Rivermont Farmers Market Offers Organic Products and Opportunities for Connection

By: Olivia Carter | Photos By: Ashlee Glen

When Brian Ray first floated the idea of creating a neighborhood farmers market in Rivermont, he wasn’t necessarily planning to be the one running it.
Today, that idea is known as the Rivermont Farmers Market, which brings together local farmers, bakers, artisans, food vendors, and neighbors on Wednesday evenings at Riverside Park.

And though it’s a place to purchase food each week, it’s also become a tradition for area families.

Ray, owner of Slowpoke Sourdough, said it all started when he noticed there wasn’t a farmers market serving the Rivermont neighborhood.

“We started floating around the idea of a Wednesday market in Rivermont,” he said.

“We really wanted this one to be focused around farms and food and community—similar to the Forest Farmers Market.”

Finding the right location was the first challenge. Ray approached First Christian Church after seeing its large parking lot and central location along Rivermont Avenue.

“The church community was really on board with the market,” he said. “They were huge supporters.”

The inaugural market opened there on May 6, but the celebration was short-lived.

The following day, organizers received a call from zoning after someone filed a complaint about the event.

Rather than create uncertainty for vendors, Ray and his team paused operations while they searched for another location.

“We knew we wanted to stay in Rivermont,” he said. “We’re not trying to compete with other farmers markets. We wanted it to be really community-oriented. It’s where we live.”

That search led them to Riverside Park, where the market resumed on May 27. Although the move meant losing some of the visibility that came from being directly on Rivermont Avenue, it also created new opportunities.

“The advantage to First Christian was that we were right there on the road,” Ray said. “With Riverside Park, we’re positioned around the swing set, there’s a caterpillar sculpture the kids love to climb on, and tons of families are coming out. The vibes are the same.”

The biggest challenge now is making sure people know it’s there.

“We hear from people every week, ‘I didn’t even know this was here,’” Ray said. “‘My friend or my neighbor told me about it.’ Word of mouth is huge.”

Visitors who make the trip will find a market centered on locally-grown food and locally-made products. Vendors include Great Day Gardens from Forest, SoulShine Farms from Bedford, and Restoration Acres from Big Island, along with bakers, beekeepers, potters, artists, and prepared food vendors.

Ray said one of the market’s priorities has been creating a true producer-focused experience.

“You can’t really have a farmers market without farmers,” he said.

Current offerings include fresh vegetables, fruit, eggs, honey, baked goods, meats, and artisan products. Restoration Acres also operates a convenient farm truck where customers can place orders online and pick them up through a drive-through service during the market.

New vendors continue to add variety. One chocolatier travels to Ecuador to source cacao beans before sweetening his chocolate with raw honey. A local apiary offers honey tastings that allow visitors to sample the distinct flavors created by bees pollinating different plants. Food options range from barbecue to smash burgers.

As the market grows, Ray hopes to continue filling gaps by adding more local beef producers and eventually additional dairy vendors.

“It’s not even just about the food,” he said. “Obviously what we put in our bodies contributes to our well-being more than a lot of people know.”

Most of the participating farms use organic growing practices, even if they aren’t USDA-certified organic.

“When you buy chicken from Restoration Acres, it’s not being pumped full of antibiotics,” Ray said. “You’re going to get a cleaner product when you come to the farmers market.”

Supporting local agriculture also keeps dollars circulating within the community.

“When you’re shopping at a farmers market, you’re supporting a local economy,” he said. “I know all these people now. We’ve created relationships and friendships. I don’t mind spending maybe a dollar or two more because I want to support them.”

But perhaps the greatest benefit is something that’s increasingly difficult to find: genuine face-to-face connection.

At a grocery store, shoppers often rush through aisles, use self-checkout, and head home. At the farmers market, conversations happen naturally.

“You’re actually interacting with the people who are raising the chickens, growing the vegetables, your beekeepers, your bakers,” Ray said. “You can learn so much and you can also just get to know them.”

The atmosphere encourages visitors to slow down rather than hurry through another errand.

“Sometimes going to the grocery store feels like a drag,” Ray said. “Whereas with the market, it’s just fun.”

That slower pace has become even more meaningful in the years following the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I think people are starting to figure this out,” Ray said. “You hear a lot about the mental health epidemic and isolation, especially among younger people. Screens became more central to our lives.”

