The sun is finally out!

The Blue Ridge Parkway at Meadows of Dan

I'm sorry I forgot to do the events for the weekend this week!  Sometimes I have to work on my own stuff, and a few other projects got in the way this week so updating here slipped my mind.

Tonight there will be a benefit dinner for Donna Cruise held at the Meadows of Dan Elementary School from 5 PM to 7 PM.  Raffle, silent auction, music and good mountain food.

Don't forget that Mabry Mill is open with their great pancakes!  Heritage demonstrations began this week and now you can watch handspinning, weaving, chair caning, basketmaking and more.  Music on Sundays.  Mabry Mill is one of the most visited sites on the Blue Ridge Parkway.  Just one mile north of Meadows of Dan!

Recent and Current Happenings in Meadows of Dan

Ribbon Cutting at Dan River Books, Concord Road, Meadows of Dan

New shops opening in town, festivals during the season, great food, music every weekend...Meadows of Dan has lots to offer!  It looks like the weather is going to be fabulous for this holiday so come up and join us for the festival, pancakes at Mabry Mill, fudge at Nancy's and visit the wonderful and friendly shops here in town.

Memorial Day weekend is upon us, and lots of people will be out and traveling! I wish everyone a safe, happy and beautiful week!  The rhododendron and flame azalea are starting to bloom in Meadows of Dan. There are so many events and activities taking place here that Meadows of Dan is the perfect destination. Beautiful scenery and flowers, great people, cool breezes and lots to do! 

Music at Christopher's Pizza - Friday, May 22, 7 PM to 10 PM - Statement; Saturday, May 23, 7 PM to 10 PM, Ted Jones & The Tarheel Boys.

Tractor at Hit and Miss in the Mountains

May 23, 24, 25, 2009 - 4th Annual Hit and Miss in the Mountains, Antique Engine Show, Main Engine Show on Saturday Featuring 20 horsepower Fairbanks & Morse diesel engine, Heritage Demonstrations throughout weekend, music, food and fun in the fields. More information at the web site.

Saturday, May 23 - Cinema on the Lawn, "His Girl Friday" at Chateau Morrisette. Tickets $5.00.

Saturday, May 23 - Dogtown Pizza at Foggy Ridge Cider. Fennel and apple sausage with blue cheese, pizza with local goat cheese, homemade mozzarella and tomato sauce...plus Foggy Ridge hard cider and orchard views. Dogtown Pizza brings their brick pizza oven to Foggy Ridge Cider for a special treat of freshly baked thin crust pizzas made with local ingredients. Cider tasting free. Pizza $10. Experience priceless.

Sunday, May 24 - Spring Winemaker's Dinner at Chateau Morrisette. For more information check the web site.

The Laurel Lea, our local magazine/newspaper, is setting up a new web site. Check back for new updates.

The official Meadows of Dan web site is here. The visitor's center in Meadows of Dan showcases even more events and activities in the area.

A Little Rain Doesn't Dampen Our Spirits!

Well, we've had a little bit of rain lately in Meadows of Dan! But the sun is sure to come out soon and our cool breezes will be welcome in the coming months.

The rhododendron and flame azalea are starting to bloom in Meadows of Dan. The dogwood has been beautiful along the Blue Ridge Parkway this year. I don't think I've ever seen it bloom so well.

Music at Christopher's Pizza - Friday, May 15, 7 PM to 10 PM - Marshall Brothers & Highroad; Saturday, May 16, 7 PM to 10 PM, Barbershop Grass.

May 16 - Winemaking 101 at Chateau Morrisette. Check the web site for further information.

The Laurel Lea, our local magazine/newspaper, is setting up a new web site. Check back for new updates.

Community Association Members Visit Welcome Center

Sue Moore of Dan River Books talks to tourists.

