Charles Johnson doesn’t own a rocking chair. He had not even contemplated retiring until last year. With a clean conscience, steady hands, keen eyes behind glasses, and the commitment to a work …

From The Archies’ #1 song “Sugar, Sugar” and the hit movie “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” to Woodstock, “Easy Rider” and the Apollo 11 moon landing, the year 1969 presented contrasts …

Nature’s first green is gold, her hardest hue to hold. Unless, of course, you are Thomas and Caroline Dahlquist, a husband-and-wife duo who have figured out how to make the magic last.You …

As the YMCA at Virginia Tech celebrated 150 years of service, the Y Center on N. Main St. turned to local artists to help transform an ordinary hallway into a vibrant community …

Slick and orange creatures dot the New River Valley landscape after a replenishing spring rain, bringing with them the cautionary tales of their toxicity and the debatable terms of their vocabulary (are …

Move over, pickleball. Before you hit the scene with your clever part tennis, part ping-pong, part badminton, part trendy curiosity fame, there was another reigning mash-up sport in town, no court renovations …

Back in 2011, Matt Damon bought a zoo. Not a real one, of course, but one for entertainment purposes, courtesy of Hollywood.   And in 2003, Sarah and Cedric Shannon bought a farm. …

Of more than 10,000 mushroom species, about 2,000 are edible. Of those, a couple dozen are commonly cultivated for consumption, and the most popular are portobello, cremini, button, shiitake and oyster varieties. …

In ancient times, decorative ceilings most often symbolized power and extravagance. The elaborate ceilings in the Sistine Chapel, Palace of Versailles and the U.S. Capitol dome create an almost overwhelming visual impact. Traditionally …

On the extremist survival show “Alone,” it’s the first thing they rig up … shelter. After all, a roof over one’s head is a primal necessity that spans species and cultures. Piecing …

In the mid-1980s when Raiders of the Lost Ark, E.T. and Amadeus were dominating the big screen, Johnny Moore quietly bought a small house in Blacksburg. He worked his career as a …

Chris and Erin “met” in a graduate level Virginia Tech Zoom class in January of 2021 during covid. “He was maybe the only person who kept on his camera the entire time, …

Fond childhood memories of the pumpkin patch at Sinkland Farms propelled Taylor Anne [Plunkett] Soulerin to choose the venue for her wedding many years later. “I grew up in Roanoke until middle …

When Joseph Collins was a young lad, growing up in England with American missionary parents, his grandfathers often took him to museums. They both served in World War II, and these museum …

The year 1959, when “The Battle of New Orleans” and “Mack the Knife” topped billboard charts, was the final year for the Chevrolet Task Force truck series. Its light-duty model, dubbed the …

Before fancy trips, there were fancy sips. Dating back to 5th century B.C., the term “honeymoon” has quite the literal origin. A newly married couple would simply wait for nightfall on the …

It’s a common encounter that will stop most of us in our tracks. You’re casually milling about life when you suddenly catch a whiff of something — something good, something familiar — …

The origin of the modern-day Christmas tree may hearken back as far as 1550 BCE, when Egyptians would bring palm fronds inside during the winter solstice to celebrate the return of Ra, …

As the aroma of roasted turkey and pumpkin pie fills the air, Thanksgiving beckons us to pause and give thanks. Beyond the feast, this holiday taps into the powerful human emotion of …

There are many particulars on the list of needs, wants and hopes in a suitable forever home, but rarely are they topped by seeking interior space for a handcrafted 12.5-foot by 8-foot …

In writing about entrepreneurship across decades, I made my own list of the high fives for running a business:   – Common sense – Organizational skills – Passion – Leadership – Integrity  …

According to the Small Business Administration (SBA), there are more than 34 million small businesses — less than 500 people — which employ around 59 million Americans. The SBA still reports that …

Limestone has been used to construct Virginia Tech buildings since 1899 and is colloquially known as “Hokie Stone.” The regional Appalachian limestone is one-of-a-kind in color variation, mined just a few miles …

If you’ve ever had a child in sports – little league, soccer, football, golf, or even cycling -you are amazed at the sheer number of cleat choices on the market. And, yes …

A Southern girl from Alabama, who spent part of her childhood back and forth to Louisiana, Margie Redditt fully expected a career in interior design, having graduated from the Art Institute of …

According to an article in “Public Discourse”, the Journal of the Witherspoon Institute, multigenerational living is trending. In the piece titled “Multigenerational Living: A Step Back to Healthy Communal Life,” author Frank …

