Through The Chapel Door
by Lisa Bartell of Wisteria Manor Not your Momma’s traditional June bride anymore! September, October and November are the New “Spring Weddings.” Yes, Autumn seems to be the new choice of seasons for couples to tie the knot. Why fall? The hot and humid days that lead to sticky and buggy situations are past, and new cool refreshing days mean comfortable weather for wearing formal attire for you and your guests, which will keep them smiling. The vibrant fall leaves make for a spectacular backdrop for wedding photos. The bountiful harvest of autumn’s fruits and vegetables act as a natural option for wedding decor and a pleasing menu for the palate. How could you go wrong? Not to mention for those diehard DIY’ers who want to plan and decorate their own weddings — the fall season makes it so easy with all it has to offer. And sticking to a tight budget is a lot easier, due to the fact that Mother Nature has already supplied half the decorations with her natural beauty. The wedding party Whether you are getting married in a small country church or a cathedral — or even a mountain or meadow — you can’t go wrong with the following attire. The bride and groom are naturally in your traditional white gown and black tuxedo as are the groomsmen. But the bridesmaids are decked out in one of many vibrant colors of fall such as persimmon, copper, eggplant, gold or chocolate. The groomsmen and groom can coordinate ties to match the color of the bridesmaids’ dresses. Bouquets can be flowers that are in season or flowers that are in the color palette of autumn. Even fall leaves look beautiful in a bouquet or on a lapel this time of year. The venue Venues can range from ballrooms, restaurants, museums, art galleries and even barns. I particularly think a barn venue is exceptionally nice for fall. Not so stuffy as some of the other venues, barns can still be played up to look quite elegant if so desired. Plus you will have easy access to the out of doors to view the fall splendor. The best of both worlds. For a simple country wedding reception you can use a rustic table and chairs, perhaps with a burlap or natural cotton tablecloth. Place cards can be made out of fresh mini pumpkins, apples or pears with a slit carved out the top to hold the name card. Centerpieces could be as simple as a basket of apples or gourds, or a fresh bouquet of seasonal flowers and leaves in a mason jar or hollowed-out pumpkin. Candy apples...
The Fine Arts Company
by Tricia Lynn Strader photos by Monika Wertman The Fine Arts Company in Hagerstown offers beautiful and functional pieces for the home or office. These pieces of true art aren’t anything like what you’ll find in chain stores. What’s unique about The Fine Arts Company and the art sold there is that it’s made in the USA by talented artists. It’s not from a cookie cutter mold. And this is the only store in the country that features these artists’ work all in one place. The Fine Arts Company opened in November 2013. U.S. military reservists Melissa Kaiser and David Nathans came up with the idea after visiting art fairs and local galleries in various parts of the country. In their travels with the Army and Air Force domestically and abroad, they discovered many incredibly talented artists who love to create art and have a passion to create one-of-akind pieces. But, Kaiser says, the artists didn’t know how to market their products to a broader audience. They believed the artists needed a way of showcasing their talents to the larger public. They came up with the idea of a store while Kaiser was living in Rochester, New York. However, with job transfers for both of them taking them nearer to D.C., they decided to look around the Frederick or Winchester areas to place a store, and expand the inventory to include area artists. They settled on Hagerstown, Kaiser says, because there wasn’t any store like theirs envisioned in Hagerstown. They found the location and The Fine Arts Company was born. “Everything is made in the USA and the majority costs under $100,” says Kaiser of the store’s inventory. We actively look for artists, and we look for quality pieces with a zinger— something unique like pottery, but pottery with crackled glass infused in it. That’s something you won’t find at a Wal-Mart or Target.” Nathans says, “The original collection of art purchased for the store started in Rochester, but quickly expanded to include artists from all over the country including Alaska. The store focuses in a few main areas, and the store seeks artists in those areas.” Those focus areas are gifts and collectibles ranging from pottery to glass-blown products, metal art, wall art, jewelry, wood products and home accents. Some are functional. Others are simply for the enjoyment of the art. But the stock doesn’t stop there. There are unusual gifts, natural health and body products. Work for sale is handmade by artists from California, Alaska, Oregon and Delaware to name a few states represented. There are items from local artists just down the way from Hagerstown, such...
Women of Distinction
The Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital (Eastern Panhandle area) is hosting the 10th annual Women of Distinction luncheon to honor three women from Berkeley, Jefferson and Morgan counties in West Virginia. The 2014 Women of Distinction include Cindy Hovermale from Berkeley Springs, Tina Combs from Bunker Hill, and Tina Burns from Kearneysville. These women were selected by their peers for outstanding work in the community, contribution to their professions, and serving as outstanding role models for young women. Cindy Hovermale is the Operations Manager for Roy’s Service Center and Betty Lou’s Ol’ Garage Café. She is known in the community for her generosity and passion for taking care of anyone who needs help. Hovermale was recently honored with the Patriot Award as an “unsung hero” by the Morgan County Commission. Tina Combs has been the decisive leader of the Martinsburg-Berkeley County Chamber of Commerce since 2004. Known as the “Heart and Soul of the Chamber,” Combs has increased Chamber membership along with community recognition of the organization. In 2013, Combs was appointed by Governor Tomblin to the West Virginia Board of Education where she represents interests of the Eastern Panhandle. Tina Burns is a clinical recruitment director at Shenandoah Valley Medical System (SVMS). She has worked at Shenandoah since 1983, helping to shape the system from a migrant, low-income health clinic in the 1980s to the large multidisciplinary group medical practice that it is today. Burns has served in various capacities at SVMS, helping to develop new programs for women’s health, behavior health, dental health services and a migrant health program that extends into Virginia. The keynote speaker for the 2014 Women of Distinction is Faye Fields, President-elect of the Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital. Fields is the founder and currently President and Chief Executive Officer of Integrated Resource Technologies, a leading provider of management support services and information management services to government agencies. Fields is a founding partner in the Washington Nationals Baseball Club and received the Emerging Business of the Year Award from Black Enterprise Magazine. Proceeds from the 2014 Women of Distinction event support Girl Scout programs throughout the Eastern Panhandle and include outreach programs for girls in underserved communities, outreach troops for at-risk girls, and financial assistance to girls and their families so that all girls can participate in Girl Scouts. Businesses or individuals interested in supporting the Women of Distinction events can choose to be one of our Character, Confidence, Courage, Honor or Leader Sponsors. In addition, Tribute Ads to recognize our honorees are also available. Reserved seating for the luncheon is available for $40 per person. Additionally, a beautiful...
