Recreation News

Page 1

Recreation The Official Publication for Government Employees Associations & Govemployee.com

June 2015

Volume 33/Number6

www.recreationnews.com

News

Regular departures from Port of Baltimore to paradise

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A 2-Night Getaway for Two to the Tides Inn in Irvington, Virginia

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Springtime in Pennsylvania • West Virginia adventures • Experience the Tides Inn • Nearby places to paddle and pedal • Civil War prison turns state park • Charming Charlottesville • Plan a family reunion at The Woods


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publisher’s note I karl teel

Opposites attract, offer brand new experiences to savor course, there was also the mix of the impersonal massive crowds balanced with the friendliness of total strangers. It is indeed the great melting pot, served as a stark contrast to the more homogeneous New England experience. Perhaps these getaways that contrast our dayto-day norms serve the purpose of fulfilling either unmet needs or incomplete facets in our lives. Either way, the value is profound, not just in making our lives more complete, but in expanding our views of the world as well as our knowledge and understanding. Read through our collection of stories in this edition, as well as our online archives at RecreationNews.com, and see where your next getaway should be. And, if you haven’t experienced it yet, go to one of those small rural towns and, hopefully, you’ll be lucky enough to be there while something is going on at the local volunteer fire department!

On our cover Grandeur of the Seas cruises from Baltimore to tropical, sub-tropical, and Canadian ports. (Royal Caribbean)

Opposites attract — it’s a very common saying, true with magnets, and often true with couples. Perhaps it’s a balance; perhaps it’s to fill needs. Vacations, getaways, and day trips often work that way, too. I have such fond memories from recent trips. We went to Tilghman Island for a fundraiser for the new Tilghman Watermen’s Museum. You’ve not experienced America until you’ve gone to an event at a volunteer fire department in a rural environment. All the locals had their tales. One had many family members perish at sea during a storm. Another was a decades-ago transplant from Washington who became a part of the fabric of the community. Others build boats or are currently transitioning from their cosmopolitan roots and big city careers to placing new roots in Tilghman Island. The room was filled with a sense of community and cause, quite different from my experiences in urban and suburban environs. We also attended weddings at Vermont rural churches with receptions in venues such as the local Moose Lodge or an outdoor facility by a covered bridge in none other than Norman Rockwell’s front yard. There was just a feeling of love, peace, harmony, and community quite similar to what Rockwell depicted in his paintings and quite in contrast to my day-to-day life. And, then, there’s the opposite. Those same relatives who hosted our Vermont “true Americana” experience joined us for a getaway in New York City, a place where I lived for five years. They marveled at the massive buildings and monumental undertakings like the elaborate subway system, Ellis Island, highways up to 16-lanes wide, the globally recognized Statue of Liberty, and entertainment options of staggering proportions. Of

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TABLE OF CONTENTS 5 ~ Publisher’s Note 6 ~ Editor’s Note 7 ~ Travel Line 9 ~ Outdoor Recreation 12 ~ Explore Tilghman Island 14 ~ Ruddy Duck adventures 15 ~ Archaeologist for a day 16 ~ Prisoners at Point Lookout 18 ~ Civil War Medicine Museum 20 ~ A Franklin County summer 22 ~ America’s oldest county fair 24 ~ Lighting up Longwood Gardens 25 ~ Luzerne County summer 26 ~ Skyland dining experience 28 ~ Take to the water in Mecklenburg County 30 ~ Different sides of Charlottesville 32 ~ Lynchburg outdoors 33 ~ Soaking up the Tides Inn 34 ~ Wytheville proudly displays its heritage 36 ~ Take a Bath County hike 37 ~ Calendar of Events 42 ~ West Virginia serves up adventure 45 ~ Wetzel County festivals 46 ~ Culture 47 ~ Fairmont claims Father’s Day 48 ~ Family reunions at The Woods 50 ~ Cruise Corner 52 ~ Adventures in Taste 53 ~ Wine Doctor 54 ~ Allman Brothers music festival 55 ~ Classified

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editor’s note I marvin bond

Cross-country trip created memories Our family took a cross-country automobile trip in the early 1960s, a time when that journey didn’t involve long stretches of interstate highways and travelers saw America up close, stopped in local restaurants and shops, and stayed in local motels. One thing that probably hasn’t changed much about that journey is that national parks are still favorite stopping places. The map I made of our journey, which hung on the wall in my room for years, reflected our progress through the Great Smoky Mountains, the Painted Desert, the Grand Canyon, the Sequoias, Redwoods, Yosemite, Yellowstone, Mount Rushmore, and others. We were gone for a month, the longest time my father had ever been away from any church he pastored, but you could see the joy in his eyes as he took in God’s creations. That joy is among the precious memories I still hold from a trip 50 years ago. The National Park Service is preparing to celebrate its own 100th anniversary in 2016 and we’ll be exploring some of the parks, monuments, and historic sites under the service’s stewardship over the next year. We begin with changes at a local favorite, Shenandoah National Park, in this issue. A new park concessionaire, Delaware North Company, is executing improvements in lodging, dining, and other amenities at the park and offering some exciting culinary experiences.

The National Park Service and the National Parks Foundation have already launched a Find Your Park program to raise awareness. (findyourpark.com) The website lets you find a park that is near to you, one that fits your interests, or one that offers experiences that might tempt you. You also have the opportunity to share your national parks experience for a chance to win some great prizes. Before our trip 50 years ago, Dad bought a new car. In those days before the Internet, my cousin and I wrote to the various park superintendents for information brochures, my uncle built a box to hold luggage on the car’s roof, and my mother and aunt ticked off the picnic preparations we’d need. We all brought home special memories, but I doubt any were as special as Dad’s. As a father myself, I’ve been privileged to see the awe in my daughters’ eyes as they looked up at the giant Sequoias and the grandeur of Yosemite. It made me understand and appreciate Dad’s special joy. Even though you’re no longer with us, Happy Father’s Day, Dad.

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travel line I carol timblin

Barging through France includes sightseeing and fine dining, too River cruising is indeed a wonderful way to see the world, but some travelers consider barging to be the ultimate experience. It’s not only a relaxing way to enjoy the countryside, but offers a chance to sample the best food, wine, and cheeses of a region. In late April, we traveled for six days from Montargis to Chatillon-Sur-Loire on Burgundy’s Canal de Briare. Construction began on the canal in 1604, during the reign of King Henry IV, and was completed in 1642. It is 35 miles long and is made up of 36 locks; the first 12 locks rise 135 feet and the last 24 fall 279 feet. Travel writer Judy Wells and I met in Paris on a Sunday morning and were picked up that afternoon at the Westminster Opera Hotel by Arnald Poussin, our guide, driver, and barge navigation assistant. We traveled south by van for about two hours to Montargis, where Captain Hadrian Famry, chef Luke Dessain, Hannah Dunleavy, and Isabelle Robert welcomed us aboard La Renaissance, a luxury barge operated by European Waterways, with champagne and oysters on the half shell. We also met Max and Susan Wyman, of Vancouver — fellow passengers who became our good friends during the trip. Talk about pampering! The boat could accommodate up to eight people, but had only four for its first voyage of the season. And, the 128-foot barge was equipped with many amenities, including a spa pool and sun deck, telescope, and touring bikes.

salads, pastas, pates, soups, desserts, wines, and cheeses of the region. (Chef Luke also gave a cooking demonstration on sticky toffee pudding.)

Off on our journey On Monday, we began our canal journey through the locks. Captain Hadrian steered the vessel from the back of the boat, while Arnald kept a watchful eye on the narrow canal. That day, we traveled to Montbouy, then took a sightseeing trip to Chateau de Fontainebleau, a hunting and fishing retreat used by 10 French rulers, including Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, who crowned himself emperor in 1804 with the assistance of Pope Pius VII. After returning to the barge, we stopped in Moret-sur-Loing, a medieval town where Impressionist Alfred Sisley lived and painted. Then, after a good night’s rest in Montbouy, we visited Chateau de Sully-sur-Loire, built at the end of the 14th century. Though smaller than Fontainebleau, Chateau Carol Timblin

de Sully-sur-Loire has all the features of a castle of those times, including towers and a moat filled with water (the drawbridges have been removed). Its most famous owner was Duke de Sully (Maximilien de Bethune), who acquired 25 castles in his lifetime and who served as grand minister to King Henry IV, his close personal friend. Joan of Arc was imprisoned there at one point and Voltaire spent some time in exile at the castle. That night we dropped anchor in Rogny-lesSept-Ecluses and accompanied the captain and the chef on a buying trip in Gien the next day. The open-air market sells everything from fresh fish and regional cheeses to dressed rabbits and the most beautiful vegetables, flowers, and fruits one can imagine. The captain also provided a tour of the Gien Faicene factory, which produces fine dinnerware and decorative items. Of course, we bought some treasures to take home. On our way out of Rogny that afternoon we passed by seven historic stairstep locks, preserved but abandoned for newer locks in the 1880s. That night we were treated to dinner at Auberge des Templiers Restaurant, located at a Relais & Chateaux resort, then spent the night in La Gazonne, a beautiful area surrounded by lakes and ponds. continued on page 8

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continued from page 7 After traveling to Briare, we visited the market there and later met Countess Marie de Chasseval at her Chateau de La Bussiere, “The Fisherman’s Castle.� She is restoring the estate’s English-style gardens, designed by Andre Le Notre, who is best known for the gardens at the Palace of Versailles. Briare is the home of the canal bridge that Gustav Eiffel built over the Loire River in 1896. The next morning we made the dramatic crossing over the bridge to Chatillon-sur-Loire, and that afternoon we visited Sancerre, a region that has been producing wines for centuries and is the home of Henri Bourgeois Winery. There, we enjoyed a delightful tour and a tasting. The last night on the barge was festive, with rounds of champagne toasts and plenty of photos. Dinner with the captain featured a pea and bacon soup; Tournedos Rossini with potato roti, wilted spinach, and poached mushrooms; chocolate fondant for dessert; and Valencay, Comte, and Roquefort cheeses, served with PulignyMontrachet and Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru. We had enjoyed warm sunny weather throughout the week, but woke up to rain on Saturday. Arnald drove us back to the hotel in Paris, where we sadly went our separate ways, but with warm memories of a delightful barge cruise through Burgundy in the springtime. European Waterways also cruises to a number of other locations in France and offers cruises in England, Scotland, Ireland, Belgium, Italy, Germany, and Luxembourg. (gobarging. com)

Elsewhere in Europe Screens now in place at Heathrow Terminal 2 show passengers live prices and travel time comparisons between taxis and the airport’s train service to London — a world first. “The aim of the ‘journey comparison generator’ is to enable Heathrow passengers to get into London as speedily, easily, and cheaply as possible. By harnessing many different sources of real-time data into one we are helping make this happen,� said Fraser Brown, director of Heathrow Express, the train that travels between the airport and Paddington Station. “Research shows Heathrow Express trains

are three times faster than taxis and a quarter of the price. These screens show how that comparison varies minute-to-minute, depending on traffic, weather, and time of day.� (heathrowexpress. com)

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Here in the U.S. The National September 11 Memorial and Museum and the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum Complex are now a part of the New York CityPASS program. Each 2015 New York CityPASS booklet saves visitors 42 percent off combined admission to the Empire State Building Experience (day and night entry to the 86th–floor observatory), American Museum of Natural History, The Metropolitan Museum of Art (includes same-week admission to The Cloisters museum and gardens), a choice between Top of the Rock observation deck and the Guggenheim Museum, a choice between the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island or a Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise, and a choice between the National September 11 Memorial & Museum and the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum. CityPASS is good for nine consecutive days, beginning with the first day of use, and may be purchased at citypass.com or at any of the participating attractions. The cost is $114 for adults and $89 for children ages 6 to 17. CityPASS is also available in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle, Southern California, Tampa Bay, and Toronto. The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History will open a new exhibition on American business July 1 in the Mars Hall of American Business. “American Enterprise� will have a strong focus on the nation’s agriculture history and will explore precision farming, environmental concerns, and hybrid seeds. Among the agricultural objects in the exhibition are a Fordson tractor from the mid-1920s, signage for environmentally friendly farming methods, and a Roundup Ready promotional souvenir from 1996. “American agriculture has gone through a tremendous transformation in the past seven decades, becoming a high-tech industry, deeply affecting not just farmers themselves but every American and the American experience in general,� said Peter Liebhold, museum curator and chair of the Division of Work and Industry. Carol Timblin welcomes travel news at ctimblin@gmail.com.

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Mid-Atlantic adventures

DELAWARE Delmarva Board Sports 39084 Harpoon Road Fenwick Island, Del. 302-260-9008 delmarvaboardsports adventures.com With two locations in Rehoboth Beach and Fenwick Island, Delmarva Board Sports offers paddle boarding, kayaking, and wind surfing. You can rent by the hour, day, or week, and sign up for lessons, group outings, and camps. Coastal Kayak Tours Route 1 Fenwick Island, Del. 302-539-7999 coastalkayak.com Coastal Kayak offers guided tours, lessons, and rentals for kayaking, paddle boarding, and sailing. The outfitter also offers guided eco tours and group and corporate events from Assateague to Rehoboth. Instruction is available, and the company delivers to vacation rentals.

Wilderness Canoe Trips 2111 Concord Pike Wilmington, Del. 302-654-2227 wildernesscanoetrips.com Wilderness Canoe Trips has been providing canoe, kayak, and tube trips down the historic Brandywine River for 40 years, providing perfect outings for large groups, families, and Scout troops. Wilderness Canoe Trips is open seven days a week during peak summer months.

MARYLAND Adventure Sports Center International 250 Adventure Sports Way McHenry, Md. 301-387-3250 adventuresports.com Adventure Sports Center International is an Olympicstandard white water rafting and canoe/kayak slalom center located on the mountaintop above the Wisp Ski Resort at Deep Creek Lake in Western Maryland. The center offers kayaking, hiking, mountain biking, climbing, and rappelling. Eastern Shore Pedal and Paddle 500 S. Talbot St. St. Michaels, Md. 410-745-2320 shorepedalandpaddle.com Shore Pedal and Paddle has two locations, offering bicycle, continued on page 10

Downriver Canoe

You can tackle the Shenandoah River’s mild whitewater with outfitter Downriver Canoe.

recreationnews.com I june 2015 I recreation news 9


Mid-Atlantic continued from page 9 kayak, stand-up paddleboard rentals, sales, guided tours, and instruction. There is water access for kayaks and stand-up paddleboarding in St. Domingo Creek, as well as in St. Michaels harbor with its historic views. Military discounts are available. Middle River SUP 2015 Turkey Point Road Middle River, Md. 410-463-2686 baltimoreboatingcenter.com Try out a stand-up paddleboard, May through October, on the calm

and quiet corners of Sue Creek to check out things you won’t see on a boat. Paddle boarders love the creek because it doesn’t have a mucky bottom, and they appreciate the great service from the familyowned operation. You get a how-to lesson with a rental, but more instruction is available. Complete sale packages include board, paddle, leash, and fin. Northern Choptank Adventures 204 N. Main St. Greensboro, Md. 410-490-6788 tourcaroline.com/outdoorrecreation/kayaking-canoeing Northern Choptank Adventures is a full-service kayak outfitter that

for us,

summer means three things:

is based out of the historic Riverside Country Inn in Greensboro. It offers both single and tandem kayaks and provides shuttle service on the peaceful Tuckahoe and Choptank rivers. River and Trail Outfitters 605 Valley Road Knoxville, Md. 301-834-9950 rivertrail.com River and Trail offers a variety of raft trips, normally lasting about four hours. Along the way, you can see two rivers in three states and enjoy a picnic of River and Trail’s specialty fried chicken or a hummus wrap. For families with kids older than age 12, there is a trip on the north branch of the Potomac to the Randolph Jennings Lake. The outfitter also offers biking and can connect you to a trail appropriate for all ages from Brunswick, Md., to Harpers Ferry, W.Va.

PENNSYLVANIA

sun, family + friends,

Shank’s Mare Outfitters 2092 Long Level Road Wrightsville, Pa. 717-252-1616 shanksmare.com A year-round outfitter, Shank’s Mare offers sales, rentals, and pro-

here are three events

and golfing fun!

we have planned for you this season. our mission: to make a positive impact on the game of golf and the people who are connected to it --

Sickman’s Mill Creek Tubing 671 Sandhill Road Pequea, Pa. 717-872-5951 sickmansmill.com Open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, visitors can enjoy a tubing outing down Pequea Creek. The creek alternates between very calm sections to more rapid areas. The trips last 50 to 90 minutes. Susquehanna Outfitters City Island Harrisburg, Pa. 717-503-0066 susquehannaoutfitters.com Susquehanna River Outfitters offers guided and self-guided trips on the Susquehanna River, including camping on their private island. New this year is a tree house accommodating 6 to 8 people. The tree house package includes accommodations, kayaks for two days, and ferrying supplies to the island.

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VIRGINIA Shenandoah River Outfitters 6502 S. Page Valley Road Luray, Va. 540-743-4159 shenandoahriveroutfitters.com Shenandoah River Outfitters offers canoeing, kayaking, tubing, and rafting on the Shenandoah River, April through October. You also can enjoy hamburger cookouts and steak dinners as part of your trip. Cabin rentals are available and reservations can be made online. Downriver Canoe Co. 884 Indian Hollow Road Bentonville, Va. 540-635-5526 downriver.com Downriver Canoe Co. is open every day April through October, offering canoe, kayak, commercial rafts, and float tubes. The company mostly offers day trips, although overnight trips are an option at the outfitter’s campground at the halfway point of the trip. Reservations are recommended for the weekend, although advance payment is not required. Shenandoah River Adventures 415 Long Ave., Shenandoah, Va. 888-309-7222 shenandoahriveradventures.com Shenandoah River Adventures offers canoeing and kayak trips, including both 7- and 9-mile day trips and longer overnight and multi-day trips. The company offers two different tubing trips: slow or white water rafting, which each last for about 3 miles. There are fire pits, picnic tables, and fishing, as well.

Front Royal Canoe Company 8567 Stonewall Jackson Highway Front Royal, Va. 540-635-5440 frontroyalcanoe.com Front Royal Canoe offers canoes, kayaks, rafts, tubes, and stand-up paddleboards. A climbing wall and bungee bounce, food service, and boxed lunches are available. Overnight trips are available, and all trips are self-guided. A shuttle service will drive you to the river and provide you with a detailed map and river briefing. The company recommends coming during the week to avoid crowds; fall is a great time to see beautiful foliage on the river.

WASHINGTON, D.C. Potomac Paddlesports 9812 Falls Road, Potomac, Md. 301-881-2628 potomacpaddlesports.com Experience white water rafting, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding, with locations at Thomas Point and Little Falls on the Potomac. Lessons and teen summer camps are also available. “Discover the Potomac” is a four-hour guided trip in kayaks, providing a chance to learn the history of the C&O Canal, see wildlife, and learn about the ecosystem of the river.

WEST VIRGINIA River Riders 408 Alstadts Hill Road, Harpers Ferry, W.Va. 800-326-7238 riverriders.com River Riders offers white water and flat-water

tubing, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, and paddleboarding. In addition, there is a zip-line canopy tour, which is two to three hours long, and an allsteel high speed racing mega zip, which is a quarter mile long and takes you across at 50 mph. River Riders also has an aerial adventure park with nine courses, including a new course for children ages 4 to 6 added this year. The nearby Harpers Ferry Campground provides riverside cabins, tents, or recreational vehicle camping. Harpers Ferry Adventure Center 37410 Adventure Center Lane Purcellville, Va. 800-836-9911 Harpers Ferry Adventure Center provides tubing, rafting, white water and flat-water tubing, land activities, Segway adventures, an aerial park, high ropes adventure course, zip lining, camping, and cabin sites. All of the activities are kidfriendly. Cheat River Outfitters 2764 N. Preston Highway Albright, W.Va. 304-329-2024 cheatriveroutfitters.com Cheat River offers white water rafting, climbing, and paintball. You will find Class V whitewater rafting on Cheat Canyon and Class III rafting on Cheat Narrows, in addition to more calm, familystyle rafting all summer. There are minimum age requirements depending on the level of the course. Reservations must be made in advance by phone or on the website. A sister company does tours on the Upper Youghiogheny River in Maryland.

AIRBORNE AND SPECIAL OPERATIONS MUSEUM

IT’S HERE THE VERY SEEDS OF AMERICA’S FREEDOM AND PATRIOTISM WERE PLANTED AND WE’VE GOT THE TRAILS TO PROVE IT. The Revolutionary War. The Civil War. Both World Wars. Fayetteville/Cumberland County had a front seat to most of it. There’s more American History here than you could find in hundreds of history books. So, why not grab your car keys and start exploring more than 750 miles of history and heritage using our Cultural Heritage Trails? Whether it’s historical sites, architecture or adventure, our 18 themed driving trails offer something for everyone. And you can find them all at www.VisitFayettevilleNC.com VISITFAYETTEVILLENC.COM

Fayetteville, NC was the only namesake city visited by Lafayette.

recreationnews.com I june 2015 I recreation news 11


maryland I michelle teel

Tilghman Island: Where man and nature share intimate relationship Just down the road a piece from famous St. Michaels, on Maryland’s beautiful Eastern Shore, is another slice of Americana that is just begging to be explored. It is one of the gems of Talbot County, which is itself a place rich in history, culture, and outdoor activities, with amazing food and soul-satisfying panoramas of water, boats, and sunsets. Traveling to Tilghman Island takes

you to a place where man and nature still have a very intimate relationship. The people are friendly and welcoming and all the activities whet your appetite for the delicious local bounty, including the fresh seafood and farm-to-table produce. Historically, this area was known for its seafood harvesting and agriculture, the source of oysters, crabs, clams, and scallops, as well as fish, Mark Sandlin

corn, and tomatoes for consumers in Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and beyond. This time of year, fresh fish and hot and delicious steamed crabs are just waiting for you to sit down with a cold beer to enjoy. Dine inside or out (the waterfront views are breathtaking) at one of the numerous restaurants featuring fine dining or down-home cooking. Scouting for a source of outdoor fun? Tilghman Island has kayaking, biking, fishing, and sailing. A bevy of charter fishing captains can take you to all of the very best fishing spots on the Chesapeake Bay. If you love to sail, the Rebecca T. Ruark, an authentic skipjack, is waiting for you to board at Dogwood Harbor. (skipjack.org)

If you love lighthouses or just love the bay, Captain Mike Richards, owner of Chesapeake Lights, is available to take you on a variety of lighthouse tours. You can choose from the two-hour Sunset Pursuit, Passage to 5, or Northern Chesapeake Lighthouse Expedition, or take the adventurous two-day Southern Chesapeake Lighthouse Expedition. (chesapeakelights.com) If you’d rather sail on a yacht, the Lady Patty, which is turning 80 this year, is the way to go. Christened in 1935, she is owned and operated by Captain Jeffery Mathias, who will take you on a twohour public tour or on half-day or full-day charters. A sail aboard this beautiful yacht

• Southern Expedition - 14 Lighthouses - 2 Days - Overnight Onancock, VA August 8 & 9 • Sunset Cruises with 2 Lighthouses • Half Day on the Bay with 5 Lighthouses • Full Day Cruises with 10 Lighthouses

• Northern Expedition with 10 Lighthouses

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You can’t beat the beauty of a sunset over the water in Tilghman Island.

