Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Remember when Santa arrived by helicopter at Roanoke’s Sears Town?

Coming up: KIDZ BOP LIVE: The Concert Movie - Roanoke on the Roanoke Patch calendar

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Hi Roanoke! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Remember when Santa arrived by helicopter at Roanoke’s Sears Town?
  • Roanoke community remembers the life of Sylvia Louisa Woods
  • What Roanoke neighbors say they’ll change when 2026 begins

Also on today's calendar: KIDZ BOP LIVE: The Concert Movie - Roanoke and 3 more events.

Find out what's happening in Roanokefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What two things can you never eat for breakfast? . 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Roanokefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Monday: Cloudy, showers around; windy, with a high of 52 and low of 24 degrees.
  • Tuesday: Turning sunny; windy, colder, temps: high: 33, low: 25.
  • Wednesday: Breezy and not as cold, with a high of 42 and low of 30 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. WDBJ7 Archive: Remembering Sears Town (wdbj7.com) — Roanoke shoppers get a nostalgic look back at Sears Town, the massive Sears store that opened on Williamson Road in 1957 and once anchored local retail life. The story traces its move from downtown, its role in holiday traditions like Santa’s helicopter arrival, and its eventual relocation to Valley View Mall before closing in 2019.
   

2. Woods, Sylvia Sagel (nrvnews.com) — Roanoke is mourning the loss of 90-year-old Sylvia Louisa Woods, a longtime resident who loved animals, cooking, and PBS, and once worked more than two decades at Virginia Tech. Her family thanks the Roanoke Memorial Hospital palliative care team and asks that any memorial donations go to the Giles County Animal Shelter.
   

3. New year, new goals: What Roanoke residents want to change in 2026 (wdbj7.com) — Roanoke residents are sharing their hopes for healthier habits, tighter budgets, and stronger community connections as 2026 approaches. Locals talk about serving neighbors, cutting spending, and focusing on what makes them happy, while experts offer practical tips for setting realistic, sustainable New Year’s resolutions that people can actually keep.
   

4. The Roanoke Times 2025 All-Timesland Volleyball Team (roanoke.com) — High school volleyball standouts from across Southwest Virginia are highlighted in this All-Timesland roundup curated by The Roanoke Times. The piece spotlights state championship runs and big tournament moments for players from Radford, Giles, Christiansburg, Auburn, Lord Botetourt and more, celebrating a particularly strong season for the region’s teams.
   

5. Irene 'Renie' Breslin Krebs, 80, (smnewsnet.com) — Roanoke readers are remembering Irene “Renie” Breslin Krebs, who was born in Roanoke and leaves behind beloved nieces and a nephew still living here. The longtime social worker and psychotherapist died earlier this month at age 80, cherished for her warmth, love of family, and devotion to her dogs. Her family will hold a private service later.
   

📸 Around Roanoke

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Roanoke

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📣 Roanoke Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • I used to believe that time itself healed things.
    That if you waited long enough, the sharp edges would dull on their own. What I learned instead is that time does nothing unless you engage with it… (Nextdoor Read Mountain)
  • Can anyone recommend me a roofer or handyman who can install an aluminum insect screen (which I can provide) on my gable vents on my 2nd story?
    They'd have to have a ladder to get up there since I don't have one. Thank you! (Nextdoor Crystal Creek and Starkey)
  • Sam's Club posted a job opening for Baker and Packager Associate in Roanoke. Apply here.
  • US Foods Holding Corp posted a job opening for Transportation Manager - WV and VA 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: Lunch and dinner. (From Norine S.)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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