Around HARRISONBURG Feb + Mar 2011
Let’s Get Rolling Things to Do...
Reader Contests & Community Events
Weekend Getaways & Restaurant Reviews
Meet Local People who make a difference
Places to Go... $3.99
People to Know...
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contents Feb & Mar 2011
Π54
27
FEATURES
17 COVER STORY
A Crash Course in Roller Derby
27 The Wildernest Inn
Where Beauty and Balance finds a home
54 Bluestone Vineyard Elegance in Simplicity
( On The Cover d n u o r A RG HARRISONBU Feb + Mar 2011
Let’s Get RoLLinG
Things to Do... r Contests &
Reade Community Events
Weeke Restaurant Reviews
Meet L who make a difference
Places to Go... nd Getaways &
$3.99
... People to Know ocal People
The Rocktown Rollers
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Around The Panhandle | Sept/Oct 2009
22 Grand Caverns, Grottoes, VA 32 OUR TOP TEN - Toughest Athletic
The Unknown Eater Visits Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint
Challenges
34 AROUND THE CAMPUS 37 The American Shakespeare Center 44 FEATURED EATS - Dave’s Downtown 47 Unknown Eater - Jack Brown’s 50 NOW IT’S YOUR TURN - Recipes
47
52 INSIDE OUT WITH ELI ANDERSEN 57 Simmons Family Fitness Center 60 APPLES & ORANGES Product Review 62 REALTY ADVICE from Kline May 65 RMH gives Sleep Advice 68 Financial Advice from Dan Lough 75 Advertising Rate Sheet
6 INBOX Letter from the editor 8 PHOTO CONTEST 9 CAPTION CONTEST 10 Rockingham Puzzles 12 As Ready As I’ll Ever Be
ŸŸ Ÿ
71
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{ x Around o b l i {Ma HARRISONBURG DEC/JAN ‘10 ‘11 | VOL 1 | NO 2
PUBLISHER
Mike Hornby
EDITOR
Mike Chalmers
EDITORIAL DESIGN
Mike Hornby
PRODUCTION
Mike Hornby
WEBSITE
Pro-Design LLC
Dear Readers:
ADVISORS
Kresha Hornby Stewart Hornby Fred Hollida
Well, we made it through the chaos of two holidays and a new year. I guess we’re in the clear until…Easter? Then, at least, we should finally be basking in some warmer temps. I hate to jinx anything; the only predictable pattern to the weather these days is that it’ll be severe in one direction or the other. As we go to press on this issue, I look back at this time last year, and what a truly wild ride it became with those whiteouts—early and often. Well, regardless of what happens, folks around Harrisonburg can certainly find comfort in some quality reading this year, if in fact they find themselves stuck indoors any time soon. Following in the footsteps of our remarkably well-received December issue, our February issue does not disappoint. It looks like people don’t mind having us around, and let us assure you, we couldn’t be more excited to represent all of you with the stories that you care about.
WRITERS
Mike Chalmers Eli Andersen The Unknown Eater Debra Cornwell Issac Sweeney Victoria Kidd Colleen Dixon
PHOTOGRAPHY
Eric Fargo Fargofotos.com
ADVERTISING DESIGN
Vada Kelley Estland Design Kristen Lemaster Orchistrated Design
PRINTER
Panhandle Printing & Design
BUSINESS PARTNERS
Cox/Hollida/Price Kline May Realty
We’ll take you behind the curtain at the American Shakespeare Center in Staunton, and show you how the 16th century is alive and well through the efforts of so many wonderful actors, in one of the most renowned theatre companies on the East Coast. As usual, you’ll probably be looking for the car keys after reading through our restaurant reviews for this month. If you’re jonesing for some authentic Mediterranean, you’re going to love our piece on Dave’s Downtown Taverna. And who can ever argue with burgers and beer? Jack Brown’s is a must-visit; the only problem will be trying to squeeze both establishments into the same afternoon. As the temps rise in the near future, many of us will be ready for more than just a break in the clouds. All the more reason to check out our featured getaway. The Wildernest Inn exemplifies a calm alternative to the madness we usually call “life,” and even offers guests some casual interaction with a few of nature’s more charming characters. You’ll love the article, but you’ll love the Inn even more. You can thank us later. And in case you didn’t know, Harrisonburg has a Roller Derby team. What! Yes, now calm down—we’ll tell you all about them: The Rocktown Rollers. Just when you thought you had your finger on the pulse of this area, along come the Rollers and blow you away. Naturally, all of the above merely scratches the surface of what’s in store for you in this issue of Around Harrisonburg. As always, we had a blast doing it and we’re confident you’ll get just as much out of it as we put in. Now, enough small talk—let’s get to the good stuff! Sincerely,
Michael Chalmers Editor
540-251-2180 mike@aroundharrisonburg.com www.aroundharrisonburg.com www.facebook.com/AroundHarrisonburg
Hornby Publishing, LLC | PO Box 1284 | Harrisonburg, VA 22803 | 540.251.2180
BUSINESS & CIRCULATION Kresha Hornby SEND MAIL TO
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CONTACT US
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Around Harrisonburg is a bimonthly publication of Hornby Publishing LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. The magazine is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts or photos. Distributed through subscriptions, advertisers and online. Subscription price is $18.99 per year. Single issues $3.99. Price does not include 5% Virginia state sales tax. To subscribe, send check or money order for $18.99 payable to Around Harrisonburg; PO Box 1284, Harrisonburg, VA 22803 or subscribe online and pay by credit card at www.AroundHarrisonburg.com.
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Do you have an eye for photography?
Show off your photo skills to the world and you could be our $50 lucky winner (one per issue).
I really like the use of black and white submitted in this issue. Some photos just look better in black and white and the fact that you guys know when that is, is a compliment on your photographic eye. I love how Charly submitted both photos, one horizontal and one vertical. Which one would you pick as your favorite. Notice how Charly frames the horizontal photo with the light house in the final third of the photograph, this is called “the rule of thirds” and just makes the picture better. As far as the photo by Angie - of her dad’s (Wayne Shilling) car - this is great lighting for the car but maybe next time, get a macro shot of some cool chromed out engine part or parts with the Candy Apple Red in the background or periphery. Don’t just shoot the entire car, get close to some of its intricate parts.
Winner
Lighthouse By Charly Landon
Honorable Mentions
Old B&W Truck by Christy Sewell Wayne Shilling’s Car by Angie Clark
Submit your photos at AroundHarrisonburg.com or email mike@AroundHarrisonburg.com. [Don’t forget to read the important stuff] All photo submissions must include name and contact information and must be the original work of the submitter. Photos must be at least 300dpi and in .jpg or .pdf format. All pictures will become property of Hornby Publishing LLC. [8]
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Around Harrisonburg | Feb/Mar 2011
Caption Contest Show us your funny side! Submit your caption and you could win!
Are You The Next Lucky Winner? #1003 ”I said LATHER me up NOT LEATHER me up kid”!
Sometimes, all we can do is laugh... Thanks to all our readers who gave us something to laugh about! Congratulations to our lucky winner: Tara Perry
. . . e r e H s e o G n o i t p a C r u . . . Yo
Check out other great captions that were submitted online at: www.AroundHarrisonburg.com
The Winning Caption Receives $50!
Three easy ways to enter! Submit your caption online at: www.AroundHarrisonburg.com
Email your caption to: Mike@AroundHarrisonburg.com Subject: Caption #1003
Mail your caption to: Around Harrisonburg- Caption #1003 PO Box 1284, Harrisonburg, VA 22803
All entries become property of Around Harrisonburg and Hornby Publishing.
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[9]
Rockingham Wordsearch Send your completed puzzle to: Hornby Publishing C/O Puzzle 1001 P.O. Box 1284 Harrisonburg, VA 22803 for your chance to win $50
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Chocolate Snow Mountains Happy New Year Ski Lodge Ice Storm Valentine Snow Shoe Champagne Candy Card Lover Hearts Fireworks Black Eye Peas Hot Cocoa Roses Flowers January Romance February Romantic Dinner Confetti Paul Revere Cupid Groundhog Shadow Winter Presidents Washington Lincoln Countdown Resolutions Time Square New York Balloons [ 10 ]
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Primrose Pisces Capricorn Aquarius Leap Year Firewood Around Harrisonburg | Feb/Mar 2011
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Crossword
Across
1. Edible agaric (8) 4. Sour to the taste (4) 7. Shaped and dried dough (5) 9. Aromatic herb (5) 10. Major food fish (3) 11. Sometimes added to flour and water to make 7 Across (3) 12. Downy juicy fruit (5) 13. Rind (4) 14. Parallel metal bars used to grill meat or fish (4) 18. Oval fruit with juicy acidic flesh (5) 19. Large pot for making coffee or tea (3) 20. Alcoholic drink made with juniper berries (3) 21. Bread maker (5) 22. Dairy product (5) 23. The leaves are used fresh or candied (4) 24. Round red root vegetable (8)
Down
2. Full of relish (5) 3. Round citrus fruit (6) 5. Sweetened mixture of milk and eggs, baked, boiled or frozen (7) 6. Meat usually sliced thin and fried (5) 8. Thick edible yellow root, sounds Scandinavian (5) 13. Usually large round fruit of the squash family (7) 15. Kitchen appliance used for cooking (5) 16. Large oval tropical fruit with smooth skin and juicy aromatic pulp (5) 17. Tart filled with rich unsweetened custard; often contains cheese, ham or other vegetables (6) 20. Okra (5)
Spot the Difference See if you can find the 20 things we photoshopped in these pictures
Send your completed puzzle to: Hornby Publishing C/O Puzzle 1002 P.O. Box 1284 Harrisonburg, VA 22803 for your chance to win $50 ALL PUZZLES AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD AT WWW.AROUNDHARRISONBURG.COM
1911
1931
As Ready As I’ll Ever Be…
- Mike Chalmers
As yet another new year and, essentially, a decade begins, it’s hard not to notice a subtle bewilderment within our processes, our outlooks. With a block of years neatly stacked in front of us between now and 2020, one might get the sense that we face the future with a lot less assurance that life as we know it will be something we recognize in two years, five years, ten years. Yes, we certainly “face” the future, as we always have—as we can only do—but that doesn’t necessarily suggest that the future we are facing is anything like the ones we have faced in decades past. The times ahead are exciting, absolutely, at least they should be, but perhaps they lack that tangibility, that organic structure we’ve come to rely on throughout history, especially as this time of year rolls around ever so reliably. Ten years ago, as the zero turned to a one in the far right column of what we know as the endlessly ascending annual date, who among us could have foreseen such a decade of absolute transformation? Now, ten Times Square ball drops later, the
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1921 zero is again about to convert to a one, but what precedes it is a ten-year shift in almost everything we used to recognize about life. While not asserting that any eras or particular timeframes throughout history are or were any less important than the other, I’d feel confident suggesting that the last ten stacks of ten, all the way back to 1910/1911, has been and perhaps will have been the most transformative in American history. As the zero in 1910 turned to a one, this country crested that notorious first hill in the roller coaster that the next hundred years would represent, without a doubt—each following decade defined by its own mantra and monumental collection of events, occurrences, and characters. It’s almost too much to take in when you really sit down and think about it, or is it? Was history as intense as it looks on paper in the present? That’s a question I always have on the back burner. As always, I can only speak to the times through which I’ve lived. I suppose the first decade or two of the twenty-first century will look pretty intense to history
1941 students a hundred years from now, tumultuous even, on the virtual pages of their hologram books. If everyone’s still around in the capacity that we are now, I’m sure the methodical flip of the zero-to-one from 2010 to 2011 will likely stand for a roller coaster as fast and furious as the one I’m looking back upon in this paragraph. It makes sense that it will, with probably much higher, scarier hills, steeper drops, and tighter turns. But since I’m writing about it, I guess I’m also admitting that the times we’re living in now are in fact, intense, penetrating even. Do they compare to WWI, the Roaring Twenties, The Depression, WWII, The 60s, or Vietnam? I don’t know. Those are some striking headlines. What I do know is that the most recent time the zero turned to a one, ten years ago, it was followed by a decade that will no doubt be scrutinized and debated over for many years and probably decades to come. Or (and in these high-speedinstantly-updated-and-upgraded times that we have come to understand, there’s always an or)—or, though it would be a
Around Harrisonburg | Feb/Mar 2011
bit anticlimactic, the years that we are about to thrust ourselves within, and which will in turn thrust themselves right back upon us, will be so dynamic and continuously re-relevant as to leave the beginning decade of this century a simple notation for it’s mere presence at the bottom of a hundred-year stack of unimaginable eras. To this, however, we can only speculate, for now. The last time the zero turned into a one in this century, things really started heading in a direction that changed all of us, everything, forever. Well, I say forever, but I’ve also heard that nothing is forever. But does that include social unrest, technological advancement, political corruption, military conquest, religious influence—or was whoever originally said that just talking about relationships, love, etc.? I’d make the case that much of the aforementioned bewilderment that seems to permeate from our present social position in history has its roots in an emerging loss of faith. The reasons are many. The digital age, as elastic and sweeping as it has allowed our lives to become, is also quite wayward—never
truly what it seems or what it promises to be. Sure, I can email a person and meet them tomorrow, or buy a product and have it arrive in a few days, but at the same time, my entire identity can be stolen and my life turned upside down in an instant, virtually. Words I use or pictures I take can easily be copied and pasted by someone else and marketed as their own. With businesses opening and operating only so long as to appear marketable enough for resale within the same industry, workers are increasingly losing the sense that they belong to something worthwhile, something relevant, and more importantly, permanent. Workplace retirement plans are a thing of the past, and social security for me, huh? Pensions, health insurance, investments—all constructs of a not-too-distant past that, today, exist as loosely defined and practically hypothetical as the un-lived future they precede. They say that, especially with us humans, hope never dies. But does faith? Has our faith in traditional means of societal structure, order, balance, potential…has it waned—in the wake of
1951
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loosely defined modern inventions that are supposed to be providing us with a similar stability but are only making us more disconnected and ultimately less faithful? Do we seem to have much more on the surface, within our modern lives, but much less just under that delicate exterior? Sometimes it feels that way. I can say that my hope in certain things, throughout my life, and certainly as I get older, hasn’t seemed to waver at all, but my faith in a lot of things has—especially as that faith relates to the future, and how I see certain essential constructs within our society slowly deteriorating as people gravitate towards inventions and perspectives and even dreams that are only loosely defined, or temporary by design. Certainly not to say that I’m pining away for the good old days—I would be hesitant to say that I even know what those are (they definitely weren’t the 80s or 90s), but I’m not sure that I, even amidst this modern churning template we exist upon, have the utmost faith that any directions we’re headed in—politically, financially, militarily, technologically, socially, existentially—are
1961
1971
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worthwhile enough, well-built enough to rely on, to build a life around, or to have faith in. The last time the zero turned to a one, we were barely in our seats before the picture exploded to life with a scene of towers falling, followed by a frenzied war effort—still in the works—followed by a historic economic collapse, a technological Renaissance, an equally historic political shift, the slow continuance of the collapse, the war effort, and the hideous merger of the two, pervasive corporate fraud, the realization that historical significance does not a president make (even one left with an utter disaster to clean up), environmental and political disarray (both closely related), and an odd consumer-driven spend-a-thon, that seemingly knows no bounds, and has somehow managed to stay above water even within said continued collapse. Amid myriad accomplishments, events, and happenings, both enormous and minute, all of this (above) is what we carry with us into the next decade and beyond (providing that the decade actually begins from this point forward)—a decade we have no idea what to expect from. Judging by how incredibly fast everything changed over the last ten years, it’s hard to even speculate as to what awaits us in the next two, let alone ten, or twenty. Looking back, I feel almost as if I just finished a sprint—barely edging out my competition—only having to simmer down and re-focus because I now have to run another, longer sprint against even faster competition. So much happened, so fast, between January 2001 and today, it’s hard to conceptualize what comes next, or what we will not only learn, but become bored with, and then simply discard over the next few years. Ultimately, I feel like these times are even more relevant to someone in my generation—Gen X, of course. We are perhaps one of the most unique generations in history—go figure—the exclusive possessors of a direct link to both the pre-digital age and the omnipresent interface of technological “now.” No generation before us or after us will be able to lay claim to such
[ 14 ]
an exquisite duality—and the certain irreplaceable qualities we possess as a result of it. If anyone should be prepared for what we can only guess is to come, it is most certainly us. We have the modern capacity to digest the ever-changing complexities that constantly emerge in front of us, and the appreciation and understanding of a time when life moved along just fine without any of it. I guess I’m a bit of a holdover, hiding in plain sight, in real-time—but then, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
1981
1911 The first Indianapolis 500 car race, Ray Harroun wins at 74.59 mph.
1921 West Virginia became the first US state to enact a sales tax.
1931 Construction of the Empire State Building is completed in New York City, just 410 days after construction commenced
1941 The Japanese Navy launches a surprise attack on the United States fleet at Pearl Harbor, thus drawing the United States into World War II..
