Judy and Bob Bowman, the owners of Wildwood Farms Daylilies, both had a love of gardening and flowers instilled in them from their mothers. Judy had seen and shared daylilies from her mom and sisters, and she, along with her family and Bob, visited local daylily gardens and fell in love with daylilies because of the variety of colors, bloom styles, and ease of care. The Bowmans then traveled to Cherokee, NC, to visit a farm there. As fate would have it, the garden owner they visited wanted to reduce his inventory. The Bowmans obliged him and took home inventory to start their own cultivation. 

There began a dream. They started a daylily garden with selections that were both beautiful and stable enough to thrive in Floyd’s climate.  Continue reading →

Dr. Helen Smith (Evans) was born in northern California and moved to a farm in small-town Alden, New York, at age 11. From the start, she knew she wanted to be a Veterinarian and never strayed from that path. She attended Cornell University for her undergraduate degree in animal science and graduated with honors. Helen then attended Ross University in St. Kitts, where she graduated salutatorian, second in her class.  Continue reading →

Joanne and Bill Bell have created and sold original artwork for over thirty-five years. They traveled throughout the eastern United States for many years, showcasing their work at various art and craft shows. In 2001, they purchased an old building in downtown Floyd and opened the Bell Gallery and Garden a few years later.

The Bell Gallery prominently features Bill’s award-winning landscape photography alongside Joanne’s pressed floral artwork and handmade jewelry designs. Bill primarily captures the ridges and valleys of Virginia and North Carolina, with a special focus on the Appalachian Trail and the Blue Ridge Parkway. He personally prints his images and handles all aspects of production in his studio. Continue reading →

Since opening in 2010, the Republic of Floyd Emporium, located in the heart of downtown Floyd, has provided visitors and locals with a wide selection of essentials, including gifts, gourmet snack foods, fine wines, imported and craft beer, and more. The emporium now finds itself with new ownership in 2024.

Not a country or a new political party, The Republic of Floyd Emporium was the brainchild of Thomas Cole Stone Ryan, a satire writer, weekend bartender, music event promoter, art agent, and businessman. Tom had a larger-than-life personality and a tremendous sense of humor. He, along with local artists, created a distinctive line of Floyd-inspired apparel, hats, prints, glassware, and other merchandise that stands the test of time!

After Tom’s unexpected passing in early 2013, a group of Floyd folks jumped in and bought the store from Tom’s estate, collectively owning it and protecting his legacy until fate brought a new owner. That group included Will Griffin, Chris Bond, Kerry Underwood, Martha Taylor, Lester Gillespie, Sam & Dottie Moore, Jim Newlin, and Dan Sweeney. The current ownership owes the group a deep debt of gratitude for saving the store. More recognition and thanks go to the long-time store manager, Connie Colloca. Connie was hired in 2011; she was a significant asset to Tom and did a fantastic job running the store. After Connie retired in 2024, the group decided to search for a new owner. 

In August of 2024, the group found that new owner in Terri Tishman. Terri was born and raised in Richmond and started her career as an administrative assistant, working for lawyers and, eventually, the Attorney General’s office. When Terri met her future husband, John Layman, in 1988, they went off to California to pursue a shared passion for natural foods. They spent the next 10 years in the Bay Area, working in the natural food industry. In 1999, Terri returned to administrative work at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg after being a stay-at-home mom to two young sons. The family moved to Floyd in 2000. After arriving in Floyd, Terri spent 20 years working for Across-the-Way Productions, the parent company to FloydFest, and at the Harvest Moon Food Store. 

Terri’s first involvement with The Republic of Floyd came when Tom Ryan hired her to work his booth at FloydFest. Tom Phelps Pottery and The Republic of Floyd were booths #1 and #2 in the main stage field in those early years! Terri joined Connie and her team in December of 2022 as a part-time cashier. She was just getting to know Tom when he suddenly passed away, and she will always treasure her autographed copy of the Floyd Dysfunctional Family Cookbook, which simply said, “Call me when you leave your husband!”  

She loved her job at the Republic of Floyd and, therefore, jumped at the offer to become the proud owner of the downtown establishment. It is truly a perfect fit for Terri as she enters her 60th year. Those who know Terri know that she loves people, humor, storytelling, and enjoying life. Terri’s vision for the store is not unlike other entrepreneurs’: to keep the lights on and turn a profit. The team intends to continue to provide the best wine, beer, gourmet snacks, and locally made goods. They are also working to expand their popular Floyd-inspired branded items while focusing on continuing to serve the community’s needs and offering exceptional customer service. 

There are always challenges for any business or business owner, and the Republic of Floyd or Terri is no exception. However, a great business owner knows their limitations and involves others who complement their strengths and weaknesses. That is precisely what Terri has done; she hired Pamela Pinto-Sessions to serve as the marketing manager. Pamela has already renewed the store’s presence on Facebook and is bringing her knowledge and love of wine to the role. She fits in well on the team!

