Evince Magazine November 2019

Spotting Exceptional Customer Service Wendy Brim Page 8

Yes, You Can Can for Value Page 11

Alexis Ehrhardt

Photo Finish Page 14

Finding Time for Family, Career, and the Holiday Tour See Page 5

Page  2 November 2019

End the Year on a Healthy Note Sleep study Wound care

Mammography Hernia surgical repair

Screenings

Procedures Colonoscopy

Hip or knee replacement Bone density test Ankle or foot surgery

Preventative care is the key to your overall health.

Now is the time to think about scheduling annual physicals and procedures to help keep you healthy. Many health insurance plans offer regular wellness exams and other age-specific preventable health screenings, like a mammogram or colonoscopy — at little or no cost to you. Make your health a priority before the year ends.

844.GO.SOVAH

SovahHealth.com

November Contents Photo by Michelle Dalton Photography

3 Editor’s Note

Editor’s Note

What has value for you? Maybe it’s quality time with loved ones like the Erhhardt family pictured on the cover. In the story on page 5 Mom Alexis talks about being fully present when she’s with her sons.

Where she spends time and money shows what’s valuable to her and the family.

To discover how you can add value to the world, read “Reflecting Forward” on page 9.

There’s a recipe on page 13 with value added because it can be used as the basis for several dishes during the upcoming season of holiday cooking. “Yes, You Can Can for Value” on page 11 extols the value of canning food for future meals. Be sure to read “The Wine Spot” on page 12 and especially the last sentence. It sums up the lessons on value.

Many individuals have collaborated to create this free publication. Thank you especially to our advertisers who make Evince so valuable that it is priceless to you, our readers. We are grateful for all of you.

5 Alexis Ehrhardt

Finding Time for Family, Career, and the Holiday Tour

by Joyce Wilburn 6 Renovation Reality / Part 37

by Carla Minosh 7 Daylight Saving

Fiction by Telisha Moore Leigg 8 Spotting Exceptional Customer Service

by Courtney Dodson 9 Reflecting Forward

How Do You Add Value to the World?

by Linda Lemery 10 Calendar 11 Yes, You Can Can for Value

by Isla Wiles 12 The Wine Spot

Placing a Value on the Wine You Drink

by Dave Slayton 13 Book Clubbing

The Dutch House

by Ann Patchett

review by Diane Adkins

Evince Magazine Page 3

THE

OICE OF VALUE

CEO / Publisher Andrew Scott Brooks Editor Joyce Wilburn (434.799.3160) joycewilburn@gmail.com Associate Editors Jeanette Taylor • Larry Wilburn Contributing Writers

Diane Adkins, Sue Brooks, Kip Caton, David Collie, Sara Davis, Courtney Dodson, Lewis Dumont, Nicole Eanes, Charles Ellis, Heather Gillie, Adam Goebel, Karen Harris, Gaelin Hereford, Cassie Jones, Telisha Moore Leigg, Linda Lemery, Dianne McMahon, Carla Minosh, Bernadette Moore, Janet Roberson, Dave Slayton, Melanie Vaughan, Joyce Wilburn, Isla Wiles, Annelle Williams, Billy Wooten, Benjamin Wright

Art & Production Director Demont Design (Kim Demont) Finance Manager Cindy Yeatts (1.434.709.7349) Marketing Consultants For ad information contact a marketing consultant listed below.

Lee Vogler Director of Sales and Marketing (434.548.5335) lee@evince magazine.com

Kim Demont (434.792.0612) demontdesign @verizon.net

Around the Table Antipasta Galette

by Annelle Williams

evince\i-’vin(t)s\ 1: to constitute outward evidence of 2: to display clearly: reveal syn see SHOW

14 Photo Finish

Deadline for submission of December stories, articles, and ads is Sunday, November 17, at 5:00 p.m.

Submit stories, articles, and calendar items to joycewilburn@gmail.com.

Editorial Policies:

Evince is a free monthly magazine with news about entertainment and lifestyle in Danville and the surrounding area. We reserve the right to accept, reject and edit all submissions and advertisements.

EVINCE MAGAZINE 753 Main St. Suite 3, Danville, VA 24541 www.evincemagazine.com

Spotting Exceptional Customer Service Wendy Brim Page 8

For subscriptions to Evince, email info@evincemagazine.com.

Cost is $24 a year.

Happy Thanksgiving, Yes, You Can Can for Value Page 11

joycewilburn@gmail.com

Alexis Ehrhardt

Photo Finish

Finding Time for Family, Career, and the Holiday Tour

Page 14

Credits: Amber Wilson: hair; Catherine Saunders: skin care and makeup; Genesis Day Spa & Salon, 695 Park Avenue, Danville.

Janelle Gammon: nails; Salon One 11, 111 Sandy Court, Danville.

© 2019 All rights reserved. Reproduction or use in whole or in part in any medium without written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited.

On the Cover:

See Page 5

Scott Ehrhardt teaches his son, Hayden, the finer points of rock climbing on the chimney of their house. Son Xavier and wife Alexis watch. Photo by Michelle Dalton Photography.

