Crozet Gazette October 2017 by The Crozet Gazette

INSIDE LETTERS page 3 SCHOOL OF NOTES page 4 WRITER’S EYE page 6

OCTOBER 2017 VOL. 12, NO. 5

DANCE STYLES page 16

High Hopes for Virginia Grape Harvest

TINY SALE page 17

By Theresa Curry

threresa@crozetgazette.com

THE MOUNTAINS page 19 COCONUT CHICKEN page 22

RAGGED BRANCH page 24

ALLIE PESCH

LOCAL FOOD FAIR page 23

STILL SMOKING? page 26

Albemarle County School Board representative David Oberg helped Crozet Elementary students safely “get to the other side” of the road at the school’s annual Walk and Bike to School Day October 4. Students who live too far to walk from home had the option to get off the bus at Crozet Baptist Church, where parent volunteers chaperoned the walk from St. George Ave.

KEEP ’EM STRAIGHT page 30

No Hope Soon for Traffic Relief

FLOORCLOTHS page 31

By Michael Marshall

TREE SNIPPETS page 32

Traffic congestion through downtown Crozet, especially at school travel times, is not likely to be relieved any time soon, VDOT’s Charlottesville resident engineer Joel DeNunzio told the Crozet Community Advisory

COOLER DOGS page 33 MT. MORIAH page 34 DRY DAYS page 35 GUN RESEARCH page 36 IVY LEAGUE page 38 FIVE HOUSE page 39 OBITUARIES page 42 HOME SWEET CROZET page 45

editor@crozetgazette.com

Committee at its Sept. 20 meeting. CCAC member Tom Loach, a retired Planning Commission representative for White Hall District, had raised the idea of installing a threeway stop sign at the intersection of Jarmans Gap Road and Crozet Avenue, where vehicles on Jarmans

This might be a year for wine lovers to remember, said Annette Boyd, director of the Virginia Wine Board Marketing Office. “Of course, it’s a big state,” she qualified, “but what we’re seeing mostly are wonderful harvests of white and red grapes, both in quantity and quality. We are really excited.” Central Virginia vineyards mostly dodged the hurricanes battering their neighbors in southern states and are picking sweet grapes, undiluted by rainwater and full of flavor and sugar. The harvest was early, too, so most vineyards are nearing the end of harvest with rain expected to hold off as the last reds are brought in. State viticulturist Dr. Tony Wolf said the warm spring weather locally caused early bud bursts and put this year’s grape harvest a week or two ahead of schedule and with more fruit than usual. At King Family Vineyard, James King said grape quality there was

continued on page 15

continued on page 23

With this Vineyard: Planning a Western Albemarle Wedding By Clover Carroll

clover@crozetgazette.com

So you’ve proposed high above Crozet at Humpback Rock, in the Boar’s Head balloon, or at the Rooftop Skybar. You’ve bought the ring, set the date, shared the happy news with family and friends, and— now comes the somewhat intimidating task of choosing a venue for your ceremony and/or reception. Everyone

wants their wedding day to be a perfect, magical celebration that reflects the beauty of their love for each other, creates memories to last a lifetime, is relatively stress-free, and doesn’t break the bank. But how to make that happen? Western Albemarle, with its idyllic settings and sublime mountain views, has become an award-winning location for weddings, bringing big busicontinued on page 10

SUBMITTED

BALLOON PILOT page 8

Ballooning and other offbeat paths, page 8.

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To the Editor Send your letters to the editor to news@crozetgazette.com. Letters will not be printed anonymously. Letters do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Crozet Gazette.

Delegate Steve Landes Many of the citizens of Western Albemarle County are very happy with the outstanding, professional representation Delegate Steve Landes provides. I would like to remind folks of concrete examples of his dedication. I had the privilege of working with Delegate Landes as he led the process in Richmond to successfully secure a $125,000 grant from the Commonwealth of Virginia for the Build Crozet Library project. Steve was always ready to assist on this project so important to the families of western Albemarle

OCTOBER 2017 County. He believed so much in the project that he also donated personal funds. Delegate Landes makes it a point to hold scheduled Town Hall meetings in the Crozet area on a regular basis. I have found that he takes the time to listen and respond to each attendee and follows up when more information is needed. Delegate Landes has taken on the Revenue Sharing Agreement issue that has sent over $280 million dollars to the coffers of the city of Charlottesville and he continues to look for a way to end this giveaway of our taxes. Delegate Landes finds time to assist on individual projects that impact his constituents. My homeowners association was facing a very expensive tree project and after discussing the problem, we were directed by

Kevin and Myra Blanchard with Gen. Richard Cody at the ceremony in which they received their new house in Crozet. See story page 45

Delegate Landes to the Virginia Forestry Department. After completing a grant proposal, the homeowners association received a large grant that reduced individual expenses. This would not have happened without assistance and guidance

from Delegate Landes. He brings an open approach to all citizens and it is an honor to endorse Delegate Steve Landes. Bill Schrader Crozet

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Ross L. Stevens

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434-981-5268

amy@stevensandcompany.net 5785 THE SQUARE, SUITE 200, CROZET, VIRGINIA 22932 434-823-6104 OFFICE

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Published on the first Thursday of the month by The Crozet Gazette LLC, P.O. Box 863, Crozet, VA 22932

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OCTOBER 2017

A New Language; Teaching Music in the Early Grades by Lisa Martin

lisamartin@crozetgazette.com

Far from the days of sitting still in rows of folding chairs, staring at a staff of notes on the chalkboard, students in modern music classes experience collaboration, culture, and creativity, and they get up and move. “One reason I went into music education was that my memories were of teaching being regimented and non-explorative,” said 20-year veteran teacher

Tracy Brown at Crozet Elementary. “That, to me, is the opposite of what music is.” From her kindergarten classes onward, Brown keeps her class activities varied, as on a recent day when students first heard a story with a melodic element, Ten in the Bed, and then sang and played on xylophones to mimic the ideas musically. She includes at least four of the six basic music-teaching elements—sing, move, listen, play, create, read (notation)—in

Music teacher Tracy Brown at Crozet Elementary.

Music teacher Linda Corradino and class at Murray Elementary.

every class, and finds that doing so “makes their attention span and behavior issues dissolve, because the kids are so engaged.” Faced with a rising tide of distracting technology, music teachers try to ground students in the tradition and history of the discipline. “What does a piece of music created by slaves in the 1600s, or a classical work from the 1800s, tell us about culture and society in those times?” Brown asks her classes. While teachers do use YouTube videos, SmartMusic, and digital

music software in their instruction, the heart of music teaching lies in hands-on exploration and appreciation. The profusion of tech in students’ lives has created some interesting modern imperatives for teachers. “I really focus on ways to build community among the students,” Brown said. “Kids sometimes struggle to talk to each other, and to interact with people who aren’t their best friends, so we do activities like folk dancing continued on page 28

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OCTOBER 2017

Mind’s Eye Stories and Photos By Lisa Martin

lisamartin@crozetgazette.com

Andrea Atkinson works

An Open Book The school library at Meriwether Lewis Elementary is converting to a “flexible schedule,” and the person in charge couldn’t be happier. “It feels so much more authentic,” said Andrea Atkinson, lead librarian. “I’m able to be there for the students when they need me.” Flexible scheduling is a model of library availability that provides open access to the library throughout the day, rather than only during a scheduled “library time” for each class. The model encourages students to drop in whenever they have free time in their day, and allows teachers to bring their classes to use the library as it suits a particular learning activity, even on the spur of the moment. Atkinson was exposed to the method during her work as both a teacher and librarian before she moved to Virginia. “The American Library Association has long encouraged flexible scheduling, and that’s all we operated under in Michigan,” she said. “Most of the County elementary libraries here are at least hybrids, with some flexible time built in.” The ALA promotes the educational value of providing access to information “just in time,” when learners need to investigate further, rather than “just in case,” for some potential future need. Advocates argue that when the library (or librarian) is “booked” with preplanned sessions all day, there is less opportunity for it to be used as an immediate resource.

ok club.

with a third grade bo

In practice, a flexible schedule means the library doors are always open. At Meriwether Lewis, where many teachers use a literacy framework called the Daily 5, which prescribes daily reading, listening, and writing goals, students doing independent reading can be released to the library to find and check out books. Atkinson is able to provide support lessons on the fly, such as quick seminars for students on how to use Google Docs or the online catalog. The arrangement also allows her to be more responsive to student requests. During each grade’s CE (Curriculum Extension) Time, she offers book clubs for interested readers. A recent meeting of eight third grade boys, working their way through a graphic novel with Atkinson as their guide, bubbled with exuberant debate and laughter as they took turns reading aloud from their paperback copies. For teachers not yet comfortable with dropping the traditional library period altogether, Atkinson offers every-otherweek sessions for their classes and provides book talks and other guidance at those times, but she hopes more will adopt the flexible schedule. Last year, one class of first graders was allowed to come to the library in small groups during their Daily 5, armed with an iPad timer so they knew exactly how much time they had. “You guys, two minutes left!” the timekeeper would warn. “I was so glad to see them take charge of their learning that way,” laughed Atkinson, “plus there was a little math in there, too!”

Between August 1 and November 10, almost 4,000 area students will visit the Fralin Museum of Art at U.Va. for the annual literacy competition, now in its 31st year, called Writer’s Eye. Using a specially curated collection of paintings, sculpture, and photography for inspiration, Writer’s Eye challenges students to create original poetry and prose based on the art, which they can then submit to be judged anonymously by local writers and educators. Winning entries are awarded prizes, notoriety, and a place in the museum’s printed anthology each year. Murray Elementary recently sent 45 interested students from its third, fourth, and fifth grades to tour the exhibition, along with their Gifted Resource Teacher, Laura Richardson. “Writer’s Eye is an opt-in field trip,” said Richardson, “and I introduce it to each grade level by doing an in-class exercise in writing a response to art, so the students can see if they like the process.” Students who want to sign up must commit to the writing component (a story of up to 1,000 words or a poem fitting on two pages or less) as part of the experience. The competition divides entries into groups by grade level—3-5, 6-8, 9-12, and adult—and recognizes 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners plus honorable mentions in each group. For the younger kids, Richardson says the event gives them a new way of looking at

art. “Developmentally, these students are somewhat newly able to think more abstractly and less literally, and that’s the focus of Writer’s Eye,” she said. “At first they are tempted to be very literal in wanting to label everything, especially in abstract works, but then they transcend that to get to the feeling or the mood of the piece, and they use their imagination to become more responsive.” Key to this process are the Fralin’s docents, trained U.Va. students who guide groups of 10-15 students through the collection and who are expert at drawing out their observations and encouraging creative thinking. Aimee Hunt, associate academic curator at the museum, watches that process unfold every day during Writer’s Eye. “For students, there’s a big difference between looking at art by yourself, versus being told about the work, versus being asked about the work,” she said. “Kids really like to talk, and so that’s how the tours are led.” The students take notes on clipboards as they tour, and docentprompted activities such as acting out a scene in a painting or suggesting questions for the artist keep them engaged. After their tour, students decide on their favorite artwork and begin their prose or poetry writing, aiming for a mid-November deadline. Fifth grader Kai Fusco enjoyed the experience. “I think it’s good when you’re practicing writing to see real art,” he said. “I like the more abstract art because you don’t really know what it is and continued on page 35

Murray fifth grader gets cre

ative at Writer’s Eye.

Something “NOTEWORTHY” going on at your school? Let lisamartin@crozetgazette.com know!

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OCTOBER 2017

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The Balloon Pilot

SUBMITTED

He said he’s never had a “grown up” job, but Ivy balloon pilot Rick Behr uses plenty of grown-up skills in his job. In 37 years of firing up his hot-air balloon at the Boar’s Head Inn, there’s never been an injury, thanks, he said, to obsessive attention to weather conditions and conscientious maintenance. Then there’s a certain amount of mature diplomacy needed for the thousands of interactions with the public, some of whom are anxious, difficult, or uncertain about the outcome of a marriage proposal made while aloft. Over the years he’s learned a few things: “We used to serve champagne on board, but no more.” People can celebrate afterwards, on level ground, with a photographer. Although he attributes his safety record to experience and caution, he’s the first to say that blind fate played

Rick Behr aboard his balloon.

a large role in his choice of career. His prospects as a young graduate of the University of Colorado were pretty grim: He had drawn a very low lottery number in the days of the Vietnam draft. “It was pretty certain I’d be going,” he recalled. “All that was needed was a physical exam.” He had spent four years playing soccer so he knew he was unlikely to fail the physical. While waiting to be called up, he worked as a substitute teacher and crewed on a boat bound for the Bahamas. When the time came, the procedure was to return to his family home on Martha’s Vineyard for the physical and to be inducted from there. Once he arrived––hitchhiking from Colorado–– the doctor found a heart murmur. “It never bothered me before or since,” he said. “But the service didn’t want me.” A couple of chance encounters followed the diagnosis that kept him out of the jungle. One was with Buddy Bombard, a pioneer in the early days of adventure travel. Behr worked with the legendary adventurer in New York and eventually got his balloon pilot’s license in 1974. When urban ballooning proved unprofitable, Bombard moved the business to France, where Behr gave balloon tours of the Lombardy Valley for several years. Aware that he was growing older, Behr felt it was time for him to be thinking about a family. “The only women I met in France were wealthy divorcees from Beverley Hills,” he said. “It was time for

MIKE MARSHALL

Offbeat Entrepreneurs Recall Their Different Paths

Cari and Judd Culver

me to go home.” He took a bus to Paris and sat next to a woman who advised him to look up John Rogan, the owner of the Boar’s Head Inn. Behr had enjoyed his one previous trip to Charlottesville, so he followed up. “As soon as I walked in there, I felt at home,” he said. The Rogans liked the idea of a balloon business at the Boar’s Head, and even offered to buy the balloon. “It all worked out,” Behr said. Since then, he’s gone up 8,000 or so times, both as the pilot for the Boar’s Head and for other businesses. Almost all of his experiences have been positive. He told a story he heard at a balloon pilots’ convention one year. It was about an elaborate marriage proposal aboard a balloon. “The man had even hired a plane to fly by with a banner saying, “Will you marry me?” The story was that the woman refused and the pilot turned towards home, a silent trip made longer and grimmer by prevailing winds. “That was me!” Behr said, “The longest

trip ever.” But that was the exception, he said. “What a great time I’ve had, working at something that makes people happy.” Find out more, or schedule a balloon ride: boarsheadballooning.com.

The Turkey Farmers Judd and Cari Culver raise Kelly Bronze turkeys on their farm in Greenwood, but it wasn’t in the original plan. Judd said he kind of wandered aimlessly into the field of agriculture, “I actually wanted to be a fighter pilot,” he said in a lecture last month at The Lodge at Old Trail, “but my eyesight is terrible.” With that goal eliminated, he decided to be a chef, where the only victim of his eyesight might be an occasional onion or carrot. His new choice didn’t go over well with his mother, who wanted him to attend a traditional, four-year college. He had some vaguely formulated ideas of being a horse veterinarian, so continued on page 41

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OCTOBER 2017

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CROZETgazette JEN FARRIELLO

OCTOBER 2017

The Ceremony Lawn at Pippin Hill Farm and Vineyard is set against a Blue Ridge Mountain backdrop.

Weddings

—continued from page 1

ness to many vineyards and resorts in the area. Let us get you started by surveying a few of the main contenders, each of which is within about ten miles from Crozet (give or take). All prices given are for weekend weddings in 2018 during the prime season of April through October, with lower weekday and/or winter rates. Crozet’s own King Family Vineyards was chosen both Best Wedding Venue and Best Local Winery in the 2017 Best of C-ville awards, a list of local favorites compiled by C-ville Weekly based on popular vote (www.c-ville.com/best-2017). A family business owned by David and Ellen King, King Family has been hosting weddings for over a decade. “What makes our venue special is the beauty of the landscape, the opportunity to take photos with horses, and the friendliness of

our staff, who go the extra mile,” said events coordinator Kelly Bauer. “Our detailed, overall planning means that the couple can relax and enjoy their special day.” Wedding packages include chairs and tables for a wedding of up to 200 guests, a facilities manager who coordinates with the vendors, and wood for the fire pit; the caterer provides linens, dishes, setup, and takedown, and enjoys use of an industrial-sized kitchen from noon on; the ceremony should not begin until 6 p.m. or later. The wide, level Ceremony Lawn is set against views of Bucks Elbow and Calf Mountain, as well as the stables housing the horses used for polo on summer Sunday afternoons. The spaces are glorious, from the bistro lights and dangling flowers of the chocolate vine (akebia) overhanging the paved patio, to the picturesque carriage house reception hall complete with stone fireplace, stable doors, and

KATIE STOOPS

The Pippin Hill Granary and ballroom has an elegant yet still country style ambience.

