Clarke Monthly 2023

A Remembrance

Family Restaurant

Happy Hour

Every Day 3-7pm

Kids Meals $3.50 plus drink.

We also offer a wide selection of quality beer and wines for carry out at our Berryville location!

16 Crow Street, Berryville 955-4730

CLARKEVA.COM

BLUE RIDGE HUNT

POINT-TO- P O INT-RACES

Coach isn’t just X’s and O’s Coach isn’t just go hard or go home

Coach is you and I, eye to eye No lies, only truth between us Stand up like you mean it And don’t ever tell me it can’t be done

Coach is we do this together

You know there is no “I” in team Just like there is no “I” in dream And we live and dream this together As a team

Coach is whatever you need Whenever you need it We hold each other Accountable at all times

“Coach Is…”

By Matthew Bass

Coach is hear me now, loud and clear No such thing as fear

We are crystal clear in our purpose

Out here under the lights nothing can hurt us

Coach is parent, teacher, leader Part-time babysitter, friend, and mentor

Coach is the voice that echoes across decades

Coach is still Coach when you see them years later So, when Coach unexpectedly departs This game of life too soon, the void is great

But Coach is and always will be No matter the odds, or how

tough it may seem Get it together, play on

Because Coach is I got you, this team’s got you These people got you, forever Gone is not forgotten So rest easy now, Coach Emmart We got you.

Clarke County Board of Supervisors member Matthew Bass is a 2002 graduate of Clarke County High School, where as a student athlete (baseball/golf) he witnessed firsthand the formation of an iconic coaching brotherhood that endures to this day and mourns the loss of one its foundational members, Coach Brent Emmart

Sunday, April 16, 2023

POST TIME: 1:00 PM

WOODLEY FARM, BERRYVILLE, VA

FEATURING: Blue Ridge Hunt Fox Hound Parade

Nantucket-Treweryn Beagle Parade

Kid’s Zone

Stick-Horse Race (for kids)

Antique/Exotic Car Cruise-In

GENERAL ADMISSION: $25 PER CARLOAD

RESERVED PARKING: $150

Contact: Diana Perry 540-631-1919 BlueRidgeHunt.org

Clarke County and the Clarke County High School community mourns the loss of Coach Brent Emmart. CCHS alumnus Matthew Bass shares this poetic tribute.

Clarke

STAFF

David Lillard, Editor/Publisher

Jennifer Welliver, Associate Publisher factoryBstudio, Art Direction

APRIL CONTRIBUTORS

Matthew Bass

Diane Harrison

Edie Hessberg

Doug Pifer

John Keim

Cathy Kuehner

Rebecca Maynard

COVER IMAGE

CCHS Girls Varsity Basketball State Champions, photo by Casey Childs. Back row left to right standing: assistant Sadie Wright, assistant Shadd McCaw, Bailey Beard, Devin Simmons-McDonald, Selene Good, Kaiya Williams, Hailey Evans, Alainah McKavish, Emily Emmart, trainer Lindsay Griego, assistant Charles Hudnall, head coach Regina Downing, manager Kendall Harmon, manager Riley Irwin. Kneeling: Kiera Rohrbach, Willow Oliver, Emma Nelson, manager Jillian Emmart, manager Paige McKavish.

ADVERTISING SALES

Jennifer Welliver, 540-398-1450

Advertising Information:

540-398-1450

MAY AD DEADLINE: APRIL 24

Clarke prints signed letters-to-the-editor of uniquely local interest. Letters containing personal attacks or polarizing language will not be published. Letters may be edited. Send letters to the editor of 300 or fewer words to: editor@clarkeva.com. Include your town and state of residence.

CLARKE MONTHLY PO BOX 2160

SHEPHERDSTOWN WV 25443

540-440-1373

Scotch and Cigars Evening to Benefit Connect-Vets Organization

By Rebecca Maynard

If you are in search of an entertaining evening and would also like to support an important cause, come on out to the Scotch and Cigars evening on Saturday, May 27. Held from 2 to 9pm at the Berryville VFW Post 9760, 425 S. Buckmarsh Street, the evening will include three tastings and a raffle draw with a $25 entrance fee.

“In December 2019, Samuel Marx unknowingly began a mission of hope,” reads the Connect-Vets website. While working with a nonprofit whose mission was to give all that wanted it Basic First Aid Training, he found a need for veterans.

Many veterans were coming in, updating their training and sharing stories, and quite a few were the same. They were struggling to pay bills, buy food or even cover copay costs. As a veteran himself, Samuel wanted to find a solution, so he created Connect-Vets, an

organization that would connect veterans to help in their time of need. Six months into the new venture, it was clear that although there are support services for veterans, many were falling through the gaps or just not able to get help.

In Late 2020, Samuel refocused his idea for ConnectVets and created its website, www.connect-vets.org, which is solely focused on supporting veterans in their time of need. By the end of 2022, Connect-Vets had donated over $450,000 worth of support.

The Scotch and Cigars evening in Berryville was organized to benefit the ConnectVets organization’s Lightson/Heat-on/AC-on program, which helps fund veterans struggling to pay their utility bills.

“My husband is a Marine Corps Veteran, so helping vets is very personal to me,” said Clarke County resident

Stacie Garner, Vice President of Fundraising for ConnectVets. “A friend of mine and I were discussing how so many vets struggle with civilian life after service and there are so many ways they can be helped to assimilate after service.”

Tickets are on sale now a nd can be bought online at www.connect-vets.org, or by emailing Garner at stacie@ connect-vets.org.

Poe’s Home Improvements

Community Dispatch

LIKE

Veterinarians:

Dr. Rachael Nuzzo, DVM, Owner

Dr. Brittany Jones, DVM

Hours:

Phone:

Dr. Holly Nightingale, DVM, CVA Dr. Erin Rockwell, DVM

Litter Committee

is

Working to Keep Clarke Clean; Can You Help?

By John Keim

Since its first meeting in November 2021, the five-member Clarke County Litter Committee has met monthly with one goal in mind: Find ways to keep the county beautiful. The committee has conducted multiple cleanup days; tried to raise awareness about the importance of picking up litter; and considered long-term solutions.

