Georgene Bramlage

Plants, gardens and travel are my passions. My husband Bill and I moved to Roanoke and Brandon Oaks after living and gardening in western Massachusetts for 40 years. We live in a cottage and are active in the Horticulture Committee and Rose Team.

My writing and photography represent plants, gardens, and experiences around the world.  Writing here in Roanoke has thrived because of all the new happenings at Brandon Oaks as well as Roanoke's longer growing season and many diverse plants.

Recent writing opportunities include being the Feature Writer for Landscaping since the early days of the Suite101 web site over a decade ago, and the Roanoke Gardening Examiner for Examiner.com.  I hold a Certificate of Merit in Ornamental Plants - Series I from Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA and have been a member of the Garden Writers Association for 25 years.  Readers may contact me at landscape.gardening@yahoo.com

Jackie Carmack

There are not a lot of “Native Roanokers” around now, but I am proud to claim that honor.  I attended Virginia Heights Elementary, Woodrow Wilson Jr. High and Jefferson High School.

I am the mother of five children, eleven grandchildren and five great grandchildren.  In 1988 I received the honor of being chosen Roanoke Valley’s Mother of the Year in Community Affairs.  Having served as president of Parent-Teacher Association’s at Woodrow Wilson and Patrick Henry High and Safety Chairman of Central Council PTA when Crossing Guards were accepted as a necessary safety factor.  I served on the Free Clinic Board from its beginning in Roanoke and for the next  sixteen years, was president of Roanoke Valley Arthritis Council, record keeper for The Retired Officers Association for twenty plus years, and recently completed a two year term as president of Congregation Council at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church.

My husband of 57 years, Ford, and I moved to Brandon Oaks in 1996 and we had 10 good years together here until his death in 2006. I am interested in many things, and enjoy participating fully in whatever is happening around me….To best describe me would be a “Professional Volunteer”.

My recent volunteer job is to be administrator of Brandon Oaks’ Facebook page.  I look forward to sharing with you the happenings in our community.  I would not change a day of my life here at Brandon Oaks and I love sharing my insights with you.