NRV’s Premier Lifestyle Magazine
New River Valley September/October 2020
nrvmagazine.com
Bobby Lilly Peggy White Entrepreneurs The Beauty of Fall
Retirement
VT Kickers
Elly Pruden Costume Designer
Search. See. Love.
Find a place to hang your heart. Explore all homes today and leverage the insight of our agent network. Find your agent at LongandFoster.com
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
Breaking News From Long & Foster NRV / Blacksburg We are excited to announce that Wendy Swanson will be joining The Priscilla Morris Team. What does this mean for you? The Priscilla Morris Team now has 5 knowledgeable agents who will guide you through the real estate process. They have a combined production of over 2,800 transactions, over $480 million in sales, and over 75 years of experience. The Wall Street Journal published their 2020 REAL Trends Thousand list, on which Wendy Swanson was ranked #17 in the country and #2 in Virginia. In our Long & Foster family, Wendy is the #1 Top Producing Agent for Sales in the Southwest Virginia Region.
Louise Baker REALTOR® 540.320.0382 louiseybaker@gmail.com www.nrvhomes.com
Our new team member is a lifelong resident of Southwest Virginia and a Virginia Tech Alumni. As a former Vice President of a Simon & Associates Inc and former mortgage originator, she holds over 15 years of experience, which proves helpful when discussing real estate transactions. Impossible is not in her vocabulary, and she finds that she enjoys a challenge. Whether it is helping first time home buyers or commercial transactions, Wendy believes it is her job to help her customers in all aspects of their real estate dreams. The Priscilla Morris team covers the New River Valley, Roanoke County, Salem City, and beyond. Whether you’re buying, selling, or just looking, this experienced team will diligently work for you every step of your real estate journey.
of Long & Foster Real Estate
Mike Weber REALTOR®
The
540.250.6727
Team
Priscilla Morris, REALTOR® 540.320.3586 | Wendy Swanson, REALTOR® 540.797.9497 Pam Powell, REALTOR® 540.599.2239 | Chad Tickle, REALTOR® 540.599.2323 | Nicole Price, REALTOR® 540.558.8774
www.longandfoster.com/MikeWeber
Visit www.longandfoster.com or download our mobile app today! 3601 Holiday Ln. Blacksburg, VA 24060 | 540.552.1010
Priscilla
Morris
MikesYourRealtor@gmail.com
Long & Foster was named “America’s Most Trusted Residential Real Estate Brokerage” by Lifestory Research.
Trust. Family. Excellence. 2
NRV MAGAZINE
S eptemb er/Octob er 2020
NRVMAGAZINE.com
Sept/Oct
2 0 2 0
3
4
NRV MAGAZINE
S eptemb er/Octob er 2020
NRVMAGAZINE.com
Sept/Oct
2 0 2 0
5
Introducing Custom Draperies from
Custom made. Quick turn around. Choose coordinating pillows and fabrics to go with your draperies, too!
56 Years of Proudly Serving the NRV! Visit us at www.deharttile.com
Tile - Carpet - Hardwood - Luxury Vinyl - Hunter Douglas 1140 Radford St - (540)-382-3271 Christiansburg, VA 24073
1140 Radford St - (540)-382-3271 Christiansburg, VA 24073
Tile - Carpet - Hardwood - Luxury Vinyl
www.Deharttile.com
We’re here for you your business, and our community Tommy Loflin
2950 Market Street Christiansburg, VA 24073 6
NRV MAGAZINE
amnb.com
Carie Kingery
Todd Murray
MEMBER FDIC
S eptemb er/Octob er 2020
CONTENTS September/October
2020
14 18 Pa sture Ta l k
9
Vi rgi ni a Tec h Ki c kers 1 0
32
Teet h, Tongues & Ta i l s 1 4 Bobby L i l l y 1 8 Peggy Whi te 22 BMW Motorc yc l e 26
10
Entrepreneurs 28 The Bea u ty of Fa l l 32 A B C's of Ret i r i ng 3 6
22 NRVMAGAZINE.com
Sept/Oct
Na v i gat i ng Ret i rement 40 NRV G ets Crea t i ve 4 4 2 0 2 0
7
We Pay YOU for Checking!
Federally insured by NCUA. *2% cash back on qualifying debit card purchases up to $500 with $1,000 or more of monthly Direct Deposit and up to $1,000 with $5,000 or more of monthly Direct Deposit.
**Annual Percentage Yield (APY) as of 8/1/2020. Monthly Direct Deposit of $5,000 more to receive the 5.00% APY on Average Daily Balance (ADB) up to $10,000, 0.50% APY on ADB above $10,000 up to $1,000,000. Monthly Direct Deposit of $1,000 or more to receive 1.00% APY on ADB up to $10,000, 0.25% APY on ADB above $10,000 up to $1,000,000. Maintain a monthly Direct Deposit of at least $1,000 to avoid a $9 fee and enroll in eStatements to avoid a $2 paper statement fee. Fees could reduce earnings on the account. APY could change after account opening.
Open a Freedom Cash™ or Freedom Stash™ Checking Account Today!
(540) 389-0244 (866) 389-0244
www.freedomfirst.com/checking
Scary ACCE Trail & Spooky ACCE 5K e Scary ACCE Trail starts at 7 pm on October 23, 24 and 30th.
e Spooky ACCE 5K starts at 7pm on Saturday, October 24th.
is really Scary ACCE Event features the Scary Trail following Lord Castles story. Guests are sure to get their hearts racing in this after dark scary trail. e Spooky 5K is an after dark challenging course. Both events happen at Castle Rock Golf Course and all proceeds support the Giles ACCE Program. muddyACCErace.com 8
NRV MAGAZINE
S eptemb er/Octob er 2020
Pasture Talk
NEW RIVER VALLEY M
A
G
A
Z
I
N
E
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 Melody Warnick Nancy Moseley
W
PHOTOGRAPHERS Kristie Lea Photography Kevin Riley Always and Forever Photography Tom Wallace Billy Bowling Photography Nathan Cooke Photography © 2020 Country Media, Inc. Country Media, Inc. will not knowingly publish any advertisement that is illegal or misleading to its readers. Neither the advertiser nor Country Media, Inc. will be responsible or liable for misinformation, misprints, or typographical errors. The publisher assumes no financial liability for copy omissions by Country Media, Inc. other than the cost of the space occupied by the error. Corrections or cancellations to be made by an advertiser shall be received no later than 5 p.m. the 20th of each publishing month. No claim shall be allowed for errors not affecting the value of the advertisement. Paid advertising does not represent an endorsement by this publication. Content cannot be reproduced without written consent from Country Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Real Estate advertised in this publication is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968.
