In Country

Paulina Phelps • January 16, 2015

Whether you are looking for easy-going year-round living or a vacation home to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, country homes can complement any lifestyle. Resting on 30 acres of beautiful Virginia countryside, Windrush Farm is nothing short of a dream country home. Named after a river in England near which current owners Timothy Dunn and Ellen Stofan previously owned a cottage, views of the countryside, including endless mountain ranges and rich green pastures make this a beautiful home in the heart of Virginia’s horse and wine country. In a sea of emerald, the home sits perched on a slope, overlooking acres of verdant rolling hills.

First built in 1850 as a manor house, Windrush Farm is located in the historic district of Rectortown, Va., just minutes from Middleburg.

Known for its Civil War history, with historic battle and grave sites, many of its residences date back to the 18th century.
“The home sits right on the edge of Rectortown where there are little hamlets people aspire to live in because it’s very quaint with very historical homes,” said Dunn.

The home is extremely versatile. With seven bedrooms and three stories it is perfect for an extended family vacation. The guest rooms have beautiful wood floors. Wood burning fireplaces are located in the den, library, living room and master bedroom making it a cozy home for the winter months.

It is also perfect for the warmer months with most main levels opening to the outdoors. The breathtakingly beautiful views can be taken in from the comfortable smooth stone foundation of the terraces. Meals can be enjoyed half outside half inside with a dining table surrounded on three sides by the house walls, and the fourth wall a screen door. A large outdoor patio is ideal for barbeques or cocktail parties on warm summer nights. Unlatch a door and you can easily step into a lush paradise in the garden.
With an attached two-car garage and an additional three-car garage as apart of the barn complex, parking is no problem for grander events.

Aspects of the historic home still resemble the Manor style with its traditional floor plan, front entrance foyer, and the butler’s pantry. Updates to the home were made by Bill Turnure, an architect from Middleburg, who did the redesign and renovations for both the current and previous owners.

Turnure’s expansions over the years have included a 40-by-18-foot indoor pool with a Jacuzzi; tennis courts; pavilions with an outdoor kitchen and lounge area; a green house with a gardener’s room; an extensive garden; a barn used as an office-studio; and an exercise room with access to the pool deck.

Dunn and Stofan have also consulted interior designer Beth O’Quinn, owner of O’Quinn designs in Middleburg, to refurbish aspects of the estate. They’ve also added many of their own pieces bought during their time in England.

The couple bought the home in 2000 from Michael Sullivan and his late wife Beverly Biffle, both prominent socialites in Georgetown.

The home is a sanctuary sitting off the main road. Driving down the private lane of the estate you feel as though you are entering a secret oasis. Drive slowly as you’ll want to take in the beautiful views of the countryside. “The most compelling thing besides the house itself are its views and privacy,” Dunn said.

Dunn retired in 2009 as senior vice president and portfolio manager of Capital Research Global Investors.

For more information visit www.thomasandtalbot.com

The Pelham property is a traditional brick home with forest green painted shutters and roof.

Built in 1878, this home is a historically significant brick home, recognized officially by the Preservation Society of Loudoun County in 1992 for its authentic preservation. This home is praised as an “exceptional example” of a Virginian manor home. Known for its magnificent scale with its high ceilings, nine-foot tall doorways, and floor-to-ceiling windows, the home serves for both easy living and entertaining.

For more information visit www.thomasandtalbot

The exquisite Oakfield estate sits an hour away from D.C. in Upperville, Va. With 86 acres of land, this estate is surrounded by natural beauty with stone walkways and terraces winding through the perennial gardens. The home is built in a traditional style combining the classic details of an older home with up-to-date features.

On the first floor, the foyer opens up to a breathtaking circular staircase winding all the way to the third floor, where more stairs lead to a finished attic.

Other features of the home include a solarium to take in the stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and surrounding countryside.

For more information, visit [www.sheridanmacmohon.com)(http://www.sheridanmacmahon.com/index.cfm?action=properties&sub=property&p=203) [gallery ids="101632,146087,146091" nav="thumbs"]

Ari Post •

The countryside surrounding Washington has long been revered and beloved as the heart of hunt and horse country, and the area’s bourgeoning wine market only enhances the rustic charm of its historic culture in realizing Thomas Jefferson’s long-sought-after dream of winemaking in the region. From world-class dining to unparalleled antiquing and with a wealth of award-winning resorts to turn into temporary holiday homes, the Virginia and Maryland countryside has quietly become one of the premier holiday destinations on the East Coast.

