Clarke monthly September 2020 by Clarke County Observer

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Can you find something positive to remember about this summer, despite the lockdown and the quarantine? I shall remember this as the summer we rediscovered hummingbirds. My wife and I used to feed hummingbirds, but lately we prefer to attract them by planting flowering native trees, shrubs and vines, plus annual and perennial flowers. But two really nice humminngbird feeders caught my eye late this spring. They had an antique look, molded to resemble old bottles, one in green glass and the other in red. Both of them had multiple feeding ports to accommodate several hummingbirds at once, and perches for hummingbirds to sit upon. I bought both feeders and hung them where we could watch them from several rooms in the house. Soon, we seldom looked out the window without seeing one or two around the feeders. Feeding hummingbirds became our source of live summer entertainment. We often saw five or six hummingbirds flying around the feeders, and by the beginning of August they were consuming almost half a gallon of sugar water a week. Hummingbirds are famously territorial. One female acted like a bully, chasing the others away. She often perched atop the shepherd’s crook hanger, preening her feathers while watching for somebody to chase. Once when I tried to photograph her at the feeder, she approached my face before flying away, as if demanding to know what I was doing. The smaller feeder in the front yard offered a place where those she chased away could feed in peace. If you’re new to humming-

bird feeding, here are several recommendations. Hang your feeder in a spot that receives both sunlight and shade for part of the day. It can be close to a window for easy observation, but not where the birds might ﬂy into the window glass and kill themselves by accident. Fill your feeder with a mixture of four parts water to one part of sugar. Commercial hummingbird nectar is dyed red to attract the birds, but the dye has no food value, and it may even be toxic to them. And it is unnecessary because most hummingbird feeders have red somewhere in their construction. Avoid feeders with yellow decorations because that color attracts bees and wasps. Refill feeders once a week if they aren’t emptied sooner, wash them inside and out with hot soapy water, and rinse

thoroughly. If the syrup in your feeder looks cloudy, replace it immediately. Wash your feeders in a vinegar and water solution once a month to discourage mold growth. Hummingbirds get nutrition from tiny insects and spiders, flower pollen, and tree sap. They sip nectar from deep throated flowers such as trumpet-vine, morning glory, honeysuckle, azalea, cardinalflower, and bee balm. But these flowers only bloom for a short time. Offering sugar water in a feeder provides a reliable source of energy for their hyperactive bodies. Keep your hummingbird feeders filled throughout the fall, because hummingbirds start to migrate at the end of August. Newcomers passing through your area will surely welcome a high energy snack.

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Clarke STAFF

David Lillard, Editor/Publisher Jennifer Welliver, Associate Publisher Aundrea Humphreys, Art Director Hali Taylor, Proofreader

SEPTEMBER CONTRIBUTORS Clarke County Cathy Kuehner Rebecca Maynard Bill McShea George Ohrstrom Doug Pifer T’ai Roulston Charles Snead

COVER IMAGE Courtesy of Cathy Kuehner/Clarke County

ADVERTISING SALES

Jennifer Welliver, 540-398-1450

Advertising Information: 540-398-1450 (Mon-Fri, 9-5)

AD DEADLINE 1ST OF EACH MONTH

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

CLARKE MONTHLY

PO BOX 2160 SHEPHERDSTOWN WV 25443

540-440-1373

www.CLARKEVA.com

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Caring Transitions Helps Seniors In Relocation Experienced caregiver and senior living professional Deborah Miller has launched a senior-focused relocation and estate clearing company, Caring Transitions of Winchester. Serving Clarke, Shenandoah, Warren and Frederick counties, as well as the city of Winchester, Caring Transitions handles decluttering, organizing, packing, moving, resettling, in-home estate sales and online auctions, home clean-outs, estate clearing and preparing homes for market. “Think of Caring Transitions as a project manager for your transition. We can take care of your entire transition from beginning to end, or help with whatever individual services you need along the way,” said Miller. “When my mom passed away suddenly in 2008, I was left to handle everything

with minimal help, which was emotional and overwhelming. I launched Caring Transitions because I want people to have someone to turn to when they need help with those kinds of transitions. I want to be the resource this community needs.” Caring Transitions, founded in 2006, is a national franchise specializing in senior relocation and transition services. Its more than 200 locations throughout the United States are all owned and operated by certified relocation and transition specialists. Caring Transitions provides clients with supportive moves, auctions, rightsizing and transitions. This includes a transition plan beginning with the initial sorting of personal belongings through packing, unpacking, resettling, selling of items to the

final clearing and cleaning of the property. Miller, who is a certified senior relocation and transitions specialist, has lived in the Shenandoah Valley for almost 40 years. She has been in senior caregiving for the last 15 years. Caring Transitions of Winchester is bonded and insured. For information, call 540-318-0024, email DMiller@ CaringTransitions.com or visit CaringTransitionsWinchester.com.

