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The Holidays & Giving Back Issue
December is a time to come together, give back, and celebrate the warmth of community. As twinkling lights appear around town and the scent of warm spices fills the air of our kitchens, this issue invites you to embrace the spirit of the holidays -- one rooted in generosity, connection, and joy.
Inside, you’ll meet an inspiring organization empowering youth through mentorship and a remarkable food pantry that provides for local fam ilies while honoring every individual’s dignity. For a touch of holiday magic at home, enjoy decorating tips from a local who knows how to make a space shine. We’re also raising a glass to the season with expert wine pairings perfect for festive gatherings and cocktail recipes from a Virginia competition winner guaranteed to impress your guests.
This month, we’re especially thankful for the people who make our community stronger through creativity, compassion, and care -- and for you, our readers, as well as our partners, who continue to support local voices and stories. Here’s to a season of giving, gathering, and celebrating all that makes Charlottesville home. Warmly,
JAMES LISOWSKI, PUBLISHER
@CITYLIFESTYLECHARLOTTESVILLE
December 2025
PUBLISHER
James Lisowski | james.lisowski@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Jennifer Waldera | jennifer.waldera@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Robin Bethke, Codie Burrus, Keri-Ann Byrne, Mike Callahan, Trevor Joppich, Kathy Kerber, Sarah Morris, Ed Portillo, Kori Price, Sarah Cramer Shields, Jamie Waller, Big Brothers Big Sisters Staff, Martha Stockhausen, Charlottesville Business Innovation Council, Jackson Smith - The Smiths Photography, Minerva Photography/Benevolent Photographer.com, Ocean City Tourism, Scherer Joy Photography, The Strength Initiative
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Andrew Sapad
LAYOUT DESIGNER Amanda Schilling
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Marina Campbell
Where Mentorship Meets Mission
Big
Holiday Wines, Virginia Style
Richard
Simple
city scene
1: Movement and Mocktails at The Strength Initiative. 2: Culinary Cook AB's Cohort 21 graduation. 3: People gathered at Jackfest, a family-friendly festival benefiting the Ronald McDonald House of Charlottesville. 4: Event at Belle Terre with Jamie Waller. 5: Precision, creativity, and teamwork— students take on the Paper Chair Engineering Challenge at the CBIC Tech Tour. 6: Beth Rapp, Ashleigh Wright, Jess Quick Philhour, and Wesley Kittelberger at the Loop de Ville. 7: Keri-Ann Byrne of Charlottesville Organizing at the Active Aging Fair.
JAMIE WALLER
MIKE CALLAHAN
business monthly
Sellers Can Make Their Homes the Most Attractive on the Market
Staging, painting, landscaping, and renovations can all be key to making the house you’re selling among the most desirable on the market. To help with the costs associated with upgrades, Grier Murphy can help. Through the unique Nest Home Advantage Program, sellers can access funds through a small personal loan that can be paid off at closing. To learn more, visit GrierMurphy.com .
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Explore Provence on a Guided Wellness Retreat
Martha Stockhausen of The Next Chapter Travel curates luxury trips for women to destinations around the globe. In June, Martha is offering a seven-day wellness retreat to Provence, featuring daily pilates practice as well as exploration of the area’s historic villages and lavender fields. Travelers will also have the opportunity to taste French wines and enjoy the country’s cuisine. For more information, visit TheNextChapterTravel.com .
Take Care of Your Skin at Trend Salon
While summer sun can be harsh for skin, the cooler, drier air of winter can create challenges, too. However, Charlottesville’s award-winning Trend Salon is here to help. With a variety of services from facials to Dermaplaning, the salon’s welltrained estheticians can help brighten your skin just in time for the holidays and new year. TrendSalonCville.com
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Photography by Sarah Cramer Shields
Photography Courtesy of Martha Stockhausen
Photography by Codie Burrus
Where Mentorship Meets Mission
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS EMPOWERS YOUTH THROUGH MENTORSHIP AND CONNECTION.
