Bubble Lights and Hard Candy

/in

Why Mount Carmel Church Means So Much To Me

By Alice Lee Hummer

Mount Carmel United Methodist Church, my home church, meant so much to me growing up on the mountain, near Frogtown. I loved church, especially as a youngster, seeing my friend Doris Lee, families, learning life lessons. I learned how a young girl was to live her life.

Usually, on Sunday mornings, Dad drove the family to church, me starting as a baby in 1945, like being born into the church. I was young but soon graduated to Beginners Class. I learned to read the Bible stories about baby Jesus. The capital beginners class soon learned how to sing songs, with Leota, Mrs. Alma, or Shirley Ann playing the organ.

Christmas Eve was topped off with the children’s Christmas program, and was the highlight of the year for me. Mom gathered us up and off to Winchester to shop for Christmas clothes. Dad either parked at the A&P parking lot or drove to our Aunt Alice’s while he waited until Mom was done shopping.  Christmas clothes bought, we hurried home to get ready to wear the new clothes, our best.

Upon entering the church, there stood this huge, green tree near the stage, with clear lights that bubbled and danced like jewels, with bursts of sparkling lights, dancing around the cedar tree, all a glow. My eyes were glued to the tree. Every year I became mesmerized with the clear bubbles as they danced up and down the tree, and I was lost in the wonder of it. Bubble lights. How beautiful to spend a special night in a little church, surrounded by trees of the mountain, and wildlife peeking through the windows, smiling at the wonder of it

Sitting with my friend Dora Lee, sister Shirley, and Peggy, waiting to turn my turn to go on stage, lights turned  down — I could almost imagine God’s Heavenly Host harmonizing with our little church group, singing, “Silent Night, Holy Night”

Sitting quietly, I looked for the brown box, hoping the church would give us a naval orange and a small box of hard candy, with peppermint, chocolate, orange slices. I was never disappointed. Yes, there they were, the oranges and candy so pretty in little Christmas boxes with bright ribbons to carry them.

The service being nearly over, I grabbed my gifts, glancing back for one last look at the bubble lights, slipped out into the night, home to dream,. Soon it would be Christmas Day.

Please join us for homecoming Sunday, September 8, at 11am service, “reflections“ of days gone by. We would love to see you. Special music. Questions? Call 540–539–1231. 130 Mount Carmel Road, Boyce, Virginia (over the mountain).

Over the Mountain at the Bluemont Fair

/in

The 54th annual Bluemont Fair is slated for September 21–22 in Bluemont, Va., 10am until 5pm both days. Activities take place at locations throughout the village, offering something for people of all ages and interests.

Fair organizers invite Clarke Countians to venture over the mountain to wander through  their 200-year-old village. Browse artisan crafts, and enjoy local wine, beer, and music, all while experiencing the history and traditions of  the area.  Grab a bite to eat or attend an archaeology demonstration while the children enjoy free games in the Children’s Fair or visit the petting zoo.

A sampling of things to see and do:

  • Museum exhibit quilting;
  • Blacksmith and wood turners;
  • A giant bake sale;
  • Model trains;
  • Barrel rides;
  • Draft horses;
  • A petting zoo!

The fair offers free parking in a field located on Snickersville Turnpike, just south of the village. Follow the signs through the village to the parking lot. Parking attendants will be available to direct you.

There is a small lot for those with disabled stickers on Snickersville Turnpike beside Epling Landscaping, and there are several rows reserved for people with disabilities in front of the main fair parking lot. Be ready to show your credentials to the traffic attendants and they will help you find a space. The fair is not 

wheelchair friendly.

Twisted Oak Farm Brewery Delights Taste Buds in White Post

/in

By Rebecca Maynard

In 2002, Jay Duvall’s family purchased a piece of land in White Post. While clearing old fields that had been let go for ages, he happened upon a single small oak tree that had been bent to its limits by the weight of a larger fallen tree.

“Over time, the small oak has endured,” he said. “Now, with strong roots anchoring it firmly in place, its trunk twisted, yet strong, it serves as a powerful emblem of our farm and brewery: Perseverance, Strength, and Endurance.