In-The-Ruins

go for it!

Take a Day? Take a Weekend?

You need to escape, but not too far away! Check out this month’s events in Carroll County! SPRING MUSTER & ANTIQUE FIRE EQUIPMENT SHOW June 6 | 10am–3pm Carroll County Farm Museum

ART IN THE PARK June 6 | 10am–4pm Westminster City Hall Grounds

DEER CREEK FIDDLERS’ CONVENTION June 13 | 9am–7pm Carroll County Farm Museum

4TH ANNUAL TANEYTOWN WINE, ART & JAZZ FEST June 20 | 11am–5pm Taneytown Memorial Park

800-272-1933 | www.CarrollCountyTourism.org 12 recreation news I june 2015 I recreationnews.com

June 12-July 19

Outdoors at PFI Historic Park, Ellicott City

TICKETS 410-244-8570

ChesapeakeShakespeare.com

destination

video

RecreationNews

.com


allows visitors to experience all of the excitement of sailing the bay surrounded by brass, teak, and sails. (ladypatty.com)

Preserving the past Tilghman Islanders are proud of their heritage and history. Visit the Phillips Wharf Environmental Center with the kids to educate the family about the bay and all of the activities that go into preserving and restoring its purity and productivity. (owec.org) The Tilghman Island Watermen’s

Museum is another chance to explore the local heritage. Begun in 2008 to preserve the unique and rich culture of the area, it has made great strides in recording oral histories and preserving island art and artifacts in a growing collection. The museum is moving to a new and expanded location at the Lee House this spring. The Lee House is one of only five surviving of the original 12 “W” houses — built in the early 1900s in a distinctive “W” shape unique to the island — and it

Mark Sandlin

is a museum within a museum. It contains an impressive array of art made on the island by nationally known artists. See paintings by Marc Castelli, Walt Bartman, and John Barber, as well as local artists Colleen Sadler and Bill Cummings. Dedicated to capturing the stories and artifacts of the watermen’s way

of life before it disappeared, the museum provides a fascinating exploration into the techniques and tools of the trade the watermen used to harvest the bounty of the bay. (tilghmanmuseum.org)

For more information Talbot Co. Tourism: tourtalbot.org

Baltimore Boating Center Boating for Beginners! We offer experienced assistance with: • Boat selection – tailored to your needs • Professional finance, insurance & titling process • Sea trial on YOUR boat for basic maneuvers • How to tie lines & dock • Basic safety & navigation • Basic trailering (if needed) • Suggested sites & events for fun on the water • Boater safety education & help with certification • Discounts on slip & rack storage – up to 20%

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Boats of every nature can be found on the island; work boats for the waterman and charter boats for your pleasure.

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Whitewater Rafting recreationnews.com I june 2015 I recreation news 13


maryland I staff

Ruddy Duck makes a day trip to Solomons Island fun and easy It’s a warm, sunny day and a great time to be outside surrounded by nature. That means it’s a perfect time for a day trip to charming Solomons Island, Md., just 90 minutes from Washington and Baltimore.

The owners of two favorite local eateries, the Ruddy Duck Brewery & Grill (cozy and charming) and the Ruddy Duck Seafood & Alehouse (breathtaking views), now also offer two fun and relaxing all-inclusive packages. Restaurateurs Carlos Yanez

Calvert Marine Museum

and Michael Kelley know authentic cuisine and they know how to make their guests feel welcome. “Our job is to take care of all the details and create an amazing day full of great food and activities — our guests can just show up and start having fun,” Kelly said. Whether you choose the “active adventure” or “outdoor fun” package from Ruddy Duck Adventures, you’ll be treated like an old friend. Each package combines all the activities for the day with an amazing lunch and dinner that includes some terrific locally brewed craft beer.

Active adventures On an active adventure, the day begins by kayaking around Solomons Island from Back Creek to where the Patuxent River meets the Chesapeake Bay. A delicious lunch follows at the Ruddy Duck Brewery & Grill, topped off with a fresh pint of craft beer in a friendly and inviting atmosphere. A quick 2 miles down the road is the boardwalk, where you’ll find some yummy coffee and great views. Everything here feels easy. This is a seaside town where parking is not an issue. Next, follow the arching bridge over Solomons Island to do some stand-up paddleboarding. The tranquil and shimmering water is surrounded by trees, hills, and farms, with bald eagles and osprey circling overhead. Finally, warm and friendly service with spectacular views are waiting at the Ruddy Duck Seafood & Alehouse, which sits on a strip of land between the Potomac River and St. George Creek. Insider tip: Try the grilled mahi fish taco with a Calypso India Pale Ale — a perfect combination!

Outdoor fun option The exhibits at the Calvert Marine Museum include prehistoric creatures like this giant shark.

GREAT FOOD AND FUN IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS Hiking RuddyDuckAdventures.com

10% OFF Kayaking for RecNews Readers Stand Up Paddleboarding Boat Rides Fossil Hunting Nature Museums Amazing Craft Beer

RuddyDuckAdventures.com info@ruddyduckadventures.com | 410-818-8100

14 recreation news I june 2015 I recreationnews.com

For outdoor fun, there isn’t a better way to start the day than a walk through the charming Annmarie Sculpture Garden, followed by Calvert Marine Museum’s nature exhibits that connect the fascinating history of the Chesapeake Bay to the land surrounding it. Everything is very hands-on. Ancient fossils, giant shark teeth, live river otters, and even an octopus are all within reach. After a scrumptious gourmet picnic lunch, take a pleasure cruise on a comfortable and historic 60foot oyster boat. Back on land, take in the boardwalk just down the road for some shopping and ice cream. As late afternoon arrives, a delicious craft beer tasting is waiting, along with incredibly fresh, authentic cuisine at the Ruddy Duck Brewery & Grill. Either option offers a perfect day in the sun and Ruddy Duck Adventures makes it easy. All reservations are made ahead of time, so you simply drive from place to place and everything is ready for at each stop. The entire day is easy, manageable, and relaxing. As the day winds down, you’ll head home recharged and ready to take on the world again.

For more information Ruddy Duck Adventures: ruddyduckadventures.com


maryland I staff

Get your hands dirty as a real archaeologist-for-a-day The annual public archaeology days at Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum began May 5 and continue each Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday through June 27, 10:00am-3:00pm. It’s an opportunity to do real fieldwork and see what it’s like to be a real archaeologist. The program is free. Volunteers excavate an actual site on the Jefferson Patterson Park property. The area has been inhabited for thousands of years and yields its historic secrets to those who dig and screen for artifacts. Patricia Samford, of the Maryland Archaeological Conservation Lab, said recent finds have included a leaded crystal wine glass commemorating the coronation of King George I, a brass scissor-style candle snuffer, a carved ivory fan, and a black enamel mourning ring (worn after a loved one died as a remembrance). If you don’t want to get dirty, there’s a place for you in the conservation lab on the property, where field discoveries are washed, labeled, and counted by volunteers on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The program began in 1996 and archaeologists and volunteers have explored the sites of several different buildings aided by plats drawn in the 1770s and probate inventories taken in 1715 and 1749.

You can register to participate by emailing ed.chaney@maryland.gov. While families are welcome, children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult.

For more information Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum: jeffpat.org

Jefferson Patterson Park

Public archaeology days at Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum give you the opportunity to work with professional archaeologists to uncover history.

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recreationnews.com I june 2015 I recreation news 15


civil war I marie gullard and gregg clemmer

Point Lookout prisoner release marks true end of Civil War When that first shot of the Civil War was fired, Point Lookout, at the southern-most tip of Maryland’s Western Shore, was a successful summer resort with beach cottages along the peninsula formed by the confluence of the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay. The Point also boasted a hotel, a long jetty, and a lighthouse. The popular vacation spot disappeared in 1862 when the federal government leased the land and built a hospital for wounded Union soldiers. It wasn’t long after the Battle of Gettysburg that a camp was also erected on the peninsula for Confederate prisoners of war, with forts built to secure the prisoners. Point Lookout housed rebel prisoners numbering more than 4,000 just two months after the battle. Despite an estimated capacity of about 9,000 POWs, Point Lookout would confine more than 20,000 POWs at any given time during the last two years of the war. By war’s end, more than 52,000 Confederates had passed through Point Lookout’s confines, with nearly 4,000 dying from causes ranging from

untreated battle wounds and armed guard executions to dysentery, typhoid, and other illnesses brought on by overcrowding, exposure, contaminated water, and horrid sanitation. The last of the incarcerated Confederates left in June 1865 and the facilities were soon dismantled. During the 1980s, the Friends of Point Lookout supervised the reconstruction of one of the three forts used to guard the prison. Inside what is called Fort Lincoln, they rebuilt the barracks structure that would have housed approximately 80 Union soldiers, the guardhouse, and two buildings that would have served commissioned officers.

Commemoration weekend On June 13–14, Fort Lincoln and the Civil War Museum at Point Lookout State Park will commemorate the 150th anniversary of the June 1865 release of thousands of Confederates from the Point Lookout prisoner-of-war camp. Point Lookout’s two-day June commemoration will feature living history programs complemented

by infantry and artillery demonstrations with a special ceremony to reenact the prisoner of war release. Saturday evening’s program will feature a presentation by Ross Kimmel, co-author of I Am Busy Drawing Pictures: The Civil War Art and Letters of Private John Jacob Omenhausser, Prisoner of War at Point Lookout. The Civil War Museum and Marchland Nature Center at Point Lookout is one of the top reasons visitors journey down the St. Mary’s County peninsula to what is today a state park, according to park ranger Jonas Williams. During your visit, also spend time at the Point Lookout Confederate Cemetery, where more than 3,000 southern dead are buried, their names inscribed on the only federal monument erected to the Confederate soldier. The Confederate Memorial Park, founded by the Point Lookout Descendants Organization, is just a short walk away,

St. Mary’s Co. Tourism

Artillery reenactors demonstrate their skills at Point Lookout State Park, which once held Confederate prisoners.

16 recreation news I june 2015 I recreationnews.com

continued on page 19


recreationnews.com I june 2015 I recreation news 17


civil war I gregg clemmer

Medicine then and now: Take a visceral visit through the Civil War It remains the deadliest of all our wars, killing more than 700,000 Americans. Yet, despite the enduring lessons you can learn on our nation’s Civil War battlefields and campsites, one of the most unique experiences awaiting you is a visit to the National Museum of Civil War Medicine in Frederick, Md., and its affiliates, the Pry House Field Hospital Museum near Antietam Battlefield and the newly opened Clara Barton Missing Soldiers Office in Washington, D.C. Why might these particular museums command your attention? Disease, not bullets and bayonets, killed two of every three dead soldiers in the Civil War. Expanding on the idea of founder Dr. Gordon E. Dammann, who sought a more public venue for his collection of Civil War medical artifacts and their

legacy to medical advances, the National Museum of Civil War Medicine opened in 1996 to considerable acclaim. Today, the museum’s displays spread over 7,000 square feet on two floors, highlighting everything from antebellum medical education, wartime recruitment, and camp life to evacuation of the wounded, field dressing stations, and the inevitable field hospitals. Displays on the subsequent evolution of pavilion hospitals and the graphic necessity to embalm the dead represent just a fraction to the Civil War’s impact on modern military medicine. The exhibits are complemented by a stunning array of wartime artifacts. A viewing-windowed wooden coffin with built-in ice chest and bottom drainage speaks to the challenge of returning a National Museum of Civil War Medicine

Life-like displays tell the story of the harsh realities of field medicine during the Civil War.

They called him by many different names: Old Blue Light, Old Hickory,even Tom Fool. But the name that stuck was

S T O N E WA L L Explore the life of Thomas Jackson in his home and garden.

Experience the challanges of life on the eve of Civil War. Discover the man before he became a legend.

8 Washington St. Lexington, VA 540.464.7704 stonewalljackson.org

18 recreation news I june 2015 I recreationnews.com

body to loved ones. There are period embalming pumps, stretchers, amputation kits, and various uniforms of medical personnel. As in many Civil War museums, you can see a variety of weapons, including swords, an Enfield bayonet, a .36 caliber Navy Colt revolver, and a Wickham musket, along with various lead bullets, shell fragments, and cannon balls. The damage caused by those weapons required the prompt medical attention of the museum’s ebony-handled amputation knives, dental extraction pliers, monaural stethoscopes, styptic holders, bone saws, and other medical equipment. The museum’s apothecary bottle collection not only reflects the medicinal legacy of the times, but spurs your imagination. The bottles once contained everything from kali mur (potassium chloride), laudanum, ipecac, belladonna extract, and morphide sulphate to nux vomica, powdered rhubarb, spirits of turpentine, lead acetate, blackberry balsam, and even Carter’s Little Liver Pills. Among the special summer programs the museum offers in June and July is the fourth annual Cigar and Whiskey Night on June 20, featuring the attraction’s story-telling executive director George Wunderlich on banjo, accompanied by an exquisite array of spirits and tobacco products available for tasting and sampling. On July 2, the museum will host a vivid narrative from writer and journalist Hilda Koontz on the Mississippi River steamboat Sultana explosion on April 27, 1865, which killed more than 1,800 returning Union veterans — more than would perish on the Titanic 47 years later. And, if you are passionate about Civil War movies, check out Dammann’s July 23 presentation on the accuracy of Hollywood’s portrayal of medical practices during the War Between the States. The founder of the National Museum of Civil War Medicine will investigate six films, analyzing their impact on the audience for what is right, wrong, and relevant by showing excerpts from each movie. The museum’s Dispensary Store gift shop offers a wide array of books, souvenirs, and museum logo items. Should you wish to dig deeper, the research facility archives an impressive collection of soldiers’ letters, images, and government medical records, and has staff to help you document any ancestors who may have been injured or lost in the war.

Where 19th-century culture mingles with the ghosts of the Lincoln assassination story. 9118 Brandywine Road, Clinton, MD 20735 Phone: 301-868-1121 www.surrattmuseum.org

For more information National Museum of Civil War Medicine: civilwarmed.org


Point Lookout continued from page 16 featuring a plaza of flags from the Confederate states and a bronze statue of an enlisted Confederate soldier. Several miles up Route 5, at St. Inigoes, search out the USS Tulip Monument, which memorializes the loss of 49 of 57 crewmen when the Tulip’s boiler exploded offshore from the Piney Point Lighthouse on Nov. 11, 1864. And in Lexington Park, discover the U.S. Colored Troops Memorial Monument, citing the valor of two African-American recipients of the Medal of Honor as well as their black compatriots’ contributions to the Union cause.

During the summer, the nature center offers programs for all ages, guided hikes, and guided canoe tours. Still, the significance of the Point’s role in the Civil War is not lost amid park activities. “Not only was this a prison pen with fortifications, but there was also a state-of-the-art hospital located near the lighthouse and it would have been the Johns Hopkins Hospital of the era,” Williams added. Yet, with the war over and good men — both Blue and Gray — now seeking to bind up the nation’s wounds, consider the Nov. 28, 1863, diary entry of Confederate prisoner of war Pvt. James E. Hall, 31st Virginia, captured at Gettysburg and imprisoned at Point Lookout:

“Commenced to rain early this morning. What can I do to make the time pass quickly? Only sit and watch the boys tramping around in the mud and rain. Nothing to read, and nothing that a man can eat. The crackers are as hard as flint stone, and full of worms. I don’t believe God ever intended for one man to pen another up and keep him in this manner. We ought to have enough to eat, anyhow. Dam Old Abe and old Jeff Davis, Dam the day I ‘listed.”

For more information Point Lookout: dnr2.gov/publiclands/pages/ southern/pointlookout.aspx St. Mary’s Co. Tourism: visitstmarys.com Bob Crickenberger

Today’s state park It could be said that the Point — all 1,046 acres of it — has reverted back to a resort, full of natural beauty and offering many outdoor activities. Five campground loops are open in the summer, with an additional loop open year-round. Each loop (or area) accommodates 20 to 30 sites. The loops are relatively close to the sandy beaches and the water, since the park is surrounded by the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay. In addition, there are six air-conditioned cabins that sleep four people each. Lifeguards are on duty for the swimmers. “Our picnic area is very popular and there is a hiking trail nearby,” Williams said. “You can rent canoes and kayaks here at the park and paddle around our little creeks and marshes. There’s always something to do. Upon request, we can do tours of historic sites.”

Reenactors prepare for inspection at Point Lookout, where the final prisoner release will be commemorated June 13–14.

EntEr Getaway for Two!

to Win!

- 2-Night Stay - Breakfast for 2 Daily - 2 Lancaster Lemonades - Golf Twosome, including carts at the Golden Eagle Golf Club

CONTEST RULES

Congratulations MaY WinnErs!

1. Fill out coupon at right legibly and completely. Allegheny Highlands Getaway 2. Mail to RecNews Contest Dept., 1607 Sailaway Circle, Baltimore, MD 21221 Rosa Knox of Washington, DC OR enter online at RecreationNews.com OR fax this form to 410-638-6902. West VA Getaway 3. You may also email to publisher@recreationnews.com. Provide all information in the form Valerie Marsh of Rosedale, MD at right and enter “JUNE CONTEST” in the subject line. Entries must be received by 6/17/2015. 4. If the winner does not respond within seven days another winner will be selected. Limit one entry per household. Winner will be drawn at random from the pool of all entries received on time with legible information and will be published in next month’s issue and notified by phone, UPS or email, and notified on June, 17, 2015. Winner must respond by June, 24, 2015 to claim prize, or prize forfeits to a runner up. Other restrictions may apply.

Name _______________________________________________________ Address Line 1 __________________________________________________ Address Line 2 __________________________________________________ City ________________________________ State _____ Zip Code _________ Phone ____________________ Email_______________________________ NOTE: Phone and email are required for notification purposes only. From the information in this issue of Recreation News, what is your favorite destination? We’ll mail you information on this spot at no charge, or check here___ to “go green” and have information emailed.

recreationnews.com I june 2015 I recreation news 19


pennsylvania I stephanie kalina-metzger

Explore history and the arts in Pennsylvania’s Franklin County Franklin Co. Tourism

Big plans are afoot this summer for Chambersburg and Waynesboro, two Franklin County, Pa., towns that lie north of Hagerstown, Md.

1864 — The Burning of Chambersburg

Gen. McCausland orders the courthouse and other Chambersburg buildings burned.

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Back in 1864, the little town of Chambersburg found itself in peril when Confederate Gen. John McCausland demanded a ransom of $100,000 in gold. When the townsfolk refused, McCausland retaliated by burning much of Chambersburg to the ground. Over the past four years, thousands have gathered each July to hear the story of that fateful event, which is reenacted with a light show that gives the visual effect of the burning. “We are commemorating the birth of the town after the burning and celebrating the rebirth of the human spirit,” said Janet Pollard, who promotes the county. This year, there is a new element to the celebration. The Capitol Theatre will add “A Cappella & Unplugged” to the 1864 reenactment as a musical celebration of the town’s rebirth. After an elimination process, the top six acts will perform on July 18 as part of the festivities leading up to the reenactment, where they will vie for the


title “2015 A Cappella & Unplugged Champion.” The winner will appear on the steps of the courthouse during the 1864 light show.

Destination ARTS! thrives in Waynesboro Destination ARTS! was created by the Arts Alliance of Greater Waynesboro to revitalize the area’s downtown. “I counted 18 empty commercial spaces in May of 2013 and tried to

come up with a way to use that space in a positive way,” said Andrew Sussman, founder and president of the Arts Alliance of Greater Waynesboro. By July 2013, the spaces were filled with 800 pieces of art from regional artists. “It was so popular that we decided to keep it going and we now have five permanent art galleries in a town that previously had none,” said Sussman, adding that since its inception, the town has

Franklin Co. Tourism

featured live music in downtown Waynesboro every weekend. The summer schedule of weekend activities is filling up fast and a wide range of artists will be participating, including dancers, actors, painters, and musicians. Wine lovers are invited to usher out their busy workweeks with “Wine Down Friday” receptions, which are held 5:00–8:00pm at Gallery 50, 42 West ARTS Co-op, Gallery 20 East, and the Ceramic Arts Center of Waynesboro. The receptions feature wine, light refreshments, and live music.

Live theater at Totem Pole Playhouse Totem Pole Playhouse, Pennsylvania’s premiere summer stock theater, located in Caledonia State Park between Gettysburg and Chambersburg, is presenting its 65th summer season. Starring in the playhouse’s opening play of the season, The Nerd, May 29–June 14, will be Eric Szmanda, of the long-running CBS series C.S.I.: Crime Scene Investigation. Internationally acclaimed baritone Ben Davis will lead a cast of 25 actors in Totem Pole’s production of the award-winning Broadway musical Shenandoah, June19–July 25. Twenty-five years ago, acclaimed stage and television actor

Granville Van Dusen premiered his one man play, The Memoirs of Abraham Lincoln, in nearby Gettysburg. This summer, Van Dusen’s final performance of the play takes place at Totem Pole, July 10–July 26. Ending the playhouse’s regular summer season is the long-running Broadway musical Grease, featuring Joyce DeWitt from the classic 1970’s and 80’s TV series Three’s Company, July 31–Aug. 12. In addition to the four-show regular season, Totem Pole will also offer the world premiere of a special tribute concert, Lovesick Blues, featuring the music of country-western singing legends Hank Williams Sr. and Patsy Cline, Aug. 18–23. “We are very excited by the caliber of talent appearing on our stage this summer,” said Totem Pole’s Rowan Joseph. “These are artists that audiences pay hundreds of dollars a ticket to see in New York and London.” In December, the Totem Pole’s legendary production of A Christmas Carol will be presented at The Majestic Theater in Gettysburg.

