belles
Ideas & Inspiration from Local Newlyweds
WEDDING
CATOCIN CREEK: NORTHERN VIRGINIA’S FIRST DISTILLERY SINCE PROHIBITION
AT A LOCAL SHOW, LINK WRAY CHANGED THE SOUND OF ROCK ‘N’ ROLL
$3.95
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JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2011
Contents
belles WEDDING Ideas & Inspiration from local newlyweds
19
28
32
Wedding Guide
Catoctin Creek
Link Wray
Marvel at three spectacular weddings, every one specially chosen for its unique touches. Also find a helpful collection of local resources for your big day.
What happens when a tech specialist and chemist decide they need more from life? The first distillery in Northern Virginia since Prohibition.
Is Fredericksburg the real birthplace of rock’n’roll? At a sold-out show 53 years ago guitarist Link Wray’s invention changed American music forever.
Potluck
Applause
Out&About
8 TRENDS Gliding through
downtown Fredericksburg on your very own Segway tour
8 BITS&PIECES Why do we
celebrate Hugh Mercer’s birthday?
9 BEST OF Office products 10 HUMOR Please hold for the musical intermission
Around Town 14 PHILANTHROPIC Saxon offers shoes for the needy
14 ECO411 Composting at home 15 TECH “Ideas worth spreading”TED, web-based lecture host
16 FOCUS Spotsylvania’s Eden Try
estate—one of the region’s premier wedding venues
38 MUSIC Irish myths and legends shaped guitarist Sam Pacetti
39 CULTURE Richmond hosts the
collection of Picasso’s favorite work
40 PRESS PLAY New releases from Jerry Lee Lewis, Elton John and Leon Russell
51 “The Road to Salivation”-Historic
Fredericksburg’s food festival and much more
Cul-de-sac 56 Stray cat takes up residence in garage during winter months
40 WRITER’S BLOCK Writer and attorney Scott Turow
Best Bites 44 REVIEW A train depot transformed into a fine dining experience
44 CHEERS The new juice box 46 RECIPE Root beer makes one winter staple extra special
Your ideas are important to us. If you’d like to recommend a story or send an event for Out&About, drop us a line at: 520 William Street, Suite B Fredericksburg, VA 22401 editor@vaneighbors.com
47 FOODIE PROFILE Hand-made chocolates in surprising flavors
Find us on facebook & twitter (@ vaneighbors) cover: photo by Chelsea Nicole of Chelsea Nicole Photography (www.chelseanicole.com
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It’s more than where we live, it’s who we are.
CO-PUBLISHER Kendall Childress CO-PUBLISHER / CREATIVE DIRECTOR Don Saucier EDITOR Ben Sellers CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Drema Apperson, John Budd, Emily Churchill, Kirk Evans,Lisa Ferreira, Julie May, Kurt Rabin,Scott Richards, Ben Sellers, Anita Sherman, Nicholas Addison Thomas, Candice Wright GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Benjamin Rush, Candice Wright CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Benjamin Rush, Nina Gonzalez ADVERTISING AND CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Gerald Childress ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Anthony Campbell, Merry-Gay Pearson, Nancy Price SALES INTERNS Kelly Flynn, Kristen Ulles
Virginia Neighbors is published every two months by:
520 William Street, Suite B Fredericksburg, VA 22401 540-899-3999 E-mail: editor@vaneighbors.com To subscribe visit:
www.VirginiaNeighbors.com All editorial, advertising, reprint, and/or circulation correspondence should use the above address or visit the website. Virginia Neighbors welcomes but accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts and art. © 2011 by Willow Publishing, Inc.
4 www.VirginiaNeighbors.com
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FROM THE EDITOR
E
ver wonder what it is about weddings that gets some people so misty-eyed? Maybe you have even been the person trying to suppress the waterworks (lest you start a chain reaction) as the bride and groom recite their vows. Amid all the joy and splendor of weddings, there is a feeling of change that can be hard to face—whether it’s your little girl you’re giving away or your best college pal, you know that what lies ahead is a brand-new chapter for everyone. Still, you realize it’s for the best because change (all politics aside) is often a stepping-stone on the road to progress. Or at least it’s a good excuse to party. As we enter into a new year, progress and parties are two things on our minds here at Virginia Neighbors. Take the power chord, a minor fret-board adjustment that rockabilly pioneer Link Wray deÅLbuted in Fredericksburg in 1958, helping every generation since to rock a little harder than the one before. Or take Catoctin Creek, the first (legal) distillery in Loudoun County since before Prohibition. Their products—including the signature Mosby’s Spirit, an un-aged “white whisky”—can help get any party started. And there is our special wedding section, featuring personal accounts (and gorgeous wedding-day shots) from three recently married couples. You’ll also find an easy-to-use directory with all the information you need to plan that perfect day. Finally, be sure to look in the Cul-de-sac section for teen writer Emily Churchill’s humorous and heartwarming tale about an unwelcome house party—of the feline variety—taking place in her garage, and the change of heart she had as a result. Now in its third year, Virginia Neighbors has been experiencing its own exciting progress recently. We are expanding into new parts of the commonwealth, all the while continuing to define and refine our editorial mission. We hope that new and longtime readers alike will enjoy what you see. But one thing hasn’t changed: We still welcome you, as always, to give us a call at 540-899-3999 or stop by our office at 520 William St. in downtown Fredericksburg and let us know your thoughts.
Ben Sellers Editor
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6 www.VirginiaNeighbors.com
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DISHING UP TRENDS, TRAVEL, IDEAS & FAMILY
Potluck
February14th
the 45th day of the year:
Happy Birthday, Frederick Douglass and Fritz Zwicky, Swiss-born astronomer and physicist. Best wishes, Arizona and Oregon on the anniversary of being granted their statehood. Congratulations, America. In 1778 the United States’ flag was recognized by a foreign naval vessel for the first time, when French Admiral Toussaint-Guillaume Picquet de la Motte rendered a nine gun salute to USS Ranger, commanded by John Paul Jones. Happy Anniversary to Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay and Peru for joining the United Nations this day in 1945. English poet Geoffrey Chaucer wrote in the Parlement of Foules that birds chose their mates on this day, so good luck with that!
Oh, and Happy Valentine’s Day, the reason why this day is so expensive.
110 million
roses will be sold
190 million
cards will be sent
58 million
pounds of chocolate candy will be sold
$14.1 billion in retail sales
*According to 2010 estimates by National Geographic
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Potluck
TRENDS
On a Roll Segway tours give downtown Fredericksburg a new spin
H
istoric Fredericksburg has always been a draw, but getting around to see all that is offered can be difficult. One of the newer businesses downtown has taken this situation and has made getting around not only easier, but a lot of fun. The business is Old Town Seg Tours. My first thought upon arriving at the offices on Princess Anne Street was, “Why is a 56-year-old man risking his neck riding one of these?” Much to my surprise (and relief ) riding a Segway is not difficult. Operating on gyroscopes, the machine’s forward and backward is initiated by the slightest movement of one’s body. In order to stay still, merely standing relaxed and upright is all that is required. Because the gyroscopes are extremely sensitive to tension from the body, relaxation is a must. Under the able instruction of Jennifer Dougherty, the tour manager and guide, I soon had the skills necessary to go up and down hills, around corners and over the many bumps that are found in the historic section of downtown Fredericksburg. By the time we reached Fauquier Street, my tour companion, Ryan, and I were challenging each other as to who would be the first to make the Segway reach its maximum speed of 12½ mph. While driving a car at a rate of 10 to 12 mph, it may seem as if the world has come to a standstill. To go that same speed on a Segway is totally different. There is no windshield or
automobile body to block the air passing by. It is a state of exhilaration that enlivens the senses and leaves one hoping the destination never will be reached. To add to this, all tour guides are certified Fredericksburg historians, providing a wealth of knowledge that makes the cost of the tour more than worth its while. Starting at the corner of Charlotte and Princess Anne streets, the tour took us down Sophia Street, across William Street and back up to Princess Anne, while stopping along the way to see and discuss the many historical sights of interest. Continuing up Fauquier Street, the layout of the city became a lot clearer, as did the role different people and events played in the city’s history. I have lived in this area since 1991, and yet I never knew there were so many side roads and interconnecting ways downtown. Not only was the tour filled with historical facts, but it also proved to be a good lesson in the geography of the area. Between the thrill of the ride and learning the history and geography, I found my intellectual and thrill-seeker appetite sated—at least until the next time I have an opportunity to take a Seg tour. —Scott Richards
BITS&PIECES
Who was Hugh? Shedding light on forgotten hero Hugh Mercer
Today he is remembered as a physician, a patriot and an elementary school. But Hugh Mercer was also a sort of Forrest Gump of his time, landing by chance in some of history’s defining moments. So who was Mercer, whose apothecary shop on Fredericksburg’s Caroline Street now educates tourists on medical practices of the 18th century? Mercer was born in Scotland on Jan. 17, 1726. He studied medicine in his native country until the Jacobite uprising of 1745, when Charles Stuart, aka Bonnie Prince Charlie, tried to reclaim the British royal crown from William and Mary. (The Protestant couple had replaced Stuart’s Catholic line of succession following the “Glorious Revolution” of 1688.) At 19, Mercer became a surgeon with the Jacobite rebels until their defeat the following year. He fled to America, settling in Pennsylvania, but soon felt the call to serve again—this time with the British army. During the French and Indian War, Mercer befriended fellow colonel George Washington. Around 1760, he resettled in Fredericksburg, started a family and became involved with
organizations like the Freemasons, with future luminaries such as Washington, James Monroe, Fielding Lewis and the Marquis de Lafayette. In 1774, Mercer purchased Ferry Farm from the Washingtons, intending to start a plantation. But at the onset of the American Revolution, he instead became a brigadier general in the Continental Army. According to some, it was Mercer’s idea that Washington cross the Delaware River on a cold Christmas night in 1776, surprising the enemy at the Battle of Trenton. Unfortunately, he did not get to enjoy the victory for long. A few days later, Mercer was mortally wounded at the Battle of Princeton. He died Jan. 12, 1777—five days shy of his 51st birthday—and was buried in Philadelphia’s Laurel Hill Cemetery. Mercer’s fame never reached the same level as some of his compatriots, but his legacy has endured—one of his grandsons, Hugh Weedon Mercer, was a Confederate general. And composer Johnny Mercer and World War II Gen. George S. Patton were both direct descendants as well.
