LIVING LYNCHBURG
For the warrior in all of us You’re proud of your active lifestyle. Don’t let injuries hold you back... expert physical therapy when you need it. Saturday morning we head out for a run and some friendly family
LYNCHBURG LOCATIONS:
competition. Three miles before breakfast and the loser has to do
Jamerson Family YMCA 434.237.8160
the dishes. An injury isn’t in the plan. Fortunately if it happens, you have a training partner who cares — someone to help you get back on your feet and back
Neuroscience Center 434.200.5781 Centra Virginia Baptist Hospital 434.200.4668
to peak performance. Now thanks to Centra Rehabilitation, you’re back in the race and those dishes are his responsibility. There’s a little warrior in all of us. Call Centra Rehabilitation today.
Center for Pelvic Health 434.200.6623 Centra Lynchburg Medical Center 434.200.7860 SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES: Bedford 540.587.3246 Gretna 434.656.4607 Danville 434.797.1384 Farmville 434.315.2920 Keysville 434.315.2920
Rehab.CentraHealth.com
Facebook.com/CentraRehabilitation
The future of cataract surgery is here. Announcing laser cataract surgery. Designed with your comfort in mind.
David M. Harman, M.D. is pleased to offer the highly advanced VICTUS laser cataract procedure. The VICTUS laser system is designed to complement the physician’s skills with computer-guided accuracy and offers laser precision. Plus, advanced options for lenses give you more choices than ever before.
If you are considering cataract surgery, ask for laser cataract surgery.
43 4 -3 8 5 - 5 6 0 0 HarmanEye.com
A M H E R S T • A P P O M AT T O X • C H AT H A M • D A N V I L L E • F O R E S T • L O V I N G S T O N • LY N C H B U R G • M A R T I N S V I L L E • W Y N D H U R S T
n 104 OakwOOd Pl, $799,500: 5 bedrooms, 3 full & 2 half baths; 4,700 sq. ft. n 1450 TrenTs Ferry rd, $1,125,000: 4 bedrooms, 7 full & 2 half baths; 7,500 sq. ft.; 3 ac. n 1120 Greenway CT, $219,000: 3 bedrooms, 1 full &1 half bath; 1,791 sq. ft.
104 OakwOOd Pl
1120 Greenway CT
1450 TrenTs Ferry rd, “seven Pines”
recognized, respected, recommended. Jane Blickenstaff: 434.660.3773 (cell) jane@janeblickenstaff.net • janeblickenstaff.net kate Blickenstaff: 434.258.1400 (cell) kateblick@gmail.com • blickenstaffandcompanyrealtors.com
112 ClOPTOn CT
3820 sherinGham Pl
112 Clopton Ct: $389,000 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths; 2,449 sq. ft. 1125 TemPleTOn mill rd
1125 templeton mill Rd: $850,000 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths; 4,086 sq. ft., 16.05 ac. 3820 SheRingham pl: $775,000 4 bedrooms, 2 full & 2 half baths; 3,882 sq. ft. neW PRice!
1580 TrenTs Ferry rd
2855 link Rd: $549,000 5 bedrooms, 4.5 baths; 3760 sq. ft., 7.49 ac. ReDUceD $50,000! 2713 gReenhill ln: $315,000 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths; 3,525 sq. ft. GUest cOttaGe! 2713 Greenhill ln
2855 link rd
1580 tRentS FeRRy Rd: $289,000 4 bedrooms, 3 baths; 2,462 sq. ft., 2.25 ac.
Looking for a realtor dedicated to exceptional personal service? Call Daniele Mason: 434.444.3888 Listing and sales of residential homes, estates, farms and land in the Lynchburg area and surrounding counties are Daniele’s specialty.
ViSit danielemaSon.Com FoR moRe pRopeRtieS.
SMILE IN SEASON
Actual patient, Alex
Get ready this fall. Fall brings many events - sports, hayrides and bonfires to name a few. No matter the activity, your smile is important! Central Virginia Orthodontics can help you achieve the perfect smile while providing excellent care with state-of-the-art technology in a warm, relaxing atmosphere.
Dr. Eric Baugher | Dr. Jennifer Claiborne
434.385.GRIN (4746) | bracesbycvo.com 7802 Timberlake Road, Lynchburg
It’s that It’s time that It’s time that again; time again; sneezing, again; sneezing, sneezing, watery watery eyes, watery eyes, stuffy eyes, stuffystuffy Meet Meet Our Meet Our Team Our Team Team nose,nose, sinus nose, sinus headaches…the sinus headaches…the headaches…the list goes list goes on. list goes For on.over For on.over For overTimothy Hengerer, James Hengerer, M.D. Hengerer, M.D. M.D. Timothy Courville, Timothy Courville, M.D. Courville, M.D.James M.D.James 30 years, 30 years, 30 Blue years, Blue Ridge Blue Ridge Allergy Ridge Allergy Services Allergy Services Services has provided has provided has provided Andrea Andrea Adamczak, Andrea Adamczak, Adamczak, PA-C PA-C PA-C Joseph Joseph Hutchison, Joseph Hutchison, Hutchison, M.D. M.D. M.D. quick, quick, sustained quick, sustained sustained reliefrelief for all relief forallergy allforallergy all types. allergy types. Our types. team Our team Our team Powers, Christie Powers, PA-C Powers, PA-C PA-C Sam Meshkinfam, Sam Meshkinfam, Sam Meshkinfam, D.O. D.O.Christie D.O.Christie of Allergy of Allergy of Specialists Allergy Specialists Specialists will help will help relieve will help relieve the relieve pressure the pressure the pressure 2321 2321 Atherholt 2321 Atherholt Atherholt Road, Road, Lynchburg Road, Lynchburg Lynchburg and have and have and you have clear you clear you in no clear intime. nointime. no time.
Call Call BlueCall Blue Ridge Blue Ridge Allergy Ridge Allergy Services Allergy Services Services today today fortoday for for a consultation a consultation a consultation to stop to stop feeling to stop feeling miserable feeling miserable miserable and and and startstart breathing start breathing breathing easier. easier. easier.
www.blueridgeentps.com www.blueridgeentps.com www.blueridgeentps.com
434.947.3993 434.947.3993 434.947.3993
PERIODONTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATES Periodontal Care | Dental Implants | Sleep Apnea
Our office strives to bring our patients state-of-theart technology to provide the latest advancements in oral health.
A Mouth-Body Connection
Who Are Periodontists? Over 50 Years Combined Periodontal Experience!
Periodontists are dentists specially trained in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of gum disease. If gum disease develops, consulting a periodontist is an effective way to determine the best course of treatment.
Periodontal disease is linked to other serious health risks such as: Heart Disease • Stroke Osteoporosis Diabetes
Services Include: • Specialty Techniques to Save Teeth
• Regular and Advanced Cleanings
• Implant Placement
• Sleep Apnea Appliances
• Biopsies
• Gum Recession Treatment
• Oral Cancer Screenings
• Low Dosage Digital X-Rays
New Patients Welcome, Referrals Not Necessary
SHERMAN O. SMOCk, D.D.S. RyAN C. ANDERSON, D.D.S. (434) 455-2444 525 Leesville Rd. • Lynchburg, VA 24502 www.periodontalhealthassociates.com Please like us on
You Deserve The Best!
If you have one or more missing teeth, or have experienced loose or ill fitting dentures, dental implants can be an alternative to conventional dentures or bridges. Join our other patients who found out how, by visiting; Mountainview Oral Surgery and Implant Center. Meet Dr. Mitchell J. Magid, a Board Certified Oral Maxillofacial Surgeon; who has demonstrated exceptional knowledge, skill, and expertise in Oral Surgery.
What is Required to become a Board Certified Oral Maxillofacial Surgeon? • Exceptional Knowledge, Skill, and Expertise in the Specialty of Oral Maxillofacial Surgery • Completion of Post Doctorate American Dental Association Approved Academic Programs • Continuous pursuit of new knowledge, technology, and procedures • Passed rigorous ABOMS exams
Mountainview Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery’s Services include: • • • • • • • • •
Dental Implants Wisdom Tooth Removal Bone Grafting Dental Extractions Platelet Rich Plasma Jaw Surgery Caron Dioxide Laser 3D-CT Scanner Anesthesia which assures your comfort
CALL 434.316.7111 FOR YOUR PERSONAL CONSULTATION
Dr. Mitchell J. Magid MOUNTAINVIEW ORAL SURGERY AND IMPLANT CENTER MOUNTAINVIEW ORAL
1612 Graves Mill Road SURGERY AND IMPLANT CENTER Lynchburg, VA 24502 1612 Graves Mill Road Lynchburg, VA 24502 434.316.7111 434.316.7111 www.lynchburgoralsurgery.com www.lynchburgoralsurgery.com
CO NTENTS
F E AT U R E S SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
57 62
BACK TO SCHOOL Advice for Every Grade Level
“BIG LETTUCE”
72
and Other Lessons From Brain Surgery
THIS CITY Virginia Episcopal School Rings In Its 100th Year
ON THE COVER:
WITH AUTUMN’S ARRIVAL, WHAT BETTER WAY TO CELEBRATE THAN APPLE PICKING! SEE OUR TOP PICKS FOR LOCAL ORCHARDS ON PAGE 95.
ON THIS PAGE:
LOCAL SENIOR AND STUDENT ATHLETE JOHN KESE. READ HIS STORY OF SURVIVING 11 BRAIN SURGERIES ON PAGE 62.
W W W. LY N C H B U R G L I V I N G . C O M
|
11
CO NTENTS
D E PA R T M E N T S SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
ARTIST PROFILE
18
MARK POLESKI Bringing Sculptures to Life
21
ART
21
PAINT & SIP 5 Ways to Unwind and Get Artistic
HOME
18
31
KNOCK ON WOOD A Naturally Inspired Dream Home
BODY
47
HITTING THE ROAD RUNNING Local Groups & Races to Get You Moving
GARDEN
85
31
WONDERFUL CURCUBITS A Prolific Autumnal Family
TASTE
85 IN EVERY ISSUE
93 12
|
LYNCHBURG LIVING SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
14 EDITOR'S LETTER 15 LIVING OUT LOUD 15 PICK OF THE LITTER 60 LYNCHBURG MAP 91 COMMUNITY NEWS 110 CALENDAR OF EVENTS 113 ADVERTISERS' INDEX 114 SNAPSHOT
93
DISHING IT UP farmbasket café COMING RIGHT UP Pawtinis & Local Chefs FEATURE Celebrating Apples LOCAL FLAVOR Virginia Wine Month
TRAVEL
103
AN AUTUMN DAY TRIP A No-Fail Guide to a Sublime Afternoon
LETTER FROM THE
T
EDITOR
hough it may be the trendy season of choice, I have to admit it: fall is my favorite. When I first landed in the Hill City as a young college student, my eyes were transfixed with the beauty of the Blue Ridge mountains. That affinity only grew stronger as the leaves began to change, and the region was transformed, awash with color. So to help you appreciate that natural beauty as much as possible, we’ve filled this issue with suggestions on all things fall. From a foliage-inspired day trip on page 103 to local and seasonal races on page 47 and finally to orchard and winery recommendations starting on page 95, we’ve provided all that you need for a memorable and thrilling autumn season. Of course, with the arrival of autumn comes the return to school. As I write this, children and teachers all around the community are heading back for their very first day of the 2015-2016 school year. And few days are as transformative as the first day of school—for the parents! It’s the first of many “gut checks”—the realization that your “baby” is now somehow —impossibly!—off to school. You look at them as if with fresh eyes and see a child who has shed most of the baby weight and is eagerly expecting the challenges and excitement that school will bring. But for the parents who are apprehensive or inquisitive (even cautiously optimistic!), we have what you need to feel confident about this school year regardless of your child’s age. From Pre-K to the college bound, we asked local experts on page 57 to share their best tips for success and are sure that you’ll feel confident, armed with this knowledge. And speaking of parents, allow us to recommend the story of Scott and Patti Kese on page 62, who saw their family through an unthinkable scenario with strength and grace. Their story is one of difficult circumstances that ended not in defeat but in a stronger family and an inspired community. When their second born child was diagnosed with an unusual and foreboding brain disorder, they banded together. Having followed their story myself over the last few years, I felt compelled to share it with the community at large for it represents the very best of us. The love of parents who will not give up; a young man’s tenacity in the face of so many frustrating obstacles; the selflessness of siblings to take a backseat when necessary; a school and baseball team that fundraised and prayed fervently for one of their own to return. These are the stories to celebrate and as we all head back to school for another year of challenges and growth, I hope the Keses’ story can provide some motivation to keep things in perspective, work hard and love even harder.
Lynchburg Living magazine is a free full-color publication that promotes Lynchburg and the Central Virginia area as a whole and prides itself as being Lynchburg’s magazine specializing in providing articles concerning upcoming events, entertainment, dining, lifestyle and community. We also include feature articles covering family issues, local arts, clubs and organizations. Lynchburg Living prints more than 20,000 copies bi-monthly and is featured in locations in and around the Lynchburg, Forest and Bedford areas with an estimated reach of over 75,000 in its reading audience.
Publisher Randy Thompson Managing Editor Jennifer Redmond Editorial Director Melissa Stewart Food Editor Patrick Evans-Hylton Contributing Writers Ashley Bunner, Heather Cravens, Claire M. Diamond, Tiffany Lyttle, Drew Menard, Catherine C. Mosley, Suzanne Ramsey, Jennifer Redmond, Susan Timmons Vice President of Production Holly Watters Art Director Chris Meligonis Client Relations Manager Brittany Proctor Contributing Artists Kaye Ellen Trautman, Jessica Toll, Brian Woelfel Web Creative Director Chris Murphy Sr. Web Developer & Web Administrator Brandon Litchfield Web Developer Caleb Whitehead SEO Analyst Michael Saks Marketing Director Lisa Davenport Web Marketing & Promotions Manager Kearsten Walden Photographers Tera Janelle Auch, LaShonda Delivuk, Dani Heitzman, Catherine C. Mosley, Susan Timmons Editorial Intern Ashley Bunner Vice President of Sales & Distribution Paul Brannock Sales Director Cheryl Blevins Account Executives Christie Berry, Missy Celli, Carolyn Keeling, Sam Wilson VistaGraphics Staff Copy Editor Robin Cather Controller Anita Burns Accounting Manager Dawn Meehan Accounting Clerk Sheryl Andersen
MORE ONLINE AT LYNCHBURGLIVING.COM SUBSCRIPTIONS AVAILABLE ONLY $9.97 PER YEAR ONLINE AT LYNCHBURGLIVING.COM
"HOLIDAY ISSUE” November/December 2015 ADVERTISING DEADLINES Advertising Space Reservation: OCTOBER 1 Editorial & Events: OCTOBER 1 Final Artwork: OCTOBER 5 For Advertising Information: 434.846.2333.
Until next time,
Jennifer Redmond, Managing Editor Jennifer@lynchburgmag.com 14
|
LYNCHBURG LIVING SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
Lynchburg Living is published bimonthly by VistaGraphics, Inc. The corporate office is located at 1264 Perimeter Pkwy, Virginia Beach, VA 23454. © 2015 - all rights reserved. Reproduction of any material prepared by VistaGraphics, Inc., and appearing within this publication is strictly prohibited without express written consent of the publisher. Publisher does not purport to authenticate and is not responsible for claims made by advertisers found within this publication.
CO NTENTS
Held from June 20 to 27, the fourth annual Lynchburg Restaurant Week featured 26 locally owned restaurants and raised over $2,250 in donations for Meals on Wheels of the Greater Lynchburg region. “We love Restaurant Week and the ability to talk about our mission and get the word out about our programs is invaluable,” said Kris Shabestar, director of Meals on Wheels. “Getting the word out is absolutely vital to our reaching people in need.” While plans for next year’s restaurant week are already underway, consider donating today at www.mealsonwheelslynchburg.org/ways-to-support/give/. Even a $10 donation is enough to provide two meals for a local individual in need.
Feedback
LIVING FURRY FRIENDS
A New Home for the Humane Society
Myt
h #1
48
|
ving lynchbURg li
JUly/AUgUST
2015
Perhap adoptio s the most stalwar n t of miscon and internais just too expens tional ive. While ception there infant s are it is true is that adoptio creativ ways a family | 4 9 R g l i v i n g . c onm is that w w w. ly n c h b U ity, often a weight private Life Servicegrants, fundra can afford adoptio y ising s (FLS) do they n throug expense, Deann and more. mainta Directo h the country in adoptio e Hamle tte explain r of Family n fees , they adoptio ns. FLS also facilita amongst the s that not Desc only based” te local can also lowest ribin agency saw and intersta 25% g the comple in that assistsbe contrac Mya mom te infant ted to te the any be the necess Colem to get , Andy says ent he “home ans’ adoptio ary require adoptive familie to our determ , ments difficult… n story ination child “The path for adoptios seeking demon , adoptio to ren n. As [but] n is possibl strates, with the the in Col in that was so ingenu e. eMa It was time, all ity After and n Andy an answ of it goes moment Patricia and PatriciaFaMily suffere away. wed, months d the tragedy sudden bond er to pray , Andy struck loss of losses lost his was Due to that the her mother their familie father. insta er, and the potenti life. Andy Colem Howev immed and within s: nt.” ally long ans er, iately wait times, lost, but says, “A new recommitted it was through 8 started a second it would all of life wouldn to the the Colem child, preciou these After give us they would but they the necess ’t replace years s gift ary paperw ans didn’t to try of trying a new focus.” the people of idea where need to anticip adoptio raise to concei ate how ork for we n. “We nephew funds. the funds especia ve, were who was for anothe Patricia initiall quickly lly always the Colem goal.” ans decide first adoptiosince it had open The Colem adopted r child y had to [it]. from no felt a would n. Decidi been a feat ans chose FLS, We have d qualifie connec come to raise ng to d for FLS for so it was always a they receive tion with get creativ 10 adoptio the funds from, how they the staff. the afforda d a call a for the e, Patrici to meet n grants. receive Within bility “We from them. d five a found Patrici receive a few and a potenti they were Three of the a recalls they months al birth us a check d a call days grants , chosen throug later, from their , and for $3,000 a church they applied the Colem family reques h tears baby Chapm girl Mya. within a for. ting ans found an’s organiz and throug in Califor month, With nia who out h Show brough ation, a whirlw wrote t home we receive Hope, ind of ABBA fundra d $5,000 Steven Curtis founda ising tion, spare. .” and a the amoun Two loan throug months second t was later, h the raised daught with er, naming the Colem little time her Ava. ans brough to t home >> their
ww w. l ync hbu rgl ivin g.c om
|
51
Services
library
and
of Museum
institute
courtest y of
Photo
22
|
Lynchburg Living
JuLy/AuguST 2015
ww
w. l
ync
hbu
rgl
ivin
g.c
om
|
23
Our most recent cover featured some of our most adorable cover models to date—Chester and Leroy. On Instagram, commenters wrote, “Want to smush them both!” We couldn’t agree more.
Redefining family
Local Stories of Adoption
+ Grill Up Fresh Corn | FaCes oF lynChbUrG amazement sqUare Wins national medal | oUtdoor Family adventUres
On the Lynchburg Humane Society’s article about their newest location, Shannon Harvey commented, “What you have created is remarkable in so many ways. Keep up the great work!”
By Tiffany LyTTLe
all SMileS— and Patricia andy brought Coleman home two daughte their Mya, rs, with local the ava and adoption help of fundraisi services, adoptionng efforts grants. and
this past Square May amazem was one recogniz ent of during 10 national ed as a ceremon winners the White the only House; y at Virginia institutio it was n from to win this year.
T
here’s a reason walk it’s called throug Amaze h the museu ment m, amaze doors at Four Square Lynch floors of hands- ment is exactly burg’s premie. When you play and on exhibi learn. r childre what zip-lin From you’ll ts invite n’s e, the paintin find. childre interac g excitin n of all tive format on the walls g experi ages to ence at Amaze to swingi Found for all ng down ed in ment guests 2001, multid Square a . Amaze isciplin creates ment ary childre it occupi an Square es dates n’s museu is Lynch a Civil back burg’s m. The War-er to first J.W. Wood a comm the 1860’s wholes , when ale issary, later becom the facility building the railroa grocery. The Bob Goodl buildin served ing atte, Lynch a and early d—Lynchbur g’s proxim as wareho Smith, burg use and the princip 20th centur g’s primar ity City role in y trading to the James al of Hutche Schoo ies—in the city’s ls, River dicates routes econom Today, rson Early and most and in the that “Amazem recentl Learni heritag the museum ic development it likely played late 19th ng Center y, Polly e throug pays children ent Squ . a major homag apprec . h exhibi e to Lynch are is iation, ts that ’s mus geogra and region feature burg’s with a won eum rich local our al history phy, enviro derful art, archite that has nment . activitie school to al issues, Nat ctural ioNa cultura engage partnere s l awaren The highes l Rec d our prog for young in ogN ess t honor Medal children learning a museu itioN for Museu The mus rams for m could given atte m and by the hope Librar Institu to obtain that a providin eum has at-risk stud nding te of Museuy Service. museu This disting is the Nation been m has ents. g serving m and crea al its comm reached the uished creativit activitie Librar y Servic award highes s to fost ting and unity. Amaze y es signifi t level ment kinderga and cogn of achiev three Square er curi es consec was nomin ement osit utive rten stud ition in in years. ated for Nomin our pre- y, this award Hundr ents,” ations eds of came for the said were museu from past nomin Smith. Congr ated this ms and librarie essman Amaze year, ment but only s from around this recogn Square 10 receive was the the countr ition. only institu d an award. y >> tion in Virgin ia to receive
Don’t miss all the articles and comments online and on Instagram:
JULY/AUGUST 2015
Have How LocaL FamiLies and opened THeir Homes HearTs To adopTion
garners enthusiastic those concepts that doption is one of to commit to it. Take difficult for families support, but it can be Services: while 1 in 3 by Bethany Christian this statistic reported follow through. only a mere 2% actually families discuss adoption, lovingly commit to them, waiting for a family to we With thousands of children reasons are many, here adopt? Though the families why do only 2% of families share the stories of local misconceptions and debunk three common to new possibilities. >> their homes and hearts who decided to open
By Claire Molineaux DiaMonD
LYNCHBURG
Redefining Family:
“I was thrilled to read the Adoption feature in the July/August issue. Not only A is the article beautiful with the lively and attractive photos of each of the three families, but the content is spot-on and very practical for readers in the community. I appreciate the accuracy with which it was written, and the use of positive and appropriate adoption language (both can be rare finds when media approaches the topic of adoption). Thank you for your excellent work and for giving adoption a voice in this first-class publication!” Deanne Hamlette, Director, FamilyLifeServices.org *Editor’s Note: Kudos to our writer Tiffany Lyttle for tackling such an important subject!
AmAzement SquAre winS nAtionAl AwArd
LYNCHBURG’S PREMIER LIFESTYLE & ENTERTAINMENT MAGAZINE
[ f e aT U R e ]
FE ATURE
ArT
Amazing Accolades:
Photo courtesy of Amazement Square
4th Annual Lynchburg Restaurant Week Recap
[ arT]
Photo courtesy amazem of ent Square
“I wanted to reach out to you and THANK YOU wholeheartedly for the amazing job your team did with the ART feature on Amazement Square in the most recent issue. I am so grateful for the attention to detail. . . the photos and layout look great!” Ashleigh B. Karol, Director of Marketing, Amazement Square
FE ATUR
E
“Lynchburg Living magazine did a fantastic article on our famous strawberry shortcake in their most recent July edition! Thanks, Lynchburg Living!” A Mister Goodies post on Instagram.
@LynchburgLiving #LynchburgLiving
www.facebook.com/lynchburgliving
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Write to Feedback, Lynchburg Living magazine, 1035 Avalon Dr., Forest, VA 24551. Send e-mail to feedback@lynchburgliving.com. Correspondents must identify themselves; names may be withheld on request. Lynchburg Living may edit or condense letters.
