Recipe by Anne Leonard | Serves: 2

While many people use the grill solely for poultry and seafood, you can throw pretty much anything on there… including your appetizers. But just a warning—this summer snack is hearty and, for many, will eat like a full meal.

Of course, be sure to save room for something to sip. A glass of Sauvignon Blanc or any light, citrusy white wine of your choice pairs nicely with asparagus.
Enjoy!

Ingredients
8 asparagus spears, tough ends trimmed
A pint of baby Portobello mushrooms
4 slices of rustic bread
A few leaves of fresh basil

Basting Sauce
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon olive oil
Juice from half a lemon
Salt and pepper to taste

Artichoke Spread
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
1 15-oz can of artichoke hearts, drained

Directions

Light grill and turn heat on low.

Mix together ingredients for basting sauce and brush on asparagus and mushrooms. Thread mushrooms on skewers.

Grill mushrooms for about 8 minutes total, turning skewers halfway through. The asparagus will need to be grilled for about 10 minutes. Just watch closely so they do not char too much. Once done grilling, slice asparagus spears into thirds (or to fit in rows on your bread) and slice mushrooms.

Toast 4 slices of bread.

Blend ingredients for artichoke spread until a creamy consistency is reached.

Chop basil leaves into ribbons: roll leaves tightly into a scroll and cut vertically so the basil becomes thin “ribbons.”

Assemble: spread artichoke spread on bread, align spears on bread, layer with mushrooms and top with basil ribbons.

Provider at Dermatology Consultants discusses the importance of regular skin exams

Skin cancer affects 1 in 5 people in the United States, and according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), one American dies from skin cancer every hour. One of the most important ways to detect and treat skin cancer before it becomes deadly is to visit a dermatologist for a skin exam.

Skin cancers are an abnormal growth of skin cells, which are commonly caused by overexposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun. According to the EPA: “Both UVA and UVB rays can cause damage to your skin. Sunburn is a sign of short-term overexposure, while premature aging and skin cancer are side effects of prolonged UV exposure.”

Although it’s not as common, skin cancers can also form from scars caused by burns or disease, occupational exposure to certain chemicals, and repeated X-ray exposure. People have a higher risk if they have a history of skin cancer, burn easily, have blond or red hair and have a history of excessive sun exposure, which includes being sunburned and using a tanning bed. Additionally, people who have or have had an immune system-suppressing disease, are also at a higher risk.

Kappa M. Peddy, M.D., a provider at Dermatology Consultants for 18 years, recommends an annual skin exam as a method of skin cancer prevention and says these can either be full body or partial.

“Typically, an exam will include a review of your family history of skin cancer and any areas of concern. You can expect to get fully or partially undressed to allow for a thorough examination from head-to-toe. For females, it’s best to wear no make-up, nail polish and have hair down,” she says.

Peddy says the visit does not typically take more than 10 to 20 minutes. If something suspicious is discovered, they will most likely take a biopsy to help diagnose the skin condition.

“Skin exams are important because early detection of skin cancer provides the greatest chance of successful skin cancer treatment,” she says. “Skin cancer is most treatable when discovered early.”

Dermatology Consultants offers a variety of skin cancer services from prevention, to diagnosis and treatment.

“The dermatologists at Dermatology Consultants have a combined 150 years of dermatology experience, unmatched by any other local dermatology practice,” says Peddy. “We are patient-centered, … quality, and offer comprehensive dermatology services that include everything from general and medical dermatology to specialized skin cancer surgery.”

Other ways to prevent skin cancer include avoiding sun exposure at peak times (between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.), avoiding tanning beds, covering up with clothing including a wide-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses when outside, and using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher (re-apply every one-and-a-half to two hours).

Despite skin cancer being the most common type of cancer in the U.S., that doesn’t mean you should always stay indoors.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: “Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can stimulate production of vitamin D in the skin. Having little or no sun exposure may put a person at risk for low levels of vitamin D, but too much UV exposure from the sun or artificial sources can increase risk of skin cancers and eye disease.”

The key is to find the right balance—we need the sun, but we need to protect ourselves at the same time. The most important aspect of prevention is finding the skin cancer early, meaning it is crucial to contact your dermatologist immediately if you notice anything suspicious on your skin or think you might have skin cancer.

“If left untreated, skin cancers can continue to grow and lead to disfigurement, loss of function and/or become life threatening,” says Peddy.

