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Longwood Center for the Visual Arts

The Longwood Center for the Visual Arts is the only museum of its kind, scope, and size in the area surrounding our home base, Prince Edward County. The commitment to improving the quality of life in the region by providing full access to the visual arts is the heart of our mission. At the LCVA, we believe there should be no barriers to exploration of the visual arts. Admission to the LCVA and its programs is – and always has been – free for everyone.

LCVA is the art museum of Longwood University. Located in downtown Farmville, LCVA serves as a physical, intellectual, and cultural bridge between the university and our community at large. Longwood University’s mission, “to transform capable men and women into citizen leaders, fully engaged in the world around them,” forms the foundation of our mission and values.

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Winter Driving Tips

When it comes to driving during winter, there is really only one concern you need have: safety. It's not miles of rubber on the road that you should concern yourself over; it's what gets between the rubber and the road that causes most of the problems. Here are some tips on how to get ready for winter driving conditions, and how to handle them once you're in the thick of a winter storm.

1. Put some extra clothing and emergency items in your vehicle; these will come in handy if you break down in very cold weather. It doesn't take much -- assemble a basic kit including a pair of gloves, weather-resistant pants and/or coat, maybe an old pair of boots, a blanket, jumper cables, a flashlight with some extra batteries, and a windshield scraper (and maybe a de-icer), and you should be in good shape. You might also toss a few nutrition bars in as well; those things won't spoil until the next millennium, are packed with calories and can bail you out in a pinch.

2. Make sure your car is checked over for winter weather readiness. In particular, you or a mechanic should inspect your tires before the first big winter storm. For folks living in northern regions, checking tires during the fall is an almost sacrosanct ritual, and it's a good idea even if you're just a weekender in the snowy parts of the country.

3. Once your vehicle is inspected and equipped, follow this advice we heard a while back from Montana's snowplow drivers: "See and be seen. Keep your headlights and taillights clean, especially in stormy weather. Keep windows clean and make sure defrosters work well. If snow has built up on your vehicle overnight or after a break from driving, clear it away so it doesn't blow off and obscure your windows."

4. Slow down. The U.S. Department of Transportation recommends slowing down by about 50 percent in bad weather; additionally, leave extra space between you and the car in front of you. You'll want to use your best judgment, but the slow tend to survive this race.

5. Remember that not all stretches of road are created alike. For example, many recently built small bridges and overpasses have been designed to blend into the surroundings, with a gradual or nonexistent change in elevation. These bridges nonetheless remain susceptible to icing over much more rapidly than regular blacktop. Look out and look ahead for these short stretches of road when temperatures approach or drop below freezing. If you don't know the ropes of driving on icy surfaces, read this primer on how to drive on black ice.

6. Some features of modern automobiles may actually serve you poorly in bad conditions. In some SUVs and four-wheel-drive vehicles, for example, you may have better traction when the vehicle is under way, but the four-wheel drive won't help you stop any faster. Also, skip the cruise control; your cruise control feature may accelerate when you least want it to, such as when you are climbing an icy bridge.

7. Some safety experts recommend putting a bag of kitty litter in the trunk, both for added ballast to offer better traction, and to put under the wheels if you need to get yourself out of a slippery spot. (This can get messy in a minivan or other trunk-less vehicles, of course.)

8. If you are stranded and have to stay in your car, you can run the engine for heat, but make sure the exhaust pipe is not obstructed by snow or mud. If you prefer not to have the engine running the whole time, close the windows to keep heat in, and run the car for 10 minutes every hour, crackign open a front window when you do so.

9. If you are parking at your hotel or near attractions in bad weather, opt for a spot in an indoor parking garage when available.

Winter Air Travel Tips

I have written repeatedly and at length about excessive delays and cancellations, passenger strandings, and airport woes, and these can happen anywhere. Although there are now federal regulations to prevent delays in excess of three hours, we are essentially still at the mercy of the airlines when snow and storms strike. Below are some tips to help you avoid some of the worst weather-related air travel problems.

1. I have found that the biggest, meanest problems for travelers frequently occur at connecting airports. If your first outbound flight is canceled and you end up returning to your own home from your local airport, that's one thing; if you are stuck in your vacation hotel hoping to get a flight home, that's a bit worse. But when you're stuck in a connecting airport in Texas calling hotels and praying for a place to stay, you're in what we call yer worst-case scenario, pardner.

