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John David Smith, Jr. Mayor of Winchester
Charles S. DeHaven, Jr. Chairman of Frederick County Board of Supervisors
David Weiss Chairman of Clarke County Board of Supervisors
Our Community’s Health is in Your Hands We, as representatives of health care facilities, higher education and local governments, speak with one voice, in support of Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam’s stay-at-home order, and plead with all residents of the Northern Shenandoah Valley to stay home. By not leaving the region at all, and by not inviting those from outside the area who might already be infected, you will protect the community we all so dearly love.
Let us be clear: If you stay home, you WILL save lives. Unity, now, will protect our community and those who are most vulnerable. Dr. Colin M. Greene Director of Lord Fairfax Health District
Mark H. Merrill President and Chief Executive Officer of Valley Health System
Dr. Tracy Fitzsimmons President of Shenandoah University
We all now know, staying home is the single most effective way to lower infection rates. By lowering infection rates, you make it possible for medical personnel to provide those who are infected with the best possible care, in facilities that are not overwhelmed by COVID-19 cases. Being separated from loved ones and friends isn’t easy for any of us. It feels uncomfortable and unnatural to exchange in-person visits with family and friends for video chats or phone calls. Students are taking classes online or working on assignments at home. Daily life is conducted differently — at a distance. These are sacrifices we must make and guidelines that we must take seriously. By maintaining a distance from others, we are protecting the entire community including those — from police and firefighters to health professionals and caregivers — who need to be on the front lines to fight this pandemic and keep our community safe.
Dr. Chuck Bishop Superintendent of Clarke County Public Schools Michael Diaz Mayor of Stephens City William A. Garrett Chief of Winchester Fire and Rescue
Charles Harbaugh, IV Mayor of Middletotwn Dr. Jason Van Heukelum Superintendent of Winchester Public Schools Brian Lichty Director of Fire and Rescue and Emergency Management for Clarke County Walter Mabe Chairman of Warren County Board of Supervisors Lenny Millholland Sheriff of Frederick County
Dick Neese Chairman of Shenandoah County Board of Supervisors
Morgan S. Phenix Chairman of Page County Board of Supervisors John R. Piper Chief of Winchester Police Tony Roper Sheriff of Clarke County
Our community’s health is in your hands. Dr. David T. Sovine Superintendent of Frederick County Public Schools
Dr. Kimberly P. Blosser President of Lord Fairfax Community College
Les Taylor Sherrif of the City of Winchester
APR 20 20
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APRIL CONTRIBUTORS The Reverend Matt Rhodes Emily Parker Doug Pifer Dr. Colin Greene Claire Stuart Rebecca Maynard Carrie Whitacre Tiffany Ford Keith Patterson Bre Bogert Matthew Bass
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FROM THE EDITOR An Outpouring Of Hope Today is Easter Sunday. The Quaker meeting I attend, like many gatherings of the faithful and the bet-hedgers, has moved online. When I told my kids about this, they got a kick out it. “Wait,” said my college-student daughter. “So, you all spend an hour together every Sunday in silence, and sometimes no one says anything, and most everyone has their eyes closed, and you’re going to do this online?” When they got a case of contagious laughter, I couldn’t stop laughing, either. Such are the times. Whatever we can do to keep our connections, to see the faces of people with whom we share our lives, gives us sustenance and lifts our spirits. Dating couples, accustomed to cooking Sunday supper together or sharing foot rubs, chat on video calls. Middle-school kids, like my son, play games together online, building creative worlds, where the greatest threat is a cartoon monster that aims to take away the tools they have gathered to build digital houses. We get by. We take drives; we find parks that are open to enjoy the beauty of creation in spring; we read stories about selfless heroes who staff hospitals, and feed school children who otherwise would not eat; we enjoy video happy hours with friends or horseshoe buddies or neighbors. Anything to keep life somewhat normal and give us hope. Each day we are frightened by numbers. Not only of the virus, but of bank accounts — especially those who see what precious savings they have dwindle. Countless others are not so lucky; they worry about next month’s rent. Still, amid the fear of illness or worse, amid the dire circumstances our neighbors might face, the outpouring of love is almost overwhelming. Clarke monthly has always been for our community, by our community. Our writers are our readers. When we asked some to share their stories, they gave a
gift of information, inspirational words, and hope. We are grateful for them, and privileged to share their stories. One of these gifts comes from Bre Bogert, a professional photographer who has seen her livelihood in pictures dry up — at least for now. There are no weddings, engagements, or family portraits for her to capture. So, she gave us something special. Bre drove around Clarke County and photographed residents that reached out to her — pictures of families on their porches, doorsteps, and yards far away from the car or sidewalk. She was able to snap these complimentary photos from her car window, even on her drives to do errands or pick up items for neighbors or her family. Bre has found that this community service has helped families in Clarke capture this time as a memory; it has created a sense of community when we are all physically distancing ourselves. “People who have had their photos taken have found unexpected joy in seeing the other photos of friends captured around the county,” said Bre. “Teachers are happy to see their students, younger students are happy to see photos of their friends that they miss, and those down long country roads who may feel isolated have felt much less isolated with seeing a familiar face down the driveway as a photo is captured of their family.” Bre has generously shared many of these photos in this edition. They are placed throughout this month’s Clarke. To see the full album, visit the Bre Bogert Photography page on Facebook. Thanks, Bre. And thank you everyone who shared stories. And to those who keep feeding us and caring for us. You can see a listing of businesses that remain open in this month’s calendar. Please patronize them! We need them, and they need us. Peace and blessings.
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Our Community Can Grow And Thrive
By The Reverend Matt Rhodes, Rector of Christ Church, Millwood If a random person had approached me on the street two months ago and asked me to describe Clarke County in just one word, it would, under those normal circumstances, have been a hard choice. There are so many words I could use to define the wonderful and rich life my family and I have enjoyed here over the past three years that singling out just one would be a challenge. In this difficult and uncertain period, however, the answer I would now give is quite clear: community. Clarke County is community. In the best of times, that sense of community is revealed in nearly countless ways. There is an active farmers market in Berryville. Long Branch is the setting for lectures, special events and celebrations. The State Arboretum at Blandy draws countless walkers and nature lovers to its beautiful grounds. We see hikers on the Appalachian Trail and rafters on the Shenandoah River. Families gather for picnics and friends share meals in restaurants. Our stores and shops hum with life. Congregations and faith communities come together for services, education and fellowship. At present, though we are living in a time of social distancing and separation, but despite the fear, apprehension, and grief many are feeling the sense of community is not weakening. If anything, I am watching with great joy as our community becomes stronger. Had we faced a pandemic 30 years ago, things would have been quite different; there were far fewer tools available to us to overcome something like this. Now, though, there is a blessing to be found in the midst of this hard time — a blessing in the technology we have available to us and the creative ways in which we can put it to use. Even beyond that, there is an even greater blessing to be found in every man, woman, and child who lives in this county … people with incredible gifts, a deep love of this area, and the desire to overcome obstacles. In the Psalms we find these beautiful words from Psalm 121: “I lift up my eyes to the hills – from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” I would expand upon that slightly to say that yes, while my help comes from the Lord, our help is also coming from family, friends, and even total strangers. Our faith communities are certainly working hard to keep congregations connected and faith strong: live streaming of worship services; virtual coffee hours and educational opportunities; phone trees being put to use to check on others; inspirational videos of word and song. But there is much, much more at work here. Local assistance organizations are working in
Reverend Matt Rhodes, photo by Bre Bogert. creative and often innovative ways to ensure help continues to be available to those who may need it. A group of inspired residents created the Community Assistance Group on Facebook to serve as an information clearinghouse and message board for those looking to help others or to share information on area resources. Community associations are stepping up the sharing of information and news. Neighbors are calling neighbors, especially our older community members and those with health issues, to see if there are prescriptions or groceries needed. Without question, there is much more going on that has not even appeared on my radar. But one thing I know without a doubt is this: community is alive and well, and our community is at work for the community. Helping hands are everywhere: hands that are waving encouragement and greeting to the lonely; hands that are helping carry the burden of those struggling; hands of strength reaching for the hands of those feeling unsteady. As a priest, there is something powerful to me about the timing of all of this. This separation started in the darkness of the season of Lent and continued as we remembered and reflected on the journey to the garden, the cross, and the tomb. But we can be reassured that like that first Easter morning nearly 2,000 years ago a bright new morning will dawn for the world … and our community can continue to grow and thrive in a joyous new season.
