25 Things to do with your kids in the Eastern Panhandle

We live in a great place to raise a family; full of history, natural beauty and family fun.  Here is Eastern Panhandle Moms list of 25 things to do with your family in the Eastern Panhandle and surrounding areas.  This is by no means an all inclusive list so please feel free to share your favorite things to do in the area in the comments and they may get added to the list!

1. Visit Wonderment Puppet Theater in Martinsburg.
2. Watch the horse races at Charles Town Races and Slots.
3. Attend Pickin’ in the Panhandle BBQ and Blue Grass Festival.
4. Take the Morgan County driving tour of Washington Heritage Trail.
5. Play at JayDee’s Family Fun Center in Inwood. Lots of indoor and outdoor fun!
6. Enroll in KinderPraise classes with your child.
7. Go strawberry picking at Orr’s Farm Market.
8. Watch the big bubbling cauldron of apple butter in the square at the Apple Butter Festival in Berkeley Springs.
9. Hit the rink at Galaxy Skateland in Martinsburg.
10. Swim at the lake and play on the beach at Cacapon State Park.
11. Pick an activity (fishing, hiking, camping, biking) at Sleepy Creek Wildlife Preserve.
12. Learn and explore at the Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum in Winchester, VA.
13. Bowling is great family fun and you can do it in Berkeley, Jefferson and Morgan counties!
14. Feed the animals at Wilson’s Wild Animal Park in Winchester, VA.
15. Paint your own pottery (and get delicious ice cream) at Skipper’s in Charles Town.
16. Ride bikes on the C & O Canal.
17. Cheer on the team at a Hagerstown Suns game.
18. Get a funnel cake or cotton candy at a local county fair.
19. Step into the prehistoric era at Dinosaur Land in Winchester, VA.
20. Play soccer or walk the trail at Morgan’s Grove Park in Shepherdstown.
21. Have some indoor fun (and a milkshake) at Chick-fil-A.  Locations in Martinsburg and Ranson.
22. Feed the ducks at Hagerstown’s City Park.
23. Run off some energy at Open Gym through Berkeley County Parks and Rec.
24. Take your fishing poles to Zett’s Fish Hatchery in Inwood.
25. Play miniature golf at War Memorial Park in Martinsburg.

What keeps your family busy in the Eastern Panhandle?

Things to do in the Panhandle~ January 6-8, 2012

It definitely feels like winter in the Panhandle!  But, don’t let the cold wind stop you from enjoying time with your family this weekend.  Here are a few things going on in the area that all ages can enjoy.

• Cartoon Fest. Weinberg Center for the Arts, Frederick, MD.  Saturday 1/7 at 2pm. Adults $7, Kids $5.  Contact info@weinbergcenter.org for more information or to purchase tickets.
• Bath-Romney 150th Civil War Commemoration.  Berkeley Springs State Park.  Saturday and Sunday, 1/7-1/8.  10am-10pm on Saturday and 10am-4pm on Sunday.  Free.  For more information visit www.bathromneycampaign.webs.com.

Also, if you and the hubby are looking for a date night idea, consider attending Taste of the Panhandle.  Saturday, January 21st at 6pm.  Want2Dish in Frederick has written a great article about the event.  Tickets are limited so if you are interested in attending reserve your ticket(s) today by emailing me at kmelissasmallwood@gmail.com.

Mission Haiti~ Post trip update

Editor’s note: Political contributor, Nathan Cherry, wrote about his mission trip to Haiti a few weeks ago.  Here is an update on how he was impacted by the trip and what he encountered there.

Bypassing all the details about our trip from the U.S. to Haiti we arrived safely to the missionary’s compound where we will be staying for the next week. After experiencing the “airport” in Haiti I can say most assuredly that God is actively working to oversee this trip. I am grateful for the Divine favor and blessing we have been shown in all aspects of this trip. But if the heart of Christ is to serve “the least of these” and to minister to the needs of orphans and widows, then certainly Christ Himself has given divine approval to our coming to the people of Haiti. There is poor, and then there is Haiti.

As we pulled into the compound it was hard not to be overcome with emotion by what we saw. More than a hundred kids eagerly welcomed us with hand slaps and hugs as we tried to make our way through the crowd to unload our vehicles. We barely got our things unloaded before the kids begged us to play. They inspected us, smiled, looked curiously at our tattoos, and surrounded us so that we couldn’t move. It was too much for some and tears were evident.

