612 Vineyard, A Place for the Community

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Story and photos by Claire Stuart

Lisa Adams never expected to someday be operating a winery when she and her family bought a farm in Clarke County in 1996 as an escape from the city. There was an old farmhouse on the property in poor shape, so in 2007, they finally knocked it down and built a large new home.

Then, in 2011, her husband passed away, leaving Adams with the farm, a big house, and three teenage children. She pondered her options, wondering what to do. Someone suggested that she look into the winery business, something she’d never considered and knew nothing about, except as someone who enjoyed wine.

Adams gives praises to the agencies that helped her navigate her way into business. “I got help from the Small Business Administration in Fairfax,” she said. “I can’t say enough for what they do, and it’s free to businesses.”

Virginia Cooperative Extension referred her to the Virginia Wineries Association, who introduced her to winemaker Randy Phillips, owner of Cave Ridge Vineyard in Mt. Jackson.

Phillips has been making small quantities of high quality wine for over 20 years, and he happened to be looking for a winery to make wine for. With some remodeling, the large basement of Adams’ home was transformed into a spacious tasting room looking onto a patio with a fabulous view of the Blue Ridge. The 612 Vineyard came into being in March 2014. Phillips serves as winemaker and Adams does marketing, budgeting, and events.

Adams continues to work hard to learn about the business from Phillips. She goes to Cave Ridge Vineyard periodically to do everything from picking grapes to barreling. She enjoys learning about grape varieties and their relationship to the weather that gives a specific character to each year’s wine.

“It’s fun to have new things,” she says. “Wines depend on how the weather changes from year to year.”

Adams says that in her first year she primarily concentrated on learning about the business. This year, she has stressed marketing, meeting local businesspeople, and finding ways they can work together. She has focused on establishing her winery’s “personality,” as a place for community activities and classes. In February, they held a chocolate tasting; in April, a kickoff event for the Relay for Life and a pet adoption event.

Last year, Adams offered painting classes. This year, a wine tasting class (including a book) is in the works, as well as a flower arranging class with an arrangement to take home. Class offerings may change, depending on the response. The new herb garden will allow guests to pick fresh herbs. Blackberries and red and black raspberries will be growing for guests to pick and to be added to enhance wines.

The grounds and tasting room are available for events such as fund-raisers, business meetings, and dinners, weddings and birthdays. The tasting room can accommodate about 60 people; another 50 or 60 can be accommodated outside and on the porch—and still more in the picnic area and field. Outdoor weddings can be tented, and Adams hopes they might have a permanent shelter next year.

Live music is featured on weekends, with a wide variety of regional artists. Offerings vary anywhere from standards to rock, flamenco, jazz or blues. A picnic area is available to customers, and outside food may be brought in.

Adams knows how people love their dogs, so well-behaved dogs are welcome at all times, subject to some breed and size limitations dictated by insurance (see the website for dog policy). Four Paws Sundays are extra special dog days held the fourth Sunday of every month, April through October. Guests are invited to bring their dogs for an entertaining day featuring free dog treats and fun events for dogs and their owners. Dogs must be on a leash and are not allowed in the tasting room. On Four Paws Sundays, a wine tasting area is set up outside.

Adams strives to keep the operation as “green” as possible. All used wine bottles are recycled, as are plastic bottles, cans and cardboard boxes. They will continue to look for ways to reuse and recycle even more and will look at possibilities for solar energy options in the future.

Adams’ whole family is involved in the business. Son Tyler, 16, is a musician; he plays guitar and sings. Daughter Tifani, 15, works behind the counter (but cannot pour wine). Son Cody, 14, helps make wine snacks and does cleanup.

Some of 612 Vineyard’s wines include Chambourcin, Cabernet Franc, Traminette, Chardonnay and Riesling. At present, they are only available on site, but Adams hopes that by fall they can be sold in local outlets.

612 Vineyard is located at 864 Shepherds Mill Road (Route 612) just east of Berryville. Hours are Friday through Sunday, noon to 6pm. For information on events and activities, see www.612vineyard.com.

Bustin’ Out

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After a polar vortex and a winter that refused to quit, the digital thermometer finally has cracked 80 degrees, and lawn-obsessed homeowners are plotting war plans for battles on the crabgrass frontier. It’s bustin’ out time. Time to tackle the outside projects—and spend some afternoons enjoying the fruits of your labor.

Hiring a Painter

A Coat of Paint = Instant Transformation

By Victoria L. Kidd

There’s always something to do when you own a home. One affordable way to improve your home’s exterior or freshen up its interior is through paint. Painting is an activity that (when mentioned) solicits either excitement or dread. You either enjoy the activity or you loath it; not many people are “on the fence” with this one. As such, many homeowners turn to professional painters to get the job done.

Finding someone who offers house painting as a service is pretty easy. Finding someone who is experienced in the field and qualified to paint your home is more difficult, and homeowners should use caution when selecting a professional. One painting company that serves the area is Painting by Rick & Company. (Readers may have seen their information in our pages before. They have actually provided services to thousands of homes and businesses in the area.)

Since 1991, Painting by Rick & Company has offered interior and exterior painting, light carpentry work, dry wall repair, wallpaper removal, cabinet refinishing, and more. According to their website, their longevity can be attributed to their adherence to “the basic principles of honesty, exceptional quality, attention to detail, and customer service.”

