Ox-Eye presents spring art show

Mark you calendars for next Sunday, April 6, when an art opening will take place at Ox-Eye Tasting Room in the Wharf District of downtown Staunton, Virginia, from 4-5:30 p.m.

Two artists will be featured. Barbara Brothers will display in the Downstairs Gallery while Debbie Caldwell's works will be on display in the Upstairs Gallery. Light refreshments will be served, and Ox-Eye wine will be available for $3 a glass during the reception. Meet the artists while enjoying the ambiance of downtown Staunton in the spring.

Byers Street Bistro on a snowy winter night

 How to shake off the icks of an Augusta County mass meeting? Head to Byers Street Bistro in downtown Staunton with friends....

 The patio was picturesque with this week's snow.

 Mardi gras beads gave a festive air to the night.

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
March 6, 2014

February 22: Staunton Winter Wine Festival

Add Ox-Eye Vineyards to the list of those who will be pouring at the Staunton Winter Wine Festival at the Stonewall Jackson Hotel and Conference Center.

Staunton's Depot Grille ... lunch with Barb

I met Barb today for lunch at the Depot Grille at Staunton's train station where we ate on the "porch" that overlooks downtown Staunton, enjoying the snow and icicles outside the window.

We lingered over lunch getting caught up on life until we were the only ones left on the porch. That's what happens when long-time political junkies get together ... well, at least when these two political junkies get together. LOL.

 As the 14-degree temp crept in the windows, Barb moved over closer to the gas logs.

 I forgot to take the usual food shot but here's the iced tea glass.  :)

At mid-day it was a whopping 14 degrees in downtown Staunton.

A flower pot of colorful crayons invites all to unleash the artist inside all of us. Barb set to work leaving a message on the table: "EdforSenate.com" as in Ed Gillespie.

We talked about local politics, state politics, national politics, and we talked about Ed.

Those icicles would put a hurt on you if they let loose over your head but they surely were pretty looking out the window over the Wharf and downtown Staunton.

Good lunch, as always, and good friendship. Thanks, Barb!

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
Staunton, Virginia
January 24, 2014

Spend Thanksgiving weekend 2013 in historic Staunton, Virginia

There are few places as quaint and picturesque as the city of Staunton in the central Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Surrounded by the Blue Ridge and Appalachian mountains, this community-oriented small town celebrates holidays in style, and Thanksgiving is no exception. For a fun and exciting adventure, spend the long weekend enjoying all the area has to offer. The calendar of events is packed with activities to celebrate Thanksgiving and welcome the holiday season.

Wednesday, November 27:
- Playhouse Tour, 2:00 pm, Blackfriars Playhouse
- Trivia, 7:00 pm, Zabbs Beach Day Cafe
- "She Stoops to Conquer," 7:30 pm, Blackfriars Playhouse
- Live jazz, 7:30 pm, Mill Street Grill
- The Level, 8:00 pm, Clocktower Restaurant
- Brent Hull & Joe Tyree, 9:00 pm, Byers Street Bistro

Thanksgiving - Thursday, November 28:
Enjoy your Thanksgiving meal at one of the local restaurants that will be open:
- Kathy's Restaurant, 11:00 am - 3:30 pm, reservations available
- Stonewall Jackson Hotel & Conference Center, 11:00 am - 2:30 pm
- Rowe's Restaurant
- Cracker Barrel, 6:00 am - 10:00 pm

Friday, November 29:
Black Friday" offers the opportunity to check out the local stores and shops of downtown Staunton and the surrounding vicinity. From unique gift items, jewelry, clothing, handmade chocolates, and domestic goods in Staunton to the shopping availabilities of Waynesboro's Target, Books-a-Million, and Kohl's, there's plenty to keep everyone happy. Check out local restaurants for breakfast, lunch, and dinner as well as unique coffee shops throughout town.

Green Valley Book Fair will open Friday, November 29, for its last two-week run of 2013. Open daily, this Mt. Crawford book retailer is known far and wide for its deeply discounted deals on books, audio tapes, and more. It's a great spot to pick up gifts for everyone from children to grandparents.

The Frontier Culture Museum's gift shop offers imported items from Ireland, Scotland, and Great Britain as well as America -- nutcrackers, Christmas ornaments, glassware, historical and cook books, and other just-right gift items for that special person. Don't forget the Museum's famous fudge that comes in a variety of flavors and is always a favorite with visitors.

Staunton's world-known American Shakespeare Theater kicks off the holiday season on  Friday, November 29, with a variety of offerings in the authentically recreated Blackfriars Playhouse as well as tours of the theater. The playhouse can be found on Market Street beside the Stonewall Jackson Hotel.

Ox-Eye Vineyard's tasting room is located in a renovated 1910 building in the historic Wharf District of downtown Staunton which offers an inviting location to taste this local wines crafted by Susan and John Kiers.

The Staunton Christmas Parade will add a magical touch on Monday, December 2 (always the first Monday after Thanksgiving). The route will begin at Frederick and Augusta Streets, turn down Market Street, and then turn right onto Beverley Street. Thousands of tiny white twinkly lights, Christmas decorations, and inviting window displays will entice visitors to step into shops and dine in restaurants before and after the parade. Bundle up for a fun evening in the brisk December air, followed up with a steaming cup of hot chocolate. Meeting friends downtown is a must for this annual tradition.

Be sure to check the Visit Staunton website for more activities as well as lodging and dining opportunities. Come to the Shenandoah Valley for Thanksgiving and stick around to kick off your holiday season.

