THEVIRGINIA SPORTSMAN

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$4.95 June/July 2015 A State of Mind A Way of Life T HE V IRGINIA S PORTSMAN V i r g i n i a a n d B e y o n d U.S. $4.95 June/July 2015 Steelhead in Lake Erie RORC Caribbean 600 Regatta Pheasants in South Dakota The Western Cape of Africa George Washington and Jefferson National Forests Menlo Charity Horse Show Atherton, CA

Transcript of THEVIRGINIA SPORTSMAN

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$4.95June/July 2015

A State of Mind A Way of Life

THEVIRGINIA SPORTSMANV i r g i n i a a n d B e y o n d

U.S. $4.95 June/July 2015

Steelhead in Lake Erie RORC Caribbean 600 RegattaPheasants in South Dakota The Western Cape of Africa

George Washington and Jefferson National Forests

Menlo CharityHorse ShowAtherton, CA

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architectural details. 1 level living. High ceilings, timber framedgreat room with chestnut beams & 24' dry stacked stone fireplace.Sunroom has pine built in cabinets and opens onto deck. Masterbedroom has cherry floors, built in cherry cabinets and also opensonto deck. 3 zone heat pumps. Gas back up for main level. Pondon back property line. Hunt Country Farms is an equestrianneighborhood with many horse trails. Home owners associationdues approximately $820 /year.

in exclusive Hunt Country Farms. Custom built by Carson Anglinin 1997. Elegant yet perfect for family living & entertaininginside & out. All bedroom suites with walk-in closets and fullbaths. Master suite on 1st floor features marble surround f/p, 3walk-in closets & steam shower w/temp control remodeled in2010. Laundry rooms on 1st & 2nd floors. Front & back staircas-es.. Custom cherry wood cabinets and bookshelves throughout.Sound proof theater room in basement. 4 zones w/gas back-upheat. Hunting available. Pool and fire pit. This is an equestrianneighborhood w/many horse trails. HOA dues approx. $820 /yr.

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STEVENS & COMPANYFlip Faulconer, Owner/Principal Broker

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Virginia’s Rep. Wittman and VDGIF’sNorris Honored by Ducks Unlimited

Ducks Unlimited announced thewinners of the 2015 Wetland ConservationAchievement Awards during the 80th NorthAmerican Wildlife and Natural ResourcesConference held in Omaha, Nebraska. Thisyear’s recipient in the Federal Officialcategory is Rep. Rob Wittman of Virginiaand the recipient in the State/ProvincialAgency Employee category is David Norrisof the Virginia Department of Game andInland Fisheries (VDGIF).

“David exemplifies the qualitiesthat make for a successful career in wildlifemanagement,” said DU Chief ofConservation Paul Schmidt. “Hedemonstrates a passion for the wildliferesource and develops excellent partner-ships with landowners and other partners.He is leaving a real and tangible legacy as aresult of decades of wetlands conservationwork in Virginia.”

Norris has been the WetlandsProject Leader for the VDGIF for nearly 20years. In addition to his impressive on-the-ground conservation project accomplish-

ments, he has served as vice-chair and chairof the Atlantic Coast Joint Venture (ACJV)Technical Section and served on the NorthAmerican Wetlands Conservation Actreview committee for the ACJV. Norris alsoled a first-of-its-kind effort to develop amaster management plan for Virginia’swildlife management areas based onsurveys and focus group feedback fromVirginia’s user public.

Schmidt said of Rep. Wittman,“The congressman has been a tirelesssupporter of legislation designed to protect,enhance, restore and/or make the best useof our environment and its naturalresources. In past sessions and the 113thcongressional session – this past year — hehas sponsored and co-sponsored numerousbills affecting wetland habitat and thevalues that so many of our sportsmen andwomen hold dear, as well as the tenets ofthe North American Model of WildlifeManagement.”

Serving Virginia’s 1st congressionaldistrict since 2007, Wittman spent 26 yearsworking in state government and manyyears as an environmental health specialist.As a member of the House Committee onNatural Resources, he brings professional

expertise in water quality, fisheries andother natural resources to the table and is alongtime champion of the Chesapeake Bay.He serves as co-chair of the ChesapeakeBay Watershed Caucus, which brings Bayissues into focus for members of Congress.Wittman also serves on the FirstCongressional District EnvironmentalAdvisory Council, which is a group ofcitizens and officials involved in promotinga healthy Chesapeake Bay and cleanenvironment. In 2009 Wittman wasappointed to the Migratory BirdConservation Commission, which overseesthe distribution of project funding under theNorth American Wetlands ConservationAct and the Migratory Bird ConservationFund. He is also co-chair of theCongressional Sportsman’s Foundation anda lifelong hunter and angler.

Ducks Unlimited’s WetlandConservation Achievement Awards arepresented annually in six categories torecognize individuals who have made out-standing contributions to the conservationand restoration of North America’s wet-lands and waterfowl. To view a completelist of the 2015 Wetland ConservationAchievement Award winners, please visitwww.ducks.org/wetlandawards.

Ducks Unlimited Inc. is theworld’s largest non-profit organizationdedicated to conserving North America’scontinually disappearing waterfowlhabitats. Established in 1937, DucksUnlimited has conserved more than 13million acres, thanks to contributions frommore than a million supporters across thecontinent. Guided by science and dedicatedto program efficiency, DU works towardthe vision of wetlands sufficient to fill the

CROSSED LINES

Rep. Wittman (left) of Virginia accepts DucksUnlimited’s Wetland Conservation AchievementAward from DU Chief Conservation Officer PaulSchmidt.

David Norris of VDGIF (R) accepts award fromDU Chief Conservation Officer Paul Schmidt.

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skies with waterfowl today, tomorrowand forever. For more information, visitwww.ducks.org.

Andi [email protected] Unlimited

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NSSA’s 2015 World VintageSkeet Championships

The 15th Annual Vintage SkeetChampionships was held March 12-15 atthe Gator Skeet and Trap Club in sunnyGainesville, Florida. It proved to be aweather-safe, snow-proof venue for manyvisiting from northern states. The vintageskeet game is shot using rules from the1930s: basic skeet as you know it, but witha delayed target release and a low-gun startingposition. Competitors were limited to eithera pump gun or side-by-side shotgun whichcould be of any vintage. No automatics orover-and-under shotguns were permitted.

The host club chose to use CanadianLowery targets, and target performance wasperfect on all ranges during the tournament.

Skeet events were offered in thefour recognized skeet gauges as well asdoubles at all stations. Also, 16-gauge-onlyevents were offered for hardcore 16-gaugefans and only true 16-gauge guns werepermitted for this event. Side gamecompetition was also offered in BunkerTrap, D-T-L Trap, and 5 Stand Sporting foreach of the gauges. Special concurrentskeet handicap events were offered for bothlight game guns and hammer guns. Thisspecial handicap event ran throughout theentire tournament.

This shoot was a NSSA Event 6thtournament, and shooters of all skill levelshad a chance to win awards thanks to theLewis Class system, which leveled theplaying field for all competitors in this non-registered competition. Targets will becounted towards NSSA members’ lifetimetarget counts, but will not affect theircurrent averages or classifications.

The Virginia Sportsman 20-gaugeAll-around Title went to Michigan’s NeilWilkinson. This was a special 20-gauge

HOA event that required participants tocompete in three of the four 20-gaugeevents. A rank scoring system was used todetermine the winner rather than the actualtarget count. This allowed even weightingbetween dissimilar clay target games.Wilkinson nudged out Joe Dixon and JimBowers with his consistent 20-gaugeshooting performance.

Supporters and sponsors includedthe Connecticut Shotgun ManufacturingCompany which provided catalog giftcertificates, Claybuster wads which offereda great selection of door prizes, RandolphFoods which gave daily snacks and LoweryTargets which donated Canadian loonies forperfect 25-straight awards. AerostarOutdoors, Shotgun Sports and The VirginiaSportsman also provided support.

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CONTENTS8 Menlo Charity Horse Show

Story by Hay HardyPhotos by Alden Corrigan

13 Steelhead Dreams: Erie, PennsylvaniaStory and Photos by Beau Beasley

16 RORC Caribbean 600: The Finest Yacht Race in the CaribbeanStory and Photos by Louay Habib

20 South Dakota: Still the Pheasant-Hunting Gold Standardby Benjamin H. Schleider III

23 Exploring the Western Capeby Louay Habib

28 George Washington and Jefferson National Forestsby Greg M. Peters

33 Music and Art in a Sportsman’s Paradise: Bath County, Virginiaby Gwen Woolf

38 Seeing the Light: Through the Lens of Cathy Summersby Beth Sutton

42 Greg Smith: A Talented, Spirited Journeyby J. Michael Welton

46 The Washington Winter Showby Ronya Misleh

49 Snapshots for Straight Shootingby Henry Baskerville

50 Nezahat Botanical Garden, IstanbulStory and Photos by Keith P. Tomlinson

54 Outdoors with Jim Brewer

55 Off Topic: My Dinner at Oro, Hotel Cipriani, Veniceby J. Michael Welton

52 Snapshots for Straight Shootingby Henry Baskerville

58 American Wild Life: Baby BoomersCharlotte ReatherIllustrations by Olivia Doull

60 A Country Gent’s Note: Brush UpBarclay Rives

62 Wine: Listening to the Market at Chatham Hill Winery J. Michael Welton

64 Food: Sweet Corn, a Tender MemoryClaiborne Williams Milde

66 Humor: A Bad Day at Deer CampJim Brewer

Cover Photo: John Arnold prepares his daughter, Pyper, for the leadlineclass at the Menlo Charity Horse Show. Photo by Alden Corrigan.

STAFF: Publisher Virginia Outdoor Media, LLC, Editor John Shtogren,Copy Editor Dail Willis, Equine Advisor Jane Porter Fogleman, PublicRelations Jane Maddux, Advertising Anne W. Coles, Wendy Jensen, AnitaVere-Nicoll, Michelle Scott, Jill Kavanagh, Darin Strickland, Mary Tinsley,Copy Reader Dail Willis, Design Hay Hardy, Cartoonist Jerry King,

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n 1920, a group of young girls inAtherton, California, who enjoyedriding decided to form a club and give

a circus performance to their parents,friends and neighbors. That summer, thefirst circus performance was held on theWeir property at Middlefield Road andGlenwood Avenue. Besides performing ontheir horses and ponies, the girls broughttheir pet cats and dogs to perform tricks.Mrs. W. B. Weir, the mother of one of thegirls, suggested that the proceeds be given

to the Stanford Convalescent Home, nowLucille Packard Children’s Hospital atStanford University. In that first year, thecircus raised $500.

In the following years, the circusgrew and the adults promoted the circusinto a social event, drawing people fromSan Francisco to San Jose. The event out-grew the Weirs’ backyard, and in 1922 landwas purchased and the Menlo Circus Clubwas founded in Atherton.

Atherton lies 30 miles south of

Menlo Charity Horse ShowStory by Hay Hardy

Photos by Alden Corrigan

Kristin Hardin ofCuyama, California on Bert

I

The first circus performance (Photo courtesy ofMenlo Circus Club)

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San Francisco in the Silicon Valley and thefive square-mile town is considered part ofthe San Francisco metropolitan area. In2013, Forbes magazine listed Atherton asthe wealthiest town in America. Athertonhas a population of 7,000, and was originally

part of the area known as Menlo Park.Over the years, the Menlo Circus

Club became the scene of outstanding horseshows, polo matches, swimming events,tennis tournaments and gala parties. Today,the club has a large stable with 12-by-12

stalls, tack rooms in each aisle andgrooming and wash stalls. Two blacksmithbays and a veterinary bay are included aswell. It offers full boarding facilities and aresident trainer. The Menlo Polo Clubplays most weekends from mid-April to

The Menlo Charity Horse Show was named Best Show in the Southwest by the equestrians who compete on that circuit.

Menlo Circus Club barn (Photo by Judy Soden)

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mid-October and the Menlo Charity HorseShow has taken place there every Augustsince 1970.

In 1970, the Menlo Circus Clubwas at a crossroad. The 50-year-old barnneeded an expensive new roof andmembers were debating if there was stillenough enthusiasm to justify its replace-ment or if the money would be better spenton a nine-hole golf course. Betsy Glikbarg,a backyard horse owner who had nevercompeted in a horse show, decided to stagea family horse show to demonstrate that aviable interest in equestrian activitiesremained. She and six of her good friends(five of whom are still active participants45 years later) formed a committee andorganized a non-rated half-day event whichwas well attended by 50 families andfriends of the competitors.

In subsequent years, the showgrew into a two-day C-rated event, then athree-day event, later a five-day A competition,and finally to the current six-day formatwith an AA ranking, the highest possibleclassification. The original six-membercommittee has grown to more than 150

Maron Leslie, 18 months old , in the leadline division

Corinne Miller of Willowbrook Farm, Flintridge, California, on Carmina

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volunteers today. The show, which features540 of the West Coast’s top hunters andjumpers, has been so popular that there is awaiting list for entries only hours after theentry form is placed on the show’s website.

In 2012, Menlo was honored withthe coveted Heritage Horse Show status bythe U.S. Equestrian Federation, thegoverning body for all sanctioned horseshows. At that time, only 14 of the more

than 2,600 shows held in the U.S. eachyear were granted this designation.The federation had decided the Menloshow had significant involvement andsupport from the community, had shownsignificant contribution to equestriansports and was a regional competition thatis unique within the sport. The event alsorecently won a People’s Choice Award andwas named Best Show in the Southwest(Zone 10, which includes California,Arizona and Nevada) by the equestrianswho compete on that circuit.

Staged on the polo field onceslated for demolition, the Menlo CharityHorse Show boasts three arenas for all sixdays, a vendors’ gallery of more than 40merchants offering art, clothing, jewelryand items for the home, garden and stable.

Peter Lombardo of Frontier Farms, Moorpark, California, on Black Ivory

Five members of the original committee formed 45 years ago and still active participants:(L-R) Nan Chapman, Betsy Glikbarg, Nancy Parke, Jane Yates and Nancy Robinson)

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Trophies from such prestigious retailers asNeiman-Marcus, Tiffany and Nordstromare awarded during the competition. A$40,000 Grand Prix is the highlight of theevent and a gala Sponsors’ Dinner is held tothank sponsors for their generous support.Last year, more than 11,000 spectatorsattended the event. The Vista Center for theBlind & Visually Impaired, a longtimerecipient of the charity money raised, hasreceived more than $6 million over theyears.

The show organizers also make aspecial effort to encourage young riders.About 30 percent of the participants are 18or younger. Last year, a junior committeewas formed to create activities for theyoung riders away from the ring. The 15young ladies, ages 8 to 15, put in a total of343 hours during the show. They bakedcookies for the sponsors, helped out withthe lead line class, put up and took downbanners, acted as runners for the horseshow office and awards committee andstaged a “people jumping contest,” whichraised an additional $300 for Vista Center.Young riders, along with their trainers, alsohave the opportunity to participate in theAriat Fashion Show during the Saturdaynight barbecue dinner when the USHJAWorld Championship Hunter RiderProgram zone awards are presented.

Any question about the level ofinterest in equestrian sports on the SanFrancisco Peninsula has been answered.Glikbarg has proved interest is aliveand flourishing. The 2015 event will takeplace Tuesday, August 4, through Sunday,August 9, and will have some exciting newclasses in the Amateur Hunter Divisions.For more information, visit www.men-locharityhorseshow.org.

Hay Hardy is a staff writer for The VirginiaSportsman.

