When it comes to planning and executing a styled shoot, you have to be prepared to roll with the punches.

While we had planned to photograph a historic-meets-modern tablescape outdoors, mother nature decided otherwise. March 27 was looking clear as a bell up until the morning of our planned shoot; out of nowhere, it seemed, the forecast called for heavy rain and thunderstorms that afternoon/evening and that’s exactly how it played out.

Nevertheless, the Lynchburg Living team made it work, thanks to the extremely hospitable Mikael (Taste contributor) and Traci Blido who helped us carry out our vision in their sunroom and even let us forage for extra fresh greenery in their backyard.

Most of the props—from the plates to the old books to the linens—were rounded up from everyone’s houses. Art Director Chris Meligonis lead the way in assembling the table from the first piece of greenery to the last lighting of a candle.

Photographer Ashlee Glen traded her usual step ladder for a much taller version to help us capture the best overhead angles of the heritage-inspired recipes created by Mikael.

Meanwhile, Editor Shelley Basinger sat on the couch watching everyone work while drinking wine. (Kidding. She helped too. But there was one small wine break.)

Read the full feature, learn some local fare history and get a little hungry, starting on page 96!

Roll out the red carpet and give me a trophy, because I actually kept one of my New Year’s Resolutions last year.

As 2020 began, I told my husband, “I’m going to reclaim reading this year.” As a child, my nose was always in a book. (Humble brag: I was the number one Accelerated Reader in my elementary school for a couple of years in a row.) But through the years, reading became less of a priority, usually saved for the beach or a plane ride.

So, I set a modest goal to read 15 books in 2020. I figured that was reasonable after only reading maybe one or two books each year in the recent past. Well, not only did I reach that goal (in September as a matter of fact) but I also managed to read five more titles before the ball dropped.

I can now officially say that reading has reclaimed one of my top hobby spots. Getting lost in a book at night after my kids have gone to bed gives me something that’s just for me—it’s a way to refill my cup when I’m often running on empty.

I think there is a stigma that New Year’s Resolutions, or goals in general, have to be something that’s either super hard or something we don’t really enjoy. But with all that’s going on in the world, who has time for that?

As I saw on a fitness-related Instagram post the other day:
If you don’t like running, don’t try to run as a way to shed pounds. If you love breakfast, don’t choose the intermittent fasting diet.

Remember to be true to yourself when goal-setting or resolution-making as we enter what’s expected to be another roller coaster year. And also, remember to take care of yourself first, before trying to help others. There is a reason why flight attendants tell you to put on your oxygen mask first. An empty cup has nothing to pour out.

What will you change this year to improve your life? I would love to hear from you.

Also, book recommendations are welcome—I’m shooting for 30 in 2021.

All my best,

Shelley Basinger, Managing Editor
Shelley@lynchburgmag.com

In college I took a Voice and Diction class for my journalism major. I clearly recall our professor teaching us how to take “cleansing breaths” to prepare ourselves for public speaking engagements. I hadn’t gotten into yoga yet so the concept of deep breathing was new to me.

Inhaling deeply through my nose, taking all of the air into my stomach, and then slowly exhaling through my mouth…the whole process was a little awkward at first, but man, after that first breath, I was hooked. I could feel a little bit of stress just melt away.

I’m not sure about you, but I’ve been taking a lot of “cleansing breaths” lately.

Thankfully, since taking this job four years ago, the Summer Issue has always been a bit of a breather for me. Partly because of the season—warm days and sunshine make deadlines feel less oppressive. But also because this is the one issue of the year that’s less formulaic—a delightful hodgepodge of all that is light and bright (and possibly outdoorsy, but not always) in the Hill City.

You’ll find what I believe to be little breaths of fresh air throughout this publication, including a local scooter club that’s featured on our cover. This unique group has a passion for Vespas or Lambrettas and you may catch them “zooming around town” in their often colorful mod-inspired outfits.

There is plenty of encouragement to head outside: grow peaches, play disc golf, or even trek across the state to encounter one of Virginia’s mysterious pony herds. We also have inspiring stories that will make you smile—from our 2020 Healthcare Heroes, which include one of the frontline nurses in the local fight against COVID-19, to a new downtown mural that’s spreading the word about “Black Girl Magic.”

