Songs & Remembrances May 19, 2012 : Civil War on the Northern Neck

 

Come and share an opportunity to listen and learn about memories of the Civil War as it was waged on the Northern Neck of Virginia. This event will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Admission is $10 adults/$5 children/children under 5 free/FOS free/Donors to Library of Virginia Project free.

 

• Chamber Chorale of Fredericksburg will perform Civil War era music
• Local genealogy expert Laura Hazel will give tips on researching your Civil War ancestor
• Civil War re-enactors will bivouac on the Oval
• Library of Virginia staff members will digitize your photographs and Civil War-related documents and photograph your Civil War artifacts for inclusion in their 150th Legacy Project. Just bring your treasures to the duPont Library and they will be recorded for posterity.
• A tour of the Great House is included in the admission price

 

For a schedule check their website http://www.stratfordhall.org/visit/songs.php

 

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Make your plans now to enjoy spring in Virginia!

 

Distinctive homes and gardens throughout the Commonwealth open their doors and gates for Historic Garden Week in Virginia.  this year the Northern Neck tour takes place in upper Lancaster County on aril 25, while the Middle Peninsula tour is in Middlesex on the 27th.  Tickets for each tour are $25.  Visit vagardenweek.org for details.

 

Middlesex County – The Middle Peninsula Friday, April 27

Civil War history along Virginia’s waterways is the theme of this tour that features a lighthouse-home built in 2005, complete with a 650 pound Fresnel lens, which once lit Australia’s Perth Harbor. Providence, in Deltaville, boasts over 40,000 bulbs in its formal, sun and shade gardens.

 

Gloucester-Mathews Saturday, April 28

Eight properties include Burgh Westra, considered the oldest home in the county remaining in its original family. Nearby estate, Glen Roy, includes access to an 18th century school house, a pre-Civil War barn, an 1880s carriage house, farm buildings and a pool. Gloucester is considered the Daffodil Capital of our country.

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Paddle Trips are scheduled every day from Saturday, 7 April through Sunday, 7 May.  You will be accompanied by a leader famliar with the ecology of the area and may see eagles, nesting waterfowl, prothonotary warblers...who knows? 

Kayaks and gear are provided.  If you are not an experienced kayaker, trip leaders will help you learn.  Trips begin near Saluda, VA at 9:00 a.m. and usually last till 1:30 or 2:00.  Bring a picnic to eat on the river.  You may sign up either as an individual or a group.  All participants must be at least 18 years of age.  Trips are free of charge, however they are the major source of fund-raising for the Friends of the Dragon and donations are appreciated.  to make reservations or receive more infomation, contact Marth Graham by email mgr8040@verizon.net.  Trips are limited to 12 participants, so this is the time to get your name on the calendar.  the Dragon Run Inn www.dragonruninn.com is just about six miles from where you will meet for this great paddle trip.  For more information on Friends of the Dragon and the Dragon Run Swamp go to http://www.dragonrun.org/.

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Virginia ranks seventh in the nation for wine production.  The Travel Industry Association (TIA) rates Virginia 8th for wine tourism and 15th for food-related travel.  There are many reasons for the honors and now you can see for yourself. 

Oct. 1 Yorktown Wine Festival featuring Virginia Wines http://www.villageevents.org/

Oct. 22 Gloucester Wine Festival http://www.gloucesterwinefestival.com/.  Virginia wines, food, live music, art, jewelry, house tours and more.

October 9Sunday Afternoon Music & Wine Saudé Creek Vineyards, 16230 Cooks Mill Rd, Lanexa, VA Sunday at the Winery, 2 pm - 5 pm, rain or shine
http://www.saudecreek.com/eventsin.html

 Nov. 12 Fall Barrel Tasting at Ingleside Winery. http://www.ipwine.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=75&Itemid=40

Plan a Fall Getaway Weekend, we'd be glad to have you stay with us www.dragonruninn.com

 

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Trainor Roden's work has appeared in publications, videos and websites, selected for juried art shows and galleries, shown at the state capitol and held in private collections.  In Urbanna you will find his work at "Somethimes In" Studio on Cross Street.

Trainor's artist statement says that "Clarity of subject and sharpness of image are the traditional interests of most photographers.   I prefer a somewhat different orientation:  The Subject is Subjective, with intentionally biased views.  These can be based on angle and breadth of view, lighting, movement, hues, and more.  Sharpenss may glide into softness through focus, intentional camera movement or printing.  The original nature of some images may be disguised.  The goal in each image is to create a Mood and transfer that to the viewer.  I seek less of the "wow" and more the "ahh".  Viewers mentally place my images into scenes beyond the mat and frame, into fields of their own imaginationl  Thus the art, created and perceived, is a partnership."

