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LivingNovember-December|Issue 25
FREE
Bells in the Valley
Buyers Club, Part 2
THE MAGAZINE FOR PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN AND LOVE THE VALLEY
SHENANDOAH
Top 10Valley Artists
Holiday Traditions in the BlueRidg
Main StreetMatters
Buena VistaFront Royal
Middletown
Mt. JacksonNew Marke
Woodstock
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4 | shenandoahmagazine.com | November/December 2015 November/December 2015 | shenandoahmagazine
PUBLISHER--Greg ShieldsValiant Virginians
greg@shenandoahmagazine.com
EDITOR--Carol J. Alexandercarol@shenandoahmagazine.com
PRODUCTION & DESIGNFarago & Associates
CIRCULATION--Greg Shieldsgreg@shenandoahmagazine.com
CONTRIBUTORSCarol J Alexander
Lynn CoffeyLani Furbank
Rebekah PostupakSara Tranum
PHOTOGRAPHYLani Furbank
Matt SchmachtenbergMark Segreti
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVEEllen Kozicki
ellenslmagazine@aol.com
STORY IDEAScarol@shenandoahmagazine.com
EVENTSinfo@shenandoahmagazine.com
HOW TO REACH USPhone: 540-746-1962
Editorial: 540-335-7364info@shenandoahmagazine.comads@shenandoahmagazine.com
Published bimonthly by Valiant VirginiansBridgewater, Virginiaand distributed through-
out theShenandoah Valley of Virginia.Magazine is available at all Kroger, Food Lionand Martin grocery stores from Lexington toWinchester. See website for other locations
www.shenandoahmagazine.com.Copyright 2015. Reproduction withoutpermission is prohibited.
All unsolicited submissions become theproperty of Shenandoah Living Magazine
and cannot be returned.Submissions chosen for publicationmay be edited for length or clarity.Shenandoah Living is a registered
trademark of Valiant Virginians.Like us on Facebook.
From the Editor|Carol J. AlexandeSHENANDOAHLiving
My seamstress mother spent her life creating worfabric, trims, buttons, and more. Some of her art wassome not. I remember a childhood of c lients cominghome for fittings for everything from wedding gowndresses to uniforms and everyday wear.
Mom made my wedding gown. She and my husband-to-be worked togethea crown of pearls on which to sew my veil. (I married a man who enjoys creatingful things, as well.) For 50 years I lived a spoiled existence. Whenever I saw somwanted, if I thought mom could make it, she would tryand succeed. When I w14, I wanted a bedroom ensemble from the Sears, Roebuck & Company catalocopied it for my Christmas gift that year. I remember clothing, home dcor andshe gifted me in that way. This month marks three years since my mother passestill my home is filled with her art. Wall quilts, paintings, afg hans, even coastersreminders of a mother who valued beauty and taught her children to do the sa
My husband and I have passed down this love of creativity to our children. Oan ornamental blacksmith; another is a woodworker. Our daughter creates masfrom such commonplace things as flour, butter, and eggs. Some folks call her c
cake, we call them art. All of our children make a joyful noise, but two especiallmaking melody with various instruments. Is it any wonder then, that surroundedthis creative energy and living in one of the most beautiful parts of the countrybe thrilled to introduce you to Shenandoah Livings Readers Choice Top 10 ArValley? I dont want to spoil the story, so make sure to check it out on page 40.
When you think about art, this entire issue is full of it. Music lives in Rebekah Bells in the Valley. You can smell and taste edible art as Sarah Tranum tells howof The Shack in Staunton would prepare a traditional holiday meal. And to learcreate your own art to decorate your home for the holidays, read tips from Susapage 12.
One way that Valley folks support our local artisans is by supporting our MainMain Street Matters in the Valley, so say a host of business owners, Chamber ofofficers and town officials. I enjoyed visiting six different towns with photographSegreti and capturing the essence of their Main Streets for you. You can read aand what these folks have to say, on page 34.
I hope you enjoy reading this issue of Shenandoah Living as much as I did putogether. Please visit the shops listed and see the artwork created by your neigthe kids to a bell concert, start a new holiday tradition, and wherever you go, spand goodwill to your fellow man.
Blessings,
P.S. I would love to hear from you! Email your comments or story ideas to cardoahmagazine.com.
Random Thoughts
Correction: The BBQ Ranch covered in the September issue i s located at 3311 N. Valley
Harrisonburg. We failed to share the location in the article. Our apologies. Editor
Mark Segreti is a
homeschool senior
who has a passion for
photography, play-
ing the bass guitar,
reading, hiking and
camping
Contributing PhotographersMatt Schmachtenb
JMU grad, medical
ful, and has been s
seven years! He lov
and candid momen
ally fnd him with a f
one hand and digita
| |
rom the Publisher| Greg Shields
A New Journey for Shenandoah Living
From the very beginning, we had hoped Shenandoah Living couldecome a subscription-based magazine. We believe that time has
rrived. After two successful years, we have the foundation, reader-hip and recognition to add a new subscription-based readership. A
ubscription-based readership allows us to interact, build rapport and
etter know our readers. Knowing exactly who our readers are helpss seek opinions and target editorial interest. A paid readership also
uilds advertiser condence. With a paid readership, we can betternform our advertisers as to who reads the magazine, why they read itnd how they use the information inside
ur magazine.
To begin the transition, we will
tartour new 2016 bi-monthlychedule with a Feb/Mar issue.
Advertisers and current subscribers
will receive a direct mailing andmail update about our new
chedule. We will continue toistribute as usual until we
ave made the transition to paid
ewsstands and paid subscribers . We will update you on our prog-ess in upcoming issues of Shenandoah Living magazine.
Above the Shenandoah
You have probably noticed on our Facebook page many of the
beautiful Valley aerial photographs posted on our timeline. We oc-casionally publish similar aerial photos inside the magazine.
After accumulating well over 200 aerial photos of the Shenandoah
Valley, we want to share the very best of them in a new, 56-page
book titledAbove the Shenandoah. This new book is important to usfor several reasons. In addition to showcasing the Valleys beautiful
landscape from above, proceeds will be used to support the missionof Valiant Virginians, a Virginia nonprot 501c3.
Valiant Virginians provides affordable, economical and reliabletransportation options to residents of the Shenandoah Valley. For
more information about Valiant Virginians, visit our website at
www.valiantvirginians.org.After expenses, 100 percent of the proceeds from Above the
Shenandoahgoes to Valiant Virginians. However, only 1,500 copies
will be printed; there will not be a second printing. So, to guaranteethat you get your copy of this unique book, act quickly.
Reserve your copy now for this limited printing of Above theShenandoahby sending $25 (includes shipping) to Valiant Virgin-
ians, Above the Shenandoah, PO Box 269, Bridgewater, VA 22812.
Or you may order online by visiting our store at www.valiantvirgin-ians.org. Above the Shenandoahwill ship in early Spring.
Valiant Virginians has applied for a Gaming permit with the Virginia Department of Ag-culture and Charitable Gaming seeking permission to rafe a 1965 Corvette in 2016.
Rafing is the quickest (and hardest) path to building immediate revenue for a non -rot. Over a six-month period, we intend to sell 2,500 tickets for $100 each. It wont
e easy and it will be an uphill journey but organizations do it all the time. The Ronald
McDonald House, St. Judes, the SPCA, these folks have something we do not--BRANDnd a network of supporters. But we have a large network of Shenandoah Livingread-
rs, loads of community support and the grit to climb that hill. If we pull it off, it will
e a life changing event for everyone involved. It means more (AND BETTER) carsor those in need and economic stability for Valiant Virginians and Shenandoah Living.
More info and photos on page 14 and 15.
fter all...to help people...it really is all about the money! The money!
