By Bob Tagert Well, here it is again, we are rounding out another year of publishing the Old Town Crier, a tradition that began in January 1988. One of our better ideas was to include coverage From the Bay to the Blue Ridge. These are two entirely different destinations with Alexandria lying in between. These are also areas that all of us visit. We have the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains to our west with changing seasons, skiing, camping, mountain climbing as well as the famous Virginia Wine industry. To the east we have the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States. Here you can find islands to explore, sail and enjoy the serene beauty of the Bay, not to mention the delicious Maryland Blue Crabs and local oysters! All this being said, we are welcoming in the holiday season in all of areas of our coverage. Here in Old Town, the Scottish Christmas Walk and Boat Parade of lights officially kicks off the season on the 7th. Lots of activities and markets catering to both the young and old taking place throughout the month as well including the Del Ray Tree and Menorah Lighting on the 8th. More information is available in the Calendar of this issue. In To the Blue Ridge this month, Julie Reardon writes about sourcing your own Christmas Tree and explores all of the holiday events in the small towns in and around Fauquier and Loudon Counties. She also includes the holiday happenings at the wineries. In From the Bay, Erik Evans explores Midnight Madness in Downtown Annapolis and the Eastport Parade of Lights -a Bay holiday tradition – are a couple of the highlights. Here is a roundup of some more of what awaits you in the following pages: In Exploring VA Wines,…
Christmas is coming! The presents have been purchased – most of them anyway – and now is the time to start thinking about that tree. Christmas trees come in all shapes and sizes, from the huge natural tree that towers above the White House lawn every season to little artificial ones with shiny aluminum needles. For many families, the holiday wouldn’t be complete without a cut natural tree gracing the living room. There are a wide variety of Christmas tree types available on the market, each with a distinctive shape and color. Scots pine, white pine and white spruce are among the most popular and widely available. And, in certain areas, local species are offered for sale as well. Every year beginning in late fall, Christmas tree lots spring up in shopping mall parking lots, at home and garden centers and near local convenience stores. Gas stations also get into the act. Christmas trees are even available by mail order on the Internet. While trees bought at these locations can be perfectly acceptable, an alternative worth considering, depending upon your location, is a tree farm. Buying from a tree farm has a number of advantages. The first is freshness. When you see your tree being cut or you cut it yourself at a tree farm, you can be sure you are getting the freshest tree possible. The second advantage is selection. While most farms specialize in only one or two species of tree, the many different shapes and sizes available mean that trees are available to suit almost every taste. Finally, a visit to a tree farm can be a real outing both for you and your family. Many tree farms also have activities like wagon rides which turn buying a Christmas tree from a chore into an event. If you do decide to purchase a Christmas tree from a…
We love overwater bungalows. So do you. Admit it. Everyone does. It’s one of the great travel fantasy’s — you and yours all by yourselves, surrounded by nothing but water, waking up to the ocean and living under a thatched roof. While they were always the purview of the South Pacific, in the last decade they’ve become more popular in the Caribbean. That’s particularly true in the crowd-free, under-the-radar Caribbean coast of Panama, more specifically the stunning Bocas del Toro archipelago. Here, there are quite a few overwater bungalow options, with precisely the sort of experience you’re looking for. That includes a new-look option: the transformed Sol Bungalows resort in Bocas del Toro, which just unveiled its newly-built bungalows. There are four in total, with all of the essentials: the thatched roof, overwater hammocks, the glass floors, snorkeling you can do right from your room. Even better? The hotel also has its own permaculture farm, meaning its services up locally-sourced, farm-to-table fare served right in your fantasy cottage. It’s also completely solar powered, with all water harvested from rain, meaning you really are right off the grid. Sol calls itself an overwater bed-and-breakfast: it’s a unique, intimate, friendly little overwater resort that’s worth the trip. Prices start at $330 per night including breakfast, making it also one of the best-value overwater options, well, anywhere. For more information, visit Solbungalowsbocas.com. Two New All-Inclusive Resorts Just Opened in Jamaica: One for Families, the Other Adults-Only Maybe you know Montego Bay. Or Negril. Or Ocho Rios. Or maybe you’ve been to further frontiers like Port Antonio and Treasure Beach. But Jamaica’s two newest resorts are in a destination you probably haven’t heard of: Green Island, about halfway between Mobay and Negril. Spanish hotel firm Princess Hotels and Resorts just opened a pair of new resorts in…
