What is The Big Blue?
It's a magazine...but it's a whole lot more too!
The Big Blue is a way for us here in Southwest Virginia to reach out to the rest of the world, and toot our horn--well, in most cases here, 'strum our banjo!' There are many magazines that tell the story of mountains north and south of us. But none that tell our story in any great detail. It's as if the Appalachian Mountains stopped just shortly after Abingdon, VA and picked up again somewhere close to Roanoke, VA!
You probably didn't realize there is a beautiful mountain region in between those bigger cities--full of culture, music, art, great food, wonderful places to stay, views, outdoor fun, low-cost living, fresh air...the list goes on!
That's one of the reasons we created The Big Blue. We've been here all along, quietly working and living and playing. Now it's time to share our secret with everyone else! The Big Blue covers stories about life here in the mountains of Grayson, Carroll, Patrick and Floyd Counties, the City of Galax, and our close neighbors of Mount Airy and Sparta, NC and Wytheville, VA. Our magazine shows you places to see, eat, stay, visit, etc. We also introduce you to our people and ideas! Each full color glossy issue contains a map plotting all the folks covered in that particular issue, so you can use the issues to plan your trips!
We are now going on our second year! Our first year consisted of three great issues. You can read all the articles we published in print here at our website. We have archived all our content!
As I write this, I am waiting on the Spring Issue to arrive at my door step! This year we are publishing quarterly. We will be distributing our magazine for free pick up at Virginia state visitor centers at Lambsburg, Rocky Mount and Bristol. You may also find it at select business locations throughout our area, and we are hoping to distribute it among travel agents and hot spots in urban North Carolina areas. We will post a list of pick up points as soon as we have it together. In the meantime, you can always subscribe for $24 for a year and a half (6 issues).
If you are at all interested in learning more about our beautiful area, for living, working, staying or playing, please consider subscribing to our magazine!
If you are a business owner trying to grow your tourism-related business in this area, contact us immediately for the advertising deal of a lifetime! This magazine will reach exactly who you want to reach, and the strength of marketing with other businesses will give you the response you are looking for. Become an associate of our magazine today!
This year also brings with it a change to our magazine structure! We have opened our doors to a group of women to own and take part of the structure of the Blue! We will announce more about this fantastic development as soon as our plans are finalized!
Thanks for your time! Happy reading!
Mitone Griffith,
Co-owner of The Big Blue
P.S. Why all the changes in our structure, and why has it been a little longer since we published, you ask? Well, on November 1, 2007, I had a cerebral aneurism..and we were out of commission for a few months during my recovery. I am expected to full recover....but this showed us we needed more help--hence our decision to invite more people to own this magazine with us!