For more information Arts Alliance: artsalliancegw.org Franklin Co. Tourism: explorefranklincountypa.com Totem Pole Playhouse: totempoleplayhouse.org

Chambersburg Comes to life

Reenactors watch as the town begins to “burn” during a spectacular reenactment light show.

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An inspiring young architect in Terre Haute, Indiana, Willum Cubbert has often told friends about the debt he owes to Rick Steadman, a fellow ex-GI whom he has never met but saved his life after he was seriously wounded. He has written to Rick to say that, as long as he is alive, “you will have somebody on Earth who will do anything for you” – so Willum is delighted when Rick shows up unexpectedly at his apartment on his 34th birthday party. But his delight soon fades as it becomes apparent that Rick is a hopeless “nerd.” “The audience almost never stops laughing, handkerchiefs wiping away tears of merriment…” – Variety

Eric Szmanda from CSI will star in The Nerd.

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This moving & dramatic saga is based on the film which starred James Stewart as a strong willed Virginia farmer trying to keep his family neutral as the Civil War rages, Union forces and the Confederates see things only in shades of Blue or Grey, so the family is inevitably swept up in the conflict against all odds. Their story is a heart-warming and heart rending portrayal of the upheaval that left wounds on the land and its people for generations to come. “A show for you and your children to love and cherish and enjoy.” – Newsday

JULY 18

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Ben Davis, Special Tony Award Winner will star in Shenandoah.

Performance Times: Evenings: Wed. – Sat. @ 8:00 p.m. • Matinees: Tues, Wed., Sat., & Sun. @ 2:00 p.m.

Tickets & Information Call: 717-352-2164 or 1-888-805-7056

Online at www.TotemPolePlayhouse.org 9555 Golf Course Road, Fayetteville, PA 17222-0603

866.646.8060 • 717.552.2977 DoDineStayFranklinCountyPA.com Facebook.com/FCVBen • Twitter/FCVBen recreationnews.com I june 2015 I recreation news 21


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Greene County slogans point to fun family events all summer Greene Co. Tourism

“You can’t die happy till you’ve been to the Jacktown Fair.” “It is the only event that is a success if it rains.” These are the fun slogans that highlight two of the most popular events in Greene County, Pa. — the Jacktown Fair and Rain Day. But, even before the Jacktown Fair, July 14–18, and Rain Day, July 29, happen, there are other events in southwestern Pennsylvania’s Greene County that provide fun and entertainment for visitors. Riverfest, June 12–13, promotes the towns along the Monongahela River and includes festivities such as fireworks, food, and entertainment. “We will have a lot of boaters who ‘attend’ the festivities from their boats. They enjoy the music and fireworks from their boats, or dock to come on shore to eat and participate in activities,” said Elizabeth Menhart, who promotes the county. The Summer Open house in Waynesburg helps to welcome summer and bring folks to the shopping district. The local shops and stores offer special sales and hours on June 19.

The Jacktown Fair is purported to be the longest continuously running county fair in the country.” Flashlight drag racing

The Jacktown Fair features queens and princesses, just like many county fairs.

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The Flashlight Drags nights have rapidly grown in popularity, according to Menhart, and are held at the Greene County Airport once a month from May through September. Each event features a car show, car cruise, vendors, food, and entertainment. Cars and trucks drag race down the 1/8-mile airport runway. The race starts with a flashlight signal, harking back to the early days of rebel drag racing. “It’s one of the few places that you can legally drag race. It has consistently grown as more and more people come not only to race, but as spectators. The crowd loves it,” Menhart said.

Longest running fair The Jacktown Fair is purported to be the longest continuously running county fair in the country. This year marks the 150th anniversary of this event, which was first held in October 1866 as the Jacksonville Fair. Its rich history includes one of the first “night fairs,” where a fair was held at night with artificial lighting. According to Shelly Brown, of Direct Results, the famous saying about the fair started in 1931 as “Visit Jacktown and die happy.” The 131st Greene County Fair, Aug. 9–15, hosts a week of agricultural displays and contests, entertainment, carnival rides, and activities, and like any county fair, lots of good food. The 141st Rain Day will be held on July 29. “It started when a local person noticed that every year when the festival was held, it would rain, so people started betting on it. It became known as ‘Rain Day,’ and people still bet,” said Menhart.


“Even the mayor makes an official bet each year,” she added. Rain Day includes a Miss Rain Day pageant, entertainment throughout the day, special sales, and children’s activities. The 62nd King Coal Show, Aug. 22–29 in Carmichaels, pays homage to the rich coal heritage of Greene County. With the theme “Coal Built America,” visitors can participate in a 5K or a golf outing, watch the Coal Queen Pageant, and watch teams compete in the Pennsylvania State Mine Rescue First Aid Contest. The Covered Bridge Festival wraps up the summer season Sept. 19–20. “This is a signature event that we do in conjunction with Washington County,” Menhart said. There are 10 covered bridges on the self-guided tour and each bridge has its own set of activities and events. “They are independent of each other so there is no duplication. You could easily do all 10 bridges during the weekend,” she said.

Greene Co. Tourism

Greene Co. Tourism

For more information Greene Co. Tourism: greenecountytourism.org

The Jacktown Fair offers a variety of entertainment, including this giant slide.

Different generations mark Green County’s agricultural heritage during the Jacktown Fair.

IT’S RIGHT

HERE.

Upcoming Events June 12-13

Riverfest Rices Landing

June 19

Summer Open House Downtown Waynesburg

June 28

Flashlight Drags Greene County Airport (Also on July 26, Aug. 30 & Sept. 12)

July 14-18

Jacktown Fair Wind Ridge

July 29

Rain Day Downtown Waynesburg

Aug. 9-15

Greene County Fair Greene County Fairgrounds

Aug. 22-29 Coal Show Carmichaels Sept. 5

Art Blast on the Mon Greensboro

www.GoGreeneCounty.org recreationnews.com I june 2015 I recreation news 23


pennsylvania I pam george

Experience light, sound, and beauty at Longwood Gardens Located on 1,077 acres in the heart of southeastern Chester County, Pa., Longwood Gardens is recognized worldwide for its impressive horticultural displays. The former home of industrialist Pierre du Pont, the property offers formal and informal gardens, woodlands, meadows, fountains, and a 4-1/2-acre conservatory with orchids, cacti, roses, tropical plants, palms, and seasonal arrangements. But this summer, the landmark cultural attraction will also

be celebrated for its jaw-dropping special effects. “Nightscape: A Light and Sound Experience” runs Wednesdays through Saturdays, July 1–Oct. 31. Held after the sun goes down, the exhibit turns plants into a canvas for visual displays. Nightscape is the work of Klip Collective in Philadelphia, founded by photographer Pier Nicola D’Amico and video artist Ricardo Rivera, whose installations have appeared in the Hirshhorn Museum in Washington, D.C., the Philadelphia MuChester Co. Tourism

seum of Art, and the Center for Contemporary Art in Moscow. For more than a year, Rivera and his team visited the gardens to find the best locations for the video displays, said the gardens’ Patricia Evans. The installation will target at least eight areas, including rooms within the conservatory. “In some cases, you will walk through it. Or, you may stand and watch the light show, which repeats every few minutes,” Evans explaind. “Some areas, such as our large lake, have five-to-seven minute shows.” Guests will see colors, shapes, and some discernable images — all with a soundtrack. Although the video magic does not start until after dark, there are enough activities at Longwood this summer that visitors can find plenty to do before sunset. On Thursdays during the “Nightscape” exhibit’s run, Longwood is partnering with Victory Brewing Company to open a beer garden adjacent to the restaurant patio. Picture long tables and outdoor lighting, as well as German fare. Using some ingredients grown in the gardens, Victory is making custom summer and fall brews just for Longwood Gardens. The beer garden will also feature live music.

More music

This summer’s light and sound experience at Longwood Gardens includes “Bismarkia.”

Chomping at the bit for something fun this summer?

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Nightscape LONGWOOD GARDENS

Learn about all of Chester County’s events by visiting:

BrandywineValley.com/events

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Speaking of music, Longwood has a full roster of performances this summer, including Mary Chapin Carpenter (June 23), Fiddler on the Roof (July 23–25 and July 30–Aug. 1), Melissa Etheridge (Aug. 25), and the Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club’s Adios Tour (Aug. 30). Make your visit to Longwood part of a garden getaway. Longwood is close to the Brandywine River Museum, Winterthur Museum and Gardens, Hagley Museum and Library, Mt. Cuba Center, and Chanticleer. These are just a few of the 31 sites that make up the Greater Philadelphia Gardens and, together, they’re the reason why the region is now known as “America’s Garden Capital.” Your accommodations can also provide a feast for the senses. There are a bevy of bedand-breakfasts in the Brandywine Valley, and many have scenic landscapes. Consider the Inn at Whitewing Farm, located next to Longwood Gardens, where the grounds are sprinkled with rare trees and perennials. (There’s also a Har-Tru tennis court and putting green.) The Pennsbury Inn’s gardens are a certified wildlife habitat, and there are roses, butterfly bushes, vegetable plants, and flowers that keep the rooms festive throughout the growing season. Tickets to “Nightscape: A Light and Sound Experience” are $27 for ages 19 and older; $17 for ages 5 to 18 and free for children 4 and younger.

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Learn more Brandywine Valley B&B Assn.: bvbb.com Chester Co. Tourism: brandywinevalley.com Longwood Gardens: longwoodgardens.org/nightscape


pennsylvania I advertorial

Hitting the trails in Luzerne County to hike, bike or walk Summer is a time for the great outdoors and there is no better way to enjoy it than to get outside. The sounds of the forest by day or by night seem to bring out deep thoughts. The scenic beauty of rock formations, lush greenery, babbling brooks, and woodland creatures welcome you into summer. Northeastern Pennsylvania is one place to experience it all, and hundreds of miles of trails to explore. Luzerne County offers a newly released Hike and Bike 2015 trail map and guide. It’s a great resource for both selecting the trail you want to explore and planning your trek. You might choose an old favorite or tackle something new. Either way, you can find trail heads, points of interest, distances, level of difficulty and terrain, locations of towns, bridges, overlooks, and other valuable tips in the guide.

Among the featured trails: The River Common is WilkesBarre’s newest park with access to the 12-mile Susquehanna Levee Trail and Kirby Park — great for biking and walking and a mix of urban and rural scenery. Back Mountain Trail in Luzerne and Trucksville was built 115 years ago and acquired by the Lehigh Railroad in 1887 to service the coal industry. Today, hikers enjoy a trail that cuts through scenic woodlands,

complete with a meandering creek, a pretty waterfall, and open fields of flowers. Black Diamond Trail explores a 10-mile stretch between Glen Summit and White Haven. Load up on trail snacks and drinks or stop to eat at one of the restaurants. Continue a few blocks through town to the entrance of the Lehigh Gorge State Park Trail that goes another 26 miles to Jim Thorpe. Lackawanna River Heritage Trail and its companion trail, the Delaware and Hudson Rail-Trail, form a multi-use trail system of more than 70 miles along the Lackawanna River from New York State through Susquehanna, Wayne, Lackawanna, and Luzerne counties to the Susquehanna River in Pittston, Pa. The trail is popular with walkers, runners, bicyclists, cross-country skiers, snowmobilers, and equestrians. Lehigh Gorge State Park Trail has 26 miles of Rails to Trails and begins in White Haven. This scenic trail follows the Lehigh River the entire way to Jim Thorpe. Frances Slocum State Park consists of 1,035 acres and Frances Slocum Lake forms a horseshoe covering 165 acres offering boating, picnicking, fishing, camping, hiking, swimming, and biking. Moon Lake Park Moon lake offers more than 30 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails. The park’s network of single-track trails —

some smooth, some more rocky and technical — also provide lots of optional rock-overs with go-arounds. Susquehanna Warrior Trail is nestled in the beautiful Susquehanna River Valley, lush with green meadows and surrounded by mountain peaks. There are large sycamore tree groves and unique sights such as the Search Cemetery on the land that the Susquehanna Indians called home. The Tubs Nature Park features pockets or tubs carved out by continuously flowing water which makes for great hiking and offers a multitude of photo opportunities. It can easily be 10 degrees cooler here on

a hot summer day. Ricketts Glen State Park is home to the challenging Falls Trail in the Glens Natural Area and has 21 freeflowing waterfalls ranging from just over 11 feet to its highest resident waterfall of 94 feet. There are plenty of photo opportunities and the vistas are spectacular. Good hiking shoes are strongly recommended. Nescopeck State Park in the southern part of Luzerne County offers 19 miles of hiking trails, an Educational Environmental Center, and free fishing clinics in the summer. To get your copy of the map, contact Luzerne County Tourism at 888905-2872 or visit tournepa.com.

Luzerne Co. Tourism

Many of the trails in Luzerne County are great for biking as well as hiking or walking.

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virginia I jane and marvin bond

Shenandoah National Park offers accommodations and events People go to national parks for lots of reasons. Some go for the scenic beauty or unique land formations. Some go to experience the history made there. Some go for outdoor adventure. Shenandoah National Park, just 75 miles from Washington offers all three. You can travel the Skyline Drive and take in as much scenery as you like from an abundance of overlooks. You can learn about the role of presidents and the hard

work of the Civilian Conservation Corps in bringing it all to fruition. And, you can hike, horseback ride, or camp among the park’s 200,000 acres. But there’s another side to the park experience that’s attractive to nature lovers and history buffs alike. Skyland and Big Meadows lodges along Skyline Drive offer accommodations that are up close

to nature (you may see deer and other wildlife from your bedroom window) in wood and stone facilities that fit in with the surroundings. Skyland has 178 rooms and Big Meadows offers 97. Major improvements took place at Skyland over the winter and a plan is in place to renovate more rooms. Our newly renovated room at SkyMarvin Bond

The dining room at Skyland, like all the buildings, reflects the natural surroundings and offers great views.

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land featured new bedding and other improvements including a significantly upgraded bathroom. The rooms retain elements of nature with their wooden walls and the bathroom tile had the look and feel of stone.

Great dining experiences Skyland’s dining room has floor to ceiling windows offering vistas across the Valley, but the food is another good reason to visit. New executive chef Paul Lombardy’s menus provide tempting choices that prove delicious. But an even better way to enjoy Lombardy’s talent is to attend one of the two Shenandoah Seasonings dinners he hosts each month. We attended a whiskey dinner, but there are also wine, craft beer, and cider dinners to choose from. Our Friday night dinner included about ten couples from as far away as Pittsburgh and Lancaster and as close as Alexandria. An army couple from Newport News celebrated their 11th anniversary with us. Chef Lombardy produced a six-course meal, each course prepared in some way with either bourbon or corn whiskey from River Hill Farm Distillery in nearby Luray and paired with the appropriate drink. Courses ranged from crab cake to lobster medallion to pork tenderloin to bison, all prepared with one of the whiskeys and topped off with a chocolate bourbon mousse. “This is fun, putting together the bourbon and corn whiskey with the various meats and coming up with different textures and tastes,” Lombardy said. His enjoyment and that of his staff was evident in their smiles and commentary. Different distilleries, wineries craft breweries, and cideries are featured over the season. Two-day/ one night packages include room, dinner, breakfast, and your tasting glass. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays

National Park Service

Helpful folks at the lodge registration desks will offer a brochure guiding you to the park’s waterfalls, including the beautiful Dark Hollow Falls. chefs offer cooking demonstrations of farm to table recipes at Skyland and Big Meadows and you get to taste the results. Reservations are required for the culinary events. Check goshenandoah.com/dining for dates and details. There are a variety of getaway and hiking packages and a military discount is available for the lodges as well.

d RIVER HILL FAMILY FARM Fred Foley and his mother greeted us at Skyland’s whiskey dinner and explained that the bourbon and corn whiskey we’d be sampling came from their family recipes and was produced with products from either their farm or neighboring farms. We also learned that there was more to River Hill than the whiskey Foley crafts in 8-gallon batches. The farm also produces fruit wines and corn-fed beef. You can buy retail size packages of beef or larger quantities. For the total farm experience, you can rent a farm house and cottage on the property in Luray. (riverhilldistillery.com) There is an abundance of accommodations outside the park as well, including Brookside Cabins just west of the park, which also offers home cooking in its restaurant, and the elegant Mimslyn Inn in Luray.

Learn more Shenandoah National Park Lodging: goshenandoah.com Shenandoah National Park: nps.gov/shen

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Celebrating summer southern style in Mecklenburg County Imagine a history of summers in the South, and you may picture front porches lined with rocking chairs, farmers proudly tending to their fields, and children splashing in lakes and streams. Fastforward to today and you’ll find that these traditions have disappeared in many places, but not in Mecklenburg County, Va. Located south of Richmond and north of Raleigh, N.C., Mecklenburg is celebrating its 250th anniversary this year. And while rich in history, the area is undergoing a resurgence in tourism that makes it ideal for visitors of all ages. “While most people weren’t looking, our region has quietly developed a great, unique character that appeals to a broad array of family vacationers and adventurous explorers alike,” said Justin Kerns, who promotes the county. “Totally disconnected experiences on the largest bodies of water

in Virginia are juxtaposed with some real dining and shopping gems in these small, authentic towns.”

By land or by lake To have the most authentic experience, it’s best to do as the locals do — and the locals love to get out on the water. The region is home to the Southern Virginia Wild Blueway, consisting of three rivers — Dan, Staunton, and Banister — and two lakes — Kerr Lake, also known as Buggs Island Lake, and Lake Gaston — spanning Mecklenburg and Halifax counties. (sovawildblueway.com) There are plenty of outfitters to provide everything you’ll need to splash into some fun, so spend a morning paddling along the river, zooming across the lake on a boat or wave runner, or gliding over waves on water skis or a wakeboard. You

Mecklenburg Co. Tourism

may enjoy simply spreading out a beach towel and watching the kids splash around with no fear of getting knocked down by harsh waves. Whether you’re a novice fisher or an experienced angler, you’ll enjoy a guided fishing tour with BassMaster Elite Pro Rick Morris. Morris picks clients up from their dock and provides them with high-quality tournament gear and tackle. Then it’s an exciting half- or full-day excursion, while gaining insider tips and techniques that Morris has learned during his 22 years as a bass pro. He spends a lot of time on Kerr Lake and Lake Gaston, noting that the water is clean and pristine. The lakes are swimming with bass, striper, and catfish. (rpmcustomrods.com) If you’d rather paddle than cast a line, there are numerous outfitters who rent kayaks so you can try out the Blueway. Encounter the lake at its very best during Clarksville’s 38th annual Lakefest, July 16–18, featuring arts, crafts, and food vendors, an antique auto show, a 5K run, children’s activities, helicopter rides, sand sculptors, live music, and fireworks over the lake. (clarksvilleva.com) If you prefer to stay on land, there are plenty of scenic hiking and biking opportunities on the Tobacco Heritage Trail, spanning several towns and counties and winding through unspoiled woods, lush farms, and abandoned railroads. (tobaccoheritagetrail.org)

Southern culture in three towns

There are plenty of outfitters who can help you enjoy the Southern Virginia Wild Blueway.

In South Hill, just off I-85, you’ll find the Tobacco Farm Life Museum of Virginia, the Model Railroad Museum and Wildlife Exhibit, and the Virginia S. Evans Doll Museum. The Colonial Center for the Performing Arts offers outstanding performances and rotating art exhibits. On June 20, the theater will host An Evening of Bluegrass, featuring Appalachian Express and Homegrown Bluegrass. (colonialcenterva.org) Next, head to Chase City to peruse the hidden gems inside MacCallum More Museum and Gardens, including an expansive collection of

AIR SHOW & BIPLANE RIDES

Every Sunday May through October 46th Annual

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540-439-8661 5114 Ritchie Rd., Bealeton, VA Adults $15 • Children $7 The Flying Circus is a 45 minute drive from the Capital Beltway. It is located 14 miles south of Warrenton and 22 miles north of Fredericksburg off Rt. 17 on Rt. 644 near Bealeton. Watch for the Flying Circus signs.

28 recreation news I june 2015 I recreationnews.com

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European and Asian artifacts mingled with roses, herbs, wildflowers, and other blooming beauties. Inside the museum, you’ll find the largest public display of arrowheads in the U.S., among other fascinating treasures. (mmmg.org) Clarksville, Virginia’s only lakeside town, is home to Prestwould Plantation, an impressive 18th-century home featuring original outbuildings, a slave house, and garden. The site also holds one of the largest collections of slave writings in the country. Afterward, soak up some theatrical entertainment from the Clarksville Community Players, performing plays and musicals throughout the year.

Mecklenburg Co. Tourism

Where to stay You’ll find a variety of lodging options. There are approximately 600 campsites spread throughout six campgrounds, perfect for setting up a tent and waking up to pristine lake views. Vacation rentals, such as lake houses and cabins, are available to fit every family and budget. For a more intimate experience, check into a charming bedand-breakfast such as Cooper’s Landing Inn and Travelers Tavern in Clarksville or Southern Heritage Bed and Breakfast in Boydton. For now, live as a local as you nod your cap to that familiar farmer, sip your sweet tea a little longer, and let the kids catch just one more firefly before the sun goes down. Make some sweet summer memories in Mecklenburg, central to a bounty of unmatched fun and genuine southern culture that’s visible in every thriving farm and friendly face.

For more information Taking in the view from a lakeside cabin is a perfect way to start the day in Mecklenburg County.

Mecklenburg Co. Tourism: visitmeckva.com

More Miles of Shoreline than Highway.

There is so much to explore in Mecklenburg County, including Virginia’s largest lake with over 850 miles of scenic shoreline. There’s a peaceful cove and a secret fishing spot waiting just for you.

