New Name.
Same great everything else. Hello, I’m Dr. Baxter Perkinson. In 1974, I started a small dental practice here in Richmond. I just wanted to help people smile. As time went by, more and more people came to us, so we brought in more doctors to help. Then we saw the need and added specialists. This now allows us to use a team approach to your dental care. We’ve grown to 11 offices in Central Virginia, so it’s convenient for you to come in no matter where you live or work. All this has allowed us to invest in the most modern equipment and on-going training to learn the newest techniques that help improve the health of your smile while focusing on your comfort. And now, there’s one more change. To better reflect who we’ve become, Dr. Baxter Perkinson and Associates is changing our name. We’re now Virginia Family Dentistry. I suppose about the only thing that hasn’t changed in all these years is our commitment to you and your family. Call today and let us show you how a nice smile makes all the difference.
Find the office nearest you by visiting us at VAdentist.com COS M E T IC DEN T IS T RY • O RT H O DO N T IC S • PERIODO N T IC S • EN DODO N T IC S • IM PL A N T S • SEDAT IO N • CHIL DRE N ’S DE N T IS T RY
Huguenot - Bon Air 794-9789
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Learn it. Plant it. Love it! That’s what kids do when they participate in Project Plant It!, a unique program designed by Dominion that makes learning about trees and the environment fun. Project Plant It! has received awards from the Arbor Day Foundation and Scenic Virginia for the innovative way it teaches kids about trees—through classroom activities and teaching materials, an interactive website and a free tree seedling for each participating student. We’re making our world a greener place to live. One tree at a time.
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C O N T R I B U TO R S PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER William J. Davis, Jr.
VICKI O’NEAL Vicki O’Neal is a career design professional. She is enjoying the fruits of creativity and experience as the owner of FORM & FUNCTION, LLC. “Practicing interior and landscape design brings both the inside and outside worlds together. This comprehensive approach to design produces a unique opportunity for creating integrated and harmonious solutions, capitalizing on the best potentials for both settings.” Vicki holds a degree in interior design from the University of Florida along with numerous and varied professional credentials.
VICE-PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER Cheryl T. Davis ASSISTANT PUBLISHER John Corbett MANAGING EDITOR Ginger Warder ART DIRECTOR Trey Tyler CREATIVE SERVICES DIRECTOR Joseph Wharton ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS Jared Davis Ann Small PHOTOGRAPHERS Tim Hill Robert Thomas Zach Wingold CONTRIBUTORS Tammie Wersinger, Erin Pittman, Max Heyworth, Tammy Brackett, Amy R. Connolly, Vicki O’Neal
ERIN PITTMAN Erin Pittman is a Richmond-based writer, editor and blogger and the mom to three awesome kiddos, ages seven, four and seven months. Her work, covering topics like parenting, pets, seniors, special needs, personal finance and military life, has been featured in print and online. In her spare time (what is that?), she enjoys reading, family dance parties and playing ball with Wilson, her exuberant yellow Lab.
HANOVER LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE is published bi-monthly by Advertising Concepts, Inc. 6301 Harbourside Drive, Suite 100 • Midlothian, VA 23112 (804) 639-9994 •RichmondNavigator.com Facebook.com/RichmondNavigator Email us at info@richmondnavigator.com All rights reserved. Any reproduction in whole or in part of any text, photograph or illustration without written permission from the publisher is prohibited.
M A X H E Y WO RT H Max Heyworth is a marketing copywriter and a 2003 graduate of James Madison University. When he’s not in the office or covering the Richmond sports beat for ACI, he enjoys spending time with his wife, son and daughter on their horse farm in Goochland. His passions include baseball, reading, good whisk(e)y and great conversation.
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ALL ARTICLES AND CONTENTS OF THIS MAGAZINE ARE NOT NECESSARILY THE OPINIONS OR THOUGHTS OF HANOVER LIFESTYLE, ADVERTISING CONCEPTS,INC OR THE PUBLISHER
TEMPLE HILL ABOUT THE COVER Just in time for Virginia’s Garden Week, designer Vicki O’Neal gives you tips on how to plant
With thirty-plus years in the graphic arts industry, Tim is an experienced food stylist, food photographer, and grand dad! He also enjoys the fruits of his labor as a passionate foodie, too!
your own theme garden. Check the story out on page 26.
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6 H a n ove r L i f e s t y l e
....and lots of it!