ARTICLE BY JENNIFER WALDERA
PHOTOGRAPHY BY CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
KIDS CORNER | LIFE + CULTURE
Big Brother Brett and Little Brother Jayden. Photo Credit: BBBS Staff Elizabeth Morris of Morris & Wells. Photo Credit: Sarah Morris
Elizabeth Morris, President of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Blue Ridge, shares how the organization contributes to the community and how she became involved.
TELL US ABOUT BIG BROTHERS, BIG SISTERS AND ITS MISSION, VISION, AND VALUES:
The mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Central Blue Ridge (BBBS) is to create and support one-toone mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. With a vision for all youth to achieve their full potential, BBBS embraces the values of Access, Belonging, and Opportunity by providing access to positive mentorship for every young person who needs us; creating a community that fosters connection and belonging; and empowering young people to learn, lead, and grow.
We believe that when every young person has access to a positive mentor, it transforms their lives for the better, empowering them with a stronger sense of belonging and the opportunity and belief that they can achieve their full potential.
AT WHAT POINT DID COMMUNITY SERVICE, GIVING BACK, OR NONPROFIT LEADERSHIP BECOME PART OF YOUR LIFE? WAS THAT INTENTIONAL FROM THE START, OR DID IT EVOLVE OVER TIME?
I would say it evolved over time. When our son was young, my husband and I became involved in his school, his sports, and pretty much any activity he was involved in. Whether volunteering in the classroom, coaching YMCA basketball, or organizing Little League and soccer teams, we saw firsthand the importance of making opportunities accessible to every child.
We often helped transport kids to practices and games, ensuring that no child missed out because of logistics or resources. Being a part of a community means helping wherever needed.
Later, when our son went off to college, I began to feel a need to push myself to do more. My career had taken off, and I had become partner in our firm, but I wanted to give back in a more intentional way. My first board experience was with the local SPCA. We have adopted 4 dogs from shelters, and I felt I could help fill a void there. Later, I was introduced to Big Brothers Big Sisters by a friend. Within a few short months, I felt so connected to the mission, and I knew that I was involved with an organization where I could really help to create positive change in children’s lives.
WHAT HAVE BEEN SOME OF THE BIGGEST SUCCESSES OR MILESTONES DURING YOUR TENURE?
Success includes overcoming unexpected challenges and learning from those challenges. The single most demanding period in my time with BBBS was the COVID-19 pandemic. Like all children in our area, our Littles were facing isolation and school disruption. Many of the families in our program were facing food insecurity as they normally relied on meals from school for sustenance. While schools were closed, we partnered with the Chris Long Foundation to bring meals to our families twice a week.
This gave us an opportunity to not only be certain that they had food but to physically see how they were enduring the shutdown. We were concerned about our Littles falling behind in school purely from not having access to computers and books. Eventually, the weather warmed up and we started getting creative. Our Bigs adapted quickly, meeting outdoors or virtually, finding creative ways to maintain relationships and help our Littles adjust to the new normal. It was an incredibly difficult time, but it brought out the very best in our community. I couldn’t be prouder of how our staff, volunteers, and families came together to support one another.
“Our goal is not just to create more Matches, but to ensure that each one is meaningful and well-supported for the duration.”
“At the end of the day, our mission is simple: to make a difference in our community, one Little at a time.”
Sarah Althoff, Elizabeth Morris, and Molly Jackson. Photo Credit: BBBS Staff. Jayson and Marc Paulo at a pumpkin patch. Photo Credit: BBBS Staff
CAN YOU SHARE A STORY OR EXAMPLE OF A MENTORING MATCH IN CHARLOTTESVILLE OR ALBEMARLE, OR A MOMENT WHEN THE ORGANIZATION’S WORK REALLY PROVED ITS VALUE?
Big Brother Marc Paulo and Little Brother Jayson are an excellent example of how a Match (mentor/mentee pairing) can grow together over a decade of friendship and mentoring, and one that I’ve personally witnessed through my work with the Board.
When they first met, Jayson was six years old, a shy elementary schooler just discovering his interests. Now 17 and a high school junior, he’s a talented violinist, a member of his school’s marching band, and an avid mountain biker.
