Timeless Treasure of Time Together

Jonathan Bellingham (third generation Capon family member) here...

With all the merry-making that goes on this time of year, I find myself pausing and reflecting about how holidays and traditions are interwoven into the fabric of our shared Capon experience. This year the calendar lined up just right so we could celebrate Easter on the front end and Veterans Day on the back end of the 2014 season. When you think about it, during our usual 6-month stretch we get to enjoy most of the three day holidays along with some really big ones like 4th of July and Halloween.  Even the traditional Thanksgiving feast doesn’t escape us as we enjoy every Saturday dinner with turkey and all the fixings. And for those of you who go back in years a ways, you can recall how we even used to celebrate Christmas in June. (Any former Capon Santas out there?)

Sign that hangs on Main House Porch

Of course many of you tell us that because of competing school schedules, extended family commitments and even the weather, Capon vacation time has become THE ONLY time to gather as an entire family. This is especially true for military families, who because of their transient nature of their assignments, Capon is the only stable “home” they know. The evidence of this situation abounds this time of year as we receive many family holiday photos that highlight the smiling faces of your clan gathered here this past year.

For those who have generational ties with our family, those shared times connect all of us to even deeper heritage memories. And not to get too “smaltzy” on you, but as I watch the usual Hallmark Christmas movies this month, the message that comes through most of them is the same. One of the most important things we can do as parents to develop and support healthy, fulfilling family relationships is to provide opportunities to create and relive shared memories.

I relearned this lesson recently when our son Stephen was home for Thanksgiving during his first real visit from his freshman year at the Air Force Academy. Besides playing in the snow and enjoying a great meal, we watched some home movies.  Along with the videos of multiple family vacation and holiday gatherings, we found one that included his
first aviation experience just before his 6th birthday.  How rewarding it was to see him connect with his younger self as he now realizes the fruits of that foundational experience!


As you reconnect with family and friends at the end of this month, may you be blessed by shared memories, as well as be a blessing to others who may not be as fortunate to experience such love.

Happy Holidays from all of us at Capon,

Jonathan

~For the Capon Family

Jonathan, Betsy, Stephen & Katie during trip last year to Colorado Springs, CO.

Stargazing: Look up and chill out!

According to Dottie Edwards, president of the Shenandoah Astronomical Society, for thousands of years, both our ancestors and descendants have and will see the same shining night sky objects as we all move through time and space.  That is both a sobering and soothing concept in sharp contrast to our "hurry up, run-around" lives. 

Recently, that experience was not lost on a large collection of guests, including a Girl Scout Troop from Charlotte, NC, who gathered for Dottie's astronomy program at Capon Springs & Farms. Of course, it helped being out in the mountains of wild, wonderful West Virginia, where we enjoy both the opportunity for unobstructed views and no ambient light- a perfect recipe for star-gazing.  Earlier in the month, even without sophisticated equipment or knowledge of the heavens, we witnessed two fantastic heavenly displays: a total lunar eclipse and a partial solar eclipse.

So it was with great anticipation that on a perfectly clear late October night, we eagerly received instruction on how to identify half a dozen stars and constellations, clusters and nebula. Afterwards, we walked out to an open area where we could look up and get a full view of the night sky. In addition, with the help of two powerful telescopes, we were treated to close up views of a triple double star cluster and a fuzzy cotton ball object that is the Andromeda Galaxy.

We also learned the easy way to spot the Polaris, the North Star by following the cup part of the big dipper (see below). Knowing that both land and sea travelers use this reference point for navigation gave us an instant connection with anyone hurling through space on our tiny portion of this tiny rock we call Earth.  

Staring at millions of points of light provided an opportunity for awe and wonder that is necessary to keep one's sanity in a stressful world.  It allowed us to take a deep breath and contemplate the vastness of the universe and our place in it.  In these rapidly changing times of technological advancements, it was good to feel a sense of stability, time scale and size, providing perspective to the seemingly personal chaos of our everyday lives.

