An Evening at the Farm

A heads up for readers back in Washington County:

Weatherbury Farm, a bed-and-breakfast and working farm outside of the village of Avella in Independence Township, will be the site of a Wine & Cheese Tasting Event Monday evening. It's a "Meet the Candidate" event for Mike Neville, the best candidate in this year's race for Washington County Commissioner.

Mike has been working hard for some two years to introduce himself to Washington County's voters and share with them his ideas to improve county government.

Mike was an active supporter of my State House races and I'm proud to support him now. On Election Days 2002, 2004 and 2006, he worked outside of the polls speaking on my behalf.

I first met Mike some nine years ago when I was a cub reporter for the Observer-Reporter and I covered his service as a Peters Township councilman. He served on Peters Council for more than eight years -- during which time the township became Washington County's most populous municipality.

Mike is a business banker with an M.B.A. He earned his undergraduate degree at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. If elected, he has pledged to serve no more than two terms.

Weatherbury Farm is one of the best examples of agritourism in Pennsylvania. It's the creation of Dale, Marcy and Nigel Tudor. I first met the Tudors many years ago when we were all part of The Old Schoolhouse Players, the resident theater troupe of the Mt. Pleasant Township Community Center in the village of Hickory.

Dale, Marcy and Nigel also graciously hosted a "Meet the Candidate" reception at Weatherbury Farm during my '06 race.

Mike's Wine & Cheese event is from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Call (724) 413-8897 to RSVP. Weatherbury is located at 1061 Sugar Run Road (Avella, PA, 15312).

It's nestled amidst the beautiful rolling hills of Western Pennsylvania. Considering this year's long Indian Summer, the trees there are probably just reaching the full red, orange and yellow glory of the autumn.