For me the hardest part of Day 1 was seeing a little girl, no different in size and age to my own daughter being fed by her only slightly older brother. These kids, many homeless, some orphans, but all poverty stricken are excited to eat the meager meal of rice and beans (most with their hands) because it is the best – in some cases only meal – they will eat today. AS I contemplated my daughter surviving on one small meal of rice and beans each day it broke my heart.

As we drove around the capital city of port Au Prince in back of an old pick-up truck it became glaringly obvious that most Americans are wealthier and more blessed in their need than these people will ever be. The depth of poverty here far exceeds what Americans can comprehend. The crowded streets are dirty, noisy, polluted with humanity begging to make a dollar. The ruins of a city and people ravaged by poverty and earthquake are a staunch reminder that wealth has less to do with money and more to do with perception and attitude. My old clothes and worn shoes were priceless to a people that aren’t 100% sure of when they would eat next.

After just one day I’ve resolved to be more thankful, complain less, and never let food go to waste. I continue to pray for God to wreck me, to tear me down and show me how to value Him and His glory more than the things of this world. He intends to do something here.

Today we began the projects prepared for us for this week. One group began laying block that will be a family’s house. This family of six currently lives in a tent under a tarp. The two room block house is no more than 200 square feet, a size smaller than most people’s living room. There’s no kitchen or bathroom, just a room for sitting and a room for sleeping. My garage is bigger.

Another group is building a bookshelf for the missionary to replace the very old items he was using. This is no doubt a blessing to the humble man and his wife; and will be well used.

The last project is to paint the room where they prepare the food for the kids. This is also the Kindergarten room at the small school operated by the missionary. It’s not an industrial kitchen with lots of state of the art equipment. It’s a bare bones room with two car rims and a heating element hooked up to a propane tank passing as a “stove.” It’s quite remarkable. I can just imagine asking a group of Americans to use this “equipment” to prepare food for kids. We would think it was a joke, yet this is reality for them each day.

I took a ride today with the missionary to see some of the churches he is helping to start. This man that needs an incredible amount of work done to his own facilities has helped start more than 50 churches in Haiti. The two we saw were little more than brick shells with tin roofs. For the area’s they are located in, they are quite nice. Again, to ask an American church to hold services in these facilities on a regular basis would be an interesting experience. It’s hard enough to get people to come to church in nice clean, carpeted, air-conditioned buildings with padded chairs. If we asked them to come to a concrete building with no electricity, padded chairs or indoor bathrooms it might cause a riot. Maybe what we need is a riot in our hearts that causes us to long for God and His presence more than pews, projectors and coffee. I couldn’t help but shake my head when more than one person asked me where I was from and then said “It’s hard to reach people for Christ in the United States.” I had to say “yes, it is.” I got the feeling that they believed it was hard because we have so much. We have so many distractions, so many comforts, we are the church at Laodicea that believes we are wealthy, yet, God know better of us. The people of Haiti know better of us as well.

Today we all piled into two vehicles and took a ride into the town to see some of the villages. The ride itself was interesting considering I was standing in the back of an old pick-up truck holding tight with white knuckles. I don’t think I’ve inhaled so many exhaust fumes in my life. The country is beautiful, with mountains and greenery that is misleading for the amount of poverty. You would immediately notice a large number of walls surrounding houses, businesses and other structures. Seeing walled compounds is normal here, not ot mention razor wire and broken glass bottles cemented to the tops of the walls.

It’s astounding to see what passes for normal and acceptable here; conditions we would find appalling are common place. The difference is so distinct it is almost other-worldly. As we drive the scene just goes on and on. You would expect, at some point, for it to end, but it doesn’t. The small tent/shack houses, the garbage lined streets; the kids walking alone, the ruins of once inhabited buildings simply go on and on.

Several times along the way as we came to a stop we are approached by peddlers and beggars alike wanting food, water, or a dollar. One dollar from us is nearly 1/3 days wage for these people; yet I spend a dollar on any given day for no reason at all. That sort of disparity is hard to comprehend.

I know I will never forget the things I’ve seen or experienced here in Haiti. To see people work all day just to feed their family, or kids scrounging for any piece of material that could be traded or sold. To see women and small children walking miles for groceries along busy roads and seeing kids as young as 8 or 10 walking alone, leading their younger siblings is a sight hard to forget.

