As we near the end of Virginia Wine Month, we remember why Wine Enthusiast magazine named us one of the 10 best wine travel destinations in the world. Each turn of our scenic roads brings a new adventure, perfect for your October wine trip. In one afternoon, you can go from rolling vineyards, to picturesque horse farms, to cozy country inns. A mouthwatering barbecue stand to a five-star restaurant serving Virginia’s finest wines. A stunning Viognier to a world-class Cabernet Franc. This is Virginia. It’s how we roll.

The more time you take, the more you’ll discover – every region, every vintage, every winery in Virginia is unique. The one constant is a warm welcome.

Virginia wines are now recognized among the world’s best, and there are over 250 local wineries ready to show you why. Although the exciting events and special promotions of October Wine Month are coming to a close, we encourage you to continue your exploration of Virginia’s stunning vineyards and award-winnings wines. Be sure to visit VirginiaWine.org for a complete list of wine-related activities.

Drink Local October Challenge
Be true to your roots, Virginia! In celebration of Wine Month, please choose a Virginia vintage when enjoying wine during the month of October. Whether at home or in a restaurant, be sure to support our local wineries. Tell us about your Virginia Wine crush at #VAWine and #OctVAWineMonth.

Always drink responsibly.
VirginiaWine.org
804-402-1896

While surfing the net… I came across this song about Lynchburg, VA. Many of you have probably already heard it, but to me it has the sound of “Virginia’s Red Dirt Roots”. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do! The song is titled, “Goin’ Down to Lynchburg Town”, by Randy Thompson. Below is a little bit of history about Randy and his music stylings.

Virginia has history nestled among its rolling hills and verdant valleys. The Piedmont region has witnessed turbulent and formative events that have in turn produced an uncommonly rich variety of compelling musical styles and voices. From Blues to Country to Bluegrass and beyond, it is a heritage that Virginia-based singer/songwriter Randy Thompson intuitively understands and brings vividly to life. His music lovingly embraces the past even as it blazes kicking, picking, singing and rocking into the 21st Century.

Randy Thompson can trace a Virginia bloodline back to the early 1700s. Thompson, who now resides in the small town of Clifton, gives true meaning to the term “roots music.” Like his musical antecedents, Randy draws inspiration directly from his own experience, creating starkly drawn musical and lyrical pictures.

Randy’s 1998 debut, ‘Wearin’ Blue,’ garnered widespread critical acclaim, while his 2004 sophomore release, ‘That’s Not Me’, expanded on achievements and generated significant airplay on both a national and international level, debuting at No. 1 on the International Hotdisc chart and reaching Top 40 on national Americana, Country, and Roots Rock charts. AboutCountry.com was among a number of sites and magazines that listed ‘That’s Not Me’ as one of the top 10 albums of 2004.

The release of ‘Further On’ in 2008 took Randy Thompson to a whole new level, receiving positive reviews from radio and industry worldwide. Brian Ahern from Country Music UK said, “for me, this is the very essence of what country music is all about…. Through Randy Thompson and Further On country music has done it again”. It was instantly picked up by Sirius XM and hundreds of radio stations, both Americana and Country, all over the US, Europe and Australia and spawned three more Top 5 Hotdisc chart singles. The album opened many new doors for the artist including, European tours, national television, a movie soundtrack appearance, and an NPR radio special.

‘Collected’ stands ready to raise the bar once again for Randy Thompson. The album will be simultaneously released in the US and Europe on Jan 24th 2012. ‘Collected’ is a compilation of fifteen tracks recorded over the last thirteen years, including three newly released tracks, a 2011 single, and eleven songs taken from Randy’s previous releases. The album includes eight Top 10 International Hotdisc singles and a Top 40 American country single, ‘Sound Of The Rain’. For Thompson, the new CD is a humble offering to the fans who, he says, “Chose the songs themselves. These are the tunes that my fans ask for again and again at my shows. I wanted this to be the album that you’d play in the car when you’re driving down Route 66 with the windows wide open.” There are a few ballads here, but the bulk of the material is more mid to up-tempo Americana country rockers. Regardless of tempo, Thompson’s distinctive voice captures the listener, while his unerring guitar work and compelling pen continue to justify his ever-expanding fan base.

The Randy Thompson Band is a touring powerhouse. The Washington Post said of a recent performance, ‘He can really put it across in a live setting with undeniable confidence….a compelling performer”. The Randy Thompson Band hits the road in 2012 to fulfill on the unstoppable momentum they have built and forged on the road, the path carved from hard-lived experience. Randy Thompson’s music, like the man, cannot be stuck in one place and expected to stay put. Call it country, call it roots music, call it Americana; but if you want to call an artist who knows where he comes from, where he stands and how to make the most out of both……call Randy Thompson. It’s the sound of the Virginia hills, of war and peace and love and fear. Randy Thompson’s music is the sometimes sad, often simple and always beautiful sound of the truth.

