I don’t remember my first day of school very clearly. But from what my mom told me, I didn’t even look back after she dropped me off in my kindergarten classroom.

I was still 4 years old, one of those kids with a September birthday right near the cutoff deadline. But I was READY. Ready to play on that playground in front of the school, break out my Care Bears lunchbox for the world to see, learn Spanish from the zany Mrs. Cass I had heard about from my older brother.

That feeling in 1989 carried over year after year. The excitement waned a bit, of course. But I always felt this little tug of excited anticipation the night before “The First Day of School.”

I believe there is something refreshing about this time of the year—a combination of the beginning of school and the start of my favorite season, fall. Everything feels new. New school supplies, new friends, new teachers. A new, fresh slate for everyone to (hopefully) start out on the right foot.

Then a few weeks into the school routine, new crisp weather that snaps us out of our summer stupor, and new, beautiful scenery as the leaves begin to change and the Blue Ridge Mountains turn shades of gold, orange and red.

In this “Back to School Issue” of Lynchburg Living, we aim to capture that feeling of rebirth in a special section. Quite literally, this is a brand new start for Heritage High School students, teachers and staff as they begin the year in a brand new building. We took a special tour to see the coolest parts of the facility on page 60. Also, parents and students are celebrating a new addition at Linkhorne Elementary School. On page 70, we tell you the story behind their new playground and how the community came together to make it a reality.

Then on pages 73-78, adjust your “Back to School” attitude in a special feature. Counselors and school officials offer their advice on navigating some of the biggest problems students of all ages face. We’re also diving into an issue that’s on a lot of parents’ minds in this 21st Century—their children and those gadgets. Flip to page 81 as we try to answer the question—how much is too much time on a smartphone, tablet or laptop? And how do schools try to balance this out in the classroom?

On a side note, by the time this issue comes out, I will be adjusting to life at home with a newborn. Many thanks to former editor Jennifer Redmond for stepping in as I take a few weeks off.

I don’t even want to think about my daughter starting school.

But once we get to that milestone, I hope she is as excited as I was—so excited and confident, in fact, that she doesn’t even think to look back at me, her tearful mom.

Shelley Basinger, Managing Editor
Shelley@lynchburgmag.com

My dear garden,
You taught me to slow down and rejoice in “All Things Bright and Beautiful”—foliage in lime- and blue-greens. And back-lit blossoms glowing in butter yellows, shocking pinks and fire-engine reds. You taught me to glory too in soft pastels, delicate ephemerals and peach and periwinkle sunsets that frame you. And, my garden, you taught me to revel in the infinite shapes, sizes and growth habits of the thousands of plants that grace you.

You taught me to inhale deeply and savor your aroma of freshly-turned soil, lavender and basil by the kitchen door. You taught me to be still and patient to recognize the distinct buzz of bees and hummingbirds and the chorus of songs of other wild birds and coyotes. Your buds and sprouts have roused me every spring from winter’s lethargy, and you taught me to understand what it means to live in the moment.

You preach peace and harmony, and I learned that the beauty and truth in every little flower inoculates me from infection of life’s ugliness, hate and heartache.

A 22-Year Love Affair
I jumped into our relationship with all I had—decked out in my son Reid’s decades-old ratty camp shorts and tees, brandishing shovel and trowel. Armed with dreams, passion and a previous taste of success from restoring a historic garden, I was ready to repurpose a half-acre or so of trampled-down former cow pasture of good old Bedford County red clay to stir you to life.

My secret weapons were a strong body and will and a propensity for playing in dirt and mud with zero pride in fancy fingernails. (Was it Dennis the Menace who said, “Gardens are a chance for grown-ups to dig in the dirt?”) I chiseled into the brick-hard earth for a makeover into what you are today, our beloved country cottage garden.

And my husband Tim co-shouldered my vision, thankfully taking on roles I most dislike: chemical application (the very idea made my hair stand on end) and dragging away to the compost bins or burn pile the mountains of weeds and debris I cleared from your beds so you could breathe and grow and not be strangled or starved by interlopers.

We poured gallons of sweat-equity into bringing you to life, and we even became Master Gardeners and learned more about pesticides and herbicides and other “how to” tips about soil and plant location and care to be sure we were treating you right. And you thrived and became our joy.

Yin Yang Gardeners
At first, Tim and I discovered we’re Yin Yang gardeners. He’s a turf and trees kind of guy. I’m a flowers and more flowers kind of gal. He’s a formal symmetry with matching halves and 90-degree-angles kind of guy. I’m an organic, free-flowing, inspired-by-the-land and heaven-knows-what-will-strike-my-artistic-fancy sort of gal.

This difference could have spelled trouble for you (and us), dear garden. But that didn’t happen. Tim and I each had our half, and the welfare of the whole became our common ground. Over time I grew to enjoy the simple, uncomplicated order of his front yard plan, while he admired the creativity and excitement of my design in your sinuous, flower-laden beds and ever-changing borders and off-beat garden art in the back.

And you became a family affair with sons and their families pitching in to spruce up for granddaughter Jessica’s garden wedding and other times when needed. Thank you, dear garden, for helping us to grow in our family love and relationships—and arbitration skills.

Mother Nature Rules
The most important horticulture lesson I’ve learned from you is not to fight Mother Nature. She rules. No matter what we gardeners do to thwart her, Mother Nature wins in the long run, and we need to heed her lessons. (If you’ll indulge me in religious digression, this is a “Lord God Who Made Them All” thing.)

I’ve learned that it takes more time and effort than I can muster to force some varieties of exotic plants into our habitat. I confess I’m done with energy-draining drama queens, whether people or plants. If they’re still not happy after I’ve cajoled and catered to them, I know I don’t have the right stuff to pull it off, and I’m happy to concede them to more amenable environments and formidable friends.

Hence, although I tried mightily to feature antique roses in your midst, many of them sadly succumbed to raw winters on our windy hill, derecho or rose rosette disease. The inverse of this pain was Mother Nature’s inspiration to replace lost roses with native plants that don’t require amended soil or even watering.

My eyes opened to the beauty of pasture and roadside wildflowers and other natives in local nurseries; and, dear garden, I became a believer that a plant is no longer a weed when it’s where you want it. So we became a happily blended family of common Virginia natives (including Tim and me) co-existing with high-brow exotics.

Credit Where Credit’s Due
Dear garden, you know how I demur whenever someone flatters me by saying I have a green thumb or some sort of gift for gardening. It just ain’t so. Well… maybe I could claim 10 percent of a green thumb by default (i.e., paying attention to The Laws of Nature and the lessons of horticulture experts), but the other 90 percent is a combo of trial-and-error and a long list of fails and discouraging moments for every success and glorious blossom.

You taught me that gardeners must be resilient and adaptable. We’ve learned that plants aren’t pieces of furniture perfectly arranged according to little circles on a designer’s template. The landscape changes. Trees grow and sunny spots become shady. Borders are engulfed by larger plants behind them.

You taught me the heartbreak of seeing plants eaten by predators, falling to disease or disaster or dying for unknown reasons despite our best efforts. Remember when our chocolate vine shot up like Jack’s beanstalk and grew so heavy it took down the Purple Martin house along with its concrete-embedded pole—and squashed you?

I’ve learned from you that gardeners simply can’t be perfectionists. We are humble workers who learn as we go along, and you reward us with your bounty. And your blooms and produce keep us hooked despite deer damage and fear of tick-borne human disease. As for me, I know my place: I’m not the real gardener, I’m just your keeper, as poet Anne Spencer so eloquently reminds us.

