Salem drops 2-1 decision to Kinston
After prevailing by three runs on Thursday and two runs on Friday, the Kinston Indians hung on for a slim 2-1 triumph on Saturday to sweep the Salem Sox in the opening series of the second half.
Despite allowing two runs, an argument could be made that Sox southpaw Chris Hernandez outdueled his Indians counterpart, but Salem’s offense could not muster a single earned run off Drew Pomeranz and a trio of relievers. The Sox put runners on base in each of the four innings that Pomeranz lasted on the mound, but stranded six men on base and only scored once, plating an unearned tally in the fourth. Over the final five innings, the Red Sox managed just one baserunner against the Kinston bullpen.
Hernandez set down the first seven men he faced and nine of the first ten over three scoreless innings, but the K-Tribe utilized back-to-back doubles from Casey Frawley and Anthony Gallas to break a scoreless tie in the fourth. Gallas drove in Frawley to make it 1-0 and crossed the plate himself on Adam Abraham’s RBI-groundout, giving the Indians a 2-0 edge. Hernandez went six strong and only allowed those two runs on five hits, but suffered the loss, dropping his record to 5-5 despite the quality start.
Pomeranz, the Carolina League ERA leader, did not allow an earned run, yet he labored through four innings, giving up three hits and four walks. James Kang took a bases-loaded walk to force in a run in the last of the fourth, but Pomeranz induced a groundout from Pichardo to escape the threat with a 2-1 lead, stranding the bases loaded. Pomeranz departed after the fourth, taking a no-decision with his four-strikeout, four-walk performance.
Francisco Jimenez replaced Pomeranz and dominated the Red Sox in three scoreless innings, striking out five Salem batters in his time on the mound. Jose Flores tossed a 1-2-3 eighth, preceding Preston Guilmet’s perfect ninth that netted him his 18th save, tying him with Frederick’s Sean Gleason for the league lead. Jimenez earned the victory, improving to 2-1 with his electrifying relief performance.
Kinston finished with seven hits spread between seven different hitters, while the Red Sox had four hits, two apiece for Kolbrin Vitek and James Kang. Salem went 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position and left seven on base, falling to 0-3 in the half and dropping its fourth straight overall.
The homestand continues with Myrtle Beach arriving to town for a 4:05 matinee on Sunday. Righthander Ryan Pressly makes his first start of the second half in the series opener, while lefthander Robbie Ross will get the ball for the Pelicans to commence the three-game set.
#1 UVa. falls in 13: SC ends Cavs run in CWS
Virginia had the bases loaded and nobody out in the top of the 13th inning. South Carolina was the team dogpiling in the bottom of the inning.
Adam Matthews ran home from third after the second of two throwing errors by UVa. relief pitcher Cody Winiarski, and South Carolina advanced to the College World Series finals with a 3-2 win over the top-seeded Cavs.
Virginia (56-12) had loaded the bases with one out in the 12th before centerfielder Shane Halley, in as a defensive replacement and with one hit all season, hit into a double play on a 2-0 pitch by SC closer Matt Price (7-3).
Price somehow wiggled out of another bases-loaded jam in the 13th, this one with no outs, striking out Super Regionals hero Chris Taylor and getting John Barr, who had three hits on the night, to line into a double play.
Winiarski (6-4) came in relief of closer Branden Kline, who threw 107 pitches in five tense innings out of the pen. Brady Thomas led off the inning with a single, and was replaced on the basepaths by Matthews. Peter Mooney bunted back to Winiarski, who had time to get Matthews at second but threw the ball into center, leaving the Gamecocks with runners at first and second with no outs.
Robert Beary followed with a bunt that Winiarski fielded. He tried to cut down Matthews again, but the throw got past third baseman Stephen Proscia, allowing Matthews to scamper home.
Virginia had ace Danny Hultzen on the mound with an early 1-0 lead, and Hultzen was dealing at the outset, posting eight strikeouts through three innings. But UVa. coach Brian O’Connor lifted Hultzen, who was suffering from un undisclosed illness.
Kyle Crockett gave up a pair of runs in relief in the fourth but settled down to keep the Cavs close. Virginia tied it in the eight when Chris Taylor reached on an error and scored an out later on an error by Mooney on a ground ball off the bat of John Hicks.
South Carolina (53-14) will face SEC rival Florida (53-17) in the best-of-three CWS final beginning Monday night.
