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Where to Forage for Spring’s Most Flavorful Edibles
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By René Locklear White
ON THE COVER A couple strolls a country road in Clarke County. Photo by Jennifer Lee.
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Put Down That Phone
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As the Crow Flies
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Around Clarke County
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A Clarke County Photo Essay of Our Community During Covid-19
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2020 Tree of the Year
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Clarke County Historical Association
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Ticks and Red Meat Allergy
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Community Briefs
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MAY 20 20
Clarke STAFF
David Lillard, Editor/Publisher Jennifer Welliver, Associate Publisher Aundrea Humphreys, Art Director Hali Taylor, Proofreader
MAY CONTRIBUTORS Blandy Experimental Farm Clarke County Jennifer Lee Rebecca Maynard Keith Patterson Doug Pifer Aden R. Claire Stuart René Locklear White
COVER IMAGE Jennifer Lee
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Jennifer Welliver, 540-398-1450 Rebecca Maynard, 540-550-4669
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Daniels Leaves Leaves BOS For District Court Virginia’s General Assembly on March 3 appointed lawyer and Berryville resident Mary L.C. Daniel a General District Court judge for the 26th Judicial District. She begins her six-year term June 1, 2020. Daniel has served as the Berryville District representative on the Clarke County Board of Supervisors since January 2016 and officially leaves the Board on May 1. Board chair David Weiss said, “Our colleague is leaving us for an extraordinary opportunity, and we could not be more pleased her. We’ve enjoyed working with Mary, who has been a tremendous asset to the Board while representing Berryville residents.” The Board accepted Daniel’s resignation during its March 17 meeting and has 45 days after Daniel leaves to appoint a Berryville resident to fill the district vacancy until a special election on Nov. 3. Six residents have applied for the temporary appointment, and the Board expects to make an announcement in mid-May. As a judge for the 26th Judicial District, Daniel will preside over cases in Clarke, Frederick, Page, Rockingham, Shenandoah, and Warren counties as well as the City of Winchester. Daniel has practiced law since 1993, beginning in Martinsburg, W.Va., before moving to Berryville in 1996, when she joined Hobert, Kerr & Perka P.C. Since 2017, she has been a partner at Central Atlantic Legal Group in Winchester. Daniel was serving her community in 1999 as a member of the Clarke County Planning Commission. She served on the Commission until March 2008. In October 2007, Daniel was appointed to fill a Ward 3 vacancy on Berryville Town Council. She was then elected to two consecutive terms. Daniel ran for the Board of Supervisors in 2015, was elected, and began her term in
Among the gifts the Clarke County Board of Supervisors presented to Mary Daniel is a custom-made jabot — the proper name for the collars worn by judges — that represents Clarke County’s agriculture, the Shenandoah River, and the Blue Ridge mountain. The collar was made by Berryville-based textile artist Norma Fredrickson of Studio Three 17. — Story and photos provided by Clarke County
January 2016. She has served as Board liaison to the Clarke County Board of Septic & Well Appeals, the county’s Broadband Implementation Committee, Clarke County Library Advisory Council, Clarke County Planning Commission, Clarke County Sheriff’s Office, Josephine School Community Museum Board, Legislative Liaison and High Growth Coalition, Northwestern Regional Juvenile Detention Center Commission. Daniel considers her participation in the selection of a new County Administrator in 2019 to be her most significant contribution to the Board and county residents.
Clarke
MAY 2020
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Put Down That Phone A 12-year-old boy tells us how to enjoy time at home By Aden R., grade 6
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C L A R K E V A . C O M
Are you feeling bored at home in quarantine, well here are some ideas of fun things to pass the time.
Create a painting or piece of art
If you’re into the arts, then this is for you. During this time, you could create a piece of art like a painting. You could even sell it if you want to earn a little pocket money.
Special dish
During this time, if you like to cook, make a creative dish to eat. If you aren’t at your job, you could spend the time doing this, and it would pay off in the end.
Write a story
Writing is a hobby a lot of people have, and if you enjoy doing it, why don’t you write a story? Writing is a great time consumer, and once you’re
done writing, you could even share the book with someone like a friend or family member.
Get some exercise
Sitting in your house can be fun, but usually in your house, you can’t get much exercise unless you have special equipment. So why not go out and take a jog? You should remember the social distancing rule, six feet apart, but otherwise, get some exercise. It’s great for your health.
Start or continue a building project
If you enjoy building, then
why not start a cool building project at home. You might have to go out and get supplies, but if you are safe and remember to physically distance, you’ll most likely be okay. If you have already started a project, why not work on it some more or complete it? It might turn out really well. I hope you take these ideas into consideration. Whatever you’re doing, be safe, and just know, we can get through this together. Be grateful for the men and women who are out working to help us get through these times.