Here is a list of top regional holiday getaways and events. From Christmas in Middleburg, to an intimate retreat of glass (so to speak), there is plenty to do this holiday season in the country.

Williamsburg, Va.
Colonial Williamsburg is a regional mainstay, a town whose appeal is equally attributed to history and beauty. The holiday decorations are a huge attraction, as well as the historic grounds of the College of William and Mary, which is in a state of quiet repose while the students are away over winter break.

Through Dec. 31 Colonial Williamsburg celebrates the holiday season throughout its historic streets as well as in their hotels, taverns, museums and shops. Single candles light each window and more than five miles of pine roping adorn the streets, with a custom-made wreath on each door. Bring along a cup of hot apple cider and enjoy one of the daily Christmas Decorations Walking Tours. Here, you’ll have an up-close guided tour of buildings during Williamburg’s holiday splendor.

Daily children’s activities are hosted throughout the season, including a guided Children’s Orientation Walk that offers first hand view of the 18th-century holiday experience from a child’s perspective. Holiday Tea is also offered at the Williamsburg Inn and Breakfast with Santa Claus is offered at the Williamsburg Lodge on special dates during the holiday season. Be sure to check the calendar of events for details, and call for reservations for these special events (www.WilliamsburgVacations.com).

The Williamsburg Inn is a perfect home base. A two-night Holiday Decorations package includes a walking tour, lunch in a tavern, and admission to the colonial attractions. Add a day of unlimited golf for $99 per player. Available from Dec. 12 through Jan. 4.

If you want to avoid the holiday crush, book the Golden Horseshoe Golf Club’s 40th Anniversary Golf Package. The club’s Gold Course is ranked by Golf Digest as one of Robert Trent Jones, Sr.’s six “Must Play Masterpieces.” The package includes accommodations, two days of unlimited golf, a 40th-anniversary shirt, and a sleeve of balls.

St. Michaels, Md.
For a more temperate holiday experience, the town of St. Michaels is a solid bet. Christmas in St. Michaels is held annually the second weekend in December in historic St. Michaels, and for over 25 years, both ticketed and free events including the Tour of Homes, Holiday Gala, Breakfast with Santa and largest Holiday Parade on the Eastern Shore, have celebrated the arrival of the Christmas season. Proceeds from ticketed events and the sales of popular collectors ornaments have raised more than $1 million to directly benefit local non-profit organizations in our community. Events include a gingerbread house preview cocktail party, house tours, a holiday gala, Breakfast with Santa, and the famous Talbot Street Parade. Come early on Saturday morning to get a great spot along the parade route for the largest holiday parade on the Eastern Shore.

The 80-room Inn at Perry Cabin is a luxurious base, where the guest rooms are filled with antiques and beautiful fabrics. Christmas and New Year’s accommodations are available and include one night’s accommodation and a holiday dinner. Christmas dinner will feature butternut-squash soup with chestnuts, Chesapeake oysters poached in Champagne, oysters wrapped in smoked salmon with crème fraîche and caviar, roast goose with caramelized apples, baby Brussels sprouts and apple-smoked bacon, and linzer streusel tart with gingerbread ice cream. www.TourTalbot.com

The Greenbrier, White Sulphur Springs, W.V.
The Greenbrier is at the top of any resort junkie’s list, tucked away in the Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia for more than 200 years. The resort offers almost every activity you can think of, including three golf courses, a spa, cooking classes and hot-air ballooning.

Your entire family can enjoy holiday traditions with Christmas at the Greenbrier, which includes visiting Santa, sipping hot chocolate by the fireplace, singing carols and ice-skating under the stars. Then, ring in the New Year in style with a glamorous gala while the children enjoy an evening full of fun just for them. Holiday activities include a Christmas lights tour by a Jeep-pulled trolley, cozy carriage rides, bunker tours of the resorts unique de-classified government fallout shelter, and an afternoon tea and concert. www.Greenbrier.com

The Inn at Willow Grove, Orange, Va.
Recently called “The most romantic place I’ve ever stayed” by the Washington Post and “One of the most beautiful jewels in Virginia” by Southern Bride Magazine, the Inn at Willow Grove is the perfect place for a holiday couples’ retreat. Recently renovated, the inn has 11 rooms and a gourmet restaurant, and the surrounding scenery combined with the beauty of the inn attracts guests throughout the year.