NRVMAGAZINE.com
With this issue, we are kicking off – pun intended – a new regular column dubbed “NRV Small ‘n Bold ~ small businesses and bold entrepreneurs”. Let’s face it, you have to be bold to run a small business. It’s always been that way, but now every entrepreneur needs extra, healthy doses of bold, plus: • Common sense • Organizational skills • Passion • Leadership talent • Integrity • Moxie • And a whole bunch of customers ~ that’s US, all of us! Wow, the second Pasture Talk in a row and the only ones ever where I have used the word “moxie”. In my birthday package from my brother earlier this year, I received a bottle of “Moxie”. I haven’t opened it yet, but since it doesn’t age like nice wine, I guess it’s time to drink it and re-live a fun childhood memory. Besides ice
cream, Moxie was the only thing at our grandfather’s house fit to eat or drink, in our opinion. As a big football fan, pulling together the kicking story was, well, quite a kick. Surely, there was much rejoicing around the NRV and beyond with the news that the Hokies would play the ACC league games. Clay Corner Inn is holding exciting tailgate parties, and if you can, get out, patronize local businesses and cheer on the team! Cooler temps and sweatshirt weather will be welcome when it arrives, and autumn in the New River Valley is as lovely as ever dressed up in gold, orange, red and rusty browns. Nancy Moseley outlines leaf peeping places on page 32. Being the only college in the nation with maroon and orange school colors makes you wonder if fall football fun and fanaticism was on their minds when that unfolded. People among us never cease to amaze me, and it’s likely you will be impressed as well with the skills and talent of Peggy White, Bobby Lilly, Elly Pruden and this year’s Virginia Tech football kickers. Go Hokies!
CORRECTION: Nancy Moseley’s byline was inadvertently omitted in the July/August issue for “Distance Healing, history, uses and benefits of telemedicine.” We love Nancy’s style, value her professionalism and have apologized. S e p t - O c t 2 0 2 0
Joanne Anderson ManagingEditor jmawriter@aol.com
9
Fo otb all
It’s a Real Kick!
football kicks and kickers
Text by Joanne M. Anderson Photos courtesy of Virginia Tech Athletics Dept. As a football game unfolds, the fans watch the snap, the run, the pass, the handoff, the play execution as team members in different positions move every which way. Someone simply cannot watch every player every second. But when the place kicker or punter steps onto the field, all eyes are trained on him. He might stand out on foul weather days for having the cleanest uniform on the gridiron. Pressure? Oh yeah. Important? You bet. Place kickers in the National Football League are billed as the most important players for being the highest scoring ones. They get the most opportunities to score and those extra points and 3-point field goals add up. Adam Vinatieri, 47, holds the record with having scored 2,673 points. His longest field goal is 57 yards, and his field goal 10
NRV MAGAZINE
success average is 83.8%. Something to aspire to. And aspire they do. The Virginia Tech team’s kickers this year are: • Brian Johnson, #93, redshirt senior from Washington, D.C.; finished last season with an 82.6% field goal success rate, not missing any one of them inside of 40 yards. • Oscar Bradburn, #91, senior from Sydney, Australia; set a VT singleseason record with 46.5-yard gross punting average last year; longest punt in 2019 69 yards. • John Parker Romo, #96, senior from Peachtree City, GA; made 69 kickoffs last season plus a longest punt of 58 yards. Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society.
• Mark Applegate, #92, redshirt freshman from Fairfax, VA; multiple allstate and all-region kicker accolades plus all-region and all-district punter. Soccer player. Kicking has not always enjoyed its own keen, well-trained, seriously-focused personalities. Even in the late 1960s, a running back or back-up quarterback or offensive tackle would get out and kick the ball when necessary. He was referred to as the team’s “toe” when called upon. Before the game, someone might ask: “Who is your ‘toe’ today?” Then the true kicking position evolved along with an appreciation for the points a kicker can add to the score and all the difference it can make in standings, bowl games and championships.
S eptemb er/Octob er 2020
NRVMAGAZINE.com
Sept/Oct
2 0 2 0
11
Almost all of the college kickers come up through high school football, and many played soccer in middle school. The late Peter Rajecki came to the U.S. from war-ravaged Germany at age 16. He never knew his parents and did not read or write English. But he dreamed of being a place kicker when he learned about American football, transforming his informal soccer experience as a kid into playing for the University of Georgia and going pro with the NFL. Kicking camps and specialized coaching are available around the country now. The place kicker kicks the field goals and kickoffs and tends to kick soccer-style, from a few steps to the left and behind the ball, as opposed to straight toe kicking. In both cases, the ball is held or set in place, and his job is to kick it from wherever the offense has stalled on the field, and where the coach has enough confidence in his ‘toe’ to give it an attempt. The ball must go over the players and cross bar between the goal posts, into the end zone or as close to the 1-yard line as possible. Most place kickers wear special shoes like soccer boots, and very occasionally, one kicks barefoot. Kicking barefoot in high school is banned everywhere except Texas, and no longer does anyone kick barefoot in the NFL. The punter can be a different kicker - or not - whose sole objective is to send the pigskin as far and as high as he can. A good punter can evaluate distance and force so he sets up an advantageous field position for his team. Place kickers and punters are not often in the fray of running, tackling and getting tackled. Too valuable a team 12
NRV MAGAZINE
commodity, a coach will tacitly place his kicker as a ‘safety’ on a punt return, lessening the chance of contact and injury. The most common injury for kickers include thigh strains and lower extremity muscle-tendon injuries, usually the hip adductor or hamstring, caused by kicking. The two penalties involving kickers are roughing the kicker or running into the kicker. The first one carries a 15-yard penalty and automatic first down for the kicking team. The second one is a 5-yard penalty, and it is still 4th down, unless they were 5 yards or less from the scrimmage line, in which case, they will enjoy another first down. All the kickers on the Hokie team have numbers in the 90s. Kickers and punters are frequently numbered in the 40s or 90s, which are the least in-demand numbers on a college roster. No team is allowed the number zero. Only two players have been permitted to wear the number 100 in National Collegiate Athletic Association history. Both were place kickers. West Virginia’s Chuck Kinder wore 100 in 1963 in honor of the Mountain State’s 100-year anniversary. Bill Bell sported the number 100 at the University of Kansas in 1969 to commemorate 100 years of football. So, when one of these VT kickers steps out on the field, knowing there are hundreds of thousands of eyes watching only him in person and via television, be gentle with any criticism and lavish with the praise. That spotlight moment, the hero or goat in the blink of an eye, carries immense pressure. It’s a real kick, literally and figuratively. S eptemb er/Octob er 2020
At Skyline National Bank, we’re built to bring out our community’s best. And while national may be in our name, community is in our hearts. Whether you’re buying a house, building a business, getting ready to retire or just opening a child’s first account,
You deserve our best.
we’re going to answer every question, find the best solutions and help you get wherever you want to go. No matter where you’re headed, you will always get our best.
SkylineNationalBank.com
NRVMAGAZINE.com
Sept/Oct
2 0 2 0
Member FDIC
13
Profile
14
NRV MAGAZINE
S eptemb er/Octob er 2020
Teeth, Tongues and Tails!
Oh, My! Text by Joanne M. Anderson Photos by Kristie Lea Photography
NRVMAGAZINE.com
Sept/Oct
2 0 2 0
15
The once formal dining room in the Pruden family home in Blacksburg has been completely transformed, except for the chandelier and antique wood table, into Howling Dragon Studios. The only thing showing on the antique table is thick, elaborate, oak wood legs. The table top is completely covered for working space with scissors and sewing supplies and a sewing machine. A peg board holding thread spools hangs on one wall with an adjacent wall holding several drawings taped on it. These are Elly Pruden’s reference sheets, and this is her creative studio space. “Elly always loved stuffed animals and pretended, even as a toddler, to be different creatures,” states her 16
NRV MAGAZINE
mom, Tiffany [Boone] Pruden. “We made elaborate Halloween costumes which she helped design, like a monarch butterfly, hermit crab, blue jay and a wild thing from ‘Where the Wild Things Are.’” Elly was working with clay and hand sewing at a young age, and her mom taught her how to operate the sewing machine before she was 10. Elly, now 13 and a rising 8th grader, is a bonafide artist, costume designer and entrepreneur. She has 7,000 followers on Instagram [since March]. Her costume heads retail for $800 to $1,000, and she sells parts like teeth, tongues and tails, which can be switched out on the heads and fur suits. “People can change the look of any face
by switching to a different color, shape and length of tongue,” Elly explains. “Tails are the fun part of fur suits, and changing texture, color and length can alter the look.” Tiffany, a Blacksburg native, and her husband, Daniel, from Smithfield, Va., met at Virginia Commonwealth University where both were majoring in art. “We knew by the time Elly was 6 that she was incredibly imaginative, creative and talented,” Daniel relates. Her younger brother Wylder is now 6, so it’s only a matter of time to see what artistic talent emerges from the family gene pool. No pressure, Wylder! “It started with wanting to make her own stuffed animals,” Tiffany explains.