MAY 20 20
Clarke
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As the Crow Flies
A Mockingbird Remembers Other Bird Songs Story and images by Doug Pifer While isolating at home, it’s good to have a hobby or take up an activity that absorbs your interest. I listen to birdsong each morning, and anticipate new bird arrivals from the south. Mid-February, I heard the first redwings and an eastern meadowlark. A phoebe started singing around the end of March, along with a towhee. By the first week of April, the resident mockingbird started to tune up his voice. I love the song of mockingbirds. Not only can they imitate other birds but they’re just terrific singers in their own right. They also modulate their volume superbly, from a whisper to a shout. But as I impatiently anticipate the return of the first purple martins to our backyard colony, our mockingbird gets me a bit frustrated. He flawlessly imitates every sound a purple martin makes, to the point where I catch myself scanning the sky for martins that aren’t there. In his book Bird Sounds, Barry Kent MacKay writes that the young of many bird species, even when reared in isolation in captivity, can sing songs similar to their wild relatives. But they seem to “perfect” their songs by listening to other males of their own species sing. This is also true of cage birds, such as canaries and zebra finches. But a male mockingbird takes this one step further and also learns other species’ bird songs that he hears around him. I admire the precision of a mockingbird’s memory of a song he hasn’t heard in almost
CLARKEVA.COM
eight months. Students of bird vocalizations say that an individual mockingbird can store up to 20 species of bird songs in his head through the winter. Then, in spring he repeats them, pitch perfect, virtually indistinguishable from the real thing. But talented as he is at imitating other birds, there are limits to what a mockingbird can do. I became aware of one mockingbird’s limitations years ago when we lived in Clarke County, Virginia, where my wife kept turkeys. Each year a mockingbird impresario regaled us by repeating his favorite impressions. Most were songs of local birds, except for one recurring segment that sounded like “jibber-jibber-jibber-jibber.” This had me stumped until I finally recognized the cadence. The mockingbird was attempting an unsuccessful rendition of a turkey’s gobble. I’m also impressed by the way a mockingbird “catalogs” his repertoire, frequently offering a medley of various calls of the same bird. The other day I heard him deliver a perfect version of a phoebe’s song, followed by the phoebe’s “chip” call, then followed by another call the same bird makes. I’ve noticed a similar grouping in a medley of purple martin calls. Evidently a mockingbird recognizes the singers and delivers their songs together. So a mockingbird isn’t just a DJ with his own playlist, but also a performer presenting a concert of music by the same composer. An excited phoebe flew to the tree where the song came from, just as the mockingbird completed his set of phoebe sounds. That phoebe’s response testified to me the fidelity of a mockingbird’s mimicking skill. If he can fool a phoebe into thinking he has a rival in his territory, I don’t feel so bad about being faked out by his purple martin impressions. Illustration courtesy Pennsylvania Game Commission.
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Clarke
MAY 2020
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Around Clarke County In lieu of the community calendar this month, thanks to COVID-19, and the need to stay home and maintain social distancing, we are sharing many ways to stay connected. Please email Rebecca@ClarkeVa.com with any additional options that we might have missed, so they can be included in future editions. What’s open, what’s new, what’s a little different Places of Worship
Local churches are offering varying forms of online worship services. You can call or visit their websites for information and links to services. Berryville Presbyterian www.berryvillepresbyterian.org 540-955-1096 Christ Church, Millwood www.cunninghamchapel.org 540-837-1112 Clarke Parish www.clarkeparish.org/covid-19 540-955-1610 Crums UMC www.crumsumc.org (540) 955-1852
Local Businesses open to serve you
Many Clarke restaurants, farms, and businesses remain open for curbside pick-up orders only; a handful may be open for limited shopping as well.
Breweries and Wineries
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Horseshoe Curve Restaurant, 540-554-8291
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Jane’s Lunch, 540-955-3480
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Locke Store, 540-837-1275
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Mt. Airy Farm Market, 540-837-2043
Jordan Springs Market, 540-662-0601
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Nalls Farm Market, 540-955-0004
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Lone Oak, 540-837-1210
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Lowry’s Crab Shack, 540-338-2438
Oak Hart Farm Farm Store, 540-533-3096
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Reed’s Pharmacy, 540-955-2020
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B Chord Brewing Company, 571-474-9191
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Mario’s Pizzeria, 540-955-4848
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Bear Chase Brewing Company, 540-554-8210
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NIK’s Broiler Room, 540-277-2974
Serenity Farm, 540-931-5724
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Veramar Vineyard, 540-955-5510
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Presto Dinners, 540-277-2103
Smith Meadows Meats, 540-955-4389
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Pine Grove Restaurant, 540-554-8126
The Village Market, 540-955-8742
Restaurants •
Berryville Grille, 540-955-4317
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Sweet Basil Thai, 540-955-6234
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Camino Real, 540-955-4730
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Tea Cart, 540-955-0832
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Cordial Coffee, 540-277-2156
Groceries and Necessities •
Battletown Pharmacy, 540-955-0500
• Heating Oil • Kerosene • Diesel • Gasoline Full-Service Heating & AC Repair and Installation on • Oil-systems • Gas-systems • Heat Pumps
Over 20,000 customers have chosen to trust Griffith Energy Services, Inc. with their heating oil deliveries over the past five years! 24-7-365 Emergency Service • Great Prices, Better People… Griffithoil.com • 800-473-5242 Doggone Dependable Since 1898 Berryville, Manassas, Charles Town Locations
General •
Modern Mercantile, 540-955-1830
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Berryville True Value, 540-955-1900
Community Services
Concern Hotline, 540-5361630. Concern Hotline is a free 24/7/365 anonymous informa-
tion & referral, crisis intervention, and suicide prevention hotline serving the Northern Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Our compassionate Listeners are available to listen and support you through whatever difficult times you may be facing. www.concern hotline.org. Covid-19 Respiratory Care Line, 540-536-0380. FISH of Clarke County, 540-9551823. Until further notice, FISH is closed to the public, but is not not closed for food assistance. If you need food, call the helpline, and they will deliver your food to your front porch or door with no personal contact. FISH is not accepting clothing donations and the clothing store is closed. For all who want to donate food, donations are accepted Tuesday and Friday mornings to the front porch and back porch doors at 36 East Main Street, Berryville. For monetary donations, the mailing address is PO Box 1154, Berryville, Va, 22611. If you have any questions, call Monday through Friday, 8:30am–4 pm.
