Month: July 2025

Beloved Wythe teacher and friend passes away

July 30, 2025July 30, 2025 Zach Cooley No Comments

The reality that my dear friend Frances Watson has passed away still hasn’t fully sunk in. Even though she lived 82 years, she strikes me as someone who was too young to leave this world. That’s because Frances was ageless. She was the same vibrant, witty, and kind-hearted person from the very first time I remember meeting her—early in my own life, which has now spanned over 40 years. I never had her as a teacher at Spiller Primary School, but everyone wished they had her. And it wasn’t just because she was beloved—it was because she made every moment feel like something special. Frances didn’t need a school-wide play for her students to experience joy. She put on plays—with her own class, no less—in front of the entire school. I can still remember being in second grade, obsessed with the story The True Story of the Three Little Pigs—the one where Alexander T. Wolf explains how he was framed. And who do you think played the wrongly-accused, over-the-top wolf, pleading his innocence in our school’s version? Frances, of course. Larger than life. Stealing the show. And then there was third grade, when Billy Ray Cyrus’s Achy Breaky Heart was topping the charts. Frances’s class did a pantomime of that song, with the student playing Billy Ray picking Frances from the audience to dance with him. For 60 years, she and her husband Graham ran one of the finest farms in the county from their home in Max Meadows. I’ll never forget one day when she walked past me in the lunchroom and saw that I hadn’t touched my milk. “You’d better drink that milk,” she said, looking me dead in the eye. “That cow gave its life so you could have that milk today.” Needless to say, I left lunch with a very dry, very empty milk carton. But it was later in life that I was lucky enough to become Frances’s friend. We bonded over our support for the Wythe County Public Library, and through that shared passion, we met our mutual friend Anita Libby. It was Anita who called me to say that Frances had taken a fall and wasn’t expected to live another 24 hours. And it was Anita who first told me that Frances had passed. I called her back immediately to offer my deepest condolences, because Frances wasn’t just a friend to Anita—she was like a sister. And Frances proudly called Anita the same. Just a few months ago, Frances told me she wanted to attend an event at the Millwald Theatre with me. I promised her we’d make it happen. I also promised her a part in the stage play I’ve been working on, based on my first novel in 17 years, Open Secret. I wrote a role just for her—a sister character named Frida, who would appear opposite the main character, to be played by Anita. When I sent Frances an early draft of the script, she raved about it. “What an honor it would be to be in your first play,” she wrote to me. “I absolutely loved the part. Because, as you know, Anita is like my sister, and I love telling her what to do.” I’m so sorry I let you down, dear friend. I’m sorry we never made it to that Millwald show together. I’m sorry you never got to be in the play. But rest assured—it will not happen without you. I’m sorry you never got to read the book with the character I wrote for you. I’m sorry I never got to sign you a copy. There was no bigger supporter of the arts in Wythe County than Frances Watson. She championed the Millwald Theatre. She never missed a show when my wife sang at the Bolling Wilson Hotel. I remember once after my wife sang, Frances came up and said, “If you sang that well, honey,—you deserve a little bit of wine.” Then she produced a goblet bigger than a fishbowl, drained the contents of her bottle into it, and offered it to my wife. “You realize if you drink that,” I warned her, “you won’t be able to drive us home… or get through your next song.” It was just Frances being Frances—joyfully generous, unapologetically full of life. She was ageless because she never stopped living. You wouldn’t have known—just two days before her passing—that she was on the verge of a brain bleed. You wouldn’t have guessed she was 82. She was vibrant until the end. And she wanted the people around her to be just as alive. From the thousands of students she inspired, to her beloved grandchildren, to her many family members and friends—Frances leaves a void that no one else could ever fill. When I think of her, I think of sayings like: “Dance like nobody’s watching.” “Live every moment like it’s your last.” Except Frances didn’t dance like no one was watching. She wanted everyone watching—not for attention, but to show us all how to squeeze every drop out of life. No one lived a fuller life than Frances. And no one set a better example of how to seize every moment we’re given. So from now on: When I attend a Millwald Theatre show… When my wife reaches for a sip of wine… When I sign a copy of Open Secret… …those things will be done in memory of Frances Watson. I know that when I’m singing loudly to my favorite song, or laughing a little too hard at a friend’s joke—Frances will be there. In spirit. In laughter. In joy. And in every moment we choose to truly live.

