🌱 Elmwood On Ice Is Back + Small Business Saturday In Roanoke

Good morning, Roanoke! Happy Thanksgiving! Please know that, like most of you, I will be taking the day off to enjoy the festivities, so there will not be a newsletter in your inbox tomorrow. We appreciate your understanding of the slight pause in the Roanoke Daily, and we'll be back to our normal routine Saturday morning!

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First, today's weather:

Warmer with variable clouds. High: 63 Low: 43.

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Here are the top stories today in Roanoke:

1. Elmwood on Ice opened for 2021 holiday season yesterday after remaining closed all of last year. The rink can hold about 100 people at a time and skating hours vary, with extended hours on days when Roanoke City Schools are closed. Downtown Roanoke is also offering putt-putt golfing at the park's amphitheater for the first time. (WDBJ7)
2. Traveling for the holidays? You're not alone: Experts say holiday air and road traffic is inching closer to pre-pandemic levels this year, and being prepared for that kind of traffic at the gate or the interstate will make for smoother sailing. A spokesperson for the Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport said the hub's initial burst of pre-holiday travel was "on par with what we saw in 2019." (WDBJ7)
3. Celebrate Small Business Saturday in Downtown Roanoke on Nov. 27 with an exciting day of events! Free doughnuts and drinks will be available in Market Square from 9 to 11 a.m., along with some Shop Small merchandise up for grabs. There will also be a $150 Downtown Roanoke gift card giveaway. Click the link to see the full list of participating businesses. (Downtown Roanoke)
4. Three adults and two pets are safe and sound after a Northwest Roanoke house fire on Wednesday morning. There is moderate smoke damage to the 12th Street NW house and officials said the cause of the fire, which was contained to the garage, is still under investigation. (WSLS 10)
5. The Mill Mountain Star, an iconic Roanoke skyline sight that gave The Star City its nickname, is celebrating its 72nd "birthday" this holiday season. (WSLS 10)

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Today in Roanoke:

• Atlantic Union Drumstick Dash - Roanoke City Special Events (6:00 AM)
• Thanksgiving Holiday Schedule - Regional Center for Animal Care & Protection (8:00 AM)

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You're all caught up for today! I'll see you around. If you're into these newsletters, consider inviting some of your friends and neighbors to follow along. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Roanoke Daily? Contact me at roanoke@patch.com.