Priceless
your complete home resource guide and lifestyle magazine Essex • Northern Neck • Middle Peninsula • Gloucester • Richmond • Williamsburg
Crepe Myrtles
A Traditional, Transplanted Southern Beauty
Dr Mitchell's Map One of America’s Most Important Maps
Built on Freedom
The Jones House 14th Annual
Preakness Party Considering the Kitchen www.thehouseandhomemagazine.com
June/July 2018
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June/July 2018
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FROM OUR READERS....
“The photography is superb, the writing excellent, the advertising intriguing, the historical vignettes delightful, and the recipes mouthwatering.” “We have continued to receive overwhelmingly positive feedback from the article (Angel Visit Baptist Church). People are astounded at both the depth of the article and the beauty of the pictures. Again, thank you.” Bessida Cauthorne White Angel Visit Baptist Church
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“When we first moved to Williamsburg a bit over six years ago, a new friend introduced us to The House and Home Magazine. Whenever I see it, I get it. I really enjoy the depth and breadth of your coverage of the area from Williamsburg to the Middle Peninsula and the Northern Neck. All of this was new and unexplored six years ago. With the help of The House and Home, we have experienced much of the area and will continue to search out new venues. The photography is superb, the writing excellent, the advertising intriguing, the historical vignettes delightful, and the recipes mouthwatering. Thank you for offering such a helpful and enjoyable magazine to the area. You have an avid reader.” Jenny Brown
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THE HOUSE & HOME IS EVEN READ IN PANAMA Remember, wherever you roam, be sure to take along your copy of The House & Home Magazine. Visit us on Facebook or find us online at thehouseandhomemagazine.com. We’ve been to England, Turkey, China, the Super Bowl in Houston, Key West, Africa and the Maldives, just to name a few of our travels. But whether you’re near or far, there’s no place like Home! Tom Schroeder in Panama 6
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PUBLISHER James L. Blanks EDITOR Janet Evans Hinman CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Zora Aiken Captain Bob Cerullo Janet Evans Hinman Randall Kipp Jackie Nunnery Barbara Weldon Deb Weissler ART DIRECTOR/DESIGNER Kirstin Canough ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE James L. Blanks: 804-929-1797 JLB Publishing, Inc. P. O. Box 2564 • Tappahannock, VA 22560 Office: 804-929-1797 • Fax: 1-888-747-2267 thehouseandhomemag@gmail.com
The House & Home Magazine is a free, four-color publication that specializes in providing home ideas, real estate, and lifestyle articles. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without written permission from JLB Publishing, Inc. The information contained herein are opinions of sources and interviews. JLB Publishing Inc. claims no reliability or accuracy to any information contained within. The House & Home Magazine is published for reference purposes only and is not materially responsible for errors. The House & Home Magazine is published bimonthly and is distributed at over 500 locations throughout Essex, Northern Neck, Middle Peninsula, Gloucester, Richmond, and Mechanicsville as well as subscriptions, direct mail, and trade shows.
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June/July 2018
Contents
The House & Home Magazine • June/July 2018
14 Aerial Acrobatics 20 Considering the Kitchen
26 Kitchen Design 28 Crepe Myrtles A Traditional, Transplanted Southern Beauty
46 Signs of the Road
72 Regional Free Clinics
52 Lord Botetourt
78 14th Annual
Less Traveled
A gentleman and a scholar (and a goodluck charm)
54 The Art of
Table Settings
on Freedom 34 The Customs House 58 BTheuiltJones House Bears the tests of time
40 The Exotic Spice of Life
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www.thehouseandhomemagazine.com
64 Dr. Mitchell’s Map
Provide a vital safety net
Preakness Party
80 Focus on Faces in Business
98 Fine Properties 114 Riverside Tappahannock
Welcomes new expert in orthopedic care
One of America’s most important maps
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RUBY THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS By Deb Weissler
“A LOVELY LITTLE CREATURE MOVING ON HUMMING WINGLETS THROUGH THE AIR; SUSPENDED AS IF BY MAGIC…”
… John James Audubon, 1840
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ach spring they return north in ever increasing numbers; helped in part by the number of hummingbird admirers who set out feeders and plant hummer-friendly flowers. A recent study by the group Partners in Flight estimates the number of Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds to be 20 million and growing, in sharp contrast to other migrating bird species worldwide.
of torpor in order to conserve energy and body heat. Their bodies have the ability to control their level of suspended animation in order to avoid predation. Once the weather warms, they emerge from torpor and seek food. Quickly establishing territorial rights and squabbling with any perceived competition, hummers make up for their small size in pure pugnaciousness. Females arrive shortly after the males and begin nesting. After completing their nests, the females will choose their mates from a group of suitors, who try to outperform one another in aerial displays. Courtship consists of song or sound, plumage display, and aerial acrobatics. Male hummers require showy plumage to attract a potential mate, while the much drabber female is perfectly suited for camouflage to protect herself and her nest. Naturalist James Audubon once described them as “glittering fragments of the rainbow.” In a courtship dive, male hummingbirds orient their iridescent green feathers and showy red gorgets (throat feathers) towards the sun in order for them to refract sunlight and therefore look their most vibrant. In fact, hummers have the highest density of feathers of any bird known, and scientists have noted that
Hummingbirds are found only in the Americas, from the Yukon to Labrador in the far north; Argentina’s and Chile’s shared region of Tierra del Fuego in the south; westward to the Juan Fernández Islands in the Pacific; and to Barbados in the Atlantic. Their habitat includes lowland forests, mangrove swamps, deserts, subarctic meadows, and the snowlines of mountain ranges. While birdwatchers in the Western United States may spot up to 21 different varieties, here in the East only the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird breeds and resides in spring and summer. Weighing about the same as a nickel, this tiny dynamo returns to our region in early spring, flying over 500 miles nonstop across the Gulf of Mexico to reach us. It is believed that changes in daylight trigger the desire to head north in spring and south in autumn. Unlike other migrating species who find safety in numbers, hummingbirds HUMMINGBIRDS ARE travel alone; each MASTERS OF AERIAL species developing its own migration strategy. DYNAMICS, ...THEY CAN The Ruby-Throated Hummingbird lives an PROPEL THEMSELVES average of nine years and so may return to the same FORWARD, feeding and breeding BACKWARDS, RIGHT, grounds year after year, provided a reliable food LEFT, AND EVEN supply is in the offing. Unlike many birds UPSIDE DOWN. that are born with the sounds they will use throughout their lives, hummers are one of four groups of birds who must learn to hummingbirds rarely display on cloudy days, seemingly aware make sound. Of the 300 hummingbird species known to of the necessity of sunlight on their feathers. exist, only three have beautiful songs. The remainder vocalizes Hummingbirds are masters of aerial dynamics, flying with by producing guttural sounds, chitters, squeaky whistles, and bodies held upright, unlike other birds that fly parallel to the chirps. The rapid beat of their wings produces the distinctive ground. They can propel themselves forward, backwards, humming sound that is often the first clue a hummer is right, left, and even upside down. After just three wing visiting your garden. strokes, performed in a distinctive figure-eight pattern, they The males arrive first, exhausted and famished. Should can reach speeds of 25 miles per hour in just 7/1000 of a the weather be too cold or severe, hummers enter a state second. During courtships dives, they may reach speeds of The House & Home Magazine
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more than 40 miles per hour. After these aerial displays, a chase ensues, ending in mating. Compared to other birds, hummers have rigid wings, short arms, long wing bones, and short, weak legs. With a remarkably flexible shoulder joint, they can rotate their wings almost 180 degrees, which accounts for their ability to hover while their bodies remain motionless. Female hummingbirds use their feet and beaks to weave a variety of plant fibers, animal hair, and even manmade fibers into conical or cup-shape nests. Gathering cobwebs and using their own saliva, they glue their nesting materials together. Cobwebs are also used to attach the nests to tree branches, outcroppings, or ledges. The nests are filled with plant fluff and hair, creating a soft base to cradle the eggs. The outsides are then covered with lichen, bark, and moss to create a water-tight insulation. The nests are pliable, allowing them to bulge and flatten as the hatchlings grow. Each female lays two, jellybean-sized eggs that she then incubates for 15 to 22 days, periodically turning them for even
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incubation. As THEY DON’T NEED TO PERCH IN ORDER TO with other birds, the hatchlings EAT, BUT HOVER IN PLACE USING THEIR are born without WING MOTION TO REMAIN STATIONARY feathers, and no means to regulate their metabolism, been known to pull them underwater, so the female shades them from the cold and even large dragonflies, spiders, and or heat by spreading a protective wing praying mantises have been known to over them. In 8 to 12 days the chicks can prey on them. Hummers remain ever maintain their own body temperatures, vigilant, relying on their maneuverability and the females begin the task of constant and quarrelsome nature to escape capture. feeding. Hummingbirds must consume oneHatchlings enjoy the same diet as and-a-half times their body weight in their mothers, which consists of insects and nectar, which she consumes and then nectar each day in order to maintain their metabolic rate. They may eat every regurgitates into their gaping mouths. ten minutes so that in eight hours they By two weeks old, the chicks are already may have consumed up to 48 meals. beginning to preen their downy feathers They can eat, digest, and eliminate food and stretch their wings in preparation to fledge. With no need for encouragement, from their bodies in just 15 minutes. The best source of energy is easily one bright, sunny morning the fledglings digested sucrose, or sugar, produced take their first flights. Almost all are by flowers in fields and gardens. Since proficient fliers and, after a few test nectar is a mixture of both sugar and flights, they are off and on their own. water, hummers rely on nectar to As with most birds, hummers are provide half their daily body weight. prey for larger birds, such as hawks, and Approaching a nectar-laden flower, for snakes, lizards, and domestic cats. hummers use their long, thin, brushLeopard frogs and freshwater bass have
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With no need for encouragement, one bright, sunny morning the fledglings take their first flights.
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tipped, split tongues to lap up the sugar-laden liquid, in much the same way dogs drink water from a bowl. They don’t need to perch in order to eat, but hover in place using their wing motion to remain stationary while they feed. Hummers can see all the colors of the rainbow, as well as ultraviolet colors. Some flowers emit ultraviolet patterns when they are most fertile and therefore richest in nectar. It’s a wellknown fact that hummingbirds prefer red flowers, which are easily spotted from above against green foliage. Active at first light, they often feed long before other nectar eaters are up and about. Hummingbirds also require protein and essential minerals in order to grow new feathers, so they also feed on a variety of insects, spiders, and daddy long legs. They are often seen feeding on small beetles, flies, gnats, mosquitoes, aphids, leafhoppers, parasitic wasps, and mites. They use their acute vision to find and identify insect prey, which they then snatch out of the air. Darting in and out of vegetation, flitting back and forth in short bursts of speed, hummers can flush and capture the most elusive and smallest of prey. Unable to dismember their prey like other insectivores, hummers prey on insects small enough to swallow whole. When a hummer catches an insect in flight, its swift forward momentum forces the insect far back into its throat, where it is easily swallowed. Some ornithologists estimate that spiders may comprise 60 to 80 percent of their protein diet. Hummers can be spotted searching along walls and in corners, seeking out cobwebs that may provide fertile hunting grounds for tiny spiders and
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spider eggs. They can consume hundreds, if not thousands, of insects in a single day, making them a gardener’s friend. Over the past few decades, hummingbird numbers have increased and thrived due to the addition of feeders placed out during spring. According to hummingbird experts, commercial nectar that you purchase should be free of red dye. For a homemade recipe, the ratio is four parts water to one part sugar. Boil the water to rid it of chlorination, pour it over the sugar, and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. Once cool, fill your feeder. Do not use brown sugar, honey, or artificial sweeteners! During cool weather, change your mixture every three to five days. In very hot weather it may be necessary to change it daily. Feeders are best placed in a shady spot to prevent direct sunlight from affecting the sucrose. Wash your feeder thoroughly in hot water between fillings. A bottle brush will remove debris or mold from inside the feeder tube or bottle. Avoid using dishwashing liquid that may contaminate the mixture. Hummingbirds have fascinated humans in the Americas for centuries. Pre-Columbian artifacts, carvings, and rock drawings depict hummingbirds in their natural environments. A giant, 300-foot long hummingbird drawing stretches across the Peruvian plateau that dates back to more than 500 BC. They have survived for millennia, adapting to changing environments and habitat destruction. They continue to bring beauty and joy to our gardens each year, and so it remains with us to welcome and provide sustenance for them to help ensure their survival. H
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Flowers with long, tapered blooms are rich in nectar and are preferred by all pollinators, including hummingbirds.
Here
is a list of favorite flowers you can plant in your garden to attract them:
Columbine Bleeding Heart Garden Phlox Petunia Salvia Agastache Fuchsia Trumpet Creeper Coral Bells Hibiscus Bee Balm Cardinal Flower Butterfly Bush Daylilies
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Considering
the kitchen has morphed into the heart of the home — for eating, gathering, working and entertaining.
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Over the years, the kitchen has morphed into the heart of the home — for eating, gathering, working and entertaining. The warm, social kitchen is in, way in. Whether your goal is a full remodel, or just a refresher, there are many style options from simple to extravagant that can brighten the outlook for your favorite room. Be aware that sometimes it’s best to leave it to the experts. Several surveys report that nine out of ten homeowners hire a professional to get the job done, with nearly two-thirds of renovating homeowners hiring general contractors or kitchen remodelers.
