Weekender Extended

http;//www.veggietales.com/live

http;//www.virginiaflyin.org

Spring has SprungAnd, oh, what a beautiful time

of year! The daffodils and cro-cuses are creeping through lastfall’s dead leaves. The robins arebuilding a nest in the blossomingtree outside my office window.The kids are dragging heavywinter coats behind them as theywalk from the bus stop.

My most enjoyable project ofSpring cleaning has begun - thatof exchanging my boxes contain-ing the summer wardrobe withthe closet full of sweaters andwinter jackets. It’s like saying“hello” to old friends I haven’tseen for six months. Of course,there are the old favorites that Ihave to try on right then to makesure those extra pounds gainedover the holidays didn’t hinder anice fit.

Now that travel is in my regu-lar itinerary, I even have twoswimsuits to fit the changingseasons. I Purchased a brighttropical wildflower one for this

Spring whenthey wereon clearancelast Fall. So Ican’t wait totry it onagain andactually useit.

Perhaps some of you were toobusy last Fall to take advantageof the clearance racks. So if youneed to start off by shopping forthose much needed Spring items,my suggestion is to incorporate ashopping trip with your firstdestination.

Try Magazine St. in NewOrleans, considered a “shoppersparadise.” Check out our featurearticles on this city starting onpage 10. How about sewing anadditional piece or two to com-pliment the existing wardrobe?Maybe even an outfit for Easter!See the barns series of articlesstarting on page 36. Then youare free to examine this wholeissue... Happy traveling!

www.weekenderextended.com Spring, 2012

Weekenderis published quarterly with

periodic updates online byBarnett PRO, 71 Plymouth St.,Plymouth, OH 44865.

PHONE/FAX: 419-687-0002 email: [email protected]

Publisher:Michael Barnett Sr.

email: [email protected] in ChiefKathy Barnett

email: [email protected] Editor:

Sheeree OneyContributing Editors:

Rebecca Embry; Kandy Derden;Michael Arnold, Chris

Offenburger

Photojournalists: Norman Reed; Robert Oney;Kaitlynne & Lee Offenburger

Visit our Website between regular issues

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Subscriptions are FREE!Submit your name and emailaddress & we’ll also enter it inour quarterly drawing for aFREE getaway!Copyright ©2012 by Barnett Produc-tions. All rights reserved. Reproductionsof any material from this issue xpresslyforbidden without permission of the pub-lisher. Advertisements in this publicationdo not necessarily carry the endorse-ment of the publishing company.

CONTENTSTop Ten

6 Romantic InnsPlaces to Go:

10 New Orleans, LA14 Hampton, VA23 West Michigan Pike, MI28 Greenfield, NC30 Titanic Museum, MO36 Ohio Barns

People to See02 Veggie Tales

20 John Schneider, James Best from Dukes of Hazzard34 Amish Quilters

Things to Do8, 9 Romantic Getaways18 Ride the Rails, VA14 Smell the Flowers, NY22 Relax, Repose, Recline, MI25 Wheel Thru History, MI33 Hunt Easter Eggs, MO42 Culinary Tour, MA43 Be A Pirate, MA

Extended

Kathy Barnett - The Editor

Letter from the Editor

The street car is a con-venient and very afford-able way to get aroundNew Orleans when visit-ing See P. 10-13

mailto:[email protected]



http://www.weekenderextended.com


Plac e s t o Go: In New Or l ean s

http;//www.neworleanschoolofcooking.com

http://www.breakfastatbrennans.com

http://www.mardigrasworld.com

http;//www.facebook.com/mardigrasworld

http;//www.neworleanscvb.com

www.WeekenderExtended.com Spring, 2012

NORTHEAST1-The High Pointe Inn in West Barnstable,

Massachusetts is a romantic, ocean-view CapeCod bed and breakfast inn sitting high on a hilloverlooking the dunes of Sandy Neck Beach.

Indulge in a pampering package that includesa deluxe guest room or spacious fireplace suite,chilled bottle of Champagne, chocolates, candle-light breakfast, couples massage and a three-course gourmet dinner for two. The local areaoffers a variety of attractions that couples willenjoy experiencing hand in hand.

2-The Inn at Sunrise Point in Lincolnville,Maine is a secluded waterfront hideaway onmore than five coastal acres where the moun-tains meet the sea. Luxury accommodations areinviting retreats with an incredibly pamperingamenity assortment and a three-course gourmetbreakfast. A delightful romance packageincludes a two-hour sailing trip for two on aschooner, a welcome bottle of Champagne,strawberries, fine chocolates, the inn’s favoritebubble bath, two in-room aromatherapy mas-sage treatments, fresh flowers and a secret giftwhen departing.

SOUTH3-Henderson Park Inn in Destin, Florida is a

highly acclaimed seaside escape hidden on theedge of Henderson State Park with beachaccess. This delightful adults-only boutiquehotel offers all-inclusive luxury with unrivaledservice that anticipates guests’ needs. The spec-tacular setting boasts incredible views of theGulf of Mexico. Romantic ideas can be cus-tomized to include an ultimate picnic lunch andcandlelight dinner on the beach, in-room spa

experience, soft music, bottle of wine, grapes,roses and chocolates.

4-Rosemary Inn in North Augusta, SouthCarolina is a romantic distraction from every-day life that invites couples to focus on eachother. Breathtaking beauty, rich history andpeaceful tranquility add to the amenities thatinterest men and women alike. The inn offersromance packages that are customized to fulfillyour dreams with services, niceties and necessi-ties that will pamper and please. Be activelyengaged in bike riding, golf or attending a the-atre performance; or relax with a spa treatment,soft music, garden walks and afternoon tea.

5-Foxfield Inn in Charlottesville, Virginiagraces horse country at the base of the BlueRidge Mountains with panoramic views ofShenandoah National Park. The romantic set-ting with a gazebo and park-like landscape ispopular for outdoor weddings. Honeymoonsand getaways are enhanced by in-room fire-places, two-person Jacuzzis and fresh flowers.The secluded hot tub under the moon and starsinvites relaxation. There are artisanal breweries,wineries and hiking trails nearby.

MIDWEST6-The Villas at Gervasi Vineyard in Canton,

Ohio include 55 breathtaking acres with vine-yards, a spring-fed lake, walking paths andyard games. Tuscany-inspired fireside guestsuites exude luxury from the setting and styleto the service and special details. The UltimateRomantic Escape includes a topiary arrange-ment of a dozen roses, decadent chocolates,credit towards dinner in the spectacular Bistro,

RomanticRomanticInnsInns

Top 10Top 10

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Spring, 2012 www.WeekenderExtended.com

Salute wine gift box set with Gervasi wine,engraved glasses and a marble bottle stopper,and continental breakfast delivered to yourvilla.

7-Inn at Irish Hollow in Galena, Illinoisspans 500 gorgeous countryside acres with pic-turesque wandering trails and secret gardenspots created for couples. Everything at this innwas designed to be experienced as a duo fromshowers and whirlpool tubs to snowshoes,bikes and binoculars. Romantic meals include aseven-course feast and a Bathrobe Breakfast in aprivate cottage, or dine in a secluded grotto andenjoy campfire picnic sites for two. Everythoughtful detail invites partners to beimmersed in each other.

WEST8-Johnson Mill Bed & Breakfast in Midway,

Utah paints a pretty picture as it sits on a highmountain valley with 25 acres surrounded by acrystal blue lake and meandering river and isadjacent to a 300-acre nature preserve. Romanceis this inn’s middle name, with picturesque pic-nics by a cascading waterfall, evening canoerides, naps in a hammock, sunset strolls by thewater, and fairytale weddings in the gazebo onthe lake. Lavish accommodations come withendless pampering and amenities, and there aremany local activities to experience nearby.