The market offers a simple antidote.

“You’re outside. You’re getting sunlight. You’re breathing fresh air. It’s a really good opportunity to disconnect,” Ray said.

“I have people tell me, ‘I saw my neighbor I haven’t seen in so long,’ and they caught up. You don’t really see people sitting around on their phones.”

Ray added that community gathering spaces like farmers markets have become increasingly important as traditional opportunities for connection have declined.

“Not everybody goes to church,” he said. “The market is a place where everybody can come together. Everybody’s got different beliefs, different backgrounds, and different ideas. That’s just part of life.”

Ray isn’t interested in rapid expansion of the market but does hope the market grows steadily and organically while maintaining the sense of community that inspired it.

“I’m trying not to grow the market too quickly,” he said. “The really cool thing is that a lot of our core vendors have already said, ‘You guys are doing this
next year, right?’”

Future goals include bringing in more farms, increasing attendance, partnering more closely with the Lynchburg Community Market on programs such as SNAP benefits, and eventually hiring someone to help manage operations.

“I really don’t like to take so much credit for this thing,” Ray said. “It doesn’t exist without all the cool things other people are doing. This is just about bringing everybody together.”

Here’s How to Reset Your Attention Span

Somewhere along the way, many of us stopped doing just one thing at a time.

We watch television while scrolling social media, we answer emails during meetings, and we listen to podcasts while folding laundry, only to interrupt both when a text message appears. Even moments that were once naturally quiet—waiting in line, sitting in a doctor’s office, or standing on the sidelines during a soccer game—are now filled by the glow of a screen.

The result isn’t simply that we’re busier. Many of us have become mentally tired in a way that feels difficult to explain.

If you’ve ever picked up your phone to check the weather and found yourself reading restaurant reviews 15 minutes later, or discovered that reading a chapter of a book feels harder than it used to, you’re certainly not alone. More and more people describe feeling distracted, overstimulated, and mentally scattered despite spending much of the day sitting still.

Digital fatigue has become one of the defining experiences of modern life.

A Mind That Rarely Gets to Rest

Although digital fatigue isn’t an official medical diagnosis, it is a very real experience. The term generally describes the mental exhaustion that comes from spending much of the day interacting with screens while constantly processing notifications, emails, headlines, text messages, and social media updates.

Our brains evolved to focus on one meaningful task at a time. Modern technology, however, asks us to divide our attention into smaller and smaller pieces throughout the day.

Researchers have found that switching between tasks isn’t as effortless as it feels. Each interruption leaves behind what psychologists often refer to as “attention residue,” meaning part of your mind remains focused on the previous task even after you’ve moved on to something else. As those interruptions accumulate, concentrating becomes increasingly difficult.

Technology itself isn’t the problem. Smartphones help us navigate unfamiliar places, stay connected with family and friends, and complete countless everyday tasks more efficiently. The challenge is that many of the apps we use every day are intentionally designed to capture and hold our attention for as long as possible. Infinite scrolling, autoplay videos, and personalized content all encourage us to keep looking just a little longer.

Over time, our brains begin to expect constant novelty, making slower activities like reading, gardening, crafting, or even enjoying a conversation feel more difficult than they once did.

Fortunately, attention is a skill that can be strengthened.

Let Yourself Be Bored Again

One of the simplest ways to begin rebuilding your attention span is by allowing yourself to experience moments of boredom.

For much of human history, waiting simply meant waiting.

People stared out the window, watched the world around them, or allowed their thoughts to wander. Today, many of us instinctively reach for our phones the moment a few seconds of silence appear.

Consider leaving your phone in your pocket while waiting for coffee or standing in the grocery line. Spend a few quiet minutes on the porch without listening to a podcast. Although these moments may initially feel uncomfortable, they give your brain an opportunity to slow down and recover from constant stimulation.

Make Mindless Scrolling Less Convenient

Most people don’t consciously decide to check their phones dozens of times each day. The habit often happens automatically.

Small changes to your environment can make a surprising difference. Charging your phone outside the bedroom, silencing nonessential notifications, or moving social media apps off your home screen creates just enough friction to interrupt habitual checking. Leaving your phone in another room while reading, eating dinner, or spending time with family can also help reinforce that your attention belongs where you intentionally place it.

