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Capability Brown Business Lives Up to Its Namesake By Rebecca Maynard
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Summer is here. With most of us still spending the majority of our time at home, many people’s thoughts turn to landscaping and other outdoor work. If you lack time, ability or a green thumb, however, leaving those tasks in capable hands may be your answer. Lancelot Brown, commonly known as Capability Brown, was an influential English landscape architect in the latter half of the 18th century. His dynamic influence was responsible for the conversion of English gardens from the widely accepted formal French Baroque style, to the natural ecological style of the contemporary landscapes of today’s English countryside. Lucian Kowalski, ASLA (American Society of Landscape Architects), owns Capability Brown, located at 214 First Street in Berryville. A fourth generation stone mason, he has more than 35 years of experience in designing, installation, building and maintaining landscape projects and perennial gardens. Formerly of Upper Saddle River, N.J., he did work for celebrity clients such as Danny Aiello and Mary Higgins Clark before moving to Berryville in 2012. “Everybody said they thought I was crazy for coming here, but I fell in love with it,” Kowalski said. “Not long after I got here, I went to Broy’s Car Wash, ran my car through the car wash, used my credit card, and then I came into his store. I saw Mr. Broy had Armor All and things like that, and I said I wanted to buy a bottle of this and a bottle of that. I pulled out my credit card and he said, ‘Oh, I don’t take cards in here, but you know what you can do; you take those and come back when you can and pay me.’ I said, ‘This would never happen
in New Jersey.’ That’s how I knew I was in a special place.” Capability Brown uses ecological landscape architecture, which incorporates and preserves the natural layered ecosystem and plant communities of a site and combines them with the planned manmade equivalents utilizing the native plants and layered patterns found in nature. “I was into ecology starting in the 1980s, when you didn’t hear as much about it as you do now,” Kowalski said. Some of the many services Capability Brown offers include: •
Site design and development, drainage, earthwork and grading
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Perennial wildflower meadows and gardens
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Intricate period perennial, knot and cutting gardens
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Shade and woodland landscape and borders
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Native woodland and forest reclamation
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Herb and aquatic gardens and waterfalls
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Natural, field and bluestone retaining walls, steps and veneer
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Elegant, rustic brick, bluestone and river jack patios, driveways, walkways and pool aprons
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Custom cedar decks, fences, arbors and pergolas
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Weekly maintenance of lawn and landscape beds
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Garden renovation and division
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Snow removal and deicing
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Holiday services, including lighting/decorations,
Christmas tree and wreath delivery/installation •
Bobcat and excavator services and rentals.
“I can remember opening the doors to my first garden center in Saddle River, New Jersey,” Kowalski said. “We took on projects that some said couldn’t be done but we found a way and built our reputation on them. Today, after over 30 years that’s really hard to believe! we are still doing what we like to do best. “I’ve learned a lot over the years, but most importantly it’s about my clients and our relationships with them. As a landscape architect, I get to ask all the important questions and sometimes the answers are astounding. So there is never a dull moment. I take those answers, those dreams, add a bit of reality to them and design ecological yet practical solutions that make me and my clients smile. “It’s that smile that still gets me up at 5am and out the front door each and every day. So what can I do for you? Call me and let’s chat!” Kowalski said. To reach Capability Brown with questions or to schedule a consultation, call 703-995-9902, visit www.capabilitybrownlandscapes.com, or search for its Facebook page.
JU LY 20 20
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Clarke STAFF
David Lillard, Editor/Publisher Jennifer Welliver, Associate Publisher Aundrea Humphreys, Art Director Hali Taylor, Proofreader
JULY CONTRIBUTORS Clarke County Cathy Kuehner Rebeccca Maynard Doug Pifer Chris Shipe Claire Stuart
COVER IMAGE Pam Lettie
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.
