Built in 1939, Bank of the James stadium is the fifth oldest ballpark in all of minor league baseball. Formerly called City Stadium, the name changed in 2020 when the city entered an agreement with Bank of the James. The field itself is named after Calvin F. Falwell, the man who brought Carolina League Baseball to Lynchburg in 1966 when he formed and became president of the Lynchburg Baseball Corporation.

The Hillcats home opener is Tuesday, April 12. The season will continue through Labor Day weekend.

Photo courtesy of Lynchburg Hillcats

Mark Your Calendars | January/February 2022

January 29
Back to the Best
Our widely popular Readers’ Choice awards come to life at Lynchburg Living’s Best Of Lynchburg Party, which will return to the Virginian Hotel after a hiatus in 2020. We are excited to get “back to the best” and hope you will join us to celebrate the best businesses, restaurants, and people that make our region so great. Learn more at lynchburgbestof.com.

February 4
Big Apple Ballet
The Academy Center of the Arts will host Dance Theatre of Harlem, a leading dance institution founded in New York City in 1969 by Arthur Mitchell and Karel Shook. Find more information about tickets at www.academycenter.org.

February 5
Ice, Sweat and Tears
Bundle up and head to Hydaway Outdoor Center for this challenging “Arctic 5k” race that takes runners down a single track trail intermixed with some forest roads. Find more race details at runsignup.com.

February 11-13, 18-20, 25-27
Shakespeare and Coffee
James River Theatre Company presents A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream at one of Lynchburg’s newest small businesses, La Vida Coffee & Market on Langhorne Road. All shows begin at 7:30 p.m. For ticket information, visit www.jamesrivertheatre.com.

Local Openings & Closings

Hello! to a new location of Mi Patron Mexican Restaurant in the Boonsboro Shopping Center.

Hello! to Skincare by Blaire, opening in January on Leesville Road.

Hello! to the newly relocated TaleTellers Fly Shop at the corner of 10th and Main streets in Lynchburg.

Hello! to Lynchburg Treasure Hunt on Lakeside Drive, selling discount overstock or open-box items.

Goodbye to The Nested Magpie inside ElectricCo Market in Bedford.

Hello! to a newly relocated Batter Bar on Main Street beside the Community Market.

Hello! to The Crazy Mason Milkshake Bar, expanding to Lynchburg in early 2022.

Hello! to The Taco Wagon food truck located in Appomattox.

Hello! to a second location of Bean Barn on Memorial Avenue.

To View Best of Business Directory: Click Here

Veterans Approve

Following our feature story “The Troops Rally” by Logan Smith (Nov./Dec. 2021), Editor Shelley Basinger received numerous emails from Lynchburg’s veterans community, thanking the magazine for highlighting this iconic downtown gathering. Here are a couple of those kind comments:

“I’m a military veteran and I have attended many of these gatherings,” wrote Joseph Arnold, TSgt (Ret.), USAF. “I enjoyed the write up and I thank you for doing that.”

“Thanks for writing the article about Monument Terrace and what it stands for both here in Lynchburg and across the USA. Excellent writing and coverage!” wrote Judy Bowman, USAF Veteran, Vietnam.

Correction

We made an error in our Best Of Lynchburg Hall of Fame list, featured in the July/Aug. 2021 issue of Lynchburg Living. Lynchburg Chiropractic was unintentionally omitted and should have been listed as a winner in the Best Chiropractor category. We apologize for this error and appreciate Lynchburg Chiropractic for bringing it to our attention.

For All Ages

Maybe this is proof we should add a baby and kids section to the magazine? Reader Aimee Cochran shared this photo with us on Facebook. She said her 14-month-old is obsessed with books and enjoyed looking through our “book” (the recent Nov./Dec. issue) too!

Remember to stay in touch with us on Facebook. We would love to hear what you are reading and enjoying!

Send us an e-mail to shelley@lynchburgmag.com. Correspondents must identify themselves; names may be withheld on request. Lynchburg Living may edit or condense.

