By Bob Tagert Our Road Trip for October took us to one of the areas favorite destinations, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Once a popular summer beach destination, it has now become popular year-round. There is a lively and dynamic year-round population that keeps the town hopping all year long. While not as prolific as in the summer, there are events the like of the True Blue Jazz Fest from the 15th through the 19th and the Sea Witch Festival from the 24th through the 26th this month. Both, of which, draw a lot of people to this little town in the fall. Like a lot of you, I grew up in the DC area and made the beaches my go-to destination in the summer. In the early days, there was always a backup at the toll booths. On the Sunday we went last month, there was a three mile back up both ways at the bridge. However, with the use of cameras for toll flow at the toll plaza traffic does not come to a stop. If you don’t have E-Z Pass you are still good to go. Your plates will be photographed and you’ll get a bill in the mail. However, these days I am not so much in a hurry and my body isn’t the volleyball player in once was. Sort of like that Toby Keith song, As Good As I Once Was. We made it to Rehoboth totally unscathed and went straight to our hotel, the Avenue Inn. We stayed at the Avenue Inn and Spa. We stayed there on a whim last fall and found it to be a great place in the heart of town and only one block from the boardwalk and beach. After checking in and partaking of their nightly wine & cheese social,…
by Bob Matthews It is time for the annual “how to pick out a pumpkin column. Bob Matthews knows it best, see below. – OTC Going out to a pumpkin patch to pick pumpkins, is a fun filled rite of the fall season. Whether you go out to a field filled with pumpkins, or get them from a roadside stand, we want to be certain that you get the absolutely best pumpkin for carving, decorating and eating! Pumpkins are called “Long keepers”. A healthy, uncarved pumpkin can last to Thanksgiving and beyond. How to Select the Perfect Pumpkin: Select a pumpkin that is completely orange. A partially green pumpkin might not ripen any further. Size is an important factor. Medium pumpkins are best for pumpkin carving. Small pumpkins are better for cooking. Do not pick a pumpkin that is too big for you to carry, especially if you have back problems. Does the shade of orange matter? If so, there are hundreds of varieties, some with different shades of orange. Selecting the shape is a matter of personal preference. Some like ’em tall. Others, like ’em round. Often, people select shapes to fit the carving patterns they will use. Pick your pattern before you go. Do not lift or carry a pumpkin by it’s stem. The pumpkin stem gives it character. A ripe pumpkin has a hard shell that does not dent or scratch easily when pressing on it with a thumbnail. Do this on the back or bottom of the fruit…….never on the face. Examine the entire pumpkin carefully for soft spots. If you find even one soft spot, go on to the next pumpkin. Check the pumpkin for cracks and splits. If you find one, examine it to be sure it is not turning into a soft spot…
By Julie Reardon They’re the new craze—growing corn with paths throughout so kids (and adults) can wander through. Some are even shaped with messages, most of which aren’t evident from the ground. By fall, the corn is high enough that it’s over a man’s head. Admission is nominal—and this year, more than ever, farmers who’ve had crops devastated by the drought need the extra income they provide. There are plenty to choose from in the area, including the farmers’ market just south of Leesburg on Rt. 15, Archwood Greens Farmers’ Market, and a good starter maze at Maple Tree Farm near Warrenton. But how are these mazes designed and made? These days they can be designed and planted via computer software on farm tractors. But the mazes existed before the computer technology and some are still designed and planted the old-fashioned way. Whichever method is chosen, the maze owners all agree that maintaining the neatly-mowed paths throughout the mazes is the most labor-intensive part of maintaining them. Last month, we suggested some farm stands in the Blue Ridge bursting with fresh fruit and vegetables. This month, grab the kids or grandkids and go try your navigational skills at a corn maze. The area’s best delight of children and adults; the mazes range from simple to complex and offer a good afternoon of fun and even a little competition. Fall’s goodies include the plethora of ripe fresh fruits and vegetables available at fruit stands and farmers markets throughout the hunt country. Get the last of the summer peaches, or choose ripe tomatoes, corn, apples and more. Farm stands abound, and many of them have corn mazes. You might even have seen them on TV. A farm in Maryland has a maze with a picture of local favorite and ice hockey champion…
