Observer of Clarke County November 2106

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NOV 2016

vaOBSERVER.com A MONTHLY MAGAZINE SERVING CLARKE COUNTY

Rosemont Manor: The history continues

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Pine Grove Restaurant Fresh • Local • Different Locally sourced meats and vegetables Homecooked meals and soups • Fresh baked desserts Breakfast all day

INSIDE THE OBSERVER FEATURES

Saturday, November 19 - 4:30pm

Thanksgiving Dinner

New Lives and Times of Rosemont Manor

an annual tradition at Pine Grove Restaurant

Complete Turkey/Ham Dinner with all the fixins, drinks and dessert! $15.95/plate 574 Pine Grove Road, Bluemont

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By Betsy Arnett

540-554-8126

vaobserver.com Clarke County Native American Indian Veteran Creates Ornament for Virginia Governor’s Christmas Tree

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ON THE COVER Rosemont Manor: Once the home of a statesman, now one of the region’s premier wedding venues. Photo by Betsy Arnett.

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Barns of Rose Hill Holiday Events

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Around Clarke County

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Celebrate the Holidays in Clarke

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As the Crow Flies

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Almost Everyone Can Sing

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Historic Christmas in Millwood

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A Holiday Recipe for Your Table

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NOVE M BE R 201 6 :

FROM THE EDITOR STAFF

David Lillard, Editor/Publisher Jennifer Welliver, Associate Publisher Aundrea Humphreys, Art Director Hali Taylor, Proofreader

CONTRIBUTORS Karen Cifala Jess Clawson Wendy Gooditis Victoria Kidd Doug Pifer JiJi Russell Claire Stuart

COVER PHOTO Betsy Arnett

We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.

—Martin Luther King, Jr.

ADVERTISING SALES Jennifer Welliver

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Are you a local photographer? Would you be interested in sharing your photos in The Observer? We love to showcase the work of local photographers!

Call 540-440-1373 for information. Professional and hobbyists welcome.

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The Bed & Bone Experience

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Shenandoah Valley Chorus From concerts and exhibits to dance performances and a Yuletide feast, the entire month of December will be a celebration of the holidays at the Barns of Rose Hill.

Yuletide at the Barns of Rose Hill — an annual event featuring programs with free admission — starts on Friday, December 4 with the opening of a Student Art Exhibit at 6:00 PM in the lower gallery. The exhibit features artwork by Clarke students from grades K-12 and will be on display through December 30, 2016. At 7pm, a free holiday concert by the Clarke County Community Band will be held in the Great Hall.

Yuletide at Barns of Rose Hill continues Sunday, December 6 with dance performances by Berryville’s Blue Ridge Studio for the Performing Arts at 1pm, a holiday concert by Clarke County High School Choirs at 3pm, and a holiday concert by Shenandoah Valley Chorus at 4pm. The Shenandoah Valley Chorus is a chapter of Sweet Adelines International, an independent nonprofit music association. One of the

world’s largest singing organizations for women, it is committed to advancing the art form of barbershop harmony through education, competition, and performances.

Visitors will also be able to view Sasha’s Angels — paintings by Russian artist Alexander Anufriev — on display from December 2–30. Born in Moscow in 1940, Anufriev endured many years as an underground “unofficial” artist in the Soviet Union due to the spiritual nature of his paintings and his views of life. As a member of the Odessa Group in the 1970s, he challenged the Soviet art establishment despite harassment from state officials. Since coming to the United States in 1980, his motivation as an artist has not changed.

“When I paint, I stand between the heavens and the earth, trying to make the invisible visible. I try to bring about a unification in my painting. Some might call it mysticism, the idea that we are all linked by our divine beginning. I think this unification is often expressed by

beauty so I am always looking for beauty.”

A vast majority of Alexander’s poetic, visionary works hang in museums and private collections throughout Europe, the United States, and the former Soviet Union.

His artwork has been shown in both solo and group exhibits and has been featured in national and international publications.

It wouldn’t be a holiday celebration without food!

Barns of Rose Hill will host a Yuletide Feast on Saturday, December 10 at 6pm.

Guests will enter the Barns to the sounds of a harpsichord, view a Christmas tree with a special collection of angel ornaments, and be welcomed with a cup of wassail. The evening will feature a Master of the Revels, musicians and dancers, trumpet fanfare, a boar’s head procession, and a dinner. A traditional yule log dessert, costumed hosts, favors, and surprise merriment complete a festive evening. Medieval period dress is encouraged!

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Circa Blue performs at The Barns of Rose Hill December 17.

One of Alexander Anufriev paintings, “The Sieraphim,” will be offered for sale at auction during the feast. Proceeds from the sale will benefit the Barns of Rose Hill. Tickets are $75 per person. Tickets must be purchased in advance by Wednesday, December 7 at 3pm. Limited Seating for 72 people.

On Sunday, December 11, there will be an artist reception from 4–6pm with Alexander Anufriev including an artist Q&A session translated by Tanya Anisimova. Admission to the reception and exhibit is

free. The reception will be followed by a concert at 6:00 PM featuring Tanya Anisimova, an internationally renowned cellist and composer, who will perform her program “Cello The Magician,” featuring virtuosic and mystical solos from the Baroque and Romantic Eras as well as the performer’s own improvisations.

Described by The Washington Post as a “thoughtful and powerful” and an artist “graced with spiritual authority,” this Russian-born American artist enjoys a multifaceted career which has taken her

Alexander Anufriev’s painting “The Seraphim” will be auctioned at the Barns December 10.

across the globe. Currently, Anisimova is preparing for her tour of the United Kingdom. Ticket prices are $20 in advance until 3:00 PM on the day of the event and $25 at the door. Admission is free for children under 12 years when accompanied by an adult.