Dottie has offered to return next May with more members of her club, more telescopes and more opportunities to learn, reflect and enjoy the world around us.  

When was the last time you took a moment to go outside and ponder the stars?  Try it and see how much better you feel!  

Capon's Halloween Spooktacular: An interview with the Masters Family!

We often get asked by guests what goes on at Capon during Halloween. In thinking how to answer that question, we thought it would be fun to ask a family who knows the traditions well to share their experience.

Tim Masters and his wife Lori McFarling of Bethesda, MD made their first Halloween trip back in 1992 (pre-kids!).  They returned again in 2001 and haven't missed a year since.   

Your family has a well-established tradition (over 60 years!) of visiting Capon every year in August. What made you decide to give Capon's Halloween a try?

We used to come to Capon Springs in the Fall for the spectacular palette of colors that the change of season brings, but when we had kids who were old enough to appreciate what Halloween was, we shifted our stay to the "Halloween weekend" and we haven't looked back since. 

What are your favorite Capon Halloween traditions?

We asked each of the kids what makes Halloween at Capon so special and the unanimous first answer from everyone was: "It's CAPON SPRINGS!!!" After that, the answers ranged from "the pumpkin carving and crafts" to "the trick or treating" to "the decorations" to "the pumpkin lighting" to "wearing costumes in the dining room" to "the costume parade in the Meeting House" to "seeing everyone in the Capon family dressed up for Halloween" to -- of course -- "Atta Boy, Luther!" and "The Ghost & Mr. Chicken" movie. While we all patiently await the long-heralded return of Don Knotts' co-star Joan Staley -- yes, we were there for her first visit -- we return each year in hopes of another chance to mingle with "Ghost & Mr. Chicken" royalty*. We love guessing the giant pumpkin on the front porch's weight, we love guessing (and always guessing wrong) the number of candy corns in the glass jar, and we love all things Fall and Halloween that Capon is to us each year at this time.

Yes, it's different than our August experience at Capon...and that, too...makes it special. Our family -- kids, adults...and Grandma, too -- love the whole experience. Everyone is in the spirit and everything is not just green and white...but green and white and orange and black.

What is your fondest memory of Halloween at Capon?

Our fondest memory of Halloween at Capon is the unusual and untimely snowstorm that we experienced a few years ago...complete with blackout, hanging out by the fireplace in the living rooms to stay warm, and lots of extra blankets in the rooms. What an adventure that was! Capon roughing it...with lots of stories to tell and pictures to remember it by. We also love how Jonathan knows all the words to "The Ghost & Mr. Chicken" and recites them along with the film every year. Oh, and all the creative and incredibly detailed pumpkin carving that takes place...what a treat to participate and then to take in all of the unique masterpieces. 

Favorite costumes?

As for costumes...our most inspired one was a family effort, with Mom & Dad and the two older kids dressed as convicts (complete with handcuffs and shackles)...and our youngest -- little Joe -- dressed as law enforcement (a police officer). That...and the time Grandma came dressed as a Rastafari. Yah, man.

Of course, one thing that even the best costume can't hide is the smile that's on everyone's face. Capon Springs at Halloween is truly special to us. It wouldn't be Halloween without it. The other thing we LOVE about Halloween at Capon Springs is that we take our Holiday Card picture every year at this time and Capon always provides the perfect backdrop.

Special thanks to Tim Masters and his family for taking the time to share the guest perspective on the Capon Halloween experience!  Do you have some special memories from a Capon Halloween bash?  What is your favorite Capon Halloween tradition?

We have just over a week to go until the spooktacular memory making begins... It's not too late to join us for a frightfully fun time!

Your g(H)osts,

The Capon Family

* Joan Staley was scheduled to return in 2014, but due to her husband's health issues she was unable to get away.  She looks forward to making it possible in 2015!

