Nrv Magazine Jan-Feb 2017

NRV’s Premier Lifestyle Magazine

M A G A Z I N E January / February 2017

n r v m a ga z i n e.co m

Search. See. Love.

Find a place to hang your heart.

You need a Realtor® who knows the neighborhoods, the market and the process. Who can advise you when to think on it, sleep on it or go all in on it. Because this is about much more than bricks and sticks.

This is about your future home. And you don’t want to live with it. You want to love it.

Long & Foster. For the love of home.

Darin Greear REALTOR®

540.320.5859

“Helping You With All Your Housing Needs”

Anne Hite REALTOR®

540.320.9922

darin@rinerva.com www.RinerVA.com

anne.hite@longandfoster.com www.nrvhomes.com

Louise Baker

Hank Schneider

REALTOR®

540.320.0382

louiseybaker@gmail.com www.nrvhomes.com

Visit www.longandfoster.com or download our mobile app today!

3601 Holiday Ln. Blacksburg, VA 24060 | 540.552.1010

REALTOR®

540.998.9134

hank_schneider24060@yahoo.com www.hankschneider.lnf.com

Long & Foster was named “America’s Most Trusted Residential Real Estate Brokerage”

by Lifestory Research.

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Three dedicated operating rooms (ORs) for open heart procedures and only hybrid OR in the region

Dedicated cardiac and thoracic surgery intensive care units for post surgery care

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S eptemb er/Octob er 2016

CONTENTS

Januar y / Februar y 2017

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EXPLORE OUR DIGITAL CONTENT WHEN YOU SEE THIS LOGO

JUST DOWNLOAD THE FREE LAYAR APP AND SCAN THE PAGES WITH YOUR PHONE OR TABLET WHEN YOU SEE THE LAYAR LOGO Available in the App Store & Google Play:

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Jo rdan & Du s ti n 10 Mu s i cal l y E v er A f te r 14 Jess e & J e s s e 2 0 A ki sh a & R y a n 2 2 Re c i p e s 2 4

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Tr av el - S e d on a 2 6 N RV Ri des - 38 C h e v y 2 8 E n t repren eu r - Jef f Mitc h e l l 3 2 Made i n t h e N RV - Li z M e a r s 3 6 Go o s e Creek Fa rm s 4 0

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Prof i l e s 4 6

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A Romantic Retreat

Valentine’s at The Inn

Make this Valentine’s Celebration one to remember with a luxurious and romantic getaway.

Valentine’s Weekend - February 10-12, 2017

Sweet Romance Package Includes guest room for two, strawberries and champagne (or sparkling cider), breakfast for two in Preston’s Restaurant and late checkout.

$199.00*

The Preston’sPackage

Includes all the amenities of the Sweet Romance Package plus an elegant dinner for two in Preston’s Restaurant.

$299.00*

A Night of Wine & Roses

A romantic dinner for two featuring four delectable courses and live entertainment. Perfectly paired with romantic wines for an additional $12.95* per person.

Dinner available on February 10, 11 and 14. $99.00** per couple

For Reservations, call 540.231.8000 *Prices do not include tax. **Price does not include tax and gratuity.

901 prices fork road blacksburg, va 24061 www.InnatVirginiaTech.com

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NEW RIVER VALLEY M

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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 Kelsey Foster Sheila Nelson Emily Alberts Jennifer Cooper Mike Wade PHOTOGRAPHERS Natalie Gibbs Photography Amodeo Photography Always and Forever Photography Tom Wallace Kristie Lea Photography Nathan Cooke Photography SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER Justin Ashwell Cover Photo by Leah Nicole © 2017 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.

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Just in case you did not download the free LAYAR app and scan our pages to see the videos behind them, you have two opportunities again. It’s easy, and when you hold your smartphone over the whole page, you’ll be rewarded with an engaging, behind-the-scenes video. It’s the interactive magazine feature you don’t want to miss on pages 24 and 36. I have a video of Noble and Boaz running. Let me know if you want to see that behind Pasture Talk. You don’t have to be a horse lover to admire the grace and elegance of Thoroughbreds in motion.

And if you missed “The Nutcracker” at the Moss Arts Center on Dec. 17, you indeed missed one of the premier performances in the New River Valley. As Heather Leeper, founder of Little Leapers and LEAP Performing Arts Academy, welcomed hundreds, maybe a thousand or more, seated in the Anne and Ellen Fife Theatre, I was struck by her crediting so many who helped her with so much to present “The Nutcracker.” You know those moments and events you simply cannot describe adequately, so you say: “You had to be there.” I’m a writer, and all I can say is: “You had to be there.” Danny and Meredith White, whose 5-year-old daughter Addie has been taking dance lessons under Heather for two years, did sum her up at intermission in one beautiful word: Remarkable. That’s you, Heather!

Continuing the theme of missing out, you might make a concerted effort to pick up the

Pasture Talk

latest book from NRV writer Michael Abraham for some cozy winter reading.

“Chasing the Powhatan Arrow” is a fascinating “travelogue in economic geography,” following the train tracks on which the Powhatan Arrow ran from Norfolk to Cincinnati, exploring people, places, history and cultures along the way. Rather than chapters, the book presents intriguing observations about the stops ~ including Christiansburg, Pearisburg and Bluefield. Krisha Chachra takes NRV Magazine readers to exotic locales around the world and the USA [Sedona AZ this issue], and Michael Abraham takes us into the hearts of towns and people practically in our own backyards.

Thanks in advance for a wonderful year to come … we treasure our advertisers, value our readers and appreciate all who share their lives, homes, businesses, animals and even dreams in these pages. Happy New Year … to you! To us! To all!