—Ben Sellers 8 www.VirginiaNeighbors.com
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BEST OF
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O F F I C E PRODUCTS
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1. Make Your Time Fly This SWING CLOCK mounts on your wall, and sashays back and forth, marking the passage of time. Watch as your friends do hilarious double-takes once they realize the clock is apparently floating and swinging itself. ($19.99; thinkgeek.com)
4. Don’t Let Life Be Out Of Rhythm MUSIC MUG will bring a new music scene to your life. Simply insert the mini plug into an MP3 player’s earphone jack to serve up quality sound. The MP3 player provides the power source. No batteries needed. ($48; seejanework.com)
2. Gardening In The Office A USB-powered vase that allows your plant to grow without sunlight. As long as you have a computer with USB port, you can seed your plant in the USB GREENHOUSE at your desk. Your plant status is monitored, and you will be reminded to water it regularly by the software. ($43; usb.brando.com)
5. Something To Tweet About Bring the sounds of the treetops to your desktop with the fun and fanciful MAGNETIC BIRDIE. The colorful Magnetic Birdie keeps paperclips at your fingertips, and when you attach a clip, or take one off, it chirps a happy song. ($16.99; seejanework.com)
3. Desktop Addiction BUCKYBALLS, the amazing magnetic desk toy you can’t put down. This is a whole new breed of adult toy that can make sculptures, puzzles, patterns and shapes, act as a stress reliever and combat office boredom. Buckyballs is currently the best-selling desk toy and is sold in more than 4,000 U.S. retail locations. Log onto www.GetBuckyballs.com to see them in action. ($29.95; getbuckyballs.com)
6. Life, Animated Peel some of Fred and Friends’ INANIMATE STICKERS and place ‘em on your stapler, decorate your pencil holder, jazz up your morning java, personalize your mouse…then bring on the smiles. Fred is really into the subtle art of making something special from virtually nothing! There are LOTS of eyes, noses and mouths in each pack, and yes they’re removable, but why would you. ($4.99; worldwidefred.com)
Benjamin Rush photo
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HUMOR
You Really Got a Hold on Me Once obnoxious background music is now a comfort
I
t’s at the point now where I can’t really be sure I’m still connected if I don’t hear something on the line. It’s been a long time since I’ve heard “Please hold,” followed by the shmushy sound of the receiver being covered by a human hand and muffled voices talking about me. “Hold music” has become almost comforting to me. These days, I’ve become accustomed to “Please hold,” followed by selected tracks from K–tel’s “Hooked on Commerce, Vol. 7.” Recently I phoned a restaurant to make a reservation. “Please hold,” the young lady said to me. A soft click, then silence. I paused and checked the phone’s display to make sure I was still connected. It seemed I was. I listened with growing unease to the silence, then hung up and called back. “We got disconnected,” I said. “No we didn’t; you were on hold.” “Oh,” I said. She put me back on silent hold. I hung up again, disconcerted. I ended up making a reservation at a different restaurant. One with hold music. Hold music that offers goods and services can be exciting. More even than a catchy reworking of Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” with strings, I enjoy learning about meal specials, such as “Tuscan Meat Summer” when ordering pizza.
It’s the same when calling my doctor. I’m used to waiting so long for someone to pick up that I have actually healed while on hold. While I used to consider these long waits to be time wasted, these days I am riveted by the cheery sound of deep-voiced guys offering me a two-for-one colonoscopy or announcing specials in honor of National Probe Week. Once, when waiting on hold with the plumber, he picked up just as the hold advertisement was going to tell me the price of septic field cultivation. I made him put me back on hold, but it was too late. The grocery store is one place I find myself unable to do without a barrage of sound. The one nearest my house runs a constant stream of ads and music. I notice I spend significantly more time and money there, being exhorted to run madly from aisle to aisle and product to product, putting whatever is on special in my cart. Conversely, when at the quiet grocery store in the strip mall down the road, I feel a little bewildered at all the choices. With no happy voices advising me how to “save, save, SAVE” and which products will be huge time-savers for me, I’m liable to buy only what I need and leave when that’s done. I used to feel the same way at the gas station, where, in silence, I’d frequently fill the tank with 87 octane, pay with cash and drive away. Recently, the oncequiet station on my way to work took a step toward a more direct interface with its customers and installed a set of video monitors and speakers so a recording could coax and flatter commut-
10 www.VirginiaNeighbors.com
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ers while we refuel. I have long suspected that this was a good gas station, but after hearing every morning just how good, I’m now certain. I’ve begun routing my trips to get gas at places with the most rockin’ music or the most enticing ads. I’ll cruise by the station on the corner with the window down, and if I hear “Billy, Don’t be a Hero,” I’ll keep on moving. If I hear “867-5309 (Jenny)” then I’m sure to pull in. I might not even need gas. It’s common that stations employing this direct marketing approach have “mini marts” inside. Although I have been urged by a tinny voice at true service stations to get flushed and filled, it’s more common to be counseled to purchase three hotdogs for a dollar. Or to buy a 180-ounce Super Swallow for 99 cents with purchase of car wash. I’ve been known to abruptly quit filling my tank when it’s only half-full because I can hear the gas station across the street shilling breakfast burritos by the bag. I’ll go over there and finish my business and leave feeling satisfied that no one’s taking advantage of me—I get the best deals on everything. I was filling my tank at a station the other day, listening to the things I could get if I wanted: clam jerky, chicken wheels, even low-interest home loans. At that moment my cell phone rang. I pulled it out. “Hello?” I said. Over the din, I couldn’t make out what the other person was saying. “Hold on,” I said. I put the phone down, looked at the speaker box and noticed for the first time buttons that would allow a consumer to make the volume of the ads and music louder or softer. They were clean and shiny, apparently untouched. Then I noticed the mute button. It was almost completely worn away.
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12 www.VirginiaNeighbors.com
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NEWS | HISTORY | BUSINESS | PEOPLE
AroundTown
Hyperion Espresso, 301 William Street, Fredericksburg A popular winter landmark for visitors and locals alike, Fredericksburg’s Hyperion Espresso offers a warm and cozy place to study, meet friends or simply bask in the downtown atmosphere. According to the National Park Service, the historic location, at the corner of William and Princess Anne streets, once housed the drugstore of F.W. Johnston and Dr. Robert S. Chew. (Chew went on to command the 30th Virginia Infantry during the Civil War.) These days, the pills and tonics have been replaced by bags of coffee beans, bottles of flavored syrup, and shakers full of spices such as cinnamon and cocoa. Baristas even add their own personal touches to the frothed lattes with various designs including hearts, ferns and flowers. Nina Gonzalez Photo
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AroundTown AroundTown PHILANTHROPIC
Charity for Our Bodies and Soles Saxon Shoes stays in step with the community
S
axon Shoes expanded from its Richmond roots to the Fredericksburg area in the summer of 2009. Along with the family business came a family tradition of helping the less fortunate. “Everybody needs to do what they can. That’s the way I was brought up, and that’s what I want to teach my children,” said Gary Weiner, Saxon Shoes’ president and owner. Saxon Shoes started in 1953, when Gary’s parents, Jack and Gloria Weiner, opened their first shop. It was a tiny place on East Grace Street in downtown Richmond. The story goes that Jack Weiner had a customer who could not afford the price of a new pair of shoes, so he let the man have them. That gesture has snowballed into community involvement with programs like the annual Shoes for the Needy campaign, fashion shows to raise funds for the Central Virginia Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and frequent new shoe giveaway programs for children in need. The Shoes for the Needy program collects “used but usable” shoes and distributes them to those in need. The shoes are then presented to the Salvation Army. Gary said he expected to collect 8,000 to 12,000 pairs of shoes for the program in 2010. When Saxon Shoes opened its Fredericksburg location at The Village at Spotsylvania Towne Centre, its first act of business was a new shoe giveaway to 125 children suggested by agencies like Fredericksburg’s Head Start Program, Hope House and Olde Forge Junction (now Stafford Junction).
Saxon often works with agencies like the United Way to put shoes on needy children year-round, especially at back-toschool and holiday time. The shoes are new, and they’re fitted by the staff at the store,” said Gary. The children get to have a say in the choosing of their shoes as well, which makes for a day of excitement and great fun for the staff. “My staff gets as much out of it as the kids that they’re putting the shoes on. We give away a few thousand pairs of new shoes to kids every year,” Gary said. “The more fortunate need to spread the wealth.” What’s next for Saxon’s charitable works? Gary is excited about a new program in Henrico County. “We’re working to help people with disabilities transition to the workplace. We’re working to help mainstream them,” he said. “We look for underserved causes near and dear to us—kids, the disabled, the elderly and the needy. We can’t do everything, but we do what we can.” — Lisa Ferreira
ECO 411 BACKYARD COMPOSTING If you are still undecided on your New Year’s resolution, consider composting for your landscape this year. The average household trashes about 6 pounds of food scraps each week, and composting is an incredibly easy way to create a nutrient-rich soil amendment. Composting is the decomposition of organic matter in a controlled environment. It can be anything from a large pile of brush and vegetable matter to a small worm bin (yes, fishing bait) for food scraps in your garage. The latter suits my needs well since my home is on a small lot in a community with a homeowners’ association. I have two composting bins in the backyard for kitchen waste and plant material from the garden and flower beds. The bins require my attention only for a few minutes about once a week. The compost you make can be used to top-dress your lawn, to improve soil in your garden beds or to refresh the soil in your potted houseplants—and it saves space in the landfill.
The keys to successful composting are having the correct ratio of green, nitrogen-rich material to brown, carbon-rich material; maintaining the proper moisture level; and ensuring the availability of oxygen. With these conditions met, you can make compost in as little as a few weeks. A compost bin shouldn’t attract any unwanted pests or have an unpleasant odor. Check with your locality’s public works department or extension office to see if they offer composting classes or composting bin sales to help you get started. The Rappahannock Regional Solid Waste Management Board (R-Board) and Stafford County Extension Office have been offering composting classes and selling composting bins for several years now. Starting in March, the R-Board and the Stafford Extension Office are expanding the classes to a Master Composter program in Stafford. For a fee, the classes will be open to any interested individual. Please contact this author if you are interested. Happy Composting!
Author Julie May is an analyst for the Rappahannock Regional Solid Waste Management Board. For more information about R-Board programs, visit www.r-board.org.
14 www.VirginiaNeighbors.com
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When Feeling Great Can’t Wait! Active Families and Individuals: • See an experienced and compassionate medical provider – walk in TODAY! • Available days, evenings and weekends. • WAHOO!® – (Wait At Home Or Office); we’ll call when your exam room is ready! • All major insurance accepted, including Medicare, Medicaid and TRICARE; or a medical discount program is available.
TECHNOLOGY
Ideas Worth Spreading
INJURED SHOULDER (X-RAY) MIGRAINE
TED brings lectures—from psychophysics to comic books—to the masses
FEVER
One of the greatest benefits of the growth of new media over the past several years has been that it has increased the accessibility of knowledge. With the democratization of information, education is at the fingertips of those who 10 years ago may not have been able to afford access to seminars, workshops and lectures from the most respected leaders of a given field. This is the spirit that is embodied by the TED (Technology, Entertainment and Design) Conference and its immensely popular web-based free lecture series. Their site (www.ted.com) offers access to some of the world’s most renowned experts speaking in a manner directed toward the public on a wide array of topics. Ranging in length from brief to long, TED videos include lectures from speakers like J.J. Abrams, producer of films including Star Trek and several Mission Impossible installments, and Sebastian Seung, an expert on brain-mapping. What has made the site so successful is its mantra of “ideas worth spreading” and the manner with which its speakers engage their audience. On the surface, many lectures’ subject matter may seem dense and inaccessible to those without a Ph.D. and years of scholarly research. However, the majority of the speeches feature graphics and animation, and are delivered with their audience in mind. The speakers are adept at presenting their knowledge in a way that is, believe it or not, entertaining. If I were to tell you that a lecture on statistical trending and significance presented by a Swedish research doctor could be entertaining, you would probably think that I had a warped perception of the definition of fun. But TED is in the unique position to prove your notions wrong. There are hundreds of lectures to choose from on almost any imaginable topic. Still skeptical? At the bottom of this article there is a link to a talk by New York Times bestselling author Malcolm Gladwell speaking on psychophysics and Prego’s search for the perfect tomato sauce or, as the talk will go on to explain, the perfect tomato sauces (www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/malcolm_gladwell_on_ spaghetti_sauce.html).
— John Budd
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AroundTown AroundTown
FOCUS
Paradise Restored Spotsylvania’s Eden Try crafts a pastoral Camelot for wedding parties
I
n Spotsylvania County, on River Road, there is an estate where couples in love come to join in marriage. The immaculate grounds and manor house leave one with an impression that this place carries a certain wonder and enchantment. The lord of this manor is Gary Gratopp with his very special Lady Guinevere, Linda Morrison. The name of this estate is Eden Try, and for the last several years it has been one of the premier wedding venues in the Fredericksburg region. The success of Eden Try lies in a philosophy of change that keeps the level of service constantly evolving and improving. Everything about the grounds and house is concerned with making wedding ceremonies memorable, exciting and stress-free for those involved. Gary’s and Linda’s love of the outdoors is evident when taking a tour of the grounds. Behind the manor house is a natural amphitheater for outdoor weddings. The planned regrading of this area will allow for the tiered seating of more than 200 people with a ceremonial gazebo at the front. In the rear of the amphitheater will be a bride’s cottage, where the bride will be able to prepare and, from there, begin her procession either to the gazebo or, should she choose, to the formal gardens at the back porch of the manor house.
