Make Nest – Nestology
Article By: Paul Long Photos By: Josh Triggs Do you ever get the feeling that you’re stuck in a rut? Do you ever look around your home or, perhaps, your business and feel like you’re ready for a whole new look? Whether you just want to make a few cosmetic changes here and there, or even if you’re considering something completely different, chances are MakeNest Interiors can help. This design studio, located in the heart of Old Town Winchester, has been making dreams come true for residential and commercial clients for more than a decade now. “The most rewarding aspect of what we do is the sense of giving people a sense of excitement to come home again,” said MakeNest owner and designer Paul Miller. Miller owns the business along with his husband, Edgar McKee, who serves as a silent partner. Miller is a native of Front Royal while McKee is a native of Augusta, W.Va. Miller launched his design career in 2000, mentoring under Winchester-area designer Deborah Langfitt. He opened MakeNest Interiors in 2004 in Old Town, just a few doors down from his current location at 1 S. Loudoun St. Today the business has three employees in addition to Miller. Miller said he couldn’t be happier to be a part of the downtown Winchester business community. He chose Old Town for his studio because “I really wanted people to feel like the business is part of the community. I didn’t want a strip mall feel.” Miller sometimes spends almost as much time outside the store, meeting with customers and working on projects, as he does in the store. The showroom essentially functions as a place where clients and potential clients can see what might be possible. Miller is a strong advocate of using American-made materials for his projects whenever possible. He is also a big fan of sustainability, and, with that in mind, the wood he uses is sustainably forested. If a project has a vintage theme, its materials are re-used. Occasionally, Miller said, he will incorporate foreign-made goods into a design, but when he does, it must be indigenous to a certain part of the world and fit into a certain theme; for example, he might include Nicaraguan pottery in a project with a Central American theme. Miller said he works with local contractors on construction, painting and design aspects of a project. For Miller and his clients, the design process begins with a simple survey that allows him to gauge the client’s likes and dislikes. From there, they get together for a 30-minute appointment in the MakeNest studio. If they’re still on the same page...
Make A Wish – Greater Pennsylvania and West Virginia
Article By: Tula Mason Wishes, it doesn’t matter how old you are, we all have them. All be it everyone’s wishes are important, none are more so than the children who are fighting life-threatening diseases. I have no doubt that all of you would love nothing more than to help make their wishes a reality. What could be more rewarding than to lend loving support to these children and their families, not to mention helping to provide a much-needed bright spot in an otherwise dark period in their lives? I’m sure that you have all heard of the Make-A-Wish Foundation at some time or another. This organization was founded in 1980 and began getting its first media coverage in 1982 by way of the TV show NBC Magazine. The National Make-A-Wish Foundation became incorporated in May of 1983 spawning the opening of more chapters across the nation. To date the foundation has granted the wishes of more than 270,000 children across the United States. The question is, did you know that we actually have a local chapter that serves the children of Pennsylvania and Northern West Virginia? The Make-A-Wish Chapter of Greater Pennsylvania and West Virginia has served our area for 33 years. They have granted wishes to over 17,000 children with life threatening medical conditions spanning 57 Pennsylvania counties and West Virginia. It may come as a shock to you to find out that our very own Berkeley County in West Virginia is the number one area in the Eastern Panhandle in terms of requested wishes with Jefferson County running a close second. I found this to be not only surprising, but also quite a staggering number as well. In fact, with the total number of granted wishes totaling over 165 to date over the organizations 33 years, 10 wishes were granted to children from Berkeley County in 2016 alone. Furthermore, there are an additional 9 wishes from the county that have been requested and are currently pending in 2017 already. As sad as these numbers are, it makes me so proud to know that there are people willing to give of themselves and their money for our children who need help the most. It is important to note that our Make-A-Wish Chapter of Greater Pennsylvania and West Virginia relies solely on us the community to refer children with life threatening diseases to them in order to make their wishes come true. It is equally as important to note that permission from the child’s parent or guardian is required before any action can be taken. So if you know of any child or family of a child in...
