Good Times On Saint Patrick’s Day

Good Times On Saint Patrick’s Day With Brogue Rogues

Nearly 20 percent of Americans — more than 55 million — claim Irish ancestry, according to the U.S. Census, but as the saying goes, “Everyone is Irish on Saint Patrick’s Day.”

The celebration of Saint Patrick’s Day began in the 17th century when the Catholic Church established March 17, the day of Saint Patrick of Ireland’s death in 461AD, as a day of feasting, in honor of his work in converting Druids to Christianity.

It was intended to be a day of religious services and family and feasting. However, when Irish immigrants brought the holiday with them to America in the 1760s, it became more of a celebration of Irish national pride, thus beginning the transition into the celebration that we know today.

While it is a celebration of Irish heritage, St. Paddy’s Day touches even those without a hint of Irish lineage. Probably because the hard-working, proud nature of the Irish immigrants has melded into and become part of our national identity as Americans.

And, probably also because we love an excuse to celebrate.

Here in Clarke, we are fortunate to have a wealth of musical talent to entertain us throughout the year, and we hardly need an excuse to celebrate short of celebration itself. We do have that reputation.

St. Paddy’s Day is different, though — the camaraderie, the singing, the silliness, the energy. It is a full participation holiday and there is no need to leave Clarke County to participate. Clarke County’s own, Brogue Rogues is offering two opportunities to dance a jig and raise a pint this year.

On Monday, March 16, St. Paddy’s Eve, at L’Auberge Provencale in White Post, beginning at 5pm; then again on Tuesday, March 17, Saint Patrick’s Day, at NIK’s in Berryville at 5:30pm.

The Brogue Rogues was/ were founded in 1999 by lifelong Clarke County resident Jim known as “JimBuck” by friends and family. The group’s original confi guration consisted of JimBuck on hammer dulcimer, Dave Milefsky on fi ddle, and Mary Knupp on guitar. The following year, multi instrumentalist John Friant joined the band as its fi ddle and mandolin player.

Since that time, the band has employed several different guitar players, including, in chronological order, Mark Snyder, Stephanie Nelson, Todd McDonald, Keith Adams, Clark Hansbarger, and its current player, the accomplished multi-genre guitarist, Gerald Kinzie. Over the last twenty years, the only constants have been JimBuck and John Friant.

The band’s musical style can best be described as an interesting mix of traditional Irish jigs and reels, tender ballads, and bawdy drinking songs from the British Isles, old-timey Appalachian fi ddle tunes, and some of JimBuck ‘s original compositions.

The Sweet Elephant

Delicious Cookies & Treats made to order

in Berryville, VA (804) 310-5186

Many of their songs are familiar to Celtic music afi cionados, who, with the band’s encouragement, typically join in singing on the chorus sections of the songs.

During the Brogue Rogue’s heyday back in the aughts and early teens, the band performed year-round at a number of different venues — parties, clubs, bars, weddings, and wineries — all over the northern Virginia area, but as its members have aged, the group now largely confi nes its performances to the period surrounding March 17. If you are of Irish ancestry, wish you were, or you just love a great time with a room full of happy, singing people, make a point to see the Brogue Rogues on March 16th or 17th (or both!), but get there early because they will pack the house!

LONG BRANCH EASTER EGG HUNT Saturday April 11th, 12 to 4:00 pm

JOIN THE FUN!!! - Carriage Rides - Moon Bounce - Face Painting - Petting Zoo - Jordan Springs BBQ

$5.00 per Adult Kids 10 & under FREE! - CASH ONLY -

540-837-1856 830 Long Branch Lane Boyce, VA

Building Your Future.

Lambert Takes the Helm of Clarke Varsit y Softball

By Claire Stuart

There’s been a changing of the guard for the girls’ softball teams at Clarke County High School. Darren “Fly” Lambert has moved into the top spot as varsity head coach after six years as JV head coach, replacing Susan Grubbs, who retired after 31 years. Lambert coached Eagles JV baseball before coaching JV softball and sees no major differences between coaching boys and coaching girls.

Asked whether he expects coaching varsity to differ much from JV, he replied, “Being that this is my fi rst year at the varsity level, I’m expecting it to be different. However, when I coached at the JV level, some would say that it’s just JV, but I never took that stance or that philosophy. Although it was JV, I took it very seriously. Of course, there is more at stake at the varsity level, since wins and losses count more. Ultimately we are playing for a state championship. At the JV level, you can’t do that.”

