Clarke monthly july 2017

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Oh Shenandoah, so green with algae

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INSIDE THE OBSERVER FEATURES Shenandoah Advocates File Suit Against EPA

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vaobserver.com SELLING HOMES, FARMS and LAND

63rd Annual Clarke County Fair

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Relaxing on the Porch

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Abrams Creek Wetland Study Wraps Up

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Around Clarke County

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As the Crow Flies

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Friends of Blue Ridge Celebrate 10 Years

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Clarke Student Interns at NASA

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Healthy Outlook

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Community Briefs

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Farmers Grow More Cotton and Peanuts

JU LY 20 1 7 :

Clarke STAFF

David Lillard, Editor/Publisher Jennifer Welliver, Associate Publisher Aundrea Humphreys, Art Director Hali Taylor, Proofreader Sinead Juday, Intern

CONTRIBUTORS Karen Cifala Wendy Gooditis Jennifer Lee Rebecca Maynard Doug Pifer JiJi Russell Claire Stuart

COVER PHOTO Alan Lehman

ADVERTISING SALES

Jennifer Welliver, 540-398-1450 Rebecca Maynard, 540-550-4669

Advertising Information 540-398-1450 (Mon-Fri, 9-5) Sales@vaOBSERVER.com

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FROM THE EDITOR Time For More Conversations On Environment Algae in the Shenandoah. Natural gas pipelines crossing the Blue Ridge and Shenandoah.

Off-gassing methane waste on public lands.

Big issues that call for reasoned, civil conversations about problems and priorities — and how to deal with them. Let’s take the Shenandoah’s algae problem.

First can we agree on statements like this?

People deserve clean water for drinking, bathing, business, and recreation. And people and businesses upstream should not burden people downstream to clean up their messes.

If so, we can have a conversation about how to solve this.

Agriculture, wastewater treatment, and stormwater from lawns and businesses. On the Shenandoah, these are the primary pollutants — other than nitrogen from the air from cars and power plants.

We’ve regulated wastewater treatment. For the most part, utilities and their customers foot the bill, whether through loans, bonds, or operating rates. Everyone downstream benefits, but should ratepayers carry the full burden?

Stormwater is regulated, by and large, for

new development. But not so much for older infrastructure. Or for private property. Should we regulate people’s backyard use of fertilizers?

Should we have stricter laws on pet waste in our yards?

Then there’s farming. Livestock in waterways, runoff from farm fields, fecal matter in streams, etcetera, etcetera. Should we regulate farming?

A lot of people bristle at the notion. Should we pay farmers the full cost for best management practices? A lot of people opposed to regulations are the same folks opposed to taxpayers footing the bill for clean water. Do we continue as we are with voluntary, taxpayer-funded programs, and get the same results — slow but steady progress?

We don’t have the answers. What we do know is that everyone still reading agreed that safe water and clean rivers should a given.

And so, our failure to have a real conversation, once again, puts the issue to the courts, as you will read in this edition.

One thing we should all agree on, is that the state should uphold the law. And right now, it would appear, the Commonwealth is asleep at the switch. The courts are the last resort.

AD DEADLINE 1ST OF EACH MONTH

The Observer prints signed letters-to-the-editor of uniquely local interest. Letters containing personal attacks or polarizing language will not be published.

Letters may be edited. Send letters to the editor of 300 or fewer words to: editor@vaobserver.com.

THE OBSERVER 540-440-1373

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Relaxing on the porch

By Karen Cifala

A Community of Integrative Therapists Dedicated to Restoring Health, Vitality, & Joy to Those Who Gather Here 208 N Buckmarsh St, Berryville, VA info@sanctuaryberryville.com

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Early pioneers to the mountain, circa 1874, rode the train of the Washington, Ohio and Western Railroad that reached Round Hill in Loudoun County. They were attracted to the cooler summer mountain air, and built summer homes with large windows and porches for enjoying the out-of-doors. For a porch, size doesn’t matter.

Even the smallest ones speak to relaxation at the end of a busy day. A cool drink, a deep breath and feet up is sheer bliss.

Porches extend our living space, no matter what the style, and keep us connected to nature. It seems that we are more at peace on the porch than anywhere else. We welcome guests, have spur of the moment meals and drinks, and long moments of doing absolutely nothing.

Whether it is a small private retreat or a busy entertaining porch, each porch has its own persona. Each porch, regardless of its style, lives in harmony with the home it stands on, and it speaks to the changing seasons and accepts the constant shifts in our lives and our moods.

A porch can be as formal or as casual as you want. It can be screened in or wide open, but think about how you will use this porch and who will be using it with you. It’s all about the “this-is-the-life” feeling as you design your outdoor room.

With the entire outdoors as a backdrop, you can get creative with colors and accessories; let the natural components be your inspiration. It’s all about bringing the outside in, which bodes the question “why do people paint their porch ceilings blue?” According to the Washington, it’s a tradition passed down from generation to generation. In the deep South the darker blues are called “haint blue,” and is believed by some to keep away evil spirits.

Porches come in all shapes, sizes and styles. To better explain to your contractor exactly what you want your porch to be like, here is a sampling of terms to help with the different elements of porch design.

Balustrade: A series of balusters (small vertical members) connected by a rail at the top and bottom.

Belvedere: A gazebo like structure attached to a porch or, on occasion, a roof.

Board-and-batten: A siding that is constructed from vertical boards; the joints are covered by narrow wood strips referred to as battens. Cornice: The projecting finish at the top of a porch.

Eaves: The part of the roof, supported by rafters or brackets, that overhangs the wall and, as a result, provides shade below.

Gingerbread; A fanciful and intricate turned or sawed wood-work embellishments.

This elaborate type of ornamentation frequently turns up on Victorian and Queen Anne houses.

Loggia: An open-sided gallery usually lined with pillars and can also appear on a first floor or an upper story.

Pediment: A low-pitched triangular features over a doorway or a small porch often featured on Greek revival style homes.

Pier: An upright masonry structure supporting an upper floor or roof – think Frank Lloyd Wright’s Prairiestyle homes.

Pilaster: A flattened column attached to a wall and projecting slightly from it for decoration sometimes featured on Georgian houses.

Portico: A porch, usually used as an entry, framed by columns and topped off with a pediment. Although a classic feature, a portico is often grafted onto modern buildings such as

ranch houses as well. A portico can soften a ranch’s exterior in much the same manner that a silk scarf flatters a neckline.

