Even if you walk the straight and narrow, we’ll all need legal help at some point in our lives. Whether it’s a typical home purchase or a rare estate settlement following the death of a relative, lawyers are there to guide us through some of life’s biggest moments.
For the fourth year in a row, Lynchburg Living is your source to find the region’s best lawyers. We once again partnered with Date Joe Research Company to conduct a peer-to-peer survey within the local legal community.
The lawyers included on this list were nominated by fellow lawyers. That says something about their integrity and professionalism.
You’ll find the full list of this year’s lawyers on the following pages—plus, we’re taking a closer look at real estate law and the top mistakes people make when buying a home.
Best Of Winners 2020
Chosen by the people, for the people of greater Lynchburg.
After gathering a staggering 106,000 votes on our website, the results of the 2020 Best Of Lynchburg Awards are in. Dozens of area businesses, destinations, people and more are getting recognition for their strong local following—all thanks to you, our loyal readers.
Flip through to see who earned gold, silver, bronze and honorable mention in numerous categories—and congratulations to this year’s winners!
Living Out Loud Jan/Feb 2020
Idea House Prep Begins We are excited to announce that Lynchburg Living is partnering once again with Custom Structures for our next Idea House! The 2020 home will be built in Boonsboro. Watch for more details in upcoming issues!
Business Booster We love spreading the word about new businesses—and we love it even more when our articles help them attract new customers!
Hannah Frazier of Father’s Café and Bakery wrote to us: “We cannot express how grateful we are for the article (July/August 2019). It was so well done and I easily have at least 10 people a week who say the article is what brought them into my shop. Some have even said they never even knew the [Lynchburg] Community Market as a whole was even here—so not only did they discover our bakery but all the other wonderful vendors we share the space with!”
Giving Back Awards We received so many positive comments about our 2019 Giving Back Awards on November 12. It may go down in the books as our best yet!
“Had a wonderful time last night. Thanks so much for letting us be a part of it all. I did a break on my show today talking about what an honor it is to be counted among so many amazing nonprofits.” – Mike Weston, The Journey Find more comments and a full photo recap of the reception/ceremony on page 22!
Santa’s Helpers The Lynchburg Living team decided to make a group contribution to the local “Be a Santa to a Senior” program in December. With staff donations and a company match, we were able to serve as the “rescue squad” and purchase last minute gifts for 10 local residents.
We want to extend a huge thank you to Home Instead Senior Care for organizing this program every year and making a difference in the lives of local seniors!
We Want To hear From You! Send us an e-mail to shelley@lynchburgmag.com. Correspondents must identify themselves; names may be withheld on request. Lynchburg Living may edit or condense.
Hearty but Healthy
4 Soul-Warming Recipes That Won’t Ruin Your Diet
Laura Miner has come a long way since her cash-strapped days of college, when she recalls calling her Italian grandmother to get some help in the kitchen.
“I would be like, ‘Grandma, I have a can of beans, and some broth. What can I make?’” she laughs.
Now, the Lynchburg resident, also known as “Cook at Home Mom” on her blog and Instagram, has developed a strong following for her healthy, crowd-pleasing recipes. She started the blog as a hobby in 2014 right after moving to Lynchburg.
“I didn’t even know people made a job out of Instagram or their blogs at that point. I didn’t even know people took pictures of food professionally!” she says.
Also around that time, Laura decided to try the Whole30 diet to see if she could clear up some health issues. “I struggled with inflammation and rosacea. Just not feeling well. After doing Whole30 I felt so much better, so it changed the way I cooked a lot,” she says.
Laura groups her recipes into categories from Whole30 to Paleo to Gluten-Free—some even meet multiple requirements! But she doesn’t let diet restrictions limit your choices. Many of her recipes are what you’d call satisfying “meat and potatoes” dishes (her husband’s preference). And, as a mom of three kids under 6, she’s also a big fan of the Crock-Pot or Instant Pot.
Here, Laura shares with us a few of her favorite “tried and true” wintertime meals. “It’s cold and dreary. I think we all look towards comforting foods at this point!” she says. “But they are healthy. You will still get those happy feelings without indulging in things that are going to make you feel bad.”
