Out of the Office

Kathryn Lucas and Grace Needham from Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge, as well as Kelley Brammer from Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism join us on Out of the Office to discuss how tourism efforts help shape our economy in the Roanoke region. Plus, discover some great events happening this spring! If you don’t already follow Visit VBR on social media, checkout their pages to hear about all the happenings around the region!https://www.facebook.com/visitvbrhttps://www.instagram.com/visitvbr/

Recreation Coordinator Anna Jones joins us on Out of the Office to discuss classes happening this winter at the Brambleton Center. From crafts to wellness programs, there’s something for everyone. Devon Burnette from Therapeutic Recreation also joins  the podcast to talk about the 40th Annual Valentine’s Dinner Dance. Devon was recently recognized by the board for receiving Virginia Recreation and Parks Society's "Best New Program Award" for the Therapeutic Recreation Night Club program. Programs and Registration: https://www.roanokecountyparks.com/209/Brambleton-Recreation-Center

Are you ready to get into the Winter Wonderland spirit? Listen to the most recent episode of Out of the Office! Em and Alex were ON SITE at the Grand Illumination giving you the inside scoop from this year’s Winter Walk of Lights. From the trail to the market and all the Santa and hot chocolate between, there’s plenty to explore at Illuminights. Destination Explore Park video: https://youtu.be/4GwL_iXxYBg?si=HvBN4JjImtFO9EwR

From Spooktacular to Trunk-Or-Treat there are greatactivities around Roanoke County to celebrate Halloween. Alex North, from Parks and Rec, and Officer Caleb Forehand, from the Roanoke County Police Department, join the podcast to talk about these events and how to stay safe during spookyseason.SPOOKTACULAROctober 25, 12- 5 p.m., Explore ParkMore Information: https://www.roanokecountyparks.com/673/Spooktacular-SaturdayTRUNK-OR-TREATOctober 31, 5- 7 p.m., Northside Middle SchoolMore Information: https://www.facebook.com/events/810853201488915

It’s (almost) fall y’all! Alex North and Anna Jones from Parks and Recreation join the podcast to talk fall events and programming. Get all the info you need on the Bent Mountain Fall Festival, GO Fest at Explore Park and Food Truck Thursdays. Plus learn about the activities the Brambleton Center is offering this fall including Zombie Prom.

We’re wrapping up season two with the RoCo Pros on Out ofthe Office! RoCo Pros is an employee resource group for the County’s emerging professionals. Get to know some of Roanoke County’s employees from different departments and find out what their favorite activity is in the region! Interested in working for the County? You can find our openpositions here: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/roanokeva

On this month’s episode we’re joined by Roanoke-based cyclist Gordon Wadsworth and John Oney from Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge to talk about the upcoming USA Cycling events in the Roanoke Region. This July, there will be three national championship events in the area: short track, marathon and cross country.July 14, 2025: Marathon Championships at Carvins CoveJuly 16-17, 2025: Short Track Championships at Elmwood ParkJuly 18-20, 2025: Cross Country Championships at Explore Park

This month’s episode is a crossover with If You Noke You Know to plan our summer bucket lists! Kathryn Lucan and Grace Needham join us from Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge to share the insider knowledge of everything in the Roanoke region.From events to trails and restaurants, there’s something for everyone. So, get out your notepad – or notes app – and create your summer bucket list with us!

On this month’s episode of Out of the Office, Em and Alex talk about Food Truck Thursday at the April event! Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism hosts these lunchtime events in the spring and fall. The next Food Truck Thursday is May 8th at the Roanoke County Administration Building. Find more information at roanokecountyparks.com/685/Food-Truck-Thursdays

Megan Cronise and Lindsay Webb join the podcast to talk about the ongoing Roanoke Valley Greenway projects in Roanoke County. From Explore Park on the east end to Green Hill Park on the west end, there are five projects under construction and several in the planning phases.Later in the episode, Alex North joins us to talk about the Blue Ridge Kite Festival coming up on April 19 at Green Hill Park.