Dermatology Consultants is open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. They can be contacted by phone at 434-847-6132 or by email: info@lynchburgdermatology.com. Learn more about Dermatology Consultants online at LynchburgDermatology.com.

With a Pit Stop at Calle Cruz Miami

Editor’s Note: A few days before this issue went to press, the owners of Calle Cruz Miami announced they would be closing the truck until further notice. Their SUV was damaged in a storm, which made transportation for two food trucks very difficult. We hope they can reopen very soon. (Their UpRooted truck is still open for business.)

No strangers to the food truck life, you may recognize Jessica and Jonathan Gonzalez from their original venture, Uprooted. While you can still see that red food truck from time to time, the couple has decided to go back to Jonathan’s roots for their newest mobile eatery—Calle Cruz Miami.

How It All Began

Born in Nicaragua and raised in Miami, Jonathan came to Lynchburg by way of Smith Mountain Lake. After vacationing there with his family, he fell in love with the area and married Jessica, a Lynchburg native. They decided to put down roots in the Hill City.

While both have strong backgrounds in the restaurant industry, they chose to go in the direction of a Central American cuisine food truck “because it’s us on a plate,” Jessica says. “We eat these foods every day.”

What’s in a Name?

A lot.

Calle Cruz Miami has a very special meaning to the couple. “Calle is the Spanish word for ‘street.’ Cruz is the middle name of our son, Joziah Cruz Gonzalez, who passed away due to a car accident in 2013. Miami is where our food inspiration comes from, but is also where most of our family resides now,” Jessica explains. “In Spanish, it would be translated to ‘Cruz Street, Miami.’ Our food should be like taking a trip to Miami and trying the different cultures all on one street. It just comes out of one little Lynchburg trailer.”

Pick Your Poison Protein

Jessica and Jonathan make everything from scratch and consider Calle Cruz Miami a “fritanga”-style truck. Fritanga refers to a Nicaraguan-style cafeteria where you choose your protein and it’s served with rice, beans, yucca or plantains. While some of their ingredients can’t be found here—such as plantains and yucca—they source all bread, vegetables, chicken and ground beef locally.

The choices of protein on the fritanga-style menu include: Mojo Pork, Ropa Vieja, or Coconut Chicken served on a banana leaf bed of rice with a side of Cuban-style black beans, ensalada, and a choice of fried yucca, plantain chips with mango salsa, or maduros, which are fried sweet plantains.

So far, the Mojo Pork seems to be a Lynchburg favorite. They also serve Cubanos, Elotes and two drinks—Tamarindo and Horchata.

Collectively, the couple has eight children so they know plenty about feeding discerning palates and potentially picky eaters. They will also work with any customers who have food allergies—just let them know.

On the Move

Calle Cruz Miami has been following in Uprooted’s footsteps from the beginning, but they also team up with other local food trucks such as Nomad Coffee Co., Action Gyro, MayLynn’s Creamery, and T&E Catering for local food truck round ups. Just keep tabs on their Facebook page to learn where they will be each week. Jessica says they are also very open to invitations for private events.

If you’re apprehensive to new cuisine or not familiar with this style of food, Jessica and Jonathan won’t let that hold you back from their unique, bold flavors.

“Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Most of our food is in Spanish… we are happy to help you out!” she says. “We want people to feel like they’re in Florida with Bachata music playing, a Miami-vice looking logo, and eating foods that originated in Nicaragua, Cuba, El Salvador.”

You don’t have to step inside the doors of an art gallery or museum to view a local artist’s most recent work. Bobby Fuller (aka Bartertown Bobby or Bobby Nowhere) is the person behind the recent creative displays that have been popping up in the downtown area. You may remember Bobby as the Artist Profile in our January/February 2017 issue of Lynchburg Living. He is most well known for his sculptures made from recycled materials.

While it looks like graffiti, the displays are actually temporary. They are made out of large pieces of paper that are pasted to the wall.

“Weaving Adventure Through the City of Lynchburg & Amherst, Appomattox and Campbell Counties”

The lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer between camps and family vacations possess a certain charm, but the lack of structure can quickly become monotonous. If you want to add fun structure to your summer without having to do all the planning legwork yourself, consider utilizing the City Streets & Country Roads Artisan Trail, a newly-established network of local artisans, agri-artisans, art galleries, restaurants, lodging facilities, cultural sites, festivals, and museums—it encompasses Lynchburg as well as Amherst, Appomattox, and Campbell counties.

