Around The Panhandle July - August 2011

July & Aug 2011

M A G A Z I N E

Riding is Good For the Soul Things to Do...

Q Company BBQ Its Pickin Time

The Greenbrier Lost River Brewing Co

Meet Mike Bohrer The Boys of PP&D

Places to Go... $2.99

People to Know...

*

† **

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Falling Waters River Hills Only 1 Single Family Home Located on 11 Acre Home Site for $349,990 304-274-6900 Martinsburg Ridges of Tuscarora Single Family Homes on 1+ Acre Home Sites from $219,990 304-263-5061 Falling Waters Riverside Villages Located Near The Potomac Townhomes from $124,990 Single Family Homes from $169,990 304-274-6900 Hedgesville Stonebrook Village II Now Selling!

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Charles Town Spruce Hill North New Model!

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*Free finished lower level, area 1 only, available on all to-be-built homes. Limited time only. Not to be combined with any other offer. Not available on every home site or every community. Prices, terms and availability are subject to change without notice. Certain restrictions apply. Incentives and closing assistance is exclusive with the use of Monocacy Home Mortgage and approved Title Company. Sales in WV by Dan Ryan Builders Realty, Inc./Broker. Consult with a Dan Ryan Builders Sales Manager for details. **All prices, terms and availability are subject to change without notice. Incentives and closing assistance is exclusive with the use of Preferred Lender and Title Company. Refrigerator, Washer/Dryer and Microwave are base models and determined by DRB. Certain restrictions apply. Not to be combined with any other offer. Sales in WV by Dan Ryan Builders Realty, Inc./Broker. Consult with a Dan Ryan Builders Sales Manager for details. † Prices, terms and features subject to change without notice. Certain restrictions apply. Earnest money deposit required at sales agreement. Closing cost assistance cannot exceed seller contribution limits depending on your loan program. Not to be combined with any other offer. Home site premiums may apply and community association fees are required. See Community Sales Manager for details. $1k moves you in promotion valid only with the use of Monocacy Home Mortgage and approved Title companies. Offer only valid on specific homes and is not available in MD. Void where prohibited. This offer is only available on inventory homes. This program is not available in all communities and subject to property eligibility. Offer only valid in conjunction with RDA or VA insured loans. Buyer must meet specific eligibility, income, and credit guidelines; loan programs subject to change without notice. Sales in West Virginia by Dan Ryan Builders Realty Inc./Broker.

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FEATURES

On The Cover July & Aug 2011

July & August 2011

Things To Do

E M A G A Z I N

- 19 -

It’s Pickin’ Time Break out the tasting forks

- 115 -

Riding is gouoold FoR the s

Q Company BBQ Texas style BBQ sees heaven in WV

Things to Do.any .. BBQ

The Greenbier Fargo goes off-road

- 87 -

Lost River Brewing Company Small Town Big Place

Q Comp Its Pickin Time

The Gre Smithfield Farm

Trump Meet Mike B

Places to Go.enb.. rier

Places To Go - 41 -

$2.99

People to Kno& Tw...rump

pes & Dreams Violet Watts riding Ho s by Eric Fargo Cover Photo as alway

12

People To Know - 41 -

Mike B of Detailed Destinations

- 84 -

The Boys of PP&D Mike even after surgery still hops-along & Jimmy gets in a chicken suit

[4]

As you can see its no t so easy to get that perfect shot to make the cover of ATP Around The Panhandle | MAY • JUNE 2011

contents 6 9

Dear Readers All About Us

Riding is good for the soul

19 Caption Contest 21 Panhandle Profile

Meet Renee from Distinctive Touch

24 Why Facebook

SUCKS -Eli Anderson

31 People to Know

Detailed Destinations

36 Pickin in the

A little background on 56 the professionals who make this magazine 59 happen

11 Photo Contest 13 Eagles Wings

48 Powell’s

Panhandle BBQ & Bluegrass

41 The Greenbrier

Plumbing

Our Top Ten Top Movie Monsters

RB Seem Passionate about Banking & Life

87 The Featured Eats

92 Exemplifying the

Golden Rule

Getting to know Eric Carper

96 CraftWorks

62 Rely on Rick 65 Morgan’s Grove

Not your everyday farmer’s market

68 Adored

76

Healthy Living Dog Days of Summer

Trump & Trump 75 Years & Counting

Turn - Recipes Summer Favorites

102 Smile Designs Dr K. Banks

108 Your Money

Matters

Financial Advice from Tony Price

112 Apples & Oranges

Kitchen Gadgets

115 New to Town

81 The Unknown Eater

Creating a Community

98 Now It’s Your

Women’s event at the Living Room

72 Panhandle

Lost River Brewing Co

Q Company BBQ

The Yorkshire

84 The Boys of PP&D

Jimmy & Mike Rock



119

You Can’t Afford to Miss CLIP & SAVE

www.AroundThePanhandle.com

Great Savings at Local Businesses

[5]

THE

{ x Around o b l i {Ma PANHANDLE July/August 2011 | VOL 3 | NO 2

PUBLISHER

Dear Readers: By the time you are reading this, my wife and I will have celebrated the birth of our second child. Unless there are some unforeseen appendages that didn’t show up on the ultrasound, our first girl, Karli Grace Hornby, will join us on July 20th.

It seems like the days of summer tick away faster and faster each and every year. I guess time flies when you’re living your dream. Kresha, you are my rock on which I cling to, the gear that turns my internal motor, and my island of constant eternal happiness. I love driving home through the countryside each day, knowing you, Dexter, and now Karli, are waiting. As I reflect, it often hits me—wow, I’m so unbelievably lucky.

This issue is absolutely our best yet. And yes, I say that each time, but this one will deliver—I promise. On our cover is Violet Watts, riding Hopes and Dreams, at Eagles’ Wings—beating out the likes of R.B. Seem, Eric Carper, and Mike Bohrer. Everyone asks: “How do I get on the cover?” Here’s my answer: We don’t sell our cover to anyone for any price; I pick it, along with the help of the team that has made these pages come to life for two years. On that note, we don’t sell articles either; we do support those who support us. If it’s interesting, and it grabs my attention, we will write about it. Check out the “All About Us” page for a little background on our team.

We had to expand the magazine by twenty pages this time just to help you recuperate from Jimmy Schaffner’s Chicken Man picture on page 85. Actually, the wonderful support from our community is ensuring the growth of this publication, issue by issue.

Mike Hornby

EDITOR

Mike Chalmers

EDITORIAL DESIGN

Mike Hornby

James Schaffner

WEBSITE

Hornby Publishing LLC ProDesign , Brian Joliff www.professionaldesign.com

WRITERS

Mike Chalmers Eli Andersen The Unknown Eater Claire Gibson Webb Debra Cornwell Dana DeJarnett Victoria Kidd

Rick Hemphill Bonnie Williamson

PHOTOGRAPHY

Eric Fargo - Fargofotos.com All Photos unless otherwise specified are by Eric Fargo

ADVERTISING DESIGN

Hornby Publishing Orchistrated Design

PRINTER

Panhandle Printing & Design

As promised, this issue will dazzle you with some of the best and brightest the Panhandle (and beyond) has to offer. You’ll meet some fast-trackers, like Eric Carper and R.B. Seem, as well as some true innovators, like Renee Ayala Jones of Distinctive Touch Interiors, LLC, and Mike and Laura Bohrer of Detailed Destinations.

BUSINESS & CIRCULATION Kresha Hornby SEND MAIL TO

PO Box 1254 Martinsburg, WV 25402

True to form, we’ll show you some amazing getaways, and have your mouth watering with delicious articles on local restaurants—and even a farmer’s market in Shepherdstown that is reshaping the way we think about communal support and the spirit of collaboration. If you’re looking for something to do as the high heat of summer (hopefully) begins to relent, look no further than the Pickin’ in the Panhandle festival, the weekend of September 11th.

Victoria Kidd writes an excellent piece on West Virginia’s official barbeque and bluegrass festival.

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.

Mike Hornby Around The Panhandle Magazine 304-851-7461 mike@aroundthepanhandle.com Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AroundthePanhandleMagazine

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.

Hornby Publishing, LLC | PO Box 1254 | Martinsburg, WV 25402 | 304.851.7461

[6]

Around The Panhandle | MAY • JUNE 2011

City Hospital’s New Full-Service Cardiac Cath Lab Provides State-of-the-Art Diagnosis & Treatment. . . 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

WVUH-East’s new 12,000 square foot interventional and diagnostic catheterization lab brings advanced technology to the Eastern Panhandle. Cardiologists are capable of not only diagnosing, but now treating heart disease with our state-of-the-art digital equipment.

Now patients can stay in the Eastern Panhandle for the majority of their critical care and cardiology needs. University Cardiovascular Associates has also opened an office on the City Hospital campus, with 8 board certified cardiologists providing physician support.

City Hospital Expands Cardiovascular Services to include. . . n Diagnostic Cardiac Catheterization n Elective Primary Coronary Intervention (PCI) n Emergent Therapeutic Cardiac Catheterization (STEMI)

Neal S. Gaither, MD, FACC, FSCAI

For more information, call our Physician & Services Referral Line

1.888.WVU.1DOC.

www.wvuh-east.org

s U t u o b A l Al A little

at makes

team th e th n o d n u o backgr

e to life.

age com p y r e v e d n a each

Debra Cornwell Debra is a freelance and ghostwriter, contributing articles to several regional publications, including Around The Panhandle and Around Harrisonburg. She is an active community volunteer and fundraiser who enjoys entertaining, cooking, antiques, fashion, equestrian activities, and history. She is currently writing a book on entertaining and celebrations in Charles Town, with her husband and son. Visit www.DebGhostWriter.com.

Rick Hemphill Rick was born in Hagerstown, MD, in 1953, and graduated from Hagerstown High School in 1971. He received his BA from the University of Maryland Baltimore County in 1976, and went on to work in public service for the state of Maryland for thirty years—issuing marriage and business licenses and even performing civil marriages. Along the way, he has also developed several businesses that include: computer programming/integration, political consulting/ printing, and video/film production. He continues to toil away within all of these mediums today, in various forms. He has been married to his lovely wife, Suzanne, for twenty-five years, and they proudly claim two very talented children: Kathryn, 21, and Alexandra, 15. Rick published Disloyal Union in 2010, a Civil War book with a focus on Lincoln and McClellan at the battle of Antietam.

Teresa Brumback Teresa lives in Page County, VA, near Luray, and works as a clerk for a large national organization at their Winchester office. A graduate of the University of Maryland College Park, where she obtained a BS in journalism, Teresa has been honored with several feature and news awards from the Virginia Press Association. She was previously a feature editor and reporter for The Warren Sentinel newspaper in Front Royal, VA, from 1995 – 2000, and acted as senior news reporter for Leesburg Today newspaper from 2000 - 2005. She worked as a stringer for Time magazine, after the September 11th attacks, and had a co-byline in a story based on information she obtained about the hijackers aboard the flight that crashed into the Pentagon, and the airline agent who checked them in. In addition to writing, she enjoys playing classical piano, vegetable gardening, hiking, swimming, cooking, and listening to a variety of music.

Victoria Kidd Victoria is the co-director of OMP Consulting Group LLC, a copywriting and editing firm in Winchester, VA. The business provides a forum for her to express her passion for writing, and she spends much of her time creating résumés for individual clients or designing written materials for corporate accounts. In addition to an impressive professional and academic history, she is proud of her volunteer efforts with several local social service agencies that serve returning veterans and persons living with terminal illnesses. When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her friends, family, and four cats (Godzilla, Cuervo, Casanova, and Attila the Hun). Secretly, her prize possession is a metal comic book stand that dates from the late 1960s. Detailed information about Victoria can be found by visiting her website at www.VictoriaKidd.com..

Jimmy Schaffner Jimmy is the lead designer and right-hand man at Panhandle Printing & Design. He grew up in Martinsburg, where he currently resides with his beautiful wife, Donna and eight children: Caleb, Ian, Kyler, Briana, twins Madison & Hannah, Brayden - a.k.a Monkey and Collin. When his unbridled passion for coaching youth athletics gives him time for anything else, Jimmy finds himself helping Mike Hornby design the pages of ATP until the wee hours of the morning.

[8]

Around The Panhandle | MAY • JUNE 2011

Eric Fargo Eric was born in Wheeling, WV, in 1969, and moved to Charles Town in 1973. He graduated from Jefferson High School in 1987 and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1990.

He earned a degree as an Aerospace Physiology Specialist from the Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine. In 1994, he earned a Regents BA from Shepherd University.

He pursued careers in the family insurance business, as well as home building, before settling on his true passion, photography. He considers his job with Hornby Publishing to be a match made in heaven. Eric’s other passions are his photography company— fargofotos.com—and his two children: Kylie, 19, and Brady, 16.

Bonnie Williamson Bonnie has been a writer and editor for more than twenty years, writing for newspapers, radio, television, textbooks, and newsletters. She was previously an editor and writer for Platts/McGraw Hill in Washington, D.C., writing newsletters on the electric industry. She spent more than eight years in New Jersey state government, first as Public Information Officer for the New Jersey State Senate, then as speechwriter for the Commissioner of Transportation. She also authored the novel Hard to Dance with the Devil on Your Back. In addition, she teaches ballet, tap, and jazz to students of all ages.

Claire Gibson Webb Claire was born and raised in the Panhandle until she went off to college in Philadelphia, PA. After earning a degree in urban development from Eastern University, she joined AmeriCorps and served in both Atlanta and Washington, D.C. To support her travel habit, Claire became a substitute teacher, and spent time looking for adventures in countries near and far.

These adventures included learning Spanish, climbing volcanoes, visiting the Great Wall of China, eating strange things in Myanmar, enjoying sunsets on Zanzibar, and watching cheetahs hunt for lunch in Tanzania. To support her writing habit, Claire is now a full-time teacher for Jefferson County Public Schools, and enjoys teaching as much as she does her travels.

Mike Chalmers Mike graduated from Martinsburg High School in 1993, and Shepherd University in 1997, with a degree in communications. He has been a freelance writer and editor since 2006, and joined Hornby Publishing while sitting at a table in a coffee shop, in 2008. Before devoting all of his attention to writing, a little over two years ago, he spent the previous decade in education, in both WV and VA. He now pulls double duty, living as a freelance writer/editor and physical trainer, in both WV and Chicago. Locally, he is the editor of Around the Panhandle and Around Harrisonburg magazines, as well as the co-owner and creator of weareyep.com. In his spare time, he mostly daydreams about how he might one day become as cool and good looking as Eli Andersen.

Eli Andersen Like his hero, Mike Chalmers, Eli splits time between Martinsburg and Chicago.

A freelance print and digital writer for over ten years, he works in wind energy and photography, in addition to writing full-time. Eli graduated from Northwestern University and is currently finishing his first novel Kristen LeMaster Kristen is the owner at Orchidstrated Design, established in 2009, and is a 2008 graphic design graduate of Shepherd University. Kristen enjoys working tirelessly for her clients, from initial concepts and designs to the final stages of the printing process. She is married to her husband, Tim, and her baby girl, Naomi, is her pride and joy. Kristen likes to relax by spending time with her family and friends, shopping and dining out, and watching TV shows that involve food, home decorating, and design. She helps Mike Hornby create all the personalized marketing plans for ATP’s advertisers.

Brian Joliff Specializing in website design, development, search engine optimization, and web hosting for local and national small- to medium-sized businesses, Brian graduated from WVU in 1994 with a BFA in graphic design (Go Mountaineers!). He worked professionally as a graphic artist in the newspaper industry for nine years and has over thirteen years professional freelance experience in both print design and website design. Visit professionaldesign.com for more information.

www.AroundThePanhandle.com

[9]

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Do you have an eye for photography?

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

Since the entries have gotten better and better, I have to be more scrutinizing. Only because you guys rock. If you’re going to be serious about photography, please remove the date stamp on your camera. If you don’t know how, read the manual, if you don’t have the manual for that camera, go online and most of them can be downloaded for free or, learn how to erase it through your photo editor in your computer.

Except for the 10 year old who took the photo of their dog in sunglasses. He or she is 10. Get your mom or dad to remove the date stamp. The two photos taken of setting (rising) sun over water and boats. Great photos, but the flash isn’t necessary.

See how the flash picks up the reflective material of the sign and anything in the foreground, not necessary. Keep practicing and learn how to operate your camera in low light conditions without flash. Just some constructive criticism, please don’t take it the wrong way.

Winner --- Blue Crystal by: Jon Russel Bar Great light and focus, great macro shot Honorable mention --Don’t hang me out to dry by: Kian Dyen I love the artistic impression behind this photo. I see where you’re going with it.

Crackers eyes by: Hope Helmuth Great photo, great lighting (Probably sunset) Ohio bridge by: Melissa Kois I like this photo because, as you know, my eye likes depth of field. You probably shot this from inside your car with your window up because there is a reflection from inside the window (I think), but it kinda creates some cool lighting effects, next time try rolling the window down, if you have time. Again, DATE STAMP?

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 [ 11 ]

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Horses and Girls Soar at Eagles’ Wings - By Bonnie Williamson

“The wind of heaven is that which blows between a horse’s ears.” – Arabian proverb.

Horses and a little bit of heaven can be found in Hedgesville at a twenty-acre non-profit facility called Eagles’ Wings Educational Girls Home. Eagles’ Wings is a special program that utilizes the unique characteristics of horses to help young women, from eleven to eighteen years old, deal with the challenges in their lives.

“All of our girls are at risk of something. Some have social problems. Some want to drop out of school,” says Jeannie Hellem-Ramsey. “Many have made foolish choices in life.

They’re drawn to our horses.

Horses are intense, emotional and herd animals. Seeing how the horses communicate and interact helps the girls develop better www.AroundThePanhandle.com

communication skills themselves.”

Jeannie has been involved with Eagles’ Wings since 1997. Both she and her husband Chris have very personal reasons for their commitment to the program.

Jeannie has been around horses most of her life. At one point, she wanted to be a jockey, serving an apprenticeship in New York.

“But I wasn’t real successful. I had a change in career, attending bible college, then working in a shelter for children. I saw a lot of similarities between what girls go through in life, and horses. For example, horses have cliques, pecking orders. So do girls. The horses came back into play in my life.”

God came into play, as well.

taught how easy it is to access God, to talk to Him,” explains Jeannie. “They see the beauty of the horses and the beauty of the surroundings. It’s hard not to see God in all of this.”

Jeannie originally founded Eagles’ Wings with her twin sister Carol Watts. The title Eagles’ Wings is based on Isaiah 40:31: “Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength. They will mount up with wings as eagles.”

“We want the girls to have a place where they can soar,” she hopes.

“Eagles’ Wings is a faith-based program, where the girls are

Chris says he can identify with the girls at Eagles’ Wings because he was the product of a broken home.

“I was in foster homes. I know what it feels like to be hurt. You stuff things way down deep but they have a way of coming back up to hurt you. You become dysfunctional. I’ve learned a lot

[ 13 ]

about myself working with the girls and the horse whispering techniques we use here.”

Horse whispering consists of developing a communication system with the horse based on body language. Horses use ear positions, head positions, show their teeth, and swing their hips to communicate with other members of the herd.

“We can get the horses to respond to us just with a touch,” Chris adds. “It’s not like what the cowboys do with spurs and yelling.”

“However, in order to communicate with the horse, you have to get to know it,” says Jeannie. “The girls are very involved with their horses. That’s why we don’t have boys here. If boys were here, the

[ 14 ]

girls would be more concerned about impressing them—putting on make-up, looking pretty.

You can’t be worried about your appearance when you’re around horses. Our girls take care of their horses and do everything from currying the horses to cleaning out stalls.”

A horse is selected for a girl based on her personality and skill. The Ramseys own eight horses.

Rhema is a black and white Tennessee Walker, who has had to deal with many issues of his own, like fear, rejection, and abandonment. He was once in the show ring, but because of economic hardships, found himself in the auction house. He helps the girls overcome insecurity, Jeannie explains.

Hope is a high-spirited pinto mare.

Rain is a spotted saddle mare who has a lot of power but doesn’t quite know what to do with it.

“We get a lot of girls like that,” says Jeannie.

Caesar is a black Tennessee Walker.

Kyros, a chestnut Tennessee Walker, is the alpha, or leader of the herd.

“Kyros is extremely gentle and patient. He is the perfect horse for beginners. He also gives one of the smoothest rides you’ll ever have,” maintains Chris.

Dane is the chestnut-colored chairman of the “welcoming committee,” who wants everyone to give him pets and treats, smiles

Around The Panhandle | MAY • JUNE 2011

Jeannie.

