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The Central Virginia Business Coalition is dedicated to promoting locally owned businesses, entrepreneurs, and service providers of all types and sizes. Through local networking, advertising & marketing discounts, and community events, the CVABC connects businesses to the community. Uniting Businesses; Together we’re Stronger! This is the purpose behind the CVABC. Our mission is to support local and create a network throughout the Central Virginia Region where businesses work together for the greater good of our community! Contact us to join today! 

Central Virginia Business Coalition
14805 Forest Road Suite 107
Forest, VA 24551
434-528-1732
www.cvabc.org

Pictured (Left to Right):
Heather Alto,
Autumn Myers,
Magen Boone

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Founded in 2006, Brown’s Heating, Air, Plumbing & Electrical has proudly served the Lynchburg region with trusted residential and commercial heating, air, plumbing, and electrical services. As a locally owned and family-operated company, Brown’s has built its reputation on honest service, expert craftsmanship, and a deep commitment to the community we call home.

Led by Brandon Brown and Dara Brown, our growing team is passionate about delivering an exceptional customer experience from the first phone call to the final handshake. With more than 1,800 five-star reviews, Brown’s continues to be recognized throughout Central Virginia for outstanding service, professionalism, and putting customers first.

At Brown’s, we believe comfort, safety, and trust go hand in hand. By combining industry-leading technology, transparent pricing, and a customer-first approach, we don’t just service homes and businesses—we build lasting relationships and treat every customer like family.

Brown’s Heating, Air & Plumbing
407 Crowell Lane, Lynchburg, VA 24502
434-610-4373
brownsheatingair.com

Pictured:
Brandon Brown, Dara Brown

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Back in Action Physical Therapy & Active Relief is dedicated to helping individuals throughout Central Virginia move better, recover faster, and live with less pain. Founded and led by Dr. Heather Brumfield, PT, DPT, OCS, the practice provides personalized, one-on-one care tailored to each patient’s goals. Specializing in orthopedic rehabilitation, chronic pain management, and Active Release Techniques® (ART), Back in Action combines clinical expertise with a hands-on approach. Their commitment to individualized treatment and exceptional outcomes has made them a trusted resource for patients seeking to get back in action and back to life.

Back in Action Physical Therapy & Active Relief 

1076 Thomas Jefferson Road, Suite B., Forest, VA 24551
Phone: 434-201-4061
Fax: 434-290-3707
www.backinactionptar.com
heather.brumfield@backinactionptar.com

Pictured (Left to Right):
Angie Bryant, Dr. Heather Walling Brumfield PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS, ART/c

A simple kitchen update evolved into a full-home transformation at Smith Mountain Lake, where thoughtful design, family antiques, and lakefront views create a space built for entertaining.

By: Megan Williams / Photos By: Ashlee Glen

It all started with a conversation homeowners will recognize all too quickly. Jeff Allen and his daughter, Daphne, realized there was one small improvement that could be made to their kitchen space to allow for easier entertaining.

“Then it all snowballed from there,” Allen laughed.

One small shift to make space for a double trashcan led to myriad “what if” conversations. What if we open up this space? What if we had more light in the kitchen? What if this space didn’t just allow for family gatherings, but entertaining the way we want to entertain? 

So Daphne called her longtime friend Mady Perillo, co-owner of Greer Design Co.

“Mady really started with a blank slate,” Allen explained. “A lot of what you see here was Mady and her vision.”

Allen’s lakefront home was originally built in the 1990s and it was largely established as a summer home—a quiet retreat that a young family could escape to. As the family grew, got older, and needs shifted, Allen and his brother worked together to add on to the home—adding a large basement den and primary bedroom and bathroom. Then, it became a full-time home for the first time.

When Allen reached out to Greer Design, he was largely still in the Lynchburg area but also traveling back and forth between Smith Mountain Lake and St. Pete, Florida, where he and his wife, Lynette, have another residence.

“From the beginning, our focus was on creating a home that felt bright, welcoming, and comfortable as the home previously was quite dark,” Perillo explained. “Our clients are wonderful entertainers, so making guests feel special was a top priority. Their love of coastal-inspired colors, paired with our passion for creating distinctive and memorable spaces, led us to design each room with its own personality while keeping the overall feel bright, relaxed, and cohesive.”

