Send announcements, which are open to the public at no or minimal cost, to The Loudoun Connection, 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102 or e-mail to loudoun@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is Friday, two weeks before the event. Photos/artwork encouraged. For more information, call Matthew Razak at 703-917-6457. For additional entertainment listings, visit www.connectionnewspapers.com, E section.
Silent auction at Ashburn Library, June 20-30. Bid on a variety of items for children, teens and adults that have been donated by local businesses. All proceeds will support Ashburn Library programs. Contact Larry Stepnick at 703-858-9066 or larry@severyngroup.com.
Loudoun Archaeological Foundation will hold a series of special archaeological digs for Loudoun County’s 250th anniversary celebration. Among the archaeological digs that the foundation has planned to begin on or about June 1 and to continue through October, and in some cases years in the future:
* The first investigation will be at Claude Moore Park in eastern Loudoun County, which features both a portion of the old Vestal’s Gap Road and an 18th century "ordinary" that served travelers along that road.
* Another investigation will involve a late colonial/early national period Potomac River ferry crossing for the historic Old Carolina Road near Lucketts in northeastern Loudoun County that also served as a cargo transfer point for river boats carrying trade between that point and the ports of Alexandria and Georgetown.
* Another investigation will feature a mid-19th pottery in the Town of Leesburg that was owned and operated by Frederick Shafer, a German immigrant and patriarch of a mid-19th century Loudoun family.
* The last investigation of the year will be conducted at the Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve and will involve excavations at the site of early 18th century slave quarters, as well as a possible prehistoric Native American encampment.
The programs will involve the whole community by soliciting volunteers to help conduct investigations, providing them basic training in archaeological excavation and analysis and allowing the trainees to participate in professionally-supervised archaeological digs. To learn more about the Loudoun Archaeological Foundation or participate in its programs, visit the foundation Web site www.loudounarchaeologicalfoundation.org, by e-mail info@loudounarchaelogy or by regular mail P.O. Box 2201, Leesburg, VA 20177.
The new edition of "Inside Loudoun County" features interviews with Dr. David Goodfriend, director of the Loudoun County Health Department, and Bruce McGranahan, environmental program coordinator with the Loudoun County Planning Department. "Inside Loudoun County" is a 30-minute cable television program airing Mondays and Fridays, at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., on Government Channel 2. The show is hosted by Nancy McCormick of the Loudoun County Office of Public Information and is produced by Comcast.
The Heirloom Vegetable Garden will be on exhibit through Oct. 31, at the Heritage Farm Museum, 21668 Heritage Farm Lane, Sterling. Take a journey through the history of garden vegetables. Hours: Tuesdays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sundays, noon-5 p.m. Cost: adults $5, children $3 and discounts for groups and seniors. Call 571-258-3800.
Leesburg First Fridays. Galleries and shops open their doors on the first Friday of each month with special events, refreshments and entertainment, from 6-9 p.m. There is no First Friday in January. Free. Call 800-752-6118. Visit www.leesburgfirstfriday.com.
Guided Nature or History Hikes for all ages at Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestals Gap Road, Sterling. Nature hikes, Frogshackle Cabin Nature Center, history hikes and special request programs for school groups, scouts, community organizations, adults and families are available on a variety of topics throughout the year. Programs designed to foster an appreciation of Loudoun County's natural and cultural resources in a fun and informative way. Cost is $3.50 per person for a group tour, with a minimum charge of $35. Call 571-258-3700 for reservations.
Loudoun Bluegrass Association. Weekly acoustic jam session held every Tuesday night, 7-8:30 p.m., at the Morningside House Retirement Center, 316 Harrison St. in Leesburg. All bluegrass/country musicians, singers and spectators are welcome. Free. Call Randy Kenyon
703-777-9865, home.
Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St., will have a story time, every second Saturday of the month, at 11 a.m. Includes stories, music and activities. The story time is recommended for ages 2-5. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, holds a potluck/bingo every second Tuesday, at 5:30 p.m. Bring a dish to share and a small gift bag to give away as prizes. 703-430-2397.
The Lucketts Community Center, 42361 Lucketts Road, offers toddle story hour, every Tuesday, 9:15-10 a.m., for ages 1.5-5 years old. For caregiver and child and includes lively stories, movement, music and more. $6. Preregister by calling 703-771-5281.
Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Sterling, will hold the following ongoing story times. Lapsits for 2s, Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m. and Wednesdays, 11:15 a.m.; Mother Goose Nursery Time, ages 18-24 months, Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.; Pajama Story Time, Tuesdays, 7 p.m.; Story Time for 3s, 4s and 5s, Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.; After School Book Break, ages 5-8, Wednesdays, 4 p.m.; Terrific 3s, Thursdays, 11:15 a.m.; Saturday Family Story Time, ages 2-6, Saturdays, 10:30 a.m. Call 703-444-3228.
Rust Library, 380 Old Waterford Road, Leesburg, will hold the following story times. Mother Goose Nursery Time, ages 18-24 months, Wednesdays, 11:15 a.m., one-on-one with your child; Lapsits for 2s, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:30 a.m., caregivers are requested to stay with the child; Family Story Time for 3s, 4s & 5s, Thursdays, 7 p.m., sign interpreter present; Morning Story Time for 3s, 4s & 5s, Fridays, 10:15 a.m. and 11 a.m.; Saturday Family Story Time, ages 3-6 and their family, Saturdays, 11 a.m. Call 703-777-0323.
Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St., will be holding the following ongoing story times. Preschool Story Times, ages 2-5, Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.; Saturday Family Story Times, ages 2-5, second Saturdays of each month, 11 a.m. Call 703-430-9500.
Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, offers the following ongoing story times. Mother Goose Nursery Time, ages 18-24 months, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m.; Terrific 2s: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:45 a.m.; Preschool Story Time, ages 3-5, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:30 a.m.; Wonderful Wednesday Stories, ages 3-5, Wednesdays, 1:30 p.m.; Pajama Story Time, ages 3-5, Wednesdays, 7 p.m.; Saturday Family Story Time, ages 2-5, Saturdays, 10 a.m. Call 703-737-8100.
Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum, 21668 Heritage Farm Lane, Sterling, is open Tuesdays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; as well as Sundays, noon-5 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $3 for children 2-12 and free for children under 2. On permanent display is "The Country People" where visitors travel through time and experience the past 300 years of agricultural history through 10 generations of Loudoun County residents. The Claude Moore children's Farm is an interactive exhibit area for children and their families. Visit www.loudounfarmmuseum.org or call 703-421-5322.