Southern Way Cafe = Yum!

Stopped at The Southern Way Cafe today after church and oh my goodness, y'all!  My brunch included the lightest, fluffiest and most delicious biscuit ever (see the picture at left).  Although this was our first visit to The Southern Way (across the street from Starr Hill Brewery/Music Today in Crozet), I expect we're on the way to becoming regulars.  We loved the cheerful ambience and eclectic nostalgic/Americana decor as well as the superb food and quick, friendly service.  I also found out the true meaning of G.R.I.T.S, which is Girls Raised In The South; yee haw!

Art at the Flying Fox

Garden view at Flying Fox

Flying Fox Vineyard's wines must have some of the most engaging labels ever.  And some of the most delicious wines ever.  And now they are hosting a wonderful display of paintings by Crozet artist, Carolyn Ratcliffe, all of which highlight the beauty of our local landscapes.  Visit the Flying Fox Vineyard online site to see digital versions of some of the paintings, and take the scenic route to the tasting room just off Rt. 151 to see the originals and sample the offerings from the vineyard.  Tally ho!



Dulcimer Old Time Music in Waynesboro

Our friends at Stone Soup Books in Waynesboro have provided info about what looks like an excellent opportunity to hear some good music, eat some good food, meet some good folks, and learn some good stuff!  Check out the Mountain Music Festival, to be held in Waynesboro from August 12-14.  How could we not go to something called "Streams and Dreams"?

Music in the Mountains

This past weekend, we went up to Wintergreen to a concert which was part of this year's Wintergreen Summer Music Festival.  What a jewel this festival is!  Professional musicians from all over the country playing selections by well-known favorite composers as well as more contemporary, new-to-us ones.  We heard Cherubini and then a Chopin piano concerto played by a young, brilliant pianist with the inspired accompaniment of the festival orchestra.  The music was so entrancing that we temporarily forgot the heat and humidity, swept up into the passion and pathos of Chopin well-played.  Bravo!

The view from the concert hall (tent) at Wintergreen

Holloway Corn

Even though I am probably the only person reading this at this moment, today being the blog's first day and all, I must tell everyone that corn from heaven is here at the Crozet Great Valu, and you should not miss it!  I am told that people wait all summer for this particular corn to arrive, and I can see why.  This week, the corn was 4 ears for $2.00--a true bargain!  I also saw a sign saying they have Holloway Corn at the little Village Market on Rt. 250, just west of the Greenwood Gourmet store.  So get out there!

Welcome to Whistle Stops!

This is a brand new blog!  Its purpose is to publish items of interest from the region just east of the Blue Ridge Mountains in central Virginia.  I figure there are lots of people that would like timely updates about the goings-on in the neighborhoods of Crozet, Ivy, White Hall, Nellysford and possibly Waynesboro (even if Waynesboro is on the other side of Afton Mountain)!  The blog is called "Whistle Stops" because its intention is to spread the news quickly and in small bites, as people did from train cars before other forms of communication arrived on the scene to speed up the process.  My home base is Crozet, a town known for its railroading past, and still bi-sected by the rails.  So check in here frequently to see what's new, and send me anything interesting you find in your own travels in the region.