1991 2001
1951 U.S. President Harry Truman declares an official end to war with Germany.
1961 The Vietnam War officially begins, as the first American helicopters arrive in Saigon along with 400 U.S. personnel.
1971 Walt Disney World opens in Orlando, Florida becoming the world’s largest and most visited recreational resort.
1981 Just 69 days into the presidency of Ronald Reagan. While leaving a speaking engagement in D.C., President Reagan was shot and wounded by John Hinckley
1991 The United Nations deadline for the withdrawal of Iraqi forces from occupied Kuwait expires, preparing the way for the start of Operation Desert Storm.
2001 We will never forget, 9/11/01
Around Harrisonburg | Feb/Mar 2011
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The Rocktown Rollers A Crash Course in Roller Derby.
- By Victoria Kidd
Some people are natural competitors. They seek opportunities to test their strength, skill, and nerve. Others are natural overachievers. They seek progressively higher levels of advancement and the satisfaction that comes from passing personal milestones. If you are a born competitive overachiever, you would be an excellent candidate for the Rocktown Rollers. Every couple of days, nearly 30 locals converge on Funky’s Skate Center in Harrisonburg. By day, they are your child’s teacher, the medical professional you saw last week, or the mom next door. By night, they assume the alter egos of Bam Bam Brawler, Ramsey McDirtbag, Betty CrasHer, and a number of other equally intimidating personas. Participation provides a forum for a level of self-expression unavailable outside the rink, and it also gives the players a chance to interact with community members who share a passion for competitive sports. Women of all ages and skill levels come to compete. Men come to referee the events, coach new players, and support the team. Together the group is part of an innovative new force in women’s competitive sports. Beyond the fishnets and knee pads, participating in roller derby requires extreme athleticism, the ability to
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think strategically, and a complete understanding of a complex series of rules. The objective of the game is deceivingly simple. “Roller derby is the only sport I know of where a player is playing offense and defense at the same time,” explains Bishop, the team’s head of officiating. “The two players starting at the back are called jammers. The objective is for the jammer to lap opposing players.” It sounds easy, right? It probably would be if the jammer did not have a determined team of blockers skating in front of them. Blockers are opposing players seeking to prevent the jammer from moving to a forward position. These two opposing forces square off in a timed competition called a “jam.” The blockers are trying to prohibit the jammer from moving
[ 18 ]
through the pack (the defense aspect of play) while opening a window for their team’s jammer to take the lead position (the offense aspect of play). When jammers and blockers meet in a place affectionately know as “the engagement zone,” spectators get to see the real action. Revenga d’Nerd, the group’s director of marketing, clarifies, “It’s like a really intense game of red rover.” Forget what you saw on television 25 to 30 years ago. In its current incarnation, roller derby leaves behind the violent, showy, and staged entertainment of the late 1970s. Although it is still very much a contact sport, today’s derby requires the blockers to simultaneously anticipate the jammer’s movement, recognize the positioning of other blockers, and utilize strategies that have been collectively developed at practice sessions. Bam Bam Brawler,
the team’s new coach, believes that spectators who come to a game will ultimately realize how intensely competitive, physical, and exciting the sport can be. “As a spectator sport, derby is great. Nothing is staged. You witness the natural flow of the game without any predetermined outcome. These girls really work hard, and it shows in their performance and makes it very exciting for the audience.” Bam Bam Brawler sees her team as an extended family, and she makes a concerted effort to have each participant recognize her value to the group. Each player, and her connection to the “group think” of the pack, is at the heart of how the game evolves. Players are quick to tell you that the spirit of teamwork and the close connections developed between player and team are the two primary reasons for involvement. The participants
Around Harrisonburg | Feb/Mar 2011
enjoy being part of a group where each person’s contribution is critical. After a jam, Betty CrasHer and Ramsey McDirtbag, the team’s co-captains, address the players to obtain feedback and make adjustments to strategy. The team communicates their input and the group is truly led like a democracy. Critical to the overall success of the team is their ability to recognize how their contributions (either in the thick of competition or during the strategy session) impacts the team’s achievement. The Rocktown Rollers are also incredibly connected to their community. Charity and public service are at the foundation of the group’s intentions. They are
immensely proud to advocate for The Gus Bus Reading Road Show, a local child literacy organization, and the bus is present at every home game. In addition to the 5% of home game proceeds donated to advance the bus’s mission, the group donates 15% to a spotlight charity benefiting from the proceeds from a particular home game. When these derby do-gooders are not laced up in their skates, they are volunteering their time for the advancement of organizations such as the Alzheimer’s Association, The Collins Center, The Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, and many more. Home games are heavily attended, attracting as many as 520 spectators. The growing popularity
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of the sport and the diminishing stigma carried over from previous eras of play, has garnered overwhelming support from the community. They also enjoy having a large fan base and several corporate sponsors. Revenga d’Nerd explains, “Our sponsors have been great. They commonly donate money or services to the team, helping pay for facility rental, travel, and other necessities. They really enable us to bring this event to our fans and help the charities we support.” In exchange, businesses gain exposure to new customers in the area. Dentists, local restaurants, entertainment facilities, and others are proud to be involved with the team. With the increasing acceptance of the
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roller derby as a family-friendly event, more businesses are seeing the value of their time and money. These advancements are, in part, a result of a long-standing effort by certain central members of the team. “We have come a long way since 2008 when I and Jannacide starting thinking about forming a team. We have grown from a group of five or six people to a team of nearly thirty, and we keep growing,” says Troch, one of the founding members. Troch has previously served as the team’s head coach and now serves as the coach for the team’s new skaters. He is extremely excited about the future of the Rollers. “We are currently in the apprentice program with the Women’s Flat Track Roller Derby Association (WFTDA). We have to gain a nonprofit status, obtain letters of recommendation, and compete in several sanctioned games, but the effort is totally worth it. Joining will allow us to compete nationally.” Troch believes that the requirements for membership will be met within a few months, and, upon completion, Harrisonburg, Staunton, and Waynesboro will have a new nationally competing team in their midst. Bouts (the term used to describe the game) are action packed and unquestionably entertaining. If you have an interest in learning more about the team, sponsorship availability, or participation, visit their website at www. RocktownRollers.com. Come out and see them compete at their next home game. It is almost guaranteed that you will have a great time, and you may just find your alter ego begging for a pair of skates. [ 20 ]
Around Harrisonburg | Feb/Mar 2011
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191 S. Main St., Harrisonburg, VA • www.shopyellowbutton.com
A Grand Display of Historical Significance - By Isaac Sweeney A dark and dusty cave, damp and rigid, bats aplenty, and scarcely any natural light. Although it sounds a little like a horror movie setting, it’s actually a scene of wonder and beauty. Grand Caverns, in Grottoes, is the oldest show-cave in North America, discovered in 1804 by Bernard Weyer. Weyer was a trapper. An animal stole one of his traps and, in tracking it, Weyer found an opening in the side of a mountain. The opening was just large enough to squeeze through. The cave was called Weyer’s Cave for more than a hundred years, and it became the namesake for the nearby town of a similar name, Weyers Cave.
in advance. They would tour the massive caverns by candlelight and lantern. Somewhat ignorant, they would sign the walls, sometimes in pencil, sometimes in ink; sometimes they would etch their names into the underground rock. Certain groups were even known to hold magnificent balls in the depths.
In 1806, the cave was opened to the public. Back then, people planned trips to Weyer’s Cave months
The cave is 54 degrees all the time—perfect weather in blistery winters or sweaty summers, says Barbara Loflin,
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A national natural landmark since 1973, people can now tour Grand Caverns every hour. You receive a personal tour that presents a unique blend of area history and natural wonder. It’s an entertaining jolt to the imagination and a brief respite from the real world.
Lead Staff Member, who led this particular tour. She’s quick to point out features with her laser light and she pleasantly answers questions. She even made sure to find a hibernating bat before the tour was over. Grand Caverns has more to offer than many of the Shenandoah Valley’s caves. Most importantly, says Lettie Stickley, Parks and Recreation Specialist, is the personal service. Questions are welcome on the tours, and tour sizes are generally small, especially in winter. The national treasure definitely has its share of regular cave fare, like stalactites and stalagmites, full columns (when stalactites and stalagmites join), and small “soda straws” (which eventually become Around Harrisonburg | Feb/Mar 2011
stalactites). It’s a surprisingly colorful, limestone cave with reddish-brown iron oxide, gray manganese, and white calcite. Bats live here. Water drips—if you get hit, it’s called a cave kiss, and it’s worth a week of good luck. Certain formations resemble cute animals or lively characters. Then there are the shields. Some caves have only a few shields; Grand Caverns has more than 250. They are mysterious; no one knows how shields are formed exactly. What they do know is that shields are magnificent— varying in size and weight, shape, and texture. The number and variety of shields in Grand Caverns helped earn
it a Parade Magazine ranking of number two on a list of caves you should visit in the U.S. It’s impossible to completely describe in words things that evoke such awe, but a few cave sights are worth mentioning specifically. First, signatures are everywhere, and some even have years with them, like Thomas Madison in 1808, who was a cousin of James Madison. H. Goodrich and E.W. Jones spent much time meticulously signing their names. Women signed, too, like Sallie Bell, who signed three times, probably on three separate tours of the cave.
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Cathedral Hall is a popular cave spot. It’s a 280foot open stretch. There, formations look like George Washington’s ghost and Stonewall Jackson’s horse, among other figures. The Tower of Babel is one of the largest structures in the cave, measuring 80 feet around and 30 feet tall. The Zoo has formations that look like animals—an elephant, an alligator, a shark, a turtle, and even a zookeeper to watch over them. The Bridal Chamber has its veil formation and other wedding resemblances. And, as mentioned, there’s a ballroom. The Grand Illumination Ball’s heyday was in the 1890s. About 2,000
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candles lit the ballroom, which is now the most soot-covered space in the cave. There’s a place for the band, a natural table for refreshments, and space to dance or mingle— and thousands more things to see, whether they are officially on the tour, or just something you notice on your own. The Town of Grottoes now owns Grand Caverns, and Town Manager Ashley Jacobs believes it’s the only cave owned by a small town east of the Mississippi. Being municipally owned helps expand on town activities and helps protect the cave, Jacobs says. Grand Caverns is part of a park that also offers playgrounds, picnic areas, mini-golf, hiking, fishing, concerts, and other events. But the first priority is the cave, Jacobs says. “First and foremost, we’re here to protect the cave and keep this a public opportunity.” A place like this, full of history and marvel, is definitely worth protecting for all to experience. On June 4, Grand Caverns will hold a Heritage Day celebration with living history exhibits and a candlelight tour and ball. For more information about Grand Caverns, visit www.grandcaverns.com, or call 1-888-430-CAVE.
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Around Harrisonburg | Feb/Mar 2011
The Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce presents the
11th Annual Shenandoah Valley’s Beer & Wine Festival
Sat. May 28 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. at Massanutten Resort 30+ Microbrews Wine Live Music by Carbon Leaf, The Hackens Boys, and Mike Davis Food Crafts and more!
TICKETS:
includes limited sampling and a souvenir glass while supplies last • Advance Tickets (thru April 15) - $15.00 • Advance Tickets (April 15-May 27) - $20.00 • At the Gate - $25.00 • Designated Driver - $10.00 Tickets are available online; at the Chamber Office, 800 Country Club Rd in Harrisonburg; and at the Massanutten General Store
For more information
Visit www.hrchamber.org/valleyfest Held rain or shine
hackensboys.com
carbonleaf.com
myspace.com/hackensboys twitter.com/hackensboys
myspace.com/carbonleaf facebook.com/carbonleaf twitter.com/carbonleaf
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Named for Ulysses S. Grant,
General of the Union Army and 18th President of the United States, Grant County is the ‘HeartBeat’ of the Potomac Highlands.
1 ACCOMMODATIONS
•
WILDERNEST INN • 304-257-9076 888-621-2948 wildernestinn.com
NORTH FORK • MOUNTAIN INN
ATTRACTIONS
Steeped in ancestral heritage, Grant County is known for warm hospitality, breathtaking mountainous landscapes and abundant natural resources.
Bed & Breakfast BREATH OF HEAVEN BED & BREAKFAST 304-257-4971 703-509-1565 breathofheavenbb.com
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Come! Enjoy trout fishing, canoeing, mountain biking, wilderness hiking and more! Discover the Four Season Paradise we proudly call Home.
Grant County West Virginia
304-257-1108 northforkmountaininn.com
Your Tourist Destination!
ABRAM’S CREEK RETREAT • 304-446-5383 703-328-1840 EAGLE’S HAVEN & BEAR’S DEN • 304-257-9076 888-621-2948
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FORT HILL MOTEL • 304-257-4717 forthillmotel.com HARMAN’S NORTH FORK • COTTAGES 304-257-2220 800-436-6254 wvlogcabins.com
HOMESTEAD INN • 304-257-1049 304-257-9564 Fax THE HERMITAGE INN • 304-257-1711 800-437-6482
304-257-5411 northmountainrentals.com
PARK MOTEL • 304-257-4656 parkmotel.org SMOKE HOLE LOG CABINS, • RESORT, COTTAGES & LOG MOTEL 304-257-4442 800-828-8478 smokehole.com
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JUST PLANE ADVENTURES • 304-749-7000 justplaneadventures.com MOUNTAIN RIVER RETREAT • 703-727-9413 mtnriverhome.com NORTH MOUNTAIN • VACATION RENTALS
3.
