BEHIND THE SCENES
Lynchburg Living relies on a fabulous team of freelance photographers to fill the pages of our magazine with local, current photography.

It’s something we are very proud of!

In November, when photographer Heather Kidd wasn’t able to secure child care for her 8-month-old son, editor Shelley Basinger said, “Bring him on!” Shelley heldWyatt while Heather took photos for this issue’s Home feature.

It was a tough job but someone had to do it.

See this issue’s Home feature on Grandmillennial Style starting on page 35.

A 1963 Econoline serves as the backdrop to Debbie Sirockman’s desk at Virginia Found Goods, a giant warehouse filled with, well, just about everything. The difference between antiques and junk, she says, is that antiques are “authentic vintage.”

“Almost everything in here is one-of-a-kind,” Sirockman said of the stock in her warehouse, which she opened two years ago just outside of Altavista.

Displays of antique cameras, toys, kitchen items, tools, furniture, and countless odds and ends fill the warehouse.

The Econoline is not for sale. Neither is an old Airstream, but both are imposing props that entertain customers.

Her shop was one of several stops I made one November day as I ventured out to learn about the art of “antiquing.” Whether you want to make it a daytrip, or a weekend getaway, experts like Sirockman say authentic “antiquing” really is all about the hunt—and you might have to leave your zip code.

A native of New Jersey, Sirockman searches far and wide for her own treasures. Flea markets, garage sales, salvage, and estate sales are primary sources, from places as far away as Italy and Amsterdam.

At Lou’s Antique Mall in Amherst, my next stop, Nancy Simmons said their visitors have come from Russia, France, Wales, and England. The Russian visitor was looking for old soul albums, she said.

The mall concept allows a variety of dealers to work from one location. At Lou’s, Simmons said about 12 dealers sell a variety of goods, and each dealer usually has a specific focus. Lou’s has an even larger store in Danville.

Simmons said at their store, they have seen a resurgence in the furniture market. “Right now furniture is a big seller, especially the old oak,” she said.

The shop is full of large farm tables, buffets, Amish furniture, hall trees, and even an old ice box.

“Just about everything goes through a slump, then it comes back out,” she said. “People like unusual things. They love the jumble. They never know what they will find.”

That treasure hunt aspect is what keeps many people coming back, sometimes week after week, as dealers bring in new items all the time.

At Bell Treasures in Bedford, my third stop, I ran into vendor Terri Foster who is always adding new items to her booth. She’s been selling there for nine years. “I feel like you’re cheating if you find it on eBay,” she said.

Many people use the internet to get an idea of what an antique is likely to sell for, which is an excellent place to start, but there is nothing like finding something you want in person. It’s also easier to assess what shape an item is in.

Cheryl Reynolds, another vendor at Bell Treasures, said small things are popular in their two-level store. Primitive items such as braided rugs and dolls are popular, as are mid-century modern pieces. Quilts, crafts, vintage clothes, paintings, and toys fill every nook and cranny.

Because of its proximity to the National D-Day Memorial, Bell Treasures has a section of World War II items, including uniforms, and often gets shoppers who have visited the memorial. Reynolds said one young shopper from Normandy told her he had met his American wife at the memorial.

Bell Treasures also sees a lot of local shoppers who come in frequently because new items come in almost daily. Miranda Laucella, 22, was recently examining shelves and admitted she does more looking than buying.

“You never know what you’re going to find,” she said, noting that her mother got her into antiquing.

Art Dodd, owner of Estates Revisited in Lynchburg, worked for Estate Specialists until it closed seven years ago. When he opened his own store on Lynchburg’s Main Street, he had a good understanding of what sells. He is in the business of buying whole estates, as well as putting items on consignment.

Bedroom furniture, especially queen and twin beds, are popular, as well as small end tables, he said. For the kitchen, farmhouse tables made from reclaimed wood by a local carpenter can be ordered at Dodd’s store. Any furniture made from solid wood sells well because customers know it’s not going to fall apart, he added.

Many items in antique stores aren’t truly antiques, but college students and first-time apartment dwellers aren’t concerned with age, as much as affordability, Dodd said.

Glassware, including china, crystal, and stemware is very difficult to sell, as are any collectibles.

“Nobody’s collecting anymore,” he said. “The younger generation is into more minimal décor.”

While Lynchburg’s downtown has several antique shops, they all have their own niche. In addition to furniture and primitive cabinets, Dodd said vintage local artwork is popular, even if the artists are not well-known.

Vintage postcards and scenes of the city also sell well.

Regional books are in demand, including Allen Chambers’ Lynchburg: An Architectural History. “That’s the one everybody hunts for,” Dodd said.

Aside from the thrill of the hunt, antique shops provide the ultimate in reuse. Back at Virginia Found Goods in Hurt, salvage is big these days, Sirockman said, noting that corbels are popular. These shops also offer value—for example, a new door from a big box store can easily cost $400, while a solid oak salvaged door might only be $100 and last years longer, she said.

Sirockman said perusing is often times the point. People who spend a day visiting antique shops often want a single, smaller item or just enjoy walking down memory lane. Some search for pieces in a china pattern that matches one they inherited.