The question often heard most at the store is, “What is the Republic of Floyd?” After careful deliberation over some frosty beverages, Tom concocted this fabrication and hoped it would suffice until he could elucidate a more disingenuous reply. 

Tom said, “The Republic of Floyd is merely a loose confederation of underemployed artists and wannabe entrepreneurs that banded together in the current space/time continuum to turn a buck doing as little as possible. From time to time, a few of us help out at Floyd Fest, host musical events and art shows, cook food for the masses, and volunteer time to local fundraising projects. But for the most part, we drink coffee, wine, and beer and discuss all the things we’d accomplish if we only had the modicum of ambition. And this, folks, is where you come in, that hard-earned money you’re squandering on mortgages and retirement… let it go as the Buddha advises… spend it here. Your support and continued hard work will allow us to keep living the dream.”

Tom’s spirit is ever present as a reminder to never to forget why the store is kept open. The Republic of Floyd Emporium is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 am to 6 pm and Sundays from 12 pm to 4 pm. Contact them at: 540-745-2898 or republicoffloyd@gmail.com

Military heroes are usually well-recognized in their hometowns. Places, people, and things are named after them and discussed in programs and history classes. Not so for an American hero named Robley Dunglison Evans. 

     Robley D. Evans was born on August 18, 1846, to Samuel Andrew Jackson Evans (1816-1856) and Sara Alphonsa Jackson (1818-1892). The home that was the site of his birth stood between the Old Presbyterian Church and the Howard/Rakes Mansion, neither of which existed in 1846. The site was outside and across the street from the edge of the Town of Jacksonville, today Floyd. Continue reading →

Norman Zook and his family have built a life centered around faith, community, and hard work. With eight children and ten grandchildren, Norman and his wife have been together for 33 years, navigating life’s journey from Pennsylvania to Kentucky and now to Meadows of Dan. Their story is one of resilience, dedication, and a commitment to providing for both their family and the local community.

Norman and his wife, Mary, come from Amish families with deep roots in their faith and way of life. Their ancestors were among the original Anabaptists who came to America in the 1700s from Switzerland, seeking religious freedom. For generations, the Amish have upheld their values of simplicity, faith, and community, and the Zook family is no exception.

Originally from Pennsylvania, the Zooks moved to Mason County, Kentucky, in 2005, where they worked in the lumber industry. In 2023, the Zooks relocated to Meadows of Dan with their Amish community from Kentucky. Today, they are practicing members of the Amish circle in their new home, where 13 Amish families have established a close-knit community. Continue reading →

The Appalachian Mountains have long been a source of mystery and allure, but few tales capture the region’s spirit quite like that of moonshine. This spirit, born of necessity and carried forward by ingenuity, is more than a drink; it is a testament to survival, resilience, and community. And now, you can be part of that story by exploring Mountain Spirit: Virginia’s Moonshine Heritage Trail, a one-of-a-kind journey through Franklin, Floyd, and Patrick Counties. 

The Moonshine Heritage Trail uniquely blends history, culture, and hands-on experiences. Visitors can explore sites where moonshine stills were once hidden in the backwoods, learn about the role of moonshine during Prohibition, and visit local distilleries producing authentic craft spirits. Guided tours, tastings, and interactive exhibits provide a comprehensive view of the moonshine legacy, while the breathtaking Appalachian landscape enhances the experience. Whether you’re sipping a traditional corn whiskey or marveling at the craftsmanship of a modern copper still, the journey is as enriching as it is enjoyable.  Continue reading →

The Bethesda House of Mercy Full Gospel Church, a branch off the Congregational Holiness Church Conference, has a rich history rooted in faith and dedication. Located in Floyd, the church’s story intertwines with the lives of its founding members and the spiritual journeys of those it has served.

The church’s pastor, Ed Gallimore, and his wife, Debbie, reside in Christiansburg but hail from Floyd. Ed’s great-grandfather founded Wills Ridge Lumber Supply in the 1950s, where Ed began serving customers at the age of 10. At the age of 13, Ed began using drugs and partying; he continued this lifestyle through most of his teenage years. He was introduced to Debbie at 15, but she was uninterested in Ed because of his lifestyle. The two later began dating when he returned from a hitchhiking trip to Texas when he was 16. Ed would then attend church with her and her family, which sparked an interest in Ed for ministry and service. Ed and Debbie married at 18, and both were saved by 19.  Continue reading →

In 2015, newlywed poets Jack Callan and Judith Stevens kayaked down Virginia’s Little River while on vacation. As they paddled, they marveled at a stunning natural rock overhang that resembled a granite amphitheater. Inspired by the serene beauty of the spot, Judith envisioned an event that would merge poetry, nature, and adventure. She suggested bringing their poet friends from the coast to the mountains, where they could kayak down the river, write poems as they floated, and later share their creations with an audience on the riverbank. Continue reading →