Members of the junior committee running errands for the horse show office and awards committee

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he strike was surprising andvicious, and it felt as though I weretrying to hold on to a lightning rod

rather than a fly rod. “There he goes!”shouted fishing guide Karl Weixlmann asthe fish leapt from the river’s surface,shaking his head violently, attempting tojettison the hook buried deep into his jaw.“He’s a chromer, Beau—fresh out of LakeErie so he’s gonna have a lot of fight in him.Be prepared,” Weixlmann counseled. Thefish ran downstream for 10 yards andsomersaulted twice before racing upstreamagain, repeatedly breaking the surface ofthe river. I followed the charging fishupstream and down and might not havegained the upper hand had it not been formy fishing partner, Steve Vorkapich, andhis superior netting skills. After a few quickhigh fives and a quick photo, I eased myvery first steelhead back into the river.

Each year thousands of anglersfrom around the country pursue steelheadin the rivers near Erie, Pennsylvania. Steve,a diehard steelheader from neighboringOhio, had suggested that I meet him in Erieto explore the steelhead fishing optionswhile doing research for my book FlyFishing the Mid-Atlantic. It wasn’t easy tofind a date that fit both of our schedules andpromised favorable weather conditions. Infact, once Steve called to cancel one hourbefore I was to leave home in northernVirginia for Erie; he told me the area’srivers were running high after recent stormsand looked like “coffee with cream.”

We finally hit on a date thatworked for both of us and for our guideKarl Weixlmann, author of Great LakesSteelhead, Salmon & Trout. Weixlmann hasdeveloped a reputation as a first-rate guidewho possesses what he likes to call “carnalknowledge” of the region’s waters. “A lotof guys think you can just throw any kind ofsteelhead pattern in the water here and driftit through a good run and hook up,” saysWeixlmann. “At times you might get lucky,but the truth is these fish move up and downthe river all the time. Knowing good

holding water is crucial to success, andeven then you have to tempt them to bite.”

And once you’ve hooked yoursteelhead, the fun really begins: landingthese hard-fighting fish is no small task foreven the most experienced angler.

Steelhead patterns abound, butgenerally speaking anglers prefer to go afterthem in two ways. First up is nymphing:The angler fishes a pattern below thesurface, generally with split shot to ensurea quick sink rate and an indicator—thinktiny bobber—attached to the leader. Whenthe angler thinks he’s found a likely fishlounge, he drifts his pattern through whathe believes to be the strike zone. He’ll usehis indicator to track the direction andspeed of his pattern. Steve invented FloatMaster Strike Indicators for this verypurpose—and they are highly effective.“My indicators allow anglers to easily and

quickly change the depth of their patterns,”Steve says. “And because Float Masterindicators use soft plastic tubing to securethem to the leader, they’ll never leave akink in the line.” These indicators are soeffective and easy to use; they are the onlyindicators I fish with when nymphing.

Weixlmann uses a nymphingvariation called the dry-dropper technique:He fishes a dry fly like a stimulator (abushy, high-floating pattern) as his topwaterpattern, and then ties on a small nymphbelow. His quarry may strike either the topor—more likely—the smaller bottompattern, which is fished deeper in the watercolumn. The dry fly actually doubles as asurface pattern and an indicator whileWeixlmann floats it through the strike zone.If you’re fishing the dry-dropper technique,remember to cast your pattern wellupstream so that your subsurface pattern

Steelhead DreamsErie, Pennsylvania

Story and Photos by Beau Beasley

T

Steelhead are known for theirstrong runs and acrobatic leaps.Sometimes guides have to make amad dash to net a client’s fish.

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can sink appropriately and drift through thestrike zone.

Weixlmann excels in a second andlesser known steelheading method: Hedrifts various streamers past fish waiting tomake their way upstream. Although youcan certainly fish with steamers for steel-head already in the tributaries that feed theGreat Lakes, Weixlmann has pioneered theuse of this technique to catch fish beforethey move into the flow. “Steelhead willstack up at the mouths of the tributaries justoff the shoreline and wait for a good time tosurge upstream.” Generally the fish will bein only a few feet of water, and more oftenthan not they’re at the angler’s feet. “I don’t

know a lot guys who fish this way,” concedesWeixlmann, “but I do.” He says that hefinds “much less pressure on the beach, andthe fish have much more room to run. Onceyou hook a fish, hang on—you’re likely tosee your backing.” While I fished with him,Weixlmann hooked and landed two steel-head off the beach. There’s no denyingthe efficacy of Weixlmann’s “carnalknowledge:” He hooked both fish in lessthan a foot of water where they werestaging. They smacked Weixlmann’sstreamer pattern and bolted for open water.

Hopeful steelhead anglers willwant to bring along a 6- to 7-weight, 9- to10-foot rod; those intending to hit the beach

with streamers will need something larger,like an 8- to 9-weight. Effective patternsinclude Egg-Sucking Leech 4-10, PinkLady 10-16, Wooly Bugger 6-10, SuckerSpawn 8-12, and olive-colored streamerstied to look like local shiners.

Great Lakes weather is notoriouslyunpredictable; the “lake effect” can whip uppulverizing winds, sudden rain showers andlate-season blizzards. On my last trip,winds had so stirred up the mouths of thetributaries that it was nearly impossible tofish the mouth of Elk Creek. To increaseyour chances of success—and decrease theodds that lake-effect weather shuts you outcompletely—consider booking a guide likeWeixlmann and spending more than oneday fishing.

Anglers flock to Erie in the fall,and November and December are primetime. But the fishing can be quite good atother times of the year, especially if you’rewilling to fish off the still-underutilizedbeach. Be aware, however, that a great dealof Elk Creek is public water, and as suchgets a fair amount of pressure. Be preparedto get on the water early or at least to walka ways to find good water. Of course,respect the rights of private propertyowners when you come across privatesections of water.

Though not for the faint of heart orthe easily discouraged—three to four fish inan outing is considered a very good catch—steelheading can be a blast. The hard-wonexperience derived from much trial anderror—the carnal knowledge of whichWeixlmann speaks—seems to be the key tofinding the right water, pattern andtechnique on any given day. Don’t bediscouraged if you have to reschedule a tripbecause of weather. Be flexible, ready to trydifferent patterns and different water. Andwhen your dream fish finally strikes—andthen leaps high enough to look you in theeye—for heaven’s sake, don’t let go.

If You GoWhile diehard anglers can fish all

Streamers that mimic local baitfish should be inevery angler’s fly box.

The author (L) was all smiles once he landed hissteelhead with the help of his guide KarlWeixlmann . (Photo by Steve Vorkapich)

With the right technique, anglerscan target steelhead along LakeErie’s shoreline.

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day every day, families might enjoy visitingPresque Isle State Park, which has freeparking and free admission. Other activitiesinclude visiting local wineries or checkingout the Erie Playhouse, Erie Children’sMuseum or the popular Maritime Museum.To learn more about Erie family vaca-tions or fishing options, visit www.visi-teriepa.com

Karl Weixlmann(814) [email protected] Master Products(440) 669-9928www.floatmasterco.net

Beau Beasley is an award-winning out-doors writer and the author of Fly FishingVirginia and Fly Fishing the Mid-Atlantic.He is the director of the Virginia FlyFishing and Wine Festival.

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rguably the best fleet of offshoreracing yachts ever gathered in theCaribbean took part in the seventh

edition of the Royal Ocean Racing Club(RORC) Caribbean 600. Starting onFebruary 23, 66 of the world’s mostcompetitive offshore racing yachts enteredthe 600-nautical-mile nonstop race.

The RORC Caribbean 600 is thepremier offshore race in the Caribbean. Thecourse passes 11 Caribbean islands, startingand finishing at a famous rock formation,

The Pillars of Hercules, outside EnglishHarbour, Antigua. The marathon yacht racegoes north as far as St Martin and south toGuadeloupe, taking in Barbuda, Nevis, StKitts, Saba, St Barth’s and many smallerislands along the way before returning toAntigua for the finish. The fastest yachtstake less than two days to complete thecourse; smaller yachts can take up to fivedays to complete the challenge.

The central Caribbean offersspectacular sailing conditions in February;

warm trade winds energize a big sea state,providing thrilling surfing conditions intropical heat, and the scenery is as awesomeas the sailing. Ranging from the latest high-tech performance record-breakers to classicyachts from the past, the variety of yachtsand sailors taking part shows that theRORC Caribbean 600 has a wide appealand its growth in popularity, year after year,indicates a very healthy future for the event.

Numerous Olympic and worldchampions, America’s Cup and Volvo

RORC Caribbean 600 The Finest Yacht Race in the Caribbean

Story and Photos by Louay Habib

A

Rambler 88

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Ocean Race sailors take part alongsidepassionate amateurs, many of whom aremembers of the Royal Ocean Racing Club.Founded in 1925, the RORC promotes andorganizes many offshore races around theworld, including the club’s flagship event,the infamous Rolex Fastnet Race, whichhas been run by the club for the last 80years.

The magnificent fleet for theRORC Caribbean 600 enjoyed a classictrade-winds start. However, the wind shiftedsouth and decreased on the second day,which added gravitas to the tacticaldecision-making for many yachts as theyapproached the wind shadow ofGuadeloupe. By day three, the trade windswere back to provide exhilarating racing forthe fleet. By day four, the wind had built tomore than 20 knots, with gusts in excess of30 knots. The beat to finish from the eerielimestone stack, Redonda, became a realtest for the smaller yachts and theirexhausted crews.

Three is the Magic NumberA native of New Mexico, Lloyd

Thornburg steered his MOD 70 Phaedo3across the finish line in Antigua in anelapsed time of 36 hours, 35 minutes and 30seconds, obliterating the multihull race

record that has lasted since the very firstedition of the race. Phaedo3 broke therecord set in 2009 by 6 hours, 35 minutesand 35 seconds.

“Fast, really fast,” commented ashattered-looking Thornburg as Phaedo3tied up in Falmouth Harbour. “Sailing withlegends like Michel Desjoyeaux and BrianThompson has been an incredibleexperience. When I was driving, Michel

pushed me out of my comfort zone and thengot the guys to wind on the sails even moreand the speed just kept climbing and myconfidence and experience with it. Surfingat over 30 knots for hours is just anunbelievable rush. A big thank you to BrianThompson for putting this all together insuch a short period of time. This is right upthere; a totally awesome experience!”

Phaedo3

Bella Mente

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Rambler 88 takes Monohull Line HonorsNew York Yacht Club’s George

David won monohull line honors in hisbrand new carbon flyer, Rambler 88, butmissed out on beating his own monohullrecord set in Rambler 100 in 2012. Davidsaid at the dock, “Rambler 88 was ahead ofthe monohull race record for some time, butthe wind angle on the long leg toGuadeloupe was tighter than our record

run. Rambler 88 is probably faster on everypoint of sail than the previous Rambler 100,but the weather really didn’t work for usthis year. Rambler 88 is an exciting boat torace, powerful and really wet on deck. Wehave moved a step closer to harnessing thatpower and the wet conditions are easilymanaged with good foul weather gear! Aspecial course and a very well organizedrace. The RORC should be congratulated

once again for producing a great event.”

Third Time Lucky for Happy HapAmerican success continued in the

RORC Caribbean 600 with Hap Fauth’sRhode Island-based Maxi 72 Bella Mentecompleting a hat trick of wins in the racefor the U.S. Using the RORC’s globallyrecognised IRC time-correction rule, BellaMente was declared the overall winner ofthe 2015 RORC Caribbean 600.

It was third time lucky for BellaMente as the Maxi 72 has finished secondoverall for the past two years. Bella Mentehas a stellar crew, including 2015 RolexUSA Yachtsman of the Year TerryHutchinson. Bella Mente was also thewinner of the highly competitive IRC ZeroClass and retained the Bella Mente Trophyas the first IRC Yacht to finish that is whollymanually powered, without either variableor movable ballast. A delighted Fauth spokeabout the achievement and was full ofpraise for the entire Bella Mente team.

“This is the third go at winningthis race and three is the beauty!” he said.“The majority of this team have been with

Adela

Otra Ves

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me for at least five years — it is an out-standing group of guys. They like eachother, we have a good time together – theyare all mates. Everybody puts safety first,that’s the way it should be offshore, butafter that we push to the limit. This race is aseries of sprints and every leg is different,you are trying to get out of the blocks at thestart of each segment and as soon as you getgoing, you are looking to get to top speedwithout increasing the distance sailed inthat quest for boat speed. We try to make acouple of minutes up at every corner – with12 corners, if you save three minutes acorner then that makes a real difference toyour finish time. Everybody workstogether. It is our big strength; the crew dida phenomenal job.”

300-Ton IRC WeaponThe American-owned, 182-foot

twin-mast schooner Adela, dating back to1903, won the Superyacht and Spirit ofTradition Classes, placing fifth in IRC over-all, an incredible performance of whichskipper Greg Norwood-Perkins was rightlyproud. “An IRC weapon!” he said with alaugh. “Adela competes in numerous bucket-style short course racing and it is there thatwe hone our boat-handling — this coursedemands impeccable maneuvers from the

crew. The owner is really thrilled with theperformance of Adela and is full ofencouragement, even though we put Adelathrough enormous stress loads. I am soproud of the crew, most of whom have beenracing Adela now for many seasons. It takesevery sinew of muscle and brain-power tosail her to the maximum, everyone has to beat the very top of their game.”

Otra Vez wins IRC One – ‘We will beback’

William Coates’ Otra Vez , a TexanKer 43, was the runaway winner of IRC 1.Even starting half an hour late with a main-sail problem didn’t stop a determined teamfrom claiming victory. “The conditions def-initely suited our type of boat compared tothe heavy displacement opposition.” Coatessaid “This is the first race for us but we aredefinitely coming back, the course is justawesome and the event is the best organ-ized regatta in the Caribbean. We aredelighted with the win; it is a great start toour season.”

For news, pictures and videoof the 2015 RORC Caribbean 600, visit:www.caribbean600.rorc.org. The eighthedition of the RORC Caribbean 600 willstart on Feb. 22, 2016.

Louay Habib is a freelance journalist andbroadcaster based in the United Kingdomwho specializes in maritime topics andlifestyle features. He attends grand prixsailing events all over the world as areporter for leading yacht clubs.

Falmouth harbour at night

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or more than a decade, I haveloaded up the Explorer with dogs,guns and ammunition, made the

hard two-day annual drive from Virginia tothe wilds of South Dakota to huntpheasants . Many Virgin ians (oneconsistently sees Virginia license plates athotels, restaurants and gas stations in SouthDakota) make similar pilgrimages to theSouth Dakota prairie to hunt pheasants andsharp-tailed grouse.

I made my first trip just after theturn of the century with very young andvery raw field-bred English springerspaniel. I was both a newcomer to SouthDakota and to dog training and handling.These were the golden, halcyon days ofSouth Dakota pheasant hunting whensignificant acreage was enrolled in theDepartment of Agriculture ConservationReserve Program (CRP). Those acresprovided significant habitat for pheasantsand other wildlife. I vividly recall hunting alarge, dry lakebed with blown-down cattailsand seeing a rise of 200 to 300 pheasants.There were so many pheasants and so closetogether that I didn’t shoot for fear of hittinga hen pheasant. Truth be told, I was soawestruck that I just enjoyed the show. Thenext year I recall getting my three-bird limitof roosters – we only shot singles to make itlast longer – in under 10 minutes. Often,folks would limit out on their first walk.

Today, there are far fewer CRPacres due to a variety of reasons — theprice of corn, expiration of enrollmentterms and today’s ethanol push. Pheasantpopulations have declined and some folksfear for South Dakota pheasant-hunting’sfuture. The state needs to keep a close eyeon the trends in the pheasant population andto enact strong conservation measures tokeep it from joining the ranks of thoseMidwestern states that have lost theirpheasant populations. However, despite thehunting pressure in South Dakota, even inits tough years it has such an eye-wateringabundance of pheasants as to make mostother states extremely jealous.