S eptemb er/Octob er 2020
“Then she made animal ears to put on headbands, then came masks, tails and wings. Heads and full fur suits kind of naturally followed. She is inspired by dogs, wolves, reptiles and dragons.” All the design process, of course, starts in Elly’s head. She draws both by hand and on the computer, generating the design from every angle to view the finished product before she begins. She then takes a foam base for a head and sculpts and chisels it to the desired shape. There’s a lot of taping for a fur suit pattern, sometimes over her own body, which is peeled off, laid flat on newspaper and cut out. From here, Elly chooses fabric from the cubbies along one wall or the large pile of faux fur in a NRVMAGAZINE.com
corner. She cuts out the pieces and sews them together, incorporating different fabrics into a fur suit. She makes eyes from mesh, LEDs and other materials. Since the faux fur is long, Elly often shaves it in different places to add depth to a fur suit or interest to a tail or head or ears. There is a dress form in another corner for seeing the fit on a body. Her colorful paws and feet have pads and toenails. Stiff material is sewn on the bottom of feet, making them suitable for walking. “My mom taught me a lot about sewing, and I have watched youtube videos,” Elly says. “And there’s always trial and error along the way.” About a year ago, Elly opened
Sept/Oct
her Etsy shop where she sells things and has taken some custom orders. “She is making great progress saving for college, likely art school,” her dad says proudly. She shops often at JOANN (fabric store) and patronizes a few online shops like Big Z Fabric in California. Tiffany’s grandparents, James and Martha Boone, built this house in 1966. Everyone is convinced they would be very proud of their greatgranddaughter, Elly, and wouldn’t care a hoot about the dining room renovation.
www.etsy.com/shop/ HowlingDragonStudios
2 0 2 0
17
Profile
The Magical Guy
Text by Becky Hepler Photos by Kevin Riley Photography Imagine a hobby that can teach you to read, and years later, pay your way through college and law school. Magical thinking? No, just ask Bobby Lilly, Commonwealth’s Attorney for Giles County and also, magician extraordinaire. “It started with kindergarten Show & Tell,” he says. “I purchased a magic set with money I got for my 5th or 6th birthday. When the little magic set arrived, I couldn’t read the directions, so Dad would help me learn one trick. He read the instructions onto a tape recorder. I ran the tape back and followed the pictures and that was part of how I 18
NRV MAGAZINE
learned to read.” He practiced all week and on Friday he performed the trick in kindergarten Show & Tell. The next week, the process started over again with another trick. When his teacher asked him to do a whole show, he said he had already shown his class all his tricks. She responded that the show would be for all the kindergarten classes in his school ~ and the miniature Houdini was born. Just before he went into high school, Bobby attended a magic summer camp where his counselor, a graduate of the Ringling Brothers Clown College,
taught him some basic balloon twisting techniques which he added to his show. “I learned how to make a lot of different animals, all from the basic dog form: a dog with a long neck, that’s a giraffe; a dog with a big nose, that’s elephant; a dog with long ears, that’s a rabbit,” he says. Attending national and international conventions put on by the International Brotherhood of Magicians (“We’re the other IBM,” he jokes) became the annual vacation for the Lilly family. Bobby entered performance competitions and at one in New Orleans,
S eptemb er/Octob er 2020
Bobby Lilly NRVMAGAZINE.com
Sept/Oct
2 0 2 0
19
he came in second for his age group, as judged by David Copperfield, among others. At another convention in Austin, Texas, Bobby got to meet and work with Tom Myers, a legend in the balloon twisting world. “It was amazing to see,” he recalls. “It wasn’t just using one little balloon to make a simple animal, they were using multiple balloons to make more complex creatures and hats and large sculptures.” Myers also hosts the Twist and Shout balloon conventions, several of which Bobby attended, and he is an inventor, coming up with an overgrown bicycle pump the size of a fire hydrant. It revolutionized the balloon act because the magician could pump up a balloon instead of blowing it up, making it possible to keep up the patter with the audience while performing. Besides, as Bobby says about inflating the long skinny ones: “Those balloons can be brutal.” Early in his performance career, most of Bobby’s show would be magic 20
NRV MAGAZINE
with only little balloon art. As his skill with the balloons grew, so did their presence in his act. That also provided special opportunities, such as the time in Rochester, N.Y., when he was invited to join 74 balloon artists from seven countries. In the course of four days with 55,000 balloons, they built a five-story tall Jack and the Beanstalk. Discovery Channel Canada covered the event, and YouTube has several views of the creation. Doing magic shows was his annual summer job as a kid and a college student, plus weekends all year round. At his peak, he did 75 shows in one year. After law school he kept performing as often as he could. Bobby Lilly was the House Magician at Mountain Lake for a time, and he regularly played at The Greenbrier and The Homestead. He performed at corporate conventions, company picnics and so many birthday parties that he stopped doing them once his daughter was born. “I was spending more time with other peoples’ children than my own,” he states.
Even as his law career has grown, and he became first the assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney in Pulaski County and now the Commonwealth’s Attorney in Giles, magic is still a passion. He continues with several personal favorite engagements, such as holidays at The Greenbrier and Carilion’s Child Safety Day. Bobby can also use magic in his legal career, whether breaking the ice with traumatized children who will need to testify in court, or bringing home a point about the consequences of choices in a Drug Court situation. He finds that his training as a magician has given him profound life skills, such as being able to communicate effectively with others and being able to see things from multiple points of view that are equally important in the law. Best of all, he declares: “Magic and balloons are the great equalizers. Everyone turns into a kid again, and it’s impossible to frown when you’re wearing a balloon hat.”
S eptemb er/Octob er 2020
NRVMAGAZINE.com
Sept/Oct
2 0 2 0
21
Profile
Champion for Pulaski County
Text by Becky Hepler Photos by Shannon Ainsley Ask Peggy White, executive director of the Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce, what her operating principle is for that organization and she answers: “Muddy Boots on the Ground.” Sometimes this is literal, as when she dons boots to visit a chamber member whose business is dairy farming, then back into pumps for the Board of Supervisors meeting later that day. Mostly, though, it’s figurative as she does whatever hard 22
NRV MAGAZINE
work is needed to advance the cause of the chamber and, more importantly, help the members in their businesses. “She is beyond passionate about the entire Pulaski community, and it is evident on a daily basis,” says Kevin Byrd, executive director of the New River Valley Regional Commission. “She is always willing to try new approaches to elevate the awareness of the community and is an ardent supporter of businesses.“
Peggy came to the Chamber 20 years ago as the membership director and rose through the ranks to become executive director in 2008. She was well trained having jointly owned a business in which she handled some design issues, advertising and sales, followed by a stint as membership director at the YMCA. Peggy’s efforts at networking and consistently checking in on members, assessing their needs and offering
S eptemb er/Octob er 2020
T HE EW I N G C O M PA N I ES
BUILDING | REMODELING | CABINETRY Considering a new home? Ask us about a Ewing Custom Home.
