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Keswickians: History Meets Modern Day Elegance

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Interview with Matt and Charlene Scibal at Inn at Willow Grove

By Elizabeth Blye Delaney

willow groveThe Inn at Willow Grove is located just north of Orange, Virginia on Route 15. Built in the late 18th century for Joseph Clark, the original frame residence was substantially enlarged in 1848 by the addition of a brick wing and a unifying Tuscan portico. It is believed some of the woodwork in this Federal portion was executed by the same artisans who crafted Montpelier. President James Madison’s lifelong Orange County home, The remodeling was done for Clark’s son, William, who inherited Willow Grove in 1839. The resulting building stands as an example of the influence of Thomas Jefferson’s Classical Revival style on the country homes of Piedmont Virginia. The portico is accented by the distinctly Jeffersonian touch of Chinese lattice railings. The mansion has withstood the ravages of two wars. Generals Wayn and Muhlenberg camped here during the Revolutionary War, and the mansion was under siege during the Civil War. Trenches and breastworks are visible near the manor house and a cannonball was recently removed from the eaves. The house is enhanced by its pastoral setting and collection of outbuildings. Later the homestead of the Shackelford family, the house and outbuildings are now used as a country inn. This is the description of Willow Grove by the National Park Service website titled “Journey Through Hallowed Ground”.

In the 1980’s a couple from New Jersey bought Willow Grove and kept it as a bed and breakfast. Charlene and David Scibal would occasionally have a meal there and Charlene described it as a cozy pub. It gradually declined and sat empty for many years until Charlene and David decided to buy it and fix it up in 2008. They lived on nearby “Windholme” in Orange County. 

Charlene is the driving creative force behind Willow Grove. Her husband David and son Matt are there every day along side her running their Inn. Matt is the General Manager and could rival the best graduate of the Cornell Hotel School, he is a true people person and well versed in his trade. Charlene grew up in New Orleans and went to art school after high school. After time working in the insurance industry, where she met her husband David, she owned and ran an art gallery so all things art come naturally to her.

When they bought the Inn it was in shambles and the various outbuildings were in disrepair. The main floor of the mansion had to be adjusted by 10’ to level it, a major restoration project alone! The original barn was falling down and they had to tear down the wood. They left the stone foundation and use that now for event space. The various outbuildings have been restored and are used as guest space. The schoolhouse, I was told, is the oldest schoolhouse in Orange County. It is two levels with an outside door at the second level, where the teacher slept, accessible only by a ladder. This place abounds with history and stories.

The Inn has been written up by Forbes Travel, the Washington Post and many other travel sites and magazines all to rave reviews. Charlene and Matt say their intention is to “exceed the destination anticipation” of their guests. They want a superior experience for their guests from the first phone call to make reservations.

One such guest I interviewed was Dr. Brian Clark, a dentist in Reston, Virginia. His wife Nancy works in his office. He said it’s their favorite destination in the fall and winter for a getaway. They read about the Inn in the American Express magazine and decided to give the dining room a try. They were seated in the Chef’s Room. While dining they met the owners, Charlene and David, who insisted they spend the night. Brian jokingly said they didn’t bring their toothbrushes. Unbeknownst to them Charlene and David went to a local pharmacy and purchased light-up toothbrushes for them while they dined. They spent the night!

Brian said he takes his wine group there and word has spread among their friends about this wonderful Inn only two easy hours from Northern Virginia.

“Everything about this Inn is a luxurious experience”, Brian said. The setting is elegant but comfortable. Among the seriously comfortable furniture are pieces of art added by Charlene, in the form of a cow painting or a chair made of books. It is NOT stuffy; just well appointed in decor. Brian raved about the special mirrors in the bathrooms. He said ”I’ve never seen any like them before; everyone wants one.”

Apparently, that goes for all the decor items. So it seemed a natural to Charlene to open a shop in downtown Orange called “Objects on Main”. It opened on October 23. She said people were asking her where they could purchase items from the lavender soap to art to furniture. I’m sure it will be an art gallery of delightful items for sale.

Charlene said she wanted the dining experience to be along French lines with many courses and impeccable service. Having eaten at the Inn myself I can only rave about the exquisite food. I took three friends there for a birthday dinner and we were served personalized birthday cakes. Very elegant and understated, no waiters singing Happy Birthday and clapping!

To quote the article in the Washington Post in 2011, “This is luxury living. In the morning, the butler arrives with our breakfast tray, coffee and beignets. (After all, Charlene is from New Orleans!)” That luxury service is the same today. I think we have a special place in our midst here in the Piedmont of Orange County.

