Hello Friends:
I’ve always liked visiting Richmond, VA for its many historic sites (the White House of the Conferacy is wonderful), fun and funky shopping, great dining and manageable size. Now if you re an Edgar Allan Poe aficionado starting in July, there will be three new exhibits in honor of the Edgar Allan Poe Bicentennial. The exhibits are part of Poe Revealed 1809-2009, a cooperative effort among Virginia historical sites, museums, libraries and performing arts organizations to commemorate the life and works of Poe throughout 2009. It was Richmond, Virginia that Poe considered home; the place where he grew up, married and first gained a national literary reputation.
On July 1, Richmond's Poe Museum will present Ratiocination: Poe the Detective. The exhibit will explore Poe's attempts to close an unsolved murder case in 1842. Poe, who had recently invented the detective story with his murder mystery "The Murders in the Rue Morgue," read in the newspapers of the brutal killing of a popular New York cigar girl named Mary C. Rogers. By studying the newspaper accounts of the case, Poe thought he could find the killer. Poe's solution was never universally accepted, so the case remains unsolved.
Ratiocination: Poe the Detective will bring together the evidence Poe would have studied and will allow visitors the opportunity to take part in the investigation and identify the murderer. The opening reception for the exhibit will be held on Thursday, June 25 from 6 to 9 p.m., where guests will be invited to take part in a "crime scene investigation" at the Poe Museum.
The exhibit will run through January 3, 2010. The Poe Museum is open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday. The museum is closed on Mondays. Admission is $6. For guided tours and group tours, please call 804-648-5523.
Additionally, the Library of Virginia, in partnership with the Poe Museum, will on July 20 unveil a major exhibit exploring the myths and legends surrounding America's first internationally renowned author. Poe: Man, Myth, or Monster asks "Who is Edgar Allan Poe?" The exhibit covers the many facets of Poe's life and explores his influence on pop culture as someone who has his own action figure and comic book, and has appeared in film, television, and other authors' novels. The exhibit also explores the contradictory information about the writer that circulated throughout his lifetime and following his death. Poe was sometimes less-than-truthful about his life and subsequent biographers were also less-than-factual, erring either on the side of Poe the drunken madman or Poe the refined, ever-proper gentleman. So, who exactly was Edgar Allan Poe?
The exhibit includes three interactive stations: Poe's Words (readings from Poe), Poe in Film (the 1928 silent film The Fall of the House of Usher), and Fact or Fiction (where visitors can test their knowledge of Poe). Among the more than 100 items (digital and original) in the exhibit are:
· A copy of Tamerlane, Poe's first, but not widely distributed, published book of poetry (1827)
· Posters in different languages from commercial films based on Poe's tales
· An Edgar, the annual award given by the Mystery Writers of America
· Illustrations of The Raven by James Carling (1857–1887)
· Original manuscripts of "Eulalie: a Song," "To Elizabeth," and Poe's autobiography
Poe: Man, Myth, or Monster will run through December 5, 2009. The exhibition is open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Admission is free. Monthly curator-led tours and weekly docent-led tours are available. For tour information, please call 804-692-3592.
Poe's Women, a special exhibit of portraits of the women who inspired the author's life and work, will open July 3 at the Richmond Public Library and will run until August 30, 2009. The original acrylic paintings in this exhibit were created specially for the library's marble hall by internationally-exhibited fine artist and Poe Museum Curator Chris Semtner. Among the pieces in the show are portraits of Poe's wife/cousin Virginia Clemm Poe; Jane Stanard, his "first purely ideal love" who went insane when Poe was a child; Elmira Royster Shelton, the woman to whom Poe was twice engaged to marry; and Mary Rogers, the cigar girl whose murder inspired Poe's story "The Mystery of Marie Roget."
Coincidentally, one of Poe's boyhood homes once stood on the spot occupied by the Richmond Public Library, and, as a child, he played in the garden across the street, where the Linden Row Inn now stands. As part of the Poe Bicentennial celebration, another Poe-themed art exhibit Poe's Playground will be on display at the Linden Row Inn while Poe's Women is at the Public Library.
Poe's Women will run through August 30, 2009. The Richmond Public Library is open from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday. The Library is closed on Mondays.
Guests to the Richmond Region can enjoy all things Poe at a discount by booking a special-rate Poe Package either the Linden Row Inn or the Jefferson Hotel. I’ve stayed at both and would say they are of totally different “character”. The Linden Row Inn is somewhat reminiscent of an older property in London and the Jefferson is the Grande Dame of Richmond with gilt, sweeping staircases and a most southern and gentile staff.
