Nestled just outside of Lynchburg’s urban sprawl in Concord, a 22-acre farm offers sanctuary and second chances for farm animals in need of a home.

By: Shannon Kelly / Photos By: Makers Workshop

When Kimberly Clark moved to the Lynchburg area from West Virginia in 2011, she rented the farm property so her horse and miniature horse could have a home with her. Looking at the barn, Clark said she knew she wanted to fill it. The farm family quickly expanded to include two special-needs goats who had nowhere else to go, then a blind cow. Thus, the mission and reputation of a farm animal sanctuary sprouted.  

“Before I knew it, I kind of had a barn full of special-needs critters,” she said.

Clark’s love for animals was innate; she grew up around them.

“My maternal aunt had horses always, and my paternal aunt lived on a ranch, so it was something I grew up with,” she said. “I think I probably rode a horse before I could walk.” 

When the landlord eventually informed her the property would be sold, Clark offered to buy it. \

Officially, Virginia Farm Animal Sanctuary was founded as a nonprofit in 2025, but the mission had really been operating for more than a decade prior. What started with two special-needs goats turned into a farm of diverse mammals and barnfowl. 

After the first special-needs animals came in, a little baby donkey set Clark in a new direction. 

At 4 or 5 weeks old, the donkey was undernourished when Clark found him.

“He was kind of all rolled in a little ball, tucked up, and he had really long hair,” she said. “I sat down next to him, and he got down, and he curled up in my lap and threw his head over my shoulder, and that was it.”

There was not much public information on bottle-feeding baby donkeys at the time, Clark said, but an organization called Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue kept coming up in her searches. When she reached out to the organization, they responded within hours and helped support her education in donkey care.

With the intake of donkeys came awareness of the global donkey hide trade. The situation spurred Clark into more focused action, and in 2014, VFAS became an adoption center helping place rescued donkeys into forever homes. By the time 10 rescue donkeys came to land with Clark and her team, and as calls steadily continued coming in, Clark founded Virginia Donkey Rescue, creating a dedicated donkey rescue and rehoming program in the commonwealth.   

VFAS is a sanctuary, Clark explained—not a rescue. And there are more than just donkeys there.

The donkeys often came with companion animals, from barn cats, to goats and sheep, to dogs, ducks, llamas, and other barn fowl, Clark said. VFAS encompassed the inclusivity and scope of work. Fifteen years after her move to Virginia and propulsion into mission, Clark leads VFAS, and provides a home to more than 200 animals—about half of them goats, donkeys, and pigs, and the other half various types of barnyard birds.

At VFAS, Clark said the focus is on animals’ present and future, not their pasts.

“We don’t focus on their past,” she said. “It’s just…that would kill you as a rescuer, and I think it kills a lot of rescuers. I think they burn out on the whole thing, because they do focus on all the bad parts, and I just prefer to focus on their present, and their future.”

Most of Clark’s current animals came from owner surrenders, and she has focused on taking in older or sick animals who would not have a good chance of being successfully rehomed. They get to live out the remainder of their lives in sanctuary, cared for by Clark and her team of dedicated volunteers. 

Clark wants others to view the sanctuary as something like an extension of the local humane society.

“They can’t take a pig, or a donkey, or a goat, but we can,” she said.

A typical day on the farm starts early with a walk-around of the property, checking on animals’ health, monitoring enclosures, and the like. Breakfast is next, a more time-consuming activity given the large herd. After morning feed, Clark said there are a couple of hours for “special projects”: cleaning stalls, trimming hooves as needed, knocking down cobwebs, and other tasks. Volunteers groom donkeys and otherwise spend time loving on the animals, providing them enrichment. Then, the time comes to prepare for evening feed. 

Clark goes to bed exhausted physically but satisfied mentally.

“There’s that saying that when you find your passion, it doesn’t feel like work,”
Clark said. “Once I met my baby donkey, none of what I’ve done for the animals has ever felt like work. So, I go to bed tired in an exhausted kind of way, but not in a mentally exhausted kind of way.”

Over the years, Clark has also developed a different perspective on owner surrenders.

