As the saying goes, "Time flies when you're having fun." The months of 2008 ticked by in a flash, and now half of January is already gone. Fun must surely be the culprit.
Each and every weekend, the Mountain State offers something fun for everyone - winter, spring, summer or fall.
This weekend, celebrations will be under way across the nation, commemorating the birthday and life of one of the most influential civil rights activists in U.S. history - the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
King, who was born on Jan. 15, 1929, became a civil rights activist early in his career. He led the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott and helped found the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1957, serving as its first president.
King's efforts led to the 1963 March on Washington, where he delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech. There, he raised public consciousness of the civil rights movement, and in 1964, he became the youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for his work to end racial segregation and racial discrimination through civil disobedience and other non-violent means.
By the time of his death in 1968, he had refocused his efforts on ending poverty and opposing the Vietnam War, both from a religious perspective.
Those looking to get out of town for the Martin Luther King (MLK) holiday or those who want to escape the crowds associated with the presidential inauguration, Canaan Valley Resort is offering some special deals to get folks out of the city and onto the slopes.
During the MLK holiday, Friday through Sunday, guests to Canaan Valley Resort will receive three nights lodging, three breakfasts, three day lift tickets and a coupon for $4 off ski rentals for $341 per person, double occupancy required. Children younger than age 6, when accompanying their parents, stay and ski free. Guests reserving the package can receive a fourth night for $39.
Those who want to escape the crowds expected to be in the Washington, D.C., metro area for the presidential inauguration or just want to take advantage of a mid-week special, can stay for just $54.50 per night and receive a free daily lift ticket. The offer is good Sunday through Jan. 22.
Canaan Valley Resort offers downhill skiing and snowboarding on 91 acres with a vertical drop of 850 feet and the longest run at 6,000 feet. The resort also offers snow body boarding (Airboarding), snow tubing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing and a full-size ice skating rink.
To find out more about these packages or to make reservations, visit the resort's Web site at www.canaanresort.com or call 1-800-622-4121.
Timberline Four Seasons Resort will celebrate the long holiday weekend Friday through Sunday with lots of activities in the Timberline Lodge. Guests can get in on early morning breakfast in the Timberhaus Cafeteria beginning at 6 a.m. until Timber's Pub closes at 2 a.m.
Entertainment to be featured will be James Michel Woodyard from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. and McClure's Drive from 9 a.m. until 1 a.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. There's no cover charge for the early show, and just $5 per person for the late show each night.
A Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Program begins at 4 p.m. Sunday at The Old Brick Playhouse. The commemorative march will preceded the program at 3:45 p.m. The march will step off from the Randolph County Community Arts Center and travel along Fourth Street to The Old Brick. The event is sponsored by the Cultural Awareness and Enrichment Group and donations are welcome. For more information, call 304-636-4160 or 304-636-8195.
The Old Brick will also be the site of a Martin Luther King Jr. Day event for elementary school-age children. Activities will commemorate King and are sponsored by AmeriCorps and VISTA members. Events will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday. Parents are invited to join in the last hour or may stay and watch throughout the day. For more information, call 304-636-6182.
The Randolph County Community Arts Center will host its Wild and Wonderful Dance Weekend Friday through Monday. Dancers from throughout the mid-Atlantic region will be converging on the RCCAC throughout the Martin Luther King holiday weekend to enjoy the 11th annual "wild and wonderful" event. In what has become an annual celebration of contra dance and music, more than 100 attendees have come from as far away as Michigan to learn and share dance styles.
All of the dances and workshops will take place in the Great Hall, and in the adjoining Arts Center classrooms which are smaller rooms that work best for jam sessions and workshops.
The weekend kicks off at 8 p.m. Friday with an evening of Cajun dancing, featuring live music as well as a short Cajun dance workshop, at 8:30 p.m., followed by dancing until 11:30 p.m.
During the day on Saturday and Sunday, there will be a variety of workshops, dances and jam sessions. Evening dances will be Saturday and Sunday. The weekend will end with a Monday morning farewell dance.
Featured bands and callers will include Tracy Schwarz & The Cajuneers on Friday at 8 p.m. The evening will also include a Cajun dance workshop with Margo Blevin Denton, who has played and danced to Cajun music since 1983, when she made the first of many visits to southwest Louisiana.
On Saturday, Sunday and Monday, the Great Bear Trio will be on hand for some high-spirited fiddling, according to organizers. The Great Bear Trio includes brothers Andrew and Noah VanNorstrand along with mother Kim.
The caller for the weekend is Joyce Rossbach. Gerry Milnes and Friends will also be providing their musical talents to the weekend.
RCCAC volunteers will be offering soups, an assortment of salads, desserts and drinks for Sunday's lunch for just $7. Snacks and beverages will be available during the dances, and participants can bring other refreshments for themselves or to share.
Limited space is available. Call 304-637-2355 to make reservations. The RCCAC is located at the corner of Randolph Avenue and Park Street in Elkins. More information is available online at www.randolpharts.org.
The Purple Fiddle Coffeehouse and Mountain Market will feature its own lineup of entertainers today through Sunday. The following is this weekend's Fiddle schedule:
- Today, Ben Gilmer and Sam Lamont, 7:30 p.m., acoustic roots and Americana; admission is $5.
- Friday, The Spikedivers, 8:30 p.m., blend of "swinging, bluesy, country-fried rock and roll"; admission is $10.
- Saturday, Robinella, 8:30 p.m., "upbeat, minimalist pop that is influenced by jazz, bluegrass, folk, country and soul"; admission is $10.
- Sunday, Sol Driven Train, 8:30 p.m., "blend of fiery world-beat, southern funk and melodic rock"; admission is $10.
The Purple Fiddle is located on East Avenue in Thomas. For more information on these and other upcoming concert events, call 304-463-4040 or visit www.purplefiddle.com
Those who are looking to get in touch with nature can head to the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge Saturday for a Valley Vibes naturalist program. For more information, call 304-866-3858.
A "Carefree Snowshoe Tour" steps off from the White Grass Ski Touring Center at 1 p.m. Sunday. The free tour provides a "chance to appreciate the simple beauty of snowshoeing" with discussion on natural history and local lore.
White Grass is located on the Freeland Road in Canaan Valley. For more information, call 304-866-4114 or log onto www.whitegrass.com.
Also on the venue this weekend:
Alderson-Broaddus College Music Department vocalists will present "Opera Highlights: An Evening of Opera Scenes" at 7:30 p.m. Monday in Wilcox Chapel on the A-B in Philippi.
Selected scenes from "Little Women" and "Aida" will be presented. There is no admission charge and the public is invited to attend.
For more information, call 304-457-6297.
