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Gabby

Jefferson County, WV Combines History, Scenery and Recreation

by Gabby September 18, 2023

In 1783, Thomas Jefferson wrote about the view of the Potomac River through the Blue Ridge Mountains, saying it was one of the “most stupendous scenes in Nature… worth a voyage across the Atlantic.”

The scene he was referencing sits above the town of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, viewed from a rock formation that now bears Jefferson’s name. Hikers who visit this spot more than two centuries later would agree with Jefferson’s sentiments.

Harpers Ferry represents the epitome of the scenic beauty and rich history for which Jefferson County – also named for the former president – is known. Visiting the historic city, situated at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers, is like stepping back in time and allows for the unique experience of visiting both a national park and a historic small town.

Visitors’ first stop should be Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. Here, you can explore the ruins of the early industrial complex that brought prosperity to the town and the country. Park rangers share educational programming highlighting the important role the town has played in our nation’s history. Learn about John Brown’s raid on the U.S. arsenal here – an attempt to end slavery. A Civil War battle took place a few years later.

**Harpers Ferry, WV** – Photo courtesy of Jefferson County Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Harpers Ferry is also an active town, complete with boutique shops, ice cream and candy stores, and places to dine. A favorite for locals and tourists alike is The Rabbit Hole. This charming gastropub has an eclectic mix of national park and conservationist signage that are great conversation starters.

Indoor seating includes a view of a natural spring inside the building while the patio outside allows you a view of Maryland Heights or the flowing river below. The Rabbit Hole has some great adult beverages, including fantastic options in the craft beer cave. On the food menu, the Appalachia BBQ Sandwich comes highly recommended. The pecan wood-smoked hand-pulled craft pork is served on a brioche bun topped with barbecue sauce, Alabama White Sauce and fries and coleslaw on the side. Another unique menu item is the Braised Short Rib Poutine, a 4-ounce braised short rib served over sweet potato fries with chèvre and drizzled with a beef demi-glace.

**The Rabbit Hole**, *Jefferson County Convention & Visitors Bureau*

Although Jefferson County is named after President Thomas Jefferson, the county probably has more connection to the family of President George Washington. Just 8 miles down the road from Harpers Ferry is the county seat of Charles Town, founded by and named after the youngest brother of the country’s first POTUS. In fact, the town has about a half-dozen Washington family homes.

One of the biggest attractions in Charles Town is the Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races. This complex has everything you’d expect from a casino, including 2,500 slot machines, 87 table games, 24 poker tables and live and simulcast horse racing.

The Event Center, with a 1,206 seated capacity & 1,475 standing room only capacity, hosts some of the biggest live acts and stage shows in the area in a space that allows for a more intimate experience. Comedians such as Dana Carvey and Tracy Morgan and musicians such as Ludacris, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts and Ted Nugent have all performed there.

Also onsite is the Final Cut Steakhouse, where you can’t go wrong with the 14-ounce prime New York strip. Another great option is the Short Rib Pappardelle, with sugar snap peas and mushrooms. For sides, the truffle mac and cheese and heirloom carrots with Calabria pepper, mint and parsley, are very good choices. Carrying on the Hollywood theme, movie buffs will also enjoy the restaurant’s collection of props and costumes from various films.

**The Final Cut Steakhouse** at Charles Town Races

For an overnight stay, the Inn at Charles Town provides comfortable lodging on the property. Some rooms even have views of the thoroughbred racetrack. And they even provide complimentary shuttle service to the casino.

If you are looking for one more place to eat in Charles Town, try dinner at the Hillbrook Inn, a best-kept secret in the region. You would never know this place existed when you pull up to the unassuming entrance. This wonderful oasis sits on 30 acres of open fields and woodland. Build in some time to stroll the grounds, where you might find a nice campfire burning or hear bullfrogs in the pond serenading you.

Inside the Tudor-style inn, there are various quaint dining rooms, decorated as if they came right out of Architectural Digest, providing a romantic setting for your meal. In actuality, it is more than a meal. The food and service is really an experience. The Spring Salad is prepared with the freshest ingredients, the Prime Beef Tenderloin and Polenta Cake are not-to-miss entrees. Top the experience off with a Chocolate Bomb for dessert. They also offer luxurious accommodations and rejuvenating spa services.

**Hillsbrook Inn**, Photo courtesy of Jefferson County Convention & Visitors Bureau

Outdoor enthusiasts will find plenty to do in Jefferson County as well. Hikers can experience one of the most recognized hikes in the world, as the Appalachian Trail goes right through the town. Another exhilarating excursion is a one- to two-hour whitewater tubing trip with River & Trail Outfitters.

Prepared to get wet as you pass through whitewater waves and ripples and take time to fully enjoy the scenery you pass by. On your trip, you will go right by Harpers Ferry and be able to see where the states of West Virginia, Maryland and Virginia come together.

If you love to kayak and cycle, take a short drive to Shepherdstown for a unique opportunity provided by Shepherdstown Pedal & Paddle. The pedal & paddle experience allows you to bike 5 miles along the C&O Canal towpath and then paddle down the Potomac River back to town. The bike ride is pretty flat and you can take in some beautiful natural scenery as well as history along the way. Watch some wildlife, see remnants of historic locks, read Civil War Trails markers and more. When you reach Snyder’s Landing, a canoe or kayak is waiting on the riverbank for you. A typical trip takes three to four hours total.

Needless to say, there is plenty to enjoy during a weekend stay in Jefferson County, West Virginia. After all, it is where “Almost Heaven” begins!

**Shepherdstown Pedal & Paddle.** Photo courtesy of Jefferson County Convention & Visitors Bureau.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
171 Shoreline Drive, Harpers Ferry
The Rabbit Hole
186 High Street, Harpers Ferry
Charles Town Races, Final Cut Steakhouse, The Inn at Charles Town
751 Hollywood Drive, Charles Town
Hillbrook Inn
4490 Summit Point Road, Charles Town
River & Trail Outfitters
604 Valley Road, Knoxville, Maryland
Shepherdstown Pedal & Paddle
115 W. German Street, Shepherdstown

by Shuan Butcher

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Brunswick: The Little City that Could

by Gabby August 29, 2023

Brunswick, Maryland masters the triple threat. It’s a small city in southwestern Frederick County with considerable assets: a prime location on the Potomac River’s north bank; fascinating railroad heritage, earning it a spot on the National Register of Historic Places; and a thriving main street business district.

The city is an ideal destination for visitors – day trips, overnights and weekend or longer getaways for hikers and bikers, nature lovers and history buffs alike. Brunswick is located 15 miles southwest of the City of Frederick, an hour’s drive from Baltimore and Washington, D.C., and is just minutes from Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia.

The MARC commuter train operates between D.C.’s Union Station and Brunswick. Convenient accommodations include the Brunswick Family Campground, Travelodge by Wyndham, Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Lockkeeper’s Inn Bed and Breakfast as well as several Airbnb locations.

A CLOSE-KNIT COMMUNITY

Brunswick residents value the city’s extraordinary natural surroundings and its history as a railroad boomtown. Mayor Nathan Brown says multiple generations of his family have lived and worked in the area since the late 1800s, and his family is not alone. The mayor credits many residents’ shared history with contributing to Brunswick’s small-town charm and “sense of community pride and place.”

