You don’t have to step inside the doors of an art gallery or museum to view a local artist’s most recent work. Bobby Fuller (aka Bartertown Bobby or Bobby Nowhere) is the person behind the recent creative displays that have been popping up in the downtown area. You may remember Bobby as the Artist Profile in our January/February 2017 issue of Lynchburg Living. He is most well known for his sculptures made from recycled materials.

While it looks like graffiti, the displays are actually temporary. They are made out of large pieces of paper that are pasted to the wall.

Headlines from the Region’s Parks and Beyond

Kayaking for Kids

New this year at Ivy Creek Park’s Clemmons Lake—children as young as 8 years old can sign up for kayaking or canoeing lessons. The Lynchburg Parks and Rec employees who oversee those lessons are all certified by the American Canoe Association. Once your child knows the ropes, you can take the whole family out for a day on the water! Visit lynchburgparksandrec.com/our-parks/ivy-creek-park to learn more.

Get Some Air!

After a grassroots effort led by skaters and local business owners, the Rotary Centennial Riverfront Skatepark on Ninth Street has reopened to the public. The previous owner, Amazement Square, transferred the deed to the city earlier this year. This 14,000-square-foot complex includes a street course and a bowl for skaters to improve their skills. Hours are subject to weather.

Trailing Off

Looking for a new path to take? Check out the New London Tech Trails in Bedford County, located at the New London Business and Technology Center off Route 460. Runners, hikers and bikers can enjoy 6.5 miles of multi-use trails on more than 500 acres—all created by the Bedford County Parks and Rec team. The system is a great “power hour lunch” for park employees, but it’s open for the public to use too!

A Whole New Level

You may not realize it—but you now live next to “America’s East Coast Mountain Biking Capital.” Virginia’s Blue Ridge is now an official Silver-Level Ride Center™, a designation from the International Mountain Bicycling Association. There are only 15 Silver-Level Ride Centers in the world and one on the East Coast. Lee Wilhelm, Chair of Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge, calls the designation a “game changer.”

Melodies and Memories

Listen out for some sweet sounds this summer at Riverside Park. In early May, Kids’ Haven and the Junior League of Lynchburg partnered together to install a Weenotes instrument that children can play. It’s dedicated to every child who has lost a loved one, which aligns with the mission of Kids’ Haven. The Junior League helped establish the nonprofit 20 years ago to raise awareness and provide comfort for grieving children in the community.

Mark Your Calendars July/August

Don’t let the heat keep you on the couch this summer! Check out these active events in the Hill City that will get your blood pumping.

Down Dog at the Water Dog
July 28 & Aug. 25, 11:30 – 12:30 p.m.

A workout doesn’t sound so bad when it’s accompanied by a tasty craft beer! The Water Dog is partnering with Yoga Goodness Studio for these fun, refreshing yoga sessions. One brew of your choice is included with your $12 admission. Love beer but aren’t sure about yoga? This class is perfect for beginners and is offered monthly through the end of the year. Register at yogagoodnesslynchburg.com.

The Great Cardboard Boat Race
Aug. 11, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Put your design and engineering expertise to the test with this fun event for all ages at Miller Park Pool. The challenge is to paddle your vessel to the finish line—but don’t be intimidated by failure. There’s also the Titanic Award for the “Most Dramatic Sinking.” Cost is $10/boat. Register by August 9 at lynchburgparksandrec.org.

Love. Pets. Match. Tennis Tournament
Aug. 31 – Sept. 2

Practice your serve and perfect your backhand—then show off your skills at Oakwood Country Club for a good cause. Proceeds from this weekend-long event will benefit the pets at the Lynchburg Humane Society. For registration and sponsorship information, visit lynchburghumane.org to learn more.

Find more events in our Calendar on page 136!

Local Openings & Closings

Hello! to new bakery truck, Where the Sweet Things Are.

Hello! to a brick and mortar location of Mama Crockett’s Cider Donuts, opening soon on Fifth Street.

Hello! to Eden and Vine, a floral and gift shop on Forest Road.

Goodbye to the Patriotic Peacock boutique/art studio on Main Street.

Hello! to Harry’s Bakery and Catering on Jefferson Street.

Hello! to a new location of Joe Bean’s in Altavista.

Goodbye to T&E Catering’s Campbell Avenue location.
(But hello! to a new location very soon.)

Hello! to Skyline Rooftop Bar, William and Henry Steakhouse, and Marigold Coffee and Wine Bar, all under the roof of the new Virginian Hotel.