LivingNovember-December|Issue25
FREE
HolidayTraditons intheBlueridgeBellsintheValley
MainStreetMattersBuena VistaMiddletown
Mt.Jackson
NewMarket
THEMAGAZINEFORPEOPLEWHOLIVEINANDLOVETHEVALLEYSHENANDOAH
BuyersClub-Part2WhiffletreeFarmand HeritageHollowFa
First Annual Shifting Gears to 1965 Corvette Rafe
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6 | shenandoahmagazine.com | November/December 2015 November/December 2015 | shenandoahmagazine
17
1740
ound the Valley
Take-5Greg Cromer: America from the Sky.
HomeHoliday Decorating with Susan Kibler.
FarmBuyers Club, Part 2.
FoodTraditional Holiday Food with a Modern
Twist.
Features
40 Holiday Gift-Buying Guideand Favorite Artists
We asked you, our readers, to nomi-
nate your favorite Valley artists. Here
are the Top 10.
22 History: HolidayTraditions in the Blue Ridge
Lynn Coffey shares holiday memories
from years past.
26 Bells in the Valley There are many bells up and down the
Valley, most with long and storied
histories, including original church bell
towers constructed in the 1700s whose
chimes can still be heard daily.
ContentsOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2015
In Every Issue
Publisher/Editor Letters.........................4/5
Letters to Editor .....................................11
Valiant Virginians ...................................14
That Shenandoah Feeling .....................49
TICKET ..................................................48
26
22
8
COVERBlue Barn inthe Blue Ridge
12
In addition to beautiful
mountains, farmland and
rivers, the Shenandoah
Valley is known for its Main
Street communities . Many
of the Valleys downtowns
are on the state and
national historic registers.
34 Main Street Matters
I-81, Ex 243, 1 mi S. on US 11 121 Carpenter LaneHarrisonburg, VA 22801
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5Take
ople| A Different View Greg Cromer
Greg CromersAmerica from
the Sky
Story By Greg Shields | Photos By Greg Cromer
1. You are very popular in and out ofthe Valley. When did you start sellingaerial photographs of the Valley andhow did you decide this was the busi-ness for you?
After I started flying, it got a little oldjust flying around the airport pattern.Something was needed to justify theexpense of renting a plane. So, takingthe camera with me and taking somephotos for friends and family seemedto make sense. In the summer of 2008,the aerial photo thing was still mostlya hobby when I saw the cross on themountain overlooking Broadway. Itook the photo and showed Broad-
ways mayor. He bought a print as wellas invited me to exhibit at their streetfestival. Several dozen people boughtthat first print at the festival, and folksfrom neighboring towns asked if I hadtheir town too. Thats what started theAmerica from the Sky collection. Myprimary goal is to photograph everytown in Virginia, West Virginia andMaryland, with other places acrossthe country as any jobs or personal in-terest take me there. Currently, thereare almost 2,000 photos of places in16 states but if it wasnt for that cross,this collection probably wouldnt exist.
2. Your photos are quite unique. Mosteveryone is curious as to how youtake these beautiful photos. Wouldyou explain the process of how youtake aerial photographs from start tofinish?
The start begins with planning.Google Earth is used to pre-fly myflight route, identify all my targetsand sometimes discover somethingnew. Im always the photographer,but when the camera is in my hands,a commercial-rated pilot is flying theairplane.
(Thank you for not asking if I usedrones, which I dont. I need to flyhigher than drones are allowed to go.)
The airport closest to the job at handis usually the one from which Ill fly.The camera is in my hands at alltimes, and photos are shot through anopen window.
Once the flight is over, the photosare downloaded to my computer.I sift through the hundreds, if notthousands, of photos from that daysflight. This is done right away, so I canremember where every photo wastaken. Once the keepers are selected,
I do some minor editing using AdobePhotoshop. The usual steps are crop,straighten, enhance contrast and colorand occasionally do some editing toremove unwanted items from thephoto. ( i.e. bad patches of grass, toolsor toys in yards, water on driveway,autos, etc.) Once the photo is ready,my 44 Epson 9800 Photo Printer isused to generate the print.
3. Do you have a pilots license andown your own plane?
Yes, on having the license; but no onthe plane. I used to own a share of anantique stick and rudder taildragger.My (then) teenaged kids flew back-seat and steadied the plane while Itook photos. After they grew up andleft home, and as my collection grew,it made more sense to simply rent aplane and pilot nearest to the job athand.4. If a customer is unable to meetup with you at Valley arts and craftsevents, how else could they buy anaerial photo?
Almost every photo is now displayed
on my website. Theres not an oorder form yet, but customers cme to order. Also, the Dayton FaMarket on Route 42 carries sevemy local prints. Outside of the sI do quite a bit of door-to-door mketing to the businesses in the that Ive photographed. It takesof work, but its what I love doindoesnt seem like work most d
5. Do you take custom photos urequest?
Absolutely! There is a form on mwebsite that makes it easy for pto show me exactly where their
erty is located. In addition to hoand businesses, a large part of mflying is to take monthly constrprogress photos of hospitals, shping centers, hotels, schools, etdo a fair amount of work for VaHealth and Shockey, as well as of the local water treatment plathe region.
6. Were you born an raised in thley? If so, what is your connectithe Valley?
I was born in Hagerstown, Md. agrew up in Williamsport, Md. Mgrandmother lived in Winchestwas the acting librarian at the Hley Library. She was instrumentin having the childrens wing adthere. From falling in love with chester from visiting my grandattended Shenandoah Conservof Music from 1982-86, and thena band director for five years beswitching careers to the world overtising. Once I moved to FredCounty, thats where Ive stayedexcept for the 80,000+ miles in mevery year.
Ifirst discovered Greg Cromer at the Elkton Autumn Days
Arts and Crafts Festival. Greg has a most unusual business
of showcasing America from the Sky. You can meet up withGreg at many of the Valleys arts and crafts festivals. He has
been most generous to Valiant Virginians (501c3 nonprofit)
and Shenandoah Valley by allowing us to showcase some
of his photos of Stanley, New Market and Lexington on our
Facebook page and in the magazine. I most recently ran into
Greg at the 2015 Brycefest, Bryce Resort, Basye, Virginia.To see more aerial photos from Greg Cromer, please visit our Facebook page.
8 | shenandoahmagazine.com | November/December 2015 November/December 2015 | shenandoahmagazine
STORY BYGreg ShieldsBACKGROUND PHOTO: Greg Cromers New Market
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November/December 2015 | shenandoahmagazine.10 | shenandoahmagazine.com | November/December 2015
n your opinion, what makes the Valley such a special place?
e Shenandoah Valley is simply a beautiful place. The Sevennds of the Shenandoah River and Big Schloss are two of ourt-kept secrets. (Yes, I have a photo!) Beyond these, there aremany places to sightsee, great restaurants, living history andpping. However, if you want something to do or see thatt be found here, its probably only an hour or two drive toerever you want to go.
W hat are your favorite arts and crafts events in the Valley?
e Highland County Maple Festival in Monterey starts off myr with great maple syrup and donuts. Winchesters Applessom Festival is a biggie. I always enjoy going back to Broad-y, where the collection started. Bryce Resort has become my
urth of July tradition because it is so beautiful there; even theve getting there is special.
nestly, Id have to name all of the festivals, because going has
ays been my favorite weekend activity, even before I started ex-
iting. As my collection expands, Im always looking for differentces, so next year I might be a little harder to find here locally.
example, Ill be exhibiting inside the Country Club Mall nearmberland, Md. for the entire month of December. That location
ls from a wide area and is a favorite stopping point for lots of
out-of-towners heading to West Virginia University.
Its been great doing a mall show at Christmas time, becauseso many people have hard-to-buy-for folks on their list. If thatsomeone loves their town, college or a scenic attraction anaerial photo of that place makes a wonderful gift.
9. Wh at do your customers tell you?
I get such wonderful feedback from my customers. Last year,a photo was bought to give to a dying brother who had movedaway and hadnt been home in decades. The brothers wifetold me he looked at that picture every day, talking about thememories. Several of my photos have been sent to the MiddleEast. It gives me great pleasure when I hear that my work has
given someone, but especially one of our soldiers, a window tohome.