Circa Blue and special guest, Dawn Kenney, will perform a Christmas Concert on Saturday, December 17 at 8pm, featuring songs from their new Christmas album as well as traditional holiday sing-a-long favorites. Circa Blue, along with award-winning singer/songwriter Dawn Kenney, were selected as the 2016 artist for National Media Services’ 10th Annual Christmas Album. Circa Blue is a contemporary bluegrass band based out of Martinsburg, WV who are known for their creative and dynamic arrangements, clean instrumentation, and tight vocal harmonies.

Raised on the traditional country greats, Dawn Kenney has been making music since before she could walk. Her music resonates with echoes of the Grand Old Opry. She brings her love of bluegrass, country, folk, and gospel music together to create her own unique genre-defying sound.

Ticket prices are $15 in advance until 3pm on the day of event and $20 at the door.

Admission is free for children under 12 years when accompanied by an adult Visit www.BarnsofRoseHill.org for the complete schedule and event details. Note: Admission to exhibits at Barns of Rose Hill is free. The exhibits are open Tuesday-Saturday (Closed Mondays) from noon to 3pm as well as during concerts and by appointment.

Tickets may be purchased online any time at barnsofrosehill.org or by calling the Barns of Rose Hill box office at 540-955-2004 between noon and 3pm, Tuesday through Saturday.

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Around Clarke County Promote your event in TO Send notices by the 1st of the preceding month to jennifer@vaobserver.com. Keep event descriptions to 125 words, following the format of these pages. One or two CMYK photos, saved as tiff or jpg at 200 dpi, are always welcome.

November

It’s all about Thanksgiving and Turkeys at Fire House Gallery now through November 18. Featuring pieces by member artists Danny Mulvena (watercolor), Aurélie Schmid (pottery) and Nina Jhaveri (fiber and pottery), as well as Turkey Art by other member artists.

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Watercolor Painting Workshop

With Julie Read. Firehouse Gallery. 23 East Main Street.

Berryville. 9am–12pm. For information call 540-955-4001 or visit firehousegalleryva.com. $45.

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Fall Bazaar

Boyce Volunteer Fire Department. 7 South Greenway Avenue. Food provided by a local church. Home Crafters and Home Party People. 9am–2pm.

For information call Barbara Morris at 837-1393.

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Vera Bradley/Silpada/ Thirty-One Bingo

VFW Social Hall. 425 S. Buckmarsh St. Berryville. Doors open at 1pm. Bingo starts at 2. Event benefits the non-profit Blue Ridge Center for Therapeutic Horsemanship. $20 in advance or $25 at the door. 14 prize-

filled games. Raffles for very special Grand Prize. 50/50 and themed baskets. Chili, snacks and beverages available. Proceeds will provide scholarships for students with special needs and funds to help care for our therapy horses and ponies. 540533-2777 or brcthinc@hotmail. com. Tickets can be purchased online at http://Novbingofundraiser.bpt.me.

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One Billion Years of Geologic History — in 55 Minutes Join Laure Wallace, geologist and master naturalist, on a walk back 1 billion years to a time of mountain building in the Shenandoah Valley. Then travel forward in time and imagine the sights, sounds, and smells of lava flows and great oceans that once covered this land. Learn about ecosystems past and present in this beautiful part of Virginia. Blandy Experimental Farm Library, 7–8:30pm; FOSA members $10, nonmembers $12. See www. blandy.virginia.edu. Reservations recommended online or by phone at 540-837-1758 Ext. 224 M-F, 1–5pm.

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Very Sketchy drawing workshop

With tor Tia

Artist/InstrucMaggio. Firehouse

Gallery. 23 East Main Street.

Berryville. 7–9pm. For information call 540-955-4001 or visit firehousegalleryva.com. $35.

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Berryville Turkey Trot Races

It’s the 38th edition of the Trot! Races of 2, 4, and 6 miles will be contested for runners, joggers, and walkers.

Entry fee is $13 for adults, $10 for students, pre-registered.

Race day entry is $15, $10 for students. Overall awards and age group recognition for the events will be given out after the races. Best of all, frozen turkeys will be given away in random drawings. Register online at runsignup.com, or contact the race director at (540) 247-6475; nspecht@comcast.net. Registration begins at 8:30am race day in the school cafeteria. Join the fun, and you might grab your Thanksgiving dinner! Clarke County High School, 627 Mosby Boulevard, Berryville; 10am.

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/19 Annual Holiday Bazaar

Grace Episcopal Church Fellowship Hall. 110 North Church Street. Berryville. Friday 10am–3pm. Saturday 9am– 2pm. Featuring beautiful handmade crafts & gift items, attic treasures and delicious baked

Cellist Tanya Anisimova performs December 11.

goods. A Turkey Luncheon will be served on Friday from 11:30– 1pm. Cost of the meal is $11 and includes Roast Turkey, Mashed Potatoes, Stuffing, Gravy, Green Bean Casserole, Dinner Roll, Dessert & Drink. Take-out available. For information call the church office. 540.955.1610.

No outside, commercial or private vendors.

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The Woodshedders

Barns of Rose Hill. 95 Chalmers Ct. Berryville. Get your tickets early. They are sure to sell out! The Woodshedders bring the influence of

vintage American music forward in its songwriting. The band is known for fun, danceable shows that swerve between different genres to create exciting original sounds. They bring together the diverse influences of American Country, Rhythm & Blues, Old-Time, Bluegrass, and Gypsy Jazz. Doors open at 7pm. Show starts at 8. $15 in advance. $20 at the door. 12 and under free. For information visit barnsofrosehill.org.