Brown’s goals as the city’s leader include helping Brunswick to become “the best version of itself,” he said, and to make the city “an inclusive and welcoming place for all.”

Brunswick Main Street, a nonprofit branch of Main Street Maryland, has been working since 2004 to improve and unite the community, while refurbishing its downtown. Residents, business owners and community leaders serve on its volunteer board of directors.

A visit to the Brunswick Heritage Museum, at 40 W. Potomac St., which also houses the Brunswick Visitor Center for the National Park Service’s C&O National Historical Park on the first floor, will provide visitors with all the background information they need to learn about this unique city. The free-admission museum’s second-floor exhibits tell the story of the town built by the B&O Railroad. The third floor features a 1,700 square-foot scale model railroad with interactive elements that tells its history.

Visiting Brunswick during the first full weekend of October is a great way to get a taste of all the city has to offer. The annual Brunswick Railroad Days festival showcases food, craft beer, and regional musical entertainment. In 2023, the two-day festival takes place on Saturday, Oct. 7 and Sunday, Oct. 8, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

ARTISTIC ADDITIONS

The city is home to several works of intriguing public art, commissioned by the Frederick Arts Council. When completed, the Brunswick Arch, at South Maple Avenue, will welcome MARC train commuters and C&O Canal Towpath hikers and cyclists to the city. The arch’s crosspiece, a “facsimile of a truss from the old iron bridge that crossed the Potomac River from 1893 until it was replaced by the current bridge in 1955,” was hoisted in early May, according to Wayne Allgaier, chair of the Brunswick Main Street Design Committee. The arch will soon be painted and illuminated letters spelling Brunswick will be affixed, he said.

Also new to the city’s artistic landscape is Lea Craigie-Marshall’s colorful “Walk Through Brunswick” mural on the former Citizen Newspaper building at 101 W. Potomac St. It features water and fauna as well as city landmarks like the new arch, Beans in the Belfry, the pizza shop, hardware store and print shop. The artist focused on the area’s three key components: river, trail and town. Craigie-Marshall, who was the 2022 National Cherry Blossom Festival’s official artist, has lived in Brunswick for 12 years.

In 2015, in commemoration of Brunswick’s 125th year of incorporation, Brunswick Main Street and the city commissioned artists Jack Pabis and Anthony Owens to create the Brunswick River Mural, a 45- by 10-foot mosaic at 2 Potomac St. The mural, composed of thousands of hammer-cracked floor tiles, celebrates the importance of the Potomac River with a flowing and swirling image of energy. It also depicts Dr. Arlington Grove Horine, the Brunswick mayor from 1906 to 1914, who owned a building on the site, where he operated Horine’s Drug Store and Soda Fountain Shop.

NATURAL WONDERS

River & Trail Outfitters offers a several opportunities to take advantage of Brunswick’s geography. The company’s Brunswick Family Campground is an 11-acre parcel nestled between the C&O Canal and the Potomac River, a perfect launching pad for tubing, rafting, kayaking, canoeing and fishing on the mellow lower Potomac. It’s also the perfect adventure base cam” for biking on the C&O Canal.

Family-run and operated since 1972, the company offers riverfront camping in cabins or tents and RV sites are also available. A playground, pavilions, bath house, camp store, as well as boat ramp access are also on the grounds.

River & Trail also offers boating tours such as Sunset Kayaking, prime time for seeing great blue herons, egrets, kingfishers and the occasional eagle on the river; or Boat & Brew, 6 miles of kayaking or canoeing and visiting sand and gravel beaches, plus a Smoketown Brewery tour. Water to Wine offers a 6-mile paddle plus a visit to Big Cork Vineyards. For a more low-key experience, choose Peaceful Tubing, with a three-hour mellow float downstream toward Harpers Ferry.

Brunswick was designated the 53rd Appalachian Trail community on June 3, providing easy access to the trail’s southernmost 3 miles; it is also a trail head for hikers and bikers on the C&O Towpath and the Great Allegheny Passage.

Cyclists, hikers and runners love the challenging 5 miles of River’s Edge Trails along the shores of the Potomac, constructed by volunteers and the professional services of Elevated Trail Designs.

EAT & SHOP

Quaint restaurants and other small businesses are dotted along the city’s downtown. For food and drink, there’s Beans in the Belfry Meeting Place & Café, 122 W. Potomac St., housed in a restored 1910 church with tall ceilings and stained-glass windows. Their specialties are coffees and teas and all-day breakfast and lunch.

For pub fare and local brews, stop at Smoketown Brewing Station, 223 W. Potomac St., a 1948 fire station transformed into a brewery. King’s Pizza & Italian Restaurant, 215 W. Potomac St., a New York-style pizza and sub shop, is known for its garlic knots. For American and Mediterranean fusion, local beers, wines and cocktails, indoor and patio dining, stop by Potomac Street Grill, 31 E. Potomac St.

Boxcar Burgers & Ice Cream at 12 S. Maple Ave., offers simple food, local ingredients, and Great Falls Ice Cream’s small-batch ice cream.

For convenience, there’s the Corner Store, 102 W. Potomac St., which offers personal care items, snacks, beer and wine. At Smoketown Bait & Tackle, 27 W. Potomac St., fishing supplies, including live, frozen and artificial bait, rods, reels, hooks and sinkers are for sale.

Three Points Cycles, 5 W. Potomac St., can help cyclists with tube changes, tune ups and brand-new bicycles. Vintage goods and finds are available at Ampersand, 230 W. Potomac St., and Antiques N’ Ole Stuff, 25 E. Potomac St.

By Ellyn Wexler

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Gettysburg’s Newest Museum Takes You ‘Beyond the Battle’

by Gabby April 17, 2023

This July marks 160 years since the Battle of Gettysburg, often considered the most iconic battle of the American Civil War. The town of Gettysburg is known by most only for those three specific days (July 1-3, 1863) in its history and visitors often focus on the military maneuvers, generals and soldiers who fought. But the town existed before that time and has existed since, and a newly opened museum aims to take visitors “Beyond the Battle.”

Gettysburg National Military Park and a number of other regional museums and sites, interpret who fought who, where and when, and give you a good understanding of how that battle was a turning point in our nation’s history.

The Gettysburg Beyond the Battle Museum explores the town through the eyes of the everyday people who experienced war at their doorsteps.

*Photo Courtesy of Adams County Historical Society*

In its 5,000 square feet, the Beyond the Battle Museum features more than 1,000 artifacts and firsthand accounts of living through a major battle. Through 12 galleries, you walk through the area’s history in a chronological fashion. You start with the natural history and Native Americans and then go to life on the frontier and Revolutionary America. The center of the museum focuses on the Civil War, the aftermath and President Abraham Lincoln’s “Gettysburg Address” and ends with preservation and progress and the recent past.

Important voices in our country’s history are featured. President Lincoln’s three-minute speech is examined through the lens of the town’s people who listened to it. The lives of President Dwight Eisenhower and his wife, Mamie, who once lived on a farm outside of town, are highlighted. And the stories are told of lesser-known names, such as Thaddeus Stevens, a leader of the Radical Republicans in the 1860s who fiercely opposed slavery and sought to secure Black people’s rights during Reconstruction, and Mary Jemison, who was taken at age 12 as a captive by the Seneca during the French and Indian War and became a valued member of the tribe.

