Broad Run Lifestyle Magazine May 2016

MAY 2016

the

BLOOM & GROW SPECIAL ISSUE

SAVING THE CHESTNUT TREES, POISONOUS PLANTS FOR YOUR PET, AND THE NUMBER 18 SCHOOLHOUSE PHOTO BY DEBBY TAYLOR

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from the EDITOR }

Welcome to our special Bloom & Grow issue! I am so excited to share this project with you. It is our first ever allgardening issue. Not a gardener? Don’t close it and throw it away! We still have all of our usual columns on pets, food, hiking, history, and local community members - just with an “earthier” twist.

For months we have been hard at work trying to create something new and unique to inspire you to get outside, enjoy the weather, get a little dirt under your fingernails, and watch something grow! You will notice many new writers. We went and found some of the foremost local horticulturalists and experienced gardeners to give you the most relevant and informative gardening tips. I was surprised to find such a wealth of knowledge in our area - but it’s here! We had so many ideas, that I have a whole cutting room floor full of topics that didn’t make it.

After reading all these fantastic articles, I was inspired to create my own little garden oasis by redecorating our tiny outdoor patio and adding a vertical pallet garden with hanging buckets full of herbs. I planted snapdragons and marigolds around the patio and currently have basil, chives, and zinnias seeded in pots. I’m hoping to soon plant some sunflowers, rosemary, and thyme to round out our herb and flower extravaganza. Here’s hoping that I inherited a little bit of my dad’s green thumb!

Before

The Broad Run Lifestyle Magazine is published monthly and distributed to all its advertisers and approximately 9,500 selected addresses in the Broad Run community.

While reasonable care is taken with all material submitted to The Broad Run Lifestyle Magazine, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage to any such material.

Opinions expressed in articles are strictly those of the authors.

While ensuring that all published information is accurate, the publisher cannot be held responsible for any mistakes or omissions. Reproduction in whole or part of any of the text, illustration or photograph is strictly forbidden. ©2016 Piedmont Press & Graphics

After

2016 CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Danica Low Aimée O’Grady Steve Oviatt John Toler Christine Craddock Andreas Keller

MacNeill Mann Helen Ryan Mary Ann Krehbiel Jim Hankins Marianne Clyde

Charlotte Wagner Fran Burke-Urr Stacia Stribling Joseph Kim Debbie Eisele Rebekah Grier

If you have an idea or would like to write for Broad Run Lifestyle magazine, please email Rebekah at editor@piedmontpress.com.

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Rebekah Grier Managing Editor

CONTENTS

MAY 2016

DEPARTMENTS {

close to HOME } 12

THE OUTDOOR PANTRY

14

THE UNCONVENTIONAL BENEFITS OF GARDENING

Wild edible and medicinal plants

by MacNeill Mann

by Joseph Kim

06

28

POISON HAZARDS FOR YOUR PET

34

THE GOOD, THE BAD, & THE UGLY

42

HOW TO MAKE A FLOWER CROWN

44

THE BASICS OF VEGETABLE GARDENING

Keep your yard safe this season

by Charlotte Wagner

Which insects to keep and which to boot

by Debbie Eisele

by Lissy Tropea and MJ Tropea

Growing produce for dummies

by Jim Hankins

{

42 {

{

44

the local COMMUNITY } 26

FAMILIES4FAUQUIER

30

PLANT A ROW

38

DIRTY FINGERNAILS

40

WILDFLOWERS ALONG THE GREEN TUNNEL

06

Saving the American chestnut tree

by Aimée O’Grady

Good for your mental health

by Marianne Clyde

by Andreas A. Keller

know your HISTORY }

FEATURE {

Growing meals for Fauquier FISH

by Aimée O’Grady

the great OUTDOORS }

16 FIGHT AGAINST THE BLIGHT

News and upcoming events for May!

THE NUMBER 18 SCHOOLHOUSE

Joint efforts have preserved and repurposed

by John Toler

set the TABLE } 24

LEMON LAVENDER SHORTBREAD COOKIES

46

BLUE VALLEY VINEYARD & WINERY

by Rebekah Grier and Kara Thorpe

by Steve Oviatt

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5

the

Fight

the

against

Blight SAVING THE AMERICAN CHESTNUT TREE

By Aimée O’Grady

I

n the 1920s and 30s, the American chestnut tree blight made its way to Virginia and forever changed the surrounding landscape.

American chestnut trees comprised 25% of Virginia’s forest tree canopy at the time. Cathy Mayes, President of the Virginia Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation, explains that “the American Chestnut was as common as grass in these areas. When the blight arrived, entire hillsides were destroyed.”

“The blight begins as orange and yellow spots on the stem which then becomes a girdle of dead bark, choking the tree and killing everything above it,” Mayes says. The canker releases millions of spores that are carried on the wind and by birds, mammals and insects to other trees.

Fortunately, everything below the canker stays alive, preserving the chestnut’s root system and DNA. Each year, the roots send up sprouts. These

Left: A handful of chestnuts. Chestnuts can be consumed raw, or as part of various dishes. Right: A chestnut tree infected with blight.

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sprouts hold the key to reintroducing a species that was wiped out by the blight.

Mayes and other volunteers are leading an effort to reintroduce this species into the forests in our region.

In 1983, a group of scientists recognized the impact the loss of the American chestnut had on the local ecology and small community economies and formed the American Chestnut Foundation. The Virginia Chapter, based in Marshall, was formed in 2006 by longtime Fauquier resident George Thompson.

Cathy Mayes, a retired attorney and Hume resident, is the current president of the Virginia Chapter.

The work that Mayes and the volunteers perform is impressive. They have launched a multi-decade effort to breed a blightresistant chestnut tree, advocate for the return of the American chestnut tree to generations of people with no memory of the tree, and educate the public of the American chestnut’s value since its disappearance from Virginia nearly 100 years ago.

“Our forests are suffering,” warns Mayes. “After the chestnut trees, we lost many of our dogwood trees, then the hemlock, and now we are losing our ash trees. Because of this, the nutrient cycle of the forest is different.”

It is no easy task to breed

a blight-resistant American chestnut tree. Each spring, Mayes and her team plant breeding orchards. Interested landowners offer their fields and pastures to the effort. Landowners Rob and Betsy Porter, who own Dam Orchard in Warrenton, participate in the program and support 219 American chestnut trees.

Each June, in mature orchards where the trees flower, “we have to bag the flowers before they mature and are pollinated,” says Mayes. Bagging the flowers literally means placing a bag over each flower. This requires the use of a bucket truck to access the flowers.

Once the flower matures, the team returns in the truck to pollinate the flower with a known breed and the bag goes back on. In the fall, the team returns with the bucket truck one last time to harvest the nuts before the squirrels eat them. That makes three trips in a bucket truck for each nut.

The chestnuts are then analyzed to determine their genetic qualities, and superior specimens are planted in breeding orchards.

“With careful maintenance,

we have managed to get a generation down to ten years,” says Mayes. This means the seeds harvested from a tree in a breeding orchard will produce its own potentially blight-resistant seeds in one decade.

The Porters were introduced to the work of the American Chestnut Foundation by friend and chapter founder Thompson.

After learning about the efforts of the group, the Porters determined their field was an ideal location with acidic soil and close proximity to a farm pond in the event of a drought.

Rob and Betsy signed up for the program, “We had to sign an agreement that said we would keep up with the program for at least 15 years,” Porter explains.

Assuming all the financial costs themselves, the Porters set out to clear 3 acres and construct a deer-proof fence.

Porter, a retired Marine, has “no forestry experience, but I have a sense of humor and an interest. Thankfully the program came with a lot of volunteers,” recalls Porter.

“We have a regional scientist who checks on the orchards at least once a year and an

Left: “Group at Big Chestnut. Porters Flats.” A group of young men and women in the 1900’s pose in front of a giant chestnut tree. Courtesy of Herbert M. Webster Photograph Collection, University of Tennessee Libraries and the American Chestnut Foundation.

Right: A chestnut ready to be harvested from it’s protective pod.

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orchard steward who ensures that the orchards are weeded, mowed, and watered,” explains Mayes. The trees are measured once a year at the end of the growing season.

Porter was working full-time when the orchard was planted in 2010 and has since retired, “It seemed like an interesting thing to do with my time.”

Over the years, Porter and his wife have met interesting people and have learned a lot about forestry and biology. “As it turns out, the story of the American chestnut touches every part of the STEM movement, from the sociology of Appalachia to the biodiversity of the forest,” says Porter.

The planting was completed in one day thanks to a number of volunteers including an AP biology class from Highland School, general volunteers, and the few paid staff from the organization. Volunteers sunk tubes into the ground that protect the seeds from underground rodents that would feed off on them. Each tree was planted in a specific location, numbered, and identified with flags. The orchard has six varieties of trees, including some pure American chestnut trees, pure Chinese chestnut trees, and a combination of the two in varying degrees. A database tracks the lineage of every tree. “After the first year we still had over 200 trees and have lost very few since then,” says Porter. The breeding orchard is approaching the phase where the trees will be inoculated with the blight if they do not already have it. “My wife, Betsy, and I are apprehensive about this phase. We mourn the loss of every tree that dies,” says Porter who has devoted untold amounts of time, energy, and funding to the program.

From the Porters’ breeding orchard, the project hopes to harvest a minimum of two American chestnut trees that are resistant to the blight. Those two blightresistant trees, if successfully bred together, will be used in reforestation efforts. Thousands of other trees will thereby be saved thanks to the efforts of landowners such as the Porters.

