Warrenton Lifestyle Magazine September 2023

“We used Patti both to sell our home and also purchase our new place. She is incredibly responsive, proactive and a great person to boot; we were very grateful to find someone like her who really cares and understands the ropes, which was important given how stressful real estate can be. Her energy and positivity are infectious, but she was also never anything but honest and straight with us during the entire process, which we really appreciated. We’re certainly calling her again next time.”

– S. Ritchie, Fauquier homeowner

Let me put my passion for real estate and my love of helping people to work for you!

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The Warrenton Lifestyle Magazine is published monthly and distributed to over 11,500 selected addresses. While reasonable care is taken with all material submitted to The Warrenton 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. ©2023 Rappahannock Media LLC.

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Home is the most comfortable place of all, and the place to provide hospice care. The house you’ve lived in for decades, or an independent, skilled nursing or assisted living facility. Any patient, family member or friend can contact us anytime, 24/7.

the most comfortable place of all, and the place to provide hospice care. The house you’ve lived decades, or an independent, skilled nursing or assisted living facility. Any patient, family member or can contact us anytime, 24/7.

most comfortable place of all, and the best place to provide nursing or assisted living facility. Any patient, family member or e you’ve lived in for decades, or an independent, friend contact anytime, 24/7. Our staff lives and works here because caring for our community is our passion.

Home is the most comfortable place of all, and the place to provide hospice care. The house you’ve lived in for decades, or an independent, skilled nursing or assisted living facility. Any patient, family member or friend can contact us anytime, 24/7.

400 Holiday Court • Suite 101 Warrenton, VA 20186

Home is the most comfortable place of all, and the place to provide hospice care. The house you’ve lived in for decades, or an independent, skilled nursing or assisted living facility. Any patient, family member or friend can contact us anytime, 24/7.

540.349.3970 | heartlandhospice.com

493 Blackwell Road • Suite 319 Warrenton, VA 20186

540.349.3970 | heartlandhospice.com/Warrenton

540.349.3970 | heartlandhospice.com/Warrenton

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“I wish we had known about hospice sooner.”

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“I hospice sooner.”

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

Doing What Needs to be Done

The Sumerduck Ruritans combine fellowship, friendship, and philanthropy in their small town.

BY SUE BALDANI

Sumerduck, a small rural village located not far from Warrenton, is the type of community where neighbors look out for neighbors. Sumerduck Ruritan club, part of Ruritan National Inc., is helping to do that and more.

What comes to mind with the word “Ruritan”? Service to the community is the main thing, of course, but a browse through Sumerduck Ruritan Club’s active Facebook page just makes you want to jump up and join in, make some friends, and do a whole lot of good while you’re there.

Active since 2015, the page’s photo album is chock full of photos of folks of all ages, and they’re almost always smiling at just about any type of feel-good small town event you can imagine: fundraisers,

creative workshops making crafts or birdhouses, the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus, picnics, holiday dinners, family movie nights, live music pickin’ parties, pickup softball games, quilt raffles, ceremonies, awards presentations … and on and on.

Yes, there is a lot of fun going on at Sumerduck Ruritans, and you can tell they’re an extremely close and friendly group but remember, everything they do correlates to the Ruritan’s creed of promoting fellowship, goodwill, and community service.

“Everything we raise goes right back into the community,” Rufus Hisghman, president of the club, said.

Founded in 1961 with 19 charter members, in 1967, one of these members, Clyde McConchie, donated one acre of his land on Sumerduck Road to the organization.

It’s on this property that the club’s building, completed in 1971, still stands.

Current member and public relations head, Mike Timm, who first joined the organization about 20 years ago, said, “We want to do what needs to be done in the community. When my kids were little, we started a baseball league in Sumerduck because they had nothing to do. The Sumerduck Ruritan club sponsored us and paid for our uniforms, trophies, and everything else we needed.”

At Sumerduck Ruritan’s “Never Forget” 9-11 remembrance ceremony, many of Fauquier County‘s officials and ministers attend and speak. The timeline of events is read and commemorated with bells, and Liberty High Chorus and Jr. ROTC Color Guard participate. 50-70 people attend. Please join them for the ceremony this year on Sept. 11 at 6 p.m.

A retired schoolteacher, Timm and his wife relocated to Sumerduck from Ohio. “We lived in Arlington, then in Manassas, and then we finally moved out here in 1978. Coming from a city, it was like a whole new world living in the country. It's quiet and it's so dark at night, and the people here, once you earn their trust, will do anything for you. It’s a really tight community.”

Timm and many other members want to keep it that way. The club has served as a place for adults and kids to enjoy many fun events. “We had bingo here and all kinds of picnics. Every Christmas and Halloween we have a party.”

Fellow Sumerduck resident and vice president, Patty Embrey, said, “Our club’s most valuable service is providing fellowship by having dinners and events that bring people back together in the community. I’m heavily involved with planning different activities and events that do this.”

Along with fun activities, Sumerduck Ruritan club also provides much-needed services and items such as fruit baskets for shut-ins and dinners for senior citizens and veterans. It also provides scholarships for deserving high school graduates. And, every year on 9/11, they hold a special ceremony to ensure people never forget what happened that day.

Of course, all of these good deeds take money, and the club works hard to fundraise. In addition to membership dues, money is acquired in various ways. “We try to do pickin’ parties once a month where we have musical groups come in,” said Timm. “We don't charge to see them, but we do charge for the food. We also have a scrapbooking vendor about every six months who helps us raise money. Participants get meals and some gifts, and then they’re shown how to do scrapbook-

ing. Our latest fundraiser is being done with my cousin, a professional quilter, and we’re raffling off a king-size quilt that she made.”

During COVID, members started putting together monthly box dinners to sell to help people have access to good meals. “They sold out all the time,” Timm said. “Now, we’re making money off of our box dinners because so many people still want them.” Since they own their own building, they can also rent out space for various events and celebrations.

“When one of our original charter members, Harold Comer, who was also our oldest member, died around six years ago, his family donated a generous amount to the club,” said Timm. “That got us through COVID and we’re really grateful.”

Sumerduck Ruritan club is also hoping to obtain its 501(c)(3) status by the end of the year. Another Sumerduck resident, Rufus Hisghman, its president and lieutenant governor of the Ruritan Rappahannock district, believes this will help bring in more donations since many organizations donate only to nonprofits with that designation.

“Ruritan clubs are all about assisting their communities, and anything we can do to obtain money helps us do more of that, whether it’s donating to churches, rescue squads, and firehouses, or building wheelchair ramps for people who need them,” he said.

