COVID-19 LEGISLATION, PROGRAMS AFFECT TENANTS AND LANDLORDS IN GREATER LYNCHBURG

While the City of Lynchburg has been growing and changing in many positive ways over the past decade, the city’s housing stability issues have not been improving along the same curve.

One major symptom of this problem is evictions.

According to data compiled by the Virginia Legal Aid Society in Lynchburg in 2019, when compared to the number of evictions in other mid-size cities, Lynchburg had the 10th highest absolute number of evictions in the country in 2016 (1,207 evictions).

Fast forward to 2020, and the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the statistics changed again. Sarah Quarantotto, executive director of Miriam’s House, saw a “dramatic” drop in cases at the nonprofit.

“Most households with children become homeless due to a rental [payment] situation,” she explained. “Over the past year we saw a 50 percent reduction in families becoming homeless. … The eviction moratorium was a major factor.”

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) eviction moratorium was initially issued to “protect public health and slow the spread of COVID-19” explained the Virginia Poverty Law Center, as well as protect “residential tenants who have fallen behind on rent from being evicted until 2021.”

Landlords could still evict for non-rent lease violations and the order did not forgive rent, only pushed it off.

“The protections of those moratoriums certainly slowed things. People had breathing room,” said Jeremy White, managing attorney at the Lynchburg office of VLAS.

However, as White explains, a tenant couldn’t stand back and do nothing. To request protection via the now-expired CDC eviction moratorium, the tenant would have to make the declaration that they were eligible.

“It was on the tenants to fill that out,” White explained. “There were plenty [of evictions] still going forward after the main protections had expired.”

The CDC eviction moratorium was extended several times, with the final extension ending on October 3, 2021.

However, state protections for Virginia tenants continue until June 30, 2022, after Gov. Ralph Northam signed a new budget bill in August 2021.

In order to evict a tenant based solely upon the nonpayment of rent, the landlord must first give the tenant a 14-day nonpayment notice informing the tenant about the Virginia Rent Relief Program (RRP). This pool of money can pay rent, past due amounts and even court costs for qualifying tenants as far back as April 2020.

Then, during the 14-day period, the landlord must apply for RRP on the tenant’s behalf unless the tenant pays in full, enters a payment plan, or the tenant already has applied for RRP.

“If a tenant is experiencing any financial hardship during the COVID pandemic, then the landlord has to apply for rent assistance. Until that process is attempted, landlords aren’t supposed to be taking any action,” White explains, emphasizing that a person doesn’t have to be struggling specifically because of COVID-19, such as a lay off. The RRP has very broad coverage.

If it sounds confusing, White agrees—it is.

“From a practical standpoint that’s where we are at right now, trying to get people to the right place. We have rent relief navigators, thanks to a recent grant, who help navigate that process. Because it’s not super simple info,” White said. “It’s been changing so rapidly, it really makes it difficult for the average person to understand.”

There was a move to simplify the RRP system late last year; state officials combined the tenant and landlord portals on Dec. 1, 2021. This updated, one-application system will ensure that tenants, landlords, and all stakeholders have access to rent relief information faster and easier than before—and that the funds are handed out in a timely manner.

“Virginia is sort of leading the country in dispersing the funds; some states don’t have a system at all. Virginia is doing better than most,” said White.

Even before the pandemic, the rental environment was changing in Virginia. Virginia lawmakers were enacting new protections for tenants, becoming a lot more “tenant-friendly” than they had been historically, said Luke Malloy, an attorney with Petty Livingston Dawson and Richards who represents landlords in the region.

The changes started with the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act. This act oversees the rights, remedies and responsibilities of landlords and renters concerning the rental process.

“Historically, that [act] did not apply to what was called ‘mom and pop landlords’, with fewer than four properties. The [legislative] change made it apply to all landlords. That was a large shift,” said Malloy.

Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit, leading to those emergency laws regarding tenants.

“These enactments at the state and federal level were further designed to keep people in their homes and keep them from being evicted,” Malloy said.

While Malloy is sympathetic to the concerns for tenants, he says landlords can sometimes be overlooked in the eviction/housing debates.

“What used to be the failure to pay rent situation, five-day notice and court hearing is now a much lengthier process to allow tenants more time to apply for relief and essentially avoid there being an eviction on that basis,” Malloy said.

In working with landlords on their cases, he sees their burdens firsthand.

