NRV’s Premier Lifestyle Magazine
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Search. See. Love.
Find a place to hang your heart. Explore all homes on the market today and leverage the insight of our agent network.
Darin Greear REALTOR®
Brenda Woody REALTOR®
540.320.5859 Darin@RinerVa.com www.RinerVa.com
540.257.0281
Brenda.Woody@LongandFoster.com www.longandfoster.com/BrendaWoody
of Long & Foster Real Estate
Mike Weber REALTOR® 540.250.6727
MikesYourRealtor@gmail.com www.longandfoster.com/MikeWeber
Wendy Swanson REALTOR® 540.797.9497
swansonwm@gmail.com www.wendymswanson.com
Priscilla Morris REALTOR® 540.320.3586
Kerry Gillispie REALTOR®
540.320.1684
Priscilla@PriscillaMorris.com www.PriscillaMorris.com
kerryggillispie@gmail.com www.longandfoster.com/KerryGillispie
Long & Foster was named “America’s Most Trusted Residential Real Estate Brokerage” by Lifestory Research.
Visit www.longandfoster.com or download our mobile app today!
3601 Holiday Ln. Blacksburg, VA 24060 | 540.552.1010
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Giles County
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Giles County M O U N TA I N L A K E LODGE
Your dream wedding
any season
mtnlakelodge.com/weddings | 540.626.7121 NRVMAGAZINE.com
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Know the signs. Pressure or squeezing in the center of the chest
SIGNS OF A HEART ATTACK If you have any of the signs of a heart attack, act fast to improve
Shooting pain through shoulders, arms, neck or jaw Dizziness, fainting or sudden abnormal sweating
your chances for recovery. Our Heart Alert program fasttracks heart attack patients to lifesaving care, and our Emergency Departments and accredited Chest Pain Center are prepared to treat any heart
Shortness of breath
condition.
Always call 911 when you
Heartburn, nausea or indigestion-like pain
feel any combination of these symptoms. Do not wait or try to drive yourself to the hospital.
Extreme fatigue or exhaustion* * Women may experience signs that may not be as easy to recognize, such as fatigue or feeling flu-like symptoms.
Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital’s Chest Pain Center is accredited by the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care. 6
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800-422-8482 | CarilionClinic.org/KnowTheSigns Jan/Feb
2022
CONTENTS Jan/Feb
2022
Past ure Ta lk
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N e l son We d ding 10
10
S al te r We d ding 16 Jewett We d ding 20 N upt i al P u ps 24 The S p unsters 28
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N ot- so - L i tt l e Hous e 3 0 Hi p pi e Va n 3 6 Ce d ar Key 40 B l ac ksb urg B att l e s Cancer 42 Fo o d Fa re 44
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Ad ve r t i se rs Index 46
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Introducing our New River Valley Experts. Carie and Spencer bring decades of experience in business and consumer banking to Freedom First’s Commercial Division, which is expanding into the New River Valley. The Commercial Lending and Business Banking teams at Freedom First provide local underwriting and personalized services that benefit a variety of individuals, local operating businesses, and non-profit organizations in our region. With over $850M in assets, Freedom First is poised to meet the financial and lending needs of the growing Roanoke and New River Valley economy.
Spencer E. Lowry
Carie Kingery
VP Commercial Lending, New River Valley
Market Executive - New River Valley
www.freedomfirst.com/spencer-lowry 540-427-6815 | slowry@freedomfirst.com
www.freedomfirst.com/carie-kingery 540-378-8953 | ckingery@freedomfirst.com
Federally insured by NCUA. 8
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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 Kim Walsh
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DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Dennis Shelor WRITERS Joanne Anderson Karl Kazaks Emily Alberts Jo Clark Emma Beaver Becky Hepler Nancy Moseley Kameron Bryant PHOTOGRAPHERS Kristie Lea Photography Kevin Riley Tom Wallace Billy Bowling Photography Nathan Cooke Photography
© 2022 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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Well, this issue was a real walk down Memory Lane. A house built in 1963. A hippie van. A personal 2022 Bucket List, which came out of my friend Kevin giving me a book of poetry titled “Always Follow Your Dreams”, edited by Susan Polis Schultz. Susan and I both moved from the east coast to Boulder, Colorado, in 1971. She started Blue Mountain Arts, a greeting card company with annual revenues now topping $10 million. Me? I drifted through my 20s backpacking, tearing cars apart and advancing my rescue training and EMS skills. I wrote user’s manuals for IBM and the University of Colorado Computing Center, with its dual CDC 6400s on the climate-controlled entire 2nd floor of the building. My, how far we have come, how small we have shrunk, in the Information Technology arena. The book got me to thinking about dreams and goals. I shared this with a friend who informed me on the spot that dreams are over-rated, often lofty, and can deliver massive disappointment. So, I abandoned the dream part for the goals, which morphed into a personal bucket list for 2022 with 22 items. Three things on my bucket list – just in case you can help out – are: (1) adopt an older male Lab; my most recent one died last Sept. at age 12; (2) purchase a calm trail horse; I retired Boaz (pictured here) for health reasons a few weeks ago (his health, not mine); (3) learn more about the night sky. In checking out DVDs and books on astronomy and exploring the Milky Way (my favorite candy bar, by the way), Linda at Blacksburg Public Library informed me they have a telescope I can check out. I have always said that public
Pasture Talk
libraries are fantastic community resources, and our Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library has just escalated in fantastic-ness. We at New River Valley Magazine step into our 16th year, having slogged through a recession which took ad revenues to an all-time low and a pandemic that severely cut into distribution as still many waiting rooms will not display this terrific regional lifestyle magazine. But, here is a news flash: We are back in the Kroger on University City Blvd. with a rack near the customer service counter. Thank you, Eric Williams! And always at all the Food Lion grocery stores and many other places. Yet, we also have a huge hole in our hearts with the recent passing away of Sabrina Sexton, our long-time ad rep. Her exceptional approach and success in advertising, her clever ideas for editorial and her vibrant personality are already sorely missed. She was loved for her kindness, professionalism, compassion and competence. Fare thee well, our wonderful friend and colleague ~ rest in peace.
