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United Methodist
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The
Appalachia Service Project: A home repair ministry focusing on making
homes in the Appalachia coal-mining region of Virginia, West Virginia,
Tennessee and Kentucky a little "Warmer,
Safer, Drier." |
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Chester
United Methodist Church: A community-oriented church located just off of
downtown Chester, Virginia, dedicated to Christian outreach within our
local, regional and global community. |
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The United
Methodist Church: Linking you and the Church - The homepage for
information about the United Methodist Church and its ministries. |
 | United Methodist Youth
Fellowship: Youth in our Church participate in a wide variety of ministry
and fellowship activities. The I Lead
Youth site is a resource for youth leaders of all Christian
denominations. One mission
opportunity for churches - especially youth groups - to consider is the Harvest
of Hope sponsored by the Society of St. Andrew. Harvest of Hope is a
gleaning ministry that focuses on "(doing) something about
hunger." |

Sites of Local Interest
 | LOUISIANA
 | Mardi
Gras: February 12th, 2002. There is great tradition and cultural significance that often
gets lost in the madness surrounding this South Louisiana festival. Take
a minute to learn the history and understand the pageantry that makes
this season so wonderful. There is more to the season than cheap beads
and tacky throws. Parades and mass-consumption of alcohol are only the
very surface of the New Orleans traditions. The best times can be found
outside of New Orleans in the small Atchafalaya communities or the towns
north of Lake Ponchatrain. Do your homework before you go, there are a
lot of options. Everyone can enjoy Mardi Gras at home with a King Cake
from Gambino's
in Baton Rouge. Long a tradition in Louisiana homes around Mardi Gras,
this pastry is a festive addition to any late winter party. |
 | Cajun
Culture: So much has been written about the Acadians and the
Creoles, yet still a lot of misconceptions persist. The best way
to learn is to spend some time in Lafayette
and New Orleans and
experience it for yourself. |
 | Tabasco:
The name alone symbolizes the cuisine of Cajun country. More than just a
seasoning, this American icon manages a wildlife preserve in the heart
of the Atchafalaya river basin. Their site contains a wealth of fun and
facts. Try Tabasco pepper sauce with anything from your grits in the
morning to your Bloody Mary just before bedtime. |
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Louisiana:
The Union's 18th state has a lot to offer. Louisiana has flown 10
flags and its culture has been enriched by each. |
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P&N
CPA's: A Louisiana CPA firm with links to professional organizations and
other information about Louisiana. |
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Catholic
High School: Chip's alma mater. A school dedicated to excellence in
every aspect of life. Catholic High has maintained an outstanding tradition
of balancing development in the mind, soul and body of the students that
pass through these fine halls.
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Louisiana
State University Sports: A great site for all the information you need
for LSU
sports. Contains links to all sports (men's and women's) and news stories
about LSU's
fine athletic tradition.
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Bogalusa:
Chip's family called Bogalusa home for many, many years. This
once-thriving paper mill town is a small city in the north-east corner
of the Florida Parishes. There is a lot of history from the original
indian tribes to the pioneering spirit of tree farmers and loggers. The Fund
for Bogalusa is uniting former residents who have since moved on in
an effort to rebuild the town and provide scholarships for some
Lumberjacks. The Studio in the Woods in a very famous recording
studio. |
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Cajun
food via mail: This site is provided by the proud creators of Boudin
Balls, Tony's Seafood of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. A delicacy you simply must try.
Be sure to order a variety. |
 | Double
Musky Inn: This isn't truly a "Louisiana" site since it is
located in Girdwood, Alaska. But the proprietors hale from Louisiana and
really know Cajun food. If you are visiting the Anchorage area, Girdwood
is the only year-round resort community. With history as a mining town,
this area is known for its fine steaks and seafood. The Double Musky
adds a dash of real seasoning to the culture. |
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PENNSYLVANIA
 | Amish
Country: Lancaster (pronounced LANK-uh-ster) County Pennsylvania is
the center of the Penn Dutch community. From Lancaster to Bird in Hand,
from Intercourse to Paradise, this is an area rich in history and unique
culture. Take the time to get lost on one of the many county roads that
criss-cross the area. You'll see covered bridges, rolling farms and -
maybe - a horse and buggy on its way to church meeting or farmers
market. Plan to be in the area on a Friday and stop by the Green Dragon. |
 | Root's
Country Market: An real Amish market that offers the best Lancaster
County has to offer. Be sure to get some Farmer's Cheese and fresh Whoopee
Pies or Shoofly Pie. |
 | Hershey,
Pennsylvania: The Sweetest Place on Earth.
