As we bring you our 9th annual Lynchburg Restaurant Week, Aug. 1-8, 2020, we don’t want to ignore the elephant in the room—it hasn’t been a great year for restaurants. After COVID-19 restrictions shut down dining rooms in March, restaurants were able to gradually reopen in May and June. That means now, more than ever, these local businesses need your
support to finish the year strong.

We are thrilled to showcase 11 local restaurants for this year’s week-long Lynchburg Restaurant Week event. Each business has handcrafted a menu that showcases some of their best dishes—at a price you will really love. Flip through the following pages to see what’s cooking and start planning out your stops today.

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Even in light of unprecedented recent challenges in our community and in our world, we look forward to spending time this summer* with family and friends and enjoying some of the wonderful events and attractions the greater Lynchburg region has to offer. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
*As this issue went to print in mid-April, a stay-at-home order was in effect for all Virginians through June 10.

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Register your child right now for the best week of summer ever! Camp Hydaway offers outdoor adventure, ziplining, water-toys, sports, and more in a safe, fun environment centered around Jesus. There are day camps for campers completing 1st – 3rd grade and overnight camps for those completing 3rd – 5th grade. Go to www.camphydaway.com to register.

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The beauty of Red Hill and the landscape surrounding it is virtually unchanged from the days when Patrick Henry lived here. The peacefulness in this place Henry called the “garden spot of the world” flourishes.

July 4th at Red Hill is a day full of living history, music, patriotism and fireworks! Events begin at 3pm, fireworks at dusk. Open year-round. www.redhill.org

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Kick off the start of summer at the 12th Annual Virginia Summer Solstice Wine Festival on June 20th from 11am-6pm at Lazy Days Winery. Celebrate great wines from local Virginia wineries, live music on two stages, great festival foods, craft vendors, belly dancers, a petting zoo and more! Wine tasting tickets include a free souvenir glass. Tasting tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the gate. Admission is free for kids 12 and under.

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Summer is a time when family traditions and memories are made. This summer, take your family on an adventure they’ll never forget! Whether racing around the area’s only go-kart track to the sound of fans cheering in the stands, stealthily navigating the two-story laser tag arena on a mission to secure the team base, or winning big in our 40+ game arcade, one thing is certain: Summer will never be the same again! Summer will be the time when the kids learn that Grandma invented water wars in the bumper boat pool, that Dad can’t be beat at air hockey, and that no one can ace a shot like Mom on the Putt-Putt® course! With great deals on unlimited attractions starting at just $17, Putt-Putt Fun Center® delivers affordable family fun every time! Discounts are available for groups of 15 or more. At these prices, it’s easy to plan a day of adventure at Lynchburg’s destination for family fun! With two 18-hole Putt-Putt® Golf courses, a go-kart track, bumper boats, softball and baseball batting cages, bumper cars, laser tag, and the area’s largest arcade, even Grandpa will be eager to join in on the action. Visit Putt-Putt Fun Center® and begin your summer family tradition today!

8105 Timberlake Rd | 434-237-7888 | puttputt.com/lynchburg

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Did you know that during World War II superheroes promoted the war effort in the pages of comic books? Superman championed Victory Gardens while Captain America, Wonder Woman, and Batman fought the Axis Powers.

Learn more about their influence on World War II during the National D-Day Memorial’s Spirit of ’45: Outdoor Movie Night on Saturday, August 8, 2020 featuring “Captain America: The First Avenger” (PG-13). The movie will start at sunset, approximately 8:00 p.m. Before the movie, you can enjoy superhero themed activities, food trucks, and self-guided tours of the Memorial. Free admission. Learn more at www.dday.org.

Note: The National D-Day Memorial is continually monitoring the evolving COVID-19 situation. Please visit www.dday.org for the most up to date information about this and other events.

