There are plenty of options for easy walking adventures in and around Jefferson County. The Observer staff has highlighted some local and regional parks, trails, and nature preserves that offer fun, family-friendly, and often ADA-accessible trails. Read the Full Story >>
Events & Activities
History & Hauntings — Local Ghost Tours
If you're looking for a spooky way to spend an evening this October, try one of the many ghost tours in and around Jefferson County. Read the Full Story >>
CASA Online Fundraising Challenge, Oct 1-31
CASA of the Eastern Panhandle is hosting its second Superhero Challenge to raise support for the most vulnerable children across the region. Unlike a normal road race during which hundreds or thousands of runners gather on the same path at the same time, the CASA-EP Superhero Challenge can be completed at your own pace, in your own way, and wherever you go. Run, walk, hike, bike, and get active however you like to support this activity challenge throughout the month of October. Join the fun on your own, with your kids, friends, or colleagues, and get active for a good cause. Read the Full Story >>
Art Exhibit at Shepherd University
e 2 Gallery is hosting the Annual Shepherd University Faculty Exhibition, featuring digital video, painting, sculpture, design, installation art, and printmaking by faculty artists. Read the Full Story >>
American Pops Orchestra — Oct 29
The American Pops Orchestra, led by Maestro Luke Frazier, a West Virginia native, recently performed two concerts locally, both of which were filmed for rebroadcast as part of the Orchestra's One Voice: The Songs We Share series. Both concerts will air on PBS on October 29. Read the Full Story >>
Jelani Cobb & The Kerner Report — Oct 27
Speaking about the killing of George Floyd in May of 2020, Jelani Cobb writes, “the flames of a single incident seemed to combust, and all at once, over the country.” Cobb’s recently published book, The Essential Kerner Commission Report, “distills the full Kerner Report to its most significant and enduring parts.” The current book is a much slimmer volume, but no less timely or relevant. Read the Full Story >>
Learn About Owls – OCT 15
This evening bird watching hike will be led by Amy Moore, Lead Teacher and Naturalist at the Potomac Valley Audubon Society. Learn how owls have adapted to their unique lifestyle, study owl specimens up close, and learn how to identify owls by their calls. Read the Full Story >>
Halloween Hike – OCT 22
The “Trail of Bones'' hike is a family-friendly event hosted by the Potomac Valley Audubon Society at the Cool Springs Nature Preserve. Read the Full Story >>
Feather Identification Event- OCT 13
Carla Dove, Program Manager from the Feather Identification Lab at the Smithsonian Museum, will discuss the specialized techniques used to identify bird species using feathers and feather fragments, including microscopy, museum specimen comparison, and DNA “barcoding.” Dove will also explain how feather identification is used in aviation safety to determine the species of birds involved in birdstrike events with aircrafts. Read the Full Story >>
Two Rivers String Quartet — Oct 9
The Friends of Music kicks off its 2021-2022 season with a concert by the Two Rivers String Quartet entitled "Re-Invention." Read the Full Story >>
Middleway Day Festival – Oct 9
The annual village street festival and fair features local musicians, crafters, guided tours through the Middleway Historic District, exhibits, children's activities, apple butter, food, and local arts & crafts. Read the Full Story >>
Marching Band Spectacular — Oct 9
even area high school bands and Shepherd University’s Ram Band will participate in the 42nd Annual Band Spectacular hosted by the Martinsburg High School Band on October 9. Read the Full Story >>
Charles Town Art Crawl — Oct 2 & 3
North Charles Street will be closed for the weekend to host a few dozen local artists, live music, juggling clowns, kids face painting, and other fun activities for the entire family. Downtown restaurants will be open for food and drink. Read the Full Story >>
Turtle Talk — Oct 1
John Steffen, assistant professor of biology at Shepherd University, researches how painted turtles change color in response to the foods they eat, whether turtles actively seek out food with color-inducing pigments, and whether turtle stripes and spots can function to indicate aspects of their health. Read the Full Story >>
Mason Ellsworth – Art Show & Sale
Artist Mason Ellsworth with family members. Read the Full Story >>
