In celebration of these last summer days, we are happy to share one of our favorite cocktails with you – The Lavender Dream Martini.

This specialty cocktail was carefully concocted within the bar walls of downtown Parkersburg’s own Blennerhassett Hotel. I receive a lot of puzzled looks when I suggest this cocktail to my guests. No, you’re not drinking a flower. However, your drink is infused with a flower. The name lavender comes from the Latin verb, “lavare,” which means to wash. Lavender is also beneficial to stress relief. Lavender is also delicious in a cocktail. Do you see where I am going with this yet?

When it comes to the taste and fragrance of this particular cocktail, real lavender (not extract) is of utmost importance. We source our dried lavender from Mother Earth Foods. Their herbs are organic and locally grown. As a local business, we like to support fellow local businesses that offer a great product. The lavender from Mother Earth is always of consistent quality, and wow, it sure makes a pretty drink. Fresh lavender will provide the same taste, but the color is not nearly as striking as using dried lavender.

The sweetness of the Lavender Dream comes from our house made lavender-infused simple syrup. We make ours in bulk, but I will break it down for you to make with just a few cocktails (or enjoy with a glass of tea).

Ingredients and supplies for simple syrup:

1 cup boiling water
3 tbsp. dried lavender
2 cups sugar
Coffee filter
Small funnel

Preparation
Bring water to a boil. Add lavender and sugar, mix gently. Be sure the sugar is completely dissolved. Reduce heat, let the mixture sit for about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool. Once mixture is cool to the touch, strain through the coffee filter and funnel into a pitcher.

Mixture will store for approximately one week.

Now, for the fun part – the martini!

Ingredients and supplies:

Cocktail shaker/strainer
Measuring supply of choice (a jigger usually works best for consistency)
1 cup ice
3 oz. Vanilla Vodka (we prefer Absolut, but you can use your brand of choice)
2 oz. Lavender Simple Syrup
Half pressed lemon

Preparation
Mix all ingredients together until chilled – roughly about 20 shakes. Strain into chilled or room temperature glass, depending on your preference. Garnish with a lemon wedge.

If you haven’t tried this cocktail yet, or you simply don’t trust your bartending abilities, come see us in the Spats lounge.

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The Mid-Ohio Valley is plentiful with history, pride and a sense of community. One of the up-and-coming aspects of growth happens in Downtown Parkersburg.

There has been no shortage of gatherings and activities in Downtown Parkersburg this year. From trips to the historical museums to picnics on Blennerhassett Island, this summer has been packed with fun – and it doesn’t end there. The eclectic eateries, locally owned groomers, plays at the Actors Guild, the addition of The Coffee Bar and many other businesses and organizations are “making it happen” downtown.

The Taste of Parkersburg is easily the downtown area’s largest attraction, with a growing number of food and wine vendors each year. This year was the 10th anniversary of the event and with each year comes new premiere wineries and local restaurants. Entertainment is always a hit (pun intended), too. Sponsored by Downtown PKB, this festival is a community-inclusive event to give citizens a taste of what the Mid-Ohio Valley has to offer.

Downtown PKB is also working toward a brighter future for its furry friends. Last year, Downtown PKB held a Park Day event to give locals inspiration and a preview of what a future dog park could look like. In addition to Park Day, Downtown PKB works with The Blennerhassett Hotel to create funding for a future dog park. Downtown PKB receives 5% of all proceeds from pet donations at The Blennerhassett Hotel, to plan an ideal space for dogs and their owners to play and enjoy the outdoors.

Downtown Throwdown is the area’s second food and drink festival of the year, with 2015 being the second annual event. Beginning in September right before autumn, this is one last hurrah for outdoor summer fun. This festival is true BBQ style cuisine, beer and competition in which the attendees get to vote on their favorites.

The Annual Chili Cook Off is the spicy transition into fall. This event brings the best of the best to Point Park in October for a healthy competition in chili cooking. Entertainment and good food dominate the day and evening. Last year’s event held nearly 40 vendors, and the event grows with each new year.

