Great Country Farms Opens for the 2010 Season with its Annual Easter Egg Hunt and Marshmallow Harvest

Great Country Farms Opens for the 2010 Season

with its Annual Easter Egg Hunt and Marshmallow Harvest

Bluemont, VA…Great Country Farms, located in Bluemont, VA, will open for the 2010 season on March 27, 2010 with its 7th Annual Easter Egg Hunt and Marshmallow Harvest. This popular family event also starts off the U-pick fruit and vegetable season at Great Country Farms, Loudoun County’s popular destination for fun on the farm for the whole family. The farm will be open daily from 9 am to 6 pm during the 2010 season which runs from March 27 – Nov. 8, 2010.  Visitors to the farm will be able to harvest marshmallows from 10 am -1 pm and then roast them on a bonfire. The first of three Easter Egg Hunts will commence at 1 pm for children under 3 years of age, followed by the hunts for the older ones aged 4-6 years and 7-10 years.

“The marshmallow is quite an unusual crop and matures on or about April 1 each year like clockwork.”  said Great Country Farms’ co-owner and farmer, Kate Zurschmeide,  “Marshmallow picking is one of the season’s most popular harvests for the whole family.”  The Zurschmeide Family has been farming in Loudoun County for over 36 years. First generation Loudoun farmer, Bob Zurschmeide, will be hosting the annual bonfire where visitors are invited to roast their freshly harvested marshmallows.  “There is nothing like a freshly roasted marshmallow plucked from our trees,” said Bob Zurschmeide.

In celebration of spring and the beginning of the egg laying season, there will be three Egg Hunts this year with over 3000 treat-filled eggs. The introduction of a separate hunt for children aged 3 and under is designed to give the smallest participants a safe and unhurried atmosphere in which to hunt for eggs. The hunts for the older children are always fast and furious and attract large crowds. Participants should bring their own baskets and plan to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the start of their hunt, so that they do not miss out on the fun.

Hunt times:

1 pm sharp                for children 3 and under

1:30 pm sharp           for children  aged 4-6 years

2 pm sharp                for children aged 7-10 years

The third generation of Loudoun-raised Zurschmeides will be helping to direct the Marshmallow Harvest and Easter Egg Hunts this season.

The annual Easter Egg Hunts, Marshmallow Peep Maze and the marshmallows to roast on the bonfire are included in the general admission price to Great Country Farms. Daily admission is $8/person, with no charge for children under 2.  Admission for Fans of the Farm season pass holders and CSA members is also free of charge.

Great Country Farms offers a Fan of the Farm season pass for $ 149.00 plus tax. This pass is valid for the entire 31 week season at the farm. Even with just one visit per month for a family of four, the pass will pay for itself within four months. For a list of many other discounts associated with the Fan of the Farm pass, including discounts on birthday parties and the farm’s 14 annual festivals, please visit www.greatcountryfarms.com. This pass is available at the farm or can be ordered online.

Included in the general admission price are the many farm attractions, including the farm animal barnyard, mazes, slides, swings  and hayrides to tour the U-pick fields. Rides on the cow train are available for $ 2 pp.

The farm’s Country Store will be filled with a wide variety of new jams, jellies and goodies to welcome spring, and the “Roosterante” will serve burgers, bbq & kettle corn from 11 am to 4 pm.

Date:               Saturday, March 27, 2010

Farm Hours: 9 am – 6 pm

Marshmallow picking 10 am – 1 pm, while supplies last.

Bonfire 11 am – 4 pm

Easter Egg Hunts:   1 pm (3 yrs and under)

1:30 pm (4-6 yrs)

2:00 pm (7-10 yrs)

Admission:    $8.00/person (includes marshmallows and roasting sticks and participation

in Easter Egg Hunts for children aged 0 – 10 yrs.)

Children 2 and under, CSA and Fan of the Farm members – free of charge.

Great Country Farms is a family owned and operated U-pick fruit and vegetable farm located in the town of Bluemont in western Loudoun County. For more information regarding the farm and upcoming events, visit www.greatcountryfarms.com or contact the farm at 540-554-2073. Become a fan of Great Country Farms on Facebook and follow us on Twitter (@thefarmersays) for regular updates.