A reception is usually on the front grounds using large tents that give the appearance of a medieval festival. In past years, Eden Try would provide a list of preferred caterers. Based on bridal surveys, this list has been refined recently. The main catering is now done by Legends Catering, which also takes care of the catering at the Fauquier Springs Country Club and the Virginia Gold Cup each year. Another local favorite used frequently is TJ’s Catering out of Falmouth. Next year, Gary and Linda hope to plant several rows of grapes, not only for the ambience but also because of their love of wine and the rich enjoyment they experience from partaking of the fruits of their own labors. Gary can often be found riding around the grounds of Eden Try on his tractor. In order to store his farm equipment, he is planning to build a barn similar in style to those found in the Virginia horse country near Middleburg, circa 1800s. Although the booking season for weddings has only just begun, Eden Try’s proprietors said listings have already doubled for weddings over last year. After visiting Eden Try, one can understand the reason why this is so. It is a place for those in love to come and enjoy an enchanted beginning to a life together. — Scott Richards Eden Try photos
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(clockwise from top) When you enter, the estate pillars on each side of the drive greet you; a backyard reception held along the rear walk; the front facade of the house with new landscaping; a large tent set up in the front grounds for an event.
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belles WEDDING Ideas & Inspiration from local newlyweds
“Will you marry me?”
If you or someone you know answered “yes,” then let the planning begin! For the best inspiration, we turned to those who have the most experience in creating truly beautiful weddings—the brides themselves.
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Krista & Richard 20 www.VirginiaNeighbors.com
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Real Weddings As a first-year teacher from Minnesota, Krista Colvin (née Folkerts) had never eaten a crab until her school mentor, Crystal, invited her over for them one day. Since they were having a variety of people over, Crystal’s husband, James, had also invited Richard, a coworker of his at Mitchell Trucking. Richard taught Krista how to pick apart crabs, and the two spent the entire night talking. “We both had that ‘feeling’ that we were supposed to be together,” says Krista.
The wedding took place Sept. 26, 2009, in the gardens of the Gari Melchers Home and Studio at Belmont, amid artwork and Georgian landscaping dating back to the early 20th century.
(opposite page) The couple embraced beneath the garden arch. (this page, clockwise from top) Krista and her bridal party trying to keep dry before the ceremony; the bride’s sister celebrates her victory in catching the bouquet; the bride’s bouquet of orchids and white roses; the couple played the “Shoe Game” during the reception, a fun way to entertain guests; the all white wedding cake embellished with pearl accents.
This and opposite page photos by Philippe and Patti Monk of Living Story Photography (LivingStoryPhoto.com)
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While bad weather could easily have put a damper on the outdoor ceremony, “We agree that having a wedding outside in the gardens in the rain was unique and very romantic,” says Krista. Krista did all the planning and coordinating for the wedding, and set up the agenda of events for the wedding day and the rehearsal the night before. The small, intimate ceremony featured a string quartet from a local church and a pastor who was a close family friend. The party favor was a chocolate candy bar with homemade chocolates from Mary’s Cakery & Candy Kitchen in King George. The theme of the party favors was “Here’s to a sweet life.” Sweet it was for Krista’s sister, who caught the bouquet and was actually the next to get engaged and married—to the person who caught the garter.
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Beeca & Paul
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Real Weddings Paul and Becca Ainslie met in their last semester of Calvary Chapel Bible College in Siegen, Germany. Soon after getting engaged they were separated for half a year—Paul serving as a missionary in Ensenada, Mexico, and Becca in Morocco. They were reunited in Dec. 2008, and began planning the wedding.
They were married in Fredericksburg on May 30, 2009, in the presence of family and friends from all over the country.
(opposite page) The wedding party was made of friends and family members from all over the world. (this page, clockwise from top) Each bridesmaid chose her own style of dress; the couple took communion with a Passover cup and plate (also know as a Kiddish) made in Israel; a small blue alien tucked in the bride’s bouquet; Becca’s embroidered bridal hanky; by Slovakian tradition, the mother puts an apron and cap on the bride because now she is a married woman and will be a homemaker; the wedding march was an original song Becca’s friend Melody wrote on the piano. Photos by Philippe and Patti Monk of Living Story Photography (LivingStoryPhoto.com)
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The couple tried to add unique details in the small things, like berries in the floral arrangements and magnoliathemed wedding invitations. Each bridesmaid chose her own style of dress from three main wedding colors. The entire ceremony featured live music–the wedding march was an original song that a friend had written on the piano. The wedding reception also included some Slovakian traditions observed for generations in Becca’s family, such as handing down the bridal veil to a younger sister (who will be the next to marry). And, of course, there was a good, old-fashioned polka dance. Becca’s sister also added her own touch. “When my sister and I were little she had this gross collection of weird little aliens figures,” says Becca. “One day while cleaning our room I threw most of them away. She was so upset, and she vowed that with the few she had left she would put them all throughout my wedding day! She kept her word.” The couple’s first year of marriage was spent living abroad in the Middle East and Europe. They are currently living in Münster, Germany, and are on staff at Calvary Chapel Münster. JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2011 | VIRGINIA NEIGHBORS 23
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Candice & Justin
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Real Weddings Justin and Candice Wright met on Valentine’s Day in 2007. Candice was in college, and Justin was in the Army Honor Guard, stationed at Ft. Myer in Arlington. In August of 2009, Justin received news that he was deploying to Iraq the next month. Candice returned to her hometown, Fredericksburg, and began working as a graphic designer for Virginia Neighbors. Justin came home for leave in June 2010, and the couple visited his family in North Carolina. He took this opportunity to inform his and Candice’s families that he was going to propose. On his last day of leave Justin proposed while visiting Great Falls National Park. Only then did Candice discover everyone in their families had seen the ring over the course of the week as they all called to congratulate them that evening.
They were married on Oct. 10, 2010 (10-10-10) at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., before the Panthers played.
(opposite page) The couple’s only wedding party member was their dog. (this page, clockwise from top) the rings on the brim of Justin’s signature Panthers cap; Candice created this custom cake topper from the couple’s silhouette; the bride and best man share a quiet moment before the ceremony; every detail was customized for the couple, including their initials on the bottom of the bride’s shoes; a wall of photos of the couple throughout their time together greeted the guests as they arrived at the reception; Candice created her bouquet out of antique jewelry she had inherited from family members. Top photo by Cicily Collins of Still Heart Photography (stillheartphotography.com) All other photos by Sally Siko of Silvercord Event Photography LLC (silvercordeventphotography.com)
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Justin has been a huge fan of the Panthers since they formed in 1995, and Candice (who became a fan since meeting Justin) proposed they get married there in order to avoid the stress of planning a big wedding. In order to appease family and friends, the two held a reception four days later in Justin’s hometown of Thomasville, N.C. For this event they used their birthstone colors as the color scheme, and made the decorations themselves, including thousands of paper flowers and a wedding tree for guests to “leaf” their fingerprint on. The best part of the day for the couple was being able to include their dog— tuxedo T-shirt and all. JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2011 | VIRGINIA NEIGHBORS 25
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More Newlyweds
Fat Girl Cakes LLC
www.fatgirlcakes.com
“Because desserts just can’t be thin.”
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The Icing Baking Company Custom Cakes & Confections 1169 Courthouse Road Suite 105, Stafford TheIcingCakes.com 540.659.8955
Simply Sweet Cake & Candy Shop Inc.
Taste the Difference 4413 Plank Road, Fredericksburg, VA 22407 540-786-7584 • wwwsimplysweet2001.com
5 7 6 1. Brooke & David Luck, by Nancy Balogh of Beautiful Expressions Photography (beautifulexpressionsphotography.net)
Pots & Palettes “Have your wedding/ bridal shower with us!” 1008 Sophia St. Fredericksburg, Va 22401 540.373.7046
2. Kristin &Troy Rose, Beautiful Expressions Photography 3. Syedda & Shezad Bajwa, by Van Gons (VanGonsPhotography.com)
4. Kelsea &Scott Baker, Jaimie Haverkamp of Fiddelhead Photo (www.fiddelheadphoto.com)
5. Tasha & Chad Vaught, Beautiful Expressions Photography 6. Amanda & Kevin Skew, by Philippe and Patti Monk of Living Story Photography (LivingStoryPhoto.com)
7. Michelle & Lee Dusing, by Abigail Volkman (abigailvolkmann.com)
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Local Resources Pampered Gals & Guys It’s as simple as our name; we want to pamper you both! For a special occasion or just a quick couples “Get Away,” Pampered Gals & Guys can provide you with special treatments to wash away the stress of your hectic day. Providing manicures, spa pedicures, massages, facials and waxing. Let us pamper you today! 5700 Salem Run Blvd, Ste 102, Fredericksburg, VA 22407 540-785-6869
Garden Heirlooms of Fredericksburg A floral design service offering elegant arrangements to suit every bride’s wedding. From simple and modern, to classic and traditional–we use fresh, high-quality florals to create sumptuous heirloom arrangements. With over 15 years experience Kari Thompson, owner/designer, works primarily with weddings, large events, custom florals and presents workshops to floral and gardening enthusiasts. 540-373-1247 • www.Garden-Heirlooms.com
Simply Sweet Cake & Candy Shop Inc. “Taste the Difference” You’ve got to try a piece of our cake. Each cake is beautifully decorated with the “theme of your day” in mind. You can be assured that the cake you receive is of the utmost quality in preparation, ingredients and presentation. 4413 Plank Road, Fredericksburg, VA 22407 540-786-7584 • www.YourSimplySweet.com
Fat Girl Cakes LLC
Because desserts just can’t be thin... Fat Girl Cakes creates custom confections for your celebration. Specializing in beautiful, handcrafted cakes, cupcakes, cookies and chocolates. Also offering madeto-order guest baskets and edible and non-edible favors. Give your special occasion a sweet finish with delectable delicacies from Fat Girl Cakes. Fredericksburg, VA 540-710-6533 • www.fatgirlcakes.com
Anytime Limosines Limosine and Sedan services fir concerts, funerals, weddings, nights out, birthdays, airport service, homecoming and proms, sporting events and casino trips. Call us so we can help you design a package to fit your budget. 540-412-9025 Fredericksburg 804-279-0909 Richmond 703-791-LIMO(5466) • www.anytimelimova.com
Gibson Rental
The Icing Baking Company
Virginia’s premier rental service. We provide a complete line of rental items for your wedding and events including: tents, tables, chairs, lighting, heating/cooling equipment, dance floors and staging. In addition, event services are available including: inclement weather holds for tents, side curtains, free site inspections and quotes, on-staff Event Coordinator, and a flexible staff willing to assist you.
The cake should taste as good as it looks. Yes, some cakes are veritable works of art, so beautiful, so yucky! We use time tested, hand crafted recipes and organic ingredients that result in a moist, delicious cake. We NEVER freeze our cakes and take pride in delivering a custom cake designed for your exceptional event. We look forward to working with you to create the cake of your dreams.
135 Berry Hill Road, Orange, VA 540-661-0001 • www.GibsonRental.com
1169 Courthouse Road, Suite 105,Stafford, VA 540-659-8955 • www.TheIcingCakes.com
Nancy’s Custom Desserts & Pastries
Pots and Palettes
Only the finest ingredients go into Chef Nancy’s Custom Desserts. The formally trained and certified pastry chef will turn your special event into an extraordinary affair. From delectable pastries and european tortes to a masterfully created wedding cake, chef Nancy pours her heart into her art. Contact us today to arrange a private tasting session!