According to Duvall and his partner Missy Tuttle, Twisted Oak Farm Brewery blends their passion for craft beer, a love for the land, and a commitment to regenerative farming practices. They believe in preserving the region’s rich agricultural history and are thrilled to be Clarke County’s first farm brewery. They grow hops and barley on site, ensuring the freshest and highest quality ingredients for their craft beer.

The brewery opened earlier this year in a converted hay barn on the beautiful 60 acre farm, and its offerings include classic IPAs, rich amber ales, and robust stouts, each designed to deliver a unique and flavorful experience. 

“We are really committed to regenerative farming practices and being good stewards of the land, and we want to share that with folks,” Duvall said.

Those practices allow them to create a unique synergy between farming and brewing, supporting their mission to maintain a piece of the region’s agricultural legacy while offering the community exceptional craft beer experiences.

“Jay has been brewing beer since college, and he’s just honed his craft over the decades,” Tuttle said. “When he told me he wanted to open up a brewery, I said I could help. It’s been fun, and we’re very alike. We’re business minded and our work styles complement each other well.”

If you don’t consider yourself a craft beer connoisseur, never fear. “We hear that a lot from people who want to check us out, and we do try to cater to people who are trying craft beer for the first time and guide them through the experience,” Tuttle said. “We’re very approachable and our team is happy to guide and to let guests try what we have.”

The brewery offers a tap room, outdoor seating, brewery and farm tours (reservation only, please call or email to schedule), merchandise, light snacks, charcuterie and sandwiches. They also host food trucks and live music on select days, with up to date details in the events section of their website.

The brewery is family- and leashed-pet-friendly, and nonalcoholic drinks are offered. Space is available for private events such as meetings, corporate gatherings, and parties. It is open Friday through Sunday each week from noon to 8pm, and an Oktoberfest event is planned for Oct. 4, 5 and 6, with live music, food trucks, a lederhosen competition, keg rolling and more.

“It’s been a wonderful experience, and we’ve been really fortunate with the community supporting us, and Clarke county has been great,” Tuttle said.

For more information, visit twistedoakfarmbrewery.com or visit their Facebook and Instagram pages.

As the Crow Flies Cicada Killer In Action

/in ,

By Doug Pifer

While out dog walking, I glanced at our backyard apple tree and saw a big wasp flying towards a low-growing, lichen-covered branch. Something dropped heavily to the ground, and I walked over to investigate. I wondered, had the wasp knocked a small ripening apple out of the tree? In the tall grass under the apple tree an exciting drama was taking place. The giant wasp was a female cicada killer, and I had just seen her capture a cicada and drop to the ground with it.

By the time I reached the spot where they had fallen, the wasp had wrestled the cicada onto its back. The cicada had been buzzing and beating its wings madly but was now motionless in the deadly embrace of the big wasp. The two insects were belly to belly. The wasp clutched the cicada in a vise grip, holding its wings down tightly while  stinging it repeatedly in the abdomen. So intent was the wasp on her task, she seemed unaware of anything else. It was a colorful battle, as if between two miniature plastic superhero toys. The wasp’s yellow spotted, black abdomen and bright orange head and legs contrasted against the white underbelly and green-veined wings of the cicada.

I was sorry I didn’t have my cell phone camera with me to take a picture. Holding the dog firmly by the collar, I was barely able to restrain him from breaking up the battle. The wasp seemed to sense our struggle and briefly flew away, leaving the cicada motionless on its back. Soon it returned and began to drag the cicada away through the tall grass.

I decided to leave the wasp to complete her work. She probably would drag her stunned prey far enough up the trunk of the nearby tree so she could fly away with it.

Cicada killers are a species of digger wasps that appear here in late summer when cicadas 

start singing their buzzing songs in the trees. Although big and scary looking, cicada killers are shy and spend most of their time sipping nectar from flowers.

The female wasps find a bare, dry spot, usually a sandy bank, garden border or other open area with loose soil, where they dig shallow burrows. Sometimes several females share a burrow or dig burrows close to each other. Burrow entrances are about the diameter of a man’s index finger, and active ones have a trough of loose soil leading up to the entrance. Meanwhile, groups of male cicada killers wait nearby to mate with the females as they emerge above ground.

