Mar & Apr 2011
M A G A Z I N E
ORSINI’S The Third Generation
Things to Do...
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Meet John & Sally Hardy Jessica Rocks
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LINCOLN LINCOLN | MERCURY | MERCURY
FEATURES
On The Cover Mar & Apr 2011
Maerch & April 2011
Things To Do
E M A G A Z I N
- 59 -
Take a tour of Mountain State University with Dr. Penelope Gladwell
ORSINI’S
- 77 -
The ThIRd GeNeRaTION
The Final Cut is truly a PRIME Experience
Places To Go - 27 -
The Wildernest Inn A beary unique experience
- 47 -
Elegance on the Potomac at the Bavarian Inn
People To Know
.. Things to Do.our of MSU
Take a T The Final Cut
The Bava The Wildernest Inn
Meet Jo Timmy’s Fund
Places to Go...rian Inn
$2.99
w... People to Knohn & Sally Hardy
P.J Orsini - 21 -
Cover Photo by Eric
Fargo
77
- 39 -
Meet John & Sally Hardy from Stephens Painting
- 93 -
Jessica Rocks for Timmy’s Fund Holly’s quest for a cure.
[4]
Around The Panhandle | MAR • APR 2011
contents 6 9 10 12
Dear Readers Photo Contest Panhandle Puzzles
Meet Machele from First Choice Realty
17 Caption Contest 27 Places to Go
Wildernest Inn
32 Panhandle
John and Sally Hardy
44 Our Top Ten Recurring Dreams and what they mean
59 Things to Do
64 Panhandle
68
the Bloom
Turn - Recipes
I Hesitate to Ponder
Easy Appetizers
Healthy Living Benefits of a Healthy Core
93 Lending a Hand
Jessica Rocks for Timmy’s Fund
96 Your Money
Matters
Financial Advice from Tony Price
Craigo Service Co Serving the Panhande 99 Dr. Garazo An Eye for Beauty Since 1972 A Passion for Results The Yellow Brick Bank
103 Financial Prep
77 The Featured Eats
105 Sunfire
The Final Cut At Hollywood Casino
82 On the Road
Michele covers the music scene
84 Care Pregnancy
50 Timeless Beauty of
Take a tour of MSU
71 The Unknown Eater
39 People to Know
Free Clinic
Book Reviews
Is it HOT or NOT?
86 Now It’s Your
54 Eastern Panhandle 90 Inside Out with Eli
Work Place
The Truth about Short Sales
Paperbacks
36 Romance in the
The Thrill Within the Hunt - Mike Chalmers
15 Panhandle Profile
52 Rely on Rick
Center 6th Spring Gala
Apple Blossom Festival
Advice from Jonathan Bodwell Puts the Ease in Easy Living
110 Apples & Oranges
No Library Card Required • E-Readers
112 New to Town
Tippy’s Tacos
115
You Can’t Afford to Miss CLIP & SAVE
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Great Savings at Local Businesses
[5]
THE
{ x Around o b l i {Ma PANHANDLE March/April ‘11 | VOL 2 | NO 12
PUBLISHER
Dear Readers: Well, March marks our two-year anniversary. Can you believe it’s been twelve issues already? We’ve covered such a range of stories and look forward to the endless stream of topics left in the Panhandle to choose from. Remember, this magazine is driven by you, the reader, so keep those suggestions coming. It has been an absolute pleasure bringing you the stories you want to read about, and we can all look forward to many more—if it’s interesting, we want to write about it. The Eastern Panhandle has so much to offer; running out of worthwhile subjects and topics is hardly a concern. Gracing our cover this issue is the one and only P.J. Orsini. His family has been an integral part of the Panhandle since 1948, and I am proud to call him a friend. Keep in mind, when shopping for appliances, the big box store down the street doesn’t give back to the community or have the personalized service that a familyrun store does. In addition to Orsini’s Appliances, we explore a wealth of topics this issue, from two of the most upscale eateries in the area—the Final Cut and The Yellow Brick Bank—to The Eastern Panhandle Free Clinic. And be sure to dive into our newest sections: Panhandle Paperbacks, On the Road, and New to Town. I know it’s still a ways off, but the Martinsburg Rotary club will soon be hosting its annual Pancakes for Polio breakfast on Memorial Day at War Memorial Park. Be sure to stop by for a FREE pancake and sausage breakfast. Invite your friends and bring the whole family. This year, the proceeds will go to the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation (to eradicate Polio), the Berkeley County Parks and Rec, and The Boys and Girls Club of the Eastern Panhandle. If you are interested in volunteering or sponsorship opportunities, please let me know. This issue is dedicated to my Aunty Tonka, who passed February 2nd and Dave Lewis, who passed February 18th. Aunty Tonka, you taught me the value of giving and putting service above self. Her commitment to Rotary will be memorialized forever and I will continue her passion for Rotary as long as I live. Machelle, here’s to 27 years of bliss. You and your familty are in our thoughts and prayers.
Mike Hornby Around The Panhandle Magazine 304-851-7461 mike@aroundthepanhandle.com Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AroundthePanhandleMagazine Hornby Publishing, LLC | PO Box 1254 | Martinsburg, WV 25402 | 304.851.7461
[6]
Mike Hornby
EDITOR
Mike Chalmers
EDITORIAL DESIGN
Mike Hornby James Schaffner Kristin Lemaster
WEBSITE
Hornby Publishing LLC ProDesign , Brian Joliff www.professionaldesign.com
ADVISORS
Kresha Hornby Stewart Hornby Fred Hollida Rick Boswell Mike Hite
WRITERS
Mike Chalmers Eli Andersen The Unknown Eater Claire Gibson Webb Debra Cornwell Dana DeJarnett Victoria Kidd Sandi Lilly Valentine
PHOTOGRAPHY
Eric Fargo Fargofotos.com
ADVERTISING DESIGN
Orchistrated Design
PRINTER
Panhandle Printing & Design
BUSINESS & CIRCULATION Kresha Hornby SEND MAIL TO
PO Box 1254 Martinsburg, WV 25402
CONTACT US
AroundThePanhandle.com [304] 874-3252
Around the Panhandle is a bimonthly publication of Hornby Publishing LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. The magazine is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts or photos. Distributed through subscriptions, advertisers, online and at ROC’S convenience stores throughout the Panhandle. Subscription price is $16.99 per year. Single issues $2.99. To subscribe, send check or money order for $16.99 payable to Around the Panhandle; PO Box 1254, Martinsburg, WV 25402 or subscribe online and pay by credit card at www.AroundThePanhandle.com.
Around The Panhandle | MAR • APR 2011
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o t o Ph
Do you have an eye for photography?
Show off your photo skills to the world and you could be our $50 lucky winner (one per issue). I really like this photo because you can appreciate how this person uses two elements in photography. The first element is the rule of thirds, with the girl positioned in the first third of the photo and depth of field. This is probably my favorite element because it’s so attractive to my particular eye (everyone is different). Notice how the depth of field (railroad track) is positioned in the final third of the photo. Very nicely done, and with a professional touch. The entire photo is in good focus— sometimes difficult to do with extreme depth of field. The lighting is also good (outdoors, of course). Great job. Keep them coming folks. Spring is right around the corner and that’s the perfect excuse to get outside and get familiar with your camera, no matter what kind you use. With digital photography, we can literally take thousands of photographs, and I highly encourage it.
Winner
Girl on Tracks By Patricia Cardran
Honorable Mentions
Praying Mantis by Ronaldo Boy on shoulders by Patricia Cardran
Submit your photos at AroundThePanhandle.com or email mike@AroundThePanhandle.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. www.AroundThePanhandle.com
This page is brought to you by Fargo Fotos FargoFotos.com
[9]
Panhandle Puzzling Send your completed puzzle to: Hornby Publishing C/O Puzzle 1003 P.O. Box 1254 Martinsburg, WV 25402 for your chance to win $50
Construction Concrete Landscaper Lumber Siding Nail gun Painter Foreman Roofer Countertop Electrical Builder Appliances Custom Formica Marble Granite Shingles French doors Architect Anchor bolt Building codes Ceramic tile Downspout Estimate Fascia Heat pump Pellet stove Septic system Insulation Circuit Breaker Sheet rock Counter flashing Subfloor Flashing Primer [ 10 ]
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Skylight Compost Floating wall Hammer Table saw Plumber
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Crossword
Across
1. Beverage made from apple juice (5) 3. Chewy candy (7) 7. Rice dish (7) 9. Sweetener (5) 10. Drink before a meal (8) 11. Made from flour, sugar and eggs (4) 13. The home of pizza (5) 14. Broth (5) 19. Green acidic fruit (4) 20. Slender pasta tubes (8) 22. Joint of meat (5) 24. Water container (7) 25. Flask for keeping drinks hot or cold (7) 26. Dough made from flour and water (5)
Down
2. Sweet (7) 3. Biscuit (6) 4. Slice of sweet raised bread (4) 5. Drinking vessel (3) 6. Food store (6) 7. Gather in the crops (4) 8. Sponge cake soaked in wine (6) 12. Filtrate (6) 15. Essential kitchen devices (7) 16. Dry red wine (6) 17. Carrot genus (6) 18. Knockout drink, Mickey ___ (4) 21. Plant stalk (4) 23. Fermented beverage (3)
Spot
the
Difference
See if you can find the 18 things we photoshopped in these pictures
Send your completed puzzles to: Hornby Publishing C/O Puzzle 1003 P.O. Box 1254 Martinsburg, WV 25402 for your chance to win $50 ALL PUZZLES AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD ON OUR WEBSITE
www.AroundThePanhandle.com
[ 11 ]
The Thrill Within the Hunt
- Mike Chalmers
We all operate as perpetual double agents: the person we are and the person we want to be. The advertising industry is only interested in talking to the second person. I heard that recently and thought it was pretty clever, and of course, quite accurate. Both parts of the statement are a bit compelling, for obvious reasons, but the first part gives me a lot more to think about than the second. Most of us will end up doing something we didn’t expect we’d ever do for a living, for a life—end up being a person we never thought we’d become. Profound, to say the least. After all, we walk around figuring we know ourselves pretty well—assuming we’re in control of the life in front of us—and ready for whatever comes at us. Not many of us can or will admit that our place in this life is often the result of developments and decisions that we didn’t necessarily choose or even see coming—a result of being a lot less self-aware than we think, or even prepared. [ 12 ]
We all have transforming moments in our lives, stacks of them really. We don’t always pay enough attention to many of them, but that doesn’t mean they don’t happen—or that we shouldn’t have paid more attention. If we did, perhaps we’d have a more specific mastery of our exclusive journeys. I remember being much younger when a certain coach, who happened to be substituting for our head coach, looked at me and eleven other basketball players and said, “Most of you will not make it beyond this level.” It was one of those classic situations where, even at a young age, I knew it was very important that I was hearing something like this, even if I couldn’t totally comprehend its various meanings. It’s interesting; statements like that won’t resonate with everyone in the group. I’ve often wondered over the years how many of my buddies were sitting there contemplating it the way that I was. It takes a special person to tell a group of young people a harsh truth
in a way that will cause them to start constructively thinking about their own destinies—and to also have the insight to know that this group is old enough to hear it. But his statement was even bigger than that, because he wasn’t just telling those of us who had a shot that it was now time to take it up a notch if we wanted to win one of the few spots on the varsity squad. He was also honestly revealing a life truth to all of us. He was telling most of the guys sitting in those bleachers, dripping with sweat, that no matter how hard they worked or how desperately they wanted to make it, they weren’t going to—and that was just life—so they better enjoy the moment, this moment, and start thinking about what else they wanted to do with themselves, because (in this case) basketball was not in their futures. Essentially, he was pulling back the veil, to an extent, on a misconception we’d been fed most of our lives: that we could do and be anything we wanted, as long we wanted it bad enough.
Around The Panhandle | MAR • APR 2011
I remember sitting there thinking to myself, man, I’ve played basketball every season of every year since I was in fourth grade. I never imagined that there was an end—and an abrupt one at that. I’d always simply advanced to the next level, every single season of my life, in every sport. How was that not going to happen again? I quickly crunched some numbers. Knowing that there were only four seniors on the varsity squad meant, theoretically, only four spots were available next season. And there were twelve of us sitting here. And that wasn’t considering some blue chip transfer or someone who had been hiding in plain sight for three years, waiting. Whoa, I thought, he’s right. Now, bare in mind he didn’t just drop that bomb on us and leave; he actually talked to us for a while about various aspects of sports and life. Truthfully, I’ve considered the notion that our coach wasn’t sick at all, but had actually planned this all season, and had allowed another coach/teacher to do it, knowing that a new face might help us to absorb it better. I shake my head slightly at the thought of the lawsuits that would likely be filed against said coach, as well as the entire school and school system, today if such insensitive words were uttered in the direction of twelve young student athletes. But that’s another discussion entirely. At the end of practice that day, we all may not have had the same complete understanding of the discussion, but we had a fairly collective concept sifting through our thoughts: Life, real life, comes at you quick, rarely waits for you to catch up, and all but flies by. In many ways, you’re as good as your last performance. Before he let us go, he looked at us and said, “I want whoever thinks they’re gonna play in the NBA to raise their hand.” No one did. “Whoever thinks they’re gonna play for Duke, for North Carolina, WVU.” None of us did. “Who thinks they can play varsity next year?” All of us did. He smiled. “You’re an inspiring group, and I appreciate your desire, but most of you will be in the student section this time next year.
www.AroundThePanhandle.com
I hope you can live with that.” We all sort of shifted on the hard bench seats in the bleachers, not necessarily happy with a reality we hadn’t truly considered until today. But he added, “Fellas, I want you to remember something, and remember this over everything else. I’m not telling you to give up, by any means. Try your hardest to make the team next year; do everything in your power in the offseason to get ready. But if it doesn’t happen, then be satisfied with the effort you gave and move on. Be the best you that you can be, and your life will be a success, and likely a great success.” That twenty-year-old conversation coils it way through my mind these days quite a bit. The world I walk through teams with people, young and old, obsessed with myriad interpretations of “purpose”—philosophies often dictated by an economic model more closely associated with the second sentence of this article. I certainly think that the modern advertising machine has much of our society spinning in multiple selfworth related directions. The advent of seemingly endless ways to access products and/or distract ourselves with countless forms of possession has led to an unbalanced sense of who we are and what we truly want from life. You see it all over the place, in every layer of our society, and it’s quite ominous, especially considering how quickly it has happened and the rate at which it continues to grow and evolve. Not only are so many of us, and especially our young people, becoming so captivated with ownership and the image or status associated with it, the act of coveting such material acquisition and technological access has begun to replace many an individual’s desire to find themselves in life—to discover their potential, to become the best version of them that they can be. The process has become cluttered and ambiguous, and perhaps most unsettling, vicarious…as if it wasn’t already chaotic enough before the age of mass information. Psychologists have noticed; sociologists and anthropologists have turned their attention towards it, as well. There is a flip side to the technological revolution
we’ve become a part of in the twentyfirst century; we’ve lost site of ourselves within the evolution. We want to be everything, everyone that we see; we want to have everything that seems to dangle and glitter in front of us, and we stretch ourselves thin (in numerous ways) in order to attain it. And because of that, some of the tried and true concepts that have propelled personal and collective growth over the years have become buried beneath the weight of the things we want versus the things we need. We spend far less time in front of one another these days. We physically interact much less—opting instead for shared time that involves electronic interaction and the option to focus on many things at once, as well as the opportunity to immediately end the interaction if needed. And we study ourselves, internally, much less, choosing to study everyone and everything around us with greater focus. Not that technology hasn’t made life wildly convenient as well as productive, but this mechanical growth has come at a cost: organic growth. We know a million things about this massive information cyclone swirling around us, including all of the many aspects of it that we covet and choose to define ourselves with, but we recognize less and less about each other, and ultimately, we lose or never even fully gain a true measure of ourselves. A distorted self-image is nothing new. All of us likely know many people who fit that description. What we’re seeing more and more of in the “Age of Access” is not only the standard distorted self-image but also a complete lack of self-analysis and a loss of comprehension for personal value. And, naturally, when these constructs have been compromised, or underdeveloped, the lens through which we view life becomes similarly distorted and more difficult to use. Science Fiction has chipped away at this concept for decades, with modern scenes revealed as vast, sterile theatres where its occupants often toil away, alone. Facebook advocates would argue that [ 13 ]
there’s probably never been a more communal time than now in human history, where millions of people have access to one another at the touch of buttons. Within that same thread, however, opponents might suggest that we merely live vicariously through one another’s various lives because our own lives have become less than what we’d imagined they would become. They might say that the News Feed is nothing more than the timeless cry of humans in existential crisis: “Please, listen to me world; know what I am doing and thinking so that I have value—so that I’m validated.” They might say that we are all mostly “friend collectors,” not so much concerned with someone else’s life as much as we are knowing that we aren’t alone in the world— that we construct these elaborate photo records of our endlessly exciting journeys because in reality, away from the screen, our experiences have been much less so. After all, how big is your list of friends, but how many of those people have you actually ever spoken to since high school—including the time since they’ve been digitally residing within your growing list? Here’s another harsh truth: many of us will never fulfill our potential(s)—much less realize our dreams. It’s not exactly a demanding test to give yourself, though it’s something we likely avoid for many reasons. What if we did, though? What if we stopped doing what we were doing and sat down and asked ourselves if we were fulfilling our potential, and if we were anywhere close to realizing our dreams? What would we find out about ourselves? How would we feel about the answers? And would it affect the way we lived our lives—this information—from here on out? Again, I’d bet that we all know a few people who really set sail and are accomplishing the things, living the life that everyone figured they would. Maybe you look in the mirror and realize that you are one of theses people. Maybe you don’t. We probably know a lot more people who aren’t doing what they could or probably
[ 14 ]
should be doing. Yeah, life get’s in the way, all that jazz. But reality is still, and always will be, the silent mistress that sleeps beside us every night. The truth is the truth, no matter how many more pictures you throw up on your page—no matter how many more outlets you plug into. And inevitably, everyone ends up filling a role, regardless of whether they choose that role or are satisfied with it. The strange thing is: without all of these roles being filled, what kind of world would it be? That’s a really good question. With that in mind, knowing that regardless of what you want from life, you will inevitably fill a role, wouldn’t it be much more fulfilling to know that you’ve had a hand in crafting it—that you, at least as much as possible, have made a worthwhile effort to control your destiny? It’s hard to predict the profound. It happens all around us and then, just like that, we find ourselves in the middle of a moment that will affect us for a long time. Twenty years ago, I sat in on a post-practice lecture from a coach—pretty standard stuff. I’m still walking around thinking about it. It’s meaning has even changed for me over the years. He told me to be the best version of myself that I could be. As time has moved along, I’ve taken that to mean (for me) that most of us don’t go after very many things, but rather absorb what everyone else around us is absorbing, and call it life. He warned us to be ready for reality, that you can want something immensely, but never acquire it. He was right about that, and right about rolling with the punches and moving forward. But I also heard something else in his words, something I apply to life today—something more people, in this incessant time of information and advertising, should consider. Don’t just take what you’re given; go after your dreams, hunt them down. Go find the life you’re supposed to live, and in the midst of your journey, you’ll find yourself.