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Snow keeps Mayberry Motor Inn legacy alive

July 30, 2025July 30, 2025 Zach Cooley No Comments

On July 15th— 15 years and 9 days after the night my wife Emily and I spent our wedding night in Mount Airy, North Carolina—we returned for an overnight trip to the historic Mayberry Motor Inn. We were there at the kind invitation of my dear friend Mikel Snow, who now shares ownership of this Mount Airy staple following the passing of his beloved grandmother, Alma Venable, in 2022. The 38-year-old Mount Airy native co-manages the hotel, which opened in 1967, alongside his twin brothers, Jeremy and Josh. Emily and I were accompanied by our 11-year-old daughter, Bella, who has also grown up with fond memories of staying at the Mayberry Motor Inn. It has truly been one of the great blessings of my life to be called a friend by the late Alma Venable, who captured the heart and spirit of Aunt Bee better than even Frances Bavier herself. Her three grandsons, whom she lovingly raised and homeschooled, had been by her side since birth as she ran the inn—a treasured destination for Mayberry fans across the country. It seemed only natural that they would someday take the reins. I’m fortunate to have become good friends with all three of the Snow brothers, but it’s Mikel—with his calm spirit and warm heart—who I feel the closest bond with. After I wrote a tribute article to Alma upon her passing, I mentioned that it would be difficult to return to Mayberry knowing that she, along with other real-life icons like Russell Hiatt (who inspired the real Floyd character) and Betty Lynn (the actress who played Thelma Lou), were gone. When Mikel read those words, he was kind enough to send me a gift certificate for a free night’s stay at the Mayberry Motor Inn—just to remind me that I still had friends in Mount Airy. It took me two years to finally make use of it, as various mishaps caused me to cancel the trip three times. But having finally made it this summer, I can tell you that my wife, daughter, and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of our visit. We could not be more grateful to Mikel Snow and his brothers for their generosity and kindness during our stay. The rooms are as charming and well-kept as ever. There’s always a feeling of returning to a home away from home when you stay there. Most importantly, I’m thankful for the hours I spent talking with Mikel—especially after we were unexpectedly thrust together in a small laundry room during one of the most severe storms Mount Airy has seen. Just moments earlier, we had been talking outside when the skies broke loose. Mikel quickly rushed my wheelchair into the laundry room before it shorted out, and we ended up spending hours inside, talking about things only close friends can share. It was a conversation I’d always felt we’d eventually have—but neither of us expected it to happen that way. A