It was the Summer of 2007 when it hit - the Green Tornado, or better known to her friends as Dawn Schick who with her husband Albert Schick had been operating Grace Manor Inn in Richmond's Historic Fan District for just over 4 years.  Albert and Dawn had just taken the trash out - again!  It was amazing how much waste their 4-guestroom operation generated!  That very day, Dawn said, "Albert, we are going green"; and Albert said, "Yes, honey", and the Green Tornado has been whirling ever since! 
 
From that day forward, the Grace Manor Inn has made going green a priority.  Starting with recycling, Dawn and Albert soon became the biggest recyclers on the block!  Next they tackled their food waste through composting; and then came compact fluorescent lighting, and the EnergyStar-rated washer and dryer, dishwasher, computer, and TV's.  Before poor Albert had a chance to breathe, 50 new storm windows, environmentally-friendly-cleaners and detergents, water-metering, purchasing in bulk, and encouraging all of their suppliers to go green and reduce packaging.  And, of course, they joined the Virginia Green Lodging program (www.deq.virginia.gov/p2/virginiagreen)!  

 
How Local?  Both Albert and Dawn are accomplished chefs and have always understood the importance of locally-grown products.  In many green circles folks often ask, "Exactly how local is local?"  Well, how about from your own greenhouse and rooftop garden - is that local enough?  Yes, Dawn and Albert constructed their own backyard greenhouse for growing seedlings and nursing plants through the winter.  In addition, they have a flat, third-story rooftop that is perfect for growing their own organic vegetables and herbs; and the plants thrive in the nutrient rich compost made on-site from food scraps!
 
How well are they doing?  Dawn and Albert went green because it seemed like the right thing to do.  They know they're generating less waste and saving some money.

 

Grace Manor Inn (serving Barboursville's Pinot Grigio)

 

The Bed and Breakfast Association of Virginia (BBAV), the entire Commonwealth, and everyone who is concerned about the environment, owes a huge "Thank You"  to Tom Griffin, Former Virginia Green Coordinator at Virginia DEQ.  About 2 years ago he approached BBAV concerning getting member B&Bs to go green.  We thought it was a great idea and worked out the "Green Lodging" criteria and checklist with him - and then actively encouraged our members to "Go Green."  It worked, and we now have 66 BBAV Bed and Breakfasts that proudly display the Green Lodging Logo.

So if you want to sip some fine Virginia wines, at a Green Lodging B&B like Grace Manor Inn, all you have to do is go to the BBAV Web site - www.InnVirginia.com, and click on the Virginia Green Lodging Logo to see the entire list.
 

For more information on other Virginia Bed and Breakfasts, visit www.innvirginia.com.