A truly unique experience for museum-goers exists here that very few museums can provide. “Caught in the Crossfire,” is a 360-degree immersive experience that puts you in a Gettysburg home during the battle. You can see, hear and feel what it was like to be a non-combatant in a combat zone. Novelist Jeff Shaara helped to develop the emotional and moving experience that you won’t soon forget.

Videos used throughout the museum were produced by filmmaker Jake Boritt and narrated by actor Stephen Lang (from the “Avatar” movie series and more). The museum is located less than a mile north of downtown and is adjacent to some of the battlefield.

Free parking is available and a timed entry ticket is required. Normal museum hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursdays through Mondays.

For more information:

Gettysburg Beyond the Battle Museum

625 Biglerville Road, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

717-334-4723

Gettysburgbeyondthebattle.org

By Shuan Butcher

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Best Irish Pubs on the East Coast

by Gabby March 10, 2023

In March thoughts turn to everything Irish in anticipation of St. Patrick’s Day, the quintessential Irish celebration. It certainly sounds like the perfect time to visit one or more of the East Coast’s primo Irish pubs. Here’s 10 that come highly recommended.

McSorley’s Old Ale House | 15 E. 7^th St., New York City

*McSorley’s Old Ale House located in NYC*

McSorley’s is America’s oldest continuously operated Irish bar, opened in 1854 by John McSorley as an Irish working man’s saloon. In its 168-year history, the legendary institution has served only ale, both light and dark, and house sodas. Note that this is a cash-only business.

McSorley’s has plenty of atmosphere: sawdust on the floor, no bar stools, the original taps (which are no longer used), an original Wanted poster for Lincoln’s assassin, and Babe Ruth’s farewell photo from Yankee stadium. Its backroom – where ale continued to flow during Prohibition – still has the McSorley’s motto, “Be Good or Be Gone” mounted over the fireplace, as well as a portrait of a nude woman and her parrot, the only female in the place until 1970 when a court ordered the ale house to admit women. Check out the northwest corner for musician J. Giles’ gold record of his hit album “Love Stinks.”

Visit mcsorleysoldalehouse.nyc for more information.

McGillin’s Olde Ale House | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

*McGillin’s Olde Irish Ale House; The Irish Potato Martini*

Catherine and William McGillin opened their Bell in Hand Tavern on Nov. 6, 1860, the same day Abraham Lincoln was elected president, making it Philadelphia’s oldest continuously operating tavern. The name changed to McGillin’s Olde Ale House 50 years later.

In addition to 30 beers on draft, McGillin’s offers regional microbrews, as well as bottled beers such as O’Haras Irish Stout, the only stout brewed exclusively in Ireland, and three house specialties — McGillin’s Real Ale, McGillin’s Genuine Lager, and McGillin’s 1860 IPA.

St. Patrick’s Day-themed cocktails include the Irish Potato Martini, a McGillin’s original, as well as Chocolate Leprechaun Martini, Nutty Irishman Coffee, Shamrock Hot Chocolate and Pot of Gold. Among the Irish food specials available through March 16 are bangers and mash, shepherd’s pie, Irish lamb stew, corned beef and cabbage, and Emerald Isle corned beef cheesesteak.

Visit mcgillins.com for more information.

The Burren | Somerville, Massachusetts

The Burren has offered an authentic Irish experience with an old-world feel since January 1996. It takes its name from a region in the North of County Clare and East of County Galway; the word comes from an Irish word “Boíreann,” which means a rocky place.

Its drinks menu is extensive, offering 20 draft beers, including four Irish ones, plus a wide selection of bottles and cans. Irish and Scottish American whiskey, bourbon, gin and wine, and house cocktails such as the Irish Flower, Galway Girl, Irish Mule, Lucky Leprechaun and Four Leaf Clover are also available. Food includes the usual pub eats as well as Irish dishes such as Guinness beef stew, fish & chips, and shepherd’s pie, plus vegetarian and vegan options.

Visit burren.com for more information.

Galway Bay Irish Restaurant & Whiskey Bar | Annapolis, Maryland

**Galway Bay** General Manager and Irish native, Sean Lynch in front of Galeway’s Whiskey Bar.

Owners Michael Galway and Anthony Clarke have emphasized Irish hospitality and authenticity in Galway Bay since its opening in 1998. To create an atmosphere for conversation, Galway Bay has no televisions. The owners claim it is the only pub in Annapolis, and perhaps all of Maryland, with this policy.

Winner of the Irish Hospitality Global Award in 2019 for the Best Irish Whiskey Experience in the Americas, Galway’s whiskey bar features the state’s largest Irish whiskey selection, including more than 100 on their shelves, as well as rare and exclusive selections in bottles and flights. There’s also the exclusive craft brew Naptown Brown Ale, beer, wine, cocktails, and in season, Galway Bay’s Irish Eggnog. Irish fare on the menu includes fish and chips, corned beef Reuben and shepherd’s pie.

Every Sunday afternoon Galway Bay has traditional Irish music sessions in the bar, and St. Patrick’s Day month boasts even more live music on most Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings.

Visit galwaybaymd.com/ for more information.

McGuire’s Irish Pub | Pensacola, Florida

*McGuire’s Irish Pub located in Pensacola, FL*

Pensacola’s original 1927 Old Firehouse in 1982. The newer space has a vibe of a turn-of-the-century New York Irish Saloon. More than 1 million signed dollar bills hang from the pub’s ceilings and walls.

Its 615-seat restaurant serves traditional Irish fare such as shepherd’s pie and fish and chips, as well as fine steakhouse selections. Most evenings, there’s live traditional Irish music and old favorites.

McGuire’s offers fine ales, porters, and stouts brewed with malted barley, imported hops, and its own house yeast in its on-the-premises traditional oak and coppery brewery. The regular lineup includes a light ale, an Irish red ale, an IPA, a porter and an Irish stout, with seasonal selections and even a root beer served right out of the keg.

Visit mcguiresirishpub.com for more information

May Kelly’s Cottage | North Conway, New Hampshire

*May Kelly’s Cottage located in North Conway, NH*

This traditional Irish bar and restaurant is located in a picturesque yellow cottage above the Saco River. Its old-world interior is decorated with Irish flags, sports jerseys, vintage signs, and even an old post office counter (“Oifig an Phoist”); a mural on its outdoor patio depicts the famed Guinness toucans. The patio also offers stunning views of the river and Whitehorse Ledge.

On Sundays, musicians gather for a traditional “seisiun” (Gaelic for “session”), while the kitchen serves authentic Irish country cooking, such as shepherd’s pie, beef stew, meatloaf, and fish and chips — all with a special May Kelly’s twist. The full bar offers a unique collection of more than 100 Irish and Scotch whiskeys, a specialty cocktail menu, and cold draft and bottled beers.

Visit www.maykellys.com/ for more information.

The Dubliner | Washington, D.C.

