Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Why Roanoke just ranked among America’s top fall foliage destinations

Coming up on the Roanoke Patch calendar: FREE WEBINAR | "Under a Golden Sky: The Mosaics of Florence Baptistry"

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Sunday September 20th Patch AM
Sunday September 20th Patch AM (Donna W.)

Hello Roanoke! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Why Roanoke just ranked among America's top fall foliage destinations
  • Why Roanoke's mayor was racing to bag potatoes Friday.
  • Why retirees nationwide are eyeing Roanoke for mountain-city living

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
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Weather forecast:

  • Sunday: A t-storm around in the p.m., with a high of 85 and low of 68 degrees.
  • Monday: A shower and thunderstorm, temps: high: 79, low: 64.
  • Tuesday: A shower and t-storm; cooler, with a high of 70 and low of 59 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

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.
   

📸 Around Roanoke

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📸 Go hokies —Donna W. Like

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • If anyone is looking for something to do today my friend's farm store is having their grand opening today.
    The store is adorable and they sell fresh meat, eggs, veggies, sourdough, and the store has so many cute gifts from several local vendors. The… (Nextdoor Read Mountain)
  • Let's have a little neighborhood conversation 😂
    What's something you're looking forward to this weekend? (Nextdoor Melrose-Rugby)
  • Burger King (Carrols) posted a job opening for Team Member in Roanoke. Apply here.
  • Coca-Cola Consolidated posted a job opening for Merchandiser in Roanoke. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Roanoke here.

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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