Rainwater becomes plant fuel with rain chains

utters and drains along a roof are one of the most important elements to maintain and take care of in a home. When water is effectively guided to the ground, your home’s roof, attic, or interior can be spared from damage. While most homes in the United States have a metal downspout that carries rainwater away from the home, there are additional downspout options that can be implemented on your home that are functional, beautiful, and effortlessly water your garden.

The History of the Rain Chain
Rain chains originated in Japan and are still used in many Japanese homes to keep water runoff away from roofs and foundations. Originally called kusari-doi, rain chains attach to gutters and guide rain down to the ground or to a water harvesting receptacle like a rain barrel. 

Rain chains can be DIY-ed by feeding a weather-resistant chain through copper or aluminum cups that have had holes added to them for drainage. They can also be store-bought, are incredibly affordable, and can be found in a number of different designs—from simple cups to pineapples to owls. Either way, they add a unique charm that “regular” metal downspouts just can’t offer.

Why Choose a Rain Chain?
If you’ve been considering harvesting your rainwater or have plans for a zen rock garden in your backyard, a rain chain can effortlessly guide rainwater to your desired location. 

If you don’t harvest your rainwater, you can use a rain chain to guide the water to a rock garden, planter, or fountain. Rain chains also work well as added garden components if you don’t want to entirely redirect the rain flow. Decorative rain chains can channel water into a large planter for the thirstiest plants in your garden.

Store-bought rain chains come in a variety of colors and finishes, though most are made of copper or metal. This level of customization will allow you to add a tiny pop of color or whimsy to your home.

Best yet? A rain chain could be added along the gutter channel without removing the existing downspout. Of course, your home’s unique gutter system will determine if that’s actually possible. However, many rain chains can be added by simply using tin snips to open a small hole in the gutter where the rain chain can be hung. 

There’s something to be said for the steady trickle of rain down tiny copper barrels to make you instantly feel like your home is an oasis.  

Being a teacher is more than just a job. It’s more than a just career. It’s a calling.

Our annual Top Teacher Awards are a way to honor deserving educators who have not only answered this call for public service, but they also go above and beyond to make sure their students are thriving.

This list—made up of various school districts, grade levels and subjects—is only a snapshot of the incredible teacher talent we have in our region.

Thank you to Chick-fil-A Wards Road/River Ridge for partnering with us again on this campaign and providing each teacher with a bag of gifts and coupons.

As your children reach school age—or perhaps they’ve been in school for some time now—you may find yourself considering whether private school is the right choice for them. It could be that you are currently homeschooling your child but are looking for a bit more day-to-day structure. It could be that they’re currently in public school, or it could even be that the private school they’re attending just isn’t the right fit for them. Or, like many new parents, you’re simply trying to get a jumpstart on school research so you’re prepared to make a decision once your child reaches preschool or kindergarten age. One thing is certain: Choosing when and what private school is an incredibly important decision and it’s one that looks different for every family. As a parent, you’ll know what’s best for your unique child and the way they learn in certain environments.

As you navigate the private school decision, we have a handful of tips to help make the decision easier and to guide you on the questions you should ask during private school visitations.

The Factors to Consider
Whether your child is too young to weigh in on the decision about which private school they’ll attend, or they’re old enough to consider the options, there are a number of factors to consider. 

First and foremost, consider the type of environment your child already thrives in. Do they benefit from a highly structured learning environment or does their curiosity call for a more freeform learning experience? One of the benefits of choosing private school over public school is that you can place your child in an environment that is more tailored to their individual needs. Class sizes are smaller, education is more tailored, and course offerings can vary more.

If you are the parent of a very young child and are considering private school just as they reach preschool age, there are certain queues that can help you identify what type of learner your child is. As a general rule, all people are kinesthetic, visual, or auditory learners. Typically, we are a balance of all three but have a tendency to lean toward one specific style. Understanding, even at the most basic level, what type of learner your child is will help you identify which private school may be best for them.

“The five top factors for parents and students to consider when deciding on a private school should be accreditations, course offerings, Biblical foundation, mission, and opportunity,” explained Ashley Saunders, Director of Marketing and Communications for Liberty Christian Academy. “At LCA, we are able to support our students by recognizing each student’s individual needs. We combine small class sizes, our guidance team, and full-time campus pastor to create a team of support for our students.”