The Linden Row Inn: $369 plus tax for two nights (double occupancy). Includes two nights' stay in one of the Linden Row Inn's Main House rooms (rate includes valet parking, continental breakfast, wireless internet, in-town shuttle, and fitness center access), two passes to a special Poe-themed Segway Tour of Downtown Richmond, two passes to the Poe Museum, two passes to tour historic St. John's Church (site where Patrick Henry gave his famous "Give me liberty or give me death" speech), and an Edgar Allan Poe Tote Bag with Poe Memorabilia. During their stay, guests can enjoy the Poe-themed art exhibit "Poe's Playground," on display through August 30, 2009. Details at http://www.lindenrowinn.com/specials.php.
The Jefferson Hotel: Whether you need a romantic weekend for just the two of you, a long-overdue reunion with friends or a fun getaway for the whole family, The Jefferson’s Shoestring Package is the perfect solution for the summer too.
One night's lodging
Traditional Southern breakfast for two, including gratuity
$25.00 Jefferson Hotel gift card (can be used anywhere in the hotel)
Complimentary downtown transportation
Complimentary valet parking
$205 Superior Room/$225 Deluxe Room, per night
If you book more than one night and we'll increase the gift card to $50.00 on each of those additional nights.
The Poe package at the Jefferson Hotel is $450 plus tax for two nights. Includes traditional Southern breakfast for two, breakfast gratuities, valet parking and two passes to the Poe Museum and to St. John's Church . Details at http://www.jeffersonhotel.com/packages.aspx.
A schedule of Poe-related events as well as information for educators, students, Poe enthusiasts and visitors is available on the Poe Bicentennial Web site www.Poe200th.com.
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The Poe Museum in Richmond, Virginia interprets the life and influence of Edgar Allan Poe for the education and enjoyment of the public. Founded in 1921, the Poe Museum houses the world's finest collection of Edgar Allan Poe artifacts and memorabilia. The five-building complex features permanent exhibits of Poe's manuscripts, personal items, clothing, and a lock of the author's hair. For more information about the Museum and its programs visit www.poemuseum.org.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Memory triggers
Well in an effort to clear things up around here, I've been skimming magazines before they go to the local senior center and came across a great story buy some food writer in Food & Wine. He was remembering a meal of a very long time ago and then I watched a small amount of Iron Chef as they fixed octopus about 15 different ways. The point being (please!) I have no great octopus stories but thought of a wonderful trip to Spain more than thirty years ago and eating at a particular Posada one night. Now my former husband and I were very much newbies at travel especially foreign but fairly adventurous about eating all types of ethnic food - as long as it was cooked! I don't remember what I ordered that night but he had the stuffed calamari and it was wonderful much better than whatever I had. The stuffing was a chorizo or chorizo style sausage and perhaps bread and the two white tubes of squid lay side by side with the whole dish resembling some kind of pasta rolls like chubby manicotti. Whatever it was, it tasted great. Apparently my few my experiences with octopus were not as memorable as I can't find them in the memory bank.
That trip was also our first experience with having Churros. They dropped a continuous circle of batter into huge pans of hot oil and just kept cutting off hunks for customers. A strong shake of granulated sugar and yours was handed to you on white paper along with your espresso or stronger stuff if that was your preference for breakfast. The bar we stood at was in some tiny Spanish town, open to the narrow street and on the balcony across was a large bird cage with a canary singing away in full form. Now at that time I lived in Minnesota so any thought of having my birds outside was very exotic. I can close my eyes today and picture the whole scene.
Spain is one of our favorite destinations and a few months ago we visited Barcelona which was spectacular.
Mary
That trip was also our first experience with having Churros. They dropped a continuous circle of batter into huge pans of hot oil and just kept cutting off hunks for customers. A strong shake of granulated sugar and yours was handed to you on white paper along with your espresso or stronger stuff if that was your preference for breakfast. The bar we stood at was in some tiny Spanish town, open to the narrow street and on the balcony across was a large bird cage with a canary singing away in full form. Now at that time I lived in Minnesota so any thought of having my birds outside was very exotic. I can close my eyes today and picture the whole scene.
Spain is one of our favorite destinations and a few months ago we visited Barcelona which was spectacular.
Mary
Monday, June 1, 2009
Moving right along...
Hmm I guess I have a few months of travel to catch up reporting on.
We're quite excited about attending the Antiques Roadshow in Raleigh NC this June 27th. Although I don't believe there are any unknown treasurers in all my stuff, you'll be hearing all about it.
Last week we were up in Delaware for MATPRA, a travel related market place for mid Atlantic destinations and spent three days in Rehoboth Beach right on the boardwalk. Our last two days were in Wilmington and the beautiful Brandywine area. Watch for the stories from myself and others under destinations here on the site. They are offering a wonderful multi attraction pass that will save you lots of money.
Delaware is a tiny little state that packs a big wallop of diverse things to do. We saw museums, historic homes, National and State parks, beaches and rolling countryside. Activities included kayaking, cooking lessons, ghost stories on the beach, winery tours, history lessons and so much more.