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The Berryville Beat Happy April, Berryville! We recognize that nowadays optimism can be hard to find in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The world has changed greatly in the last month, and Berryville and Clarke County are anything but immune to that. Schools and many businesses are closed, and our everyday way of life is not what it once was. The Berryville Town Council expects to take action this month on a number of matters related to the pandemic, including how we run our meetings, collect taxes and fees, and other items related to this public health emergency. Both the Clarke County government and Town of Berryville government websites have constantly updated information on service or meeting changes, or anything else the public should be aware of during this time. Please check berryvilleva.gov to stay up to date. While the pandemic may make some things in life come to a standstill, essential government functions know no break. Chief among that is our annual budget deliberations, and the town will advertise a tax rate of 17.741 cents per $100 of assessed value. We on the council met for a budget work session — thankfully right before social distancing became a norm! — in early March and talked about our priorities for fiscal year 2021. There was majority support for the lower tax rate, given the current uncertainties in the economy. To accomplish the lower rate, we will have to hold off on some staff positions, including both at the administrative level and in
the Berryville Police Department. The budget is still very much a work in progress, and we do not anticipate adoption prior to May. To access our draft budget, visit berryvilleva.gov. Our Town Council elections will also go on as planned, on Tuesday, May 5. The mayor’s seat and the council seats for both Ward 1 and Ward 3 are all on the ballot. We are encouraging the public to utilize absentee voting for this election. It is very easy to request a ballot, and you may do so via mail, electronically, or you can even vote absentee in person at the Clarke County Government Center. For more information on this, please visit clarkecounty. gov/government/voter-registration-elections or elections.virginia.gov. In closing, in this uncertain time, we implore you to continue to patronize our local businesses. Many have gotten creative in offering curbside or home deliveries; or utilize an online shop that you can peruse and make purchases. Small businesses have been particularly hit hard by this pandemic, but many in town have reported gratitude for the show of support from our residents. As always, never hesitate to reach out if any of us can be of help. This column is authored by the members of the Berryville Town Council. For more information on town government, including meetings, agendas, and contact information for the Town Council and town staff, visit www.berryvilleva.gov.
Sandra Stockovitch with her therapy dog, Luna, photo by Bre Bogert.
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Wherever you are right now, that’s okay! A teacher offers advice for learning at home Story by Emily Parker, photo by Bre Bogert
We are all going through uncharted waters and making history in the process. As an educator turned “monitor and teacher of my own kids while simultaneously preparing for and teaching my students,” I have found myself often questioning my abilities and strengths in either area. I’ve thought to myself many times, “If I’m an educator and feel this way, how is the rest of the world feeling?” So, I’m here to tell you, wherever you are right now, however you are running your house, that is okay! What can your family do each day as you weather this storm together? I want to share a few of my own thoughts and suggestions that have been reiterated and shared by many people and in many places over the last month. First, figure out a routine that works for your family. For some, that includes a color coded schedule with an accompanying checklist and sticker chart. My 4-year-old would thrive off of that. My other two children, not so much. To some
it may mean school time in the morning, while others prefer school time in the afternoon. As our wise homeschooling community has shared, please don’t feel like you need to replace the time students were in school hour for hour with “school” time at home. Students working a few hours on academic related tasks each day is plenty. Second, start (or end) your day with gratitude. Have each family member share or write down three things they are grateful for. It can be as simple as the sunshine or as detailed as a moment from that Zoom call with a friend. Next, make sure you are doing something to move your body and stay active every day. A walk around the neighborhood doubles as exercise and a way to leave your own four walls. There are countless free workout videos online for both adults and kids. Just find a way to move your body in any way that you are physically able. Lastly, do something that
challenges your brain and something that brings you joy. Maybe it’s time to dust off some of those puzzles you have hidden in a closet. There are scavenger hunts and millions of ideas for indoor/outdoor activities online. Paint, draw, make music, dance, or create something. Take a walk around Berryville and look for all the teddy bears peeking out everyone’s window. Most school-aged children have now been receiving work from their schools. If they don’t understand, have them reach out directly to their teacher. Please know that while you are supporting their learning at home and facilitating the time it takes to happen, you are not responsible for providing the instruction. Teachers are your partners in all of this and truly want to help, so reach out. If you are looking for things above and beyond what has been provided by the school, the internet is your best friend. Storyline Online has actors reading popular children’s books. I thought I was a
Emily Parker and her family at home, photo by Bre Bogert.
dramatic reader until I heard some of them! Storytime From Space records astronauts in space reading space-themed books. Just watching them read is fascinating and a great way for kids to see zero gravity in action. Disney has teamed up with Khan Academy to provide a wonderful and free Disney Imagineering Program where
they design their own theme park. Khan Academy also offers free reading and math online instruction at all levels. Art for Kids Hub is a YouTube channel that offers step-by-step drawing for all ages. As a person with zero artistic talent, I am still able to create something somewhat resembling the artist. These are just a few websites available to assist you as we work through this time. Still need ideas? Reach out on the community page or ask a teacher to help. So, whether you are a color-coded schedule kind of family, a leftover pizza for breakfast-at-noon family, or somewhere on the spectrum in between, know you are not alone. You keep doing you, and your kids will be just fine! When all of this is over, we will look back with memories and great stories to pass down for generations to come. Give yourself some grace and go start that gratitude list.