We’re a paint your own pottery studio. We do special events, bridal showers, girls/guys nights out with special after-hours availability by request. Come and create a unique gift for the bride & groom. As an alternative to the traditional wedding guest book, have your guests sign a guest plate custom decorated for your special day.
540-850-2045 • www.NancysCustomDesserts.com
540-373-7046 • www.PotsAndPalettes.com
1008 Sophia Street, Fredericksburg, VA
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Spirited Away Loudoun County in Northern Virginia hasn’t had a distillery since Prohibition— Catoctin Creek is its first. by Anita L. Sherman photography by Scott Harris
Scott Harris is the son of a soldier. As a boy, he lived in Karlsruhe, West Germany. Some of his fondest memories are of an elderly neighbor who would offer him sips of a German liquor after the families had shared a large dinner. Now calling Virginia home, Scott is making spirits of his own. “This is the king,” says an excited Scott, who introduces Catoctin Creek’s custom-made hybrid pot–column still like it’s a member of the family. Glistening, this unhammered copper and stainless steel still is carefully handcrafted by
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Kothe Destillationstechnik in Eislingen, Germany. It’s a beauty, and its special distillation column and unique construction of bubblecaps add aroma and flavor to what’s brewing inside. Scott and his wife, Becky, are distillers of alcoholic liquors. They make beautiful booze. Produced in small batches and entirely by hand, their brands of whiskeys, gins, spirits, brandies and liqueurs are certified organic and kosher. They are purists with their craft, maintaining the highest quality during all phases of the distillation process from mashing to bottling. The production can be painstaking, but the results are sublime. Inside the giant, gleaming metal still, liquids and solids are being heated and condensed, and drop by drop a liquid is formed that eventually fills the bottles that end up on ABC shelves. Named after a tributary of the Potomac, Catoctin Creek Distilling Company is located near the meandering stream that runs through Purcellville. Unlike visiting a winery, there are no rows of grapevines. Distilling doesn’t have to take up much room. Located in a business annex near the town, the two young entrepreneurs found a large warehouse space to set up shop. It’s light, airy, clean and has the aura of a chemist’s lab. A graduate of Georgia Tech, Scott Harris hails from 20 years in the high-tech world, where telecommunications systems and government IT solutions filled his days. But as he neared 40, he got to thinking that there should be something more. “I’ve always loved spirits, and I wanted to make something...to hold something tangible in my hand that I’d created,” says Scott. “What do you think? Is it close?” asks Becky, who routinely carries a small shot glass that she uses to taste. “Tiny sips... dilute and spit,” laughs Becky “...It’s very meticulous, and you have to stay focused. I can’t afford to be dull.” Becky, a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, began as a chemical engineer. Working at companies like Amoco, YDK America and CIBA, she specialized in industrial processes and production systems. Looking up from her laptop after recording a recent tasting, she muses, “I worked on those plastic trays that packaged meats come in and the small plastic coverings that go over cell phones.” “It’s good...cut it now,” says Scott. Becky smiles. “After working, I stayed home when we had our children. I wasn’t contributing any income at that time, so when we decided it was time for me to re-enter the workforce, I wanted to do something where I could be flexible with the children, able to get them at the bus, help with homework, and we started thinking...why couldn’t we do something together... why couldn’t we make spirits?” Scott chimes in, “The start-up costs are enormous—and some thought us crazy—but we decided to go ahead...If we were going to do it, now was the time.”
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That was in 2008. Now, two years in, neither Scott nor Becky has any regrets. Becky’s industrial processing knowledge and Scott’s hightech savvy, partnered with a passion for fine spirits, have bubbled into a brisk business. Producing 10,000 bottles a year, Catoctin Creek’s liquors can be found in Maryland; Washington, D.C.; Virginia and Northern California. “Being organically certified is not easy,” admits Becky. “There is a lot of paperwork. All of the products that you use have to be pesticide–free, your grains organically grown, you need to be careful what disinfectants you use with the equipment...It’s worth the effort...It’s important to be good stewards.” “You have to be able to trace every bottle back to its raw materials and how they were handled,” adds Scott, who said they’ve come up with an eco-friendly way to dispose of the pounds of mash left after the distilling process. Rich in fiber and oatmealy in texture, 400 gallons are picked up each week by a farmer eager to serve it to his eight beef cows, Scott chuckles. “They know when they hear his truck that a treat is on its way,” he says, adding that the arrangement works well for both him and the farmer. Catoctin Creek joins a handful of other small craft distilleries in Virginia and may be part of a growing trend mirroring that of micro-breweries. Federal regulations were relaxed in the early ’80s, making it easier to operate. A federal agent is no longer required to be on site. New technology allows for smaller distilleries to be run more economically. As is the case with many startup efforts, Scott and Becky look forward to a time when they will be able to hire additional help. For now, the two are kept busy alternating the tasks of taking care of their two boys and running their business. But being situated in the heart of wine country has proved to be a plus. At 170 proof, Cactoctin Creek’s grape brandy, made from wine at neighboring Tarara Winery in
Leesburg, is brandy divine—to be sipped slowly for its warmth after a day in the chilly air or for its soothing effect after a meal in the company of friends. Named in honor of John Mosby, Mosby’s Spirit comes white or aged. Scott holds up a bottle of the caramel-colored variety. “It’s the aging that gives whiskey its color.” Most ryes on the market today are blended, but at Catoctin Creek, their Roundstone Rye is 100 percent pure and organic. Scott would eventually like to find a farmer in Virginia for his rye grain, but now it comes from Kansas. Catoctin Creek’s Watershed Gin pays homage to the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Distilled from organic rye, with a secret recipe that resonates of herbs and spices with hints of freshly cut hay and crisp juniper, it’s a complex gin with a zingy character. Always on the lookout for new or seasonal fruits and grains, Scott’s and Becky’s latest creation is a product of serendipity. “We were all set up and we needed something to distill and we phoned our friend Doug Fabbioli,” says Becky, “who happened to have a lot of pear wine. Perfect.” The result is Pearousia. Golden letters on an elegantly designed label mark the slender bottle as very exceptional indeed. The lovely hued pear on the outside gives a hint of the pleasure inside. Again sipped slowly, Pearousia makes its entry into the brandy ballroom with grace and sophistication. Quantities are limited. In future, they’d like to see more serendipities like Pearousia. “Once we get really established, I’d like to experiment with different, seasonal local fruits,” says Becky. “It would be so much fun...local plums, peaches...but right now, we’ve got no time,” she adds. “Everything that we have sells out.” d Catoctin Creek Distilling Company, LLC Scott and Becky Harris, owners 37251-C East Richardson Lane Purcellville, Virginia 20132 540-751-8404 www.catoctincreek.com
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Before The Beatles and Rolling Stones, there was Link Wray, a rock ’n’ roll pioneer who changed the face of music during a Fredericksburg dance.
THE MISSING
LINK
By Nicholas Addison Thomas
It was like a sledgehammer to the ears—
a powerful, punctuating sound that throttled the core of anyone brave enough to listen. One, two, three thunderous strums of the guitar, and the music world was rocked into transfixion. Before The Beatles, Rolling Stones and The Who, there was Link Wray—a guitarist with one lung who changed the face of music during a sold-out Fredericksburg concert. And to think it all started with a No. 2 pencil. The year was 1958, and a bitter winter had once again ravished the Virginia landscape. The frigid month of January was in high gear, bringing a grave coldness that all but froze the city of Fredericksburg. While adults found toasty refuge in front of their fireplaces, hundreds of teenagers warmed themselves by the impassioned embers of live music. It was dance night at the National Guard armory, a venue that sat at the corner of U.S. 1 and Fall Hill Avenue, a spot now occupied by Virginia Barbeque. “Grant’s House Party,” an American Bandstand-like show hosted by disc jockey Milt Grant, was getting under way. On the bill: The Raymen, a rockabilly band headed by JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2011 | VIRGINIA NEIGHBORS 33
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“The way Link told the story was that God just zapped the ‘Rumble’ opening chords into his mind. He already had a menacing sound, and that just took it a lot further.”– Ed Cynar “The power chord has a gritty lead guitarist Link Wray. It was Man, This Is The Greatest! tonality that fits right into the supposed to be a typical show—a TV Star MILT GRANT energy that drives youthful rock decent-paying gig at a record IN PERSON presents ’n’ roll. It’s a two-note chord that hop in the dead of winter. No employs the root and fifth degree one knew it would turn into a FRIDAY, JULY 12, 9 P. M. TO 12 of the associated scale, while performance that would forever FREDERICKSBURG ARENA major and minor chords include change the face of music. Guest Stars Prizes Contests the third or lowered-third deA simple request from the 90c tax included gree,” said Peter Mealy, general crowd was all it took. Midway through the routine performance, A local newspaper ad lists one of the local manager of Picker’s Supply in shows featuring Link Wray downtown Fredericksburg. the band was asked to play “The “Because the third is not included in the power Stroll,” a popular song by The Diamonds. Link, having been holed up in a hospital with tuberculosis—he chord, it does not have a major or minor tonality; acquired it during the Korean War, which led to the it is somewhat musically androgynous. The power removal of his lung—wasn’t familiar with the latest chord is designed to change a song’s mood from tune. Since the song required no vocals, his brother cerebral to visceral.” The introduction of the power chord was so ahead Vernon figured they could just crank up the guitar. Vernon took Link’s microphone and put it in front of of its time and against the grain that it helped turn the amp, immediately distorting the small speakers. “Rumble” into a bona fide hit. The instrumental Then Doug, Link’s other brother, laid down a beat on wound up selling a million records, despite being the drums, while Shorty, the bassist, played over it. banned by radio for fear it would incite gang violence. On instinct, Link twanged his ’53 Gibson Les Paul Not only did the song help put The Raymen on the electric guitar, emitting a loud and dirty sound that musical map, but it established Link as a dominant cut through everything. On that stage, he turned figure in early rock ’n’ roll. According to Eric Moore, creator of into a musical Zeus, his fingers like lightning bolts, pounding the chords in booming fashion. In mere InductLinkWray.com, Link’s impact on the music world was immediate and far-reaching. As such, he minutes, the legend of Link was born. After the gripping performance, Milt and the created an online petition designed to induct Link band knew they had a hit on their hands. At the into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. “Link was tremendously influential through the time, no other act had created such ribald music, an unorthodox sound that used high volume and brutal use of power chord, distortion, reverb and volume. chords to distort traditional notes. The Raymen In fact, guitars and amps are now manufactured to immediately went to the studio to record this guitar- accommodate the sound and style that he created,” driven blues song, aptly titled “Rumble.” When they said Moore, who saw Link Ray blow out his sound replayed it, however, they couldn’t quite duplicate system at the age of 68. “I can’t think of any other guitarist that has had the unique sound. The guttural, heavy sense of distortion was gone. Frustrated, Link took a pencil such a widespread influence on mainstream rock, and punched holes in his Premier amp’s two 10-inch hard rock, punk, heavy metal, surf, instrumentals, speakers, hoping to re-create the “fuzztone” effect rockabilly and blues.” At the time when rock ’n’ roll was considered he had introduced during his impromptu riff back in Fredericksburg. It worked. The resulting sound relatively tame, few could predict how extensive gave freedom to the power chord, the backbone of Link’s impact on the genre would be. Christened “The Father of the Power Chord,” the part-Shawnee Link’s new, bad-to-the-bone musical styling.
RECORD HOP
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Link, his brothers Vernon and Doug, with bass player Shorty Horton. They went by various names, including Lucky Wray and the Lucky Pine Wranglers (or Lazy Pine Wranglers), the Ranch Gang Band, the Palamino Ranch Gang, and the Palomino Ranch Hands.
