Nrv Mag Sept Oct 2015 online

New River Valley’s Premier Lifestyle Magazine

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FOOTBALL RETIREMENT NRV RIDE: DELFIN JET | ARTIST: NIKKI PYNN | DOWNSIZING FAIRLAWN | RAIN BARRELS | NRV HOME

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Welcome Home!

Introducing Jon Maher, M.D. SUPPORTING YOU ON AND OFF THE FIELD Carilion Clinic is proud to welcome Blacksburg native Jon Maher, M.D., back to his hometown as our newest orthopaedic/sports medicine specialist.

He returns home after serving as a surgeon in the U.S. Marines 1st Medical Battalion in Afghanistan, as a physician for Harvard University’s athletics department and as team physician to the Boston Celtics.

Dr. Maher will see new and existing patients at Carilion Clinic Orthopaedics’ Blacksburg location during regular hours and at Carilion’s fall season Sports Injury Clinic on Saturdays.

Sports Injury Clinic Appointment Information Aug. 22 - November, every Saturday at 8:30 a.m.

Call-ahead appointments are preferred. For walk-in appointments, please register between 8:30 - 9 a.m.

JON MAHER, M.D.

Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Medical Education: Thomas Jefferson University / Jefferson Medical College Residency: Naval Medical Center Portsmouth: General Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery Fellowship: New England Baptist Hospital: Sports Medicine and Arthroscopy

Locations 215 Gilbert St., Blacksburg | 540-731-2436 2900 Lamb Circle, Christiansburg | 540-731-2436 CarilionClinic.org/ortho

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NRV MAGAZINE

September/October

2015

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NRV MAGAZINE

September/October

2015

CONTENTS

September - October

2015

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A Swe e t Su i t e

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High School Football

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Fu n Fac t s - V T Footb a l l

1 8 D o wn s i z i n g

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NRV Home: Open Floor Plan

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NRV Rides: Delfin Jet

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Clearing Cust oms

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Artist N ikki Pynn

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Fair law n

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G ardening: Rain B arrels

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Re t i r i n g i n t h e N RV

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2 0 1 5 Fo o t bal l Sc h ed u l e

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Phone: (540) 552-3377

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The Face That Helped

A Thousand Businesses!

(Well, hundreds anyway – but give him time.)

For the last seven years, Jonathan Kruckow has worked with hundreds of businesses in Blacksburg and the New River Valley as a commercial lender.

As Grayson National Bank’s New River Valley Area Executive, Jonathan is prepared to help you and your business succeed, too.

Give him a call at 540.250.0280 to arrange a one-on-one meeting.

902 South Main Street, Blacksburg, VA

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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 ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Sabrina Sexton DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Dennis Shelor WRITERS Joanne Anderson Karl Kazaks Krisha Chachra Lesley Howard Sheila Nelson Kelli Scott Justin Ashwell Emily Alberts Jennifer Cooper Mike Wade PHOTOGRAPHERS Natalie Gibbs Photography Amodeo Photography Always and Forever Photography Tom Wallace Nathan Cooke Magnifico Photography Cover Image: Always and Forever Photography © 2015 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.

NRVMAGAZINE.com

Pasture Talk

When my husband told me the Town of Blacksburg planned to close more than half of University City Blvd. for longer than a year, I responded: “Don’t be ridiculous. They don’t close a main thoroughfare for that length of time.” Within a week the barricades were up on both University City and Broce Drive. So a 3/4-mile trip now tops two miles or more of traffic or highway or back road.

Back road? I’m from Vermont. We know back roads, some 8,000 miles of dirt roads with fewer miles of paved ones. So, back road I go and notice this historical marker [photo] placed here 99 years ago to mark an Indian fort site 259 years ago by NSDAR, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.

Joann Sutphin at Smithfield Plantation had already alerted me that DAR’s 125th anniversary is in October. “The organization was founded in 1890 with the simple mission of promoting historic preservation, education and patriotism.” [www.dar.org]

Then I wondered how many historical markers are in the New River Valley. Who put what where to commemorate something? How did Pilot, Maybrook and Copper Hill get their names, and when and why did people settle there? That launched the idea for “NRV Back Roads & History,” and Sheila Nelson delved into Fairlawn’s development for this first one on page 38.

According to markerhistory. com, there are 60 official historical markers in the NRV. This substantial DAR one is not on that list. If you see an interesting plaque in an unusual place, take a photo and send it to me with the location. Snap photos of interesting signs in the NRV along the way, and I’ll tell you why next issue.

I recently shared with a friend how I manage to miss eating at

this restaurant or that because I simply don’t think of it. Same for shopping and entertainment. Surely, I am not the only who forgets a place for lack of being reminded. Henry Ford once quipped: “Stopping advertising to save money is like stopping your watch to save time.” And I like this Canadian guy’s take on it: “Doing business without advertising is like winking at a girl in the dark. You know what you are doing, but nobody else does.”

[Stuart Henderson Britt]

You are holding this magazine because the business folks in the pages understand the value of advertising. It positions them as thoughtful, community-centered, savvy people and offers that reminder the next time one of us needs their products or services or might even be looking for a job. As we approach our 10th anniversary, patronize these businesses every chance you get.

Because of them, NRV Magazine is strong and going full steam ahead.

Enjoy Fall. Go Hokies!

Joanne Anderson ManagingEditor jmawriter@aol.com

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Foo tbal l Fe at u r e

A SWEET SUITE Text by Jennifer Poff Cooper Photos by Always and Forever Photography

“The first thing to know about a Virginia Tech football game,” says Floyd Merryman III, “is that it is an event, not just a game.”

Truly, it is a three-day event and not a small amount of work for the occupant of the largest skybox at Lane Stadium. Merryman attends every home game, and the process begins on Thursday when he commutes to his weekend home in Blacksburg from his base at Smith Mountain Lake.

Friday is spent stocking the skybox suite with beverages, which Merryman and friends haul up in the elevator themselves. During happy hour, they then watch the “walk through” or last practice before the game.

On game day, no matter the 10

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kickoff time, by 8 a.m. his 250-strong group of friends, dubbed the Hokie Tailgaters, begins tailgating in the grass across from the stadium in the first six parking spaces of the Cassell Coliseum lot. One member has a trailer with a full kitchen, so they feast on all manner of food throughout the season. Because they eat so much while tailgating, there isn’t a lot of food in the suite; what there is Merryman purchases from university catering.

The suite opens two hours before the game, but Merryman and company usually tailgate outside until about 30 minutes before kickoff, making sure they are in place to take advantage of the view of special events such as a flyover.

No matter the weather, Merryman uses a remote control to open the windows of

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the skybox in order to get the “game day atmosphere.” The announcer is piped in over a public address system in the suite, but just like for folks in the stands, the crowd noise makes it hard to hear.

Stadium style seating, complete with cup holders, fills the part of the suite closest to the windows. Farther back is a seating area with leather chairs and sofas. The suite holds a maximum of 45: 29 ticket holders who share the cost of the suite with the Merrymans and 16 recipients of guest passes that the hosts share with customers and friends.

Because his father, Floyd Withers “Sonny” Merryman, Jr., was a cadet, the family has kept his tradition of hosting two cadets in the suite every game. It is not uncommon for university President Timothy Sands or

2015

Athletic Director Whit Babcock to stop by during a game.