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MAY 20 20
Peer 2 Peer Regional Warm Line, 1-833-626-1490 (toll free). The Peer-run Warm line is a step down from a crisis hotline. It is facilitated by Peer Recovery Specialists who have lived experience in Substance Use and/ or Mental Health and have been successful in long-term recovery. Peer Recovery Specialists are trained and Certified, and are available to offer resources, support, compassion, and understanding for those experiencing challenges during their recovery process. This is a free service offered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We have peer specialists double and triple staffing this warm line all the time. Sinclair Health Clinic, 540-5361680. Primary Care, Pharmacy, and Behavioral Health Services for uninsured and Medicaid patients. Apply for services online at SinclairHealthClinic.org.
Online Classes/ Educational Content Fitness/Exercise • Fit Over 40, 703-203-2264 or 540-955-4169. Feldenkrais Method Awareness through Movement with Jane Johnston. fitoverforty@ jesed.com, Facebook, at FitOverFortyVirginia. •
Sanctuary Wellness Center. Call your practitioner or 540-227-0564. Yoga, Essentrics, and other classes are available online.. You can also email info@ sanctuaryberryville.com for further information.
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Turiya Yoga, 540-2129778. Live online yoga classes using Zoom. Visit turiyayogawellness.com for more information and to register.
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USTMA TaeKwonDo, www.ustma.com, 540-955-0055.
Music • Goldberg Music Studio, 703608-2496. Video lessons are such a wonderful way to connect during this highly
unusual time. Reach out for a free 30-minute trial lesson. Visit goldbergschoolofmusic.com. •
Noah Stidham, music teacher, piano tuner, and instrument technician, 804418-2625. Teaches guitar, piano, organ, ukulele, mandolin, upright bass, fiddle, cello, autoharp, dulcimer, banjo, trumpet, baritone, accordion and music theory/composition. For information email noahstidham99@gmail.com or call. Using Facetime, Skype and Zoom for online lessons.
Community
Clarke County Historical Association Museum. CCHA is developing a wealth of online content for people of all ages to use to enjoy history. History challenges, behind the scenes video tours, puzzles, oral histories, our Archivist’s blog, online tutorials, there’s something for everyone! CCHA staff monitor email and phone messages at 540-955-2600 or director@clarkehistory.org. Join them at 7:30pm on May 13 on Facebook Live for a talk on “Influential Women of Virginia.” The event is free but donations are greatly appreciated. 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-kidsteens 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 www.handleyregional.org/ hoopla. Barns of Rose Hill. Spring Break Fundraising Non Event. The Barns is closed with all inperson events canceled. For the price of a ticket to a show, you can help ensure that the Barns can keep the ship afloat. To do-
nate $20, visit barnsofrosehill. org/upcoming-events. Join Donovan Stokes and Kevin Johnson at the Barns of Rose Hill on Facebook Live on Saturday, May 16 at 7:30pm. Clarke County Farmers’ Market. Opening day will be delayed until at least June 13. Any new updates will be posted on their social media pages. Many vendors still need your support during this difficult time so please see the “Meet our Vendors” page on their website (www.clarkecountyfarmersmarket.com/meet-our-vendors/) for links to the websites or individual contact information where available. The Clarke County Farmers’ Market will do its best to share individual vendor sales and distribution updates through social media outlets. Contact manager@ clarkecountyfarmersmarket.com. Blue Ridge Insurance Agency. Staff is now working remotely but our office hours remain 8:30am–4:30pm, Monday–Friday handling requests for insurance coverage. Anyone experiencing a financial hardship because of COVID-19 is encouraged to call the office to discuss payment options, 540-955-1178.
7 cated in the lobby of BerryvilleClarke County Government Center with bins in place to receive applications, forms, and plans. Residents who need to make payments of any kind should use Town and County drive-thru kiosks located on the west side of the government center. A telephone for public use is available in the lobby, so residents can contact staff should they have
questions.Clarke County government meetings can be found at clarkecounty.gov/residents/ calendar-month-view. Berryville government meetings are at www.berryvilleva. gov/calendar.aspx. Boyce government meetings are at boyceva.net.
A Community of Integrative Health Practitioners Dedicated to the Flourishing of Our Health & Vitality
Practitioners and Classes are available virtually. Please visit our website and FB page to learn more! 208 N Buckmarsh St, Berryville, VA
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Local, State, and National
COVID-19 Information. Find the most accurate, up-to-date COVID-19 information at www. cdc.gov and www.vdh.virginia. gov/coronavirus. Clarke County and Town of Berryville COVID-19 updates at www.clarkecounty.gov and www.berryvilleva.gov. Clarke County and Town of Berryville government offices remain open with staff responding to phones and email. County and Town walk-up windows are closed. The Clarke County Building Department, Clarke County Department of Planning & Zoning, and Town of Berryville Planning & Zoning Department are closed to the public. Commonly used forms and information are lo-
(540) 450-8110
Clarke
MAY 2020
A Parade of His Very Own By Rebecca Maynard
The Apple Blossom Festival may be canceled this year, but 7-year-old Easton Tavenner of Clarke County was treated to a front row seat at his very own parade on April 24. Easton has leukemia and is undergoing chemotherapy treatments. Family friend Kara Rodriguez said that her children and the Tavenner children attended Wee Angels preschool together at Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church in Berryville, and when she heard about Easton’s diagnosis through mutual friends, she wanted to do something to support the family. “My heart just went to pieces that a 7-year-old is going through something like this,” Rodriguez said. “I said to Bethany [Easton’s mother], ‘Let me bring you dinner,’ and I brought them food from a restaurant because even though I didn’t think we had germs, we’re in the middle of a pandemic and needed to be cautious.”
