Senior Planning Guide

Homeward Bound

Inspiring stories prove any furry friend can have a fresh start with the right family

A pet brings tremendous joy into our lives. Ask any pet owner to share a story about their cat, dog or other animal and their face lights up.
Acquiring a new pet can be an adventure, but there is something special about adopting a pet from a local shelter. Shelter pets who need new homes are there for many reasons—from their past owners’ financial hardship to abuse and neglect cases. Pet adoption is important because it saves an animal from being euthanized, and makes room in the shelter for another pet who needs a new home. But most importantly, it gives that animal a second chance.

The stories behind pet adoption are inspiring, endearing and heartwarming. We asked the Lynchburg Humane Society to share some of their memorable recent matches to hopefully inspire you to open your heart, and your home, to a four-legged family member.

A lifetime shelter dog finds his soul mate
Barney was a veteran at the Lynchburg Center for Pets—he spent three years waiting for the right person to take him home. But Barney didn’t just end up in Stuart Smith’s home, he fell right into his heart.

Stuart had just moved back to the Lynchburg area from Charlotte. He needed a fresh start, a new beginning and a new lease on life. He also needed a companion to help him on this journey.

A chance encounter with Barney and his foster parent at the restaurant where Stuart worked is where their story began. As soon as Stuart laid eyes on Barney, he had to say hello. “Then I got to talking with his human and [found out] he was fostering the sweet guy, and he was up for adoption. With that comment, Barney started leaning his whole weight on me like he felt safe, and he melted my heart,” he says.

Stuart took Barney home that day.

But it wasn’t an easy adjustment. Barney had been a shelter dog since he was a puppy and needed to learn how to be a regular dog. He was a bit timid at first and Stuart says his behavior was erratic. He chewed up a lot of things and needed to learn boundaries. But after a few weeks of training, Barney made progress. “With the structure and discipline he’s gotten over the last year, we’ve developed good routines to keep both of us active and healthy,” says Stuart.

Today Barney is a happy dog who loves car rides and being the center of attention. He has changed Stuart’s life forever. “He reminds me constantly that if we stick out the hard times, like his three years of waiting for the right home, good times are going to come.”

From fat to famous
The Sterne family has a lot of experience with pet adoptions. They already had a dog and three cats, all from the Lynchburg Center for Pets, so it was no surprise when 17-year old Madalyn wanted another animal. She fell in love with a giant cat she found online—the only problem was that cat was in Chicago, and her mother Wendy thought it was a bit far to travel.

As luck would have it, waiting for them right here in Lynchburg was Venti. Venti came to the Lynchburg Center for Pets after his owner passed away. He was an enormous 32 pounds—they decided to rename him Leo. “It took Leo no time at all to get used to us,” Wendy says. “At first, he stayed in my daughter’s room, but soon he ventured out and now he follows Madalyn around everywhere.”

Leo also claimed his spot on the family ottoman and displayed his true personality—loveable, friendly, playful and chatty. He loves to chase his favorite toy, a ball on a string; if you talk to him, the family says he will talk back.

The Sterne family decided to make him famous! LeotheLionCat32 on Instagram has more than 10,000 followers. They also have paid special attention to his health—Leo has lost more than four pounds so far on his new diet.

The best date ever
Clifford Stumme was ready for a dog, so he convinced his wife to accompany him to the Lynchburg Humane Society for a date night, which led them to Galaxy.

Since Galaxy was rambunctious and wary of new people, the staff kept her in the back of the shelter so they could keep a closer eye on her and earn her trust. Clifford had a special feeling about this dog and wanted to foster her for a few days to see how it went.

On the car ride home, timid Galaxy rode in the backseat. Once home, she destroyed all of her toys and would not even come near Cliff. But on the third day at their home, she snuggled right up to her new owner and they became fast friends.

Recognizing that Galaxy was smart and active, the Stummes tried out different activities to help her thrive. Clifford soon discovered that frisbee is Galaxy’s love language. She loves to fetch, she loves to run and, since she is part Australian cattle dog, she loves to herd. One of her favorite toys is a large ball that she pushes around the yard. “Each animal is different and each requires some figuring out how to make the relationship work,” he says. “Galaxy takes time to warm up to strangers and would be a good guard dog. But if you give her time to get comfortable, she is a great dog.”

Their adoption went so well the Stummes had another date night at the Lynchburg Center for Pets, ultimately bringing home Strudel, a seven-month-old beagle. They report that brother and sister are adapting well to each other.

Dog hits the foster family jackpot
Jackie Mosley is the epitome of a rescuer—adopting pets from multiple shelters in the area and opening her home to the neediest of pups through fostering.

Cash, a 10-year-old black and tan dog with intervertebral disc disease, caught her eye at the Lynchburg Center for Pets. He came to Lynchburg from another shelter in Virginia that was unable to find him a home. Cash needed special attention because he uses a wheelchair to help him get around due to paralysis of his back legs.

Cash hit the jackpot with the Mosley family because they immediately began working on his back legs to increase their muscle mass. A sling helped hold him up so he could work on supporting himself and adjusting his foot placement. “After just a few weeks of working with Cash he is able to fubble around which has turned into a shaky walk. Each week he becomes stronger, and he is truly walking on his own now!” Jackie says.