South DakotaStill the Pheasant-Hunting Gold Standard

by Benjamin H. Schleider III

F

(Photo by David Sartwell)

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Late last October, I once againloaded up my venerable Explorer and headedwest. This year, my group hunted the areaaround Murdo in some of the mostunbelievable expanses of sunflowers, cornand milo that I have ever seen. Our groupwas small, about six hunters with a mixtureof pointers, setters, spaniels and retrievers.My oldest son, Christian, joined our group.He is a career Army officer and an AH-64helicopter pilot with many deployments inhis rearview mirror and not much availabletime for pheasant hunting. I was very muchlooking forward to hunting with him.

The hunt was also going to givemy field-bred English cocker, Jessie, achance to prove herself in the field. I hadbeen training the formerly gun-shy andbird-shy Jessie, the subject of two articleslast year in The Virginia Sportsman, intensivelyfor a couple of years. South Dakota was tobe her final exam – and I was really lookingforward to seeing her in action.

There are many ways to huntpheasants in South Dakota. Large groups of20 or so hunters move through the corn andsunflower f ields in mil i tary-styleformations. Blockers stationed at the endof fields keep birds from running by as thelong line of walkers drives birds forwarduntil the birds have no choice but to flush.The main use of dogs in these immensefields is to help drive the birds and retrieveshot birds. Smaller groups, such as ours,tend to concentrate more on pond edges anddraws that can contain a good number ofpheasants. South Dakota draws can be verydeep with steep slopes that can challengeboth man and dog.

Draws also enable gun dogs toeither flush or point birds. Birds tend toconcentrate in draws given that there ismore cover than in the fields. However, ifthe crops are still on the field, they can be achallenge to hunt, as birds often fly fromthe draws to the fields when spooked or tofeed. Early season pheasant hunting in thedraws can make for some long days to getthe coveted three-bird limit.

A good retrieve and a perfectdelivery

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The Murdo area we hunted is alittle more than 200 miles west of SiouxFalls, and a straight shot from there on I-90.It is about an hour or so from the statecapitol of Pierre. The entire middle part ofthe state is pheasant heaven with amultitude of outfitters that cater to avariety of tastes and pocketbooks. We havehunted around Murdo and Presho for manyyears and have a genuine affection for thisarea. However, the eastern parts of the stateclose to Aberdeen and Clark are renownedfor their wild pheasant numbers, and thereoutfitters also abound.

Although the bird numbers weredown last season compared to years goneby, the hunting was still quite amazing withmany roosters flushing within shootingrange. Our group hit their limits on mostdays; some came up a little short, but thehunting was superb. One newcomer to ourgroup summed it up nicely when heremarked that the worst day huntingpheasants in South Dakota beat the bestday he ever had in any other state where hehad hunted the bird.

The last full day of our hunt,Christian and I hunted alone with Jessie. It

was a clear, mild and windy day, so wehunted the smaller draws and pond edges inshirt sleeves. Toward the end of the day, arooster flushed wild and Christian wingedthe bird. We were in knee-high grass about400 yards apart, and Jessie was workingcloser to me. The dog was not in a positionto see Christian’s shot as I had just downeda rooster and she was retrieving it.Christian could not get to his bird before itran, and we thought we had lost the rooster.

We were lamenting the lost birdand admiring my rooster when suddenly,about 20 yards away from us, a roosterjumped into the air and quickly flutteredback down. In the meantime, I had lostsight of Jessie. It jumped again into the airand fluttered back down, then immediatelyjumped again. This time I saw a pair ofsmall jaws reach up from the knee-highgrass and snatch the rooster out of the air.Jessie had chased the bird some twohundred yards to make a stunning retrieve.My erstwhile gun-shy and bird-shy dog hadarrived.

Although Christian and I wereeach one bird shy of a limit, it was awonderful ending to a memorable hunt.

South Dakota’s bird population may bedown but it is still the gold standard bywhich I judge every other state when itcomes to pheasant hunting. ManyVirginians, I am sure, would share thatassessment.

Chip Schleider is an avid amateur spanieltrainer and upland game hunter. He is theco-author with Tony Roettger of UrbanGun Dogs: Training Flushing Dogs forHome and Field and A Field Guide toRetriever Drills. He also writes frequentlyfor journals catering to gundog training. Helives with his wife Door and his two gundogs, Jazz and Jessie, in Middlebrook,Virginia.

A good day’s work

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he Five Southernmost Capes refersto the five southern mainlandpoints on the globe. Round-the-

world sailors often use these five points toplot their routes. Only one of these land-marks, the Western Cape, or Cape Agulhas,is within a reasonable distance of a majorinternational airport. The southernmostpoint of continental Africa and the sep-aration point for the Atlantic and Indianoceans is 105 miles southeast of CapeTown, South Africa.

The Western Cape has a spectacularrugged coastline. The South Atlantic Oceanbrings the Cape Doctor, the local name forthe strong, persistent and dry southeasterlywind that blows in from the Antarctic. Formillions of years, these strong winds havesculpted the coast line into dramatic cliffsand formed spectacular bays with beachesto die for. The sea is teeming with aquaticlife, providing a rich bounty of seafood forCape Town’s superb restaurants.

The Western Cape has aMediterranean climate, with four distinctseasons. The air temperature in Cape Townrarely rises above 90 degrees Fahrenheitand cold weather is extremely rare. Thebest time to visit is from November toMarch. The geography has much incommon with Southern California; astunning coastline, rugged mountains,coastal plains and inland valleys. Table

Exploring the Western Cape

by Louay Habib

Cape Town city hall(Photo from en.wikipedia.org)T

Hout Bay(Photo from en.wikipedia.org)

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Mountain dominates the Cape Town sky-line, rising steeply to more than 3,000 feet.The flat-topped summit gives the mountainits name. As the cool South Atlantic airrises, it warms, forming a tablecloth ofcloud at the mountain’s summit. South ofthe city, the mountains stretch for 25 miles,forming a dramatic spine along the WesternCape and behind them, verdant, fertileplains are perfect for agriculture.

The region produces superb wine

and more than four million tons of fruiteach year. Probably the best indication ofthe amazing food production is in CapeTown’s trendy food cafes, where you canchoose your variety of avocado! TheWestern Cape is one of the world’s mostbiodiverse areas and is protected as a WorldHeritage site. More than 2,000 species ofplants are on Table Mountain alone andmany of them are not found anywhere else.

V&A, Cape Town, South AfricaThe best place to start exploring is

Cape Town itself. The Victoria & AlfredWaterfront (yes – they got the Victorianprince’s name wrong!) is the tourist hub ofCape Town and offers expensive shops withhigh-end brands of clothing. The Marketon the Wharf is absolutely fabulous. It isfull of food stalls selling ready-to-eat localdelicacies, including fish, meat, salads,vegetables, salad, wraps and sandwiches. Itis a great place to taste the bounty of CapeTown. Local beer, wine, juices, coffee, tea,preserves, pickles – you name it, the Marketon the Wharf has it. Picnic tables areprovided outside to enjoy the fare anddiscuss plans for your stay.

The Watershed is located rightnext to the market and is full of artisanstalls selling clothing, household items,rugs and objets d’art of the region. You maybe tempted not to purchase these sorts ofitems in the major tourist zone; however,having scoured the area for a long time, itwas the best spot in my opinion.

There are numerous diningoptions at the V&A Waterfront and themajority are of a very high standard. Theyare extremely expensive by South Africanstandards but extremely good value topeople from other cities around the world.

University of Cape Town (Photo by Adrian Frith)

Cape Town harbor against Table Mountain(Photo by Julien Carnot)

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If you love sushi, then head for Willoughby& Co. The restaurant is located right in theheart of the shopping center, not exactly themost romantic or scenic location but this isa local favourite and there is a real buzz tothe establishment. Enjoy freshly madesushi, tempura dishes, soups and saladsfrom a full Japanese kitchen. If members ofyour party don’t like sushi or Asian food, Iwould highly recommend the fish andchips, served in the copper pan that it wascooked in!

For steak, including game such asKudu, try the award winning BelthazarRestaurant, which has views across theharbor. You will find succulent aged Karanbeef, as well as shellfish and fresh seafood.The only better steak I have had was inArgentina. There is also a superb winecellar. With beef, try the locally producedTokara wines which are site-specific to theSimonsberg Mountain in the Stellenboschregion of the Western Cape.

Outside the CityThe Western Cape has some of the

world’s most spectacular beaches but be

warned – the sea is freezing cold! If, likeme, you find it hard to sit on a beach forlong periods, taking a windy walk along thesandy shores is a far better option. Head forCamps Bay, just south of Cape Town. Thescenery is superb with views inland of theTwelve Apostles and Lion’s Head. CampsBay is one of the trendiest beach locationsand the main drag is full of surfer pubs andcolorful cafes.

Hout Bay & Chapman’s Peak DriveFor a day out, rent a car for an

amazing day trip. Driving in the city can bea bit stressful but GPS navigation workswell in South Africa and should be adefinite add-on to the rental. Head forHout Bay, which is just a short drive southof the city and one of the most expensiveresidential locations in the region. The townitself has little to offer but the harbor is agreat spot to start a road trip that willliterally blow you away. Hout Bay is thecenter of the crayfish industry in SouthAfrica and is very much a working fishingharbour. The Mariner’s Wharf is steeped inlocal Hout Bay fishing history and a great

spot for breakfast or brunch. The beach haswhite sand and is ideal for working up anappetite. From Hout Bay, head forChapman’s Peak Drive, which climbssteeply around the bay. There are plenty ofspots to pull over and take amazing

Simonstown Borisgorelik (Photo by Boris Gorelik)

Bo-Kaap (Photo from en.wikipedia.org)

Chapman’s Peak Drive winds its way betweenNoordhoek and Hout Bay on the AtlanticCoast. (Photo by Louay Habib)

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photographs. After a mile or two there is atoll booth for the journey onwards. It is asmall fee of a few dollars. The road cutsright into the cliffs, it is extremely safe and

the view is astounding. There are spotsalong the way which are ideal for picnics.The road traverses 114 curves beforefinishing in Noordhoek.

Safety and FriendshipSouth Africa has had a troubled

past and an uncertain future. Like any urbanarea, Cape Town has crime and violence. It

Misty Cliffs, Western Cape South Africa (Photo by Louay Habib)

Hutton-Squires Apple Farm in Elgin Valley(Photo by Louay Habib)

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is the safest city in South Africa and incrediblyinexpensive by world standards but visitorsshould use caution when traveling outsidethe main tourist areas. However, if you reallywant to experience the real Western Cape,head out of the city. Crime is at a very lowlevel outside the city. Many tourists headfor the wine regions of Stellenboch, which isa fascinating experience.

I was lucky enough to visit theHutton-Squires’Apple Farm in Elgin Valleyand get a real taste of life on the WesternCape. Phillippa Hutton-Squire is a round-the-world yachtswoman who now lives inmy home town in the United Kingdom. Sheinvited me to meet her parents and brothersduring my stay in Cape Town. The applefarm stretches throughout the valley,producing thousands of tons of fruit whichis shipped all over the world. Homemadequiche and farm produce was served for

lunch in the Hutton-Squires’ beautiful farm-house. A tour of the apple farm followed,which showed the huge investment andhard work required for commercial success.The family built the business from scratchand the friendly, passionate and informativediscussion was the highlight of the wholetrip. As stunningly beautiful as the WesternCape is, it is the pioneering people who livehere which create the most fascination anda yearning to find out more.

Situated at the foot of TableMountain, within a stone’s throw of theCape Town Stadium and in the heart ofCape Town’s working harbour, the V&AWaterfront offers the visitor an abundanceof unforgettable experiences. Indoorshopping and entertainment venuesseamlessly merge with ocean vistas andmountain views and the fresh sea breezeand warm African sun add zest to a

cosmopolitan, vibrant atmosphere. Morethan 80 restaurants bring a fusion ofinternational food, from rustic al frescofish and chips to starched table-clothcuisine.

For additional information:Victoria and Alfred Waterfrontwww.waterfront.co.zaChapman’s Peak Drivewww.chapmanspeakdrive.co.za

As a specialist maritime writer, LouayHabib is fortunate enough to travel to someof the most spectacular sailing locations allover the world. The Western Cape of SouthAfrica is one of his favorites.

Satellite image of Cape peninsula by NASA

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first visited the George Washingtonand Jefferson National Forests (GWJ)while in college. My girlfriend’s family

owned a rustic cabin in the mountains andwe celebrated the turning of the millenniumsurrounded by the hardwood forests, rollinghills and amazing views. It was the mostpeaceful New Year’s celebration I canrecall.

This incredible network of publiclands provides top-notch recreationopportunities for residents of the sprawlingcities that line the mid-Atlantic. Less thanfour hours by car from Washington, D.C.,the GWJ cover roughly 1.8 million acres,making them among the largest tracts ofpublic lands in the East. From the deepestgorge east of the Mississippi River to thetallest peak in Virginia, the GWJ possessfascinating topography, including 138,000acres of federally designated wildernesswhere old-growth forests provide shade andsolitude and silence are constant companions.

The forests run along the spine ofthe Appalachian Mountains, primarily inwestern Virginia, although small portionsof the forests lie in northeastern Kentuckyand southern West Virginia. These densemountains showcase the splendor of thecentral Appalachians.

A sportsperson’s dream, theforests host lumbering black bears, white-tailed deer, wild turkeys and cold-water fishsuch as rainbow, brook, and brown trout.Bobcats lurk in the shadows, river ottersplay in local waterways and a small herd ofwild ponies roams. Bald eagles soar fromrocky promontories and towering old-growth trees in the forests’ one millionacres of land classified as “remote andundeveloped.” This official Forest Serviceclassification covers more than 55 percentof the GWJ’s lands and belies theirindustrial history.

The area was first explored bypioneer legends such as Daniel Boone.Settlers soon followed, clearing the forestsfor fields and homesteads. By the mid-1800s, much of the landscape’s timber was

George Washington and JeffersonNational Forests

Story by Greg M. Peters Photos Courtesy of National Forest Foundation

I

The VirginiaCreeper Trailnear Abingdon

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completely cleared, cut as fuel for ironfurnaces, mining towns and homesteadhearths.

Deforestation caused significantproblems for downstream communities.Sediment fouled water supplies. Once-abundant fisheries declined. Forest fires ranrampant across the cleared lands, causing

even more sediment to foul waterways andsending choking smoke into hollers andvalleys. Flooding followed the fires,exacerbating the problems experienced bydownstream communities. Miners, loggers,homesteaders and settlers hunted gamepopulations, relentlessly wiping out the elkand buffalo herds that had sustained the

early pioneers. Turkey, deer and fishpopulations struggled to survive the dualpressures of hunting and habitat destruction.

For decades, industrial-scaleresource extraction continued virtuallyunabated throughout the region, despite agrowing realization that improved forestmanagement was critical to neighboringcommunities. In 1911, after a decade-longbattle, Congress passed the Weeks Act,which allowed the federal government topurchase lands east of the Mississippi forwatershed protection. Six years later, thegovernment had purchased the first fewunits of the Shenandoah National Forest. In1932, it was renamed the GeorgeWashington National Forest in part to avoidconfusion with the nearby ShenandoahNational Park.

In the decades following theWeeks Act, the government continued topurchase sections of cut-over lands andcreated several small national forests. In1936, the Roosevelt administration redrewthe boundaries and created the JeffersonNational Forest. In 1995, the forests werecombined for administrative purposes,although they remain distinct geographicallywith the James River forming a roughboundary between them. The GeorgeWashington sits north of the Jefferson andis bordered to the west by the MonongahelaNational Forest in West Virginia.