PICK OF THE LITTER EVERY ISSUE, LYNCHBURG LIVING PARTNERS WITH THE LYNCHBURG HUMANE SOCIETY MEET “CASEY” Casey loves to lounge around in the different shelves around the cat room here at the new center
LIVINGLIVINGLIVINGLIVING LYNCHBURG’S PREMIER LIFESTYLE & ENTERTAINMENT MAGAZINE
LYNCHBURG’S PREMIER LIFESTYLE & ENTERTAINMENT MAGAZINE
calm and appreciates receiving
MAY/JUNE 2015
JULY/AUGUST 2015
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015
BEST OF AWARDS
GIVING BACK AWARDS
Reader Rated List of Region’s Top Picks
June 20-27
Honoring the region’s outstanding nonprofits
attention and love from people! Since this handsome guy is a
LYNCHBURG
LYNCHBURG
LYNCHBURG
for pets. He is incredibly sweet and
LYNCHBURG’S PREMIER LIFESTYLE & ENTERTAINMENT MAGAZINE
LYNCHBURG
LYNCHBURG’S PREMIER LIFESTYLE & ENTERTAINMENT MAGAZINE
FURRY FRIENDS A Hometown Beauty Queen
AN OLD-FASHIONED
CHRISTMAS
Getting to Know Locally Raised Miss Virginia Local farmhouse becomes a
vintage haven for holiday décor
+ HIT THE SLOPES | CrIb Crazy! THE PrESIDENT’S CabIN | SPICE UP yOUr PLaTE
Women Warriors
senior—he is around twelve and a
A New Home for the Humane Society
Redefining family Local Stories of Adoption
Stories of Local Veterans
+ HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE | TEA TIME LITTLE FREE LIBRARIES | A COASTAL CHRISTMAS
+ Grill Up Fresh Corn | FaCes oF lynChbUrG amazement sqUare Wins national medal | oUtdoor Family adventUres
+ ScholarShip ESSay WinnEr | nEW Football DEvElopmEnt lEaguE paul clEmEntS’ bluFFWalk projEct | local campuS garDEnS anD markEtS
half years old—his adoption fee is waived! This makes the decision to take him home that much easier.
If you are interested in adopting Casey, please call the Lynchburg Humane Society at (434) 448-0088 or visit the shelter at 1211 Old Graves Mill Road.
UPDATE:
Gabby, last issue’s Pick of the Litter, is still looking for her forever home!
A Subscription to Lynchburg Living is Only $9.97 per year! 6 ISSUES ANNUALLY! DON’T MISS THE NEXT ONE!
www.LynchburgLiving.com W W W. LY N C H B U R G L I V I N G . C O M
|
15
Presenting 415 Howard Drive
4 Bedrooms - 3 Full 2 Half Baths - 4,721 Sqft. -Gorgeous Estate Style Home on 7 Acres in one of Boonsboro’s Most Sought After Locations -Custom Salt Water Gunite Kidney Shaped Pool $825,000 $799,000
MLS # 292102
-Main-Level Lving, 3 Car Garage & Gorgeous Outdoor Spaces
Looking to Buy or Sell?
Call Lauren Bell (434) 221-9375 www.LaurenBellRealEstate.com Forest’s Newest Upscale Subdivision
www.LakeManorEstates.com
Insurance |
Investments |
Financial Planning
It’s Been 33 Years...
and We’re Just Getting Started!
205 Archway Ct, Lynchburg, VA 24502
(434) 239-8810 Ford Mays is a registered representative of and offers securities, investment advisory and financial planning services through MML Investors Services, LLC. Member SIPC. Supervisory Office: 222 Central Park Ave., Suite 1100 Virginia Beach, VA 23462-3029 (757) 490-9041. Ford Mays Wealth Management is not a subsidiary or affiliate of MML Investors Services, LLC. or its affiliated companies.
ARTIST PROFILE
ARTIST
PROFIL E
Mark Poleski OCCUPATION: Wood Sculptor, Chainsaw Carver
Mark, you work in several different mediums of art, so how did wood carving become your main focus? I’ve drawn most of my life and have done a lot of portrait, abstract and graphic work. I had always wanted to do sculpture. Marble was attractive but not the easiest to obtain and sculpt. But working in 3-D was where I wanted to go. I saw a chainsaw carved wood bear, and I thought I’d try it. One evening after cutting firewood, I took my chainsaw to a log and carved a bear. I was hooked from that point.
When did you start wood carving? Winter, 2011
Did you ever formally study art? No, I’ve gotten to where I am through focus and practice.
What are some of the behind-the-scenes realities of your work? How much preparation goes into a piece? When I first start talking with a client, we discuss the sculpture he or she wants, which includes the type of animal, the size, the pose,
18
|
LYNCHBURG LIVING
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
|
AGE: 45
|
HOMETOWN: Amherst, Virginia
the expression and emotion, and the finish, whether it is left natural, stained or painted and sealed. Next, I draw a sketch for the client’s approval. After a sculpture design is done, I start looking for a log that will suit the piece. Sometimes I have an appropriate log on hand, and sometimes I work with local loggers to find what I need. Once I have the log, I strip it of the bark and occasionally will spray paint an outline and guides for the design onto the surface; other times I go straight to chainsawing. Carving away the bulk of the unnecessary wood to reveal the basic shape of the piece goes pretty quickly. After that, I continue to shape the piece with chainsaws and other tools. The refining work and details, such as fur and the face, come last, followed by the finishing color and sealer when needed.
Do you have a set plan of what your sculptures will look like when you set to work, or does it simply take shape as you work? I do have an idea as to what I’m going to do, but it isn’t set in stone. It takes shape as I work. The creativity isn’t always on tap. I have to coax it to come out. But once I start a piece, everything starts to flow.
ARTIST PROFILE What is the inspiration behind your designs?
Do you sell your work to people outside of Central Virginia?
Inspiration comes from the design process itself, and the challenge of creating sculptures I’ve never before tried.
In the beginning most of my work was sold locally, mainly around Wintergreen and in Amherst County. Now, nearly all of it is commissioned by clients all over the U.S. My work especially has been gaining popularity in the central and western parts of the country. My clients usually say they have never seen sculptures with such attention to detail that convey emotion and stay true to the animal form.
How much of your work is commissioned, and how much do you start independently and then sell? I started out carving lots of bears that would then be sold, but now nearly all my work is commissioned. I do try to keep a few small, rustic bears available since they’ve become popular. Today, most of my clients find us through our Etsy store, Etsy.com/SleepyHollowArtists, and website, SleepyHollowArt.com.
How many hours go into a typical carving? What factors affect the amount of time invested?
What do you hope to accomplish through your artwork? I enjoy making my clients happy and watching their reaction and emotion when they see their sculpture. Personally, I am always exploring my creativity in order to continually take it to the next level.
The design process and finding a log can take up to a week. The smaller carvings take one or two days, and the larger sculptures take about a week to carve. Using the chainsaw makes it go quicker. Before adding a finish such as paint, stain or sealer, I let the wood sculpture sit and dry for as long as the client will allow, typically two to four weeks. Then I apply the finish and let it sit for a day to dry at which point it is ready to be shipped or picked-up. Other factors that affect the amount of time it takes to complete a piece are the complexity of the design and the type of wood.
Do you have a gallery? Are people able to come view your finished pieces or watch you working on a piece?
What is your favorite thing to sculpt/carve?
The Lynchburg community is an untapped resource for me. Most of my work has been in Amherst, Nelson and Bedford counties and all over the U.S. I look forward to being part of the Lynchburg art scene.
My favorite type of sculpture is one I have never done before.
You do much more than just wood sculptures. Could you tell us about some of the other pieces you have created? I have done a lot of graphite portraits of people and animals as well as oil and watercolor paintings and airbrushing.
What has been one of your greatest challenges as an artist? Finding a way to plug into the art world and be successful.
Wood carving seems to be somewhat of a lost art form. How are you helping to bring this medium of art to the attention of people in the local area?
I work at my home studio, and clients are welcome to stop by and watch the progress. In the future, I plan to build a gallery space on our property which would be open to the public.
What is your favorite aspect of being part of the Lynchburg community?
What’s next for you? I continue to push the limits and create more impressive pieces. I want to work outside of the log itself and sculpt more intricate, complex and multi-log constructed designs. I am working my way into selling sculptures at local retail stores and gaining national corporate and resort clients for commissioned art. I am also interested in contributing to greenway projects, parks, playgrounds and city revitalization efforts.
I enjoy talking to people about carving and inspiring them to try something artistic.
LARGE SCALE DETAIL: Poleski’s clients tell him they “have never seen sculptures with such attention to detail that convey emotion and stay true to the animal form.”
W W W. LY N C H B U R G L I V I N G . C O M
|
19
MAKING MEETINGS MATTER With ample seating, the latest technological resources, tasteful ambiance, and competitive prices, the Liberty Mountain Conference Center provides everything you need to ensure that your next corporate event is a success.
WWW.LIBERTYMOUNTAINCONFERENCECENTER .COM (434) 592-5600 | 3700 Candlers Mountain Road, Lynchburg, Va. 24502
W W W.L I B E R T Y M O U N TA I N C O N F E R E N C E C E N T E R .C O M (434) 592-5600
|
3700 Candlers Mountain Road, Lynchburg, Va. 24502
[ ART]
ART CLASSES with a Twist (or Sip!) BY CATHERINE CHAPMAN MOSLEY
W W W. LY N C H B U R G L I V I N G . C O M
|
21
ART
c
s s 80+ CLASSES FOR ALL AGES & INTERESTS NEWBORN-4 yrs. Kindermusik: Try a free class! Dance: In Collaboration with Dance Lynchburg
Ballet
Offering Creative Movement, Pre-Ballet, Ballet 1-4, Dance Mix, Modern and Zumba Classes
2225 Lakeside Drivie | Lynchburg, VA (434) 907-8828 | www.cvballet.com
KEEP CALM AND PUT YOUR HORMONES ON
Do you use compounded medications? If so, call us for pricing on new or transferred compounded prescriptions. • Bio-identical hormones • Pain Medications; Pet Medications • Skin Preparations
Like Us on Facebook
Graham H. Stephens, R.Ph. (540) 345-6480 • (434) 851-5015 Serving Southwest & Central Virginia for Over 15 Years
22
|
LYNCHBURG LIVING
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
ADULTS- AGES 15+ DJ 101 Improv Pop Art Drawing Paper Mache Recycled Art Pottery Basics Pottery Projects Creativity in Clay Beginning Pottery FREE! Art + Business Public Art & Street Art Intro to Screenprinting Clay Weekend Workshop Arts Uncorked: Wine + Art! Hand Building & Throwing Watercolors, Oils & Acrylics Drawing & Sculpting the Live Figure Playwriting & Auditioning Workshops Dance: Cardio Funk & Afro-Caribbean
REGISTER NOW! Classes begin Sept. 1
AcademyFineArts.com
Photo courtesy of Amazement Square
Central Virginia
KIDS & TEENS Young Artists DJ 101 Kids Paint! FALL into Art Young Potters Kids Clayworks FAMILY! Saturdays Drawing & Painting Performing Arts Class Dance: Ballet, Hip Hop, Primary, Modern & Jazz
ART
L
auren Oetgen Grimmett has always been creative. She constantly has ongoing artistic projects in process for family, friends or home decor. So when a friend suggested an “Arts Uncorked” evening at the Academy of Fine Arts, it was a perfect fit. Friends and wine already have the ingredients for a great girls’ night. Add art, and it becomes sublime. “There’s something wonderful about unplugging from the everyday schedule of work and family life to get together with friends and lose yourself in a project,” says Grimmett. “After each of us selected a special photo, we gathered together on a Friday night and just let our imaginations take over. Our instructor was wonderful, and the company and atmosphere were relaxing and fun.” The project entailed tracing black and white copies of treasured photos, choosing a color scheme, painting within that chosen palette and finishing with an Andy Warhol-like canvas. Grimmett’s piece was admired by the entire class and when posted on social media, she was asked if it was for sale. “I was very flattered, but the piece is actually very special to me,” says Grimmett. “Not only is it a special memory of my son’s love for swimming, but it’s also a remembrance of a fun night with friends. I actually repeated the technique for a gift for my stepdaughter and have another piece in the works for our home.” Grimmett’s sentiments sum up the growing popularity of wine and art classes. And, there are quite a few places in the Lynchburg region where you can take advantage of this growing trend. On a serene summer evening—not too hot or humid—a group of about 20 women surround Kathlyn Wade’s backyard swimming pool in >>
VARIATION ON A THEME: In recent months, art and vino events have surged in popularity with various interpretations such as outdoor settings, private parties and even “Mommy & Me” collaborations.
W W W. LY N C H B U R G L I V I N G . C O M
|
23
ART
NO PRESSURE: Author Cat Mosley (middle left) appreciated the low key atmosphere that allowed for a relaxing and enjoyable experience.
the Boonsboro area. The inspired setting includes a gorgeous mountain view, scattered palettes and wine bottles delicately placed among the canvases. Each canvas includes an emerging rooster—perfect for a kitchen wall. The proud bird is the topic of this week’s Patriotic Peacock class. “This is therapy,” says one novice painter. Adds Kimberly Case, “I heard about the Patriotic Peacock on Facebook. This is my second class… I have never drawn before other than coloring books with my kids.” Jessica Clarkson and Whitney Talley went to high school with Wade and also learned about her blog and classes through Facebook. “This is a perfect summer activity for adults,” says one. “It’s so soothing.”
The class turns its attention to Wade, who is guiding with her brush and canvas. “Get the outline and come underneath to get the shape you want. Then blend it in. It’s like we are making a rainbow.” Kathlyn Wade grew up in the Lynchburg area and has always loved art, painting and crafting. “Anything that would allow me to be creative,” exudes Wade. “I have an incredibly talented and creative grandmother and mom, and I am sure my love for art stems from growing up, seeing them dabble in all sorts of crafts…I have always loved painting and even though I enjoy other art mediums, painting has been something I've always come back to.” >>
24
|
LYNCHBURG LIVING
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
ART
WHERE THE ART IS
Riverviews is a creative laboratory, exhibition space, meeting space and performance and film venue for a vibrant community of artists and other creatives in Central Virginia.
To learn about our studios, artists and other creatives and our programs, visit our website www.riverviews.net
Celebrating 15 Years of Musical Excellence in Central Virginia Mark Your Calendars Now
15th Anniversary Alumni & Sounds of the Season Concert Friday, December 4th, 7:00pm at E.C. Glass High School For New Member Information:
Please Call 434-845-6675 or Visit Our Website: lynchburgyouthorchestra.com Follow us on Facebook: Lynchburg Symphony Youth Orchestra
W W W. LY N C H B U R G L I V I N G . C O M
|
25
ART
Nov. 8, 2015 passion, infidelity and tragedy wrapped in Bizet’s gorgeous melodies
JaN. 29, 30 & 31, 2016 90 minute family opera in association with the Academy of Fine Arts
z 3 Billy
Goats Gruff
Stop bully apr. 8 & 10, 2016 Donizetti’s delightful romantic comedy— opera buffa at its best!
Fall 2015 performed in elementary schools and at community venues
TickeTs For our New seasoN oN sale sepTember 1. operaonTheJames.org / 434.528.3397
26
|
LYNCHBURG LIVING
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
ART
Wade started to channel her creativity through a blog in 2008, and through it her other social media outlets grew. With over 6,600 followers on Facebook, she’s found a niche. Locally, her wine and paint classes are also very popular. “My clientele, so far, seems to be women of every age,” says Wade. “We’ve had only two men come to class in the 20 or more classes we’ve had throughout the summer. The most popular ages appear to be 21 to 45. I have had several repeat customers, and a few that have been three to four times. I love when I see that spark of creativity in someone else...We are really able to form a great friendship through art.” In addition to classes, the Patriotic Peacock and other paint and sip groups offer private parties.
“(It’s) a great reason to get a group of friends together and enjoy an evening doing something new and fresh,” adds Wade. “I think in a smaller town like Lynchburg, it’s nice to be able to add our classes to the list of fun options for getting out and meeting new people while learning something new.” Wade has recently moved classes to Studio Eleven on Main Street in Lynchburg. The new location will allow classes to continue as summer days wane towards autumn temperatures. >>
OPEN TO INTERPRETATION: Since participants keep their finished products, they’re the only “judge” that matters, leaving interpretation of the model painting up to each individual’s personal taste, style and ability.
W W W. LY N C H B U R G L I V I N G . C O M
|
27
ART
HANDS ON: “Paint with Me” classes, like those pictured below, allow parents and their children to creatively collaborate and make memorable keepsakes.
But the Academy
The Academy
of Fine Arts and the
of Fine Arts has
Patriotic Peacock are not
also created its
the only local options for
own spin on these
fun painting classes with
classes—recently
wine… OR with kids.
“Clay over Vino” was a popular choice in the “Arts Uncorked”
Pastiche at Main has
category of the Academy’s class list.
started “Paint & Pinot”
that they are always small and intimate. “We try to do our best to
also just launched a “Paint with Me” series where kids can come and
give one-on-one help and direction while keeping our standard of
make adorable keepsake paintings with their parent(s).
paintings high,” adds Wade.
Heather Hicks recently taught the first class where children used their handprints and the verse “You are my Sunshine,” from the popular childhood song, to create colorful canvases. “I love painting with my own daughter,” says Hicks who has a
“When our family moved to the Forest area in November 2014, it seemed like the perfect opportunity for me to once again make a unique career change,” reveals Shannon Smith, owner of Sip and Spatter, the first permanent sip and paint studio in the region.
fine art and art history classes.
“Throughout my career I have been motivated by both my
“I’ve done these [types of] classes twice before,” says one mom. “My daughter loves art, and I am trying to find things where she can paint and do things…something fun that we can do together.”
|
Newly opened Sip and Spatter in Forest is yet another option.
B.A. in graphic design but fell in love with painting while taking
“I am going to give you basic tips, and we will begin filling up your palettes with paints,” Hicks instructs her young painters, some of her students sitting on their mother’s laps. Using an egg carton as the palette, the boys and girls begin their work.
28
The common thread woven through these newfangled classes is
workshops, but they have
LYNCHBURG LIVING
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
desire to work with people and to think ‘outside the box.’” Smith points out that the rapid growth of the sip and spatter industry has been highlighted in both Entrepreneur and Businessweek magazines. “It is shown as an innovative way to provide entertainment to a wide range of individuals, while promoting knowledge of the arts and providing a cultural experience—not to mention an appreciation of wine!” adds Smith. “People that claim to have no artistic ability are learning how to tap into their inner artist and grow the right side of their brain in ways they never
ART dreamed possible. In addition, customers leave a session with something to show for it—a masterpiece of their very own.” The White Hart in downtown Lynchburg has also jumped on the bandwagon. Owner Abe Loper says his coffee shop has partnered with Paint Nite, a larger organization that operates throughout the country. “We will be hosting Paint Nite events every Sunday night throughout September,” says Loper. “The White Hart has decided to host the events because we believe that artistic expression plays an integral role in helping people relax and expand their point of view. As a business, we are focused on our community and supporting local arts and culture projects...The response has been incredible.” As you might guess, Lynchburg’s Junior League has also created its own spin on the trend. Local artists guide each group with step-by-step instructions. The events often sell out. Early classes were held at the Junior League of Lynchburg’s headquarters and at Randolph College, but due to popularity, the classes are now held at Boonsboro Country Club.
“These types of events are great for teambuilding amongst organization membership while meeting and networking with community members,” says Junior League President-Elect Amanda Denny. “We have had a blast and gotten to know each other even better while tapping into our creativity, [so] we will be offering these classes again this year.” The vast array of painting options has certainly tapped—or should we say “uncorked”—a creative wellspring. “The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls,” reads a Pablo Picasso quote on the Sip and Spatter website. Adds Smith, “Art has no boundaries.” These sayings aptly sum up the plethora of art classes with a twist that have landed in Lynchburg—hopefully to stay.
5 Local Ways to Get Artistic Sip and Spatter www.sipandspatter.com
Arts Uncorked www.academyfinearts.com/classes/classes.asp
The Patriotic Peacock/Studio Eleven www.facebook.com/PatrioticPeacock
Paint Nite @ The White Hart www.paintnite.com
Pastiche at Main www.pasticheatmain.com/#!workshops/cvgb
W W W. LY N C H B U R G L I V I N G . C O M
|
29
H OME
Lancaster GaLLeries, inc. House of fine furniture And MAttresses Complimentary in-home design consultation with minimal purchase.
434-846-8465
www.lAncAstergAlleries.net 3509 MeMoriAl Ave., lyncHburg, 24501 corner of fort Ave. & MeMoriAl Ave.
Over 33,000 Sq. Ft OF Wall tO Wall Furniture Family Owned & Operated Since 1961 30
|
LYNCHBURG LIVING
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
“Knock On Wood”:
A FAMILY WHO BUILT THEIR DREAM HOME DESPITE CHALLENGING OBSTACLES PHOTOGRAPHY BY TERA JANELLE AUCH
W W W. LY N C H B U R G L I V I N G . C O M
|
31
H OME
BOUND TOGETHER: Though Greg and Rachel Besaw faced numerous challenges in building their own home, they focused on learning to adapt to their circumstances while prioritizing the family as a whole.
G
reg Besaw, a licensed class A contractor and owner of RSB Inc., is a builder who has had his own business for nearly nine years and has been building custom homes for the past four. Greg and his wife Rachel decided to put his talents to use several years ago by building a family home in Concord, Va., where they resided until choosing to move closer to Lynchburg. They bought a quarter acre lot, which was all they could afford at the time, and began construction. While they built their new home, they were living in a rental, and as they were nearing completion on the home in 2008, the economy crashed. Realizing that they would ultimately want more land and space, they decided to try selling the home despite the recession. Rachel didn’t think it would easily sell given the economic climate, but much to her pleasant surprise, it sold within two short weeks of being listed. They knew they had made the right decision, but they weren’t giving up on their dream of building a family home just yet. In the meantime, they found themselves as renters yet again. Securing land was a process, but they wanted to make sure that this time they found property that would meet all of their needs over the next several years. When they sat down to design their home, Rachel pulled out graph paper and began to plot the dreams she
32
|
LYNCHBURG LIVING
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
had stored away in her mind. She wanted a practical and functional home that would grow with the needs of their children—today the oldest, Brayden, is 11, Bella is eight and their youngest, Lola, is six.
“The plan evolved,” Rachel said. “It was a year of drawing, erasing and changing what was in my head. We make a good team.” When they found the land they now call home, they were shocked to find seven acres for sale in the heart of Forest, Va. They contacted the owner, who happened to be a developer, and were able to close at a reasonable price. Though the land is right off of a main road, they are completely secluded with woods and a creek surrounding them, ideal for young children and all of their friends. “I love our location,” Rachel said. After the land was secured, Greg began construction, investing nights and weekends on his own home while still trying to run his company throughout the week. But just as they started on the foundation work, Greg lost his footing, slipped and fell off the >>
~
N O W
L E A S I N G
~
Luxury Living in Lynchburg The Gardens is about choices and personalization. Choose the spaces, amenities, and activities that you want and enjoy. It’s all up to you.
Located just off Timberlake Road behind the Kroger, The Gardens is a sophisticated 16-acre residential development nestled in one of the most desirable Lynchburg neighborhoods. With 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom apartment homes and 3-bedroom townhomes, living spaces at The Gardens are larger than what you expect with a range of sizes and designs to accommodate your lifestyle.
Learn more at www.gardensontimberlake.com.
Amenities include: • Gated entrance • Security with individual access control • Two-level Clubhouse with cinema and fitness center • Pool, Lazy River, hot tub • Fire pit • Outdoor lighting • Lighted walking trail • Dog park • Putting green • Playground • Picnic areas • Bocce Ball court • Recreation field
The Gardens on Timberlake • 240 Beverly Hills Circle, Lynchburg, VA 24502 • www.gardensontimberlake.com
For leasing information, call Faye Spraker at Spaces (434) 942-0392.
