight-fold,” states the manager, “and added on for storage and prep space.”
Like many small retail businesses, they have a mortgage, more than a dozen employees, utility bills, inventory to manage and merchandise to select, order, unpack, price, display and sell.
The Superior Quality Angle
Unlike many small retail businesses, Walker Valley Market carries an unusual variety of high quality merchandise one won’t find elsewhere or easily online. Of course, the Amish are famous for their homemade butter, cheese, pies, fresh bread, cookies and donuts (on Saturdays).
Bulk foods include candy, snacks, dry goods (staples like oats, flour, sugar) and frozen meats including grass-fed pork, beef, chicken, lamb and goat. There are farm fresh eggs, jams, jellies, maple syrup and honey, sorghum, plus unique bird feeders, wind chimes, throws, pillows, cookbooks and much more.
Indoor and Outdoor Furniture or a Small Home
Handcrafted Amish furniture is revered for its fine craftsmanship and premier wood. From dining room tables and chairs to bedroom suites and creative coffee tables, rocking chairs and home theater seating, the selection is brilliant, and the prices reflect heirloom quality.
For outdoor furniture, Walker Valley Market carries a large Amish-inspired selection of poly furniture which will not warp, wilt or break down in any weather conditions. The colors number more than a dozen if you want to order something specific. Adirondack chairs, patio tables, gazebos, pergolas and more are on display to raise the bar on your outdoor living spaces.
Should you embrace tiny home living and a minimalist lifestyle, you might just walk away with your very own log cabin. Actually, you’ll have to order it and have it delivered, but still, you cannot buy a tiny home in very many places where you can also pick up special salve and lotion, cleansers, organic (or not) flour, organic (or not) oats, interesting hand-packaged snack foods, a black hat and braided rug runners and placemats.
Horse and Animal Supplies
Locals are often here for liniments for topical issues and first aid supplies needed for livestock and animals, as well as replacement halters, lead ropes and tack. Walker Valley Market carries very fine, handcrafted, leather saddles made in western Kentucky. With competitive price tags for
quality, affordability and performance, these saddles are coveted by Western riders for pleasure riding, working cattle or Western show.
Community Focus
Walker Valley Market is doing well, and once the mortgage is paid off, there will be more money to invest in their Amish community and its schools. “Our customers come from so many different places. We have locals, AT hikers, tourists from around the globe, and residents from the New River Valley, other parts of Virginia and many states,” the manager explains. “You don’t pop over here for a hot dog or because you run out of butter. People come for the beautiful drive, being on rural roads in the country, the experience, the variety, bulk foods and, most of all, for the quality of our merchandise and finding products you simply cannot find at any big box store.”
Bring a lunch appetite because hot dogs are just $2.49, curly fries are $3 and homemade soup runs $4 per cup. You can build your own sandwich ($7.49) with your choice of bread (white or wheat), meat, cheese, veggies and condiments. Or order the Reuben ($7.49), Walker Valley Deluxe (roast beef, smoked Swiss, $7.49) or the ubiquitous grilled cheese for $3.99.
If you are looking for a friendly place to shop, a wonderful country drive, unusual and useful merchandise, friendly folks and premium quality everything, Walker Valley Market is waiting to greet you. It is well worth the drive for the experience, quality, countryside and more.
hristmas in the Park
RANDOLPH PARK 5100 ALEXANDER RD DUBLIN, VA 24084
JOIN US FOR THE 3RD ANNUAL PULASKI COUNTY CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY FOLLOWED BY ACTIVITIES FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY!
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5 6 - 9 PM H
Shaping Tomorrow’s Entrepreneurs and Business Leaders
DECA has given me the chance to meet many new people, not only at school, but also in the professional world. I’ve learned how to think critically under pressure and express my ideas with confidence. It has given me real-world business experience, taught me teamwork and time management, and pushed me to step outside my comfort zone. Most importantly, DECA has inspired me to set bigger goals for my future.