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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.

September

Join the Clarke County Historical Association’s archivist, Melanie Garvey, on Zoom for a hands-on workshop on sewing. 11am–1pm. $5. Visit www.clarkehistory.org.

Camino Real restaurant. 16 Crow St. Berryville. Support the PTO and help the school get closer to its playground goal. Dine-in is socially distanced and meals are available to go, with 10 percent of proceeds going to the PTO. 5–9pm. 540-955-4730.

Historical Crafts Workshop on Zoom

Native Plant Walk

Blandy Experimental Farm. 400 Blandy Farm Lane. Boyce. Assistant curator and native plant expert Jack Monsted will answer plant questions and teach how to identify native and invasive plants. Masks required. Walk is a 0.6 mile loop. 10–11am. FOSA members/ UVA alumni $10, nonmembers $15. www.blandy.virginia.edu.

Community Yard Sale

Zion Baptist Church. 10 Josephine St. Berryville. Proceeds benefit the church and donations are appreciated, to be dropped off by the 18th. Monetary donations are also appreciated. Social distancing will be in effect. 8am–5pm. 540-303-5566.

Mindfulness Workshop

Blandy Experimental Farm. 400 Blandy Farm Lane. Boyce. Instructor Brown Sharp II will explain how to learn more about mindfulness and enjoying natural environments. Masks and social distancing required. Bring yoga mat and, if possible, sitting cushion. 10am–12pm. FOSA members/ UVA alumni $20, nonmembers $25. www.blandy.virginia.edu.

Boyce PTO Spirit Night

October

Harvest Moon Walk

Blandy Experimental Farm. 400 Blandy Farm Lane. Boyce. Learn about worms, owls, zombie bugs and other creepy-crawly creatures, and take home a fall activity box. Meet at outdoor amphitheater near brick Quarters building. Masks required and social distancing is planned. Also held Oct. 24. 7:30–8:30pm.

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FOSA members/UVA alumni $12, nonmembers $15. www.blandy.virginia.edu.

Live Trivia on Zoom

Join the Clarke County Historical Association and Clarke County Library on Zoom with live trivia featuring categories such as history, literature, music, movies, science and more. Prizes donated by local businesses. 7pm. Free. Visit www.clarkehistory.org for details.

Masks required and social distancing is planned. Also held Oct. 24. 10–11am Oct. 10, 2–3pm Oct. 24. FOSA members/UVA alumni $12, nonmembers $15. www.blandy.virginia.edu.

Clarke County Parks and Recreation Center. 225 Al Smith Circle. Berryville. The show will be outdoors and is still accepting vendors with homemade crafts only. No entrance fee. 9am–4pm. 540-955-5147.

Begins at Clarke County Historical Association. 32 E. Main St. Berryville. Join director Nathan Stalvey for a riveting talk and walking tour based on Michael Hess’s book “Haunted Clarke County, Virginia.” CCHA members

Creepy Crawlies Event

Haunted Clarke County Walking Tour

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Annual Fall Craft Show

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$15, nonmembers www.clarkehistory.org.

$20.

Ongoing Artist-in-Residence Program at the Mill

Burwell-Morgan Mill. 15 Tannery Lane. Millwood. Program features a different artist each Saturday and Sunday, now through Nov. 7. Artists will set up their easels and create art, talk about their work, and offer paintings for sale. As with the biannual shows, the CCHA will keep a small portion of the art sales to support the mill as well as the Sarah P. Trumbower Memorial Scholarship. The mill is open 10am–5pm Saturdays and 12–5pm Sundays. Suggested donation to mill is $5 per adult; $3 per senior citizen. 540-837-1799 or 540-955-2600. director@clarkehistory.org.

Clarke County Farmers’ Market

317 W. Main St. (Berryville Primary – Clarke County School Board office). Customer entrance and parking is off West Main Street. Customers will exit behind the building, creating a one-way traffic ﬂow. Signs will direct both car and foot traffic. Hand sanitizer will be available at each vendor’s stand as well as the main market tent. All patrons are asked to comply with state-mandated requirements related to COVID-19, including social distancing and face coverings. Find a list of 2020 vendors at clarkecountyfarmersmarket. com/meet-our-vendors/ 8am– 12pm every Saturday through the end of October. manager@ clarkecountyfarmersmarket.com.

Pamela Klein/Irma Ostroff Joint Exhibit

Long Branch Historic House and Farm. 830 Long Branch Lane. Boyce. Original new works by innovative

contemporary artists Pamela Klein and Irma Ostroff. Exhibit is on display September 8 through October 30. Gallery hours are Monday–Friday, 10am–4pm. Free. 540-837-1856. www.visitlongbranch.org.

