Rapp Happenings

Event listings must reach us (preferably by email to events@rappnews.com) by Monday at noon for Thursday’s paper; an actual street address and a phone number we can publish are also necessary. Please limit listings to 60 words. Many more events are listed on our website at Rappnews.com/events.

Saturday, Jan. 28

Constitutional seminar: Friends of Liberty’s second session in its seven-week seminar on the U.S. Constitution starts at 12 noon at the Rappahannock County Library. (Please note the Saturday date is a change from previous plans; all future meetings are planned on Fridays through March 2.) Free and open to the public, but space is limited so RSVP if you did not attend the first session Jan. 20. To reserve, call 540-6753657 or email gannon54@comcast.net. More info at friendsofliberty.org.

‘Art, Oysters and Wine’: At Rappahannock Central, 3 River Lane, Sperryville, from 11 to 6 today: Sample local flavor from Little Washington Winery and Rappahannock River Oyster Co., meet the winemakers and enjoy the pairings of two great Virginia tastes, meet the artists and tour the galleries of River District Arts cooperative and adjacent Middle Street Gallery (which also has an opening of its “Members and Friends” exhibit), and celebrate the grand opening of the Farm to Fork Market (with Setter Mountain moonshine barbecue and demonstrations of alpaca, wool and woodworking. Free admission. Call 540-987-8770 for information.

Cab Franc tasting: Fourth Annual Cab Franc Vertical Tasting at Gadino Cellars features 20052009 cabernet francs and includes a barrel sample of the 2011 cab franc in its infancy. All wines will be served with tapas-style dishes from a local caterer. Choose a session (1 to 3 p.m. or 4 to 6 p.m.) and call Stephanie Gadino-pross at 540-423-8032 to reserve. Fee is $65 per person.

The Benevolent Fund- raiser: Because of the fire at the Sperryville School House (formerly the Link), the Benevolent Fund’s annual Celebrity Waiter Dinner will be replaced this year by an evening of hors d’oeuvres and merriment to raise money for the Fund, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Washington Fire Hall. The cost is $50 per person. For more information, call Beverly Atkins at 540675-5370 or Bette Mahoney at 540-675-3446.

Winemaker dinner: Join Marriott Ranch and Barrel Oak Winery for a winemaker dinner at 7 p.m. at Marriott Ranch in Hume. Five-course meal paired with wine is $99 per person plus tax. Call 540-364-2627 for information and reservations.

Sunday, Jan. 29

Mountain Laurel open house: Open house is 1 to 3:30 at Mountain Laurel Montessori Farm School, 23 Sunny Slope Lane, Flint Hill. Meet the teachers, observe classrooms, tour the school and learn about Montessori education from birth through ninth grade. Call 540-636-4257 or visit mountainlaurelmontessori.org for more information. (The open house goes on simultaneously at Mountain Laurel Montessori School, 155 Biggs Dr., Front Royal.)

Nature talk with Bruce Jones: Rappahannock League for Environmental Protection (RLEP) sponsors a talk at 2 p.m. at The Theatre at Washington with Bruce Jones on “The Intricate Relationships in Nature.” For further information, call 540-675RLEP. All are welcome to this free presentation.

Civil War program: A program of music from the Civil War era at 3 p.m. is sponsored by the Rappahannock Historical Society at Flint Hill Baptist Church. Music by Evergreen Shade, refreshments available, contributions welcome. A wonderful afternoon of music and fellowship in a church built just before the Civil War. Visit the newly dedicated grave of Albert Willis, a Confederate soldier who gave his life for another, just behind the church. For more information, call 540-675-1163.

‘Threads of Hope’: Trinity Episcopal Church presents “Israel and Palestine: Threads of Hope” at 4 p.m. in the parish hall. The event begins with a wine and light appetizer reception to be followed at 4:30 p.m. by Paula and Todd Endo’s presentation detailing their visits to Israel and Palestine, followed by discussion. Open to all. For more information, contact Fran Moore Krebser at 540-631-0821.

Monday, Jan. 30

Belle Meade lecture: Ralph Bates shares his international experiences from his time in the Peace Corps at 12:30 p.m. at Belle Meade School, Sperryville. For information, call 540-987-8970.

