Top Teacher Reception
The 2017 Top Teachers were recognized at a special reception at Timberlake Tavern on March 4. After the event, Top Teacher Jessica Hott (Bedford Middle School) wrote to the editor, “I love [the] magazine this month and appreciate all of the great things you said about educators and the education profession. The luncheon at the Timberlake Tavern was just perfect. The presentations, food and fellowship were absolutely wonderful…” See more photos from the event on page 18!

Lynchburg’s Cutest Baby
Our social media pages were on fire as the top 10 finalists in the Lynchburg’s Cutest Baby contest worked hard to get votes for their little ones. When the deadline arrived
March 31, over 2,100 people had cast votes on the Lynchburg Living website. See this year’s Cutest Baby on page 27!

Social Media Shout Outs
The staff and writers of Lynchburg Living are proud to tell meaningful stories about the people and places that make this region so great.
We appreciate these mentions on Instagram from the people profiled in the Home and Art departments of our March/April issue.Living Out Loud May/June 2017

We Want To hear From You!

Write to Feedback, Lynchburg Living magazine, 1035 Avalon Dr., Forest, VA 24551. Send e-mail to feedback@lynchburgmag.com.

Correspondents must identify themselves; names may be withheld on request. Lynchburg Living may edit or condense letters.

The Best Eats and Drinks ALONG the Brew Ridge Trail

Living in Lynchburg fortunately puts us in very close proximity to the Brew Ridge Trail. You know—that beautiful stretch of country road that happens to be dotted with some of the country’s (yes, the country’s) best breweries and restaurants? And every year, new destinations are popping up, including a distillery and cidery. This summer, set aside some time and spend a beautiful warm day navigating your way down the mountain, enjoying every sip and bite.

11 a.m.
I grabbed a group of friends (and a designated driver), and we left Lynchburg on a gorgeous sunny Saturday. We decided to start our day further than any of us had been—Starr Hill Brewery in Crozet, which is actually north of I-64. It was full of friendly people both working and hanging out. Dogs are welcome on the patio, there is loads of merchandise for sale if you need a new t-shirt, and the windows were open providing ample fresh air and sunlight. After a sampler of mostly stouts (my favorite), we headed back to Route 151 and what was supposed to be our original starting point, Blue Mountain Brewery in Afton.

1 p.m.
You’re most likely familiar with Blue Mountain beers such as the Classic Lager, Full Nelson or maybe the summer beer Rockfish Wheat. Most in my crowd chose a pint of the Kölsch 151, a German-style ale that’s clean and crisp. There is a lively outdoor seating area or an open, relaxed space if you choose to be inside. The staff couldn’t be more eager to educate you, pour you a flight, or serve up one of their signature pizzas.

The pizza dough at Blue Mountain is rolled by hand, the crust served thin with hints of herbs, olive oil and honey. It is as good as it sounds. Give the veggie with goat cheese, caramelized onions, squash, pesto, roasted mushrooms and mozzarella a try or you may find yourself leaning over another popular pie “The Local Sausage,” made with sausage from Double H Farms in Nelson County. It pairs nicely with the Chocolate and Coffee Dark Hallow Stout.

2 p.m.
Finish your pizza and pint and hop in the car for a quick ride. Prepare to switch gears as you enter Silverback Distillery. The tasting room is on the smaller side but it adds to the fun to be elbow to elbow with strangers who soon become friends. The knowledgeable staff educated us about their liquors and made helpful suggestions. I had a Smoked Old Fashioned with Honey Rye, white oak smoked glass, maple syrup and angostura bitters. It was hands down one of the best cocktails I have ever had. I bought a bottle of the Honey Rye and a bottle of the award-winning Strange Monkey gin. Others enjoyed variations on the Moscow Mule with apple cider or cranberry juice. Before you leave, make sure to take a photo with the life size Silverback gorilla at the entrance. It’s sort of a rite of passage and always a great take away.

3 p.m.
After our photo op, we headed west to Wild Wolf Brewing Company. The grounds and facilities are reason enough to travel to Nellysford and check this place out. There is a lot to see, a full menu to enjoy and great people watching. Unfortunately on our visit, there were so many people that there were no clean glasses for us to try the beer, but we will definitely be back. (If that isn’t a good sign that people love their beer, I don’t know what is.)

3:30 p.m.
Keep winding west and stumble upon my favorite stop on the trail, Bold Rock Cidery. Park and walk up to the tasting room, abuzz with families and friends enjoying food and cider. You will love the charming, rustic barn feel if you sit inside. The setting outside is dotted with fire pits, rolling pastures, a trickling stream and cows casually grazing nearby.