Indian, who grew up poor in North Carolina, single-handedly launched a new sound in music. As an artist, he had an iconic image. He was rebellious, always wearing black and sporting shades onstage before Johnny Cash made it cool. “He was an innovator, always experimenting with sound, style and impact. When you heard one of his songs—especially live—you felt it in your bones. He took every performance seriously and played up to his capabilities, which are much greater than most people know. His introduction of the power chord is one example of his brilliance,” said Ed Cynar, Link’s band mate and current bassist for The Raymen. What’s more remarkable, perhaps, is the fact that Link accomplished all of this without the help of electronic gadgets that today’s musicians use to drastically change sounds. His only real enhancement was pencil holes in a speaker cone. “Link was always looking for new and inventive ways to improve his sound. He knew exactly what he wanted to do, and was able to convey his ideas to us very easily. Just listen to what he was doing in the late 1950s and early 1960s that bands are still doing, only with an assortment of pedals, sound enhancers and recording features,” said Cynar, who joined the band in 1964. “Link demonstrated that rock ’n’ roll had a lot more potential than the routine sounds of the earlier times.” More than 50 years since the first power chord reverberated through the Fredericksburg armory, Link’s musical styling continues to serve as a structural foundation in the music industry. In fact, contemporary bands like The White Stripes and
Photos provided by Ed Cynar
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The Black Keys have power chords interwoven into their styles, and much of today’s punk and heavy metal music derives from its gritty nature. Wrenn Mangum, a singer from Richmond who honors the rockabilly pioneers of the 1950s through his performances, knows full well how Link influenced modern-day musicians. A popular entertainer who performs hits from the early days of rock, Mangum cites Link Ray as a major inspiration. “He is a sometimes overlooked, but important, contributor to rock ’n’ roll music, and he’s an inspiration to many guitarists around the world. Link was rough around the edges, raw, loud, and he stripped the music down to its most primitive foundation,” said Mangum. “There is a playfulness and rebellious quality to his music that refuses to be polished. Every time I play in Fredericksburg, I try to do ‘Rumble’ at the end. It sums up everything that made me love rock ’n’ roll in the first place.” Perhaps no other musician so expertly captured the heart and soul of rock ’n’ roll quite like Link. He was a man before his time, who lived and breathed every electric pulse of his trusty guitar. While his music continues to inspire and entertain since his passing in 2005, one thing is certain—it has a home in Fredericksburg. d To learn more about Link Wray, visit www. InductLinkWray.com. To hear Link’s music in a contemporary setting, visit www.myspace.com/linkwraysraymen and www.wrennmangum.com.
JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2011 | VIRGINIA NEIGHBORS 35
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36 www.VirginiaNeighbors.com mj09VaN_WillowMktg.indd 1 VaNnd10_36-47.indd 36
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ART | ENTERTAINMENT | MUSIC | DINING
A little fairy dust from Ireland may be one of the secrets to Fredericksburg
based singer/songwriter Sam Pacetti’s finger-picking prowess. » JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2011 | VIRGINIA NEIGHBORS 37
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MUSIC
Bridging Cultures Guitarist Sam Pacetti fuses Cuban and Irish folk influences
L
egendary stories follow great guitar players. But guitarist Sam Pacetti, after spending a year in Ireland, now follows the legends themselves. When the 36-year-old, a wizard at finger-style picking, wields his steel six-string you’re reminded of singer/songwriter Bruce Cockburn’s take on a fellow folkie: “He takes the corners so fast you think he’s going to roll, but he never loses control.” It would be easy enough to construct a mythic back story for the St. Augustine, Fla., native who now calls Fredericksburg home. You could begin with Sam’s Cuban grandfather, at whose feet he learned to play flamenco guitar as a youngster. Or move ahead to 1990, when as a high-schooler Sam
apprenticed himself to Gamble Rogers, 53, a legendary flatpicking, folk-singing troubadour, who a year later would perish while attempting an ocean rescue of a Florida tourist. Or fast forward to 2008, when during a particularly fallow artistic period, Sam moved to Fredericksburg for a change of scenery only to become a “Rappahannock river rat,” he said. “There’s an incredible amount of beauty out there. It helped me anchor in.” And that’s when once again the music began to flow. But perhaps nothing was as crucial to Sam’s development as a guitarist as the time he spent in Ireland in 1996. That’s the place where “everything clicked,” he said, and he began at last to trust his playing. He released his début album, Solitary Travel, shortly after returning to the U.S. in 1997. Ireland was a place where Sam would find not only “incredible moments of inspiration,” he said, but real magic. “America is a culture that’s lost its mythology,” he said. “In Ireland, everyone over 30 had a story about seeing fairies and gnomes in childhood.”
CULTURE
A Surreal Life
Richmond gallery to exhibit rare Picasso collection
“Portrait of Dora Maar” (1937)
In 1881, in the southern Spanish city of Málaga, an artist was born. This child would become the most influential artist of the 20th century, Pablo Picasso. He entered the School of Fine Arts in Barcelona at age 13, and studied art in Madrid before traveling, in 1900, to Paris—the city where he would first make his mark. Involved in almost every artistic movement during his lifetime, Picasso was constantly reinventing himself, finding inspiration both from the modern age and from the work of past artists and artworks. Upon his death in 1973, Picasso had created an astounding 50,000 works. Acting almost as a curator for his art, Picasso kept some of his most iconic pieces from each phase of his work, including the Blue
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Today, Sam has a second album to his credit, Union (2006), recorded with longtime musical collaborator Gabriel Vallas. He plays area concert dates and teaches guitar at Picker’s Supply music store in Fredericksburg. When he was interviewed recently at his studio, Sam said he plays a “fairly mixed bag” of styles, everything from classical music to Delta blues to American finger-style guitar with Irish and Celtic influences. The boyish-looking musician with the distinctive soul patch picked up his guitar and proceeded to expertly render each of the styles. He cited guitarists John Fahey, Leo Kotke and Michael Hedges as having had a major impact on his playing. Sam writes many of his own songs and sings in a deeply expressive voice. But it’s as an interpreter of songs that he truly shines. He enjoys “breathing new life into traditional material,” he said, mentioning “The Drowned Lovers,” a song from the 15th-century British Isles, as a current favorite. “My purpose of being on the planet is as a systems-busting paradigm shifter,” said Sam. “Music is the medium.” And with that, he set aside his guitar, an instrument that “had some magic fairy dust sprinkled on it by a Wiccan priest in Ireland,” he said. — Kurt Rabin
Period, Rose Period, Cubism, the return to Classicism, Surrealism, etc. After his death, the collection became a traveling exhibit until 1980; soon after, the family estate gave the artwork to France, where it resides permanently at the Musée Picasso in Paris. The exhibition includes examples of almost every medium in which Picasso worked—oil on canvas and panel; cast bronze; carved wood; watercolors; pastel, charcoal, pencil and ink drawings; printmaking techniques; and illustrated books. Works include “Celestina (The Woman with One-Eye)” (1904) from his Blue Period, “The Reading” (1932) and “Jacqueline with Crossed Hands” (1954). In celebration of its 75th anniversary, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is offering the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the collection in its only East Coast appearance Feb. 19 through May 15. “An exhibition this monumental is extremely rare,
especially one that spans the entire career of a figure who many consider the most influential, innovative and creative artist of the 20th century,” said Alex Nyerges, director of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. The Musée Picasso is closed for renovations, allowing for a global tour of this magnitude for possibly the last time. The U.S. showings of the Picasso collection follow well-received stops in Helsinki, Finland; and in Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia. The exhibit is currently at the Seattle Art Museum until Jan. 17, then Richmond before traveling to the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. Admission is free for VMFA members and children 6 and under. Non-member admission is $20 for adults, and $16 for seniors 65 and up, students, groups of 10 or more and youth ages 7–17. Tickets can be purchased at the museum or by calling 804-340-1405. —Candice Wright JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2011 | VIRGINIA NEIGHBORS 39
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WRITER’S BLOCK
P R E S S P L AY
JERRY LEE LEWIS, MEAN OLD MAN He’s Still Pumping Those 88 Black-andWhite Keys Jerry Lee Lewis, “The Killer,” will forever be remembered standing at the piano, limbs flailing, quiff flying, belting out his signature tune, “Great Balls of Fire.” Jerry Lee could have been the face of American rock ’n’ roll; but due to a series of personal scandals, he was blacklisted. Now his new album pairs him with some of the greats of past and present, including Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ron Wood (on separate tracks), Tim McGraw, Sheryl Crow, Gillian Welch, Solomon Burke, Willie Nelson, Robbie Robertson and Jon Brion.
ELTON JOHN & LEON RUSSELL, THE UNION Gospel-Infused Blues and Country Working closely with producer T Bone Burnett, Elton John and Leon Russell (and a stellar guest list including Bono and Brian Wilson) have prepared an album of new and original music that highlights two of the most important rock piano players in history. The album’s success builds on the partnership between the two artists, who have enjoyed wildly differing fortunes coming to the same conclusion. Sir Elton succeeds in stripping his music of the glitz, with homages to Stax soul (“I Should Have Sent Roses”) and The Band (“Gone to Shiloh”)—a sound befitting Leon’s weathered, drawling voice.
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Tried and True
Popular legal author Scott Turow Writer/attorney Scott Turow divides his time. Even his writing time. When we caught up with him by phone recently, the author of Presumed Innocent said he was trying his hand at writing a play, and he was finding it plenty challenging. He has also started work on a novel about a politician and his grueling campaign for elective office. Turow, 61, the author of nine bestselling novels, including Innocent (2010), the sequel to Presumed Innocent (1987), which arrives in paperback this spring, also has two works of nonfiction to his credit. One L (1977) describes his first year at Harvard Law School; Ultimate Punishment (2003) is a meditation on the death penalty. When he’s not penning books, Turow practices law as a partner of SNR Denton in Chicago. He’s also a much-in-demand speaker, a role that brings him to the Fredericksburg Forum at the University of Mary Washington on March 17, at 8 p.m. Turow said he hadn’t yet chosen a topic for his Forum talk but wouldn’t rule out speaking about the book that started it all for him, One L, the true tale of “ego run amok at Harvard Law School.” “What creeps through One L,” said its author, “is, it’s about a young person who feels his identity is at stake.” He credits the five years he spent in Stanford’s Creative Writing Program for the narrative gifts that helped him craft a page-turner from his law school travails. When it comes to structuring a gripping legal thriller, however, Turow gives the nod to a surprising source. “My chops,” he said, “come from all the television I watched as a kid.” Although television and movie execs love a good sequel, Turow was disinclined to write a follow-up to his first—and most successful—thriller, Presumed Innocent. But he experienced a change of heart. “The best things to write about,” he said, “are the things that force themselves on you.” The impetus for Innocent was a mental image that Turow couldn’t shake: a man sitting on a bed, on which the dead body of a woman lies. The author realized that the man and woman in his vision, which bore an eerie similarity to an Edward Hopper painting, “Excursion Into Philosophy,” were none other than Rusty Sabich and his wife, Barbara, the protagonists from his fiction début. When the author was asked if he agreed with reviewers who consider Innocent the latest in a string of increasingly melancholy works, he said, “Here you have poor Rusty charging up to his 60th birthday: ‘I made the wrong choices. I built something on a foundation of sand.’ Not a happy situation.” But Turow can’t help but be happy himself with the positive reviews his latest novel has garnered, not to mention the fact that his writing career shows no signs of flagging 33 years after the publication of One L. “It’s a great gig being a novelist,” said Turow. “It’s been a blessed life.” —Kurt Rabin Jeremy Lawson Photo
1/19/11 10:05 AM
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Always Fresh...Always Friendly...Guaranteed!!! Handmade from scratch everyday. Whether you are after our classic Kolaches, Nut Roll, Award-Winning Bread Pudding, Famous Cinnamon Rolls, or a freshly ground espresso drink– you’re always welcome at Kolache House Bakery. Every Friday is Bread day: Sourdough, Focaccia, Dipping Bread, loaded Potato Bread, Czech Rye and more.