The committee held its first cleanup day in March 2022 in Chet Hobert Park. Local Girl Scouts pitched in on a cold, gray day and worked for hours. Other cleanup days in April, October, and November focused on the boat landings under the Va. 7 and U.S. 50 bridges over the Shenandoah River and the busy Va. 7 and U.S. 340 interchange in Berryville.

Committee members also volunteered at the Clarke County Fair, spending hours picking up trash around the grounds as well as in parking areas. Volunteers also handed out literature at the Clarke County Litter Committee booth.

The committee has collaborated with Shenandoah Riverkeeper Mark Frondorf for cleanup days, and talked to area restaurants and other businesses about using substitutes for polystyrene containers for takeout food. Com-

mittee members have looked into how other localities made the transition to using environmentally friendly materials so it does not hurt a business’s bottom line.

Committee members are currently working with county schools, asking students to create slogans and art to put on signs to remind folks not to litter.

The committee is in the process of adopting a highway, which will require consistent

Pitch in to Clean Clarke on April 15

The Clarke County Litter Committee hosts its next boat ramp cleanup beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 15. Volunteers will start at Castlemans Ferry (under Va. 7), then go to Lockes Landing (Rt. 621), and then Berrys Ferry (under U.S. 50). The Litter Committee recommends young volunteers be at least 10-years old, but parents must decide if their children should work along roadways. All volunteers must sign waiver forms in advance. Go to www. clarkecounty.gov/government/boards-commissions/litter-committee.

Volunteers who help with two Litter Committee clean up events this year will receive a free cargo net for pickup trucks. Cargo nets help prevent trash and other items from flying out of the truck and littering our roads.

Contact the committee at litterfree@clarkecounty.gov with questions, to sign up, and/or to submit a completed waiver. Details will be sent upon registration, including a rain date if necessary.

cleaning and a need for more volunteers. The Litter Committee is also working with county residents to identify problem spots that need attention, whether picking up litter or providing extra equipment.

Anyone who is interested in helping can do one of two things: Volunteer on Litter Committee outings, or simply pick up litter where you live. Make a day of it with your kids or neighbors. Everyone gets some exercise, and your neighborhood will look better. Keeping Clarke County clean is not someone else’s responsibility.

Every day our rural roads are littered with beer cans and fast food debris. Clarke is a gem of a county, and our collective goal should be to make it sparkle. We all need to do what we can.

The Litter Committee meets on the third Tuesday of every month to discuss the best ways to Clarke clean. Find the calendar of government meetings at www.clarkecounty.gov. If you want to participate in any way, contact the Litter Committee at (540) 955-5132 or litterfree@clarkecounty.gov.

Clarke County Litter Committee member John Keim (left) and Jeff Feaga and his son prepare to pick up trash along U.S. 340 near the Va. 7 overpass last fall. Youngsters are welcome to volunteer with the Litter Committee, but parents must decide if their children should work along roadways. Photo provided by Clarke County

Clarke County’s Merriman To Represent The United States In World Games

By Diane Harrison

When you think of a Frisbee, you envision back yards, the beach, even dogs playing fetch. When you hear ultimate Frisbee, you take Frisbee and add a stadium, a cross between football, soccer, and basketball formats, and fast-moving excitement.

Ultimate, as it is officially known — Frisbee is a trademark of its inventor, Wham-O toy company — has grown over the years and is now recognized by the Olympic Committee for eligibility for the 2028 Olympics. The sport originated in 1968 by students at Columbia High School in Maplewood, New Jersey. It was only in the last 10 years or so that Ultimate has seen its largest growth. The sport has become popular on college campuses around the country. Over the last few years, you may have caught a demonstration of the game at half time shows of the professional football teams in Philadelphia and DC. Although Ultimate won’t see competition in the Olympics until 2028, it has been played in the World Games since 2001.

Clarke County resident AJ Merriman, who plays professionally for the DC Breeze, has been chosen to represent the United States on the U24 mixed team this summer in England. In November, he will represent the United States at the Beach World Championship in Southern California.

After attending Clarke County schools, AJ attended high school outside the county. He played for a semester in college before being asked to try out for the Breeze. “Being at a new school after living in Clarke County my whole life was an adjustment. So starting

this club and forming friendships that have lasted to this day ended up being one of the best things I did in high school.

AJ also played for several DC-area teams. One of those, The Foggy Bottom Boys, won U20 nationals in 2018. “That was a wonderful experience,” he said. “I now coach with the man who coached us to that championship.”

“I have played three years with the DC Breeze, and am currently working with team ownership and management to plan my future with the team,” AJ added.

AJ also spends his time coaching and supporting youth locally and worldwide. “I have been coaching a lot the past few years. I was on the coaching staff for the GMU men’s team. I coach several individuals around the nation, even some coaching with international ultimate athletes, and I have coached several youth teams,” he said. He is the head JV boys coach at W&L High School in Arlington, and has coached a couple of DCarea all-star teams. “Passing on my knowledge of the game to the area youth is important to me personally, but also to the

youth community in general. It is exciting now that I have current and former athletes showing up to DC Breeze tryouts!”

In the World Games, athletes and teams must raise funds to compete. AJ hopes to get donations/sponsorships to help pay his way to these two events.

If you would like to help AJ get to the U24 World Championships in London this summer — or to the World Beach Ultimate Championship in Huntington Beach later this year — you can donate in three ways:

• Via PayPal at ajthatfrisbeeguy @gmail.com.

• GO FUND ME at https://gofund.me/ eb228c4c.

• By check to Alexander Merriman, 352 Hermitage Blvd., Berryville VA 22611. You can follow AJ on Instagram @ajthatfrisbeeguy and the DC Breeze on Facebook @dc.breeze or their website at https://thedcbreeze.com, where you can catch the action on video or get tickets to attend a game.

New Book Explores Clarke County History Through Architecture

By Cathy Kuehner

Towns and counties across America developed as settlers arrived, built homes that often reflected the architecture of their heritage, and established businesses to serve their new and growing communities.

Clarke County’s history is the story of its settlers and slaves, property owners and entrepreneurs, and its agricultural- and agrarian-based economy.

A new book by architectural historian Maral S. Kalbian, “Clarke County, Virginia: History Through Architecture,” introduces the reader to the first people known to live in the area, guides readers through the development of roads and communities, and explains the architectural styles of its grand estates and humble houses.

