A Fire at the Inn 25 May 2012, 7:46 am
We here at the Iris Inn have been lucky to meet some wonderful individuals who pass through as our guests. Two of these individuals, Colin and Derek, proved not only to be polite and respectful young men—traits that mirrored their training at Fishburne Military School—but they also showed themselves to be calm and collected in an extreme situation.
On the night of February 18, 2012, a fire broke out beneath the porch of our bed and breakfast. Colin and Derek were the first to notice the fire. Derek stayed with the flames to see if there was any way he could tend to them, as Colin calmly made his way into the inn, quietly insisting that Dave follow him to see something. The way in which he approached Dave kept the situation from becoming panicked chaos.
The arrival of the fire department was delayed, and during the wait, the young men requested a fire extinguisher and baking soda, then making every attempt to help smother the flames. When the fire trucks eventually arrived, Colin and Derek aided the men in unloading the hose, while speaking with the fire chief, and giving a brief interview to the media.
Colin and Derek are two remarkable young men, sensible and level-headed. We offered them a “heroes dinner” to thank them for their help, but nothing we do can adequately express our gratitude. The fire undoubtedly would have been too much for us to handle without their assistance.
And so, Colin and Derek, you have the deepest thanks of the Iris Inn.
Shrimp Crostini Recipe from the BBAV Cookbook 16 May 2012, 8:54 am
The warmer weather means that it’s time for a host of outdoor celebrations—graduation parties, wedding receptions, birthdays, etc. If you are in search of a tasty yet simple h’ordeurve recipe, we believe we can help you out. One of the Iris Inn’s contributions for the Bed and Breakfast Association of Virginia’s cookbook is our recipe for Shrimp Crostini. And so, we present this recipe to you in hopes that it delights your taste buds enough that you simply have to have the entire cookbook. (If you would like more in depth information about the cookbook, check out one of the BBAV’s blog entries.)
Ingredients:
2 10-inch loaves French baguettes
2-4 Tbsp olive oil
8 oz. Cream cheese
½ cup mayonnaise
2 Tbsp Dijon mustard
1 lb. cooked shrimp
½ cup minced green onion
1½ Tbsp chopped fresh dill
1 Tbsp grated lemon zest
Fresh parsley, chopped
Directions:
Preheat broiler. Slice the baguettes into forty ¼ – ½-inch thick diagonal slices, and lightly brush one side of each slice with oil. Broil until lightly toasted, about 1 minute.
Peel, devein, and coarsely chop the cooked shrimp; set aside. Using a mixer, beat cream cheese, mayonnaise, and mustard in a large bowl. Mix in shrimp, green onions, dill, and lemon zest. Season with salt and pepper.
Spread 1 tablespoon of shrimp mixture on top of each toast. Arrange on baking sheet, and broil until shrimp mixture begins to brown, about two minutes. Top with parsley.
Enjoy!
The Virginia Festival of History, Charlottesville, VA 9 May 2012, 7:54 am
We here at the Iris Inn are fortunate enough to be surrounded by a wealth of Virginia history, and one nearby city is proud to offer a celebration of its heritage. Charlottesville, Virginia, having been founded in 1762, is remembering its 250 years of history, and part of this commemoration includes the Virginia Festival of History, May 26-June 3, 2012: “The Virginia Festival of History teaches and celebrates the diverse cultural heritage of the Commonwealth. The culmination living history weekend allows people of all ages to step back in time and meet people from the past through reenactments and period crafts, music, dancing, games, and food. Most events are free and open to the public.”
This signature festival will begin by honoring all who have served and died in war, and it will end with a two-day costumed reenactment at Court Square and Lee Park. (Even if you’re not a hardcore fan of history, the reenactment will bring life to what is usually only observed in the written word.)
Day-by-day Schedule:
May 26- Remembering Those Who Died in the Civil War
May 27- Remembering the 200th Anniversary in 1962
May 28- 250 Years of Sacrifice in Our Nation’s Wars
May 29- 250 Years of African-American Community Life
May 30- 250 Years of Growing Neighborhoods
May 31- 250 Years of Religion, Education and Culture
June 1- 250 Years of Architecture, Development and Design
June 2- Living History Festival of Our First 200 Years
June 3- Reenactment of the British invasion of 1781
Carter Mountain Orchard, Charlottesville, VA 30 Apr 2012, 10:25 am
Carter Mountain Orchard, which labels itself “a Charlottesville family tradition since 1912,” is a unique experience for all of its visitors. It boasts not only a vast number of apple and peach trees from which visitors can pick their own fruit, but also a bakery, a country store, and a wine shop. And this doesn’t even take into consideration the absolutely stunning views surrounding the orchard.