Around The Panhandle | MAR • APR 2011
The current real estate market for buyers and sellers can be a roller coaster of emotions, a maze of paperwork, and, for most who are unfamiliar with the process, a minefield of potential mistakes. First-time homebuyers, especially, can find themselves overwhelmed with where to look, how to budget, and knowing what questions to ask. This is where Machele Lewis comes in handy. She is Broker and Owner of First Choice Realty, LLC, a local agency right here in the Panhandle.
panhandle
PROFILE
Machele Lewis | First Choice Realty After settling in Martinsburg in 1997, Lewis worked first as an The Best Choice Just Might Be First Choice
agent for a builder, and then as a manager of a real estate company. Upon obtaining her broker license, Lewis opened her very own company in 2006 and has been steadily working to serve the Panhandle community since then. While she enjoys each type of client, Lewis is particularly interested in helping first-time homebuyers navigate through the system. “First time home buying is a scary process. I try to make them understand everything that is going to happen from start to finish and do everything in my power to make a successful transaction happen,” Lewis shares. To initiate the process, she first discusses with the client their particular needs in a home and a location. It’s then time to talk financing. If the client has not already been pre-approved, she will offer suggestions on lenders. Once the pre-qualification is complete, Lewis puts together a list of homes that meets the buyer criteria, and then it’s time to go house hunting. After honing in on one that meets buyer approval, the offer is submitted, and she walks them through the final steps of ratifying the contract and inspecting the home. All of those steps may sound complicated, but Lewis’ goal is to be there for her client throughout every part of the endeavor. “Helping people comes naturally to me. When I am working with a buyer, I try to look out for them in a lot of ways, including finding all options for financing—to be sure they are getting the best possible loan for their home,” she explains. To those who are considering delving into the home buying process, she offers some key advice. First, she maintains that it is very important to work with a realtor—someone with whom the client is comfortable and feels as if they can trust. The realtor should be easily accessible, with the ability to stay in touch on a regular basis during the ongoing search. Secondly, Lewis recommends that a buyer work with only one realtor, so as to allow the agent they choose to fully understand what it is that their client wants and needs in a home. Already made the choice to buy but don’t know where to start? First Choice Realty, LLC is locally owned and operated, and could easily be your first choice. It’s a smaller company that is able to give personalized service. “Even though we are small, we use the same technology that the larger companies do. A client won’t get lost in the hustle and bustle when they work with us. Our office communicates well with each other and someone is always available to help immediately. We take the time to communicate and regularly update one other. We take care of people!”
To talk with Machele Lewis about your home buying needs, call her at 304-676-5043, or find her online at www.firstchoicerealtywv.com. Make the right choice!
www.AroundThePanhandle.com
Lewis attributes some of her success in business to the ear she has developed for listening. As a wife traveling with a husband on active duty years ago, she can empathize with being new to an area and needing to find someone who can help figure things out. But the real kudos are the ones she gives to her late husband, son and daughter. They have been her “cheerleaders” as she has continued to build her business and career. Within the next year or two, Lewis would like to expand her office and bring on new sales agents. What won’t change, though, is her passion and willingness to help her clients find the home of their dreams. - By Claire Gibson Webb
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[ 17 ]
When You Think Of Electrical Work… One Name Comes To Mind
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The Orsini Family Tradition: Three Generations of Good Business
- By Sandi Valentine & Debra Cornwell
“We are a family-owned business for three generations, and it’s hard to be that in these times,” reflects 58-year-old Paul Orsini. “It is what we know, who we are, and what we do.” Paul’s father, Tito, still goes to his office everyday at Orsini’s Appliances Sales & Service on Winchester Avenue in Martinsburg. Paul’s son, P.J., is in charge of operation. Paul’s brother, Mike, 61, joins the family in ownership www.AroundThePanhandle.com
of the business. Clearly, these Orsinis are passionate about the business that has provided for the family for over sixty years. P. J., 31, confesses that he definitely wanted to go into the business. “It was never forced on me, but it was always available. When I graduated from West Virginia University with a finance degree in 2002, I knew I didn’t want to work for
someone else. Other family members chose other paths, but this is what I want to do.” Orsini’s has been in business in Martinsburg since 1948, when Tito Orsini and his late wife, Antonia, began a small appliance sales and service business. According to Tito, 85, his wife managed the inside sales, bookkeeping, and back end of the business, while he managed the repair work. Together, they grew a [ 21 ]
thriving appliance business that has been passed down from one generation to the next and has successfully served the area for more than six decades. The business now comprises two stores, and employs multiple members of the Orsini family, a sales manager, and several sales and service technicians. The business has experienced substantial growth since its inception, launching an appliance sales and installation segment in the early 1960s, along with a Maytag franchise. A showroom was added to the Martinsburg location in 1978. In 2007, they added an additional store in Charles Town. Growth and development continue, and the business has plans to launch a website soon to ease customer communications and advertising. Paul says he is happy that P.J. joined the business. He smiles, “P.J. is a pretty smart guy, and we get along well.” P.J. worked in the store as a kid, sweeping and doing odd jobs. After college, he spent several years making deliveries and doing installations, then moved to sales and advertising. As his grandmother became ill, P.J. took over ordering, inventory, and bookkeeping. “I know every aspect of the business” he admits, “and I understand how a good job can quickly turn intense.” As the store has grown and developed, ownership and management has stayed
[ 22 ]
Around The Panhandle | MAR • APR 2011
in the family. Each of the Orsinis has their own role in the business’s function, including the store’s founder, Tito. He makes sure clients are satisfied with their purchases and service. “We always cherish our previous customers,” Tito boasts. “We have three generations of service in the area, and we appreciate their loyalty. Without them, there’d be no work.” As a local, family-owned appliance company, Orsini’s offers a level of service and performance that consumers may not find in a big box store. Orsini’s offers competitive pricing on both appliance service and installation. Referring to the big box stores, Paul says, “We can’t out advertise them, but we can out perform them!” As an example, most in-stock appliance purchases can be delivered and installed within a day. Orsini’s services appliances that are both in and out of warranty, whether they were originally purchased from their shop or not. For service calls, customers can contact the shop and a technician will visit their home—often within 24 hours. Emergency service is also available. The store offers an extensive parts department for the doit-yourselfer. Orsini’s has been awarded the Martinsburg Journal’s Readers Choice Award for Service five times, so their returning customers obviously know a good thing when they see it.
www.AroundThePanhandle.com
P.J. explains that part of their appliance sales process is to educate people about their new appliances. The business provides factoryauthorized services for most major brands and works with local cabinet companies and building contractors whenever possible, for kitchen remodels. The store offers many of the same rebates big box retailers are able to offer—in some cases, they are able to offer even higher discounts. The shop also offers a wide variety of Energy Star appliances for the energy conscious consumer. Orsini’s Appliance Sales & Service has quite the community presence. They are a major supporter of several local school sports teams and charities, participate in the Taste of Home Cooking School each year, and are active with each Home Show at the Martinsburg Mall. Paul mentions that the shop prides itself on ordering supplies and services from local businesses when possible, as they work to support the development of a local business community. The biggest advantage to ordering an appliance from Orsini’s is the individualized attention they provide to their customers. When you visit the store, your questions will be answered, you’ll receive friendly, personalized service, and the staff will be extremely knowledgeable about the products they’re representing.
and operated, high quality customer service, and some of the most well-known brands on the market. The company’s main line has been Maytag, since 1964. The store also carries Bosch, Thermador, JennAir, Whirlpool, Frigidaire, KitchenAid, Sharp Microwaves, and special pieces from Amana. Orsini’s is the only authorized Jenn-Air dealer in the area. The brand is known for its stringent display and service requirements. Orsini’s technicians have specialized service training for this line, and if you purchase a JennAir appliance, and have it installed by the store, you receive an additional warranty extension for doing business with Orsini’s. “We are a lot like our customers. We live here. We work here. We shop here. And when our customers need something, we go out of our way to help,” P.J. says. He also reveals, however, that for the time being, there is no generation behind him to follow in his footsteps. “Not unless my dog can run the store,” he laughs. Orsini’s Appliance Sales & Service stores are located at 704 Winchester Ave, Martinsburg, W.Va., and 91 Saratoga Drive, Suite D, Charles Town, W.Va. Give them a call at: 304.267.7251 (Martinsburg), or 304.724.7251 (Charles Town).
Orsini’s offers local business at it’s best—family owned
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Four Corners Club and Restaurant
Come experience an affordable home cooked meal and a welcoming atmosphere. Carry Out Available • Daily Lunch Specials Kitchen is open Monday - Thursday • 11am - 9pm Friday - Saturday • 11am - 10pm Sunday • 1pm - 9pm (Late night menu available ‘til 12am)
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Our Families are Precious to Us... So are Yours
Brown Funeral Homes
Serving Tri-State Families for 12 Decades• Family Owned Since 1885 • Advanced Funeral Planning • Traditional & Non-Traditional Services Cremation Services • Cemetery Vaults • Out-of-Town Arrangements • Robert C. Fields, LIC • Steve Hedges, Pre-Planning Consultant
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Celebrating 25 Years Building in the Panhandle Panhandle Homes of Berkeley County – our name
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says it all. We’re proud to be from Berkeley County, West Virginia. Born here, raised here -- you know many of us and we know many of you. We’ve helped grow Berkeley County into West Virginia’s showcase community – one home at a time…finely crafted homes which have earned recognition as “Best in West Virginia” award winners year, after year, after year... and not just regional awards, but the top state-level awards. Award-winning homes built one at a time in neighborhoods carefully and thoughtfully created by us... neighborhoods our owners are proud to call home...As the developer and primary builder, we provide unmatched continuity, information and detail about the areas in which we build.
Falling Waters, Berkeley County, WV Single Family Homes on ½ to 1 Acre Homesites Commons with Potomac River Frontage Ballfield, Boat Ramp & Picnic Area 32 Acres of Preserved and Wooded Open Spaces Easy Access to Shopping & Commuter Routes Priced from the mid 200’s
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Martinsburg, Berkeley County, WV Single Family Homes on ¼ Acre Homesites Future Swimming Pool, Walking Paths, Basketball Courts, Fishing Pond and Tot Lot Minutes from I-81, Hospitals and Mall Shopping Easy Commute, Close to MARC Priced from the high 100’s
Willow Ridge
Panhandle Homes of Berkeley County... here yesterday, here today and here tomorrow. And what is more important than dependability in today’s ever-changing market? Panhandle Homes of Berkeley County, whose owners today live in neighborhoods they, themselves, developed and among owners of homes they built. Build with confidence with one of the area’s most-trusted names... Panhandle Homes of Berkeley County... here yesterday, today and tomorrow... for you.
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The bears have names. For a city person, seeing even one black bear in the wild is a rare and startling experience. To see several at the same time from the deck of a bed and breakfast, and to hear one’s hosts affectionately call out to them by such names as Bruno, Cocopuff, and Uglybear, is to pass from the startling to the exotic. And yet, at the Wildernest Inn in Rough Run, W.Va., such experiences are commonplace, especially in the fall, as the bears fatten themselves in preparation for winter.
Where Beauty and Balance Finds a Home
Wildernest Inn, W.Va.
www.AroundThePanhandle.com
The hosts and owners of the Wildernest, Stewart and Kathy Hornby, natives of, respectively, South Africa and Zimbabwe, have always loved animals, and thought they would never find a similar combination of wildness and natural beauty when they left Africa in 1995. After a period in Puerto Rico, Stewart ad Kathy settled in West Virginia nine years ago, and purchased Wildernest—situated atop a steep and heavily wooded mountain in one of the most scenic areas in the state. They quickly found, to their delight, that they would be sharing their mountain habitat with deer, foxes, raccoons, many species of birds, and a healthy population of black bears. Now U.S. citizens, they have fallen in love with their mountaintop home, and visitors quickly come to understand why. The strictest rule for guests at the Inn is neither to feed nor approach the bears. And perhaps, out of appreciation for the respectful distance that all guests keep from the shy, cautious, and inoffensive creatures, the bears keep coming back, year after year. One should be careful not to romanticize what goes on in the brain of what is, after all, a large wild animal; yet, there seems to be a mutual curiosity between bears [ 27 ]
and people that is heartening to witness. That relationship is, of course, much more fleeting when the mature male bears leave the mountain in early spring to find a mate, but here, for now, they seem to know that they’re safe, and who their protectors are. Stewart and Kathy have made their mountain home an animal sanctuary, which seems most agreeable to the bears. During a very recent visit to Wildernest, my wife and I were among several guests treated to a prolonged sighting of a mother bear and her two cubs. The cubs shimmied up two different trees at the appearance of Bruno, the dominant bear on the mountain, and Kathy and Stewart’s oldest friend among the bears. Not to worry, the little ones soon came down and rejoined their mother. Bruno is now ten years old, and many of the bears one sees around the inn are his children and grandchildren. He is also the tallest, and when
[ 28 ]
well-fed and healthy, the largest bear on the mountain—at just shy of four hundred pounds. When we saw him recently, however, he was thinner, and his coat was a little patchy, as if he had been through some rough times. But his affection for Kathy is undeniable, and on both evenings of our visit, he climbed onto the Hornby’s private deck and sprawled in front of their sliding door, clearly seeking her company. We discovered the inn ourselves a few months before it changed hands from the original owners to Stewart and Kathy, and have returned many times since—in every season—often bringing friends and family with us to share the experience. One year, in December, we were the only guests, and were treated more like visiting friends, as our hosts regaled us with a harrowing story of how they weathered a powerful hurricane during one long and terrible night in Puerto
Rico. Although one tends to dwell on the bears, they are merely one aspect of an area ripe with astonishing natural gifts—a mere two-and-a-half-hour drive from our home in Bethesda, Md. Less than thirty minutes from Wildernest is the rugged, spectacular Smoke Hole Canyon and Big Bend Recreation area, surely one of the most awesomely beautiful canyons in this part of the world—continuing through the south fork of the Potomac River. Seneca Rocks, Smoke Hole Caverns, Dolly Sods Wilderness, and Spruce Knob, the tallest peak in West Virginia, are just a few of the hotspots for hikers and skiers—none more than forty-five minutes from the inn. Traffic-weary visitors from the D.C. area are always pleasantly surprised by the lightly traveled country roads of Upper Tract and Rough Run, and by the modest footprints West Virginians have made in these
Around The Panhandle | MAR • APR 2011
largely unspoiled mountains and valleys. In much of this area, farming and ranching are still the mainstays of the local economy, and some of the homesteads date back to the 1700s. There is a pleasant one-hour trail around the lake below the Inn, and of course, numerous trails at Dolly Sods, Big Bend, North Fork Mountain, and Spruce Knob— to name a few. When visitors have had their fill of hiking or sightseeing, it is always pleasant to return for a shower and a rest in the attractive and comfortable rooms, and then have a beer or a glass of wine while sitting on the spacious deck (awaiting Kathy’s always-excellent dinners, which begin at seven sharp with a first-rate salad). During dinner, one might see a hummingbird at a feeder just outside the window, or a bear, richly furred with a coat of the blackest black you’ve ever seen, walking across the deck or gazing curiously through the sliding door. At first a novelty, and cause for leaving one’s chair to take a look, it soon becomes a fact of life here, and seems not only possible, but normal and natural. If she has the time, Kathy might come out of the kitchen for a chat, and if a plate isn’t cleaned, Stewart can be counted on to good-naturedly chafe the guest for lack of appetite. At night, the darkness is the real thing. Untainted by light pollution, the profound quiet promises a truly restful sleep. Pleasure is the watchword here, and at no bedand-breakfast in my experience is it more consistently achieved than at the Wildernest Inn. For more information visit: wildernestinn.com, or call: 304.257.9076 or 888.621.2948. More pictures can also be found on their Facebook site.
www.AroundThePanhandle.com
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“No Gimmicks - Just Great Deals” Three Amazing Brands, Hundreds of Models to Choose From & Over 30 Years Serving Our Local Community
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Panhandle Paperbacks
| By Heather Isaacs
As winter’s chill recedes slowly into the distance (fingers crossed), many of us are likely still peering out of our once-frosty windows (with caution) from behind the solace of warm walls and cold weather habits. Amidst a proper case of cabin fever, even the best and brightest of flatscreens can get a little monotonous. Chances are that many a Panhandler was forced to accept the reality of Mother Nature this season and look for more than just one way to stay entertained. Ah yes, the all-faithful book—the timeless means by which many a bored captive has taken mental refuge. If you feel that your seasonal remedy might just have become a new habit, we have five here that should get you through ‘til summer—and then, of course, it’s time for some beach reads.
The Road
– by Cormac McCarthy
The Road is about a father and son who travel through an America that is
nothing but ash, bitter coldness, and gray colored snow fall. They are traveling with the hope of finding a better life somewhere—where civilization might still exist. Will they find what they are looking for or will death overpower their lonely journey? As usual, McCarthy weaves an incredibly evocative and metaphorical tale in a way that only he can—with no chapters and very little dialogue—though what is said embodies the absolute bond between a man and his boy, no matter the circumstances. The Road is about love, survival, and the indefatigable human spirit. It defines hope and the true meaning of courage and strength.
it a more practical read (for those of us who might have constant interruptions, etc.). Lowell’s effort has murder, mystery, and romance wrapped easily into one comfortable and swiftly moving package.
When the Storm Breaks – by Heather Lowell
When the Storm Breaks is a suspenseful account set in Washington, D.C., involving, Claire Lambert, a feisty, bold woman who witnesses a murder on her way home one rainy night. Will she be the killer’s next prey? This page-turner is exhilarating from the first chapter to the last, and short chapters make [ 32 ]
Around The Panhandle | MAR • APR 2011
Northern Lights – by Nora Roberts
Northern Lights is about a Baltimore cop, Nate Burke, who moves to the small town of Lunacy, Alaska, to take a job as police chief. He begins to see the parallels between this small town’s guilt and regret, and his own—a prospect that plagues both he and his new jurisdiction. Burke wonders if moving was a mistake, until he meets Meg Galloway, and she kisses him on New Year’s Eve. Along the way, he finds himself pulled into a past crime—from which the suspect likely still walks among the residents of the aptly named, Lunacy. Northern Lights hits the reader with the big three: murder, romance, and mystery—while also serving up a healthy dose of small-town paranoia.