“I thoroughly enjoyed working on this book, although it was overwhelming at times,” said Kalbian, a professional architectural historian and preservation consultant. “I wanted to include as much as possible, and write it in a way that keeps

the reader engaged. Not every historic property is included, but I wrote about as many as I could to tell the story of Clarke County.”

Kalbian, a longtime Clarke resident, was also determined to separate fact from fiction, tracking down widely held beliefs and finding documented evidence to either support or debunk them. “There are discrepancies in past historical writings, so I double- and tripled-checked some stories in order to give future researchers a better place to start.”

Kalbian’s meticulous research and the publication of “Clarke County, Virginia: History Through Architecture” was funded through a Certified Local Government (CLG) grant from the Virginia Department of Historic Resources as well as funds from the Clarke County Conservation Easement Authority (approved by the Board of Supervisors), the Clarke County Historical Association, and the Clarke-based Clermont

Architectural historian and Clarke resident Maral Kalbian has spent more than three decades researching and writing about old residential and commercial buildings in the county. Her newest book, “Clarke County, Virginia: History Through Architecture,” was published this year. Photo provided by Clarke County.“Clarke County, Virginia: History Through Architecture,” the newest book by local author Maral Kalbian, guides readers through the development of county roads and communities, and explains the architectural styles of the its grand estates and humble houses. Photo provided by Clarke County

Foundation. Grants and contributed funds totaled $33,000.

Clarke County’s Historic Preservation Commission oversaw the project that began in early 2021. The Commission oversaw earlier CLG grants that funded other studies of Clarke history, including an African-American historic context (2002), a countywide archaeological assessment (1994), an archaeological mill study (1996), and a driving tour (2015). Additionally, almost 40 Cultural Resource Management reports have been written about resources in the county. Kalbian researched and wrote most of them.

“Because so much has been written about Clarke’s history, I used architecture as the thread that ties the story together,” Kalbian said of her new book. Indeed, by offering details about the styles, building materials, and construction of homes, businesses, barns, churches, and schools, Kalbian paints a vivid picture of how people lived from the 1700s through the early 20th century.

Of course, until early 1836, there was no Clarke County; it was eastern Frederick County. The state Senate officially established Clarke County on March 8, 1836, by separat-

ing it from Frederick County along Opequon Creek. The incorporated town of Berryville was selected Clarke’s seat of government.

The end of the Civil War in 1865 and the completion of the Shenandoah Valley Railroad in 1879 led to a boom in residential and business construction in Clarke, including many Black communities built by freed slaves.

Thus, chapters in Kalbian’s new book are organized chronologically with historic resources detailed in each chapter by type or theme. By using architecture as the thread, the reader can see how the landscape dictated the placement of roads, towns, and farms, and how architectural elements of each structure served specific functions for their occupants.

“Previously published technical reports are not always easily accessible to citizens or government officials,” Kalbian said. “My primary goal with this book is to assemble historical information in a way that is more accessible and appreciated by all ages of the general public. The book may even provide the framework for school curricula or other public history venues focusing on Clarke’s broad history and culture.”

Historic Preservation Commission chair Betsy Arnett said, “The production of this thoroughly professional account of Clarke County’s historic built environment is a major accomplishment. Commission members were delighted to support Maral’s work through the CLG grant program, including all the past studies and resource reports that informed her work on this new book.”

Arnett continued, “I think many people don’t realize what an asset Maral is to our community. To have an architectural historian and historic preservationist of her caliber working for our benefit is really quite amazing. This book is a labor of love for Maral, and it shows.”

“Clarke County, Virginia: History Through Architecture” is a hardcover, full-color, and richly illustrated book. It is available for $75 at the Clarke County Historical Association located at 32 E. Main St. in Berryville. Checks should be made payable to Maral Kalbian. Only 200 copies were printed, although additional copies may be printed. To purchase a book or for more information, contact Kalbian at (540) 955-1231 or maral@mkalbian.com.

Summer Riding Camps Starting June 19

*AUDLEYFARM

Berryville Celebrates with a Big Parade June 3; Be Part of It

By Cathy Kuehner photos by Clarke County Historical Association

Parades have marched along Berryville’s Main Street for more than 100 years — maybe longer — but since cameras didn’t exist when the town was founded in 1798, there is no evidence of its earliest parades. However, 2023 is the year to get floats, marching groups, school groups, old cars, firetrucks, and your cameras ready, because the Berryville 225th Anniversary Committee is hosting what it hopes will be the biggest parade the town has ever seen.

The anniversary committee, chaired by John Hudson, has been working since last February to create memorable events to celebrate Berryville’s past, present, and future. A parade has long been part of the planning, and a subcommittee has taken on the task of organizing it.

The date — Saturday, June 3 — is a nod to the popular townwide “Berryville Days” multiday festivals held each June in

the late 1980s and early ’90s. Early June also means elementary, middle, and high school students might represent their classes and clubs with floats or marching units in the parade.

“The Berryville 225 Anniversary Committee is working on a parade that will welcome participants of all ages from all across Clarke County,” Hudson said. “Clarke County loves parades, and the committee believes this parade could be the biggest one ever. Of course, a project this size will require many volunteers.”

When someone says volunteer, Berryville Mayor Jay Arnold is there. He has long helped organize car shows, yard sales, and other community events, and he stepped up to lead the parade sub-committee.

“As a lifelong resident of Berryville, I remember big parades each year when I was growing up,” Arnold said. “Since this is the town’s 225th anniversary

year, I’d love to see a great parade on June 3.”

Clarke County clubs, school groups, marching bands, vintage vehicles, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and others are invited to be part of the “Berryville Celebrates” parade. There is no entry fee for parade participants or spectators.

Berryville anniversary themes and colors (blue and green) are strongly encouraged, but not required. Parade steps off at 2pm rain or shine. Parade begins along Lincoln Avenue, and heads east along Main Street. Because of safety concerns, throwing candy or other items from parade floats or units is prohibited.

Applications are required to participate in the “Berryville Celebrates” parade; the deadline to apply is May 17.

