
Sometimes it works out that way. Sometimes I can turn my apartment into a little bistro if you shut your eyes to the place and focus on the food and people. Sometimes you can transform people by putting them in a certain place. Yesterday was a question of the people and the place transforming the food into so much more than a fundraiser buffet.
It was all for Hartwood in the Hills and was held at Café Cimino.

Sitting on the banks of the Elk River as it rolls down to Charleston to join the Kanawha on their march from the hills of West Virginia to the Ohio and the Mississippi.
I now have an inkling that Hartwood is just as magical. Here’s part of what they have to say about themselves:
Heartwood embodies the ideal that the arts belong to everyone and the artistic gifts in each person deserve nurturing. Heartwood’s mission is to ensure that everyone has access to Heartwood’s programs regardless of their ability to pay. Heartwood’s Board of Directors and faculty are dedicated to keeping class fees low, ranging from $3.00 to $5.00 per class. Full and partial scholarships are available to all students. The Board and faculty are committed to providing scholarships to any student based solely on need.
Heartwood offers a warm, welcoming environment to people of different abilities and backgrounds. Students have included physically and mentally challenged children, foster children from dysfunctional families, and juvenile offenders on probation. Theater projects build community, teamwork skills, self-esteem, and self-respect. They give children an appreciation of their role in the course of historical events. The atmosphere at the school is encouraging and noncompetitive. Every student gets an equal opportunity to shine.

While there to celebrate Hartwood, we wandered the grounds of Cimino, lounged by the goldfish pond and drank wine, read books on the patio at the bar, sat on the veranda watching puffy-white cumulus clouds meander across the sky, and generally enjoyed the beauty of the day and place.

Melody was moving quickly and gracefully between the pockets of people spread around the grounds. First and foremost, she was introducing them all to Maggie Mae, the trained therapy-dog who proudly displayed her certification on her vest! It was likely the first time I consciously approved of pet-ware.

You all know the feeling I had as the sun beat down on my face and I took a long, cool swig of Pinot Grigio and drifted between conversations about art and learning, Chef instructing someone on how to prepare a simple pasta dinner, and the rush of the Elk behind me.

You can see a lot more of the day here.
1 comment:
What a nice post about Cafe Cimino Guest House; wonderful food in a beautifully restored setting with a sincerely welcoming hostess in Melody and local food from Chef Tim. We were lucky enough to have our state B&B conference there in March and I thoroughly enjoyed my stay. I wish I wasn't far away on the other side of the state so that I could visit more often. Folks in the neighborhood should take advantage!!
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