Over more than a decade, both Marc Paulo and Jayson have evolved and grown into exceptional young men. Marc Paulo has advanced in his career and deepened his commitment to Big Brothers Big Sisters by joining our Board of Directors, where he contributes a great deal to our mission. Their story is a meaningful reminder of how mentoring relationships are journeys that transform the lives of both the mentor and mentee. From visiting a pumpkin patch on their very first outing to recently going to see Jayson’s favorite band for his first concert, their relationship continues to be a wonderful adventure.
HOW IS THE ORGANIZATION WORKING TO SCALE, DEEPEN, OR EXPAND ITS REACH?
Big Brothers Big Sisters is focused on deepening our impact for our existing Matches and expanding our reach across our service area of Albemarle, Charlottesville, Fluvanna, and Nelson. We are growing strategically by building partnerships throughout the community. We work with local schools and other youth-serving organizations to identify potential Littles, particularly in rural areas where resources are limited. To recruit Bigs as diverse as the youth we serve, we coordinate efforts with Madison House at UVA, have a presence at events, and rely on word-of-mouth.
We continue to strengthen our organizational capacity to ensure every Match receives high-quality, consistent support, and we have the staff necessary to meet the growing demand for one-to-one mentoring relationships. Our goal is not just to create more Matches, but to ensure that each one is meaningful and well-supported for the duration.
LOOKING AHEAD 5–10 YEARS, HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS EVOLVE LOCALLY? WHAT LEGACY DO YOU HOPE TO LEAVE?
Our vision is to reduce the number of Littles waiting for a mentor by growing our staff and capacity over the next couple of years. We plan to add a Development Associate to support our fundraising efforts and ensure long-term financial sustainability. We will continue increasing our program staff capacity in alignment with our organization's growth.
We are already planning boldly for the future by expanding our financial literacy programs, deepening partnerships with schools and community organizations, and continuing to build a strong, diverse Board that reflects the families we serve. At the end of the day, our mission is simple: to make a difference in our community, one Little at a time.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHER PROFESSIONALS WHO WANT TO DEEPEN THEIR CIVIC OR NONPROFIT ENGAGEMENT (BUT FEEL CONSTRAINED BY TIME, RESOURCES, OR OBLIGATIONS)?
Find an organization whose mission aligns with your values and see what you can do to help improve or support that organization. With the advent of Zoom, we are finding much better engagement as we eliminate travel time to and from a meeting. For most organizations, even the smallest amount of time and effort is greatly appreciated.
To get involved or to learn more, including the incredible impact that mentorship can make in young lives, visit BlueRidgeBigs.org.
“We believe that when every young person has access to a positive mentor, it transforms their lives for the better, empowering them with a stronger sense of belonging and the opportunity and belief that they can achieve their full potential.”
Photo: Jayson and Marc Paulo outside of the office in Charlottesville. Photo Credit: BBBS Staff
Holiday Wines, Virginia Style
Richard Leahy shares how Virginia wines can make your holidays shine.
Wine industry consultant Richard Leahy has been writing about wine for 40 years, and while his writing and editorial work have been a part of numerous publications, he is also wellknown locally for having literally written the book on Virginia wines: “Beyond Jefferson’s Vines.” Naturally, he has expert advice on which local wines to pair with holiday meals or to sip at parties and other gatherings.
Leahy says that sparkling wine has become a Virginia specialty, pointing to the fact that several received the honor of being Virginia Governor’s Cup Case winners. “For the holidays, sparkling is fun and festive,” he said. One of his picks is Veritas Vineyard and Winery’s sparkling white, which was among the Governor’s Cup Case winners.
For whites, Leahy recommends Vermentino, Viognier, and Petit Manseng. “Barboursville Vineyards has been doing Vermentino for about a decade, and its ‘23 vintage won the Governor’s Cup,” he said. “It’s not as forwardly fruity as a Viognier, and it has hints of Meyer lemon, a little spice. It’s dry but fruity in an elegant way -- good with turkey and gravy.” As for Viognier, Leahy points to Dennis Horton as the pioneer of growing the grape in Virginia 30 years ago, and nods to its richness and aromas of honeysuckle, peach, and apricot as reasons why it is also a
ARTICLE BY JENNIFER WALDERA
PHOTOGRAPHY BY CONTRIBUTING
PHOTOGRAPHERS
perfect pairing with turkey. If you don’t turn to the original vineyard for Viognier, there are numerous wineries throughout the Commonwealth that produce it. One in particular to try comes from Veritas Vineyard and Winery, which Leahy describes as “elegant.”