Clarke
APR 20 20 As the Crow Flies Learning The Sounds Of Nature At Home
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By Doug Pifer This spring, when we all need to stay home to guard against the virus, the medium of sound is a great way to introduce you and your family to the natural world beyond your doorstep. Anyone with reasonably good hearing can easily learn to recognize many animals by sound alone. You can try this at home, without any equipment except your ears. Like our own vocalizations, the sounds different birds and mammals make can reveal not only their sex but also their age, level of excitement, and their unique individual differences. For example, I heard a pair of mallards fly up from the creek. Without turning my head to see them, I could easily recognize the loud quacks of a hen mallard. Her mate followed closely behind, uttering the male version of the same call, a softer, more reedy sound. Conventional wisdom might tell us male birds sing; females don’t. But just this morning I looked in the direction of a familiar whistled birdsong, expecting to see our resident male cardinal, bright red against a blue sky. Instead I saw his mate, a brown female. Perched atop our old mulberry tree, she threw back her head and sang as lustily as a male. So, like us, males and females of other species can usually be distinguished by voice, but not always. Animals are expert at reading the sounds of other species. Many songbirds temporarily forget their spring nesting duties when they hear the excited calls of other species gathering to heckle a snake, hawk, or owl. They’re also quick to recognize the calls other birds make, should a predator appear. The sound of a creature in distress is a magnet for predators. Foxes, coyotes, hawks, and crows are attracted strongly to the calls of a distressed rabbit. That’s why hunters play recordings of distressed birds and mammals to attract predators to within shooting range. Begging calls of birds just out of the nest also attract a host of hungry predators in search of a quick and easy meal. Birds also recognize sounds of distress in other species. Landlords and property owners broadcast amplified recordings of frightened birds to discourage unwanted starlings and pigeons from roosting on buildings. To start learning to interpret the sounds of nature in springtime, you don’t even have to get out of bed. Listen to the morning sounds that filter in through the bedroom window. Then
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visit the website musicofnature.com to find some terrific audio guides to the utterances of birds, mammals, insects, frogs, toads and other natural sounds. These are skillfully recorded by Lang Elliott and our own local naturalist Wil Hershberger. Mobile apps are also available for identifying bird sounds. You can find free online videos and recordings of native birds, frogs and insects singing their songs. Learning about the sounds of nature is a lifelong process. It can be fun, and just as informative as watching the news or looking at your phone. At the beginning, you might hear a bird for the first time and ask, “Who’s That?” After a little while, you’ll be saying, “Oh, he’s back — nice to hear him again.” And maybe next year, or as you gain experience, you might wonder what he and his mate are saying to each other. Eventually you’ll understand enough to wonder, “What’s going on? Better go out and see!” This can be something worth getting out of bed for!
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Social Distancing: Our Most Effective Weapon in the War against COVID-19 By Colin M. Greene, MD, MPH Director, Lord Fairfax Health District.
COVID-19, the Novel Coronavirus, is here. In your county, in your town. At the time of this writing, we’ve identified 33 laboratory-positive cases in the Lord Fairfax Health District, including the first cases in residents of Clarke and Page Counties. But that’s likely just the tip of the iceberg; you can assume there are people that have it pretty much everywhere you go in the Valley. What’s worse? People that have COVID-19 are not easy to identify. There’s fairly good evidence that up to half of the people infected with the virus have no symptoms. Another share of those infected will only develop a mild chest cold. You can’t tell by looking who does and doesn’t have the disease. What does all this mean? It means that trying to identify individual cases and isolate them all is no longer possible. We can’t quarantine our way out of
this pandemic. The only way to beat it is to starve out the virus, and that requires a team effort, by everybody in this District, this Commonwealth, and this country, through a technique that has become known as social distancing. Viruses are fussy little things. They can’t reproduce on their own, but must steal the reproductive equipment from a living cell. Moreover, they’re picky about which cells they choose. COVID-19 prefers human respiratory tract cells, the ones found in your lungs, trachea and larynx, but also in your mouth and nose, and eyes. Without access to these cells, the viruses will dry up and die. This is our enemy’s weak point, the one we must attack. Left to its natural course, it appears that the COVID-19 disease typically lasts from one to two weeks. There are an unfortunate few, perhaps two
percent, in which the disease is fatal, mostly the elderly and infirm. For the rest, the immune system will develop antibodies against the virus and eradicate them from the body. Unless the virus finds another human respiratory system to infect along the way, that’s the end of the line for that case of COVID-19. Our goal, then, is to keep that virus from finding a new host. The virus spreads through airborne means, expelled into the air through a cough or sneeze, and to a lesser extent by singing, talking, or even normal breathing. Once in the air, and if not inhaled by another person, the virus particles scatter. Once they disperse beyond a certain point, thought to be about six feet from the source, they become too scattered to infect another person. Here is the first rule of social distancing: stay six feet away from others. It doesn’t mean that you can’t
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pass in the hallway, but don’t stand or sit close together. And of course, remember to wash your hands frequently, cover a cough or sneeze with your elbow, and try not to touch your mouth, nose, and eyes. Even better for the uninvited viral guest would be to colonize more than one person’s respiratory system, allowing rapid spread of the disease. This can only be accomplished if the infected person comes in contact with several others while sick. Hence, the second rule of social distancing: be near as few people as possible. It’s easy to see why groups over ten people are to be avoided…the virus loves crowds, and the bigger the better! Best of all is to stay home if you at all can, and go out only when necessary. Shop once a week, not when you need only a loaf of bread. The virus also loves to be brought to new areas to infect new people, so don’t travel
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or visit unless it’s really necessary. All these rules apply to your children as well. Remember that you can’t tell by looking who has the virus. That leads to the third rule: assume that anyone may be infected. Don’t try to pick out the “high risk” people, or endeavor to find out if there are any “cases” in your town or on your street. Just assume that there are, and you’ll probably be right. While true social distancing may not be practical in all situations, such as between spouses, or parents and small children, it should be practiced as much as possible. Here’s the good news: if everyone in the country were to
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APR 20 20 practice social distancing, in two or three weeks, most of the infections would have cleared without infecting anyone new. At that point we would have only recovered persons who are immune to the disease and those never infected. At that point the pandemic, at least in the USA, would be over. Social distancing will starve the Coronavirus.
While 100 percent participation is not feasible, the more people who practice social distancing, the faster the rate of infection will drop, causing the deaths and hospitalizations to drop as well, so that when the outbreak finally tapers off — as it eventually will — many more people will be alive, and will have avoided serious illness, than without that team effort.
America has faced many crises before. This is our latest one, and as with the others, a national team effort is needed to defeat this enemy. Our weapon is social distancing. It’s not pleasant, but it’s only for a while, and it’s what we as a Commonwealth and as a country need right now. Six feet. Stay home. Starve a virus today, and win the war.
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~ IMPORTANT NOTICE ~ Dear Friends of Long Branch, At Long Branch, our highest priority is the health and well-being of our community and their families. As such, due to the rapidly evolving concerns about the spread of COVID-19 and to uphold the Virginia stay at home order, the grounds of Long Branch will be closed to the public until further notice. Please stay well at home until this situation passes and know that we will truly miss seeing you! We thank you for your continued support and wish you each well as we navigate these challenging times together. Should you have any questions please call our office at 540-837-1856 or email us at: info@visitlongbranch.org
Be Well! The Board of Directors and Staff
Top- Richie Blick and family. Bottom- The Spitler Family, photos by Bre Bogert.
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How To Explore The World From Home A Guide To Your Online World Of Discovery And Wellness By Claire Stuart With schools and most businesses closed, and large gatherings prohibited, we need to find ways to keep our spirits up and maintain some semblance of normality. Instead of going stir crazy in our homes, we can try to see this as an opportunity to do some of the things we’ve always wanted to do but hadn’t the time. Read a new book or re-read an old favorite. Learn to play an instrument or do a new craft. You could even (gasp!) write some letters, by hand, in cursive!
Virtual public library
Although the library doors are closed, you can go to their website and take advantage of a host of online educational materials and entertainment programs for kids of all ages that are stuck at home. For adults, there are courses and workshops for about anything you can imagine, from dog training to dream interpretation, art, geology and ethnic cooking. You can access Mango Languages for lessons in over 70 languages. You can stream movies, audiobooks, e-books and music. www.handleyregional.org.
Online yoga
It’s essential to keep in shape both physically and mentally, and many of us rely on our Yoga practices for both.
Jala Yoga and Turiya Yoga + Wellness will continue to provide lessons online. Check the websites for class descriptions and instructions on how to sign up. jalayogaflow.com and turiyayogawellness.com.