“We hope to see some familiar faces, local and regional dignitaries, floats, bands, fire-

A mounted regiment marches along Berryville’s Main Street during the 1945 Victory Loan Parade.

trucks, and some special entries going along Main Street,” said Arnold, who added, “We also hope to see new entries presented by individuals, businesses, or civic groups that have never been in a parade before.”

All parade participants must apply, and parade positions will be assigned. Sponsorship op-

portunities are available, too, and volunteers will be needed for many different task on parade day.

Anyone interested in participating in the parade – or volunteering to help organize it – should contact the Berryville 225th Anniversary parade subcommittee at (540) 313-7467 or info@bvmerchants.com.

After receiving, completing, and returning an application, parade participants will receive confirmation emails with entry numbers, staging location information, route map, and instructions. Take the confirmation email with entry number with you on parade day to show at lineup.

Go for the Parade, Stay for the Picnic

Following the “Berryville Celebrates” parade at 2pm, Saturday, June 3, the Berryville 225 Anniversary Committee is planning a community picnic at 3:30pm with live music and food (or you may bring food from your favorite Berryville restaurant). Picnic location to be announced. Free parking for community events is always available in municipal parking lots on South Church Street (near Dollar General) and at the Berryville-Clarke County Government Center on Chalmers Court (near Rose Hill Park).

To make the parade visible and enjoyable for children of all ages, please do not park along the parade route (Main Street) on Saturday afternoon, June 3.

$35 • Under 18 Free

Grace Episcopal Church 110 North Church Street, Berryville

Violin virtuoso Akemi Takayama performs Mozart's delightful "Turkish" Concerto. The MSCO also performs Beethoven's jubilant Symphony #2 and CPE Bach's stormy Symphony #1. Saturday, May 13, 4pm

Local members of the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps and Women’s Auxiliary Air Force march in the 1945 Victory Loan Parade along Berryville’s Main Street.

The Josephine School Community Museum participated in Berryville’s big Centennial Parade in 1998, when museum organizers were in the fundraising phase for the project. The museum officially opened in 2003.

Around Clarke County

April

1 Opening Reception: Berryville Celebrates

225 Juried Art Show

Barns of Rose Hill. 95 Chalmers Ct. Berryville. Exhibit showcases the work of artists from Clarke County and celebrates the Town of Berryville. On display through the month of April. RSVP for reception to provide accurate headcount for snacks. 3–6pm. www.barnsofrosehill.org.

1 FISH Mobile Community Table

Church of the Good Shepherd. 27 Good Shepherd Rd. Bluemont. Dairy products, personal care items and snack packs, and food to take home “from our community table to your family table.” Find out what benefits may be available to you from the Department of Social Services. Held monthly.

Free. 9–11am. 540-955-1823. www.fishofclarkecounty.org.

4 Clarke County Democratic Committee Meeting

Clarke County Courthouse. 104 N. Church St. Berryville. All are welcome. Meets on first Tuesday of each month. 301-821-2829.

4 Trivia Night

Barns of Rose Hill. 95 Chalmers Ct. Berryville. The Clarke County Library and Clarke County Historical Association team up to offer team trivia, with a variety of categories and prizes donated from local businesses. Register ahead. 7pm. www.barnsofrosehill.org. www.clarkehistory.org.

8 Long Branch Easter Egg Hunt

Long Branch Historic House and Farm. 830 Long Branch Lane. Boyce. Car-

riage rides, petting zoos, food vendors and hunts for three age groups. Bring your own basket. $10 per car. 12–3pm. www.visitlongbranch.org.

8 Berryville Main Street Yard Sales

Various yards and parking lots in Berryville. Parking lot spaces available for $25, table spaces available on sidewalks for $5. Rain date April 15. 540-313-7467. info@bvmerchants.com.

8 Blood and Food Drive

Blue Ridge Volunteer Fire & Rescue Co 8. 131 Retreat Rd. Bluemont. Blue Ridge Volunteer Fire & Rescue will be joining with Local Masonic Lodges and Veramar Winery to sponsor a Blood Drive for INOVA as well as a Food Drive for Clarke County FISH. Veramar is generously donating a raffle prize. One free raffle entry for each item dropped off for the food drive. 8am–12pm.

To reserve an appointment time to donate blood, visit https://bit.ly/MVD040823.

8 Easter Bunny Rides Through Town

Keep an eye out for the Easter Bunny riding through town beginning at 12pm. www.endersfire.com.

8 Local Author Open House

Barns of Rose Hill. 95 Chalmers Ct. Berryville. Come meet authors from your community, learn about their work, purchase books and get your copies autographed. Meet Laura Zimmerman, Professor of Psychology at Shenandoah University and author of “Mushroom Rain;” Micki Smith, owner of Brazen Sheep Fiber Art Shop in

Berryville and author of “Fanny’s Destiny;” and June Smalls, children’s book author. 1–4pm. www.barnsofrosehill.org.

9 Spring Pancake Breakfast

John H. Enders Fire Company. 9 S. Buckmarsh St. Berryville. Pancakes, sausage, eggs, sausage gravy, baked apples, coffee, milk, tea, apple and orange juice, and water. Dine in or to go. Adults $10, children $5, children younger than 6 free. 7am–12pm. www.endersfire.com.

9 Community Easter Egg Hunt

Christ Church. 843 Bishop Meade Road. Millwood. For ages 10 and younger; bring your own basket or use one of ours. Free. 12pm. 540-837-1112.

13Woman’s Club of Clarke County Meeting

Berryville Baptist Church. 114 Academy St. Berryville. Representatives of Lonesome Pine Farms will speak

about creating their Udderly Sublime Soaps from their own Nigerian Dwarf goats’ milk. 2pm. Guests welcome. jean.m.carrigan@gmail.com.

14Ouros Concert

Barns of Rose Hill. 95 Chalmers Ct. Berryville. Comprised of notable musicians Danny Knicely (mandolin), Mario Oreta (guitar), Jose Oreta (guitar), and Ralph Gordon (bass), this bilingual band performs songs in both Spanish and English. Hailing from different parts of the world, the band incorporates international influences spread across four continents. $20 in advance, $25 at door. 7–9pm. www.barnsofrosehill.org.

14–

Clarke County High School. 627 Mosby Blvd. Berryville. The annual spring musical is held Friday–Saturday at 7:30pm and Sunday at 1:30pm.

