New Media from a Journalism Veteran
The sun sets on 2011
Lots of changes on the Floyd scene as the old year rings out: Lawrence Wood is closing the funeral home that bears his name. Wood has buried a lot of people in Floyd County, including my maternal grandparents. He’s been a fixture around here for a long, long time. Protocol Automotive is becoming “Joe’s Garage,” [...]
Returning to the dark side
When Apple‘s revolutionary Macintosh came out in 2004, I bought one of the first models to arrive in Washington, getting it from the computer department from the now-defunct Woodward & Lothrop department store. The computer was so new that I had to wait six weeks for a Serial 422 cable to use the printer that [...]
New River Valley Harley-Davidson ceases operations Dec. 31
New River Valley Harley-Davidson, Christiansburg, opened with much fanfare and high hopes in October 2008, shuts it doors at the end-of-business Saturday, Dec. 31. The shop’s inventory will go to Roanoke Valley Harley-Davidson — which has the same owner — along with some employees. Employees got the news Tuesday. A sign announced “Clearance Consolidation” went [...]
Riding with the ‘Sons of Lethargy’ and other friends
On most mornings, a small group of aging motorcycle riders meet for coffee and breakfast. We jokingly call ourselves the “Sons of Lethargy,” riders 60 and older who still climb aboard our two wheelers and enjoy life. We’ve talked about creating jackets with a logo that shows the Grim Reaper in a wheelchair — or [...]
Merry Christmas
The smell of coffee wafts through Chateau Thompson this morning as we begin to prepare Christmas dinner to take over to my mother at her assisted living apartment. With temperatures forecast in the 50s, it hardly seems like Christmas outside so I dug through the archives for this snowfall from January 2005. Just imagine that [...]
National Music Festival abandons Floyd and heads to Maryland
The National Music Festival, the two-week classical music series that drew much praise in its debut season in Floyd County this past summer will stage its second season in Maryland. In August, the Festival announced it was in the black and told The Roanoke Times it had expanded its board to include Floyd County notables [...]
Lady Buffs avenge early season loss to Lord Botetourt
The only loss suffered by the Floyd County High School varsity girls’ basketball team so far this year came at the hands of Lord Botetourt early in the season. The Lady Buffs avenged that loss Wednesday night, beating the Cavaliers 61-49 in a physical game. The girls are now 9-1 and the JV Lady Buffs [...]
Our old hometown of Alton, Illinois: One of the scariest places on earth?
Lived in Alton, Illinois for nearly 12 years. Met Amy there. We married and lived in an 1835 townhouse that some said was haunted. Amy said she saw apparitions in the house. I laughed it off even though I sometimes felt liked someone was watching us. According to some, Alton is one of the most [...]
Basketball powerhouses
Floyd County High School’s varsity boys basketball team is off to a strong 5-0 start, culminated with a 99-33 pounding of Patrick County at home Friday night. With the Lady Buffs at 7-1, both teams head into district play soon with confidence building records. The girls take on Patrick County at home tonight and Lord [...]