The Roanoker - March/April 2020 - 12

from the editor

Get It, Girl!
We're celebrating an important centennial for women and our love of pets in this issue!
I AM INCREDIBLY LUCKY TO BE surrounded
by strong women, from my mother and sister to my
friends and coworkers. Our community has no shortage
of movers and shakers doing great things for the region;
the fact that so many are female is a bonus, and makes
me eternally proud of their work ethic and dedication.
There's so much content in this issue, it's close to
bursting. Let's start with the women's issue portion, in
which we kick off with the centennial celebration of the
19th Amendment, and how Virginia is celebrating the
momentous occasion (page 38). This is an important
anniversary, not only because of what it meant for
history, but for what it means for our future. I am a
feminist, plain and simple, and I believe in equality for
all, no matter your gender (or race or sexuality or...).
That's partially why I am so interested in women who
are forging paths in male-dominated fields. From sexism
and misogyny to unequal pay or lack of recognition,
it's empowering to see women tackling these issues
with grace, if only because they love the work. This also
includes the restaurant industry, which is why Shari
Dragovich interviewed two female chefs who are
working overtime to shine, and are honest about not
only their successes, but the challenges that arise in such
a career (page 44).
Christina Nifong introduces you to cover subject and
Farmburguesa co-owner Kat Pascal, who may be one of
the hardest-working women you'll ever meet (page 40).

Carol J. Alexander highlights the unique opportunities
the Burton Center for Arts and Technology offers to
young women seeking a career in the trade industry
(page 48). Dan Smith shares six stories from female
immigrants who are finding a home in Roanoke, as
well as establishing their careers (page 52).
The pets section is a favorite of mine, since by now,
you probably know how dog-obsessed I am. (If you've
passed me on the greenway while walking your pooch,
there's a 100% chance I've smiled, waved or greeted
them like some kind of cheerful maniac. And no, I'm
not even a little embarrassed.)
Meet Ollie, our first-ever Top Dogs contest winner,
as voted on by readers (page 62); learn about therapy
pets (page 68) and how to help your pet during allergy
season (page 72); and read heartwarming stories of
rescue dogs (page 64). Even #RoanokeLove is full of
your pet photos this time around! (Aw!)
I think one of the best things in the world is to see
a dog sticking its head out the car window, enjoying
the breeze without a care in the world. If only people
could be as kind and carefree as them!
Cheers!

TELL US ABOUT...

your pets! From sweet cats
and friendly dogs to more
unique pets like rabbits,
birds and reptiles, what
makes your pet your best
friend? Share your thoughts
on our social media pages!

WE WANT TO
HEAR FROM YOU
Questions, comments
or feedback about The
Roanoker? E-mail llong@
leisuremedia360.com

FOLLOW
THE ROANOKER
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llong@leisuremedia360.com

meet the contributors

Layla KhouryHanold

is a food, drink and
travel writer whose
work has appeared on
Saveur, Food Network
and Refinery29 and in
The Chicago Tribune,
among others. Follow
her on Instagram @
theglassofrose. Read
Layla's piece about
Mead on page 108.

12

MARCH/APRIL 2020

Christina Nifong

is a writer with a
decades-long career
profiling interesting
people, places and
ideas. She's recently
launched a new email
newsletter focused on
life in the slow lane,
called Nourishing
Stories. Sign up and
find more of her work
at christinanifong.com.
Read her profile on Kat
Pascal on page 40.

Rebecca Jackson

is a veteran newspaper
person/journalist
based in Bedford
County, VA. A native of
California and an M.A.
graduate of Arizona
State University, she
has a passion for
pets (animals), good
food/cooking, music,
wine, horticulture,
photography and travel.
Read her sweet story
on Pet Therapy on
page 68.

Rory Rhodes

has called the Roanoke
Valley home for 18
years, and her work has
appeared in state and
regional shelter and
lifestyle magazines.
She's interested in
communities, trends,
destinations and
culture. She's always
on the lookout for good
dogs, oxford commas
and fresh-shucked
oysters. Read her piece
on Rescue Dogs on
page 64.

Jennifer Riales

is a Roanoke-based
freelance writer
and blogger. She
and her husband,
both originating
from Memphis, TN,
enjoy visiting local
coffeehouses, going
on walks with their dog
and cuddling with their
two cats. Read her
Gist pieces starting on
page 20, and her Vets
Helping Pets article on
page 72.

Dan Smith

is an award-winning
writer, author and
photographer and a
member of the Virginia
Communications Hall
of Fame. He is a former
Virginia Small Business
Journalist of the Year.
Read Dan's Gist piece
starting on page 20;
his profiles on Female
Immigrants on page
52; and a look inside
the updated Viscose
Building on page 82.

Aaron Spicer

is a veteran editorial
photographer originally
based in Northern
Virginia, with credits in
numerous regional and
national publications.
Aaron specializes
in creating clean
and contemporary
environmental
portraiture that tells a
compelling story. See
his photography on
pages 45, 104 and 105.

TheRoanoker.com
http://www.christinanifong.com http://www.TheRoanoker.com
The Roanoker - March/April 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Roanoker - March/April 2020
