How do you define a top level attorney?

While a substantial number of wins or taking on high-profile cases can earn you recognition, it’s a lawyer’s reputation—both inside and outside of the courtroom—that really sets them apart.

For the fifth year in a row, Lynchburg Living has partnered with DataJoe Research Company to bring you Top Lawyers of Greater Lynchburg. This is a peer-to-peer survey—the lawyers included on this list were nominated by fellow lawyers, which speaks volumes about their integrity and professionalism.

Longtime pediatric office rebrands, relocates

Photography by Daryl Calfee

In the early 1970s, Dr. John A. Stephenson and his partner and friend Dr. Robert Milanovich teamed up with Drs. Brad Malcom and Dick Morris to start a small pediatric care facility located on Langhorne Road across from E.C. Glass High School. Their goal was to build a pediatric care facility in Lynchburg focused on strong patient-doctor relationships.

Known as Stephenson and Milanovich Pediatrics at the time, the small practice expanded quickly, moving its facilities to a house off of Old Forest Road in the mid-70s. Eventually, in the early ’80s, the practice relocated to its home of nearly 30 years, a two-story building on Richeson Drive, the road for which it would derive its name, Richeson Drive Pediatrics.

Now, nearly 50 years since its humble beginnings, the practice is marking another milestone by expanding to a new, much larger, location and changing its name as well. Under the leadership of Drs. Melody Ailsworth, Michael Padilla, Loan Kline, Kendra Simpson and nurse practitioner Tiffany Kidd, the newly renamed Lynchburg Pediatrics recently opened its brand-new 7,000-square-foot facilities on Gristmill Road and is preparing for the next season of growth and expansion.

“We are so excited to be moving into a space where we can grow, expand our services, provide educational sessions and better serve the pediatric community,” an update on Lynchburg Pediatrics’ website said. “We will continue to learn, evolve and always do what is best for our patients.”

Drawing from the strong foundations of the practice’s history, while forging forward with a new building and new ideas, the leadership of Lynchburg Pediatrics hopes to sustain its position as a stalwart in the pediatric medical community within the greater Lynchburg area.

“The move and rebranding is exciting for us because when we joined Richeson Drive Pediatrics, we knew they have such a great reputation and legacy,” Kline said. “Now, here’s our chance to ask, ‘How do we continue that legacy?’”

For several years, the physicians and staff began realizing that the practice’s former home on Richeson Drive was hindering growth more than helping. While the overall size of the building was adequate, the facilities were beginning to feel outdated and the space proved ineffective, Ailsworth, Kline and Simpson concurred.

Moving patients in and out also became difficult, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, when extra safety measures were put in place to ensure social distancing and the separation of sick patients and those coming in for a regular visit.

“For a while we felt like we needed a bigger space,” Kline said. “The building we were in was [built in] 1980, so it was a little on the older side and we were kind of restricted because I think it was zoned for residential at first. We really needed a space to grow.”

According to Ailsworth, Kline and Simpson, the practice desired a building that not only expanded the patient capacity, but also allowed for the staff to offer other services such as family education classes and an expansion of the literacy program that was launched at the previous location.

Simpson, a Sweet Briar College graduate and the newest doctor on staff, joined the practice in 2019. For her, the staff’s willingness to listen to new ideas and pursue evidence-based care drew her to Richeson Drive Pediatrics.

“I wanted some input,” Simpson said. “I wanted a practice where I felt like they were interested in hearing my ideas. Somewhere where I was part of a team.”

In addition to designing the new acorn logo for Lynchburg Pediatrics’ rebranding, Simpson also came up with an exciting idea to create a welcoming atmosphere for every patient that walks through the doors of the new building.

In tandem with local artist Christina Davis, Simpson worked with every person on staff to design, draw and paint fun and unique artwork on the walls and ceilings of each examination room in the new building. Joy beamed from Simpson’s face as she walked through the freshly painted hallways, pointing out each room—featuring designs of everything from Star Wars and anime to superheroes and a galaxy—which she hopes will bring smiles to the faces of Lynchburg Pediatrics’ patients, both young and old.

