At AR Workshop Lynchburg we welcome you to come and make your craftymess or try your craftiness with us. We are truly a DIY workshop. In our space you are invited to try your hand at making signs, pillows, finger knitting chunky knit blankets and pillows, wreath making, candle making, jewelry stamping, bottle painting for special occasions, squeege art, and many other projects. We walk you through each project step-by-step and encourage you to use our power tools to finish off your projects when needed.
In addition to crafting all the fun projects we offer, we have unique retail to complement what you have made.
Come visit us at AR Workshop Lynchburg located in Wyndhurst by the Jamerson Y.
Pictured: Ginny Griffith, Owner
AR WORKSHOP 1705 Enterprise Drive, Suite 140 Lynchburg, VA 434-439-4180 arworkshop.com/lynchburg
The Face of Local Markets: Anderson’s Country Market II
Our family-owned business purchases candy, snacks, and baking items in bulk and breaks each into smaller portions to help families save on costs. We have an excellent deli with specialty meats and cheeses from a company based in Pennsylvania which can be ordered to slice or put on one of our hand-crafted sandwiches. Our sandwiches are made fresh on handmade bread made in-store and can be made into a combo with salads and desserts. Our garden center has a variety of gorgeous annuals, perennials, and shrubs, all from local greenhouses and nurseries. Anderson’s seasonal produce is sourced locally to ensure we have the freshest produce on the market. See our unique, hard-to-find products and enjoy a sandwich with us!
PICTURED: (Left to Right) Cheyenne Clay, Ramsi Brown,Lara Hicks, Sarah Skeens – Owner,Josh Skeens – Owner, Lisa Branham, Kevin Byrnes
ANDERSON’S COUNTRY MARKET II 3748 South Amherst Highway Madison Heights, VA 24572 434-528-9393
50 Reasons to Love Summer in Central Virginia
Summertime in the south-is there anything better? We’ve corralled the best ways to beat the heat, soak up the long days, and enjoy local summer bounty so you never have to spend a single moment wondering what to do this summer.
Faces of Lynchburg July/August 2023
Best of Hall of Fame Winners July/August 2023
Earning a Best of Lynchburg award should be celebrated, and earning this recognition year after year earns a business a spot in the Hall of Fame.
To place in our Best of Lynchburg Hall of Fame, a business, person, or place needs to have won a gold level award in a particular category for the majority of the last eight years—since VistaGraphics first launched the contest.
Flip through to see who is the best of the best in the region!
(Voting for the 2024 Best Of Lynchburg Awards begins July 27. Look for those winners in the January/February issue of Lynchburg Living!)
2024 Giving Back Awards
Welcome to the 2024 Giving Back Awards! These awards are designed to recognize and honor outstanding non-profit organizations in our region who go above and beyond for the greater Lynchburg area. If you are involved or know of non-profit organization that deserves to be recognized, nominate them below! We will be accepting submissions from June 10 – July 29, 2024.
Note: We are looking for one quality detailed submission per organization that accurately depict the non-profits’ efforts and results in the local community.
If you’d like to nominate a business or company in the Community Impact Appreciation Awards, you may do so here.
Val’s Comfort Kitchen
Serving the community through food
Lynchburg residents in search of authentic southern cooking need look no further than Val’s Comfort Kitchen, which serves the community through its delicious soul food.
Started in March 2022 by Valerie Braxton, the restaurant provides a wide variety of options to cater to each customer’s needs, including cooking vegetables in smoked turkey to provide for customers with Alpha-gal restrictions as well as providing healthy meals for those with health concerns.
Although Val’s is only entering its second year of business, Braxton said that she has spent the last 30 years working in the food industry, including her time with her catering business Lasting Impressions Catering Services, as well as her previous restaurant Soul Food Express.
Braxton stated that some of her main selling points are her meatloaf and fish sandwiches, both of which she claims are the best in Lynchburg.
“I have guests that will come in and if we don’t have meatloaf, ‘Val, we’ll see you tomorrow when you have meatloaf,’” Braxton said. “The meatloaf and the meatloaf sauce are a seller. I make that every single day.”