See Jane Die – by Erica Spindler See Jane Die takes us on a journey with Jane Killian, who was hit by a speedboat as a teen. As her life seems to be finally falling into place, with a great husband, a baby on the way, and an emerging place in Dallas’s art community, she realizes her past is coming back to haunt her. She believes the boater, who intentionally hit her years ago, is back to destroy her life. This book is a must read; at every turn of the page, we are pulled further and further into a world of murder, anonymous messages, and the universal dread attached to someone knowing your every move.
www.AroundThePanhandle.com
Standoff – by Sandra Brown Standoff tells the story of a television reporter on her way to a much-needed vacation, when her plans suddenly change. From vacation to the wrong end of a gun, Tiel McCoy is in the middle of a standoff with two teenage runaways, and the authorities, in a middle-of-nowhere town. This book hits the ground running and never looks back. This captivating book tumbles down a treacherous road filled with local color, police, reporters, and the wealthy father of one of the teens. You won’t want Standoff to end, and you’ll be thinking about it long after it does.
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Office - 304-262-8040 Fax - 304-262-8041 Eastern Panhandle District 815 West King St Martinsburg, WV 25401
Upcoming Events
2011 Women’s Conference Friday - April 8, 2011 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Holiday Inn Martinsburg Informative Sessions ● Expo ● Networking
Now available at select Retailers Around the Panhandle
Friday - May 6, 2011 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. New Life Community Church
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Romance in the Workplace:
Is it HOT or is it NOT? | By Amy N. Panzarella, SPHR
Business managers often find themselves in the midst of situations that are wildly uncomfortable; seldom do they come with an instruction manual to guide them to a solution. A popular but taboo situation faced by many is the office romance. Sure, the office gossip is great for water cooler chatter, but what does it do for the morale of the department or the business? Does the romance between two employees pose any liability for the company or the employees involved? How much authority does management have to intervene? The best action is to be proactive rather than reactive. A responsible company should write a policy clearly outlining the definition of an “office romance”—the requirements of those directly or indirectly involved, and the consequences if guidelines are not adhered to. Let’s face it; we spend most of our waking hours at work. Sometimes, we see our coworkers more frequently than we see our own friends and family! A certain amount of attraction is bound to occur during the course of one’s employment. While I would never suggest promoting a cold, formal work environment that discourages employees from “getting to know” their counterparts, I would strongly advise the creation of a policy if you do not already have one in place. If you do not review your policies annually, be sure to take time to dust it off and confirm
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that it meets modern day challenges. This policy should be included in the new hire orientation/on-boarding program at your place of business, as well as in the employee handbook. The policy should cover these simple points: * A known relationship between two people, either romantic or familial, will prevent the employees from working within the same reporting structure. Most employment applications have a provision to glean knowledge of a potential existing relationship. For example, an employment application might state: “Do you have any family members who work for XYZ organization? If so, who?” Or, “By whom were you referred to XYZ organization and what is your relationship?” * If an office romance is discovered, do the two individuals have a reporting structure to one another? If so, a transfer should be initiated. Typically, the least “senior” of the two employees would be transferred to another department. At times, one of the employees might even be discharged from the company for lack of anywhere to place him or her. * The consequences of an inappropriate office romance being discovered and proving disruptive should be clearly stated in the policy.
companies where attraction turned into love, love turned into marriage (after one of the employees transferred to another department), and they lived happily ever after. However, it is important to remember that despite how loving and affectionate the relationship may appear today, love and lust are unpredictable! If the love affair goes sour, there is potential for the tainted lover to claim she or he was coerced into having a relationship and suffered undue hardship as a result. This is more prevalent when the relationship is comprised of a supervisory level employee and a nonsupervisor. Indeed, workplace romances can transpire into something beautiful. Additionally, they can provide interesting entertainment for the spectators of the company anticipating the success or failure of the thriving relationship. I would be remiss not to caution managers and HR professionals to be observant of their workforce and anticipate potential issues before they boil over into a scalding, hot mess. Nobody wants to get burned, least of all—your company! Need help creating or revising your workplace policies? Contact your EPSHRM (Eastern Panhandle Society for Human Resource Management) chapter Board of Directors and we’ll point you in the right direction!
During the course of my career, I have worked in several Around The Panhandle | MAR • APR 2011
Let Us be Your Human Resource
The Eastern Panhandle Society for Human Resource Management (EPSHRM) invites you to join us at our breakfast meeting the 2nd Wednesday each month. EPSHRM is an affiliate of the National SHRM. Our chapter offers many programs that are conducive to the needs of business or office managers, as well as HR professionals. Additionally, being a member of EPSHRM affords you a fantastic opportunity to network with these individuals and work together on those challenging issues that arise in our workplaces. Meetings start at 8:30 AM ($20 fee for non members) Blue Ridge Community & Technical College Tech Center/Berkeley Business Park 5550 Winchester Avenue (Rt 11 S.), Inwood. (in the old Corning Building)
March 9th
Fear Factor: Embracing the Reality of Change Presented By: Julie Gaver
April 13th
Legislative Panel and Discussion
May 11th
Benefits Panel and Health Care Reform Overview
June 8th
Harassment Prevention Seminar (3 hours) Presented By: Carl Moore
September 14th
Diversity Seminar (3 hours)
October 12th
If you would like to learn more about the EPSHRM chapter, please do not hesitate to contact Amy N. Panzarella, SPHR, directly at 304.919.1120 or apanzarella@apus.edu. We are happy to meet with you personally to discuss the benefits of joining our chapter.
Membership Drive and Social
November 9th
Community Service Panel
December 14th Meeting Topic TBD
Membership Fee -$75.00 Per Year
Meet our Board:
Back Row (L to R) Debra Scott-Past President, Jessica Polidor-Hospitality Chair, David Barton-Programs Chair, Regina Turner-Membership Chair Front Row (L to R) Cheryl Kemmerer-Treasurer/Secretary, Pat Hubbard-College Relations Chair, Amy Panzarella-President
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In an era of big-box retailers, national chains, and multimillion dollar corporations, the homegrown local business is often a thing of the past. The advent of huge chain retailers combined with a tough economy has slowly squeezed the life out of a host of small businesses nationwide. In the Panhandle, though, there is a couple who own a business that is not only defying the odds, but is being operated as a unified family effort. Stephens Painting has been in business since 1945 and owners John and Sally Hardy are proud to keep it all in the family.
Together in Life and Business Stephens Painting—since 1945. By Claire Gibson Webb
James W. Stephens, John’s maternal grandfather, started painting at age 15. As the youngest of 13 children born into the troubled economy of the 1930s, his work ethic was developed early. Stephens gained experience alongside another painter who needed help. Soon after, despite meager resources, Stephens Painting made its Panhandle debut in 1945. Paint did not just pay the bills, though; it literally brought this family together. Stephens met his wife while painting at a hospital and it became a true family affair. It was a good time to be in business, too; the boom era of the 1960s landed the company plenty of big commercial factory jobs and cemented the success that had already been established. The Stephens family ran the business for 50 years, until 1995, when grandson John and his soon-to-be wife, Sally, assumed the reins. For the last 16 years, the Hardys have continued the family tradition. They still run it very much as their grandparents did, with John out in the field meeting customers, and Sally taking care of the behind-thescenes operations. High school sweethearts, the couple has been together for 22 years, and
www.AroundThePanhandle.com
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married for 14 years. In the early days of taking over the operation, date night consisted of the two of them working in their first office in his parents’ basement. “It’s truly OUR business,” John comments. Sitting down to chat with the Hardys one wintry day, I was able to learn more about what they do and the passion that fuels their success. CGW: What types of painting jobs are typical for you? JH: We do everything from painting your grandma’s kitchen to the most recent commercial remodel at Jefferson Memorial Hospital. We started out doing interior and exterior residential, but after a few years, started doing commercial jobs again. We pride ourselves on being diverse. It’s beneficial to be versatile in the current economy—from residential repaints to new construction and commercial jobs. We need to be schooled in all three to be viable. Our company has done jobs for the ATF, Coast Guard, shopping centers, and many restaurants, like Five Guys and Glory Days. But even when we are doing those, we will still come paint your grandma’s kitchen. If it stands still long enough, we will paint it! CGW: How do you hire your employees? JH: Most all of them have come by recommendation from other painting companies that had overflow or were going out of business. We only hire nice people—people we trust. Most of our employees have been with us 8-10 years. It’s usually someone we already know. CGW: How do you stay competitive? JH: Our quality of work and [ 40 ]
materials we use, our employees, and the passion we have. We sell ourselves very professionally and personally. People tend to feel very comfortable with us. Our work is good and our price is fair. We are passionate from the top down. It is important to have basic respect for customers, to call them back, to keep the customer abreast of the process, and to treat them as a priority. You would be hard pressed to find someone who we have done work for who didn’t like us! We also try to stay visible and use our brand recognition. Our logo is still the same one that was used at the very beginning. We never want to tarnish the name on the truck because it’s not just a representation of us, or the company, it’s 66 years of a brand. CGW: What is the vision for your business? JH: It’s a different vision now than three years ago, when we were ready to dominate in big areas and big work. The economy tanked and we had to make severe changes in how we thought about business. If the economy comes back, we are there. Right now we want to stay viable, be involved in the community, still have a good business, and hopefully start to rebuild out of the ashes of the recession. The goal is to still be here and doing good work. We have no plans on not being here in whatever way, shape, and form that we are needed. We are always keeping up with the cutting edge, so that whatever economic picture is painted, we are here and ready. CGW: Some couples could not live and work together. How do you two make it work? JH: Not every married couple could do we what we do!
Around The Panhandle | MAR • APR 2011
SH: I do all the paperwork, financial accounting, HR, and I am the first point of contact on phone. We have always just worked very well together. There are never really any issues. We have always had a TEAM mentality. We are very lucky because we found each other at a young age; we grew up with each other and are very good friends. Having the office in our home really works well for us because we have two young daughters. Sometimes, though, it is necessary to make a conscious decision to not discuss the business. We have a really good sense of humor, can laugh together, and balance each other well. We learn how to tread around each other when one is frustrated. No snap decisions and that works for us.
www.AroundThePanhandle.com
JH: Our loyalties are here. This is us through thick and thin. CGW: How can potential customers contact you? SH: Our website is www. stephenspainting.net, and people can find us on Facebook. Our vans are lettered and we are in the yellow pages. We will be at the Home Show in March if anyone is interested. Excellent advertising and a good business formula are certainly vital components of any successful endeavor. The Hardys have something just as important, however, backing them up—the knowledge and wisdom of the man who started it all—James W. Stephens. At age 80, he is still a hard worker, and when needed, ready with
advice for his grandchildren. The couple maintains that their grandparents have both been invaluable resources as they have taken over a piece of rich family history. John prides their operation as being a “one-stop shop.” Not only does the crew fulfill the promised painting, but will prepare the space beforehand and clean up when finished. After 66 years, the business has grown and changed a little, but according to Sally, “There are still the basic principles of loyalty and customer service.” Their goal to satisfy each and every customer must be working. Despite each of the outlets in which they advertise, the Hardys reveal that nearly 85% of their business comes from good-old-fashioned word of mouth. Sometimes, the proof is in the painting.
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Top Ten
Recurring Dreams & What They Mean Do you ever have really, really weird dreams? You might want to check what you eat before you hit the sack. Recurring dreams, however, demand more attention—often because they are scary. In fact, most of the recurring dreams on this list might be more accurately described as nightmares. Perhaps this is because scary dreams are more memorable—a more effective way for your subconscious to get your attention. Events and emotions in your waking life often trigger your dreams. If you repeatedly have the same dream, your subconscious is trying to send you a message. Fortunately, there are a lot of online resources available to help you figure out what your dreams mean, including extremely detailed dream dictionaries. In addition to a wealth of websites, books, and “experts,” there are also online communities that allow you to share your dreams in forums for interpretation and discussion. Let’s take a look at our Top Ten dreams and see if you don’t stumble into familiar territory.
10. Trapped Have you ever had a dream that you are locked in a room, trapped in a mine, or buried alive in a box? If so, then there is some aspect of your waking life that makes you feel trapped or claustrophobic. Did you make the wrong career choice? Is there a mountain of debt on top of you, stifling the lifestyle that you thought you would have? Dreamforth.com says that if you dream about being caged, you “… may feel like you cannot change your situation and are feeling trapped by it.” The site also suggests “…you may feel like you are not being allowed to live up to your full potential because someone or something is holding you back. 9. Excuse Me, Where’s the Washroom? Ever dream about having to go to the bathroom? Many times, it’s because you have to go to the bathroom! One good question is: why does your brain go to such great effort to incorporate bathroom breaks into your dream life when it could just wake you up and send you to the bathroom? Who knows. Dreammoods.com says: “…to dream that you are in a public restroom with no stalls, signifies your frustrations about getting enough privacy.” According to sleeps.com, a bathroom is a symbol for “thinking too much to increase income, and not spending money.” 8. Wayward Waters If you regularly dream that you are drowning, or that large waves wash over you, or floodwaters rise over you—you’re probably feeling a bit overwhelmed by something in your life. Thecuriousdreamer.com agrees. According to their dream dictionary, drowning indicates “…overwhelming circumstances in real life, feeling helpless or hopeless, or feeling out of control.” The site also explains that “one huge wave could represent a challenge in your life” and a flood might represent “feeling like you are ‘over your head,’ or feeling like things in your life are out of control.” 7. Flying It seems like we’ve all had the wonderful
flying dream—an experience we quickly try to recover as soon as we wake up. Alas, the best dreams are always the hardest to recover. The one word that best describes flying dreams is probably “freedom.” Unless, of course, you begin to fall, but that’s another category entirely (see #2). Dreamsdictionary. org uses the following words to describe dreams about flying: “freedom of expression,” “doing the impossible,” and “creativity.” Usually, the worst part about a flying dream isn’t the dream, it’s waking up.
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Around The Panhandle | MAR • APR 2011
6. Going Nowhere
It’s easy to think that the proverbial “running in slow motion” dream represents a “stuck” feeling in life, but dreamforth.com has a slightly different take— explaining that such a dream is more symbolic of hardships and having to navigate certain obstacles. “Paralysis” dreams also fit into this category. According to thecuriousdreamer.org, this facet of a dream indicates a “…feeling of self-sabotage, and an inability to make progress in particular situations, or life overall.”
5. How’s Your Dental Plan? Do you ever feel like your teeth are falling out, or just loose, or missing entirely? Most of us might associate this dream with feelings of decay and/or loss of control. Smartgirl.org agrees: “In general, dreams about losing teeth are common, and suggest the dreamer feels powerless or out of control in a real life situation.” An additional interpretation comes from dreamsdictionary.org: “You are having self-esteem difficulties and problems speaking your mind.” 4. Public Exposure The experts agree that the standard public exposure dream indicates a fear of being found out—in a variety of forms. The most common exposure dream is “naked in public”—with the two most common versions being “naked at work” and “naked at school.” The anxiety associated with this dream typically represents the stress linked to being exposed. Dreammoods.com suggests: “Becoming mortified at the realization that you’re naked in public reflects vulnerability or feelings of shame. You may also be hiding something and are afraid that others can see through you.” 3. Lost & Unprepared This type of dream usually comes in the form of an inability to open a locker at school, being lost and frustrated with directions, not being able to find something you are looking for, or simply an overall lack of understanding for something that, in real life, you do everyday. Often referred to as “dream confusion,” this dream is very common. Smartgirl.org describes it as “…representing fear of change or anxiety about seizing an opportunity. You may also feel unworthy in your current circumstances or conflicted about future decisions.” 2.Falling Almost everyone has had this dream, and often enough to probably figure out why they’ve had it. Falling is definitely a sign that you are losing control of something, according to curiousdreamer.com. The website also suggests that falling represents “…a sudden lack of foundation in your life…a loss of control… and an overall feeling of abandonment.” The other part of a falling dream is the landing part—but very few of us can admit to every actually landing, or experiencing the landing in vivid detail. Such a detail flirts with dying in dreams. A common misconception is that if you die in your dream, you’ll die in your sleep. Obviously, that claim could never be proven anyway, and has all the trappings of a healthy urban myth—period. Answers.com has as good a synopsis on death as there is: “It doesn’t mean anything specific. What is important is how you felt during the dream. Were you scared while it was happening or accepting, at peace? This is a better glimpse.” 1. Chased
According to dream.net.au: “…you are running away from or trying to hide from something you need to face.” It could be “a feeling you are avoiding, a conflict you don’t want to handle, or a difficult memory you would rather forget.” But let’s end this list on a positive note: the cloak on that shadowy figure chasing you may have a silver lining! According to the same website, you might actually be running away from something good: “…like a talent you are not acknowledging, or a feeling of love that you are not yet ready to admit.”
www.AroundThePanhandle.com
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Your Dream Home Starts Here
Designing & Installing Kitchen and Bath Showrooms throughout the Tri-State Area for over 15 years. Let us schedule yours to be next!