Joanne Anderson ManagingEditor
jmawriter@aol.com
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The 10-23 Wedding
Text by Joanne M. Anderson Photos by Don’t Blink Photography
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To step into their future together, Stu and Rachel Nelson brought a little of the past along to honor their combined local and global heritage. There’s Appalachian folklore about burying a bottle of bourbon at the wedding site. “This is a longstanding Southern tradition,” Rachel explains, “where the bottle of bourbon is buried 30 days in advance to ward off rain on the wedding day.” Well, that works! No rain on this parade! The couple buried a bottle of Jim Beam black upside down, then dug it up on their wedding day - and drank some. Stu’s mother moved from her native Scotland to Canada with her parents when she was pregnant with him. NRVMAGAZINE.com
Though he grew up north of our border, Scotland has always been near and dear to his heart. When the topic of his outfit surfaced, there was no hesitation. He would wear a kilt in his Gunn clan tartan with the pin. He sported the traditional jacket with a sporran, a pouch which serves like a pocket, since the kilt does not have any. He finished the ensemble with a “sgian dubh” in his sock. It is pronounced “skeen doo” and is a dagger with a fixed blade whose origin in the sock is up for debate. The date of October 23 was intentional, as in 1023. The ten-codes or ten signals are common short codes to convey information in law enforcement, the field in which both of the Nelsons work. And 10-23 means: Arrived on the scene. Clever and appropriate. Jan/Feb
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I liked that my money was going somewhere that meant something.” Her mom, Lucy Copeland, actually picked out this wedding gown for her only daughter, adhering to Rachel’s wishes for something modest, while also pretty and sexy like a bride. The five bridesmaids and three maids of honor were all very close friends. “I couldn’t choose between them, so I had three maids of honor figuring it was my wedding, so I could do what I wanted there.” There were also 8 groomsmen, many of them colleagues of Stu’s at the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office. Sarge, Stu’s American pit bull rescue dog, 8, came out with him and sat next to him during the ceremony. “He is very well-trained and stayed close to us, most of the time,” Rachel relates. “He also enjoyed calmly wandering around the reception, getting an abundance of snacks.” Rachel knew of the photographer, Jade McManus of
Planning On a 3-month schedule, Stu and Rachel found the venue first. It was the third ceremony held at Round Rock Farm, a new idyllic outdoor venue in Wythe County. “My husband, Paul, built our barn in six months for our daughter’s wedding the previous month,” states Angie Akers. “It was a gorgeous ceremony and reception, and since we now had the 40’ x 40’ rustic, wood, pole barn, we decided to open it for weddings between April and October.” Rachel traveled to Bristol Bridal Station just over the Virginia line for her dress. “All their wedding gowns are new,” she states. “It’s a not-for-profit business dubbed ‘Couture for a Cause” where each one sold [no sales tax] provides support to women and children in the YWCA programs. Many are victims of domestic violence, and 12
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Create your dream wedding in our beautiful garden
The Hahn Horticulture Garden on the Virginia Tech Campus hahngarden.vt.edu
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Don’t Blink Photography, through mutual friends. The price was reasonable, and she was available. The DJ was Jody Pyles, a musician from Radford and personal friend. Mission BBQ was selected as the caterer, in part for their dedication to veterans, but also because the price and the quality of food was simply the best for them. Choices were abundant and delicious, with pulled pork, beef brisket and chicken BBQ plus three sides. Erin Worrall, Lucy’s next door neighbor, served as wedding planner, and she was awesome for connecting the dots on all the details. She accompanied Rachel and others to Hobby Lobby to choose the flowers, some singles, some clumps. Once Rachel told Erin the look she wanted, Erin made it happen, arranging the flowers herself, in addition to coordinating the photographer, the rehearsal, who would be where and how things would unfold.
The Wedding
The day of the ceremony, Rachel took a step back to soak
it in. “You have people you love all in one place, and you’ve just made a commitment to share the rest of your life. It was all breath-taking and glorious.”
