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CONTENTS
July - August
2016
H eal t h : H e a r i n g 10
10 20
H eat H a za rd s 12 E n t repren eu r i al D oc otr 16 Recipes 20 N RV Ri des - F e r r a r i 2 2 B e e M ote l 2 4 B at t l e at Br i s tol 2 6 N ew sy Rel ev an t Va l u a b l e 2 8
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Mo v i es U n der t h e S ta r s 3 0 N RV H o me - Wat er S a n c tu a r y 3 2 P h o en i x H ard w ood s 3 6 Trou t Fa rm 4 0
16 30
B o y S co ut C a m p 4 4 P rof i l e s Pa g e 4 6
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A Rockingham policy is written by a local agent and serviced by people who live and work in Virginia. Contact one of our local agents for a quote on insurance for your HOME, FARM, MOBILE HOME, RENTAL PROPERTY, AUTO or SMALL BUSINESS...and Come Home to Rockingham! 540-250-1482 8
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Jul y/August 2016
Pasture Talk
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P. O. Box 11816 Blacksburg, VA 24062 o: 540-961-2015 nrvmagazine@msn.com www.nrvmagazine.com
PUBLISHER Country Media, Inc. Phillip Vaught MANAGING EDITOR Joanne Anderson ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Sabrina Sexton DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Dennis Shelor WRITERS Joanne Anderson Karl Kazaks Krisha Chachra Kelsey Foster Sheila Nelson Emily Alberts Jennifer Cooper Mike Wade PHOTOGRAPHERS Natalie Gibbs Photography Amodeo Photography Always and Forever Photography Tom Wallace Kristie Lea Phtography Nathan Cooke Photography SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER Justin Ashwell
© 2016 Country Media, Inc. Country Media, Inc. will not knowingly publish any advertisement that is illegal or misleading to its readers. Neither the advertiser nor Country Media, Inc. will be responsible or liable for misinformation, misprints, or typographical errors. The publisher assumes no financial liability for copy omissions by Country Media, Inc. other than the cost of the space occupied by the error. Corrections or cancellations to be made by an advertiser shall be received no later than 5 p.m. the 20th of each publishing month. No claim shall be allowed for errors not affecting the value of the advertisement. Paid advertising does not represent an endorsement by this publication. Content cannot be reproduced without written consent from Country Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Real Estate advertised in this publication is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968.
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I’m living proof you can teach an old dog new tricks. I’m down to swiping my non-swipe chip credit card about two out of every 10 times I use it, and I am, though much more s-l-ow-l-y, learning to record and convert video with a GoPro camera. On the last horseback ride, I filmed eight times, only to discover I took still shots six times, instead of rolling video. It’s tricky when you’re pushing two buttons you can’t see on your hat above the brim and holding reins on a horse who keeps going after being asked to halt. If I take off my hat to look, I end up video taping myself looking at it, while Noble continues going wherever he wants since I seem to be able to direct only one thing at a time ~ the camera or the horse. New River Valley Magazine has been nominated to the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce in the Small Business of the Year category! We are thrilled -- to be recognized as we journey through our 10th year, to be a part of this exciting region, to participate on Chamber boards, staff booths at several festivals, give NRV writers and photographers
opportunities to showcase their skills, interact with people, bees and businesses (see The Bee Motel story) and simply embrace all that’s wonderful in the region. What a privilege just to be nominated. Thank you, someone! We’re introducing a new feature in this issue: Newsy Relevant Valuable ~ A round-up of items of interest across the New River Valley. And in the increasingly tangled web of healthcare expense and paperwork, Dr. Matthew McCarthy is a breath of fresh air for his innovative practice structure. His personal doctoring approach hearkens back to more simple times, including house calls, yet he has his finger on the pulse of all of today’s modern diagnostics, technology and procedures. Every corner of the New River Valley holds incredible summer diversions, hikes, water fun, recreation, woods and picnic spots. And more! Stay cool. Stay safe. Be still ~ and watch the lightning bugs.
Joanne Anderson ManagingEditor jmawriter@aol.com
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NRV H e al t h
CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? By Sheila D. Nelson
T
The chirping of birds, the tinkling of wind chimes in a gentle wind, the laughter of a child, the melody of your favorite song, a loved one’s voice ……. all these and many more sounds combine to make our lives richer and fuller. They are delivered to our brains via the transmitters located on the sides of our heads – the ears. The ear acts as a transmitter of sound by processing sound waves from the outer ear to the middle ear to the inner ear, and then to the brain. Sound waves strike the eardrum which causes it to vibrate. When the eardrum vibrates, it moves the tiny ossicles (bones) from the malleus (hammer) to the incus (anvil) and then to the stapes (stirrup). 10
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These bones move sound to the cochlea which transmits the vibrations to the auditory nerve. The auditory nerve sends the message to the brain to process information. Hearing health is of vital importance for experiencing and enjoying life, so we must take good care of our ears. There are many factors which may cause hearing loss, such as disease, infection, traumatic injury and so on. If a person experiences an immediate loss of hearing, it is most likely that he/she will immediately seek professional assistance. However, gradual hearing loss often occurs over time, and a person might not even realize that there is a problem, other than: “Why does everyone mumble
these days? I can’t understand them.” If you detect even a minor problem with your hearing, consult a professional right away. Most hearing loss cannot be recovered once it is gone. A diagnostic hearing evaluation is the first step in determining hearing capacity. This battery of tests determines the level as well as type of auditory loss. Conductive hearing loss occurs when there is a problem with the way sound is conducted to the inner ear and a structure called the cochlea. Individuals experiencing this often complain that sounds are muffled or that volumes of sound are very low. Sensorineural hearing loss is indicated by a problem with the sensory receptors of the hearing system. An abnormality or damage to the hair cells in the chochlea may contribute to this condition. It often exhibits as ringing
Jul y/August 2016
Joanne Dillon New River Valley Hearing
in the ears, hearing muffled speech and difficulty in hearing background noises, is usually permanent and may worsen over time. Neural hearing loss is due to an abnormality of the auditory nerve. It is important to have a baseline hearing test in order that medical management and/or amplification might be initiated as soon as possible. When discussing hearing, the word “decibels” is frequently employed. Janice Anderson, Doctor of Audiology, offers this explanation: “Decibels are the measurement we use to test hearing. Less than 25 is within normal limits, 25 to 40 is mild hearing loss, 40 to 60 indicates moderate hearing loss, 60 to 90 is severe hearing loss, and above 90 indicates profound hearing loss. People speaking in a normal voices talk at about 65 decibels. So if another person has hearing loss of 30 decibels, they are missing about one-half the volume of the person speaking.” Experts generally agree that experiencing any noise above 85 may cause hearing damage and warn everyone to wear appropriate ear plugs or ear muffs while mowing, shooting guns, in industrial settings, using noisy, heavy duty equipment such as power saws or jackhammers, and attending concerts, car races or ball games. NRVMAGAZINE.com
Earbuds are very popular and should never be shared with others This is a quick and easy way to get a serious ear infection which might lead to hearing damage. Also follow the 60/60 rule when wearing earbuds: Keep the volume below 60 percent, and limit your listening to under 60 minutes a day. Some make the mistake of using methods such as ear candles
“The sense of hearing is an instrumental part of communication. Hearing is vital to socialize, communicate, work, stay connected . . .” - Joanne Dillon or inserting objects like cotton swabs (or “ear twigs”) into the ear to remove excessive ear wax and clean them. Much of the time, it simply compresses the wax deeper inside. Professionals agree that washing the ear with a wash cloth will suffice. Ears naturally exfoliate themselves by shedding the skin, wax and oils the ear produces outward.
