The Roanoker Magazine

01/11/2025

Explore thrilling virtual worlds, from epic golf games to zombie survival, at The VR Center—a high-tech playground for all ages.

01/10/2025

⏳It's crunch time, Roanoke! There are less than TWO WEEKS LEFT for you, our readers, to vote in our 39th annual Best of Roanoke poll. Don’t miss your chance to help us recognize the incredible people, places, businesses and more that make our city shine bright! Cast your ballot here before midnight on 1/19: theroanoker.com/best/best-of-ballot-2025

01/08/2025

We're partnering with Junior Achievement of Southwest Virginia again for the second annual 18 Under 18! 🌟

Do you know an extraordinary student under 18 who’s making waves in their school, community, or beyond? This is their chance to shine! We're seeking ambitious, dedicated, and inspiring young leaders to honor as part of our second cohort of 18 Under 18 superstars!

✅ Nominate a student today: https://swva.ja.org/events/ja-18-under-18-nominations-2025
⏳ Deadline: March 15, 2025

🌟 Nominations Now Open for the Southwest Virginia 18 Under 18- Class of 2025! 🌟

Do you know an extraordinary student under 18 who’s making waves in their school, community, or beyond? This is their chance to shine! In partnership with The Roanoker Magazine, we're looking for ambitious, dedicated, and inspiring young leaders to honor as part of our second cohort of 18 Under 18 superstars!

✅ Nominate a student today: https://swva.ja.org/events/ja-18-under-18-nominations-2025
⏳ Deadline: March 15, 2025

Help us highlight the incredible talent of our local youth —spread the word and submit your nominations now! 🙌

01/07/2025

From Kianna Marshall's latest In the 'Noke column: Blended families face unique challenges and rewards; by focusing on love, respect and connection, we create homes defined by unity over titles.

Blended families face unique challenges and rewards; by focusing on love, respect and connection, we create homes defined by unity over titles.

01/06/2025

Happy Masterpiece Monday, friends! We’re thrilled to be able to continue this weekly series featuring the cover creations and re-creations included in our 50th anniversary juried art exhibition, “Cover Story: Roanokers Celebrate the Region,” in 2025! Today we’re showcasing this fun digital piece by Patrick Harrington aptly entitled, “Grandin Theatre.”

🌟𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐐&𝐀🌟

𝑯𝒐𝒘 𝒅𝒐𝒆𝒔 𝑹𝒐𝒂𝒏𝒐𝒌𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒑𝒊𝒓𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒚?
I moved to Roanoke three years ago and in the first week I joined the Taubman. As an artist/cartoonist I love the murals around town and the sense that all the arts are important to the city.

𝑾𝒉𝒚 𝒅𝒊𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒔𝒖𝒃𝒋𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒐𝒏?
Many years ago I told my wife if she ever found a house near that charming theatre I'd buy it. I now live a ten minute walk away from free classics on Saturday mornings. Heaven.

𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒈𝒐𝒂𝒍𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒓𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒐𝒏?
Roanoke is the prefect sized city to retire in because it's easy to get around and yet surprises me with special events and hidden gems all the time.

🖼️⭐🏙️

𝑨𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑨𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒔𝒕: Patrick Harrington has been a cartoonist since kindergarten. He spent 40+ years in advertising writing for clients like Coca-Cola, Kraft, Amtrak and more. But he’ll always be a cartoonist first, just with a digital pencil replacing the crayon.

Want to check out even more amazing cover creations and re-creations? Visit the fourth floor of the Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building now through Summer 2025!

01/06/2025

Got a new year's resolution around your home? These tips will definitely help! Living through a home project can be messy, but small steps like gradual decluttering, starting with exciting tasks and styling temporary spaces can make the process more enjoyable.

Embrace the realities of home design, even when things get messy.

01/04/2025

Since it's National Trivia Day, we thought we'd share our custom quiz we created to celebrate our 50th anniversary! How well do YOU know The Roanoker, your dedicated city magazine?!