Vexation and Nightgown Gardening
We have made sweet music together despite occasionally hitting a few sour notes. We’ve shared successes and failures from show-stopping blooms to ludicrous bloopers, heartwarming family reunions to sunflower-devouring groundhogs, pollinator paradise to freeze-killed hydrangeas. Throughout it all, we’ve grown together, and you’ve fed us as much as we’ve fed you.

While singing your praises, a couple of our unforgettable fails come to mind. Such as when I was invited to show you off to a Garden Club of Virginia group and discovered the morning of the tour that black spot had overtaken your roses (sort of like discovering your kid has head lice on the first day of kindergarten). And, of course, most other plants I expected to bloom that week were still in tight buds and postponed their show until the following week. Repeat: Mother Nature Rules.

And you seduced me into another embarrassing moment that’s indelibly stuck in my memory. Living on an isolated (or so I thought) farm without “drop-in company,” I fell into the habit of breakfast on the terrace in my nightgown, followed by a stroll around your beds over coffee to survey your beauty and weeding needs of the day. But, dear garden, once again you lured me under your spell as I leaned down to pluck an offending pokeberry, fell into the zone and weeded the whole bed. And then your next bed called my name.

Hours later, as my dirty hands swiped sweat from my brow and mud streaked across my face and gossamer gown, I looked up to see a mirage. Oh, no. It wasn’t. I locked eyes with two clean-cut young men in black suits, crisp white shirts and sincere ties with papers (religious tracts?) in their hands. With eyes big as saucers and mouths agape, even more mortified than I, they turned on their heels and ran back 100 yards to the end of our driveway and sped away. I’m sure our house now has a big “X–crazy lady” on their map. And I learned yet another lesson—to dress for al fresco breakfasts.

Everything in Its Season
Your lessons are both profound and mundane, dear garden, and we have learned them. We know full-well there’s a season for everything. And we know the time has come to prepare for your winter season as we move into town and prepare to face the winter of our lives. It’s now time to give someone else the privilege of being your keeper. I know you will once again bud up next spring and enrich their lives as brightly and beautifully as you have ours.

With joy, gratitude and a lump in my throat,
Susan

Words and Photos by Susan Timmons

Everything you need for a successful school year

Lit From Within: Heritage High Goes Back to School

Sunlight streams through the upper windows, flooding the central hallway. Appropriately dubbed “Main Street,” this corridor is the primary lifeline of the newly opened Heritage High School (HHS). It’s grand, expansive, and, most importantly, brand new.

“It looks new; it feels new; it smells new, and it sounds new,” Head Principal Tim Beatty said. “Because of the layout of the building and the technology that our students will be exposed to, the new building should be a game changer for our staff and school community.”

So, how much of a “game changer” can one building be, you may ask? That all depends on how the building came to be and why.

A HISTORY OF LIMITATIONS
“Poor lighting, leaking after rain storms, freezing or suffocating temperatures, narrow hallways, five [congested] floors—” these are “just a few” of the problems that plagued their old building according to Michele Wisskirchen, an alumna and now HHS teacher.

As teachers, “we worry about our students not being safe, not having the access to technology, or not being comfortable as they learn,” Wisskirchen explains. “It’s hard for them to take an SOL test with sweat pouring down their faces.”

“Limited” is how teacher and alumni Alex Drumheller describes education in the old building.

In fact, at Drumheller’s HHS graduation ceremony in 1987 the temperature was higher than 90 degrees when a storm broke and led to rain water pouring through the gymnasium roof.

Ben Copeland summarizes it this way: “This building is new, warm, inviting and bright versus what was old, dark, dingy and leaky.” As the Assistant Superintendent of Operations and Administration for Lynchburg City Schools, Copeland has been leading this project since August 2012.

To arrive at this fresh start, Herculean efforts were required. Input was gathered from “teachers, parents, students, community [members], City Council and the School Board,” Wisskirchen recalls. All of these people were “gathering together, throwing out ideas of what we wanted and needed on endless sticky notes.” Those ideas were distilled to trends then themes and—finally—a design.

Standing in the new building today, Copeland says, “It’s been my major project, and I’m thrilled. I think it could change the student culture.”

Perhaps, even be a game changer.

A CLEAN SLATE
Upon entering “Main Street,” you see soaring, open ceilings, wide walkways, and light, lots of natural light. In fact, “natural” describes the aesthetics all around. Brick, natural wood and burnished concrete floors compose the majority of spaces, creating a warm space more reminiscent of an attractive college campus than a traditional high school. But, after walking a bit, you start to notice the total absence of lockers.

Instead of lining the hallways, lockers are housed in four bays strategically placed around the building. Designed to prevent hallway congestion, they allow students to stop at their lockers without interrupting the flow of foot traffic because they’re anchored at three-way intersections with hallways leading off of them. The bays are also adjacent to staircases and entrances feeding in from the bus drop off zone.

The search for natural light—a priority for everyone—led to this unique building layout according to Copeland. Gone is the double-loaded corridor with classrooms on each side—a design of the past. This building is like “a big academic horseshoe with the main street hallway, an interior courtyard…support spaces in the middles of the hallways, [and] all the classrooms on the outside [where] we’ve got the courtyard in the middle, which allows you to get light to the interior classrooms.”

“Natural light’s proven to help education,” Copeland adds. “It helps learning, so we got as much light into the building as we can.”

When planning began, Copeland says ideas were simply crystallizing; they were asking The Big Questions, starting from the ground up. They needed to know: “What’s it need to look like? Is it going to be a two-story building? What departments need to be next to each other?”

These questions helped to identify “clusters” he says, which became building blocks for the structure and kicked off the process of preliminary design drafts, feedback, revision, more drafts, and so on. Purposeful attention to layout enhances student learning, teacher collaboration and overall efficiency.

Consider the “circulation in the building—the flow,” Copeland says. “You walk down hallways in this building, and every hallway brings you back to somewhere. There’s only one, true dead-end hallway. In the academic wing, if you turn consecutive lefts, you’ll come back to where you started.”

Nothing was done by accident; Copeland was very intentional about gleaning input for each space and function of the school. And it shows.

ENHANCED STUDENT EXPERIENCE
Here’s where things get particularly detailed, and the idea of a “game changer” seems especially apt. Inside each of these bright, window-flanked classrooms, you find an environment primed for learning: visibility is optimized; distraction is minimized. Beatty’s assertion that student engagement will look differently isn’t an exaggeration. Any teacher will tell you that distractions are the enemy of student engagement. A student neglecting to charge their Chromebook (a standard issue item for every HHS student) could lead to the loss of valuable time. However, with the addition of multiple, retractable power cords hanging from the ceilings and the inclusion of numerous wall outlets, Chromebooks can stay continuously powered. And with the implementation of desk clusters and the addition of three TV monitors in every classroom, Copeland says that from “whatever orientation you’re facing” in a classroom—you can see a screen.

Since the old building “wasn’t adequate for modern education [and] didn’t lend itself to education in the last 10 years,” as Copeland says, there had to be what Beatty calls a “mindset shift.”

And part of that mindset shift will be an ongoing challenge for teachers, albeit one they welcome with open arms.
Wisskirchen is in a collaboration room, meaning it has “five different team project-based workstations all linked together via technology, so students can work together in groups,” Copeland says, and then teachers can easily project information onto all of the work station screens at once.