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Hackers & Duffers
a real sports bar. Fredvegas, va usa. It may be wintertime, but you can still get your golf fix in. Hackers N Duffers, off State Route 3 (behind Sakura), offers a year-round solution for golfers whatever the forecast may be. The brainchild of four friends (all passionate golfers), the unique bar and grill offers a realistic golfing experience on any of its three full-swing simulators (clubs are available for those who need them).
Gone are the days of rained-out tee times, lost balls and people playing through. And forget about straining to hear the game from a portable transistor radio—with Hackers N Duffers’ more than 20 high-definition televisions, you can have the best of both worlds. H&D isn’t just a sports bar for those dodging the elements of the winter time links. The year round schedule of activities include live music and karaoke several nights a week, Tuesday night live trivia, a weekly indoor cornhole tourney and an ever changing array of daily lunch and dinner specials. Hackers also caters and hosts private parties and group lessons. Nine hole business lunches and sales and marketing meetings are also welcome.
Welcoming golfers, wannabes and non-golfers alike, there’s always something swingin at Hackers!
540.548.2049 • www.hackersnduffers.com • FB: hackersnduffers 42 www.VirginiaNeighbors.com
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Elegance is in the details of Warrenton’s Claire’s at the Depot: Barely visible gold flecks in the glaze on a pale taupe wall. The arched shape of French doors repeated in the scalloped edge of a patio. A crackling fire in a brick fireplace at one end of a dining room... » Benjamin Rush Photo
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REVIEW
Fine dining in Old Town Warrenton
Local ingredients, seasonal menus and attention to detail are the hallmarks of Claire’s at the Depot.
W
hen asked about the subtleties in the décor of her restaurant, “I see every little thing,” Claire Lamborde answers. “I wanted something warm. I wanted people to feel comfortable.” Claire’s at the Depot is all that—casually elegant, warm, comfortable. Located in a turn-of-the-century train station in historic Old Town Warrenton, the restaurant maintains the spirit of the building’s origins without resorting to kitsch. The food and service also reflect Claire’s attention to particulars. Dishes prepared with obvious care, artfully arranged and garnished, are every bit as delicious as they appear. Smoky Gouda in creamy, stone-ground grits. Apple-cider-brined chicken. Port wine demi glace. Yes, it’s all in the details. Born and raised in Alexandria, Va., Claire became a teacher after graduating from college. But on her 36th birthday, she realized, “I wasn’t happy with my life, with teaching. I said, ‘I’m just not doing this anymore.’ ” She packed up and moved to the Caribbean. Working in island restaurants over the course of two winters, Claire recognized her lifelong
love of cooking could become an ongoing career. Next stop was L’Academie de Cuisine in Maryland for professional training, followed by a brave relocation to San Francisco, completely cold, résumé in hand. Claire notes, “That was really difficult, one of the hardest things I’ve done.” But her timing was golden. It was the early ’80s, the Bay area was the new center of the food world. The emphasis was on local, organic products used seasonally in eclectic combinations—a revolutionary way of cooking for that time. “What we’ve been doing here [in Virginia] for the last five years, they were doing in San Francisco in the ’80s,” Claire points out. After San Francisco, Claire worked in a variety of restaurants in Charlottesville, the Caribbean and Alexandria, and occasionally as a consultant. It was as a consultant that she first came to Warrenton, and decided to stay and open a catering business. When the Depot became available in 2004, Claire purchased the building and undertook massive renovation to open her own restaurant.
CHEERS
The New Juice Box Box wines starting to gain acceptance Tell most people who have been drinking wine for a while that you drink wine from a box and you probably will get a look of confusion, sympathy or disdain—or a combination of the three. Why would anyone stoop so low as to drink the swill that comes packaged in a cardboard box? At one time, I must admit, I would have been aghast at the notion of people who did not know better settling for less when, for just a few dollars more, much better wine was theirs for the asking. The main advantage of box wines is that the wine is in a “bladder,” contained in a cardboard box in such a way that,
as the wine is consumed, the bladder decreases in size allowing no air to mix in. Also, because the bladder is in a cardboard box, the wine is not affected by light. On average, a 3-liter box of wine can last up to four weeks without going bad. Combine this with the fact that the bladder and the cardboard box are much cheaper than four 750-milliliter bottles and it’s easy to see which is more cost effective. This brings us back to the original situation: Why do serious wine drinkers look down their noses at box wines? In times past, most box wines were worthy of the disdain heaped upon them. The juices were the bottom of the barrel, with the idea being to make a quick dollar off of something many believed should have been thrown away. But Black Box Wines has invested in premium juices for its box wines. With
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(left to right) The dining area; Claire’s famous She-Crab Soup; Claire in front of the Warrenton train station that now houses her restaurant.
The menu at Claire’s at the Depot is a reflection of her training and her life. Fresh ingredients; locally sourced, seasonal menus; the occasional Caribbean-inspired item; and beautiful presentation are all part of who Claire Lamborde is. The restaurant’s specialty is seafood dishes, such as South Atlantic Grouper or Cornmeal Crusted Virginia Oysters, and their She-Crab Soup is locally famous. Vegetarian offerings may include Roasted Vegetable Pot Pie or Butternut Squash Ravioli. For carnivores, the Depot Mixed Grille features sirloin, wild boar sausage, marinated shrimp and roasted shallot mashed potatoes. You’ll find lighter items at
lunch, such as a chicken sandwich with dilled havarti, Edwards’ bacon and cranberry mayonnaise on multi-grain bread. For brunch, try the rainbow trout, the Monte Cristo sandwich or the pumpkin pancakes with sautéed apples. The restaurant carries a carefully chosen selection of wines to accompany your meal, including 12 available by the glass. In any successful restaurant, the skills and attitudes behind the scenes make all the difference. “I have wonderful people who work for me, and people love working here,” Claire says. “And when you have that kind of atmosphere, the food is better.” Some staff members have been with her 10 and 15 years—a detail she doesn’t take for granted. Claire’s at the Depot offers full-service catering, and the restaurant may be rented, in whole or in part, for your special event. The Fireplace Room is a favorite, and the patio and garden are ideal for mild-weather celebrations. See their website for prices and options.
THE
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EXPERIENCE
826 Caroline St. Fredericksburg, VA 22401
540-373-8878
www.virginiawineexperience.com
Serving Traditional Mexican, Tex-Mex Food and Something More!! Tuesday to Saturday 11a.m.—9p.m., Sunday 11a.m.—6p.m., Closed Monday
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— Drema Apperson Claire’s at the Depot
65 South Third Street Warrenton, VA, 20186-3304 540-351-1616 www.clairesrestaurant.com Check the website for directions, menus and times. Reservations highly recommended.
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such wines as the Black Box Cabernet Sauvignon, the company is proving to many naysayers that box wine can be an excellent and inexpensive product. Another promising box wine manufacturer is Corbett Canyon. The California vineyard’s pinot noir was found to have a very nice depth of fruit with a medium finish that would give all but the most discerning of palates no impression that it originated in a box. Admittedly, not all box wines meet the standard that these two wines have achieved, but they are not the only ones to have achieved this status. The best way to describe the box wine industry is, “the good, the bad and the cubic.”
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— Scott Richards JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2011 | VIRGINIA NEIGHBORS 45
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COME&GET IT
Comfort-Food Dessert Is Like a Root Beer Float for Winter Bread pudding is perennially popular in spite of—or perhaps because of—its simplicity. Leftover bread, a few dairy products, a little oven time, and you have a warm and comforting dessert. This winter, give your bread pudding something extra with a root beer sauce. But don’t use big-brand root beer. For best flavor, you need the intense complexity of an artisanal brew to get all the vanilla, sassafras, molasses and spice flavors that make this so special. Think ahead to soak the raisins and dry the bread overnight, and allow soaking time for the custard. Your patience and forethought will be well rewarded! — Drema Apperson
Bread Pudding with Root Beer Sauce ½ cup raisins, preferably large, such as sultanas 1 12 oz. bottle “gourmet” or micro-brewed root beer 9 half-inch slices whole-wheat sandwich bread 2 eggs, beaten to combine 3 cups half and half ½ cup sugar Pinch salt 1 teaspoon vanilla Butter for baking dish 2 teaspoons cornstarch For the pudding:
For the sauce: Measure out 1 cup of the reserved, cooled soaking liquid. Add 2 teaspoons cornstarch and whisk thoroughly to combine. Place in a small, heavy saucepan over medium heat. Whisking constantly, bring to a full boil and boil 30 seconds only. Remove from heat. Serve warm over bread pudding. If rewarming, do not bring back to a boil. Cherry Bread Pudding variation: Use dried cherries and any cherryflavored soda, such as Cheerwine® or Cherry Coke®
Soak the raisins overnight in the root beer, in a covered container in the refrigerator. Remove and discard bread crusts and cut into 1-inch squares. Dry on a wire rack overnight. Drain the raisins, reserving liquid. Combine the eggs, half and half, sugar, salt and vanilla, and whisk until sugar is completely dissolved. Add the bread and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, until most of the liquid is absorbed. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Butter a 2-quart baking dish. Pour the bread mixture into the dish and bake for 60 to 75 minutes, until pudding is set and top is lightly browned.
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FOODIE PROFILE
Spice Rack Chocolates
A happy flavor accident was the catalyst for Mary Shellhammer’s unique hand-made confections at Spice Rack Chocolates
D
id you ever think rosemary and chocolate would be a good combination? Neither did Mary Shellhammer, until the day she iced a chocolate cake after handling fresh rosemary and smelled them together on her hands. That was the seed of her idea for Spice Rack Chocolates. Mary began experimenting with flavoring chocolate, leaving her creations as gifts for her personal-chef clients and serving them at the parties she catered. Soon she was taking requests for her Mary and her husband Paul with their “Best confections, and in early 2006 Food Product in the State of VA 2010” award the business took off. Husband Paul left his job to help her, and it became the family business. Now Spice Rack Chocolates boasts 29 innovative flavors, from Rosemary Mint (her first success) to Tangy Grapefruit to Crushed Thai Chilies. The flavoring comes not from extracts or oils, but from the actual substances—herbs, spices, teas and fruits—infused into the chocolate. Mary devises her flavors by experimentation, looking for the best balance. “I am very quality driven,” Mary emphasizes. She personally taste-tests every single batch of chocolates. The result is a collection of solid, 54-percent-cacao, hand-made chocolates with a pleasing “snap” to the texture. The flavor reveals itself slowly and in stages, much as with fine wine. Mary points out each candy contains the ideal 9 to 11 grams of chocolate needed to release endorphins, the “feel good” substances that make eating chocolate so pleasurable. Since they aren’t overly sweet, they’re perfect for pairing with wines as well. Spice Rack Chocolates are sold locally at the Virginia Wine Experience on Caroline Street in downtown Fredericksburg, or you may order online. They’re offered in single-flavor packs, five themed groupings (such as “Coffee Break” or “Spice and Fruit”) and in boxed gift sets. Chocolate-covered items have recently been added—including “Fire Antz,” i.e. chipotle-dusted chocolatecovered peanuts. (“Be careful—they bite back.”) Spice Rack Chocolates have earned the coveted “Virginia’s Finest” trademark designation, and you can follow them on Facebook and Twitter. Prices, flavor collection descriptions and tips for enjoying chocolates are on their website at www.spicerackchocolates.com.
