Joyce Wilburn
The Most Important Place is Where I Am Right Now p5
Page 2 February 2022
Evince Magazine Page 3
Editor’s Note
N
ine years ago, I met a woman at Averett’s Homecoming Hometown Party. After hearing she organized historic walking tours, I said, “I’m moving to Danville soon. You seem really involved. Do you know of any apartments for rent?” Oh, did she. Joyce Wilburn enthusiastically gave me several leads in the beautiful Old West End. I will always be deeply grateful for this kindness. Through Joyce, I found not only a place to live, but a home. Though Danville isn’t my birthplace, it is unequivocally my
home. In my time here, I’ve been a recruiter, campus minister, Sunday School teacher, Rotarian, legal assistant, program director, president, business owner, and podcaster. To this list, I now have the great privilege of adding “Editor of Evince Magazine.” I sat down with Joyce to hear more about her work with Evince and the community. I was delighted to find we had more in common than a love for historic homes. We both hail from Richmond, love our adopted hometown, and are grateful for the many things we’ve gotten to
try here. Joyce embodies what I love about Danville—if it doesn’t exist here, you can build it. Joyce approaches life with an attitude of, “Why not me? Why not here?” We agree that in Danville, as Joyce put it, “You can bloom.” Check out the cover story to learn what Joyce has grown between and beyond the pages of Evince. Join us in welcoming Kendall Ratliffe as the new editor of Evince. She is grateful for the opportunity to showcase this region’s unique artistic and cultural assets. Kendall also works as a Results Coach with her company, Try One Thing, where she helps busy people take effective action on their goals. Check out her website tryonething.co to learn more and get easy self-management shortcuts.
On the Cover: Photo of Joyce Wilburn surrounded by 25 years of Evince magazines by Michelle Dalton Photography.
CEO / Publisher / Andrew Scott Brooks Editor / Kendall Ratliffe kendall@evincemagazine.com Contributing Writers Linda Lemery, Telisha Moore Leigg, Steve and Ronnie Mand, George Perdue, Kendall Ratliffe, David Slayton, Mack Williams 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@evincemagazine.com Kenny Thornton Jr., Account Executive (434.250.3581) kenny@showcasemagazine.com Kendall Ratliffe, Account Executive kendall@evincemagazine.com
February 2022
Content
3 Editor’s Note
7 Exceptional Customer Spotting
Kim Demont Graphic Design, Marketing (434.792.0612) demontdesign@verizon.net
12
Cupid’s Arrow by Dave Slayton
Service
Editorial Policies
by Steve & Ronnie Mand by George Perdue
8
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 434.709.7349
February Calender
to a 10 Tribute Superhero Joyce Wilburn by Linda Lemery
the 14 On Melting of Snowmen by Mack Williams
5
Joyce Wilburn The Most Important Place is Where I Am Right Now by Kendall Ratliffe
11Aphrodite, Romance Novels, and Us
Fiction by Telisha Moore Leigg
evince\i-’vin(t)s\ 1: to constitute outward evidence of 2: to display clearly; reveal syn see SHOW
For subscriptions to Evince, email info@evincemagazine.com. Cost is $24 a year. © 2022 All rights reserved. Reproduction or use in whole or in part in any medium without written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited.
Page 4 February 2022
INTRODUCING THE BEE HOTEL With its buzzworthy backstory and unique urban style, The Bee made a headline-making hotel debut in Danville’s bustling River District.
420 Patton Street Danville, Virginia 24541
T: 434-234-9440 Email: gm@danvillebeehotel.com
www.danvillebeehotel.com
The 47-room newcomer is located in what was once home to the city’s iconic broadsheet, The Danville Register & Bee, now freshly reimagined as a warm and welcoming home base for business travelers and Virginia vacationers offering the largest rooms for the value in addition to apartment suites ideal for extended stay. Located in the heart of Southern Virginia on the banks of the Dan River, Danville blends small-town charm with rich history and outdoor activities for the adventure-seekers. A one-time textile and tobacco epicenter, it offers easy access to the Virginia International Raceway and the future Caesars Virginia casino.
Where Contemporary and Historic Meet in The River District
SUITES One and Two Bedroom Suites Ideal for extended stays, nearly half of the hotel’s guest rooms are light filled loft-style retreats featuring full kitchens, lightening fast wi-fi and smart TVs.
