Happy New Year Season Page 9
Spotting Exceptional Customer Service Page 10
Michelle Bowers
Reflecting Forward
Are You Smarter than a Water Bottle? Page 11
Taking an Incredible Journey to a Fairytale Cottage See Page 5
Page 2 March 2021
Photo by Michelle Dalton Photography
Editor’s Note
Michelle Bowers (pictured on the cover) knows how important a fresh start can be after a difficult time. Read her inspirational story about a new beginning on page 5. It’s a safe assumption that we all welcome the start of a new season and a different routine after the disruption brought on by COVID. Isla Wiles wishes you a “Happy New Year Season” on page 9. Need a hint about its message? She wrote the article in her favorite place, the garden. How about giving new life to an old house? Check out “Photo Finish” on page 14 for some great bargains. Maybe you’re ready to curl up with a good book as you wait for warmer evenings. Diane Adkins recommends The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett in her review on page 12. She writes: Sometimes what appears to be an ending is, in fact, a new beginning—just when we least expect it. When you make plans, remember to “Celebrate Spring with Wine, Song, and Sunshine” according to Dave Slayton on page 7. A new season and a fresh beginning starts on Saturday, March 20th. It can’t come soon enough.
March Contents
3 Editor’s Note
4 Spotting Exceptional Customer Service a Library Lover 5 Michelle Bowers Taking an Incredible Journey to a Fairytale Cottage by Joyce Wilburn
THE
OICE OF SPRING & NEW BEGINNINGS
CEO / Publisher Andrew Scott Brooks Editor Joyce Wilburn (434.799.3160) joycewilburn@gmail.com Copy Editors Jeanette Taylor Larry Wilburn Contributing Writers
6 Renovation Reality Search for the Perfect House Ends in Danville by Carla Minosh
Think You Know Everything about the DMFAH? Think Again. One House; Many Histories by Joyce Wilburn
7 The Wine Spot Celebrate Spring with Wine, Song, and Sunshine by Dave Slayton 8 Calendar 9 Happy New Year Season by Isla Wiles 10 Mandy’s Prayer Fiction by Telisha Moore Leigg 11 Reflecting Forward Are You Smarter Than a Water Bottle? by Linda Lemery 12 Book Clubbing The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett by Annie Lyons review by Diane Adkins 13 Around the Table Lemon and Shrimp Risotto by Annelle Williams
14 Photo Finish Sponsored by the Old West End (OWE) National Historic District On the Cover: Photo of Michelle Bowers on the porch of her Chestnut Street house in Danville by Michelle Dalton Photography
Diane Adkins, Lewis Dumont, Helen Earle, Kimberly Eaton, Telisha Moore Leigg, Linda Lemery, C.B. Maddox, Carla Minosh, Desiree Shaffer, Dave Slayton, Isla Wiles, Joyce Wilburn, Annelle 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@evince magazine.com Kenny Thornton Jr Account Executive (434.250.3581) kenny@showcasemagazine.com Kim Demont Graphic Design, Marketing (434.792.0612) demontdesign @verizon.net evince\i-’vin(t)s\ 1: to constitute outward evidence of 2: to display clearly; reveal syn see SHOW Deadline for submission of April stories, articles, and ads is Sunday, March 21, 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
Sincerely,
For subscriptions to Evince, email info@evincemagazine.com. Cost is $24 a year.
joycewilburn@gmail.com
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.
Evince Magazine Page 3
Michelle Bowers on page 5.
© 2021 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 March 2021
Spotting Exceptional Customer Service by Library Lover
DEDICATED TO DEVELOPING INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS THAT STRENGTHEN COMMUNITIES AND
IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE
Pictured Above: Center for Manufacturing Advancement, Danville, VA
www.dewberry.com
I’d like to nominate Angela Longerbeam, Assistant Branch Manager at the Mt. Hermon Library, 4058 Franklin Turnpike, in Pittsylvania County, for the Spotting Exceptional Customer Service Award. Recently, she went above what is required in her job description and I feel certain this was not an isolated incident. I am an avid reader and frequent the Mt. Hermon Library and the Danville Public Library. Usually, I can keep the books and DVDs from each library separate and there is no problem. However, one day in my haste to return things that were due, I dropped an item into the return box at Mt. Hermon, but it belonged to the Danville Library. I didn’t realize my mistake until the next day. I immediately called the Mt. Hermon Library and Angela answered the phone. I explained what I had done. She told me not to worry. She saw that the DVD belonged to the Danville Library and had returned it downtown on her way home the previous day. Not only did that save me a trip to the Danville Library, but it also saved my paying an overdue fine! Angela did this without any expectation of thanks or recognition, because she had no way of knowing who had checked out the DVD. Thank you Angela, not only for your service, but for your service with a smile. 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 5
Michelle found a child’s mug that doubles as a whistle, a whistle, and a bowl under the stairs leading to the second floor. She thinks they were probably placed there in the 1920s by Freda Chaney, the young daughter of Fred and Steffie Chaney, the previous owners of the house. The artifacts will have a place of honor in the restored home.