The forests’ now abundant gamepopulations are a direct result of an historic,first-of-its-kind partnership between theVirginia Department of Game and InlandFisheries and the National Forests inVirginia. In 1938, the two agencies agreedto formally collaborate on restoringdecimated game populations. Thiscooperation has succeeded and now, 77years later, hunters and anglers flock to thefolds and hills of the GWJ to stalk healthypopulations of black bear, white-tailed deerand ruffed grouse, and fish beautiful troutstreams. The forests comprise approximately80 percent of the publicly owned huntinglands in Virginia.

Sherando Lake

Waterfalls off Virginia Creeper Trail

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More than 2,300 miles of perennialstreams, including more than 1,000 miles oftrout streams, wind their way through theforests’ eight major river basins. The forestshave 82 reservoirs providing flood controland abundant recreational opportunities.Many of these reservoirs also providemunicipal water supplies to 16 communitiesthat border the forests. The forests’ aquatichabitats support more than 100 species offreshwater fish and mussels and host morethan 350,000 recreational visits each year.

The forests boast more than 200

developed recreation sites, all within a half-day’s drive of cities in Virginia, Maryland,Kentucky, and West Virginia. Many of theforests’ best recreational facilities also havehistoric significance. The CivilianConservation Corps, or CCC, was a NewDeal program of the Roosevelt administrationthat put unemployed men to work buildingroads, trails, cabins, bridges, lookouttowers, dams and other infrastructure stillin use today. The first CCC camp in thenation, Camp Roosevelt, was in the GeorgeWashington National Forest and ultimately

14 of these camps were opened in theforest. Employing 9,200 Virginians duringits nine years of existence, the CCC providedhope and opportunity during a dark periodof American history.

Hikers and equestrians can accessnearly 2,100 miles of trails that crisscrossthe forests, including 325 miles of theAppalachian National Scenic Trail. Twelveother national recreation trails provide 43miles of additional trekking opportunities.

The forests host nearly threemillion recreational visits each yearincluding one million to the 200,000-acreMount Rogers National Recreation Area inthe George Washington National Forest.With four federally designated wildernessareas, 11 campgrounds, three rental cabins,500 miles of trails including 60 miles of theAppalachian Trail, 67 miles of the VirginiaHighlands Horse Trail, and 18 miles of theVirginia Creeper Trail, two lakes and morethan 50 miles of streams, this spectacularresource is well deserving of a long week-end of exploration. Peak baggers will relishthe chance to scale Virginia’s highest peak,5,700-foot Mount Rogers, while troutanglers can catch rainbows, brookies andbrowns in the cold mountain streams.Those less interested in hiking or fishingcan enjoy the Mount Rogers Scenic Byway,a 50-mile drive that provides incredibleviews of the surrounding countryside.

Looking for a quieter corner of theGWJ? You would do well to exploreHidden Valley. This secluded section of theforest, bisected by the Jackson River, isdotted with wildflower-filled meadows andcolorful butterflies. Visitors wanting tospend a few nights can stay at the 31-siteHidden Valley campground or opt for muchfancier accommodations at the HiddenValley Bed and Breakfast, an historic CivilWar-era mansion.

Families and those seeking quiet,non-motorized water sports flock toSherando Lake Recreation Area in theGeorge Washington. Historic structures and1930s-era recreational facilities built by the

Wild ponies at Mt. Rogers

Beach at Cave Mountain Lake

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CCC lie between 25-acre Sherando Lakeand its smaller sibling, Upper SherandoLake. Considered a jewel of the Blue RidgeMountains, this special area offersdeveloped campsites, flush toilets and evenbathhouses complete with hot showers –yes, facilities have been updated since theywere originally built! Sandy beaches, shadedpicnic areas and grassy lawns create theperfect setting for a relaxing afternoon or aweekend of restful immersion in nature.

Cave Mountain Lake RecreationArea is another exceptional spot for thoseinterested in quiet recreation. A CCCproject, seven-acre Cave Mountain Lakewas created in the 1930s using existingnatural rock formations bolstered withadditional materials. Easy access from I-81and close proximity to Virginia’s famousNatural Bridge, ensures Cave MountainLake’s continued popularity. Hiking trailslead to ridge-top views and the areaprovides access to the Appalachian Trailand the James River Face and ThunderRidge Wilderness areas, making it theperfect staging ground for backpackers andday hikers.

Lake Moomaw is the area’s

special treasure. Not far from WarmSprings and The Homestead, LakeMoomaw covers 2,500 acres and offersalmost every type of recreational opportunitya visitor could want. The lake boasts fourForest Service campgrounds, three boatlaunches, more than a dozen trailheads,mountain biking trails and 43 miles ofshoreline. Those looking to get away fromthe crowds should book a site atGreenwood Point Campground. Thissecluded spot on the western shore of thelake is accessible via a three-mile hike or aneasy paddle across the lake. With only fivecampsites, you’re almost guaranteed tohave solitude and seclusion during yourstay.

Thrill-seekers can sign up for aguided whitewater-rafting trip along theJackson River from a number of area outfitters.In October, releases from the GathrightDam, which forms Lake Moomaw, turn theJackson River into a world-class whitewaterdestination. Class III and even Class IVwaters make this one of the most popularwhitewater challenges in the East.

Because the waters of LakeMoomaw are deep and cold, the Jackson

River supports an excellent cold water troutfishery as well, luring thousands of anglersto its pools and riffles.

Other campgrounds, trailheads,and historic sites are scattered throughoutthe GWJ, providing unparalleled recreationopportunities. Few places on the East Coastcompare in size, diversity, history orgrandeur. Hike trails Daniel Boone oncedid. Feel the cold spray of whitewater on aguided rafting trip. Put your lawn chair nextto a quiet mountain lake. Watch bald eaglessoar above fall foliage. Whatever adventureyou’re seeking, the GWJ delivers.

Learn more about the GWJa t the Forest Service’s website.www.fs.usda.gov/gwj.

Greg Peters is the National ForestFoundation’s communication director. Helives in Missoula, Montana. An avid out-doorsman, he spends his free time skiing,paddling, hiking, and exploring Montana’sfront and backcountry. His writing hasappeared in High Country News, TheWhitefish Review, Adventure-Journal, andOutside Bozeman.

A view from Buzzard Rock in the GeorgeWashington National Forest

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he first time Shawn Puller droveover Warm Springs Mountain andsurveyed the breathtaking vista ofthe County of Bath in Western

Virginia’s Alleghany Highlands, he thoughthe was in Shangri-la. He came to know thatbeyond the wild, largely rural landscape—asportsman’s paradise—was an enchantingcultural oasis that fed his soul.

“I am in love with this place,” saysPuller. “It’s almost like the world fallsaway.”

Puller is the executive director ofGarth Newel Music Center located midwaybetween the villages of Warm Springs andHot Springs. The center, now in its 42ndseason, attracts world-class musicians and adedicated following to its concert hall—anestate’s converted horse barn.

With 60 concerts a year, the centeris best known for classical music but isembracing a broader definition of chambermusic in its “infinite variety,” as Puller putsit. The idea is to make music more accessibleto everyone. Thus, country, bluegrass, bluesand jazz also fit into the center’s repertoire,as well as edgy, adventurous music, pubconcerts and tea concerts. Last year, thecenter held a “Hollywood night” fundraiser,complete with a red carpet, glammed-upguests posing for photographs andchocolate Oscars.

At Garth Newel, which means“new home” in Welsh, sublime music isperformed in a relaxed, intimate setting.The center’s wooden walls contrast with theelegantly appointed tables, where patrons

enjoy wine and gourmet meals followingconcerts. Interacting with each other andthe musicians makes for a lively evening.Overnight stays are also available in the1920s manor house.

The center has its own artists inresidence, the Garth Newel Piano Quartet,as well as guest artists who have performedaround the country and internationally. TheBath venue is a hit with musicians whoenjoy the respite from urban areas.

“I love coming to Garth Newelbecause the setting could not be moreperfect for great music making,” sayscellist Andres Diaz. “Everyone is so warmand welcoming,” raves violinist JulietteKang. “The awesome cuisine is an addedbonus!” Jazz singer René Marie, a Grammynominee this year, says she feels right athome when she performs there. PianistLura Johnson also gives the center high

praise: “Garth Newel really feels to me likemusic camp for grownups, in all the bestways. I call it ‘Garth Renewal.’ I end mystays there feeling rested, refreshed,fulfilled, excited and happy.”

As for the patrons, “they come forthe totality of the experience, the gestalt ofit,” says Puller.

Perhaps gestalt also explains theoverall attraction of the County of Bath.Visitors who come for the golfing, boating,hunting, fishing, hiking, mountain biking,horseback riding, camping and birdingoften are surprised to also find culturalopportunities, fine dining, unique shops andunusual accommodations.

Artistic AdventuresThe community arts scene is

flourishing, especially in the Warm SpringsArts District. The Gallery at Seven Oaks

Story by Gwen WoolfPhotos Courtesy of County of Bath

Music and Art in a Sportsman’s ParadiseBath County, Virginia

T

A performance at the Garth Newel Music Center

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has one-of-a-kind furniture, pottery,sculpture, rugs and decorative items.Unique jewelry is crafted by hand from finegemstones at McGraw Minerals. The WarmSprings Gallery, which offers high-qualityfine art, opens a 20-artist special exhibition,“The Art of the Landscape,” on May 23 forits 20th anniversary. The gallery willsponsor a Plein Air Festival September 28to October 4 where visitors can watch as 30artists from Virginia and the mid-Atlanticwork outdoors, incorporating natural light,color and movement in their art. Anotherannual event is the Bath County ArtsAssociation’s show the third week of July.Last year’s event drew up to 800 artistsfrom around the state.

While you’re in Warm Springs,check out the county historical society’smuseum to see local and military items orto research genealogy.

Two new galleries have sprung uprecently in Hot Springs. Sparrows Nest is inthe Omni Homestead’s historic Cottage

Row next to an Orvis fly-fishing shop.Works by 40 local artisans include RonShifflett’s custom furniture. You’ll also findfine art, stained glass, photography, pottery,jewelry, leather items, scarves, ornamentsand soaps. Sweaters, socks and glovesmade from alpaca wool are especiallypopular with hunters.

Artist Donna Ramsey Neversestablished Hot Springs Gallery, whichrepresents several local artists. One of themis Kay Sutherland, known for paintingscenes live during wedding ceremonies.The gallery also sells painted furniture,jewelry, antiques and Mud Pie gifts.“When the guys come for golf, the womenhead for our corner,” Nevers jokes. Thegallery is located in Hot Springs directlyacross the street from the Omni Homesteadand adjacent to Laura’s Boutique, whichfeatures high-fashion resort wear.

Antiques lovers and shoppers canexplore three unusual venues: OldAshwood School Antiques is housed in a

1908 schoolhouse, Springhouse Antiques isin a former country store and AshwoodStation sells collectibles in a former gasstation. The Warm Springs Market hashomegrown and made-in-Virginia items.

Artists and writers have their ownsummer enclave. Nimrod Hall, establishedin 1783 as a stagecoach stop, is an artists’retreat. Participants stay in a rambling oldhouse or in cottages on the 100-acregrounds beside the Cowpasture River.They can attend workshops, collaborate orwork in soltitude. The summer-campatmosphere (no TV or air conditioning)fuels creativity; artists find it appealing toescape from the daily grind and focus ontheir work.

Relax, Explore, EnjoyPeople began traveling to Bath

250 years ago to “take the waters” in thelocal mineral springs, thought to havehealing powers. Today, those weary of citystresses and traffic gridlock still find this

Artists working at Nimrod Hall (L) and Plein Air (R)

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county—200 miles from Washington, D.C.—a place to rejuvenate. Just driving onBath’s winding, tree-lined roads amid themountains and meadows is a pleasure,especially for motorcyclists and car clubs.No stoplights or streetlights mar the darkskies for stargazers and many couples holdtheir weddings in the picturesque surroundings.Only 4,700 people reside here and theirfriendliness to visitors leaves a lastingimpression.

Bath’s rugged wilderness callssportsmen in all seasons. More than half ofthe 540-square-mile county is protected bynational and state forests and the NatureConservancy. Migratory songbirds, deer,foxes, bobcats, raccoons, wild turkeys andblack bears are among the wildlife thatroam freely. “The early explorers sawendless mountains and we can come heretoday and have that exact same view,” saysMarek Smith, who oversees the conservancy’s9,000-acre Warm Springs MountainReserve. Stop at Dan Ingalls Overlook for aparticularly scenic vista.

Major recreational attractionsinclude Lake Moomaw, which has a marinawith boat rentals, a beach, hiking trails,fishing and camping. Douthat State Parkhas a large lake, boat ramp, fishing pier,beach, amphitheater, wildlife interpretationcenter and renovated Civilian Conservation

Corps cabins available for rent. And, don’tforget to visit the Diamond Triple C AlpacaRanch in Millboro where you can meet analpaca up close and personal! And if youvisit during shearing season, learn how thatbeautiful alpaca fur becomes thread andyarn.

Where to StayYou won’t find the usual chain

motels in Bath, but you will find diverseaccommodations ranging from a luxuryresort to a vacation home rental fromNatural Retreats where outfitters andfishing guides can supply gear andknowledge. Or if you prefer, you can pitcha tent under clear, dark skies.

The luxurious Omni HomesteadResort is the county’s jewel and one of theOld Dominion’s treasures. With itsbeginnings in the 18th century around themineral springs, the hotel has hosted 22presidents. Guests still take afternoon teain the Grand Hall, dress for dinner, andenjoy the numerous amenities. There are483 guest rooms, conference facilities, astate-of-the-art spa with an aqua-thermalsuite and a spring-fed water park. Theresort offers everything from skiing andgolf to falconry and sporting clays.

Personable innkeepers are a greatsource of local information. The Inn atGristmill Square in the village of WarmSprings is a cluster of elegantly renovated19th-century shops and residences. Picnic-basket breakfasts are delivered to guestrooms and gourmet cuisine is served in anold mill. Proprietors John and Kate Loefflerhave backgrounds in upscale hospitality.

At Fort Lewis Lodge in the villageof Millboro, John Cowden turned his family’scattle farm into a 3,200-acre mountain play-ground for outdoor enthusiasts. A range oflodgings includes log cabins, and a countrybell summons guests to the 1850s mill,where Cowden’s wife, Caryl, servescreative breakfast and dinner buffets usingproduce from their garden when in season.Staying at the Vine Cottage Inn in Hot

Hikers at Fort Lewis Lodge

The Inn at Gristmill(Photo courtesy of Jumping Rocks Photography)

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Springs is “like coming to Grandma’s,”says innkeeper Jonah Windham, who runsthe B&B with his wife, Jo, in a pre-1900house. Guest rooms feature vintage bath-tubs and Jo’s hand-picked collectibles.Similar comfort can be found at the 1899King’s Victorian Inn B&B, also in HotSprings, run by Liz and Richard King, andat the Hidden Valley Bed and Breakfast inWarm Springs, an 1848 Greek Revivalmansion restored by proprietors Pam andRon Stidham that was the location for themovie Sommersby. The property adjoins theHidden Valley Dispersed Recreational area.

For the youngsters, there aresummer camps such as Camp MontShenandoah at Millboro Springs wheregirls ages seven to 16 acquire skills andself-confidence.

A range of dining options includesLes Cochons d’Or, a new French-Americanrestaurant which serves brunch on bothSaturday and Sunday features the culinaryskills of Chef Kyle Krieger. Sam Snead’sTavern, which showcases memorabilia ofthe famous golfer for whom it is named,

offers fine wines, beer and the finestCertified Angus Beef in the County. Bothare located in downtown Hot Springs. Justa mile up the road from the OmniHomestead is the Country Café; if you arelooking for good home cooking at a fairprice, visit this local favorite where youwill find good, freshly prepared fare likegrits, fried chicken and a freshly stockedsalad bar.