Visit our showroom: 1701 S. Main St., Blacksburg, VA 540.951.0544 • EwingBuildingAndCabinets.com Still open and being safe. Call ahead for an appointment if possible.
NRVMAGAZINE.com
Sept/Oct
2 0 2 0
23
resources paid off when the economy took a downward turn in 2008. “We rode through the recession, never lost a member … and managed to stay out of the emergency fund and operate on what we had,” she relates. The chamber with Peggy at the helm is credited with many innovative programs. A farmers market started in Pulaski which became a community event dubbed The Marketplace with live music and special programs all through the growing season. As part of a Virginia Cooperative Extension–Pulaski County program to introduce children and teens to healthy foods, the chamber brought in chefs to do cooking demos at The Marketplace using local produce. The chamber started a project where a business would sponsor The Marketplace for that day. Just before The Marketplace closed, the chamber would use the money from the sponsorship to buy up any farm products that hadn’t sold and donate them to the local food pantry, ensuring that the farmers had a reason to come and helping the food pantry. The farmers market became self-sustaining, and the chamber was able to move on to other projects. Peggy has a great commitment to help the youth of Pulaski County. She and the chamber have implemented several interesting programs intended to educate students about business and how to navigate the economic world. “We have two goals,” she says. “Let people know what we have and keep the talent in the area, while also preparing them for the workforce.” Manufacturing Day Expo pairs interested students with the field that intrigues them and lets them explore that type of work. The industries, usually 10 to 12 locals, set up displays and hands-on activities. While the pandemic kept 35 students this spring from the activities, Peggy is sure the project will be back as soon as it is safe.
24
NRV MAGAZINE
Another educational program is the Youth Excel, where 11th graders, after submitting a written application about their choice, are paired with people from an industry or vocation whom they shadow for a day. While it is usually chamber people and businesses involved, Peggy reaches beyond, like the time a student was interested in music therapy. Eighth Grade Reality Day, in conjunction with Virginia Cooperative Extension, takes students through the process of applying for a job and then managing the money they get from it. “It gives them the idea of thinking ahead, planning, doing a budget,” Peggy observes of the 12-year program. “I love these kinds of outreach.” The work that Peggy and the Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce have done for area businesses include creating a resource guide for the Town of Pulaski as part of its Main Street project. She has also worked to encourage local businesses to have an online presence and helps with classes on web design and computer applications. She and the chamber staff are working hard on bring broadband to the area to facilitate all of this technology. The monthly “Tuesday Topic,” a Facebook Live event, gives the chamber and various guest speakers a chance to pursue these ideas even as the economic downturn and pandemic stymy their progress. Peggy is optimistic about the future and has no plans of retiring. “I like to feel like I’m making a difference,” she declares. And she is. Joe Guthrie, chairman of the Board of Supervisors for Pulaski County has this to say about her: “Small businesses are the backbone of any local economy, so promoting those businesses and helping them thrive are key components in making any local economy work well. We are fortunate in Pulaski County that those businesses have an active and highly innovative chamber working for them, and that's due in large part to the leadership provided by Peggy White.”
S eptemb er/Octob er 2020
ADVENTURE COULD BE IN your backyard...
#LiveWhereYouLove 118 COUNTRY CLUB DR SW | BLACKSBURG, VA 800.325.NEST | NESTREALTY.COM
NRVMAGAZINE.com
Sept/Oct
2 0 2 0
25
NRV Rides
The Aesthetic Charms of a Slash 5 [/5]
BMW Motorcycle
Text by Karl H. Kazaks Photos by Tom Wallace Kerry Underwood and Kenny Vandeveer stood in the detached garage outside of Vandeveer’s Floyd home surrounded by a number of motorcycles, most of them vintage. The object of their attention was Underwood’s 1971 BMW R50/5, for which Vandeveer had just rebuilt the engine, an air-cooled, fourstroke, opposed twin boxer. “I bought it from my roommate, a BMW enthusiast, 25 years ago,” Underwood relates. “It languished for many years until I persuaded Kenny to work on it.” 26
NRV MAGAZINE
“It’s the first old BMW I ever messed with,” states Vandeveer, who has restored old Japanese bikes and uses as his regular ride a modern-day BMW motorcycle. The cylinders on the 1971 had frozen up, and it took Vandeveer several weeks of soaking and tapping to get them free. To complete the rejuvenation project, they had to get a parts bike out of Florida. This bike has the formfollows-function aesthetic common on motorcycles of the early 1970s. It also has the solidly-engineered air of BMWs of just about any era. But the bike, a reliable
tourer with 498 cc, was almost never built. In the mid-1960s, BMW was seriously considering scrapping its motorcycle program. Sales were down, while sales for their automobiles were picking up, taking up more space in their motor works. Ultimately they decided to press ahead with motorcycles. They hired an engineer from Porsche and tasked him with completely redesigning their lineup of motorbikes. The result was the “Slash 5” series of motorcycles made in the 1970-1973 model years. They also moved motorcycle production out of Bavaria and
S eptemb er/Octob er 2020
to Berlin. Slash 5s kept the flat-twin boxer engine design of their predecessors, but pretty much everything else was new. The crankshaft transitioned from a built device to a forged one-piece part. The chaindriven camshaft was repositioned to below rather than above the crank, providing better ground clearance with the same center of gravity while also assisting with the lubrication of the camshaft. Light-alloy cylinders replaced cast iron cylinders, and the front end now featured telescoping forks. The front wheel at 19 inches is a hair wider than the rear wheel at 18 inches; tires are 3.25 inches wide in the front and 4 inches wide in the back. Drum brakes were used in both the front and rear. The NRVMAGAZINE.com
final drive is by shaft (not chain) providing not only a cleaner ride (there’s no chain to oil) but also a really dynamic ride. “It’s awesome to ride,” Underwood says. “Its low center of balance, tight steering – it’s just fun to get out and go.” “You feel everything with the shaft drive,” Vandeveer adds. “And the clutch is so positive.” Consumers of the time agreed, with BMW motorcycle sales in 1971 regaining levels last seen in 1955. Underwood’s specimen, built in May of 1971, is his 4th full-size motorcycle. The others are a 1988 Harley, a 2003 Harley, and a Kawasaki Sherpa for riding around the farm. He also has his very first motorcycle, a Honda 50 minibike, which Vandeveer fixed up a couple years ago.
