The Roanoker November/December 2023 - 10

editor's note
Ready to Eat?
written by Liz Long, Editor Our Dining Awards winners and features get us ready for
incredible dining at favorite local restaurants; plus, we look to 2024 for a big 50th
anniversary celebration.
A
s we welcome the pumpkin spice scents of
November and the festive glow of December,
there's an undeniable magic in the air. It's a
time when city streets twinkle with holiday lights, and
the aroma of comforting cuisines fills our neighborhoods,
beckoning us to gather and celebrate. In our annual
food and dining issue, we're thrilled to share our love
for the local restaurants and culinary experiences that
make Roanoke shine. Thank you, readers, for voting and
sharing your love of local for our 2024 Dining Awards
winners (after page 74).
While you've got food on the brain (wait, when do
I not?), take a peek behind the scenes at local farms
producing fresh goods for your favorite restaurants,
thanks to Jenny K. Boone (page 51). Plus, learn how
to eat more fruits and veggies thanks to Layla KhouryHanold's
take on Fruits & Roots Juice and Smoothie
Bar (page 48).
And if you're already wondering what to do this
holiday season, fret no more - we have a robust events
calendar over at TheRoanoker.com, as well as an excellent
weekly events newsletter to keep your calendar packed.
Still have some shopping to do? Check out our terrific
gift guide of local businesses ready to help cross tasks off
your list, plus five hidden gems Khoury-Hanold uncovers
for the foodies in your life (page 45). Laura Wade even
shares ideas on homemade gift ideas that will share a
piece of your heart with others (page 61).
Meanwhile, Stephanie Fallon embraces the joy (and
contributors
perhaps chaos) that comes with holiday baking with little
ones, along with tips to prevent meltdowns for both big
and small people (page 64). She'll also make you a wine
aficionado, with great tips on storing that wine collection
(page 68), while Rory Rhodes describes the ideal bar
setup, perfect for entertaining with spirits and mocktails
(page 54).
This year, we're not only celebrating the holiday spirit,
but also a significant milestone in our magazine's history.
In 2024, The Roanoker Magazine will mark its 50th
anniversary, and the excitement is palpable. For half
a century, we've been your trusted guide to all things
happening in our vibrant city. As we look back on our
journey, we're filled with gratitude for your unwavering
support, which has allowed us to grow, evolve and
continue doing what we love - celebrating the heart
and soul of Roanoke, Virginia.
Thank you for being part of The Roanoker Magazine
family as we look forward to a year of exciting
celebrations in 2024. I can't wait to share more of
what's to come. Together, let's make the next 50 years
even more memorable, continuing to shine a spotlight
on the remarkable people, places and experiences that
define our beloved city.
Wishing you a joyful and flavorful holiday season
ahead!
tell us about...
your favorite homemade gifts
to give or receive during the
holidays, as read in Laura Wade's
" Homemade Holidays " on page 61?
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
follow us on social
roanokermag
roanoker
roanokermagazine
Aila Boyd
is an educator
and journalist
who resides in
Ashley Cuoco
is practicing her love
Roanoke. She holds
an MFA in Writing
from Lindenwood
University. Read her
" Do You Know...? "
piece on page 14.
of hospitality through
food photography. A
Long Island native,
she finds creative
expression in daily
kitchen experiments.
Follow along at @
ashcuoco and ashcuoco.
com where Ashley finds
joy in sharing food
with others. See her
gorgeous food photos
in our special holiday
Southern Spoonful
recipes on page 18.
Anthony
Giorgetti
is a writer, marketer,
and owner of Power-Up
Online Promotions. He
got his start writing
independent comedy
but one day realized
it would be good to
have money. He lives in
Roanoke with his wife
Felicia, dogs Om and
Shanti, and cats Lucy
and Oliver the Hellion
Bean. See his story on
The Gauntlet winners on
page 36.
10 november/december 2023
John Park
is a Financial Planning
Veteran and Co-founder
of the JPG Agency.
John's passion for
food takes him on
exciting journeys
across the Southeast,
where he hunts for
those unforgettable,
mouthwatering bites.
Capture his culinary
adventures by following
his Instagram handle @
Hungryasianrke. See
John's dining photos on
our cover and in our 2024
Dining Guide.
Rory Rhodes
has called the Roanoke
Valley home for 18
years, and her work has
appeared in state and
regional shelter and
lifestyle magazines.
She's interested in
communities, trends,
destinations and
culture. She's always
on the lookout for good
dogs, oxford commas
and fresh-shucked
oysters. See her piece
on the perfect bar setup
on page 54.
Michael Shelton
is a Registered Financial
Consultant, tax specialist
and owner of 360 Wealth
Consultants. His firm
specializes in providing
retirement planning and
wealth preservation
strategies for business
owners and astute
individuals. Read his
feature on Fourth-Quarter
Financial Planning on
page 32.
Laura Wade
founder of Thrive
by Heart, is
passionate about
her family, holistic
health, personal
transformation and
sharing ideas to inspire
others to live their best
lives. You can reach
her at soultogoal@
gmail.com. Read her
feature on Homemade
Holidays page 61.
TheRoanoker.com
http://www.TheRoanoker.com http://www.TheRoanoker.com
The Roanoker November/December 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Roanoker November/December 2023