There are many things worth the wait. Autumn. Football games. A puppy. Warm cookies from the oven. Vacation. Christmas morning. A Ford Bronco? Most wait times can be measured in minutes, hours, …

For nearly 150 years, one congregation has worshipped behind stained glass windows, a distinguishable red door, and what locals know as Hokie stone. They’ve sat in the same pews and listened to …

After decades in careers which took them across the country and around the globe, Jessee and Debby Ring left California and city life behind for a 5-acre plot in Radford in 2005. …

6 frozen skinless, boneless chicken breast halves1 12-oz bottle BBQ sauce½ cup Italian salad dressing¼ cup brown sugar2 Tbl. Worcestershire saucePlace chicken in slow cooker.Mix other 4 ingredients and pour over chicken.Cover …

One might credit the tiny house movement with a new minimalist lifestyle, but the Scandinavians have embraced, elevated and perfected the small, sleek essentials for cozy living for millennia. Finland has been …

Artificial Intelligence? Can we really build minds from silicon and code? Well, yes. Machine learning has revolutionized many industries — computer programming, transportation, finance, engineering, and even creative pursuits like interior design …

With modern day luxuries like air conditioning, the internet and streaming services, it can be difficult convincing kids to put their screens away and play outside during a hot summer day. While …

If it’s morning, most likely fine artist Lisa Acciai (pronounced A-Cee) is in her studio creating 2-minute animal sketches. “I took a class from a fellow pet portrait artist who swore by …

Quietly settled along Wysor Road in Draper is a hidden gem — literally. Three years ago and 177 years after the Gold Rush in California, David Stowers opened Appalachian Gem and Gold …

Many of us could connect a firm foundation in education with a strong figure in our lives – a teacher, mentor, parent or friend. As learning cannot come from within but must …

I got one Christmas card in my life from my late brother-in-law, Owen Nagel. Somewhere in the family grapevine, he apparently learned that I got a horse, if late in life. He …

April 1st  to April 1st  is how time is measured for the honeybee. As I write this article, news (dare I say, ‘the buzz’) on how their health, vibrancy and survival rate …

Whimsical, vibrant, playful and timeless – Blacksburg’s kiddos have a bookstore in town. With a finger on the pulse of the market and an undying love for books and children, Melissa Wood …

Imagine heading out to look at a property that boasts a pond, waterfall and terraced rock gardens. A lady who enjoys gardening and lovely outdoor spaces could fall in love with all …

In late September 2024, communities across the Appalachians fell victim to devastating flooding and destruction left in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Claytor Lake, a haven for outdoor lovers and wildlife enthusiasts, …

From a $5 steal to a copy of the Declaration of Independence, thrift stores are a local gem for surrounding communities. And once you’re in the know, you’re likely to keep coming …

Maybe they’re a bit like gravy. Or cheese. Or ranch dressing. When life hands you the flooring equivalent of meatloaf, replete with questionable bits and bumps, cover it with a rug! However, …

A homeowner’s personal touches transform a house into a home, reflecting the personality of those who live there. When you step inside, a first impression might come from glimpses of favorite hobbies …

“We’ve lived in the same place for 20 years, and I’ve only seen two,” Giles County resident Philip Vaught comments on an elusive, opportunistic creature, one few New River Valley residents may …

The enduring beauty and timeless quality of natural stone is unparalleled. From wrapping a few columns, adding a stone wall behind a woodstove or around a fireplace to a full interior wall, …

Nothing restores the soul after a cold, hard winter more than the first blossoms of spring on trees and bushes. Royal star magnolias, saucer magnolias, and the iconic flowering cherries are some …

The King Ranch Legacy The Ford Brand

Charlie needed a date for the junior prom at Christiansburg High School. Lindsey attended Radford High School, and her best friend, Clare, knew Charlie and suggested she be his date. “My parents …

Ryan and Lisa met through friends at Virginia Tech initially. Two and a half years later, their paths crossed again. They worked together setting up an outdoor TV on a patio in …

On an old blog post from 2017, she reflects on the “art of noticing” as essential to the process of becoming an artist. And to take in any of Leana Fischer’s paintings, …

“I have always loved Volkswagens,” explains Kim Lovern of Giles County. “My husband Gabe and I own a 1967 Volkswagen Beetle, so when I saw this deserted camper bus sitting alone, in …

