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Experience Fly Fishing For Trout at Its Best Here in The Shenandoah Valley-

flyfishingAll of our inns at Bed and Breakfasts of the Historic Shenandoah Valley are located close to some of the best trout waters in the country. The fishing season is year round in Virginia.

These streams vary from smaller pristine mountain  ones  flowing out of the Alleghany Mountains to the West of the Shenandoah Valley and also including ones flowing out of  the Blue Ridge Mountains to the East to larger rivers and spring creeks in the Valley.

Many of the colder mountain streams are home to Virginia’s state fish, the Eastern Brook trout, native to these waters. Native Brookies are at the top of the scale when measuring trout beauty. These cold water beauties can only survive in clean 70 degree water temps and below. The Shenandoah National Park in the mid to northern Valley East has many streams which hold them. The Allegheny mountain streams to West have good numbers of these Brookies in Bath, Allegheny, Augusta, Rockingham, Rockbridge, Shenandoah and Highland Counties.

The state of Virginia also has many hundreds of miles of Special Regulation. Delayed Harvest and other Wild Trout water that it manages throughout the Shenandoah Valley and surrounding mountains.  Colorful and hard fighting Rainbow, Brown and Brook trout make up most of the trout populations in them. Some of the more famous ones are the Jackson River, Mossy Creek, Passage Creek South River Buffalo Creek, St. Mary’s River, North River, Cowpasture River, Bullpasture River, North Creek, Big Back Creek and  Roaring Run  to name a few.

Regulations, stream locations and licensing requirements may be reviewed on this website, which features a brand interactive trout stream map and app that be loaded from anywhere. Areas 1, 2 and 3 are where most of our trout streams are located.

There are several flyshops located in the Valley, all have daily or weekly fishing updates South River Flyshop in Waynesboro, Mossy Creek Flyshop  in Harrisonburg and Murrays Flyshop in Edinburg. All of these offer guided trips and instruction. Vatrout.com is located in Lexington and offers both introductory fly fishing trips and other Trips for all skill levels.

A great way to experience these beautiful streams is to sample more than one and stay in one or several of our fine bed and breakfasts of the Historic Shenandoah Valley along the way. Finish off you day in comfort with us, all of our innkeepers will be happy to help you  on finding a nice restaurant close by as well as giving you local  advice on exploring some of the best small towns in America.

More on trout fishing in the Valley: www.vatrout.com.


Who’s Bad: World’s premier Michael Jackson tribute band to perform at Wayne Theatre

whos-badThe Wayne Theatre/Ross Performing Arts Center pays tribute to the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, on Friday, Oct. 28, with an event featuring Who’s Bad: The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience.

Tickets for the 8 p.m. concert are $30/$35.

“Who’s Bad’s live power-packed performance of Michael Jackson’s expansive catalog has ignited crowds on every continent and can only be described as a jaw-dropping, musical must-see. We can’t wait to welcome them to the Wayne Theatre stage,” said Tracy Straight, the executive director of the Wayne Theatre.

Who’s Bad is the longest-running Michael Jackson tribute band, and the only one to predate his untimely passing in 2009.

The band has packed The House of Blues franchise all across the United States and rocked DC’s famed 930 Club, playing to a dedicated fan base by paying studious attention to Michael Jackson’s every original groove and gravity-defying dance move.

The ensemble boasts more than 100 years of professional experience and a team of dancers with resumes that include Broadway productions such as Phantom of the Opera. Who’s Bad founder, composer, and saxophonist Vamsi Tadepalli  assembled a cast of North Carolina’s premiere musicians and, from Who’s Bad’s inception, believed in the band’s boundless possibilities.

The vocals and pinpoint choreography of frontmen Joseph Bell and Taalib York’s combined with the six-piece band’s synchronized dance routines, blaring horns and down-deep rhythms, results in a performance delivered with soul and precision superseded by no one but the King himself.