The entire project from planting a breeding orchard to reforestation is estimated to take approximately 15-20

Left: Chestnut flowers are bagged until ready for pollination. Below: Drilling the planting rows at Dam Orchard.

years. For the Porters, it is an unsettling process. “We know that all the trees in the orchard will have the blight. If they don’t get it naturally, they will be injected with it,” says Porter. “So within a few years, all the trees in the orchard that we have tended for the past six years will be dead.”

Once the reforestation efforts are underway, the group will move onto the next phase of the program, which is to breed in genetic diversity to the tree. “The American chestnut tree grew in such a vast geographic area,” explains Mayes. “If you take a nut from Maine and plant it in Georgia, the tree will bloom when the Maine trees are blooming.” Thanks to the preserved root system, the genetic diversity is available and can be bred into future generations of the tree.

There are a number of sciences involved in the American chestnut tree reforestation project, from forest pathology to silviculture (the study of growing trees) to ecology, as well as assessing the impact of reintroducing a tree to the forest. This is because the Appalachian forests have adapted to the American chestnut tree’s 100-year absence.

Mayes love the work that she does.

“As a child, my favorite hobby was being outside, so anything that gets me outside I enjoy,” she says. “There are so many worthy environmental issues at the moment, but this one is something that I can impact. This is one issue that if everyone makes a contribution, it will make a change.”

“The reintroduction of the American chestnut tree will have an enormous impact on the forests,” says Mayes.

“The nuts provided a food source for deer and smaller mammals, as well as turkeys, ravens, crows. The trees provided sustenance for five different kinds of moths, which in turn fed the birds.” The ripple effect of the reintroduction of the once-plentiful American chestnut is profound. Entire species left the area when the American chestnut tree blight changed the landscape. “Panthers once roamed the forests, preying on the smaller mammals that relied on the American chestnut.

When the blight came through, the smaller mammals left, and so did the

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9

The History of the American Chestnut Tree Blight

panthers,” says Mayes.

In the quiet months between November and March, the volunteers and interns return home, and Mayes works on other projects to help educate the public on her efforts, “I would like to create a Chestnut Trail app to help monitor the location and growth of the trees,” she says.

In addition, Mayes hopes to revive interest in eating chestnuts because of their rich nutrients.

The organization welcomes new volunteer groups and students looking to earn volunteer credit hours over the summer. Anyone who is interested in helping with the reforestation project should contact Mayes at the Virginia Chapter. ❖

By 1950, the blight had reached the epoch of its impact on the American chestnut tree, killing four billion trees north to south from Maine to Georgia and east to west from the Atlantic Ocean to the Ohio Valley. Eastern forests were forever changed. Woodland mammal populations were diminished, predators left to find larger prey populations, a valuable food source for both animals and humans was lost, and an economic staple to small rural communities in Appalachia was gone.

The American chestnut tree was used by residents in Appalachia for its straight-grained and rot-resistant wood, which was suitable for homes, telephone poles, railroad ties, fencing, house shingles and more. It was said at the time that people went from the cradle to the grave in American chestnut. The nutritious nut itself was also bartered for staples such as butter and milk.

Considered the redwood of the eastern United States, a mature American chestnut tree towers at 120 feet, with a trunk once documented as wide as seventeen feet in diameter.

THE VIRGINIA CHAPTER OF TACF 8266 East Main St. Marshall, VA 20115 Tel - (540) 364-1922 Fax - (540) 364-2215 Email - vachestnut@verizon.net

Harvesting chestnuts was often a case of collecting those that had fallen to the woodland floor. During the 1850s, tree breeders brought the Chinese chestnut to the United States in an effort to breed the two species. The Chinese chestnut was a shorter tree with larger nuts, which made the chestnuts easier to harvest.

The idea was to breed the American Chestnut with its sweet nuts with the Chinese chestnut for a tree whose crop was easier to harvest and offered larger, sweeter nuts. Unfortunately, the introduction of the Chinese chestnut also brought the blight, the fungus that invaded the American chestnut, but to which the Chinese chestnut became resistant.

It was in 1903 that a zoo keeper at the Bronx Zoo noticed some American chestnut trees dying. The report made its way to agronomic leaders, who tried to fend off the blight, but it was too late. Within 50 years of this first report, practically every American chestnut tree had been killed within its native range, devastating communities that relied on the tree for its myriad offerings.

Aimée O’Grady is a freelance writer who enjoys transforming stories told by Fauquier residents into articles for Lifestyle readers. She learns more and more about our rich county with every interview she conducts. She and her husband are happy with their decision to raise their three children in Warrenton.

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close to

HOME

the OUTDOOR PANTRY foraging for wild edible and medicinal plants

by McNeill Mann

A

n often overlooked source of food and medicine is right outside your back door or at your local park— wild plants! Foraging for wild edible and medicinal plants can bring a deep sense of connection to nature, and knowing how to make your own herbal remedies can be an empowering way of improving your health.

Plus, finding free food in nature is fun!

Wild plants are also very nutritious and some of the first “greens” that pop up in the spring. In fact, many “problem weeds” (like dandelions) are edible...and delicious!

Whether you are interested in foraging to add diversity to your diet or to craft herbal medicines, there are some very important considerations to keep in mind: Positive identification. It’s crucial for your safety that you know what you are

harvesting. When identifying a plant, confirm the ID with at least two sources— field guides, a plant teacher, other knowledgeable people, online resources, etc. A good place to start is obtaining a couple of field guides: a general one, and one focused specifically on edible and medicinal plants. However, just having field guides isn’t enough—you have to know how to use them, and a plant class can be a great introduction to field guide usage.

Ethical harvesting. Some edible and medicinal plants are plentiful (and considered weeds), and others are very rare or even endangered. As foragers, we need to harvest plants responsibly and sustainably, and do what we can to encourage the growth of rare native plants.

Only harvest a plant from places where

it is growing prolifically, and then only a small portion of what is there. Remember, there is a whole ecosystem connected to that plant! If the plant is in seed, take a moment to help spread some around to replenish what you’ve harvested. Also, be careful where you walk and how much

Top: A handful of edibles. Bottom: Mann leading a wilderness excursion with Earth Village Education.

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From top to bottom: Stinging Nettle, Violet Large, Yarrow

impact you make while foraging. Some environments are very fragile.

Know the hazards. Be careful. There are a few extremely poisonous plants, and it is important to learn how to identify them so you can be sure to avoid them. Always forage on land you have permission to be on—respect private property and know your local laws. Only forage from areas that are unpolluted—roadsides, land under power lines, and areas that receive lots of water runoff are often exposed to contaminants, and you shouldn’t eat the plants that grow there.

There are many useful plants that grow in Northern Virginia, some are rare and some are “weeds.” Many of them can be cultivated in your garden and in fact might already be there!

Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) is an extremely useful plant, but it does live up to its name. The hairs on the leaves and stems can cause a short-lived itching and burning reaction and it is best to use gloves when harvesting this plant. Fortunately, lightly heating (blanching or steaming) the nettle softens the hairs and eliminates the sting. The extra effort is well worth it!

Nettle is full of minerals (calcium, iron, potassium) and vitamins (A, K, and B-6), and it’s even a source of protein. It can be used as a food or as a medicine—with herbal medicine, sometimes the line between the two is indistinct. Nettle is a good example of a “nutrient-dense food,” and eating it becomes an avenue for improving your health. Nettle can be incorporated into food the same way leafy greens such as kale and collards are, just be sure to cook it to wilt the “stingers.” It is an excellent addition to soups, lentils, and pestos (blanched). You can also make a tea with the leaves: steep a small handful of fresh or dried leaves for a few minutes, then strain. It has an earthy green tea-like flavor and you can add honey or mint to make it more mellow. Drinking a cup daily can deliver important minerals and is a good general tonic. Stinging nettle makes an excellent addition to a garden, but it is best to give it its own home where

it won’t sting someone who accidentally brushes past.

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is a native flower that attracts pollinators and is a beautiful addition to a garden with its longlasting white or yellow blooms. Legend has it that in the Trojan War, Achilles used yarrow to staunch the flow of blood from his soldiers’ wounds. Keep dried, powdered yarrow in your first aid cabinet to sprinkle on shallow cuts. After the astringent nature of the plant stops the bleeding, carefully clean the wound. Drinking a yarrow flower and leaf tea at the first sign of a cold can help the body fight off sickness—add some mint and honey to make it more palatable.

There are many invasive plants that have dietary or medicinal benefits and sometimes in the act of harvesting them you can also do some “invasive plant remediation.” Two common examples are garlic mustard and autumn-olive.

Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) can be blanched and made into a pesto, added raw to salads or sandwiches, and made into pot herbs. The flavor of the plant varies depending on the time of year, growing conditions, and the age of the plant—if you find it bitter, try a different plant or blanch the greens.

Autumn-olive (Elaeagnus umbellata) is a shrub that produces a prolific number of small red berries in the fall. These are edible and high in vitamins A, C and E, flavonoids and essential fatty acids, and lycopene.

Once the berries are fully ripened they can be eaten fresh, in baked goods, jams, juices, fruit leathers and more. These heavy producers are easy to harvest and are readily available—and by harvesting you reduce the seeds being spread!