There are many ciders to choose from—I choose pear (released in 2014) on this particular day and the bubbles and icy crispness are reminiscent of champagne. We don’t get to relax here as long as we would like as we have one last stop on our tour.

4:30 p.m.
We load up a final time and head to Devils Backbone Brewing Company. My son and I came here with our families three or four times in his first six months of life. That’s one of the most unifying and attractive factors about each of these spots. They aren’t just for boozing (but certainly you can). There are crackling fires, delicious food, outdoor games, music, friendly people, a comfortable atmosphere and plenty more for people of all ages and interests.

Everyone in my group knows what they like at DBB.

My husband’s favorite is the Vienna Lager—our refrigerator is never without a six-pack of this particular beer. Although I like the food everywhere along the trail, the food here knocks my socks off each time. Maybe it’s the soft and chewy Bavarian pretzel with beer cheese, the full racks of juicy ribs or the Virginia Sausage Platter—there is literally something for everyone.

And when pulling into the parking lot you can’t miss the construction going on at Devils Backbone as last year they were acquired by Anheuser-Busch. There seems to be a lot of exciting changes happening around the property that is such a fantastic place, run by deserving people who really love and know their beer.

No matter where you start or end or which breweries you enjoy, I am confident you will find a common thread on your trip: experts with a love of beer or spirits and a dedication to what they do, serving locals and travelers alike who have come together to enjoy and share in a unique and delicious experience.

Cheers!

Sip and Savor Safely!

Consider Making Brew Ridge Tours Your DD

If you’re ready to plan your own 151 trip and want someone else do the work and the driving, I recommend Josh Pratt of Brew Ridge Tours. He is a true professional and ready to take your crowd up the mountain.

“Brew Ridge Tours is the first and only Lynchburg-based brewery tour. Our goal is to make sure you have a great day, stress free, brew-full, and then get you back to the Burg safe and satisfied,” says Josh.

To book your trip simply go to their website, www.brewridgetours.com, select the date and tour, pay, and you’re good to go! You can book months in advance so go ahead and plan a tour for fall when the leaves are starting to change. You will have it to look forward to all summer long.

Brew Ridge Tours conveniently has two locations for departures. One in Forest at Fiesta Tapatia on Route 221 and one in Lynchburg behind The Water Dog on Jefferson Street in Public Parking Lot M.

“Tours can be to one location and up to three and ranging in time from four to eight hours. We offer tours as simple as transportation only to all-inclusive with lunch or dinner, private tastings, VIP tours and SWAG. We also provide private tours for special events like birthday parties, bachelorette/bachelor, wedding parties, etc. We are a full-service touring company and offer tours to wineries and distilleries as well,” explains Josh.

Once booked, all guests need to do is remember their ID, pack a cooler, and bring a camera; they encourage taking lots of photos!

Lynchburg’s newest lofts

With a greater interest in downtown revitalization, historic preservation and simple living, the demand for loft living is on the rise. Lofts establish a sense of community and their locations provide convenience to work (whether you work in the city or need to simply hop on 501), as well as being within walking distance from shopping, dining out and recreation.

While there are more than 10 loft-style properties already downtown, prospective residents have even more options for loft living with the addition of four new properties. Many of these historic properties come equipped with similar amenities, such as in-unit washers and dryers, stainless steel appliances, parking and updated heating and air systems, yet each suggests its own story and sense of style.

Factory 88
Located on 12th Street, Factory 88 provides 23 one-bedroom apartments in what used to be the Ford & Winfree Tobacco Factory. The design highlights the property’s history using sliding barn-style reclaimed doors, kitchen islands with pallet fronts, and exposed bricks, beams, and pipes. A walking bridge leads to a parking lot, yet the on-site bike storage encourages renters to grab their bikes and explore the neighborhood. A favorite resident feature is the community deck that promotes socializing.

The location is ideal for someone who wants to be in the heart of it all, only requires one bedroom, and doesn’t mind a small living area as units are under 700 square feet.

Piedmont Flour Mill
The Piedmont Flour Mill’s location on Jefferson Street grants residents with easy access to recreation and restaurants while maintaining a sense of peace and quiet. It wasn’t always so peaceful, however: “locals brought their grain here to grind for flour and to trade along the James River—the flour made here actually fed the Confederate soldiers!” said leasing agent Trish Lightner. (The flour mill discontinued its operations in 1987.) Found objects are in full display from the framed flour sack in the lobby to the grinders, sifters and other artifacts on display throughout the interior. The fifth-floor units contain spiraled staircases and top-of-the-world views.

