Let the Games Begin: The Olympics of Cocktails with Craddock Terry Hotel
The Craddock Terry Hotel, an award winning boutique hotel located in the heart of Lynchburg, recently announced the relaunch of their signature restaurant, Shoemakers American Grille with new dinner and drink menus. With a culinary focus on fresh and light cuisine, the menu is curated by the new Executive Chef Ray Garrow.
Featuring local seafood, meats, vegetables, and herbs, Chef Garrow is inspired by the flavors of the West Coast and locally produced ingredients of the Central Virginia region. Some of the new dishes include the She Crab Soup, Stuffed Jumbo Shrimp, Pork Belly, Black Angus Reserve Steaks, Seared Striped Bass, and Seared Maple Leaf Farms Duck. New cocktails include Good Things Come in Pears, Botanical Cosmo, and 3 Little Birds.
The restaurant also offers guests a connoisseur-curated wine list to compliment the flavors of each dish.
“Shoemakers has been a signature restaurant and the cornerstone of culinary experience in Downtown Lynchburg for almost two decades,” said Tonya Sweetser, General Manager of the Craddock Terry Hotel. “While the restaurant has had various chefs over the years, a new perspective with a fresh approach to the menu was needed to continue the restaurant’s longstanding position.”
Chef Garrow has over 25 years of experience in the culinary industry. Growing up in Seattle and cooking his way from coast to coast, his travels are reflected in the dishes he creates. Before joining the Craddock Terry Hotel, Garrow led the team at The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa in Tucson, Arizona, where he oversaw the culinary operations of the large convention resort. He also led teams at renowned properties including the Hotel Citrine, The Wynfrey Hotel, and the Valley River Inn.
At the Craddock Terry Hotel, Chef Garrow, along with his sous chefs Michael Wood and Rob Crews, will lead the culinary teams at the hotel, Shoemakers, Waterstone Pizza, and for events.
In addition to the new menu, guests can expect a fresh new look in the coming months as well.
“We want Shoemakers to continue to be an endearing experience for our guests and to ensure that our long-standing legacy remains intact as the first choice for a high quality dining experience in this community,” Garrow said.
Recently, Shoemakers was awarded the DiRōNA (Distinguished Restaurants of North America) Award of Excellence, as well as named by Virginia Living as one of the best places for steak and seafood in the state. Additionally, the restaurant has been named by TripAdvisor as one of the Best Places to Dine in Lynchburg, further solidifying its status as a culinary gem in the region.
Known for its unique blend of original brick warehouse architecture and chic modern style, Shoemakers American Grille is a harmonious blend of classic elegance and contemporary comfort.
To celebrate the relaunch of this cornerstone in our community, we challenged the Craddock Terry to a contest—to put their cocktails against each other in an Olympics-style competition. Offering a cocktail from Shoemakers, Waterstone, and their events team, we sat down for some backstories and taste tests of some of their most inventive beverages.
Meet the Contenders
From Shoemakers: Eustace the Monk
Ingredients: Green Chartreuse, Domaine Ginger Liqueur, Kraken Dark Spiced Rum, Fresh Squeezed Lemon & Lime Juice, Toasted Rosemary
The Story: Eustace the Monk, born Eustace Busket around 1170 near Boulogne, was a mercenary and pirate notorious for his exploits across medieval Europe. Initially a Benedictine monk, he left the monastery to avenge his father’s death and later turned to piracy in the English Channel. Serving both England and France at different times, Eustace played a pivotal role in the conflicts between the two nations, notably aiding Prince Louis of France against King John of England during the English civil war.
Green Chartreuse is a French liquor made by Carthusian monks. Aged with 130 plants, herbs, and flowers, it’s a unique recipe that has been passed down and closely held by a small group since 1605. It’s made even more infamous by the monastery’s recent decision to limit production of the liquor in order to devote their time to prayer and solitude. Paired alongside Kraken Dark Spiced Rum, the Eustace the Monk cocktail from Shoemakers tells the tale of pivoting from a pious life to piracy, as the famed monk did.