“An Artisan Trail is a self-guided and determined way of finding exciting and interesting places to visit in specific areas around the state,” says Kathy Johnson, Artisan Trail Coordinator
for the Artisan Center of Virginia.

Although the specific path and activities you choose are up to you, the Trail’s Management Team has created suggested itineraries to assist in planning your excursions (see pages 30-31).

Among the individuals and businesses already registered on the Trail is Gail Speidell Pottery in Amherst. “I was so glad to hear they had created a Trail our area,” she says.

Speidell, an Amherst native who has been a juried artisan with the Artisans Center of Virginia, has been a potter for over 20 years and enjoys creating both functional and decorative pieces. “I enjoy making pottery to be part of a meal, to enhance the food and be a part of family life,” she says. “In the last few years, I have also been making totems for the home and garden. It is freeing to make things purely for their beauty.”

She believes that the Trail will be successful for herself and other artists because many people are just as interested in artists’ processes as they are in their products. “I think people like to visit artisan studios to see where and how the art gets made,” she says.

Anne Novak, General Manager of The Art Box, which is also registered on the Trail, is excited to see how it impacts Downtown Lynchburg. “As people travel and visit the Trail, it’s sure to drive foot traffic downtown,” she says. “It’s such a lively and interesting place to be! Visitors will see how our city has grown and how it is changing, giving exposure to new restaurants and businesses, as well as those foundational to our downtown.”

The Art Box staff also relishes the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and entities. “Being on the Trail is an opportunity to associate with folks—in our own community and beyond—who make, appreciate, and value the same things we do,” Novak says.

The City Streets & Country Roads Artisan Trail began its journey in the fall of 2016. Lynchburg’s Office of Economic Development & Tourism (LOEDT) (formerly The Lynchburg Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau) contacted the Artisan Center of Virginia to inquire about setting up a Trail for Lynchburg, and the ACV suggested including the surrounding counties. City officials then identified participants to form a Management Team made up of regional leaders to identify and recruit artists.

Since the team’s first meeting on March 9, 2017, the Artisan Trail has garnered over 50 participants, and that number continues to grow steadily. Although interested parties needed to have signed up by June 30 to be included in the first production of the Trail’s printed brochure, enrollment will be ongoing for the life of the Trail. Interested individuals and organizations are encouraged to visit artisantrailnetwork.org to learn more about eligibility and enrollment.

Krista Boothby, marketing and public relations coordinator at the LOEDT, believes that the City Streets & Country Roads Artisan Trail will prove invaluable to both the participating members and the communities it serves. “The arts are an important economic driver in the region,” she says. “These small business entrepreneurs create handmade work that they can sell and earn a living doing something they love. It is this experience we want to promote to visitors, and until this Trail was formed, it was difficult to collectively market the artist/artisan community as a destination activity.”

Whether you are a Central Virginia native or a visitor to the area, the City Streets & Country Roads Artisan Trail will take the stress out of your summer planning and connect you with incredible artists, artisans, and organizations that you may have otherwise missed. “With this newly-created tool, our Trail tourism offices can now market to locals and travelers an authentic and well-rounded artisan experience,” says Boothby. “Visitors will be able to stay in a boutique lodging establishment, dine in a chef-run restaurant, enjoy the fruits of the agri-artisan’s labors, visit unique attractions, and take home a piece of Virginia-made art—
all in one visit.”

Visit the City Streets and Country Roads tab at artisantrailnetwork.org to learn more. Two sample travel itineraries are on the following pages.

Sample Itinerary:
One-Day Excursion

The evening before your excursion (6 – 8 p.m.): If you want your one-day excursion to be a full day of fun, consider spending the previous night at the Florence Elston Inn in Amherst. Located at the entrance of Sweet Briar College in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and boasting 38 beautiful, spacious rooms, this is the perfect launching place for a day trip.

Mid-morning (8 – 10 a.m.): After a complimentary Continental breakfast at the Inn, attend your prescheduled* appointment at Gail Speidell Pottery. Gail loves to share her passion for pottery, which is inspired by her own life experiences, with others.

Late morning (10 a.m. – 12 p.m.): Head to Lynchburg to visit the Lynchburg Museum atop Monument Terrace. The museum offers an in-depth look at the people and events that shaped the Central Virginia region.

Early afternoon (12 – 2 p.m.): Travel to Appomattox to eat lunch at The Babcock House, which boasts seasonal menus and Southern favorites made with the freshest ingredients.

