Behind the Scenes
The team behind the cover

To see our cover, you would think you had stepped into the middle of a holiday party. While the team did enjoy a festive serving of charcuterie after the shoot was over, the cover was actually shot in our office studio using a creative combination of bamboo flooring, coolers, and ladders.

Helping make the shot absolutely perfect was Vista Graphics Creative Director David Uhrin as photographer and Art Director Chris Meligonis, Office Manager Tracy Thompson and Web Content Manager Kelsey Thomas as our hand models. The greens were clipped from backyards in the middle of a tropical storm—not the most festive of weather, but definitely a memory to keep!

Read more on pairing wines and cheeses on page 125.

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Mark Your Calendars

November 12
Thomas Jefferson Wine Festival
It’s the favorite event of wine and history lovers alike! Join Poplar Forest on November 12 for their annual Thomas Jefferson Wine Festival. Sample from Virginia’s regional wines, enjoy live performances by local musicians, graze on foods by local vendors, and shop the artisan market for one-of-a-kind finds. Tour the president’s private retreat at a reduced rate throughout the day. Visit poplarforest.org for info.

November 24
Lynchburg Turkey Trot
Join the 34th annual Lynchburg Turkey Trot, presented by Scott Insurance, on Thanksgiving Day! This beloved tradition is a great way to support local nonprofit organization, HumanKind, plus it’ll get your appetite ready to indulge in a hearty meal. Participate in-person on Thanksgiving Day or register to run virtually from anywhere you choose! Registration information can be found at humankind.org.

December 10
Christmas in Sedalia
Christmas in Sedalia is an annual event that offers holiday shoppers an opportunity to purchase unique hand-crafted gifts for everyone on their list. The Sedalia Center and neighboring Mountain Run Farm partner to showcase the best of the region’s creative community. This is an indoor event and is free to the public. Santa always makes a surprise visit to take selfies with kids of all ages! Light lunch items will be available for purchase along with hot cocoa, and fresh-baked Christmas cookies to enhance your festive shopping experience. Visit sedaliacenter.org for more info.

December 13
Glenn Miller Orchestra
The world-famous Glenn Miller Orchestra will perform on the Historic Academy Theatre stage on December 13, 2022. Enjoy the 18-member ensemble as it plays many of the original Miller arrangements. Additionally, it will also play some more modern selections arranged and performed in the Miller style and sound. For tickets and event information, visit academycenter.org.

November 26 & December 3, 10, and 17
Mistletoe Market
Visit the Lynchburg Community Market for its annual Mistletoe Market! Take in the sights, sounds, and scents of the holidays with artisan vendors, handmade crafts, fresh greenery, and local produce. Horse drawn carriage rides through the city will take place on December 10 and 17.

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Local Openings & Closings

Hello! to The Aloha Hut
Hello! to Kline’s Dairy Bar
Hello! to Goosehead Insurance
Goodbye to Champion Brewing on Main Street
Hello! to First Watch, The Daytime Cafe

Mark Your Calendars | November/December 2021

We compiled this Central Virginia Holiday Bucket List to help guide you through the region’s top events and activities. See how many you can check off this season!

Wave at a hometown parade.
After a very weird 2020, many of Central Virginia’s hometown parades are back with a bang this year in their traditional formats. The theme of the 2021 Lynchburg Christmas Parade is “A Stroll Down Gingerbread Lane” (Dec. 5). It will start at Bank of the James Stadium at 4 p.m. and end at E.C. Glass High School. Other local parades were still in planning stages as of mid-October but be on the lookout for confirmed dates!

Go on a tour of the best local lights.
It’s not officially Christmas until you’ve seen the spectacular light display at the Elks National Home in Bedford. Another easy drive-through option is Liberty University, where the campus trees are decked out with dazzling lights following Thanksgiving. Or, trade your car for a carriage as Lynchburg Parks and Rec hosts its Celebration of Lights event in the magically decorated Riverside Park
(Dec. 10-11, registration required).