Don’t forget to pick up the November edition of Showcase Magazine.

Page  4 November 2019

Evince Magazine Page 5

D

a series of women who have given me opportunities when maybe I didn’t even realize I was ready for them,” she reflects.

uring her teenage years as a high school student at the National Cathedral School for Girls in Washington, D.C., Alexis Ehrhardt made a series of discoveries that shaped her leadership philosophy and her views on women as leaders. “It was an incredibly impactful experience,” says the President & CEO of the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce. Her life at home during those formative years confirmed what she was learning at school. “My mother had a very successful career as a publisher in Washington and Philadelphia,” explains the married mother of two young sons. “I like that my kids are seeing that in me, knowing that they can do anything they want. They are not bound by traditional gender roles.”

To emphasize the point, she continues, “I married a partner who understood from day one that my career was important to me. Scott does as much caretaking and picking up and driving to activities as I do.”

She believes the key for making it work is for the parents to agree on family priorities and to understand that it’s quality over quantity of time together.

“When I’m with the kids, I’m present. I’m not on the phone or working,” she emphasizes.

Alexis had the perfect combination of good role models, excellent education, and unique experiences that she brought to the Chamber job almost two years ago. “I went to Emory University in Atlanta, majored in Latin American and Caribbean Studies, and ended up with a history minor and a Spanish major, too,” she recounts. Ten days into an internship at the Carter Presidential Center, there was a coup in Ecuador and she and others were invited to monitor the election of the new president. “There I was: a twenty-two year old meeting with the would-be president and his staff about what they were going to do. It was crazy,” she says, still a little amazed at the opportunity given to her.

The international experience

Thinking about all the responsibilities of home and career, Alexis seems unphased.

“I like work,” Alexis says succinctly. That explains how she found time over the years to earn a master’s degree in higher education from the Curry School of Education at the University of Virginia and a doctorate in leadership studies from the University of Lynchburg. In 2017, Governor Terry McAulliffe appointed her to the Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission.

“It’s a great tie between the Chamber and our community,” she comments.

Alexis greets Xavier, Scott, and Hayden on their return from a bike ride around the city.

Photo by Michelle Dalton Photography.

Alexis Ehrhardt Finding Time for Family, Career, and the Holiday Tour

by Joyce Wilburn confirmed that she’d rather be in education than policy making.

That led to accepting a job at Chatham Hall as Assistant Director of Admissions in June 2000. She then lists the career moves that followed: three years as a counselor for an independent college counseling business in Maryland, four years as the

transition counselor at Danville Community College, and six years at Averett University working in academic partnerships and later as the founding Executive Director for the Center for Community Engagement and Career Competitiveness. “Something that is really important about my professional path is that I’ve had

In their free time during November, Alexis and Scott are preparing their 1931 house in the Forest Hills section of Danville for the 47th Annual Danville Historical Society Tour.

“I’m excited that visitors will find this house as special as we do,” she says, adding, “Our tastes are very contemporary and minimal. We have been careful to maintain that style while wanting the place to look complete and having a nice home where our family can live.” With that statement, the interview is over, the empty coffee cups are taken from the table, and Alexis heads off for another day of enjoying her job at the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce.

• The DHS Holiday Tour will take place on Saturday, December 7, from 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. See ad on page 11 for details.

• Advance tickets are available in Danville starting Monday, November 18, at Karen’s Hallmark in Danville Mall, Ginger Bread House on Memorial Drive, Rippe’s on Main Street, and Vintages by the Dan on Main Street.

Cost is $20 in advance and $25 on the day of the tour.

For more information, call 434.709.8398 or visit www.danvillehistory.org.

Page 6 November 2019 Unlike HGTV shows where home renovations are completed within thirty to sixty minutes, the Victorian house at the corner of Chestnut Place and Main Street in Danville has been under a transformation for nineteen years. This series explores the truth of home renewal from someone who has been there and done that. If you missed any of the articles, visit www.evincemagazine.com.

Renovation Reality Part 37

by Carla Minosh

W

hile changes were happening to the interior

of the house, we also were being true to the original look of the exterior. Estimates to repaint the white masonry exterior were the same price as to remove the paint from the bricks. It’s better for historic brick to not be painted and be able to breathe. This prevents spalling (brick faces falling off), and it looks better. Therefore, we decided to go with paint removal. We researched historic-approved paint- removal chemicals, hired a pair of guys certified for the process, rented the needed equipment, and purchased barrels of material.

The lead remediation around the perimeter was simple: plastic sheeting with hay on top.

The process was easy: spray on chemical, leave overnight, hose off, repeat, repeat, repeat.

An eighty-foot lift was delivered to the front yard, and work commenced at the first sign of consistent warm weather. The chemical was safe for antique brick and did its job adequately, albeit, not as quickly as the two workers had expected. They tried to convince us to speed up the process by power-washing instead of using hose pressure-an absolute no-no for historic brick. This, of course, led to pleas to re-negotiate their contract. The cost suddenly doubled. We gave them the option of continuing at the contracted price to completion or being paid at the contracted price for the percentage of work already done. We started to suspect that doubling the price was the plan all along as masterminded by Guy #1, because he and Guy #2 began a heated argument that resulted in Guy #1 unceremoniously dumping the barrels of chemicals and high-powered sprayers off the back of his truck and leaving Guy #2 to finish the job at the contracted price…alone.