Spend More Time Fully Absorbed

Digital fatigue often leaves us in a state of partial attention. We may be occupied for hours, but very little of that time feels deeply satisfying.

Activities that encourage sustained concentration can help restore that sense of mental immersion. Reading a physical book, tending a garden, baking bread, completing a puzzle, painting, woodworking, or taking a quiet walk all require a different kind of focus than scrolling through a feed.

Many people discover that after an hour spent creating, building, or exploring, they feel more mentally refreshed than they do after spending the same amount of time online.

Protect the Beginning and End of Your Day

The first and last moments of the day have an outsized influence on how we feel.

Instead of reaching for your phone immediately after waking up, consider spending the first 20 or 30 minutes reading, enjoying a cup of coffee, stretching, or simply sitting outside. Likewise, replacing the final few minutes of evening scrolling with a book, a journal, or conversation can help your mind gradually settle before sleep.

These routines do not have to be lengthy to be effective. Even small pockets of screen-free time create opportunities for your attention to recover.

Give One Thing Your Full Attention

For years, multitasking was celebrated as a valuable skill. Researchers now understand that what we call multitasking is usually rapid task-switching, and each switch places another demand on the brain.

Whenever possible, try completing one activity before moving to the next. If you’re eating lunch, allow yourself to simply enjoy the meal. If you’re reading to your child, focus entirely on the story.

If you’re having coffee with a friend, let the conversation hold your attention without checking your phone every few minutes.

These moments of undivided attention often feel restorative because they allow the mind to settle rather than constantly shifting from one stimulus to another.

Choosing Where Your Attention Belongs

Few people want to give up technology entirely, and there is no reason to. Digital tools have made many parts of life easier, richer, and more connected.

The goal is not to reject technology but to develop a healthier relationship with it. Rebuilding your attention span rarely requires a dramatic digital detox. More often, it happens through dozens of small decisions that gradually teach your brain how to focus again.

Our attention is one of our most valuable resources. In a world where so many things compete for it, protecting that attention is one of the simplest—and most meaningful—ways to care for our overall well-being.

As the pace of the garden begins to slow, it’s easier to notice the details.

The frenzy of spring planting has passed. Tomatoes are beginning to wind down, asters and goldenrod are stepping into the spotlight, and mornings carry just enough coolness to invite another cup of coffee on the porch. Fall is often when we spend less time working in the garden and more time simply enjoying it.

That makes it the perfect season to add a little whimsy.

Whimsy doesn’t have to mean fairy houses or brightly painted garden gnomes—unless that’s your style. Instead, it can be as simple as creating a space that encourages curiosity, invites people to linger, and reflects a bit of your own personality. The most memorable gardens rarely feel perfectly planned. They feel collected, lived in, and deeply personal.

After all, gardens have always been about more than plants.

Create Little Moments of Discovery

One of the easiest ways to make a garden feel magical is to give visitors something unexpected to notice.

Perhaps it’s a weathered birdbath tucked beneath a dogwood, a vintage watering can overflowing with trailing flowers, or a favorite bench nestled beneath a tree. These details don’t need to be expensive or elaborate. In fact, the most charming gardens often feel as though they’ve evolved over many seasons rather than appearing all at once.

As you walk through your own landscape, notice where your eye naturally travels. A simple decorative element placed just beyond that point encourages visitors to slow down and look a little closer.

Celebrate Autumn’s Beauty

One of the greatest gifts of fall is the reminder that a garden doesn’t stop being beautiful simply because summer flowers begin to fade.

Seed heads catch the morning light. Ornamental grasses sway in the breeze. Hydrangea blooms dry into soft shades of green and bronze, while late-season perennials provide nectar for migrating pollinators. Many birds rely on those seed heads long after flowering has ended.

Resist the urge to tidy everything too quickly. Allowing parts of the garden to remain a little wild creates visual interest while supporting local wildlife well into the colder months.

Autumn often shifts the focus from colorful blooms to texture, movement, and light—and those elements can be every bit as beautiful.

Add Character Through Collected Pieces

Garden centers certainly offer plenty of decorative accessories, but some of the most interesting additions come from antique stores, flea markets, estate sales, or even your own garage.

Old clay pots, galvanized tubs, wooden crates, weathered ladders, enamel basins, and vintage watering cans all bring a sense of history that brand-new décor simply can’t replicate.