What else happens as the valley begins to cool down? The Actors Guild has entertaining plays year-round. The Parkersburg Art Center has art exhibitions, entertainment and beautiful art displayed all year as well. Point Park Marketplace is now open year-round, so you can enjoy your favorite foods and items from local artisans all year long. The Blennerhassett Hotel has their yearly Gingerbread competition and Festival of Trees. Guests can come visit the hotel and enjoy all of the seasonal adornments that warm our hearts around the holidays each year.

Every town likes to have its own niche – something that sets it apart from other places and makes it attractive to locals and travelers alike. We would like to think that our downtown is charming to any age, any visitor and any resident. There is something to be said for a quaint yet thriving downtown – and Parkersburg’s downtown is just that, and constantly striving to be more.

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The day-to-day grind can manage to put many of us in a funk. You may love your job, or it is just a means to an end, but one thing stays the same – you need something else that fulfills you outside the confines of your profession.

What would you say if you knew that your accountant, school teacher, stay at home mom, server, lawyer or nurse was a member of a roller derby team? If your response was “that’s awesome” or “what the heck is roller derby?” then this story is for you.

The most common form of roller derby (or “skating marathons” as it was referred to in the 1930s) is referred to as “Flat Track” derby, meaning the sport can be played on any flat surface that is suitable for skating. Roller derby is a fun, fast-paced, physically and mentally demanding sport. For well over 60 years, roller derby has been mostly female dominated. However, men are quickly becoming just as prominent in roller derby today. Most leagues are owned and operated by one or more team members, and also rely on league dues, fundraising and sponsorship to keep them afloat. First Settlement Derby explains the gameplay and history here.

First Settlement Derby is the first but not the only roller derby team in the Mid-Ohio Valley. The team is comprised of men and women with a common goal: to work together as a team, have fun and give back to their community.

Brianna Bodie explains how FSD often holds bouts for charity. “All of our home bouts support local charities or individuals who have struggled with health issues. Our team is passionate about helping the community. We have hosted several bouts that have raised funds for The Humane Society of the Ohio Valley, as well as events to raise awareness and support for those battling cancer, and other life altering illnesses. Our team has also participated in other charity events such as the Riditerod, and Bra Scavenger Hunt for Breast Cancer Awareness. We work together as a team for the greater good, whether we are on the track, or showing our loyalty and support for local charity events. I couldn’t be more proud of the love that we pour into our community. It has been a very powerful bonding experience for all of us.”

Roller derby to me is like the saying ‘Life’s not about how hard of a hit you can give… it’s about how many you can take, and still keep moving forward.

Members all have different personal reasons for turning to roller derby. The outcome of each individual has given roller derby a lot of credit in confidence boosting and monotony killing. “I am a teacher, wife and mother and spend most of my day in intellectual pursuits, so something purely physical was exactly the outlet I needed. I love spending my evenings with hard working people who give it everything they’ve got. I get to be goofy and irreverent. It has made my ‘real’ life so much better because I have an outlet,” team member Corinne Full said.

Sally Thompson takes a favorite quote of hers and applies it to her love of roller derby. “Roller derby to me is like the saying ‘Life’s not about how hard of a hit you can give… it’s about how many you can take, and still keep moving forward.’ It made me realize I am a stronger person than I ever thought I was.”

Much like any sport, there are common misconceptions and stereotypes that follow roller derby. One of my favorite slain stereotypes comes from Corinne Full: “It’s NASCAR for fat chicks. There is an assumption that we are uneducated and trashy. We are college professors, nurses, accountants, social workers and everything in between. We are socially aware and knowledgeable about all aspects of the world regardless of our number and level of degrees. As for the trashy, we wear tight clothes so it doesn’t catch on anything or anyone. It is a physical sport so I will grab a teammate to get by or help build a wall. The NFL wears tight clothes too and they grab butts. Are they trashy? People also think it’s easy and unathletic: Practices are 2 1/2 hours of endurance, core training, strategy and agility.”

Amanda Beebe tells us how teamwork and good sportsmanship are extended to opposing teams in roller derby. “People think when we play against another team that we are mad if we lose, but we’re not. After every bout there is a time when both teams hang out. I love this time. Learning stuff from other players and hanging out with a great group of ladies and gentlemen. We are like sisters to each other – when you need us, we’ll be there.”