Support local businesses at one-stop-shop events.
Step away from your Amazon cart! You’ll find diverse local businesses and makers at regional events such as the Holiday Maker’s Market on Commerce Street (Nov. 26-27), Mountain View Events’ CHRISTmas in the Country (Nov. 12-13), Christmas in Sedalia at the Sedalia Center (Dec. 11) and the Holiday Craft Fair at the Moose Lodge on Lakeside Drive (Nov. 13). Also, be sure to stop by the Lynchburg Community Market’s Mistletoe Markets on Saturdays leading up to Christmas (starting Nov. 27).

Create a Christmas craft with friends or family.
Check out the Academy Center of the Arts class offerings to make fun décor such as a Snowman Stocking Holder (Dec. 4) or Holiday Tea Towels and Sugar Scrubs (Dec. 18). If you’re stumped on what to get your friends, consider booking a painting session at Imagination Station, Board and Brush Forest, Blue Mountain Barn or AR Workshop. These local DIY studios offer holiday craft options every year!

Buy tickets to a festive show.
Returning in 2021 for its 50th anniversary is the Thomas Road Baptist Church Virginia Christmas Spectacular, a professional-level production that includes the iconic Living Christmas Tree (Dec. 10-12). Music lovers will cherish the Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra’s Happy Holidays with the LSO show at the Historic Academy Theatre (Dec. 4). The Academy is also hosting the Sara Evans Blue Christmas Tour (Dec. 9).

Stay fitness-focused by signing up for a local race.
While it’s not the peak 5K season, there are still several race options during the holiday months. The Lynchburg Turkey Trot (Nov. 25), a fundraiser for HumanKind, is an invigorating way to start your Thanksgiving Day. Bring the whole family to the Peaks of Otter Christmas Classic (Dec. 2) in Bedford, which includes a 5K, one-mile run and kids’ run. Runners are encouraged to “dress for the season” at the Reindeer Run 2 Mile Trail Race at Hydaway Outdoor Center (Dec. 4).
<brBinge on your favorite holiday movies.
No need to dig out those old DVDs—the Historic Academy Theater has you covered with its all-day Holiday Movie Marathon (Nov. 27). You can also enjoy your favorite festive flicks on the big screen at Venue Cinemas during the month of December as they feature some of the top films with holiday vibes.

Take a trip back in time to Christmases past.
The Holiday Candlelight Tours at Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest give you a one-of-a-kind experience of his villa that’s fully decorated for the holidays
(Dec. 2-17). Or take a trip to Brookneal for the annual Christmas Open House at Patrick Henry’s Red Hill, which includes docent-guided tours and more (Dec. 6).

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Local Openings & Closings

Hello! to new owners of Goode Country Store in Goode.

Hello! to a new location of Rookie’s on Norfolk Avenue in Lynchburg.

Hello! to Beauty Bar on 9th Street in Lynchburg.

Hello! to La Vida Coffee + Market on Langhorne Road.

Goodbye to MMG Burger Bar on Wards Road.

Hello! to women’s boutique Cashe’ on Enterprise Drive in Wyndhurst.

Hello! to new boutique Mosaic Collective on 5th Street in Lynchburg.

Hello! to Annie’s Indian Kitchen on Forest Road near Graves Mill Road.

Hello! to Relevant Law’s new location on Enterprise Drive.

Goodbye to Crown Sterling restaurant on Fort Avenue, closing after five decades.

Hello! to three new places to eat at River Ridge Mall: Grounded, Stonefire Pizza and Mein Bowl.

Mark Your Calendars July/August 2021

Ladies Night Out: Paddle and a Picnic
July 22, 6 – 8:30 p.m.
Need a ladies night out? Head to Ivy Creek Park for a one-of-a-kind experience with your besties! Enjoy nature while kayaking or canoeing on Clemmons Lake. Finish it all off with a peaceful picnic by the water. Food will be provided. Make sure to register by July 20. Learn more at www.lynchburgparksandrec.com.