“We wanted a place that was comfortable for babies through college-age kids,” Simpson said. “So, we want this to be a place where even if you are 18, you can walk in and not go, ‘Oh gosh, I’m at the baby doctor.’”

The header image on Lynchburg Pediatrics’ new Facebook page reads, “Same great care with a new name and new home!”

For Ailsworth, Kline, Simpson, Padilla and the entire staff of Lynchburg Pediatrics, the move and name change is both the opening of a new chapter and the continuation of a legacy that began with Stephenson and Milanovich’s commitment to patient-first care—a commitment that remains the central mission of the practice today.

“I think most of our patients know that we do more than just medical care,” Ailsworth said. “We are here as a resource, we are available 24/7 and we are partnering to grow healthy families.”

Grand Opening Celebration
August 28, 2021 • 12 p.m.
Carnival-themed food and games. Open to the public.

Variety with a View

COMING RIGHT UP

If you’re looking for an outdoor, family-friendly, and highly customizable dining experience, look no further than The BackYard, a new food court on Route 221 in Forest. Featuring nearly a dozen food trucks with diverse offerings, The BackYard is the perfect spot for casual outdoor dining.

The BackYard is part of Duff Development Group’s Burnbridge Crossing development. The process of breathing new life into the 12-acre development has happened in many stages, and the demolition of Carol’s Place was one of the most important—and bittersweet—of those stages.

“Carol’s Place was a landmark,” says Charles C. “Chip” Duff, Jr., founder of Duff Development Group. “We really wanted it to be there, but the building was in too bad of shape to save it, so we started looking at other ideas for that piece of property.”

After considering opening a farmers market, Duff Development ultimately decided to proceed with an outdoor food court. A highly successful grand opening event on May 1 indicated this was the right decision.

“We’re fortunate to have the right product at the right time,” Duff says. “People are anxious to get out and do things. Food courts are something you’re going to see happening more and more in the future. They allow everyone in a family or group to get what they want but still spend time together.”

The BackYard also boasts something most food courts don’t have: a spectacular view.

“The great thing about the location is that you can look across the road and see a beautiful vista and mountain,” Duff notes. “That property is in a conservation easement and will be there for a long time to come. That view will not change.”

Additionally, select Friday and Saturday nights are designated “Campfire Nights” and feature wood-burning fire pits. Plans for drive-in movies and live music are also in the works.

At the time of writing this article, ten food trucks are confirmed vendors at The BackYard: Papa O’s Dog House, The Pied Piper, Pok-E-Joe’s BBQ, Blue Ribbon Pie Shop, Tacos Al Pastor, JD’s Mobile Café, Cowlicks Homemade Ice Cream, Wings N Things, Corny Kettlers, and Rolled or Bowled. Another truck is in the process of being added to the lineup, and Duff says that there is room for one more. Food truck hours are set by each individual truck

“The group of vendors we have is fantastic,” says Duff. “They all work together to avoid stepping on each other’s toes with their menu offerings. There really is something for everyone.”

Duff also appreciates the community partners who help The BackYard thrive.

“You’ll notice that a variety of businesses have sponsored tabletops and benches to get visibility in the community,” he says.

As COVID-19 restrictions continue to ease and warm weather draws more and more people outside, The BackYard stands to have a flourishing summer season filled with food, family, and fun.

The BackYard
15173 Forest Rd, Forest
thebackyardforestva.com
Follow them on Facebook for upcoming events: @backyardeventsforestva

Mark Your Calendars July/August 2021

Ladies Night Out: Paddle and a Picnic
July 22, 6 – 8:30 p.m.
Need a ladies night out? Head to Ivy Creek Park for a one-of-a-kind experience with your besties! Enjoy nature while kayaking or canoeing on Clemmons Lake. Finish it all off with a peaceful picnic by the water. Food will be provided. Make sure to register by July 20. Learn more at www.lynchburgparksandrec.com.

Taylor Rodriguez: A Tribute to the King
July 23 & 24
Spend an evening with the King, Elvis Presley! Taylor Rodriguez has been dubbed one of the top five Elvis tribute artists in the world and his versions of country, rock ’n’ roll, and classic hits will have you dancing in your seat! This performance is a part of Endstation Theatre’s Summer Festival and will be held at the University of Lynchburg Pavilion. Learn more at www.endstationtheatre.org.