“They still have mortgages to pay. Financial constraints. Tensions they face,” he said. “There’s been such a push and pull on the eviction process from stakeholders on both sides. And it’s been such a quickly changing subject that the courts have been very hesitant to proceed on evictions for failure to pay rent.”

White emphasizes that the intent of the RRP program is to bridge the financial gap between landlords and tenants, so that neither entity is struggling.

“We have just heard that there is still $500 million available in rent relief so it really is vital to connect landlords and tenants to the RRP system,” he says.

Despite that high number, everyone is aware that at some point, the RRP money will run out.

“We are kind of bracing ourselves for the surge [of evictions] but it hasn’t come yet,” said Quarantotto. “Right now, the state is projecting that the Rent Relief Program will last through all of 2022.”

And what then? Quarantotto believes Lynchburg’s eviction rate will continue to be an issue in the coming years if the city doesn’t address barriers to housing stability—such as a lack of affordable rentals.

“There are a ton of folks who are paying 50 to 70 percent of their income on their rent. It’s not sustainable. It doesn’t allow for any crisis in their life, such as getting sick and losing a week at work or their car breaking down,” she explained. “The story we hear every day is a family was getting by okay and a crisis happens, then they can’t pay their rent, they get evicted, go to grandma’s for a few months, then end up homeless.”

Local stories of incredible life change through fitness and nutrition

While the saying “there is no better time than the present” always rings true for those looking to change their health, the beginning of the year is typically a popular time to jump into (or back into, in some cases) a fitness and nutrition plan. The food-focused holidays have come and gone, and indulgent vacations are likely on pause until spring.

But what does it really take to make a plan and stick with it? How can you make sure this attempt at weight loss isn’t just another botched New Year’s Resolution? We went straight to the experts for help—and we aren’t talking about personal trainers or dietitians (but of course, those are always great people to work with!).

These three inspiring individuals know what it feels like to be at the beginning. Read on to hear their stories.

Maria Carreno
Age: 25
Weight Lost: 80 pounds
Maria’s Story:
“Growing up I was always the ‘big girl.’ Every diet out there, I tried it, but I always gained the weight back a couple of months later.

When I came to this country six years ago, it was a cultural shock for me and I gained even more weight. In 2020, I reached my highest weight of 322 pounds. I was going through the most difficult time of my life. I wasn’t taking care of myself, I was depressed and it showed.

I finally decided that enough was enough. I joined Burn Boot Camp and started using the simple and old key to success: being consistent. Not only was I exercising consistently, but I worked with the personal trainers on my eating habits. I lost over 80 pounds in 18 months and plan to lose more in the coming year.

I learned that no matter where you are at, if you decide to do something and put your mind to it,
you will accomplish it.”

John Hobbs
Age: 30
Weight Lost: 175 pounds
John’s Story:
“Several years ago, I had gained a tremendous amount of weight. I knew it was time to do something when it started interfering with things that I loved to do, such as hunting and racing motorcycles.

I reached out to Tim Wamsley at Kratos Fitness. The entire staff used their knowledge of health and fitness to motivate me to work hard, eat healthy, and stay consistent. Not only did we work hard, but they made it fun and a team effort! The combination of accountability and workouts that were actually enjoyable was key to keeping me consistent. In just over one year I was able to lose 175 pounds!

Since then, I’ve gotten back into hunting and racing and have never felt better. After losing weight, Kratos helped me modify my nutrition and exercise routine to maintain the results and have continued to check up with me to help me through my transition.

I really encourage people that want a life change to work with the staff at Kratos—they understand the struggle and want to help with a change! Thank you Kratos for helping me to not only lose the weight, but to keep it off for four years now!”

Connie Moore
Age: 64
Weight Lost: 48 pounds
Connie’s Story:
“The nurse at my family doctor’s office called me in May 2018 to give me the results of my bloodwork and told me my A1C was now in the pre-diabetes category. When the A1C test was done again one year later in May 2019, I was still in that category.

The nurse told me that there was a YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program I could enroll in which consisted of 25 one-hour sessions over the course of one year, led by a trained lifestyle coach to learn healthy eating and the importance of getting regular physical activity. So, I enrolled and started taking the class in June 2019.

I did not want to go down the path of becoming diabetic so I stayed focused on eating healthier and exercising at the YMCA on a regular schedule. It has been a long 2.5 year journey for me of being consistent and dedicated to becoming a healthier version of myself, and I have met many new friends along the way.