One regret is always not enough time to see and do it all plus never testing that high butterfat cream from the Lewes Dairy!
On the way up to Rehoboth we stopped for lunch at the Sage Diner in Olney, VA and were surprised by wonderful generous portions of really reasonably priced good food. A great clue is when all the other patrons are loading up doggie - really people bags from their lunch special.
Back here in the "wilds"of rural North Carolina we're surrounded by growing cotton, tobacco, soybean and corn fields. So far it all looks good but with our day after day 80 plus temperatures regular rain is really important.
The fall elections are already crossing my thoughts and I'm hoping we'll have an opportunity to start with a clean slate in our town and county this year. Not so long ago I heard of another movement to limit Federal Senate and Representatives to two terms but of course they would have to pass that themselves. Can we guess what century that will happen in?
We recently met another couple who raved about OAT tours like one of our web site contributors, Francoise Yohalem, who uses them for her annual sketch trip group. This couple took one of their small group African Safari trips. Francoise has been to quite a few destinations with them. She also leads teams of volunteers for Global Volunteers and does extensive independent travel. Note her story on hiking in Georgia just before the invasion.
I think she keeps a note pinned to her coat with her home address on it she's gone so much!
Unfortunately our good friend Renee Wright missed MATPRA this year after coming home from Hawaii to find her house flooded from a plumbing disaster.
That happened to my parents while they were away for the weekend. A second floor toilet never shut off. Months later you could be standing somewhere on the first floor and all of a sudden a door frame would just pop off.
We'll be getting stories about Renee's Island adventures real soon.
I did a historical tour of Lewes while Will went kayaking and we passed a wonderful restored building that is the Buttery Restaurant. Later that night I had a chance to sample some of their specialities and also heard from others how much they had enjoyed eating there too.
On another note, we were made aware of a friend who had a very bad time being diagnosed correctly with Limes disease and have since heard of others as well as some cases of Rocky Mountain fever. Apparently with global warming not only are the planting zones changing but certain species of ticks are not being killed off by severe winters. So now you can have symptoms that mimic each other and it can be H1N1 or perhaps a tick bite or ? None of these are anything to fool around with and if you start to have symptoms that could possibly be any of the three (read up on the Internet) be sure and get tested quickly.
We've added new writers and some of the regulars have been doing lots of traveling providing fresh reports so check out Destinations.
Happy Trails,
Mary
We're quite excited about attending the Antiques Roadshow in Raleigh NC this June 27th. Although I don't believe there are any unknown treasurers in all my stuff, you'll be hearing all about it.
Last week we were up in Delaware for MATPRA, a travel related market place for mid Atlantic destinations and spent three days in Rehoboth Beach right on the boardwalk. Our last two days were in Wilmington and the beautiful Brandywine area. Watch for the stories from myself and others under destinations here on the site. They are offering a wonderful multi attraction pass that will save you lots of money.
Delaware is a tiny little state that packs a big wallop of diverse things to do. We saw museums, historic homes, National and State parks, beaches and rolling countryside. Activities included kayaking, cooking lessons, ghost stories on the beach, winery tours, history lessons and so much more.
One regret is always not enough time to see and do it all plus never testing that high butterfat cream from the Lewes Dairy!
On the way up to Rehoboth we stopped for lunch at the Sage Diner in Olney, VA and were surprised by wonderful generous portions of really reasonably priced good food. A great clue is when all the other patrons are loading up doggie - really people bags from their lunch special.
Back here in the "wilds"of rural North Carolina we're surrounded by growing cotton, tobacco, soybean and corn fields. So far it all looks good but with our day after day 80 plus temperatures regular rain is really important.
The fall elections are already crossing my thoughts and I'm hoping we'll have an opportunity to start with a clean slate in our town and county this year. Not so long ago I heard of another movement to limit Federal Senate and Representatives to two terms but of course they would have to pass that themselves. Can we guess what century that will happen in?
We recently met another couple who raved about OAT tours like one of our web site contributors, Francoise Yohalem, who uses them for her annual sketch trip group. This couple took one of their small group African Safari trips. Francoise has been to quite a few destinations with them. She also leads teams of volunteers for Global Volunteers and does extensive independent travel. Note her story on hiking in Georgia just before the invasion.
I think she keeps a note pinned to her coat with her home address on it she's gone so much!
Unfortunately our good friend Renee Wright missed MATPRA this year after coming home from Hawaii to find her house flooded from a plumbing disaster.
That happened to my parents while they were away for the weekend. A second floor toilet never shut off. Months later you could be standing somewhere on the first floor and all of a sudden a door frame would just pop off.
We'll be getting stories about Renee's Island adventures real soon.
I did a historical tour of Lewes while Will went kayaking and we passed a wonderful restored building that is the Buttery Restaurant. Later that night I had a chance to sample some of their specialities and also heard from others how much they had enjoyed eating there too.