If you sense a blockage or feel your ears need additional attention, visit a competent auditory professional. Joanne Dillon of New River Valley Hearing offers this thoughtprovoking message: “The sense of hearing is an instrumental part of communication. Hearing is vital to socialize, communicate, work, stay connected, keep us safe and help us relax. The ear is a delicate organ that is vulnerable to many problems. Be proactive --- get your hearing checked, protect your hearing, and if there is a hearing loss or ear issue, do something about it. Untreated hearing loss is linked to conditions like depression, dementia and cognitive difficulties. Keep the ears hearing. Stimulate the organ and the brain. If you don’t use it, you will lose it.” Happy hearing is healthy hearing. Preserve this delicate treasure, and your life will be richer and fuller. Sheila D. Nelson is a freelance writer, lifelong resident of Pulaski County and frequent contributor to “New River Valley Magazine.”
A SPECIAL CAUTION FOR THOSE OF US IN THE NEW RIVER VALLEY: THE NOISE LEVEL AT VIRGINIA TECH GAMES OFTEN EXCEEDS 85 DECIBELS! Go Hokies, anyway!
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NRV H e al t h
HEAT HAZARDS By Jennifer Poff Cooper
Hot, sunny weather is one of the highlights of summer. Yet too much of a good thing can be harmful, even deadly. “Heat exhaustion and heatstroke are on a spectrum of heatrelated illness,” states Dr. Matthew Borloz, interim medical director of Carilion New River Valley Medical Center’s Emergency Department. Heat exhaustion is less serious than heatstroke (also heat stroke or sunstroke) and may result in nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps, headache, heavy sweating, dizziness and/or 12
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weakness. The cause of heat exhaustion is activity in a hot environment that overwhelms the body’s ability to cool itself. It is preventable by being aware of what you are doing, especially on hot, humid days. Treatment for heat exhaustion includes stopping the activity, moving to a cooler place and hydrating with water or a sports drink. Heat exhaustion can progress to heatstroke when the body’s temperature regulation fails. “Sunstroke and heatstroke are used interchangeably,” says Dr. Borloz.
“Heatstroke (or sunstroke) is a very dangerous condition that results from overexertion or exposure to high temperatures for prolonged periods without adequate cooling measures.” With heatstroke, body temperature may exceed 106 degrees Fahrenheit and individuals can lose their ability to sweat. They will show changes in behavior such as confusion, abnormal behavior, decreased alertness and balance problems. This is a lifethreatening condition, and emergency medical attention is needed. Call 911 immediately.” In the interim, steps must be taken to lower the body temperature. First, the individual should stop exertion and be placed in a shady, cool place or indoors with air conditioning. Most clothing should be removed. Then cool water can be applied, followed by fanning to increase heat dissipation through evaporation. Other measures to lower the body temperature include ice packs and iced drinks by mouth. Christiansburg paramedic Lindsay Davis, who has five years of emergency medical experience, says: “Place ice packs on the areas where blood is close to the surface in your body such as armpits, neck, inside of the wrists, groin and backs of the knees. Intravenous fluids are usually necessary.” Heatstroke can be prevented. The focus should be on protective measures such as adequate hydration and ventilation and wearing proper clothing. Dr. Borloz, who is also an assistant professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Edward Via College of Osteopathic
Jul y/August 2016
Dr. Daniel Hurd
are,
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Valley practice has expanded across
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populations outside the walls of his
in treating and guiding children,
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teens and adults in comprehensive
which is fully staffed with licensed
at New River Dermatology is
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and
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while embracing that giving back
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the same regionally, as the practice
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observing,
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Wherever and
support
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NRV H e al t h - H e at Ha z a r d s
Medicine, advocates taking advantage of shade whenever possible, whether environmental shade like trees and overhangs or personal shade like wide-brimmed hats. Also, drink plenty of water, particularly when engaged in physical activity. “Avoid caffeinated drinks such as soda and coffee, as these may lead to further dehydration,” he continues. “Use fans, including those that spray mist. Take frequent breaks from vigorous physical activity to cool off and replenish fluids.” Dr. Borloz underscores the importance of being aware of the signs of heat-related illness, so that
Dr. Matthew Borloz the most serious of these conditions can be avoided. Heat exhaustion happens at lower body temperatures than heatstroke and does not result in behavior changes. But he cautions: “Remember that those showing signs of heat exhaustion may progress to heatstroke and should be watched closely with cooling measures initiated.” Davis says that heat-related events are not a huge problem in our area since we tend not to have extremely hot summers. However, she relates: “Every year we have a few big sporting events in Christiansburg, and usually we get some kids who get dehydrated. Mostly, it’s because they’re working too much or playing too hard and not remembering to 14
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drink water or Gatorade.” Infants, children and the elderly are at highest risk for heatrelated illnesses because their bodies are less able to get rid of heat. “A big thing is older adults who either live in a home without air conditioning or can’t afford to keep it on. They often have other health conditions and end up getting overheated or dehydrated easily,” Davis states. “They or their families don’t realize there’s a problem until it’s a little too late, and someone needs medical attention. Many older adults drink too little water or liquids to stay properly hydrated.” Ironically, she continues: “People have the misconception that pneumonia develops if you get too cold, so they’ll let it get really hot inside a residence. The cold and air conditioning or fans do not make someone catch pneumonia. People get sick more in the winter when it is cold because everyone is cooped up inside, and germs spread more easily in close proximity.” “Children should never be left alone in a vehicle, even with the windows rolled down, as temperatures within a
car can rapidly reach lethal extremes,” explains Dr. Borloz. It’s also advisable to be among family and friends during hot weather activities so someone can summon help if a heat-related illness is experienced or observed. In the home, Davis recommends keeping windows open and air flowing if air conditioning is not available, along with drinking plenty of water every day. Jennifer Poff Cooper is a Christiansburgbased freelance writer who contributes regularly to New River Valley Magazine.
