The Wine and Cheese Pairings to Bring to Your Holiday Table

There will undoubtedly be many festive gatherings on your social calendar in the coming months—from office holiday parties and family dinners to impromptu nights huddled around the kitchen island with friends. If you’ve been charged with meal planning for any or all of those events, we’ve taken the stress and guesswork out of it for you.

The brilliant team at Everyday Sommelier walked us through wine pairing guidelines for four base cheeses, with wine at varying price points to meet any budget. Keep this reference guide—meticulously created by the professionals who know wine the best—handy as you plan your holiday parties this season.

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The Cheese

Chevre
“Chevre is a fresh goat’s milk cheese. This treat is tart, tangy, and bright with a smooth, creamy texture. The longer goat cheese ages, the more robust the flavors become and will deepen to a golden yellow color.”

The Wine

Sauvignon Blanc
“This varietal can be a chameleon in the bottle depending on where the grapes are grown and how the winemaker chooses to use them. We suggest an old-world Sauvignon Blanc that boasts refreshing citrus and balanced minerality.

The acidity of the Sauvignon Blanc will cut through the thickness of the goat cheese and bring out the nutty flavors. While many goat cheeses come smoked or flavored, we recommend plain for the best pairing.”

May We Suggest

$: Château De Fontenille Grand Bordeaux, Entre-deux-Mers France
Varietal: 40% Sauvignon Blanc, 20% Sauvignon Gris, 20% Semillon, 20% Muscadelle
Fermentation: Stainless steel with sur-lie aging for 4 months
Tasting Notes: Acidity and freshness coupled with exotic fruits and citrus flavors

$$: Cantina Kellerei Tramin, Alto Adige Italy
Varietal: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Fermentation: Stainless steel
Tasting Notes: Racy aromas of grapefruit, melon, and fresh cut grass in addition to classic notes of gooseberry.

$$$: Patient Cottat Sancerre, Loire France
Varietal: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Fermentation: Stainless steel with maturation on fine lees
Tasting Notes: Prevailing aromas of acacia blossoms with a muscat-like nose of passion fruit. Full and fat, very well balanced with a touch of honey on the finish.

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The Cheese

Pecorino Romano
“Hard, salty Italian cheese made from sheep’s milk. Pecorino means “ovine” or “from sheep” in Italian. This cheese dates to Roman times when it was a common staple of the soldier’s diet.”

The Wine

Sangiovese
“The name originally translates as ‘Blood of Jupiter,’ (roman king of the gods). Whether we are talking about Brunello, Chianti, or Montepulciano, the main grape is Sangiovese. It is one of the most common varietals planted in Italy. It’s first mentioned in the mid eighteenth century and gained popularity in the 1900’s.

This wine and cheese pairing is a classic representation of ‘what grows together, goes together’. The salty and umami flavors of the Pecorino balance the medium tannins of the wine and bring out the light herbal flavors. Make sure to pair your Sangiovese with something higher in fat to bond with the acid and if there’s tomato in your dish, you might find the fruitier components of the wine come out to play.”

May We Suggest

$: Bibi Graetz Casamatta (Crazy House), Tuscany Italy
Varietal: 100% Sangiovese
Fermentation: Vineyard blending, stainless steel
Tasting Notes: Cherry and raspberry with nice acidity. Medium body with low tannins and a vibrant aftertaste.

$$: Poggio Rubino La Sorgente, Rosso Di Montalcino Italy
Varietal: 100% Sangiovese
Fermentation: Long maceration with pump over, short passage through oak barrels. Bottle aging.
Tasting Notes: Small red fruit, berry, and cherry. Beautiful fruit expression which lingers in the aftertaste. Round and balanced tannins.

$$$: Andrea Cortonesi Azienda Uccelliera, Brunello di Montalcino Italy
Varietal: 100% Sangiovese
Fermentation: 8 months in oak barrels
Tasting Notes: Aromas of tart cherry, red currant,
and almond. Firm and lively on the palate with
present acidity and well-structured tannins.

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The Cheese

Aged Cheddar
“Pasteurized, grass-fed cow’s milk that ages for at least one year to 10 years and beyond. During the aging process, lactic acid combining with the calcium may create small, desirable crystals to form in some styles. Cheddar will change flavor as the months pass, becoming increasingly sharp and tangy.”

