Send announcements to The Loudoun Connection, 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102, e-mail to loudoun@connectionnewspapers.com or fax to 703-917-0991. Deadline is Friday, two weeks before the event. Photos/artwork encouraged. For more information, call Jennifer Lesinski at 703-917-6454.
This free listing is reserved for activities and events that are open to the public at no or minimal cost. For additional ongoing events listings, visit our Web site at www.connectionnewspapers.com.
A special 60th anniversary exhibition by the Loudoun Sketch Club is on display through June at the Loudoun County Government Center. The exhibit features 48 works in a variety of media. As a tribute to the club's 60th anniversary and to honor past members, four works by the late Jane Pohl.
The artwork can be viewed during normal business hours in the first-floor gallery as well as the Lovettsville Room at 1 Harrison St., S.E., Leesburg.
Artist Laney Oxman will exhibit her work at Gallery 222Õs Summer Group Show and Sale, through July 29.
Contact the Loudoun Academy of the Arts at 703-777-8043, Gallery 222 at 703-777-5498 or www.loudounacademy.org.
On Tuesdays, at 11:30 a.m., Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St., will hold a bilingual conversation group. Practice English and Spanish in an informal group. For all ages. Upcoming dates June 13, June 20 and June 27. call 703-430-9500.
After Hours Teen Center, Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls, Fridays, 7-10 p.m. Grades six-12th. June 16, concert, Jeffrey Gaines; June 23, cartoon workshop, Chris Fick.
Loudoun County Public LibraryÕs Design a Poster contest, June 19-Aug. 11. Winner announced Aug. 28. To enter, sign up for the ÒFeed Your MindÓ 2006 summer reading program at any library branch; use 8 1/2 inch by 11 inch paper for the design; designs due Aug. 11. Three winners at each branch will be chosen in a 3-5 year-age group; 6-10 year-age group and 11 and older. Call 703-777-0368 or www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
The Loudoun County Public LibraryÕs ÒFeed Your MindÓ adult summer reading program, June 19-Aug. 11, at all branches. Recommended for ages 18 and up. Call 703-777-0368 or visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
Not Just Shakespeare, a community-based classic theater company in Loudoun County, will be performing William ShakespeareÕs ÒThe Merchant of VeniceÓ from June 23-July 9. The production is slated for nine performances on FridayÕs and SaturdayÕs starting at 8 p.m., with Sunday matinees at 3 p.m.
The play was produced in cooperation with the Franklin Park Performing and Visual Arts Center. Visit www.notjustshakespeare.net or contact Donna Dodderidge at 540-364-3344.
The Western Loudoun Artist Studio Tour takes place June 24-25 and features opportunities to visit the working studios of more than 20 artists. The tour is free to the public. It is presented in cooperation with the Franklin Park Arts Center, The Round Hill Arts Center and The Friends of Franklin Park Art Center. Each participating artist donates a piece to the tour gala, June 24, which helps fund future tours. Call Jeff Stern, 540-338-7973, or visit www.franklinparkartscenter.org.
Paintings and drawings by Loudoun Sketch Club artists will be on display at the County Government Center in Leesburg, from through June 28. The exhibit will be juried by painter Don Stivers. The artwork is for sale and will be on display through June 28 in the Gallery of the Government Center located on the first floor adjacent to the Board of Supervisors' meeting
room.
Artist Laney Oxman will be displaying her work at Gallery 222 through June 29. Gallery 222 is located at 222 South King St. in historic Leesburg. Gallery hours are Monday-Saturday, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and by appointment. Visit the Web site at www.loudounacademy.org.
Leesburg First Fridays and First Fridays Jr. Galleries and shops open their doors on the first Friday of each month with special events, refreshments and entertainment, from 6-9 p.m. There is no First Friday in January. Free. Call 800-752-6118. Visit www.leesburgfirstfriday.com. Summer dates are July 7 and Aug. 4.
Twilight tours of three Loudoun innovative farms, Endless Summer Harvest, Loudoun Nursery and Great Country Farms, have been planned. Each tour begins at 5 p.m., followed by a twilight dinner featuring locally produced meats.
The next tour features Loudoun Nursery in Purcellville July 13. This 175-acre farm showcases 40 acres of Christmas trees and 5 acres of intensive container-tree production.
