“HOW DO you change poverty levels — how do you create a greater workforce participation that is going to be transformational to a city, to a county, to families, to a community?” That was the...

ALANA HUDSON is a bright, buoyant eighth grader who, with adult-level determination, has launched her own tradition of giving. When Alana was 8 years old, she came up with the idea — totally on her...

THE SOUNDS of the self-checkout registers beep through the entire store. The short lines of people with baskets and carts move across the reflective tile like a conveyor belt and out the door. Uh,...

You know that first breath of spring? The way the warmer air gives you goosebumps — the air is soft, full of promise, carrying hints of something new. After months of cold, we step outside, and for...

Few marriages can boast five decades of experience, and the Norfields are some of the few. Even more impressive, they have a lifetime of friendship, beginning for Marilyn at the tender age of 3 when...

Their relationship started with a coincidence. David Norcross and his family were moving from New Jersey, headed south to North Carolina in the hopes of finding a good piece of property and building...

Alice Primm’s background is in the niche specialty of faux painting, a discipline that has a long, fascinating history. Faux painting, said Primm, is quite simply “painting something to look like...

Some people credit two Australians with reigniting the “moustache” trend in 2003 to help raise awareness of men’s health during the month of “Movember.” Here in America, we credit the Hill family in...

After 25 years in the business world, including over 12 years as a nonprofit leader, nine years as an entrepreneur, and 100% of the time working with people, Wendy Adams came to a conclusion that...

As an experienced nurse with a profound passion for holistic wellness, Pamela James recognized that most older adults struggle with four main issues: constipation, dehydration, low oxygen levels,...

A nurse walked down the hallway his mother walked decades before he did. Beep … beep … he could hear the sounds from patients’ rooms. He kept a small keepsake pinned to his scrubs, a pin his mother...

The people of the year 1000 faced division, uncertainty, and fear for the future. They didn’t know it then, but they stood at the edge of change, transitioning from the Dark Ages to the Middle Ages....

"I'm 77 years old, and I’m not about to quit,” Pastor Carlton Duck said, and he proves that statement every time he cuts his grass, drives his car, or stands up Sunday morning to preach a sermon at...

A white man in his 30s facing a room mostly filled with black youngsters in their teens. An English teacher established in his career preaching to students who barely know their next step.  True...

Haven on Garland is a warm, supportive temporary residence for four Afghan women who have left that war-torn nation — with its extreme strictures on the rights of women and girls — in order to...

AUTUMN SETTLES into our town like a puppy in a warm bed. There’s a magic in the air that only this season can bring. Golden leaves drift gently from the trees, painting the sidewalks in shades of...

221 TAP & Table offers a charming atmosphere that perfectly complements its thoughtfully curated menu. During my recent visit, I was particularly drawn to two standout dishes: the short rib...

IT’S A beautiful sunny day. You and your family and friends are spending the day at the lake. The kids are playing in the water while most of the adults lounge on beach towels, soaking up the sun....

CAN COMIC books communicate history? For lifelong friends Stan Webb and Dion Lee, the answer is definitely! Webb and Lee are Lynchburg natives who met in the third grade. Both entered an art contest...

YOU BELONG here. You are enough. Those words are not just positive, encouraging phrases. They are a small part of one Lynchburg resident’s mission to raise awareness of and point people to resources...

SHE FLASHES her lights and pushes the gas pedal a little harder. The walkie-talkie is too quiet, so she spins the dial and makes her bulletproof vest a little more comfortable. She worked hard to...

WITH A gumball machine in the corner, New York cheesecake at the counter, and regulars walking between tables to greet one another, it is easy to feel at home at Westside Deli. We sat ourselves,...

BEST FRIENDS Patrick Gray and Justin Skeesuck from Eagle, Idaho, were searching for adventure. Skeesuck, a wheelchair user, asked Gray one day if he would hike 500 miles of northern Spain with him. ...