The day dawned with blue sky and sunshine – credit the bourbon bottle? – and everything came together nicely. The crowd of around 120 sat on hay bales. Her grandfather, Jim Copeland, 88, read a scripture passage from the Bible during the ceremony. It was so beautiful, says Lucy. “The arch outside [also handcrafted by Paul Akers] frames the Southwest Virginia mountains. It was an awesome, rural setting for an enchanting wedding with tables inside and outside the barn for dining and relaxing.” The wedding cake was made, decorated and delivered by Baked with Love by Rhonda and Beth (on Facebook), plus 100 cupcakes. “Don’t sweat the small stuff,” Rachel advises. “Things are going to happen along the way. You might have to deal with difficult people. We had a short timeline. Let people help when they offer.” So in short: Country wedding, 10-4. They arrived, 10-23. Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Nelson!
Venue: Round Rock Farm, Paul and Angie Akers, 540-320-0816 Photographer: Don’t Blink Photography, Jade McManus, 540-320-4466 Caterer: Mission BBQ, Christiansburg Flowers: Hobby Lobby, arranged by Erin Worrall Cake: Baked with Love by Rhonda and Beth [Facebook] Music: Jody Pyles, musician, Radford 14
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Elo pe ment Wedding
Nick and Eric Salter Beliveau Farm Winery, Blacksburg Fri., Jan. 8, 2021 Photographer: Kristie Lea Photography, Blacksburg One of the first dates that Nick and Erin went on was
to Beliveau Farm Winery. “It was in the middle of a snowstorm, and we had the place to ourselves,” quips Nick. The couple dated
three years, while he worked at the Corporate Research Center and Erin attended VCOM. When he proposed the previous fall, they knew right away they wanted a quiet, private wedding - at
the winery - in the snow. “We consulted a weather prediction that indicated it would snow on Jan. 8, so we made that our wedding
date three months in advance,” Erin states. And it snowed! For them! When Nick later lost his job due to covid, he worked as a groundskeeper at Beliveau Farm Winery before the couple moved to Maine where Erin is a hospital doctor. 16
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HOME IS . . . WHERE THE ADVENTURE NEVER ENDS
Let’s prepare you for the best run of your life! NEST NEW RIVER VALLEY
happinessNRV@nestrealty.com 540.443.6100 nestrealtynrv.com 118 Country Club Drive SW Blacksburg, VA 24060
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Elo pe ment Wedding
Zac Mills and Jaclyn Jewett The Cascades, Giles County Tues., Aug. 3, 2021 Photographer: Silver Pebble Photography, Blacksburg Zac and Jaclyn were all about eloping before the pandemic,
and that just sealed the deal. Both residents of North Carolina,
Jaclyn visited a friend in Blacksburg and hiked to The Cascades. “I
knew right away this was where I wanted to get married! The lush scenery, big rocks, moss and water – exactly what we were looking for,” Jaclyn says. In Virginia, witnesses are not required for the
ceremony, so off they went – into the woods to get married. While
the couple did not hike to the waterfall, they went quite a ways up to the first bridge. They chose a super cool rocky spot to say the vows and afterward walked in the water and back down the trail.
“We’ll have a celebration with family and friends at some point,” she
relates. And they’ll live happily ever after for having found such a unique, natural venue in the New River Valley. 20
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Fe at ure
Nuptial Pups
Mr. & Mrs. Nelson and "Sarge" Text by Nancy S. Moseley Pets are often our first true love. They are a constant and offer us an unconditional stream of affection. They ease us through the time between human relationships, after all the break-ups, after all the trials of trysts gone awry. Pets ride shotgun on our journey through life and our imperfect quest to find "the one." Colloquially known as man's best friend, it only stands to reason they should be man's best man also, right? When it comes to including your furry favorite in the big day, there are some things to consider. A good place to start is finding out whether your chosen venue allows pets and any applicable rules. If you plan to pronounce husband and wife al fresco, said rules may be a bit more lax. Next, spend some serious evaluative time on your dog's temperament. Are they at all unpredictable in 24
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new situations or around new people? Do they obey basic commands? Are they known to be a sneaky food-stealer, a jumper or an affectionate face-kisser? There's nothing like Lucy from "Peanuts" proclaiming, "Blech! My lips touched dog lips! Poison! Dog lips! Blech!" to ruin the moment. Decide what role you want your pup to play. Perhaps they can escort the bride down the aisle or stand in as the "Dog of Honor" alongside other attendants during the ceremony. If you have a particularly well-behaved pup, let him be the ring bearer, carrying a satchel either around his neck or in his mouth. However, like other youthful ring bearers, it's probably best if the actual symbols of commitment are tucked safely on board the bride and groom instead or in the hands of trustworthy attendants. A furry feminine can fill the role of flower girl by adorning her Jan/Feb
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Mr. & Mrs. Douthat with wedding pups
with a garland of on-theme blossoms. Reesie Douthat and her husband, Alex, had three dogs and two horses in their 2020 wedding, which was profiled in NRV Magazine’s Jan-Feb 2021 issue. "We chose to have our animals in the wedding because they are a huge part of both of us. We have always been animal lovers." No matter what, it is certain you will want some evidence of the shenanigans. Give the photographer an early heads-up that you plan to include your pet in the special day. Decide exactly what shots you want and take care of the ones that include your canine first. You might consider hiring a photographer who has special experience with animals, as they are sure to have some creative suggestions of their own. NRVMAGAZINE.com
When Phillip and April Vaught got married 18 years ago, they definitely wanted Sky, their 5-year-old Dalmation with them. “we couldn’t have her in the church at the ceremony,” Phillip relates, “but she was waiting for us at the outdoor reception. She got in all the photos we could get her into wearing a dog collar tiara and veil.” The dog had been along for most of their more than five years’ dating, living with one of them or the other along the way.
