Support Team Pretty in the 2010 Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk

Alzheimer's Disease: as a child I thought it was called "old timer's," as a teenager I figured out how to actually spell it, but until the spring of 2008, my closest experience with the disease was watching Meredith Grey's mother continuously mistake George for her husband on Grey's Anatomy.

When my grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2008, I had no idea what to expect--I still don't. Every day is a new experience. Her future is known, yet at the same time unknown. Shortly after my grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, her younger sister was diagnosed as well. In less than 6 months, it seemed like everyone I encountered was connected to someone who had Alzheimer's. There are over 5.3 million people with Alzheimer's, it is the 7th leading cause of death in the United States, yet there is still no cure. The Memory Walk is not only about raising money to find a cure, but also to raise awareness for this mysterious and tragic disease.

The 2010 Memory Walk will be held on October 16, at the War Memorial Park in Martinsburg, WV. I encourage you to join Pretty in the Panhandle's "Team Pretty" for this year's one mile walk. After all, being pretty is not just about pedicures, shopping, and sipping champagne: it's about being pretty on the inside as well. As the saying goes, "pretty is as pretty does." Members of Team Pretty will receive a T-shirt and a goody bag on the day of the walk; there is no minimum donation required, only your participation. I will also be seeking corporate sponsors for the team, so if you know of any business that would be interested, please have them contact me for details: richele@prettyinthepanhandle.com.

See below for more information on how to support Team Pretty, and most importantly spread the word!

What: 2010 Memory Walk

When: Saturday, October 16, 2010

(9AM Registration, 10AM Walk)

Where: War Memorial Park, Martinsburg, WV

How can you help?

Join Team Pretty by clicking HERE!

Donate to Team Pretty by clicking HERE!

Deadline Approaching for MSM's Big Bad Burger Blog Recipe Contest

In prepartion for their 2nd annual Big Bad Burger Contest, Mountain State Meats (MSM) is having a world-wide recipe contest via their Big Bad Burger Blog! As recipes are received, MSM proprietor, Selina Meehleib, and staff will be testing out a new burger recipe each week and reviewing the big, the bad, and the juicy of the recipe submissions on the Big Bad Burger Blog. The winner will receive $100 and will be featured at this year's Big Bad Burger Contest in July!

Entries must be received by June 1, 2010, so hurry and submit yours now to butcher@mountainstatemeats.com!

The 2nd annual Big Bad Burger Contest will be held on July 24, 2010. More details on the recipe contest, as well as the Big Bad Burger Contest can be found on the Big Bad Burger Blog. Details leading up to the event and event coverage will be featured on Pretty in the Panhandle later this summer, so be sure to check back for updates!

Alice's Very Merry Tea Party--A Fun, Fundraiser Indeed

"There is a place. Like no place on Earth. A land full of wonder, mystery, and danger! Some say to survive it: You need to be as mad as a hatter."

                                                                                           -The Mad Hatter

Saturday, May 22, the historic McFarland House in Martinsburg, WV, was transformed to a different time and place as guests were invited "down the rabbit hole" for Alice's Very Merry Tea Party. As my guest and I approached McFarland House, we were welcomed by gentlemen in full Edwardian regalia complete with top hats. As we quickly learned, hats in general were a key element in this Tea Party! Upon entering the house, we were eagerly greeted by the Mad Hatter himself who promptly queried as to our missing chapeaus. He insisted that the situation must be remedied, once we were given some "mad money." After receiving our mad money and silent auction number--on a tea bag, no less--the Mad Hatter, helped my friend and find proper toppers. I was fitted with a pale blue number,complete with a netted veil, while my friend was given a lovely pill box with tulle towering from the top. Both hats were lovely vintage numbers that we warned the Hatter we may not want to return!

After being fitted for hats, we proceeded to a parlor where the Hookah Smoking Caterpillar welcomed us, and allowed us to officially enter "Wonderland." As we walked through the sliding doors we were able to peruse the silent auction items, vote on elegant tea cups, and attempt to beat the Queen of Hearts in a game of Flamingo Croquet. After everyone lost to the Queen (who cheated, but don't tell her I said that or she'll be "off with [my] head"), the Cheshire Cat sauntered down the stairs, and serenaded the crowd. This led to a series of skits with the Queen of Hearts "offing" several naughty knaves.