WHEN YOU pull into the parking lot of the CraveABLEs ice cream shop on Route 221 in Lynchburg, you’ll instantly notice two things. First, your eyes will be drawn to the ocean-like baby blue paint...

AS WE age, one of the things that becomes more challenging is staying active and healthy. When we get older, it can become harder to move and exercise as much as we did when we were in our 20s and...

OUR FOOD nourishes us, from the soil beneath our feet to the table where we gather with family and friends. The hot sun beams from the sky into the field of sprouting seeds. Farmers rise early,...

WHEN NEIL Jackson was admitted to the hospital to undergo cancer surgery, he had no idea what life would look like on the other side. He did not realize his journey to recovery would take him to the...

WHEN MONIKA Price retired from Framatome, she thought her life would slow down. She admitted she quickly became a “couch potato,” watching a Lifetime series on TV. A significant change came to her...

A QUICK ONLINE search for nonprofit organizations in Lynchburg that serve the residents of our community will bring up several dozen names on your computer screen. But what if you’re looking for...

COLCA’S CHICKEN has recently opened its doors across the street from Cornerstone on Greenview Drive. I could see and smell the smoke from the grill before I even entered the parking lot. Don’t let...

WHEN THE stadium lights blaze and the roar of the crowd echoes, true fans know the game-day experience begins in the parking lot. Celebrate your team’s spirit with these tailgating recipes, which...

THE BACKYARD is a food truck park where you can find eats for any occasion, hosting Frankly Delicious Dogs, Al Pastor Tacos, American Melting Wagon, La Cocina del las Catrachitas, and more. The...

FEELING SWEATY, tired, underprepared, and alone, Byron Johnson wanted to give up. He had walked over 70 miles, not even an eighth of the way to his targeted destination. Johnson had not packed...

CAELA COHEN was like every other lively 5-year-old — until she wasn’t. Tea parties with her favorite teddy bear and pillow forts sprawling across the living room carpet turned into round-the-clock...

WHAT DO space exploration, drone piloting, and robotics have in common? If your child is a student at Forest Middle School (FMS), all three subjects are taught as part of the school’s science,...

THE CROWD fills the stands, row after row, of people in our high school’s colors. The family in front of you sits down with a fresh hot dog from the concession stand. It’s still steaming with a...

WHEN I was 8, I wanted to be a teacher. I remember my third grade teacher clicking the chalk on the green board on the wall. And when I was 9, I wanted to be a director. My parents bought me a...

WHETHER YOU are a die-hard ice cream fan or just in the mood for a sweet treat, Mister Goodies is a must-visit gem in Lynchburg. This ice cream shop has become a staple for locals, and each scoop is...

VIRGINIA “GINI” Simmons grew up in Goode and graduated from Jefferson Forest High School. If those words were the sum of her story, her life could be considered typical for the Lynchburg area — but...

"PEOPLE DO better when they know better.” Those words come from Bishop James Coleman, a man who sees his roles in ministry and education as dual means to achieve the same goal. He wants to see the...

AS THE warm summer sun shines high in the Southern sky, it’s time to embrace the vibrant flavors of the season. Our July recipes showcase the best of summer’s produce, from juicy peaches and crisp...

AT WORK, Bob Sullivan is a pediatrician, an allergist, and an immunologist. He treats the children of Lynchburg for asthma, eczema, and any number of allergies. He finds joy in making them feel...

IF YOU have explored the campus of Liberty University, it is likely you have seen Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre.  Snowflex offers an unparalleled experience for winter sports enthusiasts and...

WALKING INTO Sourdough Pizza, you are welcomed with a modern, no-frills aesthetic that represents the fresh and clean menu well. The first thing I noticed was the playlist — Cyndi Lauper, Alanis...

GINGER PARIS places her violin in the playing position while students as young as 5 do the same. After the introduction ends, the sounds of the first song they learned, “Mississippi Hot Dog,” fill...