At the end of the day, when people ask me what I do for a living,I can certainly say that Im an aerial photographer working on amassive collection of local and scenic places. But my legacy is tospark someones memories out of these photos and make themsmile. Thats the best thing.
Greg Cromers website is www.americafromthesky.com
e| A Different View Greg Cromer
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12 | shenandoahmagazine.com | November/December 2015 November/December 2015 | shenandoahmagazine.
Main Street Matters on Route 11Editor:
Thank you for representing the Valley andtelling the stories of our small towns. Travel-ers on I-81 never know the true Shenandoah
Valley unless they exit off to Rout e 11 andvisit our small towns and villages. To reallyfeel the Valley, keep driving towards anybackroad, holler or gravel road. May I sug-gest exiting at New Market and travelingsouth on Rt. 11. If you are adventurous, takeany back road off Rt. 11 to feel the real theShenandoah Valley.
KIMBERLY WILFORD,
via info@shenandoahmagazine.com
Editor:
I just picked up a copy of the Shenando-ah Living magazine and was pleased to seethat you ran my Mercedes story. Im sure thefriends of Dick Robertson, that read it, willbe reminded of his support and the manycontributions to his community.
Being a glider pilot and having flown outof Eagles nest airport, I also enjoyed thewell done soaring story.
As a downtown Staunton resident and
business owner, it was also good to see thestory on David Schwartz and his CameraHeritage Museum.
Keep up the good work!
Regards,
AL MORKUNAS,
aka Al Marankas (STAUNTON)
LETTERS
odstock Cafe & Shoppes along Main Street, Woodstock. Photo by Mark Segreti . Main Street shops, Front Roya l. Photo by Mark Segreti .
Public Library and Town Hall along Main Street, Mt. Jackson. Photo by Mark Segreti.
Aces Attic along Magnolia Avenue, Buena Vista. Photo by Mark Segreti. The Wayside Inn along Route 11, Middletown. Photo by Mark Segreti. Main Street shops, Front Royal. Photo by Mark Segreti.
Main Street shops, Front Royal.Photo by Mark Segreti.
ers along Magnolia Avenue, Buena Vista. Photo by Mark Segreti.
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14 | shenandoahmagazine.com | November/December 2015
Greenery, burlap, and a banner made with jute twine and paper triangleshighlight this doorway for the holidays.
me| Holiday Decorating
Decking
Hallsthehe laughed at my question and pointed to pumpkins sittingin a gorgeous serving tray. Walmart, 98 cents, she said.
hat chic antique bread box on the counter? Goodwill, $6,
said Susan, and its only antique-looking.
STORY BYREBEKAH POSTUPAK
Ilove Tanksgiving and Christmas decora-
tions, especially the homey, warm look of
pumpkins and cranberries in centerpieces
and wreaths, and on front porches.
ake that other peoples centerpieces, wreaths,
d porches.
Sad but true: Im not a decorator. Beyond
heap ceramic vase plopped forlornly in the
ddle of my dining table, each season I find
yself helpless to dress up my home. So this year
urned to an expert, Susan Kibler of Primitives
andcrafted by Susan, who lives in Mt. Jackson.
Susans home reminds me of those homes, the
es splashed across designer home magazines.
endly scenes top her cabinets; wicker baskets
ngle merrily from the ceiling; artfully crafted
plays snuggle on her counters. Everythings
rfect. And expensive, right?
She laughed at my question and pointed to
pumpkins sitting in a gorgeous serving tray.
Walmart, 98 cents, she said.
Tat chic antique bread box on the counter?
Goodwill, $6, said Susan, and its only
antique-looking. She explained that she always
keeps an eye out for interesting pieces to serve as
the base of a display or decoration. o pull off the
antique look for this bread box, she first stained
it and sprayed it with chippy distressed paint;
then, after it had dried, she smeared petroleum
jelly around the knob and corners and applied
a second coat of the chippy paint. o finish, all
she had to do was wipe off the paint where shed
spread the petroleum jelly. Voila! Te box sprang
back in time fifty years.
Susan said she makes her best finds at thrift
stores. Teres a real thrill in running across
something like an expensive Longaberger plate
for just 20 cents, she said.
Te key is to start with that base piece, such as a ladder or a wooden box,
tobacco lath, even a wooden tool box or metal watering cananything you
might have lying around your house or barn. Next, Susan said she thinks about
what colors or theme she wants, and she starts gathering supplies, like homespun
fabric or metal stars.I think a lot about elevation and dimension, said Susan. One of my secrets is
stuffing containers with floral foam from the dollar store, and bunching Spanish
moss around the top. She completes the look by adding berries, or Styrofoam
balls wrapped in homespun fabric, and uses wires to stick them in the floral foam.
A look she often creates these days involves burlap.
People are crazy about burlap now, said Susan, which she said can be found
easily at flea markets and craft stores. She
often wraps boxes and jars in the burlap;
she even makes wreaths out of it,
such as her wildly popular Virginia
ech-themed burgundy and orange
ones.
Te joy in Susans voice conveys a
love not just of the result, but the entire
creation process. But loving decorating doesnt mean her eventual expertise came
without struggle.
I was never any good at following patterns, Susan admitted. I would just try
to figure it out on my own. Honestly, I learn best by trial and error. Nowadays, the
ideas are mostly out of my own head.
Te crucial thing for a beginner like me, Susan said, is the same lesson she
learned herself: dont be afraid to try something. Look around on Pinterest, You-
ube, and Facebook for design ideas. People are so friendly and are happy to tell
you how to make something. Youll learn tips like how to conserve fabric, or howto make a wreath look fuller.
Susan said decorating is abundantly worth the effort. Its that longing for
yesteryear, for a simpler time, she said. Everything was more handcrafted then,
and people put time and diligence into making things. Tere is a charm about it
we today are constantly chasing.
Primitives Handcrafted by Susan, including items customized by request, can be foundat All Things Virginia at the Farmhouse in Woodstock, Carmellas Caf in Edinburg,and Chickadees Artist Gallery in New Market. Susans creations can also be foundonline at Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/primsbysusan
A branch from a discarded, artificial tree turns into astunning tabletop tree when decorated with burlap andprimitive ornaments.
PHOTO COURTESY OF SUSAN KIBLER.
PHOTOC
OURTESYOFSUSAN
KIBLER.
A few discarded kitchen utensils come together with a
candle and pumpkin to decorate this table for the holidays.
November/December 2015 | shenandoahmagazi
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7/23/2019 Shenandoah Living Nov Dec 2015
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16 | shenandoahmagazine.com | November/December 2015 November/December 2015 | shenandoahmagazine.
Subaru Limited, 98,000 miles, AutomaticAC, Power Everything and Sunroof.
OFFERS WELCOMEemail cars@ valiantvirginians.org
aliant VirginiansREG SHIELDS
WIN This 1965 Corvette Coupe!
ABOVE THE SHENANDOAHAerial Photography Showcasing the Shenandoah Valley
Only 1,500 copies will be printed.To reserve and guarantee your copy now, send $25 (includes shipping) to Valiant Virginians,Above the Shenandoah, PO Box 269, Bridgewater, VA 22812. Or pay online now by visitingour store at www.valiantvirginians.org.
540-746-1962
www.valiantvirginians.orgcars@valiantvirginians.org
Providing economical and reliable transportationoptions to residents of the Shenandoah Valley
It Forward?
all came in like most other calls.
r: Is this Valiant Virginians?