The Mosley family is playing an important role for Cash by fostering him—it gets him out of the shelter and provides the one-on-one attention he needs.

For those who aren’t in a position to permanently adopt a pet, Jackie strongly encourages fostering because it is just as inspiring. “Each foster makes a real difference in the life of any animal they step up for,” she says. “As fosters we learn compassion, empathy, patience and love. The ones we take in learn to trust and become ready for forever homes.”

Interested in Adopting? Here’s What to Expect!
When visiting the Center for Pets, make sure you bring a photo I.D.

If you meet a pet you are interested in, shelter employees will talk with you to see if it is a good match.

All adoption prices include spay/neuter, an engraved I.D. tag, initial vaccines, a free vet visit, and 10% off at the Center for Pets retail shop on the day of adoption. The Center for Pets can also place animals on “hold” with a fee.

Find prices for each available dog or cat, and much more information, at lynchburghumane.org.

Art for Achievement

Lynchburg’s “largest art auction” will help high schoolers pursue their dreams

What happens when a community comes together because of a shared love of art and a united passion to help local students? The result is Art for Achievement—a fundraising effort that combines the talents of dozens of local artists to raise money for Lynchburg Beacon of Hope, a nonprofit focused on helping students attain post-secondary education.

While the grand finale for Art for Achievement is a beautiful formal gala at the Virginian Hotel on Nov. 9, the work to create the centerpiece—a giant mosaic display of artwork—began many months ago.

Lynchburg Beacon of Hope is known for its cornhole tournament fundraiser each year, which is a grand success. But this year they wanted to add another event to their calendar. Inspired by a fundraiser they saw in another state that involved the creation of a huge wall of local artwork, Beacon of Hope’s board members creatively and collectively started working on a plan for a similar art-focused fundraiser and gala. They asked the Lynchburg Art Club for help.

The Lynchburg Art Club was founded in 1895 by Bernhard Gutman, who at the time was the supervisor of art for the Lynchburg Public School System.

To this day, members of the Art Club create scholarships for local students who are planning to attend art school after graduation. Collaborating with Beacon of Hope for Art for Achievement only expands on that mission; they were thrilled to help.

The Art Club didn’t want any financial gain from the project, specifying that all money raised be given directly to Beacon of Hope. They only wanted exposure of their artwork in the community.

Members of the Art Club were asked to create Lynchburg-focused paintings on 10’x10’ canvases to contribute to the giant mosaic. But you didn’t have to be a part of the club—young artists from both city high schools as well as other talented community members contributed canvases as well.

“The enthusiasm about this project has been tremendous right from the start,” said Kathy Busch, the Art Club’s past president and current committee member. “We wanted 100 10’x10’ canvases, but eventually 130 were purchased.”

The painted canvases were placed on multiple display panels, 20 per panel, creating the multi-piece mural wall. When the display boards were placed side by side, the 130 canvases created a larger-than-life display of art.

Local artist and Art Club member Lisa Richards painted three canvases in the mosaic, and she donated two larger floral paintings for the gala’s live auction. She has enjoyed seeing the community be so engaged by an art-focused event.

“This is a great way to help the students to be able to achieve their goals,” Lisa said, adding that it’s also a great way for local artists’ work to be seen, too.

Ted Batt, director of visual arts at the Academy Center of the Arts, donated two sculptures to the live auction and also helped install the mosaic.

“This event just represents the really strong and vibrant community of artists we have here in Lynchburg,” he said.

The mission of the event also hits close to home. “I wholeheartedly believe in it, having two high school students myself. Making sure every student has the chance to start out on the right foot,” he said, adding that his son is currently attending Central Virginia Community College and his daughter plans to do the same, then transfer to Virginia Commonwealth University.

The staff and supporters of Beacon of Hope, which was established in 2011, work diligently to inspire and assist students who are currently attending Lynchburg City Schools in pursuing post-secondary education, including two- and four-year colleges, military enlistment, trade schools, technical degrees, and industry certifications.

The nonprofit has nestled itself alongside Lynchburg’s public schools. Its purpose is to focus intently on working with students in the 9th through 12th grades, helping each student prepare a plan for their life after graduation.

However, they also work with younger students to ignite a spark of excitement. Beginning in Kindergarten, students are entered into Beacon of Hope’s Kids 2 College program, where they are taught to start dreaming about whether they want to attend college and what they want to be when they grow up. In 8th grade, students participate in Beacon of Hope’s College Readiness Symposium and are given the opportunity to visit a nearby college campus.

Inside Heritage and E.C. Glass high schools there are Beacon of Hope Future Centers. These labs create a safe space where students can seek guidance on post-secondary planning and much more. This year, a third lab was established at the Amherst campus of CVCC.

But one of the most exciting accomplishments of Beacon of Hope, and the purpose behind the Art for Achievement fundraiser, is the Stay Close, Go Far Promise Scholarship. Last year, Beacon of Hope created this scholarship to help bridge the gap between the amount of money students could obtain from FAFSA® (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), grants, and scholarships… and the actual cost of tuition.

When the dollar amount of financial assistance falls short, Beacon of Hope has promised that any student who has attended Lynchburg City Schools for four years (from 9th through 12th grades) can receive what they call a “gap scholarship” to help with the costs of attending CVCC or other area schools. Scholarship amounts vary depending on where the student wants to enroll.

