Pasture Talk
NEW RIVER VALLEY
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
Jo Clark
Becky Hepler
Nancy Moseley
Caitlyn Koser
Emily Meade
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Tom & Christy Wallace
Kevin Riley
Madison Underwood
Jon Fleming
Meredith White Photography
Cover by Jon Fleming
© 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.
II have a good idea when things like dial telephones, shag carpet and saddle shoes went out of style. But, I do not have a grip on when “thank you” fell by the wayside. I am hearing too much of “that’s the generation, they don’t say thank you” … really? An entire generation missed the thank you memo?
I have written before about offering a job to the person who mailed the thank you note. I invented a job once for someone, when I received two thank you notes for interviews for the same position. According to Harvard Health, giving thanks can make you happier. “In positive psychology research, gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships.”
A sincere thank you expresses more than simple gratitude. It proclaims that the recipient values the gift and the giver. A hand-written thank you note conveys genuine appreciation and strengthens the relationship between giver and recipient. Sent via snail mail, it carries the most impact, but worded well, an email or text message can transmit heart-felt thankfulness. So can a telephone call where the giver hears spoken sincerity.
At the editorial headquarters of New River Valley Magazine, we are exceptionally thankful as we wind down our 19th year after one more issue. We have weathered a recession when no one wanted to buy an ad and a pandemic when no one wanted to touch paper.
Never missing a beat, NRV Magazine assembled, published and distributed 10,000 print copies plus the digital version every other month.
Our advertisers are simply the best, and we know they get results when you, the readers, patronize them for seeing their ads herein. Whether you want to build a house, buy a house, finance a house, insure a house – or a boat, car or motorcycle – or go out to eat, do some shopping, need medical attention, seek entertainment and a host of services and products, look right here.
While we mull over how to usher in our 3rd decade of this premiere lifestyle magazine, I want to thank all the advertisers and Phillip Vaught, the publisher, the glue who keeps it all together. Thanks to the writers and photographers who spend so much time and energy crafting informative articles and showcasing cars, homes, business folks, and regional interests in pictures.
I cannot send thank you notes to all you readers, but I can publish thank you 10,000 times right here. If you think I am an issue early because Thanksgiving falls in November, well, really, every day is Thanksgiving around here. And, some good news. I have young friends in the unspecified generation who do express thanks, so the entire generation cannot be cited, another something for which to be thankful.
Joanne Anderson ManagingEditor jmawriter@aol.com
L.E.T.’S G.O. L.E.T.’S G.O.
H.O.K.I.E.S! H.O.K.I.E.S!
Limestone has been used to construct Virginia Tech buildings since 1899 and is colloquially known as "Hokie Stone." The regional Appalachian limestone is one-of-akind in color variation, mined just a few miles from campus near the Highland Park neighborhood in Blacksburg. Our beautiful, uniform campus is a source of great university pride for the way it conveys strength, regality and resilience.
E
veryone's favorite Blacksburg equine is none other than Lola. Though she is perhaps better known by her talent — "horse on a treadmill" — than by her name. When the sizzle reel set to "Shout" by Otis Day and the Knights cues up during home games, you can expect to see Lola galloping gallantly ... on a treadmill. She was introduced in 2010 and symbolizes the University's "Invent the Future" campaign. Lola became a viral sensation immediately, has her own "X" account to follow (@treadmillhorse) and merchandise to buy.
Thirteen Virginia Tech Hokies have been selected in the first round of the NFL draft, with players joining the rosters of the Lions, Texans, Giants, Bears, Steelers, Titans, Vikings, 49ers and Patriots over the years. Of those, Bruce Smith (1985) and Michael Vick (2001) were first pick overall with Smith heading off to the Buffalo Bills and Vick to the Atlanta Falcons.
Text by Nancy Moseley
Photos by Jon Fleming
Siblings have dotted the sidelines of Worsham Field for decades, logging 36 sets of brothers, including at least one set of twins. Keeping it "in the family" this season, Philip Montgomery will kick-off his Hokie football career as offensive coordinator while his son, Cannon Montgomery, will fill the role of assistant running backs coach. The most legendary father/son combo was head coach Frank Beamer (1987-2015) and his son, Shane, who joined the team in 2011 as running backs coach. The family-centric environment is fitting for a team and town that celebrates "This is Home."
Growley is the beloved canine ambassador for the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets. The original Labrador Retriever was introduced in 2016 and has become a furry favorite, supporting faculty and staff and boosting school spirit. His moniker came from a man named "Growley" Schultz who managed the mess hall during the Great Depression. His food was said to be "growley" and leftovers were often fed to a commandant's dog. Growley (#3 is now padding about) is naturally active on the socials. Check out his Instagram account, @vtgrowley.
Ordering snacks and drinks from vendors lining the underbelly of Lane Stadium not only satiates hungry fans but also pads the pockets of local nonprofits. Churches, schools, grade school marching bands, sports teams and human societies take away anywhere between $500 and $12,000 per season. On the for-profit side, Benny's pizza opened in Lane during the 2023 season, selling approximately 1,550 slices per home game.
HokieBird, today's friendly, chesty, caricatured mascot started out as a real live turkey performing tricks and entertainment during football games of the early 1900s. When Lane Stadium was built, the corresponding team name "Home of the Fighting Gobblers," was showcased. Every academic year there is an unspecified amount of HokieBird mascots in rotation, with students keeping their alternate persona secret until graduation when they process in wearing a cap, a gown and HokieBird feet.
O.M. Stull immortalized the term 'Hokie' into the annals of Virginia Tech forever and, likewise, throughout collegiate stadiums everywhere. Entirely unique as a mascot and team name, the word was penned by Stull himself as part of a cheer to incite spirit and draw attention. While the term was admittedly gibberish, "Hokie" has safely reached
legendary status as a brand, and likely very few college football fans remain unfamiliar with the trademark.