Meadows of Dan and Patrick County Representatives Celebrate National Tourism Week
On Wednesday, May 13, as part of activities for National Tourism Week, business owners in Meadows of Dan traveled to the Welcome Center at Lambsburg, Virginia, on I-77, along with members of Patrick County’s Tourism Advisory Council (TAC). The businesspeople involved in the event are members of the Meadows of Dan Community Association.

Armed with brochures and other information from the businesses in Meadows of Dan, Sue Moore of Dan River Books, Gary Wood, General Manager of Mabry Mill for Forever Resorts, and Leslie Shelor of Greenberry House told travelers about the unique community. Charlotte Gardner, Chairman of TAC, spoke with travelers about Patrick County and the attractions and events available. Ms. Shelor, Vice-Chairman of TAC, also spoke with travelers about Patrick County.

Ms. Moore demonstrated the art of appliqué while working on a quilt square as Ms. Gardner wove on a triangle loom. Ms. Shelor demonstrated hand spinning with a flyer wheel. Travelers were very interested in the demonstrations, which led to conversations about Meadows of Dan and Patrick County. Only one couple said that they had been in Meadows of Dan or Patrick County before, although several mentioned traveling the Blue Ridge Parkway in the past. Travelers were interested in the unique Meadows of Dan and Patrick County businesses, festivals and music events described by the demonstrators, and Mr. Wood was able to share a great deal of information about the Blue Ridge Parkway and Mabry Mill.

Over 300 travelers and visitors to Virginia were greeted by the group from Meadows of Dan and Patrick County. Travelers from as far away as Ohio and Michigan, many of them frequent visitors to Virginia, were interested in visiting a rural community on the Blue Ridge Parkway. One woman commented, "That sounds so peaceful, especially compared to where we live!" when told about the quiet beauties of Meadows of Dan. Others left with stacks of brochures given out by the group and asked many questions about the events, businesses and scenic attractions available in the county. The tourism professionals that took advantage of this opportunity felt that their time was well-spent and that many of the people that they talked with would be visiting Meadows of Dan and Patrick County in the future.

The Virginia Welcome Centers are operated by the Virginia Tourism Corporation and offer free demonstration opportunities to Virginia organizations and businesses. For more information visit http://www.vatc.org.

Deciduous Azalea

The dogwood bloom has been absolutely lovely this year, although it rained a lot and I wasn't able to get pictures. Don't miss out, though, on the gorgeous pink rhododendron and flame azalea that are starting to bloom out now on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Meadows of Dan. Usually the rhododendron and mountain laurel are wonderful down the mountain near Lover's Leap as well. And last year they were beautiful near the covered bridges in Woolwine, just a few miles from Meadows of Dan and still in Patrick County, Virginia.  The weather is clear and beautiful today, with a few high fluffy clouds floating by on the breeze!

Foggy Mountain Morning

But we're expecting the sun here just any day in Meadows of Dan!

Foggy Ridge Cider in the news!

Town House restaurant in Chilhowie, Virginia will welcome cider maker and 'Round the Mountain member, Diane Flynt of Foggy Ridge Cider for a special dinner to raise awareness and support for 'Round the Mountain: Southwest Virginia's Artisan Network on Thursday, May 14, beginning at 6:30 P.M. The event offers community members the opportunity to learn more about 'Round the Mountain, the organization's work toward establishing the Artisan Trails of Southwest Virginia, and Heartwood: Southwest Virginia's Artisan Gateway. Diane will talk about her association with the organization. Guests will have the chance to sample her artisan hard ciders, which Town House sommelier Charlie Berg will pair with a three course dinner prepared by Executive Chefs John B. Shields and Karen Urie. The three course meal is priced at $48 per person, which includes a donation to 'Round the Mountain. A cider pairing to match each course will be available for an additional $20 per person. For reservations and more information, please call Town House at 276-646-8787.