Photo by Carla Minosh.

The house looked horrific. It stopped traffic at times because the chemical caused the paint to turn from white to an alarming shade of black. Rumors began

We’re

on Danville!

Janet Donna Holley • Gibson Owner Owner

HOLLEY & GibsOn REALTY COMPANY

339 Piney Forest Rd., Danville, VA 24540

Office: (434) 791-2400 Fax: (434) 791-2122 Visit our website at

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to circulate that our house had caught fire and significantly burned. We received sympathy from distant acquaintances and strangers who saw us standing in

the front yard supervising the work. After a while we stopped explaining and accepted the condolences. After all, why on earth would we want to take perfectly good, white paint off an old brick house? It was too hard to explain the properties of old brick and the necessity of the pores to be open so as not to trap moisture. People just weren’t interested in the science.

(to be continued)

Evince Magazine Page 7

Daylight Saving fiction by Telisha Moore Leigg Today in American Literature 201 on the second floor of Amberlin Hall at State, we are hearing a lecture about A Light in August by Faulkner. It’s a Tuesday/Thursday evening class, but it’ll be dark before we get out ‘cause of daylight savings. Professor Kilern teaches the class. She with her brutally short hair, man’s glasses, no-shape jeans, and bright and tasseled peasant tops is passionate as she always is about literature.

I won’t tell her, but she is my favorite even though she makes me uncomfortable like she and I know something she wants me to admit.

I am one of only three men in the class. Professor Kilern calls on me when I never volunteer no matter where I sit in the class. She reminds me that way of my friend, my “Aunt” Fallen. Today is no different.

They caught him at his home that man that raped my Aunt Fallen.

When they came in his home, his fork trembled as he was eating his evening meal with his family, red-gravy meatloaf, the bewildered wife had made him. The officer said he had a stain on the front of his shirt as they took him away in handcuffs.

I guess I’m just rambling, but today Professor Kilern lectures almost preaching, pouring ideas over our heads in hopes they will soak in.

She doesn’t give us time to speak, but it wouldn’t matter if she did; no one would speak. We rarely do.

Anyway, this is college and there is no bell to dismiss her. This Thursday at 3:57 she won’t let us go; we squirm as she makes us late.

He went quietly. Townfolk didn’t want to believe, but couldn’t help but to believe, when his mug shot was in the local paper--that part that’s in a throwaway crime section people read and then wrap old fish in. The story didn’t make the local TV news; it wasn’t that notable, but he destroyed my Aunt Fallen.

Dr. Kilern asks for two minutes more after she should be gone, while most people squirm and pack up a little louder than they should.

Dr. Kilern keeps going on asking about themes in A Light in August, about unchecked injustice, of racial inequality, the cruelty wrapped in self-righteousness. Then there are the characters in the novel who want to be good, try to be good, but they fail. She asks if we aren’t the same. Our response is silence, and then she slams down a hand on the podium. She calls out, “What do you do when you don’t

have a choice--when you have to take the choice others make you take--when the world is a bigger river than you can swim?” More silence. She waves us away. She turns to the next class waiting at the doorway. But suddenly, she turns to me. “Kwon, what say you?”

Dr. Kilern has eyes dark as night in her white face. Rumor is that her wife is Dr. Mallory; the physics professor in Braithwaite Hall two buildings over, and that they are leaving for a larger university after this term. Sometimes, I see them having lunch together in the Quad.

I shuffle to the door.

Fallen testified against him, against Andy--she said that he always told her to call him Andy.

He was her supervisor at the retail distribution plant for corrugated boxes. She trembled on the stand in a black suit with a high-necked white blouse. She told about how it was raining hard, and her car wouldn’t start right, how he offered a ride--and despite doubt, she took it because it was getting dark on account of daylight savings. How he dropped her off after the violation, offered to walk her to the door, like some broken prom date. While Aunt Fallen told this, she would not look at anyone, not even her lawyer.

Because there were pictures of her bruises, almost nude, and the detailed and naked shame of the medical report. Because there was Andy, the guy she went to high school with but didn’t really know but hadn’t liked even then.

Andy was sitting across from her with his lawyer, sad-eyed now when she had been sad-eyed before, had begged for mercy, and got none. After taking the stand, Aunt Fallen threw up in the lobby trashcan.

Dr. Kilern’s next class is Medieval Lit. about poetry and ancient prose, about Malory, Chaucer, and the Venerable Bede, intertwined with humanist literary crusades all wrapped in God’s grace. I’m glad I won’t need that class until next year. Maybe then I’ll be ready. And I’ll make sure to take it early in the morning. ‘Cause now it’s dark outside.