White is Still Hot
the
kitchen By Janet Evans Hinman
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t’s impossible to own a home without pondering the occasional, or frequent, home improvement. The great benefit of a makeover is that the time, creative energy, and yes, cash, you spend on such a project don’t just translate into enjoying a space
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you love, but also into a higher home price if you ever decide it’s time to sell. Where to start? Which updates offer the most enjoyment for the least effort? Which ones offer the most bang for the buck? How about the “wow” factor?
One of the easiest and most costeffective ways to update any room is with a fresh coat of paint. A simple white palette continues to be a favored kitchen design element for wall finishes, backsplashes and countertops. According to a consumer preference survey conducted by Houzz, an online remodeling and design resource, 36 percent of today’s homeowners prefer white, compared to last year’s 30 percent. An updated twist on the all-white trend is to employ a whiteon-white color scheme, using different shades of white for walls, trim, cabinets, countertops or tile. For a “not quite all white,” option, paint one focal point — like a wall, a center island, a table or a separate cabinet — in a favorite color for a vibrant splash. Other popular kitchen paint choices include seaside blues and greens, cheerful yellows, smoky grays and even the intense tones of navy and plum.
Cabinets are Key Drab, worn cabinets are a clear sign that your kitchen needs a facelift. The options are plentiful, depending on your budget. If the cabinets are otherwise in good working order, there are two paths to consider. The first is to thoroughly clean the cabinets with a mild solution of Murphy’s Oil Soap and rinse them completely, following with an application of a good cream polish. The second option is to return to that simple coat of paint. For instant impact, replacing the cabinet hardware is a good choice. 21
A simple white palette continues to be a favored kitchen design element for wall finishes, backsplashes and countertops.
Cabinet hardware is like jewelry for the kitchen, allowing you to personalize just about any style. A satin or brushed finish resists fingerprints. Whether you prefer classic nickel or steel, pewter, oiled or antiqued brass or bronze, glass or ceramic, hardware allows you to set a unique tone and style for the kitchen. If existing cabinet doors are shabby or ill-fitting, and the hinges have gotten too creaky, it might be worth investing in new ones. Shaker-style cabinet doors are currently the most popular, preferred by 57 percent of homeowners updating cabinets, according to Houzz. The style is marked by simple, minimalistic pieces, with cabinet doors featuring a recessed center panel. Shaker-style cabinet doors are so flexible style-wise that they can go either traditional or modern, depending on what you pair them with. Cabinet refacing or resurfacing is one step shy of a full rebuild. The process requires you to keep existing kitchen cabinet framework intact, while completely transforming the outside appearance. Refacing includes reinforcing existing frames, then applying a veneer of real wood or laminate. The transformation is completed with new hinges, knobs and/or pulls, and moulding. When new cabinets are a must, consumers have their priorities — often involving center islands and specialized cabinets with built-in storage solutions like pull-out waste bins, bakeware organizers, revolving corner trays, and pull-out or swing-out trays and shelves. Nearly two in five kitchen remodels include a new center island and 48 percent of homebuyers report they would pay more to have one. Regional design professionals note that about 75 percent of kitchen remodels featuring islands have the island with a different finish than the rest of the cabinetry. Also, specialty cabinets built to resemble furniture give the kitchen a “curated over time� appeal.
Nothing Tops Countertops Countertops are having a significant moment today as homeowners focus on sleek, decluttered kitchen surfaces. New countertops are the most common update, with 94 percent of renovating homeowners making this change. A real estate survey reports that about 55 22
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percent of homebuyers will pay more for a home with updated countertops. The long-time favorite material, granite, will never go out of fashion. In all its many patterns and colors, granite is a timeless choice. Its single flaw is that without sealing, it can absorb spills and permanently stain. However, engineered quartz (a composite of quartz and resin) is emerging as a trending option. Quartz is a solid, non-porous material that has no need of sealing to keep it pristine. Until recently, quartz hasn’t had nearly the style of granite or marble, but that has all changed with modern techniques lending notes of design and flair. Marble is also returning as an option, with flowing patterns in bold tones, although like granite, marble must be sealed to prevent stains. Many of the quartz companies have done an amazing job of replicating intricate marble patterns. Other interesting countertop materials are polished concrete, metal, and even wood. Experts recommend using cleaning products certified as safe for your specific countertop material. Natural surfaces (especially marble) will degrade, fog or pit when exposed to harsh chemicals. Also remember that replacing a countertop presents an opportunity to install a new glass or tile backsplash for additional punch.
In Sink Given that the sink is the most used item in the kitchen, a new one will stand out. Today’s kitchen sink trends merge functionality with style, making them the focal point for food preparation. One of the hottest kitchen sinks right now is the “farmhouse” or “apron” sink. Farmhouse sinks are so named because they mimic the extra deep, exposed-front sinks common in many vintage, rural homes. Many homeowners have discovered that having a double sink can make a big difference in a kitchen’s workflow, offering a second space for food prep tasks. A similar option is a long, lean, deep trough sink, which offers significant elbow room for a team of cooking enthusiasts. A “vessel” or “basin” sink sits above the countertop and is a visibly decorative choice, although less handy for large tasks. Stainless steel is still the most popular sink material, followed The House & Home Magazine
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closely by porcelain or enamel. Trending sink materials include concrete, stone, copper and granite composite. For a truly budget-friendly choice, skip the new sink and install a fancy new faucet, a quick and inexpensive update that can make a huge difference in style.
The Floor Beneath Your Feet When it comes to kitchen floors, nothing beats wood. Surveys show that wood is still the most popular flooring choice, favored by 82 percent of homeowners. In addition, 52 percent of prospective buyers report they would pay more for a home with wood floors. Engineered wood and laminate, even wood-like tile, are gaining in popularity due to their durability and water resistant or waterproof qualities.
Amped Up Appliances Call it a need for eye candy, but shiny new appliances — refrigerator, stove, dishwasher — have a huge impact on the “wow” factor with homeowners and prospective home buyers. Although highend appliances are typically the most expensive kitchen renovation, Houzz reports that 39 percent of renovating homeowners are willing to splurge on them, and a survey of Realtors notes that 69 percent of prospective buyers will pay more for a home with updated appliances. Stainless steel remains the favored material for new appliances. A note of caution — if possible, keep the appliances and plumbing where they are. A renovator’s rule of thumb is to add $2,000 to the final bill every time you move either one.
One Step Too Many?
Call it a need for eye candy, but shiny new appliances have a huge impact on the “wow” factor
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It seems like every time a home improvement television show airs, an interior wall gets knocked down. Taking down a wall to create the coveted “open kitchen” may seem like the thing to do these days, but in purely financial terms, it may not make sense as a renovation project. The open floor plan has dominated homes in recent years, but not all homeowners love it. It’s an expensive renovation, and some homeowners are going the other way, seeking more definition in their living June/July 2018
spaces. A half-wall of cabinets, low bookshelves or a bar create a semi-open floor plan with clearly defined spaces for both the kitchen and the living room.
Kitchen Motivations For the most part, people are creating kitchens to please themselves — making their space more beautiful and functional, with an eye for upgrading appliances and improving storage. Surprisingly, the goal of increasing home value came farther down the list of motivating factors, but still ahead of open floor plans or improved entertainment space. Homeowners are planning kitchen makeovers according to their own wishlists, with a bonus benefit of pleasing a future buyer. H The House & Home Magazine would like to thank our regional kitchen design professionals for their gracious advice and guidance for this article. Special thanks go out to: Dee David, Dee David & Co.; Marian Leigh Walker, Noblett, Inc.; Joan Henley, Henley Cabinetry; Stephen Whitt, Whitt Corporation; and Scott Schoolar, The Top Shop. For your future kitchen projects, please consider the advertisers listed above and see their ads in this issue.
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people are creating kitchens to please themselves — making their space more beautiful and functional
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kitchen DESIGN By Randall Kipp
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he kitchen: the heart of the home, according to many. We tend to agree. After all, the kitchen is the first room we visit each day to brew our coffee, where we chit-chat with family after a long day apart, and where we prepare our meals. It serves as the main hub of the house as we pass through countless times each day - packing lunches, unloading groceries, or sneaking a midnight snack.
In a world overwhelmed with stuff, overloaded with information, and obsessed with being busy, it’s refreshing to see all the recent buzz around minimalism. As an architect who specializes in modern design, the world is catching on to what I’ve known and practiced for 30 years: minimal, intentional, sustainable living and design. 26
There are many benefits to modern design, especially in the kitchen. For example, a modern, minimalist design strives to effectively hide or blend appliances and create ample storage space to keep visible areas, like countertops, clutter-free. Less clutter equals less stress. It also provides more space to simply keep clear, or intentionally fill with a vase of your favorite flowers or a special keepsake that brings you joy. We see it over and over again - the top requests for kitchens are: efficient work space, plentiful storage, and a barrier between the functional kitchen space and the area our guests hover to chat and drink wine. Herein lies the reason to work with an architect and/or design team for your remodel or new build. Achieving the desired functionality and aesthetic for your unique family can be tricky without the help of a professional. After all, the ultimate goal of architects and designers is to June/July 2018
ensure the complete personalization of your space is complimented by optimal performance. If you’re considering building, working with an experienced architect is critical to the process. Embracing and tailoring your home to the natural landscape of the site will add so much to your living experience and to the value of your home. Where the sun rises and sets, and how the natural light enters, should guide the placement and layout of your home - especially your kitchen and living spaces. Ask yourself: what is the most spectacular view and what space in your home do you wish to observe it from every day? Clients and acquaintances alike frequently ask, “What are the most important things about kitchen design?” The three most important things to focus on are: the placement of appliances (envision the dance between the refrigerator, oven, and sink), creating ample storage space, and using quality, sustainable materials. We want to leave you with five easy tips and action items to prepare you for working with an architect and/or design professionals. 1. Gather inspiration. (Pinterest, Houzz, magazine clippings, etc.) 2. Any non-negotiables? List them. 3. Anything you absolutely do NOT want? (Colors, textures, finishes, etc.) List them. 4. Know yourself and your family. How do you currently use your kitchen space? List the ways you use it now that you’re guaranteed to need it for in the newly designed space. 5. Take plenty of time to consider how you want to use the space. What’s your intention for the space? What are your main goals? What are your favorite things to cook or bake? Having a clear understanding of what you want from the space will help your architect and design team strategically lay out your entire kitchen space and add helpful extras (like stove faucets). There are countless elements to the design process - don’t go at it alone. Hire a design professional to help you create your ideal kitchen space and home. H The House & Home Magazine
SIDE NOTE REFERENCING PHOTOS: When designing this local kitchen, we opened the space to invite in natural light with a vaulted ceiling and large windows and skylights that faces the river. The immediate view of the kitchen space shows a large island with bar height seating to accommodate guests without inviting them into the work space. Simple shelves, sleeved between the glass backsplash panels, give a clean, minimalist look to the main kitchen area. Ample storage is extended out of the initial view of the kitchen using stainless steel and frosted glass
cabinetry. The black walnut finish of the island and lower cabinets anchor the kitchen while the lofty vault ceiling gives an open, airy feel. This kitchen features Brazilian teak floors, Calacatta Gold marble and stainless steel countertops, painted glass backsplash, a beverage center, and upscale stainless steel appliances including a Subzero refrigerator and extra sinks and ovens. Get more modern inspiration and tips at kipparchitecture.com. 27
With beautiful, long lasting color, easy care, and many forms from which to choose, you couldn’t ask for more from one plant. It’s no wonder that southern gardeners have embraced the crepe myrtle.
Crepe Myrtles By Jackie Nunnery
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A Traditional, Transplanted Southern Beauty
June/July 2018
T
hough most southern gardeners could not imagine their gardens without crepe myrtles, they are actually a native of southeast Asia. Fans of Lagerstroemia indica love them for their colorful and long-lasting blooms, gracefully arching branches and a curling bark that sheds throughout the year. The bonus is that all this beauty comes with very little effort. Crepe myrtles are a low maintenance, tolerant plant, well suited for our region’s hot summers. Crepe myrtles find a new home in the South Originally brought from Asia to England in 1759, the crepe myrtles did not find a permanent home since they refused to bloom. Then in 1790, French botanist, André Michaux, brought crepe myrtles to Charleston, South Carolina, and everything changed. He first grew these plants in his garden and eventually distributed them across the city. Because they did so well in the warm climate, they eventually spread throughout the region and began heralding summer in the South.
You say crepe, I say crape. Who’s right? Depends on who you ask. Though the scientific name is lagerstroemia crape myrtle, the traditional Southern spelling is crepe myrtle, since the delicate flowers are thought to resemble crepe paper. You may also occasionally find it as, crapemyrtle or crepemyrtle.
Why we love them: Year ‘round visual appeal Crepe myrtles are a popular choice in southern landscaping because of their long-term profusion of color. Depending on the species, they begin blooming in late spring/early summer and can last until the first frost. Blooms grow in long clusters, called panicles, that can be anywhere from 6 to 18 inches long. Colors vary from white to pink and deep red as well as lilacs and deep purples. The color doesn’t end there. Crepe myrtles will give you one last burst of color in the fall as the leaves turn to vivid oranges and deep reds. Rich, dark brown seed pods will also emerge, providing food for birds and an interesting texture visually. Speaking of interesting textures, the unique peeling bark on mature wood, especially the trunk, adds additional beauty with colors ranging from silver grey to warm cinnamon brown. The House & Home Magazine
Why we love them: Suited to a variety of landscaping needs Left untouched, crepe myrtles typically grow into large, multistemmed shrubs. But with thoughtful pruning, they can be crafted into beautiful cone shaped trees, growing anywhere from 10 to 30 feet. You’ll see them in tidy lines along streets and driveways, providing dense privacy hedges along property lines and creating spectacular curb appeal in front of homes. Cultivation has produced newer varieties that can even be grown in containers on porches or decks.