Carter Mountain Orchard is also well-known for its events and festivals, and coming up in a little more than a month is one such event. Starting on June 7, 2012 and continuing until October 4, 2012, every week the orchard will feature its Thursday Evening Sunset Series: “Come pick your own fruit when it’s a little cooler, shop in our Country Store, grab some donuts and cider from our bakery, and dinner from our Grill, and then head into the Carter Mountain Wine Shop for wine (tastings, by the glass, or by the bottle). Perch on our two large decks to listen to free live music, and catch an amazing sunset.”
Complete your Sunset Series adventures with a stay at our bed and breakfast!
Like, Add, and Follow the Iris Inn!
25th Anniversary of Fridays After Five 20 Apr 2012, 7:03 am
Charlottesville, Virginia’s nTelos Wireless Pavilion is well-known for hosting concerts, shows, and tours of all musical genres. They have just released a list of the first half of the performers for their ever-popular Fridays After Five Concert Series, and whether you’re a die-hard fan of bluegrass, a lover of rock, or an admirer of world rhythms, you will most certainly find a band to suit your tastes.
All of the performers are local artists from central Virginia, and you will be delighted to know that all the performances in this concert series are free. Also, part of the proceeds from concession sales will go towards local non-profit organizations. (How great does this concert series sound???)
If you aren’t able to make any of the shows during the first half of this 2012 concert series, have no fear. A list of musicians for the second half will be released sometime towards the end of June.
April 20- Love Canon (Low Fat. Bluegrass. Eighties)
April 27- No BS! Brass Band (Modern Funk Brass Band)
May 04- Skip Castro (Swing, R&B, Boogie Woogie)
May 11- Soul Transit Authority (Golden Hits of Soul)
May 18- Honey Island Swamp Band (Bayou Americana)
May 25- Chickenhead Blues Band (Soulful Dancing Blues)
June 01- Second Draw (Jam Band, Bluegrass)
June 08- Baaba Seth (Worldbeat Dance)
June 15- Indecision (C’ville’s Favorite Jams)
June 22- The English Channel (British Invasion Rock)
June 29- Terri Allard (Rootsy Country Folk)
Book your room at the Iris Inn, and start planning your Fridays After Five activities!
Montpelier Wine Festival, May 2012 9 Apr 2012, 5:40 pm
Montpelier, as you may know, is a National Historic Landmark and also the lifelong home of former U.S. president James Madison. The estate is comprised of 2,650 acres in Orange County, Virginia, and it was built in 1723 by James Madison’s grandfather Ambrose, who called the property Mount Pleasant. Nowadays, Montpelier is a popular tourist attraction that boasts three annual festivals—the Montpelier Hunt Races, the Fiber Festival, and the Montpelier Wine Festival.
You will be quite delighted to learn that the Montpelier Wine Festival is only a month away. May 5-6, 2012, you will have the opportunity not only to visit and tour the beautiful grounds of Montpelier, but also to sample wine from 24 local wineries, indulge in delectable dishes prepared and served by festival vendors, and enjoy a variety of live events.
Want to bring the kiddies with you? Don’t be dissuaded by the “wine festival” title! There are plenty of children-friendly activities as well, including a free ride in the barrel train, face painting, kite-making, and a kite-flying contest. Instructions, stunts, and demonstrations will be provided by the Wings Over Washington Kite Club.
Book your room at the Iris Inn, and immerse yourself in wine and history!
12th Annual Virginia Fly Fishing Festival 29 Mar 2012, 2:33 pm
Spring has entered with a fanfare of warm weather and early blooms, and now is the time to once again enjoy outdoor events and festivals. One such festival that is soon to take place in dear old Waynesboro is the 12th Annual Virginia Fly Fishing Festival: “Want to get started in fly fishing but don’t know where to begin? The Virginia Fly Fishing Festival is the ideal place to get your feet wet in the sport. Are you an avid fly angler looking to take your skills to the next level? The festival is your one-stop shop for gear, expert advice, and even instruction. Be a part of the largest fly angling event in the Old Dominion!” –Visit Waynesboro
On April 21-22, 2012, make your way to Waynesboro’s South River and partake in a host of free lectures and tips. The two-day schedule includes such lectures as “Casting Tactics for Trout in Tight Cover,” “Getting Into Saltwater Fly Fishing,” and “Fishing the Best Waters of the Mid-Atlantic.” If you’re a fly fishing beginner, have no fear. There will be experts available to answer all of your questions and to teach you the how, when, and where of this sport.
Perhaps you are asking yourself, “What if I don’t have a fishing license? Must I rush to buy one in time for this magnificent event so that I can partake in the merriments of my fellow fishermen?” If that is indeed your question, then you will be happy to know that the Fly Fishing Festival will have licenses for sale. (Make sure you have a picture ID and cash or a credit with you in order to purchase your license.)