*The Dubliner located in Washington D.C., Photo courtesy of The Dubliner*

In the nation’s capital near Union Station is an authentic Dublin pub named for James Joyce’s novel. Established in 1974, The Dubliner is one of the country’s largest sellers of Guinness Stout, and the only place to get Auld Dubliner Amber Ale. The Dubliner added Smithwick’s Ale when it became available in the U.S., and was the first U.S. pub to serve Kilkenny Irish Cream Ale. The Dubliner partnered with a historic distillery in Ireland to produce The Dubliner Irish Whiskey, a smooth-drinking blended whiskey aged in American Oak bourbon casks. They offer more than 100 of the world’s finest whiskies, plus beers on draft and in bottles and cans, signature cocktails, and wines.

They serve breakfast and have an all-day menu that includes fish and chips, Irish beef stew, a Guinness burger, and corned beef and cabbage. Live music by Irish entertainers begins at 7:30 p.m. every night.

Visit dublinerdc.com for more information.

The Fastnet Pub | Newport, Rhode Island

*The Fastnet Pub located in Newport, Rhode Island*

The Fastnet is named for a small island and lighthouse off Ireland’s south coast; it also shares its name with a well-known United Kingdom yacht race. The reference to sailing and the sea make it a good fit for a traditional Irish pub in Newport’s yacht-filled harbor that hosts the America’s Cup sailing regatta.

Owned and managed by Irish natives, The Fastnet looks like a classic Irish bar, with its bank of windows that open onto the street, a façade hung with Irish flags and well-worn wood. The outdoor Grand Patio accommodates up to 184 people.

Among the 30-plus beers on tap are Irish favorites such as Guinness and Magner’s Cider. Whiskeys include Teeling, Midleton, and Glendalough. Also available are cocktails such as Bright and Windy, Foghorn Paloma and Figgy’s Dark N Stormy, as well as wine.

Fastnet favorites on the pub menu include fish and chips, bangers, beans and fries, plus other hearty fare. An authentic Irish breakfast of sausage, rashers and beans is offered on weekends.

For entertainment, there’s a traditional Irish music (and dancing) session at 6 p.m., Sundays, plus darts, billiards, foosball, and ping pong. Eight televisions are always on, for watching sailing, rugby and soccer.

thefastnetpub.com

McGrath’s Irish Pub | Killington, Vermont

McGrath’s Irish Pub located in Killington, VT

The Green Mountains meet the Emerald Isle at McGrath’s Irish Pub, part of the Inn at Long Trail. Both businesses have been owned by the McGrath family since 1977.

The pub’s interior is filled with local wood and has one mountain boulder protruding from a wall, and another one serving as a bench. McGrath’s was the first Vermont bar to serve Guinness, and the first to stock Bailey’s. It boasts the state’s largest selection of Irish whiskies.

McGrath’s menu features Guinness beef stew, a “Paddy” Melt,” and an “Irish Reuben” (corned beef with red cabbage and melted Swiss cheese).

It has three dart boards, a large screen television for sports, and live Irish music on Fridays and Saturdays most of the year.

Visit http://www.innatlongtrail.com/mcgraths-irish-pub.html for more information.

The Harp and Hound | Mystic, Connecticut

*The Harp & Hound located in Mystic, CT*

Shortly after moving to the seaport village of Mystic in October 2002, Leo Roche, a native of County Limerick, opened a classic Irish pub in one of the town’s oldest buildings, dating to the early 1700s. The Daughters of the American Revolution held some of their earliest meetings there. Roche gutted the building and transformed it to resemble the pubs of the Ireland he knew growing up – complete with original Irish road signs, and simple but cozy furniture imported from Ireland.

The Harp, as it’s known by locals, offers a selection of draft and bottled beers, Irish and Scottish whiskies, as well as Irish coffees, martinis and other cordials. Its pub fare features shepherd’s pie, fish and chips, bangers and mash, as well as “black and tan” beer-battered onion rings and an Angus burger with whiskey ketchup.

Local bands are scheduled on weekends, and three flat-screen televisions are on for watching live English Premier League football.

Visit harpandhound.com for more information.

by Ellyn Wexler

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Who has the oldest and best St. Patrick’s Day parade? Visit six East Coast cities to find out.

by Gabby March 7, 2023

Who doesn’t love a parade, especially in shades of green? Various cities claim to be the site of the first St. Patrick’s Day parade in the U.S. No matter who gets the title, all six of the spots below deserve a visit, as the sites of some of the East Coast’s foremost St. Patrick’s Day parades. Before you go, make sure to check for transportation options and street closings, and dress for the weather!

New York City

Let’s start with the world’s largest – and possibly oldest – St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The Big Apple’s first parade was held on March 17, 1762, 14 years before the Declaration of Independence was signed.

Although other cities vary the date, New York City’s 2023 parade will be held, as always, on March 17, a Friday this time around.

In honor of St. Patrick, Patron Saint of Ireland and the Archdiocese of New York, the parade will begin precisely at 11 a.m., and proceed until about 4:30 p.m. The route goes up Fifth Avenue, beginning at East 44th Street and ending at East 79th. About 150,000 people march in the parade each year and it draws a crowd of about 2 million spectators.

Since the early days, the parade has been run entirely by volunteers, many from generations of families who have organized it. Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York, will review the parade from the steps of St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The “Irish” 69^th Regiment has long led the parade, followed by Irish county societies, schools, colleges, Emerald societies, and Irish language and nationalist societies.

For the best view, spectators should arrive anywhere along Fifth Avenue as early as possible. Food and drink are available from restaurants and pushcart food vendors on side streets along the route and one block west, on Sixth Avenue.

Visit nycstpatricksparade.org for more information.

Boston

Boston also claims to have the oldest St. Patrick’s Day parade, dating to 1737, when the Charitable Irish Society, a group of mostly Protestant immigrants, honored their Irish homeland. When the celebration moved to South Boston in 1901, the parade doubled as a celebration of Evacuation Day, commemorating the 1776 evacuation of British troops from Boston during the Revolutionary War. The dual tradition has continued since.

Each year, the parade occurs on the Sunday closest to March 17. The 2023 South Boston’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be held on March 19, from 1 to 5 p.m. It begins at Andrew Square and ends at the Broadway T Station, and will feature marching bands, police and army contingents, costume spectacles, and novelty vehicles.

The best views are from a spot along the route between Broadway Station and L Street, or from a restaurant along the route. To avoid crowds, check out the parade from Medal of Honor Park or Thomas Park, as well as any other street on the route except Broadway.

Visit southbostonparade.org for more information.

Savannah, Georgia

The Savannah St. Patrick’s Day Parade started in 1824 as a military spectacle, with soldiers marching in honor of the day. Now organizers say it is the second largest in the U.S., “right behind New York,” attracting about 1 million spectators.

The parade caps a week of St. Patrick’s festivities, kicking off with a Greening of the Fountain ceremony at noon, March 10, during which the Parade’s Grand Marshal pours green dye into the water at Forsyth Park’s fountain.

In 2023, the parade begins at 10:15 a.m. on Friday, March 17 at Gwinnett and Abercorn streets, just east of Forsyth Park. It proceeds through historic downtown streets until it ends at the reviewing stand on Bull and Liberty streets. About 280 units – commercial floats, marching units, Celtic societies, Irish families, pipe bands, and Irish dancers from all over the East Coast – will be part of the parade.

To get a good spot, get to the parade route early. Bleacher seating – available on Bay Street, at the Colonial Cemetery and the Cathedral, for a $35 to $50 fee – must be booked in advance.