Key Play, the tradition when fans vigorously shake a bundle of keys during the opponent's third down, began in the 1980s as a way to both distract and revere. Today, thekeyplay.com, is an independent, sanctioned news source for all things Virginia Tech athletics and has been touted by the likes of The New York Times and Sports Illustrated.
If you ever wondered how many miles the Marching Virginians march each football season, keeping guessing, its elusiveness prevails. However, the spirited home band travels about 65,000 miles every year, which is equivalent to two+ trips around the Earth. They perform at every home game, select away games and various national and international events. Though well-traveled, it's the Highty-Tighties, the Corps of Cadets regimental band, that has made six appearances in the renowned Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, beginning in 1977.
ESPN has hosted College GameDay 14 times in Blacksburg. The most (in)famous of which was during the home opener vs. Georgia Tech in 2000, when lightning struck correspondent Lee Corso's car. This prompted his well-known musing, "I don't know what a Hokie is, but God is one of them."
Skipper, the Corps of Cadets cannon, was introduced during the Hokies’ 1963 Thanksgiving Day rival football game vs. VMI (W 35-20). A mere six days earlier, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated, so the name became a way to honor the fallen president's naval service as the captain, or "Skipper," of a boat during World War II. Test firing the cannon happened on the Virginia Tech golf course with scavenged ketchup and mustard bottles filled with black gunpowder. The first official firing was a hefty, impassioned 50-round salute to President Kennedy.
Cleat Feet
football kicks vary in function, feel and far out design
Text by Nancy S. Moseley
Photos by Jon Fleming
If you've ever had a child in sports - little league, soccer, football, golf, or even cycling -you are amazed at the sheer number of cleat choices on the market. And, yes mom, there is a difference between baseball cleats and soccer cleats. Just ask any 8-year-old bound for Mensa status.
The etymology of the term, "cleat," derives from Old English meaning "lump." Additionally, it is found in West Germanic languages referencing similar shapes of "clod" or "dumpling." Over time, the meaning sharpened to be a wedge-shaped piece of wood or metal used, essentially, for grip and support.
But before there were cleats in sports, there just a cleat. Sixteenth century’s King Henry VIII is not only memorialized for his harem of spousal fun, but also for engaging his personal shoemaker, Cornelius Johnson, to outfit leather boots with metal studs for playing football (soccer), particularly for kicking. This is the first appearance of cleats used for skill in sport.
The Industrial Revolution gave way to mass, standardized cleat production. Today they are highly specialized by sport, and thanks to ever-advancing technology, continue to evolve in fashion and function. But for the sake of everyone's favorite fall rah-rah, let's focus on football (not soccer).
Nike Tiempo - shoes of kickoff specialist Kyle Lowe
Kickoff Specialist Kyle Lowe
The Cleat Primer
The actual cleats themselves are specified as "molded cleats" or "MC cleats" which are built right into the sole of the shoes themselves and typically made from rubber or thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). They are light weight - therefore preferred for speed - low maintenance and durable, not requiring frequent cleat replacement. However, they are less flexible than rubber cleats and are not ideal for muddy or varying field conditions.
Alternately, rubber-molded cleats tend to be more versatile and are used across multiple sports. They are
generally more comfortable, flexible and provide more reliable traction on differing fields. So if you have a kid who needs different cleats for different interests, it's a valid argument to go the way of rubber, to minimize quantity (and cost).
Cleats are designated by high-cut, mid-cut and low-cut, each named by how far up the shoe comes toward the ankle. Low-cut cleats are perfect for offensive skill positions, like quarterbacks, running backs and receivers, because the primary focus is on maintaining speed and agility. Mid-cut cleats offer a balance of mobility and support and are typically selected by linebackers and running backs who benefit from a combination of both
stability and flexibility. Finally, high-cut cleats provide the utmost support and protection for ankles and are ideal for high-contact positions like offensive and defensive linemen.
Which Cleat for What?
It's important to consider four main things when in the market for cleats: playing surface, fit, material and playing position. Playing surface can be natural grass or artificial turf, each reacting to adverse weather conditions
differently. Fit and comfort should also consider the inclusion of insoles and ventilation. Cleats can be made of leather or synthetics, each offering a range in durability and weight for thought.
Cost may or may not be footwear food for thought, unless the funds to purchase them are still coming out of your personal pocket. If a peewee, flag, middle school or high school player still lives in your house, expect to pay to play. A quick plunk around the Internet shows a range of cost,
from $50 to a little over $200. If you're lucky enough to have a player who has moved onto a college roster, (and, of course, the pros), cleat cost (or design) is something a sponsor will have to worry about, not you.
Fashion Cleats with a Price
Speaking of the pros, leave it to the NFL to take things to the next [ridiculous?] level. Odell Beckham Jr. wore bright green Grinch-themed cleats as a Baltimore Raven during warm-ups; Buffalo Bills wide receiver, Stefon Diggs, wore Betty White cleats to honor the late actress (he also has Starbucks cleats); and Ja'Marr Chase wore his Fruity Pebbles cleats (a gift from LeBron James) in a Cincinnati Bengals game. Ray-Ray McCloud III wore blingy gold cleats, worth more than $23,000, in the 49ers Super Bowl game against Kansas City.
But the priciest cleats belong to Beckham, who commissioned custom cleats worth $200,000. His team colors overlay python skin with 14-karat yellow gold details and a Nike logo made of 1,500 diamonds. He strutted the 2022 Super Bowl warmups in his fancy footwear and scored the game's first touchdown for the Los Angeles Rams who went on to win, defeating the Bengals. Which makes one wonder ... did those quartermillion-dollar shoes really help clinch a win? Unlikely.
Bottom line, it's best to kickstart your cleat purchase experience with a scrutinous look at return-oninvestment, Super Bowl bound or not.
Nancy S. Moseley is a freelance writer and mom to two boys who always know WAY more than she, about everything, but especially when it comes to sports equipment and fashion. She's currently taking sponsor requests, if only to take the wardrobe burden off her.