Late afternoon (2 – 4 p.m.): While still in Appomattox, venture over to Cub Creek Studio, where studio founder and ceramics artist John Jessiman, along with other artists-in-residence, hone their skills and exhibit their work.

Early evening (4 – 6 p.m.): To conclude your journey, head to Brookneal to visit Patrick Henry’s Red Hill, the beautiful and vast last home and burial place of one of America’s founding fathers and Virginia’s first post-colonial Governor.

Sample Itinerary:
Weekend Excursion

FRIDAY

Early evening: Start your weekend excursion in downtown Lynchburg by checking in to the Craddock Terry Hotel, which boasts spacious rooms, an adorable canine greeter (Penny Loafer), and charming nods to the building’s former use as a shoe factory.

Evening: Unwind with an authentic Irish meal and a refreshing brew at Kegney Brothers Irish Pub. Look out at the James River and enjoy live music in this modern revival of the original Kegney Brothers, which was established in the 1800s.

SATURDAY

Early morning: Enjoy your complimentary breakfast (delivered in a vintage shoe box, of course) at the Craddock Terry Hotel.

Mid-morning: Head to Kelly Mattox Fine Art Studio for your prescheduled appointment. Kelly loves working with bright colors, and her work reflects her personality with its boldness, energy, and sense of excitement.

Late morning: The time for your next prescheduled appointment with mixed media artist Jill Jensen has arrived. Jill works with paint, original prints, and stitching to create one-of-a-kind pieces, and she also welcomes commissions.

Early afternoon: For lunch, drive back downtown to the Lynchburg Community Market. Choose from several amazing food vendors and browse the wares of art vendors as you wait.

Late afternoon: Take your lunch with you to the Old City Cemetery Museums & Arboretum and set up a picnic under one of the shade trees. Then walk around and take in the grandeur of the most visited attractions in Lynchburg.

Early evening: Head to the Maier Museum of Art on the campus of Randolph College. The Maier offers an incredible collection of American art and includes works by such artists as John Sloan, Georgia O’Keeffe, Robert Rauschenberg, and Jacob Lawrence.

Evening: Enjoy dinner at one of Lynchburg’s many fine dining establishments (see lynchburgvirginia.org/restaurants/fine-dining/ for some top-notch options) before heading back to the Craddock Terry Hotel.

SUNDAY

Early morning: Depart Lynchburg and head to Appomattox County to visit the American Civil War Museum, which boasts a comprehensive collection of artifacts and documents that detail events before, during, and after the Civil War.

Mid-morning: Head to Kat’s Pottery, where your prescheduled appointment will allow you to meet and admire the incredible handmade pottery of Kat Ferguson. Kat’s work is inspired by nature and can also be found at Baines Books & Coffee on Main Street in Appomattox.

Late morning: Your last stop is DeVault Vineyards, which is situated on 32 beautiful rolling acres in Concord. Visit the tasting room, request a tour, or time your visit with one of their many special events. The vineyard also boasts an Olympic-size indoor pool, basketball court, and children’s play area.

*Before visiting an artist in their studio, set up an appointment in advance.

As Interest in Downtown Life Grows, a Local Family is Providing the Historic Homes

From HGTV to the “swipe left” feature on Instagram, American culture is more preoccupied than ever before with all things “home renovation.” Indeed, few pleasures are more enjoyable than viewing the dingy “Before” photos of a hapless property, only to then compare them to the glorious “After” images. Lynchburg, with seven substantial historic districts and low cost of living, is the perfect incubator for this phenomenon, and home renovation projects continue to pop up all over the city.

Many locals have turned this trend into a dedicated pursuit, such as Victoria Bartholomew, a real estate agent who rehabilitates rundown properties in Downtown Lynchburg’s historic neighborhoods along with her husband Damien and her dad Dan Hague. Together, the three of them comprise Rise Up Properties, which renovates historic homes and downtown spaces.

Before the “After” Photos

Victoria, like many young professionals, wears a lot of hats; Damien does as well being the owner and operator of Rise Up Climbing on Church Street. And while they enjoy the renovation process, it’s labor intensive and decidedly unglamorous. [Case in point: Damien’s job was to mow the lawn in the midday heat while this interview and photos were taking place.]

Victoria herself is no stranger to the nitty-gritty work that goes on behind the scenes. She recalls using her “16-year-old twiggy arms” to help her dad run wire for his historic home years ago on Washington Street.

