Keswick Life Digital Edition December 2014

KESWICK Lifestyles in Keswick and its’ environs - December 2014

LIFE

In this issue

Good Tidings To All

also: only in keswick, life happens, horsin’ around, overheard, keswick scene and much more

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Historic homebarn/workshop, has been painstakingly sheds and board fencing. restored with finest materials such as heart pine in the floors, kitchen cabinets, copper roof and incredible stone 3FEVDFE fireplace. $3,200,000

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RIVERBEND FARM

CISMONT RIDGE Very private 300+/- acres with long frontage on Pamunkey Creek. Approximately 100 acres are open and in currently in crops, 100 acres in Privately located the Keswick area of Albemarle, hardwoods and 17 year in oldporch, loblolly yet convenient to 100 town.acres Largeinscreened pine. The has ceramic a gentletileroll and is ideal pumpkin pineland floors, countertops, for livestock. the Pamunkey, stainless steel topAlong of the with line appliances, mediathe UXP EJWJTJPOT property has 3inother year round and streams.

The room, fireplace master bedroom separate 1845 area. home is inoutbuilding need of that renovation sitting Large could bebut usedhas much of workshop its original and $595,000 charm. The as a barn, or woodwork another garage.

farm is located 15 min. from the town of Orange in Orange County.

PIEDMONT OFFICE 132A East Main Street, P. O. Box 430, Orange, Virginia 22960 540-672-3903 Fax: 540-672-3906 2

www.wileyproperty.com Equal Housing Opportunity

KESWICK LIFE MAY 2013

KESWICK

LIFE

DECEMBER 2014

IN THIS ISSUE ON THE COVER

Lighting Up the Season The Wiley children are putting the lights on the tree in preparation for a festive holiday season filled with laughter, joy, generousity and goodwill to all!

As we celebrate this holiday season, reflect on the generous spirit of our fellow Keswickians and thank others for the many kindnesses bestowed upon each other and the community.

We wish you an abundance of joy and a happy New Year! Merry Christmas to you and your family.

8 SPORTING

10 KESWICK SCENE

15 KESWICKIAN

WANT MORE? Follow Keswick Life on Facebook Keeping subscribers current on all of the local news and happenings as well as featuring local businesses each week!

Joe Shields takes us on a journey of dis-

covery, natural wonders and a quiet fishing hole in Shenandoah National Park.

This is a must read, yes a story about fishing, but so much more so about life and self-awareness; Pink Floyd and psychedelic red tail brookies.

Catch the photo journals on the Blessing of the Hounds and the Farmington Beagles at Cloverfields with the Juniors.

Be sure to send us your photos to be included in the next issue.

God broke the mold after Chita Hall

was born! The late Reverend Julie Norton remarked in her eulogy for Chita, “I began seeing Chita the summer of 2002 because people thought she was about to die. Chita said, ‘Julie only comes to see me because she thinks I’m dying.’” Don’t miss, Keswick Life columnist, Tony Vanderwarker’s recount of some of Chita’s stories - a rare glimpse into the life of this one-of-a-kind true Keswickian.

Be sure to check back often

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DECEMBER 2014

Where you can pick up a copy of Keswick Life!

The minds behind KESWICK LIFE

The Shadwell Store Keswick Hall, Keswick Club, Clifton Inn, Montpelier, Somerset Store, Cismont Store, Foods of All Nations, In Vino Veritas, Laurie Holladay Interiors, McLean Faulconer, Monticello, Frank Hardy, Inc., Feast, Middleburg Tack Exchange, Faulconer Hardware, The Eternal Attic, Palladio, Darden, Roy Wheeler Realty, Albemarle Bakery

P.O. Box 32 Keswick, Virginia 22947 Tel: 434.242.8033 Email: keswicklife@gmail.com

Published by Published by a division of Keswick Life a divisionEditor of Keswick Life Winkie Motley

Editor

Contributing Editor Winkie Motley Production Colin Dougherty

Photographers

Photographers Lynne Brubaker George Payne Mary Motley Kalergis Donald J. Skelly John ChrisMarkey Young Sheila Camp Motley Contributors George Payne Elizabeth Blye Delaney

Mary Morony Contributors Tony Vanderwarker Suzanne Elizabeth BlyeNash Delaney Tasha Tobin Sharon H. Merrick Cheryl Stone Suzanne Nash John McAllister

ADVERTISE IN KESWICK LIFE Next issue deadline

January 10th December 10th 434.242.8033

e: keswicklife@gmail.com ADVERTISING INFORMATION

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request the online edition at keswicklife@gmail.com

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Send a “Letter to the Editor� of Keswick Life or your Overheard to:

For further information or for an advertising packet, contact the editor. All editorial is fully protected by copyright and may not be reproduced without written consent from the editor. The editor assumes no responsibility for the information herein and reserves the right to refuse any advertising and/or editorial submission.

Keswick Life, PO Box 32, Keswick, VA 22947 or email to: keswicklife@gmail.com

SOLD FALL OF 2014

LORING WOODRIFF HALF PAGE 3104 Lyfarne Lane in Glenmore

AD

This French provincial showcases some of, if not THE highest construction and finish quality available in Glenmore and beyond. Further, the lush landscaping enhances an expansive, private, level back lawn complete with a huge bluestone patio with fireplace, built-in grill.

The list of premium upgrades is endless: wainscoting and trimwork, extraordinary tile selections, built-in speakers, wine cellar. The wonderful floor plan includes nanny/in-law quarters, screened porch off kitchen, cork-floored playroom next to kitchen. MLS# 518046

Hilltop Farm, Southern Albemarle

Comprised of 360 acres 10 minutes from Charlottesville, Hilltop Farm enjoys unparalleled privacy and panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Constructed to exacting standards in brick, clapboard, slate and copper, the immaculate Johnson, Craven and Gibson-designed residence is accessed via a 1 mile driveway that traverses hundreds of acres of rolling pastureland. With multiple division rights and additional acreage available, the farm is a conservation easement candidate. MLS# 514115 401 Park Street Charlottesville, VA 22902

434.977.4005 lwoodriff@loringwoodriff.com WWW.LORINGWOODRIFF.COM

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KESWICK LIFE

The

GOING OUT Guide

Mark your calendars! Save the date! Don’t be late!

HISTORY A Colonial Christmas

EXCLUSIVE TOURS Montpelier is doing a special holiday promotion of their Behind-the-Scenes Tours for the month of December. The exclusive tour options, described below, are led by top staff and make for a great gift or family outing for visiting relatives and guests. Visitors must call reservations in 48 hours in advance through Christy Moriarty, Tourism Coordinator at 540.672.2728, ext. 442.

Where: Williamsburg, Virginia When: Now through January 4th, 2015 Experience seventeenth and eighteenth century holiday traditions, with tours that compare English customs of the period with how the colonists might have observed the holidays during early years. $. Jamestown Settlement and Yorktown Victory Center, Williamsburg. 757-253-4838, 888-593-4682. www.historyisfun.org

Meet the Madisons

Enjoy an extended mansion tour before the rush of the crowds. This special 90–minute experience will allow you to focus on the in-depth details that reveal the Madisons’ style, taste, friendships, and accomplishments.

This tour concludes on the south terrace which provides visitors with spectacular views of the Blue Ridge Mountains to the west. Available Friday thru Saturday, 10:00 AM. $45/person. 8 people max.

EVENING TOUR Garden Fest of Lights

Let it Be Red: Curatorial Tour

Dolley Madison once asked a friend to purchase for Montpelier fabric of any color, but “let it be red.” See how Montpelier’s curators examine the latest discoveries in this behind–the–scenes tour. Discussion may include artwork, furniture, décor, and artifacts. By appointment. $60/person. 2 to 6 people.

Private Tours

The cadillac of behind-the-scenes tours for individuals and small groups looking for a more intimate in-depth tour experience, tailored to the person’s or group’s interests. By appointment. $500/group. 8 people max.

Montpelier will be offering extended hours over Christmas weekend (Friday, Dec. 26 thru Sunday, Dec. 28) from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and will be closed between January 5 thru January 16 for cleaning and maintenance.

SPECIAL DINING Secret Santa Menu and More Where: Clifton Inn When: December 13th thru the 24th Ask for Clifton’s ‘Secret Santa Menu’ and receive a seasonally themed four-course meal, specially selected by the Chef. $80 per person, includes tax and gratuity.

Clifton’s 12 Wines of Christmas are specially selected to embrace the holiday season. Order them by the glass or by the bottle, or pair them with the ‘Secret Santa Menu’ for a gourmet dining experience. Glass or Bottle, Menu Pricing - Pairing: $40 for 4 wines (3 oz pours) includes tax and gratuity.

Join Clifton on Monday, December 22nd, for a family-style supper to ring in the holiday week, $50 per person/$75 with wine, call for details. Hint: come early and enjoy a cooking demo and holiday cocktail with Chef Tucker Yoder ($20).

HOLIDAY TOUR Holiday Evening Tours Where: Monticello When: December 19-23, and 26-30 5:30 p.m., 5:45 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

These small group house tours, which include the Dome Room, offer visitors an intimate look at how the holidays were celebrated in Jefferson’s time, plus the rare opportunity to experience Monticello after dark. Tours begin at 5:30 p.m., 5:45 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. on each date. $45; reserved tickets are required.

Where: Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens When: Now through January 12th, 2015

CELEBRATE New Year’s Eve Where: Keswick Hall When: Wednesday, December 31st at 10pm Fossett’s Five Course with a last seating at 10 PM - $109 includes champagne toast on arrival and live music - Villa Crawford Bar 11AM to 11PM - Evening Hours include: Jazz Trio - Club Grill Reservations from 5:30 to 9pm with a four course Tasting Menu including a glass of sparkling wine, with coursed wine pairing available for an additional fee, easy listening live music - $70 per person.

FAMILY First Night Virginia Where: Downtown Mall Charlottesville When: Wednesday, December 31st

The GardenFest of Lights, an annual favorite, celebrates the Garden’s 30th Anniversary this year with “A Legacy in Lights: 120 Years from Bicycle Club to Botanical Garden.” $. 5–10pm. Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Richmond. 804-262-9887. www. lewisginter.org

CHRISTMAS TOUR Highland for the Holidays Where: Ashlawn-Highland When: Now through December 31st, 2014 Discover the magic of Ash Lawn-Highland during the holiday season! Beginning the first weekend in December, visitors will find the entire house beautifully decorated for the holidays. House tours are offered daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., but tour times vary based on the day of the week. Please call 434-293-8000 to receive accurate tour times for the day you plan to visit. The museum will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

First Night Virginia is the second oldest of 130 First Night celebrations worldwide.

Bring the family for a safe and friendly New Year’s Eve with music, magicians, comedians, artists, and much more. $. 3pm–12am.

Downtown Mall, Charlottesville. 434-9758269. www.firstnightva.org

CULTURE Maymont Holiday Tours Where: Maymont Mansion, Richmond When: Now through January 4th, 2015 Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Maymont Mansion as you revel in the splendor of the Victorian-style adornments.

Celebrate the holidays with grand tree trimmings and decorations that everyone will enjoy. $. Tues–Sun 12–5pm. Richmond.

804-358-7166 ext. 329. www.maymont.org.

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DECEMBER 2014

OVERHEARD Here and there... in Keswick by the Numbers 10,000 readers read Keswick Life each month,

1 of each... a bear, a coyote, a deer, a bobcat and a fox viewed at

a recent Keswick Hunt Club meet,

1,400 oysters consumed at the KHC Oyster Roast,

5 Mondays and Saturdays and Sundays in December, which happens only once every 823 years, Bravo

4 ½ couple (9 hounds) blessed on Thanksgiving Day at Grace Church.

Kudos for ‘Santa to a Senior’ Jeanne McCusker, owner of the Home Instead Senior

Care serving Charlottesville, Keswick and the environs reports that this holiday season, Home Instead Senior Care again sponsored the annual ‘Be a Santa to a Senior’, a program designed to brighten the holidays for local seniors who are alone or impoverished. Almost 2,000 gifts were collected to help almost 900 seniors in the area.