For additional relaxation, soak inthe mineral springs-fed pools insidecenturies-old wooden bathhouses atJefferson Pools located in the village ofWarm Springs. It has been a siren call forweary visitors since 1750. Indulge in a hotstone message at Warm Spirit Spa locatedin nearby Warm Springs Village or pet thealpacas at the Diamond Triple C Ranch.The fuzzy animals are diverse in personality—much like the people who come to enjoy thecounty where they live. A four seasondestination comprised of several small vil-lages without a single stoplight, BathCounty is the ultimate playground for thesportsman, outdoor enthusiast, artist, writer

and musician.For fur ther information or

to request a visitor guide, visitwww.DiscoverBath.com or call (540)389-7202.

Gwen Woolf received numerous state andnational journalism awards during her 42-year career as a reporter and magazine edi-tor with The Free Lance-Star, a daily news-paper in Fredericksburg, Virginia.Currently, she writes freelance arts andtravel stories for the Baltimore-basedRecreation News. She also has written forAnnapolis Lifestyle magazine, Valley Timesmagazine, Boating Times, Chesapeake BayMagazine, and Civil War News. The pastpresident of Virginia Press Women, she cur-rently serves on the board of the NationalFederation of Press Women.

The Omni Homestead Resort

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hen you first look at a CathySummers photograph, there isan enhanced dimension that

holds your gaze. A tree ablaze with brilliantfall color reflected in a pool of water, adiamond droplet of water suspendedagainst the dark gray of a river rock, a rimof light framing the crown of a velvet huntcap or an iconic building with its marbledome blushed pink in the predawn light —colors and details that your eye did not reg-ister at first glance. The familiar is seen

quite literally in a new light, and yourexperience of a decisive moment changesand is captured forever. The art of herphotography allows you to connect with animage. And that is her goal. “Even if it isjust one person, one time, then I havesucceeded,” she says.

Summers’ work is well known

among the diverse and sophisticatedcommunity of outdoorsmen and sportsenthusiasts who live around Charlottesville,Virginia, where she was raised and herprofessional life as a photographer tookroot. She grew up on a farm not far from theuniversity where her grandfather, WilliamFaulkner, was writer in residence. Her

Seeing the LightThrough the Lens

of Cathy Summers

by Beth Sutton

W

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mother was a dedicated foxhunter, horsebreeder, animal lover and avid gardener;her father was an enthusiastic bird hunter;her brothers fishermen.

Anyone at a hunt with theFarmington Hunt Club anytime in the last30 years might have seen Summers runningbeside or ahead of the horses and riders andtaking shots along the way, or standingamong the pack of leaping and baying fox-hounds to get a tight shot of a hound. Orseen her crossing a swift running stream,toting heavy cameras with long lenses heldagainst her athletic frame, or moving withspeed and confidence along familiar rivers,paths and fields. She works hard to be injust the right spot, in the right light, at theright time to catch in a split second the leapof a fox scampering ahead of hounds in fullcry, or to capture a candid image of a ridersplashing through a stream in hot pursuit.

Summers’ artistic sensibilitieswere nurtured from early childhood. Shelearned about color and art through paintingwith her grandmother. She said, “Mygrandmother’s palette was very muted –probably influenced by her experienceliving in China. I realized very early

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on I wanted to get my own space. Thedesire to be creative and to participate wasthere. But I knew I wasn’t going to paintand I wasn’t going to write it.” Her curiosityin photography was cultivated at home; shestill owns the family copy of The Decisive

Moment by master photographer HenriCartier-Bresson, published in 1952. Amonghis images of the major writers of the timeincluded his portrait of her grandfather.She was also inspired by images oflegendary photographer Ansel Adams and

artist Georgia O’Keeffe. Her great-uncle,Burks Summers, shared travelogues of hismany fishing and hunting trips illustratedwith black-and-white photos.

Summers’ first photos were takenwith an old 35-millimeter Rangefinder. “ALeica knockoff,” she recalls. “At that time,color processing was way too expensive sowe did black-and-white.” With anallowance for one roll of film a month,Summers started her journey in photography.She experimented with light. “I loved themagical light of a storm. I would try tocapture the various shades of gray in thesky.” In the early days, she did her printingin a darkroom used by local professionals,including a few National Geographicphotographers. “I met Bill (Allard) andSam (Abell) when they were developingtheir film there,” she remembered.

Traveling west for outdoor trainingprograms such as the National OutdoorLeadership School and Outward Boundintroduced her to the dramatic mountainscenery of the west, and led her to exploredifferences in light and landscape. Aftertwo years at the University of Colorado in

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Boulder, Summers returned toCharlottesville to attend the University ofVirginia. She also returned to train for thedoubles canoe competition in the 1981Whitewater World Championships to beheld that year in Wales. Summers did notget to compete, but she went to Wales withher paddling friends, documenting theiradventures with the camera, and workedalongside photojournalists covering thecompetition.

Summers’first foray into commercialwork came in 1981 selling photos taken inthe Farmington Hunt field at the club’s end-of-year celebration. After moving toWashington, D.C., to work full-time for aDepartment of Defense contractor incomputer science, Summers continued topursue photography in her spare time,studying monuments, landscapes andmemorials, and continuing her self-

education as the advent of digital photographyreplaced film and the use of computersexpanded exponentially the range andpossibilities for color photography. Withher expertise in equations, experimentingwith the complexities of Adobe Photoshopwas second nature.

Now retired, Summers is free tophotograph subjects that interest her. Whilemaintaining a clientele of private andcorporate portrait clients and doing sportscoverage for various magazines, shepursues her art using the digital darkroom.She continues to diligently search for theperfect light and to capture lasting images.Most recently she has documented theantics of a family of foxes living in her backyard. She still travels home to AlbemarleCounty to photograph her friends andfamily in the hunt field, and maintain heraffinity for the outdoors in the same

landscape where she first learned to look atlife a little differently, through the lens ofher camera.

Catherine F. Summers’ photos have beenpublished in The Chronicle of the Horse,The Virginia Sportsman, Covertside andEquus. To see more of Summers’ photog-raphy, please visit her website,www.cathysummers.com.

Beth Sutton is a freelance writer who livesnear Free Union, Virginia. She can bereached at [email protected] orthrough the Farmington Hunt Club website,www.farmingtonhunt.org.

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is was a mind that was destined, asScott Fitzgerald once wrote, toromp like the mind of God. In his

62 years, Greg Smith distinguished himselfas writer, musician, attorney, architect,businessman, art collector and preservationist.

With his partner, Steve Naifeh,Smith was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for ameticulously crafted biography of JacksonPollock, published in 1990. A biography ofVincent Van Gogh would follow in 2011.By the end of Smith’s life, in April 2014,

the pair had written a total of 18 booksbetween them.

All this would be accomplishedunder the shadow of Smith’s diagnosis ofbrain cancer at age 22. From 1975 until2014, he would undergo five chemotherapies,13 surgeries, five radiation treatments, andfive more nuclear treatments. “He lived inconstant pain, with massive medicalinterventions,” Naifeh says. “Most peoplewould have been satisfied just to getthrough their lives.”

Not Smith. He seemed determinedto triumph over life’s adversities – and takeadvantage of every opportunity presentedto him. “Early on, he’d heard a commence-ment address at Colby College on theimportance of serendipity in life,” Naifehsays. That was in undergraduate school. Bythe time the two met at Harvard LawSchool, Smith was assistant conductor ofthe university’s Glee Club, arranging musicfor the piano and singing in productionsby Rostropovich, Bernstein and Sarah

Greg SmithA Talented, Spirited Journey

Story by J. Michael WeltonPhotos courtesy of Julliard of AikensThe popular Anderson & Roe Piano Duo will be both performers and emcees for the Showcase Concert.

(Photo by Brent Cline)

H

Greg Smith was a writer, musician, attorney,architect, businessman, art collector and

preservationist.

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Caldwell. “He said if he’d had a choice ofcareers, it would have been as a professionalmusician,” Naifeh says.

More musical opportunities wouldarrive later in his life, and in a big way. Butfirst would come the publication of “BestLawyers in America” in 1984, then “BestDoctors in America” in 1994. Before that,there was a love of architecture. In 1981,the two perused a Sotheby’s catalog, notingan obscure, century-old mansion in Aiken,S.C. Built by New York robber baronWilliam C. Whitney, it was designed byMcKim Mead & White and Carrere andHastings, two of the leading late 19th-century American architecture firms.

It was known as Joye Cottage andWhitney had built it as a winter retreat inthe heart of South Carolina horse country.The founder of the New York MetropolitanOpera, he imported some of its brightestlights, including Enrico Caruso and NellieMelba, to his Aiken retreat. “If Caruso wasthe great tenor of the times, Melba was thegreat soprano,” Naifeh says. “It was aplatform and venue for great music.”

Smith and his partner Steve Naifeh were awarded the Pulitzer Prize for their biography of JacksonPollock, published in 1990. A biography of Vincent Van Gogh would follow in 2011.

Smith and Naifeh restored Joye Cottage in Aiken, South Carolina, once an early 20th-century retreat for William C. Whitney.

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For almost a decade, Smith andNaifeh watched the house drop in price andfall further into disrepair, until they boughtit in 1989. They set out to restore it, toexpand it and to find a new purpose for itsexistence – a journey that took 25 years.

An amateur architect, Smith wantedto add more space for a gym, a pool, alibrary and an art gallery. But with a listingon the National Register of Historic Places,altering the existing structure was out of thequestion. So, he reasoned, there was onlyone place else to go: “He dug under thehouse and added 5,000 square feet to it,”Naifeh says. “He applied a Mies van derRohe interior to it.”

Eventually, they’d write a bookabout its rebirth, titled On a Street CalledEasy, In a Cottage Called Joye: ARestoration Comedy. Friends and visitorswould arrive in Aiken and be amazed at therenovated house and what they foundinside. “There’s a magnificent life portraitof a woman of the late 19th century that Isaid was by John Singer Sargent,” recallsone visitor, Dr. Joseph Polisi, president ofthe Julliard School in New York. “They said:‘Very good, but that’s Sargent’s teacher.’That spoke volumes about their values.”

Polisi was not visiting JoyeCottage on a whim. As Naifeh and Smithrestored the house to its former glory, theywere also rethinking its mission. Theirsolution was to make it a retreat for visitingmusicians, along the lines of what Whitneyhad intended in the late 19th century – butwith an altruistic, educational twist. That’swhere Julliard and Polisi entered thepicture. “We wanted to provide an outreachfor musicians to go into schools and getkids to see how exciting and serious musicis – and what a little industry can do tomake a happy life,” Naifeh says. “We wantedto bring music to this community – and toestablish a bond between music and thishouse before he and I died.”

By 1996, they had bequeathedJoye Cottage to Julliard. Then they began tolook around for a way to build a strongerlink between the two. The first personSmith called was Sandra Field, choir andchorale conductor at the University ofSouth Carolina. She suggested a musicfestival featuring Julliard students – andwith Smith and Naifeh’s approval, set aboutorganizing a board of directors. The resultwas the 2009 establishment of Julliard inAiken, a weeklong event with public

performances, chamber concerts and out-reach to area schools. Joye Cottage wasused as a retreat for students and faculty.

In the past six years, more than22,000 Aiken schoolchildren have beenexposed to world-class music – and tosuccessful students working hard to makethe most of their gifts. “That’s powerful forall of them,” Naifeh says. “They don’tregularly see people taking education andtransforming it into a fulfilling life.” Thefestival has more than doubled in size injust a few years. “In 2009, we had 23 artistsand five performances for the week,” Fieldsays. “Last year we had 67 artists.”

Its success spurred Smith torecalibrate his sights, setting them evenhigher. One of his dreams was to produceJohann Sebastian Bach’s Christ story, TheSt. Matthew’s Passion. With Julliard inAiken, he was able to pursue it – withvigor.”It took a huge amount of coordinationbetween Julliard and us,” Field says. “Wewere in the planning stages for three years.”It’s known as Bach’s masterpiece – a three-and-a-half-hour performance requiringseveral vocal soloists, two orchestras and afull chorus. It was performed last year inAiken, to an audience that by all accountswas profoundly moved. “Every ticket wassold, with a waiting list of 200 people – andno one left the performance,” Field says.Though Smith was hospitalized at the time,Naifeh would later play a recording of theperformance for him. The production latermoved to Atlanta and New York, with arave review from The New York Times.

Today, the spirit of Smith’senergetic, restless mind is as much hislegacy as the books, buildings and music heleft behind. Luckily, it’s a spirit recognizedand rewarded by the board of directors atJulliard in Aiken. Just ask Anderson, S.C.,native Brandon Hall, a 21-year-old seniorstudying acting at Julliard now. A generouscheck from the board helped him put hisbest foot forward for his initial auditionsand interviews at the world-famousconservatory.

Thanks to Smith and Naifeh, thousands of Aiken-area schoolchildren have been exposed to musiciansfrom New York's Julliard School

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It seems that the board sawparallels between Smith and Hall: “He hada constant wanting to push forward andmove past what he’d done and breakbarriers,” Hall says. “I think that’s thecorrelation that they found between us – hehad a childlike curiosity and a need to tellstories, and my curiosity is my foot forwardto understand theater and acting.”

Hall is scheduled to graduate fromJulliard in May, with a future he describesas “bright and lovely.” More than likely,Greg Smith would agree.

J. Michael Welton writes about architec-ture, art and design for national and interna-tional publications. He also edits and pub-lishes a digital design magazine atwww.architectsandartisans.com, and is theauthor of Drawing from Practice:Architects and the Meaning of Freehand,soon to be published by Routledge Press.

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he Washington Winter Show(WWS), formerly known as theWashington Antiques Show, has

been said by some to kick off theWashington social calendar. The event,which includes four days of exhibits,lectures, and parties, has raised more than$8 million for charity since its inception 60years ago.

The 2015 Washington WinterShow, presented by PNC Bank and held atthe Katzen Arts Center at AmericanUniversity, had a nautical theme. Ports ofCall featured 45 premier dealers from theUnited States and Europe offering a widerange of period furnishings, vintage jewelry,porcelains, ceramics, silver and architecturalgarden accents. The show’s loan exhibition,Vessels of Victory, presented a selection ofsilver trophies awarded for victories innaval battles and in competitive sailing—achronological assemblage of presentationpieces given to the heroes of naval battles

TheWashington

WinterShow

Story by Ronya MislehPhotos courtesy of WWS

Gates Antiques, one of the 45 dealers at theWashington Winter Show

America’s Cup (Photo courtesy ofSportography.tv)

T

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and the victors of races and regattas. OracleTeam USA, winner of the 2013 America’sCup race, graciously loaned its America’sCup trophy to the exhibition.

A highlight of every WWS is theluncheon on Friday. This year’s speakerwas Amy Herman, a former attorney andmuseum professional. Her talk, “The Art ofPerception,” offered attendees a uniqueperspective into the art of looking at—andtruly seeing—artwork. This is a perspectiveshe has shared not only with art lovers andcollectors, but with security forces andpolice departments across the country whorely, more than most, on keen observation.Historian and sailor Gary Jobson headlinedthe Saturday lecture program with “How toWin the America’s Cup.” He was joined bymembers of the Oracle sailing and designteam. Other events of the weekend includedan appraisal session, themed walkthroughsof the exhibits, dealer talks and a Saturdaysoiree with live calypso music.

