Tag Archives: things to do in locust grove va

Lake of the Woods Third Annual Wine Tasting! September 29, NOON-4PM

Day: Sunday, September 29th
Time: NOON to 4:00 PM 
Location: Lions Pavilion in Sweetbriar Park LOW 
What: Lake of the Woods Third Annual Wine Tasting Event
Cost: Tickets (Adults 21+) are $15 when purchased online in advance, $20 at the event. LOW residents and invited guests only.
 

ATTENTION LAKE OF THE WOODS RESIDENTS: Time to once again enjoy some wine with your fellow community members! You are invited to attend the Third Annual Lake of the Woods Wine Tasting Event on Sunday, September 29th from Noon-4PM. Enjoy tasting from seven local wineries, along with 3 food vendors, including the CRAB MAN with their infamous Crab Cakes! Tickets can be purchased at www.lowlinc.org.  This event is to benefit LOWLINC. All Lake of the Woods residents and their guests are invited to come and attend, so be sure to tell your neighbors, and invite your friends!

Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your professionals for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia, we are your proven Real Estate professionals. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, that’s the #1 question asked by home sellers. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. The Question is how much is it worth? Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.
To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.

Valkyrie Ranch in Locust Grove is Hosting After School Program Kick Off Group

Valkyrie Ranch, located at 10053 Barnes Rd, Locust Grove VA 22508, is hosting a Bandanna Club for youths 8 years old and older. They aim to give kids a well-rounded horsemanship education. They will learn about all aspects of horse care, training and of course – riding!

This 8 week after school course is similar to karate in that the children will have the opportunity to work up the levels and earn earn the coordinating colored bandannas. Sessions are 2 hours long and each course is limited to 3 to 4 students. In each session, students will help keep the barn area clean, have a knowledge based lesson, groom and saddle their horses, work with the horses on the ground and RIDE!

After completing and testing for their first level bandanna students continue into group or private riding lessons.

Registration is $325 and includes the 8 week course, t-shirt bandanna club notebook with handouts as well as first level testing after completing the course.

This is a great after school opportunity for those children who love horses and want to learn more about them while working directly with the horses too! Register and learn more information about the after-school program here.

Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your Real Estate Advisors for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my home worth?” is the #1 question asked by home owners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.

To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.

History in Our Backyard Chapter 11: the Unfinished Railroad in the Battle of the Wilderness

Chapter 10 described the history of the “unfinished railroad.”  This article tells how it was used during one of the Civil War’s battles.

Exhibit 14 General Wadsworth Monument

May 6, 1864 was a day of changing fortunes as the Union fought the Confederates along Orange Plank Rd.  It began with a 5 AM attack by the Union II Corps, reinforced by divisions from V and VI Corps, under command of General Hancock.  The attack drove General A.P. Hill’s III Corps from its positions.  They fled west towards Parker’s Store.  The 7 AM arrival of General Longstreet’s I Corps stemmed the rout.  Longstreet’s counter attack at Tapp Field drove the Federals back toward their starting positions to the east.  By 10 AM the two armies were at a standstill facing each other astride Orange Plank in the vicinity of the monument to Union General James Wadsworth.

Exhibit 15: Unfinished Railroad Cut

General Lee sent his Chief Engineer, General Smith, to see if there was a way to break the stalemate.  Smith and his party walked east along the unfinished railroad, which lay south of the Union’s flank. Both armies were aware of the unfinished railroad about ¼ mile south of and parallel to Orange Plank.  In the chaos of battle, neither army had thought about using it as an attack route, or about defending it against such an attack, until Smith’s reconnaissance.  Smith found the railroad grade undefended.  He returned and reported his findings to Longstreet. 

Longstreet sent four brigades to attack the Union flank under the command of his aide Lt. Col. Sorrel.  Sorrel arranged the men along the railroad grade and, when all men were in position, began the attack shortly after 11 AM.  It burst upon the Union flank in total surprise.  In addition, as soon as the fighting started on the flank, Longstreet’s remaining troops attacked the Union’s front.