CLARKE MONTHLY
PO BOX 2160 SHEPHERDSTOWN WV 25443
540-440-1373
www.CLARKEVA.com
Zambelli Fireworks of New Castle, Pa., put on a spectacular Independence Day eve show at the Clarke County Ruritan Fairgrounds. The Zambelli crew loaded almost 1,000 shells in the afternoon when temperatures were in the mid-90s. Then, two pyrotechnicians and a spotter donned extra clothes and protective equipment to set off the fireworks after dark. Left: Pyrotechnician Michael Strickler is silhouetted against flames
as he lights fuses. His brother Mark Strickler (left) serves as spotter for Michael and pyrotechnician Bill Lorenz (right). Right: Fireworks spotter Mark Strickler (left) stands in the fallout area – and close to a fire extinguisher – keeping watch over his brother Michael Strickler and fellow pyrotechnician Bill Lorenz as they light fuses.The community event was sponsored for the 35th year by the Bank of Clarke County. Photos courtesy of Clarke County.
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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.
July
22
Summer Concert Series: Robbie Limon Band Clarke County Recreation Center. 225 Al Smith Circle. Berryville. 5 piece professional band that remains committed to sounding like the original recordings of the playlist they perform and continually add to their ever expanding, 70’s era playlist. Bring lawn chair/ blanket and snacks to enjoy an evening of free entertainment at the park. In the event of inclement weather, the music will move inside, delay starting, or take a break until the weather clears the area. Sponsored by Bank of Clarke County. 6pm. 540-955-5140.
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Outdoor Craft Fair
Clarke County Parks and Recreation Cen-
ter. 225 Al Smith Circle. Berryville. 9am–5pm. Free admission.540-955-5147.
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“Girl With A Pearl Earring” 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 PG-13. Free; donations welcome. Galleries open 7–8pm, movie starts at 8:30pm. 540-837-1856. www.visitlongbranch.org.
August
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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. 5 4 0 - 9 5 5 - 2 6 0 0 . director@clarkehistory.org.
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“Lust for Life” 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. Not rated. Free; donations welcome. Galleries open 7–8pm, movie starts at 8:30pm. 540-837-1856. www.visitlongbranch.org.
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Movie Night at the Park
Clarke County Recreation Center. 225 Al Smith Circle.
8:45pm. Free. Call for details and to confirm. 540-955-5140.
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Cheick Hamala Diabate Concert
Barns of Rose Hill. 95 Chalmers Ct. Berryville. Though Diabate may stick to the old-school roles of the griot, his music embraces the panoply of sound he discovered in America, taking him beyond the traditional trio of griot instruments: the n’goni, kora (gourd harp) and balafon (wooden xylophone). 8–10pm. $20 in advance, $25 at door. 540-955-2004 or info@borh.org.
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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.
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
McINTOSH & ELDREDGE Thanks for your continued support Clarke County! 721 KENNEL RD | BOYCE $950,000 | A rare opportunity to build your ideal home in a super private setting in southern Clarke County. 87-acre parcel, partially wooded, open farmland, beautifully maintained. Small farm building built in 2017 with bathroom, good well and septic field for 3 bedrooms, could be expanded. In the heart of Blue Ridge Hunt Country with spectacular mountain views.
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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.
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-liveprograms-kids-teens Hoopla – Handley’s online streaming service for movies, TV, music, eBooks, audiobooks, 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 handleyregional.org/hoopla.
FISH of Clarke County
Until further notice, FISH is
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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. 540-955-1823.
LONG BRANCH IS THE PERFECT VENUE FOR YOUR WEDDING! We offer the Best of Everything in the Shenandoah Valley: an Elegant & Historic Mansion with Art Gallery and Lush Gardens set on a 400 acre Horse Farm, Panoramic Views of the Blue Ridge & our Scenic Pond, plus a 40’ x 100’ Tent Pad for dancing the night away & plenty of Virginia Hospitality to make your Wedding… THE BEST DAY EVER!! Booking Now for 2021! 8 30 Long Branch Lane Boyce, VA 540-837-1856 info@visitlongbranch.org www.visitlongbranch.org
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 features artist Alexandra N. Sherman. Hours are 12–3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Follow Barns of Rose Hill on Facebook, or contact the Barns at 540-955-2004 or info@borh.org.
