Maymont: A bit of country right in the city

There’s a photo floating around in a drawer somewhere of me at around two years old, dressed in a flowered romper, attempting to scale a wooden fence to get at a couple goats.

(I’m also barefoot, for some reason. I guess parents weren’t as concerned with things like hookworm and general hygiene in the early 80s. But I digress.)

That photo was taken at Maymont’s Children’s Farm—which also happens to be where my son and I currently spend a good chunk of our days during the spring and summer. As a dyed-in-the-wool Richmonder, being able to watch my little boy enjoy this amazing place that I also loved as a kid is one of those “Life is good” moments. Our trip this past Monday was one of our best yet: sunny skies, cooler temperatures, and even a couple of baby goats for us (mostly me) to squeal over.

Located on Maymont’s 100-acre estate nestled between the James River and Byrd Park, the Children’s Farm is home to animals you’d find on any typical farm: horses, goats, cows, chickens, you name it. All of the animals roam about in fenced-in pastures or pens (except the peacock and his hen who strut around as they please), but they’re still well within reach so curious little hands can give them a pat to say hello. For 25 cents a handful, you can also load up on feed right at the entrance to the farm; doing so will surely make you very popular with the barnyard set. Just remember to bring a plastic cup or baggie to hold it in…and be sure watch out for those goats. As we learned on our most recent trip, they have no problem snatching a Dixie cup right out of your hand if it means they’ll get a snack. We had a good giggle after that one.

You could easily make a morning of it at the Children’s Farm itself, but on Monday my son and I decided to followed the paved trails down the hill to Maymont’s Wildlife Exhibit to see if the bobcat was (for once) out of his cave and to say hello to the pair of bald eagles that make their home in the impressive Birds of Prey section of the park. And of course, we had to take a chance at spotting Maymont’s famous and elusive black bears. No luck on that one this time; from our experience, the bears only make appearances on really hot days when they want to take a dip in the pond.

But not to worry: we’ll be back at Maymont plenty this summer. We’re sure to catch a glimpse of those bears yet.

Maymont’s Children’s Farm and Wildlife Exhibit are open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; the Children’s Farm barn opens at noon, Tuesday through Sunday. Maymont is free to the public, but a $4 per person donation is appreciated. And if you end up checking out the Wildlife Exhibit, be sure to bring the stroller if you’ve got little ones in tow. Those hills can be tough and you don’t want to be lugging 35 pounds of toddler around.

(Pro tip: On your way back up to the Children’s Farm, don’t take the route past the goats; loop around next to the horse pasture instead. The hill isn’t so steep over there. Trust me, your legs will thank me.)

Maymont Children’s Farm & Wildlife Exhibit
Corner of Spotswoods Road and Shirley Lane
804-358-7166

Valerie Catrow is the former editor of RVANews and a current contributor to their parenting column, Raising Richmond. A Richmonder through-and-through, she grew up in Midlothian, graduated from the University of Richmond, and currently lives on the city’s Northside with her husband, Ross, and their son, JR. You can see what she’s up to on a day-to-day basis on her personal blog: Made in Richmond.

Seussical is a Magical Musical

Horton signs Norah’s program.

In our house The Cat in the Hat holds several places of honor. We have two well-read (over and over and over) copies of the book and the audio book on my iPhone. It never gets old. So going to see him live at the Seussical “show” was a thrill for my three-year-old, Norah.  The cast of Theatre IV, The Children’s Theatre of Virginia, definitely delivered.

We bought the tickets on a whim without much research. So it wasn’t until the night before that we realized the plot of the show, while narrated by the Cat in the Hat, centered on the Horton stories. We hadn’t read either. So we did some quick online work and showed Norah some videos to give her the idea. (Note to future audience members: it would be even more fun if you know the Horton books before going.)

The big day arrived, and Norah decided only her Cinderella princess dress would be suitable attire to look fancy for the show.  Once we arrived at the theater and saw the real stage and barrage of questions and excitement ensued.

Then off to the adventure. Seussical starts off with a bang with one entertaining musical number after another. The cast and costumes were exuberant, and the sets were fantastical. Everything channeled the energy and liveliness that makes us love Dr. Seuss in the first place. Through all the fun themes of loyalty, watching out for the little guy, friendship and character (over vanity) are woven in. And as always with Dr. Seuss, we were reminded that “anything is possible.”

Norah couldn’t have loved it more. Each song was followed by a whispered question of, “is there a lot more, Mama?”  She didn’t want it to end. The good news is that the fun didn’t stop with the applause. Most of the cast lined up in a receiving line in the lobby so the children could meet them and get their program autographed. A really nice touch.

Anyone who loves the works of Dr. Seuss (and really, who doesn’t?) will love this energetic, rambunctious show.

p.s. We’re now proud owners of Horton Hears a Who and are reading it repeatedly.