To keep learning about plant identification and edible and medicinal plants, join groups such as the Virginia Native Plant Society, take classes and workshops with programs such as Earth Village Education, study resources like field guides and websites such as foragersharvest.com, and most importantly, go outside and spend time in nature! ❖

McNeill Mann is the Administrative Director and Farm Coordinator at Earth Village Education in Marshall, VA. She loves growing and preserving food, raising animals, making useful crafts, learning traditional woods lore, and experimenting in the kitchen with fermented foods. McNeill first started teaching as a teenager at her local sailing club, then studied Environmental Education in college. In the past decade she has taught hundreds of students as a wilderness instructor, a classroom teacher, and a program director at camps, schools, and teen adventure travel programs. Several years of living in an off-the-grid homestead, as well as her experience teaching outdoor living skills, gave McNeill a deep appreciation for the power and beauty of the natural world and for developing skills for living gently within an ecosystem. Contact Earth Village at 703-828-7443 or online at EarthVillageEducation.org.

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13

close to

HOME

The Unconventional Benefits Of

gardening Joseph Kim

Y

plants. She enjoys growing a wide variety of Korean herbs and fruits, and often sends some of her work to us. It’s important to her that we eat well. Her love for agriculture and family creates moments for us all to share, even when we’re on completely different coastlines.

My mother has also attempted numerous times to maintain a small

oung people in today’s culture, like myself, tend to discredit the act of gardening. No one wants to waste an entire day harvesting vegetables with their mothers and fathers when there’s so much other nothing to accomplish.

To even partake in family fellowship just isn’t interesting, and it doesn’t fit the restless youth profile. However, when the warm sun comes out and everything starts to grow again, dedicating a small portion of our day to organizing a small garden with our loved ones isn’t so bad an idea. Something as short as 30 minutes dedicated to our loved ones can make the rest of the day feel pretty special.

Gardening is very important to my two grandmothers.

Even to this day my paternal grandmother keeps a section of her yard squared off in Los Angeles, California, for cultivating all kinds of different

plot for cherry tomatoes and perilla leaves (Kkaennip in Korean) in the summers. In a world where most everything we want is always just at arm's length for our convenience, there’s something especially gratifying about growing your own food. It’s not easy, though, and before anything can even be planted, hours of weeding and maintenance are required. Neither my mother or I minded, though, it’s a special opportunity for us to just enjoy each other’s company and make small talk on a clean, sunny day. Ultimately, we barely reap a harvest worthwhile, but that’s alright.

At least we failed together.

In conclusion, it’s not only the arduous nurturing of the earth or the successful harvest that defines whether or not one should take up gardening. While it’s special to enjoy a meal that was grown from your own efforts, it’s even more so to enjoy the company of the one you chose to work alongside. ❖

Joseph Kim is a freshman at Kettle Run High School. He is new to Broad Run Lifestyle magazine, but very excited for the opportunity to share his thoughts and stories. Joseph is also a talented cartoonist and often creates original artwork to accompany his stories.

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15

know your

HISTORY

EDUCATION FLOURISHES AT THE NUMBER 18 SCHOOLHOUSE Joint efforts have preserved and repurposed the historic structure

By John T. Toler

During last year’s growing season, the grounds around the Number 18 School were filled with a wide variety of flowers planted by the Fauquier/Rappahannock Master Gardeners.

T

wo of Fauquier County’s major assets – its agriculture and history – are combined at the Number 18 Schoolhouse on Route 55 east of Marshall.

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There on the grounds of the county’s last surviving one-room school, one also finds the Demonstration Gardens planted and maintained by the Fauquier/ Rappahannock County Master Gardeners. The schoolhouse and parking lot are administered by the Fauquier County Department of Parks and Recreation.

The Master Gardeners is a program offered by the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service and has offices

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on Pelham Street in Warrenton.

The schoolhouse and the gardens serve the dual roles of education and preservation. Carefully restored to reflect the era during which it served, the Number 18 School is listed on the U.S. Park Service National Register of Historic Places.

The Fauquier Heritage and Preservation Foundation, which has a museum and the John K. Gott Library in Marshall, is closely involved with Number 18 School, and offers tours of the schoolhouse on a regular schedule.

The mission of the Master Gardeners is “…to educate Fauquier and Rappahannock county residents about safe, effective and sustainable garden management practices.” The main requirements are “a willingness to give back to the community through volunteer efforts and an enthusiasm for learning the fundamentals of gardening,” according to their website.

After the Number 18 School restoration was completed, the Master Gardeners, led

by Bert Truxell, began the work to convert the old playground and other areas around the school into a variety of gardens.

Preparations begin With the end of the snow and approach of springtime, the Master Gardeners have returned to Number 18, assessing the effects of the past winter on the perennials and coming up with plans the upcoming growing season. The first official work day was on April 6, followed by the official schedule, every Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Alice Shelman, who lives on a farm near Orlean, has been involved with the gardens at Number 18 since 2010, but notes that several of the other 12-15 volunteers have been contributing to the effort for much longer. She stressed that it is a volunteer effort, and if someone can’t make the regular days, they come when they can.

“Number 18 School is just a wonderful spot,” said Alice. “It doesn’t look that great now (early March), but we have a heckof-a-big selection…perennials, annuals, herbs, raised beds with vegetables, a shade garden, sun gardens, and a butterfly garden.”

The Master Gardeners get their plants and seeds from several sources. “We’re all gardeners, and sometimes we’ll bring in plants from home that have completely overgrown where they are, and have to be

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The Number 18 School, as it appeared in 1969. After ownership of the property was resolved, the structure was restored to reflect its original purpose. Courtesy of the Fauquier Heritage and Preservation Foundation.

thinned,” Alice explained. “So if we find a spot here, we transplant them.”

Projects already underway include new compost bins being built by Master Gardener Tom Baughn. A wet, low-lying area on the property will become a water garden, a better alternative to trying to fix the moisture problem.

There is a small goldfish pond, with a rock backdrop and recirculating waterfall.

“One or two frogs always show up,” Alice noted. “Somehow, they managed to survive the winter. I’ll soon be starting the clean-up, removing the aquatic grass, and cleaning out the pump.”

From there, Alice went to the cutting garden, where annuals are planted. “You may be wondering why the gardens were left in the shape they’re in,” she said. “It’s deliberate. We don’t clean up in the fall because there are seeds that the birds and animals can eat, and it also forms shelter over the winter. That’s why everything looks so messy.”

Vegetables are grown in the raised beds, and lettuce had already been planted by Master Gardener Raymond Maguire. As for the vegetables grown there, most are taken home and eaten. “We don’t have that many, but if we have extras, we give them to our visitors,” Alice noted. “We tell them, ‘Here’s a squash for you, or pick some

}

beans...it’s the same with the herbs.”

Last year, vintage seeds were planted in an “Old Fashioned Garden” for the first time; a newcomer this year will be the Companion Planting Garden, “…with plants that complement one another,” said Alice.

On the last Saturday of the month, the Fauquier Heritage and Preservation Foundation offers an Open House at the Number 18 School from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., and the Virginia Cooperative Extension and the Master Gardeners present a series of three “Saturday in the Garden” workshops that also begin at 1 p.m., and last about an hour.

The topic for Saturday, May 28 will be “Gardening for Wildlife,” presented by Extension Master Gardener and Master Naturalist Peggy Schochet. On June 25, Extension Master Gardener Tom Baughn will present “Backyard Composting,” and on July 30, the question, “Can Companion Planting be Your Best Friend in the Garden?” will be answered by Extension Master Gardeners Helen Ryan and Merrill Brown.

Being involved in the projects at the Number 18 School is something the Master Gardeners truly enjoy. “We have a lot of work to do, but we have a great time,” said Alice. “We laugh and joke, but we take this

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19

seriously, because we are a demonstration garden, available to the public. People who come here for the first time are really impressed.”

The Warrenton Ruritan Club has made donations to the project, which have been used to purchase plants, including the blueberries and new hydrangeas.

In addition, the Parks and Recreation Department is generous as well, providing materials for the new compost bin and other projects, trimming or removing trees on the property, and doing the necessary lawn mowing.

As part of their community outreach, the Fauquier/Rappahannock Master Gardeners has a detailed webpage (fc-mg.org) and along with the County Extension Service, also offer “Twilight Tuesday Workshops” each month from April through October at different locations. For more details, call the Master Gardener Help Desk (540) 341-7950, ext. 1, or e-mail helpdesk@fc-mg.org.

In addition, clubs, civic groups and other community organization are encouraged to request a Master Gardener to speak at their meetings on timely gardening topics. Visit

by the Trustees of the Scott School District.

Number 18 is a utilitarian, rectangular structure with a metal gable roof and weatherboard siding. Inside, the ceiling is plastered, and the walls covered with plain boards or sheathing. Pine planks are used for the flooring throughout the building.

Built in 1887 on an acre of land donated

by Samuel Fisher Shackelford, Number 18 was operated for white students until 1910, when a new school was built in Marshall.

The following year, Number 18 became an ungraded school for the African American students, who had been attending classes in the Salem Baptist Church.

By the 1930s, the number of schools for African American students had grown to 31, while the number of schools for white students had dropped to 24. Large new schools – including high schools – were being built to serve white students, while African American students inherited the one-room schools. Number 18 was finally electrified in 1939.

Over the years, enrollment at Number 18 varied between 10 and 60 students in all grades, averaging 29 students over its

the webpage to request a speaker.