Who’s Bad has shared stages with the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, The Backstreet Boys, The Four Tops, Boys II Men, and hip hop superstar Pitbull.

The Wayne Theatre/Ross Performing Arts Center is located at 521 West Main Street in downtown Waynesboro.

For more information, call (540) 943-9999 or visit www.waynetheatre.org.


Comedian Emma Willmann coming to Court Square Theater

emma-willmann-lipstick-photoThe United Nations of Comedy Series returns on Friday, November 11th to the Court Square Theater in the heart of downtown Harrisonburg.

The show will be headlined by the hilarious Emma Willmann. Emma was ranked as one of New York’s Top 10 comedians and have appeared on Comedy Central, Live at Gotham, AfterEllen.com, Sirius Radio and a long list of other national credits. Representing the LGBTQ community but also often referred to as your favorite comedian’s favorite comedian. She has what is called in the world as comedy, “crushed” all of the top comedy clubs in the nation and abroad. Now, this hard hitting comic is coming Harrisonburg for one night only.

The United Nations of Comedy (UNOC) Series has brought to the market some of the funniest national comedians as seen in movies, television programs and on syndicated radio broadcasts. The series is a spinoff of the successful UNOC Tour. The project’s mission is to promote diversity through laughter by presenting a multicultural lineup on stage, which represents and serves as a reflection of the local community. If you need to laugh, love to laugh and/or want to laugh, then you must come out to see Emma Willmann on stage.

The Court Square Theater was chosen as the host venue due to its accessible and convenient location, comfortable seating and its diversification of the arts. The ample downtown parking adds to the theater’s attributes. Every ticket purchaser will receive a 10% discount card to be used on every future show of the comedy series. Emma will be accompanied by guest comedian, TJ Ferguson, so prepare for an exciting evening.

Tickets are on sale now for only $15 in advance and $18 at the door so get them early and save. Buy yours now by phone: 540.433.9189 or safely online at UnitedNationsofComedy.com or ValleyArts.org

Doors of the Court Square Theater opens at 7:30pm and showtime starts at 8:00pm. The Theater is located at 41-F Court Square, Harrisonburg, VA 22801. Free ample parking is available and seating is handicap accessible.

To sponsor this event, call 434.825.0650 or email: asureshot1@gmail.com.


How You Should Celebrate Christmas in Harrisonburg

christmasAs the holidays draw near and the air gets chilly, the thought of Christmas brings whimsical events and warm memories. Christmas in Harrisonburg offers just that! Picture snow gently falling as you sit by the fireplace with a warm cup of hot chocolate. Doesn’t that sound ideal? Take some time to celebrate the season in Harrisonburg, VA, this winter.

Find out more about all of the fun things to do near By the Side of the Road Inn & Cottages when you download our free Vacation Guide. It’s full of the best recommendations for things to see and do like spending Christmas in Harrisonburg, VA.

 

Make Memories When You Celebrate Christmas in Harrisonburg

The first weekend in December is full of great Christmas events for the whole family. The delightful Harrisonburg Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony will be hosted by the Harrisonburg Parks and Recreation Department. Be sure to wear lots of layers and bundle up, because it will be cold during this winter event. The Christmas parade makes its way from  the Rockingham County Office Building on Gay Street and marches down to the corner of Grattan and Main Street. The theme for this year’s Christmas parade is Lights on Parade, so be prepared for exciting floats full of holiday lights. The excitement doesn’t end at the end of the parade, though. Once the parade has finished, the mayor will host a holiday tree lighting ceremony in Court Square. It’s a fun way to ring in the holiday season and kick off Christmas. After the tree lighting, be sure to stick around for a holiday concert performed by the James Madison University Marching Royal Dukes. You’ll be humming the tunes all the way back to your room!

