The Roanoker Magazine

12/24/2024

There’s something truly special about seeing Roanoke through the eyes of our local artists. For today’s Masterpiece Monday, we’re spotlighting not one, but TWO gorgeous mixed media creations by Marjorie Gowdy. The first is entitled, “Landing at Midnight,” and the second, “Your Mountain Mine.”

🌟𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐐&𝐀🌟

𝑯𝒐𝒘 𝒅𝒐𝒆𝒔 𝑹𝒐𝒂𝒏𝒐𝒌𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒑𝒊𝒓𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒚?
Having returned to the region fifteen years ago after a long stint on the Gulf Coast, I have come to love this area even more: the mountains, the diversity and liveliness of the people, its growth into an innovation hub including for medicine and its long tradition of the arts, and celebration of my generations-long roots in Roanoke and its surroundings.

𝑾𝒉𝒚 𝒅𝒊𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒔𝒖𝒃𝒋𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒐𝒏?
“Landing at Midnight”: Ever since I was a teenager landing at what was then Woodrum Field, I have found the view as the airplane crosses above the Mill Mountain Star down into the city simply breathtaking. I hope you will share this awe-inspiring viewpoint with me.

“Your Mountain Mine”: The mountains are everything.

𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒈𝒐𝒂𝒍𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒓𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒐𝒏?
Sustained but smart growth, including the protection of our unique and beautiful environment. Further development of avenues for arts and creativity. Continuing appreciation of our diverse heritages [and] even more arts in an already arts-bursting community!

🖼️⭐🏙️

𝑨𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑨𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒔𝒕: Marjorie Gowdy, a Roanoke native, writes and paints on a Blue Ridge mountain farm. Author of three poetry chapbooks featuring her own illustrations, Marjie is inspired by our lush, rolling landscapes. This is a land which opens as a book with many pages, full of tales both exquisite and bittersweet.

Want to check out more incredible cover creations and re-creations like these? 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!”

12/22/2024

Roanoke bakers and confectioners offer giftable cakes, swoon-inducing pavlova, freeze-dried candy and more.

Roanoke’s bakeries are serving up a delectable array of holiday sweets and baked goods this season.

12/21/2024

ICYMI: Roanoke’s private investigators blend ethical expertise with meticulous research, revealing a profession far more complex than its popular image.

Roanoke’s private investigators reveal the profession’s true complexity.

12/20/2024

The executive director has revitalized the Salem-Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce and deeply connects with the Roanoke Valley community.

12/19/2024

Local artists have transformed the YMCA Express at Gainsboro with a mural highlighting its century-long impact on the community.

12/18/2024

As we wrap up 2024, it’s the perfect time to reflect on what stood out in The Roanoker this year. From informative blog posts to must-read print features, dynamic podcast episodes and YouTube videos that kept you coming back for more, we've captured the highlights.

The Roanoker shares the Top 5 features, blog posts, podcast episodes and more from 2024.

12/17/2024

Fortune Feimster is returning to Berglund Center on May 2, 2025! Affable, charismatic and one of a kind, Fortune Feimster is a standup comedian, writer and actor who uses her confessional comedy to bring people together.

Affable, charismatic and one of a kind, Fortune Feimster is a standup comedian, writer and actor who uses her confessional comedy to bring people together.

12/16/2024

Roanoke is such a special place to be, and we’ve loved getting to see what aspects of the region we call home inspire local artists. Allyson Goin created today’s Masterpiece Monday cover design, “The Star and Spirits,” using a mix of watercolor, colored pencil and pen.

🌟𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐐&𝐀🌟

𝑯𝒐𝒘 𝒅𝒐𝒆𝒔 𝑹𝒐𝒂𝒏𝒐𝒌𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒑𝒊𝒓𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒚?
Everywhere I look in and around Roanoke is inspiring to me. The natural colors from the trees changing on the beautiful mountains and flowers that grow along the parkway. To the structures of the buildings, the train tracks moving through the area, and the gorgeous murals blossoming up on different buildings. I have utilized a variety of things from the region in my own personal artwork, it could be as simple as the Blue Ridge mountains as a backdrop or details of specific businesses.

𝑾𝒉𝒚 𝒅𝒊𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒔𝒖𝒃𝒋𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒐𝒏?
I have lived in Roanoke my entire life and as a child I looked to 'The Roanoke Star' in awe and wonder and I especially loved when the colors were changed to red, white, and blue. To me the Dr. Pepper and H&C Coffee signs were always so unique and seeing them lit up at night just put a smile on my face. I chose the Texas Tavern and 611 Train for their connection I have to my dad and also how important they are to Roanoke. They both put smiles on my Daddy's face and I know they do for other people too. Finally I put the Taubman Art Museum because it means a great deal to me to have art from other places come to my hometown to broaden others' lives. All of these items together helped me create an image showing things in Roanoke that are special to not just me but to others too.

𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒈𝒐𝒂𝒍𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒓𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒐𝒏?
First, I think it is very important to keep some of our current traditions and local landmarks alive and in good condition. The places that have brought people to Roanoke for years will continue to bring people as long as we don't let them die. I love how Roanoke and surrounding areas have allowed more murals to be painted on buildings and different structures. Adding artwork outside and also inside more local businesses is a goal I have for the area.

🖼️⭐🏙️

𝑨𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑨𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒔𝒕: I am a lifelong Roanoke native and I have many memories of places and experiences with my parents that I in turn shared with my own kids. The visual images I chose to include in my cover hold great significance between members of my family, especially my Dad and I.

Want to check out more 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!”

12/15/2024

Fruits and Roots Roanoke offers innovative, organic creations that are as delicious as they are healthy.

Fruits & Roots offers innovative, organic creations that are as delicious as they are healthy.

12/14/2024

Debbie Seagle just keeps finding interesting ways to live her life. The latest is the most creative yet.

12/12/2024

Hours before we ever consider the menu, Roanoke chefs are prepping our meals.

Discover the inner workings of local kitchens as chefs share their inspirations and the teamwork that brings their dishes to life.

12/11/2024

Try these easy tips to increase your income this holiday season (and throughout the year).

12/10/2024

Our final podcast episode of season 2 celebrates the season of giving with a special episode about Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southwest Virginia. Montana Kimrey, the Donor and Community Relations Coordinator, shares how RMHC has been spreading holiday cheer for 40 years, helping families facing tough times. Grab your hot cocoa and join us for a heartwarming conversation on how RMHC is making this holiday season brighter!

Our December episode focuses on the heartwarming holiday season as Ronald McDonald House Charities of SWVA works to improve the lives of visiting families in their toughest times.

12/09/2024

Happy Masterpiece Monday, friends! We adore this lovely photography cover design by Martha Crawford entitled, “Fun at Valhalla Vineyards.” Want to see more imaginative cover creations and re-creations just like this one? 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!”

🌟𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐐&𝐀🌟

𝑯𝒐𝒘 𝒅𝒐𝒆𝒔 𝑹𝒐𝒂𝒏𝒐𝒌𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒑𝒊𝒓𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒚?
From the spacious cloud-adorned skies and mountains to the cultural fine arts, there's plenty to inspire.

𝑾𝒉𝒚 𝒅𝒊𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒔𝒖𝒃𝒋𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒐𝒏?
The Roanoker magazine cover for January/February 1979 made me think about when I was in college at VWCC in the commercial art program from 78-80. I worked in the audio/visual department and was very much into fashion photography as well as art. This submission is different than the cover, but I'm still into fashion photography and art! I always loved the Roanoker Magazine!

𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒈𝒐𝒂𝒍𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒓𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒐𝒏?
For Roanoke to become an art hub for the East Coast.

🖼️⭐🏙️

𝑨𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑨𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒔𝒕: As a young adult, I took photography as part of my Commercial Art degree at VWCC and worked in the Audio/Visual Dept. That's where my love of photography began. I especially enjoy fashion photography and have shot portfolios for aspiring models and continue to photograph friends and family.

12/08/2024

As Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southwest Virginia celebrates 40 years, it continues to offer a lifeline of comfort and support to families far from home during their most challenging times.

The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southwest Virginia marks 40 years of supporting families with sick children.

12/07/2024

Happening this weekend! Get into the holiday spirit at the 30th Annual Winterfest Arts & Crafts Festival, hosted by The Floyd Center for the Arts! Held on Saturday, December 7th, and Sunday, December 8th from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, admission is FREE and all are welcome to join the seasonal fun.

The event is held on Saturday, December 7th, and Sunday, December 8th from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM for two days of holiday cheer, family fun, and local shopping.

12/06/2024

🎬✨ The Roanoker’s First 50 Years is now available! Aired earlier this week on Blue Ridge PBS, our documentary celebrates 50 years of storytelling in Roanoke. From Richard Wells' vision to the growth of The Roanoker and its impact on the city, this film takes you through the history of our magazine. Join us in celebrating the stories that have shaped Roanoke. Watch the full documentary on our website! https://theroanoker.com/50th-anniversary/discover-the-story-behind-the-roanoker-legacy

12/05/2024

YMCA of Virginia's Blue Ridge announces its grand opening, ribbon cutting and open house for the YMCA at Tanglewood.

YMCA of Virginia’s Blue Ridge announces its grand opening, ribbon cutting and open house for the YMCA at Tanglewood.