Ingredients

1 whole boneless, skinless chicken breast
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup hot sauce (I like Frank’s)
2 hearts of romaine lettuce
Blue cheese crumbles
Celery hearts, leaves intact

BLUE CHEESE DRESSING
(makes double what you need)

3 ounces your favorite blue cheese, chopped
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 tablespoon vinegar (white wine or champagne)
Salt and black pepper to taste

Directions

Slice the chicken breast in half, horizontally. Heat olive oil and butter in a stainless skillet over medium heat. Salt and pepper both sides of the chicken breast and fry them until golden brown and cooked through. Turn off the burner and pour over the hot sauce. Coat the chicken on both sides and leave it in the cooling pan.

For the dressing, mix all ingredients in a food processor and pulse five times. Done!

Toss the romaine lettuce in a large bowl with enough salad dressing to coat all of the leaves. Slice the chicken into strips on top and sprinkle your creation with some blue cheese crumbles, if you like. Some fresh ground pepper is also nice.

An Impactful Program for Men and Women with Alzheimer’s at the Maier Museum of Art at Randolph College

WORDS & PHOTOS By Meridith De Avila Khan

Inside the Maier Museum of Art at Randolph College, Laura McManus leads a conversation with a small group of retirement-age men and women. They view the vibrant pop art, mixed media work of Korean artist Sang-ah Choi; McManus, the curator of education, guides the participants through the provocative artwork’s various themes.

After reviewing a few more pieces, they move to a table stocked with watercolor paints, paper and assorted potted plants, where they spend the final minutes of their time together painting images inspired by the art they’d just observed. Most of the participants, attending with a spouse, alternate between laughing about and complimenting each other’s artistic attempts.

The Maier hosts more than 6,000 visitors each year. This could be any of the hundreds of groups that come through their doors. Except for one crucial difference: some of these individuals have early stage Alzheimer’s.

They are a part of the Arts Fusion program—a joint offering by the local chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association and the Maier that’s inspired by a similar program launched in 2006 by the Museum of Modern Art in New York. According to the Alzheimer’s Association’s website, music and art can enrich the lives of people with Alzheimer’s by allowing self-expression and engagement, even after dementia has progressed.

Once a month (every second Thursday), the Maier welcomes men and women who are suffering from the disease, along with their caregivers, to attend a stimulating session that doesn’t presume that Alzheimer’s has affected their ability to critique art. McManus says they typically include three to four works in each session that are connected by a theme.

“The works of art serve as a springboard for conversation, reflection, imagination,” she says. “They freely share personal stories that a work of art reminds them of, like you would with a friend.”

As McManus explains, the group forms “a bond because they are all dealing with the impact of dementia”—especially during the second half of the session, where the participants create their own works of art. McManus says she considers the participants’ ages, skill levels and other factors when choosing each session’s art project. Projects are low pressure, require limited materials and only take a few steps to complete.

“The projects also allow for collaboration between the individual with dementia and their caregiver. They can be accomplished alone or with assistance, so that everyone can enjoy the activity regardless of prior experience,” she says.

Among the group laughing and painting potted plants at the Maier on that June day are Lynchburg residents Chris and Amy Heppner, who will celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary this fall, although they’ve known each other their whole lives.

When they were teenagers, Amy was friends with Chris’ older sister. One day, Chris says it was like he saw Amy for the first time, realizing how beautiful she looked. Their first date was shortly thereafter, and they’ve been inseparable ever since. After they settled down and got married, they welcomed their son Lynch in 1997. (Chris is a direct descendant of Charles Lynch, brother of Lynchburg’s founder John Lynch.)

A few years ago, Amy started becoming more forgetful. Still, like so many people with Alzheimer’s, it was easy to find an excuse. But the forgetfulness became more pronounced.

She had an MRI. Everything looked ok. They carried on.