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Pancake Day

John H. Enders Fire and Rescue. 9 South Buckmarsh

Your Window and Door Specialist (540) 837-9351

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Berryville Christmas Parade

Main Street. Berryville.12 noon. For information Call Donna Peake at 540-514-5730.

Applications to participate need to be in no later than November 28th.

4 Local favorites The Woodshedders take the stage at the Barns November 19.

Street, Berryville. 7am – 12 noon. Come Support your fire and rescue squad and enjoy the finest Pancake Breakfast in the area! Pancakes, Sausage, Eggs, Sausage Gravy, Baked Apples, Coffee, Milk, Hot Tea, Apple & Orange Juice. Adults $8. Children $4. Children under six eat for FREE. For Information Call 540-955-1110 or visit www.endersfire.com.

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Fall Film Series

“Mustang” at the Barns of Rose Hill. 95 Chalmers Ct. Berryville. Barns of Rose Hill and Magic Lantern Theater present Mustang. In a remote Turkish village, five spirited teen-aged sisters run afoul of their strict, tradition-minded guardians who confine and force them into a world of homemaking and arranged marriage. The girls’ rebellion becomes a fight for a future where they can make their own choices. Nominated for the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar in 2016. “A gripping mix of comedy, tragedy, political anger and hope” (NYPost).

Rated PG-13. 97 minutes. In Turkish w/English s/t. Doors open at 3:30. Show starts at 4. $8 nonmembers. $5 for Barns of Rose Hill & Magic Lantern Theater Members. For information visit barnsofrosehill.org.

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/27 Pottery Show and Sale

War Memorial Building. Jim Barnett Park. 1001 East Cork

Street. Winchester. 10am–4pm.

The Shenandoah Potters Guild will hold their 20th annual Holiday Show & Sale, featuring over 15 local artisans. Free admission and refreshments.

December

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Annual Tree Lighting

Rose Hill Park. 6pm.

Come on out and get the holiday spirit growing.

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Student Art Exhibit

runs through December 30. Admission is free.

Open Tuesday–Saturday Noon to 3pm as well as during concerts and by appointment. Free event! For more information visit barnsofrosehill.org.

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Community Band

Barns of Rose Hill. 95 Chalmers Ct. Berryville. Upper Gallery. 7pm. Join us for a special holiday concert by the Clarke County Community Band. The Clarke County Community Band was established in 1992 to promote music in the Northern Shenandoah Valley.

The band is comprised of amateur musicians of all ages. Concert starts at 7 immediately following the art exhibit opening.

Free event! For information visit barnsofrosehill.org.

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Yuletide at Barns of Rose Hill

Barns of Rose Hill. 95 Chalmers Ct. Berryville. An afternoon of performances and exhibits to celebrate the holiday season. All events are free! Doors open at Noon. For information visit www.barnsofrosehill.org.

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Yuletide Feast

Barns of Rose Hill. 95 Chalmers Ct. Berryville. 6pm.

Celebrate the holiday season with a Yuletide Feast at Barns of Rose Hill. Enter into the Barns as a harpsichord plays, view a Christmas tree with a special collection of angel ornaments, and be welcomed with a cup of wassail. Find your seat at the banquet when the trumpets sound a fanfare and watch the procession as the boar’s head is presented to the King.

The Master of the Revels is your host as musicians and dancers entertain. A traditional yule log dessert, costumed hosts, favors, and surprise merriment complete a festive evening. Period costume is encouraged!

Guests will have a special opportunity to view paintings of Angels by artist Alexander Anufriev. One of his paintings - “The Sieraphim” - will be offered for sale at auction during the feast.

Proceeds from the sale will benefit the Barns of Rose Hill. Two Coins of the Realm. Each coin can be redeemed for either a 12 oz. beer, 5 oz. glass of wine, or 4 oz. cup of wassail with alcohol.

Our bar will also be open to purchase additional wine, beer, and assorted non-alcoholic beverages. $75 per person. Tickets must be purchased in advance by 3pm December 7. Limited Seating.

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The Clarke CounTy CommuniTy Band Will Be Performing

Two holiday ConCerTs Friday, deCemBer 2nd 7:00 pm

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New Lives and Times of Rosemont Manor Story and photos by Betsy Arnett “I would love to get married here!” William “Biff” Genda’s teenage daughter Cammie first gave him the idea of turning Rosemont Manor into a wedding venue. It was 2008. Genda and his wife Barbara had just adopted three children from Ethiopia. With five of their nine older children still at home, they were looking to buy a larger house. Rosemont Manor wasn’t on the market, but their realtor, Chip Schutte, knew that the owners, Randy and Sue Jones, were thinking about selling.

Biff didn’t even want to go inside. As soon as they drove up to the house, he knew that it wasn’t a viable option for his family. Chip insisted, since they were already there, that they at least take a look. After the tour, standing on the grand portico on the east side of the house, Cammie uttered those fateful words: “I would love to get married here!”

“I would think about it, lying awake at night,” Biff remem-

bers. “Finally, I put together a business plan and started looking seriously at buying Rosemont.”

Unfortunately, the economy was in the throes of the Great Recession and getting a business loan was difficult. Genda’s lack of experience in the hospitality industry, coupled with the fact that the property was currently a private residence and had never been a B&B, made financing impossible. Finally, the Joneses agreed to write the Gendas a note and they closed on the property at the end of September 2009. The Gendas spent the next year renovating the property.

The oldest portion of the house dates to 1811, with many additions made over the years.

Originally a Federal-style mansion, the Greek Revival portico was added in about 1860. The most extensive renovations were made between 1910 and 1917, when New York attorney J. Low Harriman and his wife Elizabeth owned Rosemont.