H OME
2011 Enterprise Drive Forest, VA 24551 Tile, Carpet, Hardwood, Area Rugs, & more. Residential & Commercial
“You’ll Be Floored!” 434.316.5985 • PiedmontFloor.com
Proudly Uses
antiqueS & eState iteMS downtown 1301 Main St. 434.845.0555
ForeSt 14521 ForeSt rd. 434.616.2158
estatesrevisited.com • Like us on Facebook! 34
|
LYNCHBURG LIVING
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
fosterconstruction@gmail.com
H OME
PERSONALIZED DESIGN: The Besaws envisioned a home that would adapt to the needs of their children as they grew older. BOTTOM: Today, Bella, Brayden and Lola (left to right) enjoy their secluded seven acres and surrounding creek.
roof of another job site. He suffered several injuries including broken ribs and brief amnesia for two days, leaving him unable to work for six months. Being a one-income family, the Besaws are accustomed to sacrifices, but this trial was one of the most strenuous experiences of their marriage. They filed a claim for worker’s compensation, but since there were no witnesses to his fall, they were denied coverage. Eventually a lawsuit was filed, which they won and all of their medical bills were settled, but it was an arduous and trying process on the entire family. In the meantime, two weeks after Greg’s fall, their son Brayden began having a problem with his eyes twitching uncontrollably. As they sought medical advice, they found themselves at UVA, Duke and Johns Hopkins Medical Center, but still to this day have no explanation of what happened or answers as to what caused the severe twitch. Rachel said that in time he has learned to adapt and doesn’t let it phase him. Though it is something he deals with daily, Brayden’s outlook remains positive and his attitude uplifting about the whole situation. Living life literally through the eyes of a child, his perspective is that “it’s my superpower,” Rachel said. “It could have been a difficult thing, but because of his good nature, it’s no big deal,” Rachel said. “It was a really difficult time. The house wasn’t even a priority. Our lease was running out, and we had no income. We were homeless for two months, so we lived in a hotel and with family and moved into the house before it was completely finished.” In spite of the tragedies and hardships they faced while building their house, the Besaws learned to overcome and press on with grace on their lips and joy in their hearts. Though the house sat on the back
burner that year, they were determined to complete what they started. They finally moved in the Saturday before Christmas in 2012, but then the day after Christmas, they faced yet another obstacle and had to move out because the septic had been incorrectly installed. So once again, they found themselves without a home and living in a hotel while it was being fixed. New Year’s Day, they moved back into the house with only one working toilet and five people sharing the kids’ bathroom. Over two years later, they still have a long list of projects they would like to complete, but they have come to terms with the fact that when building a house, “it takes longer and costs more than you initially expect.” Rachel said, “It’s a stressful process.”
“This house in so many ways is such a picture of our lives and our marriage,” Rachel said. “It’s about renewing and redoing and taking a step back and seeing what can change. It is a work in progress—our house, our life, our marriage and kids growing. There’s no way to have everything complete and finished or finalized. It’s always changing, so we roll with the punches.” Today, their four bedroom, two-and-a-half bath house is still a work-in-progress; it features an open concept with only four rooms >> W W W. LY N C H B U R G L I V I N G . C O M
|
35
H OME
FUNCTIONAL COMFORT: With an open concept floor plan, the Besaws have the advantage of comfortable living spaces that can adjust to the circumstances be they large family gatherings or nights spent working on school projects together.
total on the main level, yet a total of 3,600-square-feet. When it is completed, the addition of the finished basement will allow them to have 5,000-square-feet of livable space before even counting the bonus room and garage. “I don’t feel cramped because there is plenty of seating, and it’s functional,” Rachel said. “These are just very big spacious rooms.” Practically, they strived to build a functional house, but aesthetically they sought to design a comfortable home for young children—a home where their kids could build forts in the living room, conduct science experiments in the dining room or create craft projects at the kitchen island. As the design of the house was coming to fruition, they were meticulous about finding ways that would make life for a busy family of five more functional. What they accomplished was a warm and inviting home. To avoid clutter, they designed the house with 16 closets. They even made their stairwell four feet wide so that it would be accessible for moving furniture upstairs and also very practical for future living in case it ever becomes necessary to install a chair lift as they age. “This is where we’ll be until we’re too old to go upstairs,” Rachel shared. >>
36
|
LYNCHBURG LIVING
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
H OME
www.c21all-service.com
www.century21.com
Proudly Serving All Of Central Virginia Amherst Office
101 South Main Street Amherst, VA 24521
434-946-0580
Bedford Office
1525 Longwood Ave., Suite A Bedford, VA 24523
540-586-5500
“Our Passion For Excellence Will Move You!”
Relocation 877-391-2121 Photographs Courtesy of Tommie Milacci Photography
Appomattox Office 2071 Confederate Blvd. Appomattox, VA 24522
434-352-2318
Forest Office
Lynchburg Office
434-525-1212
434-237-7777
14805 Forest Road, Suite 229 Forest, VA 24551
20886 Timberlake Road Lynchburg, VA 24502
Make Your Home, A Home
0233167/K5856
Come in and see our Grand selection of Living Room Groups. From MicroFiber to Leather and everything in between, we have a large variety of colors, fabrics and styles! Let Grand’s experienced sales staff help you make your home a Grand home!
LYNCHBURG
5401 Fort Avenue 434.239.5900 Open Every Day www.grandhomefurnishings.com
W W W. LY N C H B U R G L I V I N G . C O M
|
37
H OME
Grommet Rod Pocket Pinch Pleat 50 Colors Always Lined Up to 120”L
Happy Halloween . . . As a local independent agent, representing Auto-Owners Insurance, I’m here for you and all your insurance needs 24/7!
Made in USA Quick Ship
Call or visit us:
Sheila Norris
Call or visit us Lynchburg • 434-544-9520
AGENCY NAME
www.campbellins.com
18458 Forest Rd / M-F 10-5:30 Sat 10-4 / 434-385-6040 www.curtainblindbath.com
Need to sell? Relocating? Choose a Realtor who chooses to give back! Nadine Blakely gives from every closing to these charities and organizations.
Town Name • 555-555-5555 website
Need to buy? Downsizing?
You Need Nadine Blakely, Realtor! “Your Neighborhood Specialist”
Nadine Blakely, Realtor ® Accredited Staging Professional Senior Real Estate Specialist
(434) 444-2226
www.NadineBlakelyHomes.com Email: nadineblakely@remax.net
38
|
LYNCHBURG LIVING
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
H OME
UNIQUE RETREATS: The upstairs quarters feature customized fixtures like lofts for the girls to enjoy and hand built furniture set off with a rock wall in the master suite.
Another unique aspect they customized was purposely designing all the bedrooms to be on the second level including the master suite. When they entertain and have dinner or pool parties, they wanted to have a separate space that was completely private.
“I just wanted our upstairs to be our private quarters,” Rachel said. “That way everything feels peaceful. I can go upstairs and be at peace. I love that we’re upstairs, and I love the view from our master window. I like having the kids on the same level.” Much of the furniture is a reflection of their personal style and design aesthetic since it was handmade by Greg. He built their bed in the master bedroom as a Christmas present to Rachel and handmade the end tables. He also built his oldest daughter Bella’s four poster bed, which he based on one Rachel had admired from Europe. In their youngest daughter’s room, he built a loft into a nook where Bella and Lola can play together. Downstairs, Greg built their dining room table out of excess wood flooring from a job he had worked on in Madison Heights. They wanted a rustic farmhouse table big enough to seat all of the adults in their family without incorporating a >>
W W W. LY N C H B U R G L I V I N G . C O M
|
39
H OME
TRUST. INTEGRITY. TEAMWORK. And a reputation you can count on.
Interiors by
Interiors by
www.moyanne.com
Heating and Cooling Installation and Maintenance Water Heaters n Duct Cleaning n Air Sterilization
www.moyanne.com
We’re Moving Downtown!
Huge Moving Sale Now! 70% off Home furnishings and Fabrics
TERRELL E. MOSELEY, INC. Established 1936
40
|
LYNCHBURG LIVING
www.terrellemoseley.com • 434-847-1223
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
2711 Rivermont Avenue, Lynchburg 434.384.6844
H OME
BY HAND: Greg built the farmhouse table to suit the family's preferences.
leaf, so they actually measured the table first to make sure it would fit comfortably in the dining room when drafting the floor plan. In terms of their furniture, Rachel says, “I would much rather wait so [Greg] can build it, [then] it is custom to us—nobody has a piece like it. He’s pretty handy.” The couple was also very intentional about incorporating natural elements in unique ways. For example, they creatively used stone throughout the house. The fireplace hearth was constructed from rock, reminding Rachel of the hearth in the house she grew up in. They didn’t stop with only traditional applications of stone however. Since the browns and grays found in the rock are neutral, it complements any color palette, so they have carried that rustic yet neutral finish throughout the house by using it to surround the bathtub in the master bathroom and as a wall accent in the master bedroom. Greg surprised Rachel one day by creating a wall entirely
out of rock that became a dramatic focal point in their master bedroom. Creatively it almost doubles as a headboard by defining that wall exclusively for the bed. Outdoors they have used rock by the pool, as a fire pit wall and eventually they hope to tie it all together by using stone around the front door and to cover the concrete foundation. “I love the look and the warmness of it,” Rachel said. Their inspiring use of common everyday materials is accented in nearly every square inch of the house. In addition to the creative use of stone and wood flooring for their dining table, they innovatively used shipping palettes to create a shelf for the living room, signs to display above their bed and the kitchen sink and even to cover a wall in the powder bathroom. >>
W W W. LY N C H B U R G L I V I N G . C O M
|
41
H OME
COLORFUL ACCENTS: Naturally favoring red as a home accent color, Rachel has ample opportunity to highlight and seamlessly merge autumn decor throughout their home.
42
|
LYNCHBURG LIVING
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
Since red is Rachel’s favorite color, it became a strong accent mixed with yellows and prints throughout the entire downstairs, adding to the home’s rustic charm. When they were moving into the house, it was a push to get all of the finishing touches done and their money was tapped out, so rather than live without counters while they saved for expensive granite, Greg formed up, poured and painted concrete countertops for a mere $100. It was an all night job, and it is not his trade, but they are completely functional and have served them well for the past two years while they save for solid-surface counters someday. The Besaws have served many people in the community, but when their focus was abruptly shifted due to the challenges of building their own home, it realigned their priorities reminding them not to let life’s interruptions damper their spirits or their resolve to serve others and their own family with grace. “We tried to make sure we were in the Lord’s will,” Rachel said. “He has always provided. We’re trusting God’s leading and trying to treat people, especially in business, right. We’re not out to make millions of dollars. We just want their homes to be a safe haven and to be proud of it. We want the way people feel about their house, to be like how we feel about it. [Greg’s] business is his ministry to people he comes in contact with. He just wants to make sure he comes across with character and integrity and that comes at a price. For our family, that’s a sacrifice we’re willing to make. It’s worth it. It’s such a blessing.” For more information about RSB Inc., email rsbinc@gmail.com or call 434-238-5221.
H OME
“We are Reddy are Reddy when you are Ready”
Specializing in the purchase and sale of Farm & Land, Historic Homes and Estates
434-384-4663
Wendy Reddy
Historic Home Specialist 434-258-4121
John Cardwell
Land preservationist with an unbroken family tradition of farming dating back to the 1700s
1551 Johnson Creek, Evington
612 Longwood Ave.
1309 Eyrie View Dr.
Renovated Guest Cottage
Original Historic Detail
Entertaining Dream Home
31 acres with 3,640 sqft house opens up to a .25 acre pond. Main level living, updated kitchen with island, gas stove. Formal living, dining, great room, master bedroom and large deck on Level 1, fully finished terrace level below with large family room, 3 bed, full bath and screened porch. Fabulous renovated 1BR guest cottage. 7 stall horse stable, hay storage, equip building. 13 acre fenced pasture land borders Johnson Creek.
Circa 1918, built by the Clark tobacco family and currently a residence and bed & breakfast. Its splendor is still intact including original fixtures, hardwood French doors, South American paneling in “gentleman’s parlor”, butler’s quarters, carriage house / garage. 3800 sqft, 6 spacious bedrooms, new heat pump, plumbing, upgraded electrical, walk up attic, slate roof, 4 porches.
Soaring ceilings, hand hewn wood floors, floor to ceiling windows opening on to an expansive Brazilian hardwood deck, three massive rock fireplaces, gourmet kitchen, main level master with lavish master bath, multiple guest suites. Terrace level features large slate floor game room and entertaining area, full bar, complete with private surround sound cinema. No details spared. Secluded and serene, yet minutes from shopping, dining, Liberty, Centra.
5525 Fort Ave. Lynchburg, VA 5525 Fort Ave. (434) 239-3673Lynchburg, VA
(434) 239-3673
5525 Fort Ave. • Lynchburg, VA (434) 239-3673 W W W. LY N C H B U R G L I V I N G . C O M
|
43
H OME
the home t
tell your story!
• Handmade Jewelry • Handbags • Gift Ideas • Accessories • Scarfs • Jackets • Shoes & Boots
Come See Our Extraordinary Store!
Thurs - Sat: 10 to 4 Or by Appt.
Shay Borel | 845-6340 | 1102 Commerce Street (look for the Pink Flamingo!)
2008 langhorne road thefarmbasket.com 434.528.1107
44
|
LYNCHBURG LIVING
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
H OME
Heather’s H elpful Hints For Your Home How to Build a Custom Home When Life Interferes… 1. Enjoy the Journey: Building a house can be one of the most stressful events in a couple’s marriage. Communication along the way and a proper perspective that it might not all come together exactly as you dreamed, are key components to seeing it through. 2. Expect the Unexpected: Realize that it’s a process that often takes more time and money than you usually expect. Be flexible with your expectations. 3. Rethink Tradition: The Besaws turned shipping palettes into shelves and signs and repurposed them as a focal point on their bathroom wall. They repurposed concrete as countertops, transformed excess wood flooring into a dining table and utilized natural stone as a wall-spanning centerpiece. Look beyond the traditional uses of items like these and reinvent them to fit your needs and style. 4. Plan Ahead: Greg and Rachel Besaw designed their bedrooms, closets and even the stairwell much larger than the average scale so that as their kids grow, and they begin to age into retirement, the house will easily transition and adapt from child-friendly to adultfunctional spaces. When building a house, plan for the future! 5. Remember Your Priorities: In the midst of some very trying and stressful circumstances, the Besaws’ faith and support from family carried them through. At the end of the day, remember that your home will pass away, but people are what truly matter. Heather Cravens is a Lynchburg native with 10-years of experience in the interior design industry, including owning Becoming Designs. Heather is passionate about creating environments that inspire and strengthen families through the hospitality of their homes. She mirrors that passion with her own family by spending time with her husband and their one-year old son.
W W W. LY N C H B U R G L I V I N G . C O M
|
45
BO DY
Lynchburg College
Discover YOUR PASSION
From the arts to science, Lynchburg College provides opportunities for life.
www.lynchburg.edu
46
|
LYNCHBURG LIVING
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
[ BODY]
Hitting the Road
ENJOY THE COLORS OF FALL WITH AREA RUNNING GROUPS AND RACES BY DREW MENARD
W W W. LY N C H B U R G L I V I N G . C O M
|
47
BO DY
AN ESTABLISHED HERITAGE: The Genworth Virginia 10 Miler is a community fixture, anchoring the fall racing season.
T
here is a satisfying simplicity to the sport of running. One foot in front of the other, the cadence of rubber on asphalt (or concrete or dirt) producing a steadfast rhythm, an accompaniment driving an individual, stride by stride, closer to a goal. The sport can serve as an outlet for solitude or community— and in locales such as Lynchburg, people are afforded the luxury to enjoy both, if they so choose. In the last 15 years, the Hill City has expanded its amenities and support for the recreationally inclined, runners included, something that has put the area on the map as one of the most runner-friendly cities in the country. In 2011, the Road Runners Club of America designated Lynchburg as a runner friendly community and named it the 2011 Outstanding Runner Friendly Community, recognizing the city as the best of the best. The RRCA designation is good through 2016. To be recognized as a runner friendly community (only five cities earned the designation last year) a number of criteria are considered, including the availability of trails, quality of intersections, city support, corporate support, number of races offered and activity of running clubs.
PICKING UP THE PACE Clark Zealand, Co-Race Director of the Lynchburg Beast and Ultra Series, has been a part of the city’s running community for over 20 years. He has recognized the city’s investment in more runner-friendly infrastructure—particularly in trails and bike paths—over the past 15 years and noted this has led to a spike in participation. “It is nice to know I am not the only crazy person out there,” he said of his regular runs—in rain, cold, hot weather and otherwise. Jeff Fedorko, owner of Riverside Runners, Inc., said since the shop opened in 2000 it has been committed to playing an active role in the Lynchburg area. >> 48
|
LYNCHBURG LIVING
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
At Home with Centra Centra Home Health
Centra Hospice
Centra PACE
434.200.4111
434.200.3204
434.200.6516
Helping you recover at home from surgery, an injury or illness
Compassionate end-of-life care for patients and families
A Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly
Providing essential nursing, medical and rehabilitation services
Full-time physicians, nurses, social workers and spiritual support
Providing complete healthcare for seniors living at home
Dedicated team of experienced therapists, nurses and aides
Pain and symptom management, medication, equipment and supplies
Allows frail seniors to live at home and in their community
Call us or visit AtHomeWithCentra.com to learn more or to self refer.
BO DY
Advanced Clinical Dentistry Christopher L. King, D.D.S., P.C.
VENEERS BLEACHING PORCELAIN CROWNS
*Stop by our new location!
Our practice can deliver a wide range of dental services and the latest in cosmetic dentistry. Using the most modern technologies and treatment procedures, we provide you with the highest quality of dental care.
434-316-9220 www.clkingDDS.com 1835 Graves Mill Rd., Suite 2 Forest, VA 24551
Providing Family & Cosmetic Dentistry “Go Back to School with a Beautiful Smile.�
Laugh Freely.
Workforce Development
Reveal a confident, healthy smile.
50
|
Our professional team is committed to bringing you excellent dental care, utilizing the latest technology, to help you find freedom in your smile. Career & Technical Education Programs
LYNCHBURG LIVING
State Licensure Industry Certification National Competency Certification Career Electives www.lcsedu.net
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
Lynchburg Dental C E N T E R
(434) 384-7611 Carrington Crawford, D.D.S. Karen Kenny, D.D.S. | Brad Lentz, D.M.D. 3719 Old Forest Road | www.lynchburgdentist.com
BO DY
TOP: Members from the Blue Ridge Trail Runners remain undaunted in the face of colder weather. RIGHT: Road races, like the Genworth Virginia 10 Miler, have found a welcoming home in Lynchburg, which has earned national recognition for its race-friendly environment.
Outside, the store provides water for thirsty passers by and has lockers available inside for runners. It holds several events to bring people (and even their pets) together for runs, and they consult for and time numerous race events throughout the region, a few of which Fedorko even directs. He has noticed a steady increase in enthusiasm and support for the area’s running community. In the early 2000s, there were only about six road races available in the city. Today, there are over 40 race events in the area and most support a local nonprofit.
“The fundraising is staying right here in the community, making it a better place,” Fedorko said. “It is very much about participating and being a part of something greater than yourself than running your best time.” Fedorko said there is a running renaissance across the nation. One of the factors is the emphasis on fun and community at race events. Color runs and obstacle runs, both of which have been held locally, add a new level of excitement or challenge to a race.
KEEPING HER STRIDE The nationwide reinvigoration for running is being predominantly driven by the female runner, Fedorko said. While past generations of women have been discouraged—and even prevented—from having the same opportunities as men, society has progressed. Today, women in their mid-30s have never experienced athletic opportunities being denied to them, thanks to Title IX. Now out of high school and college these women—with careers and families to consider—are still hungry to stay in the game. Running is a simple activity that is social, fun and healthy, Fedorko said, explaining its popularity among the demographic, making it more available to a wide range of individuals.
STEPPING ALONG Unlike other recreational activities, running doesn’t require a lofty investment—one just needs a decent pair of shoes (and not necessarily even that—just ask a barefoot runner).
“It is such an easy lifestyle to adopt,” Zealand said. “When you feel like not going for a run, just put the shoes on and lace them up—it’s that simple.” While it may take a surge of self will to get going—and to keep going—the benefits are worth it. “There are all kinds of physical benefits: stress release, time to be alone, time to pray or meditate or think, time to unplug and get out in nature,” Zealand said. Zealand and Fedorko both noted that new or re-starting runners should not feel daunted by thinking in terms of miles and miles. Rather, they say, focus on the first few steps. Organizations like the Lynchburg Road Runners (an RRCA affiliate) are a great resource for runners of all levels. >>
W W W. LY N C H B U R G L I V I N G . C O M
|
51
BO DY
LEFT: Girls on the Run participants proudly show off their bling after the Celebration 5K. MIDDLE: Girls on the Run sponsor rep, Angela Bryant for Fleet Industries, hands out medals as runners cross the finish line.
“Some new runners are surprised to know that there are hundreds of people just like them starting out and so being a part of a group, connecting with the Lynchburg Road Runners, it can make a lot of sense, not just for training purposes but to actually go out and run with them,” Fedorko said. “One of the huge motivating factors of running besides fitness is just connecting with the world around you, and the community of Lynchburg is special in that way.”
GROWING INTO IT Running is an activity the whole family can enjoy—whether jogging together on a Saturday morning or participating in a race event (many of which even have sprints for tots). And for young people, it is easy to participate while gaining valuable life lessons and self confidence. Dennis Coan, cross country coach at Heritage High School, said as student athletes work towards a goal, and see steady gains toward it, the resulting encouragement spills over into other areas of their lives. “Running can transform student athletes by instilling discipline, mental toughness and self confidence,” Coan said. Local organizations like Girls on the Run of Central Virginia and Kids on Trails (part of the Blue Ridge Trail Runners) help foster a love for healthy living, the outdoors and, of course, running in younger children, pacing them for continued success in life. “At Girls on the Run, we like to say the Finish Line is only the beginning,” Mary Hansen, Council Director, said. “The running activities and games they play reinforce the topics they are discussing and allow them to really explore what it means to make choices, stand up to bullies, express themselves appropriately and
OFF THEY GO: Girls on the Run starting line, spring 2015, at the Celebration 5K Run held at Sweet Briar College.
52
|
LYNCHBURG LIVING
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
how to use physical activity to sort through and manage difficult feelings and situations.” With a curriculum designed to help young girls prepare to navigate middle and high school, supplemented by training for a Celebration 5K, the organization empowers girls to stand up for themselves, resist peer pressure and make healthier choices. Kids on Trails helps children gain an early appreciation for the outdoors and helps families to connect through positive and enjoyable activities. The greater organization, the BRTR, helps to support and unite community runners of all levels and promote good stewardship of area trails. “Weekly group runs, weekend excursions into the mountains, family barbecues and an ongoing online forum have created a bond that goes beyond just the time spent running,” said Alexis Thomas, BRTR President. “As a non-athlete turned runner, I have seen firsthand all that running has to offer for the individual, and I hope to inspire other people to come out and join us. The Lynchburg running community and its acceptance of all abilities and individuals highlights one of life’s greatest lessons: it’s all about the people.”
TAKING THE ULTIMATE CHALLENGE Not all running is kid stuff. Since the 1980s, thanks to the work of area running legend David Horton, Lynchburg has become well established in the ultra running scene. Ultra running includes anything beyond a marathon (26.2 miles) and often takes place on rugged trails. Zealand, a sponsored runner with Patagonia, has run all over the U.S. and says Central Virginia is one of the best places for >>
BO DY
www.stclair-eye.com
DOCTORS OF OPTOMETRY Dr. Gary H. St. Clair Dr. Clifford I. Phillips Dr. Mark D. Rodammer Dr. Anna H. Farouq
Eye Care Family Caring For
Dr. Ashley C. Veloso
Family
OFFICES TO SERVE YOU 20838 A Timberlake Road 2514 Langhorne Road Shoppes of Appomattox
239-2800 845-6086 352-5908 Best Eyewear & Sunglasses Best Eye Care
PHOTOS BY K.D. BURKE PHOTOGRAPHY
Winter Will Be Here Before You Know It.
Are You reAdY? THe All NeW 2016 SuBAru ouTBAcK WITH All WHeel drIVe
drIVe oNe TodAY AT TerrY SuBAru!
W W W. LY N C H B U R G L I V I N G . C O M
|
53
BO DY
COMPLETE FAMILY DENTISTRY
WE WELCOME NEW PATIENTS Our friendly and compassionate staff will make your visits comfortable.