She teamed up with local nursing homes, Albemarle Social Services, Charlottesville Social Services, Jefferson Area Board for Aging, Meals on Wheels, Salvation Army and Love, INC., to help collect and distribute gifts. Trees were located at the following sites from Nov. 24-Dec. 12: Branchlands, Colonial Auto Center, In Vino Veritas, Our Lady of Peace, Senior Center, Inc., Volvo of Charlottesville, The Lodge At Old Trail and in Walmart stores located in Charlottesville, Ruckersville and Zion Crossroads.

Generous donors fulfilled the seniors wish lists, providing them with toiletries, blankets, sweaters, pajama sets, coats and food baskets. “During the season of giving, we encourage shoppers to buy a little extra for a local senior,” said McCusker. “Their gifts - and more

importantly the visit that comes with the delivery – can make a senior’s holiday season so much brighter.”

After the gifts were collected, volunteers turned out to help wrap and deliver the gifts, too. Gift-wrapping parties were held at the Albemarle Square Shopping Center in Charlottesville Sunday, Dec. 14, Monday, Dec. 15, and Tuesday, Dec. 16, then the gifts were delivered on Wednesday, Dec. 17, and Thursday, Dec. 18.

“As always, the community of Charlottesville responded wonderfully to this year’s Be a Santa to a Senior program. We had almost 900 seniors’ wish lists fulfilled and a tremendous turnout at the gift-wrapping parties.

From the bottom of our hearts, we thank everyone for their support of this program and of our area seniors who will have a brighter holiday now,” McCusker said.

Don’t Wait

Lynne Brubaker’s Leica recently won her division of the Biathlon at the Kinetic Dog Trial in Barto, PA. on November 21-23, which consists of two classes, one is a jumpers class and the other is an agility class. Her combined score put her in first. She runs in the Performance 20 inch division. The weekend before she competed in the UKI US Open in Fletcher, NC, Leica made it to the National Championship finals and ended up 5th over all in the 20 inch division.

From Keswick Life’s Facebook Page “The upgraded keslife is really good.”

“I am so happy to be reading the ‘Keswick Life’ paper at long last.”

“Thank you for posting the information about the Market at Grelen! Happy Holidays!”

“Good article on the history of the traditional blessing of the hounds, thanks for that!”

“I so appreciated you sending the online edition and very much enjoyed the article on Steve Stokes, saw Lucia at Tourterrelle on Friday and understand they will be featured as well.”

“Thanks so much for sending the online edition Winkie!

Now through January 15th Grymes First Round Reg- I appreciate it and enjoy reading KL.” istration for Jr. Kindergarten (4 year olds) and Kindergarten for 2015-16. Register now at www.grymesschool.org. Go to admissions page and submit an online inquiry form or call 540-672-1010. Don’t wait! Limited spaces available!

On and Off The Market 4048 Fairway Drive is being marketed for sale in Keswick Estate for $4,495,000. It is a custom 2008 home with 2.4 acres of Broadmoor Lake frontage and features 5 bedrooms, 6.5+ bathrooms and over 12,000 finished sq.ft.

3938 Richmond Road just sold for $393,500. Described as an idyllic Keswick mini-farm with a remodeled 2 bedroom, 3 bathroom farmhouse cottage oozing charm, it is on 13+ acres.

In Glenmore, 3422 Carroll Creek Road, a 4000+ sq.ft. 4 bedroom new home, sold for $711,700, and 2435 Ferndown Lane, a 2158 finished sq.ft. 3 bedroom new home, sold for $607,000, both closing in November.

Hill Crest Farm, a lovely country property offering over 28 acres and with a 4 bedroom Cape Cod-style house, sold for $430,000, having started at $518,800 and then reduced to $485,000.

“Little Pond” at 935 Campbell Road, a restored and added to farmhouse on 1.3 acres with 2 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms was recently reduced to $299,000 and is now under contract.

“Bellvoir” at 5280 Stony Point Pass, a 1974 built estate on 43 acres, is now resting off the market having been recently reduced to $1,450,000.

856 Hacktown Road, a 2 acre parcel within a mile of Keswick Estate just sold for $67,500 and a vacant 1.48 acre lot on Campbell Road is now reduced to $59,000.

Welcome Little One Woody and Jane Baker recently announced the birth of

their grandaughter - Eleanor “Ellie” Grace Hale who arrived on Saturday, November 22 at 12:44pm, weighing in at 8 lbs 1 oz and measuring 20.5 inches long.

Congratulations “Colors” are often regarded as a badge of honor and are awarded to those members that have helped in the hunt field above and beyond the desire to fox hunt. Receiving their colors at the Thanksgiving meet this year were: Jill Wilson, Kimberly Skelly, Connie Laudenschlager, Melissa Zeller and Marilyn Ware. The “Barrister” award is named for one of Keswick’s finest dog hounds who had a great nose and really deep cry and whose offspring bear his resemblance and qualities today. The Masters and Huntsman look for the individual who has excelled in working with the hounds during the off season, who has been a leader in representing Keswick and fox hunting, and has been the person who pitches in on a moment’s notice to lend whatever help is needed. The recipient receives the perpetual framed portrait of Barrister with their engraved name attached. This year there will be two names added: please congratulate Jeanette and Frank McClendon on receiving the Barrister Award this year!

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KESWICK LIFE

7

DECEMBER 2014

SPORTING STORY BY JOSEPH J. SHIELDS PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRIS YOUNG

Native

Brookies

A Passion is Born Over Pink Floyd and Psychedelic Red Tail I dated an artist in college. One day she

Make sure you wet your hands first so you don’t harm the protective coating on its scales.”

took pictures of me swimming underwater in the athletic center pool as an exercise in sequential photography. A resulting photo won an award for surrealistic expression.

I rolled my sleeves and submerged my forearms in the cool water. The fish slowly swam away from me between lanes created by my appendages. Before it passed by my hands, I constricted its path and it glided against my palms and fingers with a slippery touch.

The girl’s interest in aquatic subject matter was fitting; her father was an ichthyologist who taught biology at our school.

Dr. Robert Jenkins’ research focused on the systematics of North American freshwater fishes. He also happened to be an authority on the psychedelic-rock band, Pink Floyd.

“That’s a psychedelic red tail,” I observed.

“If you want to see a psychedelic, magical fish, look no further than our native trout,” said Dr. J. “The Virginia brookies are something special and are the most beautiful fish in the state. Their colored markings will blow your mind.”

The good doctor and I got along well. He acknowledged me around campus, often with a nod, sometimes with a wave, and shook my hand when in striking distance. He treated me with respect, even after my relationship with his daughter ended.

Two years after the breakup, a roommate and I bumped into Dr. J at a Getty Mart convenience store down the street from Roanoke College. He invited us to his home for beers, salted peanuts, and a late-night viewing of Pink Floyd videos.

That night, as I sat mesmerized by the content and quality of bootleg performances, I noticed Freshwater Fishes of Virginia on the coffee table, the opus Dr. J had co-written with Noel Burkhead. The book, which rivals the Bible in length, is still referenced by the National Park Service website and by authors of notable works on fly-fishing.

“Congratulations on the publication,” I said. “Thank you. Those pages represent my life’s work.”

Reflecting on the title, I couldn’t help but ask,

“Why ‘fishes’ instead of ‘fish’ for plurality?”

More than 20 years later, long after the publication of my article on the sicklefin redhorse, I had the opportunity to see – and hold – my first brook trout. The experience took place in the Rapidan River, the largest watershed in the Shenandoah National Park.

Chris Young fishing the Rapidan River (where the story took place) in the Shenandoah National Park.

This happens to be the Rose River (Hogcamp Branch) below Dark Hollow Falls.

“That’s a question only an English major would ask,” he replied. “When you describe fish collectively, ‘fish’ is the appropriate plural, but if you want to name a variety of different species of fish, then ‘fishes’ is correct.”

stereo system as I entered the lab for the interview. The track was from Pink Floyd’s sixth studio album, Meddle, released in 1971. I found Dr. J with shirtsleeves folded to his elbows, bending over a large, steel fish tank.

I didn’t insult the freshwater fishes expert with more inquiries. Instead, I allowed the mesmerizing sounds created

by David Gilmour, Nick Mason, Roger Waters, Richard Wright, and their female back-up singers to take me to a different place.

“This is a sicklefin redhorse, Joe, the new species of fish I discovered,” said the biologist. “The sicklefin exists almost entirely in western North Carolina and shares waters with five other species of redhorse. The scientific community never knew it existed.”

At the time, I happened to be on assignment with the local city newspaper, the Salem Times-Register. My internship as a reporter was a requirement to graduate with a minor in communication studies. Intrigued by the man and his book, I found something suitable for my first shot at journalism.

“Wow, this discovery alone can make a great topic for the article,” I replied. “We can lead with this new species you identified as an introduction to the publication of your book.”

“Fearless” played from a small portable

Chris Young, a college buddy and avid fly fisherman visiting Keswick for the weekend, suggested we make an hourand-a-half trek to nearby Syria, where the stream is located in Madison County.

He travels in a Jeep loaded with fly rods and gear, so I was properly outfitted, although not trained, to hit the park.

“Notice its curved dorsal fin,” said Dr. J, disinterested in the article, running his finger along the angular protrusion that runs parallel to the creature’s spine.

“You can touch the fish if you want.

I had read about the Rapidan, the most famous wild trout stream in the state with special regulations: catch-andrelease, artificial, barbless, single-hook lures only. I had also read about the Rose River, another stream in the SNP offering excellent trout fishing. Websites and fly-fishing guidebooks are full of information on the native trout that inhabit the cool waters that flow in the dark mountain hollows of the region.

>>

8

KESWICK LIFE

A brookie caught in the Shenandoah National Park.

Brook trout belong to the char subgroup of the Salmonindae family. Its scientific name is Salvelinus fontinalis; the species name fontinalis literally means “living in springs,” which is why brook trout require colder water temperature than non-native trout.

Affectionately referred to as “brookies,” “specks, “squaretails,” and “natives” by anglers and biologists, brook trout are different from other trout and salmon species. For instance, they lack teeth in the roof of the mouth. They also have smaller scales and skeletal differences.

But to the non-scientist, what distinguish brook trout are the bright colored spots that radiate from an otherwise darker base coloration.

The size of an adult brook trout ranges from six to 12 inches in length. Sadly, these scrappy fish typically live only three to four years. This is because their mountain-stream habitats are relatively infertile with marginal insect activity.

Perhaps it is the struggle to survive that makes this fish so beautiful, the perpetual fight that leads to grace.

Brookies live in the shadows beneath the forested canopies and large boulders that shade their waters. I learned they spook eas-

Joe Shields fishing a hole in the Shenandoah National Park

ily firsthand when approached by large, clumsy humans. They are opportunistic feeders, however, and will gladly rise from the shallow depths of water holes to eat anything resembling a bug that floats.

fall, floating atop the cascading whitewater to the right of the pool. I picked up the rod and suddenly felt a tug. The activity startled me; I set the hook in shock, grabbed the line with my left hand, and pulled the fish towards me.

I caught my first brookie on a twoweight fly rod (typical fly-fishing lines are 1-weight to 9-weight in heaviness, depending on the type of fly you are using and the size of the stream, river, or lake you are fishing in). The borrowed rod was six feet long, well suited for a decent angler to avoid snagging hook and line on overhanging branches and deadfall around and in the stream.

The fight was slightly harder than I had imagined, which is why a 2-weight makes sense for this species. But I soon realized you don’t fish for brookies looking for a fight. You fish for them so you can hold living art in the palm of your hand.

I spent most of the day untangling my line from myself and from vegetation, sticks, moss-covered rocks, and floating leaves. I was instructed to keep low, as if hunting prey. I continually scaled rocks and forded the stream, wading across slippery rocks and deeper pools. When I did attract brookie interest, I failed to set the hook properly. Otherwise I spent the morning and early afternoon frightening these already skittish fish, making them disappear.

