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New River Valley nrvmagazine.com January/February 2021
Nail Art Journaling for Kids Wedding Cupcakes Moss Arts Center: Inside the Box
Wedding Issue
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January/February 2021
CONTENTS January/February
2021
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Pasture Ta l k
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The Weddi ng Trai l Ri de 1 0 Band To get her 1 6
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Weddi ng Cup c a kes 20 A pa r tment L i vi ng 24 J ourna l i ng for K i ds 28 Na i l Ar t 32 Moss A r ts Center : I nsi de t he Box 3 6 Co o l a nd Uni que S hoppi ng 3 8 S now Pl owi ng S ea s o n 42
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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 ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Kim Walsh DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Dennis Shelor WRITERS Joanne Anderson Karl Kazaks Krisha Chachra Emily Alberts Jennifer Cooper Becky Hepler Nancy Moseley Kameron Bryant
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PHOTOGRAPHERS Kristie Lea Photography Kevin Riley Always and Forever Photography Tom Wallace Billy Bowling Photography Nathan Cooke Photography © 2021 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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Pasture Talk
Winter might be my second favorite season behind autumn. I love boots, turtlenecks, hats with pompoms on the top and buffalo plaid. I like bundling up to go out, and then unbundling to come back in. The house seems warmer, happier, more inviting for the contrast. And I like contrasts – in color, temperature, weather, etc. We cannot know much of anything without some comparative advantage. I wrote the silly article herein on winter baskets for every room, and pulling it together has prompted me to review my knot skills, make another batch of café Vienna and learn how to sharpen my own knives. Maybe pull out some knitting. One of the un-met goals in my life is to knit a sweater. I’ve had a few false starts and have knitted half a sweater more than once, but those two halves do not make a whole. One exciting accomplishment in recent weeks is the launching of Fins Life Magazine, a 64-page, all color, high quality, interesting, informative magazine with no ads. We have taken a page out of Jimmy Buffett’s playbook, in that when he started out, his music didn’t fit into any category. It wasn’t country, pop, folk, heavy metal, jazz or anything specific. It morphed into trop rock. Fins Life Magazine also does not fit into any normal publication niche. It’s in a class of its own, in print and digital format, by subscription only. It’s hammock reading at its finest. Gift subscriptions are available with a downloadable gift card ~ great gift for the beach bum commuter, tropical
island dreamer, Parrothead, wann-ab surfer, Jimmy Buffett fan, toes-in-thesand seeker. www.finslife.com Having a white Christmas was delightful. Having a new year stretching ahead of us is exciting. Help our small businesses whenever you can. Time is still the greatest gift. Walking remains the best exercise, and breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It’s never about what comes our way that can throw us off our game. It’s how we respond to stuff that comes our way. Whether the skies are gray or blue, the sun is on our side of the clouds or above them, stay young. Whether 60 or 16, there is in every human being's heart the lure of wonder, the unfailing child-like appetite of what's next, and the joy of the game of living. In the center of your heart and my heart there is a wireless station; so long as it receives messages of beauty, hope, cheer, courage and power from people and from the infinite, so long are you young. ~ “Youth” by George Ullman [18401924] Mr. Ullman was certainly ahead of his time on the “wireless station” concept. The not-wireless telegraph had just been invented in the 1830s with the hard-wired telephone coming along about 40 years later in this poet’s lifetime. Interesting. And spot-on from where I sit. Happy New Year!
Joanne Anderson ManagingEditor
jmawriter@aol.com
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Fe at ure
The Wedding Trail Ride Text by Joanne M. Anderson Photos courtesy of Kimberly Clark
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On September 23, 2019, a couple was fixing a fence on the man’s 400-acre family farm in Pulaski County. It wasn’t the first time for fence repair and it wouldn’t be the last, but it was the one and only time that the young man would bend his knee and ask for the young lady’s hand in marriage. Working together was already a way of life for them, and sealing the deal with wedded bliss seemed like a natural step forward. Alex and Reesie Douthat met five years earlier at the VirginiaMaryland College of Veterinary Medicine where both worked in the large animal department. She moved to attend Virginia Tech from Powhatan in the county of the same name just east of Richmond. Alex is a life-long resident of Pulaski County. They had each graduated from the Agricultural Technology program, and both love animals, farms, rural life and horses. A spring wedding was planned with nary a thought to the unknown, unexpected, impending pandemic. Getting married on the family farm was a very easy choice. It dates back to the Civil War era and has been in Alex’s family now for nearly three-quarters of a century. Horses and dogs had to be part of it as well. They decided early on to ride to the altar as single people and away from the altar as a married couple. Reesie rode her Quarter Horse, Bill, and Alex was on his Quarter Horse, Frankie. “The wedding was a lot of fun, but the pandemic made planning hard,” Reesie admits. “It was not easy trying to make sure everyone was six feet apart and that we had supplies to keep the family safe and healthy.” The original plan for 150 wedding guests had to be pared down to
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Tom Douthat Cheryl Boyd Sandy Denny Sybil Douthat Debbie Suddarth And others, of course!
Then came the rain. Some serious rain. Almost a week of rain with downpours the day before the wedding and light rain that morning. “It finally stopped raining around 1 p.m., and the sun started to shine,” Reesie states. “Then everything just fell into place, almost, not quite. The wedding was slated to begin at 3:30. There was an accident on I-81 with traffic stalled. My sister, best friend, maid of honor, Aunt Sandy and the photographer
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just family members and two best friends. That the wedding came together so beautifully can be attributed to family like ~ • • • • • •
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were all stuck in the traffic. Aunt Sandy had the flowers, so we were definitely going to have to wait until she arrived.” Green Design in Roanoke did the flowers. “I wanted a wildflower theme and did they ever deliver! They went above and beyond, and I was blown away when I saw them!” The caterer was Country Kitchen, another great choice. “They had the best food for a reasonable price,” Alex says. “They were extremely friendly and very nice to work with, especially during the pandemic with not knowing what might happen.” Photographer Kimberly Clark helped everyone get ready quickly, once the traffic jam dispersed and all had arrived. New River Valley DJ Scotty Scott got the reception really going. “Rev. Don Hanshew with Dublin United Methodist Church was the pastor for our wedding and what an amazing job he did,” Reesie says. “He took time to meet with us via Zoom to make sure everything would go exactly the way we planned it.”