Three Rings Football
David Mabry, a retired gent and big high school football fan, was wandering around Narrows High School when he stumbled on hundreds of old 16mm football films. “This discovery led me down a fascinating path, though some might call it a rabbit hole,” he smiles.
Photos courtesy of David Mabry
Film to Digital Evolution
In 1923, Eastman Kodak introduced 16mm reversal film along with the first motion picture camera and projector. It was affordable and portable and launched the home movie hobby. Additionally, not creating negatives eliminated a 2-step process, as this spawned the point and shoot technique. Less than a decade later, KODACHROME added color in motion pictures.
Optical soundtracks further enhanced the appeal of capturing motion – like high school football games – on film. Fast forward into the 1990s and early 2000s when digital audio, video and editing software stepped into the
spotlight. These offered lower expenses, faster turnaround and reduced processing time and storage space.
Captivated with Football
Mabry grew up watching his brother play for Christiansburg High School in the late 1960s. “In 1970, my father took me to Gate City to witness Dublin compete against Gate City in Virginia’s first regional championship game. I was immediately captivated,” he says.
“I played in the New River District, graduated from Christiansburg High School (class of ’78) and later coached varsity football at four different schools over a span of 40
years. It was a privilege to contribute to numerous district, regional and Virginia state championship high school football teams.”
Mabry began digitizing the films at his own expense. He reached out to Blacksburg, Radford, Christiansburg and Giles high schools, all which allowed him to use their materials. The result is his YouTube page named Three Rings Football, which features nearly 700 videos, with many more awaiting digitization. The name comes from his being on the coaching staff of three Virginia State Championship teams at Altavista in 2009, 2013 and 2014.
His site is not monetized, and contributions are welcome. His investment dollar-wise tops $5,000, and timewise is priceless. “I thoroughly enjoy every moment of this endeavor!”
The oldest video is a 1958 game between Radford and Narrows. He has 113 high school football games from the 1960s, 253 from the ’70s and many from the early ‘80s. Mabry also includes games which he coached, watching and analyzing them from a coach’s perspective to understand the strategies employed during their respective eras.
Preserving Regional Football History
Each school has a folder. Mabry also uses newspaper archives to include articles about the games in the video descriptions. He has created several short videos from the films to highlight individual players, some who remain famous. “I have received many expressions of gratitude from former players and their families who are seeing their fathers and grandfathers play for the first time,” he declares.
“I undertake this project because it represents an important piece of regional history that deserves to be preserved and shared, and I find joy in doing so.”
He is particularly interested in hearing from Floyd, George Wythe and Galax high schools to bring their history to the public. And though he hesitates to mention the money side twice, donations are always appreciated. It is interesting to note when retirement came along, David Mabry returned to the New River Valley.
Youtube-Three Rings Football youtube.com/@mabryfamily4123
A Curious House and A Quirky Lady
A Southern girl from Alabama, who spent part of her childhood back and forth to Louisiana, Margie Redditt fully expected a career in interior design, having graduated from the Art Institute of Atlanta. And what do we know about the best laid plans of mice and men?
“Hey, I met a French Canadian guy with a hippie van in Hartford, Conn. We saved money, bought some land in Floyd County, and the next thing I know we were living off the land, and along came the babies,” she relates. Being astute to a healthy lifestyle with natural food and two children to feed, Margie became involved in the local food co-op. “It was an all-volunteer, fledgling group and hard to get people to work, so I bought the co-op and started my own gig.”
The Business Side of Life
The health food industry was just finding its footing, and Margie set her sights on a building in town which many others had tried to buy. “I told the building’s owner my story, my hopes, my dreams, and lo and behold, she sold it to me. I was definitely in the right place at the right time.”
She found the whole natural foods industry invigorating and inspiring, learning a lot from her customers along the way. She re-named the Floyd Mill Co-op, Harvest Moon, and the business expanded. Finding herself once again in the right place at the right time, she built a large, freestanding, log structure on the edge of town around 2013.
Text by Joanne M. Anderson
Photos by Tom and Christy Wallace
The Quirky House Side of Retirement
Margie had been hunting around on weekends, thinking of her retirement years, when a friend of a friend told her about this very unusual house. She looked at it. She liked it. “It has my name all over it, quirky, like me.” She bought it. It was an easy transaction, she, once again, being in the right place at the right time. She made the drive to Floyd and back every day for two years, and that took its toll. A buyer came along soon, the right place at the right time, and she stepped away from Harvest Moon.
The roughly 2,150 square feet is unconventional indeed with slanted ceilings, angled walls, unusual doors, a huge round window, a tower accessed only by ladder, and a loft railing made with vertical tree branches. The unique home was designed and built in 2002. One of the bathrooms and the kitchen had been updated. Margie has been intent on having the other bathroom renovated along with adding windows, decks and doors.
Outdoor Living Takes Shape
“I moved in around the time the pandemic began, so no one was working. I knew a lot of folks in Floyd,
and I contacted Jeff Walls to build the deck. I told him what I wanted, we sketched it on paper, and he went to work.” It evolved into a multi-level deck project, and once completed, Margie got excited about gardening. The first task was removing brush and brambles from the side yard -nearly 15 trucks loads and one huge dumpster load hauled away. She planted grass for a park-like setting. The treehouse with sandbox under it was there.
Margie had very large accordion doors installed so the house can be totally open some 40 feet wide on to the upper deck. She is soon replacing a kitchen window which is both too high to reach and doesn’t open anyway with lower horizontal windows which will open. Her only concern in being able to see outside from the kitchen is that it could inspire her to plant more flowers and landscape features. The loft houses a puzzle table with a 1,000 pieces in various stages of linking together.
The interior is artistic with beaucoup natural elements – stone ledges and window sills, tile, wood floors and ceilings, unusual angles, unexpected colors, a natural wood edge island counter handcrafted in Floyd, wallpaper she hung herself and some awesome and interesting artwork.