Hero Day
July 31, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Grab your friends and family (and your cape, of course) for Wolfbane Productions’ Hero Day, a celebration of all your fictional and nonfictional favorites. The Blended Soul Food Truck will be on site. Learn more at wolfbane.org.

Trace Adkins
August 9, 8 – 10 p.m.
Country singer Trace Adkins is making his way to Lynchburg! The Louisiana native has produced hit after hit for his fans, while accumulating Grammy nominations and CMT and ACM awards. If you are a country fan, you will want to be at the Historic Academy Theater for a performance for the ages! Learn more at academycenter.org.

Face the Forest
August 21, 7:30 a.m.- 12 p.m.
This 5K obstacle course run through Poplar Forest will have you flipping tires, climbing walls, balancing teeter-totters, and braving through mud with your team of friends or family members. All entry fees go to support children’s educational programming at Poplar Forest and the YMCA’s campaign to provide resources to family and youth in the community. Learn more at poplarforest.org.

Rising Stars
Two talented women with local connections are celebrating big success!

We knew her when…
Liberty University graduate Jane Marczewski (aka Nightbirde) was the talk of the town in June as she appeared on “America’s Got Talent” and got the coveted Golden Buzzer from judge Simon Cowell. She also moved the country to tears with her incredible optimism in the face of fighting cancer.

We have covered Jane’s story through the years—first in our September/October 2014 issue (she was even on the cover) and then again in July/August 2019, “The Resurrection of Jane,” after the singer-songwriter returned to Lynchburg and talked about fighting breast cancer.

On the show, Jane told the judges she still has traces of cancer in her body and also revealed she has a 2% chance of survival: “But 2% is not 0%” she explained, adding that “it’s important that everyone knows I’m so much more than the bad things that happen to me.”

Jane’s audition song, “It’s OK,” made it to the top of the Apple Music chart and a hashtag for her is trending: #seejanewinAGT. The live shows for AGT begin on August 10 and run through September 15.

Moving on up!
Local celebrity Mary Catherine Garrison will be taking her acting talents to new HBO comedy series “Somebody Somewhere.” She will play the role of Tricia Murphy, the co-owner of a hometown store in Kansas. The show is currently in production in Chicago.

Garrison has plenty of Broadway and television credits to her name already, including her recurring role in, “Veep,” an HBO political satire. She has called Lynchburg home since 2017 after moving to the Hill City with her husband and son.

We featured Garrison and her home in the March/April 2019 issue of Lynchburg Living. “The Creative’s Haven” highlighted her eclectic and artistic style. The actress also makes original ceramics, paintings and jewelry.

Speaking about her new gig on Instagram, Garrison said: “If I had sat down and drawn up the EXACT perfect dream job it would be *exactly* this show. … Do dreams actually come true?????!!!”

Local Openings & Closings

Hello! to 7 Rooftop Bar on the Bluffwalk in downtown Lynchburg.
Hello! to Adams Clocks and Repair in downtown Bedford.
Hello! to Buff City Soap on Wards Road.
Goodbye to Fit Body Boot Camp in Forest.
Hello! to Peak Athletics taking their place.
Hello! to VR Play, offering a virtual reality experience, in Wyndhurst.
Hello! to Wyndhurst Nutrition, serving meal replacement shakes and loaded teas.
Hello! to Ahh, Smash It on Linkhorne Drive.
Hello! to a new location of Fusion Salon on Route 221 in Forest.
Hello! to two new Appomattox-based food trucks: Downtown Cairo and Iceland’s.
Hello! to a brick-and-mortar location of Sweet Indulgence Bakery on McConnville Road.
Goodbye to the Baby Giraffe on Forest Road; they hope to move online soon.
Hello! to a bigger location of LuLu’s Closet taking their place.

Intuitive Color Artist

Lynchburg Living Editor Shelley Basinger:
Andrew, the first thing we notice about your artwork is the use of color. Why do you enjoy using lots of bright hues?
Andrew Riscart: Because it’s so powerful. It leaves so much up for interpretation. It allows the viewer to take ownership from their own personal perspective.