WHAT BETTER time to indulge in the ultimate celebration of all things American: backyard barbecues, July Fourth festivities, and the comforting flavors of home? Let’s salute the classic dishes that...

IF YOU took a snapshot of any moment in our country’s history, there is a hurt we were trying to heal. The same is true today. It’s our independence that lets us correct our wrongs, to heal, and to...

SUMMER IS coming. And surely your home will sit empty for a week in this heat. The playful cheers of the kids on summer break go missing for a week that was planned for a year. The dishes sit in the...

ACCORDING TO Lynchburg Parks and Recreation, Lynchburg is home to one of the most unique urban trail systems in the state. Part of the James River Heritage Trail system, Lynchburg’s trails are a...

ON A DRIZZLY Friday afternoon many years ago, my then 5-year-old son fell on our trampoline and suffered a terrible break that affected his growth plate right above his ankle. The tiny rural...

RECORD HIGH temperatures, a terrible drought, the effects of El Nino, and possibly a downed power line culminated together to spark a wildfire in Maui last August that has been labeled the world’s...

SAVOR THE essence of a hometown getaway with heartwarming flavors that celebrate locally available ingredients. From comforting classics to tempting treats, give yourself a break and bring the charm...

THERE ARE some days when I am in the mood for something new and innovative, and some days when the only thing I want is a classic comfort food. When I want the classic experience of Asian cuisine,...

THE ECONOMIC Policy Institute reports that for every dollar spent at a locally owned business, 68 cents of it stays in the local economy. Compare this to 32 cents staying in a local community when...

PAPÁ GALLO Cocina Mexicana is located inside River Ridge Mall but should not be mistaken for an aspect of the food court. This restaurant is well-designed, has a classic and vibrant aesthetic, and...

WHAT IF you were moving out of your home and had to pack all of your belongings — your most important possessions — into one giant trash bag? You would probably feel embarrassed at the least and...

WHAT IS it like when a family legacy causes an accounting major to open an indoor plant shop? Just ask Latia “Tia” Hancock. Tia, as her family and friends call her, opened her store, P.R.E.A.M...

JANNETT SPEARMAN came to Lynchburg from a great distance — a literal distance, as well as a figurative one. Originally from Nicaragua and trained as an electronics engineer, Spearman discovered that...

THE FIRST dogwood blooms unfurl while other trees wake up from their long winter nap. Images of spring break and picnics flood our feeds and keep us daydreaming of the warmer days ahead. Whether...

THE METAL beams tick, tick, tick with every inch the cart climbs to the top of the hill. The experienced thrill-seekers in the front cart raise their hands as the coaster inches toward the climax of...

LOCATED INSIDE Givens Books and Little Dickens, Lynchburg’s oldest bookstore, is a little coffee shop with a surprisingly large menu. After shopping around for books and board games, we made our way...

"A LITTLE CHANGE goes a long way" is the motto of the fundraising organization Change for Change Caring Meters, and the saying has proven true. Since September 2020, 10 lime green parking meters...

“I NEVER KNEW you did so much,” is a statement Jeane Smiley-Mason hears often as president and chief operating officer of Gleaning for the World. Founded in 1998 in Concord, Gleaning for the World...

RECORD-BREAKING INVENTIONS are not common, and Lynchburg is proud to be home to one such invention: the Edison2 Very Light Car. Nearly 15 years ago, Lynchburg found itself on the national stage...

RISE AND shine to breakfasts that fuel minds and bodies alike! Celebrate the power of wholesome, delicious meals to kickstart learning and energize young students. We’ll dish up recipes packed with...

IN THE quiet corners around us, away from negativity, thrive the true heartbeats of our community — the local charities and the selfless individuals who support them. It’s in these spaces, often...

ISABELLA’S ITALIAN Trattoria was the perfect place to visit in Lynchburg on a Saturday night. The family-owned and operated restaurant contained couples enjoying a date night and families laughing...