Symptoms of heat-related illnesses • profuse sweating • weakness • nausea • vomiting • headache • lightheadedness • muscle cramps • confusion • agitation • the absence of sweating • coma
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NRV H e al t h c ar e
The Entrepreneurial Doctor Is In a new business model in healthcare Text by Jennifer Poff Cooper | Photos by Always and Forever Photography
Dr. Matthew McCarthy, Doctor of Osteopathy (DO), employs an innovative model of healthcare that allows a direct relationship between the patient and physician without involvement of third party insurance, drug or hospital corporations. It’s called direct primary care. “Our current system is broken,” he says. “Patients can be taken care of and be happy without bureaucracy.” A Georgia native, Dr. McCarthy always wanted to be a family practice doctor. During high school and college he worked as a nurse assistant, emergency room technician and monitor technician in an intensive care unit. After graduating from Toccoa Falls College in 2007, he and wife, Valerie, moved to Blacksburg for medical school at the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. McCarthy graduated in 16
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2012 and completed his three-year family practice residency in June of 2015. While most direct primary care practices are located in larger population centers, with the nearest ones being in Charlottesville and Lynchburg, Dr. McCarthy chose to open his practice in a small town. Not only did family-friendly Blacksburg fit his personal needs – he and Valerie have one child and another on the way – but he felt that the town was “uniquely suited” for this new idea given its varied population mix and the willingness of people in a college town to “step outside the box” by embracing this “mind-bending” concept. Indeed, his practice has a number of distinctive aspects. He provides holistic outpatient primary care for the family, with special attention to pediatrics. Instead of accepting
insurance, Dr. McCarthy enrolls patients in the practice based on monthly membership fees (see sidebar). Patients have access to him 24 hours a day for telephone triage. Dr. McCarthy will also make house calls for some who have difficulty getting to his second floor office. Occasionally, if a patient cannot pay, he will barter. The common thread in his practice is patients who are frustrated about not having enough time with their conventional physicians. “I see six to 10 patients per day,” he explains. “The national average for primary care is 20 to 30 per day. This means I have time to develop a relationship with each of my patients.” Molly Entrekin concurs. “The thought of having one doctor who would get to know us and aptly handle our
Jul y/August 2016
We knew the day would come, the time to make some tough decisions. Talking about a
SENSITIVE SUBJECT can make for an awkward conversation, but it felt good to finally address it head-on. After the talk, the
TENSION EASED. Having discussed options for hospice care freed us from the stress of dealing with these emotional issues later in life. We had needed an experienced partner in that conversation. We’re so relived we found a good one. Good Sam. Great Talk.
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Membership provides access to the following: - Dr. McCarthy’s cell phone number for medical questions and visit scheduling. - Urgent care appointments which he triages by phone. - Chronic disease management and annual preventive health visits without a co-pay. - An exclusive at-cost formulary including majority of primary care medications. This list is available in the office to guide medical decisionmaking, and medications are provided through a local pharmacy with a free home delivery option. - Exclusive at-cost lab and pathology testing. Through agreements with national suppliers, his practice is able to pass on its prices to patients. Fee Schedule: Individual: $75/month Couple: $120/month Family: $150/month House calls: $100
medical needs” attracted her family to Dr. McCarthy’s practice. She appreciates his “fantastic bedside manner,” plus the convenience of his seeing more than one family member at a time. “We also like that he is not bound by what the insurance companies dictate doctors can and cannot do,” she adds. While “trying out” direct primary care, the event that solidified Mary Jaasma’s commitment to Dr. McCarthy was when her toddler tripped and split her forehead open. “It was just before bedtime and instead of a late rush to the ER, which sounded unpleasant and stressful for all of us, we were able to just pop over to see Dr. McCarthy for stitches. I couldn’t have imagined a more calm and painless experience for her – or for her frazzled parents!” Dr. McCarthy’s patients run the gamut in terms of socio-economic status and age. His structure benefits those who spend most of their medical dollars with their general practitioners, as well as working families whose insurance is 18
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mediocre or comes with high co-pays. It also pairs well with catastrophic health insurance and health saving accounts to pay for expenses his model cannot cover. Becoming a healthcare entrepreneur was a risk. But, says Dr. McCarthy, “We are growing steadily and have been very impressed and overwhelmed with this model, the relationships we have made with our patients and with support from the community.” The plan is to cap patients at 600 so that Dr. McCarthy can still know them all by name. He is on track to achieve this within three years. Getting people in the door is the hardest part, he says; word of mouth is his best form of advertising. While his practice builds, Dr. McCarthy has a second job as the doctor at two super-max prisons – an interesting endeavor, he relates. So how does a physician make a profit seeing so few patients? Dr. McCarthy engages in what he calls a “micropractice” with minimal overhead. This entails having a small office, one
nurse and no insurance billing office staff, which means he can earn a salary comparable to his conventional medicine counterparts. “People are closely watching my practice,” Dr. McCarthy says. Physicians want to join as partners once he hits his patient goal. Still, it’s not only about business to him. He repeatedly describes his job as fun. However, “my primary goal is to help the underinsured and the uninsured in being able to have access to quality medical care. I’m grateful that I don’t have to continually check my watch during my patient visits any longer.” Dr. McCarthy’s practice is reminiscent of the old-fashioned days of practicing medicine, where the doctor knew the people he took care of and considered them friends. Something, says Entrekin, “we thought we would only see on the old movies and television shows.” Jennifer Poff Cooper is a regular contributor to New River Valley Magazine.
Jul y/August 2016
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Summer Time Snacks the livin’ is easy and so are these summer recipes ~ perfect for kids to make ~ Text, recipes and photos by Kelsey Foster Summer is the time to relish in simplicity and ease in all aspects of life, including the kitchen. Kids will love getting their hands into creating the Energy Balls. Pizza Roll-Ups are a fun twist on a classic favorite and easily customizable to all tastes. You will need molds for the Berry Greek Yogurt Popsicles, which are readily available and inexpensive at most discount retailers.
Berry Greek Yogurt Popsicles (Yield: ~ 6-8) 2 cups frozen mixed berries 1/2 cup white sugar 1/2 cup water 1 tsp. vanilla 1 Tbl. white flour 1 tsp. lemon juice 1.5 cups plain full fat Greek yogurt 2 Tbl. honey, softened Combine berries, sugar and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a rolling boil and then reduce to a simmer. Stir in vanilla. Continue to simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Stir in flour, using a fork to mix until completely combined. Reduce for 5-10 more minutes until mixture thickens to a syrup-like texture. Add lemon zest and lemon juice. Transfer the syrup into a bowl, cover, and place in the fridge for at least one hour or until cold. Once the syrup is ready, remove it from the fridge and set aside. Pour the Greek yogurt in large bowl and blend in honey until evenly distributed. Fold in the berry syrup until just mixed. Pour an even amount of the mixture into each popsicle mold and freeze at least 8 hours or according to Popsicle mold directions. 20
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Peanut Butter, Oats and Raisin Energy Balls (Yield: ~ 18-20) 2 cups old-fashioned oats 1 cup creamy peanut butter 2 Tbl. coconut oil 1/4 cup maple syrup 1 cup raisins Line a baking sheet with wax paper. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix well until mixture becomes sticky when pressed together. Using the palms of your hands, roll 1-inch balls and place on baking sheet. Freeze energy balls for one hour and store in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.
Pizza Roll-Ups (Yield: ~ 1 dozen) 1 16-ounce pizza dough, chilled 1/3 cup tomato sauce 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese 1/2 cup pepperoni 1/2 cup pineapple tidbits, drained Pre-heat oven to 425ยบ. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll out pizza dough into an oblong shape on floured surface. Leaving about 1/2 inch of dough on each side, evenly spread tomato sauce on dough then top with 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese, pepperoni and pineapple. Starting from the top, roll the dough towards you forming a long roll. Cut the roll into 1-inch sections. Carefully transfer each pizza roll to the baking sheet and then sprinkle the tops with remaining cheese. Kelsey Foster is a freelance writer, blogger and California transplant to the New River Valley who writes a clever food and lifestyle blog, aslolife.com, with tips on food, fashion and home decor. NRVMAGAZINE.com
Bake 15-20 minutes until dough is golden brown. Let cool before serving.
