KESWICK Lifestyles in Keswick and its’ environs - May 2015
LIFE
In this issue
Farm Tour Guide
Go Behind The Gates also: only in keswick, life happens, travel journal, overheard, keswick scene and much more
A C O U N T Ry L I F E
IN
VIRGINIA
CLOVER HILL, c. 1860 Federal two-story brick residence on 477 beautiful acres in Keswick. Restored guest cottage, 2 additional guest houses, formal gardens, and new 5 bay garage with guest apartment/ office above. Incredible views across Jefferson’s Sea from the elevated portions of the property.
QUAIL RIDGE Spectacular custom brick manor with the finest of materials throughout, including custom millwork and beautiful reclaimed pine floors; 98 acres with panoramic views of the Blue Ridge, Mechums River frontage with indoor and outdoor arenas, newly built barn, and numerous paddocks.
GLENDOWER Classic Virginia estate on 525 acres south of Charlottesville with a handsome brick and slate manor; grand, spacious rooms, high ceilings, beautiful moldings and fireplaces. Schoolhouse and historic guest cottage, c. 1776. Rolling pastures and woodland.
MOUNT AIR FARM Extraordinary estate offering 870 acres of flawless natural beauty with dramatic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Elegant 4-story main residence , a full complement of farm buildings and 4 additional residences. Well suited for livestock, horses, and agricultural operations.
417 Park St. Charlottesville VA, 22902 t: 434.296.0134 Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated.
frankhardy.com
f: 434.296.9730
DUKE SHARON
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MAY 2015
THE COLUMNISTS Mary Morony author of the novel Apron Strings is a Charlottesville native and long time resident of Keswick. Raising four children to adulthood and her unique perspective has given her lots of food for thought. She now lives on a farm in Orange County with three dogs, two guineas and her daughter’s cat. Check out more at www.marymorony.com.
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Suzanne Nash, raised in Lynchburg Virginia, graduated from Wake Forest University and immediately moved to Charlottesville, Virginia to pursue all sorts of things, including working in insurance, marketing and television. The mother of two teenagers is currently the manufacturer of a lingerie and swimsuit design company, the director of education at Grace Episcopal Church and enjoys freelance writing and theatre in her free time. Liz Delaney is a practicing licensed landscape architect and owns Elizabeth Blye Delaney, RLA, ASLA here in Keswick. She has a Masters Degree from the UVa School of Architecture.
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ALAN N. CULBERTSON
Tony Vanderwarker, raised in New England, spent a couple years at Yale and then served two years in the Peace Corps where he got bitten both by tsetse flies and the writing bug. He went to film school at NYU and made documentaries and a full length film which didn’t sell so he decided to try shorter films and went into advertising. Fifteen years later, he had his own ad agency in Chicago where he did “Be Like Mike” for Gatorade. When his partners bought him out, Tony finally had a chance to write full time. It only took him fifteen more years to finally get a book published. “Who cares?” Tony says, “some writers hit paydirt fast, others take longer. I’m just glad my time has come.” visit www.tonyvanderwarker.com
GEORGE H. KIDDER, JR.
Joe Shields has led integrated digital marketing and public relations programs for consumer, biopharmaceutical, and government organizations. He holds an MBA from the University of Maryland and a BA in English literature and communication studies from Roanoke College, where he received a senior scholar award for fiction in 1995. He lives with his family in Keswick.
IMMACULATE EQUESTRIAN ESTATE IN SOMERSET
INVITING FARMHOUSE IN THE HEART OF KESWICK
Adaven • $3,495,000
675 Black Cat Road • $685,000
A pristine horse farm set privately in rolling hills of Somerset estate country with extensive SW Mountain views. Appealing residence constructed ‘06 of finest materials & further enhanced by dramatic 2 bedroom, 2 bath guest house (1,900 sf, originally a bank barn, converted to stunning effect in ‘12), vaulted guest/nanny/in-law qrtrs (700 sf ) over garage, salt water pool with pool house, center-aisle barn, equipment shed, regulation dressage arena & multiple paddocks with run-in sheds. About 1/2 of the 144 acres is open, the other half massive hardwoods behind home that run up to the last, highest peak in SW Mountain range. MLS# 530765
Built in 1890, the home enjoys character-rich details combined with a comprehensive interior renovation and new great room, master suite addition. The rooms are large in scale and the spaces open for today’s modern lifestyle. The renovated kitchen offers a breakfast bar, center island and abundant cabinet & counter space. The rooms are bright with large windows & French doors that overlook the manicured and private rear yard. A covered front porch, second floor balcony and rear terrace add to the outdoor entertaining spaces. A new 960 sf garage/workshop add extra storage & covered parking. Minutes to renowned Keswick Hall Country Club. MLS# 531463
401 Park Street Charlottesville, VA 22902
434.977.4005 lwoodriff@loringwoodriff.com WWW.LORINGWOODRIFF.COM
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KESWICK LIFE
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LIFE
IN THIS ISSUE MAY 2015
Lifestyles in Keswick and its’ environs PO Box 32, Keswick, Virginia 22947 T: 434.242.8033 E: keswicklife@gmail.com
ON THE COVER
The minds behind Keswick Life: EDITORIAL EDITOR/FOUNDER Winkie Motley CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Colin Dougherty THE COLUMNISTS Mary Morony, Suzanne Nash, Tony Vanderwarker, Elizabeth Blye Delaney CONTRIBUTORS Diane Weber, Joe Shields PROOF READER Sierra Young
Go Behind the Gates on the Farm Tour 2015
DESIGN AND PRODUCTION CREATIVE DIRECTOR Colin Dougherty Published by a division of Keswick Life PHOTOGRAPHY George Payne, Mary Kalergis, Colin Dougherty and Chris Young for the Travel Journal.
Get a railside preview of the Keswick’s Grace Church
Farm Tour! Keswick Life’s coverage is the only resource you will need to get all the information you need before you go! When you dig out, report in and tell it to Keswick Life.
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13
LIFE HAPPENS
Mary Morony’s column this month updates her devoted readers on the status Hagar, the Great Dane, on his road to recovery after Wobblers and Cruciate Degeneration Disorder. Read all about it and send us your questions for Mary and Life Happens!
15
KESWICKIAN
Craig Hartman dishes it out to Liz Delaney with her exclusive interview with one of the Keswick environs’ most beloved chefs! Most of us remember him as one of the former chefs at Keswick Hall but Liz uncovers Craig’s extraordinary past including a reunion with his birthparents and newly discovered siblings!
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TRAVEL JOURNAL
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Joe Shields transports us to another world with a re- Tony Vanderwarker really shares with us a personal told tale of remote fishing, helicopter adventures and a float down the Kamchatka region web of rivers. Don’t miss this exciting read told through a friend’s eyes which will make you call your travel agent!
Keswick Life, PO Box 32, Keswick, VA 22947 or email to: keswicklife@gmail.com
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tale of the trials and sometimes unfortunate tribulations of getting old. Please use caution when reading, it is not for the faint of heart but if you put aside your gut reaction you will find comfort in Tony’s carefully written article about one of the necessities of aging.
Tell it to keswick life...
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MAY 2015
OVERHEARD Here and there... in Keswick by the Numbers 6 - years of the Grace Church Historic Farm Tour,
8 - farms open their gates,
30 - vendors at the Tour’s country fair,
44,750 - dollars donated to 19 charities from
the 2014 Farm Tour!
On and Off The Market Going up in price is 708 Merrie Mill Farm, the 1860 manor home on 407 acres. It is now $4,950,000 up from $3,450,000 in early May this year and was originally $6,750,000 in May 2013. “Homestead” at 915 Campbell Road is just available and has 173 acres and an 1800’s 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath home with over 5,600 sf. “Lindon Ridge” at 1570 St. John Road is also just available on 70 acres and has a 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath, 3,575 sf home. 112 raw wooded acres on Louisa Road in the Cismont area is just available at $625,000 and 875 Black Cat Road is just available with a 4 bedroom, 4 bath home on 2 acres priced at $695,000. 675 Black Cat Road is back on the market at $685,000 and is a 4 bedroom, 3 bath home on 2 acres. In the modest price range 14 acres with a trailer is available at 2600 Paddock Wood Road for $171,900 and 3465 Richmond Road is a 3 bedroom, 3 bath brick home on 1.3 acres priced at $219,900. Amazingly there were 11 price reductions on homes in Glenmore over the last month, such is the competition between re-sales and the new construction available. 4 homes went under contract and 3 new construction homes sold. “Hickory Knoll” at 985 Bridlewood Trail, a 3 bedroom, 2 bath home on 20 acres went under contract having started at $525,000 and gradually reducing $100,000 over 1300+ days on the market. “Keswick Hill” at 6182 Turkey Sag Road fared better going under contract in 12 days and is a 3 bedroom, 3 bath home on 25 acres. Other homes quick to contract were 1095 E. Keswick Road, a 5 bedrom, 3 bath brick rancher on 2 acres at $379,000 in 26 days and 373 Clarks Tract, a 3 bedroom, 3 bath 1954 rancher on 2 acres at $229,900 in 35 days. 4776 Woodbound Road, a 4 bedroom, 3 bath home on 6 acres went under contract in 56 days. 2585 Watkins Lane is also under contract and was at one time priced at over $700,000. It was reduced as a distress sale to $487,260 and is a 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath home on 3 acres. 5992 Turkey Sag Road sold and is a 2 bedroom, 2.5 bath home on 22 acres at $735,000. 595 Starry Sky Lane, a 3 bedroom, 2 bath home on 26 acres sold for $340,000. Lot 4 on Fairway Drive in the Estate sold for $425,000. It is a 2 acre lot backing onto the 14th tee boxes. Reduced are 2766 Bell Acres down from $245,000 to $195,000 for the 3 bedroom, 2 bath home on 2 acres, 111 Distan Court, down from $749,000 to $699,900 for the 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath home on 5 acres, and 1055 Hacktown Road down from $105,000 to 70,000 for the 3 bedroom, 1 bath home on 2 acres.
Sold Bonham’s Virginia House Auction realizes 98% sold! The atmosphere under the tent at the start of Bonhams’ on-site auction in Charlottesville, Virginia was electric. The collection to be auctioned had belonged to Baron Wouter J.P. Sijlmans von Eldik, a somewhat eccentric and beloved member of the community, and proprietor of the House of Jacobus Antiques. There were over 550 lots of Old Master and 19th Century paintings; American, English and Continental furniture, carpets, ceramics, objets d’art and silver, all selected by a connoisseur with an unfailing eye for aesthetic value. From the first lots, it became clear that the highly active bidding would make this sale a significant event. Hopeful buyers filling the tent to capacity found stiff competition from international phone bidders as well as very strong online bidding over Bonhams’ website. Among the Old Master paintings, a pair of large works depicting fighting cocks and game by German artist Peter Caulitz, a court artist to Frederick the Great, sparked a bidding war which resulted in a sales price
of $43,750 for the pair, a world auction record for a work by the artist. The American and English furniture followed suit, achieving prices worthy of the quality of the works offered, such as the $25,000 realized for an 18th-century Massachusetts Chippendale mahogany blockfront desk and bookcase, which was formerly in the collection of the Winterthur Museum & Gardens, Delaware. A George II carved walnut library armchair generated intense telephone bidding interest in the UK, selling for $10,625. A standout among the Decorative Arts was a group of three Chinese Export blue and white porcelain Nanking pattern serving articles, including one with a rare view of Canton, which quintupled their estimate to sell for $10,000. Wouter von Eldik led an extraordinary life, having spent ages four to seven in an internment camp on the island of Java during World War II. Business endeavors included partnership in the highly successful Beverly Hills antiques firm of Yeakel, von Eldik and Pruyn, and later a luxury antiques-filled lodge in Jackson Hole, before settling in Charlottesville to found the House of Jacobus Antiques.