Tour the world online
Many museums around the world provide virtual tours of their exhibits. The Smithsonian Museum of Natural History has wonderful self-guided virtual tours that let you walk room-by-room through their permanent, past and current exhibits, as well as their gardens. www.naturalhistory.si.edu/ visit/virtual-tour. Google Arts & Culture takes you on virtual tours — street level and views from the top — of iconic sites around the world, from the Eiffel Tower to the Pyramids of Egypt, the Coliseum in Rome to Machu Picchu in Peru. Virtually visit our national parks, including Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite, Hawaii’s Volcanoes, and Utah’s Arches and Bryce Canyon. Dive with rangers to explore the reef and submerged shipwreck in Dry Tortuga. See hidden rooms and fly with bats in Carlsbad Caverns. Partner museums around the world give you access to thousands of high-resolution artworks and let you walk virtually through galleries with expert guides. www.artsandculture.google.com.
Left-The Hale Family. Right-The Duncan Family, photos by Bre Bogert.
Explore outer space
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration has a host of videos you can enjoy. See the sights in outer space, on the moon and Mars, and visit the International Space Station astronauts. NASA can provide podcasts, e-books and activities for educators and kids. www.nasa.gov/multimedia/ videogallery/index.html.
Join citizen science
If you enjoy watching birds, check out ebird.org, a global team of bird enthusiasts. They are building a worldwide database of birds in an effort to understand the movement and distribution of species. You simply record the birds you see and when and where you see them. Your observations will be retained for you to see and available to scientists around the world. Another bird project is NestWatch through the Cornell University Laboratory of Ornithology. If there are active bird nests in your yard, they ask you to observe them periodically and record the progress. https://nestwatch.org. The Chicago Botanic Garden needs volunteers for Budburst. Knowledge is needed about the effects of climate change on the life cycles of plants, from buds to seeds, since this affects pollinators, bird migration and
other animal behavior. This study observes five plant groups — deciduous trees and shrubs, conifers, evergreens, grasses, and wildflowers and herbs. Observers track the dates of budburst, flowering, fruit and seed. www.budburst.org. Journey North (which becomes Journey South in late summer) is an excellent resource for educators, students and nature lovers. You can track many different signs of the seasons, including the migration of birds and Monarch butterflies, as well as sunlight and plant growth. If you feed hummingbirds, it is a great way to see where the hummers are in spring so that you know when to hang out your feeders. www.journeynorth.org. If you can hear frogs from your home, you might want to join the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Frogwatch. They provide pictures and audio recordings so that you can learn to identify the frogs and toads in your area. You record temperature, listen for the calls and record your data. www.aza.org/frogwatch. You can learn about more citizen science projects from the federal crowdsourcing and citizen science catalog. Many are strictly indoor projects that you work on from your computer. www.citizenscience.gov.
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APR 20 20
The Fox & Pheasant Store and Michael Edward Biddy Interiors Offer Something for Everyone
The Town of Boyce, VA is accepting applications for the following positions:
Town Manager
By Rebecca Maynard Since July 2018, shoppers in Boyce have enjoyed browsing The Fox and Pheasant store, the retail side of Michael Edward Biddy Interiors. Owner Michael Edward Biddy, an Atlanta native, has been in interior design for more than 30 years and now enjoys doing business in Clarke County. Interested clients can call to arrange an appointment. “A lot of our design clients are in Hunt Country, and when we found this building, we thought it was really cool,” Biddy said. “It had a lot of charm, and that was really what brought us there. We thought it would be nice to have a small retail outlet, because a lot of our clients ask us for things we don’t normally stock, so we thought it would be a nice thing for them and other customers as well.” Biddy said that The Fox and Pheasant, located at 114 E. Main Sreet in Boyce, has a little bit of everything, with a nod to the local equestrian history. “Our merchandise is a mix of
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part-time
old, new, and vintage,” Biddy said. “We are very curated; we have to think about what we want to put in the shop because it’s such a small space.” New merchandise arrives every week, featuring chairs, lamps, art and more. One new product available in the shop for individuals not looking for an interior designer is fabrics. “Sometimes people don’t want to go through the whole design process, but might just want to do something like recover an Ottoman, so we decided to start offering some fabrics in the shop,” Biddy said. Because of the COVID-19 virus, the store, which previously had regular retail hours, is currently open by appointment only. Appointments are available seven days a week from 11am to 4pm, and can be made by calling 804-205-4605. “We have also implemented a new shop-at-home option on our Facebook page,” Biddy said. While the page can’t feature ev-
erything in the store, it showcases photos of many unique items small enough to be picked up curbside or shipped to customers. Visit Facebook, The Fox & Pheasant; and click on Shop. “We miss interacting with all y’all and can’t wait to see you soon,” a message on the website reads. “Very cute store, gorgeous things inside! What a gem. Beautiful artwork, lamps, custom furniture...You name it! Michael Biddy has a great eye and there is something you will love there!” said a customer named Caroline on the store’s website. “Absolutely love this shop! The Fox and Pheasant has a little bit of everything for everyone. Don’t miss the opportunity to stop in and visit this gem,” said another customer named LeAnn. “I enjoy meeting everybody who comes into the store and I’ve been very pleased and humbled by the reception we’ve gotten,” Biddy said. “We’ve done really well and beyond what we expected.”
The Town Manager performs complex executive and administrative duties, and coordinates those procedures and functions necessary for the operation of the business of the Town.
Treasurer part-time
The Treasurer is responsible for assessing, collecting, receiving, recording, depositing, and disbursing all monies belonging to or due to the Town. Full Job Descriptions posted on the town website. www.boyceva.net. Email cover letter and resume to boyceva@verizon.net or mail to Town of Boyce, VA, P.O. Box 209, Boyce, VA 22620 Equal Opportunity Employer.
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School Superintendent Chuck Bishop with his family, photo by Bre Bogert.
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Clarke
A PR 20 20
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Around Clarke County In lieu of the community calendar this month, thanks to COVID-19, and the need to stay home and maintain social distancing, we are sharing many ways to stay connected. Please email Rebecca@ClarkeVa.com with any additional options that we might have missed, so they can be included in future editions. Places of worship
Local churches are offering varying forms of online worship services. You can call or visit their websites for information and links to services.
Berryville Presbyterian www.berryvillepresbyterian.org 540-955-1096 Christ Church, Millwood www.cunninghamchapel.org 540-837-1112
curbside pick-up orders only; a handful may be open for limited shopping as well, including:
540-662-0601 Lone Oak, 540-837-1210
Breweries, and Wineries
Lowry’s Crab Shack, 540-338-2438
B Chord Brewing Company 571-474-9191
Mario’s, 540-955-4848
Bear Chase Brewing Company 540-554-8210 Veramar Vineyard 540-955-5510
Presto Dinners, 540-277-2103
Modern Mercantile, 540-955-1830
Pine Grove Restaurant, 540-554-8126
Crums UMC www.crumsumc.org (540) 955-1852
Camino Real, 540-955-4730
Groceries and Necessities
Cordial Coffee, 540-277-2156
Battletown Pharmacy, 540-955-0500
Sweet Basil Thai, 540-955-6234
Many of Clarke County’s restaurants, farms, and businesses remain open for
Tea Cart, 540-955-0832
Berryville Grille, 540-955-4317
Jane’s Lunch, 540-955-3480 Jordan Springs Market,
Serenity Farm, 540-931-5724 General
Restaurants
Local businesses open to serve you
Reed’s Pharmacy, 540-955-2020
Neighborhood Italian Kitchen, 540-686-7292
Clarke Parish www.clarkeparish.org/covid-19 540-955-1610
Horseshoe Curve Restaurant, 540-554-8291
Oak Hart Farm Farm Store, 540-533-3096
Locke Store, 540-837-1275 Mt. Airy Farm Market, 540-837-2043 Nalls Produce, 540-955-0004
Left to Right-The Morise Family, The Olson Family, The Murry Family, The Steen Family, photos by Bre Bogert.
