By Tonia Moxley
The Roanoke Times
July 28, 2009
Summary: Retired Virginia National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Debra Weir grew to love Iraq and hopes its biblical heritage is preserved.
BOONES MILL — It’s been five months since Debra Weir returned from Iraq, but she still savors the taste of an ice-cold Coke unwarmed by the desert sun.
She likes [...]

By Tonia Moxley
The Roanoke (Va.) Times
July 12, 2009
Summary:
Holy Land USA in Bedford County reopened last year after a hiatus for repairs. For some, it’s a tourist attraction. For others, it’s a place for a spiritual journey.
BEDFORD — In the shadows of Golgotha, a group of Christians broke into song on a recent Saturday.
“Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. [...]

By Tonia Moxley
The Roanoke (Va.) Times
May 17, 2009
Summary: Religious leaders are embracing new ways to tend to their online flocks.
Welcome to the online church/synagogue/mosque of the 21st century.
Here you can follow congregants’ “tweets” about sermons delivered at Westwinds Community Church by Michigan pastor John Voelz.
Log on to Texas pastor Laura Heikes’ podcast sermons — one [...]

By Tonia Moxley
The Roanoke (Va.) Times
March 01, 2009
Summary: Alec and Sarah Bradford join a growing list of small family farms across the New River Valley that use environmentally conscious practices to raise their livestock.
ALLEGHANY SPRING — Alec Bradford stood in muddy boots on a recent Thursday morning, huddling against a cutting winter wind as he [...]

By Tonia Moxley
The Roanoke (Va.) Times
Jan. 4, 2009
Summary: People who came of age during the Great Depression will tell you it’s part common sense, part determination and part creativity.
Note: Click for a .pdf of the print version of this story
BLACKSBURG — A question was asked recently at a book club gathering where some attendees [...]