A Tradition at Royalicious
Article By: Paul Long Photos By: Josh Triggs Tradition counts for a lot at Royalicious Bagel Bakery and New York Style Deli. The family-owned business, located at 126 Patrick Henry Way in Charles Town, traces its roots through several generations of the Costantino family, which came to Jefferson County from New York City by way of Germantown, Md. Owner John Costantino opened the shop in 2011 with the help of his wife, Cookie, and daughter Jackie. Following Cookie’s death about two years ago, Jackie became co-owner of the shop. The Costantinos are of Russian Jewish and Sicilian descent. Their ancestors came to America through Ellis Island and settled in New York, where John’s grandfather and father operated family owned bakeries. John is originally from Queens and operated his own bakery and deli on Long Island for several years. He sold the business before making the move to Germantown in 1992. There, he owned the Royal Bagel Bakery and Deli for approximately two decades before deciding to sell it. The family was living in Jefferson, Md., and John and Cookie were doing a lot of traveling until Cookie and Jackie persuaded John to open up a location closer to home. Weary of the nearly 30- mile drive to Germantown, he agreed, and soon chose Charles Town for the new business, cutting nearly 10 miles off his daily commute. The daily drive became even shorter a year later when, about a year after the Royalicious Bagel Bakery and New York Style Deli opened its doors in Charles Town, the Costantino family made the move to Charles Town. John said he enjoys the much shorter drive to work each day. “I like it here,” he said recently, explaining that the move from New York to Germantown was a big change, and while Germantown’s population exploded, Charles Town has maintained its small town character. Royalicious Bagel Bakery and New York Style Deli makes its products fresh on the premises each day. In addition to bagels, served with cream cheese, the shop offers desserts, baked goods, New Yorkstyle hard rolls and subs and sandwiches made with Boars Head cold cuts, a staple of many New York delicatessens. The bakery also sells hard, crunchy, old-style Italian bread and New York-style hard rolls. The shop also offers catering ranging from Sunday morning bagel and pastry deliveries to graduation parties, office meetings and even baby namings, according to its website. For the benefit of Eastern Panhandle residents heading to work in Washington, D.C., or, perhaps, to jobs a little closer to home, the Royalicious Bagel Bakery and New York Style Deli opens its doors at 6 a.m....
Habitat for Humanity – ReStore
Article By: Paul Long Photos By: Josh Triggs While some businesses and organizations may slow down during the winter months, the staff and volunteers of Habitat for Humanity of the Eastern Panhandle are as busy as ever, getting the organization’s latest home ready for occupancy. Habitat, an affiliate of Habitat International, has been active locally since 1993. During that time, the organization has built 35 homes and is currently working on its 36th. Of those, all but two are located in Berkeley County. Jefferson and Morgan counties have one Habitat home apiece. Typically, executive director Ed Grove said recently, Habitat strives to build one or two homes per year. For the past several months, the local Habitat organization has been branching out into what Grove calls “critical repair.” The goal of this program, he said, is to help residents “age in place,” thereby keeping the elderly and disabled in their homes. “That’s a program we’re investing in, in a major way now,” Grove said. Critical repair entails performing much needed maintenance work, building wheelchair ramps and remodeling bathrooms, among other things. Habitat for Humanity of the Eastern Panhandle is also investing in a micro homes project as part of the organization’s disaster relief arm. The idea first took hold last June during the severe flooding that killed 23 people and devastated large portions of southern West Virginia. State Sen. John Unger, a minister in three churches in the Eastern Panhandle who is also Habitat’s director of development, was in the southern part of the state at the time and saw the devastation firsthand. “The need was for immediate shelter there,” Grove said. “People were living in tents, garages and sheds.” Habitat recently launched a partnership with the James Rumsey Technical Institute in Hedgesville to help build micro homes to be shipped to Clay County. Students in Rumsey’s carpentry, electrician and plumbing classes are working on the project. Habitat signed a contract with the school to produce one home, while a $75,000 grant from Procter & Gamble – which is opening a large production facility in southern Berkeley County later this year – will provide funding for two more. A fourth micro home is being built by a group of inmates through an agreement with the West Virginia Department of Corrections. It’s exciting seeing this as a place where inmates can participate in a positive, constructive way,” said Grove. Most of the new Habitat homes being built locally these days are located in the Auburndale subdivision in the city of Martinsburg. The organization has already completed five houses there, and the one currently under construction is going there as well....
