Events in the Area for Saturday, June 1st, 2013

Looking for a fun weekend activity for you and the family?  Virginia's State Parks have so much to offer!

On Saturday, June 1st, in honor of National Trails Day, High Bridge Trail State Park, located in Farmville, will be hosting a "Life is Complicated, Running is Simple"  5K Race.  Visit http://www.virginia.org/Listings/EventsAndExhibits/NationalTrailsDayLifeisComplicatedRunningisSimple5kRace/ for more  information on registration.

Is running not quite your thing?  Check out the Holiday Lake Bluegrass Festival, located in Appomattox.  Gates open at 11 AM and music will be played from 12 to 8 PM.  Featured bands include Half Bad Bluegrass Band, James River Cut-Ups, Shaky Grass Band, and Clearwater Branch.  Other activities include vendors, crafts, face-painting, and games.  Admission is $10 and children under 12 are  free.  Visit http://holidaylake4h.com/blue&brew.php for more information.

Not interested in running OR bluegrass music?  Not a problem!  Take the whole family swimming at Twin Lakes State Park and enjoy the 90-degree weather tomorrow!  Check out http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/parkfees.shtml for parking and admission fees.

Want to take a breather and check in for a relaxing stay at the Grey Swan Inn?  We still have several rooms available for the weekend!  We'd love to have you stay with us and enjoy our delicious breakfasts!  The inn is only a short drive from the previously mentioned events.  Check out our website http://www.greyswaninn.com/ for room availability. 

Have a safe and happy weekend!

Innkeeper Speaks about Peace Corps

Jim and I met long after his two year venture with Peace Corps and I still like hearing about his experiences for those years. Last night was another one of those opportunities when he was the speaker for Blackstone Rotary Club.He opens the meeting speaking an incomprehensible string of sounds.. and using mime. Repeating over and over, we start getting what he was talking about. And then he explains, that's how he learned Marshallese. Jim joined Peace Corps right out of college going to San Jose for an introduction... or as he put, they worked very hard at trying to talk those interested into backing out.... The interviewers were former Peace Corps Volunteers and knew the hardships first hand. He was told he was going to be all alone and isolated without other Americans for two years. That didn't daunt him. He then when to Hawaii for 10 weeks of training. Hawaii??? That a tough training site, right??

Jim then went to an island in Central Pacific with only 200 people and lived with a family that spoke no English. He job assignment was to teach English as a second language (TESL) . He continued to tell the Rotarians about foods eaten (fish, coconut, and lots of commodities - canned bologna and Spam), fishing adventures, how he lived on the island, and live among the Marshallese.

Peace Corps is celebrating 50 years this year - thank you, Jim, for sharing your Peace Corps experience with me again and with my fellow Rotarians!

Blackstone, Virginia is on the National Register of Historical Places and is a good walking tour for visitors to Blackstone. The Grey Swan Inn Bed and Breakfast is a part of the registered site, located at 615 South Main Street. Other places of interest include downtown Blackstone (which is a Virginia Main Street community), Schwartz' Tavern and The Carriage Museum. Wear good walking shoes, bring your camera, and enjoy Blackstone's history!!

Below is a walking tour map beginning at The Grey Swan Inn and outlines the residential areas that are part of the National Register:



View Larger Map

What a President Would Have Eaten

Happy President's Day!

While volunteering at our local Blackstone Friends of Library bookstore, The Book End, I found a wonderful little cookbook "Monroe Family Recipes" which was published in 1988 by Ash Lawn-Highland, College of William and Mary, the home of James and Elizabeth Monroe in Charlottesville, Virginia. What a find... it gave a bit of the history of the cooking and foods available during Monroe's time.

Here's one of the recipes which we'll want to try at the Grey Swan Inn when the summer tomatoes are in:


Tomatoes and Eggs


(Original recipe: Grease muffin tins; put one thick slice of unpeeled tomato into each tin; season with salt and pepper; break one egg on top of each slice; again season with salt and pepper and put a small piece of butter on top of each egg. Back in an oven until the egg is set. Serve on rounds of toast and garnish with parsley. This is good with cheese grated over the egg.)

1 large ripe tomato

6 eggs

salt, pepper

butter

6 slices of bread, toasted

parsley

1/4 cup grated cheese



Preheat oven to 350 degrees.


Grease six muffin cups thoroughly with butter. Place one thick slice of toato in each cup. Sprinkle with a little salt and pepper.


Break one egg into each cup. Season it with salt and pepepr and place about 1/2 tsp. butter ontop of each egg. Back until the eggs are firm and set.


Serve on hot toast with cheese and parsley sprinkled over each egg. Serves 6.

Civil War Encampment - June 13 & 14, 2009

Come to Nottoway Court House, Virginia, June 13 & 14, 2009 and enjoy a Civil War Encampment!
There will be lots of activities for all ages to enjoy. Stay at The Grey Swan Inn Bed and Breakfast during this weekend event and continue the Civil War theme with breakfast foods designed around foods served during the mid-1800's.

Be sure to come to Seay Park in Blackstone, VA on Saturday for the Lemonade and Cookie Social from 7 pm - 9 pm

Arsenic and Old Lace

SACT (Southside Area Community Theatre) & Mitchell's Restaurant presents Arsenic & Old Lace

Enjoy a play about a dramatic critic who comes home to become engaged to his love, only to find out that his two sweet dear old aunts have developed a bad habit of poisoning lonely old men. They feel what they are doing a service putting these men out of their misery. They even bury them in the cellar complete with funeral services. Fortunately, his brother is a perfect patsy since he already thinks he is Teddy Roosevelt - the murders could be pinned on him and he live out his days in Happy Dale sanitarium. Unfortunately, the other devious brother makes an untimely return home with his drunken doctor friend. They too have been on a killing spree.

This play is full of comedy and will delight all. Many local celebs are making appearances in this play - Liz & Charlotte Walters, Jim Hausbrouck, Tom Forrester, Kelly Forrester, Pete Smith, Richard Aviles, Joe McMillan and many many more! This play is directed, organized and kept on track by Christy Aviles (Director) and Mary Sydney Gilley (Stage Manager) just to mention a few. Without the kindness of Mitchell's - we would be doing this all on the street! Can't forget the blood, sweat and tears of Tilly Conley (Producer) and Bev Boyko and their crew of volunteers!

I STRONGLY urge you to come - the talent is amazing - It will be a great show.

Show Dates and Specifics -

May 28, 30 & June 4 & 6 at7:00 pm Dinner & Show - $25.00 - please arrive 1 hour before performance

May 31 & June 7 at 2:00 pm Show Only - $10.00

Please call Mitchell's to make reservations (434-292-4100) Limited seating is available.

Coming Soon to Blackstone - Arsenic and Old Lace

More to be posted soon - with dates and ticket information!