Rather than arranging everything perfectly, allow these pieces to feel naturally integrated into the landscape. A rusty wheelbarrow planted with ornamental kale or trailing ivy tells a story. A vintage gate leaning against a fence becomes a backdrop for climbing vines. These collected objects give a garden personality without making it feel staged.

Invite Wildlife Into the Garden

Nothing makes a garden feel more alive than the wildlife that chooses to visit it.

Birds splashing in a shallow birdbath, butterflies drifting among late-blooming flowers, and bees gathering nectar all create movement that no decorative object can match.

Keeping a birdbath filled with fresh water through early fall provides an important resource during warm weather. Native flowering plants, ornamental grasses, and seed heads continue feeding birds and pollinators as the seasons change.

When wildlife feels at home in your garden, the entire space takes on a richer sense of life and purpose.

Refresh Containers for the Season

Although much of the planting season has passed, containers offer an easy opportunity to celebrate autumn.

Replacing tired summer annuals with ornamental kale, cabbage, pansies, ivy, or chrysanthemums instantly refreshes a porch or patio. Small pumpkins, gourds, branches, and dried grasses tucked into planters add seasonal charm without feeling overly themed.

These simple updates extend the beauty of the garden while celebrating the transition into a new season.

Create Places to Pause

It is surprisingly easy to spend months tending a garden without ever sitting down to enjoy it.

Even the smallest landscape benefits from a comfortable chair, a bistro table, or a quiet bench tucked into a favorite corner. These spaces invite slow mornings with coffee, afternoon conversations, or evenings spent watching the light change across the garden.

The most inviting landscapes make people want to stay awhile.

Relaxation area in a garden

Let the Garden Glow

As daylight grows shorter, lighting becomes an even more important part of the garden experience.

Warm string lights woven through tree branches, lanterns lining a pathway, or candles safely placed inside glass hurricanes create an atmosphere that extends well beyond sunset. Gentle uplighting on a favorite tree or ornamental grass can transform familiar corners of the garden into something entirely new after dark.

A thoughtfully lit garden feels welcoming long after the flowers have faded into evening shadows.

Let Your Personality Shine

Perhaps the easiest way to add whimsy is to stop worrying about whether every choice follows the latest trend.

Maybe your garden includes brightly painted rocks made with grandchildren, a tiny fairy door attached to an old oak, colorful birdhouses, or a collection of handmade pottery. Perhaps your style leans toward a classic English cottage garden, or perhaps it’s a little more eclectic.

The best gardens are rarely perfect, but they are almost always personal. They reflect the people who care for them.

Dragon Fire Games Serves Growing Local Gaming Community in New Location

By: Emily Mook | Photos By: Ashlee Glen

In his 1989 book The Great Good Place, sociologist Ray Oldenburg introduced the concept of “the third place,” defining it as a public place to meet and build a sense of community with others. Designating one’s home as “the first place” and one’s workplace as “the second place,” Oldenburg asserted that third places “allow an individual to put aside their concerns and simply enjoy the company and conversation around them.”

In today’s increasingly digital world where connection so often involves screens and where a societal push for measurable productivity causes many of us to feel caught in a constant loop between those first and second places, these third places are more important now than ever before.

The Lynchburg area boasts many such spaces—some of which are free and some of which are commercial—and our communities are immeasurably enriched by these establishments. As someone who works remotely, I value opportunities to venture out and work in shared spaces even if I am not actively collaborating with others. Each third place we enjoy offers something unique and important, and local gaming store Dragon Fire Games is no exception. In fact, Dragon Fire exemplifies a third place’s ability to provide a foundation for community-building because its offerings (in terms of both products and events) and layout are centered around tactile games and hobbies that inherently bring people together—no screens attached.

At Dragon Fire, which recently moved into its new location at 408 Federal Street, game enthusiasts of all ages gather to engage in either casual gameplay or competitive tournaments for hugely popular trading card games such as Magic: The Gathering, Pokémon, Disney Lorcana, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and One Piece and for miniature-based games such as Warhammer and Star Wars: Legion. In addition to selling products under these and other titles, the store sells a wide variety of items associated with long-beloved tabletop roleplaying game Dungeons & Dragons. Groups of people can frequently be found running D&D campaigns or painting miniatures together at one of the shop’s many community tables.

