Spring is in the air and the buds are beginning to bloom. We have made it through another difficult winter, but the future looks great as the southern temperatures return. Speaking of the south, one hundred and fifty years ago, Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox, Virginia and the Civil War came to an end…or has it? This month Doug Coleman writes about the last days of Petersburg leading up to Appomattox. With no Facebook or social media, word of the surrender and end of the war took months to reach everyone. Doug explores this reality and will continue to follow the aftermath of the war. On our cover is a photograph of the Confederate Civil War soldier statue at the intersection of South Washington Street and Prince Street here in Old Town Alexandria. We have all driven past it for years but have you ever looked at it? Here is a chance.

This months Road Trip took us back to one of our favorite places, the Maritime Republic of Eastport, Maryland. We have many fond memories over the years of meeting the folks who live and play in Eastport. Located across Spa Creek from Annapolis, Eastport is a world away. With the nice weather coming, we decided to write about two new eateries in Old Town where it is easy to grab a bite to eat and enjoy a park or a bench for lunch outside. Check out the Dining Out column. Open Space author Lori Welch Brown hit on a great relationship conundrum in her column titled “Shelfies”. Peggie Arvidson has given all of you a short course in reading palms in her Spiritual Renaissance column – you can learn a new way to entertain your friends. All this and more in this issue. In addition to looking at all of the pretty pictures, be sure to see what our advertisers have to offer this month!

A sure sign of spring is Easter, which is celebrated on April 5^th. We at the Old Town Crier wish all of you a very Happy Easter.

Written by: Bob Tagert