Why we love them: Easy care The crepe myrtle is perfect for our region, which is why they’ve become so popular. They do well in Hardiness Zones 7–10 (most of our region is in Zone 7), which means they will do just fine through our winters. It’s not a finicky plant either. This quick grower (12 to 18 inches per year) does well in a variety of soils and is drought tolerant, so it will be a strong addition to your yard. And while they enjoy full sun (at least six hours of direct sunlight), they can do well in partial sun. Just know that less sun will mean fewer blooms.
Pruning: Encouraging a natural form and avoiding “crepe murder” The flowers of the crepe myrtle bloom on new wood, so any pruning should be done in late winter (February is ideal) while the shrub is still dormant and well before any buds appear. The goal is to highlight the natural cone or vase shape and produce a plant with strong branches by removing sucker branches, crossing branches, and branches growing toward the center of the plant. To highlight the graceful trunk and its peeling bark, gradually remove any lower branches on the trunk, up to a height of five feet. Pruning spent flower
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panicles will also extend the blooming period by promoting a lighter second bloom. What you DON’T want to do is lop all the branches off to a stump, in what some gardeners refer to as “crepe murder.” Doing so ruins the plant’s natural form and encourages thin, weak branches to grow, which will not hold up the flowers well. If your plant is too tall for the space, you should consider transplanting it to another area. But if you must reduce the height, you can shorten the topmost branches by two or three feet, making sure you cut back to a side branch or trunk.
Adding crepe myrtles to your garden — go with a hybrid National Arboretum Hybrids: hardier and healthier Back in 1962, the National Arboretum in Washington, DC, began developing hybrid crepe myrtles that improved their cold hardiness and resistance to powdery mildew, as well as creating new colors, heights and forms. The resulting 24 new varieties are named after tribes of Native Americans, so they are easy to recognize by their names. The plants are anywhere between 4 and 20 feet in height, depending on which variety you choose, so they make ideal shrubs for the background in your garden or for specimens in the lawn. Here are the best of the best: • Catawba — Released in 1967, this is one of the older of the hybrids. At a height of eight to ten feet, this variety is perfect for smaller spaces. Beautiful purple blossoms give way to orange and red leaves with silver-gray bark in the fall. • Arapaho — First released in 2003, this is one of the newer varieties. It is a striking tree due to its height — around 20 feet — and its true red flowers, not just a dark pink. This combination makes it a great choice as a specimen tree, providing a focal point in your landscaping without overpowering your home. • Natchez — Elegant white blooms on a large 20-foot tree will definitely make a statement in your yard. In the fall, you will enjoy orange and red leaves with a striking cinnamon-brown bark. 30
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Crepe myrtles are a popular choice in southern landscaping because of their long-term profusion of color.
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June/July 2018
• Tonto — If you need a smaller tree, this might be the best choice at only four to six feet tall. Soft pink flowers give way to maroon leaves and light gray bark in the fall. Razzle Dazzle Hybrids: dwarf breeds for even smaller spaces These newer hybrids first became available in the early 2000s. At just three to five feet tall, these small shrubs are perfect for smaller gardens or even containers. Though small, they still have all of the color of their larger relatives. • Berry Dazzle — This is the smallest of the group, at three feet tall, and the most suitable for containers. It features rich pink blooms. • Strawberry Dazzle — A little larger, at four to five feet tall, this variety spreads rather than growing mounded. With delicate pink-red blossoms, it will create a stunning garden border. • Cherry Dazzle — As the name suggests, bright red flowers adorn this shrub. Its size and growing tendency depend on how you plant it. In a garden, it will grow to about five feet and spread about the same. In containers, it grows much more compact and stays about three feet in height. With beautiful, long lasting color, easy care, and many forms from which to choose, you couldn’t ask for more from one plant. It’s no wonder that southern gardeners have embraced the crepe myrtle. You’ll appreciate why it’s become a familiar feature enhancing the landscaping of many southern homes. H The House & Home Magazine
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the
customs house By Janet Evans Hinman
tests
of
bears the
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time June/July 2018
William J. “Billy” Viverette and fiancée Karen Saul relax on the multi-level porch of the Customs House, enjoying the sweeping view of the Rappahannock River. Photos courtesy of Ashley Peterson Photography
One of five original fireplace mantels. Main floor living room.
Renovated master bedroom.
For nearly 300 years, the property has stood as a silent sentinel to the evolution of the town and the nation, and oh, the stories it could tell.
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N
estled into the hillside at the end of Prince Street, with a commanding view of the Rappahannock River, sits one of Tappahannock’s oldest homes, the historic Customs House. It is one of 13 structures comprising the Tappahannock Historic District, which is both a Virginia and a National Landmark District. For nearly 300 years, the property has stood as a silent sentinel to the evolution of the town and the nation, and oh, the stories it could tell. The earliest history of the house is difficult to pin down, as complete documents of the time are scarce, but records disclose that a house was on the site in 1751. The first recorded owner of the property was Archibald Ritchie, a successful colonial merchant and father of the renowned Virginia journalist, editor and publisher, Thomas Ritchie. There is a deed that states that Archibald Ritchie acquired adjacent plots (“slips”) of land on the river soon after 1750, and the Customs House sits on one of them — Slip 77.
Tappahannock and the Stamp Act A 1975 article by Charles W.H. Warner, published by the Essex County Historical Society, outlined a few instances of how Archibald Ritchie and his home had a role to play in events leading up to the American Revolution. As we know from our
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history lessons, in early 1765 in an effort to raise money for its growing empire, England’s Parliament passed The Stamp Act, which provided that stamped paper must be used for all legal documents, pamphlets, newspapers, almanacs and other articles. The revenue from the sale of stamped paper was to be used for “defending, protecting and securing” the colonies. Great debate and protest erupted, in part led by Patrick Henry, and the Virginia House of Burgesses resolved to resist The Stamp Act. Archibald Ritchie was a wealthy merchant in Tappahannock, dealing with many planters along the Rappahannock River and with numerous mercantile firms in England. Ritchie thought it wise to comply with The Stamp Act and announced his intention to do so. The countryside was aghast and then enraged upon hearing of Ritchie’s statement. Thomas Ludwell Lee and his brother Richard Henry Lee proposed paying Mr. Ritchie a visit and insisting that he publicly offer a written apology for his support of the act. Consequently, the first popular mass protest against The Stamp Act happened on February 21, 1766, on the Rappahannock. Men of Essex County, led by Col. Francis Waring and Col. William Roane, went to Ritchie’s home and protested his stand regarding the hated act. Troops from a British warship were landed at Tappahannock and dispersed the men. Further, the Lee brothers pressed for a meeting of patriots opposing The Stamp Act. The meeting took place on February 27, 1766, at Bray’s Church in Leedstown, Westmoreland County. The result was the Leedstown Resolves, a series of six resolutions penned by Richard Henry Lee in defiance of The Stamp Act and other
June/July 2018
abridgments of liberties in the colonies. The Resolves were one of the first public acts against the crown, protesting “taxation without representation,” thus paving the road to revolution. The very next day, 400 men gathered in Tappahannock calling themselves the Friends of Liberty or Sons of Liberty (an earlier branch of the Sons of Liberty responsible for the Boston Tea Party). They drew up in two lines of military formation while a committee representing the 400 patriots roused Ritchie from his bed, marched him out in the public square and demanded, not so politely, that he make oath to the Resolves or face the consequences, which included being fixed to the town pillory (riding a rail and tarring and feathering might have been mentioned as well). Ritchie asked for time to think this over but was not accommodated. He promptly signed an oath of loyalty to the Resolves and against The Stamp Act. It was reported that by late 1774, Archibald Ritchie was a firm patriot, being a member of the Association of Essex to prevent trade with Britain and to protect American rights.
From Tavern to Customs House and Beyond Before the Customs House was named the Customs House, it was known as Whitlock’s Ordinary. Although it was still owned by Ritchie, the tavern was run by John Whitlock and was a popular meeting place for both social and political discussions. The tavern offered the usual diversions of the time: lodgings, food, alcoholic beverages, card games and billiards. At times the
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tavern may have acquired a more rowdy reputation. According to Essex County Museum’s book, Essex County Virginia Historic Homes, Landon Carter wrote in his diary in 1771 that the tavern was “a very shocking place indeed.” Regardless of its reputation, it was said that George Washington often stayed there during his tenure in the House of Burgesses. Even though Tappahannock had been a legal port as early as 1680, it was in 1786 that the town became the chief port in the state, more important at the time than the famous port in Yorktown. Tappahannock was also an official tobacco inspection station. The collector of customs (taxes/duties), Lawrence Muse, lived in the house at the time. Any ship that arrived at the town port had to go there to pay taxes on the incoming goods, including tobacco. His home became known as the Customs House. It was rumored that smugglers had constructed a secret underground tunnel between the Customs House and the Brockenbrough House to divert goods and avoid paying taxes on their shipments. The Customs House passed among many owners over the years and is noted as one of the few historic homes to have been purchased rather than inherited. In 1911, it was bought by Allen D. Latané, editor of the Rappahannock Times and clerk of the Essex County Circuit Court. Latané reinforced the ceiling of the basement with steel beams and installed a printing press there. A metal slab from the press still serves as the bottom step of the stairway leading to the front porch. In the 1930s, Latané came into possession of a Mad Stone. Similar stones were said to have great medicinal powers for extracting poisons from a person’s body. For the benefit of future generations,
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“… a lovely little nest, that breathes of home and love, of quietness and rest.”
Rear elevation of the Customs House overlooking the river. Latané willed the stone to the clerk’s office, where it still stirs the wonder of doubters and believers. Among his many talents, Latané was a poet, and in 1941 he wrote a book of original poetry titled Vagaries and Memories. The book features a poem called “Just a Little Cottage,” in which Latané may have been describing the Customs House as “… a lovely little nest, that breathes of home and love, of quietness and rest.” Successive owners have made their unique embellishments and improvements to the property — a child’s bedroom, modern plumbing and electrical systems, a tin roof, and removal of Civil War era stucco to reveal the authentic brick underneath. Many of the home’s features remain original — the doors, door hinges, staircases, fireplace mantels, heart pine floors and brickwork. The current owner, attorney William J. “Billy” Viverette, maintains the Customs House as a part-time residence and law office. Over the years, Viverette and his fiancée, Karen Saul, have made their own enhancements to the property, attempting to recreate the lovely nest of quietness and rest, as Latané wrote about in his poem. Once, during a particularly grueling day of yard work, the pair uncovered the brick outlines of a hidden formal English garden. Viverette has also restored the multilevel porch overlooking the river; added a new HVAC system; and renovated the master bedroom, downstairs sunroom and half-bath, replacing the floors with reclaimed pine boards to match the original flooring wherever possible. The main level of the five-floor structure features an expansive hallway, living room, sunroom, half-bath and kitchen. Upstairs are two bedrooms and a bathroom, along with a walk-up attic. 38
Rear elevation of the Customs House before the removal of Civil War-era stucco.
The English basement has a den/office, bedroom, bathroom, laundry and garden room, and at one time may have served as a stable for horses — a split, solid wood stable door is still in use today as the laundry room door. The partially underground basement, once used as a garage in the early twentieth century, serves as a utility and workroom today and offers a peek at the multiple layers of brick used in building the walls of the house. The enigmatic Customs House has continued to reveal its secrets to careful observers. The timbers in the attic are marked consecutively with Roman numerals along the entire length of the house. In colonial times, when the A-frames for the top of the house were built, the wooden beams used to make each separate frame were grouped together and numbered to ensure that the correct beams were connected together. Artifacts have been unearthed throughout the property — bits of pottery, a clay pipe, even a Spanish Real (“royal”) coin found wedged in a crack in the floor. Viverette and Saul have a collection of relics that have surfaced in and around the Customs House. They keep their historic treasures tucked away, just waiting for inspiration to suggest a creative way to display them. One secret yet to be revealed — it has been whispered that the home is haunted, though the specifics of the haunting remain shrouded in mystery — and perhaps that’s a good thing. H Many thanks to David Jett, curator of The Essex County Museum and Historical Society, for his help with this article. Thanks, too, to Billy Viverette and Karen Saul for graciously providing access and information. June/July 2018
Built-in display shelves in the expansive main hallway.
A sample of relics, including pottery shards and a hand-forged iron nail.
Kitchen fireplace and mantel.
Original doors, iron hinges and hardware.
A serene veranda setting.