From Waterstone: Masarita “Hold on Tight”
Ingredients: Patron Reposado, Cointreau, Grapefruit Juice, Lime Juice, House Made Fresno Pepper Simple Syrup
The Story: When you’re looking for a margarita that’s a little sweet, a little tangy, and a little spicy, neither a normal margarita or a traditional spicy margarita shaken with fresh jalapenos will do. Enter the Masarita, named after the Italian luxury car, Maserati. Made with housemade red fresno peppers, the Masarita is smooth and powerful, just like its namesake.
From the Event Center: Monarchy of Barbados
Ingredients: House Infused Mount Gay Rum & Sweet Peppers, House Made Honey Simple Syrup, Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice
The Story: The brainchild of bartender Zach Stinson, the Monarchy of Barbados is summertime in a coupe glass. Featuring house made honey simple syrup and a delightfully green and earthy note from crisp sweet peppers, it’s a surprisingly fresh cocktail.
The Judging Each cocktail was judged based on four categories: Taste, Presentation, Innovation, and Overall Experience. For Taste, we looked for balance, complexity, and flavor profile. For Presentation, we looked for visual appeal and creativity. For Innovation, originality and unique ingredients or techniques. And for Overall Experience, we judged the story behind the cocktail.
Gold, Silver, Bronze Winners Ultimately, Eustace the Monk took home the Gold in our Olympics of Cocktails. Its depth of flavor, subtle smokey notes, and balanced blend paired with the toasted rosemary and inventive backstory made it a cocktail to remember.
The Monarchy of Barbados took home Silver thanks to how well the sweet peppers held their own amongst the rum and simple syrup. Tasting like a warm summer garden, it’s a cocktail to sip on during the hottest of days.
The Masarita received the Bronze award, but not for lack of flavor. The fresno simple syrup left a memorable yet subdued heat after every sip and it’s a beverage we could see pairing well with Garrow’s reinvented Waterstone pizza dough.
2025 Best Of Readers’ Choice Awards
Voting in the Lynchburg Living Best Of Readers’ Choice Awards is a great way to support the places you frequent and the people you love here in the greater Lynchburg area. We rely on readers like to you to determine who the best businesses and individuals are in our region in a variety of categories from everything Food & Drink to Home & Garden and beyond. Winners will be those who receive the highest number of votes overall in their categories at the conclusion of the contest. We thank you in advance for your participation and look forward to sharing the results with you in our January-February 2025 issue of Lynchburg Living!
The Lynchburg Best Of Awards: VOTING PERIOD: July 26 – September 13, 2024 Note: If you do not see your favorite business in the ballot, you may nominate them until August 12. This nomination will also serve as your vote. Please allow 48 business hours for your approved nominated vote to appear in the pre-populated choices on the ballot.
Rules and Regulations
You may vote one time per category for the duration of the contest (a nomination counts as a vote!).
Duplicate Submissions by the same entrant will be subject to disqualification. Any attempt by any entrant to obtain more than the stated number of entries by using multiple/different social media or email accounts, identities, registrations and logins, or any other methods will void that entrant’s entries and that entrant may be disqualified. All terms and conditions of any utilized social media apply. Multiple entrants are not permitted to share the same social media or e-mail account. Use of any automated system to participate is prohibited and will result in disqualification. In the event of a dispute as to any social media or e-mail account, the authorized account holder of the email address used to register on the platform will be deemed to be the entrant. The “authorized account holder” is the natural person assigned an email address by an Internet access provider, online service provider or other organization responsible for assigning email addresses for the domain associated with the submitted address. Each potential winner may be required to show proof of being the authorized account holder.
Lynchburg Living reserves the right to modify any categories and/or contestants.
A contestant may be nominated in a maximum of sixcategories. Any nominations following their sixth category will be removed.
A contestant will be immediately disqualified if they are found guilty of violating one of the following contest rules:
Exchanging a good or service for votes (including bribes, sales, discounts, free, etc.)
Exploiting a competing contestant negativetly for personal gain or votes
Participating in fraudulent voting (3rd party resources, fraudulent emails, etc.)
If you see someone guilty of any of the above, please report to bella@vgnet.com.