Blown call costs P-Nats
In the bottom of the 13th inning of a seesaw affair in Myrtle Beach, Eury Perez made a sensational diving catch in the left center field gap that appeared to send the game to another inning. But field umpire John Bacon ruled that Perez did not catch the ball, and in a wave of confusion, Leury Garcia sprinted home for the winning run. In-house replays later showed that Perez clearly caught the ball. The Nationals argued passionately on the field, Bacon conferred with home-plate umpire Asa Gaddy, but the call stood and the Pelicans were handed a 5-4 win.
The controversy overshadowed a wildly entertaining game that saw multiple lead changes, bizarre plays and missed opportunities. Rob Wort worked out of a self-created, bases-loaded jam in the tenth but surrendered the lead on a two-out single by Jared Bolden in the 11th. In the twelfth, Steven Souza appeared to give the Nats another lead, but his line drive headed for left field hit Jeff Kobernus, the runner at second, to end the inning.
Myrtle (41-30) took the early lead for the second straight night. In the first inning, back-to-back singles off Trevor Holder were cashed in by Chris McGuiness’s RBI ground ball. The Pelicans doubled their lead in the fourth: a leadoff double by Zach Zaneski became a run when Jared Hoying tripled to left and it was 2-0.
Potomac (30-41) tied the game in the fifth. Three straight hits keyed the rally, the first of which was a double by Souza. The first baseman had four hits on the night and scored the first Potomac run when Sandy Leon singled. J.P. Ramirez, who had reached on a ground-ball single to left, scored on J.R. Higley’s groundout.
The Nats surged ahead in the sixth inning. After consecutive one-out singles, Leon, again roped a base hit to center than scored Justin Bloxom and gave Potomac a 3-2 lead.
Bloxom’s glove helped Myrtle tie it in their half of the sixth. A leadoff error put Ryan Strausborger aboard and he scored on Mitch Hilligoss’s double to left off Josh Smoker, who had relieved Holder.
It would stay that way until the eleventh, which featured more clutch hitting from Higley and more controversy involving the umpires. After Souza led off with his third hit, Ramirez squared to bunt. Pelicans pitcher Joseph Ortiz tried to throw to second but zipped the ball into center field, and both runners were safe. Leon then laid down a bunt to third. Myrtle Beach put the wheel play on: Hilligoss charged, threw to a covering Garcia at third, who then tossed across to get Leon at first for a double play. Nats’ manager Matt LeCroy argued the call at third and was ejected from the game. On a 1-2 pitch with Ramirez at second, Higley delivered a hit to left that put Potomac ahead.
The two clubs will play the rubber match Saturday evening at 7:05 P.M. The broadcast can be heard beginning at 6:40.
VCU hoops, UVa.’s Starsia nominated for ESPYs
Music stars have the Grammys, movie stars have the Oscars. TV stars have the Emmys and sports stars have the ESPYs.
It’s an exclusive list that gets to enjoy one of the best night in sports, but the VCU men’s basketball team will be on that list next month. The Rams have earned an ESPY Nomination for “Biggest Upset” for their unforgettable March and their upset of top-seeded Kansas in the Southwest Regional Final.
“This is just a really cool opportunity for us and I’m blessed to be able enjoy it with some of my closest friends,” senior Joey Rodriguez said. “To be invited to one of the biggest nights in sports and in the same crowd as these superstars is something we’ll never forget.”
Along with Rodriguez, Head Coach Shaka Smart, Jamie Skeen, Ed Nixon and Brandon Rozzell will head to Los Angeles from July 12-14th. An exclusive gathering for all the nominees will take place on July 12th and the live taping of the ESPYs on Wednesday, July 13th at Nokia Theatre.
Virginia men’s lacrosse head coach Dom Starsia, meanwhile, is one of five nominees for an ESPY award in the category of Best Coach/Manager. The ESPYs are LIVE this year and this is the one night where athletes from all sports join together to celebrate the best moments of the year.
Also nominated in the category with Starsia is UConn men’s basketball coach Jim Calhoun, Dallas Mavericks coach and UVa alum Rick Carlisle, Auburn football head coach Gene Chizik and Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy.
Starsia led UVa to the 2011 NCAA title with a 13-5 overall record. Virginia became the first No. 7 seed and five-loss team to win a NCAA men’s lacrosse title. Along the way he passed Jack Emmer (326) for most career victories all-time at a Division I school with a convincing 13-9 triumph over No. 2 seed Cornell in the NCAA quarterfinal round.