Adena is a strawberry roan racking horse.

And finally there’s Asia, the oldest horse in the herd. Jeannie refers to her as “sweet and sassy.”

Sometimes the horses themselves are as challenging as the girls that come to Eagles’ Wings. Jeannie says seven of the horses were sneaking off the property at night, down a secret path, and eating grass in a neighbor’s yard. They would return home before any activities started.

“The horses were lethargic and would lie down during the day.

We couldn’t figure out why. Hope didn’t go with the others but finally alerted us as to what was going on. It was actually very funny,” remembers Jeannie.

Eagles’ Wings works with girls in the four-state area of West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. Recently, a young girl from Washington, DC, participated in the program.

“She was terrified at first—had panic attacks. But we worked with her and it was such a freeing experience for her to talk about her fears, and then get over them,” Chris says.

Unlike Jeannie, Chris had never been around horses, and admits to being afraid of them himself, at first.

“I didn’t get on a horse for two months, as I was learning the horse whisperer techniques. A horse knows as soon as you’re on its back that you’re afraid. You learn how to ask them for their help. You watch them and come to love them.”

Jeannie adds, “The horse whisperer techniques we teach help them communicate with the horses and help them with people whisperer techniques. They

www.AroundThePanhandle.com

learn how to communicate more effectively with their parents and their peers.”

Eagles’ Wings offers a variety of programs, such as adopting a horse for seven months, which includes riding lessons and access to equipment to take care of the horse; a Breakthrough Wilderness Weekend, with hiking and horseback riding, near the Sleepy Creek Wildlife Management Area that borders the Eagles’ Wings property; Horse Passion Camp, where girls learn all about horses and horse whispering; and a MiniPassion Overnight Camp that ends with everyone sitting around the campfire.

“It’s all very safe,” Jeannie emphasizes. “Horses are big animals, so the girls learn to listen to their trainer’s instructions.

They learn to let go and to trust.

You can learn to trust with God in your life. You learn to respond to other people’s feelings. If a horse is upset, the girls learn why and act accordingly. If one horse is bullying another, the girls see what it’s like to be a bully and a victim.”

The facility has a small pond where many of the girls will even ride on their mounts as the horses go swimming.

Eagles’ Wings has a small staff of five or six that can grow up to fifteen on weekends.

“We depend on word of mouth to get girls to come to the program.

We attract girls with all kinds of personalities from all kinds of backgrounds,” notes Jeannie.

Winston Churchill once said: “No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle.” The Ramseys, and the girls of Eagles’ Wings, would surely agree with him.

Eagles’ Wings is located at 385 Butterfly Lane. For more information call (304) 7544414, or visit their website: eagleswingsgirls.org.

[ 15 ]

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[ 19 ]

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Have you ever taken a look around your house and thought it could use a few updates? The drapes look tired, the paint is drab, and just look at that furniture—reminiscent of another decade. Or, forget the updates— how about an entire remodel? Most people do not trust themselves enough to take these matters into their own hands, nor do they have the time necessary to devote to such an endeavor. This may be a good time to place a call to Renee Ayala Jones of Distinctive Touch Interiors, LLC.

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PROFILE

Jones has been passionate about interior design since 1985, after a personal tragedy sparked, quite literally, her interest in the business. At that time, she was living in a 100-year-old home in Denver, Colorado.

A fire broke out, causing damage so extensive that the entire structure needed to be gutted. Jones, who already had an interest in decorating, was now faced with the task of researching codes and floor plans to rehab her damaged house. “It was baptism by fire,” she remembers.

From that point, her passing interest began to gain momentum, and she began to design projects for the homes of many friends. Eventually, upon the encouragement of a friend to “stop working for free” and start her own business, Jones did just that. She did some research, took several design courses, and opened up an office in Denver.

Renee Ayala Jones

Distinctive Touch Interiors, LLC.

Relocation to the Eastern Panhandle did not deter Jones’s goals or her success. Jones and artist husband, Charles, made the cross-country move to be closer to their five children and twelve grandchildren, most of whom live in Maryland. She wasted little time, setting out right away to develop clients and contacts. She enthuses, “It has been fantastic; it took me a good year to find a base and team, and now I have a great team!”

Jones—a 2010 recipient of the Best Interior Decorator Designer by The Journal Reader’s Choice Awards—and her team of nine serve clients all over the Panhandle, as well as some who live in Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. A design project can range from a simple change in draperies, to a grand remodel, or even a new home. The Distinctive Touch Interiors team also does commercial work.

So what is the difference between redecorating a living space and designing one? “A decorator has a knack to change paint and drapes,” Jones explains. “A designer is up on codes and licenses and is a member of affiliations that support the degree. Designers are involved from the ground up.” She continually takes courses in order to keep abreast with new products and techniques, as well as to stay up-to-date on her licensing. Some of her current memberships and affiliations include the Designer’s Society of America and the Interior Design Protection Council.

When choosing Jones and the Distinctive Touch team to complete a project, customers receive dedication and commitment to a job well done. Clients are given a timeline so they can know what to expect during each phase of the project. Even more importantly, Jones ensures that the lines of communication are always kept open. “All of my clients have my cell phone number. There is twenty-four-hour accessibility. If I am out of town, someone else [at Distinctive Touch] with take care of it.”

Most of Jones’s work is completely custom. Born in Japan, there is a touch of Asian influence in her designs, but she always defers to the tastes of her clients. She particularly enjoys the Mediterranean, European, Latin, colonial Spanish, and Tuscan styles.

Beyond projects that beautify, though, the work of Distinctive Touch has recently introduced a new division that provides more function than it does flair. It’s called “Aging in Place” design, and focuses on enabling seniors to stay in their own homes, as they may be learning to live with increased physical limitations. Many senior citizens cannot afford a retirement village or simply do not want to leave the comfort of their homes. The Distinctive Touch team will give a free consultation of the whole house, redesigning simple tasks to make them even simpler for an older population. This may include reconfiguring doorknobs and faucets, or creating an easier way to get in and out of bed. The goal is to assist seniors in remaining independent for as long as possible.

If you are interested in speaking with Renee Ayala Jones about a design for your home, or about an “Aging in Place” consultation, Call 304-754-9525 to get started.

www.AroundThePanhandle.com

No matter which type of project Jones is working on, she is passionate about what she does. Plenty of before and after photos are available for people inquiring of Jones’s services. Or, head over to macetv.net and watch an episode of “That Distinctive Touch” on channel five, to get a preview of the talented designer’s work.

- By Claire Gibson Webb

[ 21 ]

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ELI

To Poke or Not to Poke

by Eli Andersen Sound the alarms!

According to multiple reports, Facebook is declining in the U.S. and Canada. What! How can that be? I just uploaded seventyfive pictures of my dog asleep on the couch, and even reassured everyone, on my Wall, that my trip to the dentist was a success (complete with photos of the parking lot, the reception desk, me sitting forlornly in the waiting room, and post-op, at lunch—the sweet potato fries got four Likes!).

Yes, we know it’s good for networking— Facebook that is—and we also know that it has become such a default life of sorts for so many of us, that hours can fly by while we study the lives of people we haven’t seen or spoken to since high school, and in turn, announce the details of our own lives to. And is there anything more ridiculous (seriously, people) than getting a friend request from someone who doesn’t at least message you even a little bit to say hello—to at least recognize the fact that you haven’t actually communicated in over a decade?

It’s actually quite arrogant—like they’re saying, “Here, look at my life—but I don’t want to look at yours.” I confirm so many people, and still never talk to them. I now just have this somewhat intimate, though oddly eerie, sightline into their day-to-day lives. And guess what? I’m still not interested! Yeah, we joke about it, but it’s true. If I was that interested in still talking to you, I’d STILL

BE TALKING TO YOU. I assume you’ve looked at all of my pictures (who knows), as I have yours, and quite honestly, that often does it for me. Now I know what you look like twenty years later—kids, animals, vacation pics, at some sporting event, out at some club, the star of your own life…zzzzzz—maybe I’ll actually remember your name if we see each other on the street some day.

Okay, okay...let’s retrace our steps for a minute. I actually do appreciate being “found” or friended by certain people.

Life is short and fast; you lose track of a lot of things in the translation, including some pretty special folks. The irony of Facebook, and perhaps part of the reason for its recent decline in North America, is that after a certain amount of friends are collected, users have so many people to follow and/or communicate with, that they don’t really communicate with anyone anymore, other than through updates. And who needs more updates?

We’re bombarded with news, sports, entertainment, sex, and fashion updates all day long. It all sort of becomes white noise, including these once-coveted “reconnections” we established on FB. So, and I’m just thinking out loud here, is Facebook’s greatest flaw the fact that the bigger it gets, the more meaningless it becomes?

FT Tech Hub, among many, reported last month that between May and June, though activity still grew by 1.7% overall (mainly because of gains in places like Brazil, India, Mexico, and Indonesia), Facebook lost 6 million members in

the U.S. and 1.5 million in Canada.

Losses were also reported in England, Norway, and Russia. Insidefacebook. com acknowledges that, though such a revelation certainly can’t be branded a trend just yet, the data (combined with abnormal growth patterns as of late) is a bit “unusual.”

I’m reminded of a quote by author Olin Miller: “We probably wouldn’t worry about what people think of us if we could know how seldom they do.”

I think about this all the time. It might not even be a case of “not caring” about people as much as it is that I simply only have enough time to do the things I do and share time with a fairly exclusive group of friends, family, and associates.

So maybe FB is a way for us to merely say to the rest of our personal world: ‘Sup people, here’s what I did today. Or maybe it’s a way for all of us to exercise this not-so-subtle “right to know” construct that has seemed to invade our collective social landscapes. The rise in social media and digital information has certainly re-shaped what we “think” we should be allowed to know about everyone and every thing, and we’re showered with the details of so many things now, on a daily basis, that our perspectives have become distorted— ushering in a certain quiet demand for transparency on so many levels in our society (including social networking) that we’re all equally guilty members of the “entitlement generation.”

There’s also another theory out there—

in relation to FB’s recent wobble. It’s losing its coolness. Huh? Think about it. Everything ends. Every empire falls (often for reasons that seem quite avoidable in hindsight). And even though we live in a country where certain entities have been deemed fail-proof, I think we can all agree that such a designation is a load of crap. Even though the banks (and their tributaries) were deemed such (and rescued shamelessly), didn’t they at least fail the American people, if nothing else? So, how could Facebook lose its coolness, and how might that be contributing to an early threat of failure? Simple. For the same reason I lose interest in my little page (just one page out of almost 700 million), vast swaths of users will also inevitably lose interest in theirs.

Oversaturation. Too many people. And more specifically, too many old people.

Ouch. Yep. Facebook, by becoming ubiquitous, is signing its own death certificate. Who likes crowds? Who likes standing in line, or being put on hold?

And the realm of digital advertising follows around the young people of the world like love-struck puppies. When the young people decide that Facebook isn’t cool anymore, because there are too many old people on it, you can bet your interface they will go elsewhere, and advertisers will follow. How old is too old? Well, let’s just say that you’ll know Facebook isn’t cool anymore in the same way you found out MySpace wasn’t—when it gets swallowed up by something else—the proverbial party down the street that slowly pulls all of the people out of your party. Next thing you know, you’re down the street, too. Besides, young people don’t want to know about their uncle’s vacation plans, their parents’ date night, or their teacher’s child’s horseback riding lessons.

That stuff isn’t cool, and it has no place in a young person’s endless current of already-useless information.

But, for the same reason teenagers want to be dropped off two blocks from the movies, the rest of us don’t like to have to shout to be heard, or sit in traffic, or wait for a table. The more people, the less personal anything is—the less valuable the venue in which the people exist—in this case, Facebook.

After all, the average age of FB users is 38 – 44. Which, you might say, disputes this argument. But it’s all part of the same debate: eventually, it will get stale, and dated; people’s lives won’t be as intriguing to us anymore because

www.AroundThePanhandle.com

they all look the same. And don’t kid yourselves; social networking is a young person’s game. Just try to pry that cell phone from your disconnected teen’s fingers and witness, at least for a couple of minutes, the life come back into his eyes, as the panic over not being able to text five hundred times in the next few hours truly starts to settle in like soul-crushing magma. Kids these days are wired to this form of interaction in a disturbing way, and at ever-increasing speeds and volumes. Gone are the days of apathetic teens ignoring their parents because that’s simply what teens do; nowadays, kids don’t just ignore their parents, they ignore everything and anything within the vicinity—eyes and fingers glued to an apparatus that stands as a modern symbol of how our technology is making us dumber.

Every generation after mine (Generation X), won’t know life without total entertainment—life without the option to completely distract oneself with any number of endless devices or websites or games or fingertip communication—won’t know life with the option of merely sitting still, enjoying the tranquility of the moment, when that moment simply represents nothing for now.

The other side effect of this era, and all the eras after, I assume, is that its many members will grow up with a completely distorted and off-base concept of what is special, what is unique, what has ultimate value—and how they inevitably fall into those categories. What we might end up with (and I use “might” because I’m scared of the truth) is a major part of an entire generation merely content with being led—led by whatever marketing machine tells them to go here

or there—followers who have neither the motivation to fulfill their potentials, the insight to broaden their horizons, or the wherewithal to break free from the bubble within which they’ve allowed themselves to become confined.

My revolving concern is twofold: how long is it going to take these young people to pull themselves from this experiential haze, and how is the future of this country going to be affected by this massive group of people who can’t draw from life experience because they’ve ignored so much of it along the way? Let me guess: “We’ve been saying that about our young people for decades; every generation is scared to death that the next generation is too clueless and will run the country into the ground.” Well, no generation was like the generation I’m referring to. Just like my generation isn’t just a few steps to the right or left of our parents—we’re worlds apart, because of technology, and access to concepts and procedures that can’t possibly be woven back in to the groups that preceded us. And my group didn’t walk around in anywhere near the stupor—near the disengagement—I see in Generation Y— via digital gadgetry. Ironically, this group feeds social networking juggernauts like Facebook and Twitter.

As I write this, I’m looking down the block at the Sears Tower—Chicago.

It’s nearly forty years old, and stands a little over 1,700 feet, with the antennas. If it were to tumble over, as horrible as it would be, we could grasp that—it’s tangible. We saw it built; it has a recorded birth, a lifespan, and a purpose. We saw it go up; we know its history. If it were to fall, we’d have a wealth of physical memory to associate with its demise. And we’d use that pool of knowledge to help ourselves comprehend the disaster—to pull through it. It would be the end of an era, and the symbol of that era, by crumbling, would be the period at the end of the sentence.

But the Internet is virtual; Facebook is digital—non-physical. Yes, it consists of millions of people visiting a specific place, but the place doesn’t actually exist, and if it crashes to the ground—if the era of Facebook comes to an end, what would symbolize its passing, other than the mass exodus of almost a billion people to another similar site? And what does that say about the value of Facebook, and moreover, the value of the Internet? [ 25 ]

I was asked today if I thought the Internet was dying. This question paralleled the overall Facebook conversation that a lot of writers, especially in big cities, are mulling over.

Of course not—is my answer. The Internet is changing, evolving, and certainly expanding. It’s just that the Internet changes and evolves so rapidly, most of the people “on the ground” barely get a chance to notice the specifics—we just know that it’s not quite like it was, but we’re not sure how to explain it. Like in life, things come and go, thrive and then die out, rise and then fall. The Internet has evolved over twenty years to pretty much look and feel like our physical lives—and it interacts with us, and we it, in a way that allows for a mixture between realities. And all of this has happened pretty much in two decades—a shocking speed of growth and adaptation.

Within that time period, millions and perhaps billions of entities have come and gone while it grew, just like in life.

But life has come along over the course of billions of years—the Internet merely twenty. Now that should give all of us pause. I think it’s pretty safe to say that, at such speeds, an entity could emerge and captivate the whole planet, connect billions, affect politics, and change the course of history—and yet be gone and fairly forgotten in less than ten years.

Sounds crazy? Well, if I had explained what we know of as the Internet today, to you just twenty-five years ago,

[ 26 ]

you’d have probably called me crazy then, too. And similarly, we’d probably call someone crazy tomorrow if they explained something that the Internet will be doing in 2020. The rules have simply changed. “High-speed” represents so much more than a simple designation of service. It means that entities, no matter how grand, arrive and depart at alarming rates. Which begs the question: How can we ultimately have faith in the Internet, other than as a medium for temporary exchange of goods, services, information, and communication? And this might somewhat explain an initial panic over early signs that Facebook isn’t going to be around forever, and is in fact just another internet company— here today, gone tomorrow. The problem with this particular virtual entity is that we’ve placed a lot of faith in it. We’ve allowed it to become our second life, or in some cases, our first. We’ve yet to learn our lesson that real life is where it’s at—and the Internet should serve a very different purpose. This notion, more than a lot of things, is what worries me most about our young people coming up.

They’re going to have an increasingly hard time distinguishing between one and the other—with the problem being that they’re so invested in the one that isn’t real. All the time they invest in the fake one is time not invested in the real one—time with actual people, “present” and committed to the moment—which will certainly hurt their development as

productive, worthwhile adults.

Should we make a big deal out of Facebook losing members? Does it represent a much larger shift in our social structure, as a country and inevitably a planet? One thing we forgot to consider was: are the giants of the Internet fail-proof, like the giants of real life supposedly were? We don’t have a plan B if we wake up tomorrow and Facebook isn’t there anymore. What will we do? Will we tweet? Instant message?

Where will we land? Would we have to go back to email—the aging old rust bucket of communication, where answers to questions could take minutes, or even hours, depending on whether someone actually has a life or not? Well, one thing we can be sure of: in time, everything ends—whether the time period consists of millions, thousands, hundreds, or simply tens of years. The fact that this “Age of Access” is making us more lonely, and causing more and more of us to want to unplug, and even seek solace away from the chaos, is not only very telling, but very encouraging. Perhaps we aren’t quite as oblivious as it may seem. Perhaps we can delineate between virtual and physical. Perhaps we do know the difference between “poking” someone and actually hugging them, looking into their eyes, being present.

But then, perhaps I’m just speaking for everyone over thirty.

Around The Panhandle | MAY • JUNE 2011

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Our professional careers are metaphorically similar to sailing a ship across the sea. For most of us, we start our working life on the docks of high school, and we end it upon our arrival at the port of retirement. The journey from one destination to another is one of our own making, a testament to how well we can steer our vessel in the face of all odds. For most, the course conceptualized in our youth is not the one we will exclusively travel. Such is true for Mike Bohrer, a professional who had already navigated his vessel into a successful career in sales, when he realized that it was time to plot a new course. His new course would lead to the opening of Detailed Destinations, a leading ground transportation service in our area. How he arrived at this destination is a story of interest.

It was 2006, and Mike was working for Shentel, a telecommunications company, as an outside sales representative. The winds of change were shifting the business environment all around him.

Improved sales strategies and new efficiencies were being introduced to combat the economic challenges that were a precursor to the current recession. Mike watched as the workforce around him grew smaller and smaller, and he realized that it was time to set his sail in a new direction.

Detailed Destinations

Driven to Exceed Expectations.

- By Victoria Kidd

www.AroundThePanhandle.com

Around that time, a friend had introduced him to Laura, the woman who would eventually become his wife and business partner.

Several months later, the couple was planning a vacation in Mexico, and booked flights out of Dulles International Airport. They were excited to get away from everyday life, but hesitant to leave their car in the dark recesses of long-term airport parking. Laura laughs as she explains, “I was paranoid about leaving the car there. Anything can happen to it while you are gone, and I just knew that I would be obsessing over it the whole time we were away.� Considering this, Mike set out to find a solution. He determined that finding someone to drive them to the airport would not only solve the problem, but would also add a little something special to

[ 31 ]

the trip.

“We wanted what you see in the movies,” Mike explains. “We wanted a black car to take us there. We did not want just a taxi or a friend. We called around and discovered that it was nearly impossible to find a local service provider, and ended up finding someone out of Fredrick.”

A black sedan picked them up and safely delivered them to the airport, and they found that the experience was exactly what they anticipated.

It was a comfortable and stress-free way to start their vacation.

Soon, they were relaxing on the beach, sipping tropical drinks, and talking about Mike’s position within his current company. They considered Mike’s qualifications, professional history, and interests.

He had a wealth of experience in sales, operations, and customer service. He was known for obsessing about the details, and knew that, given the chance, he could build a successful business of his own.

But what type of business could he open? “We went through all of the obvious choices,” Laura relays.

[ 32 ]

“He considered restaurants, bars, retail stores, and all of the other natural considerations. Then it dawned on me that he needed to open a business that he could really be passionate about.” Laura knew that Mike loved cars. He was fastidious about the cleanliness and maintenance of his own vehicles, and she suggested that he open a business related to his passion for cars.