Luxuries abound inside the skybox. The suite is heated and cooled, obviously an advantage for a hot September game or a frigid November one. A private bathroom is also part of the package. In addition to the stocked refrigerator, there is a full bar. On game days, Merryman has a bartender / hostess to take care of guests’ every need. A television is tuned to the game for those, like Merryman’s significant other, Roya Gharavi, who enjoy relaxing in the comfortable seating area and socializing as much as watching the live game.

The décor was hand-picked by the Merrymans. There is a plaque from each bowl game the Hokies have played NRVMAGAZINE.com

in, numerous autographed pictures, and a collection of helmets representing each Atlantic Coast Conference team.

Merryman has mini-helmets for this year’s opponents already gathered on the coffee table. On game day, the helmet of that opponent is featured on the table.

The suite stays largely unoccupied throughout the rest of the year.

Other occasions for which it is used are graduation and spring game. With special permission, it can be used at other limited times, such as when the Dave Matthews band gave a concert after the massacre of April 16, 2007.

At the inception of the suite concept in 2005, skyboxes were assigned on a priority basis according to support of Virginia Tech athletics. Merryman’s

family was number one on the list, so it got first pick. It was important to them to be on the 50-yard line and have a large suite. It is one-third larger than others and right on the 50-yard line. Leases run for five years, and Merryman says he understands there is a long waiting list.

Folks hoping to lease the biggest and best suite at Lane Stadium will likely have to keep waiting, as the Merryman family does not sound like they will give up the food, fun and fellowship of their skybox anytime soon.

Jennifer Poff Cooper is a Christiansburg-based freelance writer and regular contributor to NRV Magazine.

Continued . . . .

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Floyd Merryman, Sr., was a member of the class of 1924. Following in his footsteps was Floyd Withers “Sonny” Merryman, Jr., a student at Virginia Tech in the early 1940s, who became founder and head of one of Virginia’s largest transportation distributors, Sonny Merryman, Inc. Floyd Merryman III graduated in 1981, and he is currently president and CEO of the family company where he has worked for 34 years.

Merryman estimates that his family has donated $5 million to Virginia Tech with 60 percent going toward athletic pursuits and 40 percent to academic scholarships. “We do it as a family, with my mother, sister and son all involved,” he says. His dad, Sonny, passed away in 2013.

Notable among the athletic contributions is funding for the Merryman Athletic Facility, built in 1998, which has been a key component in recruiting some of the top athletes in the country.

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Academically, the contributions focus on the College of Business and Corps of Cadets. The Merrymans also provide a pupil transportation scholarship for students who have some relation to the pupil transportation community, typically those with parents as bus drivers – probably of the buses that Sonny Merryman, Inc., produces. Sonny Merryman’s goal, according to Floyd, was to help those

September/October

who might not otherwise be able to attend college. “If they qualify to be a Merryman scholar, they really need the help.”

Today, Floyd Merryman continues the tradition of serving the university. He is past president of the Hokie Club, on the Dean’s Cabinet for the Pamplin College of Business and was part of the search committee for new athletic director Whit Babcock.

2015

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Foo tbal l Fe at u r e

High School Football in the NRV

Text and Photos by Mike Wade

While no one can dispute the New River Valley’s support for Virginia Tech football, many local fans are just as passionate about the area’s high school varsity programs.

Each of the nine teams representing the New River Valley boast rich histories of tradition, having claimed their share of district, regional and even state titles. Time will tell what the 2015 season holds for these squads, but win or lose, spectators can count on Friday nights filled with the competitive, hard-hitting action they’ve come to expect.

Auburn High School The Eagles look to build on their gains from 2014, when they finished 6-4 in the regular season and advanced to the second round of the Group 1A West playoffs. While fourth-year head coach Jack Turner won’t allow his team to dwell on the disappointing 21-7 loss at George Wythe that ended their season, the Eagles are no doubt hungry to return to post-season play. Junior running back Jeremy Nelson had a breakout season in 2014 and will likely carry the bulk of the Auburn offense on his shoulders. Twins Austin and Ethan Crockett – both anchors of the Eagles’ defensive unit – are back for their senior year, along with returning defensive end Taylor Naff.

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Blacksburg High School Thad Wells, a native of Richlands, is the first new head coach of the Blacksburg varsity football program in more than 40 years. He replaces Hall of Fame coach David Crist, who retired at the end of the 2014 season.

Wells inherits a team that finished last year with a 6-4 mark in the regular season before falling to Northside in the first round of the 3A West Regional playoffs.

The Bruins will rely heavily on the leadership of senior quarterback Isaac Johnston, who threw for more than 1,200 yards last season.

Senior receivers Morgan McCoy and Jake Verniel will be familiar targets for Johnston, and sophomore Coleton Beck could prove to be a new offensive weapon for the Bruins.

Christiansburg High School The Blue Demons earned a 5-5 mark during the regular season last year and went 1-1 in the post season. It turned out to be a frustrating year for Christiansburg, as many of the team’s losses could have just as easily been victories. No one knows this better than head coach Tim Cromer, who enters his 14th season at the helm of the Blue Demons. Cromer, who also became the team’s defensive coordinator in 2014, lost a number of his key defenders to graduation last season. Fortunately, Christiansburg has

September/October

a corps of experienced skills players back on offense that will help move the ball downfield. Quarterback Charlie Jackson and tight ends Matt Nowlin and C.J. Napper will be key to the Blue Demons’ passing game.

Eastern Montgomery High School While a 3-7 record won’t usually get you into the playoffs, it was a measurable improvement for the 2014 East Mont Mustangs, who had managed to only win one game the year before. Last season was also the first for head coach Jordan Stewart, an East Mont alum who has helped bring a renewed level of energy and enthusiasm to the program. The continued development of quarterback Jesse East, now a senior, will be critical to the Mustangs’ success in 2015.

East will look to distribute passes among receivers Nick Smith, Micah Gardner and Zach Sledd. Senior running back Trevor DeWeese and a nucleus of returning linemen will help take pressure off East Mont’s passing game.

Floyd County High School Coming off back-to-back seasons with a 2-8 finish, the Buffaloes are hoping 2015 will be a turning point in their program’s history. In fact, the team’s adopted mantra

2015

for this year is: “Making It Matter.” Veteran head coach Winfred Beale, who has been at the helm of the program since 1980, should see measured improvement in his offense.

Michael Clemons, a 6’5” senior tight end, has started for Beale since his freshman year. Clemons is a steady and reliable outlet for junior quarterback Brady Underwood.

Fellow junior Jack March returns at tailback for the Buffaloes. Senior Daryn Hughes, who moved to middle linebacker last season, will anchor the Floyd County defense.

Giles High School Unlike last season, the Giles Spartans enter the 2015 campaign without the pressure of defending a state championship. Still, their 10-0 regular season and deep run into the playoffs last year proves that the Spartans continue to be one of the most formidable high school programs in Virginia. The biggest challenge for head coach Jeff Williams and his team will likely be overcoming the loss of 17 seniors to graduation, including key members of the 2014 state championship squad. Senior tailback Patrick Beidleman quickly became a force to be reckoned with last season and will again be a key component to the Spartans’ patented single-wing offense.

Fellow seniors Cameron Perkins and Austin Cunningham will be the anchors of Giles’ offensive and defensive lines, respectively.