The Harrimans built a new wing, extended the library, added the sun porch, installed bathrooms and rearranged the floor plan of the main house, creating the grand two-story staircase that is the focal point of the house today.

When the Gendas began their renovations, the main house had eight bathrooms, only one of which was func-

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tional. In order to preserve the original, early 20th-century wall tile, they replaced pipes by going through the walls from the other side. They installed another six bathrooms in the main house. As Genda was seeking to expand the property’s appeal as a corporate retreat location, he learned that each bedroom needed a private bath.

Today, there are eleven guest rooms in the main house. Each room is named after a former owner of Rosemont or one of seven U.S. presidents or other dignitaries who stayed at Rosemont as a guest of Virginia Governor and U.S. Senator Harry F. Byrd, Sr. Byrd owned the property from 1929 until his death in 1966.

In addition to the main house, there are four guest houses on the grounds. In a nod to the role that the property played in the Civil War Battle of Berryville, the Gendas have named the two larger cottages, “The Union Officers Quarters” and “The Confederate Officers Quarters.” The last guest house, “Byrd’s Nest,” is the oldest and smallest of the four. The front porch of the building is a smaller-scale replica of the grand portico of the main

house. Both J. Low Harriman and Harry Byrd used the building as an office. Today, it is Rosemont’s honeymoon cottage.

On September 3, 2010, eleven months after purchasing the property, the Gendas opened the doors of Historic Rosemont Manor as a country inn and wedding venue. Through the end of 2010, they had three paying guests and no weddings.

The first wedding was held at Rosemont in January 2011. After that slow start, however, Rosemont Manor has become a highly successful wedding venue, hosting over 300 weddings in the past six years.

“We provide comprehensive wedding planning services,” Genda says. Rosemont has a wedding planner, Michael Haymaker, on staff as well as an exclusive arrangement with Celebrations Catering for larger weddings. Rosemont’s in-house chef Tona Bays handles guest breakfasts, the seasonal Manor House Teas and small weddings. On occasion, Bays has been called upon to repair a wedding cake damaged in transit.

“It’s all about contingency planning,” Genda adds, a skill he acquired during his Air Force career. “We have

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generators, in case the power goes out. We have back-up celebrants on call. We even have crutches for the groomsman who sprains his ankle playing rugby on the lawn before the wedding!”

Genda’s willingness to entertain unusual requests has resulted in Rosemont being the only wedding venue in Virginia licensed for fireworks shows.

He hasn’t been able to deliver on all the requests that brides – and grooms – have made, though. Several Indian brides have asked for elephants, but changed their minds once they were told the price ($10,000$20,000). Then there was the groom who wanted to rappel from a helicopter to the lawn with his groomsmen. Fortunately, Genda didn’t have to make the call on that one – the bride nixed the idea!

Rosemont hosts corporate

events during the week, providing a nice balance to the weekend wedding business. Another successful venture has been the Manor House Teas, offered whenever they can schedule them between weddings.

This year, five Christmas Teas are scheduled, starting the Saturday after Thanksgiving. The teas, which sell out quickly, include a tour of the property.

As for what the future holds, Genda plans to convert an existing outbuilding into a conference center and build a barn in the woods. In addition he is looking to build or acquire a chapel for the property. He is in discussion with the owner of Bethel Baptist Church, an abandoned African-American church in northern Clarke County, about possibly moving the building to Rosemont.

Mostly, though, Genda wants to see the property preserved

as open space, long after his and his family’s stewardship of the property ends.

And his daughter Cammie?

She did get married at Rosemont, in March 2015, six years after providing her father with the inspiration to turn Historic

Rosemont Manor into business it is today.

the

NORTH HILL FARM 67 HILL LANE • BERRYVILLE VA

190 Acre Historic Estate • c. 1774 • 1300 Ft on Shenandoah River

Manor home 4 Bedrooms and 4 baths • Exquisite Great room appointed with Floor to Ceiling Stained Glass Windows • From the Cool Spring Battlefield to the 1900’s feminist Lily Livingston and ultimately as a leading Thoroughbred Racing Stable ... North Hill Farm has stood the test of the ages and is a registered Virginia Landmark. • 3 parcels with 2 DUR’s, Guest Houses, 16 Stall Courtyard Barn, Gazebo and open pasture. $2,375,000

Gloria Rose Ott • Associate Broker 540•454•4394 Washington Fine Properties, LLC • 204 East Washington Street, Middleburg, VA Biff Genda on the portico.

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Celebrate the Holidays 15 East Main Street Berryville 540-955-8124 Monday - Friday 10–6 Saturday 9–5 Sunday 12–4 www.myneighborandme.com Shop Local and Win Big

The NaTural MaNe

With Berryville’s Annual $1500 GIVEAWAY underway until December 12!

Register at participating businesses while shopping. There will be 11 winners. Grand prize is $500 ($250 in cash & $250 in Berryville Bucks which can be used at any of the participating businesses). There are also ten $100 prizes ($50 in cash & $50 in Berryville Bucks). You can register once a day at each participating business with no purchase required and will receive extra entries when purchasing.

Berryville’s Annual Holiday Parking Meter Decorating Contest From November 23-29. Showcase your artistic skills by participating in Berryville’s Annual Holiday Parking Meter Decorating Contest. Register as a family, group, business, or individual. Go online or call for more information and to register. They will be judged Nov. 30th and awards will be given out during the Christmas Tree Lighting.

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Chilly Hollow Christmas Tree Farm Norway Spruce, Blue Spruce, Lincoln Fir, Scotch Pine and White Pine

Thanksgiving Dinner

Try our popular raspberry jelly and maple syrup!