The Wine

Cabernet Sauvignon
“This love child of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc is one of the world’s most popular varietals, with over 200 million hectoliters consumed a year. The bold tannins, bramble fruit, and integrated depth of Cabernet Sauvignon will stand up to even the biggest flavor combinations.

Wines with a long finish, desire cheeses that are complex. Salt tends to exaggerate tannins, so the lack of brine on the aged cheddar is perfect. We have chosen three Napa cabs to pair with a sharp cheddar due to the full fruit flavor, hint of graphite, and the balanced smooth vanilla of the new world oak.”

May We Suggest

$: Noah River Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa California
Tasting Notes: Complex nose brimming with bramble berry, rhubarb pie and orange peel. Bright cassis, and plum with hints of tobacco on the finish.

$$: Elizabeth Spencer Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa California
Varietal: Predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon, small percentage of other red Bordeaux grapes
Tasting Notes: Balanced, medium body that offers a lot of red and black currant. Traditional elegance of Bordeaux flavors of cedar pencil, tobacco leaf and loamy soil.

$$$: Staglin Family Vineyard, Salus Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa California
Varietal: 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot
Tasting Notes: Nose is driven by dark fruits and earthy, herbaceous undertones. Palate of crystalline and concentrated ripe cherries, peppercorns, cocoa nibs, and a touch of espresso.

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The Cheese

Blue Stilton
“Blue Stilton is considered ‘The King of Cheeses.’ It’s the same as White Stilton, but with cultivated blue mold veins. Creamy and pungent with a subtle sweetness. True Stilton is protected by a certification and designation and is only made in three counties in England: Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, and Leicestershire

The Wine

Port
“A sweet, fortified (addition of distilled spirits) wine from Portugal. Recommended serving size is 3 ounces. Port is a very sweet and rich after dinner digestif. It was created to preserve red wine for the journey between vineyards in the Douro valley, ending in a town called Porto. Tawny Port, considered the whiskey of the Port world, is aged in wooden casks, and has a deep caramel, chocolate, nutty flavor.

The rule of thumb for this pairing is: The smellier the cheese, the sweeter the wine. The sweetness of the wine balances the pungent saltiness of the creamy blue cheese. In traditional English dinner customs, this would be served as the capstone to the meal. Drizzle with honey or add accompanying dried fruits.”

May We Suggest

$: Noval Black Reserve
Varietal: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Cão, Sezão
Fermentation: 2-3 years in wooden and stainless-steel vats.
Tasting Notes: Elegant and intense, displaying notes of wild fruits and nuances of balsamic and dark chocolate.

$$: Noval 10 Year Tawny Porto
Varietal: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesa, Tinta Cão, Sezão, Tinta Roriz
Fermentation: Blend of old Ports from different vintages, matured in oak casks for an average of 10 years.
Tasting Notes: Complex aromas, young and lively fruits accompanied by hazelnut. Rich and smooth on the palate.

$$$: Maynard’s 30-year aged Porto
Varietal: Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Cão, Tinta Barroca
Fermentation: Stainless steel fermentation and at least thirty years in-bottle aging.
Tasting Notes: Deep amber and copper hues, aromas of hazelnut and vanilla. Smooth as silk with flavors of honey, chocolate, and toffee.

Behind the Scenes
The team behind the cover

To see our cover, you would think you had stepped into the middle of a holiday party. While the team did enjoy a festive serving of charcuterie after the shoot was over, the cover was actually shot in our office studio using a creative combination of bamboo flooring, coolers, and ladders.

Helping make the shot absolutely perfect was Vista Graphics Creative Director David Uhrin as photographer and Art Director Chris Meligonis, Office Manager Tracy Thompson and Web Content Manager Kelsey Thomas as our hand models. The greens were clipped from backyards in the middle of a tropical storm—not the most festive of weather, but definitely a memory to keep!

Read more on pairing wines and cheeses on page 125.

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Mark Your Calendars

November 12
Thomas Jefferson Wine Festival
It’s the favorite event of wine and history lovers alike! Join Poplar Forest on November 12 for their annual Thomas Jefferson Wine Festival. Sample from Virginia’s regional wines, enjoy live performances by local musicians, graze on foods by local vendors, and shop the artisan market for one-of-a-kind finds. Tour the president’s private retreat at a reduced rate throughout the day. Visit poplarforest.org for info.