So whether someone actually finds a treasure they are looking for, an antique store is sure to bring back childhood memories and provide a peek at the past. “Sometimes it just therapy,” Sirockman said.

How Quilting Bridges the Generation Gap

Few things are as deeply rooted in tradition as the art of quilting. Throughout history, quilts have served as both functional and ornamental pieces, and they have become deeply symbolic. As is the case for anything that inspires nostalgia, quilting has the potential to be seen as a lost art—quilts as relics. Fortunately, that has not proven to be the case at all.

One need look no further than Lynchburg to see that quilting continues to thrive. Multiple quilting guilds and shops flourish here with diverse members and customers respectively, and there are several reasons why.

Artistically, quilting has remained relevant because quilters have embraced modern techniques that mark a diversion—but never a complete departure—from more traditional techniques.

Lynchburg’s first major foray into modern quilting was marked by the launch of a subgroup of longstanding quilt guild Patches ‘n Pieces in the early 2000s. This group, called LAFA (Lynchburg Area Fiber Arts), was founded due to the emergence of “art quilting,” which places emphasis on form over function.

“Blankets and baby quilts were and still are being made all the time, but now there was this explosion of creativity beyond those projects,” says Laurie Szczutkowski, member and former president of Patches ‘n Pieces. “A lot of quilts being made today are not your grandmother’s quilts!”

“Quilts are coming off beds and onto walls!” exclaims Barb Brummond, member of Patches ‘n Pieces.

An even more visible venture into modern quilting occurred when The Virginia Quilt museum featured an exhibit called “Heritage Redefined: A Modern Quilt Exhibit” in 2017.

“The term ‘heritage’ gives reference to the fact that even though quilting has changed, we have our roots in the tradition; we’re just taking it in different directions,” Brummond notes.

“Some of the things that define modern quilting are different layouts—a practice called alternate ‘gridwork’—as opposed to traditional patchwork; improv, where you’re not working with a pattern; and the use of negative space.”

In the summer of 2019, the Bower Center for the Arts in Bedford showed off numerous quilts at its National Juried Fiber Arts Exhibition. The contemporary quilts and other pieces were created as an artistic expression—not for everyday life. “With artistic quilts, you have some people who have come out of the traditional quilt field and want to expand their creativity in other ways,” said Jill Jensen, a juror and judge of the show.

“There are also artistic quilters who have come from the fine art field. … I started as a painter but I eventually came to textiles. It’s a way to combine all of my loves of color, bold imagery and texture all in one piece of art.”

The latest local development on the modern quilting front is the late November 2019 launch of a local chapter of The Modern Quilt Guild, an international organization founded on the West Coast 10 years ago. Meetings will be held at Threads Run Thru It, a quilt shop in Rustburg.

Efforts to offer quilting meetings and events at night and on weekends have also allowed for more participation from younger generations.

“The plan is to have [Modern Quilt Guild] meetings on weekends so that younger people can come and join the group,” Brummond says. “If we don’t have younger people, we’re not going to have much of a future for quilting! The modern quilt movement is attracting younger quilters, so we certainly want them to be able to attend meetings.”

Patches ‘n Pieces, a 40-year-old local guild that focuses primarily on traditional quilting techniques, saw a need to offer evening meetings; thus Seven Hills Quilt Guild was born in 2000.

“Seven Hills was established by members of Patches ‘n Pieces because they understood that there are people who work full time who also want to quilt and want an avenue to get together and create,” says Linda Black, member and former treasurer of Patches ‘n Pieces.

The Seven Hills Quilt Guild also embodies another reason that quilting has stood the test of time: its capacity to express support and concern for others.

“Quilters have the biggest hearts of any people you will ever meet, and quilting gives us an opportunity to serve those around us,” says Kim Payne, president of Seven Hills. “We feel that we can fill needs with fabric.”

The guild, which currently boasts about 35 members, produces a staggering number of quilts each year for various charities and causes both locally and throughout the East Coast.

Among these many quilts created annually are 50 baby quilts for the Blue Ridge Pregnancy Center, 25 quilts for the Salvation Army, a minimum of 25 quilts for women and 15 quilts for children at the Safe House for Abused and Battered Women, and one or two quilts for the Rainbow of Hope Quilt Auction for Centra Hospice. Additionally, the guild creates 10 to 15 quilts for Quilts of Valor for veterans, quilts for each of the beds and the sofa at the Desmond T. Doss Home for Homeless Veterans, 15 quilts for Hope for Appalachia (which aids special needs children in impoverished areas of Appalachia), and 16 quilts for beds at the Outdoor Education Center in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia (which supports at-risk youth in Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, and Maryland).

The Queen Bees, another subgroup of Patches ‘n Pieces, also creates quilts for local organizations such as HumanKind, Miriam’s House, the Pearson Cancer Center, and Habitat for Humanity.