Choosing whether or not to enroll your child in a parochial school—or a school that is affiliated with a religious or spiritual organization—is also a factor to consider. Within the Lynchburg, Campbell, and Bedford footprints, there is an incredible diversity among private schools so you can align your child with a curriculum that matches your family’s lifestyle and spiritual beliefs.

Also take into consideration the extracurriculars and athletics available to your child. Each private school offers a different set of opportunities—some of which aren’t often found at our local public schools, like lacrosse. Consider the musical opportunities that may be available to your child as well.

“A parent or student should consider the educational philosophy and curriculum of the school, as well as the school’s culture and values, outcomes, extracurriculars and athletic programs, and classroom size and student-teacher ratio,” said Maryanna Stands, Associate Head of School for Advancement and Director of Admissions for James River Day School.

Common Misconceptions
There are certain misconceptions attached to private schools that should be debunked as you’re navigating the private school decision, as well.

“A common misconception is that parents think there are less opportunities for their students, whether it be extracurricular or academic,” said Saunders.

“People think private schools are only for wealthy students and provide a less diverse student body,” continued Stands. “James River Day School is more diverse, both socioeconomically and culturally, than most people think. Nearly a quarter of our families receive some amount of need-based tuition assistance, and 21-percent of our students come from ethnically diverse backgrounds. We continue to focus some of our strategic efforts on diversity, equity, and inclusion as a more diverse school is what’s best for all of our students.”

As you’re visiting the local private schools that you’ve identified as potential options for your child, have a running list of some of the assumptions that you may have about that particular private school, or just private school in general. Ask pointed questions to challenge those assumptions—you may just be pleasantly surprised at the answers.  

Take Your Green Thumb to New Heights with Vertical Gardens

The urge to cultivate is an innate human quality, and it always has been. No matter where we put down roots—from coast to desert, rural to urban—people always find a way to enhance their environment with living plants. For many, vertical gardening is a way to bring a little green energy into small spaces. The best part: Vertical gardening can often be both aesthetically pleasing, and functional!

Many credit the vertical gardening approach we recognize today to a man named Stanley Hart White, who patented his “Botanical Bricks” in 1938. As a landscape architect, he designed modular, vertical gardening blocks that could be quickly stacked, rearranged, and moved for displays and events. They were great for gardening indoors and outdoors, especially in small spaces.

However, we have been growing upward for centuries, and it’s likely that White took his inspiration from the landscape architects of the ancient world. Some of the earliest known vertical gardens come from about 3,000 B.C., when the vineyards of ancient Greece were planted to produce both a plentiful yield of grapes, but also shade for gathering places. The vines grew from boxes and were trained to climb trellises and arches. This produced shelter from the rain and sun, as well as a visually stunning landscape. Many of these gardens can still be seen today.

The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, were constructed, allegedly, by King Nebuchadnezzar for his wife between 605 – 562 B.C. Though archaeologists and historians dispute the details, writers of the time described the gardens as huge, terraced rooftops, upheld by columns which were iconic in the architecture of the period. The rooftops were heavily planted with everything from flowers and small shrubs to full-sized trees. The vining plants were designed to climb down the columns and walls, giving the illusion that the garden was hanging from mid-air. This was also one of the earliest known gardens to be planted purely for aesthetic pleasure, and not for food production. Unfortunately, this garden has been lost to time, but many artists, both modern and ancient, have created representations of what the famed Hanging Gardens of Babylon may have looked like.

Fast forward several thousand years and vertical gardening is very popular, not just in tight urban environments, but just about everywhere. There are “planted walls” clinging to the exteriors of city skyscrapers with fancy hydroponic systems and scientifically blended soil. Home DIYers build indoor wall-hanging gardens to display their succulent collections, or outside to grow tomatoes and veggies without sacrificing the yard space. The beauty of vertical gardening is that it can be done by almost anyone, and on almost any budget. All you need is some sort of frame or structure, and a few pockets to stuff soil or growth medium.

Of course, for the gardener willing to front a little cash, there are tons of options for both indoor and outdoor vertical gardening systems. Some even include hydroponic irrigation systems and grow lights for an easy, hands-off approach.