Without proper footwear (spiked- or feltbottom boots), I slipped and fell again and again. Finally, while working my way along an algae-covered ledge, I lost my footing and fell onto a slab of rock near a waterfall. My beloved Submariner slammed into granite; the timepiece’s bezel snapped off and sank to the bottom of the pool. Fortunately I was able to retrieve the aluminum ring from the clear water and stow it in my borrowed chest pack for future repair.

Luckily, my friend’s rod survived the fall. I noticed the fly closer to the water-

Reader, I ordered the fish and it was brilliant. A ten-inch trout was placed before me, served whole with butternut squash, spinach, and brown butter. The dish was well prepared. I tried to ignore the crisp skin, now gray and stripped clean of its former polka dotted glory.

Although delicious, the meal left a poor taste in my mouth.

I wish I could tell you that I landed that first brookie on a standard dry fly, such as an elk hair caddis. Instead, my friend had tied an attractor fly called a “Pink Weenie” on the end of my line. The Pink Weenie is similar to a pink-patterned San Juan worm, constructed of material resembling a thin pipe cleaner with a loop on the end of it.

“The Pink Weenie strikes again,” said Chris, who found me admiring my poisson électrique before releasing it back into the wild.

As we made our way to President Hoover’s Rapidan Camp, I wasn’t sure if my friend was referring to the fly or the fisherman.

The following Monday, I travelled to New York for a business meeting and dined at Jones Wood Foundry, a fooddriven pub on the Upper East Side modeled after traditional public houses in the United Kingdom. Roasted brook trout was on the menu, and I briefly recounted the weekend fishing excursion in Virginia to my guests seated at the table.

Removing a fly hook from a brookie.

Joe Shields has led integrated digital marketing and public relations programs for consumer, biopharmaceutical, and government organizations. He holds an MBA from the University of Maryland and a BA in English literature and communication studies from Roanoke College, where he received a senior scholar award for fiction in 1995. He lives with his family in Keswick.

9

DECEMBER 2014

HORSIN’ AROUND Blessing of the Hounds

Blessing of the Hounds photographs letf to right from the top: Shandra Boylen, Darlene Murphy and Trish Zorn, Marshall Payne, Sally Lamb with Amber Rogers, bottom row: Lizzie and Sandy Rives, Sommers Olinger, Tony Gammell with Sandy Rives.

10

KESWICK LIFE

KESWICK SCENE

Farmington Beagles with Keswick Hunt Club Juniors

Farmington Beagles with Keswick Hunt Club Juniors photographs letf to right from the top: Ashley and Smith Williams ready their son for the ride, Beagling meets in front of Cloverfields main house, Whitney Gammell with baby Shepard Sieg with an admiring Anne Coles, Anne Coles with Stokes, Junior riders June and Stokes await instruction. A pair of riders prepare and a pony is elated with anticipation of the fun afternoon ahead.

11

DECEMBER 2014

A KESWICK CHRISTMAS Holiday Tea Keswick Style

BY CHERYL STONE

This is the time of year when my mind floods with fond memories of entertaining past. For many of us, family traditions were formed and shared around the Holiday table. These musings spark inspiration for future gatherings.

willing to help in your kitchen is a good thing.

After some discussion, we decided on presenting a combination English and American style tea. British tea is a bit different than the American interpretation. The English enjoy using their beautiful silver and fine china and place less emphasis on food. Americans typically enjoy serving more food, with a bit less emphasis on the china.

My Grandmother’s Georgian dining room, a frequent haunt for me as a child, happily comes to mind. Here formal Christmas Eve dinner was served and became a favorite family tradition. Four generations gathered to celebrate around a glimmering table set with sterling silver, crystal goblets, perfectly pressed linens, and gilt china. My Grandmother, Peggy, was a stellar entertainer and hostess. Her prize tea roses were the talk of the town and her vegetable garden a source of fresh and plentiful sustenance. Friends were welcome at her home any time. The stressful pace of today’s life did not seem to interrupt theirs. Those who remember Peggy, continue to ask if I know the ingredients for this cake or that custard or casserole. To this day, I have kept many of her coveted recipes.

Chef Hanny has a vast collection of old world recipes.

He made suggestions and presented me with an extraordinary menu, which included some goodies from my Grandmother. I set about preparing the table with my favorite English Ridgway Tea Service and Minton plates. Chef Hanny surprised me by icing the Ginger Bread Cake in an extravagant, White House worthy fondant, the piece de resistance of the table. My guests and I had a delightful afternoon, sealing friendships, sharing tea and forming new traditions.

Menu

Unlike my Grandmother, I am not particularly accomplished in the kitchen. My passion for entertaining and setting a memorable table far surpasses my culinary skill. Over the years, I have assembled a vast collection of antique china and crystal. My collection began with family pieces and expanded over the years to include highly gilt crystal and china that once graced notable Gilded Age tables. I delight in mixing and matching these services, rarely the same way twice. I also believe in using and sharing my china. My friends frequently tell me I am “porcelain obsessed”. In 2005, I translated this obsession into a successful shop, Provenance Naples, in Naples, Florida. Here I specialized in antiques for the table, fine porcelains, crystal, and silver.

boxes. While unpacking, I hit upon the idea of welcoming my new Virginia friends to my home for Holiday tea. For inspiration, I chose my Grandmother’s gingerbread cake and cream scone recipes. Perfect, I thought, but I haven’t attempted these in years.

My recent relocation to Charlottesville has begun an exciting new chapter in my life. Many of my cherished pieces are gradually finding their way out of shipping

For reassurance, I called my friend, noted author and Chef, Jack Hanny, and enlisted his help in reviving my Grandmother’s recipe. Trust me, having a Master Chef

Orange-Cranberry Cream Scones (My Grandmother’s Recipe) Caviar with egg salad tea sandwiches on pumpernickel

Chef Jack Hanny and Cheryl Stone await their guests at the adorned Holiday Tea table.

Smoked salmon with Gouda, capers and pickled Vidalia onion on pumpernickel Petite Fours with raspberry jam filling Carrot cupcakes w/cream cheese frosting Handmade chocolate truffles and baby chocolate turtles Ginger bread cake (My Grandmother’s Recipe) Boston Cream cookies

Pictured below: Chef Jack Hanny, Carla Passarello, Liza Moorman, and their Mother, Diana Browning enjoy a variety of cakes, scones, tea sandwiches and cookies.

Cheryl Stone is a specialist in fine antique dining china, crystal and silver. Her exquisite hand-picked inventory is available on line: www.provenancenaples.com or locally at Ruckersville Gallery.

12

KESWICK LIFE

KESWICK STYLE Mantlescaping

BY TASHA TOBIN

A fireplace is always a focal point. Mantle decoration sets the stage for the decor of the rest of the room.

Whether for the holidays, special occasions or everyday living there are design considerations intrinsic to creating your mantlescape. Try to think in terms of textural combinations, form, color and shape to establish an interesting cohesive design.

any hue, they last a long time, availability - always! Voluptuous peonies always take your breath away, feathery petaled ranunculus and tulips for graceful drape (they will reach toward the light and keep growing so need to be carefully wired if a certain position is desired).

A mixture of crystal, mercury glass, clear glass and silver will add sparkle in the reflective surfaces. Groupings of vases, votives and tapers instead of a regular line placement in varied heights will make for a more dynamic display. Again, start in the middle and work your way out towards the ends. Or if you are making designs for either end, arrange them both at the same time to achieve a mirrored symmetry.

Perspective: It’s not like setting a table; you don’t look down on a mantle design. It will be viewed from eye level or from below seated in a chair. A bit of “drip or drape” over the edge helps cover any mechanics seen from below. You can use ready made garland which will give girth or lay material down and prop it against the wall for needed height. Using the latter method always start in the middle and alternate while placing directionally towards the ends. Check your yard for fresh material. White pine, boxwood, magnolia, rhododendron, japonica are some good choices. Attack the bush in hidden places, I always take pride in leaving no evidence of pilfering! They will dry nicely but become very fragile. There are oasis blocks covered in plastic or smaller ones called igloos if you want a water source.

Other options are identical vases or a variety of containers that complement each other.

Background: Is it a painted wall, metal, wood paneling, a painting or a mirror? Against a bare wall you can do anything. Determine how far you wish to encroach a piece of artwork; stay below the frame, occasional highs and lows or high on either side low underneath. A mirror is the trickiest as the back of anything you do will be seen in the reflection, so be sure that’s as interesting as the front.

Style: Is it a more organic rough hewn beam? If so casual branches, greens and pillar candles lend themselves well to more rustic architectural elements. Wild flower-like blossoms nestled about in small vases work well. Some

choices available year round are lisianthus, larkspur, thistle, stock, spray roses and freesia. Basically more linear graceful stems with smaller blossoms create this effect. Seasonal additions can be anemones, narcissus, daffodils, astilbe, grasses, daisies, clematis, hyacinth, berries, pinecones and dried pods.

Is it a traditional elegant mantle? Then blousey big headed flowers are beautiful clustered in with hydrangea (any kind available all year round). Roses are perfect for color, shape and texture. Available in virtually

Contemporary: Clean and sleek can match room decor or provide a provocative juxtaposition to rustic or traditional styling. Asymmetrical balance is the key here, along with crisp linear or defined shapes. Consider empty mantle space as important as the filled space.

Keep main design to one side, it can “reach” toward the other end. Work in groupings. Branches in vases at an angle is especially effective here or a series of short matching containers mounded with one item such as tulips, moss or dried lotus pods for example. Candles should be all the same, and in this case arranged in a line will work, to balance the off-center main design.

One large arrangement on one side and a grouping of smaller containers on the other end make for a semicontemporary presentation.

Good luck with your mantlescape! If you are overwhelmed or have no time, give me a call at Hedge Fine Blooms and I will guide you, provide materials or come out and do it myself. Designing in private homes using client’s own containers is a speciality and preferred project. Enjoy the season!

A creative visionary, Tasha Tobin has been enthusiastically practicing all forms of Floristry for close to 20 years and shares her ardent enjoyment of floral art in many ways. She is a dynamic on stage demonstrator and an inspirational instructor. She encourages freedom from traditional doctrines as a way to access individual creative potential. Tasha recently moved to Charlottesville to take the position of Creative Director at Hedge Fine Blooms for both shops and the event studio.

Floral art is her great passion and raison d’etre. “Design inspiration constantly surrounds us; we just need to teach ourselves how to look! - TT”

WHAT’S COOKING

Orange Cranberry Cream Scones

GRANDMOTHER PEGGY’S RECIPE BY CHERYL STONE Chef Jack Hanny was asked by Cheryl Stone to prepare these scones with a family recipe passed

down by her Grandmother Peggy. Jack has the other recipes and they are available for the asking by contacting him at jrh@bestofhanny.com.

Ingredients:

2 ¾ cup flour

6 T Sugar

1t salt

1 ½ T baking powder

¼ cup orange zest

½ cup butter (1 stick) 1 cup heavy cream 2 large eggs ¾ cup chopped cranberries

Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Sift flour, sugar, salt and baking powder by pulsing several times in a Cuisinart. Add butter; pulse several times until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Remove to a large bowl. Add cranberries and orange zest. Whisk eggs with heavy cream in separate bowl. Pour over the butter/flour mixture. Blend and knead until dough forms. Pat into 1”High square and cut into desired shape. Bake 18 minutes.

13

DECEMBER 2014

LIFE HAPPENS Beliefs

BY MARY MORONY It is that time of the year, when we haul out our holiday decorations, check untold thousands of lights, deck the halls, bake cookies, sing, get together with friends, go to church, spend more than we can afford, and dust off our beliefs. Oh wait, what’s that you say? You don’t. You don’t take a good hard look at what you believe on an annual basis? Right now, as you fight not to roll your eyes, you are probably thinking, sure, one more thing to do, not even a chance. But, checking your beliefs might just add some room on that overflowing plate of yours.