On another note, we were made aware of a friend who had a very bad time being diagnosed correctly with Limes disease and have since heard of others as well as some cases of Rocky Mountain fever. Apparently with global warming not only are the planting zones changing but certain species of ticks are not being killed off by severe winters. So now you can have symptoms that mimic each other and it can be H1N1 or perhaps a tick bite or ? None of these are anything to fool around with and if you start to have symptoms that could possibly be any of the three (read up on the Internet) be sure and get tested quickly.
We've added new writers and some of the regulars have been doing lots of traveling providing fresh reports so check out Destinations.
Happy Trails,
Mary
Monday, November 10, 2008
On the Sea and Road again
Hello Friends:
Will and I have been traveling for more than a week to spectacular destinations along the Mediterranean stopping everyday and venturing off our wonderful Regent Seven Seas Voyager cruise ship. We spent two nights in Nice before taking the train (just a few minutes ride) over to Monte Carlo where we boarded the ship. This was the only day of pouring rain and we skipped touring Monte Carlo saving it for another time.
We ve stopped in Genoa Italy, Marseilles France, Barcelona Spain and today Valencia Spain. Each one gets better. Taking the ship into each port has a real advantage - no worries about your hotel, no hauling luggage and not much trouble coping with anything. We've been using the hop on hop off busses especailly helpful in Barcelona where we spent two days and did both routes a few times. The tickets were not cheap 26 euros each but well worth it. We also did a hop on and hop off in Nice for a great overview and in Genoa took a little tram that went all over. Oh I almost forgot Marseilles which we also loved had a wonderful pizza lunch on a square in the streaming sunshine. Visiting Notre Dame on the top of the hill was inspiring with equally inspiring views. We took the little tram up there for 5 euros each and thought it was well worth it. Although I would say to stay longer than the 25 minutes they allow you. Just catch the next tram. Also on the lst floor of the Church, rather under signed, are bathrooms and an elevator (lift) to the third floor much easier and more accessible for those of us that don't want to climb multiple flights of stairs.
Do carry those little packets of tissues as few public or semi public toilets have any paper.
The weather has done nothing but get better and today was perhaps low 70's clear with brilliant sunshine here in Valencia.
After a week on board we ve finally gotten a little control over our eating and I ve been cutting out desserts and Will has tried to lay off the bread...not easy accomplishments for either of us. We have been walking for hours and I can still get into my clothes - but of course they do have elastic waists!
Tomorrow we ll be in Palma de Majoraco kind of a fun place for me as I was there on my own years and years ago.
Take care and don't stop traveling!!!
Mary
Will and I have been traveling for more than a week to spectacular destinations along the Mediterranean stopping everyday and venturing off our wonderful Regent Seven Seas Voyager cruise ship. We spent two nights in Nice before taking the train (just a few minutes ride) over to Monte Carlo where we boarded the ship. This was the only day of pouring rain and we skipped touring Monte Carlo saving it for another time.
We ve stopped in Genoa Italy, Marseilles France, Barcelona Spain and today Valencia Spain. Each one gets better. Taking the ship into each port has a real advantage - no worries about your hotel, no hauling luggage and not much trouble coping with anything. We've been using the hop on hop off busses especailly helpful in Barcelona where we spent two days and did both routes a few times. The tickets were not cheap 26 euros each but well worth it. We also did a hop on and hop off in Nice for a great overview and in Genoa took a little tram that went all over. Oh I almost forgot Marseilles which we also loved had a wonderful pizza lunch on a square in the streaming sunshine. Visiting Notre Dame on the top of the hill was inspiring with equally inspiring views. We took the little tram up there for 5 euros each and thought it was well worth it. Although I would say to stay longer than the 25 minutes they allow you. Just catch the next tram. Also on the lst floor of the Church, rather under signed, are bathrooms and an elevator (lift) to the third floor much easier and more accessible for those of us that don't want to climb multiple flights of stairs.
Do carry those little packets of tissues as few public or semi public toilets have any paper.
The weather has done nothing but get better and today was perhaps low 70's clear with brilliant sunshine here in Valencia.
After a week on board we ve finally gotten a little control over our eating and I ve been cutting out desserts and Will has tried to lay off the bread...not easy accomplishments for either of us. We have been walking for hours and I can still get into my clothes - but of course they do have elastic waists!
Tomorrow we ll be in Palma de Majoraco kind of a fun place for me as I was there on my own years and years ago.
Take care and don't stop traveling!!!
Mary
Monday, October 13, 2008
Lowes Motor Speedway and Charlotte NC
We just spent a week exploring Charlotte and doing a "Ride Along"at the Lowes Motor Speedway at 165 mph! The worst part was wearing the helmet everything else was fantastic. Charlotte is an exciting City. Let me know your recommendations for food, entertainment and just great experiences there. Mary G.
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