Narrows High School The Green Wave are seeking redemption this year after struggling through a 1-9 record last season. Head coach Kelly Lowe, in his 13th season at Narrows, will rely on the development of young talent to help

get his team back on track. Quarterback Cole Blaker and wideout Chase Lawson, both seniors, will be not only be expected to produce yardage and points, but also provide leadership to a relatively young team. Junior Landon Neal returns as placekicker.

Senior linebacker Bailey Snidow, who led Narrows in tackles last season, will be the main threat to opposing offenses. Seniors Jake Skeens and Austin Turner give the Green Wave defense a solid presence up front.

Pulaski County High School “Cougar Pride” looks to be making a comeback. After several sub-par seasons, the 2014 edition of the Pulaski County football team bounced back to go 5-5 in the regular season. The Cougars even clawed their way into the playoffs before dropping a 48-7 decision to Liberty in the first round.

While those achievements are certainly a step in the right direction, don’t expect second-year coach Stephen James to let his team get complacent. Despite the fact that Pulaski County has lost 15 seniors from last year to graduation – including their entire backfield, James and the Cougars

are determined to get back to the Group 4A playoffs this year.

Radford High School The Radford Bobcats found themselves on another roller coaster ride in 2014, ending the year with a 5-5 mark in the regular season and a playoff run that ended in the second round with a 29-23 loss to Honaker.

It’s a familiar storyline for head coach Matthew Saunders, who has consistently worked magic with a limited roster during the course of his nine years with the team.

Getting the Bobcats over the proverbial hump this year will once again be the challenge.

Hampered by injuries last season, quarterback Marcus Finley gives the Radford offense a range of versatility that will challenge many defenses. Senior center Nick Ridpath will be charged with the task of keeping Finley protected, while senior fullback Heth Grant should help balance out the Bobcat offense.

Mike Wade is a lifelong resident of the New River Valley. He has worked as both a journalist and public relations professional for more than 20 years. He freelances as a writer, graphic designer and portrait artist.

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Fun Facts about Virginia Tech Football

Josh Armstrong

 “Enter Sandman”, written and recorded by the heavy metal band Metallica, is the song which has been used during the team entrance since 2000.

During the incredibly close 2011 Miami game, the Town of Blacksburg registered a 4.3 on the Richter scale from Hokies jumping up and down to “Enter Sandman.”  The slab of Hokie Stone above the player’s tunnel exit has been in place since the stadium was built in 1965, and every Virginia Tech football player has touched it. A quarry near Blacksburg, in operation since 1958, supplies about 80 percent of the Hokie stone produced every year.  “Gobblers” was the popular name of the VT mascot until the late 1970s. It changed to Hokies after a new football coach heard that “Gobblers” originated from student athletes gobbling up their

Tricia Lombardi

food. The gobble sound was removed from the scoreboard in the early ‘80s after the Gobbler name fell out of favor. Head Coach Frank Beamer, who played for Virginia Tech in the late ‘60s, reinstated the gobble in 1987.

 Turkey legs used to be sold all over Lane Stadium until cooking them was declared a fire hazard. Now turkey legs are available in one location between the East and South stands, and they’ve installed a bigger grill to meet demand.

 Flyovers are coordinated by the Corps of Cadets. In 2012, two historic World War II planes, named “Axis Nightmare” and “Cincinnati Miss”, flew over as part of Corps Homecoming and Military Appreciation Day.

 VPI held a contest to create a new cheer after its name changed in the mid1890s. O.M. Stull won the $5 prize for making up the word “Hoki” as an attention grabber. The final e was added later.

 Football at Virginia Tech officially kicked off on Oct. 21, 1892 after an athletic association was organized in fall of 1891. Early major sports efforts were concentrated on football, and organizers had to go into the barracks every day and beg men to play because those who were not placed on the first team one day would refuse to return the next.

 “Skipper”, the cannon, is made of melted brass donated by Corps of Cadets classes of 1963 to 1966. The president of the Virginia Foundry Company offered to craft the barrel for free after asked how much it would cost. He was in the Corps of Cadets class of ’37.

Michael T. Kiernan 16

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September/October

2015

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Downsizing

By Joanne M. Anderson

There comes a time in many a life when a homeowner finds he or she simply has too much house ~ too big, too expensive, too much maintenance, too burdensome to clean and care for, too time-consuming. The first word that comes to mind is “downsize,” which can be a smooth transition, though not without some misgivings and emotional moments.

Reasons abound to downsize, and many people, seniors among them, have found it very freeing to live in less space, do less maintenance, spend less house money and live more efficiently.

Once a spouse passes away, a big house can even seem bigger. “At some point, you’re going to have to move,” states Irene Jacobs, 81, from her beautiful, 4,600-square-foot, 5-bedroom mountain home outside Blacksburg. Downsizing has been on her mind a few years, and she actively set to work on it one year ago, beginning with her late husband Ira’s files, books, clothing and workshop. “Sorting through his stuff has definitely been the hardest part of downsizing,” she reveals.

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Over the past year, Mrs. Jacobs has hired a couple students to help with sorting and delivering stuff to thrift stores and recycling centers.

Frances Baker spent a majority of her life in her home in Radford, but as she approached her 90s, she knew she wanted to downsize. “It was very important to her and our family that she downsize to an apartment [rather than one room],” explains her daughter, Lucy Williams. “We looked for several years, but it wasn’t until The Crossings opened in Blacksburg in April this year that we felt we found the right place. She moved into a first floor apartment and was able to take her bedroom set, living room furniture and other personal items that really make her apartment feel like home. Like many people, she has become less mobile with age, and that can be isolating. She really enjoys living at The Crossings and the sense of community it provides.”

With an abundance of townhomes, apartments, condos, small houses and assisted living facilities in the

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New River Valley, it’s not hard to find a place that suits your style and budget.

Bungalows and ranch homes are best for lower maintenance and one floor living. Townhouses and condos have the advantage of sharing walls, exterior maintenance costs and common spaces with monthly fees that cover parking lots, trash pickup, roofing and landscaping.

As with any project, it takes planning to pull off a successful downsize, and one can begin before finding the new, improved, smaller housing model.

• Thin out clothes, shoes, linens, excess furnishings.

• Envision smaller rooms similar to what you have now. The new living room, for example, might be the size of your guest bedroom.

• List items that you think you cannot live without. Check off how many times you use each one over a month or two months.

Re-think that list.

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a e B

WEDGER

(n) a person who enjoys the lush amenities of WoodsEdge and is smart enough to move in early, since there are less than 10 home sites left.

• Pass along things you’ll never need again like ladders, lawn mower, weed eater.

• List things for sale on Craigslist, place things in a consignment store or donate.

• One room at a time, take out everything, putting back only what you use regularly or seasonally.

• Measure furniture you intend to move and figure room space and square footage.

• Use this as a great opportunity to bless others with things they have admired, family heirlooms and more, because you will have less storage space. And, after all, what’s the point in storing something when someone else can love using it?

• Look at closet and storage systems which maximize space utility.

• For furniture, consider Murphy beds, ottomans with storage, wall tables and ironing boards and double duty chairs, desks and end tables.