With heated floor tiles, soaking tubs and fireplaces, the accommodations are worth the trip alone. You might find yourself not wanting to leave the room. But should you want to explore, there are plenty of things to do. Guest favorites include horseback riding and wine tours to the various wineries in the area. Additionally, the can help arrange hot air balloon trips, civil rights and historic battlefield tours and even skydiving for the brave of heart.

Savage River Lodge, Frostburg, Md.
The only cross-country ski resort in Maryland, Savage River Lodge is a classic mountain retreat on 45 forested acres just west of Frostburg. The rustic-chic lodge is surrounded by 15 miles of cross-country ski trails, and a Nordic Center offers private and group lessons, as well as guided ski and snowshoe tours.

The lodge also features a restaurant, bar, library, and sitting areas on either side of the massive stone fireplace. Guests stay in two-story log cabins a short walk from the lodge, from where they unfurl every morning to homemade muffins and juice in a basket by their door. And as a special treat for your canine companion, the cabins are pet friendly.www.SavageRiverLodge.com

Middleburg, Va.
No Washington country holiday list would be complete without Christmas in Middleburg. Each December, more and more travelers make their way to Middleburg for its unparalleled holiday kick-off celebration. At 5 p.m., Dec. 6, the wonder begins with lighting of the Christmas tree and caroling, to ring in the weekend’s festivities. This quiet, moving ceremony of lights and song gets your spirit in the mood for Christmas.

Saturday is a full day of family festival activities. Saturday’s Breakfast with Santa at 8:30 a.m. is followed by the iconic Middleburg Hunt Review at 11 a.m., with riders on horseback and the pack of hounds coming down the main street.

After lunch, the hour-long Christmas Parade begins at 2 p.m., featuring foot beagle hunt clubs, polo clubs, animal affinity groups, community groups, reenactment bands, high school bands, and quite a myriad of others, with Santa on his coach drawn by matched Ayrshires closing the parade. This year’s parade will feature 85 entries, which makes for 955 persons in the parade with 740 animals. www.ChristmasInMiddleburg.org.
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Robert Devaney •

After years of work, design, discussion and delays, Salamander Resorts and Spa in Middleburg, Va., formally opened the morning of Aug. 29 with snips of golden scissors at the entrance to “Sheila Johnson’s house.”

An hour’s drive from D.C., the 168-room luxury resort sits on 340 acres and is filled with Johnson’s idea of the Middleburg experience and mystique with finely detailed rooms, spas and pools, a library and club bar, cooking studio, wine bar, a stable-inspired restaurant, a stable and paddock, conference rooms, ballroom and terraces. It is the “only new luxury destination resort in the United States to open in 2013,” according to Salamander Resort & Spa.

Prem Devadas, president of Salamander Resorts, greeted the opening-day guests at the front entrance: “Welcome to the house that Sheila Johnson built.” He thanked officials from Middleburg and Loudoun County and introduced the speakers.

Middleburg Mayor Betsy Davis recalled that — after contentious debates on the project and its approval — Salamander founder Johnson told Middleburg officials seven years ago, “I won’t let you down.” Davis said that she admired Johnson’s way of “paying it forward” and added, “Sheila, we will let you down.”

Scott York, chairman-at-large of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, crumbled up his speech and said everyone was waiting to see Salamander’s interior as quickly as he praised the resort’s economic benefits. (Salamander has 2,000 employees.)
Rita McClenny, head of Virginia Tourism, tagged Salamander “a crown jewel” for the state and recalled that Jackie Kennedy put Middleburg on the map in a big way 50 years ago.

David Gergen of CNN also touched at the history of Middleburg with its connection to the Kennedys and the Harrimans. Gergen mentioned that the resort’s opening was during the week of the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington and Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Gergen said he found it “fitting that … we come to celebrate Sheila’s dream” and noted that Johnson is a co-producer of the film, “The Butler.”

As she thanked the many involved in the project, Johnson — businesswoman, philanthropist and second richest black women in the U.S. — spoke of feeling “so many emotions.” “Look at what we have accomplished.” When she moved to Middleburg years ago, “Middleburg was my refuge,” she said. “I found friendships. I felt at home.” With the vision of her resort fulfilled, she said, “There is love in every single detail.”