Truss: A group of structural members arranged and fastened in a triangular unit to provide a framework for the porch roof.

Veranda: Typically a large porch rambling around two or more sides of a house.

Many older homes feature a second-story porch affording loads of privacy, and usually built directly above the first floor porch. Before the advent of air-conditioning, a sleeping porch was the remedy for hot summer nights. Today elevated screen porches can be used to help ventilate a bedroom or an entire second floor.

575 Windwood Lane, featured home of the month in Clarke County is perched on Paris Mountain and located off Blueridge Mountain Rd, close to Rt. 50. This truly grand 5000 + square foot custom-built three level Victorian features all the traditional exterior and interior work including many of the features mentioned here, for example, the gingerbread trim on the wrap-around first level porch. The second level features two ample sized master suites and Jack and Jill bedroom suites that share a full bath and have access to a private balcony porch. The porch serves as a main entrance to the home and a second private entrance to a home office around the side.

A porch is not just a place to pass through. These days, it serves as a quiet spot to bird watch and stargazing or a dining room for sharing summer meals, and it’s all up to you.

Your personal touch is what makes the difference between an ordinary porch and a cherished haven.

Karen Cifala is a realtor for Remax Roots in Berryville, kcifala@gmail.com or 303-817-9374.

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Shenandoah University Researchers And Virginia Ecologist Wrap Up Study Of Abrams Creek Wetlands Frederick County and Winchester share a natural treasure, the Abrams Creek Wetlands, that is ecologically significant on a statewide basis, according to two scientists who have studied the site since the 1990s.

For the past two decades, Shenandoah University Professor of Environmental Studies and Biology, Woodward Bousquet, Ph.D., and Virginia Natural Heritage Program Vegetation Ecologist Gary Fleming have collaborated with Shenandoah undergraduates to collect data about the wetlands and report results. Most of the students’ work was part of their courses in the university’s environmental studies program.

On Friday, July 7, some of the fruits of that study – more than 300 pressed and mounted plant specimens – will be presented to George Mason University (GMU) to be archived in the Ted R. Bradley Herbarium for future researchers. A scientific paper summarizing the inves-

tigation will be published in Castanea: Journal of the Southern Appalachian Botanical Society.

Straddling the WinchesterFrederick County border between Meadow Branch Avenue and Cedar Creek Grade, the Abrams Creek Wetlands consist of marshes and swamps that cover about 60 acres. “These wetlands were probably at least 50 percent larger before Europeans’ arrival,” said Dr. Bousquet, “but agriculture, residential developments and highway construction have shrunk them.”

The researchers’ investigations revealed that 20 plant species and two habitat types in the wetlands are listed as rare in Virginia. According to Bousquet and Fleming, no other limestone-based wetland in the state has as many rare plant species as the Abrams Creek Wetlands.

The two rare habitats are classified as calcareous wet prairies and calcareous muck fens. The term calcareous per-

tains to the limestone bedrock, while muck fens are less acidic than most wetlands and higher in soil nutrients.

Assisted by Shenandoah University undergraduates, including Daniel Cooper ’13 and Ashley Landes ’14, Fleming and Bousquet surveyed each section of the wetlands monthly for three years to describe the property’s habitats and plant species. The study revealed a total of 304 plant species.

To validate the findings, the research team collected two samples of each species, pressed and dried them, and then mounted the plants on acid-free paper and added a scientific label. One set of specimens will remain at Shenandoah University, while the other set will be stored at GMU; Cooper and Landes will accompany Bousquet to present the specimens.

About half of the wetlands are included in the Abrams Creek Wetlands Preserve, which became the City of Winchester’s first formally

protected natural area when it was dedicated in 2003. While no formal protection exists for the portion of the wetlands in Frederick County, developers of Willow Run have proffered a 50-foot buffer zone that will decrease the impact of residential construction and its associated roads.

“Even though Winchester has protected part of the wetlands, the property must still be managed correctly,” noted Bousquet. A management plan approved by the Winchester Park Advisory Board in 2007 is in the process of being implemented.

“Without removing the encroaching trees,” said Bousquet, “many of the rare species will disappear and the significant habitats will be degraded.”

Bousquet hopes that citizens, developers, and officials of both Winchester City and Frederick County will collaborate to help assure that the Abrams Creek Wetlands are protected. “Now that we know what’s here, and how significant it is, we need to care for it properly.”

For more information, visitwww.su.edu/blog/2017/06/30/ abrams-creek-wetlands-study.

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Around Clarke County Promote your event in TO Send notices by the 1st of the preceding month to jennifer@vaobserver.com. Keep event descriptions to 125 words, following the format of these pages. One or two CMYK photos, saved as tiff or jpg at 200 dpi, are always welcome.

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July

Kevin Engle Book Signing

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Music in the Park: Music With Nita

Rose Hill Park. Main St. Berryville.

Sing-along features traditional folk and gospel. Free. 6:30–8pm. 540-955-4001.

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Colonial Kids Day at the Mill

Burwell-Morgan Mill. 15 Tannery Lane. Millwood. 11am–4pm. Handson activities including blacksmithing, craft making, games and a scavenger hunt. Admission is $5 per child. Call 540837-1799 or visit burwellmorganmill.org.

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Yard Party

John H. Enders Fire Department. 9 S. Buckmarsh St. Berryville.

66th annual yard sale begins at 8am with “fill a bag for a buck” at 6pm. Free truck rides. Meal starts at 4:30pm and includes barbecue chicken, country ham, chicken salad, green beans, cole slaw, drinks and homemade desserts.

Adults $10, children 6 and older $5, children younger than 6 eat free. www.endersfire.com.

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Battle of Cool Spring Commemoration

Shenandoah University’s River Campus at Cool Spring Battlefield. 1400 Parker Lane. Bluemont. The McCormick Civil War Institute will hold programs from 10am to 3:45pm. Free and open to public. 540-665-4501, jnoyalas01@su.edu.

Winchester Book Gallery. 185 N. Loudoun St. Winchester. Kevin Engle signs “The Best of Engle’s Angle” from 11am–1pm. 540-667-3444.

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Garden Talk

Barns of Rose Hill. 95 Chalmers Ct. Berryville. Free talk, How I Learned to Love (Some) Garden Bugs. 2pm. Visit www.barnsofrosehill.org or call 540955-2004.