Unsurprisingly, the internet has also played a significant role in keeping quilting alive.
“The internet has made a huge difference,” Szczutkowski notes. “There are a myriad of permutations of how people have connected internationally over the last 15 to 20 years. That said, I don’t think meeting face-to-face will ever go out of style. The love of fabric is the common thread. There is something about being able to talk about that shared love in person that is very special.”

As it turns out, the cornerstone of quilting’s continued relevance and popularity is a quality it has always possessed: an innate ability to bring people from different backgrounds and of different ages together. As long as experienced quilters are willing to impart their knowledge and beginning quilters are willing to learn that knowledge, quilting will live on.

Luckily, experienced quilters assert that quilting isn’t as challenging as it seems. “Quilting is fun, and it’s not hard!” Payne exclaims. “If you can sew a quarter-inch seam, you’ve got it made.”

“The talent in this town is amazing,” says Szczutkowski. “I suspect that for beginners, it’s challenging to not feel intimidated by folks who have been quilting for a long time. We try to encourage our new members to be inspired rather than intimidated by more experienced members.”

Quilting, and in fact any creative endeavor, may seem especially intimidating to those who feel that they are too old to be considered beginners; that said, it is never too late to pursue a new hobby.

“When I was growing up, my mother didn’t like to sew because she had to sew our clothes, so I didn’t grow up loving to sew,” Black says. “I didn’t make my first quilt until my son was born
when I was 35, and I didn’t make another one until I was 41 or 42. It’s never too late to find your passion.”

Regardless of your chosen creative pursuit(s), the important thing is to never stop creating. “My personal belief is that every human has an urge to create, and we all find our way to do so in some form or another,” Szczutkowski says. “Creating feeds our souls and nurtures us in a way nothing else can.”

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Photos by LAURA BETH DAVIDSON

Local church works to preserve historical Lynchburg churches through merger

Nestled among gas stations, empty buildings, and single-family homes, Rivermont Avenue Baptist Church has remained an impressive figure in the neighborhood for more than 100 years. While the church building itself may not have changed much over the past century, its residents have.

For over the past three years, Gospel Community Church has been part of the Rivermont Avenue Baptist Church story once the previously nomadic church found a home beneath historic stained glass windows and pews.

Since its founding in 2009, Gospel Community Church has always met in unexpected places, according to GCC Teaching Pastor Andrew Moroz.

“There was a convention center, a school, and a night club,” Moroz said, referencing the former Phase 2 building on Odd Fellows Road. “On some Sundays, we’d be getting to the club to set up as concerts were ending and bartenders were heading home for the night. There was definitely some overlap between the events.”

Set-up crews would arrive as early as 6 a.m. on Sundays to transform the club into a church. Once services were over, they’d pack everything up, staying well into the afternoon.

“I think it was off-putting to people at times,” Moroz said of the haphazard set-up and non-conventional meeting space.

Despite the unusual arrangement, Moroz said they didn’t feel an urgency to find a new space as their congregation flourished. But as their church body continued to grow, and quickly, they realized that finding a permanent space had to be a priority.

In 2017, they began sensing that God would lead them to a new home. The leadership of GCC began working with a realtor and touring properties around the area, even toying with the idea of building their own space. Nothing seemed to be the right fit.

“The cost of building a new building—and the type of building which would satisfy all of our needs—was astronomical,” Moroz said. “We seriously explored the option of converting other non-conventional spaces into a church building such as shopping centers or warehouses.”

Meanwhile, across town on Rivermont Avenue, another congregation was trying to figure out how to keep their doors open.

Rivermont Avenue Baptist Church first began on Cabell Street in 1896. Founded by the Young Men’s Missionary Society of the First Baptist Church, the group worked for 10 years to build their home on Cabell Street after they, like GCC, were mobile as well—holding Sunday School in the old Danielstown Schoolhouse and tent meetings around the Rivermont area.

The church called Cabell Street home for nearly 15 years, until they realized they had outgrown their space. They moved to Rivermont Avenue in 1911 and officially changed their name to reflect their new home.

Over the years, the congregation was passionate about ministering to the local neighborhood. But as decades went by, their numbers dwindled, and they needed a plan on how to breathe new life into their beloved church.

For Scot Podosek, RABC was more than just a church—it was home.

“We had been there for the past 25 years,” Podosek said. “It was just this amazing place and we were there any time the doors were open.”

The RABC leadership formed a work group, which included Podosek, to research their options.

Then, on a return flight to Lynchburg, a chance encounter between GCC Worship Pastor Brian Friberg and Podosek led both churches down a new path. The two struck up a conversation that eventually led to what each of the two churches was trying to accomplish.

“[Pososek said], ‘Isn’t it funny how churches like yours occupy schools or nightclubs and then you have churches like ours that are in need of a congregation? …We really want to breathe life into these buildings,’” Friberg said in a video about the merger.

Podosek and Friberg came back to Lynchburg and scheduled a meeting. After that first in-person chat with one another, it was clear that there was the real possibility of a solution.

“That first meeting was enlightening,” Podosek said. “These folks wanted to invest in what we were doing [in Rivermont]. A church is more than just a building. It’s about the people. But this building was special, and we were thrilled to see it being used to its highest potential.”