VOTED #1 DENTAL CENTER
Thank you Lynchburg, for voting to make us #1, and to all our patients for trusting us with their smiles. Dr. Joshua Binder | Dr. Daniel Yeager Dr. Brian McAvoy | Dr. Jennifer Lysenko Dr. Jenna Chalk | Dr. Victoria Yeager
Welc Dr. Victo ome ria Y to the te eager am!
434-385-7307
1604 Graves Mill Rd., Lynchburg, VA 24502 Open: Monday–Friday 8am-5pm www.ForestDentalCenter.com 54
|
LYNCHBURG LIVING
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
BO DY
Area Running Organizations & Events: www.GirlsontheRunCenVA.org www.BlueRidgeTrailRunners.com www.eco-xsports.com/events/ Lynchburg-Ultra-Series
LEFT: Runners approach the Dancing Creek aid station at mile 11 of the Mountain Masochist Trail Run (MMTR) 50 miler. BOTTOM: Runners take off at the start of the Grindstone 100 mile endurance run.
www.RiversideRunners.com www.LynchburgRoadRunners.org www.VirginiaTenMiler.com
these challenging runs—notably due to the combination of fairly forgiving weather (rarely are mountain trails insurmountable due to winter snow as they would be in the Rockies) and rolling landscape. And for some friendly competition (at grueling distances), the Lynchburg Ultra Series and the Lynchburg Beast Series (the four Ultra Series races plus two more events) provide an outlet.
RUNNING THROUGH HISTORY One of the most iconic races in the nation—one that has been designated a national championship for its distance—has been taking place for 42 consecutive years on the exact same route in Lynchburg. The Genworth Virginia 10 Miler, which Fedorko has directed since 2007, draws runners from all over the world (over 4,000 participated last year). “If you have that family history, you can get on the same starting line as your grandfather,” Fedorko said. Though one could technically run the course any day of the year, it is the community that makes the 10 Miler come alive on race day. Fedorko and the Lynchburg Road Runners focus on making the event a celebration of Lynchburg. Even the packet pickup has become an event—a downtown festival with attractions for the whole family.
“It is not just a road race,” Fedorko said. “It is about community … it is the five different nonprofits that we are supporting that day, it is all the live music—six live bands out on the course—it is the 1,700 volunteers that line the course.” These volunteers include families who have faithfully cheered and passed out water from the same spot every year the race has been in existence, as well as representatives from a number of local organizations. Fedorko recommends that runners always take time to thank a volunteer on race day because they are the ones who make it all happen. The 10 Miler is designed for anyone to enjoy: in addition to the namesake, there is a 4-Mile run and walk (sponsored by the Bank of the James and Centra Health, respectively) on race day and an Amazing Mile, sponsored by Amazement Square, for children on the eve of the race. This year, the main race events take place on Saturday, Sept. 26 at 8 a.m. outside E.C. Glass High School. Packet pickup is held downtown on Thursday and Friday.
Upcoming Area Races: Sept. 5 - Hope for Tomorrow 5k & Children's 1 Mile Kid's Run 8 a.m. (Fun Run), 9 a.m. (5k), Peaks View Park Sept. 12 - High Bridge Half Marathon & 5k 7:30 a.m. (Half), 8 a.m. (5k), Farmville, Va. (Historic Bridge Trail State Park) Sept. 25 – Amazing Mile Children’s Run (Packet Pickup for VA 10 Miler) 6 p.m., Downtown Lynchburg Sept. 26 – Genworth Virginia 10 Miler 8 a.m. (10 Miler, 4 Mile Run, 4 Mile Walk), E.C. Glass High School Oct. 2-4 – Grindstone 100 (Lynchburg Beast Series) 6 p.m., Swoope, Va. Oct. 17 – John A. Stephenson Memorial Youth Run 9 a.m., Riverside Park Oct. 24 – Deep Hollow Trail Half Marathon & Trail 5K (TBA) Liberty University, Camp Hydaway Oct. 31 – I Am Woman 5K (Women only) 8 a.m., Centra Alan B. Pearson Regional Cancer Center (1701 Thompson Drive, Lynchburg)
W W W. LY N C H B U R G L I V I N G . C O M
|
55
Lynchburg Living presents the 12th annual “Best Of” Lynchburg 2015 awards! Please vote for your favorite during the final voting round: September 1 - 25.
Votes for the “Best Of” Lynchburg is a great way to support the places you frequent and the community individuals you love. In order to find out who is the best, we completely rely on you—our readers. So, vote away and spread the word!
vote at: LynchburgLiving.com
BACK TO SCH O OL
The A,B,Cs of Back to School: HOW TO PREPARE EACH CHILD FOR THE CHALLENGES AHEAD BY TIFFANY LYTTLE
L
ong summer days wane as autumn’s first colorful tributes welcome students embarking on either their first day of school or the first day of college. As parents, every passing school year brings more milestones, accomplishments and, if we’re being honest, new worries as well. So to help you and your children get off to a great start, we’ve asked some of our region’s seasoned school teachers and administrators to share some of their best tips. Being parents themselves, they have unique perspectives that can benefit us all.
PRESCHOOL/KINDERGARTEN Teacher Molly Ledford and Robin Blackman, Director of Peakland Preschool in Lynchburg, have nearly 50 years of experience between them welcoming children to their very first day of school. They advocate for exposure and practice, which is beautifully simple to apply and gives children and parents a meaningful advantage when first starting school. Blackman offers parents the opportunity to go on a tour with their children, to meet their teachers and to take full advantage of orientation. In this way, parents can ease any uncertainty by making school a familiar place where learning and exploring can freely take place. Ledford advises a great way for children to prepare is to “read, read, read!” Books introduce little ones to concepts they will encounter in school. Ledford also believes “it’s a huge advantage to be able to write their names;” parents can teach lowercase letters first as they are the easiest to start with. Parents can also introduce their children to social etiquettes and schedule concepts by starting and maintaining a daily routine which includes times to read, to nap or be quiet and to stay seated for the duration of a snack and lunch. Laughing, Ledford says,
“Lunchtime is the best part of the day!” While sitting down to lunch, parent and preschooler can practice table manners, listening skills and opening lunch containers. Together they can learn what is too messy or unappetizing for school and what snacks and lunch items are easy-to-open yet still healthy. Ledford's final advice for parents is to get in the habit of reading classroom newsletters. By encouraging a child about the coming week’s educational goals, it sets the stage for open communication between child and parent. Further, by parent and student both taking part in homework or take-home activities, a foundational approach to school is established; one that Ledford beautifully articulates: “There is nothing you and I can’t get through together.”
ELEMENTARY/MIDDLE SCHOOL Teresa Belcher, with 19 years of experience in both private and public schools, currently teaches first grade at Temple Christian School in Madison Heights. Belcher encourages parents to help teachers make learning exciting for their children. “As parents, we need to put a positive spin on going back to school! Talk about the fun things they will be learning, the old friends they will see again, and the new friends that will be presented to them. The excitement of that [anticipation] is huge.” >>
Books for First Time Students Some great reads for first time students available at Givens Books in Lynchburg: 1. The Kissing Hand – Audrey Penn 2. If You Ever Want to Bring an Alligator to School, Don’t! – Elise Parsley 3. Kindergarten, Here I Come! - D. J. Steinberg 4. First Day Jitters - Julie Danneberg 5. The Bus For Us – Suzanne Bloom 6. Amelia Bedelia Goes Back To School – Herman Parish 7. Fancy Nancy: JoJo’s First Day Jitters – Jane O’Connor, Robin Preiss Glasser 8. School Bus – Donald Crews 9. The Night Before Preschool – Natasha Wing 10. The Pout-Pout Fish Goes to School – Deborah Diesen, Dan Hanna
W W W. LY N C H B U R G L I V I N G . C O M
|
57
BACK TO SCH O OL SET THE TONE: Parents play an important role in helping their children feel excited about school; asking questions such as "What did you learn?" reinforces the positive results of school engagement.
Belcher reminds parents that working with enthusiasm helps their students work with purpose. “We need to take a positive approach to homework…help the child understand what they are doing, but further why they are having to do it. This helps encourage them towards seeing the bigger picture and gives them that opportunity to excel.” Belcher also suggests a practical approach to conversation, “Instead of asking them how their test went, ask ‘What did you learn that surprised you today?’ That’s keeping the excitement there for them; it’s not focused on the test, but focused on what they learned.” Additionally, parents should not only start off being involved, but stay involved. “My motto for my class is that we are a family: … teacher, parents and children,” says Belcher. It’s important to keep open communication with each other. “If something is going on at home, then talk to the teacher... and encourage the children to be open with the teacher and ask questions… That is what we are here for!” Together, as a team, your child can face anything they may encounter this school year.
JR. HIGH/HIGH SCHOOL Dr. Jay McClain, Assistant Superintendent for Lynchburg City Schools, has an impressive and comprehensive background in education, having served as teacher, principal, administrator and parent. McClain suggests that parents and students start with getting back into a routine; “sleep habits can be the most difficult to change… Start getting into a rhythm before school starts… a few days to a week [in advance] would work for most,” he says. Mornings are hectic, but being prepared can help parents and students start their days in the best possible way. McClain believes that students can further get ahead by simply looking at what the school year has in store and being mentally prepared. Jr. High and High School are a time of social stress and personal changes. McClain says, “There are ‘friend tensions’ with new people being introduced. Everything they have relied on has been shifted.” McClain suggests that students can find ways to become more social before school begins, especially since Jr. High and High School come with new opportunities like sports, band and drama. “If [students] don’t already know it from orientations,
58
|
LYNCHBURG LIVING
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
contact the school to find out about the different camps and talk to the coaches.” Parents maintain an immensely important role as support to their Jr. High/High School student. Encouraging open communication is vital to a vibrant parent-teenager relationship. McClain explains, “There can be anxiety as a student faces going back to school… take a moment to check with [your] kids to see how they are feeling about starting a new grade. Sometimes it hides under the surface.” This time is exciting and filled with self-discovery and making important life decisions. With the right approach and support, it can be amazing and rewarding for all of you.
COLLEGE Dr. Brian Yates, Dean of the College of Applied Sciences and Academic Success at Liberty University, suggests that freshman students make connections with others who can be trusted with his or her best interests. “You have a better likelihood of success if you have someone to help keep you accountable,” Yates says. Secondly, identify your resources. “Every school has them, from tutoring to advising and many things in between. Everyone can benefit from the support resources available in college because they are designed to help students get the most from their educational experience, no matter their academic background,” Yates says. “Use these services early and often!” Additionally, find a balance, as it is the key to success in all avenues of life. Yates believes, “In college a lot more independence exists… [so] set a schedule for yourself.” Yates’ parting wisdom for students of all ages: “You will be successful if you take ownership of your education and use the many resources available.”
Nicki Ahrens Photography
Nicki Ahrens Photography
BACK TO SCH O OL
Hours: Monday-Thursday 8am-5pm Friday 8am-12pm Saturday 10am-2pm
1076 Corporate Park Dr. • Forest, Virginia • (434) 525-7271 Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 8am-5pm, Fri. 8am-12pm, Sat. 10am-2pm
1076 Corporate Park Dr. Forest, Virginia (434) 525-7271 www.universaltsva.com
25% OFF LU APPAREL
Valid 9/1/1511/1/15
W W W. LY N C H B U R G L I V I N G . C O M
|
59
501
501
501
501
LYN
LYN
CH BU RG -
La Carreta
HEIGHTS BYPASS MADISON HEIGHTS MADISON BYPASS CH BU 29 RG Craddock Terry/Shoemakers Waterstone Lynchburg Regional Convention Center & Visitor Bureau RA Craddock Terry/Shoemakers Bistro Lynchburg Regional Convention Center & Visitor Bureau RA Bistro Presbyterian Cemetery Dish
R PIE
CE
Presbyterian Cemetery
CE
ST. PER M KE
Greyhound 460 Spring Hill Bus with Cemetery Amtrak
29 Waterstone Depot Grille BUS
Dish
Point of Honor Depot Grille BUS
Point of Carriage House Honor Inn B&B
Carriage House Inn B&B
A GR
The News & Advance
BUS
. ST
.
AV E
DR. ON
EY
CE
Lynchburg College
ST. PER M KE
R PIE
The News & Advance 221
. ST
. ST
.
E OR
R GRACE
LAKESIDE DR
. ST
221
RD.
AL
.
Y TA
R LO
R DE
LAKESIDE DR
FE
RD .
. ST
ST
RD .
RD .
. ST
R E
Forest Plaza West Shopping Center
T
Marlin
Y TA
AL
OLD F
The Dahlia
Miller Claytor House
S PestHouse/ Medical Museum, Old City Cemetery, James River Holiday Inn TAT RD THO Conference Confederate Cemetery E . Lynchburg MS Center PestHouse/ General Medical Museum, BUS Hospital Old City Cemetery, T. RiverMain StHoliday Inn James HS Lynchburg T Confederate Cemetery 5TConference Eatery H 501 OM Regional Center S The WSET Chamber of White BUS Commerce Hart T. Main St La Carreta D. Lynchburg Amtrack 5TH S Eatery LR YMCA 501 EL E.C. Train Regional T. R The R WSET Chamber of HS MU TWhite Glass Acorn Hill 2 1 Hart Commerce LodgeLa Carreta . Anne Spencer PARK AVE. RD Amtrack L YMCA House/Edankraal The EL Train Plaza RR E.C. Miller ST. OA U H M T Glass KL Acorn Hill Park 12 EY Lodge Anne Spencer AVE. AV PARKBUS Lynchburg E . House/Edankraal The Greyhound College Plaza Miller460 Bus with OA KL Amtrak Park General Hospital
TAT Lynchburg E
Miller Claytor House
La Carreta
• noW offering himalayan facials Thursdays Only
• schedule a romantic couples massage today - $75 pp Available Sundays twice a month
• great for bridal parties
• We offer 30, 60 & 90 massages add a salt scrub to any of our massages for a real treat leaving your body silky smooth
To Charlottesville & Nelson County To Charlottesville & Nelson County
R DE
Katie O’ Byrne’s Irish Tea House
The Farm Basket S
OLD F
TheLFarm DR. Basket
EHIL
501
BUS
501
BUS
A Packet Boat A
. VE AJ
J
serViCes • book the salt cave 1 hr Sessions Party of 8 - 135.00 45 min Sessions Adults - 24.00 Students & Seniors 65+ - 22.00
ST.
Monte Carlo FO LD Forest PlazaOWest Shopping Center
DF OL
Monte CarloMcDonald’sO
Katie O’ Byrne’s Irish Tea House
Forest Hills Shopping Center
CRAN
.
L DR
EHIL
CRAN
Forest Hills Shopping Center
Virginia Baptist Hospital
Randolph College
RIVERMONT AVE.
Virginia Baptist Hospital
Maier LK O Museum RF Of Art NO
Maier Museum Of Art
E. AV Riverside Park LK Packet O RF BED Boat The BedfordNOAve FO RD Residence Meat Shop Riverside AV B&B Blue Park E. Randolph The Dahlia Marlin College Bedford Ave BEDF The OR Residence Meat Shop DA B&B BlueS VE.
Magnolia Foods Rivermont Pizza
RIVERMONT AVE.
Magnolia Foods Rivermont Pizza
GS RIN SP DR. ON
ON R D.
The Village Courts Shopping Center
Westminster Cantebury
Episcopal School
RD.
INGT
BOO
RD.
SBO The Village N Courts Shopping Center RO RD.
ORO
NSB
Westminster Cantebury Virginia
Virginia Episcopal School
R LO
WIGG
ON R
. Peaks DView Park McDonald’s
INGT
WIGG
Boonsboro Shopping Center
Boonsboro Shopping Center
Peaks View Park
Isabella’s
Isabella’s
To Blue Ridge Parkway BOO
gift certificates available
To Blue Ridge Parkway
6152 thomas Jefferson rd., Forest, Va 24551
www.londonsaltspa.com
facebook.com/londonsaltspa
now open until 7:00 pm on tuesdays!
LIN
D.
Central Virginia’s only salt spa
. RD K . RD K
D.
VES R VES R
Come & Discover
LAN
G
We welcome you to come and breathe the air in Central Virginia’s 1st Therapeutic Salt Cave. Our air is 100% purer than the air outside! Whether it’s casual or business you will leave feeling refreshed!
RD.
Call us today!
GS RIN SP
LAN
IN
MILL
R S T RD E S T RD . .
L OL
FE
IN MA
RE
H
LL
NE
LIN
ST.
MILL
G
LAN
RD.
IN QU
IN
NE
H
L OL
E CAB
HO R
LYNCHBURG LIVING SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
ST.
M
HO R
M
E ST.
R
I MA
I N ST.
E V
RIC RIC H H M M ON ON DS DS T. RIAL T. AVE. AVE.
|
LAN
E LL
SE CAB
ATH ER RH O L T RD. HOLT RD.
60 IN QU
S
R
I
V
ATH E
M AP
. ST
. ST
. ST
E OR
LA
LA
O XT
RD
.
WA TE
WA TE
ICK
RL
ICK
RL
.
RD
.
RD
VIE W
EN
GR E
VIE W
EN
GR E
To Roanoke
DR
DR
.
.
.
RT RD
AIRPO
.
RT RD
AIRPO
Lynchburg Regional Airport
Lynchburg Regional Airport
460
460
Fort Early
MEMORIALMEM
Central Virginia Community McDonald’s College
29
29
29
BUS
29 Wards Crossing
BUS
460 29
460 29
Cold Stone Creamery
To Danville
To Danville
Liberty University WardsMcDonald’s Cold Stone Crossing Creamery
Liberty University Macados
ERS MT.NRDLDE.RS MT. R D . C A NDL CA
To Roanoke
Consolidated Shoe
Consolidated Shoe
460
BUS
N
BUS
.
Waterlick Plaza
RD
Waterlick Plaza
N
London’s Salt Spa
O XT
McDonald’s460
Heritage High School
Heritage High School
R.
McDonald’s
Timberlake Plaza 460
I BUS T
D.
ER
K LA
R
E MB
I BUS T
Timberlake Porter Plaza House 460
MB
YD
Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest
Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest
Health Nut Nutrition
NT
MO
RD. RDS RD. WA
London’s Salt Spa
E DR. E DR. RPRIS ERPRIS TE T
Wyndhurst
ER
AK
L ER
SK
Porter House
SA U ND
D.
R.
501
Fort Hill Village Shopping Center Fort Hill Village Shopping Center
YD
McDonald’s Jamerson EN YMCA Neighbor’s Place D.O. Allen Homes Health Nut Wyndhurst Nutrition Jamerson EN YMCA
501
Charley’s
SK
McDonald’s Graves Mill Neighbor’s Place Shopping Center D.O. Runk & Allen Pratt Homes
RD.
.
.
DR
Charley’s DR
DE WI
N TIO NA
TIO NA
DE
I NW
THO
RD. PER RY
City Stadium
M RD. A D IU
S TADI
RD. UM
S T Hill Spring Cemetery
AV E
Phase 2 City Big Lick Stadium O Comfort Inn DD Tropical Grill A VE Fort Early FEL PE . RR LO WS Phase 2 YM ON RD. Big Lick LynchburgOInn Comfort Inn T & Conference D Tropical Grill BUS Center D FPost Historic Sandusky BUSAVE ELL . Foundation Office OW 460 29 Lynchburg Inn SR D. DMV & Conference BUS Burlington Coat BUS Center Post Historic Sandusky Plaza Y Foundation Office 460Milan Kirkley 29 URRA M Courtyard Hotel DMV McDonald’s Quaker Burlington Coat Marriot Meeting Plaza Days Y House Kirkley Inn URRA Milan Crown HotelShakers M Courtyard Sterling McDonald’s Best Western Quaker Marriot Hampton Inn Meeting 501 Days Holiday Inn Express Sleep Inn House Inn Crown River Shakers Sterling Best Western 501 Ridge Mall Hampton Inn 501 Holiday Inn Express Sleep Inn Candler Station Central River Virginia Heavenly Ham 501Community Ridge Mall Macados Super 8 Candler Station College
SA
ES MILL
Bulls GRAVES MILL RD. Forest Crossings Graves Mill Shopping Center Bulls& PrattGRAV Runk
501
501
MAS
THO
FO
To Bedford To Forest Crossings Bedford
OL D AVES MGILRAVES MIL L RD. L RD.
RD.
PL PL . MA . YF L O WE R DR DR . .
CA
221
U ND
R RT. 8 T 11 RT . 811 .6 22
S WARD
22
.
RT .6
FO
MAS
Wingate Inn
Wingate Inn Heavenly Ham Super 8
. VEC
VEC
460 29
460 29
W
W
B
RT. 811 RT. 811
.
MP
RT AV E
CA
D GR
FLO R
To Red Hill
To Red Hill
501
S
S
N
E
E
LODGING & MEETING N FACILITIES
LODGING & MEETING SHOPPING FACILITIES
SHOPPING HOSPITAL
HOSPITAL DINING
DINING COLLEGES
COLLEGES POINTS OF INTEREST
501
501
To Appomattox To Appomattox
POINTS OF INTEREST
MAP OF
MAP OF
460
BUS BUS
Fairview FLO Square R Shopping Center Fairview BUS Square BUS Shopping 460Center 501
.
E AV
WARDS WARDS FER FER R R YR YR D. D.
RD
ER
B L EL
MA YF
.
E AV
OL
E
H YT
RR
MP L EL . AVE
LO W
I DA
LEESVILLLEEREDS.VILLE RD.
.
W
RT AV E
. RR
W RD OL L
E .
H YT . AVE
CA
CA
AV E
I DA
OL L
221
M AP
W W W. LY N C H B U R G L I V I N G . C O M
|
61
THICK AS THIEVES: The four Kese children are a tight-knit group.
62
|
LYNCHBURG LIVING
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
[ F E AT U R E ]
“Big Lettuce” AND OTHER LESSONS FROM BRAIN SURGERY
BY SUZANNE RAMSEY | PHOTOGRAPHY BY LASHONDA DELIVUK
O
n Patti Kese’s Facebook page you’ll see lots of photos of her kids. There’s 13-year-old Maggie, jumping off a cliff into the James River, and 11-year-old Will, proudly holding a striped bass that’s almost as big as he is. There’s oldest daughter Sam cuddling a chocolate lab puppy and John, the oldest boy, in his baseball uniform. And there are lots of photos of the four kids together— arm in arm, all smiles, thick as thieves. So, when one of the Kese—pronounced like “Casey”— kids went down with a serious neurological condition two years ago, the family banded together, with affection and perseverance, and came out the other side stronger than ever. This story begins on a spring day in 2013, at a baseball game. Fifteen-year-old John Kese was playing catcher for Jefferson Forest High School, when one of the E.C. Glass players popped up an infield fly.
I ran and dove and tried to catch it, and when I hit the ground, there was a sharp pain in my neck, and it shot down my arm and side,” John said. “I didn’t think anything of it and walked it off. After the game, everything was normal, and I went home.”
When John awoke the next morning, his hand was numb. Patti took him to the doctor, who thought he’d pinched a nerve and prescribed muscle relaxers. When John’s symptoms persisted, an MRI was ordered. The diagnosis was Chiari malformation. Chiari — pronounced “key-AR-ee” — is described as “a serious neurological disorder where the bottom part of the brain, the cerebellum, descends out of the skull and crowds the spinal cord, putting pressure on both the brain and spine and causing many symptoms.” Symptoms include, among other things, numbness, headache and balance problems.
“Once [the doctor] saw the MRI, he knew what it was immediately,” John’s dad, Scott, said, adding what stood out was a large cyst in John’s spinal cord, which sometimes happens with Chiari. “The size of the cyst, they could hardly believe he was functioning the way he was.” That June, John had what’s called “decompression surgery” to make more room for the cerebellum, thus relieving the pressure on the spinal cord and hopefully >>
W W W. LY N C H B U R G L I V I N G . C O M
|
63
FE ATURE
READY FOR ANYTHING: The Kese family, from left, John, Maggie, Patti, Will, Scott, Sam. INSET: Will, wearing his big brother's number, and John scan the baseball diamond. BOTTOM: John at bat.
reducing the size of the cyst. He had the surgery at the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville, and everything seemed to go well.
