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Week of May 5-11, 2008

A riot of blossoms, carpets of bright green, quilts everywhere and an array of dining opportunities make Berkeley Springs THE destination for a getaway weekend on the 100th anniversary of Mother's Day. Did you know that 96% of all Americans celebrate this day in some way or another? Make your celebration a trip to the countryside.

The annual Delectable Mountains Quilt show hangs in the Ice House and is open on Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 5pm. It is a sight not to be missed. Another quilt sight that cannot be missed are the Yard Square Quilts hanging in shops and businesses throughout town -- 44 of them in fact. And all open for bidding in the month-long silent auction. It is a unique activity.

But the biggest quilt event this weekend is Piecework, another truly unique event. Berkeley Springs was recently rated the #7 art destination among small towns and cities in America. One reason is the array of all sorts of artists. Three groups -- quilters, actors and writers -- come together in Piecework. There are two performances -- Saturday at 7:30pm and Sunday at 3pm -- of four one-act plays, locally written and read by local actors. The bonus is that your ticket (and any additional chances you might buy) goes into a raffle, drawn at each performance, for the four yard square quilts created specifically for each play. Piecework is at the Ice House and the play quilts are on display -- at least until someone wins them this weekend. What a treat for Mom!

Another Mom-pleaser is the annual Master Gardener Plant Sale on Friday from 10am to 6pm and Saturday from 9am to 4pm. It is in Berkeley Springs State Park in the heart of town so you can't miss it. There is a walk-in yoga class at the Ice House on Saturday from 11am to noon. Earlier at the Ice House -- from 10am to noon -- it is Art Saturdays classes. This week is all about theater. Adults can learn tips for a great audition while youth get the ultimate treat of a clowning class from the noted Cosmo the Clown. For early birds on Saturday morning, meet in the parking lot on the corner of Fairfax and Washington Sts in the center of town at 7:45am to get whisked away for a bird watching adventure conducted by eCo. You'll be back by noon. On Sunday, the Farmers Market from 10am to 2pm promises some treats for mom.

Looking for a break from all the shopping and spa fun on Saturday afternoon? Stop in at La Luna Wine Bar from 3 to 5pm for the monthly wine tasting -- this month featuring South American wines. Feel free to come back for late night fun on Friday and Saturday.

Dining out is at the heart of Mother's Day and Berkeley Springs has a choice of menus that will please every mother -- but PLEASE make reservations. You may choose brunch at Panorama with live entertainment on Sunday as well as dinner Thursday through Sunday. Mom will love the view. Cacapon State Park has a downhome Mother's Day buffet from noon to 6pm and also boasts spectacular scenery including a lake, hiking and a golf course should Mom be Ms Outdoors. The Country Inn's beautiful Parkview Room hosts a Mother's Day buffet with entertainment and a carnation for every Mom. Lot 12 and Tari's Cafe are also special locations for Mother's Day dining -- and for Tari's, dining every day at lunch and dinner. Lot 12 is dinner on Thursday through Sunday. There are other fine restaurants so check our dining page and remember -- make reservations for Sunday.

Shopping is another favorite Mom activity and Berkeley Springs has choice opportunities packed into its walkable six block downtown. Nature Niche celebrates Mother’s Day by offering a 10% discount on any single item to anyone who can prove they are a mother.  All sorts of proof is acceptable and motherhood also includes being that special person to an animal. There's a flower sale outside Tari's Cafe on Saturday to benefit Shenandoah Women's Center, $5 off every handcrafted flower vessel with flowers and if you say MOM, you get a discount on any gifts purchased. Creekside Creamery has great ice cream plus specials on gifts through the store plus free fountain or hot drinks for moms on Saturday and Sunday.

A spa treat is the perfect Mom gift and our half dozen spa treatment locations are ready to provide a full array of choices from massage to facials, scrubs and wraps to pedicures. Check the spa page for all offerings but also ponder these specials. On Thursday, the Country Inn offers a Day at the Spa Package where you can come relax & experience a massage or facial including a mineral whirlpool bath at the Inn's Five Senses Spa. Bring your mother, grandmother, sister, or wife and she gets a FREE massage or facial. There's even a dining voucher. Colonial Springs Spa has a facial and spa manicure for $90 for all moms and daughters on Sunday. On Sunday, Atasia Spa is offering free make-up consultation and introduces two new spa treatments in the massage and scrub categories.

For nightime fun this weekend, there are also several choices. The vintage Star Theatre is showing "Smart People" on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 8pm. The Country Inn has tapas in their tavern on Friday and Saturday from 6 to 8pm. There is dancing country style at the Troubadour on Saturday night, this week featuring the Weber Brothers band. And if you come up early, check out Jam Nite at Tari's Cafe on Thursday when Cindy Born hosts the music then return to hear the Weber Brothers on Friday from 8 to 11pm.

All this excitement and we have not yet told you about the special offering when mom comes to stay overnight. Stay three nights at Sunset Mountain Farm this weekend and along with the peace, quiet and great view, you get a free handmade porcelain pin. The elegant Highlawn Inn offers a 15% discount on any two-night stay this weekend. At Villa Firenze, mothers and daughters get a free Sunday or Thursday night when they stay on Friday and Saturday. Berkeley Springs Cottage Rentals offers $25 off every "quilted" cabin meaning those with quilts hanging in them. Check their full listings to discover which. Wherever you stay this weekend -- and we have dozens of places from which to choose -- we promise it will be a fabulous way to mark the 100th anniversary of Mother's Day, "invented" right here in West Virginia!