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Christmas in Provence Wine Dinner December 11th Meet & Greet 12:30 Dinner 1pm – 4:30pm Traditional and regional fare from the South of France prepared by our Chef Steven Farrell.

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Catering is Our Specialty Open Tuesday–Saturday

Breakfast from 7–11 • Lunch from 11:30–3

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Family Restaurant Happy Hour Every Day 3-7pm Private Dining for Family or Corporate Dinners SPECIAL COUPON Buy one meal get one of equal value half off.

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In Historic Clarke County Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! from

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Friday, December 2 Attend the Annual Tree Lighting in Rose Hill Park at 6pm. Then enjoy a free evening featuring a Student Art Exhibit-opening, followed by a 7pm Holiday Concert performance by Clarke County Community Band concert at Barns of Rose Hill.

Saturday, December 3 Come down to main street at 12 noon for the annual Berryville Christmas Parade. For information Call Donna Peake at 540-514-5730. Applications need to be in no later than November 28th.

Sunday, December 4 Spend Sunday afternoon at Barns of Rose Hill starting with a Dance Recital by Blue Ridge Studio at 1pm, followed by a CCHS Choir perfomance at 2pm and Sweet Adelines Concert at 3:30pm.

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Massage Therapy and Essential Oils

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The Audley Farm Stand will be open for winter beef sales.

Wednesdays 4–7pm and Saturdays 9am–Noon

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Clarke County Native American Indian Vet Creates Ornament for Virginia Governor’s Christmas Tree Luminary Gourd “Our Land is Our Legacy” Honors Native American Indian Culture and Art in Nature Lumbee Indian artist René Locklear White spent plenty of time in Washington D.C, with her 22-year career in the Air Force; now as a retired Lieutenant Colonel she wears boots for humanity bringing recognition to Native American Indians’ contributions to Virginia and beyond.

Recently, the 52-year-old Clarke County Va. resident carved and painted a dried gourd for the Executive Mansion Christmas tree in Virginia’s state capital.

The governor’s official residence worked with the Virginia Association of Counties and Virginia Municipal League to collect local artisan-made, handcrafted ornaments from Virginia’s localities using the theme, “Home for the Holidays.” The deadline to submit ornaments was Nov. 1.

Virginia’s Clarke County officials searched for an artisan who could fashion an image suitable to represent their county.

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They chose René who is a military veteran, Lumbee Native American Indian and nature artist. She describes her mission as “cultural rescue” where she volunteers as president of Sanctuary on the Trail™ a non-profit Native American Indian church that helps leaders and brings recognition to contributions of indigenous to reduce suffering.

Her ornament is an ovalshaped dried gourd 3” x 5 ½.”

She ink-dyed, carved, burned and painted local plants and wild life on to the gourd to honor Clarke County’s historical motto, “Our Land is Our Legacy.”

A main feature on the ornament is a local phenomenon in Clarke County, the colors of autumn; depicted by fall leaves circling the gourd.

Blues and greens blend around the leaves to symbolize the state’s scenic Shenandoah River that flows through Clarke County like an oasis in the valley. Under the floating leaves

are two small Sun Fish (also called Pumpkinseed Fish or Perch), added to represent fish indigenous people caught hundreds and hundreds of years

ago in Clarke County using fishing weirs or ancient stone fish traps which are still existent here today.

René said gourds are

nature’s canvas. She prefers to work outside and all her work is done free hand with no pencil marks or stencils and a lot of fun power tools.

“When I begin to work on a gourd I listen to the Spirit within me to guide me and then I watch nature. Amazing things simply happen. For example, after I painted ‘red’ lady bugs, within a few minutes I was surrounded by ‘yellow’ lady bugs (also called Squash Beetles). So I added a yellow lady bug.”

René said when she finished painting the butterflies on top she began burning a bee on the stem to represent the dramatic die-off of local bees. But, as she was listening to music with Native American eagle-bone flute on her deck, she heard a piercing shrill above and looked up to see two bald eagles flying over her head. So, on top of the gourd in the center she burned a majestic eagle flying over Clarke County. Clarke is ink

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dyed various greens in the background behind the eagle.

On the bottom, a carved hole carries a twinkle light inserted in a recycled K-cup which illuminates through carved holes.

Like stars over the mountain river valley these lights also represent “Shenandoah” which, according to Native American Indian legend, means “daughter of the stars.” Lit in the dark these carved facets resemble the Blue Ridge Mountain that runs along Clarke County’s border.

For this county, this ornament is more than a luminary gourd or artificial light source.

According to Len Capelli Clarke County director of tourism, “This luminary gourd represents Clarke County as a place that inspires and influences, especially in the realm of art and farming.”

“Clarke County is the Gateway to the Shenandoah Valley for Metropolitan Washington DC and Northern Virginia,” he added talking about Clarke County where he also lives and works. “Clarke County offers

artists like René natural spaces to create and call home.”

On top of the gourd a fishing-lure swivel suspends and spins the ornament for hanging on the Governor’s tree.

The gourd is signed and numbered with a certificate of authenticity.

Virginia Lovers’ Gourd Society (VLGS) Treasurer Angela Mohr donated this raw gourd to René for this project. René wishes to thank Angela and the VLGS president Janice Kiehl for being her gourd mentors and friends.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

René’s personal goals are to be a VLGS life member, earn a Virginia fine art fellowship, create a gourd worthy of display by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, and farm and grow her own gourd varieties.