“His recovery was amazing,” Patti said. “I’d planned a summer of movies and board games, and he went to the beach two weeks after surgery. He started playing baseball four weeks after surgery.” By midsummer, John was playing in a national tournament with his travel team. He played seven games in three days, but there was one scary moment, when John got hit by a ball. He was OK, but it rattled many spectators, who knew about the surgery. “The first day, he got drilled in the back,” Sam said. “You could hear ... a pin drop. The whole sideline went silent, eerily silent.”
64
|
LYNCHBURG LIVING
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
When John went back to the doctor that September, he found out he’d need another decompression surgery. The cyst hadn’t dissipated like his doctors hoped it would. He went in for pre-op on his 16th birthday. Again, surgery seemed to go well, and John was back at school in October. But then, there was another problem. “I sat at the computer to do ... math homework and just went blank,” John said. He was having trouble speaking, too. “The words didn’t come out,” Patti said. Scott added, “It was almost like he was asleep. Grunts, vowels, consonants.” They took John to Lynchburg General Hospital, where he had a CT scan. He’d developed hydrocephalus, or fluid on the brain. Apparently, it happens sometimes after decompression surgery. The situation was so serious John was airlifted to Charlottesville. At the hospital, doctors gave John a pen and asked him to write his name. He couldn’t. By November, he needed a wheelchair to get around. He had another surgery, to insert a shunt to drain fluid from his brain. By Thanksgiving Day, things were looking up. >>
FE ATURE
Liberty Christian Academy See Virginia’s largest private School in action!
2015-16 Open Houses Oct. 16 & 19 | Nov. 3 | Dec. 4 Jan. 15 & 19 | Feb. 19 & 22 | Mar. 29- April 1
www.lcabulldogs.com
lcaadmissions@liberty.edu
434-832-2000
Shepherd Sittason, D.D.S • Keith Pyle, D.D.S • Agata Pikula, D.D.S., M.S. 105 Paulette Circle, Lynchburg, VA 24502 • 434-237-0125 • www.smilelynchburg.com
W W W. LY N C H B U R G L I V I N G . C O M
|
65
FE ATURE
www.familylifeservices.org 1. 888.760.5433 Â P.O. Box 4199, Lynchburg, VA 24502 | info@familylifeservices.org @FLSAdoption
Photo courtesy of Amazement Square
Family Life Services Adoption Agency
66
|
LYNCHBURG LIVING
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
FE ATURE
KEEP SMILING: The four siblings recall the good— and bad—times over the last few years.
The family celebrated in the hospital cafeteria, and Patti remembers joking that it was so easy they should eat there the next year. She said John felt so good that he “packed a whole Thanksgiving dinner in.” After the holidays, John was back at school and doing preseason baseball conditioning. Once again, it seemed their ordeal was over, except that it wasn’t.
“He was excited, he was feeling good, no side effects at all, and he started to go back downhill,” head baseball coach Ryan Gilleland said. “The day of tryouts in February of his sophomore year, the first day, he started to feel a little dizzy. He had some double vision or something like that. That evening is when they took him up to U.Va. to see what was going on.” In February of 2014, John had a third decompression surgery. In March, the shunt failed and was replaced. Before it was all over, he would have 11 surgeries, including having a second shunt inserted to drain fluid from the cyst in his spine. As Patti later put it, with the scars on his head and back, John looked like he’d been “attacked by a bear.” Over those tough months, however, the Kese family seems to have never lost its sense of adventure. Maggie tells a story about John, running his wheelchair into grocery store displays. “He used to run into everything and everybody,” Maggie said, adding, “Mom couldn’t yell at you either, because you couldn’t get out.” >> >>
W W W. LY N C H B U R G L I V I N G . C O M
|
67
FE ATURE
Scott chimed in, “Cleanup on aisle six!” and everyone laughed at the memory. And there was the night Will stowed away in John’s hospital room and scared the bejesus out of the night nurse. Will wasn’t supposed to be there, curled up asleep on the floor, when the nurse nearly tripped over him. “He said, ‘Oh, hey, little buddy,’” John recalled, adding that while Will wasn’t allowed to sleepover at the hospital, the nurse let it slide. “They did love John,” Patti said, crediting his good Southern “yes, ma’am” manners. And even if your brother is in a nearby hospital, what kid can resist swimming in a hotel pool and getting to stay up late? “I’m not going to lie, it actually was kind of fun,” Maggie said. It was difficult, though, for this tight-knit family to be apart so much. Lots of nights Patti wasn’t home to tuck the younger ones into bed. She wasn’t always there to give Sam, in her first year of college, motherly advice. “A lot of people played mommy,” said Sam, who spent weekends her freshman year shuttling between college in Farmville, home in Goode and the hospital in Charlottesville to see John and take care of her younger siblings. Added Scott, “It made her grow up fast.” It seems Maggie was particularly hard hit by the separation. The spitting image of John, she’s quick to list hobbies she shares with her big brother, among them drawing and
making raspberry jam. Asked how difficult it was, not having John around, she managed, “It was hard, everything,” before starting to cry. Will, also in tears, said, “It was hard without a brother,” and John recalled a time when Maggie said, “I miss my brother beating me up.” Patti said her family has always been close. “We enjoy every minute together,” she said. “I read a book while we were in the hospital, and this guy had gone through all this and said he wouldn’t change a thing.
“I’m not to that point. I wish it had never happened. ... Watching your child suffer is the worst thing ever. It wasn’t just John suffering. I had to be at the hospital helping him and having them at home, suffering, too. We love being together.” On the bright side, however, Scott said he didn’t get a single, “He’s touching me!” phone call for two years. One thing that helped the family get through the tough times was the Jefferson Forest High School community. One student sold rope bracelets to raise money. Thirty others met around the flagpole to pray for John’s recovery. The entire student body donned camouflage one day in honor of John. And through it all, whether he could play or not, there was always a place for John on the baseball team. “He played as >>
PERSEVERANCE: Throughout his lengthy hospital stays and recovery periods, John enjoyed visits from UVA's baseball team, of which the Keses have been long time fans. TOP RIGHT: John will forever bear the marks of his 11 surgical procedures.
68
|
LYNCHBURG LIVING
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
FE ATURE
What a School Should Be Experience the joy of learning. Listening to our students and parents says everything about the spirit of learning, the
River Day School—Lynchburg’s only co-ed, K-8, independent school.
“My child asks every day, ‘Dad, do I get to go to school today?’” “You just feel the joy when you walk through the door at James River.” “I love that my son is taught how to think, not what to think.” Discover what a school should be. Schedule your visit today! Open House - January 15, 2015 at 6 p.m.
For more information, please call Sally Horner Director of Enrollment 434.455.4763
the bridal shop at the j . crew clearance store
25 Millrace Dr.
the bridal shop at Lynchburg, VA the j . crew clearance store
www.jamesriverdayschool.orgCM001_ClutchGuide_HOL14;12.indd
2
25 Millrace Dr. Lynchburg, VA
W W W. LY N C H B U R G L I V I N G . C O M
|
69
FE ATURE
Wet Basement?
Damp Crawl Space?
Cracked Bricks?
FOUNDATION PROBLEMS? CRACKED BRICKS? UNEVEN FLOORS? CRACKED DRY WALL? MUSTY SMELLS? STICKING DOOR BOUNCY FLOORS? STICKING WINDOWS? NASTY CRAWLSPACE? WET BASEMENT? MOLD & FUNGUS? TERMITES, BUGS, RO DENTS? FOUNDATION PROBLEMS? CRACKED BRICKS? UNEVEN FLOORS? CRACKED DRY WALL? MUSTY SMELLS? STICKI DOORS? BOUNCY FLOORS? STICKING WINDOWS? NASTY CRAWLSPACE? WET BASEMENT? MOLD & FUNGUS? TERMITES, RODENTS? FOUNDATION PROBLEMS? CRACKED BRICKS? UNEVEN FLOORS? CRACKED DRY WALL? MUSTY SMELLS? STIC DOORS? BOUNCY FLOORS? STICKING WINDOWS? NASTY CRAWLSPACE? WET BASEMENT? MOLD & FUNGUS? TERMITES, RODENTS? FOUNDATION PROBLEMS? CRACKED BRICKS? UNEVEN FLOORS? CRACKED DRY WALL? MUSTY SMELLS? STIC DOORS? BOUNCY FLOORS? STICKING WINDOWS? NASTY CRAWLSPACE? WET BASEMENT? MOLD & FUNGUS? TERMITES, www.evergreenbasement.com RODENTS? FOUNDATION PROBLEMS? CRACKED BRICKS? UNEVEN FLOORS? CRACKED DRY WALL? MUSTY SMELLS? STIC DOORS? BOUNCY FLOORS? STICKING WINDOWS? NASTY CRAWLSPACE? WET BASEMENT? MOLD & FUNGUS? TERMITES, RODENTS? FOUNDATION PROBLEMS? CRACKED BRICKS? UNEVEN FLOORS? CRACKED DRY WALL? MUSTY SMELLS? STIC DOORS? BOUNCY FLOORS? STICKING WINDOWS? NASTY CRAWLSPACE? WET BASEMENT? MOLD & FUNGUS? TERMITES, RODENTS? FOUNDATION PROBLEMS? CRACKED BRICKS? UNEVEN FLOORS? CRACKED DRY WALL? MUSTY SMELLS? STIC *Any job over $3,000. Good only when presented at time of free Shauna Parsons WET BASEMENT? MOLD & FUNGUS? TERMITES, inspection. Not toFLOORS? be combined with anySTICKING other offer. DOORS? BOUNCY WINDOWS? NASTY CRAWLSPACE? O W N E R RODENTS? FOUNDATION PROBLEMS? CRACKED BRICKS? UNEVEN FLOORS? CRACKED DRY WALL? MUSTY SMELLS? STIC DOORS? BOUNCY FLOORS?1 STICKING WINDOWS? NASTY CRAWLSPACE? WET BASEMENT? MOLD & FUNGUS? TERMITES, EG_LynchburgLiving_half_775x4625.indd 8/13/2015 2:24:03 PM RODENTS? FOUNDATION PROBLEMS? CRACKED BRICKS? UNEVEN FLOORS? CRACKED DRY WALL? MUSTY SMELLS? STIC DOORS? BOUNCY FLOORS? STICKING WINDOWS? NASTY CRAWLSPACE? WET BASEMENT? MOLD & FUNGUS? TERMITES,
Foundation Troubles? FREE Inspections & Estimates
877-845-6897
)N{ODUCING A NEW
Living well means living here! Sometimes a little assistance is all that’s needed to relieve worry and enjoy life more. Our excellent reputation provides peace of mind for family members and our support produces a better quality of life for residents of our assisted living and memory care community. . Call today to schedule a tour and learn more about the care we provide.
Assisted Living And MeMory CAre
200 Lillian Lane, Lynchburg www.heritagegreenal.com
434-385-5102
6ISIT US AT R NEW LOCATI §
514 5th St. Suite A | Lynchburg,VA STONEBLUEPRODUCTIONS.COM | 434.420.2583
70
|
LYNCHBURG LIVING
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
FE ATURE
an eighth and ninth grader and has been a part of it ever since, through [his] operations,” Gilleland said. “He always had a spot on our team and a locker in our team room.” While not cleared to play during the 2014-2015 school year, John went to every practice, fall and spring, and, according to his coach, was instrumental to the team’s success. “He’s a great source of energy and a great role model for all the other kids,” Gilleland said.
“When you think you’re having a bad day, you look at John, and it’s not so bad. He’s a great motivator for our entire program, our coaches included, myself included. If you think things are bad, it could be a lot worse, and there are a lot more important things than baseball.” Patti says John also taught her a lesson about what’s really important. It was at a point when John was at the “lowest of the low,” she said. He couldn’t walk, he’d gone from a strapping 165 pounds to 121 pounds, and he needed help doing most everything. They were having lunch one day at a rehabilitation center in Charlottesville, Patti said, and she was “moaning and complaining” about her salad. It was an iceberg wedge and not the chopped salad she’d been expecting.
“It’s not chopped up,” she said. “It’s this big lettuce. ... Why can’t they chop it up?” Patti said she looked at John, who was staring at her, his mouth open. “I said, ‘What?’ and he said, ‘Big lettuce, Mom? That’s what you’re complaining about?’ It was an ah-ha moment, putting your problems into perspective. Even now, when the kids argue, [we say] ‘Big lettuce, come on!’” Nowadays, things are back to normal at the Kese house. The kids spent the summer swimming, kayaking, zip-lining, going to the beach and picking raspberries for jam-making — all of the things they love to do together. John, who just started his senior year at JF, also has been cleared by doctors to play baseball again. And, strange as it might sound coming from an 18-yearold boy, he’s thankful for everything. “It’s kind of bad saying this, but I kind of feel like every family should go through this,” John said. “The world would be a better place. It’s brought us closer than we’ve ever been, and it’ll carry till we’re old, for a long time. Every family should go through something like this.”
W W W. LY N C H B U R G L I V I N G . C O M
|
71
72
|
LYNCHBURG LIVING
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
[ THIS
CITY
]
100 Years & Counting: VIRGINIA EPISCOPAL SCHOOL CELEBRATES CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY BY CLAIRE M. DIAMOND
I
f you look around Lynchburg, consider how many organizations in this city were in business 100 years ago and are still operating today. Virginia Episcopal School (VES) is one of the few—and the proud. It all started with
a dream more than a century ago, and the vision and spirit of the school’s founding is still evident in its vibrant community today. >>
W W W. LY N C H B U R G L I V I N G . C O M
|
73
THIS CIT Y
TIMELESS WELCOME: Evans Gate has greeted students, parents, alumni and the community at large onto its 160-acre campus for decades.
THE EARLY YEARS Founded in 1916, VES is a college-preparatory, independent boarding and day school for students in grades 9-12. Located on 160 acres in Lynchburg, Va., VES is an engaging community that guides students to strive “Toward Full Stature” in their academic, ethical, spiritual and personal growth. The Toward Full Stature program at VES places a high degree of individualized attention on each student for personal growth and academic achievement. In 1906, Dr. Robert Carter Jett recognized a void in educational opportunities in the south. He began formulating a plan to found a private school and pushed the Episcopal Church of Southern Virginia to establish a way for deserving youth to achieve a superior secondary education. Dr. Jett and Lynchburg rector Joseph B. Dunn proposed Lynchburg, Va., as an ideal location for this ambitious project. The idea gained momentum, and in 1912, Jett was assigned as principal of the school. In order to make his dream a reality, Jett teamed with generous philanthropists who collaborated to supply funding for the school. Virginia-Carolina Railway founder Wilton E. Mingea of Roanoke, Va., generously put up $5,000 to initiate the undertaking to buy the property and build the school. He proposed the name “Virginia Episcopal School,” wisely proclaiming that “if Virginia was part of the name, the school would have a history from the day of its opening.”
74
|
LYNCHBURG LIVING
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
THROUGH THE DECADES In late September 1916, 25 young men arrived by train from across Southern Virginia, forming the first student body of VES. From the 1923-24 session emerged the first Harvard-bound alumnus. Since then, VES graduates continue to attend many of the world’s finest colleges and universities, including Stanford, UVA, Cornell, Yale, Columbia University, Wellesley, the U.S. Naval Academy, Georgetown, UNC-Chapel Hill, Duke, the College of William & Mary and Wake Forest. VES demonstrated great leadership—and great courage—as the first private southern prep school to desegregate in 1967 and the first to choose co-education, adding women to the student body in 1986. The school has always offered a rich program of academics, athletics, fine arts, leadership, spiritual exploration and character development. VES also offers new fields of study that reflect trends in globalization and technology, equipping students with skills in computer science, video production and multimedia technologies, robotics, world languages, global studies and more. By design, VES is a small, intimate academic community of day and boarding students and residential faculty. Today, VES enrolls approximately 245 students representing locations from all over the country and the world. >>
18th Annual
BRIDAL SHOWCASE
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2015 | 1-4 PM
Meet Central Virginia’s premier wedding service providers at the KIRKLEY HOTEL &
CONFERENCE CENTER
2900 Candlers Mountain Rd | Lynchburg VA
5
LOTS OF PRIZES
Proceeds donated to a local Charity
Including a honeymoon getaway package provided by Travel Lovers.
$
ADMISSION
For more information visit our website:vabridal.com or call us at 434.846.2333
THIS CIT Y
2 05
APY*
48 month Share Certificate
Age your wealth to perfection Invest in a share certificate that’ll grow your wealth. Grow on with us. Start growing your money today. Give us a call at 800.666.8811 or visit our Timberlake or Lakeside Crossing locations. *APY = Annual Percentage Yield. Rate effective as of 7/1/2015. Rate subject to change at account renewal. A penalty may be imposed for early withdrawals. The disclosed dividend rate is subject to a $100,000 minimum balance. Other restrictions may apply. Federally insured by NCUA.
76
|
LYNCHBURG LIVING
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
THIS CIT Y
“Great educational institutions have to have three things: the right people, the right culture and the right programs.” —TOMMY BATTLE, VES HEADMASTER
W W W. LY N C H B U R G L I V I N G . C O M
|
77
THIS CIT Y
“Great educational institutions have to have three things: the right people, the right culture and the right programs,” said Tommy Battle, current VES Headmaster.
“Starting with our people, we have a very creative and dedicated faculty. We have a supportive, safe culture that encourages faculty to explore new teaching strategies and encourages students to get out of their comfort zones and stretch themselves. And our programs are very competitive and far-reaching. All of these factors come together to contribute to our success at VES.”
Jett Hall
Kristin Dabney, the mother of a current day student, chose VES for its enriching and close-knit community. “There is so much we appreciate about VES. First is the instant sense of family and community,” said Dabney. “Our daughter knows that she matters at VES, that her thoughts are welcome, her contributions are needed and her voice is heard.”
POSITIONING FOR THE FUTURE At a time when boarding school enrollment across the country is declining, VES is on an upward trajectory. VES has grown over the past five years to its current level of full enrollment and achieved a record level of giving for the 2014-15 Annual Fund, surpassing $1.26 million, thanks to the generosity of more than 1,100 donors. In addition, the school has raised $30 million toward a $33 million capital campaign called “Vision 2016.” At the heart of the school is delivering an exceptional VES experience—one that offers the best >>
78
|
LYNCHBURG LIVING
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
The William King Center for Arts and Leadership is slated to open in spring 2016.
THIS CIT Y
Celebrating 125 Years In Downtown Lynchburg
Thank You For Letting Us Serve You! (434) 845-5751 Mon.-Fri. 9:30-5:30, Sat. 9:30-5
Service Excellence
Value Beyond Compare
Paul C. Whitten President, Whitten Funeral Homes
whittenfuneralhome.com
W W W. LY N C H B U R G L I V I N G . C O M
|
79
THIS CIT Y
OLDHAM OLDHAM DENTISTRY Aesthetic & General Aesthetic & General
DENTISTRY
apartments by
If you are looking for excellent dental care, want to improve your smile, or are in pain, we can help. If you are looking for excellent dental care, want to improve your smile, orTMJ, areand in pain, We offer sedation, cosmetic, we canapnea help. services and were voted sleep best bedside manner in 2013 and 2014. We offer sedation, cosmetic, TMJ, and sleep apnea services and were voted Dr. Oldham bestRichard bedside manner in 2013 and 2014. Dr. Bobbi Oldham Dr. William Martin Dr. David Kiger Dr. Richard Oldham Dr. Bobbi Oldham Dr. William Martin Dr. David Kiger
(434) 385-6100 115 Wiggington Rd Lynchburg, VA 24502 (434) 385-6100
LynchburgSmiles.com 115 Wiggington Rd Lynchburg, VA 24502
LynchburgSmiles.com 80
|
LYNCHBURG LIVING
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
THIS CIT Y
New dorms houses many of the girls who board at VES.
Langhorne Memorial Chapel
teachers, innovative programs and a vibrant and contemporary learning environment for students today and for generations to come. Capital projects include the Harrison Dining Room, the state-of-the-art Hight Library, the Mingea Health Center, the historic Langhorne Memorial Chapel, the Van Every Athletic Complex, which opened in January 2015, and the King Field House, which will be transformed into the new William King Center for Arts and Leadership and is slated to open in spring 2016.
NOTABLE ALUMNI The entire VES experience is structured to produce confident, self-aware and globally aware leaders. VES students participate in a variety of leadership opportunities, including honor committee, counselor body, student council, vestry, alpha order, resident assistants, team captains, community service programs and more, allowing students to gain real-world experience and to be equipped for a lifetime of success. With this strong leadership foundation, VES alumni have gone out into the world and distinguished themselves in an impressive array of industries that include government, business, entertainment and the arts, finance, law and education. Some notable alumni include Hardy Cross Dillard, class of ’19, who served as a U.S. Judge of the International Court of Justice at The Hague, was a former Dean of the UVA School of Law and was appointed to a special court of arbitration by Queen Elizabeth. In the realm of the arts, Paul Taylor, class of ’49, was one of the foremost
choreographers of the 20th century and was awarded both the National Merit of Arts from President Clinton and the “genius award” from the MacArthur Foundation Fellowship. In politics, Stephen Cowper, class of ’56, served as the sixth governor of Alaska; Lee M. Thomas, class of ’62, served as administrator of The Environmental Protection Agency under President Reagan; and Erksine Bowles, class of ’63, served as White House Chief of Staff to President Clinton. Many other alumni—among them Paul Fulton, Jr., ’53, and William B. Harrison, Jr., ’62— have worked as Chairman and CEOs of national companies like Bassett Furniture and JPMorgan Chase respectively. Alumni have also made their mark in entertainment and education like Vivian Howard, ’93, star of PBS series “A Chef’s Life”; William “Tuck” Tucker, ’79, supervising storyboard director of “SpongeBob Squarepants”; and Bob Gorrell, ’73, a nationally syndicated editorial cartoonist. Alumnus D. Homes Morton, ’69, was named one of Time magazine’s “Heroes of Medicine” for his work in genetic illnesses. To think that men and women of this influence studied in Lynchburg under the guidance of VES faculty is truly astounding and speaks to the legacy of the school. >>
W W W. LY N C H B U R G L I V I N G . C O M
|
81
THIS CIT Y
VES Color Run
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION VES is kicking off its 100th year with a centennial celebration from October 2-4, 2015. During the weekend, students, parents, alumni, donors and other friends of the school will participate in Founders Day where guests will hear from Dr. John T Casteen, III, President Emeritus at the University of Virginia, who served as a VES trustee from 1979-1982. Founders Day will also include a range of festive events such as the homecoming football game and the Centennial Celebration featuring a rustic dinner with cuisine inspired by VES alumnae and award-winning Chef Vivian Howard ’96, music and dancing. Celebrations will culminate with a Sunday chapel service in the historic Langhorne Memorial Chapel and a farewell at the Headmaster’s home.
VES Headmaster Tommy Battle is looking forward to reconnecting with alumni at the Centennial Celebration. “When alumni come back to campus, I get to see up close this genuine affection and enthusiasm,” said Battle. “I will have a chance to greet alumni and friends, meet new faces and observe the joy and affection that they express for this place and its people.”
school’s history and celebrate 100 years of educational leadership. Students, faculty, staff and parents will be involved in giving back to the region through community service projects. Residents of Lynchburg and surrounding communities will be invited to a special event on campus in spring 2016. In addition, VES will bring its 100 years of history to life through a commemorative book, a museum-quality installation in historic Jett Hall, an exhibit at the Lynchburg Museum, and on the road at alumni and admissions events across the mid-Atlantic on the VES Centennial Tour.