SB: That’s why you describe yourself as an “intuitive” color artist.
AR: Right, I like to blend the real and recognizable with the abstract. I approach this by replicating recognizable characters and then manipulating color theory to interact with the viewer. I find this often requires some kind of response, but still leaves a lot up to interpretation. In short, I play with color theory while letting value do all of the work.

SB: When did you first become interested in art?
AR: When I was about five years old. I got mad that my neighbor’s cousin could draw so much better than me. I guess you could say I became determined. That’s when I really started to practice.

SB: What types of training have you received?
AR: My mother signed me up for a drawing class when I was 10. I later took a painting class at Central Virginia Community College with Kenny Weinfurtner. He showed me how to build a foundation. Over the past year, I’ve been picking things up along the way. Mostly through the internet; I study creatives that inspire me in various mediums like painting, music, poetry, and film.

SB: You’ve recently decided to make art a full-time career. How did that transition happen?
AR: It’s funny—I took a class under a very successful businessman. He kept on repeating the phrase: “What’s in your hand?” That’s where you start. If you want to be successful in business, start with what you have available to you right now. Another phrase he would say a lot is, “Your gift will make a way for you.” When I moved back to Virginia, I kept thinking back on this. The only thing I kept coming back to was painting. So, I started painting. I will ride this wave until it crashes, and then I’ll catch another one.

SB: The doors have certainly been opening for you! We are seeing a lot of your work around town.
AR: I have pieces hanging on Main Street in Dish, Starr Hill Brewery and the White Hart. I also have one inside Riverview Records, a new shop on Jefferson Street. I have some murals at the new Main Street Bar and Grill, and I’m also working on a piece for Crisp’s new beer garden. It’s expected to be open at the end of July.

SB: We heard about you from an Instagram post by Star Hill. How has social media influenced your artwork?
AR: Social media has opened a new avenue for artists, like myself, to create an audience. One we otherwise would not have been able to. It can be a powerful tool in this regard and in many others. However, social media can also be very dangerous. Unfortunately, it has become a substitute for one-on-one human connection. I’m beginning to see this can leave an emptiness in people. I believe fine art can bridge this gap between a sea of choices and what is actually physically tangible right in front of us. I continue to paint for this reason. I personally live for the one-on-one interaction painting affords me. I think this past year really put things into perspective for a lot of us. The greatest impacts are made one human interaction at a time. If we can love the person right in front of us and then they in turn love the person right in front of them, it creates a ripple effect.

SB: You’ve been getting a lot of requests for commissions. How is that going?
AR: I love doing commissions. They have been my bread and butter, if you will. However, I’m becoming more selective on what I choose. Mostly because I also need the commissions I do to fit a common vision with the style I’m evolving into.

SB: What’s next for you? Any future goals?
AR: I just want to be a part of the bigger picture.

Follow along
You can find Andrew on Instagram: @riscart

for Better Health

If you want to feel your best inside and out, it starts with a good night’s rest.

In today’s “always on” society, sleep is often thought of as wasted time or a luxury we cannot afford. However, that way of thinking comes at a price—having detrimental effects on our overall health and well-being. Sleep deprivation has been linked to depression, weight gain, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart attacks, impaired immunity, decreased work productivity, and more.

If you are having trouble sleeping, you’re not alone. An estimated 70 million Americans suffer from chronic sleep issues. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to improve your health and longevity by being intentional with your sleep.

1. Prioritize getting regular, high-quality sleep. Sleep experts recommend getting anywhere from 7-9 hours of sleep a night. Finding your sweet spot will vary.

2. Create a consistent bedtime routine, which means going to bed and waking at the same time. Adults (just like children) need a sleep routine to signal to the body it’s time to start winding down. Responding to emails or checking the news until 10 p.m. and jumping into bed is far too overstimulating to the body (and disrupts melatonin production).

Tip: Instead, try taking an evening walk, reading a relaxing book, taking a warm bath, writing a few lines in a gratitude journal, or doing a quick guided sleep meditation—whatever relaxes you.

3. Limit blue light–emitting devices (phones, iPads, laptops, TVs) to 1-2 hours before bedtime. Their light can disrupt our natural circadian rhythm, which can cause lower quality sleep and insomnia.