Fallen got back together with Allen, her ex-husband, and she assures Mandy Blue Eyes she loves him again, but my mother Keisha says that’s freakin pigeon turd. Keisha says Fallen just wants to be safe. My mother yells that there ain’t no damn safe.

Dr. Kilern asks me, what do you do when the river is bigger than you can swim? I guess you just drown,” I say trying to laugh it off.

“Wouldn’t it be nice if it were that easy?” Dr. Kilern says turning away and I leave, heading into the dark.

Page 8 November 2019

Spotting Exceptional Customer Service

by Courtney Dodson The Danville River District has a wonderful neighborhood eatery with which many Evince readers are surely familiar--Links Coffee House Café at 319 Craghead Street. This past summer I found myself there several mornings a week, pooch in tow, grabbing a large cup of coffee to go.

I like to pop into Links with other locals, students, city employees and health professionals when it opens. Links has wonderful management and staff but one friendly face stands out: barista Wendy Brim.

I would like to nominate Wendy for the customer service recognition award because she is consistently friendly and efficient in spite of the early hour. It is her positive spirit in the very early morning that makes Links a coffee/breakfast destination for many. Wendy greets customers with a smile and asks how they are doing. She knows the customers well and remembers what kind of coffee her regulars like.

She goes the extra mile to cultivate a warm and inviting atmosphere.

It´s this environment specifically that keeps people going back to Links morning after morning.

I have never arrived at the opening time of 7:00 a.m. to find the doors not open or the shop not quite ready to receive customers. Wendy and the morning team have the lights up, food service ready to go, and in just a few short seconds, I have my large cup of high-quality, dark roast. It´s important to me as a consumer to have confidence that a shop or restaurant will be consistent in its service, quality, and hours of operation. Links and Wendy give me that confidence. Thank you, Wendy, for your unwavering customer service! And now, it´s time for another cup.

Evince and the Danville Pittsylvania Co. Chamber of Commerce want to encourage and recognize exceptional customer service. When someone gives you exceptional service, please let us know. In 300 words or less, tell us what happened. Email your story to joycewilburn@gmail.com or chamber@dpchamber.org.

Evince Magazine Page 9

Reflecting Forward

How Do You Add Value to the World?

by Linda Lemery

A

facilitator at a workshop I

attended asked us to

introduce ourselves by stating our names, affiliations, and how we added value to the world. While I knew my name and affiliation, I did not have a stock answer for the value question. It stopped me cold. I had to put time and energy into figuring it out because the value question is complex.

We can look at it from different perspectives. In our home lives, our children carry our legacy forward, including how we raise them and teach them about work ethic, responsibility, relationships, accountability, healthy practices, moderate exercise, balanced meals, and more. Do we work with our partners to present a united front? Do we support each other? Are we committed? What kinds of examples do we set?

How do we behave?

What about our work lives? Do we uphold our work obligations?

Do we treat coworkers, employees, customers, administrators, and others with respect? Do we support the mission of the institution? Do we mentor others to promote growth and sustainability at work and beyond?

because we all live in this world and have a responsibility to keep it as clean and pure as possible for the next generation. That means making choices that promote minimal trash and then responsibly disposing of it, not polluting water, etc. Sometimes that means buying from growers who endorse responsible farming practices.

Another way to ask the complex value question is: how do we help others in a way that promotes growth and sustainability and has a lasting effect? Sometimes it takes input from diverse sources to clarify what one thinks and that’s what happened to me. It wasn’t really clear to me what value I added to the world until several days after the workshop when I attended a presentation about collecting comic books and attending comic-cons. That presenter’s motto was “own it!” All of the ideas I had recently heard about strategic planning and value, plus the saying of Dalai Lama (see below) and the work I do whirled around in my mental blender and helped me distill my understanding of how I add value to the world into three very powerful, simple words. (I’m not including them here because I don’t want to influence your choice of words.) Who knew that a slurry of concepts would move me toward understanding my value to the world?

Our community contributions are so important for raising up all of us. Some people contribute to community through churchbased initiatives.

Others help by reducing adult illiteracy, “We are visitors on this planet. feeding the We are here for ninety or one hungry, helping hundred years at the very hurricane and most. During that period, flood victims, we must try to do something traveling to war good, something useful, with zones and aiding our lives. If you contribute to innocent victims. other people’s happiness, you Whatever we will find the true goal, the true meaning of life.” do, we cannot His Holiness do it in isolation The XIVth Dalai Lama

The True Meaning of Life

About the Author: When she’s not berating herself over why she cannot answer even the simplest question without painful and protracted cogitation, Linda Lemery llemery@ averett.edu works as Circulation Manager at Averett University’s Mary B. Blount Library in Danville. She welcomes reader comments.

Page 10 November 2019

November Calendar Abbreviation Key

• AU=Averett University, 434.791.5600 www.averett.edu • DMFAH=Danville Museum of Fine Arts & History, 975 Main St. 434.793.5644 www.danvillemuseum.org • DSC=Danville Science Center, 677 Craghead St. 434.791.5160 www.dsc.smv.org • HNT=Historic North Theatre, 629 North Main St. Danville 434.793.7469 www.TheNorthTheatre.com • PA=Piedmont Arts, 215 Starling Ave, Martinsville 276.632.3221 www.PiedmontArts.org • The Prizery=700 Bruce St., South Boston, 434.572.8339, www.prizery.com

Ongoing

Guided Walking Tours: Millionaires Row, Holbrook Street and Tobacco Warehouse District. Danville Historical Society. www.danvillehistory. org. 434.770.1974.

