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Story and photo by Doug Pifer We were talking, and my wife suddenly stood with her mouth open, staring out into our distant hayfield. “That looks like orange butterfly weed!” she exclaimed, her eyes wide with surprise. The showiest member of the milkweed family is called butterfly milkweed or butterfly weed because so many butterflies can’t resist sipping nectar from its brilliant orange blossoms. Its leaves are also a favorite food plant of the larvae of the monarch butterfly. When we enrolled our hayfield in the Potomac Valley Audubon Society’s grassland bird habitat initiative, it consisted of the usual fescue, orchard grass and timothy. Over the years before we got here, the hayfield had somewhat deteriorated and was being overtaken by invasive non-natives including multiflora rose, Johnson grass, and Russian olive. Native common milkweed was already established here, and in the wetter part of the lower paddock we discovered a few swamp milkweed plants. But until today we hadn’t seen any butterfly milkweed. Milkweeds are extremely successful at propagating themselves. Common milkweed spreads by underground runners and very quickly colonizes an area. When we first moved here, only a few clumps of common milkweed grew alongside the road. During the time we’ve lived here, common milkweed has spread into all our fields. Butterfly weed doesn’t grow runners but has a long taproot. Although it thrives in many soil types, it prefers well drained areas and full sunlight and spreads chiefly by seed. Like all milkweed species, its dusty seed pods pop open in the fall to
release hundreds of seeds with silky white parachutes that the wind carries far and wide. No doubt that is how the butterfly weed came to grow in our field. Today I found just two clumps, both in bloom. Butterfly weed tops the list of plants recommended for native grassland and pollinator gardens. So far, our own efforts at converting our old hayfield into grassland bird habitat have been gradual. When the highway department graded part of the bank next to the road, we were desperate to check erosion. We ordered a special native grassland perennial seed mix, and I reseeded the exposed slope. Now, two years later, colorful flowering native plants hold the soil and beautify the bank. But this is just window dressing as far as bird habitat is concerned. Inside the fence is another story. As we struggle to manage
the hillside hayfield to grow better natural food and cover for nesting birds, it sometimes feels like an uphill battle. Nonnative Johnson grass, honeysuckle, and multiflora rose are opportunists that muscle in. Even our common milkweed may monopolize the field if left unchecked. Our goal is to increase the diversity of native plants where we can. But today, a brilliant blooming butterfly weed in our field is both a gift and a lesson. A pandemic now limits our travels and brings havoc and despair into our midst. But if we take time to look closely, nature can still delight and surprise us, even in our own backyards. You can improve your own farm or backyard as wildlife habitat. Contact the Potomac Valley Audubon Society (PVAS) at potomacaudubon.org to learn about their Grassland Bird Initiative and other habitat improvement programs for local landowners.
AUG 2020
Clarke STAFF
David Lillard, Editor/Publisher Jennifer Welliver, Associate Publisher Aundrea Humphreys, Art Director Hali Taylor, Proofreader
AUGUST CONTRIBUTORS Dana Armstrong Clarke County Diana Kincannon Mary Martin Rebecca Maynard Doug Pifer Claire Stuart
COVER IMAGE Courtesy of Clarke County
ADVERTISING SALES
Jennifer Welliver, 540-398-1450
Advertising Information: 540-398-1450 (Mon-Fri, 9-5)
AD DEADLINE 1ST OF EACH MONTH
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.
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PO BOX 2160 SHEPHERDSTOWN WV 25443
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Fly On, Captain Lee All of us at Clarke monthly send our condolences and love to Jennifer Lee and her family on the death of her father Steve Lee. Jen was instrumental in making this little community paper sing with her stories and photographs, and still contributes as her time allows. We are so grateful for her friendship. Steve was a beloved curmudgeon in the tradition of Mark Twain and H.L. Mencken; he will be missed by family and friends in the Frogtown community he loved. Below is the obituary written by Jen and her brother Greg Lee. *** Stephen Edmond Lee, age 79, born May 16, 1941, in Montrose, Colorado, passed away peacefully at his home in Bluemont, Virginia, on the evening of August 2, 2020. He died like he lived, with little suffering, good timing, and lots of grace and love. He is survived by daughter Jennifer Lee, son Gregory Lee, and his wife Monique, granddaughter Amanda Lee, sister Tamsin Stewart, and former wife Mary Jane and her husband and Steve’s dear friend, Michael. And his dog, Pippy, the light of his life for the last 10 years. He had a short career as a rock-n-roll radio DJ in Montrose and Portland, Oregon, before becoming an airline pilot for United Airlines in 1966. He retired as a captain in 1998 and enjoyed his retirement tremendously, indulging his love of photography, reading, and learning new things. Some of his favorite things were his dog, music of all kinds, good herb, Mac computers, cooking, and his little house and land in Frogtown. He rode his ATV around his property
the night before he died and came to alert his neighbor that a chicken was locked out of her pen and needed assistance. For much of his life, Stephen amazed his family with what a difficult pain in the ass he could be, in spite of many decades of deep interest in spiritual matters, especially those of an Eastern orientation. But when it came time for the real test of his convictions, he walked his talk. He faced his demise with a lighthearted attitude, courage, and resilience. He fought cancer for over four years in a practical and pragmatic way, with a focus on maximizing the quality of his life Now.
