Around Harrisonburg - June - July 2011

Around HARRISONBURG June + July 2011

Music from the Heart

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...

Passion. Love. Gabriel www.gabrielny.com

ve. Gabriel

ielny.com

ve. Gabriel

ielny.com

4090 Evelyn Byrd Ave • Harrisonburg, VA 22801 (540) 433-7333 • www.raysfinejewelry.com

THANKS FOR HELPING US DO OUR BEST. Thanks to our customers, we have just received the 2010 Toyota President’s Award. It is one of the highest honors for a Toyota dealership. It’s also a symbol of our continuing dedication to satisfying our customers – from the day that you buy a Toyota and for as long as you own it.

From every department and every person at our dealership, we thank you.

Please stop by soon and see the award our customers helped us receive.

2970 S. Main Street • Harrisonburg, VA 540-434-1400 • 1-800-TOYOTA-2 OPEN 7 DAYS • Mon-Fri 8:30-8pm, Sat 8:30-6pm, Sun Noon-5pm www.steventoyota.com

contents June + July 2011

Ĺ’ 25

41

FEATURES

21 COVER STORY

Meet Jessica - Hopeful Music from the Heart

25 SmileMakers

Dr Greg Johnson - Treating the Whole Person

On The Cover

( d n u o r A HARRISONBURG June + July 2011

froM Musichear t the

41 Nelson Rocks

Things to Do... r Contests &

Between a Rock and Hard Place

Reade Community Events

Weeke Restaurant Reviews

Meet L who make a difference

Places to Go... nd Getaways &

$3.99

...

People to Know ocal People

Jessica Crawford: Hopeful Music from the Heart

[4]

Around The Panhandle | Sept/Oct 2009

Braithwaite Studio

29 WILD GUYde Adventures 34 OUR TOP TEN - Rollercoasters 37 Braithwaite Studios 41 Nelson Rocks - Via Ferrata 44 FEATURED EATS - Bowl of Good 49 Unknown Eater - The Bluestone Inn 52 NOW IT’S YOUR TURN - Recipes

37

54 INSIDE OUT WITH ELI ANDERSEN

6 INBOX Letter from the editor 9 CAPTION CONTEST 10 Rockingham Puzzles 12 Winchester Blues Fest 17 PHOTO CONTEST 18 Ask Miss Rose 25 Smilemakers - Dr Greg Johnson

56 Facials Keep Skin Fit 58 Mindfulness by Dr Robert Kyler 60 APPLES & ORANGES Product Review 62 REALTY ADVICE from Kline May 64 Depaul Community Resources 69 Highlands Golf Club at

Fisher Mountain

ŸŸ Ÿ 

71

You Can’t Afford to Miss

CLIP & SAVE

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Great Savings at Local Businesses

[5]

{ x Around o b l i {Ma HARRISONBURG JUNE/JULY ‘11 | VOL 1 | NO 5

PUBLISHER

Dear Readers: Take a deep breath; it’s officially nice outside. And we might be a little biased around here, but even still, the Shenandoah Valley is simply beautiful this time of year—and absolutely filled with options. It’s our job to bring you some of those options in as entertaining and informing a way as possible, while also providing you with local information and in-depth accounts of the places and people who (along with the splendid geography) make this area such a worthwhile place to experience.

Our cover piece features Jessica Crawford, a local singer/songwriter who has truly found a rhythm within her journey. You will no doubt find her story as compelling as her music. I encourage you to check out both—as soon as you can!

As the pages of this issue unfold, writer Isaac Sweeney will take you on a detailed trip through The Highlands Golf Club at Fisher Mountain and Lauren Arbogast will again take you behind the scenes of a local business— another culinary endeavor to be exact—and bring to life some of the many wonderful elements that make A Bowl of Good Café not just a lovely place to eat, but a rewarding way of life for both the patrons and the proprietors.

If you’re heading off in search of amusement park thrills this summer, be sure and check out our Apples-nOranges and Top Ten sections. If nature is calling you and the family, then flip through until you find our piece on introducing children to the wonderful wild, by guest writer Lester Zook, of Wild Guyde Adventures.

And maybe you’re looking for a new dentist (crazier things have happened), or even a one-stop-shop of sorts for all of your dental needs. If so, look no further—Dr. Gregory S. Johnson of SmileMakers is your man. His unique approach to his practice, as well as his life, will certainly have you intrigued, and likely considering a consultation. Our newest addition, Elynia Betts, does a great job bringing you this piece.

As always, we’ll try to help you figure out your finances and/or sift through the murky real estate waters that have seemingly seeped into every crack and crevice of our country. Our friends at Kline May Realty explain why there might just be reason to feel good about 2011 and beyond—no kidding!

Are you sleepwalking through life? Sorry to change directions with such abruptness, but if you are, Dr. Robert Kyler of Rockingham Memorial Hospital has some fascinating information concerning the myriad benefits of being more mindful in life. This article is a must-read regardless of your circumstances—it speaks to all of us.

No matter what interests you in and around Harrisonburg, we’ve probably got something in this issue to peak that interest. But here’s the great thing about our magazine: if you’d like to see something specific, then let us know. It’s that simple. We’re here to bring you the stories you want to read, and most of that process includes you, our most valuable resource.

Enjoy.

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

Mike Hornby

EDITOR

Mike Chalmers

EDITORIAL DESIGN

Mike Hornby

PRODUCTION

Mike Hornby

WEBSITE

Brian Joliff

Professionaldesign.com

ADVISORS

Kresha Hornby Stewart Hornby

WRITERS

Mike Chalmers Eli Andersen The Unknown Eater Lauren Arbogast Issac Sweeney Holly Martin

Heather Isaacs

PHOTOGRAPHY

Eric Fargo Fargofotos.com

ADVERTISING DESIGN

Kristen Lemaster Orchistrated Design

PRINTER

Panhandle Printing & Design

BUSINESS PARTNERS

Kline May Realty ProDesign LLC

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.

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e i n r Be

Caption Contest Show us your funny side! Submit your caption and you could win!

Are You The Next Lucky Winner?

#1004

White Trucks Can’t Jump !

#1005

Keep the comments coming!

Thanks to all our readers who gave us something to laugh out loud about!

Congratulations to our lucky winner: John Szallay via Facebook Check out other great captions that were submitted on our facebook page

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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

��� J�N� P�ZZL� 20�� BEACH SAND DOLLAR SEA SHELL OCEAN CASTLE WAVES SURFBOARD PALM TREES VACATION BEACH TOWEL SUMMER FLOWERS PICNICS BOARDWALK FISHING CAMPING HIKING SWIMMING SOFTBALL BASEBALL MOTHERS DAY FATHERS DAY SWIMSUITS TANNING VOLLEYBALL SNORKLING PLAYGROUND GARDENING SUMMER CAMP FLIP FLOPS SUNGLASSES RIVER RAFTING WATER PARKS CARNIVAL COTTON CANDY FUNNEL CAKE [ 10 ]

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MEMORIAL DAY FLAG SOLDIERS VETERAN FREEDOM REMEMBRANCE Around Harrisonburg | June/July 2011

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Crossword

Across

1. Large oval tropical fruit (5) 3. Meat pies (7) 6. Water flask (7) 7. Juice from cooking meat (5) 9. Beverage (3) 10. Sweet drink containing carbonated water (4) 14. Frankfurter served on a bun (6) 15. Often used with a cup (6) 19. Consumes (4) 20. Hard-shelled seed (3) 22. Very thin crisp brown toast (5) 23. Spicy sauce made from red peppers (7) 24. Small prickly cucumber (7) 25. Plant with hollow cylindrical leaves for seasoning (5)

Down

1. Spice made from nutmeg seed (4) 2. Aromatic herb with pungent leaves for seasoning (7) 3. Larder (6) 4. Sweetener (5) 5. Sauce made from fermented beans (3) 8. Downy fruit resembling a small peach (7) 11. Kind of porridge (7) 12. Meat from a domestic hog or pig (4) 13. Professional cook (4) 16. Sour or bitter in taste (7) 17. Meat from a mature domestic sheep (6) 18. Light meal (5) 21. Edible flatfish (4) 22. Drinking vessel with handle (3)

Spot

the

Difference

See if you can find the 16 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 ON OUR WEBSITE

Winchester Blues Festival Grows in Size and Character A summer event you simply shouldn’t miss.

- Mike Chalmers

Winchester, Virgina, is known for a few things that truly separate the Northern Virginia city from the towns and cities around it. The giant apple blossom festival every spring comes to mind, initially, as does the wonderfully charming and iconic historic downtown mall. Another event, however, has grown (and definitely continues to grow) into a must-attend date on the calendar for thousands of people from around the area, and beyond: Blues House—one of the few live music festival/fundraisers in the tri-state area, and certainly the only one of its kind in Winchester.

But to simply call it a live music fundraiser or a festival doesn’t quite cut it. Blues House is more than just a charity event, and more than just a bunch of bands up on a stage. It’s actually a twelve-year tradition, and has grown exponentially in recent years, as word has spread, and technology has allowed for better advertising and awareness.

Last year, approximately 2,000 people attended the show—now that’s a little

[ 12 ]

1941 bigger than your average concert in the park.

For anyone who likes blues, well, this event is a no-brainer, and has probably been a staple for over a decade. But for those who are either new to blues, or simply like live music and musicrelated festivals, Blues House 2011 is an experience that shouldn’t be missed.

Aside from an impressive list of musicians and singers whose names have traveled the industry’s storied road, nationally and internationally, the event offers some regional talents and up-and-comers, as well. It’s a perfect blend of old and new— established and soon-to-be. And the adoring crowds know it.

“I got involved in 2000 by having a friend who owned the production company that was doing sound for the event,” remembers Joseph Boyd, chairman of Blues House, and stage manager on the day of. Eleven years later, he’s pretty much the face of this festival, as well as its largest cheerleader. “My involvement began as one day per year,

and now it’s almost a year-round deal,” he adds. “Both of my parents were big on volunteering but I would literally laugh at the idea when I was younger. Rewards?

Yeah right. Well, it’s true; when you give to others, it comes back to you in a way that is hard to explain unless you’ve done it. It’s just one of those things I can’t put into words.”

Boyd, 47, is one of many volunteers who put in untold amounts of work to make Blues House not just a wild success from an entertainment standpoint, but also as a charity event. That crew is often unseen, though there wouldn’t be a show, or a fundraiser without them.

“These are the people who come and stay for twelve to fifteen hours to make it happen—Kevin Thompson, Terry Oates, Scott Larrick, Bryan Bucher, Tom Davis, John Bryant, Melvin Gay, Matt Doleman, Alan Grossman, Jim Dick, Lauri Bridgeforth, Barbara Allegra, Susan Grossman, Marla Gilbertson, Angie Meyer, Lori Thompson, John Bracken, Chrissy Knotts—this group is the heart of

Around Harrisonburg | June/July 2011

the show on the day of the event.” And such an effort is driven by a love of blues, and a passion for charity.

Since 2008, Blues House has chosen Habitat for Humanity of Winchester – Frederick Co.Va. as their beneficiary.

In 2009, enough money was raised to underwrite a Habitat house in Stephens City called “Blues House.” This wasn’t the first Blues House; in fact, proceeds from the first event in 1999 went to renovate an 1840s duplex in Winchester, on South Kent Street—to be the home of a Winchester police officer. The Blues House name was born. Since then, earnings have been donated to Celebrating Patsy Cline, Inc., Fremont Day Nursery, Caretakers (now Boys & Girls Club), Virginia Chapter 1 of Rolling Thunder® Inc., F.O.P. Ole Fredericktown Chapter #12, The Office of George Washington Museum, Blue Ridge Hospice, and several others.

“Habitat is like a full circle from where we started,” Boyd maintains. “The first year was the remodeling of a home in the historic district for a community resource officer. So with a blues festival refurbishing a house for a ‘man in blue,’ the name was born.

“The festival has raised funds to benefit a number of community organizations over the years, so the opportunity to team up with Habitat just made sense. The fact that we’re back in the home building and refurbishing aspect of it just brings us full circle.”

As the festival and its partnerships evolve, so do the responsibilities and the decisions that need to be made.

The Blues House Committee—Cheryl Connolly (executive director for Habitat), Joan Beverley (resource development director for Habitat), Cody Dearing, Mel Thomas, Shawn Reiser, Terry Hudson, Christian Schweiger, Marshall Beverley, Chuck Peterson, Vickie Dearing, and of course, Joe Boyd—is, essentially, the driving force behind the event.

As much work as Boyd puts in, he points out that he’d have a hard time balancing the project at all without the help of Joan Beverley. He freely admits that she works every bit as hard as he does—juggling the

various dynamics that exist between the production and operation of a popular music fest with the vast responsibilities associated with her role at Habitat.

“The benefit of being able to work with an event and the people associated with an event of this magnitude is enormous for Habitat,” Beverley shares. “Obviously, the revenue generated is very important for us, but in addition to that, a great deal of public awareness is created for Habitat. We’re mainly a volunteer-based organization, and Blues House gives us the opportunity to educate people on who we are and what we do.”

Through volunteer labor, management expertise, and tax-deductible donations of money and material, Habitat for Humanity builds homes with the help of the homeowners. Houses are sold at no profit to partner families, and noninterest mortgages are issued over a fixed period. The mortgage payments are deposited into a revolving “Fund for Humanity,” which supports the construction of more houses.

As the organization’s website states: Habitat is not a giveaway program. It’s a “Hand Up” not a “Hand Out.” Each homeowner family is required to invest a minimum of 250 “sweat equity” hours into the construction of their home. This reduces the cost of the house, increases the pride of ownership among family members, and fosters the development of positive relationships with other people.

Sweat equity seems to be a theme in this equation, and as usual, honest hard work usually benefits everyone involved—and in this case, many of those benefactors just happen to be blues fans.

Though the event has literally traveled a winding road to get to its present location in Winchester, the passion to offer the fans a chance to enjoy and interact with some of their favorite artists, as well as the motivation to support the community through charity, never waned. It is, perhaps, this genuine characteristic among the many people who make Blues House a reality that has led to its emerging success as of late.

That, and let’s say, the Internet.

See More at www.AroundHarrisonburg.com

“I can’t begin to tell you how this (the Internet) has increased our fan base,” Boyd suggests. “It has opened us up to so many folks who’d never heard of us. I have folks coming from all over: Delaware, New York, Chicago, Texas. It never ceases to amaze me. And I don’t want to imagine how we would pull this thing off anymore without technology.”

Because of the modern, and everevolving, power of technology, Blues House 2011 is looking to set records for attendance. Whereas a realistic set of factors will have to fall into place for the festival to truly blow away recent numbers, Boyd is confident that this year has all the potential in the world to be the biggest event in the twelve-year history—and catapult it into unseen levels and expectations for the future.