Hisghman became a member in 2017, and after retiring from the Virginia State Police about two years ago, tries to give as much time as possible to helping his community. “I had quite a few friends in the club and they really convinced me that giving to the community would be the best thing I could do with my extra time.” He has also served as vice president and on

Left: Bluegrass/Gospel band Jerusalem Ridge performing at one of the popular Pickn’ Parties

Below: Scholarship recipient Lilly Verrill, a dispatcher at the sheriffs office who has plans to go into forensic ballistics

Bottom: Family friendly movie night the Board of Directors.

Wilson Clutterbuck, of Remington, who just celebrated his 56th year with Sumerduck Ruritan, knows all about the importance of fundraising. In addition to presiding over the club as president and volunteering on committees, he was the treasurer for 25 years. “I spent most of my time counting the money,” he said, laughing.

Today, the club has about 40 active members, and it’s always looking for more. If interested in joining, visit their Facebook page and learn all about becoming a Sumerduck Ruritan and help change people’s lives. L

Sumerduck Ruritans

facebook.com/SumerduckRuritan sumerduckruritan@gmail.com

540-445-1714

5335 Sumerduck Road

Monthly meetings every fourth Monday of the month, 6 p.m.

Mitul Gandhi, MD Jey Maran, MD

Robert Marsh, MD

Tejas Suresh, MD

This One’s forGirlsthe

Warrenton resident Becky Crouch recognized for 50 years of service to the Girl Scouts

BY JAMES JARVIS AND PAM KAMPHUIS

“Any Girl Scout leader could aspire to be Mrs. Crouch,” said Celia Faulk of Warrenton, who grew up attending Girl Scouts in Fauquier County. “She was a fantastic troop leader. She was always looking for opportunities for us to experience something new. She taught me to dream.”

Faulk is not the only one to appreciate her longtime mentor. Clearly loved by many, both within the Girl Scout organization and outside of it, Becky Crouch was recently recognized for 50 years of participation and outstanding volunteer service at the 2023 Annual Meeting of the Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital held in Germantown, Maryland.

Originally from the rural eastern shore of Maryland, Crouch began her Girl Scout journey as a child. But it wasn’t until she moved to Fauquier County in 1977 and her two daughters were recruited to join the Girl Scouts that she became more involved in the organization and became a troop leader.

“When I became a mother, and the recruiting happened at my daughter's elementary school, that's when I then became active,” she said. “I have two daughters who both went all the way through 12 years of scouting, and both of my girls and I are lifetime members.”

Although her daughters are now grown, Crouch said her granddaughter was the most recent family member to join the Girl Scouts.

“It's really fun to have a third-generation Girl Scout,” Crouch said.

Scouting with Mrs. Crouch

Faulk has known Becky Crouch almost all her life. “I joined Girl Scouts with Mrs. Crouch’s daughter Caroline when we were in the second grade. Mrs. Crouch became our troop leader when we were in Brownies, and she led us all the way through Senior level in high school.”

“She exposed us to as many new experiences as she could; she was always looking for opportunities for us. She supported us in our dreams, even if they weren’t her dreams. She helped us accomplish them by helping us identify the goal and then helping us through the steps. As we got older, she helped less and coached more because she knew we could do it ourselves. She made sure we had fun, but also held us accountable.”

Girl Scout trips taken with the troop are among Faulk’s most treasured memories. Mrs. Crouch took the girls

Grace Faulk with mom Celia at Grace’s Bridging to Senior Girl Scout banquet

Mrs. Crouch giving Honor Guard instructions in flag etiquette to girls in Celia Faulk’s troop at a previous Warrenton Memorial Day parade.

COURTESY OF CELIA FAULK

COURTESY OF CELIA FAULK

camping even though she had a bad back, into Washington DC to see the city, and more. But the one that stands out Faulk calls “The Epic Trip”.

“When we were in the ninth grade, Mrs. Crouch took us to Savannah. It was a dream or ours, and we saved our cookie money for years. We rode in a bus through the night. I remember that Caroline and I were so excited and talkative that Mrs. Crouch gave us a box of Girl Scout cookies and said, ‘I don’t want to hear another word out of you two until you have finished all these cookies.’”

In Savannah the troop visited the home of Juliette Gordon Low, who founded the Girl Scouts of the USA in 1912. The girls were able to step back in time to the beginning of scouting, wearing period dresses, doing crafts, gardening, and even had a tea party at the table where Low had the original tea party where the concept of Girl Scouting in the US originated.

“To be in Savannah, at Juliette’s house, with Mrs. Crouch who was my version of Juliette…” Faulk trailed off tearfully, her inability to finish making the meaning of the sentence clear.

Inspired by Mrs. Crouch, Faulk is now a troop leader herself, stepping into the role when her own daughter, now 15, joined the Girl Scouts as a Daisy at the age of five.

“Mrs. Crouch made the scouting experience so amazing that I wanted my daughter to have the same experiences growing up.

Years of Service

Throughout her Girl Scout career, Crouch has served as the leader of Brownie, Junior, Cadette, and Senior troops in Fauquier County. She’s also held leadership positions at the local (Service Unit), regional (Association) and Council levels. Crouch has represented the Council at National Conferences in Miami, Long Beach, Fort Worth, Kansas City, Atlanta, and Indianapolis. Currently, she serves on the Service Unit Team as treasurer, a position she's held

for more than 20 years. Over her many years of service, Crouch has received several accolades, including the Knox Award — the highest award for an adult volunteer.

During those years, Mrs. Crouch said, “I met some extraordinary women that have become lifelong friends and traveled places I would never otherwise had the opportunity to visit.”

But Crouch emphasized the accolades she received and places she’s traveled were just “a plus.”

“I do this for the girls,” Crouch said. “Watching them grow into wonderful adults and role models has been one of the greatest joys in my life.”

The most important thing that Crouch takes pride in, she said, “is feeling that I made a difference in the lives of the young girls that I was privileged to have in my troop over the years.” L

“My mom always said ‘It’s not a parade in Warrenton without Becky and a fire truck!’”

— CELIA FAULK

Three generations of Girl Scouts: Becky Crouch (center) with daughters Caroline (left), Emily (right) and granddaughter Becky (front)

COURTESY OF BECKY CROUCH

OF BECKY CROUCH

Mrs. Crouch’s Girl Scout Troop 921 marching in Fireman’s Parade early 1980s.

A Message of Love and Hope

BY SUE BALDANI

While physical health issues such as cancer and diabetes are spoken about freely, the word suicide, if mentioned at all, is often whispered in a clandestine fashion. Even in this day and age, where most topics that were once taboo are now discussed openly, suicide is still surrounded by a stigma.