Apple Butter Memories

We invite you to join us beginning this Sunday, October 5^th, to witness and take part in our annual tradition of making apple butter the old-fashioned way-- in large copper kettles over a fire! The hard work of turning 130 bushels of Golden Delicious apples into a tasty roll spread will take place over four days.  That should create enough for another season’s regular daily guest use and for the coveted golf tourney and Bingo prizes.

The tradition of homemade apple butter goes back to Capon’s early days in the 1940s. In the beginning, it was made outdoors under a lean-to near the Playhouse.  Later, a one story block building, known as the Summer Kitchen, was built in the lower parking lot past the Main House.  In 1985, Capon crews tore it down and replaced it with a 2-story structure that also hosts a canning kitchen.  Since that time, there have been two brick fireplaces to hold two apple butter stations.

The entire process is very labor intensive as the apples are hand-picked, cored, peeled and then snitted.  After being washed in Capon water, they are added to Capon water already in 40-gallon copper kettles.  Wood fires are built underneath the kettles and co-workers take turns stirring the fragrant boiling apple mixture with wooden paddles.  In true Tom Sawyer fashion, guests themselves are invited to take part by keeping the mix moving and not sticking to the bottom.

After about 5 ½ hours, the mixture turns light brown-- that’s when it's time to gradually add sugar.  Because the apple mixture must not boil too rapidly, you have to stir it constantly until it thickens and sticks together. Then the last ingredient can be added-- vanilla, which you stir until it is well-blended.  One of the unique features of Pearle’s apple butter (Capon named its apple butter in honor of our first head cook, Pearle Kump) is that it contains NO cinnamon.

Guests enjoy spreading Pearle's apple butter on our homemade rolls baked in our brick oven, spread over pancakes, placed on top of pork tenderloin, with peanut butter on a sandwich, or spread on our coffee cakes.  Many folks also have a tradition of bringing a jar (or more!) home to enjoy or share with family, friends, neighbors and pet-sitters.  :)

Have you helped stir a boiling kettle of apple-butter-in-the-making at Capon?  What is your favorite way to enjoy Capon's apple butter?  We'd love to hear from you!

Pearle's Apple Butter ingredients:

2 gal. Capon water

12 ½  bushels of Golden Delicious apples, washed, peeled, cored and sliced

75 lbs sugar
2 ½ cups vanilla.

Makes  25 gallons, 200 pints.

Fun Fact:  Along with the regular apple butter, Capon also makes a “sugar free” version (meaning no sugar-added) which is available upon guest request at their table and for sale in the Food Shop.

The Flag Raising Ceremony: A Capon Tradition Since the 1940s

Anyone who has visited Capon knows that the Star Spangled Banner is spotlighted at the start of each day during the flag raising ceremony.  Because this year marks a special anniversary for our country's National Anthem, we have a few special tributes planned. On Tuesday, September 16^th we will honor the 200^th anniversary of the completed version of the Star Spangled Banner. That night, the Blue & Gray Chorus of Martinsburg, WV will lead a patriotic medley of tunes before, during and after a special flag lowering ceremony.  A short historical documentary about the US flag will also be presented. 

(Also, all guests who visit us any of the three nights of 9/16, 9/17 and/or 9/18, will receive our special 82^nd anniversary $82/person/night rates. Main house rooms with shared bath are only $62/person/night.) 

Being one of Capon’s most time-honored traditions, guests have heard the national anthem every morning before receiving breakfast since the 1940s.  While everyone stands at attention for this solemn ceremony, kids of all ages take turns hoisting the US flag.  Since all of Capon’s flags were first flown over the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, DC, flag raisers receive a certificate suitable for framing for their efforts.  For the first thirty years, Capon founder Lou Austin signed each certificate.  Then his oldest son Porter carried on the tradition.  Now, third generation family member Tom Austin does the honors.

Until recently, only Fred Waring’s slow paced version of the National Anthem played through the trees at 8:25 each morning.  About 10 years ago, a more up tempo version was added to the weekday mix.  About the same time, a special edition performed by the LaFayette Men’s Choir (which included Capon guest Charlie Zook) became the Sunday tradition.