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Clarke
JULY 20 20
RELIABILITY
is a cornerstone of everything we do.
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
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Love at First Bite Catering & Events Among the Best in the Commonwealth by Cathy Kuehner
Breaking news! Virginia Living Magazine’s 2020 “Best of Virginia” Readers’ Survey has named Clarke County-based Love at First Bite a winner in the catering category. The statewide guide to all the best in Virginia hits newsstands in mid-July. Lisa Trumbower Sheppard, owner of Love at First Bite Catering & Events, has more than 30 years experience in the food service industry. Before launching her own business in 2010, she was director of catering at Lansdowne Resort and catering sales manager at Sheraton Premiere. Love at First Bite is a full-service company. Sheppard will visit venue sites, plan event layouts and logistics, provide full menu planning, manage staff, and coordinate rentals and other vendors. Menus include a wide variety of hot and cold hors d’oeuvres, formal entrees and buffets, delectable desserts, and refreshing beverages. Simple or elegant, all menus emphasize beautiful food and memorable flavors created from locally sourced, fresh and organic ingredients – many from Clarke County farms and providers. All food
is prepared in Sheppard’s certified commercial kitchen located next to the White Post post office. “I love cooking and being creative, but the best part of my work are the bonds we form,” Sheppard said. “We are there for rehearsal dinners, wedding receptions, baby showers, and life celebrations. We get to know clients first, so we can create unique table settings and food for them. We want the host to be a guest at their own party.” Love at First Bite Catering & Events is open by appointment only. Contact Sheppard at 540-9554462, 540-303-0997, or LTsheppard@verizon.net. Follow “Love at First Bite Catering & Events” on Facebook, or “loveatfirstbiteva” on Instagram. Visit Sheppard’s website at loveatfirstbitecatering.com. Lisa Sheppard says her goal is to always “exceed your expectations.” Being named one of the best caterers in the Commonwealth is proof that she does.
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JU LY 20 20
Guest Commentary
Time to Vote For REC Directors By Chris Shipe, Chair, REC Board of Directors.
7 Love at First Bite Catering & events Creative Menus Adorned with Flair 30+ Years of Experience Lisa Trumbower-Sheppard
I want to begin by strongly encouraging all members of the Rappahannock Electric Cooperative (REC) to take a moment to return your director election proxy. Your vote is very important so that we can have strong and widespread participation in this open and democratic process. REC has worked diligently to make it easy for members to participate in the election by either returning the proxy form you receive in the mail or by going on-line to www.myrec.coop to cast your vote. I also want to strongly endorse Reverend Sanford Reaves for re-election. Reverend Reaves is a very engaged and accessible member of the REC Board of Directors who cares deeply about the members that REC serves. Sanford lives in the Salem District of Culpeper (REC Region IV) with his wife of 44 years, Lorraine and has three children and five grandchildren. Since 1995 he has been the owner and president of Sanford and Sons Construction and Janitorial Services. Sanford is also a local realtor and has served on the Culpeper County Planning Commission for 28 years and currently holds the position of Chairman. He is a man of integrity and high morals which has allowed him to be the Pastor of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church for 13 years. In serving his community he has been on the board of directors for the Prison Re-Entry and Culpeper Chamber of Commerce and is a past president of Culpeper Jaycees, NAACP
and a past monitor of Wayland Blue Ridge Minister’s and Deacon’s Union. Why should you vote for Sanford Reaves? As a member of the REC Board of Directors he has worked diligently with the other REC Directors to continually find the right balance between reliability, affordability and sustainability. What does that mean — finding the right balance between reliability, affordability and sustainability? First, reliability: plain and simple, reliability is keeping the lights on, especially during bad weather. As a member of the Board of Directors, Sanford has been an integral part of the budget process to ensure projects funded will maintain reliability of the REC network. One major recent project to maintain reliability was increased funding for right of way maintenance to deal with the many dead ash trees and to deal with the increased vegetation from past years’ rainy weather. Next, affordability: keeping the REC system reliable needs to be continually balanced against ensuring that REC’s rates remain affordable. As a minister of a church, Reverend Reaves understands firsthand the financial struggles facing some of REC’s members. He understands that member’s electric bills can be a major part of their budget. As a member of the REC Board of Directors he takes very seriously the responsibility to analyze and approve budgets for projects that will bring the greatest cost/benefit to the members of REC.