Meanwhile, if your holiday main is ham (or maybe you’re serving classic Virginia ham biscuits for brunch), Leahy says that rosé works well and that Petit Manseng also complements the meat beautifully. “Petit Manseng is gaining popularity because it’s sustainable and it's like our version of a Riesling,” he said. “It has high acidity and a very fruity tropical fruit character. You can have it from dry to sweet -it’s very versatile.” His top picks for these come from Michael Shaps Winery and Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards.
For reds, Leahy recommends getting creative during the holidays and thinking outside of the typical Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot. Instead, he highly recommends Cabernet Franc. “Cab Franc is our star grape here, and it’s changed dramatically in the last decade; it’s
Toasting with red wine at a festive meal.
a grape that’s made in the vineyard more than any other,” he said. "People got the French clones and went and found the root stocks and the right site to plant them, and the results have been absolutely dramatic -- it does well because of the clay soil,” Leahy suggests serving the wine with beef, but notes that it’s also very versatile.
Another style of wine that Leahy says is compatible with a wide range of foods you may find gracing a holiday table or party spread is a Meritage blend like Barboursville Vineyard’s Octagon. “The Meritage category is for people who want to get some diversity,” he said. “I recommend it strongly.”
Whether you’re looking to pour reds, whites, or rosés, or you’re planning to toast with bubbly, Leahy suggests ensuring that they come from Virginia. “Support Virginia wine during the holidays,” he said. “Show it off to visitors -- all of the grapes and styles that are not easy to find elsewhere.”
If you’re not sure where to start when choosing your holiday bottles, Richard Leahy recommends visiting virginiawine.org Then, click on the Governor’s Cup page to see the wines that won and where to buy them.
Toasting with sparkling wine.
Richard Leahy. Photo Credit: Robin Bethke
STYLED FOR the Season
Simple touches and natural beauty define Kathy Kerber's holiday home.
ARTICLE BY KATHY KERBER AND JENNIFER WALDERA | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JACKSON SMITH DECOR
| HOME + DESIGN
Dining room at the Belle Terre Estate. Photo Credit: Jackson Smith - The Smiths Photography
Holiday decor at the Belle Terre Estate. Photo Credit: Jackson Smith - The Smiths Photography
Kathy Kerber and her husband Ron met 38 years ago, moving from Northern Virginia to Missouri to Michigan as part of his government-related work. After about 13 years of relocation, Kathy longed to return to Virginia, while Ron was hoping to move to a farm setting similar to where he grew up in Indiana. Together, the two decided on Charlottesville, where they were able to find 260 acres close to town but with stunning mountain views.
Now, the couple is downsizing, selling the Belle Terre Estate, but building another home locally to remain in the area they love. This year, Kathy is decorating Belle Terre for the holidays for the last time, an annual tradition that she holds dear to her heart. She shared with Charlottesville City Lifestyle how her approaches and decor have evolved over the years, as well as a few tips on making your home merry and bright during the season.
Living on a farm at Christmas has a lot of advantages. I can find almost everything I need to decorate outside my front door –plenty of pine, holly, and berries! When we moved in 25 years ago, we planted a magnolia tree that I didn’t realize at the time would become essential to my centerpieces and garlands.
I never thought I had talent for creating flower arrangements, but several years ago, I learned wet foam is the key! Once I took the time to purchase the right supplies, I realized I could fool with arranging my clippings in the foam until I got it right. Then I supplement with a few flowers from the store, such as white lilies or hydrangeas andvoilà – I have a big, gorgeous (and inexpensive) centerpiece. I think old tureens make the best containers for arrangements and are very easy to find at one of the many wonderful second-hand stores we have in Charlottesville. My favorite is an old blue and white china piece that looks great with almost anything I put on the table.
