Central + Southwest Virginia Weddings Showcase Returns This September
Central + Southwest Virginia Weddings Showcase Returns This September
Planning your dream wedding starts here! The Central + Southwest Virginia Weddings Showcase returns on Sunday, September 20, 2026, bringing together the region’s premier wedding professionals for an afternoon filled with inspiration, expert advice, and everything you need to plan your perfect day.
Originally scheduled for the spring, the showcase has been rescheduled to September 20 to deliver an even more dynamic experience during engagement season. Whether you’re newly engaged or putting the finishing touches on your wedding plans, this is the perfect opportunity to connect with local vendors and discover the latest trends in the wedding industry.
From stunning venues and talented photographers to florists, entertainment, caterers, planners, décor specialists, honeymoon experts, and more, you’ll have the chance to meet the professionals who can help bring your vision to life—all in one place.
Throughout the afternoon, guests can enjoy live entertainment, gather ideas for every aspect of their celebration, and enter for the chance to win exciting giveaways from participating vendors.
Event Details
Date: Sunday, September 20, 2026 Time: 1–4 p.m. Location: Tresca on 8th, 724 Commerce St., Lynchburg, VA 24504
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!
You may vote one time per category for the duration of the contest (a nomination counts as a vote!).
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.
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.
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 negatively for personal gain or votes
Participating in fraudulent voting (3rd party resources, fraudulent emails, etc.)
Dear Best of Lynchburg participant,
Congratulations on your nomination in our 2027 Best of Lynchburg Readers’ Choice Awards! To help you maximize your exposure we’ve created a convenient marketing toolkit for your use. Feel free to use these materials however best fit your brand.
If you’ll be posting on social media, we also encourage you to use the hashtag #BestOfLynchburg to join the community conversation and boost your visibility. We hope this toolkit helps you spread the word and celebrate your nomination in style. Congratulations again!
You probably know him as “The Funny Billboard Guy,” but Drew Jaeger knows how to get serious when it comes to lending and competitive rates. With over 14 years of mortgage experience, while closing over $40m in loans annually, Drew has created a well respected name for his craft. He’s worked with individuals and families from every background across the state of Virginia. If you need a deal to close, Drew’s the guy to get it done.
OverDrive Mortgage 3831 Old Forest Road, Suite 6 Lynchburg, VA 24501 Cell: 434-420-2593 Office: 434-509-0000 drew@overdrivemortgage.com www.OverDriveMortgage.com
Pictured: Drew Jaeger
The Face of Local Credit Union: Lynchburg Municipal Employees Federal Credit Union
SPONSORED CONTENT
Welcome to Lynchburg Municipal Employees FCU and the faces that make our Credit Union Extraordinary. The Credit Union was chartered in 1961 by the City of Lynchburg and Lynchburg City Schools to serve the employees of each and their immediate families. The Credit Union is a multiple common bond credit union serving the members for 65 years through a variety of products and services with the philosophy of one organization at a time.
Lynchburg Municipal Employees Federal Credit Union 3176 Fort Avenue, Lynchburg, VA 24501 434-845-1013 • www.LMEFCU.org
Pictured (Left to Right): Front Row: Sabrina Barnett, Member Service Representative; Stephanie Rourke, Accounting Coordinator; Karen Miller, Administrative Assistant; Jennifer Terry, Financial Service Representative; Back Row: Michelle Ketterling, Member Service Representative; Shaquille Waters, Head Teller; Steven Perrow, CEO; Nicole Payne, Marketing Coordinator
2026 Best Of Hall Of Fame Winners
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 years since VistaMedia first launched the contest in 2014.
Flip through to see who is the best of the best in the region!
(Voting for the 2027 Best Of Lynchburg Awards begins July 25 on LynchburgLiving.com. Look for those winners in the January/February issue of Lynchburg Living!)
The Face of Transforming Lives Through Real Estate: Stacey Angel Real Estate
SPONSORED CONTENT
As the Broker and Owner of Stacey Angel Real Estate, I founded my brokerage with a vision of putting relationships, integrity, and personalized service first. In a short time, our growing team has helped buyers and sellers across Central Virginia achieve their real estate goals while building lasting connections within the communities we serve. From first-time homebuyers to seasoned investors, we are committed to providing expert guidance, clear communication, and exceptional service. It is an honor to help clients navigate important life transitions and find a place they are proud to call home.