Just think of how many outdated beliefs you could jettison.

Besides, ‘tis the season, for Pete’s sake, to check in with what you believe, even more than giving and getting. Why else would you be giving and getting?

You must do a little checking in with what you believe. How in the world do you make your New Year’s resolutions without first knowing what you want to resolve? Unless your resolutions are brought to you by the media as in I am/ am not <fill in the blank> so therefore, I must/must not <fill in the blank>. Quite possibly this is the reason many resolutions end up on the junk pile of might‘acould‘a-and-would‘a.

So, if you weren’t in the habit of looking at what you believe, and then making a few alterations, now would be a great time to start. I am not suggesting that you do a complete moral inventory, though that could be interesting. I am merely suggesting that you might just look at a few beliefs that you take for granted.

Do you believe in say, microwaves (the appliance), for example? I have a friend who doesn’t. Guess what? Microwaves don’t exist in her kitchen. See, beliefs can create your reality.

How about magic, do you believe in magic? Fairies? Santa? The Christmas Story?

What is your spiritual belief? Are you still hanging on to what you learned in Sunday or Saturday school, or on in the sandbox in kindergarten? Does any of it need to be upgraded, rethought, improved upon, even slightly?

Do you listen to the words of the liturgy when you show up at church? Do you respond to it, because that’s what you do, or because you believe it, and if so, all of it?

What’s that old saw? Believe none of what you hear and only half of what you see - attributed to Ben Franklin. Do you believe that it is attributed to Mr. Franklin? I don’t have any reason not to, so it works for me. You? Are your beliefs more inclined toward CNN, FOX News, Rush Limbaugh, Al Sharpton or the Today Show? Semper FI? How about the Rolling Stones article, do you believe that? Does UVA have a “rape culture?” Is the administration doing all that it can, or is it going through the motions? Is exposing your midriff in public provocative? Is suicide an option?

Is Facebook a reliable source for information? Does Jesse Matthew deserve his day in court? How about marriage, is your view big or small? Your worldview is only one set of beliefs to check out.

And then there is that thing in Ferguson, Missouri, what do you believe about all of that? How much of that is about belief?

If you believe something does it make it true?

It has been said that what you believe defines you. If beliefs don’t define you, they certainly seem like a good place to start the process. On the other hand if what you believe does describe who you are, looking at what you believe about yourself would also be very informative.

Life changes can be easier to change than you think if you take them one belief at a time. Are you a good guy or a do you occasionally don a black hat? Do you live in a loving world? Is the world you live in broken? Can it be fixed? Are you broken?

Is your life working for you? Does blue really bring out the color of your eyes?

Your traditional Thanksgiving feast, do you like it? Can you change it, if not, why not? Maybe just the cranberry sauce?

Did these questions irritate you? Did they push up against some beliefs that you might have out grown? Sorry, it’s part of the growth process, bumping into beliefs that no longer fit. Don’t shoot the messenger, unless of course, you have a belief system where that works, in which case, fire away.

Mary Morony, author of Apron Strings, has raised four children to adulthood. She lives on a farm in Orange County, Virginia, with her husband, three dogs and her daughter’s cat. You can learn more about her at http://marymorony.com

14

KESWICK LIFE

KESWICKIAN

Chita Hall - God Broke the Mold

BY TONY VANDERWARKER I’m writing a book about moving to Virginia titled “I’m Not From the South But I Got Down Here As Fast As I Could”. If you’re lucky, you could end up in it. If you’re not, you’ll enjoy it anyway because this place is so engaging.

Julie Norton, past minister at Keswick’s Grace Episcopal Church, was good enough to jot some notes down for me about her visit with Chita, God bless her.

So, here’s the Forward from the book: Stories, like grits, drawl and charm, are part of the South. That’s probably why the South breeds writers like it breeds mosquitoes.

So to give you a taste of this place, I’ve got to tell you a couple.

Chita Hall was a neighbor who died a couple years ago.

Grew up here, rode horses and hunted until she married a stinker, went through some tough times and life ended up going south on her. Lived just behind our farm on a small plot with a modest house. Crusty and cantankerous, she’d been a sergeant in the Marines during the Second World War. She was well into her eighties when we got to know her.

In Julie’s words: I went to see Chita to thank her for the $100 she gave to the discretionary fund. She was raising cain about the Vanderwarkers. The Vanderwarkers don’t live within earshot of Chita, but she could see their house, which is TOO CLOSE. We walked outside so Chita could show me exactly how close they were, and how, if their lights are on at night, she can see them.

The Vanderwarkers have a miniature church on their property which Tony uses as an office, complete with steeple.

I said, “Oh, Look! What is that? Is it a church? It’s so cute…” And Chita said, “How the hell should I know?”

God broke the mold after he made Chita. This girl had stories. And also a full-fledged zoo, cages with bars, runs, the whole nine yards. Her departed husband Chet, Chita explained, was the kind of man who had to have everything everyone else had and a neighbor kept many unusual animals. So Chet had to have them too: a lion, a bear, a parrot, seven Siamese cats, a raccoon which would hide under the couch and reach out and grab people’s ankles, more dogs than you could count, two llamas and a deer whose mother had been killed.

One day the sheriff came by Chita’s and saw the deer curled up on the living room couch.

The lion and Betsy, the bear, had been raised from cubs and had full run of the house, including crapping on the carpet. Didn’t phase Chita, as she explained, “It doesn’t matter as long as its an Oriental.”

Chita reminisced about her animals, “I had Betsy nine years. I loved that bear. Once she got loose and went into the dog kennels. She just made herself a door and walked in. Ripped the lights down, tore everything apart but she never touched the dogs. I loved that bear.”

The lion was a different story. Sort of a trial, he ate them out of house and home. Fed him horsemeat for a while but that got too expensive so they switched to dog food.

They took the lion downtown one New Year’s Eve and the lion got loose and wandered around Charlottesville

Left to right: Chita Hall, Neal Kittle, Jean Coles, Ellie Frampton, Caroline Hall, Frances Rafferty, Anne Barnes and Mrs. Randolph on the porch in 1927.

until they caught him and took him home. “I don’t care what anybody says,” Chita told me, “As long as I live I’ll never have another lion.”

There’s a good one about the parrot. I used it last time but it’s good enough to repeat. As a neighbor, Dot Proffit, remembered, “That parrot talked awful. Dirty, dirty, dirty. And Chet taught it all kinds of nasty tricks. Once a salesman came to the door and knocked. No one was home but the parrot said, “Come on in.”

So the salesman let himself in. The first thing he saw was an enormous Doberman sitting on the front hall rug and then the parrot said, “Sic him, boy, sic him.”

The man barely escaped with his life.”

Chita didn’t have an easy upbringing. Her father was a loony tune, did stuff like ride his horse into the house blasting away with his six-shooter. With a friend, he bought a gold mine in Mexico and moved the family down. That’s how Chita got her name, means ‘little one’ in Spanish. When they found gold, the Mexican government seized the mine. Her father lost over a million bucks and had to go back to farming in Virginia to make a living.

Her mom was an alcoholic. Once they threw a party with seventeen bottles of bourbon and so many people came the front porch caved in.

Chita was one tough cookie but occasionally her softer side did sneak out. She’d been complaining that she didn’t know anyone and ever go anywhere. So an old friend invited her to a party, saying, “There are a lot of nice young people coming and you’d enjoy them. Come with us and meet them. You’ll have a good time.”

Chita reverted to form in her response, “I’d rather die than come to your party,” she said.

I remember her reflecting on the guys in her life, “Men are a pile of garbage. Chet forged my name and took out a note and spent it and I was in debt $70,000 and had to declare bankruptcy. It took me forever to get my credit back. Whenever I get to where he is, he’s going to be a lot deader than he is now.”

She had to go on oxygen at the end. “I’m going to live at home until I die. I’m not in the nursing home frame of mind.”

Chita’s gone now but the empty cages that once held her animals still stand. I walk back there often and Betsy, the bear, the lion and the foul-mouthed parrot come back to me as well as the terrified salesman running at warp speed across the yard with the Doberman nipping at his heels.

At a yard sale after her death, someone bought Chita’s Oriental, probably unaware of all the stories it held, not to mention a few other things.

And to think I came close to missing all this.

15

DECEMBER 2014

ACCOLADES

A Love for the Game of Bridge Leads to the ‘World Series’ in China INTERVIEW WITH KESWICK LIFE The 14th Red Bull World Series of Bridge was held in Sanya, Hainan, China from October 10th-25th. Keswick native, John McAllister had the honor of participating in this event for the first time.

suggestion John hired professional Israeli players Yaniv Zak and Michael Barel to play on his team in the Open Teams event.

Over the course of the two week World Bridge Series, McAllister and Zur-Campanile competed as a partnership in a total of four events. The team of McAllister, Zur-Campanile, Bilde and Madsen advanced to the round of 16 in the Mixed Teams competition before losing to a strong Chinese team. Playing in the Mixed Pairs, McAllister and Campanile had a bye into the semi-final by virtue of their strong showing but failed to reach the two-day final.

John grew up playing all sorts of card games with his family, with hearts being his favorite. One night, when his aunt Kathleen was visiting the family at their home in the Southwest Mountains, they sat down to play hearts.

When she remarked that bridge was a vastly superior game, bridge became the entertainment that evening and John’s love for the game was born.

John’s parents, Mary and Ralph Morony, nurtured his love for the game and also happen to be avid players themselves.

His sisters Melissa McAllister and Annie Morony would often draw the short straw to make up the fourth for the four player game; however, his middle sister, Chris Perot, was simply not interested!

Other regulars in the Morony family game included Mary and Ralph’s friends from Grace Church, Betty and Don Chester.

When John moved back to Charlottesville in 2002, Melissa hooked him up with a group of friends that were taking weekly lessons with local bridge teacher, Chouky Neale. Chouky taught John many of the fundamental aspects of the game and introduced him to some of the basic rules of bidding and card play.

Chouky also introduced John to duplicate bridge, which is the primary form of the game being played in bridge tournaments throughout the world.

A fellow Keswick area native, Jaffray Woodriff, gave John the opportunity of a lifetime to work for his group at Quantitative Investment Management, located here in Charlottesville. While this limited his ability to participate in the large afternoon games at the Jefferson Bridge Association, it afforded him the opportunity to watch someone passionately living out their own dream. Jaffray’s dedication to his craft and attention to detail ultimately inspired John to leave QIM in order to set out on his own path after seven fruitful years there.

First stop, the day he retired from

After day one of the two day Open Team Qualifying, in what McAllister describes as the biggest thrill in his bridge playing career, the McAllister team was in fourth place overall in a field of over 130 teams.

The Open Teams qualifier included both the best teams and top bridge playing partnerships in the world. Unfortunately, that success was short-lived as the team came crashing back to earth by losing the first seven consecutive matches on day two before finally earning a win in the eighth and final qualifying match of the round robin. Sadly, at that point the team had no chance of qualifying for the 32 team knockout portion of the event.

John McAllister at the 14th Red Bull World Series of Bridge, held in Sanya, Hainan, China.

Quantitative, was the Spring North American Bridge Championships (“NABC”) in Memphis, Tennessee put on by the American Contract Bridge League (“ACBL”). By this point, John had hired semi-professional bridge player Rob Brady to be both his teacher and playing partner. Rob organized a team of junior bridge players to compete for the prestigious Vanderbilt Cup. While his team got knocked out on the opening day, John loved the logic and inferential reasoning which is the lifeblood of the game and has since attended each of the ACBL’s triennial NABC’s that have been held since.

While being interviewed for this story, John is currently participating in the Fall Nationals in Providence, Rhode Island.

He is playing on a team there with his professional partner from Sanya, Migry Zur-Campanile. Migry and John were set up to play together in preparation for the World Championships by professional Danish player Christina Lund Madsen, who also sometimes works part-time for the World Bridge Federation which puts on the World Championships.

