Rained-Out Bobby Gugliuzza & WeHumanz Concert Rescheduled for May 11th
April showers aren’t getting in the way of weekend fun in Wellington! Residents are invited to rock with local artist Bobby Gugliuzza and WeHumanz at 8:00 pm on Friday, May 11th at the Wellington Amphitheater located at 12100 Forest Hill Boulevard. This free concert was originally scheduled for April 28th but was postponed due to inclement weather. Guests are encouraged to bring their own seating such as lawn chairs or blankets.
For a complete schedule of events at the Wellington Amphitheater, visit www.wellingtonfl.gov and select the Amphitheater Schedule page under the News tab.
For information about other Wellington programs, events, activities, and updates, please visit www.wellingtonfl.gov or watch Channel 18 for the latest happenings.
The Wellington Chamber of Commerce is presenting the second session of the Small Business RoundTable series titled “Business Technology.”This takes place Tuesday, May 8th, 2012 at Whole Foods Market in Wellington from 8 – 9 am.This series was created to help area businesses during these difficult economic times by providing the latest tools and knowledge for them to attain their business and financial goals.
This month’s panelists include:Dave O’Keefe, Owner and President of YCG.Dave will review the latest computer technologies and what businesses should consider using in order to compete efficiently and effectively in the marketplace.Topics include computer equipment, networks, connections and access; Allan Dessner and Tina Segal, Partners in My Town Navigator.They will discuss popularsocial network sites and what features each has in order to increase exposure on the internet;Dean Piper, CST, Owner of The Intertainment Network.Dean will discuss new technology such as Internet Media and Social Media and present simple, cost efficient, effective techniques to increase business revenues.Monica Kallas of SharpShooter Marketing Group will be the moderator.
The Small Business RoundTable meets on the 2nd Tuesday of each month and the cost is $10 per session.The series will cover many aspects of business including accounting, legal and financial services, government assistance, traditional marketing, digital (internet) marketing, public relations, managing employees, and more.Experts in these particular fields share their knowledge in an informative and interactive atmosphere.
All businesses are invited to attend.For more information and to sign up, visit www.WellingtonChamber.com or call 561.792.6525.
Event planner Leslie Garcia-Furey keeps very busy Around Wellington.At any given point, she is in the throws of planning several gala events and somehow pulls it off like a magician – amazing every time.She just recently planned the Giraffe Awards
Leslie Garcia-Furey with Sheba and Moses
at the Kravis Center, an elegant event that recognizes women “who stick their necks out in business.” When she signs her name, she has a funny tag line – “Leslie Garcia-Furey, Party & Event Specialist/Coordinator, The only AFFAIR your SPOUSE will APPROVE!”
It’s clear that she loves what she does and it carries through, whether it’s a wedding, a corporate event or a small party among a few friends.She explains, “I love parties. I love entertaining. I love making people laugh. I love bringing families together.”All good things. Having an outgoing, friendly personality and an eye for details certainly helps too in this business.
We asked her a few questions to understand more about the key to her success in event planning.
What’s unique about what you do? What makes you stand apart from others who do the same type of business, in your opinion?
Me!I am as unique as unique gets.I am a people person, I love people and working with them to create unique, out of the box events.I am approachable, a good listener and I encourage my client’s to create their own dream event.My position it to ensure my client’s visions are achieved to the best of our ability.
What’s the best thing about your business?
The best thing about being an Events Specialist is working with people of diversity.
Describe the scope of services you provide.
I am a seasoned event/party planner working for selective organizations, non-profits and individuals to promote their business through special events.
I am a “one stop shopping” for all of my client’s needs.From acoustics, China and linens rentals, private chefs, floral arrangements, party favors, transportation, auction table displays, decorations to zoo visits.I am here for my client’s every need.If I cannot provide it, I contract a third-party service.
What is your favorite type of event to plan? Why?
2012 Giraffe Awards at the Kravis Center
Galas and formal affairs are my favorites, because it involves a comprehensive plan with team members as the catalyst.I thrive on project planning and management.
Please share some of the feedback you’ve received from clients?
They have said, “I have a wonderful karma, always cheerful, professional and gets the job done…a philanthropist.”
What are some ways, in this economy, that you can help keep an event at a lower cost?
