Where did the time go? One month and counting....

One month from today will be the night of my fundraiser. Where did the time go?

 

Whenever I have a moment to sit down and actually comprehend everything that has happened in a matter of months, it can be quite overwhelming. I suppose that's why I try to not have much downtime these days.

It seemed like just yesterday that we were excited about the new house at Colonial Beach - decorating it, arranging furniture and enjoying wine, cheese and music on the front porch during the summer. 

 

Then it was our September family vacation in the Outer Banks - my original happy place.

 

Who knew that it wouldn't be long when the pain would begin, the PSA would escalate and then chemo would begin. This Thursday, April 2, Dad will have his third chemo treatment. It all happened so quickly. He is such a trooper. Not a day goes by that he doesn't amaze me with his strength - physically, mentally and spiritually. Not a day goes by that I don't promise to do everything in my power for him.

 

A month from today, my team, Denny's Shotgun Riders, will be holding what I'm counting on to be a hugely successful fundraiser. A success for my team in raising money, of course, but even more than that a success in having all of our family and friends (and even some people we probably just met or don't even know yet) in the same room showing their love and support for my dad and his battle with prostate cancer.

 

After a few failed attempts, because he wasn't feeling up to it, this past Saturday, Mom and Dad joined me and our dear friend (who is also a team member) Maurine, for an early dinner at Giorgios. This is the first time he's been there since he started chemo and it made my heart so happy to have him walk through those doors again - the doors of my happy place - the place that always "makes everything better" for my parents and me.

 I'm happy to say, this time was no different. If only for a little while, life stood still, everyone was healthy and happy and we were all together enjoying incredible food, wine and friendship again . Those few hours were better than any medicine or treatment that any doctor could provide!

A month today, we will all come together at that same happy place to support my dad and to raise money for prostate cancer awareness so that others, one day, won't have to go through what my dad and so many other men have gone through. 

Thanks to all of you who have committed to coming to the fundraiser. Don't forget paying in advance will save time and be helpful to us and for food preparation purposes. That doesn't mean that you will be turned away at the door - it just means you may have to stand in line and who wants to do that? You'll want to spend all of your time perusing all of the amazing donated items and enjoying the delicious food and wine that my happy place has to offer!

Let the countdown begin.....
the countdown to the fundraiser.......
 and the countdown to kicking cancer's ass a fifth time!

As always, thanks for your support. Keep the prayers coming! They are working!



 

 

Beach, river or mountains? You pick!

How does a three-day weekend in the Outer Banks sound? Or overnight with breathtaking views of the Shenandoah Mountains? How about a quaint little sleepy town on the Potomac River? Good news is you don't have to make such a difficult decision! Why?

Because at the Denny's Shotgun Riders April 30 fundraiser you will have the opportunity to bid on all three of these fantastic stays!

My incredible cousin, Terra, has generously offered up a Friday-Sunday stay in her 2 bedroom 1 bath house in Kill Devils Hills! (https://m.airbnb.com/listings/5767766) dates of stay will be determined by the winner of the auction and the owners.  This one level, dog-friendly house with a fenced backyard is small but perfect! You won't be wasting time inside (even though it does have central a/c and heat) when you're in the Outer Banks, anyway!  The house is a 5 minute walk to the beach and located "in between the highways" if you are in tune with OBX lingo! It's even within crawling distance of incredible restaurants like Awful Arthur's (http://awfularthursobx.com/) and Jolly Roger (http://jollyrogerobx.com/) ! Whether you are a sunbather, a boater, a lighthouse climber, a wildlife photographer, a lover of delicious fresh seafood, or you're like me and just feel at peace near the ocean, the Outer Banks has it all!

If you like the water, but the ocean isn't your thing or perhaps you want to stay in Virginia, then you're in luck!! Our awesome friend, Betty, has secured (among other goodies from the town) a stay at The Plaza, (http://colonialbeachplaza.com/), a historic bed and breakfast in the sleepy little town of Colonial Beach (http://www.colonialbeachva.net/) on the Potomac River!