For this reason, you should fly nonstop whenever possible. To find nonstop flights, do all your initial flight searches with the "Nonstop Flights Only" button checked. If you also use search options like "Show Nearby Airports" and "My Dates Are Flexible," you'll have a very good sense of how best (and how much) to get from Point A to B without Point C for Connection.

2. If you absolutely must fly with a connection, watch your layover times carefully. If a weather delay causes you to miss your connection, you might be out of luck, as the airline is not necessarily obligated to find you a seat on the next flight, and often cannot logistically do so if flights are full or unavailable. If you have a really tight connection time and your flight is running late, let your flight attendant know, and he or she may be able to make arrangements to hold your next flight, or at least get you off your first flight quickly.

How to Pack for a Winter Vacation

Shoes -- Your One Heavy Item

Given that your feet are on the front line of most weather you will encounter, this is the one area that I recommend you be unafraid to go big. A solid, decent-looking pair of low-frills winter boots that you wear right onto the airplane will come through for you again and again during a winter trip.

Requirements for good winter travel shoes:

- Weatherproof -- Gore-Tex gear can be pretty styling these days
- Light on lacing -- you still need to get through security, so a pair of shoes or boots that can be worn loosely and don't require a lot of tying and untying will help
- Dark colored, so they won't show stains from mud, slush or getting thrown on filthy security belts

There are plenty of decent boots that hold up well enough to hike through snow in, but look good enough to wear to dinner; find them and wear them when you walk out the door for the airport. Examples include this option for women and this pair for men.

Requirements for a good winter travel hat:

- Covers your ears
- At least partly covers the back of your neck
- Has no flaps, fluffballs or other wasted mass
- Is made of thin, modern materials for maximum warmth

Looking to plan an event at the Bed & Breakfast?

For information about hosting an event at the Longwood Bed & Breakfast, please contact the executive director, Lorrie Watson at watsonlc@longwood.edu

The influence of Europe in the Christmas traditions of Canada can be seen in the celebrations and the various customs and traditions of the holiday. The midnight mass is the central celebration of French Canadians on Christmas eve, where they display a nativity scene beneath a Christmas tree. After the mass, the family has a huge banquet as part of the Christmas traditions of Canada. Gift-giving occurs on New Year’s Day.

For the English Canadians, the Christmas traditions of Canada feasts usually include a roast goose or beef and plum pudding. The homes are decorated with pine bough and kissing balls. They also sing the ancient carols during the period.

The Christmas traditions of Hawaii

The Christmas traditions of Hawaii is a labor of love and creativity. Hawaiians import their Christmas trees long before the season arrives from across the Pacific Ocean, which arrive on the Christmas Tree Ship. They look for the best grand firs, noble, and other popular varieties of fir or pine. Many grow their own trees in their backyard. More creative Hawaiians create Christmas trees by decorating the Palm trees for outdoor displays and they substitute Santa Claus’s sleigh and reindeers with an outrigger canoe and dolphins.

They also provide the elves with aloha shirts. With creative twists, the Christmas traditions of Hawaii become surprises each year. This way, Santa wears aloha shirts and the Holiday dinner is a community luau with a kalua roast pig and Christmasleis.

Favorite Sugar Cookies Recipe

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 30 min. + chilling Bake: 10 min./batch + cooling

MAKES: 84 servings

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1 egg
• 1-1/2 teaspoons almond extract
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt

FROSTING:

• 6 tablespoons butter, softened
• 3 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 to 4 tablespoons 2% milk
• Food coloring of your choice, optional
• Colored sugar, edible glitter, nonpareils or frosting of your choice, optional

Directions

1. In a large bowl, cream butter and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and extracts. Combine flour and salt; add to creamed mixture and mix well. Chill 1-2 hours.
2. Preheat oven to 375°. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut with floured 2-1/2-in. cookie cutters. Place on greased baking sheets. Bake 7-9 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.
3. For frosting, in a small bowl, combine butter, sugar, vanilla and enough milk to achieve a spreading consistency. If desired, tint with food coloring. Frost cookies; decorate as desired. Yield: 6-7 dozen.

Alchemist Constructions Art Exhibit

You can still enjoy the Alchemist Constructions Art Exhibitin Farmville! The exhibition features the work of Richard McClintock with creations and unique materials that re-imagine the world and alter our perceptions. Learn more here.

Brussels sprouts

The weather is getting cooler, but your produce choices are heating up.

Amazing superfoods are either hitting their peak in the garden or can easily be found in your local farmers market or grocery store, like Brussels sprouts. They're the perfect excuse to get cooking on cool nights!