I am very happy to say that when I went to see my family doctor in November 2021 that my A1C bloodwork came back as now being in the ‘normal’ category.”

When planning out photography for our cover story, “Cocktails by Neighborhood,” we had our hearts set on capturing the iconic drink “splash” photo.

The splash made the most sense for the cocktails served with ice. At these restaurants, photographer Ashlee Glen made sure to capture all of the other shots she needed on her checklist first, including photos of each bartender making the drink and the finished product with garnishments.

After those were completed, Ashlee requested a new drink, with no ice, since having ice already in the glass would hinder a dramatic splash.

Then, Ashlee’s daughter, Gareth, was tasked with dropping ice cubes into the glass on cue (3, 2, 1, go!). It took a few tries, and some aim correction, but usually by the third or fourth drop, we had it down!

Our takeaway: splash photos are a blast—but also, very messy!

Check out the full Taste feature starting on page 146!

Do you, or does someone you know, suffer from migraines? Given the statistics that 1 in 4 households in the US includes someone who suffers from these menacing headaches, it’s likely you do. Migraines are three times more likely to affect women than men, but they aren’t just the bane of adults—children can suffer from them as well.

Migraines are more than just a bad headache. Migrainous episodes are ignited deep within the base of the brain. Once activated, they set off a cascade of electrical and vascular changes across the brain which can result in a myriad of symptoms. Typical migraines present with moderate to severe, throbbing head pain. Additionally, as if throbbing head pain wasn’t enough, many migraineurs endure sensitivities to light, odors, sound, and touch, as well as experience various visual disturbances, nausea, and vomiting.

Migraineurs know “their” migraine patterns well, and because much has been written about food, smell, light, or noise triggers, they do their best to avoid their known triggers. Some will take preventative medications on a daily basis, which have been prescribed by their physicians—all in an attempt not to set off a migraine. When these preventative steps prove inadequate, and they sense a migraine beginning to brew, their last possible way to escape this “headache hurricane” is to take a prescribed, often times injectable, abortive medication. Sadly, if the abortive medication fails, a migraineur has no other choice but to cancel their plans for the day and seek the cover of a dark, quiet room to ride out the storm.

For decades now, managing migraines has been the best a migraineur can do. Copious books written on the subject discuss in great detail dietary and atmospheric triggers a migraineur would do best to avoid. Then, as a consolation, long lists of available medications, to be taken daily or abortively, are provided. But today, current research has revealed that there is a rarely-discussed, yet highly influential migraine trigger: the upper neck.

For 30+ years I have been treating head pain patients—many of them migraineurs—by using a hands-on (manual) physical therapy treatment approach. What I discovered long ago, and which has only recently been verified by neurologic research, is that muscle, joint, and disc dysfunction in the upper neck is a MAJOR migraine trigger!

To understand this better, think of potential head pain as a stick of dynamite. The length of the fuse depends on the individual. Researchers have discovered that a migraineur’s brain is more sensitive to stimuli than a non-migraine sufferer. This means a migraineur has an inherently shorter “fuse.” The “matches” in this analogy would be headache triggers such as stress, food sensitivities, surrounding noise levels, bright or flashing lights, low barometric pressure, and upper neck dysfunction. When enough of these matches are bundled together, they can flame up sufficiently enough to ignite the fuse. Then—KABOOM—a migraine explodes on the scene!

What I have seen, time and time again, is that by removing the “match stick” of upper neck dysfunction—which is a very large match when compared to the other triggers—the rest of the would-be triggers can’t build enough “heat” to the light the fuse. This method of head pain treatment has been successful even with those patients whose migraines are tied to their monthly hormonal cycles.
At last—you can quit managing your migraines, and instead, put an end to them!

So, what do you need to do to break free from a lifetime of migraines? Find yourself a healthcare practitioner who has the necessary keys to unlock your upper neck dysfunction. This person will need to be highly skilled; able to address joint, muscle and disc problems; and be knowledgeable in offering you guidance regarding the best postures (sleeping, sitting, and standing) and ergonomic sets ups to enhance the hands-on treatment they’re dispensing.

This approach sounds so much better than being married to medication, doesn’t it?

Lisa Morrone, PT is an orthopedic, manual, physical therapist and prolific author who practices privately in Forest, VA. Contact Lisa through her website: www.LisaMorrone.com and sign up for her Monday Morning Health Tips! Also check out her book, Overcoming Headaches and Migraines, available on Amazon.com.