But the bustling ease of a typical day at Dragon Fire Games in its large and vibrant new location doesn’t tell the full story—a story of remarkable resilience that speaks to both the dedication and determination of the store’s owner, Evan Garrett, and to the transformative power of community support.

In April, the building that used to house Dragon Fire on Memorial Avenue was the target of grand larceny and arson. Consequently, the building was condemned and hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of product was either stolen or destroyed in the fire. Garrett was already planning an eventual move to the new location when the crimes occurred, but he had to expedite that process while also working with law enforcement officials on their investigation and processing the trauma and major financial losses incurred by the crimes. Because his insurance policy covered only a fraction of that loss (a lesson that he said he has learned and applied for the store’s new building) and because several community members expressed a desire to contribute to the store’s reopening efforts, Garrett started a GoFundMe campaign. The community response to this campaign was staggering—contributions surpassed $14,000—and Garrett said he is humbled by and grateful for the support.

“That someone would want to steal from us and then burn our store down is still something I am struggling to understand, but the way the community has rallied behind us and their response to this has been absolutely incredible,” Garrett said. “The donations and support and offers of help have humbled us beyond even our greatest hopes, and we are honored and lucky to still be able to get to do the things we love: provide a safe and fun gaming environment for all groups of people.”

As he and his staff continue to rebuild in the store’s new location, Garrett is also building beyond the previous store’s capacity by adding new products and events.

“Creativity is a big part of Dragon Fire Games,” he said. “Having the opportunity and space to now host completely unique community-driven offerings such as our K-POP Photo Card Trading Meet-up as well as our upcoming LitRPG book signing of local writer E.A. Winters has me excited for the kind of events we could host in the future.”

These ever-expanding offerings, the new building’s improved accessibility and closer proximity to downtown, and an ongoing societal shift in the perception of tabletop gaming (from a niche interest to a more mainstream pastime) have increased store traffic considerably.

Amid this exciting growth and change, however, customers who have been coming to Dragon Fire Games for years say that the strong sense of community they have experienced at the store has remained unchanged.

“When you think about the friendships we’ve made here—and we continue to make them—it’s really like a second family,” said Kathryn Kurlander.

“My husband and I have been coming to Dragon Fire Games for years,” added Nora Genter. “It’s a very open and welcoming place, and there are always friendly faces to see here. The staff always speaks to you and makes you feel welcome, and that goes a long way to making it feel like a family community space rather than somewhere cold where I just go to buy stuff. Having the opportunity to meet with friends and express your passions in a safe space, without fearing judgment, is so important.”

Whether you are a seasoned gamer or are just starting out, Dragon Fire Games has a seat at the table for you.

For more information about Dragon Fire Games, search “Dragon Fire Games” on Facebook.

Not every creative hobby requires a blank canvas or years of practice. Collage is one of the most accessible art forms because it starts with something that already exists: photographs, illustrations, maps, book pages, magazines, ticket stubs, packaging, and other printed materials that catch your eye.
Artists have been using collage for more than a century to tell stories, explore ideas, and create entirely new images from familiar pieces. The best part? There is no right way to do it.

What You’ll Need
• Old magazines (even this magazine!)
• Newspapers
• Maps
• Postcards
• Brochures or local ephemera
• Scissors
• Glue stick
• Cardstock or mixed-media paper
• Optional: markers, colored pencils, paint pens

Start with an Idea

Instead of trying to recreate a specific image, choose a theme that inspires you.
Try:
• What Creativity Looks Like
• A Place That Inspires Me
• Things I Want More Of
• The Story of a Favorite Book
• Music in Color
• My Creative Life
• A Mood, Not a Place
Think of your collage as a visual poem rather than a picture.

Gather Images and Words

Flip through magazines and printed materials looking for:
• Colors that catch your attention
• Interesting textures
• Unexpected objects
• Faces and figures
• Individual words or phrases
• Typography and lettering

Don’t worry about whether the pieces “go together” yet. Collect first and edit later.

Create a Visual Conversation

Lay your pieces out before gluing. Try placing unrelated images side by side and see what happens. A map next to a flower. A handwritten note beside a city skyline. A musician floating above a mountain range.

Collage often becomes most interesting when unlikely elements share the same space.

Build in Layers

Start with larger background pieces and gradually add smaller details.