true friendship is tested when you go through something together. And helping a wheelchair-bound guest into a laundry room to save him and his chair from a flooding storm might be a first in the long history of the Mayberry Motor Inn. I suppose I had to leave my mark somehow. At any rate, I treasured every minute with Mikel, a man who carries the kind and loving spirit of his grandmother—along with her charm, wisdom, and emotional insight. I had mistakenly thought that the true spirit of Mayberry might die with people like Alma, Betty, and Russell. That spirit now thrives in Jeremy, Josh, and especially Mikel Snow—all of whom went above and beyond to ensure that my family was made to feel completely at home. Emily and our daughter Bella especially enjoyed the pool, their favorite summer activity. Meanwhile, Jeremy kindly loaned me a copy of Neal Brower’s new book, The Essential Mayberry, which I read as they swam. We topped off our visit with dinner at Libby Hill, a locally beloved seafood restaurant, open since 1953, that’s as much a Mount Airy institution as Mayberry itself. For only $11.75, I enjoyed a delicious three-item seafood combo featuring fried flounder, Alaskan whitefish, and Calabash popcorn shrimp. Another Mayberry institution I miss dearly is Walker’s Soda Fountain, run by my cherished friends Lora and David Jones. They sold the business last year, and I was heartbroken when Lora, a Wythe County native, delivered the news. The last time I visited, it was the only place in town I could get a decent malt. Sadly, I had no luck finding one during this visit and left town a little bitter about it. I miss my dear friends but wish them the very best in retirement. There was truly no place like Walker’s, and I’ll always treasure the memories I made there. As wonderful as our visit was, it’s true that things aren’t quite the same without Russell Hiatt, Betty Lynn, and Alma Venable being there in person. But when it comes to Alma, I can tell you her spirit is very much alive in every part of the inn. She and her late husband, Luther Parker “L.P.” Venable, dedicated their lives to creating more than just a roadside motel. Her custom, fully restored Mayberry squad car—a 1963 Ford Galaxie, complete with the Mayberry sheriff’s star and working siren—still remains proudly parked out front. For years, it bore a North Carolina license plate reading Barney F. Now, in tribute to his grandparents, Mikel has updated the tags to read Alma & L.P. To the Snow brothers, my dear friends, she will always be Grandma—a woman they miss deeply every single day. Their mother, Vicki, Alma’s only child, passed two years after Alma. And yet, through it all, the Snow brothers have maintained the positivity, warmth, and grace their grandmother embodied. Alma would be beyond proud of the men they’ve become. Mikel is even looking forward to keeping the business running into a fourth generation, hoping to one day pass…