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If a global pandemic, oodles of rain, a major traffic jam and delay of start time didn’t rattle this young couple, not much will. They are, however, about to have their lives upended with the arrival of their first little one exactly one year and one week, give or take, after getting married. About the same time, Frankie’s mother horse [dam] should deliver her next foal, and baby and horse can grow up together.
On Sat., Dec. 12, a gender reveal party was held at the farm. Alex’s dad would lead either a bull (boy) or heifer (girl) from the barn to reveal the baby gender. He led out … [drum roll] … a bull. The baby boy already has his family name: Thomas Alexander Douthat IV.
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Valentine’s at The Inn
Make this Valentine’s Celebration one to remember! FEBRUARY 12-14, 2021
Sweet Romance Package
Includes overnight accommodations, strawberries and champagne (or sparkling cider), breakfast for two at Preston’s Restaurant, and late checkout. Available on February 12, 13 & 14. $139*
Preston’s Dinner Package
Includes all the amenities of the Sweet Romance Package plus our Valentine’s Dinner for two at Preston’s Restaurant. Available on February 12 & 13 $239*
Preston’s Brunch Package
Includes overnight accommodations, strawberries and champagne (or sparkling cider), Valentine’s Brunch for two at Preston’s Restaurant, and late checkout. Available on February 13. $149*
Valentine’s Dinner
A romantic dinner for two featuring four delicious courses. Perfectly paired wine flight for an additional $15.95** per person. Available on February 12 & 13 $99** per couple
Valentine’s Brunch
A romantic brunch featuring selections from our à la carte menu. Available on February 14.
For Reservations, Call 540.231.8000 or Visit www.InnatVirginiaTech.com *Prices do not include tax. **Prices do not include tax and gratuity.
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Band Together
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an age-old symbol of forever Text by Nancy S. Moseley
Neanderthals used twigs and bits of grass, usually secured around the ankle. The Egyptians used bone, leather, ivory and sometimes hemp. Early Romans used iron. Colonial Americans, believing jewelry to be trivial, used thimbles. When the wife was finished using the thimble to sew linens for the couple’s new home, the top was sawed off to create a ring. No matter the material, from the earliest iterations to today, the wedding ring is viewed as a contract of sorts, signifying love, loyalty and even friendship. The fact that a ring, or something of circular shape, was chosen to represent a conjugal covenant is not incidental. According to symboldictionary. net, the circle “has no beginning or end, 16
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and no divisions, making it the perfect symbol of completeness, eternity and the soul. The circle symbolism most familiar to us is that of the wedding ring, which symbolizes not just a pledge of eternal love, but the enclosure of the heart – a pledge of fidelity.” The ancient Egyptians wore their wedding rings on the left hand’s fourth finger because they believed in the “vena amoris,” or the vein of love, which runs directly from the heart to this finger. No such vein exists, but the tradition of wearing wedding bands on the “ring finger” continues today. Wedding rings are typically made out of select “noble metals,” or, elements that exhibit outstanding resistance to adverse chemical and temperature forces. This strength can
be associated with the durability and permanence of marriage. In order of most expensive to least expensive: Platinum is among the strongest, white in color and resistant to oxidation and corrosion. Palladium is up next, related to platinum in strength, never tarnishes and is naturally white in color. It’s also hypoallergenic. Both yellow gold and white gold are leading ring metals for their traditional look and durability. Tungsten is 10x harder than 18K gold, and you can choose between gray, platinum white or black. Titanium is extremely durable and long-lasting which makes it hard to resize or repair if needed. Silver has a high conductivity to heat and electricity and is easily engraved. Austin Capone of Capone’s
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Jewelry in Blacksburg says the leading metal today is white and yellow gold – similar to their popularity 20 years ago. And for men, titanium is a top choice because it’s very light weight and darker in color. Though men didn’t historically wear bands at all until World War II, American and European soldiers began wearing rings as a way to remember their betrothed back home. When it comes time to choose wedding bands, several factors should be considered, not the least of which is cost. Do a little soul-searching with your soulmate to gauge what factors are most important to you. Capone offers: “There are a couple factors that always go into a large purchase. The main considerations with wedding rings are cost as well as following trends and popular styles. We like to consider something that is timeless and durable enough to withstand everyday wear for many years.” A recent, some might say, bohemian trend is to don a band made of silicone. They rose in popularity with the surge of fitness and outdoor adventure gurus who needed a ring to keep up with their active lifestyle. Silicone is extremely flexible and safe to wear in most all industry environments, from machinists and chefs to healthcare professionals and construction workers. Silicone prevents ring avulsion, or injuries caused by a ring getting caught on an object and getting yanked off rapidly. In 2015 host of The Tonight Show, Jimmy Fallon, almost lost a finger due to ring avulsion. Troy Whittier of Pulaski chose silicone for this very reason. He owns a cattle farm and manages the Giles County Land Lab, constantly working with his hands often in tight spaces. He found himself removing his tungsten carbide ring and eventually lost it. “I had heard about silicone rings but hadn't ever worn one. I ordered a box of 12 silicone rings for $10 and now have the option of switching colors or damaging them without any worry at all. It's nice to always look married without the hassle of other jewelry,” Whittier states. A quick buzz around the Internet will lead to any number of alternative wedding band materials: wood, dinosaur bones, meteorites and even rings made from whiskey barrels. Ultimately, the value and symbolic importance placed on a wedding band is entirely up to the happy couple. The visual representation of your commitment to and love for each other is entirely customizable. However, if the idea of having to wear jewelry all the time is not in your comfort zone (but hundreds of tiny needle pricks are), some folks have chosen to have their ring finger tattooed. It’s hard to get more permanent than that. 18
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Other Cultures Marriage Symbols of Marriage Celtic Nations: Rings often come in the Claddagh design, showing the gesture of a crowned heart clasped by two hands. The hands represent friendship, the heart represents love and the crown represents loyalty. Indian Cultures: The Mangala Sutra is tied around the bride’s neck instead of exchanging rings. The Mangala Sutra is a cord with two gold pendants that is tied in three knots by the groom. It symbolizes the bonding of souls. Hindu: Hindu wives wear bangles on both hands that are either red or white. Often made of glass, if the marriage ends or the woman becomes single again, the bangles will be shattered. Mexico: During the exchange of vows during a Mexican marriage ceremony a “lazo” or lasso made of rosary beads and flowers is draped around the couples’ shoulders in the shape of a figure eight, the infinity symbol. Nancy S. Moseley is a writer from Blacksburg who spent time in her early 20s giggling with girlfriends and poring over wedding magazines for the “perfect” ring.