After all, we are living in the age of overnight fame and viral publicity. If Blues House eclipses the 2,000-person mark this year, which it likely will (and could possibly smash), that number could explode in coming years because of social networking. In turn, the fundraiser merely grows along with the show, and everybody wins. It’s a thought worth considering for Boyd.

“Ha, numbers—we always try to figure this one out. There are so many factors that add or subtract to crowd size— weather, conflicting events, etc.—but I have a feeling this year, with word of mouth, social networking, more overall media coverage, and a very strong lineup—provided we have good weather— we’re going to have a banner year.”

As far as this year is concerned, the festival has truly come into its own as a summer destination for event lovers.

With the addition of a “Poker Run” and a possible Cornhole tournament, the fans are assured a diverse mix of weekend fun to go along with one of the stronger lineups in recent memory: Devon Allman’s Honeytribe; Terry Oates & the Mudcats; Mary Ann Redmond; Moondog Medicine Show; Jumptown; and more TBA. Red Fox Creamery will be serving up American fare standards, as well as ice cream.

Pizza, water, sodas, and adult beverages will also be available (with Yellow Cab company right outside the gates, to

[ 13 ]

discourage drinking and driving).

Winchester, VA.

It’s also quite important to mention that this annual summer gathering of music, food, and fun wouldn’t happen at all without sponsors. Remember, this event is run entirely by volunteers, and depends on sponsorships and ticket sales to make those vital donations to the nonprofit organizations in the community. Contact Blues House if you’re interested in becoming a sponsor, or just to donate—your contribution, needless to say, is greatly appreciated, and has a tremendous positive effect.

Regardless of how you get there or what you have to reschedule in order to put Blues House on your calendar, you need to make it happen. If this event was just a music festival, you’d still be talking about for the rest of the summer, but it’s so much more—and your support, by attending, will go such a long way towards helping Habitat for Humanity of Winchester – Frederick Co.Va. achieve its long-term goals. And if nothing else, you need to go simply to meet Joe Boyd and his crew (if you can find them). He’s the man behind the continued success of Blues House, and he’ll likely want to shake your hand as much as you will his.

“I started out doing this only one day a year,” he reminisces, “and now it takes me six to eight months a year to do it. I wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s still a blast. The best part is when a stranger walks up to me and tells me that they, too, had a blast. It just takes me back to my first day and truly is the icing on the cake.”

For more information, visit: winchesterblueshouse.com and/or check them out on Facebook at Winchester Blues House Festival. For more information on how to get involved with Habitat for Humanity of Winchester – Frederick Co.Va., visit: habitatwfc.org.

What: 12th Annual Blues House Festival When: Saturday July 16th, 11:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. (Gates open at 11 a.m.)

Where: Winchester Eagles Club Aerie 824 “Outdoor Pavilion” 700 Baker Lane, [ 14 ]

Around Harrisonburg | June/July 2011

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Friday, September 23, 2011 Heritage Oaks Golf Course 680 Garbers Church Road, Harrisonburg

The tournament will include two flights (8:00AM and 1:00PM), lunch provided by Harrisonburg Downtown Dining Alliance, a Reception catered by Chuck Ahrend, and more!

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Stanley Steemer

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Maxine Magri, CPA

Dining Alliance

Medicap Pharmacy

Chuck Ahrend’s BBQ

Fine Earth

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VBS Mortgage

Traditions Family Restaurant

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“Casual Food & Fun in Historic Downtown Harrisonburg”

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Show off your photo skills to the world and you could be our $50 lucky winner (one per issue).

Winner—or should I say, winners.

WOW! These are by far the best photographs entered to date. Not that the photos entered before these haven’t been really good in their own right, but this issue’s entries are so impressive, it leads me to believe they were taken by professionals And for the first time, we have a tie: so I had to draw from a hat the Winner.

Sorry but we only have one prize.

Winners in Hat Draw

1. Full Moon by Richard Harkness 2. Looking Ahead by Tripp Baronner 3. Three children by PLC Everything about these photos is perfect. Have you ever tried to set up for the perfect moon shot? If you haven’t, I suggest you try. And the lighting on the B&W photo of the man in the window is perfect. Need I say more? The crispness, and what we call in the industry—tack sharp—in the three children by the water shot, couldn’t be any better.

Honorable mention—Cherries by PLC, PLC—I love what you’re doing, keep it up.

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. [ 17 ]

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Around Harrisonburg | June/July 2011

Ask Miss Rose Advice on all of life’s dilemmas, large & small.

Dear Miss Rose: I’m getting married soon and would like to convey our preference for cash as a wedding gift (to be used toward household expenses). Is there a preferred way to word that on our invitations? - Cash-Strapped Bride

[ 18 ]

Dear Bride: Ah, romance! Isn’t that wonderful? Sorry to disappoint, but there is simply NO tactful way to convey your demands (ahem, wishes) for gifts on your invitation. Miss Rose is not living under a rock and is therefore aware of today’s trend to mention the stores where the happy couple, prospective parents, etc., are registered, but she doesn’t like that, either. It’s likely that your close friends and family are quite aware that you’d prefer cash for your wedding. As you obviously

intend to invite those who are not currently gathered to your bosom, please be gracious and accept the gifts they decide to bestow (or not) with gratitude

( Dear Miss Rose: We’ve been friends with a particular couple for years, but lately I’ve suspected that the wife may be having an affair. I work with her, and several times at lunch or when leaving for the day, she has appeared to be having a giggly conversation on her cell phone that she abruptly stops when I’m within earshot.

She also makes vague references to needing to leave early for “appointments.” As I said, the husband is also a friend, and I really don’t want to see either of them hurt. I’m getting more and more suspicious and wondering if I should mention my concerns to the husband. Your advice? Suspicious

Around Harrisonburg | June/July 2011

Dear Suspicious: You most definitely should NOT discuss your suspicions with your co-worker’s husband. Notice the reference to her as a “coworker”! Miss Rose gets it that you’re friends with the couple, but don’t lose sight of the fact that the workplace is the forum for professionalism, first and foremost. Should your suspicions turn out to have no basis in fact, your work environment could suffer tremendously. Even if you didn’t work with your friend and had even more “proof” that she’s fooling around, it is highly unlikely that your interference would be helpful, unless you neglected to mention that you happen to be a trained marriage counselor! Be a friend to both husband and wife. If either approaches you wanting to talk, lend a listening ear, and don’t hesitate to suggest that both consult with a minister, counselor, or other related professional.

( Dear Miss Rose: My brother-in-law pushes all my buttons. We’re polar opposites in everything—we have totally different views on politics, religion, sports—you name it.

Now, I enjoy a good debate, and you might say even a heated argument, when it’s one-onone. But “Fred” only starts it up in get-togethers with our close family members and friends, most of whom see eye-to-eye with him on the “hot button” issues. Typically, Fred starts sniping, everyone gets tense, and I end up humiliated. I try to move the conversation off whatever (touchy) subject he launches, and so do others, but he’ll keep hammering home his point. I feel cornered and I’m beginning to dread seeing him. There are only so many

excuses I can invent for avoiding gatherings where he may be present.

-Verbal Victim Dear Victim: Bullying among teens is lamented everywhere these days, but really, wherever a jerk of any age roams freely, bullying is a possibility. Miss Rose respects your wish to maintain a relationship with this person. He IS your brother-in-law, after all.

Presumably he also has at least one other redeeming quality.

Next time Fred starts winding up and you can’t manage to quickly change the subject, interrupt (as nicely as possible, of course) and try this comment: “Oh, Fred, you know you’re as narrow-minded as I am!” Then chuckle a little

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at your own witticism. He’ll be dumbfounded, no doubt, leaving you a moment free to turn the conversation toward someone else and a more amiable topic.

( Send your questions to Miss Rose and never hesitate to voice your comments. Get in touch at askmissrose@yahoo.com. Letters may be edited for length and inappropriate content will not be printed. Ask Miss Rose is largely for entertainment purposes and not intended as a substitute for professional counseling. The opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of this publication or those in charge!

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Jessica Crawford Hopeful Music from the Heart

- By Lauren Arbogast

It only takes a few minutes with Jessica Crawford to realize that, above all else, she is remarkably genuine. A warm smile and lilting voice give way to an infectious laugh, and you soon find yourself smiling along with her. As a singer and songwriter, this same passion envelops her lyrics and notes as she composes a song, giving breath to life experiences and questions that dig at the heart.

Amazingly, the career of “musician” was not always on Jessica’s radar. Growing up in the Shenandoah Valley, Jessica was

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involved in music early on, from church solos to the Shenandoah Valley Children’s Choir—her mother factored in heavily on her music development, as an elementary school music and piano teacher. Although music was esteemed in her home growing up, a music related vocational choice was never promoted. Jessica will be the first to tell you that her practical side constantly wrestles with her career choice as a musician.

“We all know that music isn’t the safe route by any stretch of the imagination; in fact, it’s the opposite,” Jessica states on her

blog (jessicacrawfordmusic.com).

“So why torture my common sense-driven self? Because it’s not about the logical choice, it’s about choosing to follow the deepest part of me—my heart.”

Following her heart proved to be harder than Jessica originally thought. After high school at Turner Ashby, Jessica went on to college, splitting time between Mary Washington College and James Madison University. All throughout college, she dabbled in music with a friend and their band, eventually releasing a CD in 2003 entitled “Jessica &

Around Harrisonburg | June/July 2011

Katie,” while making connections in the local music scene.

Following graduation from JMU, Jessica found that her degree in communication studies with a minor in sociology offered just that—a degree that was a good fit, but lacking in an actual life map. For the next five years, Jessica skirted the music arena while exploring different life options.

After a long dry spell from music, Jessica was surprised when lyrics and melodies started flowing through her. “They filled my head during the day, and I would wake up at night singing a new song in a dream, frantically trying to write it down in the early morning hours as to not forget it,” she remembers. In 2008, Jessica received a call from her friend Robby Meadows at Alive Studios in Harrisonburg. Robby

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stated he didn’t know why he was calling her, and simply asked Jessica “…what do we need to talk about?” Jessica broke down, knowing that this was the answer to the songs that had been filling her hours. Coming through some self-proclaimed “hard stuff,” she saw the phone call as God’s call for her life. “I finally said ok God, I hear you— and knew that He was opening the door for me to get back into music.” The result of Jessica’s jump back into music is a disc entitled “Shine,” released April 2010, which contains thirteen tracks that expose the discovery of Jessica as a songwriter.

Although immensely proud of her work on “Shine,” Jessica is already looking forward to a new release that she believes will showcase her true voice. “I’ve been working hard to develop

my voice…the new music has a folksy/soul blend.”

Though her voice may be the means through which her songs are heard, the background work of songwriting is what means the most to Jessica. She states on her blog that, “My heart is in the music because songwriting is the medium through which I can best express the things that mean the most to me. I can tell about my life experience and scripture in ways that have more depth and meaning by way of a melody than black words on a white page allow.” The availability to express her faith and hope is a major component of her process.

Even though Jessica operates under the umbrella of contemporary Christian music, she is quick to state that her

Around Harrisonburg | June/July 2011

music is meant to reach across boundaries. She says, “My mantra is ‘hopeful music from the heart.’ During the hardest time in my life, I found true hope in Jesus, and now I can’t help but sing! I’m all about sharing hope, love, and truth through music, but I don’t want to be boxed in.” She emphasizes that her music is meant to be enjoyed by everyone. “After all, who doesn’t need to hear a positive message these days?”

Jessica’s positive message is a direct result of the support she garners on and off the stage. “My parents and family are incredibly supportive,” she states. “I really could not have taken this ride without them.” On stage, her band offers a sense of stability, with long time drummer Travis Whitmore and bassist Alan Good, Rod Morgan on electric guitar, and background vocalist Jinny Lee. Jessica is honest about her life as a musician when she states, “This life is too hard—if I didn’t feel called to do it, I wouldn’t be doing it.”

As for the future? Jessica smiles as she considers the question. “I wouldn’t say no to an opportunity if it felt right.

I originally thought I would market myself more nationally as a songwriter, but now I am more comfortable singing and performing my own songs.”

To enjoy a performance by this local talent, catch her this summer at local events and restaurants as she and guitarist Jon Nyce travel to share hope through the power of music.

Check her out on Facebook at Jessica Crawford Music, or Twitter at JessicaCMusic. Her website is always available at jessicacrawfordmusic.com, where you can access her calendar and book her for upcoming events.

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SmileMakers Treating the Whole Person Throughout history, there have been certain people known to care a great deal about teeth.

Miguel de Cervantes, in his 1605 romance, Don Quixote, said, “Every tooth in a man’s head is more valuable than a diamond,” and everyone has had at least one childhood encounter with the Tooth Fairy. Likewise, it has always been a part of childhood to be scolded by one’s mother for eating too much sticky candy and refusing to brush one’s teeth (forget flossing!) afterwards.

In addition to Cervantes, the Tooth Fairy, and mothers everywhere, Dr. Gregory S. Johnson, founder of

SmileMakers, would have to be added to that list. Open in Harrisonburg since 1988, SmileMakers has been taking care of teeth, smiles, and everything related for over twenty-three years.

“Every dentist has a very unique practice,” Dr. Johnson says, “and it’s got to take on the personality of the dentist.” If the décor of the practice is any indication, it seems Dr. Johnson has done just that. Fortunately, his wife Stacey knows a little something about interior aesthetics, and was able to capture a design that represents her husband’s personality while maintaining

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- By Elynia Betts an inviting, accommodative quality for each and every visitor.

When first entering through the front door, after passing the little wooden bear with a “welome” sign, I find myself in a relaxed room, with sea-side and mountainscape photos on the walls (taken by Johnson himself).

The faint, bubbling sound of a miniature water fountain, hanging on the wall next to me, calms my pre-interview nerves, and I settle myself into a comfy leather chair. This is not your average, clinical waiting room.

As I am shown to Dr. Johnson’s office, I notice more photos, this time of the countryside (he

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loves the outdoors), and many of the Johnson family. A family man to the core, Johnson is your best friend’s father, who will encourage you to do well in school, sit up straight, and make a future for yourself, all while giving you an understanding (and pearly white) smile.

“We’re known as a friendly practice,” Dr. Johnson says. “We have open doors and the ability to take care of any dental needs out there…in a calm and peaceful setting.”

By any dental needs, incidentally, he means any dental needs.

In fact, when I received this assignment, I was confused as to what Dr. Johnson’s practice did. Do they do dental work?

Orthodontics? Oral surgery? As it happens, the answer is “yes” to all of the above.

“I think it’s important to treat the whole person,” Dr. Johnson says. “A lot of times, dentists can get tunnel vision and concentrate on a certain specialty or ailment.