November 24
Lynchburg Turkey Trot
Join the 34th annual Lynchburg Turkey Trot, presented by Scott Insurance, on Thanksgiving Day! This beloved tradition is a great way to support local nonprofit organization, HumanKind, plus it’ll get your appetite ready to indulge in a hearty meal. Participate in-person on Thanksgiving Day or register to run virtually from anywhere you choose! Registration information can be found at humankind.org.

December 10
Christmas in Sedalia
Christmas in Sedalia is an annual event that offers holiday shoppers an opportunity to purchase unique hand-crafted gifts for everyone on their list. The Sedalia Center and neighboring Mountain Run Farm partner to showcase the best of the region’s creative community. This is an indoor event and is free to the public. Santa always makes a surprise visit to take selfies with kids of all ages! Light lunch items will be available for purchase along with hot cocoa, and fresh-baked Christmas cookies to enhance your festive shopping experience. Visit sedaliacenter.org for more info.

December 13
Glenn Miller Orchestra
The world-famous Glenn Miller Orchestra will perform on the Historic Academy Theatre stage on December 13, 2022. Enjoy the 18-member ensemble as it plays many of the original Miller arrangements. Additionally, it will also play some more modern selections arranged and performed in the Miller style and sound. For tickets and event information, visit academycenter.org.

November 26 & December 3, 10, and 17
Mistletoe Market
Visit the Lynchburg Community Market for its annual Mistletoe Market! Take in the sights, sounds, and scents of the holidays with artisan vendors, handmade crafts, fresh greenery, and local produce. Horse drawn carriage rides through the city will take place on December 10 and 17.

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Local Openings & Closings

Hello! to The Aloha Hut
Hello! to Kline’s Dairy Bar
Hello! to Goosehead Insurance
Goodbye to Champion Brewing on Main Street
Hello! to First Watch, The Daytime Cafe

Finding connection at any age can be a challenge, but it can be particularly challenging in our later years. For seniors who don’t already have a community that they’re plugged into—a place of worship, hobby group, or friend circle—finding a group in a post-pandemic world can take a considerable amount of time and energy.

“With the pandemic lasting over several years, unhealthy patterns of isolation have become the new normal for many,” explained Laura Hunter, Marketing Director at Westminster Canterbury. “I believe there is a direct correlation between a senior’s overall health and well-being and their level of social interaction. I have talked with many seniors who have discussed how difficult social isolation can be and the effect it has had on their mental health. They have expressed their need to ‘get out around people and have interaction’ because they feel they are mentally suffering from lack of contact with others.”

But despite the challenges, there are still many great ways for seniors to connect with their community.

Plan Visits With Family

If seniors have family living close by, one of the easiest ways to stay connected is by planning routine visits. This can be as simple as an hour-long visit once a week, or something a bit more intentional such as a monthly dinner or game night.

Family members should take a bit of time to take their senior loved ones to community events or plan special meals at home together. Especially for seniors who have mobility issues or no longer drive, these routine visits can make a huge impact on their well-being.

“There is no magic answer, but the key is to do something,” said Becky Tweedy, Communications Director for Meals on Wheels in Lynchburg. “Send a card or a little package—everyone loves to receive mail! Of course, if possible, FaceTime or Zoom to include them in holiday get-togethers. If that doesn’t work, just pick up the phone and call. To know that you’re thinking about them and missing them in the midst of a gathering is heartwarming. And visit whenever you possibly can! Ask them about their favorite memories from years past. Share their stories with others.”

Join Social Activities

Whether a senior is living at home or in a retirement community, it’s important for them to remain social. Meeting and getting to know their neighbors is a great place to start. Encourage seniors to bake up a batch of their favorite cookies and safely drop them off at a neighbor’s doorstep with a note encouraging a visit. Or, if they are in a retirement community, seniors can connect with a health, wellness, or activity director to get plugged into any ongoing events.

“There is an intentional focus at Westminster Canterbury to provide as many occasions for enrichment as possible,” said Hunter. “Providing many different opportunities to learn, help others and become involved in the community brings a sense of well-being and fulfillment for those who participate. Our team members explore the activities our city has to offer so we can include as many as possible in our schedule.”

“It’s incredible to watch as people’s lives transform when they move to a community, across all levels of care,” said Brenda Dixon, Marketing Director at The Summit. “Whether engaging over meals, social events or simply connecting with neighbors passing in the corridors. The difference in assisted living—just having the reassurance that assistance is there when you need it has proven benefits to overall health and happiness. People are social creatures with diverse personalities, we are meant to be around each other and meant to have purpose.”