CONTENTS MARCH/APRIL 2014 11 18 26
WWW.989LIBERTY.COM
DEPARTMENTS 8 9 16 23 24
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FEATURES Eating Local: Farm to Table A New Reality for Hanover Craft a Themed Garden Project Plant It! Baxter Perkinson The Reynolds Family In Search of...Appetizers Trinity Renovations
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MY TOWN
business
Project Plant It! Dominion in spires young t ree planters
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HIS SPRING, thousands of future arborists
are learning about trees and their many important benefits to the environment with Dominion’s Project Plant It! program. Nearly 10,000 students in the Richmond region will participate in the free program geared towards elementary school students who are bursting with curiosity about the natural world. Project Plant It! provides a variety of educational activities, both inside the classroom and outdoors, for students to get up close and personal with one of Mother Nature’s most versatile inhabitants. In fact, trees are the ultimate multitaskers: They make oxygen and clean air, provide shelter for birds and wildlife, prevent soil erosion and can be strategically planted to help reduce heating and cooling costs, among other attributes. The cornerstone of the program is the distribution of a redbud tree seedling to each participating student to plant in honor of Arbor Day, which is typically the last Friday in April. “The redbud is native to Virginia and grows well throughout the state,” says Paulin Cheatham, Project Plant It! spokesman for Dominion, the parent company of Dominion Virginia Power. “It is one of the first trees to bloom in the spring and is easily identified by its beautiful pink blossoms and distinctive redtinged leaves.” “Each and every year, Project Plant It! continues to effectively engage students by connecting them with nature,” explains Jo McElwain of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Project Plant It! puts Eastern Redbud trees into the hands of the next generation of tree-planters who will always cherish the memory of planting a tree and watching it grow.” The Arbor Day Foundation, which inspires people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees, has partnered with Dominion’s Project Plant It! since the program was established in 2007. This organization is responsible for planting, growing, packaging and shipping the more than 250,000 tree seedlings that have been distributed to students in several states where Dominion conducts business. The website, www.projectplantit.com, features videos and interactive games about trees. aFor more information, visit the website or “Like” Project Plant It! on Facebook.
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health
Perkinson & Associates is now Virginia Family Dentistry Name Change Ref lects Team Approach to Dental Care
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R. BAXTER PERKINSON & Associates has changed its name to Virginia Family Dentistry. The change, effective immediately, reflects the practice’s growth in multispecialty dental care and its expanded presence in Central Virginia today with 11 locations. “ When I opened my practice more than 40 years ago, it was a small dental office with one mission, to help patients smile by giving them quality dental care in a caring patient centered environment,” said founder Dr. Baxter Perkinson. “ We’ve grown substantially over the years because of this philosophy and have always invested heavily in professional training and the latest dental equipment to deliver the best care possible to our patients. We are proud of our team approach in caring for each of our patients in all of our locations. Our group now consists of 45 doctors who spend hours of additional training to be at the forefront of dentistry. In fact, we have just completed our own 100-seat training center so we can learn and share new ideas with each other. It is truly an exciting time for growth and development of our practice.” And, Perkinson has often been referred to as a pioneer in dental implants and full mouth dental rehabilitations.
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Dr. Baxter Perkinson & Associates has provided Central Virginia with a unique dental practice model, one that provides its patients with multispecialty care, including orthodontics, endodontics, periodontics, cosmetic dentistry and prosthodontics, as well as general dentistry for patients of all ages. “Virginia Family Dentistry is a perfect description of who we are,” according to Gil Roberts, CEO and practice administrator. “We’re a family of more than 300 dental professionals and staff, who provide just about every procedure dentistry has to offer. And we focus on the family, from small children to mature adults. Our patients come from across Central Virginia and beyond. The name suits us very well.” Nothing but the name has changed, Roberts added. Our many services, our attention to detail and patient-centered dental care are still our top priorities.
Founded in 1974 as Dr. Bax ter Perkinson & A ssociates, Virg inia Family Dentistry is a multispecialt y dental g roup practice prov iding comprehen sive care for patients of all ages throughout their 11 of f ices in Central Virg inia. A team approach to the diag nosis and treat ment of dental issues prov ides patients w ith access to ex perienced professionals dedicated to high-q ualit y and cost-ef f icient care.
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1 0 H a n ove r L i f e s t y l e
EATINGLOCAL from
Farm to Table W
HEN THE AREA'S best chefs need the fresh-
est produce and meats for their signature dish-
es, they don’t have it shipped in by the truckload or make a run to the nearby grocery store. Instead, they turn to farms or their own urban gardens for the freshest vegetables and meats available. By Amy R. Connolly
EATINGLOCAL
Today, that small movement has spread like wildfire. Americans are more concerned than ever about food sources, environmental issues and healthful eating, and they have found that being a locavore is the answer. In the Richmond area, farmer’s markets, food co-ops and family farms have been around for years. Even community-supported agriculture (CSA) groups, which allow residents to buy into a farm’s harvest, have been thriving. What’s new is how this has hit the mainstream. No longer is local eating exclusive to the foodies. It’s tastier, healthier and provides a good boost to the economy.