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NRV Featu re
Wedding Reception
Cupcakes
Text by Kameron Bryant As far back as ancient Rome, cakes at weddings have played an integral role in the celebration. Well, in ancient Rome it was actually a loaf of barley bread, which the groom would break over the bride’s head. Somehow this practice increased chances of fertility. Over the years the tradition has morphed from barley bread to a tower of spiced buns in medieval England, from a pie filled with strange meats (think lamb testicles and boiled calf’s feet) in 1685 England to the tiered, white-iced cake we know today. But what about cupcakes? Surprisingly, cupcakes initially became popular in 1919 when Hostess Brands 20
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came out with the very first massproduced chocolate cupcake called… CupCake. That’s right, the company that brought Twinkies, DingDongs and Zingers into the world is responsible for the cupcake’s first wave of popularity. And then came Carrie Bradshaw in 2000, having her pink-frosted cupcake and eating it too. Apparently, the Sex and the City scene from Season 3 showing Carrie and Miranda sitting outside the Magnolia Bakery, eating cupcakes while divulging love-life secrets, created a cupcake craze. Tourists began flooding the West Village bakery where the scene was shot, with customers asking for the vanilla cupcake with pink icing that Carrie
had, now dubbed the “Carrie Cupcake.” Bakeries focusing exclusively on selling cupcakes began popping up across the U.S., and the craze made its way to the dessert tables at wedding parties. Of course, couples have reasons beyond mimicking the fictional columnist’s snack to have cupcakes featured at their weddings. The very nature of cupcakes allows for so much versatility, between choosing various flavors and accommodating dietary needs to the endless options for decorations and table displays. While the cost is usually noted as a main reason to go with cupcakes over a tiered wedding cake, Jen Morrison,
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co-owner of Our Daily Bread Bakery in Blacksburg, says that though cupcakes are less expensive, it’s not by a lot. Many couples choose a small cake for cutting, cupcakes to fill out the dessert table, and a simple sheet cake to slice in the kitchen and serve to guests. One would think that the cupcake order would tally up to at least one cupcake per guest, but Jen mentions a few factors that play into the total number. For instance, demographics—if the guest list has a lot of elderly relatives and children, the tally goes down. Kids will often share with mom or dad, while elderly guests are often more conscious of sugar intake. However, if multiple flavors are offered, the tally goes up. Who can resist trying more than one delectable flavor? While there are couples who prefer to go against the mainstream in terms of cupcake flavors, many stick with the traditional options. For customers of Next Door Bake Shop in Blacksburg and Copper Hill Cakes & Goodies in Floyd, the most sought-after flavors are vanilla and chocolate. By keeping the flavor profiles simple, everyone has a dessert to enjoy. For Our Daily Bread Bakery, the go-to flavors are those that are light in color: white, yellow or almond. 22
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Their signature flavor is a yellow cake with strawberries folded into a buttercream frosting for filling. Some notable distinctive flavors that have been requested include a lavender cupcake with Earl Grey frosting, a pistachio cupcake, and a mocha cupcake for fall weddings. Jen says that the most unique and fun orders to work on are those that bring out something personal about the couple. For one wedding where the groom was a football player, each cupcake had a small football decoration. For a same-sex couple, the Our Daily Bread team crafted a rainbow ombre icing swirl for the cupcakes, and the accompanying cake had rainbow layers. The trend of cupcakes at weddings increased in 2020 due to the pandemic, and according to the bakers at Next Door Bake Shop, Our Daily Bread Bakery, and Copper Hill Cakes & Goodies, this will continue into the weddings of 2021. With shorter guest lists, these bakers predict that couples will continue swapping the traditional, tiered cake for a small, six- to eight-inch cake for cutting along with cupcakes for the guests. Beyond convenience because of fewer guests, cupcakes also allow for less contact: the only person touching
the cupcake will, presumably, be the person eating it. They have also seen more requests for individually packaged cupcakes. Despite this being a safety precaution, Penny Webster, co-owner of Copper Hill Cakes & Goodies, says there are many cute packaging options available. Other predicted trends, which do not have anything to do with covid-19, include traditional displays with a contemporary twist and rusticchic décor—think cupcakes arranged on log serving slabs or on wooden crates. More couples have also been asking for cupcakes that meet various dietary restrictions, such as gluten-free, dairyfree, or vegan. Thankfully, wedding cakes and cupcakes have come a long way from barley bread, meat pies and Hostess snacks, and there are no rules. Whether the couple wants handcrafted fondant flowers or icing that imitates lace, when it comes to creating a unique, delectable cupcake, as Jen says: “Your imagination is really the only limit.” Kameron Bryant is a freelance writer who is seriously considering tossing her paleo diet in favor of cupcakes.