Rick & Company is not alone in recognizing that it takes integrity to become a leader in one’s field. Many professional painters and service providers in the local area will attest that treating people fairly is fundamental to doing business here, but individuals seeking a professional to do this type of work should keep certain things in mind during their search.

Accountability and professionalism are among the earliest and most important considerations. When inviting someone into your home, you should make sure they represent a legitimate operation that can provide references from satisfied customers. Look for providers who have an established web presence. These people want to be found and have nothing to hide from their customers.

When you have selected a “short list” of choice professionals, you’ll want to start getting quotes for the work. There is an unwritten rule for hiring any sort of professional: obtain at least three quotes. (This may require making a lot of calls and suffering through a few no-shows, but you’ll benefit from knowing that you found the right contractor whose service, price, and reputability aligns with your expectations.)

When you are having these professionals provide quotes, make sure you are asking them the same questions, and make sure you are comparing “apples to apples” to get the best price for the exact work you want done. If you want a certain type of paint used or if you require a certain number of coats in a particularly sunny room, you should be sure to ask the professional to include those considerations in his quote.

Another good thing to ask each provider is how long the work should take. “Life” doesn’t stop because someone is working on your home. You need to understand the timeline for completion, how often the professional will be in your home until the job is complete, and between what hours the work will happen. If you need the work to be complete by a certain day or if you have an expectation for how often the worksite will be open to the service provider, you need to ensure the contractor understands those needs and agrees to them in writing.

Certainly, price is the underlying consideration for most people, but taking time to make these additional considerations will help guarantee that the services are provided to your expectation. They will also ensure the end result comes not only with an “ahhh, that’s better” moment, but also with desire to recommend the contractor to others.

 

To Truly“Go Green”

By Victoria L. Kidd

 Every year, it seems to happen overnight. You go to bed one night with a lawn struggling to recover from the winter, and you wake up to find a lawn filled with weeds, uneven patches, and other unsightly inconsistencies that call into question your ability to truly be the master of your domain. A few hours later, you are standing in the lawn care isle of the hardware store. Your “conquer the world attitude” has faded as you are overwhelmed by the choices before you. Additional complications arise when you start reading the precautionary statements included on the products. These treatment products and pesticides will soon saturate your lawn—the same lawn that your kids will roll around on and your beloved, but aging, golden retriever will stretch upon for an afternoon in the sun.

The concerns evident here focus on the safety of available lawn care products for pets and families, but many people in similar situations will also struggle to reconcile the environmental impact of such treatment. Regardless of one’s reasoning for joining the “organic lawn movement,” it’s easy to feel a bit overwhelmed initially. One good place to start is www.safelawns.org. Founded by Paul Tukey, author of The Organic Lawn Care Manual, SafeLawns is an organization that works to educate people about the health and environmental risks associated with common synthetic products.

The site includes a series of handouts that provide valuable information to anyone considering a switch to organic products. These handouts will teach you about the benefits of testing your soil (a must before you start any treatment program), adding compost, overseeding, and more. While the site is a good primer, you may find yourself wanting to expand your new “natural” philosophy to the plants you welcome in your flowerbeds, gardens, and greenhouses. Operations like Gabalot Gardens in Strasburg, VA (www.gabalotgardens.com) can help homeowners get their beds in shape while they work to get the lawn back on track after a harsh winter.

When you stop by their location, you’ll see what they mean when they say, “It’s all about the plants.” They carry a wide range of products and they promise that what they offer is “slow-grown” and is never over fertilized, doused with harsh chemicals, or forced to bloom out of season. Furthermore, they really do see their business as equal parts plants and service, and they welcome tough questions that help customers enjoy the “green” surrounding their homes.

If you have been considering the adoption of a chemical-free lawn care policy, or even if you just want to investigate the potential impact that synthetic products have on the environment or on your health, visit the SafeLawns website. Additionally, consider extending your chemical-free ideology to all the greenery that increases your home’s curb appeal. Choose Gabalot Gardens or any other garden center offering products grown responsibly. Just be sure to take a “before” photo so you can share your success story with us when your chemical-free lawn outshines all others in your neighborhood.

Around Clarke

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May

22 Ethical Will

Clarke County Parks and Recreation, 255 Al Smith Circle, Berryville. 6:30–8pm. A one-night facilitated discussion about a kind of will that requires no financial funding. For information call 540-955-5140.

21–23 Newtown Heritage Festival

Newtown Commons, 5165 Main Street, Stephens City. This free family festival includes a parade, food vendors, kids activities, live entertainment, fireworks, and more. Walk into history and learn about the early days of Stephens City as you visit the Stone House Foundation Museums: Newtown Tavern, Argenbright House & Shed, Stone House, and Steele & Brothers Store, all on Main Street. For information visit www.stephenscity.vi.virginia.gov/NHF/index.

23 Long Branch Opening Day

Historic Long Branch, 830 Long Branch Lane, Millwood, 10am–4pm. Beginning Memorial Day weekend, Long Branch will be open for tours Saturdays and Sundays from 10am–4pm. Stop by and experience the historic home and expansive grounds this summer. For events and information visit www.visitlongbranch.org.

23 VHSA Horse and Pony Hunter show

Sandstone Farm, 3805 Millwood Road, Millwood. Free admission to all events. Breakfast and lunch available. For information 540-837-1261 or e-mail sandstonefarm@aol.com. See schedule for times and details at www.sandstonefarm.com. Free.

