Departments

Roanoke Mayor Wick Anderson stands at the microphones as he presents Roanoke’s valentine to Annie Glenn (third from left).

Be Our Valentine!

In February 1962, Roanoke’s quirky, 600-pound valentine made global headlines when it was delivered to astronaut John Glenn’s front yard, signed by over 3,000 locals.
Sheet Pan Jambalaya

Southern Spoonful: Big Easy Bites

Jazz up your winter dinner menus with these New Orleans-inspired recipes.
A smiling man with short gray hair in a white collared shirt stands before a chain-link fence and tennis courts.

Do You Know… Carter Turner?

The former congressional candidate and university professor has found his newest passion—and a surprising source of community and personal growth—on the pickleball court.
Kids of all ages can enjoy The VR Center’s high-tech playground.

Step Into Another Reality

Explore thrilling virtual worlds, from epic golf games to zombie survival, at The VR Center—a high-tech playground for all ages.
Damon Company Vice President Laven Newsom launched Shrewd Outdoors (see more on Newsom on page 31 of our Jan/Feb 2025 issue).

Shrewd Outdoors Hits the Mark

Salem’s latest entertainment venue offers a unique blend of archery, outdoor gear and a welcoming café and sports bar—all in one dynamic space.
A group of six people in formal wear huddle together in a circle with arms around each other at an indoor evening event.

Building Bonds Beyond Labels

Blended families face unique challenges and rewards; by focusing on love, respect and connection, we create homes defined by unity over titles.
A hand holds a black-and-white print of a brick building over a street scene in color.

Roanoke’s First Auditorium

Once a bustling hub for music, speeches and gatherings—including a visit from First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt—Roanoke’s historic auditorium lives on in memories, its former site now a quiet parking lot.
A hand holds a vintage postcard reading "Lutheran Orphanage, Salem, Va." over a modern street intersection.

Lutheran Orphanage

The site for Andrew Lewis Middle School was once home to Salem’s historic Lutheran Orphanage, serving children for over a century.
The staff of the Grandin Theatre poses in front of the cinema in 1938.

The Grandin’s Opening Night

Roanoke’s Junior Woman’s Club held a gala in 1932 to formally open the historic theatre.
A smiling woman with long brown hair wears a white blouse with green and black chain-link print against a white background.

Do You Know… Amanda Livingston?

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

Departments

The Beaver Dam Sunflower Festival attracts about 20,000 visitors annually — a boon to the local economy.
Features

Bloom Town

Flower farms are finding new ways to keep our community beautiful.

Painted wood statue holding a teacup, a chandelier-lit dining room, and a wood-paneled sitting room.
Features

The House on the Hill

Stewardship of the signature structure on the city side of Mill Mountain is in the very conscientious hands of Drs.

Four-panel collage of downtown apartment interiors: unfinished room, empty living room, bathroom, and white kitchen.
Features

On the Rise

The renovations to create new living spaces continue unabated.