June 5 (Sat) — Nine Deez Nite (90s tribute) 8 pm at Tally Ho Theater, Leesburg VA. Tickets start at $15. Additional info and ticketing at TallyHoTheater.com. June 10 (Thu) — Levitt AMP Shenandoah Junction Music Series 7-9 pm at The AMP at Sam Michael’s Park. FREE event featuring Gangstagrass (hip-hop bluegrass). Additional info on Facebook @TheAmpSamMichaels Read the Full Story >>
PVAS Evening Firefly Walk — June 26
Celebrate the magic of ‘firefly season’ with an evening firefly walk at Cool Spring Preserve with Ariel Firebaugh, Director of Scientific Engagement at Blandy Experimental Farm, a UVA research facility and arboretum located near Winchester, VA. Stroll along the trails of the preserve and learn why fireflies flash, what they eat, and other fun facts Read the Full Story >>
Construction Complete, Concerns Continue Over Rockwool
According to the @ROCKWOOLRansonCommunity page on Facebook, the manufacturing facility will operate equipment in May to “run in” the factory, prior to beginning production operations in June. In an April 30 post, the company stated that “steam” will be visible from the chimney stack above the “wet electrostatic precipitator'' and a “plume” will be visible from the tall chimney Read the Full Story >>
Over The Mountain Studio Tour Takes A New Path
The conversation that would lead to the creation of Over The Mountain Studio Tour started at a kitchen table, recalls Anne Bowers, an original member. “We were a few artists looking for a way to represent ourselves beyond just going to shows. Read the Full Story >>
A Letter From The Editor — June 2021
What a difference a year makes. Last June, Harriet and I had just purchased The Observer and were rushing to pull together our first issue. With this, our twelfth issue, we’ve had time to think, experiment, and change. We hope to keep on this path and welcome your thoughts as we continue to present the stories and voices of our community. Read the Full Story >>
Family Drive-In Theater Continues As Community Treasure
Jim Kopp, owner and operator of the Family Drive-In Theater since 2010 and all-around community booster, died of Covid-19 complications in January 2021. With no clear plan in place for continuing operations, the theater’s future was dim. Andy Combs, a local pastor who held services at the theater started looking online for advice, grants, or investors that might help keep the theater open. He found Andrew Thomas, owner of a couple of drive-in theaters in Houston, who purchased the theater earlier this spring. Read the Full Story >>
Rock Hill Creamery Opens In Downtown Shepherdstown
“I’m using the recipes I got from Gary,” says Fuhrmann. “Keeping it simple makes for good ice cream and because I make it right here each week I don’t need to add preservatives. Gary once made 80 batches a week – I’m making just a fraction of that, so I know I have lots of room to grow. Read the Full Story >>
Summer Solstice Nature Journaling — June 19
In celebration of the Summer Solstice weekend, join Carolyn Duckworth at Cool Springs Preserve for a learning session on journaling. Read the Full Story >>
Speak Story Series presents Chirine El Ansary — June 8
Chirine El Ansary grew up between Egypt and France. Chirine brings a physical approach to storytelling and a deep interest in how words and movements can merge to create atmospheres, generate emotions, and convey precise images. Read the Full Story >>
Book Review: Crime in the Holler
American artist George Ault (1891-1948) is known for his paintings of nighttime rural settings, deceptively quaint yet mysterious depictions of barns, and desolate town corners shaped by light and shadow. The cover of Chris Offutt’s latest novel, The Killing Hills, has an Aultian character to it that aptly captures the essence of this thriller, a story of violence and blood feuds but also quiet moments of foreboding deep in the eastern Kentucky hills. Read the Full Story >>
Can They Do That? Questions About COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements.
The rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine in the United States has been met with both enthusiasm and skepticism. With many public and private entities requiring a COVID-19 vaccination, any concerns about the vaccine go beyond evaluating the personal health and risk choices into questions of law. Take a quick look into the most likely answers to the following questions about the legality of vaccine requirements. Read the Full Story >>
Events & Activities: MAY 31 — JUNE 6
June 3 (Thu) — Carbon Leaf (Americana, indie rock) 7 pm at Tally Ho Theater, Leesburg VA. Tickets start at $45. More information and ticketing at TallyHoTheater.com. June 5 (Sat) — Shepherdstown Public Library Summer Reading Program Kickoff 11 am to 1 pm at the Shepherdstown library. Find additional info and online at ShepLibrary.org. June 5 (Sat) — Maryland Read the Full Story >>
Events & Activities: MAY 24 — May 30
May 28 (Fri) Ginada Piñata (funk & fusion) 5 to 8 pm at Harpers Ferry Brewing. FREE event. Additional information on Facebook @GinadaPinata. May 28 (Fri) — Kevin Farley (comedy) 7:30 pm O’Connells Irish Pub, Martinsburg. Tickets. Tickets start at $15. Additional info on Facebook at @OConnells-Irish-Pub. June 1 (Tue) — Shepherdstown Public Library Re-opens for In-person Read the Full Story >>
Summertime At The Mill — June 12
The Shenandoah Planing Mill (SPM) will host its annual “Summertime at the Mill” event on June 12, from 9 am to 6 pm. Most events will be outside, including exhibits by the artists of Over The Mountain Studio Tour, demonstrations by local artisans and craftspeople, and music by Mink’s Miracle Medicine. Read the Full Story >>
Not Your Run of the Mill Operation
After two years of operation, the Shenandoah Planing Mmill has grown to host several other businesses that fit into the collaborative model that takes in raw logs at the back of the building and can deliver finished furniture, molding, and other wood products out the front loading docks. Read the Full Story >>