Margie never lived in a town, always in the country. So, this is new to her. She loves the dead-end street location, her neighbors, the woods, watching kids ride bikes, and walking to the Center for the Arts or the farmer’s market. The setting with tall trees and lovely gardens is akin to the country while being in the town.
The curious house and the quirky lady are a perfect match for being colorful, creative, riveting, refreshing and intriguing. A harmonious, happy, healthy vibe and alluring personality permeates the entire place indoors and outside.
New River Valley
FLOYD COUNTY High School
8/29 NARROWS
9/12 BLACKSBURG
9/19 @ GRAYSON COUNTY
9/26 @ FORT CHISWELL
10/3 @ PATRICK COUNTY
10/10 @ MARTINSVILLE
10/17 CARROLL COUNTY
10/24 @ JAMES RIVER
10/31 RADFORD
11/7 GLENVAR
BLACKSBURG High School
8/29 @ GILES
9/5 JAMES RIVER
9/12 @ FLOYD COUNTY
9/19 ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY
9/26 @ SALEM
10/3 @ CAVE SPRING
10/10 HIDDEN VALLEY
10/17 @ PULASKI COUNTY
10/23 CHRISTIANSBURG
11/7 PATRICK HENRY
CHRISTIANSBURG High School
8/29 CARROLL COUNTY
9/5 @ ABINGDON
9/12 WILLIAM BYRD
9/19 @ LORD BOTETOURT
10/3 PULASKI COUNTY
10/10 @ PATRICK HENRY
10/17 @ HIDDEN VALLEY
10/23 @ BLACKSBURG
10/31 CAVE SPRING
11/7 SALEM
EASTERN MONTGOMERY High School
8/29 @ HOLSTON
9/5 RURAL RETREAT
9/12 NORTHWOOD
9/18 @ MONTCALM
9/26 @ AUBURN
10/3 BLAND COUNTY
10/10 @ CRAIG COUNTY
10/16 BATH COUNTY
10/24 @ NARROWS 11/7 PARRY MCCLUER
The 2025 Football Schedule brought to you by Blue Ridge Heating & Air
Football Schedule 2025
GILES High School NARROWS High School
8/29 BLACKSBURG
9/5 @ RADFORD
9/12 @ GRUNDY
9/19 NARROWS
9/26 @ TAZEWELL
10/3 AUBURN
10/17 @ FORT CHISWELL
10/24 @ GRAYSON COUNTY
10/31 GALAX
11/7 GEORGE WYTHE
8/29 GEORGE WYTHE
9/5 GILES
9/19 GALAX
9/26 JAMES RIVER
10/3 @ WILLIAM BYRD
10/10 PATRICK COUNTY
10/17 @ GLENVAR
10/23 CARROLL COUNTY
10/31 @ FLOYD COUNTY
11/7 @ MARTINSVILLE
8/29 @ FLOYD COUNTY 9/5 @ HOLSTON 9/12 CHILHOWIE 9/19 @ GILES 9/26 JAMES MONROE
PARRY MCCLUER
8/31 @ SOUTH CAROLINA 9/6 VANDERBILT 9/13 OLD DOMINION
PULASKI COUNTY High School
8/29 @ NORTHSIDE 9/5 @ TAZEWELL
9/19 STAUNTON RIVER 9/26 @ CAVE SPRING
10/3 @ CHRISTIANSBURG 10/10 GRAHAM
10/17 BLACKSBURG 10/24 @ SALEM 10/31 PATRICK HENRY 11/7 HIDDEN VALLEY
9/20 WOFFORD 9/27 @ NC STATE 10/4 WAKE FOREST 10/11 @ GEORGIA TECH 10/24 CAL 11/1 LOUISVILLE
11/15 @ FLORIDA STATE 11/22 MIAMI 11/29 VIRGINIA (CHARLOTTE,NC)
2025 Football Schedule brought to you by Crab Creek Country Store
Multigenerational Living ~ where family is important and love is abundant
Text by Joanne M. Anderson
Photos courtesy of the McCarthy family
According to an article in “Public Discourse”, the Journal of the Witherspoon Institute, multigenerational living is trending. In the piece titled “Multigenerational Living: A Step Back to Healthy Communal Life,” author Frank DeVito writes: “Multigenerational living is a healthy antidote to a lack of community, through the bonds of relationship.”
He goes on to suggest: “A living arrangement that is open to housing elderly parents or other extended family members can be a recipe for raising healthy children.” He continues with the advantages children experience with different generations and not isolated by themselves or their own age group.
A USA Today article cites a 25-year-old moving back in with his parents, and while that scenario “drives
the trend, Pew Research has also tracked an uptick among older age groups, with some households going so far as to build out space for their extended family. It’s a departure from the nuclear family structure that has become standard practice in America, and multigenerational living advocates say there’s reason to celebrate a trend that offers both emotional and financial perks.”
In another study, Americans 65 and older were once the most likely age group to live in multigenerational houses, more than half of them in 1900. It’s possible Social Security and Medicare, along with the Baby Boomers being the most wealthy generation the country has ever seen, contribute to the oldsters being more independent with their late life housing choice.
One Success Story
The most common reasons for melding home life are financial challenges, aging and caregiving needs. Some families, like the McCarthys in Giles County, set themselves up before the oldsters need help, while they can participate in family activities.
“In February of 2019, our son Matthew and wife Valerie found the family home they were looking for on a blueberry farm on 17 acres,” says his mom, Lois McCarthy. “They had been coaxing us to move closer, and this seemed like the right time and the right fit.” One week after the younger couple and their three children settled into the farmhouse, Lois and her husband, David, moved into the garage apartment. Their youngest of seven children, Carrie, 18, took up residence in an RV.