Northern Virginia Real Estate Times

Brambleton Ribbon Run/Walk 5K

Brambleton to Host First 5K to Benefit Breast Cancer

Brambleton, Virginia—Brambleton and its Step Sisters, a team of men and women participating in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, will host the Brambleton Ribbon Run/Walk 5K on March 20, 2010.  All proceeds from the event go to the Avon Foundation for Breast Cancer.  Registration is open now through March 19^th by visiting: www.brambletonribbonrun.vpweb.com . Discounts are being offered for early registration. The first 500 registered participants will receive a race t-shirt.

In addition to the 5K race, this event includes: a (free) fun run for kids, community shred, vendor sales and Brambleton Town Center merchant sidewalk sales.  2010 marks the third year for this event, and an estimated 1,000 participants are expected with this year’s addition of the 5K race. The Step Sisters first came together as a team four years ago to participate in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer.  Since then, the team has raised more than $250,000 and has been among the top 10 teams in the region in the fight against this disease that affects 1 in 8 women.

Sponsors for the event include: Title Sponsor: The Brambleton Group; Gold T-Shirt Sponsors: Beazer; Camberly/Winchester; Miller & Smith; Van Metre; Silver Kids Fun Run Sponsor – Bloō Dental & Northern Virginia Orthodontics; Bronze Sign Sponsor – Summit Insurance Services; Bronze Start Line Sponsor – Cooley & Darling Insurance Agency; Awards Sponsor – Exclusive Realty Incorporated; Moonbounce & Water – Tiny Toes Dance Academy & True Athlete Performance; Racer Bibs – Potomac River Running.

For more information please contact Ashley Campolattaro, Event Coordinator at adcampo@verizon.net or 703-217-8182. Please also visit the event website: www.brambletonribbonrun.vpweb.com.

Brambleton Ribbon / Walk 5K

Northern Virginia Real Estate Times

Franklin Park Arts Center - Pieces of Eight Lab Theatre: "Lion in Winter"

Pieces of Eight Lab Theatre Opens The Lion in Winter in Purcellville

For release Feb. 19: Pieces of Eight Lab Theatre / www.Po8Lab.com / 703-489-9126

PURCELLVILLE, Feb. 19 – Pieces of Eight Lab Theatre (Po8) will perform James Goldman’s play The Lion in Winter in Purcellville March 14 through March 28.

A special talk-back performance will be held at the Carver Center, 200 Willie Palmer Way, on Sunday, March 14 at 2:00 pm. After that show, the cast and crew will hold a question-and-answer period. High school students are encouraged to attend this performance and will be admitted on a “Pay What You Will” basis (adult tickets will remain $10). The production will then move to the Franklin Park Performing Arts Center, 36441 Blueridge View Lane, on Friday, March 26 and Saturday, March 27 at 8:00 pm, and on Sunday, March 28 at 3:00 pm. All tickets at Franklin Park are $10.

This production will be the fifth production in the history of Pieces of Eight and the first to be staged at Franklin Park. The company was founded in the Spring of 2008, and bills itself as “Loudoun County’s only lab theatre.” Part of the company’s mission is to help audiences “deepen their enjoyment of more well-known plays through innovative and challenging new productions.”

“Lion has survived two award-winning film adaptations and countless community theatre productions,” notes director Mike Minnicino, “and these often have led audiences to expect only a medieval costume drama with big sets and grandiose declamation. Actually, Lion is very spare in its playcraft and very modern in its writing.” The new Po8 production will incorporate several aspects of classical staging practices, including universal lighting, minimal sets and costumes, close audience proximity, and the use of popular music. “In this way,” Minnicino continued, “we let Goldman’s words speak more for themselves, and the audience will be more able to see how the actors portray the subtle shifts in emotion and allegiance that the story demands.”