24 Memorial Day Service

Rose Hill Park, Berryville, 2pm. This year’s featured speaker is Brigadier General Neal T. Robinson, retired United States Air Force. Commissioned through the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1974, General Robinson served as the flight commander and Chief of Operations Management at Osan air Force Base, South Korea. General Robinson served in a number of leadership and command positions in Panama, South Korea, Europe, as well as the United States. His service culminated as Director of Air Force Cryptologic Office, Fort George G. Meade, Maryland, and Vice Commander of Headquarters Air Intelligence Agency, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.

The Clarke County High School Band and Choir will provide prelude and postlude selections and the National Anthem. In case of inclement weather, the Memorial Day Service will be held in Berryville’s Barns of Rose Hill, a cultural and civic center adjacent to Rose Hill Park. American Legion Post 41 and VFW Post 9760 invite the public to VFW Pavilion at 425 South Buckmarsh Street in Berryville for a picnic following the ceremony at approximately 3:30 PM. For information contact Jim Wink at 540-554-829 or jimwink@erols.com or Tom Vorisek at 540-955-3717 or tvorisek@comcast.net.

28 Medicare Cafe

VFW Post 9760. 425 South Buckmarsh Street, Berryville. Group presentation 10am-Noon, followed by free individual Medicare counseling blocks between 1 and 4 p.m. Individual blocks are available by reservation on a first-come, first-served basis. Reserve appointments for personalized help in understanding Medicare benefits and choices by calling 540-551-5615. The Medicare Café is FREE and is hosted as a community service by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 9760 volunteers in partnership with the Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program provided through the Shenandoah Area Agency on Aging. Visit shenandoahaaa.com/services/medicare-café.

29 CCHS Graduation

William Feltner Stadium, 240 Westwood Road, Berryville. 6pm. Congratulations Class of 2015!

29 Charm City Junction

Joined by Ken & Brad Kolodner at the Barns of Rose Hill, 95 Chalmers Court, Berryville. Doors open at 7:30pm. Show starts at 8. Charm City Junction is a new band combining old-time, Irish, and bluegrass music into their own unique mix. Regarded as one of the most influential hammered dulcimer players and old-time fiddlers in the U.S., Baltimore’s Ken Kolodner has joined forces with his son Brad Kolodner, a rising star in the clawhammer banjo world to perform tight and musical arrangements of original and traditional old-time music with a “creative curiosity that lets all listeners know that a passion for traditional music yet thrives in every generation.” $15 in advance, $20 at the door. 12 and under free. Email: kelli.hart@borh.org Website: www.barnsofrosehill.org.

30 Book Signings

Winchester Book Gallery. 185 N. Loudoun Street, Winchester. 11am–1pm. Trace Wilkins-Francis – Birthday Bubbles. Birthday Bubbles is one title in The Real Life Adventures of Jo Jo Bean – a book series for children ages 3 to 6 years old. Through its stories and songs, children will learn how to solve problems and develop social skills. Each book in the series includes the Jo Jo Bean theme song, a content song specific to the book and narration. 2–4pm. Julie Castillo – Eat Local for Less: The Ultimate Guide to Opting Out of Our Broken Industrial Food System. . In Eat Local for Less, Julie helps readers gain the practical knowledge they need to act on their choices, and also validates their decision by showing how local eating helps to create a healthier, happier, fairer, and more sustainable society. For more information visit www.winchesterbookgallery.com.

30 BRH Annual Hunter Horse Show

Sandstone Farm, 3805 Millwood Road, Millwood. Free admission to all events. Breakfast and lunch available. For Information 540-837-1261 or email sandstonefarm@aol.com. See schedule for times and details at www.sandstonefarm.com. Free.

31 5k Color Fun Run

Clarke County Parks and Recreation, 225 Al Smith Circle, Berryville. Clarke County Education Foundation, in partnership with CCPS and CCPR hosts the first ever “Color Me Clarke 5k Fun Run”. This is NOT a certified course; it’s about FUN. 7:30am check-in/packet pickup. Race waves begin at 9. $30 prior to event. $35 day of the event. DJ and lots of fun events after the race. For information visit www.ccefinc.org. Shirts only guaranteed thru early May.

31 Polo Exhibition

162 Stonefield Lane, Boyce. 4–7pm. Grab your chair and a blanket and bring the family out to beautiful Stonefield Farm in Boyce where the Read Family will host the first ever Blue Ridge Hospice Polo Exhibition. Space is limited. Each reservation includes entrance to the polo match, one drink ticket and an Argentinian BBQ dinner. $20 per person; children under 10 are free. All proceeds benefit of Blue Ridge Hospice. For reservations or information visit www.brhospice.org.

31 Phil Zuckerman’s Rock Room

Barns of Rose Hill, 95 Chalmers Court, Berryville. Doors open at 2:30pm. Show starts at 3. Phil Zuckerman’s 8 Rock Room student bands perform five songs each ranging from country to classic and modern rock. The musicians are aged 13 to 60+. Phil and his wife Linda also perform with some of the bands. Fun for all!! $5 suggested donation. Email kelli.hart@borh.org or visit www.barnsofrosehill.org.