COURTESY OF JAY PAUL
Local Eating From Large to Small Certainly, Central Virginia boasts some of the most beautiful farmlands that Chef Wa l ter B u nd y of L emaire offer the freshest and best produce and meats. Look at Tuckahoe Lamb & Cattle ODAY, HOME CHEFS, as well, are making this move toward Company in Cartersville, located less than an hour outside of locavore – that is, growing, cooking and eating foods that are Richmond. With 90 head of cattle, 200 sheep, 100 pigs and locally produced. In the past several years, Virginia has emerged some chickens on 680 acres, owners Daniel Thompson and as a leader in the local food movement. Richmond restaurateurs and Emily Lenschow say they have seen an uptick in the number home chefs – even the local food bank – have seized this movement and of residents who are interested in their meats. Many consummade it their own. ers come to them because they like the accountability that local Steve Gallmeyer, owner of Gallmeyer Farms in Richmond, says the farmers offer. locavore movement has crossed a line. “I find at the farmer’s markets that some folks select us because “I don’t know that it’s a fad anymore,” he says. “It’s more a they like our practices and other folks select us because they like the trend than a fad. There’s a growing number of people who are in taste of the meat,” Lenschow says. search of local foods.” At Casselmonte Farms in Powhatan, the wide variety of fruits and Eating local means different things to different people. For some, vegetables keep customers wanting more. Casselmonte, which grows it’s about eating produce and meats produced within a 50- to 100-mile only certified organic produce, grows specialty crops, including aspararadius. For others, it means eating only homegrown products from backgus, ginger, beets, bok choy and 32 varieties of heirloom tomatoes, just yard gardens. Regardless of how it’s defined, locavore seems to be a trend to name a few. Bill Cox, who owns the farm with his wife India, sells to that’s here to stay. local residents at the Powhatan and South of the James farmer’s markets. He realizes there’s more to local eating than just buying produce at a The Beginnings of Local Eating farmer’s market. Consumers need to know how to cook the food as well. “If you want to succeed in this business, you have to understand Really, there’s nothing new about local eating. For centuries, homeyou are in the education business,” Cox explains, adding that he’s town farms have produced foods for communities of all sizes. always talking to his customers about the produce they’re buying and “It’s how our country was formed, and it is what we are based on,” swapping recipes. explains Sally Schwitters, the executive director of Tricycle Gardens, a This area also has some of the most plentiful small gardens. Richmond-based nonprofit that encourages local growing and eating. About a decade ago, Tricycle Gardens started the first community But, as the nation shifted, so did area residents. Big-box grocery stores, garden, with a focus on refreshing blighted areas, says Schwitters, the with meats and produce being shipped from across the country, became the organization’s executive director. While they may have started with norm. While that seemed to work well for a while, a grassroots movement flowers and plants, these gardens now have a bountiful selection of started questioning the food sources. They wondered if it was environmenvegetables and fruits, as well. Tricycle Gardens even helped the city tally sound to ship food across the nation and questioned the health benefits.
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1 2 H a n ove r L i f e s t y l e
of Richmond in 2011 when it started Richmond Grows Gardens, which encourages community gardens on city-owned property and now has six working gardens with flowers and vegetables. “I believe, as the population increases, community gardens will become more important and will be planned into new developments,” says Victoria Campbell, the city’s community garden coordinator. “And, I'm hoping that the interest in community gardens will encourage citizens to start their own backyard gardens and become directly involved with their own food supply and food security.”
A Taste of Local Even restaurants have turned to the community-garden model. About a decade ago, Walter Bundy, the executive chef at the awardwinning restaurant Lemaire, started an urban garden near the hotel’s employee parking lot. Today, he has a full line of produce from his garden, including tomatoes, okra, cantaloupe and a variety of herbs. While it’s never enough to fully sustain the whole restaurant, it’s enough for some of his signature dishes. “It doesn’t get any fresher or any more local,” Bundy boasts. “I do think that we do have a larger movement here that embraces local. In the past couple of years in Richmond alone, several farmers markets have popped up.” If you’re looking for a taste of local foods, here’s a small sampling of what’s available:
Dine Out: Lemaire in The Jefferson Hotel, 101 West Franklin Street, Richmond. Executive Chef Walter Bundy takes enormous pride in the restaurant’s urban garden. Although the garden doesn’t yet produce enough to completely sustain the restaurant, it does make a high yield in certain vegetables and herbs, including tomatoes, parsley, basil, thyme and rosemary. The restaurant also uses locally-grown produce and meats. LemaireRestaurant.com. Pasture, 416 E. Grace St., Richmond. Opened in 2011, Pasture depends on local growers for produce and meats. The restaurant also features organic sustainable-farmed wines and beers from the eastern seaboard. PastureRVA.com.
Pick Your Own: Tuckahoe Lamb & Cattle Company, located at 989 Cartersville Road, Cartersville, prides itself in raising only
grass-fed cattle and lambs and pasture pork. Customers can purchase meat cuts at a variety of Richmond-area farmer’s markets or by calling Tuckahoe. TuckahoePlantationLivestock.com. Gallmeyer Farms, located at 3622 Darbytown Court and 4506 Millers Lane, has two Richmond locations– a seasonal you-pick strawberry patch and an extensive farm stand. GallmeyerFarms.com.
Grow Your Own: With five grassroots community gardens throughout Richmond and an urban farm in Manchester, Tricycle Gardens allows for plenty of local farming and eating opportunities. Tricycle also runs a weekly farm stand at 2314 Jefferson Ave, Richmond. TricycleGardens.org. Last year, Community Kitchen Garden at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, 1800 Lakeside Avenue, Richmond produced 23½ tons of produce. While the garden does not allow private growing, all of the crops go to Feed More, which operates Central Virginia’s food banks and Meals on Wheels. The garden is open to volunteers to work the crops. LewisGinter.org. Richmond Grows Gardens, located at various locations is a citywide initiative that allows for community gardens on city-owned land. Crops can include fruits, vegetables, herbs, flowers and plants. RichmondGov.com/CommunityGarden.
Shop For It: GrowRVA farm stands, various locations. Formerly called The Market Umbrella, GrowRVA is aimed at connecting residents with farm-fresh foods. The group runs two food markets: the South of the James Market and the South of the James Winter Market. The winter market runs through April 26, and the other runs from May 3 through Dec. 6. Both are located New Kent Avenue and 42nd Street, Richmond. GrowRVA.com. Lakeside Farmers’ Market, 6110 Lakeside Ave., Richmond. With both indoor and outdoor pavilions, Lakeside runs a yearround market with a variety of foods from local farms. LakesideFarmersMarket.net. Victory Farms Urban Farmstand, 4500 Reedy Ave., Richmond. Victory Farms sells, not only direct to the consumer, but also to several area markets and restaurants. VictoryFarmsInc.com.