CROZETgazette Pippin Hill specializes in farmto-table cuisine and artisan catering directed by chef Bill Scatena. “Besides our view, what makes this venue special is the culinary experience and how it pairs with the wine,” explains director of sales Brianna Sumey. The Ceremony Lawn with its panoramic view of the Blue Ridge Mountains is only a short walk from the roomy stone veranda, which is decked with bistro lights and used for cocktail hour or the ceremony in case of rain. The granary has an elegant, country-style ambience, with the bride and groom’s head table facing the mountain view and a new, sturdy dance floor that absorbs sound. The wedding package includes exclusive use of the property for six hours, allowing time for the guests to

Coming Soon!

STEPHANIE YOUNCE

stacked wine barrels, to the stone foyer where the bar is set up and couches encourage comfortable conversation. Charming bridal suite and groom’s room and a recently built second, 50-seat tasting room for additional events such as the rehearsal dinner round out a comprehensive but intimate wedding venue. Bauer recommends a wedding planner (and based on experience, so do I!), and asks the couple to choose from a provided list of tried and true caterers who know the venue well. For 2018, the basic cost of a Saturday wedding at King Family Vineyard is $9,000, with Fridays and Sundays reduced to $6,500. For holiday weekends such as Labor and Memorial Day, all days cost the same

OCTOBER 2017

The Carriage House at King Family Vineyard features wooden beams, a towering stone fireplace, bistro lights, and French doors leading to the patio and mountain views.

Saturday rate, and there is a discount for active military personnel. As with all vineyards, ABC law dictates that the venue provide all the wine and other alcohol consumed. (www.kingfamilyvineyards.com) Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyard, just east of Batesville, earned Best of Cville 2017’s Honorable Mention in both Wedding Venue and Local Winery categories, as well as Best All-Around Venue from Borrowed and Blue in 2016. Owners Dean Andrews and Lynn Easton purchased the former Albemarle County fairgrounds in the early 2000s and designed the facilities with weddings in mind, making for ideal logistics, easy access for vendors, and elegant spaces with fabulous views. Considering themselves a “culinary vineyard,”

play lawn games or walk down to kitchen and wildflower gardens. “It’s as if the couple is entertaining in their own back yard,” suggests Brianna. The luxurious bridal loft overlooking the reception —“designed to make her feel like a princess”—has a balcony ideal for bouquet-tossing, while the groom’s room in the wine cellar has its own mounted TV and private patio. Pippin Hill leaves nothing to chance, requiring a professional wedding planner from the preferred vendors list and in-house catering, complete with tables, chairs, cream crinkle linens, glassware, and place settings for up to 200 guests as well as setup and takedown. They offer a three-tier bar package with per-person pricing that can continued on page 12

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CROZETgazette

OCTOBER 2017 KATELYN JAMES

The Saddleback Hall ballroom at Veritas features a caged disco ball, twinkle lights around the room’s perimeter, and filmy draperies in a neutral color that blends with any color palette.

Weddings

—continued from page 11

include wine, beer, and cocktails as desired. Internationally known events planner Lynn Easton also runs the Easton Porter luxury hospitality group, which owns Red Pump Kitchen on the downtown mall and Cannon Green in Charleston, SC, among others. A Saturday wedding at Pippin Hill costs $10,500 or $9,000 for Fridays and Sundays, with holiday weekends priced at the Saturday rate. Required catering costs $112-138/person (depending on the number of courses), with a $31,500 food and beverage minimum or $24,500 on Fridays and Sundays. Passed hors-d’oeuvres are also available for $22/person. (www.pippinhillfarm.com) Veritas Vineyard & Winery, located off Route 6 in Nelson County, received the Wedding Wire Couples’ Choice Award for 2017. Veritas is a family affair, including owners Andrew and Patricia Hodson, winemaker Emily Hodson Pelton, General Manager George Hodson, and Assistant

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Winemaker Elliott Watkins— whose wife Chloe (Hodson) is a founding partner of Santosha Yoga in Piedmont Place. “We are an all-inclusive venue, so we do a lot of the heavy lifting for you,” explains event manager Jami Becker. “Veritas handles everything except the flowers, cake, entertainment, and photography.” The Ceremony Lawn, set against the imposing backdrop of Afton Mountain (among others), is wired for power to support amplified music. The lovely Saddleback Hall ballroom features a disco ball caged in a wrought iron candelabra, cream draperies on ceiling and walls, twinkle lights around the perimeter, spotlighting for the tables, and uplighting for the draped walls—sure to be quite lovely in action! “The space design is elegant, and carried out in a neutral palette that you can make yours,” Jami explains. The huge veranda with fireplace, bedecked with bistro lights, is used for the cocktail hour or for the ceremony if it rains (in which case the tasting room serves the cocktails). The mezzanine above the tasting room, which seats 40

The Ceremony Lawn at Veritas Vineyard, backed by verdant vines and Afton Mountain, has electric power for lights and music if desired.

CROZETgazette CLOVER CARROLL

exclusive use of the property from 6 p.m. to midnight, but the ceremony may not begin before 6:30 and amplified music must stop at 11:30. “My favorite thing about hosting weddings here is being able to go from the tour, to the booking, to the menu tasting, to being part of executing their perfect day,” Jami said. A 2018 Veritas wedding costs $8,000 on Saturday or $7,000 Friday through Sunday, with

CLOVER CARROLL

people, is available for smaller, less formal receptions. The comfortable bridal suite and groom’s room are furnished with sparkling wine for the ladies and a bucket of beer for the men as part of the package. Veritas also requires a professional wedding planner, as well as in-house catering with chef Joel Walding, and provides tables, chairs, linens, full place settings, and setup/takedown for 250 guests. The wedding package provides

OCTOBER 2017

White lanterns light the path to the Lodge where the reception is held at Montfair Resort Farm.

The Ceremony Field and flower arbor at Montfair Resort Farm are set in front of Fox Mountain.

OCT 7&8

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holiday weekends priced at the Saturday rate. There is a $15,000 food and beverage minimum, but the food cost per person varies depending on the selected menu. A selection of Veritas wines, as well as beer and cocktails is available if desired. (www.veritaswines.com) For a whole weekend of outdoor activities with your family and friends, Montfair Resort Farm is your spot. Owned by

David and Leora Vincente—an artist who has been featured on Crozet Second Saturdays— Montfair offers (among other options) a popular three-day, two-night “destination” package allowing for a Friday night rehearsal dinner, Saturday wedding and reception, and Sunday brunch—with plenty of time in between for guests to enjoy the tennis court, canoeing on the continued on page 14

CROZETgazette

OCTOBER 2017

Weddings

—continued from page 13

lake, or hiking and biking the three miles of trails. Montfair routinely hosts destination weddings from D.C., North Carolina, and even New York. The 129-acre resort boasts cabins that sleep 48 people, plus the six-person Beauchamp House and space for up to ten tents. Since it is private property, guests can fish without a license. Montfair is also available for just the wedding and/or reception with no overnight stays. “A lot of the vineyards are pretty fancy. We are more homey, laid back, and rustic,” explains events, sales, and marketing manager Katie Teel. The ceremony field with its flower arbor set against the stunning backdrop of Fox Mountain also features a giant, woven vine LOVE sign designed by furniture maker Joe Sheridan for photos. The rustic lakeside lodge, with its path enchantingly lit with white lanterns hung among the trees, is decorated with twinkle lights and seats up to 200 (fewer if a dance floor is included). Montfair provides tables and chairs, but the caterer is responsible for setting them up as well as providing linens, dishes, place settings, and glassware. The lakeside area features picnic tables, a fire pit,

and space to play bocce, corn hole, or volleyball. The couple has the option of a more informal lakeside ceremony, with Pasture Fence Mountain rising behind, and the large tented deck outside the lodge is available as a rain plan or cocktail hour. “One of the unique things is that we have both the mountain views and the intimate, private, woodsy feel of the reception lodge” Teel affirms. With its more flexible policies, couples can choose any caterer or wine and beer source they wish (no liquor is permitted), and quiet hour is 11 p.m. Montfair also offers vacation rentals during the week. If you’d like to see this unique venue in person, they are holding an open house November 12 from noon to 6 p.m. Montfair has a more complex pricing structure because of the opportunity to stay overnight on the property. For a Saturday wedding without overnights (including 12-hour, noon to midnight exclusive use of the property), the cost ranges from $5,400 to $6,810 (depending on number of guests 1-190) or $4,720 to $6,220 on Fridays and Sundays. For a 3-day weekend package (Friday through Sunday) without overnights, you will pay from $8,300 to $9,850. And for a destination weekend wedding including three days plus two-night use of

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White Hall Vineyards

the nine vacation cottages, the cost ranges from $12,398 to $13,948. The Beauchamp House can be added for $12,966-$14,516. Tent camping in up to 10 tents is also available for $24/night per tent. (www.montfairresortfarm.com) White Hall Vineyards is your choice for a smaller, low key, quiet wedding in a cozy, intimate setting. My daughter’s first choice when we reviewed venues ten years ago, White Hall “caters to a smaller wedding,” explains general manager Lisa Champ, daughter of owners Tony and Edie Champ. “You don’t want to have a wedding in a huge space with only a few people. This size gives me a chance to get to know the bride and groom.” Ceremonies are held with a

backdrop of vineyard vines or beneath the ancient oak tree, and an upstairs banquet hall (elevator provided) tastefully decorated with gardener’s décor seats 85 or 115 standing. Tony Champ, an avid naturalist, has selected native flowers to decorate the property—including the gorgeous entrance arbor decked with coral honeysuckle, wisteria, and Carolina aster. “We are a vineyard’s vineyard,” explains Champ. “We have a different philosophy than many other venues; we focus on the wine.” While weddings are only about 10 percent of their business, they also host bridal showers, rehearsal dinners, birthday/ retirement parties, fundraisers, and the like. They schedule only one event per weekend, and continued on page 30

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CROZETgazette

OCTOBER 2017

MICHAEL MARSHALL

Third Thursday at The Lodge at Old Trail october 19 5:30 pm

Protecting Virginia Waterways: Joel DeNunzio, VDOT, speaking at the September CCAC meeting

Traffic

—continued from page 1

Gap have a hard time turning left into downtown. He suggested that creating gaps in traffic might relieve congestion at other nearby corners, too. “We see a lot of these issues of short windows of congestion,” said DeNunzio, who lives in Crozet and is familiar with local traffic characteristics. “Two hours in the a.m. and two hours in the p.m. We have a congestion issue of less than an hour at Jarmans Gap. The situation at Old Trail Drive and Western Albemarle [High School] is getting better. I don’t know what to do right now. It gets into what’s going to happen at the Barnes lumberyard. We’re all going to miserable if Crozet Avenue gets filled up with stop signs and signals.” “It would be a huge mistake to queue vehicles on Crozet Avenue,” said CCAC member Kostis Alibertis, the longtime chief of the Western Albemarle Rescue Squad. “If you look at the data, emergency vehicles mostly have accidents at intersections that are controlled. The emergency vehicles have nowhere to go.” “Most of the congestion I see in Crozet is caused by the fourway stop [at the Dairy Queen],” said DeNunzio. “Most accidents are not related to Jarmans Gap Road.” He produced a map of accidents over the last five years on the stretch of Crozet Avenue that passes through downtown that showed a total of 24 accidents, seven of which produced injuries. Twelve of those were in

the DQ intersection or under the railroad trestle. Three occurred at the Jarmans Gap intersection. “We need to count volumes again,” he said. “The streetscape project did lower speeds on Crozet Avenue.” He said the last count in 2016 showed that 7,000 vehicles a day use the road. Ninety-eight percent of the traffic is cars and two percent is trucks. Jarmans Gap Road handles 3,700 cars a day and there are 108 left turns onto Crozet Avenue during peak times. Speed bumps and traffic circles were raised as solutions, but neither was judged suitable for the location. “The Library Avenue intersection with Crozet Avenues should be thought of as the main intersection [in future traffic planning],” DeNunzio said. “Stopping traffic sometimes causes more problems than it solves,” he noted. County planner Rebecca Ragsdale briefed the CCAC on the county’s plans to tighten its transient lodging rules and, in a colored-sticker vote, asked for members to offer their opinions on four questions describing the range of control that should be asserted over temporary lodging offered in people’s houses. The Board of Supervisors asked for the policy review in March. Ragsdale said the object is to balance the goal of preserving the rural areas with allowing transient lodging to go on. Current policy allows up to five rooms in a single house in a development area to be rented. The owner must be present during the period in which the continued on page 36

Challenges & Successes in a Time of Political Change

This month The Lodge presents Peggy Sanner, Virginia Assistant Director and Senior Attorney for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF). She’ll be discussing how changing political priorities present challenges and opportunities for the CBF and for Virginians committed to restoring area waterways. The CBF develops effective science-based solutions to the pollution degrading the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers and waterways. Don’t miss out on this fascinating and very important look at the successful work being done by the CBF and the challenges that lay ahead. These are issues that affect all of us. Make your reservations today as seating is limited. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC! Make your reservation early. RSVP to 434.823.9100 or rsvp@lodgeatoldtrail.com 330 Claremont Lane Crozet, Virginia 22932

www.lodgeatoldtrail.com INDEPENDENT LIVING • ASSISTED LIVING • MEMORY CARE

CROZETgazette

OCTOBER 2017

Bransles, Pavans, and Cascarde: Renaissance Dance Finds a Home in Crozet CLOVER CARROLL

By Clover Carroll

clover@crozetgazette.com

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The eight couples form a circle, join hands and slip to the left, turn single to the left, slip to the right, and turn again. Men join hands inside the circle and slip left, then ladies do the same. Men step in toward the center, clap and step back; then ladies do the same. Now men step in and mime picking fruit from a tree or vine, then ladies do the same. This alternating of men and women constitutes the “chorus,” which is repeated between two more “verses” in which partners “side,” i.e. step up beside each other and back, and partners “arm,” i.e. swing each other with a forearm grip. Smiles abound, skirts swirl, and the gentle thud of happy feet fills the hall. Finally, all repeat the “chorus,” with slipping, clapping, miming, and spinning, and voila! We’ve just danced “Gathering Peascods” (aka peapods), an English social dance from before 1650, recorded in The English Dancing Master by John Playford (1651) and later re-published by Cecil Sharp (1859-1924) in The Playford Ball: 103 Early English Country Dances. Sharp reinvigorated folk singing and dancing, and is credited with starting the historical dance movement. Lucky for us, historical dancing is alive and well in western Albemarle County. Area “dance gypsies” who, as I explained in my 2009 article [“Become a Dancing Queen...,” Crozet Gazette, November 2009],

Kendra Schmid (first on left) leads Renaissance dancers in “Jenny Pluck Pears” at Tabor Church in Crozet. The group meets the first and third Tuesday of each month in the Chiles-Pickford Fellowship Hall. Dances are open to the public.

travel all over the country in pursuit of the dancer’s high, now have another local option: a Renaissance Dance that meets every first and third Tuesday from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. in the Chiles-Pickford Fellowship Hall at Tabor Church in Crozet. Dance mistress Kendra Schmid, aka Lady Nicolosa d’Isenfir, teaches a range of English, Italian, and French dances spanning from 1450 to 1650. These are choreographed dances for individuals and sets of two or more people, with pre-defined steps. They are different from— because earlier than—the dances done in longways lines with progression, such as Contra and English Country dancing. Sources for Renaissance dances beyond Playford include Dancing in the Inns of Court (c. 1570) compiled by D.R. Wilson in 1987, On the Practice or Art of Dancing by Guglielmo Ebreo da Pesaro

Join us Sundays for worship at 10:45am. We are located at 8312 Brooksville Rd., Greenwood, VA For more information please go to our website:

www.lebanonepc.org Pastor: Rev. Michael Payne PH.D. “There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations these are mortal... But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub and exploit.” C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory

Renaissance dancers learn a range of English, Italian, and French dances spanning from 1450 to 1650 for individuals and/or sets of two or more people.