The Red Bull World Series is an open world championship, which means that any player that is a registered member of their own country’s National Bridge Organization (“NBO”) is eligible to participate. Madsen invited John to play with her and rising Danish superstar Dennis Bilde in the Mixed Teams portion of the event in January 2013. John quickly jumped at the opportunity to play with the two dynamic young Danes and asked Christina for a recommendation on a female partner for himself. Madsen did not hesitate in recommending Zur-Campanile, who was just coming off winning the prestigious Venice Cup in Bali, Indonesia in September 2013.

Migry and John had immediate chemistry at the table where, in their first event playing together, the prestigious Platinum Pairs, they finished twelfth in a world class field. A win in the fabled New York Reisinger in late May, playing with recently married Dana Berkowitz and Chris Willenken, earned the team a write up in the New York Times Bridge Column. Things were going well in preparation for Sanya, so at Zur-Campanile’s

16

McAllister and Zur-Campanile rebounded by making it through the two qualifying sessions to the Open Pairs Final round and, thanks to a strong last day, finished in 40th place overall.

There a number of options for both learning and playing bridge in the Charlottesville-Albermarle area. The Jefferson Bridge Association hosts four open games weekly including a novice game on Monday nights. Also, many local country clubs offer bridge lessons and games as a part of their social calendar.

McAllister also encourages anyone in learning more about the game to visit the website for the documentary film on bridge which he and local filmmakers Derek Sieg and Jeremy Goldstein are producing, find it at www.bridgedocumentary.com.

The American Contract Bridge League has a variety of initiatives aimed at promoting bridge to the next generation of players; interested parties can check out their offerings at www.acbl.org.

KESWICK LIFE

ONLY IN KESWICK Christmas Cheer

BY TONY VANDERWARKER One of the great things about the holidays is that we all get out and about, meet people, chat them up and get some terrific stories.

So here are a few: I’m in Boston visiting my brother (who’s also married to my wife’s sister, yup, he’s also my brother-in-law) and Peter takes me to Starbucks one morning to have coffee with the members of his biking group. Sitting next to me is this Israeli engineer named Yassim who my brother credits with inventing a flexible roadway system that generates electricity.

I’m duly impressed until Yassim stops me with, “But your brother didn’t like my next invention, practically laughed me out of the place when I told him about it. Kept ridiculing me and telling me what a stupid idea it was.”

Then he turns to my brother Peter, points a finger at him and says, “I just looked at the numbers from DirecTV and my stupid dog channel idea has returned over five million dollars.”

“Dog Channel?” I ask and Yassim says,

“Yes, people feel guilty about leaving their dogs alone for an entire day so they’re more than willing to pony up ten bucks a month to have their pets watch our channel.”

“So can you tell me what’s your favorite show?”

And Yassim answers, “You’ll have to ask the dogs.”

ing spaces? Dan wonders.

After coffee, I Google “Dog Channel” and sure enough, there it is. Shots of balls bouncing around, birds flying, dogs chasing cats—the whole nine yards of doggie visual delights. And Yassim is minting money with his dumb idea.

“We’re thinking of making it free with DirecTV paying us a monthly fee,” he tells me.

Dog Channel--go figure.

And he goes on to tell us about a fortystory apartment building they are doing in Moscow. All of the apartments give up living space to small balconies and they have no walls or sliders to keep out the cold. Whole families occupy these apartments, ten or twelve people, grandmothers, aunts, uncles.

We’re having drinks with our new tenants, Dan and Alex. Dan’s an architect with a big firm in New York doing a project in Kazakhstan, a ninety-story apartment building. He’s working from home reviewing the plans and puzzling over why there’s a huge space in the parking garage devoted to a refrigerator facility. Why put a refrigeration area in the basement and take up all these park-

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So he asks his boss and he explains, “Kazakhstanis are big on horsemeat, so that’s a storage locker for their horsemeat. They keep whole sides of horses and it’s very important to them we don’t mess with their horsemeat storage area. Way more important than parking spaces.”

“So why give up the space for these balconies?” Dan inquires.

“That’s where they store their meat. They put up plastic to keep out the cold and keep their meat outside. Can’t rent the apartments without them. Moscowites are very big on meat.” I can imagine the finished building looking like a gigantic butcher’s window.

And you don’t always have to go far from home to find good ones. We’re in the Giant talking with Leslie Bowman and she tells us this one about a conversation she and Ann Taylor had at a coffee shop in Manhattan. “So we’ve just come from meeting with a donor and we duck into a restaurant to decompress and we get to chatting about nothing and everything and Ann says about someone (not the donor), “He’s a wingnut.”

If you’ve met her, you know Leslie’s no dumb bunny but the first place her mind takes her is, Wingnut’? Is that some famous Virginia family I haven’t heard of?

The Wingnuts--like the Carters or Randolphs? The Wingnuts, hmmm.”

Leslie goes on, “I’m not from the south, so I say, to Ann, ‘I’m not familiar with that family.’”

And Ann bursts out laughing, making a circular motion over her temple with her finger, “No, ‘wingnut’—as in whacko, crazy. “Wingnuts. We have still had a good chuckle over that one.”

And I’ve got to close with the story that got Annie into the Chicago Tribune some years back. We have all kinds of family coming for Christmas, whole hordes of them from all over the place so Anne buys a twenty-something pound turkey, monstrous bird, and tells our Polish housekeeper to put it in the basement fridge.

“Yes, Ma’am,” Gesuava says, hustling the turkey downstairs.

Cut to Christmas morning and Anne says to Gesuava, “C’mon down and we’ll retrieve the turkey and all the stuff we need to cook dinner.”

Anne, horrified, watches as Gesuava retrieves it from the freezer and hands it to her, frozen solid.

Anne, seeing her Christmas dinner going up in smoke, explodes, “I told you to put it in the refrigerator.”

Gesuava tries to make the best of it, saying, “I put in bathtub, very hot, fix quick.”

That comment pushes Anne over the edge, she grabs the turkey out of Gsuava’s hands, raises it high over her head and slam dunks it on the concrete floor.

Of course, the bird bounces all over the basement with Gesuava cringing and apologizing and Anne mouthing a string of epithets all concerned with Christmas being ruined because the turkey is frozen solid with both ducking and weaving trying to avoid the jumping bird.

All’s well that ends well—turns out the Jewel is having a fire sale on big turkeys, eight cents a pound. So after spending three bucks on a refrigerated and unfrozen big bird, the Vanderwarker’s Christmas dinner is back in business.

See you next time, enjoy your holidays and don’t’ forget to honk if you see yellow.

Tony Vanderwarker, raised in New England, spent a couple years at Yale and then served two years in the Peace Corps where he got bitten both by tsetse flies and the writing bug. He went to film school at NYU and made documentaries and a full length film which didn’t sell so he decided to try shorter films and went into advertising. Fifteen years later, he had his own ad agency in Chicago where he did “Be Like Mike” for Gatorade. When his partners bought him out, Tony finally had a chance to write full time. It only took him fifteen more years to finally get a book published. “Who cares?” Tony says, “some writers hit paydirt fast, others take longer. I’m just glad my time has come.” visit www.tonyvanderwarker.com

17

DECEMBER 2014

Celebrate the Season with

The Clifton Inn

4-COURSE ‘SECRET SANTA’ meNU C h r i s t m a s t r e e s gingerbread houses special holiday wine pairings Charlottesville cheer for more information and reservations: 434.971.1800 or reception@clifton-inn.com 18

KESWICK LIFE

COMMUNITY Ye Hallowed Ground ADAPTED BY KESWICK LIFE

It has been said that the American Civil War was largely fought over the words ascribed to Thomas Jefferson ~ all men are created equal.

what better way to pay homage to those brave souls in Orange County than with a living tree for them. We hope these trees encourage others to become involved in planting their own memorial trees along this route,” said Monte Gingery, property owner and a board member with the Journey Through Hallowed Ground Partnership.

Today, as you turn out of his driveway at Monticello, you’ll travel 180 miles north along ‘The Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Scenic Byway’ to Gettysburg, PA. Along the way, you pass the largest concentration of Civil War battlefields in the country, including the beginning of the War (Harpers Ferry and Manassas), the middle of the war (Antietam and Gettysburg) and the end of the war, (Appomattox). Upon these and other battlefields 620,000 men who died.

Trees planted as part of the Living Legacy Project will eventually stretch along the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Scenic Byway, a 180-mile swath of land that runs from Gettysburg, PA to Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello in Charlottesville, VA. Each tree is then geotagged and placed on an interactive online map created with the support of GIS software industry leader ESRI. In addition, Ancestry.com links the Living Legacy Tree Project to their Fold 3 Memorial Pages and provide accesss to its websites so that participating JTHG classrooms can research soldiers’ stories.

The Journey Through Hallowed Ground Partnership is commemorating the Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War with a legacy project of national significance. It is a simple yet eloquent plan, to plant one tree for each of the 620,000 soldiers who died, as a living memorial for their individual and combined sacrifices. The trees will create a 180 mile alle, from Monticello to Gettysburg, along the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Scenic Byway and serve to remind each traveler along the way of the enormity of the loss.

More, we will Geotag each tree to allow visitors to learn the name and the story of each young man for whom the tree is planted allowing photos, diary entries and letters home to be shared. We believe this is the time to create and implement a living legacy for those who gave “the last full measure” during our country’s most trying time, especially in light of the fact that 50% of these men died anonymously.

This project further lends itself to a national service learning program as we work with students from around the country who are researching the fallen from their community, learning their sto-

ries and coming to dedicate trees in their honor.

So, now for a bit of background, around Christmas 1864, a small skirmish between Union and Confederate forces occurred at Liberty Mills (Somerset). To commemorate the 150th anniversary of that engagement, 184 trees were recently dedicated on some of the same land where that battle took place as part of the Journey Through Hallowed Ground Partnership’s Living Legacy Project.

This project of national significance was

created to commemorate the Civil War Sesquicentennial by planting or dedicating one tree for each of the 620,000 soldiers who died, as a living memorial for their individual and combined sacrifices.

Monte and Darby Gingery, owners of Somerset Plantation, planted a mixture of Red Maples, Red Buds, Serviceberry, and Virginia Red Cedars to honor the lives lost during one of America’s most defining moments. “It was important to us as a family to honor the brave fallen men from both The Confederacy and The Union in this Civil War. We thought

Upon completion, the Living Legacy Project will be the first 180-mile landscaped allée in the world and the only allée dedicated to honoring the most defining moment in American history. The project will create a unified color palette that reminds visitors that they are, indeed, on hallowed ground. It was upon the battlefields within this region that many of the soldiers who fought, died during the American Civil War, one of our country’s most defining moments.

A signature palette of seasonal trees and plantings, including redbuds, red oaks, red maple, and red cedar have been selected to represent the courage and valor of the individuals being honored with this project. The native selection is appropriate to the diverse landscapes along this historic corridor, and remains sensitive to the local ecology, scenic views, and development patterns.

Extraordinary custom orchid arrangements starting at $175, that will bloom through the Holidays into the New Year.

One-of-a-kind containers, heirloom and premium orchid varieties.

Weekly deliveries: Charlottesville, DC and Northern Virginia Greenhouse: 540.832.3440 Email: orchids@floradise.com Open: Wed-Sun 10-5

19

DECEMBER 2014

CONSERVATION

We can all head into this Holiday Season

To Protect and Serve... the PEC

being thankful that the Keswick region and the Southwest Mountains Rural Historic District is one of the most highly protected rural areas in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Within the District there are over 16,000 acres of private land that have been permanently protected from development with conservation easements. The protection of this beautiful rural countryside we call home is primarily due to area residents who have a genuine appreciation for a rural lifestyle and a strong conservation ethic. In addition, much of this success has been fueled by a favorable set of stable policies at both the state and federal level that encourage landowners to protect their land.