Moroz admits being impressed by not only the leaders he encountered, but also the historic beauty of the Rivermont church building.

“You walk up and there’s a balcony that overlooks the sanctuary,” Moroz explained. “It just took our breath away. Here was a space that had been a comfort and a haven to the Lynchburg community for decades.”

Becoming Gospel Community Church Rivermont and merging two churches under one roof was a challenge. Both had their own philosophy, culture, and demographic. But despite the changes, both congregations always came back to the fact that RABC and GCC shared a common goal of loving God and loving people, as well as a deep desire to impact the city.

From there, the church transformed into something new as they began a new era in the fall of 2017.

“You go in on a Sunday and you still see people who have called [RABC] home for the past 50 to 60 years,” Podosek said. “You have people who grew up here and then people who are entering Lynchburg for the first time.”

It didn’t stop there. During their search for a building, GCC had connected with College Hill Baptist Church, only a few miles away on Floyd Street.

Like RABC, College Hill had also made its mark on the Lynchburg community for decades—since 1876. There, a small team of 20 people were working diligently to save their church.

“Caring for a historical building is no easy task,” Moroz said. “Here were 20 people who were using their own resources to upkeep the building. …The CHBC congregation needed help with their worship services and core ministries. The pastors of Gospel Community stepped in to help,” Moroz said. “Ministering to the congregation eventually led to the conversation of a formal merger.”

Over this past summer, GCC officially merged with College Hill—which is located across the street from R.S. Payne Elementary School and only a few blocks from Dunbar Middle School.

“There is an incredibly high concentration of kids and teenagers in this part of the city. That’s an incredible opportunity for us to come alongside them and their families and to provide support and biblical encouragement,” said GCC Communications Director Jennifer Redmond.

It’s also, like Rivermont Avenue Baptist Church, adjacent to the thriving Downtown Lynchburg area—as well as the 5th Street and Bedford Avenue corridors.

“It’s been exciting to be in that sector and building relationships with businesses, families, and neighbors,” Redmond said. “We have also worked diligently to connect with our immediate neighbors and some of the existing ministries that were already established in the Rivermont neighborhood.”

Moroz said they are also working to establish the church as a meeting space for local nonprofits, groups, and ministries.

“We want to take that money and pour it right back into preserving these buildings,” he said, adding that they are working to transform and renew the buildings to work for modern needs, such as handicap accessibility. “It’s about sustainability. I truly believe that people want to see a healthy, thriving church in a neighborhood.”

According to Moroz, a healthy church doesn’t just mean having a building full of people. A healthy church has a congregation that is always focused on the greater good.

Because of the merger, GCC was able to continue a RABC ministry called the Connecting Point, which provides food for those in need and houses a summer learning program for school-age youth. The main church building also continues to house the Rivermont Early Learning Center.

In both neighborhoods, GCC has hosted events such as block parties to engage their neighbors and let them know that they are available to them—now, and hopefully well into the future as well.

“[RABC] has always been part of Rivermont,” Podosek said. “Now it gets to stay that way.”

One of my favorite pieces of furniture is tucked into a corner of my 17-month-old son’s rarely used bedroom. It’s my Great Aunt Louise’s hope chest—a dark cherry wood heirloom my mother had for many years before passing it down to me.

After receiving the chest, I developed an even stronger pull to this antique when I saw the original paper from the furniture company inside: “Made in Altavista, Virginia,” it read. A place that probably seemed far away at the time to my Great Aunt Louise in North Carolina—but ended up being in my backyard.

There is certainly a tone of nostalgia in this issue of Lynchburg Living—a sub-theme that quite honestly developed organically during story assignments. Starting with our Travel feature, we went “antiquing.” Writer Shannon Brennan and myself spent a day visiting a few regional shops to see what we could glean from owners about what’s popular, what’s not and what you could learn on an antique daytrip.

Tying into a love for antiques is a focus on traditional home décor. Of course, this isn’t a new style—but what is new(er) is that younger people seem to be embracing the interior design preferences of their grandparents. We caught up with two “grandmillennials” (a term used by some in the design industry) and show you how they are mixing traditional style with their own flair.

Alongside antiques and “grandmillennials,” you’ll also find a feature on the art of quilting and how Lynchburg’s thriving local groups are staying current. And our This City story explains a unique church merger—a younger congregation moving into one of Lynchburg’s oldest church buildings.

Of course, this is also our ever-popular “Best Of Lynchburg” issue—recognizing local businesses, people, destinations and more in dozens of categories. Lynchburg, you certainly come out in force for this effort. We received more than 106,000 votes on our website! Flip to page 66 to see who is proudly displaying our teal banners in 2020.

As we usher in a new year, here’s to being proud of your “best” and looking forward, while also not forgetting to look back.

Makes me realize… I think it’s about time to move Great Aunt Louise’s hope chest down to the living room where it belongs.

Pencil Portraits, Paintings and Photography

Lynchburg Living Editor Shelley Basinger: We hear you come from a pretty big family, Robert. How did that help you develop a love of art?