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Sunday Buffet

Blue Ridge Volunteer Fire and Rescue. 131 Retreat Rd. Bluemont.

Grilled chicken, Italian sausage, hot dogs, fresh sweet corn, sides, salads, ice cream and dessert. Air conditioned and wheelchair accessible. 11am–2pm.

Adults $10, children 5-12 $6, children 4 and younger free. 540-955-4000.

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Balloon Bending Presentation

Barns of Rose Hill. 95 Chalmers Ct. Berryville. Professional magician and balloon bender Johnny-O adds comedic style to his performance for all ages. 10:30am. Sponsored by Handley Regional Library. Free. barnsofrosehill.org.

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The Clarke County Fair opens August 13.

-21 EcoExplorers Camp

Blandy Experimental Farm. 400 Blandy Farm Lane. Boyce. Investigate, collect and analyze nature data, for rising 5th–8th graders. Call for details.

540-837-1758.

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Climate Change Lecture

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Concert and Film Fundraiser

Blandy Experimental Farm library. 400 Blandy Farm Lane. Boyce. Dr. Charlie Hagan of Shenandoah Climate Action will explore our climate future in the context of threat recognition and other psychological defenses in the face of those who deny the importance or existence of human-induced climate change. 7–8:30pm. FOSA members $10, nonmembers $12. blandy.virginia.edu.

Barns of Rose Hill. 95 Chalmers Ct. Berryville. Concert and screening of “Keith’s Blues,” local resident Keith Harrington’s documentary about his life with Parkinson’s. Proceeds benefit Michael J. Fox Foundation. Doors open at 7pm; show starts at 8pm. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Visit www.barnsofrosehill.org or call 540955-2004 (12–3 pm Tuesday to Saturday).

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Music in the Park: Mike and the Cyclones

Rose Hill Park. Main St. Berryville. Band performs rock and roll blues. Free. 6:30–8pm.

540-955-4001.

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Hiroya Tsukamoto Concert

Barns of Rose Hill. 95 Chalmers Ct. Berryville. Internationally acclaimed guitarist and composer presents earthy, organic soundscapes.

4pm. Tickets are $15 in advance and $25 at the door. Visit www.barnsofrosehill.org or call 540-955-2004 (12–3 pm Tuesday to Saturday).

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Rubik’s Cube Magic

Barns of Rose Hill. 95 Chalmers Ct. Berryville. Award-winning entertainer Joseph Young presents fun, free event for all ages. Sponsored by Handley Regional Library. 10:30am. Visit www.barnsofrosehill.org or call 540-955-2004 (12–3 pm Tuesday to Saturday).

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Floral Judge Presentation

Clarke County Parks and Recreation.

225 Al Smith Circle. Berryville. Well-known state and local floral judge Patsy Smith will present “Enhance Your Floral Design and Specimen Submissions to the Fair.” 7pm. Free and open to the public; refreshments and door prizes included.

540-723-8517.

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Music in the Park: Allan James

Rose Hill Park. Main St. Berryville.

Band performs original rock. Free. 6:30–8pm.

540-955-4001.

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Family Fun Event

August

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National Night Out

Rose Hill Park. Main St. Berryville. Annual community-building campaign enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement. 6–8pm. 540-955-5111.

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Music in the Park: Orange Sunshine

Rose Hill Park. Main St. Berryville.

Band performs hard rock. Free. 6:30–8pm.

540-955-4001.

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Yesterday Swing Orchestra Concert

Barns of Rose Hill. 95 Chalmers Ct. Berryville. Big Band orchestra performs the classic sounds of Glen Miller, Duke Ellington and more, with vocalists Jennie Wright and John Hudson.

8pm. Tickets are $15 in advance and $25 at the door. Visit www.barnsofrosehill.org or call 540955-2004 (12–3 pm Tuesday to Saturday).

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Rhythm Future

Quartet Concert

Barns of Rose Hill. 95 Chalmers Ct. Berryville. Foursome performs newly minted sound influenced by the classic Hot Club of France.

8pm. Tickets are $15 in advance and $25 at the door. Visit www.barnsofrosehill.org or call 540-955-2004 (12–3 pm Tuesday to Saturday).

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America’s Sweethearts Concert

Barns of Rose Hill. 95 Chalmers Ct. Berryville. Andrews Sisters style harmony with songs from the 1930s and 40s. 8pm. Tickets are $15 in advance and $25 at the door. Visit www. barnsofrosehill.org or call 540-955-2004 (12– 3 pm Tuesday to Saturday).

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Barns of Rose Hill. 95 Chalmers Ct. Berryville.

World-renowned spoons player presents free event for all ages. Sponsored by Handley Regional Library. 10:30am. Visit www.barnsofrosehill. org or call 540-955-2004 (12–3 pm Tuesday to Saturday).

The Presidency in Black and White

My Up-Close View of Three Presidents and Race in America

Wee Angels Educare Center of Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church. 210 E. Main St. Berryville. 20th anniversary celebration includes free hot dogs, chips and drinks, magic show, balloon animals, face painting and more.

540-955-1264.

Musical Wonderment With Spoon Man

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by

April Ryan

Sunday, August 13th from 3–5pm

A compelling and personal behind-the-scenes look at race relations in contemporary America from the epicenter of American power and policy making—the White House.

Josephine School Community Museum Book Club

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Clarke County Fair Opening Day

Clarke County Ruritan Fairgrounds. 890 W. Main St. Berryville. Every day through August 19. Opening ceremony at 4pm, pageants to follow. See fair schedule online or at most town businesses for details on events all week.

Admission is $7 for adults, $5 for children 5-15, and free for preschoolers. 540-955-1947. www.clarkecountyfair.org.

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JULY 20 1 7

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Shenandoah Advocates File Suit Against EPA Local groups challenge the agency’s approval of Virginia’s decision to not list the Shenandoah as ‘impaired,’ despite excessive algae blooms and nutrient pollution

Three local citizen groups, including the Clarke Countybased Shenandoah Riverkeeper, filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the agency’s repeated failure to address the Shenandoah River’s increasing problem with algae blooms and pollution. Joining Shenandoah Riverkeeper were Potomac Riverkeeper Network and the Potomac River Smallmouth Club; they are represented

by Earthjustice.

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Harpers Ferry Confluence.