Sept/Oct
“When it was done, I put it under the Christmas tree,” Underwood says. “My son was only three years old at the time but once he sat on it he didn’t want to get off!” Underwood and Vandeveer met some years ago at the old tapas bar above Oddfella’s Cantina in Floyd, back when Underwood owned and operated the now closed restaurant. Today, Underwood is involved in a number of ventures, including Five Mile Mountain Distillery in Floyd. Vandeveer is retired. In addition to motorcycles, Underwood has also worked on old VW vehicles. There’s a connection between old VWs and BMW motorcycles, Vandeveer points out. Because of the shared-air cooled design of their engines, people would sometimes replace a failed VW engine with a BMW motorcycle engine. “They actually perform better than factory VW engines.” The engine compartment on the bike is a single complete unit, with the transmission behind the engine, the starter on top, and the distributor and alternator forward, all in one housing. The crash bar extends outward just behind the cylinders. “They’re like their own selfcontained power plant,” Underwood observes. “You can take it out and use it in anything – a car, a plane. I love how everything on it is made to be repaired. You can even replace the contacts in the switches. Maintaining and cleaning them is somewhat cathartic. It’s a zen-like bonding of man and machine.” The bike, as beautiful as it is, was ultimately designed and made for transportation. Some of the details speak to that purpose. For example, the bike has a parking light to switch on when you have parked to alert oncoming traffic of its stationary presence. Despite its practical reason for being, the bike’s aesthetic charms speak to Underwood’s spirit. “I love the sound of these old BMWs. I like the way it looks. There’s nothing like taking it out on the road, hearing it hum and feeling it move.”
2 0 2 0
27
NRV Small ‘n Bold
small businesses with bold entrepreneurs
Rockhouse Marina
New River Art & Fiber
Blacksburg - supplies and gifts for artists, makers and hobbyists Staying home more than ever prompts the time and inclination to craft all kinds of things with kits and supplies found here. Owner Jessica Jones majored in art at Virginia Tech, worked at Mish Mish and relocated to New York City, only to miss life in the New River Valley. The yarn shop and art supply store serves all ages, and she and her staff have the knowledge to guide you, your kids and grandchildren into new hobbies, gifts and creative activities.
Rockhouse Marina
With great food, drinks, boat rentals and whatever you need for fun times at Claytor Lake, the marina offers apparel, accessories, tackle, gear and live music on and off the water. Mountain 2 Island based here is a leading paddleboard and water NRV MAGAZINE
Crab Creek Country Store
Christiansburg - old time country store with décor for every home Shopping here is an experience in warm nostalgia blended with style and function in quilts, table linens, candles, primitive accents, country themes and charming contemporary home decorative accessories. Their line of unique jewelry is very attractive as well, and reasonable prices for quality merchandise is like frosting on the cake.
Vance & Rorrer CPA
Dublin - to provide the best experiences on Claytor Lake
28
adventure company and local dealer for Bentley pontoon boats with Honda outboard motors.
Radford - where the client is the most important person in the room
Imagine for a moment sitting across from someone in a professional office who is taking notes on a yellow lined pad of paper with a sharp #2 pencil. You have all this person’s attention and no high tech gadgets in sight. This is
the way they roll at Vance & Rorrer CPA in Radford, and their vast experience includes digital filing and advanced financial software and technology.
Blacksburg Feed & Seed Co Blacksburg - for all things lawn, garden and fishing, too!
This third generation local business, established in 1947, offers flowers, fertilizer, mulch, seeds, wheel barrows and bird feeders for the yard, quality grain for livestock, fishing equipment and supplies and much, much more. Martin Hanbury works alongside his son Phillip daily, and Hanbury’s Tackle features hand-tied fishing lures and an expansive stock of fine rods and reels.
Smith’s Super-Aid Pharmacy and Gateway Gifts [Text by Becky Hepler]
Rich Creek - The Buy-One-Get-TheNext One-Free is a great sales ploy and sometimes even businesspeople enjoy
S eptemb er/Octob er 2020
Sheri and Todd Smith it. Just ask Todd and Sheri Smith. They live in Peterstown, W.V., where Todd grew up next door to Rich Creek, Va., where Sheri grew up. For years, Todd drove to Bluefield where he worked as a pharmacist, and Sheri was a secretary at the middle school. In 2005, a building in Rich Creek containing a working pharmacy became available for purchase and they snapped it up, “…excited to establish a business as part of the greater community,” says Holly Smith, their daughter-in-law. Smith’s Super-Aid Pharmacy, an independent drug store, was born.
While the former drug store had used part of the lower level for gift items, Sheri saw an opportunity to carve out her own business, and Gateway Gifts came into existence. “It is 45 minutes each way to a mall and 20 minutes in either direction to Walmart,” Sheri explains. “Plus we offer things that you can’t get in those places.” Gateway Gifts specializes in American-made items such as Tyler Candles from Texas, QMT Windchimes from Manassas, Va., and American Greeting cards. It carries boutique clothing and personal care products, such as bath bombs, soaps and lotions. The store sponsors special events like the Christmas Open House and, during the pandemic, Facebook Live Events with curbside delivery. While the pharmacy and the gift shop are two separate entities, they share employees and services. Some clerks float between the two, depending upon the need. Social media and digital services like text reminders for both stores fall to Holly. The office staff does billing and accounts for everyone. The store technician, who also handles errands and clean up, does it for the entire building. “Our employees are so important,” says Sheri. “They’re like family to us, and we treat them the way we would like to be treated.” It’s that attitude that makes Gateway Gifts more than just a store, it’s like home.
WHAT‘S LURKING IN THE CORNERS OF YOUR HOME? MOISTURE POLLUTANTS CHEMICALS LEAD DANDER RADON DRAFTS CARBON MONOXIDE ALLERGENS VOCs FUEL LEAKAGE
BETTER AIR QUALITY IMPROVES
HEALTH COMFORT SAFETY WE HAVE SOLUTIONS!
More comfort. Less energy. 540-443-9966 www.wecheckenergy.com NRVMAGAZINE.com
Sept/Oct
2 0 2 0
29
First & Main Marketing Director PearAivey Street Blacksburg’s lifestyle center First & Main may have a new director of marketing, but her face is probably familiar to many town residents. PearAivey Street has lived in Blacksburg for seven years and owned three very popular restaurants with her family. Two of the restaurants that still serve the community – Café de Bangkok and Next Door Bake Shop - are favorites with both locals and college students. Born in Thailand, PearAivey moved to the United States to attend college at Purdue University where she studied management and finance. Instead of returning to her home country, she decided to follow her dream of starting a business in America. “I visited my sister Pie while she attended Virginia Tech, and I just love Blacksburg,” she says. “I thought we could bring something different to town back in 2006 when there weren’t many international restaurants. So my sister Pie, a cousin and I opened Café de Bangkok and decided to serve authentic Thai flavors and a variety of foods that we enjoy eating.” In the summer of 2010, PearAivey and Pie – who always wanted 30
NRV MAGAZINE
to own a coffee and bake shop – opened Next Door Bake Shop with a menu of baked goods with Asian flavors. An unmistakable cornerstone of the North End shopping area, Next Door Bake Shop is popular with students who enjoy such delights as banana chocolate bread, blueberry scones, lavender soy tea latte, tomato pie, other breakfast and lunch foods and cookie baskets. Back in the day, the sisters would come in early to prep the kitchen, bake all morning and then take turns heading to Café de Bangkok to help the chef in the afternoons. PearAivey relates that during those years, she loved running Next Door Bake Shop because she would see customers every day – some who became close friends – and became more active in the community volunteering for non-profits and supporting local causes. “If you work with passion and try hard every day to do things that help brighten the lives of people around you, the community will support you.” PearAivey and her sister didn’t have previous restaurant experience before opening their businesses. However, their parents had restaurants,
clubs and real estate investments in Thailand when they were growing up. “We grew up learning about how to run a business; we knew what it took and how important it was to be available to your customers,” states PearAivey. That same work ethic and accessibility is what PearAivey hopes to bring to First & Main. “We want New River Valley residents and visitors to view us as part of the community, adding to everyone’s quality of life when here. We know that Blacksburg is a great place to start a small business, and we are happy that many local business owners choose to operate at First & Main. In the future, we hope to have more events and quality programming to bring people together at the center and celebrate the businesses that are here.” Text by Krisha Chachra To contact PearAivey directly, email her at: marketing.firstandmain@gmail.com Or visit the website at: www.firstandmainblacksburg.com
S eptemb er/Octob er 2020
NRVMAGAZINE.com
Sept/Oct
2 0 2 0
31
Beauty in the Breakdown how best to experience the transition from summer to fall, NRV-style
Text by Nancy S. Moseley How fortunate we are in Southwest Virginia to boast a wellrounded calendar year. We mark winter for snowfall (seemingly less these days, but still a treat), and spring for flowers, rushing creeks and the tease of consistently warmer days. Summer comes with gardening and splashing in our refreshing lakes and rivers (though perhaps we would all forgo the humidity). When September approaches, the thrill of an evergreen summer crisping into a multicolor autumn is arguably the greatest anticipation of all. During the summer, chlorophyll is king. It uses the sun’s energy to transform carbon dioxide and water into carbohydrate tree food. It is 32
NRV MAGAZINE
also responsible for the color green. But when the days get shorter and temperatures get cooler, the leaves stop being chefs. The chlorophyll breaks down and the nutrients make their way to the branches instead. Pigments that have been present all along - yellows, oranges and reds - are no longer overpowered by chlorophyll and their hues begin to emerge. Not surprisingly, leaf peeping, a term that’s been around since the early 2000s, is a multibillion-dollar industry in New England. But since we also live tucked in the same Appalachian mountain range as the northeast, we, too, can enjoy the beauty of the chlorophyll breakdown and peep some
leaves in the comfort of our home community.