Best of Central Virginia Weddings Winner’s Toolkit 2024
Dear Best Of Winner,
Congratulations on being voted as a winner in the 2024 Best Of Central Virginia Weddings! We hope you are just as excited as we are to celebrate and share your win with the world. Below is a complimentary toolkit with graphics for you to share as you wish. Congratulations again!
July is a pivotal month for gardeners in Zone 7A, a time when summer is in full swing and the garden requires both maintenance and preparation for future seasons. Here’s a comprehensive checklist to ensure your garden remains healthy and productive through the heat of July.
As the summer peaks, it’s a great time to start planning your fall garden. Review seed catalogs and order seeds for fall crops such as broccoli, kale, and carrots. Planning ahead ensures you have everything ready when the planting season arrives.
July often brings a bountiful harvest of fruits and vegetables. Use this time to preserve the excess by canning, freezing, or drying your produce. This not only reduces waste but also allows you to enjoy garden-fresh flavors year-round.
The hot and humid weather can stress houseplants. Ensure they are not exposed to direct sunlight, as it can scorch their leaves. Increase humidity around your plants by misting them regularly or placing a tray of water nearby. Check for pests and treat them promptly to prevent infestations.
Outdoors
Consistent watering is crucial in July. Water deeply and early in the morning to reduce evaporation and prevent fungal diseases. Consider using soaker hoses or drip irrigation systems to deliver water directly to the roots and conserve water.
Refresh mulch around your plants to help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Organic mulches like straw, wood chips, or grass clippings break down over time and improve soil quality.
Inspect your garden regularly for pests such as aphids, spider mites, and caterpillars. Use organic pesticides or natural predators to manage pest populations. Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings to keep harmful insects in check.
Keep on top of weeds to prevent them from competing with your plants for nutrients and water. Regular weeding sessions will make this task more manageable and prevent weeds from going to seed and spreading further.
Many summer vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, and beans will be at their peak in July. Harvest them regularly to encourage continued production. Overripe vegetables can attract pests and reduce overall yields.
July is an excellent time to plant late summer crops such as beans, cucumbers, and summer squash. These fast-growing vegetables can provide a second harvest before the cooler weather sets in. Additionally, start seeds indoors for fall crops like broccoli, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts.
Keep your lawn healthy by mowing it regularly, but avoid cutting it too short. Grass that is cut too short can become stressed and more susceptible to heat and drought. Water your lawn deeply and less frequently to promote deep root growth.
Prune summer-flowering shrubs after they have finished blooming to encourage healthy growth and more blooms next year. Remove any dead or diseased branches to maintain the plant’s overall health.
By following this July garden checklist, you’ll keep your Zone 7A garden thriving through the hottest part of the year. Stay diligent with watering, pest control, and planning for future planting to enjoy a productive and beautiful garden all season long.
Hikes with Kids, With Scavenger Hunts Along the Way!
Authors Alison Humphreys and Wendy Gorton Share Their Favorite Central VA Hikes in their New Book
The benefits of spending time outside are more crucial than ever, especially for children. With screens becoming an omnipresent part of daily life, the simple joy of being outdoors is often overshadowed. Hiking offers an excellent way to counterbalance this trend, providing incredible physical, mental, and emotional benefits for kids.
For Authors Alison Humphreys and Wendy Gorton, their mission to make hiking accessible and welcoming for all children is clear in their new book: 50 HIKES WITH KIDS. 50 HIKES WITH KIDS features 50 of the most interesting and kid-friendly destinations in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C. With its lakes, rivers, seaside dunes, and mountain trails, the mid-Atlantic region is a magnificent natural playground, and Humphreys and Gorton are the perfect guides to introduce kids to these beautiful and diverse landscapes.
By why hiking, specifically? Humphreys and Gorton’s goal for this bright, fun-filled guide is to help caregivers foster curiosity and a love of nature in kids, and that it helps raise our next generation of naturalists by putting the guidebook in their hands. According to them, experiencing the wonders all around us creates lifelong habits of seeking out adventure, appreciating the gifts nature gives us every day, and caring about keeping our natural resources clean, beautiful, and accessible for many generations to come.