Seussical
Theatre IV at the Sara Belle and Neil November Theatre
Through May 20

Katherine O’Donnell loves Richmond and promoting it to visitors during her job as Director of Marketing at the RMCVB. A North Carolina native, Katherine has lived in Richmond since her undergrad days at the University of Richmond. (Go Spiders!) She lives in the West End with her husband, Darby, and daughter, Norah.

Q Barbeque: It Really is Award Winning

Photo Courtesy of VA Food Head

Much is made about barbecue in the Richmond, and the area isn’t even considered a hub for this type of cooking. Those accolades often go to the likes of St. Louis, Austin,and Memphis. So while it might not be the BBQ capital, it is has its share of national personalities, with George “Tuffy” Stone of TLC’s Pit Masters, maybe being the most popular.

Stone made his name in the BBQ world through multiple successes at various competitions across the country. His accomplishments can be verified with the plethora of awards and trophies from BBQ competitions. Q Barbeque, Stone’s retail barbeque establishment, gives the masses a chance to try this award winning meat that is often reserved for those attending a competition.

It is no surprise that the food is fantastic. It’s hard to go wrong with the pulled pork or the brisket; however, it is the ribs and chicken wings, I crave. The ribs always have a nice smoke ring, heavy smoke flavor, and a tender but not mushy consistency. The wings are cooked in the smoker for flavor, added to the fryer for crispy texture and then liberally sauced. Speaking of sauce, Q allows their patrons to choose between 3 different sauces- Original, SA-Weet, and Hot Zing- all of which are thick and tomato based.

Not feeling like meat, the sides alone could make an amazing meal- crispy Hush Puppies, Corn Pudding that rivals grandma’s, and comforting, home style Mac & Cheese. There is dessert, but the Pineapple Hot Dish, on the side dish menu, is a sweet, buttery euphoric experience.  All this can be washed down by sweet tea, lemonade, or Cheerwine that is featured on their soda fountain.

Located near Walmart and Sam’s Club in Midlothian, the original Q Barbeque Restaurant, serves as a shrine to the many trophies and plaques Tuffy has garnered over the years. Q is also growing. Along with a location in Hampton Roads, they have recently opened a second Richmond location in northern Henrico County near Virginia Center Commons.

Q Barbeque
2077 Walmart Way
Midlothian, VA 23113
804.897.9007

1070 Virginia Center Pkwy
Glen Allen, VA 23060
804.261.7227

Matt Sadler, aka The Marinara (@theMarinara), is a local food lover and writer who has been finding his food adventures in Richmond and around the world for the past 12 years. You can find Matt’s writings in Richmond Magazine, Richmond.com, RVA News, and The House of Marinara. An IT consultant by trade, Matt spends his evenings teaching his two boys that the best food often comes in the most unlikely places.

Richmond’s Excellent Adventure

It’s a good thing I took a few pics as Chris Dove of Ravenchase announced the start of the race. There was no time for picture-taking after that!

My knees are aching and my mind is still racing, but I’ve never had a better adventure through the streets of Richmond. The only thing that could have made me happier about Saturday’s Richmond Adventure Race would have been winning a cash prize for our team and our chosen attraction, Maymont. Still, coming in sixth out of 37 teams was not too bad.

The annual event has been described as The Amazing Race meets National Treasure, but I’ve never watched The Amazing Race and National Treasure reminds me of government conspiracies and torch-lit tunnels. To me, the Richmond Adventure Race is an amazing amount of fun and a perfect combination of scavenger hunt, code cracking and Richmond trivia mixed with exploration, energy and endurance.

We received our first set of clues at 10 a.m., and as the bugle sounded, each team unrolled their parchment in unison. Almost immediately, the crowd dispersed – pounding the pavement, climbing stairs or whispering in corners. It didn’t take long to realize that the competition would be fierce. Maybe not Hunger Games fierce, but a battle to the end amid soldiers armed with clipboards, maps, quick wit and clever planning. The game was physical, too, as we raced other teams from station to station for new clues and puzzle pieces. I’m no marathon runner (although there was at least one team of runners among us), but our team, Four Score, kept up a steady, fast walking pace, due in large part to my husband’s long-legged and determined stride. I even found myself jogging (practically unheard of) as we wound our way through the canal walk, into the streets of Shockoe Bottom, up and down the hills of RVA, chasing and being chased by other teams in pursuit of the prize and the bragging rights.

The game can be played for the sake of enjoyment too. One of Saturday’s teams included a cute tween girl, decked out in a royal blue tutu, who chose to do the race for her birthday. My 10- and 7-year-old girls would also love to play, and even if you don’t have kids, a leisurely pace could be just as much fun. The clues lead you through some of Richmond’s extensive history and introduce you to some of its best attractions.