Part of what we do, and part of looking at the whole person, is to be well educated in all the different specialties in dentistry.”

In other words, SmileMakers is your one-stop-shop for all things dental, a very new and convenient idea. Many families

[ 26 ]

could easily have a dentist for the children, a dentist for the parents, a separate orthodontist, and a specialist for surgeries, such as the removal of wisdom teeth. Patients at SmileMakers, however, can bring along the young child, his older sibling in need of braces, and the grandmother, all in one building.

Dr. Johnson noted that patients’ ages range from around three years old to over one hundred, actually. “Although we’re a dental practice,” he continues, “much of what we do is work that specialists would do: braces, working with people who have temporomandibular (yes, I had to look up the spelling) joint disorder or TMJ concerns, root canals, oral surgery, gum surgery, implants. Patients seem to be appreciative that they can get a lot done with one dentist.”

Johnson emphasizes that there aren’t multiple offices, dentists, or personalities to deal with.

And not to worry, the variety of specialties does not mean the employees of SmileMakers are not just as skilled as specialists.

Administrative Coordinator Jill Hostetter addresses this possible concern quite assuredly. “Part of having a practice like this is that everyone needs to be well versed in all aspects of dental work.

We make sure that we never

even say we can do something until we honestly know for an absolute fact that we can. It is quite a challenge, but one that I think really makes us special.”

In addition to the vast variety of treatments, another interesting component of SmileMakers is the option of sedation. We have all either been there ourselves or seen it on television and in films: that terrible toothache only cured by the painful yanking by a dentist. Or, as many children have experienced (me being one of them), the time in one’s adolescent life when tying a string to both your loose tooth and a door handle sounds like a good idea. Either way, sedation would have come in handy. “One thing that has been interesting is that a lot of people seek us out because, not only do we do a vast number of procedures, but we use oral sedation techniques, as well,” Johnson assures. “A lot of folks have a tremendous and understandable fear of getting any dental work done, especially anything more serious, so they really appreciate being able to do that in a sedated state.”

He explains that it is the cure of some of these more serious conditions that are the most rewarding. “People who have bite issues, TMJ concerns, other ailments; they’re living in a life

Around Harrisonburg | June/July 2011

of pain. They don’t like to talk or chew, they have headaches weekly or even daily. And so, seeing those problems being turned around, and seeing the patients become functional again, is a wonderful reward for what we do.”

Equally important is the cosmetic aspect of dentistry. As Dr. Johnson says, “Being able to restore somebody’s smile gives them a life again, helps them not only to function well, but feel good about themselves.”

Often taken for granted, and corny as it sounds, a beautiful smile can be a big confidence booster, and likewise, a less than lovely one can have quite the opposite effect. Contrary to sometimes popular belief, even Hollywood stars are not born with their perfect, flashy smiles.

And furthermore, you certainly don’t have to be a movie star to have a smile like one. “A component of our practice is cosmetically driven, and people have very specific ideas of how they want to look, how they want their teeth to look. It’s a very subjective situation,” Johnson maintains. “One of the biggest things I personally appreciate about dentistry is that we’re able to restore people. You think restoring a smile is a small thing, but for most people it’s a big deal, and many people don’t recognize that unless their own smile has been compromised.”

So, I ask, cosmetic treatments effect more than simply how a smile looks? “Oh, absolutely,” he elaborates, “there is an immediate, visible change; it’s part of treating the whole person.”

Likewise, Dr. Johnson is not only concerned with treating the whole person, but the whole group of persons. “Within the community, there are a certain number of cases that we do on a pro bono type situation, or at

minimal expense,” he conveys.

“We’re tied into Harrisonburg [Rockingham] Free Clinic, and we do a good bit of work through the church in order to treat people who would not be able to be treated otherwise.” Outside of the Harrisonburg community, Dr. Johnson has gone on numerous mission trips, with his church and other organizations, to provide free dental care. One trip in particular really stood out.

“We went to Kenya last summer,” he reveals. “We had quite a few medical professionals, and were able to treat close to twohundred people a day. There were over a thousand people we were able to see while we were there, and they were so very appreciative.” Not only this trip, but all of the others Johnson has gone on, and will go on, are so crucial because they fit perfectly within his practice’s very foundation: treating the whole person. In order to fund his overseas work, Johnson created the non-profit: Smiles for the Nations. “I really feel that, if you’re going to get to a person’s heart, if you’re going to really influence them, you’ve got to meet their needs. Everybody has teeth, and even those who don’t have teeth have needs. The services we are able to provide, to quite a few different people, are, in a way, very tangible— they treat people’s needs.”

Whether due to the atmosphere or the kind staff, I left SmileMakers feeling much more relaxed than when I came in… and I wasn’t even sedated!

If you find yourself in need of anything dental related, you really owe it to yourself, and your teeth, to check out SmileMakers.

For more information or to set up a free consultation, call (540) 432-9036 or visit harrisonburgsmilemakers.com.

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- By Lester R. Zook, WILD GUYde Adventures

In the book, Last Child in the Woods, Richard Louv sates: “Our children [today] are the first generation to be raised without meaningful contact with the natural world.” The author continues on to expound the numerous benefits accruing to families that intentionally engage with nature. From skill learning to enhanced self esteem, from individual character growth to a slower paced and less technologically dependent existence, and from large-muscle fitness oriented activities to natural science learning, the potential payoffs are manifold.

All told, the primary benefit the outdoors can give us, as families, is sustained and meaningful time

together in a beautiful and naturally stimulating environment. The purpose of this article is not to rehash Louv’s research and material.

If you saw the title and started reading this piece, you are probably already convinced. The purpose of this article is to give some practical suggestions and guidance to families who are already persuaded that exploring nature together is a good thing. Let’s get started.

Are there opportunities nearby?

The Shenandoah Valley and adjacent mountain ranges offer a variety of nearby areas and activities for the outdoor family. Did you know

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that in August 2009, Backpacker Magazine listed Harrisonburg Virginia as No. 15 on their list of the top 25 cities to raise an outdoor kid! The George Washington and Jefferson National Forests (VA) consist of nearly 1.8 million acres of forest, rivers, mountains, hiking trails, and opportunities for fishing, camping, mountain biking, boating, hunting, and rock climbing. The operational philosophy of the Forest Service is “multiple use.” Similarly, Monongahela National Forest (WV) has over 919,000 acres dedicated to the public’s enjoyment. Some public areas in the Forest have been developed (campgrounds, picnic/ day-use areas, boat launches), but

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much of the land is simply wild and available to explore. Shenandoah National Park (VA) boasts over 197,000 acres, with over 79,000 designated as wilderness. Use is more restrictive in a national park (no trail biking, dogs must be leashed, backcountry camping requires a permit, etc.), but for beginner families, there are also more amenities (visitors’ centers, well-labeled trails, ranger stations, restrooms, and gift shops).

people will say that kids are natural daredevils, but I find this a bit simplistic. A wise parent will work to understand their child before ever setting foot in the backcountry, and then create experiences that provide the right mix of joy and challenge.

If a kid is having a miserable time in the outdoors, the root cause is often a parent (or scout leader, etc.) who didn’t do their homework or prepare adequately, or who has their own agenda.

When you take children, are they apprehensive? Or are they more fearless than most adults?

What do most kids enjoy about hiking, climbing, and paddling?

Most kids are into team sports at a young age; is the solitude of outdoor activities refreshing or something they have to overcome?

Healthy kids enjoy physical action and adventure, but like adults, some have a greater need for certainty than others. The very definition of “adventure” implies an uncertain outcome, so we need to know how our children respond to this. Most children have an internal range of comfort, and when you push them beyond it, they can get anxious and resistant to trying things. Some

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Kids will probably enjoy both soccer/ basketball and the outdoor activities, but for different reasons. Soccer is all about continual action and friends and wearing a team shirt (social affiliation) and getting a trophy (extrinsic motivators). Hiking and climbing are about extended time

with Mom or Dad, learning new things like knots and signals, seeing snakes and waterfalls, and getting ice cream or a Little Debbie on the way home (our particular tradition!).

One of the unique things that the outdoor activities like hiking and climbing and caving offer to even the college students I teach is the chance to use and test their bodies and be “athletes” in a non-traditional venue, with no coach, no screaming fans, no score, no humiliation, and no bench time. Some young people have really been turned off to the traditional sports scene, and find in the outdoor sports, that they can still experience physical effort, determination, fitness, and exhilaration without some of the distractions they’ve grown accustomed to.

Any hard and fast rule about what age a kid should be before they start?

Kids can be exposed to outdoor activity as soon as they can walk, so

Around Harrisonburg | June/July 2011

they begin to see this environment as an exciting and comfortable one, rather than one that is foreign and intimidating. And hiking naturally gives way to scrambling and exploring. In my Adventure Classroom program, we spend a whole morning with 2nd and 3rd graders exploring on and under and through the huge boulders of a scree slide/boulder field on the side of the mountain, and they love it. I also rig a two-line rope bridge over a creek, so they can begin getting up off the ground and enjoying it.

Children are physically capable of top-rope climbing low angle and highly featured class 5 routes as 5and 6-year-olds, but their emotional readiness is almost more important than their physical capabilities.

An attentive parent will have their “leadership radar” on, maintaining awareness of their child’s reactions, and adapting the activity as necessary.

Are there any common mistakes that parents make when trying to introduce their kids to the outdoors?

Is it difficult to keep your personal expectations in check when hiking and climbing with children? For instance, a lot of climbers are goal oriented, pushing themselves further

and further with each climb. Is it difficult to step back and take it easy when you have a child along for the ride?

Many of us outdoor lovers are naturally eager to introduce our kids to what we enjoy so much.

But I try to emphasize with parents that they should let their kids’ level of enthusiasm set the pace. When I guide a family, especially with young children, I try to reframe in my mind, and in the minds of the parents, what the goal is for the day. Parents may come into the day thinking that “this guide is going to get my kids into climbing,” but I try to frame it: “My goal is to give these kids a great day in the outdoors!” That may mean letting them try scrambling or roping up for something simple, but then also looking for crayfish in the creek, watching a turkey vulture soaring off the ridge, and exploring around some big boulders and crevasses. A mom hired me last summer to take her, her 9-year-old son, and another little buddy out rock climbing for his birthday present. We top-roped a little in the morning and then went up to the top of the rock platform to eat lunch in the sun. I pointed out the huckleberries to the boys, and

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guess what—they spent the rest of the afternoon picking berries while mom and I talked and took photos.

Now, you might say that I was a fairly well-paid berry picker, but my point is that those boys were having a great day, and will be much more eager to go back out there in the future than if they had been pressured by an overzealous parent or guide to do something new and intimidating. Another lesson from the day might be that they simply have a shorter attention span on any one activity than grownups.

One other subtle issue is how we treat them when they either don’t want to participate, or can’t meet our performance expectations.

Fundamentally, our children want our approval, and we have a lot of power in their little emotional lives with how we dispense or withhold it. So we must be very self-aware of our tendency to transmit messages of disapproval when a kid doesn’t want to hike or climb, or doesn’t want to finish a route. We must just keep remembering that we are here for them, to enrich their lives, and they are not here for us (to gratify our egos, etc.), and our body language and tone must match our verbiage.

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What are some considerations parents need to take into account when taking their young children into higher risk activities like caving or rock climbing?

Some of this has been addressed already, but my one additional suggestion (and I say this at risk of being accused of doing shameless advertising) would be to hire a guide, even if the parent is a climber. The AMGA (American Mountain Guides Association) is the predominant professional mountain guides’ association in the United States with certification, so an AMGA guide is going to have training, a Wilderness First Responder credential, adequate insurance, and appropriate permits if using public land (national forest or national park). They are also going to know an area well enough to provide “appropriate adventure” for your family, and they will have ample equipment so you don’t need to invest in a lot of gear if you are not sure that your family will embrace the sport. They will have a good inventory of climbing helmets, harnesses, and shoes, so all family members are safe and comfortable, and can experience success.

I watch pretty carefully when I see families out at the climbing areas that I visit; if Dad got his training in the military 20 years ago, or learned from a buddy, there can be the real possibility that he is using antiquated gear or unenlightened practices (for anchoring, belaying, rappelling, etc.). Several examples of dad-led-experiences-goneterribly-wrong appear each year in the American Alpine Club’s annual volume, Accidents in North American Mountaineering. Most climbing schools and guide services offer skills workshops and practice seminars, so a parent can go and get grounded in current best practice before taking the family. A parent (or any climber) who is unwilling to take instruction is exhibiting other and more potentially fatal attitudes.

I would encourage any outdoor lover, and especially a parent who plans to take kids into the backcountry, to complete a Wilderness First Aid course (see www.WFA.net in Virginia, or contact SOLO or

[ 32 ]

Wilderness Medical Associates).

An additional challenge occurs when your growing children gain some competence, and you begin entertaining the notion of going outdoors as a twosome. It should go without saying that you don’t start taking just one child (even a precocious teen climber) until they are fully ready to assume care and take charge in an emergency. In the event that you are incapacitated in a lead fall, do you really want your 13-year-old living the rest of their life with the trauma of watching you die because they were up one pitch at Seneca, saw your massive head injury, and didn’t know what to do about it? This sounds brutal, but in September of last year on Dragontail Peak, we witnessed the death of a father-son team from Spokane. They were decent climbers, but the dad reckoned that nothing could happen to him that he couldn’t handle; when he fell, apparently his 12-year-old son had no other options but to curl up and die of hypothermia.

Another reality is that no outdoor adventure is completely safe. Not all hazards can be eliminated, and if they could, it wouldn’t be adventure.

So in the guiding industry, we say that our goal is not to eliminate risk but to manage risk, with proper equipment, procedures, and more.

The Ten Essentials for any backcountry outing are: water, whistle, pocketknife, extra food (Powerbars, dried fruit), extra clothing (rain jacket or fleece), flashlight or headlamp, map, compass, first aid kit, and fire starter (matches, candle). Even daytrips can turn into unexpected overnights, so go prepared. And take the Eleventh Essential—your BRAIN—and know how to use it!

Lester R. Zook is owner of WILD GUYde Adventures L.L.C. in Harrisonburg—an adventure guide service specializing in providing beginner level outdoor adventure guiding (rock climbing, caving, hiking, and canoeing) for families, groups, and individuals. He can be reached at lester@wildguyde. com or 540-433-1637. For more information, visit: wildguyde.com.

Around Harrisonburg | June/July 2011

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Ultimate Roller Coasters On Earth Ever since the origin of roller coasters, mankind has been pushing the envelope to see how fast and hard a person can safely be hurtled down a track. The further you venture from a soft, comfortable ride, the more fun you’re likely to experience (if you’re a legitimate thrillseeker). Times have changed, needless to say, and the early days of ice slides and wooden coasters have been replaced with 100+ mph monsters, G forces, 400-foot drops, and hydraulic/steam power. We figured we’d make it easy for you, just in case you were thinking to chase down some of the beasts this summer.

