EDITOR’S LETTER

Editor’s Letter Plenty to Celebrate

From Marigold to Manakin with turkey and trimmings along the way.

ITHOUGHT I KNEW VIRGINIA INSIDE-OUT BUT, THANKS TO our writers, I’m getting an education. Take turkeys for instance. When writer Kinsey Gidick called to tell me that the finest turkeys in the country are raised in Crozet, I was curious. Prized by cooks from New York to L.A., these birds sell for $200 and up. The story of how they landed in Virginia is one you’ll want to tell over Thanksgiving dinner.

Just up the road at Keswick Hall, our writer Stephanie Ganz slipped into the newly-opened Marigold for a dinner that is nothing short of sublime. The Jean-Georges restaurant joins this chef’s global collection which includes The Mark in New York and Jean-Georges Beverly Hills. I’ve seen Marigold’s magnificent dining room—and now I can’t wait to get there for dinner.

Like most Richmonders, I’ve crossed the Huguenot Bridge a thousand times, without thinking about the origin of the name. But the story of the first French Huguenots, who settled south of the James, is a fascinating one.

I discovered it while writing about “Manakin,” the historic house that traces its origins to Pierre Chastain, a leader of the original French Huguenot settlers. (Actress Jessica Chastain of The Help is a direct descendant.) Thanks to interior designer Janie Molster, the 300-year-old “Manakin” now shines with a mix of contemporary and antique pieces: Can you guess from this photo what’s old and what’s new?

Our annual Made In Virginia Awards are back with 34 winners from across the state. We received nearly 300 entries this year, and our picks will check some boxes on your gift-giving list this season. Speaking of winners, we asked six Virginia-based interior designers to tell us what they’re obsessed with these days. If you’ve got a design project in your future, you’ll be delighted to see what these pros are predicting. We’ve also got a beautiful house in The Plains, dressed for the holidays by designer Jamie Merida. And for decking your own halls, look to master gardener Madeline Mayhood, who shares her secrets in our “Gardener’s Guide to Greens.” You don’t have to be crafty, but a little moss and chicken wire helps. When it comes to making garlands and wreaths, I’m all thumbs. But with Madeline’s pointers, this could be my year. And, I sincerely hope it’s yours. Modern papier-mâché botanicals complement the antiques at Manakin.

Constance Costas, Editor ConstanceCostas@CapeFear.com

Letters to the Editor

Wellesley the English setter

THAT’S MY DOG!

I recently read your article in Virginia Living about preserve hunts (“The Thrill of the Hunt”) and realized that the setter that Neal Kauder was training on the main page is mine! What a small world.

PRECIOUS MEMORIES

I wanted to let you know how pleased my family and I are with your October article about the hunt at Orapax Shooting Preserve (“The Thrill of the Hunt”). Clarke Jones accompanied my daughter (9 at the time), my brother, father, and me on a hunt guided by Tom Petrie and his fine Brittany spaniels. The photographs are great, and he did a first-class job on the article. We made some precious memories that day and it’s especially nice to have those memories preserved in such a fine publication.

—Michael A. Sisson, Farnham

MERRIE THANKS

Huge thank you to Virginia Living for coming out, hearing our story, and so wonderfully putting that story and our vision to paper (“Smitten with Keswick”). We love the spread.

PUMPKIN MAGIC

Parrish Pumpkin Patch has put Dundas, VA on the map! We were so excited to see the Parrish family featured in Virginia Living (“If You Plant It, They Will Come”). We want our kids to have this magical farm etched in their childhood memories. Because of Parrish Pumpkin Patch, all of southside Virginia can welcome friends to a place fit for a magazine photoshoot.

—Kristin & John Hite, Kenbridge

BABY LOVE

I loved the piece on Sunny Goode’s LOVE swaddles for newborns (“Swaddled in Love”) but did you also know that her LOVE scarves landed on Oprah’s faves list? Now that she’s set up her LOVEVOLVE showroom in Richmond, I hope you’ll share more of her work with your readers.

Drop Us a Line

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

We love hearing from our readers! Have a comment about something you read in this issue? Drop us a line at ConstanceCostas@CapeFear.com.