 

It Wouldn’t Be the Holiday Season Without Holiday Craft Shows

Get your holiday craft fix at the Christmas Arts and Crafts Show at the Rockingham County Fair. Offered on the same weekend of the Christmas parade, you can check out the Christmas Arts and Crafts Show beginning at 9 a.m. both Saturday and Sunday. Located at Exhibit Hall, you can peruse the cornucopia of holiday crafts, gift items, ornaments, wreaths, and more! Be sure to check out the jewelry and candles, too. Help these vendors celebrate the holiday season by purchasing their handmade crafts. You will find one-of-a-kind items that are sure to make your Christmas traditions more special. Admission is free for this event, so spend the morning of parade day shopping!

 

Stay in a Whimsical Cottage as the Snow Falls

Why not make this Christmas as magical as possible? When you stay at By the Side of the Road Inn & Cottages in Harrisonburg, VA, you’ll do just that.  Our luxurious cottages and rooms make for the perfect family holiday getaway. Our delicious breakfast will make you think you woke up at home on Christmas morning! So, what are you waiting for? Contact us today to book your new favorite holiday tradition! If you need more ideas for things to do during your stay, then download our free Vacation Guide!


Everything You Need to Know About The Harrisonburg, VA Turkey Trot

turkey-trotWith the holidays comes food – a lot of it – and if there’s one day that’s synonymous with expanding waistlines, it’s Thanksgiving. Around here, the best way to offset the impending feast is at the Harrisonburg, VA turkey trot! Start Thanksgiving with an exciting dash through Downtown Harrisonburg at the Rocktown Turkey Trot. A yearly tradition that the whole family can enjoy, the Turkey Trot is a fun way to break a sweat for a good cause!

The Harrisonburg, VA turkey trot is just one of many reasons why you’ll love visiting our city. For a full list of the best restaurants and attractions in the Shenandoah Valley, download our free Vacation Guide!

Fun With A Cause at the Harrisonburg, VA Turkey Trot

Before the turkey dinner is served and the football games start, runners will hit the pavement in Harrisonburg on Thanksgiving morning. But they won’t be running just to burn calories and compete. Presented by VA Momentum, the 2016 Rocktown Turkey Trot helps those in need by contributing to the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank. Runners are required to bring a canned food item with them, and in addition to the food, a portion of the cash proceeds from the race will be donated to the food bank.

The Race

Regular racers and casual joggers alike will have a blast at the Rocktown Turkey Trot! The race is four miles long, consisting of two laps and a scenic tour of Downtown Harrisonburg. Runners ages 3-12 will love the Gobble Gobble Kids Dash, kid-friendly .35-mile run held at 8 a.m., shortly before the main race.

Before the race begins, a turkey will be pardoned, in keeping with both the tradition of the race, as well as the POTUS (read this article for more information about the funky tradition). The Turkey Trot will start at 8:30 a.m., followed by an awards ceremony at 9:30 a.m. Sprint to the finish line and compete for a prize in your age category (given to the top male and female runners in each age group), or take your time and enjoy beautiful Harrisonburg. If you aren’t in a rush, make sure you grab a cup of pumpkin pie along the way! Full race details and maps can be found on theTurkey Trot website.

Ready to Run?

The Harrisonburg, VA turkey trot will take place this Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016. Everyone who registers will receive a long sleeve race shirt, a drawstring bag, and more, according to the race website. Make sure you pick up your race packet the day before – no race day pickups are allowed!

To register and learn more about the race, visit the Rocktown Turkey Trot online or contact VA Momentum.

 

Experience the Best of Harrisonburg with By the Side of the Road Inn & Cottages

The Shenandoah Valley draws people from all around the country, and with good reason. The scenery is breathtaking and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming. Harrisonburg features everything there is to love about the area, and the best place to stay in town in is By the Side of the Road Inn & Cottages. Visit us online to learn more about our inviting, romantic accommodations and our delicious gourmet breakfast options. Make sure you download our free Shenandoah Valley vacation guide, too! Then contact us today to plan your next escape.


Virginia Tech to host major conference with nation’s senior military colleges

vtech-logoThe Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets will host senior leaders and cadets from the country’s six senior military colleges Oct. 23-25 in Blacksburg.