Owners - Mike & Pam Blessing
(t) 304.267.6262 (f) 304.267.6875
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Monday - Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm • Others Hours by Appointment
“My father jokes, ‘Once we got the river to flow in front of us, we knew we really had something here,’” smiles the affable David Asam, Vice President and General Manager of The Bavarian Inn, and youngest son of its founders, Erwin and Carol Asam. David joins his brother, Christian, in managing the Bavarian and their other property, The Mimslyn Inn in Luray, Va. David continues, “My father had a vision and a goal, and he took it further than anyone ever thought it could go.” How true. Erwin may not have moved the river, but it is no accident that he chose this high bluff as the seat of his hospitality empire. The Bavarian is blessed with one of the best views along the entire length of the Potomac River. Billed as “European elegance on the Potomac,” the Bavarian keeps that promise. With 72 elegantly appointed overnight rooms spread throughout four Alpine-styled lodges, and the Greystone Mansion for dining, the Bavarian is a world away without the airplane ride. In the mid-70s, Erwin, who was born in Munich, Germany, packed his wife and kids into the family station wagon, left Washington, D.C. behind, and made Shepherdstown their home. British born Carol says, “Ideas of me swanning around the countryside, taking tea, and
www.AroundThePanhandle.com
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wearing a picture hat were soon dashed. We immediately got to work and started building our business.” For the past thirty-four years, locals and visitors alike have marked special occasions, holidays, or just escaped to the Bavarian. Finally, after all these years, I stayed overnight at the Bavarian Inn. My wedding rehearsal dinner was here and many out of town guests stayed at the Bavarian. I have spent many a warm summer night dancing on the outdoor terrace at various benefit galas. As a young reporter, I covered the U. S. Senate Democratic Conference held here more than a few years ago. My mother’s 75th birthday luncheon was here, and probably her 80th, but shhh, don’t tell, it is our little secret! So I was delighted to finally cross the threshold into a beautiful suite at the
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Bavarian. David explains, “We want our guests to be completely relaxed and catered to, pampered. If we are able to provide it, we will.” Room 22 in the Bodensee Chalet is outstanding. The space is arranged with an entry hall and closet, a vanity sink separate from the bathroom, a spacious sleeping/ desk/sitting area with flatscreen television, and a gas fireplace. The balcony may surely be the best view afforded by these chalets, perched on the cliff’s edge. The large bathroom with an oversized shower, a separate jetted tub, a strategically located window, and plush robes is pure luxury. Staying overnight changes a local’s perspective—I really felt very removed, and cannot wait to stay again once the pool opens—with its spectacular view of
the river, Ferry Hill, and Maryland beyond. David reports that rooms are undergoing renovations, and improvements are being made to accommodate small, high-tech meetings. Although the Bavarian is a destination unto itself, the charms of Shepherdstown and Sharpsburg, Md., are easily accessed. Golfers will delight in knowing that the Bavarian has an exclusive relationship with Cress Creek Golf and Country Club, which is only a quarter of a mile away. Nearby attractions include Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, Summit Point Raceway, Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, and Antietam Battlefield. Hiking and biking along the C&O Canal, river rafting, canoeing, and kayaking are just a few of the local offerings. The Bavarian is also a great place to park visiting friends
Around The Panhandle | MAR • APR 2011
and family when your house spilleth over. One cannot, does not, or should not overnight at the Bavarian without sampling the cuisine. Executive Chef Wolfgang Vomend joined the Bavarian in 2006. He began his career in his native Germany, worked in large, European, five-star resorts, and in Egypt before arriving in Shepherdstown. The Bavarian Inn and Chef Wolfgang have once again earned the AAA Four-Diamond Award. As of March 11th, the Bavarian’s Seafood Festival is underway through the end of April. Chef Wolfgang has created a special seafood menu in addition to the regular dining menu. Fresh fish is flown in daily, and the menu will feature Halibut, Grouper, and MahiMahi. The spring menu is my favorite at the Bavarian, with local delicacies such as ramps, morels, fiddlehead ferns, West Virginia trout, and the season’s first tender stalks of asparagus. Mussels, lobster, scallops, and sea bass also appear on the seasonal menu. David says, “There are regular
www.AroundThePanhandle.com
items, but the seasonal menu is not set in stone; it’s really whatever Chef wants to prepare.” Always on the menu—the Bavarian Inn crab cakes, which deserve their own paragraph. I have tried lots of crab cakes along the Eastern Shore, various restaurants, and as offerings from friends. Only four sources truly deliver outstanding crab cakes: my mother, my friend Ronda, a place in Maryland, and the Bavarian Inn. My favorite is whatever one I’m eating at the time. The Bavarian’s crab cakes are excellent—jumbo lump crab, no filler, perfectly seasoned, generous portion. You will never eat a flat, claw meat, pan-fried crab cake again. One of my all time favorite desserts is the Bavarian Nuss Ball or Nut Ball. Vanilla ice cream is coated with chopped nuts and coconut, and covered in chocolate sauce. It is one of those things that makes you think, “Oh, I can make this at home,” but you can’t. Simple dessert perfection. What self-respecting German restaurant doesn’t have Black Forest Cake on the menu? I
made a Schwarzwalder Kirschtorte from scratch—once. It was a difficult and expensive cake to make. Leave it to the experts. And since it’s never too early to plan ahead, put the perennially popular Oktoberfest on your calendar. It happens every year on the third Sunday of September. In addition to Wine Tastings and Beer Tastings, the Bavarian recently wrapped up an innovative lecture series with nationally acclaimed kitchen garden expert, Shepherd Ogden, who happens to live locally. The series is called Seed to Table in Six Weeks. Additionally, The Bavarian offers a Wine Club. Although David says his parents are as retired as they will ever be, the senior Asams have passed the torch to two well-prepared and dedicated sons. Elegance on the Potomac will be available for another generation. Ein prosit! See www.bavarianinnwv.com or like the Bavarian on Facebook as The Bavarian Inn. See also www. mimslyninn.com.
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Spring in the Shenandoah Valley is a breath of fresh air, both figuratively and literally. The warm breezes carry with them the sweet perfume of flowers crowded in boxwood gardens, and the lush green of the rolling countryside provides the perfect backdrop for orchards resplendent with the delicate pink and white of apple blossoms. We invite you and your family to share in our celebration of springtime by attending the 84th Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival® in Winchester, Virginia.
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During the Festival, Winchester residents open their doors to tens of thousands of new guests and old friends, who gather in this all-American community for the traditional celebration of a promising apple crop. From the pomp and pageantry of the Queen’s Coronation, to the mechanized wonder of the Firefighters’ Parade. From the glitter and glow of our tremendous Fireworks Show, to the serene beauty of the floats in our Grand Feature Parade, the Festival truly offers something for everyone: a carnival, a
circus, midway, dinners, dances, displays, and shows. The 2011 theme— ”Timeless”—was announced Wednesday, November 10th, at a party sponsored by Shenandoah Valley Westminster-Canterbury. SABF President Tom Scully unveiled this year’s theme design, which showcased what Festival organizers have been working on since August. The program cover and logo—designed by Erik Zimmerman of White Spider Design, Inc.— portray an image of a Around The Panhandle | MAR • APR 2011
vintage pocket watch clock with no hands (symbolizing the notion of Timeless). SABF Executive Director John Rosenberger talked briefly during the announcement about how the whole theme process originated, dating back as early as the 1950s, though the theme concept didn’t really catch on until the mid-90s. Having both a program cover and a logo that work together as a theme didn’t take full shape until the 77th Festival— right about the time that Zimmerman came on board to handle the designs. This is Zimmerman’s seventh year designing themes for the festival. “Each year is always a challenge, one I look forward to, and working with the Festival is enjoyable and highly creative,” he maintains. The Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival® will run from April 25th through May 1st. Tickets will be available on the website. Order early to secure your tickets to one of 40+ events! Make plans for your family to be part of the fun at the 84th anniversary of the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival®. For information on all Festival news and events, go to www.thebloom.com. www.AroundThePanhandle.com
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Rely on Rick
For Answers To Your Real Estate Questions
The Truth about Short Sales A few years ago, we could rely on family and friends for real estate advice. Who knows real estate better than Dad, who bought his house in 1970? Not that the infinite wisdom of our parents is not needed, but what was normal then, is not even close to normal now. Oh how the times have changed! Real estate buying, selling, and investing changes at a constant rate, and likely always will. The best advice should come from someone who specializes in each aspect of your purchase. Of the homes for sale at present, 25% are either short sale or foreclosure properties. Traditional properties still make up the remaining 75%. A “short sale” is a property that is worth less than what the owner can obtain on a sale based on current “market value.” Which means the seller will come up short on what is owed on the property to sell it successfully. The seller will not walk away from the transaction with any profit. The seller will also be facing monetary hardship for the lender to accept less than what the seller owes. Retirement funds, a 401K, and any other property generally must be considered in order for the lender to take less than what is owed. Seeking advice from an attorney and accountant is the best advice the homeowner should be given to determine if a short sale is feasible. Many clients have expressed that the balance of the short sale will not have to be paid back to the lender. I suggest finding out for certain if this is the case. Many sellers are seeing that the lender may pursue repayment of the short amount. Each case is different, and getting the facts
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on what to expect is crucial. The short sale for the seller is an out to keep from being foreclosed on. The concept helps the seller, the lender, the local market values of other homes, and can be a great purchase for the buyer. Sellers who have a successful short sale will generally have a better credit rating, and ability to purchase a home sooner, than one who experienced a foreclosure. Short sale properties can be purchased offering great savings for the buyer. The key element to a successful short sale purchase is the steps taken before you put a contract on the property. Your realtor should know who is representing the seller and should find out what steps have been taken to assure that the seller can proceed and be eligible with a short sale transaction. The lender is identified as a “third-party.” Your offer should state: “Subject to thirdparty approval.” You are purchasing the home from the seller; however, a third-party has to approve the short amount. Sellers with more than one lender will need multiple approvals. A second mortgage or a home equity loan will pose more work and acceptance than the home with only one lender. Some multiple approvals happen quicker than one approval. Again, each case is as different as the homes you looked at. Keep in mind that the normal time to purchase a traditional home today, with a lender, is about 45 days. A short sale may take much longer if the aforementioned steps have not been looked in to. Your interest rate can expire or even go up or down during the waiting period. If you need a home in less than three months, you may not want to pursue the short sale property. Personally, as an agent, my quickest short sale
took two months with two “thirdparty approvals.” This quick deal isn’t the norm. The secret to its success was the agent representing the seller, my buyer’s patience, and a reputable lender working closely with all parties. Our office staffs the most SFR agents around the Panhandle. The SFR (short sale, foreclosure resource) agent is trained under a program implemented by the National Association of REALTORS. The training helps the seller and buyers with the listing and purchasing of properties. Knowing you have a trained, knowledgeable agent working for you, who is well versed in the constant changes within real estate, is important. Utilizing a trained agent will also make your sale or purchase easier and less stressful. Buying a home should not be taken lightly. Your home sale and/or purchase is important to us. We take our professions seriously and strive to perform with the most up-to-date methods, technology, and advice as it unfolds before us. We deal with the business every day, and do our best to deliver to you what you deserve. I encourage you to contact us without obligation, to discuss what options you may have in selling or purchasing your property.
304.263.2121 (office) 301.991.3454 (direct) Rick Boswell (Broker/Owner) Around The Panhandle | MAR • APR 2011
Don’t play guessing games when it comes to your future.
Leave the game of chance to someone else You can count on us to be by your side through the entire buying or selling process. With our knowledge of the ins and outs of the business, you can feel confident you are choosng the best.
Rick Boswell - Broker
158 Crimson Circle - Martinsburg, WV 25403 - WWW.C21STERLING.COM - 304-263-2121
A Communal Effort—A Lasting Impact
A glance at Ranson’s free medical clinic. - By Claire Gibson Webb
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Around The Panhandle | MAR • APR 2011
Long before it was socially hip to debate health care reform, lament the vast numbers of the uninsured in this country, or rally the battle cry for national health care, two members of our local community were quietly doing something about it—and not just petitioning their elected officials or writing letters to the editor. Ever heard of the Eastern Panhandle Free Clinic? Perhaps not, but 3,000 patients a year from the Panhandle and beyond consider the clinic to be their personal answer to a complex issue. Leona Cook and Michele Goldman met each other on the first day of nursing school, a day 22 years in the past. Their goals were different back then—midwifery and ICU nursing—but after working closely with families in the area through a home health program, the women realized there was a huge need for a free clinic. Encountering patients on a regular basis who had no insurance or way to obtain medicine, Cook began doing some research on the topic. That research led to action. Cook and Goldman went to the administrator of Jefferson Memorial Hospital to assess whether the hospital would support the idea, and in turn, were granted the opportunity to present their thoughts and ideas to the medical staff. Several doctors were interested in volunteering their services, and with space lent to them by Jefferson Memorial, the clinic came to fruition in 2001. The first year was busy with the tasks of developing a board, obtaining community support, and establishing their 501(c) 3 (nonprofit) status. Initially, the clinic was open just one day a week, on a completely
www.AroundThePanhandle.com
volunteer basis. It quickly became apparent, though, that this would be insufficient to meet the community needs. Cook wrote a Robert Wood Johnson grant, a matching grant enabling them to develop a crucial component of any nonprofit—a donor database. This type of database is composed of people supporting a cause financially, from five dollars all the way up to ten thousand dollars. In this case, the database allowed them not only to start opening more often, but also to move to a new location on Rt. 51, just outside of Charles Town. After eight years in that facility, the need for services became too overwhelming, and they simply could not meet the demand in that space. In July of 2009, they moved once again and today are ensconced within an old warehouse-turned-clinic, complete with all the proper equipment and supplies. Eastern Panhandle Free Clinic (EPFC) is located on Mildred Street at the north end of Ranson. The tired façade belies the important work going on inside. A typical day sees a steady stream of patients being examined by an assorted team of volunteer doctors and nurses from the Panhandle. The patients seen at EPFC come to be treated for any one of the typical reasons one would need to see a doctor. To qualify for services, the individual must live in West Virginia, be ineligible for Medicaid or Medicare, be uninsured, and living at 150% of the federal poverty level. Beyond those guidelines, however, there is not a typical set of circumstances that defines their need to utilize the free clinic. Each person coming through the door has his or her own story. Some are part
of the steadily rising class of the “working poor,” and others are homeless. There are those who take care of elderly parents and cannot work and there are others who suddenly find themselves without employment. There isn’t one characteristic or stereotype that encompasses a patient in need of treatment. All walks of life and all types are represented in the waiting room. “As soon as someone walks through the door, we try to be as kind and nice as possible. Healing starts when they walk through the door,” shares Goldman. And they are well equipped to help the healing process begin. The building is a virtual labyrinth of offices, exam rooms, meeting rooms, and a pharmacy. There is even a room for massage therapy, where patients with pain issues come to relax. Aside from primary care, a host of other offerings are made to ensure wellness. There are classes in weight management, diabetes education (in conjunction with other agencies), mental health services, a support group for the newly unemployed, dental screenings for established patients, and a chronic disease program. This program works with patients who have heart disease, high cholesterol, or congestive heart failure, assisting them to learn and make healthy lifestyle changes. So, now for the million-dollar question: How can all of this be available to patients at no charge? “Our healthcare is patient driven, not financially driven,” declares Goldman. Let’s start with the team of people who work tirelessly to ensure a smooth operation. Almost
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everyone reporting to work at EPFC is doing so on a volunteer basis. There is a member of the West Virginia Works program who is currently helping to update the program that orders the medicines. Another volunteer from the Title V program assists in screening patients for eligibility. An AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer works on software and fund development. The IT guy keeps the medical records program running smoothly while also troubleshooting any hardware or software issues. Even the pharmacist is a volunteer. But what about the tests, equipment, medicines, and the myriad other items needed to keep a medical facility running? The EPFC relationship with local area hospitals guarantees one of mutual benefits. Hospitals are supportive of the clinic because it helps to keep their own costs down. In return, they provide free labs and diagnostic testing—a value worth upwards of $50,000 a month in donated services. For cases that cannot be treated within the clinic, referrals are made to specialists at WVU, UVA, or Pittsburgh. Those visits are also free of charge. The pharmacy was able to dispense $4.9 million worth of free medicines last year through manufacturer assistance programs (EPFC does not prescribe or dispense any
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controlled substances). Through donations, they were able to purchase $10,000 worth of generic medicines. Fundraisers are held, grants are given, local municipalities are supportive, and there is some funding through the state. “We are also very frugal with how we spend our money,” shares Goldman. “We made all the deals we could to get the clinic underway.” Patients also donate, and not just monetarily. Goldman and Cook shared that they have received all manner of items—from a paper shredder to vegetables out of a patient’s garden. They give what they have. Another crucial component of EPFC is the approximate 300 students from area colleges and universities who come to the facility to fulfill clinical rotations or internships. According to both Goldman and Cook, the experience allows these students to get a different look at healthcare than what they may be used to—healthcare without the money involved. “Our schedule is different. It’s not an attempt to schedule as many patients as possible in a day, but to allot the time necessary to give a patient a thorough screening and visit,” explains Cook. None of these efforts would be possible, though, without the support of local partners. A
glance at the partnership wheel hanging in the front lobby of the clinic is a testament to how mutually invested each is to the other. “I feel that people should be really proud of themselves for taking care of the people in their own community. Everyone else steps up, and should be acknowledged for what has been accomplished in the last ten years,” Goldman expressed. All parties are working together to achieve a vision of a healthier community. But will that vision change in light of impending health care reform? For now, the goal of EPFC leadership is to be proactive, strategically planning on a national level. While the operation may end up looking a bit different, the goal of meeting community needs will not change. At this time, they are working diligently to determine what changes could possibly occur. However, the intent is to stay put, serving patients in whatever capacity they can. To that end, there are and will continue to be thousands of grateful patients who can embrace and take charge of one of the most precious gifts given to them—their health. If you think you or someone you know might qualify for clinic services, call 304-724-6091 to set up a screening appointment. If you are interested in donating, call or find EPFC at www.wvepfc.com.
Around The Panhandle | MAR • APR 2011
$5.95 LUNCH SPECIALS Est 1998
Celebrate St. Patrick’s day with us: Thursday March 17th $1.50 Green Beer
(and all weekend long)
$6 Irish Trash Cans & Irish Car Bombs $3 Killians, Guiness, & Bass $4 Jameson
214 mid atlantic pkwy 304-264-2304 www.thebrickhousesportsbar.com
Check us out online or stop by the store for creative floral designs Monday thru Friday 8:30am - 5:00pm Saturday 9:00am - 2:00pm
304-263-1488 • 532 West King Street Martinsburg • WV 25401
www.depotflorist.com
304-263-2112 1152 Shepherdstown Road Martinsburg, WV 25404
Est. 1974
Office Hours
Mon and Fri - 7am-6pm Tues, Wed & Thurs - 7am-7pm Sat - 8am-12pm • Closed on Sunday
Now available at select Retailers Around the Panhandle
K.W. Gilpin, DVM A.M. Wietz, DVM D.L. Gilpin, DVM S.H. Niamatali, DVM B.D. Gilpin, DVM S.R. O’Donnell, DVM J.C. Ielapi, DVM
2 www.wvvethospital.com
Mountain State University: Leading the Way
By Debra Cornwell
“Your approach to leadership, as you doubtlessly are discovering already, is far more complex than simply having vision and giving direction. To truly be able to lead and have honest investment from the people you are engaging with, you simply have to be able to put yourself in others’ shoes and understand, on some level, what they are thinking and feeling.” - Dr. Charles Polk, in his book, APEX Thinking: A Guide to Long-term Leadership for the Rising CEO. Dr. Polk is also the president of Mountain State University. When I think of higher education, I think of traditional disciplines graduating specialists in their chosen fields. Leadership seems to be something developed on the job or www.AroundThePanhandle.com
possessed only by those with certain innate skills and senses. Why would a university concern itself with the task of developing leaders? Does one really go to school to be a leader? How is leadership taught? What began in Beckley in 1933 has evolved into a global leadership resource. The private, not-forprofit Beckley College served that community as a junior college for nearly 60 years. After Dr. Polk assumed the college presidency in 1990, four-year baccalaureate programs were added, and the school was named the College of West Virginia. By 2001, the college transitioned to a master’s level institution and the name Mountain State University was adopted. MSU
added the doctoral level in 2009. MSU now serves over 9,000 students globally via online distance learning, other non-traditional programs, and professional partnerships, plus eight campuses—three in West Virginia, one in Florida, one in Pennsylvania, one in Washington, D.C., and three in North Carolina. Concerned about West Virginia’s resilience in a global economy, the MSU team asked: “What do organizations and companies in West Virginia lack? What will help the economy?” Dr. Penelope Gladwell, Lead Leadership Faculty, explains that MSU took a strategic look at organizational leadership, how human resource departments [ 59 ]
function, how teams work together for results, and what up-and-coming leaders need in their toolkits for results. This strategic approach resulted in a certificate program, three Bachelor’s degrees, a master’s program, and a doctoral program—to provide leadership skills throughout all levels of businesses and organizations. Through fifteen hours of coursework, the certificate program provides graduate-level courses for students who need to increase their leadership knowledge and skills and add to their credentials without pursuing a degree program. The Bachelor’s Program in organizational leadership is an introduction to how organizations work. Students participate in interactive experiences that include problem solving and change. Dr. Gladwell says the program is where students learn about themselves and how to identify their individual
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leadership styles. Understanding how adults learn, and how to develop followers, are two elements of the course work. In addition to the B.S. in organizational leadership, MSU offers bachelor’s degrees with a concentration on hospitality leadership and leadership in criminal justice administration. “Building on the bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership, the next step is the master’s degree in strategic leadership,” according to Gladwell. “In the master’s program, student’s understand their own leadership skills and gifts, and they learn how organizations can be analyzed. How does a leader make decisions reflecting the vision and mission of an organization in the context in which it operates? Students develop real-world action research projects, which differ from purely scientific research. They typically use their own organization
for study, implement the project, and write the results. This is focused leadership for results. “Leadership involves both disruption or alignment. If an organization is out of sync, then it needs alignment. If it is doing the same old, then it needs disruption. Leading change can be painful, and the situation can get worse before it gets better, but disruption does not have to be negative.” A leader with an M.S.S.L. from MSU is more marketable, more promotable, and often embarks on entrepreneurial paths. Dr. Gladwell says that the ability to understand and assess an organization, develop performance guidelines and ways to measure the organization’s success, and report those findings in a meaningful fashion are key skills needed in order to become a successful leader.