Local stories of incredible life change through fitness and nutrition

While the saying “there is no better time than the present” always rings true for those looking to change their health, the beginning of the year is typically a popular time to jump into (or back into, in some cases) a fitness and nutrition plan. The food-focused holidays have come and gone, and indulgent vacations are likely on pause until spring.

But what does it really take to make a plan and stick with it? How can you make sure this attempt at weight loss isn’t just another botched New Year’s Resolution? We went straight to the experts for help—and we aren’t talking about personal trainers or dietitians (but of course, those are always great people to work with!).

These three inspiring individuals know what it feels like to be at the beginning. Read on to hear their stories.

Maria Carreno
Age: 25
Weight Lost: 80 pounds
Maria’s Story:
“Growing up I was always the ‘big girl.’ Every diet out there, I tried it, but I always gained the weight back a couple of months later.

When I came to this country six years ago, it was a cultural shock for me and I gained even more weight. In 2020, I reached my highest weight of 322 pounds. I was going through the most difficult time of my life. I wasn’t taking care of myself, I was depressed and it showed.

I finally decided that enough was enough. I joined Burn Boot Camp and started using the simple and old key to success: being consistent. Not only was I exercising consistently, but I worked with the personal trainers on my eating habits. I lost over 80 pounds in 18 months and plan to lose more in the coming year.

I learned that no matter where you are at, if you decide to do something and put your mind to it,
you will accomplish it.”

John Hobbs
Age: 30
Weight Lost: 175 pounds
John’s Story:
“Several years ago, I had gained a tremendous amount of weight. I knew it was time to do something when it started interfering with things that I loved to do, such as hunting and racing motorcycles.

I reached out to Tim Wamsley at Kratos Fitness. The entire staff used their knowledge of health and fitness to motivate me to work hard, eat healthy, and stay consistent. Not only did we work hard, but they made it fun and a team effort! The combination of accountability and workouts that were actually enjoyable was key to keeping me consistent. In just over one year I was able to lose 175 pounds!

Since then, I’ve gotten back into hunting and racing and have never felt better. After losing weight, Kratos helped me modify my nutrition and exercise routine to maintain the results and have continued to check up with me to help me through my transition.

I really encourage people that want a life change to work with the staff at Kratos—they understand the struggle and want to help with a change! Thank you Kratos for helping me to not only lose the weight, but to keep it off for four years now!”

Connie Moore
Age: 64
Weight Lost: 48 pounds
Connie’s Story:
“The nurse at my family doctor’s office called me in May 2018 to give me the results of my bloodwork and told me my A1C was now in the pre-diabetes category. When the A1C test was done again one year later in May 2019, I was still in that category.

The nurse told me that there was a YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program I could enroll in which consisted of 25 one-hour sessions over the course of one year, led by a trained lifestyle coach to learn healthy eating and the importance of getting regular physical activity. So, I enrolled and started taking the class in June 2019.

I did not want to go down the path of becoming diabetic so I stayed focused on eating healthier and exercising at the YMCA on a regular schedule. It has been a long 2.5 year journey for me of being consistent and dedicated to becoming a healthier version of myself, and I have met many new friends along the way.

I am very happy to say that when I went to see my family doctor in November 2021 that my A1C bloodwork came back as now being in the ‘normal’ category.”

When planning out photography for our cover story, “Cocktails by Neighborhood,” we had our hearts set on capturing the iconic drink “splash” photo.

The splash made the most sense for the cocktails served with ice. At these restaurants, photographer Ashlee Glen made sure to capture all of the other shots she needed on her checklist first, including photos of each bartender making the drink and the finished product with garnishments.

After those were completed, Ashlee requested a new drink, with no ice, since having ice already in the glass would hinder a dramatic splash.

Then, Ashlee’s daughter, Gareth, was tasked with dropping ice cubes into the glass on cue (3, 2, 1, go!). It took a few tries, and some aim correction, but usually by the third or fourth drop, we had it down!