Number 18 School Statewide free public education was established in Virginia in 1871, and over the next few years, Fauquier County built 35 white and 16 black schools to serve the students. One of the first schools built in Northern Fauquier County was Number 18 School, with the survey and plat confirmed

lifetime. There was never more than one teacher, and janitorial chores and bringing in the firewood were done either by the teacher or the students. Drinking water had to be brought from a well located nearly a mile away, and toilet facilities consisted of outdoor pit-type privies.

The playground outside of Number 18 was well-covered with grass, and met the

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state requirement of having at least 272 square feet of play area for each student.

Mandatory school desegregation started in May 1954, with the Brown vs. Board of Education case decided by the U.S. Supreme Court. But it would not be fully implemented in Virginia, and Fauquier County, until 1969.

Number 18 ended its days as a segregated elementary school. When it was closed on Jan. 31, 1964, it was the last one-room schools to be consolidated into the new Northwestern Elementary School in Rectortown. By then, there were fewer than 20 students at Number 18, and a county recycling site was established west of the school.

Unlike the other small schools in Fauquier County, Number 18 was not sold off at auction. Instead, the Board of Supervisors declared that it be declared a county landmark, and preserved as “a memorial to the history and progress of public education.”

While the building was sound and had been well-maintained over the years, restoration work as a “memorial” was not forthcoming due to a lack of funds. It was Left: The Number noted in late 1967 that 18 School is open on the last the schoolhouse was Saturday of the deteriorating, the bell month for tours. stolen from the cupola, Lee Dietrich, and the lot covered a long-time with weeds. Members supporter of the school, and of the school board volunteer Vicky met with the county Newell recently served as docents. supervisor, urging that the school “…either be Right: The interior of Number 18 looks fixed up or sold.” much like it did Also at issue was the when generations lack of clear title to the of students property. As recorded attended classes in early school board there. Many minutes, “…board artifacts related to the school are on members from Upper display.

Fauquier were trying to acquire a piece of land for a school.” A search of county land records turned up a deed that indicated that the property was acquired through condemnation, according to the article in the May 21, 1970 edition of The Fauquier Democrat.

Ownership of the property was still in question, and in mid-1970, Marshall resident Frank L. Dennis, an attorney with a law practice in Washington, D.C.,

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The public is invited to “Saturdays in the Garden” workshops. At left is Master Gardener Catherine Corish, who built the stone spillway that drains the property and maintains the succulent garden there.

sought to acquire the property through the purchase of a quitclaim deed. He planned to “restore” the building, paint it red, and operate a wax museum there, along the lines of his National Historical Wax Museum in Washington, D.C. Dennis briefly took over the property in June 1970, posting “No Trespassing” signs in the schoolyard. But after the county refused to grant him a quitclaim deed – preventing him from getting title insurance – he dropped the issue.

The building stood basically abandoned until late 1974, when James Hitt, considered the unofficial caretaker of the school and recycling site, moved into the schoolhouse with his family. “In exchange for free housing, he agreed to restore the structure,” according to the July 7, 1975 edition of the Democrat.

However, after Hitt began selling used furniture and other items recovered from the recycling site, he was warned that if he did not desist, he would be evicted. In May 1975, he was ordered “…to remove this business from this property, as it is not zoned for commercial activity.”

On July 2, 1975, Hitt had a confrontation with Scott District Supervisor John B. Adams, who had witnessed him continuing to sell junk from the front porch of the school and told him he would have to be gone within a week. Hitt responded by circulating a petition at the recycling site, eventually garnering 600 signatures of those supporting his presence there.

Finally, it was determined that the original deed stipulated that the property

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could only be used for educational purposes, not as a residence or commercial use. The Hitts moved on, and the old school was again empty.

Restoration begins In 1989, the Marshall Regional Historical Society (MRHS) was given permission to take on the restoration of the building. Lee Dietrich, a Marshall resident since 1977, was serving as president of the society at the time. A long-time employee of the Northern Virginia Electric Co-op (NOVEC), he had always been interested in the school, which was “…at the very end of the NOVEC line.”

Lee tried to get the community involved in the restoration, but while the interest was there, actual help and funding was hard to come by. He and former MRHS president Bill Mercer collected materials and did a lot of the early work, including rebuilding the front porch and putting up a fence to separate the schoolhouse from the recycling facility next door.

Lee’s wife Linda Kight Dietrich, then an art teacher at Stonewall High School in Manassas, repainted the unique circular sign above the front door identifying the structure as “Public School Number 18,” and the date of origin, 1887.

After the MRHS became inactive, work at the school was taken over by Keep Fauquier

Clean, the Marshall Business and Residents Association, Former Students of Old No. 18 School, and of course, the Master Gardeners.

All this time, Lee remained involved.

It was found that the stone foundation needed repair and repointing, but the wooden structural components, including the rafters and joists, were still in good shape. The original windows were preserved and reglazed.

Exterior siding did not need replacement; however, the cupola that had housed the school bell had deteriorated. Using old photos and the remaining pieces, a new cupola was fashioned and placed on the roof.

Lee knew that the old school bell had been taken from the cupola years before.

On a hunch that it was still in the area, he ran a newspaper ad asking that the bell be returned, “…no questions asked.” A few days later it appeared at the school, and after cleaning, it was hung in the cupola by a NOVEC crew using a bucket truck.

The interior was restored to its earlier appearance, with layers of paint stripped from the woodwork and the floors refinished. As best as it could be determined, the paint colors used in the past were applied during the restoration.

The old blackboards on the walls appear as they did in the past. Other vintage equipment, including the bookshelves, water buckets and washbasins, and the small table used by the teacher as a desk, are found inside. The front stoop was rebuilt, using materials used for the original porch.

The Number 18 School has become an important historic destination, especially for school children who need to learn about public education in the past. For five years, the Fauquier Heritage and Preservation Foundation has played a significant role in this effort, providing knowledgeable docents – including Lee Dietrich – who give tours of the building on the last Saturday of the month from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. ❖

John Toler is an author and historian who has served Fauquier County for over 50 years, including four decades with the Fauquier-Times Democrat. Toler is the co-author of 250 Years in Fauquier County: A Virginia Story, and author of Warrenton, Virginia: A History of 200 Years.

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set the

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t from

I Lemon

Lavender Shortbread Cookies Recipe by Rebekah Grier Photos by Kara Thorpe

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admittedly love the taste of flour. I know some people think it’s bland and I apologize to all my celiac and gluten-sensitive friends, but it tastes amazing. So since I discovered shortbread (thank you, Panera), it has easily become probably my second favorite cookie (Mom’s oatmeal chocolate chip still being numero uno).

After my husband and I visited Seven Oaks Lavender Farm in Catlett last summer, I remembered a recipe I had seen on Pinterest for lemon lavender shortbread cookies. It sounded like the perfect way

to use up some of the fresh lavender we had purchased after harvesting it ourselves (the 2016 season starts June 3, visit sevenoakslavenderfarm. com/pick-your-own/ for more info). The result was nothing short of heavenly. I remember eating those little flourybuttery morsels as we laid on a blanket in a field late one night watching the Perseid meteor shower. Bliss.

The blog where I originally found the first recipe has since closed. The recipe below is my adaptation using a basic shortbread recipe as the foundation. Enjoy!

Makes 4 dozen 2

Sticks butter, room temperature ½ Cup + 4 Tablespoons Powdered Sugar 2 Teaspoons vanilla 2 Tablespoons grated lemon zest (about 2 lemons) 2-3 Tablespoons lemon juice (about one lemon) 1 Tablespoons dried lavender flowers (food grade) 2 Cups flour ¼ Teaspoon baking powder 1 Teaspoon salt Bring butter to room temperature or cut each stick in half and microwave together in 20 second increments.

With a hand mixer or in a stand mixer, cream the butter and powdered sugar together until smooth and creamy. Add the vanilla, lemon zest, lemon juice, and salt and mix well until fully incorporated.

In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and lavender. Add butter mixture into flour mixture and fold until no flour remains (or just get your hands in there and squish it all together!).

Refrigerate dough 10 to 15 minutes just until dough has stiffened slightly.

Prepare a sheet of parchment paper.

Drop dough near edge of parchment and form into a log about 1 ½ to 2 inches in diameter. Fold over parchment and roll into log. Chill in the freezer for 30 minutes to one hour, making sure to lay on flat surface.

When dough has chilled and you are ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Unroll and remove parchment paper. Slice log into ½ inch rounds. Space about 1 inch apart on baking stone or baking sheets lined with parchment. Bake until a pale golden color, about 15 minutes, and let cool. It’s hard to overbake these cookies; I just keep an eye out for when the edges start to brown slightly. Store in an airtight container. ❖

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the local

COMMUNITY

A

pril showers have given us our May flowers! The weather is finally warming up and the flowers are blooming. Summer is on way.

In just a few weeks the children will be getting out of school for the summer. We hope that your family will plan to join us at one of our many events we have come up this summer!

Celebrate the spring season with Fiesta Fauquier at the Northern Fauquier Community Park on May 1st from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Entertainment includes Mexican Folk Dancers, Mariachi Band, moon bounce, children’s crafts and more! Stop by and see F4F at the children’s craft station.

On May 3rd Northern Piedmont Community Foundation will hold Give Local Piedmont, which is a community one-day, online giving event to inspire people to give generously to nonprofit organizations that are making our region stronger and creating a thriving community for everyone. We are very fortunate to have so many wonderful organizations within our community. Families4Fauquier is excited to be a participant this year.