“One thing that this life has done for me is, I used to be very judgmental of people that surrendered animals, and I was young and foolish thinking this, but I was like, ‘If you’re going to make that commitment to them, you need to make that commitment for life,’” Clark said. “But what picking up all these donkeys and other animals throughout the years now has taught me is that, life can blow you some really significant blows, and it’s most often out of your control, so the best thing I can do is not be judgmental about the people, and be helpful, especially with the older, sick animals that would be almost impossible to place elsewhere.”

Some owners who had to give up their animals due to various circumstances still come visit the farm, or even volunteer there, Clark added. In other cases, she has been able to help owners keep their animals by providing various kinds of support. 

Bonnie Swanson, a volunteer at the sanctuary, has experienced nearly every aspect of the stories these animals come with: Swanson had to surrender some animals when life threw new circumstances at her. Then she became a volunteer at the same sanctuary where her donkeys came to live, and she is also a regular donor to the organization.

Swanson owned and operated a tourism farm for many years, but about two years ago, as she settled further into retirement, the time came to downsize and slow down. Then came the difficult decision: Swanson had to find a new home for the three donkeys she’d had for about 15 years, as well as two goats. 

“That was a difficult time,” she said. “I tried to find homes for them with people that I knew and then saw Kimberly again, and she said, ‘Oh, we’ll take your donkeys!’”

Swanson never saw herself leaving her farm, or parting with the animals she’d loved for so long. 

“Life changes,” Swanson said. “I always felt that we’d be at the farm till we’re no longer on this earth, and then I’d will the donkeys to my children. I always threatened them with that. But, you know, life changes, and we decided we were just going to go to a smaller piece of property. It’s an acre, and in a neighborhood, to boot.”

Swanson knew Clark from a time they did fundraising work together after being introduced through a mutual friend, and with this personal foundation, Swanson was relieved to place her animals where she knew they would be cared for—and where she could still spend time with them. She described working with animals at the sanctuary as a symbiotic relationship, and a respite. Plus, it provides a chance to disconnect and reconnect: to put down the phone and enjoy the company of other volunteers as well as the animals. 

Clark seeks more volunteers to help support VFAS and its mission. The roles that need filling are not just picking up manure, she said; for example, Clark could use help maintaining the farm’s website, a job that would not even require someone to be on-site. 

Volunteers who could focus on fundraising efforts are also needed, Clark added.

This summer, a capital campaign is ongoing, focused on raising $199,000 to fully pay off the property, solidifying it as fully owned by Clark, and VFAS, providing a greater level of security for the animals who call it home.  

One Local Author’s Tale

By: Charlotte Farley  |  Photos By: Ashlee Glen

On a cozy afternoon, Eliana Lessa Marcilio curls up with her youngest granddaughter to read chapter 11 of Drops of Joy. Somewhere in the middle of a particularly tender passage, the little girl reaches over and laces her fingers through Eliana’s, giving her hand an extra squeeze just as the words on the page swell with emotion. For Eliana, it’s the perfect picture of what she hopes her book will do in the world.

“I like to say, ‘Let’s make it rain joy,’” she explained. It’s a phrase her grandchildren know by heart. In fact, that’s exactly how Drops of Joy began: as a simple, made‑up bedtime story that turned into a treasured family ritual.

Long ago, Brazilian‑born Eliana was a little girl with ink in her veins. She comes from four generations of writers; one relative even held a chair at the prestigious Brazilian Academy of Letters. When she was 10 years old, her grandfather gave her what she still calls a cherished gift: He invited her to “write with the pen of your heart.” Those words shaped her understanding of writing not as performance, but as honest expression.

As an adult, Eliana carried that love of language into a career in education. Regardless of age, she saw again and again how powerful it is when a child is invited to find and use his or her own voice.

While visiting her grandchildren several years ago, Eliana began spinning a very simple story at bedtime, and the kids loved it. When the visit ended and they didn’t want to let the story go, Eliana started recording voice memos they could play when they weren’t together. The story, and the practice around it, became their “family treasure.”