Mac Dent with Gordon Wheeler
Accolades Keswick, the pony of decades ago, is being inducted into the National Show Horse Hall of Fame.
So many Keswickians were associated with him. Bob Robertson from Keswick and a friend of Delmar Twyman’s owned a Palomino mare in foal to a Welsh stallion. Bob named this chestnut foal “Fireball” and gave him to Delmar to break when he was a yearling. Reports abounded that four men were required in the stall to subdue and halter the pony. Noel Twyman must have been the first rider, followed by Dale Jenkins, and Bill Graves. When these guys outgrew the then small pony, Delmar asked Susie Dent to ride the now large pony. She was thrilled to be asked. In the 1960’s there were two divisions, large and small. Jimmy Lee was the trainer and this remarkable pony won every major championship in Virginia, some in Maryland and North Carolina. In 1964 with Susie aboard, he was large pony champion at Madison Square Garden. He was again champion at the Garden in 1965 with Conrad Holmfeld. Peter Wetherill’s parents from West Chester, Pa. bought Keswick as a Christmas present in 1967. Peter was trained by Sherry Robertson and Keswick continued to have great success. Being inducted into the National Show Horse Hall of Fame is a fitting and much deserved honor for this remarkable pony who had tremendous scope and ability, flawless confirmation and always had his ears up looking for the next perfect jump. The only other pony inductee in the National Horse Show Hall of Fame is Chantilly and she came out of the fields at Cloverfields. Keswick is also in the Virginia Horse Show Hall of Fame .
Susie Dent at the National Horse Show
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KESWICK LIFE
The
GOING OUT Guide
Mark your calendars! Save the date! Don’t be late!
CELEBRATE Grace Church Farm Fest Cocktail Party
SAVE THE DATES Orange County Fair
Where: The Keswick Hunt Club When: Thursday, June 11th – 6:00 pm
Where: New Fairgrounds, 14500 Old Gordonsville Road, Orange, VA 22960 When: Thursday, July 23 - Saturday, July 25, 2015
Grace Church invites you to a Preview Party and Silent Auction for the Grace
Church Historical Farm Tour. An evening of cocktails and libations with enticing items to bid on at the silent auction.. Tickets are $35. RSVP to Tom Brubaker@gmail.com or 540-717-3087.
FAMILY FUN Reds, Whites and Bluegrass Where: Keswick Vineyards When: Saturday, July 4th 12 - 3pm
Celebrate the 4th of July at Keswick Vineyards with some great Red & White
Virginia wines and Bluegrass music performed by local band Bent Mountain Trio! Come hungry because we will have lots of delicious food available for you to purchase here this year. Blue Ridge Pizza Co. will be here serving up their delicious wood-fired pizzas and ice cream treats, Black Jack’s Mobile Soul Food Kitchen will be here with some mouth-watering home style food choices, and we are so excited to welcome The Pie Guy here for the first time, bringing a taste of Australia to our celebration with their savory and sweet pies! No entry fee, just grab your picnic blankets, chairs, and friends and come have a great time! All ages welcome. Pet-friendly, but dogs must be kept on a leash when outside of our fenced-in dog park. For further information:(434) 244-3341 x 105 - tastingroom@keswickvineyards.com.
RUFF AND READY Yappy Hour Where: Clifton Inn When: Every Thursday from 5:30pm to 7:30pm
Clifton has gone to the dogs! Bring your four legged companion to Clifton for
Yappy Hour! Join us on our Terrace where you can both meet and greet, play and walk our trails on our 100 acre property. **Beer and wine will be available, as well as complimentary snacks for the people AND the pups! 10% of the proceeds will be donated to Caring for Creatures **Ruff and Ready Rules: All dogs must be on a leash and monitored at all times, each attendee is responsible for picking up after their dog, there is a (2) dog max per attendee, each dog must have a recent rabies vaccination. For more details, please call (434) 971-1800.
TASTING Chardonnay Wine Class” by Bingler & Brown Where:The Market at Grelen When: June 11th at 5:30
Did you miss the first wine class?
If so, we highly recommend signing up for this one! The “Wine 101” class received rave reviews as did Melissa & Matthew of Bingler & Brown. Their amazing wine knowledge and fun personalities, as well as the glorious weather, made for the perfect evening on the Orchard Overlook patio! Not only was the class incredibly informative, but it was super fun. This next class is all about Chardonnay so please join us on June 11 at 5:30 for some education and tastings. Learn all about Chardonnay and taste the various local Chardonnays that are served at The Market at Grelen (Trump Winery, Early Mountain Vineyard, Williamsburg Winery & Grey Ghost Vineyards). Taste the difference that vineyard conditions and winemaking techniques have on the final product! $25/person. Participants receive bottle discounts that evening. For further information: 540-672-7268.
The Orange County Fair celebrates our role in American history, our agricultural heritage, and the traditional values that created and helped us sustain our way of life.
NATURALIZATION Fourth of July Where: Monticello When: Saturday, July 4, 2015 - 9:00am to 12:00pm
Governor McAuliffe is going to deliver the
keynote speech for the Fourth of July Naturalization Ceremony at Monticello. A very dynamic speaker, the Governor loves Monticello. They are also offering again this year the “Jeffersonian Open House” on July 4 - that drew record crowds. There is no more inspirational place to celebrate the Fourth of July than Monticello, the home of the author of the Declaration of Independence. Since 1963, more than 3,000 people from every corner of the globe have taken the oath of citizenship at the annual Monticello Independence Day Celebration and Naturalization Ceremony. We hope you will join us at 9 am for the 53rd Annual Independence Day Celebration and Naturalization Ceremony on Monticello’s West Lawn — one of America’s most moving July 4 events and the oldest continuous naturalization ceremony held outside of a courtroom in the U.S.
EXPLORE Kids Go Fish Weekend Where: Monticello When: Saturday, June 13, 2015 - 6:00am to Monday, June 15, 2015 - 9:00pm
During this three-day weekend only, kids ages 16 and under will be allowed to fish the Saunders-Monticello Trail Pond. Bring your own fishing poles and equipment. Adults must accompany children. Parkway managers and rangers will be on hand to supervise the event. Free with no registration required. Event is during regular trail hours (6 AM – 9 PM). Email: trail@monticello.or for more information.
The Orange County Fair is an old-fashioned county fair in the truest sense; no midway carnival, no high pressure selling activities. Each year, we put together a collection of activities, contests, and entertainment aimed at creating a fun atmosphere for all members of our community and our guests. We invite you to enjoy a clean, wholesome, family-oriented weekend that focuses on the joy of rural living. The Orange County Fair is a safe place for children to experience our agricultural heritage. For Additional Information:(540) 661-5393 Website:http://www.orangecountyvafair. com
Albemarle County Fair Where: Ash Lawn-Highland Fairgrounds When: July 30, July 31, and August 1
The Albemarle County Fair will be held at the outdoor pavilion and grounds of Ash Lawn-Highland located in Charlottesville. The 2015 features more fun-filled attractions. A Fun and Festive Time in the Country, the Fair will be a three-day agricultural celebration, complete with farm animals, exhibits, baked goods, crafts, family entertainment, events, livestock, pageant queens, and grand old-time country fun! Operating Hours: Thursday, July 31 - 4pm-9 pm; Friday, August 1- 10 am-9pm; Saturday, August 2 - 10am-9 pm. Albemarle County Fair, Inc., a nonprofit, regionally based corporation, has as its primary mission to annually sponsor the Albemarle County Fair. This Fair is primarily focused on serving the Charlottesville-Albemarle area by promoting the involvement of the area’s public and visitors in its programming. The programs strive to provide wholesome entertainment and activities that emphasize the deep human, natural, and agricultural resources of Central Virginia.
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MAY 2015
COVER STORY The Grace Church 2015 Farm Tour Guide
Go Behind The Gates EDITED BY KESWICK LIFE
Grace Episcopal Church
Historic Grace Episcopal Church stands at the site of one of six colonial churches in Virginia that still have active congregations. Foundation stones of the original church, constructed of wood and completed in 1748, are visible today under spreading oak trees in front of the present structure. Built by Mr. Francis Smith for a fee of £80, this original church measured 32 feet by 24 feet. A mountain chapel had previously existed on the premises, having been built by the earliest settlers in the area, probably in the 1730s. The Fredericksville Parish included the original church and two other churches in Albemarle and Louisa Counties. The Rev. James Maury became rector of the Parish in 1751 and conducted a classical school at his home. Thomas Jefferson attended this school in 1757 and 1758. From 1767 to 1770, Mr. Jefferson served as a member of the Vestry of Fredericksville Parish. Vestry members selected ministers, cared for the poor and mentally deficient, set land boundaries, and required residents to pay a levy of tobacco or cash to support the church. The present church edifice was completed in 1855 at a cost of $20,000. A fire in 1895 left only the tower and four walls standing, which were incorporated into the present structure when the church was rebuilt. A 1,575-pound bell was salvaged from the ashes and is still in use. The first annual Blessing of the Hounds service was held at the church in 1929. Each Thanksgiving Day, this colorful ceremony brings together foxhunters and their horses and hounds in the church yard for prayers and thanksgiving. The Parish House was constructed in 1933 and expanded in 1971 and 2002. Today Grace Church has over 200 members and provides personal and financial support for numerous charitable missions, including the church’s food closet, Habitat for Humanity, the Salvation Army, Meals on Wheels, the Cameroon Water project, and many others.
Keswick Hunt Club The Keswick Hunt Club was founded in 1896. Foxhunting has been an important part of this community since 1742, when foxhounds were brought to the area by Dr. Thomas Walker of Castle Hill, who also helped found the city of Charlottesville. The Keswick Hunt Club clubhouse was built in 1898. The hunt club has host-
a team of horses can navigate through tight obstacles with extreme precision. Stamina, strength, and agility are required in order to complete the course. More information on the sport is available at www.teamnagsheadfarm.com.
Limestone
East Belmont Farm—John Rector, combined driving.
Limestone, a 465-acre tract, derives its name from the existence on the property of a portion of the largest vein of limestone yet discovered east of the Mississippi. This property is steeped in Albemarle County history, and its earliest structures date back to 1794. Thomas Jefferson owned four acres of Limestone in the 1760s, where he established a kiln and a slacking pit. With the lime, sand and water, he produced the mortar that was used to build Monticello and the University of Virginia.
ed at least one annual horse show since 1904. Initially, the lower ring’s proximity to the railroad tracks was a convenience for spectators who traveled to the event from Charlottesville by train. The upper ring was built in 1957. The kennels are home to approximately 70 American Foxhounds who lead mounted club members on chases in designated territory in four counties. The three day per week hunting season stretches from late summer to early spring. The huntsman, Tony Gammell, spends the rest of the year as well as nonhunting days during the season training the hounds and keeping up the hunt country assisted by Kennelman Mike Poindexter and Whipper-in Sommers Olinger.