10. Nemesis:

Alton Towers’ (England) leading ride is the aptly named Nemesis, a gut-wrenching thrillseeker’s inverted coaster waiting to take its retribution out on you through a sequence of crazy plunges and mind-numbing turns. Experience up to 4 Gs as you are propelled at 50 mph through four inversions. The ride corkscrews and loops along the 2,349-foot track for one-and-a-half minutes of sheer excitement.

9. Titan: Titan calls Six Flags Over Texas home, and puts each passenger through a bone-jarring joyride of twists and turns. The impressive layout includes a negative G camelback turn and a double helix turn that produces six full seconds of sickening G force (of up to 4.5 Gs). Titan has a massive drop, 255 feet at the tallest section, and reaches speeds of 85 mph during a 5,280-foot-long ride—lasting for three-and-a-half rather thrilling minutes.

8. Dragon Khan: Located at the Port Aventura theme park in Spain, Dragon Khan has a story behind it: the evil Prince Hu of Beijing has been brought back to life in the body of this roller coaster, and his fury is dealt out each time a human dares to climb atop his back. Whether you get into the story or not, Dragon Khan’s 4,165 feet of tangled, red steel track is so full-on that it will have your heart in your mouth for an entire minute! The coaster starts off with a 161-foot drop, with top speeds of up to 65 mph as you hurtle through its eight inversions.

The ride is remarkably smooth, and held the world record for the most inversions for many years.

7. Goliath: Residing in Six Flags Magic

Mountain, California, Goliath is a roller coaster of biblical proportions. Like its namesake, this ride was a world-beater when it was revealed in February 2000, though it has been subsequently overtaken by leaner, stronger, and faster opposition. Riders on Goliath experience up to 4.5 Gs for over six seconds straight! As you would expect, with a name like Goliath, the coaster towers at a monstrous 255 feet above the ground and the threeminute ride reaches speeds of up to 85 mph along its 4,500 feet of steel track. [ 34 ]

Around Harrisonburg | June/July 2011

6. Thunder Dolphin: The Thunder Dolphin, at the LaQua section of the Tokyo Dome City, is

an excellent coaster and it deserves extra kudos for a unique design around the building in central Tokyo.

The coaster starts off with a dizzying 218-foot plunge at a steep 80-degree angle. You then race around the track at speeds in excess of 80 mph, traversing a thrilling 3,500 feet of track and 26 stories.

5. Dodonpa: The Dodonpa at the Fuji Q Highland Park is the third fastest coaster in the world—so there won’t be much time to admire nearby Mt. Fuji. You’ll reach 107 mph in less than two seconds on this beast—faster than the fastest cars on earth could dream to be. Dodonpa messes with your mind from the start, as passengers are forced to wait anxiously in a darkened tunnel, before the countdown to an insanely fast acceleration out of the tunnel begins. And then you’re sent screaming down the track, only to get launched over two massive humps with ninety-degree drops on each side. At present, Dodonpa still holds the record for the fastest launch acceleration.

4. Top Thrill Dragster:

The Top Thrill Dragster is, essentially, the older and marginally shorter (and slightly slower) version of its archrival—the Kingda Ka. Now, marginally inferior means the drop is only 18 feet shorter and it rattles along at a whopping 8 mph slower. Both rides have the same short and intense duration, and you probably wouldn’t be able to tell the difference. The Top Thrill Dragster, another Cedar Point all star, snorts and revs like a real dragster, and for some added fear, can sometimes stall at the top and roll back down in reverse—which is apparently normal on both this ride and the Kingda Ka. Again, whoa.

3. Millennium Force: Cedar

Point’s (Sandusky, Ohio) mammoth GigaCoaster, the Millennium Force, has terrifying turns that hurtle around 6,595 feet of steel track for well over two minutes. At the tallest section, you’ll endure a stomach-churning 300-foot drop. Passengers rush and plunge along the track through two separate dark tunnels and two crazy 122-degree overbanked turns that produce a gut-wrenching G force. Frequently heard phrases from the ten million people who have been on the ride include: “Ahhh,” “Ohhh No,” and “We’re gonna die.”

2. Steel Dragon 2000: What could cause the normally polite and somewhat restrained Japanese to squeal and scream in public? Answer: the Steel Dragon 2000. You might be used to getting on a rollercoaster and stepping off much sooner than you’d hoped—scream, scream, and it’s all over. Not on this ride. The Steel Dragon is quite the endurance coaster. It’s so long that you might actually deplete your ability to scream by the end of the record breaking 8,133-foot track. The Dragon also boasts a massive 306-foot drop from its tallest point of 318 feet, and zips along the steel frame reaching a maximum speed of 95 mph.

1. Kingda Ka: Arms down, head back, and hold on. The Kingda Ka may not be very long, but it’s bound to leave you wide eyed and twitching!

This coaster reigns supreme as the tallest, and is the world’s second fastest (Formula Rossa, in Abu Dhabi, reaches 150 mph). Located at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey, it towers high at 456 feet, with a 418-foot incline and a sickening drop at a sheer ninety degrees (with a half twist). From a completely stationary position, KingDa Ka will catapult a cart to 128 mph in just 3.5 seconds. Whoa.

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The Courage of Artists

- By Kristen Wright

Confronting novel challenges and trying new things can be exhilarating and rewarding, frightening and demoralizing, or a mixture of all the above. Some of us are genuinely creatures of habit, most comfortable when operating within the bounds of what we already know how to do. On the other hand, some of us embrace the opportunity to try something we’ve never done before, thoroughly enjoying the adventure outside of our comfort zone. John and Jane Braithwaite are a couple of local artists who exemplify the latter. Not only did they give up their “real jobs”

to make a living as artists, but John and Jane pioneered an art form that was exceptionally uncommon in the United States.

Now well-established and flourishing artists, the pair has called the small town of Dayton, Virginia, with its rich history and bucolic beauty, home—as well as the home of their remarkable little business, Braithwaite Studios—since 2000. This art gallery and glass studio is the culmination of thirty years of bravely and enthusiastically taking on challenges and trying new things.

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Whether viewing their artwork online or in-person, the Braithwaite’s extraordinary talent and unique style is immediately apparent. Intricate and elegant designs are skillfully etched in glass to create one-of-a-kind décor or gifts that are the unique products of their teamwork. John and Jane create an impressive array of suncatchers, as well as beautiful stand-alone glass etchings in circles, rectangles, or custom designs. They also etch glass for awards, entry and shower doors, cabinets, and mirrors.

[ 37 ]

How DO You Do That?

Everything is handmade by John and Jane in the basement of their Dayton studio. Jane absolutely loves to draw; her artwork first jumped off the paper when she started wood burning using the scraps from John’s door making.

All of the designs to be etched in glass are original artwork by Jane. Once she has completed a design, she gives it to John who sandblasts it into the glass, contributing his own artistic interpretation with the shading.

John also sculpts the glass to carve away the edges and create a three-dimensional effect that gives the work an exclusive sense of depth.

In the beginning…

The inception of Braithwaite Studios was thirty years ago in Florida where John was working as a door maker.

It all began when a friend requested a high-quality, specialty entry door. The catch was this: due to the great expense, stained glass was to be omitted; nevertheless, the door still had to offer some privacy. Their solution was to, for the first time, try their hand at sandblasting a design into the glass. The finished product was a huge success; not only did the friend love the door but so did the architect, who then encouraged John and Jane to pursue this artistic and economic venture. They were one of the first teams in the United States to do this kind of artwork, and they had no idea what a future as artists would bring, but they decided to devote all of their time and energy to it.

What followed surprised even them. John and Jane took their works to art shows and repeatedly sold everything. For years they enjoyed traveling around the country from art show to art show, [ 38 ]

and they continued to sell out.

The art shows also helped them expand their inventory. People would often say to them: “I would have bought (fill in the blank) if only you had made it.”

So the Braithwaites took those suggestions, and along with additional requests, developed a stock collection of approximately 400 multifarious suncatcher designs, including everything from pets and wildlife to religious symbols and mythical creatures.

“If you can think it, we can put it on glass.”

Ever willing to take on new challenges, John and Jane operate with the mantra: “If you can think it, we can put it on glass.” And you can bet this has led to some interesting projects. A fire department once requested their mascot be etched in glass; their mascot happened to be the gremlin from the movie “Gremlins.” Another interesting piece was of a chef, complete with chef hat, holding up a tray with wine, catching a giant wave on his surfboard. One of their most memorable works of art was a twenty-one-foot long by eight-foot-tall wall for the Daytona Beach International Airport. The wall was completely covered with indigenous Florida wildlife. Taking approximately one year to complete, the wall was divided into three-foot-wide panels that were each created one at a time.

But even if you weren’t in the market for a surfing chef, you still have a virtually limitless wealth of options. It is not uncommon for parents to have an illustration by their child etched in glass, or for pet owners to have their pet’s photo etched in glass. In fact, Jane estimates that if you mail them a photo, within approximately ten days, you will receive a suncatcher with the photo etched on it, Around Harrisonburg | June/July 2011

and the original photo. And, of course, they are always open to whatever requests you can think of.

Business is Booming The state of today’s economy almost automatically begs the question, how is business? For Braithwaite Studios, business is booming. Despite the concerns associated with the down economy, Jane mentions that people are still buying online, and it’s been especially helpful for Braithwaite Studios.

Since their products have been available on sites like eBay and Etsy, and through the use of PayPal, business has been coming in from an ever-increasing number of countries. They have recently even had international requests for wholesale. Jane describes it as a “planetary clientele,” with customers from across the country and around the world.

She also notes that part of what has kept their business alive is the strength of their network, especially from the numerous art shows. Another important aspect of their success has been effective teamwork, which Jane says is possible with the sharing of a long-term goal.

Encouraging People So what is it really all about?

Why have John and Jane pursued this path for thirty years? And is retirement in sight?

For the veteran artists, it’s about always taking on challenges and producing something in return. And it doesn’t take long in talking to them to realize that this process of self-exploration and creation—always pushing the bounds of what they think they’re capable of—is what gets them excited. The best part is that this energy is contagious.

Within a few minutes of being

around them, you’ll find yourself feeling more willing to try something new and difficult. Complacency becomes something to abhor as you see what is possible with determination and courage. And they use their communicable energy to encourage this sort of explorative nature, especially in kids. At Braithwaite Studios, you can actually make your own suncatcher. This provides kids, and adults, with a no-failure opportunity to try something new. And while the argument can often be made that we try too hard to coddle kids from failure, this provides an environment in which kids can be successful at something new and challenging so that they might be more apt to attempt other new and challenging things in the future.

John and Jane are very encouraging people. They want you to come to the studio and try making a suncatcher “because it’s cool.” But they also want you to try it because you never know what’s going to happen. Jane emphasizes that no one should ever be afraid to try something new and challenging because your perspective will always be unique. Their encouraging nature is also evident in their showcasing of other local artists there at the studio. The Braithwaites do their best to support local talent while also attempting to inspire exploration and creativity in others.

And you can just forget about retirement. The couple is ready for thirty more years. They really have no reason to retire. “We’re already doing what we love to do,” says Jane. She goes on to advise that, “If you have to do something for a living, make sure that it’s something you enjoy.”

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[ 39 ]

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Between

A Rock and

A Hard Place

- By Kristen Wright

The Nelson Rocks Outdoor Center, formerly the Nelson Rocks Preserve, is a mountainous area in the North Fork Valley of Pendleton County, West Virginia. This privately owned, 145-acre nature preserve is home to one of the many massive fin-like rock projections that are scattered throughout the surrounding area.

Nelson Rocks is a double-fin structure that was formed 230 million years ago. The formation of the Appalachian mountains forced a layer of Tuscarora Quartzite, an extremely hard rock that had been laid down as a layer of sediment on the sea floor millions of years prior, into enormous arches. As millions of years passed, erosion gradually wore away the rock of the arch, leaving behind the two enormous fins of Nelson Rocks.

More recently, the Nelson Rocks Outdoor Center is committed to providing adventure and education while preserving nature. While some lodging is available on site and construction and renovations are in progress, the Outdoor Center is dedicated to minimizing their development of the preserve to maintain its natural, pristine beauty.

It’s this ecological conscientiousness that makes Nelson Rocks such an incredible adventure on which to embark.

The natural setting is ideal for the variety of activities the Outdoor Center offers. Nelson Rocks is able to accommodate all levels of adventure with activities such as hiking, rock climbing, the North Fork Valley Canopy Tour, and the Via Ferrata. With the exception of hiking, these are all guided expeditions that allow you to explore the preserve however much or little you desire.

Rock climbing at Nelson Rocks is huge. The history and development of Nelson Rocks, the Nelson Rocks Preserve, as well as the Outdoor Center have been strongly influenced by rock climbing. Today there are over 150 established routes, and climbers are still exploring and making new ones.

The Outdoor Center is only open for guided climbs—no self-guided or independent rock climbing. Several local guide services are available to take groups out on Nelson Rocks,

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and anyone interested should contact the Outdoor Center for more information.

State of the art and expertly designed, the North Fork Valley Canopy Tour just opened May 7th.

This guided experience involves zip lines and bridges that take you on a scenic journey throughout the North Fork Valley. Approximately four hours, the canopy tour involves twelve zip lines, three sky bridges, and a forty-foot rappel. The tour will take you up to eighty feet above the forest floor and covers two miles of diverse terrain. The zip lines themselves range from 150 to 680 feet in length and result in a total distance traveled in the air of about one mile.

Generally speaking, Via Ferrata climbing offers a unique experience that employs a permanently installed anchor system consisting of ropes, bridges, cables, and rungs. Originally very popular in Europe, Nelson Rocks’ Via Ferrata was only the second one built in North America and is the first one to be designed and built by Americans. Opening in 2002, the Nelson Rocks’ Via Ferrata is 3.5 miles long and involves an elevation gain and loss of 1,085 feet. The climb takes 3.5 to 5 hours depending on the size and ability level of your group. One particularly notable feature is the 200-foot-long suspension bridge, 150 feet above the ground, which spans the Nelson Corridor between the two fins.

“Via Ferrata” is Italian for “iron road” or “by way of iron.” Via Ferrata climbing is inherently dangerous; the Outdoor Center makes this well known on their website, and the guides emphasize it before you depart for the climb. Aside from the typical climbing-related dangers of rock fall and lightning, individuals are responsible for managing their own fall protection equipment. This isn’t like the canopy tour where your guides do all of the clipping and unclipping of your harness to the cables; the Via Ferrata demands personal responsibility for your own safety. In short, you have to have your wits about you. A clear head and a focus on safety should guide your decision making.