Living room at the Belle Terre Estate. Photo Credit: Justin Smith - The Smiths Photography
Holiday tablescape. Photo Credit: Jackson Smith - The Smiths Photography
Something else I’ve learned about decorating for Christmas is where to put some lights for the best effect (although I actually believe in putting them everywhere). I used to think people decorated their houses outside so the neighbors could enjoy seeing each other’s houses lit up, but since our neighbors can’t see our house, I never thought about doing that.
A few years ago, however, I got a wild hair and decided to wrap lights around the Juliet balcony outside our family room’s French doors. I was stunned at how much that added to the feeling inside the room. It creates a beautiful, warm glow that is very festive. It was so beautiful that I decided to light up the corner pillar on the porch outside my kitchen. I would advise anyone who has a tree, shrub, or porch railing that is a prominent view from one of the rooms they mostly inhabit to light it up. You won’t be sorry!
Belle Terre is listed with Jamie Waller and Lisa Lyons with Loring Woodriff Real Estate Associates.
KATHY KERBER'S TAKE ON HOLIDAY DECORATING
People ask if I’m going to scale down holiday decorating, and my answer is: not until I have to! Decorating for Christmas and listening to Christmas music really gets me in the spirit, and I hope I never lose that. But the truth I’ve learned over the years is that the best holidays are because of the people around the table!
Holiday decor on the mantel at the Belle Terre Estate.
Photo Credit: Jackson Smith - The Smiths Photography
Photo: The exterior of the Belle Terre Estate in the winter. Photo Credit: Kathy Kerber
Holiday decor at the Belle Terre Estate. Photo Credit: Jackson Smith - The Smiths Photography
Filling Plates, Fueling Change
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JANE COLONY MILLS
SHARES THE STORY OF LOAVES & FISHES.
CAN YOU TELL ME THE ORIGIN STORY OF LOAVES & FISHES -- HOW AND WHY IT WAS FOUNDED, AND HOW ITS MISSION HAS EVOLVED OVER TIME?
Jerry Denney, a member of Charlottesville’s First United Methodist Church, started Loaves & Fishes as a church mission in 2004 when he identified food insecurity as an issue in the Charlottesville community. Church volunteers started distributing food donated by church members out of an after-school classroom at Jackson-Via Elementary, providing 56,284 lbs. of food to an average of 296 households/month (about 16 lbs. of food per family/month).
21 years later, Loaves & Fishes is a free-standing nonprofit organization, owns their facility (a 5,900 sq. ft. warehouse on three acres at 2050 Lambs Road) and in 2024, with seven full-time and eight part-time staff and 500 volunteers, gave out 2,888,565 pounds of food to an average of 2,767 households/month. Our goal is to provide a week’s worth of food, based on household size, that accommodates dietary restrictions and cultural preferences. 65% of the food we distribute now is perishable and includes milk, eggs, fresh fruit and vegetables, bread, and meat.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE LOAVES & FISHES’ CORE MISSION AND VALUES TODAY?
Loaves & Fishes provides nourishing food with respect and dignity to all who seek assistance, while offering robust opportunities for community engagement through volunteerism, partnerships, and nutrition education.
Unloading a cart from Loaves & Fishes. Photo Credit: Scherer Joy Photography.
WHAT UNIQUE ROLE DOES LOAVES & FISHES PLAY IN THE CHARLOTTESVILLE/ALBEMARLE COUNTY FOOD ASSISTANCE ECOSYSTEM?
Loaves & Fishes is the largest food distribution organization in the Charlottesville/ Albemarle area. We source our food from the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, which provides 50% of the food we give out, and rescue food from seven local grocery stores that they are no longer able to sell due to damage, close sell-by dates, or newer inventory (35% of the food we distribute).
Loaves & Fishes is the only area free food distributor that has a full-time registered dietitian nutritionist who assesses the nutritional value of the food, offers pantry visitors food that is new to them, and helps pantry visitors accommodate dietary restrictions, cultural preferences, and health conditions.
We strive to provide a week’s worth of food based on household size up to two times each month, and we have staff or volunteers registering visitors during distributions who speak Spanish, English, Dari, Pashto, and Arabic.
HOW MANY PEOPLE OR HOUSEHOLDS DO YOU SERVE IN AN AVERAGE MONTH OR YEAR?
