Samples Offered Throughout the Day; Charles Thorne Book Signing from 1 to 4 p.m.
Winchester, VA 11/20/13…On Saturday, November 23, the store at the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley (MSV) will offer a free tasting of products from Holy Cross Abbey from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., and, from 1 to 4 p.m., host a book signing by Charles Thorne, author of Postcards of the Past. Museum admission is not required to attend either event.
According to Museum Store Manager Bonnie Barr, the Museum Store is committed to offering products made in the Shenandoah Valley. She hopes to introduce holiday shoppers to great local options for holiday gifting at this Saturday’s tasting and book signing.
Located in Berryville, Virginia, Holy Cross Abbey is home to Trappist Monks. The Monastery Bakery operated by the monks provides the Abbey’s chief means of support. Saturday’s tasting will feature the monastery’s best-selling holiday products, including the famous Monastery Fruitcake, creamed honeys (eight flavors), truffles, and fraters, which are slices of fruitcake dipped in chocolate. Barr particularly encourages those with a negative perception of holiday fruitcake to drop by and sample the Monastery Fruitcake. Made by the Trappist Monks using choice fruits and nuts in a sherry-laced batter, this Shenandoah Valley fruitcake is delicious. Ranging in price from $4 to $34.95, all of the Monastery food products are available for purchase in the Museum Store.
In addition to the all-day tasting, from 1 to 4 p.m. visitors will have the opportunity to meet Charles Thorne, author of Postcards of the Past: An Informal History of Life in the Shenandoah Valley from 1900–1950 as Seen on the Scenic Postcard. The 128-page book tells the story of the Shenandoah Valley from 1900 to 1950. According to Thorne, the book features a light, entertaining style and includes images of 280 electronically restored postcards from the first half of the twentieth century. The perfect gift for anyone interested in Shenandoah Valley history, Postcards of the Past is available for purchase in the Museum Store for $39.95.
The Museum of the Shenandoah Valley is located at 901 Amherst Street in Winchester, Virginia. The MSV, including the Museum Store, is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Admission is not required to visit the Museum Store. The MSV will be closed on Thanksgiving, December 24 and 25, and January 1. Additional information on Museum holiday events is available at www.theMSV.org or by calling 540-662-1473, ext. 235.