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, audio books, and comics. Also, Hoopla is offering additional downloads for free on select content that do not count against your 6. More info on how this works at www.handleyregional.org/hoopla.

FISH of Clarke County 540-955-1823. Until further notice, FISH is closed to the

public, but is not closed for food assistance. If you need food, call the helpline, and they will deliver your food to your front porch or door with no personal contact. FISH is not accepting clothing donations and the clothing store is closed. Food donations may be dropped off by appointment only. For monetary donations, the mailing address is PO Box 1154, Berryville, Va, 22611. If you have any questions, call Monday through Friday, 8:30am–4 pm. Barns of Rose Hill

The Barns of Rose Hill, at 95 Chalmers Ct., Berryville, has reopened its art exhibits, gift shop and Visitors’ Center. Hours are 12–3pm Tuesday through Saturday. Donations are appreciated, as most programs have been canceled for the time being. Follow Barns of Rose Hill on Facebook, or contact the Barns at 540-955-2004 or info@borh.org.

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Sanctuary Wellness Center

208 N. Buckmarsh St. Berryville. A number of online classes are being held, including OM’Line Yoga with Amy Hope-Gentry and Yoga Nidra with Gayle Bohlman. Contact Amy at www.amyhopegentry. com/yoga or Gayle at gaylebtcc@comcast.net to register. For more information, email info@ sanctuaryberryville.com or visit http://sanctuaryberryville.com.

Family Antiques

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Clarke

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Can Ash Trees Survive Their Own Pandemic?

Long Branch Galleries Presents...

“COLOR & PROCESS”

Scientists are searching for an insect to devour Emerald Ash Borers before the borers wipe out all our ash trees By T’ai Roulston, Curator, State Arboretum of Virginia at Blandy Experimental Farm

PAMELA KLEIN

IRMA OSTROFF

A Joint Exhibit of Contemporary Art Long Branch Historic House & Farm 830 Long Branch Lane, Boyce VA 540-837-1856

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In the early 2000s, the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), a beetle accidentally imported from Asia, was found infesting and devastating ash trees in the Great Lakes region, especially Michigan. The beetle spread fast. Soon hundreds, then thousands, now millions of ash trees of many species have been killed across 31 states, including Virginia. Whole patches of forest canopy, streamside corridors and city parks go suddenly bare and barkless; woodpeckers hammer the wood to pulp to pick out grubs, and soon the branches drop, smashing whatever is beneath them. City park managers have worked steadily to reduce the risk, replacing them or applying systemic pesticides. Recently, in downtown Winchester, I watched a bucket truck dismantle the trunk of a dead ash whose fallen limbs I saw atop a dented car last week. In the wild areas, where pesticides can’t save whole stands of trees, the ash quickly fades from canopy to understory to saplings with little future. It is easy to imagine the future forest bereft of ash, like it is now of American chestnut, only more so. At least the American chestnut keeps resprouting. I had all but given up on ash as a wild plant, until now. In Virginia, there are three common and widespread species of ash: white (Fraxinus americana), green (F. pennsylvanica) and black (F. nigra), and all are highly susceptible to the beetle. Because we are still in a time of massive loss of our ash trees, it is hard to step back and ask what we will have left at the end.

Wasps to the rescue?

In Michigan, the first state hit hard, the first place to study it, and the first place to rear and release massive numbers of parasitoid wasps to control the beetle, it is possible to gauge the impact and trajectory. It is not as dire as I feared, at least not there. In a 2018 study, two researchers from the University of Michigan, Molly Robinett and Deborah McCullogh, looked at white and green ash trees in 11 counties that had been invaded by EAB for at least a decade. Green ash, the more suscep-

tible species, suffered 92 percent mortality, but 75 percent of white ash trees (total of 821 trees) were alive. Nearly all of the white ash trees had evidence of beetle infestation, but 83 percent of them had healthy canopies. Maybe there is a future still, at least for white ash. White ash has been noted to do better than green ash throughout the invasion period, and so they already had an innate advantage.

White Ash Hope

Now that four different parasitic wasp species have been released to control the

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EAB bug. beetle, and are reducing beetle survival, it may be that white ash will be able to tolerate the size of the beetle population that remains. Let us hope so. Maybe the green and black ash trees will survive as well, but we’ll have to see how they do in our area. Ashes to ash is still better than ashes to dust. But is there no hope for green ash as well? Although prospects look quite dim now, there is a good chance that an array of parasitic insects will eventually knock down the population of EAB sufficiently to give green ash a chance. Still, we need to give green ash some time. The main way of preserving green ash trees has been through systemic pesticides which have to be regularly reapplied. But the pesticides protect the tree at the expense of any insect that feeds on the tree or, potentially, the pollen.