In Drops of Joy, readers meet Lila, a young girl whose rainy‑night dream of mysterious raindrops bringing sudden joy refuses to fade when she wakes. Determined to brighten her family’s routine, she and her best friend Olivia slowly draw others into the adventure, from a kind art teacher and her speedy puppy to a grumpy park regular and a cheerful grocer. As Olivia’s brilliant idea finally brings Lila’s dream to life, joy begins to spread from one heart to another, until it feels as if “drops of joy” are raining over the whole town. The story, Eliana notes, “doesn’t really have an end.” Every time someone notices and shares a new drop of joy, the story continues.

Before long, Eliana’s story escaped the confines of bedtime as her grandchildren started doing what the story suggested in real life, such as leaving small notes, gestures, and “drops” of kindness and encouragement in their homes. Their parents saw just how real and powerful this little practice could be. 

That was when Eliana began to sense that what started as a family tradition might be something to bring to a bigger audience. She spent all of 2025 tweaking, editing, and guiding Drops of Joy through production before its release in February 2026.

As a publisher myself, I know bringing a book to life is no small task, but Eliana is quick to point out she didn’t do it alone. “During the editing phases, my grandchildren helped me!” she said with a laugh. They were collaborators, offering ideas for the story, weighing in on the cover, and making sure the language sounded the way kids actually talk. Her grandchildren are now ages 7 to 13, but they still see Drops of Joy as their story, not only their grandmother’s.

Eliana is quick to point out that this is far more than a children’s story, since it can speak to just about anyone. Then there are the literal “drops” tucked within the pages: shapes kids can trace, cut out, and pass along to someone they love. Over time, those little tokens have taken on a life of their own. Adults who have read the book tell Eliana that they, too, are leaving drops for each other, handing them to friends who need encouragement.

Eliana also created an educator’s guide to accompany Drops of Joy, offering teachers ideas for weaving joy‑spotting, reflective questions, and expressive writing into classroom routines. It’s all an extension of her belief in helping children learn to articulate what’s inside them. She talks about the power of giving kids tools and permission to express whatever is in their hearts—whether light or heavy—and connecting those feelings to words on a page.

If you spend any time with Eliana, the book’s focus becomes easier to understand. She is brimming with warmth and hospitality, and joy just seems to radiate from her. She describes herself as “a woman of deep faith,” and that faith feels rooted and real. You sit with her, and her happiness feels contagious.

When she looks at her grandchildren, Eliana sees not just co‑authors, but gifts.

“First of all, I simply love them,” she said. “It is clear to me that each one has their own delightful personality. I treasure that. I treasure them, each the way that they are.” Being a grandmother, she added, “is a gift of joy. They bring life to us. Grandchildren are one of the best things in the world.”

Eliana hopes the effect lingers long after readers close the book. 

“Not just a day,” she said, “but the days ahead—if they become more aware of joy and choose to share it, it will last.” 

There’s already talk, at least in her imagination, that this could someday become a series. But for now, the choice to focus on joy was spontaneous and deeply personal. 

“Joy is something to share,” she said. “The more we have, the more we can give away. Sometimes one drop makes a difference.”  

This special section features local medical practices and providers who are helping shape the delivery of care across our region.

SPONSORED CONTENT

Representing a range of specialties, these professionals are part of a broader network committed to access, innovation, and patient-focused care close to home. Through their work, these practices contribute to the strength of our local healthcare landscape—offering services, expertise, and resources that support individuals and families throughout every stage of care.

We’re excited to present this year’s Top Doctors, recognized by the colleagues who know their work best.

Through peer voting, this list highlights outstanding physicians across our region, reflecting the strength, depth, and collaboration of our local healthcare community. These professionals play a vital role in supporting the health and well-being of patients right here at home, and we’re proud to spotlight the incredible practitioners and partners who make high-quality care accessible in our area.

This list is meant as a guide and a starting point in your search for a physician. There are many reasons excellent doctors may not appear here, including hospital affiliations, recent moves, or specialties not captured in the survey. These results do not suggest you should change from a doctor with whom you have a positive relationship. When choosing a physician, consider all available resources, including recommendations from family and friends.