Flash forward to fall of 2017, and Victoria and her dad are still working on properties together with Damien joining in about eight years ago. Together, they purchased five properties in Daniel’s Hill, the district that boasts views of the James River with Point of Honor at its southern border. Four homes are on Cabell Street with one on F Street. The plan is to “renovate and resell” them, a distinction Bartholomew makes because “they aren’t ‘flips’ with new paint and flooring.” Instead, they “take it all down to the studs.”

“We Gutted Everything”

A few days before the initial Open House for 129 Cabell Street, the first home of five to be renovated, Victoria is giving us a tour in mid-May.

“This house was very dark because that window was the only window in the dining room,” she says, pointing. “So there was a wall here, there was a wall here—this was a cave in here. So, it was like… Okay! That’s not going to work. And then all the ceilings were dropped, so we had to pull all that stuff down…”

Victoria speaks quietly but quickly, describing all of the changes with sweeping and dismissive gestures. “Obviously,” she concludes, “we gutted everything.”

And that’s not an exaggeration. What sounds daunting to most is par for the course here, and it’s exactly what they love to do. Victoria, Damien, and Hague do the majority of the work on their numerous projects—“You can catch us down here on Cabell Street almost any morning of the week working away,” she says. Collectively, they determined what needed to be done and how they wanted to do it; when certain elements demanded a highly specialized skill, they hired out as needed.

“I am the design leader on the project,” Victoria says. “My dad focuses on the construction plan for the project, and Damien is the one that keeps us in check and also ends up doing a lot of the physical labor (I call him the Light Fixture King). We do all the work on the house and act as general contractor on our own projects.”

Perhaps the most critical decision with 129 Cabell revolved around the existing layout and improving the flow from the living room to the kitchen and dining rooms. This was where Victoria’s “wall here, wall there,” description was given, and seeing the openness and light-filled rooms today makes it hard to imagine the original “cave” she describes.

Yet, Victoria thrives in that in-between of the “Before” and “After,” knowing it’s atypical: “People have a hard time visualizing it,” she says, adding that if they show an unfinished project to prospective buyers, they’re unlikely to come back. That’s okay, because to Victoria “half the fun is picking the finishes and fixtures; I enjoy it.”

After removing some walls, improving the flow and reconfiguring the kitchen, they also had to tackle some major “functional elements” such as all new wiring, plumbing, HVAC and insulation.

“We have to save the historic character but also update it to a standard we would all want to live in today,” Victoria explains.

Renovating essentially boils down to finding a way to merge these modern amenities with the character and unique elements of a home’s original style. In 129 Cabell, the real character exudes from the exposed chimney that runs through the center of the home, providing a stunning focal point while also delineating the front living room from the dining area.

“We are big fans of new wiring, adding air conditioning, insulating walls, but you better believe I love old windows, original wood floors and any type of wood work,” says Victoria. “We will go to really great lengths to save those.”

Other unique elements they preserved include the original claw foot tub in an upstairs bathroom, the fireplace mantel, the detailed scrolling and paneling woodwork on the staircase, which they painted, and the original windows, which they cleaned up.

As a real estate agent, Victoria knows today’s buyers and the amenities they prioritize. So, 129 Cabell Street was updated to include an en suite with a tiled, walk-in shower, a true rarity in historic homes. Victoria also worked in open shelving and exposed brick for the kitchen to stay on trend. And one of her favorite elements is choosing the distinctive light fixtures—especially ones that will make a strong statement.

A Love for Historic Homes

So, considering the intense labor involved, why historic homes in Lynchburg? For one, Victoria has lived here since she was eight years old, saying, “My family is here because of old houses. I believe the ‘youngest’ house I’ve ever lived in was [from] 1921, and so it’s a family thing—it’s in my blood.” She studied Architecture and Urban Planning at Virginia Tech, an experience that “provided extremely useful lessons in community development and working within existing constraints to plan for the future.” Upon graduating, Victoria saw more historic homes per capita in Lynchburg than in most other cities; with so much selection in style, size, and age, she saw an opportunity.

“With historic homes, there is no one exactly alike,” she says. “Walking into every historic home I’ve ever been into really keeps me hooked; there are so many possibilities and often so much potential.”

