EDITOR’S LETTER

Editor’s Letter In Good Company

Our favorite experts dish on dogs, C’ville, daffodils, and guitars.

ANYONE WHO DROPS BY our office gets an enthusiastic welcome from our resident English Springer Spaniels, Rhett and Shelby. As Activities and Morale Director, Rhett’s dramatic conference-table downward dogs are matched only by Shelby’s squeaky toy stylings.

Because they work smart and hard, Rhett and Shelby inspired Madeline Mayhood’s wonderful feature on Virginia’s working dogs—who sniff out truffles, chase fugitives, save lives, and steal hearts. Know a workplace dog who deserves recognition? Send us a photo. We’ll share the best on VirginiaLiving.com.

We’ll also head to Charlottesville, where former UVA and NBA basketball star Ralph Sampson shows us around town. In his post-basketball life, Sampson is enjoying the city as a restaurateur, and he offers great pointers for visitors navigating his hometown.

For gardeners, it’s time to think bulbs for a glorious payoff in spring. We talk with the ultimate source, Gloucester’s own Brent Heath, an internationally-known bulb expert, to find out what to plant and when.

If you’re a baker, or just love homemade bread, you’ll want to know Tara Jensen, whose wildly popular workshops, retreats, and Instagram feed explore the soulful daily practice of sourdough. For Jensen, author of the forthcoming book, Flour

Former NBA player Ralph Sampson

Power, breadmaking is a way of life.

You’ll also meet Leo Mazow, the innovative curator behind Storied Strings: The Guitar in American Art, opening at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in October. Mazow put a hotel room in the VMFA’s Edward Hopper and the American Hotel exhibition in 2019. So, it’s no surprise that he’s unveiling a working sound studio and inviting a list of notable musicians to record live tracks during this one. You won’t want to miss it.

You’ll also meet three innovative young winemakers, learn why Virginia sparkling wines may be the solution to a global Champagne shortage, and discover Amherst’s Camp Trapezium, a brewery where guests can tuck into an on-site guesthouse for an overnight stay.

In our Health & Wellness pages, the inspiring story of Charlottesville mom Charlie Xavier reveals how the Evans-Haynes Burn Center at VCU Health partnered with Sheltering Arms Institute as she recovered from life-threatening burns. Charlie and her family are nothing short of miraculous and we’re honored to share their story with you.

Thanks for dropping by. Next month, Virginia Living will mark 20 years as the highest-quality, most widely-read magazine in the state. Come back then, as always—we’re looking forward to celebrating with you.

Constance Costas, Editor ConstanceCostas@CapeFear.com

Letters to the Editor

MAILBOX GIFT

I really enjoy the magazine and appreciate this gift that comes every other month!

—Dr. Henry Perkins, Raleigh, NC

Branchville peanut farmer Elisha Barnes

PEANUT SHOCKS

Don Harrison’s feature on Virginia peanuts and Elisha Barnes (Aug. ’22) recalled how peanuts were once grown in fields scattered with shocks. While this old-fashioned farming method disappeared in the ’60s and ’70s, we’re proud to partner with Elisha to sell his “shocked” peanuts.

Our farmers, shellers, and processors also work closely with scientists—such as those at Virginia Tech’s Tidewater Agricultural and Extension Center near Suffolk—to research, test, and produce peanuts of the highest quality and flavor.

All of Virginia’s local processors work hard to proudly share our great Virginia peanuts. Thanks for letting the rest of the world know.

—Lynne Rabil, President and CEO,

Hubbard Peanut Company, Sedley

MOSAIC LOVE

I just read your August issue and was blown away. I can’t wait to try Elisha Barnes’s peanuts, visit Wytheville, and try Brian Noyes’ tomato pie recipe. Your article on New Ravenna (“The Muse and The Mosaic”) perfectly captured the heart and soul of our company. It reflected the love for mosaic art that our employees show every day.

These special artisans care deeply about our company and our Eastern Shore community. To see their work described as beautifully means so much to everyone at New Ravenna. Thank you.

—Richard Walters, CEO, New Ravenna,

Exmore

Linda’s Garden from the Gracie collection.

Drop Us a Line

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

We love hearing from our readers. Send your comments by email to editors@capefear.com or write us a letter and mail it to Letters to the Editor, 109 E. Cary St., Richmond, VA 23219. Please include your name and city of residence. Letters may be edited for length or clarity.