Strictly Observing

Oasis Head Spa gives royal cranial treatment

July 30, 2025 Zach Cooley No Comments

When my family and I were invited to Oasis Head Spa in Wytheville on July 23 by its owner, Jenna Williams, I had no idea what to expect. I told her I had struggled with psoriasis for decades, and she assured me that they offered several treatments that might help. I assumed it would be something simple—a light facial, perhaps. I was completely wrong. From the moment we walked in, the experience was far more involved, therapeutic, and compassionate than I imagined. The first thing Jenna and her co-owner, Christine Hite, did was help transfer me from my wheelchair to a full-body massage chair. At 180 pounds, I worried I’d be too much for them to lift. But with 40 years of combined nursing experience between them, they handled the transfer with ease and confidence. That chair, which I was told has no built-in sensors, seemed to know exactly where my pain was. Having lived with cerebral palsy my entire life, I often suffer from chronic pain in my hips, lower back, and sacroiliac joints—especially since turning 40 earlier this year. Somehow, the chair focused on each of those trouble spots with precision. As the massage chair worked, it also gently squeezed my legs. Christine explained this was part of the lymphatic drainage system. Since I spend 12 to 14 hours a day seated, my legs often swell. This treatment clearly addressed that as well. Then came targeted skin care. The mask of my CPAP machine frequently irritates the psoriasis around my nose, and Christine applied a special exfoliant to those areas. My face was then covered for a red light therapy session, followed by a series of shampoo treatments designed to relieve scalp psoriasis. “We started your treatment with an exfoliant and a head serum painted directly onto the roots,” Christine explained. “Then we washed your hair with a specialty shampoo, reapplied it using different tools to help loosen dry skin and improve circulation, and finally applied a conditioning agent that was steamed in to restore moisture.” I left that spa room feeling like I had shed 10 years’ worth of dead skin, muscle tension, and stress. “Am I going to look 30 when we’re done?” I joked. “Even if you don’t look it,” Christine said with a smile, “you’re definitely going to feel it.” And she was absolutely right. A standout part of my visit was a detailed scalp analysis using a microscopic camera. For years, I assumed my dandruff was caused by psoriasis. Christine quickly discovered it was more likely due to dry skin and seasonal allergies. “You don’t just get allergies in your nose,” she explained. “Your skin gets them too—especially the scalp.” She pointed out only minor redness and flaking, with small psoriasis patches—not the severe flare-ups I feared. Meanwhile, my wife received the premium treatment, which included many of the same services, but customized for her longer, fuller hair. Jenna explained her exfoliant and scalp serum were blended with oils and scents for hair growth and softness. Her scalp analysis also showed some dryness, so her treatment was adjusted accordingly. “There’s a lot of massage in our treatments,” Jenna shared. “We use our hands and specialized tools—brushes, rollers, and more. When we apply the scalp detox, we section the hair and brush it in directly. That helps exfoliate dead skin, product buildup, and sebum. Then we follow up with shampoos tailored to each client’s needs.” My wife’s treatment included a luxurious hot towel wrap, as well as a lymphatic drainage massage that worked from the forehead down through the shoulders—relieving inflammation, tension, and even headaches. While I experienced my treatments on the massage chair, my wife opted for the spa bed. “Some clients prefer the chair,” Jenna said. “Others find it overstimulating and prefer to focus on just the head and neck massage. We let everyone choose the experience that suits them.” One highlight for both of us was the Water Halo—a rainfall-like rinse that felt like a gentle waterfall flowing over the scalp. Unlike some spas that recycle rinse water, Oasis Head Spa uses only clean, fresh, sterilized water. “You’d be surprised how many places use recycled rinse water,” Christine said. “We don’t do that here. Everything we use is clean and hygienic—especially important with guests who may have skin sensitivities or medical concerns.” I had never met either Christine or Jenna before, but within an hour I felt like I had known them for years. Even just sitting in their tranquil lobby—with relaxing music and the scent of peppermint in the air—felt like a gift. “That’s our goal,” Christine said. “We want people to know we genuinely care. Whether they’re here for a treatment or just need a safe place to rest for an hour, we’re here for them.” There’s truly no better place than Oasis Head Spa to unwind, heal, and be cared for—body and soul. Hour-long treatments range from $100 to $150, with monthly subscribers receiving premium treatments for just $100. To book your appointment, call (276) 200-8655 or visit them at 1480 East Main Street, Suite 403, Wytheville, VA. You can also visit their website: www.theoasisheadspa.com.

