Being Thankful

“No duty is more urgent than giving thanks.”-James Allen As we enter November and, more specifically, Thanksgiving, many of us think of all the things we are thankful for. While it may seem cliche, I think it’s still an important thing to do. During the grind of each year, we can often get caught up... Read More

Confessions of a 30 Something

November 5, 2021

How to Volunteer to Help a Veteran

One of the best and most important ways to express gratitude toward our veterans is by volunteering to help those in need. There are numerous organizations that provide opportunities to give of one’s time and effort to help veterans, many of which are housed under one umbrella. World War II Gen. Omar Bradley created the... Read More

Local, People

November 3, 2021

The National D-Day Memorial

One of the most popular Veteran’s Day tourist destinations in the area will be the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, which is celebrating its 20th Anniversary in 2021. Not only is the memorial expecting about 1,000 visitors for Veteran’s Day, but the 50-acre site will see an addition this fall, according to Angela Lynch, Associate... Read More

Cover Feature

October 28, 2021

Haunted Southside

We’ve all heard (and been scared by) urban legends such as a maniac with a hook for a hand, a headless phantom that walks the railroad tracks with a lantern looking for his head or a witch who’s put a curse on the town. In most cases, those stories are just stories, but as it... Read More

Features, Local

October 20, 2021

Sisters’ Act

Sisters Cathy Fowler and Carolyn Lumpkin talk frequently about a variety of subjects. But when they talk business, they literally talk business. Fowler and Lumpkin both own different stores in Danville. Fowler is the owner of Nature’s Essentials Herbs & Natural Wellness, and Lumpkin’s store—and Lumpkin herself—is known as the Bra Lady. Siblings running businesses... Read More

Features, People

October 13, 2021

Spooky Season

Laurie Strode: “It was the Bogeyman.” Dr. Sam Loomis: “As a matter of fact it was.” I love a good scary movie. Heck, I even enjoy a lot of the bad ones. With this being October and Halloween right around the corner, what better way to start this month’s column than with a quote from... Read More

Confessions of a 30 Something

October 5, 2021

The “So(u)l Flow”

Showcase Magazine sat down with Shay Ayala, founder of Solflower LLC located in Danville, VA, and her partner, Jameel Rashad Austin, at local coffee and wine bar, Crema and Vine—this location significant—as it’s where the two first began their relationship and where Ayala was inspired to redirect the mission of her organization, Solflower. Accompanying them... Read More

Cover Feature, People

September 22, 2021

I Know It’s Only Rock ‘N Roll, But I Like It

Man, I really missed this. That’s the thought that hit me as I stepped into a packed stadium of 40,000 people for the Green Day and Weezer concert in DC a few weeks back. It had been roughly two years since I had been to a proper rock show with all the bells and whistles.... Read More

Confessions of a 30 Something

September 7, 2021

Ten Years in the Making

It isn’t easy to book a rock show with a big-name band, especially in a small region such as Southside Virginia. Try booking over 180 bands across four days, with an expected crowd of over 30,000 per day and running a staff of over 900 employees. Then you’ll have a glimpse into what Blue Ridge... Read More

Cover Feature, Events, Music

July 13, 2021

Part of the Family

“If having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals are better off than a lot of humans.” –James Herriot I’ve been blessed in my life. If you’ve followed my column over the past few years, you are aware of many of the reasons I make that statement. This... Read More

Confessions of a 30 Something