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Exotic Spice THE
OF LIFE
By Barbara Weldon
A spice is the dried fruiting body of a plant. Sometimes called the plant’s fruit, kernel, or seed. It can also be derived from dried roots. Turmeric and ginger are both roots. Cinnamon comes from the bark of a tree. Herbs are generally dried leaves of various plants. 40
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H
istorically, herbs and spices have been used since the beginning of time for their amazing health benefits. Early documentation suggests that hunters would wrap the meat they had gathered in the leaves of various bushes, discovering the enhanced flavors that became infused into the meat. Over years, as these hunters and gatherers collected berries, nuts, seeds, and bark, they would pack them together, accidentally discovering the blend of flavors that favorably masked unpleasant tastes and odors. They even found that some herbs or spices would keep food fresh for longer periods of time. Ancient civilizations did not distinguish between using herbs and spices for enhancing the flavor of foods and using them for medicinal purposes. As leaves, seeds, or roots were discovered, they became popular condiments in that culture. Eventually, spices became a valuable commodity and were used in trade. Today the spice trade is a global billion-dollar business that can be traced back over 5,000 years. The spice trade was instrumental in establishing global trade. It was the catalyst for establishing trade routes. Spices that had once been impossible to get or were relatively unknown to anyone outside of specific regions were suddenly available to anyone who could afford them. A spice is the dried fruiting body of a plant. Sometimes called the plant’s fruit, kernel, or seed. It can also be derived from dried roots. Turmeric and ginger are both roots. Cinnamon comes from the bark of a tree. Herbs are generally dried leaves of various plants. There are a few exceptions. For example, fenugreek and methi curry are dried leaves, but they are considered spices rather than herbs. Many of the spices we use are exotic because they come from faraway places like India, Southeast Asia, the Caribbean, Mexico and Africa. You might not be able to find these exotic spices at your local grocery store, but the worldwide web has made almost anything accessible. However, while these exotic spices might ship to your door at the click of a button, quite a few of them can leave a hefty dent in your wallet. Spices can be preferred because of the heat they bring to a dish or used to enhance a tone of a dish. Some are used to add bite or draw out a deeper flavor of the food they enhance. Some spices are exotic but easy to find. However, some of these are indigenous to places less accessible but are gaining popularity around the globe. The first of these spices is called Black Nigella, also known as black caraway, black cumin, and black onion seeds. These incredible seeds are roasted until they are crunchy and are used crushed or whole in dishes that are enhanced by the taste of roasted onions. Cumin comes from the aromatic seeds of a plant in the parsley family. The small, slender plant grows from the Mediterranean to central Asia. Cumin is the flavor that is most commonly recognized in tacos. It has a mild, peppery scent with a warm, earthy flavor and is used in Indian and Latino cuisine. Some spices that are difficult to find are intentionally The House & Home Magazine
hidden by those who strive to protect them from the world. Piment d’Espelette is a paprika from southwest France and is only produced in limited quantities every year. The knowledge of how to grow it is passed down through generations and protected in accordance with tradition. The chilies are hung on cords to dry slowly, giving them a full-bodied, mature flavor and then ground into a fine, bright orange powder. Piment d’Espelette has a spice that is characterized as warm and bold. It is to be added at the end of a cooking process to keep the full flavor. It is great for eggs, fish, meat, and mashed potatoes. Peppers and chilies are a great source of heat for many dishes. Pasilla de Oaxaca chili is gaining popularity worldwide. Unlike the traditional chili that is known for its heat, the Pasilla de Oaxaca has a smokiness with less heat and is similar to smoked jalapeños. It is popular among vegetarians because it adds the smoky flavor that is favored in meat dishes without actually involving meat in the dish. Saffron is the most expensive spice in the world. It comes from the stigma of a blue flowering crocus, and it must be handpicked. It takes between 200 to 500 flowering crocus stigmas to generate one gram of saffron, explaining the expense of the spice. Luckily, it only takes a small pinch of saffron in a recipe to allow the essence of the saffron to beautifully color the dish, adding an aromatic earthy flavor to meats, sauces, and pasta dishes. Curry is more common in the United States than it once was. As Indian dishes gain popularity, curry has become a well-known spice. Curry dishes that are prepared in Southern India use leaves from the curry tree. However, curry as we know it is not just one spice. It is an umbrella term that refers to several dishes that originated in Indian cuisine. It is a 41
ROASTED TURMERIC CAULIFLOWER WITH GREEK YOGURT DRESSING Ingredients:
complex combination of spices and herbs that usually includes cumin, turmeric, ginger, and fresh or dried hot chilies. Turmeric is a main spice used in many Indian dishes and is said to be the most powerful herb on the planet at fighting disease. Turmeric comes from the Curcuma longa plant that grows in Southeast Asia. The root is dried and ground into the distinct yellow powder we use as a spice. It has a warm, bitter taste and is used to flavor and color curry powders, mustards, butters, and many cheeses. Fennel Pollen is difficult to find but worth the hunt. It has become quite trendy in recent years as it has elements of citrus, licorice, and an essence of marshmallows. Fennel pollen is very versatile, and you can use it on everything. It is popular to sprinkle on soups and roasted vegetables. However, it is advised that users start with a light dash as it can overpower a dish quickly. Trying something different can seem a little intimidating, but it can also be very exciting. Don’t be afraid to reach for something new. There are so many options for you to add a little bit of exotic spice to your life. Here are a few recipes to help get you started.
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• 1 medium cauliflower, chopped into small pieces • 4 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil • 1 tablespoon turmeric • 8 ounces full-fat Greek yogurt • 2 tablespoons full-fat sour cream • Juice of one lemon • 2 garlic cloves, minced • 1 tablespoon fresh dill, finely chopped • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped • 1 tablespoon fresh mint, finely chopped • Salt and Pepper to taste
Directions: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Toss cauliflower in three tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, turmeric, salt, and pepper and roast for 45 minutes or until golden brown. While the cauliflower is in the oven, mix Greek yogurt, sour cream, lemon juice, one tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, garlic, dill, parsley, mint, salt and pepper. Chill the sauce until cauliflower is ready. Serve and enjoy.
June/July 2018
SPICY COCONUT SHRIMP SOUP WITH CURRY Ingredients: • 1/2 pound raw shrimp, peeled • 2 tablespoons coconut oil, divided • 1/2 medium onion, diced • 2 teaspoons minced garlic • 2 teaspoons minced ginger • 1 teaspoon Black Nigella • 5 tablespoons Thai red curry paste • 1 1/2 cups chicken broth (set aside 1/4 cup) • 2 cans (13.5 ounces each) full-fat coconut milk • 1 tablespoon fish sauce • 2 teaspoons lemongrass • 1 red pepper, de-seeded and sliced thinly • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt (additional, to taste) and fresh ground black pepper, to taste
Directions: This soup is super quick to come together — make sure you have all your ingredients measured out, chopped and diced before you start, because it cooks quickly. Combine the coconut milk, 1 1/4 cups of the broth, fish sauce, and lemongrass in a small bowl. Whisk until any lumps in the coconut milk are broken up and set the bowl aside. Heat a medium to large soup pot with one tablespoon of coconut oil. Once the pan is hot, carefully add the shrimp and cook for about one to two minutes on each side (depending on their size) until the outsides are seared and pink but the inside isn’t completely cooked through yet. Remove the shrimp from the pan and set aside. In the same soup pan, heat the second tablespoon of co-
conut oil and add in the onions, ginger and garlic, plus a small pinch of salt. Sauté over medium heat for about five minutes until the onions start to become translucent. Stir every minute or so, so the onions don’t burn. While the onions are cooking, steam the broccoli. After the onions are translucent (about five to six minutes), stir in the Black Nigella and red curry paste for about 30 seconds, then whisk in the mixture of coconut milk, broth, lemongrass, fish sauce, and half teaspoon of sea salt until well combined. Turn the heat to medium-low and cook for about five minutes. Then, add in the red peppers and broccoli and turn the heat down to a simmer. Cook for an additional five minutes. Finally, add the shrimp in just to warm them before you are ready to serve.
MOROCCAN RICE PILAF WITH SAFFRON Ingredients:
Directions:
• 2 cups long grain rice • 2 tablespoons butter • 2 tablespoons olive oil • 1 onion, chopped • 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped • 2 cinnamon sticks • 1/2 teaspoon salt • 1/2 teaspoon ginger • 1/2 teaspoon white pepper • 1/2 teaspoon cumin • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric • 1 red bell pepper, finely chopped • 4 1/2 cups chicken stock • 1/4 teaspoon saffron thread, crushed
In a sauce pan, heat the stock almost to boiling. Meanwhile, heat butter and olive oil in a very large skillet or shallow stock pot over medium heat. Add spices (except saffron), together with rice, red bell pepper, and onion. Sauté for about ten minutes or until the onions are translucent, and the rice begins to color. Add the stock and saffron to the rice, stirring only once. Bring the stock to a simmer and taste for salt. Adjust the seasoning if desired. Cover the rice, reduce the heat to low, and simmer gently and undisturbed, for about 25 minutes, or until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender. Fluff the rice with a fork and serve.
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INDIAN CHICKEN JALFREZI CURRY Ingredients: • 6 long, green chilies • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts • 2 tablespoons sunflower oil • 2 garlic cloves, peeled and finely chopped • 3 ripe tomatoes, chopped • 1 tablespoon ground cumin • 1 tablespoon curry • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric • 1 tablespoon caster sugar • 1 teaspoon flaked sea salt • 1 cup cold water • 2 tablespoons low-fat natural yogurt • 1 medium onion, cut into 12 wedges • 1 green pepper, de-seeded and cut into rough 1-inch chunks • 2 tomatoes, quartered • 2 teaspoons corn flour • 1 tablespoon water
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Directions: Finely chop four of the chilies and de-seed a couple or all of them first if you don’t like very spicy food. Split the other two chilies from stalk to tip on one side without opening or removing the seeds. Cut each chicken breast into seven or eight bite-sized chunks. Heat a tablespoon of the oil in a large, fairly
deep, non-stick frying pan over high heat. Add the garlic, chopped chilies, chopped tomatoes, cumin, curry, turmeric, sugar and salt, then stir-fry for three to four minutes until the vegetables soften. Don’t let the garlic or spices burn or they will add a bitter flavor to the sauce. Next, add the chicken pieces and whole chilies and cook for three minutes, turning the chicken regularly. Pour in the one cup of cold water, stir in the yogurt and reduce the heat only slightly — you want the sauce to simmer. Cook for about eight minutes, stirring occasionally until the chicken is tender and cooked through and the sauce has reduced by about a third. The yogurt may separate to begin with but will disappear into the sauce. While the chicken is cooking, heat the remaining tablespoon of oil in a clean pan and stir fry the onion and pepper over high heat for three to four minutes until lightly browned. Add the quartered tomatoes and fry for two to three minutes more, stirring until the vegetables are just tender. Mix the corn flour with the tablespoon of water to form a smooth paste. When the chicken is cooked, stir in the corn flour mixture and simmer for a few seconds until the sauce thickens, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat, add the hot stir-fried vegetables and toss together lightly. Serve immediately.
June/July 2018
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Scenic byway route 5 in Charles City County. Photo by VDOT.
SIGNS
OF THE
Road Less Traveled
By Zora Aiken
“I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.” ~ ROBERT FROST. THE ROAD NOT TAKEN 46
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andering the back roads of Virginia’s peninsulas was once a challenge to navigation, and getting lost was standard procedure. Thanks to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), it’s much easier to follow a direct path to a goal, but thanks to another set of signs, drivers may still be tempted to seek out the alternate route, the back road, the change of pace to a new and unknown destination. Virginia byway signs — showing a bright red cardinal and white dogwood blossoms on a deep blue background — indicate the roads less traveled and more likely to lead to new favorites for those on a journey of discovery. The signs do not indicate the specific sights to be seen, but that’s part of their charm — the wanderer won’t know what’s to be found until it is found. It’s also likely that those riding in the car will notice the historical markers at the side of the roadways. Curiosity will demand a few stops for a quick read of some markers, and one by one, they’ll explain the special reason why each one exists. If byways and markers aren’t enough to keep the curious visitor busy watching and learning, a few more signs in government brown will announce a state park or natural area preserve, perhaps a nature trail or boat landing. Who chooses, who places, who maintains all these signs? It depends.
Virginia Byways Also called scenic byways, the Virginia byways’ stated purpose is “to identify road corridors containing aesthetic or cultural value near areas of historical, natural or recreational significance.” Byways can also benefit local economies, attracting visitors to lesser-known destinations. In Virginia, a new byway designation can be suggested by anyone, but that’s only the start of an approval process that checks a long list of requirements. Initially, a resolution of support from the local governments through which the route passes is received by VDOT or the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). The nomination is then presented to both The House & Home Magazine
Scenic byway route 604, Ottoman Ferry Road, in Lancaster County.
Virginia byway signs — showing a bright red cardinal and white dogwood blossoms on a deep blue background — indicate the roads less traveled and more likely to lead to new favorites for those on a journey of discovery VDOT and DCR, and together these two departments will ensure that the road meets the requirements for a byway. They collect information on local zoning laws and on traffic volume and accident reports to see that the road meets safety requirements before evaluating it according to specific criteria. A byway route should lead to or through specific places or a general area that offers access to historic, cultural,
natural, or archaeological sites as well as recreational opportunities. Regarding the initial qualification of scenic beauty, the criteria further specify diversity as the landscape transitions from one scene to another. Understood almost without saying it, a major consideration is that the byway avoids major highways, taking drivers away from the congestion of main roads and onto the smaller, quieter routes for less stressful, more leisurely travel. The 47
speed limit is another consideration — it should allow travelers to view the surrounding landscapes. A welcome respite for tourists accustomed to interstate traffic and at the same time a new awareness for residents, the byways highlight and provide access to the wide range of places that make the region unique. If the suggested byway is approved by VDOT and DCR, it will be reviewed by the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB), which will make the final decision. Clearly, the byway designation is not assigned casually. The general time frame between the initial suggestion and the final posting of a sign is between 18 months and two years. Once a road is designated as a byway, no billboards may be installed. According to the 2017 Virginia Outdoor Survey, visiting natural areas was the number one outdoor recreational activity in Virginia, and 67 percent of respondents listed “driving for pleasure” as the second. The 2016 Tourism Survey listed the top activities
Historical markers for Christ Church and the site of Corotoman (home of Robert “King” Carter) stand alongside the church property in Lancaster County.
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Completed in 1735, historic Christ Church is the best preserved of colonial Virginia’s Anglican parish churches.
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related to Virginia byways as “visiting historic sites, monuments, rural sightseeing, museums and parks.” The peninsulas of southeast Virginia hold multiple opportunities to see all.
