Evie Robinson

I can hardly believe that Doug and I have lived here in Roanoke almost 22 years now! How time flies when you are having fun, and I truly feel that way. We moved here on April 8, 1986, right after the 100 year flood. I think that was a turning point for Roanoke because we have seen a lot of new and progressive changes since then. We are blessed with 3 children and Roanoke was a wonderful place to raise them.

For 13 years, we lived on Maiden Lane in Raleigh Court. I feel it was like the wonderful things you read about in books on the South - friendly, hospitable, and full of community. The street was lined with trees and great flat sidewalks for riding bikes and meeting up with your friends, which consequently led to each other’s homes for visits. Being that many of us were stay-at-home Moms, we would exchange child sitting, cups of sugar and eggs with each other, and spend time together planning the yearly block party.

There were 18 children on the block, and from morning till night they were together playing in each other’s yards, having meals together, and being involved in kid-organized plays and dance groups. Though they are all grown now, our memories will always be full of the wonderful times and great friendships that we all have acquired from being in Roanoke, and a part of the “Maiden Lane Gang.”