Autumn leaves at Staunton's Byers Street Bistro

I took this picture last week while in downtown Staunton. The vivid colors of the tree stood out against the gray color of the Byers Street Bistro building and its outdoor eating area in the historic Wharf District.

Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell
November 4, 2013

Today ... Staunton Veterans Day Parade

At the 2012 event, Uncle Sam led the parade and then stood on the street to thank parade participants ... and they greeted back. One military veteran in the parade called out, "You'd better get back to Washington, Uncle Sam. They're in trouble."

Today is the Veterans Day Parade in downtown Staunton. They gave for us. Now's our opportunity to give to them. Come out this morning and show appreciation for America's veterans.

U.S. Army veteran Barth Berry and his son participate each year. This was from 2010.

The late Speedy Hite, U.S. Army veteran, was on a float in this 2010 photo that honored those who did not come back home. Mr. Hite, 93, was a veteran of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.

Another sad omission for the second year ... Mr. Delbert (Speedy) Hite who passed away 18 months ago at the age of 94. A veteran of three wars, he was an icon at veterans events in the community who had proudly served in the U.S. Army through World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. Mr. Hite, missing you today....

It's the soldier, not the reporter who has given us
Freedom of the Press.
It's the soldier, not the poet, who has given us
Freedom of Speech.
It's the soldier, not the campus organizer, who has given us the
Freedom to Demonstrate.
It's the soldier, not the lawyer, who has given us the
Right to a Fair Trial.
It's the soldier who salutes the flag, serves under the flag and
whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who gives the protestor the right to burn the flag.
--Father Dennis Edward O'Brien, USMC

If you are going:
- Staunton Veterans Day Parade will be held Saturday, November 9, 2013, at 11:00 a.m. on Beverley Street
- Free parking available in New Street and Johnson Street garages and Wharf parking lot

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell

Sparkles & Sweets to kick off holiday season in downtown Staunton Friday

Kick off the holiday season this Friday in historic downtown Staunton with the annual Sparkles & Sweets event featuring businesses, restaurants, holiday lights, special events, and much more. Meet friends for dinner and enjoy some sparkles and sweets from 6-9:00 p.m.

Downtown Staunton ... there's something for everyone.

Autumn at Staunton's historic Wharf District

Autumn's colorful leaves were still visible Monday afternoon at Byers Street Bistro in downtown Staunton's historic Wharf District.

Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell
November 4, 2013

Staunton weekend lunch with the Bollings

Virginia's Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling and wife Jean Ann at Staunton's Depot Grille over the weekend.

The Lieutenant Governor and Dr. Kurt Michael at the historic downtown Staunton train station. 

 Jean Ann and Bill Bolling on the railroad bridge behind the Depot Grille Restaurant with a commanding view of downtown Staunton.

Jean Ann Bolling, Kurt Michael, Bill Bolling

 Sears Hill observation deck overlooking the train station and downtown Staunton.

 Heading up Sears Hill to look over the city from the observation deck.

 Walking the downtown streets of Staunton on a beautiful day with temps in the mid-70s.

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
August 17, 2013

Cranberry's in Staunton

Outdoor seating at Cranberry's on downtown Staunton's New Street. Just a moment before, SWAC Niece and a friend were sitting at that table, enjoying lunch after a stroll around town on a rainy afternoon. Both were in last summer's Governor's School French Immersion Camp at Washington & Lee University in Lexington, and both have continued with their French studies. Their meeting today was a French immersion experience as they spoke, texted, and greeted shop owners only in French.

Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell
June 18, 2013

Sears Hill Bridge Day offers festive atmosphere in historic downtown Staunton

Sears Hill Bridge Day in Staunton, Virginia - Noon on April 13, 2013 - Dedication of the refurbished foot bridge over the railroad tracks connecting the Sears Hill neighborhood to the Historic Wharf District of downtown Staunton. It was reminiscent of a Mayberry day with the local Stonewall Brigade Band providing music, balloons, and a turnout of citizens from throughout the region to join in the festive mood. City Council members and other local dignitaries joined in with business owners and others.

The crowd spilled out onto the cobblestone parking area and into the street including ladies dressed in Victorian attire. 

The husbands....

President Woodrow Wilson aka Judd Bankert arrived in the Pierce Arrow from the nearby Woodrow Wilson Birthplace accompanied by Mayor Lacy King.

Judd makes a very convincing 28th President of the United States.

Local businessman Tom Sheets recognized businesses who participated as well as donors.

Councilwoman Andrea Oakes on the bridge with a constituent.

Afterward, we walked to the Clocktower Restaurant on Beverley Street for lunch with Kenny and Andrea Oakes.

 
Lunch at Clocktower was followed by a walk to the Ox-Eye Vineyards Tasting Room on Middlebrook Avenue where we enjoyed a tasting and glasses of award-winning wine on the outdoor patio.

Congratulations to homeschool friends and owners John and Susan Kiers who were recently named by the Washington Post as one of the mid-Atlantic top ten wineries to check out. My favorites were the Ox-Eye Riesling and White Ox and, while I'm usually a Riesling girl, the White Ox was a tad sweeter and went home with me ... but I'll be back for a bottle of the Riesling next time.

For more photos of the Ox-Eye Vineyards Tasting Room, check out Ox-Eye Vineyards offers wine tastings and fun in downtown Staunton.

With temperatures in the  mid- to upper-60s and bountiful sunshine, it was a perfect day in downtown Staunton to enjoy the festivities and all this small city has to offer.

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
April 13, 2013