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Fly Yellow Ferrari
beauty, class and power Text by Karl Kazaks | Photos by Nathan Cooke
Watching Dr. Daniel Hurd drive his 2001 Ferrari 360 Modena is to experience the sublime. In every sense, the machine gives the impression of being a mechanical marvel. Its engine, even at low RPMs, emits a persistent, attention-catching scream. Its shape sweeps backwards from a low nose, following a subtle beltline, to wide and graceful rear fenders. Rear air intakes – for cooling the engine, set behind the seat – fit naturally into the body, designed by Italian company Pininfarina. Then, the car is gone, and you’re left to wonder where the vehicle has taken Dr. Hurd. If someone suggested it, you’d almost believe it had taken him to another world. In reality, he’s just around the corner, piloting the car with its F1 transmission, a design which incorporates engineering used by Ferrari in its Formula One race cars. The driver uses paddles mounted to the steering wheel to control the transmission. An electronicallycontrolled clutch minimizes shift time to less than one-tenth of a second The naturally aspirated engine – a 3.6L V8 with five valves per cylinder – redlines at over 8,500 RPMs and achieves 400hp, rarified territory in the year 2001. The car’s body and suspension are built with aluminum, allowing a lower curb weight and additional potential zip. Yet the car handles as readily as you’d hope an exotic sports car would. “It’s so sure of itself,” Dr. Hurd says. “It was built for going at faster speeds.” Dr. Hurd, who has practiced dermatology in Blacksburg since 2001 in his business, New River Dermatology,
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and directs the dermatology residency program at LewisGale, has appreciated powerful cars since childhood. He was raised partly in rural New York, where his father and uncles raced on dirt tracks, including against Geoff Bodine “I guess I got the bug from my dad, [DeWayne]”. Over the years, Hurd has driven and collected a number of impressive automotive specimens, included a patina restored 1955 Chevy truck and a 1936 Ford. He and his father even restored – with modern parts and technology (a “restomod”) – a 1965 Mustang, an American classic. But DeWayne can’t help but appreciate the special feeling that comes from driving the Ferrari. “When Dad drives it, he gets a smile on his face.” The car has a few modifications, including Tubi exhaust, red brake calipers, OEM black wheels and Scuderia badges, which show Ferrari’s trademark rampant horse. The car also has upgraded seats, with yellow contrast stitching to match the car’s exterior. When the car needs to be serviced, Hurd takes it to a shop in North Carolina, often bringing along for the journey his wife Angie, who is a P.A. in the dermatology practice. The car is noticeable for not having a front grill; instead, there are two air intakes on each side of the nose. Less than 15 feet long, about the length of a modernday compact car, the Ferrari packs an incredible amount detail into that space ~ a blend of beauty, class, power, and thoughtful design. “I’ve always had my eye on this body style,” says Hurd, who also collects
petroliana and auto memorabilia – signs, lights, display cabinets and the like. “I just love the lines of it.” Though he may not max out the engine technology of his Ferrari the way Michael Schumacher did when driving for Ferrari and winning five consecutive Formula One championships beginning in the year 2000, Hurd isn’t afraid to take his car out for a ride. He particularly enjoys local scenic roads, including the Blue Ridge Parkway. “Who doesn’t want one?” he muses. “Would you turn it down? No one else would, either.” Especially in Ferrari’s bold Fly Yellow, a stunning, sun-kissed color that commands notice on every outing.
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NRV Fe at u r e
The Bee Motel Text by Joanne M. Anderson | Photos by Nathan Cooke Photography
“Necessity, who is the mother of invention,” is attributed to the Greek author and philosopher Plato a v-e-r-y l-o-n-g time ago, 427 BC - 347 BC. His words have proven true myriad times over, and Daryl Alderman of Pilot has invented a few little things as well as adapted in creative ways. The necessity was protection for his bee hives. “Skunks, foxes and bears love honey,” he explains. “The skunks and foxes scratch at the hives, making the bees mad enough to come out, and those sly critters block the holes with their bushy tails, ensnaring the bees. Bears, on the other hand, simply tear the hives apart, hold a frame and honey in one paw and scoop it out with the other.” 24
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Credit a local beef producer with suggesting a cattle wagon as housing for the hives. Alderman found a damaged 20-foot gooseneck stock wagon, put in a new floor and had some welding done to replace cross beams. It can hold 40 hives with spaces between them. Bees can fly out the top, and their caretaker cut openings in the bottoms. “Here I block the holes with plastic pieces into which I drill holes just big enough for the bees, which makes them too small for mice, another beekeeping menace.” To deter moths, yet another bee pest, Alderman started making his hive tops out of cedar wood, and now he does some of the bottoms as well. He has tweaked other things, like the
frames which hold the honeycombs. “I have to rap them against something often, and it damages the wood frame. I made some metal L-shaped pieces to replace those corners as they wear down, and now that won’t happen again,” he says. A West Virginia native, Alderman went to college in Bluefield, met and married a lady from Blacksburg and transplanted to the New River Valley. “I took a temporary job at Federal Mogul 35 years ago, and I’m still there. Maybe it’ll work into something permanent for me some day,” he laughs. Up until 18 years ago, he bought honey locally from a man who took a state job and moved away. “Where am I going to get my honey?” he asked the guy. “He suggested I get my own hives and make my own honey.”
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Alderman, 64, checks his hives every day, initially walking to the back of the trailer, opening the doors, stepping inside and walking through hundreds of bees with no protective clothing. Of course, they know him well, and he’s not at all nervous about them. It’s only natural for us nonbee-people to swat when they get close, and that is when, Alderman explains, they will strike, even though it kills them [literally]. Anyone reading this might find it hard to stand still while a bee or bees fly around inspecting you. Nathan Cooke, the photographer for this article, did what any fairly normal human will do, and the bee did what any fairly normal bee will do. Yes. Nathan got stung. I got lucky and calmly walked away from the bee interested in me, per Alderman’s instruction. Of course, Alderman has been stung many times. He does not mind a whole lot, because he insists that it relieves his arthritis. Dubbed The Bee Motel, Alderman’s cattle wagon is moved a few times a year to pollinate farm crops and pumpkins. “I need a level place to park it, and I always move it at night [when the bees are naturally inside].” For all of his modifications in housing and materials, he has found no change in the bees, the production or quality of honey. In winter, he parks The Bee Motel next to a barn on his property for wind protection, and though he loses some hives each year, he starts more. In fact, another protective measure of his is keeping a hive on his front porch. “Really?” I asked. “10,” he smiled. He has 10 bee hives on his front porch. Guess that keeps any pesky door-to-door people away.
Some 80 percent of our food supply is available because of bee pollination.
