Every person has a breaking point – that moment when frustration begins to boil into anger. I am hovering at that point and feel compelled to take a stand.
I moved to Southwest Virginia two years ago and immediately began immersing myself in the community and all the wonderful things it has to offer. I found the people creative, intelligent and open to “outsiders.” I found a city filled with fabulous locally owned dining options – complete with locally grown food available at the city’s Farmer’s Market. I found the business climate easy to navigate and the business leaders helpful and accessible. In fact, I found it so small business friendly, I started a firm that has been bustling and growing since I opened the doors 15 months ago.
So where is the frustration? It is nestled in the constant undercurrent of negativity in the attitudes of many citizens. It is in the jabs about there being “nothing to do”; in the comments about its “lack of sophistication” and the sneers about Roanoke being “in the middle of nowhere”.
For me, it all comes down to self-esteem.
We have all known that beautiful, intelligent woman who thinks of herself as the ugly duckling and have known the kind-hearted, handsome guy who still sees himself as the geek. It’s exactly how I feel about the attitudes and perceptions that assault me on a regular basis. While it comes across as humble at first – it eventually leads to the feeling you want to scream, “Why can’t you see all the wonderful things in front of you?”
Communities by definition are a collection of people. The vibe is a direct reflection of the people who live in them – and Southwest Virginia is filled with an amazing pool of talented, creative and intelligent people. They are LOCAL people with broad experiences, business savvy and great passion. Yet, frequently, I hear about how there is “nothing to do” and nobody interesting to talk to”. In fact, I recently heard a local journalist refer to us as an “old, washed up Railroad Town.” I was furious.
It was so fundamentally wrong and uninformed – it was shameful. I know hundreds of people who are driving the regional economy through local business ownership and hundreds more who are making a living in the arts. In fact, we are often featured in national media as an example of a community that excels in Creative Culture.
There is a wealth of local talent making progress toward a vibrant future and making news on the national scene. Their skills and talents are directly impacted the economics of this wonderful region – yet they are somehow overlooked by their very own community.
So, the next time you find yourself lured into that whirling dervish of negative rhetoric – I ask you to re-consider your opinion. Are you participating in the community or simply re-stating old “catch phrases”? There is a wonderful thing happening here – and you’ll want to be a part of it!
Check out “What to do today” on myScoper.com. Wander downtown and get in line for one of the 100 shows at Kirk Avenue Music Hall. That’s about 10,000 people paying to see live music…at Kirk Ave alone. Now let’s add in the people who drive in from out of town for an evening at Blue 5, Martins, Blues BBQ, The Jefferson Center, and The Civic Centers (Roanoke and Salem). Perhaps you will meet the LA music agent and music industry writer who just moved to Roanoke because of the fabulous music and cultural scene.
Or maybe you can find the recent article in Symphony magazine explaining how our very own Roanoke Symphony is one of the ONLY orchestras in the nation growing in both ticket sales and donations. Or talk with the marketing team at Virginia Tourism who looks to the whacky events being held in Roanoke to help promote quality of life and a vibrant lifestyle in the state. I think I make my point….
So, if you are one of those people who can’t figure out why I love living here — I invite you on an adventure where I can assure you interesting people abound and signs of a rebounding economy exist. You might just realize that the “ugly duckling” is becoming a swan.
By Stephanie Koehler [email protected]
Stephanie…I thoroughly enjoyed your article…you’re on it! Attitude is everything and Roanoke is an incredible place to be! Thanks.
I totally agree. We moved here 15 years ago from a large city and have not looked back. We love Roanoke and want to retire here. Its physical beauty alone is enough, but add in the friendly and helpful people, cultural events, museums, 4 seasons, outdoor adventures, and relatively low unemployment, it adds up to a wonderful place to live. Enough with the nay-sayers. Let’s celebrate the Roanoke Valley and pass the love of the Valley to our kids.