Unique to this property are the one-bedroom units that feature original wooden walls, which creates a log cabin feeling right in the middle of Lynchburg. These were the old silos: “in place of windows, they had these wooden slats so the grain could breathe and stay fresh and not mold,” Lightner explained. “You need to really like a log cabin effect to enjoy the aesthetic in these rooms.” The owners expect to convert a set of silos in back into apartments soon. Lightner believes that this is “going to put Lynchburg on the map since they’re going to create the units in a way that’s never been done before.”

With one- and two-bedrooms units ranging from $700 to $2,000, the property opened in the fall of 2016. More than half of the units leased within the first two months; tenants range from med school students to mature adults.

Wills-Camp
The original building was constructed in 1880, but the Wills-Camp Lofts are the newest addition to Lynchburg loft living. Located between Bowen Jewelry and Baby Bees at 819 Main Street, the building offers five exclusive lofts in addition to commercial space.

“We really wanted something different than what was already available,” explains owner James LaPrade. After completing in-depth research, designer Dale Davis developed the idea of five thematic rentals. From a staircase leading to a study in the Professor’s loft to the original mercantile shelves that serve as an entertainment center, Davis chose specific design details (as well as appropriate lighting features and hardware) for each individual unit. Davis and LaPrade also concluded that they wanted the Wills-Camp lofts to offer large, walk-in closets and as much natural light as possible.

In the past, the building housed commercial businesses, primarily of the retail variety: generations of merchants sold stoves, tin ware, equine equipment, shoes and clothing here at one point or another. In keeping with the building’s history, LaPrade is building a mock storefront complete with an original cash register and other artifacts he found in the building. He also elected to fashion a wet bar from the old elevator shaft in the Executive’s loft.

Amenities include water, sewer, and an assigned parking space. A one-bedroom, one-bath unit starts at $950 with the executive loft (featuring its own private patio) going up to $2,500. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for a retired couple who wants to downsize,” said LaPrade.

Gish Flats
On the corner of Fifth and Court streets, loft lovers will find Gish Flats, where prospective tenants choose between living in a renovated industrial space or a brand new building.

The historical building served as the R.E. Gish Tobacco Factory in 1883, which produced tobacco snuff. In 1920, it became Lynchburg Hosiery Mill #2, which held the distinction of having the first contract with the U.S. military and fashioned socks for the Army, Navy and Marine corps. Today, old knitting machines for hosiery display prominently in the large lobby.

The 66 units opened in the fall of 2016 with price points starting at $900. The rent payment includes free cable, internet, parking, trash, water and sewer services. Gish Flats presents a plethora of amenities to its residents, including complimentary shared bicycles, charcoal grills, and patio tables with sunny yellow umbrellas in the courtyard. There’s also a kitchenette adjacent to the common area to make prepping for outdoor entertaining a snap and an on-site fitness center. Units come with a coat closet and a pantry as well as a separate laundry closet; all units come with built-in Bluetooth audio systems and in-wall speakers. “This is all a very thoughtful use of space,” says Dee Beck, leasing agent for the property.

The panoramic views from the rooftop patio are unbeatable: look one way to see a city line and church steeples and simply turn your head to gaze upon the James.

A vibrant arts and cultural scene juxtaposed against a rushing river and blue mountain ridges, all with a sense of history continuing yet renewing—that’s not just the view from the rooftop, that’s life in downtown Lynchburg.

By Charlotte Farley

Local. Charitable. Delicious.

June 10-17, 2017. Presented by Lynchburg Living

Now in its sixth year, our very popular Lynchburg Restaurant Week is back with a new and improved mission. On the following pages, you will see fantastic menus offered by 23 local restaurants. These prix fixe menus give you a chance to savor their best dishes (appetizer, main course, dessert) while not breaking the bank.

But when you pay your bill, we hope you’ll consider gifting that savings to Meals on Wheels of Greater Lynchburg, our 2017 fundraising beneficiary. They assist the homebound community by providing a nutritious, hot lunch five days a week. We are also continuing our partnership with Academy Center of the Arts this year. Their Riverfront Park Concert Series will bring thousands of people downtown this summer.

Learn more about Meals on Wheels of Greater Lynchburg at mealsonwheelslynchburg.org.

Find a schedule of the Riverfront Concert Series at academycenter.org/riverfrontparkconcertseries

Local Retirement Centers Make Fitness Fun

Staying active can be challenging for many seniors, but it doesn’t have to be a dreaded activity. Retirement facilities in Lynchburg—Westminster Canterbury, The Williams Home and The Summit—are always striving to find ways to keep their residents engaged and excited about health and fitness.

Westminster Canterbury
When it comes to fitness, Westminster Canterbury, located on VES Road, offers something for everyone to enjoy.