The grandchildren often scramble upstairs to “Nana and Mac’s ‘partment”, and jump on the kind bed to have stories read. Lois helps with homeschool two days a week, and they watch the kids for date nights or getaways for the parents. “We share many meals randomly, and one favorite time is hanging out on the wide front porch in an evening breeze.”
David is building a house up the lane, mostly by himself, and they’ll move there some day. He is the resident handyman and farmer, managing 723 blueberry bushes. He sells berries at the farmer’s market, and Lois handles the U-pick for about six weeks in August and September.
“David and I are living the grandparent's dream,” Lois declares. “ We never want to take for granted this privilege, this gift of living life so close to our children and grandchildren. Life is sweeter, richer, more purposeful with family! Six years now under one roof, and counting. We know each other well, and we still love one other. David
The 2,800 square-foot open-air Garden Marquee is available for your next event! This space, along with our indoor event space, makes the Garden a beautiful location to host weddings, showers, anniversaries, memorials, tailgates and holiday parties. Email: vtgarden@vt.edu
Eden Alley Photography
and I feel cared for and know we will continue to be cared for when we move up the lane into our own house and slip into later years.”
The elder McCarthys are in their 60s. Matthew and Valerie are in their 40s. The grandkids are 11, 9, and 7. There are 22 years between Matthew, their oldest, and Carrie, the youngest, and this has given her a chance to get to know her big brother, who was married before her earliest memories.
Among the advantages are strengthened family bonds, sensible financial arrangements, assistance with childcare and home life, and the final leg of caregiving for the grandparents, and in some cases, great-grandparents, aunts, uncles and assorted close friends and relatives.
Possible Obstacles and Concerns
On the flip side, many people, older folks especially, can be set in their ways. Some may have bad habits and lifestyles that simply cannot mesh with younger generations. When financial or caregiving situations force the conversation, these are some of the points to cover:
• Where to live
• How to divvy up living space for privacy
• Who pays for what
• Who does what
• Kitchen rules and meals
• Outside help
• Parking
• Grocery and other shopping
• Communal time
• Quiet time
• Guests
• What happens if …
• Conflict resolution plan
Builders are getting into the act with homes featuring two full master suites, space over a garage, a small apartment in a walk-out basement with a private entrance and walls which can be easily opened to add an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) or granny flat. They are incorporating universal design concepts, along with great rooms and large gathering spaces, plus independent suites with kitchenettes.
The largest challenge may be loss of privacy, not just on the personal front, but also if or when home health aides are needed. Nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists and a host of others make house calls for possibly a parade of extra people in daily life. Well-meaning friends, relatives and neighbors may show up a little too often.
Clarity with communications is imperative, addressing the above, along with personality quirks and potentially annoying habits. To make it work for everyone, there may need to be frank talk and a solid plan for conflict resolution.
Once the details are hammered out, the plunge is taken, and everyone finds their place in the new multigenerational environment, the years together can be marvelous. Each generation might teach another one skills and share memories and insight. The caregiving for oldsters is priceless. Children can develop into more sensitive, sympathetic, warm-hearted teens and adults. Everyone will tap into reserves of patience, kindness and even tolerance in a home setting where family is important and love is abundant.
Retire to do What?
Teresa Hall- Sleep and Family
Teresa Hall’s advice for retirement is “have a plan”, and “make sure you are financially sound.” Sleep, family and travel played into her strategy. “My first thought was sleep. My job required 10+ hour work days, some of it traveling, up at 5:30 a.m. every day. I was quite taken with the idea that I could stay up until 11 p.m. and sleep until 8 a.m.
Teresa sold her house in Richmond to return to the New River Valley near her parents and a sister. Her dad died six months later and a nephew, 12, had an accident that rendered him out of school for six months. She could step up to help in big ways. Now years later, she remains devoted to her lovable 90-year-old mom and family members.
She never returned to work after retirement, embarking on travel to European countries and cruises to Alaska, Mexico and the Caribbean. She also enjoys playing duplicate bridge, taking yoga and exercise classes and lunching out with friends. Most of all, Teresa embraces the freedom to do what she wants for the most part and loves exactly what she returned to the New River Valley for – her family.
Rich Rio ~ Sugar at the Bottom of the Cup
“Coffee drinkers have been known to add sugar which doesn’t dissolve, but rests at the bottom of the cup,” Rich Rio explains. “Those last few sips are sweeter than the rest. That’s retirement – the sugar at the bottom of the cup!”
Rich also advises on having a plan and a good financial base. He and his wife hail from Boston, Mass., and have called Blacksburg home for 25 years. “My advice is start planning
a year or two before you retire, what you will do to stay active physically and mentally.” Some choices were easy for him – “golf with a group of duffers who keep me humble” and “duplicate bridge which challenges me mentally.” Rich finds The Life Long Learning Institute (LLI) at Virginia Tech to be an amazing resource, offering classes specifically for
retirees taught by top-notch professors. Having three grown children scattered around the country takes them on the road a few times a year. From the breathtaking U.S. National Parks to China, the Baltic and Europe, the Rios have seen many new places. Rich joined a group tour to Morocco because that was on his bucket list.
Rich Rio in Morocco
He will tell you that downsizing is not for the faint of heart. Your kids might not want your Waterford crystal or the dining room set handed down from you grandparents. In the end, you’ll gain freedom to do things you enjoy instead of mowing the lawn. He encourages everyone stepping into retirement to discover new interests and embrace this sweet new phase of life –akin to that sugar at the bottom of the cup.
Carol Pressman ~ More Chapters to Go
“Retirement can have many chapters,” states Carol Pressman. Not everyone indulges in sleep, travel and new-found time. Some go to work. “When my husband threw in the towel on corporate life, we were both under 65. Health insurance was a concern, so we looked at ways to get into a group plan,” she explains. That propelled them to buy Torch River Hardware, an Ace brand store, on a glacial lake in northern Michigan, work 362 days a year and get into the Chamber of Commerce healthcare insurance program.
