🌱 Operation Turkey Drop 2022 + Ukrainian Refugees Settle In Roanoke

Good morning 'noke! It's time for the dreaded Monday edition of the Roanoke Daily. Time to get back to the grind after a long weekend of turkey, football, and shopping. Keep reading for updates on...

• Virginia Tech's Animal Cancer Center is right where they expected
• Meet Roanoke County's new assistant economic director
• Winter means early preparation for area farmers

Let's motor!

But first, today's weather:

Breezy with clouds and sun.

High: 57 Low: 36.

🏡 Attention, real estate agents in Roanoke! We're now offering an exclusive sponsorship opportunity for an agent interested in attracting local clients and standing apart from the competition. Click here to learn more.

Here are the top stories in Roanoke today:

1. Two Ukrainian refugees from the Uniting for Ukraine program reached their destination in Roanoke this past August. Jenya Shulym and her 8-year-old son, Egor, arrived after fleeing the Russian invasion of their home country. The program allows Ukrainian citizens who have American sponsors to come to the U.S. and nearly 80,000 individuals have done so according to the Department of Homeland Security. Jenya's childhood friend Anna and her American partner Travis were her sponsors. "My life stopped on Feb. 24. For eight months we have been living in hell, I never could have thought my child be a child of war. This journey was so long and scary, just into the unknown, but I had a goal, to save the life of my child and my own," Jenya said in a recent interview. (Roanoke Times)
2. Operation Turkey Drop, a ministry of Fellowship Community Church in Roanoke County, fed nearly 700 first responders this past week. People in the community and businesses donated the stuffing, mashed potatoes, bread, and desserts, and Wildwood Smokehouse in Salem donated the turkeys. "We just realized that they [first responders] take time to be away from their families and their loved ones for the holiday, and so we just want to say thank you for the sacrifice that they make of their time, and in a tangible way to give them a meal that they may not be able to get with their families," said co-coordinator Julie Summerville. (WDBJ)
3. For farmers winter is more than just a bit of a nuisance it's something that must be endured and prepared for months in advance. While most of us might have to shovel a bit of snow, watch out for ice on the roads, or throw on an extra layer of clothing, Roanoke County based Chapel Creek Farms co-owner Johnny Divers said, "We usually start planning for wintertime around August. We start checking pastures, seeing what they’re looking like, top dressing with nitrogen on some of them. We start stockpiling pastures because our goal is to graze cattle 300 days out of the year." Having enough of what is needed to operate in advance is more important now than ever before with the rising costs of necessities. "All of those costs are higher. They are higher than they have been and that can affect the bottom line," said said Virginia Cooperative Extension Agent Scott Baker. (WFXR)
4. Virginia Tech’s Animal Cancer Care and Research Center in Roanoke has met expectations set for it in the two years since it first opened its doors next door to the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute on Carilion's Riverside campus. "Despite having opened during the pandemic, the veterinary clinical oncology service is exactly where we’d expected to be in regards to case load and clinical reputation,” said Margie Lee, interim director of the cancer center. The facility has treated over 2,000 dogs and 300 cats that have been referred to them by area veterinarians and there are currently 62 dogs taking part in in experimental clinical trials. (Roanoke Star)
5. The Roanoke County Office of Economic Development has hired a new assistant director with a lot of local experience. Danielle Poe comes to the office from the Roanoke Regional Airport Commission where she was the business manager for three years and has also worked as an economic development specialist for Downtown Roanoke Inc. Poe will be working alongside another recent hire, Megan Baker, who took the top spot in the office after the long time holder Jill Loope transitioned to another department in preparation of her retirement. (Roanoke Times)

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Today in Roanoke:

• Downtown Roanoke, Inc.'s The Elf on The Shelf® Adventure (All Day)
• Free Yoga for the People at the main Roanoke Public Library (5:30 p.m.)
• Live Irish Music Session at Big Lick Brewing Co. (6 p.m.)
• “We Need a Little Christmas'' Holiday Concert featuring the Roanoke Valley Choral Society at First Evangelical Presbyterian Church (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "What am I? I am one of the smallest birds in North America. Despite my tiny size, I winter in most of the United States and can withstand nighttime temperatures has cold as -40 degrees Fahrenheit!" (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge: "This Friday, December 2 is Opening Night for the 3rd Annual First Bank Tinsel Trail in Historic Fincastle in Botetourt County. Experience the fun of beautiful holiday trees decorated by local businesses and organizations!" (Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge via Facebook)
• The Rescue Mission of Roanoke: "Here's a sneak peek of some amazing photos taken at the 17th Annual Rescue Mission of Roanoke Drumstick DASH presented by Pinnacle Financial Partners! Thank you to Exposure Roanoke for the great photos! There's more to come! 🦃👏📸 " (The Rescue Mission of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism: "The Roanoke County Annual Christmas Tree Lighting will take place at South County Library on Monday, December 5th at 6:30 PM! This year’s theme “Christmas Classics” will feature visits with Santa, live music, children's crafts, teen activities!" (Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism via Facebook)
• Virginia Children's Theatre: "Here is a sneak peek of our NEW spin on the classic tale as old as time - BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. 📸 A huge thank you to photographer extraordinaire Richard Maddox !" (Virginia Children's Theatre via Facebook)

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Whew. Okay, that's it for the dreaded Monday edition. You're in the loop and ready to head out the door! See you all tomorrow morning for another update.

— 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