“I have lots of new technology to learn,” Wisskirchen says. “But learning is an opportunity for growth, and new technology will help our students engage in instruction and will help teachers differentiate their instruction for all types of learners.”

Intentional teacher input also influenced particular departments—those “clusters” Copeland mentioned. Drumheller says, “The arrangement of the rooms will. . .provide optimal use of technology and collaboration between students and teacher” because prep rooms are placed between larger classroom labs. . .[and we have] updated lab equipment, [which] will allow us to impact the education of our students in a profound way [because] we have been limited” in the past. He adds, “Being an Environmental Science teacher, it was quite funny not to be able to see outside.” Of course, like many other classrooms, Drumheller’s now faces out to the courtyard from up on the second story.

Lead art teacher Jon Roark is also excited about the windows and a direct doorway to the courtyard from his classroom.

Roark—whose collaborative work with students is visible all throughout the region from projects with the Academy Center of the Arts to published books—finally has facilities that match the talent he cultivates. The art suite is truly top of the line, equipped with 20 MacBooks, a pottery room with wheels and a large kiln, student work centers, ample storage, and, plenty of natural light.

“Now, we have the option to grow the program,” Copeland says.

FOCUS ON COMMUNITY
By Copeland’s estimation, and many others’, this new building will also finally reflect the community aspect and aspirations of the students who attend.

“My favorite memories are the interactions between teachers and students,” Wisskirchen says. “The school embraces the diversity of its students, and I always felt I was a part of something. . .It is a family atmosphere, and students are accepted for who they are.”

Appropriately, certain elements in the design emphasize this concept of community: the spacious courtyard; the cavernous gymnasium with basketball courts Beatty describes as “beautiful”; the keeping of the indoor track, which has long been Heritage’s claim to fame; the two-story media center with views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and ample seating for group or individual study.

Teachers will also benefit from improved opportunities for collaboration inside their five teacher work centers, all of which have conference tables, small kitchenette areas and flexible seating options.

Wisskirchen is looking forward to “seeing [students] congregate in the commons area, and for the community to see an example of what we can accomplish together.”

Now, at the end of this four-year project, Copeland says this is his favorite part, to see it all completed.

“To be given something like this, as much thought and effort went into it—students can now work to their highest level.”

By Jennifer Redmond | Photos by LaSHONDA Delivuk

The top three difficulties THAT can interrupt a positive “back to school” mindset

After being out of school for three months, it can be difficult to get back into the swing of things. Students often struggle with their new routines, anxiety about the new year, or returning to academics. But coming back from summer vacation doesn’t have to be a negative experience. Here are a few things to consider to help everyone keep a positive outlook and start the new school year with success.

Difficulty #1 – Adjusting back to the schedule
For most students, one of the primary challenges is returning to a routine after a relaxed summer schedule.
“Most parents and students have a much different schedule during the summer than the school year,” said Ashley Wallace, director of elementary education at Campbell County Public Schools.

After playing hard and sleeping in, the adjustment to waking up early and having to follow a detailed schedule can be exhausting and challenging for both parents and students. While the advice might come a little late for this school year, Wallace has some advice for parents in the future. “For a positive start to the school year, I encourage parents and students to begin to adjust back to the school schedule a couple weeks prior to school starting,” she said.

When approaching the issue with older students, the same advice applies. Mary Mays, supervisor of school counseling and assessment coordinator for Amherst County Public Schools, said it takes about a week for older students to fully adjust back to a more rigid schedule.

Kacey Crabbe, director of the Lynchburg City Schools’ Empowerment Academy, agrees and believes parents must play an active role in their child’s schedule.

“Families can best help their students have a positive return by preparing them early for the routines that they will encounter and begin to enforce this at home,” said Crabbe. “[Make sure] they are involved in their student’s school and have the same set of expectations of students both at home and in school. Students are most successful when we instill a wrap-around approach.”

Difficulty #2 – Dealing with anxiety
For elementary students, Wallace explained that “fear of the unknown” is often a struggle at the beginning of the school year, whereas older students, between the ages of 12 and 15, might struggle more with social anxiety.

Mays also believes involvement in school activities, such as clubs and sports, might help older students who have some trouble with anxiety. It will help them feel more like a part of the school community.

“I would encourage the [struggling] student to get involved with school activities such as sports, clubs or other youth activities,” Mays said. “I would also encourage students to build their strengths and seek out students with the same talents.”
Open communication between parents and student about the new year is also very important when dealing with anxiety.

“Parents should ask their child if they have any concerns or are nervous about anything specific and address any of their concerns,” Wallace said.

Particularly for younger students, separation from parents can be stressful. Parents who have children attending school for the first time might experience separation anxiety.

“Some parents, if their child has never been away from home and is going to kindergarten or pre-k for the first time, and they’re going to be gone all day long, may worry about how their child is going to be feeling that whole day,” said Cindy Babb, coordinator of Public Information at LCS, said.

To help both parent and student adjust, she encourages parents to not visit their child’s school for the first week, so students can learn to adjust to the new environment.

“That can be difficult for some parents who haven’t had their child stay at daycare or any other places before, and it’s the first time they’re letting go of them really for the whole day,” Babb said.

But Babb explains when parents are around too much at the beginning of the year, young students have a difficult time recognizing their authority figures.

“If your child is not used to learning from another adult, listening to another adult and trusting another adult, because it’s a new environment for them to be in school, they need to learn that teachers are in charge of them that day,” Babb said.
Wallace explained they have several techniques in Campbell County to help with separation anxiety. They try to build a connection between the teacher and student, communicate to the student what he/she will be doing that day before returning home, and sometimes have a staff member walk the student to class.

“It is harder when the parent walks to the class, to then separate,” Wallace said.

If you or your student is struggling with the new school year, feel free to contact your student’s school.

“We’re here to help,” Babb said.

Difficulty #3 – Returning to academics
Although many school officials, including Crabbe, believe middle school students are the most likely to struggle with academics after returning from summer break, all students might experience obstacles as they try to readjust to a heavy academic load.

“Some of our students do have some difficulties with academics and having that eight- through ten-week break takes away from some of that,” Mays said. She explained that Amherst County teachers take time at the beginning of the year to help students re-adjust to the classroom and also to review academics.

There are many things that parents can do to help their children get back into the books.

“Developing a schedule for their child that includes a healthy breakfast, at home or school, time to do homework and read, and get plenty of sleep (will help),” Wallace said.

It is also beneficial to start developing a relationship with the student’s teacher, keep communication open, and become familiar with the student’s schedule and teacher expectations.

“Parents can look for ways daily to celebrate success at home,” Wallace said. “Make education an important focus at home.”
If your student is still struggling, most schools offer some form of academic assistance.

“In Campbell County we have a built in ‘Intervention and Enrichment’ time in the school day to provide targeted interventions for students [who] struggle,” Wallace said. “In addition, in our elementary [schools], we have reading specialists who provide focused interventions 30 minutes a day for students who are struggling [with reading].”

LCS recognized that students were having a difficult time re-adjusting back to academics after summer break and decided to look “outside the box” into different learning models. Last year, they launched a two-year plan that adds a week onto the beginning and end of the school year, making summer vacation shorter. To compensate for the longer school year, they added two optional weeks during the school year.