But before you dive in, consider taking a moment to reset: inhale, hold, and slowly exhale.

I hope this magazine is a breather for you.

All My Best,

Shelley Basinger, Managing Editor
Shelley@lynchburgmag.com

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.

After moving to Lynchburg in 2008, I was desperately trying to “find my place in this world”—as Michael W. Smith poignantly described in his 1990 song. Just a green 24-year-old adjusting to a new job and trying to (awkwardly) make new friends.

I started looking for ways to get more connected and learned about Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Virginia through a co-worker. With a camp counselor background, it was a no-brainer. After signing up, I was matched with an 11-year-old girl named Nicole who had just recently been adopted by her foster family.

Life had been tough for Nicole the past few years—lots of people had come and gone.

We spent Saturdays going to movies, hanging out at my apartment or working on projects for her school. She talked to me about her family some days; other days we just focused on fun. I arranged for her to get baptized—something she had always wanted to do since becoming a Christian in a previous foster home. Down the road, she was there to celebrate with me on my wedding day.

With an entry-level salary that barely paid my rent, I didn’t have much money to hand over to Big Brothers Big Sisters. But what I did have was a few hours each week to give to Nicole—and so many nonprofits are desperate for just that… your time.

In fact, about half of the top 25 nonprofits featured in this year’s Giving Back Awards listed “volunteers” as their greatest need right now. For example, Gleaning for the World, our #1 nonprofit, has only 11 paid employees that run its international disaster relief efforts—an astounding 1,200 volunteers help keep the place running.

There are numerous other inspiring stories of volunteerism in this issue—from dozens of artists who donated their talents to a Beacon of Hope auction fundraiser to our Person of Interest, David Stokes, who logs 950 volunteer hours a year helping local veterans.

You’ll find two kinds of holiday spirit in this issue—the festive baked goods, beautiful Christmas décor and local gift ideas will have you ready to slip on those Santa jammies ASAP. But my hope is you’ll also embrace the spirit of giving. Not just throwing a few coins in the Salvation Army bucket, but being so bold as to ask a local nonprofit: what can I do to serve you?

It may be as simple as lending an ear to an 11-year-old girl.

Cheers,

Shelley Basinger, Managing Editor
Shelley@lynchburgmag.com

True confessions from a mother, wife and work-from-home magazine editor. Sometimes I pour a can of Manwich into some ground beef, throw some buns on the table and call it a day. (I know. Some of you are throwing your magazine in the trash as we speak. Please keep reading.)

But lately, I’ve set a small goal for myself to try to make more of those quick-and-easy shortcuts “from scratch.” For example, I made my own sloppy joe sauce with fresh veggies instead of relying on my good buddy Manwich. I also was extremely proud of a homemade chicken noodle soup we enjoyed on a freezing night in late March (because it was the winter that would never end). It was nice to slow down and feel accomplished by a culinary creation…instead of settling for what came out of a can.

Seriously—I fished for compliments from my husband for weeks I was so proud of myself: “Remember how awesome that soup was that I made?”

Our goal with this Food Issue is to recharge your confidence in the kitchen as well as your fondness for food. In the Taste department, we’ve compiled dozens of cooking tips from multiple sources.

From time-saving tricks to top kitchen mistakes, we hope you learn something new in “Back to Basics: Helpful Hints for the Home Kitchen.”

The Lynchburg Community Market is working hard to spread awareness about how to prepare healthy food (and other healthy lifestyle habits) in the second year of its “We Got the Beet” program. By focusing on areas of the city that are considered “food deserts,” this initiative has already led to better choices and attitudes among participants. Hear more in our Body feature on page 61.

It’s perfectly okay to let someone else nurture your food-loving spirit. Our much-anticipated Lynchburg Restaurant Week is back for its 7th year with 30 restaurants participating. See all of the menus starting on page 73 and start planning out where you will dine June 23-30.

And if you are on the road this summer and are looking for a new food spot to try, we have highlighted four options for you in four different parts of the state in our Travel feature, “Go Out (of Town) to Eat.”

Now that I’ve finished this Editor’s Letter I can move on to the next item on my agenda for the day: finish building my online shopping cart with Kroger ClickList. And I promise you—no cans of Manwich are allowed!

Shelley Basinger, Managing Editor
Shelley@lynchburgmag.com