Dog Details Now it's time to have fun with all the little details. Marthastewart.com suggests: "Name a cocktail after the dog or incorporate a photo into decor elements, like drink stirrers." If you plan to have a head table with the wedding Jan/Feb
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'Sarge'
party, set up a ground-level "table" feast for the pup. Serve dog-shaped cookies as wedding favors or prepare actual 'doggie bags' of canine treats for guests to take home. Countryliving.com suggests printing out pictures of your four-legged friend with different numbers around their neck, then frame them to use as table numbers. Another good message on a dog can be: “I Do, Too.” Take a picture of the dog with a "Thank You" sign and use it to print thank you notes after all the ceremonial dust has settled. Overall, it's best if your pet is a warm-hearted addition to the wedding festivities, not a stressful distraction. And it's probably a good idea if they are seen and not heard (ahem, kind of like children). Consider giving someone the honored role of being the pet handler whose job it is to assure the animal is not neglected or overwhelmed, gets food, water and basic care when the bride and groom are otherwise engaged.
"My husband’s dog, Newt, was supposed to go down the aisle with him but he was busy getting a stick and came down with me.
them not on a leash that didn’t go as planned. My heeler, Kayleigh, decided she wanted to roll around in the train of my dress. The photographer caught that in a few of her photos! It was quite comical." Just remember it's all a new and exciting adventure for your pup, too. Even though you've found your forever love, remember they were your furever love, first. "The fact that we got to have the things that mean most to us and represent us was very rewarding. They each have been through so many milestones in our lives," Reesie concludes. And should having your dog at the wedding and/or reception not be quite enough to honor his/her faithfulness and loyalty, you can name your first-born after the canine. “Our daughter, Hannah Sky, is now requesting to be called Sky instead of Hannah,” says her mom, as a dog she never met lives on in her name and her parents’ memories.
Dog Distractions Wedding days contain a lot of moving parts. And like most "best laid plans," things can go wrong and probably will. It's important to remain flexible and laugh with the punches, easily switching gears when necessary. Reesie Douthat recalls: "My husband’s dog, Newt, was supposed to go down the aisle with him but he was busy getting a stick and came down with me. Then they ideally were supposed to sit with us but with two of 26
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Nancy S. Moseley is a Blacksburg-based freelance writer who would absolutely consider having her four-legged best friend in her wedding. However, horses (and most animals larger than her) make her nervous. Well, so do weddings for that matter. Jan/Feb
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The Spunsters:
Lovers of Fiber Arts
Text by Becky Hepler Photos by Kristie Lea Photography There is much to recommend fiber arts as a creative outlet. It has the vibrant colors of painting without the mess of cleaning brushes. It won’t cut or burn like stained glass, and it won’t dry out your hands like pottery. In fact, if you are working with a fleece right off the sheep, you will get your lanolin in spades. For these and many other reasons, a group of New River Valley ladies get together to share in this endeavor, calling themselves the 28
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Spunsters. The group started after a spinning class was offered at the Y back in the early 1990s. They enjoyed each other’s company very much and loved spinning together. It turned out, there was a group that met at night, and some joined them. As more retired, they started meeting in the day time. At first, the Spunsters met in private homes, and then in library community rooms. Since the library did not allow
Jan/Feb
long-term reservations, they went back to home visits until discovering that the Blacksburg Rec Center allows that. Thus, every Thursday that the rec center is open, these friends meet to spin, knit, crochet, weave, trade ideas, get help with problems, discuss books they’ve read and maintain longstanding friendships. It is this social attitude that delights Joanne Lisa-Strauch. She learned to spin in New Jersey before
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where she is a regular at the meetings, working on her orange sweaters. It was her animals that motivated Laurie Lee into the fiber arts scene. She has had as many as 40 goats on her Riner farm. As a child, she helped her aunt with stray creatures who came into their care. Sustaining a back injury when she was young that immobilized her led her to needlework and fiber arts. When she left Texas to move to Virginia, she stocked her farm with goats and rabbits so she would have the mohair and angora yarn that are her favorites. Laurie Lee loves the Zen quality of spinning, which can soothe a troubled soul and “you have a finished product when you’re done.” Rebecca Hunt-Ford wanted an alpaca hat, but the alpaca yarn was expensive, so she learned to spin. She was able to use fiber from a friend’s father who raised alpacas. After watching some YouTube videos, Rebecca not only built her own Navaho spindle, but also spun the alpaca fiber for her hat. As she quips, go big or go home. “I got so excited that I contacted Smithfield Plantation to see if they had an opening for someone to do spinning demonstrations. I thought that was the coolest thing. Plus I am more than happy to dress in period clothes, except in summer; I don’t know how those women survived in those clothes on hot days,” Rebecca relates. “It was a holiday weekend thing, so I showed up for that and while doing a demonstration, I met Jennifer Newcomb who suggested I join the Spunsters. And I’ve been coming ever since.” While stopping at the rec center to pick up her grandson’s artwork, Rhea Epstein received an invitation to join the group also from Jennifer. Now Rhea has her own wheel and is creating the yarn for her knitting projects. Jennifer is a long-time Spunster, since 2005, and recruiter extraordinaire. She has always knitted or crocheted, and she thought it would be interesting to take the process from the very beginning, minus the animal care, so she took a 6-week spinning course and was hooked. “I love fiber arts,” she says. “I find it relaxing and challenging creatively. It sparks my imagination. It’s refreshing to be able to sit with a group of talented women doing the same thing. It’s always inspirational.”
