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We are the Southern Environmental Law Center, one of the nation’s most powerful defenders of the environment, rooted right here in the South. As lawyers, policy and issue experts, and community advocates and partners, we take on the toughest challenges to protect our air, water, land, wildlife and the people who live here. Together, we can solve the most complex environmental challenges right here in Virginia.
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Issue No. 219
PUBLISHER Heather Halsey Sieg heather@albemarlemagazine.com
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Contributing Writers
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Myles Mellor
Debra Weiss
Contributing Photographers
David Burroughs
Tom Daly
Durston Saylor
PRESIDENT Blake DeMaso blake@albemarlemagazine.com
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CHECKERS ANYONE?
During the recently completed renovation of Alderman Library (now renamed The Edgar Shannon Library), the old checkerboard pattern seen here was replicated with modern, acoustically friendly floor tiles.
TABLE OF CONTENTS PHOTO: ALBERT AND SHIRLEY SMALL SPECIAL
COLLECTIONS LIBRARY, UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
COVER PHOTO: TOM DALY
After
12 A MESSAGE TO OUR READERS
14 ALBEMARLE ACCOLADES
24 ART LIFE
52 TRIVIA
Try your hand at Wordplay
54 ALBEMARLE’S WHO’S WHO OF VIRGINIA REALTORS ®
58 CROSSWORD
60 HISTORY IN ALBEMARLE
Charlottesville’s founding librarian
61 STAGE LIFE
Spotlight on Rodrigo y Gabriela
64 ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL The Very Hungry Caterpillar
In our premiere issue back in 1987, our first editor, the late William Van Doren, introduced the new magazine, writing, “albemarle isn’t about a lifestyle but concerns a way of life that all of us are creating together. It’s about the growing personality of Charlottesville, Albemarle, and the surrounding region. ‘Personality’ to us means the soul of what people here are doing—choices we’re making, things we’re trying to accomplish, expressions we’re bringing into reality. It involves our history, our natural environment, our commerce—and our imaginations.”
After almost 37 years of publishing albemarle, we at Carden Jennings Publishing believe we accomplished what we set out to do. Now, we are pleased to turn the future of the magazine over to Charlottesville-based DeMaso Publishing, which recently acquired albemarle We have known Blake DeMaso, president of DeMaso Publishing and Summit Publishing, for many years. A lifelong resident of Charlottesville, Blake also publishes Blue Ridge Outdoors and Virginia Sportsman, and we know that he and his team will successfully guide the magazine for many years to come and, at the same time, bring new energy and passion to it. This significant milestone in the history of albemarle presents an opportunity to build upon a strong foundation and to embark on a new chapter that continues to celebrate the spirit of our community, the beauty of our region, and the depth of our stories.
of faithful service to the magazine and our community, Alison retired on January 31 of this year (please see the tribute to Alison on page 34). As a designer, Mike Fitts didn’t just bring stories to life—his designs captivated our readers with his imagination and insight. David Utz, as production manager, ensured that every issue met our highest standards. Eden Weathersby’s management of our circulation made sure our magazine reached those who cherish it, far and wide.
To this group, and to the many talented team members who preceded them, we are forever grateful.
And thank you to the countless talented writers and photographers who have contributed over the years. Your stories and images have been the soul of the magazine. Each article, each photo, has been a thread in the rich tapestry that is albemarle
To our loyal advertisers, your support has been crucial in our journey. Your belief in the value of albemarle allowed us to produce a publication that resonates with readers and upholds the highest standards of journalistic integrity. In particular, we want to recognize the consistent support of Reines Jewelers, now Reines and Rogers, which has been our back-cover advertiser for almost 37 years, beginning with the first issue we published!
We also thank our loyal readers for supporting the magazine throughout the years.
This is the first issue of albemarle published by DeMaso Publishing and we are grateful to have this opportunity to say farewell and thank you.
As we reflect on the journey of albemarle, it’s impossible not to recognize the pivotal roles played by our exceptional team. First and foremost, we want to honor Alison Dickie who has served the magazine in many capacities, most notably as its publisher. Her commitment to excellence has left an indelible mark on the magazine and all of us who have had the pleasure of working with her. After 33 years
We look forward to the continuation of the legacy of excellence, passion, and community that has defined albemarle. Here’s to the past that has shaped us, the present that brings us together, and the future that awaits with boundless potential. We hereby pass the baton to Blake and his talented team.
Bill Carden Joe Jennings Carden Jennings Publishing Co., Ltd.
Dave Matthews Band has been named a nominee for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024. Since their formation in Charlottesville in 1991, the band has become one of the top-selling live acts of all time, and they are the only band to have seven consecutive albums debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. The inductees will be announced in May 2024, with an induction ceremony this fall.
The band’s impact extends well beyond the music world. In 2019, the United Nations designated Dave Matthews Band as Environmental Goodwill Ambassadors, and Matthews has served on Farm Aid’s Board of Directors since 2001. An ongoing partnership with The Nature Conservancy that began in 2020 will result in the planting of over five million trees. Since it was established in 1999, the band’s Bama Works Fund has raised more than $65 million and has made more than 2,500 grants, primarily supporting charitable programs in the Charlottesville area but also responding to a wide variety of needs both nationally and internationally.
The American Shakespeare Center in Staunton, Va., welcomes Vanessa Morosco as its new executive director. With more than two decades of dedicated service to the ASC, Morosco has been integral to the center’s growth. Her diverse contributions range from directing productions for resident and touring troupes to founding educational and leadership programs for community members of all ages. Morosco’s journey with the ASC began in the center’s inaugural season in 2002 as a performer and has since performed in over 25 productions on the Blackfriars Playhouse stage.
Beyond the ASC, Morosco is globally recognized for her drama-based training and development expertise. Through her organization, Impact Drama, she has worked with multinational corporations and business schools worldwide, addressing crucial topics such as equity, diversity, and inclusion, unconscious bias, and change management. She is also the co-founder of the 50/50 Shakespeare Project, dedicated to advancing gender equity in the workplace of Shakespeare’s plays.
“How fitting—and how lucky for us, for our supporters, for Staunton, for our mission—that this brilliant woman is returning to lead the company she knows and loves,” says Ralph Cohen, ASC founder and senior advisor.
In November 2022, a tragic shooting at UVA took the lives of three football players— Devin Chandler, Lavel Davis Jr., and D’Sean Perry. Another student, Mike Hollins, was shot in the back while attempting to assist his teammates and was left in critical condition.
Hollins has since completed an amazing journey back to the playing field and has inspired his classmates, the University and the community with his strength, determination and will. He now participates in visits to area schools, the Blue Ridge Juvenile Detention Center, the UVA Children’s Hospital and other team community-service opportunities. He was also a member of the 2022 ACC Honor Roll and a 2023 ACC All-Academic team selection.
Hollins has been selected as the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year, awarded to the Football Bowl Subdivision player who best demonstrates an outstanding record of leadership by exhibiting exceptional courage, integrity and sportsmanship. The award is the first college football honor to focus primarily on a player’s leadership, both on and off the field. A $10,000 contribution will be made in Hollins’s name to Virginia’s athletic scholarship fund. The contribution will be made by former Dallas Cowboy Jason Witten’s SCORE Foundation, the official charity of Jason and his wife Michelle.
“I am excited and honored to present the seventh annual Collegiate Man of the Year to Mike Hollins,” Witten says. “He is a great leader and an inspiration to us all. He overcame last year’s terrible shooting while attempting to help his teammates, and then made a return to the field to become a true team leader. He is a perfect example of what a college student-athlete can be.”
Hollins had previously been recognized for several other awards. He was named the Atlantic Coast Conference’s recipient of the Brian Piccolo Award given annually to the “most courageous” football player in the ACC. He was named the 2023 Comeback Player of the Year Award winner by the College Sports Communicators,
the Associated Press and the Fiesta Bowl Organization. He was recognized by the Capital One-Orange Bowl with its Football Writers of America Association Courage Award for displaying courage on or off the field, including overcoming an injury or physical handicap and/or preventing a disaster or living through hardship.
Dr. Timothy N. Showalter has been selected as the 2023 Edlich-Henderson Innovator of the Year by the University of Virginia. The endowed award recognizes University inventors whose work is making a significant impact on society.
Showalter, a UVA School of Medicine professor and clinician at the UVA Cancer Center, invented a product for women with cervical cancer called the BrachyGel Vaginal
Hydrogel Packing System that received US Food & Drug Administration clearance last year as the first product of its class. It replaces gauze during radiation therapy, reducing patient discomfort during treatment procedures.
“I’m delighted that Dr. Showalter was named as the Edlich-Henderson Innovator of the Year,” UVA President Jim Ryan said. “Dr. Showalter’s research, and his ability to turn that research into a product available to patients nationwide, is helping women with cervical cancer and their families during a very difficult time.”
The most gratifying moments for Showalter occurred during the UVA Health clinical trial when women volunteered that they preferred BrachyGel to gauze, the previous standard for care.
“My motivation in developing BrachyGel was to do what I could to make the experience more comfortable for patients and to simplify the procedure for physicians,” Showalter said. “For an emotionally painful and anxiety-
inducing procedure, improving one step of it represents forward progress.”
The initial funding for Showalter’s prototypes came from the Ivy Foundation, which supports biomedical innovation and translation research at the University.
“The really cool thing is that most of this happened at UVA with contributions from many around Grounds,” said Showalter, a Richmond native who now lives in Charlottesville with his wife, Shayna (a breast cancer surgeon at UVA), and their three children. “We performed early research in the cadaver lab and research imaging facilities at UVA. The clinical trial was designed by UVA biostatistician Gina Petroni, led by my radiation oncology colleague Dr. Kara Romano, and administered by our clinical research staff. Federal and state grant funding provided significant research support to UVA. Having this all happening in and around the University made it more rewarding.”