And so, with the ribbon-cutting, Salamander was open — and guests eagerly entered “Sheila’s house” to have some champagne and a very fine lunch under the supervision of chef Todd Gray. They could see and taste the love in every detail. [gallery ids="101437,153974,153956,153951,153948,153944,153976,153961,153966,153970" nav="thumbs"]

Jordan Hellmuth •

Nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Currituck Sound, Sanderling Resort in Duck, N.C., presents its new multi-million dollar rebrand, spanning from ocean to sound. Since its opening in 1985, Sanderling Resort has had the comfortable feel of a family beach house, with all of the perks of a luxury getaway resort.

Sanderling revamped AAA Four Diamond Left Bank, now Kimball’s Kitchen, highlighting a decadent selection of steak and fresh seafood. Kimball’s Kitchen includes a raw bar with an oyster selection among steak and seafood dishes accompanied by the full hospitality of southern sides. Kimball’s Kitchen could be called Lawrence’s as chef de cuisine John Lawrence will now be gracing the kitchen.

The restored 1899 United States Lifesaving Station turned restaurant of the same name, “Lifesaving Station,” presents the renovated Lifesaving Station Deck as well as the new second floor No.5 bar, overlooking the sound.

The brand new Lobby Bar, serving the Lobby and Patio Deck, will play host to the perfect patio accessory, a fire pit.
The Sanderling Signature Cocktail “Keepers Watch” saves all from the heat of the season, available at the Livesaving Station and SandBar. With honey pecan infused Jim Beam, Bleinheim Ginger Ale, and a slash lemon and lemon wedge garnish, Sanderling goers are in for a sweet treat.

Sanderling’s pool facilities received an upgrade with six new South Wing rooms situated next to the new adults-only heated Tranquility pool, a perfect grown-up getaway. Nine rooms will provide immediate access to the new Resort Family pool. There is also a heated indoor pool at the spa for stormy beach days.

Speaking of the beach, those who stay at Sanderling have private beach access with beach valet for all of their seaside needs. New to this 2013 version of Sanderling, guests have no need to leave the property to partake in water activities including surfing, jet skiing, paddle boarding and more either on the Atlantic or the Currituck Sound.

Gary Tischler •

It’s a drive and a time to get to Country Club Kennels and Training in Fauquier County, Virginia, a drive and a time filled—once you get off the interstates and main drags—with stretches of statuesque barns, sheds that are peeling some original paint, crosses and churches, markets, even a Baja Bistro, a tasty deli-style roadside restaurant serving generous portions of taco and enchilada dishes close to where you’re going. You can practically hear fragments of the Bill Danoff-penned, John Denver anthem “Country Roads.”

We’re far removed from Washington, D.C., its bike lanes and hundreds of restaurants and monuments and neighborhoods and eclectic and electric urban scene. We’re in the country—rolling hills, quiet, sky-filled, field-filled country where Carla Nammack lives and works and lives her twin creations, running her closely connected enterprises, the Country Club Kennels and the Chance Foundation which are at the center of her life.

It’s a life filled with dogs—her own dogs, currently a remarkable 13 in number, but also the dogs being boarded at the 44-acre farm and estate, being groomed, watched over, tended to, spoiled and exercised at the Kennels. There are also the rescue dogs getting tender care, training, socialization and medical attention so that they will more likely be adopted through the auspices of her great and loving charity effort, the Chance Foundation. The foundation is a no-kill rescue and adoption facility, nurtured by Nammack with a series of fund raising and charity events, donations from dog lovers who want to help and by a special place in her imagination and emphatic heart for the dogs that find their way to this place.

For Nammack, the line between her business and her foundation is thin. It’s almost a kind of perpetual motion machine that is bridged by nothing but serendipity and by the common denominator of the presence of dogs. The dogs—those coming here to be boarded for a kind of vacation of their own while their owners vacation—and those abandoned, often wounded and suffering dogs left behind and often saved from being euthanized have something in common. Both groups are loved—no other word for it—one by one and together by Nammack and her staff, in a human illustration of the famous unconditional love attributed to canines.