In recent years, she has become increasingly devoted to the downtown sector, volunteering with various organizations and focusing on renovating several homes. Now, she says, “We are certainly seeing an increased draw to those areas. People want to walk downtown, live in diverse communities, not live in a ‘cookie cutter house,’… and be surrounded by beauty—the historic districts offer all of this currently at a lower price than many other parts of the city.”

She says renovating historic homes is “genuinely a passion project,” adding, “I had many clients looking for this type of house, which is why we decided to renovate and resell, because we knew there were buyers and had nothing to show them. What a great thing to be able to renovate a vacant long-dilapidated house and turn it back into a contributing structure!”

For now, they’re certainly doing their part—129 Cabell is officially on the market, and Rise Up Properties is already fast at work on 117 and 119 Cabell, the next two homes in queue.

So You Want a Fixer-Upper?

Pros:
• Initial purchase costs will be lower on a home that needs work done
• You control final colors, fixtures, and changes to meet your preference

Cons:
• Most projects will take a large amount of time and cash (versus a turnkey property purchased with a conventional loan)
• Historic homes require city approval of exterior changes
• Unforeseen problems typically arise that may stall progress
• Managing the timetable can be tricky (electrical before drywall, etc.)

Victoria’s Caution:
“It takes a lot of work and money, and you have to love it.”

Our Favorite Snacks at Six Local Restaurants

Summer is finally here and as the days get longer, the nights get later. Happy hour turns into dinner, dinner into drinks, drinks into live music and dancing. By that time, it seems everyone is ready to eat again.

But—is there anywhere to go for good food late at night here in Lynchburg? You bet there is. We have compiled a list of some old favorites and new hot spots to fuel you up no matter what time is on the clock.

The Water Dog, one of the newer additions to the downtown scene, is a go-to spot for icy cold beer and equally chilled oysters just about any time of day. But when the sun goes down and you’re out late with friends, sometimes you need a snack with a bit more staying power.

MUNCH ON THIS: We recommend their beer battered pickle spears that are made in house and fried to order. The crispy, crunchy lightly fried outside encases the briny, salty pickle inside. Give them a dip in the spicy aioli served alongside and you will quickly gain your second wind.

Jimmy’s on the James is a Lynchburg staple. Some people tend to go for the innovative dinner menu and others pay them a visit after dinner for bartender Bobby’s hand squeezed, freshly shaken martinis. No matter which category you fall into, everyone stays for the live music that changes each week. Jimmy’s late night menu won’t ruin your waistline either.

MUNCH ON THIS: On a recent visit, their seared tuna hit the spot. The delicately seared Ahi tuna is light and succulent and is topped with shaved zucchini, Brussels sprouts, and carrots dressed with a sesame poke sauce. Just because it’s late doesn’t mean you can’t get your greens.
Don’t think all of the best after-hours action is only happening downtown. Bräuburgers in Forest is serving up their entire menu each weekend until they close their doors at midnight. If you aren’t quite hungry enough for a second dinner featuring one of their fabulous burgers, they have plenty of appetizers and snacks to choose from.

MUNCH ON THIS: Our recommendation is to really go for it and choose from the Pommes Frites section of the elaborate menu. If you are looking for options, you’ll find them here. Waffle cut sweet potato fries sprinkled with cinnamon sugar will satisfy any sweet tooth or enjoy the haus frites with a special seasoning blend. There is even a gluten-free rosemary dusted option if you please.

Benny’s is the one place downtown you can eat late seven nights a week. Pop in anytime before midnight during the week, but if you are out on the weekend, enjoy their pizza until 2:30 a.m.

MUNCH ON THIS: We tend to order whatever the monthly special is (the breakfast pizza, when available, is always worth the order) but know you can never go wrong with a massive slice of pepperoni. Order up a whole pie to go if you have enough people in your group to carry the enormous box out the door.

The Emerald Stone Grille has a select late night bar menu available on the weekends from 10 p.m. until close. While traditional favorites such as Shepherd’s Pie and Fish and Chips can be found on the dinner menu, the special menu has a dish we can’t pass up when we find ourselves there late.

MUNCH ON THIS: Our favorite late night bite is the pimento cheese fritters. Get a twist of the south at this Irish pub with the house made, lightly fried crispy treats. Served alongside a sweet and spicy pepper sauce, make sure to give your fritters a dip before grabbing your next Guinness.

The Texas Inn, or “the T Room” as it’s affectionately known to locals, rounds out our list as the one late night spot most of us have probably been to at least once or twice. The menu and the staff doesn’t change very often and you always know what you’re going to get.