René became a VLGS member in 2013 after entering her first gourd into the local Clarke County Fair. She received a blue ribbon and the VLGS Gail Smith Memorial award, in memory of deceased gourd

Rene Locklear White’s ornament will be featured on the Governor’s Christmas tree.

artist Gail Smith, a devoted VLGS member and active Clarke County resident. VLGS is Virginia’s official Delta chapter of the American Gourd Society.

Now, René’s mission of “cultural rescue” spans three counties: Clarke, Loudoun and Frederick.

She said, “There are no lines on the ground that separate our counties no more than there are lines that separate us in humanity.”

In Clarke County René leads a biennial (every two years) Native American Indian harvest festival called The Gathering.

More than 5,000 people attended The Gathering in 2015. René, along with a close-knit team of volunteers, are planning for The Gathering 2017 to be twice as big. The Gathering is an educational celebration of agriCulture. René also teaches art to Rose Hill senior living center residents.

Recently, in Loudoun County René painted a wine barrel called “Listen,” that highlights sights and sounds Indians gave Loudoun County, that raised $600 for Purcellville. She and her husband Chris also helped teach children at the Village Montessori School at Bluemont how to build an Indian Village, attended by more than 5,000 people during the Bluemont Fair.

In Frederick County René leads Native American Indian activities during Winchester’s spring Kidz Fest. Last year, more than 800 children stopped at her non-profit booth to ask an Indian a question, learn an Indian dance or hear a Native American Indian story.

René’s vision is to change common misconceptions about Native Americans and raise awareness concerning Native American Indian culture, especially among students and teachers.

According to Indian Country Today Media Network, “a staggering 87 percent of references to American Indians in all 50 states’ academic standards

portray them in a pre-1900 context.” That means students are graduating from high school without even basic knowledge of contemporary Native challenges or culture.

Gourds

Thanks to counties like Clarke and modern seed-savers, we can continue to cultivate a variety of gourds.

Gourds like this ornament, pumpkins and squash are members of an enormously diverse family of over 700 species called “Cucurbita.” Gourds are squash and vice versa. Squash are di-

vided up into two categories: tender summer squash and hard-skinned winter squash.

Hard shell gourds like this one can last many lifetimes.

Archaeological sites date gourds as early as 13,000 B.C. People around the globe used gourds for storage and carrying, for mixing bowls, pottery and dippers.

Gourds are still prevalent in Native American Indian culture today as rattles and drums in ceremonies and dance. In fact, one sacred group of Native American Indian dancers is

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called the “Gourd Dancers.”

The Navajo modern-day squash blossom necklace originates from squash blossoms as they begin to open.

Virginia Indians

Before contact, there were millions of Native American Indians living in present day United States. They were divided into more than 1,000 different tribes or kinship groups.

Here in Northern Virginia they left us local words like: Sycolin Creek, Hunger Run, Conoy Island, Seneca Falls, Rappahannock River, Catoctin Mountain River, Massanutten and Shenandoah, as well as many artifacts and sites scattered across Clarke County.

Like René, there are many

Native American Indian individuals living in Virginia from various groups across North America. However, today there are only 11 Native American Indian tribes that call Virginia home: Cheroenhaka Nottoway, Chickahominy, Eastern Chickahominy, Mattaponi, Monacan Indian Nation, Nasemond, Nottoway of Virginia, Pamunkey, Patawomeck, Rappahannock, and Upper Mattaponi. Just last year (2015), the U.S. government finally granted federal recognition to Virginia’s first Tribe: Pocahontas’ tribe, the Pamunkey. Virginia has two state-recognized Indian reservations: the Mattaponi Reservation on the Mattaponi River which is on the opposite side of King William County from the

Pumunkey Reservation on the Pamunkey River.

November Native American Indian Event At Governor’s Mansion

Before the Christmas tree goes up with all the ornaments, a special Native American Indian event takes place in front of the Governor’s Mansion on Nov. 23 (from 10:00 to 10:30 am) called, “The Treaty of the Middle Plantation.” Virginia Indian tribes pay a tax tribute of wild game and hand-crafts and perform ceremonial dances to mark the 339th Tax Tribute Ceremony. The event is open to the public as space permits.

For More Info

Mansion Tours. The Capitol Christmas Tree ornaments are available for viewing during the open house. For dates and tour times visit the Executive Mansion’s web site at www.executivemansion.virginia.gov.

About the Artist. To learn more about this artist or her cultural rescue project visit SanctuaryontheTrail.org or email her at info4TheGathering@gmail.com.

Growing Gourds. For gourd growing tips and events visit the Virginia Lovers’ Gourd Society web site at www.vlgs.org.

About Clarke County. Clarke County has become an oasis for

the Washington D.C. and Northern Virginia traveler. We are just 60 miles west of D.C., 12 miles from the Hollywood Casino and Race Track and 16 miles from historic Harpers Ferry.

Virginia’s 11 Tribes And Locations Cheroenhaka Nottoway – Courtland/Southampton County

Nasemond – Cities of Suffolk and Chesapeake

Chickahominy – Charles City County

Nottoway of Virginia – Capron/ Southampton County

Eastern Chickahominy – New Kent County

Pamunkey – Pamunkey River/ King William County

Mattaponi – Mattaponi River/ King William County

Patawomeck – Stafford County

Monacan Indian Nation – Bear Mountain/Amherst County

Rappahannock – Indian Neck/ King & Queen County Upper Mattaponi – King William County

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Monday Morning Flock Of Wild Turkeys Story and photo by Doug Pifer Before going outside to feed the animals, I looked out the kitchen window and spotted several wild turkeys in the pasture. I grabbed my spotting scope and phone camera setup.

I wanted to get a good look and possibly some photos.