Fans can vote for the 2011 ESPYs at www.espn.com/espys..
Indians knock off Sox
Sequels like this are not supposed to be made, but unfortunately, baseball follows no script.
For the second straight night, the K-Tribe used a multi-run ninth inning to break a 2-2 tie, downing the Salem Sox 4-2 on Friday evening at LewisGale Field. With two outs and a man at first, Adam Abraham swung and launched a towering line-drive homer over the left field fence, surging Kinston into the lead. Abraham’s blast off Salem reliever Kendal Volz was his 11th round-tripper of the season, four of which have come against the Red Sox, and the Indians third-baseman finished 3-4 to pace the Tribe offense. Salem went 1-2-3 in the last of the ninth and fell to 0-2 in the second half.
Incredibly, the Indians won despite going hitless in 13 at-bats with runners in scoring position and stranding 11 runners aboard in the ballgame. Salem starter Pete Ruiz got knocked out after two and two-thirds turbulent innings, but minimized the damage to just two runs, with the K-Tribe leaving six runners on over the first three frames. After the Indians chased Ruiz, Jeremiah Bayer pitched brilliantly out of the Salem pen, dealing four and a third scoreless innings to keep the Sox in the game.
Both teams scored once in the first, with Jeremie Tice driving in Anthony Gallas on an RBI double before Dan Butler’s sac fly plated Wilfred Pichardo to even it up. An RBI ground-out in the third from Justin Toole brought home Tice to give the Indians a 2-1 lead, and Salem managed nothing more off Kinston starter Brett Brach until the seventh. With the Sox down by a run, Shannon Wilkerson led off with a solo homer to left, his ninth dinger of the season, tying the score at two. The Red Sox put two more runners on base in the seventh with two out, but Chris Jones emerged from the Indians bullpen, escaped the jam, and retired the final seven Sox of the ballgame. Jones picked up the win in relief, improving to 4-0 on the season
Volz retired the leadoff man in the ninth, an inning that was greeted with a 2-2 score for the second consecutive night. But Volz walked Gallas with one away to give the Tribe a baserunner. Tice flew out to left, but, with Cid pinch-running for Gallas, Abraham arrived and smashed the game-deciding dinger to deep left-center. As a consequence, Volz got tagged with the loss and fell to 2-3.
David Mailman went 3-3 for the Red Sox with two doubles, but all three hits occurred with the bases empty and Salem stranded Mailman every time. Wilkerson went 2-4, while Wilfred Pichardo, Bryce Brentz, and Derrik Gibson each collected one hit apiece.
The Sox will strive to avoid a frustrating trilogy of losses in the series finale on Saturday night, with a showdown of All-Star lefties scheduled to pitch. Salem sends Chris Hernandez to the hill opposite Kinston’s Drew Pomeranz, who currently leads the Carolina League in ERA. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05, with the gates opening at 4:30 in anticipation of the pregame Shontelle concert.
Funding for CBF Partnership to improve Valley water quality
USDA NRCS has approved $50,000 in funding to sustain ongoing partnership activities with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation to improve water quality in the Shenandoah Valley.
Authorized through the Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative (CCPI), this project is part of a multi-stakeholder effort to target technical assistance and funding in the high-density animal production regions of Page, Rockingham, Augusta, and Shenandoah counties. Signup is continuous with the first evaluation period ending on July 15 and the second on July 29. All funds must be obligated in contracts with landowners by August 15, 2011.
“This project is a great match for CCPI because the Chesapeake Bay Foundation is committed to educating agricultural producers as well as the public about the important connection between conservation practices and the health of our communities, farmlands, and the streams and rivers of the Chesapeake Bay,” says Jack Bricker, NRCS State Conservationist.
Landowners in the above counties will be encouraged to enroll in the NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to receive technical and financial assistance for livestock stream exclusion fencing and associated off-stream watering systems to reduce sediment, pathogens, and nutrients in local streams. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation will partner with local NRCS and Soil and Water Conservation District staff to work with EQIP-qualified landowners to design and install practices in the area, which is home to approximately 30 percent of the state’s dairy and 75 percent of the state’s poultry farms.
