Virginia is for Lovers was established fifty years ago, in 1969. Since then, it has become one of the most beloved and well-known logos/slogans in the world. While it has meant a lot of different things to a lot of different people, one thing has never changed – the love.
In 2019, the Virginia Tourism Corporation is celebrating with special experiences across the state. “Our goal is to celebrate 50 Years of Love in 2019 by having promotions that last for fifty days. All across Virginia, there will be a 50 Years of Love presence at wineries, breweries, festivals, hotels, restaurants, small businesses, and more!
Floyd has joined them with the 50 Days of Love Celebration in Floyd. The event will begin July 27 and run through September 14, with promotions and special happenings throughout the town and county. Join us in Floyd as we celebrate with specialty events, exhibits, and giveaways, as well as special products and promotions throughout the town and county.
We kick off our celebration on Saturday, July 17 at FloydFest and will bring it to a close on Saturday, September 14 at our Floyd County Fair. Some of the specials throughout our 50 Day Celebration in Floyd include:

• Special Offers & Products
• Promotional sweepstakes giveaways of FloydFest tickets
• Floyd Yoga Jam is offering $50 off a bundle of five four-day tickets
• Living Light River Studio is offering a 50-minute massage for $50 and 50-minute yoga class for $5
• On the Water will offer $50 floats for couples on Wednesdays and other promotions
• Dogtown Roadhouse will have tap takeover throughout the 50 days. They will also have heart pizzas, and offer $50 lovers special coursed meal packages for couples
• Red Rooster Coffee is creating a special commemorative coffee blend sold locally and on-line They will also feature specialty drinks inspired by the campaign and offer “1969” prices
• Cocoa Mia will have a specialty truffle and other delights
• Five Mile Mountain Distillery plans a specialty cocktail in honor of 50 Years of Love
• Promotional giveaways of limited edition hats, beer mugs, wine glasses, and more! Special Events & Happenings
• Floyd Visitor Center exhibit of photos and stories about Floyd 50 years ago
• Fun 1969 photo booth and photo opportunities at our events and businesses
• Floyd Radio Show, September 7, 50 Years of Love themed
• Floyd Historical Society, Saturday, September 14 hosts a special event sharing about Floyd 50 Years ago
• 1969 Summer of Love Party at Dogtown Roadhouse (a Saturday in August)
• Studio 221 Yoga Center will be coordinating special wellness activities throughout
• County Sales will curate a collection of 50 Years of Love of VA old time and bluegrass musicians
• Floyd EcoVillage is hosting Salsa Making Workshop
• Apple Ridge Farm is planning a special Adventure Day- with zipline, a climbing wall, and swimming pool with 50% off fees
• Floyd Thyme, a new Floyd podcast, will do special episode about Floyd’s “Top 50” inviting nominations for and then highlighting them in podcasts Lodging Specials
• Pine Tavern Lodge and Hotel Floyd will both have themed suites with featured décor and photos
• Cabins Off the Parkway is designating one cabin themed for the celebration and offer $50 off a three-night stay, as well as other specials
• Chantilly Farm will host our fun photo booth at their events and offer 50% off 3rd night of camping and promote 50th anniversaries
• Apple Ridge Farm is planning a Summer of Love discount on Caboose rentals on Wednesdays

For details on all Floyd’s 50 Years of Love celebration, visit www.VisitFloydVA.com or stop by The Floyd Visitor Center, 109 East Main St. (downtown across from the courthouse) 540-745-4407.