DMFAH: self-guided audio tours.

Brosville Library: 11948 Martinsville Highway www.pcplib.org 434.685.1285 Danville Public Library: 511 Patton St. readdanvilleva.org 434.799.5195 DPL Westover Branch: 94 Clifton St. www.readdanvilleva.org 434.799.5152 Gretna Library: 207 A Coffey Street, www.pcplib.org 434.656.2579 Gunn Memorial, Caswell County Public Library: 118 Main St, Yanceyville, NC www.caswellcounty. gov/library 336.694.6241 Halifax County Public Library: 177 South Main St. halifaxcountylibrary.org 434.476.3357 History Research Center and Library: 340 Whitehead Street, Chatham www.pcplib.org 434.432.8931 Mt. Hermon Library: 4058 Franklin Turnpike www.pcplib.org 434.835.0326 Pittsylvania County Public Main Library: 24 Military Drive, Chatham www.pcplib.org 434.432.3271 South Boston Public Library: 509 Broad St. 434.5575.4228 www.halifaxcountylibrary.org

November 1

Leadercast Women: nine women leaders will share inspirational stories of courage while teaching steps to change lives; Institute of Advanced Learning & Research; 9am-4pm dpchamber.org

November 1 (thru Dec. 20) Artist’s Choice: exhibit of the Danville Art League Annual Juried Show DMFAH

November 1 (thru Dec. 28)

From Virginia to Parliament exhibit: photos and commentary celebrating the 100th anniversary of Lady Nancy Langhorne Astor’s election to the British Parliament; Langhorne House Museum, 117 Broad St. 2-5pm Saturdays 434.793.6472

November 2

Shred out Hunger: Shred a box of paper in exchange for a donation to God’s Storehouse of five or more canned goods 750 Memorial Dr. Danville 9am-noon godstorehouse@ comcast.net

November 2 & 3

A Salute to Pittsylvania Patriots: living history with 18th century re-enactors Yates Tavern, 29 Business, Gretna 10am-3pm 434.203.1252

Karen’s Hallmark Shop Danville Mall 11am-2pm 434.791.3737 Paws & Claws: Danville Area Humane Society fundraiser; music by The Pazazz Band, heavy vegetarian hors d’oeuvres, silent auction, cash bar, photo booth $35/40 Cottontail Weddings & Events, 600 Craghead St. 6pm 434.799.0843

November 10

Veterans Parade: begins at 2:30pm at the intersection of Broad & Main Streets, Danville 434.836.0745

November 11

November 13

November 14

Yoga in the Galleries: PA noon1pm $10 Artspiration-Studio with Karen Despot: Spend studio time working in acrylic, oil or colored pencil. Advanced registration required. PA 1:30-4:30pm

November 7

November 16

The Robber Bridegroom: a rousing, bawdy, Southern fairytale set in 18th century Mississippi; AU Pritchett Auditorium, 150 Mountain View Ave. 7pm on Thursday, Friday, Saturday; 2pm Sunday $10/$8

Dan River Soul Food Festival & Competition: free community meal, arts displays, entertainment AU CCECC Danville Community Market 11am-2pm Cars & Coffee: Old Dominion Classic Sports Car Club 9-10:30am Crema & Vine, 1009 Main St. Danville 434.548.9862 George Washington High School Class of 1974 Reunion: includes classes from ’72, ’73, ’75, ’76. Danville Golf Club. 7pm-midnight. heavy hors d’oeuvres, cash bar, music $50 per person 434.770.4704 Meetand-Greet at Ballad Brewing, 600 Craighead St. 6pm on November 15.

November 8

November 19

November 9

Book Signing: Clara Fountain author of Grove Street Cemetery

AU Cougar Band POPS Concert: Pritchett Auditorium, 150 Mountain View Ave. free 7pm

November 23

Book Talk & Signing: 10+ local authors Main Street Art Collective, 326 Main St. Danville 11am 434.602.2017

December 4

Artspiration Senior Studio: self-guided art studio time for seniors Tuesdays PA 10am-noon $5

Author Bill Guerrant Presentation: His historical novel, Jim Wrenn, is set in Danville/ Pittsylvania County. The Wednesday Club, 1002 Main St. Danville, free 3:15pm

Drizzle + Drink: Strainer Things: learn how to pour through a variety of “holey” items. PA 6-9 pm $35/$40

November 22

November 12 (thru 26)

November 6

November 7 (thru 10)

An Afternoon of Music with Will & Katya: The Wednesday Club, 1002 Main St. free open to the public 3:15pm 434.792.7921

Plan Ahead

Daylight Saving Time Ends: Move clock back an hour at 2am.