Adults $15, students $10. brewerc@clarke.k12.va.us.

15BVFC Spring Gun Bash

Boyce Volunteer Fire Company Social Hall. 1 S. Greenway Ave. Only 500 tickets will be sold; includes dinner, drinks and entertainment. 18 and older to purchase a ticket, 21 to attend. You do not have to be present to win. No weapons are given out at the event. 4–9pm. www.boycefire.org/ upcoming-events. BoyceFireCo4@gmail.com.

15Christian Bluegrass Concert

Crums Church. 2832 Crums Church Rd. Berryville. The Family Sowell, six siblings from Knoxville, melds passion and love with a good dose of laughter. Free; donations welcome to cover the group’s travel expenses. 6:30pm. 540-955-1852.

16Fabric of America Series

Barns of Rose Hill. 95 Chalmers Ct. Berryville. In this third part of the Clarke County Historical Association’s Fabric of America lecture series, Colorado State University’s Dr. Ann

16 “Annie” Spring Musical

Little will examine women’s identity around the turn of the 19th century. Women during this period were touring natural wonders and writing about their beauty and being inspired by nature. But during this time, they were also considered natural resources for a nation that was eager to populate the continent with white American families. How did ideas of nature inspire these women? 2–4pm. Members $20, nonmembers $25. www.barnsofrosehill.org.

16Bridal Show

Historic Rosemont Manor. 16 Rosemont Manor Ln. Berryville. Various vendors will showcase their work and couples will have the opportunity to see both wedding venues. $10 per person. Register ahead. 12–5pm. 540-955-2834. rosemont1811.com.

16Brave Hearted Herbalism Series

Sanctuary Wellness Center. 208 N. Buckmarsh St. Berryville. Learn some of the more common herbs and supplements every household should keep on hand and how to use them. Ideal for beginners. $40. Register ahead. 2–4pm. geosjoyrh@gmail.com.

18Town and Country Garden Club Meeting

Berryville Presbyterian Church. 123 W. Main St. Welcoming new members. 1pm. 540-539-3600.

20New Moon Drum Circle

Sanctuary Wellness Center. 208 N. Buckmarsh St. Berryville. Join us for a year of intentional drumming for harnessing the new moon energy. Free; $10 donation welcome. 6:30–8pm. www.lovenotesmusictherapy.com.

21Tony Trischka Banjo Workshop

Barns of Rose Hill. 95 Chalm-

ers Ct. Berryville. Bring your own banjo and learn from a master. Legendary banjoist Tony Trischka will cover lessons that apply to everyone; work on timing and get more clarity and solidity in your playing. 1–4pm. $75. www.barnsofrosehill.org.

21Tony Trischka Concert

Barns of Rose Hill. Regarded as “the father of modern bluegrass” by the New York Times, the legendary Tony Trischka made the banjo bigger, jazzier and worldlier. From bluegrass and country to roots in Africa and the heights of jazz, he has opened the instrument to a whole new realm. $20 in advance, $25 at door. 7–9pm. www.barnsofrosehill.org.

22Art at the Mill Opening Day

Burwell Morgan Mill. 15 Tannery Lane. Millwood. Runs through Sunday, May 7. More than 200 artists display for sale works of art in a historic 18th century, operating mill. Saturdays 10am–5pm, Sunday–Friday 12–5pm. Adults $5, seniors $3, children 12 and younger free. 540-837-1799. www.clarkehistory.org.

22Car, Truck and Motorcycle Show

Clarke County High School. 627 Mosby Blvd. Berryville. Sponsored by Clarke County Band Association. Registration for cars 8am, car show 9am–2pm, awards 1:30pm. $10 per car, spectators free. mrslive4kids@gmail.com.

23Poetry Reading

Christ Episcopal Church Parish House. 809 Bishop Meade Rd. Millwood. Join Millwood’s Poet Laureate, Wendell Hawken, and read a poem of your choosing, your own or another’s. Refreshments will follow. Free and open to the public. Sponsored by the Millwood

Community Association. 4pm. msjlee@comcast.net.

23Blue Ridge Singers Spring Concert

First Baptist Church. 205 W. Piccadilly St. Winchester. Acclaimed chamber choir celebrates its 14th season with “Into Eternity” under the direction of Dr. Jeffrey Alban. $15 donation requested. 4pm. www.blueridgesingers.org.

27Family Fun Day and Community Resource Fair

Rose Hill Park. E. Main St. Berryville. Enjoy a bouncy house, face painting, Paw Patrol, fire trucks and EMS vehicles, and a musical instrument petting zoo. They will also be providing gun safety demos, adoption and foster care information, and child abuse awareness and prevention education. Free. 4–6:30pm. 540-955-3810.

29FISH Mobile Community Table

Shiloh Baptist Church. 1983 Millwood Rd. Dairy products, personal care items and snack packs, and food to take home “from our community table to your family table.” Find out what benefits may be available to you from the Department of Social Services. Held monthly. Free. 9–11am. 540-955-1823. www.fishofclarkecounty.org.

30Blue Ridge Singers Spring Concert

Trinity Episcopal Church. 9108 John Mosby Highway. Upperville. Acclaimed chamber choir celebrates its 14th season with “Into Eternity” under the direction of Dr. Jeffrey Alban. $15 donation requested. 4pm. www.blueridgesingers.org.

May

6 FISH Mobile Table

Church of the Good Shepherd. 27 Good Shepherd

Rd. Bluemont. Dairy products, personal care items and snack packs, and food to take home “from our community table to your family table.” Find out what benefits may be available to you from the Department of Social Services. Held monthly. Free. 9–11am. 540-955-1823. www.fishofclarkecounty.org.

7 Trivia Night

Barns of Rose Hill. 95 Chalmers Ct. Berryville. The Clarke County Library and Clarke County Historical Association team up to offer team trivia, with a variety of categories and prizes donated from local businesses. Register ahead. 7pm. www.barnsofrosehill.org. www.clarkehistory.org.

11Woman’s Club of Clarke County

Luncheon

Golden Corral Buffet & Grill. 120 Costello Dr. Winchester. Join us for our spring luncheon at 12pm. jean.m.carrigan@gmail.com.

Ongoing

Spring Art Show

Long Branch Historic House and Farm. 830 Long Branch Lane. Boyce. Ring in spring with the spring art show,

amzgrace@verizon.net or pamseek4@gmail.com.