Strictly Observing

Interim sheriff to seek office in November

July 30, 2025 Zach Cooley No Comments

On August 1st, Anthony Cline will officially assume the role of Interim Sheriff of Wythe County after 24 years of service with the Wythe County Sheriff’s Office. As someone who grew up in that department—my father, Herb Cooley, served as Chief Deputy for 14 years—I’ve seen firsthand the bond that forms within the walls of that agency. As a child, I was spoiled rotten by those deputies, many of whom became a second family to me. According to Cline, that familial bond still exists today. “Sheriff Foster instilled the family atmosphere in the Sheriff’s Office,” Cline told me. “That’s something I fully intend to carry on in my own administration.” Cline has served as Chief Deputy for the past four years, but his roots in the department go much deeper. Hired in 2001 by former Sheriff Kermit Osborne as a court security officer in the Civil Processing Division, Cline soon advanced to night shift patrolman. After seven years on patrol, he was promoted to criminal investigator. “That’s when my career really took off,” he recalled. “That’s when I found what I truly wanted to do—solve crimes.” Climbing the ranks to lieutenant, Cline has since worked every major crime scene in Wythe County since 2008, including cases involving homicide, rape, and armed robbery. His dedication began early—he knew from the age of five that he wanted to be a police officer, and he started his career right after graduating from Wytheville Community College with an associate degree in police science. Interestingly, Cline never set out to run an agency. His passion was always the street—the crime scenes, the investigations, the daily grind of protecting the public. “Being in an administrative position is so different from what I was used to,” he admitted. “It’s a surreal feeling to realize that this time next month, I’ll be serving as Sheriff of Wythe County.” But like my father before him, Cline has excelled in administrative leadership. Over the past decade, he has secured more than $1.5 million in grant funding for the Sheriff’s Office—money that has both saved lives and spared taxpayers. From acquiring necessary equipment to funding officer overtime, his initiative has made a real impact. “I don’t like paying taxes any more than the next guy,” he said. “The last thing I want is to see taxes raised and our citizens struggling. If I can find ways to bring in money without burdening the public, I’m going to do everything I can to make that happen.” One of the most inspiring parts of Cline’s legacy is his dedication to children. His Shop with a Cop program, which started with the modest goal of helping ten underprivileged children, now delivers Christmas gifts to over 100 kids across the county each year. Likewise, his Pack the Bus program ensures that Wythe County students receive free school supplies through a partnership with Walmart. As a father of three school-age daughters, Cline has seen tragedy up close—he’s worked traffic fatalities involving children who were not properly restrained in their seats. One of those children was only two years old. The other, just eight. Those tragedies prompted him to create the Sweet Treats for Safety initiative, which rewarded children like my own daughter with a free ice cream from McDonald’s simply for being buckled in properly. That initiative sparked a friendship between Cline and my daughter that continues to this day—he even served as her recreation league basketball coach in third grade. While the memory brings a smile, its origin was somber. Cline created it so no other Wythe County family would have to face that kind of loss. Another initiative he championed—the Baby in the Box Safe Haven program—offers a lifeline for mothers unable to care for a newborn. By placing the baby safely in a secured, alarm-equipped box located at the hospital, the child receives immediate care. This program was born after Cline worked a horrifying case involving a newborn left to die in a cave. In collaboration with Wythe County Commonwealth Attorney Mike Jones, Cline brought this program to Wythe County to ensure such a tragedy would never be repeated. And while Cline’s passion for children is well documented, he’s equally committed to protecting Wythe County’s senior citizens. “None of us would be here today if not for our senior citizens,” he said. “It’s the least we can do to ensure they feel safe and protected in our community.” Like his predecessor, Sheriff Charles Foster, Cline credits Wythe County’s citizens for maintaining peace and neighborliness. His goal is to preserve that sense of safety and stability that defines our area. “I want every citizen to know they can contact this office at any time,” he said. “And if they have a problem or concern, they can speak to me directly. Any citizen should be able to talk to their sheriff, and I intend to keep that tradition alive. It is an honor to serve in Wythe County.” Anthony Cline has worn nearly every badge this department offers. He’s served the community on the street, in the courtroom, behind the desk—and soon, as Sheriff. I can say with confidence that he is the right person to lead us forward, continuing a legacy of compassion, integrity, and service. On November’s ballot, Wythe County would be wise to make Interim Sheriff Anthony Cline our permanent Sheriff.