FEATURES & AMENITIES:
NEARBY ATTRACTIONS • Danville’s River Walk Trail
• Free high-speed WiFi
• Averett University
• 43 or 55-inch HDTV with cable
• Danville Museum of Fine Arts
streaming services
& History
• Work desk with ergonomic chair
• Virginia International Raceway
• Mini-fridge and Microwave
• Angeler’s Ridge Mountain Bike Trail
• Keurig coffee maker
• Danville Braves
• Premium bath amenities
• Danville Science Center
• Hair dryer
• Dan Daniel Memorial Park
• Iron and ironing board
• Tank Museum
• Pet-friendly
• Wreck of the Old 97
• Smoke-free
• Local Craft Brewing Companies
• Fitness Center • Rooftop Veranda (seasonal) • Free Parking
Staycation With Us!
Evince Magazine Page 5
Joyce Wilburn
The Most Important Place is Where I Am Right Now by Kendall Ratliffe
one of the parents to paint it.” For 16 years, Joyce did just about every job at WBTM/WAKG, including morning weather reporter, public service director, promotions director, morning announcer, newsroom substitute. She was also a Program Director at YWCA and earned a Master of Education from Averett College. She created walking tours for Millionaire’s Row, Holbrook-Ross, and the Tobacco Warehouse District, which over 2,000 people from 40 states and 20 countries have taken.
hoto by Michelle Dalton Photography.
A
A 20+ year history with Evince Magazine is drawing to a close for Joyce Wilburn. In her roles as a contributor and editor, Joyce has loved cataloging unique stories of this region and its people. The work has been a natural fit. “I enjoy hearing the life stories of the people I meet, their unseen history, and writing their stories. Understanding the past can help build a better future,” Joyce says. The life Joyce has lived is as interesting and inspiring as any of the stories she unearthed for Evince. Joyce’s writing career began in high school, reporting for the Richmond News Leader. “It opened doors and made it easy to talk to strangers,” she says. “As a teenager, I liked that, and it planted a seed for the future.” After graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University with a BS in Education, Joyce married her husband Larry, moved to Danville, and started preparing for her first teaching job–all within one weekend. This activeness
is characteristic of Joyce’s time in Danville. She would go on to teach for 29 years and do so much more. As the Director of Development at Sacred Heart Catholic School, Joyce, with a team of volunteers and loyal supporters, raised over half a million dollars for their endowment fund only, with even more money raised for other protects. Although she learned how to organize golf tournaments and galas, the critical element was telling Sacred Heart’s story. “Any opportunity I had,” Joyce recalled, “I would highlight our successes and ask for continuing support.” Sacred Heart’s status as a U.S. Department of Education Blue-Ribbon School is also a testament to Joyce and a highlight of her career. A 2008 mural commemorates this achievement, because Joyce saw the murals being painted downtown and thought, “Well, we can do that! Anything someone else is doing, we can do. So I got
Joyce says of her motivation over these years, “I was constantly trying to get people involved in special events, to get off the couch. Some people would say there’s nothing to do, and that would really upset me. There’s so much to do if you only look for it.” An article Joyce published in the Register & Bee article titled “One Woman’s Opinion: Volunteer Work Pays” garnered a huge positive response from the community. When Joyce saw that Evince was looking for writers, she thought, I’ve always wanted to be a writer. What the heck, I’ll try. “My first interview was with Frank Campbell, then president of Averett College, and I was scared. But then after doing that I realized it wasn’t so bad. I can do this,” Joyce adds. That attitude persisted when retiring editor Emyl Jenkins asked Joyce to become the next editor. Joyce planned to temporarily lead the magazine until a permanent editor was
found. But as Joyce discovered, “Editing is just like grading papers. I really enjoyed it, so that’s when I became editor.” Evince was Joyce’s platform to promote events and make it easy for people to, as she says, “Get out there and participate, there is so much positive that is going on. There are things that are overlooked because it’s your hometown.” Her work has been appreciated not just by the people of Danville but by the Virginia Press Association, recognizing her for “General News Writing” and “Personality or Portrait Photo.” In her retirement, Joyce will spend time with her family and her business. As an independent destination consultant, she helps acclimate people relocating to Danville. Her clients have hailed from Belgium, Canada, Brazil, Chile, Peru, and across the U.S. Overall, Joyce is focused on being in the present. “The most important person is the one I’m with right now; the most important time is the present; the most important place is where I am right now.” What can you do right now? Joyce has two ideas. First, talk to someone new and find out their story. You can borrow a page from her book and say you’re writing a story, because that’s “a wonderful way to walk up to people you don’t know and start asking questions.” Second, try something in Evince that you’ve never done before. After all, Joyce says, “There is so much to do in Danville!”