Tip: Try placing devices in another room, away from your bed, or on airplane mode to avoid the temptation of late-night scrolling. You can also set a sleep alarm to remind you that it’s time to start wrapping things up and unwinding. If you find that you cannot avoid working late a few nights a week, try using blue light-blocking glasses and dimming the blue light on your device.

4. Create a restful environment that includes ridding your bedroom of unwanted noise or light. Also, the Sleep Foundation’s research suggests that the optimal sleep temperature is 65 degrees Fahrenheit—varying 2-3 degrees above or below based on personal preference.

Tip: If you cannot control the noise or light in your bedroom, try sleeping with white noise, earplugs, or a sleep mask.

5. Limit caffeine and alcohol. Depending on metabolism, caffeine can stay in your body for 5-6 hours, so it’s best to limit caffeine after lunch. While alcohol may help you fall asleep, studies have shown it can suppress REM sleep and is linked to sleep disruptions, lower quality sleep, and increased sleep apnea. According to the Sleep Foundation, a recent study found that “moderate amounts of alcohol (two servings per day for men or one serving per day for women) decreased sleep quality by 24%.”
(Add one more drink and sleep quality decreased by 39%.)

Tip: Try setting a daily caffeine cutoff at 2 p.m. or a few hours earlier if you’re more sensitive to caffeine. Opt for drinking decaf coffee or tea instead.

6. Lower your stress levels. Chronic stress can elevate the hormone cortisol, which can make it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep, and disrupts your sleep cycles. Sleep deprivation has been shown to increase cortisol levels during the day, creating a vicious cycle. The bottom line, stress and sleep are interconnected.

Tip: One of the quickest ways to lower your stress levels is through deep breathing, which activates the parasympathetic “rest and digest” nervous system. Another is getting up and moving or gently walking. While we cannot control what happens around us, we can control how we respond. Set healthy boundaries around work, the news, or toxic environments, and, more importantly, create space in your life for rest and the people and things that bring you joy.

April Likins lives in Forest and is an Institute for Integrative Nutrition- and Duke Integrative Medicine-trained health coach. Learn more at aprillikins.com.

Group of artists craft original play to explain the diversity of blackness

Photos by Jenna Burling

The creation of the play Color Me Beautiful: An American Odyssey has itself been a kind of odyssey. What began as a therapeutic exercise in connection during 2020’s stay-at-home orders is now an important production that stands to change the future of theater.

Local actor, singer, writer, and director Joshua Carter decided to reach out when the isolation of last year had him feeling boxed in.

“I was in quarantine by myself in an apartment, and in the midst of me feeling sorry for myself, it hit me that if you think you’re alone, there are about ten other people who everybody may have forgotten about,” Carter says. “So I decided to gather some people and say, ‘Hey, let’s read plays on Zoom. Let’s pick plays every week and we’ll read.’”

Zoom calls led to Facebook readings, which led to Carter proposing that people share their original works to be read and reviewed virtually. Taking part in these creative exchanges ultimately inspired Carter to begin a virtual writing workshop.

“I thought to myself, ‘One of my goals is to get new works for Black theater, so let me do a writing workshop,’” he recalls. “I reached out to a few people, and we did a workshop all the way through George Floyd and everything. It was very therapeutic that we got to write from our hearts and share with each other during that time.”

What happened next was nothing short of serendipitous. Without knowing about his writing workshop,Alluvion Stage Company called Carter and asked for, as Carter puts it, “a play explaining why black lives matter.”

“We had no idea; we were just doing our therapy!” Carter exclaims. “Luckily, we were in place and had the tools to make it happen.”

Carter, along with writers Cameron Dashiell, Jasmine Pierce, and Joel Ashur, composed Color Me Beautiful: An American Odyssey, a play in which “a Black teen, overwhelmed by a chaotic world, meets a dark fate and must pursue the weight of his existence on a journey through the stars.”

The play, which is a collaboration among Carter, Dashiell, Pierce, Ashur, choreographer Meagan King, Alluvion Stage Company, and Building Bridges Productions, Inc., will be presented at The Black Box Theater in Lynchburg July 23-25.