Honey and Cinnamon Tips A paste of honey and cinnamon on toast daily may reduce cholesterol and revitalize arteries and veins. For insect bites, take one part honey to two parts lukewarm water with a teaspoon of cinnamon and massage the paste on the itchy parts. Relief from arthritis has been reported by drinking one cup of hot water with two spoons of honey and a small teaspoon of cinnamon morning and night. A paste of one teaspoon cinnamon in five teaspoons of honey can provide diminish pain of the toothache; apply three times a day. Cinnamon sprinkled on two tablespoons of honey and eaten before meals relieves acidity and digests heavy meals. ~ courtesy of Daryl Alderman NRVMAGAZINE.com
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HOKIE FOOTBALL HISTORY IN THE MAKING VT vs. Tennessee at the monstrous Bristol Motor Speedway
Text by Mike Wade Photo courtesy of Bristol Motor Speedway Even if you don’t consider yourself a college football fan, you’ve probably heard that Virginia Tech will play the University of Tennessee this fall in a game that has been years in the making. Long before it was formally announced in October of 2013, fans of both teams had clamored for this gridiron clash to become a reality. Surprisingly perhaps, the idea of hosting the contest in Blacksburg or Knoxville (home to the Volunteers) was barely given a thought. No, fans didn’t just want to see these two teams play, most had a very specific venue in mind – the Bristol Motor Speedway. So, on Saturday, Sept. 10, it will finally happen. The Hokies and the Volunteers will square off in the Pilot Flying J Battle at Bristol in front of approximately 150,000 spectators, making it the largest crowd in the history of college football. “It’s definitely a ‘bucket list’ deal,” declares former Hokie standout and longtime broadcast analyst Mike Burnop. “I’m excited about it.” Burnop has probably 26
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witnessed more Tech football than anyone over the last 30-plus years, and he’s seen the Hokies play in their share of big games. He says the Battle at Bristol will be a unique experience for both the program and its fans. “On paper, there isn’t much of a history between Virginia Tech and Tennessee, but we’re fairly close to one another geographically, so I suppose that helps fuel the rivalry,” Burnop explains. “This game is going to be a spectacle – it’s history. From a fan standpoint, it really is a once-ina-lifetime opportunity. Twenty years from now, people will be saying, ‘Yeah, I was there’.” Tennessee and Virginia Tech were each supplied with 40,000 tickets, and both schools quickly sold their allotments. Bristol Motor Speedway officials have indicated that the remaining 70,000 grandstand seats are sold out, and they have a waiting list. Needless to say, the 239-mile stretch of the Interstate 81 corridor between Blacksburg
and Knoxville will be even busier than usual that weekend. As if the game wasn’t enough, the Speedway will also host a concert the night before, featuring country music megastar and East Tennessee native Kenny Chesney, along with Grammy winners, The Band Perry. A crowd of approximately 45,000 is expected for the concert. “Fortunately, because we are used to seeing large crowds at the two big races held at the Speedway each year, we sort of know what to expect,” says Michelle Earl, spokesperson for the Virginia Department of Transportation’s (VDOT) Bristol District. The traffic going in and out of Bristol before, during and after the football game will no doubt cause frustrations for some, but you won’t hear Lori Worley complaining. She serves as director of communications and public relations for the Bristol (Tenn.) Chamber of Commerce and acknowledges that the state border showdown will be an economic boom for the “Tri-Cities” region (Bristol, Johnson City and Kingsport).
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“We’re going to be making history,” Worley notes. “Fans of both teams are excited about the game, and it will be a huge tailgating experience. It’s such a cool event; entirely different from what we typically see because a lot of folks coming to the game are not necessarily race fans.” Worley, who once worked for Bristol Motor Speedway, says local businesses are just as excited as the Hokie and Volunteer fans. In fact, downtown business owners along State Street – which is divided down the middle by the Virginia-Tennessee border – are planning to decorate their buildings and store fronts in support of their “home” team. Businesses on the Bristol, Tenn., side of the street will be decked out in Volunteer orange and white, while Bristol, Va., business owners will shower their shops with Hokie maroon and orange. “This is about bragging rights after all,” declares Worley with a chuckle. “There’s a lot of back and forth obviously. Bristol embraces that, and we’re really looking forward to it.” As one might imagine, holding a game of such historic proportion in a facility that was designed to host NASCAR races will require an equally epic amount of work. The fact that this transition must happen in a matter of days only adds to the challenge. The Bristol Motor Speedway hosts its annual NASCAR Sprint Cup Series night race on Sat., Aug. 20. Immediately after that event concludes, a crew of approximately 400 will begin bulk cleaning and detailing the speedway. Amazingly, build of the actual field will be completed in just eight days. Preparations for the game have already resulted in one very noticeable change at the speedway. Earlier this year, crews replaced the facility’s existing video board tower – which would have intersected directly with the field’s 50-yard line – with the world’s largest suspended video board in the world. Called “Colossus TV,” the video board features four massive high resolution screens and a premier, 428-speaker, 540,000-watt sound system. As for the game itself, Burnop says Tennessee will likely be favored to win and he expects a majority of the “neutral” seats to be occupied by Volunteer fans. The Hokies finished last season – the final season of legendary coach Frank Beamer’s career with a 7-6 overall record, capped by a narrow win over Tulsa in the Independence Bowl. Tennessee, under third-year head coach Butch Jones, finished its season with a 9-4 record, including a dominating victory over Northwestern in the Outback Bowl. “Virginia Tech has an entirely new coaching staff for the most part, and we don’t really know what to expect from the team at this point,” Burnop adds. “Tennessee looks to have a very strong season and pick up where they left off last year. So, it’s going to be a tough game. The Hokies will have to play well, they’ll have to be healthy and a little lucky,” he concludes, “but, if there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, you never count the Hokies out.” Mike Wade is a lifelong resident of the New River Valley and has worked as a journalist and PR professional for more than 20 years. He freelances as a writer, graphic designer and portrait artist. NRVMAGAZINE.com
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Newsy Relevant Valuable A round-up of items of interest across the NRV The newly organized Citizens Support Group for the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO)
is formalized with Articles of Incorporation and its 501(c)3 non-profit status. Spearheaded by Sheriff Hank Partin and organized by Ken and Fran Hester, the group’s slogan is: “Serving those who continually serve us.” The group focuses on assisting with disaster support, staff recognition, Law Enforcement Week activities and events which enhance community relations. Tax-deductible donations: MCSO CSG, P.O. Box 1305, Christiansburg, VA 24068. On Facebook, Citizens Support Group Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office VA.
The Summer Musical Enterprise in Blacksburg is celebrating its 25th Anniversary by re-staging its first production, The Music Man. Aug. 4-7 and 11-14, Haymarket Theatre, Squires at Virginia Tech. The group is trying to raise $25,000 to ensure another 25 years of theater for the community by the community. Go to summermusicalenterprise.org ~ for times, more information and to donate.
The Birth Years ~ innovative new company for growing families with services like conception health, childbirth, breastfeeding, labor support doulas for in home or hospital births, parenting workshops and postpartum issues. 200 Country Club Drive, Suite A-1, Blacksburg. www.thebirthyears.com
~ The Western Store ~ Galloping along for half a century in a small retail business is
blue-ribbon worthy, considering that revenues slow to a walk during recession times, canter nicely through holiday seasons and experience a slow trot in winter. Years ago, founder and owner Sue Atkinson stated: “I’ll put the quality and prices of my clothes up against any store in the NRV.” She repeats that today for everything from hundreds of hats, boots and belts to jeans, tops, riding outfits, jackets and wedding dresses. Saddles, tack, supplies, jewelry and more clutter the store in western wonderland. U.S. 460 ~ 3015 N. Franklin St. ~ Christiansburg.
Celebrating 50 Years
giveaways ~ drawings ~ concessions ~ cake Fri., Aug. 26, 9:30 a.m. - 8 p.m. Sat., Aug. 27, 9:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.
National History Day’s national competition in June at the University of Maryland at College Park included eight
students from Blacksburg New School
who won first or second place in state competition: Grace McGehee, and Flannery McNair (team); Mia Lazar and Ava Lazar (team); Elijah Colliver, Robert Cowan, Aidan Bradford (team); John Cole McGee (solo).
