You can always call Rick for the latest
"O' Be JoyFull" News at (732) 801-0381
or
 E-mail Rick at:  RickGMail@Comcast.net

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**NEWS FLASH**NEWS FLASH**NEWS FLASH**
Friday, October 15th, 2010

Don't miss...

"O' Be JoyFull's" Charity Benefit Concert
Featuring Rick's Show...
"Irish & Scottish Pub, Love & Rebel Songs"
for
The Autism Society of America
Saturday, November 20th, 2010, 6:00 PM
at
The Knights of Pythias Hall
Forest Oak Temple #18
11011 Game Preserve Road
Gaithersburg, MD, 20879

Your $10 per person donation goes to:
The Autism Society of America
Seating is limited so call for reservations to:
Barbara Brosher at 240/460-3571

What's the show like?...

Quote:  "We had a grand time...we liked that Rick had lyric books and encouraged audience participation...very rousing, foot stomping music!...made me want to clank my beer mug and wipe my mouth on my sleeve!...I likened it to a 19th Century Bill Joel concert!!...We had a great time!"...Kelly & Christina, Capon Bridge, WV.

Another Quote:  "Coming to Harpers Ferry was a great weekend trip...and the experience was topped off by the Irish and Scottish Sing-A-Long on our last night.  Don't miss the opportunity after a long day ...and have some fun!"...Keri Richards, Annaplis, MD, August 2009.

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**NEWS FLASH**NEWS FLASH**NEWS FLASH**
August 5th. 2010

Don't miss...
 
"O' Be JoyFull's" Half-way to St. Patrick's Day Party
Saturday, September 18th, 2010, 6:00 PM
 at
The Battlefield Bed & Breakfast
2264 Emmitsburg Road
Gettysburg, PA, 17325
(717) 334-2210
www.gettysburgbattlefield.com

The night will include Rick's Irish Pub Songs, Love Songs & Rebel Songs Show, followed by a traditional Irish dinner with your choice of either Corned Beef & Cabbage, Shepherds Pie, or Atlantic Salmon.  $35 per person, BYOB (Guiness suggested of course!)  Reservations required!

Quote:  "We had a grand time...we liked that Rick had lyric books and encouraged audience participation...very rousing, foot stomping music!...made me want to clank my beer mug and wipe my mouth on my sleeve!...I likened it to a 19th Century Bill Joel concert!!...We had a great time!"...Kelly & Christina, Capon Bridge, WV.

Another Quote:  "Coming to Harpers Ferry was a great weekend trip...and the experience was topped off by the Irish and Scottish Sing-A-Long on our last night.  Don't miss the opportunity after a long day ...and have some fun!"...Keri Richards, Annaplis, MD, August 2009.

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**NEWS FLASH**NEWS FLASH**NEWS FLASH**
Monday April 5th. 2010

EXPERIENCE A UNIQUE VISIT IN GETTYSBURG, PA.
PLUS A SPECIAL "O' BE JOYFULL" DISCOUNT!

With so many people recently asking Rick about his "O' Be JoyFull" work in Gettysburg, PA,  special arrangements have now been made for you to enjoy a unique visit and experience in Gettysburg, PA, while staying right on The Gettysburg Battlfield at...

The Battlefield Bed & Breakfast
2264 Emmitsburg Road
Gettysburg, PA   17325
(717) 334-8804
www.gettysburgbattlefield.com.
  
***SAVE $25.00 with an "O" Be JoyFull" Special!!!***

That's right, you can take advantage of a special "O' Be JoyFull" STAY &SHOW DISCOUNT RATE!!!  Just book your stay for the night before the 8 AM morning show (History Program), and just ask for the "O' Be JoyFull" Special Discount!  You'll then save $25.00 on your room rate!!! 

NOTE:  You must call 732/801-0381 to check room availability and to book this Stay & Show Special through Rick Garland.

The Inn, dating back to 1809, and located on a portion of the Gettysburg Battlefield, is all about the American Civil War!  It's decorated with a beautiful Civil War motif, which includes both art and artifacts!  Plus, there are 19th Century civilian and military clothes on hand for your very special vacation pictures!  Or, you can DRESS UP for the simply incredible breakfasts prepared by Chef David and Florence, the Innkeeper!

The Battlefield Bed & Breakfast Inn is even both children and pet friendly!

This "O' Be JoyFull" Special is subject to room availability!  So call now for your reservations!  (Breakfast & Show only reservations may also be available, but you have to call!)  See more about the Inn at www.gettysburgbattlefield.com.