This Stay Close, Go Far Promise was made to help students over a five-year span. More than $5 million dollars has been raised for this scholarship fund by local individuals, businesses, and foundations, and due to the program’s large popularity with students, Beacon of Hope is seeking to raise $2 million more.

According to Joan Foster, who serves on Beacon of Hope’s Board of Directors and on the fundraiser’s development committee, the goal of the Art for Achievement fundraiser on Nov. 9 is to raise money to be used towards this promise.

“We are truly coming together and working together collectively for the future of our students, and for the future of our community,” she said. “That’s a good day in Lynchburg when two groups can come together to do that.”

This new and exciting partnership with the Art Club has given Joan plenty of hope.

Art For Achievement
Saturday, Nov. 9, 6 – 9 p.m.
The Virginian Hotel, Lynchburg
Tickets: $50
Live music, cocktails, canapes. Live and silent auction of local artwork, including canvases.

By Teresa Davis | Photos by Bryant Haskins

Winter Wonderland

A Personal and Cozy Christmas at the Summerville Cottage

Local art teacher Laura Watts loves home decor and finding ways to incorporate her favorite things into the home she shares with her husband of 8 years, Woody, owner and Creative Director of Watts Creative Studios. Together, in 2014, they purchased what they’ve dubbed the “Summerville Cottage.”

Since then, they’ve completed several major projects to transform it into a mix of a French-inspired cottage and a Southern farmhouse. The combo works well, resulting in a cozy and pleasing aesthetic where tastefully designed vignettes await discovery and the softly muted color palette lends a peaceful atmosphere.

“I wanted it to have a French-feel, like a Parisian cottage, more so than a rustic cottage,” Laura says. “And cozy is the perfect word—I’ve always wanted a house that feels comfy but not overly done or too formal, lived-in, but still anyone can come in and have a glass of tea or a cup of coffee.”

After traveling to France, Laura says she came home with a renewed interest in creating spaces that reflected their life as a family without too much that overwhelmed.

“They lived simply,” she says of the French homes she visited, “But every little item is appreciated, so when I came back, you should have seen the yard sale—I wanted to scale it back but still have it feel like we stepped into a French country cottage.”

Though modest in size, the character of this home from 1930 emits the warm atmosphere that Laura wanted to create. Together, she and Woody added several elements to increase the charm even more such as the wood-paneled ceiling, the converted storage space turned coffee bar just off the kitchen, and interior café-style shutters for their windows. They also updated the kitchen with a tiled backsplash, replaced the counters, and refinished the hardwood floors.

“You want your house to reflect your heart,” she says. “So, for us that means welcome and invitation.”

“All is Calm, All is Bright”
In terms of Christmas decorating, Laura says her main goal is to reflect the joy of the season. “I want to reflect calm but Christmas spirit, too,” she says.

One primary way to accomplish that sense of calm is with a set color theme, because it gives the space a cohesive feel and doesn’t overwhelm the eye upon entering a room.

Woody says he starts to notice Laura’s preferred color of the season right around early fall based on items she will pick out over time; “I saw blush [showing up] in September,” he says with a smile.

Laura’s use of blush and ivory for this season’s palette may have created a muted result, but she includes plenty of visual interest with texture, layers and a variety of items like her mix of a wooden reindeer figurine set next to a tabletop tree made of paper rosettes. While both are cream-colored, the combination of materials is engaging.

Adding Christmas to functional spaces such as the kitchen can be as simple as adding a small element, like Laura’s addition of a ceramic, vintage Christmas tree on the counter, the use of a wreath, or even placing a Christmas cookbook out on display. Choosing personal items with family history, like the Christmas tree she received from her grandfather, makes the decor fun and meaningful.

So, when does she actually start laying items out? “The day after Thanksgiving,” she says, “Because I decorate for Halloween too.” It’s a three-day process. “I’ll put on ‘The Grinch’ and just get going,” she says.

“The decor is her,” Woody says. “I carry the totes and if she tells me to hang it, I do, but the decor is all her.”

Laura’s advice is: “Don’t decorate for anyone else except yourself and your family; so many people may not put out their Disney stuff because ‘it may not look good’—but I think that’s sad,” she says emphatically. “Surround yourself with what makes you happy. You can do it in a way that ties it in with other decor, so it’s not the centerpiece” but those special touches are still there. Sprinkled throughout her home are various nativity pieces and vintage ceramic churches that were originally owned by her grandparents.

For families with children, incorporating elements that pay homage to shared experiences can be fun for them to discover. You can also display them in fun or “secretive” ways.

“We hide our favorite things on the tree,” she says, laughing. “I love sharks—so there’s a random blue shark.” And for Woody there’s a “Star Trek: Next Generation” ornament. “They’re hidden just for us,” she says. She’s also added a vintage Santa figurine and a birdhouse among other items.

Laura loves the hunt for unique items at a budget price.

She frequents yard sales, estate sales and mixes things in from regular retailers as well for a one-of-a-kind result.

“It’s all about the hunt and finding those things that remind you of family members,” Laura says. “I think of mice and think of my mom, so if I find a cute little item, I’ll randomly add it to the tree.”