Three charities benefited from thisyear’s show’s proceeds. The first was theBishop John T. Walker School (BWS), atuition-free private school for low-incomeboys of all faiths whose families live insoutheast Washington. The school openedin 2008 with a class of 13 four-year-olds,one administrator, and three teachers. Injust seven years, it has grown to 86 studentsin pre-kindergarten through grade five. Theschool will have 160 students in pre-Kthrough eight by the fall of 2017. At BWS,the boys receive a structured educationalexperience that will help them build theacademic and social foundations needed tosucceed in high school and beyond. Theschool uses the grant from the show to helppay for tuition, salaries for teachers, teachingmaterials, meal programs, educational fieldtrips and support services such ascounseling for students and their families.

The second charity supported bythe WWS is THEARC Theater, which is thecornerstone of THEARC (the Town HallArts, Education, and Recreation Center)arts complex located in southeast

Washington. The facility offers diversecultural activities to district residents eastof the Anacostia River. The intention is thatproviding such opportunities and accesswill strengthen community development. Itis the only resource of its kind inWashington, hosting rehearsals, recitals,graduations and performances of localschool children (including shows, dance

and music recitals and concerts), communitygatherings, job fairs, health care symposiaand other town hall gatherings. Tickets toevents and theater rental fees—two primarysources of revenue—provide less than aquarter of the theater’s operating costs.Proceeds received from the WWS allow thetheater to continue as a much-appreciatedcultural outlet for its community.

The Bishop Walker School Chorus performs at evensong at the Washington National Cathedral.

Youth enjoy a colorful, community art project led by ArtReach at THEARC.

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The third show beneficiary wasthe Founders’ Board of St. JohnCommunity Services. STJCS works tosupport children and young adults withdisabilities, between the ages of three and22, so they can enjoy the benefits of aneducation alongside their non-disabledpeers in classrooms throughout the publicschools of the district. The Founders’ Boardis the single largest donor to STJCS; it uses

the grant from the WWS to provideinclusive and integrated educational andclinical services to students with autism andother developmental disabilities. The grantalso allows STJCS to purchase materialsand equipment for creative play centers andsensory stations, as well as computers andsoftware for classroom use.

As the 2015 show wrapped up,plans were already under way for 2016.

Built around the theme Through the Eyes ofa Child, next year’s event will emphasizethe importance of passing down thetradition of collecting and its place inpreserving history. The show will bring afresh view on antiques, how they arepresented and their role in our living history.A loan exhibition will be centered aroundGeorge Mason’s Virginia plantation,Gunston Hall, where he raised ninechildren. As with every WashingtonWinter Show, the exhibits, speakers andassociated events will promote a multi-generational appreciation for historicalitems, antiques and the value of ourheritage. Co-chairs Patricia Montague andFrances Talley bring exuberance andenthusiasm to the event. The 2016 showis certain to entertain and leave eachparticipant with a deeper appreciation ofnot only antiques in America, but also ofpersonal and family histories.

For additional information:Washington Winter Showwashingtonwintershow.com

St. John’s Community Services2201 Wisconsin Ave. NWSuite C-150 Washington, DC 20007 (800) 869-3393 [email protected]

THEARC Theaterwww.thearcdc.org1901 Mississippi Ave. SE Washington, DC 20020(202) 889-5901

The Bishop John T. Walker Schoolwww.bishopwalkerschool.org3640 Martin Luther King Jr Ave. SEWashington, DC 20032(202) 678-1515

Ronya Misleh is a freelance writer who hasalways called Virginia her home. She canbe reached at [email protected].

Michael N. Harreld,regional vice presidentof PNC, presenter of theWashington WinterShow, and board ofdirector member andpast president HannahCox

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Snapshots for Straight Shooting

Henry BaskervilleAvoid Lazy Arm

Maintain energy in your forward arm because it does most of the work.

Preparing to shoot, Diane Stairshas correctly aligned her sightplane (green line) to be parallelwith her gun barrel (red line).

CORRECT: Conscious of her tendency to prematurely relax herforward arm, Stairs restores liftingenergy to her forward arm. Her sightplane (green) and the barrel (red)quickly resume a parallel configuration. The shotgun nowshoots exactly at the spot at whichshe is looking. She crushes the claypigeon.

INCORRECT: A millisecond beforeshe pulls the trigger, Stairs relaxesher forward arm a very small amount.This causes her barrel to drop (bluearrow) very slightly. Notice that hersight plane (green line) no longer parallels the barrel (red line).Consequently, she would shoot belowthe target.

Safety glasses removed for educational clarity.

Henry Baskerville is a NSCA- and NRA-certified shooting instructor and life member of the International Professional Hunters’ Association.He is the director of Cavalier Sporting Clays near Richmond, Virginia. He can be reached at [email protected] or (804) 370-7565.

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he Catalonian Parliament wasbeautifully lit from every side, andthe ancient cobblestone streets at

the entrance glistened after a brief Aprilshower. Inside the grand hall, a festivesocial gathering of garden professionals

from around the world was in progress.Multiple languages could be heard: Arabic,Russian, English, Spanish, Korean, Frenchand more. A delegation from Turkeycame with an English interpreter, and Ijoined a conversation about a new garden

being built on the Asian side of Istanbul.Someone mentioned it would be developedin the cloverleaf of a major highway. Imust have looked incredulous. An elderlyman handed me his card as he gentlyheld my arm and in halting English told

Nezahat Botanical GardenIstanbul

Story and Photos by Keith P. Tomlinson

The founders

Aerial view of Nezahat’s development with the expanse of Asian Istanbul and the Sea of Marmara in the background

T

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me to “plan a visit someday, it will be verybeautiful.” That was in 2004. The seed wasplanted.

Nearly a decade later, I stepped offa ferry onto the furthest western edge ofAsia in Kadikoy, Turkey, a bustling suburbacross the Bosporus from downtown

Istanbul. I pulled a crumpled map from mypocket and hailed a cab. The languagebarrier was complete, but as soon as thedriver looked over the map we were off onthe eight-mile drive.

The expansion of Istanbul intoAsia is stunning. As far as the eye could

see, high-rise buildings filled the skylinewith highways weaving pathways ofseemingly endless traffic. As I marveled ata particularly opulent highrise, we made asudden turn and stopped. As I emergedfrom the cab, with the driver’s cigarettesmoke following me, an intimate landscapebeckoned. What was once an urban waste-land is now a flourishing botanical garden,Nezahat.

As one enters Nezahat, trafficnoise lessens. Vast collections ofMediterranean flora expand through ashallow bowl, neatly landscaped for publicaccess. The seminal tree of the region, Oleaeuropea, the culinary olive, displays itscoveted status as a horticultural and culturalicon of the entire region. No other plant hasa more important agricultural role than thislong-lived species. Nowadays, much of theTurkish olive crop heads to China, wherethe ancient flavor has gained a vastfollowing. Near the culinary olive tree,another member of the olive family growsin a linear mulched bed: the American ash,one of Virginia’s most common forest trees.I always love seeing a Virginia native plantexhibited in a foreign garden.

Walking up a steep hill, one comesto a high point in the garden. A vast viewspreads west toward old Istanbul, where theGolden Horn enters the Bosporus. Thisexposed knoll is surely one of the botanicalhighlights of Nezahat. Several rectangular,graveled raised beds reach waist height.Randomly displayed are the true treasuresof Turkey’s exceptional native flora: bulbs.Many, perhaps most, of the world’s bulbscome from Turkey’s undulating, porouslimestone landscape, a place where geologyand climate coalesce to harbor one of theworld’s most diverse selections of bulbs.

Since Biblical times, royalty,traders and early naturalists have sought tocollect and grow the bulbs. They can bestunningly intricate, colorful and bold. Inaddition, these gems travel well and areeasy to collect. Over time, the numberof wild bulbs has decl ined due to

Broad paved trails lead through early floweringbulbs and trees

Delicate early spring bulbs in the raised gravel beds

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over-collection. This remains a problemtoday for Turkey’s natural-resource man-agers. The majority of bulbs grown inHolland are derived from Turkish species.

Since its inception, Nezahat hasfocused as much on conservation as beauty.Among the delicate bulbs on display,Fritularia, tulips and Romulea yield daintyflowers compared to commercialhybridized plants found at commercial

nurseries. Generally, these plants prefersharp drainage where water passes rapidlyand never stays too long. The soothingMediterranean sun and cool nights play anequally important ecological role infostering bulb life cycles. The raised bedsare carefully built to mimic the naturalhabitat. Conservation of rare plants inbotanical-garden collections plays anincreasingly important role in reintroducing

endangered species back into the wild.Nezahat is well suited to such a role, andthe need in Turkey is great.

Descending the knoll, one passesby the rock garden exhibiting numerousalpine plants native to eastern Turkey,including the dormant stratovolcano Mt.Ararat. A fine collection of Europeanalpines are also found here, many from theCarpathian Alps in neighboring Romania.Near the rock garden is a meticulouslymaintained propagation and holding areafor plants being prepared for exhibit.

Once at the base of the hill, acurious question arises; how does one getto the next “lobe” of the garden in the high-way cloverleaf? Like many aspects ofNezahat, this has been given specialattention. A discreet pedestrian tunnelcrosses beneath the highway between eachlobe. Engineered for foot travel, electricalneeds and water drainage, the tunnel is alsoan exhibit space. When a visitor enters thetunnel, lights turn on to illuminatemarvelous collections of educationalexhibits ranging from flower anatomy toherbal medicines. A special section depictsethnobotany, the use of plants by humans.Here, ancient paintings document the gift ofpomegranates for the Sultan Mehmetto celebrate the circumcision of a son.

Emerging from the tunnel, onefinds an entirely different space. Thewesternmost lobe sports a colorfulchildren’s garden, picnic area and shadyconifers providing respite from the sun.Nearby, a water garden contains manyspecies of aquatic lilies and giant Koi fish.Visitors of all ages are mesmerized by thecolorful combination of fish and plants.

Returning to the parking lotadjacent to the busy highway, I’m struckthat an urban wasteland could be so usefullyconverted into a public space devoted to theunderstanding and appreciation of plants.On the way out, I pass the busts of thefounder and his wife, to whom the garden isdedicated. On closer inspection, I realizethe founder, Nezahat Gokyigit, was the

One of the four exhibit tunnels featuring botanical art and ethnobotany. The lights are motion-activated and illuminate as one walks forward.

North American desert species growing happily in the Mediterranean sun

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elderly man who invited me to visit adecade earlier in Barcelona. He said itwould be beautiful. It certainly is, andremarkably innovative as well.

Keith P. Tomlinson has managedMeadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna,Virginia, since 1998. A naturalist whospecializes in plant diversity, conservationand public garden interpretation, he hastraveled to Asia, Africa, the Pacific, Europeand the Americas visiting gardens andwilderness areas.

The aerial view of the entrance lobe where therock garden, propagation area and educationalfacilities are located.

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une is one of the most enjoyablemonths of the year for a Virginiasportsman. The weather is usually

most agreeable; like the baby bear’sporridge – not too hot and not too cold.Just right. For a fisherman, just rightmeans topwater action.

If you have a fly rod of somedescription and a few small popping bugswith rubber legs, June is the month whenbluegills do their spawning and if there issomething more enjoyable that catching abull bream on a topwater bug, well, Ihaven’t discovered it yet.

The great thing about catchingbluegills in a lake or farm pond is thatyou’re doing the resources a favor byweeding out some of the prolific panfish.In fact, I have one pond I fish where thelandowner says that if anyone throws abluegill back in the water, he’ll revoketheir fishing privileges. There are someserious-size bluegills in that pond and Ikeep every one I catch. Deep fried bluegillswith a side of coleslaw? What a feast!

But you don’t have to have a flyrod to catch bluegills. The feisty panfishwill hit almost anything that comes neartheir washtub-size beds. Live bait, likemealworms or crickets, will work, as willsmall spinners and lures. The advantage ofa fly rod is the spook factor. No matterhow aggressive a bluegill is, if you spookhim, forget it. He’ll zip out to deep waterand is not likely to hit again for quite awhile. A fly rod can settle a small bug onor near the bed without disturbing the fishand it’s just plain fun to hook up with ahalf-pound bluegill hell-bent on bustingup your tackle. They say that if a bluegill

grew as big as a bass, you’d never be ableto land one. So whatever you do in Juneand into early July, try catching a fewbluegills on topwater gear when the bigmales go on their beds.

June and July also present anideal opportunity to hook up a Senkoworm and float the New River or theJames River for smallmouth. Undernormal conditions, the smallmouth arethrough their spawn by early summer andare hungry and aggressive. As a matter offact, when is it that smallmouth arenot hungry and aggressive? Other goodrivers for smallmouth include theRappahannock, the Shenandoah, the upperPotomac and South Anna. Smaller streamslike the Maury, Craig Creek, the lower Tyeand the lower Rapidan are also good choices.

Freshwater anglers can findcrappie ready, willing and able to snatch asmall shiner. Beaver huts and bridgepilings are top crappie haunts.Largemouth move into shallow waterearly on summer mornings, then dropback to 12 or 14 feet during midday.Catfish action on the James, Potomac andRappahannock rivers is generallyexcellent in the early part of summer. Tohook up with one of those bruiser-sizeblue or flathead cats, learn how to use athrow net, catch some fresh shad andexperiment with either cut bait or thewhole fish. Playing cat and mouse with thefinicky catfish is almost as much fun ascatching bluegills on a fly rod. Catfishrarely take a bait and gulp it down. Mostoften, they’ll toy with it, trying to decide ifthat particular baitfish is worthy ofswallowing. Meanwhile, in the boat, the

rod is twitching and nerves get frazzled.An ultimate hookup with a 50-pounder iswell worth the wait.

Here’s a catfish suggestion forJune: Try Lake Gaston in the three-milestretch immediately below Kerr Dam.There are lots of catfish in that water, plusbass, walleye, garfish and stripers. Bring aheavy anchor, though, and wear your lifejacket. There is lots of current below the dam.

Saltwater anglers are truly intheir element in early summer. Almostevery game fish that swims is in theChesapeake Bay at this point, includingcobia, red and black drum, flounder,speckled trout, grey trout, Spanish mackerel,tailor blues, spot, croakers and stripedbass. The Cell and the humps over theBridge Tunnel are top choices for stripers.

In the ocean, yellowfin tunamake a significant run off the Virginiacoast with some bluefins mixed in as well.The blue-water boats frequently havelimits of tuna in the live wells and areheading home by 10 a.m. Cobia, kingmackerel and wahoo are also likelycandidates — and here’s another tip. Tryamberjack fishing off the wrecks andstructure out of Virginia Beach. A 50-pound amberjack is easily the toughest,most ornery fish that swims. I once caughtone on a fly rod in the 40-pound class andthought I’d never get him in. What warriors!

Whether saltwater or freshwater,there are lots of fish to be caught in Juneand July.

Jim Brewer is a longtime Virginia outdoorwriter. Visit him at www.CvilleBuzz.com.

J

Outdoors with Jim BrewerA Hunting & Fishing Forecast

June/July

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t all started like a scene from NeilSimon’s The Out of Towners.

First there was the late springstorm ravaging the Eastern Seaboard. Itdelayed our Delta flight out of Raleigh intoVenice for five hours, then forced us ontoanother into Rome – and from there toVenice via Alitalia.

Next up: the luggage – or lack ofit. We may have arrived safely in Venice,

but as a wan Alitalia clerk shrugged in theclassic Italian deadpan, my suitcase wasstill in Rome. I gave him the address for ourbed-and-breakfast in the sestiere diCannaregio, bought a pair of tickets for thewater taxi and began that long, purgatorialtrudge from airport to taxi stand.