Inside her freshly dug burrow, the female lays several eggs. Meanwhile she hunts down cicadas, which she paralyzes by stinging. She drags the cicadas into the burrow, where they remain alive, immobile, and unable to escape. Soon the eggs hatch, and the wasp larvae have a fresh, live food supply.

Cicada killers are big. Females are  nearly two inches long, males about an inch and a half. Females have a sting but aren’t aggressive as other wasps are. Males sometimes act aggressive but are unable to sting. Captured males may “pretend” to sting with the reproductive organ at the end of their abdomen but they can’t pierce human skin.

I occasionally see a cicada killer in the flower gardens. But watching one kill a cicada in  the backyard is a once in a lifetime treat.

Substance Use Disorders and Parents

/in

By Brenda Waugh

Addiction Awareness Month, observed in September in the United States, is a time dedicated to raising awareness and understanding of substance use disorders. This observance aims to reduce stigma, educate communities, and provide support to individuals and families affected by addiction. By dedicating a month to awareness, we can work together to address the challenges associated with substance use disorders.

When a parent has a substance abuse problem, one of the most important decisions parents face is choosing the process to resolve questions about how their children will be cared for. Twenty years ago, most parents felt that their only option was to proceed through litigation, where they would be represented by lawyers and argue substance use issues in court. A judge would then decide how the family would address the disorder to provide recommendations.

Fortunately, we now have two alternative processes to help families address these disputes: Mediation and Collaborative Law. Both approaches can offer more individualized, tailored, and therapeutic ways to address substance use disorders for parents addressing the disputes through legal processes.

In the collaborative process, both parties have attorneys who work as a team, often involving a child specialist, to make decisions regarding the parenting plan. All concerns and options are considered, regardless of how the law may typically approach them. Instead of one parent trying to prove the other is unfit, the two lawyers work together with the parents to create a parenting plan that is in the children’s best interest.

I have found it helpful to include a child expert as part of the collaborative team in cases where one parent is concerned about the other’s substance use disorder. The child expert, a neutral mental health professional, provides opinions on what is best for the child. In litigation, a neutral, usually a lawyer acting as a guardian ad litem, assembles information and makes recommendations for the judge to decide. In the collaborative process, the parents work directly with the child specialist and their lawyers to make informed decisions that enhance their ability to be good parents.

In mediation, the parties work with a neutral mediator who helps them craft a plan tailored to their needs. Mediation can be particularly effective in custody matters when a parent has a history of substance use. However, the mediator should be skilled in addressing power imbalances and knowledgeable about substance use disorder and the recovery process. In my experience, I often recommend that the parties consult with a child specialist to provide expertise in addressing the children’s needs.

Developing a parenting plan

With either process, the parenting plan can be designed to maximize the healing potential and promote the child’s best interests. Parenting plans usually address issues such as decision-making about the children and how custodial time is divided. They also include provisions to ensure both parents feel confident that the children are safe in both households. When a parent suffers from substance use disorder, the plan may significantly restrict their access to the child.

While most research supports maintaining relationships between parents and children, limiting a parent’s custodial time to supervised contact may be necessary to ensure the children’s safety. Custodial time can be supervised by a mutually agreed-upon family member, a professional, or at a visitation center.

When a parent is in recovery, the parenting plan often includes provisions that ensure both parents are comfortable with the situation and the children are secure. These provisions may include agreements for the parent to participate in a recovery program or to undergo regular drug or alcohol testing. By addressing substance use issues directly and utilizing available resources, parents can create parenting plans with greater clarity and assurance.

We strive to maximize the potential for healthy communication in all parenting plans. Provisions are often included that allow parents to meet monthly or quarterly, in person, without the children, to discuss their well-being. To minimize miscommunication, we encourage parents to avoid relying on apps or texting for anything other than scheduling, as in-person and oral communication tends to be more effective and reduces conflict.