Historical Markers Historical markers — the square silver/ white signs placed at the side of the road — are scattered throughout Virginia, some 2,600 of them statewide. Though not part of the byway system, their reason for being might encourage a byway designation. Today’s historical markers are placed by the Virginia Department of Historic
Historical marker for the Julius Rosenwald School on Route 360 in Northumberland County. (left) Restoration is in progress at the Julius Rosenwald School in Northumberland County.
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Resources (DHR). Older markers may show the names of agencies that handled the program in the past. Requests for a new marker come from many sources: individuals, organizations, schools, local governments, and more. Application forms can be found on the DHR website, but besides providing all the required information, the person or organization requesting the marker must be prepared to pay for its manufacture and installation, currently $1,770, assuming the marker will be placed on a VDOT roadway. If not on a VDOT road, an additional fee may be charged for installation by the local department that’s responsible for the road’s maintenance. The first criteria for a historical marker is that its topic should have regional, statewide or national significance. The subject can be a person, a place or an event. A marker cannot be made for a living person, and an event generally should be one that occurred at least 50 years ago, though exceptions are possible. The applicant provides the text for the marker, about 100 words written in a specified style so that all markers have a common presentation. The text will be edited by DHR staff, but the sponsor will see all changes. The sponsor must also provide three sources of information so DHR staff can check all facts. After approval of a new marker, a district representative from VDOT or someone from a local public works department meets with the sponsor to choose an appropriate roadway site. Recently placed markers run the gamut of topics. In Westmoreland County, a marker notes the military and governmental career of John Pratt Hungerford. A Northumberland marker recognizes First Baptist Church, the earliest AfricanAmerican Baptist congregation in the county. In Lancaster County, a marker acknowledges Dr. Morgan E. Norris, the Northern Neck’s first black physician, while a Richmond County marker focuses on a portion of Rappahannock Indian history. A marker in Gloucester County calls attention to the contributions of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) in WWII. Middlesex County will soon have a marker commemorating black educator John Henry St. Clare Walker, for whom St. Clare Walker High School (today Middle School) was named. 50
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Virginia Natural Area Preserves Not all natural area preserves are found along Virginia byways, but they are well worth finding. They’re managed by DCR but unlike the Virginia state parks that the department also manages, the natural area preserve system is more about conservation, less about recreation. Fortunately, most of the areas have boardwalks or walking trails that allow visitors to get an up-close look at some remarkable places. The purpose of the preserve system is to protect Virginia’s natural communities, including common native species as well as rare plants and animals. Once a property is dedicated as a preserve, the site is protected in much the same way as conservancy land, with legally binding restrictions on future activity and development. Many of the preserves are owned by DCR. In those cases where the department doesn’t own the property, DCR still manages it through a partnership agreement with the owner. Hickory Hollow in Lancaster County is a beautiful example of these places. Described as an upland mixed pine and hardwood forest, the site also has a forested wetland that is home to more than 100 plant species. Migratory songbirds, wood ducks, kingfishers, and wild turkey are found here — it’s no surprise that the preserve is owned by the Audubon Society. The site is truly special. In its summer growth, it is lush and green and humid, creating a kind of aura within its unique surroundings. Following any sign’s lead can satisfy a long-standing curiosity or bring the pleasant surprise of new discovery. Virginia’s peninsulas have more than a fair share of diversity. Whether the road less traveled prompts a brief glimpse into nature or a longer look at history, a meandering pace will foster slow time well spent. H The House & Home Magazine
(above) Entry sign to Hickory Hollow natural area preserve in Lancaster County. (above left) Hughlett Point natural area preserve in Northumberland County is an important wintering area for migrating birds.
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Photos courtesy of University Archives, Special Collections Research Center, William & Mary Libraries, unless otherwise ntoed.
LORD BOTETOURT:
a Gentleman & a Scholar (and a goodluck charm)
By Jackie Nunnery
F
or years, students at the College of William & Mary have traveled to Wren Yard and the statue of Lord Botetourt, affectionately known as “Lord Bot” or “Lord B,” to touch his “lordly pedal appendage,” otherwise known as his foot, when in need of luck for an upcoming exam. This and other traditions, which have been going on for generations, have been updated for the modern age to include social media and web cams. You may be asking yourself: Who was Lord Botetourt (pronounced bot a tot by locals), and how did these traditions begin? The Real Lord Botetourt Norborne Berkeley, born in England around 1717, was many things before becoming memorialized on the grounds of William & Mary. Known as the 4th Baron Botetourt in his native England, he was also a member of the House of Lords due to his title. Staunchly loyal to the king, he was appointed Governor of Virginia by George III in 1768, serving as Regent for the William & Mary Board of Visitors at the same time. Botetourt died of a sudden illness while in office in 1770.
Residing At and Presiding Over William & Mary It’s just a mile from the Governor’s Palace, his last place of residence, to his current home in Wren Yard, but the journey there took decades along with a few twists and turns. According to the College of William & Mary, “Lord Botetourt was a figure so revered by Virginians that they erected a statue in his memory,” making it one of the earliest examples of a public monument in the budding country. Completed in 1773, it was placed in front of the Capitol Building in Williamsburg, where it stayed for nearly 30 years. Sometime after the Revolution, the statue received extensive damage, losing the nose and right hand to vandalism. 52
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William & Mary purchased the statue in 1801, relocating it to Wren Yard (Botetourt is buried in nearby Wren Chapel). Except for a brief time during the Civil War when it was removed for safekeeping, it remained in Wren Yard until 1958, when the deteriorating marble statue was removed to protect it from further damage from the elements. At some point during that time, no one knows when, it had become customary for students to bow or curtsy when they passed the statue. In 1966, he was moved to his newly constructed home, the Botetourt Gallery in the Earl Gregg Swem Library, where he resides today. A new Lord Bot presides over Wren Yard today. It’s a bronze replica created by Gordon Kray, class of 1973, which was installed in the original location and dedicated, appropriately enough, during homecoming in 1993, to help celebrate the college’s 300th anniversary.
Bringing Tradition into the Modern Era Because this is the age of social media, Lord Bot has expanded his presence there as well, maintaining both a Facebook page and Twitter account. Like others on social media, he regularly comments on current events or activities on campus. What is particularly distinctive is that he has retained his eighteenth-century voice and charm while doing so. While some students and alumni still bow or curtsy to Lord Bot, you’ll now find Facebook posts showing him dressed for holidays and special occasions. You may see Lord B holding a handful of green and gold balloons during homecoming or a wreath during Christmas. With the addition of the Wren Cam, broadcasting live from Wren Yard since last year, Lord B posts screenshots of what he calls “plinthies,” which are fans who take selfies or group photos in front of the statue. And then there’s the tradition of rubbing the “lordly pedal appendage” for good luck. As Lord B posted on Facebook, a student “anxious about a coming examination, having applied himself to his studies with less than perfect assiduity” (he hadn’t really studied), passed his hand over the statue’s right foot and ended up faring well. Of course, the student then told his friends, and the rest, as they say, is history. When exactly all this happened, again, no one is quite sure, though Lord B says that the “fellow was wearing spats.” While the Lord Bot statue seems to be the most visible tribute, it’s not the only way the college has honored his memory. Every year during William & Mary’s commencement ceremony, a graduating senior is chosen to receive the Botetourt Medal for distinction in scholarship. First established in 1772, it ended in 1775 with the Revolution. However in 1941, Norborne Berkeley, Esq., established an endowment to reinstate the college’s highest honor. A lasting tribute indeed. H The House & Home Magazine
(above) Lord Botetourt is the center of attention in a gallery named for him, located on the ground floor of Swem Library. Photo courtesy of Kim Sims. (inset) Engraving of Lord Botetourt, 1774.
The original Lord Botetourt statue was installed inside the Earl Gregg Swem Library in 1966. 53
Art Table Settings The
OF
By Barbara Weldon
Formal table settings are an art form. The traditions surrounding placement are grounded in history, can be traced back to the Old Testament and are even found in the writings of Homer.
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H
ow you set a table creates the first impression at any dinner party. It sets the tone for the evening and confesses the depth of the efforts made to create a perfect event for your guests. Less formal parties are marked by a buffet style setting where there are no place settings, only stacks of plates and piles of cutlery. A formal dining room set perfectly cannot only be beautiful but meaningful. Formal table settings are an art form. The traditions surrounding placement are grounded in history, can be traced back to the Old Testament and are even found in the writings of Homer. Historically, taking the time to set a proper place at the dining table with the correct utensils was just as important as using the proper manners while eating. Even today, the care that is taken to make sure a dinner party is perfect honors every guest. Originally, each item at a setting was originally decided by the seating arrangements of the invited guests. Seating arrangements were decided by the hosts and organized according to comfort, mobility, and ease of conversation. Being seated next to the host was always considered the seat of honor. The way the table was set was not much different from the way we set the table today. The rules of table setting are a blend of traditions that stem from European history. During the Middle Ages, cutlery was not common and only a spoon was provided at each place setting. Each guest brought their own cutlery to dinners. Men would use their daggers to cut food and the women would be served by the men. Forks had not yet arrived from Italy, so much of the food was eaten with fingers. However, with the knives being both weapons and utensils, people were continually puncturing their mouths, leading to the development of table cutlery around the sixteenth century. During this time, dinner courses were served much like our family style dinners we still enjoy today. The food was brought out to the tables in large bowls or on large platters that served two or more guests, and everyone ate at the same time. This was called service à la française meaning The House & Home Magazine
service in the French style, and it was the chosen method of place settings for royalty and nobility from the Middle Ages through the Victorian Era. Between 1750 and 1900 there was a shift that led to even more elaborate table settings and serving etiquette. Service à la française gave way to service à la russe, or service in the Russian style. This style of service involved courses being brought to the table in sequential order by servants who used dishes and utensils specific to the dish being served. This style of serving dinner and table setting is like dining at a restaurant today. The service à la russe is the tradition that has become the standard to which we consider table setting etiquette today. Place settings became part of the décor and grew into elaborate displays that are still practiced by those who enjoy formal dining today. The formality of the setting is what creates the impressive display. In order to do it correctly, there are rules that need to be followed.
Forks are to be placed to the left of the plate with the furthest from the plate being the salad fork. The basic rule is to place utensils from the outside in, according to the order they will be used. To begin, all lower edges of the utensils should align with the bottom rim of the plate and rest about one inch away from the side of the plate as well as the edge of the table. Each utensil should be handled by the waist to avoid any fingerprints. Each setting requires a minimum of 15 inches between settings to maintain comfortable elbow room for each guest. Butter should be waiting for each guest on individual butter plates, and the water glasses should be filled. The wine should be ready but not poured. The water glass should be placed one inch from the tip of the butter knife. The knives should be placed facing the plate. Do not place more than three places of flatware along either side of the plate at one time unless you are using an oyster fork. Forks are to be placed to the left of the 55
plate with the furthest from the plate being the salad fork. The basic rule is to place utensils from the outside in, according to the order they will be used. Therefore, at more formal meals where the salad is served after the main course, the forks should be ordered accordingly. The dinner plate is placed on the table as the main course is being served, not when the guests are seated. Large plates are to be laid about one inch from the edge of the table. The salad plate is to be placed to the left of the forks, while smaller plates like the salad, fish, and dessert plates are to be placed about two inches from the edge of the table. The dinner knife is to be placed on the right side of the plate directly one inch away from the plate, and the blade should be facing the plate. However, if the main course requires a steak knife, it can be substituted for the dinner knife. The soup spoon is to be placed at the far right of the outside knife. A small bread plate should be placed above the forks, but above and to the left of the service plate. The butter spreader is to be laid out on the bread and butter plate. Glassware is where you may use a bit of your own creative freedom, but still within limits. It is customary to provide a water goblet and one wine glass. However, if the table is not too crowded, arranging glassware for additional drink courses is to your liking. For instance, the glasses can be arranged parallel with the edge of the table or diagonally toward the edge of the table. Water goblets are to be placed closest to the hand of your 56
guest, approximately one inch above the tip of the dinner knife. The wine glass should sit directly to the right and slightly above the water goblet. Napkins should be placed directly in the center of the place setting or to the left of the last fork. A cup and saucer are to be placed to the right of the setting, and a coffee spoon sits to the right of the saucer, one inch beyond the outmost piece of flatware. The top edge of the saucer should be aligned with the top rim of the plate or bowl of your setting. The cup handles should be at the four o’clock position for easy access. The dessert spoon (or knife) is laid on the table above the dinner plate, horizontally with the handle facing right. The dessert fork is to be laid beneath the dessert spoon with the handle facing left. Because more people use salt than pepper, the salt should be placed on the right, positioning it closer to the hand that is most commonly used. Today, formal table settings and dining etiquette that dictates each setting are a beautiful combination of both service à la française and service à la russe. The formal place setting is designed to be a stunning display while maintaining functionality during the meal. When you decide to plan a formal dining experience, taking the time to plan the perfect table setting to match your menu is a gift that you give to your guests. Every aspect of the setting will mean more as you learn the history of each choice, and it makes for a great conversation starter at any occasion. H June/July 2018
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B U I LT ON
Photos courtesy of Dianne Saison
Freedom
T H E J ON E S HO U S E By Dianne Saison
T
he turbulent time following the American Civil War was steeped in political battles and uncertainty. That tumultuous time helped shape the impressionable mind of a burgeoning young politician, with the unlikely result culminating years later in the emancipation of a large and historically significant island country thousands of miles away.
