From Left to Right: Matthew Cox, Zach Gray, Dean Jones, Kristi Jones, Dennis Jones, and Charlie Reynolds. Not pictured: Brock Turner.

In 1958, while working at the Clover Creamery in Radford, Norman Jones met the love of his life, Blanche “Tenny” Mannon. The young couple married in 1961 and soon started a venture together that would become one of Radford’s longest lasting businesses. It had been Norman’s dream to start a custom cabinet company, and that dream was finally realized in July of 1965. Norman’s Cabinet and Woodworking Shop opened to the public that year on what was, at the time, First Street in Radford’s West End. Continue reading →

Katy Eilert, Marvin Luke Eilert, and Christine Eilert

By Vickie Holt

Christine Eilert grew up in rural northeast Ohio with her mom, dad, and younger brother, Mark. Among the many memories from her childhood, Christine recalls when her parents would take her and Mark into Cleveland where they would visit one of the local popcorn shops. Popular in the area, Cleveland’s popcorn shops offered a full menu of flavored popcorns. Christine particularly loved the caramel popcorn, cherry flavored popcorn, and the popcorn balls! It’s a sweet memory for Christine, getting to go downtown, and having all the popcorn and candy. For a little kid, the atmosphere and the smells in the shops were magical. Continue reading →

From Left to Right: Taylor Chrisman, Melanie Chrisman, Anne Chrisman, and Craig Chrisman

Craig Chrisman grew up in Radford, and when it was time for college, he wanted to make sure he invested in a marketable degree. He graduated from Radford University in 1980 with a degree in Business Management and found a position with a locally based box company.
Anne Pugh grew up in Pulaski County and graduated from Virginia Tech in 1982 with a degree in Finance. She also found a good position in Radford, working as a banker handling commercial loans. The couple wed in 1983 and soon had three sons, Taylor, Preston, and Parker.
After Parker was born in 1992, Craig wanted to plan a strategy that would allow him the flexibility to spend more time with family. He knew that starting his own business would be the perfect thing that would let him be there for Anne and the boys, and he had come to love the box-making industry. His ultimate dream was to create his own box-making company. Continue reading →

Located at the center of the majestic New River
Valley in southwestern Virginia, Radford is an exciting city with an identity that spans centuries. From the daring journey of Mary Ingles in 1755, to the academic excellence of Radford University, to the New River, to the people that live, work, dream, create, and work here. Whether it’s outdoor activities, art, shopping, intellectual interests, sports, or even the nightlife, Radford has so much to offer!

Continue reading →

From Left to Right: Donna, Meg, and Evan

By Vickie Holt

Meg Weddle, owner of Meg’s Specialty Women’s Wear in Radford, grew up in Blacksburg and is a native of the New River Valley. With both parents being teachers, young Meg enrolled in Virginia Tech with her eye on a teaching degree. It seemed like the obvious path. However, being from a large family, Meg needed a part time job to help pay for college.
Meg worked for Bonomo’s clothing store during her college years and liked it so much that she turned down a position to teach at Christiansburg Elementary after graduation. She had done her student teaching there, and the principal was ready to welcome her on as a full-time teacher. Instead, she accepted an offer to manage Bonomo’s newest store in Radford. Ironically, or perhaps fatefully, located in the exact same building that Meg’s occupies today. Continue reading →

Photo Courtesy of Giles County

By D.J. Matthews

The New River is a body of water whose headwaters begin near Blowing Rock, North Carolina. Though it has been a source of life for countless species of plants and animals, as well as home to native humans for over sixty-five million years, it is only in recent times that adjacent communities, like Giles County, have utilized it for economic development.
(Left: Paul Moody and Ann Goette, head organizers for “ReNew the New” Committee, stand on the edge of Moody’s private retreat bordering the New in Giles County. Photo by D. J. Mathews.)  Now that tourism has become the second largest industry in the state, county officials are beginning to consider the potential of the New River. During discussions about improving the appearance of the entire community, it was decided to include the New River in the clean-up plan, as it winds through the middle of the county. Continue reading →

Nancy Creed and David Creed

By Vickie Holt

Nancy Salem grew up in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, surrounded by mountain coal fields. Originally founded by eastern and western European immigrants, Johnstown was filled with people who had great work ethic. Everyone wanted to work in the steel mill because it was a job that could set a worker and their family up for life. Johnstown was a hard-working, blue-collar, western Pennsylvania steel town that was, at one time, known as an all-American friendly city. Even when Nancy was growing up, the city had a huge population, with everyone hustling and bustling.
After graduating from high school, Nancy attended the University of Pittsburgh. She had started college with her eye on a teaching career but changed her mind when placed into a pre-student-teaching exercise. After deciding that teaching was not for her, Nancy thought she might want a degree in communications. At the time, however, the University of Pittsburgh didn’t offer a communications degree, so she took courses in persuasion, rhetoric, conflict management, and organizational development. In the end, she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in the equivalent of speech and communications. Continue reading →

Belle Heth. Photo Courtesy of Anne Heth Connor.

When referring to their Elementary School, many teachers, parents, and children in Radford speak the words ‘Belle Heth’ every day. Few realize, however, that Belle Heth was also an extraordinary person. So notable, in fact, that the school located at 151 George Street has born her name for nearly one-hundred and forty years. Belle Heth was a lifelong resident of what is now Radford, and it was she who gifted a town lot for the purpose of building a new school. The school became the Belle Heth Academy, but Belle’s role in Radford’s history goes far beyond those halls.

In 1842, Belle Heth was born Isabella Norwood Hammet to parents Edward and Clementina Craig Hammet. At the time, the Hammets were a prosperous, slaveholding family living at their 500-acre estate called Norwood. Belle’s father had emigrated from Ireland in 1825 and by the 1830’s had established himself as a prominent citizen. Edward was an influential man. He also started the Presbyterian church in Radford, now known as Old Brick Presbyterian Church. In the 1850’s, he championed the development of a rail line through the region, and it was fifteen acres of his own land that first became known as Central Depot. It was this critical piece of development that gave rise to the City of Radford. Continue reading →