Robert Pennix: I grew up in a very large family. My grandmother lived with us, and realatives were always dropping in to visit—aunts, uncles and cousins. Because I was an introverted child, I would look for places where I could find some solitude. I would find a space in a room away from everyone and just draw or sketch. That’s where it started.

SB: When did you really start to develop your technique?

RP: I took art all four years in high school.
My high school teacher taught me to recognize the importance of shapes, shading, color, and perspective. He was very serious about art and the rules that applied to art. His class was not an easy “A.”

SB: Where did life take you after high school?

RP: After graduation, I worked a factory job for about a year. Then I started working in the culinary arts field as a cook in training at the local college. Within a few years, I had worked my way up to a shift leader and head cook. I decided to go back to school to take some management and business courses. After finishing my general education courses, I took my first art class as an elective at Central Virginia Community College. I enjoyed the class so much that I switched my major to art and received my associate’s degree in commercial art. After I graduated, I attended Old Dominion University for a semester. But because I was much older than most of the students on campus with more personal obligations and financial responsibilities, I returned to Lynchburg and went back into the food service field as a food operational manager, then as a regional food service director.

I had a great career in the food service industry and retired with 30 years of state service.

SB: Sometimes we have to make those decisions to provide for our families! But you still kept art as a side hobby, right?

RP: I have been married for 32 years to my wife who is my biggest supporter. She has watched me struggle to find time for art. As we were raising our children and people found out that I was an artist, they would ask me to draw portraits of their children. This would happen occasionally, especially around life events and the holidays. She encouraged me to take these opportunities.

Many times, the portraits were for family and friends. After our children graduated college, I decided to give art another try—I decide to focus on the art I loved to do. In the last six or seven years, I have really put myself out there.

SB: You are very well known for your pencil portraits. Why are those your favorite?

RP: It just feels more at ease. I love the black and white look. I primarily work with pencil, and I like to do portraits in pencil. I have worked in charcoal, but it’s a little messy. For me pencils have a better flow and I don’t have to think about mixing colors.

SB: We’ve noticed you like to draw some notable figures in the African American community. Why did you choose those particular individuals? And was it hard to “get them right”?

RP: Some of the portraits I have drawn are of local people who have done some significant things in our city’s history. Most of them are from an African American background. I think more African American history should be taught especially about our local citizens. There is so much rich African American history that younger generations should learn in order to preserve traditions and culture.

My approach when I start a drawing is I try to capture the image of the person to the best of my ability. It is my perception; I also tell a client it will not be perfect but it will be the best reproduction that I can achieve.

SB: Aside from pencil, what other mediums do you work in?

RP: I have done some pastel portraits when people ask. I have sold some paintings on a commission basis. A couple years ago a lady wanted a portrait of her grandchildren. When I saw the image, I did not think it was a pencil portrait. It was clearly something that needed to be painted.

She allowed me to paint the image as I saw it and she later commissioned me for a second painting. I dabble a little in photography as well. If I have my camera with me, I am shooting—scenery, landscapes and whatever I find interesting. I like to use the camera and feel no pressure. Sometimes I get useable shots.

SB: In the past couple of years, you’ve been part of a vocal group that encourages the community to support African American artists.

RP: I grew up in a community where most of the people did something artistic but they never saw it as an artistic endeavor. I remember some of the older gentlemen in my neighborhood carving wood. (They would call it whittling.) The ladies would cut small pieces of fabric to make quilts. My grandmother would spend weeks or even months on one quilt. They were incredible, amazing pieces of art. Many times, she sold them for a few dollars.

A couple of years ago I was honored to be part of the Legacy Museum’s two-year exhibit celebrating the local visual artists who are African American. Every few months they would have
an artist talk—I was one of the first artists to volunteer to speak. Last year a group of us from the exhibit did an open forum discussion at the Lynchburg Public Library moderated by Tony Camm and sponsored by the Legacy Museum. I have also spoken at the local nonprofit The Listening. I enjoy art in all forms and I believe we should keep the community actively involved. Art is something that should not be removed from our schools.

SB: What advice do you have for aspiring artists? Particularly minority artists?

RP: The love of art has no color, no class distention, and no educational requirements. Passion prevails in your work; keep working and they will see the real you. There is no prejudice once people know who you are. Prejudice is a preconceived emotion that is only changed by the individual.

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Photos by LUCAS MOORE

Kapap Krav Maga Expert at FEKS Martial Arts

Lynchburg Living: David, we hear you had a surprise visitor recently! Tell us about your award.

David Rubinberg: Israeli Defense Forces Major Avi Nardia flew in to present the highest award one can earn in the Israeli Martial Arts—the blue and white belt. It is a lifetime achievement award that represents being a leading expert and senior counsel to all Israeli Martial Arts students worldwide. It came along with the rank of 8th degree black belt. I will also serve as the Head State of VA representative for FIMA (Federation of Israeli Martial Arts)—a gathering of the only top Israeli Martial Artists in the world. You must be invited into this group.

LL: How rare is this?

DR: Blue and white belts are extremely rare and are not presented to people that have not had at least 50 years of Israeli Martial Arts experience behind them. I am currently the only 8th degree black belt in the world in Kapap Krav Maga, which is studied in over 60 countries and has well over half a million students.