But despite the conditions these people lived in I couldn’t help but see a form of joy on their faces that I don’t see much in America. There seems to be a peace and contentment here that people with ten times as much “stuff” don’t know anything of. It’s not contentment with not having enough food or clothes or shelter, it’s a contentment knowing that life is more than stuff. Would a new flat screen change someone’s life dramatically here, I don’t think so. I think it would be the vehicle for providing food, clothing and essentials for a family. The things that are highly prized here are only prized for what they can provide – food, water, clothing and other basic needs – to these people. A game system or television means nothing to people that are hungry.

I suppose the point is that we have abundance here in America and have become comfortable with our wealth to the point of apathy for those with less. We almost look at those with less as having done something wrong to get where they are; “If they had a better education, better job, better sense they wouldn’t be where they are today.” This mentality is surely grievous to a God that has compassion on and loves people regardless of their material possessions or state in life. I know I would do well to remember that everything I have, even the country I was born is not because of anything I have done, but because of the grace and divine sovereignty of God. In the words of English preacher John Bradford, “There, but for the grace of God, go I.”

I can’t recommend enough that everyone visits a place like Haiti in order to understand just how blessed each of us truly is. Such a trip would also cause everyone to realize that we have the ability to help if we simply make the effort to look outside of ourselves and our own selfish desires to the needs of others. We are called by Christ to minister to “the least of these” and I can’t think of any that are the least, and have the least like the Haitian people (though I know some other places are just as bad, if not worse). God says that His heartbeat is to see His people minister to the needs of orphans and widows in their distress; Haiti has an abundance of orphans and widows. I believe this is a place where faith and works intersect in a collision that is sure to bring glory to Christ.

“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress…”
James 1:27

Nathan A. Cherry lives in Bunker Hill with his wife and two children. He is a contributing blogger for the Family Policy Council of West Virginia as well as Eastern Panhandle Moms. Nathan is the Connection Pastor at New Hope Church in Inwood West Virginia where he serves to connect folks into places of service both within the church and in the community.

Women of Faith, Washington, DC tour- TICKET GIVEAWAY!

I have attended two Women of Faith conferences in Washington, DC at the Verizon Center.  I always leave with my spiritual cup filled, having enjoyed the amazing line-up of Christian women speakers, drama and music.

Through my affiliation with BookSneeze, I was provided with two tickets to the event and I can’t go…so my loss is one reader’s gain!!!

I am giving away the two tickets here on the blog {a $198 value!} to one blessed Eastern Panhandle Moms reader.

You will be able to hear speakers including Luci Swindoll and Sheila Walsh and musical guests, Natalie Grant {I love her!!} and Mary, Mary!!

The event is Friday and Saturday, August 26 and 27th!

If you are able to attend and interested in winning these tickets for you and a friend follow the instructions below.

MANDATORY ENTRY: Simply leave a comment on THIS blog post telling me why you would like to go to the Women of Faith, Imagine tour.

Optional extra entries {1 entry for each}:

• Share this giveaway on your Facebook page and leave a comment on THIS blog post letting me know you did.
• Follow this blog using the networked blogs widget on the right sidebar and leave a comment on THIS blog post letting me know you did.
• Subscribe to the RSS feed for this blog {the orange widget at top of right sidebar} and leave a comment on THIS blog post letting me know you did.
• Follow @epwvmoms on Twitter and leave a comment on THIS post letting me know you did.

The winner will be chosen via random.org on Saturday, August 20th at noon.  Winner will be announced on this blog and will have 24 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen.

Be blessed!

Frugal Summer Fun in the Eastern Panhandle

It may not officially be summer yet but somebody needs to tell that to the weather!  It feels like August and May just ended.  I think we are in for a scorching summer.  Combine that with the fact that school gets out on Monday for Berkeley County and Wednesday in Jefferson County and people are going to be looking for cheap, yet fun things to do with their kids.