Retirement? Carol served on the Chamber board, the local Board of Education and became leader of the Northern Michigan Ace Dealers. Twelve years passed, and health issues prompted the couple to move to Salem, Va., near their son. As aging challenges escalated, they decided assisted living was next.
“Here’s the magic,” Carol exclaims! “I had been giving rides to a duplicate bridge player who lives in Warm Hearth Village. I saw quite a bit of it getting lost in there. The setting is beautiful and peaceful, and I thought to myself ‘someday, I will live here.’” After a tour and time on a waiting list, they got the call and made the move. Welcome to the New River Valley.
It’s an active community with friendly, interesting people, plus wonderful nursing support. “I no longer have to grocery shop, prepare meals and clean up. After almost 59 years of marriage, I am done with creative gourmet meal planning. There are way too many activities to access them all. Already, I feel like I am living in a college dorm for seniors. This chapter is going to be fun!”
MC ~ The Flexible Plan
MC’s first thought of retirement [in 1997] was in response to the question (when financing a townhouse): “How long do you plan to live here?” His response: Aug. 25, 2006. That would be his 55th birthday, and he planned to retire from his government job and return to Giles County and the New River Valley. He would reconnect with family, travel, camp, fish, read, follow local sports and be active in the community, if all by himself. Nothing wrong with that plan, right?
Well … an interesting, vivacious, smart lady from Panama showed up at a Latin dance club MC frequented. The retirement date slid back two years while they planned a wedding and navigated the residence paperwork, she being a tourist at the time. She is now a proud American citizen!
They returned to his hometown of Narrows, and he’s traveled more to Panama than he ever expected(!), plus a trip to Europe. He continued working remotely part-time for several years, wrapping that up in 2013 for full retirement. The couple enjoys family fun; they each have a grown child and grandchildren … “in another country” he jokes, i.e., northern Virginia. And he is happily following sports, active in the community, reading, playing duplicate bridge a few times a week and growing flowers and tomatoes to fill his days.
Camping and fishing fell by the wayside, and health concerns have sidelined some travel in recent years. Unexpectedly, his Spanish has vastly improved (he knew a few words), since those Central Americans don’t know the 3-day limit on family visits. Three months is more like a minimum stay! And he loves them all! Overall, retirement life is wonderful, starting every day without the alarm clock – and having every day with this interesting, vivacious, smart wife.
The Long Wait … for a Ford Bronco Raptor
Text by Joanne M. Anderson | Photos by Jon Fleming
Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish. -- John Quincy Adams
There are many things worth the wait. Autumn. Football games. A puppy. Warm cookies from the oven. Vacation. Christmas morning. A Ford Bronco? Most wait times can be measured in minutes, hours, days or weeks, maybe months. Bruce Morris must be a v.e.r.y. patient man. He waited more than two years for his Ford Bronco Raptor.
The Interminable Wait
The backstory goes to July 2020 when his friend, Matthew Kesler, planned to order a new Bronco and convinced Bruce that “he works hard and can treat himself every now and again.” As Bruce relates: “I have never done anything like this, and I couldn't believe I was ordering a new vehicle!” After plunking down $100, the guys settled in for the 6-month wait. At the year and a half mark, his buddy got his Bronco delivered.
“He was so happy, and I was so not happy because mine was back-ordered,” Bruce confesses. “I asked my friend
if he had any complaints about his new ride. He wished that he picked a color that stood out because he was having so much attention over it. He wanted it to pop. His color was nice but blends in with other vehicles. He suggested I get a bold color.”
In March of 2022, I put my name in a hat for a chance to upgrade to the Raptor version. Another month ticked by, and Bruce was not chosen. He was devastated. “I was supposed to get that Raptor,” he told the salesman, Randy Marshall at Shelor Motor Mile Ford. “I am supposed to have an orange Raptor. I even have it on my screen saver. It is MY vehicle!”
He suggested that Randy call people on the list, find someone to give up their spot. It was a bold move, but by now, Bruce was heavily invested – emotionally, at least, and soon, financially as well – in having this Raptor vehicle, like before he retired or got too old to enjoy it. He got a call one day with this question: “How much is it worth to you?” [to buy someone else’s reservation].
The dollar signs are not important. His orange Bronco Raptor was coming. More months ticked by. In October of 2022 … 26 months or more from placing his order, Bruce Morris, not a showy or fancy guy by his own admission, took possession of one very showy and fancy Raptor.
The Drive to Success
After growing up in rural Amelia County, Va., Bruce entered Virginia Tech to major in Animal and Poultry Sciences with a minor in Agricultural Economics. From VT class of 2000, he went on for a Master’s Degree in Animal and Poultry Sciences.
After a stint as an instructor and starting a remodel and construction company, he began to invest in single family homes for rentals. Something clicked in that arena, and Bruce became a REALTOR® for his day job. He and his wife also own and operate a laundromat and a car wash while raising three daughters.
The Drive for Fun
The kids like to ride in it. They crank the music and take to the back roads. It is a very expensive vehicle, so Bruce does not go 4-wheeling or haul a camper. It’s not even his
daily wheels. He has a used Toyota 4Runner® for getting to work and back.
“I tell people that the Raptor is a Bronco infused with testosterone. It rides good, has power and looks really cool, not to mention it is stock riding on 37-inch tires.” He did not buy it for mileage, logging around 15 mpg. The Code Orange color is only available on high performance Ford vehicles, not even on regular Broncos.
The engine is a 3.0L twin turbo EcoBoost V6 with a 10-speed transmission. The trim here is the LUX package and amenities include a 12" touch screen, 10 speaker B&O sound system, navigation, steering assist, 360-degree cameras, heated steering wheel and wireless charging.
But, seriously, why have a vehicle like this without a dash of adventure and drama? The suspension system features Fox dampers which absorb bumps and jumps, and a full complement of skid plates which protect the underside when sailing across sand dunes or clamoring over boulders. “It is made for exercising its shocks on occasion,” Bruce reveals. “So, yeah, it’s fun to jump some railroad tracks every now and again.”