LL: Wow! That’s quite an accomplishment and certainly puts Lynchburg on the map. For those that aren’t familiar, what is Kapap Krav Maga?

DR: The Kapap or “face-to-face combat” system was developed in the late 1930s within the Jewish Aliyah camps as part of preparatory training before their arrival in Mandatory Palestine. The main focus was to upgrade physical endurance, elevate and strengthen the spirit, and develop a defensive and offensive skill set. The term Krav Maga or “close combat” started when the state of Israel was given back to the Jewish people in 1948. This was and still is the fighting form of the Israeli Defense Forces.

LL: How long have you been a martial arts instructor?

DR: I was 10 years old when I started my martial arts training in 1958 at Stewart Air Force Base. I continued my studies in Judo and Karate at community college. Then, upon coming to Lynchburg in 1967, I attended Slaughter’s School of Karate.

I began teaching my first class at Lynchburg College in 1967.

So, I have been an instructor for 52 years. My Krav Maga training began in 1957, as part of a family focus.

LL: How has your family played a role in your passion for martial arts?

DR: My grandfather came to this country alone in the early 1900s. He worked and saved enough money to bring my grandmother and father to New York. He then continued to work and save enough to bring members of the family over one at a time. My father is an only child. With the decimation of the remaining family in Europe from the Holocaust, what family we had left in New York, and what family escaped to Israel, our family here was very close. The talk was always centered around the possibility of all of us moving to Israel. Krav Maga training was an important part of that dream. Please understand, members of my family were in the concentration camps of Germany and would cover the stamped numbers on their arms with clothing. The training, the thought of “never again” was and still is very real for us.

LIVESTRONG at the YMCA transforms the lives of local cancer survivors

There was nothing abnormal when Tina Barcellona got ready for bed one night during the spring of 2018.

The Concord resident had finished a long, profitable day. She even played several games of pickleball that afternoon with friends, one of her favorite pastimes.

The then–59-year-old tucked the covers over her body and took a deep breath, but something didn’t feel quite right. “I don’t even know what prompted me to feel my breast, but I did,” she said.

There was no pain, but it felt strange and unfamiliar—a small thickening that was definitely not normal. “I never presumed anything,” she said. “I just figured it was what it was.”

Several days later, Barcellona scheduled a mammogram appointment through her gynecologist’s office. Nothing problematic had appeared on her previous mammogram, so she wasn’t too concerned when she arrived. But that technician decided to make her an appointment at Virginia Baptist Hospital for a more advanced mammogram.

After a mammogram and a biopsy there, the phone rang a few days later. The doctor on the other line explained that her lump, an estrogen-fed tumor, was cancer.

“I cried that first day when they told me … and maybe a few times after that,” Barcellona said. “But that was it.”

Because Barcellona, like many others with cancer, was focused on moving forward. In the weeks and months that followed, she underwent chemotherapy to reduce the size of her tumor, then surgery to remove the growth. Barcellona, now 60 years old, has endured 36 radiation treatments since the operation. These physically taxing medical procedures can result in fatigue, hair loss, loss of appetite, and even nausea and vomiting.

Barcellona adjusted her schedule around her appointments, determined to defeat the sickness that burdens thousands in America. She fought to maintain a normal life. “I wasn’t going to let this cancer beat me,” she said. “I realized that this was the road I will have to take.”

Several months passed before Barcellona discovered LIVESTRONG at the YMCA, a no-cost, 12-week health and wellness class for cancer survivors that’s hosted through the YMCA.

Curious, Tina enrolled, but she didn’t realize the tremendous impact the program would carry.

“I got right into the program, and I haven’t regretted it at all,” Barcellona said. “It was just a blessing.”

LIVESTRONG at the YMCA launched in 2007 as a partnership between the LIVESTRONG Foundation and the YMCA to promote and educate the importance of physical activity following a cancer diagnosis. It is now a nationwide program and began in Central Virginia in 2018.

According to livestrong.org, a top concern among cancer survivors is a difficulty of returning to physical activity after treatment. The LIVESTRONG Foundation and the YMCA teamed up to satisfy that need.

“This is a program that can touch everyone one way or another,” said Randi Abell, the director of Central Virginia’s program.

“One of our goals is to introduce participants to as many facets of the YMCA and fitness as possible. Because the goal is for them to continue this healthy lifestyle.”

Although the program comes at no cost, the YMCA uses grant funding and donor supported financial assistance to continue and support it. It costs the YMCA roughly $725 per participant.

Abell’s goal is to serve 54 cancer survivors annually, which totals nearly $40,000 in collected funds each year. Since the YMCA of Central Virginia launched its initiative in 2018, the LIVESTRONG at the YMCA program has helped 60 survivors, including Barcellona.

“We’ve got some people in the community who believe in this,” Abell said, who also is an instructor and coach for the program. “For us, it’s hard to find someone who hasn’t been affected, directly or indirectly, by cancer.”