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Hotel/Motel
hermitageinn.net
ACTIVITIES
• • • • • • • • • • •
TrouT / Bass Fishing Camping • hunTing WaTer skiing • kayaking CaTCh & release Fishing Canoeing • roCk ClimBing mounTain Biking • golFing oFF-road reCreaTion WildliFe • Bird WaTChing
sCeniC moTorCyCle Tours Wilderness hiking • airporT horseBaCk riding
caverns dolly sods wilderness area eaGles nesT oUTFiTTers canoeinG / camPinG sPrinG moUnTain FesTival ForT mUlliGan civil war earThen ForT sPrinG rUn TroUT haTchery PeTersbUrG TroUT haTchery Fishing in The norTh Fork oF The soUTh branch oF The PoTomac river mononGahela naT’l ForesT smoke hole biG bend recreaTion area Greenland GaP miliTary mUseUm moUnT sTorm lake soUTh mill creek dam soUTh side dePoT exPress PerForminG arTs cenTer Fine arTs & handcraFTs FairFax sTone welTon Park
4 2.
2
8 5
‘Hofothmee Goldetn’ Trou
G r a n t C o u n t y C o n v e n t i o n a n d Vi s i t o r s B u r e a u 126 south main st. petersburg WV 26847
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Grant County Convention Visitors Bureau South Main St. Petersburg, WV 304.257.9266 voice • and grantcountywva.com web126 email26847 • grantcountycvb@frontiernet.net 304.257.9266 voice • grantcountywva.com web • grantcountycvb@frontiernet.net email
The bears have names. For a city person, seeing even one black bear in the wild is a rare and startling experience. To see several at the same time from the deck of a bed and breakfast, and to hear one’s hosts affectionately call out to them by such names as Bruno, Cocopuff, and Uglybear, is to pass from the startling to the exotic. And yet, at the Wildernest Inn in Rough Run, W.Va., such experiences are commonplace, especially in the fall, as the bears fatten themselves in preparation for winter.
Where Beauty and Balance Finds a Home
Wildernest Inn, W.Va.
The hosts and owners of the Wildernest, Stewart and Kathy Hornby, natives of, respectively, South Africa and Zimbabwe, have always loved animals, and thought they would never find a similar combination of wildness and natural beauty when they left Africa in 1995. After a period in Puerto Rico, Stewart ad Kathy settled in West Virginia nine years ago, and purchased Wildernest—situated atop a steep and heavily wooded mountain in one of the most scenic areas in the state. They quickly found, to their delight, that they would be sharing their mountain habitat with deer, foxes, raccoons, many species of birds, and a healthy population of black bears. Now U.S. citizens, they have fallen in love with their mountaintop home, and visitors quickly come to understand why. The strictest rule for guests at the Inn is neither to feed
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nor approach the bears. And perhaps, out of appreciation for the respectful distance that all guests keep from the shy, cautious, and inoffensive creatures, the bears keep coming back, year after year. One should be careful not to romanticize what goes on in the brain of what is, after all, a large wild animal; yet, there seems to be a mutual curiosity between bears and people that is heartening to witness. That relationship is, of course, much more fleeting when the mature male bears leave the mountain in early spring to find a mate, but here, for now, they seem to know that they’re safe, and who their protectors are. Stewart and Kathy have
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made their mountain home an animal sanctuary, which seems most agreeable to the bears. During a very recent visit to Wildernest, my wife and I were among several guests treated to a prolonged sighting of a mother bear and her two cubs. The cubs shimmied up two different trees at the appearance of Bruno, the dominant bear on the mountain, and Kathy and Stewart’s oldest friend among the bears. Not to worry, the little ones soon came down and rejoined their mother. Bruno is now ten years old, and many of the bears one sees around the inn are his children and grandchildren. He is also the tallest, and when well-fed and healthy, the largest bear on the
mountain—at just shy of four hundred pounds. When we saw him recently, however, he was thinner, and his coat was a little patchy, as if he had been through some rough times. But his affection for Kathy is undeniable, and on both evenings of our visit, he climbed onto the Hornby’s private deck and sprawled in front of their sliding door, clearly seeking her company. We discovered the inn ourselves a few months before it changed hands from the original owners to Stewart and Kathy, and have returned many times since—in every season—often bringing friends and family with us to share the experience. One year, in December, we were the only
Around Harrisonburg | Feb/Mar 2011
guests, and were treated more like visiting friends, as our hosts regaled us with a harrowing story of how they weathered a powerful hurricane during one long and terrible night in Puerto Rico. Although one tends to dwell on the bears, they are merely one aspect of an area ripe with astonishing natural gifts—a mere two-and-a-halfhour drive from our home in Bethesda, Md. Less than thirty minutes from Wildernest is the rugged, spectacular Smoke Hole Canyon and Big Bend Recreation area, surely one of the most awesomely beautiful canyons in this part of the world—continuing through the south fork of the Potomac River. Seneca Rocks, Smoke Hole Caverns, Dolly Sods Wilderness, and Spruce Knob, the tallest peak in West Virginia, are just a few of the hotspots for hikers and skiers—none more than forty-five minutes from the inn. Traffic-weary visitors from the D.C. area are always pleasantly surprised by the lightly traveled country roads of Upper Tract and Rough Run, and by the modest footprints West Virginians have made in these largely unspoiled mountains and valleys. In much of this area, farming and ranching are still the mainstays of the local economy, and some of the homesteads date back to the 1700s. There is a pleasant onehour trail around the lake below the Inn, and of course, numerous trails at Dolly Sods, Big Bend, North
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Fork Mountain, and Spruce Knob—to name a few. When visitors have had their fill of hiking or sightseeing, it is always pleasant to return for a shower and a rest in the attractive and comfortable rooms, and then have a beer or a glass of wine while sitting on the spacious deck (awaiting Kathy’s alwaysexcellent dinners, which begin at seven sharp with a first-rate salad). During dinner, one might see a hummingbird at a feeder just outside the window, or a bear, richly furred with a coat of the blackest black you’ve ever seen, walking across the deck or gazing curiously through the sliding door. At first a novelty, and cause for leaving one’s chair to take a look, it soon becomes a fact of life here, and seems not only possible, but normal and natural. If she has the time, Kathy might come out of the kitchen for a chat, and if a plate isn’t cleaned, Stewart can be counted on to goodnaturedly chafe the guest for lack of appetite. At night, the darkness is the real thing. Untainted by light pollution, the profound quiet promises a truly restful sleep. Pleasure is the watchword here, and at no bed-and-breakfast in my experience is it more consistently achieved than at the Wildernest Inn. For more information visit: wildernestinn.com, or call: 304.257.9076 or 888.621.2948. More pictures can also be found on their Facebook site.
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Around Harrisonburg | Feb/Mar 2011
Mother / Daughter Weekend March 18 – 20, 2011 M
Mother / Daughter Weekend – March 18 – 20, 2011 – from $364 per person What’s Included:
$364 per person
Need a special gift for Mom this holiday?
Round trip Amtrak reservations from Staunton, VA to The Greenbrier Resort
2 Nights Superior Accommodations
$75 per person spa credit
Morning Coffee Service
Afternoon Tea
Free First-Run Movies in the hotel theater
Champagne Toast each evening
Daily hors d’oeuvres
Use of Fitness Center
Indoor Pool
Special St. Patrick’s Day Festivities
Is your daughter leaving the nest – going to college or getting married this spring? Every Mother & Daughter need some special time together to reconnect. There are some special moments that only happen once – don’t you want to take advantage of every one of those? The Wishing Well is pleased to offer a very special Mother/Daughter weekend get away at the incomparable, Greenbrier Resort & Spa.
Optional Mother/Daughter Etiquette Luncheon - $50 per person Certified Business Etiquette & International Protocol instructor, Terrie Dean, will conduct “Dine Like a
Located in West Virginia’s Allegheny Mountains, The Greenbrier is a National Historical Landmark with a tradition of over 200 years of meticulous attention to detail. Winner of the AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Four Star awards, the resort is distinguished by its rare combination of timeless hospitality, classic architecture, and extraordinary amenities.
Diplomat” on Saturday, March 19, 2011.
THE WISHING WELL
•
243 NEFF AVE, SUITE U
Call The Wishing Well for additional information.
•
540-908-2333
•
HARRISONBURG, VA 22801
10
Our TOP
Top Ten Toughest Athletic Challenges
Is your daily routine at the gym boring you? Is your jogging route not giving you the same satisfaction it once did? And are you tired of athletic events that only last a couple of measly hours? Then it sounds like you need more pain and suffering in your life! Luckily, there are numerous sporting challenges that have been designed for the sole purpose of torturing their participants with insane demands. Taking part in any one of the following 10 events should be enough to ensure that you never want to exercise again! Or, perhaps you’re just the kind of maniac who has been waiting for an article like this for years….
10. The Tough Guy
9. The Barkley Marathon
The Tough Guy is a 12km foot race, but don’t let the short distance fool you. The creator of the course (some crazy British dude), believing that nature can’t provide a racetrack that’s hardcore enough for him, has built a series of obstacles that combine aspects of American Gladiators with war training drills. Competitors climb up log walls, shimmy up poles to slide across high ropes, run through fire pits, navigate through sewer pipes, wade across chest deep water, and crawl under barbed wire while smoke bombs go off over their heads. Oh, and it takes place in the middle of January. Events have been known to attract up to 6,000 people and injuries are common (two people have died), prompting a “death warrant” of a waiver. What are you waiting for—grab your friends and start training!
The Barkley Marathon, held at Frozen Head State Park, Tenn., is a 161km run, but that’s not the hard part. It’s the staggering 18,000-meter climb that causes problems; well, that and the fact that there isn’t a trail for you to follow and the whole area is covered in thorns, briars, collapsed trees, and so on. Plus it’s always raining in Frozen Head (encouraging name by the way). Since 1986, only nine people have finished the race within the allotted 60-hour time frame. Too harsh? Then just do the 40-hour, 97km “fun run” instead.
8. Norseman Xtreme Triathlon
It’s obvious this race means business—just look at how they spelled “extreme.” At 226km, it’s about the length of an Ironman triathlon, but there are enough differences to make even seasoned Ironmen look relatively average. For starters, the race takes place in Norway, so for the swim, the water might reach 17C, if you’re lucky. The bike leg is pretty standard, except you’re doing it up a mountain with the last 17km going up an extra 2,000 meters on rocks. Oh, and there “might” be Xtreme weather conditions…have fun with that—tell us how it goes.
7. The Marathon des Sables
Running a marathon is a nice achievement and all, but if you really want to challenge yourself, you should run six of them over consecutive days (if you’re a real runner). And you should do it in southern Morocco, at a time of year where the temperature tends to be around 50C. And forget about paved roads; it’s rocks and sand dunes for you. And did we mention that you have to carry your sleeping bag, food, and other supplies on your back, and that you have to cook for yourself every night? About 700 people enter the event each year (right around 700 more than we’d expect). The total distance ends up being roughly 243km, and the record completion time is 19.5 hours. There is prize money, but most contestants are just interested in not dying.
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Around Harrisonburg | Feb/Mar 2011
6. Everest Challenge
Contrary to what you might think from its name, this two-day, 332km bike race actually takes place in California. Don’t worry, it still has a vertical climb of 9,144 meters—you’re pretty much biking uphill the entire way, sometimes at a grade of 20%. And since it takes around 14 hours to complete the challenge, your legs have little chance of coming out intact—assuming you even finish. But at least the view is nice.
5. The Ultraman
If you’re anything like us, you scoff at normal triathlons and consider Ironman events to be a light warm-up before stretching. Now, The Ultraman is more our style—a three-day, 515km race held annually in Hawaii since 1983. Day one consists of a 10km swim through the ocean, followed by a 145km bike ride. Day two has contestants biking for another 276km, and day three concludes with an 84km run— the equivalent of two marathons. Only 35 people are allowed to compete every year, and the winner usually boasts a completion time of just under 24 hours (slacker).
4. The Simpson Desert Bike Challenge
This is the biking equivalent of the Marathon des Sables, as contestants spend five days cycling across remote parts of the Australian outback. Most of the 590km is spent going over sand dunes and rocky plains, all the while putting up with intense heat and swarms of bugs. You might get relief from some rain, but then, that tends to create bogs that are incredibly difficult to bike though. And of course, there’s always the killer bugs and reptiles to think about. The winning time is usually around 40 hours. On the plus side, participants can have a support crew to prepare meals, do laundry, and so on—lazy!
3. Yukon Arctic Ultra
First off, anything with Yukon in the name, take my name off the list. And what is it with these challenges and being “Ultra?”—which doesn’t even begin to describe this event—a 702km race through the arctic, where participants can complete on either bikes, skis, or, if they hate themselves, foot. The average temperature is -20C (and can get as low as a horrifying -55C), and blizzards are common. And there’s gotta be some angry polar bears in there somewhere. This is the only race on the list that requires a headlamp, 48 hours’ worth of emergency food, and, most worryingly, an avalanche shovel (a small portion of the junk you have to carry around with you). There’s a strict limit of 13 days to finish, though most never do (again, just not motivated I guess—which is unfortunate).
2. The Iditarod
Easily the most famous event on our list, the Iditarod is a 1,868km dog-sled race across Alaska. Of course, it’s the team of 16 dogs that’s doing most of the work, but the whiteout conditions, blizzards, and wind chill (that can drop to a balmy -73C) makes this event tough on everyone, even people just reading about it. The sheer length is a huge factor; the record completion time is just under nine days—taking some racers as long as 15 days. Think about this race next time you take Fluffy out to go potty and it’s barely snowing, and all you both wanna do is scurry back inside.
1. The Atlantic Rowing Race
Yes, that’s Atlantic as in “Ocean.” Beginning in 1997, and held every two years, the race starts in the Canary Islands and ends in the West Indies. At 4,722km it’s longer than every other event on our list combined, and the 2009 version took contestants anywhere from 40 to 90 days to complete. Any race that requires quitting your job or likely getting divorced might be a little too long, but then again…hmmm. This race also redefines insanity. Most of the boats are manned by pairs, or teams of four—because wackos usually come in twos. A few particularly nutty souls have even braved the event alone over the years. I don’t know, call me crazy, but three months straight, sitting on a frisbee in a kayak, with nothing to do but row, doesn’t sound so bad. Have these pansies ever been in Wal-Mart on Black Friday? Doubt it.
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of family and friends were eager to help. Adina Bailey (’99M), the mother’s close friend, was quickly overwhelmed by hundreds of people needing to know what the kids liked to eat and what day food was needed. “I asked Scott if we could put the needs online,” recalls Bailey. “I wanted more of my time to be spent with her kids and at the hospital, not on the phone.” Rogers responded with the first version of TakeThemaMeal.com. Jmu Alumni Association Board member Scott Rogers is co-founder of Takethemameal. com.