(c. 1420–c. 1484), and Orchesography by Thoinot Arbeau (1589), among others. On a typical evening, Schmid might lead you through a bransle (pron. brawl), a quick, lively Renaissance dance popular in France and England; a pavan, a slow, processional dance common in Europe during the 16th century; and a cascarda, a flirtatious dance from 16th c. Italy that is danced facing your partner “in ruota,” that is, on the rim of an imaginary wheel. These are social dances, so dancers change partners between every dance, and it is fine to dance with a partner of the same gender. All dances are taught and called, and beginners are welcome. Lively accompaniment on mandolin and drums is provided by Dan Goldberg. These historical dances span the social classes, from court dances, to those practiced in wealthy manor houses, to country dances enjoyed by peasants. Some might have been enjoyed by Catherine de Medici, some by Leonardo da Vinci, and some by Shakespeare’s Bottom the Weaver. Queen Elizabeth’s favorite dance was the peppy, energetic French Volta (or Lavolta). “16th c Italian court dance eventually evolved into ballet; English Country dances evolved into contra and square dancing,” organizer David Oxford explained. The dances vary between stately elegance and spirited vigor, offering an artistic exercise experience with continued on page 18

CROZETgazette

OCTOBER 2017

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Rod Phillips of RE/MAX and Darah Bonham, WAHS principal, with the tiny house.

Tiny House for Sale! By Lisa Martin

lisamartin@crozetgazette.com

The WAHS Tiny House went on the auction block last weekend at a morning event hosted by WAHS parent volunteer and local realtor Rod Phillips alongside school principal Darah Bonham. The 280-square-foot house, built by students in the school’s shop class under the direction of teacher Kevin Matheny, was constructed over the past year with the help of generous donations from local contractors. While the top bidder, WAHS parent and alum Corbin Snow, owner of Snow’s Garden Center, was enthused about the house’s prospects, bids did not reach the school’s hoped-for threshold of $30,000, and the disposition of the Tiny House remains in limbo. The

eventual sale’s proceeds will be used to fund the next Tiny House project at the school. Interested buyers are encouraged to call Rod Phillips of RE/ MAX in Crozet.

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CROZETgazette

OCTOBER 2017

Renaissance —continued from page 16

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historical connections. The Renaissance dancers have been meeting in Crozet for two years, after the Municipal Arts Center became unavailable on the nights they needed. Dancing is only one of the activities offered by the Isenfir chapter of the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA), a nonprofit, educational group that re-creates the Western European Middle Ages and Renaissance. SCA members choose aspects of pre-17th century life to re-create through the use of a “persona”—a character that each member creates who might have lived in that time period. SCA artisans research, create, and teach music, poetry, cooking, singing, dancing, metalsmithing, tailoring, armoring, etc. People in the SCA study and re-create martial activities including armored combat, fencing, archery, and more, hosting living history events all over the country every weekend. There are hundreds of Renaissance Dance groups around the country and world, each with its own personality— some perform “in garb.” This month, Kendra is teaching the dances that will be presented at the War of the Wings weekend in Boonville, NC, October 18-22—including Rufty Tufty, Ballo del Fiore, Black Nag, and a Carolingian Pavan. We happen to reside in the Shire of Isenfir (Old Norse for “iron mountain), which encompasses Charlottesville, Albemarle County, Nelson County, Waynesboro, Staunton, Harrisonburg, and Augusta and Rockingham Counties. Isenfir falls within the Kingdom of Atlantia, which stretches from Maryland through Virginia and North and South Carolina to Georgia. Organized by Lord Bryan Morgan (David Oxford) and Lady Nicolosa d’Isenfir (Kendra Schmid), Isenfir offers activities in the Tabor Fellowship Hall every Tuesday night, including Renaissance Dance on the first and third Tuesday, a Populace (or chapter meeting) on the second Tuesday, Arts & Crafts night on the fourth Tuesday, and a Revel on the rare fifth Tuesday—where you’ll find dancers decked out in period costume and eating

period desserts. Other Isenfir activities include archery, sewing, and an annual, all-day Mead Hall event held at Camp Albemarle (www.isenfir.atlantia. sca.org). In addition, the Kingdom of Atlantia’s day-long University—held three times a year—features classes on every imaginable topic in medieval/ Renaissance history, such as costume making, martial combat, dance, performing arts, chain mail, period husbandry, and agricultural practices. For David Oxford, the “Seneschal” of Isenfir, re-creating Renaissance life is more than just a hobby. He joined the SCA while studying engineering at U.Va. “I’ve loved dancing ever since I was a kid. I was one of those geeks. When I got here, I joined the group, and when the person who was running it left he gave all the dance tapes to me. I’ve continued running it for close to 30 years, with only one break for grad school.” Oxford, who serves as chief information officer for Tiger Fuel, also mentors a NASA Student Launch team at PVCC, which includes 21 students. This national competition requires the team to write a proposal to design, build, test, and fly a high-powered rocket and engineering payload for NASA. “This proposal is just like those required for a federal contract, so it provides the kids with great career development experience,” Oxford explained. If accepted, the team works for eight months testing their rocket and payload designs and preparing and presenting technical documentation for NASA. Launch week is in April 2018 in Huntsville, AL. In the future, Oxford would like to present a class on the history of Chinese rockets at Atlantia University. Once I learn a dance and become independent of the caller, I feel like I’m floating! For an evening of elegant exercise, movement to music, and a trip back in time all rolled into one, head out on a Tuesday evening to Tabor Church. Park along the east side and behind the church, and enter the Fellowship Hall from the back. There is no charge, but a donation to the community charity Crozet Cares is encouraged— you’ll find a jar on a table near the entrance. See you on the dance floor!

CROZETgazette

OCTOBER 2017

By Phil James

phil@crozetgazette.com

If These Mountains Could Talk If these mountains could talk, where would they begin? Would it be with the voice of God separating the waters from the dry land? Or with great volcanic explosions, the colliding of subterranean plates and the wrinkling and thrusting up of Earth’s crust? Or might the stories begin in simpler ways, closer to the places where we walk, and to the heights where untold generations have stood awestruck? The Blue Ridge Mountains in central Virginia are scattered with many evidences of their geological, natural and cultural past. Exposed cliff faces exhibit bends in various types of sedimentary rock. Broken and weathered boulders reveal fossils of creatures that formerly lived on sea bottoms. The very nature of the rounded Blue Ridge summits speaks to their place as elders among the mountains of this planet. The water gaps are fewer than the wind gaps that add interest and definition to the Blue Ridge skyline. Herds of bison and caribou as well as musk ox, and, some say, mastodons, once chose paths of least resistance

Early 20th-century church picnic group at Black Rock Springs Resort in Augusta County, west of Black Rock Gap, milepost 87.4, Shenandoah National Park. [Courtesy of Phil James Historical Images]

through these gaps. Indigenous spear hunters seeking meat, garment-skins, and bone for tools eventually followed them. Archaeological discoveries have confirmed these and other such evidence. The mountains have seldom been without a plentiful share of drama, both actual and perceived. Those spending the night in the woods in earlier

Detail from Edward Beyer’s 1857 lithograph titled “Rockfish Gap and the Mountain House”, depicting the Virginia Central Railroad that passed over Rockfish Gap 1854– 1858, prior to the completion of Claudius Crozet’s mountain tunnel passages. [Courtesy of Phil James Historical Images]

days might have been startled by the night sounds of wolves howling or the chilling screams of panthers. Adding to their imaginations would be the scuffling and crackling sounds of unseen animals walking in the forest’s understory. In winter, tree boughs encrusted with ice

could snap off with a report like a rifle shot. These experiences undoubtedly made their way into a number of hair-raising tales of yore. When English settlers migrating from eastern Virginia finally arrived in western continued on page 20

Hundreds, even thousands of years ago, various bands of American Indians sojourned in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The durable evidence they left behind included grinding stones for polishing axe heads and celts, finished and partiallyworked projectile points, tools, and marble-like game stones. [Photo by Phil James]

CROZETgazette

OCTOBER 2017

Mountains —continued from page 19

Albemarle, they likely were surprised to find some of the land already settled by the pioneer Woods and Wallace clans who had migrated south down the Shenandoah Valley from Pennsylvania. These families had crossed the Blue Ridge from the west side in the 1730s at Woods (now Jarmans) Gap. Enslaved laborers worked the plantations of most of these planters from dawn ’til dark, and were sometimes quartered in the mountains to tend crops and shepherd livestock. In late evening when the moon was bright enough for safe travel, they would occasionally travel the coves and hollows between neighboring farms for social contact. During the Revolutionary War, German mercenaries and others fighting for Britain captured in New York were marched south and imprisoned at The Barracks off Garth Road west of Charlottesville, arriving there in January 1779. As the war unfolded, concerns mounted that an attempt might be undertaken by the enemy to retake the prisoners quartered in Albemarle County. Accordingly, in November 1780, 800 prisoners were moved from the prisoner-of-war camp and marched

Blanche Standup, on left, and her sister Thelma, visited with Jim Ragland at their mountain home near Boonesville in northwestern Albemarle County. In the 1920s and ‘30s, the Standup family’s Rocky Bar property was among 216 tracts of Albemarle land threatened with condemnation by the establishment of Shenandoah National Park. [Photo courtesy of the Standup family]

across the Blue Ridge Mountains through Woods Gap en route to Fort Frederick, Maryland. The remaining 1,500 German troops were removed permanently from Albemarle by the same route in February 1781. By the late 18th century, seekers of pleasure from the east regularly were making their way across the mountains by horseback, buggy and stagecoach in order to luxuriate and rejuvenate themselves in the mineral springs of the Shenandoah Valley and western Virginia. In

This rugged group of laborers in Greene County was employed by the DeFord Company of Baltimore, MD, to debark chestnut oak trees and transport the tanninrich spoils to their hide tannery at Luray. In 1926, DeFord owned almost 800 acres in Greene County. In Albemarle, they owned over 1,200 acres of timberland in the area around Black Rock Gap, above Sugar Hollow’s north fork Moorman’s River. All of that acreage was condemned for inclusion into Shenandoah National Park. [Photo courtesy of Larry Lamb]

one of its promotional broadsides, the Mountain Top Hotel at Rockfish Gap proclaimed, “The Waters of the place are the many pure Free-Stone Springs and a fine spring of Chalybeate water.” As these medicinal spas proliferated, Black Rock Springs Resort was established in the 1830s in the mountains of Augusta County only a few miles over the border from Albemarle County. In the 1850s, the mountains were pierced in a fantastic way at Rockfish Gap to make way for steel rails and steam locomotive engines pulling both passengers and freight. The vibrations of its drivers and shrill sound of its whistle carried the sound of progress far through the mountains. Unending sounds of human emotions have long carried through the mountain air: delightful laughter of children, joy-filled singing voices accompanied by strains of string music, the shuffling foot cadence of home and foreign military troops, the mournful sobs of those laying a loved one to rest, or packing up their belongings and bidding adieu to sheltering homes, barns and sustaining gardens confiscated by a government’s program to establish a tranquil pleasure-

ground for city lowlanders. Dense fogs that can obscure one’s hand before one’s face have lent a mysterious silence to the mountains, while also contributing to tragic automobile pile-ups and numerous airplane crashes. The observant explorer can still happen upon scattered metallic remnants, from forged iron horseshoes to machined alloys of jet airplanes, slowly disappearing into the humus beneath leafy canopies. The tree-covered heights most familiar today have always been in a state of flux. Settlers cleared plots to build houses and bring in the sunshine to grow crops; livestock producers cleared trees from swaths of mountain land in order to establish pastures; lumbermen harvested timber to build the cities of a great nation; coke ovens, iron furnaces, and hide tanneries consumed countless trees during the courses of both war and peace. Nearly unstoppable, raging fires, natural and human-caused, and horrific roaring floods have cleansed and partially reshaped the mountain landscape, but, repeatedly, nature has shown its perfect order and design by reclaiming its own. From glory to glory, the mountains have been a constant.

Follow Secrets of the Blue Ridge on Facebook! Phil James invites contact from those who would share recollections and old photographs of life along the Blue Ridge Mountains of Albemarle County. You may respond to him through his website: www.SecretsoftheBlueRidge.com or at P.O. Box 88, White Hall, VA 22987. Secrets of the Blue Ridge © 2003–2017 Phil James

CROZETgazette

OCTOBER 2017 Come out to Henley’s Orchard to celebrate the 2017 harvest!

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Dominican Coconut Chicken Olga came to the United States in the early 1970s from the Dominican Republic when she was thirteen. It was just after the civil war that ripped the country apart. If you’d like to read an incredible book about this and the people’s escape from the violence, check out Pulitzer Prize-winning The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, by Junot Diaz. It’s not a pretty picture. Olga and I are the same age. While I was enjoying junior high school, she was learning English and trying to fit in. She worked hard, completed her education and went on to raise three incredibly accomplished children who are living the proverbial American dream. Olga has held various jobs, one of which was running a restaurant.

The woman can cook! She’s made us curried goat, plantain, wonderful beef dishes and shrimp cooked in delicious concoctions. But my absolute favorite is her coconut chicken. And get this—Olga is a vegetarian. I think it’s particularly difficult to cook something you don’t particularly want to eat. But that’s just one more reason to admire Olga. This recipe also represents my yearly plug to buy your chicken locally, with my favorite farm being that run by my son and daughter-in-law: The Free Union Grass Farm. Products including their fantastic chicken, are available at the Crozet Market, the Charlottesville City Market and at the Farm stand on Fridays. It’s also served at many local restaurants.

Olga’s Coconut Chicken For the Sofrito (the marinade): 6 plum tomatoes 2 tomatillos 4 heads of garlic, separated and peeled (yes, four heads) 2 cubanelle peppers

1 medium red onion, peeled and chopped 1 bunch fresh cilantro 10-15 green olives with pimento 3 T oregano

Put it all into the blender and mix on high until completely mixed. This is strong stuff, yet some people I know just put some in a bowl and pretend it’s gazpacho! Can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one month.

For the Chicken: 1 chicken, cut into pieces; marinated in sofrito overnight Olive oil for browning Heat the oil in a large skillet. Turn it off and add the sugar. Stir and allow to cool. Next, reheat the skillet and brown the chicken. Add the coconut milk and the tomato paste and cook gently for about 30 minutes till the chicken is thoroughly cooked. The sauce will thicken and turn a beautiful orange. Serve with black beans and rice.

1 tsp sugar 1 can coconut milk 2 T tomato paste

Cubanelle peppers

CROZETgazette

OCTOBER 2017

Business Briefs

sos and hummus and packaged herbs. “We’re a farm first,” Wendy said as she handed out samples at Crozet Market’s “Local Food Fair” in late September. If your child grabs a container of hummus with fresh vegetables at school for lunch, chances are it was made at Red Hill. There’s a Facebook page for the farm, www.facebook. com/thefarmatredhill.

DARRON FRANTA PHOTOGRAPHY

By Theresa Curry theresa@crozetgazette.com

Local business news

Wendy Harrison of The Farm at Red Hill.

Central Virginia producing flawless grapes.

—continued from page 1

“Community Scoop” Benefits CVFD

The first community scoop night at the Crozet Creamery

Erik Schetlick of Crozet Creamery.

Shenandoah Valley's premiere outdoor store since 1987.

1461 E. Main Street • Waynesboro • 22980

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they had so much fun they want to do Community Scoops regularly, choosing different community non-profits each month.