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— Drema Apperson JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2011 | VIRGINIA NEIGHBORS 47
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2103 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Fredericksburg, VA 22401
A N I M A L H O S P I T A L Stacy L. Horner-Dunn, D.V.M. Gary B. Dunn, D.V.M. Sandi L. Pepper, D.V.M. Melanie M. Bell, D.V.M. Arlene M. Evans, D.V.M. Melissa A. DeLauter, D.V.M. 10 Walsh Lane Fredericksburg, VA 22405 Tel. 540/374-0462 Fax. 540/374-1798 www.woahvets.com JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2011 | VIRGINIA NEIGHBORS 49
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WHAT’S HAPPENING IN AND AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Out&About
International “The Road to Salivation” Night Old Town Fredericksburg’s Restaurant Week Guitar The world’s premier Delight in sheer gastronomical bliss as you sample some of Fredericksburg’s best dishes. In Fredericksburg, the flavor is as rich as the area’s history. To celebrate Fredericksburg’s rich culinary style, the city is hosting its sixth annual Restaurant Week, from Jan.14—24, 2011. Food enthusiasts will be able to feast on threecourse prix fixe meals for a fraction of the regular price. Lunches are just $10.11 and dinners are only $20.11. Chefs will feature special menus to showcase their house specialties. Fredericksburg’s charming historical district boasts more than 40 chef-owned restaurants.
Restaurant Week is presented by the City of Fredericksburg and sponsored by the Downtown Fredericksburg Restaurant Association. Reservations are recommended, but not required for this event. www.VisitFred.com
1/8/2011
National Capitol Squadron Open Hangar Day Visit the hangar/museum building equipped for the maintenance and display of a fleet of aircraft known as the Ghost Squadron. The NCS collection of aircraft assigned or associated with the unit includes the assigned L–5 and BT–13, a T–6G, deHavilland Chipmunk, YAK–3, and L–4 owned and operated by squadron members. Recently added is a Vultee BT–13 trainer in the appropriate markings to represent a trainer based at Tuskegee Field during WWII. Culpeper Regional Airport, Elkwood. 1/9/2011
Media Arts Meetup Meet others working or interested in film and related media arts. Find help for your projects or find projects
to help hone your skills. View www.meetup.com/Prince– William–County–Media– Arts, for more information. 6—9 p.m. 5401 Mapledale Plaza, Dale City. 1/14/2011—1/16/2011
Virginia Home and Garden Show Thousands of products and services to improve the quality of your home and yard will be on displayed. There is something for every homeowner including: interior decorators, remodeling contractors, landscapers and homebuilders. It’s the ideal source for new products and professional advice. Admission fee: $7. Farm Bureau Center– Meadow Event Park 13111 Dawn Blvd., Doswell. 1/15/2011
Route 9 Barrel Tasting Enjoy barrel tastings with the winemakers at
participating wineries along Route 9 in Loudoun County. Participating wineries include Doukénie Winery, Loudoun Valley Vineyards and Sunset Hills Vineyard. Tickets may be purchased by phone, in the tasting rooms, or online at participating wineries’ websites. Event time: noon—6 p.m. www.DoukenieWinery. com. Doukenie Winery, Sunset Hills Vineyard and Loudoun Valley Vineyards Route 9, Purcellville. 1/15/2011
Add Your Voice Be curator for a day! The public is invited to respond and add to the special exhibition “The New Reality: The Frontier of Realism in the 21st Century” during this engaging, collaborative day. Visitors are encouraged to share their written or videotaped thoughts on this unique collection of modern
touring guitar festival makes it stop at Wolf Trap on Jan. 13. The 11th Annual
U.S. Tour features Clive Carroll, Pino Forastiere, Brian Gore and Alexandre Gismonti. Hear these innovative masters of the acoustic guitar get together for a special evening to exchange styles and solos.
Gates open at 8 p.m; admission is $25. The Barns at Wolf Trap, 1635 Trap Road, Vienna.
realistic paintings that are inspired by the Old Masters. Light refreshments will be served in the Pavilion. This program is appropriate for all ages. Admission is free. Gari Melchers Home and Studio, 224 Washington Street, Fredericksburg. 1/16/2011
Hugh Mercer’s Birthday Celebrate the birthday of Dr. Hugh Mercer. You’ll learn from Dr. Mercer’s assistants what combination of herbs, extracts and barks were used
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Out&About to cure what ails you. Take a walk in the herb garden. Leeches, lancets, snakeroot and crab claws made up just some of the remedies. Admission is free. Noon—4 p.m. Contact hmas@preservationvirginia.org for info. 1020 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg.
Fund. Workshop cost: $20 members; $25 non–members. To register, please contact Education Coordinator Michelle Crow–Dolby at 540-654–1851. Gari Melchers Home and Studio at Belmont. 224 Washington Street, Fredericksburg.
1/16/2011
1/19/2011
Chamber Music Concert
Robert E. Lee’s 204th Birthday
The nationally renowned Washington’s Camerata brings early music for flutes and harpsichord to the newly renovated nave of St. George’s Episcopal Church. Concert begins at 3 p.m. St. George’s Episcopal Church, Fredericksburg. 1/17/2011
MLK Day Art Workshop Drawing for the Rest of Us: An Introduction to Drawing. 10 a.m.—4 p.m. Ages sixth grade through adult. Instructor: Anh Do, faculty member, Virginia State University. If you can write, you can draw. This workshop is an introduction to basic drawing tools. This program has been organized by the VMFA Office of Statewide Partnerships and is funded, in part, by the Jean Stafford Camp Memorial
The James Madison Museum is set to celebrate the 204th birthday of Robert E Lee. The mission of the James Madison Museum is to serve the community by: Collecting and preserving the artifacts and cultural heritage of 18th-, 19th- and 20th-century rural Virginia. 129 Caroline Street, Orange.
1/22/2011
Barrel Tasting Taste “wine before its time” from barrel samples and compare with finished bottled wines. Tastings and live music; 11 a.m.—6 p.m. www.hartwood winery.com. Hartwood Winery. 345 Hartwood Road, Fredericksburg. 1/23/2011
Belmont Wedding Sampler Meet the area’s most respected and popular caterers, photographers and wedding specialists for a fun and informative afternoon. Reservations recommended. Call 540-654-1848. Gari Melchers Home and Studio at Belmont, 224 Washington Street, Fredericksburg.
1/21/2011—1/23/2011
1/23/2011
Richmond Fishing Expo
Elegance in Bridal Show
The Richmond Fishing Expo has presented in one location the largest array of tackle combined with some of the finest professional talent around offering a weekend of fishing overload. Open each day from 9 a.m.—8 p.m. Admission: $8. Farm Bureau Center-Meadow Event Park. 13111 Dawn Blvd., Doswell.
Visit with premier wedding service providers, receive free bridal magazines, taste food samples, enter to win prizes from participating exhibitors & other giveaways. The first 300 couples will receive free wedding band sets and eight day Mexico Honeymoon Trips Certificates. Tickets are $10 at the door, $7 with
advance purchase. For more information visit www. eleganceinbridalshow.com. The Omni Hotel Charlottesville, 235 West Main Street. 1/28/11—1/30/2011
2011 Fredericksburg Boat Show The Fredericksburg Boat Show will have boats, Personal Water Crafts and marine associated services products and accessories in the Fredericksburg Expo & Convention Center. The Fredericksburg Boat Show provides a full-featured experience with an array of boats, plus fun and exciting diversions for family members of all ages. Bottom-line, the boat show is a fun family outing whether you intend on simply browsing or buying. 2371 Carl D Silver Parkway. 1/29/2011
Richmond Boys Choir Now in its 12th season, the Richmond Boys Choir has earned the title “Richmond’s Ambassadors of Song.” The RBC strives not only to showcase its excellence in music, but also represent Richmond’s diverse cultures. Come see them perform at
Blue and Gray Ball One hundred and fifty years ago the story began here, and now it continues. Join us at the beautiful Hylton Performing Arts Center where the North will meet the South to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War. Jan. 22, from 6—11p.m. Please contact Sarah McHugh, smchugh@ historicmanassasinc.org, for more information. Sponsored by: Historic Manassas, Inc., The Buckland Society, and Volunteer Prince William. Admission: $150. Hylton Performing Arts Center. 10900 University Blvd., Manassas.
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the Louisa Arts Center at 2 p.m. All seats: $15. www.louisaarts.org. 212 Fredericksburg Ave., Louisa. 2/2/2011
Buckwheat Zydeco Prepare for a rollicking zydeco dance party as this Grammy– winning band brings the bayou to the beltway with vibrant blues–rock. Bandleader Stanley “Buckwheat” Dural first learned the accordion from zydeco legend Clifton Chenier while on tour as his organist. Opens: 8 p.m. Admission: $24. The Barns at Wolf Trap. 1635 Trap Road, Vienna. 2/4/2011
Leesburg First Friday Sample delectable creations presented by favorite local restaurants and caterers who will offer some of their most creative culinary delights for tasting. Attendees will vote for Best Taste and Best Presentation in both the dessert and hors d’oeuvre categories at the end of the evening. This event is a major annual fundraiser for the YMCA Loudoun County. Proceeds benefit the YMCA Loudoun County’s Building Bridges Program. Event time: 7—11 p.m. www.chocolatesgalore.org. West Belmont Place at National Conference Center, 18980 Upper Belmont Place, Leesburg. 2/10/2011—2/20/2011
Seascape Performance, directed by Helen Housley, presented by the Department of Theatre and Dance; Feb. 10—12, Feb. 17—19 at 8 p.m., Feb. 13 and Feb. 20 at 2 p.m.; AfterWords post-performance discussion, Feb. 13. $10 general public, $8 students and senior citizens, $4 UMW ID. University
of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg. 2/12/2011—2/13/2011
Children’s Ballet Series: A Fairytale Gathering The Charlottesville Ballet’s original children’s production is back by popular demand! Join Fairy Godmother and her whimsical friends for an enchanting afternoon tea party. Saturday, 3:30p.m. and Sunday, 1 p.m. $12 Adults, $10 Children. The V. Earl Dickinson Theater at Piedmont Virginia Community College, 501 College Drive. 2/19/2011
Ralph Stanley & the Clinch Mountian Boys In a concert to benefit The Louisa Arts Center, bluegrass legend Dr. Ralph Stanley and The Clinch Mountain Boys in the Cooke–Haley Theater at 7:30 p.m. All tickets: $100. www.louisaarts.org. 212 Fredericksburg Ave., Louisa. 2/19/2011
George Washington’s Birthday at Ferry Farm Celebrate George Washington’s birthday at the place where he spent his boyhood years. George himself (portrayed by an interpreter) will be on hand to preside over the events and talk about his experiences as a child at Ferry Farm. Visitors will enjoy games, crafts and exhibits. George Washington’s Ferry Farm, Fredericksburg. 2/19/2011
Casanova Hunt Point-to-Point First steeplechase of the season with timber races, and jumps over post and rail, rail plank, stone and chicken coops. Buckland Farm, Vint Hill Road, Gainesville.
Black History Month at Mount Vernon In observance of Black History Month, Mount Vernon interpreters highlight at the slave quarters the lives and contributions of the slaves who built and operated the plantation home of George and Martha Washington, daily from 10 a.m.—noon throughout the month of February. Each day, a wreath laying and presentation at the slave memorial site will be at noon, and at 1 p.m. join the tour “Slave Life at Mount Vernon” exploring the work and home life of the slaves. On Saturdays and Sundays in February from 1—4 p.m., visitors learn about life as a slave with Silla or Slammin Joe,two of Washington’s slaves, at the slave cabin. Included in Estate admission. www.mountvernon.org. 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway. 2/20/2011
African American History Celebration Celebration of African American History. Admission is free. 8800 Courthouse Road, Spotsylvania. 2/21/2011
Presidents Day Art Workshop Expressing Light, 10 a.m.—4 p.m. Ages ninth grade through adult. Instructor: Rachel Sawan White, Art and Design Faculty, Orchard House School. This workshop is an
exploration of light and its effects on a piece of artwork. Participants create two still life paintings. This program has been organized by the VMFA Office of Statewide Partnerships and is supported by the Paul Mellon Endowment. Workshop cost: $20 members; $25 non–members. To register, please contact Education Coordinator Michelle Crow– Dolby at 540-654–1851. Gari Melchers Home and Studio at Belmont. 224 Washington Street, Fredericksburg.