And Laura doesn’t shop specifically for the season; instead, she may pick up a few new items but mostly she repurposes items she has all year. For example, she may paint something to work with her chosen colors.

Woody finds this telling of her skill and good eye.

“Even when she signs a check, it’s beautiful,” Woody interjects. “She doesn’t even try, and it’s just amazing; she’s just so talented.”

“No, I have fun, and I want things to be pretty,” Laura responds, laughing. “It’s not like I have some kind of a magic touch.”

“Oh, she does!” he says.

Surrounded by evidence of that magic touch, we’ll have to agree with Woody on this one.

Follow Laura’s decor adventures on her Instagram: @SummervilleCottage; she also teaches a variety of classes at the Academy Center of the Arts like hand lettering and soap making.

By Jennifer Redmond | Photos by Ashlee Glen

Crusty French Bread

This recipe makes a crusty loaf of French bread that is as beautifully rustic as it is delicious. It takes a bit of time, but it’s easy and there’s no demand for unusual ingredients. The only special piece of equipment you’ll need is a Dutch oven, such as a Lodge or Le Creuset.

OVERVIEW
Total: 15 hrs 10 min
Prep: 10 min
Inactive: 14 hrs
Cook: 1 hr
Yield: 1 loaf

INGREDIENTS
3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more as needed (King Arthur – All Purpose)
1 1/2 teaspoon salt (Diamond Crystal Kosher)
1/4 teaspoon instant yeast (Saf Instant – Red)
1 1/2 cups water (bottled or filtered)

INSTRUCTIONS
Mix flour, salt and yeast in a mixing bowl. Add 1 1/2 cups of water and mix until combined. The “dough” will be very sticky. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and leave for around 12-16 hours.

Flour your counter or baking board liberally and turn out the dough, fold it twice and let it rest for 15 minutes then shape into a rough ball. Use only as much flour as necessary for the dough not to stick to the counter. Put back in mixing bowl and let rise for 2 hours.

Preheat your oven to 450 degrees and put an empty 4-quart cast iron pot with lid inside (a.k.a. Dutch oven, like Lodge or Le Creuset).

When dough is ready, remove the cast iron pot from oven, take off lid and place the sticky, floury mess of a “loaf” into it, seam side up. Replace the lid and put back into oven. Bake covered for 30 minutes, then remove lid and bake for another 15 minutes. Finally, take bread out of pot and bake for another 15 minutes or until golden brown and delicious. Let cool completely on baking rack before serving.

Pro-Level Baking Made Easy

Unconventional recipes that yield amazing results

Photos by RJ GOODWIN

While I love spending time in the kitchen crafting creative, garden-to-table meals, I have a special passion for baking.

Like most beginners, I started out “by the book.”

But over the years, I started tweaking and adjusting my own recipes to bring them to perfection.

If you’re ready to stop following along on the cake box and take your baking skills to the next level, here are three of my favorite recipes that I know will impress your family and friends this holiday season.

Crusty French Bread (No-Knead)
This recipe makes a crusty loaf of French bread that is as beautifully rustic as it is delicious. It takes a bit of time, but it’s easy and there’s no demand for unusual ingredients. The only special piece of equipment you’ll need is a Dutch oven, such as a Lodge or Le Creuset.

OVERVIEW
Total: 15 hrs 10 min
Prep: 10 min
Inactive: 14 hrs
Cook: 1 hr
Yield: 1 loaf

Preheat your oven to 450 degrees and put an empty 4-quart cast iron pot with lid inside (a.k.a. Dutch oven, like Lodge or Le Creuset).

Buttery Sugar Cookies
This is my go-to recipe for sugar cookies because they’re delicious and also because it doesn’t require softened butter; you can mix up this dough immediately. Rolling it out is super easy with the dough sandwiched between parchment sheets and chilled. Perfect for a holiday cookie swap!

INGREDIENTS – COOKIES
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup sugar
2 sticks butter, unsalted

INGREDIENTS – ICING
2 2/3 cups confectioners sugar
2 large egg whites
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt

INSTRUCTIONS – COOKIES
Whisk together egg, vanilla and salt in a bowl and set aside. In a second bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda and baking powder.

Process the sugar in food processor until finely ground, about 30 seconds (6 pulses). Add butter and process for another 30 seconds, or until no large pieces of butter are visible. Add egg mixture and process for 10 seconds, or until dough comes together.

Turn out the crumbly dough onto your counter or a baking board and knead for a few seconds until it comes together. Split dough in half. Put the first half in-between two sheets of parchment and roll out until 1/8 of an inch thick, or roughly 7×9 inches. Repeat with second half. Place both dough halves with parchment on a baking sheet in your fridge for 90 minutes or longer to firm up.

Pre-heat your oven to 300 degrees. Line two cookie sheets with parchment. Retrieve one dough sheet and gently peel off top paper, put the paper back and flip—then peel off the second layer the same way. You should now have an exposed sheet of solid dough that is not stuck to the bottom parchment.

Cut out cookies using your favorite cookie cutters and transfer to parchment covered baking sheet. Bake until cookies are just starting to brown, or about 12-15 minutes. Allow to cool for 5 minutes and transfer to wire rack.

INSTRUCTIONS – ICING
Using a stand mixer, whip all ingredients on high until glossy, soft peaks form, or 3-4 minutes. Spread icing onto completely cooled cookies. Let dry completely before serving or storing, or about 45 minutes. Enjoy!