Methodology & Disclaimers

Summary.
DataJoe Research is a software and research company specializing in data collection and verification, and conducts various nominations across the United States on behalf of publishers. To create the “top doctors” list, DataJoe Research facilitated an online peer-nomination process, also referencing government sources. In addition, DataJoe often conducts media analysis through Internet research to factor in public perception. DataJoe then tallied the nominations per category for each doctor to isolate the top nominees in each category. After collecting nominations and factoring additional information from the media analysis, DataJoe checked and confirmed that each published winner had a current, active license status with the state regulatory board. If we were not able to find evidence of a doctor’s current, active registration with the state regulatory board, that doctor was excluded from the list. In addition, any doctor who has been disciplined, up to the time-frame of our review process for an infraction by the state regulatory board, was excluded from the list. Finally, DataJoe presented the tallied result to the magazine staff for final review and adjustments.  

Final note.
We recognize that there are many good doctors who are not shown in this representative list. This is only a sampling of the huge array of talented professionals within the region. Inclusion in the list is based on the opinions of responding doctors in the region and the results of our research campaign. We take time and energy to ensure fair voting, although we understand that the results of this survey nomination are not an objective metric. We certainly do not discount the fact that many, many good and effective doctors may not appear on the list.

Disclaimers.
DataJoe uses best practices and exercises great care in assembling content for this list. DataJoe does not warrant that the data contained within the list are complete or accurate. DataJoe does not assume, and hereby disclaims, any liability to any person for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions herein whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause. All rights reserved. No commercial use of the information in this list may be made without written permission from DataJoe.

Questions?
For research/methodology questions, contact the research team at surveys@datajoe.com.

Four women took control of their health and happiness by getting a gastric sleeve or bypass surgery. These surgeries kickstarted lifestyle adjustments that have enabled each woman to live her best life. 

Written by Stacey Manganelli / Photos courtesy of Adriana Sorenson

Opting for Surgery

Elizabeth Kiefer, Kristen Guthrie, Katie Kelley, and Adriana Sorensen struggled with their weight for multiple reasons: pregnancies that came close together, food addiction, or an inability to incorporate exercise into daily life.

After trying tons of weight loss programs and pharmaceutical-strength pills and shots, they pursued weight loss surgery at between 300 and 350 pounds. They were nervous for surgery, but also excited and hopeful that it would be the thing that finally worked. 

The Myth of the Quick Fix

Weight loss surgery requires profound lifestyle changes. Even when surgery goes optimally, it takes a physical and psychological toll on surgical patients. Recovery and adapting to the new body present myriad challenges. 

Elizabeth Kiefer has consequently felt frustrated over the years that people view weight loss surgery as an “easy way out.” After surgery, she struggled with transitioning from eating a regular-sized meal to one the size of an egg. She also had to learn how to incorporate exercise into her daily life. 

Katie Kelley got so sick in post-op that she spent three additional nights in the hospital. Even once she was discharged and finally went home, she couldn’t pick her three small children up or do daily activities, and she didn’t have a support network. 

Both she and Sorensen also struggled with feeling overweight even when they weren’t anymore, a condition known as dysmorphia. 

Guthrie drank mostly protein shakes and water for six weeks before and after her surgery and had to train herself to stop eating before she felt full. She also experienced temporary but intense changes in hormones caused by rapid weight loss. 

No one had it easy. However, after surviving a period of disillusionment, and in Kelley’s case even “immediate regret,” they have made it through to the other side. 

Health and Career Benefits

Prior to surgery, Kiefer was unable to get herself up off the floor independently. After losing 200 pounds, she started incorporating more movement into her daily routine than she ever thought she’d be capable of. 

To get into shape, she started Zumba and was immediately hooked, transported by the music and movement. After honing her skills for a few years, she got certified to teach. She eventually took over teaching the very same class in which she started as a student. She said, “I never thought I’d be able to enjoy exercising, let alone become a fitness instructor. Now I can’t go a day without working out!”

Kelley said that her health would be worse if not for the surgery. It has healed her heart condition, prediabetes, and Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome.