Berryville True Value, 540-955-1900
Community Services Concern Hotline
(540) 536-1630. Concern Hotline is a free 24/7/365 anonymous information & referral, crisis intervention, and suicide prevention hotline serving the Northern Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.Our compassionate Listeners are available to listen and support you through whatever difficult times you may be facing. www.concern hotline.org.
Clarke
APR 20 20 Covid-19 Respiratory Care Line (540) 536-0380
FISH of Clarke County
540-955-1823. Until further notice, FISH is closed to the public, but is not not closed for food assistance. If you need food, call the helpline, and they will deliver your food to your front porch or door with no personal contact. FISH is not accepting clothing donations and the clothing store is closed. For all who want to donate food, donations are accepted Tuesday and Friday mornings to the front porch and back porch doors at 36 East Main Street, Berryville. For monetary donations, the mailing address is PO Box 1154, Berryville, Va, 22611. If you have any questions, call Monday through Friday 8:30am–4 pm.
Peer 2 Peer Regional Warm Line
1-833-626-1490 (toll free). The Peer-run Warm line is a step down from a crisis hotline. It is facilitated by Peer Recovery Specialists who have lived experience in Substance Use and/ or Mental Health and have been successful in long-term recovery. Peer Recovery Specialists are trained and Certified, and are available to offer resourc-
es, support, compassion, and understanding for those experiencing challenges during their recovery process. This is a free service offered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We have peer specialists double and triple staffing this warm line all the time.
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Turiya Yoga
540-212-9778. Live online yoga classes using Zoom. Visit turiyayogawellness.com for more information and to register.
USTMA
TaeKwonDo www.ustma.com. 540-955-0055.
Sinclair Health Clinic
540-536-1680. Primary Care, Pharmacy, and Behavioral Health Services for uninsured and Medicaid patients. Apply for services online at SinclairHealthClinic.org.
Online Classes/ Educational Content Fitness/Exercise Fit Over 40
703-203-2264 or 540-955-4169. Feldenkrais Method Awareness through Movement with Jane Johnston. fitoverforty@ jesed.com, Facebook.com/ FitOverFortyVirginia.
Sanctuary Wellness Center
call your practitioner or 540227-0564. Yoga, Essentrics, and other classes are available online.. You can also email info@sanctuaryberryville.com for further information.
Crab season is here!
Music
Wednesday–Friday 4-8 Saturday and Sunday 12-8 (closed Easter Sunday)
Goldberg Music Studio
703-608-2496. Video lessons are such a wonderful way to connect during this highly unusual time. Reach out for a free 30-minute trial lesson. Visit www.goldbergschoolofmusic. com.
Noah Stidham
music teacher, piano tuner, and instrument technician, 804418-2625. Teaches guitar, piano, organ, ukulele, mandolin, upright bass, fiddle, cello, autoharp, dulcimer, banjo, trumpet, baritone, accordion and music theory/composition. For information email noahstidham99@gmail.com or call. Using Facetime, Skype and Zoom for online lessons.
420 W Colonial Highway
Fresh fish, crabmeat, oysters, produce also household items
(toilet paper, paper towels, bleach etc)
Full menu available Join us on Facebook | facebook.com/groups/LowrysCrabShack | LowrysCrabShack.com
Sale Ends 4/30/20
BERRYVILLE HARDWARE 600 EAST MAIN STREET BERRYVILLE 540-955-1900
Rev. Jonathan Bunker, photo by Bre Bogert.
RAMSEY HARDWARE 703 N ROYAL AVE FRONT ROYAL 540-635-2547
Clarke
A PR 20 20 Community Clarke County Historical Association Museum
CCHA is developing a wealth of online content for people of all ages to use to enjoy history. History challenges, behind the scenes video tours, puzzles, oral histories, our Archivist’s blog, online tutorials, there’s something for everyone! CCHA staff monitor email and phone messages at 540-955-2600 or director@clarkehistory.org.
Handley Library System
Virtual programs for kids and teens with crafts, puppets, yoga, video game night, and more. www.handleyregional. org/blog/virtual-and-liveprograms-kids-teens Hoopla – Handley’s online streaming service for movies, TV, music, eBooks, audiobooks, and comics. Also, Hoopla is offer-
ing additional downloads for free on select content that do not count against your 6. More info on how this works at www.handleyregional.org/ hoopla.
Barns of Rose Hill
Spring Break Fundraising Non Event. The Barns is closed with all in-person events canceled. For the price of a ticket to a show, you can help ensure that the Barns can keep the ship afloat. To donate $20, visit barnsofrosehill.org/ upcoming-events.
The Clarke County Farmers’ Market
Opening day will be delayed until at least June 13. Any new updates will be posted on their social media pages. Many vendors still need your support during this difficult
time so please see the “Meet our Vendors” page on their website (www.clarkecounty farmersmarket.com/ meet-our-vendors/) for links to the websites or individual contact information where available. The Clarke County Farmers’ Market will do its best to share individual vendor sales and distribution updates through social media outlets. Contact manager@ clarkecountyfarmersmarket.com.
Blue Ridge Insurance Agency
Staff is now working remotely but our office hours remain 8:30am–4:30pm Monday– Friday handling requests for insurance coverage. Anyone experiencing a financial hardship because of COVID-19 is encouraged to call the office to discuss payment options, 540-955-1178.
14 Local, State, and National COVID-19 Information Find the most accurate, up-todate COVID-19 information at www.cdc.gov and www.vdh. virginia.gov/coronavirus. Clarke County and Town of Berryville COVID-19 updates at www.clarkecounty.gov and www.berryvilleva.gov. Clarke County and Town of Berryville government offices remain open with staff responding to phones and email. County and Town walk-up windows are closed. As of March 30, the Clarke County Building Department, Clarke County Department of Planning & Zoning, and Town of Berryville Planning & Zoning Department are closed to the public. Com-
monly used forms and information are located in the lobby of Berryville-Clarke County Government Center with bins in place to receive applications, forms, and plans. Residents who need to make payments of any kind should use Town and County drive-thru kiosks located on the west side of the government center. A telephone for public use is available in the lobby, so residents can contact staff should they have questions. Clarke County government meetings can be found at clarkecounty.gov/residents/ calendar-month-view. Berryville government meetings are at www.berryvilleva. gov/calendar.aspx. Boyce government meetings are at boyceva.net.
Does not apply to diagnostic. Not valid with other offers, discounts, or applied to past service. Limit 1 per person. Expires 6/30/2020.
Not valid with other offers, discounts, or applied to past service. Limit 1. Expires 6/30/2020.
Clarke
APR 20 20
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What can I do to jump start my vegetable garden? …and have fun with plants during the shutdown? By Carrie Whitacre, Assistant Curator of Herbaceous Gardens Gardening is a wonderful way to reconnect with the earth and lift the spirits, and in these trying times it can be a welcome respite from the trepidation that many are feeling. Few things are more rewarding than planting seeds and watching them germinate, grow, and thrive. Growing crops from seed rewards us with tasty greens, sugar sweet peas, hearty potatoes, and more. Whether you want to clean up your already established vegetable patch, start a new garden, or just incorporate them into other plantings, vegetables can fit into almost any landscape. They also easily grow in containers and pots of all shapes and sizes.