East Belmont Since Colonial times, East Belmont has had a succession of devoted owners. One of the earliest was a friend of Thomas Jefferson, John Harvie, whose small farm was named Belmont. In 1811 John Rogers, Sr. purchased over 2,000 acres from Harvie and named his property East Belmont. This John Rogers was a cousin of Revolutionary War hero George Rogers Clark. The main portion of the current brick home was built in 1825 by John Rogers, Jr. After he died, his widow married Edward Thurman, who allowed exhausted Confederate cavalry horses to be revived in the farm’s pastures during the Civil War. In more modern times East Belmont was owned by Mr. and Mrs. Archibald Craige, who placed the
farm under a conservation easement. Mr. Craige’s heirs sold East Belmont to Kenny and Ceil Wheeler in 2006. The Wheelers moved a 90-year-old Sears dairy barn from the front portion of the farm to its present location about a mile away and converted it into a horse barn. The movers lifted the structure onto a multi-wheeled I-beam contraption, and a sophisticated hydraulic system kept it level as it was moved over varied terrain. The Wheeler Family has owned and trained Champion Show Hunters and Champion American Saddlebreds for decades. Today some of these champions make their home in this barn. East Belmont pastures currently holds four matched large sorrel mules, two of which have won championships at numerous state fairs. The Wheelers’ pets include donkeys, goats, a miniature horse, a lamb, a potbellied pig, and numerous cats and dogs. With foxhunting, trail riding, showing horses, and fishing, there is never a dull moment at East Belmont!
James Monroe purchased the land in the 1800s, starting his law practice in a log structure there. His brother Andrew lived at Limestone for a time. Later, the property was owned by George Blatterman, who was hired by Thomas Jefferson as the first professor of languages at the University of Virginia. Between two early 18th century structures, Blatterman added the Neoclassical Revival style center portion of the residence that exists today. Limestone’s current owners purchased the property in 1992 and have placed it under a conservation easement to secure it permanently in its present condition. Limestone is on the list of Virginia Historic Landmarks and the National Register of Historic Places.
During the Farm Tour, East Belmont will feature an exhibition by Josh Rector, a member of the U.S. Equestrian Team at the World Equestrian Games in 2010. He will demonstrate the sport of “combined driving” on a “four-in-hand,” a carriage drawn by a team of four horses with reins that can be guided by a single driver. For two years in a row, Mr. Rector has won the bronze medal at the fourin-hand championships, and he hopes to compete for the U.S. Equestrian Team in 2018 at the World Equestrian Games in Canada. His exhibition will show how
During the Farm Tour, hounds from the Farmington Beagles will be present at Limestone. Beagles are outstanding rabbit hunters, and the Farmington Beagles hunt primarily in Albemarle and Louisa Counties.
Linden Lane Farm
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Grace Church Farm Tour “Beyond the Gates” is, of course, about farms and barns in the Cismont/Keswick area. It is also about the past and allows for a glimpse of what life used to be like in a beautiful, rural countryside. Utilizing the backdrop of Linden Lane Farm, a property rich in the history of the area and especially dressage horses, an additional nostalgic offering is composed of antique automobiles.
KESWICK LIFE
Among the automobiles are some dating back to the very earliest days of the industry in this country. Rides will be offered around the property in a restored and carefully preserved 1910 Franklin. This car is no longer produced. Similarly, for many of the 25 to 30 automobiles on display, the Marques are long gone and will be totally unknown to today’s younger generation. Other such examples participating include Hupmobiles, Pierce-Arrows and Packards, and even Oldsmobiles, which are considered “orphan cars” since they are no longer manufactured. Most owners of the antique cars displayed will be in attendance, as well as a number of members of the Piedmont chapter of the Antique Automobile Club of America, to answer questions about the cars and their histories and engine statistics. All this will have as a backdrop not only the beautiful Southwest Mountains but also the historic Linden Lane Farm house and barns. While these latter will not be available to tour, they will be easily visible from the car field.
Milton Farm Established as a dairy farm in 1915, Milton Farm stands in the vicinity of the former Town of Milton, which at one time served as a waterway shipping center for Charlottesville. Thomas Jefferson had instigated the clearing of the Rivanna River in the early 1760s, opening it to navigation by canoes and bateaux as far north as Milton. There, cargo was transferred from the river to horses and wagons for delivery to surrounding towns. Such cargo included building materials for Monticello. The town was established in 1789. By 1815, Milton had grown to feature a post office, a state tobacco inspection warehouse, several other warehouses, and about 25 houses. Soon after, the growth of Scottsville and the railroad’s arrival combined to diminish the importance of Milton. By 1835, several of the buildings had been moved to Charlottesville, and the Town of Milton had largely disappeared. On Milton Farm’s property there are foundation outlines of some of the buildings that existed during the Town of Milton’s heyday. Milton Farm’s original silo is still standing. The farm has been home to cattle, horses, chickens, goats, and pigs, as well as dogs, cats, and children. The early 20th century farmhouse has been enlarged and renovated by subsequent owners. The façade of the house that is seen on the tour is a modern renovation. During the Farm Tour, Milton Farm will host exhibitions of dressage – a classical pursuit that requires years of training for both riders and horses.
Montanova Stables Montanova Stables Foundation’s facility is located on 50 acres at Belvoir Farm.
The farm features 45 acres of paddocks, access to trails, a sand riding ring with an adjacent “jumping field,” and a beautiful 16-stall barn with two wash stalls, two grooming stalls, and a large tack room. Montanova Stables has provided horseback riding instruction to children in the Keswick area since 1996. The Foundation is one of the many organizations that have received financial support from Farm Tour proceeds. The Montanova Stable Foundation was developed to enhance and build upon existing riding programs. The Foundation conducts after-school programs as well as week-long summer camps. The Foundation benefits children from a variety of backgrounds, helping them to develop valuable life skills such as patience, trust, responsibility, self-confidence, and a strong work ethic. Students gain a valuable sense of accomplishment and increased self-confidence as they learn to ride and care for horses. Montanova Stables Foundation also partners with local schools, family support workers, The Boys and Girls Club, Albemarle High School’s Career Based Intervention Program, and local foster agencies to identify children who can benefit from its horsemanship and mentoring program. Weekly lessons are designed to help students improve their riding skills, learn to respect and care for horses, learn to use and maintain tack and equipment, and interact with other students who share a common interest. These experiences create a bond of trust between students and their mentors and horses. Students keep a journal of their experiences, which allows each child to express feelings freely through creative writing or drawing. The Foundation offers lessons for riders of all skill levels, as well as boarding for horses and ponies. Students learn to groom, tack, and ride the horses. They are encouraged to strive for independence in all that they do. Students may choose to help with daily barn chores, and some experienced riders are allowed to mentor or assist less experienced students. Some adults come to Montanova Stables for “mental health time,” getting back in shape after a long time out of the saddle, refining existing riding abilities or discovering a new joy in life.
Old Keswick Old Keswick is part of a tract that was given by Thomas Walker to his daughter, Jane Frances Walker, who married Dr. Mann Page. The estate’s residence was built in stages, beginning with a log house in 1736. Originally called Keswick, the farm remained in the Page family until 1952, when it was sold to Mr. and Mrs. Ellsworth Augustus. During the 1950s the owners’ daughter Peggy showed champion hunters, including Hall of
Fame inductees Waiting Home and Little Sailor. Keswick Stables was formed as a major Thoroughbred breeding and racing operation. Keswick Stables sold a yearling filly at the Saratoga Sale for a worldrecord price of $82,000 in 1962, and 20 years later sold another yearling filly for $2,100,000 - another world record. Keswick Stables has sold a number of horses that earned more than $1,000,000, including Sabin, Simply Majestic, Alwuhush, and Eishin Guyman. Keswick Stables also sold Eclipse Award winner Johnny D; champion and famous sire Raise a Native; and Natalma, dam of the incomparable Northern Dancer. Today Old Keswick is home to eight foster horses from the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF), the largest equine sanctuary in the world. TRF is devoted to rescue, retirement, rehabilitation, and retraining of Thoroughbred racehorses that are no longer able to compete on the track. TRF keeps 70 horses at James Madison’s Montpelier, and it will have several horses available for adoption at Old Keswick’s yearling barn during the Farm Tour. Also at the yearling barn, The Wildlife Center of Virginia will display rescued birds and animals. Founded in 1982, the Wildlife Center rescues and rehabilitates mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. In 2007 this organization received the National Conservation Achievement Award from the National Wildlife Federation.
food vendors from neighboring farming communities or graze outside at one of the many food vendors. Be sure to save time for a tour or an organ recital inside historic Grace Church. Enjoy live music throughout the day and feel free to stroll around the grounds under the shade of beautiful oak trees!
Tickets Farm tour tickets cost $15 per person until June 12 and $20 thereafter. Children ages 12 and under are admitted free. The event will take place regardless of weather conditions. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit www. gracefarmtour.org
Milton Farm Thorsten Kramer, dressage.
Tufton Farm Tufton Farm was one of the “quarter farms” that made up Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello plantation. Originally purchased by Jefferson’s father Peter and later given to Jefferson’s daughter Martha, Tufton served as important agricultural land for Monticello, providing large amounts of crops and food for the plantation. A small stone house built by Jefferson’s son-in-law, Thomas Mann Randolph, still stands next to the antebellum brick house with the Monticello mountains in the background. Today, Tufton is home to the Thomas Jefferson Center for Historic Plants and its’ pastures provide grazing for cattle.
Linden Lane Farm Antique Automobile Display
Farm Tour Country Fair Fun for the whole family awaits you at the Grace Church Farm Tour Country Fair! Kids will enjoy pony rides, crafts, and an activity tent. Animal exhibitions by 4-H members and others will feature llamas, lambs, goats, and adoptable pets from the SPCA. Looking for advice about gardening, pest management, or equine nutrition? Just ask the Master Gardeners from the Virginia Cooperative Extension or representatives from Southern States who will be on hand to offer their expertise. For a unique shopping experience, visit the Country Fair’s craft and
Old Keswick Wildlife Center of Virginia Display
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MAY 2015
KESWICK SCENE Keswick Horse Show
Photos, top row: (l) James Gammell at the food booth, junior rider participants enjoy lunch under the tent then Ashley Williams with Shelley Payne; second row: Pablo with
Annie Vanderwarker and Peggy Augustus with BJ Meeks at their railside shop then Anna Shields with Sandra Stern, her mother. Third row, left to right: Elvis Payne, winner best rescue dog in show, Judges Larry Tharpe and Jennie Mead then Sara Lee Barnes with Janice Aron. Photography by Sierra Young, Colin Dougherty and George Payne.
Eastminster Dog Show Recap The Eastminster Dog Show was once again a howling success at the annual Keswick Horse Show. Exhibitors young and old turned out in wonderful costume to display tricks and agility that wowed all who attended. The Master of Ceremonies, Tom Estes, once again laced announcing with humor for the entertainment of participants and audience, making everyone feel welcome beyond what the price of admission promised. Who would have guessed that jumping up on the table was to be rewarded or that dressing in imitation of an owner/handler/trainer would be so applauded. Just another interesting day in the life of a dog, but an afternoon the attendants will recall and look forward to for next year. Training for 2016 should begin apace!