Enrich the Community

With age comes wisdom—wisdom that many organizations and community leaders would love to learn from. Regardless of mobility or transportation, there are plenty of ways that seniors can get involved with community enrichment and activism.

Seniors can make a list of activities that they enjoy and determine how they could benefit local organizations with those passions. If they love to garden, they could volunteer for a local gardening club. If they love to read, they could volunteer to read to kids at the library. Or, if they have career experience to share, they can mentor a young professional or offer pro bono professional consulting to a nonprofit organization. If a senior is homebound or can’t get up and about, even volunteering with a phone tree for a political or philanthropic cause could be incredibly rewarding.

Learn Something New

Education is a lifelong pursuit. In fact, research shows that continued education can help prevent cognitive decline and helps decrease the risk of dementia or Alzheimer’s.

Whether a senior wants to expand on a topic or skill that they already know, or learn something new entirely, there are plenty of local classes for them to choose from. From art and pottery classes at the Academy Center of the Arts and Jackson Heights Art Studio to sewing and woodworking workshops at Vector Space, lifelong students of all ages will enjoy honing their craft and connecting with others.

Foster Fuels

​​How has your business recently impacted the community?
One of the initiatives that we participated in recently was with FuelFit. Foster partnered with KidFit to co-host an event called FuelFit. KidFit is a local organization that provides mentorship and opportunities to kids of all backgrounds through skilled athletic training and coaching. Together, we hosted FuelFit providing fitness activities for youth in Campbell County. Creating healthy habits starts early, so our team was proud to work with this great organization to promote active, healthy lifestyles for youth in our community.

Why does your business prioritize giving back?
As a family-owned and operated company, we focus not only on providing excellent service to each of our customers, but also on family and community impact. Through the FosterGives campaign, employees and their families have the unique opportunity to participate in, donate to and give back to the community around us.

Community service and involvement are close to the Foster family’s heart. One of Watt R. Foster, Jr.’s favorite quotes is from Winston Churchill, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” Foster Fuels has been in this community for over a century, and their goal is to give back and grow the community that has given them so much.

Information provided by Olivia Beavon, Propane Marketer

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Legacy Wealth Management

How has your business recently impacted the community?
We recently hosted a fundraising event for a local girl fighting an awful illness. $3,000 was raised to assist the family in fighting back against this disease. Each year we host a free Christmas lights drive thru and hand out hot chocolate and donuts to everyone. We simply ask that they bring a canned good or non-perishable item for the local food bank. Last Christmas, more than 1600 vehicles came through for community night.

Why does your business prioritize giving back?
Life is hard and life is short. We believe that helping organizations that are trying to find solutions to community issues brings meaning to what we do. There are so many organizations that are trying to help their fellow man, that we have found that when we partner with existing organizations who are focused on a problem, we can multiply the community impact.

Information provided by Joshua Stamm, President of Legacy Wealth Management

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Lynchburg Dental Center

How has your business recently impacted the community?
Each year we participate in selected charitable events.
New to us this past year was participating in the “Give Kids a Smile” event. We regularly donate to the Oral Cancer Foundation and provide funding, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss to our local veterans, schools, and those less fortunate in our community. Our doctors regularly volunteer at the free clinic to provide services such as root canals, fillings, and emergency services.

Why does your business prioritize giving back?
Our team at Lynchburg Dental Center loves what we do. We take care of people and have done so for close to 50 years. As needs in our community arise, we determine if our strengths and resources can help. Ensuring confident, healthy smiles is more than our motto, it is the way we run our practice. Smiles come from our work, but they are also a result of our service and giving back.

Information provided by Kristie Coffer, Office Manager

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Successful Innovations

How has your business recently impacted the community?
We take pride in supporting our community. We have been a supporter of the Lynchburg Education Foundation for over a decade. We sponsor classroom grants for teachers so that they can have funding to implement innovative programs for students and resources to support learning. We recently supported the Kiwanis Club of Lynchburg to help with funding towards the first fully accessible children’s playground in Virginia. In addition to this, we have sponsored Lynchburg City Schools’ Boys Basketball Program at Heritage High School to support with funding for resources for the team. In an effort to promote the professional learning and growth of educators within the community, we have provided scholarships to local educators to attend our annual National Family Engagement Summit.