Joanne Anderson ManagingEditor jmawriter@aol.com

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DESTINED FOR A DELIGHTFUL DAY Text by Jennifer Poff Cooper Photos by Leah Nicole

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Fate seemed to bring together Jordan Mann and Dustin McCoy. Acquaintances since high school, they both attended a friend’s graduation dinner. “When we locked eyes that night, we knew that we were going to have a story together,” states Jordan.

Fast forward a few months ... Jordan had lunch with a mutual friend of theirs and jokingly told the friend she planned to marry Dustin McCoy. The friend laughed out loud and related: “That’s funny because he said the same thing about you.”

“I texted him [Dustin] and asked when are we getting married, 10

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and he responded that he had his bags packed!” Jordan recalls. She was in nursing school in West Virginia and visited Dustin in Nashville, Tenn., where he was attending auto mechanic school. They became a couple after only one meeting.

Dustin hails from Newport and Jordan is from Peterstown, W.V. She followed him just over the border to the New River Valley, taking a nursing job in Blacksburg. “This is officially my home sweet home,” she declares. “We couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.

It’s the most beautiful place on earth.”

The couple became engaged

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on March 5, 2016, and set the wedding for Sept. 17, giving them just six months to plan. All went incredibly smoothly, and Jordan never stressed throughout the process. “I owe a lot of that to the sweetest mama and mother-in-law,” she smiles. “I had a wedding planning book that my cousin bought for me, and Dustin and I took that planner and wrote down a list of things that were important to us for our wedding day.”

Fate intervened again when Jordan shopped for her wedding gown.

“My mama, mother-in-law, three best friends, cousin and husband’s aunt all went with me to find the dress. When

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Dustin & Jordan NRVMAGAZINE.com

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we walked in, Jane at AmRhein’s [in Roanoke] said: You have got to try on the Melanie by Maggie Sottero.” It was the first dress I tried on. My best friend cried, and I knew it was the one. To be sure, I tried on 10 more gowns, but came back to that first one. It was a magical moment, and I wanted to wear it everywhere.”

The biggest challenge was deciding on a venue. The couple finally opted for a backyard wedding and felt lucky that her parents have a beautiful backyard. In an unusual move, the couple did not have a wedding party.

“We have many amazing friends, whom we honored with roses and a VIP section, but Dustin and I decided that our wedding day was about the two of us joining as one in the eyes of God, and we wanted that to be the focus.”

Though the wedding was in Peterstown, the couple used several vendors from the New River Valley.

Narrows Flower Shop created the

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bride’s wildflower bouquet, and the DJs were Kelly and J.P. Griffith of Pembroke.

Jordan was in for a treat with her mother being a master esthetician who owns Allure Spa and Skin Health Boutique in Pearisburg. She received microdermabrasion to prepare her skin and a massage to relax. Her mother contributed her own supplies and skills to help with makeup for Jordan and her best friends, who were with her getting ready.

Country elegance was the wedding theme, and Jordan’s favorite details include cowgirl boots donned under her wedding gown; a pin attached to her boot that was her Gram’s, who passed away when she was 11; her mother’s engagement ring worn for good luck for a long happy marriage.

“One of my favorite food things is that we had a donut bar,” Dustin adds. “We love donuts, especially the ones from Hilltop Grocery in Newport. They made the most delicious and pretty donuts for our wedding.”

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Sadly, on the Thursday before the wedding Dustin’s grandfather passed away unexpectedly.

“We experienced grief and sadness mixed with the joy and excitement of our upcoming wedding. We decided that he would have wanted us to get married as planned, so we saved him a seat at our wedding with his Dodger’s ball cap and a white rose.”

Jordan didn’t have time to get her eyebrows done or the spray tan she scheduled, and the couple had to push the honeymoon back a couple of days for the funeral. They quickly realized those things didn’t matter. “We both were reminded how fragile life really is,” says Jordan.

“What mattered was that I was getting ready to marry the love of my life and my best friend.” Whether through decision or destiny, or both, the wedding was everything the couple dreamed it would be.

Jennifer Poff Cooper is a Christiansburgbased freelance writer who frequently contributes to New River Valley Magazine.

2017

“What mattered was that I was getting ready to marry the love of my life and my best friend.”

NRVMAGAZINE.com

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Musically Ever After

By Emily Kathleen Alberts

After setting the date, choosing the venue and planning the menu, the next item on the agenda of any brideto-be should most certainly be the entertainment. From Here Comes the Bride to The Electric Slide, a talented wedding musician can seamlessly guide guests through the events of your special day without missing a beat.

While everyone can certainly appreciate a nice wedding band (now that has a nice ring to it!), a Disc Jockey is likely to have a deep catalogue of offerings that can appease both the young and the young at heart, with the added bonus of affordability. Clever ways of cutting costs can be tempting when you’re planning a wedding on a budget, but be warned that a friend, relative or even a DJ from the club is not always the best choice. As simple as it seems, even a friend handling 14

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a Spotify list can go horribly wrong with the touch of a button. If you decide to go with a friend or lesser known band, make sure that they practice, practice, practice ahead of time. They need to have their set list down, equipment ready and arrive with plenty of time to set up (five hours lead time is not unreasonable).

Many couples opt for a live musician for the wedding ceremony and then switch gears for the reception, hiring a professional DJ. After you’ve decided on your theme (chic, beach-y, country, jazzy, classical or casual), here are a few things to keep in mind when interviewing potential entertainers: How much experience do you have?

Referrals are a key part of this process.