Perhaps you are considering roller derby, or you are more terrified of it then you were before. Maybe skating isn’t your strong suit, but you are still interested. If any of these scenarios resonate with you, let the girls of FSD tell you how to overcome your fears first-hand.

Don’t be afraid to challenge yourself. You never know what you might discover about yourself in the process. You will fall, you might even feel discouraged in the beginning, but it’s all worth it.

Bodie gives prospects some words of encouragement. “Don’t be afraid to challenge yourself. You never know what you might discover about yourself in the process. You will fall, you might even feel discouraged in the beginning, but it’s all worth it. Every time you fall down you pick yourself up and learn something about yourself. Playing derby has allowed me to experience a completely different side of my life. It will give you strength and confidence. Never give up. It’s a team sport, and everyone leans on each other and encourages one another. And whether or not we win or don’t, we still share a true passion for the sport.”

“To become a member of FSD, all you have to do is attend our weekly boot camps at the Marietta Roller Rink. We will teach you everything you need to know. We have a Jr league, women’s league and a coed league. If skating isn’t for you we are always needing referees and non skating officials,” Thompson said.

Last but not least, Full brings the realness with her advice. “Don’t hesitate. You will be better at your job, your relationships, if you have something for yourself. It doesn’t have to be derby, but value yourself enough to do something for you. Also, do derby because you love it even when you are exhausted and sweaty and keep falling. If that last part sounds awful then don’t do derby. It’s a sport. It’s not an exhibition of you in tight clothes looking cute.”

Fun fact: roller derby is being considered for the 2020 Olympics!

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What does your perfect summer day look like? Personally, mine would consist of the sun shining, a comfortable yet warm temperature, a calm breeze, blue skies, lots of laughter, togetherness and music next to my pool.

Oh, and of course, a tasty beverage.

This non-alcoholic Sangria recipe is one of my favorites. This fruity delight is refreshing and light, and pairs well with just about any summer fare that you can cook up. It’s quick, easy and takes approximately 15 minutes to prepare.

You can add or omit as many fruit varieties as you would like – these are just my favorites.

• 2 cups sugar
• 1 whole pressed lemon
• 1 whole pressed lime
• 1 whole pressed peach, then 1 quartered peach
• 1/2 cup watermelon (quartered)
• 1/2 cup strawberries (quartered)
• 2 cups orange juice
• 1/2 gallon water + 1 cup
• 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves
• 4 cups ginger ale
• 2 cups ice

Over medium heat, place the sugar and one cup of water in a saucepan. Stir until the sugar completely dissolves to make simple syrup.

Pour simple syrup and 1/2 gallon of water into pitcher. Add your mint, then muddle.

Press the lime and lemon into the mixture. Add all of your sliced fruits, ginger ale and orange juice. Stir well. Add your ice, stir again for about a minute.

That’s it! The best part of this recipe is that it is ready to drink after preparation. Add more ice if you like it really cold. Serve over ice and sip away!

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Two women with a vision, endless passion, talent and oodles of wit– truly a force to be reckoned with.

Andi Roberts and Jesse Hyde of Hot Tomato Pin-Up Academy brought retro back to the MOV, and quite fabulously, I must say. Timeless fashions, attitude, empowerment and an abundance of sass embody the darlings of Hot Tomato.  I am honored to have the opportunity to pick their brains about what it takes to be behind the scenes of this beautiful journey.

What was your original mission when starting Hot Tomato Pin Up Academy?

Andi: Our mission has always been about creating a body positive portrait experience that gives women the opportunity to celebrate their bodies and have some fun.

Jesse: Word.

The mission of Hot Tomato goes far beyond portrait taking. These women have a strong desire to empower every single body that steps in front of the camera. Andi and Jesse are inspired by you. Yes, you. You inspire them by being you, and they want to capture the beauty you embody just as you are.

Who/what inspires you?