9-Eden Vale Inn in Placerville, California

offers numerous romance packages from pas-sionate to pampering. Gracing the rural destina-tion location in the Sierra Foothills GoldCountry, this ten-acre bed and breakfast boastsmodern accommodations that were designed toenhance romance with exceptional service andamenities, extensive landscaped gardens, aspring-fed pond for swimming and a fire pit forstar gazing. Five rooms have outdoor privatedeep soaking tubs for couples. Indulge in mas-sage treatments with warm rock therapy andsteamed towels in the Spa Studio.

10-The 1906 Lodge in Coronado, Californiadesigned lavish accommodations with seasideromance and relaxation in mind. In fact, themain reason people choose to stay at this luxu-rious personal hideaway is for a romantic get-away. A unique Message in a Bottle packageincludes notes composed by the guest or select-ed poems handwritten by the innkeepers androlled up in a bottle with tiny seashells to begiven to that special someone at a designatedtime. Another original package features a photoof the couple in the inn’s signature handmadeceramic frame.

About American Historic Inns and iLoveInns.comAmerican Historic Inns, Inc. (wwwiloveinns.com), founded

in 1981, is the leading publisher of bed and breakfast guide-books, with more than 2.8 million bed and breakfast guidebookssold, and runsiLoveInns.com, a top bed and breakfast and coun-try inns directory.



Braselton, GA - Experience the secret art ofmaking fragrance, revealed to you by a masterparfumeur trained by Galimard, the oldestparfumerie in France, established 1747.Experience what Kings and Queens of Europehave revered for centuries with the MysteriousArt of Fragrance package at Chateau Elan

Spend the evening as a couple designing twoof your own 20 ml custom bottles of fragranceto take home for him and for her. Masterblending artists will guide you through theprocess of choosing your best fragrance familyfollowed by your choice of over 137 essencesto select what truly becomes your personalchemistry. After designing your signature scentyou will have the opportunity to name it andmake it your own. Included in your package isa bottle of Château Élan wine to sip on

throughout the evening. Package includesdeluxe overnight accommodations, instructionfrom a Master parfumeur, two 20ml bottles ofyour own customized fragrance and a bottle ofChâteau Élan Wine. The event takes placeSaturday, April 21, 2012 and the rates are $299- $374 + tax. Within the sweeping panorama ofthe north Georgia foothills, just 40 minutesaway from Atlanta, Château Élan began withthe planting of vineyards in 1981. From theselush vines of Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet &Riesling grapes has grown a 3,500 acre confer-ence and leisure destination where Frenchprovincial and Southern hospitality combine toproduce exceptional wines and warm memo-ries.

Visit online at www.chateauelan.com, or call678-425-0900 for more information.

Georgia

Things to Do: Study the MysteriousArt of Fragrance at Chateau Elan

http://www.chateauelan.com


Spring, 2012 www.WeekenderExtended.com Page 09

Bucyrus-This Inn was recentlycertified by BedandBreakfast. comas a Diamond Collection member.

This is an exclusive group of professionallyinspected and guest-reviewed luxury inns. Out of11,000 members only 200 qualify for DiamondCollection status. The Inn is within minutes of theMid-Ohio Sports Car Raceway and the DelawareOhio Little Brown Jug harness racing track.

The inn was established in 1932 by Mr. S.H. Smith,a well known inventor and industrialist who lovedairplanes, A few of his patents include the variablepitch airplane propeller and hollow steel blades. Hedeveloped the transistor radio for aircraft duringWorld War II. Many of his inventions were used tohelp Wiley Post win the Cleveland Air Races, alongwith holding the air speed record for many years.

A portion of the property was purchased in 1990by Deborah and Steve Miller who converted thehouse and farm shop into a successful bed andbreakfast and event facility. Deborah is a member of

an execu-tive teamthat playedan instru-mental role in the turnaround of the Ohio Hotel andLodging Association. Under her directionHideAway Country Inn has reached recognition asone of the Top 10 Romantic Inns nationwide (fromiloveinns.com) as well as an AAA 3 star property.

Managing Partner and Chef de Cuisine, MarcSleeckx and his staff prepare 5-Star internationalcuisine in the HideAway restaurant every Thursdaythrough Saturday evening. A new Bistro openedrecently to serve lighter fare, international winesand imported beer. Marc has directed events forAT&T and held events for dignitaries for diplomats,international dignitaries and celebrities. During theOlympics, Marc was chosen as one of the "Top 13Outstanding Chefs" in the state of Georgia byAmerican Express. For more information on the inngo to www.hideawayinn.com or call (800) 570-8233.

Ohio

Things to Do: Romantic Getaway at The Hideaway Country Inn

http://www.hideawayinn.com



Althoughknownfor its

Mardis Gras festivities, NewOrleans is a great place tovisit any time of year. Iprefer to call it . . .“The place to Celebrate.”

Whether for a honeymoon, a girl-friend’s getaway, a family reunion orsimple vacation from work, NewOrleans offers all the elements requiredto produce a once-in-a-livetime memo-ry.

The fun begins early in the day withBreakfast at Brennans in the FrenchQuarters. Located on Royal Streetwhere some of the best antique storesin the world are located, French quisineis served during a three-hour breakfast,a nineteenth-centruy custom supposed-ly unfitted to the modern tempo.

Founder Owen Edward Brennan wasthe culinary renaissance man of his

time. He devotedhis life to therestaurant thatinfluenced thecourse of NewOrleans gastrono-my. The conceptfor his restaurantcame about at thetime when thenovel “Dinner atAntoine’s” waspublished. The

setting of this mur-der mystery begins with a dinner party in the1840 Room and later, another dinner party atAntoine’s, which is considered the oldest fami-ly-run restaurant in the United States. Brennanfelt if dinner at another restaurant couldbecome popular from a book, he would markethis own establishment for the fine pleasures ofa an elegant morning meal.

Places To Go:New Orleans

Eggs Hussarde

By Kathy Barnett

Managing Editor



There are three sections to the famous gourmet break-fast. First comes the “eye opener.” To sharpen yourtaste as well as your appetite, try the Brandy MilkPunch or perhaps a Mimosa (champagne mixed withorange juice. The Mr. Funk of New Orleans is namedfor a former cellar master and blends champagne, cran-berry juice and peach schnapps.

As with any reputable meal in New Orleans, everydish has a proper wine suggestion complimenting eachcourse. For the adventuresome, choose the NewOrleans Turtle soup for an appetizer. I pre-fer the Oyerer soup Brennan whileothers in our party enjoyedMaude’s Seafood OkraGumbo. Just the rightamount of vegetables,tomatoes and seafood areblended to enhance the fla-vor of the okra and crab-meat.

For the main course, thereare several egg entrees. Ichose the Eggs Hussarde, a sig-nature Brennan’s dish. Perfectlyprepared poached eggs grace the topof Holland Rusks (slice of yeast bread baked until dry,crisp, and golden brown) and Canadian bacon. A richHollandaise sauce is served over the top.

Now, for a liesurely walk for sightseeing or shoppingto get rid of a few of those extra pounds we just put on!

Along Royal Street, you will find antiques, uniquegift shops, original artwork and design studios. Youmay even be entertained by a street band or two.

Venture on toward Decator St. for the tourist shopsto find the best buys onsouvenirs.