Early grafting tests show promise

There may be another way as well, especially for places like public gardens. In a research paper just out this year, Sara Stack and colleagues at Purdue University have found that grafting green ash onto the root stock of Manchurian ash results in a tree with substantial protection against EAB. Because grafting doesn’t change the genetics of the green ash where it grows above the graft, the green ash can still produce seed that is fully green ash but benefit from beetle resistant compounds that ﬂow up the trunk through the resistant root stock. The testing is still in early stages, but shows some

promise as a way to keep trees alive that can produce green ash seeds with a better future. And one last piece of Emerald Ash Borer news that is positive: how to detect it. Once a tree is highly infected, and has many small exit holes leaving the trunk, the die-back can be readily attributed to EAB rather than some other cause. Recognizing the infection earlier, however, is still very challenging.

Sniffing out the culprits

Ute Hoyer-Tomiczek and Gernot Hoch from the Austrian Forest Research Service just published a research article showing that a highly reliable way to recognize infected trees (as standing trees or stacked firewood) is trained dogs. Yes,

dog noses are not just for sniffing drugs, bombs, bed bugs, cancer, bumble bee nests, dog butts, and other gross unmentionables. They can also find EAB infections. In a testing situation, the dogs recognized 194 of 214 infected trees/logs, and never barked a false positive. Maybe all those dogs I see barking at trees where nothing moves and nothing is visible are not actually the lingering vision of a lost squirrel but actually a trained sniffer dog remarking on beetles boring through the inner bark. So, if you find your dog underemployed in these challenging times, and don’t welcome the risk of bombs, drugs, and bed bugs, consider turning your hound into a beetle-sniffer.

The Women’s Center of Winchester is pleased to welcome

Karen R. Lint-Nguyen, CNM to our practice.

Karen R. Lint-Nguyen is a Certified Nurse Midwife who has delivered babies for families in the Winchester Community for 20 years.

CLARKEVA.COM

The Fox & Pheasant Antiques • Décor • Interiors

After delivering over 3000 babies she has stepped back from delivering babies to focus on her own growing family. She is joining the Women’s Center of Winchester to continue care for the women she has served all these years. She plans to focus on wellness and holistic women’s health care to women of all ages. She has a special interest in Well Woman care throughout the lifespan, Adolescent Gynecology, Family Planning and Contraception, Preconceptual Counselling, and Breastfeeding Consultation. Karen is a 1999 graduate of Shenandoah University’s Nurse Midwifery Program and is Certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board. For information or to make an appointment call 540-665-8414 at extension 26. Women’s Center of Winchester 1820 Plaza Drive Winchester, VA 22601

540-665-8414 extension 26 www.wcwinchester.com

114 East Main Street Boyce, Virginia

Thursday - Saturday 10 - 5 Sunday 12 - 5

804-205-4605

SEPT 20 20

Clarke

Burwell-Morgan Mill Hosts Its FirstEver Artist-In-Residence Program

Green’s Septic Service & Portable Toilet Rental Save the Bay. Call Green’s Today.

Grease Traps • Pump and Haul Terra Lifts • Septic Inspections System Repairs

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Licensed in VA. Each office independently owned and operated. Office: 540.955.0911 Brett Sowder, Priciple Broker

Liisa Strandman-Long.

Lynden Willingham.

This was to be a celebratory year for the biannual Art at the Mill show at the BurwellMorgan Mill; however, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the Clarke County Historical Association to cancel both the spring and fall shows. Not only did this mean economic hardship for the CCHA, which holds the mill in trust for the county, but dozens of artists had nowhere to exhibit and sell their work. So, the CCHA and a number of its longtime participating artists have developed a new, weekly event to showcase art and raise funds for the ongoing restoration of the circa 1785 mill. “Artist-in-Residence at the Burwell-Morgan Mill” features a different artist each Saturday and Sunday, now through Nov. 7. Artists will set up their easels and create art, talk about their work, and offer paintings for sale. As with the biannual shows, the CCHA will keep a small portion of the art sales to support the mill as well as the Sarah P. Trumbower Memorial Scholarship, which is annually awarded to a Clarke County student pursuing university education in the fine arts. “Artist-in-Residence at the Burwell-Morgan Mill” are: Lynden Willingham (Sept. 12), Liisa StrandmanLong (Sept. 13), Sarita Moffat (Sept. 19), Carol Lee Thompson (Sept. 20), Laura Hopkins (Sept. 26), Elena Maza Borkland (Sept. 27), Donna Brune (Oct. 3), Tim Skjerseth (Oct. 4), Kitty Johnson (Oct. 10), Mike Flynn (Oct. 11), Kathleen Howsare (Oct. 17), Jody Condes (Oct. 18), Pawinee McIntire (Oct. 24), Linda Case (Oct. 25), April Tolin (Oct. 31),

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Clarke

Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip-Hop, Lyrical, Modern, and Creative Dance Ages 3 though Adult Thank you all for your support! We can't wait to see you in the studio!