Goodbye to Altus Chocolate on Main Street.

Behind the Scenes

After keeping in touch with the staff at the Virginian Hotel for over a year, we were thrilled to finally take a Lynchburg Living team on a tour of the finished project on May 22.
Writer Suzanne Ramsey, photographer Heather Kidd and managing editor Shelley Basinger were escorted through every main room of the hotel by general manager Dennis Marcinik and catering/sales manager Shelley Simpson.

Marcinik and Simpson took their time and made sure to stop and elaborate on different art displays, décor decisions and much more. There were also plenty of side conversations about the building’s history. A big thanks to the Virginian staff for their hospitality!

(Also, we are working on a plan to make sure copies of Lynchburg Living are always on hand for out-of-town visitors at this local destination!)

Read our full feature about the Virginian on page 45.

Behind the Scenes

Art Director Chris Meligonis wanted to do something a little different for the cover of the Food Issue. He came up with the idea to spell out the Lynchburg Living masthead with seasonal fresh foods.

To accomplish the “L,” he made pasta from scratch with egg and flour and cranked it out in a pasta maker. Then, he let the noodles partially dry on a rack before the photo shoot.

Then, in the home office’s photo studio, Chris laid out his design on a piece of glass over the masthead to get the perfect shape. He and photographer, Dave Uhrin, took photographs and made sure proportions were just right.

Keeping to the theme of the issue, Chris incorporated this design on other pages throughout the magazine—including the adjacent Food News page.

A Showstopper Unveiled Downtown

Almost overnight, the downtown streetscape at the corner of Main and 6th went from scaffolding to spectacular with the unveiled façade of the historic Academy of Music Theatre—which first opened on February 1, 1905. Renovation work on the outside and inside of the building continues, but to see the new, fresh yellow exterior and the classic marquee means an opening date is just around the corner.

Follow the Academy on Facebook and Instagram to keep tabs on the project. Their goal is to open the theatre by the end of 2018!

Photo by DARYL CALFEE (AERIAL)

Mark Your Calendars for May/June

FloydFest at Fifth and Federal: A Luau
May 12, 1 – 11 p.m.
Can’t make it to the massive music festival in the Blue Ridge Mountains? Then enjoy a smaller version of FloydFest at Fifth and Federal Station. Five bands will perform on their Lynchburg City Limits stage, including Nelson County’s Chamomile and Whiskey, who will close the night. A Ballast Point tap tent will be on site.

Stars and Stripes Forever
May 25, 7 p.m.
This Memorial Day weekend, celebrate the freedoms so many have fought and died to protect at the National D-Day Memorial’s annual concert. The Jefferson Choral Society will perform patriotic music accompanied by a band. Visitors should bring their own chairs. Visit www.dday.org for ticket information.
Riverfront Park Concert Series: Naughty By Nature and

Big Daddy Kane
June 9, 5 p.m.
The first event in the Academy Center of the Arts’ summer concert series has ’90s music fans saying… Hip Hop Hooray! Naughty By Nature will take the stage at Riverfront Park, along with Big Daddy Kane. For more details about the series, visit www.academycenter.org.

Wolfbane’s Romeo and Juliet
June 7-30, 8 p.m.
Back by popular demand, Wolfbane Productions is putting a hometown twist on this classic tale. Their version is set during the Civil War and their stage is the perfect setting—the grounds of Appomattox Court House National Historic Park. Buy tickets at www.wolfbane.org.

Local Openings & Closings

Hello! to Rozana Mediterranean Grill on Fort Avenue.
Hello! to The Sandlot, an indoor sports facility in Forest.
Hello! to Grey’s Restaurant on Fifth Street.
Hello! to Daughters and Sons Pizza on Fifth Street.
Hello! to a new location of Joe Beans in Bedford.
Hello! to Cinn City, expected to open in May on Main Street.
Goodbye to happycoffee and Tap 102 in Bedford.
Hello! to the new Midtown Lofts on Fort Avenue.
Hello! to Spearman Artistry on Main Street.
Hello! to a new location of Crisp in Forest.
Hello! to the Cutting Board, formerly City Place Food & Co., in Wyndhurst.

True confessions from a mother, wife and work-from-home magazine editor. Sometimes I pour a can of Manwich into some ground beef, throw some buns on the table and call it a day. (I know. Some of you are throwing your magazine in the trash as we speak. Please keep reading.)