The French Market pro-vides six blocks of shop-ping, historic monumentsand scenic walkwayswhere the first tradingpost originally stood. TheMoon Walk is a Mississ-ippi riverside promenade,popular for watching theboats pass by or listen tostreet musicians.

The grand finale is theoriginal, world-famous,Bananas Foster preparedat your table. drippingwith brown sugar, cinna-mon, butter and bananaliqueur, then flamed in

rum and served with vanil-la ice cream. The dish was

created in 1951 by Paul Blangéat Brennan's Restaurant, named for

Richard Foster, a friend of OwenBrennan's who was then New OrleansCrime Commission chairman. It is stillserved at a number of fine restaurantsin New Orleans as well as in manyrestaurants around the world. But it allbegan right where we sat, enjoying therelaxed atmosphere - a perfect endingto a perfect brunch.



W hen youwant to getaway from

all the crowds to relax andrejuvenate from all the cele-brating, Maison St. CharlesInn and Suites is a perfectpick. You are still close to thefun, (only a mile or so fromthe French Quarters) but awayfrom the noise of nighttimepartying. It is a convenientlocation to both worlds.

The hotel is right at a StCharles Street trolley stop, anostalgic experience and easyand affordable way to get tothe French Quarters area. Nobother trying to find a place topark.

The Maison St. Charlesblends the historic Louisianaappeal and hospitality with afresh and modern style oflodging at a price affordablefor all.

There are three courtyards atthis hotel. Two have bistrotype seating and one is around

the outdoor pool. All are quiet,but you may or may-not wantto be next to the pool. Weoverlooked a quiet gardeninstead with a fountain andthe palm tree.sThe lush plantleaves made me feel like I wasstaying at a lavish plantation.

A free continental breakfastis included with the room.

This is a clean neighborhoodand very close to nearby fastfood restaurants. For thebudget minded, a continentalbreakfast is included withyour stay.

The Maison St. Charles is athree-time Choice Hotels GoldAward Winner – one of thehighest honors any Choicehotel can receive.


http://www.maisonstcharles.com

C


Celebrate Mardis Gras season any time of the year,thanks to Mardis Gras World, a 400,000 squarefoot musem , float manufacturing

facility and working ware-house. Located onthe east bank of theMississippi Riveracross from theFrench Quarter, eachvisit is a different expe-riencesdue to the con-stant creation of differ-ent clients. Many propsare completely recreatedand used for a differentthemed float each year.

The Kern family-runbusiness has been makingmega-floats for some of thebiggest and best Mardi Grasparades for more than 60years. They also make floatsfor Disney's Halloweenparade at Universal Studios andseveral other venues. The guidedtour starts with a short film onthe history of Mardi Gras, itselaborate costumes, and the cre-ation of the floats.

Then King Cake is servedbefore walking through thebuildings to view floats beingdesigned, crafted, and the fin-ished products. These are allstored in large warehouses. Thegift shop is full of unique giftsand souvenirs at affordableprices. The $20 admission ticket iseven a souvenir strand of beadsto keep. For more information,visit www.mardisgrasworld.com

TThhiinnggss ttoo DDoo::TToouurr tthhee FFllooaatt FFaaccttoorryy

By Sheeree OneyAssistand Editor

http://www.mardisgrasworld.com


http://www.courtoftwosisters.com


After years of wreakinghavoc on Virginia’sshores and economy,Blackbeard’s life wasfinally taken in a violentsea battle withLieutenant RobertMaynard in 1718. Hissevered head wasimpaled upon a pole nearthe mouth of HamptonCreek, now known asBlackbeard’s Point, toserve as an unyieldingreminder that piracywould not be tolerated inVirginia.

Beginning June 1,roughly 50,000 sea-faring attendees, aswell as Blackbeardand his crew, willonce again invadedowntown Hamptonduring the festival!Interact withBlackbeard (personi-fied by first-personinterpreter Ben Cherry)and more than 100other authentically cos-tumed pirate re-enactorsas they run rampant on thestreets of America’s oldestcontinuous English-speakingsettlement.

The festivities begin Fridaynight, June 1, at the OysterAlley restaurant on the back ofthe Crowne Plaza HamptonMarina Hotel with an annualGrand Pirates Ball (creativeblack tie or period attire strict-ly enforced!). The celebration,

arecreation of Blackbeard’s

Party at Okracoke, will featureCaribbean food, adult bever-ages and live music.

There is an admission chargefor the ball. Visit www.black-beardfestival.com

Saturday’s activities includea swarm of extemporizedstreet skirmishes betweenpirates and militia (costumedinterpreters), a replica ofBlackbeard’s pirate camp,

complete with livinghistory interpretersteaching the skills ofthe sailor circa 1700,and the trial andescape of WilliamHoward, one ofBlackbeard’s fellowpirates with ties toHampton. Don’tmiss the exhilarat-ing re-enactment of

the classic sea battle betweenLt. Maynard and Blackbeard,featuring two full - scale repli-ca vessels in the HamptonHarbor. At the conclusion ofthe sea battle a presentationceremony takes place in whichBlackbeard’s severed head willbe bestowed upon VirginiaGovernor AlexanderSpotswood (1710-1722).Visitors can participate in thefestivities when they joinBlackbeard’s funeral parade,

http://www.black-beardfestival.com





Hampton’s ownversion of MardiGras, and share inthe booty from thetreasure chest.

New to the festivalis the Pride ofBaltimore II. The tallship was commis-sioned in 1988 as asailing memorial toher immediate pred-ecessor, the originalPride of Baltimore,which was tragicallysunk by a whitesquall off PuertoRico in 1986 (takingher captain and threecrew members downwith her). Both shipswere built in theInner Harbor asreproductions of1812-era topsailschooners, the typeof vessels (calledBaltimore Clippers),that helped America win theWar of 1812 and finally secureits freedom. Since her commis-sioning, Pride II has sailednearly 200,000 miles, and visit-ed over 200 ports in 40 coun-tries in North, South, andCentral America, Europe, andAsia. The Pride of Baltimore IIwill be available for free toursthroughout Blackbeard week-end.

This year, the event will onceagain feature the Blackbeardchildren’s area, highlightingthe Little Swashbuckler’sStage. The stage will host sev-eral performances, including

special performances and avariety of musical acts. Inaddition to the children’s area,guests will have the opportu-nity to stroll throughBlackbeard’s Pirate Campwhere they can learn how touse a cutlass, load a cannon,or even sing a sea chantey atPirate’s Cove. At the cove, vis-itors can also explore a collec-tion of 17th& 18th centuryperiod vendors selling itemssuch as jewelry, clothing, art,and personal accessories.

Another highlight of Pirate’sCove is the Bunch of GrapesTavern, a rustic tavern-stylethrowback to what a Hampton

bar would have lookedlike in the 18th century.In fact, the tavern is anactual recreation ofHampton’s originalBunch of Grapes Tavernfrom the 1700s. Feel freeto rub elbows with thelocal swashbucklers andbe served by wenches.

Other weekend amuse-ments include jugglers,musicians, a pirate pro-cession, street entertain-ers, and a very specialpirate-themed SummerStreet Fest, a seasonalstreet party that takesplace every Saturdaynight in downtownHampton. Saturday nightwill conclude with a dra-matic fireworks displayover the Hampton River!