AROUND THE CAMPUS Courtesy of Madison, the magazine of James Madison University
Feel-good food helps families in need - By Jamie Marsh
Morgan Stone Langley delivered her second child in January, with a two-year-old waiting at home. Naturally, her best friend Heather’s first thought was, “What can I cook?” Rather than whipping up a favorite casserole and dropping it off, Heather opted to throw technology into the mix by using TakeThemaMeal.com, a website created by Scott Rogers (’00, ’02M) and Adina Bailey (’99M). In just a few minutes, she customized a sophisticated meal coordination spreadsheet that all of Langley’s family and friends could access online. Langley was so impressed by TakeThemaMeal.com that she wrote about the website on her blog, telling followers it was “an incredible gift.” She recommends the site for families with members who have had surgery, those with a death in the family, or the elderly. Testimonials like Langley’s are the
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best kind of advertising for the website. More than 25,000 people visit TakeThemaMeal.com each week, and almost all of them find out about the free service via blogs, Facebook, and other social media. “One friend telling another is how we’ve grown,” says Rogers. “Word of mouth has been the best advertising.” Since the site’s 2007 launch, more than 250,000 meals have been coordinated, and people living in every state have used the site. Part of the appeal is the site’s simplicity— participants log on using the recipient’s name and a password. Then, they sign up for a specific day and list what they’re bringing. Meal duplication is no problem, and food allergy information and driving directions are at volunteers’ fingertips. Rogers never anticipated the site would be so helpful to so many people. “TakeThemaMeal.com was created in response to one particular family’s need,” he says. When a Harrisonburg-area mother of four was faced with a six-month medical issue, her large network
Rogers is no stranger to the volunteer spirit. The media arts and design major served as president of the JMU student ambassadors and as a student member of the alumni board. He is active in the Harrisonburg alumni Chapter and currently serves on the JMU alumni association Board of directors. The momentum of TakeThemaMeal. com has continued to grow since its initial use in Harrisonburg. “Several people from our first group of users wanted to keep using the site,” Rogers says. A church secretary organized a regular meals ministry, and small groups coordinated snack sign-ups. An 80-year-old fan posted: “Great delight in helping take care of lifelong friends.” “It must have saved hours in phone calls for my friend,” Leah in Florida wrote on her blog after having surgery. “And they didn’t just bring some spaghetti and bread. We’re talking meat, bread, salad, drinks, dessert … the works.” TakeThemaMeal.com has been very useful for Jacqueline Dost of Atlanta, who used the free service after her husband’s cancer diagnosis. She posted on Facebook saying: “It’s a great way to coordinate meals from our friends with a little input from us.”
Scott Rogers and Adina Bailey
Around Harrisonburg | Feb/Mar 2011
With the help of user feedback and testimonials, Rogers and Bailey continue to tweak the site for usability. Both founders say they will do whatever it takes to never charge for the service. “We’re helping people in times of grief and joy,” Rogers says. “We’ve made something that was once a burden into something easily organized, so people can focus on making meals and helping loved ones.”
Perfecting patient care - By Sara Riddle (’10)
Since graduating, Carrie Owen Plietz (’97) has been bettering the lives of patients. From developing skilled nursing facilities to supervising the development of a full electronic health record system, Plietz has helped raise patient satisfaction for thousands. Plietz’s hard work and care for others was honored this year as the American College of Healthcare Executives named her the 2010 Young Healthcare Executive of the Year and presented her with the Robert S. Hudgens Memorial Award. The annual award is presented to an exceptional healthcare executive who is under 40 years old and who is the chief executive officer of a health services organization. “It’s amazing and very humbling,” says Plietz, who received the award at the annual ACHE conference in Chicago. “Our profession is blessed with many talented individuals. To be acknowledged in such a way by my national organization, one that I respect tremendously, is just thrilling.” As chief operating officer of the Mills-Peninsula Health Service/ Sutter Health System in Burlingame, Calif., Plietz has been responsible for several major initiatives, including implementation of Sutter Health’s first acute care electronic health record system. She was the driving force behind a major “patient affordability” initiative that helped lower costs and improve patient satisfaction. Plietz brought in a team of caregivers to listen to the “voice of patients” through satisfaction survey results, letters, and family comments.
Prior to her current position, Plietz served as chief administrative officer and vice president of operations for specialty services at Sutter Health’s California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco. There, she developed new centers for cancer, cardiac and endoscopy treatment, achieved a 96th percentile patient satisfaction score, and developed a regional referral network for transplant services, including a Vietnam collaborative for liver transplantation.
computer science. He works on software development in the Bay area, having worked in Silicon Valley on major projects, such as the entire infrastructure for the California Paid Family Leave Act. The two welcomed their first child in April.
Plietz credits much of her success to JMU’s health science faculty. “My professors taught real-life scenarios, which is extremely important in healthcare’s ever changing environment. JMU was where I first learned about and joined the student chapter of the American College of Healthcare Executives.” Plietz serves as president of the ACHE chapter for the California Association of Healthcare Leaders and serves on the ACHE Early Careerist Committee, and the Northern and Central California Regents Advisory Council. “I’m a volunteer board member for the Women’s Community Clinic, which provides free primary and reproductive care to uninsured or underinsured women,” she says. As one of the most promising young healthcare executives in the country, Plietz dedicates herself to “guiding aspiring executives, improving the care of patients, and providing healthcare services to those who need it most.” Plietz is married to Jasen Plietz (’97), who graduated with a business degree with a concentration in
Health sciences major Carrie Owen Plietz (‘97) is the American College of Healthcare Executives 2010 Robert S. Hudgens Memorial Young Healthcare Executive of the Year.
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O, grief hath changed me since you saw me last, And careful hours with time’s deformed hand Have written strange defeatures in my face: But tell me yet, dost thou not know my voice? These words appear near the end of William Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors. Egeon says them when his long-lost son doesn’t recognize him, but these words might also apply to how many perceive Shakespeare and his plays these days. Somewhere along the way, Shakespeare’s plays have become somewhat unrecognizable for what they truly have to offer. It’s been a long time since the 16th Century and, for some reason, we tend to think of
people back then as drab and humorless, especially the English. Mention Shakespeare to American teenagers these days and most will fire back a sharp eye roll or a fake gag. The American Shakespeare Center (ASC), with its Blackfriars Playhouse, in Staunton, aims to dispel these notions. It only takes one visit to make most people leave the theater thinking: “Shakespeare plays are cool,” or “Shakespeare plays are funny,” or even “Shakespeare was the man!” Hilarity in The Comedy of Errors. Darkness in Henry VI, Part 3. The downright macabre flair in Macbeth. No fancy lights. No specially made sets. No sound system. No special effects. Actors doubling up on parts. Men playing women—women playing men. And, naturally, amazing performances.
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This is the real Shakespeare. “We believe that Shakespeare’s works have always been accessible and joyful, but that modern theatre practitioners have laid so many things on top of the text that the natural accessibility is squashed,” says Amy Wratchford, ASC’s managing director. “The approach all along has been to approach the works as closely as we can to the way Shakespeare produced them. Without the sets, lights, and proscenium getting in the way, the audience has a much more direct connection to the actors and the play; they literally become characters and are pulled into the through-line.” In 1988, Ralph Alan Cohen and Jim Warren founded ASC as Shenandoah Shakespeare Express. The first production was Richard
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III. In 2001, they built and settled in Blackfriars Playhouse, in Staunton. In 2004, they became the American Shakespeare Center. ASC has toured the world and produced hundreds of plays, including ones Shakespeare didn’t write but are important, somehow, to Shakespeare’s works. This year, ASC embarks on the seventh year of the Actors’ Renaissance Season, which is all about performing and rehearsing as Shakespeare did. It’s all about simplicity, but it’s Shakespeare, so it’s anything but simple; the playwright’s words and the actors’ performances do the work, not fog machines or million-dollar sets. Much like in Shakespeare’s time, the audience becomes a part of the play. Actors often address the audience. The audience may be an army of soldiers or Cleopatra’s court. Audience members are so vital that there are even seats on the stage—twelve stools for audience members who want to be up-close. Another seating perk is the Julietish balcony behind the stage, where audience members can sit and be in Juliet’s chamber when she speaks to Romeo. “We would like you to feel like you are coming to your best friend’s house for a party full of engaging and eloquent guests,” Wratchford conveys. “We want every audience member to feel like they belong at ASC and are truly part of a family of folks who love the type of theatre and music that transports you and makes you forget time. It is like home, but more fun.” I saw The Comedy of Errors in a pay-what-you-will performance, which is the actors’ final dress rehearsal before opening night. Before the play, and at intermission, the performers entertained the crowd with acoustic music, featuring songs like “I’m Walking on Sunshine” and “Play That Funky Music White Boy.” The songs were odd choices lyrically, but they set the right tone for a fun, up-beat, funny play. The performances in the play were spot-on and, even if an actor forgot a line, yelling “Prithee” to [ 38 ]
Around Harrisonburg | Feb/Mar 2011
have it read to him or her, it was done with pizzazz and in character. Remember, the play had only been rehearsed for about three days prior; forgetting only one or two words is impressive. The Comedy of Errors is a slightly confusing play because it’s about separated twins (both named Antipholus) with twin servants who were also separated (both named Dromio). When one Antipholus and Dromio find themselves in the others’ town, the confusion ensues, as does the riotous amusement. Both Dromios, played by the actors almost as clowns, stole the show; they got the biggest laughs as they bumbled about the stage. But all the parts were executed meticulously, somehow giving the disorder clarity. I expected chuckles from the audience members, young to old; what I saw were explosive bursts of laughter from all. Even if there were nothing on stage at all, the performance area for ASC, the Blackfriars Playhouse, on South Market Street in Staunton, is worth the short jaunt down I-81. It’s the world’s only re-creation of the theatre that Shakespeare and his colleagues built in part of the Blackfriars Monastery, in London, which was the first indoor theater in the English-speaking world. The playhouse contains wooden benches (with cushions added for modern convenience) and amazing acoustics. No spotlights—the audience and the actors share the same lighting, much of which comes from chandeliers (with electric flames for modern safety). ASC is in the planning stage for a second facility—a re-creation of Shakespeare’s Globe II. In all, ASC is great for an evening of entertainment, laughter, sadness, or whatever you’re in the mood for, and whatever’s on stage that night. Thanks to ASC, people can recognize Shakespeare again. For more information about the American Shakespeare Center, visit www.ascstaunton.com. See More at www.AroundHarrisonburg.com
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Gray stone walkways cascading a limestone ridge—colorful, contemporary gardens; a duck pond blending into a manicured courtyard. The Hillbrook Inn in Charles Town, West Virginia—traditional European elegance. Guests of all backgrounds are drawn to the majestic brown and white country house hotel because of its Old World charm and sophistication. The oversized chessboard that accents the front courtyard only adds to the inn’s unique character. Hillbrook, owned by Carissa Zanella, presents a distinct fine dining experience with its polite style and delectable cuisine. The restaurant’s engaging tone is an inviting blend of rustic splendor and classic allure. The preserved wooden floors and log-accented walls are charming elements of its original era.
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Built in the 1920s, the estate displays timeless rudiments of the original log residence, that in the 1700s, was Bullskin Plantation. History tells us that George Washington surveyed the property and later purchased it at the age of sixteen, lending it unsurpassed historical sentiment. The dimly-lit main dining room is comprised of little more than a handful of tables, mostly with seating for couples in an intimate setting. Another setting offers a bench, or “love seat,” in one rear corner of the room, and each is stunningly adorned with small, pink flowers and glistening candlelight. A background of piano music compliments soft conversation. An oversized fireplace, ornamented with shining brass ducks, emits a soothing and romantic warmth in
the cooler months, while across the room, shelves housing teapots overlook antique furnishings resting atop handsome lengths of oriental carpet. Added in 1988, the sunroom houses several additional tables, allowing diners to gaze out into the immaculately landscaped country courtyard and garden, where a simple wooden swing hangs. It could be summed up as elegant simplicity. Christine Hale has complimented Hillbrook as its executive chef since 1991. A resident of Morgantown, she travels to her petite kitchen of just four burners and an oven each Thursday to cater to her devoted guests. Her extensive education includes Shepherd College and West Virginia University, prior to her studies at the Pennsylvania Institute of Culinary Arts, where she trained in French cooking techniques. It was Around Harrisonburg | Feb/Mar 2011
there, she says, that she was granted an opportunity to visit Cordon Bleu, in Paris, and La Varenne, to further educate herself on French cooking styles. But her studies didn’t end there. Christine later earned her certification in culinary management through the Grand Hyatt in Washington, D.C., and worked as a sous chef at Dulles Airport. With her broad education and experience, it’s no wonder that she has collected a network of fans. “I’ve always been passionate about food,” she tells me, explaining that many of her memories have been defined, in part, by what was eaten that day. “I remember every good and bad meal that I’ve ever had.” Christine’s pride in her work is powerfully displayed in every ornamental dish that she creates, and she takes special care in preparing every serving offered at Hillbrook. “There are no menus here,” she informs me. “Our guests tell me what they don’t like, can’t have, or choose not to eat, and I design the meals around
them.” It is a truly imaginative concept that was new to me. Whether other venues offer the same, or the innovation is all her own, I found it a delightfully pleasing initiative—each meal is a mystery until it reaches the table. She does, however, adhere to a specific framework. “The first dinner course is always an appetizer, the second is soup, followed by a third course of either pasta or fish, and so on.” She refers to her cooking style as “New French,” and each creation, she says, is distinctive of her technique. Her dishes aren’t smothered with sauces or accentuating complimentary foods, and she takes special care in the selection of ingredients, using fresh vegetables, fruits and herbs, and carefully aged meats. “I might make French one night and Asian cuisine another night, but you’ll always taste something from me,” she says of her unique characteristic. “The food
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shines first.” Adding to her originality, Christine tells me that she keeps track of which dishes her guests have eaten at the inn so that their meals are never repeated, though she says that her succulent filet mignon with shallot butter is a popular request, and I eventually come to understand why. Tender and seasoned to perfection, the entree awakened my senses while seemingly melting in my mouth. Our meal evolved into six other tantalizing courses. First the rosemary chicken on a bed of caramelized onions, followed by cream of broccoli soup, farfalle pasta, baby greens with watermelon and orange vinaigrette, Milton’s crackers with cheese and plum, and finally, a sinfully delectable chocolate pecan pâté on bourbon sauce. Each dish yielded just the right amount of spice that awakened the food without overwhelming it, and it was then that I realized what Christine meant about the food shining first. I felt as if each dish had been strategically prepared to stimulate my senses in a unique way, including the compliment of two savory wines.