Every once in awhile, Capon guests themselves will offer to stand in for the recorded version.  Earlier this summer, for four straight mornings, vocalists perched on the 3^rd floor balcony outside the library to provide stirring renditions of the Star Spangled Banner after the morning flag raising.  Then later, inspired by their musical sharing, Manhattan School of Arts masters degree student, blogger, and long-time guest, Sarah Kenner, brought a tear to many an eye with her arrangement of the Star Spangled Banner for solo violin. Check out the video of Sarah's performance below... it is truly a magical Capon moment!

Looking for more information about the Star Spangled Banner and Francis Scott Key, including resources for kids?  Check out this website which includes videos, free coloring pages and a collection of articles.

Many of you have raised or lowered the flag at Capon.  Do you still have your certificate? We'd love to hear about a memory you have of a special Capon flag ceremony... share your stories in the comments below.  

Farm to Table: Capon's Mashed Potatoes

Dear Capon Friends,

For over 82 years, Capon Springs and Farms has maintained a tradition of serving made-from-scratch meals, incorporating ingredients fresh from our farm and other local farms. This week we created a video that shows the delicious transformation from harvesting the sustainably grown pontiac potatoes at Capon's River Meadow Farm, to serving a bowl of our creamy, mashed potatoes... enjoy!

Capon Sunset Featured on Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang

Greetings Capon Friends,

The other day Kevin Ambrose, of The Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang, snapped a series of photos from Capon's Sunset Lodge of a breathtaking sunset over the Allegheny Mountains... check out the article which explains why this particular sunset is so vibrant. Beautiful work, Kevin!

Summer Memories Live On!

Dear Capon Friends,

Earlier this week as I, Jonathan (3rd generation family member and Recreation Manager), was sitting up at Sunset Lodge overlooking the rolling WV hills, I paused to reflect on the coming summer events.  This particular time I was surrounded by three generations of my wife Betsy’s family, all enjoying a big heaping slice of Americana….. literally.  We were all gathered for the traditional outdoor Chicken BBQ , slow-cooked on poles over a coal-fired pit.  After feasting on meat that just fell off the bone, we made sure we saved room for a piece of made-from-scratch Apple Pie (yes, crust is still made with lard!) topped off with a scoop of Hershey’s vanilla ice cream.

Then the teens and adults worked off the meal with lawn games like bocce, cornhole and Frisbee, while the elementary age kids played a friendly game of softball. Watching a feisty nine year old girl hit the first home run of the evening, I relived my own turn at bat over 40 years ago.  Then after the sun set over the mountain, we headed down to the Main House porch as various age groups took their turn to be pulled by a 1950s tractor in a haywagon around the grounds by my nephew Sam Brill.  The teens and collegians have fewer participants than in years past, but several reported the walk back from the golf course in the dark was still a thrill. 

In this setting it is easy to imagine those carefree days of summer when days stretched end upon end and time stood still.  When you would make plans with your friends to run around and explore, climb, build and have great conversations about imaginary adventures.  You never wanted to get out of the pool, discovery was around the corner and at the end of the day, food tasted better and refueled you for more fun.

Though June 21st marks the first official day of summer, here at Capon Springs & Farms we experience the freedom of summer over and over again each week as generations of reunions fill their time by building on these memories.  Yeah, you may not be able to go back to your own childhood, but you can certainly recreate those memories for your kids; keeping those wonderful times alive and real for those that come after you.

~Jonathan, For the Capon Family

Catch and Feast!

The time honored tradition of bringing home your own dinner is still alive and well at Capon Springs and Farms.  Long-time Capon guest Charlie Maddox treated his wife Dawn and their friends to fresh trout he reeled in from the Main pond.  The kitchen staff cleaned, cooked and served it to them at breakfast. The tasty catch was the perfect complement to the eggs produced from the free-range chickens on Capon’s Rivermeadow Farm.