Local Products star at Local Food Fair

Crozet Market’s local food fair September 23 presented area vendors making handcrafted food and drink, in home basements and kitchens as well as commercial facilities. Many of them were from our neighborhoods and hollows, and have a story to tell. Still Growing “Ten years and still growing”: that’s the slogan Wendy and Richard Harrison chose to celebrate the 10th anniversary of their Farm at Red Hill. The North Garden farmers are expanding, with a growing number of stores carrying their products and involvement in schools at every level in Albemarle County and Charlottesville, including U. Va.’s “Greens to Grounds” program. But they’re also still growing the tomatoes, peppers, ginger, turmeric and other ingredients for their line of salsas, que-

Just a Pinch Also at the local food fair, Cass Cannon demonstrated how a little of her “Peg’s Salt” could wake up the taste of fresh vegetables. The name comes from her mother, Peg, who sprinkled a secret mix of herbs on just about everything she cooked. Cannon mixes up the salty blend in her Greenwood basement and has done so for the past five years or so. The salt can be found locally at Crozet Market and just about everywhere around here that food is sold. Check products and stores, or order online at www.pegssalt. com. Knight’s Gambit For those who developed a continued on page 24 THERESA CURRY

excellent. In late September, they had just brought the Cabernet Franc into the sorting room. “We looked through it, and every grape was perfect,” he said. “Usually, you’ll see little imperfections, soft spots or imperfect berries that you pick out, but not this year.” Wine is a significant business for Virginia. In 2016, sales of Virginia wine reached a record high with more than 556,500 cases, or 6.6 million bottles, sold. Visits to Virginia wineries brought in more than $2.3 million in 2015, according to the Virginia Tourism Corporation, and wine sales at Virginia ABC stores grew by almost 10 percent in 2016, to a total of 13,000 cases sold.

was a success, said manager Erik Schetlick, raising $780 for the Crozet Volunteer Fire Department. Schetlick said that Morsel Compass and Crozet Coffee, other Piedmont Place businesses, also helped with the event. Volunteers scooped the ice cream and donated their tips, while the Crozet Creamery contributed 25 percent of every sale. “The place was packed, and the kids loved the fire trucks parked outside.” Schetlick said

Cass Cannon of Peg’s Salt.

CROZETgazette

OCTOBER 2017

thirst from the salt and spices at the local food fair, Alan Hagen offered sips of Knight’s Gambit wines. The White Hall Vineyard owned by Paul and Maggie Summers grows Petit Verdot, Pino Grigio, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. At first, the 14-year-old operation sold its grapes to other wine-making operations, but now is able to sell wine under its label in local stores and at the vineyard. For directions and upcoming events, visit www.knightsgambitvineyard.com. Bakery Prepares for Fall Goodwin Creek Bakery’s John Hellerman handed out samples of seasonal Goodwin Creek granola flavored with fall spices. Goodwin, who owns the bakery with his wife Nancy, said that the operation has finally moved down the hill to their new facility, freeing the family home from clouds of flour and mountains of cooling bread. Besides the granola, the Afton bakery offers European and American farmhouse-style bread. They’re sold at area stores. Find out more at www. goodwincreekfarm.com.

Ragged Branch Distillery Opens

THERESA CURRY

It was during the economic recession when builders like Alex Toomy wondered what to do next. “For a while we literally had nothing to do,” Toomy said. A time-honored, recession-proof profession occurred to him while talking with some friends. “Why don’t we make moonshine?” he asked.

John and David Hellerman of Goodwin Creek Bakery.

CLOVER CARROLL

—continued from page 23

Outdoor patio at Ragged Branch Distillery.

Alan Hagen of Knight’s Gambit.

He was curious enough to make a call to a friend in the know, who doubted Toomy’s aptitude for a life of crime. Then he called a legal operation to find out more, starting with Maker’s Mark because of their legendary master distiller, David Pickerell. The timing was great: Pickerell had just retired and had a real interest in advising small, craft distilleries such as the one Toomy envisioned. He guided the operation––which has two other owners, besides Toomy––from start to finish, and serves as a consultant. Toomy has developed some massive projects, but “at heart, I’m a carpenter,” he said. He’s built the farm and tasting room structures, and he occasionally works on a house or two for friends. Ragged Branch is distinctive because it includes a greater agricultural system. Corn comes from the 92-acre Ivy property and is ground daily. Locally grown wheat or rye is added and water comes from the farm’s well. “Nothing is wasted,” Toomy said. The nutritious residual mash feeds the farm’s cattle. Ragged Branch “bourbon beef ”––prime cuts and ground beef––is offered for sale at the farm. Like wine, bourbon is affected by “terroire,” the soil, water and sunshine that’s specific to each area, so the bourbon distilled in Ivy will be different from that made in Kentucky, or even down the road in Virginia. The tasting room offers outdoor seating with beautiful views, or visitors can sit indoors by the fire. Besides the rye and wheated bourbons, there are signature cocktails offered from Thursday through Sunday, start-

ing at noon. “But someone will be at the distillery every day, if you want a taste there,” Toomy said. “Just come on in.”

Blue Mountain Brewery Turns Ten

It was a “crazy leap” ten years ago, recalled Blue Mountain brewmaster and co-founder Taylor Smack. “It was the start of the recession, there were only a handful of breweries in the state, it was not even legal to open a brewery and directly serve customers without also being a restaurant, and the majority of people were still not turned on to craft beer.” Still, the intrepid beer-lovers took the leap, beginning with eight employees at the Afton brewery and restaurant. Now, there are three brewing facilities with 160 employees at the season’s high point, including the original location in Afton, the Blue Mountain Barrel House in Arrington, and South Street Brewery in Charlottesville. But they’re not stopping there, Smack said. “We’ve SUBMITTED

Business Briefs

THERESA CURRY

Beef and bourbon: Alex Toomy of Ragged Branch Distillery.

brought a whole new level of energy to year ten.” The popular brewery has launched new projects at both Blue Mountain locations, and the owners are carefully bringing all their visual design in harmony with their identity. The brewery has been accepted into the Virginia Economic Gardening Pilot Program, a program designed to enable companies with notable increases in revenue or employment to reach the next level of success. Blue Mountain Brewery was one of 12 Virginia companies selected for the program. The anniversary celebration will include the release of five new specialty beers in corked bottles, ten days of live, local music, and giveaways each of the ten days, with discounts each day on a selected draft beer, including some original styles from the brewery’s early years. Bands that played throughout the years will help celebrate, and craft-beer dispensers throughout the state will offer “tap takeovers,” of Blue Mountain products. “We’re hitting double digits with a bang,” said Smack, but he added that the leadership is focused on guiding the brewery’s future evolution. “So now here we are,” he said, “continuing to blaze our own path and jumping into the next ten years with more excitement than ever.” The anniversary events at the Afton Blue Mountain Brewery will be from October 27 through November 5. For more information, visit www.bluemountainbrewery. com, or the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/bluemountainbrewery/.

CROZETgazette SUBMITTED

OCTOBER 2017

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THERESA CURRY

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Local Shops Reduce Trash Footprint

THERESA CURRY

Many local businesses quietly take steps to reduce packaging and other waste, while still complying with regulations that govern their products. At Piedmont Place, Smojo’s Beth Harley chose vegetable-based containers to serve her salads, transparent little bowls that break down quickly into compost. She also is glad to pour her freshly-made juice or smoothies into any clean containers furnished by customers. Blue Ridge Bottle Shop sells growlers, and refills them with

Refillable growlers save on single-use packaging at Blue Ridge Bottle Shop.

beer, cider or coffee; they reuse any box that comes into the shop to package items you purchase. In North Garden, Loving Cup Winery offers sangria in reusable growlers. To save on bottles, King Vineyard hauls wine in kegs to select Northern Virginian buyers. And at the Crozet Creamery, you can get the perfect waste-free, package-free dessert: ice cream made on site, now in a waffle cone made there as well.

Wayland’s Crossing Tavern Opening

Wayland’s Crossing Tavern (in the former Public West in Old Trail) plans to open October 20 at 4 p.m., with a new look, a new menu and a live band outside. Manager and co-owner Kim Dillon said there will be some Irish-themed items like Cottage Pie and an Éirinn go Brách Burger, as well as other international and regional favorites. Dillon said the Tavern is still hiring and potential applicants can find out more on the website, waylandscrossing.com.

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CROZETgazette

OCTOBER 2017

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I used to smoke cigarettes, one of the things I truly regret in life. On and off (more on than off) from my junior year in high school through my first year of veterinary school, I was a smoker, sometimes smoking a pack of cigarettes a day. I’m taking smokers to task for this month’s column. Since I’ve been there myself, consider this an honest and respectful “talking to,” but I’m not gonna hold any punches. Smoking cigarettes is a terrible habit and, frankly, it’s hard to believe that anyone even does it anymore! I tried my first cigarette when I was in seventh grade. It was nasty and terrible and I didn’t make it past two puffs. “Who would do this?” I can still remember thinking. That was actually a pretty good way to keep me away from cigarettes for a while. I was still young enough that nasty was indeed nasty. Now let’s fast forward to high school, tenth grade. Throw in some peer pressure and some alcohol (yeah, my youth was full of poor decisions) and smoking cigarettes didn’t seem so nasty. I’m guessing it was probably a friend and a cute girl, but somehow, I tried them again and toughed through the burning, coughing, and terrible smell and, somehow, became a smoker. As a teenager smoking mostly at social situations, you don’t think of yourself as a “smoker.” You look at the 50-year-old lifelong smoker and say, “Gross, that will never be me.” But time passes and you’re still smoking. You smoke in the car by yourself, you smoke before going to bed, you smoke in the morning. Soon enough, it’s nasty addiction.

It finally took a girl (Michelle!) to get me to stop. I was 23 years old and had been smoking on and off for seven years. Michelle did not smoke, and she was definitely “the one.” I did not want to screw things up with her, so I sucked it up, and stopped. Best decision ever! Life-changing in many ways! Was it hard? I’m sure it was. I can’t remember. I try to forget I ever smoked. I don’t need to lecture about why anyone who is currently a smoker should stop right away. Everyone knows how bad it is. However, despite this common knowledge, if you are still smoking, you should recite the below points of the “Smoker’s Mantra.” I made it up, but if you are smoking, then you clearly agree with all of these points. I do not care about my physical health, and/or, I sincerely believe that I am immune to the well-known negative effects of smoking. Guess what? Smoking is terrible for your health! Chronic lung inflammation. Recurring respiratory infections. Lung cancer. Almost guaranteed COPD with enough time. Heart disease. The list goes on and on and on. You know the old saying that says, “You can have all the riches in the world, but if you don’t have your health, you have nothing”? Well, that’s a perspective people have when they don’t have their health! You are choosing to give away your health and set yourself up for a terrible physical future. And for what? A habit? Smoking is foolish, and as smart as you may be, if you are a smoker, you are quite foolish. I do not care about my physical appearance. I desire

CROZETgazette to be less attractive! Okay, maybe some of you don’t really care about your physical appearance because you’re very secure. That’s great! But choosing to make yourself look older and haggard is a very interesting choice. Regardless of your genetics, your youthful face, or your perfect smile, smoking will take a toll on all of those things. You can tell a chronic smoker not only by their wrinkled face and thickened skin, but also by their hair, their lips, and their eyes. Think you’re immune to this physical degradation? You’re bathing yourself in smoke from burning leaves all day long. You’re not going to escape the changes! I don’t want to be able to smell! The sense of smell is not important and I wish to live without it. Smokers have a significant reduction in their sense of smell. We only have five senses with which to perceive the world. Why burn that away? I want to smell! I realize that non-smokers all think that smokers smell terrible, even when we’re not smoking. I want to disgust people just by walking near them. True fact: if you smoke, you smell terrible to non-smokers. Like, really terrible. Most people are polite and will hide their face and disgust, but note well that they are most definitely not impressed! If you smoke, you stink! One of my main goals as a parent is to make sure my child becomes an avid smoker! Smoke, and your kids will smoke. And for the most part, as a parent, it is indeed your fault. I have way too much money! I’m, like, so rich! Smoking is expensive. When

OCTOBER 2017

I smoked it was only $2 for a pack of smokes, but jeez, nowadays it’s like $5-6! That adds up to a lot of money. One of the best things I noticed about not smoking was suddenly I had a lot more spending money. I want to one day be a huge burden on my family! If you smoke throughout your life, you are going to have major health problems and be a burden on your family as they try to care for you. Most of you have seen first- or second-hand someone suffering from lung cancer or COPD from smoking. It’s sad and it’s extremely tough on the families that are caring for them. Frankly, smoking is very selfish in this regard. Okay, do you love the Smokers Mantra? Great! Keep smoking!! But if you’re not quite sure you agree with all of these points, then quit! Frankly, “I’ve tried quitting” is the lamest excuse I’ve ever heard. You simply need to decide to change and do it. Needing to quit smoking is indeed a “first world” problem. Consider some of the horrible things that happen to people in this world: people actually starving, kids dying of cancer, countries destroyed by war. And you are having a hard time quitting smoking? Which will instantly make you healthier! Just quit. Decide today. Only you can decide to quit and only you can do it. No nicotine gum or support group is going to do it for you. Don’t let TV commercials or other people complicate it. Just quit. You most definitely can do it! Read through the Smokers Mantra again and if you don’t like it, then make a decision and be strong and don’t let anyone or anything get in your way.

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CROZETgazette

OCTOBER 2017

Music Ed. —continued from page 4

where they are constantly switching partners and interacting with every other student.” Even when introducing older students to the basics of musical notation and composition, she emphasizes playing together. “We all find joy through ensemble, and finding that joy and being lifelong musicians and appreciators of music is so important,” she said. Linda Corradino, now in her fourteenth year teaching at Murray Elementary, agrees. “I want to give my students an elementary music experience that encompasses the whole musical world,” she said, and has found that having them work in groups and perform for each other and their parents are keys to the process. After having two sons of her own, she recognized the value of movement in music and incorporated much more of it into her curriculum, constantly striving to keep the content fresh. “Unlike a lot of teachers, fine arts instructors are often the

only person teaching that discipline at their school,” said Corradino, “which can be a little isolating, but also allows you a lot of freedom.” A recent second grade class learned an African folk song with accompanying dance movements, then broke into groups to design their own dances. Each group performed their creation for the rest of the class in a rollicking call-and-response format that delighted the students. “It was hard to remember the order [of the dances], but really fun getting up there to do it,” said second grader Hank. For her older students, “I’ve definitely evolved from a more structured style to one that’s more open and project-oriented,” said Corradino. Instead of assigning a formal Broadwaytype musical for the fifth grade end-of-year show, last year Corradino partnered with the art teacher to give them more creative control with a final fine arts project—a wide-open challenge which allowed students, in singles or groups, to pursue whatever excited them musically. The students jumped at the new freedom. One group

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LISA MARTIN

Band director Jeff Melton at Henley Middle School.

re-wrote and performed a scene from Annie, while another created an album of original music using the computer app Garage Band. Each student also chose a piece of art to describe and display in a hallway gallery, and the audience strolled through after the musical performances, enjoying refreshments as they browsed. It can be nerve-wracking to give up control in the classroom, said Corradino, but the results are worth it. “We didn’t know what to expect as we gave them less guidance than we used to, but the performances were amazing. The students were so much more engaged and composed because it was driven by their ideas.” As a bonus, using Corradino’s suggestions on how to ask questions about each other’s projects, the students ended up learning from their peers. The step from elementary to middle school music programs can often be more of a leap, as students suddenly become members of a jazz or concert band, and are expected to focus on being part of a section and playing a “real” instrument. Can’t yet read music? “Not a problem,” said Jeff Melton, band director at Henley Middle School. “Most can’t, and we just figure it out as we go. I want my classroom to be available to everybody.” Toward that end, Melton gives each new band student a 30-minute time slot during the summer to come in with his or her parents, try out the various instruments, and choose which they’d like to play. More than a dozen years of teaching experience have taught Melton what is important to middle school sensibilities. One priority: it’s got to be fun. “Reading music is like learning a new language,” he said, “so if

it becomes no fun, you lose them.” Another key is to foster the spirit of teamwork and pride in the group, so that students are able to take risks—like trying out improvisation—without fear. “Social relationships are really important to these kids, and one thing that’s great about band is how it can build confidence.” Judging by the numbers, Melton’s strategies are working. Now in his third year at Henley, the size of his concert band has already doubled, and he’s added an open-to-all jazz ensemble to supplement his audition-only jazz group because so many wanted to play. To maximize his availability for busy students, he hosts the jazz classes before school three mornings a week, and offers a ten-week percussion class on the other two mornings. More interested in collaboration than competition, Melton gives the students lots of opportunities to perform. The bands play at festivals, fundraisers, and pep rallies, march in parades in town, and even jam with the WAHS bands whenever they can. Many of these activities wouldn’t be possible without the tremendous support of the parents and administration, Melton noted, for which he is deeply appreciative. But the source of his joy and inspiration always circles back to the students. The best moment of his teaching career so far came last year when one of his seventh grade musicians, arriving at a festival and spotting the Henley jazz band in the crowd, turned to her mom and said, pointing, “There they are, that’s my family.” Melton smiled at the memory. “That’s the perfect example of what I want to build—something that belongs to them, and they’re a part of it.”