The final part of the balancing act a REC Director must continually work through is sustainability. Sanford and all REC Directors care about the environment. To provide a very affordable renewable energy option, REC offers the Cooperative Sun Share program that allows members to participate in community solar without having to go to the expense of adding rooftop solar panels. Working through REC’s main power supplier, ODEC, REC continues to add more renewable energy to REC’s power supply mix. Over the past three years ODEC’s renewable power supply has increased to 105 megawatts of solar and 263 megawatts of wind. While sustainability is very important, it must also be balanced between having an affordable and reliable power supply. At REC we do that through a power supply that currently also provides electricity to REC members through a mix of coal, natural gas, and nuclear power. As you participate in the REC election process please be assured that whether it is finding viable solutions to rural broad band, or keeping your electric rates affordable, Reverend Reaves and the entire REC Board of Directors is very committed to serving the members of REC in a balanced, transparent and accountable manner. Please vote to re-elect Reverend Sanford Reaves so that REC can continue to find the right balance between reliability, affordability, and sustainability.
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Clarke
JULY 20 20
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Don’t be Afraid of Cicada Killers By Claire Stuart
Green’s Septic Service & Portable Toilet Rental Save the Bay. Call Green’s Today.
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OUR LOCAL MARKET IS BOOMING! NOT ENOUGH LISTINGS AND CRAZY INTEREST RATES ARE KEEPING DEMAND HIGH. IT IS A GREAT TIME TO SELL!
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The whining buzz of cicadas is the soundtrack of summer, and along with the cicadas comes their nemesis, the cicada killer wasp. It is our largest wasp, but you have nothing to fear from it, unless, of course, you are a cicada. Just for the record, the Asian giant hornet, AKA the “murder hornet” (Vespa mandarinia) is absolutely not in the eastern USA. The media must have had some slow news days because they dramatically played up the discovery of a few hornets in Vancouver, Canada and Washington State that no doubt arrived as stowaways on cargo from east Asia. This, of course, led to mistaken reports of “murder hornets” all over the country, including the local area. The Asian giant hornet is a social wasp that preys on honey bees. Its toxin is strong and its size lets it deliver a very painful sting, but deaths from its stings are generally attributed to allergic reactions. Similar deaths from bee and wasp stings happen in the U.S. every year. The name “murder wasp” comes from the number of bees they kill! The innocent local wasp often confused with the Asian giant hornet is our cicada killer, Specius speciosus. It is a solitary, hunter-digger wasp that nests in the ground and feeds its young exclusively with annual cicadas. The Asian giant hornet is a little over two inches long, black with a distinctive orange head and an abdomen thinly striped in black–and-orange. The cicada killer is slightly smaller at nearly two inches, black with three distinct broken yellow bands on the abdomen. Another local large wasp is the European hornet, black
with brown where head and thorax join, with half the abdomen yellow. It is even smaller at about an inch to an inchand-a-half. Cicada killers appear when annual (or “dog days”) cicadas emerge, usually in July. They don’t come out in time to hunt periodical (17 Year) cicadas, which emerge in May. Although cicada killers are solitary, they will often nest near each other if the habitat is good. They like bare ground or very short vegetation in well-drained, lighttextured soils, in full sun near trees where cicadas are found. Cicada killers spend winter as pupae in their burrows. Males emerge before females and set up territories. Much like male carpenter bees, they are very aggressive and fly threateningly at each other and any other creature coming into their territory. Of course, like all male bees and wasps, they have no stingers. About a week later, females come out, and males mate with any females emerging in their territory. Males mate repeatedly but females mate just once. The mated female gets immediately to work, digging a burrow that can be over a foot or two deep, with side branches that end in rooms. She sleeps in her burrow during the working season. Females are larger than males, because they do the heavy work! Females do all the hunting. They search for cicadas in the trees, sting them to paralyze them, then carry them home held under their bodies with their legs. A cicada is sometimes even bigger than the wasp. If she loses altitude carrying the cicada, she will haul it up a tree to get enough height to glide home. If