Strictly Observing

Wythe County sheriff retires

July 30, 2025 Zach Cooley No Comments

In 1987, my father, Herb Cooley, then Chief Deputy of the Wythe County Sheriff’s Office, along with Sheriff Wayne Pike, hired an 18-year-old Wytheville native named Charles Foster as a dispatcher. Now, after a remarkable 38-year career, Foster is retiring as Sheriff of Wythe County—a position he has held for the past four years. Almost immediately after graduating from George Wythe High School, Foster was earning $3.25 an hour working at a local gas station. His father, who had always dreamed of being a police officer himself, encouraged young Charles to speak with Sheriff Pike about a future in law enforcement. “They had me observe Pam Hall, who was a dispatcher at the time,” Foster recalled. “She had a receiver on each ear and a foot pedal to dispatch cars. I was scared to death. I knew I couldn’t do it.” But when Wayne Pike offered to double his salary, Foster agreed to give it a try. “I’ve been here ever since,” he said with a chuckle. “There’s not a job in this department I haven’t done before becoming Sheriff.” In his four years as Sheriff, Charles Foster earned a level of respect and admiration rarely seen in public service. In all my years living in Wytheville, I’ve never heard a single negative word spoken about him. That admiration was reflected at the polls—he won two unopposed elections, and in his first campaign, he even received more votes than gubernatorial candidate Glenn Youngkin. “I couldn’t believe it,” Foster said. “I thought surely somebody had miscounted. But that vote count reflected the kindness and support I’ve been blessed to receive from the citizens of Wythe County—something I will never forget.” Though only 56, Foster says he feels it’s time to step aside and make room for the next generation. “I’m a simple man who likes to fish and spend time with my family,” he said. “You just don’t have time to do things like that when you’re the Sheriff of an entire county.” He praised his interim successor, Chief Deputy Anthony Cline, who will serve until the officially running for the job in November, for his leadership and tireless work securing grants and funding to benefit local children through programs like Shop with a Cop and Pack the Bus—providing Christmas gifts and school supplies for families in need. “I can’t tell you the hours Anthony has spent securing funding,” Foster said. “He’s saved countless lives and helped reduce taxpayer costs. We have everything that the most equipped sheriff’s office in the state has because of Anthony Cline’s dedication.” Foster also extended deep gratitude to the Wythe County Board of Supervisors. “They’ve become part of my extended family in helping me budget for the department,” he said. “I never asked for anything that wasn’t a true need, and they’ve always supported us to make sure we had what was necessary for an effective and professional department.” He credited the citizens of Wythe County for creating a peaceful and cooperative community. “When a community lives peaceably with one another, it gives you more time to focus on improving things—like securing grants and equipment,” Foster said. “Providing our officers with the resources they need has probably been the greatest achievement of my time as Sheriff.” Foster also reflected on the most difficult chapter of his career—the loss of his friend and fellow officer, Cliff Dicker, who was tragically gunned down in 1994 by a 15-year-old assailant. “I don’t recall a word being spoken in the entire department for months,” he said. “It was the saddest, most surreal time of our lives.” That tragedy became a turning point. Foster and other leaders made it a mission to ensure the department offered the best possible wages and support. “Money isn’t the answer to everything,” he acknowledged. “But when you hear other agencies struggling to find people willing to risk their lives for low pay, you realize how important it is to properly compensate those who serve.” His final request to the citizens of Wythe County is simple: continue to pray for the safety of our officers. “My last prayer every night is that none of my officers are hurt or killed on my watch,” he said. “We’re here to keep the peace, not cause trouble.” Foster credited the late Cliff Dicker as a mentor who helped shape him into the leader he became. “You can have all the degrees in the world,” he said, “but you need someone to take you under their wing and teach you how to do the job. Cliff was one of those people.” In a small community like Wythe County, being a sheriff isn’t just about enforcing the law—it’s about being a friend. And in that regard, Wythe County has truly been blessed. It’s hard to imagine a better friend than Charles Foster.

Strictly Observing

Celebrating 20 years of “Strictly Observing”