CROZETgazette

OCTOBER 2017

LAST CHANCE TO ENTER! DEADLINE: OCTOBER 21! Announcing the Eighth Annual Crozet Gazette

CALENDAR PHOTO CONTEST

Photographs taken in the Crozet area or with Crozet-area related themes, suitable for a horizontal calendar, will be given preference. Photographs must be submitted in digital format. Prints will not be accepted and may not be returned. Submissions should include the name and phone number of the entrant along with where and when the picture was taken. Photographs must be high-resolution. The top photographs will be published in the Crozet Gazette and featured in the 2018 Crozet Gazette Calendar. The calendar will be for sale in local stores and online in December.

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CROZETgazette

OCTOBER 2017

Prickly Pairs by Clover Carroll | clover@crozetgazette.com

According to Mary Norris in Between You and Me: Confessions of a Comma Queen (2016), “The English language is full of words that are just waiting to be misspelled, and the world is full of sticklers, ready to pounce” (17). I guess that makes me a stickler! I admit it. It drives me up the wall when I read a sentence such as, “Use our bath oil, and loose yourself in the heavenly fragrance.” Is the writer advising us to unhitch our belts and wear flowing clothes, or rather to relax and forget our worries as we are surrounded with scented steam? Would you say “I’m loosing my mind!” or “I’m losing my mind!”? And while we’re on the subject, would you write “Don’t hold your breathe” or “Don’t hold your breath”? And which is correct, “I’ll see you than” or “I’ll see you then”? If you’re not sure of the answers, read on! As you may have noticed, these kinds of spelling errors happen all the time. These prickly word pairs, as I like to call them, have similar spellings, but are far apart in meaning. When one is substituted for the other, it creates confusion and frustration for the careful reader. For example, if you write “I’d rather be a forest then a street,” the reader is led to believe that after you’ve been a forest, next you want to be a street—which makes no sense! These word pairs are not homonyms, which sound the same but mean different things (as in piece and peace, or there, their, and they’re). If pronounced correctly, these prickly word pairs will sound differently, reflecting their different spellings. I call them prickly because their differences and correct usage are hard to remember. So let’s explore them one pair at a time. Then is an adjective or adverb used to modify nouns or verbs. It is generally used in expressions about time. Then can denote sequence in time to indicate what happened next, as in “The leaves fell off the tree, and then we started raking,” or “The

convict escaped…what happened then?” It can also refer to a specific time, as in “I’ll come by at 3; will you be home then? And it is used in logical progressions, such as “If you build it, then they will come” or “If the nights get cooler, then the leaves will change color.” One rare use is to mean erstwhile, or in the past, as in “The bill was signed by then-President Jimmy Carter.” By contrast, than is a conjunction used to make a comparison between two things. “I’d rather be a forest than a street,” Garfunkel croons, or the fictional Annie Oakley boasts, “I can do anything better than you [can].” Than is often used to compare measurements, such as “my sister weighs less than I do, but I am taller than she is.” This is the primary use of than, so unless you are comparing two things, stay away from it. If you read the erroneous “better late then never,” you might think the writer had enjoyed his tardiness so much he had subsequently decided never to do the thing at all! One mnemonic device that might help you distinguish between these two is that then and time both have an e in them, while than and comparison both have an a in them (assuming you remember how to spell comparison!). Also, then often answers the question, when?, which rhymes. Finally, notice that the two words are pronounced differently. The e in then is pronounced eh, as in ten, whereas the a in than is pronounced aa, as in black. So no excuses! Another prickly pair of words that are often confused are lose and loose. The most common form of this error is to use loose—an adjective meaning not tightly fitted, or free from binding—when the writer means lose, that is, to misplace, be deprived of, or be defeated in a contest. Did you loose your keys? we read, or “let’s hope they don’t loose the championship game.” Both of these are incorrect! Since lose is a verb, just remember that if you are referring to an action that results in a loss, drop that second o*—or “One way to remember the difference

between the two words is to think that “lose has lost an ‘o’” (ross.net). “Don’t lose your cool; keep calm and carry on” using these words correctly. “If you invest in only one kind of stock, you are bound to lose—not loose!—money.” Loose, on the other hand, is a modifier for a noun, correctly used in “my bike helmet is loose and about to fall off” or “a goose is on the loose!”—i.e., it is free from captivity. One clue for which one to choose is in the phonetics. The single o of lose results in a hard s, creating a z sound—whereas the double o in loose softens the consonant to an s sound. This result of doubling the vowel can also be seen in nose and noose. Occasionally, the error can go the other way; “lose lips sink ships” sounds like if you don’t kiss me, we’ll both drown. To sum up, if your pants are loose, you’ll lose them! My last example of an oft-confused prickly pair is breath and breathe. Breathe is the verb that means to draw air in and out of the lungs. It is a frequent admonition when one is nervous or angry. “Calm down, count to ten, breathe!” my friends tell me before a meeting or presentation. After the event, I can breathe a sigh of relief. Breath, on the other hand, is a noun—it’s the blessed mouthful of air we are consum-

ing when we breathe, keeping life afloat. “Take a deep breath” my doctor directs as she presses the stethoscope into my back. “I need a breath of fresh air,” you might say when you’re in a stuffy room. My Apple watch reminds me to “Take a minute to breathe,” not to “Take a minute to breath”! One handy reminder of this distinction is the old hymn title, “Breathe on me, breath of God.” Once again, phonetics can help. Adding the final e to the unvoiced th of the noun, in this case, changes the vowel sound from short (eh) to long (ee) and hardens the consonant, which becomes voiced for the verb form. Other examples of this spelling effect include leaf and leaves or half and halve (which means to cut in half ). English spelling can definitely be a challenge, but as Norris advises, “a misspelling undermines your authority.” I couldn’t agree more. Misspellings reveal a writer who is either careless, or uneducated, or both. “Spelling is the clothing of words…” she continues, “and even those who favor sweatpants in everyday life like to make a…good impression in their prose” (30). So if you want to be taken seriously, don’t let your writing prickle—make it sparkle by choosing the correct spelling between these prickly pairs.

Weddings

nentially since they began hosting, and that weddings provide a large portion of their overall business. The major venues such as King Family, Pippin Hill, and Veritas recommended booking one to one-and-a-half years in advance of your target date— especially for a Saturday wedding. The less formal venues of Montfair and White Hall Vineyard recommend 8 months to a year of advance planning. The price does not change if the couple opts for a church wedding with only the reception held at the venue. All of these venues welcome same-sex weddings. These venue tours reminded me of college visits with my kids—I wanted to plan a wedding at each of them! No matter which you choose, you will have an enchanting, unforgettable wedding day.

—continued from page 14

don’t provide tables, chairs, linens, or dishes. No amplified music is allowed, and only wine and beer can be served. White Hall often provides the wine for Montfair weddings, which is right down the road. A wedding and reception in the banquet hall costs an affordable $1500 plus an additional $500 if using the tasting room for the cocktail hour. If the reception is held outside, the cost is $900. (www. whitehallvineyards.com) All of the gracious events coordinators I spoke with agreed that their favorite part of the job is the relationships they develop with the bride and groom, and the joy of helping them to create the dream-cometrue day they had envisioned. They all reported that the wedding business has grown expo-

CROZETgazette

OCTOBER 2017

By Lynn Coffey

LYNN COFFEY

One of the earliest ways people covered bare floors was with floorcloths, which were first produced and imported from England prior to 1754. These decorative rugs insulated floors during the cold winter months and protected the wood from wear in summer when heavy wool rugs were taken up. Itinerant stencilers created functional works of art for wealthy individuals, painting solid colors or fancy cloths with borders. The basic procedure for making a floorcloth has not changed through the years. Heavy canvas is prepared and the weave is filled so the cloth can receive the painted design. The paint is applied in layers and then sealed. The result is a carpet that is easily cleaned with a damp mop, tough enough to withstand dogs, children and furniture and customizable in a wide variety of patterns ranging from historic to contemporary. At least three United States presidents had floorcloths in their inventories. George Washington purchased one from Roberts and Company in 1796. Thomas Jefferson had at least two in the White House and several more at Monticello. When John Adams’ term as President was completed, an inventory listed a floorcloth in his possession. Nelson County resident Kay Campbell of Beech Grove got interested in making her own floorcloths after she bought an oriental rug and soon found her cats were clawing and shedding on it, making it hard to clean. Her daughter-in-law mentioned

Popular Williamsburg stencil, “Bump Tavern”

that a friend with pets had switched to floorcloths because of their durability. Campbell had never heard of this type of rug so she went online and noticed that the ones for sale were rather pricey. She looked at sites that offered instructions on how to make your own. She is a confirmed do-it-yourselfer and believes if you have the right tools, you can do pretty much anything you set your mind to. She began making floorcloths in the spring of 2016, just before she retired from U.Va. Then she had extra time for undertaking new projects. Not that she needed one; Kay and her husband Carl are farm folks with plenty of work to keep them busy, but she has always enjoyed handiwork such as quilting, cross stitch and crocheting. Kay learned floorcloths were originally made from sailcloth that was repurposed from ship sails that were torn or damaged. Although these rugs can be made from canvas, Kay prefers sticking with waterproof sailcloth, which she buys at fabric stores. She gave the following instructions on how she goes about making a start-tofinish floorcloth. “The first step is cutting the cloth to the size you want with a two-inch seam on the sides and ends by either sewing or gluing. A friend recently gave me a 1930’s heavy duty Singer sewing machine for stitching but I continue to use glue. It takes 24 hours for the glue to set up and the entire process of making a floorcloth, regardless of size, takes about two weeks.” In the summer months Kay works in her outdoor studio but during the winter she moves inside to her basement. “The next step is putting two coats of paint on top of the cloth. The underside does not need to be painted because the sail cloth is soft and waterproof. I use tan or antique white as my basecoat but any color can be used. Some like a roller but I prefer a two inch brush so I can work the paint into the cloth better.” Another 24 hours between applications is needed to dry properly. Kay uses regular water-based indoor house paint instead of acrylics.

LYNN COFFEY

Antique Floorcloths: Reviving a Functional, Old-Time Craft

Kay Campbell with a pumpkin motif for autumn

The pattern on the rugs is made with stencils that are taped on the cloth and painted onto its surface. For stencil ideas, Kay looks online and in magazines that feature early American and primitive décor. She also makes her own, which are easily cut out of plastic with a wood burning tool and can be reused. When the painting and stenciling are done, five coats of

polyurethane are applied, with an overnight drying period between coats. When finished, the final product is a thing of beauty as well as a functional addition to any home. Floorcloths wear well and are easily kept clean with a damp cloth. The only thing that will mar the rugs is a bend in the fabric, which makes a permanent crease, so keeping it flat is

continued on page 35

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OCTOBER 2017

For over 35 years, the Green Olive Tree, Inc. has gladly accepted donations of toys, shoes, clothing, household goods, books, linens, and kitchen items that are available to the community at low prices. Please visit us anytime! The third full week of every month is a $10 bag sale (tax included). Looking forward to your visit!

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Nancy Virginia Bain (second from right) at the ribbon cutting for The Green Olive Tree’s current location in 2011.

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Despite the impressive construction project right next to us on Three Notch’d Road, The Green Olive Tree continues to thrive. We are excited about our growth and mission: “Giving to others through Christ.” The Tree gains new friends daily. Yes, we have recently lost several valuable volunteers. All of the community feels the void left when our dear Nancy Virginia Bain passed away last spring. She was one of our “founding mothers.” We will always miss her warmth and smile. Her presence was a blessing. Thankfully, June Andrews, our longest serving volunteer and “founding mother,” is with us. Two other valued workers moved from our area because of family relocations: Monica Viera and Carol Marshall are greatly missed. However, in true Olive Tree fashion, we have been blessed with several new and committed volunteers. Our ability to aid Christian and community causes has expanded. We encourage our Crozet costumers and friends to visit and view the expanded list of groups that benefit from our bounty and sales. As a section 501(c)(3) organization we are an open book. We do not really “brag” about what we are able to give, but we are more than a friendly store filled with terrific bargains. Equipping the Saints in

Weyers Cave (visited by several of our volunteers on a recent field trip) is one recipient of our excess clothes and monetary donations. Our visiting volunteers were amazed at the scope and spirit of their work, ranging from hurricane relief to supplying Christina literature to prisoners. The Vietnam Vets Store in Richmond makes weekly pickups of excess housewares. When individual families have emergencies and are in need, we honor referrals from churches and community groups. The Green Olive Tree has established a number of scholarships for Western Albemarle High School students. Of course, challenges continue. We are appreciative to all who donate. We strongly urge that donations be dropped off during store hours so they can be properly accepted and processed. Bag Sale is traditionally featured on the third full week of the month. The sale price has been raised to $10, tax included. This is a jump from our former price of $8 plus tax. Most costumers understand and realize the tremendous value they are receiving, as well as enhancing our ability to help others. Our hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. We would like to expand our afternoon hours. Perhaps we can do this when more volunteers appear.

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OCTOBER 2017

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Fall is Awesome Fall is here! If you listen you can hear the collective sigh from all the dogs out there celebrating the final end of the “dog days of summer” and quite a few dog days of September, too. Who is not energized by the cooler temps, autumn colors, lower humidity, and a general calling to be outdoors? Fall is definitely the best season to be a dog— trust me, they tell me these things! But they also tell me there’s a few downsides, too. Awesome things about fall: Cooler temps. Although the phrase “the dog days of summer” actually originated with the ancient Greeks’ tracking of the constellation Sirius, the association with hot, lazy dogs seems more plausible to us modern folk and it has stuck around. It is tough being a dog in the Virginia summer! Walks at 7 a.m. are hot. Walks at 9 p.m. are hot. Our homes with the A/C on are still hot. If there is one overriding thing that really limits a dog’s activity, it is the heat. My family and I were fortunate to be able to take a trip to Alaska this summer and we took a side trip one day to a summer camp for sled dogs. The dogs, all Alaskan Huskies, were awesome. These particular teams regularly compete in 500-mile races in the winter. We were in awe of it all. I talked with them about exercising dogs in Virginia, and how hard it was to do anything with them in the summer heat. I always feel like I’m being conservative when I tell people not to take your dogs running when it’s over 70 degrees F. I asked them about the ideal temperatures for running their sled dogs. “Negative 20 degrees F is perfect. They can run all day at -20. -10 is ok, but when it gets close to 0 degrees, we have to really ease up and take lots of breaks or they’ll get overheated.” Wow.