This Association of Military Colleges and Schools of the United States’ conference, which moves its venue among the participating schools annually, gives senior leaders a chance to talk about topics that affect all the military colleges, said Maj. Gen. Randal Fullhart, commandant of cadets.

Topics to be discussed include curriculum, leader professional development standards, military commissioning programs, Title IX issues, and Department of Defense and military service initiatives. Representatives from all the military services and the Office of the Secretary of Defense also will attend.

Fullhart serves as this year’s president of the association, which was founded in 1914 and today represents more than 40 accredited military colleges and college preparatory schools around the country.

“Being a senior military college, established in law, means the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets and our experienced staff, along with top-tier ROTC programs, help differentiate Virginia Tech from other universities and certainly puts us in a position to be of value to every single Destination Area being developed, most particularly integrated security,” Fullhart said.

Destination Areas are pockets of disciplinary and interdisciplinary strength that set Virginia Tech above other universities. The Integrated Security Destination Area seeks to identify, understand, and mitigate vulnerabilities to increase global security and to address the critical workforce and technology needs of state and federal and defense sectors.

Cadet David Robison, of Christiansburg, Virginia, a senior majoring in history in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, was one of two cadets who participated in discussions at last year’s conference, hosted by the University of North Georgia.

“Attending the conference allowed me to gain a better insight into the workings of other senior military colleges, as well as gain a few more leadership tools to bring back to the corps,” Robinson said.


Washington Post veteran Leonard Shapiro to speak at Shenandoah University

leonard-shapiroLeonard Shapiro, former reporter, editor and columnist for The Washington Post, will speak at Shenandoah University’s Harry F. Byrd, Jr. School of Business at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 26, in Halpin-Harrison Hall, Stimpson Auditorium on the campus of Shenandoah University (1460 University Drive, Winchester, VA 22601).
Shapiro will present “Len Shapiro, A Life in Sports Journalism.” A question and answer session will follow. The event is free and open to the public, and is part of the ongoing Distinguished Lecture Series sponsored by the school of business. Light refreshments will be provided during a pre-event reception at5:30 p.m.
“We are very fortunate to have a speaker with the life experience of Len Shapiro,” said Dean of the Harry F. Byrd, Jr. School of Business Miles Davis, Ph.D. “Our Sport Business Club, as well as the larger Northern Shenandoah Valley community, will greatly benefit from Mr. Shapiro’s perspective and insights into the world of sports.”
Shapiro was a reporter, editor and columnist for The Washington Post from 1969 until he retired from the newspaper in 2010. At the Post, he covered high school and college sports from 1969 to 1973, when he was assigned as the beat reporter focusing on the Washington Redskins.
In 1979, he was named assistant sports editor, mainly responsible for the day-to-day operation of the sports department. In 1983, he was named deputy sports editor, then sports editor from 1986 to 1991, before he returned to full-time reporting and writing.
Over the last 20 years of his career, he was the Post’s national NFL correspondent, covered professional golf and also wrote a weekly column focusing on sports media. He covered every Super Bowl from 1972 until 2012, all the major championships of golf from 1991 until his retirement, numerous World Series, NBA and NHL playoff games, major boxing matches, postseason bowl games and Final Fours, and four Olympics, including the 1980 winter games at Lake Placid, New York known for the performance of the gold-medal-winning “Miracle on Ice” U.S. hockey team.
Shapiro’s byline has appeared in numerous national and international publications, including The Sporting News, Golf Digest, Golf Magazine, Golf World magazine, Pro Football Weekly, Reader’s Digest, TV Guide, Washingtonian magazine, Washington Life magazine and the International Herald Tribune. Since retiring from the Post, he has done freelance work for the Miami Herald, Dallas Morning News, Washington Post magazine, Links magazine, Virginia Golfer magazine, CBSsports.com andglobalgolfpost.com. He is also a regular contributor to Middleburg Life, a popular monthly newspaper in the Virginia hunt country.
Shapiro is the author of seven books, including biographies of NFL Hall of Famer Sam Huff (“Tough Stuff”), former Georgetown basketball coach John Thompson (“Big Man on Campus”) and an expose on illegal recruiting in college sports (“Athletes For Sale”). He’s contributed to several other books and appeared on ESPN, ESPN Classic, CNN, Comcast Sports Net, the NFL Network, NFL Films, as well as D.C. metro-area TV stations and numerous local and national radio shows.
A native of Syosset, New York, on Long Island, Shapiro graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1968 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and earned a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri in 1969. He is married to journalist and author Vicky Moon and has three children and seven grandchildren. He and his wife live in Middleburg, Virginia, and Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
In 2001, Shapiro received the Dick McCann Memorial Award from the Professional Football Writers of America; the award is sometimes referred to as the sometimes referred to as the “writer’s wing” of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Shapiro served as a Hall of Fame selector from 1983 to 2012.
He was inducted into the Washington Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 2002. He served as president of Golf Writers Association of America from 2005 to 2006 and is a current board member for the organization. Shapiro is also a former board member of the Pro Football Writers of America. He has been given writing awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors, the Golf Writers Association of America and the Maryland-Delaware-D.C. and Virginia press associations. Shapiro was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize in 1974 and 1996.
Shapiro has served as a guest lecturer at Georgetown University, American University, George Washington University, George Mason University, Virginia Tech, the University of Maryland and at many local high schools. He also taught an advanced, semester-long course in sports journalism at the University of Wisconsin in 2011, 2013 and 2016.

