It’s a spooky time of year and Frederick, Md., calls itself the state’s most haunted city. Now you can arrange for a Candlelight Cemetery Tour of Frederick. Navigate through a labyrinth of graves, crypts and monuments of historic Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Tours are Friday and Saturday nights in October and November. Private tours are available on nonscheduled nights. Visit www.marylandghosttours.com or call 301-668-8922.
A scary adventure awaits at Ridgefield Farm and Orchard in Harpers Ferry, W.Va. During weekends in October, Pumpkin Fest and the Haunting Season are in full swing. You can take a hayride to a pumpkin patch and pick your own pumpkin. There’s music, a petting zoo and magic shows. After dark, the hayride will lead you to the corn maze. Find your way out in the dark! Daytime activities are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ridgefield Farm and Orchard can be found at 414 Kidwiler Road. Visit www.ridgefieldfarm.com.
More creepy things can be found at Screamland Farms or Crumland Farms in Frederick, Md., on Fridays and Saturdays until Nov. 2, 7 to 10 p.m. You can take a horrific hayride through haunted woods, have a “corrupted corn†tour and even tour the haunted barn—if you dare! This tour is not recommended for children under 13. Crumland Farms is at 7612 Willow Road. For more information, call 301-845-8099.
The early years of music icon Patsy Cline are the focus of the exhibit, “Becoming Patsy Cline†at the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley, 901 Amherst St. in Winchester, Va., on display until Feb. 2, 2014. Virginia “Ginny” Patterson Hensley is one of the Shenandoah Valley’s most globally recognized personalities. Organized by the museum in partnership with Celebrating Patsy Cline, Inc. (CPC), this is the first museum exhibition to focus almost exclusively on the singer’s early years through the use of objects, clothing, and rare photographs, describing the singer’s family history, examining her early influences, and detailing the development of her singing career. Hours are Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit www.shenandoahmuseum.org.
You can literally take a walk with President Lincoln on a tour that follows his historic footsteps on his way to dedicate the Soldiers’ National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pa. The tour is held on Saturdays, through November 30, starting at 1 p.m., departing from the Gettysburg Hotel at One Lincoln Square. For details, call 717-339-6161.
Enjoy a traditional English tea at the Marshall House, 217 Edwards Ferry Rd., Leesburg, Va., Oct. 3 from 2 to 4 p.m. The Marshall is the home of George C. Marshall, President Roosevelt’s Army Chief of Staff. Marshall was responsible for the Marshall Plan, the American program to aid Europe after World War II. At the tea, Mrs. Eeda Dennis will share remembrances of being a child during World War II in Norway and the impact the Marshall Plan had. For more information or to RSVP call 703-777-1301 or email 
events@georgecmarshall.org.
They call it a hot time in the old town, and they mean it. If you’re a chili lover, come to Martinsburg, W.Va. Oct. 5 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. for the 9th Annual Chili Cook-Off. Vote for your favorite. Music, plenty of vendors and beer will be available. For details, call Randi Lewis of Main Street Martinsburg at 304-262-4200.
Mary Greenhow Lee, the author of a 600-page journal documenting the Union army’s invasion of Winchester, Va., is the subject of an exhibit at the Winchester-Frederick County Historical Society Museum now until Oct. 31. Items from the Civil War period are on display, as well as quotes from Mary herself, giving visitors a real feel for this tragic time in our nation’s history. The museum is located at 1340 S. Pleasant Valley Road in Winchester. Museum hours are Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. For more information, call 540-662-6550.
Come celebrate the birthday of the Norfolk and Western Railway station. The “Boyce Depot Centennial†celebration happens Oct. 5 with afternoon visits, a 6 p.m. cookout and an evening “train night†of railroad slide presentations in Boyce, Va. During the afternoon, the Boyce Post Office will have a special pictorial postmark available recognizing the event. There will also be Zazzle postage stamp depicting the depot, a commemorative postcard view of the building, and a children’s story, “The Big Station That Did!†Visit www.railwaymailservicelibrary.org/articles/RMSL2012.doc or call 540-837-9090.
Yoga and artistic projects are among the activities held at Craftworks at Cool Spring in Charles Town, W.Va. in October and November. Every Saturday Dawn Shue holds a Yoga for Everyone class from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. When weather permits, the session includes a meditative walk on Craftworks grounds. On October 5, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., learn how to do Baltimore Folk Art Screen Painting. On October 13 and November 10, those who create art with fiber, including art quilts, freeform crochet and embroidery, are welcome to join the monthly get together Craftworks’ Fiber Arts Community from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. On October 16 and November 17 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Craftworks will hold a Community Conversation, a discussion group to find out what the community needs and wants from Craftworks. Craftworks is a nonprofit organization that provides learning experiences in art and nature. 1469 Lloyd Road. Visit www.craftworksatcoolspring.org or call 304-728-6233.
Aspiring writers may want to look into “Authors in Bathrobes: How to be a Successful Author Without Getting Dressed†offered by the Berkeley County Arts Council, Martinsburg, W.Va. Oct. 10, 17, 24 and 31 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Today’s technology has made it possible for authors to gain a following, and make money with very little overhead. The instructor, Lauren Carr, is a best-selling mystery author of the Mac Faraday crime mysteries. Call 304-262-1611.