A LOOK AHEAD TO THE AREA’S THEATER OPPORTUNITIES

Information Compiled by Emily Mook

If you’re a fan of the theater, the greater Lynchburg region has a little something for everyone. From high school students to professional actors, we are lucky to live in a community that invests in and supports its performers of all levels. To make it even easier, we’ve compiled our annual Theater Preview Guide to highlight the year’s upcoming local shows.

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Community/Professional

Academy Center of the Arts
600 Main Street, Lynchburg
academycenter.org

Community Through Theatre Presents: Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
“Christopher, 15 years old, stands beside Mrs. Shears’ dead dog. It has been speared with a garden fork, it is seven minutes after midnight and Christopher is under suspicion.”
March 7, March 12-14 at 7:30 p.m.,
March 8 and 15 at 2 p.m. at the Joy & Lynch Christian Warehouse Theatre

Opera on the James Presents: The Barber of Seville
“The story is simple: a handsome young nobleman is in love with an independent-minded young woman, who is kept under constant surveillance by her elderly (and ill-tempered) guardian. Enter the Barber, who, through various ruses—one of which includes a mountain of shaving cream—saves the day.”
March 27 at 7 p.m., March 29 at 2 p.m. at the Historic Academy Theatre

Academy Presents:
Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood LIVE!
“Daniel Tiger and his family—along with O the Owl, Miss Elaina, Katerina Kittycat, Prince Wednesday, and more familiar friends—will take audiences on an interactive adventure to the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, sharing stories of friendship, helping others and celebrating new experiences.”
April 5 at 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. at the Historic Academy Theatre

Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest Presents: A Conversation with Mr. Jefferson Featuring Frederick Douglass
“Thomas Jefferson is joined by famed abolitionist, autobiographer, and orator Frederick Douglass for a fascinating look at their lives and legacies.”
April 25 at 7 p.m. at the Historic Academy Theatre

Academy Presents: Reduced Shakespeare Company: The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised]
“All 37 Plays in 97 Minutes! The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] is an irreverent, fast-paced romp through the Bard’s plays.”
May 16 at 7:30 p.m. at the Historic Academy Theatre

Endstation Theatre Company
2500 Rivermont Avenue, Lynchburg
endstationtheatre.org
* All evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m. All matinee performances begin at 2 p.m.

On Golden Pond
“The plot focuses on aging couple Ethel and Norman Thayer, who spend each summer at their home on a lake called Golden Pond. … The play explores the often turbulent relationship [the daughter] shared with her father growing up and the difficulties faced by a couple in the twilight years of a long marriage.”
June 19-21, 23-28 at Thoresen Theatre, Randolph CollegeCollege

Bye Bye Birdie
“Bye Bye Birdie is an American musical about fictional pop sensation Conrad Birdie and his final performance before being drafted to the army.
He promises a song and a kiss to a typical American teenager on the Ed Sullivan Show.”
July 14-19, 21-26 at the Warehouse Theatre, Academy Center of the Arts

The Twelve Dates of Christmas
“Christmas celebrations are just around the corner and Shirley the Partridge has got some problems to solve. The French Hens are arguing, the six geese have flown to Florida for the winter and worst of all… someone has stolen the Five Golden Rings!”
December 17-20, location TBD

Little Town Players
931 Ashland Avenue, Bedford
www.littletownplayers.com

I Hate Hamlet
“TV star Andrew Rally is about to start rehearsals to play Hamlet—and he is terrified. In the midst of his confusion, he is visited by the ghost of legendary actor John Barrymore.” Directed by David Walton.
March 13-15, 20-22

Once Upon a Mattress
“This musical comedy opened off-Broadway in 1959 before moving to Broadway. It was written as an adaptation of the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, ‘The Princess and the Pea.’” Directed by Denis F. Deane.
June 5-7, 12-14
*Friday and Saturday night shows begin at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday shows at 2 p.m.

Renaissance Theatre
1022 Commerce Street, Lynchburg
renaissancetheatrelynchburg.org
* Thursday, Friday, and Saturday shows begin at 8 p.m., doors open at 7:30 p.m. Sunday matinees begin at 3 p.m., doors open at 2:30 p.m.

