URBANNA — The historic town of Urbanna has a lot going for it. We’re beginning to receive One Woman’s Opinion national recognition too. An example: a recent issue of “Southern Living” ranked Urbanna in the top 20 favorite small town riverside retirement locations in America.
One reason why we are so popular is our two annual events — the Urbanna Oyster Festival in the fall and Arts in the Middle Juried Arts Festival each spring.
We especially need art, because in our muck about world with all its outrages, tragedies and grief, art provides the escape we need. Art transforms us into something beyond our human selves. Art expresses feelings far beyond the mere power of words.
Yet each year I visit the art festival and suffer what goes along with the spring event — heat. Fortunately, the tree-lined driveway of Hewick Plantation offers shade for those who are sensitive to the sun.
This year was no exception to the weather; a clear blue-sky day with the June Virginia sun bearing down on us like melted butter. The temperatures weren’t as high as usual, however, thank goodness.
We especially planned to take in my cousin, Mare Wakefield’s program with her husband, Nomad. She is a talented Nashville singer who accompanies herself on guitar and composes her own songs.
Right after Mare and Nomad was local talent, one of my favorite singers, Topping’s George Robinson. What a great voice he has! He is accompanied by a keyboard and chorus that specialize in spiritual hymns.
When I hear George Robinson sing, I feel lifted right up out of my shoes and into the air. George, I want you to live a long life, and especially to sing at my funeral should I pass away first. With your voice singing me into my grave, I think it just might be enough to squeeze me past old St. Peter himself at the pearly gates. Heaven knows, writers need all the help they can get.
I was deeply moved too, when before his program, George told his audience that his ancestor was one of the original Robinsons whose family owned Hewick Planation. He said it was good to be back to his ancestors’ homeplace singing for all the people of Middlesex County. This remark made me even more mindful of our rich local history which must never be forgotten, and how closely native families are connected to each other, and even I, a “come-to Virginia” via Ohio, dare to feel very much a part of our one united and caring Middlesex family.
As usual the hearty Kiwanians had set up their parking and golf cart transport system to help visitors get in and out of the festival safely. This community service is very much appreciated almost as much as the art fest itself.
I assumed all the golf cart drivers were Kiwanians but one driver who carried me back to my car after the event was a visiting Rotarian from a club in northern Virginia who was in the area for the weekend and volunteered his services. My husband Chip and I are both retired Rotarians so we were happy to hear Rotary was not about to be totally outdone by Kiwanis.
I waved as I passed the local author’s tent where they were speaking about their books. I have participated in the past but nowadays it is all I can manage just to write a column each week for the Sentinel. I am no longer writing books. Too much work.
I walked the festival and noted the many displays of paintings; watercolor, acrylic, oil, and prints. Most were waterfront scenes, birds and other wildlife along the shores of Urbanna Creek, Rappahannock River, and the Chesapeake Bay, wood carvings, stained glass, jewelry, photography, ceramics…all under tents set up along the shady treelined driveway leading up to the majestic plantation home. What a perfect setting for an art fest — a great display of manmade art amongst the splendor of nature and the past.
I saw many friends and neighbors but soon tired from the walking and heat and headed for home. I am glad to see Arts in the Middle has continued to grow in stature and reputation each year and attract so many accomplished artists.
As a suggestion, it might be nice to feature some Urbanna specialty foods for sale like crab cake sandwiches from Big Oak Café, homemade crab bisque from the Woman’s Club, fried oysters from Virginia Street Café or barbecue from Something Different and tasty offerings from other Urbanna restaurants.
Thank you to those who founded this fest and the many volunteer workers that give so much of their time each year to host the event.
We were tired and hungry on returning home so the perfect solution was a call to Colonial Pizza for a favorite pepperoni and mushroom pie. It really hit the spot.
All just another pleasant day in our beautiful riverside town of Urbanna — our number one choice of small towns in which to retire!
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