When Rex Linville, a land conservation This map above depicts the PEC Virginia Service Area, which includes: Albemarle & Charlottesville, officer for The Piedmont EnvironmenClarke, Culpeper, Fauquier, Greene, Loudoun, Madison, Orange and Rappahannock Counties. tal Council, first started working in Albemarle County over 10 years ago there state and federal level that allow private citizens calling for a complete dismanwere approximately 30,000 acres protect- landowners the freedom to permanently tling of our permanent land conservation ed countywide. Today the County has protect rural land and natural resources program – they were essentially arguing about 90,000 acres of private land that is with conservation easements. that permanent land protection with conpermanently protected.

“That dramatic servation easements should not be perwsterHamar final_1/2 page Keswick life 4/9/14 3:18 PM Page 1 land conservation progress is largely the Unfortunately, Linville is concerned that mitted in Virginia.” There are concerns result of a ‘perfect storm’ of tax incen- there may be growing threats to this sys- that this message could gain some tractives at both the state and federal level,” tem of land conservation in the coming tion in the General Assembly this year, said Linville. These tax incentives are years, “I was recently a spectator at a particularly as members are looking for also supported by an underlying set of meeting of the Virginia Outdoors Foun- savings to aid in closing the state’s budpolicies and a legal framework at the dation board where I heard a number of get gap. That perfect storm of tax incen-

tives could be severely curtailed, preventing many willing easement donors from making the decision they want to: to protect their land forever.

As a community that has benefited greatly from the success of these land conservation programs through the protection of scenic views, intact forests, productive agricultural land, and miles of creeks and streams, we need to step up to the plate to ensure that these programs continue. Moderate voices in support of land conservation must be heard at the local, state, and federal level in order for these programs to remain. If we don’t stand up as a community, get civically involved, and advocate for the continuation of these important land protection programs, we run the risk of getting over-run by individuals and organizations who would prefer to see fewer restrictions on the use of rural land.

According to Linville, the staff at The Piedmont Environmental Council is working hard to ensure that these programs remain and thrive, but they can only do so with the support from the community. If you want to learn more, you can give him a call at (434) 977-2033 or an email at rlinville@pecva.org.

Richard L. Chilton, Jr.

Garrison duP. Lickle

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www.ChiltonTrust.com 20

KESWICK LIFE

LIVING IN VIRGINIAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S HUNT COUNTRY

LOCUST HILL Built in 1826, "Locust Hill" is a Flemish bond brick manor house. Unique oversized tripartite windows, high ceilings, 6 fireplaces, and gracious central hall with Federal style stairway with mahogany handrail all make for distinguished and light filled interiors. Tucked more than three-quarters of a mile from the road on 323 acres of improved pastureland studded with small woodlots. Spectacular Blue Ridge views. Less than 10 minutes from historic Lexington. $1,900,000

For more information please contact:

Don Skelly (540) 406-1370

PIEDMONT OFFICE 132A East Main Street, Orange, VA 22960

(540) 672-3903

Fax: (540) 672-3906

www.farmandestate.net

PROPERTIES ON THE MARKET

PROPERTIES ON THE MARKET

Walnut Hills

Ashanti

Clifton

Green Mountain Road With the stunning, c. 1891 brick stable w/ interior courtyard as centerpiece, storied Nydrie Stud for generations was a prominent thoroughbred breeding farm.

Today, it could again be a breathtaking equestrian estate or productive vineyard w/ arresting event venue. Neighboring other historic, permanently protected estates like Enniscorthy & w/ 25 division rights, Nydrie is undoubtedly a strong conservation easement candidate. About 150 acres of rolling meadow w/ the balance in mature hardwoods

Georgian manor house built in 1882 by Governor Kemper in Orange Co. A total of 373 mostly open acres, 3 miles on the Rapidan River, and incredible Blue Ridge views. 6000 sq. ft. brick house exudes a grand style that only a period house can.

The main floor has a great hall that is 52 ft. long and 12 ft. across, with a ceiling height of 14 ft. Other details include paneled library, living room, formal dining room, 7 bedrooms, 4.5 baths and 9 fireplaces.

Ashanti Farm is a 395-ac EuropeanDesigned Equestrian Property. Located in Keswick Hunt Country with expansive views of Southwest Mts. Main Residence is completely renovated/redesigned;4 Bedrooms, 3.5Baths, Manager's House, 3Car Garage, Swimming Pool&Spa, Raised Gardens, Orchards, Both Indoor and Covered Riding Arenas, 3 Stables providing 26 stalls, Barn Apartment ,Paddocks with Board Fencing, water & sheds. Several Equipment/Storage Facilities.

A setting of mature trees and landscaping is home to this wonderfully restored home, c. 1782. Loyal to the character and integrity of the home, the current owners have meticulously updated and restored Clifton to facilitate modern convenience melded with history and charm.

Equestrian enthusiasts will love this country property with a well-appointed 13 stall stable, riding ring and great pastures as well as other outbuildings.

For further information contact Justin Wiley (434) 981-5528

For further information contact Duke Merrick (434) 951-5160

For further information contact Frank Hardy 434.296.0134

$5,000,000

$10,995,000

Woodlynne

For further information contact Loring Woodriff 434.466.2992

$3,300,000

$3,465,000

Windy Knoll

Graves Mill Road

Fox Run

110 acre horse farm with an architecturally distinguished, renovated and expanded c. 1870 home. The home features four zone HVAC, mahogany doors with bespoke hardware, large open country kitchen with custom cabinets, commercial grade range, cedar closets, multiple porches and patios, salt water gunite pool, eight-stall barn with one foaling and sprinkler system. Multiple board fenced paddocks, 120' x 250' riding ring, large hay barn with large 800+/square foot office. Large pond.

Completely private.

A peaceful and serene location in Orange Co. Our custom 3,600+/- sf, 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath home was crafted in 2000 on the old Chestnut Hill farm of 82 acres. Two master suites, one on each level, a family room with a fireplace, a custom kitchen with Granite counters, a breakfast room with pasture views, recent new hardwood floors and an attached garage.

There are 30+ acres of fenced pasture, currently for cattle, rolling mature woodlands with trails, a stream, a custom 2,400 sf shop/barn

Classic farmhouse on 171 acres, protected area with magnificent natural beauty, near Shenandoah National Park. Home has lots of character including beautiful heart pine floors in most rooms, wide entry hall, family room w/ beamed ceiling and stone fireplace, first level bedroom w/ stone FP, large kitchen leading to large screened porch in back, 6 BR and 2 BA total.

Beautiful pastoral setting, BLue Ridge views, long frontage on pristine Rapidan River.

Completely private and exquisitely appointed, Fox Run is the ideal country retreat. Beginning at the hand forged iron entry gates, this is an estate of enormous distinction and appeal. The manor is nestled amid incredible perennial gardens and surrounded by working farms and estates. Improvements include a pool, guest cottage, a fine stable and pristine board fencing. Located on one of Virginia's most scenic drives, five minutes from charming Gordonsville and just 20 minutes from town.

For further information contact Donald Skelly (434) 296-0134

For further information contact Bev Nash(434) 295-3524

For further information contact Jim Faulconer 434.295.1131

For further information contact Julia Parker Lyman (540) 748-1497

$1,950,000

$899,000

18.

$1,595,000

$1,850,000

22

KESWICK LIFE

KESWICK LIFE

Established in 1929

WE MAKE HOUSE CALLS! That’s right, our customer service philosophy sets us apart from the rest!

Local service pick up and drop off • Loaner cars by appointment • In home test drives

Don’t be fooled by other dealers misleading way of doing business.

In our pricing, freight is always included and only rebates everyone can qualify for.

Here at Eddins Ford, we have been doing business the same way for more than 85 years.

Don’t forget, we will always buy your car even if you don’t buy ours! www.eddinsford.com 2895 South Seminole Trail Madison, VA 22927 (800) 322-6806

23

DECEMBER 2014

McLean Faulconer Inc. Farm, Estate and Residential Brokers

COLLINA - 113 acres of park-like land, near Barboursville with a lovely 3 bedroom cottage, magnificent elevated building site with panoramic Blue Ridge Mountain views and large shade trees to surround a new residence. The land is gently rolling to hilly with fields for animals, mature hardwood forest with trails, several large creeks, old roads and a bridge dating back to preCivil War. List Price: $1,490,000. Call Jim Faulconer (434) 9810076.

QUAKER RUN FARM â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Magnificent Blue Ridge views, superb location near National Park, trout streams, vineyards and more. Expertly restored, enlarged & appointed 3BR/3BA farmhouse. Fabulous gourmet kitchen, spacious screened porch, several terraces, antique pine floors, beautiful gardens & landscaping, pool. Large barn renovated for entertainment: kitchen, bath, exercise space, 6 stall stable. 90 min. to D.C. 30 to Charlottesville. $979,000 Jim Faulconer (434) 981-0076. MLS#513585

KESWICK ESTATES - Exquisite English Country home on a premiere 2.5 acres in Keswick Estates. Lovely views golf course & mountains, yet very private. Architecturally designed 7000+ sq ft residence offers a beautiful light filled spacious LR; DR; gourmet kitchen; library w/ limestone FP surround; luxurious master complete w/ dressing rm & office; media rm & 4 additional BDRS. The highest quality materials & workmanship. $1,950,000. C. Dammann (434) 981-1250. MLS#451592

CEDARWOOD FARM - Completely private 176 acre

farm, just 18 miles southeast of Charlottesville. Approx. 26 acres of lush pastures & hayfields w/the balance being in predominantly hardwood forests. Fenced & crossed-fenced w/streams, two ponds, a barn & equipment shed. Brick residence, c. 1988, over 3,600 fin.sq.ft., 4BR/3BA, finished basement. Ideal primary residence, Gentlemanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Farm or weekend retreat. $695,000 Steve McLean (434)981-1863. MLS#518607

www.mcleanfaulconer.com

The Right REALTOR Makes All The Difference!

(434) 295 -1131

homes@mcleanfaulconer.com

503 Faulconer Drive - Suite 5 Charlottesville, VA 22903

24

KESWICK LIFE

ON EXHIBIT

COMMUNITY “Dressing Downton:

Dogs of Virginia ChangingService Fashion for Changing Times” ADAPTED FOR KESWICK LIFE

Where Opportunity Meets Peace of Mind

A personal relationship combined with our independent, disciplined investment approach makes us the right partner to help you reach your long-term financial goals. We orchestrate our client’s financial affairs to provide a comprehensive and coordinated approach to wealth management. We create a personalized strategy based on the needs A great community is full of inspiration. Innisfree takes special care to create of each client that blends achievement of goals with peace of mind.

A good day at work inspires. a therapeutic work environment for its coworkers that builds a strong sense of community and enhances each person’s unique skills.

When Innisfree Reaching your financial goals begins todayneeded more space for additional weavers, CACF helped expand the weaving studio. with a phone call to arrange a discovery meeting.

Now, coworkers, like Mark, who have skills that can transform spools of yarn into beautiful placemats, can enjoy working with friends and can share their carefully crafted products with our community. Our passion is to support the community.

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One Boar’s Head Pointe, Suite 101, Charlottesville, Virginia 22903 ALAN N. CULBERTSON

GEORGE L. PAYNE, JR.

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Service Dogs of Virginia has been helpFeaturing costumes and accessories from the hit PBS series ing people with disabilities in a unique, at the Virginia Historical empowering way since their startSociety in 2000. Whether a person has a spinal cord injury that changes them from a fully functioning individual to a quadriplegic he Virginia Historical Society is pleased to announce that Altria Group has in the blink of an eye, to a parent who reagreed to sponsor the VHS’s newest exhibit, “Dressing Downton: Changing ceives a diagnosis of autism for their son Fashion Changing Times.” or daughter, or for a Type 1 Diabetic who has lost all recognition of low blood sugThe nationally will run from October 2015 through January 2016 and ar, life has takentouring a severeexhibit and irreversible turn.

