December 2018

Tina Burton says that for most of her life, her dad’s happy place was “outside, framing houses in the sun.” A lifelong carpenter, he started working with his own father when he was a boy of ten. “His whole identity was in being able to swing that hammer,” the lifelong…

No disrespect to the other holidays, but Christmas is my favorite time of year. I love it all, from the sparkling lights to Christmas trees adorned in tinsel and decorations. But what I love the best is the spirit of the season – the magic and the warm, cozy feeling…

This holiday season, as you drive around town experiencing the magnificent light displays throughout our fair city, you may take a moment to wonder: Why do people devote countless hours and a good chunk of change to participate in a trend now lovingly known as a tacky light tour? How…

Ten years ago this month, our Christmas budget officially blew up. Perhaps your family was hit by the same destructive force: The Great Recession.  If I close my eyes, I can still feel the throbbing that overtook my frontal lobe when I thought about the cache of Christmas gifts that…

The day before winter break started last year, I left work early and headed to our elementary school. As I approached my son’s kindergarten classroom, I could hear and feel the children’s joyous energy before I reached the door. When I entered the room, I was greeted by dozens of…

On a special December Saturday in 1983, Dad woke up early to warm up the Toyota. By seven o’clock, my sister Susan and I were inside the car. Then, we waited for Mom, who perpetually ran late. We needed to start just at dawn because we were going to see…

I can hardly believe another year has passed, and we’re in the month of trying to slow down and enjoy the season, all the while pulling our collective hair out trying to buy it all, wrap it all, cook it all, and celebrate it all.  There are so many ways…

In August 1908, 387 stock-holding members organized a private club called the Old Dominion Country Club before realizing that the name was already taken. Under a new name, they raised money to buy 110 rolling, wooded acres that lay four miles beyond the western city limits. The tract featured a…

We look forward to so many of baby’s firsts, but there are some firsts that aren’t so fun. It’s bound to happen at some point: Your baby isn’t acting like himself and you notice he’s warm. It’s hard not to panic, but knowing in advance what a fever really is…

What if I told you there was one thing you could teach your kids to help reduce stress, relieve anxiety, improve focus, and tame tempers? That’s right. There is one thing that achieves all of that – and it requires no prescription, no specialist, and no money. And the cherry…

Have you ever asked your kids what charity or cause they would like to support, or shared with them what nonprofits you choose to support? As we move through the holiday season, the thoughts of many Americans turn to giving back to their favorite nonprofits. During the last six weeks…

Crock Pot Sweet Potato Turkey Stew 1 yellow onion, diced 1½ cups carrots, sliced into large chunks 5 cups sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed 1 teaspoon avocado oil 1 teaspoon dried ginger 3 cloves garlic, minced 2 teaspoons dried oregano 2 teaspoons dried thyme 1½ teaspoons freshly ground black pepper…

Eight months ago, Leroy Markland was sitting in his car in a Lynchburg parking lot. He felt like that car was all he had left.  “I hit bottom. Things were falling apart,” he said of his substance abuse. “My wife had left. She took the dog. I lost my house,…

When Tripp came to Richmond Animal League (RAL) in July 2018, it was hard to tell whether he was a dog or a small bear (and to be honest, the jury’s still out). One thing was certain – he was a sweet dog with an easy-going disposition. He was also…

What belongs in your village? Build houses, schools, or a house of worship. Make sleds, cars, or train cars from toilet paper tubes or small boxes. The bottom of a gallon jug might be a skating rink. Add snowmen or LEGO people or other play set villagers. Arrange the elements…