“We have a heated saltwater pool and a spa,” said Denise Watts, wellness coordinator.

They also currently offer 25 fitness classes per week including Chair Yoga, HydroFit, Tai Chi for Health, Strong & Centered, Balance from Head to Toe, Movement Matters and many others.

“Our class schedule includes both land classes and pool classes,” said Watts. “We have a broad variety to try to meet everyone’s needs.”

Additionally, they offer several unique fitness options such as volleyball, pool volleyball and a walking club.

“We have three walks a month. We do one campus walk a month, and we also do a local trail walk a month, and an away walk,” said Watts. After the away walk, participants enjoy stopping somewhere for lunch before returning home.

“We also have our own nature trail here on campus, so we encourage them to use that on their own as well,” she said. Residents are also encouraged to participate in local community walks such as the Walk to End Alzheimer’s and the Out of Darkness Walk for mental health awareness.

This year Westminster Canterbury plans to host a “mind and body” week where they will focus on health and bring in experts from the community.
“[Staying active] keeps [seniors] healthier longer, keeps them moving, and keeps them going longer,” Watts said. “It helps their health in every way.”

As Debbie Callahan, vice president of marketing and development, explains, their fitness programs give residents a sense of comradery.

“We have classes of over 25 people at a time doing aerobics three times a week,” Callahan said. “They encourage one another, and that is so positive. Whether they can do all the repetitions or not is irrelevant, it’s the fact that they are there, they are participating.”

The Williams Home
The Williams Home, located on Langhorne Road, provides independent and assisted living services for women. Their facility is equipped with an exercise room containing a variety of equipment; residents are taught how to use everything properly in order to prevent injury. And since it is open 24 hours a day, this gives the women an opportunity to exercise whenever they desire.

Aside from the exercise room, residents are encouraged to stay active in other ways as well. “Ladies are encouraged to participate in the weekly exercise classes,” said Sheila Peters, marketing representative. Because as she explains, staying motivated to keep active can be challenging, especially when you live alone.

“Participating in a group exercise class is a social as well as a physical activity,” Peters said.

Twice a week, exercise classes are offered by a trained instructor. During the cold winter months, the women are still encouraged to keep active.

“The Home’s hallways are equipped with hand rails, which makes it conducive for ladies to walk especially during inclement weather,” Peters said. “The Home provides at least 14 hours of weekly activities including outings. Many of the daily activities are offered in various locations in The Home which promotes walking.”

They believe it is important for seniors to stay active because physical activity helps with digestion, sleep, weight control and mental alertness.
“The Williams Home, Inc. lovingly encourages the ladies to keep moving and remain active not only for their physical well-being, but also for their mental well-being,” Peters said.

The Summit
The Summit, resting on 143 acres in Wyndhurst, provides a variety of fitness activities for its residents. Enjoy one of their walking trails, be adventurous and take a canoe out on the lake, or dance in a Zumba class. Regardless of what residents choose, staying active is encouraged.

“We have a wonderful campus with walking trails,” said Brenda Dixon, marketing director. “We actually just recently completed our walk around the lake.” The “Summit Lake Walk” is nearly a mile long and circles around the lake with “paved walkways and natural walking paths,” according to Dixon.
Since The Summit has a partnership with the Jamerson YMCA, located within walking distance from the retirement community, they do not have a need for a large exercise facility. However, they still have a small fitness center on campus that has equipment such as treadmills, NuSteps, free weights and stationary bikes.

“We also offer a lot of fitness classes,” Dixon said. Some of their classes include Zumba, chair exercises, Tai Chi and yoga.

“There’s a pretty good range of opportunities for group fitness,” Dixon said. Some of the classes offered can be modified to meet the resident’s individual needs.

“We definitely know it’s important for seniors to keep moving,” she said. In the spring, they are excited to be starting a walking group. Residents will set walking goals and can reach them by walking both inside and outside.

“Here at The Summit we offer something for everyone throughout all levels of care. The beautiful campus, the walking trails and a lot of outdoor opportunities including gardening, are all in addition to the group fitness programs,” Dixon said.

Title/Occupation: Wildlife, Nature, & Adventure Photographer/ Biology Major at Lynchburg College
Age: 20

When did you first become interested in photography?
Well, it just happened. Last March (so it has only been about a year) I was messing around with my phone camera and little Sony digital camera when I went outside or on hikes and posted some photos to Instagram. I received positive feedback, which is what spurred me to continue. That summer (2016) I created an Instagram account (@tylerstephens_photography) and then received my Canon camera for my birthday. I was published in Suffolk Living not long after.