31 BBQ Dinner

VFW Post 9760, 425 S Buckmarsh St, Berryville. 5–9pm. Relay for Life BBQ dinner. Enjoy music, great food, and silent auction. $15 in advance. $20 at the door. Children $7.00 (6 &under Free). To purchase tickets in advance email cmsuess@hotmail.com and send check to Chris Suess, PO Box, 541 Berryville VA 22611.

June

5 Winchester Royals

vs. Woodstock River Bandits. 7–10pm. Jim Barnett Park, Winchester. Bring the family and come out to enjoy a good old fashioned night at the ball park. General Admission Ticket Prices: $5.00 Adults, $3.00 Senior Citizens (60 & Over), $2.00 Youth (6 To 12 Years), Free Under 6 Years of Age.

6 /7 Relay For Life

Johnson Williams Middle School. 200 Swan Avenue, Berryville. 4pm Saturday–6am Sunday. Clarke County’s annual relay.

6 Garden Fest

Belle Grove Plantation, 336 Belle Grove Road, Middletown. 8am–3pm. 12th Annual Garden Festival Hosted by Belle Grove Plantation and The Northern Shenandoah Valley Master Gardeners Association. Activities include a plant sale, children’s activities, displays, demonstrations, and more. The Manor House will be open for tours at reduced prices. Admission is free. For information visit www.bellegrove.org/index.php?/calendar.

6 Moto Moto Marimba Band

Barns of Rose Hill, 95 Chalmers Court, Berryville. Doors open at 7:30pm. Show starts at 8. Moto Moto Marimba is a dynamic group of musicians performing Shona songs from Zimbabwe. Moto is a Shona word meaning fire. Just like fire, Moto Moto Marimba music’s hot rhythms compel you to get up and shine on the dance floor. Their music can be enjoyed by all ages. $12.00 in advance, $15.00 at the door, 12 and under free. Email kelli.hart@borh.org or visit www.barnsofrosehill.org.

7 Winchester Royals

vs. Charles Town Cannons. 7–10pm. Jim Barnett Park, Winchester. Bring the family and come out to enjoy a good old fashioned night at the ball park. General admission ticket prices: $5 adults, $3 seniors (60 & Over), $2 youth (6 To 12 Years), free under 6 years of age.

8 -12 Figurative Oil Painting

Classes with Booth Malone, Barns of Rose Hill, 95 Chalmers Court, Berryville. Monday–Thursday 10am–5pm, Friday 10am–1pm. Nationally recognized, award winning equestrian artist, Booth Malone, will conduct a 5-day class in figurative painting. Students should be familiar with the basics of oil painting. $275. Email kelli.hart@borh.org or visit www.barnsofrosehill.org.

10 Winchester Royals

vs. Strasburg Express. 7–10pm. Jim Barnett Park, Winchester. Bring the family and come out to enjoy a good old fashioned night at the ball park. General admission ticket prices: $5 adults, $3 seniors (60 & Over), $2 youth (6 To 12 Years), free under 6 years of age.

11 Winchester Royals

vs Woodstock River Bandits. 7–10pm. Jim Barnett Park, Winchester. Bring the family and come out to enjoy a good old fashioned night at the ball park. General admission ticket prices: $5 adults, $3 seniors (60 & Over), $2 youth (6 To 12 Years), free under 6 years of age.

12 Winchester Royals

vs. Front Royal Cardinals. 7–10pm. Jim Barnett Park, Winchester. Bring the family and come out to enjoy a good old fashioned night at the ball park. General admission ticket prices: $5 adults, $3 seniors (60 & Over), $2 youth (6 To 12 Years), free under 6 years of age.

12 Community Band

Rose Hill Park, Main Street, Berryville. 6pm Clarke County Community Band performs their annual spring concert in the gazeebo. Bring a picnic. Free.

13 BRVFD Fundraiser

Horseshoe Curve Restaurant. 1162 Pine Grove Road, Bluemont. 4–10pm. BBQ, Live Auction, Silent Auction, Dot Sale, Fire Truck Rides, Raffles and a Tug of War! Also featuring live music with Tomfoolery. For more information call 540-554-8291.

13 Craft Beer Festival

South Loudoun Street at Boscowan, Winchester. 12–6pm. The third annual Hop Blossom Craft Beer Festival is Winchester’s premier beer festival on the Old Town Walking Mall. The festival is geared toward educating and exposing participants to the growing popularity and love for great craft beer. Featuring 38+ craft breweries from the local area and beyond, live entertainment and crafters. For more details and to purchase tickets visit http://hopblossom.com. The event benefits GoodDogz.org and the Winchester SPCA.

13/14 Virginia Herb Festival

Sunflower Cottage. 150 Ridgemont Road, Middletown. 9am–5pm. A weekend of fun, entertainment, shopping, food, music and learning opportunities for herbal enthusiasts and all other comers. There will be programs or workshops each day on subjects such as: “Herbal Folklore”, “Herbal Remedies”, “Essential Oil Distillation” and “Edible Flowers”. Local chefs will demonstrate their recipes, tips and techniques for cooking with fresh herbs. Vendor booths will include herbal crafters and products, potters, garden art, fabrics, fashions and more. Garden Clubs, Herb Guilds, Red Hatters, tour buses and groups of any type are welcome. For further information call 540-869-8482 or visit www.sunflowercottage.net and www.virginiaherbfestival.com.