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Around Clarke County Promote your event in Clarke. Send notices by the 1st of the preceding month to jennifer@clarkeva.com. Keep event descriptions to 125 words, following the format of these pages. One or two CMYK photos, saved as tiff or jpg at 200 dpi, are always welcome.
August
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“Modigliani” Outdoor Movie Showing
Long Branch Historic House and Farm. 830 Long Branch Lane. Boyce. Bring the family and a blanket for an evening under the stars, presented in collaboration with Handley Library. Rated R. Free; donations welcome. Galleries open 7–8pm, movie starts at 8:30pm. 540-837-1856. www.visitlongbranch.org.
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Emi Sunshine Concert
B Chord Brewing Company. 34266 Williams Gap Road. Round Hill. The singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist has been hailed by outlets such as No Depression, Billboard and Rolling Stone: “Sounds like the spunky, intense little sister to artists Iris
DeMent, Natalie Maines, Nanci Griffith and Janis Joplin.” In partnership with the Barns of Rose Hill in Berryville. 8pm. $20 in advance, $25 at door. www.barnsofrosehill.org. 540-955-2004.
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History on Tap: The Life and Times of Daniel Morgan Outdoors at Burwell-Morgan Mill. 15 Tannery Lane. Millwood. Enjoy a lecture by the Virginia Piedmont Heritage Association on The Life and Times of Daniel Morgan and a cool refreshing beer provided by Broken Window Brewing Co. Tickets are $15 for members and $25 for nonmembers. Tickets are limited and include beer and lecture. Everyone is encouraged to buy their tickets in advance. Hosted by The Virginia Piedmont Heritage Area Association, Broken Win-
dow Brewing Co. and Clarke County Historical Association. www.clarkehistory.org. www.eventbrite.com.
the non-profit Laurel Center Intervention for Domestic and Sexual Violence. manager@ clarkecountyfarmersmarket.com.
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Geneva Jackson Pie Judging Contest
Clarke County Farmers’ Market, held outside at Berryville Primary School building. 317 W. Main St. The Clarke County Farmers’ Market invites bakers of all ages to present their best fruit pies for legendary cook and certified food judge Geneva Jackson. Fruit pies only will be accepted and must be in disposable pans. Entries must include the baker’s name, phone number and a list of ingredients. Pies must be entered by 10am, judging begins at 10:30am and winners are announced at 11am. Entry fee is $10. Prizes will be awarded for the top three pies. Pies will be available for purchase. All proceeds benefit
Summer’s Bounty WFPB Online Cooking Demo with Christine Kestner Online class using whatever is freshly available at the Clarke County Farmer’s Markets that day, with option for contactless pickup of food samples from the class. Contact Christine at Christine@4ForcesWellness.com.
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Dori Freeman Concert
B Chord Brewing Company. 34266 Williams Gap Road. Round Hill. The New York Times named Freeman’s self-titled debut, an honest and achingly beautiful collection of folk and country songs produced by Thompson and
recorded in three days, one of the best albums of 2016. In partnership with the Barns of Rose Hill in Berryville. 8pm. $20 in advance, $25 at door. www.barnsofrosehill.org. 540-955-2004.
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Ruritan Chicken Takeout Dinner
Clarke County Ruritan Building at Fairgrounds. 890 W. Main St. Berryville. Come get a delicious dinner and help benefit the Ruritan club and the Boyce PTO. The dinner will be presale only and served through carryout only due to the pandemic. Dinners, $15 each, may be picked up between 4 and 7pm and will include half a chicken, macaroni and cheese, green beans, applesauce, cole slaw, roll and pickles. There will also be hot dog dinners for $8 which will include a hot dog, macaroni and cheese and applesauce.
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You may pay with cash, check, credit card over the phone, Venmo, or PayPal. If using PayPal or Venmo you may send payment to boycepto@yahoo. com and write in the notes section your name, the number of chicken and hot dog dinners, and your email or phone number so we can confirm the payment. Tickets will also be available at Broy and Son Pump Service and may be paid for there with cash or check. All preorders must be ordered by August 12. Email boycepto@yahoo.com or call 540-955-6115.
September
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Live Trivia Night on Zoom
Clarke County Historical Association and Clarke County Library team up the first Tuesday of each month to bring live team trivia. Categories include History, Movies, Literature, Science and more. Prizes donated by local businesses. 7pm. clarkehistory.org/events. Free. 540-955-2600. director@clarkehistory.org.
Hip and Humble Antiques and Interiors
Farm Fresh Furnishings & Current Vintage Decor Aylor’s Mill 401 East Main Street Berryville, VA
540-327-5669
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Christian Lopez Concert
B Chord Brewing Company. 34266 Williams Gap Road. Round Hill. With the will of his voice and the stomp of a steady beat, Christian Lopez and his band are pioneering their own brand of Alt. Folk Country Rock. In partnership with the Barns of Rose Hill in Berryville. 8pm. $20 in advance, $25 at door. www.barnsofrosehill.org. 540-955-2004.
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Melissa Wright Sings Patsy Cline
Facebook Live event direct from the Barns of Rose Hill in Berryville. Join Melissa Wright, Randy Ball and Jesse Shultzaberger for an all Patsy Cline show. Search “Barns of Rose Hill” on Facebook. Free.