REC is Here Difficult times will eventually pass but our commitment to members will remain strong.
#InThisTogether #WeAreREC
Let’s get started: Prepare the soil Once you’ve chosen where to plant your vegetables, begin by pulling the late winter weeds and amending the soil as needed. It’s a good idea to add a little compost to the garden every year. If you don’t have compost, you could add any soil left in pots from last year’s annuals and herbs. Lightly rake your planting area to create a patch of workable soil. Gather your seeds Crops that can be directly sown now include lettuces, kale, chard, peas, carrots, radishes, and more. If you’re looking for seed, there are many online seed companies to choose from, but some are temporarily closed to restock and catch up on orders. Do not despair! Reach out to neighbors and friends to see what they have on hand. Check those junk drawers and gardening supply bins in your shed. Germination rates can decrease as seed ages, but put them in anyway. You might be surprised.
www.myrec.coop 1-800-552-3904
Germinate and plant
Once your bed is prepped, simply follow the instructions on the seed packet. Lettuces and other greens should be sown shallowly as light aids germination. Peas need a 12– to 24–hour soak in water before seeding. Carrots and turnips should be thinned to a 3” spacing. These crops can also be grown in pots and containers. Some crops, like potatoes, onions, and garlic can be grown from the stores you have in your pantry. There are numerous ways to have fun vegetable gardening indoors as well as outdoors. You can place a carrot top in a shallow dish of water, set in a sunny window, and observe how the new foliage grows. You can do the same with some other common
vegetables as well. Onions grow new tops in water too. Now is a great time to experiment and see what works. Learn from your garden As you tinker in your garden at home, keep a journal of your plantings. Be sure to include the start date, method of starting, and your results — this information will help you make smart gardening decisions next year. Now also is a great time to get the kids and grandkids interested in growing a garden. Remember, successful crops aren’t the only reason to garden: Observe the critters that visit, draw pictures of your favorites, get creative, experiment, and keep planting. Some much-needed time outdoors will help us all calm our minds and rejuvenate our spirits.
Summer Riding Camps Starting June 8
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Clarke
A PR 20 20
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The Show Must Go On (Until COVID-19) By Tiffany Ford
In early 2020, Clarke County students auditioned for the spring musical “Once Upon a Mattress.” They waited in anticipation to see if they got the roles they wanted. They studied lines, had costume fittings, and rehearsed for countless hours. I have no doubt that Theater Mom Meghan Hardy “threatened” students that she would write their bios for the program if they didn’t get her a submission on time. This is how a typical spring for the theater students goes. However, this spring turned out to be anything but typical. Life as we know it is on hold, and we are all doing our best to shelter in place in hopes that we can flatten the curve on COVID-19. Clarke County High School seniors who were looking forward to senior prom, graduation and time spent with friends, many of whom they have known their entire lives, are now home before moving on to their next grand adventures in the fall. Now our students are learning online, isolated from their friends and teachers. And all the while the cherry trees
bloom, tulips sprout, the birds and frogs sing like nothing is at all out of place. One of many major changes at CCHS this spring is that the musical has been officially postponed at least until it is possible to have large gatherings again. In any case, this is the first time we won’t have a spring musical since Andy Kiser started the shows in the early 2000s. Hours of parent, teacher and student work, a huge investment in scripts, costumes and set design is at the school waiting for the show that cannot be. At least, not right now. Director Christine Brewer had this to say about a recent visit to the school: “I went to visit my school yesterday to pick up some materials I thought I might need for distance learning. I went in, went right to my room, touched as little as possible and got out with a wave through the window to my principal and assistant principal. What I didn’t do was look in the auditorium. While continuing with my Spanish and theatre classes will be different and challeng-
ing, most challenging is the thought that all the work that my talented actors did over the last two and a half months may well be for nothing. “I didn’t want to see the parts of the set my final class was working on that last Friday in a last ditch attempt to finish the set “just in case.” Those pieces now lay there, abandoned, and the thought of seeing them was too much. I know at some point, everything will need to be taken apart and put away. This process in theatre is known as “strike,” and usually happens following a triumphant final performance with giddy actors and their parents still riding the high of what was accomplished together. The strike is bittersweet, softened by the promise of a cast
party where posters will be signed, gifts exchanged, and hugs and memories shared. “This show may not have that. No final curtain call, no senior recognition, no thank you gifts. Just a handful of people taking things apart that were never used. That was too much to bear right now, and I am still holding on to a hope that maybe we will get a traditional strike someday. I am so proud of what those kids and my fabulous team had accomplished thus far, and I want to thank them all for an experience that I will hold on to forever.” What many people may not know is that the spring musical is funded almost entirely by the ticket sales from the Musical the year before. To put that into perspective, last
Left-Berryville Councilwoman Kara Rodriguez with her children. Right-Kari Reed with her children, photos by Bre Bogert.
year’s show brought in approximately $6,400 over three shows. The cost of royalties and rentals for this year’s show was approximately $2,500. In addition, there were expenses for props, costumes and set materials. All of these costs are covered by the musical budget from the previous year’s ticket sales. In theater they say “The show must go on;” we would very much like to ensure that it does in spite of this year’s losses. If you are able to make a donation of any size to the Spring Musical fund, please send a check payable to CCHS with “Musical” written in the memo line addressed to the attention of Christine Brewer. Thank you for supporting the arts in education. Your donation changes lives.
Clarke
APR 20 20
17
Cuttin’ Wood A field guide to mishaps and adventures with power tools Tall tale and illustration by Keith Patterson
T
here is a robust relationship between math and wood. Carpentry is a good example of a profession where this is on display every day. The more learned in math, the more proficient the carpenter. Every cut must be measured and marked. Understanding geometry plays a role in nearly every cut. Algebra is needed to estimate materials and labor. One day, several years ago, I found out why I shouldn’t have BS’d, lied, and cheated my way through my every higher math class after Algebra 1. I had a small remodeling company, and was hired to construct a large octagonal gazebo with a conical roof. “No problem,” I thought. Having neither built an octagon of any size nor nary a gazebo, I trusted fully, without much empirical evidence, that I could trust my native skills. I used some Algebra and composed a winning bid. If my two-man crew and I could finish the project in three days I would make a handsome profit. The gazebo was a kit, and came with instructions, but every piece of lumber needed to be measured and cut. And, because of the combination of the octagonal circumference and the conical peak of the roof, at least one end of every piece of wood framing required a compound miter cut — where the cut has two angles. I had some experience with compound mitering doing crown molding installations, and knew that it was time consuming, especially figuring out the correct double angles. But the gazebo kit came with instructions, and I decided to read them. And here is where the rubber met the road with my carpentry career and my math skills.