Photos by Ashlee Glenn
While customers quickly fall in love with the food, Val’s Comfort Kitchen also provides a community unlike any other.
“This place here is filled with love,” said Braxton, who noted that she takes time to speak with patrons at every table, regardless of how busy she is. “We cook with love. We treat our guests as if they’re family. We never meet a stranger.
Our food here speaks for itself. It is good home-cooked, wholesome comfort food.”
Instead of treating customers as simply opportunities to make money, she cares for them as individuals.
Photos by Ashlee Glenn
“My focus point is helping others who need help… I have people that walk through those doors and they’re hungry and we feed them,” Braxton said. “I understand they don’t have money, that’s fine. My goal is to give back to the community.”
Braxton attributes this care for others to her faith in God.
“God is the center of this thing,” she said. “I’ll shout it from the rooftops because He is why we’re here.”
Summer on a Plate
Recipes & Photos Courtesy of Laura Miner, Cook at Home Mom
Nothing says summer like making dishes with fresh, local ingredients. Kick off the season with summer-inspired recipes by food blogger Laura Miner. Find Laura’s kitchen tour on page 65 and find more of her delicious, healthy recipes at cookathomemom.com.
Beetroot & Feta Salad (photo above)
This delicious and easy beetroot and feta salad is tossed with walnuts, dates, and fresh herbs, then drizzled in a simple vinaigrette—the perfect side or appetizer.
Servings: 4 servings Calories: 308kcal Total Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients
2 cups diced cooked beets (About 3-4 medium beets) 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese 1/2 cup chopped walnuts 4 pitted dates diced 2 Tablespoons minced fresh mint 2 Tablespoons minced fresh dill 2 Tablespoons vinegar use white balsamic, regular balsamic, or red wine vinegar. 3 Tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
1. Prep the ingredients. Dice the beets, mince the herbs, and chop the walnuts and dates into small pieces.
2. Add all the ingredients to a medium-sized bowl. Toss with the oil and vinegar and season to taste with salt and pepper. Because the feta cheese is fairly salty, you may not need much extra salt. And that’s it!
3. Serve right away or cover and refrigerate until you’re ready to eat it.
4 apriums 1 small bunch fresh basil 4 ounces prosciutto 4 ounces mozzarella cheese (either buy mozzarella pearls or slice into bite sized pieces) 2 Tablespoons balsamic reduction or use balsamic vinegar salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Prepare the Chicken
1. Preheat your grill to medium, about 375F. Trim the chicken breasts and gently pound them to a uniform thickness.
2. Whisk the oil and vinegar together and drizzle over the chicken breasts in a rimmed dish. Sprinkle with the Italian seasoning and cover. Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes.
3. Brush the grill with a little oil and lay the chicken breasts with space between them on the grill. Cook for about 5 minutes, turn, and cook for another 5 minutes or until cooked through.
Do the Prep Work
1. Meanwhile, wash and dice the apriums. Slice the basil. Get the prosciutto, balsamic reduction and mozzarella cheese out of the fridge.
Assemble & Serve
1. Arrange the cooked chicken breasts on a large platter and top with the diced apriums, mozzarella pearls, slices of prosciutto, and fresh basil. Drizzle the balsamic reduction and season lightly with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.
A delicious and simple meal filled with bright, delicious flavors!
Servings: 4 people Calories: 914kcal Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes Equipment: Pressure Cooker / Instant Pot
Ingredients
1 pork shoulder roast 1 head bibb or butter lettuce 2 avocados 1 Tablespoon minced cilantro
Pickled Cabbage
2 cups purple cabbage thinly sliced or shredded 1 clove garlic 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar 2 Tablespoons lime juice 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
Cook the Pork Roast
1. Add the pork roast and 1 cup of water or broth to your Instant Pot. Cover and turn to High Pressure (or Meat/Stew) and set to cook for 55 minutes. Alternately, to cook the pork directly from frozen, set the Instant Pot to High Pressure for 75 minutes.
2. Once the pork is cooked, allow for a Natural Pressure Release (simply wait for the pressure to release, which takes about 15 minutes). Open the lid and remove the roast. Use two forks to shred the pork into bite sized pieces. Spoon a bit of the liquid over the shredded pork.