she and her husband, Otto, moved to Craig County. In Bergen County, N.J., she drove 45 minutes to join a group. “I brought my spinning wheel, and they looked at me like I had two heads. ‘Aren’t we spinning here?’ I asked. ‘Oh no, we’re having a program about [something else], so you go home and spin.’ ‘What about help?’ I inquired. ‘Oh, we’ll critique it.’ You know what?, I thought, I have my family for that.” For her, the Spunsters here is always full of good ideas and willing to help anyone; it’s like the antithesis to the N.J. group.
Ann Catlett had not considered a spinning class, but a friend wanted to do it and asked Ann to go with her. In the end, the friend did not like it and Ann loved it. Ann Catlett had not considered a spinning class, but a friend wanted to do it and asked Ann to go with her. In the end, the friend did not like it and Ann loved it. She kept taking classes and eventually came to the Spunsters 30
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For help, instruction, inspiration, fellowship and a good time, stop by the Blacksburg Rec Center some Thursday afternoon and give it a spin with the Spunsters. Jan/Feb
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Meet the Artist
Gallery Open House February 12-13 Saturday 11-4 pm, Sunday 12-3 pm
Supplying artists and makers in the New River Valley...
You’re in My Heart
216 S. Main Street, Kent Square Blacksburg, VA 24060 (540) 552-6446 blacksburggallery@pbuckleymoss.com
Coupon! 10% Off*
www.pbuckleymoss.com
101 South Main Street Downtown Blacksburg newriverartandfiber.com @artandfiber
*Limit: one per transaction. Cannot be combined with any other discount.
StarCityGreyhounds.org Also find us on Facebook!
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NRV H o me
The Not-So-Little House
Text by Joanne M. Anderson Photos by Kristie Lea Photography large for the times with seven bedrooms and three full baths in the above-ground basement! Rumor on the street is that there was a student housing shortage, and surely this 2,000 square feet of lower level space helped out, plus providing maid quarters. Some of those walls have come down to create an extraordinarily charming Airbnb guest suite with windows and a private entrance into a very inviting, cozy space. “We specifically sought out property with an incomeproducing element,” states homeowner Katie Bowling who, with her husband Philip, does some of the renovation. It was just a little over three years ago when the family had been living outside Boston for several years that they discussed their long-term, raise-the-family plan. “Philip’s family is in Tennessee, and I am a Blacksburg native, and we decided moving back to my hometown made sense for everyone.” The Bowlings love restoring old houses, and this house is spacious, family friendly and near downtown. Philip works with Katie’s dad, John Byers, at Townside Property Management, owned by Byers and Mike Eggleston.
While the 1960s are oft remembered for tumultuous civil unrest, along with “The Sound of Music” and emergence of The Beatles, on the economic and housing fronts, it was a prosperous decade. Though the average home was a 1,600-square-foot ranch house with a price tag around $31,000, many large homes were constructed. These offered spacious living rooms for entertaining, closets in every bedroom and nicely landscaped grounds. Formica counters and wood paneling were popular, along with a wood-burning fireplace in the living room. This family home in Blacksburg, constructed in 1963, sports wood paneling in both the sheet panel variety and upscale raised panel walls in the living room. There’s a requisite fireplace in the living room and a charming chair rail with solid wood paneling on the lower third of the formal dining room walls. Medium-tone wood kitchen cupboards with scalloped wood décor embellishments and linoleum kitchen flooring are still in place here with other floors being attractive hardwood. V.e.r.y. ‘60s. The 2-story brick house, however, is exceptionally 32
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“As is” – All Original 1960s The property sold for the first time in 1998 “as is”, since the original owners never made any changes. The gentleman who purchased it lived there solo for 20 years without renovating. Thus, it was a real “as is” acquisition. One of the first updates for the Bowlings was adding duct work and a heat pump. Much of the other early renovation work went into the Airbnb accommodations, installing drywall over concrete walls, painting and furnishing. The upstairs bedrooms and hall bathroom were spruced up for the kids. The master bedroom is gigantic with a tiny bathroom en suite. A much larger bathroom will be designed and added at some point using some the bedroom’s large floor space. The generous living room, like the entire house, is flooded with natural daylight from copious 8-over-8 pane windows. The charming, eclectic décor reflects tradition as well as transitional accents and family pieces. “Having a large house now, we seem to be the favorite place for heirlooms to land as older relatives downsize,” Katie points out. Guitars hang on the living room wall with a pink piano nearby for the musical inclinations of Philip and the kids. “The piano was my grandmother’s, and painting it pink was just for fun.” One could easily get lost just on the main floor among the living room, formal dining room, very large eat-in kitchen, family room, office, expansive “wild and free” playroom, laundry, hall and full bathroom. The Bowlings painted the wall paneling in the family room and plan soon to knock out a window and wall in favor of doors to a new, large deck. The kitchen is substantially big for the 1960s with lots of cupboards, counter space and a window over the sink. There’s another window over the L-shaped counter along the outside walls, an island and the proverbial kitchen table. Though dated in many ways, the largess of the kitchen renders it very workable and pleasant. There are buzzers all over the house - to call the maid(s) back in the day - plus a working elevator. Katie has added décor elements which radiate the graciousness and warmth of the impressive home while offering a casual contemporary feel. One accent wall in a child’s bedroom sports a doggie wallpaper, and the inside of the front door is a bright, sunny shade of yellow. Hanging chairs were a 1960s phenomenon which still evoke a whimsical, modern place to relax, especially when outfitted with a furry seat, pillow and teddy bear. From the master bath, new deck, knocking out a few more walls here and there and ongoing home renovation to kitchen updates and more painting and wallpapering, the Bowlings actively embrace the move back to Katie’s hometown. The entire family is thrilled they can live, work and play from their stately house in the New River Valley, a classic home with a grand past and exciting future.