For those of you who don't know, this town is very near and dear to my family's heart. Colonial Beach has been in my family's bloodline since the 1930s when my great-grandmother and her friends used to take the St. John's Boat all the way from Alexandria! In 1957, my grandparents bought their first summer cottage in the town and in 1981, they sold that cottage and bought another one three streets over. As a child, I remember spending every weekend from Memorial Day to Labor Day at the cottage! Last year, my parents demolished the family summer cottage and built a "real home" in the same location and have officially made the "Playground on the Potomac" their second home.

You can bring your bicycles (or motorcycles), rent a golf cart or just walk around the town. The Potomac River is on one side and the Monroe Bay is on the other. Visit during the summer and you can go crabbing, fishing, or even visit Shady Lane Seafood and leave the work to them! Maybe riverboat gambling is your thing or perhaps you want to revolve your stay around one of the special events they have during the year - like the annual Potomac River Festival, the Arts and Crafts Festival, YMCA triathlon or even bike weekend! There are also wineries nearby that are part of the Chesapeake Wine Trail! 

Maybe the water isn't your thing. That's fine too. Thanks to Kimberley Fort (and Howard O'Brien for his contacts), you'll be able to bid on an overnight stay at her Harmony Manor Bed and Breakfast

(http://harmonymanorbb.com/) in Washington, Virginia! With breathtaking views of the Shenandoah mountains you are surrounded by hiking opportunities, wildlife and 13 local wineries! (Check out the earlier Chateau O'Brien post - it's very close to Harmony!)  Art galleries, antiques, farms, orchards and horseback riding are at your disposal! Best of all, you can just "unwind, relax and indulge!" Who doesn't enjoy those three things?!

From the beaches of Outer Banks of North Carolina to the shores of the Potomac River to the mountains of Rappahannock County, Denny's Shotgun Riders has it covered!

Get your checkbooks ready and make sure to mark your calendars for the evening of April 30!
Better yet, make sure you don't have to stand in line that night and contact me at valamoore@yahoo.com to sign up ahead of time for the fundraiser! We sure would appreciate it!

Make sure you don't miss out on an opportunity to stay at one (or all) of these wonderful places!

We can't wait to see you next month!

Pre-Fundraiser Auction - Chris Tomlin concert tickets!!!

This is an opportunity for you to win an auction item BEFORE the

 fundraiser, but you have to act fast!

This Saturday, March 21, the Love Ran Red Tour, is going to be at the Patriot Center on the campus of George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. Chris Tomlin is the headliner and Tenth Avenue North and Rend Collective (amazing in their own rights) are opening. The show is sold out!

In 2013, the year my ladybug passed, my parents and I saw Chris Tomlin for the first time at the Patriot Center. I have always enjoyed his music and Prowler even sings to one of his songs!  At a time when my heart had just been broken and my soul torn to pieces, worshipping with Chris and listening to his uplifting music helped the healing process. I cannot begin to explain what an experience it was for all three of us – one I’ll never forget and one which made such an impact on me.  So much so, that last fall, when I heard Chris was coming back to the area, I bought tickets for the three of us and surprised my parents with tickets as a Christmas gift.

At that point in time, little did we know our world would be in a state of upheaval when it came to concert time.  We are unable to go to the show this Saturday and I am reaching out to all of you to give you an incredible experience. The show starts at 7pm and the tickets are in Section 114, row AA (that is the first row of the section!), seats 10, 11 and 12.   

I paid $131 for the tickets and could easily try to sell them, but I am not concerned about recouping the costs. I would like for someone to go who will enjoy the concert and someone who needs to be at this concert as much as I needed to be two years ago. Chris’ music was such a blessing to me and my family at a time when we needed it most. I can only hope that for someone else on my behalf. For those couple of hours, our faith was renewed, our hope in humanity was restored and our hearts were full.

Not only is the concert worth it just for Chris alone, but I was thrilled out of my mind to find that Tenth Avenue North, who is also one of my favorite Christian bands, was opening for him!! Tenth Avenue North could headline its own tour so this is such a treat to have them both together. Rend Collective has a Mumford-and-Sons-gone-Christian sound which I really enjoy also. (I love a good banjo!