— Jennifer T. AminuddinThe Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce announced the 2024 officers of the Chamber Board of Directors. Sasha Tripp, Jonathan Chasen, Rita Bunch, Todd
Rowley, Charlie Rogers, Deborah van Eersel, and Rebecca Ivins will serve as the board’s executive committee.
Tripp is the 2024 chairwoman of the board. “I am deeply honored and excited to step into the role of chair for the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce,” says Tripp, a residential REALTOR® and the principal broker and owner of Story House Real Estate. “This year presents a remarkable opportunity for us to foster growth and innovation in our vibrant community, and I am eager to collaborate with our talented board members and executive committee to make a meaningful impact.”
Chasen is the 2024 vice chairman of the board and chair-elect. He is managing director of the Bay Ridge Private Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors. Rowley and Rogers continue their board roles as finance committee chairman and governance committee chairman, respectively. Rowley is Central Virginia president for Old Dominion National Bank, and Rogers is the founder and CEO of Innovative Software Solutions. Bunch, who is president of Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital, remains on the board executive committee as an at-large member. Van Eersel, chief administrative officer and director of marketing for UVA Foundation,
continues as defense affairs chairwoman. Immediate past chairwoman Ivins, client solutions manager at Hourigan, stepped into the Chamber’s interim president and CEO role in January.
Board members currently include Guy Browning, MPS; Kara Chandeysson, Ting; Mariane Asad Doyle, University of Virginia; Libby Edwards-Allbaugh, The Tax Ladies, Inc.; Chris Engel, City of Charlottesville; Yolunda Harrell, New Hill Development Corporation; Trevor Henry, Albemarle County; Allison Linney, Allison Partners; David Mitchell, Great Eastern Management Company; Ravi Respeto, United Way of Greater Charlottesville; Colette Sheehy, University of Virginia; Abdi Somo, UVA Medical Center; and Keith Woodard, Woodard Properties.
Charlottesville artist LaRissa Rogers has been named to the Forbes 2024 “30 Under 30: Arts and Style,” a list of individuals who are “creating and designing the future of fashion and the arts.” An alumna of St. Anne’s Belfield, VCU, and UCLA, Rogers has exhibited and performed in institutions around the world, including Documenta 15 in Germany, Fields Projects in New York, Super Dakota in Belgium, M+B Gallery in California, and the Museum of Contemporary Art in Virginia.
Her art includes elements of performance, sculpture, video and installation, examining, as Rogers describes it, “the intersections of culture, identity, and embedded forms of colonization expressed through perception and psyche.”
Rogers and Luis Vasquez La Roche co-founded and created the alternative monument and community gathering space Operations of Care in Charlottesville. Her next major project is installing a public sculpture with Boston’s Rose Kennedy Greenway in 2024.
The Center for Nonprofit Excellence announced Dr. Mariane Asad Doyle as its new executive director. Dr. Asad Doyle assumed responsibility on February 1, succeeding Cristine Nardi, who served as executive director for 15 years.
Asad Doyle most recently served as chief culture officer at the University of Virginia’s McIntire School of Commerce, where she leveraged more than two decades of experience as a passionate advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion in nonprofits, public education, and human resources. She previously served in leadership roles with the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, the William S. Hart Union High School District, and as a lecturer in educational leadership and policy studies at California State University, Northridge.
Additionally, she currently serves on the board of the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce as chair of the public policy committee, is a member of the budget committee for the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation, and is a long-range planning advisory committee member for Albemarle County Public
Schools. She earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership and Higher Education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
As executive director, Asad Doyle will lead the strategic planning, operational management and advocacy efforts of CNE to strengthen partnerships, build nonprofit capacity, and address structural inequities in the social impact sector.
“I am deeply honored to uphold the remarkable legacy of CNE and long-time executive director, Cristine Nardi, who served as the guiding force in steering the organization from its infancy to the impactful powerhouse it is today,” says Asad Doyle. “I am enthusiastic about propelling us into the future, championing nonprofits to thrive as sustainable organizations that play a pivotal role in serving the community and humanity at large.”
The Blue Ridge Home Builders Association recently marked the installation of its 2024 board of directors and executive officers. The association’s 60th president, Brice Craig, the executive officers, and the 2024 board of directors took their oaths after a dinner evening sponsored by Dominion Energy and Fulton Mortgage Company.
The association was honored to have Neil Williamson, executive director and president of the Free Enterprise Forum, as the keynote speaker. Sam Craig, former BRHBA president, BRHBA life director, and father of the incoming president, attended the
installation of the new board of directors and saw his son, Brice Craig, assume the role of president. Brice Craig is the third generation of Craigs to serve as president of the association. He follows his grandfather, Daley Craig, and his father, Sam Craig, each of whom served as President for two years during their tenure on the board of directors. Throughout the ceremony, awards were to the following BRHBA members: The 2023 Associate of the Year Award — Ryan Schuett, Prosperity Home Mortgage; The 2023 Excellence in Service Award — Eric Robertson, Smith & Robertson, Inc.; and the 2023 President’s Award was given to Brice Craig, Craig Builders.
The Academy of American Poets presented its 2024 Leadership Award to American poet Rita Dove at Trinity Wall Street in New York City. With publishing house W. W. Norton and the philanthropists William I. Campbell and Jonathan Plutzik, Rita Dove was honored for, to quote the Academy, “her advocacy of poets and poetry across the nation.”
“As we enter our 90th year and look toward the future of our organization, we acknowledge the members of our community who have gone above and beyond for the cause of poetry,” says Ricardo Alberto Maldonado, Academy president and executive director. “It is doubly momentous to honor American poet extraordinaire Rita Dove alongside her visionary publisher W. W. Norton & Company for their mutual roles in expanding the realm of contemporary American poetry to be even more imaginative, dazzling, and impactful.”
Dove, a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and former U.S. Poet Laureate, is celebrated for her lyrical and emotionally resonant works that explore themes of history, culture, and the human experience. She has taught at the University of Virginia since 1989 and is currently the Henry Hoyns Professor of Creative Writing.
AJ Greely, winemaker at Hark Vineyards in Earlysville, Va., has been elected president of the Virginia Vineyards Association. Greely who served as treasurer on the VVA Board of Directors for the past three years, succeeds Skip Causey, owner of Potomac Point Vineyard & Winery in Stafford, Va.
In her current role at Hark, Greely oversees both winemaking and vineyard management. She has been involved in the Virginia wine industry for more than a decade and worked at several vineyards and wineries prior to joining Hark, including Michael Shaps Wineworks and Blenheim Vineyards, both in Charlottesville. Starting in the vineyard, she also worked in the tasting room and in wine club management before finding her way into the cellar and winemaking.
“It is my firm belief that the quality of our wines is only as solid as the quality of the fruit we grow and use,” Greely says. “I look forward to working with the VVA board and our membership to continue strengthening our organization and industry. I’d like to see a growth in outreach and education to vineyard workers. These workers represent the next leaders in our industry. By actively engaging vineyard owners, managers, and workers, we strengthen our industry and its future.”
When the Associated General Contractors of Virginia held their annual convention in February at the Greenbrier Resort, Arlene Lee made history. Lee, CEO/ principal, of the family-owned construction company Lee Construction Group, was officially installed as the chair of the Board of Directors for the AGCVA—the first time a woman has held that position in the organization’s 100-year history.
“Is there glass in my hair?” Lee remarked as she gave her speech to a room full of fellow board members, construction professionals, and their families. During the ceremony, she was joined by Chris Shifflett, who also works at Lee Construction Group as president of
companies: Piedmont Concrete Contractors, Piedmont Waterproofing Contractors, and Piedmont Plaster & Drywall. Chris was vice chair of the board for the AGCVA, the first time that the chair and vice chair hail from the same organization.
Lee and Shifflett have been a part of the AGCVA for many years and have worked diligently to advocate for the construction industry. As chair, Lee hopes to keep pushing the industry forward, support the advocation efforts of AGCVA, and build connections for construction companies in Virginia along the way.
Dave Norris, was served two terms as mayor of Charlottesville and two terms on city council, has been named the first executive director of the Charlottesville Area Association of REALTORS® Foundation.
“As a longtime civic and non-profit leader in the Charlottesville area, we are excited to welcome Dave as our first executive director,” says Greg Slater, who serves as chair of the CAAR Foundation board of directors. “With Dave’s valuable array of skills, experience, and community
connections, we are confident that the Foundation will thrive under his leadership.”
The CAAR Foundation was created by CAAR as a philanthropic mechanism for REALTORS® to donate their time, talent, and resources to impact affordable housing and other local priorities.
Norris has held a variety of professional and volunteer positions since moving to Charlottesville in 1994. He was the founding executive director of PACEM and played a lead role in launching The Crossings at 4th & Preston, The Haven, the Charlottesville Housing Advisory Committee, the Financial Opportunity Center + Housing Hub, and the resident-led public housing revitalization initiative of the Charlottesville Redevelopment and Housing Authority, among other community projects.
“CAAR has done an outstanding job of laying the groundwork for the CAAR Foundation to be an effective vehicle of positive community change,” says Norris.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to work with CAAR’s membership, staff and leadership team, along with many local partners and stakeholders, to help make the Charlottesville area a better place for all.”
We welcome notification of your recent awards or recognitions. Please e-mail us at editorial@albemarlemagazine.com
THE DESIGN OF A COUNTRY ESTATE: A book offering a grand tour of this stately manor home and its companion buildings, published by Gibbs Smith.