Double Chocolate Cake
I have probably made this recipe over 100 times and it is my favorite cake in the world. The unique thing is that it calls for oil instead of butter, which makes for a more soft and moist cake. Recently I made a couple of minor tweaks (slightly less leavening and lower temp) that made it even better because it now bakes more evenly.

OVERVIEW
Total: 1 hr 35 min
Prep: 30 min
Inactive: 30 min
Cook: 35 min
Yield: 12 servings

INGREDIENTS – CAKE
Cooking spray, for greasing the pan
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
3/4 cups cocoa powder (love Hershey’s Special Dark!)
1 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt (Diamond Crystal Kosher)
1 cup full fat buttermilk, shaken
1/2 cup vegetable oil (Canola is ok but Avocado oil is better for you)
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup hot brewed coffee

INGREDIENTS – ICING
6 oz semisweet chocolate (Ghirardelli bar is great)
2 sticks unsalted butter (like Kerrigold) at room temp
1 large egg yolk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/4 confectioners sugar, sifted

INSTRUCTIONS – CAKE
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Grease two round 9” pans with cooking spray and line the bottom with rounds of parchment paper. Sift together flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt by pushing through a fine mesh sieve with a spoon (to avoid lumps). Add flour mixture to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment.

In a second bowl, combine buttermilk, oil, eggs and vanilla; whisk to combine. With the mixer on low, add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix to combine, about 15 seconds. Add the hot coffee and mix until just combined.

Divide batter between pans and bake until a toothpick comes out clean, or about 35 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes before using a butter knife to release cake from side, then turn out on cooling racks.

INSTRUCTIONS – ICING
Chop chocolate and melt in heatproof bowl over simmering water. When smooth, set aside to let cool.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter until it gets lighter in color, about 3 minutes. Add the egg yolk and vanilla and beat for another 2 minutes.

With the mixer on low, add the confectioners sugar—1/2 cup at a time (to avoid making a mess). Keep adding until fully incorporated. Spread icing immediately over cooled cake.

The Buzz Nov/Dec 2019

BEHIND THE SCENES
While a high of 89 degrees didn’t really get us into the spirit, Mikael Blido’s delicious treats sure did.

On September 21, this issue’s Taste contributor invited us to his Forest home to show off three baked goods. He prepared everything beforehand and had it ready to go. (One reason why we love Mikael!)

Photos of the festive bread and cookies in the sunroom were easy; photographer RJ Goodwin used a chair to get an overhead view. Mikael provided plenty of fresh holly to add a subtle holiday touch.

Then, we took the cake inside to get straight on shots. It took a little finagling to make the white Christmas lights cooperate in the back corner but with RJ’s expertise, a warm glow behind the masterpiece was achieved.

And you better believe the team chowed down when the last photo was snapped. ’Tis the season!

Learn how to make Mikael’s cake and other goodies on page 92.

Local Openings & Closings
Hello! to a new location of Ford Mays Wealth in Wyndhurst.
Hello! to Peaksview Brewery and Games on Timberlake Road, set to open this winter.
Hello! to Gentleman John’s Classic Barber Shop on Main Street.
Goodbye to Phase 2 on Odd Fellows Road. The venue’s final concert is Nov. 2.
Hello! to seafood restaurant Crab Du Jour on Wards Road.
Hello! to Rolled Cold Creamery on Main Street.
Goodbye to vegan restaurant Urbavore on Church Street.
Hello! to Gilded on Church Street, featuring gifts, cards and coffee.
Hello! to Three Roads Brewing Company (formerly Third Street Brewing Company in Farmville). The brewery will open a location on Court Street in early 2020.
Hello! to Starr Hill Brewery on Main Street, opening early next year.

Mark Your Calendars November/December
Downtown Lynchburg
Tree Lighting
Nov. 30, 4 – 7 p.m.
Officially kick the Christmas season into high gear with this second annual event at the Craddock Terry Hotel. This also marks the beginning of the holiday lights on the Bluffwalk—grab a hot drink and take in the sights as you do some shopping!

Christmas at Hydaway
Dec. 5-7, 6 p.m.
Come get into the spirit at Camp Hydaway! Enjoy an outdoor walk through Christmas scenes and lights while enjoying hot cocoa and cookies. There will also be bonfires, photo booths, Christmas crafts and more. Better yet—it’s free!

A Holly Jolly Christmas Home Tour
Dec. 8, 1 – 5 p.m.
Five historical Bedford homes will be covered in Christmas spirit thanks to five local garden clubs. They range from “The First Lady of Bedford Avenue” built in 1866 to a Spanish-style home built in 1930. Stop by the Bedford Welcome Center during the tour for refreshments and walk through the Festival of Trees. Purchase tickets at the Welcome Center.

Happy Holidays with the LSO
Dec. 13, 7:30 p.m.
Sit back celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with the Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra. You’ll hear holiday favorites—from beloved hymns to music from Disney’s Frozen. Get your tickets early because last year’s 1st annual event sold out! Find tickets at academycenter.org.