“CBF has had the privilege to work closely with many talented partners, especially NRCS, and together we’re making a difference on the ground. Through funding programs such as CCPI, there is more conservation money available now, and we want to be sure farmers know about it and have the tools and opportunity to use it,” says Libby Norris, CBF’s Virginia Watershed Restoration Scientist. “If we can match willing farmers with funding, good things can happen in the Shenandoah Valley and downstream in the Bay.”
The concentration of animal farms has led to nitrogen, phosphorus, sediment and bacteria pollution in area streams, the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers, and the Chesapeake Bay. Specific emphasis will be placed on small tributaries such as Smith Creek, Cooks Creek, and Muddy Creek because collaborative efforts are already underway there to achieve measurable water quality improvement.
To learn more about CCPI, contact your local NRCS office or visit our website at www.va.nrcs.usda.gov.
19th EMU Festival pairs Bach and Mozart
Christine Fairfield (l.), soprano; and Carrie Stevens, alto, sing a duet with organ chorale during the Bach Cantata 172 at the Leipzig service. Cellist, Paige Riggs, and bass player, Peter Spaar, are long-time Bach Festivalparticipants. Photo by Jim Bishop.
“Great music. Great musicians. Nourishment for the soul.” Artistic director and conductor Kenneth J. Nafziger made these promises to the audience at the start of the 19th annual Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival.
In keeping with Nafziger’s comments, the June 12-19 festival at Eastern Mennonite University featured works by Bach and Mozart, energetic vocal and instrumental performances and a closing Leipzig worship service with a homily by Margaret Foth.
The opening concert included Bach’s “Concerto in C Minor for Violin, Oboe and Strings” and Mozart’s “Sinfonia Concertante for Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn and Orchestra.” But performances of works by Chopin, Rachmaninov and Haydn provided some of the liveliest moments.
Filling in at the last minute for another musician, pianist Naoko Takao of Miami offered rousing solo performances of Chopin’s “Barcarolle in F-sharp Major, Op. 60″ and three short works by Rachmaninov. And cellist Paige Riggs of Pittsburgh received sustained applause for her performance of Haydn’s “Concerto in C Major for Cello and Orchestra.”
Vocal music played a prominent role in the June 17 and 18 evening concerts. The Saturday program featured Mozart’s challenging “Missa in C Minor” and the second act from his Marriage of Figaro, while the Friday concert included Bach’s “Cantata No. 49,” Ich geh und suche mit Verlangen and Gian Carlo Menotti’s humorous operetta, “The Telephone,” with soloist Sharla Nafziger, soprano, and Thomas Jones, baritone.
Also during the week, festival musicians offered solo and chamber group performances at free noon concerts Monday through Saturday. The standing-room-only events were held in the beautiful sanctuary of Asbury United Methodist Church in downtown Harrisonburg and underwritten by local businesses and individual “friends of Bach.”
Again this year, the hands of time were pushed backward as EMU’s Lehman Auditorium was transformed into St. Thomas Lutheran Church in 18th century Leipzig, Germany, where Bach was cantor and composed a cantata for each Sunday’s service.
According to the program notes, the city of Leipzig’s town fathers “reluctantly accepted Bach as their third choice because no one of better qualifications was available” and for nearly 27 years “had at their service the greatest church musician and quite possibly the greatest musician the world has ever known.”
The well-attended Leipzig service featured Bach’s “Cantata 172,” with the festival choir and orchestra and soloists Christine Fairfield, soprano; Carrie Stevens, alto; Daniel Buchanan, tenor and Thomas Jones, bass and Marvin Mills, organist.
Mills, organist at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Kensington, Md., played Mozart’s “Church Sonata No. 15 in C Major for Organ and Strings” as the prelude to the service.
Former radio speaker Margaret Foth of Harrisonburg, who works with EMU’s Center for Justice and Peacebuilding (CJP) program, gave the homily on the theme, “How is it that we hear, each of us, in our own language?”
Foth shared stories of students from around the world who came to study and learn peacebuilding skills in the CJP program at EMU and returned to their home countries
“The language of peacebuilding is courageous and risk taking; it’s breaking down prejudices with new friendships; it is listening deeply,” Foth said. “The language of peacebuilding may open the depth of our pain to the possibility of healing and transformation.
“The language of peacebuilding is invitational – ‘all are welcome’ – and the Holy Spirit is healing,” Foth said. “Today we celebrate the Spirit of God moving in our world, so that each may hear in our own place, the sounds of peace.”