M*A*S*H: The Play
“The staff of a Korean War field hospital use humor and hijinks to keep their sanity in the face of the horror of war. Some of your favorite characters from the TV show are here: Radar O’Reilly, Painless the dentist and, of course, Hawkeye. Join us for the hilarity as they run amok in the 4077 MASH!”
March 1, 5-7

Other Desert Cities
“Brooke Wyeth returns home to celebrate Christmas. She announces that she is about to publish a memoir dredging up a pivotal and tragic event in the family’s history—a wound they don’t want reopened.”
April 24-25 and May 1-3, 7-9

Nana’s Naughty Knickers
“What Bridget saw as a unique opportunity to stay with her favorite Nana in New York for the summer quickly turns into an experience she’ll never forget! Her sweet Grandma is running an illegal boutique from her apartment, selling hand-made naughty knickers to every senior citizen in the five-borough area!”
July 10-11, 17-19, 23-25

Sister Act
“When disco diva Deloris Van Cartier witnesses a murder, she is put in protective custody in a convent! Using her unique disco moves and singing talent to inspire the choir, Deloris breathes new life into the church and community but, in doing so, blows her cover.”
October 2-3, 9-11, 15-17

A Good Old Fashioned Redneck Country Christmas
“Bill, Dave, and Jimmy have had it with their women! Even though it’s Christmas Eve, the boys decide to hightail it into the mountains for a little hunting and a lot of beer. It’s gonna take a Christmas miracle to get these redneck families back together.”
December 4-5, 11-13, 17-19

Wolfbane Productions
618 Country Club Road, Appomattox
wolfbane.org
* Thursday, Friday, & Saturday Performances: All shows start at 8 p.m., doors open at 7 p.m.
* Sunday Performances: All shows except Young Frankenstein start at 3 p.m., doors open at 2 p.m. Young Frankenstein Sunday performances start at 8 p.m., doors open at 7 p.m.

Steel Magnolias
“Picture it: anybody who’s anybody comes to get their hair done here. Winner of Wolfbane’s 2020 Audience Choice poll, get up close and personal with the ladies like never before: no stage, no curtain, just hair… and a little bit of gossip.”
May 7-10, 14-17, 21-24, 28-31 at The Wolf Den indoor venue

Young Frankenstein
“Based on the hilarious Mel Brooks classic, with all your favorite characters: the famous doctor Frederick Frankenstein (pronounced ‘Fronk-en-steen’), the hunchbacked sidekick Igor (pronounced ‘Eye-gore’), the leggy lab assistant Inga (pronounced normally), and more!”
October 8-11, 15-18, 22-25,
October 29-November 1 at the Wolf PAC outdoor venue

Stranger Sings
“Written exclusively for Wolfbane by Cinco Paul, this highly energetic, feel-good parody returns just in time for the holidays! Based on the first season of the hit Netflix show ‘Stranger Things,’ join Chopper and Twelve (see what we did there) as they journey through another dimension with Eggos, Demogorgons, and Madonna.”
December 3-6, 10-13, 17-20 at the Wolf Den indoor venue

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College

Liberty Tower Theater/Alluvion Stage Company
1971 University Boulevard, Lynchburg
liberty.edu/academics/art/theatre & alluvionstage.com

Sonic-Con Audio Theatre Convention
“Sonic-Con is an audio theatre convention featuring interactive workshops, industry professionals, and live radio dramas. The convention will be the 20th-22nd, but we’ll have select performances available on the evenings of the 23rd and 24th. Tickets to the public performances sold separately from the convention passes.”
March 23-24 at 7:30 p.m. at Liberty University

The Drowsy Chaperone (Academic Performance)
“Hailed by New York Magazine as ‘The Perfect Broadway Musical,’ The Drowsy Chaperone is a masterful meta-musical, poking fun at all the tropes that characterize the musical theatre genre.”
April 17-18, 21, 23-25 at 7:30 p.m.,
April 18 and 25 at 2 p.m.,
April 26 at 3 p.m. at the Tower Theater