Are you self-taught or have you received any formal training?
I’m mostly self-taught. I did take a photography class to hone my skills when I came back from summer break.

Why nature? What inspires you to focus on the outdoors?
There is this feeling (I cannot explain) about being outside, being able to explore, experiencing wildlife, and being adventurous. I would like to hike everyday if I could.

Describe one of the craziest things you have ever done to get that “perfect” shot.
I believe it is a tie between getting within 20 feet of a skunk and other animals or running along the edge of a cliff to then pose before my camera timer released.

What’s next for you in your photography journey?
Hopefully I can save up for a trip to Colorado that I am planning for the summer of 2018. But for now, there is a whole lot of Virginia I haven’t seen.

Know what to look for…

According to the American Optometric Association’s Optometric Clinical Practice Guideline, vision disorders are the fourth most common disability in the United States and the most prevalent handicapping condition during childhood. Unfortunately, the report also indicates that only 31 percent of children ages six to 16 are likely to have had a comprehensive vision examination within the past year, and only 14 percent of children under the age of six have ever had a vision examination. As such, many children may be struggling with vision issues unbeknownst to their parents.

Luckily, there are common warning signs that likely indicate vision impairment. “Warning signs include headaches, squinting, difficulty concentrating, blurry vision, an eye that turns in or out, and difficulty paying attention or keeping up in school,” says Gail Ganser, MD, Pediatric Ophthalmologist at Piedmont Eye Center. “Early detection is important because visual disorders can impair learning and social development,” she adds. “Also, the vision part of the brain is maturing until about age seven, and after that some conditions can no longer be treated leading to a permanent disability.”

Vision screenings can detect a wide range of conditions, some of which can be corrected with glasses alone. “The most common eye disorders in children are myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism, all of which can be treated with glasses,” Dr. Ganser says. “Strabismus is abnormal turning of the eye treated by glasses or surgery. In another condition, amblyopia, vision develops poorly in one eye due to it being misaligned or having a strong need for glasses. Some children have convergence insufficiency where their eyes cannot focus inward as required for reading. Dyslexia or other reading disabilities are not uncommon.”

Your child may be anxious about getting a vision screening, but Piedmont Eye Center makes the process as enjoyable as possible. “At PEC we try to make the eye exam fun,” Dr. Ganser says. “We can use symbols to check vision in a younger child, and toys and lights for other parts of the exam. Dilating drops are often used to determine if glasses are needed. Children can visit our playroom while their eyes are dilating.”

If a vision screening indicates your child does need glasses, he or she may be anxious about wearing them. Dr. Ganser and the ophthalmology team of PEC do their best to ease children’s anxiety. “If a child is nervous about glasses, I ask them if they have friends who wear them,” she notes. “I explain that they are fashionable and that I’m sure they will be able to find frames in their favorite color.”

Dr. Ganser says most children are accepting of glasses due to the abundance of functional and stylish choices available. “Years ago the choices for children’s eyewear were limited,” says Tabitha Diaz, Licensed Optician at McBride Blackburn Opticians. “Children’s glasses were an afterthought to many manufacturers. In recent years there are a lot of companies who have invested time and money into research and development to improve choices and quality for children. This makes choosing the proper frame much easier. We can provide a child with a fun, trendy frame that fits and is functional. The varieties of colors, shapes and brands make it fun for the child to choose their new glasses. Like the frames, lens materials have grown as well. There are many materials on the market now that allow the lenses to be thin and lightweight, but still safe for children.”

According to Diaz, the most popular brands of children’s glasses available at McBride Blackburn depend on the age of the child.

“For small children, including babies and toddlers, the two most popular brands are Mira Flex and Dilli Dalli,” she says. “They come in multiple shapes and sizes and the colors are bright and fun for small children. For older children and pre-teens we sell a lot of Ray Ban, Lily Pulitzer, Izod and other fashion-forward brands.”

Diaz advises parents to give their children a choice and to shop local rather than online. “My advice is to always allow the child a choice in what they are going to get,” she notes. “If they don’t love the glasses they will be less likely to wear them. Also, seek professional help. There are so many online retailers that many seem initially cheaper, but if the glasses aren’t measured and fitted properly they may be doing more harm than good. Children can be rough on glasses, that’s a given. Buying from a local optician will insure they are made correctly, and you will have a place to take them to be adjusted and repaired as needed.”

Regardless of a customer’s age, the McBride Blackburn team is committed to making the glasses-purchasing experience as fun and easy as possible. “Often I have kids who try to bend their glasses just because they want to come visit our office! We currently stock over 100 frame choices just for kids, we have a dedicated area to shop and play, and we have our own finishing lab on site so our turnaround time is faster than most,” Diaz said. “Additionally, we have personally reached out to the local pediatric ophthalmologists to find out their preferences on frame choices and measurements. By working together we are able to satisfy the parent, the child, and the doctor.”