Please visit our website for a video detailing the changes we’ve made to ensure the health and safety of our students, staff, and parents.

5 East Main Street • Berryville, VA 22611 www.blueridgestudio.org 540-955-2919

Thinking of SELLING a property? Thinking of BUYING a property?

Contact Marcy TODAY! Selling Homes, Farms and Land

Licensed in VA & WV Lynden Willingham.

Anne Stine (Nov. 1), and Rebecca Jones (Nov. 7). The Burwell-Morgan Mill (15 Tannery Lane, Millwood) is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. Suggested admission-donation to mill is $5 per adult; $3 per senior citizen. Call the mill at 540-837-1799, or contact the Clarke County Historical Association at 540-955-2600 or director@clarkehistory.org. — Cathy Kuehner

Hair Stylist – Chair Rental Poe Pourri Hair Designers is offering a Chair Rental for selfmotivated Hair Stylist. Perfect for the stylist looking for a safe environment for one-onone client/stylist appointments on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Poe Pourri is situated in the quaint town of Millwood, Poe Pourri Hair Designers VA next to the Locke’s Store. 2045 Millwood Road Would love to talk to you if you are at all interested in Millwood, VA starting your own business Penny Poe without the overhead of 703-599-3449 purchasing equipment, etc.

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Clarke

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Robert Regan Village Celebrates Opening in Berryville Article and photo by Rebecca Maynard

Robert Regan Village, a three-story complex with 120 apartments for people at least 55 years of age, celebrated its grand opening in August. Located at 430 Mosby Boulevard, the complex is next to The Retreat and near Martin’s grocery store. The complex is named after United Methodist pastor Rev. Robert Regan, who was appointed to serve several churches in the northern Virginia region during the 1960s and 1970s. He sensed the unmet need for more affordable housing opportunities and began working through the Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church to establish a specific corporation to focus on development of affordable housing. In 1975, the Virginia Annual Conference voted to

authorize the formation of an affordable housing development group, which was named VUMHDC. Rev. Regan was elected president and continued to lead the organization for the next 35 years until his retirement in May 2010. During his tenure, Rev. Regan remained resolute in his view that VUMHDC was on a sacred and holy mission of providing housing for people in need. Plans originally were for 20 of the apartments to be rented at market rates to people regardless of their ages or incomes. However, those units had to be abandoned to receive the Virginia Housing Development Authority’s approval for the project. Robert Regan Village will therefore be for people ages 55 and older with

limited incomes, the amounts of which their rents are to be based on. To qualify for an apartment, a person must have a monthly income of at least two and a half times the rent that he or she would pay. Tax credits that the developer has received for the project are to be used toward controlling rental rates.

The village contains 40 one-bedroom apartments and 80 two-bedroom units. Among its amenities, the complex has a clubhouse with a kitchen, wellness and business centers, a conference room, an activity room, a chapel and a hair salon. Features in every apartment also include an open floor plan, glass stovetops, granite counters, Energy Star appliances, full size washer and dryer, energy efficient windows, lighting, air condition-

ing and heating, walkin closets, water saving plumbing fixtures, French doors to private patio and 36 inch doorways. Rent prices are $1,150 for one bedroom and one bath units, and $1,285 for two bedrooms and 2 baths. Call 540-277-2567 or visit www.markdanava.com/ robert-regan-village to view a video tour, request a private tour, submit a rental application and find out more about a special offer of $1,000 off the first month’s rent.

REVEL Gymnastics Recreational • Training • Competitive 351 Station Road Suite 11A • Berryville, VA 22611 www.revelgym.org

