Mark Your Calendars July/August 2021

Ladies Night Out: Paddle and a Picnic
July 22, 6 – 8:30 p.m.
Need a ladies night out? Head to Ivy Creek Park for a one-of-a-kind experience with your besties! Enjoy nature while kayaking or canoeing on Clemmons Lake. Finish it all off with a peaceful picnic by the water. Food will be provided. Make sure to register by July 20. Learn more at www.lynchburgparksandrec.com.

Taylor Rodriguez: A Tribute to the King
July 23 & 24
Spend an evening with the King, Elvis Presley! Taylor Rodriguez has been dubbed one of the top five Elvis tribute artists in the world and his versions of country, rock ’n’ roll, and classic hits will have you dancing in your seat! This performance is a part of Endstation Theatre’s Summer Festival and will be held at the University of Lynchburg Pavilion. Learn more at www.endstationtheatre.org.

Hero Day
July 31, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Grab your friends and family (and your cape, of course) for Wolfbane Productions’ Hero Day, a celebration of all your fictional and nonfictional favorites. The Blended Soul Food Truck will be on site. Learn more at wolfbane.org.

Trace Adkins
August 9, 8 – 10 p.m.
Country singer Trace Adkins is making his way to Lynchburg! The Louisiana native has produced hit after hit for his fans, while accumulating Grammy nominations and CMT and ACM awards. If you are a country fan, you will want to be at the Historic Academy Theater for a performance for the ages! Learn more at academycenter.org.

Face the Forest
August 21, 7:30 a.m.- 12 p.m.
This 5K obstacle course run through Poplar Forest will have you flipping tires, climbing walls, balancing teeter-totters, and braving through mud with your team of friends or family members. All entry fees go to support children’s educational programming at Poplar Forest and the YMCA’s campaign to provide resources to family and youth in the community. Learn more at poplarforest.org.

Rising Stars
Two talented women with local connections are celebrating big success!

We knew her when…
Liberty University graduate Jane Marczewski (aka Nightbirde) was the talk of the town in June as she appeared on “America’s Got Talent” and got the coveted Golden Buzzer from judge Simon Cowell. She also moved the country to tears with her incredible optimism in the face of fighting cancer.

We have covered Jane’s story through the years—first in our September/October 2014 issue (she was even on the cover) and then again in July/August 2019, “The Resurrection of Jane,” after the singer-songwriter returned to Lynchburg and talked about fighting breast cancer.

On the show, Jane told the judges she still has traces of cancer in her body and also revealed she has a 2% chance of survival: “But 2% is not 0%” she explained, adding that “it’s important that everyone knows I’m so much more than the bad things that happen to me.”

Jane’s audition song, “It’s OK,” made it to the top of the Apple Music chart and a hashtag for her is trending: #seejanewinAGT. The live shows for AGT begin on August 10 and run through September 15.

Moving on up!
Local celebrity Mary Catherine Garrison will be taking her acting talents to new HBO comedy series “Somebody Somewhere.” She will play the role of Tricia Murphy, the co-owner of a hometown store in Kansas. The show is currently in production in Chicago.

Garrison has plenty of Broadway and television credits to her name already, including her recurring role in, “Veep,” an HBO political satire. She has called Lynchburg home since 2017 after moving to the Hill City with her husband and son.

We featured Garrison and her home in the March/April 2019 issue of Lynchburg Living. “The Creative’s Haven” highlighted her eclectic and artistic style. The actress also makes original ceramics, paintings and jewelry.

Speaking about her new gig on Instagram, Garrison said: “If I had sat down and drawn up the EXACT perfect dream job it would be *exactly* this show. … Do dreams actually come true?????!!!”

Local Openings & Closings

Hello! to 7 Rooftop Bar on the Bluffwalk in downtown Lynchburg.
Hello! to Adams Clocks and Repair in downtown Bedford.
Hello! to Buff City Soap on Wards Road.
Goodbye to Fit Body Boot Camp in Forest.
Hello! to Peak Athletics taking their place.
Hello! to VR Play, offering a virtual reality experience, in Wyndhurst.
Hello! to Wyndhurst Nutrition, serving meal replacement shakes and loaded teas.
Hello! to Ahh, Smash It on Linkhorne Drive.
Hello! to a new location of Fusion Salon on Route 221 in Forest.
Hello! to two new Appomattox-based food trucks: Downtown Cairo and Iceland’s.
Hello! to a brick-and-mortar location of Sweet Indulgence Bakery on McConnville Road.
Goodbye to the Baby Giraffe on Forest Road; they hope to move online soon.
Hello! to a bigger location of LuLu’s Closet taking their place.