For Sorensen, the changes after surgery felt like a “complete 180.” She learned how important protein is in losing weight, started looking more closely at what is actually in food, and cut out processed foods over time. 

She will likely need a knee replacement at some point, but losing 150 pounds has greatly reduced her knee strain. Her doctor believes she’ll be able to push the surgery off for several more years as a result. 

Guthrie once “despised” her body, but after her weight loss, she wore a bikini for the first time since she was a teenager and had boudoir pictures taken. 

Her newfound confidence even helped her launch a new career. She said, “I landed an amazing job in medical device sales that I never would have had the confidence to even apply for before surgery.” 

Helping Others

These women have turned their transformations into a tool that supports not just them, but also others.

Dozens of people escape the daily grind for an hour each week when taking Kiefer’s Zumba classes. In a cortisol-fueled world, gym patrons forget their troubles and become immersed in the same music and movement that made Kiefer fall in love with this type of dance. They described Kiefer’s classes as “pure fun,” and Kiefer as “pouring her heart and soul” into her role as an instructor. 

Kelley and Sorensen are grateful that they’re able to more fully participate in their kids’ lives since losing weight. Kelley coaches her kids’ sports and provides better food options for them since she started eating healthier herself. 

Sorensen has a nonverbal 15-year-old autistic son. Because he will never live independently, Sorensen plans to be his caretaker for many more years. She needed to be healthier to care for him, and now she is. 

Sorensen’s daughter is also benefitting from her mom’s increased fitness level. She and Sorensen bonded by running a 4K together two years after her surgery—something Sorensen never thought would be possible.

In her job in medical device sales, Guthrie experiences the satisfaction of educating surgeons, doctors and hospital staff on new medical technologies. Thanks to her work, these technologies can get into the hands of those who need them and will benefit from them. 

Despite encountering different health challenges as a result of the surgery, the gastric bypass and gastric sleeve have opened up life possibilities far beyond what they once hoped for. 

Knowing how hard recovery was and how many challenges they would face, would they do it again?

“Absolutely,” they agreed.

Hill City native shares his passion for bringing the community together through biking.

By: Megan L. Horst  |  Photos By: Ashlee Glen

For Jeremy Ramsey, owner of The Bike Porch, opening the shop was a part of a larger dream. A dream to provide people with a way to connect through enjoying nature and bikes. He hopes the shop gives people an opportunity and a place to come together to ride bikes and learn about bikes. Before he opened the shop, he enjoyed riding bikes himself and started several community ride events that have brought riders together over the past five years.  

“It’s definitely a passion to share what I love,” Ramsey said. 

The shop, located on Burnbridge Road in Forest, also sponsors several rides from the store throughout the week. Although the shop is less than a year old, Ramsey said bikes are not new to him or his team. 

“I have one guy [on staff] who was at a previous bike shop for 49 years, and we worked together,” Ramsey said. “I used to manage another bike shop for nine years.” 

They have two other mechanics who are also knowledgeable about bikes and have 20 years of experience. 

“When you walk in our shop, you’re talking to a rider,” Ramsey said. “We all ride bikes—we’re all in love with bicycles.” 

Their shop offers a variety of services, including bike repair and the sale of new and used bikes. 

“Bikes have gotten expensive, just like everything else,” he said. “We want people to have quality bikes. So if you can have a bike that’s 10 years old, that’s way more quality than what you can pick up in a box store; we feel like you’ll have a better experience.” 

He hopes everyone who wants to ride will have that opportunity. Whether you buy a new, used, or consigned bike from them, he explained that they not only sell you a bike, but they also offer their expertise.

They sell a variety of bike styles from kids’ bikes to mountain bikes, road bikes, hybrid bikes, and electric bikes.

“In the last three years, the market has flipped with recreational bikes,” he said. “I would say seven out of 10 recreational bikes we sell are e-bikes.” He attributes this growing trend to the older population, largely due to retirees wanting to get back into riding bikes.

He explained that this is a great area with so many trails, perfect for biking, including Blackwater Creek, Percival’s Island in Lynchburg, and others in Roanoke and Farmville.