Phone- 703-309-8787

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Clarke

Letter to the editor

The Stone Walls of Clarke County By Charles Snead

I would like to respond to Mary Martin on her article, “Remember Who Built Clarke’s Lovely Stone Fences,” published in the August 2020 Clarke monthly. I am of the opinion that the Clarke article of August 2020 does a disservice to the men that created this most useful infrastructure with the suggestion that they did so under duress and coercion. There is written evidence to suggest this was just not so in Clarke County at the time. I also know that this sort of harsh management of skilled talent is not a sustainable one. I have put together crews and built structures for clients for close to fifty years. Also, no walls pictured in Ms. Martin’s letter, or standing today, were standing 200 years ago. Probably the stones that were used in the preceding walls are used in the walls today. As the roadways have changed, so have the location of walls. These walls are dry laid and are subject to the elements. They require ongoing repair and replacement in part or whole. This work of building stone walls is one requiring part art and talent and part learned skill. This is a uniquely European art. I have read that it was the Hessian that originally built the walls around Clay Hill. I have also read it was the Irish that built a great many of them with the enslaved workers providing the manual labor and then as Freemen, learned and picked up the trade. There is abundant written evidence of the owners of enslaved peoples in Clarke County having their concerns in regards to these people and their treatment. There is evidence suggesting these enslaved people were treated with respect in Clarke County. Reference: Academia.edu “Slavery in Clarke County Va” Faith Marchal. Annfield, Ann Page, Wikipedia, on slavery; William Mead, Wikipedia, on slavery. —Charles Snead lives in Boyce, Va. The opinions expressed are the author’s, and do not necessarily represent those of Clarke monthly.

Clinical sessions available at the Sanctuary Wellness Center or Virtually. Guidance on drug-herb interactions and therapuetic dosing. Visit us at the CC Farmer’s Market Saturdays from 8-noon.

CLARKEVA.COM

Clarke

SEPT 20 20

RELIABILITY

is a cornerstone of everything we do.

Guest Commentary

Climate Change In Clarke County By Bill McShea

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

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The world is changing. The immediate focus is on the COVID pandemic, social justice, the economy, and the upcoming election, but a major crisis lurks. The world is getting hotter. The average daily temperature in Virginia and throughout most of the world has been increasing by the decade. The earth is projected to average 4–8 degrees hotter within 50 years. Increasing temperature has its consequences at the global scale; the polar ice caps are melting with a consequent sea rise, with more frequent wildfires, and increased duration of droughts. The increased energy in the atmosphere has resulted in increased intensity and frequency of hurricanes and tornados, and increased large rain events. The jet stream that generally carries our weather and the gulf stream that moves our oceans are shifting in unusual ways.

There is still time to reverse these impacts. You do not have to agree on the role of humans in these changes to agree that the consequences are not good for Virginians. Many Clarke County residents say they will move south when they retire. Their children may not need to move — by 2070 Virginia is predicted to have the same climate as Huntsville, Texas or Central Florida. If we want to retain the historical nature of Clarke County, we need to halt temperature increases. People live where they live because the conditions are conducive to their livelihood. For the agricultural community, crops are grown that match the climate, and farmers and ranchers live by the rhythm of the year. This rhythm is changing as the winters become milder and the summers warmer. New insect and plant

pests arrive in part due to the movement of products around the world, but also because the changing climate opens a window of opportunity to survive the winter or increase their reproduction. It is a constant struggle to match the crops to the conditions. The scientific community is in agreement that the cause of the increased temperatures is the rise in carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere. Regardless of how it got there, or who is responsible, we must work to reduce carbon dioxide levels if we ever hope to reverse the current changes. There are two primary problems in dealing with carbon in the atmosphere. First, the current conditions were slow to develop over the past century, and the undoing of these changes will take time. Second, individual action (such as using less electricity, smarter farming practices) are only

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part of the solution. We need action at the national and international level. Our government and the global community need to fund infrastructure that mitigates the current situation (e.g. improve water runoff systems, raise roadways, increase water storage capacity) and set policy that works at the source of the problem Because we need action at the national and international level, the problem seems daunting. But action is happening; the global community is coalescing around the Paris Climate Accords with reduced carbon emissions and financial support for developing countries experiencing drastic climate conditions. Local coastal communities, such as Newport News, are dealing with rising sea levels and storm intensity through improved stormwater systems and barriers to tidal surges. Western communities are adapting their forestry practices and zoning policies to cope with wildfire. All levels of action are important, but no single level will accomplish meaningful change. The international community and

local governments will not succeed without the U.S. government, and the federal government will not succeed without our help. National action is possible; there are multiple bills in Congress that await passage in the Senate. The best known of these bills is the New Green Deal championed by progressives in the House of Congress, but there are others. There is little chance for any bill being enacted until a new congress is seated. What can residents do besides vote for the party of their choice? Be proactive and assume legislation is coming. What kind of legislation do you want for Clarke County? What are you going to tell your Senator and Representative? Putting mitigation solutions aside, how can we reduce the high input of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and still minimize regulation on companies and individuals? An advocacy group, The Citizen’s Climate Lobby (ww.ccl.org), has backed a carbon dividend system, encompassed in a bill titled “Energy Innovation and Carbon

