In this issue
| Little land of nonprofits |
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Thanks to a local woman who listened to her heart, the tiny village of Atoka has been on the road to preservation since the 1990s. Over two decades ago Linda Newton was bitten by the history bug while on a Piedmont tour led by Loudoun County historian and map maker Eugene Scheel. And one of the tour stops was at the Caleb Rector House in Atoka, one of 23 villages in Fauquier County.
Fast-forward nine years and Newton found herself purchasing the circa 1801 Caleb Rector House built of stone. Soon after, with some dedicated neighbors, The Atoka Preservation Society (TAPS) was formed and more property was acquired in the tiny village....
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| Caution: Frog in Sink |
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Everyone knows Piedmont people love their pets – their dogs, cats, and horses. But in some instances, pet ownership takes a different direction. Consider, for instance, neighbors who shared their home with Smutchie, a White’s Tree Frog, a species native to Australia and southern New Guinea. Why, you dog and cat owners may ask, would anyone want a frog as a pet? What possible companionship, you may wonder, could anyone get from a frog? Can you pet a frog?
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| Dining at Monet's Table |
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You’re sitting for lunch at an elegantly set table in a beautiful French garden. With you are a group of formally dressed people, many who are close friends. This is a common occurrence and the attendees are the same except for an invited guest who’s allowed into the circle. To your right is a painter named Renoir. Next to him sits a gentleman named Pissarro, who brought his neighbor Degas. Cézanne is again late, and today’s guest is a man who just finished a portrait of his grandmother. Whistler can’t wait to “pontificate” on its failure and is hoping his host doesn’t serve that “Duck with Turnips” again which he hates. Rodin will stop by if he can. Other guests include an actress from Paris and four French soldiers. The host is the painter Claude Monet and his second wife Alice.
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| Rock of Ages |
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Landscaping with stone means personal memories and much more — getting in touch with the very nature of time and the subtlety of nature.
By Hardie Newton
Weather is a friend. It works at shaping many treasures for the future: Wind, rain, frost, and stones.
Go on a canoeing trip in Rappahannock waters with friends. One will remark on the beauty and clarity of the waters, another will see through them to the diversity of rocks and pebbles over which the waters tumble. How many years have those stones paved the under spaces and bank sides? How many fish out a few of the best to tuck into their pockets? What sizes were they when they volunteered for their jobs? How many years does it take to polish their surfaces, some into mirror-like images? Were they thrust from inner earth by eons of shakings? Did they once serve as alluring mountain peaks from which travelers surveyed the lands below?
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Upcoming Events
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Art
Madison
Loca Art Show via Firnew Farm Artistic Circle
Jun. 10, 2012
DuCard Vineyards Local Art Show via Firnew Farm Artist Circle. Jun. 10, 12 - 6 p.m. The Tucker Hill Art Scholarship Award will also be presented to a budding young local artist. Live music and nibbles. DuCard Vineyards, Madison. www.ducardvineyards.com.
Albemarle
Spring for the Arts
May. 23, 2012
Spring for the Arts. May 23, 5:30 - 7:30. This annual celebration to support Piedmont Council for the Arts (PCA) will be an evening you won't foget. Join the PCA for delicious food and drinks, as well as some thrilling surprises and a silent auction full of original artwork and one-of-a-kind experiences. $40 for PCA members, $60 non-members. City Space, Charlottesville. 434-971-2787. www.charlottesvilleart.org.
Concerts and Theatre
Culpeper
Culpeper Downtown Third Thursday Summer Concert Series
Jul. 19, 2012
through Aug. 16, 2012
Culpeper Downtown Third Thursday Summer Concert Series. July 19 - Aug. 16, 5 - 9 p.m. Bring friends, family and a lawn chair; special activities for children of all ages. Check website for details. Adults 21 and over $5 in advance. $7 at the gate. Children free. The Depot, Culpeper. 540-825-4416. www.culpeperdowntown.com.