Allow some pieces to overlap. Tear edges instead of cutting them. Mix images with text. Let certain elements disappear beneath others. The layers help create depth and encourage viewers to spend more time discovering details.

Add Your Own Mark

Once everything is glued down, consider adding something uniquely yours:
• A handwritten quote
• A favorite lyric
• Simple doodles
• Painted accents
• A short reflection in the margin
Even a few personal touches can transform a collection of found images into original artwork.

TIP
Many professional collage artists keep a box of images, words, and scraps that catch their attention throughout the year. Start your own collection. Inspiration often arrives long before you know what you’ll create with it.

Every gardener knows the excitement of spring. There are seed catalogs to browse, nursery visits to make, and fresh possibilities tucked into every empty garden bed. Fall, however, offers a different kind of satisfaction. It is a season of reflection—a chance to appreciate everything the garden has accomplished before helping it prepare for the months ahead.

Although winter may seem far away, September and October are some of the most important months in the gardening calendar. A little attention now can protect plants through freezing temperatures, reduce spring chores, and set the stage for a healthier, more resilient garden next year.

Think of it less as shutting the garden down and more as tucking it in for a well-earned rest.

Clean Up, But Not Too Much

One of the biggest shifts in gardening advice over the past decade has been recognizing that a perfectly tidy fall garden isn’t always the healthiest one.

While it is important to remove diseased foliage, mildew-covered leaves, and any plants that struggled with insects or fungal problems during the growing season, healthy stems and seed heads can often remain in place until spring.

Many native bees spend the winter inside hollow stems, while butterflies, beneficial insects, and birds rely on fallen leaves and seed heads for shelter or food. Leaving portions of the garden undisturbed creates valuable habitat without sacrificing beauty.

Instead of clearing everything at once, focus on removing what could spread disease while allowing healthy plants to continue supporting wildlife through the colder months.

Refresh the Mulch

Mulch does more than make garden beds look finished.

A fresh layer helps regulate soil temperatures, reduces winter heaving caused by repeated freezing and thawing, and protects plant roots from dramatic temperature swings. Organic mulches like shredded bark, pine straw, or chopped leaves gradually break down, improving the soil over time.

Aim for a layer about two to three inches deep, but avoid piling mulch directly against the trunks of trees or the crowns of perennial plants, where excess moisture can encourage rot.

Water Before the Ground Freezes

It is easy to assume that cooler temperatures mean plants no longer need water. In reality, many trees, shrubs, and evergreen plants continue using moisture well into autumn.

If rainfall becomes scarce, continue watering deeply until the ground freezes. Newly planted trees and shrubs are especially vulnerable to winter drought because their root systems are still becoming established.

Going into winter with adequately hydrated soil helps plants withstand cold weather far better than entering dormancy under drought stress.

Protect Tender Plants

Not every plant in the garden is equally prepared for winter.

Container plants are particularly vulnerable because their roots receive far less insulation than plants growing in the ground. Moving pots closer to the house, placing them inside an unheated garage, or wrapping containers with burlap can provide additional protection during prolonged cold spells.

Tender perennials may also benefit from a light layer of mulch after the first hard frost, which helps maintain more consistent soil temperatures throughout the winter.

Divide and Transplant While the Soil Is Warm

Early fall provides ideal conditions for dividing many spring- and summer-blooming perennials.

Hostas, daylilies, irises, black-eyed Susans, and many ornamental grasses can often be divided while the soil remains warm enough for roots to establish before winter arrives. Dividing overcrowded plants improves airflow, encourages healthier growth, and provides plenty of extra plants to share with neighbors or fill empty spaces elsewhere in the garden.

The cooler air also reduces stress on newly transplanted plants compared with the heat of midsummer.

Plant for Next Spring

Although many annual flowers have finished blooming, fall remains one of the best planting seasons of the entire year.

Trees and shrubs establish strong root systems while temperatures are mild, giving them a head start before next summer’s heat. It’s also the perfect time to plant spring-flowering bulbs such as daffodils, tulips, crocuses, and alliums.

By investing a little effort now, you’ll be rewarded with one of the first bursts of color after winter finally loosens its grip.

Feed the Soil

Healthy gardens begin beneath the surface.