University of Lynchburg Theatre
1501 Lakeside Drive, Lynchburg
lynchburg.edu/academics/majors-and-minors/theatre/

Curtain Call Musical Theatre Cabaret
“Come share a night of heartfelt joy, laughter and of course, singing. With music from Bright Star, Once, Big River and more!”
March 27-28 at 7:30 p.m. at Dillard Theatre

Student Theatre Production (production TBD)
“Entirely produced and executed by students working collaboratively to find their own vision and voice. Mature themes and language.”
April 22-24 at 7 p.m. at Studio Theatre Stage

Randolph College Theatre
2500 Rivermont Avenue, Lynchburg
randolphcollege.edu/theatre

The Mousetrap
“A timeless tale of ‘whodunit,’ Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap strands seven strangers at Monkswell Manor during a blizzard. But a police sergeant unexpectedly arrives, worried that a murderer-at-large is among the guests of the Manor.” Directed by Stephanie Holladay Earl.
April 9-12, times TBD

Sweet Briar Theater
135 Chapel Road, Sweet Briar
sbc.edu/arts/theatre-productions/

Circle Mirror Transformation by Annie Baker
“Sweet Briar Theatre presents the acclaimed play by Annie Baker about how a community acting workshop gradually reveals the hopes, fears, and unresolved conflicts among a random group of people in a small New England town. This play is directed by Sarah Jane Grubb as part of her senior project in Theatre.”
May 8-9 at 7:30 p.m. at Babcock Studio Theater

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Youth

Cavalier Theatre
(Jefferson Forest High School)
1 Cavalier Circle, Forest
sites.google.com/bedford.k12.va.us/cavaliertheatrehome/home

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast
“The classic story tells of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress! If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end and he will be transformed into his former self. But time is running out.”
April 30, May 1-3, May 7-8 at 7 p.m.,
May 9-10 at 3 p.m.

City on a Hill Youth Theater
219 Breezewood Drive, Lynchburg
facebook.com/CityOnAHillYouthTheater

Pride and Prejudice
“Finding a husband is hardly Elizabeth Bennet’s most urgent priority. But with four sisters, an overzealous match-making mother, and a string of unsuitable suitors, it’s difficult to escape the subject.”
April 23-May 2, times TBD

Brookville Theatre (Brookville High School)
100 Laxton Road, Lynchburg
facebook.com/BrookvilleHighSchoolTheatre/

42nd Street
“Aspiring chorus girl Peggy Sawyer comes to the big city from Allentown, PA, and soon lands her first big job in the ensemble of a glitzy new Broadway show.”
April 2-3 at 7 p.m., April 4 at 2 p.m.
and 7 p.m., April 5 at 2 p.m.

Fame JR.
“Set during the last years of New York City’s celebrated High School for the Performing Arts in the early 1980s, Fame JR. is the bittersweet, but ultimately inspiring, story of a diverse group of students who commit to four years of grueling artistic and academic work.”
May 21-22 at 7 p.m., May 23 at 2 p.m.

Glass Theatre
(E.C. Glass High School)
211 Memorial Avenue, Lynchburg
ecglasstheatre.org

In the Heights
“Lin Manuel Miranda’s In the Heights tells the universal story of a vibrant community in New York’s Washington Heights neighborhood—a place where the coffee from the corner bodega is light and sweet, the windows are always open, and the breeze carries the rhythm of three generations of music.”
April 29-30, May 1-3 at 7 p.m.

Pioneer Theatre (Heritage High School)
3101 Wards Ferry Road, Lynchburg
lcsedu.net/schools/hhs/about/activities/pioneer-theatre

Roald Dahl’s Matilda, The Musical
“Matilda is a little girl with astonishing wit, intelligence, and psychokinetic powers. She’s unloved by her cruel parents but impresses her schoolteacher, the highly loveable Miss Honey.”
April 3-4 and April 9-11 at 7 p.m.,
April 5 at 3 p.m.