Visit savannahsaintpatricksday.com for more information.

Philadelphia

The first documented St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Philadelphia was held in 1771. Every year since, the event takes place on the Sunday before the holiday (unless the holiday actually falls on a Sunday and then it’s held on March 10).

No confusion this year: The annual Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day Parade is set for March 12, and this year’s theme is “St. Patrick, Let There Be Peace.”

Visitors should be aware that daylight saving time begins at 2 a.m., March 12 when clocks will be set one hour ahead.

The parade will begin downtown at 11 a.m. at 16^th Street and JFK Boulevard, with the route proceeding around the north side of City Hall, down Market Street to Sixth Street.

The city’s largest annual procession boasts about 20,000 participants and 200 groups including floats, marching bands, dance groups, youth groups, city workers, and Irish associations. About 500,000 spectators are expected.

Visit phillyparade.com for more information.

Pittsburgh

*Pittsburg St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Photo by Ray Feathers Photography*

Pittsburgh’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade is one of the earliest of the bunch, starting at 10 a.m. on March 11, rain or shine.

The route for the annual parade, which dates to 1869, is 1.4 miles from start to finish. It will begin at the Greyhound Bus Station at the intersection of Liberty Avenue and 11th Street, then continue to Grant Street, where it will turn right onto the Boulevard of the Allies, and finally to the Reviewing Stand at Stanwix Street. It will disburse at Commonwealth Place.

The 200 marching units in the parade include 18 marching bands as well Irish step dancers, military bands, Irish heritage groups and even Punxsutawney Phil. The event typically attracts up to 350,000 spectators.

Visit pittsburghstpatricksdayparade.com for more information.

St. Augustine, Florida

Downtown St. Augustine also has an early parade, starting at 10 a.m., March 11.

“Step aside, Boston and New York,” St. Augustinians say: The Florida city claims to be the location of the world’s first recorded St. Patrick’s Day Parade, more than 100 years earlier than the others – in 1601!

About 40 groups will take part in the Celtic parade through the heart of the city’s historic district. The beginning and end are both at Orange and Cordova streets, and the reviewing stand is upstairs above Ann O’Malley’s, an Orange Street pub. The route goes east to the bayfront, right on Avenida Menendez, south to the Plaza where it turns right on Cathedral Place, then west to Cordova where it turns right again. It takes about 45 minutes for the first units to finish. The pipe bands will proceed to St. Francis Field on Castillo Drive where they will do a bagpipe jam until the two-day St. Augustine Celtic Music and Heritage Festival music begins at noon.

Parade directors Chris and Matthew Fulmer expect the parade to draw 3,000 to 5,000 visitors, depending on the weather. They say the best places for viewing are on the Avenida in the Plaza on Cathedral Street and on Cordova Street.

Visit celticstaugustine.com/parade for more information.

By Ellyn Wexler

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Yoga retreats offer renewal for body, mind and spirit

by Gabby February 20, 2023

When considering a yoga retreat, advice from an expert is invaluable. Melanie Psaltakis, veteran yoga instructor, retreat leader and founder of Maryland-based Wayfinders Yoga, offered her strategies for finding the best fit for your perfect retreat.

1. First identify what kind of experience you seek. Is it purely yoga, including asana, pranayama, chanting, and meditation? A silent meditation retreat? Yoga plus cultural activities, local cuisine, or hiking?
2. Determine your intentions. Do you want to withdraw, go within, have time for introspection? Seek quiet and solitude? relaxation? reconnection? Exploration of a new or different area? Deepen your yoga practice, such as goal-oriented asana or power of pranayama?
3. Consider accommodations. Rustic? Dorm-type rooms with bunk beds? Shared bathrooms? Private rooms and bath? A small resort, or a large one with pools and spa? Meals included?
4. Consider the location. How far do you want to travel? Do you want to interact with the environment and/or other people?
5. Consider the daily structure. Do you want full-day programming, or a lot of free time?
6. What is your budget? When do you want to go?

Once you have addressed these questions to the best of your ability, choose from among the East Coast’s excellent retreat centers, all immersed in beautiful natural settings.

Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health | Stockbridge, Massachusetts

Perhaps the most well-known is Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, located on 125 acres in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, where the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohicans once lived. The center’s main building is a former Jesuit monastery built on what was the site of a Gilded Age cottage Andrew Carnegie once owned. Kripalu calls itself “a leader in yoga- and mindfulness-based education. More than just poses on a mat, we believe yoga is an accessible practice that inspires connection, compassion, and joy. nourishing retreat full of yoga, nutritious meals, mindful outdoor experiences, and more.” Its signature retreat, the Kripalu R&R experience, “allows you the freedom to choose what you need while you’re here. Maybe it’s a full schedule of yoga classes, healing arts, and outdoor activities like hiking and kayaking. Maybe you’re craving a lot of free time for reflection and rest.” For more information: kripalu.org or 413-448-3152.

Omega Institute for Holistic Studies | Rhinebeck, New York

Photo Courtesy: Omega Institute for Holistic Studies, Rhinebeck, NY. eOmega.org

Omega Institute for Holistic Studies, on 250-plus acres in Rhinebeck, New York’s Hudson Valley, offers workshops, retreats, conferences and professional training. The institute’s legacy, “45 years of awakening the best in the human spirit,” relies on a framework they call Teach, Model, Act, which involves creating inspired learning experiences, demonstrations, and engaging solutions. Omega R&R Retreats are flexible: “You decide how to spend your day, creating a retreat that is uniquely your own.” Classes include yoga, tai chi and meditation; and activities range from boating on Long Pond Lake, sanctuary meditation, tennis and basketball, art, trails and gardens. For more information: www.eomega.org or 845-266-4444.

Yogaville | Buckingham, Virginia

Photo Courtesy of Satchidananda Ashram Yogaville

The mission of Satchidananda Ashram YogaVille in Buckingham, Virginia, is “to practice, live, and impart the Integral Yoga teachings of Sri Swami Satchidananda; to experience supreme peace and joy, and to share that peace and joy with one and all.” YogaVille holds a variety of retreats, such as Yoga for Longevity, Integral Yoga Silent Retreats, and Yoga for Strong Bones. A Welcome Weekend Experience features guided deep relaxation and meditation, two to three hatha yoga classes, and lectures on expanding your yoga practice. For more information: yogaville.org or 800-858-9642.

The Himalayan Institute | Honesdale, Pennsylvania

Photo Courtesy of The Himalayan Institute

Breathtaking views, groomed hiking trails, and peaceful spaces for reflection and contemplation enhance the 400-acre Honesdale, Pennsylvania, campus of The Himalayan Institute in the Pocono Mountains. Focusing on yoga, meditation, spirituality and holistic health, the institute holds yoga and meditation retreats with names such as Reconnect & Recharge, Pause & Renew, Movement & Meditation, and Personal Retreat, as well as programs that study “the authentic teachings of yoga — including asana, meditation, mantra, tantra, sacred scripture, and the art of joyful living.” For more information: himalayaninstitute.org or 800-822-4547.