The piece above just says relaxiation to me and it so soothing.  To see more of his work online and get a list of the various studios where his work is currently hanging go to: ww.trainorphotoart.com/index.html

Come getaway to Urbanna visit "Sometimes In" to get a first-hand look at this beautiful artwork and see what a small Virginia town has to offer, there is something for everyone. 

 

Tags: photography

August 8, 2011 will mark the Annual Buyboat Homecoming in Urbanna.  Urbanna will be the final stop on the CBBA, Chesapeake Bay Buyboat Association. cruise.  Much like other reunions this will be a gathering of old oyster buyboats that have gone into retirement.  Buyboats have been around since the early 1900's and average between 55 and 65 feet in length, with the largest still afloat being the O.A. Bloxom, measuring 84 feet.  Buyboats have been used to haul all type of goods before the onset of bridges and modern roads.  The CBBA consists of two fleets - northern and southern - and each year the buyboat cruises switches off traveling either north or south.  This year is the south's turn.  Approximately 30 buyboats remain on the Chesapeake Bay.  Some boats are owned by museums, but many are owned and maintained by members of the Chespeake Buyboat Association. 

Cruise Schedule:  August 2 will begin at Tangier Island; they will depart on the 4th for Cape Charles Town Harbor where the reunion will take place.  The reunion will be held Aug. 5 through 8 and will include boat tours, live music, food and games.  Next the boats are off to Deltaville where they will dock at the Poquoson Yacht Club before moving on to ther final stop in Urbanna.  While in Urbanna the boats will be open to the public for tours on Aug. 12 from noon to 4 p.m. and on Aug. 13 from 10a.m. to 5p.m.  Come and visit Urbanna and get the feel of a little history as you talk with the boat owners.  Hope to see you there.

Tags: Urbanna, buyboats

Virginia Motor Speedway 2011 season Just Around the Corner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tags: Virginia Motor Speedway, auto racing

Phil Loftis says "The osprey have arrived and we witnessed a female plunging from her perch in a dead tree that we had positioned the boat under, to a point within 10 feet of us.  She hit the water face down, feet extended, completely submerged then reappeared with a mightly thrust of her wings, fish in talons, climbed slowly for altitude and returned to the very branch she had launched from and began eating........looking down on us as if to say "How'd like that show?"  She was so unpreturbed by our presence that I told my daughter that she must be a trained performer that had espcaped from the circus."

Phil is captain of Urbanna Cruises and would love to take you for a cruise and he is offering a 10% discount coupon on his website, www.UrbannaCruises.com.  Plan a weekend of relaxation at the Dragon Run Inn and reserve a cruise on Urbanna Creek, a great spring treat.  Bring your friends and make it a party.

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Urbanna was formered in 1680 and has had a history of a center of commerce since it's beginning with tobacco being the big product at that time. The town thrived off the tobacco trade until 1830 when the custom house was closed by the state. During the colonial period, British ships off loaded goods and supplies at the port of Urbanna in march of each year. The ship then in turn were loaded with tobacco for their trip hoe.

The town was named Urbanna in 1704 for Queen Anne of England, in 1748 it became the county seat of Middlesex. Today Saluda is the county seat for Middlesex. The Urbanna Oyster Festal is a big event the first weekend in Nov. every year and 70,000+ people come to enjoy the festivities. Boaters enjoy visitng Urbanna jarbpir and others come by land to step back in time and enjoy the small town atmosphere. Come and stroll the streets and visit the unique shops, a number of restaurbants, the old drug store with the soda fountain, or just relax on a bench at Waterman's Park with a good book. The first weekend in December is a great time too. Friday night will be the Christmas Parade and kids can visit Santa at the Fire House. On Saturday the Holiday House Tour always brings a crowd as homes, churches and other historic building will be decked out and open for the holidays.

Come visit and stay awhile.