Page 6 February 2022
Evince Magazine Page 7
Spotting Exceptional Customer Service
W
e want to nominate our outstanding newspaper carrier, Kenneth Shively, for truly going “above and beyond” to deliver papers. After the snow and sleet of Sunday January 16th, there was no paper awaiting early Monday morning, which we certainly did not expect because of the treacherous road conditions. However, around 11AM, Mr. Shively appeared to deliver our paper, much to our surprise. Driving on any unplowed road was a challenge, but even more so in our neighborhood with so many hills. He truly is an exceptional carrier, one who deserves to be recognized. Steve & Ronnie Mand
I
would like to recognize Carole Hylton for her exceptional customer
service. Carole works for WBTM & WAKG and is always looking to promote, and support local businesses. Carole shops local, wears local t-shirts, and very frequently does social media shout outs about lots of local businesses. She is a walking, talking billboard for engagement in the local area! I believe she is a rare gem today, and I would like to personally thank Carole for all she does for small businesses in Danville. Thank you, George “Peanut” Perdue Owner, Revitalization Station Evince wants 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 kendall@evincemagazine.com.
Thank you Joyce... for your many years of support of the Danville Community and The Danville Museum with your talented work at Evince. We wish you well with your new adventures in life, wherever the path may lead you. The Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History
[
Thank you to the community for voting DMFAH your favorite Museum/Art Gallery.
]
Be sure to check our on-line calendar for 2022 programming!
Monday - Friday | 10am-5pm Sat | Noon-5pm • Sun | 2pm-5pm 434-793-5644 • info@danvillemuseum.org 975 Main Street, Danville, VA 24541
danvillemuseum.org
Page 8 February 2022
February
Calendar of Evince
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 • PA = Piedmont Arts, 215 Starling Ave., Martinsville 276.632.3221 PiedmontArts.org • The Prizery = 700 Bruce St., South Boston, 434.572.8339 www.prizery.com • LHM = Langhorne House Museum, 117 Broad St. Danville, open by appointment for fully vaccinated visitors 434.793.6472 • Wed Club = The Wednesday Club, 1002 Main Street 434.792.7921 www.TheWedClubDanvilleVa.org
Ongoing Guided Walking Tours: Millionaires Row, Holbrook Street and Tobacco Warehouse District. 434.770.1974 www.danvillehistory.org Camilla Williams Exhibit: Exhibit features her opera costumes including Madame Butterfly. DMFAH Danville Civil Rights Exhibition: The Movement on permanent display. DMFAH Attic Sale Donation Drop Off: DMFAH Tuesday-Friday 10am-5pm; Sat12-5pm; Sun 2-5pm no clothes, no electronics furniture accepted with appointment davidc522@comcast. net 305.766.2979. Yoga on the Lawn: Saturdays DMFAH Call to reserve a spot
and problem-solving skills of puzzlers Gather hidden clues and secret passwords found by solving key puzzles. DSC.
February 19 Cars & Coffee: hosted by Old Dominion Classic Sports Car Club See classic cars, sports cars, muscle cars, and more in the parking lot at Crema & Vine, 1009 Main St. Danville 9-10:30am 434.548.9862
February 2 Preservation Virginia: Sonja Ingram will speak about the mission of the statewide preservation leader in fostering, supporting and sustaining Virginia’s historic places.. Wed Club, 1002 Main St., Danville, Va., 3:45 pm. Free.
February 23 The Birth of God’s Pit Crew: Presenter: Rhonda Zola. The Wednesday Club, 1002 Main St., Danville, VA., 3:45pm. Free.
February 5 Gnome Painting: Melissa Dalton will lead everyone in painting a Valentine Gnome on a canvas. Main Street Art Collective, 326 Main St., Danville, VA., 11am.
February 5 Danville Storytelling Festival: The 20th annual storytelling event is virtual this year. Visit www. danvillestorytelling.com for more info. 12:30 pm tp 2:30 pm.
February 16 Music from the Melting Pot: Catherine Kelly, classical soprano, will entertain with a medley of American songs and arias. She will be accompanied by pianist, Stephen Gourley. Wed Club 3:15pm. Free.
February 8
February 25 & 26
Hearts and Crafts: Put your heart into a fun night of crafting. Join us to make a fun heart decoration. Ruby B. Archie Public Library. 5:30pm. Ages 18 and up. Registration is required. Call (434) 799-5195.