necessary, she will drag it over the ground. At her home burrow, the wasp puts the cicada in one of the rooms and lays an egg on it. The unfortunate cicada remains alive and paralyzed when the larva hatches and slowly eats it. The female provides one cicada for an egg that will produce a male and two or three for a female. How she knows is her secret! When her eggs are laid and provisioning is done, she seals up the nest and flies away. Adults feed on nectar and live about a month. Although the female cicada killer certainly has a stinger, she is not aggressive and will not even sting to defend her burrow. A cicada killer expert who worked with these huge wasps for a decade, catching them and digging up their burrows, was never stung except when he forced them to sting in experiments. He said you would have to step on one barefooted or grab it and hurt it to get it to sting. He described the sting as a tiny pinprick leaving a bump that goes away in about an hour. However, realize that if you are allergic to bee and wasp stings, the cicada killer’s sting is as serious as any other wasp sting. Cicada killers will often start to dig burrows in flower beds and lawns. The easiest way to discourage them is to keep the soil well-watered and mulch around plants rather than leaving bare soil. It is also helpful to put your lawn mower on a higher setting. Please don’t kill these gentle cicada killers! Send me your insect questions at: buglady@wv.net.
Clarke
JU LY 20 20
As the Crow Flies
Chasing A Leaf Across The Sky
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
Story and illustration by Doug Pifer As a relatively new martin landlord, I have much to learn. Toward the end of last summer, I put up a second martin house fifteen feet away from the first one. I had high hopes of building up my colony. But nature, as usual, had other plans. Early-arriving purple martins find it hard to catch enough flying insects to sustain themselves during a period of freezing nights and daytime temperatures that stay in the lower fifties. After four days of such weather in early May of this year, I lost several adult purple martins. For a few days afterward, a lonely single martin flew around the houses. I felt sorry for it until more young martins arrived. We now have two pairs of young birds in their first year of nesting. The literature tells me these inexperienced breeders are often less successful than older, established pairs, so I try to keep track of them. Both young pairs have progressed through courting, defending their apartments, and nest building. Last week I saw evidence of the final step before egg laying, the gathering of green leaves to line the nest. Most adult male martins that I have observed take leaf gathering very seriously. Adapted to a life of almost constant flight, they land somewhat awkwardly in the top branch of a tree, strip a fresh green leaf from a twig, and then dutifully carry it to the nest without much fanfare. Our youthful martins, by contrast, have a more spirited leaf gathering ritual. Distant chirping made me look up as I retrieved the morning paper. So high I could barely see them, three young martins swooped and dived in the breezy June
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A.B. Poe, Jr. “Pig Eye”
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sky. Translucent and glowing in the morning sun, a fresh green leaf drifted past them. Picked by a martin and carried higher than most leaves ever go, it had become the object of a game. Swooping up from its dive, one bird snatched the leaf and kept going. The bird’s forward momentum carried it upwards until it almost stalled in midair. At the last minute it gracefully dipped one wing, banking into a long glide. Coasting effortlessly along and holding the leaf tightly in its beak, the martin picked up speed as a second bird followed in a wild tail chase. The first bird finally dropped the leaf and then a third martin barreled down between the other two in a scorching dive, grabbing
the free-falling leaf on its way. Across the sky their airborne antics continued as they traded the leaf back and forth. Finally, all three birds descended to the martin house and their prized green leaf drifted slowly away. In their exuberance, had they temporarily forgotten the leaf was supposed to go into one of their nests? I stood quietly for a second or two. Three birds just shared a moment in the air chasing a leaf. To a human being on the ground it was a sublime display so full of grace it could be set to music. Illustration by Doug Pifer, Courtesy of the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
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Clarke
JULY 20 20
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Clarke County Community Gathers To Learn and Show Unity Photos by Pam Lettie On June 13, several hundred people gathered at JohnsonWilliams Middle School in Berryville and marched together to Rose Hill Park for a unity rally. Carrying signs reading Black Lives Matter, I Can’t Breathe, and Dark Skin Is Not a Crime, the people of all ages and races wore masks and practiced social distancing from non family members. Clarke’s Rebecca Maynard attended, below are excerpts from remarks shared by public officials and community members at the event.