VES At A Glance: Founded: 1916 by Bishop Robert Carter Jett Location: Lynchburg, Virginia Grades: 9th through 12th Number of Students: 245 students Boarders vs. Day: 163 Boarders | 82 Day Male vs. Female: 133 Boys | 112 Girls Percentage of International Students: 22% Percentage Students of Color: 30% Number of Teaching Faculty: 36 Percentage of Faculty with Advanced Degrees: 50% Student to Teacher Ratio: 6:1 Average Class Size: 12 Students
Bob Vaughan, a VES alum from the class of 1978, is looking forward to attending the Centennial Celebration and “celebrating the school’s success.” Vaughan said, “VES prepared me with a good academic background as well as a strong network of alumni. I most appreciate the lifelong friendships with the VES community.” VES will celebrate the centennial throughout the 2015-2016 school year. VES students will host activities to recognize the 82
|
LYNCHBURG LIVING
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
Number of AP (Advanced Placement) Courses Offered: 16 Number of Sports Teams: 19 varsity sports; 9 JV sports; 3 club sports; strength and conditioning program
Mascot: Fighting Bishop Number of Living Alumni: 4,568
THIS CIT Y
engaged IN LIFE
Enjoy Peace of Mind in our Continuing Care Retirement Community Relax in maintenance-free garden homes and fully equipped apartments, spacious
assisted living apartments, and an award-winning health and rehabilitation center beautifully situated on our 143-acre campus. Call us today to start planning your future at The Summit! INDEPENDENT LIVING, ASSISTED LIVING, HEALTH & REHAB
1400 Enterprise Drive / Lynchburg, VA 24502 434.582.1500 / SummitLynchburg.com
WINE FESTIVAL
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21 11 AM – 5 PM Local Food • Artisans • Live Music For more information, visit ThomasJeffersonWineFestival.com 1542 Bateman Bridge Road (GPS) | Forest, VA 434.534.8120 | PoplarForest.org
15TJP1574_Wine-Festival-Ad_7.125x4.656_VWL_r1.indd 1
7/10/15 2:24 PM W W W. LY N C H B U R G L I V I N G . C O M
|
83
GARDEN
84
|
LYNCHBURG LIVING
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
[ GARDEN]
Cucurbits:
MUCH MORE THAN A HARVEST ICON WORDS AND PHOTOS BY SUSAN TIMMONS
W W W. LY N C H B U R G L I V I N G . C O M
|
85
GARDEN
CHARMING CUCURBITS: Squash blossoms at a village farmers market in France
yard and climb their way up the barnyard fence. And we happily let them. After all, they do have charm as well as persistent expansiveness. And voila! We have our new crop of squash, gourds and pumpkins. Since these cucurbits need consistently warm soil, hot days and sunshine, they flourish in our Central Virginia summers until zapped by fall frost. So it’s no surprise that many members of this family, such as squash and gourds, are native to Mexico and Southern U.S.A., although some varieties do thrive in cooler climes.
THIS FAMILY HAS IT ALL
W
hat’s not to love about a family of plants that are easy to grow, delicious to eat, delightful for decorating, fun for all ages—and tickle our imaginations and touch our hearts? (oh, and also just happen to unlock secrets for scientists?) It’s a large family with the Latin name cucurbitacae or, in English, cucurbits. But most of us know members of the food producing sub-family by more colloquial names such as gourd, watermelon, muskmelon, cucumber, summer/winter squash and pumpkin.
GROWING CUCURBITS I say cucurbits are easy to grow because every year when we decorate for Christmas, we toss our fall ornamental squash, gourds and pumpkins into an old compost bin following Thanksgiving. Come summer, like clockwork, their seeds germinate and vines grow vigorously; sporting huge leaves, they overflow into the 86
|
LYNCHBURG LIVING
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
Rule #1 for growing them here is to plant after all danger of frost. Seeds may be started indoors or in a greenhouse, then hardened seedlings can be planted outdoors. Loosely textured and well drained soils with a good amount of organic material are required for most cucurbits, but some (such as most varieties of pumpkins and gourds) will tolerate average soil. Varieties of locally grown squash include zucchini, butternut, yellow, early summer crookneck, summer squash, cushaw, winter acorn and many more. Some are sweet (butternut and acorn) and some not (cushaw). They have varied planting requirements, so consult seed packages.
GARDEN Cucurbits generally need lots of space and little watering once established. The number of days until harvest ranges from 50-90+ depending on variety. Retired Virginia Tech Extension Agent, Don Davis, tells me he often sows seeds of summer squashes such as zucchini, crookneck and scallop as late as August 1 with good results.
DON’T WANT TO GROW YOUR OWN? If growing cucurbits isn’t your thing, local farmers offer an abundance of fresh and certified locally grown organic cucurbits throughout summer and fall—all ripe and ready to enjoy. It’s hard to go wrong in making your selection in Lynchburg, Forest and other nearby farmers markets, and vendors are customer-friendly and happy to help with your selection. If in doubt, just ask. I must admit that generous gardening friends keep us (and maybe you) supplied with more cucurbits, especially squash, than we can eat or share daily. One word of advice if your harvest and/ or gifts are more abundant than your consumption: cook them down before freezing for winter to provide the basis for many a fine cold-weather meal.
MEMORABLE EDIBLES Autumn is the time for cucurbits to shine, but let’s not forget those that command stage center in summer. Juicy watermelon wedges conjure up nostalgia for summer family fun with kids and grandkids. We think this favorite treat is perfect just by itself but also enjoy memories of watermelon cubes as a sweet surprise at the bottom of a cup of savory gazpacho, in refreshing pureed health juices and steeped with an adult beverage on a celebratory occasion. And crisp cucumbers are a staple in our house for summer salads, soups and sandwiches.
Native Americans respected the fleshy meat of squash as nutritious long before America was colonized. Since then, sheer plentitude of squash has inspired many recipes that evoke flashbacks of culinary pleasures—from Southern “grandma-style” baked squash casserole topped with >>
TOP TO BOTTOM: Squash for sale by a local farmer in Lynchburg City Market. Grandchildren Johnny and Sadye enjoying watermelon at our farm in Bedford County. Gourds in our garden. Harvest time at the pumpkin patch.
W W W. LY N C H B U R G L I V I N G . C O M
|
87
GARDEN
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Squash cups with tomatoes, ricotta cheese and herbs in Italy’s Valpolicello hills. Freshly made pumpkin pie. Tempura fried squash blossoms stuffed with ricotta cheese, basil and lemon zest in Tuscany.
seasoned, buttered bread crumbs and zucchini bread to haute cuisine to nouvelle cuisine. I’ve enjoyed memorable lasagna, tacos and a myriad of other creative dishes with squash and complementary ingredients—grilled, roasted, sautéed, steamed, deep-fried and prepared in other ways. With age and travel, my taste for squash has expanded to include delectable cheese-filled tempura squash blossoms, first tried in France and Italy with my food-guru friend Paula Lambert, owner of the Mozzarella Company. Farmers markets in Europe sell these highly perishable bright yellow squash blossoms at the peak of perfection for savoring the very day they’re picked. But no cucurbit recipe tops our son Dave’s famous Thanksgiving pumpkin pies (yes, with homemade crust), another family tradition. Dave’s inventiveness with pies all started with ginger snaps, followed by Oreos and other previously unimaginable combinations, all delicious when paired with pumpkin. Then came the piece de resistance—streusel drizzled on top creating even richer (okay, decadent) pies. Just thinking about it makes my mouth water and my heart swell with joy.
TICKLING OUR IMAGINATION Next to eating them, one of the best features of cucurbits is the intriguing fun we have with them. They’ve sparked many a nursery rhyme and fairy tale through the ages. Here’s an oldie from Mother Goose I learned as a child: Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater Had a wife, but couldn’t keep her He put her in a pumpkin shell And there he kept her very well And we recall that Cinderella’s fairy godmother turned her pumpkin coach into a golden chariot. This European folk tale endures in many forms today, such as a feature in the spectacular cucurbit display I saw at the Dallas Arboretum a few years ago and in the opera “Cinderella” at the Kennedy Center last spring. 88
|
LYNCHBURG LIVING
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
And contemporary ditties continue to tap the magic of pumpkins: We bought a fat orange pumpkin The plumpest sort they sell. We neatly scooped the inside out And only left the shell. We carved a funny funny-face Of silly shape and size, A pointy nose, a jagged mouth And two enormous eyes. We set it in a window And we put a candle in, Then lit it up for all to see Our jack-o'-lantern grin.
CARVING JACK-O'-LANTERNS It’s no surprise that the most fun to be had with pumpkins (next to taking kids to the pumpkin patch) is carving them into jack-o-’lanterns for Halloween. In English folklore, a scary or comical face was carved into the pumpkin. Today, anything goes. Children create jack-o’-lanterns to suit their fancy, and college students’ carvings can be quite clever and skillful—all while serving as a stress relieving activity and offering fun with friends. Randolph College has an annual tradition called “Pumpkin Parade” with members of the sophomore class presenting carved pumpkins to members of the senior class. Then seniors, wearing silly hats and academic robes adorned with collections >>
GARDEN
icWear
Urban Ch
For Every Style 12th & Main 434.944.4233
www.gladiolagirls.com
OPEN DAILY UNTIL 6
POWER SEEDING – ONLY FROM LAWN DOCTOR.® Summer’s sun and heat can take a toll on your lawn. Re-seeding in the fall promotes proper germination and
Before Power Seeding
helps restore your lawn to its beautiful, healthy state. Only Power Seeding from Lawn Doctor gives you the ability to re-seed with an effective germination rate of 90%.
of Central Virginia
After Power Seeding
3 Fast Ways to a Healthier Lawn
1
Go to LawnDoctor.com for a 60 second quote and sign-up today
2
Call and talk to your local expert of Central Virginia at 434.528.4200
3
We’ll come to you and provide a FREE Lawn Evaluation 100% Satisfaction Guarantee*
W W W. LY N C H B U R G L I V I N G . C O M
|
89
GARDEN
Ask the Gardener! If you have a question for the master gardener, email feedback@lynchburgmag.com, and we may print your question!
of buttons, carry them along a traditional path, and the evening culminates with a songfest. Recent carvings cover the map from traditional to social statements to a detailed rendition of Main Hall and bow-tie for President Brad Bateman. My alma mater, Mary Baldwin College, also has a Halloween pumpkin carving tradition. Students carve one letter per pumpkin to spell out a meaningful message from an annual theme under the direction of President Pamela Fox’s husband, Dan Layman, who initiated the tradition. Then, on Halloween night, the pumpkins are placed on platforms in the front yard of the President’s House and lit to illuminate the message. A recent one honored the entering class with their theme, “Pearls of Wisdom.”
DECORATING, ART, MUSIC AND OTHER USES Autumn pumpkins invite many decorative and artistic ideas beyond jack-o’-lanterns. I’ve scooped them out and added watercontaining liners for harvest-time arrangements of fall flowers and colorful leaves and have filled them with fruits and vegetables for porch and indoor decorating. And I can’t resist gathering bumpy, warty, striped and spotted gourds of all sizes, shapes and colors into a basket for my back porch.
Artists in Peru, where gourds are indigenous, continue an ancient tradition of surface-carving dried gourds with intricate designs and depictions of the Inca’s long and illustrious history. And gourds are used throughout the world for musical instruments, including shakers, maracas, drums and a banjo-like 90
|
LYNCHBURG LIVING
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
CLOCKWISE: Serigraph of cucurbits created by Susan Timmons. Randolph College “Pumpkin Parade” (Photo courtesy of RC). Intricately surface-carved gourd by Peruvian artist. Mary Baldwin College Halloween pumpkin carving tradition (Photo by Sera Petras, courtesy of MBC). Cucurbit house and display at Dallas Arboretum.
instrument. Other uses include pipes, masks, canteens, water jugs, dippers and birdhouses. They were even once the national currency in Haiti, and to this day the standard coin of Haiti is called a “gourde.”
EDUCATING ENGINEERS A defining characteristic of cucurbits is their grasping tendrils. The Harvard Gazette tells us in an article titled “Clues in the Cucumber’s Climb” that scientists have been sharing what they’ve learned from tendrils of the cucumber plant that coil even more tightly rather than lying flat like a ribbon when pulled strongly. With this biological and physiological knowledge, one branch of science is linked to another, and mechanical engineers are now creating applications for a new type of twist-less spring. So cucurbits not only feed, enchant, entertain, tap creative juices and bond us with family and place but also inform and connect us. A very special family indeed.
Meet the Gardener Susan Timmons served in the 1970s as Virginia’s first Environmental Impact Statement Coordinator, then Assistant Administrator and Acting Administrator of Virginia’s Council on the Environment and editor of The State of Virginia’s Environment. During that time she also served on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Environmental Professionals and received the National Wildlife Federation’s Award for Environmental Communications. More recently, she worked in higher education and non-profit management and, in retirement, she serves as a member of the Speakers Bureau of the Hill City Master Gardeners Association with a series of talks on “Gardens of the World.” Susan and her husband, Tim, live and enjoy their mostly DIY country garden at Walnut Branch Farm in Bedford County.
NE WS & N OTABLES
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
COMMUNITY NEWS Local Nonprofit to Shine Spotlight on Human Trafficking at Freedom Gala Human trafficking is a dark reality all over the globe, but local nonprofit Freedom 4/24 is not content to let it continue without a fight. To aid their efforts in bringing freedom and doing justice, they are hosting the 2nd annual Freedom Gala on November 5 at Tresca on 8th in downtown Lynchburg. Presented in partnership with Ford Mays Wealth Management, this black-tie-optional gala is designed to further awaken and unify the Lynchburg community’s resolve to bring an end to sexual exploitation and human trafficking. This year, the colorful, Indian-infused theme focuses on the work of Freedom 4/24’s international partner in India, Freedom Firm, that rescues minor girls from brothels and brings perpetrators to justice. “After traveling to India this summer to come alongside and film the work being done by Freedom Firm, I can say without reservation that they are bringing freedom and restoration to girls who were previously trapped in sexual slavery,” Tim Spaulding, President of Freedom 4/24, said. “I believe the video and images we share at the Gala will compel the hearts of people in attendance to respond to the reality of the situation there.” Colorful, elegant ensembles are encouraged as gala guests enjoy a bright, flavorful evening of eye-opening truths and inspiring hope around the work of Freedom 4/24. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are still available but will soon sell out. Learn more and make your reservation at www.Freedom424.org/Freedom-Gala.
Phil Vassar returning to London Downs October 1 Country Artist Phil Vassar is returning to London Downs Golf Course to host his 6th annual Golf Classic for Miller Home of Lynchburg, presented by Ford Mays Wealth Management.
Over 250 guests will enjoy the day at the golf course, followed by a delicious dinner and special acoustic concert performed by Vassar. The afternoon tee time is sold out, but 8 a.m. tee times are still available. Morning golfers have the opportunity to enjoy coffee and donuts with Phil before teeing off as well. Registration information: $500 foursome or $600 foursome with Hole Sponsorship. Golfers receive: lunch, an awards dinner, an acoustic concert, a golf cart, green fees, range balls and the opportunity to win prizes. To register a morning golf foursome, give Miller Home a call (434) 845-0241. Vassar gives 100% of the proceeds from the golf classic to The Miller Home, a safe haven for young girls ages four through 21, which survives solely on private funding; golf entry fees will not only benefit the girls of The Miller Home but will also provide a great day of golf and an “Under the Stars” performance by Lynchburg’s own Vassar.
GET DOWNTOWN! Lynchburg’s premier downtown festival is set to help you ring in the autumn season this coming September 11. Enjoy a Friday night out on the town from 6 to 9 p.m. You’ll find all types of food to try, people to catch up with and much more. Focused in the heart of Lynchburg with vendors lining Main Street with expanded coverage now including 7th and 8th streets, where a new entertainment stage will be set up, this year should prove the biggest and best yet! Last year over 11,000 visitors enjoyed all that Downtown Lynchburg has to offer by experiencing food and craft vendors, entertainment, music and various businesses interacting with the public. Stay Downtown will continue the fun with expanded offerings starting at 9 p.m. and running through 11 p.m.
Stay in the Lynchburg loop by signing up for our FREE weekly newsletter, The It List. Each Wednesday, receive info about exciting events happening in Lynchburg and surrounding cities—straight to your inbox!
SIGN UP TODAY AT LYNCHBURGLIVING.COM
Having a hard time finding the latest copy of Lynchburg Living? You can always view it online, in its entirety, completely free… or you can view and share all of our issues of Lynchburg Living. www.lynchburgliving.com/ lynchburg-living-virtual-magazine
W W W. LY N C H B U R G L I V I N G . C O M
|
91
TASTE
Drive thru delight.
Timberlake | Wards Road | Linkhorne
www.joe-beans.com
WE PROUDLY SERVE
100% All-Natural, Freshly Ground y Hand-Formed
S
BLACK ANGUS BURGERS
T
All-Natural Without Hormones, Antibiotics, Preservatives, or Steroids
14805 Forest Road • Suite 221 Forest, VA 24551 Carry-Out Phone: (434) 525-2727 Mon-Thurs: 11am-9:30pm Fri-Sat: 11am-11pm • Sun: 11am-9pm
ANGUS BURGERS STARTING u $4.79
S
CRAFT BREWS
T
MONDAY-THURSDAY ANGUS BURGER SPECIAL u $3.95
OUR BEEF IS CERTIFIED HUMANE
92
|
LYNCHBURG LIVING
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
TASTE COMING RIGHT UP p. 94
FEATURE p. 95
LOCAL FLAVOR p. 100
[ TA S T E ] » DISHING
IT UP
An Early Autumn Picnic FARMBASKET CAFÉ SERVES UP CHARM, GOOD EATS BY PATRICK EVANS-HYLTON
W
e love this time of year, when the earth shifts on its axis and the sultry days of summer take a bow. It’s still a near ideal season to get outdoors for one of our favorite activities—picnicking. At farmbasket café, the opportunity to enjoy a midday respite on picnic tables amid hanging plants and a running creek are ever so appealing now. So is the fresh fare: among the offerings our top picks are the Virginia ham & Swiss sandwich, topped with a zippy house made apple butter,
some homemade potato salad and fresh Apple Dapple Cake. Do you have a favorite dish at a local restaurant? Tell us about it! Email the name of the dish and restaurant and a few words about why you love it to LL’s food editor, Patrick Evans-Hylton, at patrick@LynchburgLiving.com.
RSVP farmbasket 2008 Langhorne Rd., Lynchburg 434-528-1107 www.TheFarmBasket.com
W W W. LY N C H B U R G L I V I N G . C O M
|
93
TASTE
COMING RIGHT UP
COMING RIGHT UP
FEATURE
LOCAL FLAVOR
Meghan Gill Reps the Region
Drinks for a Dog-Gone Good Cause
Roanoke chef wins latest season of Hell’s Kitchen
Pawtinis serves up cocktails for Humane Society
If you were watching the 14th season of the FOX cooking competition show “Hell’s Kitchen,” you may have seen a familiar face (nope, not host Gordon Ramsay). Meghan Gill, 30, of Roanoke not only competed—but won. The former executive chef of Stefano’s on the Market took top honors. One of 12 aspiring chefs on the television show, Gill made it to the final round and was given just one hour, and help from the Hell’s Kitchen sous chef, to best out her competition, Torrence “T” Gregoire. The challenge: prepare one hot appetizer, one cold appetizer, one beef entrée, one fish entrée and one chicken entrée delicious enough to make a lasting impression. Gill did. As the winner of Season 14, Gill will take the job as head chef at Ramsay’s Pub & Grill in Atlantic City, N.J. —PEH
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before … a man and his dog walk into a bar … Well, maybe not exactly. But from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, you may be able to walk into an area restaurant and order a specialty drink named after the bartender’s dog—or cat—or whatever pet they have. On the menu at a number of Lynchburg eateries will be a Pawtini, a unique cocktail designed by the restaurant’s bartender and named after their very own pet. For every drink sold, the restaurant will donate $2 to benefit the local animals at the Lynchburg Humane Society. As Lynchburg Living went to press, participating restaurants included: Isabella’s, Jimmy’s on the James, The Depot Grille, Dish, The Great Room, Apocalypse Ale Works, Wasabi, Rivermont Pizza, The Corner at Rivermont and Charley’s. The restaurants will be competing to see who can sell the most drinks for bragging rights. The Humane Society also plans on printing a book featuring all of the cocktail recipes along with photos of the bartenders and their pets. For more information, visit www.LynchburgHumane.org. —PEH
A Cheer for Beer – and Burgers Beer 88 opens with fanfare, fizz and food Beer 88, a beer and burger-centric eatery, opened early August in Wyndhurst. Currently there are a dozen specialty burgers, including the signature Burger 88 topped with balsamic onion jam, bacon and Swiss cheese. All burgers—ground beef chuck—are served on a brioche bun with fries and a pickle. Other notables: Southern Staple, topped with bacon and pimento cheese; MacAttack, topped with macaroni and cheese and bacon; and Breakfast Lover, topped with bacon, egg and cheddar cheese.
We also like the offering of the Veggie Burger, a black bean burger topped with guacamole and pepper jack cheese. Starters and bar snacks include the usual suspects plus The Bomb, a barbecue bacon wrapped meatball, and a half-dozen varieties of chicken wings ranging from Buffalo to Sweet & Bold. As noted by their name, beer is also a key menu item, with craft varieties from such brewers as Allagash, Dogfish Head, Great Divide, Stone and Terrapin. Beer 88 is at 113 Hexham Dr., Lynchburg. Call (434) 582-5025 or visit www.facebook.com/Beer88Va. —PEH
Back to School Must Haves! Some Customer Favorites!
Call/Text: 434.841.4490 IneedsomeMaryKay@gmail.com www.YourMaryKayLady.com
94
|
LYNCHBURG LIVING
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
Cindy W. Bryant Cindy W. Bryant
Tues - Sat 5:30pm-9pm • Fri & Sat Open Late till 11pm 2900 Candlers Mountain Road, Lynchburg, VA 24502 • 434-455-1301 Visit our Web Site at www.greatroom-restaurant.com
Call/Text: 434.841.4490 IneedsomeMaryKay@gmail.com www.YourMaryKayLady.com
Lynchburg’s Dynamite New Restaurant & Bar
Call/Text: 434.841.4490 INeedSomeMaryKay@gmail.com www.YourMaryKayLady.com
Some Customer Favorites!
Cindy W. Bryant
TASTE COMING RIGHT UP
FEATURE
LOCAL FLAVOR
How About These Apples? IN SEASON NOW, THIS CULINARY CALLING CARD IS ABUNDANT—AND DELICIOUS BY PATRICK EVANS-HYLTON
A
pples are one of Virginia’s culinary calling cards—a food or foodway that makes the state such a tasty
place to live. And across our region, apples are abundant—and delicious. There are more than 100 commercial orchards covering some 16,000 acres of land in the Old Dominion, producing five to six million bushels annually. National Apple Month, coming up in October, is a great time to celebrate. >>
W W W. LY N C H B U R G L I V I N G . C O M
|
95
TASTE COMING RIGHT UP
FEATURE
LOCAL FLAVOR
Following the warm days of summer and during the increasingly cool nights of early autumn, apples reach their peak flavor. In Virginia, harvest begins in July and runs through early November, with the majority of the crop going to market in September and October. Scenic drives out in the country, including along the Blue Ridge Parkway, take you close to many of Virginia’s apple orchards. Take your time and stop. Some orchards offer treats like fried apple pies and warm apple cider spiked with cinnamon and mulling spices. Others have bushels of the fruit you can grab and go, or you can take just a bit longer and pick some yourself. According to the Virginia Apple Board, some of Virginia’s most prominent apples are: Fuji, Gala, Ginger Gold, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Jonathan, Red Delicious, Rome, Stayman, Winesap and York.