MUNCH ON THIS: We suggest the obvious choices, but make sure you’re doing it right: a cheesy western—their famous burger topped with egg, cheese, and relish— and a bowl topped with cheese, more relish and onions. (If you’re really, really hungry, add “a dog” all the way too.) Hey, it’s late, go crazy!

As a child, I couldn’t get enough of the Little House on the Prairie book series. I loved letting my imagination go back to “the olden days” as I read about Laura Ingalls’ life—getting oranges in her Christmas stocking, sleeping on a straw tick mattress, walking to the school house for daily lessons.
My childhood fascination for the past grew with me into adulthood—you’ll still find me reading historical fiction before bed.

So it’s no surprise that when I approached the Virginian Hotel on Church Street for our Lynchburg Living tour in May, I couldn’t stop myself from daydreaming about early 20th century life in the Hill City. Here I was, walking into the same building that travelers had visited more than 100 years ago—before my grandparents had even been born. And I couldn’t help but assume those travelers were just as excited to be inside this luxury hotel as I was.

From the grand opening in 1913 to a developer’s “crazy idea” a few years ago, our This City feature starting on page 45 gives you an in-depth look at the revival of the Virginian Hotel—with details you can’t experience just by walking around inside. I hope you will enjoy hearing little tidbits of history— including the perspective of a woman who lived there her entire childhood—and learning about the modern, local touches that set this hotel apart from your standard lodging experience, such as artwork from area artists and design elements from Central Virginia businesses.

History lovers will also want to flip to our Home feature on page 32 to see the amazing renovation work happening right now on Cabell Street. Local real estate agent Victoria Bartholomew and her family have a true passion for saving historic homes… and they are really, really good at it! We take you inside their latest project (it includes five properties—that’s right… five) and explain the pros and cons of bringing these gorgeous historic properties back to life.

Also in our Summer Issue—it’s wedding season! Hear what’s new in the wedding industry and see who brides themselves recommend for venues, makeup, rentals and more in our “Best of Bridal Picks” list. Plus, consider taking a journey on the region’s newly named Artisan Trail, jumping in the water with James River Adventures, or going “glamping” at a few regional destinations.

From history to recreation to art, Central Virginia truly has it all—for natives and visitors alike. I can see why the risk to restore the Virginian Hotel was worth it for all parties involved.

And while I often like to reflect on the past, I also find myself daydreaming about the future. Just how thriving will our city be 100 years more years down the road?

Shelley Basinger, Managing Editor
Shelley@lynchburgmag.com

Age: 50… (mumble) | Title: Design Whisperer

How early in your life did you discover a love for art?
In second grade, I was drawing on my report card cover and the teacher said, “You are an artist!” It resonated with me. Every year after that it seemed I was the class artist. My goals were to be a fashion designer and the President of the United States. At least everyone would look good! Ha!

But you sort of strayed from it a little bit?
I was in a creative writing class in junior high and that stirred my imagination, giving me a love for writing. In high school, I took a journalism class and eventually became the editor of the high school paper. Naturally, I wanted to be a journalist and while on a college tour of Eastern New Mexico University, I saw the PBS station and knew right then that is what I wanted to do. I began my broadcasting career in college at 17 years old, spending every waking hour and weekends hanging out at the TV station and learning about all the equipment.

It didn’t take long for art to find you again, though—even in the journalism field.
While I was majoring in broadcasting, I minored in art. While I was working at the PBS station as a student, the art director left and I asked to fill that position. I was directing a television show at the same time. It was the best of two loves.

You spent the bulk of your career in Florida. How did you end up there?
After I graduated, family matters brought us to Orlando. I got a job right away at WOFL-FOX35 working in master control. In 1983, broadcast engineering was largely male dominated, so I was the only woman in the department for four years. When the station got a new graphics system, I went for the position as the first on-air electronic graphic designer… and got it! It was so new and cutting edge. I had the opportunity to travel and learn new ways to bring moving graphics to the small screen. I was one of the first women in Orlando to be in an on-air designer position. After 13 years at FOX, I applied for the Art Director position at the CBS station in Orlando and worked at WKMG-TV6 for the next 13 years. I loved working in broadcasting as an artist. So much creativity and learning on the job with my crew.