This year’s event was held in conjunction with Civil War and Emancipation Day – a signature event of The Future of Richmond’s Past (a collaborative effort to commemorate the sesquicentennial of the Civil War and Emancipation) – and started at the American Civil War Center at Historic Tredegar. Along the way we met Henry “Box” Brown (played by J. Ron Fleming), who escaped slavery in a 2-foot by 3-foot box shipped from Richmond to Philadelphia in 1849. We saw many historic markers, the Reconciliation Statue, the site of Lumpkin’s Jail and the USS Virginia anchor on display outside of the White House of the Confederacy, next to the Museum of the Confederacy. We studied sculptures near the Virginia Capitol, and finally, we celebrated the day at Siné, an Irish pub and restaurant on Cary Street in Shockoe Slip. Between our finishing time (11:40 a.m.) and the awards at Siné (1 p.m.), we had time to go back to the canal to check out the newly-created artwork on display during the RVA Street Art Festival.

The “adventure” in the Richmond Adventure Race – codes, puzzles, poems and riddles – is the work of Ravenchase Adventures, a company that offers custom, private hunts as well as several public events throughout the year.

Carla Murray is Assistant Director of Marketing & PR for Maymont. She is a Richmond native and a Virginia Commonwealth University graduate. She lives in New Kent with her husband, two daughters, a dog, a cat and a turtle. Some of her favorite activities include letterboxing, long walks, Cirque du Soleil shows, wine tastings, reading novels, and spending time with family and friends.

Kings Dominion: New Rides, Old Love

I don’t know if RVAers know how lucky they are to have Kings Dominion nearby. When I try to imagine a world without The Grizzly located just 30 minutes away, I get very upset. When I was a kid, I used to BEG my parents to let me go to KD un-chaperoned, so I could be as efficient as possible without being slowed down by people who wanted to go see shows or “take breaks.” When I finally got to go, my friend and I rode the Rebel Yell 25 times in one day.

In other words, I like forward motion.

But I also like well-planned, thoughtfully-executed attractions that are inclusive of everyone. If you can pay, your inner child can play at KD, even if your inner child wears jorts and hats with mud flaps. What I also like about KD is the attention it pays to smaller rides. In every area, from Old Virginia to the Congo, the option to ride a swing, an antique car or a log flume exists. And now, the good folks at Cedar Fair have introduced two new rides, which are neither roller coasters nor small rides. In fact, I don’t know how to classify them! Maybe you can help.

Windseeker, which is located where that Cadillac ride used to be (and before that the Hypersonic XLC) over in 1950s America, is like someone fed the original swings ride some 21st century steroids. Sitting two abreast in what could double as a seat on the Dominator, riders on Windseeker begin to rotate around the ride’s massive, LED-lit center column while being raised 301 feet into the air to what sounds like Steven Spielberg’s iPod playlist. At the top, everyone tilts on their side and careens around at 30  mph, legs dangling in the wind. It’s like parasailing in circles, and the view of the park and surrounding area is pretty spectacular.

For the danger lovers among us, Windseeker climbs as high as the Drop Tower and is almost level with the peak of that killer Intimidator 305 hill. So, you’re up there with the big boys essentially, although you’re being more adult about it.

The second new attraction is Dinosaurs Alive!, an impressive interactive exhibit located in the woods just behind the Grizzly. Although I was initially bummed that the once thick woods surrounding my beloved Grizzly are now a bit thinner, those woods are now filled with really cool dinosaurs that move and make spooky noises. (You can preview their noises on the website, which I highly recommend playing during your next budget meeting.) Now, Grizzly riders will blow past a massive Ruyangosaurus, and worlds will collide!

You’ll pay $5 to see the dinosaurs, and for that you are treated to a handsome wooden walkway that winds past 36 life-sized, animatronic dinosaurs hanging out in a makeshift Jurassic habitat. According to KD press materials, each is hand-carved and covered with a skin-like material. Sensors prompt the dinos to move and growl when you walk past, and some are interactive, where you can manipulate their movements using a console. For the budding paleontologist, there’s a dig site promising fossils and other prehistoric paraphernalia. Plus, Dinosaurs: Giants of Patagonia 3D is playing at the KD Theater all summer. (Narrated by Donald Sutherland!)

And so, Kings Dominion has opened its gates for yet another season. As you make your spring and summer plans, always keep in mind that there are people out there who don’t have such easy access to parks like ours. They have to drive for hours, perhaps even fly, to find what we have right in our backyard. Why they choose to live so far away from fun, I will never know, but I’m glad we’re not them. See you at the park!

Lesley Bruno grew up in Richmond, moved away for seven years and came back because, well, who wouldn’t want to live here? By day, she directs the marketing activities at the Greater Richmond Chamber. At night and on weekends, she patches up her old Museum District house, watches too much television and dreams of the day when her husband finally figures out that all she wants for Valentine’s Day is a KD Season’s Pass.