Morgan’s Message, based in Gainesville, is trying to change this perception in order to prevent other senseless deaths like that of Morgan Rodgers of Warrenton. A highly artistic, smart, beautiful and loving 22 year old, she died by suicide on July 11, 2019.

Her mother, Dona Rodgers, who along with family and friends founded the organization on July 11, 2020, said, “If you knew Morgan, it would be very obvious that something good would have had to have come out of this. She was the all-American girl next door who worked really hard and anything she set her mind to she seemed to accomplish, but when her mental health deteriorated, she didn't know what to do.”

Morgan wrote about her feelings, which her family discovered after her death, and she detailed how she felt completely alone and that no one would ever understand what was going through her mind. “She didn't seek out her own solution, which is what she'd done her whole life, but mental illness affects your mind, your thought process and your thought patterns.”

One thing Morgan always worked really hard at was lacrosse. While attending Kettle Run High School in Fauquier County, several high-caliber programs recruited her to play Division I Women’s Lacrosse, and she wished to combine her love of the sport with a world class education. When she was accepted to play for the Duke University Women’s Lacrosse Team, it was a dream come true. But, with that opportunity, came high anxiety. While she received help at the time and was doing well, in 2017, she suffered a debilitating knee injury. Although she was dedicated to an intensive rehabilitation program, Morgan struggled and her feelings of isolation grew. This time, she was not able to break free of the darkness.

“I think athletes in particular have a really hard time with this,” said her mother. “They put such a demand on their bodies to be successful that maybe they just feel like their bodies are letting them down.”

Morgan’s Message has innovative ways of reaching out to others who are struggling. One is its Peer-To-Peer Ambassador Program. “We wanted to make a very direct

How one family and community is working to prevent suicide

Morgan Rodgers was more than an exceptional lacrosse player and an excellent student. She was also a gifted artist. Her work surrounds these photos

and swift impact,” explained Rodgers. “If we started from the top, say through parents, administrations, or coaching staff, and tried to get these adults on board with this program, it would have taken decades. We knew there had to be a better way.”

So, the organization initially had high school and college students working on educating and empowering other kids. It not only got the message to their peers fast, but also changed the way the grown up in their lives may have been thinking about suicide. “The adults around them were and are being forced to listen, watch and learn. We couldn't have done it any better.”

Every ambassadorship is 100% voluntary, and each ambassador, or advocate, is encouraged to hold monthly meetings where they invite their teammates, friends, and roommates - they don’t have to be athletes. The organization provides them with resources such as PowerPoint presentations, topics, and suggestions on how to run a meeting.

“The meetings are basically around a specific topic concerning mental health and we encourage them to start the conversation, open up the dialogue, and have everyone contribute,” she said. “With every meeting, hopefully more advocates will come and then they'll take this information back to their communities, and their teams. That's how this stigma will be eliminated.”

In the summer of 2022, the Ambassador approach was expanded to include sports clubs, travel teams and other youth organizations. Today, there are over 2,800 ambassadors in over 1050 high schools and colleges.

Said Ambassador Lexi Francis of Bristow, who just graduated from Battlefield High School, “I wanted to become an ambassador because I saw so many people struggling with

mental health and I wanted to learn new ways to help and advocate for others, while also providing a safe, comforting environment.

“To be an ambassador, it means that in even the slightest bit, I am helping others. It may not seem huge, but it is the small things that can make someone feel better.” She is off to Bridgewater College this fall and hopes to become an ambassador there.

In addition to the US, there are ambassadors in Canada and the UK. Now, it’s expanding its reach once again. “We have a newly launched arm of our education program called our AtLarge Ambassadors,” said Rodgers. “These are former student athletes who have graduated college and are living in the ‘real world.’ They are sharing Morgan's Message within their communities and in their workforce.”

Another way Morgan’s Message is reaching people is through its podcast, The Mental Matchup. “It's an awesome platform and hosts former student athletes, mental health

The organization’s teal butterfly logo was derived from Morgan’s artwork and inspired by her favorite color. (At her memorial service, family and friends were surrounded by butterflies and these beautiful creatures continue to appear when needed most.) The semi-colon that is part of the butterfly is

From left: Morgan’s dad, Kurt, Morgan, brother Austin, twin sister, Aberle, and mother, Dona surround Cash the pup at the beach. Below: Dona, Morgan, and Kurt Rodgers.

professionals, performance coaches, and trainers,” she said. “Each one of our guests has a unique story. A lot of them have battled mental health challenges in their past, and they've come through it.”

Renee Norden, Executive Director of the Mental Health Association of Fauquier County, praises the organization for its commitment to help reduce the stigma of mental health issues, especially with the younger generation. "What Morgan's Message does is open the doors for connection, and allows peers to share their own struggles, which makes them feel not so alone. The Fauquier community is lucky to have Morgan's family as advocates for mental health care."

Last year, the organization held its first annual Moe Madness Youth Lacrosse Tournament, and this year will be doing so again on October 7th and 8th. It's for fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth graders and is being held at the Fauquier County Central Sports Complex in Warrenton where there's a turf field dedicated to Morgan.

“It's beautiful, and we're really proud to have it here in her hometown,” said Rodgers. “Morgan loved it here and so do we. We are grateful as a family to the community - the support has been incredible. I'm not sure we would've had the strength to start this whole organization without this constant support and encouragement.” L

MorgansMessage.org

How to Help

Volunteer as an ambassador or within the organization.

Donate - Morgan’s Message is an official 501(c)3 Non-Profit Corporation and can accept 100% tax deductible donations.

Organize, with the help of ambassadors, dedication games/ matches between teams to highlight awareness for student-athlete mental health.

We lost Morgan because of the stigma that surrounds mental health, and if one kid out there feels the same way and actually opens up and gets some help because of our work, it validates what we’re doing. And, it’s comforting to know that Megan’s death has brought some good.”

— DONA RODGERS

Second Annual Potter’s Potties Fauquier County River Clean Up

Volunteers needed to help a local company work towards a cleaner environment in Fauquier County

BY SUE BALDANI PHOTOS COURTESY OF POTTER’S POTTIES

“I'm an outdoors man and like hunting and fishing,” said Bucky Potter, president and owner of Potter’s Potties, LLC in Warrenton. “My sister Jackie also loves the outdoors. When I’m floating down the river fishing and enjoying the outdoors, the last thing I want to see while I'm experiencing nature is a Bud Light can floating down the river. Or, if I want to swim, I want to feel like the water is clean. I just want myself and others to be able to really disconnect and be in nature. That’s one of the reasons we do this [river clean up].”