Summer 2024
Samurai Armor from the Collection of Ann and Gabriel Barbier-Mueller
April 20–August 4
Travel back in time for an awe-inspiring look at Japan’s exquisitely crafted samurai armor. Coming to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts from the Ann and Gabriel Barbier-Mueller collection—one of the largest and finest collections in the world—the assembled works offer a glimpse of samurai history with a focus on ceremonial adornments created within the flourishing artistic culture
Offering a rare personal encounter with these stunning works of art, the exhibition of more than 140 objects features full suits of armor and an array of weapons, helmets, masks, horse accessories, woodblock prints, and textiles. VMFA’s immersive exhibition delves into the storied world of this elite military class, tracing the evolution and artistic legacy of its famed armor.
The samurai, meaning “those who serve,” rose to preeminence as masterful swordsmen, archers, and equestrians beginning in the 12th century. During the Edo period (1615–1868), they continued to dominate Japan’s political, social, and cultural aspects until their fall in the late 19th century. Celebrated for their bravery and honor in times of battle and in times of peace, the samurai dominated as a prestigious class, and their armor continued to be a symbol of pride and pageantry. The legacy of craftsmanship passed down through generations, retained through the Edo period, and even today attests to the samurai’s enduring significance. At VMFA, the works of art on view belong to the remarkable collection of more than a thousand works amassed by Ann and Gabriel Barbier-Mueller.
Dizzying opulence and fanciful ornamentation combine with craftsmanship and technique in this exhibition of 50 masterpieces of Italian glass from the permanent collection of the Chrysler Museum of Art. At the turn of the 20th century, Venetian glassmakers adorned blown-glass vessels with fabulous beasts sculpted from hot glass and dusted with gold. Dragons, dolphins, sea horses, pegasi, swans, and serpents creep around vase necks, twine up goblet stems, and perch atop bowl rims.
Marvelous to behold, these fantastical creatures attest to both their makers’ imagination and virtuosity and represent a stunning revival of the Venetian glass industry. When glassmaking in
Venice reemerged in the 1860s after a half-century of domination and economic suppression by foreign powers, an atmosphere of creativity and friendly competition arose among Venetian glass companies, including firms like Artisti Barovier, Fratelli Toso, and Salviati & C. The result was increasingly inventive and fantastical blown glass creations: the more elaborate, complicated, and bizarre, the better.
Chrysler Museum of Art One Memorial Place, Norfolk 757-664-6200 | chrysler.org
April 5 - May 24, 2024 (Main Gallery)
Abshalom Jac Lahav is a multi-disciplinary artist, curator, parent, children’s book author, and community organizer. Born in Jerusalem, Israel with Iranian and Polish roots, Lahav was raised in the United States and graduated with an MFA from Brooklyn College where they studied with Vito Acconci. Lahav’s work investigates narratives about community, belonging, and cultural history. Lahav’s solo exhibition will feature a selection of work including their series of “foster paintings.” Each work references a phone call Lahav’s family received for a foster placement, whether they could help or not. The paintings represent points of contact and beautiful moments in time during periods of trauma.
Second Street Gallery
115 Second Street SE, Charlottesville 434-977-7284 | Secondstreetgallery.org
More than 150 objects from one of the greatest private collections of early textiles, accessories and historic dress assembled in the United States are on view over the next several years at the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum, one of the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg. Elegance, Taste, and Style: The Mary D. Doering Fashion Collection takes visitors through 50 years of this collector’s passion and features gowns, jackets, waistcoats, shoes, textile documents, and more, dating between 1700-1840. Due to light sensitivity, the objects will be shown in three parts. The first installment opened in February 2024. It displays approximately 40 objects and is the inaugural exhibition to be shown in the Mary Turner Gilliland and Clinton R. Gilliland Gallery, the Art Museums’ first dedicated gallery to historic costume. The dates for the second and third rotation of objects on view are still to be determined.
“Examples of historic dress are among the most human of artifacts from the past, providing windows into the lives and tastes of our forebearers,” says Ronald L. Hurst, the Foundation’s Carlisle H. Humelsine Chief Curator and Senior Vice President.
Born in 1952, Mary D. Doering is a lifelong curator, educator, and researcher. When she was 16 years old, she received a trunk filled with early 20th-century clothing as a bequest from her great aunt. This small gift
was the impetus for what became a lifelong passion for historic dress. Throughout her career, Doering used her collection, which ultimately grew to thousands of pieces (there are approximately 800 pieces dating before 1840 alone), to educate hundreds of students and researchers about changing fashions, taste, design, and style. From the early collecting days when she went picking at local flea markets and antiques stores, to her first trip to the United Kingdom and her eventual meeting with the legendary antiques dealer Cora Ginsburg, who became Doering’s mentor, she thoughtfully and carefully selected every object in her collection. Over the nearly 50 years that she built the collection, Doering gained expertise to create a truly comprehensive assemblage ranging from underwear to the finishing accessories.
“It has been an absolute pleasure working with Mary’s collection, especially using objects so near and dear to her heart, to tell her lifelong story of collecting historic dress,” says Neal Hurst, Colonial Williamsburg’s curator of historic dress and textiles. “Every object that Mary acquired was carefully hand-selected based on her research and what she saw in other museums. Visitors to the new historic dress gallery will love seeing the range of clothing from the fine and fancy to the plain and every day.”
DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum
301 South Nassau Street, Williamsburg (888) 965-7254
LEFT: This stunning blue silk waistcoat was probably embroidered in China in the 1760s for the Western market. Chinese embroidery is distinctive in that it uses twisted threads rather than single stranded floss. The object, the first of several Doering purchased at Christie’s in South Kensington, London, on June 11, 1974, was bought with money she saved to travel to Europe.
MIDDLE: Although the Doering Collection is strong in American and English objects and focused heavily on women’s dress from the 18th and early 19th centuries, it also includes important pieces from Europe, such as this 1780s Dutch jacket. Jackets of this era were very low cut, with a large handkerchief worn over the top.
RIGHT: This ivory, silk satin round gown is in nearly perfect condition. Believed to be a wedding gown worn in the West Country of England, the style was popular in the mid-18th century; it integrates the petticoat into the structure of the skirt rather than it being a separate garment.
Images courtesy of the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg
Woven Histories: Textiles and Modern Abstraction through July 28
Want to appreciate more art and design in your daily life? Just look down. The apparel we wear reflects not only our personal tastes and values but also a profound relationship to modern art. Woven Histories: Textiles and Modern Abstraction reveals the myriad ways textiles intersect with and influence world-renowned modern artists and movements.
Woven Histories delves into dynamic moments when social and political issues have activated textile production and artmaking with heightened focus and urgency. Traced chronologically with 160 works made in a range of techniques—from oil painting to weaving, basketry, netting, knotting, and knitting—the exhibition explores the overlap between abstract art, fashion, design, and craft
National Gallery of Art Sixth and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC | (888) 965-7254
The Fralin Museum of Art at the University of Virginia received a gift of more than 150 Torah pointers, or yads, from Clay H. Barr and the Barr Foundation. This marks the first major gift of Judaica in the UVA’s history.
A Torah pointer is often called a yad, the Hebrew word for hand, because a pointing finger was characteristically a prominent feature of early examples. Pointers are tools exclusively used to follow the Hebrew in the Torah’s crowded scrolls. Readers venerate the Torah by tracking its text with the ceremonial stylus. Additionally, pointers assist in protecting the integrity of the quilled letters and the delicate vellum.
Clay Barr began acquiring Torah pointers nearly 30 years ago to honor her late husband. Because yads have no design restrictions, commissioning the ritual artworks combines her faith with her interest in art. “When a loved one has passed, it is Jewish tradition to keep them alive by speaking their name,” said Barr. “By making this donation to The Fralin, I am ensuring that my husband’s name and legacy are kept alive and spoken in perpetuity. Additionally, I hope this gift inspires others to further enhance Judaica at The Fralin.”
Select yads will soon be on view in the museum’s Joanne B. Robinson Object Study Gallery.
The Fralin Museum of Art 155 Rugby Rd, Charlottesville 434-924-3592
uvafralinartmuseum.virginia.edu
Phaeton Gallery is pleased to present the captivating works of three extraordinary Charlottesville artists: Karen Blair, Priscilla Long Whitlock, and Laura Wooten.
With a keen eye and a passion for flowers, Priscilla Long Whitlock creates compositions that celebrate nature’s elegance. “After years of painting, my interest is to interpret landscape,” she says. “The subject matter is about the physicality and energy of the paint and less about landscape as ‘scenery.’ Produced by painted marks, dashes, swipes of oil, oil sticks, shapes, and colors, they all come together to represent the mood, light, and sense of place.”
Springtime Trilogy: Albemarle in Bloom
April 19–August 25
Through her evocative compositions and unique palette, Laura Wooten invites viewers into her garden, a place of introspection and discovery. “My current work reflects my interest in painting the
Phaeton Gallery Carriage Works Studios
landscape of my daily experience: the fields and meadows of central Virginia, views to the distant Blue Ridge Mountains from my hilltop neighborhood, and the way trees mark the passing of time in my backyard,” she says. “My paintings explore the places they represent, the inner landscape of my
114 Old Preston Avenue, Charlottesville | phaetongallery.com
experience, and how it might be shared.”
Renowned for her exuberant mark-making and joyous use of color, Karen Blair captures the essence of the Virginia countryside with unparalleled beauty. Each brushstroke invites you to explore the serene landscapes and lively scenes that define the spirit of spring. The surrounding mountains provide daily inspiration for her work. Her garden and those of her friends inspire the flowers and trees, which are also prevalent in the paintings and collages.
Whether captivated by landscapes, enamored with flowers, or intrigued by abstract art, Springtime Trilogy: Albemarle in Bloom promises something for every art and garden lover.
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“When you go out to paint, try to forget what objects you have before you; a tree, a house, a field or whatever. Merely think here is a little square of blue, here an oblong of pink, here a streak of yellow, and paint it just as it looks to you, the exact colour and shape, until it gives you your own naive impression of the scene before you.”