Menla Retreat | Phoenicia, New York

Menla Retreat is many things: retreat center, nature resort, wildlife refuge, and Audubon bird sanctuary, all located on a 330-acre private nature preserve at the head of a glacial valley in the Catskill Mountains of Phoenicia, New York. Its “create your own getaway” can include private yoga, Pilates, qi gong and meditation sessions, as well as guided or on-your-own mountain hiking and ecology walks. Also on site is its Dewa healing spa. For more information: menla.org or 845-688-6897.

The Art of Living Retreat Center | Boone, North Carolina

Photo Courtesy of The Art of Living Retreat Center

The Art of Living Retreat Center, set amid 380-plus acres of forest high in Boone, North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, offers “the powerful practices of meditation and mindfulness,

Ayurveda, and yoga.” Among the center’s programs are meditation and mindfulness retreats, gentle yoga, yoga and meditation, holistic yoga flow, and yoga and nature. Its customizable Rest & Relaxation Retreat can include movement classes that focus on strength, endurance, and balance; among them are hatha yoga, Pilates/floor barre, Zumba, jazz movement and modern/hip-hop flow, as well as outdoor activities. For more information: artoflivingretreatcenter.org or 888-930-9880.

by Ellyn Wexler

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Best Chocolatiers on the East Coast

by Gabby February 9, 2023

Although many would argue there is no wrong time to indulge in chocolate, February is considered Chocolate Month because of Valentine’s Day. Here are a half dozen world-class East Coast chocolatiers you should try.

Goodnow Farms Chocolate | Sudbury, MA

Goodnow Farms Chocolate is one of the world’s few chocolate makers to press its own cocoa butter, and one of the few in the U.S. to make single-origin, non-alkalized cocoa. Each premium Goodnow bar identifies the bean’s country of origin and percentage of cacao.

All of Goodnow’s gourmet chocolate is made at Tom and Monica Rogan’s 225-year-old farm, which now offers limited tours to the public. Visiting all their growers’ farms ensures transparency in their supply chain The bean-to-bar chocolate company won more international awards in 2022 than any other producer in the country. Check them out at www.goodnowfarms.com.

Éclat Chocolate | West Chester, PA

Master Chef and Chocolatier Christopher Curtin established the internationally-recognized Éclat Chocolate in 2005. Award-winning signature chocolates, caramels and truffles, plus a line of chocolates made with ingredients produced at the nearby Longwood Gardens, are made on the premises and are available in the shop.

Curtin honed his skills at the Compagnons du Devoir, France’s premier guild for pastry chefs, and was the first American to be awarded the honor of German Master Pastry Chef and Chocolatier. He travels the world to consult with chefs and artisans, and find new and special cacao varieties. Find the shop at www.eclatchocolate.com.

Perfect Truffle | Frederick, MD

Perfect Truffle, Frederick Maryland. Photo Credit: Nic Smith Photography

Since its inception in 2005, Perfect Truffle has handmade every chocolate to the highest standard of quality. Each flavor is crafted to engage every level of taste, using only the best chocolate from around the world. It takes two to three days to create truffles that are as beautiful as they are delicious.

Owner Cody Marwine uses inspiration from his culinary experiences, and travels the world to develop new flavors that make each chocolate a unique experience. For example, the lavender truffle hast the taste of a lavender petal. You can find them at www.perfectruffle.com.

Holl’s Chocolates | Parkersburg, WV

Holl’s Chocolates, a family-owned business founded in 1986, specializes in creating traditional Swiss chocolates. A commitment to authenticity grows out of the experiences of three generations of Swiss-trained chocolatiers. Founder Fritz Holl trained as a confectioner in Switzerland. By the end of his three-year apprenticeship, he could make all the sweet delights that are offered in a Swiss conditorei, which is a combination of pastry shop, chocolate shop, and café.

Fritz’s son Dominique learned the craft of chocolate making just the way his father had 50 years earlier. Under the second generation’s influence, Holl’s adapted their processes to blend the best of the old and new ways. Learn more at www.holls.com/.

Castronovo Chocolate Factory | Stuart, FL

Travelers with a sweet tooth can’t resist the tasty creations at Castronovo Chocolate Factory. Chocolate maker Denise Castronovo, who opened the shop in 2013, is the only U.S. female chocolatier to be honored at the International Chocolate Awards.

The shop uses cacao beans imported from Latin America to handcraft its chocolate bars, which are produced on-site, in small batches. Castronovo is committed to preserving heirloom varieties of cocoa that are sustainably grown under rainforest canopies.

White Chocolate infused with Lemon and Lemon Salt, a World Gold 2020 winner, is among the unique flavors available. In-person visitors also will find truffles, hot chocolate, and chocolate chip cookies. Check them out at www.castronovochocolate.com.

Norman Love Confections | Fort Myers, FL

Photo Courtesy of Normal Love Confections

Chocolate lovers can experience sweet treats and jewel-like chocolates at Norman Love Fort Myers Chocolate & Dessert Salon. Upon entry into the Willy Wonka-esque salon, guests are sure to be overwhelmed by the sheer amount of chocolate — in the best way possible.

An expansive glass case offers an overview of Love’s gorgeous gourmet creations, made of the highest-quality ingredients, including signature flavors like gourmet dark chocolate, and more unusual ones like Hot Dark Chocolate, infused with jalapeno pepper, and Key Lime Shell, shaped white chocolate.

The Black Collection features chocolates with ingredients from top cocoa regions around the world. There’s Andoa, an organic dark chocolate derived from Peru with a 70-percent cocoa mass, yielding a burst of freshness and bitterness to savor, and Jiquilisco Bay, with ingredients descended from some of the first cacao planted in Hacienda La Carrera more than 100 years ago. With a cocoa mass of 97 percent, the chocolate produces a slight spice and hints of berry. More information is available at www.nomanloveconfections.com.

By Shuan Butcher

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Top Romantic Stays on the East Coast

by Gabby February 6, 2023

The obvious reason February is considered the month of love is that Valentine’s Day is celebrated on February 14. Another reason is that in many parts of the country, the cold weather offers an easy excuse to cozy up with someone you love. For those reasons alone, it is a great time to plan a getaway. Here are 10 of the East Coast’s top romantic destinations.

The Woods Treehouse | Norway, Maine

Ever thought about a romantic stay in a luxury treehouse? Sam and Rob Masabny have created a hidden oasis in Norway, Maine. This two-bedroom custom treehouse, which has a concierge and is sited on lakefront property, is a short ride from some award-winning ski resorts to enhance your escape. www.thewoodsmaine.com

Seesaw’s Lodge | Peru, Vermont

Seesaw’s Restaurant Fireplace Courtesy of *Seesaw’s Lodge*

Seesaw’s Lodge, a century-old property in Peru, Vermont, is a hidden gem that provides couples with a winter wonderland experience straight out of a classic romantic movie. When visiting this historical property, couples are welcomed with timeless romance in a quintessential New England inn with preserved decor, furniture, and memorabilia from the original lodge. Settle into a spacious suite, featuring a gas fireplace, deep soaking tub, and large limestone shower. Then proceed to an intimate date: a sleigh ride pulled by Belgian draft horses on the scenic, snow-covered trails at a nearby farm, or go horseback riding through the hushed winter woods at a local ranch. On-site, take your partner for a romantic skate at Seesaw’s outdoor ice rink, then warm up by the restaurant’s legendary firepit or in the hot tub in Seesaw’s secluded woods. Complete your day at the restaurant with a comfort meal and a cocktail before heading back to your room’s balcony to watch a magnificent sunset. https://www.seesawslodge.com