After graduating from college, Bucky wanted to continue the entrepreneurial streak that had started with a wood chopping business in 2012, and a plowing business in 2014, and at the same time make the world a cleaner place. In 2017, he founded Potter’s Potties LLC in Warrenton, which provides toilets, fully outfitted five-stall executive trailers with running water and electricity, and office and storage pods to the surrounding area. Aware of the stereotypes of the industry, the company prides itself

in ensuring that the portable units the company delivers stay clean, have a pleasant smell and have plenty of toilet tissue and hand sanitizer in stock.

Given his love of the outdoors and our rivers, Bucky went further in working towards clean water. Last year he implemented a river cleanup of a portion of the Rappahannock River where it flows through Fauquier County. “This is a very long undammed river that starts all the way up in the Shenandoah National Park,” he said. “This park is a pristine landscape, and when it comes to our county, it shouldn't become any less pristine. People love Fauquier County because it's so rural and beautiful. There are a lot of farms and huge tracts of land that are pretty unique to our county.”

Added Jacqueline (Lynn) Potter, Bucky’s sister who has helped grow the business and handles marketing and other duties, “We've been in business for six years, and we wanted to really give back to the community that has given us so much.”

Last year, Potter’s Potties partnered with Boys Scout Troop 1187, as well as employees and their families to form a group of about 20 people who collected over 800 pounds of trash. This refuse included not just small items such as fast-food containers and bottles, but also mattresses, tires, televisions and plastic baby pools.

This year, Potter’s Potties will once again sponsor a river clean up involving again a local Boy Scout Troop, their own employees, friends, families, and other volunteers. This year’s location will be at the Fauquier County Rector Tract public boat launch, which opened in August of 2021, becoming Fauquier County’s second Rappahannock River kayak/canoe launch offering a public access point

Bucky’s Wife (Haley Potter) giving a thumbs up during 1st annual river clean up.

2023 RIVER CLEAN UP

September 22, 2023, 1:30 p.m.

Rector Tract Public Boat Launch

Volunteer sign up information available by contacting Potter’s Potties

to this state-designated scenic river.

They hope to make an even larger environmental impact this year by recruiting more people to help. Some of their customers are already on board. The company will provide all the protective equipment needed to keep people safe, such as reflective vests and grabbers, so it’s important for people to sign up beforehand to ensure that there will be enough of these items available.

Potter’s Potties also pays to transport and deposit the trash at the local dump, which adds up to quite a bit of money. “We want to do more environmentally-friendly activities by using the manpower and the financial power of our company,” said Bucky.

“The pillars of our brand are cleanliness and quality, and that doesn't just extend to our service, but to our community and the environment around us and making sure that not only our customers and our neighbors are receiving clean and quality service, but that we're doing our job around the community too,” said Jackie. L

PottersPottiesLLC.com

703-754-9682

potterspottiesllc@gmail.com

Left: End of River Clean Up with Potter’s Potties Team. Truck filled with baby pools, TVs, and 800 lbs of trash. Below: Troop 1186 and Potter’s Potties Team about to embark on their trash journey.

Multiple Gold

Poppi’s Peppers

Poppi's Gourmet Hot Sauce’s KC Supreme BBQ Sauce shines at world competition

BY JAMES JARVIS PHOTOS COURTESY OF POPPI’S GOURMET HOT SAUCE

ocal gourmet hot sauce purveyors Dustin White and his father Royce secured 12th place at the 2023 American Royal World BBQ Sauce Competition in May, beating out 137 competitors (including Sweet Baby Ray’s and Rufus Teague) in the mild tomato BBQ sauce division with their flagship condiment, a sweet BBQ sauce, Poppi’s Kansas City Supreme. More recently, it was also named the number one Best BBQ sauce in the Mid-Atlantic at the Quad State Flavor Festival.

Established in 2020, Poppi’s Gourmet Hot Sauce, affectionately named after Royce White, who is fondly referred to as "Poppi" by his grandchildren, is a father-and-son enterprise borne out of a multi-generational love for spicy, flavorful sauces.

Starting with a love of hot sauces

From a young age, Royce said his hot sauce addiction started because of his father, similarly nicknamed “Papa,” who “loved anything hot.”

“As a kid, he used to keep a bottle of cayenne pepper on the middle of the table, and I used to tease him that he even put it on his cereal,” said Royce.

While Royce also enjoyed hot sauces, his preference was for flavor rather than the “killer hot” varieties Dustin’s grandfather enjoyed. Still, it was a bond they shared, and Royce said that over the years, he always looked for opportunities to sample a new sauce with his father and concoct his own unique blends.

Royce’s father has since passed. But the love of creation and flavor he instilled in Royce has not. Despite not having a formal culinary background, Royce said his specialty hot sauces became a coveted item at family functions, such as birthdays, barbecues and the holidays. Moving into a Family Business Model

Dustin and Royce White pose with their first bottle of hot sauce in 2020.

Royce said it never crossed his mind to commercialize his hot sauce. But a year after starting Abundant Acre Farms north of Warrenton with his wife Brittany, his son Dustin, 41, approached Royce with a proposition.

“And probably, I don't know, a year into [starting] the farm, he came to me and said, ‘Hey, dad, that stuff you make for people at Christmas, birthdays and stuff. Can I take that and grow it?’” Royce said, recalling a conversation with his son.

Having started several companies throughout his career, Royce agreed to help his son in the kitchen and marketing the business.

“It's my son's business. I'm here to help him build it –here to help my grandchildren have a future, if you will, in it,” Royce said.

Beginning with just three hot sauces, the Scotch Bonnet, Scorpion Sizzle and Original Gourmet (originally called “Lo-Heat Pete”), Poppi’s now sells over a dozen different varieties, not including Royce’s seasonings and rubs and Brittany’s pepper jellies, pickles, and jams, which she makes herself from scratch.

Ingredients

Most of the hot peppers used in Poppi’s Hot Sauces, ranging from bell peppers to Carolina Reapers, are sourced from Abundant Acres Farms.

Although Poppi’s uses some of the hottest peppers in the world to make its sauces, including the Carolina Reaper, Chocolate Moruga Scorpion and 7 Pot Douglah, Royce claims “none of ours will burn your face off.” Royce said the company remains committed to making their

sauces palatable.

“The key is you get to taste the flavor of those peppers,” Royce said.

Since its inception in 2020, Poppi’s has seen annual growth of 400% for the past three years, according to Royce. Dustin and Brittany have also expanded to accommodate the growing demand for their sauces and plan to grow other vegetables, such as zucchini, onions and garlic.

“Next year, we'll grow four times as many pepper plants,” Royce said. “We're only growing enough for 20,000 bottles for the year. And we've got about 5,000 customers right now spread throughout Virginia pretty much and in a few states because we've kept it growing slow intentionally because of planning.”