I perform negotiations with third party contracts and give my clients the referral benefits that I sometime receive.I provide in-house services, such as creating floral arrangements, themes, favors, decorations, and party supplies.
How long have you been doing this? How did you get started?
I started planning corporate events perhaps 28 years back, which included holiday balls, sales conferences, excursions, and banquets.
I started back in high school, throwing sleepovers, classroom activities, BBQs.As I grow older, I would plan the family holiday events and even planned my own wedding.
What’s the most challenging thing about this business?
Making everyone happy!No matter how one tries, it is impossible to make everyone happy.There is always a complainer or dissatisfied guest.
What do you think your clients appreciate most?
I think that my client’s appreciate my down to earth disposition, and knowing that I have it all under control, leaving them with nothing to worry about.
What are a few of the most memorable or interesting events you’ve planned?
Working for corporate arena in NJ for the holidays, we ordered several “stations” and re-created a New York City tunnel on a snowy day. It was a beautiful setting including a pasta station, carving station, sushi station, beef station, etc. It brought together a beautiful theme of the diversity that depicts New York City today.
I recently worked on a chili cook-off for Big Brothers/ Big Sisters, which involved stringing about 30 strings of fresh peppers. Again, a beautiful setting for the event.
When I planned my own wedding, it was top of the line. I had so much fun planning it. It was intimate (just about 50 people).I gave the seamstress specific instructions to piece together different parts of different dresses that I liked. We held it at a Bed & Breakfast – including the wedding shower, reception, and post-wedding breakfast. I created the favors, did the food planning and arranged for a string quartet.
Under “typical events” on your website, you have quite an impressive list of different events.What are you favorites to organize?
The Botox party – it’s just fun!From a birthday party to a barbecue to lingerie party to a martini party, I enjoy all of them. When you throw a party, it doesn’t have to be cut & dry or cookie-cutter.It should be unique.
Party planning has the objectives of bringing fun, creating memories and adding excitement, all great things.
What non-profit or other organizations are you involved in – in our local community?
·Arthur Marshall Foundation – Everglades Preservation
·WCC (The Women’s Chamber of Commerce) and WCF (The Women’s Chamber Foundation, a non-profit branch of the WCC)
·Big Brothers Big Sisters of Palm Beach County and Martin Counties
Tell us about your family.
I am the middle sibling in a herd of seven.I was born and raised in Hawaii, where 90% of my family resides.My sisters and brothers are quite creative and talented in crafts, art, music, and mechanics.In terms of pets, I have two adorable Peekapoo Babies, Sheba and Moses.
I know I didn’t fully appreciate my mom until I had children of my own.I had no idea how difficult the job really was.So in light of Mother’s Day, I’m thinking of this day as a day of reflection or as a performance review of sorts.
I feel as though my negotiating skills are in top form.I can wheel and deal trade-off’s for good behavior with Kindle time and extra time at the playground.I stick to my guns when it comes to time out.If you did the deed, you do the time.Yes, I’ve been called “mean mom” a few times, but someone’s going to be the enforcer, and in this family I’m it.Although it hasn’t come easily, I think my kids have a pretty good idea of right from wrong.
Our “team-building” skills are at a high level as well.We work together for special adventures and projects.I can confidently take my kids solo to an amusement park and know that they’ll stick to me like glue without wandering off.They follow homework instructions and have a memory of iron.If I don’t remember where I parked the car, they will.
In the education department, I’ve fallen behind in my volunteer time in the library, classroom and art.The kids look forward to seeing me at school. I guess they like me after all! I made sure we had an educational outing during school vacation week. We went to the Science Museum.#8 of 30 Things To Do in Wellington according to HotelPlanner.com(South Florida Science Museum, West Palm Beach FL) – just 11 miles from Wellington. We also made a trek to the library to empty the entire collection of The Magic School Bus books.The boys love the stories of Miss Firzzle by Cole and Degan.We’re also killing time over spring vacation by keeping a weather log.We’re looking forward to getting a little rain since therain gauge has been dry.I hope someone doesn’t get sneaky and fill it from the tap.There are a few jokesters in the house.
