The Roanoker March/April 2022 - 8

editor's note
Ready, Set, Action!
T
here's a huge thrill in seeing our state and
region on the big (and small) screen. Personally,
I don't know why all films aren't shot in our
beautiful mountains (well, okay, at least the stories that
are centrally set in our area). But as it turns out, our
region is filmed more than you might think, thanks to
local filmmakers going after their dreams.
Dan Smith interviewed seven female filmmakers
who do it all - they are not only directors, but writers,
producers, stylists and fundraisers. They're not only
shining those bright lights on our region, but boosting
our local economy, too (page 28). I can't wait to check
out their work - and get that thrill from seeing familiar
mountains on the big screen!
With a brief stint in the restaurant industry on my
resume, I've got a soft spot for those in hospitality. It's
a tough job, made even harder by the pandemic and its
ripple effect. Layla Khoury-Hanold interviews women
behind the scenes of some of your favorite restaurants
as they share what hospitality means to them, their role
models and advice to those on similar paths (page 40).
It's hard to believe my little pandemic pup, Henry,
is nearly two years old. I swear it was just a few weeks
ago that he was barely bigger than a football - one
with sharp little shark teeth! Like most of you, my
dog has affected my life in so many positive ways.
I am so grateful to the animal organizations who
worked to bring us together, as I adopted Henry
from a foster family in Tennessee, and worked with
a transportation service to get him to Virginia. Foster
written by Liz Long, Editor Our region is chock-full of amazing women in film, hospitality and more. Plus,
get outside and play this spring!
parents, employees and volunteers work so very hard
to protect and care for these animals who deserve
a home, and affect the adopters, sometimes even
without ever meeting in person. Laura Wade's sweet
story on locals sharing their pet adoption stories made
my heart swell - and hug Henry a little tighter, if that's
even possible (page 70).
As I write this, there's still a bit of snow on the
ground, but I'm already looking forward to warmer
weather so I can get outside and play, thanks to your
suggestions from our first-ever Best of Outdoors
reader poll. You told us all about your favorite spots
for hiking, biking, swimming and more, as well as the
local businesses who do a great job making sure you
have everything you need for your outdoor adventures
(page 49).
Our outdoors section also includes Smith's feature
on the local Parks & Recreation departments and
programs they offer, plus the many other things you
may not realize they do, such as events (page 56). He
also shares great spots for hikes (page 60), while Gene
Marrano shares an overview of the many biking options
available to all (page 64); and Ashley Wilson Fellers
shares local shuttersbugs' terrific tips on capturing
amazing sunsets (page 67). I can't wait to put on my
kicks and head outside to bask in our region's natural
amenities. Aren't we lucky!
See you on the greenway,
tell us about...
your favorite outdoor activity! Are
you a hiker, biker, greenway lover
or rock climber? Tell us how you
choose your adventures by sharing
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 us on social
roanokermag
roanoker
contributors
Ashley Fellers
is a writer, self-taught
painter and photographer.
When she isn't teaching
writing at Virginia Western,
she snaps photos of
sidewalk cracks, rescues
wet leaves from windshield
wipers and leaves poems
hidden under park benches.
She has a Master of Fine
Arts degree from Virginia
Tech. Read her piece on
great advice for capturing
sunsets starting on page 67.
Gene Marrano
is an award-winning radio,
print and TV journalist who
has been covering local
events in the Roanoke
Valley for more than two
decades. You may also
spot him running on the
greenway or in local races,
or on stage as an actor in
local community theater
productions.
See his piece on biking in
our outdoors section on
page 64.
Stephanie Klein-Davis
worked for the Roanoke
Times as a staff photographer
for 33 years and Virginia
Western Community College
as an adjunct instructor for
17 years. Now, she's teaching
photography full-time at
William Fleming High School
and freelancing both locally
and nationally. See her work
on our cover Women in Film,
with the feature starting on
page 28.
Christina Nifong
is a journalist and essayist,
writing at the intersection
of wild+connected+
sustainable. Find more of
her work and subscribe
to her Nourishing
Stories newsletter at
christinanifong.com.
Read her piece on Latinas
Network celebrating their
first anniversary on page 37.
John Park
has become the
quintessential food
evangelist for SW Virginia
and the surrounding
regions. Though John lives
in a suit by day, he prides
himself on sharing his
love of great eats and
the people who make it
possible. Follow his social
media moniker
@hungryasianrke and see
John's dining photos of
Well Hung Vineyard in our
dining section starting on
page 94.
8 MARCH/APRIL 2022
Dan Smith
Laura Wade
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 Gist pieces starting
on page 18; his Women in
Film feature on page 28;
profile on Trish White-Boyd
on page 34; the feature on
Parks & Rec on page 56; and
his recommendation for
hikes on page 60.
TheRoanoker.com
founder of Thrive by Heart,
offers workshops and
individual guidance to
empower women to live
from soul to goal and
love their lives. She is
passionate about her family,
holistic health, personal
transformation and sharing
ideas to inspire others to
live their best lives. See her
feature on animal adoptions
starting on page 70.

http://www.christinanifong.com http://www.TheRoanoker.com

The Roanoker March/April 2022

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