We hope that you will consider a small

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donation during this time. There are many prizes to win and every little bit helps us further of mission. Please visit givelocalpiedmont.org for additional information.

Join us on May 6th from 4 - 7 p.m. at Earth, Glaze & Fire for a Mother’s Day Flower Pick Painting Special. Please RSVP to 540-878-5701 or families4fauquier.com.

Amazing Smile Dental Care Family Fun Day with Families4Fauquier will be on Saturday, May 7th from noon to 3 p.m.

Stop by to check out the brand new stateof-the-art office at 506 Fletcher Drive, Warrenton. Register your child for a free cleaning while enjoying fun activities for the whole family. Face painting, balloons, goodie bags, crafts and refreshments will be provided.

Families4Fauquier will also be attending the Bodies In Motion 5K Race Day Expo on Sunday, May 15th. To register for the race or to find out more information, please visit Bodiesinmotion5k.com.

Stop by our booth during the Spring Festival on May 21st in Old Town Warrenton!

We invite families in the community

to join us for our Red Nose Party on Thursday, May 26th from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Rady Park for fun and laughter to bring awareness for young people living in poverty. We will provide a fun craft and refreshments.

Families4Fauquier will be doing a Facebook drawing in May for a family four pack of tickets to the upcoming Annie Jr. at the Fauquier Community Theatre.

Shows will be held on June 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, and 12. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for children. Follow our Facebook page for details on how to register for your chance to win.

Here at Families4Fauquier there are many ways that you and your family can get involved. Join one of our many monthly events, donate items from off our wish list, or volunteer your time and talents with our community. Visit our website (families4fauquier.com) today and find out how you too can get involved in your community. ❖ Far left: Food and Easter donations for Community Touch. Middle and below: Comfort Case donations collected.

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Poison Hazards for your Pet Know the outdoor dangers and keep your yard pet-friendly this season

by Charlotte Wagner

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{ MAY 2016 |

S

pring and summer are the ideal times to start spending more time outdoors, especially with your four-legged friends. Whether you’re looking to play more fetch with Fido on a freshly fertilized lawn, planing to plant some new flowers with your feline friend, or just wanting to hang out and watch the sunset with your beloved pets, ensure that your yard is safe of hazardous plants and chemicals. Here are a few considerations for pet-friendly yard maintenance this season.

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ORNAMENTAL PLANTS There are a vast amount of annual and perennial plants that can be harmful to your pet. Some may cause an upset stomach if ingested, whereas others may cause severe illness when in contact with your pet. Take location and pet access into consideration when planting: tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, lilies, azalea, crocus, rhododendron, American bittersweet, clematis, foxglove, narcissus, morning glory, aloe, amaryllis,

begonias, carnations, ivy, milkweed, hostas, wisteria, irises, and delphiniums these can be very harmful to your pet. To learn about the effects of these and other toxic flowers and plants, visit aspca.org/pet-care/animalpoison-control/dogs-plantlist and please follow the resources below.

FRUIT PLANTS Fruit-bearing plants such as persimmons, peaches, plums, or cherries can be potentially hazardous to pets

if swallowed. Dogs commonly eat fruits containing seeds or pits resulting in intestinal inflammation or blockages.

Surgical removal may be required if your pet does not pass ingested cores naturally. Toxicity should also be considered as some plants can cause diarrhea, vomiting, gastrointestinal irritation, and nausea. Apple seeds actually contain cyanide, while avocados and grapes can cause internal issues. Nuts such as almonds, macadamia and walnuts may also cause sickness.

GROUND COVER If ingested, toxins and dyes from processed mulch and wood chips can be significantly harmful.

This is especially applicable for puppies and kittens who may enjoy playing with mulch. Keep your pet out of flower beds and consider alternative substrates in areas regularly frequented by your animal.

Mushrooms are also commonly ingested by pets while browsing through the yard. Unfortunately, varying degrees of toxicity from vomiting and lethargy to potential death may occur. If you suspect that your pet may have gotten sick from eating a mushroom, try carefully collecting a sample and bringing it along with your pet to the veterinarian. This can sometimes help in diagnostics and treatment.

LAWN AND YARD CARE PRODUCTS Make sure to thoroughly read labels for any product used to

control and maintain your yard prior to application. Insecticides, pesticides, herbicides, and lawn care products often contain ingredients that are poisonous to pets. Cats and dogs may be at risk by ingesting these materials, but they can also absorb toxins through the pores of their paws.

Ensure you follow application guidelines and if need be contact the product manufacturer for further information regarding use around pets. Also, be sure to store containers in a secure area that is difficult for your pet to access.

OUTDOOR MANAGEMENT Ensure your yard is protected by using fencing or netting material to keep pets out of areas containing hazardous plants.

Consider installing raised flower

beds to further prevent access.

Ensure to limit activity in the yard to only supervised visits to prevent ingestion or contact with plants and products. If need be, tether your dog for shorter periods outside to keep off areas that have been sprayed with chemicals.

You may also consider switching to a more natural or pet friendly alternative to help maintain your yard (the environment will thank you, too!).

For more information regarding pet safety and plants in your garden, browse the University of California website dedicated to garden safety at ucanr.edu/sites/ poisonous_safe_plants. If you think your pet may have been exposed to toxins, contact Animal Poison Control at 1-888-426-4435 or visit your veterinarian. ❖

Charlotte Wagner is a certified animal trainer and behavior consultant. She advocates that prevention, management, redirection, and training of alternate responses is key to training success.

Charlotte currently owns and operates Duskland Training and Behavior in Warrenton and can be regularly seen at conformation dog shows, agility events, rally obedience trials, therapy visits, and community gatherings with one or more of her precious pets. www.dusklanddogs.com { MAY 2016 |

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the local

COMMUNITY

row

PLANT a Growing meals for Fauquier FISH

S

ince 1983, the volunteers with Fauquier FISH (For Immediate Sympathetic Help) have served residents of Fauquier County in their time of need. FISH began by providing help with utilities and food, both delivered with a healthy dose of kindness. Today, the food pantry focuses almost all its efforts on food providing clients who come in with a week of groceries and for families who cannot get in, through the Weekend Powerpack Program with meal supplementation for the weekend.

Groceries include non-perishables, as well as a fresh vegetable of the month, fresh potatoes, onions, butter, milk, eggs and cheese, and a variety of meats, including ground beef and turkey, chicken, ham, and even liver. Clients also receive DASH (Delicious, Affordable, Simple and Healthy) meals. These are pre-portioned, ready-to-make dishes in Ziploc bags generally meant to serve a family of four. DASH meals have a meat-based or vegetarian main dish, a side dish, plus all necessary herbs and spices, and they come with easy-to-follow recipes for busy families.

Run solely by volunteers, FISH relies on sponsors, grants, donations, and food drives to keep their shelves stocked. At the helm of the operation is Elaine Harris. Harris has been involved with FISH since 2000 when she was asked to establish the organization as a nonprofit. She never stepped away, “I love where I live, and I saw the opportunity to make a difference.”

After turnover in volunteer leadership at the Food Pantry and on the board over the last couple of years, the lead team now in place (Elaine Harris, Charity Furness, Maggie Massie and Megan

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{ MAY 2016 |

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By Aimée O’Grady

Oakley) saw an opportunity to enhance what FISH offered. A one-year plan was developed to transition FISH from standard food bank fare to more nutritionally-dense foods. “Just because it is a food pantry, doesn’t mean it has to have poor quality food,” Harris says.

Nutritional education is another facet of FISH’s mission.

Inside the main door at the food pantry, a television is tuned in to YouTube channels that entertain and inform clients on nutrition and demonstrate how cooking at home is the best choice for both health and budget. The opposite wall displays the selection of DASH meals that clients can select from, and the counter showcases the vegetable of the month, along with other information such as an ‘Eating Your Colors’ display.

It is here in the waiting area that volunteers get to know clients and can encourage and help them to make healthy food choices.

“When we have enough volunteers, one of us will sit down with a client and ask them about what they ate for dinner the night before. We make sure to tell them about the vegetable of the month or a new DASH meal that they may enjoy,” Harris says.

“It is in these conversations that we can make a difference,” she continues.

Some items clients won’t find on the menu include foods high in sodium or saturated fats, like Spam, Chef Boyardee, and Ricea-Roni, as well as foods that contain dangerous trans fats, like margarine. “Over the years, we have found ways to replace items with healthier alternatives. Margarine, for example was replaced

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31

Elaine Harris helped establish Fauquier FISH in 2000. Sixteen years later she is still part of the leadership team and continues to push for healthy meals and fresh alternatives for clients.

with real butter last year. With careful shopping, we are able to find nutritious alternatives while staying within our budget. And we are always looking at ways to improve what we are serving people,” Harris says while eyeing a sloppy joe kit on the shelf.

The team has found it best to tackle one substitute at a time. “We haven’t always provided cheese, but kept finding great recipes that included shredded cheese. So now one of our volunteers, Kelly T, gets a cheese alert whenever Harris Teeter has their buy two get three free deal, and we load up.” Harris explains.