Here are a few ideas:

• Swimming and picnic at Cacapon State Park in Berkeley Springs.  Our family spent the day at Cacapon on Memorial Day and we had a blast.  It costs nothing to enter the park and the price for swimming is $3/per adult and $2/per child.  We wheeled our cooler full of snacks and drinks right on to the beach area and lounged in the shade of some big trees while the kids swam till they were tired.  The lake area also offers a snack bar but the prices were pretty steep. For an additional cost, you can take a paddle boat out on the water as well. When we tired of swimming, we drove around to another area with tennis courts, basketball courts and volleyball areas.  The kids played volleyball with a beach ball we had brought along. There are also hiking trails.  A very affordable, enjoyable day!  We will definitely be visiting there again this summer.
• Pick your own strawberries at Orr’s Farm Market.  This is always a fun family activity.  Orr’s boasts fresh, local produce and the adventure of picking your own berries is something kids are bound to enjoy.  Orr’s is located off of Arden Nolville Rd. in Martinsburg.  They have a facebook page as well.
• Morgan’s Grove Park located on Route 480, right outside of Shepherdstown, is a family friendly destination as well.  With playgrounds, a walking trail and streams, it has plenty of things to do.  There are also picnic tables available for a snack or lunch.

Where do you go for frugal fun?

52% off at Adventure World

Adventure World in New Market, MD is a great family-friendly environment.  Through Groupon, they have a 52% off deal so the ticket price is $12!  This is a savings of $13/person!  Check it out if you don’t have plans this weekend!

Click here for the deal!

Be safe on St. Patty’s Day

St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner, and it’s not the luck of the Irish that will keep the roads safe – it’s planning ahead for a safe and sober way home.

For many Americans, St. Patrick’s Day has become a popular night out for drinking and celebrating with friends and family.  Unfortunately, some of these people might also be driving home from their festivities and therefore, the night out has also become potentially dangerous.

On St. Patrick’s Day 2009, 37 percent of the drivers and motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes had a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or above, according to statistics by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

• Plan ahead and designate a sober driver before you leave for your event.

• Be ready to take alternate transportation such as a bus or taxi. Have the phone number of a taxi service stored in your phone before you leave for the party.

Even if you will not be celebrating this St. Patrick’s Day, keep in mind that in 2009, 1,119 occupants of other vehicles were killed in crashes involving alcohol-impaired drivers, so pay attention to others on the road.  And remember, you don’t have to be “falling down drunk” to be too impaired to drive safely. Even a few drinks can impair driving…and a buzzed driving crash has the same consequences as a drunk driving crash.

Remember: Buzzed Driving IS Drunk Driving. Don’t rely on dumb luck this St. Patrick’s Day. Plan ahead and ask your loved ones to do the same.

For more information visit the Buzzed Driving Campaign on Facebook or Twitter.

Pain at the Pump

I am surprised we cannot hear the collective groans when motorists are filling their gas tanks.  Average gas prices for unleaded fuel in the Eastern Panhandle is around $3.27/gallon right now {and rising}.

Experts are saying the top prices may reach $3.75/gallon before summer.  For families driving mini-vans, the cost of filling your gas tank right now can eclipse other expenses in the home.

Here are some easy ways to save during this penny pinching time:

• Take advantage of the gas savings that many grocery stores offer {Martin’s and Weis’ both have programs locally}  I have saved as much as 30 cents per gallon and that quickly adds up to money in the bank!
• Plan your trips ahead of time.  Instead of running to the store each time you need something, plan ahead.  I have been planning trips and going to the pharmacy, grocery store and the bank at the same time and have been amazed at the gas mileage saved by advance planning.

What do you do to save money at the pump?

Is it safe to visit Mexico?

By Beth Feldman, Founder of Role Mommy Network
src="http://www.rolemommy.com/assets_c/2010/06/DSC_0006-1-thumb-300x201-1860.jpg" width="300" height="201" class="mt-image-left" style="float: left; margin: 0 20px 20px 0;" />

As an avid traveler and lover of amazing places and deals we can share with your our readers, we are thrilled to be working with Villa Group Resorts as we help spread the word about their gorgeous resort properties in Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta and coming soon…Cancun and Loreto Mexico!

Offering families, couples and singles incredible and affordable getaway options throughout the year, this season, Villa Group has introduced ultra-inclusive vacations that include dining and beverages, a kids club, babysitting options, spa packages, golf getaways, dolphin excursions, water sports and much more!

Having stayed at Villa la Estancia in Nuevo Vallarta, I immediately felt like I was being welcomed into the lap of luxury – receiving a hand massage the moment we walked into the lobby. We stayed in a two bedroom suite complete with marble floors, private bathrooms, cozy living room, dining room, massive kitchen and sweeping balcony with a wet bar…can anyone say…margaritas? While I’m culinary challenged (no need to cook since there are fabulous restaurants on the premises including the award-winning La Casona), it’s great knowing that while we’re on vacation, we can store refrigerated snacks, drinks, and breakfast items if we want to sleep in and the kids are in the mood for cereal and cartoons. And the granite countertops, state of the art appliances and sweeping views of the ocean and pool and bathrooms to die for, are not so shabby either!