With local ingredients, dedicated volunteers and a community mission, Common Grounds Café has a recipe for success.

It’s a few minutes before 8 a.m. on a Friday in mid-March and the kitchen at Common Grounds Café is bustling. Vera Klauck has just dropped off a half-dozen quiches she made—quiche is today’s special—and server Diane Sullivan is chatting up the dishwashers, volunteers from the local Boys & Girls Club.

Mike Buhler arrives with a stack of cardboard boxes, containing an array of muffins and scones from Montana Plains Bakery—a constant on the menu—while Debbe Wombwell puts the quiches in the oven to warm and makes sure there are enough butter pats to go around.

And everyone working at the all-volunteer restaurant, from the kitchen staff to the servers, is hoping the late-winter cold snap doesn’t scare off customers. On a busy day, Wombwell said, 60 or 70 people might drop by Common Grounds for breakfast. They’re hoping for that kind of day.

But before the first cup of Hill City Coffee is poured or the first hefty slice of Klauck’s quiche is ordered, the volunteers gather for what they call “circling.” There in the hallway by the kitchen, they hold hands and, after a moment of silence, ask for God’s blessings as they serve others.
Serving others is what Common Grounds Café is all about. For the past three and a half years, the cafe, a mission of Church of the Covenant, has been serving breakfast on Friday mornings from 8 to 11 a.m.

In addition to the quiche, popular menu items include gluten-free blueberry pancakes, served on the first Friday of each month, and cherry almond oatmeal, made with steel-cut oats, flaxseed, tart cherries and vanilla almond milk, topped with homemade granola, maple syrup and cream.

Whenever possible, organic and local foods are used, including produce from the Lynchburg Community Market. “Originally, it was all vegetarian, but sometimes meat finds its way onto the menu,” Wombwell said. “Vera made quiche with and without bacon last week and they sold equally well.”

Common Grounds operates out of what many locals might know as the Lodge of the Fisherman. The cozy brick structure, located on 40 acres off Boonsboro Road, has for decades been a meeting place for people of all races, ages and faith traditions.

In the 1960s, for example, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. visited the Lodge while in town to speak at E.C. Glass High School.

Also, Church of the Covenant’s day camp, Camp Kum-Ba-Yah, has been open to children of all races since its founding in the 1950s.

The idea for Common Grounds originated about five years ago, with Kaye Edwards, wife of a former pastor of Church of the Covenant, David Edwards. “[Kaye] wanted to do something to serve children in the community,” Buhler said, adding that she “sounded the call [and] we met, talked, and the idea percolated up to do a cafe.”

Proceeds from Common Grounds—about $30,000 so far—are donated to nonprofits that help local children, including CASA, Kids’ Haven, Beacon of Hope, the Boys & Girls Club and others. The cafe also funds scholarships at Camp Kum-Ba-Yah.

Unlike a normal restaurant, however, Common Grounds runs on donations. On the chalkboard menu, posted next to each of the day’s culinary offerings, is a suggested donation. Amounts range from $1.95 for coffee, including refills, to $6.75 for the daily special.

Servers deliver a ticket at the end of the meal, but diners are asked to give as they feel led. Wombwell said that routinely results in “30 to 50 percent over our suggested donation, which I think is really cool.”

Cash and checks are accepted, but not credit cards. But, if you do come in with an empty wallet, you don’t have to leave with an empty stomach.

“These guys came in, maybe college-age, and they came with a credit card,” volunteer coordinator and server Linda Burnett Bush recalled.

“I said we didn’t take [credit cards] and they didn’t have cash, so I said, ‘Look, don’t worry about it. Come again sometime and give a little extra. No big deal.’ This has happened a number of times.”

As previously stated, Common Grounds is run by volunteers. According to Wombwell, the demographic for these volunteers is “across the board” and includes men and women, moms, retirees, people from partner organizations such as the Boys & Girls Club, and others.

Wombwell said volunteers from the partner organizations have helped out with more than just dishwashing. They also offer good advice, such as how to use social media to get the word out about the cafe.

“They give us all of this valuable information,” Wombwell said. “It’s just been this neat flow.”

A lot of the volunteers are members of Church of the Covenant, but it’s not a requirement, and there are no rules on how often you must help out. “Volunteers can come once a month or whenever they choose,” Wombwell said, adding, “We would love some more volunteer help.”