Her suggestion would be the catalyst for the start of Detailed Destinations, the Panhandle’s premier ground transportation service. Having just experienced how difficult it was to find a local sedan service, Mike and Laura started conceptualizing a business plan, and when the couple returned to West Virginia, Mike ran the idea past a few of his close business associates. He knew that the area had plenty of business professionals who regularly traveled to the airports in Baltimore, Washington, and Dulles. Perhaps they would be interested in such a service. His associates seemed enthusiastic about the idea, and he set out to find the funding necessary

for the endeavor. By May of 2007, the license for the business went into effect.

Mike started by trading his personal vehicle for a plush, luxury SUV that would comfortably transport an entire family to and from the airport. He soon expanded his fleet by purchasing a high-end, executiveworthy black sedan, and a tenpassenger stretch limousine. Now he could service families, business travelers, or people looking for a special way to spend the evening.

His instinct paid off. Within one month of obtaining his business license, he made his maiden voyage with his first client.

Today, the business is thriving. As Mike and Laura’s customer base grew, so did their fleet of vehicles.

They have added a twenty-eightpassenger coach and a fifteenpassenger van for special events or travel. Their convoy also includes a thirty-six-passenger luxury mid-size coach, fit for rock stars and dignitaries alike, as well as a breathtaking Lexus sedan that promises to make your

Around The Panhandle | MAY • JUNE 2011

entrance memorable. They even offer transportation services on a nostalgic, old-time trolley that is perfect for weddings or other events where you simply need a little something special.

The vehicles are central to the logistics of running the business, but it is Mike and Laura’s commitment to providing unparalleled customer service that really sets them apart. Detailed Destinations offers customers an entirely different experience than what they expect.

The company’s staff is completely committed to exceeding your expectations. Their cars are clean, and their drivers are courteous.

Every detail of your trip has been considered. If you are a repeat customer, you may even find your favorite snacks in the car waiting for you. Book the rental for a night on the town, and Mike will even help with your reservations. Make a request and flowers can be waiting for you in the car. Mike summarizes his theory of service by saying, “It is all about going above and beyond what the customer expects.” It is www.AroundThePanhandle.com

that theory that has created the success the business enjoys today.

Such a commitment to service has allowed the company to thrive in a time when many other businesses have barely been able to keep their doors open. They have repaid their success, by finding ways to support the community. Charities such as the March of Dimes and the American Cancer Society have benefited from their support, and service packages ranging from a round-trip airport service to a wine country tour can regularly be found in local auctions that support area social service agencies. Giving back to the community is important to them both, and as the business continues to grow, they are committed to continuing their support of organizations that serve those in need. They are equally committed to being a one-stop shop for local residents on the go.

In addition to providing transportation for wedding parties, trips to the airport, and special events, Mike and Laura commonly

find themselves serving as local concierges for clients who know that they want to do something special, but just don’t know what to do. “We know all the great dining spots and entertainment venues in the area,” Laura explains. “We see where our clients go, and we can certainly help anyone who wants to do something special for an anniversary or just a night out. We’re happy to connect people with options that they may not otherwise think of.” When you call Detailed Destinations, you will find that they truly want to make your evening special, and they are willing to do whatever is needed to make setting the arrangements easy for you.

Detailed Destinations offers affordable, sophisticated, exceptional ground transportation services.

Whether you need to move event attendees from one location to the next, or you simply want to show that special someone a great evening, Mike and Laura can help.

To learn more about the services provided by Detailed Destinations, call Mike at 877-724-8701, or visit them online at: detaileddestinations. com. [ 33 ]

“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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Pickin in the Panhandle The West Virginia State BBQ & Bluegrass Festival.

- By Victoria Kidd

If you really stop and think about it, there are actually a few things that are unquestionably American. These things are born of our struggles, our cultural identity, and our ingenuity.

They may be influenced or derived from the practices of those who have immigrated here, but they are born on our soil. They connect us through a collective experience that is uniquely American—uniquely ours.

Among the list of these things, you will most certainly find barbeque and bluegrass. The two are most compatible partners, and together have given rise to a must-do activity in the Panhandle. That activity is the annual festival known as Pickin’ in the Panhandle, and it is our official state barbeque and bluegrass festival.

Pickin’ in the Panhandle was born of a realization by Andrea Ball that West Virginia did not have a state barbeque festival. Andrea is the executive director of the Martinsburg-Berkeley County Convention & Visitors Bureau,

[ 36 ]

and the co-chair of the festival committee. During a board meeting, a member mentioned that West Virginia was the only southern state that did not have such an event.

It seemed only natural to pair bluegrass with the festival, and the first event was conceptualized and held five years ago. Today, the event draws crowds of more than 8,000 people, and it has continued to maintain a central focus on the food and music that inspired its inception.

Andrea describes the event as “all encompassing.” She explains, “It has great bands and music contests for the die-hard blugrasser, but it also has plenty to enjoy for people who appreciate country, folk, Americana, and rockabilly. For people who are there to eat, drink, or cook, the amazing vendors, the tastin’ tent, BBQ judging, and beer garden will fit the bill. Also consider it as just a lazy day in the country, shopping at our arts and crafts vendor tents, or playing with the kids in the kid’s korner. It really offers something

for everyone.” Considering all of the offered activities, the ticket price of $40 for the entire weekend (and free admission for the kids) is a real bargain. It is really an event unlike any other in the state, and attendees will recognize such as soon as they enter the area.

The first thing attendees will notice is the sounds of banjos and guitars dramatically echoing throughout the venue. Bluegrass has roots going back to the mid-1800s, and it is a tradition that is characterized by toe-tapping beats played almost exclusively on stringed instruments.

The performances that one can enjoy are true to the original passion and form played on Southern porches as far back as the civil war. A steady rise in popularity has continually increased interest in this type of music. The event that originally attracted six bands now has twenty-eight performers gracing its three stages. It has hosted numerous West Virginia bands, Nashville-based talent, and even big

Around The Panhandle | MAY • JUNE 2011

names, such as the Charlie Daniels Band. The event continues to grow, and shows no signs of diminishing in popularity.

Part of its appeal is driven by the competitive nature of the musicians. Not only are they there to entertain, but many of them are also competing in various events throughout the weekend. There is an event for up-and-coming musicians and another for established bluegrass bands. There are even categories for individual pickers. If you are not quite ready to compete for the cash prizes and trophies, consider participating in one of the workshops offered by professional musicians throughout the event.

(Be sure to bring your instrument!

You will have the chance to learn from some of the best vocalists and the most exceptional bluegrass musicians in the business.) Without question, there is something offered for everyone at the event, and each year the festival directors offer more and more.

www.AroundThePanhandle.com

“This year is the biggest yet,” says Jennifer Jensen, the co-director of the festival committee. “We have continued to grow, year after year. We have added a local artist showcase to introduce attendees to talent that is homegrown right here in Berkeley County. People can pull in with their campers Friday morning and stay right there for the whole event. It really is a pretty incredible weekend, and we are proud of what the community has built through their support.”

The community’s support is equally divided between the music and the food that competes for the attention of the attendees. You may notice the music first, but it will soon be followed by the scent of sweet barbeque, as its aroma is carried on the wind. Between the professional and backyard barbeque competitor categories, the event attracts about seventy-five competitors from around the country. In fact, it is the only competitive barbeque event

in West Virginia that is sanctioned

by Kansas City Barbecue Society (KCBS), the leading competitive event organization for barbeque in the country. This year, following numerous requests from attendees, they are even adding a competitive dessert category.

If the diverse musical offerings and a competitive food category dedicated to desserts is not enough to gain your attention, consider the wide variety of other activities offered at the event. Attendees can visit the wine and beer garden after stuffing themselves with succulent barbeque ribs. Feeling adventurous? Take a trip up the rock wall, or watch your kids enjoy the moon bounce, both of which are being operated by Boys and Girls Club volunteers, who will be onsite collecting money to support the charitable organization.

Music, food, and adventure are only part of the event’s draw.

You must also consider shopping.

If you are a fan of the buy-local

[ 37 ]

movement, you will not want to miss the arts and crafts booths at the event. Local artisans, farmers, and crafters will be offering their wares throughout the three-day festival.

You rarely have the opportunity to participate in such a diverse event, and the organizers want to make sure that each year exceeds your expectations.

It must be recognized that an incredible amount of effort from sponsors, volunteers, participants, and event staff is required to help exceed those expectations year after year. The organizers are supported by a number of people behind the scenes. Jennifer explains, “We are so grateful for the people who come together to make this happen. We really are building something incredible here, and we are so thankful for the sponsors who donate funds or simply sell tickets.

Every person who supports the event through ticket purchases or participation is a part of something very special in our area.”

Indeed, the event is special, and it will continue to evolve over time.

Andrea and Jennifer both envision continual growth and have big plans for the coming years. “My vision is to add a new component every year,” Andrea remarks. “This year we added the Mountaineer stages and more offerings on Friday. Basically, as soon as the festival ends, we put our heads together as a committee to see how to make it bigger next year. We have grown to nearly eight thousand attendees from the first year to the fourth, so we’re under a lot of pressure to keep it fresh and fun.” With such dedicated leadership behind the event, there is no question that it will continue to grow.

Be a part of the event by planning your attendance! We hope to see you at the Lazy A Campground in Back Creek Valley between September 9th and 11th. Visit panhandlepickin.com for more event details and information on how to save money by purchasing your tickets in advance. You are sure to leave with a full belly and rhythm in your step!

[ 38 ]

Around The Panhandle | MAY • JUNE 2011

United is proud to partner with The Greenbrier Classic showcasing the beautiful state of West Virginia while benefiting many local charities.

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Escape to Eagle Country

FINALLY, a party where you DON’T spend any money!

HampsHire County, West Virginia

Hop on the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad for a three hour narrated tour of the Trough, a beautiful mountain canyon. Watch our American Bald Eagles chase the train. Canoe or kayak on the South Branch River.

History lives here: Visit Fort Edwards or Fort Mill Ridge. Enjoy concerts with Appalachian music, bluegrass, and classic country.

Host a Mining for

Party…

Exchange that old jewelry and You get $$$$ …while you wait!

speCial eVents inClude:

Hampshire Heritage Fest Sept. 10-12 Capon Bridge Founders Day Sept. 24-25 This is an easy opportunity to capitalize on the rising prices of gold…… it doesn’t take much for you and your party guests to generate some serious cash! It’s a WIN-WIN for everyone!

Host a Gold Party and YOU receive a $100 incentive!

You also receive 10% Commission based on all Gold purchased at your event!

I offer some of the best pricing in the area with NO MIDDLEMAN, which means more $$$ for you and your guests!

(*To clarify: “$$$$” is actually a company check for documentation purposes)

For more information, contact the Visitors Center at 877-481-7477 or log onto www.cometohampshire.com Hampshire County is 30 minutes west of Winchester, VA.

For more Information or for an individual consultation Contact Gold Specialist: Carla Hirsch 240.543.1943 • HirschesQubed@aol.com

The Greenbrier’s New Chapter is Success - By Debra Cornwell

No longer trading on past glory, The Greenbrier, as reinvented by Jim Justice, is carving a new niche in travel lore. In two short years, The Greenbrier has reclaimed its position as America’s Resort, and has moved beyond the story of bankruptcy.

Home to a new casino and a spot on the PGA Tour, The Greenbrier is attracting new guests and reclaiming seasoned visitors.

For the uninitiated, we’ll re-cap, starting with a walk down memory lane for some—ancient history to others: * 1778 - Settlers in the region are “cured” by drinking from the sulphur

www.AroundThePanhandle.com

spring and bathing in its water. * 1858 - The Grand Central Hotel, known as The White, opened. * 1869 - Gen. Robert E. Lee’s legendary visit. Rail service begins shortly thereafter. * 1913 - Purchased by the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway and re-named The Greenbrier. * Sept 1, 1942 - June 30, 1946 Served as the U.S. Army’s Ashford General Hospital. * April 15-18, 1948 - Grand Re-

Opening Party—possibly the party of the century—showing designer Dorothy Draper’s refurbishment of The Greenbrier. * 1959 - Project Greek Island underway. * 1992 - Journalist Ted Gup exposes Project Greek Island to the public in a Washington Post article. * 2000 - The resort loses its cherished fifth star of its Mobile’s Travel Guide rating. * 2007 - $50-million re-fresh and upgrade led by Dorothy Draper

[ 41 ]

protégé Carleton Varney. * 2009 - Possible bankruptcy. * April 29-May 6, 2009 - Jim Justice negotiates and buys The Greenbrier for $20 million—possibly the deal of the century—foiling Marriott International’s potential purchase of the resort. * July 2010 - Celebrity-packed grand opening of The Casino Club; later in the month, the first PGA Greenbrier Classic is launched.

When one approaches The Greenbrier, the eyes take in acres of green forest; understated, painted white brick entrances; the massive white building that resembles and dwarfs The White House—with its flag-studded porte cochere; and the sky blue ceiling of its intimidatingly tall, columned portico. One does not simply go to The Greenbrier. One arrives there. To me, the arrival is emotional—the restrained, elegant entrance builds to reveal the colorful grandeur within. In colonial times, bright paint colors indicated wealth because pigment was so costly. If that were still true today, the bright colors in The Greenbrier say: “No expense spared.” And yet the colors sweep away any notion of stuffiness and remain instantly uplifting.

Draper knew, and Varney knows, the power of color.

The Greenbrier has influenced culture, and elicits emotion and devotion, going back generations for many visitors. It’s probably why I love white houses, scenic wallpaper, and have painted some of my porch furniture green. I think it is also a native West Virginian pride thing, too. I’m very proud that this world-class resort—a Travel Channel World’s Top 10 Resort Destination— is in my home state. The Greenbrier is also highly quotable: “America’s Resort”; “Romance and Rhododendrons”; “Ladies and Gentlemen Serving Ladies and Gentlemen”; and “Shhh, It’s Sleepy Time Down South.”

It should be noted that even during the downswing years between 2000 and 2009, the Greenbrier’s capable and dedicated employees never stopped providing outstanding service. And infused with the

[ 42 ]

enthusiasm and vision of a new owner, The Greenbrier is buzzing with vitality. Forget five stars, go for seven!

When The Greenbrier unveiled its soon-to-be legendary Casino Club last July, Hollywood turned out: native West Virginian Jennifer Garner, with husband Ben Affleck, Jessica Simpson, Lionel Richie, Brooke Shields, Raquel Welch, Debbie Reynolds, Shaquille O’Neal, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson (who replaced Sam Snead as The Greenbrier’s Golf Professional Emeritus), and many others. The Monte Carlo-inspired club has all the gaming you’d expect, without smoky crowds. Gamers are smartly attired hotel guests—an altogether civilized way to try your luck.

In addition to the world’s best and most popular golfers, The Greenbrier Classic, which gets underway July 25th – 31st, features major headline entertainment, including the Black Eyed Peas, Tim McGraw, Keith Urban, and Miranda Lambert.

Shopping is one of my favorite past times at The Greenbrier. The Art Colony Shops are home to the finest artisans, demonstrating their craft and selling furniture, art, leather goods, and more. There are more than a few ornaments on my tree from The Christmas Shop at The Depot. From jewels, formal wear, and accessories, to an Orvis Outfitters and The Gun Club Shop, shopping at The Greenbrier is a sampling of the best of the best.

While Lilly Pulitzer clothing and accessories typically evokes Miami, I also thought Lilly was a good fit for attire at The Greenbrier. Turns out, I’m not the only one. The Greenbrier’s Signature Scarf by Lilly Pulitzer is now available.

Activities for both the sporting and leisurely life abound. For sporting, try falconry, the off-road driving adventure, the gun club, geocaching, white water rafting, canopy tours, tennis, horseback riding, and of course, world-famous golf. For more leisurely pursuits, how about croquet, afternoon tea, carriage rides, salon and spa visits, and various tours? Children and teens are not neglected but

Around The Panhandle | MAY • JUNE 2011

celebrated, with an adventure zone, supplemented by full- and half-day programs, movies, and many other resort activities tailored to their age group.

Since 2006, The Bunker—the secret fallout shelter for 1,000 members of Congress, their families, and staff (dubbed Project Greek Island)—has meeting space and can host James Bond-style or MASHtype private parties. Outstanding exhibitions bring the Cold War to life with displays of security and communications equipment, medical facilities, dormitories, and VIP lounges. The public (non-hotelstaying guests) may tour the Bunker.

Reservations are required. Tours are offered daily.

Not merely food, but world-class cuisine, is front and center at The Greenbrier. With thirteen food venues ranging from cafes, lounges, and restaurants, spanning casual to formal, The Greenbrier elevates nutritional requirement to An Experience. While there, you must try three simple food items: a fried green tomato sandwich, Greenbrier peaches, and a mint julep. The sandwich seems simple enough—green tomatoes, bacon, red onion, goat cheese, honey Dijon, and mayo. But even if you have the exact recipe, it just isn’t the same as when it comes from Draper’s at The Greenbrier. And those Greenbrier peaches? Simply fruit magic. The mint julep probably isn’t popular anywhere but Kentucky on Derby Day, but do yourself a favor and taste the original here at The Greenbrier.

Less than a year ago, Justice purchased 4,500 acres of land near Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello and James Monroe’s Ash Lawn. He has not announced plans for the property yet. Justice, a native West Virginian whose family business interests include cereal crop farming and coal, is also majority owner of The Resort at Glade Springs.

Is The Greenbrier on your bucket list? It should be. For additional information, visit: greenbrier.com.

www.AroundThePanhandle.com

The Greenbrier Off Road Experience as told by Eric Fargo to the metal” “Put the pedal

a “Dude there’s ” lake in the road

“HOLY $%!&, W here did that come from ”

“YEEEEEEAAAA

HHHH”

“HOLY $%!&”

camera “You Know this ” of ro is’nt waterp

ell?”

“What’s that sm

gle” “Ladies I’m sin “Ok We’re goin g round this right”

“I can’t push it down anymore bro” “HELL YEAH !!! ”

“SERIOUSLY!”

“Instructor or psycho I really don’t kn ow” all wet....

“My shorts are that is ” from the water

“Floor It”

ed to this ” “I’m getting us “Oh I got this

little puddle.”

[ 43 ]

1.877.724.8701 info@detaileddestinations.com www.detaileddestinations.com

Detailed Destinations is a luxury ground transportation service that provides elite chauffeured transportation throughout the tri-state area.

Our company is based in Martinsburg, WV. We pride ourselves on being at the service of our clients, specializing in seamless ground travel for

At Detailed Destinations, client satisfaction is our highest priority. We offer a standard of excellence that our clients have come to expect. Our professional fleet of luxury vehicles allows our clients to travel in privacy and comfort.

the business executives in the Eastern Panhandle and surrounding areas. We work with our clients to design a ground transportation strategy that meets their specialized business and personal lifestyle.

We provide a safe and secure form of professional ground transportation with an attention to detail. We are focused on our goals so you can stay focused on yours.

Dear Friends of Firs t Choice Realty

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Celebrating 25 Years Building in the Panhandle Panhandle Homes of Berkeley County – our name

Brookfield

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

Bridle Creek

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.

Martinsburg, Berkeley County, WV Single Family Homes on 1½ to 2½ Acre Homesites Our Newest Community in North Berkeley County Luxury Homes and Woodland Views Beautiful Countryside Setting Convenient Location Priced from the mid 200’s

Hammond’s Mill

Martinsburg, Berkeley County, WV

Garage Townhomes and One Story Villas North Berkeley County Location Just Steps from New Schools and Athletic Fields Minutes from I-81 and Mall Shopping Townhomes from the $120’s Villas from the $150’s

Buy Now &Build Later

1-1/2 acre lots in the Willow Ridge Subdivision -- $52,000.

304.274.1288

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“Let Our House Be Your Home”.

Saturday, July 16th 10 AM until 4 PM at Hammond’s Mill Subdivision.

We’re just off Interstate 81, Exit 20 - Rt. 11 South. Actual address for the town model is 112 Casteel Drive.

Panhandle Homes will cover all allowable closing costs using our Preferred Lender who will be onsite. Plus we’ll give you a $2000 Appliance Allowance on all contracts written by August 14th.

$500 Moves You In

Based on Approved Credit

For more info Contact Sharon McGough 112 Casteel Drive. Martinsburg, WV 25404 304.274.2400 • smcgough@panhandlehomeswv.com Panhandle Homes of Berkeley County, A Best in West Virginia Builder is proud to have partnered with these local companies to bring you this incredible offer and event.