According to the suit, agricultural runoff in the Shenandoah Valley is causing the algae outbreaks. The groups say that algae blooms interfere with recreational uses of the river, such as swimming, kayaking and fishing. Algae blooms also harm native grasses and affect aquatic life.

“The Shenandoah is one of the most beautiful rivers in the country—and a popular recreation destination. But it’s threatened by the failure of state and federal authorities to stop excessive nutrients—and the algae they produce—from entering the river. We hope this lawsuit will change that,” said Mark Frondorf, Shenandoah Riverkeeper.

Frondorf says that for years, Shenandoah Riverkeeper has been pressing Virginia’s Department of Environmental Quality to designate the river as impaired because of the algae blooms. The agency has refused, says Frondorf, even as evidence of the impairment has grown. He cites a recent report by the Environmental Integrity Project, “Water Pollution from Livestock in the Shenandoah Valley.” The report found that Virginia’s pollution management system allows agricul-

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Algae. tural operations to dispose of their manure by spreading it on fields that are already saturated with nitrogen, leaving the excess to run off of fields and fuel algae blooms in the river.

The lawsuit says EPA did not fulfill its duty under the Clean Water Act when it approved Virginia’s decision not to identify the Shenandoah River’s algae impairment on the state’s list of quality-impaired rivers

and streams. EPA should have identified the Shenandoah River as impaired based on extensive data demonstrating that widespread algae blooms prevent the river from meeting Virginia’s water quality standards, says Frondorf.

Conflict between agriculture and water advocates are not new. Many farmers feel they shoulder an unfair share of the blame for what ails riv-

ers and streams. They point out that farming practices have improved immensely over the decades, and that the costs to do more, even with federal and state grants program, are just too high.

One Virginia farmer, Bobby Whitescarver of Swope, has made a career of helping farmers make the shift toward more sustainable practices. Now retired from USDA’s Natural Re-

sources Conservation Service after 31 years of field experience, he has been involved with over 500 miles of stream bank protection work and helped landowners plant over a half a million native hardwood trees.

Even after three decades, he’s still at it, now as a consultant to farmers and as an award winning writer.

Whitescarver, who blogs at gettingmoreontheground.com,

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Anchor covered in algae. is an evangelist for practices like livestock exclusion, nutrient management, and riparian forest buffers.

Even so, he acknowledges that the shift, like all changes in practices, comes from a meeting between self-interest and practical considerations.

“I’ve never had a farmer tell me he installed riparian forest buffers because they wanted to

Blue-green algae.

sequester more carbon, or create pollinator corridors,” says Whitescarver. “The most important part of the buffer system from the livestock farmer’s perspective is the watering system. Improving herd health and removing livestock from calving risk areas are high on their list as well.”

Algae blooms occur when the water is saturated with tiny

free floating algae that turn the water a bright green, making it impossible for humans or fish to see and blocks the sunlight that beneficial river-bottom grasses need to survive. River bottom rocks become covered in a thick blanket of slimy brown or green algae, making wading and swimming hazardous and unpleasant. Bluegreen algae will rise from the

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JU LY 20 1 7

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BUDGET

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Melvin: 540-327-9130 • Susan: 540-327-1189 bottom in the afternoon and float on the surface; thick enough that kayakers will struggle to paddle through it.

Then, the algae dies and rots, creating ugly blobs of floating material that many people believe is not even algae, but rather raw sewage, due to its offensive smell.

Virginia laws are clear that all state waters are to sustain and promote biodiversity. Algae impede the Shenandoah’s ability to support biodiversity and instead present a monoculture where only certain creatures can survive in this toxic environment.

In addition, toxins produced by the algae make drinking water dangerous for humans and animals, especially dogs, which can ingest large amounts of water very quickly, making them particularly susceptible to the toxins.

“The legal steps being taken today are required because the political will to do anything about the algae problems we see on the Shenandoah River seems to be lacking both in Richmond and in our federal

regulatory agencies,” said Stephan J. Kimm, president of the Potomac River Smallmouth Club. “We wish to see our river returned to the condition it once was, a fishable, swimmable waterway, and enjoyable experience, unencumbered by the thick, extensive mats of algae we see today.”

Listing a waterway as “impaired” triggers a regulatory process leading to the imposition of limits on the amount of the pollution causing the impairment into the waterway. In this case, Virginia would be required to develop limits on the total amount of nitrogen and phosphorus being discharged into the Shenandoah that are protective enough to prevent algae blooms and improve water quality.

“Warren County is the only county in Virginia that contains all three sections of the Shenandoah River, both north and south forks and the main stem,” said Jeff Kelbe, president of the Potomac Riverkeeper Network and a Clarke County resident. “The river in this county flows not just over the

Shenandoah Valley bedrock, not just through fields and forests and over limestone karst; it flows through citizens’ veins and hearts.”

The lawsuit asks the court to order EPA to disapprove Virginia’s list of impaired streams, to identify the Shenandoah River as impaired by algae-fueling pollutants, and to establish the pollution caps needed to bring the river back into alignment with state water quality standards.

“Despite the years of growing evidence of impairment, EPA failed to take the action required by the Clean Water Act to limit the pollution causing these algae blooms,” said Jennifer Chavez, the Earthjustice attorney representing the river groups. “DEQ’s refusal to even evaluate this evidence to make an impairment determination is unacceptable—as is EPA’s failure to step in and perform its oversight duties as the Clean Water Act requires it to do.”

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63rd Annual Clarke County Fair Runs August 13-19

By Rebecca Maynard

It is almost time once again for what many consider the county’s best week of the year -- the 63rd annual Clarke County Fair. The always popular event runs Sunday, August 13 through Saturday, August 19 at the Clarke County Ruritan Fairgrounds, located at 890 W. Main St. in Berryville.

The Clarke County Fair has been and still is a collection of livestock exhibits, carnival rides, and farm, garden and other exhibits. These events convey the county’s love of agricultural and home interests and define and unite us as a community, according to its official website, www.clarkecountyfair.org.

Jana Kramer, ACM Top New Female Artist of 2013, will perform Saturday, August 19, at 8:30pm. Grandstand seats are $20 and the standing room only track is $25. Full details regarding tickets can be found at the fair website or by calling 540-955-3755.

The full schedule of events can also be found at the fair website, and leaflets with the schedule are available at most businesses in town. “Ride all night for $25” is held Monday through Wednesday and discount vouchers for $15 are available ahead of time at Berryville Auto Parts.