Not to mention, hiking is a fantastic way to promote physical fitness, including confidence as little legs learn to explore on their own. The varied terrain of trails strengthens muscles, improves cardiovascular health, and enhances overall stamina. For children, whose bodies are in crucial stages of growth, this kind of exercise is invaluable. It promotes healthy bone development and improves balance and coordination. Regular physical activity from an early age also sets the foundation for lifelong health and fitness habits.
Beyond the physical advantages and perhaps even more important, hiking has profound effects on mental health. The natural environment provides a break from the overstimulation of urban and digital landscapes. This shift can help reduce symptoms of anxiety and stress, which are increasingly common even among young children. The rhythmic pace of hiking allows for relaxation and mindfulness, fostering a sense of calm and well-being.
For children, spending time in nature can also stimulate creativity and imagination. The unstructured play that often accompanies hiking—whether it’s pretending a fallen log is a pirate ship or spotting shapes in the clouds—encourages cognitive development and problem-solving skills. Additionally, the sense of achievement they feel after completing a hike boosts their self-esteem and confidence.
50 HIKES WITH KIDS is designed to equip caregivers with the tools they need to spark a love of adventure in children. The book, which will be available on-sale starting July 9, 2024, features easy-to-read trail maps, intuitive directions, elevation and length details for every hike, restroom information, and places to grab a snack nearby. Plus, scavenger hunts for each trail make it fun for even the youngest trekkers to learn about local flora, fauna, and geology. Hikes include the Alapocas Run, the Calvert Cliffs, Theodore Roosevelt Island, the Blue Ridge Tunnel, and Harpers Ferry—including a few well-loved hikes in our area.
Navigate Your Way Along Crabtree Falls
Length: 3.7 miles out and back Elevation Gain: 1,086 ft. Hike Time + Explore: 2.5 hours Difficulty: Challenging—a longer trek on a packed-earth path with high elevation gain Season: Year-round; best during fall foliage. Get There: From milepost 27 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, take VA-56 east for 6.6 miles and follow the signs to Crabtree Falls to the parking lot. Google Maps: View Here Restroom: At trailhead Fee: $3 per vehicle Treat Yourself: Grab some pre-hike snacks at Montebello Country Store, a couple miles east on VA-56.
Blue Ridge Parkway, George Washington National Forest (434) 263-7015, (540) 291-2188 Facebook @BlueRidgeNPS
Your Adventure Adventurers, today we will climb over 1,000 feet of elevation to see the waterfall with the highest vertical drop east of the Mississippi River. We’ll travel through the historical homelands of the Monacan, Shawnee, and Occaneechi. The falls is named after William Crabtree, who settled in this area in 1777. The first overlook is just a few hundred feet from the parking lot, along a paved trail. Take it if you like, then come back to the paved path and take a right to follow the Crabtree Falls Trail, a packed-earth but slightly rocky trail. Continue along the trail, passing another overlook over the lower section of the falls. Wind your way along the trail’s inclines and switchbacks until you reach a third overlook for the top of the lower falls. Next, arrive at the base of the middle falls, a single drop of about 90 feet. Wind up the mountain until you reach the base of the upper falls and a fourth overlook. This is a strenuous hike, so power up on benches at the overlooks and vistas over the Tye River Valley. At the top, cross a bridge and enjoy amazing views from the summit and surrounding area, called Crabtree Meadows. When ready, retrace your steps back down. Want more? Camp at the Crabtree Falls Campground afterward.
Scavenger Hunt Pear-shaped puffball Can you spot these mushrooms? They grow in large clusters on decaying wood from July to November. While the outside is yellow to brown, the inside is pure white, like a marshmallow. How many mushrooms can you count on one log?
Apioperdon pyriforme (pyriforme is Greek for pear-shaped) Image Credit: Alison Humphreys and Wendy Gorton
Wood fern Did you know ferns are among the oldest plants on Earth, first developing hundreds of millions of years ago? Wood ferns like to live in forests, fields, and wet areas and thrive in moist, rich, well-drained soil. They can even grow on rock surfaces in moist, shady woods. Look underneath a frond to find their spores, which help them reproduce.