—Claude MonetThe impressionist artists began their search for a new way of seeing by painting sketches. These studies evolved into the techniques that helped them capture the quick effects of light. These approaches were finally adapted by the abstract artists of the 20th century to find their more personal landscapes.
During April and May, Nichols Galleries in Barboursville will present a show of artists’ works that reveal the use of abstract visual elements to create and structure landscapes. Artists will include Phil Koch, Gray Dodson, Martin Geiger, and Steven Griffen.
Please call for hours.
Celebrate spring with a vibrant display of floral portraits by Shenandoah Valley artist Lynn Mocarski Maurer. On view in the drawing room of the Glen Burnie House, this special exhibition features exquisite oil paintings on copper, canvas, and board plus a magnificent graphite centerpiece—all celebrating the fragile beauty of flowers.
Maurer received her BFA from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where she studied under the renowned Rita Deanin Abbey and sculptor John McCracken. She also studied Trompe L’ Oeil with Bonnie Chumley (New York artist John Chumley’s daughter) and figure studies with SoHo artist Jack Beal. Her first profession, homemaker, sidelined her art career as she raised a family—only to lose her husband to cancer at a young age. In 2000 she returned to oil painting on canvas, board, and copper plate as well as highly detailed, large-format graphite studies.
Museum of the Shenandoah Valley
901 Amherst Street, Winchester 540-662-1473 | themsv.org
Frederick Nichols Studio and Nichols Gallery Annex
5420 Governor Barbour Street, Barboursville 540-832-3565 | frednichols.com
The year was 1991. The Cold War ended with the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Michael Jordan won the first of his six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls.
The internet’s first website went live, while Terminator 2 ruled the box office.
And in Charlottesville, Alison Dickie found her calling.
Intrigued by the prospects of helping to grow a relatively new regional publication, she joined albemarle Magazine. “I was working in women’s specialty retail for a local Charlottesville business and I saw an opportunity for career growth,” says Dickie. “I was excited about the ability to engage with influential leaders and businesses from the community and across the central Virginia area and was attracted to the growth trajectory of the magazine.”
As she had hoped, the magazine provided ample opportunities for growth. She held numerous roles over the years and continued to take on additional responsibilities including sales, marketing, design, photo styling and editing, magazine distribution, associate publisher, and ultimately, publisher.
And just as the magazine provided the chances for her to grow and advance, Dickie has mentored a long line of young
professionals seeking experience in the publishing world. The latest. Gabriella Hoard-West, has worked with her for the past two years. “As a mentor, she always pushed me to do what she knew I was capable of, while also being someone I could always fall back on when I was in over my head,” says Hoard-West. “I saw many people rely on her similarly. She’s the kind of person who everyone goes to when they need help because she is endlessly reliable, kind, and unbelievably hardworking.”
That combination of work ethic and passion has propelled albemarle for more than three decades. “This magazine would not have become the local treasure that it is today without Alison Dickie,” says Bill Carden, president of Carden Jennings Publishing, who, with CJP executive vice president Joe Jennings, founded albemarle in 1987. “She has been the driving force behind so much of what this magazine is, and she has poured her heart into not only this publication, but into making our region a better place through her presence in the community and her tireless commitment to celebrating people and their successes.”
After a truly remarkable 33-year run at albemarle, Dickie has retired. Now, she is finally able to spend time enjoying her
long-neglected hobbies of horseback riding, antiquing, reading, and spending time on her farm in Albemarle County.
She leaves behind a legacy of thousands of stories told, spread across more than 200 issues, along with countless friends made and organizations supported. Being active in the community has always been a high priority and she says that some of her most memorable moments have happened while participating in and showcasing major projects and events, such as refurbishing and re-opening the Paramount Theater on the Downtown Mall and representing the magazine at Foxfield, Montpelier, and other equestrian events.
“It’s also been very gratifying to spotlight remarkable people and places, such as the Monticello Lewis and Clark exhibit and Felicia Rogan, the first lady of wine,” she says. Other notables highlighted in the pages of albemarle have included Sissy Spacek, the Dali Lama, Tony Bennett (the singer), George Welsh, John Grisham, William Albert Allard, and B.B. King.
While grounded locally, Dickie also brought the magazine to a much larger stage, an experience that provided significant benefits both for the publication and for her professional development. “We were often recognized on a global level by the International Regional Magazine Association for our covers, feature stories, photographs, and design, something of which I am extremely proud,” she says. “IRMA significantly impacted my professional career through collaboration and sharing of best practices in the publication of regional magazines. The relationships built with other members of the organization fostered creativity and innovation, while endorsing that our ideas and ways of communicating were effective and worthy of recognition.”
Dickie is quick to share credit with artist and magazine graphic designer Michael Fitts, who has been her copilot for nearly the entire albemarle journey.
“Alison has such energy—she’s just kind of a dynamo when it comes to this magazine,” says Fitts. “She’s had to be selfless and it felt like she never took a day off. Even when she wasn’t working, she was thinking about the magazine and what she could do to make it better. Alison just has this wizardry for being able to pull off something that seems like it’d be impossible.”
Maintaining the same level of engagement with the print publication by both advertisers and readers during the COVID-19 pandemic provided one of the challenges that brought Dickie’s wizardry to the forefront.
“We identified what might bring joy and comfort to the reader during those difficult days and created features that included humor and focused on the beauty of a sense of place and self-awareness,” she says. “We remained committed to being a highly trusted and respected publication with highquality content.”
That deft touch for creating stories that resonate with the magazine’s readers has been a hallmark of her career. “I’ve always tried to make sure that the magazine transcends generations, lifestyles, and geographic boundaries,” says Dickie. “Over the years, albemarle has focused on bringing awareness of everything the community has to offer across the spectrum of people, places, and events.”
As she turns over the reins to the publication that she has lived and breathed for the past three decades, she will be a hard act to follow. “I hope that albemarle will grow, prosper, and expand its reach by continuing to be a trusted, high-quality publication that provides an enjoyable, relatable experience,” she says. “I hope the magazine continues to enlighten, educate, and entertain its readers whether they are a long-time resident, newcomer, or visitor to the region.”
ABOVE: A February event at Farmington marked Alison Dickie’s retirement and DeMaso Publishing’s acquisition of albemarle Magazine after a 37-year run at Carden Jennings Publishing. In her remarks, Dickie gave a special thanks to her late parents, who immigrated from Scotland and raised their family on a farm in Albemarle County.
I want to extend my appreciation to the contributing writers, editors, photographers, designers, interns, and co-workers for their support and creative work and for believing in my vision. Your contributions have helped me build the publication that it is today. I also want to thank all of the advertisers for your collaboration, support, and investment over the years.
Throughout my career, I have been able to forge hundreds of close connections and relationships that have provided mentorship and support for the magazine. However, there are a few who have been by my side from the start, through thick and thin, and have meant so much to me. They are Michael Fitts, Robert Llewellyn, and the late Philip Beaurline.
Michael Fitts brought his artistic creativity and design knowledge to bring each issue’s words and photographs to life. Working as a team during the creative process, I am proud of the more than 200 issues that we produced together.
Robert Llewellyn, also an award-winning photographer, consistently shared his trust and respect. He has such a rich and robust portfolio of work that it’s difficult to select the images to use in our features. Our readers always look forward to his work.
Philip Beaurline, an award-winning photographer, was an incredible teacher who taught me how to “look for the light.” Together, we styled and captured many award-winning cover shots of both home and garden that graced the cover and pages of albemarle — Alison Dickie
When it comes to your home, you deserve nothing less than a gorgeous setting to share unforgettable moments with those you love most.
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Former house of noted local architect Floyd E. Johnson, on the banks of Totier Creek. Thoughtfully renovated and expanded, 5-BR, 3 full and 2 half BA. Guest house, 2-bay garage, pool, equipment shed plus 130 acres of open and wooded land. MLS#639196 Court Nexsen, 646.660.0700
Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains is this Palladian inspired masterpiece called Edgemont. Surrounded by 572 acres of rolling Virginia farmland, with the Hardware River running through the lush fields, is a home whose design is reputed to be the only remaining private residence attributed to Thomas Jefferson. Complete with tennis court, pool, pool house, and guest house. Great location just 25 minutes south of Charlottesville. Court Nexsen, 646.660.0700 www.HistoricEdgemont.com
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Famous Blue Ridge Mountain golf course property in Afton, VA is available for sale for the first time ever. Swannanoa is just 20 minutes west of Charlottesville and overlooking the Shenandoah Valley via I-64. The property has huge potential for multiple uses. Located at the epicenter of Virginia tourist attractions with Shenandoah National Park, Wintergreen Resort, Appalachian Trail, Crozet Tunnel and countless breweries and vineyards nearby. MLS#649416 Tim Michel, 434.960.1124
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Terrific location with walking access to UVA Grounds, near Barracks Road shopping and the Downtown Mall. Charming end-of-street with classic Virginia architecture. 4-bedroom, 3.5-bath residence. MLS#648746 Mark Mascotte, 434.825.8610
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Alderman Library opened its doors in 1938, replacing the Rotunda as the University of Virginia’s main library. For generations of patrons, Alderman was a charming place for research and study. By the time the library reached its 75th anniversary in 2013, it was clear that a major renovation was needed.
Now, after a nearly four-year, $160 million renovation, the library has reopened to rave reviews. The transformation of the library is dramatic, to put it mildly. Spaces are expansive, warm and pleasingly bright. There’s an artful blend of the modern and the classical that feels fresh and inspiring.
“The design of this addition does so much for the library and for the University,” says Alice Raucher, architect for the University. “The addition beautifully builds upon the logic of the original historic plan—it opens spaces up to natural light and allows views through the building that didn’t previously exist. All of this connects the building to Grounds as if it had always been this way.”