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No wonder my labs still act like they’re dying when I take them trail running in 50 degree temps! Every dog is thrilled that the fall temps have arrived. No more sleeping on the slate and hard tiles to keep cool! More hiking. Piggybacking on #1, fall is a time when we are more motivated to get outside and go hiking in the woods, one of the top favorite activities according to dogs everywhere. Cool temps, new scents, and motivated owners make for happy weekends and great family excursions all around. Dogs love when their whole pack is on the move, so don’t forget your dogs on those fall family hikes and camping trips. Fewer snakes and bees. There are only two animals that make me a little nervous about traipsing around in the woods. Not bears, not coyotes, not rabid bobcats. It’s yellow jackets (aka ground wasps) and snakes, and August and September are definitely yellow jacket and snake season! I’m no entomologist, so I can’t explain why, but every late summer/early fall, yellow jackets seem to build their nests in the ground right near popular hiking trails such as the Appalachian Trail or in Mint Springs. The unsuspecting group of hikers goes by and suddenly gets nailed by aggressive wasps! Also, I’m sorry to say,

continued on page 44

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MIKE MARSHALL

Rev. Alan Follett

Follett Takes Up Pastorship at Mount Moriah Rev. Alan Follett’s early career was as a political consultant, a high stakes turf, but faith has lead him to Mt. Moriah United Methodist in White Hall, where he became pastor in July. He replaces Rev. John Ward, who returned to his home state of West Virginia to pastor a church there. Follett was barely on the job before a health crisis struck as he was about to give a homily and temporarily laid him out. “God willing, this is my last assignment,” said Follett, 65, who spent the last nine years as pastor for what’s called the Rapidan Charge, a three-church circuit in Madison County. “Mandatory retirement is 72, so I hope to be here until then.” Meanwhile Follett’s agenda is to stir up outreach at Mt. Moriah and to connect with local churches for joint causes. Follett came to the ministry from the Machiavellian world of political campaigning. “I spent 15 years as a consultant in Richmond for Republicans on state and federal campaigns. It was a job. I was grateful to work with people I liked,” he said. But after one bare-knuckled campaign, work dried up. “Blackballed,” after which hetook any menial job he could find.” He had a degree from Mary Washington University. An old friend from the Marines and the CIA suggested the clergy, an old aspiration. So he went to Duke Divinity School and the Wesleyan Theological Seminary in D.C. “I loved the rigorousness of it,” he said. “I got a political gig, finally,

and my wife said to me, ‘Hey! I thought you wanted to be a pastor?’ I have wanted to be a minister since I was eight. I used to take notes on my ministers.” Follett said he grew up “in a violent alcoholic household.” His minister kept supplying his mother with food for the family in ways his father did not know about. “He is my model for a pastor,” said Follett. “I liked the fact he went the extra mile and it was not about him. It got so bad at our house, we had a social worker call. She would not sit in our stained old chair. But the minister did, as if it were a throne.” Follett’s first appointment was to a church in Bassett, for four years, and then at Lyndhurst Methodist, over the mountain from Crozet, and then at Rapidan. “Our clergy superintendent called and said, ‘I need you to come here [to Mt. Moriah]. It was nice to be asked. “I have a background in building community. I’m all about this. In Madison I was administrator of a benevolence fund that was putting out $4,000 a month. You see that connection with my childhood? The Mathew 25 Fund. All checks were hand delivered. They [the recipients] get there after one bad choice after another.” “Any church needs its pastor to lead. This church is forthright, generous and agenda-less. They just need a leader. They want a grown-up. I’m thoroughly unruffled. I don’t push.

My boss knows these are good people who are hungry for leadership. “I have a strong ecclesiality. I want people to love church as much as I do. I have to get over that and work with what I have. Churches don’t have the influence they used to. But this church is going to be better.” He prepares his own sermons and one from August 10, Be Not Afraid, was circulated among other Charlottesvillearea churches. It was when he was about to deliver a sermon in July that he collapsed from congestive heart failure caused by sepsis from an infection in his foot. In August he had recovered and is now trying to improve his heart strength. “Mt. Moriah has been very accommodating to me. They carried me out of here on the 16th and got me to the Emergency Room. I was away

four weeks. I’ve never seen more done in that time. They want to work, to do things. They’re ready to make a difference. So far, so good. I want to work with every church in Crozet.” He’s doing the sermon for the Crozet community Thanksgiving service and Mt. Moriah intends to host more events, too, he said. His office includes a “No Whining” sign above his desk and a picture of Sam and Dave, the early Rock and Roll stars—“Because they would not talk to each other, but they still made beautiful music,” Follett explained. There’s also a portrait of Mark Twain, the great American wit and moralist, as well as, of course, a cross. “I want to be a non-anxious presence that can be trusted. It’s a count-your-blessings moment at Mt. Moriah.”

Religion News By Theresa Curry theresa@crozetgazette.com

Interim Rector Zachary Fleetwood at St. Paul’s St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Ivy announces the appointment of the Very Reverend Zachary Fleetwood as interim rector. Fleetwood retired in 2011 as Dean of the American Cathedral in Paris. Before his time in Paris, he served as rector of St. Peter’s Church in Morristown, New Jersey, Grace Church in The Plains, Virginia, and associate rector at Christ Church, Georgetown, in Washington, D.C. Since retirement, Fleetwood has served two parishes in transition: St. Peter’s Church in Savannah and St. Columba’sby-the-Castle Scottish Episcopal Church in Edinburgh. A native Virginian, Fleetwood studied at the University of Edinburgh and holds degrees from the Virginia Theological Seminary, the University of Virginia and Guilford College. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1988. Fleetwood enjoys travel, bicycling, cooking, music, art, architecture and design. He has been married to Donna Fleetwood for 44 years,

and they have a grown son and 7-year-old granddaughter in Paris.

Rev. Jane Sigloh Interim rector at Emmanuel Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Greenwood recently announced that Rev. Jane Sigloh is now serving as interim rector. Sigloh received an undergraduate degree from Sweet Briar College, a Masters in English and Creative Writing from Hollins University, and a Masters in Divinity from Yale Divinity School. She was a parish priest in Staunton until her retirement from there in 1998. After retirement, she served as a chaplain to the House of Bishops, part of the Episcopal Church’s governing body, and a teacher in the Preaching Excellence Program. She’s the author of two books: Like Trees Walking—in the Second Half of Life, was published in 2007. Her latest, Gracious Uncertainty— Faith in the Second Half of Life, will be released this month. Sigloh and her husband Denny have six children and ten grandchildren.

CROZETgazette

OCTOBER 2017

Crozet

Weather Almanac

SEPTEMBER 2017

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No Rain in 24 Days We finished September on a stretch of 17 straight days with no rain. Looking at the current weather pattern, Heidi and I think that will last through the first seven days of October, bringing the final streak to 24. That, of course, got us digging into the record book to find the longest dry stretch on record. Fall is interesting for rainfall because it is the wettest time of the year, but also the driest. Most of our rain at this time of year comes from the leftover pieces of hurricanes. The wettest month in the record books was September 1987, when over 17 inches of rain fell. Most of the wettest months on record are in September. But most of the driest also come in fall, such as October 2000, when just 0.01” of rain fell. This year, there have been plenty of hurricanes but most of the moisture has missed us. We got a little bit from the remnants of Harvey, but the others

left us dusty and dry. A scan of the record book shows the longest period without any measureable rain was 37 days in October and November of 2001. We have mostly complete rainfall records back to 1911. Second place goes to 2007 with a string of 34 days ending in October. But the distant past had their dry stretches, too. Droughts longer than 25 days also hit in 1918, 1920, 1930, 1934, 1941 and 1964. Our current streak, expected to end at 24, will be the 13th longest in history. The longer-term drought conditions are starting to be somewhat of a concern. We haven’t had a significant threat to reservoirs or water tables since the drought of 2002. The odds are that winter rains and snows will recharge the water table, but if we have a dry winter, next summer and fall could pose a drought problem.

Floorcloths

School Notes

essential. Kay recommends a rug pad to keep it in place. Kay’s hobby has turned into a small business and she can make any size, any color, up to a 5’x7’ area rug. Floorcloths are durable and long-lasting, bringing many years of pleasure to their owners. For more information, Kay can be reached at 434-3619186.

you can use your imagination. You kind of get to ‘make the painting’ in your mind.” For his entry, Fusco is considering trying his hand at haiku, a short form of poetry introduced by Richardson at Murray—just one of many creative doors opened by the inspirational power of Writer’s Eye.

—continued from page 31

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transient use rental occurs. Rooms in townhouse or apartments cannot be rented. Rooms in detached structures, such as garages, cannot be rented out. Weddings or special events are not allowed without a special use permit. The county charges a $108 fee to get a permit to offer transient lodging. The house is inspected and parking is considered. The fire marshal and the health department may also need to approve the location. Their charges total $90. House owners are required to collect the county’s transient lodging tax as well and pay it on a

monthly basis. There are 120 permitted facilities now, Ragsdale said, noting that an investigation of advertised rooms showed about 300 available in the county at the moment the market was surveyed, suggesting that many unpermitted rooms are being rented. Ragsdale said the county is considering allowing whole house rental. She said there have only been 10 complaints to the county about transient lodging since 2005, most from disturbed neighbors. The sticker vote of meeting attenders suggested that about a quarter of respondents thought no expansion should be allowed and most thought some use should be permitted.

No Longer Temporary Bridge The Crozet Trails Crew puts the finishing touches on the replacement for the “temporary” bridge behind the Dog Park in Crozet Park, which has been in place for 3 years. Top handrails will be added

in time for their 5K Trail Run on October 7 (crozettrailscrew. org). From left to right: Terri Miyamoto, Phil Best, Bob Dombrowe, and David Miyamoto.

BY DR. ROBERT C. REISER

crozetannals@crozetgazette.com

Who’ll Stop the Rain? As a physician I have seen the effects that bullets have on human bodies up close. I have studied the science of the effects of bullets on human bodies. I have at my fingertips vast research on mitigating the effects of bullets on human bodies. Over the years we doctors have accumulated great knowledge of how to treat gunshot wounds and by diligently studying the problem we have had success in improving the survival of human beings shot by other human beings. What I don’t know is how to prevent the uniquely American public health problem of massive gun violence. I don’t know how to do this because, for the most part, the U.S. research establishment has been forbidden by the federal government from studying gun violence. It wasn’t always this way. In 1993 Art Kellerman, an emergency medicine physician, and his colleagues published an article in the New England Journal of Medicine titled, “Gun ownership as a risk factor for homicide in the home.” The study was funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dr. Kellerman is also an epidemiologist and professor of public health, and he approached the topic as a public health issue that could be understood and solved using the CDCs methods of information gathering and analysis. The study found that having a handgun in a home increased the risk of homicide in that home by 270 percent. They found no protective effect to having a gun in the home. Most of the homicides were perpetrated by family members or intimate acquaintances. This study was a widely disseminated and discussed and provoked a backlash by the NRA, which campaigned to eliminate the CDC’s National

Center for Injury Prevention, which had funded the study. As a result of this campaign, the 1996 budget act included the infamous “Dickey Amendment,” named after then-Representative Jay Dickey (R-AR). The Dickey Amendment, which survives to this day, states that none of the funds made available for injury prevention and control at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention may be used to advocate or promote gun control. And that was that. Since 1996 the CDC’s funding for firearm injury prevention has fallen 96 percent and is now just $100,000 of the agency’s $5.6 billion budget. Compare that to the success of the public health model used to tackle the epidemic of highway fatalities. In 1966 the House passed the Highway Safety Act of by a vote of 318-3, despite opposition by the auto industry. I guess there was more bipartisanship back then. In signing the measure into law, President Lyndon B. Johnson noted that, over the years, more than 1.5 million of “our fellow citizens have died on our streets and highways—nearly three times as many Americans as we have lost in all our wars.” “Safety is no luxury item,” the president added, “no optional extra; it must be a normal cost of doing business.” The first director of what ultimately became the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) under this act, William Haddon MD, was also an epidemiologist and he proposed looking at highway fatalities as a preventable illness. He defined interactions between the host (humans), the agent of injury (motor vehicles), and various environmental (the highway) factors before, during, and after

CROZETgazette

crashes resulting in injuries. Tackling problems identified with each factor during each phase of the crash, NHTSA initiated a public health campaign to prevent motor-vehicle-related injuries. As a result, changes in both vehicle and highway design followed this campaign. Vehicles (the agents of injury) were built with new safety features, including seat belts, then shoulder belts, head rests, energy-absorbing steering wheels, shatter-resistant windshields, airbags, antilock brakes and electronic stability control. Each of these interventions was tested in crash test labs and in use and found to save lives. Roads (the environment of injury) were improved by better delineation of curves (edge and center line stripes and reflectors), use of breakaway sign and utility poles, improved illumination, addition of barriers separating oncoming traffic lanes, rumble strips, and better guardrails. These interventions were studied and found to decrease injuries and deaths. Host (Drivers) factors were also modified with stricter DUI laws and enforcement, seat belt and child safety seat laws and

OCTOBER 2017

enforcement and graduated licensing for younger age drivers. The results have been dramatic and something we now take for granted as a good idea, despite their costs and limits on personal freedoms. In 1966 there were 50,894 traffic fatalities, a per capita rate of 26 traffic fatalities per 100,000 population. In 2015, with a much larger population driving many more miles, there were 35,092 traffic fatalities, or, on a per capita basis, 11 traffic fatalities per 100,000 population. In terms of fatalities per vehicle miles traveled (VMT), the improvement has been even more dramatic, down from 5.5 fatalities per 100 million VMT in 1966 to 1 fatality per 100 million VMT in 2015. So I guess I do know how to stop the epidemic of gun violence. As with highway fatalities, we need to look at gun deaths as preventable illnesses. We need to study them, using the tools we have at the CDC and the National Institutes of Health that have been so successful in other epidemic diseases. Clearly from the events of this week, not funding study of the problem is not working.

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OCTOBER 2017

CHARLES KIDDER

inthegarden@crozetgazette.com

Ivy League We’re all familiar with grapes, sometimes as a fruit to be consumed as such, but also in jellies and various liquid forms as well. We’ve also likely noticed grape vines themselves, either in the numerous vineyards that have proliferated in the last few years or clambering up trees along roadsides. And a walk in the woods of the eastern United States often reveals the massive Tarzan vines of a mature grape plant. But do the various grape species have any place in an ornamental garden? The short answer: probably not. The lack of showy flowers, plus the only so-so fall coloration, not to mention the rambunctious growth habit, generally relegate the practice of deliberately growing grapes (Vitis spp.) to those who actually want to harvest the fruits. A few varieties with showy foliage are out there, mostly grown by Europeans, who seem more accepting of plants climbing over their buildings. Other members of the grape family (Vitaceae) can have ornamental possibilities, however, with some major caveats. Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia), a vine native to most of the eastern and central U.S., has attractive glossy green foliage in the summer, turning purple- to crimson-red in the fall. Its palmate leaf has five leaflets, differentiating it from the unrelated poison ivy’s three-part leaves— except that the young leaves on Virginia Creeper may also have only three leaflets. It’s one of the first plants to show fall coloration in our area; in fact, by

now many of the leaves may have already dropped owing to recent dry weather. As the leaves drop, they reveal attractive bluish black berries that are eaten by wildlife. And here’s the first caveat: the berries are toxic. Adults aren’t likely to be consuming them, but kids might. Perhaps of more concern with Virginia Creeper is the effect of the sap on some people, and here is where we get into the murky depths of internet “facts.” Based on my rather cursory research, it does appear that for some individuals the sap will produce a rash similar to that caused by poison ivy. Note that I’ve said the sap causes the problem; apparently merely brushing against an unbroken leaf or stem will not produce a reaction. But given Virginia Creeper’s rampant growth rate, it’s not unlikely that you’ll find yourself having to prune it at some point. If so, wear gloves, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt. Even then, some people claim they’ve been exposed to the sap when they removed their clothing. So keep your gloves on, remove your clothing, then throw everything away? I’m not sure I have a good answer for this. While fairly recently I might have advised to enjoy wild Virginia Creeper or maybe even plant it on a remote corner of your property, now I’d recommend that you treat it with great respect. If you’re (still) looking to buy it, you probably won’t find it at the big box stores, but Lazy S’s Farm does carry it, as does Hummingbird Hill Nursery. A cousin to Virginia Creeper, Boston Ivy (Parthenocissus tricsupidata) has not been widely reported to produce similar skin reactions, although I did find

Virginia creeper

one source that did make that claim; I assume the berries would still be toxic, however. Boston Ivy’s leaves are generally entire, i.e. not divided into leaflets, but they are three-lobed. This is the “ivy” that covers colleges and other buildings in the northeast. (It’s not a true ivy, that honor going to the invasive English Ivy, Hedera helix.) Boston Ivy is not from the city of the same name, rather being native to Japan and China. And here’s where the nomenclature gets even more confusing: the yellow-leaved cultivar ‘Fenway Park’ was reportedly discovered growing near the baseball park, not on it. But Wrigley Field in Chicago actually does have an ivy-covered wall in the outfield. While both Virginia Creeper and Boston Ivy can serve as deciduous ground covers, they also have the advantage of being able to cling to almost any structure and climb to considerable heights. Unlike twining vines such as honeysuckle and wisteria, the Parthenocissus cousins have tendrils that secrete calcium carbonate, actually gluing themselves to walls and trees. This climbing proficiency can turn to a disadvantage when you decide you’ve had enough of the plant. Supposedly the tendrils do not damage surfaces while they’re actually attached; the problem arises when you try to pull them off. The solution: cut the vine at the base, the top will die, and the tendrils will

eventually lose their grip. Unfortunately, in the meantime, you’ll be looking at an ugly dead vine. One other genus in the grape family deserves mention. The porcelain berries (Ampelopsis spp.) produce attractive spotted fruits that mature from cream-colored, to pale lilac, and on to bright blue, often in the same cluster. The fruits alone would be sufficient reason to grow the plant if it weren’t so aggressive. The Asian species (A. brevipedunculata, aka A. glandulosa) ranks High on the Virginia Invasive Plant Species List, and should be removed from any property. Pepper Vine (A. arborea) is native to southern and eastern Virginia; if you grew this species you could take some comfort in growing a native aggressive plant. The Asian species has simple leaves somewhat resembling those of Boston Ivy; the American plant has compound leaves, generally with 17-19 leaflets. Aside from a few warnings about toxicity and invasiveness(?!), you’re now prepared to enjoy these members of the grape family. As for their rampant growth habits, you just need to adopt a new attitude. The Brits seem to enjoy having their cottages and manor homes swallowed up by these vines, sometimes with only the windows still poking through foliage. As a bonus, the vines do keep south-facing walls cooler.