Once we were entering the GrandCanal, things looked a little brighter. Atleast the architecture did – especially Peggy

My Dinner at OroHotel Cipriani, Venice

OFF THE

TOPIC

Story by J. Michael WeltonPhotos courtesy of Belmond

55 The Virginia Sportsman June/July 2015

IAl fresco dining, Oro Restaurant at the Hotel Cipriani, Venice

The Grand Canal, Venice (Bigfoto.com)

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Guggenheim’s sleek palazzo – even if thegray skies didn’t. So we began to believe,like Nick Carraway crossing theQueensboro Bridge into New York with JayGatsby on a bright summer morning in1922, that “anything could happen ...anything at all.” But, just as Carrawaywould later learn, it was a short-livedmoment of naive optimism.

Dropped off at the bed-and-breakfast, we knocked on its door, rang itsbell and knocked some more, to no avail.We called Davide, the owner, but insteadgot his father, who said that someone would

be along in a half-hour. Then the heavensopened up, with thunder, lightning andhuge, Venice-sized dollops of rain. Myumbrella of course, was in my suitcase–languishing hundreds of kilometers away,safe and dry in Rome. Davide actually didarrive in a half-hour, as promised. So wechecked in, went out in search of newclothes, a bite to eat and a glass of wine,then came back to wipe that late May dayoff the books.

The following morning – sunnierand far more pleasant – was spent in crowdedvaporettos, water buses, wandering thestreets of the much-anticipated Biennaleand wondering about our eveningreservations at Oro, their confirmation alsoin my missing luggage. Davide had promisedto pursue the ambivalent clerks at Alitaliawith vigor, saying that if he didn’t, we’dnever see that suitcase again.

At six, we hopped off a vaporettoat the Piazza San Marcos and walked oncobblestone paths past crowds of cruise-ship tourists and rows of empty gondolasuntil we came upon the waterborne object

of our desire: a motor launch tied to aprivate dock, its large gold letters clearlyidentifying it as property of the HotelCipriani. We ducked into the cabin andwatched the tower of St. Mark’s fade intothe distance. Along the way, I fretted overour reservations.

Five minutes later, we pulled up tothe dock at the island of Giudecca, wherein the late 1950s Commendatore GiuseppeCipriani, founder of Hemingway’s favoriteVenetian haunt, Harry’s Bar, opened theHotel Cipriani. Here more recently, NewYork designer Adam Tihany had completeda new vision for Oro, complete with a gold-painted, domed ceiling. And here, GeorgeClooney and friends would frolic during therun-up to his much-publicized Septemberwedding to Amal Alamuddin.

We stepped up to the maitre d’sstand and looked into the eyes of CarloTofani, the restaurant manager. He couldhardly contain himself. He was so pleasedto see us, he said. But I needed a jacket. Thelost luggage, I explained.

Piffle, he said, it’s no matter – and

A dinner to remember at Oro The dining room at Oro, designed by Adam Tihany (Above and below)

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produced a navy blue blazer in my size, oneworthy of Brooks Brothers itself. He thenescorted us to an outdoor dining table fortwo, overlooking the lagoon where atangerine-tinted sun was descending slow-ly over the Lido, the beach of choice forVenetians of all ages.

Carlo introduced us to a long lineof wait staff queued up to greet us, endingwith sommelier Marianna Cappotto, whopoured two flutes of Prosecco. It trumpetedthe opening act of what can only be calledone of the most remarkable meals everserved in the whole history of the planet, allat the hands of Davide Bisetto, Oro’s two-Michelin-stars chef.

There were the red prawns andspider crab, in pink grapefruit aspic, withessence of citrus, cucumber sherbet andBloody Mary water; the marinated duckfoie gras, the extract seasoned with Brontepistachios, the artichokes flavored withanchovies’ juice, and creamed burratacheese; the thin noodles, garlic, oil andsweet chili peppers, the local lobster, andthe mullet bottarga; the tortellini filled withbraised veal shank, with Barolo wine,Ubriaco cheese fondue, and balsamicvinegar from Modena aged 50 years, and

the cacao; the seafood soup of squillsflavored with melissa, squids, babyshrimps, and purple potato dumplings intangerine oil; the duck caramelized withhoney and citrus fruits, the chard flavoredwith Port, and spicy sauce; and finally, thefour chocolate cakes with grappa and cherries.

Each course was paired impeccablywith a wine chosen by Cappotto, andpoured by our steward.

The spectacle of the sunset longgone and the meal now a memory, weaccompanied Carlo on a tour of therestaurant’s new bar and dining room,wondering all the while why anyone wouldprefer to spend time eating inside, when theviews of Venice and the Lido beckonoutside. Weather, of course, Carlo said,plays a role in that.

So we trudged back to the launchand in five minutes, we were strolling St.Mark’s Square. Mistakenly believing thatwe’d mastered the vast and complexvaporetto system of color-coded routes, wehopped onto one of the empty water buses– only to discover we were headed out tothe Venetian suburbs, the city far behind us.Slipping off at the first stop, I waved 50euros at a water-taxi driver and after 10

quick minutes, we were back at the bed-and-breakfast, slowly climbing the stairsand reflecting on the wonders of Oro, theHotel Cipriani and the sunset over the Lido.And lo and behold – there it was, at the topof the stairs in the living room, glowing inthe watery light like a shining beacon. Mysuitcase was adorned with large, white,checked-baggage tags from Raleigh,Miami, New York, Toronto, Rome, Milanand, finally, Venice. But it had arrived.

And not a moment too soon. In themorning we’d be off to more brave andintrepid adventures – in Cortona, Vicenza,Siena, Montepulciano and all the goldensplendors of Tuscany.

This time, though, we’d be driving.

J. Michael Welton writes about architecture,art and design for national and internationalpublications, and publishes a digital designmagazine at www.architectsandartisans.com.He is also the author of Drawing fromPractice: Architecture and the Meaning ofFreehand, soon to be released by RoutledgePress.

**********************

Dinner at sunset, overlooking the Lido Continued from Page 66

remained in camp. Big Blue was in topform and led several chases, two of whichresulted in big bucks hauled into camp.

The somewhat soiled pile of huntingclothes was more than even Rufus couldbear to put on, so he stayed in all day, cladin long johns. That night, we burned theclothes and hosed down the anointed bedroom.

I have never returned to the GoodOl’ Boys Hunt Club. Once was sufficient.But I have an open invitation. Rufus nolonger uses his homemade cover scent, sofor that, many are grateful. He has alsopassed the cooking duties on to BillNelson. For that, the entire club is thankful.As for Big Blue, as best I know, he hasnever been invited back inside the cabin.

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have always been an elderly magnet –it’s a sort of gift, I suppose. Olderpeople gravitate towards me and I

enjoy talking to them, even dating them. Inmy 20s I suffered a serious case ofgerontophilia, rescuing many 50-some-thing divorcees down on their luck. I calledit the “advanced relationship course;” mymother called it “care in the community.”

So it came as quite a shock when Imarried High Tower (HT) who, at onlyseven years my senior, was in stark contrastto my grave-robbing days. And, thanks toHT’s uniquely older soul, people of advancingyears utterly adore him, too. So together onour American adventure we have befriendedmany snow geese and silver surfers. Andthank goodness we have. I mean our generationis fun but most are weighed down with seriouscareers, children and keeping up with theJoneses to really let loose; and besides theydon’t have half the toys the baby-boomergeneration has. Like cannons.

It was at one of HT’s eccentrichistorical-costume events we first met wiryVietnam vet Ted and his elegant wifeJessica. They were our parents’ age (late60s) so not elderly, just cross-generational.We all liked the same things – horses, shot-guns and fishing tackle. Trapped insuburban life in Vienna, VA, HT and Irelished escaping to their house in ruralMaryland. We went to point-to-points,enjoyed lavish dinner parties and a birdshoot on their farm.

One particular weekend, weaccompanied Ted and Jessica to a special

viewing of Ladew Gardens, enjoying achampagne reception, which was completelywasted on me given I was six monthspregnant. Afterwards we walked to the carto drive back to their house for dinner.Parked a few bays up was Ted’s mode oftransport: a 1940s Ural motorbike,complete with sidecar. HT was like abroody hen clucking around it. Ted startedher up and revved the engine – he winked atme and I attempted to jump in the sidecar,which was not easy with my massive belly.I wedged myself in and smiled at HT. Hepretended to be happy for me but inside wasraging. Ted took off driving swiftly downthe country roads. It was a real buzz given

that my habitual kicks of horses andHemingways (a Champagne and absinthecocktail created by Ernest, which he calledDeath in the Afternoon) — were nowfirmly out of the question.

We skidded to a halt in the drive-way and I removed my helmet. HT andJessica pulled up in the Highlander. Ted,noticing my husband’s forlorn face, toldhim to jump in. HT yanked me out and themen took off in a cloud of dust.

When the boys finally returned forsupper, they were full of excitement andideas. Ted asked HT if he’d seen his can-non. He shook his head. “Show me,” hesaid. Ted pushed a drawing room chairaside to reveal a modest-sized cannon witha wooden carriage. “Can we fire it?” askedHT. “Certainly,” said Ted.

As we ate supper, all the mencould think about was firing the cannon.Finally, the moment came. Ted wheeled outthe cannon and then lifted it outside ontothe deck; even though it was small, itweighed half a hundredweight. HT shined aflashlight as Ted set it up. Jessica passedhim a plastic case containing all the ammunitionand charge accoutrements. She then passedround the ear plugs like canapés.

Dangling a small charge bag in theair, Ted told us, “They’re handcrafted withblack powder and paper towel, wrappedtogether with sticky tape.” He stuffed acouple of the charges into the cannon andrammed them down with a broom handle.Next he produced a golf ball and rammedthat in as well. He connected a firework

American Wild Life

Charlotte ReatherIllustrations by Olivia DoullBaby Boomers

I

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fuse into the back of the barrel anddeclared, “Now we’re ready to light.”

I crouched down behind the canonfilming the whole event with my Iphone.“Ready?” Ted said eyeballing everyone.“Ready,” we replied.

As the fuse burned down I suddenlyrealised I hadn’t put my earplugs in. I put afinger in one ear and carried on filmingwith the other hand, shouting frantically toHT to stick his finger in my other ear.EXPLOSION! HT’s finger dislodged from

my ear as I was blown backwards. He andTed looked at one another guiltily. “Oops,that’s what happens in the back-blast area –forgot about that bit, darling,” said HT.“Don’t worry, the baby took the full force,”I replied. (I spent the next three monthswondering if my baby would be profoundlydeaf and YouTubed a bit of sign languagejust in case. Mainly, ‘I’m sorry you aredeaf, baby, it’s all your daddy’s fault.’)

Cladding my bump with severalcushions, sporting proper ear defenders and

observing from a safe distance, I watchedthe naughty boys launch four or five moregolf balls into the night sky. “Each ball willtravel over two miles,” said Ted as the nextdisappeared over a hill into woodland heowned. Inside the phone started to ring.Ted’s mobile jingled frantically. Heanswered it. The voice from the other endboomed, “It’s that damn cannon again, isn’tit?” Ted replied calmly, “Hi, Hank, slowdown. I don’t know what you’re talkingabout. ... No, not me. We are just having aquiet drink with a pregnant friend and herhusband. We’d hardly be firing a can-non with them at this time of night,now would we?”

Charlotte Reather writes “Charlie’sChallenges” for Countryside magazine, andis the former “Wild Life” columnist forThe Field. She is the co-author ofactor and angler Robson Green’s bookExtreme Fishing. Visit her at www.charlot-tereather.com.

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paint my house every four orfive years, using paint with a“lifetime” warranty. Maybe that

refers to the lifetime of an insect orsome other short-lived creature. Anolder painter explained to me why Ishould never use cheap paint.“That’s like putting cheap clothes onan expensive woman.” I follow hisadvice, although all paint seemsexpensive these days, and even thepriciest doesn’t last as long as hoped.The coating performs better on shad-ed parts of the house. Areas baked byhours of sun every day begin to flakein a few years. If I took the timeand a magnifying glass to read thefine print on the paint can, I’m sure it wouldblame any problem on my preparation andtechnique.

Painting is tedious, messy, ache-inducing and too frequently necessary. Onthe other hand, doing my own paintingsaves me money, necessitates hands-oninspection and repair, and protects from therain. It also gives me time to think and day-dream, which is how my first big housepainting effort helped me decide to stay inthe country.

I was in my early 20s when I washired to paint Castle Hill, a large old housein my neighborhood. Graduate school or abusiness career still seemed possible forme. I spent that summer perched on aladder, looking at the Southwest Mountainsand listening to the different calls of crows,who were watching me from nearby cedars.

I concluded that staying in this area wasmost important to me. I would rather takeup house painting or whatever I could fitinto my lifestyle here than pursue a morelucrative career elsewhere. I have beenhappy with that decision.

Castle Hill was open to the publicfor tours and special events in the ’70s and’80s. Its history included five generationsof my family, who lived there before themoney ran out and new owners in the late1940s rescued the place from collapse. Oneday I was painting the back porch as tourguide Bernice Brassfield was telling agroup about 18th-century explorer andpatriot Dr. Thomas Walker, who built theoriginal section. Someone in the groupasked if there were any of Walker’sdescendants in the neighborhood. Bernicepointed to me in my paint-spattered attire

and said, “Yeah. He’s one.” Ihad a faithful dog that usuallycurled up at the bottom of theladder, and Bernice startedpointing him out to puzzledtourists and saying, “That dogis a Walker descendant.” JackieOnassis once toured the placeand asked Bernice if she couldpick up and examine the diningroom china. Bernice replied,“No, ma’am. Nobody isallowed to touch them plates.”

I did my first paintingat an early age. I remembergetting more paint on myselfthan the farm building that was

the intended target. My father expected hisfour sons to help around the place, and heput sickles, pitchforks, shovels, rakes andpaint brushes in our hands as soon as wewere big enough to hold them. In his lastyears, slowed by poor health, my fatherwould pull up a chair, sit and watch mepaint. He frequently pointed and said, “Youmissed a spot.” I used to dread my father’sorder: “Time to clean the gutters.” Thegutters were full of rotted leaves and pollenfrom two enormous white oaks, black waterand slivers of rust that cut my fingers.Although gutters and downspouts wouldhelp protect the siding on my house, Iwon’t install them because of horriblegutter memories.

I used to paint my house with oil-based paint, which seemed to penetrate andprotect the old wood. However oil paint

A Country Gent’s Note

Brush Up Barclay Rives

I

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was mostly phased out 10 years ago toprotect the environment. Oil paints emitvolatile organic compounds (VOCs) as theydry, which contribute to ground-level ozonepollution and also deplete the ozone layer inthe atmosphere. These compounds, such asformaldehyde, toluene, styrene andacetone, are hazardous to the painter andinhabitants as well as the environment.Paint before the 1970s contained lead,which was highly toxic. An older neighbortold me oil paint hasn’t been any good sincethey took the lead out. I would rather dealwith rotten boards than with lead-inducedbrain damage. Latex paint dries morequickly and less fragrantly. Latex alsosupposedly has the advantage of“breathing,” not trapping moisture butallowing it to escape.

I never painted enough to becomehighly skilled. A builder friend described tome how the professional he hires does notuse a drop cloth, even when repaintingfancy furnished interiors. The man hasamazing speed and accuracy. A few

professionals have given me useful tips.First of all, instead of scraping or “cutting”both sides of the brush on the rim afterdipping into the paint, you just tap thebrush against the side of the can as youbring it up. This sheds excess dripping paintin a brief efficient motion.