Safety planning

In addition to custodial time and decision-making, parenting plans often include sections on safety planning and house rules. In the safety planning section, safety concerns are addressed, such as child restraint systems in cars, helmets for specific sports, and weapons storage. If there are concerns about drug or alcohol use, those are included here as well.

Sometimes, the parenting plan may include how a parent participates in a recovery program. Given the prevalence of alcohol in our society, limitations on access to alcohol might be included. For instance, a parent recovering from alcohol abuse may agree not to have alcohol in their home, or there may be provisions prohibiting alcohol consumption during parenting time or while operating a motor vehicle. In some cases, parents have included safety checks, such as requiring a breath alcohol concentration (BAC) test before custodial time begins. In other situations, parents agree to periodic drug tests, with the results shared with the other parent.

The safety plan may also address non-prescription or recreational drug use. Parents might disagree about the children’s exposure to certain substances. Working out an agreement and including those details about drug use may be explicitly outlined in the parenting plan.

When a parent is in recovery, the other parent may request an emergency mechanism to restrict access if the recovering parent relapses. The mechanism could allow a parent to restrict unsupervised access on a temporary basis, with the ability to resume normal contact when conditions are met. The mechanism could also require a return to mediation, the collaborative process, or require initiation of a court proceeding.

When one or both parents are recovering from substance use disorder, it is best to work with a mediator or use the collaborative process to ensure a comprehensive, long-term solution that promotes the well-being of the child.

Brenda Waugh is a lawyer/mediator with Waugh Law & Mediation, serving clients in the Blue Ridge region of Virginia and Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia.

Big Thanks for the Clarke County Fair

/in ,

Congratulations to the Ruritan Club of Clarke County for a wildly successful Clarke County Fair! And a big thanks to everyone who had a hand in the event.

When you’re at the fair having a great time, and everything‘s going so smoothly, it’s really easy to forget just how many people and volunteers it takes to have such a wonderful event —— especially one that lasts an entire week!

There are 15 departments organizing the fair, ranging from beef, dairy, sheep and goats, to swine, poultry and rabbits. There are the departments for floral, homemaking, horticulture, photography, and fine arts. And, of course, horses. An effort of this size needs a department for rules and regulations, and one to oversee animal
health regulations.

There is vendor logistics, scheduling, entertainment, and the huge challenge of providing a safe, comfortable venue — nearly all of which is out of sight to the visitor.
One of the great highlights of the fair for many of us is to see young people taking on such responsibility and receiving —and responding to — mentorship by so many
dedicated people.

Clarke County says thanks!

Clarke Monthly September 2024

/in ,

Grief, Grace, Gratitude: Words From A Mother’s Heart

/in

By Kim Denison

It has been a long time since I wrote an actual letter, but my son Evan would expect nothing less. That is how he lived his life, with his words and connections to others. Below is a summary of a few of the many emotions I have encountered since 
Evan’s passing.

Grief

July 23, 2023, is the day I met grief in its rawest form. Honestly, I feel I can write an entire book on this subject, but for now, I will try to express in a couple paragraphs. Grief has not left my side since that day, the day Evan passed away. The reality for me as Evan’s mother and his biggest fan is that it has not gotten any better or subsided in any way. Simply put, I am learning to live alongside grief. We have learned to coexist, but I understand it will show up like an unexpected visitor at the most random of times and without any notice. You cannot fix grief, rush it, or get rid of it, it seems to me you can only accept it and carry it with you. I have learned to do that with the sole purpose to carry on Evan’s legacy. 

Losing Evan will be the deepest pain I have ever endured. How he died will always hurt, no notice, no goodbye, just a cold call from a Pennsylvania State Trooper telling me my eldest son Evan died at the scene, and my youngest son Connor was wounded and on his way to the trauma unit three hours away from me. That is the moment I met true grief.

Grief feels like you are living a double life, one where you pretend everything is okay just to function, and the other where your heart is silently screaming in pain while being completely shattered.

Our family has learned grief is a highly individual emotion. It does not follow a prescribed path or timeline, and there is no specific order or process. The experience of losing Evan has allowed me to be more vulnerable, express my feelings outwardly and connect with others, both friends and strangers, on a deeper level. I heard the saying once, “Loss is something we will all encounter if we are lucky enough.” It seems odd but true as it is the one emotion we can all relate to in our lives.  It is not a path I wish for anyone to endure, but it is the one I have been given and I will do my best to make Evan proud.