Stacey Angel Real Estate 529 7th Street Altavista, VA 24517 434-942-8124 sellingva@staceyangel-realestate.com www.staceyangel-realestate.com
The Scrappy Elephant is a creative reuse center. We aim to keep unwanted art supplies out of the landfill and provide the community with affordable art supplies. We provide ALL makers unique, reclaimed materials, and creative experiences at affordable prices, regardless of age, race, gender, or creed. Shop, donate, create, or take a class with us, and experience the scrappy magic for yourself.
Creativity. Sustainability. Community.
The Scrappy Elephant 400 12th Street, Lynchburg, VA 24504 Call or Text: (434)962-5654 Email: Lynchburg@ScrappyElephant.com www.ScrappyElephant.com
Pictured (Left to Right): Natania Mayo, Sarah Sweet, Marie Bolton
The Face of Hair Loss: Sage Tryall Salon
SPONSORED CONTENT
Trichology is the study of scalp disorders and hair loss. Through this clinical certification, we have been able to bridge the gap between cosmetology and dermatology, providing clients with a more comprehensive approach to scalp and hair health.
Hair is often one of the first things we notice about a person. For many, it is a reflection of their personality, identity, and confidence. Being a trichologist is about more than understanding scalp and hair conditions—it is about helping individuals regain confidence and improve their self-image.
Clients come to us seeking solutions for scalp and hair concerns, and we are honored to help them restore not only the health of their scalp and hair, but also their sense of self. Giving back to our community extends beyond volunteering time or making monetary donations; it also means providing hope, support, and renewed confidence to those we serve.
Sage Tryall Salon 1300 Wards Ferry Road Lynchburg, VA 24502 434-239-4454 Sage@SageTryallSalon.com www.SageTryallSalon.com
Pictured: (Left to Right) Ariella Hansen, Delilah Castillo
The Sweetest Legacy
Ry’s Pies ‘N Cobblers blends fresh ingredients, Southern baking traditions, and nearly 100 years of family history into desserts that feel like home.
Photos By: Ashlee Glen
Some family recipes are written on stained index cards and tucked into kitchen drawers. Others live entirely in memory.
For Delilah White and Ryan Davis, the team behind Ry’s Pies ‘N Cobblers, preserving Grandma Nellie Belle’s baking legacy meant spending two years translating decades of instinct, observation, and tradition into written recipes.
“It literally took me two full years to write down all of Grandma’s recipes that had lived only in my head,” said Davis, who serves as head baker of Ry’s Pies. “Every pie crust, cobbler, and dessert was learned by watching her hands, standing beside her in the kitchen, and hearing her say, ‘You have to feel it.'”
That legacy began long before the bakery itself. Some of Davis’ earliest memories involve gathering ingredients alongside cousins and family members. When the grandchildren wanted dessert, Grandma Nellie Belle had a simple response.
“If you want something sweet, go pick the berries and I’ll make it for you!”
The children would spend hours in the blackberry patch before returning home, where those berries became warm cobblers shared around a crowded family table. Today, those lessons still shape the business.
“We still believe in using fresh, quality ingredients, and we use fresh-picked fruit in our desserts,” Davis said. “More importantly, we strive to create the same feeling Grandma created around her table—a sense of comfort, connection, and love in every bite.”
That commitment to craftsmanship has earned recognition well beyond Southern Virginia. Among the bakery’s accolades is a win in the King Arthur Flour Harvest Competition for its Caramel Apple Crumb Pie. Another memorable moment came when a customer shared that a representative from Nothing Bundt Cakes had recommended Ry’s Pies ‘N Cobblers instead.
Yet awards are only part of the story. The bakery remains deeply rooted in the traditions that inspired it, from classic Sweet Potato Pie and Blackberry Cobbler to seasonal desserts that celebrate Virginia’s agricultural heritage.
If there is one dessert that captures the heart of the business, Davis points to the Sweet Potato Cheesecake. Built on Grandma Nellie Belle’s sweet potato pie recipe and paired with a homemade cream cheese filling, graham cracker crust, and signature Brown Suga Glaze, it represents both preservation and innovation.
“In many ways, our Sweet Potato Cheesecake is Ry’s Pies ‘N Cobblers on a plate,” Davis said. “It’s rooted in family history, handcrafted with care, and creatively reimagines tradition while staying true to the flavors and values that started it all.”
Visitors can find Ry’s Pies ‘N Cobblers each Saturday at the Lynchburg Community Market, where Davis and White continue sharing desserts inspired by nearly a century of family tradition. Whether it’s a slice of pie, a cobbler, or a cheesecake, every dessert is designed to offer something more than sweetness.
“We hope they’re experiencing a little piece of those summer afternoons in Grandma’s blackberry patch and the sweet moment of gathering around the table with the people you love.”