Christ Episcopal Church ~ 150 Years of Continuous Worship
For nearly 150 years, one congregation has worshipped behind stained glass windows, a distinguishable red door, and what locals know as Hokie stone. They’ve sat in the same pews and listened to a resplendent pipe organ. Since 1879, when the building was complete, the congregation of Christ Episcopal Church (which was established in 1858) has cherished both their local heritage and their spiritual roots.
With the sesquicentennial (150th anniversary) of the groundbreaking of the church in September, the congregation has events planned to celebrate their spiritual heritage. And they have good reason to celebrate – the church is the oldest one in Blacksburg in continuous use since completion.
The groundbreaking for the building was in 1875, but prior to then, a rich history intertwined with Virginia’s revolutionary-era roots set the stage.
The Church Yesterday
With the formation of Montgomery County in 1777, Montgomery Parish was established. Parishes were founded as counties were organized. “At this point, church and state were one in Virginia, because the Anglican and later Episcopal Church was the established religion of the colony,” the Reverend Mr. Scott West explains. As a side note, Blacksburg is still the geographic area associated with Montgomery Parish, a parish that comprises about one-third of the county (the other parishes being
Radford and Christiansburg). With the dawning of the Revolutionary War, the Church of Virginia waned. Prior to the Civil War, a Reverend Mr. Goodwin reported to the Diocese of Virginia that his time was committed to establishing a church. It wouldn’t be until after the war that Christ Church was formally organized.
A bishop’s report to the Annual Council noted that a church was about to be built in Blacksburg. By 1875, the year of groundbreaking for this historical edifice, 42 people made up the congregation of Christ Church. The rest, as they say, is history.
The Church Today
“People know it as the stone church on the corner with the red door,”
Text by Caitlyn Koser
Mr. West says. West is the Rector for the church and has held that position for the past 18 years.
Indeed, the bright red door is a hallmark of the church on the corner of Jackson and Church streets. The exterior itself is a throwback to its historical roots – the Episcopal Church rings a European-esque style with its stone walls and bell tower. The stone is native limestone, dubbed “Hokie stone” by locals. The bell tower was built in 1934, and every Sunday it hearkens worshippers to service.
The church has gone through various updates over the years – 1941, 1970 and 1991. About a decade ago, parts were restored and refurbished. But stepping inside the sanctuary reveals a place almost the same since the original congregation took their seats in 1879.
Much of the sanctuary is original. Stained glass windows are set at the front. “The two side panels were mail ordered,” Mr. West relates,
Christ Church and Lybrook House 1926
“but the middle panel is inspired by a painting in London’s esteemed National Gallery.” The pews where many have sat throughout the decades are original, as are the lovely wood floors. A beautiful pipe organ still plays every Sunday.
Labyrinth of Peace
In the courtyard, a labyrinth was built to commemorate the victims of the tragic shootings at Tech in 2007. It was constructed from a kit on pallets by parishioners during Lent in 2009. The design is from a famous labyrinth in Chartres, France, made up of five circuits that people can walk through to pray or to welcome the peace and solitude. (It’s not a maze, so you can’t get lost in it). In the garden, plants and flowers give the space a peaceful, serene feeling. “You feel like you’re away from things a little bit,” Mr. West says. It’s a tucked away oasis in the middle of a bustling campus town.
The church has strong roots in the New River Valley – foundations that have stood steady since the organization of the congregation. The beautiful surrounding New River Valley serves as a backdrop to the church’s strong faith community. “Ask anyone who grew up in this area, and they’ll probably tell you it’s almost perfect,” the church’s website says.
The Church Tomorrow
In addition, Christ Church is “one of only two churches still worshipping in original buildings in the 16 squares that comprise historic downtown Blacksburg.” With nods to the community of Blacksburg and deep ties to its Anglican roots, Christ Episcopal Church has a rich and storied history.
Mr. West explains that the faithfulness and dedication of the churchgoers have made the longevity and continuous worship possible. Without the steadfastness of the congregation, the church would not be what it is today.
Weathering the storms of decades and with its fair share of ups and downs, the church holds the title as the longest continually-used place of worship in Blacksburg. With the congregation’s resilience and steadfast anchor, the church seems on track to be a place of worship for generations to come.
Caitlyn Koser is a New River Valley homeschool student and freelance writer.
Easter 1936
Easter 1894
Contra Dancing – The Ultimate Spin Doctor
Text by Emily K. Alberts
Photos courtesy of Contra Dance
What could bring the enthusiastic sounds of spring, a jaunty fiddle, a peppy piano, and folks brigading around in the dead of winter as though it was the middle of May?
No, it isn’t French for country dance although it sure seems like it could be. Evolving out of traditional English country dances that were adapted in France and Canada, Contra Dance began to dominate the dance lexicon of New England in the mid-1970s. An official monthly Contra Dance event popped up in the New River Valley roughly 20 years ago.
It isn’t line dancing, it isn’t square dancing, and it isn’t square dancing in a line -- it is more like if a fiddle, a piano and a barn dance had a baby – and that baby had a LOT of caffeine!
“Contra Dance has a lot of energy, and many new bands really amp up the energy and respond to the dancers, who respond to the callers,” Ed Tuchler explains.
Ed Tuchler is the owner of Shelter Alternatives and longtime lover of community dance. Though he was a reluctant dancer at first, his roommate introduced him to the Hoorah Cloggers in his college days at Virginia Tech. “We performed
at several different places, including the White House lawn at one point!” he recalls.
According to Tuchler, at first there was some resistance to bringing Contra Dance into the community. “People were afraid that it would dilute the square dance, but I'm happy to say that both kinds of dance are thriving. We have a monthly contra dance, and there's a monthly square dance as well.”