Mohonk Mountain House | New Paltz, New York

Photo Courtesy of *Mohonk Mountain House*

Nestled in the Hudson Valley and situated on a private glacial lake with views of the Catskill Mountains, this Victorian castle resort provides a one-of-a-kind romantic mountain getaway. This Valentine’s Day, Mohonk Mountain House has designed the perfect weekend with couples’ crafts, wine tasting, and live music. Additional amenities include farm-to-table cuisine, a wide range of outdoor activities, and an award-winning spa. Overnight rates feature charming accommodations, three meals, Afternoon Tea and Cookies, and most resort activities. www.mohonk.com

Hotel Du Pont | Wilmington, Delaware

Hotel Du Pont, completed in 1913, is a Historic Hotel of America. As such, each room is unique and far different from the cookie-cutter chain hotels that lack character and décor. The hotel has been renovated, and some of the previous rooms have been repurposed. For example, the current hotel lobby was once the ladies’ tearoom. The hotel has hosted celebrities and dignitaries during the past century; be sure to ask about the suite once used by Bruce Willis and Demi Moore. Without needing to leave the hotel, you can visit a handful of shops or even take in a theater show offered throughout the year. www.hoteldupont.com

The Wildset Hotel | St. Michaels, Maryland

This under-the-radar destination is the perfect retreat for a romantic getaway. Opened in late 2021, the hotel consists of three completely renovated and updated 19^th-century buildings. The 34 spacious and beautifully-appointed guest rooms, each slightly different, reflect the coastal ambiance. Most rooms have with free-standing gas fireplaces, and private balconies or terraces. The onsite restaurant Ruse, which provides a fresh take on traditional Eastern Shore cuisine, is perfect for a romantic dinner of local seafood, bespoke cocktails, and biodynamic wines. Guests can head over to the renowned spa at The Inn at Perry Cabin, or charter a romantic sailing tour — with champagne in hand. This quaint town will block out the daily noise and allow you to reconnect with your partner. www.thewildset.com

Salamander Resort & Spa | Middleburg, Virginia

Photo Courtesy of *Salamander Resort & Spa*

Nestled within the Middleburg Viticultural Area, the Salamander Resort & Spa is a feast for the senses. A stay at this luxury hotel is an amalgamation of nature, food, wine, relaxation, and recreation. The attention to detail and additional amenities are what set the Salamander apart. Among the extras are turndown service, a complimentary shoeshine, and morning coffee or tea service, which you can enjoy on your own balcony while taking in the picturesque countryside. At 23,000 square feet, the spa is the largest destination spa in the Washington, D.C. area. It has a heated outdoor pool, and offers an array of body treatments, massages, and facials. www.salamanderresort.com

The Greenbrier Resort | White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia

Photo Courtesy of *West Virginia Department of Tourism*

The Greenbrier, a crown jewel located on thousands of acres in the Allegheny Mountains, has hosted royalty, presidents and other dignitaries, and during your stay, you will feel like royalty too. Its Five Diamond Resort offers impeccable service from the moment you arrive. Special touches include a complimentary beverage upon check-in, and chocolates placed on your pillow during turn-down service in the evening. People have been traveling to “America’s Resort” since 1778 to “take the waters,” and bathe in the spring water. www.greenbrier.com

The Cloister on Sea Island | Sea Island, Georgia

After opening in 1928, The Cloister quickly became a favorite escape for the era’s VIPs, including the Rockefellers and President Calvin Coolidge. Over the decades, world leaders, celebrities, and royalty flocked to the secluded, Mediterranean-style hideaway, and nearly a century later, it stands as the world’s only resort to receive four Forbes Five-Star Awards for 14 consecutive years. The Cloister offers well-appointed and spacious guestrooms, beautifully decorated lobby and lounges, and onsite award-winning restaurants. Love birds can relax and unwind by the pools and at the Sea Island Beach Club, which features private cabanas, a 1950s-style sweet shop, and even a six-lane bowling alley. Beyond the hotel’s sumptuous comforts, guests can enjoy five miles of private beach, a world-class spa, tennis center, and yacht club, as well as falconry lessons, horseback riding, three championship golf courses, private cruises on the 71-foot Sea Island Explorer yacht, or a feast on short ribs and crème brûlée at the Georgian Room restaurant. www.seaisland.com

The Lodge & Club | Ponte Vedra, Florida

A landmark destination on Northeast Florida’s pristine coastline, Ponte Vedra Beach Resort’s The Lodge & Club offers an elevated, romantic escape for couples this Valentine’s Day. With a “stay at one, play at both” mantra, guests have reciprocal access to amenities and activities at this resort and its sister property, including world-class culinary destinations, multiple pool areas, the 30,000-square foot spa and salon, golf and tennis courts, a bocce ball and croquet lawn, and ample beach and watersport activities. With the Stir the Fire Package, enjoy a one-of-a-kind experience inclusive of accommodations in an exclusive oceanfront fireplace suite, daily beach chairs for two, and welcome cocktails for two. Enhance the experience further with the brand-new Romance Dining Package, a private in-room dining experience that includes waiter service and interactive tableside preparation by Executive Chef Cameron Walton. www.pontevedra.com

Southernmost Beach Resort | Key West, Florida

Photo Courtesy of *Southernmost Beach Resort*

Situated along the quieter southern limit of the famed Duval Street, the newly renovated Southernmost Beach Resort features a modern sleek design and classic coastal charm with amazing ocean views. Boasting three palm-fringed pools with private cabanas, a secluded tanning pier, a signature restaurant, and oceanfront rooms, this idyllic oasis sets the tone for a romantic and memorable spot to become engaged in Key West’s historic district. Couples can snuggle up and celebrate with champagne as they watch the sunset on the resort’s private beach, explore Key West’s historic Old Town, or spend your time on the property reveling in steamy activities like salsa dancing, and sip and spill painting classes. www.southernmostbeachresort.com

By Shuan Butcher

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Sometimes you feel like a “Nutcracker”

by Gabby December 19, 2022

Since the late 1960s, “The Nutcracker” has been among the American holiday season’s most popular entertainment offerings. With the worst of the pandemic past (we hope), the abundance will be reflected on East Coast stages this year, with a variety of companies that put their own twists on the timeless story.

The two-act ballet, originally choreographed by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov with a score by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, premiered at the Mariinsky Theatre in Saint Petersburg, Russia, on Dec.18, 1892. Its libretto was adapted from E.T.A. Hoffmann’s 1816 dark fantasy tale “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King,” about a girl who befriends a nutcracker that comes to life on Christmas Eve and wages a battle against the evil Mouse King.

The San Francisco Ballet did the first American performance on Christmas Eve in 1944, and 10 years later, George Balanchine adapted the ballet for the New York City Ballet; after the performance was aired on national television in 1957 and 1958, the ballet became a mainstream holiday staple in the United States.

Here are some traditional and non-traditional options certain to make your holiday season magical.