Photo By Dave Henderson

Every Tuesday at 6 p.m., cyclists of all ages and skill levels gather downtown for what’s become a beloved Hill City tradition: Pints After Pedals. After meeting at Bikes Unlimited on Jefferson Street, the group takes an hour-long ride on the Blackwater Creek Trail before coming back to the Glass House for food and beverages.

The owners of The Water Dog/The Glass House and Bikes Unlimited started the event series four years ago as a way to build community in the downtown area. Now, anywhere from 50-90 people come out for the ride each week.

Want to join? It’s easy. Just show up with your bike and get ready to ride!

When it comes to planning and executing a styled shoot, you have to be prepared to roll with the punches.

While we had planned to photograph a historic-meets-modern tablescape outdoors, mother nature decided otherwise. March 27 was looking clear as a bell up until the morning of our planned shoot; out of nowhere, it seemed, the forecast called for heavy rain and thunderstorms that afternoon/evening and that’s exactly how it played out.

Nevertheless, the Lynchburg Living team made it work, thanks to the extremely hospitable Mikael (Taste contributor) and Traci Blido who helped us carry out our vision in their sunroom and even let us forage for extra fresh greenery in their backyard.

Most of the props—from the plates to the old books to the linens—were rounded up from everyone’s houses. Art Director Chris Meligonis lead the way in assembling the table from the first piece of greenery to the last lighting of a candle.

Photographer Ashlee Glen traded her usual step ladder for a much taller version to help us capture the best overhead angles of the heritage-inspired recipes created by Mikael.

Meanwhile, Editor Shelley Basinger sat on the couch watching everyone work while drinking wine. (Kidding. She helped too. But there was one small wine break.)

Read the full feature, learn some local fare history and get a little hungry, starting on page 96!

Mark Your Calendars May/June 2021

Sunset on 7th Concert Series
May 8, June 19, July 17
The Academy Center of the Arts is back and ready to party this summer! The Sunset on 7th Series will be held in the Pacific Life parking lot, featuring the No BS! Brass Band in May, Joslyn & The Sweet Compression in June and The Hackensaw Boys in July. Enjoy the show from your own personal parking space “pod” with up to 10 guests. Learn more at academycenter.org.

Memorial Day 10K
May 31, 8 a.m.
For the past five years, Lynchburg Road Runners Club and Type 1 Diabetes Experience have partnered together for this race that supports local families living with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. If a 10K isn’t for you, try the shorter two-mile walk to support the cause. Learn more at runsignup.com.

Steel Magnolias
June 3-27,
various showtimes
Join Truvy, Shelby and the rest of the gossiping gang as Wolfbane Productions brings this Southern classic to life at its Appomattox Wolf Den venue. The hilarious repartee and heartbreaking moments make this a beautiful show you won’t forget. Learn more at wolfbane.org.

Outdoor Summer Job Fair
June 24, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Dust off your resume and save the date for this free job fair at the Forest Public Library, sponsored by the Bedford County Chamber of Commerce. Advance registration is not required.

Discover Your Downtown

Raise a Toast to River Restoration

During the month of May, you can enjoy one of Starr Hill Brewery’s award-winning beers while supporting an impactful nonprofit at the same time.
Starr Hill’s “Love Your River” program is a partnership with the James River Association. Every time someone buys The Love Wheat Beer in May, the brewery will donate $1 to the JRA.

“All great beer starts with great water,” says Brewmaster Robbie O’Cain. “We are encouraging our fans to support river restoration and show their ‘Love’ for the largest river in Virginia. As a brewer and a fisherman, I know how important it is for our community to maintain our waterways and we hope that the craft beer community will support this exciting and important program.”

According to the JRA, more than 2.7 million Virginians rely on the James for their drinking water.

Local Openings & Closings

Hello! to The Ridge, formerly Phase 2. The entertainment venue has new owners after being up for sale since 2019.

Hello! to the Backyard in Forest, featuring multiple food trucks and gathering space.