Around The Panhandle | MAR • APR 2011
Most programs include a cohort experience, which includes students from various cultures. Gladwell reveals that lively discussions and fascinating dialogue become part of the process. “We have international students who come from a family/ tribal culture where employees are thought of as servants, versus contributors and deciders. Implementing Western information and practices can be thought of as radical and riot-inciting.” At the highest level of leadership studies is the Doctorate of Executive Leadership. “We discovered that many of those in executive positions had master’s degrees but didn’t have enough breadth of leadership or were not as practiced at honing their skills as leaders. The D.E.L. not only helps executives perform better in their organizations, but it helps their organizations to perform better. www.AroundThePanhandle.com
Those who earn a D.E.L. are scholar practitioners.” A leader may already know how, but this program tries to answer why. MSU students study the roots of leadership. Dr. Gladwell maintains, “These students may have read the classic understandings of leadership, but what’s the scholarly piece behind it? For instance, some of Martin Luther King’s philosophy was based on Gandhi’s passive resistance for social change, so what shaped these men into powerful people who we must follow?” Leaders at this level must verbally persuade and inspire, and it cannot be done in rhetoric-filled texts and sound bytes. “You have to paint the picture,” Gladwell points out.
through a popular television show; sometimes there is a lot of ugly stuff that takes place. It takes real leadership.” With the integration of psychology, math, sciences, philosophy, and sociology, MSU creates a forum for the student to become a scholar practitioner. “Course work,” says Dr. Gladwell, “ is presented in such a way that the student learns, practices leadership, and builds teamwork. If anyone or any organization is looking for leadership resources, we’ve got it. We have the whole progression of leadership education.” Whether helping leaders or developing leaders, Mountain State University is certainly leading the way. See www.mountainstate.edu.
“Leaders choose the words that create the vision for people. Truly changing attitudes can’t be done
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Berkeley Senior Services A Network of Caring! The decision to get in-home choosing the right services for care for yourself or a loved your needs. one can be a difficult one. Often, there is a fear of giving Services for aged and disabled up independence, when in include personal care, such as help with bathing, grooming, reality, the opposite is true. The purpose of in-home care is dressing. Environmental care, like light housekeeping to help you or your loved one and laundry, are overseen stay independent and living by registered nurses and in your own home for as long as possible. There are many licensed social workers. A care plan is carefully developed programs available that you by our registered nurses to may qualify for, such as VA, provide services that enable Medicaid, and private pay. participant The staff at Berkeley Senior Martinsburg-berkeley County | the West Virginiato keep living in their own home, where Services can help guide you in
they are happiest and most comfortable, instead of having to go into a nursing facility. Our highly qualified aides are CPR certified, receive specialized training, and must pass a thorough criminal background check. You can be assured that you or your loved one is receiving the best possible care through Berkeley Senior Services. For more information, please call Berkeley Senior Services (In-Home Care) at 304-5962491. Berkeley Senior Services relies on donations to help provide programs like in-home care, as well as transportation, nutrition, and wellness activities. If you would like more information on how to help, please call Kevin Knowles, Resource Development Director, at 304-263-8873 ext. 130.
Berkeley Senior Services Berkeley Senior Services A network of caring
In-Home Care Services‌ loving, professional, trusted! Trained aides supervised by Registered Nurses
berkeley senior Center All seniors aged 60+ and their guests are welcome to attend the Senior Center for daily lunch and activities.
217 North High Street Martinsburg, WV 25404 304.263.8873 www.berkeleyseniorservices.org
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Around The Panhandle | MAR • APR 2011
THE OF
T Life: Bouching EST
WEST VIRGINIA
TAMING A KILLER HEADACHE • ARTS & CRAFTS • SPECIALTY FOODS • GIFT BASKETS 126 South Main Street • Petersburg, West Virginia • VISITORS INFORmATION The”HeartBeat” of the Potomac Highlands
• SCHEDULED TRAIN EVENTS
An atmosphere of history and heritage awaits... Arts & Crafts | Specialty Foods | Gift Baskets | Visitor Info
Calendar ofmountain EventsFestival with April Spring
October
June 25-27 West Virginia Rail 2010 February 12th South Side Express Valentine Dinner Train Celebrating 100 Years April 29 - May 1st 19th Annual Spring Mountain Festival July30th 2 City ofCivil Petersburg 100thRides Year Celebration April War Train July 3 - 21st Fourth2nd of July Celebration Festival May19th Annual Harman’s Fly Fishing Event May Fort Mulligan Day Festival July28th 17 Wildernest Inn BeerFest JulyAug 4th2-7 Fourth TriCounty FairOf July Celebration Festival July 9th SummerTime In The Mountains Dinner Train Sept 4 Mountain Magic Bulls & Barrels July 30th - August 6th Tri-County Fair Oct 16 24th South Heritage Side Express Autumn Splendor Dinner Train September Days Nov 5-6 Christmas Open House Around October 15th Autumn Splendor DinnerTown Train November 4th -5th Old Time Christmas Open House Nov 19 Old Time Christmas Evening Nov. 24th - Jan 1st “Twas Welton Christmas Festival of Lights the NightPark Before Christmas” December OldChristmas Time Christmas Hop Nov 20 2nd - 3rdOld Time Parade Shop in Petersburg December 9th T’was The Night Before Christmas Dec 3-4 Old Time Christmas Shop Hop December 10th Old Time Christmas Parade in Petersburg Dec 11 South Side Express December 10th SnowFlake Train With Santa SnowFlake ExpressExpress Train Ride withRide Santa
Autumn Splendor Dinner Train
includes mick Souther’s musical Civil War Train Rides may Fort mulligan Day - Civil War Theater at the Landes Art Center Punishing pain pounded in June Romance on the Rail Dinner Train November Christmas Around Town and Bob Reynold’s head. Open House July Fourth of July Celebration Festival A vessel in his brain had ballooned and was Potomac Eagle with Fireworks and Parade seeping blood. A stroke was imminent. December SnowFlake Express Train Ride August Tri-County Fair neurologist André Fredieu, a withInterventional Santa specialist in delicate, minimally invasive procedures at Winchester Medical Center stepped in. With a
(304)-257-9264 southsidedepot@frontiernet.netcatheter southsidedepot.com he inserted tiny platinum coils into the
sealing off the weakened vessel before it 126 SOUTH mAIN STREET. PETERBURGbulge, WVA 26847 could burst.
Grant County Convention & Visitors Bureau Bob was home in Falling Waters, (304) 257-9266
(304) 257-9264 | www.SouthSideDepot.com
WV in two days. He knows he was fortunate to have his life touched by the talents of the caregivers awaiting him at Winchester Medical Center.
Winchester Medical Center is part of Valley Health. Other facilities include: Warren Memorial, Shenandoah Memorial, Hampshire Memorial, Page Memorial, War Memorial Hospital, Surgi-Center and Winchester Rehabilitation Center
www.valleyhealthlink.com
Panhandle
Healthy
LIVING
“If I knew I was going to live this long, I would have taken better care of myself.” - George Burns Since we are given only one body per lifetime, it is important to take care of the one you have. The goal is to live as independently as possible for as long as possible. This is not something we usually think about in our younger years. We need to learn from George Burns’ quote and keep our body
The Benefits of a
Healthy Core
| By Dana M. DeJarnett, MS
in good working order. In order to live independently, you need to maintain your muscular strength, flexibility, endurance, balance, and core strength. The core is defined as the central, innermost, or most essential part of anything. The body’s core is your midsection—the muscles of the back, hips, abdominal region, and pelvis. Knowing that the core is the most essential part of anything, when thinking about the body, you realize how important it is to have a strong core. A
strong core can improve performance (not just for athletes), improve posture, increase balance and stability, reduce risk for injury, and help to prevent pain in the neck, back, and hips. A strong core makes it easier to do everything from swinging a golf club to reaching for a glass on a high shelf. A weak core leads to poor posture, lower back pain and injury, muscle injuries, balance deficiencies, and increased risk of falling. The core is the conduit for power to be transferred from one section of the body to another. Think about throwing a baseball. If you were to stand and throw with just your arm, not allowing your legs or hips to assist, the ball would not travel very far. If you were to step into the throw and drive with your hips, through your midsection, when releasing the ball, you would have much more power in the throw and the ball would travel farther. Think about this
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Around The Panhandle | MAR • APR 2011
with every day movements, such as picking up a heavy box, vacuuming, pulling weeds. The purpose of your core muscles is to maintain the stability of your body as you reach, stretch, bend and twist. Your core is an integral part of daily activity. Keeping your core healthy will make your arms and legs stronger, make daily work easier, and help you to avoid injury. Eighty percent of Americans suffer from back pain at some point in their life. It is the third most common reason to go to the doctor’s office, and the most common reason we leave work. You are not immune if you sit
behind a desk. You actually may be at a greater risk. Sitting with your back supported or slouching over a desk weakens core muscles, thus putting you at greater risk for back pain and injury. Core training does not require a lot of fancy equipment. Many exercises just use body www.AroundThePanhandle.com
weight and gravity. It is good to work with a trainer so you understand proper posture and movement of the exercises—avoiding any injuries and maximizing the benefits. When doing any
exercise, maintain good posture. Bad posture can lead to injury and imbalances. Check your posture frequently when exercising by looking in a mirror or having someone check your alignment. Good posture looks like this: * A straight line from your ears, shoulders, hips, knees, and ankles * Head centered * Shoulders, hips, and knees are of equal height
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F
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Call Now For Winter Rates
1
Craigo Service Company, Inc. Serving the Panhandle Since 1972.
Arguably, one of the best things about living in the modern age is being able to come in from the cold to enjoy a warm, temperature-controlled home. Likewise, in the summer, we enjoy cooled living rooms while our yards bake in the sun. We barely notice this extraordinary feat of human ingenuity until our air conditioning sputters, cries out, and finally stops working altogether. When that happens, we instinctively reach for the phone book and seek a heating and air-conditioning servicer, or, as many of us say, an “HVAC
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guy.” Our expectation is for the selected company to drop everything, immediately come to our home, and restore our living room to a cozy 72 degrees. For over 38 years, Craigo Service Company has been answering that call. The business carries the surname of its former owners, but Joe Trenary has owned the company since early 2007. He is a seasoned veteran of the industry, with 10 years of experience as an HVAC servicer completed before making the leap to entrepreneurship. Prior
by Victoria Kidd
to that, he worked on complex industrial machinery. “I have turned wrenches in a number of places,” he relays. His expertise is not only in what keeps a machine running, but also what keeps a business running. A little over a year after assuming ownership, the company was stronger than ever, and Joe was ready to take on one of the area’s largest local construction projects in recent memory. In May of 2008, according to its Wikipedia page, development started on The Commons, a massive 400,000 square foot
Around The Panhandle | MAR • APR 2011
shopping destination located off Martinsburg’s exit 12 on Interstate 81. The space was originally designed for 43 retailers. The stores would range in size from 1000 to 15,000 square feet. Craigo Service Company was selected to install HVAC units for 40 of these 43 initial retailers at the location! It was a project of epic proportions for the company, and it required expert planning and incredible leadership. Joe explains, “The entire shopping center project was full-blown at one time. It took all of our resources, and then some, to get it completed.” He will tell you that the project was a logistical challenge, but serves as a testament to what he and his company can accomplish. “It was a big job, and it is a great point of reference for people in this area. Everybody rides by there on a regular basis.” Beyond the ambitious undertaking of The Commons and other commercial clients, Joe and his team have serviced large numbers of residential clients over the past few years. Around 40% of his business is commercial accounts, and the rest are residential customers. These customers are spread out over the state of West Virginia, and he has serviced clients as far away as Cumberland, Maryland. He has even done work for the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., and several clients in Pennsylvania. The company’s level of service allows them to be recognized as a regional expert in the industry, but the philosophy of service is true to its local beginnings. Craigo Service Company is a homegrown, local business with humble roots. Joe’s 12 employees are passionate about exceeding customer expectations and building trust among those they service. “Our guys are www.AroundThePanhandle.com
service techs, not salespeople,” Joe explains. “We realize that your HVAC system is your third largest purchase, behind your home and your car.” He believes that when you build trust, you reap the benefits of long-term customer support. “We fix the problem and give the customer what is expected. We may only put in a $10 part to accomplish this, but when that customer’s unit stops working or needs to be replaced, he’ll call us, because he knows we can be trusted to do the right thing for his needs.”
a better place to live. Since 1972, your neighbors have trusted them to keep cool in the summer and stay warm in the winter. If you would like to learn more about Joe and his business, you can call them at 304-2632649.
“Unlike a lot of HVAC companies, we are not brand-specific,” Joe says. “We are not biased to a specific type of equipment. We can service all types of units, and can help select what particular piece of equipment is ideal for the customer’s situation.” This is noteworthy because the customer can be assured that he will not be instructed to purchase a unit unsuited for his location. No matter how large or small the problem, the company strives to meet the customer’s needs as efficiently and affordably as possible. They are a fullservice, one-stop-shop, and they offer everything from regular maintenance contracts to new unit installations. What is most impressive about the business is their level of commitment to complete customer satisfaction. Joe believes that everything is built on trust, and he is adamant about his employees fixing the customer’s problem during the first visit. “We realize that it is an inconvenience for a unit to stop working. The customer has to take a day off to meet with us. The house is too cold or too hot. We get it right the first time, so they only have to see us once.” Craigo Service Company is just one of many local businesses that work to make the Panhandle
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For 35 years, the Yellow Brick Bank Restaurant has been synonymous with Shepherdstown—eclectic, artsy, sophisticated—an in-town icon. It had been too long since I’d dined there so I popped in with some of my family members for an early dinner recently. It is interesting to note that it was nearly 25 years to the day that thenFirst Lady Nancy Reagan and columnist George Will limo’d to Shepherdstown for lunch at the Yellow Brick. Without revealing too much of my age, I remember the news reported that she had the spinach salad and he ordered the curried pumpkin soup (I was just a tyke with an excellent memory for news bites). Those famous diners are just another page in the storied history of the YBB, also called The Bank (and The Brick) by regulars.
The Yellow Brick Bank A Mainstay With Great Taste
The first thing I checked on the menu was the last thing I ate. Yes! Steve’s Brownie is still on the menu. The original bank vault is still used to store and display the YBB’s outstanding selection of fine wines. The ageless Clifford Branson, Shepherdstown’s version of Dick Clark, still works at The Bank and, amazingly, recognized me and greeted me www.AroundThePanhandle.com
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as if he’d seen me last week. It is comforting to know that some things can be counted on.
The YBB opened in 1976 in the former location of Jefferson Security Bank. The Beaux Arts building with its distinctive exterior scrolls was built in 1906. Outside, the YBB is not yellow but brick, with green and yellow trim, and its trademark striped window awnings. Inside, the restaurant’s Main and Wicker dining rooms are anything but yellow. The walls are perfectly described as having “moody mauve, pink, and reddish tones.” Pink tablecloths with white linen toppers add a delicate touch, as well. The “new” pub was added in 1997 and is painted in a soft yellow.
Maybe the original owner of the YBB planned to paint the exterior brick yellow, hence the name? Nonetheless, so what if paint does not adhere to the glazed brick—the name adhered to the restaurant. I noticed the always-elegant Mary Lowe, YBB Owner, zipping about the place—checking this, checking that, chatting with diners, and making introductions between folks at the pub. Mary’s purpose is not to micro-manage the talented chef and dedicated staff at the front of the house, but to interact with customers. I like to think that she is there to facilitate the party! Mary’s husband, Ken, purchased The Brick in 2006. As she paused at our table, we had a moment to chat. When asked how a family known for real [ 72 ]
Around The Panhandle | MAR • APR 2011
estate development came to own a restaurant, she says, “We eased into this casually, but this restaurant is really one of our passions. Ken and I were engaged here so the restaurant is part of our family history. Really, the Yellow Brick Bank is part of many families’ histories.” We ordered the pizzette as a starter. Loved it. Fire baked in the wood-burning oven, this generously sized, handcrafted thin crust pizza would be a perfect meal at the bar with a beer or great with a salad.
Another diner ordered the house salad and the grilled artichoke and asparagus soup. I didn’t taste the salad, but by all accounts, it was excellent—mixed greens with tomato, apple, mushrooms, Ricotta Salata cheese, and Dijon vinaigrette. I was given a paltry taste of the soup, so I guess I need to get my own next time. Every last drop was consumed by the diner. The grilled vegetables added great flavor, and the soup was not too heavy.
Diner number two selected the grilled filet mignon tournedos, creamed boursin potatoes, and roasted asparagus. The perfectly cooked beef tenderloin medallions were served with a hearty bordelaise sauce, made with red wine and demi-glace. I could write a few paragraphs on demi-glace, but we’ll save that for another time. The potato dish was outstanding because the Yukon Gold flavor was not hidden beneath the cheesy, herby, hint of garlic sauce. My order—the lamb porterhouse www.AroundThePanhandle.com
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with merlot-rosemary sauce, polenta cakes, and haricot verts—was fantastic, and easily the best grilled lamb I have eaten in ages. Made with ground yellow cornmeal, the tasty polenta cakes could stand on their own as an appetizer. Even the delicate French green beans with red onions were excellent. Executive Chef Jeff McGee does a great job taking traditional favorites and adding a new twist. The food is not so altered as to be unrecognizable as a favorite, but remains unique enough to be fresh and interesting. Perhaps on the menu since day one—Steve’s Brownie is a staple and must never leave the menu. Covered in the restaurant’s own hot chocolate sauce and served with vanilla ice cream, the YBB did it first and does it best. A surprise success on the dessert menu is Hannah’s Banana Bread Pudding. This isn’t the smooshy, booze-soaked dessert that I’ve come to hate. It’s almost like a dense, bready, coffee cake with banana flavor, fresh whipped cream, and a sweet, caramel colored sauce (made with Myers Dark Rum). Yum.