Then, her memory problems became just a little worse, so they went back to the doctor. Finally, in June of 2017, they had an official Alzheimer’s diagnosis after a second MRI revealed lesions on Amy’s brain.

Chris points to a classic example of the disease’s effects with a story from earlier in the day. “We couldn’t find the Band-Aids this morning and I said I just bought a box and I don’t know what you did with them. I found them in the pantry. … That’s not where Band-Aids go, they go up in the closet in the bathroom. …She wouldn’t say ‘Silly me, I put them there’.” He pauses, then continues, “She would say, ‘Well, I don’t know, that’s where they go’.”

There are other little clues. During our interview, Chris asked Amy where their first date was. After a pause, he jumps in to give her prompts. (He took her to his hunting stand, an unusual first date, and Amy wore a long, stylish trench coat, expecting to be taken to a restaurant. Chris laughs about how she casually played it off as though she wore high fashion in the woods all the time.)

It’s the sort of quick-thinking cover that a partner gets used to as they adapt to their loved one’s early journey with Alzheimer’s, suddenly becoming the memory and reason, the mental compensation for their partners in moments like Chris described.

One thing they’ve realized in the past year is just how misunderstood the disease really is. They’ve had reactions from well-meaning individuals who assume Amy has become incapacitated (this couldn’t be farther from the truth). Or, worse, some people worry that it’s somehow contagious (it’s not).

The Heppners found Arts Fusion in the weeks before the official diagnosis when Chris was searching for local resources; they say the art is wonderful, but the companionship of others in the same situation is just as rewarding. According to 2018 statistics from the Alzheimer’s Association, 5.7 million people in the United States are living with Alzheimer’s. That’s why McManus is focused on increasing their reach into the Alzheimer’s community.

“I have been working with the Alzheimer’s Association and adult care centers to get the word out about this opportunity,” she says. “We want to keep the group size intimate (not more than 10 is comfortable), but would be interested in adding additional days if there is interest.”

As a teacher in the Randolph College Museum and Heritage Studies major, she may incorporate Arts Fusion into that curriculum and allow students to be involved.

“Last summer I had an intern who co-led several sessions, and the feedback was very positive,” she says.

For now, her focus is on continuing to look for those “aha” moments in her groups, which she defines as: “the moment when someone sees something in a work of art for the first time, or hears and sees another person’s interpretation that is compelling but not something they had considered.”

It’s those moments that make each session so worth it—and give couples like the Heppners a little hope.

“A connection between thought and memory, between thought and language (word), between image and idea. It shows active reasoning,” McManus says. “I know that the research shows engagement in the arts is beneficial for individuals with early onset dementia. But it is extremely gratifying and inspiring to actually see it happening in real time.”

Local Resources

Arts Fusion
Maier Museum of Art at Randolph College
Second Thursday of every month from
10 – 11 a.m.
Registration is required.
https://maiermuseum.org/education/arts-fusion/

Memory Café
Central Virginia Alliance for Community Living conference room
501 12th Street, Lynchburg
Last Tuesday
of every month
from 1 – 2 p.m.
There is plenty of parking, and snacks are provided.

Alzheimer’s Association, Central and Western Virginia Chapter
Lauren Deasy Blackshaw,
Family Services Manager
lblackshaw@alz.org
www.alz.org/cwva

Big Flavor Comes From Farmers Markets

By Mikael Blido | Photos by RJ Goodwin

You have probably seen the commercials: fresh-looking ingredients arriving at your doorstep in time for dinner, ready to be turned into an effortless, Instagram-worthy gourmet meal. Hello Fresh, Blue Apron, Plated and almost 150 other meal kit businesses seem to be taking America by storm. But a 2017 study showed that the initial excitement may be wearing off pretty quickly.

The majority of customers, according to the study, order just one meal, and only 6 percent of subscribers continued to order after three months. Perhaps they realized that $8-12 per serving for a meal you have to cook yourself is pretty pricey. Or maybe they wanted more variety, less packaging, and more control over where their food comes from.