Nammack loves to talk about dogs—particular dogs like Nellie, or her own first dog which she got as a birthday present when she was nine, or dogs in general, and why they’re special. But you don’t know any of that when you turn into the driveway at Wind Haven Farm at 10739 Bristersburg Road in Catlett, Va. You see a long driveway, green fields, a shed, a lengthy area of vegetation and a tree- rich pond, an office, spotted by dog and animal sculptures here and there. “If it’s a dog, or a horse, I tend to buy it,” she tells you later.

We spot her coming accompanied by two dogs, a brown chocolate lab who comes to check us out with nose, sniff and friendly nudging, and another black dog. She walks at a brisk pace, smiles a greeting, accompanied by an outstretched hand, a petite, attractive blonde woman in a black top and white slacks. Nearby is one of her employees’ truck, with a placard that reads, “You would drink too, if you were a dog groomer.” Nearby, behind a large fenced enclosure, several dogs—recognizably big and small, a Beagle here, a Pomeranian, an eager Cocker—are barking out of curiosity and greeting.

After working in marketing for her father John’s business, she moved on to starting up the kennel in 1996, with the help and support of her dad. “How to describe him—a charismatic, hardworking, always supportive dad, a proud dog lover who taught me about the value of hard work, persevering, and reaching for my dreams.” Her mother is Aina Mergaard Nammack, an accomplished artist whose father was from Norway and mother from Spain. “She raised me to be responsible, independent, to care about others and to make wise choices in life. She is my role model,” she said.
It’s hardly quiet in the kennel’s office—dogs—especially Nellie, who’s due for adoption and, while she’s been here, has acquired quiet diva characteristics. “You cannot get by her without petting her,” she said. Nellie, a beautiful, graceful small grayish Miniature Schnauzer came to Nammack as a rescue with the kind of story that seems typical of Chance Foundation rescues: “Nellie was found lying on the side of the road…someone spotted her and took her to the nearest shelter. She was matted, covered in fleas and ticks, filthy, with an infected tumor on her back. …. After l2 days at the shelter, she was scheduled to be put down, but Carla and two of her employees, Jenna Seale and Madison Ross saw her and immediately agreed that she did not deserve to die at a shelter. They brought her to the kennel assuming she would be a hospice situation. After some antibiotics, a good grooming and one day as the office greeter, she made a complete 180-degree turn around.”

Nellie—scheduled for an operation to remove the growth on her back—has since been adopted by two women who had previously adopted two others dogs from the Chance Foundation.

More than a few times, rescued dogs get adopted by Carla herself. She has “13 dogs, at last count, not counting the ones who passed on,” she said.

There are other stories than Nellie’s—including that of Pom Pom, a small, energetic Pomeranian hit by a car with devastating effect. Pom Pom had part of his jaw removed by surgery, which had the salutatory effect of making him appear oddly cuter.

Her own first dog? “I got to pick for myself,” Nammack said. “There was this one dog, they were all puppies, and I just scooped him up right away.” He was a ninth birthday present, “part great dane, part mastiff, part boxer.” He got quite large. His name was Treve. It was the start of a love affair with Great Danes, who “are just big babies”. You can tell—there’s a painting of one of her Great Danes in the house, and he’s on the kennel’s business card. “Sampson,” she said. “Handsome Sampson, he was the most majestic boy on earth. He was my best friend and was perfect in every way.”
If it is true that, as some have claimed, that “all dogs go to heaven,” there are probably quite a few dogs who will think that heaven looks just like the Country Club Kennel grounds, the green, green grass—and pool, and pond and vast exercise yards and runs—of home.

Here’s what you see and get when a dog is brought for boarding here—extra-large kennel runs, exercise and play time six to seven times a day, all play closely supervised and only with the owner’s permission, supervision by a staff of 12 plus volunteers, a pool, a waterfall pool and the ponds. This is a place where dogs forget to think about their owners.

Nammack, an expert trainer herself—you can find her advice on various training and behavior issues on You Tube videos and her website at www.countryclubkennels.com—is straight forward about her love of dogs. “Dogs,” she said, “don’t want that much—food, a little attention, sleep, play—and they’re happy. And that’s the least you can do, because they give so much back.” And it goes without saying, the best, most valuable medium of exchange—when all is said and done—between humans and dogs is love.