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The cozy dining room seats thirty-eight people at full capacity, but on occasions such as Valentine’s Day, a sitting room just a few steps up is transformed into additional dining space to accommodate approximately fifty guests. Wilson Dillon, Hillbrook’s dedicated maître d’ of sixteen years, delivers superb personality and service with her soft voice and pleasant smile, identifying each dish that she serves. She is a true compliment to the inn’s dining experience, which shines through immediately when she greets you at the door. Bullskin Tavern, at the entrance of the restaurant, was historically a three-car garage. Like the dining area, it houses a living room setting of antique furnishings and ornamental chairs amidst a small bar and pristine baby grand piano, which guests are welcome to play. The tavern mimics the rustic charm of the inn with its authentic log and preserved wood floors. A stunning gray stoned patio of cast iron tables invites guests to relax by the soothing, accentual fountain, offering the opportunity to interact with other guests at the inn. Hillbrook offers special Valentine’s Day and New Year’s Eve packages and can also house wedding, birthday, and anniversary parties up to 150 guests on the property. Banquet Manager, Becky Paulovich, who also serves as the morning and sous chef, carefully organizes such events. Special menus can be designed to suit the needs of those in attendance. Serving up leisurely three-course lunches, seven-course dinners, and a five-course English tea for groups of six or more, the establishment is first class and its warm staff is always on hand to present a memorable experience. It is history, culture, and romance in a single visit. Everyone is welcome and all are friends. Whether it is an intimate dinner for two or a magnificent gala for over a hundred, Hillbrook Inn offers an exquisite option for any occasion. Experience more of the Hillbrook at www.hillbrookinn.com
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Around Harrisonburg | Feb/Mar 2011
A Little Taste of Europe Right in your Backyard
BäckerBäck Bread Baked Daily • Tea • Smoked Sausage • Cheeses Gourmet Coffee • Pastries • Chocolates • Fish • Candy • Fresh Vegetables Deli Meats • Catering Service Available
182 neff ave suite W5 harrisonburg va 22801 182 neff ave suite W5
cell: 540-421-4768 harrisonburg va 22801 store: cell: 540-433-2622 540-421-4768
Dave’s Downtown Taverna |
Harrisonburg, VA
Get Me to the Greek (Restaurant). - By Debra Cornwell Dave Miller’s casual, almost preppy attire suggests corporate manager or some similar profession that requires cool detachment. Ask him about food or downtown Harrisonburg and his passion is evident. As the owner of Dave’s Downtown Taverna since 1994, he is proprietor of one of the oldest and most successful restaurants in Harrisonburg. Has anyone not eaten there? Newcomers are always arriving in Harrisonburg, and for long standing customers, maybe it’s time to revisit Dave’s story and learn about one of his newest passions. Dave’s Downtown Taverna is billed as an American restaurant with a wide range of Greek specialties. While eating there, I realized I was tasting Greek food that transcended any offering at a Greek or Mediterranean restaurant I’d previously visited. I honestly felt like I was experiencing Greek food for the first time—it was that unique, and good. Local residents may not realize how spoiled they are with Dave’s in their midst. Miller worked his way through school in the food industry. After six majors and 100 hours of classwork, it was time to get serious, so he embarked on a career in the restaurant industry and married his wife, Julie.
Certainly, Dave’s Greek heritage is shining through? “I’m not Greek,” he says flatly. “I worked for Greeks and fell in love with the cuisine and culture. I learned the language to communicate with Yia Yia (the restaurant owner’s grandmother). She loved me like a grandson and made sure I got a share of See More at www.AroundHarrisonburg.com
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the homemade food that she sent to the restaurant. I realized that this is the food that I wanted to cook. Most Greeks who own restaurants don’t serve Greek food— steak houses, Italian, pancakes—but not Greek. I thought it would be a good niche for Harrisonburg.
“We started with Greek salad, gyros, souvlaki and baklava, then added new flavors and new dishes with a Greek twist. I didn’t want to be too far off the reservation and become irrelevant. It took fifteen years to educate Harrisonburg’s palate to Greek tastes, and now customers have their favorites. We have specials to keep it fresh and interesting, but it’s difficult to keep people from their favorites. It also took that long to get residents to pronounce ‘Yeerow’ for gyro.” Dave’s is the first restaurant in the Valley to offer a taratsa—rooftop dining, complete with a bar (in 2006). It increased Dave’s seating capacity by 200, to 425. With the use of outdoor heaters, the al fresco dining is expanded to three seasons.
With Miller’s 2010 Business Person of the Year award and his 2004 Entrepreneur of the Year award, he is the first person in the Harrisonburg Chamber of Commerce’s 80-year history to win both. Voted 2010 Restaurateur of the Year by the Virginia Hospitality and Travel Association, it marks the first time a restaurant from the Shenandoah Valley has won the award, which has typically gone to venues in larger metro areas. Dave’s won two Daily News Record: 2010 Best of the Valley awards for Best Fries and Best Outdoor Dining. Miller is well on his way to reaching his goal of becoming a nationally recognized restaurateur.
As one of the founding board members of Downtown Harrisonburg Renaissance, Miller is also dedicated to offering goods and services to local charities—recently committing to provide food to the JMU Duke Club Hospitality Tent for four years. He also possesses a steady passion for the Downtown Dining Alliance—a cooperative of 20 local restaurants that pool resources for marketing and advertising, as well as donating goods and services to local charities. Miller projects, “In one year, everyone within a hundred and twenty miles of Harrisonburg will know what the Downtown Dining Alliance is. We can help charities because they won’t have to dedicate a volunteer to sourcing food and service. We show up and take care it. We’ve already donated about ten thousand dollars [ 45 ]
Around Harrisonburg | Feb/Mar 2011
in kind to local, charitable events.”
Designated a Virginia Green Restaurant, Dave’s recycled before it was cool and even before the city was routinely picking up recycling. “I use used vegetable oil to heat my house. America could reduce fossil fuel use by fifteen percent if fryer oil was reused,” Miller divulges. Now that’s food for thought!
All of this is for naught if the food isn’t good. My party went all-Mediterranean and feasted on the tomato mozzarella salad, the sampler platter, and pastitsio. The Greek food at Dave’s is so authentic that Greeks say it is as good or better than some restaurants in Greece. Cooking food “just like Yia Yia said” has worked out well for Miller. “We are in a quest for perfection,” he strives, “and we want to make the best ever. Many of these recipes have a long process, and we work hard at producing good food year round, and consistently.” That’s quite a feat for a restaurant that serves 250,000 customers a year.
Miller must be at the top of the food chain with suppliers, too, because the tomatoes on this winter day were outstanding. The marinade was classic, with olive oil and basil. The sampler platter contained the smoothest tasting dolmathes I’ve ever eaten. If you ever tasted stuffed grape leaves that were too briny or too lemony, you know what I mean. The spanakopita—baked spinach and cheese in phyllo triangles, were puff pastry perfection. I think keftedes, Greek meatballs, are my favorite over traditional Italian meatballs. Did I detect a hint of mint and oregano? Delicious. Tyropita, also on the sampler, is baked, Greek mac and cheese with feta. I thought it would be too salty, but it wasn’t. My favorite dish was the pastitsio—baked noodles smothered in a cinnamon meat sauce with cheese and a creamy bechamel, which was served with a side dish of delectable green beans. The beans were cooked in an herbed tomato sauce—I took a quart home! Hestia and Dionysus would be proud. To be sure, Dave’s serves great mainstream American cuisine, as well, but the real treasure is in the iconic Greek dishes. The restaurant also offers off-site catering, and Dave’s Taverna Express offers delivery. See www.davestaverna.com for more information, or like Dave’s Downtown Taverna on Facebook.
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The
unKnown Eater Exploring Things to Do & Places to Go Around Harrisonburg
Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint Awesomely Different! Where do I start? The hand-hewn bar? The wagon wheel-disco ball chandelier of bras? The Notch Club? The chop top Lincoln? There’s a story here, and that’s before you take one bite of food.
In downtown Harrisonburg for a meeting, my spouse and I ducked into Jack Brown’s to escape a f-f-ffreezing day. We wanted warmth, good food, no hassle, easy in, easy out. Since we are still learning our way around Harrisonburg, Jack Brown’s was on our radar for some time, but this was our first visit. We ended up staying a full hour—not because of an unpleasant wait, but because we were so engaged with the food and the scene.
better quality beef than what is served at Jack Brown’s. They offer Wagyu beef—the same beef found on highend menus as sliders—at something like $25 for three tiny burgers. Wagyu literally means Japanese beef cattle. There are different breeds, and the first Wagyu was imported to the United States in the 1970s, and again in the 1990s. Gourmets will recognize that Kobe is a type of Wagyu. In the U. S., Wagyu is crossbred with Angus to produce cattle that is better suited to American farming and climate, in addition to being more affordable for consumers. However, American Wagyu is still very expensive and is prized for its marbling, flavor, tenderness, and juiciness. That’s what you get at Jack Brown’s—the good stuff.
A great burger starts with great beef. A diner would be hard pressed to find
Mike is a lifelong best friend of Aaron
We arrived just as the establishment opened at 11 a.m., and picked the window table. It’s a tiny place, seating only 24, with a capacity of 34. By the time we left, the place was full. Curious diners, we always ask lots of questions of the waitstaff. First up, take care of food and beverage needs. When in Rome do as the Romans, so when at a burger and beer joint, the sensible thing to do is order burgers and beer. The choices for each are many (over 100 beers), and ignited quite a debate.
So how does Wagyu find its way on the menu of a burger and beer joint in Harrisonburg? Our server explained, “One of the owners is a corporate chef.” I immediately thought, “Hmm, he cooks burgers for corporations?” Oh, no—I couldn’t have been more wrong. Mike Sabin is a partner and head chef of a group of six restaurants in South Beach, Miami—six of the best, most popular, exclusive restaurants in Miami. He is a rock star of the culinary world. Which begs the next question, how did Mike come to own a burger and beer joint in Harrisonburg?
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Ludwig, one of the founders of Cradle Mountain Ski & Skate and Function 4 Sports—long time sporting goods purveyors in Harrisonburg. As kids, the duo skateboarded and collected beer cans—most of which are displayed at Jack Brown’s. One day, Aaron called Mike and said, “Hey, the time is right. Let’s do that beer and burger thing.” Jack Brown’s opened in April 2009. Ever the innovator, Aaron guided the development of a beer application for the Internet browser on mobile phones so customers can do a beer menu search, which is more current than the Jack Brown’s printed menu. That innovation, plus a great restaurant with great service, clinched the recent Entrepreneur of the Year Award by the Harrisonburg Chamber of Commerce, for Aaron. What’s amazingly different about Jack Brown’s is how Aaron and Mike have created a “joint” that has a dedicated following and a storied history, and it’s less than two years old. We settled on a Chile Verde burger topped with roasted, poblano peppers and pepper jack cheese, with sweet potato fries, and an Elvis with regular fries. We weren’t sure if the Elvis was a joke or something truly great. We bet on the latter and were rewarded with a burger topped with peanut butter, mayo, bacon, and cheese. It was astonishingly, shockingly good. So full from the burgers and beer, we just didn’t have room for the fried Oreo cookie. By all accounts, it is rich and wonderful. At $1.00, it sounds like a great ending to dinner—a few bites of something sweetly decadent that won’t break the bank.
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Two other notable burgers are the Boomin’ Granny and the Greg Brady. The Boomin’ Granny is inspired by the Beastie Boys song and delicious Granny Smith apples. Ham, Brie, and apple slices are piled on top of the burger. The Greg Brady is usually available on Fridays because that’s when the from-scratch, three-cheese mac is made for the burger topping. Add Martin’s BBQ Chips on top of the mac and cheese, and you’ve got a Greg
Around Harrisonburg | Feb/Mar 2011
At a
Glance
Brady.
Want one of only seven beers still made in Belgium by monks? Interested in tasting reserves, one-offs, or limited releases of beer? Curious about a beer made with real cherries? Jack Brown’s is one of only three “beer joints” in the Commonwealth that specializes in these rare brews. They work with six different distributors to keep their selection fresh and interesting. These are the beers that need to be appreciated and talked about—not sent to a chain restaurant. There seems to be an active beer community in Harrisonburg that enjoys craft beers. Jack Brown’s takes that discussion up a notch, and clearly spoils their clientele with the rarest and best beer they can find.
Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint 80 S Main St, Harrisonburg, VA 540-433-5225
First Impression
Service
We drank Blue Star Wheat—a hefeweizen, or unfiltered, wheat beer—that was tart but not bitter. We did not insult it with a wedge of lemon, as some drinkers do to cut the wheaty edge. We also drank Starr Hill Dark Starr Stout—a dry Irish Stout that hails from Crozet. Hints of coffee and chocolate? Excellent.
Food Quality/Taste
Value for Money
It should be noted that gaining entry to The Notch Club, or becoming a Notcher, requires one to drink a minimum of 100 different beers at Jack Brown’s. Inspiring Notchers and veterans keep track on file cards kept at the bar. In just a short time, there are two Notchers in the 800s! Do you have what it takes? I should also mention that there is no time limit. This is beer to be savored, not chugged.
Overall Atmosphere
Voted Best Burger and Best Late Night Eats by The Daily News Record’s Best of the Valley Awards, Jack Brown’s griddle keeps cooking until 1:30 a.m. The joint operates a fully equipped trailer with a kitchen for offsite catering. They’re located on South Main Street. To find out more, check out www. jackbrownsjoint.com, or like them on Facebook as Jack Brown’s Burger & Beer Joint.
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Now It’s Your Turn Recipes to Spice Up Your Life | Breakfast Favorites
Crab and Swiss Quic he Ingredients
y beaten 2 egg, lightl 1/2 cup milk yonnaise 1/2 cup ma cornstarch 1 teaspoon ab meat 1/2 pound cr s redded Swis 1 1/2 cups sh cheese crust nbaked pie 1 (9 inch) u
Directions
ven to 350 1. Preheat o degrees ium bowl, 2. In a med , r eggs, milk mix togethe rch. a st rn co and mayonnaise s ab and Swis Mix in the cr ll. e sh ie p r into cheese. Pou en reheated ov 3. Bake in p to in d e rt inse until a knife s out quiche come e th f center o inutes. t 30 to 40 m clean, abou
Crepes
Ingredients
1 cup all-purpose flo ur 2 eggs 1/2 cup milk 1/2 cup water 1/4 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons butte r, melted 1 can of pie filling ( blueberry, cherry, strawberry) whip cream
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Directions
1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and the eggs. Gradually add in the milk and water, stir ring to combine. Ad d the salt and butter; beat until smooth. 2. Heat a lightly oile d frying pan over medium high heat. Pour about a 1/4 cup of batter for each cre pe. Tilt the pan with a circular motion so that the batter coats the surface evenly. 3. Cook the crepe for about 2 minutes, until the bottom is light brown. Loosen with a spatula, turn and cook the other side. Serve hot. 4. Stack crepes wit h wax paper between them so they don’t stick together. 5. Fill crepe with wa rm pie filling and top with whip cream.
