The thrill of springtime: all around us, flowers are budding, days are lengthening and the promise of summer vacation is thick in the air. That’s why we’re particularly excited for the June 18th launch of the 5th Annual Lynchburg Restaurant Week—the one-of-a-kind, original event that involves nearly 30 local eateries and invites the public to enjoy prix fixe menus of 3 for $15 or 3 for $25 courses (you can skip ahead and view all of them now on page 68, I won’t mind). For the first time, we’ve joined forces with the Academy Center of the Arts as our nonprofit partner. With recent rebranding and a renewed focus on being the “arts hub” for our region, and in light of all they do to support the development of our culture and community, this collaboration is one that can have a positive impact for many in the surrounding area. Some of the proceeds and your donations—visit www.LynchburgRestaurantWeek.com for more information—will go towards promoting the arts for all us.

This issue also features our first ever expanded Home and Garden section with in-depth, local stories about maximizing your space, preparing a home to sell quickly and learning the necessity of supporting pollinators with some easy adjustments to your home garden. And don’t miss the essential summer garden checklist prepared by local Master Gardener Susan Timmons on page 115!

In honor of Mother’s Day, we bring you the story of Robin Foutz and her son Elisha; as a family, Robin, her husband Nate, and their other two children have supported Elisha through numerous surgeries and a long recovery following an accident when he was only 12 years old. You’ll be encouraged and amazed at Elisha’s resilience as shared by Robin on page 129.

Like the Foutzes, I love my own children in ways I never would have imagined prior to having them. And it’s for that reason that I’ve decided to bid goodbye to a job that I have loved for a season of my life—editor of Lynchburg Living. While I love this community and this position, my hope is to maximize the time I have with my daughters while they’re still young. As a new parent, people often say, “Enjoy it while they’re young,” and “Don’t blink, or you’ll miss it.” Well, I’m blessed to be able to fully embrace that advice, and so I will.

As I look ahead, I’m filled with anticipation for the continued growth and development of this wonderful publication and the region it represents. It’s a true privilege to live here!

All my best –
Jennifer Redmond, Managing Editor
Jennifer@lynchburgmag.com

The Buzz: Behind-the-Scenes

This issue of Lynchburg Living features an original, styled food shoot inspired by all things picnic. From artfully arranging berries to finding the right lighting for a plate of sandwiches, the whole process took several hours from start to finish plus days of planning! Turn to page 91 to see the finished (and delicious!) product.

#LynchburgLiving
Central Virginia is filled with gorgeous views and natural beauty. Share your finds with us!

Tag your photos on Instagram and you may see them in a future issue! Tell us about exciting people and happenings at feedback@lynchburgmag.com.

“Rainy Rose” at Randolph College

Each year on Founders’ Day, Randolph College plants a rose bush along the Red Brick Wall. During the College’s early days, rose bushes used to line the wall, and the College song features this mention: “…and roses tumble along sunny walls.”

Photo by Parker Michels-Boyce for Randolph College.

Mark Your Calendars March/April

Star Wars Sculptures for Good
Looking for a creative outlet that puts your artistic talents to good use? Join in on Lynchburg’s 4th Annual Canstruction—a unique event that helps provide hunger relief in the community. On April 9th, teams will use their collected canned foods to make the most creative Star Wars themed sculptures. “Canstructions” will remain on display in various downtown Lynchburg venues from April 10 to 17 before being deconstructed and donated to the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank.

Patches ‘n Pieces
Enjoy a unique display of more than 250 traditional and contemporary fiber art quilts at “The Magic of Fabric and Thread” quilt show hosted by local quilt club Patches ‘n Pieces from March 19 to 20. A donation of $5 at the door helps the club continue community service activities and gives you access to raffles, door prices, quilting demos and a boutique!

Paint Your Town
Grab your easel and paintbrush and join the Lynchburg Art Club (LAC) for a weekend of painting “in the open air” during the 1st Annual Lynchburg Paint Out from April 29 to May 1.

Let your plein air painting—French for “open air”—be inspired by the beautiful flower gardens, architecture and numerous downtown scenes that Lynchburg has to offer. For art admirers, you can watch LAC members Mark Johnson and Cindy Vener do plein air demonstrations and participate in a “quick paint” competition. Learn more at LynchburgArtClub.org.

Spot an Authentic Steam Train
Starting this spring after a 20-year hiatus, the newly restored Norfolk & Western Class J No. 611 steam train will once again begin public excursions in Virginia and North Carolina for four weekends between April and June. The season kicks off as the 65-year-old train, No. 611, pulls into Lynchburg for a stop on April 9! To enjoy a round trip ride yourself, visit NCTrans.org/Events.

Stop & Smell the Roses
Get outdoors to enjoy Lynchburg’s Annual Garden Day on April 26 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Visitors will experience a walking tour featuring five private homes along Peakland Place, a grand historic street in the Boonsboro section of Lynchburg. The houses, all built throughout the 1920s and 1930s, vary in size and feature gardens rich in history and some in budding infancy. There will also be outdoor lectures on beekeeping, growing grapes and harvesting lavender that take place along Peakland Place.

Lace Up for a Cause
Join hundreds of other runners on April 30 for the 8th Annual Run 4 Their Lives race being held for the first time on the campus of Liberty University (LU). It was only 8 years ago that an LU student first started Freedom 4/24, the sponsoring organization that works to bring freedom and justice to women and children all over the world who are trapped in sexual slavery. Visit freedom424.org/r4tl for details!

Lynchstock Music Festival
Love outdoor concerts? Then mark your calendars for the 4th Annual Lynchstock Music and Arts Fesitval on April 23 at Benjamin’s Restaurant in Forest. Enjoy festival favorites such as The Last Bison, Haley Greene, Dogwood & Holly and many more! You’ll also enjoy numerous food trucks, local vendors and visual artists at the festival. So grab a blanket and some friends and get ready to enjoy a day filled with local color and talent.

Vintage Lynchburg Returns
If you’re obsessed with antiquing, spend hours on Pintrest or Etsy or if you love shopping for unique home goods, then be sure to stop by Vintage Lynchburg. Not quite a flea maket and not quite a yard sale, this bi-annual sale is a place where local artisans gather to show off and sell their one-of-a-kind wares. Vintage Lynchburg will be held at the Urban Arts Garage downtown on April 30 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Tip: Be sure to arrive early because vendors sell out quickly!

Behind-the-Scenes
This issue of Lynchburg Living features our annual Hitched! section, brimming with inspiration and ideas. Our photo shoot incorporated some gorgeous gowns from Celebration Bridal and was shot by Megan Vaughan at Tresca on 8th. Turn to page 34 to see the full shoot!

Quote Me
“A wonderful college professor told my class, ‘Make sure you remember that you are ultimately teaching students, not just a subject.’ I’ve learned that every student brings a strength to our classroom, and students learn more when they are convinced the teacher knows and believes in their strengths and cares about them individually.” —Tracy Foster, one of this year’s Top Teachers; read about them all starting on page 79.

#LynchburgLiving
Despite the snow and cold temperatures we’ve had the last few months, our community stayed busy and found ways to enjoy the winter!

Share what life looks like in the Hill City. Tag your photos on Instagram, and you may see them featured in a future issue! Know of someone or something exciting? Tell us! Send info to feedback@lynchburgmag.com.