February 9
Mindbender Mansion: an eclectic place full of puzzles, brainteasers, and interactive challenges guaranteed to test the brainpower
South Pole Adventure: Shelly Calabrisi, former Science and Technical Project Services Supervisor at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station in Antarctica, will tell about her experiences while stationed in the South Pole. Wed Club. 3:15pm. Free.
February 17, 18, 19 Peter and the Starcatcher $10/8 7pm. AU
Empty Bowls: a fund-raiser for God’s Storehouse. Empty Bowls is an international grassroots effort to fight hunger. Artisans at the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History and George Washington High School art teachers have created handcrafted ceramic bowls for the event which will be held at God’s Storehouse on Memorial Drive. 2/25-11am3:30pm & 2/26-11am-1pm. Guests can purchase tickets for $20/person ($25/person after February 21) at God’s Storehouse, Karen’s Hallmark in Danville Mall, and online at Eventbrite. Each ticket will have a
Evince Magazine Page 9
specific time allotted to pick up your bowl and participate in a chance auction. No soup will be served. Vouchers from area restaurants will be available for ticket holders. For more information, visit www.godsstorehouse. org, God’s Storehouse Facebook page or call 434-793-3663.
March 5
Winter Classical Concert: Once Upon a Time, Peter & the Wolf, Sleeping Beauty, Scheherazade doors open 7pm first note 7:30pm free. Danville Symphony Orchestra www.danvillesymphony.net
March 9 Watercolor…Riding the Tiger: Jerry Franklin will present watercolor techniques that he hopes will help demystify some of the challenges of painting in watercolor and give listeners confidence to enjoy working with the medium. Wed Club. 3:15pm. Free.
March 12 Liverpool Legends: four lads handpicked by Louise Harrison, sister of the late George Harrison of The Beatles, play in this tribute band. Danville Concert Association. 7:30 pm GW High School. tickets at Eventbrite.com starting February 1
We’re
on Danville! Donna Gibson Owner
February 26 Cabin Fever Music Series w/Matt Boswell: Danville Farmers’ Market. 62p Craghead St. Danville, VA. 7-11pm.
February 28 (thru March 1) Fourth Annual Industrial Hemp Summit Goes Virtual: IALR, 150 Slayton Ave, Danville, VA
Upcoming March 2 Meet Danville’s Fire Chief – David Coffey: David Coffey will speak about his role as the Chief of Danville’s Fire Department. Wed Club. 3:15pm. Free.
HOLLEY & GIBSON REALTY COMPANY
339 Piney Forest Rd., Danville, VA 24540
Office: (434) 791-2400 Fax: (434) 791-2122 Visit our website at
www.holleyandgibsonrealty.com
Page 10 December 2021
Tribute to a Superhero
Joyce Wilburn by Linda Lemery
T
his month I have the distinct pleasure of offering a tribute to Joyce Wilburn, the superhero who cumulatively served for 21 years as Evince writer, managing editor, and editor. As an Evince writer, I think of Joyce as both a manager and a mentor. Here’s why. As a manager, Joyce: Modeled “organization” on steroids. Joyce was a professional organizer. She organized other people and their writing with the same panache a seasoned banker would display when laying out a mortgage payment schedule. The published issues of Evince reflected Joyce’s organizing hand in the cohesiveness, the flow, and the lack of clutter, though it took many more people’s hands on deck to bring each issue to life digitally and in print. Joyce managed her own submission deadlines even while traveling overseas. She questioned writers’ phraseology, dragging clearer verbiage out of us to achieve greater clarity for readers. She juggled multiple priorities extremely well. Conducted herself in a businesslike manner, whether she was talking about an Evince issue or lifting weights at the YMCA. Joyce stayed on task. She expected writer submissions by the deadline because publication timelines were tight and submissions had to flow to her in a timely way for the published issue to make it “to the church on time” (to reach Evince readers in a timely way). Was always willing to laugh. Joyce displayed a great sense of humor. To have both editor and writer