Ongoing Clarke County Farmers’ Market 317 W. Main St. (Berryville Primary – Clarke County School Board office). Customer entrance and parking is off West Main Street. Customers will exit behind the building, creating a one-way traffic flow. Signs will direct both car and foot traffic. Hand sanitizer will be available at each vendor’s stand as well as the main market tent. All patrons are asked to comply with state-mandated requirements related to COVID-19, including social distancing and face coverings. Find a list of 2020 vendors at clarkecountyfarmersmarket.com/ meet-our-vendors/ 8am–12pm every Saturday through the end of October. manager@ clarkecountyfarmersmarket.com. “RECENT AND RETROSPECTIVE: Drawings and Paintings 1967-2020” Art Exhibit Long Branch Historic House and Farm. 830 Long Branch
Lane. Boyce. Renowned artist and teacher William Woodward’s exhibit includes sketches and paintings from a wide range of subjects and times. Exhibit is on display through August 31. Gallery hours are Monday–Friday, 10am–4pm. Free. 540-837-1856. www.visitlongbranch.org.
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MIDDLEBURG REAL ESTATE
McINTOSH & ELDREDGE Maria Eldredge | REALTOR® 540.454.3829 maria@middleburgrealestate.com
Anne McIntosh | REALTOR® 703.509.4499 annewmcintosh@gmail.com
LEARN MORE AT mcintoshandeldredge.realtor
Pamela Klein/Irma Ostroff Joint Exhibit Long Branch Historic House and Farm. 830 Long Branch Lane. Boyce. Original new works by innovative contemporary artists Pamela Klein and Irma Ostroff. Exhibit is on display September 8 through October 30. Gallery hours are Monday–Friday, 10am– 4pm. Free. 540-837-1856. www.visitlongbranch.org.
RETIRE YOUR HORSE WITH US! At Long Branch, we specialize in senior horse care and offer the ideal setting for your old friend. Our historic farm sits on 400 picturesque acres with four board fencing, automatic waterers and run-in sheds. The all-inclusive monthly rate covers hoof trims, spring & fall vaccines and an annual dental float. Just a few spots left! 830 Long Branch Lane, Boyce, VA ~ Tel. (540) 837-1856 ~ info@visitlongbranch.org ~
Clarke County Historical Association 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! The Burwell-Morgan Mill is now open every Friday and Saturday, and the museum is open again Tuesday–Friday, 11am–3pm. 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-live-programs-kids-teens Hoopla – Handley’s online streaming service for movies, TV, music, eBooks, audio books, and comics. Also, Hoopla is offering 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.
Sale Ends 8/30/20
BERRYVILLE HARDWARE 600 EAST MAIN STREET BERRYVILLE 540-955-1900
RAMSEY HARDWARE 703 N ROYAL AVE FRONT ROYAL 540-635-2547
Clarke
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J M Draperies Custom draperies Fabrics • Hardware
Look for me at the Farmers Market on Saturdays! Thibaut Fabrics
jennifer@jmdraperies.com
(540) 532-1861 www.jmdraperies.com
FISH of Clarke County 540-955-1823. Until further notice, FISH is closed to the public, but is 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. Food donations may be dropped off by appointment only. 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.
6 Barns of Rose Hill The Barns of Rose Hill, at 95 Chalmers Ct., Berryville, has reopened its art exhibits, gift shop and Visitors’ Center. A new exhibit, “Wild Kingdom,” available through September 1, features quilts inspired by endangered species. It has previously been displayed at the Library of Congress. Hours are 12–3pm Tuesday through Saturday. Follow Barns of Rose Hill on Facebook, or contact the Barns at 540-955-2004 or info@borh.org.
Sanctuary Wellness Center 208 N. Buckmarsh St. Berryville. A number of online classes are being held, including OM’Line Yoga with Amy Hope-Gentry and Yoga Nidra with Gayle Bohlman. Contact Amy at www.amyhopegentry. com/yoga or Gayle at gaylebtcc@comcast.net to register. For more information, email info@ sanctuaryberryville.com or visit sanctuaryberryville.com.
Fourth Annual Geneva Jackson Pie Baking Contest Benefits Laurel Center CLARKEVA.COM
The Clarke County Farmers’ Market (317 W. Main St., Berryville) invites bakers of all ages to present their best fruit pies for legendary cook and certified food judge Geneva Jackson on Saturday, August 15. Fruit pies only will be accepted and must be in disposable pans. Entries must include the baker’s name, phone number and a list of ingredients. Pies must be entered by 10am, judging begins at 10:30am and winners are announced at 11am. Pies will be judged on presentation, taste and crust flakiness. The entry fee is $10. Prizes will be awarded for the top three pies. Pies will be available for purchase. All proceeds benefit the non-profit Laurel Center Intervention for Domestic and Sexual Violence, located in Winchester. The Laurel Center empowers victims of domestic and sexual violence by providing emergency housing, advocacy, support services and education. The center reaches out to the community through education and awareness programs. The residence program at the Laurel Center offers emergency shelter and sup-
port services primarily for individuals 18 and older and their dependent children who are fleeing domestic violence or have experienced sexual violence. Age-appropriate service coordination is provided to all members of the family while in residence. Residents receive support in identifying employment, housing, and other support opportunities in the community. Individuals and families in shelter live in a communal environment, with shared bedrooms, telephone, bathrooms, kitchen, and other living space. While individuals and families are provided with basic necessities during their stay in addition to service coordination, residents are also responsible for helping to maintain
a safe and clean home for all members of the household. Call their hotline at 540-6676466 to speak with one of their counselors about their program. If you are in immediate danger, call 911. The center is in need of new women’s clothing, toilet paper, paper towels, bottled water, individually wrapped snacks and juice boxes, new twin size sheets and blankets and more. Call for up to date needs and details. The center is open for donation drop-offs Monday through Thursday, 9am to 4:30pm (closed Tuesdays, 12 to 2pm) and Friday, 9am to 3:30pm. For Farmers’ Market and pie baking contest information, contact manager@ clarkecountyfarmersmarket.com.