The library also has a new name. Originally named for Edwin Alderman, UVA’s first president from 1904 to 1931, the library has been renamed in honor of the University’s fourth president, Edgar Shannon, who served from 1959 to 1974. The change was instituted after a March vote by UVA’s Board of Visitors, ahead of the library’s grand opening in April. Now known as The Edgar Shannon Library, the honor “appropriately recognizes a remarkable University leader who transformed UVA into a modern research university, but who has little formal recognition on Grounds,” says Michael Suarez, an English professor and director of Rare Book School who headed the committee that recommended the new name.
The library project, designed by HBRA Architects with Clark Nexsen and
constructed by Skanska, includes a 100,000 square foot historic renovation and a 130,000 square foot modern addition. The library’s infrastructure has been completely overhauled with new HVAC systems, electrical wiring, fire suppression, plumbing, and more, while also improving accessibility and achieving a LEED silver rating for sustainability. The renovation has produced a safer, more welcoming, and user-friendly space.
Shannon Library is home to UVA’s social sciences and humanities collection, housed in the stacks and on the first floor of Clemons Library—now connected by an internal passage. In addition to collections, there are spaces to take care of them. The library features workrooms for material assessment and maintenance, high-tech areas for digitization, audiovisual reformatting and preservation, conservation labs with viewing windows and a remediation lab for pest and mold treatment. Other specialized spaces include the Scholars’ Lab, a digital humanities community lab with a new makerspace, the technology-focused Institute for Advanced Technology in the Humanities, a seminar/ event room, numerous conference rooms, and classrooms.
John Unsworth, university librarian and dean of libraries, views the renovation as marking the third stage in the history of the University Library. “The first chapter was the building of the Rotunda, centering the University around a library rather than the customary chapel,” he says. “The second was when the collections outgrew the Rotunda and Alderman was constructed. And now we have the renovation, creating the library the University needs for the next 75 to 100 years.”
The library’s main entryway has undergone a thorough renovation, including the addition of a spacious service and information desk suited to contemporary needs, alongside inviting gathering spaces with a variety of seating options. Accessibility has been enhanced with an entry vestibule and three new doors—there was just one door prior to the renovation. Automated window shades can increase or lessen natural light. In a nod to the building’s history, the original 1938 checkered floor pattern is back, this time crafted from eco-friendly tile that also contributes to improved acoustics within the space.
The building’s original architecture featured a pair of light wells intended to provide natural illumination and air circulation. Before the renovation, these areas were outdoor spaces that were inaccessible to patrons. The redesign has transformed the area into an inviting second-floor study court that feels outdoor-like, topped with skylights that bathe the space in natural light. Outfitted with ample seating, these courtyards have quickly become favorite spots for reading, studying, and socializing.
The expansive reading room on the fourth floor is particularly impressive, with its lofty ceiling and towering windows that ascend to additional seating on the level above. The design of this new section echoes the aesthetic of the original 1937 architecture, lost after the grand north facade was replaced by an uninviting brick wall during the 1967 addition of the New Stacks. Like many spaces throughout the renovated library, this room, which stands where the New Stacks once loomed, honors and recaptures the building’s historical charm while updating it to meet modern needs. Another modern twist on a historical feature—the overhead light fixtures reference the fish-scale pattern on the railings from the Rotunda (see page 44).
A clerestory, or a high section of the roof with windows, is an architectural highlight that helps the library feel bright and airy. The clerestory windows, along with others throughout the building, have a UV-filtering treatment to shield the library’s valuable collections from sunlight exposure, while minimizing glare and unwanted direct solar heating. “The first library for the University was the Rotunda, with its huge, doubleheight drum and vaulted ceiling topped with an oculus shining in from the top,” says Kit Meyer, UVA senior project manager for the library renovation. “In the main library, there is a clerestory on the roof, which pops the ceiling up in the middle of the fifth floor. It is sided with huge windows that let in lots of light; then there is a hole in the floor between the fifth and the fourth floor, so that natural light comes down all the way into the center of the stacks.”
The UVA Library isn’t just for students and faculty. “We’d love for more people to be aware that we are a community resource and we welcome the community to use our spaces and services,” says Elyse Girard, the library’s executive director of communications and user experience. “Virginia residents who are 16 years of age and older can register for a UVA library card. We also have public computers and other resources that community patrons can access while visiting.”
Throughout the year, the library hosts numerous events, lectures, and workshops—ranging from a digital humanities lecture on supply chain issues to a needle felting workshop in Shannon’s new makerspace—that are free and open to the public. The library also hosts programs during community events such as the Festival of the Book and Garden Week.
The library’s exhibition programs are open to the University community and general public. Currently on display in the Main Gallery of the Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library through June 6, The World as They Made It: Looking Back at the Harlem Renaissance exhibition features the visionary works of writers, artists, and thinkers who helped shape Black American identity and political consciousness. Along with rotating exhibitions, permanent Declaring Independence and Flowerdew Hundred exhibitions can be viewed in the Harrison Institute (in the same building as the Small Special Collections Library).
Public access was factored into the planning of the renovation. The library has a new entrance facing the growing northern corridor along University Avenue, making the building more welcoming to the community.
Following the 1895 fire that severely damaged the Rotunda, the renowned New York architectural firm McKim, Mead & White was commissioned to redesign it. They transformed the space with a striking Beaux-Arts style, replacing Thomas Jefferson’s original two-story Dome Room with an expansive three-story room that extended from the main floor to the oculus.
To enhance the building’s fire resistance, the redesign employed cast iron instead of wood in key structural elements, including the Dome Room gallery’s guard rail panels. When the Rotunda was restored to Jefferson’s original design in the 1970s, including the doublestory Dome Room and wooden interiors, the cast iron panels were removed and stored. Now, the old guardrails have a new lease on life. Many of the cast iron panels have been incorporated into the library’s renovation, providing a historical touch to the library’s main stairway and on the levels under the clerestory.
“The Rotunda housed the University’s library until Alderman was built,” says Brian Hogg, the senior historic preservation planner in the Office of the Architect. “It was a natural connection to use features from the Rotunda library in this renovation. There are two types of panels from the Rotunda gallery— the wreath motif and an all-fish-scale panel. We are using both in prominent spaces.”
BY THE NUMBERS
The Edgar Shannon Library is the largest and most historic of the University of Virginia Library’s six locations across Grounds. Libraries for UVA’s School of Law, School of Medicine, and Darden School of Business operate independently of the main library system. Here’s a look at some facts and figures from the UVA Library.
13M+ MANUSCRIPTS
3.6M+ ITEMS IN THE ARCHIVES
1.5M
5M BOOKS
3.5M ONLINE JOURNAL DOWNLOADS
958,654*
420,000+
325,000+
250,000+
61,676*
8,000+
5,000+
4,000+
1,700+
One of the first questions that many students asked about the library renovation was, “What will happen to the McGregor Room?” Affectionately referred to as the Harry Potter Room, the cozy, wood-paneled room has long been a favorite study spot. Many were relieved to know that great care was taken to preserve the space as closely as possible to its original appearance. The restoration team refinished the parquet floors and removed, cleaned, sanded, and stained the millwork and cabinet doors—a subtle but important project that protects and preserves the room’s elaborate woodwork.
This room was upgraded while maintaining the classic reading room ambiance that generations of students have come to enjoy during their study sessions. The room’s enhancements include elevated ceilings and walls painted a warm shade of yellow, providing the space with an airier and more inviting atmosphere. Much of the furniture—including the well-used tables and Windsor chairs—has been meticulously restored to its former glory by Virginia Craftsmen of Harrisonburg, the very artisans who originally crafted these pieces more than eight decades ago. In all, about 400 pieces of furniture were refurbished.
PULL UP A CHAIR
The number of reading seats in the library has nearly doubled, from 800 to 1,445. The increased seating includes study carrels, reading tables and group study rooms. Many of the study areas feature Newport chairs like the one pictured above, made by Thos. Moser, which made 356 for the library. Thos. Moser also made arm chairs, benches, lounge chairs, and custom study and reading room tables for the library.
The ways that we get our information have changed dramatically during the past several decades. With the rise of the internet in the mid-90s, the introduction of the iPhone in 2007 and the ever-increasing influence of social media, there’s a seemingly infinite amount of information—and distractions—at our fingertips. And, in related developments, a 2023 Gallup poll revealed that American adults are reading about two or three fewer books per year than they did between 2001 and 2016.
Where does this leave public libraries? Are they still relevant in today’s digitally dependent world? For answers to these questions and more, albemarle Magazine checked in with David Plunkett, director of Jefferson-Madison Regional Library. A graduate of Charlottesville High School, Brown University and LSU, Plunkett has implemented innovative programs throughout the JMRL system.
How has the role of the public library evolved over the past few decades, and how does it continue to adapt to the changing needs of the community?
Public libraries have always served to connect people to information. For many, many years that was primarily accomplished through the printed word or the expertise of the librarian. That has changed over the last few decades, as library staff have become fluent in all the different ways that people seek and find information. Now, while the library is still here for your favorite novels, kids’ books, or reference volumes, library staff are just as likely to be showing patrons how to stream JMRL’s online audiobooks through the Libby app, or how to come in and research their family tree on Ancestry.com, or how to read today’s newspaper online with their library card.
In the age of digital information, how does the library stay relevant and remain a valuable public resource?
Libraries are essential as we all face a daily firehose of information, and people have new concerns about what information can be trusted. Library staff can help curate the never-ending flow of information and give people the tools they need to use their critical thinking skills and find the information they need.
Public libraries are also a shared community space in a time in which social connection is more important than ever. The US Surgeon General’s office last year warned of an “epidemic of loneliness and isolation.” JMRL not only provides a third space—along with home and work—for people to gather, but the library cultivates that connection by providing community programming, displays, discussions, and opportunities for people to interact with ideas and each other.