So.... here is your chance to become part of an incredible night and be able to help promote prostate cancer awareness at the same time. Instead of asking for someone to pay me for the tickets, I am asking for you to make me an offer I can’t refuse and the highest bidder will get the tickets with their bid being a donation ZERO- the End of Prostate Cancer through Denny’s Shotgun Riders! No offer is too low or too high. I’m not trying to make money off of this – I simply want someone to sit in our seats and do us proud.  Whatever monetary amount I do receive will be a donation in my dad’s honor. If $25 is all you can afford, I’ll take it! Every dollar counts when it comes to fighting prostate cancer and it would warm my heart to know that you are having such a fantastic experience at the show!

So let’s get started!! You only have 2 days until the show!

While I have 3 tickets if you only want 2 of them, that’s fine.  Just shoot me a message on FB or at valamoore@yahoo.com and let me know! I have the tickets electronically and will easily be able to get them to you with no problem.

With nine albums, 12 No. 1 radio singles, a Grammy and eight additional nominations, three Billboard Music Awards, 21 Dove Awards, a platinum and four gold albums to his credit, Chris Tomlin is among the most well-known and influential artists in contemporary Christian music. Tomlin’s “How Great Is Our God” was his first No. 1 on the CCLI Top 25, moving to No. 1 after becoming one of the fasting rising modern day hymns in CCLI chart history.

In addition to having sold more than 5.3 million albums and over 8 million digital tracks, Tomlin made history as his single “Jesus Messiah” (Hello Love) garnered 97 adds at radio its first week and skyrocketed to No. 1, making it the biggest ever add date in Christian radio history. Burning Lights, debuted at No. 1 atop the Billboard 200 in January 2013, making history as only the fourth Christian music album to do so!

I’ve attached some links so that you can hear some of my favorites of each of these artists and their popular radio hits:

Chris Tomlin

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-4NFvI5U9w   Amazing Grace – My Chains are Gone (the only version of Amazing Grace that moves me and the reason why I had it played during my grandmother's funeral)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKLQ1td3MbE How Great is Our God (his most well known song)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nFybpgasv4 – And if our God is for us ( so powerful live!)

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOkImV2cJDg&list=PL1g_9I78e25Tw9YDNlfcnB_HqF-c3F94S – Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies) (great anthem)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ohvhmGSfxI&index=11&list=PL1g_9I78e25Tw9YDNlfcnB_HqF-c3F94S I Will Follow (Prowler’s song)

Rend Collective

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zYNuJ0YmDs&list=PLZMnj0r2P0r1sSZ-Fbwwd0ofn7mm20qoD – Build Your Kingdom Here (banjo!)

Tenth Avenue North

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFUHrXfuNU4&list=PLCMeYHu-VvhSDZF16lQfIE42DawAywq7N – Healing Begins (so uplifting!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEz2PsLJ-RI&list=PLCMeYHu-VvhSDZF16lQfIE42DawAywq7N&index=8 – Hold My Heart

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwtcwQwgdsA – You Are More

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHcVTbyJqis – Losing (should be played in all schools! - a lesson in tolerance)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zulKcYItKIA – Worn (my absolute favorite - reaches my soul every time I hear it)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSH3Q6O_7w8  - Struggle

If you know these artists, you are well aware of what fantastic music they make. If you aren't aware of them, you need to be!!

Turn on WGTS 91.9FM any time of the day or night and odds are within the hour you'll hear one if not all of them!

Good luck on the pre-fundraiser auction and God bless you all!

As of 8:50 pm on March 19....

We have a winner! ! Heather and Oliver Ballard have donated $110 to Denny's Shotgun Riders and in return scored awesome Chris Tomlin tickets!  As sad as I am that my parents and I can't go, my heart is so full that Chris fans (who have never seen him before) are going to do our seats proud and made an instant donation to help fight prostate cancer! !! 