You want someone who has been in the game long enough to know how to read

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a room, create an atmosphere and reach out to those “chair dancers” to make sure everyone gets out on the dance floor at least once.

Will you emcee? Hiring someone who agrees to emcee means your guests will know what’s happening next and ensures they won’t miss events like the bouquet toss or cutting the cake. Making announcements and guiding guests through transitions of the night makes all the difference. Your emcee will want to go over name pronunciations and announcements ahead of time. Also make sure your emcee comes dressed for the occasion, since he or she will likely be a key focal point.

Fun ideas to lighten the mood?

Laughter is a great way to release

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Fun song suggestions for the Father/Daughter dance: My Girl by The Temptations Wonderful Tonight by Eric Clapton The Way You Look Tonight

by Frank Sinatra Stand By Me by Ben E. King What a Wonderful World

by Louis Armstrong Wedding music:

stress and help people unwind. A good entertainer might have a few tricks to ensure the mood stays upbeat and fun.

A quick round of bride/groom trivia and the ever popular “Shoe Game” are clever ways to keep things exciting.

Do you take requests? If so, make sure they use polite discretion and that their music is all edited. You don’t want to set off any pacemakers! Some couples create a “Do Not Play” list. It’s your night, and you only get one chance to make it perfect, so why take any chances? Make sure your entertainers know many different types of music, and the appropriate times to play it. “You want floor-fillers, not floorKILLERS,” says local New River Valley DJ Rick Pruett.

What time will you arrive? Even pros who’ve been in the business for decades 16

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know the benefits of arriving early to set up and iron out the kinks. There can be unexpected issues.

How late will you stay? Mark Taylor at Master Taylor Entertainment has been a special events DJ for more than 20 years and says: “My goal is to be sure that when I’m calling the last dance, you’re asking me if I can play for another hour!”

In short, with the right entertainer at the helm, you can be sure your big day is filled with smiles and laughter. “Pay the cost to be the boss for one day,” Taylor says. In other words, put your money where it means the most by making sure everyone has a great time.

Emily Kathleen Alberts is a Blacksburg-based freelance writer who enjoys writing about science, technology, music, adventure and everything else under the sun.

January/February

• • • •

pre-ceremony processional solo or special music or hymn recessional

Cocktail hour ~ the time between the ceremony’s conclusion and reception’s beginning, often when the wedding party and families are in photo sessions. It’s a mingling kind of atmosphere that promotes snacking and conversation, so the music should not be very loud or overwhelming in the space.

Reception music: • background at first • the married couple’s grand entrance • first dance • parent dances • garter/bouquet toss • meal or grazing time • cake cutting • party and dancing • last dance

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HOME IS . . .

WHERE THE ADVENTURE NEVER ENDS

Let’s prepare you for the best run of your life!

JEREMY HART

400 N. Main Street, Blacksburg, VA

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Associate Broker Jeremy@NRVLiving.com 540.998.4731 NRVLiving.com NestRealty.com

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Start your adventure together at the Edge

Four acres of beautifully groomed grounds on the banks of the New River. Completely private, with lodging, pavilion, gazebo and a fleet of river toys for you and your wedding party to use.

NewRiversEdge.com | 540.599.8382

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January/February

2017

Plan the wedding of your dreams in Virginia’s Mountain Playground ™ Visit GilesCounty.org for more information.

#gilescova

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Jesse & Jesse Lykins Location: Floyd Event Center Date: June 11, 2016 Photography: Kristie Lea McCallum Kristie Lea Photography

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2017

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Bride: Alisha Mitrev Groom: Ryan Martin Location: Inn at Riverbend Date: June 25, 2016 Photographer: Shannon Ainsley Always and Forever Photo

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NR V F o od F a re

Sweetheart Treats Text, recipes and photos by Kelsey Foster Video by Prime Factory

Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to bake something sweet for someone you love. Flourless Chocolate Cake is a chocolate lover’s dream; use high quality chocolate for the most flavorful result. The Raspberry Sweet Rolls are such a fun take on the classic recipe and great for those who prefer something other than chocolate. If you’re looking for a kid-friendly recipe, the Festive Candied Popcorn is a sure crowd-pleaser and only requires a microwave to create, making it an easy way to include children in the kitchen.

Festive Candied Popcorn (Yield: ~ 12 cups)

Two (2) 9- oz. bags popcorn, popped (about 12 cups popped) 12 oz. vanilla candy coating 1/4 cup red sprinkles 1/4 cup pink sprinkles 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips Pop popcorn in microwave according to package directions then transfer to a large mixing bowl.

Place vanilla candy coating in a medium glass bowl.

Microwave for 20-second intervals, stirring in between each time, until melted.

Immediately toss popcorn with the melted vanilla candy coating then mix in red and pink sprinkles until coated.

Line a baking sheet with wax paper. Spread popcorn mixture in an even layer on the baking sheet.

Place chocolate chips in medium glass bowl and microwave for 20-second intervals, stirring in between each time, until melted.

Using a spoon, drizzle the chocolate over the popcorn. Let harden for at least 15 minutes then break up into smaller pieces.

Store in an airtight container.

SCAN THIS PAGE WITH THE LAYAR APP TO SEE DIGITAL CONTENT Download for free at:

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Kelsey Foster is a freelance writer, blogger extraordinaire and California transplant to the New River Valley who writes a clever food and lifestyle blog, aslolife.com, with tips on food, fashion and home decor. Her excellent recipes, creativity and photography appear in every issue of NRV Magazine.