Grace

Grace for me is the gift we have been bestowed by each one of you, as well as many others that I do not even know. Whether it was the first few weeks when we were literally unable to breathe or leave the house, or the first few months where we remained numb to the outside world but tried our hardest just to show up. We were provided grace and compassion to just be, no definition of what we had to do or where we had to be and no expectations by those of you who tried to let us know you care and were thinking of 
our family.

Kindness, patience, and understanding showed up at our doorstep every single day by many of you, whether we were out in the community trying to function or home in our pajamas trying to breathe, you were there for us. Many of you did not know what to say or what to do and we honestly had no idea what we needed, but you provided a level of grace and compassion that we will forever be thankful for.

Gratitude

Gratitude is defined as the readiness to show appreciation for and return the kindness. Our family is truly grateful for all of you for the cards, letters, notes, emails, calls, texts, donations, flowers, plants, meals, thoughts, prayers, hugs, and heartfelt tears — just to name a few that come to mind. I am still trying to find my purpose amidst the pain, but I can state with certainty that I would not be here if it was not for all of you and the love and support our family felt daily.

Sadly, death reminds us all how to live. I am grateful for the 22 years I spent with Evan and the lessons he taught me and every person he interreacted with. I am grateful for all of you, our family, friends, neighbors, and community that showed up in any way they could. 

For those of you lucky enough to have met Evan or learned of his life through us, please go out into the world and share the love, light, and understanding he brought into the world. Evan’s famous signature greeting, “Pause, Breathe, and Smile,” sums up how he approached life and a kind reminder to us all.

We will continue to honor Evan’s legacy of music, leadership, and compassion for others. To learn more, scan the QR code ( left) or visit the Evan M. Denison Memorial Fund — Cavalier Marching Band. Please watch the memorial award video, as it truly speaks to his character and impact 
on others.

With love, Kim Denison

Watermelon Pickers’ Festival: Gem of Music, Community, and Family Fun

/in

By Jennifer M. Lee

To the delight of thousands of people, the 20th annual Watermelon Pickers’ Festival returns to the Clarke County Ruritan Fairgrounds this September 6 and 7. As a long-time attendee of and photographer for the festival, I sum up my experience there as “the happiest place on earth.” The music is exceptional and diverse, the vibe is unparalleled in its friendliness and calm organization, and the venue of the fairgrounds works and plays great. We all miss being riverside on the Shenandoah, but are grateful to have another space in Clarke County that works so well for performances, camping, good food, fun merch vendors, and ease of access. 

David Van Deventer, a.k.a. “fiddly Dave,” is the managing partner of Shepherd’s Ford Productions, who organizes and hosts the festival. He is also the fiddle player for the festival’s host band, Furnace Mountain. Furnace Mountain has been playing together and thrilling audiences for over 
30 years.

I asked Dave some questions about this year’s festival, and this is what he had to say.

JL: A few thousand people sure are happy to have the festival back this year. What compelled you take a year off and what compelled you to do it again?

DVD: Thanks, Jen! I took a year off because I was not feeling inspired. I have to say it felt good to take a year off, and I’m refreshed and excited to be doing it again this year! 

I want to thank two longtime friends and music enthusiasts, Katie Priest and Stacey Sinclair, for encouraging me to give it another go and helping with the organization this year. 

JL: Oh, and it’s the 20th one!

DVD: Yes, 20 years is a good long time. Many kids have grown up with this festival, and many dear friends have passed on. We were very fortunate to be able to host Loretta Lynn and Dr. Ralph Stanley while they were still with us. 

JL: Tell us about the festival this year. How many acts? Workshops? Kids activities?

DVD: This year will feature 20 different musical acts with a mix of bluegrass, country, and folk music. There is a music camp on Thursday for folks interested in honing their skills on an instrument or voice, and plenty of kids activities, dance workshops, a band contest and activities for the whole family on the schedule. 