Latex paint has the advantage of soapand water cleanup, but wrapping oil paintbrushes in newspaper and soaking them inthinner can make for speedy everydaymaintenance. Raising and lowering a longladder requires securely footing the baseagainst an unyielding foundation andpaying attention to the laws of geometryand physics while grabbing successiverungs. Surface preparation is crucial. Sidingmust be dry, free of dust, mildew, andpeeling paint. Holes and cracks should befilled. My pockets hold a scraper, pieces ofsandpaper, and a dry brush to whisk awaycobwebs and debris. I stick a blob of puttyon the side of the can for filling small holes.

Harriet Johnson was born a slave,overcame great obstacles, purchased land

and built the original portion of my house. Ithink of her as I paint. Using mostlysalvaged materials, I enlarged the house toaccommodate my wife and children. Irelive some of my building episodes as Ipaint over my rough carpentry. The freshlypainted house is a source of satisfaction,until time passes and it starts looking like itneeds to be painted again.

Barclay Rives’ biography of his 19th-century ancestor, William Cabell Rives: A Country to Serve, has beenpublished by Atelerix Press and is available from Amazon.com. He lives on asmall farm near Cismont, Virginia.

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rmed with a Ph.D. in chemistry, afinely honed business sense and afinger on the pulse of North

Carolina’s wine drinkers, vintner MarekWojciechowski set up Chatham Hill Wineryin the late 1990s.

At the time, his was the 14thwinery in Carolina. Now there are about130 producers statewide, many of themmaking excellent dry varietals – along withthe sweeter wines that have been a traditionhere for centuries.

As his business has grown –Wojciechowski has produced as many as7,000 cases annually in a facility with a9,000-case capacity – he’s learned to adaptto the tastes of his clientele. “I put togeth-er a company to make dry varietal wines –I didn’t intend to make sweet wines,” thenative of Warsaw, Poland, says. “But itbecame clear that without sweet wines, Icould not maintain the business.”

That’s not to say that he’s makingthe traditional Muscadines for which thestate once was known. Instead, he’s learnedto infuse his very fine Chardonnay andCabernet Franc wines with fruits such aspeach, mango and blackberry. He calls thebrand Sweet Carolina, and the wines sellvery well – particularly the 95-percentChardonnay infused with five percentblackberry – inside the winery and in super-markets. “Sweet Carolina is my alternativeto Muscadine,” he says.

Sales from the Sweet Carolinabrand help keep the lights on at his upscaleCary location, about three miles fromRaleigh’s Research Triangle Park. It’s an

urban winery that imports some grapesfrom the Yadkin River Valley about twohours away, and others from Lodi,California. All his wines are made on site instainless steel tanks, and most are aged inFrench and American oak barrels. “Everyyear, about 20 tons of fruit come in the back

doors,” he says. “It’s a gamble and aprediction, depending on how much I thinkI can sell.”

He’s developed a three-tierapproach to his product line. There are 12 inthe Sweet Carolina brand, including aChristmas Red infused with cherry and

WINEListening to the Market: At Chatham Hill Winery J. Michael Welton

A

Chatham Hill tasting room

WinemakerMarek Wojciechowski

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cranberry. The Chatham Hill DiamondLabel wines are made primarily from Lodigrapes for whites such as Riesling, PinotGrigio and Chenin Blanc, and reds such asMalbec and Rubio. Moderately priced,they’re distributed to restaurants and bistrosfor by-the-glass sales. The Pinot, which hedescribes as a “picnic wine,” is a big seller.

The winery’s crown jewels,though, are its dry varietals, priced between$15 for the Pinot Grigio and $23 for theCabernet Franc, with many more inbetween. Most are sold in wine shops andfine restaurants, because Wojciechowskidoesn’t rush to bottle any of them. Instead,he allows them to mature over time – and tobecome serious wines.

At Chatham Hill, he knows he’snot working with the Sonoma or Napagrapes that linger on vines through Octoberor November, but with Yadkin Valley fruitthat languishes in Carolina heat andhumidity for a brief three months beforeit’s picked in September. The result: sugarsand tannins that don’t develop at highlevels like their West Coast counterparts.So he compensates. “I make it a little bitlighter to make sure the fruitiness is morecompelling, more acidic and more food-friendly,” he says.

At Chatham Hill, he producessome very likable dry varietal wines thatwould appeal even to a Napa, Sonoma orCharlottesville palate, including aChardonnay that’s citrusy, with appleflavors. His Merlot, its grapes harvested inSeptember and now fermenting in stainlesssteel tanks, soon will be headed to Frenchoak barrels for 18 months. Even at thisstage though, it’s a delightful wine, straightfrom the tank. His 2012 CabernetSauvignon has been aged in both Americanand French oak barrels, with a definitespiciness from the American oak.

His Rose is not bone dry, butfeatures a little sugar to intensify the fruitflavor. It’s a blend of Chardonnay, Seyvaland Merlot. The Rubio is a fruity, light anddry red that he calls an “introductory” wine

that’s approachable, with no oak and araspberry nose. And his Trinity blend is thewinery’s signature blend of CabernetSauvignon, Cabernet France and Merlot.

Then there are the wines that couldbe the next Carolina natives. “The Viognierand the Cabernet France are what webelieve that we’d like to be known for,” hesays. “They grow pretty well here in thisclimate, and they can become our signaturewines for North Carolina.”

Wojciechowski’s been makingwines for 40 years now, starting off in avery difficult Polish climate. Along theway, he’s learned to respond to what hisclientele wants, rather than what his vine-yards produce. “Not having a vineyard

means I can make what will sell and whatmy customers appreciate – not what I haveto make,” he says.

Still, he manages to satisfy somevery sophisticated palates – including hisown.

J. Michael Welton writes about architec-ture, art and design for national and interna-tional publications, and publishes a digitaldesign magazine at www.architectsandarti-sans.com. He is also the author of“Drawing from Practice: Architecture andthe Meaning of Freehand,” due out in thecoming months from Routledge Press.

Trinity blend is the winery’s signature blend ofCabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot.

63 The Virginia Sportsman June/July 2015

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uring temperate months of mychildhood, “rivah” season wasmarked by endless traffic jams on

our weekend crawls toward the Piankatank.My sister and I spent these hours kickingeach other in the back seat, belting outannoying songs at max volume anddrawing sets of fictional families (the moredisturbed-looking, the better) for each otherto choose from, in the hypothetical eventthat our own family ditched us by the sideof the road.

Those drives must have beenabsolute torture for our parents and I’mnow, as a parent, paying the karmic price.But they were punctuated by a few ritualstops which made the whole endeavorbearable. Our midway break was at arestaurant and gift shop, where we played“count the flies” in the bathroom and sippedour allotted fountain Cokes while eyingpecan logs and kitschy souvenirs on theshelves. On the evening drives back home,it was a barbecue joint that served vanillamilkshakes I still dream about sometimes.

Depending on the exact time ofyear, my mom would insist on stopping atone of her favorite farm stands along theway. In springtime, it was Snead’s forasparagus. Later, the Hanover tomatoesbeckoned, heavy and juicy, sometimesforcing a diversion from our usual route(“So worth it,” she would proclaim). Anddeeper still into summer, the siren song ofSilver Queen corn might bring the station

wagon to a screeching halt in front of standsbearing those two magical words. To mymom, nothing but Silver Queen would do— everything else, every “nasty yellowhorse corn,” a crude insult to that mostroyal of ears.

Silver Queen was best enjoyedalong with a bushel of crabs, which wepicked on the big screen porch overlookingthe river at our destination. I wish I had astronger taste memory of Silver Queen, butother than recalling kernels pale, small, andwith a delicate crunch, I can’t say theirflavor is printed indelibly on my taste buds.

That’s because Silver Queen became moreelusive as my young years went on. Fewerand fewer stands carried the variety, and mymom mourned the loss. The same qualitiesthat made it so alluring to her — itsephemeral nature, and the fact that youcan’t fake freshness with Silver Queen —made it less profitable for farmers and oftendisappointing to consumers. The pearlyears were replaced by sweeter and moreshelf-stable hybrids that did not, as SilverQueen does, begin rapidly converting theirsugar to starch as soon as they leave thefield.

FOODSweet Corn, a Tender Memory Claiborne Williams Milde

D

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Some may argue that the newervarieties are too achingly sweet, their blastof sugar overriding the pleasing anddistinctive corn taste. I have had a few earsthat make me concur, but I have enjoyedmany delicious ones in recent years, too(my mom may disagree). The freshest onesneed little more than a quick dunk inboiling water and an immediate bastingwith good, salty butter.

But corn lends itself to so manygreat recipes in the summer; it’s a shame tostop there. Some of its natural partners arebacon, lobster, summer vegetables and allmanner of exotic spices. For those who liketo keep it simple and easy, below is a recipefor a corn soup, with the addition of butter-milk to add a nice tang to the sweetness.You can serve this soup hot or cold, on itsown or garnished with a little crabmeat,lobster or crumbled bacon.

Sweet Corn and Buttermilk SoupServes 4

Ingredients 4 ears very fresh corn, uncooked1 ½ Tablespoons unsalted butter

1 large shallot or small mild onion,finely chopped

3 cups vegetable broth (unsalted orlow-sodium, if possible)

½ cup whole or lowfat buttermilk(preferably whole)

Salt and pepper to tasteFresh chives, mincedOptional additions: cooked crabmeat orlobster, or fried crumbled bacon

Instructions 1. Remove kernels from corn by slicingthem off the ear, then scraping the cob withthe edge of a spoon to remove every bit ofthe remaining flesh and juice. This shouldyield between 2 ½ -3 cups. Reserve ¼ cupof corn. 2. In a sturdy pot, melt the butter and thengently sauté the shallots or onions witha little salt, until translucent. Add the corn

and juice (except for reserved kernels) andsauté for a minute, and then add the broth.Simmer until the corn kernels are justsoftening, about 5 minutes. 3. Puree soup in a blender until it iscompletely smooth. Then, strain it througha fine-mesh strainer (you may skip this stepif you don’t mind a “rustic” texture).Discard solid material. 4. Stir reserved kernels into the soup, alongwith the buttermilk. Taste and season withsalt and pepper until flavor is to your liking.If you find the consistency too thick, youcan thin it with a little broth or buttermilk.Serve hot or cold. Garnish with chives andany of the suggested additions.

Claiborne Williams Milde is a Virginianwho lives in New York and works as awriter and chef. She studied cooking inNew York and Paris. Read her blog atwww.butteredbreadblog.com.

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I don’t know what kind of cover scentRufus used, but it stank to high heaven.

Rufus Jones was the seniormember of the Good Ol’ Boys Hunt Club,a group of knaves and ruffians who shareda 2,000-acre lease on some hunting land inLouisa. As the leader of the club, Rufustook it upon himself to instruct his fellowmembers on all things hunting, and anessential for Rufus was to soak himself in ahomemade concoction of who-knows-whatthat was intended to mask his human odorand prevent the deer from ratting him outwith their keen sense of smell. Rufus beganhis self-anointing about a week before theseason. His presence could be detected bymere humans from 100 yards away, evenmore downwind. I expect a deer couldsmell Rufus’ cover scent from as far awayas the Eastern Shore.

I was not a member of theesteemed group, but Rufus had invited meto join in for the opening day of deerseason, which included the privilege ofstaying in the dilapidated hunting camp fora pre-season celebration. He offered me asmall vial of his prized cover scent, but Ideclined. If it meant I went deer-less, so beit. Maybe my human scent would chase thewary animals to another stand.

The evening prior to opening day,a dozen or so gathered to see who could eatthe most deer stew and consume the mostKentucky bourbon. Rufus won, handsdown. But there was a catch. Rufus alsoserved as camp cook and whatever he madeand called deer stew was food not quite fitto be served to hogs. It was as vile as what-

ever deer scent Rufus used on his person. Infact, some of us suspected that Rufus hadadded a few teaspoons of his homemadecover scent directly into the pot of stew. Itwas simply awful.

Some of the guys ate all their stew.I covered my bowl with a napkin and filledup with cornbread. Following dinner, noneamong us was fit to serve on dishwashingdetail, so we put the stew and scraps asideand settled in for a spirited game of TexasHold ‘Em. One by one, as chips werepassed back and forth across the table, andcopious amounts of straight bourbon wereconsumed in honor of great hunts gone by,the poker players dissipated, some makingit back to their bunks, while others fell inheaps along the way. I, somehow, remainedupright along with Bill Nelson and Rufus.As the three of us cashed in our chips andprepared to call it a night, we heard amournful howl in the dog lot.

Rufus could barely walk, so Billand I ventured outside to check on the dogs.

Big Blue, a rugged hound of variedancestry, was baying at the moon. Wesupposed that he had caught a whiff ofRufus’ cover scent and knew opening daywas at hand. So he howled and howled, andhowled some more.

“Let the dog in or none of us willget any sleep,” Rufus slurred. “He cansleep with me in my room.”

Bill and I did as instructed. BigBlue eagerly entered the cabin and sniffedhis way about the place. Next, we helpedRufus and Big Blue back to the bedroomand said goodnight.

Early the next morning, beforefirst light, I caught wind of a dreadful odorcoming from within the hunting lodge. Itwas worse than cover scent. In fact, itsmelled a lot like what a dog would do if heate too much and then relieved himself onmultiple occasions. And it was. During thenight, Big Blue had pushed the bedroomdoor open, helped himself to the remains ofthe stew and eaten it all. We figured abouttwo gallons worth. Not long after, thehound had returned to the bedroom and,lacking in social graces, had simplyrelieved himself all over the room, concen-trating on the pile of hunting clothes thatRufus intended to wear the next morning. Iguess he figured that was the place to go. Itcertainly smelled like it. Rufus’ huntingclothes would now have an extra layer ofprotection.

Some of us made it to our deerstands the next morning while others

Continued, Page 57

HUMORJim BrewerA Bad Day at Deer Camp

I

Jerry King

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event calendarSunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

June 21 3 4The Great

NortheasternSide x SideHausmanHollow, PA

5The Great

NortheasternSide x SideHausmanHollow, PA

6The Great

NortheasternSide x SideHausmanHollow, PA

7 98 10Cover BridgeCelebration

Elizabethton CarterCounty, TN

11Cover BridgeCelebration

Elizabethton CarterCounty, TN

12Cover BridgeCelebration

Elizabethton CarterCounty, TN

13Wounded HeroesFamily Friendly

Fishing ForT Belvoir, VA

14 1615 17Deep Run

Horse ShowRichmond, VA

18Deep Run

Horse ShowRichmond, VA

19Deep Run

Horse ShowRichmond, VA

20Deep Run

Horse ShowRichmond, VA

21Deep Run

Horse ShowRichmond, VA

2322 24 25 26 27

28 3029 1 JULY 2 3Scott Miller Duo& The BoxcarsGarth Newel

Hot Springs, VA

4Scott Miller Duo& The BoxcarsGarth Newel

Hot Springs, VA

5The American

Heritage Trio withBert CarlsonGarth Newel

Hot Springs, VA

76 8 9 10My Fair Lady

Paramount TheaterCharlottesville, VALeukemia Regatta

Fishing Bay Yacht ClubDeltaville, VA

11Leukemia Regatta

Fishing Bay Yacht ClubDeltaville, VA

Quintessential Quintets& Classic Impulses

Garth NewelHot Springs, VA

12My Fair Lady

Paramount TheaterCharlottesville, VALeukemia Regatta

Fishing Bay Yacht ClubDeltaville, VA

1413 15 16My Fair LadyParamount

TheaterCharlottesville, VA

17 18My Fair Lady

Paramount TheaterCharlottesville, VA

Young Artist FellowsBaroque Inspirations

Garth NewelHot Springs, VA

19Quixotic Quartets

Garth NewelHot Springs,VA

2120 22 23 24 25Music and Literaturewith the Daedalus

QuartetGarth Newel

Hot Springs, VA

26 2827 29 30 31

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