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Articles by Chris Murphy
Win 4 Free Tickets to Taubman Museum’s Through the Decades: Glowback Party
Pick an era. Make it neon. Then get ready for a night of silent disco, live performances, red carpet photo ops, interactive art, food trucks, drinks, and early access to “American Made” before it opens to the public. Grab your favorite party people and start planning your look! Two centuries of American art are about to become one very big, bright party.
Win 2 Free Tickets to Opera Roanoke’s La Traviata!
Prize Package Details: ONE (1) lucky winner will receive TWO (2) free Center Orchestra Tickets to Opera Roanoke’s production of La Traviata at 2:30 PM on their choice of either 9/19 or 9/20. (Tickets will be held at will call.) Total Value: $150 Performance Information: Reimagining the world of La traviata with a contemporary lens, Opera Roanoke opens its 51st season with a visually striking and emotionally immediate experience.
2027 Readers’ Choice Dining Awards Winners Toolkit
Dear Winner, Congratulations on being voted as a winner in the 2027 Readers’ Choice Dining Awards Winners Toolkit! We hope you are just as excited as we are to celebrate and share your win with the world. Below is a complimentary toolkit with graphics for you to share as you wish. When sharing on socials, please consider using the hashtag #RoanokerDiningAwards Congratulations again! Instagram Post [Download Here] Instagram Story [Download Here] Facebook Cover [Download Here]
Nominate The Class of 2027: 40 Under 40
The Roanoker magazine’s 8th Annual 40 Under 40 Awards will honor the dynamic young professionals who work tirelessly to affect positive change and enhance the community. • The deadline for nominations is midnight on October 4, 2026 and the finalists will be revealed in the January/February 2027 issue. • To be considered for 40 Under 40, an individual must be 39 years or younger as of March 1, 2027. • Past winners are not eligible.
2027 Top Lawyers
Attention lawyers in the greater Roanoke and Lynchburg areas – nominate a top lawyer today! How do you define a top-level attorney? While a substantial number of wins or taking on high-profile cases can earn you recognition, it’s a lawyer’s reputation—both inside and outside of the courtroom—that really sets them apart.
The Face Of Community-Based Nonprofit Homecare: Good Samaritan
SPONSORED CONTENT As leaders in home health, hospice and palliative care, we have the privilege of walking alongside individuals and families during some of life’s most vulnerable moments. Together, we represent a team that is deeply committed to caring for people where they most want to be—at home. Our role is not simply to manage programs, but to ensure every patient and family receives compassionate, high-quality care that honors their goals, values, and dignity.
The Face of Professional Cleaning: Galvan Housekeeper, LLC
SPONSORED CONTENT Owners Yoshira Buezo and Melida Santos have positioned Galvan Housekeeper LLC as a detail-driven, system-based service by building around structure, consistency, and client trust across Virginia’s Blue Ridge. As a family-owned business, Galvan Housekeeper combines a personal approach with professional standards, focusing on quality, organization, and clear communication in every home.
The Face of Community Banking: First Bank
SPONSORED CONTENT At First Bank, we believe banking is more than just transactions. It’s a people business. As a true community bank, we combine the resources and capabilities customers expect with the personal service and local decision making they deserve. Our team members live, work, volunteer, and raise their families in the same communities we serve, giving us a deep understanding of the people, businesses, and organizations that make this such a special place.
The Face of Expert Home Renovations: F&S Building Innovations Inc.
SPONSORED CONTENT For five decades, F&S Building Innovations has helped shape homes, neighborhoods, and communities across Virginia’s Blue Ridge, building its reputation on craftsmanship, innovation, and client trust. “What sets F&S apart is not simply the ability to build, but its ability to transform homes while delivering a client experience built on trust, craftsmanship, and innovation,” Jason Evans said.
The Face Of Computer Technology Solutions For Business: Entre Computer Center
SPONSORED CONTENT What is the Entre Experience? For owner Bart Wilner, it means outstanding customer service. And while many businesses can say that, Entre Computer Center’s numerous client testimonials are the proof of their hard work and commitment. It’s been Entre’s highest priority since the business opened in 1983, when personal computers were just starting to hit the market.
The Face Of Aesthetic Medicine: Erin Elouf, FNP-BC
For Erin Alouf, Founder and Provider at D’Cate, aesthetic medicine is personal. “I’m very passionate about what I do, extremely detail-oriented, and I genuinely treat my patients like family,” she said. That philosophy is reflected in the name D’Cate Aesthetics and Medicine itself—D for her mother, Darlene; C for her daughter, Cecilia; A for her sister, Amberly; T for her sister Tisha, who passed away from breast cancer; and E for herself.
The Face Of Philanthropy: Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia
SPONSORED CONTENT For more than three decades, Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia has been the trusted philanthropic leader for Virginia’s Blue Ridge. We are not focused on just one mission or issue—instead, we exist to support the full range of community needs, aspirations, and evolving priorities.
The Face Of Insurance: Derek Wiley
SPONSORED CONTENT At the Derek Wiley Agency, insurance is never treated like a transaction. Owner and Roanoke Valley native Derek Wiley instead builds relationships on trust, education, and doing the right thing for each client. That client-first, advisor-driven approach shaped how Wiley and his award-winning team prioritize long-term protection over quick decisions. “We believe people deserve more than the cheapest price,” Wiley said.