Family Antiques
Oak & Country Furniture and Collectibles Gerald & Bonnie Dodson, Owners 116A North Buckmarsh Street, Rt. 340 N. Berryville, VA 22611 Business Hours:
Monday through Saturday 10-4:30 Sunday 1-4:30
540-955-2437
540-533-8257
Clarke
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Iconic Dinosaur Land Represents Six Decades of Childhood Memories
CLARKEVA.COM Joseph Geraci first bought a few dinosaur statues in 1963 to draw attention to his “Rebel Korn’r” store at Double Tollgate. By 1967, he renamed the property Dinosaur Land, gradually adding to his collection and creating a 5-acre wooded wonderland full of prehistoric creatures.
Dinosaur Land is the quintessential American roadside attraction, and it has been a popular destination for almost six decades and generations of families. Originally, the first dinosaurs placed at the intersection of U.S. 340, Rt. 522, and Rt. 277 were intended to attract customers to Joseph Geraci’s store. After visiting a Florida theme park in 1962, Geraci was inspired to buy five prehistoric creatures for his Double Tollgate gift shop. By 1967, he renamed the property Dinosaur Land and gradually added to his collection, carefully arranging dinosaurs and other creatures in five wooded acres behind the store. Today Dinosaur Land is home to more than 50 creatures, including a giganotosaurus snatching a pteranodon out of the air, three triceratopses battling a Tyrannosaurus rex, a king cobra posed ready to strike, an enormous praying mantis, and a megaladon, which people mistakenly call a shark. And, while not a dinosaur, the giant King
Kong is one of the most popular statues. A staircase leads to his outstretched hand for a perfect photo op. Nineteen of the Dinosaur Land creatures were built by renowned fiberglass artist Mark Cline of Lexington, Va. Geraci’s daughters, Barbara Seldon and Joann Leight, have operated Dinosaur Land since his death in 1987 at age 76. The spacious three-room shop is filled with a huge variety of merchandise – silver jewelry, leather goods, books, T-shirts, jams and jellies, souvenirs, Native American pottery, Minnetonka moccasins, wine- and beer-making supplies, collectibles, dinosaurs, dinosaurs, and more dinosaurs. “I love meeting people, and I love selecting interesting merchandise for the store,” said Joann. “Everyone finds something they love here.” WJLA television reporter Kidd O’Shea was a recent visitor who loved what he found, too. His “Road Trippin’” report about Clarke County’s landmark
Dinosaur Land aired on ABC-7 earlier this month. Dinosaur Land is so dear to so many people that the “Clarke County, Virginia” Facebook page created a “Dinosaur Land Memories” photo album. People have submitted dozens of images that transcend time. No matter their current age or where they live, Dinosaur Land is a happy childhood memory. (Send your Dinosaur Land photo to pio@ clarkecounty.gov. Please include a few details such as who’s in the photo and the year it was taken.) Dinosaur Land is located at 3848 Stonewall Jackson Hwy. Admission to the park is $8 for adults and children 11 and up; $6 for children 2 to 10; free for children 2 and under. Dinosaur Land and its gift shop are open 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily until Labor Day, then 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. It is closed Thanksgiving and Christmas, and it is closed Dec. 30 through March 1. Call 540-869-2222. Follow “Dinosaur Land” on Facebook, or go to its website: dinosaurland.com.
ON THE COVER: Joann Leight has managed Dinosaur Land along with her sister Barbara Seldon since their father’s death in 1987. Their father, Joseph Geraci, built Dinosaur Land in the early 1960s.
The Fox & Pheasant Antiques • Décor • Interiors
114 East Main Street Boyce, Virginia
Thursday - Saturday 10 - 5 Sunday 12 - 5
804-205-4605
A UG 2020
Clarke
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Remember Who Built Clarke’s Lovely Stone Fences By Mary Martin
Green’s Septic Service & Portable Toilet Rental Save the Bay. Call Green’s Today.
Grease Traps • Pump and Haul Terra Lifts • Septic Inspections System Repairs
Emergency Service
Family Owned and Operated Since 1980
540-955-2960
Entrance to Walnut Hall. While riding my bike in Clarke County past Walnut Hall, Carter Hall, and through
the village of Millwood, I was struck by the miles of stone fences. Often described as sce-
nic, quaint, rustic, or charming, I feel a certain sadness when viewing them knowing
Clarke
AUG 2020
9 Poe’s Home Improvements New Building & Remodeling Est. 1976
No Job Too Small
Bobcat and Small Backhoe Work Land Clearing • Interior / exterior painting Tree & Brush Removal • 60’ Man-Lift Service
A.B. Poe, Jr. “Pig Eye”
540-955-3705
CLARKEVA.COM Wall near Carter Hall. that they were built by the enslaved people of the neighboring plantations. Slaves who
Stile.