Mrs. Jacobs has cleared out two truckloads of accumulation and continues downsizing room by room. She is not buying anything new and is deciding what to take [though she has not yet decided where in the NRV she is going]. Definitely not the formal dining room set. But maybe one of those old pairs of her late husband’s boots still in the garage. Not the 40-cup coffeemaker. Maybe just one of the computers. Lucy Williams, her brother and their families have only begun the process of sorting through the items remaining in her mother’s home.

All along the way, remember the definition of “stuff” ~ something that has weight and takes up space.

NRVMAGAZINE.com

These are not models. They are actual WEDGERS enjoying the camaraderie of neighbors and the opportunities for recreation throughout the beautiful woodland campus.

Actually, you can join them but you must act quickly. Less than 10 lots remain before the neighborhood is sold out! We will sign contracts through this fall with special offers on our largest homes and home sites.

Call today to seal your deal!

(540) 443-3465 www.woodsedgeblacksburg.com

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Retiring in the NRV

Text by Joanne M. Anderson

The New River Valley gets national attention every year for its quality of life and natural beauty across all demographics. For retirees, the mild climate, recreation, reasonable cost of living, wonderful healthcare and friendly people take center stage. Some of our senior citizens came for business reasons and decided to stay after leaving a career, and others move to the region to be near family. Still more, though not profiled here, return to the college town of their youth for its enduring appeal in their hearts.

Margaret Ray [photo by Nathan Cooke]

Larry and Carolyn Kyle [photo by Amodeo Photography]

Tom and Margaret Ray came to the New River Valley as business owners in 1989 when they purchased, and subsequently restored, The Oaks Victorian Inn in Christiansburg. Fifteen years and millions of work hours later, they retired to a charming riverfront property off a dirt road in Giles County.

As Tom’s health deteriorated, Margaret researched assisted living options in several states, including Ohio and Michigan, where their children and grandchildren live. “The best place was right here under my nose,” Margaret reveals, referring to Warm Hearth Village. “We have concerts you’d pay $80 a ticket for in a big city, along with country music, lectures, walking trails, the village center and terrific residents and staff. The New River Valley is beautiful, and you can’t let go of it easily. I’m here to stay.”

She enjoys many activities from her 2-bedroom, Warm Hearth townhouse with full basement and patio. “Perfect for me,” she’ll say. This plaque rests in a lovely garden Margaret has created:

“If you are weary, come sit in my little garden. Stay awhile. Reflect. Find peace in nature as was intended.”

Larry Kyle thought Blacksburg was a great place to be “from”, as the local boy (BHS class of ‘62 and VT class of ‘66) moved to California and Arizona then back to Virginia. As an engineer, Larry lived in Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee and other states. At 35, a mid-life crisis struck when he realized he was not enjoying his chemical engineering career at the expense of personal stress and family time. He returned to school to follow in his father’s footsteps as a dentist. With children ages 3, 5, and 7 at the time, Carolyn returned to teaching.

“I will work for myself and be the best dentist the Lord will permit,” he determined. After school, the Kyles could go anywhere. They studied population to dentist ratio, quality of schools, recreation, climate, shopping and more as they trekked to nearly two dozen possible locales. “We chose Blacksburg,” he explains, “for the same reasons we are retiring here: beauty, culture, people, fun, quality health care and ‘Go Hokies’.”

Carolyn thinks they can’t live anywhere else because half or more of Larry’s wardrobe is orange and maroon, and he attends every home VT football and basketball (men and women’s teams) games. All the kids graduated from BHS and Virginia Tech, as well. She embraces quilting, Bible study and gardening, and Larry adores the New River for fishing and canoeing along with art classes, winemaking and bow hunting.

It’s a complete circle for Larry, and Carolyn loves being along for the ride!

This garden established in loving memory of Tom Ray A kind and gentle man 05-20-33 -- 01-01-14 20

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2015

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Re tire me n t

Chuck and Susan Bricken [photo by Nathan Cooke]

Roger and Diane Westman [photo by Nathan Cooke]

Having grown weary of suburban/city life, traffic congestion and lack of congeniality, Chuck and Susan Bricken decided to relocate once he retired as a lawyer for the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. “Distance between locations was expressed in units of time (usually hours),” Susan relates, “rather than miles. Doing anything that required leaving the house was difficult, and we never laid eyes on our next door neighbors, let alone met them.”

Like a pioneer, except with a car and GPS, Chuck headed southwest on an exploratory mission. “We wanted to be within reach of family in Raleigh, N.C., and northern Virginia,” Chuck explains. “Because we both grew up in the city, we felt that a university nearby would offer some cosmopolitan influence, so I turned the wheel toward college towns along the Shenandoah and Blue Ridge regions.”

He liked the New River Valley immediately. “We live with views that city folks drive hours to see,” Susan states, referring to rolling pastures and misty mountain mornings when she steps outside their Christiansburg home for the newspaper.

In the decade hence, they have served as Intermediate EMTs with Christiansburg Rescue, made friends, joined the ACBL duplicate bridge group, rescued many cats, and Susan trains in what she calls one of the best pools in the country at the Christiansburg Aquatic Center. “Life is so much easier here,” they say almost in unison, especially being close to nature and experiencing a friendliness they say permeates the New River Valley.

When you ask Roger and Diane Westman how they came to live in the New River Valley, the response is quick: 6 grandchildren. There’s also a fantastic son, much loved daughterin-law and now 3 great-grandchildren. The couple met at Iowa State University and raised their family in Colorado. Four short years ago, they left the Rocky Mountain State for Southwest Virginia and their first adventure living east of the Mississippi.

“There’s nothing not to like about it here,” quips Roger, who can be found most mornings reading the Wall Street Journal, a 40-year-long habit, at Mill Mountain Coffee & Tea or Panera Bread. Diane might catch a few more winks or enjoy a cup of coffee with her daughter-in-law. Roger and Diane have stepped out comfortably into church and community activities, like a day trip with the Blacksburg Senior Center crowd. Coincidentally, they all decided to try the same church on the same Sunday, and they are all still at Blacksburg Christian Fellowship.

Though there are some Western things they miss, the Westmans, married 55 years, do delight in songbirds, lightning bugs, locust and cicada sounds, rocks the size of potatoes (not automobiles) and the air. “The air is soft,” they concur. “Along with cookies, crackers and paper” [referring to our humidity, not common out West].”

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September/October

2015

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New River Valley AUBURN High School

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September/October

2015

Football Schedule 2015 FLOYD COUNTY High School AUG. 28 SEPT. 4 SEPT. 11 SEPT. 18 SEPT. 25 OCT. 2 OCT. 9 OCT. 16 OCT. 23 OCT. 30 NOV. 6

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NRV H o me

An Open Floor Plan ~ for the kids

Text by Joanne M. Anderson Photos by Natalie Gibbs Photography

Jim and Julie Snyder designed a home and a lifestyle perfect for raising their daughters, but their story begins in a 10 x 40-foot, single wide trailer in Floyd.

“It was our first home when we married,” Julie explains. “The second year we moved up to a double wide for four years.”

As they planned to build a house for which Jim would be his own contractor, Julie requested an interior openness that would permit her to see the children from any room on the main floor.

Radford native Jim loved growing up in a neighborhood where kids could ride bikes, play at each other’s houses and have fun right near home. Even though they were surrounded by farm land when they broke ground in Riner, the Snyders knew the street was slated for development, and with more houses would come more families and children.