“We’re offering something called Intersession in October and in February where students who need additional support and/or enrichment can attend for three days out of the week,” Crabbe said. Intersession, which will meet Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of each Intersession week, will provide individualized instruction and provide more personalized support for students who need it.

As they begin the second year of this new schedule, LCS is looking forward to seeing the result and whether the shorter break helped with an easier academic transition.

by Megan L. House

Mark Your Calendars: SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER

Scaremare 2016
Every year, thousands of people from across the region make the trek to Scaremare on Carroll Avenue, sponsored by Liberty University’s Center for Youth Ministries. See the cast of 300 college students in action Oct. 13-15, 20-22, 27-29.
Gates open at 7:30 p.m.

Haunted Harvest Cornfield
(Pictured Above) This frightening wagon ride at Layman Family Farms in Blue Ridge is not for the faint of heart! In fact, it’s not recommended for children under the age of 12, women who are pregnant or anyone with heart issues. Rides run 7:30-11 p.m. on weekends from Oct 1-29.

The Ghosts of Historic Lynchburg
If you love local history and a good spooky story, stop by “The Ghosts of Historic Lynchburg” tour Oct. 20-22 from 6-8:30 p.m. A guide will take groups through Federal Hill and tell stories of the haunts of days gone by.

Crawford Farm Ghost Tour
The night begins as a country hayride at Old Crawford Farm in Appomattox, with stories of the infamous family and their history. But hang on as trained actors from Wolfbane Productions bring the stories to life around you! Rides run Oct. 20-22, 27-29.

Local Openings & Closings
Hello! to Emerald Stone Grill, expected to open on Jefferson Street by September
Hello! to Timberlake Family Pharmacy, opening this fall on Timberlake Road
Hello! to Bootleggers, a new restaurant expected to open on the Bluffwalk in November
Hello! to the newest location of Moore’s Country Store, now open on Graves Mill Road
Hello! to the Appomattox location of Joe Beans, located in the Triangle Plaza Shopping Center
Hello! to the Rivermont Makery, a creative art space on Rivermont Avenue
Hello! to Iron and Ale, a restaurant opening in Cornerstone this fall

Ready to Run?
Whether you are a seasoned runner or a Virginia Ten Miler newbie, how do you keep your running motivation going strong? Jennifer Richardson, membership director at the Downtown YMCA, shares five tips.

Make It Fun!—Change up your playlist, grab a friend or your pet, run your normal route “backwards,” run for a cause, or get a team together to run an “obstacle” style race!

Set a Goal…Any Goal—Never done a race? Get registered for a 5K! Running the same speed on every run? Push yourself to improve your time by 30 seconds! To quote Fred Devito, “If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you.”

Treat Yourself—For every mile you run, pay yourself $1.

Just think, if you were to run only three miles two times per week, by the end of the year you could have $312. This could get you a nice pair of new running shoes and some running gear!

Ditch the Stuff—To contradict tip #3, ditch all of the gadgets that many runners are now bogged down with and just GO RUN! Leave the watch, heartrate monitor or cellphone/iPod at home. Take a few laps around town and enjoy the sights and sounds.

Make an Appointment—If you are struggling with getting your run in, schedule it on your calendar! You certainly wouldn’t miss an important meeting or “dismiss” other appointments, so when your reminder pops up that it’s “run time,” start lacing up!

How parents can set digital boundaries in a boundlessly digital world

As if enough distractions do not already compete for the attention of children, 21st-century parents have to worry about the alluring glow of LED screens, which saturate culture and are an easy trap for wandering minds.

Mobile technology has certainly revolutionized the consumption and dissemination of information, which, considering what is available at one’s fingertips, is not necessarily negative. But just as television, computers, tablets and mobile phones can illuminate with but a swipe, tap or click, they can easily become a black hole wherein time flies and creativity drains.

In the battle for a child’s attention, parents tend to feel outnumbered (even with just one tot), so it likely comes as no surprise to hear that, as of 2014, active mobile devices outnumber people on earth, according to data from GSMA. The figure grows at a rate of about five percent annually.

The challenges of child rearing now include considering more digital boundaries than just “don’t sit too close to the TV,” not to mention setting limits for oneself.

Elena Ridge, mother of a 2-year-old son, has found that it’s easier to monitor a child’s use of technology when you are mindful of your own.

“I know that if my husband and I are constantly on our phones then he will want to be on our phones, too,” she said. “So, the easiest way to stop his preoccupation with technology is for me to use technology less.”

Like many parents, Ridge has some reservations about the over-saturation of technology in culture.

“I do worry sometimes [about my child spending too much time in front of a screen] because when I was growing up all I remember is playing outside,” she said. “My parents did not have cellphones when I was his age … they never chose to try and distract us with technology. I do remember watching TV, but not nearly as much as playing with my siblings and playing outside.”

Currently, Ridge does not have any specific limits set on her child’s screen time. She sees the benefits of moderate usage—he has learned his ABCs from songs on children’s programs—but, in the future, Ridge plans to have a playroom in the house that is free of screens, to avoid the distraction and promote spending time as a family.

For some, using screen time can be a powerful tool for communicating with and educating children. Amber Gentala, mother of a son (9) and daughter (5), has found her philosophy in regard to screen time changing with different seasons of life.

“I was one of those moms who vowed, ‘My child will never use more than 30 minutes a day of screen time,’” she said. “That’s slowly changed over time, as TV/computers have made such an impact on our ability to communicate with our children, teach them and enjoy hobbies with them.”

She has found many benefits to allowing more screen time into her homeschool curriculum and the children’s playtime (though as recreation it is complemented by outdoor activity and reading). Some video games and YouTube videos help her kids flex their creativity. The internet helps them answer questions and delve deeper into topics of interest.

In fact, educational shows and games were critical in helping her son who has autism catch up academically and socially.

Gentala remains mindful of how obsessive her kids become of screen time and scales back as needed. She and her husband are also vigilant in monitoring the content they consume and talking with their children about balance in life, not being controlled by technology (or other vices) and priorities.

“If we want our kids to be able to balance their time between computers and other activities when they’re adults, we want them to practice some of that now, while we can help guide them.”

Lynchburg City Schools (LCS) is equally committed to preparing children to be well-rounded adults in the 21st Century. Through the LCS-ONE initiative, the school system is engaging students with digital learning, providing each student with a personal computing device (Google Chromebooks). Currently, LCS-ONE is being implemented in 8th-12th grade, with plans to extend that from 4th grade up in the next few years.

“To be successful in almost any job, students are going to need an understanding of the internet and an ability to learn how to operate whatever device is put in front of them,” said Robert Quel, LCS Supervisor for Instructional Technology. “Adaptability and learning are the most important things because change is happening so quickly.”

Benefits of the program so far have included increased efficiency for teachers, more collaborative opportunities for students and significant reduction in paper waste. Teachers and students alike are finding greater flexibility and engagement in the classroom.

“There is a benefit of increased engagement when the work moves from passive listener to active participant,” Quel said. “There is also the benefit when data [can be] gleaned from quick assessments and [used] to differentiate instruction based on student needs. When this happens, students are less restricted and can move at the pace that suits their learning style.”

While there are dangers of technological saturation, it is important for those to be addressed at home and in school, since ignoring them will not make them go away.