By Julie Reardon Whether you want to cut your own tree, pick a live tree and have it cut for you, buy a tree already cut or buy a living tree you can plant, consider a short trip to the Blue Ridge to visit one of a number of Northern Virginia’s “choose-and-cut” Christmas tree farms. These are great places to buy pre-cut (also called pre-harvested and fresh-cut) trees, stands, sleigh rides, hay rides and related winter events and fun. Most area wineries also have planned holiday events as well as gift shops and tastings. Middleburg The capitol of Virginia’s hunt country straddles the border of Loudoun and Fauquier counties and glows during the holidays with quaint shops, restaurants, carriage rides and a beloved Christmas parade. Located 25 miles west of Fair Oaks on Rt. 50, it makes an ideal day trip for shopping and dining. The town’s annual Christmas Parade is on Sat., Dec. 7th this year. It starts at 11 am, with the Middleburg Hunt horses and hounds parading down the main street (Rt. 50) in town. The community parade starts at 2 pm, featuring floats and antique firetrucks. Live music, bake sales and special sales at the shops in the village make Dec. 7 the day to go. This event has gotten so popular that reserving parking on parade day is a necessity; visit christmasinmiddleburg.org for information. There are several cut your own Christmas tree farms in the Middleburg area. Try Middleburg Christmas Tree Farm—a bit northwest of Middleburg, but an easy, pretty drive. They also sell wreaths, garlands and other seasonal decorative items. Visit their website http://www.middleburgxmastrees.com; they also have a Facebook page by that name or call (540) 554 8625 Fauquier County The town of Warrenton is 13 miles south of Gainesville on Business 29. Warrenton…
By Cheryl Burns Cats are lovely, but often baffling companions. It is rare that a week goes by when I don’t ask Ms. Sweet Potato Bailey Burns (SPBB for short) WHY she is doing something or at least laugh at her silly ways. Some things will always remain a mystery – why that particular toy? why chin scratches above all else? – but some questions do have answers. Or, at least pet experts think they know. Cats are rather adamant in their refusal to speak our language and we haven’t learned theirs! What’s up with the boxes? I remember the first time we found the late, great Smoky Tiggs tucked in a cardboard box. Being new to cat mom-hood, I was baffled. Laughing but baffled. Turns out, this is very much on brand. And there are several reasons cats love boxes. The confined space feels safe, especially for a creature that’s both predator and prey in the natural world and one that sleeps some 12 to 16 hours per day. It’s also warm – if cats controlled the thermostats, they’d have it in the upper 80s, which few of their humans indulge. (Side note: That may also be why SPBB steals my blankets.) The box is also “theirs,” a special domain that they make their own by leaving their scent. Why do they knead? Whether on their people or the (stolen) blankets, cats will often knead with their paws, a behavior pet parents call “making biscuits.” This behavior is a carryover from their kitten days when they’d knead their mom’s belly to get milk. As they grow, it’s a sign of contentment and relaxation. The mini-massage is also a big compliment! They’re also marking their territory since they have scent glands in their paws. You might not smell it,…
By Erin Shackleford Royal is a 3-year-old female dog who weighs approximately 60 pounds. Her easygoing nature has won over our staff and volunteers. She is a fairly calm gal who likes to leisurely play in the yards with toys. She will partake in a game of fetch, but mostly enjoys sniffing and exploring. She has gotten along well with other playful dogs. She knows cues, like sit, and seems to be motivated to learn even more cues. She has immaculate house manners and is housetrained. She doesn’t bark at neighbors or dogs walking by the house. Evander is an 8-year-old gray and white kitty with a distinguished personality. We believe Evander has lived a lot of his life on the streets, which have earned him his ruggedly good looks. This sweet guy is calm, laid-back, and social. Although, if he’s honest, sometimes he likes just to hang back and watch the world go by. He likes batting around a catnip mouse or a pipe cleaner. His favorite leisurely activity is a “Lickable” Churu treat squeezed on an enrichment mat. Evander is very easy company and would be a lovely, loyal companion. Holmes is ready for a home for the holidays! Holmes is an adorable black and white short-haired rabbit who has been searching for a family since August. He is calm, sweet, and social. Holmes greets all of his visitors with enthusiasm and a hope for some of his favorite nibbles. He loves his timothy hay of course, but he also loves a carrot or lettuce to nosh. Some of his favorite toys include busy boxes stuffed with timothy hay and biscuits — he works very hard to best those and find all the surprise treats. This inquisitive little bunny would love to find a place to call home. He is in a foster home. To…
By Ryan Unverzagt The holidays have arrived in quick fashion and for many of us it’s probably one of the busiest times of the year. Whether you’ve made travel plans to see family and friends, trying to find that perfect Christmas gift or attending multiple holiday parties, this time of year is fun, but can also be stressful. As we get wrapped up in the holiday madness, it’s easy to let your fitness routine slide, which can mean unwanted weight gain. However, there are a few simple things you can do to avoid the extra pounds. Choose Snacks and Drinks Wisely at Holiday Parties: Holiday parties are a great way to unwind, but they can also set us up for easy weight gain. You want to try to limit sweets, juices, and alcohol. Instead, opt for tea, coffee, and water. If you choose to drink alcohol, stick with the light beer. You should stay away from high-fat meats and cheeses such as salami, mini-dogs, and cheddar and jack cheeses. Look to eat turkey breast, ham, low-fat cheeses like mozzarella, Swiss, or provolone instead. Always fill your plate with plenty of fruit and vegetables and eat them first! Stay Active: This might be the most difficult task to achieve, especially when the weather is bad. If you can’t make it to the gym for a workout, there are some activities you can try at home. Hold a contest between family and friends to find out who can perform the most sit-ups, pushups, crunches, squats or jumping jacks (Do this only before eating, of course). Walk up and down the stairs during the commercial breaks of your favorite TV show. Better yet, play Wii video games all day! If you don’t have a Wii find someone who does. If the weather is…
