Category Archives: culture

Shanna Spangler and Zach star in the Awesome Gal trailer.

By Bill Kovarik

Reggie feared horses.

The 17 year old girl came from an abusive family, and she was fine, mucking out stalls and doing chores — so long as the horses kept their distance.

Awesome Gal, a rescued Tennessee Walker, cowered in her stall whenever Reggie or other people came near. Awesome had also been abused.

Both girl and horse worked on a farm with Deborah Ring, who watched, over the winter months, as an unlikely friendship evolved.

“I think the turning point came when Reggie was cleaning manure from a field,” Ring said. “Reggie was approached by other horses, and turned and ran, jumping over the fence.” Awesome Gal saw the horses threatening Reggie and galloped over to protect her, Ring said.

“She kept them all away until (Reggie) was finished.” Reggie was grateful and awestruck. “That’s when the relationship flourished,” Ring said.

It sounds like a heartwarming movie about a difficult subject, and that’s exactly what Ring started thinking. “I’ve often thought movies should be more family friendly,” Ring said. “And here this story just landed in our laps.”

Ring, who now owns a horse farm on the outskirts of Radford, Virginia, started working with a script writer a few years after Reggie and Awesome started healing together. Continue reading →

By Becca Knicely

Laura Lamoureaux and Ralph the Wonder Dog. Photo by Hannah Robertson.

At the young age of 12, Laura Lamoureux knew she wanted to be a business owner. As her Radford main street clothing and apparel store hits the 25 year anniversary mark — her silver anniversary — Laura looks back.

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By Tucker Davis

Just outside the city limits of Radford, you will find a cluster of fast food eateries strung along the tiny portion of Route 11. But in the middle of an unpaved gravel lot, across from the now vacant homes of Kentucky Fried Chicken and Burger King, stands Hank’s Drive-In. Hank’s doesn’t have a double drive-threw window or a flashy LED sign—they don’t even accept credit cards.

Despite the lack of flare and modern-day innovations like the big chain fast food rivals that surround them, Hank’s Drive-In has stood the test of time by serving up what they call the best burger in town.

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By Bill Kovarik    

Beth Obenshain watched as suburban developments swept away the farms around Blacksburg, Va.,  where she had grown up.  And, as a self-described “country kid,” it bothered her.

So in 2002 she retired as a senior editor for the Roanoke Times and took on the challenge of directing the New  River Land Trust.   Continue reading →