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KESWICK LIFE
KESWICK SCENE Keswick Horse Show
Photos, top row: (l) Evie Cowles, Pat and Kay Butterfield then some familiar Keswick faces enjoying the free ice cream Saturday; second row: Blue Bomar serving up the Bud-
weiser at the beer truck then ”QUICK LATINA” owned and ridden by Miranda Scott winning the $20,000 UVA Children’s Hospital Jumper Classic; third row: Cailin Collier with high school friends GG Gilmer and Elizabeth Millgan and finally, last row: Anne Coles and Beth Hyder.
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MAY 2015
ARCOURT - Long after other homes have crumbled, the stone walls of ARCOURT will remain-a
testament to the quarried natural stone and superb quality construction used to create this one of a kind estate. Spacious (over 5,800 finished sq.ft.) French-inspired custom residence on 22 private acres in Keswick Hunt Country, completely fenced for horses, 3-stall stable, guest quarters, with shop/garage underneath. Interior of residence features an open floor plan, with large rooms, high ceilings, tall windows, and heated stone floors. There is a main-level master suite, second bedroom or study on the first floor, two more bedrooms and two baths on the second level. Beautiful mountain and pastoral views from home & covered veranda with stone fireplace. $2,595,000. Jim Faulconer (434) 981-0076. MLS#530692.
KESWICK ESTATES - Exquisite English Country
home on a premiere 2.5 acres in Keswick Estates. Lovely views golf course & mountains, yet very private. Architecturally designed 7000+ sq ft residence offers a beautiful light filled spacious LR; DR; gourmet kitchen; library w/ limestone FP surround; luxurious master complete w/ dressing rm & office; media rm & 4 additional BDRS. The highest quality materials & workmanship. $1,825,000. Charlotte Dammann (434) 981-1250. MLS#451592.
GLENMORE - Immaculate, brick Georgian with
EVERYTHING! Beautifully decorated, this lovely residence offers a gracious open kitchen, family room w/ fireplace, formal dining room, study, spacious 1st floor master suite, 4 bedrooms upstairs, plus a lower level guest suite and recreation room, an attached 2-car garage and rear deck. Fenced for pets. In excellent condition and with perhaps the best floor plan we have seen. $775,000. Tim Michel (434) 960-1124. MLS#529936.
WWW.MCLEANFAULCONER.COM The Right REALTOR Makes All The Difference!
(434) 295 -1131
503 Faulconer Drive - Suite 5 Charlottesville, VA 22903
homes@mcleanfaulconer.com 12
KESWICK LIFE
WHAT’S COOKING
LIFE HAPPENS
Summertime Salad
Bionic Boy’s Miracle Cure BY MARY MORONY
BY NANCY KEATING
Watermelon Salad Serves 4 Ingredients, Salad:
6 Cups Arugula
Seedless Watermelon, rind removed, cut into 1” squares
12 ounces good Feta, in brine
1 cup mint leaves, julienned
1/2 cup red onion, optional
Vinaigrette:
1/4 cup fresh squeezed orange juice and lemon juice
1/4 cup minced shallot
1 tbsp honey
1/2 cup great olive oil
Kosher salt & freshly ground pepper
Directions: • Whisk the orange juice, lemon juice, shallots, honey and add salt and pepper to taste. Slowly pour in the olive oil whisking continuously to emulsify. • Arrange the arugula, watermelon, feta and mint in a beautiful bowl. Drizzle vinaigrette to coat the greens lightly and toss well. Add a little red onion to taste if desired. • Serve immediately to a kitchen full of friends!
I
know, I know, another dog story, but miracles must be shared. By now, you must all be familiar with Hagar, the badly-bred Great Dane, and a victim of both Wobblers and Cruciate Degeneration Disorder. Bionic Boy, as he is fondly known around here, was given the goahead to enter life again as a full-fledged member of the ‘mostly outside’ club. This was after spending six weeks inside recuperating from his TTA (tibial tuberosity advancement) attached to me at the hip, as, he became more accustomed to a lifestyle, which, included lounging around on the sofa when he thought he could get away with it and nocturnal trips to the bedroom to just ease into the bed between Hubs and me (as if we wouldn’t notice a Great Dane climbing over us in the middle of the night). He is, after all, a dog, not a rocket scientist. Not that I wanted him to feel unloved, but I was ready for the behemoth to move out. The very morning he was declared sound, his bed was moved back into the garage alongside his sisters’. Before you get to up in arms with this arrangement, it is pretty sweet. The garage is heated. Everybody has their own compartment, complete with comfy beds and there are carpets. I went off to do what I do, delighted that the five-hour curfew had been lifted. Five hours was random. I didn’t know how long Hagar could be in the house without feeling an irresistible call from nature, and wasn’t interested in finding out. Being the creature of habit that he has trained me to be, I was home in is less than four hours, despite the fact that we had been sprung that morning. As I drove up the drive, my two female dogs, tongues lolling, and tails wagging, greeted me. Hagar was nowhere to be seen. In my most Pollyanna fashion, I dismissed any nagging thought as to his whereabouts with the rationale that it’s warm he’s probably lying in the shade somewhere. Trudging back and forth with groceries, I spied Hagar on the lawn. He was inching forward with a severe limp that could only mean the other ACL ruptured. Exactly four hours of under-appreciated
freedom took on a significance that would have to be experienced to be fully understood, not unlike finding your canteen empty after leaving the oasis some, say four hours earlier. The sick feeling of watching him struggle over to me was only mitigated by the sicker feeling of six more weeks of playing nurse Jane Fuzzy Wuzzy to what was fast becoming the most expense dog on the planet. Hagar and I were at the vet’s that afternoon. The good news, the ligament had not torn completely. The other good news was that my vet Chip Godine, at Ruckersville Animal Hospital, who is a master laser wizard, was on the verge of learning a new skill. He suggested that Hagar would be a good candidate for the stem cell replacement therapy that a fellow veterinarian was going to teach him the next Tuesday. He explained the procedure to me. An incision is made in the abdomen to obtain some fat, which was probably the most difficult part of the procedure since Hagar’s body fat percentage might be three. The fat is put in a centrifuge. Presto magico, stem cells! I’m guessing there is more to it than that, but that’s all I could remember. The newly harvested stem cells are injected into the knee joint. Here’s the really cool part, after the stem cells are injected, Chip uses an intravenous laser to irradiate the stem cells which super charges the little buggers to do what they do more. When all of this was proposed, it was Friday. I hauled his bed back up to the kitchen and begrudgingly hung leashes on all exterior doors. The weekend was problematic, in that Hagar felt it was important to assert his dominance due to his weakness. Since we had guests, there was a whole lot more basso profundo barking than usual. Tuesday couldn’t come fast enough for me. I dropped him off at eight and picked up at six, a fully mobile dog. You had to look hard to find a limp. He will be completely ready for assimilation into the outdoors in ten days - enough time for his abdominal wound to heal and I will be ready for a long trip away from home.
Read KESWICK Lets you in on life in Keswick
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MAY 2015
A V i r g i n i A C o u n t ry L i f e
RIVER VIEW – This exceptional 251-ac. farm is sited in a picturesque valley traversed by the upper Rapidan River (noteworthy trout fishing) with a balance of open farm land and wooded mountain property. A superbly constructed 4BR brick manor with copper roof and over 5,000 s.f. enjoys stunning views of the Blue Ridge and working cattle farm. An additional 2BR brick home and numerous farm improvements compliment this property near the Shenandoah Nat. Forest-Proximity to Charlottesville or Washington DC. MLS #514774
RABBIT RUN – Exceptional property and pristine setting in the heart of Farmington. Designed and renovated by award winning architect and landscape architect with the finest materials throughout. Inviting perennial gardens adjoin and extend from the 4-BR residence on 3.6 private acres with a Garden Dining Pavilion, reflecting ponds, garden follies, and twin tree houses. MLS #520681
WHITE HORSE FARM - Classic Virginia home c. 1780, south of Charlottesville with updated main residence in excellent condition. 6 car garage, 8 stall stable, tenant house and sports barn (basketball court, hitting and pitching areas, guest suite, and locker room). 278.80 acres fenced and cross-fenced, ample water, numerous ponds. This natural locale suits every desire for country life. MLS #516697
SLATE HILL - This beautiful and elegant country home features 3 bedrooms and 3 and 1/2 baths, on 45 acres in Albemarle county. The traditional farm house style home was created by renowned architect, Bethany Poupolo. The home has been featured in Southern living magazine and was applauded for its attention to detail and beautiful design. The property also includes a 2 bedroom guest cottage, 2 fenced paddocks, run in shed, pool, sport court, and 3 quarries. The privacy and exposure to nature with easy access to Charlottesville are also noteworthy.
KESWICK ESTATES, LOT 5 – Private acreage inside the gates of Keswick Estate. Over 2.5 acres of open and level land fronts the newly designed Pete Dye golf course. Amenities at the impressive Keswick Hall include state-of-the-art fitness center, swimming, tennis, and spa facilities. Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and convenient to all that the historic region has to offer. MLS #518257
MONTEVERDE - Classic brick Georgian located on 222-ac. in southern Albemarle county with dramatic Blue Ridge mountain views over pastoral and productive farm land. Numerous barn improvements and potential guest house.
Murdoch Matheson 434.981.7439 mmatheson@frankhardy.com Regional, National and International Marketing Representing owners and purchasers of Virginia’s most noted properties:
417 Park St. Charlottesville, VA 22902 t: 434.296.0134 f: 434.296.9730 Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated.
frankhardy.com
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KESWICKIAN
Craig Hartman - a Foodie in a Search for Roots Craig Hartman, owner of the Barbecue Exchange in Gordonsville sat down with me to talk about his career as a chef which he says started at the age of 5. He grew up in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, the adopted son of a pediatrician father and his mother, who ran a small hotel, The Old Salt, on 75th Street in Ocean City, MD in the summers. He was always around food and remembers being so drawn to the smell of breakfast at the hotel, bacon and eggs, biscuits and crab cakes. I was immediately struck by his striking looks and dynamic, engaging, down to earth personality - he is a driven person. His biography of voraciousness with his career is just unbelievable; he is a ‘top chef’ in the culinary world. The most incredible part to me is that he is still married to his high school sweetheart, Donna. They were pregnant in high school and married. He then applied to the Culinary Institute of America and attended right after high school, wife and baby daughter in tow. One of his classmates was Anthony Bourdain. There was a culture of drinking and drugs at that time but Craig didn’t participate; he was focused and was aggressive in school. “I had to make a living now with a family” he said, “and I just loved every minute of it and soaked up everything. In our cooking teams I was always the one on the range; people had to fight me to get their turn.” Then came offers for jobs; but he was turned down from several when they learned he had a wife and baby. They said he wouldn’t have time for a family; they didn’t know Craig and his family. We continued into the odyssey of all the fabulous head chef jobs he held over the years: Executive Chef at the Pinehurst Country Club (back in the day when they had over 200,000 members), Colonial Williamsburg where he worked at Carters Grove the Governors Masion, serving some very famous people, and Executive Sous Chef at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington DC. In 1995, he opened the kitchen for the Sanderling Hotel serving 3040 dinners a night on a makeshift set up; then later in Nags Head, he opened his own restaurant “The Chef’s Corner” which he and Donna operated. Finally, as fate would have it, he came to Charlottesvile to watch a soccer match at UVA. (Craig was a soccer star in high school with offers of sports scholarships at colleges). He overnighted at the Clifton Inn just as the innkeeper was about to take a 3 week leave of absence. Craig spoke with the owners, Mitch and Emily Willey, and he said he’d fill in. He ended up staying for a few years then moved on to the Cliff House in Manitou Springs, Colorado, a resort near Pikes Peak. Feeling it was time to
BY ELIZABETH BLYE DELANEY and was totally smitten with her. A romance followed. Within a year Margaret found herself pregnant. Upon telling her family, she was immediately taken to a home for unwed mothers and cut of all contact with Luis. Her family never visited her at the home. While there Margaret painted a painting of a boat on stormy seas. She would tell Craig later, she would rub her big belly and sing “Baby’s Boat” a lullaby that was sung to her by her father.