Celebrate: local churches coming together in song; The River Church, 120 River Oak Blvd. 6pm

Painting with Ed Gowen: Christmas Candle 9am-3:30 PA $75/$85 Elliot Engel: The Wizardry of Oz: program on the life of L. Frank Baum and the reasons for the enduring fame of his Wonderful Wizard of Oz $20/45 PA 7 pm.

November 20

Concert Band & Soldiers Chorus of the U.S. Army Field Band: GWHS Auditorium 7:30pm free tickets at www.danvillesymphony.net or 434.797.2666

Lady Nancy Langhorne AstorFrom Danville to Parliament: presentation by Gaelin Hereford The Wednesday Club, 1002 Main St. free open to public 3:15pm 434.792.7921 Preschool in the Galleries MHS Jazz Band: PA 9:30 & 10:30am free

November 3

November 2019

S M T W T F S

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Artspiration: Barn Quilt Painting: 1-3pm PA $35/$40 Advanced registration required.

December 2

Christmas Tree of Lights: 7pm MHVFR. See ad page 9.

Home for the Holidays: performed

by Brad Bass The Wednesday club, 102 Main St, Danville. free open to the public 3:15pm 434.792.7921

December 5

AU Celebrates Christmas: Pritchett Auditorium, 150 Mountain View Ave. free 7pm

December 6

Science after Dark: includes showing of Elf on the giant digital dome screen 5:30pm Rock & Read: fundraiser for early literacy; silent auction of custom painted guitars by local artists, wine, heavy hors d’oeurves, art South Boston Library, 509 Broad St. $10 6-8pm

December 7

Breakfast with Santa: 8-11am MHVFR. See ad page 9.

DHS Holiday Tour: 11am-5pm See story page 5 and ad page 11.

Christmas Cantata Together for Christmas: two historically black churches (High Street Baptist and Loyal Baptist) and two historically white churches (College Park Baptist and First Baptist) have formed a joint choir to sing for the community at High Street Baptist Church, 630 High St. 4pm South Boston Christmas Parade: Christmas in Candy Land downtown 5pm downtownsobo.com 434.575.4208 Christmas on the Plaza: JTI Fountain, Main St. Danville 4-6pm 434.791.0210

December 8

Riverview Rotary Christmas Parade: Hometown Christmas. Main St. Danville 3pm. See ad page 9.

The deadline for submitting information for the December calendar is Sunday, November 17, at 5:00 p.m. Please send just the basic information following the format on these pages to joycewilburn@gmail.com.

Evince Magazine Page 11

Yes, You Can Can for Value

by Isla M. Wiles, Master Gardener Many of us recall going to local canneries and processing corn, string beans, and tomatoes in aluminum cans or doing the same thing at home using glass jars and hot water baths or pressure canners.

In those days, canning was a way to feed one’s family less expensively than buying the same items in stores and also make sure that no garden produce went to waste. This was pre Wal-Mart and Food Lion.

Fast forward to today when an internet search for canning returns 110,000,000 results in 0.74 seconds! Apparently people are interested in canning. With the convenience of superstores, canning is no longer a matter of cost.

Canners today pursue taste, using an overabundance of produce, and perhaps most importantly, being in control of what they serve to their families. The value is not in dollars and cents but in personal satisfaction and eating crops that are organic or grown with fewer pesticides than those used in commercially prepared food.

Now, as in earlier times, home canning involves glass jars, lids, and screw-on bands. A boiling water bath is for high acid foods such as fruits, jams, jellies, and tomatoes. Using

a pressure canner is a must for low acid foods such as corn, string beans, carrots, and meats.

Canning these products in anything other than a pressure canner is asking for trouble aka botulism.

A big no-no in home canning is reusing jars that were used for commercial processing such as sauces that are available in stores. Apparently, they do not have the tempered glass of canning jars specific for home canning like the Mason brand jars. Another no-no is using recipes that do not specify processing times. Tested recipes can be found through Virginia Cooperative Extension (publication 349-594) and the National Center for Home Canning. Manufacturers of canning products also feature cookbooks for canning; some canners swear by the Ball canning book.

Are you interested in learning more? Contact the local Virginia Cooperative Extension Office at 434.799.6558. Plan to attend the Tenth Annual Spring to Green event sponsored by the Danville Cooperative Extension and Danville Master Gardeners on February 1, 2020. Author Barbara Pleasant will present “Planting to Preserve”. For more information call 336.340.1981.

Yes, you can can.

Page 12 November 2019

T

he world’s largest wine seller, Constellation, did a study in 2008 called Project Genome that surveyed the purchases of 10,000 premiumwine consumers over an eighteen-month period.

As reported in Wines and Vines, the study divided wine consumers into six groups:

Enthusiasts like to discuss all wines.

Loyalist: These individuals like wine from one or two wineries and when they find a brand they like, they stick with it. Valuing a wine brand that is consistently good is OK but consider sampling others.

Price Driven: These folks believe you can buy good wine without spending a lot; price is their top consideration. I agree that you do not have to spend a lot of money to buy a good wine. However, when you can afford it, consider a wine slightly over (or under) your usual price, just don’t go overboard.