Dividend Act” (HR763). In this system, a fee is placed on the source of carbon production (coal, gas and oil), and that fee is annually returned to all citizens as a dividend check. This concept has been endorsed by economists as the most practical way to reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. It assumes most production companies will pass some increased costs to the public while absorbing some costs. The more they replace carbon-energy sources with alternatives like wind, solar, hydropower, the less carbon fee they will pay. For most of the public, the dividend check will more than offset their increased costs. The less carbon-based energy they use, the more “profit” they will make from the checks. Good jobs will be produced through use of the dividend checks on home improvements and newer automobiles and appliances. All such uses of the dividend check will reduce your carbon footprint and increase your profit the next year. If a company or an individual does not care about the saving, they can continue their current practices. There is increased regulation, minimal increased bureaucracy, and no policing of carbon use. This sounds like a plan everyone can get behind, regardless of their politics or lifestyle. The climate is changing, and I suggest the political climate is changing to enact legislation. Are you going to read about climate change legislation in the news? Be proactive? Look at the research and the current options, and write your local, state and federal representatives. We need to take action at all levels. I want my grandchildren to enjoy the Clarke County I have enjoyed. Let them visit Florida on vacation.

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Our Holistic Health Practitioners are Licensed or Certified & offer Classes & Workshops monthly! Please visit our FB page / website or sign up for our newsletter announcing our monthly schedule. Consider Joining our Team! 208 N Buckmarsh St, Berryville, VA info@sanctuaryberryville.com • sanctuaryberryville.com

— Bill McShea lives in Berryville.

The opinions expressed are the author’s, and do not necessarily represent those of Clarke monthly.

(540) 450-8110

Clarke

SEPT 20 20

Letter to the Editor

REC Board Lacks Transparency By George Ohrstrom

I was disappointed to see that Clarke monthly published, in the July 2020 edition, what must have been a verbatim op-ed from the Rappahannock Electric Cooperative regarding the upcoming elections for the board of directors. As Walter Nicklin wrote recently in the Rappahannock News, the REC board of directors designed the ballot initiative by themselves, for themselves. “To reward co-op members for voting,” wrote Nicklin, “each person who returned the ballot form would have a chance to win one of 58 prizes worth a combined total of $9,600 in cash! The results were predictable: Thousands of people who typically never voted now did. More than 20,000 REC members voted, roughly three times the number of co-op members who had voted in each of

75 READ CLARKE ONLINE

the last ten years. Many of these new voters had not voted in the past – no doubt because they were unmotivated, uninformed or simply didn’t care. “Now they cared! Not necessarily about the election per se, but about the prospect of cashing in their free lottery ticket. And they didn’t have to care, or inform themselves, about the candidates —REC told them that filling out the part of the ballot where they could select one of two board candidates was optional.” So, 6,000 people didn’t actually vote. By leaving their choice blank, they left it up to the REC board to vote for them. Those votes went to the currently serving board members. Those members were re-elected. Candidates with differing points of view stood no chance. Why would REC do this? In my view, it’s because they

prefer the lack of transparency from their Board. They like the Board they have, and they do NOT want new Board members asking difficult questions about Board transparency, or about solar availability and ease of use, or, really, about anything. Nicklin wrote, and I agree: “Customers in rural electric cooperatives actually have power that most don’t realize. Rappahannock Electric Cooperative, unlike faceless big publicly traded utilities, is supposed to represent the interests of ratepayers. Consumers have a say in how the business is run and how much ratepayers are charged. This information is rarely shared with customers; instead they are invited into contests for prizes.” The opinions expressed are the author’s, and do not necessarily represent those of Clarke monthly.

C L A R K E V A . C O M

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S EPT 2020

Clarke

Beloved Clarke County Couple Operates Family Antiques Shop Gerald and Bonnie Dodson, who celebrated their 46th wedding anniversary in August, have been buying and selling antiques for most of their married life. They opened a shop, Family Antiques, in fall 1983 while both were still working their day jobs. He was a teacher and coach; she worked for the Clarke County Senior Center. “We were having lots of yard sales at our house, so we decided to buy a building and open a shop instead. This was our retirement plan, because we both enjoy it,” said Bonnie, who retired in 2018. Gerald retired in 2010. Family Antiques specializes in oak and country furniture as well as collectibles such as crocks, kitchen utensils, and wooden crates. Bonnie and Gerald were both born and raised in Clarke County, so a few local items in the shop are for display only – but worth seeing and hearing about their origins. Whenever the shop isn’t open, the Dodsons are out finding more antiques for the store. “We love pickin’,” said Gerald. The Dodsons love antiques, and their customers, too. “We meet an awful lot of nice people from all over. We’re on U.S. 340 between Harpers Ferry and Skyline Drive, and that helps. People stop in as they pass through Berryville,” said Bonnie. Gerald added, “Many people have driven by for years and are always surprised when they finally stop and see what’s in the shop. We enjoy meeting people.” Family Antiques is located at 116-A N. Buckmarsh St. in Berryville. It is open10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 1 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday. Call 540-533-8257 (cell) or 540-955-2437 (evenings). Send email to bonndods5@aol.com

Gerald and Bonnie Dodson had been buying and selling antiques for years before opening their shop, Family Antiques, in 1983.