Part Celtic session, part Appalachian barn stomp, and part musical reminder that you probably didn’t stretch enough before starting, Contra Dance is driven by reels and jigs that never quite stop. There’s usually a flute or whistle weaving in — light and nimble, like it’s tiptoeing across the top of the melody, trying not to get trampled by the fiddle’s enthusiasm. And the whole thing has that joyful, unstoppable momentum.
Everyone Can Dance
The best part is that it’s accessible. Whether you’re eight or 80, in a couple or going stag, everyone is welcome on the dance floor. Men can dance together, women can
dance together, children and seniors alike. Numbers don’t matter. And before things kick off, the caller always teaches everyone the steps (which aren’t steps so much as they are moves), so that beginners have a chance to learn the basics first.
Contra Dance is not about footwork, it’s about body movement. Circling, swinging, allemande – “And a lot of times the advanced dancers are so inventive with their moves that you can hardly tell them apart from the beginners!” Tuchler laughs.
After experiencing the local Contra Dance events, many dancers find themselves drawn to dance weekends and even week-long dancing events. “What's nice is at these other events, which draw some of the more experienced dancers, they also draw some high caliber bands.” The New River Valley has no shortage of great bands, and the live music is something that really sets Contra Dance apart.
There is a monthly Blacksburg Community Contra Dance at the YMCA Thrift Store dance floor on the third Saturday of the month, and a Floyd Community Contra Dance at the Floyd Center for the Arts on the second Saturday of the month. Though there are callers, Tuchler explains: “The music often helps you feel where you need to be.”
Dancing isn’t just good fun -- it’s good for you. “You get beaming, bright, cheery faces, and you share that joy as you work down the line,” says Tuchler. The positive psychological boost is not just great for community, but also great for immunity.
Wayland Moore, a two-time cancer survivor from Palmyra, attributes a lot of his recovery to the elixir that is Contra Dancing. “The pandemic killed the Contra Dance, and I lost many factors that helped me in building my immune system,” says Moore. But thanks to folks like Ed Tuchler, who realized that if Contra was ever going to return to Blacksburg after covid, it was going to be up to him, Contra found its way back to our communities, and people like Wayland Moore found their health improving again.
“Between garnering publicity and lining up the dances, the callers and so on, it really takes a team to put it all together,” Tuchler shares. And it’s a team he’s very thankful for. Check out the calendar for upcoming events near you, just be sure to stretch first!
Written by Emily Kathleen Alberts,
who can’t wait to try whirling through a crowd of new faces on the dance floor.
For the Love of Wine JBR Vineyards & Winery
After decades in careers which took them across the country and around the globe, Jessee and Debby Ring left California and city life behind for a 5-acre plot in Radford in 2005. “We moved into our new home in May of 2006,” Debbie relates.
The Back Story
The couple met as students at the University of Virginia where they became interested in wine. Once settled in their new abode, Debby suggested: “Wouldn’t it be fun to sit on the porch sipping a glass of wine from grapes grown right over there?” So they planted a few classic wine grapevines “right over there”. Three years later, based on what they learned, they replanted and expanded the vineyard.
“It takes three to five years to get a wine grape vineyard into full production,” Jessee explains. So the first grapes ripened in 2012, and they made wine in the basement with a kitchen colander and potato masher, vowing never to do that again.
The results were encouraging. Their wine was legally classified as “homemade wine” so it could not be sold. “As we spent more time on the vineyard, we realized something,” Debby shares. “The operation was too much for a hobby but too little for a commercial enterprise.”
JBR Vineyards & Winery is Launched
They planned another vineyard and a winery building on land in Giles County and applied to become a “Virginia Farm Winery.” The couple visited Bordeaux in southwest France in 2013, and now focused on wineries and vineyards all over the state. They joined the Virginia Vineyards Association and the Virginia Wineries Association. Jessee enrolled in a 2-year online class with UC Davis, the premier school of viticulture and oenology, to receive his Certificate in Winemaking in 2019.
JBR Vineyards & Winery specializes in only two grape varieties: Riesling and Pinot Noir, both unusual in Virginia. They make Riesling wine in the traditional German style with a little residual sugar that is balanced by the natural high acidity of the Riesling grape. The Pinot Noir wine is a dry, robust red wine.
The Rings take pride in their wine. The gregarious couple joins in friendly conversations about JBR’s wine and interesting aspects of wine in general. It’s a merry time for wine lovers of all stripes to sip and savor, mingle and relax in the tranquil hills of the New River Valley.
Tasting
and Sales:
1360 Springdale Road, Pearisburg
Saturday, noon to 5 p.m.
Sunday, 1-5 p.m.
April through October
JBR holds an annual Paw Paw Festival to celebrate this obscure native Appalachian fruit. The fruit is intriguing for its unique tropical flavor. The pulp can be eaten raw or added to smoothies and ice cream or baked in a sweetbread. Visitors can wander through a Paw Paw patch in addition to vineyard and winery tours.
A-1 Heating & Cooling
Anne Collins Albimino
Back to Nature Landscaping
Beliveau Farm
Blacksburg Battles Cancer
Blue Ridge Heating & Air
Bonomo's Plaza
Brown Insurance
Carilion Clinic
Celco Community Credit Union
Center for the Arts at VT
Crab Creek Country Store
Crockett Home Improvement
Dehart Tile & Flooring Center
Dwight Atkinson
Energy Check
Eric Johnsen State Farm
Expert Auto Repair
First & Main
Freedom First
Giles County Tourism
Hahn Horticulture Garden
Mutt's Primitives Nest Realty
New River Art & Fiber
New River Dermatology
NRV IP Law
Pearis Mercantile
Pembroke Stop N Save
Potomac Services
Progress Street Builders
Pulaski County Tourism
Rayne Stenger
Red Flame Oil & Propane
River Ridge Dermatology
SAS Builders
Shelter Alternatives
Sunshine Tours
The Shaheen
Trevor
Warm Hearth