[ 41 ]

If you’re at all cautious in nature, and have little to no rock climbing experience, you’re probably wondering if the climb is worth the risk. The litigious answer is that no one can decide that for you—not Nelson Rocks Outdoor Center and certainly not me. What we can do is tell you about how awesome—and I mean that in the original, literal sense of the word—the experience is.

Having absolutely no technical climbing experience and what I considered to be a relatively healthy fear of heights, I decided (perhaps a little foolishly) to see what the Via Ferrata was all about. Before even leaving the ground, the guides instructed us a few times on how to manage our equipment and how to be safe. The instructions and equipment were simple enough, all I had to do was pay attention and think all my actions through.

As we started out, I focused on my climbing and my safety, doing my best not to notice the everincreasing elevation. But after a short while, I stopped to look around and realized I was well above the trees. My healthy fear of heights was extinguished (at least in that context—I’m not going to start scaling skyscrapers or radio towers). After that moment, the climb was simply a lot of fun. It was an exhilarating and demanding activity that was so far away from civilization that I almost forgot I even owned a cell phone (which had lost reception miles ago). It was a fantastically liberating feeling to be unplugged and climbing one of the most unique and stunning natural wonders. Completion of the Via Ferrata gave me an incredible sense of accomplishment and gratification.

Post-completion, I felt as though I could take on anything. And it was peaceful; the phenomenal views and majesty of nature were ever-present. This was natural and unadulterated serenity.

Whether you decide to do the incredible Via Ferrata, or if you’re interested in the more relaxed nature of the canopy tour, it is recommended that you be in good physical health. The Via Ferrata has a minimum age requirement

[ 42 ]

Around Harrisonburg | June/July 2011

of thirteen, no exceptions—ever.

The canopy tour has no age requirement, but you should weigh between 70 and 250 pounds—less than 70 pounds, and you might not make it all the way down the zip line; more than 250 pounds, and you would go a little too fast.

Bring a camera, because even if you’re not photogenic, you will want documented evidence of your awesome experiences.

furnished and even includes air conditioning and WiFi. The three-bedroom vacation rentals can either be rented by bedroom or your group could rent the entire house.

The lodging options, much like the activity options, provide a variety of exposure to nature that allows the Outdoor Center to accommodate different levels of adventure.

The Outdoor Center is also interested in additionally operating in more of a retreat capacity; the preserve is willing to serve as a locale for adventure therapy, art or yoga retreats, or geocaching.

The opportunities are plentiful, but they do not provide any specific programing. Anyone who wants to plan a retreat or retreat-like event is encouraged to contact the Outdoor Center for details and scheduling.

Furthermore, Nelson Rocks Outdoor Center holds a wealth of educational opportunities. The range of topics is diverse and includes geology, ecology, and natural history. The preserve is a highly biodiverse region, especially in birds, making it an excellent place to learn about the indigenous flora and fauna. As with the potential retreat options, specific programing is not available, and those interested in providing or partaking in an educational experience should contact the Center.

The Nelson Rocks Outdoor Center currently has a lot of work in progress, but it certainly doesn’t detract from the experience. Most projects are nearing completion and all are geared towards providing more and additional opportunities for exploration.

Perhaps the most adventurous activity coming soon is the full moon climbs on the Via Ferrata. This is going to be a nocturnal climbing experience free of lights and headlamps, just by the light of the moon.

Being above the tree canopy, the moonlight is actually more than sufficient for the climb.

Participants must have had prior Via Ferrata experience and be very confident in their abilities.

Regardless of the activity or activities you choose to enjoy while at Nelson Rocks, a variety of lodging is available there on the preserve.

For individuals who are looking for the full outdoor experience, eight campsites are available for tent camping. If you like being close to nature, but would rather have a roof over your head and a bed to sleep in, eight cabins are available.

While the cabins currently have no running water and only propane lights, renovations are currently underway to establish running water and install solar power. A shower house is also under construction right next to the cabins. But if you’re looking for home-away-from-home accommodations, then the Yellow House Inn in front of the soon-tobe Welcome Center can’t be beat.

This on-site option comes fully

Upon my return home from climbing the Via Ferrata, a friend commented that the best trips are the ones where you feel like you’re going to pass out from exhaustion afterwards.

And that was exactly how I felt. It was very tiring but very rewarding. Nelson Rocks Outdoor Center wants people to be astounded by the Via Ferrata; they want people to be able to have that sense of personal adventure. In my experience, I would say they are very good at accomplishing that goal: I genuinely feel compelled to tell everyone about the Outdoor Center, and cannot wait to return. So the next time you’re bored, or need to get away from technology, or just want to have a peaceful experience with nature, get the rocks out of your pockets and go have an adventure at Nelson Rocks!

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[ 43 ]

A Bowl of Good Café |

Harrisonburg, VA

Globally Inspired, Local Goodness - By Lauren Arbogast The first things to grab your attention in A Bowl of Good Café are the straight, clean lines of the décor and the bright, contrasting colors that seem to pop right off the wall.

It’s a small space for sure, but the availability of outdoor dining and the wide, custom glass sliding doors to the adjoining shop make the café feel open and airy. The handmade tables invite you to sit down and flip through the inserts describing different aspects of the café, from pictures of their local pork suppliers to the brewing process for a specialty tea. Not a detail is overlooked in this well-run café, and the attitude of the staff and loyalty of the customers certainly reflects the leadership behind this one-of-akind restaurant.

A Bowl of Good Café had its beginnings in the back of a local health food store, humbly serving a faithful group of customers. The owner, Katrina Didot, started the café in 2005 as a response to a needed change in her life—having recently returned from Guatemala with her growing family in 2003 and looking for something other than her vocation as a licensed social worker in family preservation work. The opportunity to serve the community through wholesome, quick foods intrigued her, and as she will readily tell you: “Food doesn’t scare me!” Katrina grew up in a large family, and enjoyed working in the kitchen preparing [ 44 ]

Around Harrisonburg | June/July 2011

meals for her siblings and parents.

As word spread about the tiny café with the great food—namely the soups and bread—Katrina’s thriving business built up a loyal following.

One of her regular patrons was Rachael Dorsey, a local realtor who was “…intrigued with the café— the atmosphere, the people…total strangers would have conversations with others while grabbing a quick meal.” She was so fascinated with the café and its ambiance that she asked Katrina if she would consider partnering with her, to which she received a prominent “no” response. Rachael and Katrina laugh as they remember their beginnings. As the years moved on and circumstances changed, Katrina began to look for a larger space for the café to operate out of, and turned to Rachael for her realtor expertise. With her time in the health food store expiring, Katrina began to think of ways to continue with her business while concurrently searching for a new space to lease.

She gathered the names and emails of her loyal fan base and turned to a transitional solution: selling soup and bread at the Saturday Harrisonburg Farmer’s Market downtown.

Katrina began to craft a regular newsletter that she would email out to her customers to let them know when she was going to be at the Farmer’s Market or other local venues to sell her goods. The “store” became the back of a van.

Katrina’s three home ovens would produce over a hundred loaves of bread in a day, and hundreds of quarts of soup were prepared in a commercial kitchen—rented for the day—in preparation for the work week. In the winter of 2008/2009, relief came in the form of newly constructed real estate on Mt. Clinton Pike in the Common Good Marketplace—home to the Mennonite Church’s Gift and Thrift. Management offered Katrina and Rachael a prime spot in the shopping center adjoining Artisan’s Hope. The grand leap to a store of their own brought doubt to mind. As Katrina says, “There was no margin of resources to take a risk.” Rachael credits Katrina with the belief and

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[ 45 ]

drive to make the transition happen, saying “she really is a gutsy lady— determined to make it work.”

With a new home and a customer base anxiously awaiting, plans for the new store began to take shape.

Wood salvaged from a local barn, inlaid with tiles from around the globe, became sturdy works of table art. A color scheme that included vivid contrasting colors such as “new grass green” and “deep plum purple” provided just the right burst of brightness to accent the fresh colors in the food. The menu came to life with staple items of soup and bread, accented with various salads, breakfast offerings, and hearty “Meals in a Bowl.” Most creations are globally inspired, with ethnic facets that complement and extend the complacent American palate.

The offerings grab your attention, with names like “It’s All Greek to Me” and “Red, White, and Moo Bowl.” The customers have taken to the attention-grabbing names so much that when a new creation is concocted, “…we have contests within the staff for naming rights!”

Katrina laughs.

Katrina and Rachael credit the staff at A Bowl of Good Café for their part in the continued growth. Their friendly faces and teachable spirits make for a staff that continues to morph and gel into a spirited team. Katrina says that “one of the biggest joys of operating the restaurant is that all of the staff care about it and work hard to create success.” It’s not hard to see why the staff enjoys working at A Bowl of Good—Katrina and Rachael lead by example with hard work, yet create a welcoming and educational environment to support their overall call. For example, the staff takes monthly field trips to local farms, families, or stores that supply A Bowl of Good with fresh provisions, and leave with a greater knowledge of local food production.

Any food left over at the end of the workday is also offered to the staff, or passed on to Our Community Place downtown.

Giving back or supporting those who give to you was never an option for Katrina; it’s just the way

[ 46 ]

she approaches work and life. The mission statement of A Bowl of Good sums it up: “Our mission is a community minded business that exists to bring a healthy, hearty, convenient and internationally influenced eating experience to an increasingly busy population. We place a priority on using local, fresh, and all-natural ingredients.”

Don’t mistake the emphasis on local and all-natural ingredients as a buyin to the popular trend—for Katrina and Rachael, it is a way of life. “I don’t think we’re doing anything for trends. We believe in what we are doing; we have taken a good, wholesome movement and made it so that it’s accessible and affordable enough to eat here everyday of the week,” Katrina vows. Have they achieved all the “local-ness” they want? “No,” Rachael laughs, “we want to get better; there are still areas to achieve on. For example, this summer we are creating a garden behind the store that will supply fresh herbs and salad offerings, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, and lettuce.” It is upon this local-minded foundation that A Bowl of Good stands.

For Katrina and Rachael, the journey to where they are today is a testament to hard work, preservation, and commitment to a cause they are both passionate about. As Rachael says, “We’ve worked really hard to get where we are. It’s valuable in a way that money isn’t.” They understand and appreciate the route of food from farm to table, and hope to inspire you, the customer, to make local food choices and eat creations with fresh ingredients.

A Bowl of Good offers all of their creations to-go, as well as catering and meeting room options. They are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more information, call 540-4379020 or visit: abowlofgood.com.

Don’t forget to search Facebook for A Bowl of Good and check their tweets @abowlofgood for their latest offerings and happenings.

Around Harrisonburg | June/July 2011

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The

unKnown Eater Exploring Things to Do & Places to Go Around Harrisonburg

Blue Stone Inn History in the Making

If you have fifteen minutes to spare in your quest for dinner in the ‘Burg, you would be well suited to hop in the car and ease north on Route-11 to the rural community of Lacey Spring.

Situated between Harrisonburg and New Market, the Blue Stone Inn is a local treasure trove of fresh, local foods and friendly faces—a well-kept secret that boasts a basketful of history and constantly amazes locals and travelers alike. Known for its fresh seafood creations, this unique small restaurant is clothed in river rock outside, and has a tavern or hunting lodge feel indoors. The slogan: “Where you can always eat under a buck” should be taken literally—the walls are a memorial to local taxidermists’ art forms.

Regardless of the décor, the main celebration at the Blue Stone Inn is a wealth of fresh, local food prepared to perfection and served with a comfortable finesse that beckons return again and again.

Dining at the Blue Stone Inn is beyond pleasant in experience— add in a chat with the owners about the history of the property, and you will leave with the satisfaction of new friendship and a wealth of local knowledge.

History of the Blue Stone Inn actually begins in Germany, as the first owners, Katharine and Ernest Olschofka, emigrated from

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[ 49 ]

Germany to New York in 1919.

After a few years, the couple relocated with their son Karl to the Lacey Spring community north of Harrisonburg, appreciating the similarity of the Valley to their German landscape. Soon after relocating, they bought a filling station beside the busiest highway in the Valley (Route-11) and turned it into a mom ‘n pop restaurant flanked with motel cabins.

Karl worked alongside his parents and eventually took over the management of the restaurant and cabins after his father passed away in the sixties. The restaurant took on a more rowdy feel, as Karl was involved with local baseball teams that came to cut loose after games, and the menu featured more casual food like pizza and beer. In 1976, Karl realized that the restaurant was in need of a fresh set of hands, and asked his son Mike to start working alongside him. When a pretty senior from James Madison wandered into Blue Stone in 1977, looking for a waitress job, Mike was smitten—and the rest, as they say, is truly history.

Mike and Janet worked and courted, and eventually married in 1981. In the same year, they bought the restaurant from Karl and worked on a partnership that developed specific roles—Karl remained in charge of the cabins, Mike concocted in the kitchen, and Janet managed the front line.

Janet laughs, “It’s so good to have separate domains when working with family—that way everyone stays in their own spots.” The new team wanted to get into more of a “dinner mode,” and gradually transformed the restaurant’s fare in order to widen the clientele.

Thirty-plus years of tweaking has brought the Blue Stone Inn menu to where it is today—an amazing assortment of seafood offerings, hearty meat dishes, and unique, local sides. When our waitress came to collect our picks for dinner, I settled on mushroom

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caps stuffed with crabmeat as an appetizer, at her suggestion, and then pedaled in indecisiveness for my entrée. After careful review of the nightly specials, and a recommendation from Janet, I placed an order for the baked salmon, with sides of freshly made cucumber salad and a baked potato. My better half, who proved hungrier than I, requested the ribeye and crab cake entrée, which is accompanied by mushrooms and onions, a baked potato, and a house salad. Minutes later, while enchanted with the black and white pictures framed in our booth, fresh rolls and homemade hushpuppies appeared at the table. The crab stuffed mushrooms were quick to follow, baked to perfection as the result of a family recipe—a creamy filling, boasting of crab. Good conversation and hushpuppies filled the short lull between appetizers and entrees, as Janet entertained with stories of years past. Our dinner arrived just as expected—generous portion sizes, meats cooked to order, and side dishes that were both unique and familiar at the same time.

The food is definitely the deciding factor for many when debating on dinner. Long time local patrons Eddie and Tracey Long continue to return to Blue Stone for a multitude of reasons, with the food offerings being top on the list. Tracey says, “The atmosphere is rustic and comfortable, with old pictures of regulars from years ago. Blue Stone is one of my favorite places to eat…they [Mike and Janet] turned it into a great restaurant with outstanding food, and a really good wine list.”