The New Boar’s Head

A $15.5 million renovation is helping the iconic resortdefine southern hospitality for the 21st century

For years Charlottesville’s iconic Boar’s Head Resort has been quietly updating its image. But last May it unveiled the equivalency of a facelift: A $15.5 million renovation of its central inn and restaurant aimed at redefining Southern hospitality for the 21st century.

“The past three years have brought a lot of positive changes,” says Communications Manager Joe Hanning.

“Our goal has been to retain the best of our historical heritage and character, but take a big step into the future. We wanted to revitalize the Boar’s Head experience in a way that will bring a more accessible local presence and appeal to the tastes of well-heeled millennials and modern travelers alike.”

The journey began with the addition of executive chef Dale Ford in late 2016. He’d spent 25 years helming some of the finest resort kitchens in the Southeast and was tasked with rebooting the Old Mill Room restaurant.

“When the restaurant opened in 1965, it was the standard bearer for high-end cuisine in the region,” says longtime Charlottesville food writer Shea Gibbs. Chefs sourced trout from onsite streams and bought meat and produce from local farmers decades before the farm-to-table movement took root. Such practices won the restaurant a four-diamond rating from AAA in 1987 (about 650 in North America enjoy the distinction).

But eventually area eateries caught up. Booms in the late ’90s and 2010s brought a fine dining renaissance to Charlottesville. Seasonal, locally sourced menus became the norm. A treasure-trove of artisan producers arose to meet demand.

“This area is like a heaven for chefs that want to cook with local ingredients,” says Ford.

Moving to Charlottesville brought unprecedented solicitations from farmers asking what he’d like them to grow. “Our farm community is world-class. They strive to understand a restaurant’s needs and go the extra mile to try to meet them.”

Ford fast developed partnerships with more than 20 local farms and food artisans. Organic heirloom produce came from Rockingham County’s Wayside Farm, heritage-breed meats from Waynesboro’s Autumn Olive Farms, homemade sausage from Madison butchery Papa Weavers, mushrooms from Sharondale Mushroom Farm, award-winning regional cheeses from Caromont, and much more. Ford used the items to reinvent the classic Southern staples the restaurant was known for. He updated bar menus to include products from the best regional vineyards, distillers, brewers and cidermakers. Partnerships with Charlottesville’s Three Notch’d Brewing brought custom, small-batch beers on tap. Nightly vegan specials were added.

But Ford’s ambitions went further. The rise of a farm-to-table ethos had shifted social tastes—formal dining had all but vanished; the era of smart casual ensued. Ford loosened dress codes and hired staff that would create a friendly, people-first atmosphere that catered to urban sophistication but brought a sense of relaxed countryside luxury.

“You tell me a place has a suit-and-tie dress code and I think of stodgy senior citizens sitting in a vacuum of silence,” jokes Hanning. “That formality was a barrier between us and a lot of people—particularly younger locals and travelers. [The demographic] had a tendency to misidentify us as an old-school country club for Southern aristocrats.”

Ford and Hanning agreed: Renovations were necessary.

The building housing the inn, main lobby and restaurant was built between 1819-1830. The National Trust for Historic Preservation named it an official Historic Hotel of America in 2001. But its last major update came in the 1960s—and it showed.

“The rooms were pretty cloistered; they didn’t encourage mingling or socializing,” says Hanning. There were dark color schemes, dim lighting, antique leather, and décor suggesting Antebellum-era hunt experiences. “It felt like a winter hunting lodge. It was definitely dated.”

The overhaul began in Feb. 2018 and took 15 months to complete. The resort asked Atlanta-based architectural design firm, Johnson Studio at Cooper Carry, to totally reimagine the property—most notably the main entrance, lobby, bar and 130-seat restaurant.

The results are nothing short of fantastic.

Guests enter the lobby by way of an elegant porte cochère with stone columns and slate shingles. Inside, they find a series of large open rooms with bright colors, loads of soft-seating options and walls hung with local art. Dividing walls have been removed or replaced with French doors. Enlarged windows fill rooms with sunlight and lend an open-air feel. Cocktail waiters patrol the area, which is open to the public. The space flows into the restaurant, but feels more like a sister lounge than a waiting-room.

The restaurant—renamed The Mill Room—has repackaged its nearly 200-year-old hardwood flooring, exposed rafters and massive hand-hewn support beams. Their impressiveness is augmented by vintage chic additions that infuse the room’s warm historical character with a hip, Brooklyn-esque allure.

Sculptural glass globes hang from minimalist wrought iron fixtures. They’re ringed with bronze and outfitted with soft vintage bulbs. A black, glass-backed bar runs the length of the dining room bringing a speakeasy feel. It is manned by an able mixologist and flanked by a big, walk-in wine closet with windows. The room is anchored by a fireplace and antique hand-carved surround, but opens onto a wall of windows offering natural light and views of a nearby lake and green, rolling hills.

Ford has made further additions behind-the-scenes. In late 2018 he enlisted the help of Charlottesville ag-tech firm, Babylon Micro-Farms, to transform an empty stone building into a state-of-the-art hydroponic garden. He worked with the Thomas Jefferson Center for Historical Plants to obtain seeds for heritage varieties of salad greens and edible flowers. The system yields about 300 heads of lettuce a week and enables the restaurant to source 100 percent of its salad ingredients in-house. It is the first in the U.S. to achieve the feat year-round.