Many longtime Clarke residents have memories to share from bygone fairs.

2004 Miss Clarke County Fair winner Nicole Shenk with her father Mark Shenk, now Clarke County Ruritan Chairman.

“As children, my sister and I always looked forward to seeing the featured cow that they would dye different colors and name after a character or pop culture icon,” said Kathryn Holter, who remembers attending in the 1990s. ”I remember one named Cinderella and another after a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle.”

“The fair was always held right before school began again in fall, and one always had to have the perfect outfit and hairstyle to start things off right,” she said. “Anybody who was anybody was there!”

“My dad, Buck Orndorff, was the auctioneer of the livestock at the fair in 1980 and did it for

®

Youngsters take part in the pig scramble.

a long time,” said Doreen Orndorff. “I love going and enjoy the fun times.”

a county resident, she is not a judge, but she does enjoy judging at neighboring county fairs.

“Everything was on a much smaller scale and there was no grandstand,” McFillen said.

“All of Berryville loved it when it was fair time! You would see friends and neighbors gathering at the fair enjoying the carnival and most of all the competition to see who would get a blue ribbon in all the different categories in baking, canning, and all the livestock.”

“I’ve always enjoyed it and it’s a lot of fun,” Coon said, despite the long hot days.

“It’s a lot of fun working with the children.”

Chris Coon, a Crums United Methodist Church member, has spent about 20 years receiving children’s crafts entries and also enjoys entering her own work in the senior division. As

Ahead of the fair, Clarke County Parks and Recreation, in coordination with Town and Country Garden Club, is hosting Patsy Smith, a well-known state and local floral judge. Smith’s program is entitled “Enhance Your Floral Design and Specimen Submissions to the Fair.”

The program will be held Wednesday, July 26, at 7pm in the Clarke County Parks and

Recreation building, and will provide guidelines for judging plant materials, grooming, conditioning and staging entries for fair exhibits. It is free and open to the public and refreshments and door prizes are included.

“The fair is more than a gathering of rides, animals, and cotton candy,” says the event’s official website, www.clarkecountyfair.org. “It is an opportunity for the Clarke County Ruritan Club to give back to our community. It is one of our county’s most cherished and celebrated events, where new memories are made and old memories are shared.”

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Visit From A Turtle Neighbor

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Story and photo by Doug Pifer

Sidewalks, Patios, Repairs, and More My wife saw it first, but donkeys and mules miss nothing.

One index finger and two pairs of ears pointed to an enormous turtle making its way through the pasture.

A lovely June Sunday was winding to a close, but this reptile seemed to have a goal in mind. Our curious pets nosed toward the turtle, circling it uncertainly. Donkey- and mule-like, they quickly decided a creature that smelled and looked like a moving rock was unworthy of further investigation. The turtle moved on.

Our woven wire fence gave it little pause. As it followed the fence line looking for a place to squeeze through, it looked like no turtle we’d seen before. Fully a foot long, its low, smooth shell had dried to the color of a flat river rock. The head and feet were black, marked with several fine, faintly whitish stripes. Bits of red showed on the soft skin of the upper legs and along the bridge of the shell between the top (carapace) and the bottom (plastron).

This was a river turtle, snub nosed and long necked. Its upper jaw had a cleft beak and obliquely set pupils in craftylooking eyes — eyes that make sure their owner slides off the rock it’s basking on and into the river before you get too close.

On either side of the jaw were notches that gave the mouth a Dracula-like expression when viewed head on.

As the turtle crossed the yard, it seemed obvious this had happened many times before. Our recently built fence, our curious livestock, and our warily sniffing dogs were minor distractions.

Nothing would keep it from

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Red Bellied turtle. wherever it wanted to go.

Without hesitating it crawled through our front fence and continued across the road. I followed and had to temporarily halt a passing car while I picked the turtle up and took it the rest of the way across. As I did, I noticed its foreclaws were very long. A passenger in the car asked, “Snapper?” I replied, “Nope, just a river turtle.” Beyond that I had no idea what species it was.

My research determined it was a red-bellied cooter, a species common to the Potomac Valley. “Cooter” is a local word for turtles in the southern United States dating back to the 17th century, thought to derive from the old African and

Gullah dialect “kuta” meaning turtle. The “Dracula” notches of the upper jaw are characteristic of the red-bellied, as is the red edged plastron.

Of ancient lineage and famous for longevity, all turtles have a mysterious, antediluvian wisdom about them. Two things about this individual puzzled us. I didn’t turn it over to determine the gender, but we had assumed it was an old female searching for a place to lay and bury her eggs on dry land. Yet the front claws were about an inch long, normally a male characteristic. Also, several large areas on the upper shell looked as if the reptile had been injured and repaired with automobile body putty.

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14

Friends Of The Blue Ridge Mountains Celebrates 10th Anniversary Friends of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is turning 10 years old this year and celebrating this achievement with a 10th Anniversary Celebration, Concert, and Reception on Sunday, October 29, 4PM, at Franklin Park Performing Arts Center, Purcellville, Virginia. The always popular Furnace Mountain Band, with Danny Knicely, is performing, and attendees will enjoy a wine reception from Twin Oaks Winery with gourmet treats from Savoir Faire. Details, including sponsorship opportunities and ticket prices, will be available soon at www.friendsofblueridge.org Proceeds will support Friends environmental education and Endowment Fund, in memory of Dr. Jane Pratt.

Founded in 2007 with the express purpose of responding to threats to the Blue Ridge Mountains and educating the public about its ecosystem, Friends has invested in researching

and cataloguing the unique features of the Blue Ridge landscape as well as its cultural and historical features.

Their main area of interest is the area traversing Jefferson County, W.Va, and Clarke, Loudoun, Fauquier, Rappahannock Counties in Va., where most of the land is in private ownership. This area has been designated by Friends as a “Conservation Corridor.”

As a way of sharing the results of their research and exploring ways to leverage the collective efforts of conservation organizations in the region, Friends, in partnership with the National Wildlife Federation, convened a conservation summit in 2013. As a result of the summit, the Blue Ridge Conservation Alliance was launched to serve as a platform for collaboration and advocacy. More recently, Friends participated in political and community action by participating with other individuals

and groups in efforts to thwart development that adversely affects the mountain ecology.