Why does your business prioritize giving back?
Our company prioritizes giving back because we truly believe and live our company’s mission of making a difference in the lives of others. True success in life is not measured by the accumulation of riches, but rather the significance of the impact that we make in our communities…one individual at a time. We want to pay the blessings forward that we have been grateful to receive. We rise by lifting others.

Information provided by Darla Edwards, President and CEO

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Central Technology Solutions

How has your business recently impacted the community?
Team CTS has recently impacted the community by becoming a mentor to local high school cyber security clubs, creating a hub of free educational videos for our customers and community, sponsoring non-profits, local sports, the VA 10 Miler, and more. We also launched a podcast that spotlights community leaders to normalize the conversation around technology and business.

Why does your business prioritize giving back?
We prioritize giving back to the community by breaking the scaremongering stigma that the IT industry has created for years. This approach discourages curious behaviors and history shows how curiosity has always led to great achievements throughout humankind. We hope our efforts encourage tech users of all levels to remain curious and learn about the world of IT/technology.

Information provided by Sherri Arthur, Marketing Director

Shout Outs
Our recent story on KAYA Health’s art service project—The Art of Healing, found in our Sept/Oct issue—is gathering supporters for KAYA Health’s cause! Read what Dr. Andrew Anderson, owner of KAYA Health, had to say: “Thank you to Lynchburg Living magazine for the kind article and for bringing awareness to our little project. I just got a call from a Girl Scout troop yesterday asking to donate to our walls and purpose. I love seeing the kindness of others and sharing in the blessing that it is!”

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Top Teachers
Lynchburg Living is recognizing and honoring the amazing, inspiring educators in our area with the Lynchburg Living Top Teachers Awards. Submit your entries on lynchburgliving.com for your favorite current and local teacher who, if chosen, will be honored in our upcoming March/April 2023 issue of Lynchburg Living magazine. Nominations are open until November 30th.

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Email us at megan@lynchburgmag.com.
Correspondents must identify themselves; names may be withheld on request. Lynchburg Living may edit or condense.

Lynchburg is filled to the brim with generous, mission-driven, philanthropic people, and the hundreds of nonprofit organizations in our area are a result of that. Across the Lynchburg region, organizations are holding the hands of those in our community who are vulnerable, hurting, or in need of extra support.

We are so honored to tell the story of just a few of them.

The Giving Back Awards are an opportunity for the community to give back to the nonprofits by nominating them a designation. This award signifies the impact the organization has made in the community and validates even further the incredible work that the organization has done throughout the year.

Flip through these pages, read the profiles of the award recipients, and consider supporting them in their number one needs and upcoming goals. 

How The Listening is making changes for the future

The Listening, a creative non-profit based in Lynchburg, has been connecting writers, artists, students, and the creatively curious for a little over 10 years. Now, they are looking to the future and how they can adapt and grow over the next 10 years and beyond.

“I’ve made a habit of saying that The Listening is for artists, but over the years, it’s become much more,” explained Nicholas Steven George, Founding Executive Director. “Our mission is to engage, change, and save lives with the performing arts, and we hope to provide a safe and brave space for our community to discuss issues like mental wellness, social action, and education through art forms like spoken word, theater, dance, and songwriting.”

With summer reading programs, peer support groups, after-school workshops, open mic sessions, performance showcases, and routine creative conferences, The Listening keeps their reach and approach broad on purpose.

“It doesn’t just impact artists and creatives, but people of all backgrounds,” said Keaira Reese, Co-Executive Director of Programming and Development. “The programs it provides allow for people to have a space to show authenticity with no judgment. For example, having the Open Mic nights allows vulnerability and it helps bring a sense of community to everyone that sits in the room. Moreover, we provide opportunities for our youth to learn how to read, write, and even express their emotions through being artistic.”

The Listening has had growing success with their various programs over the past 10 years under the leadership of George. Now, that leadership model is shifting. As of August 31 of this year, George has stepped down as acting Executive Director and will be passing the metaphorical baton to Reese and Angelina Randolph, Co-Executive Director of Operations and Outreach.

Under this new shared leadership structure, Reese and Randolph will share the overarching leadership and vision casting for the non-profit organization, but will each take on different roles that support its ongoing growth.