Prince William
Castleton Festival: Grand Opera in Concert: Puchinni's "La Boheme"
Jul. 07, 2012
Castleton Festival: Grand Opera in Concert: Puccini"s "La Boheme". July 7, 8 p.m. A concert version of the famous and familiar music from Puccini's La Boheme. Hylton Performing Arts Center proudly presents this second performance from the Castleton Festival featuring the esteemed Lorin Maazel conducting the Castleton Festival Orchestra. The Festival features internationally renowned artists performing along with the stars of tomorrow. Each concert: $60, $45, $30, both concerts: $96, $72, $48 — Save 20%. Merchant Hall, The Hylton Performing Arts Center, Manassas. 703-993-7550. www.hyltonperformingartscenter.com.
Albemarle
ParadeRest Benefit Concert Featuring Gary Sinise & Lt. Dan Band
May. 25, 2012
ParadeRest Benefit Concert Featuring Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band. May 25, 8 p.m. Actor and musician Gary Sinise is often recognized as "Lt. Dan," the character he portrayed in the 1994 film Forrest Gump. Performing on stage with him band of the same name, Sinise has brought together a talented ensemble of musicians and they have found their audience with military personnel at home and overseas throughout many USO tours. This special performance will support ParadeRest, a non-profit that connects donated entertainment, arts and sporting event tickets to local military service members and their families. Tickets: $65. The Paramount Theater, Charlottesville. 434-979-1333. www.theparamount.net.
Prince William
Vienna Boys Choir “Christmas in Vienna”
Dec. 15, 2011
@ Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011 at 8 p.m.
Hylton Presents
Vienna Boys Choir
“Christmas in Vienna”
Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011 at 8 p.m.
There is little else that can so perfectly capture all of the enchantment and joy of the holidays as the
glorious voices of these young fellows raised in magnificent harmonies. The Christmas concert of the
Vienna Boys Choir brings the best of the season to Merchant Hall with everything from Gregorian chant
to holiday favorites for the whole family to share and enjoy. “Theirs are the voices of Christmas, as pure
as angels, as clear as the winter light.” (Charles Passy, Ovation) The choir has been synonymous with fine
choral music for more than 500 years and some of the greatest European composers, such as Mozart and
Bruckner, have worked with the choir; Franz Schubert was himself a chorister. These outstanding young
singers have enchanted audiences around the world with their purity of tone, unique charm and crowd-
pleasing repertoire. This is truly a special holiday occasion for the family.
Location: Merchant Hall
Tickets: $32, $40, $48
Family Friendly: youth through grade 12 half price when accompanied by an adult.
NOVANT HEALTH is the 2011-12 Season Sponsor of Hylton Presents.
http://www.hyltoncenter.org
Dining and Dancing
Rappahannock
15th Annual "Taste of Rappahannock"
Sep. 08, 2012
15th Annual "Taste of Rappahannock". Sep. 8. Since long before "eating local" became trendy, the annual Taste of Rappahannock has showcased local foods and wines at a dinner and social event to benefit the children of Rappahannock County. Tables are set exquisitely with fresh flowers and greenery from local gardens and both silent and live auctions are featured. The evening is sponsored by Headwaters Foundation to support programs dedicated to advancing educational opportunities for children in the county. Call for reservations. $150 per person. Belle Meade School, Sperryville. 540-987-3322. www.headwatersfdn.org.
Fauquier
Winemaker's Dinner
Jul. 14, 2012
through Sep. 22, 2012
Winemaker's Dinner. July 14 , Aug. 11, and Sep. 22. Come enjoy an evening of food, wine, and great company with Chef Eric Stamer and the Naked Mountain Family. Dinners are $85 all inclusive. Check Website for details. Naked Mountain Vineyards, Markham. 540-364-1609. www.nakedmtnwiner.com.
Nelson
New Year's Eve Masked Ball at Veritas Winery.