Art at the Mill

Burwell Morgan Mill. 15 Tannery Lane. Millwood. Runs through Sunday, May 7. More than 200 artists display for sale works of art in a historic 18th century, operating mill. Saturdays 10am–5pm, Sunday–Friday 12–5pm. Adults $5, seniors $3, children 12 and younger free. 540-837-1799. www.clarkehistory.org.

Women’s Circles

now through May 28 with a reception April 14 at 6pm. www.visitlongbranch.org.

Mill Reef Film and Exhibit

Long Branch Historic House and Farm. 830 Long Branch Lane. Boyce. The Oak Spring Garden Foundation will be hosting an exhibit of the racehorse Mill Reef as well as Cassidy Glascock’s film “Mill Reef: A Legacy of Heart,” five viewings with times to be announced from April 28 to 30. www.visitlongbranch.org.

Berryville Celebrates

225 Juried Art Show

Barns of Rose Hill. 95 Chalmers Ct. Berryville. Exhibit showcases the work of artists from Clarke County and celebrates the Town of Berryville. On display through the month of April. www.barnsofrosehill.org.

Fried Fish Dinners for Lent

Grace Episcopal Church, Parish Hall. 110 N. Church St. Berryville. The church will be holding a fish dinner each Friday evening during Lent, dine in or carry out. Fried fish, French fries, coleslaw and hush puppies. Parking lot in rear of the Parish Hall, entrance off Liberty St. 5:30–7pm. 540-955-1610 or 703-901-5760.

Sanctuary Wellness Center. 208 N. Buckmarsh St. Berryville. A sacred space to honor and celebrate who we truly are as women. Learn how to change your thoughts to change your life, find greater inner joy and peace. $25. 3pm April 1, 7pm April 26.. elizabethbava@rocketmail.com.

Mindful Meditations and Musings

Sanctuary Wellness Center. 208 N Buckmarsh St. Berryville. Twice weekly meditation classes for beginners with a focus on mindfulness. Typical class will consist of 30-45 minute lightly guided meditation followed by a brief discussion. Wear comfortable clothing and bring whatever you need to sit comfortably. Yoga mats and chairs available to borrow. $25 for individual class, $100 for five classes. 10:30–11:30am Fridays and 6–7pm Mondays. Email to register. tmgeorge126@gmail.com.

Ximena’s Yoga Flow

Sanctuary Wellness Center. 208 N Buckmarsh St. Berryville. Invigorating sequences of asanas, united by rhythmic breathing. $25 for drop-ins, $80 for four classes a month, $100 for eight classes a month. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30–10:30am. Email to register. stroubakisx@gmail.com.

“MILL

A documentary film by Cassidy Glascock Saturday, April 29 @ 11am/2pm/4pm Sunday April 30 @ 12pm/2pm

Tickets: $10/person (Reservations required)

In partnership with Oak Spring Garden Foundation Please visit the Long Branch website for more details

Experience Clarke’s Architectural History On Garden Week Tour

By Edie Hessberg

Millwood, VA 22646/540-837-1856/www.visitlongbranch.org

The Winchester-Clarke Garden Club and the Little Garden Club of Winchester will host the 2023 Garden Club of Virginia Historic Garden Week Tour, Saturday, April 22, 2023, from 10am until 5pm. Homes on tour this year are The Tuleyries, Carter Hall, and Apple Hill. All three homes are significant representatives of Clarke County’s rich Civil War and local history.

The Tuleyries, which is listed on the National Register of His-

toric Places, was completed by Col. Joseph Tuley, Jr. in 1834, and was later described in an 1850 volume of the History of the Valley as “a most splendid and expensive mansion.”

In 1903, New York financier Graham Blandy purchased the estate and acquired additional acreage. Upon his death in 1926, Blandy bequeathed 712 acres to Blandy Experimental Farm, the location of the highly respected plant genetics research program and the State Arboretum

of Virginia. The house itself is a work of art, with a copperdomed cupola dominating the facade, a sweeping spiral staircase, grand-scale rooms, and massive mahogany doors separating two parlors.

The antebellum Carter Hall and neighboring Apple Hill estates both have strong connections to Rachel Lambert Mellon, often known as Bunny Mellon, an American horticulturist and gardener known for her designs of many significant gardens, including the redesign of the White House Rose Garden in the 1960s. In 1929, still Rachel Lambert, Bunny assisted her father Gerald Lambert with a two-year renovation of Carter Hall that included the addition of a stone terrace and greenhouse to support her garden, and the English boxwood maze she designed. The house is flanked by two stone buildings, one of which originally served as a schoolhouse with a teacher’s apartment upstairs and, the other, a kitchen. Other outbuildings include a former smokehouse, dairy and wash house.

REEF: A LEGACY OF HEART”

Tucked into a hillside overlooking the Apple Hill Spring, the Apple Hill native fieldstone home was built by Lambert, then owner of Carter Hall, as a wedding gift to his daughter, the future Bunny Mellon, and her husband Stacy Lloyd. This property is the site of both Civil War history and nature’s treasure. In 1862 General Stonewall Jackson camped with his troops at the Apple Hill springs, the fourth largest in the state. Apple Hill is traversed by a section of Spout Run, a rare spring-fed creek located entirely within Clarke County that empties into the Shenandoah River. The house itself was built to bring the outdoors in from the foyer with its unobstructed view of the countryside and moun-

tains; the living and dining room are open on three sides to bring the light in.

Advance tickets for the three-home tour can be purchased for $40 online at VAGardenweek.org. Tickets may also be purchased the day of the tour at tour headquarters in the library at Blandy Farm for $50, cash or credit card only. Parking is available at the Tuleyries and at Carter Hall. There is no parking at Apple Hill. Access to Apple Hill is via shuttle from Carter Hall only. Optional box lunches are available for preorder from Locke Store at Millwood at www.lockestore.com/ catering. A complimentary tea will be served from 12:30 to 4 p.m. at Carter Hall.