S
even years ago, Michelle Bowers went on a simple drive in the country to mend a broken heart. Unbeknown to her at the time, that venture into rural North Carolina was the first step on an incredible journey that even now she finds hard to believe. The Danville homeowner and Raleigh resident explains how it began, “Eight years ago, my older sister died unexpectedly. On the first anniversary of her death, I felt I was grieving too much.” A distraction was needed. Remembering a time when the two sisters were younger and they explored the woods looking for old abandoned cabins, she devised a plan. Michelle told her three children to jump in the car; they were going to play a new game while traveling the nearby country roads. “I’d drive up to an intersection and ask, ‘Turn right or left?’ They’d pick which way and we’d keep going,” she says while smiling at the memory, adding, “and then I’d take pictures of the old abandoned houses we found.” Returning home, Michelle created a Facebook page Abandoned Homes of North Carolina with a goal of having a hundred followers. “Now I’m at 750,000 followers worldwide! It’s shocking!” says the West Virginia native with eyebrows raised and astonishment in her voice. Over the years, the title of the Facebook page changed and so
Michelle enjoys the warmth coming from the backyard firepit on a chilly February day. The 100+ year-old cobblestones that form the pit and edge the pathway were once part of nearby Pine Street. The carriage house in the background has become a gameroom for family and friends. Photos by Michelle Dalton Photography.
Michelle Bowers Taking an Incredible Journey to a Fairytale Cottage by Joyce Wilburn did Michelle’s focus. “It became Old House Life and now I’m geared more toward preservation and saving the buildings,” she says. “I think we’ve saved hundreds of them just from my page.” When asked why historic houses are becoming more popular, Michelle responds, “I think people are sick of cookiecutter houses.” Looking at the different styles of architecture seen from the front porch of her 1890 house, she offers her neighborhood
as an example, “Every house in the Old West End (OWE) is unique.” Her passion for historic buildings received a boost when a friend, Lou Pascucci, offered to build a website. “It took off with 100,000 views a month! It was shocking!” she says, repeating the often used phrase. Not only is Michelle having fun, she’s making a very good income from the ads on the website that are managed by AdThrive. With
Thinking about Buying an Old House? Tips from Michelle:
1. Ask a specialist in historic preservation to look at the house before making an offer. 2. Plan for unforeseen, hidden problems. Michelle had to deal with termites, fleas, and ground hogs at her new home. 3. Know the city’s guidelines for renovation and restoration in the Historic District and the timeframe for the renovation to be completed. Visit www.danville-va.gov;
planning & zoning; commission for architectural review. 4. Obtain several estimates for every job. Michelle received a range of quotes from $20,000 to $60,000 for the same job. 5. Search for houses that are scheduled for demolition. Salvage their usable architectural features. 6. Know that water damage is the biggest enemy of buildings. Fix that first.
that success came another idea. “Once I started making money I thought I should buy a fixerupper. About six years ago, I saw a picture of Carla’s (Minosh) house in Danville on Facebook. On a whim, I messaged her and asked if I could take pictures of her house,” she remembers. Carla immediately agreed. That brought Michelle to Danville where she met Paul Leipe, a strong advocate of living in Danville and Executive Director of the Friends of the OWE, who suggested she buy a fixer-upper here. At first she was reluctant, but that was before she saw the house that was destined to be hers. Michelle fell in love immediately. “It’s so cute, like a fairytale cottage,” she exclaims. An offer was made and within days it was accepted. That’s why on a sunny February Saturday, Michelle is sitting on the front porch of the house she has named Sunshine and making plans for the next step of renovation. The incredible journey that began years ago has led to a fairytale cottage in Danville. Who knows what shocking thing might be around the next turn? Whatever it is, Michelle is ready. • For more information about the Old West End Historic District, visit www.oldwestendva.com. • Read Carla Minosh’s column “Search for the Perfect Home Ends in Danville” on page 6.