More of what matters. More Mecklenburg. visitmeckva.com | #moremeck

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virginia I gwen woolf

Tradition and cutting edge come together in Charlottesville Thomas Jefferson thought a scenic mountaintop near Charlottesville, Va., would be the perfect place for his house, and admirers who put Monticello on their must-see list would agree. But even Mr. Jefferson might be surprised to learn there are many other good reasons to visit Charlottesville these days. Festivals are a great introduction

to a region, and Charlottesville has some unique ones. Coming up June 25–Aug. 1 is the Heritage Theatre Festival at the University of Virginia. The popular summer festival brings professional artists from all over to present five eclectic shows. This season the Heritage Theatre Festival offers Luv, Monty Python’s Spamalot, I Love a Charlottesville Tourism

Piano, Almost, Maine, and Violet. “We’re very proud of what we put on the stage,” said the festival’s Robert Chapel. The festival is under the umbrella of the university’s Drama Department and performances are given in a campus complex with three theaters of different sizes and configurations. By request during the festival and at other times, you can take a fascinating backstage tour that includes the scene shop, prop storage room, lighting lab, costume and fitting rooms, dressing rooms, stage manager’s control booth, and catwalk. “This is where the magic really happens,” said the department’s Steven Lewis Warner. The Paramount Theater is a grand former movie palace built in 1931. It hosts a wide variety of shows year-round; Diana Ross was a recent headliner. Past performers, including Frankie Valli, Bob Newhart, Lily Tomlin, Morgan Freeman, and Kris Kristofferson, have scrawled their signatures on a wall near the dressing rooms. The theater is also a venue for the Virginia Film Festival,

scheduled for Nov. 5–8. The 2014 festival smashed records with 41 sold-out screenings and guests such as Hal Holbrook and Katie Couric.

Arts and fun A lot of people think they don’t have an artistic bent, but they find out differently at The Glass Palette, an interactive art gallery that’s fun for the whole family. You purchase a plain dish, are given glass-cutting tools and instruction, then you create your own design out of fragments of colored glass. These are glued on, fired, and, voila, you have a unique gift for Grandma’s birthday. “You can’t mess it up,” said the gallery’s Cara DiMassimo. The Virginia Discovery Museum offers activities that engage children and their families. A mock vegetable garden, cabin, stable, farm stand, fire station, and treehouse are among its play stations. On a recent day, a girl studiously reorganized plastic bagels at the bakery counter. Boys dived onto giant teddy bears, and three children were engrossed in art

Charlottesville Tourism

Pippin Hill Farm and Vineyards includes a restaurant, as well as inside and outdoor tasting areas.

CHAR RL LO OTT T ESVILLE, VIR RGINIA

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30 recreation news I june 2015 I recreationnews.com

Monticello is just one of the presidential homes visitors can find in the Charlottesville area.


projects. Frequent museum visitors James and Ruth Shelhamer, of Washington, D.C., assisted their toddler granddaughter at a checkerboard.

Back in time Take a shuttle up the mountain to see Monticello, an architectural beauty that showcases many aspects of Jefferson’s genius — his inventions, books, wine, and agriculture. Slave life on the plantation is freely acknowledged. Two other presidents also had homes in the area. A lane of ash

trees leads to James Monroe’s Ash Lawn-Highland. The four-room cabin emphasizes Monroe’s many contributions to U.S. history. James Madison’s Montpelier, in Orange County, has a mansion with a commanding view of the mountains and a landmark forest. A ritual for Monticello visitors is lunch at the rustic Michie Tavern, featuring fried chicken, homemade biscuits, and stewed tomatoes based on 18th-century recipes. A selfguided tour of the tavern, built in 1784 and moved to this location in

Charlottesville Tourism

1927, shows where guests ate, drank, gambled, played games, danced, and slept — two to a bed or on the floor, and no boots allowed. Insider tip: A Monticello Neighborhood Pass covers Monticello, Ash Lawn-Highland, and Michie Tavern. Arrange historic walking tours at the Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society. Court Square and equestrian statues of Robert E. Lee and “Stonewall” Jackson are among the sights. “People come here looking for history. It doesn’t necessarily have to be Jefferson,” said the society’s Steven G. Meeks. Stroll the dog-friendly, eightblock downtown pedestrian mall. It has brick sidewalks, boutiques, art galleries, restaurants, and even an ice rink. (Ask businesses to validate your parking ticket.) Cider, common in Jefferson’s day, is making a comeback at the familyowned Albemarle Ciderworks. Taste

dry varietals and blends made from apples and enjoy music on weekends. “We’re small but mighty,” said the cidery’s Anne Shelton. Pippin Hill Farm and Vineyards, part of the Monticello Wine Trail and a destination wedding magnet, features a restaurant and indoor and outdoor tasting areas. There’s a range of accommodations in the area. One of the newest is Homewood Suites, which offers complimentary breakfast and dinner. One of the oldest is the luxurious Clifton Inn, built by Jefferson’s son-in-law. Watch the chef prepare farm-to-table gourmet fare and enjoy Madeira wine in your room — Jefferson would feel right at home here.

For more information Charlottesville Tourism: 877-386-1103, visitcharlottesville.org Charlottesville Tourism

The Paramount Theatre is also a venue for the Virginia Film Festival each November.

You can see this statue of Thomas Jefferson at the University of Virginia, which he founded.

FAMILY FUN AT THE FRALIN! FAMILY ART JAMs FUN FOR THE YOUNG LUNCHTIME TALKS SPECIAL TOURS

virginia.edu/artmuseum | 434.243.2050 | @FralinMuseumUVA

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virginia I angela blue

Lynchburg offers plenty of fun by foot, on two wheels, or mid-air

Lynchburg Tourism

Cyclists pedal along Lynchburg’s Blackwater Creek Trail.

There’s something in the air this time of year that takes us outside, and Lynchburg, Va., has a plethora of outdoor adventures just waiting to be discovered. Ideally placed at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and with the spectacular James River running through it, Lynchburg is the perfect destination to slow down — or pick up the pace, if you’re up for it. Start with a brisk bike ride along the James River Heritage Trail system, encompassing paths that are long and short, paved and rugged, and with plenty of access points. Don’t worry about lugging your own bike along for the journey. Bikes Unlimited, located downtown on Jefferson Street, offers cruiser bike rentals for just $12 an hour, and the professional staff fits each customer on the bike that’s right for them. (bikesunlimited.com) From Bikes Unlimited, you can hop on either the RiverWalk Trail, a 3.5-mile paved path that offers magnificent views of the James River, or the Blackwater Creek Bikeway, traveling alongside an abandoned railway bed and through an urban forest. Grab a to-go lunch from Lynchburg’s Community Market and drive

d PHOTOREADY SHOT THE WATERWAY IS CLEAR

THE VIEW IS VAST

While you’re visiting, get your photo taken with Lynchburg’s very own LOVE sculpture, created by local artist Paul Clements. The red letters celebrate the great outdoors with footprints, bicycle and skateboard wheels, and canoe paddles. The sculpture is located on Percival’s Island Trail near Bikes Unlimited.

along the nearby Blue Ridge Parkway until you find the perfect picnic spot. Once you’ve re-energized, choose from one of many hiking trails along the parkway, and explore some new territory. Or, just enjoy a scenic drive, stopping at the numerous impressive overlooks along the way. Don’t forget your camera. Those remarkable mountains are ripe for climbing, but there’s an equally thrilling option available at Rise Up Climbing. This indoor climbing facility offers 55 roped routes where daring climbers can ascend 40 feet into the air. There also are roughly 70 boulder courses to tackle. Whether you’re a first-time climber, training for the real deal, looking for a unique workout, or just hoping for some body- and mind-engaging fun, Rise Up provides an unforgettable experience in an encouraging atmosphere. (riseupclimbing.com) If you’d rather stay on the ground, there are several walking tours right in Downtown Lynchburg. The Architectural Walking Tour offers exceptional views of dramatic church steeples, elegant Victorian houses, and Monument Terrace, where statues and markers line the 139 steps to the top to commemorate Lynchburg citizens who died in battles from the Civil War to present day.

Fascinating Civil War sites

Delve further into history while embarking on the Downtown Lynchburg Civil War Tour. Included on the tour is a stop at the Lynchburg Museum at the Old Court House, which may have briefly served as the capitol building during the six days Lynchburg was Virginia’s capital in 1865. At the intersection of Ninth and Main streets, see where enslaved African-AmerLearn about the 3,000 chaplains who icans were auctioned served the US and CSA armies through off. And, visit Buzzards rare artifacts and exhibits such as the new Roost, formerly a section “Chaplains of Appomattox,” “Jackson’s of bars, bordellos, and Death Saga,” and the only US Christian gambling houses that thrived during the war. Commission headquarters flag. (lynchburgcivilwartour. “Men of God who went to war.” com) The National Civil Located next to the War Chaplains Museum Hancock Welcome Center on the campus near the Liberty Uniof Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA. versity welcome center holds fascinating 434-582-2087 or

National Civil War Chaplains Museum THE ROAD IS OPEN

YOU'VE FOUND US AT LAST

Chaplainsmuseum.org

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continued on page 40


virginia I martha steger

Tides Inn: Romancing ‘the rivah’ Summer and military packages bring visitors to a world away in the Northern Neck In eastern Virginia, going to the Tides Inn is synonymous with going to “the rivah� — the Rappahannock River on the Northern Neck, that is. Our family isn’t unlike many others whose children took their first small golf swings with fathers and grandfathers on lush grass just outside of our Tides Inn rooms. Nor is it unusual three decades later for children like ours, with their own children, to meet up with a new grandparent generation at the quiet resort. The Tides Inn is perched on a bluff overlooking the gentle waters of Carters Creek — a setting that celebrates history as well as fun. Apropos its 69-year resort history, the Tides salutes active and veteran military families with a 10 to 30 percent discount on weekday and weekend rates depending on time of year and availability. Check out the details at tidesinn.com. The resort also offers Chesapeake Bay and other special packages to maximize your waterside getaway. In addition to enjoying the inn’s amenities — an outdoor pool and spa; four tennis courts; croquet; volleyball; a par-3, nine-hole golf and Frisbee course; and the 18-hole Golden Eagle golf course — you can bike to a tasting room on the Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail and also sample the Virginia Oyster Trail. Bicycle use is complimentary for overnight guests — and water bicycles, kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, and dinghies

are available also. Crabbing gear is available at the marina for family fun, too, and a staff member happily shares the basics with beginners. Another family instruction to take advantage of is the on-site sailing school with lessons tailored to all levels of family experience, including no experience at all. You can even book accommodations with a boat slip just outside your room. Small sailboats — “Sunfish� — are perfect for children as part of the resort’s “Mastering the Waterfront� program.

Genuine hospitality Susan Williamson, the director of rooms who began working at the Tides as a “bread-and-butter girl� in the dining room in 1985, said, “People use ‘southern hospitality’ pretty loosely, but here it’s authentic — we really care.� S’mores on the beach are a longstanding tradition for guests, as is the nightly offering of cookies and milk in the View Room. After a workout on the water — or just enjoying the swings under the big oak trees — watch the sun set over the creek from the Chesapeake Club restaurant. Or, enjoy the more casual setting of Commodore’s by the pool. A larger family can reserve the three tables on the deck under the Family Tree for a prix fixe four-course dinner of executive chef TV Flynn’s signature dishes. Insider tip: Don’t miss the she-crab

soup if it’s on the menu when you’re visiting. Friday and Saturday evenings, you can enjoy cocktails and small plates to the accompaniment of live music on the terrace. It’s no wonder that families have created lasting memories at the Tides for generations. Beyond the resort in the Northern Neck are the historic homes of patriots and Founding Fathers, with Williamsburg and Busch Gardens a short drive away. Located just a two- to three-hour drive from Baltimore and Washington, D.C., it’s the perfect hideaway for romantic getaways as well as multi-generational vacations. The website provides a sample itinerary, as well as ideas for specific activities.

keep records on what we give every year because many families have returned for years, and we don’t want to repeat ourselves,� said Williamson.

For more information Tides Inn: tidesinn.com Tides Inn

Advance notice Each guest who spends Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at the Tides finds an individual present wrapped under the tree. The staff calls families in advance to learn about children’s special interests. “We have to

Crabbing requires patience.

Declare your Independence with a Northern Neck Getaway! Declare your Independence a Northern Neck Getaway!

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WE SALUTE YOU. You’ve earned this moment in countless ways. Which is why we’re honored to offer active and veteran military personnel like you up to a 30% discount off your stay. Tee off beside a 50-acre lake. Get a taste of the Virginia Wine Trail. Sail, kayak or paddleboard along Carter’s Creek. It’s the ultimate opportunity to unwind and enjoy. Receive 10% - 30% off weekday and weekend rates based on availability. Book now or call 804.438.4465.

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480 King Carter Drive, Irvington, VA 22480 |

info@tidesinn.com

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virginia I jane and marvin bond

Wytheville’s museums reflect its location at the crossroads of history Ask Marcella Taylor about the significance of Wytheville’s location at the crossroads of I-81 and I-77 and you quickly learn the Virginia town’s importance predates the Interstate system by hundreds of years. Chronicling that importance led area residents to establish an unusually large number of museums for a town of about 10,000. The town was founded in 1790 partly because it was at the junction of two great western roads and the Daniel Boone marker on Main Street commemorates this legacy. The Haller-Gibboney Rock House Museum portrays life in the area in the 19th century and the family and work of Dr. John Haller, Wytheville’s first resident physician and first owner of the home. Haller and his family moved to the area from York, Pa., in 1823. The museum also depicts women’s roles and domestic life with furniture, clothing, and toys. The Thomas J. Boyd Museum portrays local

Saturdays 8:00am-12:00pm Merchants Square 402 W Duke of Gloucester St.

757-259-3768

history over a broad spectrum including Native American artifacts and the local impact of the Civil War. Wytheville was the site of a Confederate training camp and was raided by Union forces in 1863. The original courthouse weathervane is on display, bearing the scars of the battle. Town native Confederate Gen. William Terry was the last commander of the Stonewall Brigade and a portion of the exhibit is devoted to him. J.E.B. Stuart, another Confederate general, considered Wytheville his home and his will is on display. The museum’s Discovery Corner helps children learn about local history through interactive stations.

A polio epidemic remembered Most poignant of the galleries, however, is the one depicting Wytheville’s struggle with the Polio Epidemic of 1950. Wytheville was the hardest hit place in the nation for its size, with 184 cases and 17 deaths. Exhibits from iron lungs to videos showing the effects of the epidemic on the town — including the mayor’s plea for visitors to bypass the town temporarily — bring the reality of the terrible disease to life. As America grew more mobile and long-distance automobile travel began in earnest, Wytheville’s location on U.S. Route 21 again brought visitors to town as they traveled the Great Lakes to Florida Highway. An original 1920s gas station along the route is now open as the Great Lakes to Florida Highway Museum with period artifacts such as a crank-operated wall phone and original fixtures. Newspaper clippings and videos relate the story of the development of Route 21 and I-77. The African-American Heritage Museum occupies part of a building that once served Wythe and surrounding counties as a school under segrega-

tion. “Some of the students even came part of the way by milk truck in order to get an education,” Taylor says. Videos relating experiences of local African-Americans are included in the museum which also functions as a community center providing educational resources.

Saluting a first lady Another of Wytheville’s museums salutes Edith Bolling Wilson, who was born in 1872 in The Bolling Building on Main Street, now the site of the museum. On the first floor, a variety of family furniture, clothing, and memorabilia portray the life of Edith, who became President Woodrow Wilson’s second wife and was first lady from 1919 until the Wilsons left the White House in 1921. During President Wilson’s recovery from a stroke in 1919, she took an ever more active role, determining what information to bring to the president and when to present it. Edith Bolling Wilson, a direct descendant of Pocahontas, is a fascinating person in her own right, operating a successful jewelry business in Washington, D.C., after her first husband died. She was also the first woman in Washington to own and operate a car. The museum tells her story from childhood to her later life, which she devoted to Wilson’s legacy. The upstairs family quarters, though unfinished, relate her life in Wytheville in the actual rooms where she lived through audio presentations. Insider tip: Don’t miss local favorite Skeeter’s, next door to the museum, for the famous hot dogs. Across the street from the museum is the Bolling Wilson Hotel, opened last year in a 1927 building that had served as a hotel and later as a bank. The boutique property features a very contemporary

Wytheville Tourism

WilliamsburgFarmersMarket.com

The Great Lakes to Florida Highway Museum is located in an original Wytheville gas station.

34 recreation news I june 2015 I recreationnews.com


interior, the Graze on Main restaurant and bar, as well as a rooftop area with great views. Visitors routinely proclaim the beds the most comfortable they’ve ever slept in. As you might expect in a location where two Interstate highways intersect, there are a plethora of chain lodgings available, but the Bolling Wilson is worth the trip into town. Tickets for the Edith Bolling Wilson Museum are available at the museum at 145 E. Main St.

The Heritage Preservation Center at 115 W. Spiller St. offers various ticket plans for the other town museums and includes a museum shop. The area visitors center at 975 Tazewell St. includes an exhibit on E. Lee Trinkle, Wytheville resident and former Virginia governor, as well as a shop with locally made products.

Explore the Depths...

of two world-class attractions!

For more information Wytheville Tourism: visitwytheville.com Edith Bolling Wilson Museum

m il y Fu n Inte ra cti ve Fa Aw a it! & Exp lo rati o n

Virginia's Animal Attraction Plus Frogs: A Chorus of Colors now through September 7

America's National Maritime Museum New exhibition EXTREME DEEP: Mission to the Abyss opens May 16 - September 7

and Park Attractions located just 5 MINUTES from each other in Newport News, VA. Only 20 minutes from Williamsburg.

Edith Bolling Wilson was the first woman in Washington to own and operate a car.

ExploreNewportNews.org I64, Exit 258A • (888) 493-7386

e l l i v e h t y W

there’s only one one. visitwytheville.com • 1-877-347-8307

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virginia I reed hellman

Pristine mountain wilderness, sumptuous accommodations await In Virginia’s Bath County, you can hike through one of the world’s premier broadleaf forests, then soak in the hot springs at one of the region’s premier mountain resorts. That combination — pristine mountain wilderness and sumptuous accommodations — thrives in the heart of one of the world’s signature ecosystems. “This is one of the most globally significant forest biomes in the world,” said Marek Smith, of The Nature Conservancy’s Allegheny Highlands Program, as he turned his truck onto a steeply climbing gravel track. “It’s only rivaled in diversity by similar forests in China.” Smith manages 9,000 acres on and around Warm Springs Mountain and the Cowpasture River in the heart of the Allegheny Highlands. The Warm Springs Mountain Preserve shares a 13-mile border with the George Washington National Forest and stands as one of the largest and most ecologically significant private forests in the Central Appalachians. Connecting more than 300,000 acres of surrounding public land, the preserve helps to form a wildlife corridor. Founded on karst limestone and riddled with springs, sinkholes, and caves, Warm Springs Mountain Preserve varies in elevation from 3,000 to 4,200 feet. The parallel mountain ridges all trend northeast-southwest, and wildlife abounds. Many of the streams and rivers are pristine, and although logging is permitted in some sections, mature forests cover much of the region. At the top of the gravel road, Smith parked his truck and walked to the Collis-Warner Overlook at Flag Rock. Looking east from the rustic pavilion, the Blue Ridge lined the horizon. To the west, we saw West Virginia’s Monongahela Highlands. Every mountain we saw, on both sides of the overlook, is part of a National Forest.

Descend to luxury Staring down from that wilderness vantage

point, it was difficult to believe that, just up the road, high tea was being served in the grand lobby of the Omni Homestead and double-cut Kurabuto pork loin was on the menu at the Waterwheel Restaurant. More than half of Bath County is National Forest or other protected land. The Nature Conservancy manages its preserve in cooperation with the Forest Service, while Douthat State Park, a trio of lakes, and numerous recreational areas add to the complement. Bath County offers several public and private camping areas, and also offers a roster of unique lodgings ranging from converted silos and granaries to Victorian manses and the remarkable Homestead. “People are a part of the equation,” said Smith. “Adventure tourism can be a sustainable use ... it can sustain nature and a local economy.” The Nature Conservancy manages 25 miles of roads and trails, including three trails groomed for public use and trails shared with the Homestead. The Ingalls Overlook Trail, which is a 2.4-mile round trip, begins at the Dan Ingalls Overlook on scenic Route 39 and uses interpretive signs to introduce Warm Springs Mountain and the region’s natural history. Climbing through a series of rock formations, the trail passes views of Shenandoah Mountain and the Cowpasture River valley. The Nature Conservancy also manages the 3-mile Bear Loop Trail, with its 60-mile vistas encompassing the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Plateau. The Civilian Conservation Corps built the Sandy Gap Trail, which is 3.2 miles one way and connects to the 30-mile Douthat State Park trail system. After a day spent following the mountain ridges, a soak in a naturally warmed spring can be both relaxing and therapeutic. The Jefferson Pools, in Warm Springs, were originally developed as a spa resort in the 1750s and flows at a constant 98.5 degrees. Many people feel that the mineral-rich water has healing powers. For a warmer soak, two

T A K E

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naturally heated springs flow onto the grounds of the Homestead. Guests can enjoy the 105 degree waters in grand style. In keeping with the theme of pristine mountain wilderness and sumptuous accommodations, dining at the Waterwheel Restaurant after a day of hiking the ridges makes perfect sense. With tables nestled into the grist mill’s workings, the rustic surroundings serve as an informal counterpoint to the elegant cuisine and well-stocked wine cellar. After dinner, Bath County has another singular attraction: It is dark. Really dark. With little outdoor lighting, no stoplights, and none of the “light pollution” from suburban landscapes, Bath County is one of the best stargazing venues in the East.

For more information: Bath Co. Tourism: discoverbath.com The Nature Conservancy: nature.org/alleghenyhighlands

Reed Hellman

Bath County takes pride in its nature, starting at the county line.

H I K E!

Your gateway to over 160 miles of hiking and biking trails with stunning vistas across the George Washington National Forest, Warm Springs Mountain Preserve and Douthat State Park.