Blacksburg Rotary awarded five $1,000 scholarships to outstanding STEM
(Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) students for the coming fall: Tanner DeHart and Tori Howard (both Auburn High School); Emma Stowe (Blacksburg High School); Tori Deibler and McKinley Mullins (Christiansburg High School). Congratulations! 28
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adventuresinthekitchen.com
Movies Under the Stars
By Emily Kathleen Alberts Picture this: A moonless summer night, stars sparkling in the sky, fireflies dancing in the trees, and your friends gathered around the glow of the big screen – all from the comfort of your own backyard. People all over the nation are harkening back to the good old days of drive-in movies by setting up their own outdoor cinemas, and the whole operation is surprisingly easy to pull off. Let’s be honest, the first impression of any large projected image is WOW. Regardless of how much money you spend, you can delight your audience. From action and adventure flicks to concerts, sporting events and even video games -- you can project anything on your big screen and enjoy a wonderful evening of outdoor entertainment. 30
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A little cinematic history ~ The great American love affair with drive-in movies dates back to the 1930s. In 1932, chemical magnate Richard M. Hollingshead Jr. mounted a projector to the roof of his car and beamed images to a screen tied between two trees in his backyard. He set up loudspeakers behind the screen and a cozy viewing spot in the bed of the truck. Then he called some friends over, and the drive-in theater experience was born. Just 30 years later, more than 4,000 drive-ins had popped up across the United States. However, with the adoption of Daylight Savings Time cutting into evening viewing hours, as well as the growing popularity of color TVs and VHS, the bright future of the drive-in market began to dim. Only a few hundred of these
theaters exist today, including the Starlite Drive-In in Christiansburg. Now, the drive-in culture is experiencing a resurgence thanks to technology and backyard enthusiasts. How-to ~ Grab your laptop, some speakers and a plain white sheet, the thicker the better. Use the side of your house, garage door or two trees to hang your sheet and set up some chairs or blankets for the audience. The bulk of the expense will definitely be the projector. The cheapest models seem to be “business-class” LCD projectors. You can find one for as little as $500 or cheaper used. The Screen ~ Stick with the bed sheet for simplicity or go high-tech. For just over $200, you can purchase a high quality, black-layered “big screen” which is easy to set up and blocks distracting background light. These screens are sure to please even
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the most discerning movie buff. You could get lucky and find a large piece of leftover vinyl from a sign shop. Have them insert grommet holes. Lowe’s and Home Depot also have heavy gauge vinyl blackout roll shades. They may need some holes for hanging, but it is an economical DIY option. The Sights ~ Most projectors are designed to be placed near the top or bottom edge of the screen, so you need a mounting platform that is a little taller than the bottom edge of your screen, or a little shorter than the top edge. Simply use a table or platform for low-mounted projectors, but keep in mind that the beam of light projected will cut in to your viewing space. If guests sit or walk in front of it, they will block the image on the screen. If your viewing area happens to be near a deck, you can mount the unit high under a deck cover, as long as it has a setting for ceiling projection to invert the image while the projector is hung upside down. If you aren’t near a deck, use a ladder to
mount your projector, or better yet just back your car into the yard like they did in the old days. Though set up is a bit more involved, high-mounted projectors truly maximize the viewing space. The Sounds ~ You don’t really need surround sound outdoors, though it’s very nice. An old stereo amplifier can produce great sound. Thrift stores almost always have these on hand for cheap. Rarely seen in living rooms today are free standing floor speakers with which you can achieve great sound outside. You might just have some in the basement, just be sure to check that the foam rings around the speaker cones are in good shape. Computer speakers (especially ones that come with subwoofers) are affordable and easy to set up. Boom boxes work, too, just make sure they have auxiliary inputs on the back.
your “concession stand” can be as easy as a couple of coolers, some munchies and a case of cold ones. If you really want to get fancy, roll an old-time popcorn machine outside for the full, old-fashioned, drive-in theater effect. Tips ~ To make set up and take down a breeze, have a weather proof storage container on wheels. Big name hardware stores carry inexpensive units that open in front like a cabinet. Just roll it outside, open the doors and start the show. Once you set up your backyard theater, warm summer evenings may never be the same Get ready to become a backyard cinephile. Emily Kathleen Alberts is a Blacksburg-based freelance and science and technology writer who contributes regularly to New River Valley Magazine. Her profile is on the back page in this issue.
The snacks ~ Forget going to the lobby for refreshments and missing the show. With the backyard theater
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The Water Sanctuary taking backyard ponds to a whole new level Text by Joanne M. Anderson | Photos by Always and Forever Photography
From a non-descript, standard issue, rectangular, red brick ranch on recently developed farm property [in 1972] with views for miles in nearly every direction to an idyllic sanctuary amidst towering white pines and hemlocks [2016], Phil and Carole Pappas have transformed a once-drab property into a charming sanctuary. During the first decade, the family developed its own master
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plan for the yard. It would include measures for privacy, summer shade, winter sun and wind protection. And water. Lots of water. The now-former Blacksburg High School site on Patrick Henry Drive was being carved up for construction, and they were able to get a few truck loads of very large boulders dumped awkwardly in the backyard. Carole directed a rented backhoe operator on moving them into more natural-
looking positions. A row of hemlocks was planted at one back corner, and they created a basic little pond about two by three feet, which was mostly used for bird bathing. “That was a test pond,” Phil relates. “We wanted to see if it could be self-maintaining, without special treatment or filtering and would not smell or become a breeding ground for insects.” Despite having
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no experience building ponds, the family of four expanded their water features, by hand digging, in the late ‘80s and into the 1990s. “The ponds are on four elevations, and we added walkways and bridges to enhance our views of little waterfalls, goldfish, lily pads and water,” Carole adds. The ponds support the goldfish, which are fed only in spring and summer and survive just fine under inches of ice in winter, along with turtles, frogs, salamanders and a variety of pond plants. “The water interestingly changes. Sometimes it is green or black, and other times it’s crystal clear,” Phil says. Not to be outdone in the yard, this retired architect made some classy changes inside the house as well. The creamy stucco exterior is a lovely complement to a creatively bright interior. Much of the natural daylight flooding the kitchen, hallway, family room addition and other spaces comes from six generouslysized skylights which have been added. Phil is crazy about shelves and mirrors, and he has 34
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ingeniously carved out several shelves by cutting back into the wall between the studs, then installing mirrors on the new back wall behind the shelves. The dining room has one entire mirror wall. The living room is an especially enchanting space, one of Carole’s favorites. An eclectic decor runs from traditional to rustic with touches of everything in between. “I love sitting in here with a cup of coffee,” she says. Her decorative style makes roomy seem cozy, and it is just as intimate as it is spacious. An acclaimed artist, Carole’s watercolors and a woodsy scene oil painting add warmth and beauty everywhere. Back outside and down the slope from their private water world, Phil built a shed, painted it purple and put mirrors on the uphill side exterior wall, so it appears as if one is looking right through it. Beyond that are several raised beds with vegetables. “We love water!” Carole exclaims. “We have never lived on water, so we made our own little water world.”