To read more about Randy, visit his Facebook page.

October is Virginia Wine Month and a great time to get out and discover your favorites.

Virginia is the nation’s fifth largest wine grape producer and our wines are now consistently recognized around the globe. Not all wine grapes grow well here, but some truly thrive. Chardonnay is the state’s most planted grape, creating rich and full-bodied wines, that are a testament to the grape’s versatility. There are over two-dozen other Virginia varieties, including well-known favorites like Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc. There are, however, some wonderful surprises, too.

Red Bordeaux varieties, particularly Cabernet Franc, Nebbiolo, Petit Verdot and Tannat, grow well in Virginia’s warm climate and have become extremely popular throughout the state.

Our Cabernet Franc has earned an international reputation and is considered to be among Virginia’s best red wines. It is a spicy, peppery wine with aromas that can contain plum, blackberry, violets and tobacco notes. Well-spiced meat dishes or an aged cheese plate make perfect pairings for this flavorful red.

Nebbiolo is one of Virginia’s best kept secrets. It is grown very selectively throughout the Commonwealth, and requires a long growing season. Nebbiolo has a distinctive brick-orange color and pairs especially well with earthy flavors. A perfect match for truffles, it is also wonderful with braised short ribs, rack of lamb, or mushroom risotto.

Generally used as a blending grape in Bordeaux, Petit Verdot has come into its own as a Virginia varietal. It creates a dark, full-bodied red wine characterized by dense, dark fruit with spicy notes of leather, coconut, smoke and dark chocolate. Pair with steak, rich sauces, barbecue and strong cheeses to showcase both wine and food to their maximum potential.

Another French grape, Tannat, is becoming a rising star in Virginia. Along with earthy flavors and spice, Tannat’s full-bodied palate showcases fruit flavors including plum and raspberry. Usually produced as a single varietal wine in Virginia, its smoky character makes it a perfect pairing for sausage, roasted meats and strong aged cheeses.

Emerging Virginia whites of interest include Albariño, Viognier and another French white variety called Petit Manseng.

Albariño is highly aromatic and showcases intense lime, apple, hyacinth, almond and grass notes that are balanced by a naturally high acidity. This lively wine is made in a dry style without oak and is best served young. It is wonderful with fresh fish and seafood of all kinds as well as other light meats, and is a lovely accompaniment to goat cheese.

Viognier has become somewhat of a signature white wine for Virginia. Internationally, Virginia Viognier has consistently earned praise for its intense and complex aromas of stone fruit with tropical notes. It is a superb accompaniment to rich dishes such as lobster, veal, pork and cheeses, and particularly shines when paired with a rich sauce.

Petit Manseng is a white wine variation of the black Manseng grape, whose name derives from its small berries. It features rich aromas of candied fruit and spice which are often complemented with flavors of honey, nuts and pineapple. Quickly gaining critical acclaim in Virginia, Petit Manseng goes well with a variety of foods including moderately spicy Asian and Thai dishes.

To see how your favorites stack up against the experts, check out the medalist winners from the 2017 Virginia Governor’s Cup wine competition at www.virginiawine.org/governors-cup

Drink Local October Challenge
Be true to your roots, Virginia! In celebration of Wine Month, please choose a Virginia vintage when enjoying wine during the month of October. Whether at home or in a restaurant, be sure to support our local wineries. Tell us about your Virginia Wine crush at #VAWine and #OctVAWineMonth.

Always drink responsibly.
VirginiaWine.org
804-402-1896

October is Virginia Wine Month, and a great time to discover why Wine Enthusiast magazine named us one of the ten best wine travel destinations in the world. Lots of new and exciting things are happening at Virginia wineries these days. The state is consistently recognized in publications like Wine Spectator, the Washington Post and the New York Times as one of the country’s most promising wine regions. Virginia was also named one of the World’s 10 Best Wine Travel Destinations by Wine Enthusiast magazine.

Some are surprised by Virginia’s winemaking success, but in fact, the birthplace of America is also the birthplace of American wine. In 1619, early settlers were required by law to plant grapes in hopes that Virginia would become a major wine source for the British empire. Unfortunately, due to disease and drought, little came of the initial harvest.

Thomas Jefferson tried to grow wine grapes for over 50 years, yet could never produce a single bottle.