Proceeds from the Clarke

County Historic Garden Week Tour, as well as all GCV Historic Garden Week tours state-wide, fund the ongoing restoration and preservation of Virginia’s most iconic historic public gardens and landscapes, as well as other lesser known sites across the state. In addition, ticket sales support a research fellowship program in landscape architecture. There are four GCV restoration sites located in Clarke and Frederick Counties and in the City of Winchester: The State Arboretum of Virginia/Blandy Experimental Farm, Burwell-Morgan Mill, Belle Grove and John Handley High School. For more information, please see VAGardenweek.org.

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Seeds On The Wind

By Doug Pifer

Looking out the kitchen window one morning last week, I thought it had started to snow. When I went out later, I saw that my “snowflakes” were really the fluffy seeds of sycamore trees. After hanging all winter packed tightly into “buttonwood balls,” they had broken free. Each individual nutlet had a bright buffy parachute that carried it away on the wind. Fluffy sycamore snowflakes drifted in windrows along the road, sticking to the muddy ground and piling up next to the fence.

Dispersal of seeds by wind, called anemochory, is a reproductive strategy of many trees, shrubs, and wildflowers. Wind dispersal gives seeds a much better chance to germinate than if they just fell to the ground under the plant. Tree anemochores include maples, tulip trees, and ashes, as well as cone bearing pines and spruces. All these produce winged seeds that twirl like helicopters. Sycamore and cottonwood trees, and wildflowers such as dandelion and milkweed, practice anemochory by releasing their seeds into the wind on silky parachutes.

Early spring winds also disperse pollen, sometimes in dramatic ways. One day I looked out the window and thought I saw smoke coming from the grove of red cedar trees in our middle pasture. My panic left me when I realized it was just the wind blowing clouds of cedar pollen. Red cedars are either male or female. Female red cedars are easily recognized in late summer when hundreds of small, waxy cones turning from green to powder-blue fill their branches.

Male cedars are less striking until late winter, when thousands of tiny reddish-brown cones at the ends of their branches open and release pollen. These cones often grow so densely they turn the tree from dull green to brick-red. On dry, warm days as early as mid-February, the fragrance of cedar fills the air. The slightest breeze, or even a bird alighting on the branches, releases a cloud of pollen. A stiff wind blowing through a grove of male cedar trees on a warm, dry winter day can look like smoke from a grass fire.

Wind pollinated flowers of red, silver and sugar maple trees burst forth in late winter and early spring. The flowers

are so small they often go unnoticed. Yet, from a distance every maple tree in the woods wears a red, orange or pink halo, bright tints of spring against the wintry gray of surrounding trees.

As folks who tap maple trees know, when maple trees bloom in late winter, maple tree sap turns as bitter as the March wind, marking the end of the sugar-making season. But to the squirrels, maple flowers are a feast, coming just as the first of their babies are born. Last week I saw a gray squirrel swinging in the wind, hanging onto an outer branch of a silver maple while nibbling the flowering buds. It reminded me that, despite the cold, spring is on its way.

Sycamore “buttons“ start to release their airborne seeds in late winter and early spring. Detail of painting by Doug Pifer.

How to Grow Your Own Native Plants from Seeds

Tips from the Experts at The State Arboretum of Virginia

Virginia native wildflowers and grasses are a great option to enhance the beauty of gardens and landscapes while simultaneously creating much-needed habitat for a wide variety of insects, birds, and other animals who form the backbone of all our local ecosystems. They are also beautiful, living examples of Virginia’s natural history.

Starting native plants from seed can be more challenging than common vegetables or ornamentals. These tips from the curators of The State Arboretum of Virginia will help ensure success when starting your own native seeds.

Cold Stratification

According to Jack Monsted, assistant curator of the arboretum’s Native Plant Trail, many natives, particularly perennial wildflowers, require a period of ‘cold stratification’ to germinate. “This is a fancy way to say they need to be kept cold and moist for several weeks or months before they’ll do anything,” said Monsted. “In the wild this requirement prevents them from sprouting in the

middle of winter and freezing to death. But that means that an extra step is needed before sowing in the garden.”

Studies have shown that different species require different stratification periods ranging from two weeks to several months. Many native seed labels will say exactly how long to stratify each species, but if no information is given, gener-

ally around 30 days is good rule of thumb, according to Monsted. There are three common methods to cold stratify seeds. For all three methods, the key is keeping them moist enough to break dormancy, but not so moist that they mold.

Method 1: Sow Outside in Winter. This is the easiest method, and simply allows seeds to go through a natural stratification process by being in soil outside during winter. If you sow the seeds outdoors in January through early March, they’ll have enough time to cold stratify before germinating in spring. If you’re worried about squirrels or chipmunks digging them up before they germinate, you can sow them outside in a pot and cover with chicken wire or another barrier, ensuring that rainwater is still able to pass through the barrier.

Method 2: Paper towels. If you have just a few seeds, this method is ideal. Simply wet a paper towel and squeeze out the excess moisture. Then place

Gymnastics

Recreational

your seeds in a single layer on the paper towel, fold it over so the seeds won’t fall out, place it in a plastic bag, and put the whole thing in your refrigerator. Check on the seeds weekly to make sure they haven’t completely dried out.

Method 3: Sand. For this method, simply get some clean play sand and slowly add water until it is moist enough to be made into a ball. If you squeeze the ball of sand and water runs out, it’s too wet and more sand must be added. Once the sand is appropriately wet, mix about two parts sand per one part seed and put in a plastic bag. Shake thoroughly and place in your refrigerator, checking on them periodically to make sure they don’t dry out.

Roots Before Shoots

Most native plants — particularly those that thrive in full sun — are adapted to survive droughts and other dry times, so they put a lot of effort into building deep root systems. For this reason, it’s recommended to use extra deep trays or pots if not starting plants directly in the ground.

“At the arboretum we start our native perennials in 5-inch-deep cells, which gives the roots

plenty of space to grow and allows us to transplant them without damaging the root system,” said Monsted.

Hold off on the Fertilizer

Native plants are adapted to thrive in natural soils, many of which are very nutrient-poor compared to your average garden soil. For this reason, it is highly recommended that you never use any synthetic fertilizer on native plants or seeds. They can’t utilize the extra nutrients as well as weeds can, and too much fertilizer can damage them.

“If you want to amend the soil, the best thing to do is add a little clean leaf mulch to the surface of the soil and avoid digging or tilling the soil as much as possible,” Monsted said. “This will gradually increase organic matter in your soil and produce a healthier soil ecosystem overall.”