Nammack started the Chance Foundation in 2000 after a heart-rending meeting with a dog named Chance whose time left in life could have been measured in minutes or at best hours, but who was rescued and saved by her and in turn inspired her to do more. Dogs up for adoption, their stories and their life and times show up on the Kennel website—their faces, their journeys are both touching and joyful, and for dog lovers, a treat.
Nammack leads us on a journey with her dogs, from her office, where a pug and the Beagle Pringles eye you with hope, to the pool, where the brown lab and the expectant Cocker with the tennis ball always in his mouth leap exuberantly into the pool and time again.

Through the spacious house we go, where sometimes geese fly overhead, and the orange cat comes out for a look, and off they all head to the pond, Nammack moving ahead like a pied piper, the dogs behind, in front and beside her. Pom Pom—who avoided the pool’s depth—leaps into the pond like a breaststroke swimmer, time and time again, then rolls in the grass, showing none of the vanity of a Pomeranian.

It strikes you then watching them all—Nammack, the handlers, young women and the dogs—that this is a happy site and sight. With the dogs leaping in, shaking off water, Nammack’s slacks turning muddy brown (“I knew I shouldn’t have worn white today”) there is no affectation here at all, everything—dogs and human, Carla Nammack and her angels, the dogs—are all in the moment, Kennel and Chance together.

For more information, please visit Carla Nammack’s website at CountryClubKennels.com.
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Dana Farrior •

This New Year’s Eve, Virginia towns near and far offer a variety of festivities perfect for kicking off 2015. From wine pairings and Champagne toasts to New Year’s Day brunch, the possibilities are boundless. Here’s a short guide to help you make the most of the holiday.

Salamander Resort & Spa (500 North Pendleton St., Middleburg) will offer couples’ packages as well as options for individuals. The culinary Masterpiece Dinner will allow you to celebrate the New Year with seven delicious courses and perfectly paired wines. Dinner will be followed by live music, a balloon drop and a Champagne toast. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. and tickets cost $200 per person.

If your plans don’t include dinner, but rather brunch, Harrimans at Salamander Resort & Spa is serving up a sweet and savory selection along with a Bloody Mary and Mimosa Bar. Brunch runs from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and costs $59 per adult and $25 per child age 12 and under.

Goodstone Inn & Restaurant (36205 Snake Hill Rd., Middleburg) is providing a four-course meal with wine pairings and a midnight champagne toast, with seating as early as 5:30 p.m. and as late as 9:45 p.m. Tickets cost $145 per person.
Laporta’s Restaurant (1600 Duke St., Alexandria wants you to ring in the New Year with their late night buffet and standing cocktail party, running from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m., with live jazz playing between 8 p.m. and 1 a.m. Early dinner seating will run from 4 p.m. until 6:30 p.m., with a three-course meal costing $45.99. A later dinner includes four courses and costs $69.99, by reservation only. Before the midnight Champagne toast, Laporta’s is offering two winter cocktails – the Winter Spice Sangria, which includes fresh-cut mixed fruit marinated in wine, brandy and spices served as a spritzer and the Moscow Mule, consisting of Stoli vodka, Canton ginger liqueur and Goslings ginger beer – and one “mocktail,” the non-alcoholic Blood Orange Lychee Water. For reservations or more information, call 703- 683-6313.

Bastille (1201 North Royal St., Alexandria) is the perfect cozy and intimate space to spend the hours leading up to the New Year.
Bastille will fête New Year’s Eve with its “Reveillon de la Saint Sylvestre” dinner. The first seating from 5 to 6:30pm is a three-course prix fixe for $79, exclusive of taxes and gratuities, with wine pairings upon request. After the market surprise amuse bouche, guests will enjoy menu highlights including butternut squash risotto and parmesan broth; braised lobster in a curried coconut emulsion; bacon-wrapped rabbit loin; and coconut cake with caramelized pumpkin butter and curry ice cream. Taking things to the next level with the second seating from 8 to 10 p.m., guests will enjoy a four-course prix fixe for $99, or $139 with wine pairings, exclusive of taxes and gratuities. After the market surprise amuse bouche, guests may choose from notable dishes including steak tartare; seared foie gras; sautéed Wild Turbot filet; and roasted spiced pineapple marmalade almond cake. This meal will certainly set the bar high for a year of health, wealth and merriment.

Alex Schulte • December 5, 2014

Home to some of the most legendary back bowls in the United States, Vail, Colo., is a must-visit for the skiing enthusiasts in your family. While the quiet town does not have quite the grandeur of Aspen, locals brag that it has the best actual skiing of any resort in the country.