How are the uses of physical spaces in the libraries changing?
One of the most popular features in modern libraries are publicly available conference rooms. These are in high demand for individuals or small groups to get together, or to use privately for job seeking, remote work, or telehealth. The conference rooms at Northside Library are incredibly popular and in high demand! JMRL has also installed privacy pods—self-contained, sound-dampened rooms for individual use— in several branches to meet an increased need for such spaces.
In general, public libraries aren’t the home of the shushing librarian anymore. They are vibrant spaces for the community to gather.
At JMRL’s Northside and Nelson Memorial branches, there are quiet rooms available for individuals who need to concentrate, while the rest of the branch may have the hustle and bustle of kids in storytime or book discussions or community meetings.
With the rise of online platforms and e-books, how does the library strike a balance between traditional printed materials and digital resources?
JMRL’s digital collection has experienced quite a boost in popularity over the last few years. In fact, if this collection was a physical location it would have the highest number of checkouts of any branch, just barely nudging out JMRL’s busiest library (Northside).
JMRL had an opportunity to bolster this collection in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2020, when COVID effectively shut down ordering of printed materials. This was a hidden silver lining, with time and resources dedicated solely to digital materials. The library had over 100 years to build a print collection, but only the last 15 or so for downloadable e-books.
Modern library staff are connectors, finding ways to get people the knowledge they need.
While digital materials are very popular in this region, print materials are still in high demand. Last fiscal year about a quarter of checkouts were digital, and physical materials still circulated over 1.2 million times.
The library is in the business of getting people the resources they need, so this balance is largely driven by the demand in our community. Some people prefer print, some digital, some just want the first available copy in either format. One common misconception is about how library digital lending works. JMRL purchases a license for each title, and generally that license allows one user at a time to access it. This model is similar to a physical book, where an additional license needs to be purchased if there is high demand for a title. In fact, digital licenses frequently cost more than a printed copy of a book! Having said that, as demand for digital materials grows, the library will dedicate more resources toward growing the digital collection.
What are some of the innovative programs or initiatives that the library has implemented to serve and engage the community?
JMRL annually hosts the Same Page Community Read to encourage Central Virginians to read and discuss the same book at the same time. This region-wide reading initiative culminates with the author’s appearance at the Virginia Festival of the Book. So, it’s a great opportunity for our
community to engage with the work, its creator, and each other.
The library has recently opened makerspaces at Central, Northside (for teens), and Nelson Memorial. In these spaces, people can engage with new technologies in a safe environment and learn how to turn their ideas into reality. People are surprised to find the range of materials available at these locations—from sewing machines to 3-D scanners and printers, and button making to laser cutting. Library staff can also help people to digitize their old VHS tapes or even 35MM slides.
Over the last few years, JMRL has really pushed to meet people where they are when providing service. Digital resources are available anytime, anywhere to anyone with internet access and a device, removing the barrier of travel to the library. And with added Bookmobile stops in our region, new outdoor holds-pickup lockers, drive-up windows and kiosks, printed materials are also more accessible than ever. JMRL has partnered with the University of Virginia to offer free interlibrary loans of UVA Library materials at JMRL libraries. Being able to offer a variety of formats allows for the greatest access and meets the widest range of our community’s information seeking needs.
What are the biggest challenges that libraries face today and how are you addressing them?
Public libraries sometimes face a gap in perception, in which people envision a storehouse for books where library staff are gatekeepers to information. The reality of any public library in America is that modern library staff are connectors, finding ways to get people the knowledge they need, whether that is in a book, in a new technology, by hearing a speaker, or by meeting others and sharing experiences.
The public library is a vibrant center for any community and needs resources and support to continue to foster this important civic duty. Luckily, in the JMRL service area there is broad support for public libraries. The elected officials and staff of Charlottesville, Albemarle, Greene, Louisa, and Nelson recognize the importance of library service, and work hand in hand with JMRL to make sure that our public libraries are well funded and cared for.
This support from local governments is a large reason that JMRL was named the Virginia Library Association’s library of the year in 2022. Not every community has the same level of support for public libraries, so I’m grateful every day that the people and local governments of our region continue to prioritize this crucial service.
The Jefferson-Madison Regional Library system spans five localities and nearly 2,000 square miles in Central Virginia.
Eight branches and a bookmobile provide library services to the rural and suburban communities of Albemarle, Greene, Louisa, and Nelson counties, as well as the City of Charlottesville.
JMRL provides library services to a population of more than 200,000 residents.
Along with combined holdings of 500,000 physical items, the library also offers access to online databases and downloadable e-books.
BY CATHY PURPLE CHERRY, AIA, LEED-AP, FOUNDER AND PRINCIPAL OF PURPLE CHERRY ARCHITECTS
PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID BURROUGHS AND DURSTON SAYLOR
In an era marked by the continual march of digital progress, the creation of a tranquil space devoted to reading, writing, or simply doing nothing is a necessary pursuit. Whether one seeks refuge in the pages of a novel, the contemplation of scholarly tomes, or the quietude of reflective study, the design of a home library or reading nook should successfully balance comfort, functionality, and beauty.
In this article, I am delighted to offer design ideas for reading rooms or home libraries that may help you craft a refined and inspiring reading nook within your own home.
Begin by carefully selecting a location within your home that is conducive to your goals. Is your aim to create a dim and cozy space that offers seclusion, or is it to create an open nook with ample natural light? If the former, consider unused bedrooms, corners, alcoves, or even space under the stairs for cocooning. If the latter, consider positioning your reading nook near a window or a skylight to not only invite the warmth of the sun but to also foster a connection with the surrounding environment. Reading nooks in small spaces can be just as lovely as entire libraries in larger homes.
Organize your collection of books and reading materials with beautiful storage solutions. This could look like custom crafted floor-to-ceiling bookshelves or minimalist wall-mounted shelves, which showcase a collection while maintaining a sense of simplicity. With any and all bookshelves, ideally you also integrate or stage a variety of components, including sculptures, photographs, accessories, small plants, etc. to create a space that is uniquely yours.
Consider incorporating a chaise lounge, comfy armchair, or even a small sofa for ultimate reading comfort. Enhance the appeal of soft seating with the addition of cozy throws, pillows in lush fabrics, and a plush area rug. Opt for a small drink table next to each seat for an easily accessible beverage.
Incorporate warm task lights with 2,700 kelvins (k) bulbs to help relax the eye while reading and improve sleep quality. Seek lightbulbs with around 450 lumens from 6 to 9 watts with a dimmable feature for additional flexibility. In addition, linear LED strip lighting, available in a variety of color temperatures, can provide seamless, even lighting when applied to built-in shelving, illuminating the items on display.
Home libraries can actually serve as very versatile spaces. For example, incorporating a sleeper sofa can create an overnight space for guests. Items such as desks and chairs can easily be rearranged to create an exercise or yoga space.
In conclusion, the design of a home library or reading room is a deeply personal and multifaceted endeavor, one that requires a keen eye for detail and a discerning taste for refinement. By incorporating these design strategies, you can create a refined sanctuary that not only celebrates the written word but also elevates the art of reading to new heights of sophistication and elegance.
I hope these suggestions leave you encouraged to create or update your own home library or reading nook. For me, it looks like a room with expansive glass looking out to the mountains. There is a bathtub and a gas fireplace. Yep! That’s my reading room.
Born and raised in Virginia, Cathy Purple Cherry ultimately landed in Annapolis where she grew a large architecture and interior design firm specializing in high-end custom homes and estates. Today, the firm has five offices—Charlottesville, VA, Middleburg, VA, Annapolis, MD, New York, NY and Washington, DC—and specializes in creating luxurious residences across the United States. A talented architect, visionary, and three-dimensional thinker, Cathy is able to marry clients’ dreams with the reality of the built environment.
434-245-2211
PURPLECHERRY.COM
Debra Weiss, game designer
Every year, fans of words, pop culture, history and literature fill the Paramount Theater for Wordplay: Charlottesville’s Game Show for Trivia Lovers. The annual fund-raiser for Literacy Volunteers of Charlottesville/Albemarle, this competition includes up to 40 three-person teams who win prizes not only for the top trivia score, but also for best team name and best costumes.
Audience members who aren’t on a team can still attend and play along from their seats. This year’s event is April 25 at 7 p.m., and tickets can be purchased at the Literacy Volunteers office in The Jefferson School City Center, online at literacyforall.org, or the Paramount Theater box office. Wordplay isn’t just a fun trivia night—it significantly contributes to LVCA’s mission of promoting adult literacy through equitable, inclusive, free, confidential, one-to-one English and citizenship tutoring. The event generates attention and resources for LVCA, which, in the past year, has helped 370 students from 48 different countries of origin learn to read, write, or speak English.
Debra Weiss created Wordplay for LVCA and has designed each game since the event debuted in 2008. She was a game show producer in Southern California for ten years and has more than three decades of experience designing and producing multiplayer trivia games that have delighted and stumped thousands of people around the world.
The following is a sampler of questions that Weiss has created for past Wordplay events:
Which is larger?
Olympic-size swimming pool
NBA basketball court
Compared (in volume) to a standard bottle of wine, a fifth of vodka is:
Smaller
The same Larger
Put these in order of number of legs, from least to most:
Spider Ant Crab Frog
The singer Prince's last name was:
Rogers Prince Johnson Nelson
Which of these “Firsts” is fake Which “Last” occurred most recently?