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It was March of 1865, when 15-year-old Warsaw, Virginia, native William Atkinson Jones returned from the Virginia Military Institute to find his childhood home in Richmond County burned to the ground and the surrounding town raided. Although relieved to find his mother, Ann Seymour Towbridge, safe and unharmed, Jones’ family legacy was in ashes and his once-rural farming life had devolved into a military-state under Northern Occupation.
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The Jones’s deeply established ties to the Northern Neck and Virginia dates back to 1655, when Captain Peter Jones assumed command of Ft. Henry on the Appomattox River. His greatgrandson, General Joseph Jones, a tobacco planter, lawyer and Postmaster of Petersburg, fought in the American Revolution and was a close friend to Lafayette. The General’s son, Thomas Jones, married Mary Lee of Lee Hall in Westmoreland County, cousin to Light-Horse Harry Lee and General Robert E. Lee. Their son, Thomas Jones, II, a respected soldier, farmer, law practitioner, was father to William Atkinson Jones and originally managed the Lee estate, later settling the family on the plot where the Jones House now stands. Upon coming home from military school to find the beloved home his father built laid to waste, Jones decided not only to continue the family’s legal tradition, graduating from University of Virginia and practicing law as the Commonwealth’s Attorney in Richmond County, but he also decided to embark on a political career, with freedom as his drive. In 1880, Jones became a delegate to the Democratic National
Jones
embarked on the political crusade
that would indelibly engrave him into the history books as a leader ahead of his time, a champion of self-governance, and a hero to an entire nation.
Convention, which he served again in 1896 and 1900. On March 4, 1891, Jones was elected to the U.S. Congress, where he represented the First District of the Commonwealth of Virginia. During his 27-year career as a member of the House of Representatives, Jones also served as the Chairman of the Committee on Insular Affairs, from 1911 until his death in 1918. It was under those auspices that Jones embarked on the political crusade that would indelibly engrave him into the history books as a leader ahead of his time, a champion of selfgovernance, and a hero to an entire nation. As part of his duties in Insular Affairs, a defunct branch of the government that covered lands acquired by the United States after the Spanish-American War — including the Philippine Islands, Puerto Rico and Guam — Jones and his wife extensively traveled throughout the Pacific. During those travels, the Congressman found deep empathy with the Philippine people, who had suffered under Spanish rule, and were living under U.S. occupation. It was a plight he was personally connected to, as much of his youth had been lived under occupation in the Post-Civil War era. Armed with his personal knowledge, and his passion for self-governance, Jones met with many leaders, statesmen, and crusaders in the Philippines, including Manuel L. Quezon, who would later become the second Philippine president, and Emilio Aguinaldo, a famous Philippine freedom fighter and widely considered as the first Philippine president. As a result of those meetings, Jones introduced what would become known as “The Jones Act,” a bill which would give the Philippines their freedom, and initiated self-rule and an autonomous government. The law was enacted by the 64th U.S. Congress on Aug. 29, 1916, and that October the newly created Philippine State The House & Home Magazine
Gazebo with hidden 30 foot ice house beneath it.
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A painting of the Jones Bridge in Manila by Celeste Lecaroz. The Jones Bridge connects downtown Manila in the Philippines with the oldest Chinatown in the world. The painting was commissioned by the Philippine Embassy to represent the bridge of friendship between the Philippines and United States. Also pictured is a silver “Loving Cup”, a gift to Congressman Jones from Manuel Quezon, former Philippine President and statesman
Presiding over the dining room are portraits of Congressman William Atkinson Jones, from left, Col. William A. Jones III, who grew up in the house and was a decorated war hero, General Joseph Jones, and Judge Thomas Jones II. 60
held its first Senate elections. In the Philippines, Jones was a national hero, lauded by all echelons of its citizens as a true freedom fighter and the impetus behind the end of their political struggles. Bridges were named after him, parades and festivals held in his honor, and ornate plaques and engraved silver cups were bestowed upon him in gratitude — every man, woman and child in the island nation praised Jones’s name. On Aug. 18, 1916, in front of Congress, Quezon gave a speech on behalf of the newly minted Philippine government, lauding Jones, during which he said: “Mr. Jones, I have witnessed your untiring work on this bill. I have seen your unselfish devotion to the cause of Philippine independence, honestly believing that it was demanded by God’s own law, but also by the interests of your nation and mine. As the Chairman of the Committee on Insular Affairs, you have considered it your paramount duty to write into law the covenant of your fathers and the spirit of America — freedom for all. By this bill — which is the result of your hard labor — labor you have carried out at the risk of your own life, for you have been working in spite of ill health — you are entitled, in my estimation, to a prominent place in the list of advocates of human liberty. Surely your name will be written in the letters of gold in the history of the Philippine Islands. You have earned not only the eternal gratitude, but the love of every individual Filipino. God bless you.” It was well known to all that passing the Jones Act was a fight in which Jones invested his time, passion, formidable will, unerring sense of duty, and ultimately — his health. Just two short years after the Act’s passage, Jones died. On April 17, 1918, he succumbed after falling ill from attacks of paralysis. He was buried at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Warsaw, and his personal and office papers were donated to the Special Collections Library of the University of Virginia. In a 1918 special memorial address to the House of Representatives, former Virginia Governor and Congressman Andrew Jackson Montague said of Jones and the Act: “I accompanied him from the House to his committee room after the final passage of that measure. Tired and worn was he, but no word of June/July 2018
personal exultation did he utter; only with winsome smile and subdued voice was a simple expression of gratitude that he had helped in his day and generation to extend the frontiers of human freedom. This was the great achievement of his long career, an achievement that will be memorialized in enduring form by the peoples of the Philippine Islands, and worthy of the best tradition of American Statesmanship.” Upon his death, the Philippine nation erected a beautiful memorial at his grave in St. John’s. To this day, Jones is celebrated in the Philippines as a national treasure. In 2016, during a centennial celebration, Philippine nationals converged in Warsaw for a special festivity at the Jones House to honor his memory. They also have held operas in his honor, reenacted dinners and continued to celebrate his memory through visits with his family, and pilgrimages to his home. In addition to his legal and political prowess, Jones, his wife Claude Douglas Motley of the Williamsburg Coke family, and their children Anne Seymour Jones Hopkins and William A. Jones, Jr., built a legacy in their hometown of Warsaw that stands to this day. Through hard work and indomitable will, the family prospered, despite the dire economic conditions of that time, rebuilding the farm, starting the first commercial fertilizer factory in the region, as well as a telephone company, newspaper, and helping to fund Northern Neck State Bank, the first bank in the area. In 1888, Jones built the beautiful, three-story Queen Anne Victorian Home that proudly remains near Warsaw’s main intersection. The gorgeous home, a testament to the construction of that time, boasts pristine white siding, four brick chimneys, a grey-shingled roof, wraparound porches on the ground level and second floor, and many mullioned windows with original panes. The ground floor contains a foyer, parlor, bedroom, dining room, living room and a renovated kitchen. The second floor houses bedrooms, while the third floor is used as storage space. Although not originally built with electricity, the amenity was added around 1901 by Jones as a surprise gift to his wife. At that time, people would come from miles around to marvel at the lights. In 1915, the congressman’s daughter, Ann Seymour Jones Hopkins, was The House & Home Magazine
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A Chinese chandelier, a memento from the famed trip Congressman Jones took with William H. Taft and Alice Roosevelt in 1905, is a central focal point in the parlor.
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married at the Jones House, in what became one of the largest celebrations at that time, with months of planning and hundreds of deliveries received by barge from Baltimore. Sadly, she and her son, Archie, were killed in a 1940 car crash in New York. A portrait of Ann is hung in the home’s west hall. Touring the home itself is reminiscent of a walk through time, with an impressive collection of mementos accumulated during Jones’s extensive travels, as well as portraits of family members, pristine antiques, colorful period furniture, and many gifts, including a wooden statue of Lady Liberty presented by the Philippines. Amazingly, Jones is not the only noted member of the family. William A. Jones, Jr., who grew up in the house, was a pilot during WWI, Richmond County Commonwealth’s Attorney, and he served in the U.S. Auxiliary during WWII, patrolling the Chesapeake and Tidewater rivers in his boat, the BillDad. Jones, Jr., also owned and operated the old Warsaw Theater, and wonderfully preserved original movie posters adorn the home’s walls as well as examples of Jones Jr.’s
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photography, where he wonderfully captured anecdotal moments in aviation. Jones Jr.’s son, Col. William A. Jones III, a U.S. Air Force pilot, was awarded the U.S. Medal of Honor, our nation’s highest military honor, posthumously in 1970 for his heroic actions during a rescue mission in the Vietnam War. Jones III, another true hero, had a newly constructed building recently named after him at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland. The Jones Building is a six-story, state-of-theart facility, and pictures of the building commemoration, as well as Col. Jones III’s Medal and citations, are also proudly displayed inside the Jones House. In addition to the main home, a lovely gazebo sits on the property with a hidden, 30-foot deep icehouse beneath it. The icehouse pre-dates the current home, going back to the 1830s, where previous generations kept their ice and goods cool in the summer heat. The Jones property also extends far back, with just under 300 of the original 400 acres still attached to the house. The Delano family, a well-known agricultural family of the Northern Neck’s Richmond County, has farmed the land for generations, and remains close with the Joneses to this day. The grounds are meticulously maintained by Jones’s descendants, who continue to use the house as a retreat. The warm and inviting family has meticulously preserved the historically significant furnishings and mementos inside the home, as well as updating the home to meet today’s needs — ensuring that their family legacy will continue to endure and the patriotic lives of six generations of Joneses will be remembered for generations to come. The Jones House is an intrinsic piece of not only American, but Philippine history. The contents of its walls and the people who lived there have not only shaped the freedom of nations, but also continue to inspire in others the pursuit of — and dedication to — freedom, liberty and honor.
“you have considered it your paramount duty to write into law the covenant of your fathers and the spirit of America — freedom for all.” ~ Manuel L. Quezon, second Philippine president
The House & Home Magazine would like to extend its gratitude to Elizabeth Hart Jones, Mary Lee Jones Kuhn, Anne Jones Gilfillan (Col. Jones III’s daughters) and Robert M. “Rusty” Gilfillan, a true wealth of family knowledge who graciously donated their time, knowledge, and documents to this article. H The House & Home Magazine
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Dr.
M
a M p s ' l l e h c it
ONE OF AMERICA’S MOST IMPORTANT MAPS
By Captain Bob Cerullo
The cartouche on the restored Mitchell Map demonstrates John Mitchell’s meticulous work in drawing the most important map of North America ever created.
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When British and American diplomats met at the end of the Revolutionary War to draw the definitive boundary between the United States and Canada, they relied upon Mitchell’s map to set the borders of the new nation, creating for the first time the concept of an independent United States of America. Photo courtesy of Ashley Peterson Photography
I
f were you living in the vicinity of Urbanna, Virginia, around 1734 and needed a doctor, you were likely to be visited by Dr. John Mitchell. Dr. Mitchell was a country doctor living in Urbanna, Virginia. He rode his horse many miles each day caring for patients from every economic level. On the same day, he may be tending to a rich plantation owner and later that day examining one of the plantation owner’s slaves. The good doctor might even be called upon to treat a sick sailor who just sailed in to Urbanna Harbor on a ship from some far away exotic port. Born in Lancaster County, Virginia, in 1711, John Mitchell was the son of a wealthy planter and merchant family. He grew up in relative luxury in Lancaster County. When he became of The House & Home Magazine
age, Mitchell journeyed to Scotland to become a doctor, having completed two years of a three-year medical school at the University of Edinburgh. This qualified him at the age of 20 to practice medicine in the colonies. Mitchell then returned home to Virginia where he established a medical practice in Urbanna in 1734. Not content with just tending to the sick, on his four lots surrounding his large home in the heart of Urbanna, he established an apothecary shop, a small chemical laboratory, barns, stables, an orchard and a large garden. His garden was a place where he grew rare specimens of plants and pursued his botanical studies and grew plants he used in his apothecary. He was a scientist. He collected native plants and methodically cataloged them and used them to treat his patents. Mitchell’s home was on Physic Lane in Urbanna. Since he was both a doctor and a pharmacist, he was known as a “physic” 65
because he made his own medicines. Mitchell sometimes performed autopsies and reported his findings to scientific journals in England. Mitchell’s insatiable energy led him to be appointed Justice of the Peace in Middlesex County in 1738. In 1744, he was invited to visit Benjamin Franklin for dinner. Franklin enjoyed his company so well that Mitchell stayed for three weeks. Like Franklin, Mitchell’s varied interests made him the ideal dinner companion at Benjamin Franklin’s table. He became friends with Franklin and other scientists in Philadelphia. Although his practice prospered, his health and the health of his wife Helen did not. They both suffered from frequent bouts of fever, and symptoms uncommon to the area. The unfamiliar symptoms may have had something to do with his treating sailors who visited Urbanna Harbor on ships just in from many different foreign ports. Mitchell blamed the Virginia climate. Frustrated by frequent illness and believing the climate in England would be better for his wife, they sailed for England in 1746. On the voyage home, their ship was attacked by French privateers. All their belongings, including years of Michell’s scientific studies, were stolen by the pirates. He did not have the three-year medical degree required to practice in England. Mitchell had planned to raise exotic plants he collected in Lancaster County and grow them in England. All were taken by the privateers. Mitchell and his wife arrived in England relatively poor, and he was described as a “modest gentleman.” His reputation in scientific circles and his charming way soon made him a favored guest of the Duke of Argyll. At those 66
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gatherings, Mitchell shared his extensive knowledge on a wide variety of subjects and his analytical skills with some of the most influential men in England. In 1784, he met George Montagu-Dunk, the 2nd Earl of Halifax, who was serving as president of the Board of Trade and Plantations. The Earl was charged with commercializing the colonies and protecting them from the French invaders. To do this the Earl realized he needed a map to better understand how to protect the colonies. There was no map at the time. Recognizing that there were few men in England who knew the colonies better than Mitchell, the Earl asked Mitchell if he could draw the desired map, to which Mitchell answered, “Sure I can.� For the next six years, Mitchell labored at the Library of England drawing maps. A fanatic for accuracy, Mitchell studied old maps and reports of ship captains, then produced his first map in 1750. The Earl was pleased but wanted an even larger map with more details that could be used to direct troop movements. He requested that a new map should include the geology and topography of the land. He wanted far more information than
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The Old Tobacco Warehouse was built circa 1766 by James Mills. It was first used as a store and/or a warehouse. It now houses the beautifully restored Mitchell Map.
