And it was GRAND indeed!

The parking lot was filled to capacity and the front desk busy every moment! It was the Lost River Artisans Co-op’s GRAND re-opening after moving. There were outdoor vendors, despite the chilly dampness, and the Chamber of Commerce officiated at our ribbon cutting with the lovely  Jordan Robinson (who we hope will be the next Miss West Virginia). And I just happened to wear purple that matched the big wide ribbon-- truly a wonder! The food was a hit, the kettle corn yummy. On top of all that, we learned a lot about what works and doesn’t in our new space!

You’ve heard about the move before, and the amazing community participation it involved. It really does take a village, but it works the same way when we are scattered around the beautiful rural countryside! Members and volunteers worked incredibly hard to make the opening a huge success. People donated wonderful raffle prizes and the museum continues to be ever more interesting. With the co-op adjacent to the museum now, people wander from one into the other. Local people point out their homes in old photos, or tell stories about ancestors or farming practices prompted by the artifacts. What a rich culture Appalachia has, to say nothing of this little corner of West Virginia and the Lost River Valley! People even share stories about our 60 year old “big red building,” in which their fathers or uncles worked during its former lives as a sink factory and a feed store.

Our display men, Albert Hutchings, and co-op member John Geiger (who goes through life moving things around to make everything more beautiful) have truly worked their magic on the place. The co-op has 44 talented, juried-in members now, so we have an incredibly diverse and creative wealth of great items with an emphasis on the heritage arts.  People made signs for along the road, and put out traffic cones to slow down traffic. Julia Flanagan, the only octogenarian I know who introduces herself as a stripper and a hooker, demonstrated her hooked rugs. Tom Reid, our other demonstrator, showed us how he puts together intricate stained glass pieces. It was indeed a great grand opening! Come on by! (See more at Lostrivercrafts.com and you can also follow us on our Facebook page. So go ahead and give us a like.)

Studio Art Tour

The big news around here is the upcoming Studio Art Tour. Scheduled for Saturday, 10 October, it involves 9 different artisans, artists, and galleries between Mathias and Wardensville in rural Hardy County, West Virginia. The idea is to visit the studios to see where these creative people work and how they make their art. In some cases, the large or unwieldy machinery involved in the artistic process makes transport to demonstrate elsewhere impossible. In all cases, seeing how something is actually made prompts appreciation for the handmade, one-of-a-kind items.

Visiting the studios will allow you to get to know 15 year old Clayton whose creativity and imagination are expressed in the unique metal sculptures he creates in his father’s garage. The tour includes Bob’s wonderful rocking chairs that you can melt right into because they are custom made to fit your body, as well as innovative Toni’s West Virginia wine tasting. Other treats include Josh’s charming silverware jewelry and horseshoe art, and Albert’s beautiful stained and fused glass. The tour is rounded out with Joshua Miller’s fine furniture and wood sculptures made in his old church at the edge of the road on the edge of the woods, and my handbuilt stoneware. (I promise cookies to encourage people to cross our streams to get to Lost Hollow.) In addition to these art studios, there is a modern mountain general store with everything from an espresso bar and bakery to antiques, and the Lost River Artisans Cooperative co-housed with the only farming family museum around!

Whatever the weather, it will be a great day and you can see all of the studios between 10 AM and 5 PM. The wine tasting is limited to 1-3 PM, but the rest can be done in any order, at any time during the day, and all at no charge. Visit either one of these websites for the details: www.lostrivertradingpost.com or www.lostrivercrafts.com. All directions to the studios are given from state route 259. It is too beautiful an area and too great an opportunity to miss!

Heritage Art & Food of the Cacapon Valley

5th Annual Fall Fundraiser

                                     October 4, 2014  *  11 am to 5 pm


Location:  WVU Experimental Farm - Reyman Memorial Farms
                  Route 259, just North of Wardensville, WV  

Join Trust staff and board members as we celebrate and support our local watershed community. The Cacapon and Lost River Valley is rich in more than just our natural resources. Come experience the wonderful art, food and music of the watershed and most importantly, have a great time. This year’s event will also feature a live auction, raffle, and lunch that will be available for purchase from our local food vendors. Information about the work of the WVU Experimental Farm and a brief tour of the facilities will also be offered.    


Tickets: $10 each until September 20, 2014, $15 after that date (limited quantity). Kids 12 and under are free. 
P.O. Box 58
Wardensville, WV 26851
www.cacapon.org
304-268-6167


Local Artists
We are thrilled to have three local artists from Hardy County participate in this year's event. Meet the artists, learn about their work and purchase one of a kind pieces created right here in the watershed.    
Joshua Miller Design
joshuamillerdesign.com
Furniture and Timber Frame

Albert Hutchings
albertsglass.com
Fused Glass

Kathy Kavanagh
Kahoka Hand Built Stoneware
Blog link


Local Food Vendors 
We are trying something new this year and will have a variety of food items available for purchase at the event.  The goal is to not only provide you with good local food, but to help support these types of businesses in our community.   
The Pink Knife – Personal Chef and Catering
BBQ Pork, sides and drinks
Facebook/ The Pink Knife Personal Chef and Catering

Capon Crossing Farm Market
& Sandy’s Grass-fed Beef
Burgers, sides, drinks


French’s Mill
Grow your own mushrooms, Shitake Mushrooms Logs will be available for purchase.


Local Music
Rain Crow
Rain Crow plays vintage rock-and-roll songs from the late 1950s and 60s. A typical performance includes the tunes of Chuck Berry, The Ventures, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Wilson Pickett, and Roy Orbison. At most gigs, they urge folks to get up, shake off the dust, and cut the rug.


They include four vintage guys. Jim Morris, retired police officer, singer and lead guitarist, who has opened for Franky Valli & the Four Seasons, Fats Domino, Jerry Lee Lewis, and others. On rhythm guitar and singing, Steve Bailes is a retired Hampshire County middle-school social studies teacher, a guy who doesn’t know a stranger in these parts. Recently retired from his chimney-sweep business, Bill Harris, their bass guitarist, has opened for George Jones, Seldom Seen, Vince Gill, and others. Bill flashes the smile of a new grandfather. George Constantz, retired from ecological research and teaching,
but not from writing, beats his vintage Slingerland drums.

Rooted in Hampshire County, West Virginia, Rain Crow enjoys performing at local venues and for good causes. Three band members live in the Cacapon River watershed, while two have direct connections to lands under conservation easement.


Thank You To Our Business Sponsors  

     



        


                                    Campon Bridge Family Dentistry   Capon Valley Bank

                                  Shenandoah Restorations   Keaton Frazer & Mileson PLLC

 
Individual Sponsorship Levels

River Otter
@ $100 - $199 includes 2 tickets 

Brook Trout
@ $200 - $299  includes 4 tickets

Wood Turtle
@ $300 - $999 includes 5 tickets

Benefactor
@ $1,000 and up includes 10 tickets 


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