Update on fundraising and Dad

Life has been a whirlwind lately, but nothing I can't handle. I haven't been posting as much as I want but rest assured, the wheels are still in motion and I'm working tirelessly to make this a worthwhile and memorable fundraiser! I can't take away Dad's cancer. I can't take treatment for him. This is the best I can do to help and I'm giving it all I've got!

My days (and some nights) are being overcome by budget season at work with meeting after meeting with politicians during a campaign year. Yeah, exactly what you are thinking.. At least it's entertaining.....I have switched gears from seeking donors of items for the fundraiser to organizing the incredible items I have received and am in the process of planning for the event itself. Everyone who knows me knows I am a planner (thanks, Mom!) and I hate waiting until the last minute to do things!  So if you've promised me an item/service, get ready for me to start harassing you.....

I have randomly chosen businesses/individuals to spotlight as donors in this blog but please do not think that the only businesses/individuals I have are the ones I've blogged about. I simply don't have the time to post about every single item. From a local brewery to a bed a breakfast, to an Outer Banks beach house to gift baskets from local businesses and handmade items from local artists/friends..... Guess you'll just have to show up on April 30 and be surprised at what you find!

I also want to thank each of you who has made a monetary donation to my team at this point and let you know that my plight for seeking out monetary donations is far from over! While the fundraiser is a little over a month away, the race isn't until Father's Day and that means you still have plenty of time to make donations!  Just follow this link and it will make it very easy for you to donate online.http://www.zeroprostatecancerrun.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1127720&lis=1&kntae1127720=482081E33B2A47C19448B39362DB55C6&supId=417434731&_ga=1.260033674.1406877756.1425399848
If you'd rather write a check or hand me cash, that's perfectly acceptable too and you can email me at valamoore@yahoo.com for my address and to make arrangements.

Thanks to all of you who have already donated, I surpassed my goal of $2500!!! Why is $2500 important? Anyone who raises $2500 gets to honor their loved one/team on the official ZERO 2015 Prostate Cancer Run/Walk t-shirt. Yep, that means every single person who walks - as an individual or as part of a team (and yes, you can still join Denny's Shotgun Riders!) will receive a walk t-shirt with my dad's name on it! (The 2004 event had over 800 participants!) I am so proud to be able to honor my dad on the official walk shirt that every participant will be wearing on June 21!!

While I am graciously accepting each donation and more thankful than anyone could possibly imagine for all the outpouring of support I've received for the fundraiser, I am even more grateful for the overwhelming love and prayers for my mom, myself and, most importantly, my dad.

On March 12, Dad had his second chemo treatment - or as he referred to it "round 2 of cancer killing".  Up until that treatment he was doing well. When I would ask how he was and the response was "pretty good" for about two weeks straight, I was thrilled! A day or so after the second round of chemo, he started feeling pretty lousy  - extremely fatigued. Almost a week later and he's still battling fatigue and weakness.  It makes sense because chemo is really harsh and not only kills the cancer but tends to affect the good things too. You'd think by now with all these advances in science and medicine, we would have a better alternative by now, right?

Dad is very fortunate though and he knows it. As much as the fatigue is affecting his daily life, it could be a lot worse. In fact, good news is that his pain has lessened considerably which is such a huge blessing! For months, he was taking narcotics for pain every 3-4 hours and often that wasn't enough to ease it.  He's now only needing pain meds every 8 hours; sometimes as long as 10!!! What does this mean? Treatment must be working! So you have to take the good with bad, I guess.

Next chemo is April 2 so let's pray for more good days than bad days as the journey of kicking cancer's ass continues.......

As always, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your donations, your love, your support and your prayers.  Keep 'em coming!!

"This is where the healing begins
This is where the healing starts
When you come to where you're broken within, the light meets the dark."

-Tenth Avenue North

A source of inspiration

 I have a huge support group. I have the most incredible parents a girl could ask for - my two best friends. I have my partner-in-crime-Evil Red Genius I wouldn't trade for anything. I have my soul sister who always has my back and will come get me if I spiral down too far. Knowing all of this and being tremendously grateful for all of this, sometimes I still feel so very alone. It doesn't make sense, I know, but it's how I feel. I came upon this song the other day and it was definitely a gift from above. When I feel alone, even though I'm not, my one source of strength and hope is found in my faith.  I needed this song so desperately and He sent it to me as a reminder. Thank you, Lord.