At a
Glance The Yellow Brick Bank Restaurant Shepherdstown, WV 304.876.2208
First Impression
Service
Food Quality/Taste
Value for Money
Overall Atmosphere
Laird Marshall, Restaurant Manager, offers an interesting insight. “The way it comes together here is great food paired with interesting architecture, a fun and playful décor, and the energy of Shepherdstown. We set the mood for enjoyment and fun. It can shape your day.” Like the Yellow Brick Bank Restaurant on Facebook or see www.yellowbrickbank.com. [ 74 ]
Around The Panhandle | MAR • APR 2011
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The Final Cut | Charles Town, WV Final Cut is the Final Word on Steak and more . . . By Debra Cornwell
It is tempting to submit a one-word submission for this Featured Eats, but which one word? Phenomenal? Sublime? Awesome? Life-changing? That’s actually two words, but it certainly applies. When we tasted our Prime-1 steak at Final Cut Steakhouse, we wondered, “What have we been eating all of our lives?” The answer to that question could be the subject of an altogether different article. For this piece, we are concerned with the pleasantries of a superb meal. “Good evening Mr. and Mrs. Cornwell, your table is ready,” smiled Megan Espinosa, the hostess. It was nice to hear such an address, which makes all the difference between a personal welcome, and an anonymous courtesy. That personal greeting adds to the ambiance, too. You are expected. You are on the list. It is Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, after all. The restaurant’s 100-seat ambiance is contemporary and elegant. Wide, high banquettes provide the perfect curve to see and be seen, and yet have a private conversation. Tables with a light, Movingue finish are positively burnished to a sheen. From the hefty, pewter-finished flatware to the oversized, old-fashioned glasses, everything is understated chic. The Hollywood modernity of the decor is in contrast to the Hollywood Art www.AroundThePanhandle.com
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Deco of the Casino. The restaurant is noticeably quiet—no casino noise whatsoever—only murmured chatting and the low, clubby tunes of Dean, Frank, and Sammy wafting from a crystal-clear sound system high above the diners. The dress code is officially casual, but one’s finest attire for a glam night out would be quite at home. Notably, the Hollywood memorabilia is no kitsch-on-the-wall; it is collectorworthy and displayed in museum-style glass cases. I instantly recognized Kim Basinger’s pale pink meringue of a gown and Angelica Huston’s 1985 Oscar gown—when she won Best Supporting Actress for Prizzi’s Honor. Jeremy Shields, acting manager at the Final Cut, explains, “We look at every detail of the customer experience, from how you are greeted, to the ice cubes in the ice tea; we epitomize a fine dining experience. We have outstanding food and service.” One without the other is a miss. This is a hit. Shields notes that Final Cut opened on November 10, 2010, and has already developed a loyal following with repeat customers, including locals. “Our clientele is really spreading the word,” he says. George Kezman, our engaging server, was well educated on the preparations and tastes of the menu. His pace was prompt but unhurried. Final Cut is not about turning tables quickly—it is a full dining experience. We took our time. We savored. It took about an hour-and-a-half. An iPad at the table acts as a computer-automated sommelier, describing and pairing the 250 wine offerings with food, in addition to explaining signature cocktails, beer, and whisky. Some of the wine (sparkling/champagne) choices are offered in small and large format. The bottles are designated by the milliliter: 375 ml, 1,500 ml, and 3,000 ml, which translate to demi, magnum, and jeroboam, respectively. Ten of the wines at Final Cut can be found on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 list. Ken [ 78 ]
Meehan developed the wine list, and there are good values at every price point. We sipped on cocktails—a ginger tonic and a Washington Apple. With its julienned, crystallized ginger and ginger-lime syrup, the former would make an excellent postdinner digestif. Don’t be fooled by the latter, which is served in a generous martini/ cosmopolitan glass. It is no frail spirit. Made with Crown Royal, sour apple liquor, cranberry juice, and drunken cranberries, this sweet tart of a drink packs a wallop. The restaurant also boasts an intimate, eighteen-seat lounge. Final Cut serves contemporary American steakhouse cuisine. That means it is all a la carte—no Euro/Asian/Mex fusion—classic American tastes, freshened for the modern palette. Creamed spinach? Yes, but with gruyere. Mashed potatoes? Yes, but with six ounces of lobster meat. Filet of beef? Of course, but a fourteen-ounce bone-in filet is offered.
Some of the highlights of the dinner included two of the appetizers. Labor-intensive Around The Panhandle | MAR • APR 2011
braised ox tails (one of the most flavorful cuts of beef) are longbraised so the meat falls off of the bone. Resting on a sweet bed of celery root puree, and topped with garlic chips and scallions with herbed toast points, the ox tails are coated in a dark, rich, beef stock reduction. The seared, sushigrade Ahi tuna with cucumber, avocado, ginger, and lemon, with a soy dressing and wonton, is melt-in-yourmouth delicious.
Final Cut serves the most decadent mac and cheese with truffle oil, shaved truffles, and ditalini pasta in a béchamel sauce, with Vermont Grafton Cheddar Cheese. Preparations for the excellent creamed corn include steeping corncobs with fresh basil.
At a steakhouse, eat steak. We loved the fourteenounce bone-in filet. The bone imparts a more intense beef flavor. Chef de Cuisine Christian Evans says, “All steaks at the Final Cut are broiled to order in our top-of-the-line broiler that operates at 1,600 degrees F, ensuring that all of our steaks get a rich, hard-seared crust that accentuates the flavor of our www.AroundThePanhandle.com
prime beef.” Although six outstanding sauces are offered, the steak stands alone. The Chilean sea bass was a large, gorgeous portion of white, moist fish. The sea bass was served with Beech mushrooms, braised cipollini onions, pancetta, and peas, in a marsala sauce. It should be noted that seafood is not neglected at this steakhouse— it is featured. Diners will find an outstanding chilled shellfish platter, day boat sea scallops, wild caught salmon, and hand-shucked oysters.
When it was time for dessert, we chose well—apple doughnuts and Tahitian vanilla bean crème brûlée. The first crème brûlée I ever experienced tasted like scrambled eggs, and it has been many years since I dared try the dessert again. I reasoned that if I was going to find a good crème brûlée, it would be at the Final Cut, so I took the plunge. Executive Pastry Chef Phillipe Soulat serves the rich, yet light and sweet, treat with an almond swirl brittle and a chocolate feuilletee on the side, plus a separate dish of sweet cream with mixed berries. The feuilletee resembles a gourmet Kit Kat. That, and my fave, the brittle, should be sold by the piece and by the dozen. The apple doughnuts were incredible. Imagine a large beignet, or funnel cake, covered with powdered sugar and split in half, with an apple slice between the pastry layers, then add apple cinnamon chutney, vanilla ice cream, and a rolled, sugared, cranberry crepe, and you’ve got yourself one heck of a dessert. Chef Christian proudly proclaims, “Our food is not pretentious. We typically use simple preparations that showcase the quality of the food, which is from the finest ingredients. We aren’t just a restaurant in a casino; we are a destination unto ourselves. The local culinary team had a hand in everything. We started with fifteen pages of notes from everyone’s ideas. We set out to offer a dining experience unlike anything in the area— something that can compete with any
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first-class steakhouse anywhere.”
Dear Reader, I not only dine to inform you, I read things like the USDA’s “United States Standards for Grades of Carcass Beef.” So here’s a brief primer on Prime Steaks. Beef comes from steers, bullocks, bulls, heifers, and cows, but by law, cows are never graded as prime. There are two separate considerations for grading beef: quality grade and yield grade. Quality grade is Prime, Choice, Select, Standard, Commercial, Utility, Cutter, and Canner. Yield grade is 1-5, with 1 being the highest degree of cut-ability or tenderness.
At the Final Cut, only Prime-1 beef is served, which is beef in the top 1% of all beef in the U. S., based on quality and yield. Final Cut’s beef is corn-fed and twenty-eight day wet-aged from the Mid-West, but they do not source by breed. Final Cut only sources by grade—that is, prime. Sourcing by breed can reduce the amount of prime a restaurant serves because prime of a specific breed may not always be available. Some restaurants may say they offer “prime cut,” which really means the trimness of the beef, not the quality or yield. Final Cut serves only the very best in quality, cut-ability, marbling, color, texture, and most importantly, taste.
All of this quality and service comes at a price—the Final Cut Steakhouse is not a cheap-eats place. For two entrees, two sides, two cocktails and two desserts expect to pay about $150, plus tax and tip. Considering the experience and taste, the restaurant is worth the indulgence.
The name, Final Cut, is really meant to reflect the Hollywood theme, as in the film editor’s final cut before release. After eating at the Final Cut Steakhouse, there is no doubt that every cut of meat and every ingredient served there is the final word on quality unsurpassed. See www. hollywoodcasinocharlestown.com. [ 80 ]
Around The Panhandle | MAR • APR 2011
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d a o R e h On T - By Michele Bates Photos - Michele Bates
Music—one of the most effective forms of communication, music surrounds us today. Commercials, iPods, floating through stores, heck, even in elevators—we can’t escape music. It is a part of our lives and can be connected to some of our dearest memories. We remember commercials from 20 years ago, simply because of the music involved (don’t believe me? Finish this lyric: “I’d like to teach the world to sing...”) Couples have “their song,” and we definitely remember the music we danced to at our wedding. Music is deeply engrained in our lives, and regardless of genre or style, it can bring different people together. I remember where I was when I heard certain favorite albums for the first time. For example, Def Leppard’s Hysteria—released in August of 1987. I was in San Diego, living with my aunt and uncle, and I was on the phone
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with my best friend Shelly, as we listened to the album together, squealing and giggling and falling in love with our favorite band all over again. Madonna’s Ray of Light album? I was driving with my husband and in-laws down to Atlanta for Easter. The Doors Greatest Hits double album was my Hollywood favorite. I used to drive up to Griffith Park, walk around the observatory, and wonder if I was walking where Jim Morrison used to come and write. Recorded music is wonderful, and a very big part of my life. However, you haven’t really experienced music to its fullest until you experience it live. Whether it’s in a tiny, dingy club with no lights and questionable patrons, an indoor arena with thousands of fans, or a huge outdoor festival where you’re up to your ankles in mud, live music is the only way to really experience an artist. To be right up front, on the barrier, feet or even inches away from your
favorite artist—to feel their energy as they create and lay out their heart and soul—is the most amazing feeling in the world. Before moving to Martinsburg in 1996, I lived in northern Louisiana, San Diego, Hollywood, Baltimore, and Atlanta. I’ve been going to live shows since 1984, when I saw Judas Priest on their Defenders of the Faith tour. I was afraid that moving to Martinsburg would effectively kill my concert-going adventures. However, I was pleasantly surprised. We are extremely lucky to be living where we are! For the avid concertgoer, Martinsburg makes the perfect hub town. We are within just a few short hours of Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Baltimore, downtown D.C., Norfolk, Richmond, and Lynchburg. We have access to a multitude of small clubs, summer festivals, and indoor arena shows that most folks would envy. All it takes is a little detective work, a little planning, and knowing how
Around The Panhandle | MAR • APR 2011
to find the best shows. We also have a thriving music scene right here in the Eastern Panhandle. There are many places in our area where, on any given night, you can catch smooth jazz, alternative rock, or the loudest thrash metal around. There are also great little clubs in Hagerstown, Frederick, and Winchester that feature live music from undiscovered local artists. The culture is there, you just need to go out and find it! In the coming months, I will be taking you on a journey throughout our area. Through words and photos, I will take you into those dingy clubs and those muddy festivals. This is my passion, what I love to do, and I want you to experience it with me! I will be covering both local bands like March Til Morning, Noetic Pull, and Jazz Effect, as well as nationally touring acts like Family Force 5, Skillet, Red, Disciple, and more. Some of the festivals I will be featuring will include Creation Northeast, King’s Fest, Uprise, and the M3 Festival. I’ll also cover local festivals such as Pickin’ in the Panhandle and Christian Enlightening. If you have a local band you would like me to cover, or if you know of an upcoming event you’d like to see featured, please send me the information at michele@aroundthepanhandle. com. I will do my best to get to
www.AroundThePanhandle.com
as many local events as possible, but my calendar is filling up fast. Rock On! Here are a few upcoming events
Hip Hop & Rock Night
365 Church Friday, February 25th @ 6:30pm Martinsburg, WV
D.O.G.S. of Pray
Buffalo Gap HS Auditorium Saturday, March 5th @ 6:30pm Swope, VA
Apocalyptica 9:30 Club Sunday, March 13 @ 10pm Washington,DC
Volbeat The Sonar Friday, April 22nd @ 7pm Baltimore, MD M3 Rock Festival
Merriweather Post Pavilion Saturday, May 14th, All day Columbia, MD
Creation Northeast Agape Farm June 29th thru July 2nd Shirleysburg, PA
King’s Fest
King’s Dominion July 7th, 8th & 9th Doswell, VA
Eastern Regional Jazz Festival
Frank Center @SU Saturday March 5th @ 8am Shepherdstown, WV
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Enchanted Evening Gala Benefits Care Pregnancy Center
- By Debra Cornwell
Care Pregnancy Center of the Eastern Panhandle is hosting its sixth annual Spring Gala on Saturday, April 30th, at 6:30 p.m. Themed “Enchanted Evening,” the dinner, dance, and live auction of donated items will be held at the St. Leo’s Catholic Church Hall in Inwood, W.Va. The evening will feature a buffet dinner, a dessert buffet, a DJ for dancing, and a cash bar. CPCEP Board Member and Gala Chair, Charlotte Sherman, says, “The event is a fun celebration that serves as a fundraiser and an outreach tool to let the community know what we do.” Charlotte describes the nonprofit organization as a faithbased resource for women and families who are experiencing unplanned or untimely pregnancies, or who have experienced an abortion and need counseling. “We provide free pregnancy tests, provide information about alternatives to abortion, and make referrals to other agencies to assist our clients,” she explains. “We also provide baby clothes up to size 6T, new or lightly used maternity clothes, layettes, diapers, wipes, and even some baby furnishings in Hannah’s Closet.” CPCEP also provides parenting classes and mentoring to help parents create healthy families. “We work closely with DHHR to create training programs that meet the agency’s requirements.” Founded in 1999 by a group of local ministers and churchgoers, CPCEP served over 1,000 clients last year. Charlotte explains
www.AroundThePanhandle.com
that the founders “…saw a need for counseling alternatives to abortion. We share our faith with our clients. We are a Christian, faith-based organization, but being a Christian is not a requirement for service. We serve everyone who needs our help. CPCEP is a ministry. Our vision is to promote and uphold the sanctity of human life throughout the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia.” CPCEP promotes abstinence and provides information about the Morning-After pill/emergency contraception. Supported solely by donations from churches and individuals in the community, CPCEP also has a Baby Bottle Campaign where donations are collected in baby bottles for a period of time. There will be a spaghetti dinner fundraiser later this year. Charlotte says some organizations hold baby showers to replenish Hannah’s Closet. “We are working hard to let people know what we do and how they can help.” Currently CPCEP is renting its office in Pikeside. Charlotte notes, “Ultimately, we would like to purchase our own facility within walking distance of downtown Martinsburg, to better serve our clients.” CPCEP is affiliated with a national organization called Heartbeat. For clients, CPCEP’s website is www.comeseeus.org and for supporters, there is www. carepregnancycenterepwv.org.
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Now It’s Your Turn Recipes to Spice Up Your Life | Quick & Easy Appetizers
Bite Size BLTs
Directions
Ingredients
er of cherry 1 – Contain out 24 tomatoes ab yonnaise or ½ – cup ma Miracle Whip en onions, ¼ – cup gre chopped ons chopped 2 – tablespo y fresh parsle bacon, 1 1/4 pound umbled cr cooked and Lettuce
l ble into smal n cooled crum he e w th on p to ac B to 1.Cook l amount aside a smal pieces, Set rving. se ith before bacon, tomatoes w ayonnaise, gether the m to d ir de st en l, w bl til well 2.In a bo d parsley un an , ns io on green ch tomato. the top of ea om fr e ic sl l 3.Cut a smal e inside of scoop out th n, oo sp l al 4.Using a sm and discard. d each tomato n mixture, an with the baco o at m to ch 5.Fill ea r 1 hour. n refrigerate fo opped baco them with ch p to g, in rv 6.Before se and lettuce.
Cocktail M eatballs
Ingredients
1/2 cup BBQ Sauce 1/2 cup crushed pineapples undrained 16 oz bag of frozen meatballs
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Directions Mix BBQ Sauce and Pineapples with juice in a large bowl. Add mea tballs and coat evenly. Po ur meatballs in a large skillet and bring to a boil on med/ high heat then simm er for 10 minutes or until fully heated.
Around The Panhandle | MAR • APR 2011
Tzatziki Dip
Ingredients
2 cups p lain yogu rt 1 cucum ber 5 crushe d garlic c loves 2 Tbsp o live oil Salt & pe pper to ta ste 1 Tbsp le mon juic e Dill or sli ced cucu mber for garnish
Taco Cups Ingredients
Directions Grate the cucumber unpeeled Place it in . a strainer or cheeseclo th and sq ueeze it to remove it s excess moisture. Now, mix all ingredie nts in a bo until cream wl y smooth. Place it in a serving bowl, spri nkle with and serve dill with pita b read.