Around Harrisonburg | Feb/Mar 2011
Breakfast Casserole
Ingredients
Directions
1/4 cup butter 1/2 cup 1. Melt bu croutons tter in an 8x8 dish or sm 1/2 cup all cassero inch glass baking shredded le dish. Ad and toss to Cheddar cheese d crouton coat. Spri s n croutons. kle chees In a large e on top o 4 eggs b f o milk and d wl, beat to ry mustard gether eg 3/4 cup g . s, c P routons a milk nd cheese our egg mixture ov e . r h S am,onion 1 teaspo , green pe prinkle on cubed on dry m ppers. Co wrap, and ustard ver with p refrigerate 1 cup co lastic overnight. oked ham 2. Prehea , cubed t oven to 1 onion c 375 casserole hopped stand at ro degrees. Let om tempe o 1 green ven heats rature wh pepper d . ile iced 3. Bake in 1 can of mushroo preheated ms drain oven for 4 (optiona ed until eggs are set. 0 minutes l) L , e t cutting. C sit for 5 m an also be inutes befo fr re ozen and later. microwav ed
avy r G d n a s t i u c s i Sausage - B Directions Ingredients se flour ll-purpo wder 1 cup a king po oons ba p s a te 1 1/2 alt spoon s 1/8 tea milk , 1/2 cup argarine er or m tt u b n oo 1 teasp melted
GRAVY: sausage ulk pork b d n u ne o 1/2 p margari utter or b n o o p flour 1 tables urpose ns all-p o o p s le 3 tab ps milk 1 3/4 cu alt spoon s 1/8 tea epper spoon p 1/2 tea
g ur, bakin mbine flo milk o c l, w o 1. In a b ombine nd salt. C dients powder a stir into dry ingre er; rounded and butt . Drop by d baking d e d n le b rease just until onto a g ls fu n for 10-12 o o p degrees tables 0 5 4 t a e n. ak sheet. B until golden brow or s te ook the u in m cepan, c o u a s a in ln while, heat unti 2. Mean r medium until melted. e v o e g a r saus in butte ink. Stir ally stir in longer p r. Gradu u o fl h it w to a boil; Sprinkle er. Bring p p e over p d an s. Serve milk, salt 2 minute r fo r ti s cook and biscuits.
Blueberry Breakfast B
Ingredients
1 cup fres h or froze n blueberrie s
ake
Directions
Lightly grease a baking pan (11x7 and 2 inch deep). S pread 1/2 of th e bread into pan. sprinkle with cream ch 8 slices of eese cubes, blueberries an Texas Toa d remaining br st Bread cut ead. into 1 inch In a separate cubes bowl combine eg gs & milk and beat till w ell blended. P our over 8 oz chille bread mixture d cream c an heese aluminum foil. d cover tightly with cut into 1 Refrigerate fo /8 inch cu r at least 8 hours but no bes more than 24 8 eggs hours. Preheat oven to 350. Bake 1 1/2 cup covered for 30 minutes, un milk cover for 25-3 0 more until top is puffy an d center is se t. Serve with Blueberry or M aple Syrup See More at www.AroundHarrisonburg.com
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inside out with
ELI
The Least of Your Concerns by Eli Andersen
It’s official—we’re over a month into the new year. Most statistics reveal that at least two-thirds of us will soon have backed off of our once-passionate resolutions, significantly—or abandoned them altogether. It’s pretty intriguing if you think about it. How does a decision arrived at with such hope and constructive energy, unravel with such ease, and disappear without so much as a second glance for many of us? I’ve often thought that if I’d gone into a different line of work, I would devote the research side of my career to that annual and ever-provocative facet of the human condition: The Failed New Year’s Resolution. It’s as worthy a psychological phenomenon as any—in relation to some of the ridiculous studies out there. And it’s tied to so many other aspects of our culture, quite interconnected really, to so many people around us. The failed New Year’s resolution is actually a cultural assurance, an accepted defeat. But why? Maybe Mark Twain had a better handle on the human condition than most of us have on ourselves. One of his many insights included an ode to our yearly midnight ritual: “…now is the accepted time to make your annual good resolutions. Next week you can begin paving Hell with them as usual.”
Writer P.J. O’Rourke is perhaps just as skeptical as Twain was towards the futility of this fragile tradition, though a bit more specific: “The proper behavior all through the holiday season is to be drunk. The drunkenness culminates on New Year’s Eve, when you get so drunk you kiss the person you’re married to.” We are a peculiar lot, perhaps more defined by the questions that surround us than [ 52 ]
the efforts we put forth. Why do we press harder on a remote control when we know good and well the batteries are dead? Why do we return to an empty refrigerator when we know it won’t contain the same things it didn’t contain when we last looked? Why do we vacuum over a string half a dozen times when all we have to do is bend down and pick it up? I’ve even picked up the string, examined it, and then tossed it back on the floor and tried to vacuum it again. And of course, how do we usually address a vending machine that just ate one of our quarters? By sticking another quarter in it. Is it really a surprise that we can’t keep our promises to ourselves after New Year’s Eve? Life gets in the way of itself, and we have an amazing talent for becoming entangled as such. The holidays are certainly the climax of the commercial season. The bombardment from all angles, by companies attempting to separate us from our money, typically ends around Christmas, only to pick up a few days later, as post-holiday sales kick in and the rush to define our new year with bargains and incredible deals is only outdone by the frenzy of said companies to separate us from even more money and kick-start their first quarters with the same profits that saturated the previous one. Perhaps it is within this annual pattern that we start to get a little caught up in the madness, the commercialism, the pattern. For some of us, the last few months of the year have been building up like a pile of dirty laundry. Everything we said we were going to attend to during the summer is still somehow halffinished. Resolutions from last year were addressed with vigor for about a month, followed by a slight resurgence six months later, and then an official abandonment shortly thereafter. We now sit staring at
many of the same old items on our annual to-do list, as well as a swarm of new ideas, hopes, and possibilities. If nothing else, the subtle letdown of a year spent getting in the way of ourselves, combined with the chaos of November and December, likely has us reaching for the escape hatch in any manner of ways, and a New Year’s resolution feels like the perfect means by which to start fresh, reorganize, and get back on track. We’re also creatures of habit, for better or worse, and often convince ourselves that every good effort should have a proper timetable, a proper beginning and end. Not to say that such a formula isn’t effective, as much of our lives is dictated by such order, and probably should be, but we put a lot of pressure on ourselves as it applies to a “start date” for something, particularly a resolution, as well as a proper time at which we assume the acceptable result should be achieved. We put such emphasis on this regimen that when certain inevitabilities start to alter the course of the program, it compromises our focus, instead of simply stimulating our ability to adjust. You hear so many stories about grand plans coming undone due to temporary setbacks or occurrences that ultimately go away just as randomly as they arrived. But for some reason, this significantly disrupts our rhythm, enough in many cases to derail the resolution entirely. Somehow, lost amidst the resulting frustration and confusion, is the simple truth that every day is New Year’s, in terms of resolutions—that the entire program can unravel like a helpless, hopeless ribbon in the wind, but then be reestablished with a simple adjustment and the revelation that today is the new “day one.” Of course, the timeless argument of “easier said than done” can be applied here as well, but let’s face it, the promises that people back off of, after the year begins to Around Harrisonburg | Feb/Mar 2011
move along, far outnumber the efforts made to regain any rhythm lost due to various speed bumps or roadblocks. For whatever reason, we are able to accept not only apathy, but complete surrender with equal or more energy than that which we applied to the original plan in the first place. Why? Have the cookie-cutter resolutions become so predictable and boring that they’re easy to announce, and then easier to relinquish? Are we more distracted these days, more so than in decades past? As a society, have we found ourselves at the mercy of more “things” that tend to derail us? Or, are goals best met when not connected to some larger, collective blueprint, but rather within a personal framework that we build for ourselves in private, and navigate accordingly?
While the author is anonymous, the statement is quite familiar: “Many people look forward to the new year to get a new start on old habits.” Is that it? Are we such creatures of habit that convincing ourselves of what we’re going to do differently this year is just part of an annual ritual that we’ve become so used to that we wouldn’t feel right if we didn’t do it? Perhaps the only true resolution we declare every year should be: “This time next year, I’ll make a resolution or two, and then leave it at that.” At least this approach keeps us within our comfort zone without the hassle of guilt after a few weeks. Is it about being average? Do we feel too ordinary, having trudged through the year and, more directly, the holiday season just like everyone else, only to look back and see that our attempt to separate ourselves from the collective routine fell to the wayside once again? According to Jay Leno: “Now there are more overweight people in America than averageweight people. So overweight people are now average, which means you have met your New Year’s resolution.”
Like any good plan, perhaps it’s not the idea or the passion behind it that facilitates a plateau, but merely the preparation. Do we understand the capacity of the project we have connected ourselves to, as well as our own capacity to see it through? Have we done the research on the most important part of this equation—us? It’s easy to tell the room that you’re going to lose thirty pounds this year or stop smoking or pay off all of your credit cards, but have you put together the blueprints for the project yet? Do you have anything to go on, outside of the glorious announcement? How many of us would get a little tonguetied if someone immediately asked us how we planned on achieving our goal? If
two-thirds of us fail at properly pursuing our New Year’s resolutions, I’d imagine that the percentages for those of us who didn’t have a plan in the first place are as high if not higher. As basic as it sounds, the development of an organized, structured plan somehow gets lost in the translation for a lot of folks, and the result is simply another year having to explain to others what happened, and/or eventually yourself—who, unfortunately, knows the truth.
I work with an extremely organized individual who, when I asked him what his resolutions were a few months back, broke out his iPhone and revealed to me a spreadsheet of sorts. Laughter ensued, but then I took a look at his plans. To say he was prepared was definitely an understatement. He had five goals for 2011, all of which dealt with a different aspect of his life: Work, Health, Money Management, Hobby, and Happiness. With each category, he had a user-friendly plan that made complete sense and seemed quite easy to live around. I certainly didn’t look at him and think that this was too big of a list or too extensive of an operation. His plan told the truth. He said he didn’t feel overwhelmed at all, and in fact had already started—which is something I want to emphasize in addition to planning. The whole “target start date” aspect of goals and resolutions can be deceptive and precarious. It too often allows for more time to either live carelessly before the goal begins, or to gather even more clutter to put in the way of the goal. Once you know what part of your life you want to address, and your plan has been developed, the start date should be within days, or no more than a week. Half the trouble with New Year’s is that people have been saying they’re going to do this or that for a month or two. By the time the new year rolls around, the idea is stale, the spark is gone, and the entire process is already wobbling. I have another buddy whose goal was to write a book this year. He’s been putting together the outline for some time and has made various attempts to begin, but nothing ever got off the ground. His plan for this year was simple—to write two pages a day. If nothing else, by the end of the year, he’ll either have a finished book, or 730 pages of something. Achieving this for him means watching less television, devoting a particular time of day to writing, and taking a class that meets two evenings a week. I checked in with him the other day and he’s well ahead of schedule, thanks in part to the fact that he began in December. Not only that, but as often happens when
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planning meets perseverance, he has stumbled across ideas for other works, as well as met new people with similar goals at his class who have provided insights, ideas, and resources. A successful plan usually becomes perpetual in its range. When you’re plugged in to a legitimate process, the possibilities tend to start falling into your lap. Conversely, the exact opposite can happen when you don’t take preparation seriously. This, of course, is nothing new; we’ve been told this in one form or another since we were kids. Ah, but we still find ourselves preparing incorrectly or not at all—and for something that we are supposedly devoting a whole year to. The other aspect of my organized colleague’s blueprint that stood out to me was moderation. You might think that five resolutions sounds excessive, but he did have them divided by category. It was important to him not to be unrealistic and try to weave in three things under Happiness, and two things under Hobby, etc. Could he have? Sure. We all could. By keeping his list streamlined and reasonable, he doesn’t lose sight of the bigger picture, doesn’t get lost in an existential haze, and has actually found more free time. It’s easy to think that we can knock out two or three birds by grouping them under one category, but then we find ourselves not really able to focus on any individual item. The KISS method usually prevails here, as does “less is more.” Certain clichés exist for a reason. Obviously, this article isn’t entirely about New Year’s. Whether you want to go back to school, get healthy, start your own business, or become a tight rope walker, you have to be serious about it. There are millions of resolutions just floating around us all, waiting to be claimed. But we would do both the ideas and ourselves a great disservice by grabbing a hold of them without a proper sense of how we plan on succeeding. It’s one of the great lessons of life—plan, implement, follow through—and the time of year should be the least of your concerns. Time doesn’t wait for us to catch up, and neither will most people. What we ultimately decide to do with ourselves is less a matter of grand announcements and more a matter of private responsibility. After a while, we no longer define our processes, though they most certainly will define us.
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Bluestone Vineyard: Elegance in Simplicity - By Isaac Sweeney
Known already for its rolling farmland against mountainous backdrops, Rockingham County also boasts a number of luscious vineyards. One of the newest additions to this sect is Bluestone Vineyard, on Spring Creek Road in Bridgewater. Bluestone Vineyard opened to the public on January 14. The hills of grape vines look [ 54 ]
barren in the colds of winter, but they offer the promise of their colorful bounty to come. It’s a metaphor for Bluestone Vineyard, a young business with the right tools for success in the area: nine thousand vines on twelve planted acres; a fresh building for cultivating, barreling, and bottling; a tasting area, upstairs, with
windows overlooking the working facility on one side and the soon-to-be-full-again vines on the other; and the drive to do things right. Curt and Jackie Hartman own this venture. It started as a backyard vineyard of sorts in 2003, when they just wanted some grapes to make wine for themselves. In 2007, Curt Around Harrisonburg | Feb/Mar 2011
sold the car dealership he owned and began looking for other projects to invest in. He considered his personal vineyard, and then it hit him that he could produce wine for more than just personal use. In 2008, the Hartmans planted 4,000 vines. In 2009, they added 4,000 more. In 2010, they added another 1,000. Also in 2010, Bluestone Vineyard added a state-of-the-art facility to process their wine. It contains the right blend of modern amenities and classic techniques.
is meticulous. Simple, but meticulous. After harvesting grapes, Hartman and his small crew go through a routine of pressing grapes and transferring juice to large tanks. Then, they go to barrels or to other tanks, depending on the kind of wine. “It’s really a simple process,” Hartman says. “You just have to do everything very carefully.” Making wine is about the quality of the grapes, the air in and around the barrels, and the temperature they are kept in. These little details give the wine flavor.
“We’re not large enough to have an automatic bottling system,” Curt Hartman explains, as he shows a table of manually run devices that help bottle, label, and package wine. But the size of the operation is more of a pro than a con, as he expresses that his operation can open barrels as needed and only bottle a couple at a time, instead of running a whole assembly line. “We have a lot of flexibility because we do our own bottling here.”
The flair of Bluestone Vineyard doesn’t just come from the wine. The building stands on the foundation of a 150-yearold barn that couldn’t be saved. But the stone walls around the barn remain, and add a sense of much-loved history to the up-to-date facility. Flair also comes from the view, the quiet, the serenity. From the small tasting room, patrons can buy some wine, some meat, some cheese, and enjoy everything by the windows, with the unmistakable Rockingham County view. And when the weather permits, they can take their items outside on a picnic, and eat among the grapes and the natural peace.
As Hartman shows the vineyard’s building, his son, Lee, works busily, examining the age of the wine in paper chromatography tests. As Hartman reveals a room full of barrels, Lee walks around, checking barrels and stoppers. “Hey Lee, we lost one,” Hartman says, pointing to a barrel without a stopper. Sometimes, as the grape juice ferments, the gas buildup makes stoppers pop out, he explains. “It’s a good idea to check them everyday,” Lee adds. The process Bluestone Vineyard uses to make wine
Bluestone Vineyard’s winery is open Thursday - Monday, 12-6 p.m., through March. From April to October, the winery will be open Monday - Thursday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday, 1 - 6 p.m. The vineyard sits at 4828 Spring Creek Road in Bridgewater. For more information, call (540) 828-0099, or visit www.bluestonevineyard.com.