As you contemplate where you’d like to go for your next vacation, the Villa Group Affiliate Travel Network, comprised of nearly two dozen dynamic parenting and lifestyle bloggers, will offer a series of helpful articles that will give you the inside track on all things Mexico. For our first post, we’re tackling important questions that most travelers ask when they travel to Mexico. Hopefully, this will help guide you as you plan your next vacation!

Q. Is it safe to drink the water in Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas?
A. In Puerto Vallarta, you should be aware that incredible efforts have been made to provide safe water to residents and tourists. Over the last two decades, the Mexican government spent millions of dollars developing a safe water purification system in the area. As a result, this state of the art system has greatly reduced water-induced illnesses for travelers visiting Puerto Vallarta.

According to CaboExpo.com, for visitors to Cabo San Lucas, the resort location has never had the significant water quality problems that mainland Mexico as traditionally experienced:

“Sitting at the bottom of the Baja Peninsula, the fresh water in Los Cabos is some of the best in Baja. The local waters start thousands of feet above Los Cabos in the very tall mountains north of Cabo, drain down into local aquifers, and then are treated locally and then often treated again at the hotel or restaurant level. Tourism is just too important to let bad water become a factor.”

Q. Is it safe to travel to Cabo and Puerto Vallarta? Where are the dangerous parts of Mexico anyway?
A. According to AOL, which recently devoted extensive coverage to Mexico and issues relating to safety and even gives an overview of the places you should avoid, you’ll take comfort knowing that both Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas were ranked as being incredibly safe for travelers. As a precaution, always avoid streets that are not well lit (as you would in any country), but for the most part, your experience should be safe, relaxing and enjoyable!

Q. Are there any safety tips you can offer to a traveler who has never been to Mexico?
A. When you arrive at the airport, make sure you have made provisions for yourself and your traveling companions to take you to your accommodations. There will be many individuals offering you a ride or claiming to be your driver – while they are friendly and it is safe to ride with them, you will be better served if you book a car in advance.

If you decide to leave your resort and travel to a location in the evening, make sure when you are walking at night that you are aware of your surroundings and that you traverse well lit streets. Or, arrange for a car to pick you up after your evening is over. Better to have someone waiting for you to take you back to your hotel then go off exploring in the middle of the night!

Take precautions while swimming, snorkeling or surfing! The surf can be rough – especially in Cabo San Lucas and if you are not a strong swimmer, you may want to take precautions. Or, book an excursion that will take you on a guided water tour with experienced lifeguards on board.

Q. What about taking a road trip – is it better to book a tour or can I go on my own and explore?
A. While you can certainly rent a vehicle and explore Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas on your own, your experienced will definitely be enhanced if you register for a tour that is led by someone who truly knows the lay of the land and the water! While it’s always nice to discover new things, you can accomplish that by being a part of a guided tour and traveling with a group of vacationers like you. Of course, if you’ve been to either resort town many times, then you may feel more comfortable venturing out and returning to a favorite destination – suddenly you’ll be the expert offering tips to new travelers. But if it’s your first time, we suggest consulting with your hotel concierge who can offer some great tour options for you and your family.

Q. Are there parts of Mexico we should avoid due to the BP Oil Spill?
A. Here’s a quick geography lesson: The BP oil spill is nowhere near Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta. While the spill has contaminated many US cities located near the Gulf of Mexico, Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta are located on the west coast surrounding the Sea of Cortez. While travelers may believe that Mexico might have been affected by the recent environmental disaster, the hardest hit regions have been in the United States.

If you’re interested in finding out how you can book an unforgettable vacation in Mexico, visit Villa Group Resorts and check out their hot deals page – where they’ve got some incredible vacation options this summer – plus the offers run through December 2010 so you can book now and still save on your vacation!

And, there’s still time to enter the She Knows ultra inclusive trip giveaway to Puerto Vallarta. Enter today and you and a guest could win an all expenses paid vacation at Villa La Estancia…Arriba!!!

This post is sponsored by the Role Mommy Writers Network.