Page 6 March 2021
Renovation Reality Search for the Perfect House Ends in Danville
O
by Carla Minosh
ur journey to Danville was providential and seemed almost preordained. We had already resolved to restore a Victorian home and had determined that we would settle for nothing less than a masonry home of massive size with a plethora of architectural details. I have a passion for cast iron and wished for porches adorned with delicious swirling metal. We both agreed that an Italianate with a bold mansard slate roof was what we would pursue. I also wanted something with a Gothic flavor, brooding and serious. In addition, it had to be raw, unrestored, unmuddled. Needless to say, our wish list eliminated 99.99% of potential
homes on the market in Northern Virginia, so we began to expand our search radius. After years of fruitless searching, a Preservation magazine delivered to our mailbox contained a for sale ad with an exact depiction of the impossible house we had imagined for ourselves! The house checked every single box. Now the only question was-would it be in a community where we would feel at home? Realtor Susan Stilwell, who had placed the ad, was our guide for the weekend as we investigated the community of Danville, Virginia. She introduced us to Mary and Lewis Dumont,
Think You Know Everything about the DMFAH? Think Again.
One House; Many Histories by Joyce Wilburn Most area residents know a little history of the mansion at 975 Main Street in the Old West End of Danville. It was constructed as a single family dwelling in 1858. The historical marker on the front lawn tells about one-week in 1865 when it served as the last Confederate capital. For decades, it was the location of a public library for white people. In the 1960s, it was a focal point of the Civil Rights Movement. In 1974, it became the Danville Museum of Fine Arts & History (DMFAH). The history lessons don’t stop there, however. Look a little deeper and you’ll discover a lot more. A new welcome video, Omitted History, is a good place to start. The video can be viewed in person at the DMFAH or at
www.danvillemuseum.org. In eleven minutes, viewers will hear about the many histories of the DMFAH and the Dan River Region. The video is the entryway to a far larger archive of cultural histories that reflect all the people living in the Dan River Region. Accompanying the video on the website is a timeline describing various important local events. The Omitted History video connects these events in the timeline with the DMFAH’s collections. It shows how the museum collections are deeply woven into the region’s diverse and vibrant cultural narratives. The creators of the video have included all of the Sutherlin Mansion histories in an equitable way as a reminder that, although it is one house, it has many stories.
This 1881 house in Danville was built by Andrew Jackson Montague and restored by Lewis and Mary Dumont. Montague served as Virginia’s Attorney General from 1898 to1902 and later as Governor from 1902 to 1906. Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1912, he served as a member of Congress until his death in 1937.
who live in a West Main Street house on the edge of the Old West End (pictured above). They were enthusiastic, energetic, and gracious when they opened their home to show us their decades-long restoration project. Our visit with them confirmed that there were Danvillians who cared about old homes, who appreciated fine craftsmanship, hard work and critical details and had a passion for restoration. We were impressed not only by the Dumonts’ dedication to their work on the house but also to their family and to each other. We could feel at home with neighbors like these. We met others that day who shared the same enthusiasm. All together, we found a community of caring, kind, and hard-working
people who made us feel perfectly at home. Mary and Lewis, however, were by far the two who stood out in our minds as true stewards of their home and gave us a sense of connectedness to the community of old-house people. Everyone we spoke to that day had stories of how Mary and Lewis inspired them, helped them, encouraged them, or just provided support as they traveled their own restoration journey. That supportive community is what we found and what we most appreciate about having exactly the right home for us. It is no accident that the spirit of this community exists. It is fueled by those who continue to pour their energy into this wonderful town.
Carla’s & Tom’s house located at the corner of Chestnut and Main Streets.