Times by Tenth Avenue North

I know I need You
I need to love You
I love to see You, but it's been so long
I long to feel You
I feel this need for You
And I need to hear You, is that so wrong?

Now You pull me near You
When we're close, I fear You
Still I'm afraid to tell You, all that I've done
Are You done forgiving?
Oh can You look past my pretending?
Lord, I'm so tired of defending, what I've become
What have I become?

I hear You say,
"My love is over. It's underneath.
It's inside. It's in between.
The times you doubt Me, when you can't feel
The times that you question, 'Is this for real? '
The times you're broken
The times that you mend
The times that you hate Me, and the times that you bend
Well, My love is over, it's underneath.
It's inside, it's in between.
These times you're healing, and when your heart breaks.
The times that you feel like you're falling from grace.
The times you're hurting
The times that you heal
The times you go hungry and are tempted to steal
In times of confusion, in chaos and pain.
I'm there in your sorrow, under the weight of your shame
I'm there through your heartache.
I'm there in the storm.
My love I will keep you, by My power alone.
I don't care where you fall, where you have been.
I'll never forsake you, My love never ends.
It never ends. "

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAVHeVDML5k&list=PLTqcGLBet5mdqxUxz7738bBOq3UvmAAuH&index=3

 

 

Too much of anything is bad but.....

 

... too much good whiskey is barely enough!

- Mark Twain

 

 

 

Most of my whiskey memories revolve around playing cards on the back porch of my grandparents' summer cottage at Colonial Beach. I vividly remember being a child and seeing them drinking what they called "high-balls" - which I later realized was bourbon and water.  I remember the drink having a strong smell and being served in a short wide glass but most importantly, I remember my family always being joyful when drinking. I remember my dad enjoying a high ball every so often. My great aunt, Lil, would also imbibe with my grandparents. But they would only drink a high-ball when my grandfather made it for them. He obviously had the special touch. Even at a young age, I was smart enough to know that much!

 

My grandfather also had a fully stocked bar in his Alexandria home, which I am proud to say now resides in my home.

 

 

As I got older (and of age, of course), I never even gave bourbon or whiskey a second thought. My spirit of choice was always rum and about five years ago I also began trying and enjoying wine.

 

However, it was about three or four years ago that I was sitting at the bar in Okra's in Old Town Manassas (who, by the way, has donated a gift card for the fundraiser too!) and decided I wanted to branch out and try a new libation. I tried a sazerac (the quintessential New Orleans rye whiskey cocktail) and loved it. About a month or so later, I was back at Okra's and decided to try a rye whiskey straight up and fell in love with Old Overholt.  The next time, I tried my taste buds with Makers Mark and that went down rather well too.

 

From that point on, I have decided to start trying and learning about whiskey.

I knew my grandfather and Lil would be proud! Who am I kidding? They are the ones leading me to the whiskey and cheering me on from the spirit world!
 

 

Two years ago, a friend took me to Catoctin Creek Distillery in Loudoun County.
 We went on a tour which was extremely enlightening and had a tasting. We shared a flight of the white whiskey (Mosby's Spirit), rye whiskey (Roundstone Rye) and gin (Watershed).
 

 

 

We  also shared a flight of the seasonal cocktails and I liked one so much that I took the recipe home!

 

 

I have since returned to Catoctin Creek distillery twice - for a tasting after my birthday lunch last year....

 

 

 

 ....and just a few weeks ago in the snow with my favorite guy.

 

Why would I go all the way to Purcellville in the snow for whiskey?

 

Well, because Scott Harris, the incredible owner, of Catoctin Creek, was kind enough to donate an item to the fundraiser in support of Denny's Shotgun Riders!!

 

The least I could do was go pick it up!

 

(Plus I was almost out of Roundstone Rye, my favorite, at home.)