As I stared down at the small black writing in the instruction manual, and my crew stood there with their arms folded, waiting impatiently for instruction, it occurred to me that my high-school higher math transgressions had finally come back to visit their shame upon me. The key to the instruction manual, the key to unlock the mysteries of the gazebo project’s multitudinous compound miter settings, was a single, simple logarithm. And to this day, all that I know about logarithms is that I didn’t know what one was that day when I really
needed to. The project wasn’t finished in three days. I worked for three weeks in the hot sun, used twice as much material because I had to re-cut so many pieces of wood, and lost $37.50 for my efforts. And that’s all that I know about logarithms. But I do know one thing about Calculus. I found myself in a public library, picked up the first volume that I saw, and sat down to peruse “The History of Numbers.” It turns out that Humankind, at some point long ago, began using similar sized and
colored pebbles to represent family members and livestock. Bigger pebbles represented a handful of smaller ones. Different colored pebbles replaced bigger pebbles, and led to other innovations like Base Ten Math. And then we created math machines like the abacus, and went on to create higher and higher forms of math. And that leads me to the question at the crux of this. What do you suppose might be Latin for “pebbles?” You probably guessed it. Latin for pebbles is “Calculus.” And that’s all that I know about Calculus.
But I do know one lesson that I learned about geometry a long time ago. and I learned it the hard way. When I was ten or eleven years old I was invited, for the first time, to ride with my father and his friends out to the country to cut down some trees for firewood. There were five grown men and me in three pickup trucks with multiple chainsaws and guns and plenty of gas. And two big coolers full of beer. We were looking for oak trees that were about ten inches in diameter. My father demonstrated how to use the
Clarke
A PR 20 20
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chainsaw and safely cut down a tree. First, you need to find a suitable tree for your needs and identify a lane through the forest where your chosen tree can fall. Then, you cut a notch in the trunk down low on the side of the tree where you want it to fall. The notch should be more than a quarter of the diameter but no more than a third. Then you start cutting on the backside of the tree just above the top of the notch you cut on the fall side. When the tree starts falling you yell, “Timber,” and get the heck out of the way. My father and his friends found some prime specimens and felled several 8-10 inch thick oaks. I helped and got some chain saw time, and we cut up most of the trees into firewood-length logs and then took a break. My father and his friends were drinking beer. As we took our break, they were down to one cooler. A couple of men got out their pistols, set up some empty Budweiser cans, and began shooting. There wasn’t anything for me to drink. No water. No nothing. I sucked on a couple of ice cubes until one of my father’s friends, Fred Cox, said,”Awww. Let the boy have a beer. He’s been working hard, too.”
18 My father agreed and I jumped all over that. As far as my father knew that was my first can of beer, and I acted like it was. And after I discreetly finished that first beer I discreetly filched a second one and wandered about the outskirts of the wood camp as my father and friends laughed and drank and fired their pistols. And that’s when I had a head-on collision with geometry. I could see it plain as day. It was sitting there all along, a natural trinity. A trifecta. I didn’t invent it any more than Pythagoras invented his theorem. I just noticed it, like Einstein noticed Relativity. I became transfixed as the angles of my calculations exposed the template of my theorem. I would fell three perfect 8–10 inch oak trees at once. I saw the lanes. They were only waiting for this moment to arrive. Nobody stopped me as I picked up a chainsaw and walked toward the first tree of the trinity in my mind’s eye. And nobody stopped shooting their pistols and drinking and laughing when I pulled the cord and started up the saw. I cut my forward notches in all three trees. All good so far. I made some final calculations, so as to not walk into danger,
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The Vincent Family, photo by Bre Bogert.
took a deep breath, and began my backside cuts. I made the cut on the third tree just as the first one hit the ground. “THUD!” The ground shook with the impact. My father screamed! “WHAT THE CHRISTMAS” Only he didn’t say Christmas. When the second tree hit the ground, right on target, men started running around like disturbed termites, putting my theorem in jeopardy. As the third perfect tree fell I noticed that my foolproof calculations were just a little off and it really was a miracle that nobody got killed. The third tree hit squarely on top of the remaining full beer cooler, which exploded better than I could have imagined. In the years that have followed, I’ve thought long and hard about that day. My father was madder at me than I’ve ever seen him. What did I learn? Well, my vision of the Trinity might not have been the right triangle. But, by putting my faith in math while cuttin’ wood that day in the woods, long ago, I caused several grown men to get down on their knees and pray. And, that’s all that I know about geometry.
APR 20 20
Clarke
The New [Temporary] Normal By Bre Bogert
Bre Bogert and her family. It goes without saying that times right now are stressful and different, as we are all navigating this new [temporary] normal. When I ask friends, neighbors, and community members about what they are experiencing, words like frustrating, uncertain, scary, and confusing seem to repeat themselves. But, as a “glass half-full” person and a mother, this positivity has helped me and my family cope with this crazy time, much like any other uncertain time we may encounter in our lives. I never planned to homeschool my kids or have my job put on hold (none of us did, right?). I’ve dreamt about moving off the grid to a mountain horse ranch or a beach paradise, and said that I would train myself to homeschool out of necessity, but, I have left homeschooling to my friends
who are cut out for it, and I have loved my kids’ experience with our local public elementary school. Now, I find myself trying to organize some type of school schedule at home and putting life on hold to help my two boys (7 & 9) through this time. When I was asked to share some of the ideas I have as a local mom going through this, I agreed but promised to be real. This isn’t sunshine and roses for everyone — including myself. I am a local photographer who suddenly found 3+ months of events now cancelled, essentially closing off my business and income for the meantime. I am also an extrovert (surprise, surprise for those who know me, right!?), and thrive on both helping others and being with people — this is undeniably tough. The camera, a phone call with a
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Wm "Willy" Steinmetz Call/Text 540-336-0003 William@VAMove.com
friend, and a country road to run or bike on — are my escapes. I have found a semblance of peace by giving myself an hour alone whenever my husband gets home from his essential job in a nearby county, going for a run or ride, or a family country car ride. On the way to get neighbors’ groceries or my families’ prescriptions, I have been driving around Clarke County snapping photos of families “as they are” on their steps or their porch from my car or sidewalk, sharing a smile and a socially distant hello. This has kept me feeling fulfilled, and helped some in Clarke find community in social distance. When I asked how she is faring through this, Renee Konopa, a mother of two elementary school students in Berryville said to me, “As parents we wear many different hats. Right now, some of those hats seem to be more detailed and complicated. While math and reading assignments are important, at the end of the day, as long as my kids are happy and feel safe, that is all that matters.” I think many parents can relate to these feelings. Sandy
20 Nutter, of Boyce, is a grandmother and now homeschooling “Nae Nae” to preschool-age and elementary-age grandkids. She is also now caring for some kids whose parents are essential workers with the elderly. In her experience, she says, “We are having a blast at Nae Nae’s Academy, learning and exploring in our new normal homeschool experience.” Everyone has a different rhythm, be patient finding yours. I have ordered a few workbooks from Amazon (great for those with limited internet), and have found wonderful printable resources recommended by teachers (greatschools.org, Scholastic.com, and more). I love to cook, so our breakfast/lunch/dinner each day has a math (great for fractions!) or science (reactions, etc.) lesson. My husband has set up a backyard obstacle course for my boys to run and time themselves; there is also a plyometric routine they can do in the garage if it is rainy. We have used local resources online for live feeds and series (check out Blue Ridge Wildlife Center on Facebook). I’ve
been able to reach out to some Blandy employees for ideas on where to purchase a sanitized set of owl pellets (yes, seriously!) because my kids got so interested watching one of Blue Ridge Wildlife’s owl videos. Because I am a small business owner, I am urging friends to support local small businesses. Many of the restaurants, and even some farms around Clarke are offering their menus and products to-go, curbside, and even delivery. Check them out! My boys and I enjoyed getting fresh pizza dough and sauce from Marios Pizza this week for an at-home cooking lesson and pizza-decorating night. Sweet Elephant Bake Shop, of Berryville, has adorable cookie kits for kids to decorate their own cookies at home. Many businesses, like mine, have made their inventories or products available online. Elizabeth Mock, owner of Modern Mercantile in Berryville, has made limited store stock available online and has some really wonderful spring gifts and some boredom busters for kids and adults alike. We have enjoyed the Maya Kiwi DIY Watercolor kits! All are wonderful
Amy Longerbeam Call/Text 540-336-8889 Amy@VAMove.com
624 Withers Larue Rd, Berryville, VA 22611 This property scratches the itch! Contemporary and open, while private and rural. Inside, every corner reveals a unique touch or hidden storage nook. Outside you'll find a large trex deck, yearround plantings, stone walls, a 2 car carport, firepit and an outbuilding with dedicated power.