Reviewers may wish to attend the production’s dress rehearsal, which will be held on Wednsday, March 10, at the Carver Center at 8:00. Please contact Mike Minnicino at info@Po8Lab.com or 703-489-9126, for more information and to receive a press packet. Reviewers may also attend one of two private performances to be held at the Monroe Theatre in Leisure World in Lansdowne on Saturday, March 20 and Sunday, March 21; contact Mike to arrange an invitation.

The cast includes (in order of appearance):

Carolyn Christensen as Alais, a French princess

Tim Griffin as Henry II, King of England

Garrett Milich as John, the youngest son

Charlie Ochs as Geoffrey, the middle son

Chris Saunders as Richard Lionheart, the oldest son

Nancy McCarthy as Eleanor of Aquitaine, Henry’s wife

Mike Bertone as Philip II, King of France

Northern Virginia Real Estate Times

ANNOUNCES ITS SECOND CHARITY DRIVE FOR LOCAL HOMELESS ANIMALS

Local petsitting service again unleashes its “Have a Heart for the Homeless” donation drive

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                        January 18, 2010

Leesburg, Va.  – Animal Au Paws, Inc (AAP) — recently named one of the “Best Petsitting/Animal Care Companies” in the area by both Washingtonian magazine and Leesburg Today — is launching its 2010 “Have a Heart for the Homeless” donation drive, Feb. 1-14.

The “Have a Heart for the Homeless” charity drive is seeking both monetary donations as well as new and used items such as blankets, pet beds, toys, dry and canned food (all donated food items must be new and unopened), treats, leashes, collars, etc. benefiting homeless animals with the Loudoun County-based PAWS Rescue of Northern Virginia, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established to rescue homeless and abandoned dogs from Virginia, West Virginia and North Carolina.

The “Have a Heart” charity drive is especially meaningful for AAP this year as one of the co-founders of PAWS Rescue, Kim Larimer, is one of AAP’s dedicated pet sitters. In the early beginnings of PAWS Rescue, Larimer and co-founder, Barbara Hastings, once rescued 50 puppies from euthanasia, caring for them in Hastings’ very own garage until they were able to adopt them all out or find foster homes. Hastings’ initially was told it would be 25 but when she went to pick them up she was told the other 25 would be euthanized the next day, so she did what she had to do. She saved them all.

ANIMAL AU PAWS LAUNCHES “HAVE A HEART 2010”

“Organizations like Animal Au Paws really help us out because we rely heavily on donations to assist these homeless pets,” said Larimer.

In addition, AAP manager Denise Torelli, adopted a PAWS Rescue dog and AAP also provides service for several clients that have also adopted from PAWS Rescue.

“At AAP, we try to make it a habit to give back to the community, especially where homeless animals are concerned,” said AAP owner Rosie Bundick. “This economy has hit us all one way or another but we definitely don’t want to forget our four-legged friends. This is an endeavor that we are especially proud of, and this year with PAWS Rescue being involved, it is really close to our hearts.”

During the “Have a Heart” donation period of Feb. 1-14, several local veterinary hospitals have partnered with AAP and will have a donation box at their business, accepting both monetary and item donations.

Participating vets for Leesburg include the following: Leesburg Veterinary Hospital, Old Mill Veterinary Hospital, and Towne Animal Clinic. The following Ashburn veterinary hospitals will also serve as a drop off location: Animal Medical Centers of Loudoun and Ashburn Village Animal Hospital. Dominion Animal Hospital, Sterling Park Animal Hospital and Countryside Animal Hospital will have boxes for Sterling donations.

“It’s really wonderful that these businesses jumped at the opportunity to help participate,” Bundick said. “We couldn’t do it without their support.”

Monetary donations can also be mailed to AAP Headquarters located at 226 Parkgate Dr. SE, Leesburg, VA 20175. Please make checks payable to PAWS Rescue.

If you would like more information on the “Have a Heart for the Homeless” donation drive or would like to make arrangements to drop off used or new items, please call AAP at (703) 669-5255.