Vail is the nation’s single largest resort, with nearly 5,300 acres of skiable terrain, 10,000-plus-foot-tall peaks and the most groomed slopes of any resort in the world. It is no wonder that those who know say, “you haven’t skied until you’ve skied Vail.”

When arriving in Vail, you will notice the distinct Germanic feel embraced by the town. Many of the buildings have a Bavarian, chalet-like feel and embody a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Though, as in Aspen, you will find five-star restaurants, clothing boutiques and over 100,000 square feet of spa services spread across Vail’s Lionshead and Vail Village, you will also encounter a community that truly puts skiing first. Vail is a place where Olympic champions are bred and trained.

Stamped with European sentiment, Vail is the closest you can get to the Alps. But there’s an added bonus: Colorado Champagne Powder. The fluffy goodness will provide an extra cushion as you charge down the mountain through trees, over steep rock faces and into the immense backside. Though it takes some time getting used to, it will surely subdue your fear of careening down icy faces.

Vail’s slopes are comparable in breadth to those at the leading alpine resorts in Germany, Switzerland, France and Italy without being above the tree line. The average snowfall of nearly 350 inches will not be blown away as quickly as on the bald faces of St. Moritz.

In early February 2015, Vail and its sister resort, Beaver Creek, will host the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships. This will be the third time the two have hosted the celebrated event, and only the fourth time it has been held in the United States. Held every two years, the event only plays second fiddle to the Olympics. Racers will compete in the downhill, alpine combined, giant slalom and slalom. Olympic gold medalists Mikaela Shiffrin and Lindsey Vonn, both Vail’s own, are slated to compete alongside 600 athletes from 70 nations.

If you are looking to take your ski passion to the next level, and rub shoulders with the best in the business, keep Vail in mind. [gallery ids="118373,118364,118379" nav="thumbs"]

Peter Murray • November 19, 2014

Charlottesville, Va., is a natural and cultural small-town treasure that is best enjoyed in the fall. The Charlottesville fall experience begins with the journey, a drive straight down Route 29. As you escape D.C.’s suburbs, 29 opens onto lush meadows, rolling farmland – now framed in fall colors – and, eventually, views of blue mountains.

Be sure to book a hotel near the historic downtown mall. The charming strip features a movie theater, an ice rink, countless trendy bars and restaurants and a large pavilion for free concerts. Maybe you’ll be lucky and cross paths with a big name like Bruce Springsteen, Passion Pit or Phoenix, all of whom have played the pavilion in recent years.

Best of all, Charlottesville’s downtown mall is open to pedestrian traffic only, making it a good destination for simply hanging out and enjoying the passing scene.

When you get to town, head for the University of Virginia. Take a self-guided tour and get lost in a maze of Thomas Jefferson’s wondrous neoclassical architecture, marked by white columns and red Virginia brick. With a Frisbee, you can make the most of the majestic Lawn, bordered by rustic dorm rooms constructed in the early 1800s. The rooms have fireplaces, but no restrooms or showers, so look out for students rushing back from the bathroom in the cold in their towels.

If you’re in Charlottesville on a Saturday this fall, check out the university’s prepsters in their coats and ties and their Lilly Pulitzer sundresses – which come out no matter the temperature – on Scott Stadium’s grass hill. UVA’s team has a so-so record this season, but the game is as much about people-watching as sport.

From there, you can take a quick drive up to Jefferson’s home, Monticello, a beautiful estate that overlooks the entire town, inspiring Charlottesville’s cult of the third president. The property offers lessons in history, mechanics, architecture and more, with a sumptuous mansion, slave quarters and exhibits featuring some of Jefferson’s self-made gadgets.

After learning about one of the country’s founding farmers, visitors can follow the Monticello Wine Trail, a string of vineyards and wineries that leads to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Taste some of the best reds and whites on the east coast with stops at Pippin Hill Farm and Winery, Blenheim Vineyards and even Trump Winery.

If you’re traveling to Charlottesville between Nov. 14 and 23, seek out the Cider Week specials, including cider cocktails at the Petit Pois restaurant, free tastings at the Market Street Wineshop and a workshop on making cider at home at Fifth Season Gardening. More information is available at www.ciderweekva.com.

