My Virginia

For many Virginians, a "White Christmas" is virtually unheard of, but that doesn't stop us from getting into the spirit. Christmas in Virginia can be a wonderful time as temperatures start to cool down to welcome Old Man Winter. Many areas in Virginia are still fairly mild in December, but a very strong cold spell can sweep through much of the area and so everyone should bring at least a light winter coat! The best destinations for The Christmas Season in Virginia include Colonial Williamsburg and their "Grand Illumination". This has many celebrations on the first Sunday in December with a large fireworks display at night. Many small towns in Virginia have their Christmas parades the first weekend of December, and from Middleburg to Danville, you can expect a celebration of great multitude. The Richmond area has many things to do around Christmas- including carriage rides through Shockoe Slip during the month of December. The Dooley Mansion in Maymont Park is wo...

Bravo! Bravo! Finally a book that has some truth in it. For the past three decades, our Virginia school kids have been taught that the "Civil War" was fought solely over slavery- that their evil ancestors in grey were fighting to keep Negroes as slaves , where the egalitarian North fought to end it. Fiction, of course, but that's what our kids have been brainwashed for so long. If we learned anything in Sunday school, we know that Satan is the father of all lies. So its no wonder that when the Yankees won the war, they re-wrote our history as well. "Our Virginia Past and Present"- presents the truth about blacks and the Confederacy. Joy Masoff presents a beautifully written book about our wonderful Virginia history- people of all races should be proud. Virginia's soil was invaded, and her sons and daughters came to defend her. Would a lot of people still believe the lie that the "Civil War" was all about slavery? Well, some might. But to enl...

Located in Chester, VA, Magnolia Grange plantation is a prime example of the Federal Style Plantation home in Virginia and the Upper South region. Its large white columns and big winding veranda, harken back to those glorious days gone by, when people had lots of servants and you could enjoy a simpler way of life! Now that is all past , but its legend still remains. Built in 1822 by William Winfree, the plantation got its name from a circles of Magnolia Trees that one graced its front lawn. The Plantation is open year 'round to visitors who want to explore a great plantation home. Chester is located just 10 miles south of Richmond of 1-95 WESTON MANOR- HOPEWELL, VA The main house was built in 1789 , overlooking the Appoomattox River. It was built by the Gilliam family. The Gilliam Family owned several plantations in the area. Weston manor is a prime example of the Georgian style architecture popular in many Virginia plantation homes during the 18th century. It boasts distinctive cr...

Another great destination during the summer time, is Wakefield, Virginia. Our "Plantation Peanuts" are known world wide over. We invented Mister Peanut! Planter's original- grown right here in the Commonwealth. Wakefield has a great diner and restaurant, where you can also pick up some nice Smithfield Hams. The Virginia Diner , located in Wakefield, is a must see tourist place. Virginia is famous for its peanuts- and they make great stocking stuffers at Christmas time. You may also see some cotton fields while you're out in that part of the state. Cotton is also one of Virginia's products, and its grown primarily in the region known as "Tidewater"- the area of Charles City County and Eastward. Cotton is not as a primary crop in Virginia as it is in the Deeper South states. However, Virginia grows its fair share each year- and is part of the cotton growing industry. Smithfield Hams are also a staple of Virginia food products. Smithfield hams are cured i...

The James River Plantations (Charles City County) Nestled between Williamsburg and Richmond is a hot bed of Virginia plantation homes along the James River. These certainly aren't the only in Virginia, for Virginia is loaded with these illustrious mansions of the bygone Era statewide. However, these are the most historically known and best preserved. Its pretty hard to do all these in one day. I recommend you make accommodations in Richmond or Williamsburg first, and then explore . All along Rt 5, you'll find these treasures. Most are all open to the public- with the exception of Carter's Grove, which is undergoing extensive restoration and at the mercy of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. The most famous along this route include Shirley, Westover, Berkley (site of the First Thanksgiving), and Sherwood Forest. A guided tour is included for each mansion- Westover is open only on the grounds, but a picnic by the lovely old house is a must! Charles City County is al...

Virginia is a wonderful destination for any family during the summer months. From June through October, you can expect nice hot and sticky weather to put you in the mood for the beach, pool, or the mountains. Virginia has so much to do and see, I'm making this a two-part post. Virginia is so steeped in history and cultural events as well, making it much more enjoyable for those with intellectual pursuits. Here's a List of Places To Go and See This Summer in Virginia VIRGINIA BEACH Fun in the Sun !The obvious first choice, of course, but in no order. Virginia Beach has everything. Its a mix of Southern hospitality and Las Vegas excitement. You can do it all- stroll the boardwalk, swim in the ocean with the hungry man eating sharks, or fish on the pier. The restaurants have excellent local seafood- I highly recommend the soft shelled crab sandwich- fried and battered to perfection. The best places to eat are Rudee's (On The Lynnhaven Inlet), The Jewish Mother, and ...

Does a "Sweet Tea" line in Virginia really exist? I'm afraid so. It didn't used to be this way, but when you get north of Richmond, its harder and harder to find places that will serve you sweet tea- or even give you a choice. In Northern Virginia and close to the District, you may get blank stares when asking for that sweet goodness- even if you're a native like myself who was raised on it. 50 years ago you could get sweet tea state wide. From Leesburg to Danville from Winchester to Virginia Beach- it was the drink of choice among Southerners, and Virginia was no exception. However, because of a major recent influx of Northerners and Midwesterners, Sweet Tea is almost extinct in many places of the Commonwealth. Even in Richmond- you will be offered "sweet" or "unsweet tea" but only if asked. The problem lies in a gradual homogenization of Virgina into a more Mid-Atlantic state, rather than a Southern one. A litmus test as to whether you...

Governor Bob McDonnell proudly has declared that April is Confederate History Month. We Virginians are glad! Virginia played a most significant role in the War-Between-The-States. On April 17th, 1861, Virginia seceded from the Union, and not long after, Richmond became the new Confederate Capital. Because of Virginia's more central location, it was a pivotal point in the War. More than 90% of the War for Southern Independence was fought right on Virginia soil. There are countless battlefields in the commonwealth- many steeped in historical moments on both sides. While some ignorant people may argue this move celebrates enslavement, the proud lads in grey were fighting for the sovereignty of their home state, and for truth and freedom and independence! In their eyes, they were fighting the Second American Revolution. As Jefferson Davis himself said: "We fight not for slavery , but for Independence!" How proud we should be as Virginians , that Virginia played such a monume...

Chances are when people list typical Southern cities they rarely, if ever think of our Nation's Capital. However, Washington D.C. has always been a Southern city at heart, and despite her awkward crowning as the Union Capital during the ill-fated War, the city itself and her people were Southern. Washington, now considered by most to be part of the Northeast corridor, has a pace of life that is slower than its sister cities to the North, and the layout and structure of Washington is very different than the densely populated Northeastern cities. Baltimore is often considered a Southern city as well- yet to me, that is where the North ends. As Baltimore much leans more towards Northern culture than Southern, Washington is the opposite. Washingtonians like to sometimes drawl, and they like their BBQ and the city is a sweltering mess during the summer time. While being hot in the summer doesn't make a place particularly "Southern" (New York can be hot as heck too), its j...