3 FREE!
Events & lifestyle news for Winchester, Frederick & Clarke counties
Special thanks to Shenandoah National Park and the Barns of Rose Hill for supplying promotional photography.
JENNY BAKER
Special Projects access@winchesterstar.com ACCESS MONTHLY is published by The Winchester Star
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ACCESS MONTHLY | OCTOBER 2017
upcoming U P CO M I N G
OCTOBER
Get out your calendar and pencil in these dates. . .
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COREY HARRIS
See this critically acclaimed acoustic guitar blues artist, who mixes a variety of influences from New Orleans to the Caribbean to Africa. 8 p.m., Barns of Rose Hill, $15 - $20.
ART AT THE MILL
barnsofrosehill.org
A fall favorite — and one of the MidAtlantic region's finest art shows. Over 300 artists and 1,000 works of art. Sunday - Friday noon - 5 p.m.; Saturdays 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Burwell Morgan Mill, $3 - $5. clarkehistory.org
Celebrate Buffalo Bill’s brief visit to Winchester in October 1916 with live music, history lessons, and a bad guy shootout. 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Homestead Farm + Market, free.
HALLOWEEN WHODUNIT
Grab a costume and get in the Halloween state of mind at this frighteningly funny murder mystery. Part scripted, part improv, part audience participation, you'll find yourself on the “set” of a horror movie titled, “The Friday the 13th After Next,” where things take a horrific turn and the set becomes a crime scene. Whodunit? Who knows — maybe you. Lunch show: 2 p.m., dinner show, 6 p.m., Bright Box, $20 advance, $25 VIP advance, $20 door. brightboxwinchester.com
thehomesteadfarmatfruithillorchard.com
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See acclaimed D.C. jazz composer, pianist, vocalist and actor Mark G. Meadows, who has been hailed by JazzTimes for his uncanny ability to fuse “the tradition of jazz with the sounds of today in a very musical and entertaining way.” 8 p.m., Armstrong Concert Hall; $15
OKTOBERFEST
German food, wine, beer, and bands create a Little Germany right here in Old Town Winchester. October 13: 5 - 11 p.m., October 14: noon - 8 p.m. Old Town Winchester, $10 - $15. oldtownwinchesterva.com.
conservatoryperforms.org
Yes, goats and yoga. No, goats won't be doing yoga, but you can enjoy their presence while you get your zen on. 4 - 5 p.m., Silver Maple Farm, $30, advanced registration required.
Everything you'd want in a fall festival — live music, food trucks, and the quintessential fall flavor of pumpkin, served up in a fantastic way. . . in beer. Noon - 11 p.m.., Winchester Brew Works, free admission. winchesterbrewworks.com
FRONTIER DAYS
MARK G. MEADOWS + THE MOVEMENT
GOAT YOGA
FALL FESTIVAL
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HAUNTED PUB CRAWL
While it's offered all year long (every Wednesday and Saturday night), we can't help but think that now is the best time of the year to take a “spirited” pub crawl through Old Town, hearing about the ghosts that hang out at our old haunts. 8:30 - 11 p.m., Old Town Winchester, $29.99 (does not include drinks). Call 540.827.9948 to reserve.
silvermaplefarmgoats.com
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HALLOWEEN BASH
Zombies and werewolves and vampires, oh my — the monsters mash at James Charles Winery's Halloween Bash. Enjoy hors d’oeuvres and a glass of “witch’s brew” while you dance to Halloween hits. Feel like you've got the best costume? You might just win a prize for that. 8 - 11:30 p.m., James Charles Winery, $15 advance, $20 door. jamescharleswine.com
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fall hikes
three FALL HIKES by JENNY BAKER
APPALACHIAN TRAIL
Hop on the local branch of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail (A.T.), which runs more than 2,000 miles from Maine to Georgia. In our area, the trail follows the Blue Ridge Mountains from Harper's Ferry, W. Va. to Shenandoah National Park. The closest access points are at the crest of the Blue Ridge at Ashby Gap (Route 50) and Snicker’s Gap. To access from Winchester, take Route 7 east 17 miles to the crest of the Blue Ridge. The Snicker's Gap parking lot is on the right, you'll see a blue-blazed trail which leads south to the A.T.