For Douglas Kehlenbrink of Alexandria, Va., principal bassoonist in the festival orchestra, coming back to Harrisonburg to participate in the Bach Festival is “a pilgrimage, a spiritual journey.
“There’s a spiritual center here in this place,” said Kehlenbrink, who has played in 18 of the 19 festivals. “The noon chamber music programs are a highlight for me, plus I love the music of Bach and Mozart.”
Lisa Mast of Bridgewater, Va., a member of the Bach Festival board, felt “honored” to sing soprano in the festival choir and have opportunity to work with Ken Nafziger. Mast, a 2005 EMU alumna, is choral director at Ft. Defiance (VA) High School.
“It’s amazing how a diverse group of people can come together, rehearse music of this caliber and then sing together publicly in this unique setting,” Mast said. “It was a joy to be part of it.”
Next year’s program, to be held June 10-17, 2012, will mark the 20th anniversary of the Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival and will feature a commissioned work by guest cellist and composer Eugene Friesen. Friesen, a faculty member faculty of the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Mass., who lives in Vermont, was a featured performer at the 2008 festival.
Story by Dave Graybill & Jim Bishop
…Ism Explosion at Staunton Augusta Art Center
The Staunton Augusta Art Center is now taking registrations for an …Ism Explosion July 11-15 (10am-noon).
Ada Sue Myers, the multiple-award-winning recent graduate from MBC’s art department, will be teaching Expressionism to 4- to 5-year-olds. They will definitely need smocks – which we provide – because these youngsters will learn Jackson Pollack-inspired painting techniques. Look out!
The Impressionism class for 6- to 8-year-olds will be taught by Beth Lint, who teaches art for Waynesboro Public Schools. She has been a favorite teacher at Summer Studio in the past and we’re happy to welcome her back, now that she has adjusted to young motherhood. What a nice coincidence that Beth’s favorite artist is Monet!
Veteran art teacher Maribeth Nolde will be leading the older campers (9- to 12-year-olds) in their exploration of Surrealism. Would you like an artistic interpretation of your dreams?
The teachers are knowledgeable, experienced, energetic, and creative. The students develop art skills in an art history/art theory context and have a blast in the process.
Register today by calling the Art Center at 540.885.2028. Classes are $85/week for non-members and $75/week for members and pre-registration is required.
Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park announces ‘History at Sunset’ Programs
Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park is pleased to announce a series of special “History at Sunset” programs. These ranger-conducted presentations cover a variety of subjects and provide visitors an opportunity to see sites not normally open, or widely accessible, to the general public. Explore and learn about some of the “hidden gems” of the park. Each program is free and lasts between 60 to 90 minutes.
July 1, 7:00 p.m.
The Tragic Deaths of Stephen Ramseur and Charles Lowell: Examples of a Generation Lost
The Civil War was the deadliest in American history, costing the country over 625,000 lives. It particularly devastated a generation of young men, in their 20s and 30s, both North and South. This program examines the lives of two such men who fought at Cedar Creek and the impacts their deaths had on their families and communities. Meet Park Ranger Shannon Moeck at the main parking lot at Belle Grove (336 Belle Grove Road, Middletown, VA). This program will visit several locations around the park, and thus will involve a car caravan system (visitors follow the ranger’s vehicle).
July 8, 7:00 p.m.
“Recorded in Scriptured Stone” The 8th Vermont Monument at Cedar Creek
Visit one of the few monuments located on the battlefield and learn the story of the New England regiment it memorializes. Located on private property, this monument is normally not open to the public. Meet Park Ranger Eric Campbell at the National Park Service Administrative Office in Middletown (Middletown Courts, 7718 ½ Main Street). Visitors will then car-pool to another site closer to the monument’s location. A short walk over moderate terrain is required. Good walking shoes or boots are recommended.
July 15, 7:00 p.m.
Belle Grove in the Civil War: The 1864 Valley Campaign The majestic plantation of Belle Grove witnessed numerous military campaigns and occupations throughout the Civil War. At no time was this more true than during the 1864 Valley campaigns, when the manor house was used by numerous generals as their headquarters, and opposing armies camped upon its grounds throughout the spring, summer and fall. Join local historian Dr. Wayne Sulfridge as he examines Belle Grove’s involvement in these larger events, and the site’s critical role during the climatic combat that swirled around the house and grounds during the Battle of Cedar Creek on October 19, 1864. Meet at the front lawn of Belle Grove (336 Belle Grove Road, Middletown, VA).