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NRV Home
Apartment Living in Style
Text by Joanne M. Anderson Photos by Kristie Lea Photography Homeownership is likely one of the top milestones in achieving one’s slice of the American Dream, yet people can also become mired down in the time and financial demands of maintaining a property. “I love not having to worry about anything,” states Penny Mappin, a tenant at The Adams in Christiansburg for the past year. She sold her Blacksburg townhome and chose to rent for a couple years while she arranges for retirement. The luxury apartment complex of 14 buildings plus a club house was completed in late 2018 and offers 1, 2, and 3-BR rental units. There are 12 buildings 24
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and 168 apartments with attractive stone accent exteriors. The amenities list is impressive: • • • • • • • •
Club house Swimming pool Game room with pool and foosball Private theatre with stadium seating Outdoor pavilion with grills Fitness center available 24/7 Business space Coffee bar, club room, kitchen
The apartments are 803, 997, 1,152 and 1,347 square feet with rents ranging from $1,095 to $1,619 per month, plus utilities. There is a one-time amenity fee of $250, and one-time pet fee of $350. Dogs and cats are welcome, and come with an extra monthly rent cost. Twenty garages are available for rent. “The interiors are universally neutral with stainless steel appliances and granite counters,” states leasing consultant Austin Lynch. “We do request that residents not paint any interior walls.” The contemporary style blends well with
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Meet the Artist
Gallery Open House February 13-14 Saturday 11-4 pm, Sunday 12-3 pm
Garden Jewel
216 S. Main Street, Kent Square Blacksburg, VA 24060 (540) 552-6446 blacksburggallery@pbuckleymoss.com
www.pbuckleymoss.com
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an industrial interior component and a touch of Adirondack outside. Each apartment has an outdoor patio or balcony. Mappin selected a 2-bedroom unit on the first floor in part to have a guest room and second full bath. “I also have a baby grand piano I did not wish to subject to a multi-story trip, plus heavy furniture like the solid wood Biltmore master bedroom suite.” She does find her entertaining style is a little cramped for space, yet she is happy for the view out over grass and trees, not the parking lot. Some of the apartments at The Adams have increased accessibility design like the microwave is on the counter instead of mounted at cabinet level; there are extra rails in the bathrooms; and the shower floor is level 26
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with the bathroom floor. Many units have vaulted ceilings, and all feature ceramic tile bathrooms, full size washer and dryer and large closets. On-site management and on-site maintenance are a major draw for those who wish to give up, or not even dip their toes in, the potential rigors of home ownership. Mappin and visiting relatives have enjoyed the pool and clubhouse. “All the wonderful amenities seem so under-used,” she observes. “We enjoyed things all to ourselves much of the time.” Mappin moved to the area in 2000 to work with New River Valley Research Institute which participates in FDA drug trials. The office is closing this year, and she has her sights on living and attending school in Oxford, England. Although the 60-something lady doesn’t know anyone
there, she is enthusiastically embracing a new adventure in a distant land instead of a quiet retirement life. Virginia Tech grad student Carrie Cheung likes the more mature environment at The Adams. “It’s good housing for getting out of Blacksburg and being close to campus but not surrounded by undergraduate students,” she states. The biomedical engineering major has been here since graduating. The complex does not accept undergraduate college students. The location is convenient to shopping, highways and entertainment, and the contemporary apartments have been thoughtfully designed. For those reasons and others, there are minimal, if any, vacancies and usually a waiting list at The Adams.
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Dear Diary …
21st Century Journaling for Kids Text by Kameron Bryant
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that enables us to instantly share thoughts with just about anyone from anywhere, the covid-19 pandemic has shown the resurgence of an ageold record-keeping and thought-sharing method: Journaling aka Dear Diary. Katy Waldman of The New Yorker writes: “We’ve entered an age of diaries,” listing numerous instances of publications chronicling how people have navigated life within this global pandemic. Slate has a “Coronavirus Diaries” column that provides a space for people to share their personal journeys through this virus—a nurse on what it’s like in a quarantine facility, a waiter on what it’s like working in a newly reopened restaurant, a deaf individual on the impossibility of lipreading with all the masks. The New York Times reported on the journal entries and art coming from children and adults in an article called “The Quarantine Diaries,” and the Scholastic magazine Upfront ran an article where teens shared how their lives have been upended by the virus. 30
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One’s initial response might be surprise at this resurgence of journaling: Wouldn’t a huge spike in social media activity make more sense? (Unsurprisingly, there has been a social media spike.) And yet, the very fact that so many are socially distancing does lend to greater time spent in observation and reflection. The benefits of consistent journaling are well known. It’s great for self-reflection, jotting down ideas, relieving stress, organizing thoughts, setting and achieving goals, and boosting creativity. While these benefits are usually recognized for adults (Why else would gratitude journals be so popular?), they also apply to younger generations. In times like these, where so many children have had to make a bumpy transition from in-person to online learning, these benefits may have a more significant impact. In a media briefing, senior research scientist Katie Rosanbalm from the Duke Center for Child and
Family Policy noted the emotional toll the coronavirus is having on children. “They’re losing their routine and their structure. They’re losing their connection with friends and teachers and all the wonderful things they’ve looked forward to . . .” A Gallup poll in June found three out of 10 parents saying that as a result of social distancing and school closures, their child was experiencing either emotional or mental harm. Research has shown that consistent journaling can help to relieve anxiety and depression as well as reduce the exasperation linked to symptoms of ADHD. While diary-keeping is no panacea to pandemic-related woes, it could be a great step in helping kids regain a sense of ownership and control, while also providing a space to explore complex emotions and record simple observations. The act of journaling can create a fun space where the child is in charge. The amount of time spent, whether to share it with others or not, what kind of journal—the child gets to make the rules. There are about as many ways to
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journal as there are ways to redecorate a home. And, thankfully, loving to write is not necessarily a prerequisite to enjoy keeping a journal or diary. Everyone is familiar with the traditional, written diary, and probably just as familiar with the visual diary, whether that involves sketching, coloring, painting or creating a collage of photographs or small objects. Other innovative ideas include creating a playlist of songs that mirror moods (whether in lyrics or tone), poetry journals, and unsent letter journals, where the child writes a letter to anyone he or she chooses, knowing that the person addressed will never read it. Diary-keeping, while traditionally a solitary mode of self-expression, can even be used to foster connections in a more tangible way than what social media provides. For example, I have two younger sisters; Sarah is 21, and Markita is 13, and despite the difference in age, they are very close. When Sarah moved to Colorado for school, she and Markita created a journal NRVMAGAZINE.com
that they mail back and forth. While they frequently keep in touch via phone calls and text messages, the journal provides a physical space for keeping each other informed of their daily highs and lows, whether that’s through snapshots, small knickknacks, or of course, writing. One obstacle in encouraging kids to start consistent journaling is getting past the perception that journaling means sitting still for long periods of time, writing painstakingly. When I asked Anna-Kate, a 13-year-old in Giles County, if she liked journaling, she crinkled her nose and told me she likes science and math—not writing. I probed a little further. What if the journal were more like a collection of scavenger-hunt mementos where she could record scientific observations? Only then was she interested. In contrast, her older sister, Abby, 14, keeps four journals: two “normal” journals (where she writes down her thoughts and facts about her day); a prayer journal; and a journal to her future husband. No two kids are alike,
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and so their journals can and should vary widely. The main point of having a diary is to provide a safe place for observation, reflection and creativity. Parents, teachers and social workers can provide children with an array of journaling options, and then, in the spirit of allowing children to take ownership and control, let the method depend on the child’s personal preference. At a time when almost everyone is stressed about the continuous changes in our virus-laden world, including youngsters, journaling could offer a welcome, or maybe even surprising, respite. Kameron Bryant is a Giles County native who graduated from The College of William & Mary with a BA in English and The George Washington University with an MPS in Publishing. Though never a consistent diarykeeper, she’s adding it back to her morning routine to give it another go.