The Brothers: Thomas, David, Jeff, Craig and Mark move on from the Cliff House, he checked out Monster. com for job openings and saw an ad for Executive Chef at the Hotel School at Cornell University. After a rigorous application procedure he was hired and managed all things culinary at Cornell, running the Statler Hotel to training and teaching students to go out into the culinary world. He loved it there but his two children were working in the D.C. area now and starting to have grandchildren and they wanted to be closer to them, so he and Donna moved to the Charlottesville area. That’s basically how the Keswick environs got “Craig” and the Barbecue Exchange. End of story, right? Not so fast! After an hour of interviewing, Craig began talking a bit about his childhood and I realized there was much more to his story. His adoptive mother had died and later his father came for a visit and gave him his adoption papers. He thought Craig ought to have them. On the paper his mothers name was listed as Margaret Cornelia Magoun and his father’s name, William Haney. Little did he realize that an incredible journey was about to take place for he and his family. He had an adopted sister and natural brother, all Hartmans. Margaret Magoun was born on May 15, 1939 the daughter of the wealthily New England shipping family of Thatcher Magoun. The times were so different. Her brother, Thatcher Magoun is the sixth Thatcher in that family and is a surgeon in Hawaii. When Margaret was finished with high school, she wanted to go to nursing school. Back then, women either married what they wanted to be or were often teachers or nurses. She took a summer study program at the Pennsylvania General Hospital in Philadelphia. A handsome chef at the Warwick Hotel in Philadelphia was doing a short term job at the Signal Corp which provided meals for the summer interns at the Nursing School program. His name was Luis Pinero, from Puerto Rico. He saw Margaret
All alone and terrified in the back room of the hospital, away from other pregnant mothers, she gave birth to Craig. She held him for a couple of minutes and he was taken from her. After her ordeal, she contacted Luis and they arranged to meet at the train station. She said she had something important to tell him and he said the same thing. He went first and said, “since I didn’t hear from you for so long, I have met someone else and I am getting married. Now what did you want to tell me?” Margaret says, “Nothing.” They part ways for two years. Margaret pursued her LPN degree and became a nurse. In two years she got a phone call from Luis saying his marriage didn’t work out and could they meet. They realized they still loved each other and got married. Margaret’s mother disowned her. They proceeded to have four more sons and Margaret finally told Luis about Craig. Her name was now Rita. Luis would tell Craig later that “your mother cried for you every night.” Craig didn’t know how to pursue finding his birth mother but with the help of Donna, he finally tracked her through a Facebook page of Sean Magoun in Hawaii, the adopted son of Thatcher Magoun, the surgeon. They exchanged emails then talked on the phone for five hours agreeing to meet at her home in New Jersey. Before they made the trip, Craig said he was in the shower and the words to a song came to him...”sail, baby, sail... out across the deep blue sea but don’t forget to return to me...” He knew nothing of Rita’s painting and the lullaby she sang. Craig said when they pulled up to Rita’s home the entire family was there. Craig got to meet his four brothers and extended family. His brothers, Mark, 54, is a sculptor in Philadelphia, David, 52, was a personal chef for Glenn Close for 10 years, brother Thomas, 50, is a school teacher and Jeff, 47, an electrician. Eventually, Rita and Luis divorced and she married a man named Sweeney. Luis went back to Puerto Rico and married there having two more children. Craig’s half sister, Rosaline, is a chef at the El Conquistador Hotel - go figure!
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Dogs just want to have fun! Bring them to Club Canine so they can enjoy the weather too!
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MAY 2015
TRAVEL JOURNAL
Of Mice and Men in Mother Russia
A Shot at Fishing the Greatest River Network on the Planet BY JOSEPH J. SHIELDS Why wouldn’t my buddy Chris Young have invited me to travel to Kamchatka last September? With Vladimir Putin bearing down on Ukraine and frightening acronyms of Middle Eastern terror groups in the news, he figured the time was right to drop $10k to fly halfway around the world and experience Cold-War aircraft travel for a shot at fishing the greatest river network on the planet. I wish I could tell you that I made the trip. Kamchatka Peninsula, in the Russian Far East, protrudes like an appendage from the mainland, surrounded by the Pacific Ocean to the east and the Sea of Okhotsk to the west. A land shrouded in beauty, mystery, and danger. In that remote region, he experienced the greatest fishing in the world. I could not join him for a variety of logical reasons. I can only share what I have pieced together from his firsthand accounts of an illogical trip that could have killed him. The airplane made it to the continent, which was nice, but the helicopter rides in the Russian interior were harrowing. My first flight was canceled because of fog, so I had to take a nine-hour bus ride on a dirt road to a second heliport. Fellow travelers included three friends who I had just met from Colorado. The men fed me bourbon and suspicious homemade gummy bears they had stowed in their bags. I soon learned the gummy candies were only legal in certain states, including their beloved home state. I’ll save the bus adventure for another time. When I saw the “pilots” at the heliport, I thought they were soccer hooligans. The boys were dressed in tshirts, sneakers, and windbreakers. Flying high above the mountains, there were at least two, “HOLY SH*T I’m gonna die,” moments per flight. Loading and unloading gear on and off these choppers was loosely organized chaos, but I somehow made it to Kamchatka with all my gear. The fishing lived up to its legendary status. The worst half-day on the water was better than the best half-day I ever fished in the United States. The fish were big and strong, and had never seen a fly or a fisherman. Fish took flies that were lying at my feet while I was talking to a guide. I netted one fish, released him, and then watched it immediately try to hit my fly again.
I could have fished streamers all day long and probably would have caught more and bigger fish, but the mousing was too much fun. Each day, between the hours of 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., the mouse bite was outrageous. Fish alternated between crushing mouse flies on the surface, and gently trying to pull the “mouse” under by the tail. After a day or so of experimentation, I only fished one mouse pattern, Mr. Hanky, and a handful of streamers, but with a Dali Lama and purple steelhead fly. It was very common to catch fish after hooking and missing them three, four, five, even six times. They were relentless. I mostly caught rainbow trout averaging 18 inches long. I caught more fish larger than 20 inches than I did shorter than 16 inches. The biggest one I caught was 26 inches. These fish were fat and looked like pellet pigs. I gilled two fish, sliced open their stomachs, and both had three rodents each in their bellies. The last rainbow I caught on the trip, courtesy of Mr. Hanky, regurgitated a mouse all over my waders while I removed the hook. “Of Mice and Men in Mother Russia,” muttered a guide named Zeyna. He must have learned and used this joke before, because for the rest of the trip, the extent of his English included the words, “fish,” “streamer,” “mouse,” “oh sh*t,” and “no understand.” I caught plenty of char, which we cooked and ate their caviar, kundza, which is a char with bright white spots, and pink salmon. Some other guys on the trip caught silvers too. Our float trip was awesome and took place on a stream I never heard of that had allegedly been floated only three other times. We enjoyed six days of bluebird skies, floating approximately 20 kilometers a day. Plus the entire river was wadeable, and we caught more than 100 fish per boat per day. My buddy Justin was one of the guides. So was a Russian named Alexi, the “present for bear” guy from the film Eastern Rises. Alexi was a trip and spoke amazing English for someone who learned only by guiding English-speaking fisherman. He had never seen the
movie, so one night we screened it for him and his colleagues on my iPad. Justin and Alexi did not appear to get along. Not surprisingly, the Russian way of doing things is much different than in the States. For example, the guides all carried guns, although they only used them to shoot ducks on float trips. The Russians were confused when Justin shot several flying ducks; the locals prefer to blast ducks sitting on logs. “Why do you shoot when flying? Much harder,” they said. We had an indigenous Koryak camp helper who set up the kitchens, cut firewood, and built homemade wader stands. A woman was our camp cook. The food was, well, Russian, but she made enough diverse dishes for every meal to keep us well fed. We were served some pretty awesome, and some not so awesome food. The not so awesome variety usually involved ground fish and mayonnaise. When she was told it was my birthday halfway through the float, she managed to pull together a birthday cake on the fly, which was pretty impressive. And she accomplished this feat listening to gunshots while her countrymen murdered resting, stationary, ducks. I saw fresh bear tracks, but only two bears the entire week. One huge bear even approached our camp. Bear dogs, both from a Russian breed related to huskies, ran around the camp and along the banks while we fished. The dogs were sweet to humans, but went berserk when they saw a bear or any furry animal. I was told the bears are terrified of the dogs. The float groups usually have two dogs, but we ended up with one towards the end of the trip. Only once did the woman serve duck. It was my last dinner in Kamchatka. I didn’t eat much that night, but fell asleep hoping the dog would be there in the morning. He wasn’t. My friend still tells me he dreams of Kamchatka. I wish I could have gone, even though I can’t stop thinking about that dog.