Poppi’s Offerings

Hot Sauces

BBQ Sauce

Seasoning & Rubs

Pepper Jellies (try them over cream cheese)

Hot Sauces in order of heat scale, from mild to “burn your face off”:

Original Gourmet

Wild Cherry

Chipotle

Honey Peach

Habanero

Scotch Bonnet

Bourbon Bonnet

Sugar Rush Peach

Scorpion Sizzle

321 Hot Sauce

Three years after starting out selling Poppi’s products at the Warrenton Farmers Market, Royce said they offer free tasting booths at 15 to 18 different venues around the area, including farmers markets, breweries, wineries, and festivals in Fauquier, Loudoun, Stafford, Fredericksburg, Prince William, Fairfax County, Arlington, Alexandria and beyond. Their sauces are also sold at local specialty stores in Fauquier, including Erin’s Elderberries and Great Harvest in Warrenton.

The BBQ Sauce

Although the company has done well, Royce said their best-selling creation isn’t a hot sauce. Instead, it’s a milder tomato-based BBQ sauce called Poppi’s KC Supreme.

“I used it as a chaser because the acidic nature of tomato from the tomato sauce and sugar has a tendency to cut that capsaicin that you've just tried on the hot sauce … and people were like, ‘Whoa, I'm not sure which hot sauce I'm gonna buy yet, but I definitely want a bottle of that,’” Royce said, recounting his conversations with previous customers.

After a year of meticulous testing and tasting, Poppi’s KC Supreme was introduced in February 2022. Since then, Royce said the sauce has received rave customer reviews, with many ranking it above popular brands, such as Sweet Baby Ray’s.

“It got to a point where people were like, really addicted,” Royce said.

Feeling confident about the quality of their product, in May Royce and Dustin decided to enter Poppi’s KC Supreme into the American Royal World Series of Barbecue Sauce Contest in Kansas City.

Out of a total of 180 points, Poppi’s KC Supreme placed 12th with 174 points—only three points away from the first-place sauce.

Invigorated by this accomplishment, Royce said the company aims to continue expanding and plans to create several new sauces, including a South Carolina mustard-based and North Carolina vinegar-based barbecue sauce. But, Royce added, they plan to take their time to ensure the quality remains consistent.

“Life's too short to have un-tasty food,” Royce said. “It's a matter of just making things that people really enjoy. That's pretty much what we're about.” L

Poppi’s #1 fan and unofficial taste tester Shawn Reber

First we make them good, then we make them hot!

Get the Hang of It, and You’re Hooked

Discover Heroic Axe in Vint Hill

BY HOUSTON PAULEY PHOTOS BY LUKE CHRISTOPHER

In my hands, I held a hatchet. It was surprisingly light, roughly two pounds. As advised by my coaches, Jeff and Rachel Moore, I lined my thumbs up with the handle of the axe and threw. My target, about 12 feet away, was a traditional bullseye digitally projected onto a wood panel. The axe itself was easy to throw, but I could already see the challenge was to get it to stick: the head clunked against the wood, and it dropped to the floor. I was hooked. I was determined to make it stick at least once.

Jeff and Rachel are the owners of Heroic Axe, a restaurant and axe throwing venue in Vint Hill. They tried axe throwing for the first time two years ago while on vacation with their family. When Rachel struck a bullseye on her first throw, she was ecstatic. Eager to look into opening their own axe throwing place, they started brainstorming.

The timing lined up: Rachel was at a transition point in her career in the senior care industry, and Jeff, who had served in the Navy for 13 years, managed a career school, a cleaning company, a DIY YouTube channel, and has acted in commercials, TV, and movies, was also at a flexible point.

Rachel described the new business venture as a leap of faith. The couple places a focus on fun and serving the community, inside and outside the store. Jeff said Rachel’s genuine attitude and care for her staff is what made her successful in senior care. As I spoke with them, I could sense they brought the same level of care into this new business as well.

A sport for everyone

The accessibility of the sport drew the Moores in. Jeff said, “It’s empowering, you know, once you start to kind of feel that confidence.” They mentioned how they’ve tended to notice women get the hang of axe throwing faster than men, as many male customers put too much focus on strength instead of technique when learning.

Jeff said, “None of us are lumberjacks. Sometimes people come in here who are athletic that struggle with this, and some people come in, you know, and just nail it.” They have even had women in their 70s who had a blast with the sport.

I was one of those people who definitely struggled to get the hang of it, but my fumbled attempts at getting the blade to stick did not detract from the thrill of throwing an axe.

The experience

The huge space with high ceilings has a little bit of an industrial but rustic atmosphere and contains eight axe-throwing lanes separated by sturdy wooden walls and wire-fenced windows. The dim lighting is similar to an arcade to help the projected targets stand out, which gives it a tiny bit of a night club vibe. It is a welcoming environment where people can bring family and friends. Behind the lanes there are tables, chairs, and sofas for those not participating in the lanes to sit and watch. The Moores recently added two 85-inch televisions perfect for watching sports events. In nice weather, there is even an

outside area so guests can bring their dogs.

As far as the target, Heroic Axe offers much more than just one bullseye. Choose ducks or zombies to aim for, or play tic-tac toe or an animated version of the board game Battleship. Another game in the spirit of Candy Crush and Bejewled is a very popular mode with patrons. Each projector is controlled by a keyboard and mouse, which is used to change the targets, game modes, and keep track of the player’s time as well.

Throwing with purpose

Although the idea of opening up an axe throwing venue was something the Moores were excited about, Jeff also wanted to give the business a purpose for the community, which is when the name Heroic Axe, a play on words, came to him. He said, “That’s not a testament to anything we do,” and that “what we decided as our mission that was important to us is to give back to those who defend our country and protect our community.”

They donate a portion of Heroic Axe’s profits to organizations that help veterans and first responders, and they continue to find ways to assist in charity work. In June, they began a campaign called “Kegs for a Cause,” where they donated a dollar for every draft they poured that month to Hero’s Bridge, a nonprofit that helps veterans.

Both Jeff and Rachel are passionate about helping others, which is not only visible in their charity work, but also in the hospitality they bring to their customers. Some of these customers include first responders and veterans, who have brought in old patches from their jobs and

Rachel and Jeff Moore experienced axe throwing 2 years ago while on vacation, and immediately started brainstorming about starting a similar venue in Fauquier County.

Jeff Moore, coowner of Heroic Axe, demonstrates throwing techniques.

A variety of targets are available to throw at, including the traditional bullseye, shown here. The targets are projected digitally onto the wooden wall.

Minimum age to participate in throwing is 10, but the family-friendly environment makes Heroic Axe a destination for all ages.