Many people flock to Blue Stone for some seasonal offerings, with the top pick being soft shell crabs, from March until September. The crabs are hauled in live from the coast of Virginia, and once at Blue Stone, Mike works magic with them in the kitchen (they’re breaded and fried, or if time allows, sautéed in garlic). Specials usually change nightly and weekly, but Saturday nights, the special Around Harrisonburg | June/July 2011

is prime rib—fast becoming a “big draw” according to Janet.

“It amazes me,” Janet says “that people in Harrisonburg don’t even know we exist.” Any given night of the week, Janet approximates that seventy percent of the patrons are locals. While they do draw tourists, especially from the local golf courses and Massanutten, the convenience of Interstate 81 allows most people to pass

by Blue Stone without notice.

Long gone are the days of rural ramblings and travel on less busy local routes. When the interstate was constructed in the sixties, travel diverted around the local towns, and hometown businesses suffered. The motel cabins that flanked Blue Stone lasted until the eighties, when Karl finally gave them up and bowed out to the rising motel chains. Now they sit collecting spider webs, seeming to mourn the busier days gone by. Inside the Blue Stone Inn, the décor also salutes earlier decades, but the demeanor is jaunty and comforting.

Upon entering the restaurant, you walk under the original filling station bay and into a porchlike foyer reserved for waiting patrons. Entry through the next door brings you into the main body of the restaurant, with the bar running the length of the right side, and tables and booths filling up the remaining space. It is a small, intimate restaurant, and the antique booths that line the left side of the space beckon with their black and white photographs.

The raised, enclosed sides of the booths offer privacy with the chance to observe the hub around the restaurant. True to the slogan, a stately buck graces the wall above the booth, joining the circular formation of male deer displayed around the restaurant.

Mixed in with the bucks are a fox, multiple turkeys, and a majestic set of elk antlers above the mantle. And don’t forget to check out the light fixtures—they too are crafted from deer antlers.

Above the bar, centered and

prominent, is a portrait done by a local artist in 1979. The scene depicts the restaurant in the late seventies and early eighties. Janet laughs as she reminisces, “It was a male dominated restaurant, but I changed that!” The picture sports Janet, Mike, and Karl working and interacting with the patrons, that reads like a who’s who list of locals in this northern Rockingham County community.

The interesting décor doesn’t stop there; military helmets line one wall, German beer steins another, and individualized beer glasses from Karl’s flagship days are still proudly displayed.

When Karl passed away, Mike and Janet continued to build upon an establishment that has truly carved its niche in the local restaurant scene. One of their sons, Tom, joins them at the restaurant daily, alternating between gleaning management skills from his mother and developing cooking expertise from his father. The Olschofka family is as readily visible around the restaurant as the deer heads, lending a family-style feel to dinner and greeting regulars and tourists alike with a comfortable finesse that is echoed by their wait staff. Prices for the dinneronly restaurant start around eighteen dollars for entrees, and you will not be disappointed in the portion size and quality of the food served. Come for old family recipes and traditional offerings with a unique twist, and stay to enjoy the cherished feel of family and friends.

At a

Glance Blue Stone Inn

9107 North Valley Pike Harrisonburg, VA 22802 (540) 434-0535

First Impression

 Service

 Food Quality/Taste

 Value for Money

 Overall Atmosphere



The Blue Stone Inn is open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 pm., but they seat until 9:00 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Due to the intimate setting, please call ahead for parties greater than six at 540-434-0535. You can check out their menu offerings online at: bluestoneinnrestaurant.com, but remember, Mike also enjoys creating nightly specials that won’t disappoint!

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Now It’s Your Turn Recipes to Spice Up Your Life | Carnival Treats

Fried Pickles

Ingredients

Directions

0 degrees. eat oil to 35

ttermilk

bu Preh d 2 cups of -wheat flour zed bowl ad si m iu ed 2 cups whole m In a pickles. well. rpose flour and drained wl and mix 1 cup all-pu nts into a bo ie ed gr in y the salt Place all dr ckles out of 1 teaspoons ful of the pi ur. nd flo ha a ed t on ou Take ab aprika h the seas p it n o w o em sp a th te at 1 r batter and co ered pickles d place batt ne pepper o an n e , y ur a flo c p ss ts ce 1/4 Shake off ex se. old bay en into hot grea and are gold ilk rm til they float e tt un u b es f ic o sl s p le 2 cu Fry pick ve kle slices brown. ic p ill d r ja e done. Ser z 1 16o s until all ar le ck pi g in ok Continue co (drained) ng essi with ranch dr

Funnel Cake

Ingredients

3 eggs, beaten 2 c. milk 1/4 c. sugar 4 c. flour, sifted 2 tsp. baking powd er 1/2 tsp. salt

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Directions

Beat the eggs, add milk and sugar.

In separate bowl ad d sugar, flour, bakin g powder, and salt.

Add to egg mixture, beating until smooth.

Heat oil to 375 degre es and pour batter into hot oil through a fun nel.

Control the flow of batter by holding yo ur finger over the botto m of the funnel.

Make patterns, or sw irls with the stream of batter as it flows int o the hot fat.

When golden brown , drain, sprinkle with confectioners’ suga r,or top with your favorite fruit and wh ip cream.

Around Harrisonburg | June/July 2011

Deep Fried Twink ies

Ingredients

Directions

Heat deep

6 Frozen fryer to ab out 375 d Twinkies egrees.

Mix togeth

e r milk, vin Popsicle egar and sticks oil.

In anothe r bowl, ble 1 cup mil nd flour, b k aking pow Add the d der and s ry ingredie 2 tablesp alt. nts into th mixing un oons vin e ti m l ilk s m m o o ix th. egar ture and c ontinue 1 Tablesp Push stick oon oil into Twink ie lengthw to use as ise, leavin 1 cup flo ah g about 2 ur until it cov andle, dust with flo inches ur and dip ers entire cake. into the b 1 tsp bak atter P la ing powd er un ce carefully in fryer. T 1/2 teas der with a he Twinkie poon salt will float, turn golde utensil to ensure e so hold it v n

s e l p p A l e m a r a C

Directions

en brown in 3 to 4 m ing. It sho inutes. uld Remove T winkies a nd place o towel to d n cooling rain. Rem rack or pa ove stick adding to per and let th ppings. em cool b efore Serve pla in or top w ith your fa vorite fruit sauce.

. ach apple ck into e ti s n e d o wo e butter, Insert 1 mbine th o c , n a p ring to a vy sauce yrup and milk; b a e h a In s gar, corn h heat. brown su ig -h ads m

iu r d meter re butte over me s il k o ic b t y thermo 0-40 s d n 2 a c a r l uga ) about 3 d stir unti brown s Cook an s (firm ball stage 2 cups e p re u syr 248 deg ht corn 1 cup lig nilla. minutes stir in va an c rn ) e c m heat; n o u fr o e ixture; tu v 4 d o 1 e 1 ( Rem dens aramel m c n t o o c h d to e apple in sweeten Dip each while the k mil coat. with nuts to le k n la ri il p n s ck, oons va by the sti 2 teasp Holding rm a w e ll ti s s pray so th mel is n stick ra e a d c o o ooking s c h it 8 w w r s ax pape e paper. m apple Spray w stick to th t o n l 8 mediu il w apples

Ingredients

Popcorn Balls

Ingredients

Directions

In a saucepan 2 cups wh over medium ite sugar heat, combine the su gar, corn syru 1 cup ligh p, t corn syru butter and wat p er. Stir and he at 1/2 cup b to 300 degrees utter F. Remove from heat, add vanilla an 1/4 cup w d food colorin ater g mix well.

1 teaspoo n vanilla e xtract Pour slowly over po pped popcorn 5 quarts p while stirring. opped pop Grease hand corn so s with oil Food Colo the popcorn do ring (opti esn’t stick to onal) hands shap your e into 3 inch ro und balls.

Note: Make su re to heat to th e hard crack stage of 300 degrees on candy thermom a eter.

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inside out with

ELI

Over Here on the Other Side I’ll get straight to the point; I don’t own a TV. But that doesn’t necessarily mean I don’t watch certain shows or movies—it just means that I watch much less than the average person. In 2006, I decided that if I was going to start giving honest attention to my many thoughts, ideas, and dreams, then I needed to give them their proper time and space. Television was a tough but logical deduction from my life. And similar to when I gave up meat and processed foods, I certainly didn’t realize how much a part of my life television was until it was no more.

I’m not ashamed to admit that I went through a bit of a withdrawal—it wasn’t a huge habit in my life, but was a habit nonetheless. Pre-2006, the television served various roles within my process, from white noise as soon as I

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flipped it on when I got home from work, to both a late-night sleep-inducer and an early-morning day-starter. When I removed it from said process, and the withdrawal subsided (at least within reason: author’s note—it still hasn’t subsided fully, five years later), I was pretty humbled by how much easier it was for me to think, to plan, to analyze, to “get started” on projects, to work steadily on those projects, and to discover new uses for my creative brain.

Television may not have consumed me, but it consumed enough of me to have a serious impact on my ability to grow, and probably most important, my capacity to develop ideas and see them through.

And I was as guilty as anyone else, in that I lived vicariously through many of the shows I enjoyed—probably one of the most impactful consequences of television in general. By living through a certain program, even if but for an hour, or a half/hour, I wasn’t living through my own dreams, my own passions and potentials. Now, you might think that such a reality isn’t that dramatic, and that I’m blowing it out of proportion, but think about it for a second: if I did that for four or five hours a week (a very conservative number) or more, that was a huge amount of time that I wasn’t giving to personal possibility—to potential creative outlets, to discoveries within myself, to projects around the house, to my friends and family, to me.

I was giving that time to something or someone else, that was make believe, and not myself. You also might think to yourself that such a habit still doesn’t sound so bad, and that giving yourself to shows and movies five, ten, fifteen hours a week is exactly what you enjoy doing, so it’s not a loss to you at all. Well, I know how it worked for me, and it was like lifting a giant lead blanket from my life, in terms of what it did for my progression, so to speak. And so, I have to ponder: what would it

probably do for a lot of other people? Not everyone is creative, or extremely driven, or even passionate about much, but I know one thing about us as a collective unit—especially in this the good ‘ol USA— we waste an enormous amount of time not exploring our own lives—in all of its suggestions—and television plays a huge role in that.

As much as the industry has evolved, and as fascinated as many of us have become with what’s on the tube these days, the facts are a little startling—old news, yes, but then, not really news that we typically pay much attention to, regardless.

After all, the hours per day that average Americans watch TV only continues to go up and up. According to the Nielsen ratings company, as of April 2011, Americans are watching around five hours a day of television. Sounds almost too crazy to be true—but every study I researched had us in for between four and five hours, dating back five years or more. That’s 35 hours a week—pretty much a full-time job (but you’re not getting paid, though you’re definitely paying for it). Obviously that’s the average, so some of us watch less, some more. And I’m a bit of a stat nerd but I’ll try to corral the desire to do the long term numbers (and compare that to a million other numbers), though I will at least provide the big one: 35 hours a week times 52 weeks a year (approximately) = 1,820 hours a year— which comes out to around 76 days per year. The average American spends about 76 days a year stuck in front of a TV, essentially doing nothing but drifting off into a vicarious existence, and on many levels, ignoring vast portions of themselves and their own life in general. What if your boss came up to you tomorrow and said, “You’ve done a wonderful job these last couple months, and I’m going to give you seventy-six

Around Harrisonburg | June/July 2011

paid days off, starting tomorrow!” What would you do with that time? How many projects would you get done, that you’ve been putting off, perhaps for years?

How many special moments would you have with the people you care about?

Would you (finally) get in shape? Would you take a trip, or trips? Would you find out something (or many things) about yourself that you had no idea was inside of you? Would you become someone you didn’t think you were capable of becoming? Or, would you just sit on your couch and watch an electric screen the entire time—not going outside, not exploring interests, not pursuing anything worthwhile. The questions, and possibilities, are almost limitless.

Seventy-six days—imagine the things you could do in 76 days. And, yes, I’m fully aware that it’s not truly all of those days in a row, but merely four or five hours at a time, but we all know what I’m talking about. You don’t think you can do a lot in four or five hours, every single day?

If not, you’re nuts, or you’re just a slob, and maybe you’re better off just sitting there doing nothing—more for the rest of us, I suppose.

And if we’re sitting there for 76 days in front of these things, we might as well be reminded of a few other numbers, as well as what we’re being subjected to. At latest check, 99% of us own at least one television. The average U.S. household possesses two or more. Sixty-six percent of American homes house three or more TVs. Over 70% of daycare centers use TV in abundance during a typical day.

Over 75% of parents would like to limit the amount of time their children sit in front of the tube. The average kid in America spends around 900 hours a year in school, but nearly twice that in front of the TV. Recent studies show that 25% of Americans read no books last year, and the rest of us only read between two and four books. What do you think the stats for kids were? In a word: lower. And what about what we’re all watching? Scary.

By the time most kids finish elementary school, they’ve seen between eight and ten thousand murders on TV. By the time they’re 18 years old, they’ve likely seen around 250,000 acts of violence. And I don’t think there’s enough space for me here to get into the various evolutions of sex, image, status, profanity, and advertising that saturates almost every aspect of our favorite entertainment medium these days. I’m sure we can all agree, we certainly don’t live in the fifties and sixties anymore, but it’s more than a little unnerving when you really sit down and think about what young people are being exposed to today through entertainment—much of that beginning with what’s on TV. And this says nothing of the physical consequences that come in to play—the patterns developed, the lifestyle adhered to—i.e. the mental and

physical health consequences—and that, of course, represents everyone, all of us.

Currently, one in three Americans is either overweight or obese. Again, not rocket science: eat less and eat better, and find something physical to do on a consistent basis. However, this formula doesn’t exactly line up with the timehonored tradition of watching television.

And when you tie in the bombardment of advertising, very little of which is pleading with the public to put down the chemically enhanced, fat-drenched, mass produced and processed food (and/or go outside and exercise—thus watching less TV), well, you get what you get— an emerging nation of unmotivated, homogenized fat folk with all of the related ailments—almost all of which wouldn’t exist if people ate right and exercised more…and, inevitably, watched less television.

Getting back to numbers, though; probably most concerning out of all these stats is this one: As of last year, the average American parent admitted to only sharing meaningful conversation with their child for less than five minutes a week. I don’t even know if that needs any further comment.

I’ll tell you something a little peculiar.

When I started writing this piece, it wasn’t even going to be about this stuff.

It was actually going to start the way it did and then segue into some other avenues about technology and the future, etc.—as always, right? But once I started digging around for some basic stats, I got caught up in the reality of something as simple as TV—knowing what happened for me when I quasi-divorced my own.