Besides native trout, the Main half-acre pond is stocked with catfish, bluegill, bass and perch.  A pack of 3-foot carp also parole the waters daring the serious angler to wrestle them out.  For the old fashioned sportsman, Capon provides bamboo poles with a single fishing line and hook at the end.  While leftover bread is provided as bait from the kitchen, worms can still be found under most rocks around the grounds. 

Charlie’s adventure precedes the annual statewide WV Free Fishing weekend, which is this weekend (June 7 & 8).  In our neck of the woods, that means heading 4 miles down Capon Springs Road to the public access point on the CaCapon River for bass fishing and kayaking.  During this weekend, no license is needed to enjoy this relaxing past time.  (You never need a license to fish at Capon’s private pond!)

Sharing the Exclusive Use Capon Wedding Experience

Today we welcome our first “guest” blogger... Leah Rudolph!  Although Leah and her family have been coming to Capon for many years, last weekend was a very special visit for them.  Leah shares her experiences from this visit when her daughter and (now!) son-in-law were married at Capon during an exclusive use weekend...

The Campbell-Rudolph clans thank everyone at Capon Springs and Farms for the extraordinary weekend May 29-June 1, as we celebrated the marriage of Julia Kay Rudolph and Ryan Patrick Campbell! The funny thing is, it's always extraordinary there. As Capon guests for over 30 years, the only surprises were good ones!

May Greeting from Sue Webster, General Manager

Hello from Sue Webster! 

(one of the faces behind the Capon front desk that you might not know)

     I am sure there are quite a few of you out there wondering - Who is Sue Webster?  How did she get to work at Capon Springs?  What did she do that lets her have chicken on the hill, moose track ice cream, smooth lump free potatoes, AND the French toast and bacon breakfast on a regular basis?  Let me share a bit of what brought me to this position at Capon Springs...

Ruminating on Rhubarb

Dear Capon Friends,

Jonathan (Marketing and Recreation Manager and 3rd generation Capon family member) here...  Funny how food traditions can return you to some of your favorite childhood memories.  For as long as I can remember I have liked rhubarb sauce.  Sure part of it was the silly name.  But the draw has always been the unique combination of tart and sweet that made me think I was enjoying a candy treat.  So every year around mid-May I look forward to this fresh produce—one of the first harvested from Capon’s RiverMeadow Farm.  What makes rhubarb so special to me is how tasty it is in combination with other Capon desserts like gingerbread cake, apple crisp and vanilla ice cream.  (If you’ve ever

Easter EGGstravaganza 2014!

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Greetings Capon Friends!

For only the second time in our 82 year history, we opened our doors early to host an Easter Weekend EGGstravaganza over the April 17-21 holiday. Over 200 guests joined us for four days of family-filled festivities and, quite frankly, we couldn't think of a better way to begin our 2014 season! We so enjoyed seeing all the familiar faces--as well as several welcome new ones too (Easter Bunny included)! 

We thought we’d share with you some of the details from our jam-packed celebration...

Happy April Fool's Day!

Greetings Capon Friends!

It's Ginny here....
Anyone play any good tricks on you today? I remember my mom (Claire Kay) telling me stories about the "pranks" her mother (Virginia Austin) would play on April Fool's Day.  Grandmuzz (my grandmother) had "funny" silverware that would collapse if you tried to eat with it, rubber food and the one thing that would always start my mom laughing til she was in tears: a dribble glass! It had a small slit near the top and when you tilted it up to drink...the water would dribble down your chin!  I guess you had to be there...but it brings a smile to my face, remembering my mom laughing and thinking of the fun my grandmother had.

Cabin Fever?

Greetings Capon Friends!

Do you have a bad case of cabin fever?  If you are like me, you are dreaming of warmer days walking around the Capon grounds and devouring a delicious meal on the hill!  So why not start making your plans to visit now?  What could be nicer than getting the exact dates you want and reserving the accommodations you like the best?  EVEN BETTER, check our website for all the fantastic specials we're offering this season!