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Nail Art: Meet the Monet of Manicures Warning ~ these are NOT your mother's fingernails! Text by Emily K. Alberts
It doesn’t take a master’s degree in art to recognize the masterful work of Blake Le, the New River Valley’s resident nail guru. While his canvas may be small, his creativity is boundless. After seeing what can be done, you will never look at your fingernails the same way again. Blake Le’s family traded coastlines when they moved to Virginia from Torrance, Calif., in 2001. They settled in Christiansburg, working at the New River Valley Mall nail salon. When Blake turned 18, he realized that by working alongside his parents, he would be able to put himself through college at Radford University. “I eventually got my degree in graphic design, with a heavy emphasis on watercolor,” says Blake. “It was after I started learning more about painting that I decided to practice on a much smaller canvas, via the nail bed. When I realized that a canvas can be as small as a pinky nail, I saw how much fun it was, essentially doing a micro painting.” Except that his micro-paintings aren’t stuck hanging on a wall, they are out and about, on some of the prettiest hands you’ll see. And of course, they’re also on the ‘gram. “When I started my Instagram page (@blake_ tle), that was when people began to take notice of my work,” he says. With 107K followers, it appears his reputation precedes him. From his humble beginnings at the Nail Trix Salon at the NRV Mall, he is now taking his own clients and managing his own appointments. His passion is contagious. “My favorite part about working is that I don’t feel like I’m working while I’m painting. It’s true what they say, work doesn’t feel like work when you’ve found the right job. My mind is at peace when I have a paintbrush in my hands.” 32
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Though his mind may be at peace, his hands are busy turning his client’s vision into reality. Sometimes he looks at photos for inspiration, but many times a color combination is all he needs to get the idea flowing in his mind. “The funny thing is, I usually don’t even know what it’s going to look like until I start painting, because during the process I’m adding this and that to it.” Blake’s current favorite nails to do are marble nails. “I love any type of marble, white marble, rose quartz, amethyst, etc., any type of stone, marble or gem -- I love doing it.” Another current style trend involves making every single nail unique, which gives him tons of freedom. “My most common request in October is Halloween January/February 2021
nails! It’s my favorite time to do nail art because I can do a variety of creatures, monsters, blood and more creepy stuff, ha. Not to mention black nails look good on any occasion.” He often gets seasonal requests, but he can create a look for any occasion. “My most unusual request would be bugs! I once encapsulated a real scorpion (dried and not alive, of course) into a nail, kind of like how you might see a scorpion or cricket inside of a lollipop at a tourist gift shop.” As of now, Blake’s plans include improving his craft and expanding his client base. “Personally, I would love to have a stand-alone building for a nail studio. Currently, my partner and I just took over a new business in Pulaski, Poor Boys Produce and Plants, so I’m splitting my time between the salon and the produce market. Two polar-opposite NRVMAGAZINE.com
businesses, but I love them both.” Eating greens surely keeps the body healthy, and Blake has two important tips for keeping your nails healthy, too. 1.) Don’t pick or bite at them! Most people are incredibly surprised by how pretty their natural nails can be, just by keeping them neat, cleaned and filed. For acrylic/artificial nails, it’s the same. Wearing rubber gloves to wash dishes, scrub floors and do housework can prevent damage or chipping. It’s well worth the two seconds it takes to put them on and also protects against contact with harsh chemicals which can age the hands’ skin. 2.) Don’t use your nails as tools! Nowadays, there is a tool for everything, so don’t risk breaking a nail. Sculpted nails can last as long as you keep up with the maintenance, which is usually
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every 2-3 weeks, but once a month is even common. However, the longer your nails grow, the more weight is on the free edge of your nail, which can lead to breaking. The best part about new nails is looking down and smiling every time you see your hands. It is like wearing expensive jewelry, without the expense. “Nails are an affordable luxury, and that’s the best part about getting them done,” says Blake. And with nail art as pretty as Blake’s, it’s no wonder this trend is on the rise. Written by Emily K. Alberts, whose current salon artist is her 11-yearold daughter. She even let her cut and color her hair! What will quarantine boredom lead to next?
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Inside the Box
new access to the arts allows a greater opportunity for exploration
Text by Nancy S. Moseley No one would argue last year won’t go down in history as the year-ofcancellations. No concerts, no festivals, no trips abroad or, for that matter, even to a neighboring state. Most industries took, and continue to take, a detrimental financial hit. The arts and entertainment world, whose revenue relies on the pockets of patrons seeking a visceral experience, is right up there. A study conducted by the Americans for the Arts in June 2020 cited a $5 billion loss for U.S. arts and culture organizations from March to June 2020. Though auditorium doors have closed, our desire to connect to culture has not gone away. If anything, we’ve 34
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developed an almost desperate desire to be engaged and enlightened. Thankfully art centers, museums and tourist destinations got to work alongside everyone else and upped their online game, utilizing technology to, hopefully, entice and sustain audience tune-in. The Google Arts and Culture initiative alone digitized over a thousand museums, including The Anne Frank House in Amsterdam and The Hammer Museum in Los Angeles. This is in addition to all the private efforts from smaller museums across the world scrambling to offer gallery exhibitions and live performances online. Ruth Waalkes, executive director of Moss Arts Center in Blacksburg offers:
“One early question was how would our own community respond to online programming. Were people even going to be interested?” When the visual art galleries closed in the spring of 2020, a Moss curator documented them with photographs and put together a virtual walking tour of the exhibitions. The tour logged more than 2,300 views. Furthermore, they salvaged a fall season by launching an online HomeStage series of seven ticketed performances. Almost 3,500 tickets sold with audience members from 30 states and eight different countries. Financial and geographical boundaries are no longer a factor with
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Danish String Quartet
Sankofa Danzafro NRVMAGAZINE.com
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Wilco's Nels Cline
streaming programs. The freedom to explore varieties of art is also cheaper and easier. Not historically a Broadway musical fan? Queue up "Hamilton" with a 7-day free trial of broadwayhd.com. Never really be keen on naked Renaissance sculptures? Try a 360-degree look at Michelangelo’s David in Florence, Italy. One ticket, or one site log-in, has the potential to reach several people in a household. This could be seen as a negative impact of revenue dollars or, simply, more eyes on art. And more eyes on art may very well translate into new, diversified, and paying, audience profiles in the future. Lora Brown, owner of Blacksburg’s Hello Bagel, purchased Moss’s fall performance package. “I love the theater and live performances in general,” she states. Lora and her husband, Matt, are parents of two small children. “We most likely would not have taken them to an actual concert, but low key at home was nice. They were way more engaged than either Matt or I would have expected.