Find more of Laura’s recipes on her blog: cookathomemom.com. For each of the following recipes, you will also find instructions for how to make these dishes in both the Crock-Pot and Instant Pot.
Guys and Dolls Jan. 30 – Feb. 23 Let the fantastic performers of Wolfbane Productions in Appomattox take you back in time to Depression-era New York City with this classic romantic comedy. Shows on Thursday, Friday and Saturday are at 8 p.m. or catch a matinee on Sunday at 3 p.m. Find tickets at wolfbane.org.
Arctic 5K Feb. 1, 9 a.m. Don’t let the chilly temps stop you from meeting those 2020 fitness goals! Head to Hydaway Outdoor Recreation Center and tackle this cold morning run that takes you through the forest. Register at runsignup.com/Race/VA/Lynchburg/Arctic5kTrailRace.
The Best Of Lynchburg Party Feb. 1, 7 p.m. Join Lynchburg Living at The Virginian Hotel as we celebrate the winners of our popular Best Of Lynchburg contest! Enjoy tastings from local restaurants and catering companies, live entertainment and more. Find more information at lynchburgbestof.com.
The Second City: Laughing for All the Wrong Reasons Feb. 13, 7:30 p.m. Beat the winter blues with this hilarious revue at the Historic Academy Theatre that’s breaking all of the comedy rules—and may even make you rethink what’s funny! The Second City is celebrating nearly 60 years of comedy performances. Learn more at academycenter.org.
Local Openings & Closings Hello! to Batter Bar, a crepe food truck in Lynchburg.
Hello! to C-Ann’s Southern Bistro off Timberlake Road at The Clubhouse.
Hello! to Iron & Ale Bistro located inside River Ridge Mall.
Goodbye to Main St. Eatery and Catering Company, a downtown favorite since 1997.
Hello! to Simply Vanilla Gourmet Cheesecakes in Forest.
Goodbye to Gabe’s restaurant in Madison Heights.
Goodbye to Farmer’s Seed & Supply, a downtown business for more than 110 years.
Hello! to a new location of Blue Ridge BBQ on Graves Mill Road.
An Old Classic for A New Decade: Grandmillennial Style
Over the past few years, shiplap, barn doors, and whitewash saturated rooms on cable makeover shows as well as houses in our very own zip codes. Much like the hunter greens and oversized couches of the 1990s and the shabby chic craze of the early aughts, the modern farmhouse look took hold of the better half of the past decade.
Well, the times are always changing—and that means interior design trends come and go. However, the latest look for the new decade isn’t really anything “new” at all. Even though some refer to it as New Traditional, the most recent term is grandmillennial.
Grandmillenials grew up with AOL and early cell phones, and they don’t shy away from modern perks—they just happen to be drooling over the period costumes and gorgeous set design when streaming “The Crown” or “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.” This group of millennials adores traditional decor, and they’re updating the classics in a way that’s all their own.
Artistic Classics in Bedford Reagan Flaherty Sampson lives in a charming country home that she bought and restored two years ago. You might expect to see a farmhouse- or cottage-style at the end of the gravel lane, but once you make your way through the front porch and into the home, you’ll feel like you were transported to a high-end tea room or gallery. “It’s very cozy, but I still have some grand tastes!” she laughs.
Reagan’s mixing of patterns and use of watery hues lends a contemporary effect to an otherwise traditional living space. A wall of gold framed mirrors catches and bounces natural light around the room—a smart design choice that helps balance the visual weight of a wooden armoire. Reagan purchased many of these at consignment shops over the years, but friends and loved ones also bring them to her when they unearth them during renovation projects or when cleaning out their attics.
The living room is also home to an eye-catching piece of artistic glasswork positioned in the corner. Reagan found the piece at the Bedford Farmer’s Market for $20, but it looks like a million bucks. “It’s actually an old window! I love the way the light passes through it,” she says. She displays the glass on an easel that belonged to her stepfather’s father in the 1940s.
Reagan has a love for older homes—both her current home and previous home are well over 100 years old. “I love bringing things back to their original state while making them functional,” she says.
It’s no surprise that she also has an affinity for furnishings and accessories that come with their own stories. Her favorite piece in this “new” house is a giant armoire in the dining room. “It’s a King Louis XV, and there’s still a sticker on it from when it was shipped over by a boat from Paris!” she explains.