Wall Detail.
were laboring in the hot sun, high humidity, and biting and stinging insects. With no rest
breaks or bathroom breaks, working until the master called quitting time. Being unpaid for their services, enslaved people could not accumulate any wealth for their future when they were freed. Many who might be skilled as stone masons, carpenters, blacksmiths, and farriers had nothing to show for their labors as a white person would. No chance to set aside a little savings to get some land and build a house for their family as a white person working for an employer would. While the plantation owner got richer with the free labor of the slaves, enslaved people received nothing for their future. For centuries, a slave was prevented from acquiring any wealth to pass on to their families the way white people did. Even their family units were not respected. Any member of the family could be sold to another plantation as if they were cattle. Although slaves built Clarke county, there are no grand houses with their names on them like Carter Hall, Long Branch, or Annefield Plantation. So, the next time you are out riding on the byways through the pastoral countryside of Clarke County, remember who really built the stone fences and the remaining manor houses.
— Mary Martin lives in Boyce, Va.
Clarke
A UG 2020 Winchester Gastroenterology Associates is pleased to welcome Dr. Khurram Baig to our practice as of August 3. Dr. Baig is a graduate of Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his Residency at Jefferson Medical College. After Residency, Dr. Baig became a postdoctoral research fellow at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He completed his Fellowship at Seton Hall University-Hackensack Medical Center where he served as Chief Fellow and enjoyed mentoring Junior Fellows and Residents. Dr. Baig has specialized training in liver transplant, nutrition and was selected for a competitive IBD Scholarship in Inflammatory Bowel Disease at Mount Sinai Hospital. Dr. Baig is an active member of the American College of Gastroenterology, American Gastroenterological Association, American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America. Dr. Baig is Board Certified in both Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine by the American Osteopathic Board oflnternal Medicine. Please contact our Office at 540-667-1244 to schedule your appointment with Dr. Baig! Winchester Gastroenterology Associates 190 Campu s Blvd, Suite 300 Winchester, Va. 22601
Office: 540-667-1244
www.winchestergastro.com
CLARKEVA.COM
REVEL Gymnastics Recreational • Training • Competitive 351 Station Road Suite 11A • Berryville, VA 22611 www.revelgym.org
Phone- 703-309-8787
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Plans for Clarke School Reopening By Claire Stuart
COVID-19 has disrupted the routine lives of everyone, but there is a disproportionate impact on families with school-age children. Mounting pressure for schools to reopen clashes with fears of transmission among children, families, teachers, and school staff. If schools remain closed, working parents are faced with the problem of child care. Parents who work from home must still find a way to do their work while monitoring their children’s online learning. Schools are scrambling to adjust their schedules, personnel, and physical environments with their available funds. Anything related to the virus can change rapidly, but as of this writing, Clarke County Public Schools (CCPS) have cautiously decided to open on September 8. Parents may choose to keep their children home with 100 percent virtual instruction or send them to school under a “hybrid” model, with half of the students in school Monday and Wednesday and the others on Tuesday and Thursday. In response to an email query, Dr. Chuck Bishop, Division Superintendent for CCPS, provided Clarke with some details on how the plans will work. “All students, regardless of the model that is selected, will have two days of instruction per week taught by a teacher. On the other three days, there will be asynchronous [not at the same time] activities that support and reinforce what was taught during the classroom sessions. Fridays are set aside for synchronous instruction with small groups of students who need inter-
vention, support or re-teaching of content or for additional asynchronous learning. Google Meets will be the platform for virtual instruction while Google Classroom will be used as a learning management system for asynchronous days.” Every possible precaution will be taken to protect the health of the students and school staff, with changes being made in every phase of school life. Bishop reported that, “Parents will be asked to screen their children in the morning, and once students arrive at school they will be health screened by school staff. Each student will have a temperature check and will be asked a series of questions about symptoms of exposure to COVID-19.” Face coverings will be mandatory for all students and staff while on CCPS buses and in the buildings. Personal protective equipment will be available for staff, and they may choose to wear face shields. Virtual learning is recommended for students with breathing or other health problems that make it impossible for them to wear masks. Any students refusing to wear face coverings could be placed in virtual learning. Seating in classrooms will be arranged to allow safe distancing. Most classrooms can accommodate 10 to 14 students while observing the CDC recommendations for physical distancing. Surfaces will be cleaned and sanitized often. Restrooms will be monitored to prevent students from loitering or congregating. Safe distancing on school buses will be maintained using seating charts and diagrams. Parents will be asked to take their children
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Laurine Kennedy, branch manager for the Clarke County Public Library, reports that the library has expanded their wi-fi capacity to their parking lot, but she said she doubts that people would want to sit out there in their cars for hours. As of this writing, the library is partially open, and only a few people are allowed in at a time, with time limits. The study rooms are all closed. The library has a few hotspots that can be loaned for a week, but they are not unlimited, and a loan can’t be extended for another week. Connectivity is iffy in some parts of the county. Retired teacher Clark Hansbarger noted that he often has problems with his own internet and phone. Commenting on the plans for school reopening, he said he is not overly concerned with kids falling behind. In his personal opinion, kids are learners and will quickly catch up. He observed that the hybrid system might prove to be a boon for some students. He recalled that some of his lowperforming students were bored sitting in classrooms six or seven hours a day, five days a week. “They might have done better being in school just two days a week — we might learn something new from this,” he mused. “As long as administrators realize that things are going to change, expectations will have to change,” said Hansbarger. “We do our best for education, and expectations will evolve as we proceed. Teachers are on the front line, and they will be overwhelmed. I hope that administrators listen to teachers as plans evolve. The biggest challenge is that we still don’t understand the disease. In a few months we may find out that reopening schools was the worst thing we ever did, or it might turn out to be the best thing.” Hansbarger is optimistic. “I believe in public schools. We can come up with a good answer, keeping the safety of our kids at the forefront.”
