Pictured above: Hanging out at Nalu on Rehoboth Avenue for Happy Hour with longtime friend, Nancy DiAgostino.

By Bob Tagert

I think Spring is actually here to stay as the daily temperatures continue to rise. As I write this on the 23^rd of April, the highs for this week call for the mid- seventies into the eighties, and approaching 90 degrees a week from now. I always count the days until the first day of summer and it is fast approaching.

We celebrate Mother’s Day this month on the 11^th and one of our former regular contributors, Caroline Simpson, has some thoughts about what qualifications one has to have to apply for the “job” of Mom in our Mother’s Day feature. We also honor those service men and women who have gone before us on Memorial Day. How many of you readers are familiar with the “Buddy Poppy”? Read Lani Gering’s piece in our special feature on its history in our Memorial Day feature.

In A Bit of History, Sarah Becker explains the importance of the U.S. Federal Judiciary and the impact that is has had over the years and how the current regime has affected our lives today.

For those paddlers out there, check out Jeremy Cox’ piece, “A Paddling Experience Fit for a King”, in From the Bay. While in To the Blueridge, Julie Reardon reminds us of the beauty of the Blueridge in Spring and all of the events planned during the month. Pick one and go!

In Road Trip this month, we visited our favorite sandy place in Southern Delaware…Rehoboth Beach, with an afternoon side trip to Lewes to see 31,000 tulips. Our friend, Nancy DiAgostino joined us for one of the nights. Nancy has a condo in North Ocean City so being at the beach on a regular basis is status quo for her. We have decided that it is a toss-up between Nalu and Purple Parrot for our go-to Happy Hour joints. While local beaches are in “shoulder season” and still not ready for prime time, there is plenty to do before the Memorial Day weekend gets cranked up.

If you are in the mood for a beach in a bit more exotic place, in Caribbean Connection, Alex Brittell and his crew at the Caribbean Journal tell us about some “Off-the -beaten path Caribbean Beaches to Discover right now!”

Lani is a big fan of Cinco de Mayo and we frequent Los Tios on Mount Vernon Avenue on a regular basis so we decided they would be the subject matter for this month’s Dining Out. Many of you readers are going to see a very familiar face on those pages.

Chef Glenn Morell pawned his Let’s Eat column off on his older and much better looking brother (I can say this since I know them both), Adam, who contributes his thoughts on cooking for Mom on Mother’s Day and concocting the perfect twice baked potato. Adam penned a fantastic column for us on their trip to Cuba a few years ago so he isn’t really new to the OTC.

With the warm weather the Virginia Wineries are prepping for vine growth and fruit development now for this years’ harvest. In Exploring Virginia Wines, Doug Fabbioli takes a little different turn and tells us how he and other businesses in the agricultural community in Loudoun County are introducing the “farm” life to our youth as they give them hands on experiences. In Grapevine, Matt Fitzsimmons reminds us of the frailty of Pinot Noir…The Heartbreak Grape! Tim Long rounds out the wine, beer and bourbon section in Let’s Get Crafty, as he, his wife Leigh and friends meet up in Easton, Maryland to enjoy some craft beer, bourbon and a good cigar.

On the beauty and health front, we published the annual “How to apply self-tanner” column by Kim Puten in First Blush. While I have no interest in the stuff, I hear there is a real “talent” to getting it on right. Both Nicole Flanagan – Fitness – and Ryan Unverzagt – From the Trainer – take a look at what you can do to maximize putting together your springtime fitness regime.

I want to thank all of you who have sent emails, made Facebook and Instagram posts and commented on our website/blog complimenting us on our content. We have been fortunate to have such extremely talented contributing writers penning for us for many years. In that same vent, I hope that you enjoy this month’s issue of the Old Town Crier as well.

Happy Mother’s Day to all of the moms out there and don’t forget to remember what Memorial Day is all about as you fire up that grill and splash that kayak!

We would like to congratulate Michelle Spear et al on the purchase of Twin Oaks Tavern Winery in March. Pictured here are Michelle left, with former proprietor and well-known Evers & Company Real Estate owner, Donna Evers as they toast Easter at the neighborhood egg hunt. Twin Oaks Tavern Winery is located in an amazing setting just outside of Bluemont. Michelle has ‘spear’ (no pun intended) headed a beautiful renovation that will open for all to see on Mother’s Day weekend. See their ad on the inside back cover and watch for more about Twin Oaks in the future. It is a beautiful winery in a beautiful part of the Blue Ridge.