“Some things were still dated from the 90s and from the addition,” continued Allen. “So we tasked Mady with doing a makeover to who we are today, not when our kids were little.”

And indeed, the home is instantly warm, bright, and welcoming—with conversational nooks and space strategically placed to welcome conversation or to allow large groups of people to spread out. As you walk through the front door, you’re immediately met with an open kitchen. A large island—perfect for many elbows and drink glasses to gather—rests as the focal point of the space before the eye wanders to the dining area and the custom wine wall the Greer Design Co. team had installed. As you walk through the space, you’ll notice that the eye naturally knows which area to focus on next. The wine wall gives way to the screened in porch, where the oversized furniture all but beckons visitors to stretch out and stay a while. From there, a welcome wander to the opposite wall, where large prints of priceless family photos are framed in a grid invite you back inside where the air is cool and the drinks are being poured. Family or visitors need only turn around, however, to be greeted with an unbelievable sight: Floor-to-ceiling windows that give the viewer a full view of Smith Mountain Lake below. Situated on the second to last cove just before the Smith Mountain Lake dam, the water is deep and is rendered a stunning and surprising blue. A seating area invites you to take it all in, from the tiered landscaping that ushers you toward the boathouse and dock to the calm and quiet water itself.

“The homeowners were drawn to a neutral and cozy, coastal-inspired color palette, which became our starting point for the design,” said Perillo. “At the same time, the home included spaces with a very strong Virginia Tech influence, most notably the basement, which featured maroon and orange walls in addition to the mural when we began! Our goal was to honor both of those inspirations without allowing either theme to dominate the overall design. We focused on translating those influences into a more refined and timeless aesthetic.

We incorporated a cozy color palette and sense of ease often associated with coastal interiors, then added antiques, some unique pieces, and varied textures to add depth and character. That collected, layered approach is central to our design philosophy and was especially fitting for this project, given Jeff’s family background in antiques.”

No stranger to Smith Mountain Lake, Allen grew up just across the water at his parents’ lakefront home. His father owned Lawrence Allen Antiques on Old Boonesboro Road (where Meriwether Godsey is today). His father specialized in antiques, some of which reside in Allen’s lakefront home today.

“In our [primary] bedroom, there are two Henkel Harris nightstands,” Allen explained. “They’re called Allen Nightstands, and they are actually reproductions of nightstands that my dad sold. The originals are still in his house today.”

The corner cupboard in the hallway seating area is also one of Allen’s family heirlooms, which Allen recalls his grandmother painstakingly scraping off eight coats of paint by hand to refinish it.

“It’s a nice mix of antique and modern that flows with the house,” Lynette continued.

Throughout the home, the Greer Design Co. team incorporated custom elements that added character and a sense of intention to each space that worked alongside Allen’s staple, family heirloom pieces.

“In the guest bedroom, the unique and budget-friendly paint treatment created depth and visual interest by adding color but keeping the room still light and bright,” Perillo said. “While custom elements in the kitchen—such as the brass range hood—serve as a focal point, mixing cabinet hardware finishes creates visual interest and enlarging the kitchen window adds another focal point while filling the space with more light.”

Layered lighting was another important design element throughout the home. The Greer Design Co. team combined fixtures to create warmth and dimension, including a double layer of sconces framing a family gallery wall that transforms a pass-by wall into a memorable feature. In the downstairs den, they combined three TV consoles to achieve the look of a custom built-in while still being affordable and attainable.

“This home really has evolved over my lifetime,” Allen said, as he looked into the open concept dining room and kitchen from the screened in porch. “It now has everything we need for the family we are today.”  

A vibrant, fresh summer menu that’s perfect for an afternoon by the pool or a lazy evening in the shade

Written & Photographed By: Laura Miner

This collection of fun, vibrant recipes is perfect for a sunny day in the backyard. Much of it can be prepped ahead of time, meaning you get to spend more of  the party with your friends and loved ones. When hosting is easier, you may actually get to take a dip in the pool, too!

Better-Than-Takeout Taco Bar (Photo above)

Serves 6

Skip the drive-thru and build the ultimate taco night at home with one of my favorite entertaining meals! When everyone builds their own tacos, you simply create an easy setup that turns taco night into an interactive feast with bold flavors and fresh ingredients in every bite. 

Because you can prep most of the ingredients the day before, it makes the party a lot less stressful—simply heat up the final items just before serving.