laughing through edits required developing strong relationships and using extraordinary skills. Communicated well and often. Shortly after the current Evince issue hit the stands, Joyce’s email reminder for next month’s issue went out to writers: praising the current Evince issue; thanking writers for writing for Evince; clearly stating the next issue’s date and time submission deadline; using engaging, approachable language; showing humor and appreciation for writers, readers, the whole Evince team, advertisers, businesses, and the local and regional community; and sharing with writers that she couldn’t wait to read what we would send her for next month. How could writers help being so enthusiastic about writing when Joyce was so consistently enthusiastic about Evince and our community? As a mentor, Joyce: Remembered readers with every breath she took. Would this topic engage readers? What would help readers more clearly understand Linda’s psychobabble? (My word, not hers.) Where is the photo? The questions Joyce asked writers were in service of readers. Met writers where they were in terms of language and helped them improve. If Joyce didn’t understand something, an email would skid into my inbox, asking for clarification. For example, I learned the hard way to use specific verbs and avoid using the word “get” as a helping verb. I had to get “the get” gone (e.g., “I have to get massively decluttered for the winter holiday” versus “I will
organize my aprons for holiday baking Feng Shui”). Joyce simply wanted crystal clear writing for readers. (What on earth is holiday baking Feng Shui??) Touched base with writers during chance meetings in the community. Joyce inevitably shared kind comments, praise, laughter, and news. To her, every contact was important. Modeled friendliness as positive behavior in the community. Joyce knew everyone. If she hadn’t met someone, she introduced herself, asked for the person’s name, and started a conversation. She had an encyclopedic grasp of community events and resources. If someone had a resource question, Joyce shared contact information for local business people who could help. If I had to use two words to describe Joyce, those words would be “community ambassador.” She was so enthusiastic about the offerings of the local and regional business world and clearly understood the strong relationship between friendly outreach and economic development. Honoring Joyce Undoubtedly, Joyce would edit this column heavily. I would laugh even as I rewrote. This time, it’s someone else’s choice. Joyce, we will miss you. Thanks so much for your positive work with Evince and our community. We are grateful. Shine on, Superhero! About the Author: When she’s not sinking under decluttering her writing, house, shed, garage, camper, garden, and life, Linda Lemery llemery@gmail.com lives and writes in Danville, VA. She welcomes reader comments.
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Aphrodite, Romance Novels, and Us fiction by Telisha Moore Leigg
It’s not fancy, red paper napkins but the long thick ones, just-right, quiet-low instrumental music, and good Italian food even though Luna’s long passed the business to her brother Tom and passed on herself two years back. You ordered lasagna, and I had spaghetti bolognaise. You held my hand longer than necessary when you prayed over the meal, moved your thumb over the back of my hand, once, twice.
A
llen, Valentine’s Day night, and it’s dark in our home. There is only the light from a streetlight through the panes of our over-the-sink kitchen window. You are smiling, but you still avoid my eyes to not wish for too much, even as you hum an off-key Anita Baker’s invocation to sweet love. You go into the spare bedroom while pulling off the white buttondown shirt you rarely wear. Time is a ribbon fading and fraying with use. I remember I first saw you in a Woolworth’s on South Main in Sustain, Virginia, even though me, Mean Keisha, and Mandy Blue had by then moved to Boris, North Carolina. And I could not tell you then, but I was afraid. I guess that’s about 20 years ago now. But back that day I was 15, a few days from 16, standing in thrift-store jeans
and a Prince Purple Rain top by the Harlequin Romance novel kiosk — waiting for Mean Keisha as she read every last romance novel jacket trying to pick the right one like there was a science to choosing love. I used to wonder how she knew when she found it. In fact, I still joke sometimes that it’s Mean Keisha you should thank for our love because she made Mandy Blue and me late, and because love to me seems like fate forcing fire in the wind. It sparks where it sparks, dies in the dirt where it can’t. It was just a chance we were in that town that day, you know, Allan. Anyway, I saw you before you saw me seeing you. Tonight, our girls are away with family and like every Valentine’s we ate at Luna’s Restaurant.