Gwendolyn Malone, Clarke County Planning Commission
My reason for helping to spearhead the march (it really took the village, however), was to give those who felt like me an opportunity to yell, scream, and shout, “Enough is enough!” But more importantly, to ask the question: “Do you believe us now, when we say that systemic racism is alive and well?”
I spoke with both Police Chief Neal White and Sheriff Tony Roper, to see how they felt about what they had seen on that 8
minutes, 46 seconds tape [of the murder of George Floyd] and they, too, seemed appalled. We all agreed that it was poor policing...
The organizers wanted to send a clear “community” message that the citizens of Clarke and law enforcement are of one accord. Good policing and following procedures to serve and protect are for all citizens. When we sit at the same table and have a conversation, as we did at the Unity March, cooler heads tend to prevail. Martin Luther King said, “Love is creative and redemptive. Love builds up and unites; hate tears down and destroys.”
The Rev. Delbert Pope, St. Luke Baptist Church, Berryville
We are now in a season in our counties, in our communities, of transition. The deaths of unarmed black men have lit the fire of passion in many across our country, and we find ourselves in the cocoon of change.
That transition is not an easy process. The caterpillar must lose its legs in order to sprout its wings. I challenge each of you, don’t be afraid to lose your legs and sprout your wings. Today begins the season of transformation, in our homes, community, churches, right here in Berryville. Today begins transformation. We must embrace our diversity in order to achieve our unity.
Tony Roper, Sheriff, Clarke County
To allow the mistreatment of human beings is unconscionable. But we have to admit to ourselves that those mistakes were made . . . . Admitting those mistakes, however, is only the first step. The noted statesman and philosopher of the late 1700s, Edmund Burke, is quoted as saying, “The only thing
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necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” I think we can all agree that what we witnessed on our televisions from Minneapolis was evil. We all need to act, doing nothing is not an option. So, what can we do? Each and every one of us has the ability to do something. Peaceful rallies like this, asking the tough questions of our elected officials and demanding answers, and showing our displeasure at the voting booths if those questions are not answered to our satisfaction are all options for all citizens.
Minister Brian Harper, Grace and Mercy Church, Stephens City
No disrespect to Sam Cooke saying, “Change is going to come,” but I say change is now. In 2016, Colin Kaepernick took a knee, and emotions were triggered in this country [for] his reason for doing so. On May 25, a law enforcement official
took a knee, and emotions were triggered in this country for his reason for doing so. Bridging the gap means to diminish the difference between two things. There’s a great divide between taking a knee for justice and equality, and why another took a knee for racial injustice and inequality. I just want to breathe! From 1877 to 1950, there were approximately 4,400 documented racial lynchings in the United States. I just want to breathe. No one deserves to die unlawfully at the hands of another in spite of one’s criminal history. We’re just three generations removed from people owning other people who they deemed less than being a human. If a wound is still being talked about, it means the wound has not healed. This country needs repair. Our people need repair. When our people were kidnapped and brought to this country, a negative spotlight was placed on them that they didn’t ask for. But in 2020, I’m hopeful. Because of
the recent events, the world has put a spotlight on us we didn’t ask for, and we just got a second wind.