By Bob Tagert Well, here we are again, another 30 days to pontificate what the world has been up to and to see what is in store for the future. Let’s hope we aren’t in another government shut down by the time this issue is in print. All we can do is follow the words of Little Orphan Annie and sing…the sun will come out tomorrow. Moving on…according to the Weather Channel, 2025 is on track to be one of the hottest years in a long time, right behind the leader – 2024. I have hopes that they will miss the mark and that the October days and nights will be cooling off so we can ignite those fire features and sit around them with our jeans and jackets on and sip a beverage or two after a day of leaf peeping. If leaf peeping isn’t your gig, you might want to consider a trip to the beach. October is a good time to do just that. No crowds, free parking, no lines at restaurants and still days warm enough to walk the shore line. Check out our recent visit to Rehoboth, Delaware in Road Trip. October is Virginia Wine Month! We have supported our Commonwealth vintages for almost 35 years now. If you are a leaf peeper, you can tie in some stops at several great wineries during your drive. Matt Fitzsimmons highlights a few of them in Grapevine. The majority of winery/vineyard sales happen in the tasting room so please stop in, do a tasting, have a glass or two and pick up some bottles to go. Along that same vein, Doug Fabbioli applies some basic truths to wine making in his Exploring VA Wines column. One of them being “You can make bad wine from good grapes,…
By Cheryl Burns Back when I was dating, I had one hard-and-fast rule: no pets. It wasn’t that I didn’t love animals. Quite the opposite. I adore them. I can’t pass one without quietly whispering “Hi puppy” or “Hi kitten.” (Can we agree that those words apply to furballs of any age?) But I also vividly remember my mother standing over my eight-year-old self and asking allergist what the REALLY big, swollen, terribly reactive spot was testing. His reply? Dog. He made it clear that any sort of furry friend was simply out of the question. Forever. So, when I was dating, I not only worried I’d fall in love with a pet more than their person, I also worried about the endgame. If things went well, it seemed it would come down to me or the pet. And there’s no way I could ask anyone to make that decision. Pet-free partners, please. Taking the Risk and Becoming an Allergic Owner I found a pet-free guy. We happily enjoyed fish and fully aquatic frogs (an article for another day!). It helped that he was allergic too. But less than six months after our wedding, his beloved mother passed. She had recently adopted a cat, a sweet gray tuxie who’d accompanied us to hospice in the final days. I knew it was coming. And how could the answer be anything but “of course” when he looked at me with sad eyes, furball in hand, and said “I kinda want to take the cat.” A hospice staffer—one who hadn’t realized a cat was quietly sitting with me in the corner of the couch until she saw the litter in the bathroom—had offered, but we knew the real answer. Besides, Smoky Tiggs had already chosen us, frequenting our laps more than those of…
By Erin Shackleford Say hello to Hazel! She is a medium-sized dog at 40 pounds and absolutely loves people. At two years old, Hazel has a bright zest for life and is always excited to meet new people. Judging by her enthusiastic tail wags, greeting people might be her favorite activity. Hazel is an active girl and is known to have pretty good leash manners, especially on a harness. She enjoys evening walks around the neighborhood at “golden hour” and could join you on sniffy hikes. Hazel is curious, independent, and likes to explore the world through her nose. She can already show you her perfect “sit” on cue and could continue training with the incentive of tasty treats. If you are looking for a friendly buddy around town or on the trails, Hazel could be your girl! Max is a 3-year-old, 73-pound gorgeous German Shepherd mix dog. Max loves to meet new people and is extremely affectionate and social. While Max likes a walk about, he isn’t into long strolls. If you had a backyard for him to lounge around in, that would be perfect! He likes staying mentally acute by engaging in food puzzles. Max needs a home where he can steal the show and be your one and only. However, Max has gotten along with easygoing dogs in the shelter. If you’re ready for big love and big personality, Max is your man. Meet handsome Shady! At about one year old, young Shady has already seen a lot of life. Shady arrived at the shelter as a stray alongside another dog and is ready to settle into a loving home. This playful guy would be a great fit for an active family and still has some goofy puppy energy. Sweet Shady loves to relax after playtime and is an affectionate…
By Lori Welch Brown I’m writing this piece from a train on my way from Westport to Dublin, having just spent the week on an art retreat with 13 other artists plus the instructor. It just so happens to be my 59th birthday. I was a bit apprehensive about this trip. I tried to cancel and/or reschedule after I’d booked it—which admittedly was a bit of an impulse purchase. I booked it just after the 2024 holiday season. There may have been some holiday melancholy and wine involved. Just sayin’. My grand plan was that my husband, XXL, would join me on some part of the trip—front end or back end—but we couldn’t seem to make it work. When my master plan fell apart, I began to get a bit nervous—not to mention a bit guilty about spending money for a trip I’d be experiencing alone. I haven’t done a ton of traveling out of the country and only a couple of solo trips so I felt a bit wobbly. I’d have to figure out things like train schedules and currency exchange and meet up spots by myself. I’d have to schlep bags and procure airport transfers on my own. While I consider myself a strong, independent woman, apparently that only conveyed to the continental US. In other countries, I would be alone and afraid. In the end, my frugalness trumped my fear when I found out that I’d lose my deposit if I cancelled so I was Ireland bound. To ease my trepidation, I focused on the preparation, not the destination. I laboriously scrutinized outfits and accessories and culled down as much as possible knowing that I’d be responsible for carrying and lifting and dragging bags from airports to taxis to hotels to trains and back. I emailed the…