Participants utilize multiple aspects of the YMCA during their biweekly classes, including Zumba, yoga, cycling, weights, and even pool exercise classes. The program holds a 1-6 ratio between coaches and participants.

Instructors monitor and evaluate participants’ strength, cardiovascular conditioning, balance, and flexibility. Evaluations also assess quality of life before and after participation.

Arthur Brown, who is battling stage four prostate cancer, said the improvements were noticeable in his body after enrolling in the program.

“It seems kind of crazy that I can put my pants on in the morning without holding on to anything for support,” the 76-year-old, who recently graduated from the program, said. “It was a great experience. I pushed myself to do a lot more than what I had been doing before, and I think it really payed off.”

Three months ago, Brown could barely walk down his driveway without taking breaks. Now, he can nearly climb the Monument Terrace steps in Downtown Lynchburg all the way to the top without assistance, a goal he is determined to reach.

“I haven’t been able to walk all the way to the top of Monument Terrace yet without stopping, but I’m getting close,” he said.

Since the program’s inception, LIVESTRONG at the YMCA has served over 70,000 survivors in more than 800 communities nationwide. Although breast cancer is the biggest demographic among participants, the program is open to all survivors ages 18 or older, regardless of diagnosis.

“The cancer center is designed to treat or cure your cancer,” Abell said. “Survivorship is so much more than that. People want to get out of the clinic. They don’t want to be in a hospital setting anymore. They want to move on with their lives after their treatment is over.”

But the program is more than just physical activity; instructors equip participants with correct exercise techniques.

“Most people don’t know how to do exercise properly, so that’s why they avoid it,” Abell said. “We want to provide them with the knowledge, the tools, the resources, but also the competence to feel comfortable going into a wellness center later [after they complete the program].”

During the 12-week program, survivors receive free YMCA memberships, a tremendous benefit that also extends to their immediate family. And even after graduation, program alumni receive discounted YMCA memberships for a full year.

Lynchburg’s program graduated 17 survivors on Thursday, Dec. 5 at the Express YMCA location. Each participant received an award for their perseverance and growth.

Vera Parks, a breast cancer survivor, was in this group.

The 51-year-old fighter saw a drastic change in her life following her participation, which she credits to the exercise as well as the comradery she shared with fellow cancer fighters.

“It brought forth so much healing to be able to be in the midst of people who care,” she said. “They always made everything fun.”

As a coach, Beth Zeisig loves seeing participants truly enjoy their classes. “To bring joy to someone else—and to hear it in their words—really strikes a chord with me. It’s a ministry to me. …I truly believe God put me on the earth to help people,” she said.

Moving forward, and as Barcellona continues recovering from her cancer, she wants the LIVESTRONG at the YMCA program to continue to thrive.

“I just hope that more people can find out about the program… but also to support the program as well,” Barcellona added.

“They just made people stronger… even if people were really hurting on the inside.”

Parks agrees, saying LIVESTRONG at the YMCA truly improved her strength, both physically and mentally, so she can make the most of the rest of her life.

“They showed us that we could do some things that we thought we couldn’t do,” Parks added. “It made us feel powerful.”

For more information about LIVESTRONG at the YMCA, visit ymcacva.org, call the corporate office at (434) 771-7621 or visit any of the YMCA of Central Virginia Family Centers.

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By Logan Smith

Aji Brings Ramen, Sushi and Much More to Lynchburg’s Downtown

Located in the heart of Lynchburg at 908 Main Street, Lynchburg’s newest Asian restaurant, Aji Ramen and Sushi, is certainly filling a void in the downtown area.

The eatery opened in August and, since then, has been impressing customers with its authentic and exotic cuisine.

Owner Eric Wu was born in China but always had roots in the Lynchburg area. Before returning to Lynchburg to open Aji he was struggling with a grueling schedule at a Chinese restaurant in Winchester. Tired of working for someone else and having to spend so much time away from his sons, Wu decided it was time to come back home to the Hill City.

Eric and his wife, who shares a background in the restaurant industry, say they chose Downtown Lynchburg because it was lacking the Asian cuisine he was eager to share with locals. The restaurant’s name, Aji, stems from a special person in their life named Carolyn Roberts. “She used to come to our buffet restaurant and we became like family members. l really appreciate her like a mother so we named the restaurant Aji, which means mother in our language,” he says.

Their menu offers a large variety of ramen—which Wu describes as a very popular Japanese noodle soup. The pork- and vegetable-based broth cooks for 10 hours and serves as the base.

Varieties include beef, miso, and chicken.

The sushi at Aji is made from fresh fish that’s flown in three times a week. While sushi lovers can find traditional rolls and sashimi on the large menu, Wu offers exciting combinations such as the Mango Spring Roll with shrimp, crabmeat, and mango wrapped in rice paper instead of the usual seaweed wrapper.

If you’re looking beyond sushi and ramen, there is something for everyone from the pineapple fried rice, General Tso’s Chicken, and kimchi to the Tom Yum soup, various curries, and hibachi dishes.

