Virginia Cider Week
November Events, Comfort Dishes
While Virginia devotes whole months to beer (August), spirts (September), and wine (October), Virginia cider — arguably Virginia’s first alcoholic beverage — has just one week of official festivities. In 2012 the Virginia House of Delegates and the State Senate declared that the week before Thanksgiving would be Virginia Cider Week.
Since then, cideries and cities across the Commonwealth have celebrated this historic beverage with festivals, competitions and tastings. Don’t miss out on the wealth of festivities this month: visit a cidery, purchase a bottle, or, perhaps go apple-picking and make your own.
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Lisa - Publisher & Editor
EVENTS
Have an event you’d like us to share? Email: info@edibleblueridge.com
11.01-11.03 Women in Wine Weekend - Charlottesville
11.02 Blue Ridge Chocolate Festival- Roanoke
11.02 Two Up Wine Down - Charlottesville
11.02 Festival of the Green Demon - Roanoke
11.02 Harvest Fest- Harrisonburg
11.08-11.10 Stocked Market- Roanoke
11.09 Thomas Jefferson Wine Festival - Lynchburg
11.09 Apple Harvest Festival- Harrisonburg
11.23 Annual Cider Smackdown- North Garden
11.30 Merry Market - Staunton
12.07 Gingerbread House Competition- Harrisonburg
12.07 Cookie Tour - Harrisonburg
MORE TO CHEW ON
As you plan your 2025 garden, here are tips to reduce your plastic usage - from Modern Farmer
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, NC farmers and chefs are helping those in need - Civil Eats reports
Affected by Hurricane Helene? You may be eligible for federal aid- Cardinal News reports
WHAT WE’RE COOKING
Election week is always a stressful time, so we’re leaning into comfort foods this weekend.
POEM OF THE WEEK
October
by Paul Laurence Dunbar
October is the treasurer of the year,
And all the months pay bounty to her store;
The fields and orchards still their tribute bear,
And fill her brimming coffers more and more
But she, with youthful lavishness,
Spends all her wealth in gaudy dress,
And decks herself in garments bold
Of scarlet, purple, red, and gold.
She heedeth not how swift the hours fly,
But smiles and sings her happy life along;
She only sees above a shining sky;
She only hears the breezes’ voice in song.
Her garments trail the woodlands through,
And gather pearls of early dew
That sparkle, till the roguish Sun
Creeps up and steals them every one.
But what cares she that jewels should be lost,
When all of Nature’s bounteous wealth is hers?
Though princely fortunes may have been their cost,
Not one regret her calm demeanor stirs.
Whole-hearted, happy, careless, free,
She lives her life out joyously,
Nor cares when Frost stalks o’er her way
And turns her auburn locks to gray.
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