Peep by Hike There are several trails throughout the Mountain Lake Wilderness in Giles County. For a big payoff with little effort, bypass the cinematically famous resort for approximately five miles (road eventually becomes gravel) to reach a small parking area on the left. The Wind Rock trailhead is opposite the parking lot and is part of the white-blazed Appalachian Trail. A quick quarter-mile stroll leads to a sweeping overlook. Pack a snack,
S eptemb er/Octob er 2020
perch on a rock and take in the scene from over 4,000 feet. Closer to Blacksburg, Falls Ridge Preserve is a lesser-known hike off North Fork Road in Elliston and offers a more immersive foliage experience. There are two hike options. The Bradley Trail is a short loop trail that passes through several spring-fed waterfalls. If you’re up for a bit of a climb, the Chamberlain Trail branches off the Bradley Loop and ascends above the valley through dense forest. A lollipop loop at the top will circle you back down the trail and to the parking area.
StarCityGreyhounds.org Also find us on Facebook!
Peep by Bike Biking along the Catawba Mountain range is a popular choice for local road cyclists. Head out Mt. Tabor Road on the north end of Blacksburg and follow this all the way to the intersection with Virginia Route 311. Turn right, go two miles, then turn right on Blacksburg Road. This eventually becomes Catawba Road then Harding NRVMAGAZINE.com
Sept/Oct
2 0 2 0
33
Avenue as it returns into Blacksburg. Visit http://nrvrc.org/cyclingguide/ for a comprehensive turn-by-turn list of popular road rides in the New River Valley. If mountain biking is more your style, Pandapas Pond offers a diverse trail system for both beginners and those with an itch for black diamond challenges. For an easy pedal, simply head out Poverty Creek Trail from the upper parking lot and go as far as you like then turn around. More difficult trails spawn off either side of Poverty Creek if you’re feeling up for a bumpy climb.
Peep by Motor Vehicle From downtown Pulaski follow U.S. Route 11 past Calfee Park, where the Pulaski Yankees play, and head up to the Draper Valley Overlook. There are parking areas and picnic tables on both sides of the road. The southbound side offers a small trail system welcoming hikers and mountain bikers alike. The ridgeline trail traverses by ruins of old 34
NRV MAGAZINE
Route 11 rest stop buildings. For a longer drive, take U.S. 460 west out of Blacksburg and turn right onto Big Stony Creek Road just past the community of Pembroke. This windy ride dips in and out of West Virginia and offers several adventurous offshoots: Cherokee Flats day use area, Glen Alton and the Potts Valley Rail Trail, plus several pull-offs for access to Stony Creek itself. The road eventually leads to the Swinging Bridge Restaurant in Paint Bank.
Peep by Boat Leaf peeping season wouldn’t be complete in the New River Valley without including an option that folds in our namesake. The weather often stays warm enough throughout October and maybe even early November to enjoy a paddle on the New River. Rent a kayak from Tangent Outfitters in Pembroke and choose any one of their float routes, each with varying classes of rapids. A favorite is the 7-mile Eggleston to
Pembroke float. Most of it features undeveloped tree-rich shoreline and scenic towering cliff walls. For a very off-the-beaten path option, Gatewood Park in Pulaski has kayak and paddleboard rentals from their boathouse (check fall schedule). Grab a craft and paddle the perimeter of the 162-acre reservoir all surrounded by dense forest, sure to be in full fall colors bloom. Mountain 2 Island, based at Rock House Marina on Claytor Lake, offers paddleboards and boat rentals for leaf peeping its 101-mile shoreline. Experiencing fall foliage to its fullest can be as simple as a slow drive down the main streets of our towns. Like a flip-flopped parade, the tree-lined edges become the main event, showing off their motley splendor and winking the promise that it will all happen again next year, with comforting certainty. Nancy S. Moseley is a writer from Blacksburg who feels fall foliage is most vibrant in the rain when the leaves are extra shiny.
S eptemb er/Octob er 2020
NRVMAGAZINE.com
Sept/Oct
2 0 2 0
35
Ret ire ment
The ABCs of Retiring in the NRV
Text by Jennifer Poff Cooper Aquatic centers. Both Christiansburg and Blacksburg claim aquatic centers, with Christiansburg featuring a premier pool where high school and college level swim and dive meets are held. For retirees, of more interest might be the soothing exercise of water aerobics and a place to entertain grandchildren year-round. Buildings pepper New River Valley streets with abundant churches and steeples representing many faith traditions. History in architecture is evident in downtown buildings, train depots, museums, houses and college campuses. Cost of living is reasonable at only 2% above the national average (Forbes, 2016). The Climate is mild with summer temperatures in the 70s and 80s, and 36
NRV MAGAZINE
winter temps 20s and 30s. On average, the area receives 40 inches of rain and 23 inches of snow each year. All four seasons show their splendorous wonder in the New River Valley. Downtowns have interesting restaurants, boutiques, specialty shops, vibrant art scenes, farmer’s markets for local artisans and producers to sell and a variety of fairs and festivals. Environmentalism is important to NRVers, whether it is individuals purchasing shares in the Glade Road Growing CSA (community-supported agriculture), other CSAs or the Sustainable Blacksburg non-profit that hosts an educational Sustainability Week and other stewardship events. Football is Fall’s biggest ticket [in
a non-pandemic year]. Hokies descend on the town for tailgating, the iconic “Enter Sandman” entrance and the games. Oldsters gather together to watch games on TV and cheer their favorite teams. Fall colors are abundant, for a guide on Leaf Peeping, see page 32. Geriatric support organizations create comfort in later years. There is home care from several assisted living places like Warm Hearth at Home. The Micah’s Soup for Seniors program brings food the last week of each month when money may be running low. Life enrichment opportunities include socializing, games, trips and education. Housing runs the gamut with luxury apartments, condos, townhouses, homes with character, homes in planned
S eptemb er/Octob er 2020
Home is where the heart lives For 86 years, home at Richfield has meant continuous care encompassing all aspects of resident centered living. No matter your need, you can find help in a secure and supportive community at Richfield. Call us today at 540.380.4500.