1.800.628.8092 www.DiscoverBath.com

Flag Rock Overlook

36 recreation news I june 2015 I recreationnews.com


NORTH MOUNTAIN ARTS FESTIVAL June 6–7. Admission is free and patrons can browse top-quality works of potters, painters, jewelers, sculptors, glass artists, gourd artistry, and wood carving. The event includes musicians, food vendors, and creative demonstrations, plus seasonal bounty of the orchard. Orr’s Farm Market, 682 Orr Drive, Martinsburg, W.Va. 304-263-1168, orrsfarmmarket.com

June 2015 Flag Day-June 14 Father’s Day-June 21

HOLIDAYS

71ST ANNIVERSARY OF D-DAY June 6, 10:00am–9:00pm. Activities include special music, wreath layings, a veterans’ reunion tent, living history, and a twilight remembrance. National D-Day Memorial, 3 Overlord Circle, Bedford, Va. 540-586-3329, visitbedford.com FATHER-DAUGHTER DANCE June 13, 6:00–9:00pm. Girls ages 3 to 11 dress in their beautiful gowns and dads dress to impress. There will be special fairytale guests joining this event. Sherwood Community Center, 3740 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax, Va. fairfaxva.gov FATHERS’ DAY AT POPLAR FOREST June 14, 10:00am–4:00pm. Admission is free for fathers all day. Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest, 542 Bateman Bridge Road, Forest, Va. 434-525-1806, visitbedford.com FATHER’S DAY COOKOUT June 21. Give dad a break and let other people do the grilling. Scenic train ride, live traditional music, and a cookout. Bring a blanket, rain gear, and dad. Elkins, W.Va. 866-697-6028, mtn-rail.com

FAIRS AND FESTIVALS POETRY AND JAZZ TASTING June 4 and July 2. Over the course of the evening, get a taste of poetry from local wordsmiths of all experience and publication levels. Live jazz is layered into the night. C’est Le Vin Wine Bar and Art Gallery, 15 N. 17th St., Richmond, Va. 804-649-9463 WWII WEEKEND June 5–7. Daily warbird airshow, 80 restored vintage aircraft, 1,700 living history performers, and 1940s entertainment at the 25th annual event. Mid-Atlantic Air Museum, Reading Regional Airport, Reading, Pa. maam.org FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS June 5–7. Regional artists display and sell their works in this juried two-day festival; live music and food. Carroll Creek Linear Park, Frederick, Md. 301-662-4190, frederickartscouncil.org SALTSBURG CANAL DAYS June 5–7. The three-day festival includes a quilt show, duck race, flag retirement ceremony, parade, crafts, food vendors, live entertainment, and fireworks. Downtown Saltsburg, Pa. 724-639-9413 CELEBRATE FAIRFAX June 5–7. Showcases live concerts on nine stages, ExxonMobil Children’s Avenue, a petting zoo, the Fairfax County Karaoke Championship, carnival rides, and great festival foods. 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, Va. 703-324-3247, celebratefairfax.com SOURCE FESTIVAL June 5–28. Combines the forces of rising talents with established artists. Driven by creativity, collaboration, and invention, artists from across the nation present 24 new works over three weeks. 1835 14th St. NW, Washington, D.C. sourcefestival.org BOWIEFEST June 6. Enjoy rides, performances, contests, and a variety of food and drink options throughout the park. 3330 Northview Drive, Bowie, Md. 301-809-3032, cityofbowie.org FESTIVAL AND POW WOW June 6–7. Experience Native American singing, music, and dancing, arts and crafts, a finger-weaving presentation, and traditional food and refreshments. 16816 Country Lane, Waldorf, Md. 240-640-7213, piscatawayindians.com

ARTS, CRAFTS, AND WINE FESTIVAL June 6–7. View the juried works of the region’s best artists and craftsmen while enjoying fine cuisine, select wine tastings, and live entertainment. Navy-Marine Corps Stadium, Annapolis, Md. 410-263-4012, annapolisartscraftsandwinefestival.com NORFOLK HARBORFEST June 6–8. An impressive collection of tall ships, three spectacular Parades of Sail, the largest fireworks show on the East Coast, entertainment from all over the country, lots of different water activities, and fun for all the family. Town Point Park, Norfolk, Va. festevents.org CAPITAL JAZZ FEST June 6–8. This multi-day, multi-stage outdoor music festival is more than just a concert, with nearly 30 national acts. 10475 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia, Md. 301-780-9300, capitaljazz.com/fest CYPRESS FESTIVAL June 10–13. Family fun with rides, games, arts and crafts, live entertainment, and fireworks. 6 Market St., Pocomoke City, Md. 410-957-1919, pocomoke.com D.C. JAZZ FESTIVAL June 10–16. Help kick off the city’s coolest festival with a hot act: the James King String Duo. Tudor Place Historic House and Garden, 1644 31st St. NW, Washington, D.C. 202-965-0400, tudorplace.org POTOMAC RIVER FESTIVAL June 12–14. Friday night is the Firemen’s Parade, with the Miss Colonial Beach Pageant immediately following. Food and merchandise vendors will be set up on both sides of the boardwalk all weekend. Saturday, at noon, you can see the Grand Feature Parade. Saturday night, there’s the Pet Parade, followed by fireworks. Colonial Beach, Va. 804-214-6880, colonial-beach-virginia-attractions.com/potomac-river-festival HOP BLOSSOM CRAFT BEER FESTIAL June 13, noon–6:00pm. The festival is geared toward educating and exposing participants to the growing popularity and love for great craft beer. It features 40 craft breweries from the local area and beyond. Enjoy live entertainment, too. 33 E. Boscawen St., Winchester, Va. 540-535-3661, hopblossom.com OPEN COCKPIT DAY June 13, 11:00am–3:00pm. Visitors can sit in the pilot seats of the museum’s outdoor flight line of airplanes, see its Huey helicopter, and climb aboard the 1950s Martin 404 passenger plane. Glenn L. Martin Maryland Aviation Museum, Martin State Airport, Hangar 5701, Wilson Point Road, Middle River, Md. 410-682-6122 JIMMY STEWART AIRPORT FESTIVAL June 13–14. This event includes displays of vintage and military aircraft, airplane rides, food booths, and many other activities that people of all ages can enjoy. Admission and parking is free. Jimmy Stewart Airport, 398 Airport Road, Indiana, Pa. 724-463-3883, jimmystewartairport.com

LOVE YOUR BODY YOGA FESTIVAL June 14–21, 10:00am–5:00pm. Yoga studios and wellness centers of Northern Virginia will offer classes, services, and share information at the festival. Reston Town Center, 11900 Market St., Reston, Va. 703-860-9642, belovedyoga.com BOARDWALK ART SHOW AND FESTIVAL June 18–21. Enjoy 300 artists and a fun festival atmosphere at the oceanfront during Father’s Day weekend. 17th Street to 32nd streets, Virginia Beach, Va. 757-425-0000, virginiamoca.org/outdoor-art-shows/boardwalk-art-show ALMOST HEAVEN BBQ BASH June 19–20. The sweet aroma of delicious barbecue will fill the air as professional, competitive barbecue teams from across the country come to Buckhannon. Downtown area of Buckhannon, W.Va. almostheavenbbqbash.com SUMMER SOLSTICE FEST June 20, 1:00–11:00pm. A community celebration featuring a beer garden, a stage of live music, dancing, and fun activities for all ages. There will be a dog parade, petting zoo, sand beach party, and indie/vintage crafts fair. Downtown Blacksburg, Va. 540-808-7550, downtownblacksburg.com CHAUTAUQUA FESTIVAL June 20–27. The festival begins with a display of hot air balloons followed by a hot air balloon flight rally the next morning. Other features include art displays and photo exhibits, a crafts bazaar, a wide variety of food vendors, and lots of entertainment from musicians to clowns on the two main stages. Elizabeth Brown Park, Wytheville, Va. wythevillefestival.org DISCOVERING DELAWARE’S MARITIME PAST June 21–25. The First State’s essential relationship with the Delaware River, the bay, and the sea will be brought to life during this Chautauqua event. It will take place at a variety of downtown locations. Lewes, Del. 302-645-1148, history.delaware.gov FIREMEN’S PARADE June 24. Equipment, bands, and floats. Baltimore Avenue from 15th to 32nd streets, Ocean City, Md. 410-289-2800, msfa.org SMITHSONIAN FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL June 24–28, July 1–5. Experience these unique connections through cooking and craft demonstrations, music and dance performances, ritual and celebratory processions, and discussions. Outdoors on the National Mall, Washington, D.C. 202-6331000, festival.si.edu CAPITAL FRINGE June 25, 7:00pm. There will be 129 performing groups. 1358– 1360 Florida Ave. NE, Washington, D.C. 202-737-7230 or capitalfringe.org/blog/fringe-10-festival DOC MCCABE BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL June 25–27. Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice, Reno & Harrell, Deer Creek Boys, and others will entertain. 1108 Sedalia School Road, Big Island, Va. 434-299-5080, visitbedford.com ROCK THE BLOCK June 26, 6:00–9:00pm. Great music, food, beer garden, and games. 3999 University Drive, Fairfax, Va. fairfaxva.gov/government/parks-recreation/rock-the-block

TALL SHIPS AT CAPE CHARLES June 13–14. A rare opportunity to enjoy Chesapeake Bay day sails and pirate sails on participating tall ships. Cape Charles, Va. tallshipscapecharles.com COLONIAL MARKET FAIR June 13–14, 10:00am–4:00pm. Travel back in time to life in the 18th century and enjoy an interactive visit with costumed crafters, tradesman, sutlers, and musicians. Lots of handson activities, including colonial crafts and games for the children. Banneker Museum, 300 Oella Ave., Catonsville, Md. 410-887-1081. RICHMOND BACON FESTIVAL June 14, 11:00am–5:00pm. More than 40 Richmond restaurants and food trucks will bring their creative minds to this event, each one offering its own favorite baconcentric dishes. 100 N. 17th St., Richmond, Va. 804-646-0954, enrichmond.org

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SAFEWAY BARBECUE BATTLE June 27–28. A competition between top barbecue restaurants from the Washington, D.C., area and around the country. Features live entertainment including 30 rock, rhythm and blues, jazz, and blues bands performing on three state-ofthe-art stages. 1101 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. bbqindc.com

NOW SHOWING PRESIDENTIAL PASO FINO HORSE SHOW June 5–6 and Aug. 22–23. With its lively but controlled spirit, natural gait, presence, and responsive attitude, the Paso Fino is, indeed, a rare and desirable equine partner. Virginia Horse Show, 487 Maury River Road, Lexington, Va. 540-464-2950, horsecenter.org GEM, MINERAL, AND JEWLERY SHOW June 5–7. Featuring fine jewelry, fashion jewelry, sterling silver jewelry, wire-wrapped jewelry, beads, pearls, loose gemstones, minerals, crystals, and fossils. Convention Center, 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, Md. 757-641-2124, ococean.com FREDERICKSBURG AACA CAR SHOW June 6, 9:00am–3:00pm. More than 150 classic cars will line Caroline and Hanover streets, displaying the automobiles of the 1890s through the 1990s. This family-friendly event is free to spectators. 600-900 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, Va. 703725-7948, hfraaca.org ORPHAN CAR TOUR June 6. Annual Saturday excursion for antique “orphan” (discontinued-make) vehicles over scenic, low-speed roads, with various stops at points of interest along the route. 2210 Fairgrounds Road, West Friendship, Md. 410-239-7071, orphancartour.org OCCOQUAN SPRING ARTS AND CRAFTS SHOW June 6–7, 10:00am. The craft show will include both contemporary and country crafters and artisans from Occoquan and all around the United States. Historic Occoquan, 200 Mill St., Occoquan, Va. 703-491-4045, occoquancraftshow.com O.C. AIR SHOW June 13–14. The show will be visible along the entire length of the boardwalk, creating an inspiring experience for visitors. 16th Street and the Boardwalk, Ocean City, Md. 800-626-2326, ocairshow.com RICHMOND DAYLILY SHOW AND SALE June 19–20. Open and free to the public; regular admission to visit the Garden Daylilies at their finest. Daylilies on display and on sale. Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, 1800 Lakeside Ave., Richmond, Va. 804-262-9887, lewisginter.org COOKPORT ANTIQUE MACHINERY SHOW June 26–28. A show run by neighbors and friends for fun and education. Cookport Fairgrounds, Commodore, Pa. cookportantiquemachineryshow.org

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES NORTH AMERICAN SAND SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIPS June 5–7. McDonald’s North American Sand Soccer Championships attracts approximately 100,000 fans and spectators daily to observe competition from many states and foreign countries. Virginia Beach Oceanfront, 14th Street to 36th Street, Virginia Beach, Va. 757-368-4600, sandsoccer.com CHESAPEAKE CRITERIUM BIKE RACE June 6, 8:00am. This is a great opportunity for families to experience top-level bike racing in Chesapeake. There will be races for all United States Cycling Federation categories. Chesapeake Civic Center, 306 Cedar Road, Chesapeake, Va. 757-547-7188, bikereg.com/events/register.asp WIPEOUT RUN June 6. Crash, smash, and splash your way through a 5K course with 12 larger-than-life obstacles inspired by the hit TV show Wipeout. 333 W. Camden St., Baltimore, Md. 410-685-9800, wipeoutrun.com BIKE AND WINE OR BIKE AND BREW June 13 and 28. Enjoy a 12-mile easy ride following the Little Patuxent River, where you are on paved paths. Take a refreshing break before heading back to enjoy a sample of wine or beer, cheese, and French bread on the grass at our base camp. Terrapin Adventures, 8600 Foundry St., Savage, Md. 410-925-9574. AIR FORCE ASSOCIATION CYCLING CLASSIC June 13–14. The weekend’s race festivities are open to cycling enthusiasts of all abilities and will feature events for cycling professionals, amateurs, politicos, kids, and spectators. On June 13, Highland Avenue at Wilson Boulevard, Clarendon, Va., and on June 14, Crystal City Drive at 23rd Street, Crystal City, Va. 202966-0346, cyclingclassic.org FOSSIL FIELD EXPERIENCE PROGRAMS June 20, July 18, Aug. 15, Sept. 19, Oct. 24. The program begins at the Cove Point Lighthouse at 9:00am with a trained guide helping participants learn how to find and identify fossils. Solomons, Md. calvertmarinemuseum.com/215/fossil-field-experience FREEDOM MUSEUM GOLF TOURNAMENT June 26, 6:30am registration. Post tournament includes lunch, helicopter ball drop, awards, presentations, and prize drawings. Bristow Manor Golf Club, Bristow, Va. freedommuseum.golfreg.com APPALACHIAN MOUNTAIN CLUB Leads hiking, bicycling, canoeing, and conservation events in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. amc-dc.org BALTIMORE ANNAPOLIS SAILING CLUB Year-round. Offers day-sailing events and seminars in Baltimore and Annapolis, Md., and Washington, D.C., and sailing excursions on the Chesapeake Bay. Membership free. 410-394-9483, mdsailing.com CENTER HIKING CLUB Various hikes and locations in the D.C. metropolitan area. 703751-3971, centerhikingclub.org FREESTATE HAPPY WANDERERS Various walking trails and locations in Maryland. 410-437-2164, ava.org/clubs/freestate MOUNTAIN CLUB OF MARYLAND Leads weekly day hikes, overnight backpack hikes, bike and canoe trips, cabin, car, and tent camping, and the maintenance of trails. mcomd.org

All-Day Family Events!

POTOMAC APPALACHIAN TRAIL CLUB Leads weekly hikes and work trips in greater Washington, D.C., area. Contact PATC for more information. 703-2420965, patc.net

Jul y 3 —5, 2015 Witness These Exciting Battles *

Friday, July 3 r d 1:30 p.m. - Military Field Demonstration (Skirmish) 5:30 p.m. - The Push to Seminary Ridge—First Day Action Saturday, July 4 t h 11:00 a.m. - Hell to Pay—Buford Defends the High Ground 4:00 p.m. - A Bloody Harvest—The Wheatfield Sunday, July 5 th 11:00 a.m. - Virginians & Wolverines—East Cavalry Field 2:30 p.m. - Glory or Death—Segment of Pickett's Charge For Tickets & Event Information

Visit www.GettysburgReenactment.com or Call 1-800-514-3849

Call Early For Advance Tickets! -Limited Seating Available Ticket Prices are Higher at Gate *Schedule subject to change

38 recreation news I june 2015 I recreationnews.com

QUANTICO ORIENTEERING CLUB Hosts map and compass activities most weekends in the greater Washington, D.C., area. Suitable for all ages and skill levels; free beginner instruction. qocweb.org WASHINGTON AREA ROADSKATERS Year-round; check website for dates and times. Skaters leave from the White House, Washington, D.C. meetup.com/ washington-area-roadskaters

WANDERBIRDS HIKING CLUB Sundays. Various hikes and locations in Virginia. 703-242-0315, wanderbirds.org

MUSIC Orchestra/Band/Classical/Choral SHENANDOAH VALLEY BACH FESTIVAL June 19, 7:30–9:30pm. Featured are the festival orchestra, chorus, and harpsichord soloist Joseph Gascho in an all-Haydn concert. Lehman Auditorium at Eastern Mennonite University, 1191 Park Road, Harrisonburg, Va. 540-432-4582, emu.edu/bach

Popular/Other AFTER HOURS CONCERT June 5, July 3, Aug. 7, 5:30–10:00pm. Beach music, dancing, and food vendors in Withers Park. 200 Withers Park, Wytheville, Va. 276-223-3378, downtownwytheville.com INGRID MICHAELSON June 6, 7:30pm. The indie-pop star entertains with songs ranging from the ukulele-filled “The Way I Am” to the chart-topping “Girls Chase Boys.” Wolf Trap, 1551 Trap Road, Vienna, Va. 703255-1900, wolftrap.org SUMMER CONCERT SERIES Wednesday nights, June 10–Aug. 12, 7:00–9:00pm. Wine and beer will be available for sale during the concerts. Havre de Grace Maritime Museum, 100 Lafayette St., Havre de Grace, Md. 410-939-4800, hdgmaritimemuseum.org

Theater ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD Through June 21. Tom Stoppard’s Tony Award-winning romp through Shakespeare is a feast of wit and wordplay. Folger Shakespeare Library, 201 E. Capitol St. SE, Washington, D.C. 202544-4600, folger.edu AN EVENING WITH THE CREATORS OF SERIAL June 6, 8:00pm. Go behind the scenes with the creators of the world’s most gripping and popular podcast as they talk crime, modern journalism, and how their This American Life spin-off project became the greatest murder mystery you will ever hear. Wolf Trap, 1551 Trap Road, Vienna, Va. 703-255-1900, wolftrap.org DISNEY’S NEWSIES June 9–21. Inspired by the real-life Newsboy Strike of 1899, when Kid Blink led a band of orphan and runaway newsies on a two-week-long action against Pulitzer, Hearst, and other powerful newspaper publishers. National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 202-628-6161, nationaldc.org PETER PAN June 24–July 12. The production combines intimate theaterin-the-round, overhead-surround computer-generated imagery projection, actors in dazzling flying sequences 40 feet in the air, and whimsical puppets. The Threesixty Theatre, 1971 Chain Bridge Road, Tysons Corner, Va. 877-407-8497, peterpan360.com

Dance ADULT DROP-IN DANCE CLASSES The Dance Institute of Washington, 3400 14th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 202-371-9656, danceinstitute.org DANCE PROGRAMS Weekends, 7:30–11:30pm. Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, Md. fridaynightdance.org THE WASHINGTON BALLET Call for performances and times. 3515 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 202-362-3606, washingtonballet.org

Exhibits Resources and Institutions Directory AMERICAN CIVIL WAR CENTER AT HISTORIC TREDEGAR 490 Tredegar St., Richmond, Va. 804-788-6480, tredegar.org AMERICAN UNIVERSITY MUSEUM AT THE KATZEN ARTS CENTER Ward Circle, Massachusetts and Nebraska avenues, Washington, D.C. 202-885-1300, american.edu/cas/katzen AMERICAN VISIONARY ART MUSEUM 800 Key Highway, Baltimore, Md. 410-244-1900, avam.org THE BALTIMORE MUSEUM OF ART 10 Art Museum Drive, Baltimore, Md. 443-573-1700, artbma.org


CARRIAGE HOUSE GALLERY AT EMLEN PHYSICK ESTATE 1048 Washington St., Cape May, N.J. 609-884-5404 or 800-2754278, capemaymac.org CARROLL ARTS CENTER TEVIS GALLERY 91 Main St., Westminster, Md. carrollcountyartscouncil.org

410-848-7272,

HIRSHHORN MUSEUM AND SCULPTURE GARDEN Independence Avenue and Seventh Street SW, Washington, D.C. 202-633-1000, hirshhorn.si.edu LADEW TOPIARY GARDENS 3535 Jarrettsville Pike, Monkton, Md. 410-557-9570, ladewgardens.com MARYLAND HALL FOR THE CREATIVE ARTS 801 Chase St., Annapolis, Md. 410-263-5544, marylandhall.org MONTPELIER ARTS CENTER 9652 Muirkirk Road, Laurel, Md. 301-953-1993, arts.pgparks.com NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART National Mall, between Third and Seventh streets at Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 202-737-4215, nga.gov NATIONAL MUSEUM OF CIVIL WAR MEDICINE 48 E. Patrick St., Frederick, Md. 301-695-1864, civilwarmed.org THE PHILLIPS COLLECTION 1600 21st St. NW, Washington, D.C. 202-387-2151, phillipscollection.org REGINALD F. LEWIS MUSEUM OF MARYLAND AFRICANAMERICAN HISTORY AND CULTURE 830 E. Pratt St., Baltimore, Md. 443-263-1800, africanamericanculture.org SHAKESPEARE GALLERY Folger Shakespeare Library, 201 E. Capitol St., Washington, D.C. 202-544-7077, folger.edu SURRATT HOUSE MUSEUM TOURS Surratt House Museum, 9118 Brandywine Road, Clinton, Md. 301-868-1121, surratt.org THE TEXTILE MUSEUM 2320 S St. NW, Washington, D.C. 202-667-0441, textilemuseum. org TUDOR PLACE HISTORIC HOUSE AND GARDEN 1644 31st St., Georgetown, Washington, D.C. 202-965-0400, ext. 109, tudorplace.org VIRGINIA MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS 200 N Blvd., Richmond, Va. 804-340-1400, vmfa.museum THE WALTERS ART MUSEUM 600 N. Charles St., Baltimore, Md. 410-547-9000, thewalters.org

Featured Exhibitions DELAWARE AND THE WAR OF 1812 Ongoing. Designed to raise awareness of the important role that the state played as the front line in the defense of the economically vital Delaware Valley, the exhibit utilizes maps, illustrations, and artifacts from the state’s collections to examine the history of the war within Delaware and its surrounding waters. Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes, Del. 302-736-7400, history.delaware.gov THE ROBERT AND RUTH JOHNSTON FELLER COLLECTION Through June 12. Highlights of this exhibition include Robert Johnston’s notebook on samples taken in Florence where he worked with conservators responding to the flood of 1966, several examples of hand-painted color samples, and several editions of important artist manuals and instruction books. The National Gallery of Art, National Mall, Washington, D.C. 2 02-737-4215, nga.gov ABOUT DELAWARE BY HAND Through June 14. Features the submissions of the winners of a juried competition of Delaware By Hand. The Biggs Museum of American Art, 406 Federal St., Dover, Del. 302-674-2111, biggsmuseum.com