Yes.
r: I read your column in Shenandoah Livingam hoping you can help me. I lost my job andr is broken down. I finally have a new job andcant get to work. I will take anything you have
er. Can you please help me?
atter how many times this call comes in, my feelings
e same. I know that Valiant Virginians does not have
rfect solution for this caller. If we happen to have
it is usually very old and pushing the outer limits.worse, we may not have a car and the wait to nd
ay take months. But we always nd a way. This
ular caller lived in Woodstock and needed transpor-
into Strasburg. All we had was a black extended cab
S10 Chevy pickup with 98,283 miles. Actually, this
mileage compared to most of our cars. Not really a
car, but it starts, runs and was practically rust free.
pointing out its aws, I offered the caller this truck.
r: You would give me that truck?
Yes, we would.
r: How much will it cost me?
othing. It is free.
r: (period of silence). Thank you so much. Ibelieve you would do that for me. Thank youch! I dont know what to say or how to everyou.
VV: It is ok. You are very welcome.
Caller: (begins to cry): I promise to PAY IT FOR-WARD.
VV: I know you will.
Caller: I will PAY IT FORWARD. I promise you(almost crying again).
And so it goes. Within three days, Ricks Towinghauled this old 1993 black S10 extended cab to thebeautiful little town of Woodstock. Old to us. Newto the caller.
Getting it there was not without incident. I couldnot find the keys. After hours of searching, I finally
gave up. I grabbed the title and drove into Bow-mans Chevrolet in Harrisonburg. Using the VehicleIdentification Number (VIN), Bowmans was ableto make an ignition key and door key right on thespot. $31.00...a bargain to me. I rushed back toBridgewater and tried the key. A perfect fit. Butthe battery was dead. No time to buy a new one asthe tow truck was on its way. We wrote a $75 checkto the giftee and placed it in on the passenger seatto purchase a new battery. It would be the only thingnew on this old Chevy S10. Like a rock.
Although the deed was done, I was full of apprehen-sion. I know that pick up wont last long. I can onlyhope it lasts until the recipient is back on her feet.
But I am tired. Tired of feeling helpless to offer amore long-term solution. We need to do somethingabout it.
With this Subaru, the devilis in the details.....
We rarely receive donated cars like the 2005 SubaruLimited you see in the photo below. It is newer than mostof our donated cars and it has low miles. Paint and interiorare in excellent condition. This is one fine looking Subaru.The blue book value of this vehicle is $5,900.
So whats the catch? It has a blown super charger.Yes, the fantastic automobile has a blown super charger.Estimated expense to repair it is about $1,600. So whatdo we do? Fix it and gift it to someone. Or, do we sellit and use the money to purchase a more practical carfor someone. I discussed each option with the donor. Hebelieves it would be more practical to sell the Subaruand use the funds to purchase a low maintenance econo-mical vehicle. From his viewpoint, the Subaru requires ahigher level of maintenance than say a...Toyota Corolla,Honda Civic or Ford Escape. Use the money to buy oneof those cars.
At this date, the car is for sale in as in condition. If
you fix the super charger, the price is $3,200. If you canfind an economical repair for the super charger, this couldbe a good deal for both parties.
kes money and manpower to help peopleeed. Right now, we have little of either. We
ed more cars. We need better cars. Wheree money come from? The chances of anewly-formed nonprofit such as Valiantians receiving a grant or major donationm. It would be naive on our part to believe
we could get a grant or that some hero onte horse will trot to our aid. We need bet-rs. We need more cars. We need money.Valiant Virginians is not in the business oftly asking for money (we only chase donatedwe have applied for a Gaming permit withirginia Department of Agriculture andtable Gaming seeking permission to raffle aCorvette Stingray Coupe (valued at $75,000)rn money. Raffling a valuable item is the
quickest, hardest and most unpredictable pathto building immediate revenue for any non-profit. Over a six month period, Valiant Virginiansintends to sell 2,500 tickets for $100 each. It willbe an uphill journey; but other organizations doit all the time. The Ronald McDonald House, St.Judes, the SPCA, these folks have something wedo not--brand and network of supporters. But wedo have Shenandoah Living readers and word ofmouth of the few good, yet modest deeds, wecomplete. It wont be easy.
Are there really 2,500 individuals in the Common-wealth of Virginia who would purchase a $100ticket to win this Corvette? Certainly. With a littleover 8 million residents in the Commonwealth,we simply need to find those 2,500 folks, tell our
story and sell them a ticket. T he search for these2,500 ticket holders and one big winner willbegin as soon as our permit is issued.
Stay tuned to our website and the magazine f ormore information. We will document and journalour story and keep you updated in each iss ueof Shenandoah Living. In the next issue, we willshare the full details, raffle dates and how youcan become the lucky winner out of the 2,500people who want to WIN THIS CORVETTE. Areyou that chosen one in 2,500? You could be.First, just like Valiant Virginians, you must believe.Have you visualized becoming the winner? If youhave, take a peek on the next page of what youwill win. One in 2,500pretty good odds if youask me. You just gotta believe!
he Solution: Shifting Gears to 1965 Corvette Raffle Teak Wheel
A56 page,beautifully presentedbook of aerial
photographs thatcapture the Valleyas its never beenseen before.
A Valleywith a View!
Published byValiant Virginians
Blue Leather Interior 5 Factory Original Ke
1965 Corvette Coupe with FACTORY ORIGINAL NUMBERS MATCHING 327-300 4-speed Manual
Only 75,000 miles with Factory Air, Power Windows, Power Brakes and Power Steering Nasau Blue
On CD
7/23/2019 Shenandoah Living Nov Dec 2015
10/29
November/December 2015 | shenandoahmagazine.
Part 2:
Farming |
Following in Polyfaces footsteps, two Virginia farm
borrowed the principles of the Metropolitan Buy
and tweaked them to fit the specific needs of the
and their customers. With a simple delivery mod
inventory, these buying clubs are a unique way to source su
farm-to-table ingredients fo
holiday feast.
Mike and Molly Peterson
tage Hollow Farm in Octob
several years of working wi
owner. Buying clubs had be
the farms business model s
but the Petersons found an
efficient way to share their food with customers.
Between busy schedules and harrowing traffic, the tripsryville to the Washington, D.C. area were taking up too mu
time. Youre not farming, youre delivering, Mike noticed.
Teir solution was to install freezers in CrossFit gyms in
Arlington. Te Petersons deliver their product before rush
customers can pick up their prepaid orders at any time tha
their schedule.
Really, when we tweaked all of those routes, it changed
dramatically, Mike said. We got a lot of time back.
It works out for Arlington gym owner Brian Wilson, too
STORY BY LANI FURBANKPHOTOGRAPHY BY LANI FURBANK & WHIFFLETREE FARM
In Part 1, we explained how Polyface Farms
Metropolitan Buying Club has helped boost their
customer base and expand their reach to cities all
around the state. This issue we want to look at how
their model is helping other farms do the same.
TeBuyers Club
Turkeys at Wh
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done quickly and easily so you can get
on with your day.
GREAT PRICINGandFINANCING OPTIONS!Ask about
7/23/2019 Shenandoah Living Nov Dec 2015
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20 | shenandoahmagazine.com | November/December 2015 November/December 2015 | shenandoahmagazine.
TOP: Molly Peterson with a lamb at Heritage Hollow Farm.
BOTTOM:A pretty pig at Heritage Hollow Farm?
A calf at Heritage H
A fury cow at Heritage Hollow Farm.
Laying hens at Whiffletree Farm.
Jesse Straight at Whiffletrees Centreville Buying Club drop.
Paleo diet is one of the main tenets of the CrossFit
lifestyle. I think whats really synergistic about it
is that part of what we tell our clients to do is eat
this pasture-raised, beyond organic meat, he said.
Jennifer Brooks Lassiter, a friend and customer
of Heritage Hollow, is partly to thank for this ar-
rangement. As a former CrossFit coach, Lassiter
made the introductions to help the gyms offer a
unique service to their members, while allowing
the Petersons to save valuable time.
I know how much work they do on the farm,
and it takes a really long time for them to load the
truck up and drive out here, Lassiter explained.
I was trying to think about a way that they could
do it that would be kind of time-sensitive to their
workload.