Genus Dyrpteris on top of boulder and steps Image Credit:Alison Humphreys and Wendy Gorton
Mantleslug This is a species of mollusk. It got its name because the mantle (the outer wall of the body) is unusually large and covers the entire dorsal (top) surface. They consume fungus and can often be found beneath loose bark on downed trees after it rains. Gently peek under some logs or branches to see if you can spot one!
Philomycus has smooth, shiny skin Image Credit: Alison Humphreys and Wendy Gorton
Crabtree Falls This falls is commonly referred to as the tallest waterfall in the East, but that is not really accurate, since it is actually a series of smaller waterfalls. There are three sections—can you spot them all? The lowest section is the tallest and has many drops; the middle section is a single drop through a crevice; and the upper features the largest single drop, over a massive 60-foot cliff.
Cemetery Betsy and Achilles Fitzgerald raised ten children at Crabtree Falls. They lived in a one-room log cabin several hundred yards east of where these tombstones are located. The trail you are hiking takes you through the same areas where the Fitzgerald family once lived and worked. What chores would you need to do each day if you lived in a small cabin in the woods?
Pioneer graves—can you read the inscriptions? Image Credit: Alison Humphreys and Wendy Gorton
Meander Along Blackwater Creek
Length: 5.6-mile lollipop loop Elevation Gain: 279 ft. Hike Time + Explore: 2.5 hours Difficulty: Moderate—a longer hike on packed-earth and paved paths with mild elevation Season: Year-round; best in fall for foliage. Get There: Take Langhorne Road in Lynchburg to where it intersects with Old Langhorne Road. The Awareness Garden parking lot is on the east side of the road, and the trailhead is at the far end. Google Maps:View Here Restroom: At trailhead Fee: None Treat Yourself: Cookie skillets await you at Rookie’s, just a few minutes north on Norfolk Avenue.
Blackwater Creek Natural Area (434) 455-5858 Facebook @lynchburgparks
Your Adventure Adventurers, today we will meander along the winding Blackwater Creek, through a forest, over a suspension bridge, and under an old railroad bridge on the historical homelands of the Monacan and Occaneechi. Begin by walking past the Awareness Garden (a special garden for those whose lives have been affected by cancer) on the flat, paved Blackwater Creek Trail, and soon turn right onto the packed-earth Elk Trail. Go over a small wooden bridge, turn left for the Creekside Trail, and go over the Upstream Swinging Bridge. Hike past a bend in the woods along the side of the creek, crossing a few rock scrambles; you will see the Downstream Bridge on the left. Continue winding through the woods, passing under a railroad bridge overhead before arriving at Six Mile Bridge and then Blackwater Bridge. Turn left to cross over the bridge. After exploring and having a power-up stop, follow Blackwater Creek Trail all the way back to the trailhead.
Scavenger Hunt Upstream Swinging Bridge This long, swinging suspension bridge sits high over Blackwater Creek. Don’t be nervous—we know this bridge is tough because it was the only bridge in the park to survive a 2018 flood! In fact, three other bridges that were destroyed during the flood are being rebuilt and modeled after the design of this bridge.
Do you dare walk across this swinging suspension bridge? Image Credit: Alison Humphreys and Wendy Gorton
Inky cap Look for these mushrooms—they start off a whitish-cream color and darken as they age. Over time, their caps go from being bell-shaped to flat. Then their flesh begins to ooze into a black goo that, amazingly, can be used as ink for writing! Would you ever write with ink from a mushroom?
Coprinus atramentarius grows on wood Image Credit: Alison Humphreys and Wendy Gorton
Sycamore tree Look up on this trail and you might be able to spot a sycamore tree—the largest species of deciduous tree in the eastern United States. The bark has a camouflage pattern consisting of a grayish-brown outer bark that peels off in patches to expose the light-gray-to-white wood underneath. Rip a piece of paper out of your nature journal, hold it over the bark, and use your pen or pencil to make a rubbing.