July 4, 2025 Zach Cooley No Comments

It is staggering to think I have been writing this column for 20 years. I am overwhelmed by the readership and support I have received. I share my deepest personal gratitude with you all. Let’s have a look at some of the focus who have had the greatest impact on “Strictly Observing” over the last decade. As a Wytheville native who studied sports journalism in Greensboro, Woody Wilder left home to become a successful producer in Los Angeles, CA for the NFL Network. In my field of work, he epitomizes success. As much of a hero as Woody is to me professionally, he is even more so as a fellow human being. Rooted in a deep religious faith and an incredibly alluring personality, the kindness he expresses to me as a friend is invaluable to me. He carries with him the fundamental values Wytheville has given him and blended them with his resilient perseverance, which has given him limitless opportunities for success, making us proud to call him one of our own. A lifelong friend, Jared “J.T.” King, was the first person I came to when I launched EmBell Publishing. I knew he was the best undiscovered writer in our area, and I wanted to bask in the glory of having made such a revelation in the writing world. With his unprecedented writing ability and incredible insight and wisdom into the business, he now has his ever-growing fan base captivated by such gripping works as his Michael Black adventure novel The Gray Man and the horror short Building 1935. I am at the top of that list. As both a writer and a friend, J.T. King is unbeatable. Trent Crewe served as mayor of my hometown of Wytheville, VA for 28 years. When he announced his retirement in early 2018, he gave me first crack at printing his story in local news. It was the biggest story of my career, reaching over 10,000 people online. However, Trent Crewe has been more to the citizens of Wytheville than a leader. He has been a constant friend to the town and everyone in it when approached. During the most difficult periods of my life, he offered a personal hand and legal support, which my wife and I shall never forget. He is the rare sort of politician who has a heart to match his winning smile, and his brilliance has contributed irreplaceable effort in making Wytheville the best place to call home. To me, he will always be “Mayor.” Jackie King has been the first woman in a leadership role in several aspects for Wytheville, including her current position as Vice Mayor, which she held 28 years. She was also the first female president of the Wytheville-Wythe-Bland Chamber of Commerce. When she received the “Citizen of the Year” award from the Chamber of Commerce, among other honors, it was my blessing to cover her legendary life and career. I am fortunate enough to know that people like Jackie King only come along once in a lifetime. I am abundantly blessed that she has been a significant part of mine. Jackie, 84, died on August 30, 2020 of ovarian cancer. Robert Fallon went through more in his brief life than most people who have lived four times as long. With his kidneys functioning at less than a half-percent, his then-fiancé Krystal Sparks started a painted rock campaign that attracted global attention. Robert found his donor, survived the transplant, and continued to share his story, promoting the importance of organ donation, inspiring me to become a donor. It was an honor to cover his incredible story, but most of all, to become his friend. His presence in my life was a divine gift. Robert died on August 5, 2022, of renal failure. He was 24. Not only one of the greatest local musicians our area has ever seen as a member of the band 3 Shades of Grey, Max Meadows resident Michael Clinch is a true American hero. His volunteer efforts in New York City saved countless people whose names he will never know on September 11, 2001, when the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center collapsed at the hands of terrorists hijacking airplanes. The retired police chief of Hyde Park, New York granted me the most stirring interview I had ever done, and I barely had to speak a word. His kindness and friendship are among my greatest blessings. A local legend who is still sadly unknown to many locals in his native Smyth County, Jack “Jarata” Taylor’s surrealist art, which is displayed, sold, and admired around the globe. “Rainy Night Blues” and “Blue Moon,” a painting inspired by conversations with Billy Joel and a meeting with Dr. John, are among his most renowned creations. Hearing of his brushes with Disney animation, President Gerald Ford, Bonnie Raitt, and Elvis Presley, made for some of my greatest-ever interviews. Meeting gubernatorial Chief of Staff William H. “Bill” Leighty led to my biggest career honor to date, when he invited me to the Library of Virginia in Richmond to host a presentation on his bestselling memoir, Capitol Secrets. His exceedingly generous friendship has become one of the most treasured of my life and I am eternally grateful for our interviews, which included subjects ranging from planning Queen Elizabeth II’s 2007 visit to Virginia to his outstanding leadership abilities that gracefully guided our state through its darkest hours including the Virginia Tech tragedy in 2007. Another local and statewide treasure, mutual dear friend Linda DiYorio, introduced me to Bill. I have admired Cory Parker and his amazing talent as a photographer for the last quarter-century. We have always been friends, but the last year has made us close friends. With his self-established MountainCap Media, Cory has brought some of the best and brightest photography Wythe County has ever seen. Personally, Cory has offered me the thrill of flying a photography drone and has a concert featuring my wife at the Millwald Theatre. As a friend and professional partner, Cory…

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