The Washington Ballet

The Washington Ballet’s production of “The Nutcracker,” with choreography by Septime Webre, is at the Warner Theatre, 513 13^th St. NW, in Washington, D.C., through Dec. 30. It has become the signature Nutcracker of the nation’s capital.

This production is set in historic 1882 Georgetown with George Washington, King George III, and other historical figures. Set to Tchaikovsky’s score, the classic comes to life with intricate, stunning set designs, period costumes, and more than 100 dancers including students and trainees from The Washington School of Ballet.

Visit https://www.washingtonballet.org for more information.

The Hip Hop Nutcracker

Photo Courtesy of https://hiphopnutcracker.com/

“The Hip Hop Nutcracker,” which translates Tchaikovsky’s score into the language of hip-hop dance, is celebrating its 10th anniversary season. Innovative visual effects transform the landscape from traditional 19^th century Germany to the vibrant, diverse sights and sounds of modern urban life in New York City. The production features all-star contemporary and hip-hop dancers, a DJ, a violinist, and Kurtis Blow, one of hip-hop’s founding fathers, who opens the show.

The 2022 East Coast Tour includes performances in Vermont, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia and Florida.

Visit ttps://hiphopnutcracker.com/ for more information.

The Moscow Ballet

Photo Courtesy of https://www.nutcracker.com/

The Moscow Ballet’s internationally touring ballet group performs “Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet” in more than 75 North American cities annually. On the East Coast, the 30^th anniversary tour includes Maine, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina and Florida.

The company’s renowned principal dancers and corps de ballet features romantic costumes amid shimmering backdrops adorned with highlights of Russian history. In this version, Act II is renamed “Land of Peace and Harmony;” featuring a rose-shooting cannon and a “Dove of Peace” with a 20-foot wingspan. There are puppets, too, including an African elephant, an Asian dragon, a Slavic bear, and a new-this-year flock of eight puppet doves on sticks.

Visit Https://www.nutcracker.com/ for more information.

Miami City Ballet

The Miami City Ballet presents “George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker®” with a cast of more than 100 dancers and children in lavish costumes, as well as a live orchestra. While this version retains the magic of Balanchine’s choreography and power of Tchaikovsky’s score, it adds the artistic influence of local Cuban-American artists Isabel and Ruben Toledo.

“The story’s links between the mystical human imagination, the language of dreams, and the power of transformation influenced our designs, and allowed us to imagine worlds of moonlit landscapes, frozen wonders, and a light-filled Caribbean paradise, reflecting our Cuban heritage,” Ruben Toledo said.

Performances take the stage in two different centers for the performing arts: the Adrienne Arsht Center in Miami (Dec. 16-24) and the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach (Dec. 28-30).

Visit www.miamicityballet.org/ for more information.

Puppet Co. Playhouse

Photo Courtesy of The Puppet Co. https://www.thepuppetco.org/

The 34^th annual Puppet Co. production of “The Nutcracker” is at the Puppet Co. Playhouse through Jan. 1 in historic Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, Maryland. This time-honored seasonal show features a cast of handmade hand puppets and marionettes, and larger-than-life costumed characters, and combines the familiar story of Clara and her prince with some distinctively Puppet Co. nursery rhyme spin.

Originated by the Puppet Co. founders Allan Stevens, Christopher Piper, and MayField Piper, and the music of the Arlington Symphony Orchestra, the approximately 50-minute show is recommended for ages 4-plus. Tickets are $15.

Visit https://www.thepuppetco.org/ for more information.

By Ellyn Wexler

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Take Christmas to the next level with a visit to these Christmas towns

by Gabby December 16, 2022

A few quaint little East Coast towns take celebrating the Christmas season to the next level, offering some of the best light displays, decorations and festive family activities. These four charming locales, full of holiday-obsessed folks, are well worth a visit.

Koziar’s Christmas Village | Bernville, Pennsylvania

Photo Courtesy of Koziar’s Christmas Village

Back in 1948, William M. Koziar began decorating his family home and barn for Christmas, and it became Koziar’s Christmas Village. Annual additions to the original displays include the property’s lake, walkways, trees and fences.

Visitors walk through a dazzling winter wonderland, with more than 1 million lights throughout 11 indoor buildings, including Santa’s Post Office, Old-Fashioned Bakery Shop, The Kissing Bridge, Santa’s Toy Shoppe, Christmas Beneath the Sea, Christmas in Other Lands, The Night Before Christmas, and a Beautiful Manger Scene, as well as a huge indoor train display in the Refreshment Barn. Santa is onsite every evening through Dec. 23 for photographs.

Koziar’s is open through Jan. 1. Food, drinks, and gifts are available for purchase.

Visit koziarschristmasvillage.com at 782 Christmas Village Road, Bernville, Pennsylvania

Christmas Town USA | McAdenville, North Carolina

Photo Courtesy of the Town of McAdenville NC

McAdenville, North Carolina, the small southern town now known as Christmas Town USA, started with nine Christmas trees adorned with red, white and green lights around the McAdenville Community Center in 1956. The celebration has grown each year since, now featuring 375 trees as well as twinkling lights embellishing nearly every home in town.

The lights are on every night through Dec. 26, while bells are playing Christmas carols. Visitors may drive or walk the 1.3-mile route through the quaint downtown. Visit: ChristmasTownUSA.org

Overly’s Country Christmas | Westmoreland County Fairgrounds, PA

Photos Courtesy of Overly’s County Christmas

Overly’s Country Christmas, a mostly volunteer-run nonprofit organization that has supported multiple charitable endeavors since 1956, creates holiday memories with a traditional Christmas Village filled with traditional sights, sounds, treats and things to do reminiscent of long-ago Christmases.

Visitors can sing carols around a bonfire, view a model train display, take pictures with Santa, go on a wagon ride, or a Kids’ Express train ride and shop for gifts in the C. Edgar & Sons General Store. Talking with Santa is free; personal photos can be taken for a $5 donation.

Overly’s Country Christmas is also a donation site during the holidays. Visitors are encouraged to Share the Magic, helping neighbors and pets in need with new, unwrapped toys, nonperishable food items, dry cat/dog food or kitty litter. Leave donations at the admission gate.

Admission includes a drive through the lights and a visit to Christmas Village. The Christmas Village is open daily through Dec. 30.

Visit: Overlys.com or call at 724-423-1400 . 116 Blue Ribbon Lane, Greensburg, Pennsylvania

Woodstock, Vermont

The old-fashioned Victorian charm of Woodstock, Vermont, is especially evident in the picture-perfect Christmas town’s holiday schedule of events at Billings Farm & Museum, 69 Old River Road.
Victorian Christmas is the theme of Christmas at the Farm through Jan. 1 at Billings’ authentically decorated visitor center and historic barn. Visitors can dip their own candles and vote for the best staff-made gingerbread house on display, warm up by the outdoor fire, buy a cup of cocoa and s’mores, and meet the barn’s cows, horses, chickens, sheep and goats, or shop in the museum gift shop. Weather permitting, a snowshoe, hike or cross-country ski along the Ottauquechee River is available.
Pentangle Arts at the Woodstock Town Hall Theatre has a full schedule, too, including musical performances, cookies with Santa, and more. For more information, call 802-457-3981 or visit pentanglearts.org.

Visit woodstockvt.com or call 802-457-3555

by Ellyn Wexler

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