The Food

In house chefs prepare a variety of dishes from the in-house kitchen including shareable appetizers including wings, nachos, and jumbo pretzels served warm with beer cheese (a favorite). Paninis, flatbreads, and sweets round out the menu.

The Bar

offers local craft beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages

placed them on a reserved spot on a wall where Jeff has even included some of his own from his time in the Navy.

Rachel said much of this comes from a desire of veterans wanting to support fellow veterans. In the throwing lane next to me, an Air Force veteran, Steven Bui, came in for his first time and loved it, saying it was a good stress reliever.

After a few more of my failed throws using both hands, Jeff suggested I try using one hand, saying that some find it easier. I tried again, taking Jeff’s advice, and at last, the axe made a satisfying thud as it buried itself in the wood. From the way the challenge sucked me in and how great it felt to succeed, I understood what Bui meant about axe throwing being effective at relieving stress. I’m looking forward to going back to Heroic Axe again to see if I can get a bullseye. L

Heroic Axe

Vint Hill Farms

6781 Kennedy Road, Suite #6, Warrenton 540-422-AXES (2937)

Heroicaxe.com

Blues returns to the rolling hills

John Jackson Piedmont Blues Festival honors musical icon

BY RANDY RIELAND

One of the highlights of this year’s show will be the return of Phil Wiggins, the blues harmonica player who, like Jackson, has been named a National Heritage Fellow, the highest honor bestowed on traditional and folk artists in the United States. Last year, Wiggins performed solo, but this time he’ll be joined by guitarist and banjo player Hubby Jenkins and violinist Marcus Moore.

Also coming back to the stage in Woodville is the Erin Harpe Country Blues Duo and Jeffrey Scott, who learned acoustic blues guitar from Jackson, who was his grand-uncle. Rounding out the returnees are the popular local blues band, Bobby G and Friends, and the Unity Choir, comprising gospel singers from area churches.

New additions to the festival are Frank Fotusky, a top acoustic blues guitarist who played with Jackson, and guitarist Justin Golden and harmonica player Andrew Alli, two blues standouts in the Richmond music scene.

At the heart of the show is the legacy of John Jackson. Born in Rappahannock in 1924 as the seventh of 14 children, he didn’t make it past the first grade because he had to help on the family’s tenant farm. But at a young age, he taught himself how to play on his father’s guitar the songs he heard on the family’s old record player.

The Piedmont Blues are back!

The music will echo once again in the hills of Eldon Farms – about 10 minutes from Sperryville – in Rappahannock County when the John Jackson Piedmont Blues Festival returns on September 30.

The event is designed to honor the Rappahannock native who became a world-renowned performer, and to keep alive the music he celebrated.

“It was great to revive this festival last fall after missing two years because of the pandemic,” said Kenner Love, the county’s agricultural extension agent who heads the team of volunteers behind the event. “Now we want it to keep growing and make sure this part of the region’s past is kept alive.

“House parties were a big part of the local culture, and the Piedmont blues was the music of those house parties,: he added. “That’s where John Jackson mastered the music that made him an artist who performed all over the world.”

As a young man, he played his guitar and banjo, and sang for friends and neighbors until a violent confrontation at a house party convinced him to stop performing in public. That lasted until 1964 when he had a fluke encounter at a gas station in Fairfax. Jackson was giving his mailman a guitar lesson in a back room when music folklorist Chuck Perdue happened to stop for gas. That’s when he heard Jackson’s playing.

Before long, Jackson had become a regular at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival and started performing all over the world, including at the White House for two presidents, Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan. Although he never gave up his day job as a cemetery caretaker, Jackson kept playing up until a few months before his death in 2002.

Visitors to the festival will be able to learn more about Jackson through display of photos and articles, and storytelling from people who knew him. Also on site will be two food trucks serving the country favorites of the house parties where Jackson learned his trade. L

Admission is $20. For details on buying tickets and more information, go to the John Jackson Piedmont Blues Festival Facebook page (rappnews.link/bluesfest).

Festival namesake John Jackson passed away in 2002.

Ashwell & Ashwell adds LeHew, Bartels as associates

The law firm of Ashwell & Ashwell, PLLC, of Warrenton welcomes Lindsay J. LeHew and Richard R. Bartels as the firm's newest associates.

LeHew is a native Virginian from Front Royal. A graduate of Virginia Tech, she received her law degree from the Charleston School of Law and previously worked as a prosecutor handling serious misdemeanor and felony criminal cases, according to a news release. At Ashwell & Ashwell, she focuses on criminal defense, civil litigation and domestic relations.

Bartels joins the firm with a background focused on intellectual property law, corporate law, civil litigation and administrative law. A Florida native, Bartels received his undergraduate degree from Florida State University and his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law. He previously worked as the in-house counsel at a biotech company in Charlottes-

ville, and now applies his technical background to commercial law and complex civil matters at Ashwell & Ashwell.

“We have added exceptional talent to our roster, as Lindsay and Ross are some of the brightest legal talents in the area. They fit in perfectly with the culture of our firm and are dedicated to providing exceptional service to our clients that the community has come to expect,” said William D. Ashwell in the release. “Each of their unique skills and experience will greatly impact the firm’s unique ability to meet the needs of clients across a broad range of practice areas, and we look forward to their growth with the firm for many years to come.”

Ashwell & Ashwell was founded in late 2020 by William D. (Will) Ashwell and his father, Judge J. Gregory Ashwell, who served as a prosecutor and on the bench in Fauquier County for 14 years. L

Repeatedly 7210 Hunting Lane ~ Warrenton, VA 20186

"I cannot speak highly enough about my buying and selling experience with Angela Smoot. Angela goes above and beyond. When selling our house, she meticulously staged the home and helped make sure it was in top-showing condition. Though we received multiple offers over listing price, she encouraged us to be patient and helped us choose an offer that exceeded our expectations. When we purchased our new home, Angela helped us navigate the fast-paced market and made sure we were able to visit the houses we wanted to see on short notice. She was our advocate in every stage of the process, lessening the stress of relocating. Angela's expertise and compassion truly set her apart; she is fantastic!"

JUST LISTED – Escape to your well-maintained 3BR/2BA PRIVATE RETREAT featuring convenient MAIN LEVEL living with 2-CAR DETACHED TANDEM GARAGE with electric & 1-CAR ATTACHED TANDEM GARAGE; nestled on .89-acre lot with PICTURESQUE views & BACKYARD OASIS in Warrenton’s Hunting Hills community! Offered at $649,900 ANGELA SMOOT 571.330.5554 asmoot@cbmove.com

NANCY GRASMAN 703.864.3175 ngrasman@cbmove.com

• Over $15+ Million in Sales in 2022

• Resident of Warrenton for 20 Years

• Local Market Expert & Home Staging Advisor

"I cannot speak highly enough about my buying and selling experience with Angela Smoot. Angela goes above and beyond. When selling our house, she meticulously staged the home and helped make sure it was in top-showing condition. Though we received multiple offers over listing price, she encouraged us to be patient and helped us choose an offer that exceeded our expectations. When we purchased our new home, Angela helped us navigate the fast-paced market and made sure we were able to visit the houses we wanted to see on short notice. She was our advocate in every stage of the process, lessening the stress of relocating. Angela's expertise and compassion truly set her apart; she is fantastic!"