Shenandoah University to hold third annual Sport Management Forum

newspaper-headerThe Harry F. Byrd, Jr. School of Business Sport Management program, in conjunction with the Sport Business Club, will present the 2016 Sport Management Forum from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 24, in Halpin-Harrison Hall, Stimpson Auditorium, on the campus of Shenandoah University.
The forum, titled “Women in Sport: Breaking Down the Barriers and Stereotypes in a Male Dominated Field,” is free and open to the public, and will include a panel discussion as well as an audience Q&A session.
“For years, women have worked in the field of sports and have made significant contributions to the business, and we are now seeing more and more women joining this industry,” said Assistant Professor of Sport Management Joey Gawrysiak, Ph.D., who will serve as moderator for the panel. “These women all have unique experiences and influence over different areas of sport and sport business, and I am looking forward to hearing the insight they have for our students and for community members who attend the forum,” he added.
The expert panel of prominent women in the sport industry will discuss the challenges, hurdles, and issues they have encountered in their careers, and how these issues might be addressed and overcome. The panel includes:
  • Jacqueline Donaldson, client executive, Level 3 Communications
  • Kim Hohman, assistant athletic director, Towson University
  • Gina Daddario, Ph.D., professor of mass communications, Shenandoah University
  • Sue Murphy, president, New World Sports
  • Kelly Wolf, vice president, Octagon Sports & Entertainment Agency
The panelists have succeeded in different areas of sport, including but not limited to coaching, administration and athlete representation. From their diverse experiences, they will further the discussion about and provide insight into what it means to overcome barriers and stereotypes within the sport industry and ultimately achieve success as a woman in the field.
For more information about the forum, please contact Dr. Gawrysiak at jgawrysia@su.edu.

Veteran’s Month Specials: Belle Hearth

belle-hearth2To honor our veterans and active duty military, reserve any room for two nights anytime during November, Sunday thru Thursday and get the 2nd night FREE.  Please present a military ID.  This offer cannot be combined with any other offer,  package or gift card. You must mention this special when reserving online or by phone
 
Fall into Fall Special   (valid November 1, 2016 thru November 30, 2016)
Reserve any room anytime during November for one night and receive a 10% discount,  Stay two nights anytime and take a 15% discount on each room night.  All prices are plus tax.  You must mention this special when reserving online on by phone.  Special cannot be combined with any other discounts or specials.