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We normally would have been worried about their behavior or not taken them at all.” Now is the time to celebrate art reaching new minds. A Business Insider article from June 2020 reports: “This is, perhaps, art at its most accessible. Online viewing rooms and virtual tours are the new evening shows, and jet-set is from the bed to the couch.” These days, you can get dressed up in your best sweatpants, settle on the couch with a glass of wine and your favorite throw littered with dog hair, turn on your TV and watch a live performance by the New York Philharmonic at Lincoln Center. You can take a walk around The Vatican or a section of The Great Wall of China with a cat on your lap and dinner simmering on the stove. We no longer go to the art; art now comes to us. And while it doesn’t replace an in-person experience, there is a certain intimacy that occurs watching your favorite musician perform from their own home. Convenience is king, as the old adage goes. The ability to zoom in on a
painting likely outweighs standing in a gaggle of onlookers to catch a hurried glimpse of, say, The Mona Lisa. Or if you’re unable to catch the Friday night debut of your local orchestra’s rendition of Mozart’s "The Magic Flute," you can always stream it later. “Everyone misses in-person of course, and that’s what we are looking forward to. There’s something very different about having the community come together in one place for a shared experience,” Waalkes concludes. The energy of a full auditorium is, ironically, epidemic. As time goes on, the creative community continues to get creative, adapting on the fly and brainstorming better practices to bridge the gap between art and audience. We feed our soul by way of the brain, which has the amazing ability to make the best out of what’s in front of us. Nancy S. Moseley is a freelance writer who streamed Hamilton in the early days of lockdown from the comforts of home.
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NRV Cool and Unique Shopping
Blue Ridge Alchemny
Tangent Outdoors
Text by Shelby Vandergriff, intern Pulaski County Tourism In this cold and monotonous season, we find ourselves craving something different, unique and exciting. Throughout the New River Valley, local boutiques, hidden gems and locally-owned shops embody our desire for the perfect eccentric escape. So, lose the winter coat and head inside to shop local at the NRV’s mustshop spots for cool and unique finds. Here are some of our favorites: In Montgomery County, Charlotte’s Web II Antique Mall is housed in a 3-story historical building that used to serve as a general store.
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This is the perfect place to spend an afternoon browsing unique antiques and merchandise. All three floors are stocked by more than 50 vendors with products ranging from unique home décor and furniture to classic memorabilia. The Crab Creek Country Store is a quaint gift shop a stone’s throw from Charlotte’s Web II in historic Cambria. They have everything from doormats and wax melts to home decor cute enough to spruce up any space. Not only is the staff super friendly, but they get new merchandise every week.
John’s Camera’s & Records has been serving the New River Valley since 1976 in downtown Blacksburg and offers a wide range of in-house photo services. John’s includes a selection of used film cameras and thousands of vinyl records to browse. From passport photos to vintage vinyl, John’s got you covered. Head on over to Giles County for a giftware shopping paradise at Pearis Mercantile. With an eclectic mix of fun finds and handmade items, this store has something cool to discover in downtown Pearisburg. Their seasonal
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Pearis Mercantile
Crab Creek Country Store NRVMAGAZINE.com
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John's Stuff things never disappoint, and they also offer a hiker’s store for outdoor or trail hiking supplies that can be difficult to find. While browsing, the staff is always happy to share the story behind something and provide excellent suggestions. Also in Giles County, Walker Valley Market at 106 Natures Lane outside Pearisburg offers a country drive which is part of the destination shopping experience. The store, in Big Walker Valley, is operated by families in our local Amish community. From handcrafted quilts and custom furniture to bulk food items and fresh deli sandwiches, Walker Valley Market is a cool find including its hand-dipped ice cream. Set in the heart of Pembroke on U.S. 460 is Tangent Outdoors & Cascade Café. They offer convenience store necessities like gas and soda pop, along with one-of-a-kind gifts like 40
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Holy Cow custom Cascades magnets, apparel and a plethora of local artists’ works inspired by local beauty. Check out the food counter for fresh, made to order specialties. Nestled in Floyd and established in 1965, County Sales offers the world’s largest selection of old time and bluegrass music recordings. The store’s walls are lined with classic, vintage vinyl records. In fact, County Sales even has its own Radio Hour Podcast. Head on over to the Floyd Country Store afterward for some live music. View and purchase beautiful glass work made by NRV and Floyd artisans at Blue Ridge Alchemy. Original glasswork is made on site by master glass artists Kenan Tiemeyer and Caleb Storm. Watch and admire the artists at work while you shop and view the gallery, seeing the complete journey of locally-crafted glass work from start to
finish. In Radford, there are several shops designed for young ‘uns and the big kid inside everyone else. Super Game Station at 1109 E. Main St. (or online) buys, sells and trades video games and more. These local video game experts have everything from Atari 2600 to Nintendo Switch and host e-sports tournaments that bring folks from near and far. Since you’re never too old to collect toy cars, visit Now, Then and Forever Collectibles at 237 W. Main St. You’ll be amazed at the thousands of Matchbox, Hot Wheels and NASCAR cars in stock to complete a collection. For the free spirit within all of us, Lamour’s boutique at 1023 E. Main St. has a complete selection of hippie items and has been in business more than 30 years. Surely here you’ll find something in their shop to make you happy.
