Culpeper Star Exponent
Business Monday
June 16, 2014
Jim Charapich
The Lead Culpeper Class of 2014 met on Wednesday for a “Fam Tour”
of Culpeper. Lori Sorrentino, Director of Tourism, organized this busy day for
our Lead participants. Tourism is an important economic engine in our
community. The day's activities gave the group a glimpse of our tourism assets
and how these work to enhance our quality of life. What is a Fam tour? ”Fam” is
tourism-speak for familiarization.
We often hear of
stay-cations in thinking about summer plans. The Lead Culpeper group took time
to get ahead of the summer crowds in touring some of Culpeper’s highlights. The
session began with a presentation by Kelsey Carlson, Culpeper Renaissance, Inc.
Board President. This was followed by the first tour of the day, given by Lee
Langston-Harrison.
The tour of the Museum
of Culpeper History is simply amazing. Ms. Langston-Harrison offers a depth of
knowledge about the history of Culpeper that is unmatched. Her announcement
that Culpeper is the largest repository of dinosaur tracks in the USA (with a
real track in the museum), to the Early Native Americans’ use of displayed
whalebone found along the Rapidan River basin, were just the beginning. Her
ability to drop names that have been a part of Culpeper are a who's who of
historic figures, a great place to begin the day for our new leaders.
The group departed from
the Depot on the trolley for more adventure. The next stop was Belmont Farm
Distillery, where they observed the process for making legal moonshine. Thanks
to Mr. Chuck Miller for his Virginia hospitality. The group then headed up to
the Mt. Pony Signal Station. Thanks to Zann Nelson for the wonderful history of
Mt. Pony's role in the Civil War. This was followed by a tour of the Library of
Congress. The story of Packard Foundation donation of this facility to the
nation is significant. Media preservation is a skilled and unique talent that
is largely centered right here in Culpeper. What a great opportunity to see the
technicians in action. We all have the benefit of seeing the results of their
work on any given weekend with shows in the state of the art theater on Mt.
Pony and occasionally at the State Theatre in Downtown Culpeper.
After a mobile lunch on
the trolley to the next stop - the group was treated to a visit to Saddle Ridge
Farm. The farm is an example of the exciting growth of 'farm to table'
agriculture. Culpeper has long been known for our agricultural strength. Saddle
Ridge Farm is an example of the new Agri-tourism movement for the general
public to purchase products directly from the farm. Products from Saddle Ridge
Farm may also be found in stores and restaurants throughout Culpeper and the
region.
The final tour of the
day is one of the best. The tour of the State Theatre of Culpeper is a story of
vision and investment in a community, by Greg & Liz Yates. Their donation
of the Theatre to the State Theatre Foundation is much like that of the Packard
Foundation’s donation of the Library of Congress - a catalyst for the arts in
our community. The State Theatre Foundation has worked with great vision to
provide world class shows to Culpeper and the region. The benefit to the
community to have such a hub of the arts is dramatic. Creativity is at the
heart of entrepreneurship. What a great way to inspire new leaders and support
creative thinking to move our community forward. Thank you, Mr. & Mrs.
Yates, and the State Theatre Foundation, for your contribution to our
community.
The Arts, Culture, and
Tourism day for our Lead Culpeper is just one of the many interesting sessions
in the Lead Culpeper program. Take time this summer for your own stay-cation.
Visit the Depot in downtown Culpeper to find the latest information about
Culpeper's Arts, Culture, and Tourism.
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