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A C o u n t ry L i f e
in
VirginiA
R T DE UN TRAC N CO
190 PERKINS ROAD ~ Located between Charlottesville and Richmond-c 1793 elegantly restored farmhouse an easy commute to Charlottesville or Richmond on I-64. 22 acres of mature landscaped grounds and pasture. Gunite, salt water pool and formal gardens Wonderful primary residence, small farm or second home. MLS# 528283 $825,000
OAKLEIGH FARM ~ 128 acres of gently rollingfields in the heart of this coveted district. The Quaker style main house, dating from in the 1890’s, is graced with high ceilings and large windows that overlook thousands of acres of protected land. Having been completely restored and renovated, the house offers the true pleasures of country living Well cited 8 stall barn. An easy 20-25 minute drive to Charlottesville. MLS# 530342 $1,600,000
HILO ~ A perfect retreat or estate property. 228 acres with open pasture and mature hardwoods in the Free Union area. Stocked, spring fed lake, mountain views and miles of trails, perked. Control your own views. Very private. MLS# 521148 $1,450,000
HARRINGTON ROAD ~ 38 acres of mostlylevel property in the heart of Keswick/ Cismont. The property is gently rolling and very private. The adjoining property is protected by a VOF conservation easement. There is an existing foundation built in 2004, a well in place and alternate septic approved and on record with the County. MLS# 529783 $95,000
MORGANTOWN ROAD ~ 44 acre estate parcelin the heart of Ivy with bold mountain views. The majority of the property, gently rolling pastures, bisected by Morgantown Road, is well suited for animals or vineyards. Close to Charlottesville, UVA and the hospitals. Small cabin on property. Easement allows for a main house a guesthouse. MLS#528204 & 528168 (cabin) $699,000
SNOW MOUNTAIN ~ Near Shenandoah National Park. Breathtaking views looking across the rolling hills of Virginia’s Piedmont. Build your own retreat on any of the numerous home sites that take advantage of the views, natural beauty and privacy of this mostly wooded property. Very close to a National Park trailhead. MLS# 526953 $480,000
Please contact Peter Wiley 434.422.2090
Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated.
vafarmandestate.com
17
MAY 2015
HAPPENINGS
Nancy
New Members Elected to the Board of Montpelier
N. Campbell, Dennis M. Campbell, Margaret H. Jordan, and Alan Taylor have been elected to the Board of Directors of The Montpelier Foundation, the organization that brings the home and contributions of James and Dolley Madison to life. Nancy N. Campbell of Williamsburg, Virginia is the newly elected chairman of the Board of The Montpelier Foundation. She is chairman emerita of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and also served as chairman of the Trust’s Campaign for America’s Historic Places. Prior to her election to the Board of Trustees in 1989, she chaired both the National Trust’s Board of Advisors and Heritage Society. Ms. Campbell has served in numerous positions with a range of national and state preservation organizations, including chairman of the Preservation League of New York State, a commissioner of the Connecticut Historical Commission, chairman of the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation, a special advisor on the Merritt Parkway to the Connecticut Commissioner of Transportation, the White House Millennium Committee to Save America’s Treasures, director of the Gateway Visitors Center Corporation in Philadelphia, and a trustee of Historic Hudson Valley in New York. She served as vice chairman and commissioner of the Federal Jamestown 400th Commemoration Commission, appointed by president George W. Bush. She has also held leadership positions in a number of healthcare, education, and community organizations in Connecticut, New York, and Virginia. Dennis M. Campbell of Durham, North Carolina served as the eighth headmaster of Woodberry Forest School from 1997 until his retirement in June 2014. During his tenure, he led Woodberry in multiple expansions of its faculty, programs, facilities, and endowment. He was dean of the Divinity School and professor of theology at Duke University from 1982 until 1997. Prior to his appointment as dean, he was a professor and university administrator. Dr. Campbell is renowned for his work in ethics and moral formation. A noted lecturer, seminar leader, and scholar, he has written numerous journal articles and has authored or edited eight books. He is a popular speaker among schools, colleges, and professional organizations and his leadership in American education has been recognized with numerous honors and awards. Margaret H. Jordan of Dallas, Texas and Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts is president and CEO of Dallas Medical Resource and serves on the boards of the Dallas Museum of Art and the International Wom-
en’s Forum of Dallas. She is a former director of several public companies including the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, the Mentor Corporation, the Eckerd Corporation, and many organizations including the AT&T Performing Arts Center and the American Hospital Association. She has earned many awards for her work in the healthcare field, including the 2012 Dallas Historical Society’s Community Service Award in Health Sciences, the Dallas County Medical Society Health Award, and the Alumni of the Year Award for the School of Public Health at the University of California Berkeley. Ms. Jordan earned an MPH from the University of California Berkeley and a BSN from Georgetown University School of Nursing. She is also a graduate of the Advanced Management Program at Harvard University School of Business. Ms. Jordan is also a descendant of Paul Jennings. Born into slavery at Montpelier, Mr. Jennings was James Madison’s personal attendant. His personal memoir, A Colored Man’s Reminiscences of James Madison, was published in 1865 and is considered the first-ever memoir about life in the White House. Professor Alan Taylor of Charlottesville, Virginia is one of the nation’s premier experts in Colonial America and the early U.S. republic. The University of Virginia (UVA) historian and Pulitzer Prize winning author of seven books holds the Thomas Jefferson Chair in American History at UVA’s Corcoran Department of History. After a postdoctoral fellowship at the Institute of Early American History and Culture (Williamsburg, VA), he taught in the history department at Boston University and served as a professor at the University of California at Davis teaching early North American history, the history of the American West, and the history of Canada. He is a recipient of the University of California at Davis Award for Teaching and Scholarly Achievement and the Phi Beta Kappa Northern California Association Teaching Excellence Award. “James Madison’s Montpelier is truly privileged to have these exceptional individuals serving on our Board of Directors,” said Kat Imhoff, president and CEO of The Montpelier Foundation. “Ms. Campbell, Mr. Campbell, Ms. Jordan, and Dr. Taylor have demonstrated great leadership, and we look forward to their continuing support in helping us inspire minds and promote active citizenship in honor of the Madison legacy.”
Congratulations to William Coleman III and the amazing Obos O’Reilly on your 6th place finish at the 2015 CCI4* Rolex Event! All of us at Hyperion Stud are proud to be a part of your team and wish you continued success!
19
MAY 2015
PROPERTIES ON THE MARKET
PROPERTIES ON THE MARKET
Keswick Club
Mayhurst
Green Mountain Road
Lakefront Residence worthy of Architectural Digest. Beautifully positioned on ‘Full Cry’, Pete Dye’s newest links course, adjacent to Keswick Hall. A very private gated setting, with spectacular views. Residence exhibits extraordinary attention to detail in its design and construction. Beautifully appointed and filled with sunlight. Provides every amenity: first-floor master suite, audiophile’s movie theatre, outdoor pro chef’s kitchen & dining room, sports pub, panic room, apartment for au-pair, much more. Walk to Keswick Hall! One of the Club’s most talked-about legacy properties. A fantastic opportunity.
Impressive Victorian Italianate manor house built by President James Madison’s great nephew in 1859. The 9,000 square foot home has been beautifully restored and offers gracious rooms with high ceilings, hardwood floors, and original woodwork. The house boasts 8 spacious bedrooms, and 8 ½ bathrooms all accessed by an impressive spiral staircase that rises from the English basement to the third floor. The house is privately situated on 36 acres just outside the town of Orange.
With the stunning, c. 1891 brick stable with interior courtyard as centerpiece, storied Nydrie Stud for generations was a prominent thoroughbred breeding farm. Today, it could again be a breathtaking equestrian estate or productive vineyard with arresting event venue. Neighboring other historic, permanently protected estates like Enniscorthy & with 25 division rights, Nydrie is undoubtedly a strong conservation easement candidate. About 150 acres of rolling meadow with the balance in mature hardwoods
For further information contact : Steve DiFrancesco 610.347.1000
For further information contact : Justin Wiley 434.981.5528
$3,295,000
$4,495,000
$1,950,000
$3,465,000
Free Union
KenWalt
Graves Mill Road
Clifton
Horse farm on 21 breathtaking acres with Blue Ridge Mountain and wide pasture views, riding trail, lovely pond, 2-stall horse barn with loft, storage area, large run-in, 3-board fenced field, sand ring and dry lot. Manor house includes formal living and dining rooms, study, family room overlooking eat-in kitchen, breakfast area with access to covered back porch and 3 wood-burning fireplaces. . Spacious exterior courtyard is embraced by the home and offers space for delightful entertaining or quiet relaxation.
Seven hundred twenty two acres in the Keswick Hunt and minutes from James Madison Montpelier, this extraordinary farm enjoys over a mile and a half of frontage on the Rapidan river and panoramic views of the Southwest Mountains and Blue Ridge.First time on the market since 1947, . The land is divided between pasture and cultivation, with over 150 acres of fertile bottomland, and hardwood forest.Improvements include a large farmhouse, c. 1900, a small tenant house, various barns and agricultural buildings, and miles of livestock fencing.
Classic farmhouse on 171 acres, protected area with magnificent natural beauty, near Shenandoah National Park. Home has lots of character including beautiful heart pine floors in most rooms, wide entry hall, family room w/ beamed ceiling and stone fireplace, first level bedroom w/ stone FP, large kitchen leading to large screened porch in back, 6 BR and 2 BA total. Beautiful pastoral setting, BLue Ridge views, long frontage on pristine Rapidan River.
A setting of mature trees and landscaping is home to this wonderfully restored home, c. 1782. Loyal to the character and integrity of the home, the current owners have meticulously updated and restored Clifton to facilitate modern convenience melded with history and charm. Equestrian enthusiasts will love this country property with a well-appointed 13 stall stable, riding ring and great pastures as well as other outbuildings.
For further information contact Len Mailloux 434.981.1972
For further information contact Julia Lyman 540.748.1497 Jos. T. Samuels Inc.
For further information contact Jim Faulconer 434.295.1131
For further information contact Frank Hardy 434.296.0134
$18. 1,650,000
$5,700,000
Linden Ridge 70 acres - Main Residence; over 4000Sf; 4 Bedrooms, 31/2 baths, Elegant Living Spaces; Dining, Study, Office *Wood Floors, 4 Fireplaces Wrap-Around Porches 2-Car Garage, Guest House , Stables Party Barn, Extensive Gardens and Landscaping, Expansive Mountain Views, Gated Entrance. Offered
For further information contact Sharon and Duke Merrick 540.406.7373
$1,595,000
For further information contact Loring Woodriff 434.977.4005
$3,300,000
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KESWICK LIFE
KESWICK LIFE
COMMUNITY
Rubenstein’s New Gift Propels Restorations at Monticello ADAPTED BY KESWICK LIFE
Monticello recently announced that it will receive an additional $10 million gift from David M. Rubenstein, philanthropist and co-CEO of The Carlyle Group. Rubenstein’s second gift will provide ongoing support for the Mountaintop Project, a multi-year effort to restore Monticello as Jefferson knew it, and to tell the stories of the people—enslaved and free—who lived and worked on the 5,000 acre plantation. Monticello, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, reflects the ideals, ambitions, and realities of its creative and complex owner.
the restoration of the landscape of slavery along Mulberry Row, once the plantation’s dynamic “main street.” Monticello will also use the gift to restore and update iconic, first-floor rooms in the house. In addition, Rubenstein’s gift will provide funding for a new lighting system to illuminate Monticello interiors and the historic landscape for future generations of visitors.
The new gift brings Mr. Rubenstein’s total contributions to Monticello to $20 million, among the largest commitments in Monticello’s history. David M. Rubenstein said, “Monticello symbolizes an important chapter of our nation’s history, and I am proud to support efforts to tell this story. I hope this gift allows visitors to more fully understand and appreciate Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence, who so memorably articulated a dream for this country, and who continues to inspire Americans to achieve that vision.”
David M. Rubenstein with Leslie Greene Bowman “The Mountaintop Project is a critical the Thomas Jefferson Foundation. “His milestone in our efforts to fully reveal continued support accelerates our ability Jefferson’s world. We are deeply grate- to share a more complete story of Jefferful to Mr. Rubenstein for this generous son for millions of visitors.” and transformative gift,” said Leslie Greene Bowman, president and CEO of The gift will enable Monticello to finish
This latest gift to Monticello is part of David Rubenstein’s “patriotic philanthropy” efforts to protect and preserve important historical and cultural treasures and make them more accessible to the public. Rubenstein’s recent gifts include $5 million to the White House Visitor Center, $10 million to Montpelier, and $12.3 million to Arlington House, the home of Robert E. Lee. He also donated $7.5 million to hasten the repairs to the Washington Monument after the 20ll earthquake. Monticello is pleased to recognize Mr. Rubenstein’s contributions by naming the David M. Rubenstein Visitor Center in his honor.