The Kelley Agency

Your Most Valuable Bank

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Best in West Virginia Winner

Once a one-man, one-van plumber, John Powell is still plugging away at his craft, but on a much larger scale.

Today, he and his wife Leslie, at the helm of Powell’s Plumbing, assist Management Team of approximately forty plumbers, helpers, and staff members ready to respond to a full range of plumbing service, well pump, and septic tank service repairs in the tri-state area.

Over the past twenty two years, Powell has worked his way up from when he began with a used van and a dream of one day running his own business.

Now as president, he oversees a company licensed in three states, servicing nineteen counties. Powell’s is a leading service provider for plumbing, septic, water conditioning, sewer and water line repairs/ replacements.

Simply Hard to Beat

- By Teresa Brumback

The firm runs about 700 calls a month, and in most cases, the service is provided that day.

“People call when there’s too much water, no water, no hot water, or drains stopped up,” John says. “You name it. We hear it.”

The company is well-equipped to handle just about any kind of plumbing need, whether it’s in the city or in rural areas, where homes have either conventional or trickier alternative septic systems. “We take on some difficult tasks, but we’re hard to beat at what we do,” John explains. “We’re serviceoriented, from the smallest homeowners to the largest companies.”

Offering a wide array of plumbing services, Powell’s can do pipe-line inspections, drain cleaning, faucet repair and

[ 48 ]

Around The Panhandle | MAY • JUNE 2011

replacement, toilet repair and replacement, garbage disposal installations and repairs, and icemaker hookups. The firm can also install and repair water heaters and locate wells.

Powell’s service vehicles are fully stocked “Warehouse on Wheels” to meet our customer needs and in the rare occasion it’s not on the truck, we have a fully staffed Parts Department & Delivery Personnel.

With its well service, the firm can install and service jet and submersible pumps, pressure tanks, control boxes and water conditioning.

Powell’s offers a septic and sewer drain cleaning service, which includes drain field restoration, high pressure drain cleaning, pump and haul, septic tank repair and replacement, sewage and effluent pump, blowers and controls repair and replacement. A video inspection and electronic locating service is available for buried sewer systems and lines. Powell’s is a certified Tri-State septic system Inspector, Operator, Pumper and Installer.

Powell’s is a small company with many longtime employees and good benefits, its owner proudly confirms.

For more information, Powell’s Plumbing can be reached at one of three phone numbers: for the Eastern Panhandle - (304) 263-4088; Charles Town - (304) 725-1020; and for Winchester - (540) 665-8196. You can also find them online at: powellsplumbing.com.

“If water runs through it, Powell’s Plumbing can do it!”

[ 49 ]

Around The Panhandle | MAY • JUNE 2011

LET OUR SERVICE GUIDE YOU HOME

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Let the Sunshine Power Your Dreams

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also be the key to a positive outlook and emotional balance.

No Senior Citizen in Berkeley County Needs to Go Hungry Did you know that one of the greatest fears of senior citizens is the fear of not having enough to eat? Are you aware that for many seniors, the meal that Berkeley Senior Services provides is the only nutritious meal they will eat that day? And you might not know that many seniors must choose between buying food or buying medicine. The good news is that the Senior Center provides nutritious meals for seniors every day!

* Live longer and stronger – Good nutrition keeps muscles, bones, organs, and other body parts strong for the long haul. Eating vitaminrich food boosts immunity and fights illness-causing toxins. A proper diet reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, type2 diabetes, bone loss, cancer, and anemia. * Sharpen the mind – Scientists know that key nutrients are essential for the brain to do its job. Research shows that people who eat a selection of brightly colored fruit, leafy veggies, certain fish, and nuts packed with omega-3 fatty acids, can improve focus and decrease the risk for Alzheimer’s disease. * Feel better – Eating well is a feast for your five senses! Wholesome meals give you more energy and help you look better, resulting in a self-esteem boost. It’s all connected—when your body feels good, you feel happier inside and out.

For seniors, the benefits of healthy eating include increased mental acuteness, resistance to illness and disease, higher energy levels, a more robust immune system, faster recuperation times, and better Martinsburg-berkeley County *| There WestisVirginia no need to ever eat alone management of chronic health – Eating with company can be as problems. As we age, eating well can

important as vitamins. Think about it: a social atmosphere stimulates your mind and helps you enjoy meals. When you enjoy mealtimes, you’re more likely to eat better.

The Senior Center daily lunch program helps seniors accomplish all of these goals and more. The lunch provides a minimum of one-third of the daily nutrition needs for seniors.

Seniors can enjoy social, cultural, educational, and physical activities at the Senior Center as well. (For homebound seniors who qualify, Berkeley Senior Services will deliver lunches to their residence.)

Berkeley Senior Services relies on businesses and private donors in order to continue to provide meals to our senior citizens. Volunteers help with the nutrition program, which keeps costs down, enabling the organization to provide more meals than otherwise possible. For more information about donations or volunteering, please contact Berkeley Senior services at: (304) 263-8873.

Thank you for helping conquer senior hunger in Berkeley County through generous donations and volunteer services!

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

www.AroundThePanhandle.com

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Summertime and the Harvest is in!

It’s

The Butler's pride themselves on their ability to grow high quality, wholesome fruits and vegetables. Right now, we’re picking our sweet corn and peaches plus our fields are bursting with all your summertime favorites. There’s nothing like homemade ice cream from Butler's on a warm summer day AND our fresh baked pies are perfect for all occasions. Come visit our family’s market and take home some of our bountiful summertime harvest!

Now Picking Butler's Fresh, Sweet Corn & Juicy, Ripe Peaches

Mounds of Mulch Quality Top Soil Amish Furniture

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Butler's Best Pies, Jams & Jellies Fresh Seasonal Veggies

304.262.9414

MARKET HOURS: Monday - Saturday 9am to 5pm

304.262.9414

DIRECTIONS: Rt. 9 to Ridge Road. Travel 2 . 5 miles. OR Take I-81 Exit 14 & travel 1 . 5 miles West to 1793 Dry Run Road.

Working for you here in the Panhandle!

304.267.4841 www.berkeleycounty.org

Providing Full Service Automotive & Industrial Machining Including: Alternator & Starter Rebuilding • Hydraulic Hose Assemblies

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2754 Tabler Station Rd Martinsburg, WV

Our TOP

10

Top Ten

While vampires, werewolves, and psychotic killers make great movie monsters, the non-human beasties often captivate us even more—especially the ones that have a penchant for destroying whole cities. They also appear to be indestructible, or at least they were, until some clever scientist thought of a sure-fire way of dispatching them (which often includes military firepower). Of course, many of these movies were pretty hokey even by the standards of their era, and the special effects in some of them leave much to be desired, but for the most part, they’ve proven to be a great source of late-night entertainment. While we can accept that everyone likely has their own favorite monster list, we hope that you will find at least a few of your favorites on ours.

Best Movie Monsters of All Time 10. The Giant Ants from Them

Arguably the best of the 1950s-era giant bug movies, this tale of giant ants rendered huge by—you guessed it—radiation from early atomic bomb tests, is both well written and well acted. (It was an early vehicle for such future Hollywood notables as James Arness, Matt Dillon of Gunsmoke fame; Fess Parker, the future Daniel Boone; and James Whitmore.)

Even the ants— about the size of your average horse— are pretty well done, considering the state of special effects at the time. What makes the movie a standout is that, even today, the chirping sound the ants make (you usually can only hear them, not see them—until it’s too late) is spooky.

Definitely a movie for people who demand real science in their science fiction, the characters go on to explain in great detail exactly what the ants are doing and what they’re going to do to stop them. No guesswork here.

10.

9. Reptilicus

Okay, though it contained some of the worst acting in monster movie history, this 1961 Danish-American film actually had an

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interesting premise, and, though laughable by modern standards, the dragon-like creature was a pretty cool looking monster. The idea here was that an entire creature could be regenerated from just a small piece of its tail (pulled out of the permafrost of Lapland by Danish miners), which, naturally, means that once it’s fully reanimated, no one has an idea how to keep it from escaping and terrorizing the good people of Denmark.

Eventually, they manage to poison it, but not before blowing off one of its legs with a depth charge, which naturally sinks to the bottom of the Baltic Sea to begin regenerating another monster. The coolest part of the monster is that instead of using stop motion to animate the creature, they used a puppet, which gave it an eerie sort of gait that looked very convincing—at least as far as Danish monsters go.

9.

8. Boggy Creek Monster

Basically just an Arkansas version of Bigfoot, what made this low-budget 1972 docudrama so scary was not the monster so much (which you never really see except fleetingly and usually out of focus) but the fact that it was supposedly a true story. What the movie really was famous for,

8.

however, was that it launched the film career of Sasquatch, who would go on to star in numerous movies and docudramas since. It also made the docudrama format popular (remember the Blair Witch Project?) and a standard for amateur-looking filmmaking.

7. Creature from Cloverfield

I have to admit, when the movie Cloverfield first came out in 2008, I was pretty skeptical. I mean, if Godzilla couldn’t destroy New York with the 1998 remake, how was some other equally nasty critter going to pull it off? I was pleasantly surprised, however, that Hollywood not only came up with a very cool monster (which, by the way, managed to look completely unlike anything seen in nature or on a Hollywood set before or since), but a compelling and semi-credible story. The most interesting thing about it was the way the entire movie was shot using a hand-held camcorder, making it look more like a scary home movie than a polished Hollywood flick. While some moviegoers complained that the shaky camera work made them dizzy, I thought it a clever idea (which has now, unfortunately, been done to death).

The best part of the movie is that you never really get a clear picture of the critter until the very end, keeping you guessing before and after, what it actually is.

7.

Around The Panhandle | MAY • JUNE 2011

6. Predator

In some ways just as scary as the creatures from Alien (see #1), these humanlike but still very extraterrestrial critters have the benefit of being intelligent and technologically savvy, making them, in many cases, even more dangerous than the drone-like aliens they occasionally do battle with. The real twist with these creatures, however, is that they’re not here to invade Earth, but to do some big game hunting. It seems the creatures like to travel hundreds of light years for the opportunity to hunt humans, which they promptly dismantle and dispose of, keeping only their skulls and attached spinal column as trophies. Nice, huh? The coolest feature is probably their invisibility suit, which allows them to blend in with the environment so they can get close enough to get off a good shot. Not a very macho way to hunt if you ask me, but then, they are hunting one of the most dangerous and destructive animals on the planet.

5. The Thing

5.

Okay, somebody’s had their DNA perfectly replicated by a smart and vicious extraterrestrial creature—which makes them appear to be completely human—at least until you discover who they are, at which point unfortunate things begin to happen in quick order. This 1982 John Carpenter remake of a schlocky but semisuccessful 1951 thriller, by the same name, is perfect for people who suffer from paranoia, or people trapped in isolated Antarctic weather stations, or (preferably) both. The problem is, you never really get a good look at the creature in its pure alien form, as it’s always in the process of changing from one disgusting manifestation into another. The movie also ends without

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it being clear at all that they really killed the Thing, setting it up nicely for a sequel (which for some reason, no one seems to be interested in making).

4. Godzilla

Though not my personal favorite, it’s hard to argue that Godzilla isn’t the best-known Hollywood critter in the world. First appearing in Hollywood in 1956’s Godzilla: King of the Monsters, this volatile hyper-lizard has since gone on to become a worldwide pop culture icon, starring in no less than twenty-eight films, as well as numerous video games, novels, comic books, and television shows.

This bad boy even has his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame!

Originally from Japan, Godzilla— or Gojira—(1954) was the first Godzilla movie.

More philosophically-minded observers have suggested that the beast is really nothing more than one great metaphor for America, with its radioactive background and ability to level entire cities. Eventually, however, it becomes an ally of the Japanese, protecting the home islands from other various monsters (Mothra, Rodan, Ghidorah, China, Russia, North Korea…), thus turning it—and by extension, the U.S.—into a benefactor rather than a destroyer.

4.

3.King Kong

Arguably the second most popular monster of all time, when this fifty-foot-tall ape first appeared on the silver screen back in 1933, he was a huge hit and went on to inspire several sequels and a couple of remakes. While the story of a giant biped on a lost island inhabited by goofy natives and a colony of dinosaurs was not particularly original (based on Arthur Conan Doyle’s 1912 novel The Lost World), it was always fun to watch the heroine try her best to charm the beast without getting eaten or crushed by it. In the end, it always topples to its death from the top of the Empire State Building (the World Trade Center in the 1976 version)—thus eliciting the audience’s sympathy. The big guy transcends these three films, however, making it into cartoons, video games, comic books, and even finds himself absconded by the Japanese, who had a much larger version of the beast fight Godzilla and eventually a giant mechanical double of himself named Mechani-Kong.

2.

2. Jaws

While the great white shark from the 1975 blockbuster hit Jaws wasn’t a monster in the typical sense (oversized, radioactive, fire-breathing, etc.), he (or she—we were never told) scared an entire generation of beachgoers out of the water. While the special effects are pretty hokey by modern CGI standards, at the time it was considered very scary. What made the shark particularly terrifying was that you only caught glimpses of it—until the very end.

While this might be considered by some to be clever screenwriting, it was actually a result of the mechanical shark that had been built for the picture not working very well, forcing many of the “attack” scenes to be more implied than graphically shown— to great critical and cinematic acclaim.

1. Creature from Alien

What could be better than a creature that crams an embryo down your throat, which bursts out of your chest when it comes to term, and then gets big enough in a few days to carry you off to its lair? Welcome to the world of Alien, and the nightmarish creation of noted Swiss artist H.R. Geiger— who designed the bizarre and still-scaryafter-all-this-time creature for this highly successful franchise. (The alien creature has appeared in no less than six films.)

Perhaps its coolest feature is its double articulating jaw (sort of a mouth within a mouth) that oozes slime and snaps open and shut with vicious speed. Oh, and you especially don’t want to get the queen alien angry; she has some major and deep-seated anger issues that manifest themselves in particularly gruesome ways (especially if you’re an android). Easily one of the coolest space monsters ever devised.

3.

1. [ 57 ]

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Robert Bush Seem is a young man who is very proud of his profession and his accomplishments. His closely cropped dark hair and the knifeedged crease in his suit telegraph both his attention to detail and his commitment to excellence. I met him for the first time in the lobby of MVB Bank, where he works as vice president of Retail Banking and Client Services—though I could have guessed his profession just by his demeanor. As we exchanged pleasantries, my mind added a banner, blinking the words: Future Bank CEO. As usual, my internal labels were unnecessary. It was obvious.

We sat down at the bank’s large conference table, and I began to learn about one of the young guns of today’s Panhandle.

As we each leaned back into our very comfortable conference chairs, R.B., as he is referred to, talked and I listened. “I was born in Martinsburg and graduated from Martinsburg High School in 2001. I then went to Marshall University and studied advertising, but then I switched colleges, and graduated from Shepherd College with a business degree in marketing, in 2005.

“I didn’t really know what I wanted to do; I was working as an intern for Steptoe and Johnson and thought I wanted to go to law school. I was taking the mail to the post office and I ran in John Beatty, who was the City Executive for BB&T Bank.”

Beatty asked R.B. if he’d ever considered banking as a career. “I laughed and told him I never even thought about banking!”

Passionate about Banking and Life - By Rick Hemphill www.AroundThePanhandle.com

R.B.’s face brightened with a broad smile as he finished recounting the sum of events that put him on his current journey. “Well, that conversation turned into an interview; in fact, two days of interviews in North Carolina, resulting in a job offer.” Seem now had a dilemma. Did he go to law school, and likely into debt, or get a job? He consulted a friend, who communicated to him, in no uncertain terms: Get a Job! “It was the best advice I ever received,” he remembered. “After

[ 59 ]

the training in North Carolina, it became a really rewarding job. After a few years, I got the itch to get back to West Virginia.” Four years later, on Memorial Day, R.B. returned to his hometown.

Although BB&T Bank is where he began his quest, he easily changed horses to MVB Bank, for additional opportunities. “I started as a commercial lender, and although I’ve been here less than a year, I was given the opportunity to become the bank-wide retail banking manager.

“I’ve worked in all the other areas of banking—commercial, lending—but now I oversee the retail operations.

Deposits, loans, branch managers, and branches roll up under me and I travel between Martinsburg and Morgantown, Fairmont and Bridgeport—every week.” R.B. admitted that the driving can get a little excessive (he put 40K miles on his car in less than a year), but he enjoys being on the road, confessing that it gives him the chance to clear his mind.

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Banking also runs in the Seem family. “My mother, Joanie Wadsworth, is in banking and works as a financial planner for Centra Bank. My younger brother is in the same training program at BB&T that started me, and when he finishes, he’ll be moving to Charleston.”

At least one member of the family is pointing in a different direction.

“My youngest brother, Michael, is a senior at WVU, and is studying to be a doctor. He’s the lone smart one in the family.”

R.B.’s return has also been a call of duty, to an extent. He’s involved himself with an organization called “Generation West Virginia.” He went to one of the first events for the local group. “YPEP is what we call it— Young Professionals of the Eastern Panhandle. I became the chair.”

Banking for a young professional is almost a gateway drug to involvement in the community. “I then became active on a state level, and I am now the statewide vice chair of Generation West Virginia.”

The organization consists of young professionals between 21 and 45 years old, who want to make West Virginia their home, and are looking to maintain, attract, and advance young talent to West Virginia. “We are very active, and were incorporated into the Young Professionals Advisory Council by an executive order of Governor Mansion. We meet with the sitting governor on a quarterly basis to discuss things of interest to young professionals.”

His involvement in the community doesn’t stop there. “I got really involved in the United Way, and it was my mother who started the ‘Day of Caring’ in September, which had twelve hundred people involved last year, during one day.”

The Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation also receives his expertise and time. “We support the community with scholarships for students and grants for various activities.”

Around The Panhandle | MAY • JUNE 2011

He brightened a bit more, if that was possible, as he spoke of being a board member of the Contemporary American Theater Festival in Shepherdstown. “I’ve always had a passion for the arts, and to be a part of our twenty-first season is very special. West Virginia’s oldest town is producing America’s newest plays.”

But then, performance comes naturally to R.B. One of his favorite avocations is singing. For the last ten years, he has been a special performer at the Miss Berkeley County Pageant.

“The Panhandle is constantly growing and changing,” he observed.

“I used to live right over there and the road just stopped. The mall was not here.”

Virginia as a whole came out of the downturn relatively unscathed.

We were tied to the Maryland real estate market and we were really relying on real estate. Now we are starting to see some recovery and certainly are not seeing the effects that Washington D.C. and their immediate areas have seen. We are growing again; we will be back.

“Local banks are still strong.

This crisis was not brought on by community banks. MVB is a West Virginia bank, founded in Fairmont, and we have the goal to provide wealth and opportunity to our community, and to be a valued partner in West Virginia business.”

As far as his future as a leader is concerned, he’s certainly comfortable enough in his own skin to view the world with both optimism and logic. “There has to be a balance of growth and quality of life. We look to our local leaders to maintain that balance.”

Seem admitted that when he started in banking, he didn’t have a clear direction. He now knows that personal growth is directly related to team strength. “It takes great people working together; there’s a lot to learn from the people who have been here longer and know what they’re doing. I cannot succeed without others. You have to step back and learn.”

And what does a rising star in the banking industry have to say about certain local economics? “West

He also revealed that the most enjoyable part of his job is the people. “They are an amazing group

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of people that I am learning from every day.” It took leaving, as it often does, to help R.B. see where his priorities were inevitably rooted.

“My perspective, when I was young and left the state, was that West Virginia was not the place to be. I found that the grass is not always greener and that the Panhandle is home.” For young people who might be gauging their futures, R.B. suggested taking a good hard look in their own front or backyards.

“Work experience is crucial. Look hard at what West Virginia has to offer. There are many opportunities that are passed on because someone may not think that this is the place to be. But give it a shot!”

As far as his own future is concerned, well, that’s probably already written somewhere (still blinking in my mind). “I’d like to be the CEO of a bank someday, but I have a lot of personal development to do before that will happen. I hope it can be MVB; it’s a great bank. We are young and it’s a great place to be. I can only emphasize my belief that West Virginia is a great place to live and thrive.”

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Rely on Rick

For Answers To Your Real Estate Questions

Despite the ups and downs of the housing market, and regardless of what national media throws out to us, homeowners, and those who want to own a home, consider ownership an important aspect of success. Even with the uncertainty of what we are seeing and hearing, my clients state that owning their own home is better than renting a home. Owning a home is being able to paint your walls any color you want them to be. You can have pets without permission, and plant a tree or flowers anywhere you like. Matter of fact, you can do whatever you legally want to do. This freedom often identifies you and depicts your personality.