With a basement for kids to play or have slumber parties and a first 26

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floor open for comfort and second floor with bedrooms, the house was ready for the newly growing family in 1994. “Our house is all about the kids,” says Julie.

It’s a friendly floor plan with a country casual feel. The main floor sports a spring meadow shade of green, and the delightful flowers over the mirror in what used to be the master bathroom were drawn and painted freehand by an artist friend.

That room is now home office space, as Jim finished a beautiful, L-shaped master bedroom over the garage.

Soft lavender walls are the perfect accent against teak furnishings. “We like teak for the sleek look and easy care,” Jim states.

Their dining room furniture is teak as well.

Julie is especially enamored with more storage, as there’s not much -- or any -- in a double wide.

Jim then built spacious decks, a good-sized playroom off the back of the main floor and began the landscaping.

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A multitude of perennials, annuals, shrubs, water features and grass are strategically and beautifully arranged on the 2.3 acres. Brick walkways, step stones on mulch and a variety of paths offer many places to stop, reflect and sit down. This is not lost on the wildlife, as a fawn was spending quiet time in their yard the day Natalie Gibbs came to take photos.

The couple met at Iowa State where Jim got his bachelor’s degree in horticulture due to the love of landscaping that his mom instilled in him. While there, he bought 18 acres in the bend of the Little River in Floyd County with a loan from his grandfather.

Upon graduation he took a job in Roanoke where he eventually managed the hydro seeding division and concurrently started Riverbend Nursery. The business sold last year, and while Julie bowed out as CPA for it, Jim has stayed on as CEO. For his own yard, he created a haven of shade (on property that didn’t have a single tree) and sun-loving perennials that were trial plantings for the

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nursery or overstock plants from the same.

However, this is not to be the retirement home of their dreams as they plan to move before the end of the year.

While looking for land as investment, the Snyders stumbled upon the perfect spot for a timber frame house on riverfront property, also in Montgomery County - a perfect spot, they agree, for adult children to visit and grandchildren to romp and play. “There will be a variety of wildlife in this more remote location,” Jim says, along with a rustic dwelling with open beams and natural materials.

“Living in the New River Valley is ideal. Given the warmth of the people, beauty of the countryside, wonderful new schools within a few minutes, mild climate with all the seasons, and proximity to anything you need, what more could you ask!” exclaims Julie, who grew up in Iowa. She already knows the new house will have sufficient storage, along with an open floor plan ~ to watch grandchildren perhaps this time around.

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2015

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NRV R i de s

Fill ‘er Up for $1,500 pricey tank of gas for a spectacular ride

Text by Karl H. Kazaks Photos by Tom Wallace [realpixs.com]

With his sinewy build, trim mustache, clear blue eyes and collected manner, Tony Royal comes off as a man of action. Put him in a flight suit, and you might take him for a fighter pilot. As it turns out, Royal really is a fighter pilot, and he owns a Czechoslovakian-made fighter jet, an Aero L-29 Delfin, which he hangars at the Virginia Tech Montgomery Executive Airport.

Royal, who was born in Christiansburg and has lived in the area most of his life, acquired the plane a few years ago from a man in Minnesota who got it from the former Czechoslovakia in 1994. The Delfin (or Dolphin) was designed as a military trainer jet aircraft in Soviet satellite countries. In some cases, the plane (of which some 3,600 30

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were manufactured), was modified to carry live armaments, with machine guns, bombs or rockets attached to two underwing hardpoints. Such planes saw action as part of the Egyptian air force in the Yom Kippur war. Saddam Hussein converted them into pilotless drones and used them in the first Gulf War.

“We shot them down like turkeys,” Royal says.

Today, Royal features his L-29 in air shows, performing aerobatic stunts including rolls, the Split S and banana passes. That later maneuver involves flying in a trajectory which resembles the shape of a banana and involves a high speed pass of the air show site at heights as low as 100 feet and speeds as fast as 300 knots. “All you can see is a blur,”

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Royal explains of the terrestrial scene outside of his window during a banana pass.

Beyond Royal’s piloting acumen, air show crowds can admire the look of Royal’s jet – it sports a red nose and red wingtips – as well as the distinctive whistling sound made by its jet engine.

“It draws a crowd wherever I go.”

Royal is permitted to fly the plane only for exhibitions and training.

Recently, he did some formation training with two other jets, another L-29 and an Aero L-39. During the training, the pilots flew their jets 10 feet apart, wingtip to wingtip. He’s also allowed to fly the plane only under visual flight rules (VFR), which means when the weather is good enough to allow Royal to see where he’s going.

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Royal’s Dolphin was manufactured in 1967. It has a pressurized cabin, an oxygen system and ejection seats (without charges). The flight controls are manual. The cockpit can fit two passengers, designed for the trainee to fly up front and the trainer, slightly elevated, in the rear. When the jets were converted to live combat use, the rear passenger controlled the ordnance. The only space for storing luggage is right under the seats.

When you account for the capacity of underwing drop tanks, as well as the internal fuel tank, the plane has a range of about 500 miles. It wasn’t made to be flown long distances. The Motorlet M-701c 500 turbojet engine generates 1,960 pounds of thrust, but by

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capturing only about 25 percent of the total power generated. The rest is used to turn the engine. Some think that the planes were outfitted with inefficient engines specifically in order to prevent defections from the Soviet bloc.

Royal’s jet has been remarkably durable. When he bought it, it had been sitting more or less unused in a hangar for 17 years. He had to change the tires and fuel filter and service the hydraulics.

He is an FAA-certified airframe and powerplant mechanic with inspection authorization. He put radios in, and then he was ready to fly it home from Minnesota.

It was a three-and-a-half hour flight, with four fuel stops. The plane can fly on kerosene and aviation gasoline as

well as jet fuel. “It’s a good aircraft,” Royal relates. “It flies like a charm. The Czechs are very ingenious people. They designed a very good aircraft, simple and effective.

It’s like a truck, very reliable.”

Royal estimates that there are about 125 L-29s registered in the U.S., with only 10 or 15 on the east coast.

Probably only 30 of the planes nationwide are actively flown. The planes themselves aren’t particularly expensive, but a full load of fuel costs about $1,500.

That’s a big expense, but it does allow you to travel at speeds over 400 mph and as high as 36,000 feet for more than 400 miles.

Being able to control a plane with that kind of power and capability, more than his looks and bearing, is what makes Tony Royal truly a jet pilot.

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CLEAR I N G C US T OM S

From Provo to Parenthood:

A Babymoon in the Paradise of Grace Bay

Text and Photos by Krisha Chachra

You don’t really need an excuse to escape to a beautiful Caribbean beach.

But if you chose Grace Bay on the island of Providenciales (Provo as the locals call it) in Turks and Caicos, there must be something you’re celebrating. For us, it was our last hoorah for a memorable vacation before we became parents. My husband took it upon himself to surprise me by whisking us off to this unforgettable destination for our Babymoon.

Much like a “honeymoon,” a “babymoon” is the couple’s excuse to relax and take a vacation before life changes forever. My husband knew he had to make it special; we are beach people, and he had to find a spectacular one. We traveled to Bora Bora and Tahiti for our honeymoon, but our babymoon had to be something considerably closer for obvious reasons. He got on the Internet and searched “best beaches in the world”. When comparing top 10 lists from every legitimate travel site available, Grace Bay consistently landed near the top; it is easy to get to from the East Coast. He packed my bag and a passport and drove to the airport. Within 2.5 hours after our connecting flight from Charlotte, we were transported to arguably the most gorgeous beach in the Caribbean.

