Special thanks to the people of the Potomac Conservancy for their comprehensive ecological assessment of Passage Creek in Fort Valley, Virginia. As we make our home in Fort Valley, we are affected directly by the health of our 38 mile long creek. The study was done in 2007 and the results can now be found in a report on the Conservancy website at www.potomac.org. The Conservancy has also published a full color booklet titled "The Valley & the Creek-The timeless connection between Fort Valley, Virginia and Passage Creek". This publication contains not only the results of the study with maps and color photos but also presents a short history of Fort Valley and interviews with current residents providing insight into the relationship between our community and Passage Creek. It is an honor to have my photographs included in such a noteworthy publication. For more information on this study or the Potomac Conservancy: www.potomac.org info@potomac.org 301.608.1188 Potomac Conservancy-8601 Georgia Avenue, Suite 612-Silver Spring, MD 20910

In our own 'neck of the woods' is the celebrated Fort Valley Museum. Join us for the last 'open' weekend of 2008 and celebrate CHRISTMAS IN OCTOBER. Saturday, October 25th & Sunday October 26th from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. each day Come travel back in time and experience an old fashioned Fort Valley Christmas. Take a tour of the Museum (decorated for the holiday), listen to Christmas Music, sample the refreshments and shop early for unique gifts. Christmas Carols-Refreshments-Raffle-Local Arts & Crafts-Bake Sale Fort Valley Museum commemorative ornaments 'Fort Valley Scenes' Christmas Cards and Calendars Located at the intersection of Dry Run and Fort Valley Roads To Benefit the Fort Valley Museum, Inc.

Join us on both weekends this year at the 39th Annual Graves Mountain Apple Harvest Festival being held on October 11-12 and October 18-19, 2008 10:00AM-4:30PM Daily Enjoy good food and entertainment including bluegrass music, cloggers, arts and crafts, hayrides and horseback rides all in a beautiful autumn setting. Watch apple butter being cooked in kettles over an open fire. Graves' Mountain Lodge Inc. 205 Graves' Mountain Lane, Route 670 Syria, Virginia 22743 540-923-4231/ Fax 540-923-4312 http://gravesmountain.com/appleharvest.htm

Join us in celebrating Lovettsville's German Heritage with food, crafts and entertainment at the 15th Annual Oktoberfest in Lovettsville, Virginia on September 27th, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information: E-mail: oktoberfest@townoflovettsville.com www.townoflovettsville.com

Look for us in booth #1 on "Artist Alley" on Stony Creek Blvd. at the 28th Annual Edinburg Ole Time Festival in Edinburg, Virginia. We will be there on Friday afternoon September 19th, and also on Saturday from 9 to 5 and Sunday from noon until 5pm. (Exit 279 on I-81) Sponsored by the Town of Edinburg and the Ole Time Festival Committee For more information about the Festival, call: 540-984-7272 E-Mail: festival@shentel.net http://www.edinburgoletimefestival.org/