13 /14 Pottery Show and Sale

Museum of the Shenandoah Valley. 901 Amherst Street, Winchester. 10am–4pm. Meet Shenandoah Valley potters and browse pottery displays. Special tours and demonstrations offered both days will highlight Valley pottery. Pottery show, sale, demonstrations and meet the artists: free. Admission charged to visit the gardens and galleries; 10:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. talks included with admission. For schedule of activities and more information visit www.themsv.org or www.shenandoahpottersguild.org.

14 Author Barbara Frank

will lead a discussion of her book, Aggy of Zion. Josephine School Community Museum. 303 Josephine Street, Berryville. 3–5pm. Anna’s (of Corotoman) descendant, in Aggy of Zion, lives in the pre-civil war Shenandoah Valley of Virginia during the evangelical revivalist era of the Second Great Awakening, and at a time when slaves are being sold south in increasing numbers. An encounter with the ghost of a master murdered by his slaves foreshadows her own trial of self-sacrifice and her loss of those she loves. Having read the book is not a requirement. The book is available at Clarke County, Handley and Bowman Libraries, and Winchester Book Gallery.

14 Winchester Royals

vs Aldie Senators. 7–10pm. Jim Barnett Park, Winchester. Bring the family and come out to enjoy a good old fashioned night at the ball park. General Admission Ticket Prices: $5.00 Adults, $3.00 Senior Citizens (60 & Over), $2.00 Youth (6 To 12 Years), Free Under 6 Years of Age.

14 VHSA Jumper Show

Sandstone Farm, 3805 Millwood Road, Millwood. Free admission to all events. Breakfast and Lunch available. For Information 540-837-1261 or e-mail sandstonefarm@aol.com. See schedule for times and details at www.sandstonefarm.com. Free.

14 Piedmont Singers

Christ Church Millwood. 843 Bishop Meade Rd, Boyce. 4pm. This group, under the direction of Wendy Oesterling, is preparing for its European tour this summer. A reception will follow the concert. For more information, please contact the church office at 837-1112.

19 Spring Classical Music Series

Raphael Elizondo and Eva Chavez. Barns of Rose Hill. 95 Chalmers Court, Berryville. Doors open at 7pm. Show starts at 7:30. Distinguished for their magnetism and energy, classical guitarist Rafael Elizondo and concert pianist Eva Chavez will take you by the hand through a musical journey of brilliance and strong emotions with a carefully selected program of pieces for solo instrument and duet. $15.00 in advance $25.00 at the door, 12 and under free. Email: kelli.hart@borh.org Website: www.barnsofrosehill.org.

20 Classical Guitar Workshop

“Raphael Elizondo Classical Guitar Workshop-Technique and Practice”. Barns of Rose Hill. 95 Chalmers Court, Berryville. Doors open at 12:30pm. Workshop starts at 1 Award-winning classical guitarist, Rafael Elizondo, will lead a two hour classical guitar workshop that focuses on developing a confident and refined technique on the guitar. The workshop will start by identifying what the students need to develop their full potential in their interpretations and will subsequently be imparting practical methods on how to achieve this outstanding goal. Rafael will also be making recommendations on how to organize the students’ practice sessions and repertoire so that they may define a vision and goals for the future. $25 per student Email: kelli.hart@borh.org Website: www.barnsofrosehill.org

20 Winchester Royals

vs Charles Town Cannons. 7–10pm. Jim Barnett Park, Winchester. Bring the family and come out to enjoy a good old fashioned night at the ball park. General Admission Ticket Prices: $5.00 Adults, $3.00 Senior Citizens (60 & Over), $2.00 Youth (6 To 12 Years), Free Under 6 Years of Age.

Blue Ridge Studio Follows The Yellow Brick Road

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The Blue Ridge Studio for the Performing Arts is presenting “The Wizard of Oz” on Saturday, June 6 at 7pm and Sunday, June 7 at 2pm at Millbrook High School in Winchester.  The cast features members of the Senior Performing Arts Company, as well as selected members of the Junior Company.

Based on the 1939 fantasy film, The Wizard of Oz, as well as the popular book series written by L. Frank Baum, The Blue Ridge Studio spent a year constructing the ballet.  Nela Niemann, director and founder of the studio said, “It was creatively challenging to put together an entire ballet based on a movie and novel.  Although there is plenty of music to draw from the original movie and Broadway shows, I still had to search long and hard for just the right musical pieces to complement our dancers and keep the story line flowing.  I have Tap, Jazz and Modern dancers, as well as Ballet, so I looked for a variety of styles and composers.”  The Blue Ridge Studio production includes the usual cast of cherished characters, but Niemann has put her own twist on their interpretation: “I decided to feminize Dorothy’s friends a bit.  Who wants to dance in a full lion’s costume or tin man’s suit?  I also added a few characters from the original Oz books, and that will surprise some of the audience.  My father read the entire series to me and my siblings when we were children, and I couldn’t resist the opportunity to bring these characters to life.”

Tickets to “The Wizard of Oz” can be purchased in advance from Sweet Pea’s Children’s Shop, 5B East Main Street, Berryville. Ticket $12/adults and $6/children 12 and under.  Tickets may also be purchased at the door. For information, visit www.blueridgestudio.org or call 540-955-2919.

