Life + Culture

Where Mentorship Meets Mission

Big Brothers Big Sisters empowers youth through mentorship and connection. Article by Jennifer Waldera | Photography by Contributing Photographers 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 me about Big Brothers, Big Sisters and its mission, vision, and values: The mission of Brothers Big Sisters of the Central Blue Ridge (BBBS) is to create and support...

Home + Design

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 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...

Life + Culture

Holiday Wines, Virginia Style

Richard Leahy shares how Virginia wines can make your holidays shine. Article by Jennifer Waldera | Photography by Contributing Photographers 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 well-known 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...

Life + Culture

Filling Plates, Fueling Change

Executive Director Jane Colony Mills shares the story of Loaves & Fishes. Article by Jennifer Waldera | Photography by Scherer Joy Photography 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...

Life + Culture

Seasonal Sophistication

Elegant, festive, and locally inspired beverages crafted by 2025 Virginia Cocktail Games winner Christa Thomas Article by Christa Thomas and Jennifer Waldera | Photography by Ed Portillo 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. GILDED PEAR (Cocktail) 1.5 oz Cirrus vodka .5...

Arts + Culture

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.  Stay in Style  While there is no shortage of...

Arts + Culture

Gratitude in Focus

Artist Stacey Evans reflects on gratitude and finding inspiration in seasons, light, and everyday moments. Article by Jennifer Waldera | Photography by Stacey Evans As a child growing up in the Shenandoah Valley, Stacey Evans says she was inspired by the scene through her bedroom window of hills, trees, cows, a pond where geese landed during migration, and the peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Now she brings similar landscapes and nature to life through her photography. What are you most...

Home + Design

Creating Joy with Fall Flowers

Karen Walker of Hedge Fine Blooms offers suggestions for filling your house with autumnal charm. Article by Jennifer Waldera | Photography by Contributing Photographers Whether you’re looking to bring the colors of fall inside or you want to spruce up your Thanksgiving table, there are plenty of ways to add autumnal color to your home. Karen Walker of Hedge Fine Blooms suggests starting with seasonal flowers. “I really like the fan cockscomb and coral cockscomb, and of course the ever-amazing...

Life + Culture

Exploring Change, Capturing Culture

Michael O. Snyder captures Appalachia's evolving traditions and its people. Article by Jennifer Waldera | Photography by Michael O. Snyder Michael O. Snyder spent much of his younger life in Appalachia, where he took note of how the mining industry affected the land he called home. It was that inspiration that led him to pursue a career as an environmental scientist with an eye on tackling climate change. However, he ultimately pivoted to film and photography to marry his passion for affecting...

Life + Culture

The Gift of Community

How the Arc of the Piedmont builds inclusion, dignity, and opportunity for all. Article by Jennifer Waldera | Photography by Contributing Photographers It was in the 1950s, a time when information about Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) was scarce, that a group of parents spearheaded the founding of Arc, an organization with a mission of supporting individuals with IDD. Since then, locations have opened around the country, and activists have worked diligently to push forward...