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was available from conventional maps of the time. The Earl wanted to know as much as possible about what people lived there, and what alliances they had with other regions. He wanted to know about the French and the English settlements. Reports were requested from the governors of all the colonies. Using this and his own initiative, Mitchell spent the next four years laboring over a huge and very detailed map titled, “A map of the British and French dominions in North America.” The same year, the British House of Commons used this map as an authority in a debate of the Quebec Act of establishing a permanent government in Canada. In 1782, it was used to settle the Treaty of Paris establishing the USA boundaries. A former head map curator at the Library of Congress declared Mitchell’s map the most “important map in American history.” The second map was presented to the Earl of Halifax in 1754. It was considered by many to be important not for its role in starting a war, but in ending one. When British and American diplomats met at the end of the Revolutionary War to draw the definitive boundary between the United States and Canada during the
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1783 Treaty of Paris, they relied upon Mitchell’s map to set the borders of the new nation, creating for the first time the concept of an independent United States of America. It was the final word used in 1842 to create the Webster-Ashbertong Treaty settling a border dispute between Maine and New Brunswick. Then again in 1926, Mitchell’s map was used to settle the border dispute between Wisconsin and Michigan. In 1927, it was the authority for the Great Lakes Level case. A dispute between Canada and Labrador was settled using the map as the authority, and in 1932, the New Jersey-Delaware boundary was settled based on the Mitchell Map. Incredibly, this 262-year-old map was used as recently as 1980 to settle disputes re-establishing the Canada-US Fishery boundaries off the coast of Maine. This incredible document, a cornerstone of American history, is now on display in Urbanna, Virginia. It was restored to its original beauty, color and detail through the determination of Urbanna residents lead by Mrs. Jessie DeBuck. Mr. Gene Paulette, president of the Bank of Lancaster, was given the job of coordinating the bank’s anniversary
The House & Home Magazine
Dr. Paul Malone is keenly interested in the Mitchell Map and volunteers his time to offer an informative talk and answer questions about Dr. Mitchell and the map. Photo courtesy of Captain Bob Cerullo.
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celebration. He and Mrs. DeBuck were chosen to come up with a good way to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Bank of Lancaster. This resulted in Mrs. DeBuck undertaking a two-year search to find an original Mitchell Map. Mrs. DeBuck found a map for sale by a dealer named W. Graham Arder III in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Arder at first refused to sell the map but changed his mind when he met with the map committee members who had traveled by car to Gettysburg. The committee included Mrs. DeBuck, Carl Torrence, Charles Price and Robert L. Montegue III. They obtained authentication on a visit to the Smithsonian and raised the $7,500 to purchase the torn and tattered old map. The map the committee purchased in Gettysburg had considerable wear and tear, with parts of it missing. Once in Urbanna, it was displayed at the bank in June of 1980 as part of the town’s Tricentennial celebration. It remained there until 2012, when members of the museum committee decided to stabilize the deteriorating map. Believed to be worth $32,000, the map was sent to the Richmond Conservators of Works On Paper where it was painstakingly restored over a period of more than a year, and is now estimated to be worth $550,000.00 Two dedicated women, Wendy Cowan and Mary Studt labored over the map for more than 600 hours and a period of 18 months. The map is a first edition and is the third impression. Its measure is 75 inches by 52 inches and is printed on eight separate sheets of map paper from eight engraving plates. To wash and restore each sheet, the restorers had to separate them. When that process was completed, they meticulously rejoined the eight sheets to form the overall map. When the eight pages were joined together, the restorers proceeded to paint the shaded areas in the original colors of pale pink and green. The map is fully restored and now encased in a $25,000 protective case like the one that protects the Declaration of Independence. One of the most important maps in American history now hangs in the Urbanna Museum and Visitors Center, formerly the James Mills Scottish Factor store, located at 140 Virginia Street in Urbanna. For more details online, go to http://urbannava.gov/URB_museum.html or www.JohnMitchellMap.com. H The House & Home Magazine
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REGIONAL FREE CLINICS Staff dentist Cris Dedmond (standing, right) oversees finalyear VCU School of Dentistry students who rotate through the Dental Clinic three days a week.
PROVIDE A By Janet Evans Hinman
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avigating the complicated healthcare landscape can be difficult for anyone, but especially so for those facing financial hardship and lacking the ability to afford even the most basic medical services or insurance. The region’s free health clinics fill in the gaps that the healthcare system leaves exposed and provide a vital safety net for those who are most vulnerable.
munication and information technology to provide clinical healthcare from a distance, permitting two-way, real time interactive communication between patient/clinician for care, advice, reminders, education, intervention and monitoring. “We are really excited to be the first free clinic in the region clinic to offer these services,” Faulkner said. “Telehealth allows us the ability to overcome distance barriers, cultivate more volunteer providers, which we desperately need, and provide access to behavioral health.” In 2017, Ledwith-Lewis Free Clinic served 697 patients during 2,928 visits, with a 99 percent volunteer staff — 33 physicians, 18 other healthcare professionals and 42 non-medical volunteers. With total cash operating expenditures of $290,000, the clinic provides more than $8 million in services per year. Patients receive free prescriptions through a partnership with the Virginia Health Care Foundation — 7,185 prescriptions with a retail value of $3,788,000 were given to patients from 2017 to the present. Riverside Tappahannock Hospital is another valuable
The Ledwith-Lewis Free Clinic, formerly Tappahannock Regional Free Clinic, was formed in 2005 with the help of the Tappahannock Memorial United Methodist Church and other community members to address the lack of healthcare available to those in the region without insurance or the means to access quality healthcare services. Dr. James Ledwith, a family medicine doctor in Tappahannock at the time, was the “founding father” of the free clinic. Initially, with the help of his church group and other volunteers, Dr. Ledwith opened his office once a month to provide free The NNMFHC Dental Clinic provides about $1 million services to those who could not afford annually in low cost dental care, including a denture to pay. Quickly, the need for services program operated by the staff dentist. became greater than expected and the number of clinic days grew to once per week, then twice a week, and expanded “It’s really nice they could save my teeth,” Everton to the current 12 clinic days per month said. “Now, I don’t even need dentures. I am really and two patient screening days per week. pleased with the competence of the students who In 2006, Dr. Ledwith left the region treated me. And, now, my diet is so much better because to pursue professional options in Boston, I can chew.” leaving the free clinic in the hands of several local, volunteer physicians. In “I could not be more pleased,” said Everton. “I had no 2007, Dr. Richard G. Lewis, retired idea I could regain my ability to chew and enjoy food,” cardiologist and Essex County resident, he said. “The Clinic really helped me. I am so grateful.” became the volunteer medical director and continues to serve in the position today. In January of 2016, the clinic’s board of directors decided to rename the Tappahannock Regional Free partner in service, providing more than $3.5 million per year in Clinic to the Ledwith-Lewis Free Clinic, in celebration of ten emergency care, lab work, radiology and specialty care at no cost years of service to the region and in honor of the two gentlemen to the clinic. who continue to transform the lives of those in need, through There is a comprehensive screening process necessary for a love, leadership and generosity. client to qualify for services. In general, qualifying clients have Although the clinic serves clients throughout the Northern incomes equal to, or below, 200 percent of the federal poverty Neck and Middle Peninsula, any Virginia resident can seek serguideline. In other words, low income is a crivices there. “We turn no qualified applicant away,” said Michael terion, but not necessarily so low that it’s H. Faulkner, executive director. Ledwith-Lewis offers treatment below the official poverty level, which for chronic medical conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and is $12,140 for individuals thyroid disorders, among others. Services also include acute care and $25,100 for a family for illnesses like strep throat or flu, women’s wellness clinics, of four. So, 200 percent with checkups, cancer screenings and mammograms, as well as of the federal poverty specialist referrals and flu shots. A healthy living/healthy eating guideline would program offers lifestyle and wellness coaching, walking opportu- be $24,280 nities, and nourishing food (40 percent fresh produce) through for india partnership with the Northern Neck Food Bank. A new clinic viduals program is a patient lounge, offering an outlet for social interacand tion as part of overall wellness — where clients can gather to talk, have healthy snacks, play games or read. Also, the clinic is set to incorporate telehealth/telemedicine into its lineup of services. Through affiliation with Bay Rivers Telehealth Alliance, Ledwith-Lewis will soon offer health services using telecomThe House & Home Magazine
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Ledwith-Lewis Free Clinic takes the steps to improve patient outcomes through the LLFC Community Walking Group. Treating patient conditions beyond the exam room. Picture from left to right (front row): Dr. Richard Lewis (Medical Director), Taneisha Kelly (Office Manager), Nina Kelly (volunteer), Shirley Green (patient lounge/activity coordinator). Back row: Robert Keulen (volunteer), I.C. Smith (LLFC board member), Michael Faulkner (LLFC Executive Director).
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$50,200 for a family of four. “There is such a misunderstanding of who is a free clinic patient,” Faulkner said. “Anyone can face a financial crisis that puts them in need of our services,” he added. “In fact, 61 percent of our clients are employed and still living below poverty guidelines — that means working two or three minimum wage jobs while trying to feed families and pay bills.” Ledwith-Lewis sponsors several signature events annually that support the clinic’s mission, while hosting the wider community in fun and fruitful ways — Wine on the Water, Bunny Hop for Health 5K, Sippin’ & Shuckin’ and the New Year’s Eve Gala are all greatly anticipated events for the community. “The success of our programs and services is due to the commitment of our volunteers, the support of our communities through local government funding and local foundation grants, and the community’s goodwill,” Faulkner said. For more information about LedwithLewis Free Clinic, including volunteer opportunities, call (804)443-9590 or visit ledwithlewisfreeclinic.org. The Northern Neck-Middlesex Free Health Clinic (NNMFHC) in Kilmarnock is celebrating 25 years of service to clients in the region who have no insurance, or are underinsured, and cannot afford the costs associated with basic medical care. The facility opened in 1993, becoming Virginia’s 20th free clinic. In the beginJune/July 2018
Ledwith-Lewis Free Clinic engages the region to come together in support of healthy living through participating in the Bunny Hop for Health 5K held the Saturday of Easter weekend. .
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LLFC -Wine on the Water is a first-Friday in summer annual event offering the region an opportunity to listen to live music, enjoy wine, craft beer, food and fun on the Rappahannock River. All funds go directly in support of funding patient services. Pictured: Joanne Ruffa with LLFC Executive Director - Michael Faulkner.
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Pharmacy coordinator Angie Rich (left) works with Pharmacist Britney Dedmond in the NNMFHC Pharmacy.
Joan Ball says the Northern Neck-Middlesex Free Health Clinic saved her life. When Joan was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer last year, she had no insurance and no money. The Clinic arranged for tests and eventually the mastectomy, chemotherapy, and then radiation. “The Clinic does not care who you are or where you come from. They just wanted to know what I needed. They helped me get to the right places for care.” Compassionate and supportive is how she described the staff. “Never once did I feel like they did not care about me. They were loving, compassionate, and understanding.