Liberty Christian Academy Theatre
3701 Candlers Mountain Road, Lynchburg
facebook.com/TheatreLca/

The Sound of Music
“Set in Austria on the eve of the Anschluss in 1938, the musical tells the story of Maria, who takes a job as governess to a large family while she decides whether to become a nun.”
May 14-15 at 7 p.m., May 16 at 2 p.m.
and 7 p.m., May 17 at 3 p.m. at Liberty University’s Tower Theatre

Even if you walk the straight and narrow, we’ll all need legal help at some point in our lives. Whether it’s a typical home purchase or a rare estate settlement following the death of a relative, lawyers are there to guide us through some of life’s biggest moments.

For the fourth year in a row, Lynchburg Living is your source to find the region’s best lawyers. We once again partnered with Date Joe Research Company to conduct a peer-to-peer survey within the local legal community.

The lawyers included on this list were nominated by fellow lawyers. That says something about their integrity and professionalism.

You’ll find the full list of this year’s lawyers on the following pages—plus, we’re taking a closer look at real estate law and the top mistakes people make when buying a home.

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Chosen by the people, for the people of greater Lynchburg.

After gathering a staggering 106,000 votes on our website, the results of the 2020 Best Of Lynchburg Awards are in. Dozens of area businesses, destinations, people and more are getting recognition for their strong local following—all thanks to you, our loyal readers.

Flip through to see who earned gold, silver, bronze and honorable mention in numerous categories—and congratulations to this year’s winners!

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Look What I Found!

Staring blankly at that long holiday shopping list? Don’t fret—we’ve got you covered.

On the following pages in the 14th Annual Look What I Found! Holiday Gift Guide, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite local finds—from unique toys for the kids to glamorous accessories for mom.

Enjoy our Virtual Gift Guide below! You can zoom in to read all the details!

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Unconventional recipes that yield amazing results

Photos by RJ GOODWIN

While I love spending time in the kitchen crafting creative, garden-to-table meals, I have a special passion for baking.

Like most beginners, I started out “by the book.”

But over the years, I started tweaking and adjusting my own recipes to bring them to perfection.

If you’re ready to stop following along on the cake box and take your baking skills to the next level, here are three of my favorite recipes that I know will impress your family and friends this holiday season.

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Crusty French Bread (No-Knead)
This recipe makes a crusty loaf of French bread that is as beautifully rustic as it is delicious. It takes a bit of time, but it’s easy and there’s no demand for unusual ingredients. The only special piece of equipment you’ll need is a Dutch oven, such as a Lodge or Le Creuset.

OVERVIEW
Total: 15 hrs 10 min
Prep: 10 min
Inactive: 14 hrs
Cook: 1 hr
Yield: 1 loaf

INGREDIENTS
3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more as needed (King Arthur – All Purpose)
1 1/2 teaspoon salt (Diamond Crystal Kosher)
1/4 teaspoon instant yeast (Saf Instant – Red)
1 1/2 cups water (bottled or filtered)

INSTRUCTIONS
Mix flour, salt and yeast in a mixing bowl. Add 1 1/2 cups of water and mix until combined. The “dough” will be very sticky. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and leave for around 12-16 hours.

Flour your counter or baking board liberally and turn out the dough, fold it twice and let it rest for 15 minutes then shape into a rough ball. Use only as much flour as necessary for the dough not to stick to the counter. Put back in mixing bowl and let rise for 2 hours.

Preheat your oven to 450 degrees and put an empty 4-quart cast iron pot with lid inside (a.k.a. Dutch oven, like Lodge or Le Creuset).

When dough is ready, remove the cast iron pot from oven, take off lid and place the sticky, floury mess of a “loaf” into it, seam side up. Replace the lid and put back into oven. Bake covered for 30 minutes, then remove lid and bake for another 15 minutes. Finally, take bread out of pot and bake for another 15 minutes or until golden brown and delicious. Let cool completely on baking rack before serving.