Sally Ride –First American woman in space
Nancy Pelosi –First woman US House Speaker
Marie Curie –First female Nobel prize winner
Dorothy Dandridge –First black woman to win an Oscar
Last original Peanuts comic strip
Last case of smallpox
Last grizzly bear spotted in California
Last Grateful Dead concert with Jerry Garcia
NOT a Beatles song:
Eight Days a Week
TIED UP IN NOT S
NOT a red wine: NOT a correctly spelled 10-letter word:
Riesling Maleficent
When I’m Sixty-Four Syrah
Occurrance
Revolution 9 Malbec Abstinence
Two of Us Gamay Silhouette
Positively 4th Street Merlot Apocalypse
All these people have a place in their name. Where?
Identify the country of origin of these dishes: A
Get the answers on page 61.
Name the state (if in the USA) or the country (if not) of each of these “sainted” cities:
São Paulo
Sault Ste. Marie
San Salvador
Santo Domingo
San Juan
A Directory of the leading Real Estate Professionals in our area, representing the best Virginia has to offer, from homes and estates to farms and commercial properties.
albemarle Magazine is an affiliate member of the Charlottesville Area Association of REALTORS® (CAAR)
NANETTE ALCARO, REALTOR®, GRI, SRES Long & Foster Real Estate
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LISA K. CAMPBELL, REALTOR®, ABR, CLHMS, CDPE, e-Pro RE/MAX Gateway, Charlottesville
434-282-5568
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HomeAgainVA.com
ZOYA COOPERSMITH REALTOR®, Associate Broker
Hogan Luxury Real Estate
804-877-1532
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RIVES BAILEY, REALTOR®, President New Leaf Team at Montague, Miller & Co. 434-981-2338
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PETER S. CATHCART, REALTOR® Stevens & Company
434-409-9500
pcathcart@stevensandcompany.net stevensandcompany.net
MAURICE COVINGTON REALTOR®
Frank Hardy Sotheby’s International Realty 434.284.1334
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JAMES FRIEND DICKERSON, REALTOR®
Charlottesville Solutions
434-466-4663
jachininc@gmail.com
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JIM DUNCAN, REALTOR®, Associate Broker, Partner Nest Realty
434-242-7140
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nestrealty.com/jimduncan
JIM FAULCONER, REALTOR®, Co-Owner, Principal Broker
McLean Faulconer
434-295-1131
jfaulconer@mcleanfaulconer.com
mcleanfaulconer.com
MARCELA FOSHAY, REALTOR®
Nest Realty
540-314-6550
marcela.foshay@nestrealty.com
marcelafoshay.com
BUNNY FRENCH, REALTOR®
Loring Woodriff Real Estate Associates
434-996-1029
bunny@loringwoodriff.com
loringwoodriff.com
ERIN GARCIA, REALTOR®, ECOBROKER, ABR GREEN®
Loring Woodriff Real Estate Associates
434-981-7245
egarcia@loringwoodriff.com
loringwoodriff.com
CYNTHIA HASH, REALTOR®, Owner, Principal Broker
Find Homes Realty
434-531-5351
Hash@FindHomesUSA.com
CynthiaHashRealtor.com
MANDY DORITY, REALTOR®
Stevens & Company
434-257-7092
mandy@stevensandcompany.net stevensandcompany.net
TREY DURHAM, REALTOR®, GRI, Associate Broker Keller Williams Alliance
434-409-8308
treydurham@kw.com
charlottesville.yourkwoffice.com
PUNKIE FEIL, REALTOR®, Associate Broker
Loring Woodriff Real Estate Associates
434-962-5222
loringwoodriff.com
punkie@loringwoodriff.com
LYNN FOX, REALTOR®, Associate Broker Pace Real Estate
434-962-1830
lynn@pace-homes.com pace-homes.com
LAURA FUTTY, REALTOR®
Loring Woodriff Real Estate Associates
434-960-3644
laura@loringwoodriff.com
loringwoodriff.com
JANE HAMMEL, REALTOR®
Frank Hardy Sotheby’s International Realty
717-575-9019
jhammel@frankhardy.com
janehammel.com
GLENDA HOWARD, REALTOR®, CRS, GRI, SRES
Bill Howard & Assoc. Real Estate
434-981-0839
glendahowardrealtor@gmail.com
thecharlottesvillerealtor.com
JOHN INCE, REALTOR®, Associate Broker
Wiley Real Estate
434-981-3011
john@wileyproperty.com
charlottesvillecountry.com
KATHERINE LEDDINGTON, REALTOR®
Frank Hardy Sotheby’s International Realty
646-593-0333
katherine.leddington@sothebysrealty.com sothebysrealty.com/frankhardysir
ELIZABETH FEIL MATTHEWS, REALTOR®
Loring Woodriff Real Estate Associates
434-284-2105
elizabeth@loringwoodriff.com
loringwoodriff.com
SARAH MONCEAUX, REALTOR®
Avenue Realty
757-262-7990
sarahsellscville@gmail.com avenuerealtygroup.com
KYLE R. OLSON, REALTOR®, Charlottesville Office Managing Broker
Montague Miller & Co.
540-649-4131
kyle@montaguemiller.com
kolson.montaguemiller.com
DENISE RAMEY, REALTOR®, GRI
Denise Ramey Real Estate
434-960-4333
deniserameyrealtor@gmail.com deniseramey.com
DEBORAH A. RUTTER, REALTOR®, Associate Broker
Nest Realty
434-996-2142
deborahrutter@gmail.com nestrealty.com
LIBERTY KALERGIS, REALTOR®
Frank Hardy Sotheby’s International Realty
434-962-9911
liberty.kalergis@sothebysrealty.com sothebysrealty.com/frankhardysir
SABINA MARTIN, REALTOR®, CRS, GRI Real Estate III
434-981-1147
sabinarmartin@gmail.com
sabinamartin.realestateiii.com
LINDSAY T. MILBY, REALTOR®, Associate Broker, Principal Loring Woodriff Real Estate Associates
434-962-9148
lindsay@loringwoodriff.com lindsaymilby.com
COURT NEXSEN, REALTOR®, Co-Owner McLean Faulconer
646-660-0700
court@mcleanfaulconer.com mcleanfaulconer.com
SUZIE PACE, REALTOR®, Owner, Broker Pace Real Estate
434-981-3385
suzie@pace-homes.com pace-homes.com
MARINA RINGSTROM, REALTOR®
Long & Foster Real Estate
434-465-0035
marinaring777@gmail.com marinaringstrom.com
MIKE SCHNEIDER, REALTOR®
Frank Hardy Sotheby’s International Realty
434-996-1377
mike.schneider@sothebysrealty.com
sothebysrealty.com/frankhardysir
STEPHANIE SHELLENBERGER, REALTOR®
Avenue Realty
434-989-0351
stephanie@avenuerealtygroup.com avenuerealtygroup.com
AMY N. STEVENS, REALTOR®
Stevens & Company
434-996-0934
amy@stevensandcompany.net stevensandcompany.net
SHANNON THOMAS, REALTOR®, Partner, Managing Broker CORE Real Estate Partners
434-882-1761
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SHANN WHITED, REALTOR®, CRS, GRI, CBR Avenue Realty
434-962-4741
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shannwhited.com
President Anne Burroughs
Nest Realty Group
President-Elect Josh White
Story House Real Estate
Treasurer Amanda Spigone
Keller Williams Alliance
Immediate Past President S. Lisa Herndon
Keller Williams Alliance
Kim Armstrong–Real Estate III
Keith Davis Nest Realty Group
Woody Fincham Fincham & Associates, Inc.
Matthew Holt–1st Dominion Realty Inc.
Sharon Merrick Howard Hanna Roy Wheeler Realty
Janice O'Hara–CTI Real Estate
Kyle Olson Montague Miller & Co. Westfield
Jessica Russo Nest Realty Group
Candice van der Linde–YES Realty Partners
Kevin Wilberger–Long & Foster - Charlottesville
AMANDA SPIGONE, REALTOR®, Associate Broker Keller Williams Alliance
434-996-0910
amanda.spigone@kw.com homeincville.kw.com
ROSS STEVENS, REALTOR®, Broker Stevens & Company
434-981-5268
rstevens@stevensandcompany.net stevensandcompany.net
ALEX THOMAS SCHWARTZ, REALTOR®
Loring Woodriff Real Estate Associates
202.725.2545
alexandra@loringwoodriff.com loringwoodriff.com
ARLEEN YOBS, REALTOR®, Associate Broker Nest Realty
434-981-4108
arleenyobs@nestrealty.com
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albemarle’s Who’s Who of REALTORS® is published twice yearly, appearing in the April/May and October/November issues.
Contact heather@albemarlemagazine.com
Fall Deadline: August 31
Charlottesville Area Association of REALTORS® 550 Hillsdale Drive / Charlottesville, VA 22901
Across
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5
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
1. Type of wood used to withstand the weather, rot and insects- goes with 19 across
2 Yearly flowers
3 Turpentine, e.g.
4 Cut parallel to the grain
5 Power tool used for inserting fasteners and making holes
6 Made of several materials
7 One way to paint
12 Drinks serving area
15 Celebration time, often
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18
21
22
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26
34
28
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32
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Between the University of Virginia and the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library system, Central Virginia is blessed with an exceptional collection of libraries that hold a combined total of more than seven million books. So, it might stand to reason that the nation’s largest personal collection of books at the beginning of the 19th century could be found at Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello.
Jefferson was a lifelong learner, and he surrounded himself with thousands of books that spanned a broad spectrum of topics and languages. During his lifetime, he compiled three impressive libraries, the first at his boyhood home of Shadwell, which burned in 1770.
The second and largest, his library at Monticello, would take on added historical significance after disaster struck in the nation’s capital.
During the War of 1812, British forces invaded Washington, D.C., and burned the Capitol and many other public buildings in 1814.
The Capitol housed the Library of Congress, and its approximately 3,000 books were destroyed in the fire. “I learn from the Newspapers that the Vandalism of our enemy has triumphed at Washington over science as well as the Arts, by the destruction of the public library with the noble edifice in which it was deposited,” Jefferson wrote.