RichfieldLiving.com
NRVMAGAZINE.com
Sept/Oct
2 0 2 0
37
neighborhoods, home with acreage and hobby farms. Several assisted living communities provide a continuum of care for seniors of all income levels. Interstate 81 and Amtrak trains in Roanoke (with tentative plans for a stop in Christiansburg) make leisure travel and trips to see sights, friends and grandkids inexpensive and convenient. Jobs in the high-tech Corporate Research Center, numerous national or worldwide manufacturers, and an innovative, entrepreneurial and collaborative business community offer senior citizens abundant opportunities for part-time, full-time and consulting work. Kid-friendly activities are everywhere, whether a retired person’s kids or grandkids are middle-aged, young professionals, teens or wee ones. Many new NRV residents retire here because of their adult children. Social connections are the most important component to happiness (Gretchen Rubin, Happiness podcast) so it makes sense for family members to live in close proximity to one another. Low crime rate. Blacksburg was the number one Safest City in Virginia for 2018 according to alarms.org and the National Council for Home Safety and Security. Other communities in the New River Valley also have high safety rankings. Medical care is available at hospitals, ERs, doctor offices and urgent care centers throughout the New River Valley with more intensive treatments a short drive away in Salem or Roanoke.
38
NRV MAGAZINE
Nature is a vital component of life here. At 2,000 feet above sea level along the Appalachian Mountain chain, gorgeous views, lush forests, open fields, flowers and unparalleled bucolic vistas fill the landscape. Outdoor recreation activities include hiking, camping, walking, floating, boating, fishing, gardening, bird watching, picnicking, mushroom collecting, ziplining and much more. Outfitters offer all kinds of safe and fun adventures for all ages. Population diversity includes a large national and global presence with international fairs, presentations, performances and restaurants. Regional heritage is treasured as well. Quiet life is a big attraction for many seniors who have lived in bustling cities for most of their working careers and want a slower pace in their later years. Retail establishments range from the eclectic shops and chain stores to locally-owned, well-known franchises. Most everything needed can be bought locally. Small-town atmosphere is the only atmosphere in the NRV. Senior folks often say going to the grocery store can take an hour or more for running into friends or meeting new people who want to stop and chat. Transportation includes public transit, Smart Way bus, Uber, Hooptie Ride and special senior transport upon approval and appointment. Parking is abundant everywhere with handicapped spaces in easily accessible places.
Universities and New River Community College offer myriad educational and cultural opportunities, such as the Moss Arts Center and the Radford University planetarium, a permanent planetarium with a 10-meter dome which is free to attendees. Volunteer opportunities in the New River Valley are numerous because of the service-oriented vibes found here. Whether you want to help shoppers at the Montgomery County Christmas Store, tutor school-aged children, help at the hospital or sit on a non-profit board, there is a place for you. Wineries dot the New River Valley and Walking trails abound, some paved, some dirt, some level, some hilly, all beautiful in every season. X-tra learning prospects proliferate. The Lifelong Learning Institute at Virginia Tech provides intellectual, cultural and social experiences for curious adults 50 and older. Virginia Master Naturalists have an NRV chapter, and Master Gardeners are active. The YMCA at Virginia Tech hosts international programs promoting English conversation. Young people help elders’ spirits remain playful, pliable and healthy. Youngsters can introduce seniors to what is new, what can be changed and what needs rethinking. Zest for life among senior citizens is apparent throughout the New River Valley. The area has so much that can support a happy old age, and retirees can savor this stage of their lives.
S eptemb er/Octob er 2020
NRVMAGAZINE.com
Sept/Oct
2 0 2 0
39
Ret ire ment
Know When to Fold ‘Em
navigating the financial and emotional gamble of retirement
Text by Nancy S. Moseley For some, it’s a decision you’re weighing right now. For others, it’s something in a galaxy far, far away. And still for others, “I’ll sleep when I’m dead” is the chosen declarative mantra. Figuring out the ideal time to retire, when exactly to stop earning a full-time living, is a biggie. The Social Security Act of 1935 helped with that decision by making 65 the target age. It was the first insurance
40
NRV MAGAZINE
program of its kind to pay retired workers a regular income with funds acquired via taxation. Today, an individual’s “full retirement age” is determined by birth year, typically falling between 66 and 67 years of age to receive full benefits. Unfortunately, social security didn’t account for the fact that we are now living longer and having fewer children, resulting in more retirees taking money
out of the system and fewer workers putting money in. Recent projections put social security running out by the year 2035. That means that now, more than ever, we need take retirement planning into our own hands. The most obvious question to ask in determining when to retire is: “Do I and will I have enough money?” This calculation takes a lot into consideration
S eptemb er/Octob er 2020
NRVMAGAZINE.com
Sept/Oct
2 0 2 0
41
and, lamentably, there is no magic formula. Ideally, as soon as you enter the workforce you should start planning for when you will eventually exit the workforce. Few people have this foresight. “Financial planning and retirement planning is a whole package. It’s a balance of current living versus future living,” offers Lea Bowman, an advisor for Mutual of Omaha. Start the process early, but if that didn’t happen, start right now. Best coursesof-action will be different for a 25-year-old vs. a 55-year-old, but the most important part is initiating the conversation. Inform yourself of savings and investment options (401k, mutual fund, IRAs, 529), understand available insurance policies and company benefits packages. Take the time to evaluate your lifestyle, your health, your travel desires, your penchant for “toys.” Ask probing questions: How do I want to live now? How do I want to live in 10 years? In 20 years? What can I afford? What can I regularly save? Generally speaking, you need approximately 70% of your income to live comfortably in retirement. But what does “live comfortably” mean to you?
It’s a good habit to go through this selfaudit annually and make financial changes accordingly. It’s a good habit to go through this self-audit annually and make financial changes accordingly. If there is a major life change – the birth of a child, a job change, a move, a critical health diagnosis or even something as simple as a raise – your retirement plan may need a complete overhaul. Accommodating all of the “whatifs” is an exhausting, but necessary, exercise. “I tell my clients, let’s plan for what you want.
42
NRV MAGAZINE
But let’s also plan for what happens if something changes,” Bowman states. Traveling down all possible avenues along the way assures the freedom of choice in the future. Being prepared financially is one thing, a huge thing. Being prepared emotionally deserves equal consideration. It’s a lot easier to deal with the emotional aspects if you’ve solved the financial questions. “Retirement is seen as an opportunity for a better emotional quality of life and a chance to redesign one's priorities - both of which work better in the absence of financial risk,” says Johanna Jones, a licensed professional counselor in Blacksburg. Thinking of the loved ones who will be most affected by your planning, or lack thereof, triggers the heartstrings. Historically, parents have shielded children from financial portfolios and future planning. But when it comes to retirement, letting them peek behind the curtain will help avoid needless surprises and unwelcome burdens.