• Professional Photos & Detailed Video Tours

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Warrenton Lifestyle 35 SEPTEMBER 2023

Fauquier Health's quarterly DAISY Award goes to nurse Stephanie Usrey

Nurses at Fauquier Health continue to be honored with The DAISY Team Award For Extraordinary Nurses. The award is part of the DAISY Foundation's program to recognize the “super-human” efforts nurses perform every day, according to a Fauquier Health news release.

The second quarter DAISY Team award recipient for 2023 is Registered Nurse (RN), Stephanie Usrey, who works as an RN on the third floor in the Medical Surgical unit in Fauquier Hospital. Usrey received five strong nominations from her patients over the course of the quarter.

One nomination from a patient commented, “Stephanie is an amazing nurse. She always made me feel special during my [extended stay] at the hospital. Besides being incredibly professional, she gave me a lot of comfort. She always made sure I knew what was going on.”

Another nomination Usrey received stated, “Thank you so much Stephanie. I feel you have been the best nurse I’ve ever had, and my mom has ever had.”

The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses has been adopted by health care facilities around the world to celebrate nurses for their extraordinary care and compassion, and their ability to solve situations by going above and beyond. Nursing teams may be nominated by patients, families, and colleagues, and they are chosen by a committee of nurses at Fauquier Health to receive The DAISY Team Award. L

L-R: Deborah Vaughn, InterimCNO; Stephanie Usrey, RN, 3rd Floor; Niles Wedge, RN, 3rd Floor; Hannah Pederson, RN, Family Birthing Center; Kimberly Haney, RN, Cardiac Rehab

April helped us navigate a very long and complicated house purchase. We have purchased three houses with three different agents. None of them could shine a light to what April has done.

She showed us dozens 0f properties to ind the one that would work for us. She then led negotiations to have the property subdivided to meet our needs. When this process took nearly two years - April stuck with it. She regularly checked in on the progress and provided me updates and information.

April

Lieutenant Justin Pierce

Falling in Love with Warrenton

BY ERIKA WILSON

Growing up in Fayetteville, NC, Lieutenant Justin Pierce’s dream was to work in law enforcement. In high school he took a criminal justice course which was taught by his best friend’s father. He moved on to college where he considered a course in physical fitness, but instead earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice.

With hopes of becoming a Federal Law Enforcement agent, Lt. Pierce moved to Fauquier County in 2015 and fell in love with more than just the county, which changed his thoughts on the future.

In January of 2017, Lt. Pierce began working with the Warrenton Police Department. He said, “I fell in love with small-town policing, and I realized I could not have this feeling of community working in a federal office.” He worked as a patrol officer and worked his way up to a supervisory role. He continued to advance in the police department and was recently appointed to Support Services Lieutenant.

“My position has completely changed in this new role,” he said. Learning a new skill set, he works with detectives and also on community engagement for special events. Policing all the town’s events involves coordinating logistics, safety for the public, placement of barriers and planning the best routes for parades to make everything run smoothly. Sometimes his involvement goes beyond his usual duties, such as when law enforcement recently supported Habitat for Humanity.

Lt. Pierce finds police work in Warrenton very fulfilling. “I love the ability to interact

with the public. We walk the streets and talk to people. My arms are sore from waving at everyone. We have a great relationship with the community,” he said, adding that part of his role is interacting positively, making sure everyone knows that law enforcement is there to support the town. “It is more important than just being called to arrest someone.”

In addition to the benefits of working law enforcement in a small town, Lt. Pierce really enjoys the food in Fauquier County. One favorite is Café Torino, where he has a close relationship with the owners. He also frequents Molly’s Irish Pub where he met and fell in love with his wife. Both partial to the outdoors, together they like to work out, hike, fish, and play with their dogs. The two pitbulls are big, he said, “But they play like puppies.” They also attend The Bridge Church as a family. L

In addition to coordinating logistics for events in Old Town, Lt. Pierce loves working at them and interacting with everyone in the community.

Free Dental Care Day

'Piedmont Smiles' set for Oct. 7 in Warrenton

The Fauquier community and beyond will again be treated to a free dental care day this fall.

“Piedmont Smiles,” a collaborative project from the Virginia Dental Association Foundation's Missions of Mercy and community stakeholders such as the PATH Foundation, the Wise Foundation, Dominion National, the Culpeper Wellness Foundation and Fauquier Free Clinic, will be held this year on Oct. 7.

The event will take place at Fauquier High School in Warrenton and offer same-day dental services – including cleanings, fillings and extractions – to adult residents in the Fauquier, Rappahannock, Culpeper, Madison and Orange counties and surrounding areas at no cost, according to a news release.

“We are so pleased to announce that we will be hosting the second annual Piedmont Smiles event for this community,” Rob Marino, Fauquier Free Clinic executive director, said in the release.

Patients are encouraged to bring a list of any current medications or medical history with them that would pertain to their dental treatment. Registration will start at 7 a.m. on Oct. 7, a Saturday. There is no registration prior to the event.

Patients may also come for pre-screening Oct. 6 to help the event run smoothly and get a head start on care for Saturday.

Participants and prospective attendees are encouraged to sign up for email updates and text alerts on the Piedmont Smiles website at piedmontsmiles.org/patients.

Last year, Piedmont Smiles provided dental services to over 200 members of the community. Volunteers said many patients who attended had not received dental care in years, and for some, it was their first encounter with a dental professional.

“Witnessing hundreds of volunteers coming together to make such a meaningful impact for members of our community and their dental health is astounding,” PATH Foundation Program Manager Margy Thomas said in the release. “The event is staffed by local dentists supported by dental residents from both Virginia Commonwealth University and Howard University’s School of Dentistry. Over 3 million uninsured adults in Virginia are living without affordable and accessible dental care.”