July 22, 7:00 p.m.
“Their Deadly Business” The Battle of Third Winchester
The Third Battle of Winchester was the largest and bloodiest battle fought in the Shenandoah Valley during the Civil War. Join Park Ranger Eric Campbell for a tour that will walk this storied ground, including portions of the battlefield owned by the Civil War Trust and ground more recently purchased by the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation. The program will follow the flow of battle and visit areas made forever famous by the fighting, such as First and Second Woods, Middle Field, Red Bud Run and more. Meet at the parking lot behind Millbrook High School, at the east end of the Civil War Trust walking trail (Millbrook High School, 251 First Woods Drive, Winchester, VA). Good walking shoes or boots, and water are recommended.
July 29, 7:00 p.m.
“A Bad Place for a Fight” Exploring the Civil War Entrenchments at Cedar Creek
Some of the most pristine Civil War entrenchments that survive in the Shenandoah Valley are located on the bluffs above Cedar Creek. Preserved by the Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation, these field works are among the most extensive examples of fortifications constructed during the war. Join Park Ranger Jonathan Steplyk for a special walking tour along this trench line and learn not only how these works were constructed and what role they played in the battle, but also the evolving nature of fortifications throughout the Civil War. Meet at the parking lot of the Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation (8437 Valley Pike, Middletown, VA). Visitors will then car-pool to another site closer to the entrenchments. A mile long walk over moderate terrain is required. Good walking shoes or boots and water are highly recommended.
August 5, 7:00 p.m.
The Tragic Deaths of Stephen Ramseur and Charles Lowell: Examples of a Generation Lost
The Civil War was the deadliest in American history, costing the country over 625,000 lives. It particularly devastated a generation of young men, in their 20s and 30s, both North and South. This program examines the lives of two such men who fought at Cedar Creek and the impacts their deaths had on their families and communities. Meet Park Ranger Shannon Moeck at the main parking lot at Belle Grove (336 Belle Grove Road, Middletown, VA). This program will visit several locations around the park, and thus will involve a car caravan system (visitors follow the ranger’s vehicle).
August 12, 7:00 p.m.
The Valley Pike: Thoroughfare to Frontier, Prosperity and War
One of the most critical features in the settlement and economic growth of the Shenandoah Valley was the existence and improvement of the principal road that ran along its length. Known successively as the Great Warrior Path, the Great Wagon Road, and the Valley Pike, this thoroughfare played a critical role throughout the entire history of the Valley, and of numerous campaigns during the four years of the Civil War. Join Park Ranger Shannon Moeck as she explains the evolution of this road and its impact on history. Meet at the main parking lot at Belle Grove (336 Belle Grove Road, Middletown, VA). This program will visit several locations around the park, and thus will involve a car caravan system (visitors follow the ranger’s vehicle).
New Montpelier exhibit to tell Dolley Madison’s life story
In the 1800s, people turned to icons such as First Lady Dolley Madison to spot the latest fashion trends, just as people adopt style ideas from today’s icons. The new exhibit Dolley Madison’s Life Through Fashion: Dressing the Part at James Madison’s Montpelier uses the clothing of Dolley Madison to trace the scope of her fascinating life and the significant contributions she made to our young nation. The temporary exhibit will treat visitors to eight richly detailed gowns created for Dolley Madison: America’s First Lady, part of the PBS “American Experience” film series. The exhibit features a video clip showing how the costumes were created using historic fashion research and costume sketches. The dresses will be on display on the mansion’s second floor from June 15, 2011– March 31, 2012.
“The costumes from the PBS documentary Dolley Madison: America’s First Lady tell the fascinating story of America’s defining first lady,” said Michael C. Quinn, James Madison’s Montpelier president. “Visitors will see the kind of clothing Dolley wore in each phase of her life, including: a muted silk day dress from her time as a young Philadelphia Quaker; a colorful striped dress from her early years as James Madison’s wife; a re-creation of her stunning buff velvet inaugural gown and turban; and a red ermine-trimmed over dress of the kind she wore to set a courageous example after the British burned the White House during the War of 1812.”