Neal White, Chief, Berryville Police Department
I am very proud to be a police officer; however, there are times when I feel anger, disgust and frustration when members of this profession betray the oath they took to serve their fellow man with dignity and respect. Law enforcement officers are by no means perfect, and as humans we are all fallible. However, because of the authority and trust we are bestowed, we are, and should be, held to a higher standard. The officers and deputies serving this community believe in the oaths they have sworn and the missions of their agencies to treat everyone they encounter with dignity and respect . . . A tone has been set, and now is the time to begin doing the next right thing. The Berryville Police Department will continue to foster a culture of professionalism by hiring highly competent and qualified candidates, incorporating lessons of bias reduction, ethics, and cultural diversity and training; evaluating policies to ensure
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a wonderful place to live and an example for our nation.
and facilitate the mission of public safety without the need for the application of excessive force; and being vigilant as well as addressing early warning signs among officers that would correct improper behavior before it manifests further. I look forward to working together to make this community OR ST HI
David Weiss, Chairman, Board of Supervisors
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I want to unequivocally today condemn the horrible murder of George Floyd. As I watched the video, I was sickened by the actions of all those involved. If just one person, one officer, had stood up and said ‘no more,’ Mr. Floyd would have survived. That’s why it’s so important that we’re here today together to say, ‘No more.’ The racial history of Clarke county has mirrored the nation. From slavery and segregation, we have evolved much too slowly to the imperfect relationships that we now have It is the responsibility of local government, and my responsibility in particular, as your chairman, to facilitate open discussions about these issues, as is happening today, and I hope that today will inspire us and be a catalyst for further discussions at all levels of government and our community.
Patricia Dickerson, former Mayor, Berryville
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I remember when I was a teenager living in California, sitting on the patio of my childhood home, watching the riots on our small portable black-and-white television set. I can’t believe it’s been 50 years and we’re still having the same conversation. We each must do our part. If you are here because you want change now, then today is just the beginning of your journey. You must hold your elected officials accountable. To do that, you must go to the meetings and make your voices heard. Is today the end of your journey, or the beginning?
Daniel Nelson Resident, Clarke County
During the Reconstruction period after the war ended in 1865, Main Street thrived with black owned businesses. Then came Jim Crow laws in 1877,
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which allowed racial segregation, which existed until the Civil Rights Act of 1964. And yet, the new laws have been ignored for decades. I know, because as a young student at D.G. Cooley Elementary School in the 1980s, I was not allowed to join my white classmates at the Berryville skating rink because of the color of my skin. It’s so beautiful to see so many good white people here and present today, because that lets us know we’re headed in the right direction. We need your help. The whole world is watching this time, and America needs to be reeducated. I believe we can start by telling the truth in our educational systems. African American studies should be a must in order to graduate, because Black history is American history. In Clarke County, we may not have some of the issues that affect major cities and larger counties. We do have respect for our law enforcement and appreciation for what they do. It says something for us all that beautiful Clarke County remains peaceful. However, Clarke County is as guilty as the rest of the country in terms of being silent to the unfair treatment of Blacks, and we need to fix it. Silence benefits our oppressors.
My siblings and I were born here. We grew up in this town and have experienced both love and hate. We are American citizens, but when we go out
of the house we have to watch our surroundings more than others. I walked out of WalMart, and the lady asked to see my receipt when she didn’t
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ask the white girls in front of me. When will that change? I may be tired, but I’m not too tired to continue fighting for all that is right. We should all
insist on being seen and stand up for those who don’t have a voice, so that all of us have permission to be free. No justice, no peace.
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I’m tired. But I’m not too tired to continue to push for what’s right. Why have we all let years and years go by, and we watch as people get mistreated and looked down upon because of the color of their skin? Our shells on the outside, some white, some brown, some black, are just a layer covering up all that is on the inside. We take off our skin and we all look the exact same. One hundred fifty-five years, ago my ancestors were supposed to be free; and while they may have gotten more freedom, we still today can’t be 100-percent comfortable in our own country.
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Harry “Jay” Arnold, the newly elected mayor of Berryville, is sworn in by Clarke County Clerk of Court April Wilkerson on June 15 at the BerryvilleClarke County Government Center. With Arnold are his sister Sandi Young (left) and his longtime partner Sarah Levi. Arnold has served as Town Council recorder since he was first elected in 2006, and served on the Clarke County Planning Commission 1996–2010. Arnold presided over his first Town Council meeting July 14. Provided by Clarke County.
