🌱 2022 In Business Gains and Losses + NAACP Celebrates 'Jubilee Day'

Hello, Roanoke friends! Here's the Tuesday edition of the Roanoke Daily! Hopefully the new year is off to a good start for you. I'm busy making out my schedule for the year, which is pretty much deciding on the order I need to write in and making sure I have everything organized and ready to go for each project. I was told last night that Paramount is apparently in need of horror flicks for the year so that might bring some unexpected changes, but such is the screenwriting business. I guess we'll see what happens. Anyways, on with the Daily. Today you'll read about...

• A first day hike
• Checking in with Roanoke's Congolese family
• Two weekend shootings injure three people

Let's motor!

But first, today's weather:

Warm with low clouds.

High: 66 Low: 57.

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Here are the top stories today in Roanoke:

1. Roanoke's usual spat of weekend shootings occurred just as scheduled with two teenagers being injured by gunfire Saturday night and a man injured Sunday morning. In both cases police say the injuries were serious, but did not appear life-threatening. The teens were found at a business in the 2800 block of Melrose Avenue shortly after 11 p.m. Saturday night. Later that night, technically Sunday morning, a man was found shot at the 3600 block of Williamson Road around 5 a.m. and taken to the hospital for treatment. No arrests have been made and no suspects identified. Police are investigating and at least one of the victims, the man shot Sunday morning, is said to not be cooperating with police. (WDBJ, WDBJ)
2. According to area analysts 2022 wasn't a big year for Roanoke in terms of business gains or losses. Some came, some went, but largely the area remained pretty steady coming out of the pandemic era and returning slowly to life. The biggest, most widely publicized, loss during the year was the closure of The Roanoker restaurant on Colonial Avenue after a whopping 81 years in business. Labor costs and increasing food prices played a role in the owner's decision, but mostly it was just time to retire. The opening of a new hub for shipping and receiving company A. Duie Pyle created jobs and brought many strategic pyles — urr — advantages to the company with Roanoke's proximity to Interstate 81 for a nice gain. For the detailed list of 2022 gains and losses around the valley click the link. (Roanoke Times)
3. Roanoke's branch of the NAACP gathered Sunday to celebrate the 200th Anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln's delivery of the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1st, 1863. The NAACP's Youth Council planned and organized the event and the keynote speaker was Reverend Dr. William Lee who said in his speech that the Constitution’s promise of freedom and happiness is like a check waiting to be cashed. "... if we start cashing these checks, things are going to be better and get better for the generation under me, but certainly for my granddaughters’ generation." Attendees included Roanoke NAACP chapter president Brenda Hale and Roanoke City Mayor Sherman Lea. (WDBJ)
4. Nearly two years have passed since a Congolese family came to Roanoke from a Tanzanian refugee camp due to the effects of the civil war in the Congo. Mwenebyake Alebelebe, his wife Mwasi Binge, and their three children have been working to assimilate into American culture while still keeping some of their Congolese traditions alive inside their home. "I can’t force them to eat their food. When they see the traditional foods that we eat they scorn it, because they are now getting used to the food they eat in school. The more American foods," Alebelebe said. Translators with Commonwealth Catholic Charities help the family communicate while they continue to learn English, Alebelebe and his wife work in local manufacturing facilities, and the children attend Roanoke City Public Schools. (Roanoke Times)
5. First Day Hikes are a thing across the country and involve, as you would probably be able to guess, people taking a hike on New Year's Day. State parks are normally the destination of most of these hikers, but in Roanoke a group has started their own tradition of hiking to the Roanoke Star atop Mill Mountain. For the tenth year in a row the group makes the trek up the mountain and then does a number burpees corresponding to the year. So, 2,023 this year. A behavioral psychologist observing the group from afar scribbled notes furiously and looked absolutely befuddled at such behavior. When asked for comment, he said, "Ummm ... uhhh ... hmmm ..." and continued to look stumped. (WDBJ)

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Today in Roanoke:

• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Fresh Perks Every Week (8:30 AM)
• Ice Bumper Cars at the Berglund Center Coliseum (1 p.m.)
• Fleet Feet Pub Run & Walk at Big Lick Brewing Co. (6 p.m.)
• GOTE at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (9:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Roanoke Regional Chamber: "After 22 years with the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce, Joyce Waugh, our President & CEO, retires today. Steady leadership has defined her tenure, and the Chamber is better positioned due to her efforts. THANK YOU, Joyce!" (Roanoke Regional Chamber via Facebook)
• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "Thank you for being with us in 2022! We hope to continue the journey with you into 2023. 😊" (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Roanoke Outside: "As we get ready to ring in the new year, just a heads up that you can get 20% of ALL distances for the Blue Ridge Marathon starting on New Year's Day. Just use the code EPIC2023 thru 1/13!" (Roanoke Outside via Instagram)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "We want to wish you a very Happy New Year! We hope this year is filled with lots of wagging tails, purring, dog kisses, kneading paws, and tons of love from your furry friends!♥️✨✨♥️" (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)
• Downtown Roanoke, Inc.: "This is your last chance to see all of the beautifully decorated Christmas trees in Fashions for Evergreens at the @hotelroanoke. More than 25 organizations are competing for the People's Choice award!" (Downtown Roanoke, Inc. via Instagram)

That's it for today! Have a great Tuesday and I'll see you tomorrow morning for the first Hump Day of 2023!

— Ian

About me: Ian Graham is a novelist, screenwriter, and freelance contributing writer. He is a firm believer in being yourself… unless you can be Batman. Always be Batman. To connect with Ian you can visit him on Facebook and Instagram. He doesn't bite. Except on full moons.

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