The need for food supports this year has increased 20% over 2024, and we are currently providing groceries to 12,000 people in 3,100 households each month.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES THE PANTRY HAS FACED RECENTLY?
Loaves & Fishes’ most pressing current challenge is providing food for a growing number of households and people seeking assistance, which is up 50% from two years ago, while supplies have decreased. The continued high cost of groceries, coupled with higher costs of housing, utilities, and transportation in our community and new qualifications for SNAP (food stamp) benefits have forced people to come for assistance who have never visited a food distribution organization before, and we are buying more food (milk, eggs, produce, meat) than ever in the history of our organization.
CONTINUED >
“Loaves & Fishes provides nourishing food with respect and dignity to all who seek assistance, while offering robust opportunities for community engagement through volunteerism, partnerships, and nutrition education.”
Dietitian at Loaves and Fishes. Photo Credit: Scherer Joy Photography
“We also give pantry visitors the ability to leave behind any food they will not eat, communicate in the language in which they are most comfortable, and learn about how to enjoy food that is new to them through samples, recipes, and cooking classes.”
WHAT DOES “PROVIDING FOOD WITH DIGNITY” MEAN IN PRACTICE HERE?
Loaves & Fishes asks for the names and birthdates of household members receiving food and an estimate of total monthly household income, but we do not ask people seeking food to prove their identity, income, residence, legal residency in the US, or benefits. All collected data is secured in a database that is shared only within the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank’s network. We also do not take photos of pantry visitors or anything that could be used to identify them, to preserve their anonymity and dignity, as seeking assistance can be stigmatizing.
We also give pantry visitors the ability to leave behind any food they will not eat, communicate in the language in which they are most comfortable, and learn about how to enjoy food that is new to them through samples, recipes, and cooking classes.
To learn more or to donate food, pet food, diapers, and feminine sanitary supplies, or monetarily, visit CvilleFoodPantry.org
Handling produce at Fishes and Loaves. Photo Credit: Sherer Joy Photography
Volunteer with a cart at Loaves and Fishes.
Photo Credit: Scherer Joy Photography
Working with produce at Loaves and Fishes.
Photo Credit: Scherer Joy Photography
SEASONAL
SOPHISTICATION
ARTICLE BY CHRISTA THOMAS AND JENNIFER WALDERA PHOTOGRAPHY BY ED PORTILLO
Elegant, festive, and locally inspired beverages crafted by 2025 Virginia Cocktail Games winner Christa Thomas
Christa Thomas’ “Cardinal Rose,” a gin and Aperol cocktail infused with strawberry-rose syrup and citrus, took the top spot at this year’s 2025 Virginia Cocktail Games. Here, she shares recipes for elevating your holiday gatherings with flavors of the season.
PEAR SYRUP: GILDED PEAR:
INGREDIENTS:
• 2 cups pears, peeled and chopped
• ¾ cup white sugar
• ¼ cup honey
• 1 cup water
• 1 tsp lemon juice
DIRECTIONS:
In a medium saucepan, add pears, sugar, honey, water, and lemon juice. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat, then reduce heat to low and simmer for about 15 minutes. Using a potato masher, mash the pears down. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly. Strain with cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer. Store in the refrigerator.
INGREDIENTS:
• 1.5 oz Cirrus vodka
• .5 oz Domain de Canton ginger liqueur
• 1.5 oz organic pear juice
• .75 oz house-made pear syrup
• .5 oz lemon
• .5 oz egg white
DIRECTIONS:
Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker. Dry shake (without ice) for about 20 seconds to froth the egg white. Add ice. Shake again until well chilled. Fine strain into a coupe glass rimmed with ginger sugar infused with edible gold dust. Garnish with a brûléed pear slice coated in the golden ginger sugar.
Gilded Pear Cocktail.
Photo Credit: Ed Portillo
HONEY SYRUP:
DIRECTIONS:
Stir together two parts honey with one part hot water until combined. This creates a thinner, more pourable syrup that blends easily into cocktails.
RUBY ORCHARD:
INGREDIENTS:
• 1.5 oz pomegranate juice
• .5 oz honey syrup
• 1 oz lemon juice
• 1.5 ounces non-alcoholic sparkling apple cider
DIRECTIONS:
Add all ingredients except for sparkling cider to a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake until well-chilled. Strain into a champagne flute. Top with N/A sparkling cider. Garnish with a dehydrated apple slice.
