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Briefs
Borders features local authors, musicians this weekendBorders in Warrenton welcomes four local authors this Saturday, May 27 for book-signings and discussions:
⌂ 1 p.m.: Richard Antony, "Mountain of My Dreams" in three books: "The Early Years," "The Middle Years" and The Later Years"
Unlike many back-to-the-land books that detail the initial challenges of surviving a move from the city to the country, "Mountain of My Dreams" begins well before the Antonys' decision in the late 1970s to abandon their suburban lifestyle and start an azalea nursery in the Blue Ridge Mountains. They had no horticultural training and no business experience, and and so many adventures followed.
Antony's first three books recount his family's 30-year adventure. Poignant, touching, funny, sad, exuberant and endearing, the story has it all.
⌂ 2 p.m.: James P. Gannon, "A Life in Print: Selections from the Work of a Reporter, Columnist and Editor"
Gannon, a veteran newspaperman and award-winning journalist, brings together his finest work over a 40-year career as writer and editor in this collection of essays and columns that reads like a personal diary. It ranges in subject matter from his boyhood in Minneapolis through his years covering economics, politics and presidents in Washington, D.C. Along the way there are personal triumphs, including Pulitzer Prizes, and tragedies, which give this book its sense of a life fully lived.
⌂ 3 p.m.: Bill Pursche, "Lessons To Live By: The Canine Commandments"
After graduating from business school, Pursche joined a high-powered consulting firm in New York, continued consulting in Virginia and seemed to have it all: a great career, good health, great friends, a nice house. But one day he attended a border collie dog trial and something occurred to him: his "perfect" life didn't allow him to have a dog.
So changes needed to be made. It took almost two years, but by that time he had created a profession that would fit around his life instead of the other way around. Part of this story is told in his book, describing a series of life lessons learned from dogs.
⌂ 4 p.m.: George Rowand, "Diary of a Dream, My Journey in Thoroughbred Racing"
This memoir of Rowand's 17 years as a Thoroughbred owner and breeder is a testament to the power of optimism over adversity. The book recounts his inspired but sometimes misguided quest to own the next Secretariat.
Rowand and his partners endure many lean years before a gutsy gelding and a feisty filly emerge to save the stable from ruin and bring Rowand the success in racing he craves. Highland Springs and Miss Josh are just the first in a succession of winners that take Rowand and his family on a dizzying ride. In this refreshingly candid memoir, Rowand shows that dreams really can come true.
Borders Cafe will feature local musicians later that evening.
⌂ 6 p.m.: Alex Gable and Stellarmelodic, featuring Zach Bedell, Al Beer and Drew Dohm, all composers playing alternate instruments. These musicians are all local but are now being widely recognized.
At 3 p.m. Sunday, May 28, author Jay Wertz, will be at Borders to sign copies of "The Civil War Experience."
Published to commemorate the 140th anniversary of the end of the Civil War, this book provides a unique glimpse into the world of the 1860s. The military, political and social events of the war are explored and the heroes, from great leaders and generals to common soldiers and civilians, are identified.
Written by an established expert on the era, "The Civil War Experience" contains 30 facsimile items, many removable, of rare memorabilia.
Gray Ghost Winery sweeps competition
Gray Ghost swept the 19th annual Tasters Guild International Wine Judging, held in Grand Rapids, Mich., winning medals on all eight wines entered and taking home a gold on the 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon.
Silver medal winners were the 2005 Gewurztraminer, 2005 Adieu, Victorian White and Victorian Red. Bronze medals were bestowed on the 2005 Vidal Blanc, 2005 Merlot and 2005 Cabernet Franc.
In this year’s judging, 1,800 wines from 13 countries and 32 states and provinces were evaluated by 35 judges comprised of retailers, winemakers, wine writers, restaurateurs and experienced consumers and collectors.
In addition to sweeping the Tasters Guild International, Gray Ghost Winery took home two silvers and a bronze from the annual Virginia Governor’s Cup wine competition. The Adieu and Gewurztraminer won silvers, and the Cabernet Sauvignon took a bronze.
Gray Ghost Winery is located at 14706 Lee Highway in Amissville and can be contacted at (540) 937-4869. The tasting room is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Fauquier Bank announces increase in dividend
The board of directors of Fauquier Bankshares, Inc. (NASDAQ Capital Markets: FBSS) today announced an increase in its quarterly dividend from $0.175 to $0.19 per share. This dividend was declared for shareholders of record at the close of business June 22, 2006, payable July 3, 2006. The $0.19 per share dividend represents an 8.6 percent increase and a $0.76 dividend on an annualized basis.