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Raspberry Sweet Rolls (Yield: ~18-20 rolls) For the dough: 4 1/2 tsp. yeast 1 cup lukewarm water 6 Tbl. shortening 1 cup white sugar 1 Tbl. salt 2 cups hot water 9 cups all-purpose flour 2 eggs, beaten olive oil For the filling: 4 cups frozen raspberries 1/3 cup white sugar 1 tsp. lemon zest 1 1/2 tsp. cornstarch 1/2 cup butter, melted 1/2 cup light brown sugar For the frosting: 8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature 2 cups powdered sugar 1 tsp. lemon zest 1/2 tsp. lemon juice 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

onto the dough, leaving about 1-inch on each side.

and bake for another 10 minutes, or until tops begin to brown.

Starting on one of the long ends, roll the dough into one long roll. Using a floured knife, cut the rolls into 1.5- to 2-inch sections.

Carefully transfer rolls to one of the 9x13 pans.

Remove from oven and set aside to cool.

Steps:

Repeat with the second section of dough.

Dissolve yeast in lukewarm water and let sit for about 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, combine shortening, sugar and salt with hot water in a bowl of stand mixer and mix on medium speed about 30 seconds, then let cool until lukewarm.

With mixer on low, stir in 2 cups of flour and mix until combined. Then add yeast and continue mixing. Add eggs.

Using a dough hook on medium-high, gradually add remaining flour until completely combined. Let the mixer knead the dough for at least 2 minutes then turn out on floured surface. Continue kneading until dough is smooth and stretchy.

Coat a large bowl with oil. Roll dough into a ball with your hands, then place in bowl, making sure all sides get coated with oil. Cover with a warm, moist towel and let rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes or until dough doubles in size.

When the dough is almost done, combine frozen raspberries, sugar, lemon zest, and cornstarch in a medium bowl and mix well.

Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees. Grease two 9x13 pans and set aside.

When the dough is ready, cut in two sections.

Roll one on floured surface into a long rectangle. Coat with half of the melted butter and sprinkle with half of the brown sugar.

Distribute half of the raspberry mixture evenly NRVMAGAZINE.com

Place raspberry sweet rolls in oven and bake at 425Âş for 10 minutes then reduce heat to 350

While the rolls cool, combine cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract in the bowl of a stand mixer. Mix on medium speed until smooth.

Using a spatula, spread frosting evenly over rolls.

Flourless Chocolate Cake 4 oz. bittersweet chocolate 1/2 cup unsalted butter 3/4 cup sugar 3 eggs 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1 tsp. espresso powder 1/2 cup powdered sugar

(Yield: one 8-inch cake)

Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease an 8-inch round springform pan and set aside.

Chop or break chocolate into small pieces. Place chocolate and butter in medium glass bowl and microwave for 20-second intervals, stirring in between each time, until melted.

Carefully remove bowl from microwave. Stir in sugar, then eggs and whisk.

Sift cocoa powder into mixture. Add espresso, whisk until just combined.

Pour cake batter into the greased springform pan, then place in oven. Bake 20-25 minutes, or until a thin crust forms on top.

Remove cake from oven and place on rack to cool about 10 minutes. Transfer to desired serving plate and remove springform pan.

Using a sifter, dust powdered sugar on top of cake.

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CLEAR I N G C US T OM S

The Spirit of Sedona

Story and photos by Krisha Chachra

Although you don’t need a passport to get there, a trip to Sedona, Ariz., may feel like a foreign experience. There aren’t many places in the country that claim to be built on a vortex – an area where electromagnetic lines intersect to enhance linear energy flow. Although Sedona is enveloped by them, the city has four main vortex sites, which are havens for spiritual meditation and finding balance – Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock, Airport Mesa and Boynton Canyon.

The native American population, including members of the Hopi, Navajo and Yavapai tribes, consider Sedona sacred 26

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ground and recognized the power and energy of the vortexes long before Page Bryant, a local medium, named them in the 1980s. Once detected, a vortex is said to have an upward flow which boosts the expansion of one’s spiritual energy or an inward flow which enhances spiritual introspection. It is said that the life within a vortex is amplified; everything that grows in its radius is more beautiful and robust.

People from worlds away come to sit among the giant red rocks that look like they’re on fire during the sunset. The landscape feels magical with nothing but rust colored land and towering mountains

January/February

that look like they’ve been built out of sand.

Walt Disney was so taken by the site line in Sedona as he sat on a ledge overlooking Thunder Mountain that it inspired him to design his popular train-like roller coaster.

So much energy, creativity and spiritual balance is centered here that even the local government doesn’t want development to compete with the perfection of nature’s surroundings. Strict ordinances and style books forbid retail and restaurants from building higher than two stories or deviating from the acceptable earth-tone colors for signs or paint.

If you’re not in Sedona to find

2017

spiritual fulfillment, it is still a beautiful place to replenish your energy, even if you don’t believe in sitting in energy fields.

Take a Pink Jeep Tour The Pink Jeeps pop out against the red mountainside. This offroad adventure tour has thrilled visitors for more than 50 years taking up to seven passengers in a souped-up Jeep up and down the steep terrain. Definitely not designed for babies (although they do provide car seats for infants, I wouldn’t recommend it) or anyone with health issues, we opted for the Broken Arrow tour which took us in the heart of Sedona’s outback. During a thrilling ride of bumping and bouncing over steep hillsides into canyons, we learned the history of this great land from our knowledgeable adventure guide who managed to get us back in one piece despite driving down a dried out waterfall as a shortcut. Tamer, scenic options are available – pinkjeeptourssedona.com

Get a Spa Treatment This city is a magnet for those who study the art of mindfulness and massage therapy. The resort spas are over-the-top exquisite – The Enchantment Resort being the most decadent and aesthetically pleasing. Boutique spas downtown, however, can restore and relax just as nicely. We chose Sedona’s New Day Spa which offered some desert nature body treatments with local flair such as the Turquoise Sage Mountain Arnica or Cedarwood Citrus Wild Chaparral. A traditional sweat lodge steam experience is also on the spa list. Come early to dunk yourself in the outdoor hot tub and sit around the table fire while you sip healing stone infused water and learn about your spirit animal.

