Spotlight FRONT’n About

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Plenty of Buzz >

Michael Hemphill, the creator of the Buzz TV show (Blue Ridge PBS) and the Buzz4Good radio version (WFIR) called it The 12th Day of Christmas,” on January 6 (the Epiphany or “Little Christmas” for many Christians,) a party for local nonprofits that Buzz has featured (while also offering marketing support), held at the 9th Street SE industrial park in Roanoke. The venue was used for a house of horrors (Blue Ridge Nightmares) during the Halloween season; Center in the Square operates the facility and is making it available for rentals. Vintage storefronts and old vehicles provide much of the atmosphere.

As for the 12th Day of Christmas, when Hemphill also let some of the organizations tell others their story (filming some of it for a future Buzz episode,) “nonprofits do so much vital, yet underappreciated, work in our communities – homeless shelters, food pantries, free clinics, historical museums, arts and culture festivals, animal shelters and on and on,” says Hemphill. “We want to celebrate these life-giving organizations and give our entire region one final holiday festivity as we start a new year.” The event included live music by Roanoke Symphony Orchestra musicians and some bad dancing.

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Tudor House supports Bradley Clinic >

Tudor House, a non-profit that was created 18 months ago after the death of Louis Tudor (Tudor’s Biscuit World) to focus on suicide prevention - donated a $25,000 check to the Bradley Free Clinic in January, to support the new Robinson Behavioral Health Wing now under construction. Tudor House does not have a physical location as of now and has been providing free support groups at the Bradley Free Clinic. A group counseling room in the new wing - expected to open by April - will be named for Tudor House.

Ruth Cassell is director of operations for the Bradley Free Clinic: “Tudor House is a phenomenal mission. It really complements Bradley Free Clinic’s mission to meet the needs oi our community, and to help those that are not served oftentimes in the health care system. Tudor House focuses on suicide prevention, education and outreach; its already been providing free support groups at the Bradley Free Clinic in downtown Roanoke. Louis Tudor committed suicide after the popular biscuit shop closed down at age 64. Kathleen Thorell is executive director for Tudor House: “we felt like Bradley Free Clinic matched our mission. They are seeing the need in our community and building this whole new wing in order to meet mental health needs. We wanted to help them.”