One of the more recent additions is the Farmers’ Market Program. Last year, FISH began encouraging clients to visit the farmers’ market with a small token good for a dozen eggs. “FISH purchases a certain number of eggs from Bart & Sarah’s Great Oak Farm. When a client chooses eggs from the menu selection sheet they are given a small wooden token which they can bring to the farmers’ market in exchange for a dozen eggs. We hope that by encouraging clients to visit the farmers’ market, they are exposed to fresh foods at their seasonal best,” says Harris about the program.

There are a few main shoppers at FISH. Maggie Massie, with many years of experience as a couponer, has lent her knowledge to the group and does the bulk of the shopping chasing down the best deals at local supermarkets and online. Volunteer shoppers are Karen on

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milk, Elsie on bread, and Kelly on frozen vegetables, cheese and other supermarket specials. Meat comes from a variety of sources. The majority of the chicken is purchased at Costco, although the FISH team is looking to improve on that.

Sometimes the meat just lands in their lap. A recent call from Airlie Conference Center inquiring if FISH would like beef liver has led to a countless supply of a high-quality meat option and a new DASH recipe and meal kit.

For three years, The Whole Ox in Marshall has done a fundraiser for half of a cow on behalf of FISH. This year, Harris asked the husband and wife team, Derek and Amanda Luhowiak, if they could try to raise enough for a whole cow. They rose to the challenge and presented FISH with a whole cow, processed and packaged in freezer-ready cryo-bags. Harris knows that some cuts are beyond the typical fare of a food pantry and asked the Luhowiak duo to remove the high-end meats and keep those for the butcher shop in exchange for doubling the quantity of pantry-friendly cuts, such as ground beef. Even so, this food had a value of about $3,000.

It is these symbiotic relationships

}

that Harris looks for throughout our community. By working with local farmers and butchers, Harris is encouraging food insecure residents to make nutrition a priority. She hopes to take it a step further.

“I envision a Chef’s Club for clients who would like to learn more about simple and affordable ways to eat healthier and make the connection between eating well and feeling well, all while staying on budget,” Harris explains.

Harris and the rest of the board also welcome groups to come in and help at the pantry. “A group from Fauquier Bridges, comes in twice a month to help with a variety of tasks. Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts also come in and help,” Harris says. “If a group wants to come in and help, there’s always plenty to do in the food pantry and businesses can sponsor and host a weekly pack event for our Weekend Power Pack Program.”

As we enter the growing season for our region, Harris would like to expand produce selections offered with a Plant a Row Program. The idea behind this concept is to dedicate one row, or bed, to the FISH Food Pantry in residents’ kitchen gardens. The produce that is

harvested from these areas can then be donated to FISH providing fresh fruits and vegetables to food insecure Fauquier residents. “It would be wonderful to have baskets of fresh produce available for clients to take as they needed,” Harris thinks. “We could encourage people to make fresh salads with their dinners.”

For the past several years, the members from the Greenwich Presbyterian Church have donated a variety of vegetables and offer recipes to go along with them. FISH encourages more of this.

Harris assures that nothing goes to waste, “we know that fresh produce has to walk out of the pantry the day it comes in. If we have a lot, we encourage clients to bring something to a neighbor. Nothing here is wasted.”

Harris knows that Fauquier is a great place to live and the Food Pantry works to improve programs to make this true for all residents. Harris believes, “Doing good, Top right and below: Scout Troop 1187 helping deliver groceries to Fauquier FISH.

doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be doing better.”

It is this train of thought that has led the Food Pantry to examine and define their core values and create a vision of a county where no one goes hungry and anyone in need has a place to turn.

Many times, the dire circumstances that some of our neighbors find themselves in just don’t fit the mold for assistance within standard programs and agencies, “We can’t be the solution for the very big problems, but there’s always something that can be done to ease a difficult situation. We work hard at not saying ‘no,’ and helping out with kindness and without judgement,” says Harris.

Interested in planting a row for FISH? Like the FISH Facebook page at facebook.com/fauquierfish and let the FISH team know what you plan to grow and donate to the organization. Share the new program with your friends and see if together our community can turn the Food Pantry greener this season! FISH is located at 24 Pelham Street in Warrenton. You can also call 540-347-3474 or visit fauquierfish.org. ❖

Aimée O’Grady is a freelance writer who enjoys transforming stories told by Fauquier residents into articles for Lifestyle readers. She learns more and more about our rich county with every interview she conducts. She and her husband are happy with their decision to raise their three children in Warrenton. { MAY 2016 |

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The GOOD, The BAD,

& The UGLY

Which insects to keep in your garden, and which to give the boot

by Debbie Eisele

O

ur region graciously affords gardeners a long growing season. With this longevity of garden productivity comes lots of insects. Some bugs are extremely colorful (even pretty), and some are not. But don’t cringe and immediately pull out the chemicals, some bugs serve an important purpose. Even though they may give you the willies, grab your kids and take a closer look at the creepycrawlies. Knowing the good, the bad and the ugly bugs living in your gardens will help you in keeping the beauty and

productive crop yields throughout the growing season - and it’s an excellent way to engage children and increase their understanding of the great outdoors!

Please note this article does not supply a comprehensive list of beneficials or pests, as many of these insects have thousands of species and a variety of plants they attack. For more information, seek educational books or contact your local Virginia Cooperative Education Office.

The Bad!

EARWIG These insects feed on pretty much anything: flowers, fruits, and vegetables. They prefer the foliage, but also enjoy decaying plant matter. Although they may seem like truly “bad” guys, they also feed on other pests in your garden - aphids and mites - so, they may be worth keeping. You will have to decide if it’s worth it.

POTATO BEETLE This very colorful (even “pretty” to some) beetle will wreak havoc not only on potato plants, but also on eggplants, peppers, and even tomatoes. So be on the lookout. Distinguishing characteristics are the black, white and red stripes decorating their backs. Their heads are red and spotted with black dots.

CABBAGEWORM This caterpillar has a light green color with a very faint yellow stripe down the side. He can do some serious damage. If you see lots of non-uniform holes in the leaves of cole, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, radish or turnip crops, you might have this guy enjoying your food.

Photo by Barbara Stewart of virginianaturals.com.

SQUASH BUG If you love to grow squash, zucchini or cucumbers, keep an eye out for this pest. Tiny spots on the leaf that turn yellow and areas that completely die off are sure signs of a squash bug infestation. If the bug attacks young plants, it can cause complete devastation. If you have a more mature plant, the crop may be affected yet still survive.

APHIDS These pests are prevalent throughout our region and can be seen in multiple colors such as green, brown, red, yellow and even black. They pierce the plant and suck on the sap.

If you notice a sticky, shiny substance on the leaves of your plant, you may want to check for aphids. This residue is known as honeydew, an excretion aphids leave behind. Roses, mums, and geraniums tend to be susceptible. Vegetables prone to infestation include tomatoes and peppers among others.

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SCALE These are bad in any garden. There are so many species with which to contend. At times they are hard to identify, as they are just a speck on a leaf or stem. They may also appear as bumps or growths on leaves or stems. Many plants are host plants for this insect - from trees to shrubs to ground cover.

The best thing to do is be on the lookout for symptoms: stunted growth and yellow foliage. Similar to aphids, scale may leave behind sticky excretions attractive to ants and bees or wasps. If you spot wasps and ants in high numbers around a particular plant, you may want to investigate more closely.

TOMATO HORNWORM They attack tomatoes, but enjoy other plants as well. Eggplants and peppers can be equally affected. Very cool to look at, these caterpillars can actually “hover” like a hummingbird!

Hornworms devour a plant from the top down, defoliating the plant as they go. Sometimes, they leave the skeletalized structure of the leaf behind to show what they have done.

Eventually these caterpillars turn into moths, but can leave damage in their wake if not caught early.

The Good!

ASSASSIN BUG Okay, this insect fits into the “ugly” category, but it is well worth looking at in your garden area. They like to dine on: Colorado potato beetle, cabbage worms, aphids, cucumber beetles, cutworms, earwigs, Japanese beetles and more. Now do you see why you should keep him?

DAMSEL BUG The Damsel bug will assist in eating cabbage worms, Colorado potato beetle larvae, spider mites, whiteflies and/or prevent many insect eggs from hatching - starting in early spring.

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{ MAY 2016 |

LADYBUG Did you know you can purchase these for your garden? Yep, you can. If you don’t see many in your garden and know you have an issue with aphids, asparagus beetle larvae, Colorado potato beetle larvae, mealy bugs and others, you should consider using these beauties to help control the infestation you may be facing.

PRAYING MANTIS Many of us are familiar with the “praying” figure we find around outside in the growing season.

Many of us also know that they are “killers.” They will eat both the beneficials and the pests even each other. However, they are great to have around as they will feast on many insects that adversely impact your flowers and vegetable crops. When conducting a cleanup in your garden and see the egg case of a praying mantis - keep it there and wait for it to hatch! It’s amazing to watch these creatures emerge in spring and start eating insects right away. Children and adults will both delight in the tiny versions of the “praying” insect.

PARASITIC WASP These truly are “good” guys and do not sting! They are powerful and probably one of the most beneficial insects to have in your garden. From aphids to bagworms, cabbage worms to cucumber beetles, cutworms to Japanese beetles - the list goes on. Since they assist in eating over 200 species of pests, you can see why they are ideal to keep and not squash! ❖

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SPIDER Yes. ‘Yikes’ is a word that many of us use when we see these eight-legged wonders. However, they are a delight in your garden and help control many of the pests that affect your landscape creations. Please note that there are only two poisonous spiders found in our area - the brown recluse and black widow. Besides these two creepy poisonous spiders, keep the others around. They are your garden’s protectors.