Best of all, you can totally customize the ingredients that you serve, so everyone’s happy. Grab your favorite proteins, salsas, and toppings, and let’s go! 

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs ground beef
• 1 can black beans
• Jalapeño
• Cheddar cheese
• 2 limes
• Cilantro
• Pickled onions (see salad recipe)
• 1 head lettuce
• Flour or corn tortillas
• 1 jar salsa
• 1 small sour cream
• 8-10 taco shells

Taco Seasoning Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp oregano
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper

Instructions:

1. Do the prep work: Slice the jalapeño, removing the ribs and seeds to decrease the heat (if preferred). Mince the cilantro. Shred the cheese. Shred half of the lettuce, leaving the larger leaves whole for lettuce wraps. Mix together the taco seasoning ingredients and set aside.

2. Cook the beef. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef and cook, breaking it apart until browned. Stir in the seasonings and 1/4 cup of water. Simmer for four to five minutes, stirring occasionally.

3. Heat the beans. Drain the liquid from the can, then add the black beans to a
small saucepan. Add juice of 1/2 lime, 1 teaspoon cumin, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Heat over medium heat until it begins to simmer. Remove from the heat and stir
in 1-2 tablespoons of cilantro.

4. Toast the tortillas, and warm the taco shells. Set out all the prepared ingredients.

Pro tips: 

• Buy pre-made to save time: Buy shredded cheese, and/or skip the homemade seasoning blend and use a pre-made packet. 
• Try the standing taco shells. I always find they make it easier, faster, and less messy when friends try to fill their tacos.
• Plan your servingware for each element the night before. I like to set out each bowl with a sticky note with what I plan to use it for. This makes party-time feel brainless, and you won’t be scrambling to find the right bowl or forget something you wanted to serve.

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Honey-Mint Tropical Fruit Salad

Serves 6

This fruit salad will make your mouth water from across the room! Juicy seasonal fruit gets gently tossed in a dressing of sweet honey and tangy lime juice, with aromatic mint and lime zest to really make it come to life! Serve it chilled for a fruit salad that tastes just as beautiful as it looks!

Dressing Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 lime, zested and juiced

Salad Ingredients:

• 3 cups fresh watermelon
• 2 cups strawberries
• 1 cup blackberries
• 1 cup blueberries
• 2 mangos
• 2 oranges
• 2 cups pineapple
• 15-20 fresh mint leaves (about 1/4 cup loosely packed)

Instructions:

1. Dice the watermelon, strawberries, mangos, oranges, and pineapple into bite-sized pieces. Chop the mint.

2. In a small bowl, whisk together the lime juice, zest, and honey. 

3. Add all of the fruit to a large bowl, cover, and keep chilled until just before serving.

4. Just before serving, drizzle the fruit
with the dressing. Add the mint.
Gently toss the fruit salad and serve.

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Mango Slushie

Serves 4

This drink is super creamy and dreamy! It tastes like sunshine in a glass! It’s an easy recipe that comes together in minutes with a handful of simple ingredients. Made frozen mango, orange juice, and ice, it blends into the perfect tropical treat for hot summer days. Because the sweet mango flavor pairs perfectly with the bright citrus, you get a refreshing drink that feels a little like a vacation.

It’s really thick, so don’t forget the spoon!

Ingredients:

• 3 cups frozen diced mango
• 3 cups orange juice
• 2-3 cups ice
• Juice of 2 limes

Instructions:

1. First, add only the frozen mango, orange juice, and lime juice to your blender. Blend until smooth. 

2. Add 2 cups of ice and blend again until smooth. 

3. Add the rest of the ice, and blend again for a thicker consistency. 

Tip: If it becomes too thick to blend, add a little water. 

Optional: For more tropical flavor, swap half
of the orange juice with coconut milk.

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Grilled Corn & Avocado Salad

Serves 4

This grilled corn and avocado salad is the perfect mix of smoky, creamy, crisp, and fresh. Sweet charred corn, buttery avocado, juicy tomatoes, and tangy pickled onions are tossed together with crisp lettuce and drizzled with a creamy, lightly spicy dressing for a salad that’s packed with flavor and texture. It’s a delicious side dish for summer cookouts, tacos, grilled chicken, or weeknight dinners, and it’s even hearty enough to enjoy as a light meal on its own. Fresh, colorful, and easy to make, this is the kind of salad that’ll make everyone come back for seconds!