The First Annual Farmers’ Harvest Ball takes place at the Barns of Rose Hill in Berryville, Va. on Oct. 12 beginning at 5 p.m., at 95 Chalmers Court. The affair begins with a mix mingle, then attendees can eat a little pig and dance a little jig. Sponsored by Barns of Rose Hill, Berryville Main Street and Farmers’ Market. Call Luanne Carey, Berryville Main Street, 540-955-4001 or email her at manager@berryvillemainstreet.org, or contact Kelli Hart at 540-955-2004, email kellibarnsofrosehill@gmail.com.
Shoppers, get ready to head for Purcellville, Virginia. On Oct. 12, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Oct. 13, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the 11th Annual Town-Wide Tag Sale and Antique Flea Market will keep you busy. Boasting over 200 sale sites each year, there is something for everyone, including traditional yard sale fare, pumpkins and local produce at the farmers market, and antiques and collectibles from regional dealers. Start your day in town with a hearty, home-style diner breakfast or a bakery sweet with a cup of gourmet coffee. Then hop on the free trolley to shop all the side street sales. Call 540-338-7847.
Kids, not very many events let you come in your pajamas. Well, you can do just that at Dancing Bear Toys and Gifts in Frederick, Md. The Bear’s Bedtime Stories happens the third Thursday of every month. The next dates are October 17 and November 21. You’ll hear bedtime stories read by Miss Julie, a local children’s librarian. There will be songs and rhymes, too. The fun goes from 6:30 to 7 p.m. Dancing Bears Toys and Gifts is at 15 E. Patrick St. For more information call 301-631-9300. Visit www.dbeartoys.com.
The Concordia Youth Chorale is set to perform at the National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton in Emmitsburg, Md., October 19 at 4 p.m. The Concordia Youth Chorale, directed by John and Cynthia Balme, is a set of regional choirs drawing its members from Monmouth and Ocean counties in central New Jersey. The chorale will perform Cathedral traditionals and African American spirituals. The shrine is located at 339 South Seton Avenue. For more information, call 301-447-6606.
Enjoy an elegant meal along with an interactive, murder mystery hosted by Frederick, Md.’s own Way Off Broadway acting troupe in the dining car of the Walkersville Southern Railroad, 34 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Walkersville, Oct. 19 and Nov. 16 from 6 to 8 p.m. For more information call 301-898-0899 or visit www.wsrr.org.
Get your antiques appraised and do some craft shopping Nov. 2 and 3 at the Antiques Appraisal Fair and Traditional Crafts Weekend at Belle Grove Plantation in Middletown, Va. A team of experts will provide verbal appraisals on furniture, paintings, quilts and textiles, books, documents, Civil War items, china, silver, jewelry and decorative arts of all kinds. It’s Belle Grove’s own version of PBS’s Antiques Road Show! You can tour the historic 1797 Manor House and historic landscape, visit the Museum Shop, and purchase lunch and handcrafted items from vendors and craftspeople. For more information, call 540-869-2028, or visit www.bellegrove.org. The event takes place at 336 Belle Grove Rd. from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
November 9 will be Military, Firefighter and Police Appreciation Day at the Bogati Bodega and Vineyard, 35246 Harry Byrd Hwy, Round Hill, Va. from noon to 5 p.m. In honor of the Marine Corps Birthday, Virginia military, firefighters, and policemen will receive a free glass of wine and 10% discounts on other purchases at the Bodega. More information is available by calling 540-338-1144 or visit www.bogatibodega.com.
Learn how highly influential people have been touched by nature. The National Sporting Library and Museum will be holding the symposium “Perspectives on Teaming with Nature†Nov. 16 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Panelists will include Lisa Roberts, arts, science and technological media educator who will talk about ways to build awareness in museums and other educational settings. There will be a reception and gallery talks by contemporary artist-naturalists Robin Hill and Meg Page. The symposium will be held in the Founders’ Room Library at 102 The Plains Road, Middleburg, Va. Visit www.nsl.org or call 540-687-6542.
The 11th Annual Remembrance Illumination happens Nov. 23, at the Soldiers National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pa., from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Luminary candles are placed on each Civil War soldier’s grave as a solemn commemoration of the sacrifices made on the Gettysburg battlefield. Sponsored by the Gettysburg Foundation and Gettysburg National Military Park. The cemetery is located at 97 Taneytown Road. For more information, call 877-874-2478.
Christmas starts a month early in Hagerstown, Md. with the Kris Kringle Craft Show Nov. 23 and 24, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sat. and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sun. The show features 260 juried vendors and their crafts. Hagerstown Community College ARCC Building, 11400 Robinwood Drive, Hagerstown. Call 301-582-1233 or visit www.kriskringlecraftshow.com.
Still looking for more Christmas activities? Martinsburg, W.Va. has the Annual Tree Lighting on Town Square at 6 p.m. on November 29. Then on November 30, the town will have its annual Christmas Parade at 5:45 p.m. Call Randi Lewis of Main Street Martinsburg at 304-262-4200 for more information. That same weekend neighboring Shepherdstown, W.Va. will have its Christmas in Shepherdstown activities. Call the Visitor’s Center at 304-876-2786 for details.