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to and from school if possible. Bus transportation will not be provided for the coming school year for students in the Town of Berryville who live west of the railroad tracks on Main Street. There will be some changes in food service. Students in K through second grade will eat in their classrooms. Seating in the cafeterias serving students in grades 3-12 will be rearranged to enable six-foot distancing. Lunch choices will be limited to two entrees and side items. Schools are currently working on logistics for curbside food pickups for asynchronous days and meals for virtual students. School-owned computers are assigned to all students in grades 6–12, and additional computers have been purchased for elementary students without computers at home. Hotspots can be loaned to those without home internet service, but they are ineffective where there isn’t a reliable wireless signal. There is a public wi-fi connection at Johnson-Williams, and another is being considered at Boyce Elementary. Students might be able to download work from public Wi-Fi spots and work on it off line.
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Virtual Fundraiser ~ 2020 •
R TO CELEBRATE THAT ART IS ESSENTIAL Q
Barnstorming YBenefit Z
Presented on Facebook and YouTube
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Saturday, September 5, 2020 5:30 P.M. •
Online reception featuring musicians, artists, and other special guests
P ONLINE AUCTION N August 5 through September 5 at 7:00 p.m.
Auction preview in the Barns of Rose Hill Upper Gallery beginning August 5.
Visit Barnsofrosehill.org/barnstorming/ or call 540-955-2004 to learn more.
RAFFLE • PURCHASE TICKETS ONLINE! The Ashby Inn & Restaurant Dinner for Two, and Overnight Accommodations with Gourmet Breakfast the following morning.
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR BARNSTORMING BENEFIT SPONSORS: Bank of Clarke County | Berryville Auto Parts | Berryville Dental | Broy and Son Pump Service Dilzer Eye Care Associates | Enders & Shirley Funeral Homes & Crematory, Inc. | Gold Land Farms Jim Barb Realty | Loudoun Mutual Insurance Company | Mountainside Home Improvement Oak Hart Farm | Shepherd’s Ford Productions | Thomas and Talbot Real Estate
ENRICHING LIVES THROUGH THE ARTS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY IN THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY
Clarke
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RELIABILITY
is a cornerstone of everything we do.
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Welcome to the College of Clarke
CCHS Alumni Navigate College During COVID-19 By Dana Armstrong
Before the wind blows, a storm hits, or a tree falls, Rappahannock Electric Cooperative is already working to keep your power on. www.myrec.coop 1-800-552-3904
BATTLETOWN ANIMAL CLINIC Serving the community for over 30 years. 3823 Lord Fairfax Hwy, 1/2 mile north of Berryville
(540) 955-2171 Crab season is here! Wednesday–Friday 4-8 Saturday and Sunday 12-8 Fresh fish, crabmeat, oysters, produce and household items 420 W Colonial Highway
(toilet paper, paper towels, bleach etc)
Full menu available Join us on Facebook | facebook.com/groups/LowrysCrabShack | LowrysCrabShack.com
For many former Clarke County High School graduates, college is one of the first opportunities to fly the Eagle’s nest. At the beginning of last semester, CCHS alumni dispersed around Virginia, the country, and the world. That is, until COVID-19 escalated into a pandemic in mid-March. With a single, last-minute email, many of Clarke’s college students found themselves stuck or scurrying to return home over spring break. “I was at home when I received the notification that school was going to be further delayed because of the [pandemic],” says Evan Denison Class of ‘22, computer science and Spanish at the University of Virginia. “At that time, it felt like I was in high school and receiving word that we had more snow days. So when I got that news, I was like: nice, two extra weeks of vacation! How different it became.” Last school year, Denison lived on campus in UVA’s Spanish language house, located right beside UVA Hospital. At the start of the chaos, UVA notified the Spanish house residents that their building may be used to house overflow patients or medical staff. Therefore, they could not return to pick up their belongings. Denison had to explain through an online form which of his belongings should be moved to a storage facility and what could be thrown away. “Fast forward two and a half months, I was under the impression my stuff was moved
because we didn’t hear back,” says Denison. “Surprise! They never touched my stuff. So basically, my stuff was held hostage for two and a half months!” But for students studying out of Virginia, leaving textbooks and 90 percent of their wardrobe behind in dorms were the least of their worries. Piper Mettenburg ’21, public policy and philosophy at Gettysburg College, was studying abroad in Budapest, Hungary, when she received her email. Shortly after the CDC raised all of Europe to a Level 3 travel advisory for Coronavirus, Mettenburg’s home college
required her to book an international flight and return home within a week. “It was very stressful,” said Mettenburg. “I was with my friends, and we were in someone’s apartment. We were talking about what we were going to do the next day and I [realized] well, I guess I can’t do any of those things because I have to go home.” Though Mettenburg was grateful to continue her Hungarian classes online from home (albeit with a six-hour time difference), the experience wasn’t nearly the same. “I was taking Hungarian while in the United States. The whole