Salad Ingredients:

• 4 ears of corn on the cob
• 1 cup grape or cherry tomatoes
• 3 cups mixed lettuce
• 2 avocados
• 1/4 cup cilantro

Optional: 1/2 cup crumbled cotija cheese

Pickled Onion Ingredients:

• 1 red onion
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar 

Chipotle-Lime Ranch Ingredients:

• 1 cup store-bought ranch dressing
• 1-2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
• Juice of 1 lime

Optional: handful of cilantro

Instructions:

1. The day before, or at least a few hours before, make the pickled onions. Using a mandoline or sharp knife, carefully slice the red onion thinly. Heat the vinegar until warm but not boiling. Add the pickled onions to a mason jar and pour the vinegar on top. Season with a dash of salt and sugar. Press the onions down until fully submerged. You can top it off with water if needed. Cover and refrigerate for at least four hours.

2. Prepare the grilled corn: Preheat a well-oiled grill to medium (about 350˚F). Place the shucked corn directly on the grill, turning occasionally, until the corn kernels are plump and you see light char marks on all sides, about eight to 10 minutes. Set the corn aside to cool slightly.

3. Meanwhile, prepare dressing. Mince the peppers, and juice the lime. Whisk together all the salad dressing ingredients.

4. Prepare the salad. Halve the tomatoes, and dice the avocados. Chop the lettuce. Mince the cilantro. Once the corn is cooled, carefully cut the kernels away from the cob. 

5. Add all the salad ingredients to a large bowl, add some pickled onions, and toss with the dressing. Serve right away.  

Unsalted Water Co. celebrates the best of lake life

By: Jeremy Angione / Photos Courtesy: Unsalted Water Co.

Although many Central Virginia residents have to drive a few hours for a relaxing day at the beach, local apparel brand Unsalted Water Co. celebrates the lake day activities just within reach. Founder Michelle Novak started Unsalted Water Co. earlier this year with a hope of curating all the feelings the lake gives her into fun and fashionable designs.

“Unsalted Water Co. isn’t just apparel to me,” Novak said. “It’s a lifestyle rooted in memories, tranquility, freedom, and the feeling you get every time you step out on a dock or look out at the water. That is the emotional heartbeat behind everything I create.”

Despite its recent launch, Novak insists that Unsalted Water Co. was brewing as an idea for years. Fun and formative lake experiences throughout her life helped shape the future of the company in her mind.

“From learning to ski on Lake Lanier, vacations spent on Lake Cumberland, houseboating on Lake Havasu, time spent on Lake Erie and Norris Lake, and now building my brand around Smith Mountain Lake, I realized that there were many brands that celebrated the ocean lifestyle,
but not a national brand that celebrates lake life for everyone,” Novak said.

For Novak, starting her brand was not meant to simply highlight logos or designs. Unsalted Water Co. means to encapsulate the feelings of being on the lake and making memories however you and your loved ones choose to.

“Our core demographic is really anyone who feels emotionally connected to lake life, but especially adults who see the lake as part of their identity and lifestyle,” Novak said.

Unsalted Water Co. has several unique collections to highlight specific lake staples and Activities.

“Every collection has a personality behind it,” Novak said. “Wags on Water celebrates the time with our furry family members in and around the lake or Sips Ahoy is for those who indulge in their favorite beverage around the water.”

Unsalted Water Co. will also be launching a new collection called Wake Warrior. This newest collection will celebrate the more athletic lake-goers seeking a thrill by wakeboarding.

Currently, Unsalted Water Co. apparel is only available online. According to Novak, the brand has already seen success from local support and nationwide. Despite originating with Smith Mountain Lake, Novak assured that Unsalted Water Co. is for anyone who enjoys lake life anywhere.

“We have customers from the West Coast to the East Coast that include: Arizona, Texas, Minnesota, Ohio, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Virginia, to name just a few,” Novak said.

While the majority of Unsalted Water Co.’s offerings are shirts, sweatshirts, and hats, Novak wants to expand the brand to feature more accessories, experiential marketing, and ways to give back to the community.

“We also plan to become more involved locally through lake events, festivals, pop-up opportunities, collaborations, and future lake conservation initiatives,” Novak said.

Despite the Unsalted Water Co.’s youth, Novak believes expansion beyond Smith Mountain Lake is a distinct possibility.