Its not just the food that Lassiter values. For
us it was really about wanting to have a relation-
ship with the people that were feeding our family,
she said. It means so much to me that they make
time to know us as customers and as friends.
Tats the connection she showcases during
her holiday dinners. We purchase from Mike andMolly because we trust how they raise their ani-
mals, we know the meat will be the most delicious
of any meat we purchase in a store, and its the
most nutrient-dense, clean food to feed the family.
Heritage Hollow offers a limited supply of hams
and roasts, including prime rib, tenderloin, lamb
crown, pork crown and leg of lamb. Tose are
all specialty cuts I wouldnt necessarily keep in
our inventory as they have limited use aside from
holiday gatherings, Mike said. Tey have also
teamed up with Belle Meade Farm to offer pastured turkeys
for Tanksgiving.
Jesse Straight of Whiffletree Farm in Warrenton also
offers products from fellow farmers, but hes taken it several
steps further. Hes transformed his buying club into a hub for
healthy, local products.
Straight started his farm business in 2009, and he has
grown to serve 13 buying clubs in Virginia and D.C. He not
only offers customers his own pasture-raised meats (includ-
ing popular holiday selections such as turkeys, hams, prime
rib and pork loin roasts), but he also delivers everything from
Christmas trees to apples.
Last year, Straight partnered with Oak Shade Farm in
Culpeper to deliver organically raised Serbian Spruce, Norway
Spruce, and Blue Spruce trees to families in his buyers clubs.
Other holiday favorites include organic apples and apple-
sauce from the Farm at Sunnyside in Washington, Va., organic
sourdough bread from a local baker, and a variety of organicvegetables from Powers Farm in Warrenton.
Straight doesnt make much of a profit from the items
he sells for his friends, and keeping up with the inventory
and coordinating pick-ups from each producer is no easy
task. However, he enjoys sharing products he trusts with his
customers.
People want high-quality, well-raised meat and eggs, but
also, most people really value convenience because of their
busy lives. So if they can have a lot of things in one place, then
thats really valuable to them, Straight said.
Selling products from other farms also helps to build the
customer base for Whiffletree. With so many products to
choose from, people are more likely to try the club, and even-
tually become a repeat customer.
Alexa Hutchins, a buying club host, has tried almost all
of the offerings from other vendors, but she has remained
a loyal customer for over six years because of the quality of
Whiffletrees meat. Everyone still talks about the year we
bought a fresh turkey from him, she recalled. It was the best
turkey any of us have ever eaten! We have gotten nothing but
rave reviews about it all.
Straight enjoys that his sustainable, local meat has become
a big part of his customers traditions. His philosophy? If weare going to celebrate the holidays by sharing good things
with our loved ones, lets make sure those good things are
truly good for us and for all other parties involved, start to
finish.
Tats why Nikki Flory buys her Christmas roast from
Whiffletree. I love a good pot roast or standing rib roast,
she said. I also love knowing I am feeding my family healthy
meat. And its always been a hit. My family and extended
family that come over for Christmas dinner always tell me
how good the meat is. Tere are no leftovers!
People want high-quality,
well-raised meat and eggs,
but also, most people
really value convenience
because of their busy
lives. So if they can have a
lot of things in one place,
then thats really valuable
to them, Straight said.
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November/December 2015 | shenandoahmagazine.22 | shenandoahmagazine.com | November/December 2015
A raditionalHoliday Meal
LEFT:A spiced plum and corn crisp dessert
sits on the line to be delivered.
od | Holiday Meal
STORY BY SARA TRANUM
PHOTOGRAPHY BYMATT SCHMACHTENBERG
On a cool, crisp Christmas eve-ning, the sun sets low, its warm
orange glow slipping behind the
Appalachian range, and the smell
of a wood-burning fire beckons from inside.
Stepping back one hundred-sixty years, into
the home of a family in the Shenandoah
Valley, the holiday dinner awaits on a table
dressed with fragrant evergreen boughs. Set
in the center is a roast turkey, flanked by cold
boiled ham and an oyster pie. From around
the table wafts aromas of mashed potatoes,
turnips, boiled onions with a dressing of
celery sauce, and the salty, vinegary scent
from a dish of pickles. Pitchers of sweet cider
and mincemeat pies for dessert complete the
menu for a holiday dinner celebration.
Fast-forward to present day and most
kitchens are without the stone hearth and
roasting spit used by the chefs of early Valley
residents. For most contemporary holiday
dinner cooks, planning a traditional meal
including a boiled or spit-roasted protein is
either unappealing or impossible. Te rest ofthe menu is no different. After a visit to Te
Shack in Staunton, Chef Ian Boden has pro-
vided inspiration for holiday dinners that pay
homage to the traditional foods of Shenan-
doah Valley residents but in a presentation to
excite contemporary palates.
First, the protein. A perfectly browned,
moist turkey may still be the centerpiece. Holiday
dinner chefs from the mid-19th century basted
with lard rather than with the drippings in the
pan, cooking it in less than two hours. odays
chef should cook a brined bird ten to fifteen
minutes per pound at 325 degrees. Te secret to
a moist turkey is in the brine. Much like the brine
used to preserve pork by early Valley residents,
putting your holiday turkey in a brine for 12-24
hours increases the water content in the meat.
Cooked properly, this translates to moist and
tender. Tat beautifully browned skin can be eas-
ily achieved, not by basting, but with a coating of
soft butter.
Foods available in the winter months included
root vegetables, preserved foods such as pickles
or rehydrated fruit. Hominy was a staple in thediet of early Valley residents; corn was dried,
treated with an alkalizing agent such as lye or
lime and then stored.
Consider adding one of several dishes featured
at Te Shack to a holiday meal menu: Roasted
carrots and peppers with carrot puree, or peas
and hominy prepared as a stew. Mashed pota-
toes continue to find a place on holiday tables.
Classically made, they require butter, salt and
cream. Healthier versions use non-fat buttermilk
and a sharp cheddar cheese. Mash promptly with
a hand-masher and serve promptly for the best
texture.
Finally, the dessert. raditionally, desserts were
tart and served as palate cleansers, or heavy and
savory such as a mincemeat pie. Plum pudding
was a popular dessert option. Incorporating
plums for modern preparation, one could prepare
a dessert like the spiced plums, also featured at
Te Shack. Prepare by halving the plums, add
sugar, butter, star anise and cook until tender
at about 400 degrees. Serve warm with a vanilla
Greek yogurt and crumbled Nilla wafers. Prefera pie? In the same dish as the plums, place two
large apples cut into cubes, plus more butter and
sugar. Roast until the fruit is soft, cover the dish
with pastry dough. Make a few slices through the
dough and bake for about twenty minutes.
Round out the meal with your beverages of
choice and cheers to a happy holiday season!
Many thanks to Karen Becker, Misti Furr and GiGi Kelly of theFrontier Culture Museum in the crafting of this story!
After a visit to The Shack in
Staunton, Chef Ian Boden
has provided inspiration
for holiday dinners that pay
homage to the traditional
foods of Shenandoah
Valley residents but in a
presentation to excite
contemporary palates.
TOP: Chef Boden plates heirloom grits on clay dishes made b
BOTTOM:The Shack is roughly 400 square feet in its entirety -
including the kitchen space.
7/23/2019 Shenandoah Living Nov Dec 2015
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24 | shenandoahmagazine.com | November/December 2015
eature | Holiday Traditions
November/December 2015 | shenandoahmagazine.
Tat Christmas I attempted to re-create his mothers cake.
When I walked through the woods to Johnnys house and
presented it to him, he began to weep. He said it was the first
one hed had since his mother died.