Continuing Traditions in Lynchburg Another local grandmillennial not only embraces traditional style, but also puts her cherished treasures on full display. Kate Blickenstaff Poats is a local realtor who sets foot in professionally designed interiors daily; however, she chose to style her 1950s ranch home herself. “I like to build my style around things I cherish and things that make me happy,” she explains, such as the framed Gucci scarf hanging on the wall. Kate’s mother owned the scarf and proudly showcased it in Kate’s childhood home. Kate had always admired its beauty and colors. The scarf is just one symbol of what inspires Kate’s touching sentimentality.
“I want my space to feel warm and inviting, like the way I feel about the home I grew up in,” she explains.
She achieves her design goals in a variety of ways, from shopping local estate sales to surrounding herself with furnishings and accessories that carry special meaning. For example, a framed gold leaf oil painting depicting a Mediterranean afternoon reminds Kate of her time studying abroad in Spain and Italy, and her love for collecting ginger jars led her to buy a set of six paintings of jars by local artist Claudia Stubstad.
A love for traditional style indicates that someone also has an appreciation for the past. “I’m definitely an old soul,” Kate admits.
“I think that’s why I love traditional style—it makes me think of my grandmother and my parents.”
She also prefers rooms that looks collected and curated, so she incorporates heirloom pieces with newer furnishings to create a space with a healthy dose of personality and plenty of visual interest. A classic Persian rug in the dining room was a local estate sale find.
“I love that it is being passed down from one Lynchburg family to another,” she explains. Other antique treasures include chairs upholstered with chinoiserie fabric, a collection of blue and white porcelain, floral side chairs—all are at home in Kate’s living space.
Grandmillennial Style for Everybody If you’re drawn to classic design and furnishings or accessories with history and meaning, then you, too, can develop your own spin on traditional style that looks elegant, refined, and refreshed—even with Grandma’s hutch and china collection on display. Mady Greer of Curtains, Blinds & Bath in Forest works with many younger clients who embrace traditional style.
She believes this style appeals to a new generation because it offers a high-end look and usually incorporates some heirloom pieces.
“Mix in pieces that are timeless,” suggest Greer.
“Use real wooden pieces as opposed to metal furnishings, and start with your living room and dining room, which tend to have larger, more traditional pieces to begin with.”
It can feel overwhelming to transition out of your current style. Greer recommends sticking to classic shapes for tables, sideboards, and couches—think rolled arms, tufted, or Chesterfield sofas. “All of our customers add their eclectic, niche pieces in their accessories and artwork,” she says.
In a time where the world is moving forward faster than you can download a new app, there’s something inviting and comforting about traditional design, and millennials have caught hold of it and made it their own.
Hugelkultur: Self-Sustaining Garden Practice of the Ancients
For me, winter is a struggle. I can’t grow much more than lettuce, and I crave the dirt and the smell of tomato vines. It’s during the cold season that I do all of my planning. My husband gets anxious when he sees the graph paper strewn about our dining table—he knows that I’m designing my latest garden expansion idea, and he’s going to be out there digging in just a few months.
In an effort to minimize the hard work of garden tilling, he began building me raised beds several seasons ago.
I thought I would hate them, but I love them. Fewer weeds, no tilling—there are tons of benefits. So now, I’m always on the hunt for the next thing in raised bed gardening and permaculture—which brought me to hugelkultur.
First off, the word is ridiculous. Of German origin, it’s pronounced, “hoogle-culture,” and it means “hill culture.” It’s actually a practice that has been around for thousands of years—by various, probably less silly-sounding, names.
Essentially, hugelkultur is one of many methods of building raised, self-composting garden beds from layered, organic material. This one results in mound-shaped beds built from piling wood, mulch, and compost, and then covering the pile with soil, where plants will grow.
The great thing about hugelkultur is that it is self-watering, self-tilling, and self-fertilizing. Though building a hugel bed takes some effort, you’ll love how easy it is to maintain. The ingredients for a perfect hugel bed are probably already in your yard, and winter is the perfect time to take on a hugelkultur project, because the beds benefit from having a bit of time to get established before your spring veggie plantings.