Town House is located at 132 East Main Street in Chilhowie, Virginia and is open for dinner Tuesday-Saturday from 5-9 P.M. Executive Chefs Karen Urie and John B. Shields celebrate locally grown sustainable products and the finest seasonal ingredients with forward-thinking American cuisine complemented by impeccable service and a Wine Spectator award-winning wine program led by Certified Sommelier Charlie Berg.

NATIONAL MAGAZINE PICKS LOCAL FOGGY RIDGE CIDER

Dugspur, Virginia (MAY 2009)—The May issue of Bon Appetit magazine tapped Foggy Ridge Cider as “What to Buy in Virginia”. Billed as a “definitive state by state list of the best dishes, drinks and ingredients that make up our foodie nation”, the article titled “United Plates of America” chose the state’s first hard cider maker to top the Virginia list.

Authors Sarah McColl and Andrew Knoltown write “There is always something delicious just around the corner in America”. Foggy Ridge Cider, just around the corner in Dugspur, VA, grows heirloom apples and makes award winning hard cider on a scenic 200 farm near the Blue Ridge Parkway.

“We are thrilled to be recognized by Bon Appetit”, says cidermaker and owner Diane Flynt. The article brought in several new retail accounts from Virginia wine and gourmet shops. Foggy Ridge Cider grows over 30 varieties of cider apples and produced 1000 cases of cider in 2008. “It is heartening to see a small artisan cidermaker like Foggy Ridge recognized in a well respected national magazine.”

Foggy Ridge Cider makes three hard cider blends. Serious Cider, winner of a 2008 Gold Medal in the National Women’s’ Wine Competition, is a dry cider made with the English cider apples. First Fruit Cider is made with early season apples including Virginia Crabapples originally grown by Thomas Jefferson at Monticello. First Fruit won a silver medal at the International Eastern Wine Competition. Sweet Stayman is an off-dry cider made with sixty percent old-fashioned Stayman apples. This cider won a silver medal in the 2007 Virginia Governor’s Cup.

Cider sampling also includes Foggy Ridge Cider’s latest creation, a dessert cider called Pippin Gold. Pippin Gold is a blend of Virginia apple brandy and hard cider made with 100% Newtown Pippin apples.

Foggy Ridge Cider is open weekends May through early December, 11 to 5 on Saturday and 12 to 5 on Sunday. Visit www.foggyridgecider.com for special events and information on apples and cider.

Looking for Sunshine in Meadows of Dan!

Sunset over Buffalo Mountain

Sarvis blooms have fallen but dogwood is beautiful right now along the Blue Ridge Parkway. I don't think I've ever seen the dogwoods bloom so beautifully here! It won't be long before pink rhododenron is showing off. Come and see!

My neighbors have reopened their wonderful bookstore. Dan River Books at 36 Concord Road is an "off-price" book store, featuring high quality remainders and publisher's close-outs at greatly reduced prices. Visit our Used Book Room for an eclectic selection of used and rare volumes from the 19th and 20th centuries.

Music at Christopher's Pizza - Friday, May 8, 7 PM to 10 PM - Zephyr Lightning Bolts; Saturday, May 9, 7 PM to 10 PM, Stony Ridge. Great music and great food!

Patrick County Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Business After Hours gathering at the Blue Ridge Visitor's Center, JEB Stuart Highway, on Tuesday, May 12 from 5:30 to 7 PM. For more information call 276-694-6012.

The Meadows of Dan Community Association is planning a demonstration day at the Virginia Tourism Welcome Center in Lambsburg, VA on May 13. The center is at the North Carolina border on I-77. Demonstrations include spinning, weaving and quilting.

For more about what's happening in Meadows of Dan click here. The official Meadows of Dan web site is here. The visitor's center in Meadows of Dan showcases even more events and activities in the area.

Dan River Books Now Open!

Dan River Books, Meadows of Dan

My neighbors came over yesterday to tell me that their shop is now open for the season.  Wonderful new and used books and Sue's beautiful quilts!  Hours are 10 AM to 5 PM Thursday to Monday.