Yes, the national news dwells on drama. It can be a struggle to remain optimistic, when misery loves company. This is why you can “Rely On Rick.” I want to give you some great optimistic facts that are happening “Around The Panhandle.” Real estate markets, as I mentioned before, are local. What happens in Bunker Hill rarely affects Ranson. What happens in Virginia or Maryland rarely has much impact on West Virginia. Hopefully, you can understand that if Las Vegas is experiencing a bad market, it doesn’t mean that Charles Town is suffering as well. In fact, the opposite is taking place as I write. Las Vegas and Atlantic City are experiencing down markets while Charles Town, Ranson, and surrounding communities

[ 62 ]

are low on supply of affordable housing. Now, this must mean we are selling houses! We are, and we are running out of them.

This effect makes buyers reach further to outlying areas to finally find a home. When supply is low, demand increases, and it spreads outward to find suitable housing.

Just because the nation is having problems as a whole, doesn’t mean it’s as bad around here.

My point is not to proclaim that we are back to 2005 pricing and market trends. I am merely stating that we are doing better; we are finding homes for those who want to own a home. We are helping sellers get market value for their homes if they have to sell. We are making progress, and it has been a rough road for all of us.

RBI affiliated with MRIS shows local market updates in late spring of 2011 as having 22.9% fewer listings in Berkeley County than the previous year. And an increase in closed sales of 3.4% over 2010 during the same period. The price however did drop 10% on average. As a buyer today, you have the best opportunity to take advantage of never-before-seen housing deals.

Not only are prices low, inventory is good, and to beat it all, the interest rates are cheaper than ever before. If now isn’t the time to buy, then it will never be a time to buy. I know for sure that nothing lasts forever. You hear people say all the time that they

wish they’d sold their property six years ago. Six years from now, you will hear people say: “I could have bought that house over there for almost nothing, compared to what they want for it now.”

You will know the market is increasing when it increases.

We need to break away from following the pack and lead the pack. We can and are making our own market locally. Keep in mind that new jobs are being created over the next few years in our counties, as well.

These opportunities increase business for already established businesses. I see great things coming our way. Look around at dirt being moved for new construction. Two years ago, construction equipment was sitting still.

Be optimistic, buy local, and keep your spirits high. You can Rely On Rick to bring market trends and information to you. Contact me via email, phone, or text if you have any questions.

304.263.2121 (office) 301.991.3454 (direct) Rick Boswell (Broker/Owner) Around The Panhandle | MAY • JUNE 2011

http://www.CENTURY21SterlingRealty.com

Sign of a golden opportunity.

At CENTURY 21 - 158 Crimson Cir you will find local real estate professionals that can help you turn your dreams into reality.

Let a CENTURY 21 Agent show you the way. We’re your dream home consultant. Your internet-listing guru. And your sign it will be sold.

Rick Boswell CENTURY 21 Sterling Realty 158 Crimson Cir Martinsburg, WV 25403 304-263-2121

wvrealtor@gmail.com http://www.CENTURY21SterlingRealty.com

License #: wv1 CENTURY 21® is a trademark licensed to Century 21 Real Estate LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each office is independently owned and operated.

2

Morgan’s Grove Market

Not Your Everyday Farmer’s Market

- By Victoria Kidd

“It’s okay to pursue your dream.”

Think about those words for a moment. These words are the mantra of Peter Corum, a Jefferson County businessman whose insight and drive has led to a must-do activity right here in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. The Morgan’s Grove Market is NOT your average farmer’s market. In fact, it really is not a farmer’s market at all. It is a community-driven marketplace where farmers, bakers, chefs, artisans, crafters, educators, musicians, and many others can be found on each summer Saturday morning.

something incredible. The marketplace is destined to be a central hub for locally grown foods, as well as the redevelopment of a community connection often lost in this digital world. There are really three driving forces that have culminated in the creation and initial success of Morgan’s Grove Marketplace. First, the marketplace provides a forum for products made in the United States to reach local customers. There are very few rules governing acceptance of market vendors, but this is the golden one.

You won’t find anything not derived from our soil or our hands.

Within the 1,500-square-foot marketplace, Peter is building

Second, the marketplace is designed to serve the community

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as a venue for local purveyors to gradually carve out a market share and realize monetary gain. “We do not want to inhibit growth,” Peter says. “I have eliminated as many barriers to entry for the vendors as possible. These folks have incredible products made right here in the United States, and they need a vehicle to get those products to potential customers. They may not be able to open a storefront, but for twenty dollars in rent, they can give the American dream a shot.”

Finally, the marketplace is an answer to a global issue that should be important to all of us. Peter explains, “Our current economic model requires infinite growth, and

[ 65 ]

our planet has finite resources.”

Basically, we are a nation of consumers. Virtually every daily action utilizes resources, and we all need to think about ways that we can encourage practices that are environmentally and economically sustainable. The marketplace encourages the exchange of goods that have not been shipped internationally or mass-produced; therefore, precious resources are saved through the exchange.

These three premises are complemented by Peter’s commitment to building a truly innovative and amazing community marketplace in our backyard. You can expect a Saturday like no other if you attend the Morgan’s Grove Market. In addition to being able to purchase top-quality produce and meticulously designed crafts, you will enjoy live music, petting zoos, pony rides, arts and crafts classes, and fitness classes and events.

There is really something for every member of the community, and because there is no required commitment from the vendors, each Saturday provides a different experience.

The community’s approval of the marketplace’s diversity is apparent in its success. “I am amazed at how the idea of sustainable living has resonated with people,” Peter says. “We are all about using the community’s involvement and suggestions to make the marketplace better.

Bring your ideas; I would love to hear them.” Peter takes pride in the collaborative nature of the marketplace’s governance, and is grateful for the support of those who have seen the innovation behind his ideas.

If promoting sustainability and supporting our local economy is important to you, then set your Saturday morning alarm, and visit the marketplace next week. You will find them next to Morgan’s Grove Park across from Ledge Lowe Subdivision in Shepherdstown.

The marketplace opens at 8:00 a.m. and closes at noon. For more information, visit their website at: morgansgrovemarket.wordpress. com. [ 66 ]

Around The Panhandle | MAY • JUNE 2011

59th Annual

Jefferson County

Fair August 21-27, 2011

Find us on

NO PETS

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NO ALCOH OL

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W W W. J E F F

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V. O R G

m

www.jeffersoncountyfairwv.org

SMILE D

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of the shenandoah valley

Annual Event Empowers

Women of All Ages to - ByShine Mary Beth Blair

This fall, hundreds of women of all ages will come together under one roof to be Adored, and to realize the amazing potential each has to change the world around her.

“Every time a woman realizes her value, there is potential for world change,” says Beth Green, one of The Living Room’s pastors, and the inspiration behind Adored, the church’s annual women’s event. “Women all over the earth, of all ages, backgrounds, and social status, have what it takes to bring a beautiful impact to generations, and this is the message of Adored.”

With its premiere event held three [ 68 ]

years ago, Adored has emerged as an annual gathering of women, high school age and up, hosted by The Living Room in Martinsburg. According to Green, this event, which is expected to accommodate approximately 400 women this year, is designed to embrace and empower generations of women, so that they will not only realize their value, but be inspired to each do their part to make the world a better place.

“So many women are content being indiscrete to their environment—never stepping out of their comfort zone or daring to stand out in a crowd,” Green says. “Adored provides a compelling atmosphere that not only convinces

women that they are ‘adored,’ but encourages them to come out of hiding and shine with the passions and gifts that they were born with. It’s not about women ‘taking over,’ but about them taking responsibility for their amazing yet natural ability to nurture, orchestrate, and release destiny into the world!

Nobody can do this quite like a mom, a grandmom, an aunty, or a girlfriend.”

This year’s event will be held September 16th – 17th, with the theme: “Daughters—beloved, cherished and precious in His sight.” Friday night’s session begins with an environment that celebrates “daughterhood” in a special way, provoking giggles, dancing, and all Around The Panhandle | MAY • JUNE 2011

the emotions of a slumber party. The goal is to afford every woman the freedom to feel like a child again. This excitement will spill over into Saturday’s events, which will feature, music, dance, creative media, and inspirational speaking—a creative signature to most events at The Living Room. Zumba and art will also be exciting options for this year’s attendees.

The event team is extremely thrilled this year to introduce the special guest, international speaker and best-selling author Lisa Bevere, known for her passionate, edgy, relatable yet funny style. Bevere is also the co-host of “The Messenger” television program, which broadcasts in more than 200 countries.

Some of her bestsellers include: Fight Like a Girl, Nurture, and her most recent release, Lioness Arising. Lisa’s heart breaks over social injustice, and as an advocate for change, she rallies others to be an answer to desperate problems near and far.

One way Adored attendees will be invited to make a difference in the community will be to bring along a “baby shower” gift to donate to the area’s Care Pregnancy Center. Significant donations were also presented to the organization’s representatives at last year’s event. This is just one way every woman can extend her hand toward a need and make a difference.

“It’s easy for us to see the potential in the girl across the room. It’s easy for us to look at the other women in our world and say of them, ‘Wow, she’s beautiful and talented; it’s amazing what she can do,’” Green shares. “The message of Adored is helping women to turn those statements around on themselves— seeing themselves through their Heavenly Father’s eyes—and realizing that every girl, no matter what her age, is a beautiful, treasured daughter who is cherished. When it comes to making the world a better place, we all have a role to play. Adored is simply empowering women to confidently rise to the occasion.”

For more information on registration and cost of the event, visit The Living Room online at: thelivingroom.us. www.AroundThePanhandle.com

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food bartenders entertainment

LOCATED OFF I81 - EXIT 5 IN THE APPLE VALLEY PLAZA 4992 GERRARDSTOWN ROAD INWOOD, WV 25428

304.821.1161

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 4 POOL TABLES AND SHUFFLE BOWL

The Martinsburg Sunrise Rotary Club cordially invites you to a wine pairing dinner at the Purple Iris Hartwood Manson on, Saturday, July 23rd.

Dinner will be from 6 till 9.

After dinner enjoy dancing with the sounds from Howard Burns Trio.

Cash Bar available after dinner until 11pm.

Chef Daniel Harshbarger will be preparing a divine 4 course meal and we will be featuring Breaux Vineyard wines as well as a vintner from Breaux to offer suggestions with each pairing.

$100 per person (only 50 tickets are being sold to this exclusive event)

RSVP to 304-270-8700 or email michael.bohrer@detaileddestinations.com by June 30th.

SAVE THE DATE! 5th Annual Big Horn Club Corporate Challenge Golf Tournament To Benefit the Shepherd University Men’s Basketball Scholarship Fund

Monday August 29, 2011 @1:00pm Cress Creek Country Club Registration packets will be mailed soon. For sponsorship opportunities, please contact: Head Coach Justin Namolik @ 304-876-5264: or Big Horn Club Chairman, Hank Water @ 304-876-3375 ext 1

Situation: Got a bite, got a sting, got a gash, got a rash

Solution: Life’s situations don’t always happen when it’s convenient. Fortunately, dealing with them at Berkeley Family Medicine & Urgent Care is. You can depend on us for prompt and compassionate care. So when you’re faced with a health concern, you don’t need an appointment - you need a solution.

Berkeley Family Medicine & Urgent Care • 101 Marcley Drive, Martinsburg WV 25401 We’re here for you Monday thru Friday 8am to 8pm and Saturday 8am to 6pm From I-81: Exit 14, head West on Tavern Rd, proceed .5 miles, and we are on the Left.

304-263-8911• www.berkeleyfamilymed.com

EYE INFECTIONS • FEVERS • FLU-LIKE SYMPTOMS • UPSET STOMACH • VOMITING AND DIARRHEA • INSECT BITES • SPRAINS AND STRAINS • BLOOD PRESSURE • ACNE TREATMENT

•BURNS • BACK PAIN • MIGRAINE • SCHOOL SPORTS PHYSICALS • VACCINATIONS • OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH • LABORATORY ONSITE • S.T.D ASSESSMENT & COUNSELING • CASTS •

ALLERGIES • SINUS INFECTION • COUGH & COLD • SORE THROATS • RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS • EAR PAIN • SKIN BIOPSIES • X-RAY ONSITE •

BONE FRACTURES • CUTS • SCRAPES & BRUISES • SKIN RASHES • URINARY BURNING • ASTHMA • DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY SCREENING •

Panhandle

Healthy

LIVING

As I write this, it is early June and we are having record high temperatures. We haven’t even gotten to the Dogs Days of summer—the hottest days of summer in July and August. The term Dog Days comes from the ancient belief that Sirius, also called the Dog Star, which is in close proximity to the sun, was responsible for the hot weather. Dog Days were popularly believed to be an evil time, according to Brady’s Clavis Calendarium, 1813, “...when the seas boiled, wine turned sour, Quinto raged in anger, dogs grew mad, and all creatures became languid, causing to man burning fevers, hysterics, and phrensies.”

Doesn’t sound like a good time to do much of anything, let alone exercise.

Summer is when most people say they are the most active. But the heat can make some think they can’t get out and exercise. Don’t let the heat deter you. There are precautions you can take to keep your exercise program going even on the hottest days.

Exercising in the heat does put an increased strain on the body and increases risk for heat related illness. Sweating is the mechanism the body uses to cool itself off. As long as you are taking in enough fluids, your body can cool itself off.

If the body cannot cool itself, core temperature rises and you put your internal organs and central nervous system at risk. Dehydration leads to heat related illnesses such as heat exhaustion, fainting, cramps, and heat stroke.

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Don’t Let the Dog Days of Summer Get You Down | By Dana M. DeJarnett, MS

Heat exhaustion, syncope, and cramps are relatively minor, and can be resolved by stopping exercise, replacing fluid and electrolytes, and getting into a cooler environment. Heat stroke is a potentially life threatening condition, when body temperature rises above 104 degrees, and requires immediate medial attention and rapid cooling. Other signs of heat stroke are inability to sweat, difficulty breathing, and loss of consciousness.

Symptoms of heat illness can include: * Light-headedness, dizziness * Nausea * Obvious fatigue, weakness * Muscle cramps * Difficulty breathing * Cessation of sweating * Obvious loss of skill and coordination * Confusion * Aggressive, irrational behavior * Altered consciousness * Collapse * Ashen grey, pale skin

* Previous history of heat illness * High air temp and high humidity * No wind * Prolonged exposure to the heat * Heavy clothing * Dehydration * Lack of sleep * Sunburn (impairs your ability to secrete sweat and makes you feel more hot and fatigued) * Illness or chronic medical conditions—especially high blood pressure, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, and obesity Older adults and children should take extra precautions. Older adults who do not exercise regularly need to take extra precautions when exercising in the heat because aging changes the skin and the ability to sweat. Although older athletes have about the same risk for heat illness as younger athletes, caution still needs to be taken because aging affects thirst sensitivity and increased urine output. Children are at greater risk to heat related illness because they sweat less than adults and experience greater cardiovascular strain during exercise in the heat. Children also acclimate slower than adults.

* High exercise intensity

Certain medications and drugs increase heat storage and/or decrease the ability to lose heat.

They include decongestants, appetite suppressants, antihistamines, antihypertensive, antidepressants, alcohol, and caffeine.

* Lack of fitness

If you, or anyone you are with, is

The following can put you at increase risk for heat related illness:

Around The Panhandle | MAY • JUNE 2011

experiencing heat related illness, lie down or have them lie down in a cool place with legs elevated, remove excess clothing, wet the skin liberally, and fan vigorously.

You can apply ice packs to groin, armpits, and neck, and drink cool water, if conscious. If you suspect heat stroke, get immediate medical attention and lower body temperature as rapidly as possible. If the individual remains ill, confused, is vomiting and/or showing signs of altered consciousness, call 911.

The good news is that all heat related illnesses are preventable with heat acclimation, proper hydration practices, and changes in behavior.

Acclimation is training your body to better tolerate the heat and improve performance. Heat tolerance or acclimation can occur in 1 – 2 weeks. Start slow with 10 – 15 minutes of walking, to start. Gradually increase intensity and duration. After 10 days of acclimation, your sweat rate doubles. You must match this loss of fluid and stay well hydrated. Sleep loss, alcohol, salt depletion, and dehydration can affect acclimation.

Proper fluid intake is essential to prevent heat illness. When fluid loss through sweating is more than fluid taken in, dehydration occurs.

Thirst is not a good indicator of fluid replacement, especially on very hot days.

Drink enough fluids to replace sweat and urine loss during exercise. A way to measure fluid loss is to weigh yourself before and after exercise.

Drink enough fluid to maintain preexercise body weight. You should drink 16 oz. of fluid for every pound lost. To prevent dehydration, drink 2 cups of water 1 – 2 hours before exercise, 8 oz. shortly before exercise, and a gulp every 15 - 20 minutes during exercise. To determine if you are drinking enough water, your urine should be the color of lemonade. If it is darker, you may be dehydrated.

When should you drink water and when should you have a sports drink? Sports drinks are a combination of water, carbohydrates and electrolytes. Sports drinks

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provide fluid replacement as well as help to maintain stamina when exercising over 60 minutes. Sports drinks are recommended for events or exercise sessions that last longer than 60 minutes. If you are exercising under 60 minutes, water is the best choice.

When choosing a sports drink, look for one with 5% - 8% carbohydrates (50 - 80 calories) and 120 - 170 mg of sodium per 8 oz. Higher concentrations of carbohydrates delay absorption. You can also make your own sports drink.

Homemade Sports Drink: 8 oz. of water or caffeine-free lemon tea 1 tablespoon of sugar & a pinch of salt 1 oz. of orange juice or 2 tablespoons lemon juice Dissolve sugar and salt in tea or a little hot water. Add juice and remaining ice water or tea. Drink cold. Serves one person.

* To prevent sunburn, avoid exercising outside from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., and use sunscreen with SPF 15 or greater. Wear a well-ventilated hat with brim. * Lower intensity and duration of exercise in extreme heat. Slow down your pace or take rest breaks. You can check intensity by monitoring heart rate. Heat raises heart rate so adjust intensity based on your heart rate. * Exercise before 7 a.m. or after 6 p.m. to avoid the hottest time of the day. * Exercise indoors for a temperature controlled environment with good air quality. Join a gym, such as The Wellness Center @ City Hospital.

Check the Mall for walking policies.

You should also check with Adult and Community Education, Parks and Recreation, and the Senior Center.

All offer exercise classes at little or no cost.

Local community pools might also offer adult swim times and water aerobics.

Caution must be taken to not overhydrate. Hyponatremia is a rare condition that occurs when too much fluid is taken in.

Overconsumption of fluids can lead to a dilution of sodium concentration in the blood. It can cause swelling on the brain, congestion in the lungs, and alter central nervous system function. Symptoms include headache, nausea, dizziness, muscle weakness, and in severe cases, pulmonary edema, cardio respiratory arrest, cerebral edema, seizures, and/or coma.

Also, take these steps to prevent heat illness: * Wear light-colored clothing (to minimize heat absorption from the sun) that is loose-fitting (for ventilation) and made of moisture wicking fabric.

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304•267•7807

Why do so many Businessowners choose Farm Family for their Insurance needs?

Our Expertise Proven experience and success in protecting businesses like yours:

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Our Products Liability Coverages

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Property Coverages

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For more information call:

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We are all governed by it, yet the understanding of it can seem as daunting as climbing the highest West Virginia mountain.

I’m talking about the law—that series of regulations and court decisions that dictates acceptable behavior and delineates court decisions. The body of law that governs us is not only expansive, but also ever changing, as it

[ 76 ]

evolves to meet the challenges of new technologies and the progression of social acceptances. The average person needs a highly skilled and knowledgeable individual to help them with estate planning, real estate transactions, and criminal defense. When people need a voice in the courtroom, they immediately look for

an honest, trustworthy, and effective attorney. Residents in the Panhandle, as well as some areas in Maryland, have trusted the law firm of Trump & Trump Attorneys at Law for more than seventy-five years.

The firm’s roots actually go back more than seventy-five years, when Charles S. Trump, Jr. began

Around The Panhandle | MAY • JUNE 2011

serving clients in West Virginia in the 1920s. He would go on to serve in the justice department in Indiana, but returned to practice in Berkeley Springs in 1932. That was a time period when skilled professionals were in demand. For many living in the community at that time, he was the “family lawyer,” a person who supported the entire family throughout the many stages of their lives.

The concept of being a family lawyer can still be seen in the way the firm is managed today.

Tammy McWilliams, one of the four attorneys with the firm, explains, “To a certain extent, we have continued the tradition of being a family lawyer even to this day. There are very few people we see only once.