Ruby Orchard Mocktail.
Photo Credit: Ed Portillo
Christa Thomas. Photo Credit: Ed Portillo
AN ELEVATED ESCAPE
Savor the calm, the cuisine, and the coastal beauty of Maryland's Ocean City in the off-season.
ARTICLE BY JENNIFER WALDERA
PHOTOGRAPHY BY CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
With its bustling boardwalk and busy beach, Ocean City, Maryland, is undoubtedly a draw for beach-loving visitors in the summertime. However, in the off-season, the town takes on a slower, quieter pace, making it an ideal destination for travelers seeking a calm, upscale escape.
Ocean City's boardwalk arch. Photo Credit: Ocean City Tourism
“In the off-season, the town takes on a slower, quieter pace, making it an ideal destination for travelers seeking a calm, upscale escape.”
STAY IN STYLE
While there is no shortage of accommodations in Ocean City, for breathtaking sunsets right from your room or balcony, look no further than Cambria. Situated not far from the inlet, the waterfront hotel features immaculate rooms with gorgeous views of the bay. Its location also makes it ideal for visitors who want to stroll along the beach, bike the boardwalk, take a cruise out of the nearby marina, or visit closeby casual restaurants like The Angler or M.R. Ducks, both well-known casual spots with longstanding roots in the town.
For an upscale dining experience, make your way to the eighth floor of the hotel to Spain Wine Bar, rated Maryland’s Top Rooftop Bar. The spacious restaurant has a variety of elegant rooms in which to dine, whether you’re enjoying an intimate dinner for two or settling in with a larger group. Knowledgeable servers can guide you through Spain’s impressive
wine list as well as its extensive tapas menu that offers a wide range of cheeses and charcuterie, as well as impeccable small plates like shrimp and crab bisque, bacon-wrapped dates, lump crab fritters, incredibly sauced meatballs, and beef empanadas. Large plates, like paella, are available as well. On Saturdays and Sundays, guests of the hotel needn’t go far for the first meal of the day, with Spain serving brunch in the morning until well into the afternoon. Or, check out the restaurant's nearby sister restaurants, Bai-Tee Bakery and Oysters & Scales.
DINING
If you’re looking for a spot to dine in the off-season beyond those just by the hotel, there’s a plethora of options. Of course, any restaurant with crabs and crab cakes is a solid choice in Ocean City, and you’ll find plenty of crabby destinations up and down Coastal Highway. But if you’re on the search for
Meatballs at Liberatore's. Photo
Credit: Jennifer Waldera
ambiance and upscale menus, both The Embers and Liberatore’s will deliver.
While The Embers may be known to longtime Ocean City visitors as a buffet for many years, the establishment pivoted after 2020 to deliver a different fine dining experience. With lovely decor, an experienced sommelier, and a warm atmosphere, the restaurant offers top-notch service alongside dishes like steaks, lobster mac and cheese, and a seafood tower that boasts an impressively large serving of lump crab meat as well as lobster tails.
While some may not associate Italian cuisine with a trip to Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Liberatore’s is a can’t-miss in Ocean City for any food enthusiast. The family has made its name as top-notch restaurateurs throughout Maryland, and the newer Ocean City location absolutely shines like the others. The restaurant leans into the seafood that people visit the beachy town for with small plates like shrimp crostini, steamed shrimp, and bay bites (crab balls with an exquisitely spiced sauce). But you’ll also win with orders of Italian-inspired tapas like eggplant involtini, burrata and tomatoes, cheesy meatballs, beef carpaccio, and arancini, as well as a delectable chicken liver pâté that one of the owners proudly told us on our visit that he made himself. The restaurant also offers large plates that range from pork, salmon, and beef to Italian classics like chicken Parmigiana, enveloped in the goodness of the restaurant's sauce. The service at this stylish spot is absolutely impeccable, and even when it's busy, the environment feels intimate. Be sure to make reservations -- it fills up quickly on weekend evenings.