CROZETgazette

OCTOBER 2017

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FIVE HOUSE NEWS by Justin ide The little village once known as “Wayland’s Crossing,” now called Crozet, has gone though a transition from a traditional farming, orchard, and railroad community, into a bustling town of professionals and families, as the footprint of Charlottesville and Albemarle County expands. One constant in this changing world has been the Crozet Volunteer Fire Department and its members serving selflessly at the fire house. Established in 1910, one of the first fire companies in Albemarle County, the Crozet Volunteer Fire Department is a fully volunteer fire department and its members are your neighbors and friends. It’s designated now as station 5 in the county’s fire and rescue system. One who continues to serve some 60-plus years later is V.L. James. James, who is 80 years old now, and who drove and pumped on his last fire when he was 75, got his start in the department at the age of 18. He talked about what it was like back then while sitting at his dining room table surrounded by plaques, photos, and mementos from his time with the department. “In the beginning, when we moved into Crozet back in the

early 50s—1952, ’53—my Daddy got involved with the fire department. They would let me hang around down there, wash the fire trucks and pull them outside,” when he was not yet of driving age. James recounted his dramatic start in the department. “I remember one thing. They had a ’49 Chevrolet tanker . . . I pulled it out one day in the street, and was backing up, and couldn’t see good so I opened the door to look back, and tore the door all to pieces ,” he laughed. “I offered to pay for it, even though I didn’t have any money,” he said, continuing to chuckle, “and they had a meeting about it and dropped the case. Right after that I became a full-fledged member at the age of 18.” V.L. emphasized that in the beginning it was a simpler time, and firefighters were little trained but often called upon. “You know, when I joined, the only thing the fire department knew was ‘surround and drown.’ We had no training whatsoever.” At that time, many of the active members lived and worked in Crozet proper, and it wasn’t uncommon to see members dropping their work tools—butcher knives, barbers

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CROZETgazette

OCTOBER 2017

MARLENE A. CONDON

The New Ecology There is so much talk these days about sustainability that you are probably tired of hearing that word. However, a recently published book—The New Ecology: Rethinking A Science for The Anthropocene (Princeton University Press, 2017)—provides extremely valuable insight to what sustainability is truly all about and why it matters so much to each and every one of us. Yale University professor and author Oswald J. Schmitz furnishes us with numerous in-depth examples of how human behavior can alter ecosystems (the communities of living things interacting with their non-living environments) so much that they can no longer support us. He does a superb job of making clear why humans must learn to take into account the natural world when deciding how to live their lives. For example, codfish off the coast of northern New England and Canada were once so plentiful that they sometimes stopped the progress of ships! When discovered by European explorer John Cabot in 1497, no one could have imagined that the commercial cod fishery that would develop from these stocks would end 500 years later in a devastating collapse that would not be possible to resuscitate. The story of this fishery provides a historically detailed case study that illustrates how human exploitation of a resource species can lead ultimately to an alteration in the proper functioning of the ecosystem and thus to disastrous consequences for humans. The inability of cod to recover by the end of the twentieth century resulted in serious economic and social consequences for the coastal communities of New England and Eastern Canada,

as well as Europe. Portuguese, French, Spanish, and English fishermen started harvesting cod off Newfoundland in the 1500s, when they mostly caught inshore fish by trawling baited long-lines or by casting small nets from rowing or sailing dories. The cod was salted and dried throughout the summer, and the fishermen would return with the preserved fish to Europe in the fall. With the building of permanent settlements along the seacoast from Newfoundland to New England, however, fishing became a major enterprise. Larger ships, known as schooners, carried dories to harvest cod in offshore waters as well as inshore. Size-selective fishing began, with the largest fish (90100-pound range) being valued more highly than middle- (6090-pound range) or small-sized (less than 60 pounds) fish. Increasing societal demand meant major American cities as well as European and Caribbean markets received fish, increasing the need to catch ever more cod, preferably the largest ones. With the development of the factory ship that could catch and hold larger quantities of fish, the small-scale 450-year-old inshore fishery was doomed to extinction as cod fishing became an industrialized activity. Gigantic vessels employed emerging sonar technology (a product of World War II inventiveness) to electronically pinpoint the locations of codfish. The ships trawled huge nets behind them that could capture large amounts of fish in a single sweep. Factory fishing led to a rapid increase in harvests, which dramatically crashed in the mid1990s, halting the entire northern cod fishery, probably forever. The takeaway from this situation is that humans cannot just increase or decrease their “withdrawals” from the environment based solely upon changes in human demands or prices with-

A burgeoning human population places serious strain upon natural systems as well as manmade ones.

out any regard whatsoever to their effect upon the harvested population. When harvest levels fell, fishermen should have backed off to allow the cod to reproduce and rebuild their numbers. Instead, the fishing effort increased, and people added insult to injury by taking the largest fish. By taking the largest individuals, people reduced the productivity of the cod because larger fish reproduce better than smaller ones. But it was not just the cod’s inability to reproduce their numbers as quickly as they might have that drove this fishery to extinction. No, it is more complicated than that, which is why understanding the life histories of our fellow creatures is so vital to our ability to sustain their existence as well as our own. The larger codfish were top predators in their ecosystem. They fed upon mid-sized predators, such as squid, crab, and mackerel that feed upon small-bodied larval and juvenile cod (as well as other kinds of tiny animals). Larger-sized adult cod are better able than smaller cod to assist their offspring to reach adulthood by limiting these mid-sized predators. In other words, it is now much more difficult for young cod to reach adulthood, which limits the numbers of adults to reproduce, which limits the numbers of young cod, and so on ad infinitum. Because humans did not recognize cod as part of a system of interdependent species, they created a series of cascading effects that keeps the cod from recovering to harvestable levels, despite the now-decades-long moratorium on fishing. Accepting the reality that species are part of complex food webs that humans need to

respect and work within is what sustainability is all about. Professor Schmitz includes many other such narratives in his book, including a fascinating one explaining the importance of termites to such large animals as zebras, buffaloes, impalas, and wildebeests. (Who knew?) These accounts should probably be required reading for students and adults alike as they make the concept and importance of sustainability easy to grasp and to truly appreciate. However, I feel the thesis of this book is seriously flawed. Professor Schmitz seems to believe that environmental problems wrought by people can be solved simply by teaching folks about the relationship of organisms with each other and their environment, which will, he hopes, lead to people choosing to live in a more thoughtful (i.e., sustainable) manner. But even if people got the message and reacted accordingly, a burgeoning human population makes sustainability impossible. All organisms, including humans, must be limited in number because that is the only way in which the environment can function properly. Organisms need space, food, and shelter to live among us, but it is exceedingly difficult to get people to provide habitat for wildlife. Government does not help, what with regulations and tax laws that discourage appropriate landscaping. Humans have significantly altered the world we live in, which some folks may believe is a good thing. But the diminishing capacities of the Earth’s ecosystems to sustain their proper functioning is cause for concern that must be addressed if we expect human life to persist on Earth.

CROZETgazette

—continued from page 8

Virginia Tech seemed a logical choice. Once he had some practical experience, though, his contacts with wealthy horse owners gave him a glimpse of how the relationship difficulties of the rich affect all those who serve them. So how about hogs? “Too smelly,” he concluded. Poultry seemed to be the best choice, and he stayed on at Virginia Tech to study the reproductive physiology and nutritional needs of poultry. He’d also met Cari, his future wife. If Judd’s path seems a little crooked, Cari’s was a mountain switchback. Like Judd, she started off wanting to be a veterinarian, but soon found out she loved research, and had a talent for it. Most fascinating to her were studies of immunology, and she was able to translate some of her experience with animals into human cancer research. Eventually, she got a post-doc position as a researcher in Scotland, studying the complicated connections between fat and inflammation, with implications not only for heart disease but also for cancer. Judd was able to use his experience with poultry nutrition––he’d worked for Butterball in North Carolina while Cari was accumulating degrees––to call on farmers throughout the UK. They eventually ended up in England, where two events put them on another turn-around, this time on a path back to Virginia, The first was meeting Paul Kelly through Judd’s job and becoming familiar with the “Kelly Bronze” turkey, a breed as “close to wild as is possible on a farm,” Judd said. Then there was their first son, Afton, who was diagnosed with autism while still very young. With support and training from Kelly, the couple accepted the challenge of raising the Kelly Bronze not far from U.Va.’s Autism Center. These days, Cari walks fence lines, transports children and interacts with the llamas who protect the turkeys from predators, accompanied by her sons and Judd when he’s not at his job dispensing advice to other poultry farmers. The flock is expanding, and so is public

demand for a turkey allowed to grow slowly, roam freely, reach maturity and taste rich and moist. To find out more, or order a turkey, go to www.kellybronze.com.

THERESA CURRY

Offbeat

OCTOBER 2017

Meditation Teachers

The two women were part of the same family and also connected through their high-energy, government jobs in suburban D.C. Johannah Dottore had a job in the Clinton administration and Crystal Oliver was a Lt. Colonel in the Army, working in communications at the Pentagon. Their world changed forever when Chris, Dottore’s brother and Oliver’s husband, was diagnosed with fatal brain cancer. The large family would gather at Oliver’s house in Alexandria, huddling together for comfort. “It got to be a struggle when Chris started losing his words,” Crystal said. “We all wanted to be with him, but we didn’t want to just sit there staring at him.” They began to meditate, a practice Chris himself had begun as part of dealing with his illness. “One time, when Chris was still walking, he fell down and said, ‘why can’t we just stay on the floor for a while,’ so I sat down, too, and we just sat together.” Another sister-in-law, Marcia, was a Zen Buddhist monk and sometimes led them. They became accustomed to having family together every night, leaving from time to time to have private conversations, or walk the dogs, or drink beer on the porch, or fix a meal. But they’d return to the circle, sitting in peace by the patient’s bed. “It saved me,” Dottore remembered: “By then I had moved to Crozet and I’d be driving up to see Chris, almost frantic. I’d be in all the traffic and feel worse and worse, then get there and be at home.” Nieces and nephews, brothers and sisters gathered, all of them sitting in stillness at times, just doing their best to be there for Chris and each other. Once, when Chris could still talk, he told the women that there should be a place where people could gather to meditate without distraction. “That stuck with us,” Dottore said. “We began to talk about it and make plans.”

Johannah Dottore and Crystal Oliver of A Place to Breathe

“Whenever we talked about it, we’d feel better,” Oliver said. “To me, that was an important sign we were headed in the right direction.” Then Chris told them, “You have everything you need to make this happen.” With this blessing, they proceeded, and it helped them get through the darkest days after his death in 2008. And they got closer and closer to each other: “It took me 20 minutes to get from my office in the Pentagon to my car,” Oliver said. “I’d call her, and she’d always answer. She’d talk me through it, going home to that empty house.” It moved fast: Oliver retired, sold her house, moved to

Crozet. They found a cottage for rent at Ivy Commons. Both women received instruction to be yoga as well as meditation teachers. In 2010, A Place to Breathe opened. From the start, their mission was to be accessible: to offer gentle yoga and quiet space for those who needed it. They’re also out in the community almost every day, offering classes to seniors or those in rehabilitation. Looking back, they both realize that they learned from their suffering as well as their disciplined reflection. “We don’t hold back,” Oliver said. “If something looks like fun, we’ll jump right in.”

Five House

who took over for Charlottesville. If we had questions, we’d slide downtown and ask him. He was a great mentor for us.” James was named Firefighter of the Year many times thoughout his career with the department, and worked at Red Front Market, now Crozet Great Valu Grocery Store for his whole life. James retired from Great Valu in December 2016 as a butcher and meat department manager. James was present at the scene of the crash of Piedmont Airlines Flight 349 into Bucks Elbow Mountain above Crozet in 1959. James said the crash site, where 26 died, was a scene of carnage that he wished he had never seen. These days, many members work in Charlottesville or farther away, and most employers don’t allow people to leave work in the middle of the day to respond to an incident, no matter how altruistic it might be. Nonetheless, the commitment and sacrifice of the volunteers are no less significant today.

—continued from page 39

shears, fruit baskets, or hammers, to respond to the wail of the fire house siren. “I remember one day, Dabney Via and I, were racing, foot racing really, down the street,” James said, “and Dabney slipped and fell on some loose gravel, and tore his knee all to pieces, but he got up and come on to the fire house.” Early firefighting in Crozet was done while wearing regular work clothes and sometimes canvas jackets. Air packs, which are required today, were introduced with the help of James in the late 1960s. “We had a lot of structure fires because the buildings were old, but as time went on a couple of us decided we needed to improve, so we bought a few manuals and read them, and passed them around,” said James. “Our biggest asset, in the late 60s and early 70s, was past fire chief Julian Taliaferro,

CROZETgazette

OCTOBER 2017

Troy Ronald Durham Troy Ronald Durham, 51, of Glen Allen, Virginia, formerly of Crozet, died on September 2, 2017. He was preceded in death by his father, Thomas Ronald “Root” Durham. He is survived by his wife, Kelly Sullivan Durham; and sons, Tucker and Patrick of Glen Allen; his mother, Carolyn Clark Durham of Charlottesville; his sister, Ashley Durham Smith and her husband, Joshua, of Dallas, Texas; and many aunts, uncles and cousins. Born on June 28, 1966, Troy was a gifted athlete. He excelled and lettered in basketball, baseball and golf at Western Albemarle High School and was selected Athlete of the Year his 1984 senior year, setting records that stood for almost 20 years. From there, he attended Virginia Wesleyan College, where he became the first freshman to be named AllConference Golf Medalist of the Dixie Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. He was

his home, and keeping everything perfect for the birds in the yard. He was a talented cook and was proud to be a stay-athome dad to Tucker and Patrick for the last decade. Troy will forever be in our hearts...some lights shine so very bright but are extinguished too soon. A Celebration of Life was held at Mount Vernon Baptist Church in Glen Allen with burial and graveside service at

Rockgate Cemeter in Crozet September 12. In lieu of flowers, the family is suggesting check donations payable to the “Troy Durham Memorial Fund” be taken to any Wells Fargo bank in the U.S. These funds will be used to support college expenses for Troy’s two young sons. Below is a poem written by Troy that his family wanted to share.

