The jack-o-lanterns are sitting on the curb waiting to be picked up and the aisles in the grocery store are stocked with boxes of stuffing and baking essentials.  That can only mean one thing, boys and girls; the holiday season is upon us.

The season between Thanksgiving and Christmas is my absolute favorite part of the year and this year is no exception.  There are so many things to do in Southwest Virginia this time of year and after looking at the laundry list of regional activities, I think I’m ready to make my suggestion.

The Wolfhart Haus in Wytheville, VA is offering A Wolfhart Haus Christmas…Christmas in New York, which opened last week and runs until December 31.  This show features a holiday song and dance revue.  A delightful mix of traditional and contemporary music makes this show a favorite for the whole family!  Since it is a dinner theatre, it is affordable, offering a holiday themed dinner.

 My next suggestion is a personal favorite.  I highly suggest WMKS: Christmas 1942 at the Barter Theatre. Radio Station WMKS: Where Music Kills Sorrow is back on the air for another Christmas season, offering a mix of traditional Christmas music, old-time and patriotic tunes in a regional WWII era tale. It’s worth the drive to Abingdon, be sure not to miss it!

 Whatever your plans for the holiday season, keep in mind that these are only two of the many, many choices you have in Southwest Virginia.  Be sure to check out our regional events calendar for more ideas!

I’m from Southwest Virginia.  That’s no secret.  I feel like when you’re from a place as special as Southwest Virginia, you don’t take many of your regional assets for granted, but the outside world does.  That’s why I am so glad that other people have discovered and rediscovered Ralph Stanley.  I know, I know…you’re probably saying, “who DOESN’T know Dr. Ralph?” Well, I’m here to tell you, there are people that don’t and people that only discovered him in the post-2001 “Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?” world known as the Bluegrass/Old Time Renaissance.  Anyway, Dr. Ralph has just published his memoirs and The New York Times picked up the story while he was in New York to perform in Carnegie Hall with Steve Martin, another amazing banjo player.

 It sounds like this reporter was genuinely impressed with the legacy and man that is Ralph Stanley.  The interview and book review read like a Ralph Stanley primer for those who are not yet fortunate enough to know him.  It covered his life in Dickenson, County, or as Dr. Ralph puts it, where he was “borned and raised way back in the hills,” and asks about his God given musical talent.  The good Doctor’s answer? “It tends to run in families like a good line of dogs, and there ain’t nothing you can do to change that.”

This article embodied the very essence that is Dr. Ralph.  It sounded down home, felt genuine, but at the same time, Mr, Stanley was not afraid to remind the interviewer that he was in the prescence of someone truly great.  The interviewer wrote, “It used to be said that when you heard a Ralph Stanley tune, you either wanted to get drunk or go to church and get saved.” I know this to be true and I believe that the interviewer saw the light after sitting down with the man.

 Where does this leave us and what does this blog even mean? It means 1) be thankful we have cultural gems in the area like Dr. Ralph.  2) The good ‘ol Doc is 82 and I highly suggest you go enjoy him at your earliest convenience and 3) We’re not the only ones that appreciate great music and yes, there are those who are quite jealous of our cutlural heritage.  Do yourself a favor today; read the article and bask in the thought that The New York Times just wrote something about a good ‘ol boy from Dickenson County, VA.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/14/books/14stanley.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2

Let me tell you…I love fall.  No. scratch that.  I LOVE fall!  It gets cold, you can have bonfires and there are multiple festivals throughout the region to indulge in.  Last week, I went to the 57th Annual Chilhowie Apple Festival.  It was amazing! We did the whole parade thing and then got rained-no-poured on at the Annual Band Competition.  Hopefully, we’ll have better luck with the festivals going on this coming weekend.

This weekend marks an exciting time for Radford University.  Originally Homecoming weekend, this weekend is Welcome Back Reunion Festival, Radford Highlanders Festival and Family Weekend all rolled into one…and don’t forget the Annual Appalachian Folk Arts Festival! 

At the Highlanders Festival, you can sample Scottish food items, meet the clans, watch the traditional Scottish Highlander Games, see sheepherding demonstrations, meet a falconer, hear great music and pick up a variety of Scottish and Irish wares from any number of vendors.  It’s a great time!  I suggest getting there in time to watch the march of the clans. That’s when all clans parade in their respective tartans and it is Awesome!  The McIntyre’s are the honored clan of the year for the festival, so be sure to say hey! The festival runs from 10-5, so there’s plenty of Saturday to take that in.