But for the crafty, low-budget gardener, pallets can often be found for free, and are easily converted into vertical growing surfaces that can be affixed to walls, or simply leaned against them, inside or outside. With enough pallets, you can quickly create large, eye-catching vertical structures for your plants. Shelves can also be adapted to growing plants vertically up strings, dowels, or mesh. Vining plants can be grown from boxes on top of trellises or pergolas and add intrigue and a touch of romance to windows, patios, or porches. Strawberries are an excellent candidate for hanging baskets and elevated grow boxes because they look great, and produce fruit!

Pothos – These plants are affordable, available at every garden supply center, and require little maintenance. They are great climbers, thrive in low lighting, and grow relatively quickly! They are also proven to purify air.

Ferns – Ferns like moisture, but many varieties do not require much light at all. They also do not have deep root systems, or require many nutrients, so they make excellent candidates for living walls. There are several varieties of ferns that, when planted together, can create visual intrigue while all requiring the same growth conditions.

Heartleaf Philodendron – Another popular houseplant, the Philodendron is a low-maintenance fast-grower with long, dangling vines and heart-shaped leaves.

Dragon Plant – If you’re looking to add a plant with a little more structure, the Dragon Plant is a popular choice for indoor gardens. Like the others on this list, they are known to purify air. The sturdy, dark green leaves stand in contrast to the more gangly vining plants, and they are conveniently low maintenance.

For inspiration, a quick online search for “living walls,” “vertical gardening,” or “planted walls” will yield more than a few ideas that you could try in your home or outdoor space.   

Sylvia’s Boutique helps customers find beauty and confidence

An activity sometimes dreaded by women in Lynchburg and across the nation is the act of shopping. No matter their shape or size, shopping can at times create a chore for women who are otherwise seeking a painless shopping experience. 

Located at 1111 Church Street in Downtown Lynchburg, Sylvia’s Boutique is, as owner Sylvia Kee says, “your one-stop trendy shop for dresses, shoes, and all things fashion.” 

From accessories to shoes to statement coats and beyond, Kee offers a variety of casual to formal attire, handbags, jewelry, shoes, and gifts for special occasions. While selling all of these items, Kee not only keeps her high-quality products in stock within the walls of the boutique, but she also does it with something unique: the mission to ensure that every person who enters walks out feeling just as beautiful on the outside as they are on the inside.

Kee dreamt from a young age of being the owner of a business. But the one Kee dreamt up wasn’t just any business, it was a women’s boutique that strove to aid all customers in feeling beauty in the purest form, through confidence in themselves. 

The dream of Sylvia’s Boutique was achieved with its opening in July of 2022. Not only does the boutique offer clothing, shoes, and accessories, but it also presents customers with the opportunity to book their own personal styling appointments. 

“We have something for everyone,” Kee noted, and she means it!

These consultation appointments help women who aren’t quite sure where to begin with their wardrobe, giving them a helping hand to finding the perfect, custom stylings for each person. Sylvia’s Boutique gives these women a tailored experience in the fitting room from the early phases of their fashion journey, all the way until they are walking out of the store with a brand-new look. 

Kee and her team consider the customer’s size, their fashion preferences, and even their desired color palette. As her website states, Kee wants her customers to feel “confident and beautiful in their own skin.” She continued, “Every woman deserves to feel beautiful, inside and out!”

At her shop, you can find an unlimited number of beautiful and elegant formal attire, as well as multiple options for day-to-day casual dress. Be it a dazzling coat made of genuine rabbit fur, a cranberry-colored wool trench, a new pair of earrings, or new boots, Sylvia’s Boutique offers only the best products, experiences, and prices for all the customers that walk into the shop on a daily basis. 

When it comes to being a small business owner in Downtown Lynchburg, Kee appreciates many aspects of the surrounding Lynchburg community, including her fellow small businesses and business owners. 

“When you purchase at locally owned businesses rather than nationally owned, more money is kept in the community because locally owned businesses often purchase from other local businesses, service providers, and companies,” she said. “Purchasing locally helps grow other businesses as well as the local tax base.”

Sometimes, you don’t even need to go into the shop to get fashion advice from Syliva’s Boutique!
On her social media, Kee will take to her page to address her followers with a number of helpful fashion tips and tricks for women of all backgrounds. Kicking off in October of last year, Kee began sharing the boutique’s “TOP 10” tips for preparing her customers’ wardrobes for the fall and winter months. Her number one tip? “Find neutral boots!” 