Here are Three of Our Favorites This Season and a Little Bit About Them: Fuji. Despite its exotic name, the Fuji has roots in Virginia. This sweet apple is a cross between the Red Delicious and the Ralls Genet (also spelled Rawls Jennet), an old cultivar that goes back to the turn of the nineteenth century, when Edmund Charles Genet, French Minister to the United States, gave cuttings to Thomas Jefferson, who passed them along to M. Caleb Ralls, an apple grower in Amherst County. Appearance: symmetrical, red blush with hints of green and yellow Uses: applesauce, apple butter, baking, eating out-of-hand
Ginger Gold. This once-forgotten yellow apple was rediscovered in Nelson County in 1969 when Clyde and Frances “Ginger” Harvey were clearing their orchard of debris in the aftermath of Hurricane Camille. It exhibits a crisp, mild flavor with a subtle tartness and does not discolor when cut. The fruit’s heritage is Golden Delicious and Albemarle Pippin (an old cultivar and one of Thomas Jefferson’s favorites). The apple has been proposed as the official fruit of Virginia. Appearance: symmetrical, greenish-gold skin Uses: baking, cooking, eating out-of-hand
Granny Smith. This firm, juicy apple has a green-yellow skin and crisp, juicy interior with a sweet-tart flavor. Cut Granny Smith apples do not discolor quickly. Appearance: symmetrical, grassy green color with pink blush Uses: applesauce, apple butter, baking, cooking, eating out-of-hand
96
|
LYNCHBURG LIVING
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
TASTE FEATURE
COMING RIGHT UP
LOCAL FLAVOR
Time to Go Picking
A
utumn is a time to rejoice; the heat of summer has broken and trees are ablaze with color. Get outdoors and enjoy the wonders of the season, which include visiting area orchards and grabbing some apples to take home to enjoy out-of-hand and in recipes. According to the good folks at the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, here are some places in the region to go picking: A. J. Gross and Sons – Gross’ Orchard Bedford www.GrossOrchards.com Appleseed Country – Johnson’s Orchards Bedford www.JohnsonsOrchards.com Arrington Farm Bedford (540) 586-5919 Carter Mountain Orchard Charlottesville (434) 977-1833
Crews Family Orchards Gretna (434) 656-6965
Lar-Lyn Farms Dillwyn www.Lar-LynFarms.com
Dickie Bros. Orchard Roseland www.DickieBros.com
Morris Orchard Monroe (434) 929-2401
Drumheller’s Orchard Lovingston (434) 263-5036
Saunders Brothers Piney River www.SaundersBrothers.com
Kennedy’s Orchards Bedford (540) 297-4931
Seaman’s Orchard Roseland www.SeamansOrchard.com
Silver Creek & Seaman’s Orchards Tyro www.SilverCreek SeamansOrchards.com TLC Blueberry Orchard Moneta (540) 297-1168
And don’t forget to visit our area farmers markets for apples as well! For more information, visit www.vdacs.virginia.gov/vagrown.
CHEF-CRAFTED DAILY PRIX FIXE SPECIALS - $15.49 PRIVATE PARTIES CATERING GIFT CARDS LUNCH & BRUNCH 1344 MAIN STREET LYNCHBURG, VA 24504
(434) 845-1601
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER
W W W. LY N C H B U R G L I V I N G . C O M
|
97
TASTE
HiStoriC GaStroPuB Featuring: Virginia Seafood, Charbroiled Steaks, Choice Pub Foods, Specialty Salads, Homemade Desserts, Smooth Wines, Local Microbrews, Full Bar
SeriouSLy GooD FooD 2221 Bedford ave., Lynchburg, Va www.thedahlialynchburg.com
434.846.0601
Hours: tues-Sat 11am - till Saturday Brunch 11am - 3pm
2223 Bedford ave., Lynchburg, Va
Best Seafood Around • Eat-In or Take Out Hours: Tues-Fri 10am-7pm • Sat 9am-5pm Closed on Sunday & Monday
Find us on
So FreSH, aLWayS HeaLtHy
DeLiSH LunCH/Dinner SPeCiaLS
434.846.1600
Search Blue Marlin Seafood
We strive to provide a fun and relaxing atmosphere, where you can enjoy the exquisite Japanese culture as well as taste our fine cuisine.
434-847-1288 98
|
LYNCHBURG LIVING
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
Open Daily: Serving Lunch and Dinner 3700 Candlers Mountain Rd. #Z Lynchburg, VA 24502
TASTE COMING RIGHT UP
FEATURE
LOCAL FLAVOR
Virginia Apple Bread WITH VANILLA BEAN GLAZE Using the contents of the pantry and root cellar in a variety of ways was a hallmark of the frugality of Virginians living a hardscrabble existence. This recipe does just that, using apple butter to accent the dried fruit and nuts in this loaf. Toast this sweet bread and enjoy it with more apple butter spread on top, or make it into wonderful French toast, perhaps accented with Virginia maple syrup.
BREAD INGREDIENTS 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup brown sugar 1 and 1⁄2 teaspoons baking powder 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda 1⁄2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 and 1⁄2 cups apple butter, divided 1⁄2 cup unsweetened apple juice 4 tablespoons butter, melted 1 egg, beaten 1/2 cup golden raisins 1/2 cup dried cherries 1⁄2 cup chopped toasted walnuts VANILLA BEAN GLAZE INGREDIENTS 1 cup confectioners sugar Seeds from one vanilla bean 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1-2 tablespoons milk
Meet Chef Patrick Evans-Hylton Lynchburg Living food editor Patrick Evans-Hylton is a Johnson & Wales-trained chef and awardwinning food journalist. He has reported on food in print, television, radio and social media since 1991, including being senior editor for food and wine at Coastal Virginia Magazine. His latest book is Dishing Up Virginia. He blogs at PatrickEvansHylton.com.
BREAD METHOD Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9-inch loaf pan. Combine the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and ground nutmeg in a large bowl. Stir in 3⁄4 cup of the apple butter, the apple juice, butter and egg. Fold in the raisins, dried cherries and walnuts. Pour half the batter into the prepared pan. Spread the remaining 3⁄4 cup apple butter evenly over the batter. Gently pour the remaining batter over the apple butter. Bake for 65 to 75 minutes or until the top springs back when lightly touched in the center. Cool the bread for 15 minutes before removing from the pan. Cool completely on a wire rack before cutting. Drizzle cooled bread with Vanilla Bean Glaze. Store in an airtight container for 3 to 5 days or freeze for up to 6 months. YIELD ONE 9-INCH LOAF
Apple Selection & Storage Tips Here are a few tips on how to select— and store—your apples: • Pick apples that have a robust color for their varietal • Apples should be firm with no soft spots • Apple flesh should be smooth and bruise free • Apples should have a fresh aroma • Before use, lightly scrub apples in cool water • Store apples in a cool, dark place
VANILLA BEAN GLAZE METHOD Add confectioners sugar to a large mixing bowl. Cut open vanilla bean and scrape out seeds into bowl with sugar and stir gently to incorporate. Add vanilla extract and milk and stir together until combined. Add milk an additional tablespoon at a time if needed to thin the glaze. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled Virginia Apple Bread. Editor's Note: Recipe is adapted from one designed by the Virginia State Apple Board. Want more apple recipes? Email LL’s food editor, Patrick Evans-Hylton, at Patrick@LynchburgMag.com and put “Apple Recipes” in the subject line.
W W W. LY N C H B U R G L I V I N G . C O M
|
99
TASTE FEATURE
COMING RIGHT UP
LOCAL FLAVOR
Raise A Glass THREE CHEERS FOR VIRGINIA WINE MONTH
A
BY PATRICK EVANS-HYLTON
few years ago Travel + Leisure magazine noted, “Virginia is one of the top five new wine travel destinations in the world.” They obviously know their stuff. So, with October being Virginia Wine Month, now is a great time to pop open a vintage or two of Virginia vino. In our region there are many wineries along two wine trails: Bedford Wine Trail and Southern Virginia (SoVA) Wine Trail that offer a great experience any time of the year. Following are the vineyards to visit and start your October off right. Bright Meadows Farm Nathalie; Southern Virginia Wine Trail www.BrightMeadows.com Brooks Mill Winery Wirtz; Southern Virginia Wine Trail www.BrooksMillWine.com
• Call the winery ahead of your visit to verify hours and ask when is the optimal time to stop by.
DeVault Vineyards Concord; Southern Virginia Wine Trail www.DeVaultVineyards.com
• Many Virginia wineries are in rural locations, and you may find yourself without mobile phone service at times; hit the road with good directions.
Greenwood Vineyards Vernon Hill; Southern Virginia Wine Trail www.Greenwood-Vineyards.com Hickory Hill Vineyards & Winery Moneta; Bedford Wine Trail, Southern Virginia Wine Trail www.SMLWine.com The Homeplace Vineyard Chatham; Southern Virginia Wine Trail www.TheHomeplaceVineyard.com Hunting Creek Vineyards Clover; Southern Virginia Wine Trail www.HCVWines.com LeoGrande Vineyards and Winery Goode; Bedford Wine Trail Find LeoGrande on Facebook Molliver Vineyards Nathalie; Southern Virginia Wine Trail www.Molliver-Vineyards.com Peaks of Otter Winery Bedford; Bedford Wine Trail www.PeaksOfOtterWinery.com >>
100
Tips for Visiting Wineries
|
LYNCHBURG LIVING
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
• Speaking of hitting the road: get a designated driver! • Realize there are a lot of wineries out there so don’t overdo it. Perhaps try to visit two or three a day. • Some wineries offer food, others don’t, so keep lunch or snacks in mind. • Also keep in mind water— drink plenty to stay hydrated! • Dress comfortably and in layers in case it’s cooler in a cellar than when you are sitting outside enjoying a quaff. • Don’t wear cologne; drinking wine is a sensory experience and, if you load up on the perfume, it could negatively affect yours or others’ tasting experience.
• Bring a cooler with one or two ice blocks in it if you are making purchases—even of red wine. Car temperatures can soar, so when you are at your second or third stop—or on the way home—your wine should stay at appropriate temperatures. • Try the wines you know you like, but try some that you may not have had before—you could find a new favorite! • Really taste the wines: look at them, smell them, taste them and take notes so you will remember your impressions of them. • Make use of the dump bucket if you are starting to feel the effects of drinking too much—or if there is a wine you don’t like. • Also make use of the crackers or bread to clear your palate, especially between greatly varying vintages. • Ask lots of questions; the folks at the winery are there to help you make the most of your visit. Don’t worry about asking something that may be common knowledge to them; if you are curious, ask!
TASTE
a n l i M o’s Italian Restaurant
Serving Italian cuisine and a variety of handmade pizzas prepared with the finest ingredients.
Now Offering Sunday Brunch!
Come relax on our patio and enjoy the full sandwich menu, mimosas, quiche, all case items and all wine/beer without corking fee.
Daily Lunch Buffet
Gourmet Deli | Catering | Boutique Wine | Craft Beer | Cakes
4327 Boonsboro Road, Lynchburg (434) 384-3400 www.milanosoflynchburg.com
2476 Rivermont Ave. | 434-528-5442 | www.magnoliafoods.com Mon-Fri 9am-7pm, Sat 10am-7pm, Sun 11am-2pm
COME & EXPERIENCE AUTHENTIC
LACARRETAONLINE.COM
mexican cuisine
TIMBERLAKE RD.
WARDS CROSSING
Langhorne Rd.
FOREST RD.
BARRICKS LN.
(434) 239-9701
(434) 237-4009
(434) 528-6800
(434) 525-4737
(434) 332-1600
Lakeview Dr. S Amherst Highway (434) 846-6079
(434) 846-2248
Lynchburg
Lynchburg
Lynchburg
Forest
Rustburg
Madison Heights
Madison Heights
W W W. LY N C H B U R G L I V I N G . C O M
|
101
TASTE FEATURE
COMING RIGHT UP
Ramulose Ridge Vineyards Moneta; Bedford Wine Trail Find Ramulose Ridge on Facebook Rosemont of Virginia LaCrosse; Southern Virginia Wine Trail www.RosemontOfVirginia.com Sans Soucy Vineyards Brookneal; Southern Virginia Wine Trail www.SansSoucyVineyards.com Savoy-Lee Winery Huddleston; Bedford Wine Trail www.Savoy-Lee.com Tomahawk Mill Vineyard & Winery Chatham; Southern Virginia Wine Trail www.TomahawkMill.com White Oak Mountain Meadery Chatham; Southern Virginia Wine Trail www.WhiteOakMead.com White Rock Vineyards & Winery Goodview; Bedford Wine Trail www.WhiteRockWines.com For more information on The Bedford Wine Trail, visit www.TheBedfordWineTrail.com.
Mon-Thur: 11AM-10PM • Fri: 11AM-10:30PM Sat: 4:30PM-10PM • Sun: Closed
1887 Graves Mill Rd, Forest (434) 385-7581 www.bullssteakhouse.com
102
|
LYNCHBURG LIVING
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
LOCAL FLAVOR
Virginia Autumn Harvest Sangria
Here is a drink to enjoy lingering warm days this autumn while still savoring the flavors of a Virginia fall.
INGREDIENTS 1 750ml bottle Virginia red wine 1/2 cup sugar 2 ounces blackberry liqueur 1 cup red grapes, halved 1 cup cherries, pitted 2 medium red Virginia apples cored; cut into large chunks 1 12-ounce bottle ginger ale METHOD In a large pitcher, add red wine, sugar and blackberry liqueur and stir until sugar is dissolved. Add grapes, cherries and apple chunks, stir, and refrigerate an hour or two until chilled. Just before serving, top off with ginger ale. Serve in tall glasses filled with ice. YIELDS 8-12 SERVINGS. *Editor’s Note: We like Northern Neck Ginger Ale, which has its roots in Virginia.
TR AVEL
Adventure
In Your Own Backyard—
TAKE A DAY TRIP TO THE PEAKS & ENJOY SOME HIDDEN TREASURES ALONG THE WAY BY ASHLEY BUNNER W W W. LY N C H B U R G L I V I N G . C O M
|
103
TR AVEL
M
y first hike to Sharp Top’s summit was a breathtaking experience. Not only was it a challenging hike, but the view of the Blue Ridge Mountains was spectacular, especially with the sharp bite in the crisp October air and the deep blue color of the sky. As I gazed out over the land we so dearly call Central Virginia, I was reminded of stories my grandmother told me of she and my grandfather driving up the Blue Ridge Parkway to visit the Peaks of Otter in the late 1960s and early 1970s. My grandmother told me that my mom was just a couple of years old when the Peaks were founded—they used to pack a picnic lunch and spread out in the grass facing the lodge. As I would listen to her tales and flip through yellowing pages in her scrapbook, my grandmother’s face would shine with the recollection of fond memories when they would dine at the lodge with my great-granddaddy Hendricks and my grandfather, both of whom have sinced passed away. Though I’ve lived in Central Virginia nearly all of my life, I’ve only made the trek to the Peaks once. Not a whole lot had changed between the time that my grandparents had visited 30 plus years ago to my time hiking Sharp Top’s trail in 2010. However, what was once a nice getaway for locals is now a destination spot for international visitors and a place to make lasting memories for all. Andrew Mather, general manager of the Peaks of Otter Lodge, said that he has greeted visitors from Germany, the United Kingdom and as far away as Australia and New Zealand. This had me wondering, “If I live just an hour away from the Peaks, why haven’t I gone more often?” For those of us fortunate enough to be local, a day trip to the Peaks has much to offer. From spectacular views 104
|
LYNCHBURG LIVING
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
THE GREAT OUTDOORS: Adventures abound and await at The Peaks; available trails offer a wide range of difficultly levels to accommodate all visitors.
to hidden gems along the way—like Mountain Fruit & Produce Country store—the Blue Ridge Mountains region promises to deliver long lasting memories for those who explore it.
SIGHTS Founded in 1964, the Peaks of Otter is home to five hiking trails that range from an easy 1-mile trail around Abbott Lake to a strenuous 4.4-mile hike to the summit of Flat Top. Other trails include Sharp Top Trail, which provides hikers a 360-degree view of the Peaks of Otter area, Harkening Hill Trail, which is a 3.3-mile trail that leads to an elevation of 3,375 feet and the Johnson Farm Trail which takes hikers on a 2.1-mile trail to the restored Johnson Farm. Many hikers choose to climb the trail to Sharp Top in the evening to watch the spectacular view of the sunset. Others make camp and stay the night to catch the sunrise. A great way to get an overview of the Peaks is to catch a shuttle ride. The Sharp Top Shuttle offers transportation that will take passengers to within
TR AVEL 1,500 feet of the summit of Sharp Top Mountain. The shuttle departs every hour from the Nature Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday.
Attracting visitors from all around are the luxurious colors of the autumn leaves. While September to October is the busiest time of year for hiking, pinpointing when the fall colors will peak is difficult and, according to Mather, is weather dependent. I visited in late October expecting to gaze out at the vibrant hues of the leaves, only to find that the color was quickly beginning to fade. No matter the season though, the view can’t be beat. For those looking for something a bit more relaxing than hiking, there is the Wine Time Tour. From June through October, a wine shuttle will take passengers on a trip each Saturday to visit three of six different wineries. The first route takes passengers to Savoy-Lee Winery, LeoGrande Vineyards and Peaks of Otter Winery, while the second route visits White Rock Vineyards, Ramulose Ridge Vineyards and Hickory Hill Vineyards. Tickets are $25 per person, and there is an additional $5 wine tasting fee at each winery. The shuttle departs at 12 p.m. and returns at 5:30 p.m. Historic locations are also available for exploration in the Peaks of Otter area; among them Polly Wood’s Ordinary, an early lodging and dining establishment for travelers in the 1830’s, and Johnson Farm, established in 1852, and now the lone remaining property from the original community that existed prior to the Blue Ridge Parkway. After restoration efforts 47 years ago, Johnson Farm now offers history demonstrations and reenactments by costumed interpreters on a seasonal basis. For more information about Johnson Farm visit www.hiking-tips-for-you.com. >> SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE: A variety of activities greet visitors to the Peaks from trail hikes to historic homes to a wine tour to numerous dining options at the Lodge's Lake View Restaurant.
W W W. LY N C H B U R G L I V I N G . C O M
|
105
www.travellovers.com | (434) 385-5192 | 19129 Forest Road |
Rome & the Amalfi Coast Fully Escorted
October 27 - November 5, 2016
PAC K AG E I N C LU D E S : • Included: Round trip motorcoach from Lynchburg to Richmond and round trip airfare from Richmond
• Tour centuries of history during a visit to the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.
• 13 Meals: 8 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 4 Dinners
• A local expert walks you through the site of Pompeii.
• Tour Rome, Montecassino, Sorrento, Winery Visit, Amalfi Coast and Naples.
• Learn about ancient cultures and history during your visit to the Greek temples of Paestum.
• Enjoy regional wines with dinner. • Tour of a local buffalo milk mozzarella factory.
• Spend a leisurely five nights on the breathtaking Amalfi Coast, where the Mediterranean Sea and the mountains meet.
BOOK NOW & SAVE $250 PER PERSON! Price Per Person
Single $4,909
Double $4,209
Triple $4,179
Included in Price: Round Trip Air from Richmond International Airport, Air Taxes and Fees/Surcharges, Hotel Transfers. All rates are subject to change based on air inclusive package from RIC
TR AVEL
OLD MADE NEW: Recent renovations to the Lodge's interior rooms have elevated the level of accommodations available to overnight guests and more improvements are planned for the coming year.
RENOVATIONS Just this past year, the Peaks of Otter underwent a $750,000 lodge renovation. From February to April, all 63 rooms of the lodge received complete makeovers. New décor and furniture were added along with special amenities such as flat screen TVs, Keurigs, improved airconditioning/heating and free WIFI access. Not looking to completely modernize the rooms, Mather said that the renovations helped to update the lodge without taking away the essence of the Peaks’ country roots. A rustic color scheme of green, white, tan and rust was chosen to give the rooms an authentic mountainous feel. Also new to each room are archived photos from the Peaks of Otter which help to showcase a bit of history and give visitors a visual connection between the past and the present. With these renovations and more to come—updates to all of the bathrooms and the addition of a deck onto the lodge—Mather believes that the lodge will attract more tourism from throughout the United States and around the world.
DINING If you are hungry after a day of hiking, the Peaks of Otter Lake View Restaurant offers full breakfast, lunch and dinner menus as well as desserts and drinks. The restaurant’s menu, which Mather describes as good “country food,” includes fried or roasted chicken, New York strip steak, meatloaf, trout and many other country favorites. While the buffet in the dining room has not changed much over the years, Mather said that it will be receiving updates later this year. Also being redecorated in the near future will be the dining room itself. If a quick bite to eat is something more your speed, there are other dining options available to visitors in the Peaks of Otter area. One store along the way to the Peaks offers unique specialty baked items for travelers on the go. >>
W W W. LY N C H B U R G L I V I N G . C O M
|
107
TR AVEL
COUNTRY STORE
SERVICE WITH A SMILE: Mountain Fruit & Produce offers a free apple to any customer who stops by after some time on the hiking trails.
“Deli, Jams, Jellies, Pies and On Road Diesel”—so beckons the sign of a unique little country store on the way to the Peaks. If jam, jelly and diesel fuel isn’t what you’re looking for, maybe you’d like to stop by to sample some fresh produce served up in a unique way; vegetables and ice cream certainly make for an unforgettable combination. And while they may be polar opposites, putting them together yields a surprisingly delicious result. Especially flavors like butternut squash ice cream. Yes, you read that right: butternut squash ice cream. This is just one of the many unique flavors of ice cream made fresh daily at Mountain Fruit & Produce. Nestled in the shadows of the Blue Ridge Parkway, the little country store, owned by Ronnie Gross, is full of old fashioned treasures you won’t find anywhere else. “No one would eat the butternut squash ice cream [at first],” employee Donna Croce said. So she would ask customers if she could do a blind taste test with them. And sure enough, without knowing what the flavor was, people loved it! Other homemade ice cream flavors include ginger snap, sweet potato, blueberry, blackberry, blondie brownie, strawberry shortcake and pumpkin cheesecake. Specially made jams, jellies, sauces and chow chow line the walls of the store. Only a small section is dedicated to conventional grocery store items, but everything else in the store is authentic to the local area. Everything that is cooked at Mountain Fruit & Produce is made with in season fruits and vegetables.
Live Play Shop Stay Dine
www.downtownlynchburg.com • 434-485-7250
108
|
LYNCHBURG LIVING
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
TR AVEL
Baking everything from scratch is a passion of Bakery Manager Joy Segroves that truly shows in the care and quality of her baked goods. In fact, if a customer asks for a certain baked good and Segroves cannot find a recipe to make it from scratch, she won’t do it. Segroves’ favorite part about baking from scratch is the creativity she infuses into each item.
“People enjoy it, and they [appreciate it] because everything is made from scratch,” Segroves said. “And a lot of people won’t find that anywhere else anymore.” In addition to the specialty homemade ice cream, visitors can find country classics and favorites such as apple butter, fruit jams and jellies and fried apple pies. And if you think you have a sweet tooth that can’t be satisfied, think again! The store offers a variety of sugar-free canned items that are sweetened with grape juice instead of sugar. And there is also a gluten-free section, offering something for everyone. Mountain Fruit & Produce especially caters to the needs of travelers and hikers who are visiting the Peaks of Otter. “We don’t advertise this, but if the hikers come in, and we can see that they’ve been hiking, if they causally tell us that they just hiked the Peaks of Otter, they’re allowed a free apple,” Croce said. It’s the little things like this, as well as employees like Segroves and Croce, that keep customers coming back to the little country store year after year.
“We try to be as nice as possible and know people’s names and acknowledge that they are only here for a little time,” Croce said. “We only have five seconds to make an impression.”
FRESH IS BEST: Everything prepared for the store is made with fresh, seasonal ingredients so that Segroves (left) can create from scratch—the only way she'll bake.
MAKING MEMORIES THAT LAST With new renovations and plans to add paddle boats, remote control power boats and fire pits around the lodge, Mather wants the Peaks of Otter to be a destination that is “user friendly,” available to all demographics and communicates the message “come back to the Peaks.” So, if you are looking for a day trip that has something for everyone and can be experienced in any season, the Peaks of Otter just might be the place to go. Who knows, maybe you too can share your own fond memories of a day at the Peaks with your grandchildren someday.
For an Extended Day Trip Peaks of Otter Winery www.peaksofotterwinery.com
The National D-Day Memorial, www.dday.org Smith Mountain Lake, smith-mountain-lake.com Savoy-Lee Winery, www.savoy-lee.com White Rock Vineyards & Winery www.whiterockwines.com
Ramulose Ridge Vineyards www.ramuloseridgevineyards.com
Hickory Hill Vineyards, www.smlwine.com
W W W. LY N C H B U R G L I V I N G . C O M
|
109
EVENTS
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
Event Name — Indicates Local Festival
CALENDAR OF EVENTS SEPTEMBER 3 6th Annual Wing Fling Phase 2 4009 Murray Place, Lynchburg 5 to 9 p.m. Enjoy a variety of wings from multiple vendors, live music, exhibitors, the Nuclear Hot Wing Eating contest and more! Information at (434) 845-5966. 104th Annual Exhibition: Breath/Breadth Opening Reception Maier Museum of Art at Randolph College 5 to 7 p.m. On view through Dec. 11. Information at www.maiermuseum.org.