Dec. 31, 2011
@ 7 p.m. - 1 a.m
Bring your mask and dancing shoes and enjoy a five-course winemakers dinner, preceded by wine and hors d'oeuvres. Dance until midnight and then the masks come off and the chamagne flows! Breakfast follows at 1:30 a.m.Reservations required.
Veritas Winery, Afton.
540-456-8000
www.veritaswines.com
Louisa
Victorian Candlelight Ball.
Dec. 17, 2011
@ Wine tasting 6 p.m. Dinner 7 - 10 p.m.
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Dance and be merry at this Victoria holiday event. No dance experience necessary as this is a "teaching" ball. Members of the Victorian Dance Ensemble demonstrate and teach tradional Victorian dances to the music of the Susquehanna Travellers. Period, casual or formal attire. There will also be caroling, holiday treats and plenty of dancing. |
First Presybterian Church, Winchester.
540-662-4946
www.winchesterva.gov/parks
Fairs and Festivals
Albemarle
Ol' Fashioned Peach Festival
Jul. 28, 2012
Ol' Fashioned Peach Festival. July 28, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Pick your own peaches. Hayrides, wine tastings etc. Carter's Mountain Trail, Charlottesville. 434-977-1833. www.cartermountainorchard.com.
Nelson
Wintergreen Summer Music Festival
Jul. 06, 2012
through Aug. 05, 2012
Wintergreen Summer Music Festival - INNOVATION 2012. July 6 - Aug. 5. The focus will be on innovation with events and performances that include music, dance, theatre, film, food, wine and the visual arts. Call or check website for times and ticket information. Wintergreen Resort and other Central Virginia locations. 434-325-8292. www.wintergreenperformingarts.org.
Loudoun
5th Annual Northern Virginia Summer Brewfest
Jun. 23, 2012
through Jun. 24, 2012
5th Annual Northern Virginia Summer Brerwfest. Jun. 23 - 24., Sat. 11 a.m. - 9 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Sample some of the finest libations from over 40 of America's best breweries, learn how the beer is made, and how to brew your own. Enjoy food from local restaurants, local and regional musical groups, and crafters and artisans. Tickets: Day of: adults $25, over 21/designated driver $20; Advance tickets: adults $20, over 21/designated driver $15. Morven Park International Equestrian Center, Leesburg. 703-923-0800. www.novabrewfest.com.
Nelson
Memorial Day Weekend
May. 25, 2012
through May. 28, 2012
Memorial Day Weekend. May 25 through 28. We welcome summer with a fun-filled weekend in the mountains. On Saturday, Blues & Brews is the theme with music being the highlight. We'll top it off with a micro-brew festival, blues music, an arts & craft fair, block party and a day at the Lake - Lake Monocan opens for the season! Wintergreen Resort, Wintergreen. 434-325-2200. www.wintergreenresort.com.
Lectures and Workshops
Prince William
Boxwood Topiary Tree Workshop.
Dec. 10, 2011
@ 1-4 PM
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Make a festive table decoration using natural materials from the gardens of Rippon Lodge. Not appropriate for children under 10. Advance reservations required. |
$35 includes tuition and materials and admission to Rippon Lodge Open House.
www.pwcgov.org/historicsites
Outdoor Events
Culpeper
Culpeper/Madison/Rappahannock Farm Show
Jul. 12, 2012
through Jul. 16, 2012
Culpeper/Madison/Rappahannock Farm Show. July 12 - 16. Livestock displays and shows, great food country auction and more! www.cmrfair.com.
Culpeper
Culpeper Independence Day
Jul. 04, 2012
Culpeper Independence Day. July 4. Join us for a great day of celebration and patriotism in and around downtown Culpeper The Independence Day Celebration is a safe, fun, and affordable event that represents not only our heritage, but also a strong sense of community spirit. The day's events will include a 5K race, youth sporting events, patriotic speeches, a festive parade, CRI's 4th of July Car & Bike Show, amusements for children and adults, a band and of course FIREWORKS that will delight everyone! Check website or call for locations. 540-829-8278. www.culpeper4thofjuly.com.
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