This year the HamptonBlackbeard PirateFestival will officiallykick-off the OpSail 2012

Virginia™ activities in theHampton Roads region ofcoastal Virginia. The eventsinclude OpSail 2012 Virginia™Sea and Air Parade on June 6;OpSail 2012 Virginia™ Paradeof Sail on June 8; and OpSail2012 Virginia™ Parade of SailUp the Chesapeake on June12. OpSail 2012 will visit sixports April-July, includingNew Orleans, LA; New York,NY; Hampton Roads, VA;Baltimore, MD; Boston, MA;and New London, CT.

For more information call757-727-1102 or visit online atwww.blackbeardfestival.com

http://www.blackbeardfestival.com


www.weekenderextended.com Spring, 2012

ROANOKE - Rail linesweave romantically through-out Roanoke, tying the town toports and portals, far from thebeckoning Blue Ridge. Once aplace called "Big Lick,"Roanoke took its present name- for an Indian word meaning"shell money." Not long afterthe railroad arrived in westernVirginia in the 1850s.

Today, the city skyline glis-tens in the starlight, as well asRoanoke's man-made wonder -the Roanoke Star - while, atthe city's heart, rail lines shinein the summer sun, providinga continuing link to the city'spast. In nearly all ways, therailroad has spurred a sophis-ticated spin within this city -and continues to inspire won-der through the mystique of itsmuseums, train-side thorough-fares, architectural gems andthe fabulous Hotel Roanoke.

Roanoke spotlights its her-itage as a manufacturer ofsteam engines - at the must-seeVirginia Museum ofTransportation on NorfolkAve. Situated alongside amuch-active rail, the museumboasts life-size and legendarylocomotives at the site of thehistoric Norfolk & Western

Railway freight station. Here,you can spend a day exploringrailroad exhibits, includingtwo of the most powerfulsteam locomotives in existencetoday: the Class A 1218 andthe Class J 611. As the OfficialTransportation Museum of theCommonwealth of Virginia,the facility tells the story ofwhat it takes to keep Virginiamoving, especially by land.Exhibits feature antique auto-mobiles, a restored dining carand train collectibles plusmodel trains with tracks ateverybody's eye level. Morecrowd-pleasers include horse-drawn buggies and a trolleybus.

Outside, take a stroll on theDavid R. and Susan S. GoodeRail Walk, paralleling the rail-road for a third of a mile, with

kiosks explaining the details ofRoanoke's iron horse history.Then cross the Market SquareWalkway, an enclosed glasspedestrian bridge built in 1994to catch a bird's-eye view ofmassive tracks cutting throughthe heart of Roanoke, the"Capital of the Blue Ridge."

At the center of it all, feastyour eyes on the elegant HotelRoanoke. Dating to 1882, thishistoric hotel offers a confer-ence center, fine dining andendless amenities, plusantiques, making it the ulti-mate showpiece of theRoanoke Valley. Over a centu-ry, as the city grew, so did thehotel and its reputation forexcellence. Now, thanks to amulti-million-dollar restora-tion in the 1990s, funded by apackage of public and privatefinancing in conjunction withthe City of Roanoke andVirginia Tech, the handsomehotel remains a draw all on itsown, whether it's for the HotelRoanoke's romantic "TrainLover's Package" or for a busyschedule in the conference cen-ter's 63,000-square-foot, high-tech meeting space, able toaccommodate up to 1,200 peo-ple.

Roanoke Boasts a Unique Rail Past


Spring, 2012 www.weekenderextended.com

From Hotel Roanoke, theMarket Square Walkway slipspast generous samplings ofpublic art to reach Roanoke'scentral downtown businessdistrict. It is highlighted with afarmer's market, shoppingopportunities, and the eye-catching Taubman Museum ofArt, reaching for the sky withits pointed architecture, pro-viding a conversation pieceamid bustling urban streets.The city's active arts communi-ty even extends to the world oftrains, with nationallyrenowned rail artist AndyFletcher joining the VirginiaMuseum of Transportation asits first artist-in-residence.Fletcher's output has includeddrawings of over 2,500 trains -from steam locomotives tomodern diesel engines, railcars and cabooses.

No visit to Roanoke can becomplete without stopping atthe O. Winston Link Museuminside the century-old Norfolk& Western Railway passengertrain station. Named for thefamed New York photogra-pher, this museum demon-strates why a picture is wortha thousand words. The lateLink, the man behind the cam-era, traveled the tracks ofVirginia's railroads during the1950s, artistically catching thedying days of steam locomo-tives. Decades later, Link'sfamous frames are celebrated,along with his cameras and hisrecordings of the high lone-some wails of train whistles.

Galleries bearing local nameslike "Radford," "Pocahontas"and "Shenandoah" encapsulate

the richness of railroads in thesurrounding mountain vil-lages, scattered like satellitesfrom Roanoke's shining star.

The Mill Mountain starstands eighty-eight and a halffeet tall. It uses 2000 feet ofneon tubes and 17,500 watts ofpower, so it puts out a pleasantlittle hum. It's best appreciatedat night, but before midnight,please, because that's whenRoanoke goes to bed and turnsthe star off.

Music calls quite naturallyacross the Rail HeritageCorridor of Virginia, includingthe Roanoke Valley, with notesinspired by the tapestry oftracks crisscrossing the corri-dor where Southwest Virginiameets the Shenandoah Valley.Roanoke serves as the gatewayto both fabled regions, and it'snot just by geographic happen-stance; it's simply the path ofpioneers - and progress.

Stretching across WesternVirginia, from Lynchburg toClifton Forge, Virginia's RailHeritage Region encompassesthe largest concentration ofhistoric rail facilities inVirginia, including the shopsin Roanoke, where the mostmodern steam locomotives inthe world were designed andbuilt.

Headquartered in Roanoke,the famed Norfolk & WesternRailway made its own locomo-tives and employed thousandsof craftsmen in a multitude oftrades, designing and main-taining the cars and enginesthat kept trains moving. Thesecraftsmen were simply the best- and helped make Norfolk &Western the most profitablerailroad in America.

Today, a celebration of histo-ry remains the mission of theNorfolk & Western HistoricalSociety, headquartered inRoanoke, with archives ofdrawings, photographs anddocuments open to the public.The Roanoke Chapter of theNational Railway HistoricalSociety, meanwhile, alsostrives to educate, offeringtrain excursions while restor-ing the antique rail equipmentof Roanoke and the VirginianRailway's historic Roanokepassenger station.

Home to more than the Linkmuseum, the historic Norfolk& Western Railway passengertrain station represents therailroad's royalty in Roanoke.Rebuilt and redesigned, con-tinually, as Roanoke grew, thedepot's earliest portions dateto 1881, though the station'sdistinctive columns, with aGreek design, come from a1905 reshaping.

Passenger service ended in1972, and while the stationwas abandoned in the 1990s,the cherished structure waslovingly saved and restored,finally entering its current lifeas the site of the Link Museumand the Roanoke Valley CVB.


http://www.hazzardcomestogalax.com


N ew York State’scapital city willplay host to

212,000 tulips boasting a vastmix of crèmes, blues, greens,and reds among other colors,all blooming in Albany’s his-toric Washington Park. The64th Annual Tulip Fest willtake place May 12 & 13 andwill be attended by approxi-mately 100,000 people fromthroughout the Northeast.

Each year begins with teamsof residents fully clad inHollanders attire using soap,brushes, and buckets of waterto physically wash State Streetin preparation for the festivi-ties ahead.

As the festivities begin, theTulip Queen Coronation getsunderway. This is anotheroriginal tradition thatacknowledges hardworkingyoung women in the commu-nity as ambassadors forAlbany. During their year-longreign, the Queen and her courttake part in community serv-ice projects throughout theAlbany area.

