Blogs

Cookin', Critters and Chillun

My mother’s china

Friday, February 12, 2010
By Meg Hibbert
My mother’s china When I was a little girl, I didn’t appreciate my mother’s china – or her crystal, or the drop-leaf mahogany table where I inevitably got stuck with a leg in front of me at dinner parties. But now, I wish I could tell her that those two or three times a year when we have... »

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Cookin', Critters and Chillun

Mother Nature sent the wrong order

Wednesday, February 3, 2010
By Meg Hibbert
Mother Nature sent the wrong order I looked out the window in the full moon the other night and half expected to see wolves streaking across the snow fields. I know it’s been more than 100 years since the last known wolf was killed in the South, in the Great Smoky Mountains in 1905, but maybe we’re not living in the... »

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Cookin', Critters and Chillun

Bats in the…wine bar?

Tuesday, January 26, 2010
By Meg Hibbert
Bats in the…wine bar? I figured it was about time for some animal high jinx; the wildlife have been too quiet around our place lately. The outdoor animals have been behaving, except for those dratted squirrels stealing not only the bird food last week but also the suet cage – what do they do with those things, anyway? I... »

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COMMENTS

    Wil mentions a lot of good points, but I will hasten to recognize the bat you showed in your article ...
    Chris Hobson     February 11, 2010

    I suspect that bat is sick, affected by White Nose Syndrome (WNS), an emerging fungal pathogen that is killing bats ...
    Wil Orndorff     February 11, 2010

    More Comments » (2)
Car Nuts and Bolts

Getting your car winter-ready

Friday, December 4, 2009
By Bob Grove
Snow covers your car. After 10 minutes of shoveling snow and ice from the roof and windows (not to mention 30 minutes of shoveling the driveway), you’re ready to go to work. Twisting the key barely brings the engine to life, much to your relief it starts. But …  the windshield wipers leave streaks,... »

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Valley Real Estate

The purpose of the home inspection for the new buyer

Monday, November 30, 2009
By Ed Gallimore
So, you’ve found that exceptional  house that you yearn to become your dream home? Well, one thing to remember is the house will not be a home until you move in and make it your home. When you reach this point in the home search, you’ve already prequalified in the loan process.  You’ve thought carefully about... »

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COMMENTS

    Thanks for a good post. It really reinforces the need to make sure you are prepared when buying or selling ...
    Carroll B. Merriman     January 22, 2010

    1 Comment »
Valley Real Estate

Thinking of selling your first home? Part 2 … Moving to the inside

Wednesday, November 18, 2009
By Ed Gallimore
Take some pictures of the rooms around your house, put them up on a big screen computer, and what do you see? If you want to sell the house, you must make it possible to see the house. Pack some of your furnishings to make room for the new buyer to really look at the available... »

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Newlywed 101

To Join or Not to Join? That is the question.

Friday, October 30, 2009
By Audrey Osborne
So, I think we were supposed to make the decision about this BEFORE getting married, but I am not sure we have found the right answer yet… What is the best checking account arrangement for newlyweds? When you ask around, this topic is debated.  Separate checking accounts, a joint account, both- you hear it all. Does anybody... »

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Valley Real Estate

Thinking about selling your first home?

Friday, October 30, 2009
By Ed Gallimore
Some questions you should consider: What can I afford now? Will it really benefit me to do this now? Why do I want to sell now?” Maybe you want to be closer to town … Maybe the babies need more room, or maybe your budget will allow for the 2nd bath. Work with a realtor... »

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Valley Real Estate

First Time Buyers: Your first home doesn’t have to be your dream home.

Friday, October 16, 2009
By Ed Gallimore
Most likely your first home will not be your dream home. It will be a stepping stone to your dream home. Look for a home that can grow to meet needs and, per your realtor’s professional advice, one that is going to act as a savings account for you. That means it should be worth... »

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Blogs, Newlywed 101

A Goal-Oriented Project with the Hubs

Tuesday, October 13, 2009
By Audrey Osborne
A couple weeks ago, we got the grand idea to paint a few rooms in our house in hopes of moving toward eventually selling it next year.  It was our first big, hands-on project together as Mr. and Mrs. We took an entire Sunday and had decided to start our quest for home improvement with... »

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COMMENTS

    Enjoyed your blog. Nice conversational writing style. Best wishes for future paint jobs together! The walk through inspection is the fun part! Pam
    Pam Newby     November 6, 2009

    1 Comment »

Blogs of Note:

  • All That Glitters
    A blog about all things jewelry. Learn how to care for your jewelry, the latest fashion trends, how to shop, what to look for and more.
  • Car Nuts and Bolts
    A blog about the ins and outs of car maintenance. Look here for tips on how to keep your car running smoothly and how to read the signs when its time for a tune up.
  • Cookin', Critters and Chillun
    A blog about family, food and friends – wild creatures included – from experiences and random thoughts by award-winning community newspaper editor and writer Meg Hibbert, whose favorite question is "What have you done for fun lately?"
  • MarketingMayhem
    Short of standing on your roof and yelling at passerbys, how do you get people to notice your businesses? Save your vocal cords and learn tips, tricks and what NOT to do in this blog catered to helping businesses understand the great scary world of marketing and advertising.
  • Newlywed 101
    All about a couple’s first year of marriage- the joys, the adjustments, the frustrations and the adventures that come along with it. Follow Audrey as she and Matt move through their first year of wedded bliss.
  • Valley Real Estate
    A blog for property buyers, sellers and investors.

Meet the Locals

Meg Hibbert
Meg Hibbert has been editor of the Salem Times-Register and The New Castle Record since July 1999, and holds more than a dozen awards from the Virginia Press Association for feature writing, columns, business articles and education coverage. She and her husband, Bill, live in Salem and are avid University of Georgia Bulldogs.

Meg Hibbert
Meg Hibbert has been editor of the Salem Times-Register and The New Castle Record since July 1999, and holds more than a dozen awards from the Virginia Press Association for feature writing, columns, business articles and education coverage. She and her husband, Bill, live in Salem and are avid University of Georgia Bulldogs.

Meg Hibbert
Meg Hibbert has been editor of the Salem Times-Register and The New Castle Record since July 1999, and holds more than a dozen awards from the Virginia Press Association for feature writing, columns, business articles and education coverage. She and her husband, Bill, live in Salem and are avid University of Georgia Bulldogs.

Bob Grove
District Manager, Advance Auto Parts / Hometown: Dover, Ohio / Current Neighborhood: Blacksburg, VA / What I love about living here:Great People / Hobbies:Auto Car Repair

Ed Gallimore
Realtor & Principal Broker, McNeil Real Estate / Neighborhood: Christiansburg for 23 years / Hometown: Floyd County / Other info: Father of two daughters. Proud to come from a family of hard workers: Father retired after 43 years from the Radford Army Ammo plant, mother retired from Kroger distribution center. / Favorite thing about our valley. “We don’t think about it much but it is so great living in a town that you can take a walk anywhere without reasonable precautions and still feel safe.”

Ed Gallimore
Realtor & Principal Broker, McNeil Real Estate / Neighborhood: Christiansburg for 23 years / Hometown: Floyd County / Other info: Father of two daughters. Proud to come from a family of hard workers: Father retired after 43 years from the Radford Army Ammo plant, mother retired from Kroger distribution center. / Favorite thing about our valley. “We don’t think about it much but it is so great living in a town that you can take a walk anywhere without reasonable precautions and still feel safe.”

Audrey Osborne
Hometown: Salem, VA. / College: B.A Communication, Virginia Tech 2007. Currently pursuing a Masters of the Arts in Teaching at Hollins University. / Job: Account Executive, Main Street Newspapers / Pro: Loves deeply. Cons: Exaggerates, cries during Hallmark commercials and has too many shoes. / Marriage established June 6, 2009. / Quote: “I was born with an enormous need for affection, and a terrible need to give it.” -Audrey Hepburn

Ed Gallimore
Realtor & Principal Broker, McNeil Real Estate / Neighborhood: Christiansburg for 23 years / Hometown: Floyd County / Other info: Father of two daughters. Proud to come from a family of hard workers: Father retired after 43 years from the Radford Army Ammo plant, mother retired from Kroger distribution center. / Favorite thing about our valley. “We don’t think about it much but it is so great living in a town that you can take a walk anywhere without reasonable precautions and still feel safe.”

Ed Gallimore
Realtor & Principal Broker, McNeil Real Estate / Neighborhood: Christiansburg for 23 years / Hometown: Floyd County / Other info: Father of two daughters. Proud to come from a family of hard workers: Father retired after 43 years from the Radford Army Ammo plant, mother retired from Kroger distribution center. / Favorite thing about our valley. “We don’t think about it much but it is so great living in a town that you can take a walk anywhere without reasonable precautions and still feel safe.”

Audrey Osborne
Hometown: Salem, VA. / College: B.A Communication, Virginia Tech 2007. Currently pursuing a Masters of the Arts in Teaching at Hollins University. / Job: Account Executive, Main Street Newspapers / Pro: Loves deeply. Cons: Exaggerates, cries during Hallmark commercials and has too many shoes. / Marriage established June 6, 2009. / Quote: “I was born with an enormous need for affection, and a terrible need to give it.” -Audrey Hepburn