Identify Platanus occidentalis by its seed balls that fall to the ground in spring Image Credit: Adina Munteanu
Six Mile Bridge You will get to walk under the Norfolk Southern Six Mile Bridge No. 58, also known as the Six Mile Bridge. This is a historical Pratt truss railroad bridge that was originally constructed around 1853. This massive structure is 1,860 feet long and 150 feet high and was part of the Norfolk Southern Railroad. Would you want to ride a train across this high bridge?
Trestle bridge above part of the trail Image Credit: Alison Humphreys and Wendy Gorton
Black rat Look closely in the woods and you might be able to spot this mammal with relatively large ears and a tail that is nearly always longer than its body. Since the black rat is an agile climber, it often lives in high places, such as trees in forested areas. It mostly feeds on fruit, grain, cereals, and other vegetation.
Rattus rattus has an average lifespan of one year Image Credit: Carlos Aranguiz
Make Your Way Around Bear Creek Lake
Length: 3.8-mile loop Elevation Gain: 174 ft. Hike Time + Explore: 2 hours Difficulty: Moderate—packed-earth path and mild elevation, but a longer hike Season: Year-round; best in summer for swimming at the beach. Get There: From US -60 in Cumberland, take Forest View Road north 3.3 miles and turn right on Oak Hill Road. After 0.9 miles, turn right on Bear Creek Lake Road. Park at the beach parking lot. Google Maps: View Here Restroom: At the beach Fee: $7 per vehicle Treat Yourself: Enjoy a dragon fruit lemonade and a scone from the Cumberland Coffee Co., just off US -60 on Stony Point Road.
Bear Creek Lake State Park (804) 492-4410 Facebook @vaspbearcreeklake
Your Adventure Adventurers, today we will hike around a man-made lake in Cumberland State Forest on the historical homelands of the Occaneechi and Monacan. You will walk along the water and through the forest for much of the hike, giving you the opportunity to see many species of birds and wildlife. Consider bringing your bathing suit and taking a dip at the designated beach area by the trailhead, or cast a fishing line—the lake is filled with many types of fish. There are also two playgrounds along the path. Start on the Channel Cat Loop by the beach area, heading south. Trek on wood stairs, go over a small wood bridge, and turn right on the Lakeside Connector Trail. Hike until you reach the Kestrel Trail. Turn right to stay on the Lakeside Connector Trail and cross a long wood bridge over several streams. Turn right as you continue to loop around the lake. At the intersection with a dirt road, turn right on the road, then quickly turn right to stay on the Lakeside Trail. Scramble over some rocks before turning right at the Lost Barr Loop and walk across two small wooden bridges. Next, leave the trail, turn right, and walk in the grass along Oak Hill Road—be sure to keep little explorers close by. Take the next right on Bear Creek Lake Road, head into the parking lot, and take the Channel Cat Loop again. Walk over three more small wood bridges, turn right, and you will arrive back at the trailhead. Reward your feet at the end by soaking them in the lake! Happy here? Consider camping at one of the state park’s campsites.
Scavenger Hunt Beaver Have you heard the phrase “busy as a beaver”? Beavers are very busy at night—one beaver alone can chew through an 8-foot-thick tree trunk in just 5 minutes! You might not spot a live beaver on your hike, but look for evidence of them—such as tree trunks like this.
Tree trunks chewed by Castor canadensis Image Credit: Alison Humphreys and Wendy Gorton Alison Humphreys and Wendy Gorton
Fly agaric mushroom This is of the most recognizable fungi in the world, due to its distinctive red cap and white stalk. They are usually found growing beneath pines, spruces, or birch trees between late summer and early winter. They are toxic for humans to eat, but some animals, like red squirrels and slugs, can eat them.
Amanita muscaria is a gilled mushroom Image Credit: Alison Humphreys and Wendy Gorton
Hairy woodpecker Try to spot this small but powerful bird foraging along trunks and the main branches of large trees. The hairy woodpecker has a long, almost thornlike bill that it uses to tear off bark and drill holes in search of insects. Its search creates a wavy pattern—can you see traces of this bird’s presence on any nearby trees?
