Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, May 8, 1994 TAG: 9405110004
SECTION: DISCOVER NRV PAGE: 5 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: KATHY LOAN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Folks in the New River Valley have found other places to get their required dose of neighborhood gossip - places where everybody knows their name and everyone else's business, too.
Whether it be a fast-food joint, a beauty salon or barber shop, a coffee shop or at work around the water cooler, stories are being whispered about what Jimmy did to Sally or just how much money the Smiths spent on that new car.
Of course, there are the prim and proper among us who profess their lack of interest in gossip. And others say they get their daily dose of news from television and newspapers.
Keep reading, folks, but get a life! Here's where you can get the real scoop, according to our Discover poll readers:
Practically any barber shop or hair salon. Shirley Surface of Blacksburg said he finds his gossip there because "it's just fun. They mostly tell lies, but it's fun anyway." John Rupe of Pulaski says Sam Corder and his customers at Star Barbershop "are in the know." A Radford reader said the "chatty women who are friendly" at Good Looks Nail Salon provide good news and gossip.
Triangle Lanes in Christiansburg, said several readers. Kimberly Loan cites the friendly people and "laid-back" surroundings as the reason the bowling alley is her favorite spot to pick up local news and gossip. Theron Lester said he goes to Triangle Lanes because it has "good company and nice people."
Hardee's and McDonald's, says Kenneth Anderson of Pulaski, because he can "listen to coffee club members." Several other readers picked the fast-food restaurants for much the same reason. It seems there are regulars who have been drinking coffee and telling tales at these places for 15 years or more.
Karen Kirk said Hardee's in Blacksburg at 6 a.m. is THE place for news and gossip. "I hear it all inside," Kirk wrote. "All the gossipees and gossipers go there," one couple wrote of the Hardee's at Blacksburg Square.
The downtown Christiansburg Hardee's is where other readers get their dose of gossip from the "cop squealers" who go there early in the morning.
Bob Mullins of Christiansburg said Burger King is his place, because "everybody talks loud enough for everyone else to hear them."
Mill Mountain Coffee &Tea on North Main Street in Blacksburg was a favorite of several readers. Gina Gartner said "all the bohemians and neo-beatniks hang out there." Another reader noted simply that "in people go there."
Work, said many people, because it's a gathering place for people from across the New River Valley.
Anywhere on the Virginia Tech campus is where one writer gets her news. "The people never shut up," she explained.
Another Blacksburg reader was more specific - citing the Newman Library, where she works. "There are lots of people there who love to gossip." And you thought librarians were quiet!
Tressela Kimble of Christiansburg gets her news at New River Community College, where she works. "Everybody's from some place in the valley," she said.
Nancy Dowdy of Blacksburg said the YMCA office is the best source of news for her. "They get it first."
Bars, restaurants and lounges. Whitney Gilmore of Christiansburg said Whispers Lounge at the Huckleberry Inn is a place where "you hear and see 'news' that normally may not occur." Arnold Mink said the waitresses and customers in Frizbee's at the Holiday Inn know everything that's going on. Other people like Gillie's or Eats in Blacksburg because there are interesting people around. And when there's not, you can scan the bulletin boards for interesting notices. Country Kitchen in Christiansburg has lots of regulars in the know.
Community events. Chambers of Commerce mixers give a Blacksburg reader the chance to catch up on things. Other people said gatherings at the schools provide a mix of interesting people to talk with. Another reader says the senior citizens at Floyd Community Action are "lovely people with a wonderful perspective on life."
Elliston Food Mart, says Barbara Dillard. "That's where everyone hangs out."
Carol Lee Donuts in Blacksburg gets the nod from Barry Stewart. Why? "People talk loud," Stewart wrote.
Moose Bingo at the VFW building in Pulaski is where one reader gets her gossip on Mondays and Fridays. Everyone gets there, she writes.
(Personal aside here: My personal rule of thumb is, if you hear it at bingo, it's gotta have a grain of truth to it. It was at bingo that I first heard about an exploding grave on Easter Sunday. Two days later, I got the real story: a grave had been disturbed in Pulaski County.)
South Main Cleaners. "Brenda knows everybody," one Blacksburg reader said.
People in Main Street Pulaski Shops keep Dean Shufflebarger informed. "The grapevine is faster than TV or the newspaper," he wrote.
by CNB