Get down to Charlottesville before winter’s chill takes hold. For only a two-hour trip, there is much to behold in this charming and historic university town.

Georgetowner • November 6, 2014

The 77th International Gold Cup steeplechase races held October 25th in The Plains, Va. strive to keep the tradition of the hunt alive with a number of family oriented events, such as pony and terrier races before the main event, best hat contests and an abundance of food vendors mixed among new car displays, parachute demonstrations and food-filled tailgates by families and corporations alike. According to the Official Gold Cup website, over 45,000 spectators attend the events. Pictured above is a sampling of the days happenings.

Anders Ohm • October 23, 2014

Oysters are best in the months with an “R” in them, so don’t miss your opportunity to eat them during the fall season. In D.C., oysters used to be cheap and abundant due to the proximity to the Chesapeake Bay. At the turn of the 20th century, Washington had more than 150 oyster bars. The oyster population of Chesapeake Bay had dropped to about one percent of the population in the late 19th century due to overfishing, disease and pollution. But recently, there have been a number of successful efforts taken to restore populations, which has seen the return of oysters’ popularity in Washington. Check out our calendar with the area’s best oyster-themed events this fall and winter.

Oct. 11
Holly Point Art & Seafood Festival
The 11th annual Holly Point Art and Seafood festival has something fun for everyone. The festival will offer oysters, seafood, art and family fun. Visitors will also see restored buy-boats, used for harvesting oysters. The event takes place at the beautiful Holly Point Nature Park and Deltaville Maritime Museum on the waterfront. Admission is free. 287 Jackson Creek Rd, Deltaville, Va., 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information visit
deltavillemuseum.com.

Oct. 18 and 19
St. Mary’s Oyster Festival
Enjoy live music, entertainment and lots of food at the 48th St. Mary’s County Oyster Festival. There will be fun for everyone with activities from shellfish exhibits to carnival rides. People come from all over to compete in the National Oyster Shucking Contest and the National Oyster Cook-off. Admission is $5 for adults; free for children 12 and under. Hours on Saturday are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Location: St. Mary’s County Fairgrounds. 42455 Fairgrounds Road, Leonardtown, Md. For more information visit usoysterfest.com.

Oct. 25
The Inaugural 1905 Oyster Roast on the Roof
Deck with DC Brau
1905 Bistro & Bar along side DC Brau will be hosting their first oyster roast. Enjoy all-you-can-eat Rappahannock oysters and your choice of two sides prepared by Chef Joel Hatton. DC Brau will be supplying $5 drafts and their first-ever Oktoberfest. The oyster roast will take place on the roof deck of the 1905 Bistro & Bar, 1905 9th St., NW. Hours are noon to 5 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advanced; $25 at the door. 1905dc.com/etc

Oct. 25
Bull, Shrimp and Oyster Roast
Chesapeake Down Syndrome Parent Group is hosting their 5th annual Bull, Shrimp and Oyster Roast at Columbus Gardens in Nottingham, Md. The buffet will feature pit beef, pit ham, pit turkey, shrimp, oysters and more. Beer, wine, soda and cocktails will be available. All proceeds from the roast will benefit CDSPG educational programs, family outreach and community advocacy. Visit cdspg.org for more information.

Nov. 7 and 8
Urbanna Oyster Festival
Come by boat or car to the Urbanna Oyster Festival, the largest and longest running oyster festival in the United States. During the festival, the streets of Urbanna, Va., are closed to vehicles and filled with crafts and seafood vendors. Visitors can enjoy music at the concert stage, learn about the history of the area or participate in oyster shucking and wine tasting. The focal point of the festival has become the Saturday Parade which has continued to grow over the years from an event featuring floats and antique cars into a much larger parade with marching bands and more. Visit urbannaoysterfestival.com for additional information.

Nov. 21 and 22
Old Ebbitt Grill’s Oyster Riot
Held each year the Friday and Saturday before Thanksgiving, the Oyster Riot is back for the 20th time. Each night, tens of thousands of oysters are devoured by nearly 1000 guests who enjoy live music while they dine. The bivalves will be served with the gold medal winning wines of the International Wines for Oyster Competition, which selects the best wines to go with oysters from over 200 entrees. The Oyster Riot runs from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings. The most recent addition, the Saturday Matinee Oyster Riot, takes place from noon to 3 p.m. Visit Ebbitt.com for tickets and more information.
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