Tulip Fest takes placeMother’s Day weekend – soSunday is devoted to moms,and one deserving mom willbe crowned Mother of theYear.

Tulip Fest is also packedwith musical entertainment onseveral stages throughout thepark. An eclectic mix of popu-lar local and internationalbands will be playing allweekend.

Albany, NY – 2012 is shap-ing up to be a fun year in NewYork’s Capital city, and wewanted to share our excite-ment with you.

In 1948, Erastus Corning II,the Mayor of Albany declaredthe Tulip the “official flower ofAlbany”. Following that,Queen Wilhelmina of theNetherlands honored theMayor’s request and designat-ed the variety of tulip, knownas the “Orange Wonder” to bethe tulip of Albany.

The following year, the firstTulip Festival was held in thesame place in which it residestoday. More than 60 yearslater, the original traditionsstill occur.

A plethora of food vendors

will be on hand, from tradi-tional carnival snacks to inter-national cuisine. Fried dough,lemonade, Souvlaki, and pastae fagioli are some of the choic-es for Tulip Fest attendees.

Close to one 100 craftersbring their creations frompaintings and toys, to furni-ture and art work for festivalgoers to enjoy and take home.A family-friendly Kids Zonewill include live music, magi-cians, a chess tent, a rockclimbing wall, and so muchmore. The Tulip Fest is a FREEevent with traditions datingback more than half a century.From the scrubbing of StateStreet to kick-off the festival,to the crowning of the TulipQueen, the weekend is filledwith an array of entertain-ment, food, and activities forall.

There’s no question why somany come to enjoy the beau-ty and wonder of Albany.

Albany County Convention& Visitors Bureau, Inc. 25Quackenbush Square, Albany,NY 12207 www.albany.org |800-258-3582

Schuyler Bull is the marketing manager forAlbany County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc.He may be reached at [email protected]

Submitted by Schuyler Bull

http://www.albany.org




Whether it’s a summer dayspent on the golf course, orhitting the slopes after a win-ter snowfall – resorts acrossnorthern Michigan offer asplendor of spa services tosooth sore muscles and bringabout a serene state of mind.

The full service Solace SpaExternal Link in the MountainGrand Lodge and Spa atBoyne Mountain Resort wasnamed one of the “Best Spasin the World” by SpaMagazine. Experience aEuropean Spa Bathing Ritual,a fitness package that includesprivate training followed by asports massage or body treat-ments such as a Hot Toddy forthe Body or a Water Lily

Wrap.Get a taste of adventure

snowmobiling or extremetubing at Treetops Resortin Gaylord and thenindulge in a visit to theTreetops Spa ExternalLink. From a Four LayerFacial to a Steaming StoneMassage you will leave feelingremarkably renewed.

Spa Grand Traverse ExternalLink at the Grand TraverseResort just outside of TraverseCity takes inspiration from thecherries the area is known for.Enjoy a Blissful Cherry pack-age, a Cherry Honey Glow, ora “Cherry” Infused massageamong their wide array of spaservices.

Crystal Spa Oasis ExternalLink at Crystal MountainResort and Spa inThompsonville is the onlyLEED certified spa in theMidwest. Seasonal specialsinclude a Pumpkin Peel Facialand Sugar & Spice Scrub witha wide variety of year-roundservices including theSignature Crystal Balance andthe Healing Hands Ritual.

T h i n g s t o D o :R e l a x , R e p o s e , R e c l i n e


http;//www.theislandhouse.com


By Mike NortonMedia Relations DirectorTRAVERSE CITY, MI – Today, this

bustling resort community on the shoresof Michigan’s Grand Traverse Bay is afour-season tourist magnet visited bymore than two million people a year.

Looking at the town’s modern-dayinflux of tourist traffic, it’s hard to imag-ine that there were no dependable roadsinto Traverse City until well into the 20thcentury. Visitors could reach this part ofMichigan by steamship or railroad, butmotorists were warned to prepare for amajor adventure along “cow paths, dirttrails, and twin ruts through dune sand.”

That all changed in 1913, when civicleaders from the coastal communitiesalong the Lake Michigan shoreline beganagitating for a new highway that wouldcarry tourists from Chicago all the wayup the coast to Mackinaw City, at the tipof Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. The WestMichigan Pike (as it was eventually christened)opened Traverse City to an entirely new clien-tele, making it suddenly affordable for youngworking-class families to enjoy an “Up North”vacation.

Historians Christine Byron and Tom Wilson,authors of "Vintage Views Along the WestMichigan Pike", say the new road transformedthe economy of northern Michigan, which hadbeen devastated by the decline of the lumberindustry and had lost much of its population.

“The automobile made it possible for morepeople to become involved as tourists, and thePike was really the first road that brought theminto northern Michigan,” says Wilson. “It was a

true grass-roots initiative -- which is exactly theopposite of the way we do highways today.”

The 400-mile route, now known as U.S. 31,begins at the Michigan-Indiana state line andwanders through a litany of storied beachtowns -- New Buffalo, Saugatuck, Holland,Grand Haven, Muskegon, Ludington,Manistee, Frankfort, Traverse City, Charlevoixand Petoskey – to its terminus at Mackinaw.This year, communities up and down the shoreare preparing to celebrate the 2013 centennial ofthe Pike with parties, tours and ceremonies –exactly the same kind of observances that wereheld when it first opened.

Sometimes called the “Route 66 of Michigan,”the Pike was first conceived by William



Antisdale of Muskegon, who called a 1913meeting that included two passionate advo-cates from the North: Traverse City’s FrankHamilton and D.H. Day of Glen Haven. Theydrew up potential routes – including a long“scenic loop” around the Leelanau Peninsulathat skirted the edge of the Sleeping BearDunes, and campaigned for state funding tomake it a reality. Determined to stay as close aspossible to the water’s edge, their slogan was“Lakeshore All the Way.”

It didn’t happen overnight. As late as 1919,young Ernest Hemingway was urging Chicagopals to drive up to his family cottage at HortonBay, assuring them that it would take them“less than three days” to make the trip. But by1922 the graveled road was completed, andexcited boosters announced that it was nowpossible to drive up the coast as fast as 35 mph.They promoted the new road with annualgroup excursions, published detailed guide-books and set up the state’s first highway visi-tor center.

It would be years before the road was actual-

ly paved – the pavement didn’t reach TraverseCity until 1926 – but its mere existence created agalaxy of gas stations, rest stops, tourist courts,state parks, campgrounds, restaurants androadside stands. Some of them can still befound along the road’s quieter stretches.

Although the official centennial of the Pikeisn’t until 2013, plans are already taking shapefor a number of early-bird events. More than100 classic automobiles will drive a portion ofthe Pike on June 23 on the first leg of The GreatRace, a nine-day international road rallythrough Ontario, New York, Pennsylvania andOhio that will end in Henry Ford’s hometownof Dearborn on July 1.

Local car aficionados and officials of HagertyInsurance (the world’s largest insurer of collec-tor cars and boats) are preparing a wide array ofevents and celebrations to mark the start of therally. Participating autos must have been builtbetween 1911 and 1969, and most are prewarvintage. For information contact the TraverseCity Convention & Visitors Bureau at 1-800-TRAVERSE or on line at www.traversecity.com

http://www.traversecity.com


http;//www.migolftrail.org


Michigan's fascination with the automobileand its birth and continuous association withvenues around the state includes museums,collectable, historic documentation, hands-onactivities, and even an assembly line and planttour.