As for yelling, I do lose my patience when there are specific deadlines, such as getting to school on time.I need to utilize some of that great negotiating.Perhaps an award chart for completing the chore board without the mommy reminder.I’ll try that on Monday.They are very competitive, so I can see them wanting to collect the most stars.I don’t think I’ll win any prizes for patience, though. Please post on Facebook (on our AroundWellington.com page) your ideas to increase patience.I’m open to new ideas.Counting to 10 isn’t working anymore!
Household management was mediocre until the spring cleaning bug hit me.Of course, there’s nothing like company coming to make it more of a priority.I had my son’s Sunday school teacher over for lunch and I hosted a Silpada jewelry trunk show.As part of the whole “turn the house inside-out program,” I moved all the furniture and vacuumed under it, even in the kids’ room.You wouldn’t believe what was hiding under the beds; candy wrappers and an empty bag of pretzels.Needless to say, the boys and I had a little chat about proper food handling and storage.
Overall, I would give myself average marks.I hope the kids think well enough of me to send along their sweet notes and cards for Mother’s Day.I really do appreciate them as part of the compensation package. Breakfast in bed has been a nice touch.If you feel I deserve a raise, take me out for Pad Thai.
Happy Mother’s Day to all the Moms!You all deserve a raise!!
****
Melanie Lewis is the mother of 2 boys ages 5 and 8.She is married and works part-time as Silpada representative and a weight loss consultant. She enjoys book club, and playing with her Blue-mitted Ragdoll, Percy and Golden Retriever, Rosie.She can be reached at melaniewlewis@yahoo.com.
This month we celebrate Mother’ Day. We have two super Moms who talk about their roles as mothers. In “Mommy Moments,” Melanie Lewis discusses how she has honed some of her skills – including her negotiating skills and team-building skills. In her article “Mother of the Year? It should be me,” Ilyse August describes the balancing act that so many women pull off and why her challenges are putting her to the test (with two out of three sons falling in the autism spectrum).It’s disturbing that women still make just 77 cents on the dollar that men make (for the same jobs). It’s possibly gratifying or frustrating, depending on how you view it, that a stay-at-home mom’s annual worth is $112,962, as cited in August’s article.Frustrating when you think about the fact that this money does not materialize.Rewarding when you realize that people are starting to appreciate how difficult and how “24/7” it is – to pull off the task of being a mom.
We get to know the amazing event and party planner Leslie Garcia-Furey this month in our “AW Spotlight” story. Whether it’s a small-themed party or a gala affair at the Kravis Center, she can pull all of the details together and take away all of the stress of the event planning for you.She’s also very active in some terrific non-profit organizations in our local community including the Women’s Chamber of Commerce, the Arthur Marshall Foundation and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Palm Beach County. If you are planning an event, call her at (561) 337-0057.
Continuing with our focus on Mother’s Day, Dr. Vanessa Vizcaino gives us some good test questions in “Ask the Docs.” Check out the Mother’s Health Quiz and the Menopause Quiz that she provides. And don’t forget – this is FREE, excellent advice from one of our beloved local doctors…take advantage of it!
We are also lucky to have Terri Marshall taking us on interesting and unusual trips each month with “Travel with Terri.”As the country commemorates the 150th anniversary of the Civil War she visits historically significant sites from this difficult period in American in Alexandria, Virginia. She writes, “Walking the cobblestone streets once occupied by troops, standing next to a stockade where men and women were once shackled as prisoners waiting to be sold into slavery and hearing the stories ofheroic men and women who risked everything to lead slaves to freedom brings this period of conflict to life in a very personal way.”
Back before having kids, I was active in the playwriting community here in South Florida.I had even founded a playwrights’ group that I enjoyed for a few years, along with some very talented playwrights.In “Cultural Corner,” Danny Smith introduces us to the show “ShortCuts 2” where several of those local playwrights are showcasing their short plays at the Lake Worth Playhouse.Don’t miss the show – May 5 and 6 in Lake Worth and June 2 and 3 in Fort Lauderdale.
In other cultural arts news, Marla E. Schwartz interviewed Rumer Willis in “AW Stories of the Month.” She’s the beautiful daughter of Bruce Willis and Demi Moore. She stars in a new film called The Diary of Preston Plummer.
In “Dare to Dream,” our inspirational writer D. Gatekeeper writes about Trayvon Martin and what we can do with a life that is cut short.I feel for the parents of Trayvon Martin as they go through the agony of the courtcase and try to re-adjust to life without their son.