But lately, I’ve set a small goal for myself to try to make more of those quick-and-easy shortcuts “from scratch.” For example, I made my own sloppy joe sauce with fresh veggies instead of relying on my good buddy Manwich. I also was extremely proud of a homemade chicken noodle soup we enjoyed on a freezing night in late March (because it was the winter that would never end). It was nice to slow down and feel accomplished by a culinary creation…instead of settling for what came out of a can.

Seriously—I fished for compliments from my husband for weeks I was so proud of myself: “Remember how awesome that soup was that I made?”

Our goal with this Food Issue is to recharge your confidence in the kitchen as well as your fondness for food. In the Taste department, we’ve compiled dozens of cooking tips from multiple sources.

From time-saving tricks to top kitchen mistakes, we hope you learn something new in “Back to Basics: Helpful Hints for the Home Kitchen.”

The Lynchburg Community Market is working hard to spread awareness about how to prepare healthy food (and other healthy lifestyle habits) in the second year of its “We Got the Beet” program. By focusing on areas of the city that are considered “food deserts,” this initiative has already led to better choices and attitudes among participants. Hear more in our Body feature on page 61.

It’s perfectly okay to let someone else nurture your food-loving spirit. Our much-anticipated Lynchburg Restaurant Week is back for its 7th year with 30 restaurants participating. See all of the menus starting on page 73 and start planning out where you will dine June 23-30.

And if you are on the road this summer and are looking for a new food spot to try, we have highlighted four options for you in four different parts of the state in our Travel feature, “Go Out (of Town) to Eat.”

Now that I’ve finished this Editor’s Letter I can move on to the next item on my agenda for the day: finish building my online shopping cart with Kroger ClickList. And I promise you—no cans of Manwich are allowed!

Shelley Basinger, Managing Editor
Shelley@lynchburgmag.com

Mark Your Calendars March/April

Design on Stage
March 8, 12 p.m.
Home décor enthusiasts will not want to miss this second annual event at the Academy Center of the Arts. This year, celebrated interior designer Meg Braff and Steele Marcoux, Style Editor of Country Living, are the featured speakers. Tickets include a seated box lunch and wine. For more information, visit academycenter.org.

Empty Bowls Fundraiser
March 24, 11:30 a.m.
Support Lynchburg Daily Bread at the 9th annual Empty Bowls Fundraiser at the Academy Center of the Arts. Your $20 ticket not only includes soup tastings, bread and dessert but also a handmade ceramic bowl donated by a local potter. Buy your tickets at etix.com.

Art Expo Lynchburg
April 14, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
For one day only, Lynchburg Parks and Rec will transform the Miller Center into a fine art trade show. Stop by to see art vendors, galleries and live art demonstrations from local artists. Bring the whole family to this event that is free for everyone. More information at lynchburgparksandrec.com/art-expo-lynchburg.

Lynchburg Garden Day
April 24, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
It isn’t officially spring in the Hill City until Lynchburg Garden Day! Walk through five private homes and gardens, dating from 1870 to 1950, and see the diverse architecture and history the heart of Lynchburg has to offer. Find ticket information at vagardenweek.org.

Downtown Loft Tour
April 28, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Lynchburg’s “loft life” has really taken off! This annual event, benefiting The Free Clinic, opens the downtown area’s newest apartment-style properties to the public. Whether you are
in the market for a new place to live or just curious, this tour will show you how much downtown Lynchburg is changing. Buy tickets at freeclinicva.org.

Local Openings & Closings

Hello! to Salon 1223 on Rivermont Avenue.

Hello! to Carly and Company Gifts on Forest Road across from Food Lion.

Goodbye to downtown Amherst eatery Lori’s Restaurant.

Hello! to East Coast Wings and Grill on Forest Road, expected to open this spring.

Goodbye to Ice Cream Dream on Jefferson Street.

Hello! to Maylynn’s Creamery, opening on Jefferson Street this spring.

Behind the Scenes
Photographer RJ Goodwin took 10 Top Teacher portraits in four days near the end of January. This year’s 2018 Top Teacher, Melissa Neumann, didn’t know she was going to be on the cover at the time of her session! See who made this year’s list starting on page 65.

Quotables
“I was labeled as a ‘slow learner’ and placed in a ‘special class.’ … The only thing I thought I could do was art, music and swimming.” – local artist Arnulfo Jacinto. Hear more about his school struggles and his unique path to Lynchburg on page 24.

#lynchburgliving
Hope Stevens (@hopestevensphoto) shared this photo showing a senior aviation student who had just completed his first solo flight! Be sure to share your photos with us on Instagram by using the hashtag #lynchburgliving!