Pappas Pond Pointers Lay out pond perimeter with garden hose. Pond bed is lined with several layers of wet newspapers. Pond liner is 45 mil black Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM). One small pump on lowest pond level pumps water through garden hose encased in PVC pipe to a point at the uppermost pond, and gravity does the rest. A one-inch overflow pipe at the lowest level pond discharge excess water from heavy rain. Plants in plastic pots are submerged to pond bottom. Ponds are not drained for cleaning, but need skimming for leaves occasionally. Water is not treated or filtered at the Pappas water world.
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Giles County EVENTS VIRGINIA’S MOUNTAIN PLAYGROUNDTM
July 15 Twilight River Raft Trip & Dinner 6pm– 9pm A guided float trip on the scenic New River, followed by a farm to table dinner on the river! 540-921-0340 July 15 3rd Friday at the Narrows Farmers Market 5pm – 8pm Aug 12-13 Newport Agricultural Fair Daily admission; $2/children and $3/adult; Children under 6 are free Aug 13 Turkey Shoot 9am –11am Whitt Riverbend Park Aug 20 Pearisburg Eye 5K Race 8am – 11am Aug 20 Music at Newport Park 6pm – 9pm Aug 27 10am Forestry Day at Glen Alton Aug 30 John K Hale Lecture Series 6:30pm, Peter J. Hatch, Former Director of Gardens and Grounds at Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello “A Rich Spot of Earth: Thomas Jefferson’s Revolutionary Garden at Monticello” Sep 17 Art on the Lawn 10-4pm on the Courthouse Lawn in Pearisburg. #GilesCoVa | virginiasmtnplayground.com | 540-921-2079
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Made i n t h e N R V
For the Love of Wood =
Late one morning, Corinne Graefe walked through an outbuilding that’s part of the fine furniture business, Phoenix Hardwoods, she and her husband, Bill, operate in Floyd. In the warm shadowy light, she examined slabs of various hardwood species, including rare specimens of walnut root and burled poplar, imagining what the rough-cut lumber would become one day – a table, a stool, a headboard perhaps. “This is what happens when your addiction is wood,” she explains. What happens when you possess a Phoenix Hardwood creation is you become the caretaker for a piece of wood furniture which contains an undeniable, natural sense of grace. No matter how large or small, the Graefe’s furniture pieces all exhibit 36
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thoughtful design and craftsmanship. Phoenix Hardwoods’ products exhibit a clear, practical utility, an obvious connection to the original tree, and genuine beauty. Take, for example, a stool whose seat shows the warm hue and chatoyant gleam of butternut. Or a table whose top and legs are made from the same piece of curly maple, with an entrancing rippling figuring – and a live edge. Or a headboard in which the original shape and coloration of a thick walnut slab is captured in a Shaker-style frame. “It still looks like the tree,” Bill says. Customers especially like the Graefe’s live-edge products, whether it be a table, a floating shelf, a box or a vase. “People love it because it’s real,” Corinne
exclaims. The business began in 2002, a few years after the Graefes opened a custom lumber operation built around a sawmill and wood-drying kiln. The couple still use the mill and kiln, largely to supply wood for their furniture business. But the kiln, it should be noted, is only the last step in their slab-drying process. The first step is to dry the hardwood outdoors, a year for each inch of thickness. That means a three-year drying period for a three-inch slab. That level of dedication to making sure everything is just right can also be found on Phoenix Hardwood’s shop floor, where, in addition to Bill and Corinne, four full-time employees build furniture by hand. To be sure, they use
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power tools, but the machines are handcontrolled, not computer-operated, and no detail is overlooked. For example, the stools use wedged mortise and tenon joints to connect each seat to its legs. This joinery technique involves hand rasping the opening of the mortise (in the seat) to create a wider opening, which allows for the insertion of a wedge into the end of the tenon (the top of the legs). The result is a 38
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much stronger joint. Walk into the shop some day, and you may see shop foreman Abe Goorskey working on a new product, a table with a Reuleaux triangle top, which he himself designed and for which he made the pattern. Beside him, Eric McDaniel may be gluing and clamping stool legs, then setting them aside to dry for a day. “I get the greatest job satisfaction
here out of any job I’ve had,” McDaniel states. “You actually get to see the end product and be proud of what you’ve done.” Bradley Lawson who, together with Henry Vangunten, does much of the finishing work, agrees: “I enjoy bringing to life something that could outlive me.” The Graefes mostly use a linseed oil-based finish and apply a minimum of three coats to all of their products, burnishing in between coats. Preparing and finishing a burl live-edge piece is incredibly time-consuming, but it’s the kind of work which brings Corinne satisfaction. “I’ve always been interested in woodworking,” she relates. “I was the first girl in my shop class.” Bill notes: “She’s very picky.” In describing how the couple partition their duties, Corinne explains: “You’ll be more likely to see Bill with a chain saw and me with a Japanese saw.” Phoenix Hardwoods is particularly known for its larger pieces (Bill loves working with fivefoot wide logs) and also for being featured in the rooms and lobby of Hotel Floyd. The company uses mainly hardwoods native to New River Valley forests, but it will also work with hardwoods recovered from planted species. “Arborists bring us all kinds of interesting things,” they say. And from such residue – lumber which in other places and in other hands might just be turned into firewood or mulch, to disappear within a matter of years if not months – in the hands of the Graefes, harvested lumber claims a new, second life ~ one which honors and illuminates the life that came before in the shape and character of the original tree. Phoenix Hardwoods 2540 Floyd Hwy. N. Floyd, VA 24091 (540) 745-6403 www.phoenix-hardwoods.com
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A Family Legacy ~ A Fishing Farm ~ A Second Chance Text by Mike Wade | Photos by Kristie Lea Photography
even questioned if he would ever walk again.
youngest son – who was born prematurely
would eventually re-open the Montgomery
“I went through a really rough stage
– finally helped give him the motivation he
County trout farm his grandfather once
there for a while,” recalls Henderson. “I had
needed to turn things around. “When you
operated. He just didn’t expect it to happen
been used to working long hours every day,
can literally hold your child in the palm of
so soon.
traveling up and down the east coast and
your hand, and you see that they’re fighting
“Yeah, I had planned to do this
always being on the go. After my accident,
to survive, that kind of puts everything else in
for my retirement,” Henderson says, “but
I basically lived in a hospital bed in my living
perspective.”
things didn’t exactly work out that way.” A
room for two years and, of course, I struggled
two-story fall from a ladder in 2008 abruptly
with the whole male thing of not being able
strength and mobility, Henderson and his
ended Henderson’s successful career as a
to provide for my family. So, it was a very
wife, Laura, put a plan of action into place that
commercial refrigeration mechanic. He was
difficult time.”
cleared the way for Mill Creek Trout Farm to
seriously injured, breaking both heels. Doctors
open once again. That was April 1, 2014. Now
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Mark Henderson always knew he
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Henderson says the birth of his
As he gradually regained his
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in its third year of operation, Henderson says continuing the family business has been rewarding for a number of reasons.
“I grew up on this farm so it’s
nice to be carrying on my grandfather’s tradition,” he explains. “Plus, it’s given me a way to earn an income. My first year into this, it surprised me how many people want to fish, but don’t know how – and I’m talking both kids and their parents. So, I’ve really enjoyed teaching and watching them learn together. I think that’s where I’ve found my niche.”