SEPTEMBER 4 First Fridays Downtown and Rivermont, Lynchburg 5 to 8 p.m. Local arts organizations and galleries stay open late to debut performances, hold openings and exhibit new works. A free trolley runs from Downtown to Rivermont Avenue. First Friday at the Lynchburg Museum 901 Court Street, Lynchburg 5 to 8 p.m. Free to the general public. First Friday at Riverviews Artspace 901 Jefferson Street G3, Lynchburg 5:30 p.m. to Midnight Free and open to the public. First Friday at the Academy of Fine Arts 600 Main Street, Lynchburg 5 to 8 p.m. Free to the public. Information on current exhibits at www.academyfinearts.com.
SEPTEMBER 4-7 Labor Day Weekend Activities Smith Mountain Lake State Park 1235 State Park Rd., Huddleston Information at www.visitBedford.com.
Annual Baking Contest at Saunders Brothers Farm Market 2717 Tye Brook Hwy, Pine River 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Information at www.saundersbrothers.com. Sunset Saturday: Labor Day Edition Hickory Hill Vineyards and Winery 1722 Hickory Cove Lane, Moneta 7 to 10 p.m. $10 per person. Information at (540) 296-1393 and www.smlwine.com/home
SEPTEMBER 7 Annual Buena Vista Labor Day Glen Maury Park 101 Maury River Road, Buena Vista 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Information at www.glenmaurypark.com.
SEPTEMBER 10-13 Lockn’ Music Festival Oak Ridge Farm 2300 Oak Ridge Rd., Arrington Lockn’ is a four day music festival, with an emphasis on music, camping, outdoor activities, regional food, beverages and artisans. Information at www.locknfestical.com.
SEPTEMBER 11 Get! Downtown Street Festival Downtown Main/Church Streets, Lynchburg 6 to 9 p.m. Free to the public. 25th Annual Mountain Music and Dance Festival Glen Maury Park 101 Maury River Drive, Buena Vista Admission Fee: $14/person/day; $25/person/weekend; $10 Saturday after 5 p.m.; Kids under 15 free. Camping Fee: $13/site/day. Second Fridays in Centertown Bedford 5 to 8 p.m. Art Galleries, museums and shops will be open.
SEPTEMBER 12
SEPTEMBER 4-5
SEPTEMBER 5
43rd Annual Lynchburg Art Festival E.C. Glass High School Grounds 2111 Memorial Avenue, Lynchburg 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Features original artwork for display and sale by 150 local and regional artists.
County Fair and Gathering The Sedalia Center 1108 Sedalia School Road, Big Island 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Agriculture, animal husbandry, energy conservation and the domestic arts. Sustainable skills, local livestock and poultry show plus home canning. Information at (434) 299-5080.
WarriorFest 2015 Harley Davidson of Lynchburg 20452 Timberlake Dr., Lynchburg 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Includes stops at Apocalypse Ale Works and Loose Shoe Brewery; all proceeds to benefit the Virginia Warrior Program, Region 3. Information from Jeremy (434)237-2381.
The 24th Annual Helen Clark Berlind Symposium Maier Museum of Art at Randolph College Information at www.maiermuseum.org.
110
|
LYNCHBURG LIVING
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
Day in the Park Miller Park 2100 Park Ave., Lynchburg 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Antique and Classic Boat Show Mariner’s Landing Resort 1217 Graves Harbor Trail, Huddleston 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 25th Anniversary celebration; public boat show. Information at (540) 488-2536 and www.woodenboats.net/index.php. The Sound of Music Sing-Along Academy Warehouse Theatre Corner of 5th and Commerce, Lynchburg 7 p.m. Featuring guest star Daniel Truhitte (Rolf) from the original film. Ticket information at www.academyfinearts.com. Bedford County Hunt Dog Days Festival Top of the Hill Farm 9920 Dickerson Mill Rd., Moneta 1 to 8 p.m. Live bands, artisans, vendors, races, craft beers, wine, auctions, face painting and more! Information at (862) 266-2081.
SEPTEMBER 12-13 Skiing/Snowboarding–Subway Commonwealth Games Snowflex 4000 Candlers Mountain Rd., Lynchburg 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. $5 registration fee required.
SEPTEMBER 13 2nd Annual Bedford’s Finest Fare— A Local Gastronomic Event Wharton Memorial Garden 309 North Bridge Str., Bedford 4 to 8 p.m. Celebrating Bedford’s vibrant local food and beverage scene and featuring local chefs. Tickets available at the Bedford Welcome Center and online at www.lynchburgtickets.com.
SEPTEMBER 17 Opening Reception for “Butch Hartman: Cartoon Creator” Exhibit Liberty University Art Gallery 6 to 8:30 p.m. On display through October 17; free to the public. Information at (434) 592-7629.
SEPTEMBER 18 “Humbly I Serve” Golf Tournament Ivy Hill Golf Club 12 p.m. All proceeds go to vision care of children domestically and internationally. Information at (434) 239-0081.
EVENTS National D-Day Memorial– Air Force Birthday 3 Overlord Circle, Bedford 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
SEPTEMBER 19 Lynchburg Beer and Wine Festival Lynchburg City Stadium 3176 Fort Avenue, Lynchburg 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Information at www.lynchburgbeerandwinefestival.com. 16th Annual Harvest Jubilee & Wine Festival Avoca Museum 1514 Main Street, Altavista Noon to 6 p.m. Wines from seven area wineries will be featured; live music, vendors and bounce houses for kids. Information at (434) 369-1076 or avocaevents@embarqmail.com. National D-Day Memorial – POW/MIA Awareness Day 3 Overlord Circle, Bedford 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Piney River Gold Apple Day at Saunders Brothers Farm Market 2717 Tye Brook Hwy., Piney River 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pick Your Own Apples at Seamans’ Orchard 415 Dark Hollow Road, Roseland 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
SEPTEMBER 24-26 15th Annual Nothin’ Fancy Bluegrass Festival Glen Maury Park 10th Street, Buena Vista 1 to 11:30 p.m. Information at www.nothinfancybluegrass.com.
SEPTEMBER 26 4th Annual Pierce Street Harlem Renaissance Festival Anne Spencer House & Garden Museum 1313 Pierce Street, Lynchburg 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Honoring the Harlem Renaissance and featuring Harlem impersonators, musical performances, poetry readings, food, children’s activities, local artisans and vendors. Information at www.annespencermuseum.com. Dinner & Film featuring Casablanca Academy Warehouse Theatre Corner of 5th and Commerce, Lynchburg 6 p.m. Enjoy a Moroccan-inspired catered meal by Chef Scott Cardwell, formerly of Bull Branch. Tickets $65; information at www.academyfinearts.com.
Farm Animal Displays Saunders Brothers Orchard and Farm Market 2717 Tye Brook Hwy., Piney River 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
SEPTEMBER 27
Annual Day at the Point Point of Honor 112 Cabell Street, Lynchburg 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Featuring living history, food, kid’s games, crafts, music, and much more.
Lynchburg Historical Foundation Tour Featuring Federal Hill Historic District Corner of 12th and Harrison 1 to 5:30 p.m. tour; 6 to 8:30 p.m. dinner Reservations required; tickets $20; information at www.lynchburgtickets.com and (434) 528-5353.
Archaeology Behind-the-Scenes Tours Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest 1542 Bateman Bridge Rd., Forest 11:15 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 1:15 p.m., 2:15 p.m. Guided house tour and self-guided grounds exhibits. Ticket information at www.poplarforest.org.
OCTOBER 1
OCTOBER 4
6th Annual Golf Classic for Miller Home London Downs Golf Course 1614 New London Rd., Forest Information at (434) 845-0241.
Blessing of the Animals Old City Cemetery 401 Taylor Street, Lynchburg 3 to 4 p.m. Episcopal clergy of Lynchburg invite all creatures great and small to join them on the grounds next to the chapel. Animals will be blessed in the spirit of the patron saint St. Francis.
OCTOBER 2 Movie in the Park “The Princess Bride” Riverside Park 7 p.m. First of its kind and presented by Lynchburg Parks and Recreation; free to the public; information at www.lynchburgva.gov/parks-and-recreation. Peak Foliage Open Houses Peaks of Otter Winery 2122 Sheep Creek Rd., Bedford Through November 9 Enjoy breathtaking views, sample apples and cider and visit the many farm animals. First Friday at Downtown and Rivermont 5 to 8 p.m. Local arts organizations and galleries stay open late to debut performances, hold openings and exhibit new works. A free trolley runs from Downtown to Rivermont Avenue. First Friday at the Lynchburg Museum 901 Court Street, Lynchburg 5 to 8 p.m. Free to the general public. First Friday at Riverviews Artspace 901 Jefferson Street G3, Lynchburg 5:30 p.m. to Midnight Free and open to the public. First Friday at the Academy of Fine Arts 600 Main Street, Lynchburg 5 to 8 p.m. Free to the public. Information on current exhibits at www.academyfinearts.com.
OCTOBER 3 Out of the Darkness Community Walk Percival’s Island 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Information at (434) 436-3751 or joanpalmer5678@gmail.com.
OCTOBER 9 Second Fridays in Centertown Bedford 5 to 8 p.m. Art Galleries, museums and shops will be open.
OCTOBER 9-10 34th Annual Centerfest Centertown Bedford Intersection of Bridge and Main Streets Cruise-in on Friday evening; crafts, arts, vendors from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday. Information at centertownbedford.com/events.
OCTOBER 9-11 57th Shenandoah Antiques Expo Augusta Expo 277 Expo Rd., Fishersville (I-64, Exit 91) Various times. Featuring more than 300 national dealers with quality merchandise at fair prices. Ticket and time information at www.heritagepromotions.net or (434) 846-7452.
OCTOBER 10-11 25th Annual Virginia Wine and Garlic Festival Rebec Vineyards 2229 North Amherst Hwy., Amherst 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Embracing food, wine, live entertainment, arts, crafts and GARLIC! Five stages with music and entertainment including the Garlic Cookoff, Garlic Queen and Jr. Queen Contests—all with cash prizes. Information at www.virginiagarlicfestival.com. Annual Historic Appomattox Railroad Festival Main Street, Appomattox 10th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; the 11th from Noon to 5 p.m. Festival highlights include a parade, arts, crafts, live bands, train exhibits, food, fireworks and lots of activities for the entire family. >>
W W W. LY N C H B U R G L I V I N G . C O M
|
111
EVENTS
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
CONTINUED...
OCTOBER 11 “Through a Lens Darkly” Documentary Screening Maier Museum of Art Randolph College, Lynchburg 2 to 3:30 p.m. Event is free and open to the public.
OCTOBER 14 Jefferson’s Assembly The Bedford Columns 812 East Main Street, Bedford 5 to 8 p.m. Presented by Boxley, Jefferson’s Assembly brings legislators and candidates for public office together with area executives and business professionals. Information at (434) 845-5066. Fall Food and Crafts Bazaar Westminster Canterbury 501 VES Road 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Food and handmade crafts by residents; information at (434) 386-3454 or jdavis0503@aol.com.
OCTOBER 15-17
Hokie BugFest Inn at Virginia Tech / Latham Ballroom 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free festival with a live Bug Zoo, a haunted Bug House, luminescent bugs, games, crafts and exhibits. View a giant bird-eater tarantula, try on a beekeeper’s suit, observe a live silkworm exhibit and learn all about bed bugs. Fun and educational for the entire family. Information at www.hokiebugfest.org.
OCTOBER 18-19 37th Annual Amherst County Apple Harvest Festival Amherst County High School 139 Lancer Lane, Amherst 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; the 19th from Noon to 5 p.m. Featuring anything and everything apples! Information at (434) 845-5606.
OCTOBER 20-21
Candlelight Tours of Old City Cemetery 401 Taylor Street, Lynchburg Professional actors in period costume bring Cemetery residents to life with true stories from local history. Tickets must be purchased in advance and go quickly. For tour times and tickets visit www.gravegarden.org.
Velveteen Rabbit presented by Alluvion Academy Warehouse Theatre Corner of 5th and Commerce, Lynchburg On the 20th at 7 p.m.; on the 21st at 3 p.m. Enjoy a live stage performance of a beloved stuffed rabbit and his quest to become real. Tickets $10; information at www.academyfinearts.com.
OCTOBER 17
OCTOBER 22
25th Annual Dr. John A. Stephenson Memorial Youth Run “Let's Read and Run” at Riverside Park 9 a.m. start time For ages 13 and under; each runner receives a book, trophy and t-shirt. Proceeds for “Reach out and Read” program. Online registration $10 before Sept. 30; $15 after; all paper applications $20. Information at www.riversiderunners.com or (434) 942-2196.
Opening of Senior Graphic Design Exhibition Liberty University Art Gallery On display through November 7; free to the public. Information at (434) 592-7629.
James River State Park Fall Harvest Festival James River State Park Visitor’s Center 104 Green Hill Drive, Gladstone 2 p.m. Featuring wagon rides, spooky candy trail, pumpkin carving, crafts, candy maze, bonfire and an outdoor family movie. Information at (434) 933-4355 or jamesriver@dcr.virginia.gov. Apple Harvest Festival Gross’ Orchard 6817 Wheats Valley Rd., Bedford 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Music, food, apples and much more. Information at www.grossorchards.com.
112
Apple Butter Making at Saunders Brothers Saunders Brothers Orchard and Farm Market 2717 Tye Brook Hwy., Piney River 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Information at www.saundersbrothers.com.
|
LYNCHBURG LIVING
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
OCTOBER 22-24 Candlelight Tours of Old City Cemetery 401 Taylor Street, Lynchburg Professional actors in period costume bring Cemetery residents to life with true stories from local history. Tickets must be purchased in advance and go quickly. For tour times and tickets visit www.gravegarden.org. The Ghosts of Historic Lynchburg Tours Seeing the Garland Hill Historic District 300 Harrison Street 6 p.m. Tickets sold on site; first come, first served. $10 for adults; $5 for 11 years and younger. Information at (434) 528-5353.
OCTOBER 24 5th Annual Zombie Walk Lynchburg Community Market 5 to 7:30 p.m. Information at (434) 665-2204.
Phenomenal Women’s Heart Walk Percival’s Island 8:30 a.m. 1 mile and 5k distances; walkers should wear red t-shirts. Donations: $15 per walker and benefitting the American Heart Association. Information at (434) 525-1805. Street Art Festival – Featuring DJ ED and Mural Artist Clinton Jones Academy Lot & Warehouse Theatre Corner of 5th and Commerce, Lynchburg 6 p.m. Free to the public; unveiling of the latest public art mural. Information at www.academyfinearts.com. Legends of the Land Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest 1542 Bateman Bridge Rd., Forest 6 to 9 p.m. $20, reservations required. Information at www.poplarforest.org.
OCTOBER 25 ‘That’s Me! Portraits’ Family Program Maier Museum of Art at Randolph College 1 to 5 p.m. $4 for Maier Members; $5 for all others.
OCTOBER 30 Indie Music Series Academy Warehouse Theatre Corner of 5th and Commerce, Lynchburg 8 p.m. Live music featuring a series of local and touring groups; tickets $10 in advance; information at www.academyfinearts.com.
OCTOBER 31 Halloween Film Screening Academy Warehouse Theatre Corner of 5th and Commerce, Lynchburg 8 p.m. Dress in costume and enjoy a classic film; tickets $10; information at www.academyfinearts.com. All Hallows Eve Services Old City Cemetery 401 Taylor Street, Lynchburg 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Fun family service at the Chapel before heading out to Trick-or-Treat. Costumes welcome. Free but reservations required. Information at www.gravegarden.org.
Have a Calendar Event to Share? Send an email to feedback@lynchburgmag.com by October 2 with event(s) details.
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
advertisers' directory
ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS (22) www.academyfinearts.com
ESTATES REVISTED (34) 434.845.0555
LYNCHBURG CITY SCHOOLS (50) www.lcsedu.net
RIDGEVIEW DERMATOLOGY (76) 434.363.4190
ACCENTS FLAGS, GIFTS, HOME & GARDEN (84) 434.847.0576
FAMILY LIFE SERVICES ADOPTION AGENCY (66) www.familylifeservices.org
LYNCHBURG COLLEGE (46) www.lynchburg.edu
RIVERVIEWS ARTSPACE (25) riverviews.net
ACCESS HEALTHCARE (66) 434.316.7199
FARMBASKET (44) 434.528.1107
LYNCHBURG DENTAL CENTER (50) 434.384.7611
SHAY'S UNIQUE GIFTS (44) 434.845.6340
BLANCHETTE ORTHODONTICS (66) 434.846.4014
FARMERS' SEED & SUPPLY (89) 434.845.2522
LYNCHBURG SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA (25) www.lynchburgyouthorchestra.com
SPECTRUM STONE DESIGNS (44) 434.993.0888
BLICKENSTAFF & CO. REALTORS JANE BLICKENSTAFF 434.660.3773 (4) DANIELE MASON 434.444.3888(4) LAUREN BELL 434.221.9375 (16)
FORD MAYS WEALTH MANAGEMENT & FAMILY RETIREMENT SPECIALIST (17) 434.239.8810
LYNCHBURG'S FINEST (10) BETSY FERGUSON & ASSOCIATES 434.941.8699
FOREST DENTAL CENTER (54) 434.385.7307
MAGNOLIA FOODS (101) 434.528.5442
FOSTER CONSTRUCTION (34) 434.546.0283
MARY KAY / CINDY W. BRYANT (94) 434.841.4490
GLADIOLA GIRLS (89) 434.944.4233
MASSAGE ENVY SPA (43) 434.385.8600
GOODWILL INDUSTRIES OF THE VALLEYS (79) www.goodwillvalleys.com
MAUPIN ELECTRIC (37) 434.531.8459
BLUE MARLIN (98) 434.846.1600 BLUE RIDGE APOTHECARY (22) 540.345.6480 • 434.851.5015 BLUE RIDGE EAR, NOSE, THROAT & PLASTIC SURGERY(6) 434.947.3993 BOWEN JEWELRY COMPANY (25) 434.845.3495 BRAUBURGERS(92) 434.525.2727 BULL'S STEAKHOUSE(102) 434.385.7581 CAMPBELL INSURANCE (38) 434.544.9520
GRAND HOME FURNISHINGS (37) 434.239.5900 HARMAN EYE CENTER (3) 434.385.5600 HEAD & NECK SURGERY(65) 434.455.7999
MARKET AT MAIN (102) 434.847.9040 MCBRIDE & BLACKBURN OPTICIANS (43) 434.239.3673 MEMBER ONE FEDERAL CREDIT UNION (76) www.memberonefcu.com 800.666.8811
CENTRA REHABILITATION (2) www.rehabcentrahealth.com
HERITAGE GREEN ASSISTED LIVING & MEMORY CENTER (70) 434.385.5102
CENTRA HOME HEALTH (49) 434.200.4111
INTERIORS BY MOYANNE (40) 434.384.6844
MONOGRAM LOVE (59) 434.525.7271
CENTRA HOSPICE (49) 434.200.3204
J. CREW (69) 434.316.6324
CENTRA PACE (49) 434.200.6516
JAMES RIVER DAY SCHOOL (69) 434.455.4763
MOUNTAINVIEW ORAL SURGERY & IMPLANT CENTER (9) 434.316.7111
CENTRA REHABILITATION (2) www.rehabcentrahealth.com
JAMES T. DAVIS (30) 434.846.2721
CENTRAL VA BALLET (22) 434.907.8828
JOE BEANS (92) www.joe-beans.com
CENTRAL VIRGINIA ORTHODONTICS (5) 434.385.4746
L. OPPLEMAN JEWELRY & PAWN (79) 434.845.5751
CENTURY 21 ALL-SERVICE (37) www.c21allservice.com 434.237.7777 CHILDREN'S DENTISTRY & ORTHODONTICS OF LYNCHBURG (65) 434.237.0125
LANCASTER GALLERIES, INC. (30) 434.846.8465 LANDTECH (116) 434.386.5666 LAWN DOCTOR (89) 434.528.4200
CHRISTOPHER KING, D.D.S. (50) 434.316.9220
LIBERTY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (65) 434.592.4935
CURTAINS, BLINDS, & BATH(38) 434.385.6040
LIBERTY MOUNTAIN CONFERENCE CENTER (20) 434.592.5600
DANIEL E. GRABEEL, D.D.S. (26) 434.846.5951 EMERSON CREEK POTTERY (26) 540.297.7884 ESTATES & CONSIGNMENTS (80) 434.528.3667
LONDON'S SALT SPA (60) 434.525.7727 LYNCH'S LANDING (108) 434.485.7250
MILANO'S (101) 434.384.3400
OLDHAM AESTHETICS & GENERAL DENTISTRY (80) 434.385.6100 OPERA ON THE JAMES (26) www.operaonthejames.org OUTDOOR TRAILS (108) 434.386.4302 PENELOPE (115) 434.237.5120 PERIODONTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATES (7) 434.455.2444 PIEDMONT EYE CENTER (13) 434.947.3984 PIEDMONT FLOORS (34) 434.316.5985
ST. CLAIR EYE CARE (53) 434.239.2800 STEWART LANGLEY PROPERTIES (80) 434.845.0777 STONEBLUE PRODUCTIONS (70) 434.420.2583 STONES N’ BONES (29) 434.385.7127 TERRELL E. MOSELEY, INC.(40) 434.847.1223 TERRY SUBARU (53) 800.507.1096 THE ART BOX (26) 434.401.1620 THE DAHLIA (98) 434.846.0601 THE GARDENS ON TIMBERLAKE (33) 434.546.1628 THE GREAT ROOM (94) 434.455.1301 THE LYNCHBURG INSURANCE GROUP (40) 434.582.1444 THE SUMMIT (83) 434.582.1500 THOMAS ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH (8) 434.239.9281 TRAVEL LOVERS (106) 434.385.5192 UNIVERSAL T'S INC. (59) 434.525.7271 WASABI (98) 434.847.1288 WHITTEN FUNERAL SERVICES (79) 434.239.0331 • 434.845.4521 434.929.5712 WIRED UP ELECTRICIAL (46) 434.660.9897 YMCA (54) 434.582.1900
RA BISTRO (97) 434.845.1601
NEXT ISSUE
RAINFROST NURSERY (84) 434.525.3107
"HOLIDAY" ISSUE
RE/MAX FIRST OYLMPIC (38) NADINE BLAKELY 434.444.2226 REDDY REAL ESTATE (43) 434.384.4663
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015: RESERVE YOUR SPACE TODAY! AD SPACE IS LIMITED. SEE PAGE 14 FOR ADVERTISING DEADLINES: For advertising information, please call us at 434.846.2333.
W W W. LY N C H B U R G L I V I N G . C O M
|
113
SNAPSH OT
SNAPSHOT Images from Lynchburg’s storIed hIstory
Living the Life: Virginia Beach History Museum Enjoy these images from of Lynchburg schools at the turn e the Twentieth century. As tim e tak to marches on, it’s always fun a peek down memory lane.
White Rock School, 1930
ss g Cla uatin Grad chburg 01 n y 19 ol, of L Scho High
School May Day, 1929
Fort Hill Playground, 1927
Lynchburg High School, Built
in 1899
gphotos.org. os, view the archives at www.lynchbur To browse thousands of historic phot
114
the operates eum System e Lynchburg us M g ur and th The Lynchb t of Honor hibits, visi me Point current ex d historic ho an s ur eum.org ho us r m Fo g . ur m Museu ww.lynchb e web at w nor.org. them on th .pointofho w w w d an |
LYNCHBURG LIVING
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
SEPTEMBER 17—20
FREE CHARM
© 2015 Pandora Jewelry, LLC • All rights reserved • PANDORA.NET
WITH YOUR $100 PANDORA PURCHASE
WARDS ROAD •120-E SIMONS RUN • 434.237.5120 FOREST •14805 FOREST ROAD • SUITE 228 • 434.525.4265 DALEVILLE • 52 KINGSTON DRIVE • 540.966.2050 CHARLOTTESVILLE • 2146 BARRACKS ROAD • 434.977.5811 *Free charm must be of equal or lesser value than $65. In Store Only. Valid at participating retailers. Void where prohibited. Not valid with prior purchase. While supplies last. See store for details.