01/03/2025

Once a bustling hub for music, speeches and gatherings—including a visit from First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt—Roanoke’s historic auditorium lives on in memories, its former site now a quiet parking lot.

01/01/2025

Here’s to an Amazing 2025! As we step into the new year, we’re looking forward to another fantastic journey of celebrating local businesses, supporting neighbors and sharing the stories that make our community special. Together, let’s make 2025 a year to remember. Happy New Year! 🎉✨

12/31/2024

While the countdown to the new year is still on, the wait for our 39th annual Best of Roanoke Awards Reader Poll to open is now over!🎉We’re counting on YOU to tell us about the incredible people, businesses, events and places that make Roanoke shine. Winners will be featured in our May/June issue. Celebrate all things local with us by heading over to theroanoker.com/best/best-of-ballot-2025 to cast your votes today! 🏙️🌟☑️

12/31/2024

We couldn’t possibly ring in the new year without sharing one last incredible cover creation by one of our region’s very own! Pictured here is Ian Graham’s Photoshop design entitled, “Retro Endeavor.”

🌟𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐐&𝐀🌟

𝑯𝒐𝒘 𝒅𝒐𝒆𝒔 𝑹𝒐𝒂𝒏𝒐𝒌𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒑𝒊𝒓𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒚?
I love everything about the Roanoke area. It’s the perfect mix of urban, suburban, and rural and has an incredible history. I’m inspired by abandoned buildings and older architecture. I’m really excited to see what comes out of the American Viscose Plant project.

𝑾𝒉𝒚 𝒅𝒊𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒔𝒖𝒃𝒋𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒐𝒏?
My family has a long history with hot air balloons. My brother is a professional balloon pilot in Montana and flew for many years here in Virginia. It’s one of his pictures from his flights here that I used in my entry.

𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒈𝒐𝒂𝒍𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒓𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒐𝒏?
I work as a screenwriter and would love to see the Roanoke area embrace film production. The variety and diversity in our area makes it the perfect place for productions of all sizes. To help make this happen I’ve spoken with local and state representatives about a more competitive tax advantage package on par with states like Georgia and Alabama. I plan to continue with this initiative.

🖼️⭐🏙️

𝑨𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑨𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒔𝒕: Ian Graham is a professional screenwriter with an interest in politics, history, and religion. The stories and characters he writes about are centered on the explosive conflicts created when the three intersect. He is a firm believer in being yourself ... unless you can be Batman. Always be Batman.

Want to check out even more amazing cover creations and re-creations? Visit the fourth floor of the Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building now through Summer 2025 to view our juried community art exhibition, “Cover Story: Roanokers Celebrate the Region!”

12/28/2024

Take a break this holiday season and dive into the latest episodes of From Print to Podcast! Catch up on all the inspiring stories and local highlights from our second season. Listen now: theroanoker.com/podcast

12/27/2024

In just over a year, Brood Restaurant & Bar has become a culinary powerhouse, winning over the hearts — and taste buds — of diners throughout the Roanoke region.

In just over a year, Brood Restaurant and Bar has become a culinary powerhouse, winning over the hearts — and taste buds — of diners throughout the Roanoke region.

12/26/2024

Meet your 2025 Dining Awards winners and raise a toast to these hardworking business owners as we savor the best local flavors!

See your winners for the best meals, chefs, staff, hidden gems and more in our record-breaking poll.

12/25/2024

Wishing You Joy and Cheer This Holiday Season! From our family to yours, we hope your Christmas is filled with warmth, laughter and love. May your day sparkle with joy and your hearts be merry and bright. Happy Holidays! 🎄✨

12/24/2024

ICYMI: Our inaugural 1974 cover gets a refresh thanks to another beloved local artist, Maggie Perrin-Key.

Our inaugural 1974 cover gets a refresh thanks to another beloved local artist.