Grace Bay is a staggering 12mile stretch of powdery white sand lining a backdrop of crystal clear turquoise water which goes knee-deep for miles. I have been to several beaches in the Caribbean, but honestly, Grace Bay drowns all the competition. The landscape is immaculate; the locals take so much pride in keeping their shoreline clean. No sign of trash; nothing floating in the water. No cruise ships or time shares allowed.

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Most of the hotels are actually condos that are ultimately for sale – none of them with exception of the Seven Stars resort where we stayed, are allowed to be more than four stories high. The locals are selfpolicing, too. If anyone is caught harassing a tourist, they are reported to the authorities and reprimanded. The locals know how important the tourism industry and their beaches are to the economy.

They make it easy for Americans; although it is a British Overseas Territory.

Local currency is the dollar, and ATMs are plentiful. Navigation around the island is easy if you remember to drive on the left. If that’s too much of a hassle, the locals will be happy to drive you, and their prices are fair and reasonable. There is a level of trust between people on this island – no one is here to cheat you or to haggle. In fact, most cab drivers will take you to your destination and ask that you call them back for a return trip; you pay them on your return.

The beach is untouched and not crowded. If you’re staying in one of the handful of resorts on the Bay, you most likely will have a beach attendant to serve drinks and food as you soak in the sun. The water is teeming with marine life; I found a brilliant orange star fish near the shoreline, but the conch is Provo’s main claim to fame.

The locals farm them, sell their shells and eat the meat as a delicacy. Definitely visit a conch farm or go on a snorkel trip where a local swimmer will free dive to the bottom of the ocean to retrieve one for you. They will extract the conch, make a conch ceviche for you eat and teach you to clean the shell so you can take it home as a souvenir. If that’s too rustic for you, at least try the cooked conch fritters at the famous barefoot diver

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bar, Bugaloo’s.

Speaking of restaurants, Provo has plenty of good eats including a variety of establishments for the refined palate.

The most popular, Coco Bistro, an openair dining experience under the palm trees, requires reservations months ahead of time.

We opted for the breathtaking sunset views of the bay and harbor at Magnolia on the terrace. For elegant, sophisticated flair, make reservations at Parallel23 to sample a fusion of exotic international flavors and Caribbean specialties.

But the real flavor of this island is truly experienced on the water. Grace Bay is perfect for anyone who wants to try paddle boarding, sailing or kayaking, as the water is calm and inviting for beginner water enthusiasts. If you’re more seasoned, venture to the other side of the Bay to Shore Club for some of the best kite surfing conditions in the world. Another popular water activity is horseback riding on the beach where the horses walk leg-deep in the ocean allowing you to graze your toes along water as you ride down the shoreline.

At the end of each relaxing day, we would sip cool drinks and unwind on the sand as the sun sank low on the water. Grace Bay was truly a paradise that gave us peace of mind and prepared us for the next grand adventure in our lives: parenthood.

Krisha Chachra is Vice Mayor of the Town of Blacksburg and a regular columnist and author who has traveled to over 40 countries in 6 continents and reported and hosted shows for public radio and television. Her columns are taken from her journals and personal insights from traveling nationally and internationally throughout her life. Her book about returning to Blacksburg, Homecoming Journals, may be found online or in local bookstores. Email her at kchachra@aol.com

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NRV Ar t s

Glass Menagerie

Text by Jennifer Poff Cooper Photos by Always and Forever Photography

“I’ve never known why or how ideas pop into my head. They just show up,” says stained glass artist Nikki Pynn.

She started with stained glass when she lived in Richmond, where she had earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting and Printmaking at Virginia Commonwealth University.

During her time there, she rented a room in a huge, 3-story house in the Fan District owned by VCU art professor Art Miller. He and his family lived on the first two floors and rented rooms on the third floor and in the basement. Pynn’s thenfiancé and now husband, David, rented a basement room for a summer. The basement was where Art would sometimes work on stained glass, and on one of her trips downstairs to visit David, she says she was “pulled” into the work area by the 34

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beauty of the glass. “I was caught,” Pynn says of her new-found fascination with glass.

From there, she learned by trial and error, going to Miller for critiques.

“Gradually, I went from crude cheap tools to the more refined ones made for stained glass work. Just after the birth of my first son, I worked in a stained glass shop in Richmond owned by a friend who let me bring Calvin. I worked with him strapped to my back until he became mobile, and I learned about organization of projects from that experience and perfected my soldering.”

Originally from Mississippi, then raised in New Orleans and later the northern Virginia area, Pynn moved to the New River Valley in 1990 when her husband got a job at the foundry in

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Radford. She has been on a journey to find the ideal studio for years.

“I have always worked on art in whatever space I could carve out for myself in basements, sheds and corners. I joke that my studio comes with a washer and dryer because usually there is one close by, including my current studio which is a real work space. When we made our last move, I didn’t care what the kitchen or bedroom was like. I focused on getting a decent studio, and we found the perfect place.”

Creatively, Pynn works best when she allows thoughts to jump around in her head as opposed to being strictly organized. She tends to work rapidly with more than one thing on the table at a time. “I don’t think about cleaning or organization until it’s piled above my

2015

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head,” she says.

Pynn doesn’t adopt a set style, though folks have deemed her work organic. “I really like that because I want lines to flow and appear to have a natural purpose. In terms of inspiration, she’ll say: “I like to have a ‘jumping off point.’”

A glass shard, in itself, can spark an idea.

“I don’t have a particular subject I work with but will go through themes. One winter, on a trip to the beach, I learned to do wire wrapping around sea glass.” She rarely does the same design twice.

About three years ago, Pynn started including found objects in her work.

“I had become bored with the usual flat panel after working in that manner since 1980. Adding objects became a challenge

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in logistics. I found that some things could be soldered onto glass. If not, I have to find another way to attach it. Creative problem solving makes working in this style more interesting. I feel like I’m still in an early discovery stage to the larger 3-D pieces and that there is a lot of open ground to cover,” she explains, despite working in stained glass for decades.

All types of people buy Pynn’s work. “Listening to them when they make a purchase, it’s usually because they are intrigued by what they see.” Pynn makes affordable pieces because she knows some people who want art have little to spend. “I love seeing the reaction of people viewing one of my larger, more complicated pieces.

Their interaction is a confirmation for me.”

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Her work is in a variety of galleries such as Chestnut Creek School of the Arts in Galax, Green Heron in Radford, and Artful Lawyer in Blacksburg. She participates in local shows like the Y Craft Show and Steppin’ Out as well. “I just grab opportunities as I can. Any sale I make, I consider money going to support my glass habit. I haven’t attempted to make a living off my art. I believe that will happen if it’s meant to happen.”

Her Facebook page perhaps captures the artist best: “Nikki Pynn Studio, home to a table constantly littered with broken glass. Colored clutter of finished and future ideas.”

2015

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NRV Bac k Ro ads & H i s t o r y

Fairlawn

Text by Sheila Nelson Old photos donated by members of the reunion committee

Radford Arsenal, a booming World War II war effort industrial complex, rose from a stretch of rural farmland along the New River in seven short months, and the area was changed forever. Peak employment in March of 1941 was 23,150.