Autumn is an excellent time to incorporate compost into vegetable beds or around established perennials. Winter rains and natural soil organisms gradually work organic matter into the ground, improving soil structure and replenishing nutrients before spring planting begins.

Rather than thinking only about feeding plants, think about feeding the soil itself. Healthy soil supports healthier plants throughout every season.

Care for Your Garden Tools

As the gardening season winds down, your tools deserve a little attention as well.

Cleaning soil from shovels, pruners, and trowels helps prevent rust while reducing the spread of disease between seasons. Sharpening blades now means they’ll be ready for spring pruning, and a light coat of oil on metal surfaces helps protect them throughout the winter.

It’s a small task that pays dividends once gardening season returns.

Leave Yourself a Few Reminders

By spring, it can be surprisingly difficult to remember exactly where that new coneflower was planted or which tomato variety produced the sweetest fruit.

Take a few photographs of your garden before everything dies back. Make a few notes about plants that thrived, areas that stayed too wet, or flowers that could use companions next season. Sketching a simple garden map or keeping a small notebook can save hours of guesswork when spring arrives.

Gardening is always an experiment, and each season offers valuable lessons for the next.

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: 

• Nomination Round: July 24th – August 17, 2026
• Finalist Round: August 21 – September 15, 2026

VOTE NOW

Rules and Regulations

• 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 six categories. 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.)

If you see someone guilty of any of the above, please report to jwood@vistamediainc.com. 

Join us at the 2027 Central + Southwest Virginia Weddings Showcase!

When: Sunday, September 20, 2026 (1:00 – 4:00 p.m.)

Where: Tresca on 8th, Lynchburg, VA

Consult with the region’s top wedding industry professionals and gather everything you need for your big day – from venue, entertainment and planning to decor, honeymooning and so much more. See what’s trending, enjoy live entertainment and have the chance to win BIG giveaways at the region’s best bridal show. We look forward to having you join us!

BUY TICKETS

Take a Look Inside

Planning your dream wedding starts with finding the perfect setting. Get a glimpse of the venue, décor, details and atmosphere that await you at this year’s event!

[CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE SHOWCASE EVENT SPACE AT TRESCA ON 8TH]

Vendor Lineup for the 2026 Central + Southwest Virginia Weddings Showcase

Allstate Insurance

Appomattox Inn and Suites

Ashley Grace Bridal

Bella Vista Travel Collection

Brasco10 Production/NoSleep Djs

Casa Nueva

Cedar Oaks Farm

Cloverlea / University of Lynchburg

Craddock Terry Hotel

Dayspring Bridal Formal & Tuxedos

The Happy Waffle

Kitchen Traditions Bridal Registry

La Quinta Inn & Suites – Lynchburg

Mary Kay / Beauty Vibe by Stephi Shipley

Overstreet Event Rental

Quaker Memorial Presbyterian Church

Sinkland Farms

The Sisters Wedding Co.

Storybook Salon

Stuart Twery Photography

Sweet Treats Bakery

Tea To Thee

Tresca on 8th

Giveaways & Door Prizes

Brides and grooms with completed vendor passports will be eligible to win the grand prize. All guests are eligible for all other giveaways and door prizes.

Door Prizes Include:

Gift basket for the bride from Appomattox Inn & Suites

8×10 glass picture frame from Hopwood & LaRue Catering (in partnership with Cloverlea Farmhouse and Memorial Gardens)

Complimentary weekday wedding event rental at Ridgeview Event Center for one unforgettable celebration, perfect for a bridal shower, rehearsal dinner, wedding ceremony, reception, or post-wedding brunch — LaQuinta Inn & Suites

$200 gift card for toasting flutes, canvas print, etc. from Kitchen Tradition Bridal Registry

Suitcase filled with goodies (value TBD) from Bella Vista Travel

One night’s stay in King Deluxe Room with breakfast for two ($300 value) from Craddock Terry Hotel

Ticket Prices:

Advanced Tickets: $5 (plus processing fee)

Tickets at the Door: $10

Check out our 2025 Recap Gallery Here!

Learn more at CentralVirginiaWeddings.com!

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!

Instagram Post: [Download Here]

Instagram Story: [Download Here]

Facebook Cover: [Download Here]

Email Header: [Download Here]

Web Header: [Download Here]

QR Code: [Download Here]

Printable Flyer / Door Sign: [Download Here]

SPONSORED CONTENT

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