Let me tell you, last week I had the ability to truly traipse through Southwest Virginia and if you get the chance sometime soon, I fully suggest that you do so. 

I began my week in Radford, which is busy shaping up for fall.  Radford is a beautiful little town, home to Radford University.  If you make it to Radford any time of the year, make it this coming weekend.  October 3-4 is the Annual Highlander Festival– formally known as Homecoming Weekend and the Appalachian Events Committee’s 27th Annual Folk Arts Festival.  You can watch the Scottish games, get authentic scones and wear a kilt in public while petting a Highland Coo and seeing how far a man can sling a boulder.  What’s not to love?!  After you’re done being Scottish, you can swing over to the Appalachian Folk Arts Festival which is comprised of local artists who make and demonstrate their craft on site.  You can see everything from legendary pencil artist Willard Gayheart to Brad Smith’s carved Roosters andDanny Wingate’s leather working, all while listening to some of the best bluegrass and old time bands in the area.

After departing from Radford last week, I made a stop in Wytheville, which was charming as usual.  We  held a meeting at the Wytheville Community College.  They have an incredible facility there, not to mention they’re just down the road from Smokey’s BBQ.  I didn’t get to spend a whole lot of time in Wytheville, but it is one of my frequent stomping grounds.  I believe they’ve recently painted the hot air balloon shaped water tower, so there’s something to look for next time your east bound and down.

Thursday, I had the opportunity to be at Natural Tunnel State Park at the Cove Ridge Center in Scott County.  This place is GORGEOUS!  If you just go to look at the views off the deck of the Cove Ridge Center, it’s well worth the drive!  The weather was beautiful and Natural Tunnel State Park is by far one of the prettiest places on the face of the earth.

Keeping in mind that I was traipsing and not being able to hold still, our next stop was in Bristol on the VA/TN line.  I love Bristol and always have, but one thing keeps me coming back: Stateline Bar and Grill’s fried pickles.  ‘Nuff said.

After a restful night at the Exit 7 Holiday Inn, we got to go to Southwest Virginia Community College in Richlands.  I ahve always loved their King Center for the intricate brick carving in the foyer, but their new building is truly exquisite.  Animal carvings with a water feature down area river rock and views from the new library that would challenge the looks of Heaven.  I was certainly impressed and left breathless.

 Southwest Virginia is a great place to live and it’s trips like these that keep that a constant reminder in the back of my mind.  What’s your favorite Southwest Virginia spot?  Let me know and I’ll  be sure to check it out sometime.

 Shai Cullop

Are you in Southwest Virginia?  Do you look for things to do, or are you one of those who want to come to the area and are afraid of the lack of things to do?  Well, fret not. It really depends on where you are in the area and where your interests lie, but regardless of that, there are many things to do!   

For example, if you’re in Floyd County, a good Friday night can mean going to the Blue Ridge Diner (I highly recommend their black bottom pie) and then going to the Floyd Country Store for live music and dancing.  Often there is not only music going on inside the store, but outside on the porch and around the corner as well.  If you’re looking for other music venues, try The Rex Theatre in Galax, the Bristol Country Music Alliance’s Pickin’ Porch in Bristol or the Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion in Bristol in the Fall which is a phenomenally huge traditional music festival! 

Music abounds in the mountains and can be found anywhere from a square dance in Grayson County to a fire department Friday night jam in Smyth County to anywhere along The Crooked Road.

In the area, we are blessed to have a plethora of natural wonders just waiting to be explored.  From Tazewell County’s Burkes Garden, which is known as “God’s Thumbprint,” to the Creeper Trail, Appalachian Trail or Mount Rogers, Virginia’s highest point, there are many things to do and see.  The Blue Ridge Parkway and many hiking and biking opportunities offer you the best views for miles around.  It has been rumored that on a clear day, one can see Detroit, Michigan from the summit at Mount Rogers, but you’ll have to look and see for yourself!

In the New River Valley (Blacksburg, Christiansburg and Radford), you can enjoy a busier scene with shopping and dining options.  Also, you can benefit from having the colleges close by for quality entertainment whether it be concerts, plays, lecture series, etc… 

Going down I-81 gives you the option of dinner and a show at the Wolfhart Haus in Wytheville, several wineries in the region such as Chateau Morissette and the Davis Valley Winery, performances at The Lincoln Theatre in Marion, The Paramount and Theatre Bristol in Bristol and The Barter Theatre in Abingdon– the state theatre of Virginia.  There are many other cultural opportunities such as The Carter Fold in Hiltons and plenty of fine dining experiences to be had between The Martha Washington Inn, The Tavern and The Hardware Company, just to name a few. 

The area is also rich in consignment, second-hand and antique shops.  The areas of Floyd, Abingdon Bristol are particularly rich in these stores.  In the summer months you can attend the Virginia Highlands Arts and Crafts Festival in Abingdon which features a huge antiques market.

I could literally go on all day and suggest things that are not only great food and a good time such as The Dip Dog Stand in Marion, In the Country in Damascus, or Cuz’s Barbeque in Tazewell County, but I would be depriving you of your chance to explore on your own!

–Shai Cullop

Oil prices are falling faster than the sky right now, but unfortunately it seems like electricity prices are on the rise.  If the settlement to raise rates 17 percent is approved, “customers who use 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per month—about what the average household uses—would see their bills jump from about $77 to about $90.” 

Those angered by the rate hikes should take a moment to count their blessings, as Appalachian Power Company had put a “[24] percent hike into effect on an interim basis with the understanding that if the hike is not approved, any extra money customers [paid] [would] be refunded with interest.” 

Thirteen dollars may just seem like one less case of beer to my fellow students, but to many households with an already tight budget the hike may mean less food to eat.  While low gas prices may currently help alleviate budget pressure, gas prices are hardly known for their stable characteristics. 

I can easily see similar rate hikes occurring in the near future.  The economy doesn’t just affect families, but businesses too, and those businesses need to pay their increased debts by raising prices on consumers.  It’s a vicious cycle, and hopefully we won’t be stuck in it for too long.  

– Jonathan VanDerveer 

http://www.virginiastar.net/articles08/ar08_1105/apprates.htm