People flooded into the region to work. Construction began on Fairlawn village, and each of the approximately 300 homes was occupied immediately upon completion. A village school opened in September of 1942 on a small strip of land sandwiched between Route 114 and Peppers Ferry Road. It was a two-room, tar paper building with windows on one side and two out-buildings that served as toilet facilities. Often referred to as the “chicken coop,” it was heated by huge iron stoves, and the pupils carried drinking water from Pepper Grocery across the

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street. The two rooms housed grades 1 to 5, and by 1945, the student population had risen to 110. It became necessary to teach some students in nearby facilities until a new school (Riverlawn) was built in 1949; the name came from “River” (New River) and “lawn” (Fairlawn).

Fairlawn Baptist Church began as a mission church sponsored by First Baptist of Radford. A Tuesday night prayer service in a private home developed into a strong body of believers, and in June, 1943, Fairlawn Baptist Church became a reality.

For a while this was Fairlawn’s only major church, so “it seems like everyone went there,” several long-time residents have commented.

The Fairlawn Civic League organized in August of 1948 and assumed the task of coordinating the effort to form

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a fire department. The Fairlawn Volunteer Fire Department began its life without the first piece of equipment to fight fire. Some old equipment in Belspring was usable, such as the pumping unit, but the truck was worthless. Pulaski County agreed to purchase a 1940 Dodge civil defense truck, which was outfitted by members of the department and other skilled residents during the winter of 1948-49.

The fire truck and equipment resided in the Fairlawn ESSO gas station at the intersection of routes 114 and 600.

A siren was installed on top of the ESSO station to notify department members of calls. Although the department was officially organized on December 14, 1948, monthly meetings were held throughout the community until August 1950 when the fire house was completed. According

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to minutes kept by past volunteers, the first recorded fire the group fought was at Gordon Dalton Grocery on May 13, 1949, and the fire occurred during the department’s regular monthly meeting.

Without playgrounds, ball fields and basketball courts, the kids of Fairlawn improvised and made their own fun, created make-do facilities and provided their own equipment. They skated on the pond, played various types of ball, and many took piano lessons from a private teacher. They all felt safe in the community.

In 1950, the Riverlawn School provided a ball field, and opportunities for play eventually came in the form of Riverlawn Rams football, Church League softball, and the Fairlawn Merchants baseball team.

A variety of small businesses developed in the Fairlawn community,

which has since expanded into one of the region’s fastest growing commercial areas. Many services from “back in the day” which have pretty much vanished into the annals of history are groceries on credit, free grocery gathering from lists called in, free delivery and part-time jobs for community youth.

Even after all this time, however, the 3.5 square miles of Fairlawn suffers from an identity crisis. Governmentally, it is located in Pulaski County, but is just across the Route 11 bridge from Radford.

Although an independent entity, but not an official town, it shares the same zip code as the City of Radford: 24141. Since the U.S. Postal Service assigns zip codes not by government designation but by geographical location, many attempts to obtain Fairlawn’s own zip code have been

denied. Residents and business people alike seem to be constantly attempting to get the word out: “It’s Fairlawn, NOT Radford!”

Unlike the locale, the kids of Fairlawn never seemed to have an identity crisis. Those who grew up there in the 1940s, ‘50s and ‘60s are having a fall reunion to celebrate and renew this sense of community.

Sheila Nelson is a Pulaski County freelance writer and frequent contributor to New River Valley Magazine.

For more information and details on the Sept. 19 Fairlawn reunion, contact Elinor Farmer, 540-239-1601 or ewfarmer@verizon.net

Dr. Karen Karvetski Fried, DO, MS 1999 South Main Street, Suite 305-A, Blacksburg

(540) 552-2302

stillpointosteopathy.net As the founder of Stillpoint Osteopathic Medicine in Blacksburg, Dr. Fried specializes in osteopathic manipulative medicine. Osteopathic medicine is a holistic form of medicine that focuses on the whole person instead of just treating symptoms. Dr. Fried uses her hands in a gentle non-invasive way to correct a wide variety of musculoskeletal problems including neck and back problems, sciatica, headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, recurrent ear infections, pregnancy problems, and newborn feeding difficulties and colic. Manipulative medicine can help people of all ages and backgrounds.

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Dr. Fried is welcoming new patients.

She is passionate about caring for people in this area because, as a local herself, they are her friends, acquaintances, and neighbors. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree from Virginia Tech and her Master’s degree at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She attended medical school at Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in Blacksburg and completed her residency at Carilion Clinic in Roanoke. Dr. Fried is board certified in family medicine and osteopathic manipulative medicine.

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In the G ar de n

Rain Barrels A one-inch rain event can generate up to 623 gallons of water on a 1,000 square foot roof Text and photos by Kelli Scott

People have been using rain barrels, or cisterns, for thousands of years to capture and store free water from the sky. Historical records show that rainwater was collected in simple clay containers as far back as 2,000 years ago. In recent years, they have regained popularity as drought conditions have persisted, and local utility companies have raised rates.

A one-inch rain event can generate up to 623 gallons of water on a 1,000 square foot roof, enough to fill over ten 55-gallon rain barrels!

In the New River Valley, precipitation is well distributed throughout the year with a maximum in July and the minimum in November. Monthly amounts of rainfall vary from less than ¼ inch to more than 10 inches.

The average annual rainfall from the National Weather Service Station in Blacksburg is approximately 41 inches. Assuming it was possible to catch all 41 inches of that rain, almost 30,000 gallons of reusable water could be collected each year from the average roof, which is more than enough for most families’ outdoor water needs.

Realistically, most people who have rain barrels only have one.

Let’s say this one barrel holds 55 gallons. One quarter of a 1000 square foot roof would generate about 70 gallons of rain run-off each time it rained 1/2 inch. The challenge would then be to use the 55 gallons of stored water before the next rain event. Let’s look at the flip side. As we all know, rain does not always fall uniformly throughout the year, and our late summer (August and September) tends to get dry. If a family had two or three barrels, they could collect enough water to get them through that ‘dry season’ and into the fall gardening season.

Why let good water go to waste when it can be collected, stored and used later? The overwhelming benefits of using rain barrels include: • Provides soft water for watering plants, washing cars and filling birdbaths or fish ponds • Alleviates demand on municipal treatment systems • Reduces polluted runoff • Lowers water and electricity bills and in some cases storm water charges 40

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• Reduces flooding • Recharges groundwater

Since 30 to 40 percent of a home’s summer water bill can go for outdoor use, a rain barrel can be part of the solution. Water collected in rain barrels isn’t drinkable (potable), but it is perfect for lawns and gardens, ponds and birdbaths. Rainwater, while it may be slightly acidic, is naturally soft and free of minerals, chlorine, fluoride and other chemicals so plants thrive on it.

It can be used for washing cars, decks and windows, as well.

The New River Valley Master Gardeners present rain barrel workshops and demonstrations throughout the New River Valley where participants have the opportunity to assemble a barrel out of a food safe container with hardware

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included. Then the barrel can be used to collect rain water at their home. The rain barrels can be placed in the yard or connected to a gutter downspout to collect water. The gutter option will generate a great deal more of the stored water vs. an open collection system.

A submersible pump can be included inside the barrel to provide a pumping system to a water hose or the barrel can be elevated slightly providing a gravity fed system to irrigate your landscape.