We may see them when they are finalizing a real estate transaction, and then when they create their will. Later we may see them when they bring their son or daughter in for a divorce, or for defense in a criminal matter.”

Most of the legal matters for which a family may seek representation or advice can be handled by Trump & Trump. In addition to those areas already mentioned, they offer representation related to business and corporate law, personal injury, commercial and contractual transactions, trial and appeals, wrongful death, employment law, estate planning, DUI and criminal defense, and domestic relations.

Their service offerings are expansive, but each matter is handled with the same compassion and expert attention.

Charles Trump, the grandson of the founding Trump, recognizes that the commitment to serving their clients is what really makes them successful. “We are proud that we work very hard for our

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clients,” he relays. “We cannot ethically promise results or make guarantees concerning the outcome of a case, but we can say that we will give it everything we’ve got. We really take time with our clients, and we work hard to get the best result possible.”

The firm has four attorneys that work out of their two offices in Martinsburg and Berkeley Springs. Charles Trump, George McVey, Tammy McWilliams, and Joanna Robinson handle an incredible range of legal matters for clients in West Virginia and Maryland. They utilize more than eighty collective years of experience to get the best possible result for their clients.

Getting the best result is a matter made even more complicated in a troubled economy. Charles explains, “The economy makes things difficult for a lot of people.

They have been struggling for a few years, but they still need occasional legal services. We try to be sensitive to that.” That sensitivity is characterized by the representing attorney’s approach to handling the client’s legal matter.

“We give the case a lot of thought,” Tammy remarks. “We consider every way that we can negotiate or litigate the issue to achieve positive results while holding a client’s costs down.

Basically, we are trying to figure out how we can get them the best possible resolution for their matter, and do it in a costeffective manner. We sometimes have to get really creative to get them what is in their best interest, and, as an attorney in these economic conditions, you will find yourself thinking far outside the box to really arrive at an affordable and effective solution.”

There is a distinctive level of skill involved in devising innovative solutions to the challenges of their clients, but it is a skill that gets equal amounts of use during the charitable work completed

by Trump & Trump. This work is important, but you will never hear of it; in addition to donating money to worthy charitable causes, the firm actually donates time to individual residents and organizations in need of legal services. “We really do help a lot of residents in this community, but you’ll never hear about it because of the nature of what we do,” says Tammy. “Since we have to handle matters with confidentially, it is more of a silent satisfaction that we have done the right thing for someone who needs help.”

That compassion and community commitment is prevalent in the reasons these attorneys practice law. Charles remembers how appreciative the community was of his father and grandfather’s services. “I grew up seeing how well respected they were,” Charles says. “There were people who would stop me in the street and say, ‘Your dad really helped me,’ and that really stuck with me. I noticed that once he helped them, they never forgot it. Even now, I will occasionally hear from someone who will tell me a story about something my father or grandfather did that helped them. I wanted to help make things better for these people, just as my father and grandfather did.” For Charles, there was never any internal struggle about what he would do with his adult life. He knew that he wanted to practice law and support this community.

Similar stories are heard from the other attorneys with the firm.

Joanna Robinson elaborates, “I have known that I was going to be an attorney since first grade.

Ever since I was a child, this

[ 77 ]

has been what I wanted to do.

I worked hard, set goals, and made it happen.” You have to admire that kind of long-term commitment. It is demonstrative of the caliber of people who work at the firm.

different type of case. The next day will be spent entirely in meetings with clients, and the day after that I may have to see the inside of two different courtrooms, since we cover so many different types of cases.”

Dedication to the service of their clients is necessary, since each attorney has a number of cases and issues that are being handled simultaneously. There is really no perfect description of an average day in the life of an attorney at Trump & Trump, and television courtroom dramas do not really capture the intensity of it all either. Joanna says, “One morning I may be starting my day in court and ending it in the office reading briefs and preparing for a completely

From real estate transactions to criminal case defense, the caseload handled by the attorneys of Trump & Trump can vary dramatically week after week. Despite the complexity of handling so many different types of issues, the firm continuously remains committed to its clients and its mission. Charles notes, “It is a great privilege and honor to represent people and families in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. The people who live here are honest, decent, and

[ 78 ]

hardworking, and when they place their trust in us to handle a matter for them, we take that with the utmost seriousness.”

The sincerity of Charles’s words is echoed in the actions of the attorneys at the firm, and their commitment to the community is simply a continuation of the service that has been available to local residents for more than seventy-five years. If you are interested in learning more about Trump & Trump, visit them on the web at trumpandtrump.com, or call their offices: Berkeley Springs - (304) 258-1414 or Martinsburg - (304) 267-7270.

Around The Panhandle | MAY • JUNE 2011

GRAND OPENING THIS SUMMER Open to the Public pistol Bays tactical rifle bays long gun benches Range Rentals gun classes 12 and under Free Hedgesville WV

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The Yorkshire Old English Pub & Restaurant Serves New English Cuisine In your best British accent, ask: “Where can we go for a pint, mate?” The reply should promptly be: “The Yorkshire Old English Pub & Restaurant in Shepherdstown.” If for no other reason, the pub has Boddingtons and Guinness on tap, and makes a proper Pimm’s Cup! All of this is much to the delight of the Unknown Eater and spouse. With some friends, we popped in for a look-see and decided to have a drink. We ended up eating, as well, and were not disappointed.

It can be dodgy when a new restaurant opens under new restaurant owners. The Yorkshire opened this past March. What came out of the kitchen on opening night was wonderful.

The menu is a mix of traditional English favorites, plus other delectable creations from Chef/ Owner Chad Lechliter’s kitchen.

From what we could glean from chatting up the bartender and server, Chad, 31, is from Berkeley Springs and has been cooking since he was thirteen. A graduate of l’Academie de Cuisine, Chad

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has developed an excellent menu (with nothing so hardcore English as to exclude tastes) with some contemporary dishes and signature burgers. Our server also said the chef is building his food contacts and prefers local sources.

English cooking is not known for its haute cuisine; however, that’s old school thinking. Traditional English dishes are outstanding comfort food—bangers and mash, shepherd’s pie, fish and chips, and battered prawns and chips. The bangers here are mild, English-recipe, housemade sausages—two generously portioned alongside creamy mashed potatoes and rich gravy.

We actually ordered a carryout serving of this for our child, who loves bangers and mash.

Since it is an entree, there was enough for two plentiful servings.

The shepherd’s pie is made with braised lamb shank, and the fish and chips, which is fresh-cut haddock, is served traditionalstyle—in newspaper. We didn’t order the prawns but understand that they are tender, juicy, and house-battered.

We shared an appetizer— Guinness and aged cheddar fondue served with pretzel bread, which is sliced for dipping. This cheese dip has a strong taste, and we loved it. The warm, soft pretzel bread is a perfect accompaniment that bread-lovers will devour.

My entree selection was the Queen’s Choice: a flavorful, very tender, grilled filet mignon.

Updated for summer, the filet was topped with caramelized onions and Boursin—an herby, garlicky, soft cheese. In the fall and winter months, you may find the filet topped with a port wine-infused demi-glace and Stilton cheese. In addition to the mashed potatoes, I selected mushy peas. I have to laugh because it sounds like I was on a soft diet, but the potatoes were fabulous, and I haven’t [ 82 ]

Around The Panhandle | MAY • JUNE 2011

eaten mushy peas in “donkey’s years,” which is a British saying for a very long time. The bright green, fresh peas were mashed and perfectly seasoned.

One of our diners selected the broiled Signature Seafood Cakes.

Exercising “Writer’s Right to Sample,” I taste-tested. With no detectable filler, this fish cake of dry scallops, white wild shrimp, jumbo lump crab, and haddock— sitting on a plate drizzled with a sweet roasted corn sauce—is on my re-order list. Dry scallops are in their natural state—not pumped up with extra water to make them larger. A dry scallop is sweeter and sears more easily.

White shrimp are wild-caught and are top-feeders, so the taste is clean and delicate. This dish is prepared so simply and cleanly, that each ingredient is clearly tasted.

Two more side dishes are standouts. For the summer, there is a cucumber and shallot salad—a twist on your oldfashioned cucumber and onions in vinegar. This salad has a touch of vinegar in a light cream dressing. Another interesting side is the mixed grains and rice dish consisting of lentils, barley, longgrain rice, and brown rice.

There are a few menu choices on my future must-try list. There is a grilled Cornish hen, marinated for four days in a mild, English curry, with yogurt and coconut milk.

There’s also an appetizer called The Yorkshire, with Yorkshire pudding, shaved prime with a veal demi-glace, and chive sour cream.

We dug our forks into a chocolatecrusted lemon curd cheesecake.

Sweet, tart, refreshing—it was a great endnote. Spotted Dick is on the menu—a bread pudding served with cream. We heard that a black and tan pecan pie with Guinness might make its way onto the fall menu, along with an apple cider cheesecake with a

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walnut, brown sugar crust.

Chad’s wife, Sandra, manages the bar and front of the house.

She knows proper variations of serving Pimm’s Cup. There are only six people in the world who really know what is in Pimm’s, but I would describe it as an herbaceous liquor that is excellent with Mother’s Worry (gin—the way The Yorkshire serves it), champagne (or both, as the Queen drinks it), or a Sprite/ ginger ale/club soda combination.

It’s always served with some cucumber—and sometimes packed with lemon, limes, and oranges—and occasionally served with botanicals (edible flowers). It is nearly impossible to find Pimm’s in West Virginia, or anywhere for that matter. I actually have a not-too-far-away retail source, but I’m not telling!

You’ll have to get your Pimm’s at The Yorkshire. Pimm’s sales at The Yorkshire are about to skyrocket! All signature drinks at The Yorkshire are made from the highest quality and freshest ingredients.

Thursday night is Jazz Jam, Friday night features a DJ, and Saturday is live Blues, rock, and more.

We liked the tablecloths, fresh flowers, modern décor, and lack of British kitsch (only a few Union Jacks here and there).

The Yorkshire has sleekness, like a new restaurant in London.

To us, the “Old” is in serving great English comfort foods, getting a Boddies or Guinness on tap, sipping a proper Pimm’s, sharing good times with old and new friends, and enjoying some music. Shepherdstown has added another jewel to its already illustrious culinary crown with the opening of The Yorkshire. Like them on Facebook as The Yorkshire Old English Pub & Restaurant, or visit: theyorkshirepub.com.

At a

Glance The Yorkshire

Old English Pub & Restaurant

Shepherdstown, WV 540•545•8482

First Impression

 Service

 Food Quality/Taste

 Value for Money

 Overall Atmosphere



[ 83 ]

Here in the Panhandle, We’re All Family Panhandle Printing and Design Now, I am sufficiently male as not to be directionally challenged. I can clearly discern north from east; so, as usual, I have neglected to seek the advantages of internet maps or other unnecessary technological enhancements over my native tracking skills.

All I have to do is find Maple Avenue, in Martinsburg, to start the interview. I break down and place a cell call to the location to let them know that I’m close by. Fortunately, they ask where I am, and as I provide a vague reference to a street corner, the male voice on the line volunteers driving directions without my asking (I said I was male).

I have again successfully navigated my way to the destination. I pull up in front of a small tan building, which sports a large window covered with signage, revealing the many levels of expertise and services that can be provided from within. [ 84 ]

A large tree sits on the sidewalk and wants desperately to provide suitable shade, but it’s still too early in the spring to adequately block the sunshine. Maple Avenue has no parking meters, for which I am thankful, as I head toward the door of Panhandle Printing and Design.

Oh, by the way, this article is about the local boys, who put our words and pictures on paper, so that you can read this fine magazine.

I quietly cross into the reception area/office/graphic design/meeting room. I’m pleasantly greeted by two men of similar height and deportment, who I at first mistake for brothers: Michael Hite and Jimmy Schaffner. After an affable and liberal round of introductions, Mike ushers me into the back. I sit down, amid digital printers, cutters, folders, stacks of paper, and printing jobs in various stages of completion.

“We don’t do everything here in

- By Rick L. Hemphill

this facility, just because it’s rather small,” Mike begins. “We have an offset press and other equipment, and we have an old Heidelberg Windmill press, which we use for scoring and perfing and die-cutting— but all that stuff is offsite.”

I inevitably realize that both of these men have a great deal of printing experience, and from a printing perspective, I’m only going to get through the table of contents for this article.

“I worked in the printing business for several years,” Mike explains.

“I partnered up with a few people in Frederick and started a printing business, and after a couple of years, we bought an existing printer.

West Virginia is home, so I decided to come back to Martinsburg and start a business here.”

Jimmy jumps in, “I’ve been printing for about fifteen years at other Around The Panhandle | MAY • JUNE 2011

printers, binding, in the press room. I started at the bottom and moved up to pressman. Printing is interesting and challenging to me, and at the same time, it’s not rocket science. It’s enough to keep you interested without driving you over the edge.”

is such a pain in the butt itself,” Mike laments. “You stay in printing because it gets in your blood, and it must be true, because there is nothing enjoyable about printing, I can tell you that.” Author’s note: a slight grin does escape his face as he delivers this last line.

“I enjoy coaching and being involved in sports,” he adds. “I needed more evenings free, so when Mike bought the business, I came on board to just run the presses. Many other tasks have taken over, and now I do graphic design and more intense types of work, like cutting.”

But he just as quickly changes gears, in order to properly articulate what it means for him to be doing what he does, in the Panhandle. “I know who I’m printing for, here, and so we give everything the personal touch. If we mess something up, we do it again, no questions asked.

I want our customers to be happy with their product, and say nice things about us.”

Mike can certainly relate, noting that our own little rag is rather new territory for the company, and also a source of local pride. “Printing a magazine is something we don’t get into a lot. Ten to fifteen thousand copies per month is a sizable run.

We are a small shop and we aren’t set up to do a lot of big runs, but we can do a few, and we’re very proud to be the official printer of Around the Panhandle.

“One day, this guy comes into the shop in flip flops and says, ‘I have a concept for a magazine.’ He needed some prototypes and it had to be full color throughout. ‘Is this something you can do?’ he asks. He’d been to several other printers. I gave him some outrageous price because he only wanted ten, and he said, ‘Alright, if that’s what it costs, that’s what it costs.’”

Jimmy chimes in, as both men share a grin, remembering their introduction to Around the Panhandle’s own Mike Hornby, “We figured we’d never see him again.”

Mike and Jimmy are especially proud of their work for Around the Panhandle. “The magazine has such great quality, and as it has grown in stature around the community, our association with it has grown as well,” Mike admits, while turning in his seat to gesture through the air with his arms. “Mike Hornby followed through with the magazine, and because we provided a good product, this has become a friendship, not just a business relationship.”

Both men clearly enjoy what they do, even though some healthy grumbling is in order. “Printing www.AroundThePanhandle.com

Jimmy nods his head in agreement.

Stop in to Panhandle Printing and Design, and work with a couple of fellas who will not only make your project needs a priority—they’ll make you feel like family while they’re at it. You won’t be just another number, though you will become yet another friend.

For more information, visit them online at: panhandleprintdesign. com. Or give them a call: 304 267 7400.

Jimmy adds, “We believe we offer better service. We often do the design while the customer looks over our shoulder.”

Mike agrees, and believes that much of that service comes through community involvement. “We are very active in youth sports in the community. I umpire and coach, Jimmy is a coach over at peewee football, and we get to meet a lot of people in the community. It’s not like people just bring things in and drop them off; there is always a football, baseball, or basketball story going on, sometimes to the detriment of work.”

You can see the commitment to the young people of the area in the two men’s faces, as they talk about their volunteer efforts. “There are three boys that I coach, who live nearby,” Jimmy expresses. “One is in middle school and the other two are in a local elementary. Most every day, they stop in and say, ‘Hey coach what’s going on?’ The oldest just invited me to his spelling bee. It’s important to make an impact in their lives.”

Publisher’s Note: Sorry Jimmy but these two pictures are priceless so there was a last minute publishers decision to add them. You should have known better than to let me take the picture. On a serious note Mike and Jimmy are truly the best in the business. We would not be where we are today without their advice, dedication, professionalism and of course friendship - Mike H

Jimmy’s dedication seems to know no bounds. He even has the moniker “Chicken Man,” for donning the chicken suit mascot for the local soap box derby.

“The personal attention we offer is what makes us different,” Mike assures. “At so many places, you hand over what you want and they give you a number. We realize that each job is important to you and we keep that job important to us.”

[ 85 ]

Before Little Johnny decides to do it himself

Call

Lost River Brewing Company |

Wardensville, WV

Small Town Place, Big Time Taste

By Debra Cornwell

Named for the Lost River that flows just above the town of Wardensville, WV, Lost River Brewing Company will be showing up on culinary maps very soon.

“Our intent,” says the twentyeight-year-old owner, “is to have a laid back atmosphere with great food and beer.”

The sign out front says: “Live, hardshell crabs and live oysters.”

Would you keep on driving if you saw that sign in the mountains of West Virginia? I would usually caution you to run to the hills, but in this case, be sure to stop.

Lost River’s owner, Adam Myers, has a brother who owns Nate’s Trick Dog Cafe in Irvington, VA. Nate is a chef who developed Lost River’s recipes, and he buys crabs directly from a waterman in Reedville, VA—that’s where you can catch the boat to Tangier Island. The crabs are still kicking and never frozen. The fresh oysters come from Virginia’s Rappahannock River.

Adam says, “Our Chesapeake Bay offering of live soft shell crabs, live hard shell crabs, and live oysters, are prepared to the customer’s liking. Lets enjoy them while they are in season! When you are finished picking crabs, Key Lime pie is a great finish.” www.AroundThePanhandle.com

[ 87 ]

Adam’s father, Wally, does the baking—all the fresh breads and baked desserts. “My dad came into the restaurant carrying seventy-five, tiny key limes yesterday and stated he was making key lime pie,” he smiles.

“I said, ‘Go for it,’ so he stood there juicing all these limes.” We tasted the key lime pie—rich, puckering, traditional pie with a mountain of meringue—no green food coloring here, or lime flavoring disguised in a too-sweet pie.

One of the recent specials was glazed duck breast, alongside garlic broccolini and a bread pudding of bacon, spinach, and Gruyere cheese. The bison meatloaf is a labor of love to make, with twenty ingredients, according to Adam, and comes with artfully piped mashed potatoes and small, crunchy (and wonderful) green beans.

We feasted on the Shrimp

[ 88 ]

Matamoros, fresh-shucked oysters, mac and cheese, pork ribs, broccolini, green beans, and key lime pie. The shrimp appetizer was prepared by filling a ring mold with diced avocados, black beans, shrimp, tequilalime salsa, and crème fraiche.

The appetizer and freshly made tortillas were lightly dusted with spices, to lend some heat.

The Rappahannock oysters that we devoured were sweet, with a crisp, clean finish, and the faintest hint of salt—divine. There are so many wonderful variations of mac and cheese, and this is one of the best. With caramelized shallots, loads of melted cheddar, and some chunks of feta, this is a great side or appetizer. Warning, once you share a bite, it will be gone before you get another bite.

When the whitewater stretch of the river reaches Wardensville, it is renamed the Cacapon River, and eventually flows into the Potomac. Years ago, the town

suffered from a devastating flood, and it never regained its prosperity. Adam says, “I hope Lost River can inspire some other businesses to set up shop in Wardensville. Sixty percent of my clientele are folks from the Washington area who own second homes here. Much of my business is repeat business.

Residents and visitors don’t have to drive to Moorefield, Strasburg, or Winchester for a great meal.

We employ eight in the front of the house and four in the kitchen and do about eighty covers in four hours.”

The building that houses Lost River was built in 1859, and was an Odd Fellows Lodge, among other things. Adam recalls, “We bought the restaurant that was previously here in September 2010. We opened at the end of November 2010. The only items that remain from the previous restaurant are the bar, the piano, a mirror, and the paint on one

Around The Panhandle | MAY • JUNE 2011

wall. Everything else was gutted and updated.” The piano, an original Steinway, has conveyed from owner to owner since 1902.

The building’s owner recently called Steinway to tell them about it. The company didn’t know the piano still existed and was delighted to learn that it was still being played. In addition to the music, fascinating historical pictures of Wardensville dot the walls.

“We cut and batter our own fish and chips; we make our own dressings and sauces,” Adam reveals. “The applewood-smoked meats are done by me, and we pull our own pork. The steaks are cut here, and the burgers are made here. Only three people know the crab cake recipe.

Everything is made to order, so there is a wait, but it’s worth it.”

The restaurant tries to source locally and is cultivating more local resources. “If we can cook it here, we do. It gives us better control and quality. We also try to keep the menu fresh for our regular customers.”