Located at 3414 Webbs Mill Road N in Floyd, Tee’s Tax Resolution is owned and operated by tax professional, Terena Meador. After graduating from high school, life took Terena Lester Meador to South Carolina for over twenty years.  In all that time away, however, she never forgot her home.  She longed for Floyd County and the Blue Ridge Mountains that surrounded it.  Memories of her family’s dairy farm in Alum Ridge made her miss the rhythm of country living.
While in South Carolina, Terena met and married David; originally from West Virginia.  After hearing Terena’s stories about Floyd County, David joined Terena in her longing to once again be among the trees and the hills.   With mountainsides in their eyes and country living in their hearts, the two eventually decided to leave costal South Carolina for Terena’s beloved Floyd County.  “It was a no brainer,” David recalled.  “After years of Terena’s stories, I knew that I wanted to call Floyd home.”
Leaving South Carolina, however, also meant starting new careers.  Taking another leap of faith, Terena decided to devote herself to a part-time bookkeeping and tax business she’d started twenty-five years earlier.  She wanted to add tax resolution to her portfolio, but that required being an enrolled agent with the IRS.  Eager to move forward, Terena finished the nine-month training course in just three months. “I have always wanted to help people,” says Terena.  “Now I can help them resolve their tax issues. A lot of clients contact me when they are at their lowest point.  Levies have been put their assets, or their wages have been garnished. I get the levies and garnishments lifted so we can proceed with a resolution.”
On a new path, Terena’s business grew so rapidly that she added two employees.  Though her office is in Floyd County, she has clients all over the United States, as well as in Puerto Rico.  By converting her dining room into a home office, she was able to cut down on overhead and pass the savings on to her clients.  Terena prides herself on being able to offer prices that big companies just can’t match.
“It’s amazing to see what Terena can do,” says employee, Judy Dickerson.  “She keeps up with all the new tax laws and looks for every deduction when she prepares a tax return.  I never knew that an enrolled agent could negotiate with the IRS to resolve tax issues that benefit the tax payer, but she does.”
In addition to all the new IRS laws, Terena also keeps herself up-to-date with all the latest state-level laws. She also has a high success rate in dealing with troublesome tax issues.  “It is rewarding to see a client go from a state of despair to being at peace with the situation.”  Here are a few of her success stories:
One client owed over $104,000 to the IRS.  After reviewing the taxpayer’s information, Terena proceeded with an Offer in Compromise to completely resolve his tax debt.  The IRS reviewed the information and accepted the offer.
Another client owed over $400,000.  Based on the taxpayer’s information, Terena recommended proceeding with a Currently Not Collectible Status to prevent collection activity until the Collection Statue expired. The Currently Not Collectible information was reviewed and accepted by the IRS.  The client was placed in Currently Not Collectible Status. Yet another owed almost $20,000.  This time, Terena recommended the client proceed with an Installment Payment Arrangement, since he did not qualify for an Offer and Compromise or a Currently Not Collectible Status. The IRS suggested a monthly payment amount that did not fit into her client’s budget.  Terena negotiated a lower payment amount, which the IRS ultimately reviewed and approved.
Terena would like everyone to know: “The worst thing a tax payer can do is to not file taxes and ignore the IRS. You can always ask for an extension or work out an installment agreement plan.  By ignoring the situation, mountains of interest and penalties accrue until you are overwhelmed. Eventually, the IRS will file levies and garnishments.”
She recalls one client who’d not filed their tax returns for five years. The IRS had prepared returns on the client’s behalf; assessing large amounts due on each year without any expenses taken into consideration. The final figure was substantial, and the client was frantic about not being able to pay. After reviewing the expenses for each of the missed years, Terena recommended the benefits of filing the original returns using expenses incurred. Once the returns were posted, the client’s IRS debt was significantly decreased.  A payment plan was then set up that the client could afford.
With a smile on her face, Terena says, “Every day, I am glad that I moved back to Virginia and decided to devote my time to a business that I enjoy operating. It’s great to be back home.”

Tee’s Bookkeeping and Tax Service www.teestaxes.com • 540-505-4200 • teesbookkeeping@swva.net

By Sheilah Elwardani

The Floyd County Historical Society has designated 2019 as a year to pay tribute to the vital role Floyd County churches have played in the history of the county. During the 1790’s, early settlers established congregations of Brethren, Lutheran, and Baptist immediately upon arrival in the area. Methodists and Presbyterians arrived a couple of decades after that with the Second Great Awakening. These congregations became the backbone of community organization and growth during the 1800’s.
It would be impossible to separate the history of Floyd County from church history. These local congregations to which each family belonged were the heart of local community. They were the center for social, political, and even economic organization. Political and family ties usually ran deep within each church, providing the social strength and strong sense of identity which has come to be a key characteristic of Floyd County till today.
In recognition of Floyd County church history, the Floyd County Historical Society Museum Exhibit for 2019 features the history of county churches established prior to 1950. For this exhibit, individual churches have contributed a fascinating variety of items from throughout their individual histories. The exhibit includes iconic images of previous church buildings and congregations, as well as items which illustrate the unique and vibrant nature of each congregation. Items ranging from bibles and hymnals, to beautiful quilts, roll books, crosses and communion tables are but a few of the items on display. The exhibit encompasses unique aspects of worship in the distinctive denominations. Visitors will learn interesting facets of worship such as foot-washing, which is part of the communion services in both the Church of the Brethren and Primitive Baptist churches. Floyd County is home to the largest concentration of Church of the Brethren congregations in the nation. Church of the Brethren has been the most dominant denomination in Floyd County since the early 1800’s, rivaled only by the Primitive Baptist congregations prior to 1900.
This exhibit brings the rich history of Floyd County churches vibrantly to life. Admission to this exciting tribute exhibit is free and will run through November 2019. We invite community and visitors to come experience the inspirational history of Floyd County churches at the Floyd County Historical Society Museum, located at 217 N. Locust Street in Floyd, Virginia.
For more information, visit online at www.floydhistoricalsociety.com.