Our takeaway: splash photos are a blast—but also, very messy!

Check out the full Taste feature starting on page 146!

Photo By Ashlee Glen

Year after year, Old City Cemetery claims the number one spot in our annual Best Of Awards in the category of Lynchburg’s Best Kept Secret—and for good reason. Although the cemetery is widely known as a local historic destination, it’s likely considered a “best kept secret” due to how photogenic the grounds are—and not only in the spring. Old City Cemetery has become a popular wedding venue as well.

Here, photographer Ashlee Glen captured a unique winter perspective of the cemetery. This statue,
known as “Lady”, was donated to Old City Cemetery by Nancy Shank. Lady presides over the Early Memorial Shrub Garden, which is across from the chapel. Prior to being moved to the cemetery, her home was in one of the gardens off Rivermont Avenue, according to Old City Cemetery staff.

Bottom line—you don’t have to wait until spring to enjoy Lynchburg’s Best Kept Secret. Old City Cemetery is open from dawn to
dusk every day of the year.

Learn more about Lynchburg’s Best Kept Secret at gravegarden.org.

Stealing the Show

After having to reschedule once due to heavy downpours and storms, we were more than ready to hit the ground running at our cover shoot at Woodruff’s Café and Pie Shop in late September.

The most memorable part of the shoot was a four-legged “extra” who really, really, really wanted to be in the spotlight. The local dog is known to spend some time around Woodruff’s, but they told us they had never seen him be quite this clingy before. (It probably didn’t help that shop owner Angie Wilson was holding a delicious pie in front of her while posing for a photo outside. What dog could resist that?!)

He was particularly fond of editor Shelley Basinger, partly because she spent most of the shoot petting him while holding him back as photographer Ashlee Glen took photos.
He even tried to get in Shelley’s SUV when she left!

Turn to page 133 to see our cover story about Woodruff’s in our Taste department!

PHOTOS BY ASHLEE GLEN

A stroll in Downtown Lynchburg is now a lot brighter with the installation of Art Alley, a vibrant public art display that includes an outdoor gallery, large-scale murals and a painted street.

“The vision for Art Alley came out of a desire to bring more life, color, and vibrancy to our growing Downtown,” said Ashley Kershner, executive director of the Downtown Lynchburg Association (DLA).

Art Alley, located at the end of 11th Street (between Commerce Street and the Bluffwalk), is described as a placemaking project. These projects focus on transforming public spaces and improving the quality of life in the area.

Susan Brown, program director of the DLA, led the way in the planning for Art Alley with her art-focused background.

“When it came time to get deep into planning for Art Alley,
I was thrilled,” said Brown. “I tapped into my inner museum nerd and it gave me a chance to use my art history degree.”

Brown and the DLA put out a call for artists to submit artwork centered around the theme of “sparking joy.”
They received so many incredible submissions, the Spark Joy Gallery now includes 11 pieces from local artists (see list below). The DLA had originally made room for eight.

The various murals seen in Art Alley took a lot of time, planning and elbow grease to complete. Lisa Jonas illustrated the street mural; DLA staff and 50 volunteers helped paint it. Local artist Christina Davis illustrated one of the featured murals, Tales from the Garden. Emily Herr, of Richmond, created another mural called The Secret Recipe on the garage door. The mural was inspired by her time visiting Lynchburg. Deidre Stone painted the two sets of doors located in the alleyway—inspired by the sun, moon and stars, they make great backdrops for photos.

As you shop local this holiday season, be sure to stop by and see this new, very joyful, addition to Downtown Lynchburg.

Featured Artists in Gallery

Morning Glory by Kate Mitchell

Winter’s Morning by Hanan Davis

Color Sorbet by Morgaine Godwin

I Can, Too by Russ Voelker

The Warm After Winter by Megan Davies

Peace Out by Meg Weston

Playful Clouds by Deliece Blanchard

Cosmic Kiss by Ella Morrison

The Cry of Jazz by Angus Carter

My World by Summer Raulersen

Escape by Emily Stilwell