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The Hippie Van new life as a therapy bus?
Text by Joanne M. Anderson Photos by Tom Wallace The Volkswagen Microbus, manufactured from 1950 to 2013, unexpectedly became an American icon for many in the counter-culture revolution of the 1960s. Dubbed a hippie van in some circles, the boxy vehicle was a forerunner to modern vans and an interesting alternative to the station wagon. It was only the second vehicle made by VW following its Beetle, which launched in 1938. The consumer version has side windows, removable middle and rear seats, a roomy interior, rear-wheel drive and an air-cooled engine. A commercial model was the first panel van on the market. When VW caught wind of owners using the Microbus for a camper, it designed and manufactured camper conversion kits. 36
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In a 2019 article titled “History of the Volkswagen Bus” on autotrends.org, writer and car enthusiast Matt Keegan offers this: [Type 1 refers to the Beetle, for the first vehicle by VW, and Type 2 is the Microbus.] "Modify a Volkswagen Beetle platform and its 1.1-liter air-cooled engine and place a van body on top of it and you have the makings of a new vehicle. Like the Type 1, the Type 2 featured a rear-mounted engine and transaxle, adding a ladder frame chassis and a pair of gear-hub reduction boxes to lower the gearing across all four gears. The original engine made just 25 horsepower, then increased to 44 horsepower when a 1.5-liter engine was introduced. Fuel mileage for first- and second-generation Jan/Feb
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models was about 20 mpg with top speeds ranging from 55 mph for earlier models to 68 mph for second-generation models. The first-generation Microbus featured certain design characteristics that were unique to this model, including a split windshield layout and multiple window variations. Standard models were equipped with 11 windows, DeLuxe versions had 15 windows and Sunroof DeLuxe models added eight small skylight windows for a total of 23 windows. The first models had removable middle- and rear-row seats, while later models had only a removable rear seat." As the cultural revolution of the ‘60s declined, so did interest in this novel vehicle, but not for everyone. When Jack Howard decided to open Tea and Jam in Feb. 2018, a unique café (now closed) on the north end of Blacksburg, he decided the VW Microbus would be a great marketing tool. “I found this 1970 one at an antique car dealer in North Carolina,” Howard relates of his purchase. “I felt it would reflect the vibe of the business I sought to achieve.” The van was all orange with original everything. Howard delivered it to The Bug Shop on Harding Avenue outside Blacksburg to evaluate and repair whatever needed fixing. Today, it runs great. The odometer reads 87,000 miles, but who knows? Then he got in touch with local freelance graphic artist Sara McCarter. Alongside her day job in construction project management at Warm Hearth Village, McCarter has her own graphic design studio, www.olioworkshop.com. “Jack was fun to work with,” she relates. “He wanted part NRVMAGAZINE.com
Need Assistive Technology? Connect with TAP! The Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (VDDHH) offers telecommunication equipment and assistive technology to qualified applicants as a solution to their communication needs through the Technology Assistance Program (TAP). From equipment information to usage demos, TAP provides access and help with assistive technology to keep you connected.