Several of the volunteers there on that mid-March Friday—among them Cris Pacho, Susie Joiner and Diane Sullivan—have volunteered at Common Grounds since it first opened.

Pacho, a therapist by trade, said she enjoys serving at Common Grounds because it doesn’t feel like work. “It’s a nice community,” she said. “You never know who’s going to be here. It’s easy, fun, relaxed, and so I keep doing it.”

Joiner, an experienced waitress, said she “always liked waitressing because it’s physical. The customers are loyal, and it’s fun-to-do, hands-on work that makes a difference in the community.”

Sullivan, a retired dental assistant, said she enjoys the “camaraderie [and] hanging out with the ladies here, and that the donations go to kids in the community.”

She added that she “started volunteering because this was [Kaye’s] pet, but now I’ve got a family here on Friday mornings.”

Sullivan’s not the only one who’s found a family of sorts at Common Grounds. Bush tells a story about how her neighbor’s life has changed through friends he’s made at the cafe.

“Three years ago, my next door neighbor’s wife passed away,” Bush said. “He was lonely and I told him about the cafe. He came over and sat down, and Mike [Buhler] sat with him. He started coming regularly and became part of a group.

“He said, in a way, it saved him and gave him something to look forward to in life. We’ve had several [people] like that. You can come by yourself, but if you become a regular you will not eat alone.”

Altus Chocolate Offers a New Cacao-Inspired Menu

The aroma that instantly awakens your senses when opening the door to Altus Chocolate is reason enough to step inside, but the mouth-watering chocolates, elevated food menu and cozy atmosphere are why you should pull up a chair and stay for a while.

The downtown Lynchburg chocolate venture is a dream turned reality for married couple Mary and Carl Matice. In 2012, they started selling Cao Artisan Chocolates at the Lynchburg Community Market and at a Bedford coffee shop. They moved to their current downtown location in 2013 and decided to change the name to Altus Chocolate last year. Now, they are cooking up more than just absolutely delicious chocolate in the two-level, European-inspired space.

“In creating a chocolate lounge, it has been a main focus to eventually be able to serve wine with the chocolates. In Virginia, this requires a menu. In enjoying all things cacao, we eventually wanted to show savory uses for cacao,” Mary tells me.

The time has come for Altus Chocolate.

She says, “We have really enjoyed finding savory combinations for our cacao. We wanted to create meal items that fit our lounge culture. Items easily shared in a group. Items that awaken the senses for an entirely new cacao experience.”

Altus has the strictest standards with both chocolate and the new menu items, which include two salads, a charcuterie plate and a cheese plate.

Purity, excellence and transparency are the words they live by, and they see this message through with powerful flavors and quality ingredients. The Matices recently received their license to sell wine and hope their guests can enjoy a glass with their treats by the time this issue comes out.

“Our goal is to be a truly decadent chocolate lounge to sit and savor cacao with others in a myriad of ways with a myriad of pairings,” Mary explains. “We envision a night of laughter with friends and loved ones with a nibble of cheese, a stellar glass of wine, and a bit of chocolate melting delightfully on the palate.”

The new Altus Chocolate menu is available all business hours, which includes both lunch and dinner.

Not in the mood for chocolate? Altus also has delicious gelato, a lengthy tea menu, smoothies and local coffee. It’s definitely worth it to stop in to taste the new menu and pick up a variety box of the handcrafted truffles. May I suggest the Madagascar Vanilla, the Fleur de Sel Salted Caramel or the Strawberry Balsamic just to get you started?

Occupation: Artist and Teacher (Randolph College) | Age: 67

Did you notice your artistic talent early in life?
No, I did not realize I would grow up to be an artist. But a quote by the Swedish filmmaker Ingmar Bergman described my experience. “All of us collect fortunes when we are children. A fortune of colors, of lights, and darkness, of movement, of tensions. Some of us have the fantastic chance to go back to his fortune when grown up.” Without the knowledge that I was becoming an artist, I spent my childhood up in trees, lost in daydreams, books and being with animals. On weekends, my family either went to the St. Louis Zoo or to the art museum. Looking at art and animals is a wonderful way to become an artist.

After your childhood, what was your educational path?
I received a Bachelor of Professional Studies from State University of New York. This program of study gave me a studio in Manhattan’s Westbeth Studios where regular visiting artists would see my work and speak to me about it.

I was also apprenticed to the abstract expressionist painter, Milton Resnick.

New York City was my most real, most intense, most beloved and most germane education. To be in a city full of art and artists and to have the chance to see art and talk about it on the highest levels made me realize that I was an artist. It set the bar high and the challenge was exhilarating. I have felt nowhere as much at home as an artist as when I lived in New York. I was born in Austin, Texas. I was born an artist in New York City.