He went on to explain that Clarke County is part of the Bull Run District, which recently initiated a program where the top two JV teams play for the district championship. “I think that was implemented last year. We were not involved in that

Holy Week and Easter Services: Palm Sunday, April 5 8:00 am Holy Eucharist 10:30 am Palm Procession and Holy Eucharist Maundy ursday, April 9 6:00 pm Holy Eucharist Good Friday, April 10 7:00 pm Service Alleluia! He is Risen! Celebrate Easter Christ Church at Easter Day, April 12 6:00 am Sunrise Eucharist at Historic Old Chapel (at the intersection of Rt. 340 and Rt. 255) 10:30am Festive Eucharist at Christ Church (Followed by an Easter Egg Hunt!) Nursery available every Sunday at 10:30

(540) 837-1112 All are welcomed at Christ Church!

championship, unfortunately. But in the years I coached at the JV level, I would say that almost every year we were pretty successful. The varsity has always had success, but last year was a down year. They had just 6 wins. We’ll be hoping to improve on last year’s season.”

Lambert doesn’t anticipate making any major changes in the varsity program. “The previous head coach was here over 30 years, and I coached JV under the old coach. I will probably implement the same things, but I’ll bring my own style of coaching to the varsity level. A little different,

but not much. I try to instill a fun atmosphere and at the same time provide the fundamentals of softball skills—it’s very

BLANKET SALE BLANKET SALE

MARCH 7 THRU 15 35 % OFF

ALL HORZE & SHIRES BLANKETS

SELECT HORSEWARE BLANKETS

OFFER VALID ON IN STOCK ITEMS ONLY. ALL SALES FINAL.

important. I’ve always used the phrase ‘I’m not a coach, I’m a teacher’ and I am still teaching the fundamentals.”

Many of the varsity girls have been playing “since Tball.” They play fast-pitch, and Lambert says that some strong pitchers can pitch up to 65 miles per hour. “Coming from 43 feet, that’s pretty fast!”

Unlike high-profi le sports like football and basketball, a high school softball career isn’t going to lead to possible fame and fortune. However, Lambert’s team is enthusiastic, and they play for love of the game. Lambert notes that there are scholarships available. “Any time you play high school sports, there’s always the possibility of going forward at the college level. But it’s a big commitment.”

He indicated sophomore Kacie Turner. “I know Kacie has that ambition, to move forward to play in college.”

Turner, who pitches and plays outfi eld and shortstop, affi rmed that she hopes for a scholarship. “I intend to play in college.”

On the other hand, junior Alissa Hoggatt says she doesn’t intend to play college softball. Senior Kiley Ramey concurs, saying, “It’s mainly for fun at this point for me.”

There is some division

BATTLETOWN A N I M A L C L I N I C

Serving the community for over 30 years.

3823 Lord Fairfax Hwy, 1/2 mile north of Berryville

(540) 955-2171

CCHS Varsity 2020 Softball team.

around the state about a requirement for players to wear face masks. “It is not a requirement by the Virginia High School League (VHSL),” says Lambert, “but a lot of our infi elders do wear face masks. I look for the VHSL making it a mandatory rule very soon, at least for pitchers. I don’t know if they would do it for infi elders or not. But really, I believe pitchers should wear face masks.” Hoggatt, who plays outfi eld and fi rst base, says “I wear a face mask in the fi eld.”

Turner says she only wears a face mask when she is pitching. Ramey, catcher and shortstop, says “I choose not to wear a face mask.”

The varsity team plays their fi rst game on March 18 against James Wood at home. Clarke County plays all of their district opponents two times, home and away.

Lambert reports that the Bull Run District was just realigned and Madison and Page Counties are now included. “They will be two of our bigger rivals in our district. I would anticipate that those teams are probably two of the best teams in the state of Virginia. Madison was in our district before; Page wasn’t. Seems like at least the last four years we played Page County in the fi rst round of our regionals, so they are our nemesis, to say the least! And now we get to play them twice in our district.”

Rachel Thompson replaces Lambert as JV coach. She works in the Special Education Department at Cooley Elementary while taking on-line classes in criminal psychology in preparation for a law enforcement career. “It’s great to return to where I graduated and played softball and get a coaching job,” she says.

If you have a business you’d like to publicize, you can help the teams and get an advertising banner. Says Lambert, “It’s a fund-raiser for the softball program. Four-by-eight-foot banners will be displayed on the playing fi eld. The price is $200, including production of the banner that will be displayed at 20 games — ten home varsity and ten JV — a pretty good deal!”

It looks like an exciting start for the season and Coach Lambert.

Wm "Willy" Steinmetz Call/Text 540-336-0003 William@VAMove.com

Amy Longerbeam Call/Text 540-336-8889 Amy@VAMove.com

624 Withers Larue Rd, Berryville, VA 22611 This property scratches the itch! Contemporary and open, while private and rural. Inside, every corner reveals a unique touch or hidden storage nook. Outside you'll find a large trex deck, yearround plantings, stone walls, a 2 car carport, firepit and an outbuilding with dedicated power.

HELPING OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY IN CLARKE AND SURROUNDING COUNTIES FOR OVER 15 YEARS