The “Click-List” Option

One option for the time-strapped home cook who wants to move away from the box could be to use the grocery store click list services that more and more stores are offering. It is convenient, but you still get produce that may have traveled farther in its life than you have. At least you’re supporting a business in your community and keeping some tax dollars local.

The Flavorful Option

The healthiest and tastiest option is a quick trip to one of the many farmers markets we are lucky enough to have in our region. You can be in and out in five to 10 minutes, but a longer stroll is recommended, and you go home with fresh, locally grown affordable ingredients packed with great flavor and seasonal variety, without all of that packaging and waste.

The closest local market to me is the Forest Farmer’s Market, which is open on Saturday mornings from 8 to noon and is a “producer only” market, meaning that vendors are only allowed to sell what they grow or make themselves. Some vendors even offer online ordering, and customers can pick up their order at the market.

Lynchburg’s Community Market offers huge variety, and the market in the town of Bedford also offers a wonderful selection. For other markets, contact your local government or check online.

The Homegrown Option

Another great option is to grow your own food. If you never had a garden, you can get your feet wet next spring by planting a couple of tomato plants in a large flower pot. Home improvement stores often sell dwarf varieties that tend to do well when grown in a pot.

Recipes

On the following pages are two of my favorite salads that take advantage of the fresh, healthy produce you can find at most farmers markets. They are packed with wonderful flavors–and nutrition–that a subscription box can never deliver!

There have been years of my life where I barely made an appearance at the doctor’s office, in exception to my annual physical. Then there are years, such as this year, where I feel like I might as well have an assigned parking space outside. (Or maybe some sort of punch card where I get a free coffee after a certain number of visits?)

Thankfully, nothing serious was wrong with me—just nausea, heartburn and lower back pain. You guessed it… I’m talking about those numerous visits to the doctor for prenatal care. In 2018, the staff at Women’s Health Services of Central Virginia saw me more often than my good girlfriends. Then in early July, I was in the care of doctors and nurses at Virginia Baptist Hospital as my husband and I welcomed our son, Brooks, into the world (about 2.5 weeks early).

Coinciding with a time in my life where I’m more in tune with my personal health than ever before, I’m very excited about our first ever Lynchburg Living “Health” issue. You’ll find content throughout the magazine that connects to this theme. Including, ART—an impactful program for Alzheimer’s patients/caregivers at the Maier Museum of Art at Randolph College, BODY—the vegetable garden at the Alan B. Pearson Cancer Center heals with its fresh produce as well as its atmosphere, and TASTE—two flavorful and healthy salad recipes using ingredients from local farmers markets.

This issue also features our 2nd Annual Top Docs list. This is a peer-to-peer survey—meaning, doctors themselves chose who they would recommend in dozens of specialties. Find that list, along with an editorial focus on Brain Health, starting on page 62.

I’d like to publically thank a few of the doctors who were a part of my life this year: Kristi Kidd, MD—my OB/GYN; Michael Robertson, MD—who delivered Brooks at the hospital; and Justin Mutch, MD—his pediatrician. We also were taken care of by so many incredible nurses at Virginia Baptist, including Anne Moore, the most genuine cheerleader during our labor and delivery.

And finally, a thank you to a couple of people who stepped in to pick up the slack while I was out on maternity leave: Art Director Chris Meligonis, who wore many hats to keep things running smoothly, and freelance writer Shannon Brennan, who stepped in to write and edit in my absence.

It really does take a village—to raise a child… and a magazine.

Shelley Basinger, Managing Editor
Shelley@lynchburgmag.com

Photos by Christopher Breedlove

Student-doctors and faculty from Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine (LUCOM) returned to Zacapa, Guatemala this past summer to provide medical care to underserved communities. This was LUCOM’s seventh medical outreach trip to the region.