Taylor Rodriguez: A Tribute to the King
July 23 & 24
Spend an evening with the King, Elvis Presley! Taylor Rodriguez has been dubbed one of the top five Elvis tribute artists in the world and his versions of country, rock ’n’ roll, and classic hits will have you dancing in your seat! This performance is a part of Endstation Theatre’s Summer Festival and will be held at the University of Lynchburg Pavilion. Learn more at www.endstationtheatre.org.

Hero Day
July 31, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Grab your friends and family (and your cape, of course) for Wolfbane Productions’ Hero Day, a celebration of all your fictional and nonfictional favorites. The Blended Soul Food Truck will be on site. Learn more at wolfbane.org.

Trace Adkins
August 9, 8 – 10 p.m.
Country singer Trace Adkins is making his way to Lynchburg! The Louisiana native has produced hit after hit for his fans, while accumulating Grammy nominations and CMT and ACM awards. If you are a country fan, you will want to be at the Historic Academy Theater for a performance for the ages! Learn more at academycenter.org.

Face the Forest
August 21, 7:30 a.m.- 12 p.m.
This 5K obstacle course run through Poplar Forest will have you flipping tires, climbing walls, balancing teeter-totters, and braving through mud with your team of friends or family members. All entry fees go to support children’s educational programming at Poplar Forest and the YMCA’s campaign to provide resources to family and youth in the community. Learn more at poplarforest.org.

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Rising Stars
Two talented women with local connections are celebrating big success!

We knew her when…
Liberty University graduate Jane Marczewski (aka Nightbirde) was the talk of the town in June as she appeared on “America’s Got Talent” and got the coveted Golden Buzzer from judge Simon Cowell. She also moved the country to tears with her incredible optimism in the face of fighting cancer.

We have covered Jane’s story through the years—first in our September/October 2014 issue (she was even on the cover) and then again in July/August 2019, “The Resurrection of Jane,” after the singer-songwriter returned to Lynchburg and talked about fighting breast cancer.

On the show, Jane told the judges she still has traces of cancer in her body and also revealed she has a 2% chance of survival: “But 2% is not 0%” she explained, adding that “it’s important that everyone knows I’m so much more than the bad things that happen to me.”

Jane’s audition song, “It’s OK,” made it to the top of the Apple Music chart and a hashtag for her is trending: #seejanewinAGT. The live shows for AGT begin on August 10 and run through September 15.

Moving on up!
Local celebrity Mary Catherine Garrison will be taking her acting talents to new HBO comedy series “Somebody Somewhere.” She will play the role of Tricia Murphy, the co-owner of a hometown store in Kansas. The show is currently in production in Chicago.

Garrison has plenty of Broadway and television credits to her name already, including her recurring role in, “Veep,” an HBO political satire. She has called Lynchburg home since 2017 after moving to the Hill City with her husband and son.

We featured Garrison and her home in the March/April 2019 issue of Lynchburg Living. “The Creative’s Haven” highlighted her eclectic and artistic style. The actress also makes original ceramics, paintings and jewelry.

Speaking about her new gig on Instagram, Garrison said: “If I had sat down and drawn up the EXACT perfect dream job it would be *exactly* this show. … Do dreams actually come true?????!!!”

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Local Openings & Closings

Hello! to 7 Rooftop Bar on the Bluffwalk in downtown Lynchburg.
Hello! to Adams Clocks and Repair in downtown Bedford.
Hello! to Buff City Soap on Wards Road.
Goodbye to Fit Body Boot Camp in Forest.
Hello! to Peak Athletics taking their place.
Hello! to VR Play, offering a virtual reality experience, in Wyndhurst.
Hello! to Wyndhurst Nutrition, serving meal replacement shakes and loaded teas.
Hello! to Ahh, Smash It on Linkhorne Drive.
Hello! to a new location of Fusion Salon on Route 221 in Forest.
Hello! to two new Appomattox-based food trucks: Downtown Cairo and Iceland’s.
Hello! to a brick-and-mortar location of Sweet Indulgence Bakery on McConnville Road.
Goodbye to the Baby Giraffe on Forest Road; they hope to move online soon.
Hello! to a bigger location of LuLu’s Closet taking their place.