Have a Fabulous Meal If all this New Age living isn’t your cup of tea, try a modern dinner.

Honestly, the restaurants in Sedona are top-notch – up there with what I know to be the best of the best. The experience at L’Auberge might most accurately be described as ethereal. In dining on the banks of Oak Creek, listening to water rushing by, you might feel like you’re in your very own Thomas Kincaid painting. The fairytale backdrop sets the scene for the rustic dishes, beautifully presented and garnished with elements of nature for dramatic effect (think moss and tiny twigs surrounding a smoky mushroom and onion soup bowl). The spectacular views from Che Ah Chi restaurant at Enchantment Resort go unmatched. The name comes from what Apaches call Boynton Canyon which is said to have prehistoric ruins, sacred spaces and healing waters. Get there a few hours before dark and grab a drink on the expansive patio. When the sun hits the rocks, the deep reds, oranges and yellows glow around you like a warm fire and you instantly feel at peace. That’s Sedona – energetic, breathtaking, spiritual – a place that’s good for your mind, body and soul.

Krisha Chachra serves on the Town Council of Blacksburg and is a regular columnist and author. She 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 NRVMAGAZINE.com

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NRV R i de s

One Piece at a Time ... across 17 years restoring a 1938 Chevy sedan Text by Karl H. Kazaks | Photos by Tom Wallace

When Todd Ratliff was growing up in far southwest Virginia, his grandfather nicknamed him Hot Rod Todd. Todd had caught the car bug from his grandfather, a car salesman, and his father, who loved to tinker with old cars. The nickname is still appropriate today as Ratliff has just finished a years-long project restoring and modernizing a 1938 Chevy two-door sedan, utilizing a combination of original styling and modern technology.

“It’s been my lifelong dream,” he says. “I wish I had done it 10 years ago.” At first glance, the car appears to have been restored to original specifications – the grill is original, and the headlights and hood 28

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ornament have been re-chromed. The car even has the top-hanging window wiper original to the design. But to hear the aggressive, throaty rumble of its Jet Ram Air 350 engine is to know the car has been modernized. No longer does it have the inline 6 engine it had when it came off the factory line, when it needed a manual crank to start.

Some of the modernizations aren’t as obvious. The LED headlights, for example. Or the automatic windows, operated with a switch made to look exactly like a manual crank handle. As fresh as the car looks today, restoring the car was a labor of love that took 17 years to

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complete.

“It was a neighborhood find,” Ratliff relates. “The frame was rusted in two. I call it my Johnny Cash car. I got it one piece at a time.” Some parts were easy to find – the new crate engine, the Flowmaster side mufflers which are a departure from the original rear mufflers. Others were more difficult. “I hunted six years for an original stainless steel grill and finally found one in Arizona.” The grill is particularly hard to find because it is different than the grill of the 1937 Chevy. Though there weren’t that many differences between the two model years, the grill on the later car had horizontal rather than vertical lines.

2017

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The taillights on Ratliff’s Chevy are from a 1939 Ford, not an easy confession for a Chevy man like Ratliff to make. But Ratliff likes the teardrop look of the Ford lights, and says that “if there was a Ford car I’d like, it’d be a 1939 Ford. I love a fat fender car.”

And the fat red fenders on Ratliff’s Chevy are literally the cornerstones of the car’s design, a signal both of its earlier, pre-war era of engineering and its timeless elegance. Inside the car other modernizations are apparent.. The upholstery was done by Bishop Upholstery using front seats from a 2000 Chrysler Sebring. “It was very fortunate it all fit,” Ratliff observes. “Timmy [Bishop] built an armrest for it.”

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One advantage of the modern seats is that they have seatbelts integral to the seat. Thus, Ratliff could provide for driver and passenger safety without have to mount seatbelts to the car’s interior walls. Todd gives credit to Thomas at Extreme Auto Body for years of diligent attention to the body work and the quest for perfection.

In addition to the ’38, the Ratliff household has another memorable car, his wife Jeanie’s 50th anniversary 2003 Corvette. The ’Vette has a few modifications, a spoiler and Corsa exhaust. “It adds some chrome to the car,” Ratliff adds. As for the exterior of the’38, Ratliff didn’t have to do much. “The lines on this car are perfect.”

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Entrepreneurial Attorney Counsels Entrepreneurs Jeff Mitchell embraces economic development

By Mike Wade Those are exciting moments and it’s very satisfying to be part of that.”

Despite his positive experiences in working with other business owners, Mitchell admits his own decision to become an entrepreneur wasn’t one that was easily made. “It was a traumatic time for me personally,” he recalls. “I knew it was time for me to go out on my own, but I also struggled with the uncertainty of what that might look like because I had a wife and daughter to think about and a mortgage to pay. Fortunately, I had a network of three or four people who knew me well, and at that critical moment, they were willing to give me a not-so-proverbial kick in the butt.”

If small businesses are the backbone of our region’s economy, Blacksburg lawyer Jeff Mitchell is the chiropractor. Mitchell has dedicated his professional career to supporting economic development in southwest Virginia. It was the focus of his work while on the staff of former Governor Gerald Baliles and has continued for more than two decades as a practicing attorney.

