Spice Up Your Weekend--Mainstreet Martinsburg's 6th Annual Chili Cookoff

October 2, 2010, from 3-7:30PM Mainstreet Martinsburg, along with Dan Ryan Builders, will host the 6th Annual Chili Cookoff. Culinary concoctions will be divided into several categories and judged accordingly; prizes will also be awarded for People's Choice and best booth décor. In addition to the Queen Street queue of chili chefs, this year's cookoff will also feature a variety of vendors and several live bands including Woodshed, Don Ohlsson & Friends, and The Smooth Cat Burglars. Adult beverages will also be available in the beer garden for those of the 21+ crowd.

Admission is $5 for all the chili you can taste: kids under 7 are free.

Can you handle the spice?

Retrodini Vintage Clothing & Oddities--I see the past in your future...

While many vintage stores just sell clothing and accessories, Retrodini offers shoppers the full vintage experience. Located in their new spot on North Washington Street in Berkeley Springs, WV, Retrodini sells everything from vintage clothing to kitchen wares to replica toys and trinkets. They also have a few snazzy pieces of mid-century futniture that I had my eye on, but given the limited room in my Mini Cooper, I would have had to leave my passengers behind, which was awfully tempting: just kidding!*

So what's the skinny on Retrodini?

Placement: There is definitely a lot to take in when you walk in the store. When

 you first enter your immediate reaction is to just stop and stare at everything in wonderment. Perhaps it's because I'm somewhat of a vintage junkie, but I pretty much felt like a kid in a candy shop--a 1950's candy shop that is. Everything is neatly arranged by size and category, but you'll still want to do a few laps of the store before you get down to serious shopping.

Prices: The prices here are definitely reasonable, even for the furniture. Also, when you make a purchase you receive a frequent shopper card: for every $5 you spend you receive a mark and after you spend $50 you get 15% off your next purchase!

Pieces: Did I mention I loved the furniture? Aside from the furniture, I saw some really neat kitchen accessories and linens, LOVED the hat selection, and I found a mint 1950's Saks Fifth Avenue dress that came home with me.

Retrodini alone is worth a trip to Berkeley Springs; however, next time I will be bringing a bigger vehicle, and perhaps taking some time to explore the rest of the town.

Retrodini

81 A North Washington Street

Berkeley Springs, WV  25411

304.258.1580
http://www.retrodini.com/



*Sort of, maybe, not really :)

Bavarian Inn's 2010 Oktoberfest

Sunday, September 19, the Bavarian Inn of Shepherdstown, WV, held their 34th Annual Oktoberfest. The sounds of the Edelweiss Band played as the Bavarian Dance Club of Washington, DC entertained the crowd with a variety of traditional folk dances complete with garlands, anvils, a maypole and an Alpine Bell performance. The fragrant smell of German food filled the air, and beer options abounded. Whether you tested your dancing skills or just sat back and relaxed with your family, it was a truly perfect afternoon on the Potomac for a bratwust and a boot of beer.

Julie Collier, Dawn Marcoux, Loren Marcoux, and Greg Kennell

Karoly Tremmel, Elaine Mahoney, Colleen Tremmel, and Bob Tremmel

Kraeg Terry and Chelsea Hixson

Christy Workman, Jeremy Lee, Ashley Jaranko, Jonathan Workman,

Joy Lewis, Allison Nasteff, and friend.

Arlene Babb, Jim Funk, and Heinrich Babb

Sheila Evers, Leanne Smith, Dan Evers, Dede Kropf,

Chris Smith, Kristin Ringstaff, and Steve Stolipher

Cameron Gehrke and Lisa Park-Gehrke

Tony Price, Pete Lyon, Ally Heyser,

"Rusty Squeezebox" and Samantha Zurbuch

More pics from Oktoberfest 2010 after the jump!

Oktoberfest at the Bavarian Inn this Sunday!