- Molly Lyon, Blacksburg High School senior
Text by Joanne M. Anderson Photos courtesy of DECA
Another BHS student, junior Jack Herbert, echoes Molly: “Blacksburg DECA has allowed me to meet new friends and better my communication and critical thinking skills. It has also prepared me for future challenges.”
Grace Li, BHS class of 2028, credits DECA for it having “made a huge impact on my public speaking and competition skills. It is a really fun experience being a member and an officer.”
The DECA chapter at Blacksburg High School boasts 106 active members who can compete at district, state and international levels if they qualify. Competitions include
sophisticated business skills such as business operations research, project management, team decision making, personal finance literacy, principles of business administration and five other categories.
FFV, FFA and DECA Connection
In 1925, there were approximately 6.5 million farms in the U.S., and farmers composed just over one-quarter of the workforce. Today there are fewer than two million farms representing less than two percent of the workforce. That same year, four educators at Virginia Tech founded the Future
Farmers of Virginia [FFV] organization.
Three years later, Future Farmers of America [FFA] was established in the Midwest, based on the FFV model. Less than two decades hence, in 1946, the Distributive Education Clubs of America was created, taking inspiration from the FFA. Now simply known as DECA (pronounced de’ka), the global organization has 294,000 high school members in 4,252 chapters.
In the Classroom
The DECA experience begins in the classroom with business concepts which prepare students for careers and/ or college. The four basic components include “programs that integrate classroom instruction, apply learning, connect to business, and promote competition.” [deca.org]
BHS junior Patrick Walsh relates: "Through the last 2 years that I have been a Blacksburg High School DECA member, I have learned how to manage time, help the community, and participate in competitions in a professional and responsible manner." The best time, so far, for BHS DECA
member Keanan Kopp, class of 2026, was attending the state leadership conference where he “met tons of new people, had fun with friends, and learned a lot about DECA.”
Young entrepreneur and BHS senior Emily Diggs competed successfully to advance to the International Career Development Conference competition in Florida earlier this year. Her business, The Blacksburg Rose, was featured in New River Valley Magazine’s NovDec issue in 2023. She credits her membership in DECA with strengthening her selfconfidence, gaining the knowledge to organize and present a comprehensive business plan and advancing her marketing skills.
In the Community
Community service is a large part of DECA, serving in the places where these students may eventually open a new business, buy one in existence or play a significant role in an established company. “Along with competing, we also focus on community service,” states Emily.
“Our largest project is Home for the Holidays,” she continues. “Home for the Holidays is an event to raise money in order to send home bags of kid-friendly snacks and meal items to elementary school students throughout Montgomery County Public Schools. Last year, we were able to send home bags for around 150 kids. For donations, $35 covers an entire bag for a student over winter break, and a donation of $350 is able to cover an entire classroom!”
A-1 Heating & Cooling
Anne Collins Albimino
Blacksburg Battles Cancer
Blue Ridge Heating and Air
Bonomo's Plaza
Brown Insurance
Celco Community Credit Union
Center for the Arts at VT
Corner Market
Crockett Home Improvement
Dehart Tile & Flooring
Downtown Blacksburg
Dwight Atkinson
Energy Check
First & Main Lifestyle Center
Freedom First
Giles County Tourism
Hickory Knoll Architects
Joba Designs
Kesler Contracting
Mitchell Kilgore
Macado's
Member One
M-Rock Stone Manufacturing
Mutt's Primitives
Nest Realty
New River Dermatology
NRV IP Law
Pearis Mercantile
Potomac Services
Progress Street Builders
Pulaski County
Rayne Stenger
River Ridge Dermatology
Sapphire Ballroom
Shelter Alternatives
F R O M
“Your home buying and selling goals across the New River Valley will continue to be our top priority in the year ahead. From Nest Realty in Blacksburg, we thank you for your trust and support. Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a new year filled with peace, health, and happiness. We’re deeply grateful for your business and support in 2026."
- Anne Collins Albimino & Rayne Stenger