 

 

 

In 2009, Scott and his wife, Becky, founded Catoctin Creek Distilling Company as the first legal distillery in Loudoun County since before Prohibition. It is located in the heart of the Loudoun Valley.  Home to more than twenty vineyards and wineries, Loudoun County is often referred to as D.C's Wine Country and now with Catoctin Creek there what a perfect road trip to make!

Scott and Becky believe in high quality food and spirits. Organic means higher quality: grain and fruit, sourced locally when possible, free of pesticides and chemical additives that would come through in the spirits they produce. Of course it is more difficult to produce organically, but Scott and Becky think the results speak for themselves... and I can truly attest to that statement!

Sic semper secales! 

Thus always to rye!

 

 

 It is with such pleasure that I am able to promote and have Catoctin Creek Distillery represented at my fundraiser.

Check out their website below.

http://catoctincreekdistilling.com/

 

 

   

 

The gracious gifts of friendship

I have THE best support group, THE best friends a girl could ever ask for.

I mean, really, I do.

I try to appreciate them each and every day but sometimes life just gets in the way and I don't say it as often as I should. It truly is at times like these, at times of despair.... at times when sheer emotion takes over..... at times when you often think that no one understands what you are going through and you wonder why this is happening to you and your family..... that your true friends rear their beautiful heads! It becomes so very obvious, often brings me to happy tears and truly warms my heart.

 

Erika is one of those true friends. I don't see her very often (unfortunately) but she always comes through for me when I need her - even when I don't even realize how much I actually need her. She has an absolutely huge, compassionate heart of gold and I am so grateful for her.

Erika was not only one of the first people to purchase a ticket for the fundraiser but she graciously has decided to donate items for the fundraiser from her two small businesses!! As if that wasn't enough, she has also been vigilant in sharing my blog posts with her other small business friends and soliciting donations from them as well!! I cannot thank her enough!

Please check out her two websites and get your checkbooks ready for April 30!

You won't want to miss out on these wonderful items!
 

 

Candles by Erika, Independent PartyLite Consultant

www.partylite.biz/candlesbyerika

"The PartyLite tradition of making the world’s finest candles dates back more than a century to one woman and one candle in the heart of New England, where American candle-making has its roots. In 1909, a schoolteacher named Mabel Baker began making bayberry candles in her Cape Cod kitchen. Soon she was producing the finest candles in New England. From those sweet, fragrant beginnings emerged a company that, in 1973, introduced a new concept and a new brand called PartyLite. Based in Plymouth, Mass., today our company is the world’s #1 party plan company selling candles, candle holders, flameless fragrance and wax warmers, as well as holiday and home décor in 21 different countries."

 

ErikaAvenue - Perfectly imperfect creativity that you can wear!
https://www.etsy.com/shop/ErikaAvenue/about?ref=shopinfo_about_leftnav

 

 

Many thanks to my dear friend, Erika, for always showing her gracious and unending support for my family and

Denny's Shotgun Riders!

 

 

 

Firearms Instruction with a Hatfield!

Whether you are a beginner, carry a gun for work, need a day at the range to unwind, enjoy shooting guns as a hobby or are interested in personal protection, this auction item is for you!

 

I am excited to say that Hatfields Gunsmithing of Manassas will be represented at the Denny's Shotgun Riders fundraiser!

 

            Sam Hatfield is a former member and gunsmith for the United States Army Marksmanship Unit and is a Sig Sauer Academy-qualified Master Pistol Instructor, Master Rifle Instructor, Master Shotgun Instructor, Select Fire Instructor, Active Shooter Response Instructor and Concealed Carry Instructor.

 

 The winner of this silent auction item will be provided a one-on-one session with Mr. Hatfield. The training will be in concert with use of the state of the art milo simulator system which is utilized by military, law enforcement and private security the world over. The milo simulators offer hundreds of training programs ranging from basic marksmanship skills to decision-making scenarios involving high definition video "shoot/no-shoot" real-time interactive engagements.

  Mr. Hatfield's expertise can benefit every skill level of shooter, from beginner to world-class competitors.  Whether you have never touched a handgun or are an individual that is responsible for carrying one for a living, your skill level will be “tightened up”.  The main training will focus on basic marksmanship skills and stress mitigation.

