Virginia Writers Series to open October 19 at Belle Isle State Park

LANCASTER—Spend a lovely fall evening with the Friends of Belle Isle State Park, park staff and their special guests at the Virginia Writers Series. Light refreshments will be provided and Good Luck Cellars will sell wine by the glass.

Guests will have time to socialize before and after the writers speak. Participants will enjoy learning about these writers, their writings, how they came to tell their stories and maybe even a little bit about the process of their creations, reported park manager Katie Shepard.

Guest writers will include Connie Lapallo on October 19, Rob Hedelt on November 16 and Sharon Baldacci on December 14.

Visitor Center doors will open at 5 p.m. for a social period, followed by presentations from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. and time with the writer, from 6:30-7 p.m..

Lapallo is the author of the Jamestown Sky series, a trilogy based on the true story of Jamestown’s first women and children. Lapallo was first professionally published at 16 as a youth reporter for the Richmond News Leader. Her books include Dark Enough to See the Stars in a Jamestown Sky, When the Moon Has No More Silver and The Sun is but a Morning Star.

Hedelt will talk about some of his favorite people, places and the stories of Virginia that he has written about for over four decades. Recently retired as a feature columnist for the Free Lance-Star, Hedelt was born and raised in the Northern Neck and continues to be part of creating its stories. He has many interesting tales about Virginia State Parks too!
Baldacci will talk about the incredible journey that led to her inspirational book of hope, A Sun Dog Moment. She has had an interest in writing since the second grade, worked on her high school newspaper and ended up getting a degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1979 in Mass Communications.

Belle Isle State Park, 1632 Belle Isle Road, Lancaster, is on the Rappahannock River.

Come early and enjoy all the park has to offer. The event will be held in the Visitor Center where the displays and exhibits will be open.

The fee is $10 per person. Refreshments and parking are included. The event is sponsored by the Friends of Belle Isle State Park, proceeds go to support programs at the park. Call the park office to make a reservation at 462-5030, or email bellisle@dcr.virginia.gov.

Rivah Visitor's Guide Staff
Rivah Visitor's Guide Staff
The Rivah Visitor’s Guide provides information about places to go and things to do throughout the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula of Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay region, from the York River to the Potomac River.

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