Blenheim Vineyards will cut evergreen foliage from the woods surrounding the Vineyard to provide the materials for their Wreath Making Workshops this holiday season.  Michelle Smith, Lead Gardener for Blenheim, will instruct 12 lucky participants in creating a wreath at each workshop.  The workshops will be held on Thursday, December 8th from 10:00am until 1:00pm and on Saturday, December 10th at 11:00am until 2:00pm.  Please bring your own hand pruners and gloves.  To make a reservation contact Kathy Del Rosso at Kathy@blenheimvineyards.com.

Who knew … fermented apple cider can actually have all the nuance and finesse of fine wine.  Not far from Cedar Spring Inn, you can now enjoy the finest in modern day fermented cider made using ancient techniques, while taking in the glory of a property dating back to 1764 and Colonel Thomas Walker, guardian and mentor to Thomas Jefferson.  The cider is really special; so are the picnic offerings also available in the tasting room.  For more information visit www.castlehillcider.com.

Go to James Madison’s Montpelier to visit and walk the 200-acre old growth forest that offers miles of hiking trails for hikers of all levels.  Several prize-winning trees live in the forest.  While there, visit the Demonstration Trail which explains what it takes to manage a healthy sustainable forest.  Both the Landmark Forest and the Demonstration Trail are available to visitors year-round, from 9:00am until 5:00pm except in the colder months when the forest closes at 4:00pm.  For more information go to www.montpelier.org.

How fun is this! Blue Mountain Brewery and Brew Master, Taylor Smack, will host a five course dinner on Thursday, November 17th, to highlight their craft beers. Six beers will be included, a welcome beer and a different brew with each course.  The menu includes Autumn Harvest Bisque, Double H Farms Bratwurst Sliders, Carpaccio Picado Salad, Slow-Roasted Polyface Farms Chicken and Fresh Baked Apple Cobbler.  The dinner is $50/person. For reservations email events@bluemountainbrewery.com or call Jessica at 540-456-8020. 

On Sunday, December 4th, the new hit musical comedy “Rock of Ages” will play at the John Paul Jones Arena.  The performance begins at 7:00pm.  For tickets go to www.johnpauljonesarena.com.

Get your Holiday Season off to a great start by enjoying all there is to do in the Central Virginia Region.  Here are four ideas:

Four County Players Presents “It’s a Wonderful Life” in Barboursville, Virginia, on December 2-4, 9-11, 16-18.  All Fridays are half price.  www.fourcp.org.

Holiday Open House at the Exchange Hotel Civil War Museum in Gordonsville, Virginia on December 4.  www.hgiexchange.org.

A Christmas Weekend at Walton’s Mountain Museum, December 3,4.  www.waltonmuseum.org.

French Crepe Day at DelFosse Vineyards on December 4 from 1:00pm until 5:00pm.  www.delfossewine.com.

On Friday and Saturday, November 25 and 26, Barboursville Winery will hold a Holiday Open House from 12:00noon until 4:00pm.  For more information check out www.barboursvillewine.com.  Neighboring vineyard Horton will also host a Thanksgiving Open House the same weekend.  For more information go to www.hvwine.com.   

On November 19 and 20 the Charlottesville & University Symphony Orchestra, Kate Tamarkin, Music Director, will perform Bridges Across Time, Psalms and Folksongs. The performance will feature the University of Virginia University Singers conducted by Michael Slon. Saturday concerts will be held at 8:00pm at Old Cabell Hall, U.Va Grounds. Sunday concerts will be held at 3:30pm at Monticello High School. To learn more visit www.cvillesymphony.org.

PVCC Fine Arts & Performance will present four short plays - a tragedy, a fantasy, a comedy and a musical mystery … and you can enjoy for just $5. The plays are Antigone Now, The Case of the Crushed Petunias, Variations on the Death of Trotsky and Mystery in the Round. Performances will be held on November 11 and 12 at 7:30pm and on November 12 at 2:30pm. View the full season at www.pvdd.edu/performingarts.