“In today’s economy, I think it’s critical that we foster an entrepreneurial environment,” explains Mitchell. “There is an enormous number of businesses in 32

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our area that are not big chains, and I’ve always believed that it’s more important to have 10 businesses that create five jobs each than one big business that opens and creates 50 jobs.”

A native of Tazewell, Mitchell says he believes an attorney’s role in the start or expansion of a business should be that of a supporting cast member. “Early in my career, I realized that I enjoy working with businesses because my clients are generally always happy,” he notes.

“They’re looking to sell their business, buy a business, launch a product and so on.

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Mitchell’s law firm has five people on staff, including one associate attorney and one paralegal. The firm was recognized as the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce’s 2014 Small Business of the Year, and he has plans to eventually expand in order to better serve the far southwest region of the state.

Still, he says he’s faced with the same challenges as any other small business owner.

“I have to think about hires and adding folks to our team, what kind of advertising we’re going to do, cash flow, those kind of things,” Mitchell adds. “I think we also have unique challenges in the area of competition. Fortunately, I’ve always been a glass half-full kind of person, and I think there are plenty of opportunities for folks who are doing the same thing we are.”

Mitchell has made a point to also support the community he calls home.

He often utilizes interns from Virginia Tech and Blacksburg High School. “As business owners in the New River Valley, I believe we have a responsibility to provide opportunities for young people at these

2017

levels because we certainly enjoy the benefits of being here.”

A first-generation college graduate, Mitchell credits his parents and members of his hometown Rotary Club for developing his sense of community spirit. “My parents were actively involved in anything I was associated with,” he says.

“So, it’s a combination of the way I was raised and mentoring I received from Rotary members who took me under their wings. Those same individuals gave me motivation as I was heading off to school at Virginia Tech to make something of myself and become a success. Most of them were Golden Hokies and I wanted to reach that same goal. Fortunately, my wife and I have been very blessed, and I’ve been able to do that.”

As for giving advice to anyone considering starting a business, Mitchell is quick to point out that the process is both easier and less expensive than most would think. “You need very little capital up front in most cases to launch a business, and you can’t be afraid of failure. Sometimes, things may not work out on your first attempt, or even your second attempt. You just have to learn from those failures and use the experiences to bounce back.”

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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Easy Ways to Warm Up This Winter Family Features

As the cold weather settles in, staying snuggled up in your comfortable house around the clock may be tempting, but it’s not very realistic. So when you come back inside from work, running errands or a quick snowball war with the kids, you’ll need some easy ways to warm up.

Heat yourself from the inside out with these ideas: Take a bath with warm water to help you relax and return your body to a comfortable temperature. Add a hint of lavender or another favorite scent for some aromatherapy. Start with a moderate temperature and gradually add more hot water as needed to avoid shocking your system.

Toss blankets in the dryer before you head outside to play in the snow, get the mail or shovel the driveway. When you get back inside, you’ll have a cozy, warm 34

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blanket to wrap yourself in and chase away the bone-deep chill.

Stick with soup, especially one that you can prepare and be ready to enjoy quickly, such as Idahoan Premium Steakhouse Potato Soups, which give you a taste of a savory steakhouse restaurant-style soup in your own home. Made with real Idaho red potatoes with flavorful spices and rich cheeses for a creamy taste in every spoonful, Idahoan Steakhouse Potato Soups cook in just five minutes. Look for four delicious flavor varieties: Creamy Potato, Loaded Potato, Cheddar Broccoli and Three Cheese Chipotle.

Add a layer. Nothing says comfort like a favorite sweatshirt that has been worn and washed so many times it’s practically a second skin. When you come in from outdoors, dress in cozy layers and ditch the extras as your body temperature returns to normal.

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Rely on smart technology. While you’re outdoors or on the way home, access your smart thermostat remotely and give the indoor temps a nudge so you walk in the door to some toasty warmth. Just remember to program a reset to your normal climate so you don’t get steamed when you get the bill later.

Bake your way warm. If you rarely make time to indulge a hobby like baking, the heat from a busy kitchen may be all the excuse you need. Crank up the oven and get busy mixing up your favorite treats.

Soak up the sun. Once indoors, away from the biting wind and cold, the sun’s rays can boost your spirits and warm your body. Take a note from the family cat and make yourself comfy in a ray of sunlight.

Find more ways to keep warm this winter at Idahoan.com.

Image courtesy of Getty Images

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Made i n t h e N R V

Harnessing the Power of Man’s Red Flower* from her studio in Floyd, Liz Mears lets her creativity burn bright Text by Emily Kathleen Alberts | Photos by Kristie Lea Photography | Video by The PRIME Factory

W

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While many of us spend considerable time perched in front of the glow of a bright screen, Elizabeth “Liz” Mears spends many hours each day perched in front of the glow of a bright flame. Staring down at the glass as it changes properties, shapes and character at the mercy of her torch, Liz’s hands are almost working autonomously. “I’ve been at it for so long now, “she recounts. “My hands just know what to do.”

Flameworking is a technique of working with hot glass. Rods or tubes of glass are held in the flame of a bench torch where the glass is softened, then shaped by sculpting and/or blowing. “Once you learn 36

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the limits of glass and how to respect its properties,” Liz says, “you can do almost anything.”

Walking around her studio, it is easy to see that Liz Mears has mastered the art of glass. A giant, shining chandelier, made of woven flameworked glass, hangs delicately from the ceiling. Large panels of glass books stand on pedestals, their translucent pages etched with poetry and beautiful black and white images that have been burned into the glass. Liz explains that this project was a collaboration with her daughter, Lindsey, who is a poet and artist.