Henderson points out that
Mill Creek – which features two creekfed ponds – is not open to the public. Instead, customers are required to make reservations for either two- or four-hour passes, giving them private access to the property’s trout pond and catch-andrelease pond. “It’s really important to us that we can offer families or groups a private experience. Kids can run loose here, and parents can let their guard down for a bit because they’re the only ones around.”
Henderson also takes pride
in the fact that his ponds are naturally sustained in a clean, green environment. The property is also accessible for individuals with disabilities and mobility issues. A self-professed weather buff and avid outdoorsman, Henderson has a difficult time curbing his enthusiasm when discussing the concept of using the
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farm as a classroom. “I probably should have
Henderson stays busy keeping up with his
I have four awesome kids, a beautiful and
been a science teacher. We live in nature –
own children. Laura still has a full-time job as
amazing wife, and I’ve been able to find my
we’re surrounded by it – so we might as well
a public relations professional at Virginia Tech.
calling. It doesn’t get much better than that,”
understand it. I was raised outside, so I want
“I was not meant to be a stay-at-home dad –
Henderson muses.
to give back what I know and share that with
or so I thought. If you told me 25 years ago
others.”
that I would be doing that and running this
The Hendersons routinely host
trout farm, I would have said you were crazy…
4-H groups and Scout troops at Mill Creek
but I’m thankful every day now that my feet
and have planned a week-long summer day
hurt.”
camp for children ages 5 – 13 this year. Aside
from managing operations at Mill Creek,
second chance, and I’m grateful for that.
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“I believe that I’ve been given a
Mike Wade is a lifelong resident of the New River Valley. He has worked as both a journalist and public relations professional for more than 20 years. He freelances as a writer, graphic designer and portrait artist.
Advance reser vations required www.millcreektroutfarm.com 540-315-1084
Jul y/August 2016
“Committed to Serving your Real Estate Needs in the NRV”
Debra Chase REALTOR®, ABR, GRI, CIPS
cell 540.449.4481 office 540.552.6500 debra@debrachase.com Each Office Is Independently Owned and Operated.
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Challenges on Claytor Lake Blue Ridge Scout Reservation’s newest camp offering Text and photography by Emily Kathleen Alberts
The Claytor Lake Aquatics Base, 4100 Adventure Base Road, Radford (Exit 105 off of I-81), (540) 633-1238. Helpful. Loyal. Brave. These are three of the twelve core values that the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) strive to possess. If you ever get the chance to check out the BSA Base Camp Ottari located right here at Claytor Lake, you will see these values posted on signs leading your path down to camp headquarters. Right next door to BSA Base Camp Ottari is the newest camp on the 17,500-acre Blue Ridge Scout Reservation, the Claytor Lake Aquatics Base. This camp is one of 12 programs offered by the Blue Ridge Mountains Council. For seven weeks each summer, this reservation is home to more than 10,000 youth and adults participating in Base Camp and High Adventure programs. The programs are each a week long and offer amazing 44
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A Scout can face danger even if he is afraid. He stands for what is right even if others laugh at him.
experiences for scouts to become true “Mountain Men,” as well as certified SCUBA divers, all-weather rock climbers, white-water rafters and expert fishermen. There are camps for kids who are new to the scouts as well as camps for older scouts and scout leaders. Program specialist, Mark Vitello, says that the special blend of education and adventure offered by these programs allows many scouts to “find their calling in life” and that scouts have transferred their passion into promising careers in meteorology, aerospace and even medicine. Vitello also highlights: “There is zero loss during summer, because these programs bridge the gap between the classroom and the outdoors by integrating STEM-based activities and engaging the
mind, body and soul.” If you are looking for just the right camp to keep your idle teenager engaged and exhausted this summer, the new Claytor Lake Aquatics Base camp is guaranteed to make some waves. This exhilarating camp allows scouts to earn their watercraft licensure and learn safe boating techniques that will give them confidence to operate a motorboat, sailboat, kayak, row boat, jet-ski, wakeboard, you name it. The personal watercraft program is the first of its kind in the United States, and the camp boasts a fleet of 13 SeaDoos that offer scouts a chance to learn the maintenance involved in operating a personal watercraft, along with the chance to put the “trustworthy” value into practice
Jul y/August 2016
The soaring Climbing Tower challenges campers to seek majestic views.
by proving that they are both responsible and safe on the water. Though the BSA has had a presence on the Ottari base since the mid-80s, this brand new aquatics base facility marks the first time the scouts have integrated personal watercraft safety as a merit-based BSA pilot program. At camp, you can forget about cell-service and wi-fi. And you can certainly kiss your screen-time goodbye. But in exchange, you will be sitting down to a veritable buffet of options that will expand your world far greater than any broadband or 4-G network ever could. By spending days on the lake learning how to master the water and mind the weather, or on the pond or stream with nationally-recognized anglers teaching how to cast and catch (and fillet and cook) fish from nearly every freshwater habitat, a camper will rest easy at night, too tired to do anything but count blessings ~ and merit badges! Emily Kathleen Alberts is a Blacksburg-based freelance and science and technology writer who contributes regularly to New River Valley Magazine. NRVMAGAZINE.com
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EMILY ALBERTS Born and raised in Virginia Beach, Emily traded the waves of the Atlantic for the trails of the Appalachians when she decided to make Blacksburg her home nearly a decade ago. She doesn’t consider herself a local, though, because “Born or buried is what they told me!” and well, she ain’t dead yet. But she certainly has no plans to leave this special little town and the New River Valley community. Emily came from a very small private school in the very large Tidewater area, to a very large public school in the very small New River Valley area. “It was a major chiropractic adjustment, but I am now completely pain free!” she laughs. The blissful Blacksburg summer is what sold her, but once she traded in her Reef sandals for Ugg boots, the winters became pretty blissful, too – and a great time to get some writing done. “Forget what you may think, this little college town is an excellent place to be a writer!” Emily has also been a stand up comedienne and public relations power house and is currently learning how to navigate and bushwhack through the wilderness in the Blue Ridge Orienteering Club. She is a science and technology writer, as well as general interest. Emily has an insatiable curiosity in wanting to know about and write the story behind everything she sees around the NRV.
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TOM WALLACE Tom Wallace is a lifelong New River Valley resident with a lifelong passion for photography. He had a darkroom by age 12 and served as president of the middle school photography club and photography editor for the Pulaski County High School yearbook and newspaper. Nearly a decade ago, a family friend searching for a new home noticed the dismal photography in real estate listings and suggested that Tom start a business in real estate photography. With an entrepreneurial bent and some serious camera equipment, Tom launched RealPixs for residential property photos, floor plans and virtual tours. He also contributes to marketing efforts on behalf of the listing Realtor. [You may recall a cover story a couple years ago and the equine extravaganza property featured in the MayJune NRV Magazine issue this year. Both were results of Tom’s suggestions.] Superior skills and talent get attention, and Tom’s business has expanded to include commercial properties and business photography, which have taken him to West Virginia, North Carolina and other parts of Virginia. But he is always excited to return to the New River Valley, his wife Christy Wallace and five children ~ all lifelong NRV residents, too. “We love the NRV, and having a full-time photography business is a dream come true,” he says. Tom serves as the official photographer for the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, and does photo gigs with Montgomery County Public Schools, Radford University and Virginia Tech. He is well-respected in his field, fun to work with, easy-going and a remarkable asset to NRV Magazine, where he’s involved in most of the NRV Rides features and any other assignments we toss his way. Jul y/August 2016
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