Fly Fishing Festival Quick Facts:
DATE: April 21-22, 2012
LOCATION: South River, Waynesboro, VA
COST: $20 for a day, $35 for a weekend pass, children ages 16 and under free.
LODGING: The Iris Inn, of course!
Historic Garden Week in VA, 2012 19 Mar 2012, 8:00 am
“But each spring…a gardening instinct, sure as the sap rising in the trees, stirs within us. We look about and decide to tame another little bit of ground.” — Lewis Gantt
Nothing proclaims the arrival of spring quite like the sight of budding flowers and the gradual shades of green that seep in the landscape. The Shenandoah Valley is a lovely place to watch spring emerge, and as a result of such an ideal location, there are specific places that commemorate this coming season.
Historic Garden Week in Virginia takes place April 21-28, 2012, and it includes around 250 gardens, historical landmarks, and homes all over the Commonwealth. We at the Iris Inn are lucky enough to be located near several of the Garden Week participants:
Morven Farm, Charlottesville, VA- This beautiful property was open during the first Historic Garden Week in 1929, and “it has been open for every Garden Week since” (Virginia.edu). When you tour Morven Farm, know that you will be experience a piece of history laden with the flora of spring.
Monticello, Charlottesville, VA- Garden Week at Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello includes a Revolutionary Garden Tour on April 21 and April 23 as well as a National Book Launch on April 23.
Woodrow Wilson Birthplace, Staunton, VA- On April 21, 2012, take a tour of the historic boxwood garden next to the birthplace of former U.S. president Woodrow Wilson. Sponsored by the Augusta Garden Club, the tour also includes both the Woodrow Wilson Birthplace and the Woodrow Wilson Museum.
2012 Virginia Festival of the Book, Charlottesville, VA 8 Mar 2012, 8:21 am
If you’re a fan of reading, writing, or literature in general, then mark your calendars for the renowned Virginia Festival of the Book in Charlottesville, VA. For five days, March 21-25, 2012, you can attend book signings, readings, seminars, luncheons, and much more: There are “approximately 125 events on books of many topics, including but not limited to history, mystery, fiction, current affairs, poetry, cooking, photography” (Visit Charlottesville). Not only will this festival celebrate the potency of the written word, but it will also provide an enjoyable gathering of like-minded individuals, people who respect writing for the power that it holds in spite of ever-growing technological advances.
Every year, the festival boasts a myriad of authors, both fiction and non-fiction, as well as poets, publishers, and editors. A few of this year’s many participants include “international number-one bestselling author” Jeffery Deaver, National Geographic writer Jennifer Holland, and Shamus-award winning author Andy Straka.
What are other people saying about the Virginia Festival of the Book?
“Every year the Festival of the Book comes along to dispel the notion that reading has gone the way of the eight-track tape.” –Lisa Province, The Hook
“Mr. Jefferson would be proud to know such things as the Virginia Festival of the Book still occur.” –Festival Attendee 2011
“A five-day nonstop bookish bash with something that caters to every interest.” –Susan Stevens Huckle, Roanoke Times
(All quotes can be found VaBook.org)
In case you are unfamiliar with the area, Charlottesville, VA is only a quick drive, 25 minutes or so, away from the Iris Inn. Spend a day or two (or all five) at the festival, and know that you have a comfortable place to return to once you have enjoyed your literary ventures!
Everybody Loves Katie 27 Feb 2012, 8:55 am
“He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.” –Anonymous
Although we, Dave and Heidi Lanford, are the head innkeepers here at the Iris Inn, there is a third individual who whole-heartedly welcomes guests on arrival. She helps show them to their rooms, keeps them entertained, and bids them farewell when they leave. We are, of course, talking about Katie, our 12-year old border collie who has been our constant companion since she was five months old.
A few reasons why we all love Katie:
- Guests enjoy using a “launcher” to throw tennis balls for Katie outside. She always returns with a tennis ball, but we suspect that it’s rarely the same ball that was thrown. There are tennis balls scattered about the surrounding woods, and Katie always manages to bring one back so as not to disappoint the thrower.
- To the delight of most everyone who meets Katie, she has a trigger word—“tail.” Say this word to her, and she will immediately begin chasing her tail, her barks growing louder as her viewers’ laughter increases. Sometimes it requires a firm command of “stop” before she actually ceases the pursuit of her tail.
- If Katie wants you to throw her ball for her inside the inn, she certainly lets you know. She nudges it towards you with her nose, and then backs up in anticipation.
- Katie knows she is not allowed in the rooms, so after she had helped show guests to the rooms, she patiently waits at the threshold, nudging her ball into the room so that guests will play with her.
Know that when you arrive here at the inn, you will be met with the utmost warmth and enthusiasm, not only by your innkeepers, but also by our beloved Katie.