Steps to building your own Step One: Dig a trench. It doesn’t have to be very deep, but it should be about the size of the bed you want to create. Then, you will fill the trench with dead logs. Ideally, the logs will be in various states of decomposition. As these logs decompose, they will provide long-term, vital nutrients to the soil. Use hardwoods, because they break down more slowly, and you’ll want to stay away from wood varieties that contain toxins or will adversely affect the pH levels in the soil, such as black walnut and locust. Some ideal options are apple, maple, oak, and poplar, all of which can be found in abundance in our region.
Step Two: On top of the logs, you’ll pile smaller woody materials, such as branches and brush. This is likely where you will get the hill or mound shape of the bed itself. I wanted to build a fairly tall mound (three feet in height) but didn’t want large gaps or air pockets in the structure, inviting future collapse, so I layered with mulch between branch pilings. Pro-tip: The mulch I used is just chippings from a local tree business, and usually, they deliver at no cost. Again, just make sure that the wood type is appropriate for gardening purposes. Dead leaves and grass clippings are also terrific options and break down quickly, giving your garden a boost.
The size of the bed is entirely up to you. The important thing is that the organic materials below your growing medium are layered in such a way as to encourage long-term nutrient enrichment and sustained growth. Keep in mind also that if your bed is particularly tall, you’ll have one side receiving less sunlight, and you’ll want to consider that aspect when planting.
Step Three: After you’ve piled on your branches and the bed is still a manageable size (you’ll need to be able to reach the top), it’s time for the top mulch layer. Again, leaves and grass clippings are terrific, and I decided to reuse some of the turf I pulled up to dig the trench (grass-side down). This adds a little support and stability.
Step Four: After the top layer of mulch, you’ll need a compost layer. You won’t need a whole lot of compost, just enough to give your bed a jump start, so that the first year plantings will have nutrients while the woody materials slowly decompose.
Step Five: The final layer of your hugelkultur bed will be top soil. Start by reusing all the dirt you dug out of the trench, then add more if needed. Obviously, you want a good depth for planting, so take that into consideration as you cover the mound. In order to retain the structure of the bed, you’ll want to have something growing and setting down roots quickly. If building in winter, it’s a good idea to plant a cover crop such as rye or winter wheat, which will prevent erosion and help to keep the soil aerated.
The Benefits There are many other techniques to try for raised bed gardening, but I like hugelkultur for a few reasons—one is that these beds can be massive, and my eyes are always bigger than my appetite when it comes to gardening. One of the most interesting qualities of hugelkultur, in my opinion, is that the structure of the bed actually results in a unique microclimate that keeps plants warm, because the process of decomposition generates heat. It also stays hydrated, as the decaying material retains moisture. These factors really encourage plant growth and can even extend the growing season. The mound shape offers more planting surface without requiring more precious garden real estate.
In the spring, you’ll have a healthy and unique garden bed ready for your veggies!
You can really plant anything in a hugelkultur bed.
Squash, melons and leafy veggies do especially well.
I’m a big fan of polyculture, or planting a variety of species in the same bed. Just be aware of companion plants that help each other grow! Your new hugelkultur bed, when properly constructed and planted, should last for years, and is sure to intrigue your garden-loving friends.
By Ashleigh Meyer
Defying Gravity
Don’t be afraid to take your fitness goals to new heights this year!
Here you see the feet of Lynchburg Living writer Rachel Dalton as she tries out a new Aerial Pilates class at Iron and Grace Fitness Studio in Lynchburg.
Aerial Pilates draws from all of the traditional elements of Pilates—but instead of lying on a mat, you utilize a silk hammock that’s suspended from the ceiling just a few inches above the ground. This extra challenge forces you to use different muscles.
Read more about Rachel’s experience in the Winter/Spring issue of Be Well Lynchburg, on stands now across Central Virginia, and visit ironandgraceva.com to see the most updated class schedules.
Photo by Laura Beth Davidson
Authentic Asian
Aji Brings Ramen, Sushi and Much More to Lynchburg’s Downtown
Located in the heart of Lynchburg at 908 Main Street, Lynchburg’s newest Asian restaurant, Aji Ramen and Sushi, is certainly filling a void in the downtown area.
The eatery opened in August and, since then, has been impressing customers with its authentic and exotic cuisine.