While you were caught up in graphic design at work, did you focus on any other types of art at home?
I really had a busy life with a demanding career and two sons involved with school and sports. I was always quick sketching at work to show how animations would move or how the anchors would stand next to graphics, so that still kept me involved with the tactile experience of pen to paper. It wasn’t until my boys got closer to graduating high school when I started to paint at home. I had to design very tightly for television and I wanted to loosen up and have fun and get messy. I was slapping paint on the canvas and getting back to my roots. I joined a group of artists in Casselberry where we exchanged themed art journals and studied “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron. Creating in those sketchbooks inspired me and taught me how to work with different mediums. I created a sketchbook of caricatures of my family saying wacky things for the Brooklyn Library and submitted it for their permanent collection.

Where did your career take you next?
After my sons graduated, my husband and I moved to Steubenville, Ohio. I had never been to such an industrial area in my entire life. My eyes drooled with all the machinery and the architecture in the area. Very exciting. As it turns out, the newspaper was looking for a graphic designer and I got the job! I believe in synchronicity and the publisher came in one day holding up a caricature map of a city and asked, “Who can illustrate something like this?” After working on those sketchbooks, I had honed my skills and I raised my hand. I just finished my fifth caricature map with the Fun Map of Lynchburg. It is now a 1000-piece puzzle.

We love the Lynchburg puzzle! How long did it take to complete?
It took me three months to draw everything. When I am creating a piece of art, I first see it in my mind. I would go to sleep and dream of drawing and placing everything.

How did you decide whom to feature?
With a timeframe in mind, I went to everyone I could get to in Lynchburg and sold spots on the map. Some of the people I included because I needed folks to model for me. My friend’s children, my art friends and, of course, my husband is fishing in the front.

What goes in to designing and sketching each building?
I sketch out the whole lay of the land on paper. Where the river goes, where the mountains will be, where the different areas of town will be located. I take pictures of the buildings and the people so I see their features. I also use Google and Bing maps to get placement of buildings in relation to each other. I create each drawing in its own file and drop it into the big map so I can move it around if needed. The main map gets to be about three gigs. I’ve pushed it to four gigs, but Photoshop starts balking.

While the caricature maps are your “bread and butter,” you love experimenting with other kinds of art. What else keeps you busy?
I love pastels, acrylics, colored pencils and encaustic wax. Encaustic is the oldest form of painting. Beeswax and resin are heated to a certain temperature and pure pigment is then added. “Encaustics” originates from the Greek word enkaustikos. I started painting with encaustics on the back of cigar boxes. I like being outside painting nature and street scenes with pastels. I am a consummate learner and recently started painting with acrylics.

And you’ve enjoyed getting to know other artists in town in a very creative way.
I started an altered art journal group here in Lynchburg because I need the camaraderie of other artists. We meet once a month and swap journals and teach each other our different methods of painting with all kinds of mediums and tools. My current journal’s theme is “naked.” This group is so creative and I love the surprise of what everyone has created when we meet. So fun.

As an artist, what inspires you to paint or create?
I take my camera everywhere I go and take pictures of whatever inspires me. Tight shots of mushrooms, bugs and flowers are so wonderful. I like it when a little bug sneaks into my photo and I don’t see it until I download my photos into my computer. Whenever my husband and I travel, I get some interesting phone photos as I take pictures of whatever we’re passing. It’s usually a “look at that!” as we’re zooming by. I start thinking about my photos at night when I’m drifting off to sleep and what I can create from them. I’ve put my street scenes on earrings, in paintings and on cigar boxes. Inspiration comes from taking a walk in the neighborhood and seeing the asphalt cracks after the rain. Learning new techniques with different mediums makes me question how I can use them in my next journal entry or painting. I see faces everywhere and humor always inspires me.

What advice do you have for other aspiring artists?
Learn the basics of your craft. Know what your paint or medium does and how to use it. Ask questions. Make friends with lots of other artists. Take classes. Paint or draw every day. Go to sleep with a design challenge and then dream of the solution. Keep files of inspiration. Watch videos. Go to movies. Listen to music and podcasts. Read. Be curious and open. Push past your fear. Don’t judge.

What do you like best about being an artist in the Hill City?
I find inspiration in the natural beauty that surrounds us. I enjoy the company of some very smart, talented creative folks and we learn from one another. There are some exciting art and creative experiences offered here in Lynchburg and more places are opening up for local artists to share their work with the public.

How can readers get in touch with you?
My website is www.lillianbrue.com. I am also on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter as Lillian Brue art.