Tips and words of wisdom are not the only things one can find on Sylvia’s Boutique’s social media accounts. From keeping up with her business pages, followers are notified of special sales and discounts that the boutique will be offering on a weekly basis. At any given time of day, Kee will post to advertise her upcoming clearance items and significant sales. These include student discounts, senior discounts, holiday deals, and more.

As a woman of color and small business owner, Kee and her boutique can remind us all to chase after the dreams we have, even if we make them at a young age. She urges us to strive to make them a reality, reminding each customer of the importance of community, creativity, and, most of all, confidence and the hidden power that gives women the ability to love themselves inside and out.   

The Lynchburg Living Best Of Awards are the result of an online nomination and voting process at lynchburgliving.com, held in July-September 2022.

Winners were first nominated in their categories; these nominees were then moved forward to the voting round. Readers could vote in as many or as few categories that they preferred and could only vote one time per email address.

The winners inside this section are the ones that received the most votes.

Downtown Lynchburg Association highlights downtown restaurants & recipes

In November 2022, Downtown Lynchburg Association released a surprise for the Lynchburg community: A cookbook, meticulously created with love that features 35 of downtown Lynchburg’s beloved restaurants.

Titled Hill City Eats, the cookbook features recipes from participating downtown locations with the hopes of inspiring readers to whip up a few of their favorites, but to also give readers a moment of appreciation for the hard work and dedication that restaurants put behind those favorites.

“This book is a symbol of progress, born out of a deep appreciation and love for our city,” said Ashley Kershner, Executive Director of Downtown Lynchburg Association. “And most importantly, it is a celebration of the small businesses that are at its heart. Today, with over forty restaurants, many of which have opened in the last ten years, it is safe to say that we have become a culinary destination—a diverse restaurant scene that has breathed new life into this city.”

The cookbook highlights the places, food, and restaurateurs that make Lynchburg the culinary designation that it is—from new favorites like Bacon St. Bagels and Fratelli Kitchen & Wine Bar to local icons such as Dish and Hot & Cold Cafe.

Folks looking to purchase a copy of Hill City Eats—which at this time will only be available in limited quantities—can do so on the Downtown Lynchburg Association website or at select distribution locations, which are also listed online. downtownlynchburg.com/hill-city-eats  

A Guide to Etiquette for the 21st Century

Imagine, for a moment, that you’re invited to dinner with Catherine, princess of Wales. Immediately, your Google search bar would be full of questions, such as “How should I curtsy?” or “Which fork should I use, and at what time?”

When formal affairs arise, the questions of etiquette come along with them. Luckily (or unluckily) for most of us, we won’t be invited to Kensington Palace anytime soon, so we can rest easy and save the curtsy lessons for a later date.

However, there are a few modern etiquette tips and techniques that you can keep in your back pocket for galas, formal dinners, dinners with the in-laws, or even just everyday conversations.

At the Table

Dining Etiquette

Proper dining etiquette begins before you ever sit down at the table. In fact, it begins before you even arrive at your dining location.

If you’re invited to a dinner party, RSVP to let your host know you will or won’t be attending, even if an RSVP isn’t specifically requested. And don’t show up empty-handed. A simple host gift like a bottle of wine or a beautiful set of linen napkins from a local shop are all that’s needed to let your host know you appreciate being included.

Approaching the table, keep an eye out for place cards that note assigned seating. If none exist, politely ask your host if they have a preference on where everyone sits.

Once you and everyone else at the table are seated, place your napkin in your lap. If you need to excuse yourself from the table, place the napkin on your seat rather than back on the table.

Table Setting Etiquette

If you’re hosting a more formal dinner or dining at an upscale restaurant, you may be faced with several plates, glasses, and utensils. An easy trick for which plates and glasses go where is to remember “BMW.” Bread plates go to the left, meal plates remain in center, and wine and water glasses are on the right above the utensils. Another easy trick for remembering what side forks, spoons, and knives go on is this: “Fork” has four letters, and “left” has four letters. So, forks are placed to the left of the center plate. “Spoon” and “knife” have five letters, and “right” has five letters, so spoons and knives are placed to the right.

