Over The Mountain Studio Tour

The Over the Mountain Studio Tour marks its 20 year. The tour returns again this November with great crafts and art exhibitions. This year the tour will host over Twenty-five professional artists and craft-workers in Jefferson County. The artisens and artist will open their studios to the public for this tour.. This tours are Saturday, November 14 and Sunday, November 15, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The tours are free and are self tours. You will be given a map and list of studios and exhibits. You can go to the ones you wish to see.
Artists represent all areas of Jefferson County. Individual studios and workshops are located in Shepherdstown, Charles Town, Shenandoah Junction, Harpers Ferry, Kearneysville, Middleway, and Leetown.
The Over the Mountain Studio Tours wind its way through Shepherdstown.
Among the artists participating in the event are Ren and Pam Parziale of Sycamore Pottery, Doug Kinnett and his “flower power” in ceramics and paintings, performance artist Colleen Tracey sews color-filled canvas Black Bottom Bags. Glass artist Sheila Brannan, art jeweler Carrie Singer, Tom D’Onofrio and his Windsor chairs. Steve Adams, who sculpts hand-hewn bowls and pastel artist Tara Bell will join forces on Persimmon Lane. Woodcarver Nancy Streeter will share a studio with Blacksmith Eric Johnson of Southwood Farm Blacksmithing.
In Charles Town are Thomas McGarry of Birnam Wood Joinery. Thomas McGarry created The Birnam Wood Joinery more then 20 years ago. McGarry makes furniture in the early colonial American style of 1770 to around 1840. He offers the finest quality American vernacular furniture, crafted in the tradition of 18th Century masters, using the same quality hardwoods, the same joinery techniques and often the same tools used by those masters. The furniture is made with the expectation that it will last two hundred years, like the originals, and be a source of pride for generations. McGarry has teamed with Andy Lofstrand of Handy Andy who is a decoratve painter of antique and period furniture. “when you purchase fine furniture from The Birnam Wood Joinery, you are not only getting a beautiful piece of furniture, you are truly making a wise investment,” McGarry said.
Chris Cooper also has a shop in Charles Town. Cooper lathe-turns bowls and pens from harvest wood.
In Shenandoah Junction you will find Joy Bridy, who is a potter with a strong background in wood and atmospheric firings. Her studio, in Shenandoah Junction, is also a site for classes in clay.
Linda Wright’s studio, on the road between Middleway and Leetown, is full of decorative paintings. This self-taught artist brings new life to old treasures.
Leetown is the home to Margot Ours, who crochets, knits, and sews an astonishing variety of handwork and Frances Brolle, who works in silver and hot glass.
Treva Blackford of Brown Shop Bears, and watercolor artist Roxanne.
New artists on the tour in Harpers Ferry which also includes artist Jim Shumate. Whether the painting is a 35-foot long mural of the artist with his faithful dog companion, sitting as watchful critic, or a more intimate image of a Harpers Ferry garden, Jim captures our West Virginia landscape in a unique and emotional way.
Joining the Over the Mountain Studio Tour for the first time is Sonnallama Fiber Group. Elaine Fields, Cheryl Sonnabend, and Susan Holloway raise llamas outside Summit Point. They use the fiber in rugs, purses, hats and scarves, yarn and weaving. Customers can make their purchases directly from the artists who raise the llamas.
For information, call the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-624-0577 Or 304-725-0567. Or visit our web site at www.studiotourwv.org.

Picture
Left to right: Thomas E. McGarry who built the chest and Andy Lofstrand, who painted the chest. the chest in the middle is a William and Mary two drawer blanket chest in style of 1700 to 1720.

Full Circle Theater Company Launches New Children's Theater

The Full Circle Theater Company (FCTC) announces the inaugural production of its new children’s theater production of “A Brief History Of Theatre.” The play was written by a local playwright, Adam Taylor. “Fostering a love for live theater among children in the area is part of our mission,” said Laura Richards Bakin, who co-founded FCTC in November of 2007. Co-founder Robin Depietro-Jurand also feels that it is important to nurture the arts in the community by offering productions in which youth may participate. FCTC plans to have two youth workshops and production each season. The next youth production is slated for early spring is “Schoolhouse Rock Live.” The Children who comprise the cast of “A Brief History of Theatre” have worked hard all summer long in a workshop that taught them the basics of acting and theater production. Auditions were held for the speaking roles. All parts, cast and crew, are held by children ages 8 to 18.