Directions
ans fried be 1 can re tacocooked d n u o p 1/2 d meat seasone eddar dded ch e r h s p 1 cu s d Onion Choppe toes d Toma Choppe ops! os “Sco it t s o T 1 bag ptional cream o r u o s p 1/2 cu ional alsa opt 1 cup s
rge s on a la ip h c e c Pla each one ll fi d n a d platter seasone , s n a e nd b with onions, a , e s e e h lsa meat, c p with sa d. o T . s e to toma desire cream if r u o s d an
Crab Stuffed Mushr ooms Ingredients Direc
tions
www.AroundThePanhandle.com
24 mushro oms 4 green o Wash mushroo nions, cho ms and pped re move stems. 3 cloves g Place the arlic, minc mushroom ca ed ps on a shallow 1 tablespo baking dish. on basil 1/4 cup cil Mince the stem antro s. Combine al l the ingredient 1 fresh gre s, including th en chile, s e eeded & minced stems, finely cho pped and mix well. Spoon the mix 1 pound c rab meat ture into the mushroom ca 1/2 teasp ps and bake in oon Dijon a preheated 35 mustard 0° oven for 15 1 tablesp minutes. Serve oon red p warm. Makes epper 24 appetizers 3/4 cup o f grated c heddar ch eese [ 87 ]
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I Hesitate to Ponder by Eli Andersen
Remember when CDs felt like they were so modern and technologically proficient that, certainly, they were the dawn of a new age that would be around for a long time? If someone had walked up to you in the early nineties (while you were perusing the CDs in the music store) and said to you: “You know, soon we’ll all be watching movies on these discs in ways that you can’t even imagine. Soon, this entire wall of music will be made obsolete by tiny music computers, the size of a Wheat Thin, that hold over a thousand of your favorite songs. Soon after that, this music store itself will become extinct. And by that point, almost every one of us will be walking around with a device in our pockets, the size of a wallet, that has more computational prowess than the Apollo 13.” We probably would have eyed this individual wearily and nodded politely because this was obviously one of these people who’d spent all night playing some video game or all week reading an entire sci-fi series (or both). If you’d have walked up to ousted Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak at Thanksgiving last year and said: “Hey bro, you might want to start paying attention to Facebook, ‘cause it’s
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gonna end your thirty-year reign,” can you imagine how passionately you’d have been laughed off of the premises—probably arrested for heresy or lunacy or some type of intolerable dissent, as well. I always seem to be getting myself into some directionless dialogue about going back in time and revealing to some generation a part of the future that they would think was unlikely, impossible, and/or at least a little wacky. Sometimes, it can get as elaborate as flying a Blackhawk over a battle in the Civil War (not shooting anyone, but just maybe hovering for a minute and firing a missile off into a field, and then flying off). Can you imagine? What about dropping in on some Viking battle in the ninth century and trying to give them all Nike Dry-Fit gear, or North Face jackets, or flashlights? Priceless. I could do this for the next ten pages, so I’ll stop. But let’s erase the presentation part of those scenarios and focus on the simple ideas. Imagine trying to explain such concepts to those groups. But then, imagine trying to explain drone warfare to the many brave souls who fought in Vietnam— so close to a technology that would have saved thousands of lives, and yet so far away. What if you went to buy a car in 1995 and there was a little hole in the stereo face and the dealer told you, “Oh, that’s the MP3 hook-up.” Huh? I could try to explain
appliance tuning to you now, but would you think I was a mad man? Do you know there is a group of individuals who will come to your house and tune your appliances so that they all “sound” the same—on the same frequency—so that you can find a better subconscious auditory balance in your life? They can even harmonize your various machines that hum and buzz all day long so that, even though it’s all white noise in the end, it’s balanced, harmonious white noise—and thus, so will be your inner equilibrium. Crazy? Not so fast; the way our world works, every house on earth might be utilizing such a phenomenon this time next year. The speed of invention, application, and theory, in the twenty-first century is almost hard to fathom at times. What will be the next development that changes our lives in an instant? I hesitate to ponder. It could be anything—as long as the proper advertising machine is running behind it—and I mean anything. Will 2011 emerge as the year of revolt, upheaval—at the hands of technology and its ability to organize? Some groups have begun to refer to WikiLeaks founder, Julian Assange, as the anti-Christ—and have gone so far as to divulge how he possesses the power to disrupt the entire world in any way he sees fit, by simply exposing information that is probably best kept hidden. And if not him, the dozens of copycatters who will no doubt spring up in his midst or his absence (his
Around The Panhandle | MAR • APR 2011
assassination is also a very realistic probability—he swims in dangerous waters). Is Assange one of the most important people in the world right now, or simply one of the most disruptive? Or, is that kind of the same thing—depending on what his disruptive notions reveal? And yet we’re more concerned with whether or not Lindsay’s dress was appropriate enough for court or not. For court—yet another court appearance for a loser who happens to be rich and famous (for now), meaning she’ll never be properly held accountable and basks in the narcissistic luxury of wearing a skin tight dress to court because she knows that it will only feed the salivating tabloid machine and the millions of hopeless couch potatoes—thus garnering her even more publicity…and, likely, more money. Until, of course, she kills someone...and then it will be a “serious” matter—complete with media tutorials on child stars gone bad, the pressures of growing up famous, and the consequences of drug and alcohol abuse. I’m more than a little aware, as of late, of the growing popularity surrounding the idea that we are existing within a modern form of dystopia—the notion that by continuing on the way that we are, things will only get worse, and then, the worst. The actual philosophy, like most philosophies, is deep and complicated, layered, all of that, but the general idea is worth paying attention to. Sure, people have been belting out a similar tune with every generation that comes along: “This generation is going to Hell in a handbasket… you kids don’t know what you’re doing…I’m glad I’m on the way out…” It’s endless; I’ve heard it all—just like everyone else my age. Apparently, there was a perfect time in America where everything and everyone was perfect and time stood still and the milkman had a three-bedroom house and Norman Rockwell painted real-time pictures of how literally perfect everything was and, well, that was a time in American history like every single other era—somewhat shiny on the surface and ugly underneath. Just so happens that now, things aren’t
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so shiny on the surface, and since we’re a global community these days, because of technology, the problems of the world have, in many ways, become everyone’s problems. No? Who would have thought that a little social networking program that some socially inept nerd at Harvard was writing in 2004 would lead to the entire upheaval of a nation’s government on another continent, just seven years later? And if you believe the story, he wrote the program as an extension of his hatred for the modern social hierarchy construct at Harvard, and America overall—and, of course, because he was heartbroken. Now, consider that scenario, and imagine its ripple effect from 2004 until now. Wow. Makes you wonder what got beneath Julian Assange’s skin enough over the years to perpetuate WikiLeaks. I wouldn’t be surprised if his various motivations could be traced back to relatively unremarkable beginnings. After all, we are all human (I think—another article); no matter how enormous and far reaching our ideas become, they began in our own minds—and there is usually a pretty universal spark.
a while, and actually yearn to see more things blowing up. This is a rant; I won’t deny it. But it’s a stream of thoughts that I figure I’m not the only one having, so I felt it was worth sharing. I don’t necessarily have an end but, then, most rants can go on for days. But I do have a theme: The speed at which our modern lives evolve is impressive, to say the least, but also a little concerning—in that “inmates took over the prison” kind of way. Do we have the ability, as a global society to progress at this rate without destroying ourselves—in all of its suggestions and within all of its layers? The only certainty is that everything will end; the process is definitely inevitable, but does it have to be so pathetic? As I wrap this up (allegedly), I neither know whether tomorrow will be pretty much like today, or completely unrecognizable from any number of angles. Is that what it means to live in the modern age? To not know what tomorrow will bring? Every generation can and did say that, but here’s the thing: were they as worried as me when they said it?
But back to dystopia, and the career pessimists who have told us, our whole lives, that their generation was great and things are only getting worse and worse, and soon it will grind to an ugly halt. But wait— what about that last part? It’s hard not to wonder about that last part. I mean, is the world getting more and more chaotic, turbulent, and volatile, or do we just see so much more of the world these days through technology that it all stacks up in front of us and seems like a disaster? Plus, it sure wouldn’t kill the media to cover the many positive aspects of life with the fervor that they chase down the many negative things. But, I’m not exactly confident that we wouldn’t get bored with the positive things after
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Jessica Rocks for Timmy’s Fund - By Sandi Valentine
This past January, a unique fundraiser hit Martinsburg with a bang. Jessica Rocks for Timmy’s Fund sponsored a Rock, Paper, Scissors tournament to raise money for families affected by childhood cancer. The event, organized by Holly Sweeney, was a rousing success.
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The fundraiser was held in space donated by the Xtreme Sportsplex in the Berkeley Plaza, and featured entertainment by Michael T, moon bounces, and face painting for children between rounds of Rock, Paper, Scissors. Food was donated by local restaurants and grocery stores, and prizes for the contest included a
television donated by Best Buy, a week at a beach house, and more. Most impressive about the fundraiser was the sense of community and unity among both volunteers and participants. Holly Sweeney is an individual who simply sparkles, bringing out the best in the people that she meets. She moved
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through the crowd with ease, coordinating volunteers, passing out hugs, and meeting with the press— switching easily from one task to the next with a friendly smile. Her children— Jessica, Sarah, and PJ—played with the other boys and girls, made signs, and mingled during the tournament, while her husband, Paul, manned the donation tables. The nonprofit truly is a family project, and everyone seemed more than happy to lend a helping hand. Participants in the tournament were encouraged to recruit sponsors before the event, similar to the way funds are collected for a walk-
a-thon or relay. They were then split into age groups, assigned a number, and divided into tournament brackets. Prizes were awarded to the victors, and those who collected the most money from sponsors were entered into a drawing for the beach house trip. Jessica Sweeney was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in 2009. As she underwent chemotherapy and treatment at WVU, the Sweeney family met Joe and Tara Quigley, who had lost their son, Timmy, to cancer. Timmy’s Fund, the nonprofit organization that they founded, works to offset the costs associated with the intensive medical care that childhood cancer can cause, such as commuting costs, hotel bills, and more. Families who visit the hospital are provided with envelopes containing gas gift cards, restaurant gift cards, and a small amount of cash, along with information about the fund. After receiving a
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Around The Panhandle | MAR • APR 2011
gift from Timmy’s fund and working with Jessica to undergo treatment, which is still ongoing, Holly decided to launch Jessica Rocks as a satellite nonprofit to raise money to support the mission of Timmy’s fund. In her words, “I used that name because I was referring to Jessica’s strength that we had all been witnessing in those early days. She truly is amazing and she is truly a ROCK STAR!” The charity has run several past fundraisers, is running a card drive through the month of February to support Horses with Hearts, a local therapeutic riding group that Jessica participates in, and is currently working on a funding drive for gas cards to donate to the fund. For more information, or to donate, readers can visit www.JessicaRocks. org.
ago, if you would’ve told me I would be out in the community planning major fundraisers, having newspaper articles written about our family, making radio appearances, soliciting businesses for support, I would have laughed. Like I said before, I was always a great ‘helper.’ But I was never the one with the vision. God has used Jessica’s illness to thrust our family into one of the most amazing adventures I’ve ever been a part of. This ride is going a thousand miles an hour and I can’t stop it!” And with the enthusiasm that’s quickly building in the Panhandle and surrounding areas for Holly’s work—who would want to?
In Holly’s personal testimony, she says this about her journey through mothering a child with cancer and starting a nonprofit organization: “A year
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Your Money Matters... Financial Advice from Tony Price
Home Ownership…is it Still the American Dream? At least for the past few generations, home ownership has been an American dream. The dream has played out differently over the years, from its origin when the dream was about having your own place to raise a family, to a decade or so ago when the dream became more about an investment opportunity or a symbol of status. This dream is so important to the American way of life that not one, but two recent presidents ran on campaign promises to deliver affordable home ownership opportunities. Well, we all know where all of that “dreaming” led— an economic downturn of historical proportions! So, given the recent state of the housing market and considering the devastating effects it has had on millions of people, is home ownership still something Americans strive to attain? After all, anyone even remotely affected by the recent bursting of the housing bubble would surely say no…or would they? According to a recent survey by Trulia (a national real estate research company), seventy percent of Americans still view home ownership as part of their own American dream. Additionally, more than seventy-five percent of current homeowners say their homes continue to be the “best investment they ever made.” While only twenty percent admitted to “feeling trapped in their ‘underwater’ homes.” Now, don’t get me wrong, twenty percent of people struggling to keep their homes, and willing to walk away from them if they could, is still
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an alarming and truly heartbreaking statistic. But when you consider the recent economic situation, to still have seventy percent of the people holding onto that home ownership dream is equally remarkable. What’s really interesting is that the demographic most interested in living the dream is actually the Y generation (ages 18 to 34). Generation Y has witnessed the economic downturn and the numerous foreclosures, but eightyeight percent of them still aspire to own their own homes. Why? Several reasons, though a primary one is the fact that home prices are discounted forty to seventy percent off of their peak 2007 prices. As such, it is more affordable to buy than to rent in many locations. Combine this with the fact that most of the Y generation avoided having their credit destroyed during the recent downturn, and for many of them, now is a really good time to buy a home. “Today I feel more positive about the housing market than at any point in the past three years,” claims Pete Flint, Founder and Chief Executive of Trulia. “The dreams of home ownership have returned and the worst is behind us.” First-time homebuyers constitute fifty percent of all residential property purchases being made right now. Many, including myself, believe this is a trend that will continue for many years, considering existing homeowners have little, none, or negative equity in their current home, and very few households are looking to add that second vacation property. If the Trulia survey is correct, and the Y generation begins
to fulfill their homeownership dreams, “…we could begin to see a demand for all of that supply sitting on the market.” So what does this all mean? Well, if your business is dependent upon the housing market, it looks like the worst times are behind you. It is not likely that we will return to the robust times of before anytime soon, but at least we are looking at a positive future. If you are a future homeowner, many believe that borrowing requirements are going to be more in line with how they were two decades ago. Long gone are the “stated income” loans, and being able to borrow 100% of the purchase price. If you want to own a new home, you are going to have to plan and save. For many, this is a new concept—never the less, a valuable life skill. If owning your own home is truly your dream, then, as with any other dream, you should be willing to plan and sacrifice to make that dream come true. And as with any other financial goal, seeking the advice of your financial advisor is prudent. Creating a road map to know what you can afford and when you can afford it is invaluable. With so many different homeownership incentives and tax credits available, it is wise to seek guidance in order to know exactly where you stand and what options are available to you.
Around The Panhandle | MAR • APR 2011
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explains that all surgical procedures are done in-house, from start to finish. The center has an anesthesiologist that comes on-site for each surgery, and most procedures are performed on an outpatient, same-day basis. If patients have a need for further recovery time, the center has a contract with a local hotel and provides nursing staff to assist the patient with their needs. Dr. Garazo grew up in Hagerstown, Md., and attended school locally through high school, before completing his medical training and plastic surgery specialization out of state. He then returned to the Hagerstown area and joined an existing practice. He’s been in solo practice since 2003, and opened a new surgical center at The Galleria (Hagerstown) in 2004. He says he stays busy, between practicing medicine and parenting his three boys, along with his wife, who is also a practicing physician.
Walking into Dr. Henry Garazo’s surgical center, it’s easy to become more than a little transfixed by the beauty of the office itself. A spiral staircase, surrounded by a round wall of glass makes quite the impression. Artwork and sculpture are everywhere, and the entryway is polished and
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pristine, which helps to alleviate the clinical feeling a doctor’s office often conveys. As it turns out, Dr. Garazo, with his eye for the beautiful, worked with the architect personally to design his space, which explains everything. Office Manager, Kelly Vance,
Plastic Surgery Services and Dr. Garazo offer a wide variety of plastic surgery options, but the center specializes in breast reconstruction and augmentation surgery. Garazo explains that not all surgery on the breast is cosmetic. After a mastectomy, for example, reconstructive surgery may be needed. If women suffer from back or neck pain due to large breasts, a breast reduction may help. Often, these procedures are seen as medically necessary and are covered by the patients’ insurance companies. In terms of variety and surgeries available, Garazo explains that the center can perform breast augmentations and breast lifts. A breast augmentation adds volume and cup size, while a breast lift reduces sagging caused by age, pregnancy, [ 99 ]
or breastfeeding. Garazo also points out that these procedures are increasingly popular and affordable, and while they aren’t usually covered by insurance, the center does have financing options available. In addition, Plastic Surgery Services provides a wide line of surgical care options, including tummy tucks, liposuction, eyelid surgery, and more. Patients can contact the center to arrange a personal consultation to learn if plastic surgery is right for them. The Center features injectable fillers, such as collagen, and offers Botox injections as well. Garazo notes that these drugs are growing in popularity as a quick way to reduce the signs of aging and improve appearance, and that many of his patients stop in for an injection while receiving other services at The Galleria. These injections are used for a variety of reasons. Botox and other neurotoxins are used to weaken the muscle tissue in the face and reduce
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the appearance of stress lines and fine lines, while Collagen injections are used to plump up wrinkled areas or fill in other areas of the face. Patients see instant results, with minimal risk, and according to Garazo, can be in and out of the office within a half hour. And he also emphasizes that each case is different, and each patient has a unique and exclusive motivation. Garazo feels that the benefits of plastic surgery are twofold. Patients who have had low self esteem benefit from an improved self-image, and patients may also find that they are happier and therefore more successful in their life and line of work. The Plastic Surgery Services salon provides a wide variety of medical skincare solutions, as well. Kaylin R. Byers, the certified medical aesthetician on staff, explains that the center offers IsClinical, SkinCeuticals, and NIA24 products. She is a member of the Society of Plastic
Surgical Skin Care Specialists (SPSSCS). Services offered include: chemical peels, microdermabrasion, exfoliation, and more. A wide product line is available to treat skin problems, such as acne scarring and pigmentation. Again, most cosmetic and aesthetic services are private pay, but the center offers financing through CareCredit. With so many options out there today in cosmetic surgery and/ or restorative treatments, Garazo and his staff feel it is more important than ever to do your research and ultimately choose a qualified team who will make every effort to exceed your expectations. Plastic Surgery Services provides exactly that, and they’re local—a vital benefit. If you are in fact interested, and would like to find out more, visit them at: www. plasticsurgeryservices.net, or call 240.329.0664.
Around The Panhandle | MAR • APR 2011
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Lack of Financial Preparation Could Have Permanent Consequences
- By Jonathan Bodwell
In life, there is nothing more important than the happiness and security of one’s family. And in this life there are two certainties—death and taxes. A good question to ask yourself is: What would happen financially to your family if you died? How would the mortgage get paid? Where would the grocery money come from? Could the kids still go to college? These are the reasons that American families need to have adequate life insurance. Many families are underinsured or entirely uninsured. I tell my clients, if you have people who you love, then you must have life insurance in order to protect them. There will always be the emotional void left, but you want to insure that your family can continue to live in their home and not have to make any major changes during the grieving process. The good thing about life insurance is that rates are at an all-time low. This is not because the insurance companies are feeling overly generous. We Americans are living longer; therefore, the insurance carriers have more time to collect money before we pass away. There are a number of different kinds of life insurance—with term life insurance being the most popular. Term insurance serves [ 103 ]
a wonderful purpose in that it allows you to buy huge amounts of coverage for a small sum of money. The main reason for this value is that more than 90% of all term life insurance policies are never collected on. The 10% of policies that are collected on go a long way toward salvaging the financial health of families that have experienced the loss of a breadwinner. This type of insurance works best when you have a specific time frame where you need coverage, like when you have young children or a mortgage with a specific payoff date. There are also permanent insurance policies, such as whole life and universal life. These products are more expensive than term insurance because they last for the rest of your life. The insurance company knows that, eventually, they will be paying a death claim. These permanent policies can also be used as tax-advantaged ways to save money for the future. Another very important question to ask yourself is: If you were to become disabled, how would the bills get paid? Social Security disability from the government can replace some income, but the qualification process is arduous and many people who apply for it are turned down and have to reapply, which can take many months to complete.