I sneaked out into the yard, set up the scope, and counted twenty turkeys. Most appeared to be jakes, young males hatched this past spring. Their tail feathers were still growing in at varying lengths. A single adult gobbler, noticeably larger, carried a five-inch chest beard. The rest of the flock had the compact, sleek lines of hens.

In the morning chill I pulled up the hood of my sweatshirt, afraid the movement would disturb them. But the turkeys were intent on feeding, not on me. As they picked the tender tips of the lush grass in the middle pasture, dewdrops sprinkled their iridescent, polished feathers. Through the scope they seemed to be within touching distance, though I was fifty yards away on the opposite side of the fence.

One of the hens flew up and perched on the top fence board.

Shaking out her plumage, she stood regally and preened the dew off her feathers while I zoomed in with the camera in my cell phone. Most folks consider hen turkeys less beautiful than gobblers. But with her feather edges scaled with light mauve and tan, this girl was feather-perfect. Iridescent greens and purples shimmered in the indirect light. I heard a “putt” alarm call as she returned my gaze, stretched out her neck, and then once again relaxed.

Another turkey walked along

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The deer seemed curious as the first turkey walked up to it.

They circled each other playfully as the rest of the flock filed in. Soon the deer and turkeys were feeding together.

Through the scope I learned first-hand about different feeding tactics. The deer kept its

head down, grazing the short growth while the turkeys were much more interested in the tall red-top grass that grew thickly in the upper pasture.

To reach the seed head, a turkey would grab a tall grass stem in its beak and then stretch its neck upwards, stripping off the seeds in one smooth motion. The sun was higher now and backlit the scarlet throat wattles of the turkeys. When they reached the corner of the far pasture, they flew over the fence, across the road to the neighbor’s woods and out of sight.

It was time for me to feed the animals and to have breakfast!

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Almost Everyone Can Sing

By Claire Stuart

Elizabeth Blades teaches Voice for Music Educators at Shenandoah University, but she arrived there on a winding path that took her from science to music. She came from a family of scientists and engineers, although they definitely enjoyed music. She and her siblings all took piano lessons, starting at age five or six, but she was the only one who stuck with the lessons into her teens. She never stopped playing, even adding guitar, clarinet and harp.

“My dad loved to play the piano, and all my cousins were into folk music,” she said.

“When I was ten, I performed with my cousins, playing guitar for the grandmothers.

I learned to sing by listening to Julie Andrews and Joan Baez;

they were my biggest inspirations. I learned to finger pick on the guitar by watching and listening to Joan Baez play.”

Blades grew up in a tiny western New York town, where she sang in church choirs and in school. She fell in love with musical theatre in high school.

Her dream was to be on Broadway, but her scientist mother was not pleased.

She recalled, “My mother said, ‘Your brain is too good.

Music is an avocation—you are going into science.’”

Blades followed her mother’s advice, but she enrolled in Kansas University where she could minor in music and finally take voice lessons, which had not been available in her home town. Since she had loved 9th grade Earth Science, she ma-

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The Feldenkraise Method is based on gentle, slow, repeated movements that work on reorganizing connections between body and brain. jored in geology and studied volcanoes and igneous rocks.

Armed with her geology degree, Blades returned to New

York after graduation, taking a technical position with General Electric in Schenectady.

The area was rich in opportunities to participate in music in her spare time. She sang in community musical theatre, light opera and church choir and met her future husband, an opera singer. They moved to the Rochester area, where both participated in community theatre and sang in St. Paul’s Episcopal choir, and he encouraged her to return to school to get the music degree she had always wanted.

Blades applied to the prestigious Eastman School of Music in Rochester to work for a Master of Music degree, but she was denied admission. Despite a successful audition, high exam scores and an extensive background in community music theatre and choir, she was told, “You don’t have a degree in music. You’re almost 30 years old—go home and have babies!”

Blades refused to accept that decision and appealed to the chair of the Music Education Department. He gave her a

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game plan, including taking lessons with a particular person and taking upper level theory classes. She did, and reapplied, and was accepted on probation the following year. She was required to play three instruments: voice (considered an instrument), piano and guitar.

Shortly after enrolling at Eastman, she discovered that she was pregnant. She hid the pregnancy as long as she could, afraid she would be forced to leave. However, the school accommodated her, and she even brought her baby to classes.

Her second son was born three years later.

Her first job after earning her master’s degree was as a general voice and music teacher for elementary school. She found that she loved teaching, and she went on to study for a Ph.D., focusing her work on vocal pedagogy. Her dissertation resulted in a book about what makes a great vocal teacher, A Spectrum of Voices: Prominent American Voice Teachers Discuss the Teaching of Singing.

As she worked for her doctorate, Blades felt the stresses of studying, performing and motherhood. Her voice teacher encouraged her to take some seminars in the Feldenkrais Method. It is a system based on gentle, slow, repeated movements that work on reorganizing connections between body and brain to improve both body movements and psychological well-being.

“It changed my life with the first class,” she reports.

Dr. Samuel Nelson taught her Feldenkrais and she taught him voice, resulting in their collaboration on a book, “Singing With Your Whole Self: The Feldenkrais Method and Voice.”

Blades went on to teach music at colleges in New York

State and Ohio. Some ten years after her decision to make a career change, she says that her mother asked her if she had regretted majoring in geology.

She replied that she had not.

“I have great respect for what I learned about the immensity of the processes that formed the earth,” Blades affirms. “I’m still interested. My granddaughter comes over and plays with my collection of rocks and crystals, and I’ve signed up to speak about rocks at her school.”

Blades moved to the Shenandoah Valley about a year ago to be closer to her older son and family who live in the Fairfax area. She says that she first moved to Winchester because it was a good central location for figuring out where she wanted to live. It was only an hour to her son’s home and she was familiar with Shenandoah University’s reputation for musical theatre, opera and voice.