Evince Magazine Page 7
Photo by Dave Slayton
The Wine Spot Celebrate Spring with Wine, Song, and Sunshine by Dave Slayton
a member of the Master Court of Sommeliers
W
hat color do you associate with spring? For me, it’s green because green represents peace, growth, and health. I once heard a Master Sommelier say that when tasting a sauvignon blanc, you will usually taste something green. The sauvignon blanc grape is believed to have originated in France’s Bordeaux region, where it grew like a weed. The word sauvignon (soh-veenyawn) comes from the French sauvage and vigne, meaning wild vine. In Bordeaux, sauvignon blanc is used mainly in the blending of white wines. In the Loire region of France, it is used alone, especially in the famous areas of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé. In the April 2018 issue of Decanter magazine, writer Andrew Jefford’s describes the differences and similarities of these two French classics and says, “… the very best sauvignon blanc is the least varietal, the most spring-like in its sappiness, mouthwatering vinosity and planty freshness.” I think what he is saying is that the best sauvignon blanc is one that, among
other things, is not just grassy. Some say that a sappy wine will have stalky and herbaceous characteristics like fresh basil, dill, parsley, rosemary, or tarragon. Vinosity, (its body, flavor, and color) is, “The essential quality or heart of a wine,” according to Russian wine writer Alexis Lichine. Then there is New Zealand sauvignon blanc. It exploded onto the world wine stage in the ‘80s. As Vinepair states, “ New Zealand wines hit the international market, debuting wines that were bright, crisp, refreshing and, best of all, incredibly affordable.” Caution, New Zealand sauvignon blancs do not all taste alike. In general terms, they can have very intense (sharply strong) grassy and citrus flavors, but not always. In light of this success, California, Chile, and South Africa also made stellar representations of this grape. I propose that we celebrate the first day of spring while sipping a glass of sauvignon blanc, listening to Aaron Copland’s “Appalachian Spring”, and hopefully enjoying rays of warm spring sunlight on our shoulders. Cheers!
Page 8 March 2021
March 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 • 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
March 3 (thru 31)
March 1 (thru 31) Danville Master Gardener Help Desk: Master Gardeners love to research gardening problems. Anyone with gardening, lawn, or landscaping questions can call the Cooperative Extension office 434.799.6558 or email danvillemastergardeners@gmail. com. See story on page 9.
croquet set, picnic food, and a team of players to the DMFAH between noon and 4:30 p.m. Call to reserve a 90-minute slot: noon-1:30pm; 1:303pm; 3-4:30pm Set up on one of the side lawns or the front lawn. Three teams can play per time slot. It’s a free community event, but you must register to ensure a lawn space.
WANDERLOVE: A Stitch in Time: A free collective knitting project for all DMFAH Wednesdays and Fridays 10am-noon h1earle@yahoo.com
March 13
Ongoing Guided Walking Tours: Millionaires Row, Holbrook Street and Tobacco Warehouse District. 434.770.1974 www.danvillehistory.org DMFAH: self-guided audio tours Camilla Williams Exhibit: Exhibit features her opera costumes including Madame Butterfly. DMFAH Danville Civil Rights Exhibition: The Movement on permanent display. DMFAH DSC: Learn about “Water”--its chemical makeup, the power it can generate, and the ecology of the Dan River. “Go!” highlights the intersection between the physics of machines and the biology of the human body. The J.T.-Minnie Maude Charitable Trust Creativity Lab is a makerspace offering hands-on access to craft and design tools.
March 2021
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 31
March 4 (thru 21) David Douglas Shadow of Place Art Exhibit: Working at the intersection of drawing, painting and photography, Douglas creates largescale works that explore the power of place. 536 Craghead Street Gallery open Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays noon-8pm; Sundays noon-5pm. www.danvillemuseum.org
Danville Symphony Orchestra Concert: Two free performances of “Peter and the Wolf” with a reduced orchestra of 16-19 musicians will be offered: 1:30pm at The Tabernacle, 1978 South Boston Road, in Danville and 4pm at Grace Baptist Church, 1058 Buckshoal Road, in Virgilina. This is a great opportunity for children and their families to experience a fun and educational program. www.danvillesymphony.net 434.797.2666 dansymorch@gmail. com DMFAH free admission
March 14
March 27
March 16 How to Catch a Leprechaun: Make a leprechaun trap, go on a treasure hunt to find a pot of gold, and make a four-leaf clover for luck! Be sure to wear green so you don’t get pinched! Ages 6+ Danville Public Library 5:30pm Register at 434.799.5195. Danville Winter Farmers’ Market: baked goods, meats, eggs, jams, jellies, crafts, personal care products seasonal produce 629 Craghead St. 434.797.8961
March 8 (thru April 12) Forms in Clay: pottery class on Mondays 6:30-9pm $95 for DMFAH members, $105 for non-members. Register at 434.792.5355.