“We, as educators, need to work harder to help students understand how [any] technology can and should be used as a tool to deepen their understanding, to provide alternative ways to present material and review certain concepts,” Quel said. “Students are very familiar with technology as a distraction and entertainment. The challenge we face is teaching our students that all of these devices are powerful tools to advocate for their own learning, networking with experts around the globe and demonstrating their work in ways that could now be viewable to the world.”

At home, one of the best things parents can do is set boundaries for their children’s (and their own) use of technology.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended guidelines that are pretty straightforward—no screen time for children under the age of two, and no more than two hours a day for older children.

Dr. Teresa Brennan, Developmental Pediatrician with Centra Medical Group, explained the former is because babies and toddlers are at such a critical stage in development at that time.

“Eye contact, social interaction, communication, language skills are developing, and they don’t develop with the kid watching TV, they develop with human and reciprocal interaction.”

As children get older she advises parents to encourage moderation.

“You do want to keep in mind that the amount of time can sneak up on you, you want to be sure that you are encouraging—especially in children—creative play, reading and social interaction and exercise,” Brennan said.

Brennan recommends having toys and books on hand to help keep kids entertained, even in waiting rooms, because parents may not realize how much using the phone as an easy distraction can add up.

“It is really hard; it happens all of the time; kids get fussy, and you are in the car, and so you give them the phone,” she said.

Physical activity, playing outside and getting dirty are quickly becoming “lost treasures” she warned, noting that sweet drinks and inactivity, tied largely to screen time, are the two main reasons for the obesity epidemic.

Screen time can be mesmerizing and transitioning away can lead to tantrums, fights and meltdowns.

Conversely, there are “evidence-based” benefits to aerobic exercise, especially for developing children, which (on top of the cardiovascular and weight benefits) include improved focus and attention, sleeping longer and improved mood—and, therefore, less irritability.

Creative play—art, board games, building, pretending, etc.—and active exercise play a vital role in a child’s life. So Brennan recommends a simple rule of thumb to help parents as they keep track of screen time: match, minute-for-minute, screen time with something aerobic, preferably outside. (For example, if they play on a tablet for 15 minutes they should ride their bike for 15 minutes.)

Parents also need to be mindful of what content children are exposed to and always supervise internet use.

Brennan recognizes the benefits of technology but emphasizes the importance of people controlling their use, rather than being controlled by it. They should also practice screen etiquette, such as putting all devices away when engaged in conversation or at an appointment.

“We do want to keep it in balance with human interaction,” she said. “[Learn to] live as a citizen of the world, and appreciate [and] live in the moment.”

By Drew Menard

Title: Fine Artist/Illustrator | Age: 59

What are your early memories of art?
I was quite a rambunctious child growing up. I remember someone handing me a Dr. Seuss book and asking me to copy what I saw. After working for a while, I looked and saw green eggs and ham on my paper. At that moment, I found what came easily to me and what I loved to do.

My parents then learned to put art supplies in front of me to keep me calm, focused and, hopefully, out of trouble. Years later in church where I would fidget and had a hard time behaving, I remember my father giving me a piece of paper and a pencil before the sermon and asking me to draw a person in our row.

Then in 5th grade, an English teacher asked me to draw on the chalk board for a lesson she was giving and that she would pay me for it. Pay me? Even back then I thought to myself, “Hey, I can get paid for this!” It was the beginning of my freelance career I guess.
Describe your formal study of art.

I studied art and illustration at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. The first year was a bit of everything from painting the human figure, fashion illustration, photography and even hand calligraphy. The second year was more focused on design and illustration techniques. I’d say that my time there prepared me in two important ways. First was how to design and layout an illustration to fit the page. I found out early the importance of good design, and illustration was a bit more than just producing pretty pictures. The second and more important lesson was learning how to work within a tight deadline.

A funny story was when I was illustrating for a children’s book publisher outside of Dublin, Ireland. The cover art was completed, and being pre-computer, it was mailed to Dublin via FedEx. Turns out the truck was hijacked outside of Dublin and emptied along with my art. Once I received the news, I had two days to recreate it and send it off again.

Describe your first job out of art school.
I was hired directly out of school, and I moved to Columbus, Ohio, where I worked for Federal Glass Company. Federal Glass produced glassware for the top national food chains such as Burger King and McDonalds and other major clients such as Hallmark Cards and American Greetings. I have fond memories of drawing the characters of Holly Hobbie, Ziggy, the Hamburgler, along with the usual flowers and mod designs you saw in the late 1970s. Before I left I even began to illustrate some ideas for a new movie coming out called “Star Wars.” I guess, like in my earlier Dr. Seuss days, what this job reinforced and taught me was the ability to think and work freely in different styles and mediums as needed—a talent that would help me greatly through the years.

What type of work did you do as an illustrator?
Using a phone book and the bus in Washington, D.C., I would set up appointments, show my work and, to my surprise, walk out with an illustration assignment.

At first I concentrated on political magazines and, being in Washington, D.C., there were plenty to choose from. I would return home to Columbus, do the assignment and return looking for more. It did not take long before I packed my bags and headed east. Early on I met a wonderful illustrator who illustrated amazing theater posters. Wanting to break into that field, I contacted a local printing company and asked if they wanted a free illustrated promotional poster. They immediately said yes. I then went to the Folger Shakespeare Theater and asked them the same question, and they also said yes. With everything in place and at no cost, I illustrated my first theater poster. Once it was printed, I took to all the theaters in town saying, “Look, I illustrate theater posters!” That one poster paid off well—I enjoyed more than a dozen years of working in the theater world illustrating posters and show logos for the Shakespeare Theater, Arena Stage, the Kennedy Center and many others around town.

Through the years my work and clientele varied and was never boring. Early on I used an airbrush and for years wore a mask and air tank. When scratchboard was in vogue I moved into that technique for work in spot illustrations. One year it may of been corporate logos, another more Washington Post editorial illustrations. I designed and illustrated PBS season posters, book covers, coloring books and for two years I produced political caricatures for The Weekly Standard magazine. I would receive a call each Wednesday and would send the work in by Friday morning. I never knew what was coming in.

What did you enjoy about illustrating?
In a word, everything. Even back then I looked at illustration as art. Art is an illustration for the plain fact that it embellishes someone’s written word. The fact that I could take someone’s thoughts and words and a blank piece of paper and create an image that they approved of was very exciting to me.

How did you arrive in Lynchburg?
With family in both Charlottesville and Lynchburg, my partner Wanda and I were making the trek to and from Lynchburg often, and the more I visited the more I loved the city. Wanda grew up here and had been gone for more than 30 years. But after watching the city grow for a few years, we decided that it was time to finally make the move. After some searching, we purchased an 1898 home on Diamond Hill and are slowly restoring it back to its former grandeur.

What are your thoughts on the culture of the Hill City?
During the years we watched Lynchburg, we were once driving through a neighborhood here in town looking at homes. Curious to know what it would be like to live on the street, we stopped a couple of women walking and asked for their thoughts. One of the ladies said to follow her home and talk about it more with her and her husband. When we arrived at their home, we met her husband, Ted Batt (Director of Visual Arts at the Academy Center of the Arts). Ted introduced us to the Academy (and to the building project) and gave me my first show in 2015. The Academy has become a bit of a second home to me now where I find wonderfully dedicated people and much inspiration in their monthly art shows, talks and classes. I donate art to their galas and often volunteer my help when I can.
Tell us about your first show at the Academy.