Sunday, September 19, from 12-6PM the Bavarian Inn, in Shepherdstown, WV, will be hosting their 34th Annual Oktoberfest. There will be activities for kids of all ages, including a Tapping of the Beer Ceremony at 1:00PM for the "big kids."

Admission is $5 for adults and $2 for the kiddies; see below for more details!


Cocktails to Benefit the WV Alzheimer's Association Tonight at the Mecklenburg Inn

Tonight from 5PM to 7PM, drop by the Mecklenburg Inn, in Shepherdstown, WV, to help support the WV Alzheimer's Association and the 2010 Eastern Panhandle Memory Walk! The cost is $20 per person which includes a special cocktail as well as light hors d'oeuvres.

See below for more information or call 304.599.1159

And don't forget the Memory Walk on October 16!



Pickin' in the Panhandle 2010

The crisp feel of fall was present as a morning fog
stretched across the mountains, the scent of hickory smoke filled the air, and strains from a lone banjo played in the background--it was Saturday morning of the 2010 Pickin' in the Panhandle BBQ & Bluegrass Festival.

From Shenandoah to Skaggs, this year's Pickin' in the Panhandle did not disappoint. National acts like Joe Diffie and Ricky Skaggs may have attracted the crowds, but it was a young group from Bridgeport, WV, who stole their hearts: Midnight Ride not only won this year's Pickin' Porch bluegrass competition, they were a hands-down festival favorite and the talk of every campsite by Sunday morning.

Even Saturday night's rainstorm was welcome in this drought-wrought region, although there were some soggy (but still happy) campers the next day. Sunday

brought an equally enjoyable lineup including Missy Raines, The Grascals--whose next stop is with Hank Williams, Jr--and, of course, Ricky Skaggs.

Whether you came for the music or the meat, you stayed for the experience. With shows on two stages, straw bale seating, and folks of all ages giving hula hoops  a swirl, Pickin' in the Panhandle takes you a million miles away, while making you feel

like you're right at home.

More pictures from Pickin' in the Panhandle 2010 after the jump!

(Photos courtesy of  Katie J. Howell) 

Fall Preview Party Tonight at Scarpa Alta!

This evening  from 4PM-9PM, Scarpa Alta in Winchester, VA, will be holding their Fall Preview Party. Drop by the store to peruse this season's hottest boots, booties, and ballet flats while enjoying

champagne and chocolates.

As if shoes and champagne weren't enticing enough, Scarpa Alta will also have a special jewelry presentation with Cosmos and Canapés!

What

 Scarpa Alta Fall Preview Party

When

 Tonight from 4-9

Where

Creekside Station

3111 Valley Ave Suite 108

Winchester, VA 22601

Get Your Passes Now for Pickin' in the Panhandle 2010

Every September, Berkeley County, WV, is home to one of my favorite festivals--Pickin' in the Panhandle. This year's festival will be held on September 10-12 at Lazy A Campground in Hedgesville, WV. In addition to enjoying  nationally-known performers like Joe Diffie (since there's something women like about a Pickup Man) and Ricky Skaggs (who recently recorded a track with the Raconteurs),you'll also be able to catch local favorites like the Back Creek Valley Boys. Click here for a full lineup.

Most festivals have good food, but Pickin' in the Panhandle has great food. Professional and backyard chefs alike will compete for the title of best BBQ throughout the weekend. While the "official" judges may have the final word, you'll be able to enjoy some of the foods from competing vendors and  do some pickin' for yourself.

Whether you come out for one day, or camp out the whole weekend, this is a great event for all ages. You can purchase tickets here or call 304.274.8801; tickets are $25 per day or $50 for a 3-day weekend pass.You can (and should) also check out the official website: http://www.panhandlepickin.com/ for more details!

I will be camping at the festival Saturday-Sunday, to give you a full "Pretty People" write-up next week. And because I have a hard time giving up technology, I'll be posting updates as well as pictures on Facebook and Twitter throughout the weekend!