Carter says that the process of creating the play was fueled by questions, both external and internal.

“I love to write with questions,” he notes. “When I was asked, ‘Why do Black lives matter?’ I was initially like, ‘Isn’t it obvious? Why do you need to ask that question?’ But then I asked myself that as an artist, and the answer is that our stories matter. The things people don’t see matter.”

“We knew we wanted to have a strong ‘why’,” added Pierce. “At the end of the day, we want people to look at Black people as just that: people. Not threats, not people who should be demonized. Just people with intrinsic beauty and value.”

Carter says one of the major themes of the play is the diversity of blackness. “Being African American comes with so many experiences and so many stories, and in our play, we travel through several stories,” he says. “We’re not always struggling through civil rights, although that’s a big part of how people understand who we are. It’s the conversations at the dinner table, it’s the moments before divorce, it’s the moments before death; we don’t see those things on stage because that’s not what people often see in reality. That’s what the humanities are for: we fill the gaps with life.”

When Carter looked inward at his own personal experience as a Black man as he worked on the play, the question he found there shook him to his core.

“My question as a creator on this project from my personal life was, ‘What if it was me?’” says Carter. “Take the case of Elijah McClain. He was very similar to me in that he was very calm and meek. He played the violin. He was caught up in a moment. He said, ‘My name is Elijah McClain. I play the violin, and I would never hurt anyone. I’m not that type of person.’ That put a little fear in my heart that sometimes it doesn’t matter what education you have or who you are; you don’t get time to share your credentials before you’re in a moment. A lot of the scenes I wrote came from a place of reflection on that question: ‘What if it was me?’”

In addition to addressing these and other complex and important questions, Color Me Beautiful will also help create opportunities for children, especially those who are underprivileged and at risk, through collaboration with local nonprofit theater organization Building Bridges Productions, Inc. Its founder, Janice Atkins Benejan, joined as a producer of the show.

Pierce says the partnership with Building Bridges means putting words into action.

“The arts offer a safe place to express the joys but also hurts of the world,” she says. “It provides people with a place to be vulnerable and oftentimes forces one to look at the world through someone else’s lens, creating a deeper sense of sympathy among people. This is vital for youth.”

One aspect of the partnership is Carter’s involvement with Building Bridges’ Story Makers Theater Camp this summer (June 28-July 9) for youth ages 12-18.

“Story Makers was already an idea in Janice’s head, but it really fit with Color Me Beautiful because it’s the same process of writing a script and producing it yourself,” Carter says. “I was brought into the team as an instructor to help make a curriculum for kids to write their own stories, produce them, and perform them for their families. Any child can sign up, but one of Janice’s goals is to reach underprivileged children, so scholarships will be offered.”

Carter believes that involvement in theater can help children—and adults—learn invaluable communication skills that will serve them in their real-world relationships.

“One of the skills that all people need to work on is communication: the abilities to step back, think, empathize, and be not only reactive, but also reflective,” he notes. “I think theater gives you tools for working on these things. Theater is a very spiritual exchange from one soul to another.”

Carter hopes that the production will create positive change on multiple levels.

“Tyler Perry famously said, ‘Stop asking to be at someone else’s table; build your own,’” he says. “I hope that this play inspires someone to say, ‘I can write a five-minute script.’ I hope that some actor, whether they be young or old, Black or white or Latino, will take authority of their narratives and their stories. I pray that when they come to see this, they feel like they can do the same. I also hope that it will help people understand a perspective that they may not have seen before.”

“I personally hope people will just see the utter beauty of engaging with new stories and cultures and people,” Pierce adds. “I hope they will feel immersed in our world that it encourages them to step outside of their own after the show in order to better get to know people they wouldn’t usually engage with.”

For Carter, Pierce and the rest of the Color Me Beautiful team, the ultimate dream is to see the play find success beyond Lynchburg so it can reach more audiences and spark even more transformative dialogue about race, representation, empathy, and life itself.

Says Carter: “This is just the beginning.”

Save the Date
Color Me Beautiful: An American Odyssey
July 23-25, 7:30 p.m.
The Black Box Theater
601 Mountain View Road (LU Campus)
Find tickets at Eventbrite.com.