About Animal Au Paws, Inc. (AAP)

Animal Au Paws, or AAP, is an incorporated company in Northern Virginia and offers full service petsitting including dog walking, cat sitting, vacation visits, routine service on a daily or weekly basis, overnight stays and even exotic animal care servicing all of Loudoun County — Sterling, Ashburn, Lansdowne, Leesburg, Hamilton, Round Hill and Purcellville —- at competitive prices. Owner Rosie Bundick began the company in August 2006 and AAP’s dedication to its clients and their pets has quickly spread throughout Loudoun County. After starting with just a few customers, business rapidly exploded as AAP currently has close to 500 clients. Bundick has a solid core of petsitters who have all undergone background checks and training, and who all have a love of animals. More information on AAP can also be found at www.animalaupaws.com

ANIMAL AU PAWS LAUNCHES “HAVE A HEART 2010”

About PAWS Rescue

PAWS Rescue is an incorporated, non-profit 501c3 rescue and adoption organization established to rescue homeless and abandoned dogs in the Northern Virginia area.  We are committed to saving as many dogs from euthanasia as possible.  We rescue dogs from rural kill shelters and help them find loving homes. More information can be found at www.pawsrescueva.org

DAAR DONATES 18TH ANNUAL AUCTION PROCEEDS TO LOCAL CHARITIES

LEESBURG – For the eighteenth consecutive year, the Dulles Area Association of REALTORS® presented
donations to local charities raised from its annual silent auction conducted late last year. More than a
quarter of a million dollars has been raised and donated to local charities since the auction’s inception in
1992.
On Wednesday, January 6th, 2010, more than $33,000 raised was presented to local shelter-based
charities at a special ceremony at the DAAR Offices in Leesburg. Christmas in April/Rebuilding Together,
Good Shepherd Alliance, Loudoun Abused Women’s Shelter, Loudoun Cares, Loudoun Families for
Children, Loudoun Habitat for Humanity, Volunteers of America-Transitional Housing Shelter & VoA
Emergency Homeless Shelter received 100% of the proceeds from the event.
The annual charitable event is organized by the DAAR Community Services Committee which encourages
participation in community events, facilitates volunteer opportunities and provides financial support to
local charities, with a specific emphasis on organizations that provide shelter to area residents and/or
benefit children.
DAAR’s Community Service Committee is seeking sponsorships and/or donations of items ($100 value or
more) from area businesses for this year’s annual charity auction, which takes place on Friday, November
12th, 2010 from 6:00pm – 11:00pm at River Creek Country Club in Leesburg. To donate an item, learn
about sponsorship opportunities, or purchase tickets to the event, contact Alecia Moroz at the Dulles Area
Association of Realtors at 703/777-2468, amoroz@dullesarea.com

Northern Virginia Real Estate Times

Northern Virginia Bed & Breakfasts

The Northern Virginia Real Estate Times is happy to announce its newest section of the Newspaper simply called Northern Virginia Events And Tourism. Let the Current & Future Residents of Northern Virginia learn about your Bed & Breakfast and events. Our area coverage includes

Alexandria Virginia

Arlington Virginia

Clarke County Virginia

Fairfax County Virginia

Fauquier County Virginia

Frederick County Virginia

Loudoun County Virginia

Prince William County Virginia

Washington DC

Advertise for 26 weeks for just $150.00 a year or choose to advertise for 52 weeks for just $225.00 a year.  For more information or to begin advertising in the Northern Virginia Real Estate Times you can email us at Advertising@NVRETimes.com or calling us at 703 269 0599

For the beneficiaries at Habitat for Humanity, happiness lasts for more than an hour…it lasts for a lifetime. When our families receive their keys, a transformation occurs and a new life of joy and security begins.

Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia invites you and your colleagues to join us for a happy hour and informational session.  Learn about all of the exciting opportunities available that will enhance the relationships of your staff and involve your company in the community.

Meet us at M&S Grill in Reston Town Center on Wednesday, July 15th from 5-8pm. 11901 Democracy Drive, Reston, VA 20190. For more information or to RSVP, contact Arielle Gart at agart@habitatnova.org or (703) 521-9890 x107 by Mon. July 13.