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Out&About 2/21/2011—2/22/11
George Washington’s Birthday at Rising Sun Tavern
Annual Death By Chocolate Feb. 12 treat your sweetheart to an abundant buffet of chocolate cakes, candies, fudge, truffles, mousse and fondue. Tickets include winery tours, a souvenir wine glass, complete tasting of award winning wines and music. Admission is $20; this is a charity event benefiting the SNAP foundation. Reservations recommended. Lake Anna Winery. 5621 Courthouse Rd., Spotsylvania. 2/21/2011
Presidents Day at Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop Half-price admission in honor of George Washington who was a friend of Dr. Mercer’s. Mercer’s patients included Mary Washington, mother of George. Dr. Mercer practiced medicine for 15 years in Fredericksburg, serving the citizens with medicines and treatments of the time. Take a walk in the herb garden. Leeches, lancets, snakeroot and crab claws make up just some of the remedies. 10 a.m.—3 p.m. 1020 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg. 2/21/2011
Presidents Day Art Workshop: Expressing Light Instructor Rachel Sawan White, art and design faculty, Orchard House School,
teaches a workshop on the exploration of light and its effects on a piece of artwork. Looking at Impressionist and Post-Impressionist work, spend the day seeing color afresh and creating art in which light is a major factor. Participants create two still-life paintings, one with the objects as they appear naturally and one with the same objects completely white. This program has been organized by the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Office of Statewide Partnerships and is supported by the Paul Mellon Endowment. Cost: $20 members; $25 non-members. 10 a.m.—4 p.m. Ages ninth grade through adult. To register, please contact Education Coordinator Michelle Crow-Dolby at 540-654-1851. Gari Melchers Home and Studio at Belmont, Fredericksburg.
George Washington’s youngest brother, Charles, built this landmark in 1760 as his private residence. The “tavern wenches” and male “indentured servants” entertain visitors with a lively interpretation of 18th–century tavern life. Enjoy refreshments on this special birthday. 11 a.m—4 p.m. . Contact rst@ preservationvirginia.org for more info. 1304 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg. 2/21/2011—2/22/11
Presidents Day at the Mary Washington House Half–price admission in honor of George Washington. Visit the home of George Washington’s mother, Mary, and tour the gardens she enjoyed so much. George Washington bought this home for his mother in 1772, and she lived here during the last 17 years of her life. Among the period furnishings are some of Mary’s personal possessions, including her “best dressing glass” willed at her death to George. 11 a.m.—4 p.m. Feb. 22 celebrate Washington’s birthday with costumed tours and refreshments from 11 a.m.—4 p.m. www. preservationvirginia.org. Mary Washington House, 1200 Charles Street, Fredericksburg. 2/24/2011
Plantation Culture from Those Who Built It: A View of Slavery through Architecture and Art Join nationally renowned historian Dr. John Michael Vlach as he explains the culture and life of slaves
through their places of work and rest. Through stories and images, Dr. Vlach will bring a different view of life on a plantation, from the perspective of the people who gave plantations their power: the slaves. Dr. Vlach has authored two books on plantation and slave life, Back of the Big House and The Planter’s Prospect. A free lecture; donations appreciated. Opens: 7 p.m. Old Manassas Courthouse, 9248 Lee Ave., Manassas. 2/25/2011
Silent Movies with Live Piano by “Perfessor” Bill Edwards Come watch some classic silent movies with live piano accompaniment by “Perfessor” Bill Edwards. This month’s films are comic gems: Now You Tell One, Outbound and Danger Ahead. This will be a compact show with extra music. Event Time: 7:30p.m. Admission: $5/person. www. franklinparkartscenter.org. Franklin Park Performing & Visual Arts Center, 36441 Blueridge View Lane, Purcellville. 2/26/2011
The 11th Annual Virginia Black History Month Formal Dinner Enjoy an entertaining evening with theatre, ballet, singing, broom jumping wedding ceremony, youth orchestra, military color guard, vendors and more. Meet business professionals from the Virginia, D.C. and Maryland area while celebrating the rich heritage of African American history. Doors open at 5 p.m. The dinner is scheduled from 6—9 p.m. at the Fredericksburg Expo & Conference Center, next
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Ongoing to the “Spirit of Freedom Garden” which is the first phase of the U.S. National Slavery Museum. Keynote Speaker is the talented actress Tasha Smith (Angela from Tyler Perry’s 2010 summer hit movie Why Did I Get Married Too?). Seating is limited, so get your tickets early! (Only 700 seats available.) The attire is semi-formal (black tie optional) dark suit for men and evening dress or tea-length dress for the ladies. Kids are welcome. For more details and ticket prices visit our website at: www. quanticobhmcommittee.com. 2/26/2011
Potomac Double Down This is an annual workshop sponsored by the Bull Run Cloggers of Manassas. The workshop provides a venue for the preservation of and instruction on many styles of clog dancing. Classes are provided for beginner, intermediate and advanced dancers. 8:30 a.m.—9 p.m. Admission: $15/$20. Battlefield High School, 15000 Graduation Drive, Haymarket. 3/5/2011
A Salute to John Williams Featuring Hope Strayer, winner of the Fredericksburg Festival of the Arts Student Competition, Grace Church presents John Williams’ scores from Raiders of the Lost Ark, Star Wars, Superman, Bugler’s Dream/Olympic Spirit, E.T. and Liberty Fanfare. Show time: 8 p.m. www. gracechurchoffredericksburg. com. Adult tickets: $20; senior tickets: $15; available at www.rappahannockpops.org. Grace Church of
Fredericksburg Center for the Arts, 1141 Heatherstone Drive, Fredericksburg. 3/5/11—3/6/11
Fredericksburg Pet Show A family event that brings together pet owners, lovers and enthusiasts with those that represent all aspects of the pet world such as manufacturers, retailers, breeders, hobbyists, clubs, veterinarians and anybody in the animal care industry. The Fredericksburg Pet Expo will have something for every type of animal lover, pet enthusiasts and those who may not own an animal but are thinking about it. Good, clean fun for the entire family. Admission: $7; kids free. Pets welcome. www. fredericksburgexpocenter.com. 2371 Carl D. Silver Parkway.
Through 2/27/2011
The New Reality: The Frontier of Realism Organized by the International Guild of Realism, “The New Reality” not only showcases the latest developments in Realist painting around the world, but compares those artworks with their historical predecessors. Fifty-six artists are represented with 65 paintings from the United States, Canada, the Netherlands, Korea, Russia, France, Iceland, Romania, Norway and Finland. The images are produced in a wide variety of media, giving audiences a survey of how these artists are approaching representational art today.
Additionally each artist was asked to identify one historical painting to compare and contrast his or her work with the pioneers of Realism. The contributors cited such predecessors as Ingres, da Vinci, Durer, Vermeer, Harnett, Constable, Memling and Dali as starting points for their own personal exploration into still life, landscape, figurative and narrative themes. In some cases, the contrast between the old and the new creative approach is startling; in other cases, one can spot the heavy influence of the Old Master upon the modern “apprentice.” Gari Melchers Home and Studio, Fredericksburg.
3/6/2011
In Search of the Real Gari Melchers So you want to buy a Melchers or just learn more about where Gari Melchers’ work stands in today’s art market? Belmont Curator Joanna Catron will present a fascinating illustrated primer on how to make the most informed decision, “In Search of the Real Gari Melchers: The Art Market, EBay and the Craft of the Forger,” at 2 p.m. Admission is free. Gari Melchers Home and Studio, Fredericksburg. 3/6/2011
23rd Annual Fredericksburg Big Band Concert The Fredericksburg Big Band & vocalists perform your favorite tunes. 2— 4 p.m. Dodd Auditorium University of Mary Washington Free and open to the public!
Hair Spray–the Musical Rock to the hit songs, irresistible to audiences of any age! This musical–comedy phenomenon inspired a major motion picture and won eight 2003 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Enjoy the show from a private, candle-lit table until March 6. Time: Wednesday 11:30 a.m. dinner, 1:30p.m. show; Thursday—Saturday 6 p.m. dinner, 8 p.m. show; Sunday 1 p.m. dinner, 3 p.m. show. www.riversidedt.com. Riverside Center Dinner Theater, 95 Riverside Parkway, Fredericksburg.
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Warming Up to a Surprise Visitor By Emily Churchill There’s something about wintertime that makes people nicer. Perhaps it is the feel-good messages on holiday greeting cards. Perhaps it is a general post-Christmas cheer. Or perhaps it is the knowledge that while we sit comfortably in our heated homes, fire roaring, sipping a mug of tea, others are outside in the cold, and it is our duty to help them. Such was the case with my family this winter, when an unwelcome houseguest came to visit. Several years ago, we were adopted by a stray cat named Sully. I always felt a sense of pride that this distinguished feline had chosen us—which truly we played no part in. Although Sully remained an outdoor cat due to my mother’s allergies (which seemed very serious until we introduced two new cats into our household with few ill side effects), we bought her a kitty house and set up a little apartment in a corner of the garage for her. There she has lived happily for quite some time, coming and going as she pleases through the cat door we installed. However, one cold day early this winter, I ventured into the garage only to find a tomcat snoozing in Sully’s house. I squawked in indignation, stomped my feet and rattled the house to try to drive the menace away. It lazily opened an eye and stared at me dubiously. I was clearly no threat. I briefly contemplated the idea of reaching in and pulling it out, but the cat was about the size of a Yorkie and was built like a tank. I had no chance against this beast. I stormed inside and fetched my dad, who picked up the kitty house and unceremoniously dumped the cat out. Upon seeing its distinctive markings, my father admitted that this very cat had bitten him several days prior. Something had to be done. In the days to come, the cat—quickly nicknamed “Intruder Kitty”—showed no signs of giving up Sully’s cozy abode. Each time we entered the garage we had to shoo it out. This problem seemed unsolvable. We could not block the cat door, because then Sully could not get in. However, when we let the cat door stay open, Intruder
Kitty would saunter in, gobble up kibble, and then rest for the afternoon. One morning, it brought a friend, as my father discovered when he opened the garage door to see a raccoon sitting calmly, eating Sully’s food. When the first snow of the year came, we were at a loss. Intruder Kitty rested comfortably in our garage, and our own Sully was nowhere in sight. Eventually, with the help of a neighbor dog, I found her hiding under a bush, avoiding the snow. I went to kick Intruder Kitty out of the garage, and paused. The snow was falling fast, and the temperatures were bitterly cold. Intruder Kitty’s once-treacherous eyes now seemed soft and pathetic, as he looked up at me sadly from inside Sully’s house. I wanted to cry at the thought of this poor animal being kicked out into the snow. My mother agreed with me, and we decided that the only plan of action was to bring Sully out of her natural habitat and into the inside world, at least until the snow stopped. Just as our homeless shelters stay open longer hours when the temperatures drop, we felt the need to give Intruder Kitty a warm place to stay. We hoped that when the weather warmed, Intruder Kitty would find his own food and encroach no more on Sully’s turf. Fortunately, Sully adapted to the change well. Though the two indoor cats were wary at first, they soon got along fine. I am so happy about the way everything turned out. Another cat in the house just creates more entertainment, and if Intruder Kitty can be warm and safe, well, that’s just a bonus. It is a true wintertime feeling. How did Intruder Kitty take the change, you may ask? He enjoys it very much. I can’t be sure, but the other night, I think I heard him and that raccoon throwing a party down in the garage. ______________________________________________________ Emily Churchill, a senior at Stafford High School, lives with her dog, four cats and a raccoon in Stafford County.
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Ideas & Inspiration from Local Newlyweds
WEDDING
CATOCIN CREEK: NORTHERN VIRGINIA’S FIRST DISTILLERY SINCE PROHIBITION
AT A LOCAL SHOW, LINK WRAY CHANGED THE SOUND OF ROCK ‘N’ ROLL
$3.95
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