George Tisdale

Nov 28, 2024 | virginialiving.com | George Tisdale |Madeline Mayhood |Avery Chenoweth |Madison Burfeind

A certain smell can retrieve the oldest of memories, ones tucked away in the mind’s basement in a filing cabinet labeled “Childhood,” seldom recalled but especially vivid when they are. One of mine that instantly returns me to age 8 is an autumn bouquet of cool outdoors, earthy woods, and eau de dog that clung to my father’s hunting jacket. It’s a poignant experience, that smell.

Aug 19, 2024 | virginialiving.com | George Tisdale |Hope Cartwright |Frank Morgan

Imagine yourself to be Howard Esten, captain of the good ship Virginia. The date is Nov. 4, 1774. Your ship departed Britain weeks ago, crossing the treacherous Atlantic. Now, Yorktown harbor—Thomas Jefferson would later claim it was Virginia’s best for large ships—lies invitingly ahead. Well-deserved time ashore awaits you and your crew. What could go amiss now? Plenty, as it turned out. For the kindling of rebellion laid at last year’s Boston Tea Party had begun to smolder.

Jul 25, 2024 | virginialiving.com | George Tisdale |Madeline Mayhood |Dawn Klavon |Konstantin Rega

Beware the bookstore, casual browser! For within its inviting doors lie the Shelves of Shame, the section where the titles chum the waters of human insecurities with some version of this underlying message—shame on you for not being a better you!Self-help is the beguiling label attached to the Shelves of Shame. Here, the dust jackets tease us with promises of self-improvement, of personal achievement, of more fulfillment, of greater happiness.

Jul 11, 2024 | virginialiving.com | Madeline Mayhood |Dawn Klavon |Taylor Pilkington |George Tisdale

Owning a home is the quintessential American dream. And while it may seem like a no-brainer to take the plunge into home ownership once it’s financially feasible, the decision to buy versus rent warrants careful consideration. Renting: It offers flexibility and lower initial costs, as maintenance is typically covered and leases provide an easy exit strategy. A 2023 analysis from Realtor.com also revealed that renting is cheaper than owning in 45 of the 50 largest U.S. metropolitan areas.

May 23, 2024 | virginialiving.com | Martha Steger |Dawn Klavon |George Tisdale |Avery Chenoweth

When a glittering evening in 1811 turned tragic, it claimed 72—including Virginia’s Governor. It was the end of a good run. The Charleston-based theater troupe, Placide and Green, had staged more than two dozen performances in Richmond over four months in 1811. They’d performed The Merchant of Venice and The Lady of the Lake, but nothing had topped the benefit performances held for actress Eliza Poe, who’d fallen gravely ill midway through the season.