Family Antiques specializes in oak and country furniture as well as collectibles such as crocks, kitchen utensils, and wooden crates. A few local items in the shop are for display only, but worth seeing and hearing about their origins.

CLARKEVA.COM Participate in Sheep to Yarn

Brazen Sheep Farm Day Sunday, October 11 12:30 - 4pm

Lakeville Farm

With tales of yesteryear on the farm with Al Johnson

Touch the Sheep Skirt the Dirty Fleece Wash/Dry the Fleece Pick the Clean Fleece Card the Fleece Spin the Fleece

Pre-registration Only Limited to 25 $55 per person

*Includes Picnic Lunch and Goodie Bag.

Tickets available at

Brazen Sheep

10W. Main Street, Berryville

240-472-0777

Clarke

SEPT 20 20

Community News Flu Shots Available

Virginia Department of Health Emergency Coordinator Matthew Cloud and VDH nurses Kim Miller and Karen Cox set up to administer flu vaccinations earlier this month outside the Clarke County Health Department building at 100 N. Buckmarsh St. in Berryville. Standard flu shots are available there weekly between 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. The cost is $30 and can be billed to insurance. No appointment is necessary. The Clarke County Health Department (540-9551033) is part of the Virginia Department of Health Lord Fairfax District. Other VDH district offices administering standard annual flu shots are located in Front Royal, Luray, Winchester, and Woodstock. Look for the “Get Your Flu Shot” sign and tent. Provided by Clarke County.

Long Branch Director Retires

Kelli Patterson, executive director of Long Branch House and Farm has retired, the organization announced. She is credited with reorganizing the Long Branch office, upgrading its best–practices system, and overseeing the installation of a modern catering station in the basement for Long Branch events. She also brought the house into compliance with federal accessibility guidelines, according to Long Branch, and created the popular art show program, expanded the film and lecture series, and enlarged Long Branch’s outreach efforts through the development of strategic partnerships with other nonprofits and the media. Kelli has said that in retirement she looks forward to riding her horses, making art, and managing the gallery she recently created at her home together with her husband Keith. Matt Hannan, a Millwood resident and 32-year veteran of the luxury travel/ events industry, will serve as interim executive director for the remainder of the year.

Barns and ACFF Team Up For Best of Fest

American Conservation Film Festival, in partnership with the Barns of Rose Hill, invites you to “Dive Deep for an

Ocean Extravaganza.” ACFF will stream five marine-themed films from its 2019 annual festival, including four short films and one feature film about a filmmaker’s extraordinary encounter with and video footage of a humpback whale in Monterey Bay, California. These films highlight the incredible world beneath the water and its importance in the health of the entire global ecosystem. The filmmaker and star of Humpback Whales: A Detective Story, Tom Mustill, will join in for a pre-recorded Q & A session about the film and his experience. The online screening is September 24, 6–9pm. For information and tickets, visit https:// acffbofsept24.eventive.org/schedule.

Distinctly Virginia

Solar Panels to be Installed by Mountain View Solar and Kids Clubs Volunteers

With a desire to serve the community in the face of rising power costs, The Kids Clubs of the Northern Shenandoah Valley is looking to use solar power to reduce their energy bills. In partnership with Mountain View Solar, The Kids Clubs is connecting with local homeowners and businesses for community supported solar. Every time a local homeowner or business goes solar as a part of this program, Mountain View Solar will donate one solar panel or more to The Kids Club so the organization can dedicate its resources to providing much needed after school and summer child care services. Mountain View Solar is overseeing the installation of 23 donated solar panels September 19 at The Kids Clubs in Winchester. The Kids Clubs of the Northern Shenandoah Valley operates in Winchester, is a full-service organization and after-school program which is one of the largest of its kind in the Shenandoah Valley, serving more than 200 members annually. Mountain View Solar is a longtime local solar installer with offices in Berkeley Springs, W.Va., and Winchester, Va., which has the mission to enable people throughout the region to utilize solar energy to experience energy independence and environmental stewardship. For information, contact Daniel Chiotos, danny@mtvsolar.com, 304-886-3389.

ROCK HALL FARM Civil War History • A President’s respite • A Livable work of Art circa 1750 • Stone Manor Home • Timbered High Ceilings • Heart Pine floors • Stone Hearths and Mantles • Located under 90 Minutes to DC • A mix of Woodlands and Pasture • Pool • Pond • Paddock • Classroom studio • 7 Garage Bays • $1,750,000 • 420 Rock Hall Farm Lane • Berryville Virginia

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