On the Phone

Texting Etiquette

We know, we know, no one really talks on the phone anymore when so much can be communicated over text. However, even when texting, there are some modern manners rules that can be applied.

For starters, even though it’s easy to dash off a text when a thought hits you, consider the time of day that you’re sending it. Work-related text messages should be sent during regular office hours, and personal text messages should be sent when you’re certain your friends or family are awake. For example, if you know your friend is an early riser and would enjoy a cheerful message from you in the morning, it’s okay to shoot a text at 7 a.m. However, if you know your friend works a late shift and your text may wake them up, wait until a more reasonable hour to reach out.

Perhaps the most courteous of texting etiquette is this:
Don’t text when you’re talking face-to-face with another person. Whether you’re catching up with a friend or checking out at a store, give the person you’re face-to-face with your full attention. 

Call Etiquette

As a rule of thumb, silence or turn off your cell phone when you enter a theater or a place of worship unless you’re on call for your job. In which case, you should turn your phone to vibrate to create as little disturbance as possible.

If you do receive a phone call that you have to take, discreetly excuse yourself from the space before you answer the call.

If you take a call in a public space, such as a grocery store, keep your voice low and avoid sharing personal information.  

What makes a great lawyer? While impeccable communication skills and high intelligence are a part of the equation, truly great lawyers also earn a respect that follows them out of the courtroom and into the community.

Top Lawyers of Greater Lynchburg is the result of a comprehensive peer-to-peer survey, facilitated by DataJoe Research Company.

Read on to see who lawyers themselves recommend in 23 specialties.

Summary.  To create the list, Lynchburg Living contracted DataJoe Research to facilitate an online peer-voting process and Internet research process.  DataJoe Research is a software and research company specializing in data collection and verification, and conducts various nominations across the United States on behalf of publishers.  To create the list, DataJoe Research facilitated an online peer-voting process. We paired this with an Internet research process to identify success characteristics. DataJoe checked and confirmed that each published winner had, at time of review, a current, active license status with the appropriate state regulatory board. If we were not able to find evidence of a lawyer’s current, active registration with the state regulatory board, that lawyer was excluded from the list.  In addition, we checked available public sources to identify lawyers disciplined for an infraction by the state regulatory board. These entities were excluded from the list.  Finally, DataJoe presented the tallied result to Lynchburg Living for its final review and adjustments.  

Final note.  We recognize that there are many good lawyers who are not shown in this representative list. This is only a sampling of the huge array of talented professionals within the region. Inclusion in the list is based on the opinions of responding lawyers in the region. We take time and energy to ensure fair voting, although we understand that the results of this survey nomination and Internet research campaign are not an objective metric. We certainly do not discount the fact that many, many good and effective lawyers may not appear on the list.

Disclaimers. DataJoe uses best practices and exercises great care in assembling content for this list.  DataJoe does not warrant that the data contained within the list are complete or accurate. DataJoe does not assume, and hereby disclaims, any liability to any person for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions herein whether such errors or omissions
result from negligence, accident, or any other cause. All rights reserved.
No commercial use of the information in this list may be made without
written permission from DataJoe.

Questions?  For research/methodology questions, contact the research team at surveys@datajoe.com.

On November 8, 2022, Lynchburg Living magazine had the honor and privilege of recognizing area businesses and non-profit organizations who are working tirelessly to support our city and its community.

Taking place at the Academy Center of the Arts, it was a night of fun and celebration, with two unique groups coming together to recognize the spirit of generosity and community that is so prevalent in our area. Those who were presented with awards brought a crowd of supporters, mentors, and colleagues to cheer them on, which made for an even more festive occasion. While attendees and honorees mingled and connected with one another, they indulged in a delicious spread of food provided by Friends Catering.

Awards were presented by Lynchburg Lynchburg editor, Megan Williams.

View a full list of Giving Back and Community Impact Appreciation recipients here and here.

A special thanks to our partners and sponsors, including the Academy Center of the Arts, Member One Federal Credit Union, Lynchburg Dental Center, Greater Lynchburg Community Foundation, SHARE Greater Lynchburg and Successful Innovations. And a special thank you to Friends Catering for the delicious Mexican food.