New Head for Economic Development and Tourism

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Clarke County has a new director for Economic Development and Tourism. Len Capelli brings more than 40 years of experience in the field, has worked for an array of private and public organizations, including the State of Virginia as the business development manager and for several small cities, towns, and counties in Virginia, including Staunton and Warren County.

Capelli will focus on building a social media presence for the county, including through development of a smart phone app. He also wants to work with neighboring counties to find ways to collaborate.

While working with the Commonweatlth, Capelli helped facilitate relocating large businesses from areas like Northern Virginia to smaller communities throughout the state, capitalizing on the trend for companies to move administrative functions to smaller, less densely populated areas.

This type of migration could be attractive for Clarke County, where real estate is cheaper than the close-in Washington, D.C. suburbs, and where historic buildings or warehouses can be transformed into hip historic office buildings.

Capelli’s plans include upcoming meetings with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership and the Virginia Tourism Corporation in Richmond. A lot of companies start with VEDP when looking at relocating or opening a business in Virginia, according to Capelli.

The Dreaded Knob and Tube

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By Wendy Gooditis

Once upon a time, a couple of lovely people decided to sell the wonderful 1920s bungalow in which they had raised their families and been happy for almost 30 years. As hard as it was to contemplate parting with their beloved home, they felt certain that the next occupants would appreciate and care for it as they had. A locally respected agent listed it and found them a buyer for a reasonable price with which everyone could be satisfied.

Then came the home inspection required by banks before they will finance a mortgage. Usually, for a house which has been cared for by sensible people, the home inspection turns up myriad small repairs, such as doors which don’t close properly, some rotten boards on the porch, a leaky pipe under the sink, etc. But sometimes, especially in older houses, the repairs—and the surprises—are huge.

As a result of the inspection, these nice, responsible, intelligent people learned that the electrical system in their house was still the antique knob and tube wiring which had been installed when the house was built. The unpleasant surprise was this: they had had the house inspected when they bought it years before, and it had been found to be knob and tube, and had supposedly been completely rewired at the time! But the electrician paid to do the job had merely replaced all easily visible wiring and the electric panel box in the cellar. He hadn’t touched all the wiring in the lath-and-plaster walls throughout the house. This electrician has since gone on to a place where he is no longer reachable to be made to take responsibility on earth for his earthly actions.

A problem like this is a huge and costly repair, which these sellers took on in good faith in order to sell the house. But what had been thought to be a $10,000 job grew to be more than $15,000, and the sellers no longer stood to make the expected good return when they sold their house. These sellers were unusual in that they fulfilled this task with no complaint, and are to be admired for their sense of honor. The lucky buyer got a fantastic deal on a completely rewired house.

So what is knob and tube? It is the system commonly used in the 1920s and 30s, and sometimes used right up through the 1950s. It consists of insulated wire wrapped around ceramic knobs nailed into the studs, and fed through ceramic tubes inserted into holes in the joists. Hence the knob and tube nomenclature. It was a sturdy system which worked for many years in many houses, and still functions well in some houses today. But time, temperatures, gnawing mice or squirrels, and additions or changes make most of these outdated systems quite risky. The old methods of insulation ranged from cotton fabric to aluminum, all of which are far inferior to today’s insulated wire.

William Kibbel III, The Home Inspector on the useful website old house web had this to say: “When additional branches or fixtures are added, the fuses protecting the old circuits are likely to blow frequently. Installing larger fuses is an easy, but unsafe, solution. Oversized fuses allow much more current to flow than originally intended, resulting in additional heat in the conductors. This heat causes the insulation protecting the wire to become brittle, and eventually to disintegrate.” Uninsulated wires and overloaded systems can and do lead to house fires.

On top of these risks, add the fact that knob and tube systems were not grounded. Because the wires were insulated and the hot and neutral wires were installed several inches apart, most of the time the system was safe. But here’s why the grounding required by code in modern electrical systems is so vital to our safety, according to the website HowStuffWorks: “The primary purpose of grounding is to reduce the risk of serious electric shock from current leaking into uninsulated metal parts of an appliance, power tool, or other electrical device. In a properly grounded system, such leaking current (called fault current) is carried away harmlessly. The human body may be fatally shocked by a current of less than one ampere—well below the point at which a fuse or breaker will operate. Grounding helps prevent such a hazard from occurring. In some cases, however, as when a person handles an electrical device while standing on a wet surface, there is a risk of fatal shock from a leaking current even from a properly grounded electrical circuit. For protection against this danger, a safety device called a ground-fault interrupter can be installed in the circuit. This device, so sensitive that it can detect leakages as small as 5 milliamperes, immediately disconnects the circuit when a leakage occurs.”

These are installed in our bathrooms today, required by code, and cannot be correctly installed on a knob and tube system.

Now you understand the concept of grounding and why it is desirable, right? And you understand how the presence of knob and tube wiring can jeopardize not only the safety of a home and its occupants, but also a real estate transaction.

There are many reputable electricians in our area who have the experience to tackle the job of knob and tube remediation. And if you are the owner of an old house still using knob and tube, you can have the job done a room or two at a time to save mess and to spread out costs. Friends of mine in one of the large, lovely houses we all admire as we drive down certain streets in Winchester started this process a year ago, and have a couple of rooms rewired every couple of months. They are pleased with their schedule, and are more pleased that they are soon to be free of the worry about the outdated electrical system.