Order It Online: Fall Line Farms. This online food market allows customers to shop and buy local farm foods online. The food is then delivered to one of 12 locations in Richmond and Chesterfield. FallLineFarms.com. Dominion Har vest. This online seller produces boxes of local foods with meats, breads and produce culled from local farms. The boxes are delivered to the customer’s doorstep. www.DominionHarvest.com.
COURTESY OF JAY PAUL
Chef Wa l ter B u nd y of L emaire
M a rc h / A p r i l 2 0 1 4
g row s s ome of hi s ow n pro d uc e a nd s ourc es the res t f rom lo ca l far m s .
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EATINGLOCAL Local Recipes
Fried Green Tomatoes
Chopped Kale Salad
Walter Bundy, Lemaire Restaurant
Gina Collins, Victory Farms
Ingredients 6 green tomatoes, sliced ¼-inch thick
Ingredients ½ bunch kale, chopped 1 carrot, grated or chopped matchsticks 1 thinly-sliced onion
For the Breading 3 cups flour 2 cups buttermilk mixed with 5 whole eggs 4 cups panko bread crumbs (Japanese style) 1 cup kosher salt ¼ cup fresh ground white pepper 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Mix the rice wine vinegar, basil, sugar and water together. Slice the green tomatoes evenly with a sharp knife. Place tomatoes in a casserole dish layered evenly. Cover with the marinade. Let the tomatoes marinate for about 20 minutes. Drain them in a colander over a sink for about five minutes.
Lay the green tomatoes out on a cutting board and season with kosher salt and fresh ground white pepper. Step by Step Carefully place the seasoned tomato in the all purpose flour. Lift it out and shake off the excess flour. Then, drop the tomato into the buttermilk/egg mixture and remove it. Let some of the egg wash slide off. Then drop the tomato into the bread crumbs and thoroughly coat. Lay the breaded tomatoes on a parchment-lined cookie sheet and place in the freezer until ready to use. Fry in vegetable oil at 350 degrees until golden brown. Drain on brown paper bags and serve immediately.
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Ingredients to Taste Pine nuts or toasted almonds, walnuts or sunflower seeds Chopped olives (green, cured or Kalamata) Chopped dried tomatoes with some of the oil (or substitute fresh tomatoes) Capers Lemon juice Step by Step Toss generously with a balsamic or fruity vinaigrette dressing.
COURTESY OF BETH FURGURSON PHOTOGRAPHY
For the Marinade 2 cups rice wine vinegar ½ cup water ¼ cup basil, chopped 2 tablespoons sugar
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L I F E S T Y L E f a m i ly
The Reynolds Family By Erin Pit t man ACHEL AND ROGER Reynolds are well known in the Ashland-Hanover area. As previous co-owners of RompN-Roll Mechanicsville, Rachel, the principal of the Dominion School for Autism, and Roger, a voice and piano teacher and DJ on WHAN radio, have always been active within their community. In 2009, they realized just how connected they were when their “network,” as they call it, offered support after their 3 1/2-year-old daughter was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Charlotte Jennie Reynolds, CJ to friends and family, had been complaining of headaches and vomiting intermittently for two weeks. When the Reynolds took her to the pediatrician, they were immediately sent to St. Mary’s Hospital for a CT scan. The scan revealed a large mass, and on Jan. 20, 2009, she was admitted to MCV hospital. Her tumor was an aggressive PNET, or primitive neuroectodermal tumor. CJ had two craniotomies within two weeks, resulting in about 90 percent of the tumor being removed. She also braved three rounds of inpatient chemotherapy over the next several months, but an MRI in April showed that the tumor was continuing to grow. Another surgery ensued in May and was very successful, leaving only a few small bits of the tumor behind. Her new chemotherapy protocol – developed and carried out by the expert medical team at MD Anderson in Texas – followed in July, and chemo continued every two weeks once the Reynolds returned to Richmond. On Nov. 6, 2009, CJ had her last MRI, which revealed that the tumor continued to grow despite the radiation, chemo and other treatments. That’s when the Reynolds faced the realization that their time with their little girl was limited. They filled November and December with family and friends and shared a wonderful Make a Wish trip to Walt Disney World. “Even though we were in a very dark place, with Charlotte’s terminal illness looming over our lives, our vacation in Disney World gave us a chance to see Charlotte truly happy,’’ Rachel says. “I will never forget the moments she spent with the princesses and fairies.” On Jan. 7, 2010, CJ passed away peacefully at home. She was almost 4 1/2 years old. The Reynolds’ network of support provided food, financial assistance, work coverage and more for them while they focused on their daughter, and in the days after her death, they could not have been more grateful. “Many people often say to us, ‘I don’t know how you do it,’ and the truth is we didn’t do it alone, Rachel adds. “ The network of friends and family that surrounded us during [CJ’s] treatment and in the years following her death has been our lifeline.”
1 6 H a n ove r L i f e s t y l e
PHOTOS COURTESY OF BETH AND ROGER REYNOLDS
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To find out more about CJ’s Thumbs Up Foundation and upcoming events, visit www.CJSTUF.org.