Right Plant, Right Place

When you do finally put your plants in their final home, make sure to match the plant to the site conditions. While native plants are well adapted to our climate, each one still has definite preferences for how much sunlight and water they need. Shade-loving woodland phlox will wilt in the summer if planted in full sun, and the drought-tolerant orange Butterfly Weed will rot if planted in constantly wet soil. Make sure to research the light, moisture, and soil requirements of your plants and put them in locations that match those conditions.

Get Inspired

For inspiration to incorporate native plants in your landscape, visit the State Arboretum of Virginia. Completed in 1998, the Native Plant Trail was built to showcase the beauty and diversity of Virginia’s native plants and features hundreds of wildflowers, grasses and trees. The trail also serves to educate visitors about native plants — from their importance in our local ecosystems to identification tips and the benefits they offer humans. Interpretive signage and seasonal interactive exhibits appear throughout the trail to help visitors find a deeper connection to the flora and landscapes of Virginia.

The State Arboretum of Virginia is home to more than 6,000 woody trees and shrubs, including a unique 300-tree ginkgo grove and a 36-tree Cedar of Lebanon allee. The Arboretum is part of Blandy Experimental Farm, a research field station for the University of Virginia’s Department of Environmental Sciences. Blandy Experimental Farm is on Route 50 in Clarke County, about 10 miles east of Winchester and 20 miles west of Middleburg. Directions and a calendar of events are online at www.blandy.virginia.edu.

Oak sapling; Thad Guidry via WikiCommons.

Paths For Businesses And Customers To Resolve Disputes

By Brenda Waugh

Most of the time, small business owners and consumers can complete their transactions without any problems. Whether a buyer is picking up a gift from a local merchant or a homeowner is having a new roof installed, most interactions occur without significant conflicts arising. However, sometimes the parties develop a disagreement about the price, the product, or even the terms of their transaction. The law establishes certain rights to both small business owners and consumers that may impact the decision to engage in a business transaction or provide guidance in resolving disputes.

Consumers in Virginia have a variety of rights protected under state and federal laws, including these.

Right to protection from unfair and deceptive trade practices. Virginia’s Consumer Protection Act (VCPA) prohibits businesses from engaging in unfair or deceptive acts or practices that can harm consumers. These practices include things like false advertising and discriminatory pricing.

Right to a refund or replacement. If a product is defective, consumers in Virginia can usually get a replacement or refund.

Right to cancel certain contracts. Virginia law allows consumers to cancel certain contracts within a specified time frame, including contracts for health club memberships and door-to-door sales.

Right to fair credit reporting. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) gives consumers the right to access their credit reports and to dispute any inaccuracies.

Right to protection from identity theft. Virginia law requires businesses to take reasonable measures to protect consumers’ personal information from identity theft.

Similarly, small business owners in Virginia have certain rights and responsibilities under state and federal laws. Some of the key rights that small business owners have in Virginia include these.

Formation. Small business owners have the right to form a legal entity, such as a corporation, limited liability company, or partner-

ship, to operate their business.

Contracts. Small business owners have the right to enter into contracts with other businesses or individuals and to enforce those contracts in court if necessary.

Employment. Small business owners have the right to hire and terminate employees and to set wages and working conditions for their employees in accordance with state and federal laws.

Property. Small business owners have the right to own, use, and dispose of property, including real estate, equipment, and inventory.

Intellectual property. Small business owners have the right to protect their intellectual property, including trademarks, patents, and copyrights, through state and federal laws.

When a dispute between a consumer and a small business owner develops, the parties have several options.

Negotiation. It is often best to negotiate with the party as early as possible to find a mutually acceptable resolution. Sometimes, parties may ignore requests hoping that the dispute will disappear. That rarely happens, and even when one party appears not to act, their action may be deferred. Other times parties may not overtly act but may write reviews, contact colleagues, or take other unilateral actions that may eventually be to the detriment of the party. Negotiation is often the best first step. It may begin with a written letter outlining the dispute, but usually will be most

effective if the parties can meet to discuss and work out the terms of the disagreement.

Mediation. If negotiation is not successful or when the parties are not comfortable negotiating in person, mediation is often a good option. It tends to be faster and less expensive than litigation. While parties will usually have the option of mediation once a suit is filed, they may also engage a mediator prior to filing the lawsuit to expedite resolution. Mediation is a process where a neutral third party helps facilitate communication and negotiation between parties in a dispute to find a mutually acceptable resolution.

Litigation. If the parties are unable to resolve their conflict, they may file suit with our without an attorney. If the matter involves only issues and parties in Virginia they may bring their case in one of the following courts.

Small claims court. In Virginia, small claims court has jurisdiction over civil cases involving disputes up to $5,000. This includes claims for damages, breach of contract, and other disputes between individuals or businesses. Many litigants file in small claims court without an attorney.

General District Court. In Virginia, parties may file in General District Court with a civil case when the damages are less than $25,000. General District Court also has jurisdiction to hear landlordtenant disputes.

Circuit Court. When the damages involved in the litigation ex-

ceed $25,000, the civil case must be filed in Circuit Court.

Some types of disputes between consumers and small business owners that may be resolved in mediation include:

• Disputes about a purchase price.

• Disputes over the receipt of payments

• Disagreement over the performance of the terms of a contract.

• Disputes about the quality of a product or service.

While mediation is a great option, it may not be possible when both parties are unwilling to engage in mediation. Ultimately, consumers and small business owners should consider their specific needs and goals and consult with a qualified mediator or legal professional to determine wheth-

er mediation is a good option for their situation.

When anyone has a question about their rights as a business owner or as a consumer, they should contact a lawyer to obtain the most updated and accurate information about their legal rights. In most situations, the conflict may be amicably resolved, and the parties may be able to continue to engage in business together. Ignoring the problem rarely resolves it, and may preclude pursuing some measures due to the statute of limitations. Failing to resolve the issue may also impact a small business’s success and the consumer’s ability to enjoy the product or service.

Brenda Waugh is a lawyer/mediator with Waugh Law & Mediation, serving clients in the Blue Ridge region of Virginia and Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia

Swell by Daniel K. Robbins CM