HAGEN ALLRED, originally from Staunton, entered Liberty University’s sports management program with a dream. The program required an internship with 400 hours of work experience. Lynchburg’s minor...

IN 1919, WWI Veteran L.H. Foster began delivering flour, ice, and five-gallon cans of lamp oil using an ox-drawn cart to provide for the needs of his neighbors. Over 100 years later, his business,...

FRESH OFF the heels of the American Civil War, 1869 was a tumultuous time for our nation. For Maurice Moore, a tycoon in the tobacco industry, it was time to inhabit his newly constructed mansion...

THE ACT of preparing a homemade meal transcends the boundaries of sustenance; it becomes a gesture of empathy, a tangible expression of care that resonates deeply with those facing adversity. Amidst...

IT’S HOLDING the door open for the person behind you. It’s sending a sweet text when they cross your mind. It’s stopping by to say “hi” when they’ve had a bad day. Showing up and showing love is...

IT’S TIME for embracing warmth, love, and the joy of sharing delicious meals with those closest to our hearts. As we endure the lingering winter days, here’s a selection of recipes filled with...

IN THE heart of Lynchburg, a retired real estate broker, affectionately known as "Pops," orchestrates a sweet revolution, one ice cream bar at a time. Armed with two iconic Good Humor ice cream...

IN A world where the winds of change often test relationships, Herbert and Carole Maynard’s relationship is a testament to enduring love and unwavering commitment. Sixty-five years of marriage is no...

"BRITTANY KATE Hoover saved four lives through organ donation, and she gave sight to two others through the gift of her corneas,” said her mom, Vivian. “I want everyone to know what a hero she is...

IN THE vast arena of life, there is a paramount lesson that champions across all disciplines have learned: the significance of believing in oneself and casting aside the weight of others’ opinions....

THE FIRST sounds of life are screams and cries of joy. Oxygen fills little lungs for the first time. The lights above are bright. And the beeping machines from every corner of the room can be...

IN THE heart of Timberlake Township, hundreds of young athletes and their parents eagerly await February, when registration for Timberlake Dixie Youth Baseball League opens. They’re preparing to...

NESTLED IN the heart of Virginia, Horizon Behavioral Health is orchestrating a quiet revolution in mental health care. A plan for a new crisis receiving center (CRC) has garnered support on a local...

IN AN age where the fast-paced digital world often overshadows real-life connections and heightens mental health crises, Dora Purvis, a retired teacher with over 30 years of experience, has set out...

AS WE step into the new year, explore the tastes of hometown healing through recipes built around healthy ingredients. A soup loaded with healthy vegetables flavored with your favorite herbs hits...

STAR OLYMPIAN Usain Bolt is known as the fastest man in the world, and his reputation was cemented when he won the gold medal in the 100-meter race at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and 2012 London...

LIKE THE cozy warmth of a heated blanket, Good News and the holidays are in the air once again. The season of festive lights, crackling fireplaces, and familiar carols is upon us, inviting a sense...

SCOTTIE BOOKER is the founder and CEO of Divine Fog Realty, based in Lynchburg but with a presence in Raleigh, North Carolina, and San Diego, California. There is, though, another side to Divine Fog...

ALONG WITH December’s hustle and bustle, our kitchens come alive with the spirit of the holidays. As friends and families gather, delightful treats take center stage, each dish a connection to...

THE MERRIAM-WEBSTER dictionary defines the word selfless as “someone who has no concern for self, or unselfish.” As the world keeps turning, it may feel like selfless people are few and far between....

FOR OVER 30 years, children’s television host Mister Rogers came into the homes of millions via our television sets and told us something we should never forget.  “I like you just the way you...

THANKSGIVING AND Christmas are getting closer, and it’s time to plan for parties and get-togethers. Old standards served alongside new recipes on family buffets with family china, and finger foods...