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| Fun day trips: Wilson’s Animal Park, Sky
Meadows, Greenbrier State Park, Rust Sanctuary and Shenandoah Miniature
Golf. |
By TOBI MORIARTY
News aRound the Hill
No need to go to the ocean for summer fun, as Round Hill is well-placed
for great summer day trips, both near and far.
Indeed, in a recent feature on “Great Small Towns,” Washingtonian
magazine highlighted Round Hill’s location “in the foothills of the Blue
Ridge mountains,” and specifically identified the Hometown Festival and
the Round Hill Arts Center as things to do.
Yet between the natural setting, agricultural heritage, and both
traditional and non-traditional arts cultures of the region, the
opportunities for outings for families of all ages and interests are
unlimited.
Farm and nature enthusiasts can enjoy visits to the Blue Ridge Center
for Environmental Stewardship in Neersville, Rust Sanctuary in Leesburg
or the Blandy Experimental Farm and State Arboretum in Boyce.
Music lovers have the Bluemont and Waterford Concert Series to check
out, as well as periodic performances by the Loudoun Symphony Orchestra.
Other arts opportunities include the Aurora Studio Theater, Inc., in
Hillsboro and Franklin Park Performing and Visual Arts Center in
Purcellville.
Look for contact details and more great destinations in the Round Hill
Junior Women’s Group guide, available for $5 at the Town Office.
The following clean and kid- friendly destinations are some of the
area’s best kept secrets:
• Swim at the Beach: A 40-minute drive gets you to a beautiful
sandy beach at Maryland’s Greenbrier State Park, with lifeguards, a
snack shop and full bathroom facilities.
• Go to the Zoo: Visit Wilson’s Wild Animal Park, just 35 minutes
away at 881 W. Parkins Mill Road, Winchester, Va. 22602. Home to more
than 200 mammals, birds, and reptiles representing more than 50 species
of wild animals from all over the world! Animals include lemur,
kangaroo, African lions, monkeys and Burmese pythons. Call
1-540-662-5715 for hours of operation.
• Family Drive-in Movie: Located in Stephen’s City (30 minutes);
see a double-feature in a clean, kid-friendly drive-in. A playground
keeps kids busy until the feature starts.
• Miniature Golf: Shenandoah Miniature Golf, just seven miles
north of Winchester. 18 holes, ice cream for sale, and a lovely fish
pond in the center. They host birthday parties and offer nighttime
golfing with lighted balls. Bring hats on a sunny day!
• Hiking: Skyline Meadows State Park (30-minunte drive) has
gorgeous scenery from its many hiking trails. The Strawberry Festival,
held every Memorial Day weekend, offers great music, scenery and
strawberry shortcakes.
• History: Millwood Mill is a beautifully restored mill that was
once responsible for processing 60,000 bushels of wheat a year.
Saturdays are grinding days.
• Rainy Day?: Head underground to Luray Caverns, the largest
caverns in the Eastern United States.
• Picnics: Starting May 9, take your family and a picnic to Rose Hill
Park, in downtown Berryville for a free Friday evening concert in the
park.
For more information:
Greenbrier State Park:
http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/western/greenbrier.html
Family Drive-in Movie:
http://www.user.shentel.net/ccrkcr/drivein.html
Shenandoah Miniature Golf:
http://www.virginia.org/site/description.asp?attrID=42767
Skyline Meadows State Park:
http://www.stateparks.com/sky_meadows.html
Millwood Mill:
http://www.clarkehistory.org/
Luray Caverns:
http://www.luraycaverns.com/
Friday music in the park, Berryville:
www.berryvillemainstreet.org
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Artist Studio Tour Planned for June |
Hometown Festival Unites Community |
By KATY STIDLEY
News aRound the Hill
The third annual Western Loudoun Artist Studio Tour is taking place the
weekend of June 21 and 22, and much of it is right here in the Round
Hill community.
The Round Hill Art Center is “home base,” hosting an all-artist exhibit
and silent auction from June 6 to 22, as well as a space for visiting
artists to set up for the weekend.
There are more than 30 local artists participating in the tour, and
their work is as varied as the people who create it.
Painting, pottery, jewelry, fiber arts, and photography are some of the
traditional mediums offered, in addition to glass bead making, fanciful
garden sculptures, and beautiful, functional musical instruments that
are in their own category.
Bloomfield potter Amy Oliver enjoys participating in the studio tour
because “it allows people to see the process of where things come from”
and not just the art product.
The event is free, open to the public and designed for the whole family.
Several studios will have kids’ art activities set up, allowing Mom and
Dad to visit with the artist.
According to Jeanne Niccolls, Round Hill resident and chair of the
event, “The studio tour builds awareness of the remarkable art resources
and vibrant art community that we have right in our own backyard.”
Programs and maps will be available soon at the Round Hill Arts Center,
but you can start plotting your itinerary now by logging on to the web
site, www.wlast.org.
(Katy Stidley is a glass bead maker and jewelry designer. Her studio
is on East Loudoun Street in Round Hill.) |
By MEG NASH
News aRound the Hill
Originally designed to celebrate the Round Hill’s “small town feel,” the
Round Hill Hometown Festival features events like the Downhill Derby, an
old-fashioned pie-eating contest, and the ever-popular Round Hill
Memories discussion about days past in Round Hill. This year’s Festival,
the sixth annual, is scheduled for Saturday, May 24.
The Festival has enjoyed phenomenal growth and community participation
since its inaugural year in 2003.
“The Hometown Festival has become not just a Town event, but truly a
Round Hill community event,” said Festival Coordinator Noreen Payne.
“The elementary school, home schoolers, sports teams, Scout troops, the
Fire Department, the Arts Center, local churches, Town officials, local
businesses—all of Round Hill comes out to participate in the day, and it
shows in all aspects of the event.”
The day starts with a 5K race and a parade through town ending at the
Memorial Ceremony in the Town Park and culminates in a live concert in
the park. Entertainment is available throughout the day, and community
groups offer a variety of games and activities.
The Festival’s events are organized and run by volunteers from all
around Round Hill.
“The Festival would not be possible without the help of the many
citizens who dedicate their time to making it happen,” Payne said. “They
all work together to put on this special community-bonding event.”
The Festival is self-funded through sponsorships by local businesses, 5K
and derby registration fees, ticket sales, and T-shirt sales. T-shirts
can be pre-ordered or purchased at Town office or during the event.
The Hometown Festival is an affordable day of family entertainment and
activities that brings neighbors together, regardless of their
neighborhood. For more information, visit
www.hometownfestival.org.
(Meg Nash was the coordinator for the first two Hometown Festivals.) |
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