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For various reasons (most of them motivational), by the end of this month, over seventy percent of Harrisonburg residents will have given up on or backed away from their New Year’s resolutions—by most national averages. Given that an enormous amount of resolutions are health and fitness related, 2011 will basically take on a familiar face as people continue paying for gym time they don’t use, or cancel their memberships altogether. Again, as mentioned, getting back in shape is a lot tougher than many people assume it will be, especially as age and time stack up against them in the rearview mirror—thus leading to a wide variety of reasons for easing up, and then giving up. Well, if Roger and Patricia Simmons, of Rawley Springs, have done anything—they’ve at least developed a fitness [ 57 ]
formula and a business format that could entice even the most dedicated of resolution deserters. With two “gyms” in their collection, the local couple could be considered innovators, and if not, at least ambitious, and certainly savvy. Calling their two major establishments “gyms” is also a bit tongue in cheek. In fact, what Roger and Patricia have gradually built over the years is a model of adaptation and customer service. Though they also own multiple rental properties in the area, as well as farther south, and a carwash here in Harrisonburg, their flagship enterprises are two fitness centers: Harrisonburg and Bridgewater Family Fitness. You may have come across one or both places—after all, they’re a little hard to overlook.
A common reaction from customers, after experiencing one of the centers is: “They really have thought of everything.” Each gym is a virtual one-stop-shop for those working on health and beauty. The gyms alone provide almost every amenity you could ask for (child care, ladies-only rooms, cardio-movie rooms, an indoor track in Harrisonburg, smoothie bars with wireless internet, an array of classes, modern locker rooms with hot tub and sauna, and all of the latest equipment you could possibly need to get in shape—and stay in shape. Each location also boasts full 24/7 availability. And to top it off, connected to the gyms are even more options: a hair and nail salon, tanning, and even massage therapy in Harrisonburg. Patricia explains that the idea for the “allinclusive” facet to their fitness Around Harrisonburg | Feb/Mar 2011
centers really just evolved along the way. “I actually started with just two tanning beds in our house, and it went from there. We ended up putting a shop behind the house, and it did so well, we decided to open up our own spot.” A lifelong Rawley Springs resident, Patricia, 44, put down business roots in Bridgewater, with a tanning and hair salon twenty-two years ago—and business was good. “I did hair for so long, and had contact with so many people in the area, I just bounced ideas off of them.” She knew that tanning would work—her tanning and hair salon had already expanded from Bridgewater to Harrisonburg—but she and Roger, 46, felt there was simply room for expansion. They were both avid fitness enthusiasts and decided to give it a shot. “There was some extra space in the complex where our Bridgewater salon was located, so we decided to add more tanning and hair. Then, we rented more space, and eventually just built our own place and added a gym.” With help from a friend in South Carolina, who works in the gym industry, Bridgewater Family Fitness emerged eleven years ago to the tune of 15,000 square feet. Only a year later, Roger and Patricia applied the same transformation to their Harrisonburg location. Within the last few years, both facilities have enjoyed massive renovations: Bridgewater is practically brand new (again) and Harrisonburg boasts 24,000 square feet of top-tier equipment and amenities that you’d be hard pressed to find [ 58 ]
all in one place, in any city. The adaptations were both a business necessity as well as a show of gratitude to their many loyal customers—some of whom have been with them for two decades. “We noticed, when we would travel, that other gyms were doing the 24/7 option, so we thought we’d add it to our gyms. It’s a lot to turn a place to 24/7. You’ve got security, more costs, a lot of things to consider. But it’s a bonus to our members; we get a lot of policemen and night workers who benefit from it,” Patricia explains. Such a philosophy has been the backbone of the Simmons’s success. With members ranging in age from approximately twenty years old to over seventy, Patricia knows that true customer service is about making people feel valued. “We pride ourselves on customer satisfaction and clean facilities. It makes me feel really good when people talk about how nice our places are.” And it keeps them coming back. It also keeps new prospects walking through the door, where they’ll find deals like the one Family Fitness is offering at present: New prospect—first week is free plus three sessions with a personal trainer…sign up for a year and your first month is free. With monthly fees that dip below $30, it’s hard to find a down side to anything Family Fitness has to offer. With Roger in charge of all things maintenance and upkeep, and Patricia in charge of payroll and personnel, there isn’t a whole lot of time left for anything else. The couple doesn’t have any children, though many of their forty
employees have been with them for years, and certainly seem like family. And then there’s the poodle, who provides peace of mind and plenty of distraction. As perhaps a testament to the efficiency with which Roger and Patricia run their business, neither gym was adversely affected over the last few years by the recession. Patricia explains that they’re constantly trying to make the experience better and more worthwhile for their members, and that might have something to do with it. “We’re looking to add a pool to the Harrisonburg location, in order to keep up with the competition and just because it’s another bonus for members. We haven’t noticed any sales drops; we might see less of certain people, but I honestly think that has to do with gas prices more than anything.” The gyms are constantly running specials to keep people interested and motivated. “A lot of the members take advantage of all we offer at each place. We try to give them coupons when they sign up for the gym, for tanning especially. We want them to check out the other options, and many of them do.” One particular option that debuts this year is the Largest Loser program—a twelve-week program, open to anyone (gym member or not) for just $35. The regimen plays off of the popular television program of a similar name, and isn’t just an attempt to get people through the doors, but an honest effort to extend themselves and their services to the community. Fortunately, Roger and Patricia still make time for one of their Around Harrisonburg | Feb/Mar 2011
first loves: working out. It makes sense that they would also get a chance to enjoy the many spoils of their hard work, by using their own gym. “The lord gave us the body, and it should be taken care of,” quotes Patricia—part of a philosophy that serves to represent she and her husband personally, as well as professionally. As the winter months have us all nestling in to familiar routines, so too will the Simmons duo hunker down and tend to business. But when the weather breaks, not even two of Harrisonburg’s most diligent entrepreneurs can ignore the call of the coast. “We have a camper and some properties in Myrtle Beach. We like to get away in the summer, especially,” dreams Patricia— perhaps alluding to a time in the not-too-distant future when the couple plans on retiring. “Probably in ten years, hopefully. We’ll likely stay in the area and just continue on with our lives, but with less stress…and maybe more travel.” One thing is for certain; they will have earned it. To view a complete overview of everything Family Fitness has to offer, visit their website: www.totalbodyplace.com. The site is almost as impressive as the actual facilities. If motivation is what you’re looking for, you’ve come to the right place. Check out one or both locations—and do it soon—before the statistics catch up to you! -AHBG
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As quickly as the holiday season came and went, Spring Cleaning rapidly approaches. Yes, that usually means lugging yourself into some dark, dusty room and digging through old boxes and such, or at least cleaning out some more well-lit spaces. Regardless of what you plan on consolidating, relocating, or emancipating from your life this spring, you’ll likely need to clean up after you clean out. Such a process can be made a whole lot more pleasant with the proper tools. In this issue, we’ll take a look at vacuums, and hopefully help you discover the best one for the job and your lifestyle.
Top Uprights: 5. Oreck Element Power Team (Best Bang for your buck) MSRP - $329.99 - Ultra-powerful and amazingly lightweight, this 9-lb. vacuum is a feather in your hands thanks to its ergonomically designed Helping Hand Handle. The single-speed Element Pro Series is a brand-new model and perfect if your family is on a budget, but you’re not willing to sacrifice performance. Also included is Oreck’s Deluxe Handheld Vac—your personal assistant—giving you a better way to clean stairs, furniture, ceiling fans, molding, bookshelves, curtains, drapes, and virtually any other job. Two for the price of one, makes this a great value! 4. Panasonic MC-UG775 (Best Heavy Duty Construction) MSRP - $499.99 - The Panasonic MC-UG775 is a unique combination of all the convenient features you want in a standard household vacuum combined with the durable construction of a commercial grade vacuum. Traditional wear points of the vacuum, such as the brush roll, the bottom plate, the handle, the handle release pedal, and the motor are all made of solid steel or aluminum (NOT plastic), to ensure that these common wear points will not fail. Utilizing one of the strongest suction motors in the vacuum industry also ensures that the deep down, carpet damaging dirt particles are removed with little to no effort, in a single pass. 3. Dyson DC25 Animal (Best Bagless Upright) MSRP - $549.99 - By far the best bagless upright vacuum on the market today, the Dyson DC25 Animal gives you the power of “Root Cyclone” technology, the maneuverability of the “The Ball,” and the pet hair pick-up power of the “Mini Turbine” attachment for your couches, chairs, steps, and everything in between! The Animal is a maintenance-free vacuum, meaning: no bags to buy, no filters to buy, no NOTHING to buy—not even routine maintenance or repairs for 5 years—thanks to Dyson’s all-inclusive 5-year warranty and Mr. Vacuum’s exclusive 5 years of free service! 2. Miele S7 Swing (Best Quality and Filtration) MSRP - $799.99 - Miele, considered by many as the Mercedes-Benz of the vacuum cleaner industry, holds true to its slogan of “Immer Besser” (forever better) with their flagship upright vacuum, the S7 Swing. Masterful German engineering and quality construction go together with ease in each one of these hand-assembled masterpieces. Each component of the Swing is designed and produced to mandate to the strictest quality control standards, and is hand assembled by a single person in Miele’s Bielefeld, Germany plant. To understand the immense amount of engineering that has gone into the Miele S7, you simply MUST see one for yourself!
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Around Harrisonburg | Feb/Mar 2011
1. Simplicity X9 Synergy (Best Cleaning Performance) MSRP - $1139.99 - As the world’s only vacuum cleaner utilizing two suction motors simultaneously, the Simplicity X9 Synergy is the world’s BEST cleaning vacuum, period. Similar to the Panasonic MC-UG775, the Simplicity X9 Synergy features all the same metal components and goes steps further to include the metal telescopic wand, metal axles in every wheel, metal bag door latch, and metal body components that are subject to wear. A 100% sealed HEPA filtration system also ensures that none of the deeply embedded dirt this vacuum removes from the carpet ends up in the air that you and your family breathe. The Simplicity X9 Synergy also features a full set of on-board tools and attachments, finger tip controls for switching from carpet to bare floors, LED headlights that will NEVER blow or burn out, and a lifetime belt which will never burn, break, or need replaced. The X9 Synergy is simply the best all around upright vacuum you can own on the market today!
Top Canisters: 5. Oreck Quest (Best Straight Suction/Value) MSRP - $199.99 - The brand-new Oreck Quest is perfect for households with bare floors and minor vacuum cleaner needs. The Oreck Quest has great suction power, metal telescopic wands, a combination rug and bare floor tool, and dusting and crevice tools to tackle almost every cleaning need. The Quest also has variable speed control to easily turn down the speed of the motor for jobs such as drapes, to prevent damage of delicate materials. A great value for an exceptional name, Oreck! 4. Panasonic MC-CG902 (Best Bang for your buck) MSRP - $299.99 - The feature-rich Panasonic MC-CG902 gives you everything you need in a canister vacuum and more. A full-size Powerhead has height adjustment controls, reset protection to prevent belt breakage, and a quick release stepon control for easy removal of the wands—for corners and edges. A full set of attachments are housed on-board, making it easy to find the precise tool for the job. The MC-CG902 has HEPA filtration, as well—perfect for allergy sufferers. Best of all, the entire vacuum can be conveniently controlled with your fingertips at the handle of the hose! 3. Electrolux UltraActive (Best Bagless Canister) MSRP - $469.99 - The Electrolux name exemplifies quality. The UltraActive has an easy-empty dirt cup that allows for quick dumping of the dirt container without fumbling with messy filters. A full-size powerhead with fingertip controls, height adjustment, quick step-on wand release for corners and edges, variable speed control for the motor (to handle the delicate jobs), HEPA filtration, and the quality that goes into EVERY Electrolux product, makes this the perfect bagless canister. 2. Electrlux UltraOne (Best Features and Options) MSRP - $799.99 - The flagship vacuum in the Electrolux line, the UltraOne is easily the quietest vacuum produced today, with all the power, performance, and quality you’d expect from the Electrolux name. This vacuum is so quiet that the only noise produced is from the sound of high-speed airflow ripping through the powerhead and wands. The UltraOne is fully controlled at your fingertips with four simple buttons: “on/off” / “brush” / “auto” (detects floor surfaces) / “min/max” (adjusts the suction in five specific increments for any cleaning job). Sound suppression foam as well as HEPA filtration combine to prevent air and dirt leakage back into the air you breathe. 1. Miele Capricorn (Best Quality, Filtration, Performance) MSRP - $1199.99 - The Miele Capricorn is the epitome of over 80 years of German engineering and top-of-the-line quality. Every component of the Miele Capricorn is produced to exacting standards far beyond that of other manufactures. The Capricorn has a full-size powerhead with handle release, height adjustment, and quick wand release for corners and edges, along with a self-adjusting brush roll not found in any other canisters. The 1200-watt suction motor is fully variable in six increments at the touch of a button on the hose handle. Steel telescopic wands allow the height to be adjusted for extra reach, or to simply fit right in your hand during use. The Capricorn is a 100% sealed HEPA certified vacuum cleaner, meaning that not just the filter in the Capricorn is HEPA rated but so too is the entire vacuum itself—releasing ZERO airborne particles—the only vacuum in the world capable of this. Simply put, the Miele Capricorn is the BEST all around canister vacuum available today.
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Welcome Home
Answers All Your Real Estate Questions
by Karl Waizecker
Market Update So, 2010 is now behind us. When we look at the year, we’ll ask: “How did the local real estate market do?” Our initial response is probably something like: “Not very well!” Local Realtors will tell you, 2010 was a tough year— one in which Buyers, Sellers, and agents had to go to (sometimes) extraordinary lengths to complete a deal. It was a year in which distressed properties exerted a heavy influence on our market and lenders continued in their attempts to refine their Short Sale and Foreclosure processes. And despite falling prices, historically low interest rates, and plentiful inventories, buyers still seemed reluctant to buy in 2010. The year seems to have been a continuation of the slow recovery of the housing market in our area, which bottomed out in the winter of 2008 – 2009. Make no mistake; the market is still slow. In fact, for the 5th consecutive year, fewer homes were sold in our market than the year before. The silver lining in this cloud is that the rate of decline is slowing. Essentially, 2010 was “less bad” (in terms of the slowdown in sales) than 2009, and 2009 was “less bad” than 2008. Given this trend, it seems reasonable to expect 2011 could be equal to or slightly better than 2010, for residential sales. As far as December goes, it was
a good month for sales activity, with the most sales in any single month since June. Interestingly, the last four Decembers have recorded very similar monthly sales figures, regardless of what the market had been like that year. Average days on the market for sold properties continues to creep upward and is now at 201 days for all homes sold in 2010.