Summer Valley and Vineyards Package

Enjoy spring in the Shenandoah Valley with a two night stay for two in one of our cozy rooms.  Package includes:
  • a full three course gourmet breakfast each morning
  • chauffeured tour to three of Virginia’s award winning vineyards, craft breweries and/or cideries, including a delicious picnic lunch
  • dinner voucher for two (excludes tax, tip and alcohol) at either the Green Leaf Grill restaurant or theHeritage Restaurant and Sports Bar,       both are fantastic dining experiences within walking distance of the Belle Hearth
Price:  $175, plus room cost.  Tax not included
We would appreciate at least a three day notice to insure the wine tour availability.  Limit of 6 people for wine tour.

Shenandoah University to host VMTA 2016 Fall Conference

Shenandoah University will host the Virginia Music Teachers Association (VMTA) Fall 2016 Conference, “More Than the Sum of the Parts—Collaborating Musically and Professionally,” as well as VMTA competitions, at Shenandoah Conservatory from Thursday, Oct. 27, through Sunday, Oct. 30.

Each day is packed with presentations, performances, competitions, lunch meetings and exhibitors carefully chosen by the program committee. Of special interest this year is that the conference has returned to being concurrent with the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) state-level competitions and the Saturday State Auditions. Additionally, there are presentations by vocalists, instrumentalists and pianists.

The conference officially opens with a presentation at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 27, in Goodson Chapel-Recital Hall. “From America to Australia” will feature Tracy Cowden on piano and Tabitha Easley on flute. This dynamic duo focuses on biculturalism, music by women composers, and the music of New Zealand and Australia.

“I am so excited that Shenandoah Conservatory is hosting this conference and the competitions,” said President-Elect of VMTA, Coordinator of the VMTA Fall 2016 Conference and Shenandoah Conservatory Professor of Piano Elizabeth Caluda, D.M.A. “What an opportunity for the conservatory students and the surrounding area to hear great sessions and concerts by guest clinicians and performers, as well as conservatory faculty and alumni.”

The musicians of the SOLI Chamber Ensemble from San Antonio, Texas – composed of Carolyn True, piano; Stephanie Key, clarinet; David Mollenauer, cello; and Ertan Torgul, violin – are this year’s conference artists. The group will perform at 8:30 p.m.on Friday, Oct. 28, in Armstrong Concert Hall, and on Saturday morning, Oct. 29, they will demonstrate how they “engage students in music-making and inspire them to play well with others, perform confidently and explore richer sound palettes.”

“The schedule is packed, and the SOLI Chamber Ensemble concert on Friday night is not to be missed. What an exciting and entertaining group of players, who are also teachers,” said Dr. Caluda. “Their program is sure to please, and it is not often that we hear a live performance of the Olivier Messiaen ‘Quartet for the End of Time.’”

“As an All-Steinway School, our facilities and instruments will showcase competing pianists and instrumentalists from throughout the Commonwealth in age categories junior high through college – our rising stars of the next generation of musicians,” added Caluda. “By Sunday afternoon, attendees may be exhausted, but I hope they will leave with renewed energy and great ideas to incorporate collaboration in their studios, both musically and professionally.”

According to the website, the MTNA, of whom the VMTA is a state affiliate, was formed 140 years ago with the purpose of advancing the value of music study and music-making to society, supporting the careers and professionalism of teachers of music. It is a vital partner with music-teaching professionals and individuals in their growth, development, and well-being and it provides a collective voice and a powerful alliance for teachers worldwide. Members reap the rewards of collaboration, continuity and connection throughout the lifetime of their careers.

To register online visit virginiamta.org/reg_pop.php4. The complete conference schedule and list of conference guest artists is located at virginiamta.org/archive/nn_2016_f.pdf. For more information on the conference, visit virginiamta.org, click on “Activities” then “Annual Conference.”