Make the Pickled Cabbage
1. While the pork is cooking, make the pickled cabbage. Thinly slice the cabbage. Set it in a bowl or mason jar.
2. Bring the apple cider, garlic, lime juice and seasonings to a simmer. Pour the mixture over the cabbage and stir it to coat. Set it on the counter and allow it to come to room temperature.
Prep the Ingredients
1. Mince the cilantro and slice the limes. Wash the lettuce leaves. Wait until just before serving to dice the avocado to prevent it from browning.
Assemble and Serve
1. Serve the pork, pickled cabbage, avocado, and cilantro, with slices of lime, and assemble in individual lettuce cups.
When it comes to planning your family’s summer, balance is key. There is much to be said for the lazy, hazy days that find you laying outside with a good book and a glass of lemonade, but having too many of those days—especially when kids are involved—is a no-go. Luckily, adding structure to your summer also adds fun and excitement! The following pages are full of family-friendly events, outstanding organizations, and adventurous activities that will make your summer memorable—and the furthest thing from monotonous.
Imagination Station We are keeping little minds growing and creating through art. Masterpieces will be made on different canvases, ceramics, glass, tiles, or wood, while learning to use a variety of mediums. These consist of but are not limited to acrylic, watercolors, oil pastels, gesso, charcoal and much more. Pack a NUT-FREE lunch with a drink and get ready to create. Visit imaginationstationstudios.com for more information.
Lynchburg Parks & Recreation Lynchburg Parks and Recreation offers a variety of services and activities to residents and visitors. We maintain over 40 miles of our trails and 17 parks, which offer organized and open areas for recreation, enjoying a picnic, fishing, canoeing and kayaking, and children’s play. Find your summertime fun with us! lynchburgparksandrec.com.
Johnson Health Center Johnson Health Center is a non-profit, Federally Qualified Health Center with locations in the city of Lynchburg as well as Amherst, Bedford and Campbell Counties. Services include primary care, behavioral health, dental, OB/GYN and on-site pharmacies. All insurances are accepted and new patients are always welcome.
Coming in 2024 – the new Amherst County Community Health Center! This new health center will combine many current services including adult and pediatric primary care, behavioral health, pharmacy with drive-thru, and provide a wellness center designed to facilitate nutritional education and physical fitness.
With your all fun-filled summer activities let the professionals at Johnson Health Center help keep you healthy. For more information visit jhcvirginia.org
Liberty University Looking for an unforgettable camp experience? Look no further than Liberty University! We offer a wide variety of camps including athletic camps, academic camps, and external camps and conferences from June to August! Whether you’re taking the field at Football Camp, making your musical debut in the theatre, or snowboarding downhill at Snowflex, there is something for everyone at Liberty University, and Liberty provides several opportunities for campers of all ages to create memories while developing their skills and building a strong foundation with Christ! If you would like to learn more about all Liberty University Summer Camps has to offer, visit our website at www.liberty.edu/summer-camps/.
Natural Bridge Zoo
Natural Bridge Zoo is the wildest place in the state of Virginia, full of fun and excitement for any age! We allow you to get close and personal with a wide variety of rare and endangered animals. Stare into the eyes of a huge white tiger, feed a giraffe, hug a llama, and have a parakeet land on your hand in parakeet landing. Experience an elephant ride by looking at the world from a different view point while feeling the gait of the elephants walk (offered scheduled days/times). See a wide variety of beautiful birds, colorful goats, monkeys, deer, mountain lions and many more. Spend a wonderful day at the Natural Bridge Zoo creating lasting memories with the whole family. For more information, call 540-291-2420 or visit naturalbridgezoo.com.
Lynchburg Scene Newsletter Subscribe to the Free Lynchburg Living Scene Newsletter! There is always something going on in the greater Lynchburg area—so much, in fact, that we have an entire newsletter dedicated to sharing what’s current. Don’t miss out on weekly reminders pertaining to some of the best local happenings. From big events like festivals and concerts to small events like farmers markets and small business events, we cover it all. Sign up at LynchburgLiving.com.
