Today's Features

This past weekend, about a dozen teams from all over the country pitted their pit-smoked pork against each other at the city’s 8th Annual Smoke on the Mountain, a contest of flavor, showmanship and technique.
Teams are evaluated by professional judges both on-site and in blind competition, with points in categories like appearance, tenderness and flavor determining the winners.
The top three teams in each of the three main categories go to the finals, and a grand champion is chosen from among those finalists.

As sales slowed and fewer customers trickled in, Rooftop of Virginia management came close to shutting down its craft shop.
But when a new committee took on the job of creating a business plan, the craft shop reopened last month after being closed for six months.
Rooftop’s craft shop, which opened more than 40 years ago, will be returning to its original vision — to give people in the community the opportunity to display and sell their made-from-scratch items.

David and Susi Tornow of Galax announce the marriage of their daughter, Katherine Valler, to Dustin Gene Bays, son of Donnie and Nancy Bays of Weber City.

The bride was graduated from North Carolina State University with a bachelor of arts degree and is pursuing a master’s degree in social work.
She is employed as a mental health clinician at Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare.
The groom received a bachelor of science degree from Emory & Henry College.
He is employed as director of internal audit at the Bank of Botetourt.

Long-time WBRF-98.1 FM bluegrass radio host Jay Allen said goodbye on Friday to his listeners.
Twenty-three years ago, Allen began his career at 98.1 by filling in at the studio during the Galax Old Fiddlers’ Convention.
“At the time, I was just doing odd jobs,” said Allen. “WBRF manager Zane Bennett called and asked if I could fill in during Old Fiddlers’ Convention week. After a few days, I thought that would be it.”