Old Crozet Old Crozet, that’s where I was grown, Only wish they had left her alone. Just a little small town, kind of hard to find, Those that lived there, we never seemd to mind.

later a PGA golf professional at Belmont Golf Course in Henrico County. Troy had a great sense of humor and a generous heart. He was the life of the party and loyal to his many friends. He was an avid sports fan, always cheering for the Dallas Cowboys and UVA, and spent time coaching baseball and basketball for the local Glen Allen Youth Athletic Association. His true passion was landscaping his picturesque yard, getting the flowers just right at

A place where neighbors were so much more, Hell, we’d spend an hour just talking at the store. Had an old pool hall, it was cold and black, Glad I had a shark to watch my back. Those were the days and those were the years, All the memories still bring me to tears. Old Crozet, that’s where I was grown, Only wish they had left her alone. We’d roll ‘em up fat and light one up, Drink straight whiskey out of any old cup. Had a lot of fun, but we did things right, And it didn’t matter if you were black or white. Times were great, the best I’ve ever had. What made it special was a man I called Dad. Those were the days, those were the years. All the memories still bring me to tears. Old Crozet, that’s where I was grown. Only wish they had left her alone. - Troy Ronald Durham, August 2016

Helen Mae McAllister Helen Mae McAllister, 86, of Crozet, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, August 17, 2017, at her home, surrounded by her family. She was born on April 10, 1931, in Paint Bank, Virginia, and was raised by Sam and Polly Morris. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Hallie Stone, a daughter-inlaw, Linda McAllister, and a son-in-law, Tom Trevillian. Helen married Herbert J. McAllister on October 12, 1949. She was employed by Albemarle County Schools, and later by Acme Visible Records, but her most important role was that of a devoted wife and mother. Helen liked yard sales, and gospel and bluegrass music. She enjoyed being with her friends in the Young At Heart group. Helen is survived by her lov-

ing husband of almost 68 years, Herbert; a son, Herbert McAllister, Jr. (Brenda) of Wendell, North Carolina; a son, Roger McAllister (Norman) of Staunton; a son, Melvin McAllister of Crozet; a daughter, Ann Trevillian (fiancé Mike) of Crozet; a son, Danny McAllister (Donna) of Afton; a son-in-law Raymond Stone of Crozet; 11 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren. A funeral service was held August 22 at Crozet Baptist Church, with Pastor Ron Nickell conducting the service. Interment followed at Mount Moriah United Methodist Church cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Crozet Baptist, Mount Ed Baptist Church of Batesville, or Hospice of the Piedmont.

CROZETgazette

THERESA CURRY

OCTOBER 2017

Serving Western Albemarle Families Since 1967 Robert S. Anderson & John W. Anderson, Jr., D I R E C T O R S

823-5002 5888 St. George Avenue Crozet, VA 22932

Hayley Tompkins and Megan England of the Crozet Library.

What is True: Wising Up in the Era of Fake News By Theresa Curry

theresa@crozetgazette.com

Any random dude in his basement can post fake news, and present it in ways that make it seem believable. That’s what Megan England, the young adult librarian, told the audience of schoolchildren and adults assembled at the Crozet Library on September 13. In fact, it’s a hugely profitable business for some: England told the story of Paul Horner, who says he makes “like $10,000 a month from AdSense.” Horner said he began by seeing his posts as satire, but later realized that people believed his politically extreme fabricated articles and indiscriminately re-tweeted them. In an interview with Buzzfeed, Horner said certain groups of people never factcheck anything, especially when it vilifies a figure they hate, or glorifies their candidate. England also told the group about the flourishing Macedonian industry manned by teenagers who use fake-news sites to profit from American gullibility. She said some of them claim to make thousands per month doing this. The practice of paying per number of views and shares is a great incentive to create stories so bizarre that Facebook users feel compelled to share them with other users. Adding to the problem is the growing practice of framing the posts in the visual context of a “real” news site. She showed the audience various fake renditions of ABC and CNN news

sites. Not everyone is paid for spreading fake news, England said: “Sometimes people participate because they’ll gain a political advantage from an online article, true or not.” Others write solely for the purpose of satire, like “The Onion,” and never expect to be believed. England gave some questions for people of any age to ask about online or emailed information: • Is it from a source created by an entity that knows the subject and cares about the quality? • Is the information current, complete, and correct? Check the date of publication. • Is the source truthful and unbiased? Or are they selling something or supporting a particular point of view? • Are there verifiable sources for the information? Check two or three different sources to support the information. England suggested using snopes.com, politifact.com, and factcheck.org to check online information. Hayley Tompkins, the Crozet Library branch manager, gave those in attendance several reliable, well-maintained databases to use for correct, well-researched information. To find them, go to www. jmrl.org. She also invited adults and children to enlist the help of the library––either the main help desk or the librarian at the local branch––to help with researching questionable information.

BEREAVEMENTS Helen Mae McAllister, 86

August 17, 2017

Robert Carroll Hebb

August 22, 2017

Edward Means McFarlane, 77

August 26, 2017

Miles Forest Clark, 69

August 28, 2017

Daniel Earl Cason, 31

August 29, 2017

Ruth Painter Cragg, 68

August 31, 2017

Troy Ronald Durham, 51

September 2, 2017

Jean MacKeller Marshall, 93

September 2, 2017

Ardelia Estelle Johnson, 79

September 5, 2017

Charles Harold Laurin, 89

September 6, 2017

Thomas Wayne Thurston, 74

September 6, 2017

Harry Hillary Young Jr., 75

September 8, 2017

Florence Gibson Critzer, 71

September 9, 2017

Michele Ann Shifflett, 49

September 9, 2017

Martha Frances Taylor, 71

September 9, 2017

James Edward Arbaugh, 86

September 10, 2017

Karl Stephen Goodman, 77

September 10, 2017

Allan B. Kindrick, 87

September 14, 2017

Robert Jennings Powell Jr., 68

September 14, 2017

Violet Satterwhite Shifflett, 89

September 14, 2017

Christine Marie Mawyer Chisholm, 84

September 20, 2017

Lorraine Marie Schroyer, 92

September 20, 2017

Aubrey Fredrick Sipe, 79

September 21, 2017

Walter Harding Herring, 92

September 25, 2017

Gazette obituaries are just $25 for up to 500 words and include a photograph. Email ads@crozetgazette.com or call 434-249-4211.

CROZETgazette

OCTOBER 2017

community events OCTOBER 7, 14, 21

Solid Waste Amnesty Days

Rivanna Solid Waste Authority’s Ivy Material Utilization Center on Rt. 637 (Dick Woods Rd,) 3.3 miles south of I-64 will hold bulky waste amnesty days in October. • Saturday, October 7: 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Household Furniture/Mattresses • Saturday, October 14: 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Household Appliances (refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryers, stoves, furnaces, water heaters) • Saturday, October 21: 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Tires. Paint is now collected on a daily basis at Ivy MUC. The program is restricted to sample, quart, 1 gallon and 5 gallon latex and oil-based paints in their original containers.

OCTOBER 8

White Hall Open House An open house at the White Hall Community Building is being hosted at 2 - 4 p.m. on Sunday, October 8, by the White Hall Ruritan Club. The club is rededicating the century-old building as a celebration of major renovations made over the past few years. Thanks to the community members who have donated their services and money to reach this point. The community is invited to the party to enjoy the Crozet Jam Band and refreshments. The Community Building is located at 2904 Brown’s Gap Road, at the intersection of Routes 614 and 810.

OCTOBER 13

Crozet Jam Band The Crozet Jam Band has moved its meeting time at Starr Hill Brewery to the second Friday of the each month for the rest of the year The next appearance will be Friday, October 13, from 7 to 9 p.m. The themes will be songs by Van Morrison, Emmylou Harris and The Band. There is no cover charge and audience participation is encouraged. Individuals

from the audience may come up on stage and lead a song, and the Jam Band takes requests from its 165+ song songbook. Dinner from a food truck is available until 9 p.m. See www. youtube.com/watch?v=QZUvlEhyprM The Band is now 10 members strong and includes a trombone and mandolin player.

OCTOBER 16

Voter Registration Deadline A General Election will be held on Tuesday, November 7, 2017, for the offices of Governor of Virginia, Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, Attorney General of Virginia, Virginia House of Delegates, and Board of Supervisors and School Board members for the Rio, Jack Jouett, and Samuel Miller Magisterial Districts. Voters are required to present a form of acceptable photo identification when voting in person. The deadline to register to vote in the November 7 election is Monday, October 16. To qualify to register to vote in Virginia, applicants must be citizens of the United States, residents of Virginia, and 18 years of age by the date of the election. Qualified residents of the Commonwealth of Virginia may apply for, or change their voter registration at the Department of Voter Registration and Elections, located in the 5th Street County Office Building at 1600 5th Street, in Charlottesville, or at the Department of Motor Vehicles—Pantops Customer Service Center, at 2055 Abbey Road, in Charlottesville.

OCTOBER 21

Annual Mount Moriah Yard Sale/ Bake Sale/Lunch Mt. Moriah United Methodist Church will host its annual yard sale, bake sale and cook out on Saturday, October 21, from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., at 4524 Garth Rd., in White Hall. Apple butter making and live music. Rain or shine. Contact Debra at 434-466-2094 with any questions.

OCTOBER 28

Apple Butter & Cider Festival

9th Annual Crozet Spirit Walk

The White Hall Ruritan Club is holding its annual Apple Butter and Cider Festival on Saturday October 28, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Old-fashioned, freshpressed apple cider will be available for purchase all day, and apple butter (unsweetened and sweetened) will be available when the cooking is done at around 4 p.m. Everyone is invited to join the fun at the White Hall Community Building (2904 Brown’s Gap Road, at the intersection of Routes 614 and 810). This year, local artisans are invited to participate in a Craft Fair, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. (Contact Sandy at sandyHbooks@gmail.com for information on how to participate.) Proceeds will fund local scholarships and improvements to White Hall’s century-old Community Building.

This fall marks the 9th annual Crozet Spirit Walk, a historical play acted out through the streets of Crozet and sponsored by Field School. An event for the whole family, this year’s walk depicts events from the early 20th century through WW2, and will feature stories about Frank Peregoy, the fruit industry, Shenandoah National Park, and the Crozet Library. The public is warmly invited to the fun, family-friendly annual event, which will be held from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 28, at Field School. Field School is located at 1408 Crozet Avenue. Tickets are $10 and are available at the door. Kids 15 and under get in free.

Gazette Vet

dropped all over your back yard are doing just fine and just waiting for your dog or cat to walk by. Ticks really have no season. If it’s above 32 degrees, they are more than happy to climb out of the leaf litter and find a new home. Cooler temps and increased outdoor activity combined with pet owners letting their guard down about flea and tick preventatives lead to a lot of fall flea and tick problems. Keep using the flea and tick meds! Acorns. Okay, this isn’t the most common thing I see, but I have given at least three dog owners a very expensive acorn— one their dog consumed that got stuck in their intestines and which I had to remove surgically. Many of us have acorns and other nuts and seeds that fall into our yards this time of year, and dogs will eat anything! Sometimes they get obstructed, sometimes they just get an upset stomach and vomit in the middle of the night (in your bedroom, of course). This seems like a hopeless battle, but if they seem to be chowing down on the acorns and nuts, watch to make sure they don’t get sick. Get out there and enjoy this amazing season in this amazing place we call home, Crozet, Virginia!

—continued from page 33

but rattlesnakes definitely live in Crozet. I’ve seen them in Mint Springs Park and up in Shenandoah, and copperheads are pretty much everywhere. As a vet, I see bee stings and snake bites frequently, so let’s just give a big praise for October when these troublesome creatures finally sign off for the year. Not awesome things about fall: Allergies. Did you know that the number one problem we veterinarians see, by far, is allergic skin disease? All day, all year, dogs are coming in with ear infections, rashes, scabs, and hair loss, mostly due to allergies that affect their skin. Just as for us, the spring and fall are the worst times of year, with heavy pollen accompanying the season’s change. For many dogs, fall is the time when they start itching, licking, and chewing and have to see the vet for help. Fleas and ticks are still doing quite well. Most people don’t realize it, but the flea season keeps rocking until we get a few hard frosts, which usually isn’t until late October or early November. Meanwhile, those flea eggs that wild animals have

CROZETgazette

OCTOBER 2017

by Louise Dudley

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Home Sweet Home Crozet Marine Corps veteran Kevin Blanchard and his wife Myra moved into their new home on Lavaca Court in Westlake Hills Sept. 30, courtesy of Homes For Our Troops, a nonprofit organization that donates custom-adapted houses to severely injured veterans. Now medically retired, Cpl. Blanchard was on patrol in northwest Iraq in 2005 when his vehicle struck a roadside bomb. Blanchard lost most of his left leg and suffered serious damage to his right. Built at a cost of $440,000 and transferred to Blanchard mortgage-free, the house includes more than 40 special adaptations such as wider doors, a roll-in shower and kitchen modifications designed for wheelchair users. The transfer ceremony hosted by HFOT featured remarks by interim county executive Doug Walker, who lives across the street, as well as others involved

in building or donating to the project. Chair of the HFOT board Gen. Richard A. Cody noted that the organization has built 247 houses across the country so far and is currently building in 37 states. “As we travel around, the further we get from New York and Washington, D.C., we get to see America the way American see themselves.” He congratulated the crowd for not kneeling when the National Anthem was sung. “You would have been thrown out,” he said. “We don’t consider that we are doing charity. We think we are doing our duty [to the wounded soldiers],” Cody said. “This is truly a work of love. Everywhere we go, the community puts its arms around our veterans. We can do more when we unite behind something.” Turning to Blanchard, Cody said, “The commandant sends

continued on page 47

ACROSS

DOWN

1 A witch might have a magic one 2 Taste buds are on this 5 Christopher Columbus’s fastest ship 7 Word to scare someone 9 Hawaiian island where Honolulu is 10 Explorer honored Oct. 12 11 _____ Adams, second U.S. Presiden (born 10/30/1735) 12 Dessert with a crust 13 Bouncy stick to jump on 15 National baseball championship 18 Might be the last word in a book 20 Its leaves turn color in the fall 24 Albemarle _____, Queen Victoria’s favorite Apple 25 “The Lion, the _____ and the Wardrobe” 26 Jimmy _____, oldest living U.S. President (born 10/1/1924) 27 Floorboard sound in a haunted house 28 Round handle on a door

1 “Charlotte’s _____” 2 Handy thing for a baby to suck 3 Costume made with a white sheet 4 Sweet holiday at the end of the month 5 Carve this to make a jack-o-lantern 6 What’s left after a fire 8 The tenth month 11 _____ Jackson, a civil rights leader (born 10/8/1941) 14 One-named soccer star (born 10/28/1940) 16 “Goosebumps” author 17 Structure that blocks a river 19 Knock on this to get a Halloween treat 21 Fall beverage made from apples 22 Opposite of “treat” on Halloween 23 Color of the cat that symbolizes bad luck

Solution on page 46

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his regards. No, really! He does! I talked to him about you.” Cody noted that Blanchard has undergone 30 surgeries and was in a wheelchair for eight months. After getting out of Walter Reed Hospital, Blanchard backpacked through South America. “We could not be more proud to give this new home to you.” When she got a turn to speak, Myra Blanchard thanked the crowd and HFOT. “We got married last year a few miles from here. We have just grown more in love with this town. We look forward to serving in this community and giving back. We are incredibly grateful.” “We made it. We’re here,” said Kevin Blanchard, facing Myra, when the microphone was his. “This home is perfect for us. It’s going to our favorite place to be. It’s a place where we can start our family.” Meanwhile they’ve added an eight-week-old mastiff dog to the household. “All the pain—I wouldn’t change a thing,” said Blanchard. I’m a product of post-traumatic growth. We really, really appreciate it. We look forward to living in this community. We love you, and thank you.” Blanchard is writing about his recovery and working on a website where other survivors can post their stories about how their experiences changed them for the better. “Stay positive. Stay curious. Don’t give up. Try to turn the negatives into positives,” Blanchard summed up. The ceremony then moved to raising an American flag on the house’s flagpole. “Every house we build flies the American flag 24-7,” said Gen. Cody as he offered the flag to Blanchard. Fifteen-year-old Sophia Nadder of Midlothian, who sang the National Anthem (and has for the Washington Nationals and Wizards games, as well Gov. McAuliffe’s inauguration) started off “God Bless America” as the flag rose and the crowd joined in. Guests then toured the house, where Texas Roadhouse restaurant provided a reception spread. The construction was done by Travis Haislip Construction.

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