Devon Burnette from Therapeutic Recreation joins us to talk about the Valentine’s Dinner Dance. This Roanoke County event is celebrating its 39th year. Later in the episode, we get a tease from the If You Noke You Know podcast previewing the Adopt-A-Bowl. Listen to the full episode on Roanoke Valley Television's YouTube.

The weather outside is frightful, but the classes at the Brambleton Center are so delightful! Recreation Coordinator Anna Jones joins us on Out of the Office to discuss the events and classes happening this winter. From crafts to wellness programs, there’s something for everyone.

The Illuminights Walk of Lights opens on Saturday, November 23, and tickets are on sale now. The half-mile woodland path has over 650,000 lights and is wheelchair accessible! While you’re at Explore Park, shop for artisan crafts, roast marshmallows around the campfire, and get a photo with Santa on select nights.

Megan Cronise and Paula Benke join the podcast to talk about the projects around McAfee Knob. We dive into the process of getting the McAfee Knob Trailhead Shuttle on the road, the new pedestrian bridge that spans 311, and future plans for the McAfee Knob area and shuttle.

The Anthem Go Outside Festival returns October 18-20. On this month’s episode, Em Poertner, Kait Pedigo and Kelly Brammer talk about all of the fun events happening throughout the weekend. Tune in to hear how GO Fest is expanding to Explore Park for even more opportunities to get outside!

Not ready to conquer McAfee Knob? No problem! On this month’s episode, Em Poertner, Ryan Shazor, and Alex North tell you how to get started hiking, even if you’ve never been out on the trails before. Once the basics are covered, the group shares great (easy) starter trails in Roanoke County.

From Explore Park to greenways and the Appalachian Trail, Em Poertner, Alex North and Kaelyn Spickler share stories from their exploration around Roanoke County. Join the fun as Em officially takes over as host for season two and helps you plan your next out of the office adventure.

Join Marketing Manager, Caitlin Gills, and Community Engagement Librarian, Allyson Frick, and Em Portner, Roanoke County's Public Information Office Specialist to learn about all about the RoCo Words on Wheels Bookmobile, upcoming events, and highlights on the Summer Reading Program. Find out more on the library's website, rocolibrary.org.

Join Marketing Manager, Caitlin Gills, and Senior Branch Librarian, Bayleigh Vidovich, to learn about all of the fun opportunities at your library this Summer. Don't forget to sign up for the Summer Reading Program to earn your limited edition badges! Find out more on the library's https://www.roanokecountyva.gov/1970/Library/.

Looking for ideas for your summer bucket list? Look no further than this episode of Out of the Office. Our Parks, Recreation, and Tourism staff have you, your friends, and your family covered for all kinds of fun!

The countdown to Summer Reading Program is officially on, and we are so excited! This episode has some hints on this year's program and all the fun happening between now and the start of summer!

This month is National Pickleball Month, and we bring in USA Pickleball Mid-Atlantic Regional Director, Nick Perez, to chat about all things pickleball including the potential for seeing the sport in the Olympics one day. Alex North joins the discussion and continues the fun with providing updates from Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism.

The Roanoke County Public Libraries has a lot in store in the upcoming months to create some "out of the office" fun! Listen to this month's episode and mark your calendars with this lineup of events!

This episode marks the second year of our podcast, exploring opportunities to get out of the office! It is most fitting to take a more in-depth look at what Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism has in store during the upcoming months!

In the second episode of Out of the Office and at the Libraries, Caitlin debriefs the exciting spring fun happening across RCPL. Key events include for the Solar Eclipse and Adult-ish events, two events Kaelyn is particularly excited for!

This month's episode is jam-packed with Out of the Office inspiration! Karli Foster, Economic Development Specialist, and Kaelyn chat with Treehouse Tavern owners, Lee and Scott, and then Kaelyn learns more about new and classic Brambleton Center offerings from programmers, Anna and Emily.