By Nicole Flanagan Every January hundreds of people head out to join a gym or activity group to make a New Year’s resolution. One of the top resolutions on just about everyone’s list is some type of fitness goal, losing weight, training to run a 5k or starting a weight training program to tone up. Make this upcoming new year more successful by starting your fitness program BEFORE the new year gets here. Experts say it takes 30 days to create a habit. If you start your workout plan in December, by the time the new year rolls around you will be ahead of everyone else! One of the simplest forms of exercise that just about everyone can participate in is walking. There is no equipment needed except for a good pair of walking sneakers. With the weather that we have been having here there is no reason not to grab a buddy and get outside for a walk. If going outside is not an option then a walking workout on a treadmill is great as well. Here are a few ways to boost your walking routine into a fat burning session. Walk at a Steady Pace: Aim for a speed at which you’re hustling but still able to carry on a conversation. Your rate of perceived exertion, or RPE should be about a 6. RPE is measured on a scale of 1 to 10, 1 being sitting still and 10 being an all out sprint. If you are on a treadmill this speed will be between a 13 and 17 minute mile. The goal is to maintain this speed for 45minutes. Calories burned at this pace can be between 150 and 300, depending on your pace and fitness level. Walking Hills: walking up hills or climbing stairs will burn…
By Lori Welch Brown Praise [insert name of your personal higher power here]. The election is finally behind us. I think it’s safe to say that no matter your political affiliation, there’s a collective feeling of exhaustion. Trust me—this is not a good time to be exhausted. Starting off the holiday season in a deficit, is the opposite of good. And yet here we are. Every year I tell myself, “You will not feel overwhelmed. You will enjoy the holiday season and will feel energized, rested, and rejuvenated going into it so you can actually breathe and enjoy time with friends and family vs. stressing every minute and fussing over every detail and racing against deadlines—deadlines to shop, ship, mail, pack, wrap, trim, bake, shop, pluck, shave, wax, lose 20, dress, etc.” Ladies—you know the drill. And every year, on or about December 1, I’m already frazzled, staring down the barrel of a long list of to do’s delegated from me to me by me. I am my own worst enemy, but I’m also a Virgo and a workhorse. In other words, I live to get sh*t done. Even at my own peril. But I’m not such an old horse that I can’t learn some new tricks and/or actually take some of my own advice on occasion—and this is a particularly good occasion. So how do you make some deposits into the account so that you’re not seeing red by your first sugar cookie? You’re probably not going to like this, but the answer starts with putting the sugar cookie back in the jar. Or for me, the leftover Halloween candy in the trash. The calendar really is not our friend. I mean—whose brain child was it to stick a candy-inspired holiday just before we kick off the holiday season? Talk about…
By Cheryl Burns Cats are lovely, but often baffling companions. It is rare that a week goes by when I don’t ask Ms. Sweet Potato Bailey Burns (SPBB for short) WHY she is doing something or at least laugh at her silly ways. Some things will always remain a mystery – why that particular toy? why chin scratches above all else? – but some questions do have answers. Or, at least pet experts think they know. Cats are rather adamant in their refusal to speak our language and we haven’t learned theirs! What’s up with the boxes? I remember the first time we found the late, great Smoky Tiggs tucked in a cardboard box. Being new to cat mom-hood, I was baffled. Laughing but baffled. Turns out, this is very much on brand. And there are several reasons cats love boxes. The confined space feels safe, especially for a creature that’s both predator and prey in the natural world and one that sleeps some 12 to 16 hours per day. It’s also warm – if cats controlled the thermostats, they’d have it in the upper 80s, which few of their humans indulge. (Side note: That may also be why SPBB steals my blankets.) The box is also “theirs,” a special domain that they make their own by leaving their scent. Why do they knead? Whether on their people or the (stolen) blankets, cats will often knead with their paws, a behavior pet parents call “making biscuits.” This behavior is a carryover from their kitten days when they’d knead their mom’s belly to get milk. As they grow, it’s a sign of contentment and relaxation. The mini-massage is also a big compliment! They’re also marking their territory since they have scent glands in their paws. You might not smell it, but…
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