CEDAR CREEK + BELLE GROVE NATIONAL HISTORIC PARK
Want a short hike? Take a hike down the “Morning Attack Trails,” which consists of three individual trails, when combined total 1.7 miles in length. The trails cover an area where part of a surprise Confederate attack during the Battle of Cedar Creek occurred on the morning of October 19, 1864. There are three trails that make up the "Morning Attack Trails" which can be hiked individually or in various combinations: •
The 8th Vermont Monument Trail, a 300 yard trail (600 yards round-trip) to the 8th Vermont monument.
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Thomas Brigade Loop Trail, a 0.6 mile long trail that focuses on the stand of Col. Stephen Thomas’s brigade.
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Hayes-Ramseur Loop Trail, a 0.7 mile long trail that explores the attack of Stephen D. Ramseur’s Confederates on the Union forces of Rutherford B. Hayes and Howard Kitching.
TUSCARORA TRAIL
If you're looking for a challenging hike with great views, this blue-blazed trail is one you'll want to put on your to-do list. Great for overnight camping trips, the Tuscarora Trail is a 252-mile long bypass route of the Appalachian Trail that passes through Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. Locally, a 13.5 mile section crosses Route 55 and follows Great North Mountain northward to the town of Gore and Route 50. The trail continues north toward Shockey’s Knob on county roads. Access points include Route 55 (15 miles west of Strasburg), county roads 751 and 853 in Gore (west of Winchester) and Shockey’s Knob.
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fall beers
FALL BEERS
T hree
PUMPKIN SHANDY
We talk with local brewers about new releases they've got planned for fall. Pumpkin, anyone? by JENNY BAKER photography by GINGER PERRY
PLIMSOLL HARVEST IPA
WINCHESTER BREW WORKS
ESCUTCHEON BREWING CO.
Pumpkin. . . and lemonade. This unusual combination creates a fruity beer with just a touch of pumpkin spice that will be a hit with the “I don't drink beer” crowd. The summertime shandys at Winchester Brew Works have been very popular so head brewer Bonnie Landy said they decided to make a fall version.
Head Brewer John Hovermale took their standard Plimsoll IPA but added 150 pounds of fresh wet cascade hops from Cedar Creek Hop farm in Frederick County. The cascade hops give this beer citrus-y aromatics, with very subtle bitterness, perfect for a fall brew.
HILL HIGH PUMPKIN PORTER ALESATION BREWING CO. Think of this as a farm to table beer. Owner/brewer Caleb Ritenour said they personally picked 40 pounds of pumpkins this year from Hill High Farm in Frederick County to create this seasonal craft. Spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and a little bit of clove, this porter is not overly heavy.
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fall experiences
fall festivals
FALL EXPERIENCES
Visitors travel for hundreds of miles to get a taste of the Shenandoah Valley in the fall. Take advantage of these quintessential fall experiences in your own backyard. by JENNY BAKER
LACE UP
It’s not too hot, not too cold — just the perfect temperature to inspire you to lace up and hit the pavement for a good 5- or 10-plus mile run. “A great fall race is the Battlefield Half Marathon here in Frederick County – it’s a tough course, but it offers cool weather, which is important when you’re running 13.1 miles, scenic views and local comaraderie,” said runner Wendy May of Stephens City. We’ve got lots of opportunities to do just that with area races ranging from a Zombie 5k to a half marathon through Civil War battlefields and beyond. A few upcoming races:
Jeff Taylor/The Winchester Star
FIREPITS + WINE
Don’t let a fall Friday go by without experiencing Firepit Fridays at Valerie Hill Winery in Frederick County. Every Friday through October from 6 - 9 p.m., they keep the fires burning so you can enjoy a gorgeous autumn evening al fresco with a glass of wine in your hand. They also make chili and cornbread, and even provide marshmallows and skewers for that classic campfire treat. “One of the things I most look forward to this time of year are the Firepit Fridays at Valerie Hill,” said Arrianna Nichols of Middletown. “We love to get a bottle of Cabernet Franc and a bowl of chili and watch the fire. It's romantic, but also a great thing to do with friends and family.”