Bev Nash Inc.
Creating Client Wealth for 23 Years (434) 974-1500 Office (434) 295-3524 Direct
“The Man to Call”
Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient
www.bevnash.com bevnash@firstva.com 355 West Rio Road, Charlottesville Each Office Independently Owned and Operated
check www.keswickstyle.com for local area information “Magnifique”was created by local craftsman Ralph Dammann from original designs by renowned architect Jack
Arnold. This magnificent manor home is nestled on three private wooded acres in Keswick Estate and is reminiscent of traditional French country homes with its beautifully weathered Virginia fieldstone and shake shingle roof line. Every area exudes Southern charm and gracious living and encourages you to linger a while. The private master suite opens out to the expansive rear blue stone patio that would be a delight for entertaining. The guest bedrooms are cleverly situated off the kitchen and family room side of the home, and there is a secluded guest suite above the garage to complete our 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths and 3,550 sq ft of living space. Amongst the notable features are Dormer windows, two architectural brick chimneys and a beamed front entrance porch. There are intricate vaulted ceilings, and real fireplaces in the living and family rooms to warm yourselves by. The kitchen features imported Italian slate counter tops, a breakfast bar, and high end appliances. The oversize side entrance garage provides lots of storage space and convenient home access. Keswick Estate is gaining popularity with the opening of the new Pete Dye golf course and this home is absolutely stunning in its appearance and quality of craftsmanship. You will be amazed at every turn, and will enjoy watching the wild life from the office/study, seeing deer grazing amongst the tall oaks when you are sipping a beverage at the patio table, or listening to the dawn chorus whilst clutching a coffee mug under the rear verandah. This custom home was built in 2007 for discerning owners and it is the first time on the market. I encourage you to visit this home in this progressive market of supply and demand! $1,425,000
21
MAY 2015
ON
“D
THE BOOKWORM
Great Reads for the Poolside Lounger
Ch
BY SUZANNE NASH
As we gathered together over the holiday weekend many of us looked around, being grateful for the family and friends joining us in celebration, welcoming in the advent of summer and all that entails. Mary Motley Kalergis has opened the door for us on the real emotional elements involved in adoption in her latest book called Considering Adoption. Years of traveling around the country and interviewing different families whose lives have been touched by adoption in some way, laid the foundation for this remarkable book. The first thing that struck me was the layout and format of the book which has a scrapbook feel to it. Then I turned a page and saw Julie Norton with Chris and Holly, and then another page with someone I knew. I read the stories of why the adoptions occurred and I was drawn in to each of these beautiful and unique vignettes. Kalergis points out in the beginning that this is not a book about how to adopt but a glimpse into the effect adoption has on others - sometimes difficult, traumatic and sometimes breathtakingly beautiful. Most of us know someone who was adopted or has adopted at least one child;
childhood! Jane muses about the effect this had on both her and her sister as well as what happened to her step father’s children. If you have ever thought truth was stranger than fiction then this book will prove the point. Beginning with the early years in Australia to later years in the USA, Jane describes the strange relationship she formed with her step sister Jenny. Jealousy, betrayal and loyalty are all subjects that arise throughout this memoir, and they are handled with honesty and care. The descriptions are at times meandering but I found the style to beInnisfree in keeping with the A great community is full of inspiration. takes special careconfusion to create that must still lie within the author. a therapeutic work environment for its coworkers that builds a strong sense of
A good day at work inspires. this book does a remarkable job showing the varied ways the stories can unfold. I personally have an adopted sibling so this book touched a chord with me from the start, but you don’t have to be closely connected to the subject to be drawn in by this lovely illustration of what is means to be a family. I hope you will take the time to read about this amazing cycle of loss and recovery as families weave together lives that make a beautiful tapestry.
community and enhances each person’s unique skills. When Innisfree needed So as you enjoy your backyard barbeques more space for additional weavers, CACF helped expand the weaving studio. or just sit and enjoy time together this Now, coworkers, like Mark, who have skills that can transform spools of yarn into summer, here are two books that will The Sisters Antipodes byenjoy another beautiful placemats, is can working with friends and gratitude can share their fill you with for carefully the loved ones local author, Jane Cummins (now Jane Our crafted products with our community. passion is to support the community. that surround you.
Alison) and really takes family dysfunction to a whole new level. This is the true story of how Jane’s family was split apart Hope you had a Happy Memorial Day! and then reassembled with the leading There’s no end to what we can do together. roles of two families swapped. In a nutwww.cacfonline.org shell, Jane’s parents swapped partners and Jane and her sister went with her mother and their new step father while their new father’s old family went to live with Jane’s dad. Talk about a difficult
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KESWICK LIFE
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THE LAURIE HOLLADAY SHOP
ONLY IN KESWICK Fire Away
BY TONY VANDERWARKER
Frugal Fox Winter Sale! Come See Our Frugal Fox Room Where Everything is 50% Off Custom lamp repair and rewiring 123 S. Main Street Gordonsville, Virginia 22942 T. 540-832-0552 Mon-Fri 10-5:30, Sat. 10-5:00, Sun 11-3:00
I always attend, though this year there’s a problem. I have a colonoscopy scheduled immediately after. And immediately before I have to down this noxious liquid to prepare me for the procedure. I’ve done one bottle the day before and it sent me sprinting for the loo. Not just once but four times.
2 0 1 5
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This could be the big one, I’m thinking as I slowly stand and walk to the exit at a Preservation Jazz Hall pace, trying to avoid tremors and keep Vesuvius from overflowing the Omni. Finally the luncheon’s over, my reputation’s intact, and we head for Martha Jefferson.
Not only am I getting close to the kickoff time for the event but I begin to feel the familiar pressure. Now I’ve worn dark pants just in case, but there’s no hiding the inevitable explosion. What in the hell do I do? Head home? But Anne’s got me slated to entertain some biggie guy at our table. To hell with this, I say to myself, pulling out around the buses and scooting between them into the garage. I’m feeling like I just might make it to the Men’s Room at the Omni until I find the first floor filled. Second floor also. Third and fourth as well. Finally find a spot. Get out and stop. Suddenly, my butt feels like a gun ready to go off. I find that if I walk funny, kind of pigeon-toed with my cheeks glued together, I can hold it off. But it’s four floors of stairs. Jesus, I hope no one sees me walking like this. The three blocks up Water are hell.
www.TheMarketAtGrelen.com S o m e r s e t . V i r g i n i a
As I enter the Omni, I see all kinds of familiar faces but my butt is saying, “Ready, aim…” I know I look terrific, fortunately they can’t see inside. I fake a smile and wave hello at everyone on my mad dash to the men’s.
Tu e s d a y - S u n d a y 10 a . m . - 4 p . m .
Once inside, there’s another Nagasaki. Whew! I find my table, sit down and make nice with
540-672-7268
Guest speaker is an oceanographer, lots of underwater footage with divers bursting up through the surface—doesn’t help at all.
Anne’s already at the Omni setting up so I’m on my own. I do the second bottle before I leave, at say, 11:15. Hop in the car and head to town.
YEARS
-
As the speaker is saying, “So without further ado, let me introduce our guest of honor…” I’m doing my gut-check walk to the door, praying that the gods of intestinal distress hold off until I get to the end of the hall.
Goes on like this for an hour and a half, everything’s fine for a while, three successful forays and with resulting detonations and then during dessert, my big intestine all of a sudden starts barking at me.
25
YEARS
my seatmates. Of course I can’t eat so I quickly down a water and an ice tea. Which proves to be a problem. When the tea hits my digestive tract, it’s fracking time. I can see myself catapulting out of my chair by a jet pack of you-know-what with the resulting perfume causing everyone within ten yards to stampede for the exit.
“So bring the bottle and take it there,” Anne suggests, “the bathrooms are just at the end of the hall.” Uh, uh, I decide. I’m not pouring out my colonoscopy juice in front of my lunch partners.
I’m doing fine all the way in but hit a bottleneck just before the parking garage. A bunch of school buses are parked on the street waitKESWICK LIFE ing for a tsunami of kids that are streaming out of the downtown mall. Five minutes pass, then ten; buses don’t budge.
25 1 9 9 0
Every year my wife is involved in a luncheon in memory and honor of Emily Couric. Guests pack the ballroom of the Omni hotel to watch twelve young ladies, all high school juniors, receive scholarships ranging from five to thirty thousand dollars. It’s an emotional event as these women’s impressive accomplishments are tallied up while they stand on the stage beside the honorary speaker and the president of the foundation.
I’ve never felt so relieved about going to the hospital. My wife drops me off and says, “Hope it goes well.” You know the rest, standard stuff, forms, show cards, and there are lots of rest rooms around which I take full advantage of. Finally I’m in Endo 4 in my baby blue gown with flowers on it, lying on a gurney waiting for the doc. While the nurse is prepping me, I take a look to the side and see this long shiny black tube in a baggie. At least it’s tapered, I think to myself. Doc comes in, old friend, our kids went to school together, we chit chat about this and that. Gets serious, tells me that if he doesn’t see any polyps I won’t have to have another colonoscopy—ever. Somehow, that’s not good news. Then he tells me they are going to start giving me the joy juice. “I’ll come see you afterward but you won’t remember a thing I say, so I’ll write it up and send it to you.” Flips open my hospital gown to expose the target area and just as I’m going under, says, “You look good, Tony, you look like a darn movie star.” As I fade to black, I find myself wondering, “Was he talking about my face or my ass?”
23
MAY 2015
Established in 1929
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Don’t be fooled by other dealers misleading way of doing business. In our pricing, freight is always included and only rebates everyone can qualify for. Here at Eddins Ford, we have been doing business the same way for more than 85 years.
Don’t forget, we will always buy your car even if you don’t buy ours! www.eddinsford.com 2895 South Seminole Trail Madison, VA 22927 (800) 322-6806
24
KESWICK LIFE
ON STAGE
Paramount Theater Welcomes Summer Opera Productions EDITED BY KESWICK LIFE The Paramount Theater welcomes two original Ash Lawn Opera productions this summer, Madama Butterfly and My Fair Lady.
includes an intermission reception in our Founder’s Lounge. Discounts are available for children, students, and midweek performances. Patrons are invited to a free lecture 45 minutes before each performance. See individual event pages for more information.
Festival) as scheming Goro. This unforgettable production - featuring four artists who have worked at the Metropolitan Opera - will move and enthrall you, even after the final, tragic notes have been sung.
A tale of all-consuming love and ultimate betrayal, Giacomo Puccini’s Madama Butterfly has been one of the most beloved operas in the world since its debut in 1904. Set against the backdrop of a rapidly modernizing Japan at the turn of the twentieth century, Puccini’s soaring, poignant masterpiece has permeated our culture, inspiring and appearing in countless other works on stage, on television, in music, and in film.