It usually takes years to be able to book your first show at the Academy. There is a long waiting list of artists along with other yearly national shows and scheduled exhibitions. In February 2015, Ted asked if I wanted a show in May [of that year]. I swallowed and with a smile said “SURE!” This is where my deadline mode kicked in and by that May we hung just over 30 paintings. Being new to town, I thought I would first paint a series of Lynchburg scenes that people would possibly like. I love the architecture of Lynchburg and the first thing I noticed driving through town were all the church steeples. They reminded me of the scenes of French painters from the 19th century.

I scoured shops for antique frames and produced works to fit them, wanting the show to have an old established feel to it. Techniques varied from impressionistic oil works to tighter Edward Hopper–looking paintings, portraits and still lives.
My studio then was in the Allied Arts Building on the 5th floor. I was working fast and whatever image came to me I would try and capture on canvas. I had one unsold portrait already completed before I moved to town, and I thought I would perhaps paint a second. These two African American portraits became the most talked about works in the show with one selling during the show.

You really found your niche with that type of portrait. What’s the background story?
In past years I vacationed a bit in the Caribbean and had photographs of people I saw tucked away in drawers waiting for the right inspiration. When I see a photo or an image I like, I instantly see the completed painting in my mind. I photographed a lady laughing and had the image laying around for years. Every time I would run across it, it would make me smile. So one day I sat down and painted her, titling the piece “The Joke.”

Receiving numerous compliments on this work both at the Academy and online, I thought perhaps I may have found a new direction. I was intrigued and challenged, painting the darker skin tones using grey, lavender and blues. I also experimented and found I liked the look of leaving portions of the painting unfinished, showing the base color that I rub into the canvas with a rag. In my earlier illustration days, I always seemed to over-finish the entire work with detail so I wanted to loosen up a bit when I worked on canvas. Overall, I was very pleased with the new look and feel of the completed works. Since then, I’ve branched out a bit more, painting the women and figures placed in a more abstract, heavily-layered patterned background. I enjoy this look and will continue to experiment with this series to see where it leads me.

What recognition have you received for your work?
I received a number of national awards for my illustration work through the years, but I am fairly new to fine art painting. Focusing more on the work itself, I have only entered five competitions to date. This year I received second place in the Academy Center of the Arts National Juried Art Exhibition. The 36 x 48” work was of a woman surrounded by my swirling patterns, and I called her “Dance.” I placed some of my work to sell on Saatchi Art in 2015 where I was a featured artist in August for the Made in the USA Collection, in October for the Celebration of Picasso Collection, and in November for the Mid-Century Modern Lovers Collection for one of my abstracts. In 2015 I also received an Honorable Mention at the Arts Club of Lynchburg.

Which artists have influenced your style?
My latest large works with the patterns were obviously first inspired by Gustav Klimt. When I lived in Washington years ago, I saw the Impressionist Show in the West Wing of the National Gallery and that show left a lasting impression on me to this day. Besides the obvious greats such as Cezanne, Degas, Monet and Sisley, I also was inspired by the work of Gustave Caillebotte.

What is your philosophy of art?
I tend to agree with Picasso when he said that all children are artists.
The trick is how to remain an artist when you grow up. When I am working on my patterned pieces, I try not to over think but let the abstract patterns dictate where and how I add detail. In other words, I let the child in me out and color freely. I recently read that in the broadest sense, anything man-made is art. Not just paintings and sculptures hanging in museums and galleries but anything not made in nature. It can be functional, ugly, disturbing or quite beautiful. I want to create works that are pleasing to my eye and capture a certain moment in time whether it be a woman deep in thought or this beautiful city in transition.

What’s the role of art in a community?
Artists living and working in a community actually help create a sense of community. Seeing their works—perhaps on a First Friday or painted on pianos scattered throughout the city—art brings a smile to one’s face and helps bring people together and hopefully inspires. Art also creates conversation in a community and helps people look at things perhaps from another point of view. I feel this city is filled with many talented artists, and I am very happy to be a part of it and very glad that I moved here.

What are you currently working on?
I am currently illustrating for a group out of Charlottesville and starting on a large 4- by 5-foot commissioned abstract for a local client. It is obviously hard to do a sketch for an abstract, but I will be painting three smaller works first to narrow in on color and basic technique. I am in talks now to perhaps paint some artwork for a public building here in town, and I will have a busy summer getting ready for two more shows including a benefit in Lynchburg. I’m also proud to be sending three works to Greenville, SC, for the Museum Antiques Show in October through Mary Brockman at Enchanted. I currently have a few of my works for sale in her beautiful shop.

What’s next for you?
I have written two children’s books and would love to set some time aside to work on them. I’m hoping in 2017 I’ll be able to get to one of them, [and] I have a show scheduled for 2018 again at the Academy.

Any closing thoughts?
I invite everyone to come out for First Fridays. Hop on a trolley and see what new works artists are bringing to our residents and in one way or another get involved with this vibrant art community. See a play, take pottery lessons at the Academy or even sit and play a piano on Main Street if you can. There is something for everyone.

How can readers get in touch with you?
I will soon be moving my studio back into the Allied Arts Building in downtown Lynchburg at 725 Church Street, and a variety of my work can be found in Enchanted at 1204 Main Street.

Connect with Kevin at (540) 940-5039, thecreativemind@verizon.net, and follow him on instagram.com/kevin_chadwick.

Four Local Authors Share Their Stories

Now more than ever before, Lynchburg is a great place to create. With its beautiful mountain views, burgeoning downtown scene, superb theatres and school drama departments, community arts programs and initiatives, and more, the Hill City inspires artists of all persuasions to pursue their passions. Here we profile four published local authors—all women—whose experiences in and around Lynchburg have shaped their lives and work.

Rachel Deddens
Rachel Deddens is the author of three published children’s books: A Box of Switches (Warwick House Publishing), A Boy Named Orion and a Bear from Otulp (TLC Publishing), and, most recently, The Day the Calf Ate the Chocolate Cake (Morgan James Publishing). Deddens hails from Mount Pleasant in Amherst County and has lived in Lynchburg for about 35 years.
“My writing tends to be a reflection of my life experiences as a child, growing up on a farm,” she says.

Deddens cites her grandmother as her primary source of inspiration; Calf and Box are both directly inspired by stories her grandmother told her when she was young. “The inspiration for this book [Calf] was a story told to me by my Granny with her remembrance of a day when her husband (my grandfather) rescued a newborn calf whose mother had died,” Deddens says.

“[Box is] also inspired by my Granny, who was a great storyteller. She would tell us about getting a box of switches instead of our wished-for presents at Christmas if we were naughty children.” Boy was inspired by Deddens’ son. “When my son was very small, he asked me to write a story about a boy who meets a bear from outer space,” she recalls. “He wanted lots of silly words in the story. It is full of those silly words that come together in the end.”

Just as Deddens’ grandmother instilled a love of stories and storytelling in her, Deddens hopes to do the same for her grandchildren. “The most rewarding thing about being a writer is reading to my grandsons a book that I wrote!” she exclaims. “Reading and talking to children of all ages and helping them to realize that anyone, at any age, can be a writer is also very rewarding.” Deddens has read her most recent book at Peakland Preschool, Holy Cross Catholic School and the Legacy Museum of African American History where she is also a guest curator.

She also recently did a book signing, along with Calf illustrator Olivia Cesafsky, at Givens Books.

Deddens advises writers hoping to be published to keep trying no matter what. “Keep trying, and use your creative talent,” she says. “I guess I see it as using the imaginative component of oneself and just writing it down.”