 

Made the correct way, these veggies taste divine. They have a mild, somewhat bitter taste, so combine them with tangy or savory sauces, like balsamic vinegar. Health benefits include:

• 1/2 cup contains more than your DRI of vitamin K
• Very good source of folate
• Good source of iron

Harvest season: September–March

Try this recipe: Sauteed Brussels Sprouts With Parmesan and Pine Nuts

This Fall: Try A New Yoga Pose

A new way of moving your body can help detoxify the internal organs — and if done in the evening, can calm the body after a stressful day. Legs up the wall This pose can help relieve headaches, energize the body and calm the nervous system, stimulate blood and lymph circulation and stimulate digestive organs. To do it, sit on the floor parallel to and against the wall with your knees bent. As you lay down, keep your buttocks and bottom of your feet against the wall. 

 

Come onto your back and bring your legs up the wall. Straighten your legs. Stay there for at least 10 long deep breaths. Your exhales must be longer than your inhale in order to slow down your heart rate and nervous system. Your hands can stay alongside your body, palms facing up, or on your belly. To come out of the posture, bend your knees and roll down to the side. Come back to a seated position.

This Fall: Start Eating Mindfully

Your meals may usually have more to do with your mouth than your mind, but Caroline Beliard-Zebrowski, Deckopedia's yoga expert, suggests changing that up this fall for a healthier start. Focusing your attention on all your senses allows your mind to reconnect with your body. Practice this meditation for about five minutes before and as you start your meal. 1. Before you start your meal, pause for a moment. 

Take a deep conscious inhale and a deep intense exhale. 2. Let go of any hurry to start your meal and calm your mind down. 3. Try identifying what you feel at this moment, with simple words attached to each feeling. 4. If your mind starts wandering, acknowledge it, but come back to your breathing. 5. Now, contemplate what you have in your plate. Become interested and ask yourself questions about the food you are about to eat: Where does it come from, what is it made of? 

Does the thought of eating this food makes me feel healthy? 6. Bring your attention to the smell of the food by exploring the different aromas. 7. Take your fork consciously, and take your first bite. First, listen to the texture of the food breaking down in your mouth as you start chewing and feel the sensation of cold, warm, crunchiness, or smoothness of the food in your mouth. 8. Finally focus on the taste of your food and explore each flavor you encounter.

Fall Recipe: Baked Apple Fritters

Ingredients

• Dough:
• 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1/2 cup 1% low-fat milk, warmed
• 2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour, divided, plus up to 1/4 cup more
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg
• Filling:
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 medium apple, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 1/4 cup apple juice
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Glaze:
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 4 teaspoons apple juice
• Pinch ground cinnamon

Preparation

1. To make dough: Dissolve yeast in warm milk in a large bowl. Let stand 5 minutes or until foamy. Add 1 1/3 cups flour, sugar, honey, melted butter, salt, and egg to yeast mixture, stirring until smooth. Add additional 1 cup flour; stir until a soft dough forms.

2. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead until smooth and elastic (10 minutes), or transfer to an electric mixer with a dough hook and mix 10 minutes on medium speed; add enough of remaining flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, to prevent dough from sticking to hands.

Looking to plan an event at the Bed & Breakfast?

For information about hosting an event at the Longwood Bed & Breakfast, please contact the executive director, Lorrie Watson at watsonlc@longwood.edu

Lankford Room

Dr. Frances G. Lankford served as president of the university and resided in the house from 1955-1965.

This room has a beautiful mirror that belonged to Helen Draper, a beloved faculty member. This bedroom has a king bed that can be separated into two twin beds for an additional charge. This suite style room features a private bath.

Blanton-Hanbury Room

The Blanton-Hanbury Room is named after the couple who originally owned the massive bedroom set. Mr. Blanton, who was from the Farmville area, traveled to the 1900 Centennial Fair in Philadelphia where he purchased this set for his bride-to-be, Miss Hanbury.

This furniture remained in their family for many years; however, due to its size it became difficult to move into their modern-day sized homes. The family donated this queen bedroom set in the Blanton and Hanbury names and asked that we create a museum quality Victorian bedroom.

The bedroom contains hand-painted wallpaper, a one-of-a-kind carpet hand-made for us in France using the small looms typical of the Victorian period, wood grained doors, marbleized mantle, and hand-made window treatments. This room also features a private bath.

Cunningham Room

Dr. John A. Cunningham acquired the house and served as president of the university from 1887-1897. Located on the second floor, this room is the largest room in the house. This room features a king bed and a private bath.