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Buttery Sugar Cookies
This is my go-to recipe for sugar cookies because they’re delicious and also because it doesn’t require softened butter; you can mix up this dough immediately. Rolling it out is super easy with the dough sandwiched between parchment sheets and chilled. Perfect for a holiday cookie swap!

INGREDIENTS – COOKIES
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup sugar
2 sticks butter, unsalted

INGREDIENTS – ICING
2 2/3 cups confectioners sugar
2 large egg whites
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt

INSTRUCTIONS – COOKIES
Whisk together egg, vanilla and salt in a bowl and set aside. In a second bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda and baking powder.

Process the sugar in food processor until finely ground, about 30 seconds (6 pulses). Add butter and process for another 30 seconds, or until no large pieces of butter are visible. Add egg mixture and process for 10 seconds, or until dough comes together.

Turn out the crumbly dough onto your counter or a baking board and knead for a few seconds until it comes together. Split dough in half. Put the first half in-between two sheets of parchment and roll out until 1/8 of an inch thick, or roughly 7×9 inches. Repeat with second half. Place both dough halves with parchment on a baking sheet in your fridge for 90 minutes or longer to firm up.

Pre-heat your oven to 300 degrees. Line two cookie sheets with parchment. Retrieve one dough sheet and gently peel off top paper, put the paper back and flip—then peel off the second layer the same way. You should now have an exposed sheet of solid dough that is not stuck to the bottom parchment.

Cut out cookies using your favorite cookie cutters and transfer to parchment covered baking sheet. Bake until cookies are just starting to brown, or about 12-15 minutes. Allow to cool for 5 minutes and transfer to wire rack.

INSTRUCTIONS – ICING
Using a stand mixer, whip all ingredients on high until glossy, soft peaks form, or 3-4 minutes. Spread icing onto completely cooled cookies. Let dry completely before serving or storing, or about 45 minutes. Enjoy!

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Double Chocolate Cake
I have probably made this recipe over 100 times and it is my favorite cake in the world. The unique thing is that it calls for oil instead of butter, which makes for a more soft and moist cake. Recently I made a couple of minor tweaks (slightly less leavening and lower temp) that made it even better because it now bakes more evenly.

OVERVIEW
Total: 1 hr 35 min
Prep: 30 min
Inactive: 30 min
Cook: 35 min
Yield: 12 servings

INGREDIENTS – CAKE
Cooking spray, for greasing the pan
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
3/4 cups cocoa powder (love Hershey’s Special Dark!)
1 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt (Diamond Crystal Kosher)
1 cup full fat buttermilk, shaken
1/2 cup vegetable oil (Canola is ok but Avocado oil is better for you)
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup hot brewed coffee

INGREDIENTS – ICING
6 oz semisweet chocolate (Ghirardelli bar is great)
2 sticks unsalted butter (like Kerrigold) at room temp
1 large egg yolk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/4 confectioners sugar, sifted

INSTRUCTIONS – CAKE
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Grease two round 9” pans with cooking spray and line the bottom with rounds of parchment paper. Sift together flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt by pushing through a fine mesh sieve with a spoon (to avoid lumps). Add flour mixture to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment.

In a second bowl, combine buttermilk, oil, eggs and vanilla; whisk to combine. With the mixer on low, add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix to combine, about 15 seconds. Add the hot coffee and mix until just combined.

Divide batter between pans and bake until a toothpick comes out clean, or about 35 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes before using a butter knife to release cake from side, then turn out on cooling racks.

INSTRUCTIONS – ICING
Chop chocolate and melt in heatproof bowl over simmering water. When smooth, set aside to let cool.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter until it gets lighter in color, about 3 minutes. Add the egg yolk and vanilla and beat for another 2 minutes.

With the mixer on low, add the confectioners sugar—1/2 cup at a time (to avoid making a mess). Keep adding until fully incorporated. Spread icing immediately over cooled cake.