Confused: This individual is perplexed by the number of wine choices and may buy a wine for its attractive label. It’s great when a wine tastes as good as the label looks, but as Mom says, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.”

Photo by Dave Slayton

Image: Status is important to some. They often have basic wine knowledge and value a wine based on a critic’s rating. I’ve tasted highly rated wines that to my palate were just OK. Consider using more than one source of information.

Enthusiast: These people are knowledgeable about wine and like to browse wine sections at stores.

They want to know wine ratings and scores but make their value judgment based on a variety of factors.

The Wine Spot Placing a Value on the Wine You Drink

by Dave Slayton

a member of the Master Court of Sommeliers

Engaged Newcomers: These people may not know a lot about wine, but they know they like it. They enjoy it at social occasions and want to learn more about it.

Do you see yourself in any of these groups? I’m a combination of all of them. Remember this value judgment: if you believe a wine is good, it’s good. Cheers!

Evince Magazine Page 13

Book Clubbing a review by Diane Adkins

The Dutch House

by Ann Patchett

In her previous novel, Commonwealth, Ann Patchett turned to her own biography as a framework for a story about a couple who divorce and what happens to them and their children across a time span of many years. As she noted in an interview in 2016, “I’ve been writing the same book my whole life — that you’re in one family, and all of a sudden, you’re in another family and it’s not your choice and you can’t get out.” The Dutch House fits the model, following the fortunes of the Conroy family over five decades.

Cyril Conroy grew up poor, worked hard, and achieved unexpected riches owning buildings, rehabbing them, selling them, and buying more. He fell in love with a house outside Philadelphia, a magnificent place formerly owned by the VanHoebeeks, a Dutch family who had made a fortune but slowly lost it over the years. Conroy buys it complete with the VanHoebeek’s furniture and portraits before he shows the grandiose place to his wife, Elna. She hates it. Elna had no idea how rich they had become and found the house to be a grandiose embarrassment. Eventually, she leaves her riches, her husband, her house, and her two young children to go to India to work with the poor.

The story is narrated by the youngest son, Danny, but his sister Maeve, seven years his elder, is the real glue that holds them together. The children suffer the fate one might expect in a fairy tale and this book certainly has the structure of one, complete with the absent mother, a wicked stepmother, and two children who lose life as they have known it.

Characters come in pairs: Maeve and Danny, stepmother Andrea and Cyril; Andrea’s two children; the cook Jocelyn and the housekeeper Sandy. Elna is alone, although, in a way Elna’s partner is always the hated house, because it has the stature of a character. The house remains an obsession of Maeve’s and, to some extent, Danny’s, long after they leave the structure. The house has such power in the story that it undoes the good Cyril intended and unravels the lives of every person he loves.

To tell more of the plot would reveal too much. Like most fairy tales, there is an ending that, if not exactly happy, is satisfying.

Patchett’s books portray family life in all its messiness, but it’s a rare story of hers that doesn’t end with characters finding their way on a new path---perhaps not the one they might first have chosen but maybe the right one all along.

Note to those who like audiobooks: Tom Hanks is the narrator for this one, and he captures Danny’s voice and the book perfectly.

Diane S. Adkins is a retired director of the Pittsylvania County Libraries.

by Annelle Williams I’m getting ready for cooking season. From now until 2020 I’ll prepare more food than I normally do the rest of the year. To be ready for guests, I have a number of recipes I use over and over.

I keep supplies on hand and can whip up these dishes easily. I also serve a lot of soups, salads and heavy appetizers.

This recipe is one of my absolute favorites. I learned to prepare it on our first trip to Italy, and my family and I have continued to enjoy it. It’s a great appetizer recipe, with value added because you can use the same basic plan and change the main ingredients to create lots of different looks and flavors, both savory and sweet. A good shortcut is to use a pre-made pie crust.

Antipasta Galette (adapted from Meem’s Kitchen) Makes 6 salads served with arugula or 8-10 servings as an appetizer. May be served cold but is really delicious warm. pie crust (store-bought, pre-made) 4 oz. herbed goat cheese, room temperature 2 heaping T mascarpone cheese 4 Roma tomatoes, seeded and chopped salt and pepper 1 tsp. dried parsley 1 tsp. dried oregano 4 T sundried tomatoes, julienned

1 (14 oz.) jar marinated artichoke hearts, halved, drained, patted dry 4 thin slices of prosciutto torn, and evenly scattered 1 cup mixed olives, drained and pitted olive oil 1 egg, beaten 2-3 cups of baby arugula

Preheat oven to 425°. Line a pizza pan with parchment paper or foil that is cut to fit.

Unroll single pie crust on pan. Toss chopped tomatoes with salt, pepper, oregano and parsley. Spread over pastry, leaving a 2-inch border for folding.

