What’s going on in the community

Culpeper Star Exponent
Published: April 3, 2008

Join the Friends of Cedar Mountain Battlefield tonight at 7 p.m. for a screening of the 48-minute documentary, "Still Standing: The Stonewall Jackson Story." The film captures the legacy and Christian character of a uniquely American hero and will be shown in the Parish Hall of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 115 North East Street. Richard Williams, author of "Stonewall Jackson: The Black Man's Friend," will introduce the film and explain how it evolved from his book. Books and DVDs will be available for purchase. Free admission. Call 825-4416.

The writing on the wall
Take a tour of the Battle of Brandy Station, starting at the Graffiti House at 10 a.m. April 5. The tour covers the early morning fighting between troops under the command of Union General John Buford and those commanded by his West Point classmate, Confederate Gen. William E. "Grumble" Jones.
Learn more about the death of Union Col. Benjamin Franklin Davis in a one-on-one encounter with a Confederate lieutenant on Beverly Ford Road, as well as the charge of the 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry, or "Rush's Lancers," against Confederate artillery at St. James Church. $10 a person, visit brandyfoundation.com.

The Brandy Station Battlefield is participating in the Civil War Preservation Trust's Park Day 2008 April 5. Interested volunteers should meet at the Graffiti House at 9 a.m. Working together, they will clean and repair the battlefield. Volunteers will receive a free T-shirt from the History Channel. Call 727-7718.

Call for interpreters
The Friends of Wilderness Battlefield and the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park will conduct training for those interested in being an interpreter for Ellwood.

New volunteers must attend the session April 5 (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and a second April 12 or 17 (both 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.).
All training will be at Ellwood and conducted by Greg Mertz, NPS Supervisory Historian.

Each volunteer will receive a manual and interpreters will learn about the status of this historic home's restoration. The FSNMP encourages interpreters to commit to once-a-month service from May to October.

Your grape escape
For a chance to taste a special wine and sample fare from Foti's, stop by Chateau du Reaux tonight from 5 to 8 p.m. Try Robert Sinskey Vineyards Vin Gris of Pinot Noir 2007, Sinskey's least expensive yet most allocated wine. The distributor is only allowed 56 cases for all of Virginia and North Carolina.

Vin Gris is French for "gray wine," but refers to a very pale rose wine. It is produced form lightly pressed grapes, separated from the juice before much color has transferred from the skins.

Frank Maragos, chef and owner of Foti's Restaurant will prepare a potato and sweet onion tortilla for tasting with the wine. Call 829-WINE or visit culpeperwines.com.