Dryobates willosus makes smaller holes than larger species of woodpeckers Image Credit: K Quinn Ferris
Christmas fern Can you find a frond of one of these ferns? The frond has a stalk (like a stem), and its little fingerlike leaves are called pinnae. They grow opposite each other along the stem. Since they can be found all year long, including in winter, they are often used for decorating holiday wreaths, hence the name “Christmas fern.” Have you ever decorated your home for the holidays with this fern?
Alison Humphreys holds a master’s degree in clinical psychology and is a college professor and licensed psychotherapist in private practice. She has made a career of helping individuals and families improve their quality of life and has spoken at several national conventions on the topics of mental health and education. Alison homeschools her four young children, with an emphasis on hands-on, child-led learning and unstructured time in nature.
Wendy Gorton holds a master’s degree in learning technologies and is a former classroom teacher. She is a global education consultant who has traveled to more than fifty countries to design programs, build communities, and inspire other educators to do the same.
Best Of Hall Of Fame Winners July/August 2024
Earning a Best of Lynchburg award should be celebrated, and earning this recognition year after year earns a business a spot in the Hall of Fame.
To place in our Best of Lynchburg Hall of Fame, a business, person, or place needs to have won a gold level award in a particular category for the majority of the last eight years—since VistaGraphics first launched the contest.
Flip through to see who is the best of the best in the region!
(Voting for the 2025 Best Of Lynchburg Awards begins July 26. Look for those winners in the January/February issue of Lynchburg Living!)
The Face of Veteran Owned Business: Freedom Heating & Air
As a Veteran-Owned business and rooted in personal military experience, Freedom Heating, Air & Electrical was founded by a stepfather and stepson duo with over 40 years of combined experience in the HVAC industry. With a heart of service, they envisioned a haven where servicemen could always rely on trustworthy service at accessible rates. That vision extended as they aimed for 5-star care for first responders, nurses, doctors, and all who serve the American public. They provide reliable service with three-levels of maintenance and convenient all-hours availability making it easy for everyone to live in a comfortable home.
The Face of Banking: Central Virginia Federal Credit Union
Welcome to Your Community Credit Union and the faces that make our member service shine! Our managers work hard to deliver friendly, remarkable service while focusing on building long lasting relationships. This experienced team not only serves our members in their day-to-day banking transactions but is also ready to help with important financial goals now and into the future. Whether it is your first savings account, purchasing a vehicle or buying the home of your dreams, we are here as your financial partner, neighbor and friend. Come feel the difference…where member service is the trademark of what makes us Your Community Credit Union!
Central Virginia Federal Credit Union www.cvfcu.com
Pictured Above: (Left to Right) Robin Martin, Lisa McKinney, Gabrielle Wade, Danielle Hamilton, Kimberly Riley, Jessica Martin
The Face of Emergency Power Systems: Econogen LLC
Affordable Whole-House Emergency Power Solutions. Save $10,000 or more with our turn-key, all-inclusive systems starting at $6,499 with financing available. Efficient Power: Our dual-fuel or tri-fuel generators run on gasoline, propane, or natural gas. Save hundreds of dollars per day in operating costs with our Power Management System and DuroMax Generators. Economical Price and Portability: Get the power you need at an affordable price. If you move, our system will move with you. Visit www.econogen.net for more information.
Econogen LLC 147 Mill Ridge Road, Suite 130. Lynchburg, VA 24502 434-258-6393 www.econogen.net
Pictured Above: Steve Clark, David Clark
The Face of Real Estate Closing: Acquire Legal Counsel
Acquire Legal Counsel PLLC., was founded in 2020 by Michael Lovell, Esq., to provide quality legal services to central Virginia. The firm focuses on residential and commercial real estate transactions, business planning as well as probate and estate matters. Michael Lovell, Esq., has practiced law in Virginia since 2008 and has been voted one of Lynchburg’s best real estate attorneys numerous times. At Acquire Legal Counsel we understand that legal matters can be overwhelming. As a small law firm, we provide personalized legal solutions to meet your individual needs.