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THE ART OF THE FLOWER Through June 21. The exhibition explores the infusion of new spirit and meaning into the traditional genre of floral still life painting in 19th-century France by Van Gogh, Manet, and Monet, even as the advent of modernism was radically transforming the art world. The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, 200 N Blvd., Richmond, Va. 804-340-1400, vmfa.museum PAINTINGS BY LIZ BRASSER Through June 30. A series of impressive works by Liz Brasser, a local artist who resides in Baltimore County. The Frederick Douglass–Isaac Myers Maritime Museum Park, 1417 Thames St., Baltimore, Md. 410-557-6490 WAR & ART Through July. This photographic exhibition illustrates the Italian people’s struggle to protect their cultural patrimony from the ravages of World War I. The President Woodrow Wilson House, 2340 S St. NW, Washington, D.C. 202-387-4062, woodrowwilsonhouse.org HORACE PIPPIN: THE WAY I SEE IT Through July 19. The exhibition looks closely at Pippin as an artist with a remarkable singular vision who stood outside the mainstream art world, upholding his own aesthetic sensibility while also engaging in larger social issues. Brandywine Museum of Art, 1 Hoffman’s Mill Road, Chadds Ford, Pa. brandywine.org OUR TEXTILES, OUR STORIES Through Aug. 21. Featuring more than 100 pieces that span 3,000 years and five continents, this exhibition showcased the Textile Museum’s world-renowned historic collections and key loans of contemporary art textiles and fashion. 2320 S St. NW, Washington, D.C. 202-667-0441, textilemuseum.org SHIPS, CLOCKS, AND STARS Through Aug. 23. This landmark exhibition tells the extraordinary story of the race to determine longitude (east-west position) at sea, helping to solve the problem of navigation and saving seafarers from terrible fates, including shipwreck and starvation. Folger Shakespeare Library, 201 E. Capitol St. SE, Washington, D.C. 202-544-4600, folger.edu POINTED PENS Through Aug. 23. This exhibition features a fascinating collection of more than 30 works created between 1880 and 1945, selected from the museum’s rich collection of American illustration. Brandywine River Museum of Art, 1 Hoffman’s Mill Road, Chadds Ford, Pa. brandywine.org DANCE THEATRE OF HARLEM Through Aug. 30. An exhibition highlighting the many accomplishments of African-Americans and other minorities who defied stereotypes, and gravity itself, to pursue their passion and pave the way for future generations of artists. Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African-American History and Culture, 830 E. Pratt St., Baltimore, Md. rflewismuseum.org ROUGH STONE TO LIVING MARBLE Through Aug. 30. An exhibition exploring the workshop of 19thcentury sculptor William Henry Rinehart, a Maryland-born artist whose works were among William T. Walters’ earliest acquisitions. The Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles St., Baltimore, Md. 410-547-9000, thewalters.org

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ARTISTIC JOURNEY OF YASUO KUNIYOSHI Through Aug. 30. The exhibition traces Kuniyoshi’s career though 66 of his finest paintings and drawings, chosen from leading public and private collections in America and Japan. The Smithsonian American Art Museum, 8th and F streets NW, Washington, D.C. americanart.si.edu POSEY QUILT, EARLY 19TH CENTURY Through Sept. 7. An early 19th-century American pieced quilt made of silk dress fabrics from a variety of early American women and Posey family members. Dumbarton House, 2715 Q St. NW, Washington, D.C. 202-337-2288, dumbartonhouse.org FRONT ROOM: SARA VANDERBEEK Through September. Featuring sculpture and photography, the installation is inspired by VanDerBeek’s research on the BMA’s collection. The Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Drive, Baltimore, Md. 443-573-1700, artbma.org ON PAPER: SPIN, CRINKLE, PLUCK Through September. This exhibition showcases eight prints and drawings whose images are the result of a specific action or intention rather than a depiction of the action. The Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Drive, Baltimore, Md. 443-5731700, artbma.org FELIX BRACQUEMOND: IMPRESSIONIST INNOVATOR Through Oct. 4. A selection of more than 80 works on paper and tableware objects, among them his most imaginative portraits, landscapes, and groundbreaking reinterpretations of the traditions of French art and decorative arts. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, 200 N Blvd., Richmond, Va. 804-340-1400, vmfa.museum BEARD WARS Through Nov. 30. This photography exhibition faces off portraits of Civil War generals against those of league members. The Valentine, Richmond, Va. 804-649-0711, thevalentine.org PATSY FLEMING June 3–28. Her work is abstract and vibrant — a big, blank canvas is a challenge, but also a doorway to excitement and delight. Foundry Gallery, 1314 18th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 202 463-0203, foundrygallery.org ORGANIC MATTERS: WOMEN TO WATCH 2015 June 5–Sept. 13. This exhibition explores the relationships between women, art, and nature, examining contemporary women artists’ complex views and inventive treatments related to the theme of nature. National Museum of Women in the Arts, 1250 New York Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 202-7835000, nmwa.org PHOTOGRAPHS FROM THE PHILLIPS COLLECTION June 6–Sept. 13. This explores how 20th-century photographers captured the immediate and the transitory, distilling key narratives into evocative images of the American experience. The Phillips Collection, 1600 21st St. NW, Washington, D.C. 202-3872151, phillipscollection.org SONDHEIM ARTSCAPE PRIZE June 24–Aug. 9. The annual prize and exhibition shines a light on talented artists living in the Baltimore region, awarding $25,000 to the winning artist selected by a panel of jurors. The Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Drive, Baltimore, Md. 443-573-1700, artbma.org

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Lectures/Workshops/Classes

LAFAYETTE’S HERMIONE VOYAGE June 5–7. Three days of public events, including a Heritage Village traveling exhibit, entertainment, educational programs, and tours of Jamestown Settlement’s 1607 ship replica Godspeed, are planned in conjunction with the Hermione visit. Riverwalk Landing, Yorktown, Va. hermioneyorktown.com

LECTURES/TOURS OF THE HULL OF DEBRAAK June 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29, 10:00am and 1:00pm. Lectures/tours of the hull of DeBraak, a British warship that was escorting and protecting a convoy of British and American merchant ships en route to the United States when it was capsized and lost off the Delaware coast on May 25, 1798. 102 Kings Highway, Lewes, Del. 302-645-1148, history.delaware.gov

GARDEN TOURS June 7. The tour will feature four gardens that reflect years of dedication and evolution. Monkton and Jarrettsville, Md. 410367-6050, mdhorticulture.org/gardentour.htm

EXPLORING THE LIMITS OF ENDURANCE June 3, 7:00pm. In 2011, six years after her first attempt, Jennifer Pharr Davis became the overall record holder on the Appalachian Trail. She will offer her riveting account of overcoming the odds as she set this outstanding record. Sotterley Plantation, 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood, Md. 301-373-2280, sotterley.org

MARITIME HISTORY WALKING TOURS Second and fourth Saturdays, 10:00am. Fells Point Visitor Center, Baltimore, Md. 410-675-6750, preservationsociety.com

WORLD WAR II WEEKEND June 5–7. Daily warbird airshow, vintage aircraft rides, 80 restored vintage aircraft, 200 military vehicles, vendor military collectors flea market, living history performers, and entertainment. Mid-Atlantic Air Museum, Reading Regional Airport, Reading, Pa. 610-372-7333, maam.org JUNETEENTH June 7, 2:00–4:00pm. Dr. Spencer Crew, of George Mason University, will explore “Juneteenth” — the celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States. Historic Blenheim Civil War Interpretive Center, 3610 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax, Va. fairfaxva.gov AMERICAN HERO SERIES June 14, 1:00pm. Mark Lee Greenblatt, author of Valor, will present true stories of extraordinary heroism by American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Valor features the thrilling stories resulting from interviews with brave American servicemen from 21st-century wars. National Museum of American Jewish Military History, 1811 R St. NW, Washington, D.C. nmajmh.org CIVIL WAR WEEKEND June 27–28, 10:00am–5:00pm. The Civil War at Hagley Weekend features reenactors from the USS Lehigh, medallion making at the Hagley machine shop, a stretcher obstacle course, bucket brigade, and Sights, Sounds, and Smells tour that explores the black powder making process used at Hagley during the war. Hagley Museum, Wilmington, Del. hagley.org OLD MARYLAND FARM ACTIVITIES Old Maryland Farm, 301 Watkins Park Drive, Upper Marlboro, Md. 301-218-6770 or 301-699-2544, pgparks.com MONTPELIER MANSION TOURS Sundays, 1:00pm and 2:00pm. Montpelier Mansion, Route 197 and Muirkirk Road, Laurel, Md. 301-953-1376

PRO SPORTS

CAPE MAY, N.J. Historic district, moonlight trolley, and Cape May sampler tours. Cape May, N.J. 800-275-4278, capemaymac.org

O THER

FREE STATE FLY FISHERS June 3, 7:30pm. The Free State Fly Fishers invite the public to attend the free June monthly meeting with John Veil and Mark Bange speaking on Kayak Light Tackle and Fly Fishing. Davidsonville Family Recreation Center, Queen Anne Bridge Road, Davidsonville, Md. 301-249-6399.

TRACY MORGAN PERFORMS June 6, 9:00pm. 30 Rock funny man Tracy Morgan appears at Dover Downs Hotel and Casino, Dover, Del. doverdowns.com

LEARN ABOUT FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITIES June 6, 10:00am and June 17, 5:00pm. There are 37 “zero franchise-fee” 7-Eleven stores available in the D.C. and Maryland areas and you can learn about this opportunity at these informational sessions. 6930 Aviation Blvd., Glen Burnie, Md. franchise.7-eleven.com/seminar-sign-up

RELAY FOR LIFE June 6–7. The event starts at 6:00pm with an opening ceremony and will continue until 2:00am. There will be fun, food, music, entertainment, celebrations, ceremonies, and fundraisers. 42455 Fairgrounds Road, Leonardtown, Md. 757-218-7839, main.acsevents.org

BREECHES BUOY RESCUE DRILL June 27, Aug. 15, Aug. 29. Demonstration includes firing the Lyle gun, a small cannon, and a rescue from the “wreck pole.” Indian River Life Saving Station, Dewey Beach, Del. visitsoutherndelaware.com

KALORAMA MUSEUM WALK June 6–7. Discover Anderson House, Dumbarton House, Heurich House Museum, Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site, National Museum of American Jewish Military History, The Phillips Collection, and the President Woodrow Wilson House free of charge. Washington, D.C. woodrowwilsonhouse.org

STAINED-GLASS CLASS Ongoing. Mat About You Gallery, 3774 Old Columbia Pike, Ellicott City, Md. 410-313-8860, mataboutyou.com ADULT ART COURSES Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Drive, Baltimore, Md. 443-573-1700, artbma.org GALLERY TALKS Thursdays, 1:00pm; Saturdays and Sundays, 2:00pm. Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Drive, Baltimore, Md. 443-5731700, artbma.org SECOND SUNDAY SPOTLIGHT TALKS Second Sunday of every month, 2:00pm. Walters Art Museum, Baltimore, Md. 410-547-9000, thewalters.org

ST. CLEMENT’S ISLAND HERITAGE DAY June 13, 10:00am. Blackstone Lighthouse tours, presenters, and demonstrations related to island history. St. Clement’s Island Museum, 38370 Point Breeze Road, Coltons Point, Md. 301994-1471 MADE IN AMERICA TOURS June 17–20. Go behind the scenes of area attractions and marvel at how American goods are made. Plan your multi-day stay; check out packages online. York, Pa. factorytours.org

TRADITIONAL ART CLASSES Carroll County Farm Museum, 500 S. Center St., Westminster, Md. 410-386-3880, carrollcountyfarmmuseum.org

LIGHTHOUSE ADVENTURE CRUISES June 20, 7:45am. Cruise the northern route from Drum Point Lighthouse to see Cove Point, Thomas Point, Sandy Point, Bloody Point, and Sharps Island lighthouses. Calvert Marine Museum, Solomons Island, Md. 410-326-2041, ext. 31

Lynchburg

as Union headquarters during the Battle of Lynchburg. (historicsandusky.org)

BALTIMORE ORIOLES AT HOME Tuesday, June 9, vs. Red Sox, 7:05pm Wednesday, June 10, vs. Red Sox, 7:05pm Thursday, June 11, vs. Red Sox, 7:05pm Friday, June 12, vs. Yankees, 7:05pm Saturday, June 13, vs. Yankees, 7:15pm Sunday, June 14, vs. Yankees, 1:35pm Monday, June 15, vs. Phillies, 7:05pm Tuesday, June 16, vs. Phillies, 7:05pm Friday, June 26, vs. Indians, 7:05pm Saturday, June 27, vs. Indians, 7:15pm Sunday, June 28, vs. Indians, 1:35pm Monday, June 29, vs. Rangers, 7:05pm Tuesday, June 30, vs. Rangers, 7:05pm The Orioles play home games at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, 333 W. Camden St., Baltimore, Md. Call 888-848-BIRD or visit baltimore.orioles.mlb. com.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS AT HOME Monday, June 1, vs. Blue Jays, 7:05pm Tuesday, June 2, vs. Blue Jays, 7:05pm Wednesday, June 3, vs. Blue Jays, 7:05pm Thursday, June 4, vs. Cubs, 7:05pm Friday, June 5, vs. Cubs, 7:05pm Saturday, June 6, vs. Cubs, 12:05pm Sunday, June 7, vs. Cubs, 4:05pm Wednesday, June 17, vs. Rays, 7:05pm Thursday, June 18, vs. Rays, 7:05pm Friday, June 19, vs. Pirates, 7:05pm Saturday, June 20, vs. Pirates, 4:05pm Sunday, June 21, vs. Pirates, 1:35pm Tuesday, June 23, vs. Braves, 7:05pm Wednesday, June 24, vs. Braves, 7:05pm Thursday, June 25, vs. Braves, 4:05pm

continued from page 32 artifacts and exhibits including the only surviving U.S. Christian Commission Headquarters Flag; the personal revolver of Chaplain Woolsey, who rescued Custer at the Battle of Trevilian Station; and new exhibits on the chaplains of Appomattox, naval chaplains, and “Jackson’s Death Saga.” (chaplainsmuseum.org) Find even more Civil War history at Old City Cemetery, which contains 2,200 graves of Civil War Soldiers from 14 states. (gravegarden.org) Historic Sandusky and Civil War Center was used

Where to stay Holiday Inn in Downtown Lynchburg is conveniently located near all the historic attractions and charms of downtown and all the outdoor adventures beyond. It offers a seasonal swimming pool, too. (holidayinn.com/lynchburgva) Among other options, the historic Craddock Terrey is a boutique hotel downtown that offers several packages.

Learn more Lynchburg Tourism: discoverlynchburg.com

The Nationals play home games at Nationals Park, 1500 S. Capitol St. SE, Washington, D.C. Call 202-397-SEAT (7328) or visit washington.nationals. mlb.com.

D.C. UNITED AT HOME Wednesday, June 3, vs. Chicago, 7:00pm Saturday, June 6, vs. Toronto FC, 7:00pm Sunday, June 21, vs. New England, 5:00pm D.C. United plays home games at RFK Stadium, 2400 E. Capitol St. SE, Washington, D.C. Call 202-587-5000 or visit dcunited.com.

Civil War Chaplains Museum

The only known U.S. Christian Commission Headquarters flag is on display at the National Civil War Chaplains Museum.

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126 E. Race St. Martinsburg, WV 25401 Call 1-800-4WVA-Fun (800498-2386) or 304-264-8801, or visit www.TravelWV.com

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west virginia I andrea bond

West Virginia serves up wild, wonderful adventures in all forms

Summer is just about here — bringing longer days, warmer temperatures, and countless opportunities for unique and exciting adventures in wild, wonderful West Virginia. Begin your fun-filled summer at one of the Mountain State’s ski resorts. The snow may have melted months ago, but these mountain slopes are perfect for an adrenaline-packed mountain bike adventure. Canaan Valley Resort State Park, Timberline Four Seasons Resort, and Snowshoe Mountain Resort all offer summer fun, ranging from mountain biking and hiking to scenic chairlift rides and golf. Canaan Valley Resort boasts 150 miles of trails dedicated to hiking and biking. Touring bike rentals are available on property. The resort’s Turtle Slide Tube Ride will capture the attention of your little ones, ages 4 and older, while the adults can test their skills at the sporting clays trap shooting range. Kids will enjoy scaling the resort’s 25foot climbing wall or seeing how high they can jump on the Eurobungy, both located at the resort’s recreation center. Canaan also shares its 18-hole, par 72 golf course with neighboring Timberline. (canaanresort.com)

W.Va. Tourism

continued on page 44

Take an ATV ride in West Virginia’s back county to test your skill and have a ball. Departs elkins & Cass, Wv

2015 SUMMER Events

Father’s Day Cookout Sunday, June 21

Give Dad a break and let us do the grillin’! Live traditional music and a cookout at Spruce. Bring a blanket, rain gear and Dad!

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Special Event Great WV Train Race Trains Sunday, July 19

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Watch Steam and Diesel vie for the position of “Most Powerful Mountain Climbing� train in West Virginia! Picnic and live entertainment. Bring a blanket!

SpamJAM Friday, August 7

This is an overnight adventure deep in the Wild Heart of West Virginia! Picnic, Concert, Campfire and Camping, for those who want to stay under the stars and listen to bands into the night. Bring camping gear. (Trains depart around 9:00pm for those not camping) Price includes Saturday lunch.

r e s e rvat i o n s

866-697-6028 • Mtn-Rail.com 42 recreation news I june 2015 I recreationnews.com


#GoToWV | 800-CALL WVA

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West Virginia continued from page 42 Rent a cross-country bike at Timberline to use on one of its 17 handcrafted downhill trails or 10 miles of wooded gentle terrain. For a bird’s eye view of the slopes, try a ride on Timber Zips, the resort’s 1,000-foot zip line which opened just last year. The resort also offers scenic chairlift rides and putt-putt golf. (timberlineresort.com) You can catch the view from the saddle with Mountain Trail Rides, which operates two riding stables in the Canaan Valley. The outfitter also has a petting zoo and adventure cave at its primary location and operates a Farm Discover Center as well. (mountaintrailrides.com) The bike park at Snowshoe Mountain is recognized as one of the best in the U.S. and one of the largest trail systems in the East. Join a pro for a 30-minute introduction to biking and learn about equipment, safety, gear, and skills. Machinegroomed trails will build confidence in riders new to the sport, while 1,500 vertical feet of descent offer a challenge for trail veterans. For a unique off-road experience, explore Snowshoe by Segway and embark on a guided scenic tour of the mountain. Play a round on Snowshoe’s Raven Golf Course, ranked the No. 2 public course in the state by GolfWeek. Or, cool down at Shavers Lake, which has a swimming area and access to paddleboats, canoes, kayaks, and water bikes. (snowshoemtn.com)

Not just ski resorts It’s not just the ski resorts where you will find unexpected opportunities for fun off the beaten

path. The Greenbrier resort, best known for its award-winning golf and state-of-the-art tennis center, offers off-road adventure on its private 10,000acre mountain preserve. Get behind the wheel of a specially equipped Jeep Wrangler Rubicon and, with the assistance of skilled instructors, traverse a 30-mile course over rocks, ruts, creek crossings, steep hills, gullies, and mud pits. (greenbrier. com/play-here/off-road) Pipestem Resort State Park plays host to the popular new sport of FootGolf. A combination of soccer and golf, FootGolf is played with a regulation No. 5 soccer ball on a golf course with shortened holes and 21-inch diameter cups. The rules are similar to golf, except players use their feet instead of clubs. For those who prefer traditional golf, there’s that, too. (pipestemresort.com) Insider tip: Don’t miss out on a scenic aerial tramway ride to the bottom of the Bluestone Gorge. If you’ve been curious about rock climbing but didn’t know where to start, NROCKS Outdoor Adventures in Circleville is a one-of-a-kind adventure. The Via Ferrata features a mile of fixedanchor, professionally guided rock climbing, crossing a 200-foot-long suspension bridge and reaching exposed heights of 280 feet. (nrocks. com) Offering visitors a new perspective of Appalachia, Hatfield and McCoy Airboat Tours offer guests an exhilarating ride down the Tug River through the heart of Hatfield and McCoy country in Southern West Virginia. A tour guide tells the story of the region’s colorful history of “feudin,’ fightin,’ moonshinin,’ and coal minin.’” While you’re in the area, take a driving tour of feud sites, visit the Matewan Depot Museum, or sample authentic

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(made by a Hatfield) Hatfield & McCoy Moonshine. (hatfieldmccoyairboattours.com) Looking for more cool summer fun? Just add water. Stand-up paddle boarding brings a new twist to an old standard, combining elements of surfing and kayaking. Numerous outfitters in West Virginia offer instruction in the finer points of standing on an oversized surf board and paddling with a single-bladed paddle. Try it out on Summersville Lake or take a float trip on one of the state’s water trails. (sarges.net/kayaking.htm) For a comprehensive listing of water trails, hiking, biking, and ATV trails in the state, visit West Virginia Trail Inventory at mapwv.gov/trails. Find your adventure in West Virginia at gotowv. com or by calling 800-CALL-WVA. You can also join the conversation and share your wild, wonderful stories on Facebook at facebook.com/GoToWV or on Twitter and Instagram @GoToWV with #GoToWV. W.Va. Tourism

Snowshoe Resort offers mountain biking trails when the snow melts.


west virginia I staff

Wetzel County shares festivals and its river with visitors Wetzel County joins West Virginia’s western panhandle with the rest of the state and lies between the legendary Ohio River and the mountains. That location lends itself to outdoor activities such as hiking, birding, camping, and geocaching. The lack of major sources of artificial light also makes the area great for stargazing. “We are a quaint, laid back place; ideal if you really want to get away from it all,” said Sandy Hunt, who promotes the area. Native Americans who inhabited the area thousands of years ago were Mound Builders, and burial mounds once dotted the land. Nearby Grave Creek Mound is the largest conical burial mound in the country. Today, the Lantz Farm and Nature Preserve offers 555 acres of self-guided trails, while the Lewis Wetzel Wildlife Management Area has 30 miles of trails on its 13,000 acres, as well as basic campsites. “You can put in for canoeing or kayaking at the 4H Campground, which also has campsits, hookups and showers,” Hunt said. The Ohio River is second only to the Mississippi in carrying commercial traffic. You can follow Route 2 south along the river from New Martinsville to Paden City, home of Marble King which is the largest producer of marbles in the country. Stop and enjoy the riverwalk. Head on to Sisterville, take the ferry across the river to Ohio and

Family Event

Check out the French tall ship Hermione in Yorktown, Va., June 5–7, or in Alexandria, Va., June 10–12, as part of the commemoration of the Marquis de Lafayette’s historic voyage to America in 1780. There will be free tours, as well as French-inspired menus at local restaurants, demonstrations, costumed characters, and more. There’s also the Tall Ships Festival at Cape Charles on Virginia’s Eastern Shore June 13–14, complete with sails, tours, music, and festival fare. — karen graham

FREE IN D.C.