W hile the common advice of “make the best of a bad situation” doesn’t seem to apply to the loss of a child, the Reynolds found amazing strength and created something positive from CJ’s passing. They established a nonprofit in her honor – CJ’s Thumbs Up Foundation (CJSTUF) – to “pay it forward” and help others in need. The organization raises money to help families of children with chronic and life-threatening illnesses financially and with meals. “Having a way to carry on Charlotte’s legacy through the foundation has also been helpful. Every time we help a family, it allows a little bit of healing to occur,” explains Rachel. The foundation has been very successful since it was created in 2010. “Since our founding, CJSTUF has provided 120 $500 grants to families in the Richmond area,” says Rachel. “We have also provided over $10,000 in emergency assistance and fed over 3,700 people through the weekly Lunch Bunch program.” With growing community support and exciting events coming up, including the annual Thumbs Up Ball for families and a Wine Down Wednesday event at the Wine Loft in Short Pump, the Reynolds and the CJSTUF board of directors are enthusiastic and optimistic about the future of their nonprofit. “I am thrilled with the steady growth CJSTUF has experienced over the last four years. I look forward to opportunities [to expand] our services beyond the Richmond area, as well as opportunities to collaborate with local organizations, such as Ronald McDonald House and Fairy Godmother Project,” Rachel says.
Upcoming Local Event
Tickles and Giggles Children’s Consignment Sale March 21 – 23 Shop great deals on children’s consignment items at Hanover’s semi-annual premier consignment event. www.TicklesAndGiggles.net M a rc h / A p r i l 2 0 1 4
w w w. r i c h m o n d n av i g a t o r. c o m 1 7
MY TOWN
sports
A New Reality for Hanover
PHOTOS COURTESY OF RICHMOND RAIDERS AND SPORTS REALITY
By Jody Rathgeb
I
T’S MID-FEBRUARY in Hanover County and there’s a construction site that looks like every other commercial build project seen throughout central Virginia. Imagine a cleared lot in its beginning stages, nothing more than a field of that familiar red clay soil found throughout the Piedmont region. But that’s about where the comparison ends, because what’s being built here is unlike anything else in Richmond area, or even this part of the country, for that matter. This site, just off of Route 301 across from Hanover High School, is the future home of Sports Reality, a premier sports performance training center and the future training facility for the Richmond Raiders professional indoor football team. Sports Reality is the brainchild of Raiders franchise owners Mike and Elizabeth Fraizer. For the past several years, the Raiders have held practices at the Dove Street Armory in Highland Park, a convenient albeit imperfect solution to their training demands. While Fraizer and the team were happy to have access to the space, it soon became apparent that more was required to accommodate the needs of professional athletes. “The Armory has been good to us these past three years, but over the long term we need something that’s truly fit for the sport,” said Fraizer. When the City of Richmond announced that it would be demolishing the Dove Street Armory in the summer of 2014 as part of a positive redevelopment project, Mike Fraizer knew this was an opportunity not only to help his team, but to grow a new business and aid the community. Community outreach is nothing new to the Fraizer family. Since 2004, Mike worked with the Andre Agassi Foundation for Education which focuses on raising standards for public education in underserved areas, most notably in Clark County, Nevada, where it supports a K-12 charter school. They’ve since brought this combined love of tennis and philanthropy back to Richmond by founding the Mary and Frances Center at VCU. The center hosts youth 1 8 H a n ove r L i f e s t y l e
enrichment and after school programs along with Quick Start tennis clinics, a program initiated by the U.S. Tennis Association. The aim here is to give children from the city of Richmond the opportunity to gain life skills and learn a new sport in an environment that offers a look into the college experience at an early age. “We wanted to give kids a chance to get a different view of what life could be like for them,” Fraizer explained. “Many of them would have no idea what a career in Engineering or Pharmacy could be like, but this gives them that kind of exposure.” When Mike and Elizabeth founded the Raiders franchise in 2009, it was with the intention of turning the team into a development platform for both the local community as well as for elite athletes chasing the dream. As the team proved successful in this endeavor both on and off the field, the prospects for Sports Reality became all the more favorable with news of the Redskins relocating their training camp to the River City. Mayor Dwight Jones tapped Mike Fraizer to lead the team evaluating sites along with design and funding options for the Redskins’ new training facility. “It was a full-time job from June to November of 2012,” Fraizer recalled, “and we learned a lot.” By evaluating the needs of the Redskins as well as the existing sites of other NFL teams like the Carolina Panthers and Minnesota Vikings, he now had a road map for building a practice facility that could meet the demands of some of the world’s most elite athletes. Following the success with the Redskins’ project, Fraizer set his sights on finding a new home for Sports Reality. A list of about half a dozen possible locations was finally narrowed down to its current site in Hanover. The location offered a number of benefits that lent themselves to the construction, accessibility and long-term success of the facility. With the land purchase being the first investment of the project, the Hanover site came at the right price. But beyond the
PHOTOS COURTESY OF RICHMOND RAIDERS AND SPORTS REALITY