 

For more information on Hatfields, click here to go to their website: www.hatfieldsgunsmithing.com

A tale of two somms

There once was a girl who was invited to meet an old friend at a wine bar in Montclair.  A wine bar in Prince William County sounded preposterous to the girl. It couldn't possibly be a place worth her time but she hadn't seen her girlfriend since high school and had nothing better to do that night so off she went.

 

The wine bar, named Winestyles, was in a strip mall and it was attached to a family restaurant named, Giorgios, run by two Greek brothers. Upon walking through the doors, the girl's life instantly changed for the better. She was in disbelief that something this chic, this fun and trendy could be 10 minutes from where she grew up and 15 more minutes from the ghetto in which she currently lived.  She had just quit her job of 14 years in Old Town Alexandria and had a week before she started her new job in Prince William County.  She wouldn't miss working for the City of Alexandria, but she already missed the friends she made there and the restaurants/bars of Old Town and Del Ray. While she would lose the horrendous daily commute and no longer work for an evil heartless dictator, she feared losing her social life and becoming a recluse or "dog lady". 

 

Walking into Winestyles that one evening, changed everything for her and she knew she had just happened upon something special. What she didn't know though, but would have confirmed each year after, was that by finding this little wine bar, a whole new world was opened up for her. She enjoyed and learned about wine, she was privy to some of the most delicious dishes she'd ever tasted and she became part of a friends and family network like no other.

 

One of the first people she met and was instantly drawn to was Keith. Keith was the manager of the wine bar and soon became a certified sommelier.  A sommelier (Sahm-uhl-yAy) is a trained and knowledgeable wine professional, normally working in fine restaurants, who specializes in all aspects of wine service as well as wine and food pairing; a wine steward. Not only did the girl learn an enormous amount from Keith but more than anything, she was entertained by him and felt as if she was the most important girl in the world every time she walked through the door of that wine bar. Keith became a wonderful friend to her and to her parents.

 

 

Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end - to an extent.  Keith left the wine bar and moved on to bigger and better things for himself. He now operates Mom's Wine Shop in Occoquan which is part of Mom's Apple Pie Bakery.  The girl was sad because she didn't get to see Keith every time she walked through the door of Winestyles anymore but she now treats herself to a visit every so often at his new place of business!

 

Along with running Mom's Wine Shop, Keith also started his own consulting business.

 

Corradi's Beverage Consulting

www.CBevConsulting.com

 

With 17 years of full restaurant/bar experience, many of which were spent in prestigious NYC establishments, Keith has donated his services to the fundraiser in support of Denny's Shotgun Riders!

 

So, start thinking of a girls' night outing, a dinner party at your home, an office holiday luncheon, any event of your liking where you want a certified sommelier to guide you through a unique and exciting wine tasting experience! Even if you own a restaurant or café and need education services, this auction would be for you! 

 

 The girl who found that little wine shop in a strip mall cannot brag enough about her dear friend, Keith, and his many talents!

 

 

There is also another sommelier who this girl met at Winestyles, but he first started out as a waiter on the Giorgios side. It wasn't long that he was also moving on to bigger and better things and yet he and the girl continued to keep in touch.  Don is now an Italian Wine Specialist for Vinifera Imports, Mid Atlantic, which is the major distributor of fine Italian wine from Italy's most prestigious estates and regions.

 

In 2014, Don started his own business, known as 

The girl knew that her buddy was an established certified sommelier and as if that wasn't impressive enough, now he was expressing his artistic talents in other ways!! She felt so very lucky that he has decided to support Denny's Shotgun Riders with this unique pieces of work!

Make sure to check out more of what Don creates here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheSommShop

There once was a girl who was invited to meet an old friend at a wine bar in Montclair. From the moment she walked through the door, she knew this place was special but truly had no idea how very special it would end up being. Five years later, it has come to be known as her "happy place" and continues to be magically full of old friends, new friends and friends who have become family.





 

 Thank you for your support, Keith and Don!