Wu is accustomed to working with customers who have dietary restrictions and allergies—he welcomes everyone to come and give them a taste or a sip. In their “cozy corner” spot, they serve beer, wine and saké. Finish your meal with tasty (and often hard to find in our area) mochi, a Japanese dessert that consists of a ball of sticky, sweet rice dough filled with creamy, delicious ice cream.

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Aji Ramen and Sushi
908 Main St, Lynchburg, VA
(434) 845-2816
ajiramenandsushi.com
Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Closed Sunday

Photography by Jenna McKenney

Photo by Paul Wheaton, richsoil.com

For me, winter is a struggle. I can’t grow much more than lettuce, and I crave the dirt and the smell of tomato vines. It’s during the cold season that I do all of my planning. My husband gets anxious when he sees the graph paper strewn about our dining table—he knows that I’m designing my latest garden expansion idea, and he’s going to be out there digging in just a few months.

In an effort to minimize the hard work of garden tilling, he began building me raised beds several seasons ago.

I thought I would hate them, but I love them. Fewer weeds, no tilling—there are tons of benefits. So now, I’m always on the hunt for the next thing in raised bed gardening and permaculture—which brought me to hugelkultur.

First off, the word is ridiculous. Of German origin, it’s pronounced, “hoogle-culture,” and it means “hill culture.” It’s actually a practice that has been around for thousands of years—by various, probably less silly-sounding, names.

Essentially, hugelkultur is one of many methods of building raised, self-composting garden beds from layered, organic material. This one results in mound-shaped beds built from piling wood, mulch, and compost, and then covering the pile with soil, where plants will grow.

The great thing about hugelkultur is that it is self-watering, self-tilling, and self-fertilizing. Though building a hugel bed takes some effort, you’ll love how easy it is to maintain. The ingredients for a perfect hugel bed are probably already in your yard, and winter is the perfect time to take on a hugelkultur project, because the beds benefit from having a bit of time to get established before your spring veggie plantings.

Steps to building your own
Step One: Dig a trench. It doesn’t have to be very deep, but it should be about the size of the bed you want to create. Then, you will fill the trench with dead logs. Ideally, the logs will be in various states of decomposition. As these logs decompose, they will provide long-term, vital nutrients to the soil. Use hardwoods, because they break down more slowly, and you’ll want to stay away from wood varieties that contain toxins or will adversely affect the pH levels in the soil, such as black walnut and locust. Some ideal options are apple, maple, oak, and poplar, all of which can be found in abundance in our region.

Step Two: On top of the logs, you’ll pile smaller woody materials, such as branches and brush. This is likely where you will get the hill or mound shape of the bed itself. I wanted to build a fairly tall mound (three feet in height) but didn’t want large gaps or air pockets in the structure, inviting future collapse, so I layered with mulch between branch pilings. Pro-tip: The mulch I used is just chippings from a local tree business, and usually, they deliver at no cost. Again, just make sure that the wood type is appropriate for gardening purposes. Dead leaves and grass clippings are also terrific options and break down quickly, giving your garden a boost.

The size of the bed is entirely up to you. The important thing is that the organic materials below your growing medium are layered in such a way as to encourage long-term nutrient enrichment and sustained growth. Keep in mind also that if your bed is particularly tall, you’ll have one side receiving less sunlight, and you’ll want to consider that aspect when planting.

Step Three: After you’ve piled on your branches and the bed is still a manageable size (you’ll need to be able to reach the top), it’s time for the top mulch layer. Again, leaves and grass clippings are terrific, and I decided to reuse some of the turf I pulled up to dig the trench (grass-side down). This adds a little support and stability.

Step Four: After the top layer of mulch, you’ll need a compost layer. You won’t need a whole lot of compost, just enough to give your bed a jump start, so that the first year plantings will have nutrients while the woody materials slowly decompose.

Step Five: The final layer of your hugelkultur bed will be top soil. Start by reusing all the dirt you dug out of the trench, then add more if needed. Obviously, you want a good depth for planting, so take that into consideration as you cover the mound. In order to retain the structure of the bed, you’ll want to have something growing and setting down roots quickly. If building in winter, it’s a good idea to plant a cover crop such as rye or winter wheat, which will prevent erosion and help to keep the soil aerated.

The Benefits
There are many other techniques to try for raised bed gardening, but I like hugelkultur for a few reasons—one is that these beds can be massive, and my eyes are always bigger than my appetite when it comes to gardening. One of the most interesting qualities of hugelkultur, in my opinion, is that the structure of the bed actually results in a unique microclimate that keeps plants warm, because the process of decomposition generates heat. It also stays hydrated, as the decaying material retains moisture. These factors really encourage plant growth and can even extend the growing season. The mound shape offers more planting surface without requiring more precious garden real estate.

In the spring, you’ll have a healthy and unique garden bed ready for your veggies!

You can really plant anything in a hugelkultur bed.

Squash, melons and leafy veggies do especially well.

I’m a big fan of polyculture, or planting a variety of species in the same bed. Just be aware of companion plants that help each other grow! Your new hugelkultur bed, when properly constructed and planted, should last for years, and is sure to intrigue your garden-loving friends.

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By Ashleigh Meyer