Allan, I never told you, but I don’t have any faith I follow but you. Although, I admit some force has spared me some pain in this world. When I think about my mother’s cancer and death, homelessness, the indignities of grinding poverty, and my rape, I wonder if life for some is like a ship at sea without a lighthouse to steer to shore. Then, I think that same force has allowed an equal measure of hurt, too. What I’m trying to say is that I ain’t a sin kind of girl, a be good and good will come to you, or be bad and you get punished, you know. I think… never mind what I think. But I know one thing. You don’t turn away love. That is true sin. I know that. And I know you love me. It is cold but not raining outside Luna’s. The constellations are hidden, held captive by clouds. It’s warm inside Luna’s, and I think of Mean Keisha’s hardscrabble paperback love and even Mandy Blue eye’s tragic pagan gods. I think what I will tell our girls about love, Allan. I want to ask you,
Allan, who can tell me how to love? I think you know. For tonight, for once, it will be me who initiates, who pulls you to me as we dance like we learned at blues class at Martine’s Dance Studio on Vine, back when we first married for the second time after the divorce. For once, in our yellow kitchen, I don’t watch my feet, but I look directly at you. And this is a moment as you keep humming your heart. Maybe tonight we will make love, maybe not. Doesn’t matter, this is a different kind of touch. If Mandy Blue was here, she would talk about her gods and their love, battle-bitter and raging, how she would both caution and cite us Aphrodite and her godblacksmith-husband-Haphestus who, even he, couldn’t forge a chain strong enough to keep someone who would not stay. But, tonight, I am sure, content. If I asked Mean Keisha about love, she would probably cuss and spit, saying it’s nothing but claptrap craptrap. But I still remember her reading about hero-princes and the maidens they save, her reading those novels long ago, and hoarding hope and happiness by flashlight under the covers. So, tonight, Allan, I put my head on your bare shoulder and we sway in the kitchen. as that streetlight pools through our kitchen window. Fallen
Page 12 February 2022
Photo by Dave Slayton.
Cupid’s Arrow by Dave Slayton
W
ikipedia says, in classical mythology, Cupid is the god of desire, attraction, and affection... In the Hellenistic period, his icon acquired the bow and arrow representing his source of power: a person shot by Cupid’s arrow is filled with uncontrollable desire. This coming Valentine’s Day, what will be your arrow? Trying to think of the most welcomed arrow (gift) to be received by your beloved can be tricky. Remember, it is what the recipient wants that is important. The list can vary widely from person to person, so consider this decision carefully. Jewelry is always a winner with options galore. Another possibility is clothing, anything from a mink coat to a negligee. Another tried and true option is cologne; just be sure you know which one is the right one. A traditional Valentine’s Day gift is a bouquet of flowers; a dozen fresh-cut red roses are usually well-received on this occasion. My personal favorite; chocolate! As Charles M. Schulz said, “All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.” I say the only thing better than chocolate is chocolate with wine.
What kind of wine? Again, keep in mind the recipient’s preference, both in chocolate and wine. Will it be white chocolate? How about a sparkling rosé with strawberries covered in white chocolate? Or consider a tawny port wine with sweet flavors of baking spice, almond, and caramel. Is it milk chocolate? Consider a Riesling, a sweet Riesling, not a dry Riesling, as a white wine accompaniment. As a red wine accompaniment, think about a light red wine like a Pinot Noir, an Italian Lambrusco, a French Beaujolais, or a South African Pinotage. Do they like dark chocolate? If the percent of cocoa is 55 to 65 percent, think about a Merlot. If you have dark chocolate with more than about 65 percent cocoa, perhaps a California Cabernet Sauvignon is what Cupid would use. If your beloved wants sweet wines, maybe a sweet red Moscato is needed for this occasion. Remember, these are possibilities. If you find a combination that you, or rather they, enjoy, go with it. Cheers!
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Page 14 February 2022
On the Melting of Snowmen by Mac Williams
O
ur first snowfall in early January of winter 2022 was a little over 2 inches; but enterprising children (and a few adults) often do quite well making snowmen from such a comparatively small accumulation. One snowman’s construction consumed a lawn’s worth of rolled-up snow, it being a “wet snow,” easily rolled up like carpet. Another lawn must have had dead grass and twigs under the snow, for its snowman looked “hairy!” Perhaps it was meant to be a “Neanderthal snowman.” As a boy, in rolling up wet snow to fashion a snowman, I removed any leaves from it which had escaped our annual “fall burn.” These early January snowmen began to “go the way of all snow.” The face of one looked hideous in its slow, watery decomposition. I remembered when my old jack-o’-lanterns stayed out too long, becoming: “When jack-o’-lanterns last on the
front step moldered.” One snowman’s face became a blank canvas. Seeing it, I thought of faceless (literally) people I’d seen on an old episode of The Outer Limits or The Twilight Zone. I thought, Gosh, minus eyes, nose, and mouth, the poor snowman can’t see, smell, or speak! Another snowman’s bright red, 70s butterfly bow tie was loosened by the melting, causing it to slip to the ground. This former “gentleman of snow” now looked quite “informal.” His fallen tie was lying there as plain as the nose (carrot) on his face. But his nose had also fallen and was lying on the ground next to the bow tie. One snowman’s “stick arms” had fallen; ending any imagining of his cold embrace. A snowman’s final, sad ending may come when a child picks up its one remaining, snow-ball sized clump and hurls it at an older sibling-or vice versa.
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Page 16 February 2022