The third tour will be at Great Country Farms in Bluemont, Sept. 14. Great Country FarmsÕ goal is to offer a way for everyone to experience farm life and enjoy the benefits of its bounty.
The registration fee of $20 per person per tour includes tour and dinner. Preregistration and payment two weeks prior to each tour is requested. Visit www.LoudounFarms.org or call 703-777-0426.
Oatlands Plantation, 20850 Oatlands Plantation Lane, Leesburg, will hold its annual "Four Seasons of Oatlands" art show and sale, July 9-Aug. 20, at the Carriage House to benefit the nonprofit Oatlands Inc., which maintains, exhibits and interprets the cultural and historic significance of the property. Admission free to see the art. Includes images of the Mosby Heritage area, which encompasses Clarke, Fauquier, Loudoun, Prince William and warren counties in Virginia and Jefferson County in West Virginia. The art show and gift shop are open Mondays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sundays, 1-5 p.m. Call 703-777-3174 or visit www.oatlands.org.
Oatlands Plantation, 20850 Oatlands Plantation Lane, Leesburg, will be holding "For Season Teas" throughout the year. Includes artists' tea, Sunday, July 30; school days teas, Friday, Sept. 8 and Saturday, Sept. 9; autumn leaf teas, Thursday, Oct. 19 and Friday, Oct. 20; teddy bear tea, Sunday, Dec. 17. Cost $24.95 plus tax per person; children 8 and under are $15.95 plus tax. Seating at 1 p.m.
Fall teas are served Thursdays-Saturdays, from Nov. 9-30, except Thanksgiving Day. Holiday teas are served Thursdays-Saturdays, from Dec. 1-29, except Dec. 24. Cost $21.95 plus tax per person; children 8 and under are $12,95 plus tax. Seating are at 1 p.m.
Reservations required for all the teas, call 703-777-3174 or visit www.oatlands.org.
The Loudoun Valley Homegrown Markets Association (LVHMA) Leesburg and Cascades markets will have volunteers from the Loudoun County Master Gardeners program on hand to help identify plants or diagnose pests. The Master Gardeners will be at the Leesburg Market every Saturday, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and at the Cascades Market the second Sunday of each month, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. The markets operate from May-October. Visit loudouncountymastergardeners.org.
The Loudoun Valley HomeGrown Markets Association sponsors seven farmers markets in the county until the end of October, featuring home-grown, producer-only markets.
The seven locations and hours of operation are Cascades, Sundays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., The Senior Center, 21060 Whitfield Place; Leesburg, Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Virginia Village Shopping Center; Lovettsville, Tuesdays, 4-7 p.m., Game Protective Association, Route 287; Middleburg, Saturdays, 8 a.m.-12 p.m., Marshall Street; Purcellville, Thursdays, 4- 7 p.m., 21st Street, across from the train station; South Riding, Saturdays, 2-5 p.m., Town Center Parking Lot; and Sterling, Wednesdays, 4-7 p.m., Briar Patch Park, 1400 block of Sterling Boulevard.
Morven Park, the historic home of Virginia Gov. Westmoreland Davis, located in Leesburg, is a 1,000-acre estate offering visitors a glimpse into Virginia country life during the early years of the 20th century is open to the public until Nov. 25. Tours are offered by reservation only on Fridays-Mondays and other times by appointment. Scheduled tours are on Saturday and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The park closes at 6 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults and $1 for children. One price admits visitors to all museums and the grounds. Special group tours and ticket packages are also available. Special holiday tours offered in December. Call: group tours, 703-777-6034; educational programs, 703-777-6034; and equestrian center and events, 703-777-2890.
Leesburg Animal Park has several new animal exhibits including exotic and domestic animals, an expanded contact area to pet and feed animals, a new bird aviary, a safari ride to tour. The park will feature live entertainment on weekends.
The Leesburg Animal Park is located at 19270 James Monroe Highway, Leesburg. Admissions are $7.95 for children and seniors, $9.95 for adults. Free for children under two. Group rates are $6 with a 10-person minimum on Wednesday, Thursdays, and Fridays. Wild Wednesdays offer $2 off all admission rates, not valid with other offers. Hours are Friday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Wednesday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Visit www.LeesburgAnmialPark.com or call 703-433-0002.
Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum, 21668 Heritage Farm Lane, Sterling, is open Tuesdays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; as well as Sundays, noon-5 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $3 for children 2-12 and free for children under 2. On permanent display is "The Country People" where visitors travel through time and experience the past 300 years of agricultural history through 10 generations of Loudoun County residents. The Claude Moore children's Farm is an interactive exhibit area for children and their families. Visit www.loudounfarmmuseum.org or call 703-421-5322.
Guided Nature or History Hikes for all ages at Claude Moore park, 21544 Old Vestals Gap Road, Sterling. Nature hikes, Frogshackle Cabin Nature Center, history hikes and special request programs for school groups, scouts, community organizations, adults and families are available on a variety of topics throughout the year. Programs designed to foster an appreciation of Loudoun County's natural and cultural resources in a fun and informative way. Summer hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The park will be open free to the public on Oct. 21 and 22 for the Loudon County Farm Tour Program. The park is free for individuals. Cost is $3.50 per person for a group tour, with a minimum charge of $35. Call 703-444-1275 for reservations.
Temple Hall Farm is open for the 2006 season until October with new baby animals are arriving every week. Twenty-five new lambs will be born this spring. Baby chicks will arrive the middle of April. Cows, llama, goats and other interesting animals are all part of the Temple Hall Family. Temple Hall Farm is open, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday-Sunday.
Contact Temple Hall Farm at 703-779-9372 or via e-mail at TempleHallFarm@NVRPA.org.
Loudoun Bluegrass Association. Weekly acoustic jam session held every Tuesday night, 7-8:30 p.m., at the Morningside House Retirement Center, 316 Harrison St. in Leesburg. All bluegrass/country musicians, singers and spectators are welcome. Free. Call Randy Kenyon
703-777-9865, home.
Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, has the following ongoing story times: Baby lapsit, ages 0-18 months. Mondays, 7 p.m.; Mother Goose nursery time, 18-24 months, Tuesdays and Thursday, 10 a.m.; Terrific 2s, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:45 a.m.; Preschool story time, 3-5 years, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1:30 a.m.; Wonderful Wednesdays, 3-5 years, Wednesdays, 1:30 p.m.; and Pajama story time, 3-5 years, Wednesdays, 7 p.m. Family story time, 2-5 years, Saturdays at 10 a.m. Call 703-737-8100.
The Cascades Library 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls, hosts the following ongoing story times: Lapsits for 2s, Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m. and Wednesdays, 11:15 a.m.; Mother Goose nursery time, ages 18-24 months, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:15 a.m.; Pajama story time, Tuesdays, 7 p.m.; Story time for 3s, 4s and 5s, Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.; and Terrific 3s, Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. Call 703-444-3228. On May 25 at 4 p.m. there will be a treasure hunt that requires advanced registration by May 24.
The Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St., has the following ongoing story times: Preschool story times, for 2-5 years old, Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Call 703-430-9500.
On the last Friday of each month, at 7 p.m., teenagers from Loudoun and Fairfax counties are invited to the Dulles Town Center, in partnership with Next Level for Teens, for an evening devoted to teen issues and events, called Teens Talk at Dulles Town Center. Free. The Dulles Town Center is located at the intersection of routes 7 and 28. Visit ShopDullesTownCenter.com. Next meetings are May 26 and June 30.
Dodona Manor, the restored home of Gen. and Mrs. George C. Marshall in Leesburg, is open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays. Tours are available from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., on Saturdays and from 1-5 p.m., on Sundays. Additional summer hours are from June -Aug., Mondays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The last tour for each day begins at 4 p.m.; and each tour is preceded by an introductory video exploring the professional career of Marshall, spanning more than 50 years of public service.
Admission to the museum is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and group tours and $5 for students. Reservations are required for group tours. Visit www.georgecmarshall.org or call the tour reservation line at 703-777-1301.
Weekend and holiday free parking for Dodona Manor tours is available in the Loudoun County Government Building on Loudoun Street. Additional parking is available in the Leesburg municipal/court parking lot Ñ Red Lot Ñ off North Street.