On the opposite side of campus, there is the Appalachian Folk Arts Festival, now in its 26th year.  Folks that go to that festival will have the opportunity to not only buy handmade items from crafters, but actually watch the crafters demonstrate their abilities.  There’s pencil artist Willard Gayheart, apple butter, carvers, quilters, blacksmithers, bee keepers and more.  If you want to see a cultural progression– how we can come from the Scottish and be proud Appalachians, then you should definitely check out both festivals.  You can even compare musical stylings and listen to the evolution of Scottish Highland music to Bluegrass and Old Time music. Do NOT miss this opportunity! It runs from 10-5 also.

 Think you’re all festivaled out? Not quite.  My last suggestion to you is to go to the Williams  Orchard in Rural Retreat.  Pick Your Own Pumpkin starts this week.  Not only do they have pumpkins, but a lot of other awesome produce and fun for the entire family.  They’ll be around all weekend, so if you’re coming from the south, you can drop by on your way home from the great weekend you’ve had in Radford! 

 Are there any festivals I’ve missed or should know about?  Let me know!

Shai Cullop

Let me tell you, last week I had the ability to truly traipse through Southwest Virginia and if you get the chance sometime soon, I fully suggest that you do so. 

I began my week in Radford, which is busy shaping up for fall.  Radford is a beautiful little town, home to Radford University.  If you make it to Radford any time of the year, make it this coming weekend.  October 3-4 is the Annual Highlander Festival– formally known as Homecoming Weekend and the Appalachian Events Committee’s 27th Annual Folk Arts Festival.  You can watch the Scottish games, get authentic scones and wear a kilt in public while petting a Highland Coo and seeing how far a man can sling a boulder.  What’s not to love?!  After you’re done being Scottish, you can swing over to the Appalachian Folk Arts Festival which is comprised of local artists who make and demonstrate their craft on site.  You can see everything from legendary pencil artist Willard Gayheart to Brad Smith’s carved Roosters andDanny Wingate’s leather working, all while listening to some of the best bluegrass and old time bands in the area.

After departing from Radford last week, I made a stop in Wytheville, which was charming as usual.  We  held a meeting at the Wytheville Community College.  They have an incredible facility there, not to mention they’re just down the road from Smokey’s BBQ.  I didn’t get to spend a whole lot of time in Wytheville, but it is one of my frequent stomping grounds.  I believe they’ve recently painted the hot air balloon shaped water tower, so there’s something to look for next time your east bound and down.

Thursday, I had the opportunity to be at Natural Tunnel State Park at the Cove Ridge Center in Scott County.  This place is GORGEOUS!  If you just go to look at the views off the deck of the Cove Ridge Center, it’s well worth the drive!  The weather was beautiful and Natural Tunnel State Park is by far one of the prettiest places on the face of the earth.

Keeping in mind that I was traipsing and not being able to hold still, our next stop was in Bristol on the VA/TN line.  I love Bristol and always have, but one thing keeps me coming back: Stateline Bar and Grill’s fried pickles.  ‘Nuff said.

After a restful night at the Exit 7 Holiday Inn, we got to go to Southwest Virginia Community College in Richlands.  I ahve always loved their King Center for the intricate brick carving in the foyer, but their new building is truly exquisite.  Animal carvings with a water feature down area river rock and views from the new library that would challenge the looks of Heaven.  I was certainly impressed and left breathless.

 Southwest Virginia is a great place to live and it’s trips like these that keep that a constant reminder in the back of my mind.  What’s your favorite Southwest Virginia spot?  Let me know and I’ll  be sure to check it out sometime.

 Shai Cullop

When one thinks about the Senior League Softball World Series, one tends to think about Damascus Community Little League.  Wait.  What?  You heard me, Damascus Community Little League’s Softball team is at the World Series!  After winning the Virginia state champs and the Southern Region champs, they’re off to bigger and better things.  I’m just giving you an update on how they’re doing.

Last Sunday, they had an easy win in Roxanna, Delaware, defeating Germany’s Ramstein Air Force Base in the opening game of pool play.  Monday, August 10, Damascus lost to the Northwest/Mile High Little League of Butte, Montana, but are still holding their own at 1-1 in pool play. (more…)