“One of my biggest goals is to continue to expand Unsalted Water Co. into a full national lake lifestyle brand, not just apparel,” Novak said.

A small but important step to that larger nationwide goal is continuing to earn spots in retail spaces and boutiques that specialize in lake lifestyle products.

Although the ambition seems fast-paced, Novak has been intentional about every step of the business. She says that she’s worn many hats to propel the business forward, including creative director, customer service, marketing, and social media.

The products themselves are especially curated to be both quality and affordable.

“I also wanted the apparel itself to feel boutique quality—soft fabrics, premium blanks, and designs that people genuinely want to wear on and off the water,” Novak said. “I’m very intentional about the fit, feel, colors, and overall aesthetic because I want people to feel the difference when they put it on.”

Aside from curated collections which highlight different aspects of lake life, Unsalted Water Co. also plans to roll out customization options. Customers will be able to create custom apparel with the lake names of their choice.

“Since lake life is such a personal experience tied to specific memories and traditions, I wanted our customers to feel even more connected to the places that they love most,” Novak said.

While Unsalted Water Co. continues to grow, the most evident constant is Novak’s love for Smith Mountain Lake.

“The Smith Mountain Lake community has been extremely supportive, and that means so much to me because living on the lake for the past five years has profoundly shaped the heart, lifestyle, and identity of Unsalted Water Co.,” Novak said.  

To check out Unsalted Water Co.’s apparel collections, go to unsaltedwaterco.com.

How Virginia’s revolutionary thinkers helped shape a nation—and left their mark on Central Virginia

Before there was a United States, there was an idea.

The belief that people possessed inherent rights.

That governments derived their authority from the consent of the governed. That liberty was not a privilege granted by a king, but a natural condition of humankind.

These principles, which would become the foundation of the Declaration of Independence and later the Constitution, did not emerge from Philadelphia alone. They were debated, refined, and championed by a remarkable group of Virginia thinkers whose influence helped shape the course of a nation.

As America prepares to commemorate its 250th anniversary in 2026, Virginia’s role in the birth of those ideals remains impossible to overlook. And while Lynchburg itself would not be incorporated until 1786—ten years after the Declaration of Independence—the region bears the imprint of the people and ideas that transformed a collection of colonies into a republic.

Among the most influential was Thomas Jefferson.

Born in Albemarle County and educated in Williamsburg, Jefferson drew heavily from Enlightenment philosophers when drafting the Declaration of Independence in 1776. His famous assertion that “all men are created equal” and possess “unalienable Rights” distilled a growing belief that legitimate government existed to protect individual liberty rather than preserve inherited power.

Today, visitors can explore Jefferson’s connection to the region at Poplar Forest, his retreat home in Bedford County. Though constructed after the Revolution, the villa reflects the intellectual curiosity and classical ideals that defined Jefferson’s worldview. The property offers a tangible connection to one of America’s most influential political philosophers and provides insight into the man whose words helped articulate the nation’s founding principles.

Jefferson was not alone in shaping revolutionary thought.

Nearly a month before the Declaration of Independence was adopted, George Mason authored the Virginia Declaration of Rights. Ratified in June 1776, the document asserted that all people possessed inherent rights, including freedom of the press, religious liberty, and protections against government overreach. Historians widely regard Mason’s work as a direct influence on Jefferson’s Declaration and, later, the U.S. Bill of Rights.

If Jefferson gave eloquent voice to the Revolution’s ideals, Patrick Henry supplied its fire.

A gifted orator and fierce advocate for independence, Henry became one of the most recognizable figures of the Revolutionary era through his impassioned speeches against British rule. His declaration, “Give me liberty, or give me death!” remains among the most famous lines in American history.

Henry’s legacy is preserved at Red Hill, his final home and burial site in Charlotte County, less than an hour from Lynchburg. Overlooking the Staunton River, the property serves as a reminder that the fight for independence was not merely waged in distant capitals but was deeply rooted in the communities and landscapes of Virginia.

Another Virginian would help ensure that the ideals of the Revolution endured beyond independence.

Often called the “Father of the Constitution,” James Madison spent much of his life wrestling with a difficult question: How could a government protect liberty without becoming a threat to liberty itself?