“Adult children need to be more aware of what their parents have in place, and our children need to know what we have planned.”
“You have to have the talk,” Bowman declares. “Adult children need to be more aware of what their parents have in place, and our children need to know what we have planned.” Once all the dust settles and the work-a-day band-aid has been ripped, what then? What happens mentally when there is nothing but empty days ahead? For a lot of folks their identity
and purpose are tied to a career. A feeling of loss, disconnect and a certain amount of anxiety are completely normal. But if those emotions become hard to shake or the threat of depression is knocking, therapy is always an option.
Jones adds: . . we'd talk about specific ways to transfer those things into what they can do when they're retired.” Jones adds: “I would encourage retirees to define what qualities have made them good at what they do, and what specific things about their employment they like best - social contact, respect, solving problems, or whatever. Then we'd talk about specific ways to transfer those things into what they can do when they're retired.” The tiniest shift in mindset can make all the difference. Sure, retirement marks the end of one chapter but it’s also the beginning of another. Reconnect with old friends, travel, volunteer or continue to work part-time. Maybe even start a new bucket list. Take time to understand who you are in the absence of a career and embrace a new routine. Allow yourself to be proud of your accomplishments thus far and, more importantly, give yourself space to look forward to the future. Being successful at retirement may warrant the same amount of thought, effort and productivity that being successful at a job required. Only for this round, the benefits reaped belong solely to your bottom line. Relax and enjoy them. You earned it. Nancy S. Moseley is a writer from Blacksburg
who more closely aligns with the: “I’ll sleep when I’m dead” approach to living.
S eptemb er/Octob er 2020
NRVMAGAZINE.com
Sept/Oct
2 0 2 0
43
The NRV Gets
W
16 Hands Fall Art Tour
Pandemic Perspectives
NRV MAGAZINE
Wine Yoga
Text by Deborah Cooney
What do small eclectic towns with local artisans and shops do when faced with a pandemic like they’ve never encountered? They find ingenious ways to stay well, be creative and bring their goods to customers in innovative ways. A recent report from Brookings Institution estimates losses of 2.7 million jobs and $150 billion in sales of goods and services for creative industries nationwide. This ranges from painters and sculptors to musicians and photographers, all mainstays at some of our favorite NRV events and festivals. With those occasions and businesses shuttered, the New River Valley has stepped into a new form of a creative economy. Locally, Rock House Marina in Pulaski features all types of water sports and now is hosting local musicians on weekends. You don’t even have to be a recreation enthusiast to enjoy live music while sitting on the covered deck overlooking Claytor Lake and enjoying food and drink. Floyd is home to many artisans who have not been able to bring their handmade crafts to events and 44
Creative
gatherings, so they’ve added virtual visit and shop pages to their websites with direct links to locally produced art and crafts, jewelry, music and homegrown delights. An online campaign will begin in October and offer discounts through the holidays. Many local shops are beginning to open with Friday to Sunday hours, and their renowned 16 Hands Studio Tour plans to go virtual this year. Have you enjoyed winery tours and planned vacations around them? New River Vineyard & Winery in Fairlawn is open for limited reservations and offering take-out bottles and wine slushies (we hear they sell out quickly!) and has partnered with Downey Dog Yoga to offer “yoga in the vines” classes. That’s a win/ win for best practices of how to deal with a pandemic by combining exercise and wine! Pearisburg Town Park is home to a River Sculpture Walking Trail that can be enjoyed by everyone. It is an easy, peaceful walk sprinkled with sculptures that local artists have created from items collected out of the New River.
This fall, Stafford Glass in Newport is hosting classes that teach the ancient art of glassblowing, and the blow your own pumpkin class promises to be a favorite way to get in the harvest mood. Finding inspiring and unique art pieces is easy in Montgomery County! Discover a variety of studios and galleries that feature crafts and art from local and regional artisans. Check out ARTS on 8 in Riner, Matrix Gallery Fine Crafts in downtown Blacksburg, and KDR Studios in downtown Christiansburg for your next gift to yourself or a friend. An outdoor art exhibit at the Central Depot Courtyard in Radford welcomes the public to share in their response to the pandemic with artful expressions created by local artisans. The NRV’s vibrant and bustling calendar of events may not look like it did a few months ago, but the creative economy of the NRV is showing improvement. Our local artisans have proven that they are resilient and resourceful, and they all welcome the community to share in their spirit.
S eptemb er/Octob er 2020
Pearisburg Town Park is home to a River Sculpture Walking Trail that can be enjoyed by everyone. It is an easy, peaceful walk sprinkled with sculptures that local artists have created from items collected out of the New River.
NRVMAGAZINE.com
Sept/Oct
2 0 2 0
45
Corn Cob Puppies
• 8 hot dogs • 1 quart vegetable oil for frying • 2 cups all-purpose flour • 1 cup corn meal • 1 cup buttermilk • 2 large eggs • 2 Tbl. white sugar • 2 Tbl. bacon drippings • 2 tsp. salt • 2 tsp. baking powder • 1 pinch garlic powder • 8 sturdy bamboo skewers
Put hot dogs in simmering water to keep hot. Heat vegetable oil to 375°. Mix flour, corn meal, buttermilk, eggs, sugar, bacon drippings, salt, baking powder and garlic powder, then beat batter until smooth, 2-3 minutes. Remove one hot dog, blot dry, skewer length-wise leaving handle at one end, roll in batter to coat completely. Roll hot dog in oil 2-3 minutes until golden brown. Drain on paper towels and enjoy!
REASONS TO PUT DOWN YOUR PHONE VisitRadford.com
46
NRV MAGAZINE
Advertisers Index 41
A-1 Heating & Cooling
35
Albimino & Stenger
6
American National Bank
37
Back to Nature
38
Bonomo's Plaza
13
Brown Insurance
25
Budget Blinds
21
Celco FCU
39
Colision Plus
6
Dehart Tile
33
DT Roadhouse
29
Energy Check
43
Eric johnsen State Farm
23
Ewing Companies
23
Eyes on Main
30
First & Main
8
Freedom First
8
Giles County Tourism
43
Joba
39
Kesler Contracting
37
Lea Bowman
2
Long & Foster Realty
23
Macado's
33
Matrix Gallery
47
Mitchell Law Firm
39
Mountain 2 Island
25
Nest Realty
33
New River Art & Fiber
3
New River Dermatology
4
New River Osteopathy
37
Northpoint Insurance
43
NRVIP
5
Off the Wall
37
Orange Bandana
23
Pearis Mercantile
41
Progress Street Builders
41
Richard Anthony DDS
37
Richfield Living
29
Shelter Alternatives
13
Skyline National Bank
45
The Weigh Station
48
Warm Hearth Village
S eptemb er/Octob er 2020
We’re
STILL HERE for
YOU THE NRV’S ONLY COMPREHENSIVE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY
In the face of COVID-19, Warm Hearth Village is working hard to maintain a safe environment for our residents and employees. With stringent precautions in place and extra love and care, we are accepting admissions and new residents. Things may be different, but our commitment to seniors in our community remains the same. Call us today.
whv •
Warm Hearth Village
Living and Learning Together (540) 552-9176 retire.org
Sheila Marquez , Director of Nursing
ACTIVE ADULT • INDEPENDENT LIVING • ASSISTED LIVING • MEMORY CARE SKILLED NURSING CARE • LONG-TERM NURSING CARE • WARM HEARTH AT HOME