Andi: I am inspired by the bodies that appear before my camera. I am inspired (maybe enraged is a better word) by the beauty culture in our society. I have been studying how beauty is constructed in our culture for almost 20 years at this point and I know a couple things about the women in front of my camera.  I photograph more ‘types’ of women in a year’s time than any other person I know. Each woman that appears in my view finder comes to me with a similar set of beliefs about bodies that have been instilled in them by the messages from popular culture. It does not matter if they are thin and fit, curvy and soft, bearded, a sorority girl, a hipster, size 2 or size 22. The body you are in right now is beautiful and ready to give and receive pleasure. End of story.

Andi really hit the nail on the head. The refining of beauty culture is of utmost importance.

We often see so much body shaming in our society—by the media, and more importantly, by ourselves.

We are our worst critics, but to what extent are we damaging ourselves with over criticism and constant negativity?

Jesse: The biggest source of inspiration for me are the clients themselves! Every woman that comes in for a consultation has amazing ideas whether she realizes it at first or not. Once I help them open the mind to literally endless possibilities, the ideas flow easily. We become more versatile, flexible and equipped with each client, amassing a wonderful collection of things from pink fuzzy telephones to authentic Mexican bullwhips!

How do you feel that you have contributed to the culture expansion of the MOV?

Jesse: The MOV has notoriously been behind the times as far as fashion trends.  We were the first to wholeheartedly embrace the ‘new retro’ craze the moment is started popping up in Vogue magazine. We used this visibility and energy to catapult Hot Tomato into so much more. Yes, victory rolls and false lashes are fun but Andi and I were able to quickly see that the need for most clients wasn’t a ‘One and Done Pinup Party’ but that they were hungry for acceptance. Not from others but of THEMSELVES. They wanted to love who they are on the inside AND the outside. They were ready for more.

Andi: My brand of feminism demands that I honor your truth.  This means you don’t have to love your body.  I do wish you would stop hating your body. That isn’t doing anyone any good at all. We talk about these things. We address it. We show all body types in our advertising. We are building a tribe of women that want to empower and lift up other women around the Hot Tomato brand.  I think that is how we contribute to the culture expansion of the MOV. We expand what it means to be a sexy, empowered woman in the Mid-Ohio Valley.

The Pin-Up era has sparked many feuds from feminists and naysayers alike. Some view pin-up as scantily clad and demeaning to women. Others see pin-up as nothing more than half-naked women in compromising poses. While there is no shortage of immodesty in pin-up, it is so much more than that. WWII pin-ups were actually regarded as mascots to boost the morale of the servicemen, especially in the Army and Navy branches of the service. Pin-ups were of all shapes and sizes – the first era to really pioneer the equality in beauty. From the Gil Elvgren paintings to the real-life pin-up models of the day (Betty Grable, Tempest Storm, Bettie Page, Hedy Lamarr – just to name a few), pin-ups were portrayed without body type bias. Somewhere along the line, society has skewed that vision. We’re taking it back.

As a former and returning client, I have to say that watching the transformation of Hot Tomato has been awe-inspiring. I had the pleasure of being one of their first clients, and there is certainly a reason I have been back. I absolutely love seeing so many women in the MOV become inspired by this tribe of women, and watching my favorite era come back to life in my own town is exciting! I have always had a strong desire to revitalize the pin-up era (I have been rocking this winged eyeliner since high school). Though they started the pin-up revolution of the MOV, they have done many types of vintage shoots—60s mod, flapper, steampunk, and everything in between. Their boudoir sessions are the newest craze, and quickly growing. Since the formation of Hot Tomato, I have watched many women in the area dare to think outside of the box and put their inhibitions aside. The new esteemed beauty culture that Hot Tomato so flawlessly delivers shows outside of the studio.

Any words of advice or encouragement to new or returning clients?

Andi: Your state of mind is the sexiest thing you can bring with you to your portrait session. You don’t have to be scantily clad to feel empowered by being photographed. Being seen is transformative. If you are feeling intrigued but a little nervous, just come hang out with us. We are the nicest naughty girls you are ever going to meet. Come join our tribe!

