In every community, there are individuals who shape the world around them, leaving lasting marks on the lives they touch. Here, we celebrate ten local changemakers who are transforming Central Virginia with their passion, creativity, and tireless work. Through their stories, we hope to inspire a renewed sense of possibility and a deeper appreciation for those who are making a meaningful difference every day.
Central Virginia’s book culture is thriving, powered by writers who live here, teach here, and create stories that are getting noticed across the country. And with support from WriterHouse and the Moms Lit Society, the act of writing or picking up a book can also be a...
The Many Creations of Brian Calhoun On a quiet street in downtown Charlottesville, there’s an old brick cottage that subtly blends in with the rest of the neighborhood. The main floor’s living space is typical of a comfortable home, but drifting up from the basement,...
Renovate, Restore, Repurpose In an era dominated by the proliferation of sprawling, cookie-cutter housing developments, design/build contractor Enoch Snyder is doing something rare. He listens carefully to the stories that old houses have to tell. Then, he peels back...
By Rob Seal • Photography by Jack Looney When most of us are turning off the lights and settling in for a good night’s sleep, the day is just beginning for those hearty few who work through the night. Here, meet some of the people who are busy at work while the rest...
Haunted History of Central Virginia “Virginia may well be the most haunted state in America,” writes L.B. Taylor Jr. in The Big Book of Virginia Ghost Stories. Taylor believes that the many old manor houses and plantations that still stand, combined with the numerous...
Ryan Odom's Journey Comes Full Circle By Robert Viccellio When Ryan Odom was introduced this past March as the University of Virginia’s new head basketball coach, the occasion represented much more than just a new chapter in his coaching career. He was returning to a...
Design Strategies for Elevated Living In the realm of home design, the boundary between indoors and outdoors has become increasingly fluid—erased not only by architectural innovation but by a shift in lifestyle that prizes connection to nature without compromising...
Recipes from Virginia Distilleries With a distilling tradition spanning over four centuries, Virginia is recognized as the birthplace of American spirits. In 1620, George Thorpe, a colonist at Berkeley Plantation along the James River, distilled the first batch of...
Like the classic fable of the City Mouse and the Country Mouse, Central Virginia’s craft beverage scene is a tale of two distinct experiences. One local beverage trail winds through Charlottesville’s city streets, the other rolls past vineyards and mountain views....
Written By Rob Seal | Photography Courtesy of Do Me A Flavor For its size, Charlottesville’s restaurant scene punches above its weight. Maybe it’s the university and its steady stream of new residents, or the city’s curious palate and variety of tastes. But ask...