In 1809, Henry Tuggle was issued a deed for two-hundred and fifty acres of land along the waters of Rockcastle Creek. In those early days, a wagon trail cut through the land, making the area a prime location for travelers. When Henry died, he passed the land on to his nephews, John and Joshua Tuggle. This geographically exquisite area, with its cold springs and open meadows, has greeted visitors and carried the Tuggle name ever since. Today it is known as Tuggles Gap.
More than a hundred years after that original land-deed was issued, the Blue Ridge Parkway was carving its way from Virginia to North Carolina. In anticipation of the new road passing through Floyd County, General Washington Boyd and Ward Spangler used field stones and fat timbers to construct a small building where route 8 would intersect with the new, scenic Parkway. The year was 1938.
By the time that stretch of the Parkway was completed, the little store and gas station was ready for business. It was a place where travelers could rest and replenish. Borrowing from the identity of the area, Boyd and Spangler called their store Tuggles Gap. These men, however, were more than just business partners. They were family. General Boyd’s daughter, Irene, had married Ward Spangler’s son, George. In the years that followed, George and Irene added the restaurant and motel buildings. They ran the business for almost fifty years while raising their family and living in the basement of the restaurant. This was during the heyday of the Blue Ridge Parkway, before air travel became common. Most Americans stayed close to home for vacations; visiting where they could reach by car.
The restaurant and motel thrived during the 1950’s and 1960’s. The story is often told about it being so busy that the Spanglers ran out of everything but white bread. Such was the hospitality, however, that customers were content to have bread sandwiches for dinner.
Descendants of General Boyd continued running the business until 1985 when it was purchased by retired marine, Bill Mills. In 1992, however, he sold it to Neil Baker. Neil had been encouraged by her daughter, Daryl, and son-in-law, Larry Kreager. In true pioneering spirit, Neil risked her life savings and comfortable life in New Mexico to realize the lifelong dream of owning her own restaurant. Though she had years of restaurant management experience, it was still a huge leap of faith.
After several months, she recruited help from her daughter, Cheri Baker. Cheri had been in the restaurant business for many years in Washington State. In the Fall of 2003, Neil retired, and since then, Cheri Baker has continued to manage Tuggles Gap using her mother’s recipes and credo, “We love to serve you.”
Reminiscent of bygone days, Tuggles Gap still offers weary traveler a home-cooked meal served with a smile and a comfortable place to pass the night. Today, there are two motel buildings, as well as a sixty-seat restaurant, that serve the community of Floyd and its visitors. The inside of the restaurant features thirteen interior doorways created when additions and expansions were built onto the original structure. Amazingly avoiding collisions and spills, the restaurant staff navigate through these narrow passages in a dance that has become known as the Tuggles Gap tango.
The restaurant menu features Southwestern American and traditional American favorites, along with the occasional selection of eclectic specialty dishes. The restaurant is proud to get some of their fresh fruits and vegetables from the area’s farmers, where localized agriculture is a way of life for many. The Tuggles Gap motel is home to twelve comfortable and affordable rooms that are kept fresh and clean for visitors seeking rest. When you stay overnight at Tuggles Gap, you will wake to the smell of fresh coffee and your cooked-to-order breakfast, wafting from the restaurant. For those simply seeking to re-fuel, grab a snack, and get back on the road, Tuggles Gap is still the place to stop. They sell premium and regular unleaded gasoline, as well as a variety of on-the-go snacks and drinks.
Being located just this side of the Floyd/Patrick County line, Tuggles Gap has roots that run deep with Old-Time and traditional Bluegrass music. When you visit on a weekend, you can catch all the great acts that come through! Rock and Blues musicians are typically featured on Saturday, with Bluegrass on Sunday.
On April 11, Tuggles Gap will kick off its 2019 season with their first live-music event featuring The Love Sprockets. This duo was first introduced to Tuggles Gap in the cool spring of 2015, when they bicycled from Vermont to Texas, via Florida, on their bicycle built for two. On that cold and windy night four years ago, they stayed, played their instruments, and sang in the warmth of the dining room. Tuggles Gap invites everyone to come out and enjoy this intrepid musical couple when they return.
Tuggles Gap is sitting atop one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world; in the serenity and beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. With its scenic vistas and the pastoral loveliness of its farmlands and orchards, many would consider it paradise. If you close your eyes and listen closely, you can imagine the soft footfalls of long ago.
In addition to its agriculture and farmers, the surrounding area of Floyd is also famous for its artisans. In Early autumn, Tuggles Gap hosts the “Art on the Parkway” festival. If you’d like something to help you remember your stay, they also feature the work of several local artists on premises. For example, there is a framed, charcoal drawing behind the white oak counter near the cash register. The drawing is by talented local artist, Emily Williamson, and was created in a few hours one balmy Autumn day in 1999.
Given today’s homogenized world, visiting Tuggle’s Gap is a breath of fresh air. It is truly unique in its own quaint and quirky kind of way. In a setting rich with history, culture, and un-spoiled landscapes, your Tuggle’s Gap experience is not likely to be forgotten.