In the 1820s, wines made from Native American grapes met with great success, and in 1873, a Virginia Norton wine was named “best red wine of all nations” at the Vienna World’s Fair. Alas, Prohibition promptly halted the momentum in the early 20th century.

Despite the setbacks, some visionary vintners persevered. Thanks to modern viticultural advances and refined planting techniques, the winemaking dream that began in 1619 has finally become a reality.

Virginia wines are now recognized among the world’s best, and there are over 250 local wineries ready to show you why. There are exciting events and special promotions going on all month long. Be sure to visit VirginiaWine.org  for a complete list of October Wine Month activities.

Drink Local October Challenge Be true to your roots, Virginia! In celebration of Wine Month, please choose a Virginia vintage when enjoying wine during the month of October. Whether at home or in a restaurant, be sure to support our local wineries. Tell us about your Virginia Wine crush at #VAWine and #OctVAWineMonth.

Always drink responsibly. VirginiaWine.org 804-402-1896

October is Virginia Wine Month, and a great time to discover why Wine Enthusiast magazine named us one of the 10 best wine travel destinations in the world. Here are a few tips to help maximize your Virginia vineyard experience.
1. Do your homework. Are there specific types of wines you want to try or viticultural areas you’d like to visit?
2. Go to VirginiaWine.org and plan your route. There are existing wine trails designed to make the most of your trip. It’s recommended to visit no more than three to four vineyards per day, and if possible, go during the week for more personalized attention and less crowds.
3. Check out each winery beforehand for details. All have different hours, special events, tasting policies and group availability. Many require advance notice for larger parties.
4. Travel smart. It’s important to have bottled water on hand to stay hydrated between tasting sessions. All those sips can add up. Experts recommend spitting out wine after tastings to ensure sobriety. And be sure to have a designated driver.
Virginia wines are now recognized among the world’s best, and there are over 250 local wineries ready to show you why. There are exciting events and special promotions going on all month long. Be sure to visit VirginiaWine. org for a complete list of October Wine Month activities.

Drink Local October Challenge Be true to your roots, Virginia! In celebration of Wine Month, please choose a Virginia vintage when enjoying wine during the month of October. Whether at home or in a restaurant, be sure to support our local wineries. Tell us about your Virginia Wine crush at #VAWine and #OctVAWineMonth.

Always drink responsibly. VirginiaWine.org 804-402-1896

October is Virginia Wine Month, and a great time to discover why Wine Enthusiast magazine named us one of the 10 best wine travel destinations in the world. Each turn of our scenic roads brings a new adventure. In one afternoon, you can go from rolling vineyards, to picturesque horse farms, to cozy country inns. A mouthwatering barbecue stand to a five-star restaurant. A stunning Viognier to a world-class Cabernet Franc. This is Virginia. It’s how we roll.

 The more time you take, the more you’ll discover ― every region, every vintage, every winery in Virginia is unique. The one constant is a warm welcome. 

 Virginia wines are now recognized among the world’s best, and there are over 250 local wineries ready to show you why. There are exciting events and special promotions going on all month long. Be sure to visit VirginiaWine.org for a complete list of October Wine Month activities.

Drink Local October Challenge Be true to your roots, Virginia! In celebration of Wine Month, please choose a Virginia vintage when enjoying wine during the month of October. Whether at home or in a restaurant, be sure to support our local wineries. Tell us about your Virginia Wine crush at #VAWine and #OctVAWineMonth.

Always drink responsibly. VirginiaWine.org 804-402-1896

5 Pieces of Advice to Improve the School Year

Whether a child is starting school for the first time or returning to the classroom as a senior student, heading “back to school” is the perfect time to start fresh and begin the year in the right mindset.
We asked people in all areas of Lynchburg City Schools to give their best piece of advice to students of all ages.

“Be involved as much as you can.”

Marcy Farris sent her son, Ben, off to school for the first time in the fall of 2016. She said during the transition process, she made sure to go to all the orientations she could and ask every question possible. “If you have questions, ask them,” she says. “Chances are someone else is wondering the same thing.” In fact, many times after a meeting she would have several parents come up to her and thank her for asking the questions they were too scared to voice.
Farris said her son’s school, Bedford Hills Elementary, was always supportive and never made her feel as if the question was too small or insignificant. If they didn’t know the answer, they were willing to find out. She felt much more prepared this year as Ben returned for his second year. Now that she has a year of the school routine under her belt, she plans on being involved as much as her schedule will allow her.

“Tell your children what to expect.”