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October 7 Apple Butter Day 10K Mackintosh Fruit Farm
November 4 Battlefield Half Marathon Kernstown Battlefield
October 21 Butterfly 5K/10K benefiting Blue Ridge Hospice Blandy at the State Arboretum
November 23 The Thanksgiving 5K Sherando Park
APPLE BUTTER
Just about anywhere you look in the area, particularly farmers markets, you’ll find jars of apple butter. Similar to apple sauce, apple butter is made by slowly cooking apples with cider or water to a point where the sugar in the apples caramelizes, turning the apple butter a deep brown. Pick up a jar and enjoy the taste of fall by spreading it on biscuits, toast, and pancakes; using it as a marinade for meat or serving it with pork; making a grilled cheese sandwich with ham and cheddar, or turkey and brie; adding it as an accompanyment to your cheese board. It can also be used as a healthier alternative to oil, shortening, or butter.
PICK YOUR OWN
One of the best and most iconic ways to enjoy fall in the Winchester area is to head out to a farm or farmers market and pick your own apples. "We have families who have been coming to our orchard for 45 years and now bringing their grandchildren," said Tootie Rinker, of Rinker Orchards in Frederick County. "Families plan to meet up at the orchard for a day of picking and picnics with several generations coming together to share in the family tradition." Heather McKey of Marker-Miller Orchards Farm Market in Frederick County sees the same tradition happening, where people come from southern Virginia to Pennsylvania for this experience. "The draw is, get the pumpkin out of the field, apples off the tree, you’ve got to get the apple cider, see beautiful colors of the leaves. . . It’s so many different aspects that blend together," she said. Apples available for pick your own in October include Granny Smith, Fuji, Cameo, Nittany, Staymen, Ida Red, York, Rome, and Golden Delicious. McKey recommends going to as many farmers markets as you can because they all offer different products and a unique experience.
Celebrating Winchester’s signature crop, the first apple festival this month takes place at Marker-Miller Orchards Farm Market in Frederick County. They’ve got 20 varieties of apples to choose from, plus pick your own; tasty treats like apple cobbler, apple cider donuts, and apple cider slushees; live music both afternoons, and fun stuff for the kids too, plus wagon rides. Details: October 7, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., October 8, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Marker-Miller Orchards, free. www.markermillerorchards.com
OKTOBERFEST OLD TOWN WINCHESTER
Don your lederhosen and prepare for a trip to Germany without ever leaving town. Old Town Winchester's 5th Annual Oktoberfest brings German food, wine, beer, and entertainment by the Continentals (polka and waltz) and Bavarski, (Chicago-style Polish polka to rockin’ Oktoberfest party music.) Also featured on Saturday is Altwashingtonia Schuhplattler Verein, the “Original Bavarian Dance Club of Washington D.C.” Details: October 13, 5 - 11 p.m., October 14, noon - 8 p.m. Old Town Winchester, $10 - $15. www.oldtownwinchesterva.com
ARBORFEST STATE ARBORETUM OF VA
SKYLINE DRIVE
Get all you need for your fall garden, yard, and home: perennials, small trees, native plants, and fine items for your home and garden. You'll also get to enjoy cider tastings (21+), guided tours, hayrides, tree-climbing demonstrations, a petting zoo with alpacas, and activities for the kids. Details: October
Shenandoah National Park Ranger Patressa Kearns said that this year’s color is going to be early. “Sometimes when fall color comes early, it means the season will end early, but not necessarily. We’ve had a good amount of rain this year. I would say we’ll have good color this season,” she said. Kearns said to keep in mind there isn’t one big peak of color, since the different elevations and lattitudes affects when leaves will change color. Taking the drive from Winchester? Kearns said the closest entrance is the Front Royal entrance, which is also the busiest of all entrances. If you’re local, she advises going mid-week, but if that isn’t possible, try to get to the entrance by 10 a.m. on weekends. Call 540.999.3500 option 6 for the most up-to-date color report, which is updated every Friday.