A Forest Family Finds Rest and Recreation at SML

PHOTOGRAPHY BY DARYL CALFEE

What is it about water that resets us? Beckons us back, calls forth renewal and peace merely by its presence. As though by its mere glimmer, its understated aliveness, we will be bathed in something restful, something essential. It’s what drives us to make long trips and spend hard earned dollars every summer to be near it, in it, and around it.

For one Forest family, it was exactly this draw to the water that led them to seek out a nearby haven at Smith Mountain Lake. Busy as most families are with two teenagers, Brian and Kimberly Baker stopped a few years ago to take stock of the time left with their children, Makenna, 17, and Nick, 16, and decided to search for a place where they could make lasting memories like the ones they both created around lakes as kids themselves.

“Interestingly enough, we actually both grew up going to lakes in upstate New York, separately from each other,” Brian said.

“We both have really fond memories of spending time with our families,” Kimberly added. “Very low key. Very slow paced. You’re on lake time and you just enjoy each other’s company.”

After months of hunting with local realtor Liesel Lancaster, they found the perfect place in May 2019—a serene cottage steps from the water in Huddleston, and just 35 minutes from their own home in Forest.

“I think we knew right away,” Kimberly said. “Something we loved about this house was how close it was to the lake. Some of the properties we looked at had 20 to 100 steps down to the water and we loved that in five steps here you could be right on the dock.”

Another feature of the home was that it was move-in ready, and came fully furnished. While having furniture at the ready was attractive on paper, Kimberly is talented at interior design so Brian knew it was just a matter of time before she put her touch on the place. He just underestimated how quickly that would happen.

“We had two months before closing and as we are going through it and looking at pictures, Kim is coming up with ideas and all of a sudden our home garage is turning into storage. And by the time the closing date came, we had Habitat for Humanity here at the [lake] house and we donated darn near everything,” Brian explained. “So it went from fully furnished—we don’t have to worry about anything—to we are going to make it our own.”

The home started in many ways as a lovely blank canvas for Kimberly to paint her personality onto, with an open floor plan, built-ins in the living room, a master suite, and large screened-in porch on the main level. Below is a family room, game area, and the kids’ sleeping quarters. Outside, a large patio area under the screened porch offers space for larger groups to mingle without having to throw on a towel.

“We loved that [the home] was set up to entertain, we loved that it had a fire pit and a hammock and a screened-in deck and lots of outdoor entertainment areas. … I just want it to be a comfortable place where people can come and spend time and feel at home and for it to be cozy and not stuffy,” Kimberly explained of her design approach.

She quickly went to work customizing the home with her own chic lake decor. Jute, sisal, rattan, and rope accents flow through all manner of rugs, lighting, and accessories. Walls were painted Benjamin Moore Sailcloth, with Benjamin Moore Hale Navy accents in guest bedrooms. Designer finds mix seamlessly with vintage and second-hand pick-ups. Local and regionally sourced items range from a Greenfront Furniture light fixture in the kitchen to coffee tables from Virginia Furniture Market, a side table from Katrina & Co. Shoppe at James T. Davis, vintage signs from Reclaimed in Moneta, and club chairs in the living room from On Second Thought Consignment Shop in Forest.

High top stools at the kitchen’s breakfast bar and pillows strategically strewn throughout the home bring in fabric shades of blue and coral. Framed art of freshwater fish gestures at the recreation available outside, and also reminds the family of one of their favorite moments when Makenna caught a 15-inch largemouth bass off the dock.

Because of Kimberly’s clear vision, the home’s transformation neared its completion soon after they bought it, minus one important element that finally fell into place just a few months ago.

“I had this canoe in mind when we bought the house. I love the idea of having a canoe hanging out on the screen porch, so that was kind of the cherry on the cake getting that and hanging it,” she said. “The canoe is actually from Maine but the previous owner moved it to Roanoke and Brian found it for us. So that to me is the final piece, like, I’m happy, I’m done, I don’t need to do anything else!”