Out of the Office brings you Out of the Office and at the Libraries, an additional spinoff with Roanoke County Public Libraries Marketing Manager, Caitlin Gills. Caitlin and Kaelyn discuss everything from upcoming events and programs to the books we are reading! Join us out of the office and at the libraries!

This month we are joined by the Board of Supervisors Chairman and Vice Chairman, Mr. Phil North and Ms. Martha Hooker, to discuss the growth, fun and developments in Roanoke County. Then, Alex North and Devon Burnette with Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism, continue the conversation to discuss upcoming events, in particular the annual Valentine's Dinner Dance.

We are bringing you lots of out of the office inspiration thanks to our guests, Caitlin Gills and Alex North. Many memories can be made this holiday season thanks to Roanoke County Public Libraries and Roanoke County Parks, Recreation, and Tourism!

It's merry and bright while out of the office this month! Roanoke County Economic Development staff talk about shopping local while also providing a recap of the year. Then, details of this year's tree lighting are discussed with Roanoke County Public Libraries and Parks, Recreation, and Tourism. We also get information on upcoming events including New York Times bestselling author coming to South County Library and Illuminights beginning the 2023 season.

October marks Fire Prevention Month and Crime Prevention Month, so we sit down with Fire and Rescue Chief Griffith and Police Officer Benton to discuss safety tips and more. Safety and fun go hand in hand, so we also get an update on Parks, Recreation and Tourism fun!

Fall in Roanoke means GO Fest and finding the best #fallfoliage location! This month we merged with If You Noke You Know's Carol Corbin to chat with the brains of GO Fest. Then, Best of Roanoke's Genya Kalinina adds to the conversation. Plus, more fun at Roanoke County Parks, Recreation, and Tourism.

Even with school back in session, there are plenty of opportunities for fun in the Region including the Beaver Dam Sunflower Festival and Vendor Show and the Regional Center for Animal Care and Protection's Adventure Dog Program. Learn more about these opportunities and the fun happening at Roanoke County Parks, Recreation, and Tourism to soak up every last drop of summer fun!

Are you beginning the college search or know someone who is? Looking to further your education? Want to know more about local colleges or the first day of class? We have you covered on this month's episode as we sit down with a few of the many regional leaders in higher education including Virginia Western Community College's President Robert Sandel, Roanoke College's President Frank Shushok, and Ferrum College's President Mirta Martin.

Business is booming in Vinton, and the Town's Chasity Barbour and Marshall Stanley talk past, present, and future happenings in Vinton, including Fourth of July! Creative Occasions Events, Flowers, and Gifts complements the conversation to bring the perspective of Vinton small business owner, Mark Frye. USA Cycling was in town this month, and we chatted with Laura Rice on the Championship and being in the Roanoke Region. Stay tuned through the end to hear Parks, Recreation, and Tourism's sweet holiday weekend deals!

This month, Kaelyn sits down with The Roanoker's Liz Long to discuss the magazine's annual "Best of" awards as well as important topics in our community. In celebration of Business Appreciation Month and Pure Barre winning "Best of" awards, owner Kara Hartman and instructor Lauren Bingler are our second set of guests. Finally, it wouldn't be an episode of Out of the Office if we didn't close with updates from Parks, Recreation, and Tourism from Alex North.

The athletic fields are booked up which means spring sports are here! Roanoke County Parks, Recreation, and Tourism's Jay Glenn discusses youth sports and local athletic events. Then, we sit down with Play It Again Sports manager to continue the conversation on the sporty fun! Roanoke County PRT's Alex North is back to let us know what to keep our eyes out for in the upcoming months.

Spring has sprung in the Roanoke region! Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge's Kathryn Lucas and Jennifer Hayward chat with Kaelyn about festivals, sporting events, concerts, spring break getaways, and more. Then Alex North dives a little deeper on the fun for all at Roanoke County Parks, Recreation, and Tourism facilities.

Roanoke County has a podcast! Welcome to Out of the Office where we aim to provide inspiration for your next out of the office adventure by exploring the events, personalities, and opportunities across Roanoke County and the greater Roanoke Valley.