Patrick Henry’s Red Hill Patrick Henry’s Red Hill is the perfect place to spend your summer! Join us all season long for monthly lectures, walking tours, and our signature Independence Day Celebration.
Our 1,000 acres provide the perfect setting for your visit. Whether you’re an avid historian, a casual hiker, or want to get outside, you’ll always be welcomed at Patrick Henry’s Red Hill. Visit redhill.org for more information.
Putt-Putt Fun Center Lynchburg
As you plan your summer fun, think beyond the routine road trip and Let The Fun Begin!TM with all the action and competition to be experienced at a 3+ acre indoor/outdoor family entertainment park!
Feel the Breeze
Jump into the driver’s seat and become champion of the asphalt, zooming around our track for a rush of pure adrenaline. We have karts for single riders, as well as karts that can accommodate a parent and child.
Get Wet
A cool splash on a water ride is a great way to beat the summer heat. Battle it out with friends during a whirling, twirling and wet ride on our bumper boats equipped with water cannons.
Bring it Inside
Escape the heat and team up with family and friends. Guaranteeing nonstop excitement, our laser tag arena is the only two-story arena in Lynchburg. With ALL NEW laser tag vests, our arena is the place to escape sunburn and see who really the ultimate champion is.
Let’s Chill
Chillout and test your skills with the latest and greatest games like NERF and Minion Soccer. Plus, all the classics like air hockey and skee ball. After you’ve won all the points you can, turn them in at the redemption counter for awesome prizes.
Loop the 18
Bragging rights are at stake on our two 18-hole Putt-Putt® Golf courses! Soak in the fun AND the Vitamin D with the entire family. You may even get lucky and ace your shot on our skill-based par 2 courses! Visit PuttPutt.com/Lynchburg-VA to start the fun!
YMCA Summer at the YMCA is an experience like no other. It’s a time for kids to make new friends, try new things, and create unforgettable memories. With a wide range of programs and activities, the YMCA is the perfect place for children to spend their summer. From swimming and sports to arts and crafts, there’s something for everyone. YMCA summer camp offers a safe and supportive environment where children can grow, learn, and have fun. With experienced counselors and staff, parents can rest assured that their kids are in good hands. In addition to the camp, the YMCA offers swim lessons, sports programs, and other activities for children of all ages.To learn more about the YMCA, visit ymcacva.org.
Stormy Weather Iris Gardens
A Historic Iris Display Garden in Lynchburg
Kansas City, Missouri, native, Shana Gammon has been around irises her whole life and the familiar has become her passion. Gammon is the owner of Stormy Weather Iris Gardens, a private house garden that sits on a quarter acre within Lynchburg City limits.
Consisting of five beds and 200 different varieties of tall bearded iris, the garden officially opened to the public in 2017.
“I started doing floral photography in 2006 or 2007,” Gammon said of how the garden got its start. “I exhibited nationally and worked with hospitals around the country, providing photos for their galleries and so on. With four children, it was easier to grow what I wanted to photograph rather than travel around to shoot. Irises were one of the flowers I started growing at that time and they became one of my favorite flowers.”
Stormy Weather Iris Garden grows irises in every color and color pattern, from Plicata and Broken Color irises to Amoena and several Space Age varieties.
Photos courtesy of Gammon Imagery
“All are tall bearded, but each is different,” said Gammon.
As if walking among a sea of multicolored irises weren’t special enough, Stormy Weather Iris Garden is also one of two Historic Iris Display Gardens in Virginia, with the second being Tufton Farm at Monticello.
“I love history, so joining the Historic Iris Society was a perfect fit for me,” explained Gammon. “One of the requirements is that you have to have at least 15 historic iris varieties in your garden and the garden should be open to the public. We have more than 15 historic varieties, but we also have many newer introductions.”
To qualify as a historic iris, the iris must have been introduced to the American Iris Society 30 years ago or earlier.
To visit Stormy Weather Iris Gardens, simply email stormyweatheriris@yahoo.com to schedule a visitation time. They will begin scheduling in the first week of April and visits are free.