Ford will also use the facility to sprout plants for an onsite farm garden, which will launch in 2020.

“We view these projects as the announcement of an entirely fresh Boar’s Head Resort experience,” says Hanning. “Our aim is to bring our world-famous Southern hospitality into the 21st century. We want people to come here and think, ‘Wow, so this is what the New South is all about—amazing!’”

Gardening Gadgets for Gifting

We all secretly want our present to be the receiver’s favorite—something they weren’t expecting and something that also gets used again and again and again.

If you are shopping for a loved one with a green thumb this holiday season, I have you covered. Below are nine of my favorite lawn and garden items that I hope will bring someone you love joy all year long!

Corona RazorTOOTH Folding Pruning Saw—This tool is always in my tool bag. It is big enough to get jobs done that loppers can’t. They are especially helpful when pruning roses and other ornamental shrubs that need shaping.
Find at Ace Overstreet Hardware, locations in Lynchburg and Forest: www.acehardware.com.

Womanswork All Leather Gauntlet Gloves—Winter chores call for tough gloves. These are particularly designed to wear when cleaning up “thorny” things like roses. They protect you all the way up to your elbows.
Find at womanswork.com.

LL Bean Everyday Lightweight Tote—This lightweight tote holds everything I need except loppers. You can pack your thermos, water bottle, gloves, tools, zip ties… everything. It opens wide so it’s easy to find what you are looking for—and it washes like a champ! This tote is also durable too. I’ve used it every day for a solid year with no rips or tears. There is even a monograming option for the ultimate personalized gift.
Find at LL Bean, www.llbean.com.

Joyce Chen 51-0621 Unlimited Scissor—I keep this in my kitchen drawer. It’s perfect for cleaning up vegetables from the garden or for meal prep. They are also helpful for trimming flowers while arranging them at your sink. If you only have one scissor in your kitchen drawer, this should be it.
(Oh, and it will do a number on chicken and fish as well!) Find on Amazon.

Gardener’s Workshop Trapezoidal Hoe—I’ve had this same hoe for about six years now. This tool lets you stand up to tackle a wide variety of weeding jobs. It can be used on the angle for tight work around plants and shrubs. Or, use the whole blade for larger weeds or wide-open spaces.
Find at www.thegardenersworkshop.com.

John Scheepers Amaryllis Bulbs—When the winter hangs on, we starve for the bright colors of our spring and summer gardens. Unusual amaryllis are sure to brighten up every corner of your home. No harder than paper whites to grow and much more stunning, there are lots of varieties to choose from. John Scheepers has a beautiful collection.
Find at www.johnscheepers.com.

Wheeler Munroe Leather Company Tool Belt—Made in North Carolina, these tool belts are a dream. Mine is always on my side so I can have my clippers, phone or paper with me. I have the Floral Belt model. I’ve had it at least five years and it still looks great. I’m waiting on something to break so I can get the model with more pockets. (Maybe they’ll see this magazine story and mail me one.
I have a Christmas wish list too!)
Find at www.wheelermunroe.com.

Gardener’s Workshop Soil Blocking Kit—After you’ve gardened for a while, you get bored with having access to only a few plant options. You crave more variety! This gift opens up the world of seed starting in a way that has changed our world at Irvington Spring Farm. We used to spend so much more on plugs. (Plant plugs that were shipped in these tiny cell trays by the box full.) Not anymore thanks to this cool method we saw on Lisa Zeigler’s site. These soil blocks are the most successful and forgiving system possible. You can have all the flowers and/or vegetables you can dream of because you start them yourself and aren’t dependent on what our nurseries alone can provide.
Find at www.thegardenersworkshop.com.

Element Sprinkler Hose—This hose did a great job keeping my gardens watered. I put a three-way hose valve onto my spigot and hooked up three at a time to cover a wide bed. It’s lightweight and doesn’t tangle up as easily as some other hoses do. Find at Home Depot.

O’ Christmas Tree Farm

Local growers offer a variety of trees— and lots of holiday cheer

Whether it’s a long-held family tradition or an experience waiting to be crossed off your bucket list, there’s something enthralling about the hunt for the perfect Tannenbaum. Perhaps it’s the visions of family gathered around on Christmas morning, warmed by kinship and good cheer; perhaps it’s the memories made along the quest, traditions formed and Kodak moments captured while the kids are still getting along.

Whatever the reason, Central Virginia is home to a handful of tree lots and farms where traditions new and old find their roots. Even if your family swears by artificial trees, it’s worth taking a day to explore someplace new where you can stop and smell the pine needles, sip a warm drink and snap some Christmas card photos.

These particular farms are family-friendly and guaranteed to make spirits bright:

Green Needles Christmas Tree Farm
Over the river and through the foothills, eight acres of white pines and Canaan, Douglas and concolor firs grow in the blissful solitude of Green Needles Christmas Tree Farm. Owned and operated by Jon Perdew, the farm is a 30-minute jaunt from Lynchburg and mere miles from regional icons like the James River and the Blue Ridge Parkway, making it the perfect destination to behold the scenery of the season.

Perdew purchased the farm from its previous owners 14 years ago, and although farming and agriculture don’t flow through his bloodline, they’re second nature to him. The Maryland native worked as an irrigation contractor in his home state until his children’s higher education brought the Perdew family south, where he tried his hand at growing Christmas trees.