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Felicia Hart To Lead Economic Development and Tourism
Felicia Hart, who has served as Clarke County’s part-time interim Director of Economic Development & Tourism since March, was hired on June 19 as full-time Director of Economic Development & Tourism for both the county and its seat, the Town of Berryville. Eight individuals applied for the position and four interviewed with the BerryvilleClarke County Joint Committee on Economic Development & Tourism, which is composed of two Town Council members and two county Board of Supervisors members. The county and town both fund the director’s salary, and together they
will set short-term and longterm goals for Hart. Most recently, Hart was director of community development and tourism for Front Royal. She previously worked as downtown coordinator for the Town of Strasburg, marketing-development director for the Community Foundation of the Northern Shenandoah Valley, and marketing assistant at First Bank in Strasburg. As interim director, Hart began connecting Clarke County business owners with resources to help them through unprecedented closures and restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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“We had good candidates for the position. Felicia was unanimously picked because of her experience and enthusiasm,” said Supervisors chair David Weiss, who serves on the Joint Committee on Economic Development & Tourism. “She did a great job during the first months of the COVID-19 crisis. Even though she was limited by social distancing, she connected with many business owners and was very well received.” Weiss added, “We believe Felicia’s connections in this region and the state will greatly benefit all businesses in Clarke County.” Newly elected mayor of Berryville and long-time Town Council member Harry “Jay” Arnold said, “The Town is most appreciative to be working cooperatively with the Clarke County Board of Supervisors on economic development that benefits all of us. We were fortunate to have well-qualified candidates apply for the position. Ms. Hart has already established important working relationships with our regional partners and state
economic development offices.” Arnold also serves on the Joint Committee on Economic Development & Tourism. Clarke County is committed to preserving its scenic beauty and agricultural heritage as well as its natural and historic resources. The county and Berryville are equally committed to thoughtfully expanding new and existing businesses and neighborhoods. Economic development involves supporting the existing businesses as well
as recruiting new businesses and promoting tourism, which benefits businesses such as restaurants and retail shops. For more information on economic development, go to yesclarkecounty.com. Go to the county’s tourism website clarketourism.com. Contact Director of Economic Development & Tourism Felicia Hart at (540) 955-5107 or fhart@clarkecounty.gov.
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Harpsichord Comes to Barns of Rose Hill On Tuesday, June 30, the Barns of Rose Hill arts center in Berryville will take delivery of a very special gift. The story of how a beautiful doublemanual harpsichord was donated to the Barns is one of philanthropic and musical generosity. In 2019 Mr. Bruce Reynolds, a retired corporate attorney and amateur musician, was planning to move from his home in McLean, Virginia. He wanted to find a new life for the instrument he had commissioned and enjoyed, a place where it would be appreciated and used to bring pleasure to people who shared his love of early music. He consulted his friend Mark Carrington, a former Washington Post music critic and Director of Music for the Phillips Collection in Washington, DC. Mr. Carrington talked with his friend Alyce Rideout, a retired harpist living in Round Hill who had played for the National Symphony Orchestra and taught
at Shenandoah University. She was aware of and enthusiastic about classical music developments at the Barns, including the new Rose Hill Chamber Orchestra, and got in touch with Diana Kincannon, then serving as Barns chair. Phone calls ensued, and it was agreed: Mr. Reynolds was happy to gift the instrument to the Barns. The harpsichord is a modern instrument, built in 1982, in English style with two eight-foot stops. Jon Goldberg, Director of Classical Music for the Barns, is excited about the repertoire possibilities and is planning a “Harpsichord Celebration” concert. “The concert will showcase the harpsichord in two works written more than two hundred years apart, Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto #5 and Manual De Falla’s Concerto for Harpsichord,” he said. “Bach’s work puts high demands on virtuoso playing and is one of the most challenging works in the harpsichord repertoire. De Falla’s
Concerto shows how twentieth century composers continue to find in the harpsichord a rich and fertile potential for solo
expression.” A date for the concert will be announced when the coronavirus situation permits.