The quality of the facility has players, coaches and trainers alike excited for move-in day. “We want athletes to train as well as the pros,” says Fraizer, and with good reason. There are few facilities built to this specification in the Mid-Atlantic region, an area known for producing some extremely high-level athletes. Many players on the Raiders and in indoor football in general have dreams of one day playing in the National Football League or Canadian Football League, a dream that Fraizer is more than willing to nurture. And while there are no plans at this point to host the Redskins, the facility is built to such impressive specifications that, should the NFL franchise need a place to practice on a rainy day, Sports Reality could accommodate them handily. But it doesn’t stop with football. Sports Reality’s location in Hanover offers easy access to just about anyone along the I-95 or I-64 corridors. To be clear, this isn’t a health club that sells memberships to the public; it’s a performance training facility that will serve athletes from middle school to pros looking to be trained in their respective sport (such as football, soccer and lacrosse). But in doing so, Sports Reality will help support the surrounding community by drawing business to the area, adding to the tax base and, importantly, bolstering youth athletic and healthy living initiatives through camps, working with targeted school/youth groups and more. It has the potential to help athletes and others have a real chance to achieve dreams they otherwise may never have had, a reality made possible through the efforts of Mike and Elizabeth Fraizer.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF RICHMOND RAIDERS
cost of real estate, the county of Hanover made it very clear to the Fraizers that they were excited for this project. “What impressed me the most about all of this is how Hanover worked through the typical red tape to get this project launched,” explained Fraizer. “Every department showed up to the table and got involved in the discussion. We knew exactly what we needed to get this facility built right from the beginning and by the second meeting, everything was done. Hats off to the county of Hanover for their business-friendly mindset.” While an abnormally cold and snowy winter has left the build site a largely vacant lot at press time, construction of the facility has already begun. That’s because the structure of this 50,000 squarefoot indoor athletic facility was being built in a factory in Texas and shipped in on flatbeds to be assembled like a giant Erector Set. What’s even more impressive is that, despite Mother Nature’s lack of cooperation, the Fraizers believe Sports Reality will be close to completion sometime in May, a testament to the speed and efficiency of pre-fabricated construction. Once built, Sports Reality will boast 2 regulation 50-yard fields (standard for indoor football) with Shaw “Legion” turf, a pro-grade Hammer Strength Platinum weight room, high-tech film review rooms that can serve dual offensive/ defensive needs, rubberized sprint lanes, coaches offices, a filming/ observation deck and full trainer, locker and equipment rooms, complete with laundry service. All under one massive, 50+ft- high roof.
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JESSICA MORGAN’S
SCHOOL OF DANCE
Stop Dreaming It. Start Dancing It.
Summer Programs at JMSD Hanover PRINCESS DANCE CAMPS, AGES 3 TO 11
6-Week Summer Class Session
OffERING DANCE TEAM CAMP, CREATIvE MOvEMENT, PREbAllET, bAllET, TAP, JAzz, lyRICAl, HIP HOP, MuSICAl THEATER & zuMbA
For more information about all this Summer fun, visit
jemsone.com 3 Semesters of Dance: Fall • Winter/Spring Summer • Ages 2 to adult Beginning to advanced levels • Performing group opportunities
10402 Leadbetter road • ashLand, Va 23005 | 804.368.0325
2 0 H a n ove r L i f e s t y l e
eekly Style W PRESE
NTED
BY
Cupcakes, Gelato, Premier Cakes & More!
Also Serving Specialty Coffees & Greek Pastries!
8324 Bell Creek Rd, Ste 700 • Mechanicsville, VA 23116
804-496-1820 • 804-746-4153 • www.sweetlysmitten.com
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(Located Across the Street from the Food Lion Shopping Center)
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family owned, authentic italian dining
In Search of... Appetizers
SHRIMP & GRITS IRON HORSE
Mechanicsville’s most enjoyable italian restaurant Mon–Thu: 11AM–10PM • Fri–Sat: 11AM–11PM • Sun: 11AM–9PM
(804) 559-9200
www.RomaItalian.com
7240 Bell Creek Road Mechanicsville, VA 23111
A staple dish at iron horse, This dish features sauteed shrimp over Ashland’s Byrd Mill grits with pecan wood smoked bacon, parmesan cheese and fresh herbs, served with marinated shitake mushrooms andgarnished with chive oil and pickled okra. IronHorseRestaurant.com 100 S. Railroad Ave. | (804) 752-6410
STUFFED MUSHROOMS BOOKBINDERS It’s safe to say that Virginia is renowned for its ham, and its chefs are spoiled for choice when it comes to sourcing great pork products. Inspired by this Old Dominion favorite, these silver dollar mushrooms stuffed with Virginia Country ham, goat cheese and fine herbs. A must-have mouthful! BookbindersRichmond.com 2306 E. Cary St. | (804) 643-6900 M a rc h / A p r i l 2 0 1 4
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DESIGN
Trinity Renovations By Tammie Wersinger
W
HEN MIKE RIDENOUR started Trinity Renovations Inc.
15 years ago, it was just him, a pick-up truck and his desire to build a great reputation in the specialized industry of bathroom and kitchen remodeling. Today, with his hard work and planning, it has become a reality. Mike and his wife, Stephanie, have built their Mechanicsville business into a top-notch, full-service bathroom and kitchen remodeling company, with a 3,000-square-foot showroom. They offer a complete turn-key service and everything needed to get the job done. Mike says, “From removal of the old plumbing fixtures to the painting and clean-up, everything is always done by our in-house employees. We don't hire out any of the work to subcontractors.” Trinity Renovations recently expanded its showroom at 6102 Brashier Blvd. to feature full-size bathroom and kitchen displays. And, their design team specializes in helping customers navigate through all the tasks of remodeling, selection of products, colors and any special needs or requests. “Our renovation specialists will listen to you and provide professional advice,” Mike explains. “They are there from the first consultation until the remodeling project is complete.” Licensed and insured with guaranteed competitive prices, Trinity Renovations Inc. has 13 employees and eight vehicles on the road, which makes it possible to serve the kitchen and bathroom remodeling needs of homeowners throughout the Richmond area. “Our biggest asset is the top quality employees we've got working for us. We all take pride in our work and the special care that we give our customers' homes,” Mike says. “Our remodeling and renovation projects provide outstanding value, total commitment, superior products and quality craftsmanship.”