By Mark Edelman As the weather cools and the trees dazzle in their dormancy, it’s a great time to find a seat at one of our local performing arts venues. From the intimacy of a two-hander to the big splash (literally) of a visiting Cirque show, there’s much to be admired and enjoyed onstage in the DMV this month. DAMN YANKEES Arena Stage Now thru Nov 9 The Nationals and Orioles may have finished in last place, but Arena Stage wins this year’s Fall Classic with its “revisal” of the 1955 Broadway musical comedy about a hapless ball club (this time the O’s) and one long-time fan’s dream to beat the dreaded Bronx Bombers. A Golden Glove Broadway creative team—Will Power and Doug Wright on book, Lynn Ahrens on lyrics and Tony nominee Rob McClure on pitchfork—updates the musical comedy chestnut with dugout help from director Sergio Trujillo, who staged the superlative, muscular choreography as well. Hamilton alum Jordan Danica channels both Derek Jeter and Brian Stokes Mitchell as swoon-worthy Shoeless Joe from Hannibal, MO. Ana Villafane is a smoking hot Lola, the devil’s assistant with a heart of gold. The cast bats a thousand; orchestrations and their performance are winners; and, like any ballgame, there’s an audience singalong. If you love musical theater, you don’t want to miss this home run; besides, it’s so much easier to get to Southwest than Broadway, next stop on their championship season. Tickets at http://www.arenastage.org THE INHERITANCE – PARTS ONE & TWO Roundhouse Theatre Now thru November 2 Inspired by E. M. Forster’s celebrated novel Howard’s End and winner of the Tony Award and London’s Olivier for Bes Play, this two part, seven-hour tour de force chronicles the life and times of a group of young gay men wrestling with love, legacy and…
Long Time National Harbor residents–now Floridians-Jeffrey and Joanne Fisher took the OTC with them on their latest foray to their favorite European country, France. Pictured here in the seaside village of Mandelieu-La-Napoule on the French Riviera, where they met their French friends, Marie Pascale Heid and Didier Gambini, who also happen to be friends with Karen and Ralph Riddle, proprietors of Shadow Mountain Escape near Thornton Gap. It is just one big, happy circle. Left to right, Didier, Marie, Jeffrey, Joanne. With the OTC at the Palais Ideal in Hauterives – among the many other inscriptions found there is “1879-1912-10,000 days, 93,000 hours, 33 years of struggle. Let those who think they can do better try.” If you would like to see your photo in this space, take the OTC with you on your next adventure and take a high resolution photo or photos of you and yours checking us out and send it with information for the caption to office@oldtowncrier.com and put “On the Road” in the subject line.
By Matthew Fitzsimmons Fall is one of the most popular times to visit Virginia wine country. While the season has everything from wine festivals, new vintage release parties, and harvest dinners, my favorite activity is to combine winery visits with a tour of Virginia’s fall foliage. The two themes overlap perfectly. Vineyards are generally located at higher elevation sites, guaranteeing great photos of the surrounding countryside. Many are also near state or national parks. The addition of fall colors guarantees the slogan “Grapes don’t grow in ugly places” becomes doubly accurate. Different parts of Virginia will reach their peak color anywhere between mid-October and early November, according to Explorefall.com. For ‘leaf peepers’ who want to get the most out of fall foliage in Virginia wine country, here is a guide on where and when to go. Mid to Late October: The Shenandoah Valley Peak foliage season begins in the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia’s oldest wine region. The valley’s relatively cool and dry climate create ideal conditions for viticulture, and the mountains that frame the area become a canvas for the season’s changing colors. While the Shenandoah Valley is home to a dozen wineries, two that particularly stand out for their fall colors are Muse Vineyards and Star in the Valley. Muse Vineyards (Woodstock). Muse is snuggled between the contours of the North Fork of the Shenandoah River, Seven Bends State Park, and the western slope of the Massanutten Mountains. While the best views are likely to be found from their deck, more adventurous wine drinkers should visit the elevated foot bridge that crosses the river. Make sure to try their Erato white blend, winner of the 2024 Shenandoah Wine Cup. Star in the Valley (Strasburg). Star is located along the edge of the valley’s northern entrance, hugging the contours of Devil’s…
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