“Keaira and I do have titles that help others, as well as ourselves, know what we are leading,” explained Randolph. “For example, I am over the operations and outreach, therefore I oversee the recruiting of leadership council, volunteers, establishing the connection between our community and organization, almost anything that falls within those areas. Keaira oversees the programming and development of the organization, which would essentially be the open mics, the youth programming—as in our Yearly Freedom School—and more. However, though we are the lead in those activities and departments, it does not mean that we will not assist one another. This style offers diversity of ideas, perspectives from outside of ourselves, and essentially the overall manifestation of true teamwork.”

With two individuals now at the helm, alongside the support of a Creative Citizen Leadership Council, Reese and Randolph believe this shared management structure will allow for more outreach, more in-depth events, and the continuation of the legacy that George worked tirelessly to establish.

“Research shows how important it is that organizations continue to grow and evolve and how its leadership should evolve as well,” detailed George, whose departure from a leadership role with The Listening has given him time to focus on his family and pursue his own personal creative projects. “With nearly 10 years of building and leading this organization, I am acutely aware of how much The Listening has changed since 2013. At the same time, I also see the opportunity for new leadership to take this organization beyond my abilities.”

Reese and Randolph have developed a plan to further and iterate on the vision George created for The Listening, and will work to create an environment where the arts are empowering, powerful, and eclectic.

“We are planning to build off of the foundation [Nicholas] created to make it a place for everyone to be heard,” said Reese. “Not only our small little town, but any small town that has an underserved population. Our vision is to sync to what he wanted to create.”

Randolph expanded, “What I want is for those who experience The Listening, for them to walk away thinking about how they can do more, what else they can do to further themselves as artists, where they can make a positive impact, and be present.”

The future of The Listening will continue to evolve, just as art is always fluid. For now, community events like the open mic nights and signature sessions—where artists are invited to share their craft and the community is also invited to hear and even share—will continue, as well as their youth programming. The community who knows and loves The Listening shouldn’t expect any changes to the level of support and connection they receive from the organization.

Reese and Randolph look forward to having more people alongside them to work and further the mission of The Listening. They will continue to show diversity and use that to commune with and understand one another, and they will continue to give back to their community through advocating and bringing awareness to the importance of education, social justice, and wellness.

“If you look at major events in history that have majorly impacted people and society—music and art was produced from that,” said Randolph. “Sam Cooke’s A Change is Gonna Come spoke directly about the Civil Rights Movement and the effect he and his community felt. Lil Baby, with The Bigger Picture, mentions George Floyd, protests, and the perceptions that we have of one another. Many people listen or have listened to these two different artists, but one thing they have in common is the fact that they are making art that reflects their lives, their now, their community, and how the community feels.”

Similarly, The Listening will continue to encourage artists to do the same—to expose their hearts, dissect social bias, and find connections with one another that can only sometimes be done through art. And they will continue to be there to listen.

No matter your age or economic status, planning a will is one of the most important estate planning steps you can take. If you pass away without having a will in place, your estate—your money, home, and assets—will be divided up according to state law. If you have particular wishes or recipients for each of those assets, a will can ensure they go to the right person.

“It will never hurt to have a will that states your wishes,” explained Sam Patel of Patel & Dalrymple, PLLC. “More practically, people often make a will after a major life event—marriage, buying a house, having a child. These are just a few examples of things that might make your wishes change, and it can help to update your estate plan accordingly.”

Determine Your Executor

One of the first steps toward creating a will is determining who the executor of your will and estate will be. This executor will act as your personal representative and will be in charge of handling the details of your will. This person should be someone you implicitly trust. You should talk with this person ahead of time to ensure they are up to the task, and then let them know where to find all important documents, such as your will, insurance policies, and passwords for important financial accounts.

“Consider discussing your estate plan with your family after you’ve put it in place,” said Keith Orgera of the Law Offices of Ron Feinman. “Generally, it is far better for your loved ones to know what is going to happen when you die rather than to get surprises after it happens. Talking to everyone in advance, while not a fun conversation, can avoid a lot of hurt feelings and squabbling after you’re gone.”

Ask the Important Questions

“I would suggest one decision and one question,” said Orgera. “It’s important to decide what you want to accomplish with your will. They are powerful instruments and can do many things. Knowing what you want the will to make happen is more important than who exactly will be your executor or who gets the Buick. Related to that is the question: ‘Is a will the best way to achieve what I want?’ Once you know what you’re trying to do, you can talk with your estate planner about the best way to accomplish it and how.”