Jesse: Rock the body you have right now. RIGHT NOW. Whether you’ve been here before and need to come back but life/ kids/ baby weight/ stretch mark. Or you’re waiting for that perfect time/ ab dimple/ scale number/ brow lift, etc. – STOP! You are perfect right now. Come to me and we will plan a session that celebrates exactly where you are! Can’t afford a full session right now? Okay. We do other stuff, ya know? Makeup demos, head shot events, sexy hair class, pre-soaks, after parties, costume contests, etc. We can often be found at charity events, live music, drag shows, festivals, local breweries, parades and fairy picnics. You don’t have to buy an album or a giant piece of wall art (although these are WONDERFUL things to do) to get your empowerment card filled. Just find another Hot Tomato. There are hundreds in the MOV alone! Tell her you need a boost. She gets it. We’re in this together—right now.

Make Up Artists:

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We are well into the new year, and many of us are not up for braving the outdoors. Winter has only graced us with its presence for a little over a month, and most of us are ready to send it packing back to its blustery cold home on the other side of the continent. Why not use this forced time indoors to take control of your home—and your life?

Simply thinking about the task of re-purposing, organizing and de-cluttering can be overwhelming. How in the world are you going to even begin to tackle those “junk” drawers, the laundry room or your closet? When will you find the time? First of all–start small. You don’t have to flip your house in one day. However, in order to stay motivated you need to give yourself a time limit and make a list. Start with one room and give yourself a (realistic) date to start and a date to finish. Only you know your time constraints, so make it reasonable to accommodate your schedule.

I try to follow the one year rule for my closet. If I haven’t worn it in a year, chances are I am not going to wear it again. Unless the weather just never permitted you to wear said clothing, then you are probably safe to give it away. Out of sight, out of mind! The Family Crisis Intervention Center and the Latrobe Street Mission are fantastic local non-profit organizations that take gently used clothing and household items.

Buy one, donate one. Thirty-One has fantastic organizing items, including my go-to Large Utility Tote that I use for all of my donations. If that isn’t your bag (pun intended), try a regular large plastic tote or something similar that fits in your closet. Whenever I buy something to hang in the closet or put in the drawer, I take out one thing to donate. I also use this rule for that dreaded “junk drawer”. A junk drawer (the singular tense is very important here, you do not want multiple junk drawers) is fine, as long as the drawer is actually full of things that you use. However, whenever you add something to it, try to find at least one item in it and re-evaluate whether or not it is important enough to keep/if it is still useful. You will get rid of more unnecessary clutter by using this method.

Speaking of junk drawers, there is an easier way to organize and de-clutter those, too. Find a container that fits your drawer and your items. Try a drawer organizer or even just an extra silverware holder. Staples has these simple, inexpensive organizers. It takes very little time to do, and will save you a lot of digging in the long run.

Keep a specific container for mail. Make sure the container is relatively small, that way you will not allow yourself to let it pile up or clutter other spaces in your home. This wall-mounted mail holder found on Amazon has multiple compartments that allow you to organize “what’s what” in your mail, and even provides a key holder. The design is contemporary and unisex, and is only $12.99!

Find a new home for old books. Are your bookshelves getting more than a little crowded? Go through our titles with a discerning eye and donate the ones you can live without to a Little Free Library. There are several locations in the Mid-Ohio Valley, just look for the brightly covered mailbox-sized house of books! This one is located outside of the Point Park Marketplace in downtown Parkersburg.

Set up a recycle bin for your home. You wouldn’t believe how many items you throw away that can be reused. If you’re not sure how to sign up for a recycling program, contact your local waste management provider and ask how. You should also receive a list of items that are recyclable. My outside recycle bin (Parkersburg) actually has a list right on it.

Ohio DropOff is a program that participates in the efforts of electronics recycling. Their website has the Goodwill location to drop off, their contact information and also a list of what they take. They take most household electronics at little to no cost to the consumer. If your roads are clear and you’re ready for your desktop to follow suit, give them a call and gather up your outdated and non-working technology!

If you are feeling crafty and motivated to repurpose some of the things in your “unwanted” piles around your house, Pinterest has thousands of ideas for just about anything you can think of—and then some. My next project is to create an ottoman out of an old sweater. Buzzfeed has a fabulous list of re-purposing ideas with sweaters that don’t take an exorbitant amount of money or time!

Let your organizational journey begin! May your home be refreshed and your hobbies renewed!

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