Liz’s sculpture invokes a sense

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of spirit and nature, where the forms of the natural world give shape to her own memories and guide her creative process. In her studio, baskets that look like crystalline lattice structures are filled with colorful glass leaves, and the result is breathtaking. “I wanted it to look like the leaves had just been scooped up from the forest floor and carried inside.” A particularly captivating sculpture is placed above her wood stove. This piece looks like a bundle of sticks – made of glass -- in a mesh wire firewood bag. “For this piece, entitled Memories, I took hollow glass tubes and burned pine needles inside them, letting the glass fog with smoke,” she explains.

2017

“I then placed old radio antennae on the ends of the tubes to seal the ‘memories’ inside, but also transmit them to the outer world.

The smoky glass represents the way our memories can become clouded with time and age. The radio antennae represent the way our memories guide our behavior.”

Liz’s long held passion for flameworking is reignited each time she teaches a beginner workshop and watches her students’ eyes light up when they create their first piece. “It never gets old,” she says, grinning wildly. As Liz works in front of her torch creating an assembly of holiday ornaments, it is easy to see why she is such a highly lauded teacher. She explains the temperament of glass with such ease, noting the importance of remembering to tilt your arm so as not to let gravity take over the piece. It is impossible not to admire her strong arms as they hold and shape the glass tubes. continued on page 38

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Made i n t h e N R V

“You have to be in good physical shape to do this,” she says. “Luckily, I was an active slalom water skier and windsurfer for many years, so I have the muscle memory in place.” These days, she spends a lot of time

gardening, which can be very demanding on the upper body. But it has certainly paid off, not just with her flameworking, but with her beautiful estate as well.

Her home in Floyd, affectionately known as River Farms, is a work of art itself.

Touches of whimsy adorn the landscape, and everything she and her husband, Mike, a highly skilled woodworker and luthier (featured in Sept/Oct 2016), have created gives the entire place a feeling of harmony in nature. Mike’s workshop is upstairs from Liz’s, and they each breathe life into one another’s creations. “When I need advice about how to plan a sculpture and effectively ‘engineer’ my piece, I turn to Mike. When he needs artistic advice or creative inspiration, he turns to me.”

Floyd is the perfect place for this power couple. The virtual epicenter of creativity along the Blue Ridge Mountains, artists of all kinds -- including potters, wood artists, painters, writers and musicians have settled in Floyd and created an international buzz. Currently, Liz is working on a large installation based on her highly celebrated

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January/February

glass leaves series. She is creating a large tree structure and suspending glass leaves from its branches to make it look like they are swaying in the breeze. She is also busy teaching and hosting workshops whenever she gets the chance. “I

teach at The Jacksonville Center for the Arts, and folks can check the schedule to see when I or other artists are teaching in the flameworking studio.”

[ jacksonvillecenter.org]

Teaching is her way of giving back to the community that has given her so much.

Working with glass provides Liz a deeper connection to a vast community of artists and to her own creativity.

“It is through my connection with glass that I have met amazing and interesting people, traveled, become more aware of the larger world of art, and can express my ideas in whichever direction they lead.” *Writer’s Note: The title is a Jungle Book reference. Man’s Red Flower means fire. The monkeys are jealous of Mowgli (man) and want him to teach them about things like language, walking upright and of course FIRE! Emily Kathleen Alberts is a science and technology writer and frequent contributor to NRV magazine who is fascinated with almost everything under the sun, including glass, fire and flamework.

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NRV H o me s

At Home on Goose Creek Farms where Arts and Crafts style meets Contemporary in a natural setting Text by Joanne M. Anderson Photos by Always and Forever Photography

Some people know at an early age what career they want to pursue, others choose to explore a few. Pulaski native Dr. Randy Vaughn took the latter route. After receiving his bachelor’s degree in biology from Wake Forest University, he enrolled in dental school, only to discover after one day of clinics that dentistry was not his calling. A master’s degree in biology from WFU and post graduate work at the University of Alberta, Canada, led him to teaching microbiology and embryology at Presbyterian College. However, his love 40

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of science, animal husbandry, medicine and working with the public propelled him into veterinary medicine. After graduation from the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, he returned home to Pulaski. In 1980, he established Tipton Ridge Veterinary Medical Center, named in honor of his father, Donald “Tip” Vaughn. In October 2011, Dr. V (as he is affectionately known to his clients) retired after 31 years as a well-known and respected figure to enjoy life on the farm.

After visiting Goose Creek Farms

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and touring his home and gardens in the rolling countryside near the historic Village of Newbern, many wonder why Dr. Vaughn did not study architecture or landscape design. He began construction on his Artsand-Crafts-meets- Contemporary home in 1984. Creating, designing and building his home continued for three decades, evolving into its current footprint of naturalized and ornamental gardens, water features, koi ponds and living spaces in constant communion with the surrounding 115+ acres of woodlands and pastures.

2017

Creating, designing and building his home continued for three decades, evolving into its current footprint . . .

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“I have been blessed to have stewardship of this small piece of creation,” he relates. “Everyone’s home should be their refuge, a quiet place of solace and peace.” With help from his brother, Mark Vaughn of Vaughn Construction, working on his home has been a labor of love and source of inspiration and fulfillment. Dr. V credits everyone: “Each of the craftsmen with talent left a piece of themselves at Goose Creek. They took great pride in their work, bringing ideas and accomplishing incredibly beautiful, personalized expressions of themselves.”

A luxurious guest house, swimming pool and spa house are settled into natural rock formations artfully landscaped to blend nature with structure.