Tuggles Gap is located at 3351 Parkway Lane S. in Floyd.
For more information, directions, menus, and events, visit online at http://www.tugglesgap.biz or call 540-745-3402.
You can also follow on Facebook at Tuggles Gap Restaurant & Motel.

Floyd County, in southwest Virginia, is rapidly achieving world-wide attention as a prime tourist locale.  This extraordinary destination features live Old-Time and Blue Grass music in multiple venues almost nightly, an ever-increasing number of fine restaurants and lodgings, numerous festivals, and outstanding scenery.  The rolling hills, lush pastures, and spectacular mountains greet year-round tourists from all over the world.

In the midst of Floyd County, is the small-yet-significant town of Floyd.  This lively town sparkles with amazing and unique shopping opportunities.  Among of all these jewels, however, is an unexpected treasure. The Gallery of the Floyd Artists Association can be found in “The Station”, downtown Floyd, at 203 S. Locust Street.  That’s just across the street from the famous Floyd Country Store; the hub of local Country Music activity. Now entering its twelfth year, The Gallery was founded in 2007 by six members of a weekly drawing group.

Working together, they built their business in a renovated space below the Sun Music Hall, in The Winter Sun building.  It was a great location, and the space came complete with large, framed panels to show their work.  Before long, the group began offering adult and children’s classes, holding receptions with local musicians, and exhibiting the work of local guest artists.

As new members joined, the original six took advantage of the remodeling that was taking place nearby in what would become “The Station”.  They were the first tenants to move into the now-iconic plaza, and in subsequent years, they expanded into an additional suite across the hall.  In the years since, the group moved into a larger space, down the hall, and they can still be found there today.
Because Floyd residents and visitors have demonstrated a consistent preference for work by local and regional artists, that’s what is exclusively offered at The Gallery.  They host an impressive selection of area guest artists, featuring the work in two-month, rotating exhibits.  Each new exhibit begins with a public reception for the artist, held from 5:00pm – 8:00pm, every other first Friday evening.

For more information about these events, the work of the members, gallery classes, membership, being a guest artist, or for directions, please visit the new web site online at www.anewleafgallery.com. Displays at The Gallery include paintings in oil, acrylic, and watercolor; many featuring local landscapes, barns, and mountain pastures.  The artists also provide note cards, book marks and prints containing their work. The Gallery also features occasional guest displays of local pottery, felting, wood turning, metalwork, leather pieces, and other original, three-dimensional work.

One Gallery member offers handmade silver jewelry in numerous designs, including earrings, bracelets and necklaces. In 2019, more new memberships have inspired the group to reimagine the gallery space.  They plan to reinvent the colors and atmosphere of the gallery; opening it up and increasing the light in the large space.
A lovely combination of natural shades in light mocha and leafy spring green have been selected for the walls and trim.  With a new look, the group also felt it was time for a new name.  In keeping with the new atmosphere, The Gallery will now be known as “A New Leaf Gallery”.
In recent months, The Gallery was proud to feature the outstanding work of the Floyd County High School senior art class. The exhibit included numerous media forms such as oil, acrylic, and watercolor paintings, pottery, papier-mâché, and sculptures.  This was the fourth year that the work of these gifted students was exhibited, and Gallery members have formed a close bond with both the young artists and their instructors. After the first exhibit came to an end, Gallery members learned that funding had been severely cut for both art supplies and teacher salaries.  In an effort to support ongoing art classes at Floyd County High, The Gallery joined forces with teachers to begin on-going fund-raising for art supplies.
On the counter of The Gallery, an old milk bottle appeared. Almost immediately, customers began dropping their loose change, and even twenty-dollar bills, into the bottle.  Donations added up quickly, and Gallery members were delighted to pass them on to the teachers.  Inspired by this public generosity, The Gallery members wanted to create an event that would boost the donations even further.
In 2017, they arranged a Valentines Event to brighten up the long Floyd winter.  They chose chocolate as the main theme, and “A Chocolate Affair” was born.  The main attraction was an enormous table with a spectacular selection of delicious chocolate items, all made by the members.  Visitors could pay for small or large plates filled with items they’d selected for sampling, or for taking home to enjoy later.  This event has since become an annual affair!
Generous donations of merchandise have also been obtained from community businesses.  These items go to fill two large gift baskets each year, with each basket valuing over $500.00.  Along with door prizes and additional donated items, these baskets are then auctioned off during the Chocolate Affair, raising around $1,000 or more each year for Art Programs supplies. The twelve-or-so current members are proud of this fund-raising project, and they look forward to many more Chocolate Affairs in the future.