Lynchburg Salsa Returns to the Dance Floor

Photos by Ashlee glen

Salsa dancing is much more than a series of steps, it is a conversation between two partners built on mutual coordination, trust, and passion. It also takes fortitude and patience to master salsa, and as Abram and Genette Dahlby know firsthand, all of these things are invaluable when it comes to running a salsa dance studio as well. The Dahlbys have owned Lynchburg Salsa since January 2017, and they have navigated several challenges with the same deftness that characterizes the style of dance they teach.

Chief among these challenges is the COVID-19 pandemic. “The pandemic hit us hard,” says Abram. “We had to close our doors in March 2020 when the mandate for gyms and other things fell under the workout classification and only reopened in August 2021. It was almost 18 months in total and we are ready to build up our numbers and get people back to dancing.”

Changes in locations and times over the past several years have also affected participation. Lynchburg Salsa was originally founded by Elizabeth Pfister in 2009 and took place on Friday nights in the former Dance Theatre of Lynchburg on Commerce Street. The studio subsequently moved to The Glass House and then to Riverviews Artspace before coming back to the original Commerce Street building—now the home of Mission House Coffee—in October 2019. Classes and events now occur primarily on Thursday nights.

“Over the last couple years, we have seen Lynchburg Salsa ebb and sway with our weekly numbers due to having to change to multiple locations and different days and times,” Genette notes. “Regardless of the hardship of having to communicate new locations, times, or days, we have always had a great community that looks forward to dancing and we have seen a lot more interest in dancing since COVID has lightened up. We hope to get to the point of the fire code being the big issue each week.”

The Dahlbys fondly remember the days when participants came out in full force to dance. “When I started dancing about seven years ago, it felt like every Friday was the hottest the room could get,” Abram says. “People were always ready to dance and came out religiously.”

“The early days were so much fun,” Genette recalls. “It was the thing to do on a Friday night in Downtown Lynchburg. We always had a packed house, with a minimum of 75 students for the beginner class.
I’ve seen as many as 150 in my beginner classes before; that seems like a chaotic number, but it’s amazing to teach so many people at one time.”

According to the Dahlbys, the majority of participants are college students. Luckily, the fact that many of these students move away after graduating hasn’t proven to be much of an issue. “Since most of our population of dancers is the students in the area, we have seen them graduate and move away, but more students have come in,” Genette says.

“Lynchburg has a lot of young students constantly looking for a place to dance and get energy out,” adds Abram. “We have locals who love coming out and students who have graduated and stayed in the area and have become regulars. We have multiple colleges and an ever-revolving door of new students and people who might just want to try out salsa.”

Of course, Lynchburg Salsa isn’t just for students; it’s for everyone, including those who have no dance experience at all.

“We have some dancers who are able to pick up on the steps quickly and others who need a bit more time,” notes Genette. “We want people to come to our beginner class as many times as they want to understand the steps. We also make sure to help those who are having a harder time, typically during social dancing. Since we have a group lesson, it’s not always easy to give one-on-one help during class, but we make sure everyone knows we are here to help.”

Although mastery takes a great deal of time and effort, beginning is as easy as walking and counting to eight.

“When we walk, we transfer our weight to each foot and it’s the same in salsa,” says Abram. “We transfer our weight to different feet while counting and communicating with our body what we are doing. The count lets you and your partner move on the same timing, so the moves start and complete on the same timing. The music is the base structure and gives the dancers the same starting point and then the footwork follows the timing.”

Lynchburg Salsa’s Thursday Night Salsa events run from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.; the first hour is a beginner salsa lesson, and the remaining two hours are allotted for social dancing. Additionally, the studio occasionally offers intermediate salsa lessons for those who are interested in more advanced instruction.

“The beginners usually are taught the basic eight count with a fun turn and cross body lead,” Abram says. “After a couple weeks and classes, participants are usually confident in leading those moves as well as maybe picking up one or two more from other dancers or instructors. The basics are the most important, but if you want to learn more intermediate moves and combinations, we offer intermediate classes when we have those who show interest.”

Special outdoor and themed events are also back on the docket. In September, Lynchburg Salsa partnered with The Lot on Jefferson to offer an outdoor salsa event, and in October, the studio held their “Salsaween” Costume Dance Party. The Dahlbys are hoping to bring back their popular Valentine’s Day Masquerade event in February.