McAlister’s brigade on the Union flank was first to feel the Confederate onslaught.  It was quickly routed.  Soon all eight Union brigades south of Orange plank had collapsed like dominos.  Union General Wadsworth, in command of Union forces north of Orange Plank, heroically attempted to organize a defense on the north side of the road.  It was to no avail leaving him mortally wounded.  By 12:30 PM, all Union positions had been overrun with the defenders withdrawing east to Brock Road or north to the Lacy House (Ellwood Manor).

The Confederate’s success quickly turned to failure.  While riding to the front to direct a continued advance, General Longstreet was accidentally shot by soldiers of the 12th Virginia of Mahone’s Brigade. While he survived, it wasn’t until four hours later that the Confederates were able to reorganize and resume the attack.  By then the Union had strengthened its defenses along Brock Road.  The renewed attack failed.  In addition to the short term loss, it would be months before Longstreet recovered sufficiently to resume command.

Author: John Bell

Date: July 2018

Read Previous Chapter. Chapter 10: The Unfinished Railroad

Continue to Chapter 12: Beef on the Hoof

Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your Real Estate Advisors for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my home worth?” is the #1 question asked by home owners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.

To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.

Top Things to Do In Orange County, Virginia

A meadow with a fence along a trail, representing things to do in Orange County Virginia.
Things to do in Orange County Virginia

Are you considering a visit to Orange County, Virginia? This is truly one of the most wonderful areas you can visit in this part of the country. If you need an activity-filled vacation, but don’t want to leave the US, visiting this county is truly one of the finest decisions you can make. And for those who don’t know exactly what to do around here, don’t worry – we’ve got some suggestions for things to do in Orange County Virginia! 

Staying in period cottages.

Before you start looking for things to do in Orange County Virginia, there’s one very important thing you need to ask yourself. Primarily – why are you coming here in the first place? If you’re looking to relocate here permanently, you’ll definitely have a lot to do before enjoying all the local amenities. You’ll have to find assistance for your move in Virginia, buy packing materials, and ship all of your stuff there. But if you’re just looking for a simple vacation, then the place where you’ll stay is important as well.  

A rustic cottage in the countryside.

Orange County Virginia offers plenty of period cottages to stay in!

That’s why we recommend spending some time to think where you’ll stay in Orange County Virginia. If you truly want to feel the rustic spirit of the country, staying in one of the numerous available period cottages is a fine idea. For example, the Boxwood Villa is found on the outskirts of the town. And this is truly an ancient home, dating all the way back to 1850, but recently renovated to receive guests. Seeing as its structure was in fine shape, all it needed was some touching up. These days, it’s one of the best cottages in the area. 

Try the local brews and wines 

Naturally, when people visit a new part of the country, everyone looks for different things. Some like visiting historical sites, while others like scenic tours of the area. And while all of that is well and good, there are other region-specific things to try out. With that in mind – trying the local alcohol is one of the most fun things to do in Orange County Virginia. As you make your journey around the town and the surrounding area, you’ll find that it offers plenty of interesting breweries and wineries.  

Beer bottles next to a pile of caps on a shelf, representing craft beer.

There are many great small breweries around here!

Interesting breweries 

For example, you’ve got the intriguing Red, White Bleu and Brew brewery. If you’re a fan of both exquisite beer and historical sites, this is definitely a place you shouldn’t miss. So, what makes it one of the things to do in Orange County Virginia? Well, for one – it’s three quarters of a century old, which makes for a lot of combined experience. They focus on products related to Virginia, but they’ve got some international offerings as well. With that in mind, know that you’ve got a beer selection here that you’d be hard-pressed to find elsewhere in the region. As you explore the area, this is one of the best places to stop and rest with a nice cold one! 

Historical sights 

As we’ve already mentioned, this is definitely a historic area, with lots to offer to people who like to have a sense of the past on their vacations. So, bearing this in mind – are there things to do in Orange County Virginia that are fun for the fans of history? Well, absolutely! Trust us, by the time you’re done exploring Orange County Virginia, you’ll want to buy a cabin home here. But before you do – here are some suggestions on historical sites! 