Special Pruning
by Mary Stickley-Godinez One way to make your garden more unique is to do some specialized pruning. Trees should be pruned in order to keep them healthy and safe. However, there are some types of pruning which you can do that are simply for decorative purposes. These pruning styles are called Bonsai or Espallier, Pollard, shape or pleach. To “bonsai” a tree is my term for pruning it as if it was a bonsai even though it is not. This can easily be done on Japanese maples, and some of the smaller evergreen types of trees. Weeping Japanese Maples have such a beautiful branch structure and bark texture. However, the trees grow very thick and arch over. In addition, this species has a tendency to kill off branches which have been shaded from the light. All of this covers up the trunk and hides it from view. The dead branches should be removed annually anyway, but if in the same process the top of the tree was thinned to allow “windows” into the center of the plant it shows off the branches so that they can be enjoyed year round. It is a very simple touch that isn’t obvious to the average visitor but adds a great deal of interest to the garden. “Espallier” is a French method of pruning whereby the branches are trained in a specific manner and usually the plant is kept to a flat plane, often along a wall or fence. Historically, there were specific guidelines as to the structure, but now in modern times whatever looks good is acceptable. Quite a few types of trees, evergreen or deciduous, will work well for this method. But using a slow growing dwarf type tree will reduce maintenance as the tree needs to be pruned fairly often to train the branches. It is also easier to keep up with a shorter version rather than having to haul out a ladder each time the tree needs pruning. Pollarding has a more limited application but in the right location can add quite an interesting look to the space. This technique also originated in Europe in very early years. It is a bit murky as to the reason why it started but the most commonly held belief is that when wood became scarce the people started pruning the trees rather than cutting them down completely. Each year the small sprouts are cut off at the same place and over time the tree builds up a large callous around each branch. This is a technique that must be started when the tree is only a few years old. It cannot be...
Season Change Marks Return of Oktoberfest to Old Town Winchester
by Michael Bradford It’s that time of year when the hills around Shenandoah Valley are painted in Autumn’s colors, the last apples are picked from the orchards, and the air in Old Town Winchester is crisp and the atmosphere warm. Residents and visitors savor this beautiful season by dining al fresco in one of Old Town’s many restaurants, or finding that one-of-a-kind treasure in one of the many boutiques. On October 17 and 18, the streets of Old Town Winchester will reverberate with “Gutan tag” and “Ein prosit” as visitors are welcomed to another Gateway Funding Octobeer Fest. This two-day event is a great foundation for a weekend trip to Winchester. Octobeer Fest merges a wine and beer festival with a spirited revelry that has lasted generations. Oktoberfest is a German tradition that began on the fields of Bavaria roughly two centuries ago. The 19th century had barely begun when Prince Ludwig invited the citizens to celebrate his marriage to Princess Therese. The following year it was decided that such a great time was had by all, the prudent action would be to repeat the celebration, and thus Oktoberfest commenced. More than 25 different craft beers — several of them seasonal brews — and 15 wines from around the globe will surely satisfy wine enthusiasts and craft beer buffs alike. Beers like Löwenbräu Original and Krombacer Dark, and Erbacher and Matheus wineries have added a German Season Change Marks Return of Oktoberfest to Old Town Winchester by Michael Bradford flavor in the past, and should offer delicious choices again this year. Oktoberfest staples kielbasa and pretzels, courtesy of Village Market Bistro and Jordan Springs Market BBQ, will be on hand to complement the spirits on tap. Throughout the event live entertainment will accentuate the ambiance of the mall with traditional Biergarten oompah music echoing down Loudoun Street courtesy of the Edelweiss Band. Hailing from the Washington, D.C. area, current and previous members of The Edelwiess Band have been entertaining crowds in the region since 1969. After the success of last year’s Octobeer Fest, they are returning to Old Town Winchester to bring a blend of woodwind, brass horns, and percussion that will have attendees wanting to dance along with their take on traditional themes. If the spirit of the music, and maybe of the drink, moves you to the dance floor but you are an einsteiger (beginner), don’t worry because there will be, on hand, a troupe of Bavarian dancers spinning, gliding and instructing onlookers. So don’t be shy, and come prepared to dance! Entertainment won’t be limited to the established event area. Amid other attractions, an accordion player...
View Online
