Out of the Office

Looking to embrace those 90’s Summer vibes? Em Poertner and Caitlin Gills check in on their Roanoke County Bingo cards. Focusing on free events and everything you get with your library card, there’s a lot of ways to get out in Roanoke Countyfor a screen free summer.   LIBRARY BINGO CARD https://www.roanokecountyva.gov/DocumentCenter/View/33182/Podcast-BINGO-Card?bidId= ROANOKE COUNTY BINGO CARD ht...

Kathryn Lucas and Grace Needham from Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge, as well as Kelley Brammer from Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism join us on Out of the Office to discuss how tourism efforts help shape our economy in the Roanoke region. Plus, discover some great events happening this spring!   If you don’t already follow Visit VBR on social media, checkout their pages to hear about all...

Recreation Coordinator Anna Jones joins us on Out of the Office to discuss classes happening this winter at the Brambleton Center. From crafts to wellness programs, there’s something for everyone. Devon Burnette from Therapeutic Recreation also joins  the podcast to talk about the 40th Annual Valentine’s Dinner Dance.  Devon was recently recognized by the board for receiving Virginia Recreation an...

Are you ready to get into the Winter Wonderland spirit? Listen to the most recent episode of Out of the Office! Em and Alex were ON SITE at the Grand Illumination giving you the inside scoop from this year’s Winter Walk of Lights. From the trail to the market and all the Santa and hot chocolate between, there’s plenty to explore at Illuminights. Destination Explore Park video: https://youtu.be/4Gw...

From Spooktacular to Trunk-Or-Treat there are greatactivities around Roanoke County to celebrate Halloween. Alex North, from Parks and Rec, and Officer Caleb Forehand, from the Roanoke County Police Department, join the podcast to talk about these events and how to stay safe during spookyseason. SPOOKTACULAR October 25, 12- 5 p.m., Explore Park More Information: https://www.roanokecountyparks.com/...

It’s (almost) fall y’all! Alex North and Anna Jones from Parks and Recreation join the podcast to talk fall events and programming. Get all the info you need on the Bent Mountain Fall Festival, GO Fest at Explore Park and Food Truck Thursdays. Plus learn about the activities the Brambleton Center is offering this fall including Zombie Prom.

We’re wrapping up season two with the RoCo Pros on Out ofthe Office! RoCo Pros is an employee resource group for the County’s emerging professionals. Get to know some of Roanoke County’s employees from different departments and find out what their favorite activity is in the region! Interested in working for the County? You can find our openpositions here: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/ro...

On this month’s episode we’re joined by Roanoke-based cyclist Gordon Wadsworth and John Oney from Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge to talk about the upcoming USA Cycling events in the Roanoke Region. This July, there will be three national championship events in the area: short track, marathon and cross country. July 14, 2025: Marathon Championships at Carvins Cove July 16-17, 2025: Short Track Champio...

This month’s episode is a crossover with If You Noke You Know to plan our summer bucket lists! Kathryn Lucan and Grace Needham join us from Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge to share the insider knowledge of everything in the Roanoke region. From events to trails and restaurants, there’s something for everyone. So, get out your notepad – or notes app – and create your summer bucket list with us!

On this month’s episode of Out of the Office, Em and Alex talk about Food Truck Thursday at the April event! Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism hosts these lunchtime events in the spring and fall. The next Food Truck Thursday is May 8th at the Roanoke County Administration Building. Find more information at roanokecountyparks.com/685/Food-Truck-Thursdays

Megan Cronise and Lindsay Webb join the podcast to talk about the ongoing Roanoke Valley Greenway projects in Roanoke County. From Explore Park on the east end to Green Hill Park on the west end, there are five projects under construction and several in the planning phases. Later in the episode, Alex North joins us to talk about the Blue Ridge Kite Festival coming up on April 19 at Green Hill Park...

Devon Burnette from Therapeutic Recreation joins us to talk about the Valentine’s Dinner Dance. This Roanoke County event is celebrating its 39th year. Later in the episode, we get a tease from the If You Noke You Know podcast previewing the Adopt-A-Bowl. Listen to the full episode on Roanoke Valley Television's YouTube.

The weather outside is frightful, but the classes at the Brambleton Center are so delightful! Recreation Coordinator Anna Jones joins us on Out of the Office to discuss the events and classes happening this winter. From crafts to wellness programs, there’s something for everyone.

The Illuminights Walk of Lights opens on Saturday, November 23, and tickets are on sale now. The half-mile woodland path has over 650,000 lights and is wheelchair accessible! While you’re at Explore Park, shop for artisan crafts, roast marshmallows around the campfire, and get a photo with Santa on select nights.

Megan Cronise and Paula Benke join the podcast to talk about the projects around McAfee Knob. We dive into the process of getting the McAfee Knob Trailhead Shuttle on the road, the new pedestrian bridge that spans 311, and future plans for the McAfee Knob area and shuttle.

The Anthem Go Outside Festival returns October 18-20. On this month’s episode, Em Poertner, Kait Pedigo and Kelly Brammer talk about all of the fun events happening throughout the weekend. Tune in to hear how GO Fest is expanding to Explore Park for even more opportunities to get outside!

Not ready to conquer McAfee Knob? No problem! On this month’s episode, Em Poertner, Ryan Shazor, and Alex North tell you how to get started hiking, even if you’ve never been out on the trails before. Once the basics are covered, the group shares great (easy) starter trails in Roanoke County.

From Explore Park to greenways and the Appalachian Trail, Em Poertner, Alex North and Kaelyn Spickler share stories from their exploration around Roanoke County. Join the fun as Em officially takes over as host for season two and helps you plan your next out of the office adventure.

Join Marketing Manager, Caitlin Gills, and Community Engagement Librarian, Allyson Frick, and Em Portner, Roanoke County's Public Information Office Specialist to learn about all about the RoCo Words on Wheels Bookmobile, upcoming events, and highlights on the Summer Reading Program. Find out more on the library's website, rocolibrary.org.

Join Marketing Manager, Caitlin Gills, and Senior Branch Librarian, Bayleigh Vidovich, to learn about all of the fun opportunities at your library this Summer. Don't forget to sign up for the Summer Reading Program to earn your limited edition badges! Find out more on the library's https://www.roanokecountyva.gov/1970/Library/ .

Looking for ideas for your summer bucket list? Look no further than this episode of Out of the Office. Our Parks, Recreation, and Tourism staff have you, your friends, and your family covered for all kinds of fun!

The countdown to Summer Reading Program is officially on, and we are so excited! This episode has some hints on this year's program and all the fun happening between now and the start of summer!

This month is National Pickleball Month, and we bring in USA Pickleball Mid-Atlantic Regional Director, Nick Perez, to chat about all things pickleball including the potential for seeing the sport in the Olympics one day. Alex North joins the discussion and continues the fun with providing updates from Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism.

The Roanoke County Public Libraries has a lot in store in the upcoming months to create some "out of the office" fun! Listen to this month's episode and mark your calendars with this lineup of events!

This episode marks the second year of our podcast, exploring opportunities to get out of the office! It is most fitting to take a more in-depth look at what Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism has in store during the upcoming months!