Start with the Gilmore Car Museum - Take adrive down memory laneat Gilmore Car Museumin Hickory Corners(about 15 miles northeastof Kalamazoo). Visitorscan eyeball 200 vehicles,spanning more than 100years. The newly expand-ed car haven now fea-tures an additional 21,000square feet in three build-ings. Guests weave theirway through 90 acres ofpastoral countryside fea-turing eight restored19th-century barns, a1930s gas station, a new1940s-style diner and anold train depot-all show-casing automotive historyfrom the 1899 Locomobileto the 2002 Camaro.

If a 1935 London taxi ora 1950 double-decker busoffers you a ride alongthe way, go ahead andhop in. Among the automobiles you'll see arethe 1929 Duesenberg Model J; the DeLorean,made popular by Back to the Future; and the1948 Tucker, thought at the time to be the car ofthe future. Remember to mark your calendarfor the numerous car and motorcycle showsthe museum holds each year.

At Dearborn's Automotive Hall of Fame,guests are invited to meander through theexhibits area where they can experience inter-

active displays and authentic artifacts aboutthe global automotive industry, its pioneers,inventors, innovators and leaders. The onsitegift shop offers many unique automotive relat-ed books, posters, miniatures, clothing andother gift items.

The MotorCities National Heritage Areaaffords visitors an oppor-tunity to discover thenationally and interna-tionally significant storyof the American automo-tive industry, which hadits beginnings here inMichigan. Nearly 1200auto-related resourceshave been identified inthe motors Cities heritageregion--the largest con-centration of auto-relatedsites, attractions andevents in the world.

Don’t forget The 1950sCorvetteSoutheasternMichigan's YpsilantiAutomotive HeritageMuseum, which ishoused in the last operat-ing Hudson dealership inthe world. Displaysinclude Tucker, Hudson,Kaiser, Frazer, Corvairs(General Motors) and

much more. The collection features bothauthentic and restored automobiles, as well asa wealth of other artifacts and records.

Along with automobiles at The Henry Ford,you can find a celebrated indoor-historicalmuseum, fascinating outdoor displays, a facto-ry tour, an awesome motion picture theater, anunparallel research center, and a factory tour.Everything from inventions, products, and dis-plays, to comical and peculiar memorabilia

Things To Do: Wheel Through History



pack Henry Ford Museum. You'll see theOscar Mayer Wienermobile, for example, alongwith the chair in which President Lincoln wasassassinated and a test tube containing ThomasEdison's last breath.

Restored in 2003, Greenfield Village stagesseven outdoor-themed areas, each celebratingchapters of America's story. Porches andParlors commemorate old neighborhoods withtheir original houses. Working Farms re-creates19th-century rural life, while a 1800s small-town train depot, steam-powered rail line andworking roundhouse at Railroad Junctionsalute the nation's railroading legacy.Throughout the village, interpreters in periodcostumes and live demonstrations help recap-ture the past. Other sections include MainStreet, Edison at Work, Henry Ford's Model Tand Liberty Craftworks.

Be sure to plan enough time to examine doc-

uments at the Benson Ford Research Center,or watch the transformation of materials cometogether during an exciting Ford RougeFactory Tour.

A stop at the Walter P. Chrysler Museum inAuburn Hills with its more than 70 vehicles ondisplay is also a must for the automobileenthausiast--especially drag racing fans.Explore the interactive kiosk stations, andenjoy three short films that feature a look at theChrysler Tech Center, drag racing in the 1960'sand Walter P. Chrysler’s early years.

You’ll also want to plan a visit to Flint’sSloan Museum to check out the area’s part inthe automotive revolution as well as the BuickGallery and Research Center was opened. Thegallery is home to nearly 30 of the museum’sautomobiles, an automotive restoration facilityand the Perry Archives.

For more information, visit michigan.org.

~ Wheel Through History, Cont. ~


http://www.feedyourfaith.org

http://www.countrysmokehouseinc.com


Submitted by Taryn ScherPresident of TK PR Public RelationsNothing says family vacation quite like

Memorial Day Weekend. And no other destina-tion offers quite as much for the entire familyas Greenville, South Carolina. From festivalsand cycling championships, to free concertsand outdoor movies- there is literally some-thing for everyone- and many of the activitiesare free!

For example, every Wednesday night in Mayfamilies can watch FREE classic movies underthe stars during Moonlight Movies downtown.Every Friday night during the summer,Downtown Greenville comes alive with an out-door street party featuring live musical enter-tainment with varied sounds including rock,blues, funk and cover bands. Every Saturdaymorning shop the Farmer’s Market.

But aside from special events - there’s alwayssomething exciting to do in Greenville- likecatching The Greenville Drive, the Class A affil-iate of the Boston Red Sox whose field is a minireplica of Boston's Fenway Park, or take a rideon the free trolley up and down Main Street toaquaint yourself with the hundreds of locallyowned and operated boutique shops andrestaurants. Or enjoy a leisurely stroll throughthe 40 acre park that is in the center ofDowntown Greenville. A visit to the MichelinRetail Store is a must- the only retail store of itskind featuring Michelin-inspired products-everything from coffee mugs to Christmasornaments, stuffed toys to golf balls- all withthe signature Michelin Man himself.

Another must? The Shoeless Joe JacksonMuseum and Baseball Library chronicles thelife of one of America's greatest baseball leg-ends in his childhood home.

Places to Go:Greenville, SC

May Festivals Artisphere - May 11-13, 2012- This artful

weekend in downtown Greenville the arts,both visual and performing, from all overthe US.

USA Pro-Cycling - May 25-28, 2012- Partof the USA Cycling Professional Tour,hometown hero George Hincapie will try toreclaim the title one last time in his ownbackyard before retiring later this year.

Freedom Weekend Aloft - May 25-28,2012- The sky is filled with more than 80hot air balloons during this 29-year-oldannual event which offers attendees a relax-ing, family-oriented, affordable and fun-filled weekend.

The Greenville Scottish Games May 23-27, 2012– featuring the Masters WorldHeavies Championships, the games willattract more than 50 clans from all over thecountry- and the Duke of Hamilton himself.

For more information you can also visitwww.greenvillecvb.com

http://www.greenvillecvb.com


http;//www.dixiescharlotte.com

mailto: [email protected]

http;//www.dixiescharlotte.com


Climb aboard a major adventure at TitanicMuseum Attraction, in Branson. “The Year ofthe Titanic” marks the 100th anniversary ofthat fateful journey. Explore this remarkablemuseum; steer the ship; walk the hallways;and enjoy the opportunity to view more than400 Titanic artifacts. USA Today says this is“not to be missed.”

This is a one-of-a-kind, once-in-a-lifetimeadventure. Experience life on board Titanic,

just as it was on her maiden voyage 100 yearsago. Walk the hallways, parlors, cabins andGrand Staircase while surrounded by morethan 400 rare artifacts. Touch an iceberg, steerthe ship, be seated in a Titanic lifeboat and lis-ten to actual survivors tell their stories.

We strongly recommend that you pre-pur-chase your tickets online at www.titanicbran-son.com/as most weekends are SOLD OUTvery quickly!

Titanic Branson Presents “A Night to Remember: An Original Musical Tribute to Titanic"

Saturday, April 14, 2012 in BransonTitanic Museum Attractions is hosting “A Night to Remem-ber: An Original Musical Tribute to Titanic,” on Saturday,April 14, the 100th anniversary of the night the ship struckan iceberg on its maiden voyage.Musical performances, his-toric ceremonies and appearances by actual descendants ofTitanic’s passengers and crew will highlight the productionhonoring the 2,208 people aboard the ship. Tickets are onsale now. Call 800-381-7670 to reserve.

http://www.titanicbran-son.com/as




http://www.titanicbranson.com


ST LOUIS - Recreating the Titanic'sfinal 11-course dinner menu is just oneof the special events slated for St. Louis'Titanic Centennial Weekend, April 13-15, 2012.