Have you checked out the restaurant Solo Cantina in the Mall at Wellington Green yet?Our food reviewer Saucy Sarah gives us a few clues about what to order (and what not to order) there in this month’s “Florida Foodie.”
Have you heard about the many health benefits of walking?Just a few short walks a week can make a huge difference in your overall health and longevity, explains our “Health & Fitness” writer Cheryl Alker.
Here’s another thing that’s extremely healthy and helpful – having a few indoor plants in your home. In “Living Green,” Bryan Hayes details the amazing health benefits of adding an indoor plant and helping to rid your house of harmful toxins.
The AW Contests continue on our website and also on our AroundWellington.com Facebook page.Check our “Contest” page because we’re having great contests at least twice a month!THANKS to Massage Envy for providing the monthly prize of a one-hour gift certificate!! Our middle of the month contest will be sponsored by writer D. Gatekeeper…watch out for it.It will be a great prize!
This is just a small slice of the pie that I’ve introduced you to. For the full menu of our stories, photos and videos, just visit our home page – www.AroundWellington.com!
Best Regards and Happy Mom’s Day to all of my Around Wellington Mommy friends,
I recently received an e:mail from one of our readers who asked “my doctor has just told methat I need to take up regular cardiovascular exercise and suggested a walking program, how many times should I be walking, how long, and how fast for it to be of benefit to me?” – Carol.
Well, Carol, first of all congratulations on making the decision to take up a walking program.Walking is a great way to get fit, it doesn’t cost anything and the time element is negligible. In fact, the time it takes you to go to the gym, your workout could have been done.
Undoubtedly you need to walk at a decent pace to gain health benefits.A good average walking speed is 3 to 4 miles per hour depending on your leg length and how quickly you can move your legs.If it has been a long time since you last exercised, you may need to start at a slower pace – but you will soon improve if you walk regularly.
There are so many ways you could incorporate your walking program into your daily life without it making an impact on your schedule. It could even save you money, but without a doubt it will give you some great health benefits.
ØConsider getting off the bus or parking your car a stop or two before your destination and walking the remaining distance.
ØInstead of going around and around looking for a parking space closer to the store, you park your car further away.
ØWalk to get your lunch instead of having it delivered.
ØWalk for errands instead of driving short distances.
ØYou could even leave your riding lawnmower in the garage.Even better, sell it, put a few bucks in your pocket and save yourself the weekly cost of gas!
Reasons to Walk
ØWalking prevents type 2 diabetes.The Diabetes Prevention Program showed that walking 150 minutes per week and losing just 7% of your body weight (12 – 15 pounds) can reduce your risk of diabetes by 58% .
ØWalking strengthens your heart.In one study, mortality rates among retired men who walked less than one mile per day were nearly twice that among those who walked more than two miles per day.Women in the Nurse’s Health Study (72,488 female nurses) who walked three hours or more per week reduced their risk of a heart attack or other coronary event by 35% compared with women who did not walk.
ØWalking is good for your brain.In a study on walking and cognitive function, researchers found that women who walked the equivalent of an easy pace at least 1.5 hours per week had significantly better cognitive function and less cognitive decline than women who walked less than 40 minutes per week.
ØWalking is good for your bones.Research shows that postmenopausal women who walk approximately one mile each day have higher whole-body bone density than women who walk shorter distances, and walking is also effective in slowing the rate of bone loss from the legs.
ØWalking helps alleviate symptoms of depression.Walking for 30 minutes, three to five times per week for 12 weeks reduced symptoms of depression as measured with a standard depression questionnaire by 47%.
ØWalking reduces the risk of breast and colon cancer.Women who performed the equivalent of one hour and 15 minutes to two and a half hours per week of brisk walking had an 18% decreased risk of breast cancer compared with inactive women.Many studies have shown that exercise can prevent colon cancer, and even if an individual person develops colon cancer, the benefits of exercise appear to continue both by increasing quality of life and reducing mortality.
ØWalking improves fitness.Walking just three times a week for 30 minutes can significantly increase cardiorespiratory fitness.A study of sedentary women showed that short bouts of brisk walking (three 10-minute walks per day) also resulted in similar improvement in fitness.