Hershey is the home and international headquarters for Hershey
Foods Corporation. Milton Hershey located his confectionary
company in this dairy-rich area for its proximity to international trade
routes and first quality milk. Now producing and exporting to more than
90 countries, this complex is a major tourist attraction. Visitors can
learn about the making
of chocolate candies, ride a great assortment of thrill rides, see
animals in the zoological park or visit one of the many museums and art
centers.
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 | Gettysburg:
"Four score and seven years ago..." Who hasn't heard these
words and thought back to the bloodiest battle in our nations history.
Whether participating in a bus tour or buying a map and touring the
battlefield on your own, there is a lot to experience. Read up before
going. Some of the most authentic reenactments occur here. There are
dozens of museums, parks, nature trails and monuments. Your heritage may
lie on either side of the Mason-Dixon line, you will certainly be
inspired by the magnificent vistas and grand scale of the engagement
that unfolded here in July, 1863. Plan carefully. |
 | The General
Sutter Inn and the Wilbur Chocolate Factory in historic
Lititz. |
 | Pennsylvania
Renaissance Faire: The Faire has earned a
national reputation as visitors find themselves returning year after
year for a marvelous immersion into a magical fantasy of another time,
another place. Best of all, it is a place where 100's of citizens of
this 16th Century village instantly identify you as a friend, where
everyone is delightedly happy that you've come, especially the Queen.
The magic of the Faire unfolds at historic Mount Hope Estate and Winery,
Route 72, 15 miles north of Lancaster. |
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Virginia
 | Williamsburg: The birthplace
of a nation. Established by a private grant
from John D Rockefeller, Jr. This is a complete town restored to the original
charm of a Colonial Capital on the verge of Revolution. The stores,
inns, restaurants and parks were all meticulously recreated based on original blueprints and
drawings. The Parliament, Courthouse and Governor's Palace offer
authentic recreations of period activities. The Fife and Drum corps
marches down Duke of Gloucester street several times a day. Plan to come
for July 4th or the Grand Illumination. |
 | Richmond: Once the
capital of
the Confederate States of America during the
War of Northern
Aggression,
Richmond is now a Federal Reserve Center and major US banking center. With
a history that reaches back to the original colonization, there is
something for everyone here. Mountains, beaches and the nation's capital
are all within a few hours' drive from Richmond.
The Shockoe Slip and Shockoe Bottom areas of town are great for a fine
dining experience or a casual night out. The city is trying to develop an
entertainment venue along the new Canal Walk. The City Council is inept,
but there is a lot of potential in that area. Come discover
what Richmond has to offer. Some great sites
include:
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Monticello:
Experience the marvels of Thomas Jefferson through
interpretative presentations, guided tours and reconstructed
displays. Situated atop a mountain in Central Virginia, this
estate affords a beautiful vista of the Blue Ridge Mountains. |
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Virginia's Skyline
Drive: From the Southern border of the state to Front
Royal, Virginia, this historic by-way winds its way
along the ridge of the Appalachian Mountain Range. Following the
near-by Appalachian Trail and passing with close proximity of
many of Virginia historic landmarks, you can choose how much of
the parkway you wish to travel. Whether you travel just a
portion of the drive or the whole thing, plan to stop and take
in the views and hike the trails. |
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Chesterfield County:
There is a lot to see in our County. There is rich history and
plenty of
outdoor
attractions. We have an outdoor fashion
mall: The Stony Point Fashion
Mall. |
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Randolph-Macon
College: Just off of downtown Ashland, Virginia, this historic
campus is home to about 1,100 students. RMC
is a private, liberal arts college with a strong affiliation to the
United Methodist Church. |
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Bedford is the home
of the National D-Day Memorial. |
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Other Links
This link will take you to some of Chip and Gretchen's favorite photos.
These pictures were taken by Chip and/or Gretchen and will change often. Some
pictures are from their time together, others are from their younger days.
The NIST:
The National Institute of Standards and Technology operates the official
atomic clock, keeping track of time to incredible precision. Use this clock
to accurately set your PC clock.
How
Stuff Works: Learn about everythingAn excellent example of why the internet
is what it is. This site provides the visitor with detailed explanations of the
inner working of every-day gadgets and easily understandable overviews of
complex technological gizmos. Make sure you bookmark this site.
Hints
and Such: Answers to all of life's questions. This site is a way of sharing
all of those pearls of wisdom collected by one British sole over the many years
of her life.
Easter
Eggs: In thousands of DVD's, computer software and video games
developers and producers have hidden secret content that is only
accessed via secret combinations of button-clicks or by choosing hidden
icons. Often the content s simple and meaningless, but sometimes there
are real treats.
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