Since 2009 Friends has worked with the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority and the Virginia Native Plant Society to provide stewardship at Blue Ridge Regional Park, a little known 166 acre site off Blue Ridge Mountain Road in Loudoun County which had become overgrown with invasive vegetation, such as bamboo, oriental bittersweet, garlic mustard, and mile-a-minute vine. Twice-yearly Stewardship Volunteer Days conducted

by Friends, the creation of a forestry plan, and a Girl Scout Project to identify and label 22 species of trees on the property, resulted in the awarding of the Stewardship Award by the Virginia Department of Forestry in 2013. The award consists of a sign posted at the park noting it is a “Stewardship Forest” and a plaque for the NVRPA office, which reads, “The Thoughtful

Land Stewardship You Practice Leaves A Better World Than You Found To Those Who Will Follow.”

Blue Ridge Regional Park is the first NVRPA park to receive this award. As a direct result of Friends’ efforts, native vegetation has once again begun to thrive at the park.

In 2014 Friends initiated an educational scholarship program in memory of founding member, Dr. Jane Pratt, entitled the Jane Pratt Blue Ridge Mountain Education Award. In 2016, thanks to the generosity of its members and a large anonymous donation, Friends established a new endowment fund dedicated to teaching and encouraging the next generation of environmentalists. The fund is stewarded by the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties. To date, seven graduating seniors from high schools in the Conservation Corridor counties have received scholarships to continue their studies in environmental science in college.

Each year Friends recognizes the efforts of individuals and organizations toward protecting the mountains through their annual Friend of the Mountain Award. Past recipients include: The Town of Purcellville for placing a conservation easement on their 1300 acre reservoir on the mountains; The Jefferson County Planning Commission for initiating a watershed management plan on the Blue Ridge Mountains; Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship for their placement of a conservation easement on 900 acres of mountain land, their preservation of historic sites, and their

sponsorship of a wide range of activities enhancing and celebrating the mountains; Virginia Native Plant Society for work on the mountains to remove invasive species; Virginia Native Plant Society for work on the mountains to remove invasive species; Dr. Jane Pratt (posthumous), architect of the Blue Ridge Conservation Corridor, a concept on which much of our work is based, for her efforts on behalf of the Blue Ridge as a founding member of Friends following on a long career of work with mountains and mountain people; Alfred P. Van Huyck, founding member of the Friends, and former president of the Friends Board of Directors, in recognition of his diverse and tireless efforts to support preservation in the region; Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (PATC) in recognition of their longstanding work through volunteer efforts, education, and advocacy to protect the Appalachian Trail and adjacent lands along the Mid-Atlantic section of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and; Local community members Jean Baderschneider and Kim Rapp (Bluemont), and Sam Kroiz (representing Lovettsville area citizens) for their respective political action efforts to stop inappropriate business development in rural western Loudoun County.

Friends has accomplished much in the past 10 years and is hopeful that proceeds from their 10th Anniversary Concert and other contributions will enable them to continue this important work.

For more information about Friends, please visit www.friendsofblueridge.org

Clarke

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15

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Peter Harrison graduated with his associate of science degree from Lord Fairfax Community College (LFCC) this spring, and now he’s studying rocket science. The Clarke County resident is spending 10 weeks interning with NASA at the Langley Research Center this summer.

Harrison, who dual-enrolled at LFCC in 2014 while being homeschooled, was selected for the STEM Takes Flight at Virginia’s Community Colleges program. He is working with a NASA researcher on solar sail hardware materials.

“A solar sail is something you put on a rocket to use the energy from photons from the sun to propel it into deep space,” Harrison said. “You might use it if you’re trying to get to a planet that’s really far away, or doing mining missions on an asteroid.”

Harrison will receive a $5,000 stipend during the internship.

Following his internship, Harrison will transfer to Liberty University, where he will pursue a degree in science. He’s not yet sure what career path he will take.

“I would like to do something with chemistry, but I’m not sure what that is yet,” he said.

Growing up, Harrison enjoyed watching science-related programs, and said his LFCC professors have really had an impact on him. Ray Rogers, an assistant professor of physics, was actually a NASA research scientist before coming to LFCC. “All the professors and classes were just a lot of fun,” Harrison said. “[Chemistry Professor] Dr. [Sam] Dillender has really kind of been an inspiration to me in my decision to pursue chemistry. The first time I came into class for chemistry 111, he told us that after his faith and his family, that we were most important to him. He just came in with this big smile and was so excited to teach us.”

The internship definitely changed Harrison’s plans for the summer.

“I was going to work for my dad, building fencing over the summer, but…” he said.

Harrison’s father, Ben Harrison Jr., owns Harrison Custom Fencing. In addition to his mother, Sharon, he also has

two older brothers and one older sister. All of the Harrison children have attended LFCC at some point.

Sister Mary Chris Harrison Boeh is working as a naturalist in Idaho.

“She was really inspired by Professor Rob Simpson and his courses,” Harrison said.

His oldest brother, Ben III, was once LFCC’s science graduate of the year.

“He always kind of lords that over me,” joked Harrison. “I’ve got to catch up.”

“I’m super-excited,” Harrison said ahead of his internship. “I always kind of thought it would be awesome to work for NASA, but I never thought I would get the opportunity to do that. The main point of the experience is to make connections with the people there and have an opportunity to see what it’s like to do research.

That’s what I’m really excited about, to get my feet wet while doing something that’s more real than sitting in a classroom.”

“Not that sitting in a classroom isn’t fun,” Harrison added with a laugh.

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Healthy Outlook

Just Chillin’ Food and Movement Tips for Hot Times

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Ahhh . . . summertime. The carefree days of cool drinks, shore-side lounging, and kids who want to go-go-go!

If you happen to have children or grandchildren around more than usual right now, or if you relish the summertime for all its offerings of water sports

and outdoor living, you might find a certain undertow pulling you out to the pool, the lake, or some other recreational spot.

A little forethought can make a difference in maintaining the energy you need, and keeping yourself from overheating as you enjoy the dog days of summer.

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Lying twist pose.

Seek shade

Wherever your days take you, realize that full sun exposure can exhaust and deplete you, even if you consider yourself a sun lover. We all would do well to retreat to the shade at one point or another. Since trees or an umbrella aren’t always within striking distance, pack a large, light-weight hat, which can help you keep your cool as the sun beats down.

