The Roanoker - March/April 2019 - 12

Strong Women, Beloved Pets
Plus a closer look at battling cervical cancer and how Virginia Tech is
creating a legacy for more than just sports.

I

LOVE OUR MARCH/APRIL ISSUE every
year, not only because I'm, well, a woman touting
our women's issue, but also because I'm a die-hard
pet lover. Find me at any gathering by tracking down
the dog-I'm almost guaranteed to be sitting there
making a new best friend.
I could literally talk about my dog, Fisher, all day
(I know many of us could and would love to spend
all of our time discussing our pets!). In fact, Christina
Nifong confesses a personal story about her feline
friend (page 66), while Jenny Kincaid Boone shares
an inside look at Deaf Dogs Rock as they take the
national stage thanks to their work with deaf dogs
like their pup, Nitro (page 62).
But we know our love of animals isn't only
relegated to cats and dogs-Laura Wade covers the
unique process of equine therapy and organizations
in the region (page 56); I had no idea horses could
make such an impact on those in need!
I can't wait for you to meet the women in this
issue, with backgrounds and careers ranging from
politics, cultural events, entrepreneuership and
medicine. Carol J. Alexander also takes a look back
at three local women who made significant historical
impacts, paving the way for the rest of us (page 40).
Cervical cancer is a scary term for women, and
comes with surprising stigmas. Did you know Virginia
ranks in the top half of the country for cervical cancer

deaths? That statistic is simply shocking. Erin Wolfe
listens to one woman's struggle with this disease, as
well as offers insight from the professionals (page 47).
While I graduated from Longwood University
('07), I am certainly no stranger to the behemoth that
is Virginia Tech. After all, one does not live in this
area for a decade and miss out on the football games!
But the excitement over this prestigious school isn't
just for locals anymore-the incredible evolution of
VT is now making national and international news.
Dan Smith provides an incredibly in-depth look
at what's happening on (and off ) campus, including
generous donations to continue their work; Professor
Marc Edwards' inclusion in Time magazine's list of
most influential people due to his work with Flint,
Michigan's water crisis; and international acclaim
thanks to Futurehaus (page 79). You don't want to
miss this piece, especially if you're a Hokie fan!

TELL US ABOUT...

your pets - what
makes them your furry
best friend? Share
your thoughts (and
photos!) on our social
media pages!

WE WANT TO
HEAR FROM YOU

Questions, comments
or feedback about
The Roanoker?
E-mail llong@
leisuremedia360.com

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Cheers!

llong@leisuremedia360.com

MEET THE

Ashley Cuoco

is practicing her love of
hospitality through food
photography. A Long
s and na ve she finds
creative expression
in daily kitchen
experiments. Follow
along at @ashcuoco
and ashcuoco.com
he e sh e finds
joy in sharing food
with others. Find her
photography in our
Southern Spoonful
department on page 24.

12

MARCH/APRIL 2019

Suzanne Hodges
Irby is a writer and

freelance journalist
native to Virginia. A UVa
graduate with an M.A.
from NYU's journalism
school, she has written
for Virginia publications
and magazines like
Interview and Paste.
She likes books, movies
and going outside with
her husband David and
her dog Ryder. Read
he
fi e n ane
Rumbolt on page 36.

Christina Nifong

is a writer with a
decades-long career
fi n n e es n
people, places and
ideas. She's also a
committed locavore
and mother to three
kids, four chickens and
one very sweet kitty.
Find more of her work
at christinanifong.
ead he
fi e
on Susan Sink on page
32 and Pet Essay on
page 66.

Amy Pearman

of Boyd Pearman
Photography is
a professional
commercial
photographer with
more than 20 years of
experience capturing
people, places and
products. Outside of
work, Amy is a wife, a
"basketball mom", a
rescue dog champion
and a music lover. See
Amy's photographs
of Susan Sink on our
cover and on page 32.

Dan Smith

is an award-winning
writer, author and
photographer and a
member of the Virginia
Communications Hall
of Fame. He is founding
editor of a Roanokebased business
magazine and a former
Virginia Small Business
Journalist of the Year.
ead ans
fi e ab u
Pearl Fu on page 34 and
the evolution of Virginia
Tech on page 79.

Laura Wade

is the founder of
Thrive by Heart and
offers workshops and
individual guidance to
empower women to live
and love their lives. She
is passionate about her
family, holistic health,
personal transformation
and sharing ideas to
inspire others to live
their best lives. Read
Laura's piece in The Gist
on page 20 and Horse
Therapy on page 56.

Erin Wolfe

is retired from medical
sales and is currently
writing her second
act. She blogs about
travel and wellness at
enlightenedspareview.
ead he
fi e
piece on Jessie
Gehner on page 38 and
her piece on Cervical
Cancer on page 47.

TheRoanoker.com

LIZ LONG HEADSHOT: AMY PEARMAN / AMY PEARMAN HEADSHOT: TIFF JONES

CONTRIBUTORS
http://www.ashcuoco.com http://www.TheRoanoker.com
The Roanoker - March/April 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Roanoker - March/April 2019