Owner Eric Wu was born in China but always had roots in the Lynchburg area. Before returning to Lynchburg to open Aji he was struggling with a grueling schedule at a Chinese restaurant in Winchester. Tired of working for someone else and having to spend so much time away from his sons, Wu decided it was time to come back home to the Hill City.
Eric and his wife, who shares a background in the restaurant industry, say they chose Downtown Lynchburg because it was lacking the Asian cuisine he was eager to share with locals. The restaurant’s name, Aji, stems from a special person in their life named Carolyn Roberts. “She used to come to our buffet restaurant and we became like family members. l really appreciate her like a mother so we named the restaurant Aji, which means mother in our language,” he says.
Their menu offers a large variety of ramen—which Wu describes as a very popular Japanese noodle soup. The pork- and vegetable-based broth cooks for 10 hours and serves as the base.
Varieties include beef, miso, and chicken.
The sushi at Aji is made from fresh fish that’s flown in three times a week. While sushi lovers can find traditional rolls and sashimi on the large menu, Wu offers exciting combinations such as the Mango Spring Roll with shrimp, crabmeat, and mango wrapped in rice paper instead of the usual seaweed wrapper.
If you’re looking beyond sushi and ramen, there is something for everyone from the pineapple fried rice, General Tso’s Chicken, and kimchi to the Tom Yum soup, various curries, and hibachi dishes.
Wu is accustomed to working with customers who have dietary restrictions and allergies—he welcomes everyone to come and give them a taste or a sip. In their “cozy corner” spot, they serve beer, wine and saké. Finish your meal with tasty (and often hard to find in our area) mochi, a Japanese dessert that consists of a ball of sticky, sweet rice dough filled with creamy, delicious ice cream.
Aji Ramen and Sushi 908 Main St, Lynchburg, VA (434) 845-2816 ajiramenandsushi.com Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Closed Sunday
Photography by Jenna McKenney
Strength in Numbers
LIVESTRONG at the YMCA transforms the lives of local cancer survivors
There was nothing abnormal when Tina Barcellona got ready for bed one night during the spring of 2018.
The Concord resident had finished a long, profitable day. She even played several games of pickleball that afternoon with friends, one of her favorite pastimes.
The then–59-year-old tucked the covers over her body and took a deep breath, but something didn’t feel quite right. “I don’t even know what prompted me to feel my breast, but I did,” she said.
There was no pain, but it felt strange and unfamiliar—a small thickening that was definitely not normal. “I never presumed anything,” she said. “I just figured it was what it was.”
Several days later, Barcellona scheduled a mammogram appointment through her gynecologist’s office. Nothing problematic had appeared on her previous mammogram, so she wasn’t too concerned when she arrived. But that technician decided to make her an appointment at Virginia Baptist Hospital for a more advanced mammogram.
After a mammogram and a biopsy there, the phone rang a few days later. The doctor on the other line explained that her lump, an estrogen-fed tumor, was cancer.
“I cried that first day when they told me … and maybe a few times after that,” Barcellona said. “But that was it.”
Because Barcellona, like many others with cancer, was focused on moving forward. In the weeks and months that followed, she underwent chemotherapy to reduce the size of her tumor, then surgery to remove the growth. Barcellona, now 60 years old, has endured 36 radiation treatments since the operation. These physically taxing medical procedures can result in fatigue, hair loss, loss of appetite, and even nausea and vomiting.
Barcellona adjusted her schedule around her appointments, determined to defeat the sickness that burdens thousands in America. She fought to maintain a normal life. “I wasn’t going to let this cancer beat me,” she said. “I realized that this was the road I will have to take.”
Several months passed before Barcellona discovered LIVESTRONG at the YMCA, a no-cost, 12-week health and wellness class for cancer survivors that’s hosted through the YMCA.
Curious, Tina enrolled, but she didn’t realize the tremendous impact the program would carry.
“I got right into the program, and I haven’t regretted it at all,” Barcellona said. “It was just a blessing.”
LIVESTRONG at the YMCA launched in 2007 as a partnership between the LIVESTRONG Foundation and the YMCA to promote and educate the importance of physical activity following a cancer diagnosis. It is now a nationwide program and began in Central Virginia in 2018.