Hello! to Kaleidoscope Studios on Fifth Street.

Hello! to women’s clothing

store Carter Bates inside River Ridge Mall.

Hello! to Main Street Sports Bar and Grill on Main Street.

Goodbye to Chestnut Hill Hardware, a fixture on Fort Avenue since 1948.

Hello! to Popeyes on Candlers Mountain Road.

Hello! to a new location of Blue Mountain Barn in River Ridge Mall.

Hello! (again) to Gary’s Garden Center, now on Leesville Road.

Hello! to The Chicken Coupe Boutique in Amherst.

Hello! to the second location of Elite Realty on Graves Mill Road.

Hello! to Hearts & Kisses on Leesville Road offering wedding gown and formal dress rentals.

Hello! to Fratelli Italian

Kitchen, now open on the Bluffwalk downtown.

Hello! to Alpaca by Jaca, moving to a new location inside River Ridge Mall.

Hello! to Findings, a unique curated art gallery in the Boonsboro Shopping Center.

The life-changing benefits of unplugging

When I emailed Nick George, executive director of nonprofit The Listening, earlier this year, a line under his email signature grabbed my attention. “I am offline from sundown on Friday to sundown on Saturday, when I observe a ‘tech sabbath’,” it read.

I was intrigued and asked Nick to tell me more.

Nick says he has been taking a 24-hour break from technology for a couple of years after getting the idea from a friend’s email signature as well. During this time frame, Nick says he spends time with family, catches up on errands and will even talk on the phone or FaceTime with his parents—so it’s not completely tech-free, but there’s no absentminded scrolling through social media or responding to emails. “There’s something nostalgically simple about it. I find myself appreciating the weekend more,” says Nick.

According to Alisha Walker Marciano, Ph.D., professor of physiological science at University of Lynchburg, reducing exposure to technology, even for short periods of time, is helpful to prevent what’s known as cognitive overload. “We might be doing work on the computer and have five tabs open and a phone next to us. This requires us to constantly shift our attention, leading to cognitive overload,” she explains. “Having that happen constantly can be problematic because it keeps people from being able to focus on the tasks they are trying to complete. It can make people feel more fatigued.”

All of this connects to our social and emotional health as well. Marciano says that some past research has found if a cell phone was present in a face-to-face conversation, the individuals in that conversation reported feeling less connected to the people they were speaking to.

Social media, in particular, is of specific concern. Constant use of the platforms has been linked to excessive feelings of depression and anxiety. “One study found that people who gave up Facebook for a week actually reported better psychological wellbeing than people who did not,” she says.

If you aren’t glued to your phone, you may be more likely to get outside and enjoy the outdoors—which Marciano explains is linked to tons of benefits: “Exposure to nature, even if it’s just going on a walk in a neighborhood, improves attention, is associated with better mood, lowers stress, and improves short term memory.”

Marciano recognizes that not everyone is going to want to disconnect or be able to disconnect for a full 24 hours, like Nick. But she says there are smaller ways people can reduce distractions:
• Put your phone on “do not disturb” for a little while each day.
• Cut down on the number of notifications you receive from various apps.
• Set boundaries for certain times of the day to stop checking work emails or social media.
• Keep your phone at a distance at bedtime and overnight.

“It doesn’t have to be all or nothing to be beneficial,” she says. “Generally, being more intentional about your use of technology, having a purpose and using it with a purpose will help you reduce how much time you spend online.”

Two years after he started setting some tech boundaries, Nick doesn’t feel restricted but instead views the tech-free time as a gift.

“It’s not intended to be legalistic or bar you from getting work done,” he explains. “But at the same time, if your intention is to take care of your mind and spirit, it’s totally worth it to leave work at work and live your best life on purpose!”

Get to know your heart rate to improve your health and fitness journey

Walk into almost any gym, or even simply stroll the mall, and you’ll spot a very familiar accessory in our 21st-century world—the Apple Watch. Just a quick glance down at your wrist can tell you how many steps you’ve taken, how many calories you’ve burned, how long you slept last night and your heart rate at any given time. The last of these may be one of the most unsung metrics of health and fitness.

By definition, your heart rate, also known as your pulse, is the number of times your heart beats per minute. You have a “resting” heart rate when your body is in a complete state of rest, an “active” heart rate when you are moving, and a “max” rate that you would reach at the peak of an intense workout.