The first thing almost everyone says to me when they discover that I don’t have a television is: Are you serious? What do you do? At this point, I usually laugh at that last question and respond: What do I do? As in, what do I do without TV? When they shake their heads yes, I then explain a handful of the hundreds, and likely thousands, of things that I do and have done since I broke up with my television. My explanations usually get modest reviews at best, and usually all end with the same postulation: Oh, well, you’re a writer, so I guess that makes sense. My response is usually along the lines of: As if it doesn’t, or wouldn’t make sense if you tried it?

again, things that have had nothing to do with writing. When I think about it, I can only imagine how so many people I know would benefit from ditching their televisions like I did. Of course, the irony is, that in the last five years since I made the decision, TVs have become exquisite works of technological form and function—which, sadly, is way more than I can say for the unceasing stream of shows that stink up these magnificent and boundlessly capable flat-screens.

But, such is the story of progress (an often flimsy designation) in our modern times.

Five years have amassed for me without that familiar appliance we all have come to expect will reside flamboyantly upon the main room wall, or strategically pedestalled all the same. Do I miss it?

You bet. I don’t miss the disturbing parameters of incessant noise and hyper speed within which shows seem to exist today, but I do miss a few channels.

I do miss sports, though it’s not like I can’t get almost all of the information I need from my trusty laptop. I’ve even considered actually making the plunge and purchasing one of these new plasmas, though it would merely serve as a wonderful staging ground for Netflix—I have to admit, laptops are convenient, but I wouldn’t mind laying back on the bed and watching a proper movie from time to time.

But TV? I doubt I’ll ever have it again, even as all the Web companies clamor to bring it to our many digital devices. I doubt it.

I’m on the other side now, and more than fascinated with what is happening over here.

For every writing-related endeavor I’ve discovered or pursued since I left the picture box in my mom’s basement, I’ve probably realized twice as many dreams, big and small, and completed that many projects of numerous size and scope, that I wouldn’t have, or would have, albeit under a drawn-out process that compromised their development—

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Facials Keep Skin Fit

- Kimberly Melkersen

Many spa clients often inquire about the benefits of facials and, more importantly, why they should receive regular facials? With the vast array of skincare products on the market, the cost to the pocket book, as well as the many differing approaches by the esthetics and medical communities, consumers can find it difficult to discern if the benefits of facials outweigh these understandable apprehensions.

There is no question, however, that maintaining healthy skin is a necessity in order to look and feel great. Our skin is a true reflection of our internal health. Facials benefit the skin by increasing circulation, improving hydration and complexion, detoxifying, firming and toning, and can also help to prevent premature aging. This seems wonderful, but where does one begin with the process? Without the help of a licensed esthetician, there is much guesswork involved in taking care of one’s skin.

What is my skin type, and what do I do when the seasons change, or if I have a breakout? Like choosing a personal trainer, a hair stylist, or a physician, selecting the right esthetician, who will listen to your goals and use an approach that you are most

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comfortable with, is the first step.

Selecting a qualified esthetician can be trial and error, unless you know what to expect. Typically, the licensed esthetician should have a clinical results-oriented approach, accompanied by a nurturing disposition and ambience designed to promote relaxation. Since stress is a major culprit in how our skin responds to our environment, facial treatments also serve as a time to rejuvenate on the inside and out.

The esthetician will be able to assess your skin, identify the products that will work best for you, and educate you on the proper homecare regiment, thereby removing the guess work as well as the many expired facial cleansers and skincare creams in your cabinet.

Although some of the storebought products are generally less expensive, your esthetician can save you money in the long run, by customizing the right combination of products that will work best for your skin. Spa products also tend to have a higher grade of professional ingredients—often times not available over-the-counter.

Spa treatments can also be truly customized for each individual’s needs. Only a licensed esthetician

will be able to effectively identify concerns below the surface of the skin, and if extractions are needed, an esthetician is best qualified to perform them. If done properly, there should be a noticeable difference in the appearance in the skin with the first facial treatment.

The esthetician will recommend how often to return for optimal results, which may vary from client to client.

If your budget can only justify a couple of facials per year, however, don’t worry, the home-care routine that the esthetician designs for you becomes all the more important.

Regular visits to a professional and experienced esthetician are particularly helpful for maintaining healthy skin during seasonal or hormonal changes, obtaining a pre-wedding glow, addressing problematic skin, and attending to the effects of age on the skin.

No matter your particular goals, receiving regular facials can greatly improve the fitness of your skin.

Kimberly Melkersen is the owner of The Healing Touch Wellness Spa and can be reached at www. harrisonburgmassage. com.

Around Harrisonburg | June/July 2011

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Are You Sleepwalking Through Life?

What mindfulness can do for you.

- By Robert Kyler, MD

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) was developed thirty-one years ago by Jon Kabat-Zinn, PhD, at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Since then, many thousands of people have benefited from this program, and it is now offered at dozens of hospitals and other sites throughout the world. Drs. Robert Kyler and Steven Keffer have been co-leading the MBSR program at RMH since 2007.

Have you ever arrived at your destination after driving some distance, only to have no recollection of the trip itself—no memory of the scenery along the way, or of what the sky looked like, or of how it felt to pilot a two-ton vehicle down the highway?

Have you ever had trouble remembering what you ate for your last meal, much less the temperature of the food, its aroma and texture, the complex combination of flavors, and the sensations you felt as you swallowed the food?

These are examples of mindlessness, and they are probably very familiar to you. Given the hectic pace of our lives, it’s how we operate most of the time.

Mindfulness, on the other hand, refers to being fully aware and open to whatever is happening in the moment. Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn defined it as paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally.

The point of mindfulness is to wake up and pay attention to the things around and within us that escape our notice most of the time.

grip on us and helps us develop a different relationship with our “problems.” Although we have very little control over the circumstances of our lives, bringing mindfulness to each moment, even the stressful and uncomfortable ones, gives us the freedom to choose our responses more deliberately, rather than mindlessly and automatically reacting.

Mindfulness and Health

Who Benefits From Mindfulness?

Being mindful helps us experience fully whatever is going on right now, be it pleasant or unpleasant, with acceptance. When we start paying attention, we notice how much of our lives has been spent in thought—remembering, planning, dreading, fantasizing or judging— rather than fully experiencing the present moment. By becoming more mindful we have the opportunity to have richer experiences even in the mundane situations of our everyday lives.

You don’t have to have some physical or mental problem to practice mindfulness. Anyone who wants to reduce stress, to live more purposefully, or to become more fully present and open to whatever life throws at us, may benefit from the program. However, common reasons why people take classes in MBSR include chronic pain, headaches, anxiety, panic attacks, depression, insomnia, fatigue, and physical disabilities arising from illness or injury.

But how does becoming more mindful help us deal with stress?

Most of us, when faced with an unpleasant situation, a painful sensation, or an uncomfortable thought, tend to distract ourselves by focusing our attention elsewhere.

This can take many forms, such as overeating, using alcohol or drugs, watching TV, exercising, shopping, and surfing the Internet.

Unfortunately, these strategies rarely help us deal with the situation, and they can often increase our stress.

All participants are screened before they start the program to ensure that any medical or psychiatric conditions they may have are being treated. This screening is important because MBSR is offered not as a substitute for treatment, but as a complementary approach to treatment.

Bringing awareness and acceptance to the difficult areas in our lives allows us to face them and experience them fully. Although this approach seems to go against our instincts, doing so lessens their

What distinguishes MBSR from standard medical treatment is that it’s something you do for yourself rather than something that is done “to you.” Participants take an active role in the process, and this effort is central to the process of healing. Most graduates of the MBSR program report fewer physical and psychological symptoms, improved ability to cope with short-term and

Robert Kyler, MD, is a board certified radiation oncologist in practice at the RMH Hahn Cancer Center. He joined the RMH Medical Staff in 1989 and has been teaching MBSR since 2007.

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Around Harrisonburg | June/July 2011

long-term stressors, and more enjoyment of everyday experiences.

Dozens of clinical studies have been published over the past twenty-five years regarding the effectiveness of MBSR in addressing a wide variety of medical and psychiatric problems, including ADHD, anxiety, brain injuries, chronic fatigue syndrome, eating disorders, fibromyalgia, headaches, sleep disturbances, and depression, to name just a few. As I was writing this article, the December 2010 edition of The Archives of General Psychiatry published the results of a randomized clinical trial comparing a modification of MBSR, called Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), to antidepressants or to no treatment in patients with controlled depression. The study showed that MBCT was at least as effective as medication in preventing relapse of depression.

But MBSR is not just for patients.

Another group that has benefited from mindfulness practices is physicians. An article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in September 2009 reported on the effectiveness of an educational program for physicians based on MBSR. For the seventy primary care physicians who participated, the study reported impressive improvements in burnout, empathy, sense of personal accomplishment and mood disturbances. Based on this experience, a similar program for RMH physicians is being planned to start this fall. The class will likely be open to nurses, therapists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners and other healthcare professionals, as well.

How Do You Learn Mindfulness?

Several times a year, RMH offers classes in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction. During the eight-week program, participants learn and practice a number of mindfulness techniques. These include sitting and walking meditation, mindful movement, the body scan, and several informal activities that emphasize bringing mindfulness into daily life.

Participants learn these techniques in class, but the real work takes place between classes, when participants are encouraged to set aside thirty to sixty minutes daily for practice. Participants receive audio CDs to help with guidance at home, and they also keep a journal of their activities and observations.

In addition to the eight 2½-hour class sessions, a daylong silent retreat is held toward the end of the program on a Saturday. All of these activities prepare participants to carry on with their mindfulness practice beyond the class and to make it an integral part of their lives.

Why Teach Mindfulness?

In my “day job” as a radiation oncologist, I have witnessed the power of modern medicine, and I am in awe of the advances that have been made over the past decade. And yet, despite these breakthroughs, we all too often still come up against the limits of what we can accomplish.

that is already in all of us (mindfulness) to bring us back to our lives—to the moments we usually let pass us by and that we waste by sleepwalking through life. It takes people where they are and allows them to accept what is, not by pasting a smiley face on things, but by simply paying attention and being present. As Carl Rogers, one of the most influential psychologists of our time, said: “The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.”

But the efforts and insights of those who have participated in the MBSR program are my biggest motivator and the primary reason I continue to teach it. I honestly feel that I learn as much from leading the groups as do the participants, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to make this program available in our community and at RMH. To learn when the next MindfulnessBased Stress Reduction classes will be offered, call RMH Healthsource at 433-4580, or 800-433-4580.

Being mindful in my work as a physician helps me to be more fully present with my patients regardless of how much time I have to spend with them; it keeps me anchored in the present so I can bear witness to their joys and their suffering; it helps me to see when I’m tired or impatient or sad, and what effect that might be having on the quality of my interactions. In short, it’s just one more tool, albeit a low-tech one, that I can use for the benefit of my patients. However, it also helps me personally in deriving more enjoyment and satisfaction from my work, and in dealing more effectively with challenging situations.

What attracted me to teaching MBSR was that, as opposed to traditional medicine, it uses something

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Amusement Parks worth visiting this Summer Let’s face it: amusement park season is all but here. It’s time to get serious about your summer plans and hightail it to one, a few, or all of the parks on this list. Many of them, you might already know, while some, you may still have on your “to-visit” list. One thing is for certain; choosing one or all of these parks this spring or summer is likely to be one of the highlights of the year for you and your family.

Busch Gardens Williamsburg, VA

Busch Gardens Williamsburg is a theme park located in James City County, Virginia, about three miles southeast of Williamsburg. From award winning landscaping, amazing shows, detailed theming, tasty cuisine, and thrilling roller coasters, Busch Gardens is universally appealing. It’s also the only way to tour Europe without leaving the United States. The park is more than just rides, and truly symbolizes quality over quantity. The shows, food, and attention to architectural detail are just as important as the vertical drop of the Griffon coaster. There is definitely something for everyone at Busch Gardens Williamsburg.

Six Flags America, MD

Six Flags America is a 131-acre theme park located in Largo, Maryland.

Featuring fifty-one rides and attractions, including seven roller coasters, four water rides, and a large water park, Six Flags stands as a worthwhile destination for any amusement seeker. The star attraction is the Superman: Ride of Steel—a hyper-coaster, which reaches a top speed of 73 mph while descending 205 feet. Aside from the notable selection of rides, and the wildly popular water park, Six Flags also boasts a wonderful array of food stands, shows, games, and beautifully shaded areas where guests can relax and catch their breath.

Hershey Park, PA

Hershey Park was created for the employees and relatives of Milton S. Hershey’s Chocolate Factory, on April 24, 1907, in Hershey, PA. Milton wanted to create a more pleasant environment for workers and residents in his community than any typical factory town of the time. Now offering sixty-two attractions—fiftyfive “dry” rides, and seven “wet” attractions—including eleven world class roller coasters, Hershey Park is one of the cleanest, oldest, and true-to-its-theme amusement parks in this country. Nestled amid 110 carefully maintained and scenic acres, visitors can enjoy one of America’s most unique and traditional amusement parks—including ZOOAMERICA (an adjacent zoo), Chocolate World, and tons of shops and food options. [ 60 ]

Around Harrisonburg | June/July 2011

Kings Dominion, VA

Kings Dominion is a 400-acre amusement park located in Doswell, Virginia.

The park is currently owned by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, and was part of the former Paramount Parks chain. This popular destination for East Coasters offers speeds and thrills in excess of 70 mph. Intimidator 305 and Volcano are the most popular attractions at Kings Dominion, so hit them first. Beyond these two uber-coasters, the hottest rides in the park are: Dominator, Backlot Stunt Coaster, Flight of Fear, Grizzly, and Rebel Yell.

Once you have hit the headliners, circle back around the park, making sure to hit The Crypt, Avalanche, Anaconda, Shockwave, Ricochet, and Hurler.

Kings Dominion provides two sections set aside for families with young children: KidZville and Planet Snoopy. Most of the rides in these areas are pretty standard midway fare, similar to those found at a touring carnival.

Additionally, WaterWorks is free with park admission and offers twenty acres of water-filled activities for everyone.

Epcot Orlando, FL

Epcot is a theme park at the Walt Disney World Resort. The 300-acre park is dedicated to international culture and technological innovation. In 2007, Epcot hosted approximately 10.93 million guests, ranking it the thirdmost visited amusement park in the United States, and sixth-most visited in the world. Future World focuses on emerging technologies while World Showcase features pavilions devoted to a rainbow of nations. From the start, the Disney theme parks have married technology and storytelling to whisk guests away to fantastic places. With Epcot, guests experience the most unique park in existence, with education, culture, thrills, and excitement all in one place. Among its twenty-two rides and attractions, you can blast off into space and hang-glide over California—all in one afternoon!

Cedar Point, OH

Cedar Point, the second oldest amusement park in the United States, sits at the end of a slender strip of land, at the edge of Lake Erie. It has beautifully landscaped gardens, lake views, a museum, an ice-skating show, plenty of shops and food outlets, as well as water rides, four children’s areas, a classic merry-go-round, and, of course, the roller coasters. Cedar Point bills itself as the Roller Coaster Capital of the World, and we cannot exactly fault it.