Military bands and outdoor summer concerts seem to go together. The Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps bands have concerts most nights of the week at 8:00pm on the west steps of the U.S. Capitol. (aoc.gov/concerts-us-capitol) ... Enjoy the music, dances, food, and crafts of Peru at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, June 24–28 and July 1–5 on the National Mall. (festival.si.edu) ... See music, dance, theater, and other performances daily at 6:00pm at the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage. (kennedy-center.org) — gwen woolf

www.recreationnews.com 410-638-6901 | fax: 410-638-6902 1607 Sailaway Circle, Baltimore, MD 21221

work your way back through the Wayne National Forest and drive across the bridge back into New Martinsville. There are a variety of other routes suggested at wetzelcvb.org for taking in small towns, historic sites such as the 1881 Fishing Creek Covered Bridge, and natural areas. This corner of West Virginia is also known for its festivals. August brings the Town and Country Days Fair with farming events, carnival rides, plenty of food, live bands, and its Mud Bog and

Demolition Derby. The community marks the fall season with Autumnfest, a three-day event featuring demonstrations of heritage crafts, the making of apple cider and apple butter, entertainment, and, of course, a giant pumpkin contest. October also brings the annual Chili Fest, with chili vendors, a best chili contest, a farmers market, crafts, and entertainment.

For more information Wetzel Co. Tourism: wetzelcvb.org

Ways to Hang Out! • Flying through the trees on four zip lines to an aerial bridge and rappel station • One of the best bouldering and top rope sites in the eastern U.S. • 50 miles of hiking trails • 1,200-ft. spine-tingling overlook into the mile-wide gorge Save time for a ride on our roller coaster whitewater rapids! The Cheat River features Class III-V rapids, family float trips and guided raft / ducky tours.

800.458.7373 | tourmorgantown.com zip lining

mountain biking

rock climbing

whitewater rafting

kayaking

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From Don Knotts’ Morgantown to Western Maryland

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M artinsburg downtown h ’s lots o f restau as and unique s rants It was great tores. fun!

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The B&O Roundhouse is one of several museums open on weekends

Our NEXT Martinsburg Weekend! HAUNTED HISTORY & LEGENDS TOUR SATURDAY NIGHTS

For more information, visit martinsburgwvghosttours.vpweb.com

FRIDAYS @FIVE CONCERT SERIES FRIDAY NIGHTS IN THE SQUARE

For more information, visit mainstreetmartinsburg.com

NORTH MOUNTAIN ARTS FESTIVAL @ ORRS FARM MARKET

MYSTERY CACHES OF BERKELEY COUNTY JUNE 27 Third Geocaching Trail Launch

For more information, visit travelwv.com

ODDFEST WEIRD, WILD & WONDERFUL JUNE 27 & 28 Many events around the county!

For more information, visit oddfestwv.com

JUNE 6 & 7 For more information, visit FACEBOOK - North Mountain Arts Festival

Download our free App for Android & iOS! Visit Martinsburg, WV Martinsburg-Berkeley County Convention and Visitors Bureau 126 East Race Street • Martinsburg, WV 25401 304.264.8801 or 800.4WVA.FUN • TravelWV.com

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What do comedian Don Knotts, musician Ellie Mannette, and first lady Eleanor Roosevelt have in common? They all have connections to Monongalia and Preston counties in north central West Virginia. The region, 200 miles from Washington, D.C., has cultural offerings that supplement its extensive outdoor recreation. Knotts, best known for playing bumbling deputy Barney Fife on the The Andy Griffith Show, is a hometown hero in Morgantown, where his family called him “Jess.” A section of the Morgantown History Museum is devoted to the late comedian’s extensive TV and film career and a sidewalk star honors him at the Metropolitan Theatre, where he performed. The 1924 theater, known locally as “The Met,” once hosted vaudeville entertainers such as Bob Hope and Bing Crosby. Today, it’s a performing arts venue and home to West Virginia Public Theatre, which features Broadway-style musicals. Nearby is the Monongalia Arts Center. West Virginia University sponsors Mountaineer Week each fall, which includes a fiddling contest, juried craft fair, and ghost tours by storyteller Jason Burns, of West Virginia’s Spectral Heritage.

Different sides of Osage Ellie Mannette may not be a household name, but, as “father of the modern steel pan instrument,” his music reverberates widely. Mannette Steel Instruments, where the drums are made and sold, is in Osage. The 88-year-old musician still entertains on occasion at events such as at the Smithsonian’s Folk Life Festival. Osage is also the location of Scotts Run Museum, which pays homage to the community’s coal-mining heritage. Eleanor Roosevelt noted the desperate conditions of workers there during the Great Depression and championed the establishment of Arthurdale in Preston County, the first of the New Deal Homestead settlements designed to give families a leg up. Known as “Eleanor’s Little Village” because of the first lady’s keen interest, Arthurdale is a National Historic District where 160 of the original 165 homesteads remain. You can visit five of the buildings at the New Deal Homestead Museum. History lovers can view World

War II uniforms and memorabilia at the Greatest Generation Museum in Rowlesburg. In Kingwood, you can tour the handsome McGrew House, the 1841 home of one of West Virginia’s founders. Fill up on nostalgia at Westbrook’s Esso, a gas station from 1924 through the 1940s. Back in the day, you could buy gas at the pump for around 18 cents a gallon and grab a bottle of pop. The Preston Community Arts Center offers work by juried artisans and concerts. Bob Shank played the banjo and dulcimer during a recent performance, helping to keep traditional Appalachian music alive. “I’m not a musicologist or a historian. I just love the music,” Shank said. Keeping another tradition going is Allegheny Treenware in Evansville, where former coal miners Stan and Sue Jennings create wooden kitchen utensils “the old-fashioned way.” You can watch the process in their workshop and purchase items that are for sale. JoAnn Peterson is active in the Preston County arts community. A professional actress, she gives first-person portrayals of historical women such as Mary Todd Lincoln, Jenny Lind, and Molly Brown for theaters, tour groups, and civic gatherings. She’s also the owner/manager of Mountaineer Country Tours, based in Kingwood, which specializes in customized group travel in the region. One of her offerings is the “Don Knotts Hometown Tour.”

Arts in Western Maryland Garrett County in neighboring Western Maryland is the home of Spruce Forest Artisan Village in Grantsville. Restored log cabins moved from other sites — each a story in itself — house artisans who demonstrate and sell their crafts. One is acclaimed bird sculptor Gary Yoder. Another is potter Lynn Lais, who said his work is inspired by northern European and other folk patterns, but his designs are uniquely his. The village also has an old-fashioned one-room school and a 1797 gristmill. You can walk across the 80foot stone Casselman River Bridge, built in 1813 as part of the old National Road leading to the frontier. continued on page 47


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Fairmont claims Father’s Day and a musical heritage Fairmont, W.Va., is the birthplace of the pepperoni roll and Father’s Day, but it also has a musical claim to fame. Johnnie Johnson, the “Father of Rock ‘n’ Roll” who played with Chuck Berry, was born here, too. Naturally, you’d expect to hear blues, jazz, and rock ‘n’ roll in Fairmont, and you do — at street festivals, park concerts, wineries, and the annual Johnnie Johnson Festival in July. But that’s not the only musical vibe in this Monongahela River city south of Morgantown. The Sagebrush Round-Up has showcased country music since the 1930s and has its own West Virginia Country Music Hall of Fame. Fairmont’s riverside Palatine Park features concerts of swing, big band, ‘50s, blues, gospel, and bluegrass on Saturday evenings. Nearby Prickett’s Fort State Park leans toward folk and acoustic music, and downtown Fairmont’s First Friday series features eclectic musical offerings. One of the most unique musical events, Fairmont’s Patty Fest, celebrates the life and music of a renowned dulcimer musician by offering up 12 hours of workshops and performances on June 6.

Diverse musical offerings It is all because of the late Patty Looman that mountain and hammered dulcimer music is alive and well in the Mountain State. The annual PattyFest honors Looman’s work preserving, playing, and teaching old-time dulcimer music. The all-day event at Fairmont High School features performances, jams, and workshops, as well as traditional West Virginia food including soup beans, cornbread, and fried potatoes with wild leek ramps. Nearby Palatine Park will be serving up music of the ‘50s at its car show that evening, following up June 13 with a gospel sing and, on June 21, with West Virginia Day, featuring a mixture of bands. June 27 is big band and swing night, and the Johnnie Johnson Festival on July 18 brings in some of the region’s best blues musicians.

Sagebrush Round-Up on Bunner Ridge continues its tradition of hosting three or four country music bands on Saturday nights, with bluegrass bands on the fifth Saturdays. The annual Spring Festival on June 13 features Johnny Staats & the Delivery Boys, and on Aug. 15 Nashville recording star Gene Watson graces the stage. “It’s a great place for the family — no smoking, no drinking, a good place to socialize,” said Bill Janoske, of the Sagebrush Round-Up.

In addition to its wine and spirits, Fairmont’s Heston Farm Winery and Distillery serves up a soulful night of Chicago-style blues with Miss Freddye Stover on June 20. Heston Farm features musical performances by leading regional musicians each third Saturday, as well as improv comedy by the Fearless Fools on various other nights.

For more information Marion Co. Tourism: marioncvb.com

d FIRST FATHER’S DAY SERVICE WAS HELD IN FAIRMONT BACK IN 1908 A sign at the Fairmont city limits proclaims “Welcome to Fairmont — Home of the First Father’s Day Service.” The story of Fairmont’s Father’s Day is intertwined with the worst mine disaster in U.S. history, the Monongah Mine explosion. On Dec. 6, 1907, fires and cave-ins trapped and killed 362 men, leaving more than 1,000 children fatherless. As the town grappled with ways to help, Grace Clayton came up with the idea for a church service to commemorate fathers. On July 5, 1908, the first Father’s Day observance was held at the Methodist church. Clayton didn’t follow through to persuade legislators to proclaim an annual Father’s Day, so that credit goes to a Washington woman. But, the fact remains that Fairmont’s service was the first Father’s Day observance, and West Virginia historical markers at Central United Methodist proclaim this. A Father’s Day room there is filled with memorabilia about Father’s Day, and visitors join the congregation the third Sunday each June for special services.

culture continued from page 46 Oakland has a cluster of museums within walking distance. The new Garrett County Transportation Museum showcases everything from Model Ts to 1950s sailboats. The Oakland B&O Museum is housed in an 1884 train depot. The Garrett County Historical Society Museum is divided into 10 themed rooms. You can watch master glassblowers at work in the nearby Simon Pearce factory and browse their creations in the gift shop.

Learn more

NEW

Lodg Guest e & rooms

Morgantown Tourism: tourpreston.com Mountaineer Country Tours: mountaineercountrytours.com Garrett Co. Tourism: visitdeepcreek.com

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The Woods: A great place to play golf or have a family reunion After just a 90-minute drive from Washington, D.C., or Baltimore, you can be relaxing at the Hedgesville, W.Va., resort appropriately named The Woods. For nearly 40 years, The Woods has been providing visitors with a wide variety of activities that cater to golfers, hikers, and those who just want to relax. It’s also a central location that many families choose for reunions and getaways. “There is serenity and quiet here,” said Joy Johnson, one of the owners. “There is also so much to do. It’s nice to get out of the city.” The Woods occupies 1,800 acres at the northern gateway to the

Shenandoah Valley. During the season, the facility has 100 staff members. For golf enthusiasts, there’s the 18-hole championship Mountain View Course for low handicappers and the 18-hole mid-length Stony Lick Course. Mountain View meanders around a wooded plateau between The Woods Pro Shop and the Third Hill Mountain. It was originally a forest. Mountain View’s fairways are framed by dogwood, maple, oak, and pine trees. The Clubhouse Grille and Pub, which offers live music, is located nearby. A new attraction was recently added that exposes children and The Woods

The Woods

Tackle two golf courses at The Woods resort.

Sleepy Creek Spa offers many treatments.

The Train Where

EAGLES FLY

other non-golfers to the world of golf in a different way. “It’s called FootGolf,” said Johnson. “It’s a combination of soccer and golf. It’s not played on the fairway, but nearby.”

Plenty more to do Other outdoor activities at The Woods include two 25-meter pools, tennis courts, basketball/volleyball courts, a softball field, catch-andrelease fishing, and a horseshoe pit. There is also an indoor sports center with a heated swimming pool, large whirlpool, racquetball court, a multipurpose court for tennis and basketball, and a fully equipped exercise room. The Woods also gives you the golden opportunity to take in all that nature has to offer. It’s bordered on three sides by the 23,000-acre Sleepy Creek Wildlife Management Area, which contains more than 75 miles of hiking trails and a 205-acre lake for fishing and canoeing. For those who just want to rid themselves of stress, The Sleepy Creek Spa offers luxurious pampering and treatments for both men and women. You can soak in the whirlpool or just enjoy a cup of herbal tea. Visitors can choose from a variety of accommodations at The Woods. Meadow Cottages feature four bedrooms, four baths, a large great room, gas fireplace, and kitchen. Pinecrest Cottages offer one bedroom, kitchenette, gas fireplace, deck, whirlpool bath, and separate shower. Private villas come with two to four bedrooms, kitchens, and family rooms.

Insider tip: The Woods offers peak season Stay ‘N Play packages from $79 per person midweek and $89 per person on the weekend. History lovers find themselves close to many historical sites, including Harpers Ferry National Military Park, historic Shepherdstown (the oldest town in West Virginia), and Antietam Battlefield in Sharpsburg, Md.

Family reunions Johnson encourages people to hold family reunions at The Woods. “Years ago, I was in charge of our family reunion. I had the lion’s share of the work,” she said. She decided she wanted to help families to overcome the potential hassle of planning such an event. The Woods offers free assistance and even has a brochure specifically devoted to planning family reunions. Suggestions include: establishing a family member (or committee) to coordinate the event (18 months in advance); sending out a family survey (18 months in advance); making a site visit (12 to 18 months in advance); setting the dates and reserving rooms (12 to 15 months in advance); sending out a save-thedate card (12 months in advance); assigning tasks (six months in advance); and creating an itinerary (six months in advance). Whether it’s a family reunion or just an old-fashioned getaway, The Woods is a fun and relaxing place to explore.

For more information The Woods: thewoods.com. The Woods

Since 2005, eagles were seen on every train ride!

Historic Locomotives & Trains • Regular 4 hour excursions departing Romney, WV • Monthly 6 hour trips departs Petersburg, WV • Club car & coach seating available on all trains • Excursions Saturdays in May-Sept. • Daily trains in October

INFORMATION AND RESERVATIONS: 304-424-0736 • www.potomaceagle.info 149 Eagle Drive, Rt 28N, Romney WV South Side Depot 126 S. Main St, Petersburg, WV

48 recreation news I june 2015 I recreationnews.com

Newly popular FootGolf is a combination of soccer and golf.


govemployee.com I advertorial

Recharge with summer fun in the Poconos If the cool spring gave you the blues, there’s a remedy, and it involves some summer fun in the Poconos. At Cove Haven Entertainment Resorts, you can recharge your winter-worn batteries and feel as fresh as a spring flower with a number of fun activities and some time to yourself with your loved one. Nestled in the heart of the Pocono Mountains region of northeastern Pennsylvania, Cove Haven Entertainment Resorts offer couples three luxurious premier inclusive resorts — Cove Haven, Paradise Stream, and Pocono Palace — boasting 589 suites in 16 unique styles. At Cove Haven Entertainment Resorts, romance is anything but conventional, as couples can choose among a wide variety of activities, ranging from the quiet and reflective to loud and adventurous. Known for nearly 50 years for their famous 7-foottall Champagne Towers and heart-shaped

whirlpools (these icons still remain popular), the resorts now boast a variety of active lifestyle activities, live entertainment, and world-class dining to suit the romantic pursuits of poets and adventurists alike. Under the leadership of a Cove Haven Entertainment Resorts’ exclusive CXOs (Chief eXcitement Officers), on-site and offsite activities include biking, hiking, kayaking, canoeing, and whitewater rafting. A CXO will often create new ideas or put unique twists on familiar games to keep activities fresh and exciting. Paintball and race-car driving are also led by a CXO. Many of the new activities are available to guests at no extra charge, while others are offered through strategic partners and include special guest discounts. The resorts also offer special events such as wine tasting, a signature cooking class (Flames of Passion), concerts, and comedy shows.

SuiteAmerica satisfies your lodging needs SuiteAmerica is an industry awardwinning corporate housing resource that has been providing furnished and accessorized apartments since 1990. SuiteAmerica offers fully comprehensive and customizable packages that meet the needs of government, military, and private sector employees. A one-stop provider, SuiteAmerica attributes much of its success to a company-wide philosophy of total customer satisfaction, with offices strategically located throughout the country so accommodations are available nationwide.

Why stay in a SuiteAmerica apartment? ◆ Fully furnished and accessorized one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments for extended stays. ◆ All utilities are included. ◆ All homes come with high-speed Internet access. ◆ A washer and dryer in every unit.

◆ Units are double the size of a hotel room and offer customizable furniture options to meet the needs of your family. ◆ A cost-effective solution to your housing per diem. We offer both TDY and PCS rates to employees on temporary projects, relocation, or internships. ◆ Walk to metro and public transportation. ◆ Pet-friendly communities available. SuiteAmerica is an approved vendor of Lodging Services under GSA 653-9. The company offers a wide array of complimentary and concierge services to assist when traveling to a new assignment. Complimentary and concierge services include meet and greets, community tours, and airport pick-up. SuiteAmerica has enjoyed tremendous growth and success by providing unparalleled client service. For additional information, contact Kim Dunbar at 703690-2030 or dunbar@suiteamerica.com, or visit suiteamerica.com.

THE RECREATION NEWS MEDIA GROUP www.RecreationNews.com Recreation News • Weekend Update E-mail The Travel Radio Show and Podcast Visit us on Facebook! E-mail: Publisher@RecreationNews.com 1607 Sailaway Circle, Baltimore, MD 21221 Phone: 410-638-6901 • Fax: 410-638-6902 © 2015, Indiana Printing and Publishing Co., Inc. Recreation News (ISSN 1056-9294) is the official publication of GovEmployee.com and GovEmployee.com, and is published monthly by the Indiana Printing and Publishing Co., Inc. Subscriptions by mail are $15 per year (12 issues). Corporate and bulk employee subscriptions are free. Contact the publisher at the address or telephone number listed above. Items in Recreation News may not be reproduced without the publisher’s written consent. Publisher - Karl Teel Editor - Marvin Bond Calendar Editor - Jessica Bosse Account Executive - Lynn Talbert Copy Editor - Andrea Ebeling Cover Design - Debbie Palmer Web Support - Ron Yarnick Layout & Art - Beth Wood Accounting - Bev Peterson

Chief Financial Off. - Barb Sullinger Production - Eric Smith Printing - Joe Naman Shipping - Sam Parisee Mailing - Gerrard Wilson Marketing - Debbie Palmer Data Mgt. - Carolyn Grover Social Media - Karen Falk Webmaster - Ellen Matis

Previous spring and summer lineups have included Hootie and the Blowfish, Phil Vassar, and Sinbad. Jenny McCarthy’s Dirty, Sexy, Funny Tour is currently slated for July, with more shows to be announced. Guests are also encouraged to take advantage of the many nearby Pocono Mountains-area attractions, including hiking trails at Bushkill Falls, canoeing on the Delaware River, shopping at the Crossing Outlet Stores, and visiting shops and stores in neighboring towns. In addition to providing a perfect setting for a romantic honeymoon, Cove Haven Entertainment Resorts also host approximately 250 weddings a year. Couples can plan a “Champagne Wedding Experience” to affirm their love and commitment in idyllic surroundings. Whether it’s near a peaceful, private lakefront property or under an archway decorated with flowers, couples can rely

on Cove Haven Entertainment Resorts to create the most memorable and beautiful wedding of their dreams. For companies or organizations of at least 50 people, Cove Haven Entertainment Resorts offers the Getaway Club discount program. This program is a free benefit that will give employees/members the opportunity to save up to 50 percent on their all-inclusive stay at any of the four Cove Haven Entertainment Resorts locations. Through the Getaway Club, Cove Haven Entertainment Resorts provides companies the ability to offer a program that will allow employees/members to stay at the “World’s Most Romantic Resorts” for a fraction of the price. For more information about Cove Haven Entertainment Resorts, call 888-4441439 and mention the promotional code GA-29953, or visit govemployee.com.

Veterans Affairs Health Care seminar set for June 1 Learn about enrollment, eligibility, and veterans’ benefits The Veterans Affairs Maryland Health Care System is hosting a VA Health Care Enrollment, Eligibility, and Veterans’ Benefits Seminar at the Baltimore VA Medical Center on June 1, 9:00am–12:15pm. The program is free of charge and is designed to provide an overview of VA programs and services for community health care providers, social workers, and counselors. During the seminar, VA representatives will provide presentations about VA health care eligibility and enrollment, in addition to an overview of VA primary, mental health, and long-term care. There will also be representatives available during the seminar to talk about VA health care services in the community and VA compensation benefits.

Following the seminar, participants will have the opportunity to visit resource tables to get additional information about VA programs and services available to veterans. Registration for the seminar begins at 8:30am on the second floor of the Baltimore VA Medical Center, 10 N. Greene St. in Baltimore. Parking for the program is available for a fee at nearby parking garages. For more information about the VA Health Care Enrollment, Eligibility, and Veterans Benefits Seminar, contact the VA Maryland Health Care System’s Community Outreach office at 800-949-1003, ext. 6071, or register online at chepinc.org/upcoming_events and click on 06/01/2015 VA Health Care Enrollment, Eligibility, and Veterans’ Benefits Seminar.