Cruise into the Gateway City to expe-rience the history, fashion, food andmusic of the elegant Edwardian era.One hundred years ago this April, areporter for the St. Louis Post-Dispatchscored one of the biggest stories of the20th century – the sinking of the H.M.S.Titanic. Today, the legendary ship con-tinues to make headlines in St. Louiswhere a weekend of special commemo-rative events will take place to remember thisever-fascinating

piece of history.On Friday, April 13, the Missouri History

Museum in Forest Park serves up anEdwardian Champagne Reception prior to ascreening of the classic 1958 Titanic film, “ANight to Remember.” Guests also will viewTitanic-related artifacts from the Museum’s col-lection.

The highlight of the weekend takes place atthe Fabulous Fox Theatre on Saturday, April14. The Fox’s executive chef Stephen Proctoralong with the culinary teaching staff at L’EcoleCuliniare will recreate the original First Classmenu served to Titanic guests on the actual100th anniversary of the last dinner on theship. The historic menu was meticulouslyresearched to authentically recreate the eleven-course meal and accompanying wines.

The Titanic-sized menu includes oysters a laRusse, poached salmon, filet mignon, chickenLyonnaise, roasted squab and Waldorf pud-ding. Prior to dinner, a period-style cocktailreception featuring live music popular during1912 will fill the Fox Theatre’s elaborate GrandLobby. Between courses, guests will be enter-

tained with stories about the Titanic told byactors portraying passengers and crew whohad been aboard the fateful ship includingMissouri’s own “Unsinkable” Molly Brown.

Proceeds from the evening benefit the FoxPerforming Arts Charitable Foundation, a not-forprofit which fosters and promotes the per-forming arts in the St. Louis area.

On Saturday evening guests can partake in aspecial champagne brunch at the Piper PalmHouse, the oldest standing greenhouse west ofthe Mississippi River. The three events range inprice from $10 - 500. For a special St. LouisTitanic Weekend, travel packages are availableat the newly restored Cheshire Hotel, an AAAFour Diamond property that embodies thecharm and authenticity of a traditional Britishinn. The $389 hotel package includes deluxeaccommodations for two nights (Friday andSaturday/double occupancy), an EnglishContinental breakfast on Saturday, complimen-tary high tea on Saturday., and round-triptranspo rtation to the events at the MissouriHistory Museum, The Fox Theatre and thePiper Palm House.

For more information, contact theConvention & Visitors Commission at 314-421-1023 or visit online at www.explorestlouis.com

Things to Do: Recreate the Last Dinner

http://www.explorestlouis.com



Forget about boring business trips.Instead, ditch the dull itinerary andplan an extraordinary adventure. In

Missouri, the state's natural beauty providesthe perfect backdrop for all kinds of outdooractivities. Set your sights on a spring turkeyhunt. Or cast your line into a lake or river - thefish are definitely biting this time of year!Spend a night under the stars at one ofMissouri's many scenic campgrounds. Funawaits every member of the family this springin Missouri.

Whether you've been fishing for decades oryou are just learning to cast a line, wonderfulopportunities are found throughout Missouri.The rivers, lakes and streams arefilled with countless species offish. The beautiful Spring weath-er brings the perfect tempera-tures for a peaceful day on thewater.

Bass-fishing enthusiasts consid-er Long Branch State Park anexcellent destination, with goodreason — plenty of bass call the2,430-acre Long Branch Lake

home. In additionto stellar fishing, the park, located west ofMacon, offers camping, swimming and hiking.

Think you have what it takes to be a bass-fishing competitor? Strut your stuff at the BigBass Bash Fishing Tournament at the Lake ofthe Ozarks, April 21 and 22. Since 2006, the BigBass Bash has grown to become the Midwest'slargest amateur bass fishing tournament. Thisyear alone, Midwest Fish Tournaments willaward over a third of a million dollars in cashat the 2012 Spring and Fall events. There iseven competition scheduled for the kids.

Anglers involved in the tournament maytake off from any location around the Lake ofthe Ozarks; weigh-ins are conducted at the fol-

lowing locations: Public BeachNo. 2; Red Oak Resort; AlhonnaResort; and Red Fox Bar & Grill.

This tournament is designedfor amateurs only.

For details on joining the com-petition, rules and entry forms,visit online at www.midwestfishtournaments.com. Spectators arecertainly welcome.

TThhiinnggss ttoo DDoo:: CCaattcchh tthhee BBiigg OOnnee

http://www.midwestfish


http;//www.carouselparkjoplin.com

http://www.amishcountryquiltshow.com


The Amish and Mennonitecommunities of the area delightin the wide variety of patternsserving their style and needs.

“When our family moved tothis Ohio area fromPennsylvania, thefabric shops werevery limited and alsodid not carry the fab-ric that was neededby the Plain commu-nity,” explains RachelBurkholder, owner ofthe retail store. “Wewould have to call ourfamilies back inPennsylvania to havethem buy and ship theneeded materials. Thatwas definately not prac-tical.”

In 1981, the originalshop was opened in theBurkholder’s garage witha little over a wheelbar-row full of fabric to sell.Customers would cometo the store asking formuslin material.

“I had absolutely no ideawhat they were asking forbecause I grew up as a seam-stress and could sew almostanything that anyone wanted.But I

was not a quilter,” said Rachel. As the demand for quilting

fabrics and supplies grew, sodid the inventory. Rachel and

Harvey’s two daugh-ters, Darlene andMarnita, began helpingin the store. It was notlong before they car-ried more than 1000different fabrics andadded notions andsupplies. It becamethe goal of the shop tobe able to providewhatever their cus-tomers needed tomake that specialquilt.

“We look forwardeach and every day tospending time withour customers to helpthem with their sewingneeds,” said Rachel.

It is this helpful atti-tude, knowledge, andexperience that cus-tomers travel for milesfrom all directions to

The working Bachrach Barn before Country Fabrics moved, renovated and reopened it for business.



shop for their next sewing project. There arenow six additional employees to help with thechoices. Quilting classes of various styles aretaught in an attached classroom of the new barnshowroom. Beginner classes are proving to bequite popular. Their staff assists in puttingtogether kits for those that are interested in cre-ating their own quilts at home.

A gift and book section, housewares, kitchensupplies, finished quilts, toys, musical chimeclocks and other unique items are now availableat Country Fabrics which contains 8,000 squarefeet of showroom space. Country Fabrics islocated in a country setting at 6142 Ganges FivePoints Road in Shiloh. This area is also home tomany horse and buggy driving Mennonites whooffer various products and services.

With over 30 years in business of serving somany people from different walks of life, theBurkholder family welcomes you with a friend-ly smile and handshake. Once you’ve visited,you will have also gained a new friendship.

The trip is definately worth the drive. .

The mapleleaf Log Cabin quilt pattern isan original design created by CountryFabrics. The pattern and kits are nowavailable.

"BOLESLAWIEC" The Original Polish Pottery

More than 9000bolts of fabric instock.

Quilt classes, kitsand ready-madequilts.

Kitchenware



T he BarnRestaurant atSauder Villageoffers a uniqueplace to enjoy ahome-style meal. Built around1861 on a farm just a few milesaway, more than 200,000 guestsnow enjoy dining under thehand-hewn timbers of this his-toric barn every year.