They are also thrilled with their new look and their new name, and eagerly await visitors each day.  They love sharing their enthusiasm and talking about all the talented local artists featured on the walls.  The members wish to invite everyone to this wonderful area so they can experience the fine art of so many talented members and guests.  They also invite everyone who appreciates fine art to join them for all the regular events and new exhibits. To receive regular information about events, leave your email address at the counter when you visit.

Gallery hours beginning April 2019:
Monday through Thursday: 11:00am – 5:00pm
Friday: 11:00am – 8:00pm
Saturday: 10:00am – 5:00pm
Sunday: 12:00pm – 4:00pm

For more information about the Gallery and the work of the artist members, visit online at www.anewleafgallery.com.  You may also call 540-745-7367, or email anewleafgallery@gmail.com

by Chris Wolf, Dean of Students, Springhouse Community School

On a mild Thursday at the end of February, a minivan rolled up to a construction site about midday as the work crew were taking their lunch break.  Some adolescents piled out of the van with poster board and a box of supplies. This was Internship-Project Presentation Day for two seventh-graders at Springhouse Community School.

One of these boys presented to the Omnibuild carpenters on the history of the circular saw.  The other presented on how a router could be used with a jig to scarph lumber into strong sections; long enough for a mast.  These two students had been interning at “The Boat Shop”; helping to build a 22-foot sailboat that the school will take to the Chesapeake Bay on their year-end trip in May.

This is what reimagining education looks like in Floyd.  Springhouse Community School offers an independent, learner-centered 7th-12th grade program.  The mission of the school is to reimagine the purpose and practice of education.  This boat-building project started with a conversation between Jenny Finn, Head of School at Springhouse, and David Reece who is an educator, sometimes carpenter, and lifelong lover of all things nautical.

Courses quickly took shape around the effort.  Opportunities with the school’s nascent Community Internship Program became apparent, and with generous donations from community sponsors, as well as a successful Kickstarter campaign, the project set sail. In some of the multi-disciplinary courses this year, students at Springhouse are exploring concepts in math and science through the lens of the sailboat.  They are also learning about sailing and the nautical world.  In classroom explorations, students may build scale models of sailboats while computing the dimensions from plans for the actual boat.
On another day, they may be found weighing ten students at a time in a class-made plywood box by marking the level of submersion and calculating the displacement.  Other students might be researching the coastal ecology of the Chesapeake Bay, or learning to calculate distances on a nautical chart. Learning by doing is one of the four core practices at Springhouse.

Students can quickly find theoretical concepts relevant, as the ideas take on physical and practical expression.  Concepts in physics are not just represented with a formula, they are experienced.  Math problems are not just for a worksheet, they are tied to real and tangible projects.  Seventh and eighth grade students at Springhouse are out in the community, doing internships once a week.  Students in grades nine through twelve intern two days per week.  Some intern with places like the National Park Service, Floyd Parks and Recreation, and Slaughter’s Grocery.  Others intern at “The Boat Shop.” Springhouse didn’t have a workshop or maker-space, so one was created from and old dairy barn that was offered for the project.

But it gets pretty cold in Southwest Virginia.  To keep warm, the students built a space inside the barn that could be heated with a wood stove; essentially a tunnel of plastic sheeting over light framing. The boat-building is well underway.  Every aspect of boat construction from lofting and joinery to sail-making and finish work is being carried out by students who are continually challenged to learn new skills.

At the end of the day, they come back to the school, usually covered in sawdust, eager to share what new progress has been made.  To earn academic credit, every student must complete a project connected to their internship with the support of a mentor.  They must then present their work to a relevant audience.   That is why the minivan arrived at the construction site that day.  Who better to appreciate a presentation on the history of the circular saw than a group of people that use the tool every day?

In addition to sharing the history, this student also spoke about his first-hand experiences with the tool. “Before this internship, I had never used a circular saw and it was very scary the first time I used it.  It helped that I was spotting one of my friends using it, so I knew what to expect.” The work crew chuckled in an encouraging way as they lent warm attention to the young student.