Following the rousing croquet match, it was time for tea! A traditional English tea was served complete with 3 varieties of tea: Earl Gray, Orange Pekoe, and a Rose Tea topped with dried rose petals. Keeping with tradition, there were sandwiches, sweets, and scones with clotted cream and lemon curd on the side. As guests nibbled on the treats and sipped their tea, the cast continued to entertain with appearances by Alice, the White Rabbit, the Queen of Hearts, the White Queen, the Cheshire Cat, the Door Mouse, the March Hare, and of course the Mad Hatter would never miss Tea!

It was a fun, entertaining, and interactive afternoon for guests of all ages. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Ryan Film Institute, and after this show, I eargerly await their future fundraisers!

More pictures from Alice's Very Merry Tea Party after the jump!

Save the Date--A Very Important Date--for Alice's Very Merry Tea Party

Saturday, May 22, the Ryan Film Institute will host Alice's Very Merry Tea Party from 3-5PM at the McFarland House in Martinsburg, WV. A traditional English Tea will be served, while guests are entertained by character skits and encouraged to participate in the Mad Hatter's Hat Contest, Flamingo Croquet, a silent auction and more! See below for more details and information on how to reserve your tickets. Also be sure to visit the Ryan Film Institute's website to find out more about Alice's Very Merry Tea Party and the Ryan Film Institute. Proceeds from the Tea Party will go to support student scholarships and equipment needs for the Ryan Film Institute's programs.

Brunch Bunch: DISH - A New American Bistro

"At Dish, we strive to create each meal around the wealth of local ingredients found only miles from the restaurant in the lush valleys, mountains, and rolling farmlands of West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania.  

We are committed to the amazing farmers, ranchers, and others who make the region so special. As we continue to face rising food and fuel prices, global uncertainty, and shortages, the notion of local economies becomes not a nice-to-do, but a need-to-do."

Name: DISH

Location: 213 West Washington Street, Charles Town, WV

Seating: Indoor/Outdoor

$$$: Under $12 (not counting cocktails)

Pretty Picks: Open-faced Omelette with Ramps, Sun-dried Tomatoes & Asiago Cheese and a Bloody Mary (pictured above)

After getting the dish on Dish (pun-intended) via their very informative website, I decided that Dish was the perfect place to take my mom and  grandmother for Mother's Day brunch: truth is, I really wanted to try their zucchini, artichoke, and spinach quiche. However, once we were seated at Dish and our delightful server, Jamie-Lynn, mentioned that an omelette with ramps was one of the specials, I knew exactly what I wanted--quiche, what quiche? For those of you that have not tried ramps, you have missed out! Ramps are similar to a scallion, spring onion, or leek, only better. One of my favorite things about spring in West Virginia is the wild, wonderful produce popping up in the woods. I spent many a spring as a child digging ramps and hunting for morel mushrooms with my dad. Anywho, my omelette was everything I hoped it would be and more: the distinct flavors of the ramps and asiago were complemented nicely by the rich semi-sweet touch of sun-dried tomatoes. As for the quiche, my mother and grandmother both ordered a slice, so I was able to sample that as well. The quiche was very tasty, stuffed with veggies, and I loved that Dish used puff pasty instead of traditional pie crust.

A return trip to Dish is definitely in order, as their menus vary by season and availability of local ingredients. Dish also offers a number of special events including wine & beer tastings, and live music! To see all of the upcoming events at Dish click here: I think I'll have to go do some "research" don't you?

SUFOM 2010 Tuxedo Junction: Stomping at the Savoy

Friday, May 7, 2010, the Shepherd University Friends of Music (SUFOM) hosted the third annual "Tuxedo Junction" at the Bavarian Inn, in Shepherdstown, WV. This year's theme--Stomping at the Savoy--channeled the New York night club scene circa the big band era.

As guests arrived, the ladies were given a long-stemmed red carnation, while the gentlemen received a white carnation to adorn their lapels. Since the Bavarian Inn boasts one of the best views in Shepherdstown, tables were set up on the outside terraces where the crowd mingled before heading in for the main event. Once inside, the Bavarian was truly transformed: cocktail tables were set with towering vases holding a single calla lily, and at the base of each arrangement was a pair of evening gloves draped with a strand of pearls. Dining stations surrounded the room, each given the name of a famous NY night club--Rainbow Room Desserts anyone?