Perfect Play Day at Pole Green Park

For many years I lived in Mechanicsville off of Pole Green Road, and I am embarrassed to say I never went to Pole Green Park. Well, yesterday I changed that. My husband, step-daughter and dog met my parents at their house off of Pole Green so my step-daughter could enjoy a day with Nana and Papa.  We packed up the dogs and family and headed out to the park.

To my surprise there was more than just a playground. Pole Green Park has football, softball and soccer fields, a skate park, an Equestrian complex and a volleyball court. There were several games going on at the time. First (and what turned out to be the only) stop, the playground. The play area was large and very clean. There were several picnic tables surrounding the area. Next time, we will definitely take a picnic.

There was also plenty of room to walk my very personable dog around the area while my husband and step-daughter played. However, my dog seemed to have felt left out as he kept barking to get in the play area and run around with the kids. My mom brought her dog too. He’s an old guy of almost 18. He wasn’t about hanging out with the kids, so they found a nice place to walk around away from it all.

About an hour in to the stay, a sno cone truck was discovered. Come to find out, Kona Ice is run by one of my poker buddies! Small world. The sno cones were a huge hit with everyone, even the dog. My dog decided he would get crafty and knock my step-daughter’s cup out of her hand. Let’s just say, he enjoyed it immensely.

Unfortunately, we started to run out of time before we had a chance to explore the rest of the park. Next time we plan to check out the equestrian center as well as the skate park. (My husband was less than happy that he couldn’t at least stop by the skate park.)

All in all, I discovered that Pole Green Park is not only where the Hanover Tomato Festival is held, it is a great place to spend the day with the family as well!

Where is your favorite place for a play day?

Pole Green Park
8996 Pole Green Park Lane
Mechanicsville, VA 23116

Stephanie Kenney is a Marketing Coordinator at RMCVB. Born and raised in Richmond, Stephanie now lives in Glen Allen with her husband, Criss and dog, Bo. She enjoys playing darts and poker in her spare time.

Satisfying Sampling at Pasture and Mint

The great thing about potluck dinners is that you can try a little bit of everything, then go back for seconds of the things you like most. I guess this isn’t an entirely new concept to restaurants considering Spanish tapas eateries have been on the scene for years, but until recently, my only encounters with the Southern comfort version were at large family gatherings. Within the past few months, however, two restaurants offering familiar local cuisine in snacks and small plates have opened in the city.

Pasture on East Grace Street, a new endeavor by chef Jason Alley of Comfort, is described as “a southern small plates restaurant with a focus on local products.” Our party of four ordered a whole smorgasbord of dishes – deviled eggs, pimento cheese with crackers, pork belly, fried oysters, a Virginia ham plate, and more, more, more. A standout was definitely the fried oysters. Perfectly breaded meaty goodness, they were so tasty, we ordered seconds. Oh, and we had more of the creamy pimento cheese, too. And therein lies the only problem with the small plate concept. Each dish is so reasonably priced, you feel OK about ordering more and more and more, but the bill can add up like a bachelorette party bar tab. A little self-control goes a long way. I went back to Pasture for lunch recently and was surprised that the small plates weren’t on the lunch menu. Still, the falafel sandwich – a special of the day – was fresh and flavorful, and they also offer those fried oysters sandwich-style at lunchtime.

My most recent small plate experience was at the freshly-opened Mint. This sweet spot in the Fan doesn’t bill itself as a small plates place, but our same table of four couldn’t resist sampling what seemed like the whole list of appetizers and a few snacks. We had pork BBQ Johnny cakes, calamari, crab dip, fried pickles, macaroni and pimento cheese, and more fried oysters. I love fried pickles, and Mint’s version was perfect. The crab dip was creamy with lots of crab, and everything else was “Mint-y” fresh and delicious. Really, we only scratched the surface of Mint’s menu, though. I hear the chicken and sweet potato waffles are yummy, and I do believe my next order will be the oh-so-Southern fried green tomatoes and a grilled pork chop with jalapeno/apple/ molasses barbecue sauce and Byrd’s Mill grits. Southerners sure do know how to do food right, and Pasture and Mint are serving up Southern cuisine to do our city proud.

Pasture
416 East Grace Street | Richmond, VA 23219
(804) 780-0416
www.facebook.com/Pasturerva

Mint New Casual Cuisine
2501 West Main Street | Richmond, VA 23220
(804) 359-9690

Carla Murray is Assistant Director of Marketing & PR for Maymont. She is a Richmond native and a Virginia Commonwealth University graduate. She lives in New Kent with her husband, two daughters, a dog, a cat and a turtle. Some of her favorite activities include letterboxing, long walks, Cirque du Soleil shows, wine tastings, reading novels, and spending time with family and friends.