Once you have your will in place, it’s important to make sure it continues to reflect your current wishes. Consider updating your will once a year, making sure to update it after marriages, divorces, births, deaths, and other life events.

Look at the Bigger Picture

“A will is just one component of an estate plan,” explained Peter Davies of Davies & Davies Law Firm. “An estate plan should address powers of attorney, advance medical directives, wills, beneficiary designations, tax planning, and possibly trusts, among other things. An estate plan should be in place for someone when they have kids, get married or divorced, have a blended family, have tax concerns, have health issues, and so on. A good estate plan addresses many aspects, not death alone.”

While a will is a powerful document that can enact your final wishes, it doesn’t necessarily accomplish everything. A legal professional can help you evaluate the details that fall outside of a will and help you put together a more comprehensive estate plan that covers the entirety of what you’ve worked hard to save or build.

Hire a Professional

Some things are too important to leave up to chance. A poorly drafted will can be worse than no will at all. Often, self-prepared wills aren’t signed and finalized correctly. For example, a self-prepared will could have an executor or family members who are listed as beneficiaries, who also signed on as witnesses. That could either invalidate the witness to your will or prevent the witness from receiving any benefit under the will.

“This isn’t a time to DIY,” furthered Davies. “A comprehensive estate plan assembled by an attorney specializing in estate planning can go a long way to prevent a mess.”

An attorney will help you sort through the maze of estate planning so you can feel confident that your final wishes will be fully enacted.

“A lot of things can pass outside of a will; sometimes the entirety of a person’s property,” said Patel. “This can be beneficial in some circumstances, to avoid probate taxes and costs, or to avoid public scrutiny of a probated will. This is something to discuss with your beneficiaries, and with your attorney. There are lots of ways to pass on your belongings, and it’s always good to know your options.”

Poet Ogden Nash once penned, “Winter is the king of showmen,” and we couldn’t agree more, especially when it so magically blankets the city like it did the grounds of Randolph College last year.

We have our fingers crossed for more snow-laden scenes this year, full of sledding in our public parks and silent walks through neighborhoods with only the crunch of snow under our feet singing out. As night comes faster and we make room for the inevitable bustle that comes with these next few months, we hope you find time to soak up the beauty of the season.

This fire cider recipe will help you stay well this winter

The winter months are full of festive gatherings, holiday cheer…and icky colds and bugs. To keep your family well this holiday season, whip up a batch of traditional fire cider!

Fire cider is an herbal tonic that helps boost immunity and aids in digestion. As scientists have uncovered in recent years, there is a direct connection between gut health and overall wellness, and fire cider is a concoction that’s brimming with antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.

Originally created in the 1970s by herbalist Rosemary Gladstar, fire cider recipes have been iterated on and adapted ever since. While there is a base recipe that you should consider sticking with to ensure you get the most cold-fighting properties, you can always customize the recipe to your tastes. And, while fire cider has only been around for a few decades, the idea of consuming apple cider vinegar—one of fire cider’s primary ingredients—for its health benefits has been around for centuries.

Keep a batch of fire cider in your pantry (or other cool, dark space) all winter long, and either drink two ounces every day or simply keep it on standby for when the coughs and sneezes arrive in your home.

Ingredients

1/2 cup fresh ginger, grated
1/2 cup fresh horseradish, grated
1 yellow or white onion, chopped
10 cloves garlic, crushed or chopped
2 jalapeño peppers, chopped
1 lemon, juice and zest
2 tbsp. rosemary, dried (or several sprigs of fresh rosemary)
1 tbsp. turmeric, ground
Apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup honey (plus more to taste)

Instructions
Add ginger, horseradish, onion, garlic, peppers, lemon zest, lemon juice, rosemary, and turmeric to a quart canning jar. Cover the mixture with apple cider vinegar by about two inches.

Place a piece of natural parchment paper or wax paper under the canning lid and close—the parchment will keep the vinegar from touching the metal, which could cause it to rust. Shake well. Store in a dark, cool place for one month and shake daily.

After one month, use cheesecloth to strain out the pulp, pouring the vinegar into a clean jar. Be sure to squeeze as much of the liquid as you can from the pulp while straining. Add 1/4 cup of honey and stir until incorporated. Taste your cider and add another 1/4 cup of honey, or until you reach desired sweetness. Fire cider should taste hot, spicy, and sweet.