The Shepherd University Jazz Ensemble provided the music for the evening as they serenaded the crowd with the sounds of the Golden Age. In between sets, guests perused and bid on the numerous (and very creative) silent auction items which ranged from several hours of yard work to unique dining experiences to jewelry from Christian Caine. However, the generosity of this crowd was really on display when the dance floor was cleared for the live auction led by the ever-entertaining Marty Kable. Live auction items were also quite creative: one lot included tennis lessons with Shepherd University President Suzanne Shipley! All procceds from Tuxedo Junction will benefit the Shepherd University Music Program.

Val & Clifford Smith, Alan Gibson and Cynthia Schott

Quincy & Rob Northrup and Hali Taylor

Mark & Lisa McCoy and Lee Stevens

 Dr. Suzanne Shipley and Randy Wadsworth

 

Jack & Helen Saum

Carol & Erwin Asam

David Asam and Adrienne Wright

Ann Wayt and Alice Barkos

Zan & Deborah Fleming

More pictures from Tuxedo Junction after the jump!

YBF Skincare Celebrates 3 Years with the Skin Care Shop of Shepherdstown

Your Best Face Skincare (YBF) is celebrating their 3 year partnership with the Skin Care Shop of Shepherdstown by Tweeting away great prizes throughout the month of May!

Winners will be announced every Saturday in May, leading up to the announcment of the Grand Prize Winner--$1,510 in YBF products--on June 1. You can read more about the prizes here.

So how do you enter?

1. Follow YBF Skin care on Twitter @YBFSkincare

2. Re-tweet (RT) the following message word for word.

$1,510 in product! Celebrate 3 yrs w/ #TheSkinCareShop all May @YBFSkincare giveaway info http://www.ybf-Skincare.com/3yr.htm RT4entry

3. Keep Re-tweeting! You can enter as many times as you like, and by Tweeting that one message you are entered for all giveaways, including the Grand Prize.

4. Visit the Skin Care Shop at 123 W. German Street, Shepherdstown, WV, to try YBF products as well as the many other goods and services offered on location!

Pedi-Profile: Blondy and Company's Nails by Penny

Salon/Spa:

Blondy & Company

Location:

38 West Baltimore Street

Funkstown, MD  21734

Contact:

301.766.0700

Website:
www.blondyandcompany.com/

Nail Tech:

Penny of Nails by Penny

Treatment:

Spa Pedicure

Cost:

$35

Length:

60 minutes

Polishes:

OPI, Dashing Diva

Atmosphere:

Calming and very clean: thoroughly enjoyed chatting

with Penny about our perspective puppies!

Special Treatment:

A Spa Pedicure with Penny will make you feel like you're a princess.

From the first soak--complete with freshly sliced orange and lemon wedges--to the final top coat, you really feel like you're getting the royal treatment.

Bottom Line:

Peaceful & Personal

(Photo: http://www.blondyandcompany.com/)

Saturday at the 2010 Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival®

The 2010 Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival®--or "The Bloom" as referred to by festival veterans--was centered around the theme of "Do You Believe in Magic." Whether by magic, miracle, or meteorlogical luck, a week that started out dreary and unseasonably cool, ended in the 70's, sunny, and a perfect way to closeout The Bloom.

The Grand Marshall's reception kicked off Saturday morning in style. Held at the stunning home of Randy and Kelly Kremer, attendees were able to meet festival celebrities (including Val Kilmer) while sipping mimosas and mingling with fellow Bloomers.

Kelly Kremer, Susan McGuire, Annette Affeldt,

Cindy Parkes, Denise Kozlowski, and Michelle Sydnor

Darlene Hess, Donna & Myles McPartland, and Cheryl Greene

Heather Putnam and Stephanie Anderson

Tracie Heglas, Anita Minghini,

Mark & Heather Leonard, and Jeff & Anne Buettner

Kathryn Oates and Lori Fountain Bales

Lydia Roberts, AnneHunter Hurt,

Charles Roberts, Kristi Epstein, and Amy England

Debbie Smith and Lydia Roberts

As the morning festivities wrapped up, Bloomers headed to Old Town Winchester for the Grand Feature Parade. Many set up camp along sidewalks to watch the main parade pass. Others paraded from house to house enjoying the company of family, friends, and perhaps catching a glimpse of a few floats along the way.

Jean Toan, Marja Toan, and Michelle Farmer

Gretchen Byrd, Scottie Howard Brown, and Immy Byrd

More pictures from the Grand Marshall's Reception and the Grand Feature Parade after the jump!