TeBlue RidgeChristmas Traditions in the
lue Ridge Mountains
STORY BYLYNN COFFEY | PHOTOGRAPHY BYLYNN COFFEEAND PC BLACKLEY
Acandle in the window and pine
boughs on the sill evoke fond
memories of a simple Christmas
the early mountain people cel-
rated in the Blue Ridge. Pleasures of being
home with family and friends, sitting
ound the fire eating the coveted holiday
anges and nuts, and perhaps enjoying a
ast of homemade wine, made Christmas
relaxed, happy time of year. While reading
ukes account of the birth of Christ in the
ble, everyone listened with rapt attention
the miracle of His coming unfolded. Tese
nd many other early traditions passed down
rough the years make Christmas in Virginias
ue Ridge Mountains unique.
Upon moving to the little hamlet of Love1980, I was determined to make our first
hristmas memorable by keeping these tradi-
ons alive. We lived in a rustic hunting camp
th a high ceiling and I wanted a tall tree to
l one corner of the living room. My neigh-
or, Gladys Coffey, offered for us to cut the
p out of one of the huge blue spruce trees
n their property. I shinnied up the trunk of a
real beauty, wielding a hand saw, and held on
for dear life as the cut portion tumbled to the
ground. Te tree was so massive we had to cut
it three more times to get it in the house. We
strung garlands of popcorn to decorate the
tree along with red plaid bows, candy canes,
and white doves cut from the front of Christ-
mas cards. We trooped to the woods in search
of running cedar to place on the mantle and
shot mistletoe out of the tops of oak trees to
hang in hopes of a holiday kiss. By the worlds
standards, the decorations in the camp were
plain but it was thrilling to be carrying on
some of the early customs the mountain
people told us about.
Hazel Campbell Fitzgerald, whose fam-
ily lived on Hat Creek, said they took thesilver paper from inside cigarette packs and
wrapped it around sycamore balls to make
tree ornaments. Mama and Daddy would go
down to ommy Carters store and buy each of
us kids a little toy of some kind, she said. Us
girls usually got a baby doll but I remember
once I got a little wind-up tin toy where a dog
chased a cat and the cat chased a fish. I dont PHOTO PC BLACKLEY
ynn Coffey shares Blue Ridge holiday memories from years past.
7/23/2019 Shenandoah Living Nov Dec 2015
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26 | shenandoahmagazine.com | November/December 2015 November/December 2015 | shenandoahmagazine.
and then they had them, in turn, come
for a meal at their cabin. He said fresh
oranges and peppermint sticks were
treats they only got during the Christmas
season and he remembers receiving very
few toys, usually given by a relative.
School programs, given by the children,
were also popular in the mountains. My
father-in-law, Saylor, told how his older
brother, Pettit, came to the program at theold Ivy Hill School dressed as Santa Claus.
While Pettit was trying to read his part,
Saylor moved the lamp a little closer for
him to see by, as it was getting dark.
When I put the light up to him, Saylor
said, I accidentally caught his beard
on fire! He ran behind the sheet we had
strung across the front of the classroom
and put out the fire in his beard so the
little children wouldnt see. Everyone
had a big laugh over it.
For Lillie Puckett Napiers family,
Christmas was one big get-together with
everyone visiting up and down Stoney
Creek. Wed go from house to house, play-
ing games, making candy, sharing a meal,
she said.
Vera Falls, one of nine ch
grew up along the North Fo
River, said her mother did a
at Christmas. Shed bake ca
donuts for us, she said.
Vera also shared how, in
children would all get a new
Ten, wed save the shoe bo
them on top of the table for
to fill, she said. On Christmthe boxes would have orang
candy in them; things we did
every day.
In our own home, before w
opening presents, we have o
grandchildren read the Chri
from Luke, chapter two, of th
reminds us again of the grea
the gift of Gods Son.
On Christmas
morning the boxes
would have oranges,
nuts and candy in
them; things we didnt
get every day.
know whatever happened to that toy, but I wish I would
have hung on to it.
Sending Christmas cards was just as popular a tradition
in earlier years as it is today. Many beautifully embossed,
holiday postcards were sent with just a one-cent stamp. I
found several, dated in the 1930s, among my late mother-
in-laws possessions.
Another neighbor, Johnny Coffey, said he always looked
forward to the apple butter cake his mother baked each
Christmas. She baked a four-layer pound cake from scratchand spread apple butter between the layers and on top.
Tat Christmas I attempted to re-create his mothers cake.
When I walked through the woods to Johnnys house and
presented it to him, he began to weep. He said it was the
first one hed had since his mother died. Tat cake was one
of the best gifts I ever gave someone; a nostalgic memory
of the past.
My husband Billy said that in the holler where he lived,
the holiday stretched out several weeks. His family went
to each of his aunts and uncles homes for a meal together
essia Coffey reading the Christmas story in
kes gospel
John Massie CoffeyApple butter cake Lynn baked for Johnny Vera Coffey Falls at home in Vesuvius
PHOTO COURTESY OF MUSEUM OF FRONTIER CULTURE
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November/December 2015 | shenandoahmagazine.
Shenandoah CountyLeave the crowds behind and give
yourself the gift of a shopping experience
with small, family owned businesses that can
only offer personal attention, handcrafted
quality, and small town charm.
In Shenandoah County, you can find
Art Galleries filled with work created by
local artisans, Flea Markets and Antique
shops that hold local treasures, gift shops
with unique flavors of the Valley and family
owned restaurants that serve fresh, home
style meals.
Every town in Shenandoah County has a
Main Street Situated like pearls on a strand
along US Route 11, which makes it easy to
plan a day to see their unique personalities.
From Strasburg to New Market, each historic
town has plenty of hometown holiday cheerand hospitality.
Come to Shenandoah County to
rediscover your love for the Holidays and
remember what its like to enjoy shopping
again.Advertorial and pictures provided by Jenna French, Shenandoah County Tourism.
Fine antiques and gifts fill our 7200 square feet mall! We offer
rniture,toys,primitives,jewelry, dolls,paintings and gifts.Lots ofngs for the men too,including old tools,knives, and much more.
e also offer local honey,jams,jellies, syrups and pancake mixes
just to name a few.The front porch is packed with primitives,old and new.There is something for everyone.We are animal
friendly.You are welcome to let fido out for a stretch.
The Flea Market with Class
1371 Caverns Rd. Exit 269 off I-81
Quicksburg, Va. 22847
1-540-477-9522Right next to Shenandoah Caverns and Route 11 Potato Chips
Like us on
Facebook:
BESTFLEA MARKET
in the Valley
Country Road Antiques and GiftsLarge Selection of Outdoor Fountains and Statues Now Available!
The HistoricEdinburg MillBuilt in 1848The20,000squarefoot,fourstorymill builtalongStonyCreekbyGeorgeGrandstaff onthe OldValleyPikecontinuesoservethe area.Listedonthe NationalHistoricRegisterandone
ofonly 16millsdesignatedasa VirginiaHistoricLandmark.Nowservingas:
Visitor Information Center The Mill Gift Shop Film presentation of The Burningbased on John L. Heatwoles
book telling the story of Sheridans Devastation of the Shenandoah Valley during the civil war.
Shenandoah Valley Cultural Heritage Museum
214 S. Main St. (540) 984-8400Open 7 days a week Mon. - Sat. 10am - 5pm Sun. Noon - 5pm
GED Preparation and Testing
Adult High School Degree Completio
English as a Second Language
PluggedIn Va Programs
National External Diploma Program Citizenship Classes
Massanutten Technical Center
(Harrisonburg/Rockingham)540-434-5961
Staunton-Augus
Adult Learning Ce540-245-5083
Building Block(Waynesboro)540-946-9241
Rockbridge Regional Adult Education
(Bath/Buena Vista/Highland/Rockbridge)540-462-7536
www.shineadulted.org
SHINE FEATURED STUDENT
Will HigginsAdult Completion Program
Rockbridge Regional Adult Edu
Program Coordinator: Lindsay B
Will Higgins, single father of two recentlearned his High School Diploma throughRockbridge Regional Adult EducationsAdult Completion Program.
What kept you from getting your high school diploma?