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In the Town of Dublin in Pulaski County, discover vintage, neon signs, classic vinyl records and more at John’s Stuff. Rooted in a passion for quirkiness, the one-of-a-kind emporium overflows with a diverse inventory including pop culture finds, antique pocket knives and decorative accent pieces. Whether you are seeking a specific item, a blast from the past or a modern twist, feel free to tell John what you are looking for - he just might have it. Oh, and while you are there, say hello to Monkey the cat who loves a good pet and purse sniff if you’re willing. The New River Valley is packed with cool and unique finds, including Pulaski County’s antique store - Holy Cow. Infused with southern charm and a vintage feel, Holy Cow is home to both new and antique one-of-a-kind pieces. Just a hop, skip and jump away from the river and New River Retreat cabins, Holy Cow is the perfect place for NRV locals and visitors to shop. Experience something new this winter season and check out any of these cool shops soaked in NRV charm, culture and service.
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StarCityGreyhounds.org Also find us on Facebook!
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The Snow Plowing Season
Text by Karl H. Kazaks Photos by Tom Wallace What’s a Mow Monster to do come winter? Why, push snow of course! Mike Alderman, Jr., established Mow Monsters as a lawn care service in 2013, three years after returning home to Pulaski County. In seven years, the lawn care business has grown from one yard to 90 accounts. This past summer his team of eight employees were mowing 150 acres a week. His snow clearing business has similarly grown. At first, he was pushing and clearing residential driveways as a way to keep some of his employees working during the winter months and to provide a service to the community. 42
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The snow plowing side of the business has expanded, and today Alderman also takes care of commercial accounts – banks, big retail stores, auto supply stores, churches, apartment offices, medical centers. Alderman uses two snow plows, both made by Snow-Way. An 8’2” wide hinged plow is attached to Mow Monsters’ 2004 F150 pick-up truck. A 9’ 6” wide v-plow, new last year, can be affixed to the company’s 2014 RAM 2500. During mowing months, each truck is used to haul a trailer full of lawn care equipment necessary to outfit a 4-man team.
The hinged plow is a straight plow with flaps at either side which – via a remote control operated from the cab of the truck – can be moved forward to corral snow and prevent it from windrowing off the edge of the plow. The v-plow is also operable with remote control. Both trucks also have on their rear a salt spreader controlled from inside the truck. To protect the trucks from the ill effects of salt, Alderman sprays the bottom of each one with a lubricant which helps repel the salt. Mike takes pride in how his team pays attention to detail. “Customer
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three times a week. The trailers Mow Monsters use are outfitted with the tools and spare parts necessary for the operation – spare belts, spare tires, jacks and impact guns. They change the oil in the mowers every 50 hours. The trailers are distinctive for their Mow Monster images on the outside – a pair of orange eyes on a black background, about to take on a swath of growing grass. That marketing – on the vehicles and trailers – is the
advertising Mow Monsters has used to grow so far, along with word of mouth and Facebook. “I hope to continue to grow methodically,” Mike says. Thanks to Mow Monsters and its trucks and plows, many people in the New River Valley will be able to move around a little easier this winter. After all, ‘tis the season for snow, and therefore, plowing.
durable practical sustainable nner i W ED TUCHLER,
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satisfaction is important to us,” he says. “The business is only as good as the employees – and we’ve got some great people.” One of those people is Mike’s father, Mike, Sr., who works full-time for his son as a crew foreman since retiring from the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office a couple of years ago. His wife, Ashley, also plays a big role in administering Mow Monsters’ operations. Mike first started in lawn care when he was growing up in Pulaski County. Then he went to Eastern Tennessee State University. After graduating in 2005, he worked in the mid-Atlantic as a biomedical engineer. He still works that job, just now from home in Pulaski. He’s able to juggle the duties of a full-time job and Mow Monsters thanks to the efforts of Ashley and his hard-working crew, which takes care of customers from Christiansburg to Max Meadows. Their biggest account includes 48 acres of mowing. In season, Mow Monsters typically operates two teams of four workers, two people driving mowers and two people working weed trimmers or backpack blowers or hand blowers. They mow 32 weeks a year, and offer aeration in the spring and fall, mulching in the spring, leaf pickup in the fall, and soft services like trimming bushes. They do not perform hardscaping. For fertilizer, they have a partnership with TruGreen. For equipment they use Stihl trimmers and blowers and Scag mowers. They have four zero turn 61” Scag Cheetah commercial mowers, which have fuel injected 37hp engines capable of moving at 13 mph. “It’s a really nice mower,” Alderman explains. “They mow and drive really well and are built with a suspension platform so everything – the feet platform and seat – bounce with the mower. That way the driver’s body isn’t bouncing as much.” The Cheetahs have dual fuel tanks capable of holding 12 gallons of fuel. The mowers have three blades each, which in the summer are changed
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NR V F o o d F a re
Chocolate
Compiled by Joanne M. Anderson
Anything about chocolate hardly needs an introduction. It tastes great. It’s always in season. There are millions of ways to use it and buy it. It comes in bars, chips, blocks, morsels and powdered versions. Emotionally, it can lift spirits immeasurably. Physically, it can make muffin tops at your waist and wreak havoc with your diet. But that’s like splitting hairs. It’s good stuff, and here are a few novel ways to enjoy chocolate on a slow Saturday, any winter day, Super Bowl Sunday, Valentine’s Day or any other time of the year.
Flourless Chocolate Molten Cupcake 8 oz. 70% bittersweet chocolate
12 Tbl. (stick and half ) unsalted butter 4 large eggs ½ cup white sugar 1/8 tsp. salt
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Place chopped chocolate and butter pieces in a bowl over simmering water to melt. Whip together eggs, sugar and salt about 5 minutes. Add chocolate mix and blend on low speed. Spoon batter into small greased ramekins. Bake on center shelf in 375° oven about 10 minutes until edges are set and center is underbaked. Cool 3 minutes and serve sprinkling with powdered sugar, cocoa, fresh berries, a maraschino cherry, chopped nuts or whipped cream.