The pandemic ruled out the option of offering to babysit, but she had seen videos online of community parades to honor teachers and celebrate birthdays, and that gave her an idea. “I received a call from a friend of my daughter [Rodriguez] stating she wanted to have a parade for Easton,” said his grandmother Tina Nichols. “Knowing how he loves tractors and trucks, I thought this was a perfect idea. We began planning and after several calls, things began to fall in place.” Rodriguez said Clarke County Schools superintendent Chuck Bishop was supportive and helpful. “When I asked him if we could use the high school parking lot to stage the parade, he didn’t hesitate to say yes,” she said. “He immediately said, ‘We’ll decorate a bus and participate.’“ Rhiannon Tavenner, Easton’s cousin, helped with community and media outreach, and Becky White, also a cousin, works as
a Clarke County 911 dispatcher and drives an ambulance. White helped by organizing all the emergency vehicles that were part of the parade. On Friday morning, more than 200 vehicles showed up at the high school parking lot to participate in the parade. Easton loves tractors, and his father, Ricky, has a pulling tractor that was in the parade. Teachers and students from D.G. Cooley Elementary School, where Easton attends, rode in a number of vehicles, including the Clarke County Public Schools’ bus number 19. “Everybody was just in an amazing mood,” Rodriguez said. “As we were driving down the parade route, I thought about how powerful it was to see the community responding to it. A lot of people didn’t know the family from Adam but saw the story and wanted to do something.” Participants came from
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MAY 20 20
Clarke Stephens City, Strasburg, Rappahannock County and West Virginia, and included the Enders, Blue Ridge, Flint Hill and Friendship volunteer fire and rescue companies, Rappahannock Electric Cooperative, Mission BBQ, Broy & Son Pump Service, Clem’s Garage, D&S Trucking, C2 Management, Triple T Trucking, Shine Transportation, Schenck’s Food Service and Mountain View Christian Academy. “When we arrived at the high school and saw all the people, I was in tears,” Nichols said. “When Easton heard the sirens coming up Clifton Road, he asked Bethany what was happening. She said, ‘A parade for you, sweet boy.’ His little face lit up! Nothing could have made this Nana happier than seeing him so excited.” “Easton was so overjoyed and happy,” Rodriguez said. “Bethany told me he’s been asking, “Can I watch my parade [on video] again?” “I think he felt like a celebrity, and what really resonated with me is, now you have all those people who are invested in his journey.” That journey is being documented on a Facebook page called “Pulling for Easton,” which already has more than 250 followers. The page will post information on any upcoming fundraisers, updates on how Easton is doing, and any needs the Tavenner family has that the community can help to fulfill. The family continues to ask for any donations to help defray the rising cost of medical bills for the family. The GoFundMe page, organized by Easton’s great aunt Cindy Duncan Ashby, can be found through the Facebook page or at www.gofundme.com/ f/easton-tavenner-medical-expenses. “He has a long road ahead of him but with all the prayers and support, I’m certain Easton will be up and running around with his sweet sister Tinley very soon,” Nichols said. “A great big thank you to all who made this little boy’s day so special. Please continue all the prayers.”
9 Love at First Bite
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• Drain Cleaning & Sewer Jetting • Video Sewer Cameras • Septic Inspections for Home Sale & Refinance Over 30 Years Experience Serving Clarke, Loudoun, & Fauquier Counties
Thomas O’Conner - Owner
www.ShenandoahSeptic.com
540-955-2072 • cell# 540-622-7158
Poe’s Home Improvements New Building & Remodeling Est. 1976
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Bobcat and Small Backhoe Work Land Clearing • Interior / exterior painting Tree & Brush Removal • 60’ Man-Lift Service
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540-955-3705
Clarke
MAY 2020
BUDGET HANDYMAN SERVICE No job too small. We do it all.
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Mowing and Landscaping, Gutter Cleaning and Repair, House Cleaning, Plumbing, Kitchen and Bath Renovations, more... Anything and Everything, Inside and Out!
Melvin: 540-327-9130
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Susan: 540-327-1189
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Where to Forage for Spring’s Most Flavorful Edibles Hidden Treasures in Clarke County By René Locklear White, Lumbee Indian and Clarke County resident
mybudgethandyman@aol.com Licensed & Insured Visa/Mastercard Accepted
The Fox & Pheasant Antiques • Décor • Interiors
Photos by Carrie Fox.
114 East Main Street Boyce, Virginia
Thursday - Saturday 10 - 5 Sunday 12 - 5
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MIDDLEBURG REAL ESTATE
Searching frantically in a grocery store during a pandemic is harder than foraging outdoors. To forage means to “search widely for food or provisions.” Foraging outside for food is fun and a great way to physically distance while feeding your family! Most Clarke residents can step out into their front yard and quickly gather a salad for dinner faster than others can get their mask on and walk to their car to go to the store. Step into Clarke County hungry to learn. From edible to medicinal, Clarke County’s Blue Ridge Mountain, Appalachian Trail, and Shenandoah River have fresh bright flavors and delicious options to lower blood pressure and reduce inflammation. We have food for everyone and everything from diabetes, arthritis, menstrual cramps, and high blood
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Morel mushrooms.
pressure to rare diseases like Mast Cell Activation Syndrome and Hypogammaglobulinemia. When I was a child my mother used various natural plants to treat skin for eczema, psoriasis, rashes, minor burns and insect bites. When I was young, we had little need for a grocery store and there was no fast food. Today, perhaps the easiest plants to notice here are dandelions. Their pretty yellow flowers soon turn into white seed parachutes driving neat-lawnlovers crazy. My friend Alia is making dandelion beer right now. “Dandelion, plantain, burdock, and lamb’s quarters are all easy to identify, very common and very nutritious,” said Alia Adastra owner of sustainable Faunspring Farm in Boyce. “Plantain and lamb’s quarters leaves are wonderful sautéed or creamed. Dandelion leaves are versatile cooked or raw, and roots can be roasted and made into a rich invigorating tea.” “Young burdock roots chopped fine and used sparingly add depth and deep nutrition to stir fry. Of course, all of these wonderful ‘weeds’ should be harvested from areas that have not been chemically sprayed for at least a couple years,” added Alia. Delicious wild asparagus, tasty wild onions, unraveling fiddle heads and aquatic watercress, people from other parts of the world would pay high dollar for our Clarke County wild greens. My friend Jodi knows. “Our wild foods are rich in calcium, beta carotene and iron and a variety of vitamins and minerals including vitamins C, B1, B2 and E,” said Clarke resident Jodi Wright CPM, LM. “We are rich people!