Christ Episcopal Church 

Even if you’re not particularly religious, there’s no reason not to appreciate the historical architecture of the local churches. And if you are, this is a double pleasure for you! For example, you can visit the majestic Christ Episcopal Church here. Its ecclesiastical structure makes it a classic Gothic-style church, but not a particularly sprawling one. Nonetheless, the locals have maintained it extremely well, which makes it a worthy sight to see.  

Barboursville Ruins 

But are there other historical things to do in Orange County Virginia? Naturally! Why not visit the ruins of Governor Barbour’s mansion? These days, this is just a historical landmark, as a fire wrecked a lot of it back in 1884. Regardless, it’s still an interesting place. Thomas Jefferson actually designed it himself, and he wanted it to be the grandest home in all of Orange County. The inside boasted a majestic octagonal parlor, while the facade is Flemish brickwork. The eponymous Barbour was the first governor of Virginia at the start of the 19th century. And his mansion was the center of a great agricultural estate, so it’s definitely one of the most memorable historical sites in the region. 

James Madison’s Montpelier 

While you’re visiting the homes of important historical figures, why not catch a glance at the private life of James Madison? The man obviously needs no introduction, being the father of the Constitution, as well as the primary creator of the Bill of Rights. Interestingly enough, his wife, Dolly Madison, was actually the first wife of a president to be named ‘First Lady’.  

Bronze statues of James Madison and his wife on their estate.

Explore the life of James Madison and his wife!

And the two of them lived on an estate nearby. So, why not go on a historical tour of the lives of the Madisons – who were one of the most important couples in the country’s history? Their private life is intertwined with the rise of democracy in America, as you’ll see while you visit their home. Naturally, you’ll also see a sharp contrast with their political efforts, as their plantations were operated by slaves. 

Once you arrive, you’ll see that you can do plenty of things around here and see a lot of intriguing historical facts. The locals have preserved the Madisons’ beautiful gardens, a local forest, and a lot of walking trails for tourists. All of these are open to the public all year long, so missing out on any of this would definitely be a mistake! 

Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your Real Estate Advisors for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my home worth?” is the #1 question asked by home owners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.

To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.

Gordonsville’s Famous Fried Chicken Festival Coming Up in May!

Save the date! May 18th from 11am to 5pm at the Gordonsville Volunteer Fire Company Fair Grounds (301 East Baker St, Gordonsville VA 22942).

Did you know Gordonsville is famous for their friend chicken?? It had been served to passengers of trains stopping in town during the late 19th / 20th centuries by the local women. They would carry platters of the delicacy on their heads! Known at that time nationally, Gordonsville’s fried chicken, was given the town the nickname of “Chicken-leg Center of the Universe.”

The Town of Gordonsville has celebrated this special heritage each year with their Annual Fried Chicken Festival! There will be a fried chicken and pie contest, a wine garden, and crafts & artisan vendors.

This event is completely free to attend and will be held rain or shine!

Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your Real Estate Advisors for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my home worth?” is the #1 question asked by home owners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.

To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.

St. Patrick’s Day Celebration at Wilderness Run Vineyards

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day this year at Wilderness Run Vineyards and 1781 Brewing Company located at: 11109 Plank Rd, Spotsylvania VA 22553. They are located on the right hand side of Route 3 (if you’re coming from Fredericksburg, VA) and right before you cross into Locust Grove, Virginia. They are known for their beautiful vineyard wines and tasty brewed beers.

On Saturday, March 16th, 2019 from 5PM to 8PM the Celtic Sessions band will be playing, so come listen to some music and enjoy a glass of wine or pint of beer! Dinner will be available from the Pifer Bros BBQ Truck, yum!

If you’re not sure what to do this St. Patrick’s Day, don’t miss this event, especially if you haven’t had the opportunity to try this vineyard and brewery’s wine and beer!

Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your Real Estate Advisors for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my home worth?” is the #1 question asked by home owners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.

To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.

Law Enforcement United Food Truck Bash at Wilderness Run

Law Enforcement United Food Truck Bash at Wilderness Run

Saturday, November 3rd from 12 pm – 8 pm visit 1781 Brewing Company and Wilderness Run Vineyards at 11109 Plank Rd, Spotsylvania VA 22553 for their Law Enforcement United event.
There will be MULTIPLE food trucks available (Pifer Bros BBQ Company, TA-KO, Will’s Place and Juan More Taco FXBG, just to name a few) to choose from for lunch and dinner. Craft brews from 1781 Brewing company and wines from Wilderness Run Vineyards will be available.
Tickets for the event are $20 and include BEER or WINE sampling and all proceeds will benefit Law Enforcement United! There is a 5k/10k race with live performance by Panic for the Vibe from 1 pm – 4 pm.
There will also be a mechanic bull! How long can you ride?!
Come out and eat some good food, taste and enjoy some delicious beer/wine and support a great cause.
Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your professionals for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia, we are your proven Real Estate professionals. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, that’s the #1 question asked by home sellers. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. The Question is how much is it worth? Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.
To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.

8th Annual Christkindlmarkt at LOW

Ready to Shop? You don’t even need to leave the lake.
8th Annual LOW Christkindlmarkt takes place Saturday, December 1st from 9 am to 3 pm at the Community Center, 110 Sweetbriar Park Rd.
Do you have all your Christmas gifts? Here is your last chance! Creative giving starts here.
We have the finest local crafters, bakers and artisans that are displaying their wares and works of art for sale.
And some of the best Christmas treats!
Don’t miss out on this, you can join in the fun!
Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods, VA or Waterfront property in Virginia or homes for rent, we are your professionals for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove and Central Virginia. We are your proven Real Estate professionals. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, that’s the #1 question asked by home sellers. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. The Question is how much is it worth? Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.
To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site!

Mary Washington Healthcare Advanced Cardiac Care at Lake of the Woods

Mary Washington Healthcare Advanced Cardiac Care

When: Wednesday, November 7th from 5 pm to 7 pm
Where: Lake of the Woods Clubhouse (102 Lake of the Woods Way, Locust Grove VA 22508).
What: Informative sessions on cardiac surgery options presented by the Mary Washington Healthcare Structural Heart team. There will be Cardiothoracic Surgeons: Dr. John Cardone and Dr. Alex Na present along with Dr. Harish Chandra and Dr. Arijit Chanda whom are Interventional Cardiologists. They will be discussing treatment options for Aortic Stenosis: Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) VS Surgical Valve Replacement. TAVR is a minimally invasive surgical heart valve replacement procedure for patients who are not surgical candidates for traditional open-heart surgery. Attend this meeting to learn more. 
RSVP: 540-741-1404 by Monday, November 5th, 2018. RSVP is for the appropriate amount of refreshments and hors d’oeuvres to be ordered and served!
Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your professionals for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia, we are your proven Real Estate professionals. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, that’s the #1 question asked by home sellers. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. The Question is how much is it worth? Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.
To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.

Watch Dirty Dancing with the Licata Group at Lake of the Woods!

Watch Dirty Dancing with the Licata Group at Lake of the Woods!

Move Night with Licata GroupWhen: Saturday, September 29th, 2018.
Time: 7:30PM – 10PM.
Where: Sweetbriar Park at Lake of the Woods
What: Watch DIRTY DANCING on a projected screen.
FREE ADMISSION – Please RSVP at 540-388-2541 to reserve your spot!
Snacks will be provided.
All Lake of the Woods residents and their guests are invited to come and attend Movie Night with the Licata Group. Tell your neighbors, invite your friends. 
Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your professionals for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia, we are your proven Real Estate professionals. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, that’s the #1 question asked by home sellers. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. The Question is how much is it worth? Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.
To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.