Fraser firs are hard to come by in Central Virginia because of the region’s climate. However, Perdew knows that some people have their hearts set on bringing one home, so Green Needles provides a selection of fresh, pre-cut Frasers grown in Floyd County each season.

Besides the ample selection of trees, homemade wreaths and the occasional appearance by Mama Crockett’s Cider Donuts and Sourdough Pizza Company, Green Needles offers fun for all ages. Find one of the three tire swings hanging around the farm or sip hot chocolate and mosey out to the foot bridge overlooking the pond.
And if you don’t get enough of the rambling landscape when you visit to score your tree, you can reserve the farm’s old Christmas shop-turned-Airbnb for a night or two in the off season. In the warmer months you can find Perdew at the Forest Farmers Market with the fruit and flowers that also sprout at the farm.

Green Needles Christmas Tree Farm
1175 Yew Tree Lane, Coleman Falls, VA 24536

Dancing Hill Christmas Tree Farm
Considered one of Bedford’s best-kept secrets, Dancing Hill Christmas Tree Farm will make you feel right at home among the towering trees, sprawling fields and glimpses of Blue Ridge Mountain vistas.

A Bedford native and retiree from the Virginia Department of Forestry, owner Richard Miles began planting trees in 1980 to learn more about the process as he helped others establish their own tree farms and to add a little extra cash to his children’s college fund.

Miles’ plan sprouted, quite literally, into a local legacy. Of the farms in the region, Dancing Hill is one of the oldest individually-owned—and with the help of his children, Miles plans to keep the farm up-and-running as long as he can.

On the farm’s 35 acres (six of which belong solely to the trees), Miles hosts an array of white and Scotch pine, blue spruce and small assortment of firs. Like Green Needles, Dancing Hill also offers pre-cut Frasers from Rifton Farm and Nursery in Floyd County.

Pack a picnic lunch and tailgate in the field, then wander over to the gift shop to find the perfect keepsakes for all your loved ones before cozying up on the front porch with a cup of hot chocolate. And don’t forget to pose for some family photos with the antique sled or the handcrafted Santa Claus, snowmen and reindeer displays—this year’s Christmas cards will be a hit for sure.

If your schedule is too full of festivities to visit on the weekend, the farm is open seven days a week. Just 10 minutes from local eateries in downtown Bedford, you and the kids can easily grab lunch and head for the Hill.

Dancing Hill Christmas Tree Farm
1401 Dancing Hill Rd., Bedford, VA 24523

Ingemont Farms
On the outskirts of Roanoke, Ingemont Farms is a quaint and cozy winter wonderland. The farm is nestled on a hilltop overlooking nearby mountain ranges and five acres of picturesque terrain where the friendly farm dogs Jake and Jed frolic and roam.

When owner Geoff Trevilian’s grandfather started Ingemont Farms, their staples were blueberries, pigs, chickens and eggs. Trevilian added Christmas trees 40 years ago, fostering a passion for the green giants that had taken root in his childhood. When Trevilian was growing up, his “job” was to pick out the family’s tree every year; as an adult, it seemed fitting to be a place where other families could establish the same tradition.

Aside from his grandfather’s influence, Trevilian was greatly inspired by late local forester Robert Kennedy and attributes much of his success as a tree grower to Kennedy’s skill and bestowed wisdom.

At Ingemont, you have your choice of white pine, Leyland cypress, Douglas fir and a few Frasers, as well as Canaan Valley firs which, according to Trevilian, are a great replacement for Fraser firs if you can’t find the perfect one. You won’t see any pre-cut trees at Ingemont, however. According to Trevilian, it’s important to the farm that its visitors know their trees were grown there.

The farm has a “you pick, we cut” method to ensure the quality of the cut and the safety of the procedure. But if that goes against your tradition, Trevilian says not to worry—visitors are free to cut their own trees if they’d like.

Ingemont opens for tree-hunting Friday, Nov. 29 from noon till dark and every Saturday and Sunday to follow until Christmas. Weekday visits to the farm can be made by appointment.

Ingemont Farms
1697 Camp Jaycee Rd. Blue Ridge, VA 24064

Tree Tips
If you’ve never gotten a Christmas tree straight from the farm before, the excursion may seem like a daunting task. Luckily for rookies, Perdew, Miles and Trevilian offer a few simple tips:

Plan ahead. Trees looks much smaller in the field than they do indoors; Perdew suggests measuring the space your tree will occupy in your home and having a gameplan for how you’ll get it there so you don’t end up with an oversized tree awkwardly anchored to the top of your vehicle.
Fragrance. Consider which fragrance you want wafting through your home. It may sound odd, but according to Miles, different trees have different smells. Because of their sap, some spruces tend to release an unpleasant aroma, while pines smell more earthy and Leyland cypresses emit a somewhat fruity scent.
Watering. You’ll want to get your tree in water within five hours of cutting it if at all possible, adding water each day as needed. Trevilian suggests adding water twice a day for the first few days after bringing the tree inside.
Ornaments can make or break your tree (literally). The heavier your ornaments are, the stiffer you’ll want your branches to be. Miles suggests hanging weighty ornaments closer to the center of the tree and filling the outer branches with the lighter, more delicate ones to avoid a Christmas catastrophe.