Madama Butterfly opens on Friday, July 10 at 7:30PM with additional performances on July 12 (matinee), 16 and 18 . My Fair Lady begins its run at The Paramount on Saturday, August 1 at 7:30PM with additional performances on August 2 (matinee), 5, 7 and 8 (matinee). Tickets begin at $47, and the $90 premier ticket
The nationally recognized cast features soprano Eleni Calenos as Cio-Cio San (Palm Beach Opera); Eve Gigliotti (Metropolitan Opera) as her loyal servant Suzuki; Jason Slayden (Gotham Chamber Opera) as dashing but insincere Lieutenant B.F. Pinkerton; Hyung Yun (Metropolitan Opera) as Sharpless, a kind American diplomat who befriends CioCio; and Joe Shadday (Glimmerglass
for sale in Keswick lakefront trophy Home
My Fair Lady, Lerner and Loewe’s treasured musical My Fair Lady has been a mainstay of American theater since its hit debut on Broadway in 1956 and the classic 1964 film adaptation starring Audrey Hepburn. The New York Times has called My Fair Lady “one of the best musicals of the [twentieth] century.”
Eliza Doolittle, a spirited but impoverished woman in Edwardian London, enlists the help of eccentric professor Henry Higgins to improve her station in life, but things do not go quite as she had planned. Sharin Apostolou (Glimmerglass Opera), who was praised by The New York Times for her “bright [and] confident” performance in Glimmerglass Festival’s Carousel (2014) makes her Ash Lawn Opera debut as the exuberant Eliza; she will match wits with Curt Olds (Arizona Opera, Central City Opera), as Professor Henry Higgins. With a delightful score and witty dialogue this beguiling musical will charm audiences of all ages. For further information, check the www. theparamount.net website or telephone: 434-979-1333; or in person: Paramount Box Office, 215 East Main Street, Charlottesville, VA 22902 (Monday-Friday 10AM-2PM).
CONSIDERING ADOPTION A Conversation with Mary Motley Kalergis
New Dominion Bookshop Friday, June 19th, 5:30-7:00pm Join photographer/author Mary Motley Kalergis for a conversation about her new book, Considering Adoption. “Considering Adoption is suffused with light, hope and the transformational power of hard-won parenthood” - Andrew Solomon
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Photographs from Considering Adoption will be on display June 5 - July 31 at New Dominion Bookshop.
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5/12/15 11:03 AM
MAY 2015
OBITUARY OSWALD L. WILLIAMS ‘LEW’ Lew Williams died peacefully at an Augusta nursing facility on March 30th. He was born on October 9, 1933, was educated in local schools in Charlottesville, and remained in touch with his old neighborhood via the Belmont Boys. He was the owner of Wilco Leather Goods, initially in Charlottesville, and then subsequently in Lovingston. A long time resident of Keswick, he was well known throughout the Keswick area. Lew was a cousin of the late Eddie Watson and a neighbor and close friend of Joe Collins, former huntsman of the Keswick Hunt. His farm was directly behind Chita Halls on Clarks Tract Road. Lew relocated to Rockbridge County a decade ago. At each location, he owned a farm and kept horses. A lifelong horseman, devoted to his pets, and indeed loved all animals. He was cherished by his extended family and a caring friend to a wide circle. In child-
hood he developed a keen interest in all things equestrian, and was associated with several farms and traders. Upon entering the U.S. Navy, he was stationed in Alabama, where he performed both sea (on an aircraft carrier) and shore duty. During his period of service, he became interested in leatherwork, and soon began to focus on tack and gifts. Lew was employed by the riding programs of several children’s camps and ultimately formally apprenticed to a saddlemaker in St. Louis. Upon completion, he moved to Santa Barbara, California to continue his chosen trade and broaden his knowledge of western horsemanship and ranching. He fit easily into professional partnerships, and on occasion enjoyed winter breaks in San Miguel de Allende in Old Mexico with a colleague. On returning to Charlottesville, he was mentored by an old friend from childhood, Mr. Horace Johnson, and soon established a shop and sales enterprise
on Allied Street where he retailed, manufactured and repaired tack, screen printed clothing and carpet, and fabricated mailboxes and a wide range of other gift items. He possessed exceptional mechanical abilities, and loved the challenge of acquiring, operating and repairing equipment. He was also a 1960 graduate of the farrier school of California State Polytechnic. Lew participated in trade shows throughout the United States, in the process developing an extended group of longtime friends. In Lovingston, he expanded his wholesale department and served dealers both nationally and in the United Kingdom. In Rockbridge County, Lew enjoyed semi-retirement, was soon included in local groups who shared his interest, and often enjoyed the showmanship and camaraderie of the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington.
probably be best remembered for his genuine interest in, and compassion for, people of all circumstances, and for his broad interests in history, the West, and good reading matter. The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks for the excellent care and many kindnesses of the staff and volunteers at both the Augusta Health Center and the Augusta Nursing and Rehab Center over his last four months. The Charleton and Groome Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Please consider memorials to the Charlottesville Albemarle SPCA, the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, James Madison’s Montpelier, other animal care organizations, or to a charity of your choice. Adios to a good man, and a kind and faithful family member and friend!
In addition to his innovative craftsmanship and loyalty to his customers, he will
Read Keswick Life Lets you in on life in Keswick 26
KESWICK LIFE
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Equine Insurance Specialists Hugh C. Motley P.O. Box 449 P.O. Box 32 Middleburg, Virginia 20117 Keswick, Virginia 22947
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TAYLOR/HARRIS INSURANCE SERVICES.LTD TAYLOR/HARRIS N T SH ADE Equine Insurance Specialists INSURANCE S & LANDSCAPING P.O. Box 449 SERVICES.LTD Middleburg, Virginia 20117 TAYLOR/HARRIS Equine Insurance Specialists INSURANCE P.O. Box 449 THIS SERVICES.LTD Middleburg, Virginia 20117
BEST BETS Board SE
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instant shade Tree Spades in Sizes 30”, 60”, 84” Quality Nursery Stock | Tree Moving & Transplanting Residential & Commercial Landscaping | Installation - Maintenance
big sale
June 6th
SATURDAY INDOOR ESTATE SALE
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Call Ralph Morony 434.981.8733 (TREE) instantshadeva@gmail.com
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Tel: 434-242-8032
Hugh C. Motley
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Hugh C. Motley
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InstaShade 434.466.6939 Nurseries &Landscaping
www.sheilacampmotley.com
434-973-7700 BARBOURSVILLE, VIRGINIA
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CLEAN STORAGE SHORT TERM - LONG TERM CLIMATE CONTROLLED BUSINESS FLEX SPACE LEASING CALL 434-249-8900 Conveniently located in Gordonsville behind Food Lion
The Social KitchenGallop through InstantShade
find your solemate.
Nurseries &Landscaping
5
In this issue
Glenmore Gallop through Keswick Vineyard’s 84+ HH H IST IST IST OO O RR R ICIC ICBB B UUU ILIL IL DD D ER ER ER S S S L L L C L C L C Glenmore New Winemaker 4I_VKIZM ;MZ^QKM Quality Quality Quality Custom Custom Custom Builders Builders Builders && Renovators &Renovators Renovators Gallop through Licensed Licensed Licensed Class Class Class A Contractor AAKeswick Contractor Contractor Vineyard’s Specializing in... and grass cutting, weedeating, Glenmore Specializing in.. d Design/Build Design/Build Design/Build hedge trimming, mulching, New Winemaker 7 Saturdays in the Garden leaf blowing and removal, Consulting Consulting Consulting Services Services Services Keswick Vineyard’s small cutting, grasstree cutting, and Wine Wine Wine Cellars Cellars Cellars trimming and cleanup, weedeating, gutter cleaning, New Winemaker hedge trimming, Saturdays in the Garden porch power washing Garrick Garrick Garrick Gupton Gupton GuptonInstant Shade Garrick Gupton P.P.O. P. P. O.O. O. Box Box Box 420 420 420 Box 420 mulching, (434) (434) (434) 466-9998 466-9998 466-9998 (434) 466-9998 Gordonsville, VA 22942 Gordonsville, Gordonsville, Gordonsville, VA VA VA 22942 22942 22942 Nurseries &Landscaping and leaf blowing & (434) 956-5407 removal, small tree Saturdays in the Garden cutting, trimming &
In this issue the Gates beyond In this issue the Gates beyond beyond the Gates 6
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S & LANDSCAPING
north wing barracks road shopping center 434.296.0040 | thinkscarpa.com
SEPTEMBER 2014
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HISTORIC CAMERON LODGE ~ Nestled in the protected heart of Somerset estates; this 66 acre estate has spectacular views to the east and west. Situated on a gently sloped ridge atop the southwest mountains, with mature plantings and specimen trees, this parcel has numerous improvements, including the 1835 Lodge, three cottages; two mortise and tenon chestnut barns and numerous other farm buildings.
STAVE MILL FARM ~ Elegant 84 acre horse property in the Farmington Hunt. House was built in 2001 w/a copper roof & stucco in Albemarle Co., 20 min. from Charlottesville & UVA. Master Bedroom suite on 1st floor, 2 large bedrooms w/separate baths on 2nd floor, high ceilings, cast-iron lentils, hardwood floors 2 fireplaces, high-end kitchen, 50kw generator, guest cottage, 8-stall barn w/paddocks, run-in sheds, riding ring, tractor shed w/shop, potting shed/summerhouse & trap shooting shed.
SPRING BROOK c. 1850 ~ This renovated VA farm house is situated on 34 open acres w/ beautiful mtn. views in Orange Co. The 4-bedrm. 3.5 bath house is in excellent condition & w/4000+/- fin. sq. ft. is a perfect size. Property is further complimented with a bank barn used for entertaining or game room/studio. Also included is a large pole barn (stable conversion), guest cottage, garage/workshop, pool, fully fenced, spring-fed pond. Spring Brook is the ideal VA Farm, located 25 min. from Charlottesville and two hours from D.C.
AIRSLIE ~ 507 acre Landmark country estate located in the beautiful Keswick hunt area of Albemarle County. The house was completely renovated in the early 1990’s using only the finest materials and craftsmen. The surrounding 507+/- acres further compliments the house and allows the property complete privacy. The estate has many other improvements including the oldest, unaltered house in the county “Findowrie”, 4 tenant/guest cottages, stable complex and cattle barn. The property has numerous rolling pastures that are fenced with board and wire.
JACKSON’S CAMP ~ 456 acres located in the beautiful Rapidan area of Orange County. This mostly open parcel is currently operated as a cattle and hay farm with much of it newly fenced. The property has an abundance of water, including three ponds (ideal for duck hunting), long frontage on Mountain Run, and automatic waterers in most all fields. A current wildlife management program has generated an incredible crop of large deer. The land is completely private with many great building sites, yet conformant to the look of Orange and only 1 ½ hours from Washington DC. A portion of the land is protected by a conservation easement.
AERIE c. 1850 ~ Located in the Somerset area of Orange, just 2.5 miles from Gordonsville and 22 miles from Charlottesville. The 1850 manor home has had numerous improvements completed by the present owners, using only the finest materials including a new, paneled living room (20x34), country kitchen and laundry/mudroom. Also in the main house are four bedrooms, dining room, breakfast room, study, original living room, library and two galleries. The 170 acre estate is further enhanced by a four bedroom guesthouse, three bedroom tenant house, two new garage/workshops, smokehouse, swimming pool formal gardens, 3-stall stable and a fenced cutting/vegetable garden.
Justin H. Wiley 434.981.5528
PIEDMONT OFFICE 132A East Main Street, Orange, VA 22960 Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated.
(540) 672-3903
Fax: (540) 672-3906
www.wileyproperty.com