Delicious fried chicken andmashed potatoes like Grandmaused to make or slow roastedbeef with noodles and gravy,there is plenty to go around foreveryone when you select theall-you-can eat, 3-meat buffetfrom the menu. The breads,rolls and pies are baked freshdaily for the restaurant by theDoughbox Bakery right nextdoor. The bak-ery is alsofamous forhome-made cin-namon rolls,cookies and“Belly Stickers.”All items aremade fromscratch, nomixes or preser-vatives.

The restau-rant created anew life forthe workingbarn in 1976when it wasdrug acrossfrozen fieldsto its presentlocation. Thet r a n s f e radded yetanother bit ofhistory to theshared past collected at SauderVillage.

For those looking to extendtheir stay,overnight accom-modations areavailable at theSauder HeritageInn orC a m p g r o u n d .Guests feel right athome in the 98room Heritage Inncomplete withindoor pool and

hot tub, game and exerciseroom – all adjacent to the “GreatOak Tree”. A complete serveyourself-style breakfast isoffered each morning under thetree, included in the cost of therooms. Choose fresh fruit, cere-al, or even bake your own waf-fle. The 47-site Campground is agreat place to relax and enjoytime together while fishing,sharing stories around thecampfire, riding bikes around“Little Lake Erie” or enjoyingthe amenities at the HeritageInn.

Dining

in an

Ohio

Barn


Journey back in time with a new trend for theheritage travelers – the Barn Quilt Tour, aprogram of the Miami County Visitors &

Convention Bureau. Quilt patterns hand painted on barns decorate

the scenic countryside. These true folk art rendi-tions celebrate the historic, rural and agriculturalexperience while connecting the lovely historicdowntown communities with the beautiful land-scapes of Miami County. As visitors travel fromtown to farm, they won’t have to travel far to seeover 67 barns adorned with unique patterns.Leaving the fast lane behind, this unusual drivingtour takes the traveler off the beaten path andaway from the major highwayswhere they can enjoy a peaceful,leisurely drive on country roads thatcriss-cross all parts of Miami County.

Sprinkled throughout the county,most of the patterns are 8 X 8 footsquares and can be viewed up closeby driving into the farm lanes ordriveways, where some of the own-ers may even personally welcometheir visitors. As an added bonus, many of thefarms have a wide assortment of horses, cows,goats, sheep, llamas, donkeys, roosters, and more– all waiting to greet you in their own special way.

The concept of the barn quilts had its origin in2001 in Adams County, Ohio. It was the inspira-tion of one woman who wanted to honor hermother’s enthusiasm for the craft of quilting andto highlight the shared cultural heritage of theAppalachian region. It quickly spread to othercounties in Ohio and other states as well, creating

a rich network of quilt barns, while also creatinga boost for rural tourism.

The Miami County Visitors and ConventionBureau offers a map brochure for this tour whichis self guided, available year round, and free tothe public. There is no set trail and visitors cancreate their own trail, striking out in any directionto see all 67 barn quilts, or just select a few. Notwo are alike. Besides the beauty of the barnquilts, the tour provides a connection to theregion’s rural heritage and the still very impor-tant role of the barns today, helping to preserve apiece of American heritage. It also recognizes thetraditional art of quilting, which in recent yearshas made a huge comeback. The patterns them-

selves pay tribute to crafts, nature,occupations, politics, events, variousstates and almost anything thatinspires a connection with communi-ty and family. The barns and quiltpatterns seem to be a natural partner-ship, linked in the rural fabric ofAmerican history.

Plan your travels to allow time tovisit other sites. Along the way, scenic parks andpreserves such as Brukner Nature Center,Charleston Falls Preserve, Historic Eldean Bridge,Piqua Historical Area/Canal Boat Ride and theStillwater Prairie Reserve will beckon you to stopand explore, or share a picnic lunch in a lovelynatural setting where wildlife, wildflowers, cov-ered bridges, glistening streams and waterfallswill welcome everyone. It’s a perfect way toexperience the outdoors and see things you don’tnormally find in the city. For more informationvisit VisitMiamiCounty.org or call 800-348-8993.


Places to Go: Ohio Quilt Barn Tour


http;//www.visitmiamicounty.org


Boston, MA – For 17 yearsMichele Topor, owner ofBoston Food Tours, has beenintroducing tourists to Italianfood culture on the North EndMarket Tour in Boston’s LittleItaly. Knowing most people area bit intimidated by the Chi-nese neighborhood and itsmarkets, a Chinatown MarketTour was added 5 years ago.Both tours have become themost popular food tours inBoston.

On these culinary walkingtours the emphasis is placedon learning how the two cul-tures eat, how their food wasadapted to this country and

most importantly how to iden-tify and where to buy the verybest ingredients. Along theway, your guide will also sharea bit of neighborhood history,simple but special cookingtips, tastes of specific foodingredients and the best-keptsecrets of neighborhood restau-rants. Participants get an insid-er’s view of these ethnic neigh-borhoods, alive with colorfulimmigrant history and undis-covered hidden gems andgreat food.

Tours are offered to theNorth End on Wednesday,Friday and Saturday and cost$50.00 per person. Chinatown

tours are Thursday andSaturday and cost $65.00 perperson (dim sum included).

Trained as a professionalchef, Michele Topor (a 40 yearresident of Boston’s NorthEnd) has taught cooking,catered, and consulted onItalian food since 1979.Michele’s cooking classes, mar-ket tours and culinary trips toItaly have been featured on tel-evision (including TVFoodNetwork, HGTV and CNN),on the radio, and in variousnational and international pub-lications.

www.bostonfoodtours.com,Phone: 617-523-6032

Becoming more informed is the key to eating well withBoston Food Tours. Participants get an insider’s view ofBoston's ethnic communities, alive with colorful immi-grant history, undiscovered hidden gems and great food.

http://www.bostonfoodtours.com



Join the “Pirates of Fun” for an exciting, yetrelaxing, sail with Pirate Ship Charters (about 11/2 hrs.) aboard the pirate ship ‘Formidable’ asit journeys off historic Cape Ann and RockportHarbor.

Join Pirate Ship Charters and watch the crewclimb the rigging, set sail and share centuriesold tales and sea shanties of pirates, privateers,and patriots.

Guest sail aboard the Northeast’s only tradi-tional square-rigged tall ship sailing the watersoff historic Cape Ann. History becomes fun andalive as the captain commands the crew aloft,hoist the square sails and brace the yardarms.Your sailing experience is enhanced by the

pirate crew’s entertaining and informative man-ner, which engages guests in an interactive waywhile, setting sails, telling sea stories andsinging sea shanties. The crew portray whatmaritime life was like in colonial New Englandfor patriots, privateers and pirates.

Old Ironsides and other tall ships celebratingthe Bicentennial War of 1812 (daily sails and pri-vate charters available).

The company offers daily sails and privatecharters May through October. Rate start at$37.50 adult, $32 senior (62+)/student, $25 child16 or younger (under 2 yr free). For more infor-mation visit online at www.pirateshipcharters.com, or call 978-729-2929.

Rockport, MA - Imagine walking down a wharf stepping onto atall ship, sailing away and becoming a pirate.

http://www.pirateshipcharters


PresortedStandard

U.S.Postage

PaidPlymouth, Oh.Permit No. 71

Weekender Extended 71 Plymouth StreetPlymouth OH 44865

http://www.incredasoil.com

http://www.incredasoil.com

Weekender Extended

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