Diane Fanning
A harrowing childhood experience led author Diane Fanning to an interest in fictional and true crime writing. “I was drawn to write crime fiction and non-fiction by an experience [I had] when I was nine years old,” Fanning says.

“Only the fortuitous arrival of another vehicle spared me from abduction. I memorized the license plate number of the would-be kidnapper. When police stopped him, they found evidence in the trunk of his car that he had sexually assaulted and murdered an 8-year-old girl the month before. I delved into criminal psychology in order to understand the why of the crime.”

Fanning, who is from Boston but has lived in Lynchburg since attending Lynchburg College, has 25 published books to her name, the first of which was published in 2003. Six of these novels comprise Fanning’s Lucinda Pierce Mystery Series (Severn House), two comprise her Libby Clark Mystery Series (Severn House), and the others are true crime novels dealing with such notorious cases as the Casey Anthony case, the Matthew Winkler murder, and the Lisa Nowak case, among others.

Two of her latest true crime novels are set around Lynchburg; Under the Cover of the Night (Berkley Books), which is about the murder of Jocelyn Branham Earnest, takes place in Forest, and Treason in the Secret City, a Libby Clark mystery, takes place in Bedford County. “Living in the [Lynchburg] area has given me a strong appreciation for southern culture,” Fanning says. “All but one of my works of fiction are placed in Virginia, and the majority of my non-fiction is placed here as well.”

For Fanning, who has appeared on 48 Hours, 20/20, The Today Show, MSNBC News, and many additional television programs, one reward of being a writer stands out amongst the rest. “There are lots of rewards: the great fulfillment of holding a book you have written in your hands, of knowing that others are interested in what you have to say, and the exhilarating excitement of putting together the puzzle pieces to form a coherent story,” she notes. “Most of all, though, was the time one of my books made a big difference in someone’s life when I played a role in obtaining freedom for a wrongfully-convicted woman.”

Fanning offers the following advice to her fellow writers: “Read! Read in every genre. If you insert a technique traditionally found in a genre different than yours, you can create something fresh. Write! Everywhere! Get comfortable writing in any environment—it can chase writer’s block away when you change your environment. And never, never give up. Suffer through rejections while working to become a better writer.”

Carolyn Tyree Feagans
Carolyn Tyree Feagans has eight published works, most of which are inspirational and historical novels set locally and in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Feagans was born in Lynchburg, raised in Amherst County, and has lived in both places most of her life. “Lynchburg and the beautiful surrounding area is the main setting of my books,” Feagans says.

“I lived in downtown Lynchburg, Clay Street, in the ’60s, and I have drawn from that experience, particularly in my book In the Shadow of the Blue Ridge. Many locals prefer that book.”

Many of Feagans’ books sell along the Blue Ridge Parkway and in the Shenandoah National Park. Additionally, Feagans’ books In the Shadow of the Blue Ridge, A Bittersweet Story, and Sharp Top (all published by Warwick House Publishing) are sold in Shenandoah National Park’s Visitor Centers. For Feagans, art reflects life. “As with many novelists, my writing most definitely reflects my own life experiences,” she says. “Fiction is not truly fiction, but emanates from the author’s life experiences and true experiences of others who have influenced them.” History, nature, and a desire to help others are among Feagans’ inspirations. “My inspiration is primarily to write and leave behind something that will help others,” she notes. “The reception for my books has been wonderful, beyond my dreams! However, it is my pleased readers who bring me the most joy—particularly those cards, letters, and emails that express their gratitude for the books and how they have helped them during their troubles.”

For Feagans, the most challenging thing about being a writer has been, and continues to be, dividing time between her family and her craft. “For me, the most challenging thing is juggling the time for it [writing] with such a busy life and large family,” she says. “My first four novels were written as I held a career job, managing several branches of staffing facilities. It was definitely a challenge then, and it was also a challenge while having a new baby at 40 years old!

But it can be done! I believe that we can and will do whatever it is that we really want to do, our passion!” She adds: “If you have a passion, something burning within you, don’t wait. Start!”

Karen Swallow Prior
Karen Swallow Prior, PhD, is a Professor of English at Liberty University, Research Fellow with the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, and a member of the Faith Advisory Council of the Humane Society of the United States. She also happens to be a writer. She has written and published many essays and two books: a literary and spiritual memoir titled Booked: Literature in the Soul of Me (T.S. Poetry Press) and a biography of Hannah More titled Fierce Convictions—The Extraordinary Life of Hannah More: Poet, Reformer, Abolitionist (Thomas Nelson).

”Most of my writing is cultural analysis and interpretation, so I’m always drawing on life experiences, both direct and indirect,” Prior says.

“My first book, Booked: Literature in the Soul of Me, is a memoir, so that is the most direct reflection of my life experiences, narrated through the lens of the books that have had the most impact on my life.” Both books have had a significant impact; Prior has led a couple of talks about them on Capitol Hill and has spoken at the American Enterprise Institute and several other colleges.

For Prior, moving to Central Virginia transformed her life and writing. Born and raised in Maine, she moved to Central Virginia in 1999 to teach at Liberty University. One of her favorite essays she has written, titled “North and South,” reflects the impact of the Lynchburg area on her life and writing. “One of my favorite essays I’ve written, ‘North and South,’ is about how I’ve changed—physically, intellectually, and spiritually—just by dwelling in this warm, gorgeous land after moving here from the North,” she says.

“I can’t really measure the way the sight of the Blue Ridge Mountains from my front porch, the bluest blue sky above me, and the long summers have affected me and my writing, but I know they have. I love living close to the earth. I do most of my thinking outside—while running, swimming, or horseback riding—and the lovely scenery and agreeable climate encourage this more than in any other place I’ve lived. My lifestyle here is a lot like the one I had as a child in Maine—without the long and bitter winters. I’m pretty sure I’ve found heaven on earth here.”

Prior first and foremost considers herself a reader and emphasizes the importance of reading for all writers. “I’ve always considered myself a reader first and a writer second,” she says. “Writing is a conversation. The first thing one needs to do in order to write something people will want to read is to be part of the conversation. That means you must read! Specifically, read the kinds of books and publications that reflect what you want to write and where you want

to get published.” According to Prior, being part of a conversation with her readers is the most rewarding thing about being a writer.

“I write for the same reason that I teach: because I love learning,” she says. “Ideas are important to me. Being able to share ideas with others through my books and articles and to be sharpened and challenged by readers just keeps fueling the world of ideas for me.”

By Emily Hedrick

They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. If that’s the case then the state of Georgia really likes us here in Virginia.

It’s been an on-going debate since the first squirrel was skinned: did the rich, savory, comforting bowl of goodness known as Brunswick stew originate there—or here? Spoiler alert: it was here.

Tradition says that in 1828, while on a hunting expedition with Dr. Creed Haskins and several others, African-American cook “Uncle” Jimmy Matthews concocted a thick, rich stew of squirrel, slow-simmered in a large iron pot with butter, onions, bread and seasonings.

It was a hit, according to legend, and today is open to interpretation and inspiration as ingredients go. Rabbit and squirrel were once the primary components, while today chicken and pork are used. Most Brunswick stews are tomato-based and augment an animal protein with lima beans, corn, potatoes and even okra.

The result is a rich, thick, hearty stew with complex and complementary flavors ranging from savory to sweet to smoky. Make a big pot; the leftovers taste even better as the ingredients mesh and meld and become more unified. Cornbread is the quintessential accompaniment.