As the presentations wrapped up, the students were clearly relieved.  But they were also proud to have presented their work to people outside the immediate school community.  Afterward, they debriefed their presentations with the mentor; discussing what went well and what they could improve upon when they present their next projects in the coming trimester. After a tour of the construction site and a glimpse into real-life work in the trades, they headed back to the van; keen to get back to the boat, and real-life work of their own.

For more information about Springhouse Community School and to stay up-to-date on enrollment, courses, and events, visit online at www.springhousecommunityschool.org.  You can also call (540) 745-4673, or email info@springhousecommunityschool.org.

Are you looking for a beautiful and serene way to begin your summer?  No need to look any further than the ninth annual Floyd Artisan Trail!  To be held June 7th, 8th and 9th this year, the Artisan Trail is a free, self-guided tour that highlights twenty-nine of Floyd County’s businesses and artisanal attractions.

The tour will feature pottery studios, art galleries, organic farms, innovative restaurants, unique shops, and comfortable lodging spots. Dating back to 2011, the Artisan Trail has provided a charming way for visitors and locals to not only experience the scenic beauty of Floyd County, but to also experience the county’s diverse artisanal talent.

The Tour brings makers and customers closer together by allowing them to interact in those cherished places where artisans work and create.  Visitors can talk with farmers or beekeepers, watch an artisan’s studio demonstration, or simply search for artisanal treasures. Nothing is rushed or harried.  Trail sites are located throughout Floyd County.  All visitors to the Artisan Trail can create a path unique to their own interests and passions by using the newly designed map available at FloydArtisanTrail.com.

Are you a connoisseur who appreciates fine beverages and spirits?  You can plan your visit around stops at the winery or distillery.  You can also include the area’s coffee shops and local restaurants. Do you pride yourself on finding unique and meaningful gifts for the ones you love?  Be sure to visit all the painters, potters, and jewelry-makers on the Trail.

If you just want a little rest and relaxation on the weekend, however, you can simply plan a stay at one of the area’s fine hotels.  You can also check in at one of the Floyd’s many inns or B&B’s then explore Trail sites at your leisure.

The Floyd Artisan Trail begins Friday, June 7th with Trail stops open from 10:00am to 5:00pm.  The Tour continues Saturday, June 8th with stops open once again from 10:00am to 5:00pm. The Tour then concludes Sunday, June 9th with stops open from 12:00pm to 5:00pm. As you plan your visit to the Artisan Trail, be sure to visit FloydArtisanTrail.org for updated information on participating locations, guest artists, and activities.

Once you arrive, be sure to stop in at the Floyd Center for the Arts, or the Floyd County Visitor Center, to ask questions, or to pick up a brochure and map. Make plans to visit the 2019 Artisan Trail now!  You can come for just for a day, or for all three days.  No matter how long you choose to stay here in Floyd, however, you’ll have the opportunity to return home with gorgeous, hand-crafted items, fresh local produce, and great stories of your Trail experiences.

Floyd Artisan Trail • FloydArtisanTrail.com

New owners – Annie Armistead and Abby Reczek

Troika Contemporary Crafts in Downtown Floyd is happy to announce new owners!  As of January, Abby Reczek and Annie Armistead took ownership of the iconic gallery which has been a part of the lifeblood in downtown Floyd for nearly ten years.  When Susan Icove recently told Abby Reczek she was looking for new owners for Troika, Abby didn’t hesitate. She knew that she wanted to step in.

When The Station was newly renovated in 2009, Silvie Granatelli, Susan Icove, and Gibby Waitzkin agreed to rent a small space for opening a “fine” crafts gallery.  They named it Troika, after a type of horse-drawn Russian vehicle that featured three horses harnessed together. The three women created the gallery as a vehicle to showcase their vision; a kaleidoscope of exquisite crafts.
Left to right: Gibby Waitzkin, Silvie Granatelli and Susan Icove, who started the gallery ten years ago.