Wendy Gooditis is a real estate agent on the Chip Schutte Real Estate Team with ReMax Roots at 101 East Main St., Berryville, VA 22611, phone 540-955-0911. Wendy can be reached at Gooditis@visuallink.com or at 540-533-0840.

Building A Modern Rural Economy

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For decades, shopping malls and retail centers had an important economic advantage over Main Street. It wasn’t parking—the first thing that comes to mind. Nor was it the cheaper prices that come with buying in huge volume, although that certainly is an advantage.

It’s marketing and business recruitment. When space becomes available in a commercial center, it’s someone’s job to fill it with a business whose style and scale is compatible with the overall vision of the place.

For many years, counterparts in the public sector were less common. When a small industrial space or retail store closed or moved, a building sat until either an energetic realtor helped find a replacement, a new local business opened, or, by happenstance, a business looking to move found its way to the street.

As any salesperson will tell you, nothing sells itself. If a shopping mall can invest in a person to market a brand and build relationships to benefit the bottom line, it seems sensible for local government to do the same.

After all, maintaining a stable local tax base and promoting a vibrant quality of life—which, in turn, attracts more business—is one of the jobs of local government. But, it’s no secret to Clarke County business owners that for years one strategy for preserving Clarke’s rural character was to shun a lot of business growth.

It’s understandable. Those were urgent times. Change was occurring so rapidly that putting a rural conservation infrastructure was top priority. Leaders and residents had to work together, knock heads a bit, and agree on a rural future—not grasp despairingly for a rural past.

Now, say county leaders, it’s time to welcome businesses that embrace who we are. Enter Len Capelli, appointed as the new economic development and tourism chief by a joint committee representing the Town of Berryville and Clarke County.

Capelli brings 40 years of experience to the job, working with local governments and as manager of the Commonwealth’s business development effort. “There are ways to attract businesses, the right businesses, without changing the character of the county,” Capelli told the Observer.

Tourism is clearly part of that equation. Choosing which segments of the tourism market to focus on, facilitating collaboration among business to reach them, and making sure the county has some basic infrastructure to accommodate them are essential. For example, if bicycle tourism is a compatible market segment, what do we need to serve those tourists? Bike racks seem like a starting point.

Having economic growth that’s compatible with a place rarely comes by accident. It takes a lot of work facilitating among all the parties with a stake to stick with the vision, knowing that good things can come when we do.

Having a professional of Capelli’s experience on board is the right place to start. Read more on page 5.

Pass it on

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By Doug Humphreys

The target was huge, and was only 50 yards from the tip of my nose. Despite a rock-solid bench, I couldn’t hit the darn thing with my muzzleloader. My shoulder was sore from repeated attempts, and I’d created a fog of smoke that smelled like rotten eggs and was less than appreciated by the other shooters on the line. The Colorado muzzleloader season was only a week away.

I sat at the bench staring blankly through the blue haze, because I had no idea what to do next. Then a voice from behind me asked, “Those front stuffers can be a real pain in the butt, can’t they?”

Without turning to look I responded, “Yep. If it weren’t for bugling elk I wouldn’t even shoot these darn things.” I didn’t really say darn.

He replied, “Ah, I see. Having trouble getting close enough with your bow so you thought you’d try a muzzleloader? Been there.”

I turned around to see who was reading my mind and discovered I was speaking with a giant dichotomy. A man in his late 50s stood well past 6 feet with broad shoulders, a barrel chest and rough hands, but he had friendly eyes and a contagious smile beamed beneath wispy blond hair.

“Hi, I’m Doug,” I said.

“I’m Paul. Whatcha shootin’?”

I showed him my new Knight carbine which he looked at with interest, but then he asked again, “Nice rifle, but what are you shooting?”

He dug through my possibles bag to find lead cast bullets and black powder, while I looked on as confused as ever. He walked back to his truck and returned with granular Pyrodex and the then-new Power Belt bullets.

“How much black powder are you shooting?” 

“110 grains,” I answered.

“Holy smokes! I bet your shoulder is black and blue. That much powder and those big, old lead bullets.” He adjusted my powder measurer to 85 grains, poured a load of Pyrodex and then loaded my rifle with a 245-grain Power Belt. “Try this. Sometimes less is more.”

I put the rifle back on the sand bags, settled the front sight in the middle of the stark white paper plate and squeezed. When the smoke cleared there was a black hole in the middle of the plate.

He grabbed my gun, reloaded it, gave it back to me and said, “Aim 6 inches high at the hundred-yard gong.” I obliged, and the sound of the gong echoed down the range.

When I turned around, my new friend handed me a pack of Power Belts and a can of Pyrodex.

I asked, undoubtedly with another confused look, “Why?”

“Oh, my knees pretty much keep me out of the elk mountains these days. If you tell me the story when you get home we’ll call it even.”

“I can’t promise I’ll have much of a story to tell, but sounds like a good deal to me. Thank you Paul.” I was still a little dumbfounded.

When I pulled into the shooting range two weeks later I could see Paul standing at the firing line, this time leaning over a young man with a scoped rifle. I could tell by the look on the boy’s face that he appreciated whatever it was that Paul was telling him.

I’d hooked the horns from the bull I’d shot only days earlier over the edge of the truck bed, because, well, that kind of thing is fun to do as you’re pulling into a shooting range.