March 25 Life Drawing Class: DMFAH 6:30 to 9pm $15 Register at info@ danvillemuseum.org.
March 13 & 14
Daylight Savings Time begins at 2am. Spring forward the clocks.
March 6 (thru 27)
Cars & Coffee: hosted by 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
March 17 Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
March 18 Paint & Printmaking Workshop: DMFAH 6:30 to 9pm $15 Register at info@ danvillemuseum.org.
March 20 Croquet on the Lawn: Celebrate the first day of spring. Bring your
The deadline for submitting information for the April calendar is Sunday, March 21, at 5:00 p.m. Please send just the basic information following the format on these pages to joycewilburn@gmail.com.
Yoga in the Park: Join instructors for a free yoga flow in the parks around Danville. Participants are required to register in advance. 8am Bring a mat. All levels of yoga are welcome. 434.799.5150 DMFAH Attic Sale Drop-Off: Email davidc522@comcast.net for a time.
Evince Magazine Page 9
Happy New Year Season
J
by Isla Wiles
anuary may be a time of new beginnings for many people but for Mother Nature and gardeners, spring is the season for a fresh start! Daffodils are already blooming; forsythia bushes and crocuses will soon provide bursts of color. Yeah! Gardeners have been perusing seed and plant sources during the cold winter months and are ready to begin planting indoors. Whether one starts vegetable, annual, or perennial seedlings indoors to take advantage of varieties not easily found locally or simply to grow plants on one’s own schedule, planting seeds inside helps to get a head start on the growing season. Light, warmth, and appropriate moisture are the major requirements. Grow light systems can be purchased at varying prices and sizes. Grow mats (similar to heating pads) are relatively inexpensive. Growing containers can range from butter tubs with drainage to purchased biodegradable containers to pod containers. In order to assure that seedlings receive the same amount of light each day and don’t have to wait for someone to turn on the light, a timer is a worthwhile purchase. In addition to looking forward to planting, March is the time for surveying the landscape and deciding what annuals and
perennials to plant. What worked or did not work last season? Are blooms all season desired? If so, planting late bloomers will insure color and blooms until frost. Have growing requirements changed? Is a tree no longer providing shade? Has a formerly sunny area become more shaded because of tree or shrub growth? Is a specialized type of growing area featuring plants to attract and sustain butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees desired? Are more native and/or deer resistant plants desired? Now is the time to check with local nurseries for potential availability of desired plants and shrubs. Faintly remember those New Year’s resolutions? Start anew. Spring begins on Saturday, March 20, at 5:37 a.m. Now is the time to plan to go outside and soak up the sunshine and warmer temperatures. Doing so will be easy and an emotional and physical renewal in itself. • March is also when Danville Master Gardeners will resume their Help Desk service for this year’s growing season. People with gardening and landscaping questions can call the VCE office at 434.799.6558 or email danvillemastergardeners@ gmail.com. Questions will be forwarded to Master Gardeners to research and answer. A Master Gardener will reply and work to solve the problem.