Wednesdays they are offering for $5.00 per plate a Tapas experience. The small plates are items from the main menu in smaller tastings. As Matt says, “For $25.00 you can taste the items from the main menu.” On Thursday it’s Three on Thursday night where for $29.95, you get three entrees. Their Inn is the perfect place for a couple getaway or a corporate event. The Inn at Willow Grove seems to have all the entertaining bases covered with an elegant venue, great food and impeccable service.

Only in Keswick: Rattling Republicans

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By Tony Vanderwarker

You can count the Democrats living in Keswick on the fingers of one hand. Surrounded by hordes of rabid Republicans, we are singled out as poor, misguided folks who somehow wandered down the wrong path. Of course, being in the South, everyone keeps it genteel, but every once in a while we can needle each other into getting the good stuff out.

During the Bush/Kerry presidential campaign, one of Peter Taylor’s boys asked, “Mr. Vanderwarker seems like such a nice guy, why does he have a Kerry bumper sticker on his car?” When Peter jokingly related the comment to me, I tried to one-up him by saying, “I played lacrosse with Kerry at Yale, he’s a hell of a nice guy.”

To no avail, of course. After all, what’s someone to think about a guy who has a pink driveway and wears orange pants to parties? Flaming liberal, that’s what.

Baiting Republicans is fun and games for me. After all, this is America and the minority gets a voice too.

It’s so easy to get Republican faces screwing up in disgust when you say, “How about our president getting Obamacare through?’ Or, “Did you see those job numbers and the unemployment rate falling to a new low? Obama’s really doing a helluva job with the economy.” 

A comment like that heats up my Republican buddies something awful. I love to see their faces turn red and veins start to pop. And there’s oodles of positive things happening during the Obama presidency to taunt them with–stock market soaring, a Latino female on the Supreme Court, the accord on Iran, getting out of two wars. 

And when they have a few drinks, you can get them to come clean on president. They take on an expression like someone close by just passed gas and scornfully mutter, “I can’t stand the SOB, he’s a two-faced, conceited, duplicitous politician of the worst sort.”

Then what I love to do is ratchet up the discussion by saying, “So what do you think of Hillary?’

Unprintables always follow and I top it off by saying, “You guys could easily get Trumped in the next election.” That’s steam out of ears time and I retreat to my dependable default, changing the subject so I don’t cause a coronary event, “So can you believe how those Hoos are doing?” Or, “Can you believe the incredible weather we’re having.”

Of course they get their pound of flesh out of me also. Every time the president stumbles or gets negative press, they love to rub it in. ”Did you see the Maureen Dowd piece on your boy Obama?” Or, “You’re an environmentalist, Tony, you must have really liked Obama okaying drilling in the Arctic.”

When my Republican buddies are standing in a circle and I come into the room, more than once I’ve heard, “Shhh, here comes Vanderwarker.” As if I didn’t know they were piling on our president.

Most of it is in good fun for we know that none of us are going to change our minds and we have too much respect for one another to let it interfere with our friendships. 

But when Republicans provide such a plethora of great stuff, how can you resist? The Supreme Court’s ruling on gay marriage is a treasure trove. The Donald a gold mine and immigration a bonanza. Just have to bide my time, find the perfect opportunity to pop a zinger.

Not that us Dems aren’t vulnerable with Hillary stinking up the scene with her email fiasco. So maybe I’ll give rattling Republicans a breather until that cloud passes over.  On the other hand…

Life Happens: Marriage in the Twilight Zone

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 By Mary Morony

Marriage, I am here to tell you, is a difficult business, after the fun and games of hot steamy sex has become a dim distant memory. Living together in the bonds of wedlock is so much of a challenge that most of us have children to keep ourselves so busy that we don’t notice how hard it is. Dirty diapers give way to Saturdays filled with soccer matches, lawn maintenance, birthday parties and driver ‘s ed. When budget-busting college tuitions are finally in the rearview mirror, two people get a chance, possibly for the very first time, to know each other; assuming that somehow they have beaten the odds and are still together. Finally, it is time to take a deep breath and relax into the twilight years.

For the most part, there is a very little twinkle in that twilight. Exhausted and just a little beaten down by life, most of us fall back into dull habits that are designed not to rock any boats. Mealtimes become set, as well as bedtimes. Routine becomes king. Our lives take on the color of our graying heads. It’s easier to stay at home than go out unless we always have then it’s just easier to do what we always do. Change, particularly to the routine, increasingly is viewed as a threat. I speak of this as an expert. Color me gray, dull and boring. Thank God for Hubs.

We didn’t see the eclipse the other night, but not for the lack of trying. At ten thirty-ish Hubs, having consulted the weather channel deduced that the cloud cover ended around Gordonsville. “Don’t you want to see the eclipse?” He asked, excited at the prospect of an adventure.

In bed, attired in my picnic-patterned pj’s the only color left in my drab life, I responded in my usual crabby, “No, I am already in bed.” 