All three of the founding Troika ladies are professional craft artists.  Susan is an upcycle lighting designer, Silvie is a potter, and Gibby is a photographer, paper-maker, and sculptor.  They started out showing their own work while also holding shows for other craftspeople in the community.
In 2011, however, a large and airy corner at the front of the building became available; directly across from the renowned Floyd Country Store. Troika expanded, taking up residence behind the big windows facing Locust Street.  In the new space, the Troika ladies were able to grow their inventory to represent the creations of over fifty craftspeople.  They had space for local, regional, and national artists who did everything from pottery, to woodworking and glassblowing, to fiber art and jewelry.
As time went on, the original three partners would meet annually to decide if they were up for running the gallery for another year.  Last summer, they decided that the lure of having more time for family and travel had finally tipped the balance.  That’s where Abby came in.
While working as Silvie’s studio assistant, Abby Reczek had been filling in as Troika’s part time manager since moving to Floyd in 2013.  After an initial conversation with Susan Icove, Abby went to her friend and fellow artist, Annie Armistead, to see if she would be interested in becoming her business partner. Annie had decades of experience as the previous owner of Millie’s; a boutique in Salem, Virginia.  She’d also been working for Troika over the years and knew the shop well.  Annie is largely responsible for the artistic, eye-catching displays guests to Troika have enjoyed for so long.
Abby and Annie plan to bring their own vision to the gallery.  First, they added their own work to the shelves.  Annie is a jeweler who crafts unique, wearable art inspired by nature, as well as by her southwestern Virginia heritage. Her work incorporates sculptural forms molded in precious metal clay, often finished with gemstones, to create one-of-a-kind pieces of fine silver jewelry.
Along with Annie, Abby is thrilled to be showing her work at the gallery.  She makes functional pottery inspired by Floyd’s rolling green hills, blue skies, and the subtler colors of the natural world.  She hopes that customers will share her appreciation of natural wonder through the touch and feel of her pottery.
In addition to bringing their own work to Troika, Abby and Annie plan to have a featured artist each month, along with a reception.  They kicked off 2019 with an opening show; “Mud and Metal” which focused on Annie and Abby’s work.  It was a roaring success.  The gallery overflowed with local patrons and friends.
Keep your eyes open for more featured artisans over the coming months.  Most of the showcased artists in 2019 will either be Floyd residents, or those whose roots run deep here in Floyd.  Also, make a date with yourself to check out the new Troika artscape.  You’ll discover the work of new artists, along with a wider variety of items; including bath products and greeting cards.  The new owners have reimagined this arts destination as a place that offers a wide range of craftsmanship that is both fine and affordable.  The selection will be designed to appeal to your taste and your budget.
Help Troika keep you updated on gallery news and events by stopping by and signing up for the mailing list.

Troika Contemporary Crafts Gallery
203 S. Locust Street Floyd, Virginia
www.troikacrafts.com • (540) 745-8764
www.facebook.com/troikacrafts

It’s been fifteen years since John and Kelli Higgs opened the doors at T & E Small Engine. It was an adventure that began when someone suggested pursuing the “American Dream”. John had been a foundry worker for a long time. When he was laid off, however, he was faced with the dilemma of how to support his family. Since John was good at small engine work, and since Floyd County needed a small engine repair shop, a family member suggested he open one of his own.

Thanks to a small family loan, the Higgses built a service shop at their home. John was the repair man while Kelli did the shop’s bookkeeping in addition to her regular job. T & E Small Engine was born.
With an ever-increasing demand for repairs, business was good.  So good, in fact, that it soon became evident that new equipment sales would also become part of T & E. John and Kelli turned to the manufacturing lines of Robin, Snapper, Jonsered, and Dixon for an inventory of trimmers, mowers, chainsaws, and zero turns.
With the addition of new equipment sales, however, came the need to expand.  John and Kelli built a showroom to display the new inventory and the business continued to grow.  In 2008, the Higgses added the full line of Husqvarna Lawn and Garden equipment.

This decision led to a huge surge in growth, and in the winter of 2009, T & E Small Engine found a building to rent on the main road outside of town.  After the move, Kelli and son Anthony joined John as full-time employees of T & E Small Engine.
Over the next few years, the business continued to grow, with several transformations taking place.  Different product lines and services were added or discontinued, such as the 2013 addition of the Yanmar America tractor brand.  In 2015, after realizing the need for a tractor dealership in Floyd, T & E switched from Yanmar America to Mahindra; the number one selling tractor in the world. The Mahindra brand offered a wider selection of horsepower, as well as a broader selection of implements, and so the switch brought even more growth potential for T & E.
With the expansion of the tractor line and the increase in service work, the small building they’d rented was no longer large enough.  It was then that John began the search for T & E Small Engine’s new and permanent home.
John and Kelli Higgs purchased a little over five acres from Floyd County.  The plot is located just off the main road in the Industrial Park, and after a long eighteen months, T & E’s new six-thousand square foot building stood at the heart of it.  The new location at 199 Appalachian Road, NE, features a full display show room, parts room, service shop, restrooms, break room, and offices. The remaining land also provided room for a complete, outdoor display-lot, as well as a place for equipment storage.

