Turkey Talk-Navigating difficult conversations during the holidays

Turkey Talk-Navigating difficult conversations during the holidays

The holidays can be a stressful time especially when those we care about have different political views.  A Virginia Tech professor says active listening is the key.  WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno has reports. Many are heading into the holiday season with a mix of excitement and anxiety.  Excited to see loved ones but anxious about…Continue Reading

Don’t be a Brown Friday statistic, keep grease out of your drains

Don’t be a Brown Friday statistic, keep grease out of your drains

Friday may be a busy shopping day, but it is also one of the busiest for plumbers…so much so that plumbers coined the phrase “brown Friday,” for the day after Thanksgiving. WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno explains. Bedford County offers recycling kits.  The collected cooking grease is then turned into bio-diesel.  Find a link to the…Continue Reading

Preservation Foundation honors those that promote stewardship

Preservation Foundation honors those that promote stewardship

Preserving historic, cultural and natural resources in the Roanoke Valley. That’s been the goal of a local organization since 1988, much of it accomplished by shining a light on endangered sites. WFIR’s Gene Marrano on their annual meeting last week: The 2024 Kegley Preservation Awards are as follows: Cedar Hill Farm – Stewardship Wheatland Manor…Continue Reading

Shop Small this Saturday, then get ready for Dickens says DRI

Shop Small this Saturday, then get ready for Dickens says DRI

Thanksgiving is this Thursday, and after that holiday gift-buyers will be out in full force.  This Saturday smaller local retailers ask you to “Shop Small,” on Small Business Saturday. Live in studio to talk about that and Dickens of a Christmas this morning was Izzy Post, Director of Marketing & Communications for Downtown Roanoke Incorporated.…Continue Reading

Virginia ranks third for affordable used cars, study finds

Virginia ranks third for affordable used cars, study finds

ROANOKE, Va. — Virginia is among the most affordable states in the country to purchase a used car, ranking third nationwide with an average cost of $27,043, according to a new study by AutoTechIQ. The analysis, which reviewed over 68,000 used car listings across all 50 states, highlights significant price variations within Virginia and across…Continue Reading

The full production of Annie returns to the Trinkle Main Stage

The full production of Annie returns to the Trinkle Main Stage

For the first time since the 1983-84 season Mill Mountain Theatre is bringing the full production of the musical Annie to the Trinkle Main Stage. One of the actresses who played the title role in the play is still in the area. WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno introduces us. Mill Mountain Theatre premieres the musical Annie…Continue Reading

Celebrating Literacy

Celebrating Literacy

Blue Ridge Literacy is celebrating another year of bringing the written word to adults in the community who may be learning English as a second language or those who do not have strong reading skills. Each year the learners write stories for BLR’s “Writing from the Heart” publication. WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno has more. Blue…Continue Reading

Mill Mountain Star was so big in 1949 they wrote a song

Mill Mountain Star was so big in 1949 they wrote a song

As Roanoke marks the Mill Mountain Star’s 75th anniversary November 23rd, there is a rare opportunity to hear just how much it meant to the city when the landmark was erected and first lit up. It was a song written, recorded and played on Roanoke radio to celebrate the occasion.  WFIR’s Evan Jones goes deep…Continue Reading