According to livestrong.org, a top concern among cancer survivors is a difficulty of returning to physical activity after treatment. The LIVESTRONG Foundation and the YMCA teamed up to satisfy that need.
“This is a program that can touch everyone one way or another,” said Randi Abell, the director of Central Virginia’s program.
“One of our goals is to introduce participants to as many facets of the YMCA and fitness as possible. Because the goal is for them to continue this healthy lifestyle.”
Although the program comes at no cost, the YMCA uses grant funding and donor supported financial assistance to continue and support it. It costs the YMCA roughly $725 per participant.
Abell’s goal is to serve 54 cancer survivors annually, which totals nearly $40,000 in collected funds each year. Since the YMCA of Central Virginia launched its initiative in 2018, the LIVESTRONG at the YMCA program has helped 60 survivors, including Barcellona.
“We’ve got some people in the community who believe in this,” Abell said, who also is an instructor and coach for the program. “For us, it’s hard to find someone who hasn’t been affected, directly or indirectly, by cancer.”
Participants utilize multiple aspects of the YMCA during their biweekly classes, including Zumba, yoga, cycling, weights, and even pool exercise classes. The program holds a 1-6 ratio between coaches and participants.
Instructors monitor and evaluate participants’ strength, cardiovascular conditioning, balance, and flexibility. Evaluations also assess quality of life before and after participation.
Arthur Brown, who is battling stage four prostate cancer, said the improvements were noticeable in his body after enrolling in the program.
“It seems kind of crazy that I can put my pants on in the morning without holding on to anything for support,” the 76-year-old, who recently graduated from the program, said. “It was a great experience. I pushed myself to do a lot more than what I had been doing before, and I think it really payed off.”
Three months ago, Brown could barely walk down his driveway without taking breaks. Now, he can nearly climb the Monument Terrace steps in Downtown Lynchburg all the way to the top without assistance, a goal he is determined to reach.
“I haven’t been able to walk all the way to the top of Monument Terrace yet without stopping, but I’m getting close,” he said.
Since the program’s inception, LIVESTRONG at the YMCA has served over 70,000 survivors in more than 800 communities nationwide. Although breast cancer is the biggest demographic among participants, the program is open to all survivors ages 18 or older, regardless of diagnosis.
“The cancer center is designed to treat or cure your cancer,” Abell said. “Survivorship is so much more than that. People want to get out of the clinic. They don’t want to be in a hospital setting anymore. They want to move on with their lives after their treatment is over.”
But the program is more than just physical activity; instructors equip participants with correct exercise techniques.
“Most people don’t know how to do exercise properly, so that’s why they avoid it,” Abell said. “We want to provide them with the knowledge, the tools, the resources, but also the competence to feel comfortable going into a wellness center later [after they complete the program].”
During the 12-week program, survivors receive free YMCA memberships, a tremendous benefit that also extends to their immediate family. And even after graduation, program alumni receive discounted YMCA memberships for a full year.
Lynchburg’s program graduated 17 survivors on Thursday, Dec. 5 at the Express YMCA location. Each participant received an award for their perseverance and growth.
Vera Parks, a breast cancer survivor, was in this group.
The 51-year-old fighter saw a drastic change in her life following her participation, which she credits to the exercise as well as the comradery she shared with fellow cancer fighters.
“It brought forth so much healing to be able to be in the midst of people who care,” she said. “They always made everything fun.”
As a coach, Beth Zeisig loves seeing participants truly enjoy their classes. “To bring joy to someone else—and to hear it in their words—really strikes a chord with me. It’s a ministry to me. …I truly believe God put me on the earth to help people,” she said.
Moving forward, and as Barcellona continues recovering from her cancer, she wants the LIVESTRONG at the YMCA program to continue to thrive.
“I just hope that more people can find out about the program… but also to support the program as well,” Barcellona added.
“They just made people stronger… even if people were really hurting on the inside.”
Parks agrees, saying LIVESTRONG at the YMCA truly improved her strength, both physically and mentally, so she can make the most of the rest of her life.
“They showed us that we could do some things that we thought we couldn’t do,” Parks added. “It made us feel powerful.”
For more information about LIVESTRONG at the YMCA, visit ymcacva.org, call the corporate office at (434) 771-7621 or visit any of the YMCA of Central Virginia Family Centers.