The new location was officially opened on May 1, 2016, with a grand opening following a few weeks later. With this latest stage of business growth came the need for more employees.  The Higgses were able to hire full and part time mechanics, a full-time office assistant, and a delivery driver.  The Higgs’ son, Anthony, filled the delivery driver position while his wife, Sasha, took on the role of office assistant. The family works daily, side by side, running the business. The expectation is that one day, Anthony and Sasha will continue running T & E Small Engine when John and Kelli retire. What started as just a suggestion has turned into a bustling, family owned and operated business.
T & E Small Engine now offers the full equipment lines of Mahindra Tractors, Husqvarna, Massimo, and several others. They also offer parts and service for most outdoor power equipment, tractors, sports utility, and more. Pickup and delivery are offered along with many other services. Growth continues as the need arises to serve the community and surrounding areas. T & E Small Engine: stop in and see them today.

T & E Small Engine • 540-745-8383
199 Appalachian Road, Floyd, VA 24091
www.tesmallengine.com
www.facebook.com/tesmallengine

By Inge Terrill

Back in 1975, a summer-camp dream became a reality in Copper Hill, Virginia. With ninety-six mountain acres, an old dairy barn, an apple shed, a log cabin, and over two hundred and fifty standard-sized apple trees, Peter Lewis began creating what would become a summer camp retreat that focused on connecting inner-city youth to the beauty and tranquility of nature in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

In 1978, Apple Ridge Farm became a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization with the intention of matching dreams to deeds, with adults taking on the responsibility of helping youths to succeed in life. Fast forward to 2019. In forty years, Apple Ridge has helped over 70,000 children through its summer camp and afterschool programs, environmental education field trips, and outdoor adventure programs. The facility has gone from a small, rustic summer camp to a world-class Education and Retreat Center with twelve buildings, five miles of hiking trails, a sports complex, a swimming pool, low and high ropes courses, lodging, a bed and breakfast, a wedding venue, and much more! Apple Ridge Farm is best known for its academic summer camp programs. These are free to underserved youth ages six to sixteen, from both the Roanoke Valley and Floyd county. The summer camps offer well-rounded programs which merge outdoor activities like team-building, climbing tower and zipline, tennis, swimming, hiking, environmental education, and organic gardening with other, more traditional learning opportunities like STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) programs.
Art and music are also part of the mix. However, this is not a typical summer camp. Three years ago, for a more hands-on learning approach, Apple Ridge added a focus on project-based education which incorporated social emotional learning techniques to help address the whole child. Blending all these components together helps make the summer camp programs at Apple Ridge Farm well rounded and comprehensive, often having life-changing impacts on the youth who attend.

In 2016, when Peter Lewis’ son, John, became the new Executive Director at Apple Ridge, the organization began a new period of transformation. John had grown up in both Floyd and Roanoke counties, then spent fourteen years in Richmond. While he was there, he became the Founder and Director of an urban agricultural education, nonprofit organization called Renew Richmond. With his background as a Prevention Specialist, Qualified Mental Health Professional, and agriculture enthusiast, John brought new ideas and programs to Apple Ridge.

With John’s inspiration at the helm, a new agricultural education initiative called “Apple Ridge Farm Grows!” began to give children the opportunity to raise produce then sell it at a farmer’s market while also learning about healthy eating and healthy lifestyles. This initiative includes The WELL Market – Working Eating Living Learning: a “Healthy Food, Healthier Communities” program. It also includes community garden work at George Washington Carver Garden in Northwest Roanoke, as well as the Star City Food Systems (SCFS) Coalition: a newly established Healthy Community Action Team. In addition to the new programs, there have also been recent physical additions to the Copper Hill facility.

There is the new Caboose Car Bed & Breakfast, which takes reservations through the Airbnb website. There is also EBase USA–Blue Ridge: an off-grid, high-tech classroom powered solely by solar panels and a wind turbine. Here, students learn about climate change and sustainability.

And finally, there is the beautiful new, timber-frame, Spangler Pavilion where weddings and concerts take place. After all these years and changes, however, children are still at the heart of everything that Apple Ridge Farm does, and its mission is still going strong: to transform the lives of underserved children and families through engagement in unparalleled educational, cultural, and outdoor experiences.

Whether you come to Apple Ridge Farm to have your wedding, to spend a romantic get-away night in one of the new Caboose Cars, to have a corporate retreat, to do a team challenge program with your soccer team, to take a ride on the 600-foot zip line, to walk along the five miles of hiking trails, or even just to listen to a bluegrass concert, all of the proceeds raised go toward keeping the summer camp free for underserved youth.

“We are proud of our accomplishments,” says John Lewis. “We feel very fortunate that we have been able to grow as a non-profit organization and expand our offerings across the New River and Roanoke Valley areas over the past forty years, thanks to our supporters.”

Apple Ridge Farm
facebook.com/appleridgefarmva
appleridge.org • 540-982-1322
John R. F. Lewis – Executive Director
Inge Terrill – Program Coordinator