$230,000
Average Sold Price
$220,000
Median Sold Price
-11.18% over 3yr -2.14% over 1 yr
$210,000 $200,000
$199,759
$190,000 $180,000
$175,825
$170,000
-10.75% over 3yr -2.32% over 1 yr
$160,000 $150,000
Source: Harrisonburg - Rockingham Association of REALTORS Multiple Listing Service, 1/07/2011
Average and Median prices appear to have steadied during the second half of 2010 (a bit of a surprise given the market conditions), with most of the modest decline for the year occurring in the fist few months of 2010. The one and three year changes in the average and median prices of sold homes as of December 31, 2010 are:
300
250 2006 2007
200
2008 2009
150
2010
100
50
95 units sold in December, the highest monthly total since June!
0
One Year Change
Source: Harrisonburg - Rockingham Association of REALTORS Multiple Listing Service, 1/07/2011
Average Price -2.14% Median Price -2.32%
Three Year Change
Average Price -11.18% Median Price -10.75%
300 261
200
We expect the local real estate market to continue to improve slowly during 2011 as Buyers, Sellers, pricing, and inventory adjust to move our market into balance.
100 0 -74 -100 -167 -214
-200 -300
-242
-359
-400 2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
Source: Harrisonburg - Rockingham Association of REALTORS Multiple Listing Service, 1/07/2011
[ 62 ]
Around Harrisonburg | Feb/Mar 2011
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Counting Sheep?
Tips to a Better Night’s Sleep
By Phillip Anderson, registered sleep technologist, RMH Center for Sleep Medicine
Q:
“I’m trying to make positive lifestyle changes for my health, but I have trouble getting enough sleep. How important is sleep to good health? And what can I do to sleep better?”
A: Sleep is very important for renewing both mental and physical health. Each night, sleep allows us to “recharge our batteries.” Our bodies need adequate sleep to maintain peak performance and to stay healthy and strong. Yet, people of all ages regularly fail to get a good night’s sleep. If you have trouble sleeping, try the following to help you get good quality sleep:
* Minimize light entering the bedroom by closing shades, and reduce or eliminate any noise (for example, the TV or radio) that may affect your sleep. A comfortable bed in a dark, quiet room is the best setting for a good night’s sleep. Some people find wearing earplugs, using white noise machines, and wearing a sleep mask to be beneficial, especially if they live in a noisy or brightly lit environment, such as a residence on a well-lit, noisy street. * Set the thermostat at 6872 degrees. This is the optimal temperature for sleep. * Maintain a regular sleep/wake cycle, even on your days off from
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work and on weekends. * Use your bedroom only for sleep, sickness, and sex. Avoid having TVs, computers, or home office and exercise equipment in your bedroom. Try not to use your bedroom as a multi-purpose room so you don’t associate your bedroom with stress and distraction. * Avoid napping during the day if at all possible. If daytime sleepiness becomes overwhelming, limit nap time to a single nap of less than one hour and no later than 3 p.m. * Distract your mind. Avoid lying in bed feeling frustrated because you can’t sleep. You don’t want to associate your bedroom with
[ 65 ]
stress, anxiety, or frustration. Instead, read something light and non-controversial, do a craft, work a crossword—preferably not in the bedroom. But avoid watching TV and DVDs or working on the computer. These promote wakefulness by the blue light that is a part of most light sources and can trigger the brain to wake up. * Avoid caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol for four to six hours before bedtime. These stimulants can have adverse effects on sleep. * Although a light snack before bedtime can help promote sound sleep, avoid large meals. * Avoid strenuous exercise within six hours of bedtime. Try to exercise in the morning or afternoon so it does not affect your sleep. * Don’t watch the clock. The more you’re aware of what time it is, of how much sleep time you may have
already lost, or how much time you have left to sleep, the more problem you’ll have sleeping. You would be better off turning the alarm clock around or placing it in a dresser drawer to avoid clock watching. If you follow the above advice and still find it challenging to get adequate sleep, you may be suffering from a sleep disorder. There are more than 80 recognized sleep disorders; the most common include excessive daytime sleepiness, sleep apnea, insomnia, restless leg syndrome, and periodic limb movement disorder. Sleep disorders affect millions of Americans. But the good news is that sleep disorders are highly treatable. The RMH Center for Sleep Medicine is a fully accredited sleep lab that is available to diagnose and treat sleep disorders. Adequate sleep is just as important to a healthy lifestyle as eating right and getting enough exercise, and sleep problems should not be ignored.
How Much Sleep is Enough? According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, infants and toddlers should get at least 13 hours of sleep each day. Children ages 6 to 12 need at least 10 hours of sleep a day, and young people ages 13 to 21 need at least nine hours of sleep. On average, adults need a minimum of seven to eight hours of sleep.
Among the staff providing care at the RMH Center for Sleep Medicine are, back from left, Donny Bennett, Mary Bailey, Wheeler Dale, MD, William Cale, MD, Frank Barch, MD, and in front, Tara Hinkle and Brian Flock. The Sleep Center was recently reaccredited for five years by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
[ 66 ]
Around Harrisonburg | Feb/Mar 2011
RMH Center for Sleep Medicine is Reaccredited for Five Years - By Neil Mowbray, RMH Healthcare The RMH Center for Sleep Medicine is the only accredited sleep center within a 100-mile radius of Harrisonburg. The Center conducts between 1,200 and 1,500 sleep studies per year. Some of the sleep disorders treated by the Center for Sleep Medicine include: * Sleep Apnea—breathing is interrupted for short intervals during sleep. * Narcolepsy—persistent daytime sleepiness with frequent naps, often at inappropriate times of the day. * Restless Leg Syndrome—a vague feeling of discomfort in the legs while at rest that is relieved only by moving the legs. * Insomnia—difficulty falling asleep or remaining asleep all night. * Circadian Rhythm Disorders— disruptions in a person’s “internal body clock” that helps our bodies determine sleeping patterns. * REM Sleep Behavior Disorder—the acting-out of dreams that are vivid and intense. The RMH Center for Sleep Medicine recently was reaccredited for another five-year term by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM). To be reaccredited, the Sleep Center underwent an inspection by an official of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. According to William Cale, MD, Medical Director for the RMH Center for Sleep Medicine, the inspector makes sure the sleep technicians are all certified and that they have the required number of continuing education credits. The inspector interviews the physicians,
checking their computer scoring skills and reviewing sleep studies with them. In addition, the inspection includes an examination of the building and a check on equipment calibration to make sure they meet accepted safety standards. “After the inspector had thoroughly gone over the information, he informed us, ‘This is an excellent sleep center,’” said Dr. Cale. The Center is active in community outreach and education through TV and radio interviews, lectures, health fairs, county fairs, and other venues. “Our staff works diligently to emphasize to patients the crucial need to use the CPAP machine and mask because of health and safety concerns,” Dr. Cale explained. “They also take a lot of care to make sure sleep apnea patients are comfortable with using the mask and the pressures.” Sleep Center Director Mary Bailey attributed the Sleep Center’s excellence to the comprehensive nature of the services it offers, as well as to the excellence and dedication of its staff. There are currently four sleep physicians working in the Center— Dr. Cale, Frank Barch, MD, Fouzia Siddiqui, MD, and Wheeler Dale, MD—along with eight sleep techs and eight support staff. “It takes everyone working together very hard to achieve this level of success,” Bailey assured.
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Are You at Risk for Sleep Apnea? Do you snore? Has anyone (including yourself) ever noticed that you stop breathing or gasp for breath during sleep? Do you have difficulty sleeping 3 nights a week or more (for example: trouble falling asleep, waking frequently during the night, waking too early and being unable to get back to sleep, or waking un-refreshed)? Do you often feel tired, fatigued or sleepy during the daytime? Do you have, or have you ever been treated for, high blood pressure, heart arrhythmias or stroke? Have you ever used a CPAP machine or been told that you have sleep apnea? Studies have clearly linked sleep-related breathing disorders with increased risk of heart disease and stroke, as well as increased incidence of high blood pressure. If you answered “YES” to two or more questions above, you are at high risk of having moderate to severe sleep apnea. Please talk to your healthcare professional about the possibility that you may have a sleep-related breathing disorder. You may also self-refer to the RMH Center for Sleep Medicine to be evaluated by a boardcertified sleep physician. Call the Center at 540-437-8230.
[ 67 ]
Under the Covers
- By Dan Lough
Sex sells! Do I have your attention? Good. The content of this piece is a simple evaluation of common sense, or the lack of, as it pertains to preparation. Preparation for what? Let’s start with the obvious. It all comes down to numbers, personal accountability, and responsibility. This is a must read for everyone, particularly those in their late teens through their 30s—to prepare them for their biggest stage, life. Unfortunately, people who believe they manage their monies well won’t feel the need to read this, while those who need this information the most, just won’t read it. The majority don’t like what they see when they look into the financial mirror. It’s simpler to ignore what makes sense, and lamely do nothing. My beautiful wife of 31 years and I were watching the news last evening when the talking head stated that over 25% of the individuals who are
[ 68 ]
eligible to retire are disappointingly continuing to work because of their personal finances. He stated that 47% of this group had less than $10K saved and 27% had less than $1K in the bank, while households that use credit cards in the U.S. have an average debt over $16K. Here is another stat by the head. Over 60% of our citizenry aged 55 and beyond have less than $25K to fall back on. This number does not include mortgage, vehicle, utility, or personal loan debt. Millions have defaulted on mortgage loans with millions more to come. Personal bankruptcy is at an all time high with no light at the end of the tunnel. Our country does not set any shining example for thriftiness—we owe trillions to foreign countries with no borrowing end in site. Unfortunately, these stats are absent of puffery. Have any idea who will pay for this attitude of financial indifference? Believe me, a Social Security check will not sustain an advanced age livelihood. Great numbers, huh? Great numbers for the richest,
most powerful country on earth? How did it start and how does it stop? Or will it stop? These statistics are just a snapshot and an end to a cultural means. Let’s look at some of the specific characteristics that have led to events that affect each and every one of us living in our Eastern Panhandle and these United States. This is not a lesson in economics, but one of every day life. How we designate our purchasing power describes who we are today and how we will live our lives tomorrow— from a child’s piggy bank to a senior’s retirement check. As stated earlier, it’s a numbers game and it’s all about your personal accountability. Just a couple of quick examples before we go to the embryonic problem. Have any idea what your credit score is? Just a number, right? Wrong! And I mean big-time Wrong. This score can affect your ability to be hired, to secure a mortgage, get a
Around Harrisonburg | Feb/Mar 2011
credit card, or a vehicle loan—as well as the ceiling of a loan and the interest you pay for that loan. The higher the score, the more opportunities become available, and at a lower cost. This number should also be checked for erroneous information, which can be damaging. Scores range from a low of 300 to a high of 950 and can be obtained by going to (annualcreditreport.com). This secure site provides free annual credit reports from each of the big three credit reporting agencies: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. It also provides a “frequently asked questions” tab. These reports furnish your current and historical credit information—with a small fee for your actual credit score. Do you use a credit card? More than one? The average person uses four credit cards. Do you know what the interest rate is? Some companies use a multitiered system, meaning your current month’s purchases would be charged at, say 14.99%, while the balance of your account is charged 24.99%. How is that rate compounded? Do you just pay the minimum balance? You can faithfully pay the minimum and never reduce the total balance, because your minimum is less than the interest charged. Do you use one card to pay off another, tolerate late payment fees, skip payments (credit score)? Do you balance your statement, read the contract, or call the credit card company for a contract explanation? If you’re in payment trouble, have you contacted the issuer for help? The real question is, why do you need a credit card? The real answer is, you don’t. If you can’t pay cash, don’t buy! Unfortunately, I’ve often read that credit card abuse makes the cardholder feel that he/she is a victim, which spurns accountability. The true victims are the responsible users who must deal with higher interest rates and tighter credit. Do I use a credit card? Yes, for four reasons. My wife and I have used one major credit card extensively and as often as possible for the last 15 years. I charge everything over a buck. Why? First reason, the credit card pays us CASH to use it! While other cards offer discounts on service or airline miles or
catalog gifts, we prefer the cash. Once a year we receive a check based on a percent of what we have charged. It ranges between $600 and $800 a year. Some quick math, at an average of $700 per year X 15 years = $10,500 paid to us for using their card. This is no joke! It’s found money, but only if you play by the rules. You must pay your bill in full and on time each month, and we play by the rules. Second, we keep our cash in the bank an extra month, which accumulates interest. I’m sure an extra couple bucks a month doesn’t sound like much, but month after month and year after year, it adds up. Third, you can challenge or stop a payment under nefarious circumstances. Fourth, I just don’t like being a target carrying cash. Do you have a checking account or use a debit card? Why not? This is a payment method the same as cash, because your cash is withdrawn from your bank with each use. But, common sense again, you are not privy to an endless reserve of funds. What you put in is disposable and should earn a small interest. Direct deposit is also a great tool for spending discipline. If the money is not on your person, you cannot spend it. Careful though, pitfalls linger here, too. You must balance the monthly statement! Errors do occur. I know of individuals who haven’t a clue as to what is in their accounts, and then are surprised when assessed hefty finance charges. Similarly, overdraft (bouncing a check) comes with fees. As with the credit card, we use the banking privileges to our advantage. Through direct deposit, both of our paychecks go into savings account number one, at a higher interest rate than checking. When bills are due, a transfer is made into checking to cover their value. When an excess of monies accumulates in savings account number one, we transfer those funds into a higher savings account, number two, which earns an even greater interest rate. As you can see, our money is constantly making money. Shop around for a bank, understand the account information, and have all questions answered before you sign.
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Have you ever been sick? Have you or a family member ever gone to the emergency room or to the hospital for surgery? Whether you have insurance or not, do you review the hospital bills/ statements? I bet you don’t. First hurdle, too much paperwork and they seem to be written in Chinese. Second, don’t have the time. Third: “It must be right, plus my insurance takes care of most of it.” First excuse, wrong! Second excuse, wrong! As you have now guessed, third excuse, wrong. Why? Every statement has a line-by-line description and cost. And of course, you have no idea how many thing-a-ma-bobs were used while under the knife. But each hospital has an accounting department staffed to review each item on every statement for every patient. It’s also done in English. You will be amazed at the duplicate charges: the pair of surgical footsies that cost $75 instead of $7.50; the same item covered by insurance on one page but not on another. Being billed for service or items never received—rehab, crutches, wheelchairs—is another common oversight. The list goes on and on. Once your statement has been reconciled, ask the hospital staffer if you are eligible for a “pay on time or early payment discount.” I have received as much as 19% off the final total of my reconciled statement just by paying the bill before its due date. Keep asking questions and leapfrog dead-end staff, asking for their superiors until you are satisfied. Don’t misunderstand me, this can be a fight, but it’s a fight to keep YOUR hard-earned money. Use this review process for anything itemized. I do mean anything—your grocery bill (paid regular price for item on sale), credit card statement (double charges or incorrect totals), restaurant receipt (paid for salad not ordered or an extra drink), insurance claim, and phone bill. Just don’t pay what has been put in front of you until you are unequivocally comfortable. And as always, it pays to know your numbers!
[ 69 ]
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