APPLE HARVEST FESTIVAL MARKER-MILLER ORCHARDS
Five FALL FESTIVALS APPLE FESTIVAL RICHARD'S FRUIT MARKET
Continue celebrating Winchester's signature crop at Richard’s Fruit Market in Middletown. They’ll have apples galore from cider to pies and cobblers, plus children’s activities, haywagon rides, barrel train rides, bluegrass music in the afternoon, a farm animal petting zoo, cornhole, farm to table foods available for purchase like hamburgers and personal pizzas with farm fresh toppings, wine tasting and craft beer tastings. Details: October 21, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Rich-
ard's Fruit Market. www.richardsfruitmarket.com
PUMPKIN FESTIVAL MARKER-MILLER ORCHARDS
Celebrate your love of pumpkin spice-flavors at Marker-Miller Orchards. They’ll have pumpkin pies, pumpkin rolls, pumpkin bars, pumpkin donuts, and will serve pumpkin pie by the slice. You can pick your own pumpkin at the pumpkin patch, and there will be wagon rides around the farm plus the cow train for kids. Details: October 28, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Marker-Miller Orchards, free. www.markermillerorchards.com
14 & 15, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Blandy Farm at the State Arboretum of Virginia, $10 per carload. blandy.virginia.edu
photo courtesy Shenandoah National Park
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places to get scared
by JENNY BAKER
HAUNTED NIGHTMARES
An indoor haunted attraction, Haunted Nightmares at Hill High Farm in Frederick County was rated Top Overall Attraction by Virginia Haunted Houses in 2016. They take groups of seven through at a time, where the 4,600 square feet of terror inside await you, featuring trained actors dressed as ghouls and monsters of all kinds. Haunted Nightmares also offers a “buried alive” simulator. Both attractions not recommended for children under 7; they do have a child-friendly haunted maze. Opens Friday, October 6. Weekend daytime tickets, $12, evening, $15. See website for schedule, hauntednightmares.net
HAUNTED TRAIL
Your worst fear has come to life — horror movie stars like Jason, Michael Myers, Annabelle, Penny Wise, and more — are in the flesh as you take a timid stroll through the Family Drive-In Theatre’s Haunted Trail. Not recommended for children under 12. Opens October 6. Every Friday and Saturday night through October 28. $2 admission. thefamilydriveintheatre.com
GHOST TOURS + DINNERS
Get a “spirited” tour of Winchester with a haunted pub crawl in Old Town Winchester. You’ll visit restaurants and bars in historic buildings, like Village Square, Brewbaker’s, 147 North, The Half Note Lounge inside The George Washington Hotel, Cork Street Tavern, and Bright Box. Every Wednesday and Saturday night, $29.99, (does not include drinks) 8:30 - 11 p.m. For reservations, call 540.827.9948. Valerie Hill Winery offers its History & Hauntings ghost tours and dinner series throughout the year. After enjoying a dinner by Village Square, you’ll hear first-hand accounts of the documented paranormal activity of the ghosts who haunt the 200-year old manor home. Visit valeriehillwinery.com for dates and details. On October 28, Joe's Steakhouse at the Piccadilly Mansion in Winchester offers a dinner and behind-the-scenes tour of the 1820s Italianate building, with the team from Spirit Watch. $55, 7 - 11 p.m. joessteak.com
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profiles
CHARLIE FISH