Make it at home (my recipe is below), enjoy it at a local restaurant (see “Dishing it Up” on page 97) or celebrate it at the annual Taste of Brunswick Festival (this year on Oct. 8; www.TasteOfBrunswickFestival.com) up the road in Brunswick County.

As for Georgia, the town there put up a display of a big cast iron pot and a plaque saying their stew was first cooked in 1898—some 70 years after Virginia’s first bowl was served. Goober state: claim denied.

Brunswick Stew Recipe

From my cookbook Dishing Up Virginia

CHICKEN INGREDIENTS
1 large (4–5 pound) boiler chicken
1 large onion, unpeeled and quartered
3 carrots, unpeeled and quartered
3 celery stalks, quartered
2 garlic cloves, unpeeled and crushed
1 small bunch fresh Italian parsley
1 bay leaf
1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns
1 teaspoon sea salt

STEW INGREDIENTS
4–6 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
3 pounds new potatoes, quartered
2 medium onions, chopped
3 tablespoons tomato paste
6 cups crushed tomatoes, stewed or canned
2 cups prepared lima beans
2 cups corn kernels
1 tablespoon sugar
1⁄2 teaspoon salt
1⁄4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1⁄4 teaspoon ground red pepper
4 tablespoons butter

METHOD
1. Make the chicken. Place the chicken in a large stockpot and cover with water.
Add the onion, carrots, celery, garlic, parsley, bay leaf, peppercorns and sea salt.
Cover the pot and bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce the heat to a slow boil and cook until the chicken is tender and the meat is falling off the bone, 45 to 90 minutes.

2. Remove the pot from the heat and allow to sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate or cutting board to cool; do not discard the broth. Debone the chicken and shred or chop the meat. Strain the broth; cool, and skim off the fat.

3. Make the stew. Cook the bacon, stirring frequently, in a
large stockpot over high heat until cooked. Add 4 cups of the reserved chicken broth to the stockpot. (If you don’t have
4 full cups, use additional chicken or vegetable stock, or water to make up the difference) Add the potatoes and onion, and bring to a boil. Continue boiling until the potatoes begin to soften, about 10 minutes.

4. Stir in the tomato paste. Add the reserved chicken. Reduce to a simmer and add the tomatoes, lima beans, corn, sugar, salt, black pepper and red pepper. Stir well and simmer, uncovered, for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Add additional broth or water if needed, but stew should be thick.

5. Remove the stew from the heat. Stir in the butter until it melts and serve immediately.

Yields 8-12 servings

By Patrick Evans-Hylton

Autumn is a time when temperatures cool down, and appetites ramp up.

Maybe it’s something primordial in our collective, culinary DNA that says, “Hey, buddy. Winter’s coming. You can put on a few extra pounds and cover it up with ugly Christmas sweaters.”

Perhaps it’s due to football season, and everyone knows you don’t go tailgating with a salad (unless it’s potato salad!).

Maybe it’s just because they are so darn good, but guilty pleasure dishes are what you eat when you’re not counting calories. They’re also perfect grab-and-go options for tailgating or watching football at home.

We picked these dishes because, well, they are delicious, but also because each one is an example of a classic comfort food or pub grub. Dig in!

THE DISH
Red Neck Nachos Y’all at Benjamin’s

THE DETAILS
Who doesn’t love nachos, that dichotomy of crunchy and gooey goodness? At Benjamin’s the Red Neck Nachos Y’all start with a base of housemade chips and are topped with slow smoked, pulled pork barbecue, melted smoked gouda cheese, and adobo and barbecue sauces.

The plate is garnished with scallions and tobacco onions.

Benjamin’s is at 14900 Forest Rd., Forest. Call (434) 534-6077
or visit www.CowsAndCrabs.com

THE DISH
Black & Tan Onion Rings & Kase Mond at Bräuburgers Craft Burgers & Beer

THE DETAILS
Onion rings are frequently the forgotten side dish, often overlooked for french fries. But don’t overlook the Black & Tan Onion Rings, a stack of stout and lager beer-battered slices of onion served with a side of housemade Bräuburgers’ Sauce for dipping.

Another pick: Käse Mond, cheese-filled breaded wedges, offered up with a side of marinara sauce for dipping.

Bräuburgers is at 14805 Forest Rd., Forest.
Call (434) 525-2727 or visit
www.facebook.com/Brauburgers

THE DISH
Hot Crab Dip & Feta Cheese Dip at Hill City House Grille

THE DETAILS
We love a good dip—the perfect mix of rich creaminess and flavorful additions. At Hill City House Grille, try the Hot Crab Dip, a cheese-based dip filled with crab and served with herb flatbread.

The Feta Cheese Dip also gets our attention: a cream cheese-based dip spiked with feta cheese and sun dried tomatoes.

Hill City House Grille is at 7001 Timberlake Rd., Lynchburg. Call (434) 237-6110 or visit
www.HillCityHouse.com

THE DISH
Potato Skins with Chili at The Neighbors Place

THE DETAILS
We aren’t sure who got the idea to scoop out a potato and gussy up the skins for a spud-tacular side dish, but we’d like to shake their hand. At The Neighbors Place, a platter of six skins comes filled with a mixture of melting cheese and some awesome options: bacon, chili or pulled pork barbecue.

The Neighbors Place is at 104 Paulette Cir., Lynchburg. Call (434) 455-4300
or visit www.TheNeighborsPlace.com

THE DISH
Fries and Dipping Sauce Flight at The Corner at Rivermont

THE DETAILS
We love fries—fluffy, moist potato encased in a crispy exterior. And while we love them just about any way they come, we do love to dip them. But ketchup is so 20th century. At The Corner at Rivermont, there are 16 different dipping sauces, from house ketchup to cocktail sauce, maple bourbon bacon vinaigrette to horseradish ranch and even a secret sauce.

The Corner at Rivermont is at 2496 Rivermont Ave., Lynchburg. Call (434) 219-6035 or visit www.TheCornerAtRivermont.com

THE DISH
Tossed Wings in Traditional Buffalo & Freshly Fried Potato Chips at Shakers

THE DETAILS
Wings are king in the appetizer realm, and while there are many variations, in our book, you can’t beat traditional Buffalo style. But variety is the spice of life, so at Shakers there is also Honey Garlic, Chipotle BBQ and Sweet Thai Chile, all served with ranch or blue cheese dip.

Another favorite snack, potato chips, are served here, freshly fried and tossed in Buffalo seasoning, also with ranch or blue cheese dip.

Shakers is at 3401 Candlers Mountain Rd, Lynchburg. Call (434) 847-7425 or visit www.Shakers.com

THE DISH
Mac and Cheese Balls & Jalapeno Poppers at The Stoney Badger Tavern

THE DETAILS
How does mac and cheese get any better than it already is? How about taking a rich, creamy housemade variety, roll it into two balls, bread them and deep fry them? Want it better still? Your balls are then topped with savory chili and Colby jack cheese. Yum.

A new classic comfort food, Jalapeño Poppers, are also served up ready to pop in your mouth; these spicy jalapeño peppers stuffed with cream cheese are served with a side of ranch.

Stoney Badger Tavern is at 3009 Old Forest Rd., Lynchburg. Call (434) 384-3004
or visit www.StoneyBadgerTavern.com

Photos by Jim Pile