In 1995 I dropped out of school during my senior year. I had tdecide between an education and a paycheck. The paycheck w
What led you to pursue your education after 10 years?For years my work kept me on the road and away from homemissed out watching my oldest child grow. I knew I needed ta change. I contacted Rockbridge Regional Adult Education afound out I needed three credits (Government, English, and SStudies) to earn my diploma.
What was your biggest challenge in returning to school?
Time. Finding time for work, family, and school work. It tookalmost a year, but every Friday I met with my teacher (for 3 hoWhen I was on the road, I did my homework every night in th
What is your next step, now that you earned your di ploma?
I have a new job close to home. After I earned my diploma, I at Modine Manufacturing Company. After the 3-week hiringI was hired on. I enjoy my job working on pressure breaks anfor air and heating units. Right now I am happy I reached myand I can focus on being a dad.
Give meaning
THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
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540-746-1962PO Box 269
Bridgewater, VA 22812
28 | shenandoahmagazine.com | November/December 2015
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ABOVE:Handbell choir practice. Bell ringers wear gloves to protect the bells from the oils in their hands.
Bellsin the
ValleySTORY BY REBEKAH POSTUPAKPHOTOGRAPHY BYMATT SCHMACHTENBERG
Iheard the bells on Christmas day, their old familiar carols play.
Tese lines, of course, open that gorgeous carol from the American
Christmas canon, and is as much a part of the season as nativity scenes
and candle lighting. Like many of the worlds most beautiful traditions,
the song is rooted in tragedy: it was written in 1863 by celebrated poet Henry
Wadsworth Longfellow after his son was badly injured in Culpepers Battle of
Mine Run.
Its both fitting and unsurprising that 150 years later, old familiar bells
continue to comfort, inspire, and rally the hearts and spirits of Americans. And
nowhere is that more true than in our own Shenandoah Valley, where churchbell towers still faithfully chime the hour and handbell choirs of all ages and
backgrounds breathe fresh life into songs both old and new.
ake the famous 1937 Belle Brown Northcott Memorial in Luray, for ex-
ample. Locals and tourists alike cant help but fall in love with the rich tones of
the memorials singing bell tower, where its carillonneurJesse Radcliffe, only
the third official player since the bells installationplays songs ranging from
classical overtures to toe-tapping tunes from My Fair Lady??
PHOTO COURTESY
The prison choir
had never heard
another handbell
choir play before.
ature | Music
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32 | shenandoahmagazine.com | November/December 2015
Bells from St. Pauls
Lutheran Church in
Strasburg still sound
the hour and ring
songs at noon.
While the basement organ is not
capable of fully replicating the tones
of the tower's 47-bell carillon, Jesse
Radcliff, the Tower's third official
carillonneur, uses it to practice for his
performances in the tower.
No, my ears hadnt heard wrong.
Bells arent just for Christmas, said Kath Wissinger
when I asked her about it. In addition to her music
teaching position at Keezletowns Redeemer Classical
Academy, Wissinger is a handbell composer and multi-choir director whose ringers play throughout the year:
everywhere from Salvation Army kettles and nursing
homes, to hospitals. She has even taken her adult choir,
MOSAIC, into a maximum security womens prison.
Joy rang in her voice as Wissinger remembered it.
Te prison choir had never heard another handbell
choir play before, she said. MOSAIC rehearsed with
them and performed a joint concert, an event which
clearly still moved her.
Recently Wissinger was commissioned by a Virginia
ech parent to write a tribute handbell piece in memory
of the victims of the 2007 shooting. Te resultant work,
Trough the Storm, debuted in Colorado this past May
in a performance by the imberline choir, one of whose
members is a V tragedy survivor.
Never one to set small goals for herself, Wissinger
also delighted in her successful, six-year journey to
secure permissions for the Lord of the Rings medley
she had composed. Howard Shore edited it himself,
Wissinger said.
Redeemer Classical Academy isnt the only school
in the area to promote handbell choirs for its students.
For years, Kimly Schlabach of Tomas Harrison MiddleSchool in Harrisonburg has battled budget cuts and
competing academic priorities to lead choirs. Tis
fall, David Nio has donned the bell ringing directors
mantle at Shenandoah Valley Academy in New Market,
whose famed student handbell choir is a big draw for
the school. And students champion their own four-
octave bell choir at Bridgewater College.
Initiative in bell ringing is something Lois Holfmann
of the Winchester-area traveling handbell choir, 6th
Dimension, loves to see. Tis choir is all about initiative:
November/December 2015 | shenandoahmagazine.
The Luray Singing
Tower, constructed in
1937, stands 117 feet
tall and is made up of
47 bells. The largest
bell is six feet in
diameter and weighs7,640 pounds.
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34 | shenandoahmagazine.com | November/December 2015
The bell tower at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in
Woodstock is one of the oldest bell towers in the
Valley; the only part of the building to survive the fire
of 1890.
ey often perform with percussion and vocals, and their signature pieces
clude the swing ake Five and bluesy Classical Gas.
Handbells have come a long way, she said. People hear music like ours and
nk, Wow, thats not church music!
According to Holfmann, just about any song can be found arranged for
lls these days--and if it cant, shell arrange it herself. Part of 6th Dimensionsbrant history includes a rendition of Soul Man they performed in black
nglasses and fedoras for Dan Ackroyd at one of their staple annual events,
e Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festivals prayer brunch. Over their 25+ year
tory, they have also played for the American Cancer Society, Rotary and
wanis events, and even at the Homestead Resort.
We wanted to be more diverse, get our heads up out of the songbooks,
olfmann said. More than other instruments, she said, handbells are unbeliev-
ly visual. And they are so unique: you are independently responsible for your
part and interdependent on the people next to you. So we wanted to use
that to connect with people, to bring the audience into the music.
Like many other facets of Shenandoah Valley culture, both handbells
and carillons dance merrily between the deep past and our dynamic
present.
Emmanuel Church in Woodstock is where John Peter Gabriel
Muhlenberg served as priest in the 1770s and where, at least according to
local legend, he threw off his robes and declared his intent to fight in the
American Revolution. Tat churchs original bell tower is the only part of
the church to have survived the fire of 1890, and it still stands today.Bells from St. Pauls Lutheran Church in Strasburg still sound the hour
and ring songs at noon. But St. Pauls takes a more pragmatic approach
to bell ringing: in 2006, overwhelmed by the rising cost of repairing their
aging carillon, the church elected to go digital.
Te digital carillons enable us to be more varied, said St. Pauls Pastor
Bill Nabers, adding that the bells repertoire contains 500 hymns ranging
from traditional to modern.
But even in our digital age, this is still the Shenandoah Valley, where
community and courtesy remain hallmarks of its gracious southern char-
acter: at funerals, the church still manually tolls the age of the deceased.
Te original bell is rung on occasion as well, sometimes by children from
the neighboring daycare.
Bells have a place in history, said Pastor Nabers. Tey marked the
passages of events, or called people together. Tey capture a certain
mood for religious and non-religious alike.
But what is that mood? What is it about bells, whether towering
majestically above us or small ones held in neighbors hands in front of
usor even in our own hands--that reverberates so strongly?
Kath Wissinger has an answer for that. Tere are very few instru-
ments that total amateurs can play and sound good, she said. And the
beautiful sounds ring beyond concerts into the bell community and the
community at large.
Pastor Nabers agreed. Te sound of the bells resonates deep insideus, he said. Teyre the sound of the heart, the soul.
Bells are organic instruments, Wissinger said. Your arm, your heart,
your every movement makes that bell ring.
As someone who played in a handbell choir for five years, I found that
a wonderfully apt summary. Our own hearts make bells ring! No wonder
one of our national poets found joy and solace in their glorious sound,
like we in Shenandoah still do today. Joyful or haunting, at Christmas or
in the heat of summer, bells notes echo the cry of our hearts:
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime / Of peace on earth, good will to men.