Thomas Shepherd Inn
Article By: Tula Mason Photos By: Josh Triggs Shepherdstown, WV, home of prestigious Shepherd University and known for its quaint, small-town charm. With its proximity close to virtually every historical hot spot related to the Civil War in the Eastern Panhandle area, this town is a popular destination for history buffs from all over the country. Just a short drive from town will find yourself arriving at your choice of Antietam National Battlefield across the bridge that takes you on a scenic ride over the Potomac River into Maryland or to Harpers Ferry, WV by way of a breathtaking drive which will ultimately lead you to this historic town where John Brown fought to end slavery and was hanged for his efforts. This charmer is situated at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers where the states of Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia meet. With all of this rich history to be enjoyed, naturally, vacationers want to stay in an establishment equally as impressive and fraught with history. The Thomas Shepherd Inn is the perfect place to hang your hat and rest up for those historical adventures while at the same time basking in the history that belongs to the Inn itself. As you reach the four way stop in Shepherdstown, you can’t help but notice the grand beige brick Federal-style building with dark green shutters and trim situated on the corner of German and Duke streets. This is the home of one of the finest bed and breakfast establishments in West Virginia, the Thomas Shepherd Inn. Over its 33 consecutive years of operation, this historic inn has continuously remained open for business even during those periods when its owners and subsequent Inn Keepers have changed, which has been only happened on three occasions. This is not only a testament to the popularity of the Inn, but also its owners both past and present. I must say that this fine establishment seems to naturally evoke a feeling of peace and tranquility as soon as you walk through the door, only to be followed by a heartfelt greeting from current owners David and The property located at 300 West German Street in historic Shepherdstown, West Virginia was not always a bed and breakfast. Built in 1868, the building served for many years until 1936 as the parsonage for St. Peter’s Lutheran Church of Shepherdstown. During this time it consisted of a parlor, dining room, kitchen and three “chambers” aka bedrooms. It was in 1936 when Dr. Halvard Wanger and his wife, Dr. Sarah Elizabeth McFetridge purchased the property for $6000.00 and set about the task of adding the Duke...
Retro Drive-In Style Diner and Bar
Article By: Chelsea Cornwell Photos By: Josh Trig Remember the ‘good ole’ days’? Way back when we could, innocently, go to the drive-in restaurants where all the boys and girls would get gussied up, make sure their muscle cars were waxed and gleaming in the light of the sunset. There were neon signs and good old-fashioned food along with a bar service and sweet innocent summer fun. That is the very esthetic that Backseat Bar and Grill in Winchester, Virginia gives off. When you first walk up, you pass a vast amount of outside, fenced in patio seating, while inside there are vibrant red booths, high-top tables with classic bar stools and retro car signs hanging on all of the walls. In the very center is an oval bar that looks like it came straight out of a time machine and landed here from the post-war celebration that was the 1950’s. In all of its glory, the modernization of this very nostalgic landscape with 10 jumbo flat screen TVs that include Sunday Ticket for all you football lovers out there and a stage for live music every weekend, makes it easy to see that this isn’t your classic joint, as it is universally appealing to all things modern. For those that love a wonderful bar, Backseat Bar and Grill will not disappoint; with domestic bottled beers (Budweiser, Bud Light, Coors Light, Michelob Light, Michelob Ultra, Miller Lite, Miller Genuine Draft, Bud Light Aluminum, Busch N/A, Natural Light) as well as a variety of draft beers (Budweiser, Bud Light, Miller Lite, Hefeweizen, Michelob Ultra, Coors Light, Yuengling,) and topping it off in the beer department they also carry many imported and specialty beers (Corona, Heineken, Heineken Light, Rolling Rock, Smirnoff Ice). If you prefer wine or specialty drinks, those are also available upon request. Nearly 2-3 times a month they house live bands that play on the weekends, using their easy access stage and huge amount of space given for customers. For example, the weekend of, newly elected, President Donald Trump’s inauguration, Backseat Bar and Grill had a Trump Inaugural Bash that featured a band called The Rumblers, one of the many local gigs they have housed. With just a five-dollar cover, or free entry if you wore anything with President Trump on it, I’d say that’s pretty affordable for live entertainment. Following them on Facebook is a good way to stay in the loop about the up-and-coming events that they put on. While the bar and entertainment are certainly a highlight of the Backseat Bar and Grill, it is also quite the family atmosphere. “We don’t want people to...
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