The Roanoker - May/June 2021 - 8

editor's note

Hope Springs Eternal
written by Liz Long, Editor We celebrate your love of local, plus a serious look at poverty in our area.

he sun is shining, spring has sprung and it
feels like we can all see the light at the end
of the dark and dreaded COVID-19 tunnel.
With summer just around the corner and events
back on our horizons, you can almost feel the buzz
of anticipation when you step outside your house.
I, for one, will not miss living minute by minute
on my phone, checking for COVID updates. There
are probably plenty of us who won't miss a thing
about the last year, but I'd argue that there was one
enormous, shining beacon of hope that spanned our
region: your love of local.
It's easy to see it in our Best of Roanoke issue
- our readers came out in droves this year to tell
us about their favorite people, places, events and
businesses. And thanks to you, I was reminded not
only of all the wonderful establishments that have
succeeded for years, but learned about several new
locations that I can't wait to frequent!
Your support for local businesses affects far
more than just those beloved stores, too. The ripple
effect of keeping our money local impacts the
long-term. Dan Smith shares updates on our local
economy, including the new businesses creating
jobs for citizens and the quality of life for those who
can work anywhere remotely while enjoying natural
beauty and resources in our own backyard (page
26). He also offers a sneak peek at what the 419/
Tanglewood area will look like in 30 years, with an
overview of what's to come and how it will affect
growth (page 118).

There's a ton more to unpack in this issue, from
our support of Pride Month by sharing the local
organizations providing help for our extensive
LGBTQ+ community (page 112) and a profile on
our popular (and openly gay) city council member
and activist Joe Cobb (page 115). Plus, explore your
love of vintage clothing as Ashley Fellers shares
how and where to shop consignment (page 105);
plan your next water outing with Bruce Ingram's
recommendations on where to float at any level
(page 109); and learn about real estate growth in the
hottest neighborhoods (page 128).
I'm particularly proud of Christina Nifong's feature
on poverty in our area (page 30). She shares six
stories from those struggling for different reasons.
For example, where would you be should a health
emergency hit and eat up all your savings, leaving
you nowhere to turn? It also goes hand in hand with
Layla Khoury-Hanold's piece on food access, which
is far more than just making fresh food available
to particular communities (page 140). Several local
groups working to eradicate hunger address multiple
barriers, and allow us to help others who need it.
For me, these stories are a reminder that even
when the sun shines at the end of that tunnel, we
don't leave our fellow Roanokers behind. Let's take
what we've learned, particularly over the last year,
and help others make the best of their situations,
too. As we've proven over the last year: it's the
Roanoke way.
See you on the greenway,

tell us about...

your summer plans! Whether it's a
staycation featuring your favorite
local spots or a quick jaunt to the
coast, where are you having fun in
the sun? 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

contributors

Aila Boyd

is an educator and
journalist who resides in
Roanoke. She holds an MFA
in Writing from Lindenwood
University. Read her Gist
pieces starting on page
18 and her feature on the
LGBTQ+ community on
page 112.

8 MAY/JUNE 2021

Ashley Fellers

is a writer, self-taught
painter and contemplative
photographer in Roanoke,
Virginia. She has a Master
of Fine Arts degree from
Virginia Tech. Read her Gist
piece starting on page 18
and her feature on Vintage
and Consigned Fashion
Finds on page 105.

Bruce Ingram

teaches English and Creative
Writing at Lord Botetourt
H.S. He is the author of over
2,500 magazine stories and 10
books, including four Young
Adult Fiction novels designed
for middle and high school
students. Contact him at
bruceingramoutdoors@gmail.
com. Read his feature on
Summertime Floats on page 109.

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 feature
on local poverty on page
30 and her profile on Joe
Cobb on page 115.

Dan Smith

is an award-winning
Roanoke-based writer/
author/photographer and
a member of the Virginia
Communications Hall of
Fame (Class of 2010). He
is founding editor of a
Roanoke-based business
magazine and a former
Virginia Small Business
Journalist of the Year
(2005). Read his feature on
the Business of Our Local
Economy on page 26, as well
as his look at the 419 Future
Plans on page 118.

Taylor Reschka

grew up in the upper
peninsula of Michigan
and now calls Roanoke
home. He loves meeting
new people, learning
their stories, and sharing
them with others. His
other passions include
Food photography, stand
up comedy and all
things nerdy! But most
importantly, his dog Jordy
and wife Steph. See Taylor's
photography in our Best Of
Roanoke section beginning
on page 36.

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 our cover and
throughout the issue.

TheRoanoker.com

http://www.TheRoanoker.com

The Roanoker - May/June 2021

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