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point of it was that you learn it so you can use it. It becomes different when you’re in the States because the use isn’t as important.” The pandemic also affected her older sister, Madisyn Mettenburg, who graduated from Oberlin College in 2019. “My sister had the Fulbright Scholarship in South Korea. They never explicitly told her to come home, but they said the schools you’re teaching at have delayed their reopening, so use that information to make a decision about what to do. So, she decided — like a lot of people — well, if I’m not teaching and just have to be inside, then maybe I should come home.” Within weeks, students and their professors all over the country and world had to completely switch to online learning. Kamryn Anderson, ’23, graphic design at James Madison University, soon realized just how many problems online learning posed. “We used Google Hangouts [to meet during class], and it was so problematic. Once we would get it figured out, it would be like one kid wouldn’t be able to join the call so we’d have to end it and start the call over. And we couldn’t work on our assignments while we were on Google Hangouts because you’d have a one in three chance your computer was going to crash and you’d have to start your software over … it took so long. Every class was supposed to be twoand-a-half hours, but it would sometimes be three or three and a half.” In the midst of Virginia’s stay at home orders, college students had to find creative ways to keep entertained in between schoolwork. Zoom proms with synched playlists, impulse buys of the latest Nerf gun technology, and even adopting pet rats were just some of the ways to pass the time. With no end in sight to the pandemic come summer, Class of 2020 graduates
received their diplomas by mail, and students resorted to virtual internships and virtual camp counseling jobs. For Anderson, vacations to Myrtle Beach and Canada were traded for online summer classes. “I took math and English through LFCC because [the credit] transfers to JMU. So, I get to take two more art classes [this coming semester]. Literally because of COVID-19, I’m minoring in photography.” If last semester and summer weren’t already challenging enough, this coming fall semester will pitch students blindly into an entirely different college experience. William & Mary in Virginia and Purdue University in Indiana are mailing self-administered COVID-19 tests that students must take before arriving on campus. Additionally, arrival kits with masks, thermometers, and hand sanitizer will greet students who decide to return. Outdoor spaces are being converted into makeshift classrooms to accommodate social distancing guidelines. Masks will be worn in all public spaces. Some colleges have already cancelled or indefinitely postponed their fall sports season. However, these precautions may not be enough. Unlike K–12 education, college students ordinarily live full-time on or near campus, and come from different counties, states, and countries. Therefore, the decision to reunite in person amid a pandemic puts the campus community and broader community surrounding the campus at high risk. Some colleges like Harvard and MIT have already committed to a fully online semester. Other colleges have reversed earlier plans to be on campus due to recent Coronavirus surges. As of late July, NPR reports over 500 U.S. colleges are attempting a fully in-person or hybrid approach of online and inperson classes.
“I don’t have confidence in UVA’s decision to be half and half because we are already struggling with people having parties in mid-summer,” says Denison. “If that’s a struggle with a fraction of the population in Charlottesville, I can only imagine when people return it’s just simply going to be a problem.” Denison’s decision is further complicated because he was recently elected drum major of UVA’s marching band. “A gap year, by description, sounds beautiful,” Denison says. “But I am now in a position of a lot of responsibility, and I don’t know what I’m going to do . . . . Everybody else is like ‘I hope it’ll be in person but if it’s virtual, that sucks, but I’ll do it.’ I would feel so cheated in a way. If they declare entirely virtual, I feel much more confident I would take that gap year because I would know for sure that’s what I want to do. But with this whole half-and-half, we might be in person, it’s pretty frustrating because I don’t know. And I want to know.” The bottom line is this: a college student’s childhood bedroom is no substitute for a college campus. For Jordan Cooke ’20, music and psychology at the University of Mary Washington, this incredibly uncertain fall semester marks the final semester of her undergraduate career. Whatever it may bring, she is trying to remain hopeful. Cooke says, “I think the best way I can sum up how I am going to get through next semester is a quote by Susane Colasanti. ‘My life isn’t going to wait around while I figure out how to make it work.’ There are going to be a lot of changes next semester, but I’m going into it with enthusiasm and a readiness to work through it. I’m going to continue on my path in order to achieve my dreams of finishing college.”
13 Love at First Bite Catering & events Creative Menus Adorned with Flair 30+ Years of Experience Lisa Trumbower-Sheppard check out our new website!
loveatfirstbitecatering.com
540.955.4462
NOW OPEN FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSULTATIONS USING OSHA SAFTY GUIDELINES
Our Holistic Health Practitioners are Licensed or Certified & offer Classes & Workshops monthly! Please visit our FB page / website or sign up for our newsletter announcing our monthly schedule. Consider Joining our Team! 208 N Buckmarsh St, Berryville, VA info@sanctuaryberryville.com • sanctuaryberryville.com
(540) 450-8110
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Community News
Jim Barb honored by Town Council
C L A R K E V A . C O M
During the July 14 Berryville Town Council meeting, Jim Barb, accompanied by his daughter Caroline Barb and his wife Margaret, was presented a resolution of appreciation for his decades of service to the town. Town Council members Donna McDonald (left), Diane Harrison, Mayor Harry “Jay” Arnold, recorder Erecka Gibson, and Kara Rodriguez stood socially distant behind the
dais. Jim Barb was an original member of the Architectural Review Board when it formed in 1991, and he served as chair since 2000. He officially retired from the five-member, appointed board on June 30, 2020. The Architectural Review Board reviews requests for certificates of appropriateness within the boundaries of the Berryville Historic District. Jim was also recognized for his lifetime of community support through the Clarke County Lions Club, as a member of the Clarke County Economic Development Advisory Committee and Clarke County School Board as well as through his business, Jim Barb Realty. PROVIDED BY CLARKE COUNTY
Did you serve in Korea?