“A Brief History of Theatre” is a charming piece which will amuse audiences while at the same time educating them about some of the styles of theater that have gone before us. Comprised of three short acts, the young thespians take us through Greek and Elizabethan theater with a healthy dose of humor, and culminate the performance with a spoof of the modern musical. Cast and crew members include experienced actors as well as those new to the craft: Liam Jack, Pandora Affemann, Rudy Bakin, Emma Warburton, Claire Buede, Preston Fisher, Michaela Lee, Brigid Bakin, Madeline McGee, Samantha Juedemann, Virginia Affemann, Owen Buede, Olivia Warburton, and Donovan Bakin.

Performances of A Brief History of Theatre will be held as follows: on Saturday evenings at 7:00 and Sunday afternoons at 2:30, November 14, 15, 21, and 22. The Full Circle Theater Company is located at 113 S. Princess Street in historic
Shepherdstown. Tickets are $8 for all, and seating is general admission. Group discounts are available for groups 25 and over. Seats can be purchased online at FCTC's website www.fullcircletheaterco.org, or reservations can be made by calling 304-268-7798. Tickets unpaid will be held until 15 minutes prior to curtain. Parking is available in the Jefferson Security Bank parking lot, across from the theater.

West Virginia's senior senator becomes nation's longest-serving member of Congress



On November 18, United States senator Robert C. Byrd will become the longest-serving Congressional member in History. Governor Joe Manchin and members of the members of the State Legislature as well as congressional staff members will celebrate and pay tribute, to the many accomplishments of the state's senior West Virginia Senator. The public is invited to the ceremony
The event will begin at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18. The program will begin with speeches in front of the senator's statue on the second floor Rotunda of the State Capitol in Charleston. The speakers will include: Governor Joe Manchin, Judge Blane Michael, Charleston attorney Ned Rose, Director of the Robert C. Byrd Center for Legislative Studies Ray Smock, and Anne Barth, State Director for Senator Robert C. Byrd, who is expected to deliver a message from the senator.

The ceremony will be followed by an exhibit that highlights the senator's accomplishments and includes photos from throughout his distinguished career, his beloved fiddle and other personal memorabilia. The ceremony and exhibit are free and open to the public.

Getting Holiday Ready On A Budget

(NAPSI)-Holiday sales are expected to top $437 billion this season, according to the National Retail Federation. But if you're looking for ways to cut back on spending, you're not alone.
Visiting your local discount store for holiday shopping will save you cash and time. Many stores offer a variety of affordable holiday necessities-including dinnerware, housewares, decor and hostess gifts that can help you stay within budget. Try these money-saving tips:
Make A List
Think of a shopping list as a plan of action to get in and out of the store as quickly and as efficiently as possible. Be prepared with a detailed shopping list for holiday gifting needs or for planning a dinner party. You can also try online list-creation tools that allow you to create, manage and update gift and personal shopping lists.
Get Ready
Stock up on essentials early to avoid costly last-minute trips to the grocery store. The Archer Farms collection at Target offers a wide variety of snacks and appetizers that are quick and delicious. Be certain that your guest room and living areas are spotless. The store's up & up collection includes cleaning supplies to help you get ready.
Build Traditions
Make decorating your home an annual tradition while also creating special memories. The Marcel Wanders for Target holiday collection features attention-grabbing, decorative pieces at affordable prices, including ceramic vases, stockings and ornaments, as well as dinnerware for holiday parties. Combine the collection with festive tablecloths and napkins to transform your dinner table into a scene right out of a magazine.
Perfect Presents
Consider keeping extra gifts on hand for any last-minute gifting or for that special hostess. Items such as a boxed wine, like Wine Cube, sweet-smelling candles and colorful beauty gift sets are great giftable options, all for under $20.