Finally, if you’re looking for another brunch option beyond Spain, don’t sleep on Barn 34 for amazing crab-based Benedicts and impressive bloody Marys adorned with crab, shrimp, and more alongside starters like crab-topped deviled eggs and stacked fried green tomatoes with creamy pimento cheese. Be prepared for a wait some weekends -- but, as the hostess will tell you, it's worth it.
Top: The Alyosha sailboat. Photo Credit: Trevor Joppich
Bottom: Sunset on the Alyosha.
Photo Credit: Jennifer Waldera
“While some may not associate Italian cuisine with a trip to Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Liberatore’s is a can’tmiss in Ocean City for any food enthusiast.”
ACTIVITIES
While some of the area’s local attractions are closed in the cooler months, some do remain operational. For one that will always be available, take the short drive to Assateague to relax and potentially see the ponies. Meanwhile, art enthusiasts will enjoy perusing the floors of artwork at the 60-year-old Ocean Gallery right on the boardwalk, while lovers of oddities can spend hours working their way through Ripley’s Believe It or Not! museum.
If you’re a food lover looking for the best bites at the beach, you’ll want to check out the OC Foodie tours. With two different tours in Ocean City, as well as others in nearby Berlin and Salisbury, there are a multitude of ways to explore the food that the area has to offer, with a side of entertaining and interesting
background. The downtown OC tour starts just minutes from Cambria and takes tourists through historic restaurants and bars, stops at classic not-to-be-missed spots, and offers history and whimsy, too. Bring your appetite and be prepared for anything from crab bites, fried grouper, and tuna nachos to delectable chocolates, funnel cakes, and more. For another tour, with a different purpose, try Chesapeake Ghost Walks, which shares the spookiness of the city with the added bonus of trivia at the end.
For those looking for relaxation on the water, a sunset or happy hour cruise on The Alyosha is a must. The Catamaran is often captained by owners Steve and Lisa, who can share all of the stories of their adventures, local and otherwise, as well as offer information about the area, while cruising either the bay or the
Sunset over the bay as seen from The Cambria Hotel.
Photo Credit: Trevor Joppich
ocean. For bird-watchers, they have a special tour (on a different boat) for that as well.
Finally, if learning about and tasting spirits is on your agenda, Seacrets should be on your itinerary. The well-known beachy bar and restaurant also has a distillery on site, and the tours and tastings through the Prohibition-style spot are engaging, from learning about the distillation of their spirits to sipping in the speakeasy-style spot that also acts as storage for barrels of the goodness produced there. Make it a day by stopping into the Seacrets bar/restaurant areas, popping over to their Area 51 store, or dining at The Hideaway.
*Note that many listed activities do operate off-season, but at various times. Please check before booking a visit.
Room at Cambria. Photo Credit: Ocean City Tourism
People on Ocean City's Boardwalk. Photo Credit: Ocean City Tourism
Ponies on Assateague. Photo Credit: Ocean City Tourism
Byrne
THROUGH DECEMBER
Art Exhibition at Angelo Jewelry
220 E Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22902
“To Hold The Light” by Randall Stoltzfus will be on display through the end of the year at Angelo Jewelry. The exhibition will feature recent canvases exploring themes of luminosity, scale, and collective presence. AngeloJewelry.com
DECEMBER 6TH
Service Dogs of Virginia Annual Graduation
Monticello High School Auditorium -- 1400 Independence Way Charlottesville, VA | 10:30 AM
Service Dogs of Virginia invites you to hear the inspiring stories of how service dogs are making a difference. Don’t miss this chance to celebrate and be moved by their impactful journeys. Admission is free -- bring a friend! Learn more at ServiceDogsVA.org
DECEMBER 6TH
The Arc of The Piedmont
Santa Fun Run
Downtown Mall
The Run takes place along a one-mile route on the Downtown Mall. The organizers say that registration includes a Santa suit or elf ears, light refreshments before the race, and photo ops with The Arc’s very own Santa! Bring friends, families, wheelchairs, strollers, and dogs for a fun day walking, riding, or running in support of The Arc’s mission. ArcPVA.org.
Lapis and Gold
14K Yellow Gold and Lapis pendants and ring by Lee Angelo Marraccini