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Pizza crust: 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips ½ cup shortening ½ cup all-purpose flour ½ cup white sugar 2 eggs 1 tsp. baking powder
Chocolate Dessert Pizza
Glaze: ¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips 2 Tbl. shortening 2 Tbl. water Pizza crust ~ Melt chips and shortening in double boiler and cool. Add flour, sugar, eggs and baking powder and stir with a fork. Spread evenly on well-greased pizza pan or cookie sheet. Bake at 375° for 15 minutes, then cool. Glaze ~ Combine all 3 ingredients in a double boiler and stir until smooth. Spread over cooled crust and decorate as desired with candies, sprinkles, nuts, berries, fresh fruit pieces.
1/3 cup cocoa powder ¼ cup white sugar 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour 2 Tbl. light brown sugar 1 tsp. baking soda ½ tsp. baking powder ¼ tsp. salt 1 cup buttermilk 2 eggs 3 ½ Tbl. vegetable oil 1 ½ tsp. vanilla
Chocolate Pancakes
Blend dry ingredients, then make a well in the center. Whisk buttermilk, eggs, oil and vanilla, then pour into the dry mix and blend gently just until incorporated. Drop ¼ cup of batter on lightly oiled warm grill. Cook like pancakes, watching for bubbles and slightly dry edges. Flip over and brown the other side. Top with chocolate sauce or other flavor syrup, raspberries, nuts or something else. Note: Batter can be made the night before and refrigerated until morning. NRVMAGAZINE.com
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NRV Small ‘n Bold
small businesses with bold entrepreneurs Where Western Meets Urban Chic
Sweet Dreams in the Best Location
From Gypsy soul and boho style to bold, soft and fashionable clothing, accessories and home décor with Western roots, this unique boutique opened three years ago by then 16-year-old Taylor Woodyard Kirby. The Branded Blonde 107 Linkous St., Dublin 540-320-1558 Thebrandedblonde.us
Tiny but Mighty Bakery and café known for its homebaked goods and chicken salad. Serves full breakfast menu and lunch all the time. Cozy place. Upstairs inside seating until permitted to re-open the attractive small café by the picture window downstairs again. Open Tuesday to Saturday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mockingbird Café 4 W. Main St., Christiansburg 540-382-3432 Mockingbirdcafe.biz
Decorated Occasion
Full service hasn’t changed since opening in the 1950s. They’ll pump your gas, check oil, add air to tires. Fulltime mechanics on-site and the nicest gents you’ll meet anywhere. Ethanolfree gas, too.
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Clay Corner Inn 401 Clay St., SW, Blacksburg 540-552-4030 claycorner.com Fantastic Eats since 1978!
Old-Fashioned Stellar Service
Prices Service Center 1107 N. Main St., Blacksburg 540-552-5401
Location, location, location, paired with amenities of a resort hotel in a small lodging property for business guests, interview candidates, family, traveling reps, friends and international visitors. Small meetings, baby and bridal showers, special events by the fireplace.
Cakes
for
Every
Two entrepreneurs turned their love of decorating cakes into a business and can boast of an award-winning cupcake. The goodies part includes pies, sourdough bread or rolls, peanut butter balls, pumpkin rolls, cookies and more. Copper Hill Cakes & Goodies 8687 Floyd Hwy. N., Copper Hill 540-651-5253 chkake.com
If you don’t know where the nearest Macado’s is, then you likely moved in yesterday. The best selection of sandwiches to be found, super friendly staff, homemade cookies, comfort food like mac ‘n cheese and manicotti, salads and something tasty for everyone. The movie, sports and TV memorabilia offers a happy, whimsical, cheery atmosphere no matter the weather! Macado’s Radford, 540-731-4879 Blacksburg, 540-953-2700 Christiansburg, 540-381-8872 Macados.net
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A Winter Basket for Every Room
Advertisers Index 27
A-1 Heating & Cooling
6
Allure Spa
15
Aztec Rental
17
Beliveau Farm
7
Brown Insurance
41
Capone's Jewelry
7
Carilion Clinic
4
CELCO Credit Union
5
Coldwell Banker
8
DeHart Tile
37
DogTown Roadhouse
17
Dwight Atkinson
37
Eric Johnsen State Farm
25
Eyes on Main
23
Floyd Event Center
8
Freedom First
15
Inn at Virginia Tech
41
Joba
17
Kelly Griffin
37
Kesler Contracting
2
Long & Foster
Foyer: Slippers, thick socks, cardigan sweaters
23
Macado's
Kitchen: Hot chocolate, cookies, decorated popcorn, café Vienna, s’more ingredients
37
Matrix Gallery
3
Mitchell Law Firm
Family room: Books, puzzles, board games, CD movies, knot book with rope
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Moss Arts Center
17
Nest Realty
Master BR: Candles, paperbacks, Kindle all charged, mainewarmers. com footie things
37
New River Art & Fiber
Bathroom: Mud masks, bath oil, bubble bath, homemade body scrub
27
Northpoint Insurance
23
NRV IP Law
19
NRV Rent-All
25
P Buckley Moss
27
Progress Street Builders
37
Sapphire Ballroom
Kids BR: Activity books, pillows and blankets for forts, flashlights, library books
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Shelter Alternatives
19
Weigh Station
Craft room: Paint by the number, watercolors and paper, origami book, diamond painting kit
15
Windy Hills Farm
Much of the year 2020 saw our homes take on new functions – as live, work and play became home-centered, along with school, dining in and working out. Flour, jelly jars and other staples sold out as people embraced more home food prep and creative ways to meet unexpected challenges. When the temps drop and snow swirls, the home becomes warmer and more appealing if simply for the contrast. For all the creativity and home-bound activities which are in place, perhaps there’s yet another few things you can do and learn over the cold weeks ahead.
Dining nook: Magazines, deck of cards, small fast puzzles, coloring books, crayons, camera, bird book By the fire: History book, throws, pillows, seed catalogs, stationery and note cards (stamps on envelopes)
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HOMESTAGE Get up close and personal with outstanding artists from the comfort of your home—you’re guaranteed to have a front row seat.
Afro-contemporary dance from Colombia’s Sankofa Danzafro Seven Limbs by Douglas J. Cuomo with Wilco’s Nels Cline and the Aizuri Quartet Educated author Tara Westover Chamber music phenom Danish String Quartet All-ages fun with Theatre Lovett’s The Girl Who Forgot to Sing Badly and more to come!
ON SALE NOW artscenter.vt.edu