Behind the Scenes

Our feature photo shoots often happen outside normal business hours. One Saturday in June, Taste contributor Mikael Blido, photographer RJ Goodwin and editor Shelley Basinger started their day off at 8 a.m. at the Forest Farmer’s Market.

After getting a few shots of Mikael’s local buys, they headed to his home where a few more items were gathered from “Mikael’s Garden”—as it is very clearly named—before heading inside to start prepping the meal.

It can be difficult to cook while also posing for photographs, so Mikael’s wife Traci stepped in from time to time to monitor the ingredients on the stove.

Many thanks to Mikael for going the extra mile with his recipes and opening his home kitchen to our team.

See what he whipped up in “Think Outside the (Mail Order) Box” starting on page 90!

In Nelson County

By Shannon Brennan photos by Ken Wyner

Just uphill from the entrance to the Wintergreen Resort, a tiny German village awaits visitors who want an old-world experience.

The Fenton Inn boasts beautiful mountain views, boutique rooms with elaborate woodwork and a tasty breakfast.

From many of the rooms, visitors can gaze upon wild turkey or perhaps even a bear. Although this hidden getaway has been open less than two years, visitors from around the world have discovered it, including a Buddhist nun from Taiwan and tourists from South Africa.

What’s most impressive about this inn, however, is the amount of labor that Will and Lilia Fenton invested during the four years it took to build. “There were only four hours with a crane on the whole job,” said Will, noting that he had only two younger helpers to do all the other heavy lifting. Just one set of windows weighed 300 pounds.

A woodworker by trade, it’s fair to call Will more than an amateur architect. He designed the entire project and visitors are hard pressed to find many 90-degree angles.

“I’ve got my octagons down now,” he said.

While much of the inspiration for the inn came from visits to Europe, Will also drew ideas from his past work at Monticello, Poplar Forest and Colonial Williamsburg.

All the wood in the inn was cut and milled on site. Even the smallest pieces were preserved for use in Will’s sometimes whimsical creations.

Each of the six guest rooms has a different theme and each door in the inn is a work of art. Will used different types of wood to create intricate designs, but he doesn’t want to show them in photos because he doesn’t want to spoil the surprise.

The rooms offer lovely views of the Three Ridges, a popular 10-mile Appalachian Trail hike from Reeds Gap on the Blue Ridge Parkway to the Tye River on U.S. 60. In one room, the Swallow’s Nest, guests can even see the view from a large windowed shower.

Will is building a new cabin that will be pet-friendly and distinctly separate from the other guest rooms.

A meeting space is designed for a small wedding with up to 10 guests or an intimate place for any special gathering.

Lilia, a native of Crimea, helps run the inn and prepare the breakfasts—which include homemade granola with berries and yogurt—that are not to be missed. French toast, Belgian waffles, omelets and sausage are common menu items served in the bakery, which also provides stunning mountain views.

Lilia and Will met in Crimea, where Will had gone for architectural inspiration. Crimeans, he said, have a flag of every nation that has ever conquered them so they can raise the right flag when the next invader comes, which seems to happen every 50 years or so.

Most recently, Russian President Vladimir Putin made headlines when he annexed Crimea away from the Ukraine in 2014, provoking international outcry. Lilia says it is now too dangerous to return home.

Lilia has no need to leave Nelson County, however. She and Will love the quiet spot on their mountainside.

Lilia grew up on the Black Sea coast. Her father was a doctor, and they lived in a castle-like home in a summer beach town. She attended medical school and received her doctor degree in medicine.

Will grew up near Albany, New York, and spent summers hiking in the Adirondack Mountains. He graduated from the University of Arizona after studying architecture and finance. Returning to New York, he studied historic restoration and worked on some notable Dutch homes in the Hudson Valley. Following his passion for history, he moved to Virginia to work at Monticello.

From there he was recruited to Thomas Jefferson’s summer home, Poplar Forest, where he helped with the complete rebuild, guided by Jefferson’s original letters. Will worked at many other museums, including Robert E. Lee’s birthplace, Stratford Hall, and Yorktown.