Tuesday, Jan. 31

Sock knitting class: Toe Up Sock Knitting class at Knit Wit Yarn Shop, Sperryville, is 5:30 to 8 p.m. Learn to knit socks from the toe up using two circular needles. Participants must know how to knit, purl stitches. You will need sock yarn, 40-inch circular needle in the size for your yarn. Free class. Call to register at 540-987-8251.

‘Wild in Your Backyard’: Learn everything you need to know about wildlife habitat at Old Rag Master Naturalists’ “Going Wild in Your Backyard,” an open house on habitat that includes experts and exhibits from more than 20 conservation organizations, a series of habitat-related presentations, children’s activities, and more. Free, open 10 to 4 p.m. at Eastern View High School, 16332 Cyclone Way, Culpeper. For more information, visit oldragmasternaturalists.org or contact Pam Owen at 540-2270137 or ormn.openhouse@gmail.com.

Saturday, Feb. 4

Chester Gap awards dinner: Chester Gap Volunteer Fire Department, 42 Waterfall Rd., holds a community and awards dinner at 5 p.m. Dinner served at 6 p.m.; the fire department will provide meat and drinks. Everyone is asked to bring a covered dish. The awards will be presented after dinner. For more information, call 540-6355472.

Smithsonian concert: The only music from the baroque era included in this 20th season of the Smithsonian at Little Washington concert series is featured in this 8 p.m. performance at the Theatre in Washington. French baroque composer Jean-philippe Rameau wrote the “Pieces de clavecin en concerts” in 1741, and his compositions are played in this by violinist Marc Destrube, Italian viola da gamba player Paolo Pandolfo and harpsichordist Kenneth Slowik. Tickets are $25 ($10 students 17 and younger). For reservations call 540-675-1253 or email Theatreva@aol.com.

Sunday, Feb. 5

Headband knitting class: Learn the technique of knitting with multiple strands of yarn for a beginner fair isle headband and how to read a chart from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Knit Wit Yarn Shop in Sperryville. Supplies needed: 16-inch, size 6 or 7 circular needles stitch markers, and seven colors sport weight yarn (partial balls okay). Skills required: knit and purl stitches. Free class. To register, call 540-987-8251.

Beekeeping course: Registration and a meet-and-greet for Northern Piedmont Beekeepers’ Association is 2 to 4 p.m. at the Culpeper Depot for the association’s upcoming seven-week course for those interested in honeybees. Classes will be held 7 to 9 p.m. for the next seven Tuesdays at the Depot, 113 S. Commerce St. (near the corner of Commerce and Davis). Forms available at www.npbee.org or by contacting Karen Hunt at kahu9@juno.com or 540-937-4792. Advance registration is strongly encouraged. Texts, handouts and a one-year membership in NPBA are included in the course fee of $100 per person or family.

Saturday, Feb. 11

Narmada wine pairing: Enjoy your favorite Narmada Winery wines paired with light fare, plus a winery tour, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Amissville winery. Cost is $25 per person ($20 for Maharaja Wine Club members.) Two sittings at 2 and 4; reservations required. For more information, call 540-9378215 or email trista@narmadawinery.com.

Black History celebration: Scrabble School Preservation Foundation’s “Celebration of Black History” at Scrabble School starts at 4 p.m. with guest speakers Rev. Reginald Raginald Green, who in 1961 participated in the Freedom Rides that challenged Jim Crow segregation laws on interstate buses, and Cleo Coleman of the Rosenwald School in Port Royal. Va. Musical offerings by the Unity Choir. A Heritage Soup Supper fol- lows the program. Free and open to all at the school, 111 Scrabble Road, Castleton, a half mile from the intersection of U.S. 522 and Scrabble Road. For more information, contact Bob Lander at 540987-8504 or visit scrabbleschool.org online.

Church variety show: Washington Baptist Church invites all to its 15th annual Church Variety Show at the Theatre in Washington. The evening of family fun, with the usual surprises and music by Hollowbound, starts at 7 p.m.; a chili/soup supper is offered free from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. at the church Fellowship Hall. For more information, call 540-675-3336.