“A lot of folks are buying these e-bikes and going to check out these trails, and instead of being able to ride five miles now, they are having the same workout, but they’re being able to see the whole trail,” Ramsey said. An e-bike is equipped with an electric motor to assist the rider with pedaling.

“E-bikes are cool because you can get whatever you want,” Ramsey said. “There are different assist modes in them, so you can have zero assist and ride it normally…up to a turbo on them.” Ramsey is confident in the bikes the shop sells, even the used ones, and they offer a 90-day guarantee.
In addition to a wide selection of adult bikes, the shop also offers bikes for children.

“One of our number one goals is to get kids on bikes, and quality bikes,” Ramsey said. His concern with bikes purchased from major box stores is not only the quality of the materials used, but they are often not put together correctly.

“Bikes can be a lot of fun, but they can also be dangerous,” he said. “I always recommend, if you buy a bike from a box store, bring it in, let us check it out.” Most of the kids’ bikes he sells are used, since kids outgrow their bikes so quickly.

“A lot of times I provide a bike that is more affordable than a box store bike, and higher quality,” Ramsey said. Driven by a passion for making bikes accessible to everyone, they created a Kids Bike Fund.

“In the past seven months, we’ve averaged giving away one bike per month,” he said. The giveaways are not always exclusively children’s bikes.

“During Christmas, we gave away two bikes,” he said. One bike was donated by a customer, and the other by Ramsey, allowing them to give bikes to two families for Christmas.

“It makes my day when we can put people on bikes,” Ramsey said. He believes that everyone needs to take a break from technology for at least an hour a day to “unplug” and enjoy exercise and
the outdoors.

“We want to create community,” he said. “We want people to want to ride bikes and hang out.”  

The Bike Store is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Needle Ninja adds color and tactile arts to downtown Lynchburg

By: Olivia Carter  |  Photos By: Ashlee Glen

When customers step through the doors of Needle Ninja, they are immediately welcomed by color.

The entryway, painted in alternating lavender and lilac stripes, is intentionally playful and is the first clue that this is not a traditional fabric store. Inside, sunlight pours through tall windows onto tables filled with vintage buttons sold by the ounce, bolts of linen and denim, sewing machines waiting for their next makers, and carefully curated cross-stitch kits featuring literary icons such as Jane Eyre, Mary Poppins, and Anne of Green Gables. 

It’s a space owner Lynne Forth says people often describe the same way: “happy, light-filled, airy.”

That atmosphere is exactly what Forth hoped to create when she opened Needle Ninja in downtown Lynchburg—a place where creativity feels approachable and sewing feels less like a niche hobby and more like an invitation.

“I’ve always had entrepreneurial goals and dreamed of having my own shop,” Forth said. “This really combines a few different passions and loves for me.”

For Forth, sewing is much more than a business model. It’s a language.

This began about 15 years ago, when she took her first sewing class while earning a degree in fashion merchandising. Though she had grown up watching her mother sew, she wasn’t sure at first whether the craft was for her.

That changed after making a simple pillowcase.

“I just thought, ‘Oh my gosh, I made a pillowcase with my own two hands, with just some thread and some fabric. This is incredible,’” she said. “And it just kind of took off from there.”

Her passion deepened while working at Liberty University, where she designed and created costumes for theater productions. There, she learned that fabric could tell stories before an actor ever spoke a line.

“I fell in love with color theory and what color can convey on stage,” she said. “What can I tell the audience without using words just by using fabric or shape or pattern?”

That fascination eventually shaped her graduate work in strategic communication, where she studied how clothing communicates identity and emotion. It also helped define the mission behind Needle Ninja: not just selling fabric, but teaching people how to make something meaningful.

“As a way of showing other people, this is something you can do, something you can be passionate about, use to make an income, or use to empower yourself,” Forth said. “If you are sewing something and it turns out well and you’re proud of it, it’s a beautiful way to gain confidence.”

Needle Ninja arrives at a time when handmade skills are experiencing renewed interest. In an age dominated by online shopping and fast fashion, Forth believes many people are craving something slower and more tactile.