One question that I always ask people is: If you had a machine in your basement that could print $5,000 a month, would you spend money to insure that it kept working? The answer, of course, is yes, and this is where disability insurance comes into the picture. You are the machine in your family that brings in the money each month. One in three Americans will become disabled at some point in their working lives. Statistics show that approximately 65% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck. This scary statistic reveals how close many people live to the edge of financial ruin. For these people, one major illness or injury could lead to financial collapse. According to the Social Science Research Network, nearly half of all home foreclosures come as a result of a illness. Basically, it is important that all of your hard work has not gone for nothing. Many folks spend years saving and investing, only to have a major medical problem and the resulting inability eradicate all of their hard work. It is important, once a year, to assess your overall financial picture, in order to ensure that your financial house is in order. Making sure that your family is adequately insured against the unthinkable should always be part of that process.
Around The Panhandle | MAR • APR 2011
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Sunfire Puts the Ease in Easy Living
- By Debra Cornwell
One of life’s simple pleasures is gazing at a fire’s glowing embers on a cold winter day, or even a warm summer night. Great enjoyment can also emerge from a therapeutic soak in a hot tub, especially after a grueling week. And let’s not forget about the romantic side to hot tubs, or even the communal aspect—who doesn’t love a good barbeque with friends and family, followed by a dip in the tub? Sunfire Hearth, Patio and Spa helps you get the most
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enjoyment from those moments by making it easy to own and maintain the equipment needed for hearths, patios, and spas. Founded in 2003 by Steve and Tina Roach, Sunfire is the area’s first and premier resource for grills, spas, patio furniture, outdoor accessories, and a variety of fireplaces and heating stoves. Every product sold by Sunfire can be installed and maintained by their professional staff. Steve and Tina’s son, Jason, says, “We offer great products, the
best in customer service, highly trained technicians, complete installation, and long term maintenance to ensure you get the most from your product.” According to Steve, “Consumers in the Tri-State area had nowhere to go when shopping for gas and propane appliances. Demand for these products was growing, and product lines were evolving to include a broad range of higher quality and higher efficiency heating appliances. We felt
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that consumes would embrace our offering.” Consumers have embraced Sunfire, and the company has embraced their clientele. Sunfire truly engages the client with personal service, events, customer education, and a preferred customer club. The free club membership includes monthly newsletters, exclusive and special sales, printable coupons, and exclusive products. The business is certified through the National Fireplace Institute and the Chimney Safety Institute of America. Both certifications require training and examinations in order for their technicians to receive certified status. “Proper placement, venting, and protection from combustibles are very important considerations,” Jason explains. “Both for safety and performance, hearth and chimney products require considerable technical knowledge and skill in the designing and installation of them. Not only do we offer an unmatched selection, we take safety seriously. We can also install chimney caps, reline chimneys, provide masonry work, and offer chimney sweep services.” Steve adds, “With growing energy costs, Sunfire has expanded with a broad range of wood and pellet appliances
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to reduce energy cost for homeowners.” With spring dawning, now is the time to re-think your outdoor furnishings. Looking to warmer weather, Jason reveals, “I am really excited about the new line of patio furniture that is arriving. The furniture lines are great quality and less expensive. We have more hot tubs and patio furniture than ever! We are also offering patio building again this year.” Purists might say hot tubs should be closed during the summer, but really, who enjoys the mad dash between house and tub in the dead of winter? Sunfire sells in-home saunas, and has an excellent selection of grills. Paul Rosner, Sales Manager, and Marlana Roach, Office Manager, have both been with Sunfire for many years, and have helped to establish an outstanding level of customer service. “When a customer comes in and talks to one of the team, we are confident that they will find a professional, knowledgeable industry expert at Sunfire to help with their needs,” maintains Jason. Mark your calendar for the Second Annual Sunfire EGGfest
on May 21st, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Built around the Big Green Egg grill, the event is a fun way to get together with grilling enthusiasts for good food, music, and fun. Attendees are promised…“EGGciting foods, shared grilling recipes, and mingling with other EGGheads.” Even if you are not shopping for hearth, patio, and/or spa equipment, stop by Sunfire’s showroom, which is a destination unto itself. Housed in the old Martinsburg Laundry building on Stephen Street, the cavernous building is the perfect place to display Sunfire’s huge selection of products. “The building was built in 1925 and was a bit of a money pit,” admits Steve. “We did so much work on it, and our first employee, Steve Kitner, saw us through that process.” Sunfire’s outdoor deck, outside fire places, and fire pits are so inviting that you wish there was someone behind a bar dispensing snacks and cold drinks, including the kind with little umbrellas. And there’s plenty of parking, too! Sunfire’s website includes their event calendar and a section for customers to share recipes. See www.sunfirepatio.com or like them on Facebook as Sunfire Hearth, Patio & Spa.
Around The Panhandle | MAR • APR 2011
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Library card not required The Apple iPad pretty much set the bar for tablets over the last couple of years, which wasn’t exactly a surprise to anyone paying attention. As expected, it merely added to the growing concerns within the print industry that, sooner than later, electronic readers will supplant print publications as the go-to form of reading—with the consolidative convenience associated and the ease at which content can be acquired and/or purchased. Whereas Apple typically leads the way technologically, the ripple effect, as expected, doesn’t take long to fan out. We’ll take a look here at some similar e-readers that, may not necessarily possess the versatility of the iPad, but certainly add to the rapidly emerging realm of electronic tablets.
1. Kindle 3
Manufacturer: Amazon.com, Inc. Pros: The size, the speed, and the quality of the Kindle 3 make it second to none. It defines eBook Readers of today. Cons: The free Wi-Fi capabilities are at times slow, and unless you connect to a wireless network, Wi-Fi is only provided in certain AT&T hotspots. The Verdict: The Kindle 3 is the top eBook Reader available on today’s market; it is easy to use and provides the best quality we have seen in an e-reader. - The Amazon Kindle 3 can easily be called Today’s Best eBook Reader. Although we enjoy (Barnes & Noble) Nook’s LendMe feature and library eBooks, we feel those features do not replace the plethora of benefits one can receive through using the Kindle 3. The Kindle 3 is also placed above the Kindle DX because it is a faster and more portable device. The Kindle 3 receives two thumbs up, as well, because it can be used anywhere—rain or shine.
2. BeBook Neo
Manufacturer: Endless Ideas B Pros: The Neo offers up to 16GB storage and Wacom touch-screen technology. Cons: No dedicated content service is available on the Neo. The Verdict: The open market, comfortable design, and large storage makes reading enjoyable using the Neo. - Endless Ideas BV is a Dutch company that manufactures electronics. Its current product line-up is the BeBook One, the BeBook Mini, and now the BeBook Neo. Though not very popular in the United States, it is one of the dominating companies in the rest of the world. Unlike many of the other renowned eBook reader manufactures, Endless Ideas has successfully integrated user-friendly features, like touch screen and open market, into the BeBook Neo. The genius of this is to allow for people to easily navigate the vast expanse of the eBook world outside of single store conformity that some e-readers make you use. [ 110 ]
Around The Panhandle | MAR • APR 2011
3. Nook Color
Manufacturer: Barnes & Noble Pros: This e-reader features 8GB of memory. Cons: It does not feature electronic ink technology. The Verdict: The Nook Color is an ideal device if you plan on viewing a lot of images. - When the Barnes & Noble Nook hit the market, it was immediately competitive because of the advanced functionality it provides its users. The Nook Color brings even more astounding features, such as a 7-inch color display screen, personalization features, and a large selection of Nook Extras.
4. Reader Touch Edition PRS-650BC
Manufacturer: Sony Pros: The Sony Reader Touch Edition PRS-650BC is light and comfortable to hold for extended periods of time. Cons: The content isn’t as extensive as several other eBook Readers on the market. The Verdict: This Sony eBook Reader is simple and easy to use. - With several improvements made from its predecessor, the Sony Touch Edition PRS650SC is a reader that truly feels like a real book. Featuring a responsive touchscreen, an easy-to-read display, the support of multiple formats, a long battery life, and sturdy build quality, this Sony eBook reader is a solid choice.
5. Alex
Manufacturer: Spring Design, Inc. Pros: The color LCD screen allows for multimedia features, such as music, Wi-Fi, and the ability to watch movies. Cons: The Alex does not provide 3G connectivity and the on-screen keyboard is difficult to use. The Verdict: The dual screens, ability to expand memory, and a variety of apps make the Alex a prime option for an e-reader. - With a name inspired from one of the largest libraries of the ancient world, the Ancient Egyptian Library of Alexandria, the Alex is one of the new players on the eBook scene. The Alex is Spring Design, Inc.’s latest creation, and with multiple reading and multimedia features, dual screens and an E-ink display, has vast potential.
6. Novel
Manufacturer: Pandigital Pros: The full color touchscreen brings reading to life on the Novel. Cons: A short battery life could cut your time reading. The Verdict: The vivid design, LendMe feature, and access to more than half a million free books bring Pandigital into the e-reader game. Pandigital is taking a leap of faith by releasing this e-reader, the Novel. One of the top names in digital photo frames, Pandigital uses their knowledge of digital screens by creating a reader with a TFT LCD color screen, an average memory capacity, and Wi-Fi capability.
7. eReader
Manufacturer: Kobo Pros: The quilted back makes the Kobo comfortable to hold. Cons: Lack of Wi-Fi and 3G connectivity does not allow for downloading of books directly to the eReader. The Verdict: The Kobo is a good choice for a reader if you want the basics but not the bells and whistles. - Sometimes, simplicity is what matters most, and with the Kobo eReader, simple is exactly what the user receives. Kobo allows the reader to do what they enjoy most: read. It is designed to make the reader get lost in a book and avoid the distractions other eBooks present with their additional features. www.AroundThePanhandle.com
[ 111 ]
NEW TO TOWN A New Twist on an Old Favorite Stephens City restaurant has all the right ingredients.
I arrive in what seems to be the vacant parking lot to an equally vacant building sitting quietly, albeit quite strategically along Fairfax Street in Stephens City, Va., just east of the highway neon that so relentlessly begs the highspeed public to stop and take a break. The sky and the sun work together pleasantly as I ease out of the car—smelling, tasting the air—checking for that subtle frosty edge that might suggest snow— this being early March 2010, and merely a week or two beyond the final blast from a winter we’ll never forget. The structure in front of me is not necessarily one you would ever remember, at least in its present condition, other than that it possesses the familiar look of an old-school convenience store like High’s or Woody’s. I’m here because I know that this place will eventually be a restaurant and I can’t help but immediately notice the perfect location about a quarter mile from the highway (but just far enough from the congestion to steadily draw in locals and visitors alike). The setup has the classic look of a place that we would all drive by and proclaim: “Man, that would make a great…” Only thing is, we can’t quite figure out what we’d put there and it doesn’t matter because that’s not the line of work we’re in. So, we settle for knowing that if the conditions were right, and we were in a position to do it, the property would make a great “something.” Fortunately, for both the property and the public, that person lives right in Stephens City, and only needed to drive by the location once to know exactly what to do with it. I’m waiting for him as I survey the grounds and cautiously examine the air for any signs of a chill—
[ 112 ]
regardless of the 70-degree temps. Fast forward nearly a year, and that lonely parking lot with its oddly familiar but equally forlorn structure is now, like those incessant winter whiteouts, simply a thing of the past (we hope). With time, it seems, everything changes, for better or worse. While one business, or event, or season comes to a close, another finds new life, or even rebirth. Not that we aren’t familiar with the process, but the prospect of a refurbished location and the excitement of a new business usually gives off an energy that many of us find hard to resist—something that isn’t lost on Terry Hudson, the owner of this new, and vastly improved location—just down the street from the Stephens City exit off of I-81. Hudson, the former proprietor of Sweet Caroline’s in Winchester, certainly isn’t new to the game of rehabbing spaces that show great potential, and then taking the resulting business to a high level of success. He’s done it twice in this area already, and he’s about to do it again at this location with a Tippy’s Tacos restaurant. The natural reaction to Tippy’s as a “taco joint” will quickly change once the word gets out. Hudson, 41, has made sure of that. With its doors open to the public since late last year, Tippy’s is only new to this area, having been around for over forty years in Virginia, closer to D.C. In fact, many people who have settled in the Panhandle and Northern Virginia from the D.C. area are quite familiar with the Mexican family restaurant. That being said, not even those familiar with the establishment will likely be ready for what Hudson
Around The Panhandle | MAR • APR 2011
has in store for the community with his Tippy’s. “I’ve been eating at the Tippy’s in Fairfax for thirty years,” Hudson remarks, “and I thought one would do great in this area. I mentioned to a few people that I would like to open one and was amazed at how fast the rumor spread—at how many people knew of Tippy’s. So I thought I better look into buying a franchise. I found out they were not selling new franchises but that an existing contract was dormant. I quickly got in touch with the owner and she gave me a price I couldn’t pass up.” You could say that this scenario is pretty much Hudson’s M.O. He’s one of these people who just has a knack for fixing up a building and opening it to the public. The next thing you know, there’s a line down the block to get in. His first (and eventually second) foray into such an endeavor was the original Sweet Caroline’s, a Blues bar in downtown Winchester. “I started Sweets in a very small room (about 650 sq. feet) twelve years ago because I’d always wanted to open my own spot. It was the only place I could afford. I remodeled, stocked, and opened it for about twelve thousand dollars, which I mostly borrowed. We had one beer cooler, one beer on draft, and maybe ten bottles of liquor after we stocked the kitchen.” Hudson’s ace card was his love affair with Blues and a passion to bring it to Winchester. In the classic way that success stories emerge, his insight, combined with a certain flair for networking and just plain knowing what works, turned his “very small room” into a miniature hot spot. “I was lucky enough to have some musician friends who were kind enough to come play cheap. They enjoyed the intimacy of the club and the way they were treated. We gradually stepped up the level of entertainment and I decided to take a gamble on some regional and national acts. “We were happy to see that people in the area were starved for some real entertainment and didn’t mind
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paying for it. I always treated the musicians extremely well and made some good friends, who told their friends what a cool room it was to play and how well they were treated. Soon, some really big people were calling me to see if they could stop in and play en route from one gig to the next. One night, we were fortunate enough to have Dan Aykroyd and Skunk Baxter stop in and jam with our house band. Dan began speaking of the club frequently on his national radio show, as well as to some pretty bigtime players. We ended up not being able to afford many of the people who wanted to play at our place.” The only thing left to do was figure out a way to get a bigger place. Fortunately, his club’s popularity also allowed Hudson to rub elbows with some of Winchester’s decision makers. After four years, the mayor arranged for Hudson to move up the street to the “perfect building.” And so, Sweets—the sequel— materialized, along with Hudson’s full bag of revamping techniques. The new place was more than ten times the size of the original Sweets and, among a host of innovative improvements, included a completely hand-crafted bar and stage—allowing Hudson to justify the acts that he couldn’t previously afford. “We had some great acts perform and were becoming known all over the country as a legitimate national venue. We were even featured in national magazines and ranked as the number seven Blues club in the country. We weren’t just Blues anymore either; we had awardwinning Rock, Soul, and Pop acts as well—over fifteen Grammynominated artists.” By many accounts, Hudson was already living the dream—a dream that didn’t show signs of getting anything but bigger. It makes a person wonder what might compel an individual to unplug from such an experience. “I had an amazing time building Sweet Caroline’s, but after thirteen years, it takes a toll on you,” he explains. “I wanted to be able to spend weekends with my family and
[ 113 ]
not have to worry about the club. I had two daughters and had just decided to adopt a third. Selling the club would allow me to take six months off, to help her become acclimated to our family, and then I could start Tippy’s when everyone was comfortable. I’m also very lucky to have an understanding wife who put up with a husband who owned a club for their entire marriage. She’s as happy as I am to be opening a much more low-key business.” Low-key perhaps, but certainly not lacking in creativity, Hudson’s newest undertaking combines his go-to passion for making things attractive, comfortable, and contagious, with a proven culinary tradition over four decades in the making. Tippy’s is known in Metropolitan Virginia for its fresh Mexican food made daily, from scratch. Even the meat comes from local butchers. An array of customary Mexican staples are made-to-order and the signature tacos have a way of becoming the talk of the town. This particular location will be the first to offer fish and steak tacos, as well. “The main focus of Tippy’s is definitely the food. Everything is fresh and made daily—really good tasting food. It is a restaurant first. However, living in Stephens City, I couldn’t help but notice that there wasn’t a place to go watch sports while having a beer and some food.” And this is where Hudson’s experience comes in. Tippy’s is not traditionally known as a sports bar, and this one isn’t necessarily being marketed as one, but you can’t expect the former owner of the most successful live music club in this area not to fuse some type of entertainment and spirit into his version of an already-proven franchise. What Hudson has created is a family-friendly restaurant, with all the creature comforts of home (19-inch TVs at all the booths, extra large seating areas, and richin-tradition homemade recipes), as well as an extra “side” where the sports enthusiast can grab the game, a tasty bite, and a beer. And the bar section, outfitted with stylish copper sheet inlays and a wealth of seating, sits on the other side of a well-designed wall, separating the
[ 114 ]
two themes, while upholding the integrity of both. But that’s just the general idea. Hudson’s involvement in local athletics will merge Tippy’s with youth sports promotion and the overall excitement of sports at every level. “When I was young and the coach asked us where we wanted to go after winning an important game, we always chose Tippy’s. The food was amazing. I’ve been involved in the soccer community in the Shenandoah Valley, from coaching at the youth level to playing and coaching semi-pro. We plan to film a youth game, or two, every week and show it on the TVs in the dining area and let the families come and watch while having dinner.” “I also fully intend on showing all the big boxing and MMA events, and of course, we’ll have the Sunday NFL ticket. Having been in the bar business for over twenty years, it would be foolish not to take advantage of an opportunity to provide a place like this.” Recognizing opportunity seems to be just another day at the office for Hudson. Involving the community in his efforts has always been part of his formula for success. In this case, he aims to provide a little something for everyone by recreating a nostalgic part of his life and combining it with some of the things he has come to enjoy along the way. If the past is any type of indication for the future, Tippy’s Tacos, in Stephens City, has come around at just the right time, and in just the right place. Which really comes as no surprise to those who know Terry. It should be noted that, as this issue hits the street, Hudson is already hard at work bringing his second Tippy’s to the Old Town Mall in Winchester. And if that’s not enough, the third one, in Front Royal, is scheduled for year’s end. Again, not exactly a surprise. Tippy’s sits comfortably at 175 Fairfax Pike in Stephens City. For more information, call 540.868.8667 - MC
Around The Panhandle | MAR • APR 2011
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