Boasting 364 acres in Sandusky, Ohio, on a narrow peninsula jutting into Lake Erie, Cedar Point holds the world record for most roller coasters—with seventeen—some of which are among the world’s tallest and fastest. Cedar Point has a total of seventy-six rides and attractions, the most at any park in the world. Besides the main park, Cedar Point also features a mile-long white sand beach, an outdoor and an indoor water park, two marinas, several hotels, and Challenge Park—featuring attractions such as go-karts and miniature golf.

Universal’s Islands of Adventure, FL

It is best known as the home of the “Harry Potter theme park.” The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is by far the most popular section of the park. Arrive early and make the Theme Park Insider Award-winning “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” ride your first stop, or book a room at one of the three on-site Universal hotels to get exclusive early access each day.

After seeing the Wizarding World, other popular rides in the theme park include The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges, and the Jurassic Park River Adventure, both of which will leave you soaking wet. Islands of Adventure consists of five islands, plus the Port of Entry, arranged around a lagoon.

Islands is also home to Mythos, winner of Best Theme Park Restaurant several times, by Theme Park Insider, and one of two full-service restaurants in the park.

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Welcome Home

Answers All Your Real Estate Questions

by Karl Waizecker

Early 2011: No Homebuyer Tax Credit? No problem.

It appears that the spring market is here! In April, ninety-nine residential units sold through the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Association of REALTORS Multiple Listing Service (HRAR MLS), a 12.5% increase over March’s eighty-eight sales.

In addition to the increasing number of successful closings, 123 residential units went under contract in April, comparable to last year’s Tax Credit-fueled April total of 143 contracts (March contracts were comparable to March, 2010 as well). Year to date, the HRAR MLS is 43 units behind last year’s sales pace, but (again) considering the urgency created by last year’s Tax Credit deadline, holding relatively even with the first half of 2010 would be a very good sign in 2011.

of inexpensive homes selling (nineteen out of the eighty-eight closings were under $100,000), recording average and median sales prices of $188,353 and $160,000 respectively. However, the twelve-month trend for average residential sales prices took a dip for the second month in a row, after remaining fairly steady for nine months. The one- and three-year changes in the average and median prices of sold homes as of April 30, 2011 are: Three-Year Change: Average Price: -14.22% Median Price: -13.38%

market during the winter months take advantage of the warmer weather and spring beauty.

Although inventory rose in the city and county in March and April, the increase is far below the increases we saw in early 2010 and 2009—another good sign for sellers and hope for eventual market balance. Finally, our average days on the market for homes sold in the past twelve months continues to rise, now standing at 207 days.

220 207 Days

200

+30.19% over 3 yrs +10.70% over 1 yr

180

One-Year Change: Average Price: -4.10% Median Price: -5.20%

160 140 120 100 80

300 Source: Harrisonburg - Rockingham Association of REALTORS Multiple Listing Service, 5/09/2011

$230,000

250

Average Sold Price

$220,000

2006

200

$210,000

2007 2008 2009

150

2010 2011 100

-14.22% over 3yrs -4.10% over 1 yr

$200,000 $193,027

$190,000 $180,000

$170, 645

$170,000

50

$160,000

-13.38% over 3yrs -5.20% over 1 yr

$150,000

0

Source: Harrisonburg - Rockingham Association of REALTORS Multiple Listing Service, 5/09/2011

Average and median prices for the month appeared strong, after plummeting in March due to an unusually high ratio [ 62 ]

Median Sold Price

Could this finally be the spring in which plentiful inventory, low prices, and low interest rates combine to start a recovery in our local housing market? The early signs may be saying yes, stay tuned.

Source: Harrisonburg - Rockingham Association of REALTORS Multiple Listing Service, 5/09/2011

Another sure sign of the spring real estate market is an increasing supply of homes, as sellers who have been off the Around Harrisonburg | June/July 2011

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number quickly.” She believes that “all children who achieve permanency are success stories, so, as you can imagine, there are many.”

Foster parents in the program have recently adopted several children they were fostering. Seven more children will have their adoptions finalized in the near future. Of these seven, there are three sibling groups of two who will be adopted by their foster families. When at all possible, a sibling group is sent to the same foster family. Columbo describes a sibling group of three that was split, with the infant sister going to a different foster home than her two older brothers. “We hate to split up sibling groups. When we do, we try to place them close geographically so they can see each other occasionally.” The siblings were able to have visits in order to bond as siblings. They also had gradually increasing visits with their birth parent. Columbo is happy to explain that this sibling group was able to successfully return to their birth family.

An Easy Recipe for Success Three ingredients are needed to care for a child in need.

- By Colleen Dixon

Take a family with time, energy, and love. Add a child in need of a safe, nurturing home. The result is a successful outcome for a child through DePaul Community Resources’ treatment foster care program. Lisa Columbo, director of the Harrisonburg branch of DePaul, believes that these three characteristics are the main ingredients required for successful foster parenting.

DePaul Community Resources has been helping families in and around Harrisonburg with Treatment Foster Care since 2005. When a child must be removed from a family because of abuse or neglect, DePaul finds a

[ 64 ]

safe, nurturing foster care home.

Columbo says, “The goal is to return the child to the birth parent,” if at all possible. While foster care is designed to be temporary, Columbo explains that the goal may change over time if the birth parents are unable to safely care for the child.

The DePaul branch serving Harrisonburg and surrounding areas has a relatively small staff. The number of children in DePaul’s foster care program naturally fluctuates; as of mid-February, 14 children were in the program. “We had a sibling group of three that recently returned to their birth parents,” comments Columbo, “so that reduced our

The return home is always a different process in each case.

In general, Columbo reports, if the birth parents are working through their issues and/or issues that necessitated the children’s removal in the first place, the number of visits by the children will increase over time. The amount of supervision required will decrease as well.

Adults who are successful in fostering children are not extraordinarily different from others, except in their desire to love children who are vulnerable because of traumatic family struggles.

“We typically approve our foster parents for both fostering and adopting,” says Columbo. Doing so ensures that, if the child cannot safely return to their birth parent, they will not face the additional trauma of moving to another family for adoption. The family they have found some stability with will become their permanent family.

Of course, the process involves an extensive application package.

Around Harrisonburg | June/July 2011

Columbo explains that potential foster parents are also required to complete eighteen hours of preservice training. In this training, potential foster parents learn about how the foster care system works.

They explore the difference between parenting a child and parenting one coming from a situation of abuse or neglect. These children typically experience difficulties with feelings of separation, loss, and trauma, and the negative behaviors which can result. The parents also receive training in crisis intervention, such as how to recognize a developing crisis, actions to take, and help available from outside sources.

During the approval process, a social worker conducts an extensive home study, making three separate assessment visits to the home. “It is actually a mutual assessment,” says Columbo. The social worker is measuring whether these potential foster parents will be a good fit for fostering children coming out of a troubled home situation. Potential foster parents must also evaluate whether they have the time, energy, and love it will take to successfully foster children. Columbo finishes by saying that the DePaul staff decides together, with the potential foster parents, which types of needs they are best prepared to meet, and which children might be the best fit for that family.

Children spend an average of eighteen months in foster care until permanency is achieved.

Permanency, in order of priority, is: returning to birth parent, transfer of custody to or adoption by a relative, and adoption—most often by the foster family.

Columbo hesitates when asked to share success stories. They are all successes, she believes, and all are different. She relates one that is especially noteworthy, which occurred around the Christmas holiday of 2010. The child needing placement uses a wheelchair, and none of the families in DePaul’s program could properly accommodate him. However, Columbo thought one family would be the best fit for this child’s special needs. She recalls that within one week of her notifying the family, they had built wheelchair ramp access to their home and had modified a bathroom for wheelchair access. She comments that the family has supported the child through several surgeries and he has stabilized in just a few months.

Some kids have successfully “aged out” of DePaul’s foster parenting system. One young lady just turned 21. She is in the process of acquiring independent living skills necessary to live on her own, and she is attending community college. Her sister, who was in the same foster home, will be moving to independence a short time after. These sisters have maintained a relatively good relationship with their birth mother.

A growing trend in foster parenting is maintaining and encouraging contact with the birth parents, even when the child cannot have a stable living arrangement with the parents.

When they get a call that a child is in need of placement in a foster family, Columbo states, they try to make the best match for the child’s needs with available families. Of course, there are always emergencies when children need to be placed quickly for their own safety.

DePaul Community Resources is constantly in need of families to provide a safe, loving home for vulnerable children. As Columbo emphasizes, “You never know what needs a child might have who needs a safe respite from a dangerous situation. Your family might be just the right fit for a child.”

Much of the DePaul staff’s time is spent providing support to the families, whether being on call for questions or problems, or through regular in-service training. The foster families in the area support each other, as well. Columbo comments that the families meet through the training sessions and get to know one another. Some families are referred to the program by friends who are already fostering children.

Columbo urges anyone interested in being a foster parent to contact DePaul Community Resources because “…we always need families that provide the most important part of the service—the family.”

Learn more about DePaul, and about becoming a foster parent, at www. depaulcr.org

At DePaul, there is no recidivism, where children have to be taken away from parents after returning home. Also, it is rare for problems to arise in the foster family once a child has been placed. Columbo attributes this to the selection process. Getting to know the families during the home studies and through in-service training smoothes the way to knowing which family will fit best when a call comes for a child needing a safe, nurturing environment.

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Breathtaking Views and Challenging Greens

- By Isaac Sweeney

I have a confession to make: The last time I drove a golf cart, I had a traumatic experience; I crashed it into a tree. I was about twelve and I was on vacation with my family in Nags Head. My brother and I were wannabe caddies for a couple of avid-golfing uncles. Because they were cool uncles, they let us take turns driving.

When it was my turn, I did OK until we came to a steep decline that ended in a rather sharp turn. As we picked up speed, I panicked at the bottom and, instead of turning, I ran straight off the path and into a tree.

Skip to a few weeks ago.

When Jeremy Landis, pro shop [ 66 ]

manager at The Highlands Golf Club at Fisher Mountain, suggests I take a cart around the course, I hesitate.

“I’ll just walk around,” I say.

He urges, “I think the best thing you can do is take a cart around to get a feel for the place.” This, of course, is the best thing I can do short of playing a round. I respect the game a great deal, but I don’t play, so meandering around is the next best thing.

I relent.

Before I take a cart key, I ask Landis what I should look for— what people seem drawn to at the course.

“The views,” Landis says. “It’s really a beautiful course. We had people from Hawaii here a few weeks ago who said it’s the most beautiful course they’d ever seen.”

There’s no questioning Landis’ admiration for the course.

It’s short, he explains, with notoriously difficult, undulating greens. He notes the rare island green on the 10th, and that the crowds are usually small. He adds, “…and it’s well kept and always in really good shape.”

John Trombley is the general manager of The Highlands Golf Club. “We have private golf club conditions at public golf course prices,” he boasts. “You can Around Harrisonburg | June/July 2011

come over without a tee time and get through pretty quickly.”

Most of the course’s customers come from the Harrisonburg area. It’s a fairly quick drive west on 33 and a welcome change of scenery.

It’s time. I get the cart key from Landis, he points me to Hole 1, and I’m on my way, taking the cart by each hole, using the play guide as I drive.

Hole 1: A par 5—it’s possible to get to the hole in two hits, but players should beware of the sloping fairway and, especially, the large pines just short of the green.

Hole 2: Long or left, and this hole can be tricky. The front of the green is the safe shot.

One tip: play this hole one club shorter because of the elevation.

It’s on Hole 2 that I run into the only other players on the course this weekday. Bob Alexander and three friends, from Weyers Cave, come to The Highlands twice a year. They love the scenery and the people are really nice, he says.

“What about the greens?” I ask.

“Rumor is they’re tough.”

Without hesitation, Alexander replies, “Amen to that!” Then we chuckle a little, exchange pleasantries, and they are on their way as I get in my cart and keep driving.

Hole 3: This dogleg par 4 requires an accurate tee shot to set up a short approach. While cutting the corner is tempting, watch out for the overhanging trees.

Hole 4: Another par 4, this hole seems straightforward until you get to the green. Basically, hit it straight. But the green is long and is undulated on the right side.

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[ 67 ]

Hole 5: The green on this par 3 is also tricky, requiring finesse when it comes to club selection.

Hole 6: The fairway is wide off the tee on this par 5. The second fairway shot becomes narrow, with trees lining the way, and the green is an elevated, three-tier beast.

Hole 7: A lengthy par 4 that’s deceiving on the tee and the green. The space to the right beyond the creek is hard to see off the tee. And the green has ample room for your approach.

Hole 8: Getting to the right of the green off the tee will help your success on this par 3. This green is the longest on the course, so be prepared for a three-putt.

Hole 9: The elevated tee may be deceptive on this par 4, but a large maple keeps golfers from cutting the corner. An easy approach is a good finish to the front nine.

Hole 10: This par 4 is the most famous of the course, for both the island green and the breathtaking view. Of course, as an island green, there is no room for error.

[ 68 ]

Hole 11: This hole, the shortest par 4, takes a cue from the previous hole. Only this time, it’s a green surrounded by sand.

But the bunker is large and flat, so the shot out should be fairly painless.

Hole 12: An accurate drive is a necessity on the tree-lined fairway of this par 5. Then there is work to be done on the undulating green.

Hole 13: You need a strong drive to make the sharp turn to the heavily guarded green on this par 4. The green has a large tier in the center.

Hole 14: The elevated tee is helpful, but the fairway bunkers are not on this par 4. And an uphill approach will play longer to a tiered green surrounded by large mounds.

Hole 15: Another par 4, the trick is to drive down the right side of the fairway. The small, multi-leveled green is tricky.

Hole 16: On this par 4, a lot of room is hidden on the left side of the fairway. The tilted green can easily hold the

average approach shot.

Hole 17: Two clubs less is the norm to account for the elevation on this par 3. Hit straight, but a miss to the right is better than a miss to the left.

Hole 18: To finish, drive to the left for a mid-to-long iron approach. The long grade up to the green may require an extra club, but the green itself is generous.

I park my cart back at the clubhouse. Landis is sweeping the sidewalk when I take him the key. He smiles and wishes me a safe drive back to Virginia. Save for a few lawn mowers in the distance, all is quiet. Experts say one way to relieve the anxiety that comes with bad memories— like my memory of crashing a golf cart—is to relax, to lose yourself somewhere. Some people find music is helpful.

Others watch a movie or read a book, or even write in a journal.

For me, it was the overpowering tranquility of The Highlands Golf Club at Fisher Mountain.

Around Harrisonburg | June/July 2011

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Around Harrisonburg | June/July 2011

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