Page 10 March 2021
Mandy’s Prayer fiction by Telisha Moore Leigg You cannot hate what you do not love. --My mother I was not there for my mother when she died. I was instead drunk on beer and chardonnay and shots of tequila. On the day she died, I sat on a red-ripped stool at a horseshoe-counterdesigned bar on a working-class street, with the full-wall mirror to my back, reflecting. I could not look at myself. That was years ago, and I am here with my father now. And he is dying. I cannot help him either. I am unwilling, but I came and I am here on Barette Street to see my father pass. Wherever my father was all those years, he abandoned me,
We’re
on Danville! Donna Gibson Owner
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
folks renamed him, like they did me. They call him Old Man now, and they call me Mandy Blue Eyes, even though neither was our name. And we have both answered to the names they call us because people rarely look beyond the surface anyway, and it was easier just to go along, until the names stick and you just go on with something that you never were. It makes it easier for those who don’t know you, who never understand what you would like to be. At least that is what happened to me; I don’t know about my father. Until Fallen’s wedding, I had not seen him for over twenty years. Folks could say I had reason for not going to my mother as she lay dying. I was grieving the accidental death of my children, my husband’s suicide in a jail cell before the trial, and that I was in a drunk debate with creation. But I remember my mother’s face like I hope my children would have remembered mine, and I can’t stop thinking that there is no reason good enough for not going to her when she had as they say around these parts “ the cancer.” I look at Kwon, witness, and think that my father is a trickster, to visit my foster son, my heart, and take his goodness to make a reunion. I look at my father quickly, like stealing, trying to see the depth of his duplicity in his eyes. He does not turn away. He stares both through and at me. I know he isn’t completely with us in truth, mostly just his body there in the bed, what’s left of him, that is, withered blue eyes, twisted body contorted in the sheets at the off-white and black-shuttered, hospice house on Barette Street. He looks at me, his Anna-Margaret, and I look back sitting in a white wicker chair. I hold his palsied hand, and... and… my father is dying, old, frail, battling for each breath. I do not want to be here. Folks said (meaning Liza, our twice-a-month cleaning lady) mother’s last words about me, heard through the white panels of her sick room-bedroom door, now hospice, were kind. She heard me rambling on the lawn outside her window. She had my stepfather, Harold, pick me up from the front yard after the children died, with
my puke new and still drying--just living my personal devastation, just screaming a live show for the neighbors that I did not want to go on without my babies and where were my babies? And my mother said with her weakened breaths like a train huffing up a hill to its final station to stepfather, “Bring her to me.” And he ran to get me, begged me, and I agreed to come, but I felt dirty and did not want her to see me like that. I would go clean up, I said to Harold, and snuck out the side door to go get more drunk. She died a week later before I could come back.
too, quiet, in the corner, all eyes and innocence. Aside from me, they all hold hands around his bed, a ring of Valkyries binding his spirit in as long as we can, long enough for me to beg, for the real reason I came. I want him to send a message for me. Now, I tell him I do not love him, my father, but I do. I do not care about that, and what I do care about opens his eyes. I lie and say all my forgiveness is yours if you will but tell her I love her and I’m sorry I was not with her… that….(the tears prevent more). Please, I beg my father, take that prayer for me.
The house on Barette Street was quiet, clean, sterile in a homey way. The daylight is leaving, and soon we will need to turn on the overhead light switch. In addition to Kwon, I am not alone. Mean Keisha came for backup. Fallen came too. Her little girls are here
And my father, renamed and dying, non-believer to the bone, hoping so much for a kind and hopeful word from me to tuck into his death, instead takes the scraps of what’s left of my humanity, swallows my bitter sadness, nods his head, and dies.
Evince Magazine Page 11
Reflecting Forward Are You Smarter Than a Water Bottle? by Linda Lemery
I
have a water bottle that’s smarter than I am. Our elder son claims I said I needed a smart water bottle. I would never say that. I can’t even imagine those words passing my lips. Maybe it’s his sense of humor. Have I mentioned that I’m technophobic? That a black cloud of techno-doom follows me everywhere I go? That’s why I was floored at Christmas when I saw this present I knew I wouldn’t be able to comprehend, let alone operate. “What was he thinking?” I said to myself. “You must have been talking to your other mother,” I said to him. (As far as I know, I’m the only mother he has.) The box states that this mysterious bottle will stay cold for twentyfour hours (a great thing in an ice storm, like on the day I took this picture). It has a leak-proof lid. The bottle can glow in colors to remind me to take a drink, refill it, sing our national anthem to it, or maybe put it back in the box. The water bottle will let me set goals for drinking any beverage, track how much drinking has occurred since the dawn of time, and “watch friends” (that just feels spooky). It has a “find bottle” function for people like me who lose things. If I could find my phone, I could try the “find bottle” function. There was also a tiny box, tinier than a bar of hotel soap and supposedly containing a charging cable, but I was too unnerved to open it. I looked at the big box again. Then I noticed a web site listed in six-point font. How could I have missed it? After fishing around on the website, I found directions, and immediately downloaded and printed them. Only then did I discover that
I was unofficially enrolled in a value-added experimental language-learning lab: the directions included a page each in Chinese (two variations), French, German, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Malay, Spanish, Thai, and English. Out of the fifteen-page manual, just one page was in English. It’s a good thing I printed that manual because now I can’t find the directions online. One day when I was feeling brave, I opened the tiny box. There was a charging cable with an even tinier folded paper inside that said every time I took the bottom out to wash the rest of the bottle, I should recalibrate the sensor within the app. I would also need to sync the app near the bottle every day so that it would track my sips of water accurately. Far from syncing daily, I think I’m way beyond sunk. About the Author: When she’s not wringing her hands over how to operate a bottle of water, Linda Lemery (llemery@averett.edu) works as Circulation Manager at Averett University’s Mary B. Blount Library in Danville. She welcomes your comments.