Madison’s contributions to the Constitution and the Federalist Papers helped establish a framework of checks and balances that continues to shape American government today. His later advocacy for the Bill of Rights ensured that many of the freedoms first articulated by Mason and Jefferson became protected under federal law.

Taken together, these men represented more than a collection of prominent Virginians. They were participants in a broader intellectual movement inspired by Enlightenment thinkers who emphasized reason, individual rights, and self-government. Their ideas helped transform colonial grievances into a coherent philosophy—one that continues to influence democratic societies around the world.

For Lynchburg and Central Virginia, these stories are not distant history.

The roads, rivers, and communities that surround the city formed part of the landscape where revolutionary ideas took root and spread. The region’s proximity to sites such as Poplar Forest and Red Hill offers residents and visitors an opportunity to explore the people behind the principles that shaped the nation.

As Virginia commemorates the semiquincentennial, it is worth remembering that the American Revolution was not solely a military conflict. It was also a revolution of ideas.

Those ideas were debated in Virginia homes, written into Virginia documents, and championed by Virginia voices. They would eventually find expression in the Declaration of Independence and become the foundation of a new nation.

Two hundred and fifty years later, their influence remains all around us—not only in the historic sites that preserve their stories, but in the enduring belief that liberty, equality, and self-government are ideals worth pursuing.

Find Event Information and More at VA250.org 

America’s 250th in Appomattox

July 3, 2026 – 8 p.m.

Celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with a spectacular event on Friday, July 3rd from 8:00 pm to 10:30 pm at Appomattox County High School, featuring a breathtaking 300-drone light show that will paint the sky with patriotic imagery including waving American flags, soaring eagles, and the stars and stripes in stunning aerial choreography, followed by a dazzling fireworks display that will light up the night in a brilliant tribute to our nation’s enduring spirit of freedom and unity.

Independence Day Celebration at Poplar Forest

July 4, 2026 – 10 a.m.

Thomas Jefferson held July 4th as “the only birthday I ever commemorate…” Bring your family and friends out to Poplar Forest, his Bedford County retreat, to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in historic style. Enjoy colonial-style entertainment, demonstrations by colonial artisans and craftspeople, archaeological displays, old-fashioned children’s activities, a reading of the Declaration of Independence at 1:30 p.m. and more. Tickets are $15/person ages 16+, under 16 are free. House Tours available for a reduced rate of $10 ages 18+, $7/ages 6-17, and free under 6.

Appomattox Liberty Golf Classic

July 10, 2026 – 8 a.m.

Experience Appomattox is proud to present the inaugural Appomattox Liberty Golf Classic: Where History Meets the Fairway. Join them for this premier event celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary in one of the nation’s most historic communities. Experience a unique 18-hole golf tournament at Falling River Golf Club alongside a continental breakfast to kick off the day. A ceremonial presentation of the colors by historical reenactors will take place as well as immersive historical elements and reenactments along the course.

Colonial Era Liberty Ball

July 11, 2026 – 6 p.m.

You’re invited to step back in time—Colonial Ball style. Visit Appomattox County for a lively 1776-themed ball celebrating the birth of our nation. Whether you’re eager to join in the dancing or prefer to relax and enjoy the atmosphere, there’s something for everyone. Colonial attire is welcome and will be admired but is not required—come as you are and enjoy the sights, sounds, tastes, and trivia of yesteryear.
Pamplin Train Depot – 115 Main Street, Pamplin, Virginia  

A Comprehensive Look Into Higher Education Throughout The Commonwealth

Ry’s Pies ‘N Cobblers blends fresh ingredients, Southern baking traditions, and nearly 100 years of family history into desserts that feel like home.

Photos By: Ashlee Glen

Some family recipes are written on stained index cards and tucked into kitchen drawers. Others live entirely in memory.

For Delilah White and Ryan Davis, the team behind Ry’s Pies ‘N Cobblers, preserving Grandma Nellie Belle’s baking legacy meant spending two years translating decades of instinct, observation, and tradition into written recipes.

“It literally took me two full years to write down all of Grandma’s recipes that had lived only in my head,” said Davis, who serves as head baker of Ry’s Pies. “Every pie crust, cobbler, and dessert was learned by watching her hands, standing beside her in the kitchen, and hearing her say, ‘You have to feel it.'”

That legacy began long before the bakery itself. Some of Davis’ earliest memories involve gathering ingredients alongside cousins and family members. When the grandchildren wanted dessert, Grandma Nellie Belle had a simple response.