NIST hosting picnic and fitness open house NIST will host a Vendor Picnic and Fitness Center Open House outside at the Picnic Grove area on the other side of the main building parking lot. The event will be held June 10 (rain date: June 11), 11:00am-1:30pm. NIST expects to have a great turnout, as it will be bringing in restaurants and providing

free lunch for NIST employees and associates. Attendees will be able to visit with vendors and there will be door prizes and giveaways. There also will be a disc jockey, and the trainer from the fitness center will lead a workout.

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GovEmployee.com 3012 Gold Mine Road, Brookeville, MD 20833 Phone: 301-221-3977 Email RSragner@GovEmployee.com 2015 RECGOV President: Ruth Sragner Advisory Panel: Renee Bolden, Clement Jackson, Karl Teel, Jessica Smith and Ted Tepper Publisher - Recreation News: Karl Teel

GovEmployee.com We are a co-op of more than 40 recreation associations and MWRs working together to better serve our members

recreationnews.com I june 2015 I recreation news 49


c c Grandeur of the Seas RUISE orner c c RUISE

orner michelle & karl teel

brings the ‘wow factor’ to cruising Royal Caribbean wants to wow you! The cruise line continues to raise the cruise vacation bar higher by taking favorite features from the innovative Oasis-class ships and adding them to the rest of the fleet. Cruisers from Baltimore will experience that “wow factor� on the newly renovated Grandeur of the Seas. The Grandeur of the Seas’ staterooms are refreshed and updated with new artwork, baths, fresh linens, flat screen TVs, and some ocean-view staterooms converted to create additional balconies. There are even new family suites that accommodate up to six guests, giving them extra space to cruise in style. Also new for the Grandeur are the recently added Chops Grille signature steak house, the Izumi Japanese restaurant, and Giovanni’s Table, a family-style Italian restaurant. Sounds great, doesn’t it? But wait, that’s not all! The new Centrum experience will astound you. During the day there are enrichment activities for the whole family, and by night there is amazing entertainment, including an aerial acrobatics show that is simply incredible. Updated technology includes enhanced Wi-Fi and new touchscreens that are available to help you find your way around the ship and to all of the activities that are offered. The ship also has a new 22-foot outdoor movie screen that reminds us of the family fun that was had in the days of the drive-in movie theater.

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Insider tip: Use one of the travel agents inside these pages or contact your favorite agent to help you find the perfect stateroom. Some of the things to consider: Are you under a noisy nightclub or a dining area? Are you close to an elevator? Are you near the Centrum? A stateroom near those centers of activity can be great from a convenience standpoint, but can be noisy.

Plenty to do If you are thinking of taking a cruise for your summer family vacation, this cruise ship has everything you need to keep the whole family happy. For families traveling with kids, there is Royal Caribbean’s “Adventure Ocean� youth program. There are programs for babies and tots, kids ages 3 to 11, and teens ages 12 to 17.  There is so much for families to do on the revamped ship. Enjoy theme nights poolside, 3-D movies, games, contests, and family enrichment activities, and visits with characters from DreamWorks movies Kung Foo Panda, Shrek, and Madagascar. There are photo ops and dining events, family-friendly stage performances, and puppet shows. My Family Time Dining is offered at the first seating, which allows everyone to be together for dinner, and then the kids head off for Adventure Ocean activities, allowing Mom and Dad to have some well-deserved couple time in the evening. The ship also offers Sitters at Sea, who will babysit and entertain the children in your stateroom for

:[dW the babysitter.

an hourly fee. The ship has pools, an arcade, and many kinds of action and adventure options, such as the Flow Rider surfing simulator and a rockclimbing wall. For adults, there’s plenty of entertainment on board, too. Casino Royale has 11 tables and 190 slots. The Solarium is an adults-only retreat with its own pool and two whirlpools. And, there are eight bars and lounges, including the South Pacific Lounge, the Champagne Bar, and the new R Bar with its 1960s “mod� (think Mad Men) styling. Grandeur of the Seas offers plenty of rest, relaxation, and romance for couples. See a Broadwaystyle production while holding hands, hit the Vitality Spa for a couples massage, slow dance to the live orchestra, renew your vows, go on an exotic or adventurous excursion for the just the two of you, or share a romantic candlelight dinner in one of the upscale restaurants. As always, you can do as little or as much as you want. Play, exercise, relax, or party — the choice is yours.

Culinary delights If you are into culinary experiences, there are plenty of restaurants and options to keep you happy. This is the place to let the kids experiment with a variety of foods, at no extra cost. The Main Dining Room always offers multi-course dining for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The Windjammer CafÊ and Solarium CafÊ are available for complimentary dining, too. And, there is room service for those who want to have a snack or a meal in the comfort of their stateroom. In search of an over-the-top dining experience? Try the Chef’s Table, offering an intimate, five-course gourmet food and wine pairing. Love

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coffee? Have a cup of Seattle’s Best Coffee at Café Latte’-tudes. Looking for a treat? Enjoy cold delights at Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream. If you are in the mood for a little nibble, try the a la carte menu, which features bitesized portions of classic dishes, at the new Viking Crown Lounge. And, don’t forget about the shopping. There are plenty of opportunities to get some great jewelry, perfumes, and other duty-free bargains both on and off the ship. Insider tip: The best shopping deals onboard can be had on the last day and night of any cruise.

Cruising from Baltimore on the Grandeur of the Seas is a great idea because you can save hundreds of dollars on airfare and the associated costs of flying, making a cruise vacation much more affordable for your family. The Port of Baltimore’s Cruise Terminal is located right off of I-95, with secure parking within walking distance of the terminal. And, the Port of Baltimore’s cruise terminal recently won two international customer service awards — Best CheckIn Experience and Best Departure Experience — from Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, scoring 92 out of a pos-

sible 100 points for both awards. The Royal Caribbean Ground Handler Awards included competition from cruise ports around the world that Royal Caribbean visits. Set sail this summer on an even grander Grandeur of the Seas to the Bahamas or Bermuda, or to Canada and New England this fall, or to the

Caribbean in the winter. You’ll find plenty of reasons to say, “Wow!” To find out more, visit royalcaribbean.com or check with one of the travel agents listed on these pages to book the experience. Check out more cruise coverage at RecreationNews.com. Bon voyage!

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean’s solarium offers a peaceful oasis, regardless of what the weather is outside.

IT’S OUR TURN TO SERVE YOU

May is Military Appreciation Month, and Royal Caribbean® wants to salute you for your service. Set a course for adventure onboard the unbelievable Grandeur of the Seas®, sailing from Baltimore. Conquer our Rock Climbing Wall — right on the deck. Unwind on Bermuda’s shimmering, pink beaches and in crystal blue Bahamian waters. Or indulge in delicious dining and enjoy dazzling entertainment. Whatever your adventure, Royal Caribbean has it. Book now and get up to $100 to spend onboard any way you like as our way of showing appreciation for all you do.

Call 1-800-Royal Caribbean, visit www.RoyalCaribbean.com or visit your local travel professional today.

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*Visit RoyalCaribbean.com for complete terms and conditions. Cruise must be booked between May 1 - May 31 2015. Offer applies to sailings departing between July 1, 2015 - April 30 2017. Offer applies to active and retired U.S. and Canadian military personnel who meet the qualifications listed at RoyalCaribbean.com/military Military Personnel. Valid military identification must be presented at pier check-in; offer will be removed from booking if valid identification is not presented. Offer will be applied to stateroom in which the qualified Military Personnel is booked. One offer per stateroom. Onboard credit (OBC) amount: $25 for 3-5 nights, $50 for 6-9 nights and $100 for 10-nights and longer. Offer is combinable with standard/full fare rates, Celebrate and Save promotion, restricted rates, weekly Sales Events, and Next Cruise offers. Offer is not combinable with any other offer or promotion or benefits. Offer applies to new, individual and named group bookings confirmed at prevailing rates. OBC is in U.S. dollars, is not redeemable for cash, and will expire if not used by the last evening of the cruise. Prices and Offer are subject to availability and change without notice, capacity controlled, and may be withdrawn at any time. Royal Caribbean International reserves the right to correct any errors, inaccuracies or omissions and to change or update fares, fees and surcharges at any time without prior notice. Features vary by ship. All itineraries are subject to change without notice. ©2015 Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Ships’ registry: The Bahamas. 15044346 • 5/14/2015

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adventures in taste I reed hellman

Ramps are a West Virginia tradition, tonic, and acquired taste for many Trampas Hammons pulled his pickup off the side of the Forest Service road, deep in West Virginia’s Monongahela Highlands. From the truck’s bed, he picked up an empty grain sack and a pair of short-handled hoes. “This is my own-design ramp digger,” he said, hefting one of the tools. “And there’s the ramps.” He pointed to clumps of lance-head-shaped green leaves, growing low, speckling the steep, forested slope. Hammons and I were hunting ramps for a feed. The word ramp comes from “rams,” or “ramson,” an Elizabethan term for wild garlic. The greens grow from South Carolina to Canada, and the pungent taste and belligerent odor helped to launch this traditional wildfood into its current gastronomic celebrity. Throughout the Allegheny Mountains, ramps are one of the earliest wild edible greens to push up through the forest’s winter-bare ground. Elongated 6-inch leaves emerge atop a stem and bulb growing below the ground. Using Hammons’ ramp digger, I chopped into the soil just above a clump of ramps. Prying with the handle, I loosened the soil enough to dig my hand in and pull free the ramp’s peanut-sized bulb. In a short while, I had several pounds of ramps filling the grain sack. Traditionally a source of Vitamin C — a much-

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needed tonic after a winter diet heavy on preserved foods — eating ramps has become the focus of numerous small town celebrations. A West Virginia mountaineer tradition, these “ramp feeds” serve as reunions and a chance for neighbors to catch up with each other after a long winter’s isolation.

A feast of ramps At the Marlinton Motor Inn’s restaurant, in Marlinton, W.Va., Hammons’ wife, Teresa Hammons, prepared a traditional dinner for a crowd largely made up of locals. Based on recipes handed down through her family, Teresa Hammons’ menu included ramps and fried potato wedges, boiled ramps served with vinegar, ramps fried in bacon grease, scrambled eggs with ramps and potatoes, brown beans, and cornmeal biscuits baked with diced ramps. Ham and sausage accompanied the meal, and the cook presented a new addition that she called “Tramp”—fresh-caught trout cooked with ramps. Aside from the ramps, the recipes used foods that the mountain people could have preserved through the winter, such as potatoes, bacon, ham, and sausage. The eggs came from family chickens and the trout season had just started. A quartet of local kids playing traditional mountain music enhanced the mood. As people entered the dining room, they invariably saw familiar faces, resulting in lots of back-slapping, handshaking, hugging, and air-kissing. The oldest and largest of these festivities, the Feast of the Ramson in Richwood, W.Va., feeds more than a thousand people, dishing out nearly a ton of ramps plus traditional fried potato wedges, ham or sausage, cornbread, brown beans, and gallons of fresh-brewed sassafras tea. In the nearby parking lot, it’s easy to spot licenses from eight states and Ontario. As much as ramps are steeped in tradition, they have also started appearing on the menu at more upscale venues. At Heston Farm, a “destination restaurant” in Fairmont, ramps receive a different Reed Hellman

gastronomic treatment. Mickey Heston’s Foxfire Restaurant serves farm-to-table, French countrystyle food. Taking full advantage of the short ramp season, the Foxfire offered a ramp and artichoke salad in a very fresh and clean vinaigrette. The mild artichokes and tang of the vinegar neatly offset the ramps’ pungency. The chef’s creamy potato-based ramp soup, rich with bacon, could have been a very satisfying meal in itself. However, Heston’s most notable contribution to ramp culture might be his “ramp shine,” a traditionally made moonshine flavored with ramps. Heston’s Pinchgut Hollow Distillery uses a classic copper pot still and recipes handed down through generations to create novelty and moonshine-style whiskeys in a wide variety of flavors. The corn whiskey infused with spring ramps has a sweetish flavor and a powerful finish.

Kitchen Guy Allegheny Vichyssoise 1 tablespoon unsalted butter 2 dozen ramps with leaves, cleaned, trimmed, and chopped 1 large baking potato, peeled and thinly sliced 1-1/2 cups chicken stock 1/2 cup half and half Salt and ground white pepper to taste Melt the butter in a soup pot over low heat. Add the chopped ramps and cook until tender but not browned. Stir in the potatoes and stock, bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer until the potatoes are soft. Add the half and half. Using a blender or immersion blender, puree the mix to a creamy consistency. If necessary, thin with chicken stock. Add salt and white pepper to taste. Reed Hellman is a professional writer living in Alberton, Md. Visit his Website at reedhellmanwordsmith.com or email your questions and comments to rhway2go@yahoo.com. Reed Hellman

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Trampas Hammons bags ramps in preparation for a feast.

52 recreation news I june 2015 I recreationnews.com

Richwood hosts the area’s oldest and largest ramp event.


wine doctor I edward finstein

Follow these tips to enhance the airplane dining experience For the most part, airplane food is lousy. Although better in business and first class, it still suffers. Perhaps some of the way food and drink tastes have to do with the altitude. When we’re cruising along thousands of feet above the earth, whatever we ingest gets altered, twisted, and becomes bland. At those heights, taste buds and sense of smell are the first things to be affected and, as taste is all about the nose and palate working in harmony, it’s a problematic situation. Lower air pressure, lack of humidity, and background noise all contribute to the issue. Lower air pressure in the cabin causes liquids to expand and contract affecting their taste. Wines that are fruity and forward on the ground suddenly come across tannic (for reds), thin, and acidic. Our perception of saltiness, sweetness, and fruitiness takes a big hit, too, affecting so many dishes. Interestingly, research has found that other attributes, such as spice, sour, and bitter, are basically unaffected. The lack of humidity in airplanes is atrocious —

often less than 12 percent. This causes our nasal passages to dry out and not function properly. Since most of what we taste is intimately connected to our sense of smell, anything we ingest tastes very bland. Surprisingly, “umami,” the savory or rich taste that some foods like tomatoes and mushrooms and certain wines like Italian reds impart, is unaffected.

Noise and vibration affect us, too Although we get somewhat used to the constant hum of jet engines on a plane, it still affects what we eat and drink. The mere vibration alone at your seat is a subtle deterrent — it’s like sitting in a vibrating chair and dining. Psychologists have found that our ears can also play a part in our perception, making food and drink taste less salty and sweet — but the component of spiciness is enhanced. An important point that affects airplane food, especially in economy, is the fact that all meals are mass-produced. It’s really hard to create meals with tons of flavor for hundreds and hundreds of

Stockbyte

people — ask any chef who has transitioned from cooking for a small group to a mass audience. So, how can you make the most out of food and drink when flying? Overall, you could simply fly business or first class where the audience is smaller and the quality and attention to detail better. For most of us, though, this is not an option and we’re stuck with economy travel. For food, try choosing dishes that have a lot of seasonings, spice, and vibrant flavors. Foods with curry, cardamom, and lemongrass are great. Choose savory dishes that have more umami-like tomato-based options, or those with mushrooms, soy sauce, or spinach. Add more salt and pepper to your dish than you normally would on the ground. Many airlines are already experimenting with ideas, including heavier cutlery, to make the dining experience better in the air. For drinks, try ordering wine earlier in the flight before your nasal passages dry out to the point where they just don’t work properly. Tomatobased drinks, such as Bloody Marys, will taste better in the air because of the savory character and umami component of tomatoes. If airlines could do away with plastic cups, I believe all drinks on a plane would be improved as well. Finally, if you have a pair of noise-cancelling headphones that will eliminate jet engine hum, use them. Your dining and drinking experience should be that much better. © Edward Finstein, “The Wine Doctor,” 2015. “The Wine Doctor” is Edward Finstein, awardwinning author, TV/radio host, renowned wine journalist, international wine judge, professor of wine, and consultant. For more information, visit www.winedoctor.ca, www.twitter.com/drwineknow, www.thewinedoctor.blogspot.com, www.winedoctor.ca/docs-grapevine.html, or www.facebook.com/EdwardDocFinstein?fref=ts.

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music festival I gwen woolf

Scranton’s Allman Brothersinspired music festival is a peach The Peach Music Festival

The Peach Festival is the only Allman Brothers Band-inspired curated music festival in the Northeast.

With high-powered rock legends at full force during a four-day music festival, it’s gonna get hot up on the mountain. Don’t worry, though — you can cool down in an adjacent waterpark. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees Gregg Allman, Santana, and Bob Weir (with Billy & the Kids) are headliners at the Peach Music Festival, Aug. 13–16 in Scranton, Pa. Bill Kreutzmann, of Billy & the Kids, and Weir are former Grateful Dead bandmates. The venue for the fourth annual festival is Montage Mountain in northeastern Pennsylvania — a ski resort in winter and a waterpark in summer. It’s about a 250-mile drive from Washington, D.C. The festival, termed the only Allman Brothers Band-inspired and curated festival in the Northeast, features multiple stages in an outdoor setting. “I can’t wait to be back at the Peach in 2015,” Allman said previously. “The fans at Montage love what we do so much and the bands feed off that. The Peach is always a great time.” Other performers include Willie

Nelson and family, Warren Haynes Ft. Railroad Earth, Jaimoe’s Jasssz Band, Butch Trucks and Special Friends, Bruce Hornsby & the Noisemakers, and Lotus. Also performing will be: Old Crow Medicine Show, G. Love & Special Sauce, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Beats Antique, Dark Star Orchestra, Papadosio, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, Oteil & Roosevelt, Rusted Root, Dumpstaphunk, Dopapod, Cabinet, the Werks, Twiddle, Kung Fu, Bobby Lee Rodgers, Preservation Hall Jazz Band with Bob Weir, and Keller Williams’ Grateful Gospel. Besides the water rides and attractions, festivalgoers can enjoy food, beverage, and craft vendors. There are camping and RV parking opportunities, and several Scranton hotels are offering special travel packages and a shuttle to the festival grounds.

The festival What: Peach Music Festival When: Aug. 13–16 Where: Montage Mountain, Scranton, Pa. Info/tickets: thepeachmusicfestival.com

PICK YOUR DESTINATIONS ... SEND THE FORM ... GET FREE INFO! r Altoona, PA r B&O Railroad Museum r Bath County, VA r Beach Getaways r Berkeley County, WV r Boardwalk Plaza Hotel r Brookside Cabins r Cabin Rentals r Calvert County, MD r Canaan Valley Resort r Cape May, NJ r Capon Springs & Farms r Caroline County, MD r Carroll County, MD r Charlottesville, VA r Chesapeake Bay Lighthouse Tours r Chesapeake Beach Hotel & Spa r Chesapeake Shakespeare r Chester County, PA r Civil War Chaplains Museum r Clarion Hotel Shepherdstown, WV r Clarion Resort Fontainebleau Hotel

r Columbia-Montour, PA r Country Road Cabins r Cruises r Cruising from Baltimore r Delaware Getaways r Downriver Canoe r Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad r Eastern Shore of MD r Family Getaways r Fayetteville, NC r Flying Circus Air Show r Fralin Museum of Art r Franklin County, PA r Front Royal Canoe Company r Front Royal, VA r Grant County. WV r Greene County, PA r Harrisonburg, VA r Historic Getaways r Lewis County, WV r Linganore Wine cellars r LTD Vacations r Luray, VA r Luzerne County, PA r Lynchburg, VA r Maple Hall Inn

r Martinsburg, WV r Maryland Getaways r Mecklenburg County, VA r Mimslyn Inn r Morgantown, WV r Mountain Getaways r Navy Gateway Inns and Suites, Dahlgren r Northern Neck of VA r Ocean City, MD r Outdoor Getaways r Page County, VA r Pennsylvania Getaways r Posey Thisisit Llama Farm r Potomac Eagle Scenic Rides r RedRoof Inn r Ripleys Museum r River & Tail Outfitters r River Hill Wine and Spirits r Romantic Getaways r Ruddy Duck Adventures r Shenandoah National Park Lodging r Shenandoah River Outfitters r Shepherdstown, WV

r Smith Island Cruises r Southern Maryland r St. Marys County, MD r Stratford Hall Plantation r Surratt House Museum r Talbot County, MD r Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations r The Mariners Museum r The Woods r Tides Inn r Totem Pole Playhouse r Virginia Film Festival r Virginia Getaways r Virginia State Parks r VMI Museum r Warren County, VA r West Virginia Getaways r Whitewater Rafting r Williamsburg Farmers Market r Wisp Resort r Woodloch Pines r Wytheville VA r Send all the brochures!

Enter to WIN one of our GREAT PRIZES!!! Contest details on page 19. Your Name:________________________________________________________________________ Address:___________________________________________________________________________ City: _______________________________________State: ___________ Zip: __________________ Email:_____________________________________________________________________________

Check here r to “Go Green” (we’ll send you information by email)

OR MAIL form to: RecNews Reader Info, 1607 Sailaway Circle, Baltimore, MD 21221 OR FAX form to: 410-638-6902 ... OR EMAIL form to: publisher@RecreationNews.com

54 recreation news I june 2015 I recreationnews.com

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TRIPS & TRAVEL

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Looking for a fantastic All inclusive resort for a destination wedding, honeymoon, family vacation or BFF get-away, consider Sandals or Beaches, the ultimate all inclusive properties in the Caribbean. One fee covers lodging, food, beverages, entertainment, sports, gratuities and fun for all. Don’t let the summer pass you by. Call to discuss which property and island is best for you. July 25 — Ladies Day Out! Join us for High Tea in a quaint venue and Boutique Shopping. Lots of fun, games and prizes for ladies only. Book quickly. This event always sells quickly. July 19-29, 2016 — Awesome Alaska Cruise/ Tour. Enjoy a three-night pre-cruise tour, via motorcoach and glass domed train, through Denali Park, Talkeetna and the wilderness. Overnight in park lodges. Then enjoy a 7-night cruise through the inside passage. Ports of call include Ketchikan, Skagway and Juneau. Contact us for details and brochure. You don’t want to miss this Spiritual Adventure. Only a few cabins left, Act Now! August 8-9 — Week-end to New York to see “Alive 55+ and Kickin’.� All of the performers are 55 and over with a personal testimony to share. It’s uplifting, fun. entertaining and more. Our Mother’s Day group had a ball. The show has been extended. You don’t want to it. Contact us for details. GREAT ESCAPES TRAVEL & TOURS Call Barbara 301-567-6464 or e-mail FrankieTVL2@ aol.com, for more information “We Create Rocking Chair Memories�

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recreationnews.com I june 2015 I recreation news 55


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56 recreation news I june 2015 I recreationnews.com


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