MAY 20 20
Dutch Corn Salad (aka Oyster Leaf Lettuce).
Nigella budding and in bloom with bee (aka Love-ina-Mist).
Strawberries.
Clarke Chicory, chickweed, daylily and huckleberry — there are hundreds of edible plants growing here.” “Chicory is good for breathing problems like asthma and cleansing the liver as well. Dried Chicory roots can also be milled into a powder as a coffee substitute,” added Jodi. My family’s quintessential spring foraging plant right now is morel mushrooms. Dried, these wild jewels run $919 per pound in our local grocery store. Fortunately, Morels are growing free along our forest floor as long as the air stays damp and cold. That is if you are lucky enough find them. One plant that is making a comeback in Clarke County is sunchokes; also referred to as Jerusalem artichoke, even though they look more like ginger root. During a sunchoke presentation I did at the National Museum of the American Indian, people lined up for two days asking me, “Do you have any more of that diabetes medicine?” Sunchokes are the oldest plants in North America, and are easy to grow and are pervasive. Ours bloom at 10’ feet tall. Since living in Clarke County, I have cooked morels and sunchokes seven ways to Sunday. Baked morels with a little homemade BBQ sauce are most righteous. One of the easiest ways to harvest tender greens is using a pair of household scissors. Raw spouts can carry 700 percent of the nutritional value than the grown plant. I soak what I gather in a bowl of cool salt water. Something else my mama always taught me is to, “Gather fresh food in season. Food chemically made to last can kill you.” Eat it fresh while it lasts. “We need to do more seed and plant sharing in Clarke County,” said local resident Sue Peoples who works at Village Montessori at Bluemont. “Let’s share our wild blueberries, wine berries, and raspberries plants. My neighbor has pawpaw seed and sunchokes to share.” Sue is so funny; she’s my best friend and neighbor, and knows we are the ones with the pawpaw seed and sunchokes to share. And that’s how we get through a pandemic, folks, neighbors helping neighbors. Take a walk about. Educate your eye. If you don’t know what it is, do not eat it. “Muti-colored nigella (love in a mist) and oyster leaf lettuce are two of our favorites,” shared Clarke’s Carrie and Nathan Fox who operate their sustainable Riverfox Farm in Berryville. “We’re also foraging purple nettle, clover, chives, wild strawberries and nigella seed for our rabbits to control their high cholesterol. Each spring, we transplant beneficial seedlings for next year and let it go. Our bees love it too” Because of this story, Carrie is sharing “spawn jars” with me so we can cultivate our own morel mushrooms next year. We are in a peak of freshness y’all. Forage and feast folks.
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MAY 2020
Clarke
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Keeping The Home Fires Burning, And Our Hearts Warm By Jennifer Lee Jennifer Lee grabbed her camera to document spring’s arrival in Clarke County amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. She found clues of the dramatic change in our lives everywhere, while also seeing that community and beauty prevail. Clarke monthly is delighted to share some of the photos with you. Thanks, Jen!
Page 12, clockwise from upper left: A couple enjoys a picnic along the river. Can you spot the kayaker behind them? The entrance to J&J Corner Store. A mom and her 2-day old foal on Chilly Hollow Road. We all miss Blandy, especially during the spring! Curious cows on Tilthammer Mill Road. Page 13, from top: No bingo in Boyce for now. Kris and son Lukas Russell did some trainspotting in Berryville. Mountain Baptist Church near Frogtown.
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REC is Here Difficult times will eventually pass but our commitment to members will remain strong.
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The State Arboretum of Virginia Names Sassafras the 2020 Tree of the Year On Arbor Day, April 24, the State Arboretum celebrates the sassafras tree for its fast growth, striking colors, and sweet, root beer-like fragrance. No time was more fitting than Arbor Day, April 24, for the State Arboretum of Virginia at Blandy Experimental Farm to announce its second Tree of the Year: the sassafras (Sassafras albidum). The Arboretum’s 2020 Tree of the Year was selected after deliberation by Curator T’ai Roulston, Blandy arborists, and Virginia Department of Forestry representatives. According to Curator Roulston, sassafras is a tree perfectly suited to many landscapes because it’s a fast-growing tree native to the eastern U.S., grows to a height of 30 to 60 feet, and is available at many area nurseries. “It makes a very nice tree for the yard if the secondary sprouts from the base are removed to encourage a single tall tree rather than a sassafras thicket,” Roulston notes. Other appealing features of the sassafras include striking blue-black fruits on bright red stalks that birds eat in autumn, “but these fruits are only produced by female sassafras trees, if they’re pollinated,” Roulston points out. The sassafras leaves also are well known and loved for their shapes. Individual trees produce three different leaf types: mitten shaped, threefingered, and oval. The leaves also put on a nice show of color in the fall, ranging from yellow to orange to red. Various parts of the plant, including the leaves, give off a very pleasant root beer-like fragrance; traditionally these were used in the making of various medicinal beverages. Roulston warns, however, that because one of sassafras’ chemical compounds — safrole — has been found to be carcinogenic, only sassafras flavoring with safrole removed
is available commercially now. The sassafras grows in hardiness zones 4-9. On Arbor Day each year, the State Arboretum of Virginia honors one extraordinary species of tree as its Tree of the Year. The goal of the program is five-fold: • to remind us of the value and environmental significance of trees in Virginia and beyond; •
to educate the public about the varieties of trees in Virginia;
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to nurture a love of trees in all ages
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to promote important tree education, science, and conservation at the State Arboretum and elsewhere in Virginia;
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to join with others in awe of the majesty of Virginia’s trees.