The couple also hopes to ultimately expand their instruction offerings and be involved in more extensive salsa workshops.

Photo courtesy: Lynchburg Salsa

“We want to see over 100 people every time our doors are open—beginner, intermediate, and advanced dancers on the dance floor,” Genette says. “We also want to be able to provide more instruction beyond the basics of the class. We would even love to see weekend-long salsa fests so that more people can learn from other instructors and improve their dance skills.”

Above all else, the Dahlbys hope that Lynchburg Salsa can provide a fun and comfortable atmosphere that facilitates friendship—and perhaps even romance.

“Abe and I met at Lynchburg Salsa on the dance floor; that’s where he asked me out for the first time,” recalls Genette. “Lynchburg Salsa is a part of our love story and we hope that it is a part of others’ stories too where they have met friends and maybe, one day, their forever dance partner.”

 The Inn at Stinson Vineyards in Crozet is an Elegant, Off-the-Beaten Path Getaway for Foodies and Wine Lovers Looking to Unplug and Unwind.

When the winding roads and rolling hills around Crozet, Virginia deposit you on the doorstep of the Inn at Stinson Vineyards, you might not be sure you’ve found the right spot. With its front door painted a cheery turquoise, the modest exterior of this renovated home, once occupied by a member of the Stinson family, belies the real “wow” factor waiting inside.

From the moment you step in, you are drawn through a light-filled foyer and dining room with vaulted ceilings—to a set of glass doors with transom windows that form a cathedral-style panoramic view of grapevines cascading downhill against a backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains. In the heart of Virginia wine country, less than 20 miles from Charlottesville, this is a don’t-miss that’s off the beaten path.

That “aaaaaah” feeling is meant to last throughout your stay at this intimate, four-bedroom mountain getaway—opened in 2018 and accommodating up to nine guests—a bespoke experience from breakfast until bedtime for wine-lovers and foodies and anyone who wants to unwind and unplug. That’s all by design, says innkeeper and general manager Stephanie Campbell.

“It’s a place that allows people to come and truly escape and take a deep breath in a way,” Campbell explains. “It’s not fast-paced. There are not a lot of activities. It’s a time to indulge, to sit around on the screened-in porch and enjoy a glass of sauvignon blanc. It’s a getaway, a little slice of paradise for rejuvenation.”

The small-batch, family-owned estate winery’s own 2019 sauvignon blanc, fermented in concrete and stainless steel, boasts tasting notes of “stone fruit and Meyer lemon zest” and “fresh boxwood and a wet stone minerality.” Wine flights are available in the Inn’s cellar and next door at the winery tasting room as are bottles for purchase. Stinson Vineyards is co-owned by Scott Stinson and his daughter Rachel Stinson Vrooman and takes inspiration from the “garagiste” wineries of France.

At the Inn, each morning begins with an elegant, full-service, three-course breakfast—served inside or on the back deck overlooking the seasonal, heated pool and that stunning view—incorporating local ingredients and produce from the Inn’s garden. Their “build-your-own” parfait with house yogurt, homemade granola and fresh fruit is a guest favorite. The main course is a chef’s-choice hot breakfast. One morning it may be a lovely tartine with soft-scrambled Japanese-style eggs, house-cured salmon, pickled red onion and fresh dill. On the next, a petite crustless quiche with fresh veggies a delightfully creamy custard texture.

While breakfast is included with your stay, dinners at the Inn are optional. But if you miss the opportunity to indulge in the culinary craft of Virginia-native, in-house Chef Tyler Teass—who was part of the team that earned D.C.’s Rose Luxury its Michelin Star rating in 2016 and later helped open Brasserie Saison on Charlottesville’s historic downtown mall—you have missed out indeed.

During our visit, we were treated to an exquisite four-course, wine-paired meal designed by Chef Teass, which was preceded by an amuse-bouche—crème fraiche with white peaches and purple basil served with light, crispy cheese wafers—and the most delicate miniature sourdough waffles with local pork fat, sea salt and confectioners’ sugar, a mind-blowing, melt-in-your-mouth sweet-savory combo.

The courses included a celery root velouté with caviar, crispy potatoes and herbs (paired with the 2019 sauvignon blanc); a perfectly portioned twist of spaghetti with crab, basil pistou and breadcrumbs (paired with the 2020 Sugar Hollow White); roasted Roseda Farm beef, mushroom croquette, braised beans and herb jus (paired with the 2017 Meritage); and, for dessert, popcorn pudding with crème fraiche, lime and sorghum (paired with the 2018 petit manseng).