Now, about the beer. Adam is an experienced beer maker and would love to morph Lost River into a brewpub. “Permitting at the state and federal level has been challenging,” he says, “but we are sticking with the process and hope to be brewing sooner than later.” In the meantime, Adam is building his nice selection of craft beers, IPAs, and wine.

Put Lost River on your daytripping, foodie map.

Mapquest got me there in a roundabout way. The easy way is to take Route 50 West from Winchester and turn left onto Route 259, which changes into Main Street in Wardensville.

The restaurant, with its bright red metal roof, is on the left.

For additional information, see: lostriverbrewing.com.

www.AroundThePanhandle.com

[ 89 ]

Est 1998

POWER REAL ESTATE

Welcomes to the team, Shawn Eckert & Retta Sims-Eckert.

got power?

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

306 S. Queen St. Martinsburg, WV 25401

304-262-5626

www.HousePower.Biz John Orem, Broker

Dirt Mud Salt Sand

Pollen Birds Sap Tar

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Enjoy the Best of Summer

C A R WA S H PA C K A G E S

304-724-1700

199 Pimlico Drive Charles Town, WV, 25414

UNLIMITED C A R WA S H PA C K A G E S

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Menus Featuring Local Farm Produce

charlestownautowash.com

C A R WA S H PA C K A G E S

Rathskellar Pub with Weekend Entertainment Outside Dining • Sunday Brunch

304-724-1700 charlestownautowash.com 199 Pimlico Drive Charles Town WV 25414

The Bavarian Inn has proudly won many awards, including a AAA Four Diamond and Wine Spectator’s “Best of” Award of Excellence.

164 SHEPHERD GRADE ROAD SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV 25443 304.876.2551 • WWW.BAVARIANINNWV.COM

RM Roach and Sons

Serving the Eastern Panhandle since 1952

Heating Oil/Propane HVAC Equipment Repair New HVAC Equipment Sales Service Contracts Budget Plans

Shell & BP Gas Lottery Snacks Drinks Propane Refill

Subs and Sandwiches Platters Catering Cookies and Brownies Fundraisers

Fuel for Your Life! www.roachenergyrocs.com

Pizza Wings Breadsticks Catering Fundraisers

“Do the right thing, and it will always come back to you.” That is the golden rule by which Eric Carper lives his life. It is a rule that was learned through hundreds of early mornings spent on a local family farm, and it has created the foundation upon which this incredible businessman has succeeded where many others have failed. Eric was raised to understand the value of hard work and community, and he would grow up to found a business committed to serving the Panhandle.

It is the story of this commitment that makes Eric a person to know in our community, and we are proud to share that story with you.

As the sun rose on the first day of each summer, Eric remembers hearing his father’s footsteps as he [ 92 ]

advanced up the stairs to wake him and his brother. No amount of hiding under the cotton sheets or pleading for an extra ten minutes of respite would convince the elder Carper to forgo the responsibilities of the farm.

“We were raised to work hard,” Eric says. “I learned the value of effort, and I gave all I had every single summer. I would not have chosen to grow up any other way, because it has made me a better man.

Truthfully, it was hard sometimes.

My family did not have a lot of money, but we had a lot of love.

Everything they taught me has made me who I am today.” The work was just as much of a lesson to Eric as anything learned in school, and each summer built upon the education of the last.

Summers would turn to fall, and one by one, the years of Eric’s youth flew by. It was soon time to begin a life of independence, and choices were required. Eric knew that he did not want to live the life of a farmer.

He laughs as he explains, “I did my time, and I knew that I wanted to find another path. It’s great because now I can help out at the family farm just for fun.” It proved to be a wise choice. After spending a few years in college, and a few more as a highly-successful general manager, Eric had reached another major crossroad in his life. At thirty, he found himself more successful than he could have imagined. The trouble was that he was working too hard to really enjoy life. It was balance—not success—that eluded him, and he recognized that to be Around The Panhandle | MAY • JUNE 2011

really happy, he would need to find a way to correct that. He remembers considering his next career move very carefully.

Power Mortgage is still serving the community and helping our neighbors to realize their dreams of owning a home.

“I took some time to focus on what was important to me,” he says thoughtfully. “I knew that it was important to come back to this community, pursue the American dream, and find ways to give back.” Recognizing his strengths in operations, customer service, and sales, he knew that with careful planning and a dedication to doing the right thing, he could make it as an entrepreneur. He considered all of his options, and determined that home financing was of interest to him. It was a challenging field where the risks were just as great as the rewards, but Eric was undeterred. “I spent time obtaining the necessary credentials, and I became a broker. I opened Power Mortgage in 2005.”

That is really what Eric sees as his place in the community. He loves the fact that he is able to support the home ownership dreams of a growing community, and he works everyday to help customers make better financial decisions. “This is the biggest purchase of someone’s life,” Eric explains. “I love watching someone as they take the keys to their new home. I feel very privileged to be a part of that proud moment for them, and I feel even more pleased that I was able to help them get the best deal available to them. It is not the customer’s privilege to work with us; it is our privilege to serve them.”

At the time, people were just starting to speak of the “housing bubble.” He remembers that many people urged him to follow another course. He relays, “I recognized there was speculation about the market, but I knew this was my place. I can’t explain it; I just knew.”

As it turned out, he was right.

Despite the trouble with the market,

www.AroundThePanhandle.com

Not only is Eric proud of the service that he offers to his customers at Power Mortgage, but he’s also proud of the service he offers to his community. He is an active participant of the Partners in Education with South Middle School, and has donated thousands of dollars in calculators and supplies for their classrooms. He is a board member of CASA for Children—a national child advocacy group

with an active chapter in Berkeley County. He is a proud member of the Rotary Club, and has formerly served as a board member of Martinsburg Main Street. He currently serves as the chairman of the Choice Housing Committee of Berkeley County—a group that strives to ensure affordable housing is available to local residents. He also gives to a number of other local organizations whenever he can, and—in all things—he is completely committed to doing the right thing.

To really appreciate Eric, you need to know that he is full of life and surprises. On Saturday morning, you may see him driving a loader as he clears land, and on the following Monday, you will see him in the office talking about your financial future, while dressed in a suit and tie. You may see him on a Sunday morning, in the saddle, as he practices for his next barrel race, and then, by Sunday afternoon, he’s pitching in for a charity organization.

You will also see him in church every chance he gets. He is a deeply spiritual man, and that spirituality impacts his plans for the future.

One of Eric’s dreams is to open a youth camp for the underprivileged and underserved young people in

[ 93 ]

our community. He has already purchased a 200-acre parcel of land, and has envisioned opening the camp on that site. The development of such a worthwhile endeavor has also shown to contain its own unique set of challenges, but he remains steadfast in his dedication to see it through. It would provide an affordable location for local organizations, sports-related training programs, band camps, and more.

For Eric, this is just another of many aspirations for his future.

If you ask him about his future, he’ll start by telling you that he will continue to grow Power Mortgage.

He has already opened a second office in Beckley, and is planning another in Morgantown. Once that office is in place, he will consider his next location in Virginia, where he is already licensed to operate.

He has even purchased an Allstate Agency, and has added securities and insurance services to his suit of offerings. These goals are ambitious, to say the least, but they are only part of his plans for his future.

Eric sees his life as a series of seasons. His early success gave way to a season of complete commitment to building his business. Today, he enters a new season of commitment—to building a family.

He has recently gotten married, and is planning to have children. He will tell you that his life has more depth than ever before, and he has finally found the balance that eluded him in his twenties. “It took me a long time to realize that success is not exclusively defined by money. Now that I have learned that, and I have started to really build a legacy, I want to share my values and beliefs with a son or daughter, who will also grow up to have a connection with this community.”

Eric’s connection to the community, his commitment to doing the right thing, and his success are just a few of the things that make him a person to know in our community. If you want to know more about Eric, stop by his office at 306 South Queen Street in Martinsburg, or visit him online: houseloansok.com.

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Around The Panhandle | MAY • JUNE 2011

DEDICATED TO HONORING OUR VETERANS

Saturday, August 20 th 5:00 pm — 11:00 pm A Premier Motorcycle Event Sponsored

by West Virginia BlueKnights Chapter V and Main Street Martinsburg

Vendors, Local Restaurants Open Musical Entertainment by

Special Guest Retired Washington Redskins Kicker MARK MOSLEY will be representing

The West Virginia BlueKnights Chapter V will be contributing proceeds to the Hospice of the Panhandle.

Main Street • 304.262.4200 WVV5pres@gmail.com

Creating a Community out of Passion - By Claire Gibson Webb

The unimaginable occurred just the other day. I wished, for the briefest of moments, that I had a kid. If you know me at all, this truly was a groundbreaking moment. What inspired this flash of maternal longing? Let me introduce you to the classroom of CraftWorks, a local non-profit dedicated to awakening the artist in all of us: the young, the not-so-young, and everyone in between.

It was a Wednesday afternoon, at the end of long school day. At a time when most elementary schoolchildren may be home snacking, playing video games, or vegging out, these 6 – 10-year-olds were hard at work on a Gustav Klimt-inspired project. However, I got the distinct impression that the kids considered it more fun than work.

Klimt is known for the gold leaf patterns prominent in his art, and the young students were busily replicating their own version of this element. After a brief lesson

[ 96 ]

on Klimt, out came the canvas, the paints, the gold leaf, and the imagination. On tap for the next class was Giuseppe Arcimboldo, an artist who used fruit to create faces. Heard of either of these guys? Perhaps, but I certainly had not. This little class of mini modern artists, as teacher Emily Vaughn has titled them, is light years beyond their peers, and probably many adults. Fingerpainting and hand turkeys are things of the past here. Bring on the modern art!

Opened in May 2010, CraftWorks is the brainchild of Linda Case.

She owns eighty-one acres of land south of Charles Town, twelve of which have been donated to CraftWorks—upon which the new studio is currently being built. The rest of the acreage will be used to fulfill her dream of the land being used for educational purposes and enjoyment by the public. Her background and activities in arts and crafts has been instrumental to achieving this goal. Working

alongside Case are David Lillard, executive director, and Aundrea Humphreys, COO. Says Lillard, “We want to influence our community around us, beyond the people that come to our class. We want to encourage creativity. Art is not always a priority in schools anymore, and people don’t always have access to artistic endeavors.

We want to help change that in our modest way.”

They are certainly well on their way to fulfilling dreams and achieving that purpose. Classes currently meet in Shepherdstown for all age groups. Students can choose from a variety of topics, and show up after school for some hands-on fun. Tuition is modest, at only ten dollars per class with a five-dollar supply fee if necessary. Increasingly popular are the birthday parties at CraftWorks, in which sixty dollars covers two hours in the space, a teacher, and a project for eight kids. The teacher will propose a project with the parents and then

Around The Panhandle | MAY • JUNE 2011

the hard part is over. Partygoers come ready to create and celebrate. Parents are responsible simply for providing any desired food for the starving artists.

For adults, the possibilities are pretty exciting as well.

Drawing, painting, stained glass, filmmaking class, and photography classes are all available to anyone with a mind open to learning. No experience, knowledge, or know-how necessary! “Anyone can come who has never done anything creative, and you can do it,” smiles Lillard. Hence, the CraftWorks motto: “Come Do!” They believe strongly that a willing spirit will enable anyone who is up to the challenge, to create something.

The big news for this non-profit, though, is the recent opening of its new space and studio— CraftWorks at Cool Spring—its name invoking the purpose for which it was used long ago, when many dairy farms had a name in lieu of an address. Bullskin Run will be the precise location of the new digs, the very place that George Washington referenced in his letters. In fact, Washington once owned this land. He lived at Rock Hall, adjacent to the rear of the old farm. There is more to it than just influential history, however. How about an amazing natural habitat? The land is home to a rare marsh, the only Shenandoah wet prairie that has been identified in West Virginia.

Within that marsh, eighteen different rare or endangered plants can be found. “From late Mach to early autumn, there is something blooming or changing colors. It is an incredible outdoor classroom,” Lillard shares.

Until the opening of the new space, CraftWorks will keep the momentum going. During the summer, there will be six weeks of different art day www.AroundThePanhandle.com

camps with cool names like “Imaginationland,” “Bio-Crafters,” and my personal favorite, “Cool Spring Cosmopolitan.” At this particular camp, kids ages six to thirteen will venture ‘round the world in five days, learning crafts and customs of regions throughout Asia, South America, Africa, Australia, and Europe.

They will be able to create their own art pieces using techniques and inspiration from each of these continents. Of course, no “journey” is complete without preserving the memories, and students will make their own travel scrapbook. I may not be a kid anymore, but where do I sign up?

opportunities offered within this non-profit. Whatever the motive, it’s time to start creating!

The classes are very lesson plan oriented and the teachers are rigorously selected after an observation process. Nothing is done halfway at CraftWorks.

Everyone involved from the top down demonstrates a level of enthusiasm and passion, not only for art, but for getting the public involved in this project. The goal of Case, Lillard, and Humphreys is to make the mission accessible to all. Lillard emphasizes, “We offer a fair number of free programs.

As we get successful in securing grants and donations, costs can be kept low, with possible scholarship programs for kids who can’t afford anything at all.

It’s important to be a place for everyone.”

They really do mean everyone!

If you are interested in pursuing a creative approach to living for yourself or your family, there is a class just waiting to be joined. Or maybe the wish is to simply pick up a few tips on painting, or stained glass, and add a few of your own pieces to your home décor. Find CraftWorks on Facebook or at craftworksatcoolspring.com.

Go ahead and get the scoop from around town while you’re at it—word of mouth has been spreading about the host of

[ 97 ]

Now It’s Your Turn Recipes to Spice Up Your Life | Summer Specials

hicken C d lle ri G d ar st u M ey on H

Directions

Ingredients

n mustard 1/3 cup Dijo ey 1/4 cup hon ise ns mayonna 2 tablespoo steak sauce 1 teaspoon oneless 4 skinless, b ast halves chicken bre

. medium heat and steak Heat grill to ayonnaise, m y, ne ho , tard e sauce for Mix the mus amount of th l al sm a e id g sure sauce. Set as uce over chicken makin sa before 0 ur te for 20-3 basting. Po s. Refrigera de si th bo to coat grilling. over indirect Grill chicken e. at gr ly, or ill gr e g occasional Lightly oil th utes, turnin in the m h it 20 w to ly occasional heat for 18 te as B r. ea run cl until juices uce. sa ed rv rese

Grilled Naan Bread Ingredients

Directions

In a large bowl, dis solve yeast in warm water.

Let stand about 10 minutes, until frothy . Stir in sugar, milk, egg, salt, and enough flo ur to 1 cup warm water make a soft dough.

Knead on a lightly floured surface until smooth.

1/4 cup white suga Place dough in a we r ll oiled bowl, cover wi th a damp cloth, an d set 3 tablespoons milk aside in a warm to rise. Let it rise 1 ho ur, until the dough has doub led.

1 egg, beaten Punch down dough, and knead in garlic 2 teaspoons salt . Pinch off small handfuls of dough size of a golf ball.

Ro ll int 4 1/2 cups bread flo o balls, and place on a cookie sheet. ur Cover with a towel, and allow to rise un 2 1/4 teaspoons minc til ed doubled about 30 minutes. garlic Roll each ball of doug h out into a thin fla 1/4 cup butter, melt t cir cle. Lightly oil grill. ed Place dough on grill, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until pu ffy and lightly browned . Brush with butter.

Serve warm

1 (.25 ounce) pack age active dry yeast

[ 98 ]

Around The Panhandle | MAY • JUNE 2011

Pork and Pineapple Kabobs Ingredients Directions

led Sa il r G t e e w S & Tangy

1/2 cup BBQ Sau ce 2 Tbsp.

MIX first 3 Dijon mu ingredien stard ts. Reserv s auce for la 1 Tbsp. fi e 1/4 cup ter use. P nely cho our remain over pork p ped fresh chops in s ing sauce rosemar hallow dis y sure to co h making at both sid es. Refrig 1 lb. bo min. to m erate 15-2 arinate. neless p 0 ork chop into 1-in s, cut ch piece s 1 cup pin HEAT Gri eapple c ll to mediu hunks m-hig m eat onto 8 1 1/2 cu skewers a h heat. Thread p green p lternately in e a p ple, pepp pepper s or altern with ers and o quares ate with nions. red and for extra yellow color GRILL 12 1/2 cup to 14 min red onio . or until m tu rning occa n chunks eat is don sionally a Salt and e, nd brushin reserved Pepper to sauce. g with taste

lmon

Directions

medium an over p e c u juice, a s ar, lemon tter in a g u u b s e n th w lt Me brown the bro r until the d mix in ti n S a r. t, e brush a p e p h nne pe l ready to and caye ed. Simmer unti ze l, la il g d solv e of the tter pper, gar is dis on. Reserve som oons bu e u p p s s n o le b 6 ta ith lem r salm w a g e n u o th s g lm to n a in n o ason s . Brush ps brow rving. Se , skin side down e s 1 1/4 cu r n r a o g fo u m ns ns le e on grill and brow r until blespoo and plac e butter ,o th s 4 1/2 ta h te it u w in y d quentl n 20 m e o fr lm a sauce an s l h juice il e it ook th ried d rush w c er. d , B p s e . a z n p rk o la e fo o g th asp tick to d with a s e t k o a n fl 2 1/4 te l il y il sw eas rice.apple weed pper to serve with e p e n n caye Ground taste fillets, salmon 1 pound with skin epper lemon p p ts 4 / 1

Ingredients

Old Fashion Strawberry

Ingredients

Shortcake

Directions

3 pints fre sh strawb erries Pre heat oven to 1/2 cup w 425. hite sugar Slice the stra 2 1/4 cup wberries and s all-purpo toss them with white sugar. S se 1/2 cup of flour et aside.

In a bowl com bine the flour, 2 teaspoo baking powde ns baking tablespoons w r, 2 hite sugar an powder d the salt. With blender cut in a pastry the shortening until the mixtu resembles co 2 tbs whit re arse crumbs. e sugar Make a well in and add the be the center aten egg and 1/4 teasp milk. Stir until combined. oon salt just 1/3 cup sh Pour batter in ortening to a greased and floured 8 cake pan or yo 1 egg inch round u can use muf fin tins for sing servings. Bak le e at 425 for 15 to 2/3 cup m golden brown.

20 minutes or ilk until Let cool partial ly in pan then partially cooled 2 cups wh sl ic ca e ke in ha ipped hea lf, making two Place half of vy layers. the strawberr cream ie s on one with th www.AroundThePanhandle.com

layer and top e other layer.

Top with remai and cover with ni ng strawberries the whipped cr eam.

[ 99 ]

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A Trip to the Dentist...It Might Not Be So Bad After All - By Teresa Brumback Dentist Kenneth Banks, DDS, owner of Smile Designs of the Shenandoah Valley, has reason to be ecstatic.

Celebrating twenty-two years of service to the Berkeley, Jefferson, and surrounding counties in West Virginia, as well as the city of Winchester and Frederick County, VA, Banks shares the joy with his patients as their teeth are transformed into bright, pearlywhite smiles. From discolored, jagged, missing teeth, or misaligned teeth, Banks can work his dental magic using the latest technology to achieve the smile the patient wants. As one of only two accredited members of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry in West Virginia, he is one of only 600 accredited members worldwide.

Banks is a 1984 graduate of West Virginia University School of Dentistry and has been a member of the AACD since 1996. He has completed cosmetic continuums at Louisiana State University School of Dentistry, Dr. David Hornbook’s PAC-Live, and Dr. Newton Fahl’s Mastering Composite Artistry in [ 102 ]

Brazil. He also is a member of the ADA, the West Virginia Dental Association, and the Eastern Panhandle Dental Society.

He is also a member of the Martinsburg Sunrise Rotary and past president in 2006. In 2008, he retired as a lieutenant colonel and commander of the 167th Aerial Port Squadron in Martinsburg. He currently serves on the board of directors of F&M Insurance Co., Centra Bank of Martinsburg, and is chairman of the Board of Trustees of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.

“I have a passion for aesthetics in dentistry, the blending of color, form, and function,” he explains.

“You can go in and do fillings, and replace filling material in a tooth, but also take it a step further and restore a tooth, where you use better materials that withstand over a period of time. Everything we do should be aesthetic, even a small restoration, so it looks as natural as possible.”

It’s not just about the teeth; it’s

taking dentistry to an art form that inspires Banks. Like an artist at work on an oil painting, he enjoys mixing colors in ceramic tooth replacements so they match the person’s real teeth.

With routine dentistry, he does crowns and fillings himself, but refers root canals to a specialist.