“We want everyone — of all ages — to know how important trees are to us environmentally,” says Roulston. “Every day at the Arboretum we practice and promote tree education, science, and conservation through research and public programming. That’s a vital part of our mission.” In selecting the Tree of the Year, these key traits are considered: • Does the tree have a compelling story or uniqueness? Does it have special characteristics — for example, color or leaf structure — that make the tree an interesting choice? •
Is the tree readily available for purchase in Virginia at most nurseries?
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Is the tree familiar to most gardeners?
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Is the tree easy to grow and nurture for nonprofessionals and will it make a good addition to a residential landscape?
Blandy Arborist Chris Schmidt shared a few tips for planting and cultivating sassafras trees. • Choose a small, containerized sassafras tree, if available. It will transplant more successfully than a larger tree. •
Pick a planting site with welldrained, slightly acidic soil. Avoid wet clay soils.
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Choose a spot in full sun or has afternoon shade.
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Plant in springtime.
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Once established, your tree will adapt to dry conditions.
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For a solo tree, establish one trunk by removing all suckers when they shoot up in spring. For a grove of sassafras, leave the suckers.
The State Arboretum of Virginia’s 2019 Tree of the Year was the eastern redbud. The State Arboretum of Virginia is home to more than 5,000 woody trees and shrubs, including a unique 300-tree ginkgo grove and a 36-tree Cedar of Lebanon allee. The Arboretum staff and many volunteers across the state help to thoughtfully grow the collection each year by planting new and replacement trees. The Arboretum is part of historic Blandy Experimental Farm, a research field station for the University of Virginia’s Department of Environmental Sciences. Directions and a calendar of events are online at www.blandy.virginia.edu.
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Clarke County Historical Association Offers Scavenger Hunts and More By Rebecca Maynard With so many of us staying home, restlessness is bound to set in. The Clarke County Historical Association (CCHA) has something for everyone with numerous online activities and offerings, including new weekly scavenger hunts. Taylor Coumes, CCHA’s education coordinator, said she was trying to research ideas on how to get the community interactive in a different way, one that would be possible while social distancing but still get people active and off computer screens. “We had the idea of doing a paper version of a scavenger hunt, and then I stumbled on an app called Scavr, which is really cool,” Coumes said. “You get to pick what kind of scavenger hunt you want to do, and we chose to do photo ones.” Participants download the app, which is compatible with both iPhone and Android, sign up through a link sent by email and posted on CCHA social media (Facebook and Instagram), and the fun begins. Coumes comes up with a variety of new clues each week, such as “Find a bird around your neighborhood” or “Find a local shop you love.” Each hunt begins at 12:30pm Saturday and ends at 10pm Sunday. Participants take a photo and submit it; Coumes approves it (only she has access to the photos), and awards points for it. There is a leader board at the end showing first, second, and third place. “I have hunts planned up to the end of August right now,” Coumes said. “It’s really cool and we’ve had a lot of response to it, because it’s so easy to use. We’ve also made sure to do challenges where people wouldn’t be congregating in the same location.” “We have done the scavenger hunt each week since it started,”
said English Koontz. “We look forward to it coming out on Saturdays as a fun diversion. The hunts are not difficult, but they provide a nice way to get out and enjoy the community, the weather, and a little family togetherness outside the house. Each hunt has a theme and most have been doable by walking, though we have made larger circles with our hunts. The CCHA, under Nathan Stalvey’s capable and enthusiastic leadership, has worked diligently during this time to provide many options for education and entertainment.” “One week we had to find an acorn,” Koontz said. It’s not really acorn season, so that was tougher. And we challenge ourselves by searching for good pictures to submit. Bug and bird were hard for us— the best subjects were always on the move. But there is opportunity to be creative. When we couldn’t find a ‘good bug picture,’ we found a sign with a bug on it.” Despite the temporary closure of its building because of COVID-19, CCHA is still active and offers a variety of online games, activities, videos, classes, live trivia and more. “We’ve done a lot of things that we’ve definitely never done before,” Coumes said. Every Monday, there is a #historyisalive competition, which helps get kids get involved with interactive games, puzzles, crosswords and more. “I give massive credit to Taylor for what she’s doing with these activities,” said Nathan Stalvey, CCHA director. “I’m a member of the Virginia Association of Museums and during our meetings, I get comments from other museums who have seen what we’re doing like, ‘You guys are the bar’ when it comes to our activities.” Stalvey and Coumes have been filming new videos each
week, taking viewers inside Carter Hall, the Burwell-Morgan mill, a Cold War bunker and more. The videos can be found by searching for the CCHA on Youtube. With the Barns of Rose Hill temporarily closed, Stalvey has begun hosting the ever popular monthly trivia nights, a joint effort between the CCHA and Clarke County Library, on Zoom. Trivia is held at 7pm the first Tuesday of each month, and April’s first Zoom event was a success. “It’s nice to see the engagement with people,” Stalvey said. “We had 23 teams, and 71 people who played online, a little bit higher than our numbers in person.” On May 13 at 7:30pm, Coumes will talk on Facebook Live with AnneMarie Paquette from Mosby Heritage and Suzanne from the Middleburg Museum about the topic, “Influential Women of Virginia.” The event is free and donations are appreciated.
A virtual Meet and Stitch event and a historical book club meeting are planned for later in the month, with dates and details to come on social media or the CCHA website, www.clarkehistory.org. Volunteer opportunities are available as well. CCHA archivist Melanie Garvey has implemented a letter project, in which people can transcribe a letter and submit it to her to put in her archives. Citizens are encouraged to write stories about life during COVID-19.