HELPING OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY IN CLARKE AND SURROUNDING COUNTIES FOR OVER 15 YEARS Licensed in VA. Each office independently owned and operated. Office: 540.955.0911 Brett Sowder, Priciple Broker
Left-The Carlisle-Poe-Crosen Family. Right-The Payne Family, photos by Bre Bogert.
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Left-The Clotzman Family. Right- Debbie Hardesty, photos by Bre Bogert. ways to support local businesses during this. Check them out and all of the other local businesses on Facebook, Instagram, or their websites. Each night, I take a walk or bike ride after dinner with my family, sometimes with scavenger hunts in hand; sometimes it’s just us and our imaginations. We wave at neighbors from a distance, and it gives us a break from feeling this cabin fever. We have been writing thank-you notes and letters to family members and friends in the hospital or nursing homes — teaching handwriting and grammar. Each day after lunch, I ask the boys to write in their journal (I have one too!) about our day, so we don’t forget this time. We have been breaking out board games and reading — so much reading! I have set up little learning corners around the house, so that we all don’t get too bored with stagnant at-desk learning. Our friends with farms have invited us to visit the creek when the farm is empty to explore the wildlife under rocks. I have never come so close to crayfish in my life — I was raised on the ocean, not creeks! It’s a whole new game
in the river. What an amazing science lesson in our backyard! Learning comes in many forms. At the end of the day, when I lie down at night, like many of you, I am exhausted. We are worrying about our kids, our parents, our families, our jobs, our futures, our present day. There is much uncertainty, but there is also much hope. My suggestion: Handle each day without many expectations. Set a few goals and hope to accomplish one. And if you don’t, you’ve got a bunch of tomorrows to try to accomplish these things. Aim each day to learn a little, teach a little, write a little, read a little, connect a little (Zoom, facebook, facetime), and breathe. Support everyone you can— businesses, farms, friends, family—in whatever way you can. Be kind. Help a neighbor who may not be able to get out. And hug your kids (big or small) either in-person, or virtually. Let them tell you their thoughts and insecurities; I guarantee we grown-ups share the same sentiments. This is a time that they will remember. And we will too. I try each day to make some positive from the constant
negativity we are thrashed with, to see things in sunny light. Remind yourself that you are doing the best you can. Don’t hesitate to reach out if anyone needs anything—and remember—we are ALL navigating in this new normal together, even if we are standing 6-feet apart and social distancing. This new normal is temporary. Hang in there, Clarke.
C L A R K E V A . C O M
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Guest Essay
The Absence Of What We Take For Granted By Matthew Bass
I was raised by sports in many ways. My friends and I spent countless hours playing all sorts of sports, from holding the “Kid Olympics” on Rice and Academy Streets, to roller hockey, football and baseball games in the McWilliams’ yard (many thanks to Bugs and Barbara McWilliams, who never said a word about the dozen-or-so neighborhood kids who regularly occupied their front lawn). We played basketball, soccer, tennis, golf, and more. When the weather wouldn’t allow outdoor recreation, indoor basketball games on little plastic hoops were interspersed re-runs of SportsCenter, which aired for hours in the background. I also had
the great fortune of playing for several coaches who espoused all the invaluable life lessons sports offer. The camaraderie of sports helped me form lifelong friendships. We can kill any downtime with a riff on the Redskins’ woes, the relatively brighter futures of the Nationals and Capitals (Wizards…meh…), or golf’s young cadre of upand-coming stars. Stories from our youth, like Bubby Rodway (RIP Bub!) diving headfirst, a’ la Pete Rose, all over Little League fields, still circulate today. I recently told my little brother, whose Arlington 15-under baseball team reached the Babe Ruth World Series in Bismarck, North Dakota in
summer 2019, that he would be talking about that experi-
ence with his friends twenty years later. He’s a teenager, so he was skeptical. Until sports started to disappear from daily life, I never realized how often I would reach for the ESPN app on my phone just to check the latest news or scores. Full disclosure: too often. I have opined on the “how” and “why” sports and their attendant values permeate our culture in previous articles. But now, I cannot help but feel somewhat lost in the “what now” without sports. Maybe the real question driving this piece is more like: “Why do sports matter so much to me, personally?” The correspondent ques-
tion of whether they should matter so much to me is invariably answered with a resounding psychoanalytic, “No.” Maybe it’s too premature at this time to know whether this temporary hiatus will somehow cause me to return to sports less invested than in days past. But also in full disclosure, I doubt it. Personal reflections aside, one day — hopefully sooner rather than later — sports will return. As will normal life. Meanwhile, it requires no degree of insight to capture what the current lack of 24/7 sports means for many sports fans. Among other things, more quality time engaged with family,
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getting to those home improvement projects that never cease, a dive into the golden age of television shows out there to consume, maybe even a book to read, or a new hobby. At the same, though I miss sports, I feel no pity for the pro athletes themselves. First, it seems they have access to testing and treatment that most Americans do not. Imagine that. And I cringe every time sports pundits debate about whether these grossly overpaid entertainers might have to forego the untold millions they are owed in salary this year. Poor guys. I do not mourn the billions in lost revenue. When I heard that baseball teams would donate one million dollars each to help ballpark workers impacted by the na-
tional health crisis, my first thought was: “That’s it?” From a broader perspective, sports, like many other forms of entertainment, generally serve as a distraction from the sometimesharsh realities of daily life. That concept is only magnified in times of national crisis. Normally, I might have been as equally inclined to tune into the first inning of a meaningless early April baseball game as the seven o’clock news. Now, there is no real choice. Even the most zealous sports fan would be hard-pressed to argue that sports should somehow continue without fans while this crisis plays out. That makes little practical sense given the travel and interaction
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between players, team staff, forum workers, etc. I feel the fan experience would be lessened anyway. Part of the allure of watching professional sports, for me at least, has been trying to imagine how these highlevel athletes perform under the pressure of being watched by many thousands live, and millions more on television. No doubt, these pros could go about their games with no fans present (part of their extraordinary performance ability comes from being able to tune the fans out!), but it’s hard to imagine that wouldn’t somehow lessen the product quality. Regardless, we now have to wait to see how shortened seasons play out (if at all), and whether that impacts fan interest, viewership,
attendance, and consumption. As I sit here (working from home) wondering how to conclude this rambling rumination on the absence of sports, I am struck by how I am not utterly crushed by the thought of no Masters in April or Opening Day on the horizon. Disappointed? Sure. Still in a relative state of shock, not fully able to realize the scale of this lifestyle change? Perhaps. But I am comforted by the thought that as we all continue to adapt to this new reality, maybe it’s not a bad thing to reflect on the absence of things we normally take for granted, distractions from reality included. If nothing else, when life does return to normal, perhaps we will appreciate all we have that much more.
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