Rain barrels can be decorated or painted to add a lasting piece of garden art to the landscape. If you are interested in learning more about rain barrel workshops in the area, please contact Kelli H. Scott at the Virginia Cooperative Extension-Montgomery County office at 540.382.5790 or kescott1@vt.edu.

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NRV Dress for Success a Reality

No matter what we are told, the fact is that we do judge a book by its cover, a lady by her outfit and a meal by how it looks before we take a bite. It’s human nature, and one of the most important places for that proverbial first impression is on a job interview. This is challenging when you don’t have money for a nice quality dress, suit, skirt, blouse, pants or accessories that polish your image.

The New River Valley affiliate for the national Dress for Success program stands ready not only to help with the outfit, but also to assist with reviewing a resume, refining interview skills and advising on hair and make-up.

Across the nation, the program, of which Talbot’s in the national

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sponsor, has helped more than 750,000 women become success stories of their own.

Once a woman lands a job, Dress for Success provides a week’s worth of work outfits, plus ongoing training programs and workshops on topics like leadership and financial literacy. Participants need to be referred by an agency to come to the contemporary boutique in the NRV Business Center in Fairlawn. Peggy White, executive director of the Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce, has been instrumental, along with many others, in working tirelessly for three years to get the NRV Dress for Success operating for those who need just this kind of boost to reach their career goals.

September/October

100 Women for Success Gala Oct. 14, 2015 ~ 7 - 9 p.m.

Rockwood Manor ~ Dublin Guest speaker: Penelope Kyle, president of Radford University Silent Auction $100 donation to be [or sponsor] a leading woman in the NRV More info: peggywhite@pulaskichamber.info

2015

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NRV C o o k s

Cooking with

Caroline

Mediterranean Antipasti Salad

A Winning Touchdown!

The kitchen is the heart of a home, and I’ve discovered that good cooking is the way to a lot of people’s stomachs and hearts! Cooking allows creativity and appeals to all of our senses: smell, taste, touch, sight and hearing. There is no better gift than to cook for others – it’s a labor of love. I come from a long line of good cooks in my circle of family and friends, and we appreciate food not only for the nutrients but also because it’s a great way to connect with others. Growing up, my family always made time to sit down together for dinner, and our Sunday night tradition was making pizza.

Another favorite of mine is to cook for and host tailgate parties on the Virginia Tech campus during football season. I recommend easy, make-ahead dishes to please a crowd. Food safety is extremely important! Hot and cold perishable foods should be kept in insulated coolers. Cold foods should be kept on plenty of ice and held at 40 degrees, and hot foods should be held at 140 degrees. Crock pots are great, and there are several portable products that hold both hot and cold foods. Do not put food in direct sunlight, and the maximum time to leave food out is two hours; however, if the outdoor temperature exceeds 90 degrees, limit food exposure to one hour. Drinks should be in a separate cooler from food because it will be opened often. And, just like mother always said -- wash your hands! Have plenty of disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizer available.

Do your research and invest in a good set of pots and pans for optimal cooking performance because “you get what you pay for.” It’s better to buy good cookware versus replacing it every few years. I have used stainless steel for decades, and it still looks and performs as if it were brand new.

It is durable, timeless in design and cleans easily.

I also like cast iron, but it requires a lot of tender loving care.

My favorite recipes are quick, easy and delicious. Nothing makes me happier than to have a friend remind me how much he liked the margaritas and black bean and corn salsa I made for a tailgate party or the family member who now loves Caprese salad, something she had never tried until I made it for her. My two little bonus girls always ask me to make extra cheesy mac and cheese. I hope you enjoy this favorite:

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3 cups (12 ounce box) uncooked tri-color penne or spiral pasta ½ pound ounces provolone cheese, cubed* ½ pound pepperoni, cubed* ½ pound Genoa salami, cubed* 1 cup seedless Kalmata olives, sliced 1 cup garlic stuffed olives, sliced 1 cup cherry tomatoes or Cherubs, halved 1/3 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes 1/3 cup olive oil ¼ cup cider vinegar 1 ½ teaspoons dried oregano ¾ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon pepper 3 pepperoncini peppers

*Slices cut on #12 from the deli. I purchase olives and sun-dried tomatoes at the olive bar at Kroger on South Main Street in Blacksburg.

Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and rinse in cold water. In a large bowl, combine pasta, cheese, pepperoni, salami, olives and tomatoes.

In a jar with a tight-fitting lid, mix olive oil, cider vinegar, dried oregano, salt and pepper. Shake well.

Pour over pasta salad and toss gently.

(If taking to a party, add dressing upon arrival and toss.) Top with whole or sliced pepperoncini peppers. Serve immediately or chill to serve later.

Caroline Cook is a graduate of Towson University with a B.S. degree in communications/media studies. She lives in the NRV and is a radio and TV personality, often appearing as a guest cook on WSLS-TV’s “Daytime Blue Ridge” and as a commentator on WDBJ-TV’s “The Joy Sutton Show.”

September/October

2015

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July/August Corrections

We love hearing from people reading NRV Magazine, even if it’s to point out something we overlooked, got wrong or perhaps didn’t express in the best possible way, in this instance, in the July/August Healthcare Alphabet Soup feature.

An osteopathic medical student pointed out that D.O. does not stand for Doctor of Osteopathy, as we reported, but Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine.

The former, he wrote, “is a degree earned in other countries whereby the recipient CANNOT prescribe medications or perform surgery. The latter is a degree earned from one of the U.S. Osteopathic Medical Schools whereby the recipient CAN prescribe medications and perform surgery. It may seem like a small distinction, but it is actually a very important one.” Indeed it is. Thank you, Eric Warren.

40+ CRAFT BREWERIES

Another alert reader, Constance Ratliff, felt the same article was “extremely offensive to LPNs” in implying they give lower level care or that most of them work in nursing homes. Licensed Practical Nurses are every bit as dedicated to excellence in patient services as any healthcare staff person, and certainly, no disrespect was intended.

Dr. Steve Jacobs pointed out that we missed a few: OD - Doctor of Optometry DPM - Doctor of Podiatric Medicine OT - Occupational Therapist

It’s always challenging for a writer to craft feature articles on many different topics and intricacies in business and professional environments not connected to his or her expertise. Thank

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you for taking the time to set the record straight, and we apologize to anyone who found anything to be objectionable.

We strive for accuracy in all we do at New River Valley Magazine, but our staff is all human, all virtual, with a few dogs, cats and horses at our feet, on the desk or in the yard. Again, we appreciate all your feedback and suggestions!

COOKING WITH BEER

HOMEBREW COMPETITION

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17 NOON-5PM

NEW LOCATION: VT CORPORATE RESEARCH CENTER 1600 INNOVATION DRIVE PLATINUM SPONSORS:

PRESENTING SPONSOR:

Tickets available at both Blacksburg Kroger locations and online

PROCEEDS BENEFIT

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BLACKSBURGBREWDO.COM

September/October

2015

www.firstandmainblacksburg.com

FOLLOW US: @bburgfirstmain

Sankai Juku UMUSUNA (Memories Before History) Monday, November 9, 2015

to a beautiful landscape that unfolds before our eyes Individual tickets on sale now! www.artscenter.vt.edu | 540-231-5300 MOSS ARTS CENTER | 190 Alumni Mall, Blacksburg, VA