Tags: House Tour, Christmas Parade, Small Town

The West Point, Virginia Crab Carnival is sponsored by the West Point Tri-Rivers Chamber of Commerce. This year the seafood festival will be held on Friday, October 1 and Saturday, October 2, 2010. Crab Carnival holds a special place in the hearts of all Tidewater community members as a joyous celebration of the Town of West Point's history and a great Fall festival. On Friday, October 1, 2010 •Tour de Crab 5:00 pm Children race their bikes in one of four races for different ages and genders, then parade down Main Street. Registration fee: $5.00 •Firemen's Parade: 7:00-8:00 pm •Entertainment: Live music by Wayne Greer and Groove Tide Sponsored by Elis Olsson Memorial Foundation and Old Dominion Grain, a division of The Mennel Milling Co. •Refreshments: 6:00 - 10:00 pm: seafood, hamburgers, hot dogs, ice cream •Fireworks: 9:15 pm Fireworks fill the sky above the York River. Sponsored by Loveland Distributors, Commonwealth Assisted Living,TPMG-West Point Family Practice, and BayLands Federal Credit Union. On Saturday, October 2, 2010 •Breakfast 6:30 - 9:00 am United Methodist Church, Men’s Fellowship 11th and Main St. •Crab Fun Run and Tot Walk 7:30 - 10:30 am 3135 King William Ave., Greater West Point YMCA Registration: 7:30 am; Fun Run: 8:00 am; Tot Trot: 8:15 am; 8K: 8:30 am •Canine Demonstration: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Corner of 9th and Kirby Streets. Watch the specially-trained dogs of the Virginia Department of Corrections search and find various drugs. Witness the skills of handlers and dogs as they demonstrate obedience and different aggressive drills. •Arts and Crafts Booths: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm •Entertainment on a variety of stages West Point Town Square Stage (9th St. between Main & Kirby) Sponsored by C&F Bank and West Point Pharmacy 2:30-6 pm - Wild at Heart 11th St. Stage Sponsored by WSI International Training, Inc. 10 am-1 pm - Churchyard Grass (Flatland Cloggers will perform during breaks) 2:30 - 6:00 pm - Crushed •Children's Activities Pony rides, face painting, balloons •Parade 1:00pm Along Main Street between 1st and 10th Streets, Grand Marshal Frances Thornton will lead bands,antique and classic vehicles, baby buggies, and more! Come stay with us and have a fun weekend.

Tags: carnival; crab, fun

You'll never know what you'll discover exploring the uniquely beautiful waterways of the Middle Peninsula.  Enjoy an extraordinary sunset, wild life or a beautiful home just around the bend.  This is the ideal way for a family to enjoy an afternoon or sunset cruise.  Get a group together and call 804-366-1778 and they will help you plan a cruise suited to your special interest. 

Visit them at www.UrbannaCruises.com for rates.  The Dragon Run Inn would love to also host your group at our B&B just six miles from Urbanna.  www.dragonruninn.com

Tags: Rappahannock Rver, Urbanna, Cruise charter

Experience the thrill of feeling the air rush by as you take a ride in our beautifully restored 1943 Fairchild PT-19.  The Fairchild PT-19 was designed as a replacement for the PT-17 biplane primary trainer.  This aircraft offered flight characteristics more similar to the combat aircraft those aspiring pilots would later fly in the war.

This Pt-19, N323CJ was built in 1943 and went through a full 11 year restoration that included an upgrade to the 200HP Ranger engine and an electrical system.

Michal Kuhnert, pilot, is originally from Germany, has logged over 4,000 hours of flight time.

To arrange for a flight or flight training check out Mike's website at
http://www.bayaviationonline.com/

Come plan a getaway weekend at the Dragon Run Inn and enjoy a flight over the Chesapeake Bay with Mike.

Tags: PT19, World War II, flying, pilot

The unique character of the Dragon wilderness and its awesome natural beauty exist primarily because it is remote. Several highway bridges cross its 35 mile run to the Piankatank River. Most access points are, however, only reached by way of nearly a mile trek over rugged back country. This natural protection of the million year old swamp has contributed to its abundance of wild life.  Concerned land owners, who over the years have exercised good land use judgment, can be credited with the conservation of this threatened gem.  Learn more about the Dragon Run at http://www.dragonrun.org/.

Wildflower Walk on May 8

Mark Chittenden will lead a wildflower walk on the Big Island Preserve,  Saturday, May 8.  Meet at in the Food Lion parking lot, Route 17 in Saluda, at 9:30 AM.  Bring a lunch and something to drink.  There are about 3 miles of forest roads and trails in this preserve.  To sign-up contact Mark at (804) 642-6060, or email markc@vims.edu

Tags: swamp, cypres

Bikes, Bands and Bay Festival is May 14-16, 2010 in Matthews, VA.  "This year Bike Walk Virginia, Matthews County, and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation are partnering to make the Tour de Chesapeake even better", said an event spokesperson.  Don't miss this fun-filled weekend of pleasurable bike riding, great music and water activities that embrace the scenic beauty and precious ecology of the bay.  A few things participants can choose to do include:  Friday evening music and fiesta dinner; 4-mile family fun ride suited to young riders; full tour routes from 12-80 miles depending on your level of cycling, green education exhibits and farmers market, evening bluegrass concert; riders recovery yoga; "Cyclist for the Bay Ride" on Sunday; and a guided canoe trip provided by Chesapeake Bay Foundation.  For more details check www.bikechesapeake.org. Sign up early.  Make your plans and come stay with us and then go out and enjoy a weekend in nature.

Tags: cycle, Chesapeake, bands