Before you begin:-
ØCheck with your doctor.
ØInvest in a good pair of shoes.As these are the only expense you’ll need, pay attention to the fit and quality of your shoes.Ensure they do not pinch and wear the socks you will be wearing when you walk to the fitting.
ØPay attention to your heart rate and breathing.Walk at a pace that elevates your heart rate, you should be able to hold a conversation whilst walking, if you can’t you are working too hard and should slow down the pace.
ØUse good walking posture.The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommends keeping your head up, back straight and abdomen flat, point your toes straight ahead and take long strides but don’t strain.
ØConsider getting a pedometer.You can track the distance you’ve walked or the number of steps you’ve taken.Seeing improvement is a wonderful source of motivation.
ØCarry water.If you are walking long distances or in the heat keep your body hydrated by drinking regularly.
ØStretch after your walk.Ensure your stretch your calves, quadriceps and hamstrings post work-out to avoid muscular tightness.
Cheryl Alker specializes in flexibility training, facial exercises and postural alignment.Her 30 year career started as a group fitness and personal trainer, she has lectured and directed fitness training programs in both Europe and the USA and was an advisor for a Governmental health promotion program. Alker and her company Stretch Results International continues to work with a select clientele from a base in Palm Beach County, Florida, certifying health professionals in her results based stretching program, educating consumers through public speaking and offering consultation to clients who wish to lose their muscular pain and gain flexibility to achieve full and active lifestyles.Alker has just released a DVD for back pain sufferers. For more information about professional continuing education and consultation options, e:books or DVD’s please call Cheryl on 561 889 3738 or visit www.stretchresults.com
Music provides one with an extended connection to different people, in different times and places. It can comfort the lonely, evoke fond memories, or energize one’s soul.
I’ve always admired my dad’s taste in music. It’s current, but not saturated with Pop. We used listen to his collection of CD’s and tapes during our car rides to my soccer games. He exposed me to the classics (from a teen’s perspective,) such as the B52’s and Blondie and Billy Joel.
Shortly after my family moved to Florida, “Welcome to Miami” by Will Smith was released. My dad would play it all the time, and it became the first song I remember loving. I wasn’t even five years old, and I didn’t even understand the song, but I wiggled and spun to the music, regardless. At that time, all that mattered was hearing a beat I could move to.
As I grew up, I got into Brittany Spears, and other pop-culture artists. It was a total phase. I look back now, and know that if one of those songs was to come on, I would still know every lyric (and probably the corresponding dances from the music videos, as well.) At the time, I could enjoy virtually any song that made me feel “normal.”
Around that time, my brother’s friend had burned him a CD of Blink-182, and we listened to it on his handheld CD player throughout the duration of hurricane Frances. Blink became one of my first true music obsessions, and I entered my punk-rock phase.
As I matured into the young adult I am today, so did my taste in music mature. On a family road trip to New York, my dad popped in a CD of The Beatles greatest hits. I had heard their music throughout the years, but had never taken a strong interest in it. Maybe it was the 22 hour car ride, or maybe I just developed an appreciation for the way their songs reflected the time and revolutionized the industry. Either way, I was hooked. I now have every song created by the Beatles on my iTunes, iPod Nano, and iPhone.
Recently, I’ve added Death Cab for Cutie to my mental list of “Favorite Artists.” In my opinion, they’re like the less popular Beatles of my generation. But no artist could ever truly compare to the musical genius of The Beatles, if you ask me.
I’ve gone through a lot of music phases, from trendy Pop music to breakthrough punk-rock and finally a respect for timeless quality.
Our choices in music often reflect where we are in life. So, take a little time to reminisce the songs that bring back fond memories. Dance to the tunes that energize you. Find comfort in the melodies and lyrics that relate to you. Who knows? It might just help you reflect on your own past from a perspective you never considered before.
“Little darling, the smile’s returning to their faces. Little darling, it seems like years since it’s been here. Here comes the sun. Here comes the sun, and I say ‘It’s alright.’” –The Beatles
Jessica Small is a junior at Wellington High School. She is the Sports Editor of the school’s online publication, whswave.com. She is enrolled in rigorous courses at WHS and aspires to study journalism and business in college. She is involved in her high school dance team and is president of ThinkPinkKids.