“People want to make something with their own two hands,” she said. “They want to do something in person. They’re tired of trying to look things up on YouTube and not having someone next to them who can say, ‘That’s right, but if you do it this way, it’ll be even better.’”

She believes people are looking for even more than just sewing. They’re looking
for connection.

“People are craving community,” Forth said. “A lot of arts can feel isolating because you’re often doing them alone. Here, you get the creative world and community together.”

Some of the vintage fabrics displayed throughout the store belonged to Forth’s late grandmother, an avid collector and sewer.

“The fact that we’re getting to use that again is really, really special,” she said. “It kind of makes it so that she’s all over the store with us.”

Her mother’s influence is even more visible.

Forth describes her mother as both a lifelong maker and one of her biggest inspirations. A master of Norwegian Hardanger embroidery, or Hardangersøm, her mother now spends part of the year in Lynchburg helping teach at Needle Ninja.

“She’s one of my best friends,” Forth said. “To be able to do this with her, to give her a space where she can teach people and meet people, is just so special.”

That family legacy helps explain why Needle Ninja feels less like a store and more like a gathering place. Customers wander in for different reasons. Some are experienced sewists thrilled to have a dedicated downtown creative space. Others are complete beginners who saw the shop’s bright windows and simply got curious.

“We’ve had people walk in and say, ‘I saw the word needle and wondered what that meant,’” Forth said with a laugh. “And then we get people who say, ‘My grandmother sewed all our clothes growing up, and I’d love to carry that on for my children.’”

Needle Ninja is built for both groups.

Its large communal cutting table, a feature many home sewists don’t have space for, invites customers to spread out and work. Rows of sewing machines sit ready for classes and open studio sessions. The goal, Forth says, is not just to teach people to sew, but to create a place where they want to stay.

That mission also has an environmental edge. Forth is outspoken about the waste generated by fast fashion and hopes sewing can offer an alternative.

“There’s this steady pipeline of cheaply made garments that’s taking up landfills,” she said. “For me, it’s not always about making something cheaper than buying it. It’s about having something unique to you.”

That uniqueness, she believes, especially resonates with younger generations.

“Gen Z and millennials are looking for something personalized,” she said. “What’s more personalized than making your own clothes?”

Forth’s ambitions extend beyond retail. She hopes to launch a sponsorship program that would allow local middle school, high school, and college-age students to take sewing classes for free, funded by businesses and community donors.

“I would love to see local companies and philanthropists invest in kids who want to learn this skill,” she said. “It could become a career, a side hustle, or just something that gives them confidence and purpose.”

She also envisions future summer camps, after-school programs, and an expanded roster of instructors so students can learn a wider range of textile arts.

“My goal is not to always be the one teaching every class,” she said. “I’m always learning, myself. There’s always someone who knows something different, and I want our students to benefit from that.”

For now, though, Forth is focused on what’s directly in front of her, opening the doors each day and watching people discover, sometimes for the first time, the joy of making something by hand.  

Eight Water-Focused Day Trips in Virginia

By: Abby Price

Summer isn’t complete without a few water-filled adventures, and Lynchburg happens to be perfectly positioned near a mix of underrated gems and popular escapes where you can swim, float, and explore, all within an hour or two of town. From waterfall hikes and river floats to peaceful afternoons spent fishing by a creek, these family-friendly outings are a perfect way to embrace summer at a slower pace.

Sherando Lake Recreation Area (Nelson County)

Tucked within the Blue Ridge Mountains, Sherando Lake Recreation Area feels like the kind of place summer memories are made. The recreation area is centered around a 25-acre spring-fed lake where families gather to swim, spread out picnic blankets, and cool off after hiking the surrounding forest trails. 

Despite being one of the more well-known warm-weather escapes near Lynchburg, it still feels peaceful, especially on weekday mornings or later in the afternoon when the crowds thin out. Pack water shoes, bring a picnic lunch, and plan to spend a few hours soaking up the mountain scenery from the shoreline.

