Hello Roanoke! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: FREE WEBINAR | "Under a Golden Sky: The Mosaics of Florence Baptistry" and 9 more events.
And lastly, we have a post from a neighbor, Donna W.!
Today's riddle: What do an island and the letter "t" have in common? 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner
Today's Roanoke Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. After investing billions to light up their network from big cities to small towns, T-Mobile is America's Best Mobile Network in the US according to Ookla Speedtest®. Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data 1H 2026. We thank T-Mobile for their support in helping to keep communities like ours connected and for making today's Roanoke Patch AM possible.
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1. USA Today names Roanoke as third best national destination for fall foliage (wfxrtv.com) — Roanoke has just been ranked the nation's third-best destination for fall foliage in USA Today's 2026 list, spotlighting local favorites like McAfee Knob, the Blue Ridge Parkway overlooks, and the Roanoke Star. Peak color around Southwest Virginia is expected from late October into early November, and Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge will keep updating its foliage calendar and fall activity ideas for residents and visitors.
2. Elected officials unite to volunteer, raise awareness with Feeding Southwest Virginia (roanoke.com) — Roanoke residents may spot their own mayor and sheriff pitching in at Feeding Southwest Virginia's Salem distribution center, where elected officials spent Friday bagging potatoes to spotlight food insecurity. The annual Elected Officials Day brought leaders from across Southwest Virginia together, underscoring ongoing hunger needs that directly affect families throughout Roanoke and the surrounding valley.
3. 12 Affordable Mountain Towns for Retirement (cheapism.com) — Roanoke is highlighted as an appealing retirement choice for those wanting mountain scenery plus city conveniences, with average home values around $271,000 and relatively moderate rents. The piece notes the city's strong healthcare infrastructure, revitalized downtown, restaurants, cultural attractions, and easy access to the Blue Ridge Parkway as key advantages over smaller, more isolated mountain towns.
4. Blue Ridge Mountains: Moonshine Capital Of The World (inkfreenews.com) — Roanoke-area readers are reminded that their own Blue Ridge backyard is still proudly branded the Moonshine Capital of the World, with Franklin County's bootlegging past now fueling tourism. A writer tours the Moonshine Explosion Museum and Twin Creeks Distillery, tracing how hidden stills, family legacies and souped-up cars shaped local culture and even influenced NASCAR.
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Ok Roanoke! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: They are both in the middle of water. (Thank you Curt K. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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