Page 12 March 2021
Book Clubbing review by Diane Adkins
The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett by Annie Lyons
A new beginning, a renewed lease on life is not on eighty-five-yearold Eudora Honeysett’s agenda. In fact, what she wants is to die; as she expresses it, she is done with life and wants to be able to call the shots, which is why she contacts a clinic in Switzerland that facilitates voluntary assisted death. She is ready for “the next step, the final destination, or whatever halfbaked euphemism people insist on using these days.” It isn’t that she is sick. She has aches and pains that are common in the older years, but her relatively good health is the point; she still has the ability to choose. Eudora wants to have some agency over her death because, as interspersed chapters reveal, she has not had control over most of her life. Her father died in the war when she was quite young, leaving her to care for her mother and younger sister--a request he had made of her and one that overshadows her life. At every turn, when Eudora must choose between her own happiness and that of others, she chooses the others. When they are all gone, she is left alone with only her cat for consolation. Then Rose Trewidney and her family move in next door. Indefatigable Rose, ten years old, is undeterred by Eudora’s curmudgeonly manner, appearing at her door frequently to play with the cat, to have tea, or just to ask questions. Eclectic in fashion and spontaneous in approach to everything, she slowly erodes Eudora’s defenses. She introduces Eudora to Stanley, a widowed neighbor, and the three become unlikely friends. Rose, whose quirkiness has invited bullying from her peers, finds the two older adults to be more interesting and compassionate companions. They embark together on many adventures—trips to a senior center, the shore, to cafes and parties. Readers could be forgiven for thinking they see the conclusion coming from a mile away. But it is to the author’s credit that it isn’t as simple as that. After all, Eudora is who she is and a ride on a merry-go-round, extra glitter, or a slice of good pizza is not going to change that. The book takes on the question of what constitutes a good death. Most of us do not have the control we would wish over death, but is control what is most important to us? In the end, as it often is in life, it takes the intervention of a good friend for Eudora finally to see what matters. Sometimes what appears to be an ending is, in fact, a new beginning—just when we least expect it. Diane S. Adkins is a retired Director of Pittsylvania County Library System.
Evince Magazine Page 13
Lemon and Shrimp Risotto by Annelle Williams
A new beginning would really be nice after the past few months. We’ve battled the pandemic and survived some serious weather. Every time I think I have a grip on the latest crisis, another one comes along. While comfort food is usually reserved for winter months, I think we could use a nice comfort meal now and again as an endurance reward. I remember the first time I had risotto. My husband and I were in Venice, the most unique city I’ve ever visited. We were walking down narrow streets and enjoying the magic of being lost when it suddenly started to rain so hard that the water was up to our ankles and we were running for shelter. The first doorway we came to was a local osteria (a simple Italian restaurant). Once inside we realized that unlike most of the other restaurants we had been enjoying, this one had no English on the menu, and the waiters, while trying to be helpful, didn’t speak English, so we pointed to food that was passing to other tables. My meal turned out to be risotto with clams. Maybe it was the wine, maybe it was the magic, but it was the most delicious thing I had ever tasted and oh so comforting. The recipe I’m sharing contains shrimp instead of clams, but it’s equally as comforting and very easy to prepare. Give yourself a reward and be on the lookout for that new beginning.
Lemon and Shrimp Risotto (serves 4)
Risotto can’t be rushed. To make this an easy recipe, have all your ingredients ready. I use a wide-bottomed pot to cook it. This spreads the rice and keeps the temperature even.