JL: This festival is known as being very family friendly. How important is that to the whole vibe of the festival?

DVD: Yes, family friendly is the vibe we are going for. 
We have always curated the event towards families that want to camp and immerse themselves in music 
and community. 

It’s great that you can go to a concert any night of the week, but a bluegrass and traditional music festival that offers camping, kids activities, contests and dance workshops is a different experience.

In this day and age, I believe it is more important than ever for folks to be able to get off their screens and spend time together with the options of camping, sharing food, dancing, playing and learning music, or going from campsite to campsite to hear local musicians jamming.

JL: How do you find the musical acts that perform at the festival? You always have some very well-known performers mixed with local musicians and those lesser known. What’s your process for curating the music 
and musicians?

DVD: There are a lot of music festivals out there, and being both a musician and event organizer, I have experienced many of them from the patron and performer side. I make observations and try to adapt to changes as they come. A lot of acts we have had in the past, like Billy Strings, Molly Tuttle, Charley Crockett, Rhiannon Giddens, and many more have gone on to become so popular that they are out of the price range of a smaller festival like ours now. 

I try to keep an eye out for those artists on their way up. I try to have some musicians that speak to me personally and I just really want to see. I try to have artists that have a connection to this area and it’s rich bluegrass and old-time music history. Then I try and have a balance of new and old, local and touring, male and female, progressive 
and traditional. 

JL: What is the pay range you pay acts to appear at WPF? 

DVD: In the 20 years of doing this, our headliner acts have ranged anywhere from $5,000 to $65,000.

JL: Any acts you want to give a special shout-
out about? First-timers? Return 
old favorites?

DVD: I am excited about a young mandolin player named Wyatt Ellis. Wyatt is 15 years old and a student of Chris Henry, a local mandolin player and member of the Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band. Wyatt is on his way up in the bluegrass world, and it will be fun to watch and see where he goes. The bluegrass community can be very supportive of young artists on their way up. 

The Wyatt Ellis band’s full set is on Saturday, and his mandolin workshop is earlier that day. I wouldn’t be surprised if we also see Wyatt sit in with all female bluegrass band Della Mae as well as the Saturday night headlining act, the Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band. 

I am also very excited about the return of Carsie Blanton and Miko Marks. Carsie is one of my (and my daughter’s) favorite songwriters. And Miko Marks blew the roof off at the festival in 2022 when she opened for Little Feat. 

I’m also excited about Lovettsville, Va., native Lillian Hackett. Lillian is a 17-year-old singer-songwriter who was featured on American Idol this past year. Lillian will play a solo set on Friday and be part of a honky-tonk band with various local talent that will include a two-step dance workshop before the performance 
on Saturday. 

I’m looking forward to hearing Larry Keel with their new and exciting ensemble called Electric Larry Land! You won’t want to miss Nitty Gritty Dirt Band founder and local musician Les Thompson featured in John McEuen and the Circle Band.

And I’m excited to see for the first time the Po Ramblin’ Boys, who are up for the IBMA best entertainer award for 2024.

JL: How many volunteers work the festival? Do you need some this year? 

DVD: We will have about 60 Volunteers this year. I think we are full with volunteers this year, but you can check on the volunteer page of the website.

JL: At the end of festival weekend, what are you happiest about? What gives you the greatest joy in running 
this feat?

DVD: Successfully gathering people and knowing that we helped provide a space for the folks in the community to spend time with old friends and maybe make a few new ones is the greatest reward. 

JL: Anything else you’d like to add?

DVD: Yes. This event would not be possible without the support of the local community of sponsors, staff, and volunteers and Shepherds Ford Productions team Mark Burgess, Trevor Creany, Morgan Morrison, and Frazer Watkins, and the Clarke County Ruritan.

The 20th annual Watermelon Picker’s Festival will be held at the Clarke County Ruritan Fairgrounds in Berryville, Virginia on September 6th and 7th, 2024. Tickets prices range from $60 – $70 for a one-day pass, with add-ons like camping, early arrival, and workshops costing extra. Visit watermelonpickersfest.com for info on all the offerings and to get tickets. We hope to see you at the Festival!

You’ll be happy; promise!