Oatlands will officially open for 2003 on Monday, March 31 with the completion of the Oatlands Master Plan, the purchase of adjacent land, the growth of educational programs and new events, including a crafts fair and a antiques fair.
The Master Plan proposes "more effective use of the entire property" and calls for a new visitors' center and educational center over the next 10 years. The plan also includes a trail network across the entire property.
Tea at Oatlands returns for the spring on May 15 and runs Thursdays through Saturdays through the end of May. The price for spring teas are $17.95 for adults and $8.95 for children. Seatings are at noon and 2 p.m. and reservations are required.
Oatlands will hold the first Oatlands Crafts Fair on May 3 and 4. This will run in cooperation with the Goose Creek Herb Guild's Herb Fair. More than 100 of the nation's top artisans are expected to participate in the Crafts Fair which is managed by the company that runs the Winterthur Crafts Show.
On the weekend following the crafts fair, the Oatlands Sheepdog Trials return on May 10-11, with more dogs and more competition this year. Loudoun County Day on June 22 is open free to county residents for picnicking and a day in the country. County non-profit organizations are encouraged to exhibit at this event.
Hours for 2003 are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Monday-Saturday, and 1-5 p.m. on Sunday. Cost is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors/students and $1 for children under 12. House tours are conducted on the hour.
Oatlands, a 330-acre co-stewardship property of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, is located six miles south of Leesburg on US Route 15. Call 703-777-3174 for additional information or visit the web at www.oatlands.org.
There are a few seats remaining on the Sterling Playmakers' New York City trip to see two Broadway shows: "Aida" and "The Producers" on May 2-4. Participants must be at least 18 years old. Cost is $635 per person for double occupancy. For information, call 703-430-2397.
The Area Agency of Aging will provide free tax preparation assistance for people ages 55 and older, individuals with low incomes and individuals with disabilities, now through April 10. The five locations in Loudoun County offering help include the Board of Supervisors' Satellite Office in Sterling, the Leesburg Area Agency on Aging Office, the Purcellville Library, South Riding Town Hall and the Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace in Sterling. For more information, call 703-777-0257.
Loudoun County teens can visit www.loudounteens.org to learn how to get involved in their community and where to go to find information about jobs and other programs and services available to teenagers. Local teen Jon Hughes designed the site with input from teens that serve on the Loudoun County Advisory Commission On Youth (ACOY). For more information, contact the Loudoun County Office on Youth, at 703-777-0358.
The Loudoun Arts Council Web Site offers a page of "Artist Opportunities" designed to inform area artists about programs and events for their participation. Visit the site at www.loudounarts.org.
Three Wishes Program makes power wheelchairs available to senior citizens (65 years and up) and the permanently disabled with no cost to the recipient if they qualify. The power wheelchairs are provided to those who cannot walk and cannot self-propel a manual wheelchair in their home, and who meet the additional guidelines of the program. No deposit is required. Call 800-451-0971 for more information.
The Northern Virginia Family Service seeks foster families for abused and neglected children. African-American families are particularly needed. Help is needed in both full-time and short-term programs. Training, support and financial compensation will be provided. For more information about the Northern Virginia Family Service call 703-533-9727 or smcallister@nvfs.org.
Loudoun County Annual Growth Summary is now accessible on-line at: http://www.loudoun.gov/business/growthsummary2001.htm. The summary provides statistical snapshots of the county and also examines economic and demographic trends for Loudoun County and the Northern Virginia region. The Growth Summary was assembled by the Loudoun County Departments of Economic Development and Planning. Call the Department of Economic Development at 703-777-0426 for more information.
A new Map/Atlas and Resource Guide for Loudoun County is now available from the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce. The publication is an 8 1/2 by 11 inch spiral bound book that is designed for easy use while traveling, an improvement on Chamber maps in the past that were "fold-out" style. The map portion is the most recent cartography from the county's government offices. Copies are available at the Chamber offices. The cost is $5 per map for Chamber Members, $7 for non-members. A mailed copy costs $10. Call the Chamber offices at 703-777-2176 for more information.
Meeting room facilities are available after hours to the public at Eastern Loudoun Regional Library, Cascades, and Rust Library, Leesburg. Groups and organizations may book the meeting rooms for after hours use Monday through Saturday. The meeting rooms must be booked 10 business days in advance and only until 11 p.m. Monday to Thursday, and 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. All groups using the meeting rooms after hours will pay a security fee of $21 per hour with a minimum of two hours. The security fee is in addition to other fees such as AV charges or room-use fees for businesses and for-profit groups. To book meeting rooms, please contact Carolyn Watson at Eastern Loudoun Regional Library at 703-444-3228 or Ellen Henry at Rust Library at 703-771-0541.