What was your career like in New York City?
My husband and I lived in a loft in downtown Manhattan. It was a time when it was illegal to live in lofts. But the city knew that the development artists were making of rough neighborhoods was good for the city. So they looked the other way. I was fortunate to have five New York galleries represent my work in the 20 years I lived there. Between sales of work, grants and awards and occasional teaching, we were able to live and work in the city. Days spent in the studio and nights, when not at home, spent with other artists either at exhibition openings, meals at each other’s studios or bars. The camaraderie of other artists and the conversations helped clear the cobwebs that isolated work in the studio can weave. Weekends were often spent going to museums and galleries to see art. This life as an artist in New York formed me intensely, to the point where I knew
I could always be an artist wherever I lived. It sustains me even now.

Tell us about the year you spent in Rome.
Both my husband and I were awarded the Rome Prize—Jim in 1981-82 and me in 1987-88 so we lived for two years in Rome at the American Academy. What an incredible experience. Living in a villa on one of Rome’s seven hills, the Janiculum, with other fellow artists and scholars. Those two years were filled with travel, conversations, studio work and freedom to spend days in pursuit of art. I often felt like Alice in Wonderland.

One day, wandering in the medieval section of Rome, an art historian got a key from a shoe cobbler. We crossed the lane and when she unlocked a small, non-descript door we were looking at the edge of a giant sundial the size of a football field. It was covered by a foot of water and made of marble inlaid with bronze Greek inscriptions. The sundial’s gnomon was an Egyptian obelisk that now stands before the Italian parliament. Another day an archaeologist drove a few of us out to a Roman suburb. He lifted a manhole cover, stuck a ladder in it and when we climbed down we were looking at a vast catacomb. So vast, we were warned not to set off exploring it.

I never knew what adventure a day was going to hold.

You later decided to switch gears into higher education. Why did you choose to pursue a career at Randolph Macon Woman’s College in 1994?
The people I met on campus when I came for an interview embodied a serious and intriguing idea of education. The idea that the arts played such a significant role in education was important to me. The fact that the college had an annual exhibition of contemporary art at the Maier Museum of Art was extraordinary. And with its program for bringing artists and scholars to campus, I knew I could contribute to this endeavor of exposing students to the world of art. The collection of art at the museum assured me that I would still have a chance to stand before art. The painter Paul Cezanne said that the only proper place to speak about art is standing in front of it. So the exchange with students would have that authenticity.

What do you enjoy about teaching?
Being with the students. I enjoy thinking of ways to help them make their art. I enjoy sharing the art I love with them. I love the fresh way students look at things. I like their openness to new ideas. I hope to inspire in them a lifelong relationship to the life of the mind. I want to encourage their curiosity before their criticism. When the writer Toni Morrison was asked what she most loved about having children she answered, “They ask me for things nobody else does.” Exactly. Students enrich my life. It’s a two-way street.

How would you describe your artistic style?
Metaphoric abstraction

What are your favorite mediums?
Oil paint and watercolor

Tell us about your most recent exhibition in New York City. This was a big honor!
My paintings were selected by the American Academy of Arts and Letters for a group exhibition in New York. The American Academy of Arts and Letters was established in 1898 to “foster, assist, and sustain an interest in literature, music, and the fine arts” and is chartered by Congress. Since the opening of the exhibition I have learned that I have been awarded a Purchase Prize, which began in 1946 to place the work of talented, living American artists in museums across the country. Two of my paintings have been purchased by the Academy. These paintings will be on exhibit during the awards and induction ceremony in May and will remain on exhibit through June. And after that, they will be given to museums.

Are there any pieces you have created in your career that you would say are your “favorite”?
It is like having children. You love them all in different ways. But there are certain paintings I call breeders because that is just what they do.

Other paintings come directly from them. Ideas seem to just fall off of them and onto the next canvas.

What are you inspired by?
Art and artists, books, music, nature, and animals.

What role does art play in a community?
Or, what role should it play?
It reminds us of our commonality. Art is a reflection of us and also a world unto itself. It invites an open mind. It offers a place for rest and contemplation. Art reminds us that we are not alone. What we feel has been felt before, by someone else and evidenced in a book, a piece of music, a work of art. Art can take you by the hand and say “I know, I understand. Come with me.”

What’s next for you in your journey?
Setting my life as an artist determines everything. Next is to attend the award ceremony and exhibition of my work at the American Academy of Arts and Letters in New York. (Note: The Academy’s Ceremonial Exhibition is May 17-June 11.)

How can readers get in touch with you? kmuehlemann@randolphcollege.edu