The guest house not only has a luxury apartment next to the pool, but also a billiards room and large social space with 42

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a full counter bar, bistro tables and multiple flat screen TVs surrounded by walls of windows that provide up close views of the wooded surroundings.

Outside, dry-stacked rock walls meander around patios and the pool.

“There are around 250 tons of rocks in these walls,” Randy points out. “The outdoor flagstone was the last of its kind quarried in Pulaski County, and the balance came from Tennessee.” The stone for the expansive rock fireplaces and wall of the great room in the main house was collected on the property. The wood decks flow around the house tempting nooks and private places among towering oak trees to bring a book and glass of wine and savor this special indoor/outdoor lifestyle. “The house took on its own character from the surrounding natural setting and materials,” Randy explains, enhanced by a color

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palette that ranges from cream with a hint of mossy green to various muted shades of sage and olive. It is the best of woodsy sophistication.

Inside the main residence, wood ceilings and floors add to the natural forest feel, and large, plush furnishings offer warmth and comfort. The French Country kitchen is functional, spotless and sports glass shelves and interior cabinet lights that support Randy’s penchant for neatness and openness. “In my line of work, especially surgery, everything must be in its place and cleaned and stored immediately after use; I just carried that over naturally at home.”

There are many distinctive levels and places to relax in rooms that surpass normal labels like family room, living room, etc., all featuring interesting antiques and Dr. V’s special collections of wooden animals, vintage clocks, regional and local art

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that blends luxury with country, touches of glamour with nature. An enduring sense of elegance, serenity and quiet blankets it all.

With the completion of Goose Creek Farms, retirement from veterinary medicine and the freedom that retirement brings, Dr. V has decided to list his home and farm for sale. “Leaving this place will be difficult and emotional, but there are lots of other projects, dreams and learning experiences to pursue,” he states. It is his hope that someone will assume stewardship of the farm and love the home and gardens as they continue to develop and evolve.

from early 1800s to contemporary, metal sculpture and fabrics.

Much of the reason for the multiple levels stems from the natural contour of the ground and boulders below. “In some of the building I had to accommodate huge boulders or other geological formations that I didn‘t wish to disturb,” he says. Art, glass and nature blend; draperies, furnishings, linens and copious pillows in each of the five bedrooms of the main house create settings that belong in a luxurious 5-star country inn. The entire home evokes an interesting, eclectic appeal

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“Being tied to the land, to this place, these mountains, the people, knowing what a caring community can mean and how it sustains one has kept me grounded across the years. Everyone has some responsibility to preserve and encourage sensible use of the land, and these are values I look for in the next residents and stewards of Goose Creek Farms.”

The estate for is sale, represented by Julia Kriss and Betty Smith of Mabry and Cox, Realtors, 540-577-9033.

More photos and details can be found at: www.GooseCreekFarmsVA.com

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Kristie Lea McCallum

Originally from North Carolina, Kristie called High Point home for her first 22 years. After completing her art degree from NC State, she married her husband, Darryl, and was thrown into a little place many folks call Hokie Country.

If you ask her how she ended up in Blacksburg, she’ll tell you: “I married a Hokie!” Though she’s mysteriously lost most of her southern accent, you can hear a little of that twang when she’s chatting on the phone with her Mamaw.

Kristie’s love for photography began as a child. She distinctly remembers dressing and posing her dachshund and parrot for photos when she was 11. She’s come a long way since then and now spends most of her time taking pictures of human couples. Though it took some time and lots of encouragement from her husband, she started her business, Kristie Lea Photography, in 2011 so she could bring to life the images she saw in her mind. On most Saturdays, you can find Kristie with couples, newlyweds and families around the many picturesque venues and landscapes of the New River Valley. When she’s not photographing clients, Kristie is taking pictures of her most favorite people in the world, her 5-year-old son and 20-month-old daughter.

Despite thinking she’d explored and seen most of the area, Kristie has been excited to discover new places through assignments with NRV Magazine. From visiting a local trout farm to drives down dusty roads to meet and photograph incredible artists, these little adventures and excursions have awakened a new appreciation to the diverse community found in the New River Valley.

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JEREMY HART

I’m Jeremy Hart, Principal Broker and Owner of Nest

Realty here in the New River Valley. You’re probably not all that interested in me, but you’ve made it this far in the magazine, what’s one more page, right?!

I get asked often how I got into real estate and the truth

is, I did it because I didn’t like working a traditional job. Until 2003

when I decided to get my real estate license, I’d done a variety of things but nothing really seemed to fit. I love people, and

since real estate was THE hot topic of the early 2000s, I decided to give it a try. What a great career it’s been. I’ve seen the best real estate market in a generation and the worst, but through it

all, one thing never changed. It’s about people; making wishes and dreams a reality, keeping things steady in what’s often an emotionally-charged transaction, and I love that. I also love the

New River Valley, my adopted home of more than 15 years; it’s

visually stunning and a comfortable place to be, and that makes it so enjoyable to share with the folks at Nest Realty. As we’re fond of saying at Nest, #LiveWhereYouLove.

I also take my hand to writing when asked by NRV

Magazine, often for a real estate overview or home improvement direction. My guess is that if you’re reading a magazine about

the New River Valley, you feel like it’s a pretty special place. I’d love to meet you and talk about what brought us to the area. If you see me around, stop me and say hi!

January/February

2017

CIRCUS OZ

STRAIGHT UP

AUSTRALIA’S NATIONAL CIRCUS

Friday, February 10, 2017 Saturday, February 11, 2017

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Friday, February 24, 2017 7:30 PM

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Saturday, April 22, 2017 7:30 PM