Dolley Madison made a profound impact on the newly-established country, spending 16 years as a social icon in the nation’s new Washington capital. She served as hostess for the widowed President Thomas Jefferson while James Madison was secretary of state, and created and defined the role of first lady during the eight years of Madison’s presidency. Dolley Madison took it upon herself to rally a volunteer effort to help fund and equip the Lewis and Clark expedition. As first lady, she presided over the first inaugural ball, brought together political adversaries in social settings, and set the precedent for first ladies championing causes by founding the Washington Female Orphan Asylum.
By the time Dolley Madison died in 1849, she had seen sweeping changes in our young nation. She had seen the United States achieve and defend its nation status through the American Revolution and War of 1812. She knew personally every president from George Washington to Zachary Taylor. She sent the first private telegraph message, had her photograph taken by Mathew Brady, and was present for the laying of the cornerstone of the Washington Monument. In recognition of her service, Mrs. Madison was granted an honorary seat in Congress. A grateful nation honored her contributions with the largest state funeral Washington had ever seen.
“In addition to recognizing Dolley Madison’s political stature, people also viewed Dolley Madison as a fashion icon,” said Peggy Vaughn, Montpelier vice president of communications and visitor services. “One of her contemporaries once remarked, ‘Mrs. Madison’s turbans are as famous in Washington to-day as her snuff box.’ But to Dolley, clothing was more than just a way to display beauty; it was a way to communicate. Recognizing the importance of her position as first lady, Dolley carefully selected her clothing and accessories to set a ‘cultured, but not courtly’ tone for the new country, according to another contemporary.”
Dolley Madison faced financial struggles when she returned to Washington after James Madison’s death. She was still considered Washington’s grand dame and was often welcomed to the finest dinners and parties. Unable to afford new clothing, she fashioned more conservative mourning dresses from the luxurious dresses she once wore as first lady.
Dinner Diva: Most common grilling mistakes
Summer is here! Obviously, I’m a big fan of the grill and I feel as though I’ve spoken at length about it in that regard, so this isn’t another article expressing my unwavering love for this cooking marvel, rather, it’s a cautionary tale.
Though the grill may seem flawless and requiring hardly any maintenance at all, it isn’t always the case. The grill is a remarkably low-maintenance piece of equipment, but it does need some looking after. So, I’m going to make a little list of common mistakes you can learn to avoid from the start:
Clean Your Grill. Just because everything technically burns off, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t scrape down the remains of the previous meal made. Think about it, would you want burnt scraps of last week’s dinner sneaking into this week’s? I didn’t think so. All you need to do is take a metal brush and either brush it down after you use it or even wait until you use it again - either way make sure it happens before the next course of food touches the grate.
Put A Lid On It! (Or not!) Just because you have a lid doesn?t mean you have to use it religiously. In fact, I suggest skipping the lid when grilling the essentials (steak, chicken, burgers, etc.). You’ll notice that whenever you do that you lock in the smoke and your steak that had been marinating for two days prior will have the strong taste of smoke instead of the marinade.
Make It Right. First of all - don’t just throw a steak on the grill straight from it’s packaging. That flavorful first bite you’ve been looking forward to since you brought that luscious steak home in the first place is going to be severely lacking in any flavor. On the other hand I don’t want you to submerge it in a sea of marinade for a week. Think simple. As far as steaks go, I recommend rubbing each side in with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and a bit of basic steak rub - taking a gallon size Ziploc and add just a bit of olive oil and apple cider vinegar, then add the steaks and allow them you soak in that for a few hours if not one or two days. Then write me a thank you note telling me how delightful your steak was!
Keep Your Eyes Peeled. When you?re grilling, you won’t have the same amount of prep time you do when you’re in the kitchen. In fact, you really won’t have any time at all because you’ll always have to keep an eye on whatever you?re grilling lest it becomes charred remains. So, before diving into the dinner you’ve plotted to be entirely cooked on the grill, make sure everything is seasoned, sliced, diced, and ready to go!
We have ways of making grilling SUPER simple, check out our Freezer Meals that go on the GRILL at www.savingdinner.com.
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The AFP on WREL: News and politics on tap
Posted on June 24, 2011 · Leave a Comment
The segment begins with coverage of the announcement tour of State Del. Ben Cline, R-Rockbridge, who is running for re-election in the 24th House District this fall. The discussion then turns to sports, specifically #1 UVa.’s must-win game against South Carolina in the College World Series. Can the Cavs overcome the challenge from last year’s national champions?
Filed under Blogs · Tagged with afp on wrel, chris graham, college baseball, college world series, jim bresnahan, uva. baseball, valley league