For more information Visit the new and expanded showroom at 6102 Brashier Blvd., call Trinity at 318-1907 or visit TrinityRenovationsInc.com 2 4 H a n ove r L i f e s t y l e
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DESIGN
V ick i O ' Neal , ow ner of FOR M & F U NCTION , prov ides c ommerc ia l a nd res iden t ia l i n ter ior a nd la nd s ca p e des ig n . She i s a profes s ion a l memb er of A SID , VA Cer t if ie d In ter ior D es ig ner ( CID ) , Ma s ter Gardener , a nd a VA Cer t if ie d La nd s ca p e D es ig ner ( V SLD ) a nd a Hor t ic u l t ur i s t . ( 8 0 4 ) 897 - 855 8 F a nd F des ig n . c om
Craft a Theme Garden
In for ma t ion i n ar t icles w r i t ten by V ick i O ’ Nea l i s i n tende d for g enera l referenc e on ly .
By Vicki O'Neal , A SID, CID, VSLD
O
NE OF THE most fun and creative endeavors in landscape design is creating theme gardens. Not only are they pleasing to the eye, they give interest, organization and intention to landscape design that is all but otherwise unachievable. A theme garden may be formal and structured, or it may appear loose and pleasingly haphazard. In any format, and whether it’s in a public or private setting, theme gardens offer an opportunity to richly appreciate the landscape through the vision of an imaginative creator. There are a plethora of theme gardens, some with iconic imagery that is instantly recognizable. Many theme gardens conjure up visions of elegant and noble historic sites, romantic settings, and classic designs of enduring beauty. Consider the unforgettable mind’s-eye picture of the geometric parterre gardens of Versailles, the romantic sensibility of Monet’s Giverny garden, the lushness of an English garden, or the serenity created by the archetypal elements of a Japanese garden. Many theme garden styles can be implemented in a residential or commercial setting, although some of the less formal aesthetics are more easily adaptable for the home gardener. Themes to consider include a rock garden, herb garden, moon garden, water garden, fragrant garden, butterfly garden, maze or labyrinth, bog garden, cottage garden, or children’s garden. Some of these garden styles are primarily seasonal. Many theme-garden concepts overlap one another. For example, a rock garden may include herbs, plants that attract butterflies or perennials found in a cottage garden. There are no rules for your theme garden except the ones you establish.
PA R T E R R E GA R DE N S of intricate geometric patterns are particularly thought of as elegant and noble, and are often seen in historic settings. Many memorable European gardens 2 6 H a n ove r L i f e s t y l e
include intricate parterres. They are the most formal, planned and symmetrical of all landscape designs, and require the highest and most skilled maintenance to be kept at their best. They are visually striking, with definite paths, sight lines and focal points. Their rhythmic grace can be especially enjoyed when viewed from above. Knot gardens are somewhat more casual parterre interpretations. Great examples are right in our backyard, so to speak, as Colonial Williamsburg contains several of both. The layouts can be quite elaborate or more simplistic, and typically consist of low-manicured plantings, paths and hardscape elements, and perhaps sculpture. Although for the home garden, a parterre is more involved to create, smaller expressions can be integrated with a good plan and care during initial layout. J A PA N ESE GA R DE N S are unmistakable in their imagery. Just the sight of a Japanese maple in all its beauty and elegance evokes the tranquil feeling of a Japanese garden. These gardens contain particular components and usually incorporate backdrops and plantings of evergreen trees and shrubs, stone features, natural paths, ponds or water features (often containing koi), and architectural or sculptural elements. Size is frequently a limiting factor in the gardens of Japan. To overcome the challenge, their designers are masters at creating spatial illusion. Landscape features – strategically placed in the foreground, mid ground, and background – visually expand space. Texture and color are also used to create the impression of greater space. For example, finely-textured, blue-tinted foliage used at the rear of a garden is perceived as further away than it actually is. Consider a path leading to a hidden destina-
tion. Its meandering presence subliminally engages the imagination and invites travel through the garden. Unlike our idea that the warmer months should be filled with flowers that bloom the entire season, the Japanese aesthetic is to enjoy brief shows of blossoms and color. The deep appreciation of these transitory and fleeting displays make those garden moments-in-time very special and fondly anticipated. The cherry blossom festival is a punctuation in the calendar, as are other brief but vibrant shows. I love this philosophy, and it relieves the self-imposed pressure that the garden should be a showplace from spring through fall. MOON GA R DE N S are one of my favorite garden themes! In essence, a moon garden is intended to be enjoyed during the evening hours. Most people work through the day, so a garden planned to be at its peak at night is a special treat. The primary feature of a moon garden is white flowering plants. Have you ever noticed how bright the moon can be? A garden of near exclusively white flowers almost seems to glow and shimmer in the soft evening light. Outdoor lighting can particularly enhance a moon garden, and the addition of candles also makes an extraordinary setting. One of my all-time favorite flowers is the moon vine, Ipomoea alba. It is a cousin of the morning glory and its flowers are the purest white. As the name implies, it blooms at night. It is an annual, and as such, requires planting every year. The blossoms are huge—up to six inches across—and immensely fragrant. The flowers open at dusk, uncurling in a magnificent show right before your eyes. The vine is vigorous, blooming from late July until the first frost.