Having to cancel the annual Art at the Mill show was a hard pill to swallow, Stalvey said, and donations are greatly appreciated. “Every little bit helps and is greatly appreciated,” he said. Donations will help CCHA prepare for the fall Art at the Mill show and help support the Sarah P. Trumbower Scholarship that supports Clarke County students pursuing a degree in the Arts. To donate, please visit www.clarkehistory.org; or send a check to CCHA, P.O. Box 306, Berryville, VA 22611.
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Clarke
MAY 2020
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Ticks and Red Meat Allergy By Claire Stuart
Could a tick bite trigger an allergy to red meat? Bizarre as it sounds, it happened to Clarke County resident Lillian Ledford. A condition called alpha-gal syndrome or acquired red meat allergy can be transmitted by the lone star tick and possibly other ticks. The lone star tick is not from Texas! It is named for a single prominent white spot on its back. With warmer weather, people are getting out and enjoying the outdoors. Ticks are lurking in the grass and weeds, and we can expect more than usual this year because of the warm winter. Ticks carry many diseases including Lyme disease, tularemia, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and Ehrlichosis (a group of flu-like bacterial diseases). Only a minority of ticks are carriers, but we still need to be cautious and avoid them. Tick paralysis is a frightening condition caused by a toxin injected when a tick attaches to the back of the neck near the head. Starting with weakness of the legs that moves up the body,
it can cause difficulty breathing. It also affects dogs and it can even kill them. It should be suspected if a healthy dog suddenly gets wobbly. Humans and dogs recover within days when the ticks are removed. Children are most vulnerable, so be sure to check your youngsters for ticks. The link between alpha-gal syndrome and tick bites was only recently discovered because of the delayed appearance of the symptoms. Pioneering research on this allergy has been taking place over the last few years in the University of Virginia’s Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. Galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal) is a sugar found in the cells of most mammals except humans, apes and monkeys. It is present in the mammalian meats that humans eat (beef, pork, lamb, venison, goat, bison), and picked up when a tick bites. It is not present in fish or fowl. When an infected tick bites a person, saliva containing al-
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pha-gal is injected. The immune system kicks in and makes antibodies to defend against the unfamiliar sugar. The antibodies stay in the system. When the person eats mammalian meat,
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the immune system identifies the alpha-gal as an invader and overproduces antibodies that rush to defend the body with an allergic reaction. This allergy long went unrecognized because the time between a tick bite and consumption of red meat can vary tremendously, and the time between eating meat and the allergic reaction takes between two and eight hours. Most food allergies (peanuts, shellfish, etc.) start immediately after eating. Symptoms of alpha-gal vary in severity with different people and amount of red meat (especially fatty meat) eaten. Symptoms can include hives, swelling, diarrhea, headache, sneezing, upset stomach — all the way to anaphylaxis. So far, there is no cure, although overthe-counter antihistamines might relieve mild symptoms. Ledford recalls eating a “very fatty meat taco” one evening at about 8pm and waking up at 3am covered with hives.
She had never been allergic to meat and didn’t connect the taco with the reaction. She was diagnosed with alpha-gal symptom, and she hasn’t eaten red meat for over a year. Diagnosis of alpha-gal is through a blood test. Some people are not affected at all. In some people, the allergy goes away in a few years if they are not bitten by a tick again, and others must avoid red meat forever. In addition to red meat, some people become sensitive to all sorts of other mammalian products, including dairy, gelatin desserts, gummy candies, gel caps of medicine, and even some cancer drugs. Ticks do not drop from trees. They hatch from eggs randomly laid on the ground. They crawl up on low-growing vegetation and wait for an animal to brush past so that they can latch on. They detect animals by sensing body heat and carbon dioxide with their front legs, which are used like antennae. Ticks have three life stages
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— larva, nymph, and adult. The larva has six legs and does not grow until it finds an animal to feed on. Then it molts to become an eightlegged nymph. After another meal, it becomes an adult. If it does not find food, it can live a year or more without eating — it simply doesn’t grow. If an immature tick isn’t removed, it will suck blood continuously for about a week, then drop off to shed its skin. We are most familiar with the adult female tick. Her body is covered with only a small apron-like plate. This allows her body to expand like a balloon as she sucks blood. She must feed for a week or two for her eggs to develop, and she can live
about two years waiting for a host. A male requires much less blood. His body is covered by a hard exoskeleton, so his size does not change as he feeds. The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has excellent on-line resources to help you identify any ticks that you find: www.vdh.virginia.gov/ environmental-epidemiology/ bugs-human-health. You can add to the VDH’s knowledge of tick ecology and tick-borne diseases by participating in their Tick Survey. Instructions on how to take part are at: www.vdh.virginia.gov/ environmental-epidemiology/ virginia-tick-survey.
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How to Safely Remove Ticks Remove ticks carefully so as not to break off the head in your skin. Be careful not to squeeze or burst the tick’s abdomen. Do NOT use “folk” methods such as covering tick with Vaseline or nail polish or burning it with a lit cigarette! Don’t try to pull it off with fingernails; use tweezers (preferably sharp-nosed). Grab it as close to the skin as possible, and pull slowly straight out. Apply antiseptic. Save the tick in alcohol in case you get sick and need to show it to a doctor.
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MAY 2020
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A Spring Painting To Benefit FISH By Keith Patterson
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Community Briefs Support Local Art and Charity
Clarke Monthly was looking for a way to support local artists and contribute to charities that are serving on the front lines during the pandemic. In our first installment, we have teamed up with Keith Patterson to offer his painting, pictured on the opposite page. Keith will contribute a portion of the proceeds of the sale to FISH of Clarke County, a ministry that provides support for neighbors in need. For more information about the painting, contact Keith at nkp3art@yahoo.com. Learn more about FISH at fishofclarke.org.