Top with sundried tomatoes, artichokes, prosciutto and olives. Save a few sundried tomatoes, artichoke pieces and olives for garnish. Mix goat cheese and mascarpone. Dollop over top of galette. Fold up edges of pastry making an overlapping pattern. Brush pastry lightly with egg wash. Bake for 20 minutes. Arrange arugula on serving platter. Slip galette onto arugula and garnish with olives, sundried tomatoes and artichokes. Drizzle with a little olive oil, then salt and pepper.

To read the other recipes that use the galette as a base, visit www.aroundannellestableblogspot.com.

Questions or comments?

Email me: AnnelleWilliams@comcast.net I look forward to hearing from you!

Page 14 November 2019

Photo Finish For ten days in September, the Averett Alumni & Friends group of thirty-one travelers followed “In the Footsteps of Lady Astor” to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Danvillian’s election to the House of Commons in 1919. Her birthplace is now the Langhorne House Museum, 117 Broad Street, Danville.

It’s open on Saturdays from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.

The public is invited to celebrate this anniversary. On November 13, Gaelin Hereford will present “Lady Nancy Langhorne AstorFrom Danville to Parliament” at the Wednesday Club starting at 3:45p.m. On Tuesday, November 19, a proclamation will be read by Mayor Alonzo Jones at the 7:00 p.m. City Council meeting recognizing her achievements. On Saturday, December 7, the Langhorne House Museum will be on the DHS Holiday Tour from 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

The next AU tour will be to Cuba, April 27-May 2, 2020. For more information, call 434.770.3285 or lwilburn@averett.edu. It is open to all.

Photos by Jeanette Taylor & Lois MacFadden.

Langhorne House Museum volunteer, Joyce Wilburn, presents a plaque to Lord William Astor commemorating the 100th anniversary of his grandmother’s election to the House of Commons.

The group gathers at Cliveden with William Waldorf Astor III, 4th Viscount Astor, grandson of Lady Nancy Langhorne Astor. Cliveden was Lady Astor’s country house and estate near London.

It is now a luxury hotel. front row: Tour Director Michael Mishko (kneeling), Jane Reid, Linda Yeatts, Lois MacFadden, Taylor Sanom, Jennifer Gourley, Joyce Wilburn, Lord William Astor, Larry Wilburn, Jean Vernon, Richard Stotlar, Judy Stotlar, Ann Sylves, Tommy Moore, Sammy Saunders, Mark Bradshaw-General Manager of Cliveden middle row: Eunice Lohmeyer, Jeanette Taylor, Joe Graves, Sue Graves, Gail Davis (hidden), Phyllis Barker, Martha Scearce, Diana Starling, Diane Yarbrough, Katelyn Smith, Susan Moore, Andrew Saunders back row: Dave Corp, Kathy Nester, Jim Starling, Sherri Huffman (hidden) Rob Huffman not shown: Janice Chaney

Enjoying the high tea hosted by Lord Astor at Cliveden are: Jean Vernon, Gail Davis, Lois MacFadden, Eunice Lohmeyer, Tour Guide Sophie Clarke, and Judy & Richard Stotlar.

Sherri Huffman and Jennifer Gourley relax in the Great Hall of Lady Astor’s former home, Cliveden. It was given to the National Trust in 1942.

The group enjoys a ride on the River Thames past the Tower Bridge.

Susan and Tommy Moore pose in front of Stonehenge.

Jeanette Taylor and Janice Chaney relax for a minute in the Great Hall at Cliveden.

Evince Magazine Page  15 The group arrives in London’s Heathrow Airport and is ready for the adventure to begin: Gail Davis, Phyllis Barker, Diane Yarbrough, Jane Reid, Kathy Nester, and Linda Yeatts.

Waiting for the bus at Averett University to take the AU Alumni & Friends group to the RDU Airport are Richard and Judy Stotlar, Joyce Wilburn, Taylor Sanom.

Dave Corp and Ann Sylves enjoy lunch on the fast train ride between Edinburgh, Scotland, and London, England.

Joe Graves found unique places to hang his hat in England, Wales, and Scotland.

Joe Graves, Sammy Saunders, Jim Starling, Jane Reid, Diana Starling, and Larry Wilburn reenact the famous Abbey Road crossing by the Beatles in Liverpool, England on September 25. The Abbey Road album was released on September 26, 1969.

Following an afternoon in Wales the group is treated to a private concert by the Colwyn Male Voice Choir.

The In & Out Club now occupies the former home of Lady Astor in St. James Square, London. It is nicknamed that because members of Parliament pop in and out during sessions. The Danville group was treated to a tour and refreshments.

Gretna Green, Scotland was a popular wedding location for underage English teens in 1754. A fake minister performs a fake wedding involving Sammy Saunders (fatherof-the- groom), Andrew Saunders (groom), Katelyn Smith (bride) and Jane Reid (motherof-the-bride). Gretna, Virginia, received its name from this village in Scotland.

Tour guide Chris Robinson (with hand raised on left) leads the group to an Elizabethan Garden that features a list of passengers and crew that were on the Mayflower. Nancy Astor was helpful in setting up the Plymouth Barbican Association (Trust) and a major benefactor of the Old Plymouth Society. Both work to preserve the history of Plymouth, England.

Page Page 16 16November November 2019 2019