The sign in the window of the hair salon I jogged past exclaimed “Sally is Back!”
I knew she’d be back, I thought smugly, though I had no actual knowledge of who Sally was, why she left, and why she decided to go back to where she once had been. Unfazed by such trivial details, I pictured her co-workers at the salon welcoming her return with open arms and warm words.
“Sally, oh my god, I can’t believe you’re back!”
“We missed you so much, Sally girl!”
“This place wasn’t as much fun without you, Sally! Not even close.”
“Thanks, you guys,” Sally might say softly, embarrassed by all the attention. “And sorry for saying ‘screw you, screw all of you’ when I left. I was really burnt out.”
“Not a problem, Sal,” a girl named Sharon might say. “We’ve all had our moments.”
“Yeah, like the time I told Mrs. Vander Blatner that Sally called her a bloated bag of toxic tofu,” a girl named Denise might chime in, secretly fishing for approval from the other girls.
“You said I said what?” Sally would lean in, straining to comprehend the slanderous portrayal of her as a person who would use words like “toxic tofu.”
“Then there was the time I snatched all your tips out of your purse when you went outside for a smoke,” a girl named Eileen might reminisce. “Eight or nine times.”
“You what?” Sally would gasp in disbelief, a sickening feeling of betrayal washing over her.
“Remember the time I wrote ‘Sally’s a sorry, trailer park loser in lipstick on the bathroom mirror,” a girl named Vickie might nostalgically recall.
“You were the one who wrote that?” Sally would ask, feeling the hurt and shame well up inside her all over again.
“Yeah,” Vickie would confirm, matter-of-factly. “I was really, really burnt out and you pissed me off about something so I wrote what I felt.”
“You know what, Sharon, Denise, Eileen, and Vickie?” Sally might say angrily, jerking her purse up off a chair and storming toward the salon door. “Screw you, screw all of you!!”
“Witch!” the girls would undoubtedly shout back in unison as Sally rushed away weeping.
The next day as I jog by, the “Sally is Back!” sign is gone from the salon window, replaced with a far less intriguing “Help Wanted” sign.
I knew Sally was too good for that place, I think, as I glide on by. Way too good.
Alexandria:Base camp for your Civil War explorations
By Terri Marshall, Photos by Gregory Holder
As the country commemorates the 150th anniversary of the Civil War visiting historically significant sites from this difficult period in American history can provide lessons of inspiration, compassion and hope.Walking the cobblestone streets once occupied by troops, standing next to a stockade where men and women were once shackled as prisoners waiting to be sold into slavery and hearing the stories ofheroic men and women who risked everything to lead slaves to freedom brings this period of conflict to life in a very personal way.You may find – as I did – there were stories you never learned in history class.
Alexandria, Virginia‘s strategic location as a busy seaport with an extensive railroad system made it a prime target during the Civil War. Once a gential Southern town and the boyhood home of Robert E. Lee, Alexandria was seized by thousands of Union troops within hours of ratifying its secession from the Union.This once prosperous town became a center for distribution of troops and supplies.Buildings were converted into hospitals, barracks and prisons.Today its location makes it the perfect base camp for exploration of Civil War sites in the Mid-Atlantic region.