1 T extra virgin olive oil 2 T butter, separated 1 medium sweet onion, diced 1 cup Arborio rice 1/2 cup white wine 4 cups broth (can be chicken, vegetable or broth made from shrimp shells*) 1 lemon, zested and juiced (save some zest for garnish)
1 lb. large shrimp (clean and reserve shells if making your own broth) 1/2 cup roughly chopped fresh basil (may substitute fresh parsley) saving some for garnish Parmesan cheese, grated salt
Add 1 T olive oil and 1 T butter to large-bottomed pan over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until onion is soft. Add rice and stir until grains are completely covered with oil and beginning to toast but not brown, 1-2 minutes. Add wine and stir until wine is absorbed. Finally, add warm broth to cover rice, and stir occasionally until most of liquid is absorbed—around 10 minutes. Turn heat down to medium low if this happens too quickly. Add more broth to cover rice and stir until liquid is nearly absorbed and rice is tender. If rice isn’t tender after all liquid is absorbed, add a little more broth and cook and stir for a couple of minutes. Rice should be tender and broth creamy, but not soupy. If too much broth has been added and rice is already tender turn pot up with lid holding rice in and pour off some of the liquid. Cook, stirring for another minute to restore creaminess. Remember, the goal is tender rice in a creamy broth. Taste and add salt if needed. Remove pot from heat, add shrimp, stirring into risotto, cover. Let pan stand for at least five minutes without removing lid. The shrimp will cook in the heat of the risotto. Remove pot lid and add basil, lemon juice, lemon zest, and remaining one tablespoon of butter. Stir to incorporate. Serve immediately with Parmesan cheese, extra lemon zest and basil to garnish. *To make your own broth for this recipe, add one tablespoon olive oil to pot over medium heat. Add all your shrimp shells and a teaspoon of salt, and stir while cooking until shells turn pink. Add 4 cups water and strips of lemon zest from one lemon (made with potato peeler taking care not to include white pith). Cover pot, lower temperature to medium low and simmer for ten minutes. Strain broth and keep it at a low simmer. Questions or comments? Email me: AnnelleWilliams@comcast.net I look forward to hearing from you!
Page 14 March 2021
Photo Finish
The Harris-Altice House 817 Pine Street • 1,496 sq. ft. • $50,000 This home recently received a new roof structure, shingles and a rebuilt porch. It was once occupied by a telegrapher for the steam railroad.
Sponsored by: Old West End (OWE) National Historic District Just west of Danville’s River District in the Old West End (OWE) National Historic District, it’s all about fixing old homes. Over the past two years, dozens of distressed homes have been placed with new owners who moved to the neighborhood from all over the country. Renovation and restoration of some houses are complete and for others it’s a work in progress. Pictured here are a few homes that are available for those who have the fixer-upper bug and want to join an increasingly vibrant community. • The OWE has jagged boundary lines that extend roughly from the West Main/Montague/ Mt.Vernon intersection (where the cannon is located) to the River District and between Green Street and Grove Street. • The area being revitalized is bounded by Main Street, Holbrook Avenue, Green Street, and Jefferson Avenue. Two of Danville’s oldest houses are located here or nearby: 770 Main Street finished in 1830 and 225 Jefferson Avenue built around 1840. The names of the pictured houses refer to their historic designations i.e. the names of their original owner(s). Learn more at oldwestendva.com/for-sale.
The Griggs-Booth House 808 Green Street • 3,278 sq. ft. • $65,000 The exterior rehab of this home built between 1873 and 1877 has been completed. The stand-up attic could be a great rec room or master suite.
The Talley House 126 Chestnut Street 2,310 sq. ft. $46,000 This turreted Victorian could be the most outstanding home on the block. Its beautiful, carved front doors are among the most magnificent in Danville.
The P. R. Jones House 815 Pine Street • 1,720 sq. ft. • $35,000 This home built about 1900 was moved from Loyal Street to Pine Street in 1923. The exterior has been totally restored and structurally reconditioned.
Photos provided by the Friends of the Old West End
The Moore House 841 Pine Street • 1,433 sq. ft. $12,000 This Folk Victorian cottage on a narrow lot was once the home of Danville’s last surviving Confederate veteran.
The Harvey House 819 Pine Street • 1,522 sq. ft. • $25,000 Recently occupied, this property will become livable with a small amount of work. It’s on a large lot with a side yard.
The Lea House
The Woodward-Davis House
238 Jefferson Avenue • 2,374 sq. ft. • $22,500
820 Pine Street • 3,474 sq. ft. • $30,800
This building was home to the Five Forks Beauty Shop for many years. The main floor has two parlors, dining room, kitchen, and bath.
This Folk Victorian two-story dwelling has cement fiber siding and a metal roof over a wood frame structure. It offers lots of space.
Evince Magazine Page 15
Page Page 16 16March March 2021 2021