(10/26) History and the arts form a great combination at this year's Mountaintop Community Fall Fair and Art Show. Now in its third year, this event which benefits the Amanda Bowders Community Memorial Garden, will be held Saturday, November 5, 2011, at the Blue Ridge Mt. Vol. Fire and Rescue Company fire hall, 13063 Monterey Lane, Blue Ridge Summit PA. Come on out and
visit between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. and take in this year's line up of artists, authors, home-made craft vendors, great food and local community organizations. What a great opportunity to look for that early Christmas gift of a signed book, home-made quilt, a special piece of pottery, or that unique piece of artwork. Also, don't forget to bring along an item from the attic and have
it appraised at the Collectible's Road Show - only $5 per item. Discover what that family heirloom is really worth!
From 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. there will be an auction of great items including antiques and collectibles, art work, local memorabilia, local services gift certificates and much, much more. For you wine connoisseurs, the Adams County Winery has donated a private tour of their winery and a wine tasting for up to 10 people to be auctioned off that day! Donations are still
being accepted - please contact Duke or Lynn Martin (717-642-5645) or Kevin Kipe (717-552-6351).
And entertainment - a great pair of local singers will be there to perform and wow you! Rich Fehle will perform at 10:00 a.m. If you missed Rich at the Blue Ridge Summit Library's Ice Cream now is the time to hear his great performance. Claire Martin wowed the crowd at the USO show (part of the Fountaindale Vol. Fire Department's WWII living history) this past summer, and
will sing some of those great classic 1940's songs as part of her performance beginning at 1:00 p.m.
We are privileged to have such a number of hugely talented artists and crafts people in our area. With us at the Fall Fair and Art Show will be Bill Hammann, with his scherenschnitte collection; local artists Carolyn Smith (come see her recently finished painting of the Battle of Monterey Pass and purchase a print to benefit the Friends of the Monterey Pass Battlefield
Association, exotic face painting), Ruth and Penny Durbin (paintings with water color, oil, pen and ink), Steve Burdette (paintings of local attractions), Valerie Parsons (wheel thrown and hand built pottery); artisans Ellen Dorosh (hand weaving and quilting), Ruth Phillips (quilted wall hangings, table runners, purses, etc.), Annette Bishop (Beaded ornaments and accessories), Barb Weekly
(knitted bags, scarves, etc.), Karen Manderson (hand made quilts and fabric creations); Fossils, crystals and jewelry by Jack and Holly Olszewski and Gold Canyon Candles and home accessories by Jen Campbell, along with other artists and crafts persons who signed up after this press release.
Included in the line up of authors at this year's event are:
C.W. and Rhonda Lee Whitehair, authors of historical Civil War books. C.W. has written Escape Across the Potomac, Saber and Roses, Gettysburg the Field of Glory, and co-authored Northern Fire with his wife Rhonda Lee. C.W. wrote The Struggle for Harpers Ferry, an Amazon Best Selling Short Story in 2007, and he and Rhonda Lee are currently co-authoring a novel entitled The
Bloody Harvest. (See www.whitehairbooks.com).
Herb Flemming, from Berkeley County, W. VA., is the author of the self- published book From Hitler Youth to American Soldier. The book chronicles Flemming's journey from Germany, in the Hitler Youth Camp, to America as a refugee and later as part of the U.S. Army forces occupying his former home.
(See www.herbflemmingslife.com).
Sally Sawyer, from Gettysburg PA, has written her first novel titled: Prelude to Reveille: A Vietnam Awakening. Inspired by real-life experiences of author S.D. Sawyer and her husband, this narrative begins in December 1967, when newlyweds Tom and Meg Barrington reported to his first Army station, The Old Guard, in Arlington VA. Wounded half-way through his tour of duty in
Vietnam, Tom went from combat on a jungle trail to surgery in Japan and enrollment in a small college back home. As anti-war demonstrations and protests cordoned off returning veterans, many felt betrayed, deserted by their country. This novel presents a hard contrast between the repeatedly tested valor of such noble heroes, and the chilling response to them from this once-proud country.
Bob O'Connor has written both fiction and non-fiction historical novels. Included in his publications are The Perfect Steel Trap - Harpers Ferry 1859, 2006 Best Book Award Finalist, Historical Fiction; The Virginian Who Might Have Saved Lincoln, 2008 First Runner Up National Indie Excellence Awards, Audio Fiction; and historical non-fiction The U.S.Colored Troops at
Andersonville Prison; Ranson, A Centennial History and The Life of Abraham Lincoln as President. (See www.boboconnorbooks.com).
Mary Alice Baumgardner will be appearing and signing her new book titled Esther Oyster's Irritations. Mary Alice collaborated with her son, Matthew, on this latest children's illustrated book. This latest publication shows how one can turn hurt into beauty - making good decisions can have a positive affect on your life, especially in times of hurt. This is her third
children's book to be published, following Alexandra, Keeper of Dreams and Buzzy Newton's Terrible Discovery. Mary Alice also illustrated the book A Job For Arabella, by Pat Mowak-Hairston. All of the proceeds from this book are used to benefit Carolina Canines, an organization which furnishes service dogs to help persons with physical ailments, including our wounded warriors.
Joan Fry will be present with copies of her latest book, Part 2, Plus as well as her first publication The State Sanatorium as Sabillasville. Her latest book is loaded with local history information and pictures of the Blue Ridge Summit, Monterey, Buena Vista, Charmian, and Fountaindale, areas in Pennsylvania and of the Highfield, Cascade, Fort Ritchie, Pen Mar and
Sabillasville areas in Maryland. She also includes information regarding the Western Maryland Railway, and Pen Mar Park. Her first publication gives insight into the beginnings of the Victor Cullen hospital, biographical information on Dr. Victor F. Cullen, and descriptions of supporting functions available to the patients at this local tuberculosis treatment center.
You can also purchase signed copies of either John Miller's factual book The Battle of Monterey Pass , or Ed Bearss recent historical novel Receding Tide, at the Friends of the Battle of Monterey Pass exhibit.
The Blue Ridge Summit Free Library booth will feature library memorabilia at bargain prices, plus signed copies of John McClellan's recent publication A River To Cross. Stop by to see pictures of the recent community service project performed for the library by Lowe's employees as part of their Heroes program.
Breakfast and lunch are available from the kitchen of the Blue Ridge Mt. Vol. Fire and Rescue Company. A good menu with some healthy selections will be available.
Come on out for a fun time, good community fellowship and entertainment - all to benefit the Amanda Bowders Community Memorial Garden. For additional information contact Duke or Lynn Martin (717-642-5645 or email jacksmtn@embarqmail.com) or Kevin Kipe (717-552-6351).