Service Virginia provides will be shownDogs in theofVHS’s newly created changing exhibition space, one of the project agoals specially trained companion who helps Campaign.” of its $38-million “Story of Virginia their person live with greater independence, security, and peace of mind.

The exhibition consists of 35 costumestism? and Here accessories the shares popular PBS is what from a mother about MASTERPIECE program.

Visitors be able to explore the lives of Downton’s “We have neverClassic charged a fee for our will life after her son received a service dog: dogs, but have relied onand thetheir generosity aristocratic inhabitants servants during the World War I period. of individuals and philanthropic orga- “Now, on outings my son casually holds nizations”, said Sally Day, Director of onto Sherlock’s vest, stopping often for “Altria has a long history of support for the arts,” said Jack Nelson, Executive Vice Development. Day says most of their cli- petting breaks, chatting happily with President and Chief expenses Technology Officer, andabout Boardhis Vice Chairman, anyoneGroup, who asks dog.

He reents have outrageous related to Altria Virginia Historical Society. are pleased to support thefeels.”

Virginia ports how “Sherlock WeHistorical go for their disabilities.

While there“And is nowe govlong hikes, we go to museums, movies, Society as it brings ‘Dressing Downton’ to our hometown. ernment funding or traveling insuranceexhibitions coverage like and wait in long lines with to payexhibition for a service dog can reduce This willdog, be aa great draw for residents andpatiently visitors alike.”

Sherlock. My son has neater handwritthe need for paid assistants. ing. He’s shown improvements in his “Wedog are excited to have Group this nationally touring exhibition of Each undergoes two Altria years of train-sponsor speech, has made reading gains, and is Downton Abbey costumes,” said Paul Levengood, andnight.

CEO ofThe thesounds Virginia ing, beginning at eight weeks of age. By sleepingPresident through the Historical Society.

“There they are many real-lifeof American connections to Downton Abbey, the time they are placed, will have crying and anxiety have been replaced had hours of training, completely by the oftoa life. dog During snorandapproximately this exhibition 700 complements the VHS mission to bring oursound history been to 50 different places, and learned ing.

My son comes home after school the late 19th century, and right up to the outbreak of World War I, hundreds of American over 30 advanced commands. They work and plays wildly with Sherlock instead women visited England and Europe hoping to marry aristocrats. The series character, for no pay except a little kibble and a lot of having an habitual tantrum.”

Lady of Grantham of love.Cora, Theythe areCountess steady, reliable, joyous,is one such American woman.”

T

A diabetic alert dog will detect the odor and often hilarious. emitted through thepart pores breath of The exhibition and the two major exhibitions that follow it are of and the $38-million In June they placedCampaign,” a dog with aof 14-yeara Type 1 Diabetic andhas alert them to check “Story of Virginia which more than $31 million been raised. old boy who has a progressive neurolog- their blood sugar so they can eat before ical disorder called Friedreich’s Ataxia. they are in danger. They can also tell “The Story of Virginia Campaign” designed to help the VHS better utilize portions Though he can currently walk withisthe when blood sugar is too high so a person of itsofexisting facility.

Thishe will allow for can the take display of insulin. even more of the Society’s help a complex walker, is wobbly more Currently, a welland weak. His dog opens doors, picks uplarger collections as well as hosting more and events and exhibitions. trained diabetic alert dog is more accudropped items, and is his constant com- rate than any available technology. panion.

When thisexhibitions boy becomes Future changing willwheelinclude “The Art of Seating: 200 years of American chair bound in the next year, his dog will Service Dogs of Virginia’s client, Caroline Design,” which will feature works by John Henry Belter, George Hunzinger, Herter be even more vital to his well-being. His was in her late 20’s when a virus damBrothers, Stickley Frank & Rayleaving Eames, Isamu Noguchi, agedCharles her pancreas her a diabetic. parents want him Brothers, to live with theLloyd inde-Wright, and Frankappropriate Gehry and many pendence to hismore. age. They She was unable to tell when her blood can be comfortable giving this young sugar level was low so she kept it artificiallyanother high with huge health man freedomHall to navigate new places Glory,” “ProtheFootball of Fame: Gridiron upcoming VHS implicachanging tions. Now that she has Figgy, Caroline and gain responsibility with a service exhibition, will highlight such storied objects as the Super Bowl trophy, a 1917 game dog adding to his security and capabil- keeps her blood sugar levels in a tighter, ball used by Jim Thorpe and the Canton Bulldogs, Tom Dempsey’s famous kicking healthier range.

She can resume activities ity. shoe created for his half foot, Mean Joe Greene’s jersey, and more than 200 other she gave up and she feels better than items she You ask what difference could housed frommight the sport’s rich history, normally at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. has in years. aAdmission service dog forthese a child withexhibitions automake each of special is free for Virginia Historical Society members.

The Altria Group sponsorship of “Dressing Downton: Changing Fashion for Changing Times” is part of a $250,000 total commitment that also includes support for the installation of a new “Story of Virginia” exhibition, which is slated to open in late summer 2015. Altria Group has been a major supporter of the VHS and the “Story of Virginia” exhibition since its first iteration in on the life charge in Keswick in 1992, asLets wellyou as leading for its transformation to an online exhibition in the early 2000s. Altria Group’s most recent commitment will help the Virginia Historical Society make Virginia’s history relevant, exciting, and accessible to present and future generations.

Read KESWICK

25 22.

22.

LIFE

DECEMBER 2014 KESWICK LIFE

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Keswick Vineyards At “Edgewood”

BY ELIZABETH BLYE DELANEY

A Keswick Christmas Story...

its rear left rudder and a tree had pushed a fuel tank into the cockpit from the left center of the wing among other damage.

The pilot said they needed to throw out the gear on board if they were to make an emergency landing. Al told Cindy to take off her coat and brace against it for a crash. As Roy and Al propped open the right side door with their legs to throw out gear, the plane got drag and could keep flying. Fast decisions, skill of the pilot, to think and act fast under dire circumstances kept the plane flying, but it wasn’t looking good. They realized they might not make it back. After twenty minutes they saw the airport but didn’t know if they had landing gear. It could still be all over.

“The purpose of life is not to be happy, it is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.”

- Ralph Waldo Emerson The byproduct of that is happiness. The year was 1995, Cindy and Al Schornberg were coming back to Michigan from a hunting trip in the Northwest Territories in Canada. They had to charter a prop plane from a remote small town to get to Calgary where they would take a commercial flight home. There were four passengers: the pilot, Roy a fellow hunter from Texas, and Cindy and Al.

They landed safely, Cindy said she couldn’t control the shaking. They got out and hugged each other, promised to name a child after Roy, vowed to stay in touch and decided to go into the small bar/restaurant at the remote airport.

They had to wait four hours for a commercial flight. The pilot was being questioned about the accident while Cindy, Al and Roy were in the bar. After phone calls to loved ones, they started doing shots and drinking beer - it was 8:00 in the morning.

Cindy and Al both worked at his tech company, Anatec, in Michigan and flew in small planes for business. She called her Mom before they left and told her that she couldn’t wait for this flight to be over. She just had a premonition, something unsettled about the upcoming flight. But as premonitions go, it stayed in the back of her mind.

Al said their adrenaline was so pumped up that they just couldn’t feel the affects of the alcohol - they consumed a lot of it!

All those who knew flying and saw the plane said it shouldn’t have been able to fly. They talked about their regrets; it seems that wake up calls tell us to live our lives differently.

They laughed with Roy about starting the propeller with a rubber band, even took pictures of them joking around.

All the gear was stowed and they were on board. Roy and their 26 year old pilot took the front seats, Cindy and Al were in the rear seats. It was a cloudy, dreary day. The pilot was not licensed to fly using instruments so he was flying visually by skimming the clouds or staying just below them.

Al recalls they were all a little edgy about the weather. As they flew, it got foggier and they couldn’t see a thing. Twenty minutes into the flight, Al said,“all of a sudden there was a break in the clouds and I saw green and then they hit.” They had ‘hit’ the tops of trees on a mountain peak and they knew the second hit was coming and they would be dead. What goes through your mind when impending death is at the door?

From what I have researched, the same thing happens to us all. First, there is the thought of our loved ones. We want one more chance to tell them that we love them. Then, comes the regret of what we didn’t do with our lives.

Roy had no idea that one of Al’s regrets was never following his dream of making wine. They were back at home in Michigan and a card arrived from Roy. It had grapevines all over it and this saying:

Cindy said, “in seconds it seemed, I went through the classic stages of acceptance of death.” She bargained. Both she and Al separately, promised they would go to church more, having grown up Catholic, if they could be spared. They were angry, “we are too young to die.” Then acceptance, they were going to die, nothing they could do about it!

They all had on headphones to communicate with each other. Mysteriously, Cindy’s stopped working so she couldn’t hear what the other three were saying, which she says was a blessing. The pilot took the nose up and they were still flying. He asked if they wanted to do an emergency landing there or try to keep going back to the airport. The plane lost

26

‘You know I’ve been thinking, about your circumstances and wondering why it is that we sometimes have to go through times like this. I was reminded of the way grapevines have to be pruned back. Sometimes the pruning seems so severe that you wonder how the vines will ever recover. But it’s only because of those prunings that the roots receive the strength they need to grow deep and strong. When the vines recover, they bear even more fruit and have the added strength to withstand storms and droughts. Maybe we undergo pruning times too and although it may seem, to us when it’s happening, that the pruning is too harsh and lasts too long, in time we emerge more patient, more productive, stronger and wiser. I want you to know that in all circumstance, I appreciate both

KESWICK LIFE

of you and I’m always here for you (’all).

(Bobbie Burrow) Signed, Roy!’ Al said that from childhood he wanted to make his own wine. He had a dream of sitting under an olive tree and drinking a glass of wine that he had made. His grandfather worked at Messena Cellars in France. His grandmother was from wine country in Italy. His mother was from France - it was in his DNA. After the accident he decided to follow his dream.

Al also regretted not having children with Cindy and a year after the accident their daughter Alacin was born. Her middle name is “Royale”, keeping Al’s promise to name her after Roy, blending Roy with his name. Five years later LaShalle was born. Al also has four children from a previous marriage.

Al and Cindy decided to sell the tech firm and begin searching for the perfect place to start a vineyard. The firm sold right away and they began a two year train trip around the country to look at properties.

Healdsburg, California was their second choice but Virginia, well, was the first.

They bought a property in Gloucester planning to build a house, only to have their real estate agent call them and say something very special had come on the market. They came to Charlottesville and looked at “Edgewood” in Keswick. It

was perfect and had ideal land exposure for a vineyard. That day they put their Goucester property on the market and made plans to move to Keswick.

Al’s older children began to drift into Charlottesville, attending UVA and helping out at the winery. Al’s daughter Kathy married the winemaker and manager that Al had hired, South African Steven Barnard. His daughter Kris helps with marketing and label design. His son Brian and daughter Kathy help with social media. The first thing I noticed in their house was a large photo of their family over the fireplace and learned they have eleven dogs.

The real blessing in this story is what they give back, they decided to focus on giving back to charities that specifically help prematurely born children with special needs - they had experienced two premature births themselves.

American Heart Association - Al’s son, Brian had a heart attack at age 29.

They hold weddings and wine tasting events at Keswick Vineyard, welcoming visitors as extended family. Their passion and love is evident. They are featured in a documentary released this year called “The American Wine Story”. It interviews wine makers across the country who had a dream of making good wine.

Some quit their day job and borrowed money, while others labored at the day job and made wine in their spare time.

It is a vision and a dream that they have followed.

Al said, “No one gets into this business for the money.” It takes at least ten years to realize a profit.” Keswick Vineyards is a thriving business enterprise with three of Al’s older children helping out. Cindy

meets with the families who hold weddings there, overseeing all the details.

They are busy marketing their wine as well as making it. He laughs and says, “It’s a far cry from just sitting under a tree and drinking a glass wine.”