Bring water

Always bring a jug of water with you, even on short outings. Ditto that to sunscreen.

According to the ancient science of Ayurveda, the “science of life” that dovetails with yoga, certain seasonally-appropriate foods can make a big difference in your ability to stay cool, hydrated, and energetic during the summer weeks. Below are some top picks for easyto-make summer snacks, which you can toss in a cooler bag to bring along on your daily outings (including going to work).

Cool Snacks

Cucumbers with a sprinkle

of coriander powder, cumin seed, and salt.

Equal parts shredded apples and beets, with a drizzle of olive oil, salt, pepper, and a splash of apple cider vinegar.

Toss in some fresh peppermint or spearmint leaves for a fresh zing.

Fruits of all shapes and sizes, especially berries and melons.

Try fresh mint leaves sprinkled on the fruit as well.

A trailmix blend of shredded coconut (unsweetened), pump-

kin seeds, carob nibs, and a few fennel seeds.

To recharge in the middle of the day or at the end of your summer-day sprint, try a cooling breath technique, and a restorative yoga pose, both detailed below.

Midday Moon

In the yoga tradition, the left side of the body energetically associates with the moon, and our body’s cooling system. Confining our breathing exclusive-

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by Judith Lasater, Ph.D., P.T., a well-presented resource with step-by-step guidance www.meditationoasis.com/podcast free podcasts to help you rest, re-center, and combat various stressors

Clarke

JU LY 20 1 7

ly to the left side can produce a cooling, calming effect on our body and mind.

Technique for Chandra Bhedana Pranayama, or breathing through the left nostril: Blow your nose into a tissue to clear it. Find a comfortable place to sit, and make sure your posture is upright. You can lean into a chair or wall, but attempt to keep your spine erect without creating tension.

Gently press your right thumb onto your right nostril to seal the nostril, sealing with just enough pressure to elimi-

nate the flow on the right side.

Breathe in and out through the left nostril only, attempting to even out the duration of the inhalation with the duration of the exhalation. Continue for one to five minutes.

Keep Calm and Twist

The lying twist pose offers a nice release for the spine and hips. It can offer both a respite and a chance to restore one’s energy, so it’s great any time of day. Try to take long, slow

17

breaths through your nose as you practice this posture.

rate your feet so that they are a bit wider than hip width.

1) Lie on your back on a yoga mat or a comfortable spot, like a rug or beach towel. Reach your arms and legs away from each other, attempting to make yourself a little longer from fingers to toes. Then bring your arms out to the sides to form a “T” shape with your torso, palms facing upwards.

3) Take a deep breath in, and as you exhale, drop your knees both to the right side. If your right hip feels tight or tense, place a pillow or folded blanket/towel underneath the right knee. Hold this position for at least four complete breaths, or up to 2 minutes.

2) Bend your knees and place the soles of both feet on the floor/mat/etc., with your knees pointing skyward. Sepa-

4) To release the pose, on an exhalation, firm up your abdominal muscles and lift your knees both back upward to the starting position (feet on the

ground wider than your hips; knees pointing upward). Take a breath or two here, and then repeat step 3 by dropping both knees to the left.

5) For a little more extension in the upper back and shoulders (which can lead to more energy), interlace your fingers and place your hands behind your head, with your elbows pointing outwards. Hold the arms here and take a few breaths in the starting position, or do the pose again on each side with the new arm position.

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“Don’t get overwhelmed with how far you have to go, just take that first step and you’re on your way”

18

Community Briefs

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Patsy Smith’s “Enhance Your Floral Design and Specimen Submissions to the Fair” will be held July 26.

Colonial Kids Day at the BurwellMorgan Mill

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fun-filled day. “Colonial Kids Day” will be held from 11am to 4pm on Saturday, July 15, and will feature hands-on activities including blacksmithing, craft making, games and a scavenger hunt.

Kids will learn about the history of the mill and will get a chance to watch grinding in action. Chase away summer boredom with this fun and educational event! Admission is $5 per child. Call 540-837-1799 or visit burwellmorganmill.org.

Enhance Your Floral Design

Clarke County Parks and Recreation, in coordination with Town and Country Garden Club, is hosting Patsy Smith, a well-known state and local floral judge. Smith’s program is entitled “Enhance Your Floral Design and Specimen Submissions to the Fair.”

The program will be held Wednesday, July 26, at 7pm in the Clarke County Parks and

Recreation building, and will provide guidelines for judging plant materials, grooming, conditioning and staging entries for fair exhibits. It is free and open to the public and refreshments and door prizes are included.

Blandy Hosts Climate Lecture

Blandy Experimental Farm, at 400 Blandy Farm Lane in Boyce, is holding a climate change lecture on Tuesday, July 18, from 7 to 8:30pm. Dr. Charlie Hagan of Shenandoah Climate Action will explore our climate future in the context of threat recognition and other psychological defenses in the face of those who deny the importance or existence of human-induced climate change.

The cost for FOSA members is $10, and nonmembers $12.

For more information, visit blandy.virginia.edu.

Clarke

JU LY 20 1 7 Garden Talk at The Barns

The next stop in the Handley Regional Library Garden Talks Learning Series will take place at 1pm on Saturday, July 15 at the Barns of Rose Hill. The topic will be “Swat, Spray, Squash or Smile? How I learned to love (Some) Garden Bugs” with Pat Casey. The seminar will strive to persuade participants that no matter how disgusting and annoying and downright ugly they may consider bugs, they are only partly right. Yes, insects in the garden can be aggravating and destructive – but there are coping mechanisms available to wily gardeners.

And some of those bugs are actually a gardener’s good friends and allies. Come and find out the whys and hows of the lovehate relationship between gardeners and the tiny creatures that bug them.

Pat Casey is an enthusiastic Shenandoah Valley gardener.

She finds gardening both rewarding and constantly challenging, with no end of new information to learn and new skills to practice. She and her husband are enjoying their retirement in Middletown, Virginia, having escaped their Washington, DC work life. In addition to gardening, Pat appreciates traveling, cooking, reading, and bridge. For more information about Garden Talks contact Adrienne Davis, Head of Adult Services, at adavis@handleyregional.org or by phone at (540) 869-9000 ext. 212.

Local Audubon Society Offers Free Summer Concerts

The Potomac Valley Audubon Society will again offer a series of free outdoor concerts this summer. The series will consist of nine concerts, with one held every Tues-

day evening during August and September.