With the home’s decor complete, all that remained for the Bakers to do was name their spot on the water. Kimberly came up with “Anchored Cottage” after Hebrews 6:19 which reads, “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” Anchored Cottage has already proven to be a memory maker for the family, including a sweet 16th birthday party, Brian learning how to wakeboard, and the first time they got a visit from the Ice Cream Boat, which is exactly like it sounds—frozen desserts for sale, cheesy music and all.

“[The driver] takes Venmo and I don’t even have to leave my float in the water to enjoy some ice cream!” Kimberly laughed. “The first time that happened I was floating in the water, listening to music, with my ice cream and I was like—I have arrived. Best day ever!

As for Makenna and Nick, the water has offered an endless playground for time with friends, water sports, and growing their own boating skills on the lake.

“They love to ski and wakeboard. Nick has his boating license and he likes to jet ski so he’s trying to convince Makenna to get her boating license too so they can jet ski together,” Kimberly said.

“He’s also tired of taking her everywhere!” Brian added with a laugh.

When it comes to the adults making memories, the couple thinks of the time they’ve spent hosting old and new friends as they stop by, soaking in mountain views from the dock, Kimberly kayaking all the way to the dam and back (Brian: “That’s impressive!”), and quiet evening boat rides.

“It’s the least amount of boats you’re going to see in the summertime and the water turns the same color as the sky at sunset, which is something I’ve never seen before,” Kimberly said.

For Brian, the memory he most consistently makes for himself is on the screened-in porch in the quiet of the morning, coffee cup in hand, looking out over the water—a childhood connection to the lake coming full circle for both him and the next generation.

“It’s peaceful. There’s no noise, there’s no boats out yet. When the trees fill in it almost feels like a tree house and you’ve got Huddleston’s biggest pool in your backyard,” he said. “Being out here and being on the water, you transport away from the mundane things of life and you get a reprieve. It’s unbelievable.”

Senior Putt-Putt League celebrates 15 years of fitness, fun and friendship on the green
Photos by Ashlee Glen

Lois Mason may be 91 years old, but she hasn’t let that keep her from enjoying two of her favorite things: “I love sports. Anything to do with a ball. I’m also an outside person.”

The Senior Putt-Putt League, a program of Lynchburg Parks and Recreation that’s run by two faithful community volunteers, lets her do both.

2021 marks 15 years since this spunky, close-knit group started meeting at the Putt-Putt Fun Center on Timberlake Road. It’s advertised for anyone 50 or older, but most participants are over the age of 65.

Willie Perry decided to form the league upon his retirement. He had previously worked with children in the Junior Putters of America organization for 23 years.

“So when I retired, I said I want to start working with these older kids,” he laughed.

The group meets every Monday morning from April through October and typically averages about 30 participants each time. They start at 10 a.m. but then shift the time to 9 a.m. when the summer heat settles in.

Putt-Putt Fun Center opens the facility up for the group to enjoy exclusively and offers a reduced rate to participants, which Perry says is important for seniors on fixed incomes.

“They also get outdoors, get some sun and some exercise,” he explained.

However, the most important benefit, he believes, is the socialization with other seniors.

“We have some who come just to be around other people. Some widows who have lost their husbands. It helps fill in some times of loneliness for them,” he said.

But that doesn’t mean the game isn’t taken seriously. There also are plenty of members who are slowly improving their putting scores and come to compete—including Mason, whose younger partner says the 91-year-old will sometimes ask for a do-over on a putt.

“She doesn’t respect her elders!” Mason joked.

The top ranking elder of the league is Gladys Cantrell. At 95 years old, she still makes her weekly putt-putt outing a priority. She also is a true champion off the course as well;
Cantrell contracted COVID-19 last year, was hospitalized, but managed to beat the virus and come back to join her beloved putt-putt group just as strong and spirited.

“Some days I’m better, other days I’m not,” she laughed. “But I love playing, I love all of the people. It’s just fun.”

Want to Join?
All you have to do is come to the Putt-Putt Fun Center on Timberlake Road and you can be a part of the fun! They meet every Monday at 9 a.m. during the summer months.

Every year in our sister publication Lynchburg Business, we feature 20 young professionals who are making big strides in their careers and the community. Be sure to check out our July 2021 issue of Lynchburg Business to learn more about each of these incredible individuals.