Debbie Eisele is Jill-of-alltrades including writer, editor, certified horticulturist, education advocate, President of the Board of Directors for Allegro School of the Arts, wife, and mother of twins. When she’s not busy saving the world, she enjoys a cup of coffee and being in the great outdoors.

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37

the great

OUTDOORS

T

dirty fingernails GOOD FOR YOUR MENTAL HEALTH

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he late winter months can have you feeling pretty down, can’t they? As a matter of fact, there’s a depressive disorder that you may know about called SAD, seasonal affective disorder. There is a lack of sunshine and light that can cause your happy hormone, commonly called serotonin, to dip. Often, doctors recommend light therapy and/or medication as a “pick-me-up.”

Well, here’s the good news!

Winter is over and sunshine, dirt, and fresh air are plentiful and free! Each one has its own list of health benefits for you and your children.

First of all, a deficiency in vitamin D has been linked to depression in many studies, and you probably know that one of nature’s best providers of vitamin D is sunshine!

All you have to do is walk outside and get some rays on your arms, legs, and face for five to 15 minutes to receive the benefits. It’s important to have the rays penetrate your skin. It doesn’t work through clothing, or glass (looking at the sun from inside) or through sunscreen. But in short doses, repeated daily, sun on bare skin can begin to provide the mood-boosting benefits of this very important vitamin.

It’s good for your bones, too, as it helps your bones absorb calcium. Sunshine also helps you feel calm and focused and can improve your mood by just seeing it, but actually getting outside increases the benefits considerably.

by Marianne Clyde

Next, you have the lovely benefits of fresh air. Breathing fresh air purifies your blood, strengthens the immune system, improves blood pressure and heart rate, and raises serotonin levels to improve mood and help you feel more relaxed and refreshed. It’s also good for digestion which aids in weight loss, cleans the lungs, releases toxins from the body, and gives better clarity to the brain.

And then there’s dirt! Are you dreading weeding? Getting ready to plant some vegetables, herbs, or flowers? Did you know that digging in the dirt (or more specifically a strain of bacterium in soil) has been found to trigger the release of serotonin?

Gardening is good exercise. And exposure to these microbes elevates mood, decreases anxiety, and improves brain function as well as treating cancer and other diseases such as obesity, high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, heart disease, or stroke. Maybe that knowledge will help you be a little more eager to get your hands in the dirt.

And gardening is great for children of all levels. When children are exposed to dirt, their immune systems become stronger. Without this type of exposure, our children can grow up with a confused and weak immune system. Butting getting dirty can actually strengthen their body’s natural bacteria-fighters so that they are not as prone to react negatively to substances such as pollen or pet dander. Studies have shown that children who grow up in dirty environments such as farms have a lower incidence of infections, asthma, allergies, and eczema later in life. So let the good times roll!

Interestingly enough, research shows that children who are invested in planting vegetable gardens are also more likely to eat the vegetables they’ve grown. I have one garden with

just herbs, one with just asparagus, and one with a variety of other veggies like zucchini, green beans, and whatever else seems easy and yummy.

My grandson loves to just pick the raw veggies and eat them right from the garden. He especially loves to pick and eat the “delicious stuff” (stevia).

He’s also more open to culinary experiments such as making fresh tea from our mint crop.

Besides eating the mineral-rich vegetables, children who enjoy plenty of outdoor time have lower stress levels, more success in school, and fewer ADHD symptoms. Children with attention issues need to run and play. Create games and contests that encourage them to run outside, play with their pets, splash in the creek, or even mow the grass. And it’s not just for humans, your dog will chew fewer shoes and windowsills if exercised outside regularly. So it works for everyBODY! Any physical outdoor activity can help you glean these great benefits. I often recommend physical activity for clients who are anxious or depressed.

I know from personal experience that if I go too long between exercise sessions, I can start to feel antsy or irritated more easily. When stressed, you have excess levels of cortisol and adrenalin coursing through your body which can create an environment friendly disease formation. But it’s amazing what a brisk walk can do to get the blood pumping, oxygen circulating, and muscles moving in order to remove those excess stress hormones from bodies.

Could it be that so much in your family could be resolved by just by getting outdoors (and maybe a little dirty)? Sometimes, all you need is a walk in the woods, a dig in the dirt, or a relaxing picnic. Make outdoor activities a priority for your family this spring and summer! ❖

“Gardening is good exercise.

And exposure to these microbes [in dirt] elevates mood, decreases anxiety, and improves brain function...”

Marianne Clyde is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and author of the best selling book Peaceful Parenting: 10 Essential Principles, and meditation CD, Moments of Mindfulness, both available at Amazon. She teaches video courses on parenting and communication at curious.com/mommyzen. At her Center for Holistic Psychotherapy, they offer individual and family therapy as well as a wide variety of groups and workshops to help you live an abundant life!

540-347-3797.

{ MAY 2016 |

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the great

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wildflowers along the

GREEN TUNNEL

by Andreas A. Keller

T

Starting in late March, the beautiful white bloodroot and the blue hepatica nobilis begin to break through. And as the days get warmer, purple and yellow violets and trilliums begin to show. The great pink trillium, or wood lily, is rarely found except in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.

Trilliums are also a favored food of white-tailed deer.

In April you may find the exotic pink lady’s slipper, which belongs to the orchid family. Today these unique and beautiful flowers are endangered because they take a long time to grow, deer enjoy eating them, and people collect them.

In May, pink azaleas bloom in the forest and along Skyline Drive, followed by the white flowers of mountain laurel in June. Hiking the trails through the blooming wildflowers is a feast for all the senses. It may literally be time to “stop and smell the roses.”

he Green Tunnel is the hikers’ nickname for the Appalachian Trail, a 2,190 mile hiking path from Georgia to Maine. With much of the trail running through forests, hikers looking down the trail feel like they are walking in a “green tunnel.” One hundred and one miles of the Green Tunnel run through the Shenandoah National Park, which also offers 500 miles of hiking trails.

AN ABUNDANCE OF WILDFLOWERS Take any of the hiking trails or walk a portion of the Green Tunnel and you are bound to come across a gorgeous display of wildflowers. Wildflowers comprise more than 800 species of the approximate 1,300 species of plants that thrive in the Shenandoah National Park. Where those plants grow depends on elevation, bedrock geology, soil condition, and slope exposure.

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MOUNTAIN LAUREL HIKES When June rolls around nothing is more beautiful than picking a sunny day to go for a hike among bushes of mountain laurel. You can find them all along the Appalachian Trail and Bull Run Mountain (hikingupward.com/ OVH/BullRunMountainsNAPreserve/).

However be aware that some areas of Bull Run Mountain are closed due to soil erosion and the overlook is no longer open to the public.

Another hike that offers an abundance of mountain laurel, and is a long-time favorite of Boots ’n Beer, is the Camp Hoover Hike (hikingupward. com/SNP/CampHoover/). This scenic and historic 7.5 mile circuit hike takes you to the summer residence of President Herbert Hoover, now named The Brown House, and is surrounded by mountain laurel.

A lot of mountain laurel above the 2,500 feet level can also be found when heading up the Indian Run Trail to Corbin Mountain Trail, circling Thorofare Mountain (hikingupward. com/SNP/CorbinMountain/). This is a longer and more strenuous hike - but it’s worth it!

The best mountain laurel, however, according to Boots ’n Beer’s passionate wilderness hiker Cooper Wright, can be found in the Smoky Mountain National Park. He reports that it is like walking through a green tunnel with white blooms, the blooms so thick that one cannot see anything other than the path directly ahead.

THE SUMMER FLORA And with the advent of summer, it’s also time to look out for columbine, milkweed, nodding onion, ox eye daisy, and turk’s cap lily (also called tiger lily).

The unscented flowers of the tiger lily bloom on top of five-foot tall stems, and the seeds form along the stem where each leaf emerges. The pollinated seeds become plants within two years. You can find tiger lilies by following the Appalachian Trail South from Mary’s Rock.

One of the last big flower shows of the hiking season is put on by goldenrod, which lasts from summer’s end until frost and is found mostly in open areas such as meadows. People who suffer from hay fever allergies due to ragweed often mistakenly blame goldenrod for their suffering, since it blooms at the same time as ragweed. In some places, goldenrod is a sign of good luck and good fortune, whereas in other places it is simply considered a weed. Thomas Edison experimented with goldenrod to produce rubber and produced a 12-foottall plant that yielded as much as 12%

rubber. The tires on the Model T given to him by his friend Henry Ford were made from goldenrod.

Asters and sunflowers round out the fall offerings of nature’s garden, prompting the Shenandoah National Park to put out a reminder, “Help to ensure that wildflowers will be around for generations by leaving them unharmed. A flower that is picked misses the chance to spread thousands of seeds. A plant that is dug up is gone forever, and the loss affects all things connected to it. Love ‘em & Leave ‘em!” ❖

Andreas A. Keller is a passionate hiker and avid backpacker, but certainly not a botanist. He simply enjoys the beauty and bounty of nature. He is a Charter Member of the hiking club Boots ’n Beer and can be reached via email at aakeller@mac.com. For those who need encouragement to incorporate hiking into their lifestyles can go to www. bootsnbeer.com and sign up for our free hiking clinic.

