Their stories all begin in desperate places. Many of them – a stunning 65% or more – rise victoriously to overcome drug and alcohol addiction, be restored with their families, get married, become employed, finish college, be men, sons, husbands and friends who are proud of themselves. Jason was 12 when his dad abandoned the family. At 13, he had his first beer. At 14, he was sent to his first recovery program. At 19, Jason took cocaine which quickly …
When you go out to eat and are tempted to start with dessert first, Brick House Pizza is a wonderful place to do this. Hold that thought. Serving up pizza since its …
Early Christians adopted the peacock as a symbol of Christ’s resurrection because it sheds its feathers each year to grow new ones. Not only that, but the many eyes of a peacock’s …
It’s his 32nd season coaching Virginia Tech football, and Bud Foster says there is only one thing missing from his storybook career: A “three-finger” national championship ring. “I want that gaudy piece …
Text by Joanne M. Anderson Photos by Kristie Lea Photography He’s a farmer, a friend, a teacher, a dad, entrepreneur, husband, son and more. For Rupert Cox, the lines blur between …
Pop-culturally, harp music tends to cue up an upcoming dream sequence. The lights soften, the visuals swirl, and we’re transported to fantasyland. When Kirsti Kaldro of Bridge Kaldro Music in Christiansburg first …
Staying in a job for 10 years must mean there is an affinity between employee and position, which is certainly the case with Laureen Blakemore. She has been the director of Downtown …
When John and Elena Leshyn moved into their Blacksburg house in 2001, John was intrigued by some vacant space on the other side of a 6-inch thick, concrete, basement wall. There was …
Animal rescue has always been a part of Jim and Kathy Chadwick’s long relationship. Over the years, they have rescued many cats, dogs, birds and even horses. “If they’re sick or broken …
In October 2014, a group of inspired moms led by musician and budding social media entrepreneur Marci Craig circled around a table at Blacksburg’s Next Door Bake Shop. With coffee mugs in …