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ning, it served clients one night a week in the Lancaster County Health Department. Jean Nelson was the founding executive director and continues to serve in that capacity today. Dr. Richard N. Baylor was a founder of the clinic and initially served as clinic president, as well as volunteer medical director for 13 years. The clinic’s service area includes Lancaster, Middlesex, Northumberland, Richmond and Westmoreland counties. Its first annual budget was $75,000. From the outset, the demand for services grew quickly and as a result, the clinic added more hours to its schedule and expanded into new facilities. To accommodate the growing list of needs, the group added evening clinics, nurse consultations, a women’s clinic, a continued care clinic and pediatric services. Office hours expanded to five days and two nights per week. In 2003, the clinic moved into its current 8,500 square-foot facility at 51 William B. Graham Court, which includes a full-service pharmacy and a dental clinic, staffed in part through a relationship with VCU School of Dentistry. Dental students rotate through the clinic, gaining valuable hands-on experiences working with practicing dentists. An auxiliary office in Kilmarnock and outreach clinics in Montross, Westmoreland County, and at the Freeshade Community Center in Syringa, Middlesex County, fill in the distance gaps for rural clients. The medical clinic offers chronic and acute care, diabetic clinics, women’s services, physical therapy, urology, patient education, dietitian counselJune/July 2018
ing, specialty referrals, lab work and radiology, among many other services. Through a partnership with Healthy Harvest Food Bank, the clinic will soon sponsor a “food pharmacy” providing clients with nutritious food choices. There is behavioral health counseling available to clients — more than $7 million in care has been provided. The dental clinic is open four days per week and offers oral exams, treatment plans, cleaning, fillings, extractions, dentures, and other services as needed. During difficult economic times, the NNMFHC has been a health safety net for hundreds of new patients who have struggled with reduced work hours or lost health insurance, or both. Meanwhile, the clinic is positioning itself to adapt to any changes brought about by healthcare reform and continues to be the medical home for those who do not have one elsewhere. “We are constantly evolving, and how we continue will depend on the needs of our clients,” Executive Director Jean Nelson said. “We’re out in front and have a lot to be proud of.” In 2017, NNMFHC served 1,805 patients during 9,463 visits, as well as an additional 10,142 visits for diagnostic tests or for referrals to outside specialty services. With an annual budget of $1.3 million, the clinic provided an estimated $9.9 million in services — every $1 in the clinic budget results in $7.60 worth of healthcare delivered. Volunteers donated 15,952 hours in 2017. Patients received 35,014 free prescriptions, filled in-house at an estimated value of $6.1 million. Although demand has grown and clinic services are constantly expanding, the staff and budget levels have remained stable since about 2008. The clinic’s operating budget comes solely from donations (patients, state and local governments, businesses, individuals, organizations, churches) — no federal money is involved. The clinic maintains valuable relationships with several hospitals for lab work, radiology, scans and specialty care — Bon Secours, HCA Virginia, VCU, Riverside and Mary Washington. “The community has done this for us, and we are so grateful,” Nelson said. “There’s a lot more work to be done,” she added. “Our clients face complicated health issues, and we must build relationships to help them navigate the system. Free clinics must remain nimble, flexible and aggressive in advocating for their patients.” Like Ledwith-Lewis Free Clinic, NNMFHC has a thorough screening process necessary for clients seeking medical services — low income equal to, or below, 200 percent of the federal poverty guideline. Nelson can make some exceptions for extenuating circumstances. The income qualification for dental services is low income equal to, or below, 300 percent of the federal poverty guideline. The clinic requests, but doesn’t require, a donation of $3 for prescriptions and a $25 fee for dental visits. Dr. Charles Maresh has been NNMFHC medical director since 2013. He firmly believes the clinic setting is equal to that of any private practice, and he should know — he ran his own practice for 38 years. “I like it here because of what we are able to do for the hardworking people we serve,” Dr. Maresh said. “We’re helping people; we are shepherds; we are advocators. I think we’re making a difference. I enjoy every minute of it.” For more information about the Northern Neck-Middlesex Free Health Clinic, including volunteer opportunities, call (804)435-0575 or visit nnmfhc.org. H The House & Home Magazine
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14th ANNUAL to benefit
Rappahannock Community College Educational Foundation Julie Strock with Barb and Bob Jump
The mission of RCC is to provide access to high quality educational experiences for members of its community, preparing them for success as learners, employees, and citizens of the 21st century.
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en Lomond in Dunnsville, VA, built c. 1730, was the venue for this year’s Preakness Party on May 19, 2018. The wettest May on record did not dampen the mood of the guests, who gathered under the tent on the lawn during a spring rain shower. Eight of our area’s top restaurants served gourmet appetizers, the auction tables overflowed with amazing items, and the Preakness race streamed across a live feed. The annual Best Hat Contest was joined by a Best Rain Boots contest for this year’s event and guests obliged by wearing their finery! Gourmet fare was provided by these top restaurants and caterers: Eckhard’s (Topping); Indian Creek Yacht & Country Club, (Kilmarnock); Java
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Jack’s (Tappahannock); Lancaster Tavern (Lancaster); Larry’s BBQ (Dunnsville); RCC Culinary Program (Glenns); Thai Pot (Gloucester); and Tommy’s (Reedville). Over the past fourteen years, the RCC Preakness Party has provided more than $800,000 in support of the mission of Rappahannock Community College (RCC), the only institution of higher education with the 12 counties of Virginia’s Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula. Proceeds from the event provide funds for the RCC student scholarship program, RCC faculty and staff professional development grants, and unrestricted program support of the RCC Educational Foundation, including Good Luck Cellars, General’s Ridge and Ingleside, while Angelo’s restaurant in Montross sponsored the bar and the Chesapeake Bay Ice Company sponsored ice for all drinks. H
June/July 2018
Yvonne Booker, Catherine King and Joan Morris
Carolyn and Greg White
Sandra Vallie and Mary Ramsey Bugler William Gill is set to announce the Preakness race.
Scott and Laurie McCord
Ty and Anne Bland Scott and Elaine Brown
Fran King
RCC President Sissy Crowther presents a drawing of Ben Lomond by artist Kathy Humphreys to hosts Craig and Zorine Shirley The House & Home Magazine
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The House & Home Magazine is honored to feature some of the Faces in Business across our region. They represent some of the finest goods and services our communities have to offer. They help keep the wheels of our lives rolling smoothly, safely, cleanly and fashionably. Get to know them and focus on our Faces in Business. 80
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eather Your Nest is a charming interior design and home decorating shop in Warsaw. The moment you step into the shop, you will discover that consignment items look almost as new as new and at prices that truly are affordable.With Feather Your Nest and Cindy Lloyd Design, you can be assured that my focus is on creating beautiful and comfortable living spaces specifically designed for each client. Knowing you can expect full attention, I hope you will consider me for your decorating project, large or small. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to those of you who have shopped with me and especially to those who have opened their homes for my guidance. I’ll look forward to seeing you soon.
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RAPPAHANNOCK COMMUNITY COLLEGE
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appahannock Community College, established in 1970 serves Virginia’s Northern Neck, Middle Peninsula, and surrounding areas. Named the “Best College to Work For” in 2015, 2016, and 2017, RCC is home to multiple associate degrees and certificate programs, as well as robust and varied workplace credential programs.
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t Sonabank, we believe in building relationships that last and for over 100 years, we’ve been helping our neighbors in the Northern Neck & Middle Peninsula follow their dreams and reach their financial goals. We invite you to learn more about the great products we have to offer, like our Kasasa® free checking accounts that offer no monthly fees, no minimum balance requirement and refunds on ATM fees nationwide. Stop by one of our branches today, we’d love to get to know you better.
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(left to right) Susan Pittman- Senior Vice President, Northern Neck Market Executive; Doug Jenkins- Executive Vice President, Chief Banking Officer; Randal Greene- Chief Executive Officer
VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH BANK - VCB FINANCIAL GROUP
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n the community banking world, success is based on people! That is certainly the case at Virginia Commonwealth Bank. With roots bound to our local area, our priority is in our community and our customers. Virginia Commonwealth Bank’s dedication to the Northern Neck means continued support to community initiatives. You will see us at the ballfields coaching or watching our children and grandchildren play, serving on boards or committees for charitable organizations, volunteering at community events, teaching financial literacy throughout our schools, and just being blessed to be able to live in beautiful rural communities in the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula.Â
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(left to right) Eric Nost- President and Chief Executive Officer of VCB Financial Group- Trust and Wealth Management; Robert Fleet- Senior Vice President, Residential Lending Division Manager; Judy Sydnor- Vice President, Regional Retail Manager (Northern Neck)
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BURKES FINE JEWELERS
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here’s something about the life here in the Northern Neck of Virginia. On a beautiful peninsula flanked by the shimmering waters of the Rappahannock River, the Potomac, and the Chesapeake Bay, inspiration flows. Maybe it’s the water, or maybe it’s the people – kind and generous, with a tenacious spirit that comes from living on the cusp of land and water.
Dorothy and Fred Burke, Sr., opened the doors to Burkes Fine Jewelers in 1969, building a flourishing business on simple values: good old-fashioned service, superior craftsmanship, and lasting friendships. Eighteen years later, a second generation of Burkes Fine Jewelers began when Karen and Fred Jr. met on a blind date and fell in love. They also fell in love with the area, the people, and the jewelry business. Now, their son Justin, and his wife Melissa have returned home to start their family and have joined the business. With their creative skills and modern technique, they envision more wonderful creations and unique designs to come.
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he year was 1981 when Melvin and Caroline started Veney’s Heating and Air. As time passed,they brought their children into the business, sons Daryl and Dwayne, and Dwayne’s wife Irene. Veney’s Heating and Air started out by servicing the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula and now, with the help and support of our dedicated staff, we do residential and commercial heating and air through out a large portion of the state of Virginia.
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aren Lowe, owner of Lowe Tide in charming Urbanna and now owner of a second location in Deltaville (known as The Cottage), is a very active, involved business owner. Karen has a passion for colors, design and her employees. If it weren’t for the perfect TEAM of “girls” working alongside one another — laughing, talking, sharing ideas — there is no way she would be as successful as she is today. Everyone brings an element of talent to the table. Karen likes to listen to what her TEAM and her CUSTOMERS are saying and act upon it. Lowe Tide prides itself on organization on the sales floor as well as in the back office. Working together with the Middlesex County Community and surrounding areas is also a very important part of the TEAM’s success. Sponsoring special events, staying active in the community and planning the next venture is what it’s all about.
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H E A L T H
New Expert
RIVERSIDE TAPPAHANNOCK WELCOMES
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he golden rule. It is a simple philosophy that has guided Timothy J. Zimmer, MD through this career and life.
“I treat patients the way I would want to be treated, or as I would want a family member to be treated,” Zimmer says. That’s just one of the many reasons that he recently decided to join Riverside Orthopedic Specialists in Tappahannock, Va., after spending 30 years in Richmond. He wanted to bring world-class treatment closer to home for residents of the Tappahannock and Northern Neck region. Originally from Ohio, Zimmer attended the University of Cincinnati for his undergraduate and medical school training. He then spent five years at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., a time he remembers fondly, for both his exposure to worldrenown providers and his access to patients seeking a high level of care. “My time at the Mayo Clinic was one of the highlights of my life,” says Zimmer. In the 30-year career that has followed – most of it in Richmond - Zimmer spent some time as part of a large practice before opening his own office, where he was pleased to deliver high quality and personal care to all his patients. Sometimes providing care to several members of the same family or even different generations. Zimmer is an orthopedic surgeon who focuses on a range of foot and ankle problems, from hammer toe and bunion removal to Achilles repair. He also performs diabetic foot care, treats 114
IN ORTHOPEDIC CARE
trauma injuries, upper body extremities, supports patients suffering from arthritis, carpal tunnel, and is exceptionally skilled at total joint replacements, arthroscopic and minimally invasive procedures. “I chose orthopedic surgery because I enjoy fixing things that are broken,” Zimmer adds. “Changing the quality of a patient’s life is extremely rewarding.” Zimmer remembers treating a patient who had suffered for more than a decade with terrible foot pain. The woman had been seen by several doctors and had imaging studies to try and identify the problem. Because of the vague nature her symptoms in that area, Zimmer ordered another MRI and noticed on the margin of the image a neuroma, or small tumor that is not commonly seen in that area of the foot. He was able to remove the tumor and the patient’s pain went away. Zimmer also had success with a patient suffering from Parkinson’s Disease who had trouble controlling movement everywhere except on the golf course. In time, the patient was unable to walk on the course, but could get back to golf following ankle fusion surgery in both ankles. As a long-time athlete, he also remembers visiting an orthopedic specialist himself as a young man. “In medicine, I was drawn to surgical specialties based on a desire to fix mechanical issues rather than treat conditions with medical therapies,” adds Zimmer. “And because I had first-hand experience as an athlete in my youth, orthopedics seemed like a good fit. I tell people that I like to fix the undercarriage.” June/July 2018
H E A L T H educational program that helps make Expert care adds to an patients aware of what to expect when exceptional program. they are undergoing joint replacement surgery. The instructor covers everything a When orthopedic care can be part of a patient will need to know for their pre-op larger continuum of services for patients, visit, their surgery, hospital stay and postone that is specifically designed to meet all patient needs, the chance of successful and discharge planning and recovery. “If we make sure our patients are complete recovery makes for a great reward. well-informed, and if we make sure we Zimmer extends the robust orthopedic are listening to them and matching the care capabilities offered by Riverside in right treatment to the right patients, they the Tappahannock and Northern Neck actually do better,” adds Zimmer. “It was region, which also continues to include the important to me that my patients have Northern Neck Bone & Joint Center with access to a full continuum of support.” Tyler Wind, MD. Recognizing that surgical repair is only Committed to excellence. one part of a larger equation, Riverside Committed to patients. has spent several years expanding its offerings to patients to make the care more When asked why he chose Tappahannock, personal and customized based upon Zimmer points to the long legacy of quality each patient. Programs throughout the care in the community. region include pre-surgery home visits, Dr. Glenn Spiegler spent an entire and direct connections to the Riverside career building an orthopedic practice Tappahannock Home Health and The in the region so that patients wouldn’t Orchard Rehabilitation teams. This enables have to travel for quality care. Zimmer physical therapy teams to seamlessly follow sees his move to Tappahannock as part patients from hospitalization right to their of a continuation of providing the very home. best care to patients close to home. While Riverside has also launched a Joint most of his career was in the competitive University, a two-hour classroom
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and much larger Richmond area, Zimmer did spend seven years treating patients in Charlottesville and he thoroughly enjoyed practicing in a smaller town setting. He’s hoping to find that same familiar feeling and personal medical community in Tappahannock. “In places like this, you truly have community,” Zimmer adds. “You can run into patients in the grocery store or at community events and I’m looking forward to that.” As someone who continues to enjoy golf and tennis, Zimmer understands first-hand the impact that orthopedic issues can have on his patients’ overall well-being. He’s happy to be joining a medical community that is committed to quality care. “Pain from an orthopedic trauma or a nagging condition impacts much more than your ability to move around comfortably,” adds Zimmer. “It can take people away from work or the activities they enjoy. My nature as a problem solver means that I will work with each patient to get back to a quality of life that is ideal for them.” After all, treating others as you would treat a loved one is not just a philosophy of care, it is also the Riverside mission. H
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