James River State Park (Gladstone)

Just down the road from Lynchburg, James River State Park offers the kind of easygoing summer adventure that doesn’t require a full weekend getaway to enjoy. Visitors can spend the day fishing along the shoreline, hiking wooded trails, or kayaking along the river. 

What makes the park especially memorable, though, is its designation as an International Dark Sky Park. While you can absolutely experience the park in a single-day trip, staying into the evening or even camping overnight adds another layer to the experience as the stars begin to emerge over the river and surrounding hills.

Otter Creek (Blue Ridge Parkway)

Located just off the Blue Ridge Parkway, Otter Creek captures everything that makes summer road trips feel nostalgic. The drive alone is part of the experience, winding through mountain overlooks before arriving at a peaceful creek perfect for cooling off on a hot afternoon. Families often gather along the shallow water to splash around, skip rocks, or simply relax beneath the trees while listening to the creek rushing over the rocks. 

The nearby trails and picnic areas make it easy to turn a quick stop into a slower, more leisurely afternoon outdoors. Arriving earlier in the day is ideal during summer weekends, especially when parkway traffic tends to pick up.

Falling Springs Falls (Alleghany County)

Towering at 80 feet tall, Falling Springs Falls is one of those roadside stops that feels almost too beautiful to be real. Water spills dramatically over a rocky cliffside surrounded by lush greenery, creating a misty, cool atmosphere that feels especially refreshing during the peak of summer. 

Unlike some waterfall hikes that require miles of trekking, this one is easily accessible, making it a great option for families or anyone looking for a scenic stop without a strenuous journey. The viewing area is quick to reach, but lingering awhile is part of the experience. Visit after recent rainfall for the most impressive water flow, and don’t forget your camera because this is one of Virginia’s most photogenic waterfalls.

Crabtree Falls (Nelson County)

There’s a reason Crabtree Falls remains one of my favorite hikes near Lynchburg. The 3.3-mile out-and-back trail winds beside cascading waterfalls before climbing to sweeping mountain views at the top, rewarding hikers with both rushing water and panoramic scenery in one outing. Along the way, wooden bridges and overlooks make it easy to pause and appreciate the falls from different angles, especially after a recent rain when the water flow is strongest. 

Summer mornings are usually the best time to visit if you want cooler temperatures and fewer people on the trail. Bring hiking shoes and plenty of water, as parts of the climb can feel steep.

Douthat State Park (Millboro)

Douthat State Park stands out as a destination where outdoor recreation and history naturally come together. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the park was established in 1936 and played a meaningful role in shaping the early development of the state park system across the United States. Today, it is known for its scenic views, fishing, hiking trails, and camping opportunities.

With a calm lake, cabin rentals, picnic areas, and family-friendly playgrounds, it feels like a true summer hangout tucked into the Alleghany Mountains. From a simple day visit to a full weekend stay, Douthat offers enough variety for all ages to settle in, slow down, and enjoy the outdoors at an easy pace.

Devil’s Bathtub (Scott County)

Hidden within the mountains of Southwest Virginia, Devil’s Bathtub is one of the most unforgettable summer adventures on this list. The 4-mile out-and-back hike follows a scenic creek through the forest, crossing shallow streams and rocky paths before eventually arriving at the famous swimming hole tucked beneath a small waterfall. 

Reaching it feels rewarding without being overly difficult, and the water makes the final destination feel almost unreal on a hot summer day. Because the trail involves multiple creek crossings, waterproof shoes are a must. Arriving early is also recommended, especially on weekends, when visitors flock here to swim, cool off, and experience one of Virginia’s most unique hidden gems.

Natural Bridge State Park / Cedar Creek Trail (Natural Bridge)

As a Virginia native, I’ve visited Natural Bridge State Park many times, and it’s one of those places that always brings me back to childhood afternoons spent outside exploring with family. There’s something timeless about spending a summer day here. 

The Cedar Creek Trail winds gently beneath towering trees and along the creek before leading you under the park’s iconic natural rock arch, one of Virginia’s most recognizable landscapes. Early mornings and evenings are especially quiet along the trail, which makes them the best times to go, especially in the height of summer when midday heat and crowds tend to pick up.  

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