PL A N TING A T H EM E GA R DE N involves considering some of these guidelines before digging in. Unless you have a large property, a single theme is usually best. However, complementary themes can be integrated from front to back, or in smaller vignettes within a larger context. In contemplating the type of theme garden to integrate into your site, consider the overall look, mood and character you would like to achieve, and the architecture and motifs of your home and neighborhood. Your theme garden should look natural in its stylistic interpretation and setting. Also consider the level of maintenance that may be associated with a particular style or type of design. A theme garden can be built around any idea that provides a unifying or organizing principle. I once planned a perennial garden that was configured in the shape of a modified rainbow. It was great fun and allowed for the inclusion of some impulsive finds. One unique idea might be to include edible plantings throughout your landscape rather than relegating them to a vegetable garden. Creating a theme garden is an opportunity to let go and engage your imagination and creativity. The result can be strikingly artistic and enjoyable.
CON TA IN E R GA R DE N S offer an opportunity to have accent plantings where you want them. Containers are a great way of locating bold colors for a specific event or purpose, or to accentuate a particular focal point. Well-planted containers, or better yet, groupings of containers, can provide the seasonal splash you may want for any number of reasons. One great thing about containers: when a specific plant doesn’t look its best, it can usually be plucked out with ease and replaced with a fresh specimen. The formula for stunning containers is to include a “thriller, filler and spiller.” This means one larger, taller feature specimen, fillers (I use a few) under and around the thriller, and spillers to run down the pot and perhaps crawl along the ground or surface. Amazing combinations of color, form and texture can be achieved. The plantings do require intensive watering during our hot, dry spells, but the special attention is confined to a small area. If you have an irrigation system, a dedicated micro zone can be installed to do the job for you.
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Shop Locally From charming antique stores to great local restaurants, to a host of retail, financial and service businesses, Ashland offers something for everyone. It is our aim, in this and future issues of Hanover Lifestyle Magazine, to acquaint you with Ashland and the member businesses of MAP.
What is MAP?
ASHLAND RESIDENTS, as well as those who live throughout Hanover County, have long recognized the value of “shopping Ashland first.” And, as Ashland’s business community continues to flourish and grow, so have others come to realize what a cool, little community Ashland is and the diversity that the town has to offer. Of course Ashland’s attraction as a shopping center is, as we say, not entirely new. Take Cross Brothers Grocery, for example. For over a century, folks have been getting their groceries there. Over the course of that century, more and more businesses have opened and flourished in Ashland. Virtually, every time you come to town, you’ll likely make a new and exciting discovery.
About fourteen years ago, a group of Ashland business owners got together to form the Ashland Market Partnership or MAP. Even though the businesses were unique, each shared a common goal. They were committed to helping Ashland thrive. Their ongoing “Shop Ashland First” campaign continues to successfully create awareness of all the town has to offer.
Photo Courtesy of the Town of Ashland, VA
Visit RichmondNavigator.com for local events in the area.
Support Ashland. Support Yourself. We Deliver 798-3005
it • k n u f re• The BEST place to hear live music!
Catering New Any Size Menu Items Stuffed Crust Pizza Any Gluten Free Items Occasion! and More! Mon-Sat: Open 11 am | Sun: Open 12 pm $2.00 Off $10.00 Or $5.00 Off $25.00 Purchase. Expires 7/31/14
208 South Washington Highway
www.pepicellis.com
e. refunkit@gmail.com t. 804.822.5758 www.refunkit.com www.facebook.com/refunkit
We offer a blend your own tea bar, a place to eat delicious meals all day long, wireless internet connection, and on-site book exchange. And of course, the best live music you can find in Virginia!
100 N. Railroad Ave.
798-1702
ashlandcoffeeandtea.com
How Can MAP Benefit Me?
For anyone who lives, works, or shops in Ashland, MAP has much to offer, from money-saving coupons, to local events, to an online member directory (shopashlandfirst.com). Let MAP be your link to all the great things about Ashland’s business community.
Listen to…
As We Spotlight Your MAP Partners Thursdays at 7 FM 102.9 WHAN
For more information on MAP visit ShopAshlandFirst.com.
RO O M
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EX N NE PA EW R SH N D O ED IG DE S
Trinity Renovations, Inc.
OUTSTANDING VALUE • TOTAL COMMITMENT SUPERIOR PRODUCTS • QUALITY CRAFTSMANSHIP
Open
• Remodeling bathrooms and kitchens for 15 years Monday–Friday 9 am to 7 pm • No subcontractors
Saturday 9 am to 1 pm
• Large showroom with finished bathrooms and kitchens • Professional consultants to help you with your selections
• We take pride in our work and the care we give your home • Licensed and insured • FREE Consultation • References available upon request
Showroom Located at 6102 Brashier Boulevard, Suite H, Mechanicsville
www.trinityrenovationsinc.com | (804) 318-1907