Fauquier Bankshares, Inc., and its principal subsidiary, The Fauquier Bank, had combined assets of $477.6 million at March 31, 2006.
The Fauquier Bank, an independent, locally owned, community bank, offers a full range of financial services, including Internet banking, commercial, retail, insurance and wealth management services, through eight banking offices and nine ATM locations throughout Fauquier County and Manassas. Additional information may be found online at http://www.fauquierbank.com or by calling (800) 638-3798.
Author Alan Geoffrion will sign debut novel on June 3
The event will take place on June 3 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 3 at The Blue Peach, located at 6474 Main Street, The Plains.
The book "Broken Trail" traces the intertwined fates of a pair of horse wranglers and a group of Chinese women during the late 1800s. Based on historical documents and more than five years of research, the story is the basis for AMC's first original movie. Starring Oscar-winner Robert Duvall and Oscar-nominee Thomas Haden Church, and directed by Emmy winning Deadwood director Walter Hill, "Broken Trail" will be previewed at the White House June 11, on June 13 in New York and is scheduled to air June 24 and 25.
"This movie completes a personal trilogy for me: 'Lonesome Dove,' 'Open Range,' and now this," Duvall said in an interview with Daily Variety. He has said that "Broken Trail" is possibly the greatest script of the three.
Geoffrion and Duvall both live in the Virginia Piedmont and share a love of horses. Geoffrion has been in the horse business for more than 40 years, and Duvall is an accomplished equestrian.
Along with the book-signing, The Blue Peach gallery is featuring "A Celebration of The American West" by local artists. Lloyd Kelly, the internationally acclaimed artist, will donate an original drawing of the American West for a silent auction to benefit Cameron House at the event. Originally established to rescue young Chinese women in the late 1800’s in San Francisco, the Cameron House continues today to help young Chinese American youth at risk.
Michael Brown is honored
Virginia Farm Bureau Insurance Services has named Michael W. Brown, LUTCF, as a 2006 Master Agent during its annual sales conference at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott, Norfolk, Va., where he was also given the National Quality Award.
The Master Agent title recognizes Virginia Farm Bureau agents for excellent overall performance in every aspect of their job and the National Quality Award is presented by NAIFA for those Agents who excel in the insurance industry.
Brown, who works in the Fauquier County office, has been with Virginia Farm Bureau for 12 years.
Elliott becomes Designated Commercial Specialist
Commercial clients who need advice about purchasing, leasing, or selling commercial property can now turn to Keith M. Elliott Jr., a commercial associate with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Commercial Services Division in Warrenton.
Designated Commercial Specialists help investors make decisions about whether to lease or sublease, buying investment property as an alternative to the stock market, and converting existing property into "highest and best use."
In addition, they broker the sale or lease of retail, office, and industrial properties, apartments, multi-unit investment properties, investment properties that include an operating business, the sale or leasing of commercial or industrial land, and the sale or leasing of specialty properties such as parking garages, golf courses, marinas, race tracks, airports, hotels, mobile home parks, and churches.
By earning the Designated Commercial Specialist title, Elliott has demonstrated that he has the requisite knowledge, experience, and expertise to be a commercial specialist.
His office at Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Commercial Services Division, located at 5308 Lee Highway, just seven miles south of Gainesville on U.S. 29S, can be reached by calling (540) 272-9012, or visiting http://www.MyRealtorKeith.com .
Flint Hill beekeeper wins volunteer award
Volunteers who work to improve communities around the globe were honored during National Volunteer Week, April 23-29.
Ann Harman from Flint Hill was awarded the President's Volunteer Service Award this year. This award is issued by the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation on behalf of the President of the United States to recognize the best in the American spirit and encourage all Americans to contribute through volunteer service.
During 2005, Harman completed a series of assignments in Nepal, Kazakhstan, Guatemala and Paraguay. This award is the second one she has received. In 2005, she received the award for a series of assignments in Serbia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Nepal, Tajikistan and Far Eastern Russia during 2004.
Harman assisted beekeepers improve their skills in beekeeping management, disease control and marketing. The people of these countries have limited contact with modern techniques and truly appreciate being introduced to modern methods.
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