While exploring the area, she noticed a road sign for Berryville and decided to check it out. Driving around town, she spotted an appealing older home that was on the market.

Looking the house over, she was immediately struck by the shape of the dining room. Her musical instincts told her it would have great acoustics, and she surprised the real estate agent by bursting into song!

She was right—the acoustics were fabulous, and she knew it was the perfect room for her grand piano. She bought the house.

“It was like I was meant to be here!” she declared.

Her piano needed tuning, so she inquired about finding a piano tuner. She was directed to local piano tuner David Foster. When he asked where she lived, they were both amazed to

discover that Foster had once owned her home. He agreed that the acoustics were great.

Blades settled into Berryville and started singing with the Episcopal choir. Shortly, the death of a faculty member at Shenandoah University opened a position, and she was hired as Adjunct Associate Professor of Voice.

Blades also offers private voice lessons in her home studio for pop, opera, folk, classical and musical theater. Asked about the demographics of people who take voice lessons, she replied that she has had students from teens to those in their 70s, and that many are people are who want to improve for their work in choirs and local musical theater.

Some of the far-flung students that she taught in other states still take lessons from her via the Internet, using SKYPE and Facetime.

She says she likes to have fun in her lessons. “I’m not a dragon lady teacher! I like to laugh and make lessons joyful and lively.”

Blades firmly believes that almost everybody can sing and that it is just a matter of educating the body to sing.

She explains that only about one per cent of all people are truly “tone deaf” and actually unable to match a pitch with their voice.

“I’ve taught hundreds of students privately and in colleges and communities, and had only one student who couldn’t match a pitch with voice,” she reports. “But he wanted to sing.

He worked hard, and in a year, he could match a note and sing a simple folk song in tune.”

For information about voice lessons, phone 703-517-6451 or e-mail betsyblades73@gmail.com.

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“It was tiny”! former President of the Millwood Community Association Candy Means explained as she recalled her first Millwood Christmas Fair 11 years ago. This modest community effort has grown into something very special.

Over 15 years ago members of The Good Will Association, a committed group of African Americans with deep roots in Millwood, and The Millwood Community Association started the Millwood Old-Fashioned Christmas Fair as a way to support the Millwood Community Center in the historic village.

The community center building was gifted by Mrs. Tyson Gilpin to The Good Will Association in the early 1950s; the building was originally the neighborhood schoolhouse for the local Millwood African American residents.

The Old-Fashioned Christmas Fair serves as a community gathering of local vendors,

craftspeople, bakers and shoppers. This year the community association invited local organizations and businesses to participate in mutual advertising to encourage people to come spend a day or two in town enjoying low key holiday shopping and activities. Participating are: The Locke Store, Duvall Gallery, Project HOPE, Black Penny, Burwell-Morgan Mill, Red School House, The Mill at Carter Hall, Powhatan School, Moose Apple Christmas Tree Farm and local churches Shiloh Baptist, Guilfield Baptist, The United Methodist Church, and Christ Episcopal Church. Each will be participating in various ways.

There is something for everybody. Go for a hayride sponsored by Project HOPE. Listen to the 5th Dimension Handbell Choir on Sunday at 3pm at the United Methodist Church. The Burwell-Morgan Mill, not usually open this weekend, is staying open just for you to buy grains,

take a tour, and purchase Historic Clarke County maps. Buy unique gifts at any of the stores.

At the community center fair, a favorite is the Christmas tree and wreath sale, not to mention the White Elephant room featuring items donated by local merchants and residents. Visitors are offered the opportunity to purchase handmade items from regional artists and crafts people including original artwork, pottery, holiday ornaments and décor, jewelry, candles, soaps, handmade articles and many unique gift items. Home-baked goods and jams from local kitchens and churches are available for purchase and a hot meal is served on site by The Good Will Association.

See you at the Fair!

Millwood’s Old-Fashioned Christmas Fair will be held December 3–4 at 1610 Millwood Road Millwood; 9am–4pm Saturday; 10am–4pm Sunday.

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A Holiday Recipe For Your Table Thanks to Lisa Sheppard of Love At First Bite Catering & Event Planning

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Lacey Rosemary Potato Crisps with Tenderloin & Horseradish Sauce (Yields 36-40) Ingredients

To prepare

•

4 Medium Yukon Gold Potatoes (Unpeeled)

•

1 TB Finely Minced Garlic

In food processor, finely shred uncooked potatoes and rinse.

•

2 TB Fresh Finely Chopped Rosemary

•

2 TB All Purpose Flour (Gluten Free Flour can be substituted)

•

Oil for Frying

•

Salt & Pepper

•

2 TB Freshly Chopped Parsley

•

Thinly Sliced Tenderloin of Beef

Horseradish sauce •

1 TB Horseradish

•

1 Cup Sour Cream

•

Salt & Pepper to Taste

•

1 tsp Sherry

Place in bowl with water until ready to use.

Drain and pat dry potatoes for best results.

Add Garlic, Rosemary, Flour and Salt & Pepper.

Heat 1” of Vegetable Oil in large skillet.

Place 1 Tablespoon of Potato mix into hot oil and flatten.

Fry Potato cakes until Golden Brown and Crispy on one side and flip to brown other side.

Remove from oil onto paper towels to Drain.

While warm Sprinkle with Salt.

Hold Potato Cakes in a low oven until ready to garnish with meat.

Top with Thinly Sliced Tenderloin (or serve without meat) and a Dollop of Horseradish Sauce.

Sprinkle with Fresh Chopped Parsley.