If you have ever served honorably in Korea as a member of the U.S. Armed Forces from September 3, 1945 to Present, or served outside of Korea from June 25, 1950 to January 31, 1955, then you are eligible to become a member of the Korean War Veterans Association (KWVA). The Shenandoah Valley Chapter 313 of the KWVA is actively recruiting new members, including Korean War
and Korean Defense Veterans. As we continue to honor our aging vets that served in the war, our Defense vets are taking an increasingly active role in growing and leading the organization for the future. We participate in many events in the Northern Virginia / Washington D.C. area. We visit hospitalized and shut-in veterans, participate in parades, participate in ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery and our National Korean War Memorial, with invites to the Korean Ambassador’s residence for lunch, and support the Veteran community at large. The mission of the KWVA is to: DEFEND our Nation CARE for our Veterans PERPETUATE our Legacy REMEMBER our Missing and Fallen MAINTAIN our Memorial SUPPORT a free Korea If you are one of the few good men or women who served our country and helped defend the Republic of Korea, we invite you to join us as a proud member of the KWVA! Contact Loudoun / Clarke County Coordinator, Doug Hall, at DHallKWVA@gmail.com for more information and visit KWVA.us.
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Much to Applaud at the Barns of Rose Hill Creatively meeting its mission and raising needed funds
The pandemic has spurred creative solutions at the Barns of Rose Hill as the staff and board of directors have worked to serve the regional community and keep the organization’s “body and soul” together in adapting to cancelled programs and severely reduced revenues through lost ticket sales and the cancellation of its annual June Gala, its most significant fundraiser of the year. For the first time in almost ten years of continuous arts programming, the Barns had to close its doors in March, cancelling all concerts, exhibits, lectures and fundraisers. The Barns was nearly fully booked for 2020, and some 50 live concerts have been cancelled thus far. Revenues lost total more than $50,000 in lost ticket sales, sponsorships,
and concession sales, along with another $30,000 net normally raised at the Gala. These numbers are huge to a dynamic and productive nonprofit arts center — thus the reference to “keeping body and soul together” ensuring the Barns will be able to weather the storm. With a commitment to carrying out its mission to enrich lives through the arts despite the circumstances, in April the Barns began live streaming music with area musicians, initially playing from their homes and later from the Barns as the technical means were put in place. Presentations from Classical Music Director Jon Goldberg included talks on Beethoven’s Third and Ninth Symphonies. (Another is scheduled on Prokoviev’s Peter and the Wolf on August 28.) As pandemic restrictions lifted modestly, the galleries, gift shop and visitors center at the Barns
reopened for normal weekday hours. Concerts and other programs in the Great Hall have remained out of bounds because of distancing limitations. To meet that challenge, the Barns partnered up with B-Chord Brewery, a craft beer and beautiful live music venue in Round Hill, to offer outdoor concerts in what has proven to be a winning plan. The Barns can employ musicians and offer audiences a time of light-hearted enjoyment, while distancing requirements are observed. Three more concerts at B-Chord are currently scheduled, August 14 and 21, and September 4, featuring artists Emi Sunshine, Dori Freeman, and Christian Lopez, promising terrific entertainment. Concerts are scheduled at the Barns going into the fall and are listed at www.barnsofrosehill.org/events. They’re subject to cancellation depending on the Covid situation, so
people should check the site for updates. With the Galleries open, a new and superb art-quilt exhibit opened on August 1, featuring 182 art quilts “Inspired by Endangered Species.” Many people will remember two other remarkable art-quilt exhibits at the Barns brought to us by Donna DeSoto, “Celebrating the National Parks” and “Songs of The Beatles.” “Endangered Species” likewise brings together the artistry of quilters from all over the country. Gallery hours are noon to 3pm, Tuesday through Saturday, throughout August. It’s free of charge, and donations will be most welcome. Meanwhile, to meet operating expenses, a “Barnstorming Virtual Gala” throughout August offers folks the opportunity to bid on trips, dinners, services, artwork, program sponsorships, and other attractive and
desirable items donated by Barns supporters to replace the lost June Gala funding. The Barns asks for everyone’s help in sharing the Barnstorming Virtual Gala information on their social media so that bidding will be lively and bring in needed funds during a critically challenging time. Bidding will close September 5 at 7pm, when people throughout the region (it is hoped) will be poised at their computers to win the items they want!
— Diana Kincannon
Open for Business in Clarke County Shop Local and Stay Safe.
THE GROOMING S ALON at BATTLETOWN AnimAl CliniC
(540)955-1151 Professional Grooming by Megan Dye
Saturday Mornings 8am — Noon 317 West Main Street in Berryville at the former Berryville Primary School
located next to the veterinary clinic at 3823 Lord Fairfax Hwy, 1/2 mile north of Berryville
Geneva Jackson’s 4 annual Pie Baking Contest th
Be Seen in Clarke 540.398.1450
Saturday, August 15, 2020 see page XX for details
or visit us at
www.clarkecountyfarmersmarket.com
Blue Ridge Studio for the Performing Arts
We start classes August 10. Join us!
Please visit our website for a video detailing the changes we’ve made to ensure the health and safety of our students, staff, and parents. Thank you all for your support! We can't wait to see you in the studio.
5 E Main St, Berryville blueridgestudio.org
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(540) 955-2919
540.722.6168