To replace the lost books, Jefferson offered his entire personal library to Congress, selling his 6,487-volume collection for $23,950 in 1815. Jefferson’s eclectic library not only more than doubled the number of volumes that had been in the
destroyed, it also expanded the scope of the Library of Congress far beyond the bounds of its original purpose as a legislative library devoted to legal, economic, and historical works. Jefferson meticulously cataloged his collection by both size and subject matter, housing his books in stackable, custom-made pine cases that doubled as bookshelves. These cases, crafted partly to accommodate traveling with his books, proved to be well suited for shipping his books from Monticello to the Library of Congress. After the packing and shipping of his library had been completed, Jefferson commented that “an interesting treasure is added to your city, now become the depository of unquestionably the choicest collection of books in the US, and I hope it will not be without some general effect on the literature of our country.”
Jefferson’s now-empty library prompted one of his better-known quotations. “I cannot live without books; but fewer will suffice where amusement, and not use, is the only future object,” he wrote to John Adams in 1815.
He quickly began compiling another library that would be his third and last collection of books. Filled with selections representing his favorite works and personal interests, his final library grew to some 1,600 books by the time of his death in 1826. Saddled with debt, his family sold the books at a Washington, D.C., public auction in 1929.
WORDPLAY ANSWERS
See questions, pages 52-53
NUMBERS GAME
Which is larger?
• The pool is 164 x 82 feet while a basketball court measures 94 x 50 feet.
Compared (in volume) to a standard bottle of wine, a fifth of vodka is:
• The same. Both hold 750ml of liquid, or just about 25.4 ounces.
Put these in order of number of legs, from least to most.
• Frog 4
• Ant 6
• Spider 8
• Crab 10
FIRST & LAST
The singer Prince’s last name was:
• Prince Rogers Nelson died on April 21, 2016. Which of these “firsts” is fake?
• Dorothy Dandridge was the fake answer. Hattie McDaniel was the first African American actress to receive an Oscar, winning Best Supporting Actress for her role in Gone with the Wind in 1940.
Which “last” occurred most recently?
• Last original Peanuts comic strip 1924
• Last case of smallpox 1978
• Last grizzly bear spotted in California 1995
• Last Grateful Dead concert with Jerry Garcia 2000
TIED UP IN NOTS
NOT a Beatles song:
• Positively 4th Street is a Bob Dylan song. NOT a red wine:
• The primary fruit aromas in Riesling are nectarine, apricot, honey-crisp apple and pear.
NOT a correctly spelled 10-letter word:
• Occurrance
FACTS IN FIVE
Identify the country of origin of these dishes:
• Paella - Spain
• Pierogi - Poland
• Risotto - Italy
• Pho - Vietnam
• Moussaka - Greece
All these people have a place in their name. Where?
A Paris
B Orlando
C. Dakota
D. Cuba
E. Washington
Name the state (if in the USA) or the country (if not) of each of these “sainted” cities:
• São Paulo - Brazil
• Sault Ste. Marie - Michigan
• San Salvador – El Salvador
• Santo Domingo – Santo Domingo
• San Juan – Puerto Rico
Grammy Award-winning guitar virtuosos
Rodrigo Sánchez and Gabriela Quintero bring their unique fusion of flamenco, rock, and Latin rhythms to the Paramount Theater on April 26. The duo grew up in Mexico City before moving to Europe, where they honed their craft busking on the streets of Dublin. Rodrigo y Gabriela made their American TV debut in 2006 on Late Show with David Letterman, showcasing their extraordinary ability to weave together intricate melodies and lightning-fast fingerpicking. Acoustic Guitar magazine describes Rodrigo y Gabriela, whose Mettavolution won a Grammy Award in 2020 for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album, as “one of the most successful instrumental acoustic acts in the world, routinely playing in the stadiums and arenas typically reserved for only the biggest heavy rock and metal acts.”
The Front Porch & Rivanna River Company
An Evening with Scott Miller April 12
Kyshona April 27
Music for Hospice with Devon Sproule and Clara George April 28
Mama’s Broke May 14
221 Water Street, Charlottesville 434-806-7062 • frontporchcville.org
John Paul Jones Arena
Sam Hunt: Outskirts Tour April 13
Harlem Globetrotters April 16
Hot Wheels Monster Trucks April 20-21
295 Massie Road, Charlottesville 434-243-4960 • johnpauljonesarena.com
Julius Caesar through June 8
Pride and Prejudice through June 8
A Midsummer Night’s Dream through June 9
10 South Market Street, Staunton 877-682-4236 • americanshakespearecenter.com
Live Arts
Fireflies March 29 –April 20
Waterworks Festival May 17 – June 2
123 East Water Street, Charlottesville 434-977-4177 • livearts.org
The Paramount Theater
Met Live in HD: Roméo et Juliette April 6
Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo April 14
Wordplay April 25
Rodrigo y Gabriela April 26
Met Live in HD: La Rondine April 27
Mandy Patinkin in Concert: Being Alive with Adam Ben-David on Piano April 28
Charlottesville Ballet presents Snow White May 4
Three Dog Night May 5
Met Live in HD: Madama Butterfly May 11
Beatles vs. Elvis May 30
215 East Main Street, Charlottesville 434-979-1333 • theparamount.net
Ting Pavilion
Flipturn April 20
The String Cheese Incident May 16
700 E Main Street, Charlottesville 434-245-4910 • tingpavilion.com
Ebru YildizThe Foundry at Basic City Beer
Badfish April 11
Who Shot John April 12
Victoria Victoria April 13
Toubab Krewe with Jouwala Collective April 18
The Nth Power with Cool Cool Cool April 19
420 in the Blue Ridge April 20
Tell Me Lies: The Fleetwood Mac Experience April 26
Foreigners Journey May 10
Pink Talking Fish
Skip Castro Band May 17
1010 East Main Street, Waynesboro 540-943-1010 • thefoundrysound.com
Wayne Theatre
Ross Performing Arts Center
Jim Witter: The Piano Men April 12
Ciaran Sheehan-Carousel in Concert April 14
Six String Army Soldier Band April 18
Studio Wayne Improvisator
Improv Show April 19 & May 10
Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5: The Musical April 26
Artrageous April 30
521 West Main Street, Waynesboro 540-943-9999 • waynetheatre.org
The Jefferson Theater
Corey Smith April 5
The Vegabonds April 12
Ruston Kelly: The Too Chill to Kill Tour April 23
Brandy Clark April 24
Beach Fossils with Friends Nation of Language April 25
Evan Honer April 26
Adam Doleac: Wrong Side of a Sunrise Tour May 4
Benjamin Tod & Lost Dog Street Band May 5
Sara Jarosz: Polaroid Lovers Tour May 6
Hawthorne Heights May 9
Thievery Corporation May 14-15
The Legwarmers:
The Ultimate 80s Tribute May 31
110 East Main Street, Charlottesville 800-594-TIXX• 434-245-4980 jeffersontheater.com
Detailed information available at VaGardenWeek.org/Albemarle-Charlottesville
The Southern Cafe & Music Hall
Ryan Caraveo: Trouble in Paradise Tour April 6
Bailen April 11
Julia Wolf April 12
Chatham Country Line April 13
Rachael Davis, R.O. Shapiro & Zak Bunce April 14
David Bowie’s 77th Birthday Party featuring the Jean Jeanies April 19
The Barons April 25
Mo’ Lowda/The Bright
Social Hour April 27
Próxima Parada/Oliver Hazard April 28
LYAO Comedy Presents: Kyle Gordon May 3
Dar Williams May 9
103 South 1st Street, Charlottesville 434-977-5590 • thesoutherncville.com
Charlottesville Symphony
Masterworks Series: Academic Festival
Old Cabell Hall - April 20; Martin Luther King, Jr. Performing Arts Center - April 21; Capital One Hall (McLean, VA) - April 28 434-924-3139 • cvillesymphony.org
Saturday, April 20, 2024
Morven - Estate House and Gardens
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tickets $20 available the day of at the door, cash or check only
Sunday, April 21, 2024
Free Union Area of Albemarle - Charlottesville Tour
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. $50 available at VaGardenWeek.com/Albemarle-Charlottesville
Monday, April 22, 2024
The University of Virginia
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Free admission
1. Plant native milkweed, which is the only plant monarch caterpillars eat. Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) is a popular choice.
2. Designate a caterpillar-friendly area, leaving an out-of-the way spot of your lawn un-mown. This provides shelter from predators and harsh weather.
3. Pesticides can be harmful to monarch caterpillars. Using organic gardening practices and avoiding pesticides create a safer environment for the larvae to grow.
The monarch butterfly, with its distinctive orange-andblack pattern, is one of North America’s most recognized and beloved species. However, monarchs continue to dwindle in number and are now listed as a vulnerable species by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. Challenged primarily by habitat loss, the population of these majestic butterflies has declined by more than 80 percent in the Eastern United States since the mid-1990s.
Conservation efforts can start in your own backyard. Monarch butterflies lay their eggs on milkweed plants, which provide the essential leaves for the nourishment and development of eggs and larvae. Planting milkweed, the primary food source for caterpillars, and flowers like goldenrod, phlox, and asters for adult monarchs, provides food, shelter, and support for different stages of their life cycles.
Boar’s Head Golf Academy at Birdwood Golf in Charlottesville offers a pathway to transform your game. Boar's Head is the only resort in Virginia with two instructors ranked in the top 15 by Golf Digest. Whether you're a beginner looking to learn the basics or an experienced golfer aiming for refinement, our tailored programs, preeminent facilities and top-notch instructors cater to all skill levels.
Phone: (434) 293-4653
BirdwoodGolf.com
Course Design by Davis Love III