Ever drawn to the mountains, Will spent his time off biking the Blue Ridge Parkway or hiking along the Appalachian Trail. His favorite day hike was Three Ridges. One day he noticed land for sale with a view of his favorite mountain. He bought it, built a house, and later, the Fenton Inn.

The inn and village are truly a labor of love. After settling into a guest room, visitors can step onto the cobblestone streets and be transported back to medieval Germany. The village has a town square, clock tower, bakery, theater, gym, spa and gift shop.

The various braces and figures on the buildings each have historical meanings, like the Grudger head protecting from evil and envy. Inside the lobby, oak timbers soar in a full arch inspired by a medieval English church.

Near the entrance to the lobby is “the longest drawbridge in Nelson County,” though it wouldn’t keep out invaders.

Just down the hillside is a beautifully landscaped terrace with a hot tub, perfect for stargazing on a clear night.

Because breakfast is the only meal served, guests will likely want to leave the inn in search of lunch and dinner at nearby Wintergreen Resort, Devil’s Backbone Brewing Co. or one of several other restaurants, breweries, wineries and cideries back down the mountain off Virginia 151.

Multiple opportunities abound for hiking and bird watching, golf, and in the winter, skiing at Wintergreen.

Lilia said they stay booked on weekends, and weekdays are more likely to be free. During an early summer visit, my partner and I shared the inn with three bikers from Michigan who were on their way to a Vespa convention in Richmond.

The Internet creates interesting combinations of visitors. Will said he has been most amazed to have guests from Mozambique and most surprised that no Australians have found them yet. That probably won’t take long.

In a very short time, visitors can see how much work went into every detail of the inn and village. Will has a simple explanation for the effort.

“I had a European wife and had to make a suitable habitat,” he said.

To plan your stay, visit www.fentoninn.com, call (434) 325-7540 or email innkeeper@fentoninn.com.

Mark Your Calendars September/October

Get Downtown
September 7

Celebrate the start of the fall season along Lynchburg’s Main Street. Get Downtown provides great food from local eateries and unique attractions. In honor of their 10th year, they’ve expanded the hours from 6 to 10 p.m. Learn more: www.getdowntownlynchburg.com.

Virginia 10 Miler
September 28 – 29

One of Central Virginia’s premier events kicks off September 28 with the Amazing Mile Children’s Run. The Genworth Virginia 10 Miler on September 29 is celebrating its 45th year. Learn more: www.virginiatenmiler.com.

Bedford County Fair
September 27 – 30

Few childhood memories can top the nostalgia of a good old-fashioned fair, complete with fun rides, arcade games, and plenty of sugary treats. The whole family can enjoy free admission at the Glenwood Center, 2074 Smith Mountain Lake Parkway. Learn more: www.bedfordcofair.com.

Get Your Wine On
Smith Mountain Lake Wine Festival, Moneta
September 29 – 30
Virginia Wine and Garlic Festival, Amherst
October 13 – 14

Start the last weekend of September at Smith Mountain Lake for their 30th Annual Wine Festival and find out what drew 10,000 spectators last year! Then, on October 13 and 14, plan time to enjoy the food, drinks and 150+ arts and crafts vendors at the 27th annual Virginia Wine and Garlic Festival. Learn more: www.visitsmithmountainlake.com and www.virginiagarlicfestival.com.

Local Openings & Closings

Hello! to Golf Park Coffee on Bedford Avenue.

Goodbye to The Corner on Rivermont Avenue.

Hello! to a new location of Brauburgers in The Corner’s former spot.

Goodbye to Hippo’s in Wyndhurst (will continue as a catering service).

Hello! to Tahini’s Mediterranean Grill on Main Street.

Goodbye to comic book store Star Port in River Ridge Mall.

Hello! to T&E Catering’s new location in Poplar Forest Plaza.