The August concerts will be held at the Society’s new Cool Spring Nature Preserve in Jefferson County. The September concerts will be held at its Yankauer Nature Preserve in Berkeley County. All the concerts will be held rain or shine from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The musicians who perform all donate their time and talent, so there will be no admission fees. Everyone is invited to attend. The concert schedule will be as follows: • August 1: Cool Spring Preserve. Lucia Valentine •

August 8: Cool Spring Preserve. Todd Coyle and Don Oehser

•

August 15: Cool Spring Preserve. Jeff and Trudy Roth

•

August 22: Cool Spring Preserve. The SheepShifters (Sam Morgan and Paul Young)

•

August 29: Cool Spring Preserve. Flowers and Birds (Scooter Scudieri and Sophia Adara)

•

September 5: Yankauer Preserve. Tom Musselman

•

September 12: Cool Spring Preserve. Steve Warner

•

September 19: Cool Spring Preserve. The Woods Ukulele Club

•

September 26: Cool Spring Preserve. Flowers and Birds (Scooter Scudieri and Sophia Adara)

Those who attend are welcome to take hikes in the surrounding preserves before or after the concerts. Attendees may bring their own picnic suppers if they wish, but the preserves do not have trash pickup so everyone is asked to carry out everything they bring in.

Picnic tables will be available at the Yankauer preserve on a first-come, first-served basis, as will benches at Cool Spring. At both preserves, concert-goers may bring their own chairs or picnic blankets for their comfort. PVAS asks that pets be left at home.

Directions to both nature preserves are posted on the PVAS website at www.potomacaudubon.org. For more information, contact Erin Shaw at admin@potomacaudubon.org or 304-703-2510)

Learn About Solar Power

Interested in learning more about going solar? Attend an information session on solar technology basics, solar financing, and how joining a co-op can reduce costs. Aaron Sutch of the Non-profit, VA SUN will be speaking about the Upper Piedmont Solar Co-op and how Winchester area residents and businesses can join. Mr. Sutch will come to the Robinson Auditorium at Handley Library at 6:30pm. on Thursday, July 13 to discuss the opportunity to make solar power work for you.

The presentation will cover the basics of solar energy (how it works) return on investment and how a group buy program addresses the barriers to solar adoption. Co-op members use their group buying power to get a discount and work with the support of the non-profit VA SUN as they go solar. VA SUN brought the first Solarize program to Virginia and has helped hundreds of homeowners go solar in the Commonwealth.

The Robinson Auditorium is located on the lower level of Handley Library at 100 West Piccadilly Street in Winchester. For more information contact Barbara Dickinson at (540) 662-9041 ext.

31 or reach her by email at friends@handleyregional.org.

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Virginia Farmers Planting More Cotton and Peanuts The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) announced today USDA’s latest Acreage and Grain Stocks reports. They show that Virginia farmers are planting more cotton and peanuts this year than last.

“Cotton and peanuts planted acreage are estimated to be more than 2016, while soybeans and corn planted acreage are estimated to be down from last year,” said Herman Ellison, Virginia state statistician. “The crops were reported in mostly good condition and crop development was advancing at or beyond the normal pace.”

Upland cotton acreage in Virginia was estimated at 75,000, up 2,000 acres from 2016. The U.S. total upland cotton acreage is estimated at 11.8 million acres, up 19 percent from the previous year.

Peanut growers in the Commonwealth planted 25,000 acres, up 4,000 acres from 2016. Producers expect to harvest 25,000 acres of peanuts this year, also up 4,000 acres from 2016. U.S. peanuts planted was estimated at 1.82 million acres, up nine percent from 2016. Area for harvest is forecast at 1.77 million acres, up 15 percent from last year.

Soybeans planted in Virginia were estimated at 600,000 acres, down 10,000 acres from 2016. Acres harvested for grain, at 590,000 acres, was 10,000 acres below acres a year ago. U.S. soybean planted area for 2017 was estimated at 89.5 million acres, up seven

percent from last year. Area for harvest, at 88.7 million acres, is up seven percent from 2016.

Acreage planted to corn in Virginia was estimated at 480,000 acres, down 10,000 acres from 2016. Acres harvested for grain was estimated at 330,000 acres, down 10,000 acres from last year. The U.S. corn planted for all purposes in 2017 was estimated at 90.9 million acres, down three percent from last year. Growers expect to harvest 83.5 million acres for grain, down four percent from last year.

Other Virginia Estimations Farmers in Virginia intend to set an estimated 1,100 acres of burley tobacco for harvest. This was 100 acres below the 2016 level. Dark fire-cured tobacco acreage set was estimated at 400 acres, up 140 acres from the previous year. Flue-cured tobacco acreage was estimated at 21,000 acres, down 1,000 from a year ago. Flue-cured producing states acreage for harvest was estimated at 205,500 acres, four percent below last year.

Barley seeded acreage is estimated at 30,000 acres, down nine percent from last year. Barley producers anticipate harvesting 10,000 acres for grain, 2,000 below last year. Barley planted for the nation was estimated at 2.38 million acres, down 22 percent from 2016. Acres harvested for grain is forecast at 1.95 million acres, down 24 percent from last year.

Winter wheat seeded acreage in Virginia was

estimated at 190,000 acres, 20,000 acres below the previous year. Acreage harvested for grain was estimated at 130,000 acres, 45,000 acres below 2016.

The U.S. winter wheat planted area was estimated at 32.8 million acres, down nine percent from 2016. Area harvested for grain was forecast at 25.8 million acres, down 15 percent from last year.

Alfalfa hay acreage in Virginia was estimated at 55,000 acres, down 10,000 from the 2016 crop. All other hay was estimated at 1.24 million acres, up 90,000 from a year ago. The U.S. all hay acreage was estimated at 53.5 million acres, up slightly from 2016.

“I would like to thank all the farmers for taking the time out of their busy schedules to respond to the surveys,” Ellison added. “The more farmers we have responding to our surveys, the more accurate data we can provide for the agricultural industry. I wish them a very prosperous and healthy year.”

All reports are available on the NASS website: nass.usda.gov/Publications/Calendar/ reports_by_date.php.

For information about Virginia surveys and reports, call the NASS Virginia Field Office at 800.772.0670, or visit nass. usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Virginia.

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