November/December 2015 | shenandoahmagazine.
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November/December 2015 | shenandoahmagazine.Shop signs along Nelson Street, Lexington. Duckpin Bowling Alley along Main
Street, Mt. Jackson.Welcome to Middletown
Main Street MattersTimeless Wines on Main Street, Middletown.
STORY BY CAROL J. ALEXANDER
PHOTOGRAPHY BYMARK SEGRETI
For some small towns, Main Street is all they have. For larger cities, Main
Street is their calling card and a community all its own. But most folks wouldagree, the pulse of a towns Main Street creates the heartbeat of the town.
Downtown Lexington
Less than 100 years ago, Quicksburg bustled at a quick pace. Te
railroad kept this town alive, bringing supplies and taking goods
up and down the Valley. Te village once included a blacksmith,
tomato cannery, and general store. Te towns racetrack drew
visitors from neighboring communities who probably enjoyed a few
drinks in the saloon after the races were over. Now, the only thing left of
Quicksburg is a post office, which the US Postal Service wants to close,
and a Methodist church, congregation 20.
What happened to Quicksburg? Im sure there are many answers to
that question. Location off the Valley Pike, some say. Less frequent rail
travel, say others. But I cannot help think that if Quicksburg had a Main
Street, a thoroughfare along which the business district stretched, other
than tracks, that it could have survived the demise of the railroad.
For some small towns, Main Street is all they have. For larger cities,
Main Street is their calling card and a community all its own. But most
folks would agree, the pulse of a towns Main Street creates the heartbe
of the town.
THE PART OF GOVERNMENT
Valley citizens value their Main Streets so much they have formed
downtown enhancement groups, Main Street committees, or business
alliances for the merchants in the area.
racy Lyons, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce for
Lexington, Buena Vista and Rockbridge County said the county recent
ature | Our Town
TOP:Shops along Main Street, Mt. JacksonBOTTOM:Planters along Main Street, Woodstock
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TOP:WoodstockCENTER:Tea Time on Front Royals Main StreetBOTTOM:Pocket Park along Main Street, Mt.Jackson
November/December 2015 | shenandoahmagazine.
launched phase one of its 20/20 plan for
revitalization. Te first phase involves
reaching out to alumni from local col-
leges and asking them to return to the
area and invest in the community.
Craig Laird, owner of Royal Oak
Computers and Shenandoah Confections
and the president of the Front Royal Inde-
pendent Business Alliance, said that the
town of Front Royal just agreed to hire a
community development director. Tis
position is an important piece to vitaliza-
tion of the town overall, he said.
Groups such as FRIBA and Main Street
Lexington, Chambers of Commerce,
and Rotary clubs provide networking
opportunities for business owners and
host events to draw folks to the MainStreet area.
Events are the key to get people out
of their cars and start walking into busi-
nesses and seeing what the town has to
offer, said Charles Harbaugh IV, mayor
of Middletown. He said that Middletown
closes down the Main Street and re-
routes traffic for special events.
Mike Good, owner of imeless Wines
in Middletown agrees. He regularly hosts
wine and beer tastings at his shop to
bring folks in.
Events are effective in bringing people
together, said Robbie Jones of Hamrick
and Sheridan Jewelers in Lexington. He
said they not only attract shoppers to the
district, but provide networking opportu-
nities for the business owners.
Live music, art shows, and heritage
festivals are popular events hosted by
towns up and down the Valley. Te most
popular, the Shenandoah County Depart-
ment of ourisms Route 11 Yard Crawl
is held each August along more than 40
miles of the Valley Pike. Tis event brings
more folks to the Main Street sector than
any other.
Events give you the opportunity to
talk to people and get to know your
customers, said Good.
40 | shenandoahmagazine.com | November/December 2015
Main Street shops, Front Royal.
More basic than events, though, a town needs
to create a warm and inviting environment, said
Jenna French, director of tourism and market-
ing for Shenandoah County. From planters
to lights to pocket parks, she said, its all part
of the plan to make visitors to downtown feel
welcomed. Rodney Shepherd, Mt. Jackson town
council member, agrees. You need to keep the
infrastructure and background in good shape, he
said. Mt. Jackson has worked tirelessly to upgrade
its sewer system, lay new sidewalks, install lamp
posts and more. Te most talked about improve-
ment has been repainting the water tower
along Interstate 81, to the tune of $250,000. Its
boring, he said referring to infrastructure, but
its important.
French said that some businesses in Wood-
stock have taken advantage of a faade grantprogram to fund improvements. She also said
that it helps a town to capitalize on its historical
charm.
Lyons concurs. Several of the businesses in
downtown Lexington have worked diligently to
restore their buildings, recapturing what they
used to be in their heyday. One such business
is the Robert E. Lee Hotel, built in 1926 and
totally restored in 2014. And to call attention to
the historic district of Middletown, Harbaugh
co-authored the book Images of America:
Middletown.
THE PART OF
THE BUSINESS OWNER
Te onus is not on the town, though. When
asked what the key to success is for small busi-
nesses the answers varied, but Chamber officials
all agreeda new business needs a viable busi-
ness plan.
Before opening the doors, said Lyons, have
a positive business plan that meets the needs of
the community. Do your market research and be
engaged with your customers to know what their
needs are.
A successful opening is very important, she
added. Be ready. Dont have a soft launch. Make
a big deal of your opening by hosting an event.
Use the Chamber; they will help you.
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November/December 2015 | shenandoahmagazine.
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Business owners, though, look
past that initial plan with their
advice.
Be open, said Good. Have set
hours and be consistent with them.
Jones agrees that you have to be
there. Dont think you can just hire
someone to man the store, he said.
Your business needs your personal
touch.
French said its important not to
operate just another store or place
to eat lunch. It takes creativity and
ingenuity, she said, but you need to
create a destination.
Destinations are what young
adults and families are looking for.Something to do on the weekend
or the perfect place for a birthday
dinner are a few things the younger
generation looks for. We need to get
them excited about coming down,
said Jones, because they are our
future. And what better way than
showing them that we speak their
language by being active online.
Of course everyone agrees a suc-
cessful business must have an online
presence and be active on social me-
dia. And, of course, almost everyone
struggles to make it happen.
Eighty percent of Internet users
are on their phones, said Janet
Michael of Java Media in Front
Royal. A couple traveling through
the area will turn to their phone
to find a good place to eat. A mom
uses her phone to find the closest
toy store. Someone else looks up a
place of business on his phone to get
its hours. At the very least, a small
business needs to have a Facebook
page and be active on it. Socialmedia, she said, is almost, if not
more important, than traditional
advertising.
But many business owners dont
know what to say or post on their
Facebook or witter feeds. For that
reason, Michael teaches social
media management classes to small
business owners. She tells them just
to start a conversation and engage
their followers.
THE PART OF
THE CONSUMER
Nurturing Main Streets of the
Valley requires not just effort on the
part of governments, organizations,
and business owners, but also the
consumer.
Money spent at a local business
stays in the community, said Ralph
Wakeman, owner of Shenandoah
Sew and Vac in Woodstock. He
encourages everyone to shop locally,
visit the shops on Main Street, and
ask questions.Wakeman contends that the local
shopkeeper, with his reputation
on the line, will provide superior
customer service to the big box
stores and online retailers. Who are
you going to complain to and who is
going to take care of you? he asks,
referring to his national competitors.
Likewise, who is going to take
care of the town, if no
live in it? Shopping loc
edly, the best way to n
Street.
Whether townsfolk
habit of shopping loca
zations host regular ev
shopkeepers stay activ
media, there is no dou
in particular keeps a M
its businesses alive.
Its old school, I kn
Jones, but the key is
Warren County Courthouse, Main Street, Front Royal.
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November/December 2015 | shenandoahmagazine.
STONEWALL
They called him bymany different names:Old Blue Light,Old Hickory,evenTom Fool.
But the name that stuck was
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