Our Best of Roanoke 2026 Party Recap
The Roanoker’s 2026 Best Of celebration filled The Exchange Music Hall at the Promissory Hotel, bringing the community together for an evening highlighting local favorites and the people behind them. For more than 50 years, The Roanoker has served as the leading lifestyle magazine across the region, and the annual Best Of contest—now in its 40th year—continues to showcase the businesses, places, and individuals that shape life across Virginia’s Blue Ridge.
Salem Ridge Yak’s Girls’ Night Out Giveaway
Enter for a chance to win a 4-pack of tickets for Girls’ Night Out at the Salem Ridge Yaks! Winner Receives: • FOUR (4) reserved seating tickets to the Salem Ridge Yaks • FOUR (4) free meal vouchers for a soda and hot dog • FOUR (4) free Mac the Yak T-shirts For more info about the Salem Ridge Yaks, visit RidgeYaks.com.
2027 Best Of Central + Southwest Virginia Weddings
Our region has become an elite wedding scene filled with incredible venues, vendors, designers and so much more. However, it can be overwhelming for engaged couples to even know where to begin. The Best Of Central + Southwest Virginia Weddings is a way for our readership to determine who the BEST in the local wedding industry are so soon-to-be newlyweds can use the results as a reliable resource in their planning.
Facing the Storm: Justin vanBlaricom and the Power of Showing Up
Justin vanBlaricom Platinum Winner, Male “Star of the Star City” | Best of Roanoke 2026 Don’t miss our special podcast episode with Justin and Keri vanBlaricom on site at their Noke Van Co space! We talk about his platinum win, moving forward after the fire, and his love for the community he calls home. For May/June cover star Justin vanBlaricom, being named a Platinum winner for Male “Star of the Star City” in The Roanoker’s Best of Roanoke readers’ poll is both meaningful and deeply personal.
Best New Company of the Year — Platinum Best Thing to Happen in Roanoke, 2025 — Gold Best Place to Work — Gold Best Coworking Space — Silver Hidden Gem — Silver Attraction to Feel Like a Kid Again — Bronze It’s rare to see a newcomer sweep across categories the way Toebean Cat Cafe has in this year’s Best of Roanoke reader poll.
Built to Last with Justin vanBlaricom
In this episode of From Print to Podcast, we sit down with Justin vanBlaricom, co-owner of Noke Van Co, your Platinum winner for Male Star of the Star City and May/June cover star of The Roanoker, for a conversation about resilience, rebuilding, and what it means to keep moving forward. Recorded on site at Noke Van Co, this episode offers a look inside the workspace, the builds, and the people behind the business.
A Stay to Remember
Written by Christina Nifong / Photo above: Since COVID, travelers are seeking lodgings that offer personal service and one-of-a-kind experiences. Recently opened properties aim to meet that demand. Examples include The Liberty Trust, Colony House Motor Lodge, and Roanoke Boutique Hotel in Roanoke and the Rowland Hotel in Salem. Photo Courtesy of Savara Hospitality. If you ask the folks at Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge, 2022 was the year that area boutique hotels came into their own.
As the Mall Evolves
Written by Dan Smith / Photos by Dan Smith. Photo above: Tanglewood has evolved dramatically in recent months and now includes a YMCA and Carilion Children’s healthcare unit. In today’s shopping mall, you can do a heck of a lot more than shop.
Any Way the Water Flows
Written by Lindsey Hull / Photos Courtesy of City of Roanoke. Photo above: Tunnels at Trout Run egress For 135 years, a labyrinth of tunnels has existed underneath downtown Roanoke, many of them tall enough for an average person to walk through and wide enough to drive a small car. There are few public access points. Those that do exist are often narrow and difficult to navigate, said McKenzie Brocker, City of Roanoke water quality administrator. “It’s just kind of dark and sandy and wet,” she said.
A Lost Gem | The Roanoker
Written by Clayton Trutor / Photo above: Lakeside Amusement Park was built in 1920 on Mason’s Creek., Courtesy of Roanoke Public Libraries. For more than 60 years, Lakeside Amusement Park was the Roanoke Valley’s destination for summer fun. Located near Mason’s Creek at the intersection of US 460 and State Route 419 in Salem, Lakeside was small by modern amusement park standards, covering just 47 acres at its peak.
2027 Best Of Central + Southwest Virginia Weddings
Our region has become an elite wedding scene filled with incredible venues, vendors, designers and so much more. However, it can be overwhelming for engaged couples to even know where to begin. The Best Of Central + Southwest Virginia Weddings is a way for our readership to determine who the BEST in the local wedding industry are so soon-to-be newlyweds can use the results as a reliable resource in their planning.
40th Annual Readers’ Choice Dining Awards
From the Best Burgers or Pizza, to Best Overall Restaurant – and even the valley’s Top Chef – we need YOUR help to identify and honor the very finest in our region! NEW This Year: In honor of our 40th year, we’ve changed things up and will have two rounds of public voting! Vote for your favorites from the nominees listed on the ballot, or write in your own picks to get them in the running. Every write-in nomination also counts as your vote in that category during this round.
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