“If you want something sweet, go pick the berries and I’ll make it for you!”

The children would spend hours in the blackberry patch before returning home, where those berries became warm cobblers shared around a crowded family table. Today, those lessons still shape the business.

“We still believe in using fresh, quality ingredients, and we use fresh-picked fruit in our desserts,” Davis said. “More importantly, we strive to create the same feeling Grandma created around her table—a sense of comfort, connection, and love in every bite.”

That commitment to craftsmanship has earned recognition well beyond Southern Virginia. Among the bakery’s accolades is a win in the King Arthur Flour Harvest Competition for its Caramel Apple Crumb Pie. Another memorable moment came when a customer shared that a representative from Nothing Bundt Cakes had recommended Ry’s Pies ‘N Cobblers instead.

Yet awards are only part of the story. The bakery remains deeply rooted in the traditions that inspired it, from classic Sweet Potato Pie and Blackberry Cobbler to seasonal desserts that celebrate Virginia’s agricultural heritage.

If there is one dessert that captures the heart of the business, Davis points to the Sweet Potato Cheesecake. Built on Grandma Nellie Belle’s sweet potato pie recipe and paired with a homemade cream cheese filling, graham cracker crust, and signature Brown Suga Glaze, it represents both preservation and innovation.

“In many ways, our Sweet Potato Cheesecake is Ry’s Pies ‘N Cobblers on a plate,” Davis said. “It’s rooted in family history, handcrafted with care, and creatively reimagines tradition while staying true to the flavors and values that started it all.”

Visitors can find Ry’s Pies ‘N Cobblers each Saturday at the Lynchburg Community Market, where Davis and White continue sharing desserts inspired by nearly a century of family tradition. Whether it’s a slice of pie, a cobbler, or a cheesecake, every dessert is designed to offer something more than sweetness.

“We hope they’re experiencing a little piece of those summer afternoons in Grandma’s blackberry patch and the sweet moment of gathering around the table with the people you love.”  

Returning to the Creek

Nearly five years after Lynchburg Living first profiled author Leah Weiss, the Virginia writer is inviting readers back to the Appalachian world that first captured their imaginations.

Her newest novel, The Creek, the Crone, and the Crow, returns to the fictional community of Baines Creek, North Carolina, a place longtime readers will recognize from Weiss’s previous novels If the Creek Don’t Rise and All the Little Hopes. While the new release stands on its own, it also serves as a homecoming of sorts, revisiting familiar landscapes and beloved characters while exploring new mysteries hidden deep within the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Set during the summer of 1980, the story follows Kate Shaw, a schoolteacher who has spent a decade in Baines Creek but remains skeptical of the folklore and superstitions that shape the community. Her practical worldview is challenged when Birdie Rocas—a reclusive local woman often described as a witch—dies and leaves Kate an unusual inheritance: a collection of illuminated manuscripts, journals, and a mysterious Book of Truths that traces a lineage stretching back centuries to Scotland.

At the same time, Lydia Brown arrives in Appalachia carrying grief of her own. Once gifted with psychic visions, Lydia lost her abilities after the death of her parents and has come searching for Birdie in hopes of finding answers. Instead, she finds herself drawn into Birdie’s unfinished story and an unlikely partnership with Kate.

Together, the two women begin unraveling secrets hidden among forgotten graveyards, underground passageways, and mountain legends. What emerges is both a mystery and a meditation on grief, resilience, and the bonds that connect women across generations.

Weiss has long been celebrated for her ability to capture the complexity of Appalachian life without relying on stereotypes. Her stories are steeped in folklore and regional history, yet grounded in deeply human experiences. In The Creek, the Crone, and the Crow, she once again blends magical elements with emotional realism, creating a world where ghosts and legends feel as natural as the mountain landscapes they inhabit.

The novel also reflects Weiss’s enduring fascination with the stories communities tell themselves—and the truths buried beneath them. As Baines Creek struggles against decline, the characters confront questions about legacy, belonging, and what should be preserved when the past refuses to stay silent.

For readers who discovered Weiss through her earlier novels, the return to Baines Creek offers a welcome reunion. For newcomers, The Creek, the Crone, and the Crow provides an atmospheric introduction to a writer whose work continues to illuminate the beauty, hardship, and enduring mysteries of Appalachia.