The Freedom House on Duke Street
The Freedom House Museum operated by the Northern Virginia Urban League is located in the former headquarters of Franklin and Armfield – the largest domestic slave trading company in the country.Thousands of men, women and children passed through the walls of this house on a journey to lives of bondage in the Deep South.The original iron bars and wooden beams remain in this basement museum.There are multi-media presentations of narrators reading first person accounts of the experiences of men, women and children who were held in this location.Once filled with desperation, this structure now serves to emancipate, educate and enlighten the descendants of slaves and others who pass through these walls.Open for self-guided tours Monday through Friday from 9 am til 5pm.Guided tours and weekends by appointment.www.freedomhousemuseum.org
Housed in a building built in 1940 as a library to serve Alexandria’s black citizens, the Alexandria Black History Museum depicts both the oppression of slavery and the opportunities that freedom offered to African Americans in Alexandria during the Civil War.In addition to being the home of two large slave trading businesses, Alexandria was also home to a sizeable Quaker population which included a number of ardent abolitionists who helped enslaved people obtain their freedom and establish their own community.As a result, free blacks made up about 10 percent of Alexandria’s population in 1860.www.AlexBlackHistory.org
In the heart of Old Town Alexandria stands Christ Church – a beautiful English country-style church built between 1767-1773.George Washington worshipped here as did Robert E. Lee when he was growing up in Alexandria.During the Civil War the gardens and cemetery were used by Union troops to graze their horses but the church itself was preserved as a sign of respect for George Washington whom both sides revered.Tours are available Monday – Saturday from 9 am to 4 pm and Sunday from 2 pm to 4 pm www.HistoricChristChurch.org
Fort Ward is the best preserved of the system of Union forts and batteries built to protect Washington, D.C. during the Civil War.Walking through the fort gives you perspective on just how strategic Alexandria was for the protection of Washington D.C. during the war.Museum displays include uniforms and personal artifacts from Confederate and Union soldiers.The bone saw in the collection of medical devices is particularly disturbing!A special Civil War exhibit relays the story ofAlexandria’s Marshall House Incident where the first martyrs of the Civil War died for their respective allegiances – Col. Elmer Ellsworth for the North and James W. Jackson for the South.The incident sparked outrage on both sides of the war.www.FortWard.org
There are numerous other Civil War sites in Alexandria and a great way to experience more of these is with the Civil War edition of the Key to the City pass.For just $9 the pass includes admission to nine historic sites with information on their roles in the conflict, plus more than 80 special offers from shops, restaurants and attractions.Also included is information on 13 additional sites, a Civil War cell-phone tour and a brochure that includes a self-guided walking tour of Civil War sites in Old Town Alexandria.www.VisitAlexandriaVA.com
Fortunately you can set up your “campsite” for exploration much more comfortably than the Civil War soldiers by checking into the Hilton Alexandria Old Town strategically located next to the King Street Metro Rail/Amtrak station providing easy access to Civil War sites in the surrounding areas and Washington D.C. www.alexandriahilton.com
Soldiers may have dined on campfire pork and beans but that will not be necessary for you with Alexandria’s array of dining options ranging from casual cafes featuring pizzas and burgers to award-wining restaurants with celebrity chefs.Dinner reservations can be made from the homepage of www.VisitAlexandria.com
Franklin & Armfield - sign from the Freedom House
Mark Twain once said “Travel is fatal to prejudice”.I would also add that travel provides us an opportunity to learn about ourselves and challenge our preconceived notions about history and cultures.That is exactly what happened to me.I set out to use Alexandria as a base camp for exploration of Civil War sites but the trip became much more than sightseeing.My understanding of the terror the African Americans experienced while awaiting their fates at the hands of the slave traders deepened as I walked through the exhibits of The Freedom House.The desperation of the mothers clinging to their children and realizing their families are likely to be ripped apart, the frustration of the fathers who were helpless to protect their families – stripping them of their dignity.All of it became real.But there were also stories of hope that emerged from these unimaginable realities.Lewis Henry Bailey was taken from his mother as a boy.Transported to Texas, Bailey found a friend in the daughter of his master.This little girl broke the law by sneaking around to teach Bailey to read.When Bailey was freed, he walked from Texas back to Alexandria to find his mother.Lewis Henry Bailey became the pastor of Alexandria’s Ebenezer Baptist Church and later founded the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Occoquan, Virginia.Both churches are still operating today and touching countless lives.The Freedom House was dedicated to Bailey’s memory in 1980.It is this type of resilience that inspires me – and hopefully it will inspire others.
Terri is a freelance writer with regular columns on travel, chocolate and bar reviews. She is busy each month visiting new places to bring unique travel destinations and events to you. Yes, it is a sacrifice – but she is willing to do that for her readers! You can see more of Terri’s writing at www.examiner.com where she is the National Chocolate Examiner and at www.barzz.net. You can contact Terri at terri.marshall60@gmail.com.
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Teen Talk
appreciation for the way their songs reflected the time and revolutionized the industry. Either way, I was hooked. I now have every song created by the Beatles on my iTunes, iPod Nano, and iPhone.
As I Was Saying
Travel with Terri
Fort Ward is the best preserved of the system of Union forts and batteries built to protect Washington, D.C. during the Civil War.