“Knowing your ‘normal’ resting and active heart rate can be important to signify if there are any heart or other health conditions that need to be addressed, especially as we age,” says Tasha McConnell, M.S., certified personal trainer and head trainer at Burn Boot Camp Lynchburg. “A good time to check your resting heart rate is right after you wake up from a good night’s sleep and before you get out of bed.”

The American Heart Association defines anywhere from 60-100 beats per minute to be a normal resting heart rate. “There are some experts that believe 50-70 is actually a better ideal resting rate. Keep in mind a healthy heart rate will vary from person to person and depends on the situation,” she says, adding that factors such as stress, anxiety, hormones, medications, supplements, and fitness levels are all variables.

Once you know your resting heart rate, you will want to start keeping track of where that number is when you are exercising. “Knowing your max and active rate can help you understand how hard to push during a workout,” McConnell says.

Calculate your max heart rate first to act as a benchmark.
“Generally, you will take 220 minus your age. This is an estimate
and it will vary person to person,” McConnell says. “A good goal in terms of health and fitness would be to stay at about 85% of that number during intentional exercise.”

So for a 35-year-old woman, your max heart rate would be approximately 185. During a workout, staying around 157 beats per minute would show you are pushing yourself hard enough and optimizing your workout.

Keep in mind that your max heart rate is not a number you want to sustain for long periods of time. McConnell says not only is it difficult, it could be dangerous, with symptoms such as shortness of breath, dizziness and chest pains likely for an average, healthy person.

“These would all be warning signs to slow down,” says McConnell. “Your body is wired for survival and would warn you if it sensed something wrong.”

Your watch won’t tell you to stop—that’s up to you! It’s also important not to take the numbers too seriously. According to McConnell, the accuracy of fitness trackers is often debated. “They use a green LED light that can monitor blood flow through the wrist. Blood flow at the wrist is said to be slower versus near the heart,” she says, but counters that fitness trackers can be a useful tool for fitness to act as a baseline for users.

When all else fails, get your heart rate—resting, active or max—the old-fashioned way. Find your pulse at your wrist or neck. Count the beats for one minute or, if you are short on time, count the beats for
15 seconds and multiply by four.

One of photographer Brianne Friberg’s favorite backdrops is Downtown Lynchburg. “I love the varied architecture and unique photo opportunities it provides,”
she explains.

Last year, as part of a weekly photo challenge group called 52Frames, she recruited two friends—dancers Adell Ehrhorn and Ronnie Brady—to run around downtown and create a few magical dance shots. “We had to wait out a brief, but strong, rain storm, which allowed for a perfect ‘Singing in the Rain’ vibe with the wet sidewalks,” she says.

Photo by Brianne Friberg

We want to see your “Perspective” of greater Lynchburg. You don’t have to be a professional! Send photos to shelley@lynchburgmag.com or use the hashtag #lynchburglivingmagazine on social media.

Enjoy tasty pies with a “glass half full” atmosphere at the Hill City’s newest pizzeria

Bringing Mellow Mushroom to Lynchburg was a four-year labor of love for father-and-son team Gary and Brit Campbell, along with Tyler Dotson, with much of the hard work taking place in the height of a historic pandemic. But the uproarious response to the pizza restaurant since its grand opening in January has made it all worth it, showing them a lot about the Lynchburg community, the power of food, and our collective desire to be with others.

“It’s been a vision of ours to do something together for quite a while now,” Brit said. “We’ve been to a few Mellow Mushrooms in the past, and we love the atmosphere, the eclectic vibe… Mellow Mushroom fit all of the criteria that we were looking for and was something we wanted to bring to Lynchburg.”

The building off Greenview Drive in the Cornerstone community was renovated to fit a Roaring Twenties theme that includes stained glass windows and a quote from Charlie Chaplin inscribed on a side wall that says, “A day without laughter is a day wasted.”

“The Roaring Twenties theme, it kind of aligns with our theme of today where it’s about enjoyment, glass is always half full—it’s positivity, inclusion, acceptance, all these kinds of things, especially in today’s climate,” Gary said.

Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers was founded in 1974 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Each restaurant is locally owned and operated, specializing in stone-baked pizzas—from the “Great White” with an olive oil and garlic base to the “Mighty Meaty” and the “Funky Q. Chicken.” Customers can also order munchies such as wings and spinach artichoke dip or choose from a nice list of “Liquid Karma” cocktails and other libations.
Brit says his number one meal has always been pizza—and that he is a lover of food in general. However, he also loves serving people. Now, he has a career where he feels he can do both.

“We created a restaurant where we felt like everybody can come together and enjoy some good food.

Have a good time,” he says.

“The financials are important. You’ve got to make money to make it work. But that certainly isn’t the lone motivator. The best motivator is truly to see people smile, and look around and see the happiness that comes as a result of something—a little piece of commitment to this community that we’ve been able to make.”

By Ashley Turner
Photos by Lucas Moore

Since last summer, we have watched the site of the 2021 Lynchburg Living Idea House be transformed from an empty piece of land to a classic Colonial-style home with the latest technology and amenities.

The ongoing pandemic caused product delays, and mother nature played her tricks from time to time. But we pushed through and, by February, we were finally able to put (most of) the finishing touches on the interior and exterior.

Photographer Ashlee Glen took on the task of taking more than 10 portrait shoots for our Idea House Preferred Partners in only a few days before our print deadline. Working alongside her was photographer Woody Watts, who was available at a moment’s notice to take the final interior shots and then returned to the house once ice had melted to take photos of the exterior.

We are proud to unveil this year’s home—flip to page 42 to read the full feature!

Mark Your Calendars

“Ordinary Time: A Visual Record of the In-Between”
March 5 (opening night) – March 31
Local photographer Laura Beth Davidson will be showing her documentary-style collection of family photos at the Academy Center of the Arts’ Up Front Gallery. The collection features real, everyday life with four children. Learn more at www.laurabethdavidson.com. In the May/June issue of Lynchburg Living, learn more about Laura Beth’s work including her family’s challenging year that has made her appreciate the “in-between” even more.

Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express
April 8-11, 15-18, 22-25, 29-30 and May 1, 2
Winner of Wolfbane Productions’ 2021 Audience Choice Poll, don’t miss this thrilling, suspenseful roller coaster of a murder mystery, presented in their one-of-a-kind immersive style. Will you survive the ride? Find more information at wolfbane.org.

United Way 5K on the Runway
April 10, 8 a.m.
Experience Lynchburg Regional Airport like you never have before! This race is perfect for participants who are able to complete a 5K in 60 minutes or less.
The flat course on the taxiway parallel to the main runway is a great place to try and beat your personal record. Register at runsignup.com.

Historic Garden Day
April 20
Part of Historic Garden Week, this annual springtime event allows you to walk through four beautiful properties in Lynchburg at your own pace. Learn more about the history of Historic Garden Week, as well as more details about Lynchburg’s tour, in our This City feature starting on page 93.

Historic Flowers on Display
April 30-May 2, May 7-9, and May 13, 15.
Located in Lynchburg, Stormy Weather Iris Gardens is a private house garden consisting of over 200 varieties of tall bearded iris.
It is one of only two Historic Iris Display Gardens in the state of Virginia. All tours are free
but must be scheduled in advance. Learn more at
www.stormyweatheririsgardens.com.

Reimagine Grocery Shopping
While a trip to your local grocery store is inevitable, you can find a wide range of items for sale in downtown Lynchburg and support local businesses at the same time!
From ramen broth at Aji to oysters at The Water Dog to an expanded grocery store in the Lynchburg Community Market, there are so many diverse products to be found in the heart of our city.

Read more in the Downtown Lynchburg Association’s latest blog, “Creative Ways to Stock your Shelves,” at www.downtownlynchburg.com/our-blog.

Local Openings & Closings
Hello! to a new location of Simply Vanilla Gourmet Cheesecakes at River Ridge.

Hello! to That Latin Place, reopening with new owners on Jefferson Street.

Hello! to Pho Viet, a Vietnamese restaurant in Forest.

Hello! to Black Diamond Day Spa on Timberoak Court.

Goodbye to Jimmy’s on the James, for now.
The restaurant closed down due to COVID-19 restrictions and is currently up for sale.

Hello! to Drift Draft, a mobile tap trailer for rent that serves Bedford and beyond.

Hello! to T.C. Trotter’s on Commerce Street.
The long-time Lynchburg business opened a downtown store specifically for its popular Moose Mix.