In 1923, the 3-position traffic light was patented, and Calvin “Silent Cal” Coolidge became the 30th U.S. President. “The Great Gatzby” was published. The Reverend Charles William Stone and his sons of …

“Even now, someone will come up to me and say, ‘Oh! I still have one of the airport’s mugs!’” Keith Holt, director of the Virginia Tech Montgomery Executive Airport, relates.The “mugs,” as …

Larry and Linda Harry of Giles County have an abundance of creative juices flowing in their lives. Larry has always enjoyed woodworking. Linda learned the basics of sewing in high school, but …

In the world of small business, remarkable stories frequently emerge. One such tale revolves around Alli Trent, the talented creator behind “Lola Lou,” a business that specializes in handmade clay jewelry, clothing …

“There is a bit of serendipity involved in used bookstores,” says owner Ken Vaughan. “A lot of the time, the book tends to find you.” Serendipity was certainly involved when Ken and …

From Aesop to the Grimm brothers, one creature has made its appearance in fables and fairy tales time and again. Opportunistic, territorial and elusive, the fox is not often spotted, as it …

Here is a new way to think of CHIP – not a chocolate chip, not a chip off the old block, not really a chip at all, but an acronym for a …

Hokie football twins, Jayden and Jorden McDonald, are quick to roll their eyes at how everyone expects them to be the same. While the 2021 Salem High School grads, as identical twins, …

Bob Ross, the fluffy-haired, bearded, soft-spoken television painter said that “anyone can put a masterpiece on canvas with a little practice”. His PBS TV show, The Joy of Painting, ran for 11 …

From carrying the burdens of life on one’s shoulders, putting forth a cold shoulder or offering a shoulder to cry on, to looking over your shoulder, taking a weight off your shoulders …

Like your family tree, owning property gives you roots, but renting gives you wings. Is it better to rent or buy after age 65? Well, isn’t that the $64,000 question? The short answer …

Frozen S’More Pops(photo courtesy of The Hershey Company)HERSHEY’S milk chocolate bar, choppedHeavy whipping cream7-oz jar marshmallow cream¼ cup milkGraham crackers coarsely crushedMini-marshmallowsBeat whipping cream into soft peaks. Add marshmallow cream and beat …

When it comes to curious tennis scoring rules, it’s an odd fact that “love” equals zero. While so many funny analogies can be made from this (it’s also played on a court!), …

David Boyd works as a Registered Nurse, but it was an earlier job stocking shelves at Food Lion that proved pivotal on the family front. “I met Heather one day on the …

 You can “go places” you never dreamed of, “meet people” you never thought about, “learn skills” you never practiced before, reduce your stress level, sleep better, advance your career, grow your imagination, …

Summer dusk in southwest Virginia brings tiny, flickering insects, their yellow bulbs brightening scrubby fields and brushy meadows. Many of us reminisce about childhood evenings spent catching these ~ to many the …

Nothing says summer like sunflowers. These sun worshipers’ cheerful, round, daisy-like faces rotate to follow the sun all day. When darkness falls, they turn again to face east, awaiting the morning sun. …

The desire to look nice and accessorize outfits with jewelry is perfectly natural. According to theprivatetherapyclinic.co.uk: “ An interesting feature of humans, as opposed to other mammals, is our love of adornments …

Determined to make a buck, my kids have set up shop in our front yard and sold everything from lemonade to hot cocoa, seashells and even spools of yarn. Cashing in on …

Most people will tell you their most precious sense is their vision, followed closely by hearing. We use sight and hearing to gather information and assess situations quickly. It becomes second nature, …

Karen Wadovsky of Christiansburg has always loved to drive and appreciates classic cars. As a teen, she’d drive her dad’s dump trucks and large moving vehicles. But it was “Papa”, her grandfather …

May 4 Annual Kids Fishing Day Ages 3 to 15 Narrows Town Park, Narrows May 11, 9:30 a.m. – 4: 30 p.m. House & Garden Tour of Floyd County $35 ticket include …

Dogs are wonderful for myriad reasons, muddy paws and all, and playing with them is a bonding experience that strengthens the relationship. Those who spend time training their dogs and participating in …

Steven Kenny’s art possesses an underlying theme of our interaction with nature. He accurately states that we are animals, and even though we think of ourselves as intelligent, most of our decisions …

Nancy S. Moseley is Blacksburg-based writer. To say she was starstruck during interviews is a gross understatement. Who needs the magic of Hollywood when you have the magic of collegiate sports in …