Sunday, Feb. 12

Bland music competition: The public is invited to the Theatre in Washington for vocal and instrumental music by competitors in the Rappahannock Lions Club’s annual James Bland Music Contest for young players and singers. Free; starts at 2 p.m. For registration information, email Alex Taylor at aldtaylor23@yahoo.com.

Tuesday, Feb. 14

RRCSB- AAA meeting: The Rappahannock-rapidan Community Services Board and Area Agency on Aging’s (RRCSBAAA) regular board meeting is 1 p.m. at its offices at 15361 Bradford Road, Culpeper. Those with disabilities who require special assistance to attend and participate should contact Kimberley Martin at 540-825-3100, ext. 3146 (TTY 540-825-7391).

Thursday, Feb. 16

Fruit school: The 2012 Madison-rappahannock Area Fruit School at Graves Mountain Lodge in Syria starts at 8:30 with registration; sponsored lunch at 12:30 p.m. Various topics of interest to fruit growers on the agenda, including a spray bulletin update, management of apple powdery mildew, brown marmorated stink bugs and best practices, until about 2 p.m. Free, but if you plan to attend, call the Extension office at 540-675-3619.

Saturday, Feb. 18

Ham and oyster dinner: Washington Volunteer Fire and Rescue’s annual all-you-can-eat ham and oyster dinner is 4 to 8 p.m. at the fire hall, with fried oysters, oyster stew, country ham, baked ham and lots of sides and desserts. Admission to the fundraiser is $25 ($10 for ages 4 to 10, younger kids free). For more information, call 540-675-3615.

Sunday, Feb. 19

Pot holder class: Learn to cable-knit a pot holder from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Knit Wit Shop in Sperryville. Supplies needed, worsted weight 100-percent wool or cotton, needle size 7 or 8, and a cable needle. Skills required: knit and purl stitches. Free class. Call 540-987-8251 to register.

Friday, Feb. 24Saturday, Feb. 25

‘Beatles’ auditions: Musicians, bands, singers, actors and dancers are invited to audition for the Hearthstone School’s variety show with a theme of “The Beatles,” acts featuring the band’s music, any style, including any

Beatles tune-inspired movement, dance, acting and more. The more diverse, the better! Auditions are 4 to 6 p.m. this Friday and Saturday (Feb. 24-25) and again on FridaySaturday, March 2-3. The variety show itself is 7:30 p.m. March 23 at the school, with a dinner at 6 p.m. For more information: 540987-9212 or info@hearthstoneschool.org.

Saturday, Feb. 25

Garden conference: Gardening conference is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Germanna’s Daniel Technology Center, Culpeper, presented by the Four-county Master Gardeners (serving Rappahannock, Culpeper, Orange and Madison counties). “Sparking Creativity in Your Garden” will include four presentations; register by Feb. 4. Cost is $40 ($35 for active Master Gardeners) and includes lunch. For more information, visit fourcountymastergardener.org or call 540-543-2200.

Saturday, March 3

Thornton Hill race: Come and enjoy the Thornton Hill Fort Valley Hounds Point-to-point Races at the Thornton Hill Racecourse in Sperryville. Full day of timber, hurdle and flat racing at one of Virginia’s most beautiful courses. First race at 12:30. For more information and reserved parking, call 540-987-8338. (General-admission parking also available.)

Saturday, March 17

Leprechaun 5K: Run in the inaugural Leprechaun Launch, a 5K obstacle race at Hoover Fields/clore Trail next to Madison Primary School. Tackle Mount Madison, do the Mountain Cat Crawl, climb Little Old Rag and more. Proceeds benefit the MPS playground drive. Cost for 5K is $30 before Feb. 15, $35 after, and the kids’ obstacle challenge is free. Starts at 8 a.m., with check-in at 7:15. Visit mpsplayground.com or contact Valerie Miller at 540718-6531 for questions or if you wish to volunteer.

Saturday, April 21

Trinity arts festival: Arts and Crafts Festival at Trinity Episcopal Church is 11 to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 Sunday (during Fodderstack weekend). Exhibitors affiliated with Trinity Episcopal Church will display and sell their painting, photography, baskets, soaps and woodwork, ceramics and other fine arts and crafts. There’s an auction at 6 p.m. Friday (April 20). Proceeds benefit the church and its programs. Call 540675-3716 for more information.