“There won’t be another for 30 years,” he pointed out.

“I’ll make it a point to live that long.”

“Come on,” he insisted.

Who can resist Hubs when he is so fired up about something, certainly, not I? I crawled snarling out of bed, plunking myself begrudgingly down in the passenger’s seat to drive to G-ville. The rain was steady at home, albeit light. My driver positively buzzed with enthusiasm. 

Gordonsville, a mere ten miles down the road, was also socked-in.  Even though some of his excitement was rubbing off, I felt duty bound to keep it to myself. “It’s raining,” I pointed out the obvious in my best Debbie Downer impersonation. 

“Oh,” he said unperturbed, “it’s the other side of Gordonsville.” He completely refused to give into my glum-chumness, besides he couldn’t see my eyes roll in the dark. The other things we couldn’t see were stars or the eclipse.

On the other side of Gordonsville, all the way down Route 33 passed Louisa the cloud cover held even though the rain had stopped.  Periodically we stopped and got out of the car; well, he did – I was still in my jammies – to do a star check. The car’s interior lights refused to turn off. No stars, no moon, no eclipse even at Lake Anna. By now, I had given up any pretense into being put out by my husband’s eccentricity. It was funny. He was funny. When we made our way into Orange, rain won out over clear skies. There was no eclipse on deck for us that night. 

Despite being tired, and up way beyond my bedtime, I was happy and grateful to have Hubs in my life. Oh well, if it doesn’t kill you it’ll make a good story, I thought as we made our way home.

Rolling into the driveway, he said, “I’m sorry I couldn’t give you the moon.” 

“So much better, so so much.”

Cover Story: Who won the 2015 Albemarle Board of Supervisors Rivanna District?

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By the Keswick Life Staff

Board-of-Supervisors-Rivanna-DistrictThe last day to register for voting was October 13th, so assuming your card was in hand and you cast your ballot your civic duty in complete. Keswick Life posed the following questions to these Rivanna District candidates since the winner’s decisions most impact the Keswick area. The question is will the winner follow through with what he has promised?

We started out by letting the candidate give their boiler plate, but all three were asked the following questions:
What are your campaign promises and how do they relate to “Keswickians”?

Did you grow up in this area? What are some things you have noticed over his years here that stands out or surprises you?

What do you think your best point is that would make a reader vote for you rather than someone else?

Road safety along route 231 is a big issue in Keswick. How will you assure residents, if elected, that this can be resolved and that you understand the issue?

Fun fact you would like Keswickians to know about you?

Before you read on, here is what a board of supervisor does for the people. In our county, the Supervisor sets the tax rate, determines the budget, makes decisions on zoning and land use regulations and adopts the comprehensive plan.

Lawrence Gaughan
(Independent)
As a third generation resident of our bucolic, pastoral, and richly historical county, I have had the honor of fostering lifelong friendships with many district residents (such as the Stevens family of Cismont), and I have the kind of unparalleled appreciation and deep connection to our land and our people that my partisan opponents are sorely lacking. There is nobody running for Rivanna District (or any other district) who has a greater desire to protect and preserve our way of life for generations to come. Our farming heritage, historical significance, and the rural integrity of Keswick will be best served by someone who was born and raised here in our community.

One of the most surprising things I have noticed over my lifetime in Albemarle County is the fact that growth does not pay for itself.”

We have seen taxes increase dramatically while developers continue to put up more cookie cutter condos and unattractive apartments to accommodate the alarming rise in population size and density. Our county held an average of 30-40 thousand residents during most of my grandfather’s lifetime, but during my 48 years here, that has increased by nearly 100 thousand. Population increase leads to a viscious cycle of higher taxes and the need for more business growth. This kind of growth has not payed for itself.

The best point I could make as to why someone would be wise to vote for me in 2015 is the fact that I am an Independent in the truest sense of the word. As an Independent, I will be beholden to the will of the people rather than just be another politician who answers to one of these small partisan committees made up of people who are mostly not from our district. Having seen the before, during, and after of over 40 years of poor planning and out-of-control growth in various parts of the county such as Pantops and 29 North, I will fight against the undue influence of big businesses, big developers, and the take-over of industrial, corporate farming.

The number one priority of a member of the county board is to make sure our county is running efficiently and balancing the budget. Currently, there is no sense of fiscal responsibility on the board.

The county coffers go to pay exorbitant salaries to unqualified county administrators such as Tom Foley, while we continually face shortfalls to our annual school budget and also fail to come up with sufficient funding for cleaning up our most precious and vital natural resource, the Rivanna Watershed.