To get started, call or visit a regional office near you. To find the closest office or learn more, call 800-552-7917 (Voice) or visit vddhh.org
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of the van to reflect his love for surfing, thus the ocean on the back. He wanted something rooted locally with the Blue Ridge Mountains, plus musical touches and a funky hippie culture vibe.” It was all designed for a vinyl wrap to be applied on the vehicle. “It was my first wrap,” she continues. “The Microbus is great to begin with for not having as many contours and curves as other vehicles. I received some valuable input from Blacksburg Transit.” She began with photos of the van and spec drawings one can find online. “I put the VW bus to scale into Illustrator, overlaying the designs on top of the photographs. I would generate designs for Jack’s review. He would tweak this and that, and I made changes. He was very involved all along.” Once everything was just as Howard wanted it, he contacted Justin Hurt, owner of Signspot on S. Main St. in Blacksburg to print the wrap. “We do vinyl wraps all the time,” Hurt says. They provide many of the wraps for BT buses, along with very large decals. Signspot recently produced a new magnificent wrap for Moss Arts Center, which was applied to a masonry wall. “That takes specific materials and
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a process to do this, and in the end, it looks like it’s painted on the building.” To apply a vinyl wrap, especially to a vehicle, precision installers need a very clean, covered space. McCarter knew a friend with a brand new house and garage, and they let the van come to the new, vacant garage for application. “It was fascinating to watch them place the wrap on the bus,” McCarter states. “They are artists themselves, using heat and molding and placing the wrap, while hot, into exactly the correct places.” The result is phenomenal, and the Microbus gets a lot of attention around town. Jack Howard’s first car was a 1967 VW Beetle, and he also has owned a 1974 bus. The doll on the dash, he points out, is traditional on these hippie vans. Originally from Bluefield, W.V., Howard was a software developer for years and plans now to explore Shamanic and sound healing. Maybe this Microbus is not done working. It can still serve as a ride, of course, but also offers a place for a consulting session or quiet time with a cup of tea in the spacious, comfortable interior. It is already outfitted with cushions and pillows for a neat, little, calm, therapy session space. Jan/Feb
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Come with me -- to Cedar Key!
Text and photography by Jo Clark If you cannot abide spending the entire winter in the New River Valley, consider this for a new vacation idea: Cedar Key, a tiny jewel glistening three miles out in the Gulf of Mexico, off Florida’s northwestern coast. Highway 24 provides the only way into Cedar Key, cutting through marshes and across small bridges. The 30-minute drive may take an hour because of the picturesque views on both sides of the highway. Laid-back Cedar Key is a fishing community that 800 full-time residents call home. It offers a simpler way of life — enjoy this chance to “unplug.” Ask a local, and they’ll tell you it is a drinking town with a fishing problem.
Nature Coast Biological Station. Between November and March, record numbers of migrating birds pass through the 53,000-acre Lower Suwannee and Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge following the Great Florida Birding Trail as if using a GPS. There are lovely hiking trails and the Indian Shell Mound, a 28-foot mound of oyster and clam shells covering five acres.
History Lesson Two museums tell the story of Cedar Key. The islands were covered in cedar trees, and they were used so heavily (for pencils!) that they were decimated in three years. Next, residents turned to oystering to make a living, and they quickly depleted the supply. Along came the hurricane of 1896, and its 10.5-foot storm surge just about leveled little Cedar Key. By 1920, residents who doggedly rebuilt used palm tree fibers to make brooms and brushes. Native American artifacts and seashells are displayed in a restored 1920s home at the Cedar Key State Park Museum. The Old Cedar Key
Natural Beauty John Muir walked 1,000 miles from Indiana to Florida in 1867. He developed malaria and stayed in Cedar Key to recover. With his walk and the Florida beauty surrounding him, he began writing about man’s relationship with nature, which led to the 1892 founding of the Sierra Club. Cedar Key is home of the University of Florida’s 40
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Walking Tour spotlights 53 historic sites, and another walking tour includes six significant African American sites. Today, Cedar Key thrives on tourism and farm-raised clams. The clam industry supports more than 500 local jobs, and the littleneck clams are prized and shipped nationally and internationally. Another industry, Cedar Key Canvas, produces quality canvas bags, totes and luggage.
Sand and Sea, Stay and Sleep Visitors can rent kayaks, paddleboards and boats at five locations. You can paddle around or catch a tour boat to one of the small outlying islands to spend a day on your own private beach. For fishing, you can select from 28 guides listed in the brochure, Levy County’s Fabulous Fishing Guides. You can also get current information at Levy County’s website. Whether you want to try your luck in the Gulf or river fishing—they’ve got you covered! You can also try your luck on the fishing pier. It is fun to watch, even if you don’t have a rod in your hand. The Island Hotel is the oldest commercial building in Cedar Key and offers 10 guest rooms. The local icon was built in 1859 on brick and wood piers as Parsons and Hale General Store. Since then, the hotel has been home to celebrities and NRVMAGAZINE.com
even a U.S. president. The building not only survived the Civil War but also hurricanes and an attempted arson by a desperate bankrupt owner. You won’t find chain hotels on the island, but you can discover owner-operated places and individually-owned houses for rent. Getting around on an island is easy, but parking is not. So take advantage of the size, park your car, and walk or rent a golf cart at the stand on Dock Street next to The Big Deck. Music floats from The Big Deck bar on Friday and Saturday nights, and several other places have live music on Sunday afternoons.