County Extends Property and Real Estate Tax Due Date
Clarke County has moved its tax due date from June 5 to June 30, 2020, because of the coronavirus pandemic and related shutdowns. The first half of 2020 real estate and personal property taxes originally due June 5 are now due by Tuesday, June 30. Notices regarding the new deadline will be included in tax bills, which should be in the mail to taxpayers by mid-May. “The global COVID-19 pandemic has changed almost every aspect of daily life,” said Treasurer Sharon Keeler. “We hope extending the tax deadline by more than three weeks helps our residents.” Clarke County government offices remain open with staff responding to phones and email; however, walk-up windows in the BerryvilleClarke County Government Center are closed in accordance with current socialdistancing protocols. Individuals are strongly
encouraged to pay their taxes online. Go to clarkecounty. gov and click the “Online Payments” button. Or, mail tax payments to Clarke County Treasurer, 101 Chalmers Ct., Berryville, VA 22611. The Treasurer also accepts payments at the county drivethru kiosk located on the west side of the Berryville-Clarke County Government Center at 101 Chalmers Ct. in Berryville. Avoid long lines at the drive-thru by paying online or by mail. As a precautionary measure because of COVID-19, taxpayers are discouraged from paying bills with cash. Contact the Clarke County Treasurer’s Office at 540-955-5160 or treasuer@clarkecounty.gov. The second half of 2020 real estate and personal property taxes are due Dec. 5. Note: The Treasurer cannot adjust tax bills. The Commissioner of the Revenue makes all tax adjustments. Contact Donna Peake at 540-955-5108 or dpeake@clarkecounty.gov. Treasurer and Commissioner of Revenue office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Revised Elections Dates
General Registrar and Director of Elections Barbara Bosserman reminds Berryville residents that the Town of Berryville General Election, originally May 5, is on Tuesday, May 19. All registered voters within town limits can vote for Mayor and Ward 1 and Ward 3 council members. Polling is open from 6am to 7pm May 19 at the Clarke County Public Schools Administrative Office (former Berryville Primary School) at 317 W. Main St. Only individuals who were eligible to vote on May 5 may participate in the May 19 election. Absentee ballots received for Berryville’s
May 5 General Election will be counted on May 19. The Republican Party primary originally scheduled for June 9 is also postponed by two weeks; it is now Tuesday, June 23. Voter registration deadline is May 26 for the June 23 Primary Election. Contact the Clarke County Office of Elections at 540-9555168 or vote@clarkecounty. gov. The office, located on the second floor of the Berryville-Clarke County Government Center at 101 Chalmers Ct. in Berryville, is open 8:30am to 4:30pm Monday through Friday.
C L A R K E V A . C O M
COVID-19 Resource Listing
As the widespread impact of COVID-19 has become more apparent, the Northwestern Community Services Board Prevention Department recognized the need for individuals and families to be able to easily access resources in the community. The Department moved quickly to create a compilation of resources for community members in the City of Winchester and the counties of Clarke, Frederick, Page, Shenandoah, and Warren. The list is featured on the Youth Resource Alliance webpage and the resources are grouped into categories of Mental Wellness/Health, Economic Security, Resources for Kids, Substance Use Support, and Local Resource Updates. The production of the list has been made possible through a collaborative effort between the Department and Mr. Hank Zimmerman. The team will continue to expand and update the list in coming weeks, in an effort to continue serving the community as the COVID-19 crisis evolves. The list can be accessed at http://youthresourcealliance.org.
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Every May, Mental Health America observes Mental Health Month, and encourages organizations from across the United States to join their initiative. This year, the Northwestern Community Services Board Prevention Department is launching ‘Let’s Chalk About Mental Health’- an interactive campaign designed to educate the community about the diverse aspects of mental health, and the stigma that surrounds it. The campaign is designed to be accessible from home and will address some of the unique mental health considerations created by COVID-19. When asked about the campaign, Rebekah Schennum, a NWCSB Prevention Specialist, said, “As we are all currently navigating life in unchartered territory, it is important for individuals to remember they are not alone, and it is okay to ask for help.” Launching May 1, ‘Let’s Chalk About Mental Health’ will cover topics including owning your feelings, finding the positive, creating healthy routines, and connecting with others. The Prevention Department team will be sharing resources, facilitating discussions, and offering tips to start the conversation at home. Community members can access content through the Youth Resource Alliance website, youthresourcealliance.org, and the YRA social media accounts- @LordFairfaxYRA on all major platforms. To join the conversation, community members can share pictures, videos, or posts using the hashtag #NWChalksAboutMH. Schennum stated, “Our goal throughout the month is to open up communication around mental health and provide various tips, statistics, and resources in the community.” The Prevention Department hopes the campaign will reach community members of all ages, and encourage a growing understanding of mental health and the importance of mental wellness.
About Youth Resource Alliance In July 2010, a Family Developmental and Social Health Work Group determined that although there was good work being done by individuals and organizations to address the particular health needs of youth in the Lord Fairfax Health District, there was no good means for sharing of information and resources. The idea of forming a network was developed, and the Youth Resource Alliance was formed. In addition to the YRA serving as a venue for sharing information among professionals, the plan expanded for the alliance to also serve as a “clearing house” for individuals seeking more information about the resources available for children, youth and families. Youthresourcealliance.org is the product of the collaborative effort and continues to provide the community with a comprehensive and up-to-date list of local resources.
NWCSB Prevention Dept. 441 N. Main St., Woodstock, VA 22664 540-459-5180 ext. 3046 www.nwcsb.com