“With all that is going on in our day-to-day, it can be easy to delay,” said Tara Quinn, executive director of the Virginia Dental Association Foundation, added. “But dental health is an essential part of our overall well being. By providing necessary and urgent care to the community, we hope to remind folks of the importance of dental care, and bring to light the gap in healthcare accessibility faced by thousands of people in Virginia.” L

Piedmont Smiles offers free dental care to adults in need. Provided

Back to School Lunches

BY KARLA JONES SEIDITA, HOME ECONOMIST

“The kids are back in school!” Never were more beautiful words spoken. Still, you’re gonna miss those little darlin’s. Send them back to school with nourishing lunches they’ll look forward to eating.

To help keep foods cold and safe to eat, tuck in a frozen, plastic bottle of water. It’ll thaw by lunch time and they’ll have hydrating water to drink. Let’s get into the kitchen!

Nut or Seed Butter & Jelly Sandwiches

(formerly known as Peanut Butter and Jelly)

Think brown bagged school lunch and the first thing that comes to mind is Peanut Butter and Jelly. It’s a classic. But it needs oomph. Butter the bread. Swap in any nut or seed butter then pile on cheese, bacon, and pickles. Wowie! When’s lunch? Makes

INGREDIENTS FOR EACH SANDWICH

2 slices soft white or whole wheat bread

2 Tablespoons butter (softened)

2 or 3 Tablespoons your choice of nut butter (almond, cashew, peanut) or seed butter (pumpkin, sesame (tahini) or sunflower)

2 Tablespoons jelly

Optional - 2 slices American cheese and/or a hand full of crispy bacon

Dill or sweet pickle slices

DIRECTIONS

Generously butter one side of each bread slice. Top one buttered slice with nut or seed butter. Top the other buttered slice with jelly. Add cheese and/or bacon as desired. Sandwich slices together. Pack pickles separately in a leak proof container (so the bread doesn’t get soggy) to be added at lunch time.

Take

VegetableAlongChili Dog

Vegetable chili? Served at room temperature in a hot dog bun? You betcha!

Pack the chili and the bun separately so the bun doesn’t get soggy. At lunch time, the chili gets spooned into the bun and topped with cheese. Yum!

Makes 4 to 6 dogs

Make ahead

Freeze chili in lunch size portions

INGREDIENTS

3 Tablespoon olive oil

1/8 teaspoon pepper

1 large onion (chopped – about 1 cup)

1 (1.25 oz.) package chili spice mix

1 (15.5 oz.) can dark red kidney beans (undrained)

1 (15.5 oz.) can corn (undrained) or 1 ½ cups fresh or frozen corn plus ¾ cup water or broth

1 (28 oz.) can petite diced tomatoes (undrained)

Salt to taste

Optional - 1 small green pepper (seeded and chopped – about 1/3 cup)

FOR SERVING

Hot dog buns

Shredded cheese (your fav)

DIRECTIONS

Put the oil, pepper, and onion in a large pot. Cook on low (uncovered and stirring occasionally) until the onion is soft - about 4 minutes. Add remaining ingredients. Simmer (uncovered) until the chili is reduced to a thickness you like – about 15 minutes.

Homemade Lunchables

Buying packaged Lunchables may be convenient but your homemade version will be fresher, more nutritious and a better value for your hard earned bucks. Kids LUV this!

Choose the foods your child likes in appropriate amounts Freezing not recommended

Cinnamon and Sweet Potato Hummus Sandwich Spread and Dip

Here’s a kid friendly hummus if there ever was one. For sandwiches, spread it on a burrito wrap or bread. Add your favorite cheese and/or some crispy bacon. For a dip, thin the hummus to your liking and serve with veggies, fruit and crackers or pita. Using light olive oil, BTW, is more kid friendly. It has no olive taste.

Makes about 2 ½ cups

Make ahead

Freeze hummus in lunch size portions

INGREDIENTS

1 cup mashed, cooked sweet potato (fresh or canned, rinsed & drained)

1 (14.5 oz.) can white beans (like cannellini - rinsed & drained)

2 Tablespoons light olive oil, tahini or any nut/seed butter

¼ teaspoon salt

1 Tablespoon maple or pancake syrup (to taste)

Optional - 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon (to taste)

Water to thin, if desired

DIRECTIONS

Blend in the food processor till smooth. Chill.

INGREDIENTS

Luncheon meats

String cheese or cheese cubes

Marinated tofu

Cherry tomatoes

Carrots, celery sticks, bell pepper strips

Deviled eggs

Tuna, ham or bean salad

Nut or seed butter

Salad dressing

Crackers

DIRECTIONS

Pack selections in a compartment container with a tight fitting lid. Portion dressing in a small container for dipping. Wrap crackers separately so they stay crisp.

Lunch Box Fried Chicken

What will kids eat when they’re on their own? Anything they want!

The trick is to make them want what you’ve packed. No one can resist fried chicken.

Makes about 8 thighs

Pan size not important but a 9 X 13 X 2 inch pan works well. Make ahead

Freeze cooked chicken in lunch size portions

INGREDIENTS

1 stick butter (melted)

2 ½ to 3 pounds bone in chicken thighs (about 8 thighs)

2 cups Italian flavored breadcrumbs (approximately)

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Coat pan with baking spray. Dip chicken in melted butter. Coat with breadcrumbs. Place in pan, skin side up. Bake (uncovered) 40 minutes. Baste with pan juices. Continue baking till done – 15 to 20 minutes more.

Oatmeal & Wheat Germ Cookies

Don’t spoil things by telling the kids these cookies are healthy. Just tell them they’re good and smile when they ask for another.

Makes 20-22 (4 inch) cookies

Pans – cookie sheets & baking parchment

Freeze baked cookies in lunch size portions

INGREDIENTS

1 ¼ cups all purpose flour

½ teaspoon cinnamon

½ teaspoon baking soda

½ cup wheat germ

2 ½ cups old fashioned oatmeal (uncooked)

2 cups raisins or dried cranberries or a combo

1 egg

1/3 cup vegetable oil

¼ cup honey

1 teaspoon vanilla

¾ cup sugar

10 Tablespoons butter (softened)

½ cup brown sugar

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Position oven rack so cookies will bake in center. Line cookie sheets with baking parchment.

2. In a medium bowl, mix flour, cinnamon, baking soda, wheat germ and oatmeal. Set aside.

3. Using a mixer (not a hand mixer) cream sugar, brown sugar and butter. Blend in egg, oil, honey and vanilla. Add flour mixture. Mix well. Stir in raisins (or cranberries).

4. Portion ¼ cup dough onto parchment lined cookie sheets – 6 per pan. Dampen hands with water. Roll each dough portion into a ball then gently flatten with your hand to 2 inches in diameter on the cookie sheet.

5. Bake 12 minutes for soft, chewy cookies/15 minutes for crisp cookies. Slide the whole sheet of parchment (with the cookies) onto a rack to cool. L

BY KARLA JONES SEIDITA