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M

y small business, Pies + Petals, would sure be sad without the bright contributions of MJ (that’s my mom!) of LéRoy French Flowers (leroyfrenchflowers.com). When not baking pies, I’ve had many wonderful opportunities to tag along to incredible places and parties and assist my mom with florals + styling, and guess what? A floral crown is never too far from the scene. Brides seem to be the ones who most often request a floral crown, but in my opinion, you shouldn’t keep this creation solely for a once-in-a-lifetime occasion. So, if you’re going to San Francisco, or maybe just strolling around the house, be sure to wear some flowers in your hair. Here’s a simple floral crown how-to from the petal placer herself: STEP 1: Wrap a piece of green wire around your head to get the right measurement for the crown frame.

STEP 2: Start to wire greens to flower crown frame, holding each piece close to frame while wrapping tightly with florist paddle wire. Cut pieces of paddle wire about 8” - 10” for ease in wiring. Use this method to cover floral crown frame completely with greenery. Waxflower works well for this step.

STEP 3: Now comes the fun part! Start to wire flowers, one by one, onto the floral crown. You don’t have to go full circle with the flowers. You can leave some of it just green and have lots of drama in the front. You can also use artificial flowers - they work just as well, and they last longer.

Enjoy! ❖ Lissy Tropea is the owner and baker of her small business, Pies + Petals, in partnership with her florist mother, Mary Jane Tropea of LeRoy French Flowers.

Formerly a baker using the Frontier Kitchen space in Haymarket, Lissy recently became the baking partner at Jirani Coffeehouse in Manassas.

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do istelf!

your

Flower Crown

By Lissy Tropea and MJ Tropea

YOU WILL NEED:

- Green Wire (18” - 28 or 32 gauge) - Paddle Wire - Floral Snips - Flowers (we used these, but you can choose your own!): Garden Roses, Spray Roses, Tulips, Muscari (Grape Hyacinth), Wax Flower, Hypericum Berries.

STEP 2

STEP 2, b

STEP 3

STEP 3, b

STEP 3, d

ENJOY!

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The

BASICS of Vegetable Gardening GROWING PRODUCE FOR DUMMIES

By Jim Hankins

H

ome gardening is a source of nourishment and joy for millions of people, but can seem daunting to folks who are unfamiliar with the basics.

Anyone with a little space that catches a few hours of direct sunlight and has access to some water can grow a few vegetables at home, and there are countless sources of information to help you along the way. Be bold. Give it a try and you, too, can learn from experience that your own homegrown tomato will always taste better than store bought.

SUN

Sunlight is the first key to success. Six to eight hours of direct sun on the plant foliage is a bare minimum. A spot in your yard that receives all day sun is best, but not everyone has that. Years ago I lived in a one-bedroom apartment on the second floor of an old house in downtown Richmond. My garden space was a large landing on the stairs going out of the back of the house. It was shaded by large trees for part of the day, but got enough direct sun for me to coax a tropical growth out of several large flower pots. You don’t need a farm or even a big yard to grow a few vegetable plants, but you will need sunlight.

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Jim Hankins of the Fauquier Education Farm checks on the tomatoes. Photos on this page

by Rob Jinks Photography.

SOIL

The soil you plant in will also make a huge difference in your success. Growing in large flower pots or containers can be to your advantage because you are starting off with storebought soil and you can buy a quality growing medium. If you have a couple small raised beds in the yard, you will need more soil and it can start getting expensive out of a bag. Fortunately, lots of the local garden centers sell bulk garden soil and compost and you can haul it in a pickup truck to give yourself a good growing medium. Growing in a patch of your yard can be really successful, but often the soil around houses is what we call construction fill, and is a poor choice for gardening.

That same garden center garden soil and compost can improve things dramatically. Getting your soil tested would be a good idea to find out exactly what you might need to improve your garden space.

WATER

Once you have sun and good soil, moisture will be an important concern. All vegetables need water, but they also need air around their roots and can drown if watered too heavily.

Garden guides will always mention good drainage. What that means is that the damp spot in your yard that is always last to dry out might not be the best place for a garden. The same holds true for container gardens. Adequate drain holes at the bottom of a pot or bucket are a must. The size of the pot is also important. Large, deep containers don’t dry out too quickly, saving you from twice-daily watering in the heat of the summer.

PRODUCE

What to plant becomes your next big decision. Tomatoes are a classic home garden vegetable and can produce a big crop, even in small spaces.

However, you will notice that tomatoes

Meghan Walnock with an onion from the Fauquier Education Farm.

Vegetable gardening is a great way to educate children about where their food comes from, it might even encourage them to eat more vegetables!

are available as both seeds and small plants. Many vegetables like tomatoes, cabbage, or eggplant can take a long time to start from seed and are widely available as transplants. On the other hand, squash and cucumber are very easy to start directly in the garden or a container. Try to read up on how large your vegetable plant will be and plan ahead. A watermelon plant can take up lots of space while a vertically grown tomato or bean trellis can fit on anyone’s deck. If you are growing a tomato in a large flower pot, you’ll likely still have room around its base for some lettuce or

a couple basil plants. A couple cucumber plants with a fence or trellis to climb can be incredibly productive and beautiful to look at. You don’t need a big space to grow some tasty vegetables!

Don’t be afraid to ask for help and advice - gardeners are a very friendly bunch! All of the better garden centers have people on hand who can help with your first stab at gardening. The Master Gardeners are another great local resource as well as The Fauquier Education Farm. But as I often say, the very best way to learn is to get your hands dirty! ❖

The Fauquier Education Farm (FEF) raises ten acres of vegetables as demonstration gardens in order to teach everyone in the community, from backyard gardeners to commercial farmers. They also host a free workshop series and have seen attendees travel from across the state of Virginia to attend. At the FEF, you can also volunteer and gain direct hands-on learning about some pretty serious vegetable production. No experience is necessary and children are very welcome to attend with an adult. The other bonus is that all of the produce grown at the FEF is donated to support area food banks. You can learn with your family and give back to the community at the same time! Last year, the FEF donated 38,780 pounds of fresh, healthy food and have set a goal of donating 50,000 pounds in 2016. For more information about volunteering, find them on Facebook or on their website at fauquiereducationfarm.org.

Jim Hankins is the Executive Director of the Fauquier Education Farm. He grew up on a small farm in Bedford, Colorado, and has been a lifelong gardener. Before coming to work at the Fauquier Education Farm, Jim was an Agriculture Management Agent for Virginia State University and prior to that he was the Farm Manager for Park Hill Orchard in Easthampton, Massachusetts. { MAY 2016 |

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TABLE

&Winery

Blue Valley Vineyard

By Steve Oviatt

O

ne of the area’s newest wineries has one of the area’s oldest pedigrees. Blue Valley Vineyard and Winery was opened a year ago by the Zissios family at the urging of family and friends. Under the direction of third-generation winemaker Stergio Zissios, Blue Valley builds on the family’s winemaking heritage by producing wines with an Old World flair.

The son of Greek immigrants, Zissios started making wine in the family’s basement in Falls Church,

with help from his father who had started a successful Plumbing and HVAC business. While exploring careers in the family business as well as in finance and insurance, Zissios yearned to return to winemaking.

When his parents purchased property and moved to Delaplane nearly 20 years ago, plans started for the planting of grapevines to satisfy the family’s winemaking habit.

With 15 acres in grapes and at the urging of family and friends, Stergio and his family made the decision to open their family winery to the public in a new building

with majestic views built by the family and friends in the construction industry.

With the assistance of Napatrained winemaker Tyler Henley, Zissios is planning to offer only estate wines later this year, all reflecting the family tradition of big taste with light bodies.

The light, crisp whites feature the Pinot Gris, which pairs well with brown rice, asparagus, broccoli and fish.

The New Zealand style Sauvignon Blanc with its pineapple and lime zest highlights is surprisingly soft and light and avoids the traditional “grapefruit bomb”

Steve Oviatt is Past President of the Haymarket Gainesville Business Association and runs his own consulting business in addition to working with a number of local and international wineries. Steve acknowledges his daughter taught him everything he knows about wine. He lives in Catharpin with his wife, Nancy.

Photo by George Street Photo & Video ADDRESS: 9402 JUSTICE LANE, DELAPLANE, VA 20144 PHONE: 540-364-2347 HOURS: 11AM – 6 PM MONDAY-THURSDAY, 11AM – 7 PM FRIDAY-SUNDAY WEBSITE: BLUEVALLEYVINEYARDANDWINERY.COM

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that this wine is known for.

Try it with seafood. And the Heritage white blend, while tart, has wonderful honeydew and vanilla overtones and pairs well with poultry dishes.

The reds are not overwhelming, yet are still big and flavorful. Zissios explains that he wants to avoid the burning sensation that many object to when they drink red wines. While light, the reds will all age beautifully.

The Merlot’s big taste features plum, dark berry and chocolate overtones, making it an ideal match for several dinner courses featuring various meats and chocolates.

The fruity Sangiovese’s vanilla and caramel notes will go nicely with red sauce pasta dishes. The Cabernet Franc is the big surprise with its big, earthy taste featuring berries, cola and chocolate overtones.

Pair this with steak or other big, meaty dishes.

Because of their belief in family and traditions, Blue Valley’s facilities are open to a variety of events, especially weddings and receptions in the upstairs event room or in the handcrafted cellar dining area. Families are encouraged to visit, so bring a picnic and enjoy the grounds with children, dogs, and Frisbees!❖

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