As the principal of Dearington Elementary School, Daniel Rule is no stranger to the back-to-school mindset. However, this year is a little bit different, as his oldest headed off to Kindergarten this fall. “A lot of time, children are excited to go to school, but that excitement fades when they realize they have to keep coming back day after day for years and years,” says Rule.
Get them interested in meeting new friends and learning new things. For example, in the weeks leading up to the first day, Rule gave his child regular “Kindergarten tests” by asking him to perform tasks such as showering by himself or pouring milk. “It really gets him excited about things,” he says.
Rule’s final piece of advice is to make sure your child knows their bus number. While the teachers will know it, it’s helpful if the child knows what number to look for and has it written down somewhere they can easily check, such as on their backpack.

“Every new year is a chance to start fresh.”

“Often, students get into their heads that just because they had a bad year or weren’t a good student last year, that this year is going to be the same,” says Catherine Bragg, eighth grade English teacher at Dunbar Middle School.
However, Bragg doesn’t let this attitude stay around for very long in her classroom. On the first day of school, she lets her students know they can start fresh if they would like, giving them a chance to do better. “My eighth graders are still trying to decide if they want to participate in school or not, so I try to encourage them as much as I can,” Bragg says.
In the classroom, Bragg spreads this idea to daily life as well. She reminds students that just because they were grumpy or tired the day before doesn’t mean they can’t do well in the present. She encourages parents to utilize this mentality at home and has seen it turn student
mindsets around.

“Don’t be afraid to reach out to teachers and peers about anything you need help with.”

Mary Kate Comerford is a rising senior at Heritage High School. “When starting a new year and a new grade, it’s a big change and adjustment,” she says. Comerford says she has a lot of questions at the start of each year and utilizes those around her for answers.
Normally, she asks upperclassmen about teachers—what to expect about their personality and workload. However, last year she had a history teacher who was new to the school. Since none of her peers could offer any information, Comerford went straight to the teacher to get answers. The teacher responded by laying out all the expectations for the year, a timeline Comerford could use to anticipate assignments, and guidelines for assignments. Comerford says, “Reaching out to her made me more comfortable. I didn’t have to go in blind.”

“Stay on top of your grades.”

As the director of Heritage High School’s Future Center, Leidra McQueen helps prepare high school students for college. “Your GPA starts ticking on day one of high school, and it’s important for students not to let it slip,” she says. The clock starts even earlier for those who take high school classes while still in middle school. Even though GPAs carry over from year to year, McQueen says each year is still an opportunity to start fresh and recommit to doing well.
For those who struggle with a low GPA, assistance is available. Both E.C. Glass and Heritage high schools offer assistance through Beacon of Hope. The two Future Centers offer tutoring, SAT and ACT prep courses, financial aid assistance and college admission guidance.

“Best Of Lynchburg” Awards
The finalist round for the “Best of Lynchburg” Awards is underway now through September 25. Head to lynchburgliving.com to cast your votes for the top 10 nominees in every category! The top five of each category will be published as winners in our January/February issue.

Lynchburg Restaurant Week Donations
For the first time, Lynchburg Restaurant Week partnered with Meals on Wheels of Greater Lynchburg. During the one-week dining event June 10-17, $415 was raised for the nonprofit. Thank you, Lynchburg, for your giving spirit!

Positive Feedback
Riverviews Artspace wrote on Facebook, “Lynchburg Living did a great article on Ken Faraoni and his art. … Celebrate your local artists and local artspace!” DebraLee Hovey, organizer of the SML Charity Home Tour, wrote to the editor about the July/August Home feature: “We all loved the spread you did … It came out fabulous. Thank you for your professionalism and for making our home tour look as great as it really is!”

We Want To hear From You!

Write to Feedback, Lynchburg Living magazine, 1035 Avalon Dr., Forest, VA 24551. Send e-mail to feedback@lynchburgmag.com.

Correspondents must identify themselves; names may be withheld on request. Lynchburg Living may edit or condense letters.

Aspiring Librarian
Age: 7

Why did you decide you want to be a librarian when you grow up?
Because you get to look at books!

Where did you get the idea to create the Little Mimosa Library at your house?
I said that I wanted to be a librarian, then my daddy showed me a little library once downtown.

You had a lot of help from your family, especially your grandfather. How did he help?
My Dan Dan built the library for me.

Have people been using the library so far?
Yes! Pinocchio was the first book checked out.

Why do you think reading is important?
Because it helps you learn about stuff. I love when my daddy and mommy read to me. I love a lot of books like Fancy Nancy, The Hobbit, and books about Narnia.

Check out the newest Little Free Library
in Bedford County, located at the Goode Rescue Squad. Usually using scrap wood and donated materials, the Bedford Rotary Club has helped create five of these across the county over the past two years. The libraries further their goal to support education and a love of reading.