70+ and doin' stuff

Francis Scott Key wrote the Star Spangled Banner while aboard a British prison ship off Fort McHenry during the Battle of Baltimore, September 13 -14, 1814. Fort McHenry is now a shrine to the National Anthem and the American flag, with a wonderful display, a magnificent water view, interesting US Park Ranger-led programs and a thrilling rendition of Scott Key's work.

It ain't close, but it is worth the drive up to Baltimore to take in the experience.

Admission is free to Seniors with any of the US Park Service's Senior, Military or Access passes. Normal people will have to pay $15.00.

We'll have laughs, conversation and lunch after our visit, at one of the great restaurants on Locust Point.

We'll start off at The Haven, 1401 Belle Haven Rd, Alexandria, VA 22307, for early dinner, conversation and laughs.
Then we will walk over to our starting point at Belle Haven Park and meet up with Deborah Hammer, an educator with Bat Conservation and Rescue of Virginia to learn about our local bats.
Deborah will have sonar detectors that plug into iPhones and Android phones, so we can listen to bats echolocate as they hunt for food. Walking will be minimal, on flat, graded and even pathways.
This is a limited attendance event. Please do not RSVP unless you are certain that you can make it.

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The United States Government operates 152 National cemeteries in the US and 26 cemeteries overseas. The best known of the 152 in the US is Arlington National Cemetery. The best known overseas cemetery is The American Cemetery in Normandy, France.

One of these “National” Cemeteries is located right here close by in Alexandria, VA. The Alexandria National Cemetery was the FIRST of the 152 cemeteries, established in 1862 (before Arlington National Cemetery). Civil War dead, including members of the US Colored Troops regiment, were the first to be buried here.

Lets visit the Alexandria National Cemetery on Friday, September 11, 2026, The National Day of Service and Remembrance. We'll be there at 9:30 am to pay our respects to the American veterans interred there AND clean gravestones.

Dress casually, but respectfully, with clothing that can get dirty. Gloves are suggested. I will have pails, soap and rags.

Afterwards, we will take a short 15 minute walk to visit the outdoor table of The Female Stranger. We will learn the fascinating story of a woman who died over 200 years ago in Alexandria’s Gatsby’s Tavern…and whose identity has been lost to history.

We'll meet rain or shine AT THE FLAGPOLE. No pets.

Afterwards, we will walk over to the Executive Diner for brunch and conversation.

Henry VIII, of England, has invited us to the Harvest Festival at Revel Grove, a village of his Kingdom.

Henry VIII ascended the throne in 1509, handsome, athletic, intelligent and gifted, described as 'noble', 'gentle', and 'brilliant'. By 1536, his first wife Katherine of Aragon died (a good thing, in Henry's mind). In January, he was wounded in a joust and suffered pain for the rest of his life; and his weight gain began. In May, his second wife Anne Boleyn was executed and later that month, Henry married again, with three more wives to follow. His illegitimate son, Henry Fitzroy died in July. He becomes ruthless, egotistical and prone to rages.

It is now 1536. The King, his third wife, Jane Seymour, are visiting Revel Grove to enjoy the Harvest Festival. The King is aiming to simply enjoy a lovely day in the village, along with members of the "70+ and doin' stuff" group, his guests.

Sir Richard Mondes, Mayor of Revel Grove, and his wife, Baroness Marney, are responsibile for this fabulous day of feasting and merriment!

More than 200 performers fill ten stages and taverns as well as the streets of the village with continuous entertainment. A 3,000 seat jousting arena hosts authentic combat joust thrice daily. There are more than 140 merchants hawking artisan handcrafted wares as well as various demonstrating shops creating treasures before our eyes. Forty-two food and beverage emporiums and five taverns create a feast throughout the village to sate our appetite and quench our thirst.

Bring sturdy shoes, maybe a cushion to sit on, water and clothing appropriate for the weather.

It will be an exhausting, fun-filled, tiring, amazing, fatiguing, wonderful event.

Purchase tickets here for September 26, 2026: https://rennfest.com/tickets/

Don't forget plastic or paper coin of the Realm,