The Wine Cellar dinners run $150 per person—incredibly reasonable for the quality of food and level of service, but the Inn has also started offering a more casual dinner option called Chef’s Suppers, “featuring an array of seasonally driven plates meant to share” and sample alongside a variety of wines.

The rooms and shared spaces at the Inn are the epitome of clean, cozy minimalism accentuated by touches of rustic charm. No detail is left unthought of for guest convenience and comfort. Room rates start at around $200 per night, or you can rent the entire Inn starting at approximately $1,000 per night.

While you’re in and near Crozet, don’t miss small-town must-stops such as Crozet Pizza, Starr Hill Brewery, the Rockfish Gap Country Store and the Claudius Crozet Bridge Tunnel, a historic landmark recently re-opened to hikers and cyclists. And, of course there is a plethora of other wineries to visit nearby including King Family Vineyards, well-known not only for its pastoral landscape but also for its horses and polo matches.

Learn more at InnatStinsonVineyards.com.
Photos: Leona Baker, Lisa Davenport, Audra Jones Photography, Bekah Imagery or Courtesy of Inn at Stinson Vineyards

Southern Charm Painting

Photo by Ashlee Glen

When Brittany Williams started the Huddleston-based Southern Charm Painting in 2017, her main goal was to focus on quality over quantity. Now, four years into owning her own painting business, she feels confident that is exactly what she delivers—not to mention her business won Gold for Best Paint Company in our Best Of Lynchburg Awards. Writer Ellowyn Steele spoke with Williams to learn more about her business and why she chose this industry.

Ellowyn Steele: First off, how did Southern Charm Painting come to be?
Brittany Williams: It took me several weeks to pick that name. It was very much a ground up process. My brother actually bought me my first spray pump as a gift to help me kick off my business. I had a lot of support from friends and family to help get it going, but it was definitely me on my own at first. For the first six months, I would work my property management job Monday through Friday. Then in the nights and evenings, I would paint. On the weekends, I would paint. I literally didn’t take a day off for months to get it going.

ES: Do you have more help now?
BW: I do. I have two to three people that work with me throughout the year.

ES: What specific services does Southern Charm Painting offer?
BW: People laugh when I say this. If it can be painted, we’ll paint it. That’s pretty much my motto. There’s not much I can’t paint or won’t paint if the price is right, and the time is there. We mostly do residential work. I like residential because that’s where our quality shows.

ES: On your website, it says that you do work that your customers are proud of. What measures and methods do you take to ensure that happens?
BW: We go the extra mile to make sure that the customer understands what it is they’re asking for, which is what I think sets us apart from other businesses. We take the extra time to ask questions to make sure that they are getting what they really wanted.

ES: Have you faced any challenges while running your business?
BW: There’s been a lot of hard work. A lot of hours of having to prove myself, especially since the construction industry is a predominantly male field. You have to be able to not wear your emotions on your sleeve and you have to be able to brush shoulders with mostly men in this line of work. You have to have tough, thick skin.

ES: What is your favorite part about what you do?
BW: The end result. I always challenge myself with everything I do to make this one better than the last if at all possible, in some way. Seeing the end result and then seeing the customer happy with what we’ve done makes it worth it.

Photo By Ashlee Glen

Year after year, Old City Cemetery claims the number one spot in our annual Best Of Awards in the category of Lynchburg’s Best Kept Secret—and for good reason. Although the cemetery is widely known as a local historic destination, it’s likely considered a “best kept secret” due to how photogenic the grounds are—and not only in the spring. Old City Cemetery has become a popular wedding venue as well.

Here, photographer Ashlee Glen captured a unique winter perspective of the cemetery. This statue,
known as “Lady”, was donated to Old City Cemetery by Nancy Shank. Lady presides over the Early Memorial Shrub Garden, which is across from the chapel. Prior to being moved to the cemetery, her home was in one of the gardens off Rivermont Avenue, according to Old City Cemetery staff.

Bottom line—you don’t have to wait until spring to enjoy Lynchburg’s Best Kept Secret. Old City Cemetery is open from dawn to
dusk every day of the year.

Learn more about Lynchburg’s Best Kept Secret at gravegarden.org.