When Paul was done with his pupil, he looked up, spied the horns sticking out of my truck bed and shot me a toothy grin.

When I stepped from the truck the smell of rotten egg was heavy in the air. I followed the trail of blue smoke to a guy sitting at a bench staring down the range at a target with no holes in it.

I asked, “Those front stuffers can be a real pain in the butt, can’t they?”

Without turning to look he responded, “Yep. If Illinois allowed rifles I wouldn’t even shoot these darn things.” He didn’t really say darn.

“Can I make s suggestion?” I looked up and saw Paul standing a few benches down, still with a toothy grin.

Everything you’ve ever done was taught to you before you did it the first time. There are teachers for education, coaches for sports and YouTube for just about everything else . . .except hunting.

It is absolutely necessary that hunters pass what they know to each other, and more importantly, to those who have never hunted but want to. The heritage depends on it.

One small gesture on your part could be a game changer for another hunter. Some piece of knowledge that is simple to you could be a revelation to someone else. Never miss an opportunity to share what you know. Just take a minute, and pass it on.

Let’s Talk About End-of-Life Issues. Maybe?

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By Karen Cifala

As I got ready to write this article in my normal systematic and informative style, I got derailed by participation in several cultural events which unexpectedly redirected the way I felt about this topic. Having recently participated in a Passover Seder, a beautiful blessing of the new building for a Thai restaurant complete with Buddhist monks and chanting, plus a heartfelt Easter service, I realize how natural and special cultural beliefs are in our everyday lives—as well as in our end-of-life experiences. So to get the most important things out of the way first: Talk to your loved ones about these issues.

The will

In the United States and within each state, we have laws that regulate what happens to our belongings after we die—our investments, our homes, and our personal property—through a legal document called a will. A will dictates to the state how you would like your assets to be disbursed. If you die without a legal will, your estate (whatever that may be) is divided in probate court where a judge decides who gets the assets.

This can take months and thousands of dollars. Umm . . . you need a will. If you have a simple estate (no property, few or no investments), you can use DIY (Do-It-Yourself) software like www.Nolo.com and use the Quicken Will Maker. Or you can hire an attorney to draw up a will for you. I highly recommend this route, because the legal professional may cover some beneficial areas that you haven’t thought about. You will need to know who you will name as beneficiaries and designated executor.

The Advance Healthcare Directive

This legal form includes a living will (which gives written instructions on the degree of life-sustaining measures that should be taken), a health proxy (someone appointed to make health-related decisions in the event you can’t), and a HIPAA release (which allows someone to access your medical records) which is useful with the insurance claims. This form varies by state; however, it is simple to download the specific one you need at the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization’s website www.caringinfo.org.

Yeah, it might be a good idea to start this conversation with your loved ones before a crisis hits, or you could just wait until you are on your way to the ER in the ambulance (not) to do this. Make sure you ask permission if you want to appoint your sister as the health proxy—I surprised mine years ago when I sent mine to her out of the blue.  Good news is that she accepted, but someone else might not feel comfortable with that responsibility.

Authorized User on Bank and Investment Accounts

To keep your money from being tied up in probate court, name a trusted friend or family member to be a co-owner of investments and/or bank accounts. If you should become incompetent through illness (we all feel that way sometimes, right?), you will still need to have your bills paid. Ask permission of someone you trust and name that person to take on the responsibility of Power of Attorney to access funds, investments, or insurance policies. I know most banks and investment firms will have their own documents that must be in place before they can release funds. And, if one co-owner dies, the other owner is usually entitled to the balance through the “right of survivorship.”

 

So back to the redirection of my article: It occurred to me that I, in my mind, was thinking about end-of-life issues with loved ones from a Christian-based background, and that I have some cultural assumptions about beliefs, accepted behaviors, rituals, and social heritage that would come into play, and that not everyone feels or believes the same way I do.  In the 1990s, the Federal Patient Self-Determination Act was created which emphasized patient-informed consent.  In general, western society encourages and promotes individualism and independence, and in healthcare, patient autonomy is valued and supported, with great emphasis on individual wishes.  However, some cultures might have different views on the decision-making process. Perhaps in some cultures the patient might have little or no input regarding treatment.

Perhaps a particular culture has a high regard for authority, so that a patient would look to the expertise of the healthcare team to make their end-of-life medical decisions (instead of having an advanced medical directive).  I believe I read that not more than 25 percent of the general population has an advance directive, and I wonder if differences in culture might play a role in this.  End-of-life decisions supporting cultural values and beliefs is just as  important when you are having this family discussion, and adhering to cultural practices while trying to follow federal regulations can be a balancing act, but is probably well worth making the effort before there is a crisis.

Even if you think you’ve got it together for that distressing moment when something terrible happens, make sure you at least have these legal issues taken care of. Then you can say “the rest is up to a higher power”, or in my case, my sister.  My mom always said that actions speak louder than words, and in this case, where your actions in preparing so that a stressful time can be made much simpler for your loved ones, you know she is right, as always!

Karen Cifala is a senior real estate specialist with Remax Roots in Berryville.  To reach her you can call her at (303)817-9374 or email her at kcifala@gmail.com.  Join her April 16 at  Appleland Sports Center from 3-5 for a Free Open Forum discussion with Professionals Working 4Seniors on Finding the Right Home Care.