No Stranger If you come to Cedar Key as a stranger, you won’t leave as one! People here become friends as soon as you meet them. They share their food, buy you drinks, teach you how to throw darts. I guess that’s why people return to the island again and again — or give in and move there permanently! Cedar Key really is “living on island time.” Jo Clark lives on island time on South Carolina’s Grand Strand and left a piece of her heart in the New River Valley a long time ago when she attended Radford University for her MBA degree. Her Instagram account is JoGoesEverywhere – and she sure tries. Jan/Feb
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Confronting Cancer across the New River Valley
Of the 1.8 million people in the U.S. who are diagnosed with cancer every year, some are New River Valley residents, neighbors and friends. When Blacksburg Battles Cancer, under a different name at the time, held its first golf tournament in 2005, its mission to raise money for cancer research, patients and support systems was front and center. Fast-forward to 2022, and the organization has broadened its fundraising efforts with new events to extend its impact throughout the region. In just the last eight years, the non-profit has raised more than $250,000. An estimated 40% of the population will be diagnosed with some kind of cancer at some point in their lives. And what might have once been considered an old person’s disease now strikes youth as well. More than 16,500 kids up to age 19 are diagnosed with cancer each year, and about 10 percent of them pass away from the disease. Expenses for diagnosis, care, treatment, etc., top $150 billion annually. On the local level, Blacksburg Battles Cancer spreads its donations into every county and Radford to:
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• • • • • • • • •
fund research assist with treatment and transportation support hospice agencies send kids with cancer to camp provide mammograms for early detection offer training support educational programs sell plaques for benches and much more.
Two benches were donated and placed at holes number one and 10 on the golf course at Blacksburg Country Club. Handsome, life-time guaranteed, engraved plaques to honor a loved one are available for $250 each. Plans are in the works for several new events launching this year and next, like a jazz and dinner festival, Kentucky Derby celebration, bourbon tasting, casino night. Blacksburg Battles Cancer is completely volunteerdriven, and the money distributed stays in the New River Valley. In fact, the organization suggests that contributions to
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national cancer organizations – in life or in a Last Will – be directed locally, to strengthen the New River Valley in its resources to help our residents, friends and neighbors. Cancer deaths are on the decline. It’s only by one and two or two and a half percent, but it’s heading in the right direction. Prevention, early detection, advanced treatments and targeted drug therapy are among the reasons. “It is encouraging to see a continued decline in death rates for many of the common cancers,” relates Karen Hacker, M.D., M.P.H., director of CDC’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. “To dismantle existing health disparities and give everyone the opportunity to be as healthy as possible, we must continue to find innovative ways to reach people across the cancer care continuum — from screening and early detection to treatment and support for survivors.” If you’ve ever dropped change into a big jar, you know this common fact: It adds up. If you charge most of your monthly purchases, you know this: It adds up. And when you donate to Blacksburg Battles Cancer, which really battles the entire New River Valley: It adds up. If everyone in the New River Valley donated $20, that could add up to more than a couple million dollars! Imagine!
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We love supporting Blacksburg Battles Cancer. Carilion Clinic is honored to participate in a meaningful way because this fits with our mission to improve the health of the communities we serve. Cancer touches every one of us, directly or indirectly, and anything we can do to take a bite out of its impact locally is an important focus. Bill Flattery President & CEO Carilion New River Valley Medical Center
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NR V F o o d F a re
Chili
Compiled by Joanne M. Anderson
It’s HOT like popular, and it’s HOT like tasty!
About the only sure thing about chili is that it did not originate in Mexico, and it’s not common to find it served there. Texas cowboys and San Antonio cooks are likely the early chili makers. Ranch hands who moved cattle a couple centuries ago needed a good, hot meal. Trail cooks pounded dried beef, fat, chile peppers and seasonings together, storing them in “bricks”, then adding boiling water along the trail. Trail cooks are rumored to have planted peppers, onions and herbs in mesquite patches, where cattle won’t graze, to use later along the trail routes for this belly-warming stew. Along the way beans were added, then tomatoes, and then chicken with white beans.
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White Bean Chicken Chili
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1 tablespoon olive oil
3 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1 large onion, chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced
5 ¼ cups chicken broth
3 15-oz. cans cannellini (white kidney) beans, rinsed and drained
2 4-oz cans chopped green chiles
1 Tbl. dried oregano 1 tsp. ground cumin
2 pinches cayenne pepper ½ cup shredded cheese
Heat olive oil and cook chicken, onion and garlic, about 3 min. per side until browned. Cut chicken in pieces, return to pan and add broth, beans, chiles, oregano, cumin and cayenne pepper. Simmer 30-45 min. until chicken is fully cooked. Season with salt and garnish is bowls with cheese.
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Jan/Feb January/February 2022
Adventurous Additives for Chili • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Coffee Beer Soy crumbles in place of meat Honey Wine Squeeze of lime Smoked paprika for a kick Apples Shot of bourbon Thicken with cornmeal Can of pumpkin BBQ sauce Unsweetened cocoa powder or espresso Liquid smoke Pineapple
Cincinnati Chili Lowdown: Bowl: chili in a bowl
Two-way: chili and spaghetti
Three-way: chili, spaghetti and cheese
Four-way: chili, spaghetti, cheese and onions
Five-way: chili, spaghetti, cheese, onions and beans
Four-way bean: chili, spaghetti, cheese, and beans
(beans substituted for the onions)
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Advertisers Index
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Wed., Feb. 23, 7:30 PM
BALLET HISPÁNICO Noche de Oro
$25-$55; $10 students with ID and youth 18 and under PERFORMANCES l EXHIBITIONS l EXPERIENCES 190 Alumni Mall, Blacksburg, VA 24061 | 540-231-5300
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