In addition to protecting our environment, we need better planning for infrastructure. Gordonsville Rd, for example, is a beautiful rural road, but it has it’s dangers. My mother had an accident right where the road splits off from Rt. 22, and there are many close calls every day for folks pulling into traffic. While I am not in favor of more regulations or a decrease in the speed limit, I would propose that the county send out regular mailings to residents along the stretch from 22 to 15 reminding them to be more vigilant about driving in a conscientious manner in that area.

Although I am nationally recognized for my work in voter engagement, one thing many Keswick residents (and other county residents) do not know about me is that I am the founder and executive director of GOV360 (a non-partisan, non-profit voter engagement foundation). As long as voter participation remains low in these important local races, we will continue to elect board members who play the kind of partisan political games where cronyism takes precedent over education and the protection of the environment. If people like the way the county is run, with bloated budgets, out-of-control growth, graft, corruption, and painfully poor planning, they can vote for a Democrat or Republican. But if they are tired of business as usual, I offer the good people of my district the independent, common sense voice that they want and deserve. Please visit my website: www.gaughan-for-supervisor.com, and engage in local elections by spreading the word, contributing, and most importantly, by voting at your local polling place on November 3rd.

Norman Dill
(Democrat)
What are your campaign promises and how do they relate to “Keswickians”? Did you grow up in this area? What are some things you have noticed over your years here that stands out or surprises you? I’ve been in Charlottesville for over 30 years; about 20 in the Ivy area, and the last 10 in Pantops. One thing that has surprised me is how the Barracks Road area has lost the horse and pastoral views over the years whereas the Keswick area has preserved its rural character.

What do you think your best point is that would make a reader vote for you rather than someone else? I have been involved in the community for the last 30 years with founding, and still running, Rebecca’s Natural Food. As half-owner of Harlowe-Powell Auctions until recently, I enjoyed serving many families in Keswick who were settling estates or downsizing. I appreciate how special Keswick is, and want to protect it.

Road safety along route 231 is a big issue in Keswick. How will you assure residents, if elected, that this can be resolved and that you understand the issue? Norman responds,

I agree that Route 231 is terribly dangerous. We need to address this issue with VDOT, the state police, local police, and the Board of Supervisors to create a long-term plan.”

First, we should reduce the speed limit, and enable police officers to enforce it. We could build places where trucks can be pulled over, or use some kind of tracking to make sure that these trucks and other dangerous vehicles are kept off Rt. 231. The shoulders of the road should be uniform and wider if possible so that dangerous drop-offs don’t lead to accidents.

I also think there should be strong voices for making the Southwest Mountains a part of the Rural Historic District, not just as a designation. And include more protection and certainly more involvement from the residents about what we want Keswick to look like in the future.

Fun fact you would like Keswickians to know about you? I’ve learned, while campaigning in Keswick, not to kiss babies. It is better to speak intelligently to all children including babies. And to kiss the dogs.

Richard Lloyd
(Republican)
Hello, I am Richard Lloyd, candidate for Board of Supervisors in the Rivanna District. I was born in Greenwood, at the other end of Albemarle County. I moved with my mother to Hopewell, Virginia shortly thereafter, where I lived with and was raised by my grandparents in a very warm, loving environment. My career as a businessman in Fortune 500 companies and as a small business owner, took me and my wife Christy and our two children to towns throughout the country. After retiring, we chose to return home to Albemarle county. Feeling that I had not been engaged in the communities that we had lived in, due to the demands of my work, I decided that once we were settled, I would make it a priority to do so. Thus, having been involved in the community, and coming to understand the strengths of Albemarle and the complexity of the issues facing the county, I felt with my skills and expertise I was prepared to run for the Board.

I am committed to properly managing the financial resources of the county, assuring our children receive a quality education in our schools, ensuring that those who take care of our community can afford to live here, and preserving the natural beauty of our community while protecting the rights of our property owners.

I wish to fairly represent the people of Keswick and their way of life. It has been faithfully preserved and maintained by generations of Keswickians.

We want to quietly maintain the heritage that has been entrusted to us, while balancing the concerns of the Keswick community.”

Understanding the very serious concerns of all in the area regarding the safety of those travelling Rte. 231/22, and as a civil engineer, I would work with VDOT and the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) to look for solutions for safer passage along this route, while respecting the beauty of this area that makes it so special.

As I said I wish to contribute to my community. And I also wish to help each of you have a voice in your community. The Board of Supervisors presently votes now on almost all issues 5-1. If I am not elected, most likely the vote will always be 6-0. Many of you will not have a voice. Many of you will never be heard, other than your two minutes before the board and then forgotten. We need a discussion in order for all sides of an issue to be heard to get to the best answers. If I am elected, you will be heard! If I am elected, I plan on having office hours, where you will have the time to be heard and your ideas and concerns discussed. I respectfully ask for your vote on November 3rd.