We're not sure, at this point, whether it might have been the long arm of Vladimir Putin. Maybe a piece of North Korean mischief.
Or maybe just gremlins between here and our printer.
Fact is, page 63 of the new issue of The Roanoker is, um, whacked. This is the Best of Roanoke piece, with reader-vote results in scores of categories. Here are the three categories that appear on page 63:
CFTUDI OHOUP I BQQFOLOISPOPLF-I 3124
CFTU!FX !CVTJ0FTT-I 3124
CFTU! LFQU!TFDSFU!JO ! UP X O
Does look a little like Putin's work, doesn't it?
The real categories are:
BEST THING TO HAPPEN IN ROANOKE, 2013
BEST NEW BUSINESS, 2013
BEST KEPT SECRET IN TOWN
And the winners are:
BEST THING TO HAPPEN IN ROANOKE, 2013
Platinum: (ite) Center in the Square updates; Elmwood Park renovation
Silver: Announcement of Passenger Rail
BEST NEW BUSINESS, 2013
Platinum: Pure Barre
Gold: Parkway Brewing Co.
Silver: The Candy Store
BEST KEPT SECRET IN TOWN
Platinum: Just Dance Roanoke
Gold: Brickhouse CrossFit
Silver: Roanoke Valley Crossfit
Additionally, the following categories were accidentally omitted from the pages of the magazine.
Local Website You Visit Most
Platinum: Roanoke.com
Gold: WDBJ 7
Silver: WSLS 10
Local Smart Phone App You Use The Most
Platinum: WDBJ 7
Gold: WDBJ 7 weather app
Silver: WSLS 10
Best Local Facebook Page
Platinum: Things in Roanoke That Don't Suck
Gold: You Know You Are From Roanoke, VA When
Silver: WSLS 10
Silver: WDBJ 7
Best Local Twitter Feed
Platinum (tie): @blairpeyton, @k92bobpatrick
Silver: WDBJ 7
Best Local Pinterest Board
Platinum: A.L. Flair (pinterest.com/alflair/)
Gold: polished by claire v.
Silver (tie): Micah Fraim, CPA; Onyx Premiere Hair Studio; Team Rose
Best Local YouTube Channel
Platinum: Tuned Out
Gold: Micah Fraim, CPA
On page 61 the silver winner for Best Country Club should be identified as "Hunting Hills Country Club."
Lastly, on page 10 Flight Paramedic Brian Ferguson is accidentally identified as the Carilion Lifeguard Helicopter Pilot.
Our profound apologies to the winners and to Mr. Ferguson.