Keswick Vineyards is a boutique winery known for their Viognier and Cabernet Sauvignon wines. Their Cabernet Sauvignon won the Virginia’s Governor’s Cup in 2007 and Double Gold at the San Francisco International Wine Competition in 2009. In 2002 their Viognier Reserve won the best white wine at the Atlanta International Wine Summit. There are many more awards on their website. Take a tour, visit the tasting room and experience the love of wine making at its’ finest here in Virginia.

They are a donor to the University of Virginia Battle Building for pediatric care.

They give to the Little Keswick School and the Oakland School among others.

They created a special label to honor Al’s sister, Genevieve, who died of an asthma attack. It is called “Les Vent d’Anges, which means “the winds of angels” and also refers to the first grape harvest. The early proceeds of this special wine went to the American Lung Association. They now donate directly to them as a personal charity along with donating to the

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DECEMBER 2014

ON SCREEN

Catch Local Producer Phil Audibert’s Screening of ‘All Four Years’ ADAPTED BY KESWICK LIFE The Town of Gordonsville will host a Civil War era Christmas Saturday, December 20, 2014. On tap will be a period church service, walking tours, ghost stories, a video documentary, a visit by a Civil War era Santa Claus, children’s activities, live music, and a holiday ball all in the spirit of the holidays as they were celebrated 150 years ago.

cards. Throughout the evening the ladies of the Gordonsville Presbyterian Church will serve a wide variety of refreshments at the Fire hall.

Tickets for the event cost $5 per person; $8 per couple and children 12 and under are free. They can be purchased by going to www.visitorangevirginia.com or calling (540) 661-5328. All proceeds benefit the Gordonsville Presbyterian Church.

Starting at 4:30 p.m., the Gordonsville Presbyterian Church will host a holiday service complete with a Civil War era sermon and reenactors, including one who will portray Stonewall Jackson.

The legendary Confederate general was known to worship at that same church in the summer of 1862.

From there the festivities move to the Gordonsville Volunteer Fire Department. At 6:00 p.m., Phil Audibert will screen two episodes of his twelve chapter video documentary, All Four Years, The Civil War in Orange County, Virginia. Viewers will learn about Gordonsville’s role during the conflict and the numerous attempts by the Union to capture the strategic railroad town. All Four Years stems from a Civil War driving tour he wrote for the Orange County Department of Tourism to kick off the 150th anniversary of the

Civil War. Since then he’s been working on a video version of that same tour.

“But it morphed into something much bigger,” says Audibert, who uses modern day photographs, video of recent reenactments plus 1860’s era photographs to illustrate that the Civil War was felt locally for all four of its years.

The hour long film focuses more on the impact of the war and its consequences on the citizens of Orange County than on troop movements and tactics.

Childrens’ activities will be scheduled throughout the evening at the fire hall including a visit from a Civil War era Santa Claus. And there’s a chance the little ones can hear the 1823 poem, ’Twas the Night Before Christmas’ read aloud by a reenactor portraying General Robert E. Lee. Starting at 7:00 p.m., the Shenandoah Valley Minstrels will tune up their period instruments and provide appropriate music for the Gordonsville Holiday Ball, complete with a dance master and dance

Call toll free (888) 571-8687 plus the home ID indicated for up to date info

The Blue and Gray Christmas in Gordonsville is the Orange County Sesquicentennial Committee’s final event honoring the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. Since 2011, the committee has organized and participated in numerous events commemorating the conflict including manning a booth at the reenactment of the first major land battle of the Civil War, publishing a Civil War driving tour of the county, staging a reenactment of the Battle of Orange Courthouse, organizing a symposium on the Mine Run Campaign, recreating a Civil War christening, producing the video documentary All Four Years, and now celebrating what Christmas was like in this part of the world 150 years ago.

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KESWICK LIFE

THE BOOKWORM

One for Adults and Three for the Holidays

BY SUZANNE NASH

What happens

when someone disappears from your life and you have no idea what has become of them? It is a harrowing thought and even more terrifying when it is a child that goes missing. While several novels have dealt with this subject none of them is as beautiful and touching as A Year of Fog by Michelle Richmond.

Abby Mason is a young and promising photographer in the San Francisco area.

She is filled with hope and excitement about the life ahead of her. She is engaged to a man she adores and is working hard to create a bond with his six year old daughter, Emma. It only takes one moment of looking away for her whole life to unravel. Walking the beach with Emma she lets go of Emma’s hand and stops to look at something on the beach and when she turns back; Emma is gone.

What happens next is a study in human emotions - the guilt, fear and frustration

E.Delaney_KeswickLife_Ad_gs.indd 1

that bubbles up and overwhelms Abby and Jake, changes their lives forever and tests their love for each other. A countdown begins from this point on and chapters are marked with Day 2, Day 20, Day 300 and the reader journeys with them as they each deal with the loss and search in different ways.

This a story about conviction, determination, gut instincts and faith beyond endurance. It is a story about how life sometimes takes us on a path we could never have imagined, one that requires us to rise to the occasion and persevere. The imagery is powerful and the descriptions seem captured by the eye of a photographer. One of the things that Richmond does exceedingly well is capture the desire to remember, the belief that if only everything could be remembered there would be some piece of the puzzle that would unlock the mystery and give us a happy ending. She tackles the subject of memory in a unique way and I found it deftly handled.

This is a beautifully crafted novel that captures how relationships can sometimes change through no fault of our own but due to circumstances beyond our control.

Now that I have given the adults a serious read for the holidays I want to recommend a beautiful picture book for children called Bethlehem by Fiona French.

The beautiful illustrations depict the nativity as stained glass windows and tell the Christmas story via the scriptures in a way that children will enjoy and understand. The colors and artwork are truly magical!

Watch it on You Tube for free, just go to this address: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=ZE9KpobX9J8 That’s my Christmas gift to you this Holiday Season! I hope you love it as much as I do because we should all be children at heart during this time of year.

“Dear Orange, Merry Christmas!

Sincerely, Barbara” A Book of Holiday Watercolors & Reminiscence by Barbara M. Collins. Since 1980, Barbara Collins has captured life in Orange in her watercolor paintings. A true believer in plentiful color and careful composition, she paints at eightyeight with enthusiasm, en plein air, in the gallery studio, or in her Orange County sunroom.

Another wonderful holiday recommendation is The Snowman by Raymond Briggs. This is a beautiful book but I love the movie even more and it is well worth watching whether you have children or not. The illustrations and music always delight me and take me back to when my children were little.

Recognized as an artist member of the Virginia Watercolor Society, she brings to this selection from her annual holiday postcard paintings her own particular appreciation for thirty years in rural Virginia and the value of artistic expressions.

29

9/16/14 4:25 PM

DECEMBER 2014

OBITUARY Barbara Crouse Green Barbara Crouse Green of Keswick

passed away peacefully at Hospice House, Charlottesville, VA, on Saturday, November 15, 2014. Barbara was born in New England, the youngest child of the late Jim and late Betty Crouse. As a child she had a great love for horses and dogs and was thrilled to begin her lifelong relationship with all things horses with the arrival of her first pony. Throughout her childhood and into adulthood she rode, competed, and managed a boarding facility. She also developed great photographic skills and worked in banking and finance after attending college for several years.

The greatest years of her life with horses, and dogs, though, came when she met her husband, James O. Green at a day of hunter trials in Pennsylvania. Together they built a life surrounded by horses, dogs, and friends in Keswick, Virginia.

Barbara is survived by her husband, James O. Green, his children James B. Green and Abbie G. Little, and their families, and her sister, Susan Crouse and her brother, James Crouse and their families, and her horse and her dogs. She is also survived by a multitude of friends who will miss her and will remember her with great fondness for her generosity, kindness, and sense of humor. She was laid to rest at Grace Church in Cismont where she found great comfort and joy in her Christianity. Donations may be made in her name to Grace Episcopal Church, P. O. Box 43, Keswick, Virginia 22947.

Randall Ray Turner Randall “Randy” Ray Turner, 63, of Ruckersville, passed away Tuesday, December 3, 2014 at the Martha Jefferson Hospital. Randy was born October 21, 1951 in Charlottesville, VA. He was son of Ruth Payne Turner and the late Reuben Ray Turner. He is survived by his mother, Ruth Payne Turner; two aunts, Mildred P. Collier and Jean Breeden and her husband, Edward J. Breeden; and many devoted and loving cousins and

friends. Randy was a member of Cedar Grove Church of the Brethren. He was retired from U.S.A. Foreign Science and Technology Center. He enjoyed equestrian activities. He was a “regular” at Sally Lambs barn and a person who showed up at hunts and horse shows as a bystander. A graveside service was held on Saturday, December 6, Holly Memorial Gardens with Pastor Johnny Hawkins officiating. Memorial contributions may be made in Randy’s memory to the Madison-Greene Humane Society, P.O. Box 95, Ruckersville, VA 22968. An online guestbook is available at www. ryanfuneral.com.

Pamela Malone Pamela Malone, 82, the daughter of

the late Dumas and Elisabeth Gifford Malone, died on Sunday, November 30, 2014. A graduate of the Putney School and Smith College with a Master of Arts in Teaching from Radcliffe, she spent 34 years of her professional career at St. Anne’s-Belfield School, where she served as a member of the history department and administration of the Upper School, and a life-time of summers at her family residence in West Falmouth, MA. She is survived by her brother, Gifford Dumas Malone and his wife, Margaret, of McLean, VA; and her niece, Elizabeth Malone and her husband, Kenneth Diamond, and their sons, Steven and Michael of Seattle, WA. She very much hopes that her former students will continue to honor the cranberry and that her Cape Cod friends will remember her well with her favorite drink of all seasons. Contributions in her name may be sent to The West Falmouth Library, P.O. Box 1209, West Falmouth, MA 02574; or to St. Anne’s-Belfield School.

The Reverand George Conway will lead a memorial service on Saturday, December 20 at 2:00 p.m. in Randolph Hall Auditorium on the St. Annes Belfield Greenway Rise Campus (2132 Ivy Road). A reception in the Student Commons will follow the service. All are welcome.

KESWICK

THE LAST WORD Safely Decorating!

Never use lit candles near trees, boughs, curtains/drapes, or with any potentially flammable item.

Wear gloves while decorating with spun glass “angel hair.” It can irritate your eyes and skin. A common substitute is non-flammable cotton.

When spraying artificial snow on windows or other surfaces, be sure to follow directions carefully. These sprays can irritate your lungs if you inhale them.

Small children may think that holiday plants look good enough to eat, but many plants may be poisonous or can cause severe stomach problems. Plants to watch out for include: mistletoe, holly berries, Jerusalem cherry and amaryllis. Keep all of these plants out of children’s reach.

When displaying a tree, cut off about two inches of the trunk and put the tree in a sturdy, water-holding stand. Keep the stand filled with water so the tree does not dry out too quickly.

Stand your tree away from fireplaces, radiators and other heat sources. Make sure the tree does not block foot traffic or doorways.

Avoid placing breakable tree ornaments or ones with small, detachable parts on lower branches where small children or pets can reach them.

If you use an artificial tree, choose one that is tested and labeled as fire resistant.

Artificial trees with built-in electrical systems should have the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) label.

Only use indoor lights indoors (and outdoor lights outdoors). Look for the UL label. Check lights for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, and loose connections. Replace or repair any damaged light sets.

Use no more than three light sets on any one extension cord. Extension cords should be placed against the wall to avoid tripping hazards, but do not run cords under rugs, around furniture legs or across doorways.

Turn off all lights on trees and decorations when you go to bed or leave the house. Unplug extension cords when not in use.

If using a natural tree, make sure it is well watered to avoid dry branches from catching fire from the heat of light bulbs.

When displaying outdoor lights, fasten them firmly to a secure support with insulated staples or hooks to avoid wind damage. Never nail, tack or stress wiring when hanging lights and keep plugs off the ground away from puddles or snow.

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LIFE

Lifestyles in Keswick and its’ environs - December 2014

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