Overall, he tries to be as metalfree as possible. Instead, he uses ceramics, which allow light to pass through and are more pleasing to the eye.

“Cerec” technology, which he relies on heavily, is the dental technology of the future, according to Banks.

It is a system used to provide single-visit dental procedures for crowns, inlays, overlays, and veneers. This avoids having to make impressions of the teeth, or giving “temporary” teeth for the patient to use while waiting for the work to be completed.

With the “cerec” machine, he can make the full or three-quarter crowns in the same appointment.

The patient leaves with a permanent

Around The Panhandle | MAY • JUNE 2011

crown two hours later. To some, it’s just another tooth, but to others, it’s a dream come true.

“I could tell you stories—the before and after,” Banks describes. “They cry, because this is something they’ve wanted to do for a long time.

It’s most rewarding.”

Some patients grew up in families without a lot of money for orthodontics work or even routine dental care. Their teeth may have been a source of shame or embarrassment most of their lives.

Now that they are adults, they can afford to spend money on their teeth.

Using bridgework, veneers, or implants, Banks and his team can modify just about anything to fit the facial form. Porcelain and composite veneers improve the appearance of discolored, chopped, and misaligned teeth. Veneers are bonded to the front surface of the tooth. In many cases, it’s extremely difficult to even tell if work has been done.

In addition to cosmetic dentistry, Banks practices routine dentistry.

Cavities can now be treated without use of a drill, but through abrasion techniques. Color of teeth can be changed using home or office treatments, or a combination of both.

To whiten teeth, a take-home tray system is used for some patients while others can get an in-office, light-activated procedure that takes about an hour and a half.

No matter what type of work is required, the smiles in the end make it all worthwhile. Banks’s team includes daughter, Sarah, a hygienist, and his son, Christopher, who has joined him as a dentist. To help give back to the community, Smiles Designs participates in the “Give Back a Smile” program, where Banks and his team restore the smile for women of domestic violence situations. They raise money to do it through their whitening products.

A minimal fee is charged and all of the proceeds go back to support the program.

www.AroundThePanhandle.com

[ 103 ]

Whatever the goal is with his patients’ teeth, Banks strives for the result to be as natural looking as possible. And this au naturel theme carries over to his new hobbyturned-business venture. Now that his son has joined him, Banks will split time between the office and his new bottled tea manufacturing business.

He is hoping to develop a national sensation out of Tropical Breeze Sun Tea. The beverage uses caffeine-free rooibos tea from South Africa, and xylitol as a sweetener. Xylitol is a natural sweetener made from birch trees that Banks gets from Vermont.

What’s significant, Banks claims, is that it’s the only sweetener accepted by the Food and Drug Administration and American Dental Association to reduce and/or eliminate dental decay. It does this by eliminating the bacteria in the mouth that cause the acid that sparks decay.

The beverage is only ten calories and one carb per bottle, making it a great product for children and diabetics.

Banks gives his tea to patients as a refreshing treat after their visit—a healthier alternative to the old days when dentists gave you coupons for free ice cream. “It’s been around [xylitol] for a long time,” he notes.

“We’re the first company to use it as a sweetener. It’s five times more expensive than sugar, so it’s more of a health drink.”

While it’s being sold wholesale, it’s available for the public at Butler’s Farm Market in Martinsburg and at Inwood Farmer’s Market.

Whether it’s a new smile you seek, or perhaps a sneaky taste of Tropical Breeze tea (by default), set up an appointment with Kenneth Banks and Smile Designs of the Shenandoah Valley. The team at Smile Designs takes their “art”, as well as your satisfaction, very seriously.

The office is located at 4325 Gerrardstown Rd., Inwood, WV. For more information call (304) 229-2181 or visit shenandoahvalleysmiles.com.

[ 104 ]

Around The Panhandle | MAY • JUNE 2011

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The most enjoyable part about writing for this magazine is the feedback I get from our readers.

Don’t get me wrong, not all of the comments I receive are positive, but knowing that people are reading me is truly a great feeling.

So to all of our readers—a sincere thank you!

You know, of all the stories I’ve written, none get more comments than my articles about the creative, outrageous, and hilarious tax deductions that our fellow Americans claim on their income tax returns. Even though I repeatedly get asked to tell more of these stories, I’ve avoided continuously writing about them in order to keep the column fresh each issue. Well, after numerous requests over the last few months, and realizing that I hadn’t revealed any new crazy tax deduction stories in over a year, I felt it was time to once again look into the wacky minds of our fellow taxpayers.

So, let’s see: in the past, we’ve talked about the $40,000 charity deduction by the wife who donated all of her husband’s belongings after he cheated on her; the gynecologist bill taken as a “repairs and maintenance” business expense; the $10,000 “consulting fee” paid to an arsonist to burn down the taxpayer’s store; and the medical expense that was allowed for gender-reassignment surgery.

Wow! Not sure how we can top those, but let’s see what we can do.

Bermuda Business Meeting. Did you know that business conventions in Bermuda are a tax write-off and you don’t even have to show [ 108 ]

that there was a special reason for being in a tropical paradise? Why? Because Bermuda, as well as a lot of Caribbean countries, exchange tax information with the U.S. under an international agreement.

Therefore, assuming you have legitimate business reasons for the meeting, travel expenses to this Caribbean retreat are just as deductible as a trip to Buffalo.

Breast Augmentation. Now, the IRS has challenged this deduction many times over the years. In this particular case, an exotic dancer named “Chesty Love” decided to get eye-popping size 56-FF implants, in an effort to acquire larger tips. The IRS initially denied her deduction, saying that it was cosmetic surgery.

However, a Tax Court judge allowed her to depreciate her new “assets,” saying they were equivalent to a stage prop that was essential to her act. I wonder if the judge actually attended one of Chesty Love’s shows as research?

Body Oil. Now, normally you would think that body oil could never be deducted, right? The Tax Court ruled that the body oil a pro bodybuilder used, to make his “muscles glisten in the lights” during competition, was a legitimate business expense.

They did, however, disallow deductions for buffalo meat and vitamin supplements for muscle development.

Believe it or not, the Tax Court actually let him deduct $2,500 (of the $9,000 he paid her) as a business expense, disallowing the remainder as “personal services.”

Sperm Donation. A little background first. Everyone is familiar with the accounting term “depreciation,” where you are allowed to deduct the purchase of an asset over a period of time.

There is a similar deduction allowed for the usage of our natural resources, such as oil, natural gas, etc. This is called “depletion.” So, it’s one thing to try and deduct expenses related to sperm donation as medical costs—which is what a Massachusetts doctor tried (and was denied)—but you gotta love the ego and moxy of the New York law student who felt that his sperm was such a valuable natural resource that he asked his accountant to claim a depletion deduction for his donated sperm. Classic.

So, there are just a few of the new amazing deduction attempts this past year. Besides being funny, these stories just go to show that you never know what may be considered a reasonable tax deduction!

Your Significant Other. This taxpayer had several rental properties and decided he was going to pay his live-in girlfriend to decorate the houses, buy furniture, and run his personal household.

Around The Panhandle | MAY • JUNE 2011

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Innovative Kitchen Gadgets

We have seen the future of kitchens, and it’s high-tech. Soon you’ll have gadgets that will automatically mix drinks and let you browse the Internet using a table lamp. Whether you want to make toast as if you’re sending a fax, hire your computer to bartend your next party, or roll up your frying pan and stick it in your luggage, this list will definitely grab your attention.

Which one is your favorite?

GE’s All-in-One Kitchen Appliance

Think of GE’s kitchen of the future as a large touchscreen display; it features touch sensors that are spread across the entire surface, OLED primary lighting, and purifies water via ultraviolet light. This eco-friendly kitchen also allows you to load up dishwashing detergent in bulk and dispenses it using algorithms to minimize leftover cleaning agents in wastewater.

Gorenje Smart Fridge

The Gorenje Smart Fridge is a cool looking table with a mini-refrigerator that rises up from its core at the push of a button. No more running to the fridge for a forgotten item, it’s already within reach! Though this cheeky amenity might not hold an entire pizza, it’s definitely perfect for convenience items, and a perfect way to break the ice, so to speak.

Rollertoaster

Here’s a first: an innovative toaster concept that lets you slide bread right through instead of having it pop up. After all, if technology has taught us anything, it’s that there simply has to be a cooler way to make toast. And now we have it. You just slip the bread in the back and use it like a printer.

It’s still a ways from store shelves but anything this awesome (and wellnamed) is destined for infomercials everywhere, and likely soon!

Salter Nutrition Scale

How about a scale that analyzes your food by portion size/weight— calculating total calories, protein, carbohydrates, sugars, fat, fiber, sodium, cholesterol, net carbohydrates, GI value (glycemic index)—and then displays the information on a crisp LCD screen? The Salter Nutritional Scale does just that and more, with a database of over 1,440 foods and liquids. Plus, it also keeps track of “how much you’ve eaten throughout the day.” It’s available now through Metro Kitchen.

Computer Table Lamp

Here’s a nifty table lamp for your kitchen that also doubles as a functional computer. It looks to feature a top-loading disc drive, touchscreen display, and well-integrated ports. Created by Prisma, this crafty little multi-purpose gadget is also rumored to house photos, music, internet, play DVDs, and even provide television options. Like many of the gadgets on this list, this design clearly represents how the boundaries of traditional design are being re-thought and redrawn. [ 112 ]

Around The Panhandle | MAY • JUNE 2011

Scroll Pan - The Roll-Up Frying Pan

The Scroll Pan puts a new twist on the traditional frying pan by allowing users to roll up the utensil when not in use. Lets face it: our kitchens could all use a lot more space, or at least a lot less clutter. And/or maybe you have a favorite pan that you simply can’t leave behind when traveling. Well, look no further. The Scroll Pan was created for the specific purpose of providing a usable cooking surface that could also be reduced in size for easy storage.

It rolls up on each handle like an old-school scroll. The invention is still in development but probably not for long. It’s just too practical not to end up sitting alongside the Foreman Grill in department stores nationwide.

Yummy: The Touchscreen Kitchen Computer

Yummy Kitchen Connect is basically a next-generation PC “…that keeps track of food you have in the house using a barcode scanner on the bottom that’s connected to a community database.” You tell the device your diet and favorite recipes, and it hooks up to the blogosphere to help recommend dinner, according to your needs and desires. And since it keeps track of what food you have in your pantry, it can also recommend a shopping list—as well as give you recipes and tutorials.

Smart Oven Cooks for You

Samsung has teamed up with Birds Eye frozen foods to develop a smart oven that knows how to cook a meal by simply reading “Smart Codes” found on specially marked packaging. Buyers seeking the ultimate in convenience will appreciate this oven—just scan and cook. It’s priced at $525, with no word yet on availability, but it’s sure to fly off of shelves once Samsung figures out a way to get it out of development and into the hands of future chefs everywhere. It’s really a no-brainer, with an extensive list of preprogrammed recipes already installed. Everyone becomes a great cook with the Smart Oven.

LiteOn’s Smart Label

This invention doesn’t quite occur in your kitchen, but it does affect what will eventually end up in it. Get the most for your grocery-shopping buck with LiteOn’s new Smart Label. When foods such as milk near their expiration dates, the Smart Label automatically changes colors from green to red, indicating freshness, and discounts the item accordingly. Without the additional labor needed of the seller to re-label the goods with current discounted prices, the Smart Label brings paper waste to a minimum.

Programmable Drink Mixer

Put simply, the Lazy Drinker is this summer’s must-have gadget—perfect for your kitchen. It can store up to sixteen bottles and a whole lot of ice.

Just connect it to your computer and the software will whip up your favorite drink in no time. Note: you’ll need your own CO2 supply and it doesn’t come cheap ($750). But you’ll certainly be the life of the party; actually, you’ll BE the party. You can either choose from a list of pre-existing drinks or throw caution to the wind and design your own.

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[ 113 ]

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NEW TO TOWN Texas-Style BBQ Sees Heaven in West Virginia - By Teresa Brumback

Barbecue is about as American as apple pie. Hearty and lip-smacking, succulent and to-die-for, it’s a slice of heaven when done well.

As everyone knows, BBQ aficionados debate the intricacies of Texas-style, Memphis-style, North Carolina, and Kansas City-style, and argue over which is the best. But if Mitchell and Sara Matzek, and their giant smoker, keep smokin’ with their Q Company BBQ, now available at the eclectic Dirty Dawg Saloon in Martinsburg, they’ll carve out a new champion on the BBQ frontier: “West Virginiastyle.”

Relying on fresh, never frozen products, and using local sources for their food when available, Mitchell and Sara are already getting national recognition. They recently won $10,000 in an episode of the Food Network’s “24-Hour Restaurant Battle,” which aired August 25, 2010.

Kyle Terboss, a Food Network producer who first sampled the Matzek’s barbecue during the televised restaurant battle, was instantly wowed. “With Mitchell and Sara, it’s not just their food. It’s the love of their food. They’re really great people, people you want to go and hang out with.

“His food was the best we had on our show. Their barbecue is some of the best I’ve ever had in my life.

It’s very impressive. Texas is his background but he mixes it with East Coast style and West Virginia.”

While New York City, where Terboss works, is full of great restaurants, they’re slim on good barbecue. “The best barbecue is where you guys

[ 115 ]

are,” he adds.

The Matzeks are also among twenty BBQ masters nationwide invited to appear in February of next year, at the South Beach Food & Wine Festival (sobefest.com), hosted by celebrity chefs Emeril Lagasse and Guy Fieri.

True to his roots in Plano, Texas, Mitchell churns out low and slowcooked, hickory-smoked BBQ, with nine spices in his rub. In Texas, it’s all about beef, so there you’ll find mainly brisket—usually cooked over mesquite wood. But mesquite trees don’t grow here; hickory trees do, so that’s what he uses. The painstaking process takes twelve to sixteen hours. The result is pure bliss: moist meat that literally falls apart it’s so tender. Permeating the meat is a delicate taste of hickory smoke, so mellow and flavorful that I cannot fully describe it in words. You’ll just have to trust me on blind faith, or try it for yourself.

For me, a devoted foodie, a Texassized “sampling” of their beef, pork, and sausage was an experience with BBQ unlike anything I’ve had before.

And everyone knows how smells and tastes can evoke wonderful memories. The Q’s barbecue did that for me.

Suddenly, I was remembering bonfires along the Shenandoah as a kid, when a day spent fishing and swimming was capped off by roasting hot dogs and marshmallows over a fire made with some fallen oak branches we’d gathered nearby.

The aroma of wood smoke was a sweet, powerful memory. The taste of a simple hot dog, in that case, was unforgettable. So was this new

Around The Panhandle | MAY • JUNE 2011

West Virginia barbecue.

After wolfing down the sampling of the Q Company’s BBQ, I still had plenty leftover to take home. As an experiment, I tried some for breakfast the next day. I wanted to see if the emotional effect it had on me the night before was the same.

It was.

Maybe it wasn’t just the quality of the ingredients. Maybe it was the love and caring behind it all, the pride in perfection. Somehow, those qualities wound up in the meat. With long commutes and long, boring hours at work, and a slim budget to boot, I am prone to eating fast food.

On the flip side of that forgettable burger, the Q Company’s barbecue was a complete and delicious meal, with Texas-sized portions of everything, at an affordable price.

What makes the Q Company’s barbecue special, a la West Virginia, is that you can get Texas-style barbecue in not just beef but also in the piggy, too, with baby-back ribs, pulled pork, and sausage. Also,

www.AroundThePanhandle.com

Texas BBQ restaurants usually don’t focus on the sides and sauces, but the Q Company does. “We focus on the details,” says Sara. “With every side, sauce, and rub we make, we want each to be perfect.” The Panhandle and East Coast crowds should expect the best. The sauces that are available: a molassesbased Texas style, a mustardy South Carolina sauce, and a vinegar and red-pepper-based North Carolina sauce. Each sauce is remarkable.

The side dishes are all homemade on the premises and each is extraordinary. The beans are smoked for six hours and enhanced with a mélange of chopped peppers, onions (likely), and spices. The potato salad has a kick of cayenne in it, and the coleslaw is tangy and crisp, not mushy or mucky with mayonnaise, as coleslaw has a tendency to be.

The macaroni and cheese is creamy and not too sharp, with just the right amount of cheese.

225-degree smoker that was handbuilt and custom-made in Texas. The meat is cooked over 100% hickory wood, but the meat and wood are kept in separate chambers, making this an “offset smoker,” allowing for indirect heat. No coals or propane are used—just wood. The smoker is set under a patio roof, near the bar. “We encourage people to look in,” Sara says. “When you order, you come up to the counter. You’re literally five feet from where we’re cooking. The smoker is what people want to hear about. We’re happy to share it with them.” The guardian of the smoker, whether it’s Mitchell or Sara or one of their employees, must feed wood to it every four hours or so and monitor the temperature. The smoker holds 900 pounds of meat and it puts out about 500 to 1,500 pounds of barbecue a week.

Fast food this is definitely not.

The meat is cooked slowly, up to a whopping sixteen hours in a

“BBQ is my heart and soul,” Mitchell explains. In Celina, Texas, he learned the art by apprenticing with a Texas BBQ champion. When he moved from Texas to Alexandria, Virginia, he was surrounded by fancy restaurants but disappointed to find

[ 116 ]

mediocre barbecue. To ease the homesickness, he bought a smoker and cooked for friends. They kept bugging him to do it for a living.

Mitchell’s career was in construction, so when the housing bubble burst, the writing was on the wall. The Matzeks decided to go whole hog into barbecue. They sunk sixty-five thousand dollars of their own money into the business, along with their winnings from the Food Network contest, and made a go of it.

Their “state-of-the-art backyard BBQ joint,” as they call it, is in the backyard of the Dirty Dawg.

The Texas state flag hangs proudly by their outdoor smoker in a gargantuan Texas-themed outdoor patio and bar area that seats 300 people. Cornhole and darts are available for fun. Open Mic “Unplugged Jam” features blues, bluegrass, country, and folk music on the patio each Saturday afternoon.

After moving to Harpers Ferry, they were driving around Martinsburg and stumbled across the Dirty Dawg, a Cowboy Ugly, Southern Rock gathering place owned by George and Alexa O’Connell.

The Q Company also runs a catering business. With a mobile kitchen, they can cook onsite for large events, provide BBQ for pickup, or deliver it.

“They needed really good food,” Sara remembers. “We couldn’t afford a building, so we decided we should partner. People should do that more often when they want to start a business. We clicked with them.”

Six weeks later, they were serving up barbecue at the Dirty Dawg. “It’s a ridiculous amount of work. The [Food Network] show was a reality check. You’re going to have to be perfect, consistent, and deliver everything flawlessly to every person. We feel you only get one chance with barbecue.”

The couple is certainly working hard toward their dream of becoming barbecue king and queen of these parts, and beyond. It all comes down to quality of product and customer satisfaction. “We have a clear vision of what we’re about, and we’re not willing to compromise.”

Sara and her husband are a great team. A transplant herself from Boulder, Colorado, and Southern Maine, she didn’t grow up in a barbecue state, but she worked for a restaurant company and learned the trade of opening new restaurants.

She manages the food costs, insurance, hiring, and marketing.

When she’s not immersed in the barbecue business, she works fulltime as a Security Architect Manager for Verizon Business. Meanwhile, Mitchell is back at the proverbial ranch steering the business from behind the smoker.

[ 117 ]

For pitmaster wannabees, the Matzeks offer a BBQ U, an intensive weekend hands-on learning and eating experience, for $350.

Students learn to develop their own rubs as well as proper temperatures, wood choices, and the details of the smoker. Participants leave with t-shirts, baseball hats, and sauces.

The next day, they return with their families around lunchtime, and everyone gets to be guinea pigs and enjoy the junior pitmasters’ BBQ. The Q Company BBQ is open at the saloon from 3 - 9 p.m. on Wednesday for ribs, Thursday from 3 – 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. “Or until we sell out,” say’s Mitchell. “There’s no putting more on!”

Sara emphasizes that the saloon and BBQ patio is open to families.

“It’s a barbeque joint; it’s a wide demographic, and we’re working to make sure everyone can enjoy it.”

Some customers are already devoted regulars. “It’s awesome,” coos Toni Paul of Harpers Ferry, dining there one evening with her husband Steve.

“We come here once a week. This week it’s two times. The brisket just melts in your mouth.”

Try The Q Company BBQ at the Dirty Dawg Saloon, at 1017 S. Queen St., Martinsburg. Visit their website (TheQCompany.com), their Facebook at Facebook.com/TheQCompany, or call the Matzeks at (540) 450-6710.

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