56 • Hometown: Winchester Co-owner, Murphy Beverage Company Also: Local shopper with a vengeance Morning person or night owl: Night owl. The best concert programs were on after 11:30 p.m. when I was a kid — “Midnight Special,” “In Concert,” “SNL,” “Night Flight.” Ghost story: All kinds of strange things happened to me in my house in Jacksonville, Fla. Electronics turning themselves off, boxes coming off of closet shelves, everything on my vanity being knocked over. . .Then I saw him one morning, a little boy standing at the foot of my bed. I. Flipped. Out. Fall wine recommendation: Beaujolais Nouveau! It arrives on the third Thursday of November. It's juicy, fruity, affordable, and perfect for the holidays. A no-brainer with turkey and ham. Most famous person you've met: I never met her in person, but I did spend about 20 minutes interviewing Yoko Ono on the phone when I was in radio. The station I worked for brought John Lennon's art exhibition to town and I got to speak to her about it. She was so gracious. Irrational Fear: Drowning. I grew up with a pool in my backyard my entire life, and my last name is Fish for God’s sake. I learned how to swim when I was five. But I had to photo by JEFF TAYLOR walk out of “Titantic,” I couldn't take it. You don't leave home without: My dog. 12
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profiles
JOSEPH P. MURPHY
63 • Hometown: Chicago Co-owner, Murphy Beverage Company + Guide, Ghost Tours Old Town Winchester Also: Retro-Futurism Aficionado
Favorite local ghost: Confederate Ed, at Brewbaker’s. He posed for a picture. Local place that gives you the heebie-jeebies: The “Cigar Room” at Village Square. Jean Woolsey (owner, Ghost Tours) has a picture of a ghost sitting behind me. Most haunted place you've been to: Historic Jordan Springs. Didn't actually witness anything but saw pictures and heard lots of anecdotal stories. Music you've recently discovered: I’ve been looking into the 1950s British music called ‘skiffle,’ an over-the-pond version of rockabilly. The Brits had this great knack for putting their own spin on American music styles. Fall drink: Marzen style beer, aka Oktoberfest. Local burger: 50/50 Taphouse's Hawaiian Burger. Film fan: Last movie I saw was “Dunkirk.” Very well done and one of the most understated war films I've ever seen. Song you'll always stop the dial for: Cream's “White Room.” Historical event you would have liked to have witnessed: I would have liked to been in Berlin in the final years of the Weimar Republic, the setting for “Cabaret.” It was a social and artistic free-for-all. photo by JEFF TAYLOR
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the roundup
PARTIES TERROR IN THE TASTING ROOM WINCHESTER BREW WORKS
We appreciate a spooky, if made-up, backstory: The event's website proclaims that nearly 100 years ago, 320 N. Cameron St. was the site of a deadly speakeasy massacre when partygoers were discovered by local murderous teetotalers. Now, those partygoers have returned from the grave to exact their revenge upon the drinkers of today. Don your best costume for the costume contest, chow down on heavy snacks and shake your groove thing with music by DJ Sellout. You’ll also get a treat: your own commemorative glass. Details: Saturday, Oct. 28, 8 - 11:59 p.m., Winchester Brew Works, $20 advance, $25 door. www.winchesterbrewworks.com
HALLOWEEN BASH JAMES CHARLES WINERY
Monster Mash the night away with DJ-ed party beats, a glass of witch's brew, hors d’oeuvres and all your ghoulish friends at James Charles Winery's annual spooky soiree. And yes, there will be a costume contest so look your best (or worst). Details: Saturday, Oct. 28, 8 - 11:30 p.m., James Charles Winery, $15 advance, $20 door. www.jamescharleswine.com
BREWBAKER’S RESTAURANT
Costume party with prizes, music by a DJ. Details: Friday, Oct. 27, 10 p.m. www.brewbakersrestaurant.com
PICCADILLY BREW PUB
Costume party with prizes, music by a DJ. Details: Saturday, Oct. 28, 8 p.m., www.piccadillypublichouse..com
UNION JACK PUB
Featuring drink specials and a costume contest. Details: Saturday, Oct. 28, after 7 p.m., www.theunionjackpub..com
“THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW” MOVIE PARTY
Benefiting AIDS Response Effort, with props, callbacks, pre-show games, sing alongs, and more. Details: Saturday, Oct. 28, 11:30 and 11:45 p.m. showtimes, Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, $15 www.drafthouse.com/winchester
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