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**NEWS FLASH**NEWS FLASH**NEWS FLASH**
Friday, March 19th, 2010

A GREAT SAINT PATRICK'S DAY CELEBRATION!

Harpers Ferry's 3rd Annual Saint Patrick's Day Celebration was a "brilliant" time! And I just want to thank everyone who came to The Anvil Restaurant to share in all the Irish fun on Wednesday night!

Renee', Ann & Danny hosted a wonderful evening and were appropriately "Wearin' the Green!"  And all the staff did a wonderful job in spreading all the Irish Cheer to all there!

And a special thanks goes out young 2nd grader, "Logan," the Grandson of staff member Barbara, who so enthusiatically became an Irishman for the night and sang as many songs as anybody there!  Plus, he was an absolute star in the performing of "The Unicorn Song!"  Thanks again Logan and to everyone else at The Anvil Restaurant for a great Saint Patrick's Day Celebration!

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**NEWS FLASH**NEWS FLASH**NEWS FLASH**
Saturday, February 13th, 2010

"O' BE JOYFULL" HISTORICAL TOURS & ENTERTAINMENT
&
GHOST TOURS OF HARPERS FERRY BY "O' BE JOYFULL"
ARE BOTH OPEN AFTER THE STORM!!!

Over the last week we have had about 40 to 45 inches of snow here in Harpers Ferry, but thanks largely to snow removal capabilities of the Harpers Ferry National Historic Park, as well as the arm power and elbow grease of Rick Garland, the Lower Town of Harpers Ferry, including "O' Be JoyFull's" Historical Tours, Concerts and Ghost Tours are back in business!

So come on down!

Here are some pictures!....



Of course, it's always best to call for a reservation...
732/801-0381

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**NEWS FLASH**NEWS FLASH**NEWS FLASH**
Friday, January 29th, 2010

Exciting News!!!   Plans are currently under way and we're already getting ready for one of the most "O' Be JoyFull" Holidays of the year!  A day that some people feel should be made an official "National Holiday!"  Or maybe even an entire month's long celebration!  Do you know what it is?  Well, if you have any Irish blood in you, or even if you don't, you should very well know, it's...

Saint Patrick's Day!!!
Wednesday, March 17th!

This year...

"O' Be JoyFull's" 3rd Annual
Harpers Ferry Saint Patrick's Day Celebration

is going to be better than ever!!!

Why?

Because in honor of all the "spirits" that are now a part of "O' Be JoyFull's repetoire, with last year's addition of Ghost Tours of Harpers Ferry, for the very first time, we are going to actually have real, authentic, historically accurate and period correct "Spirits" on hand with us, during our celebration, just for you to meet and greet!!!

  These "Spirits" even have official "O' Be JoyFull" Irish names, including Jameson, Bushmills, oh, and don't forget Guinness!!!

(But, please drink responsibly.  Why not invite along a designated driver!)

When?
Wednesday, March 17th, 2010, 6 to 9 PM!

Where?

The Anvil Restaurant
1290 W. Washington Street
Harpers Ferry (Bolivar), WV
304/535-2582 * www.anvilrestaurant.com 
    
Of course, along with plenty of "O' Be JoyFull's" Irish Pub, Love & Rebel Songs, that you can sing along with (Lyrics will be provided!), there will be Irish Dinner & Drink Specials, including Corned Beef & Cabbage!!!
(Check back for additional specials to be added!)

So don't miss your chance to celebrate an "O' Be JoyFull" Saint Patrick's Day with some great food & drink while enjoying Rick's "O' Be JoyFull" Irish Pub, Love & Rebel Songs Show!

We'll have lots of fun, including the traditional performance of, (complete with audience participation and hand signals), well, you know...

"We've got green alligators and long neck geese,
 Humpty back camels and chimpanzee's,
 We've got cats & rats and elephants,
 But sure as you're born,
 The loveliest of all is...
The Unicorn!!!"

If you don't know what we're talking about, come and find out!  It's going to be a great night full of wonderful Irish traditions, food, drink, songs, singing and FUN!!!

"We had a grand time!...we really like that Rick had lyric books and encouraged audience participation...very rousing, foot stomping music...made me want to clank my beer mug and wipe my mouth on my sleeve!...I likened it to a 19th Century Billy Joel concert!!...Had a great time!"...Kelly & Christina, Capon Bridge, WV, September 2009.

Suggested Admission of $10.00 for "O' Be JoyFull"

Seating in The Anvil Restaurant's Tavern Section is limited so reservations are suggested!!!
Call 304/535-2582
Why not call right now?

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**NEWS FLASH**NEWS FLASH**NEWS FLASH**
January 21st, 2010

Happy New Year!!!

I'd first like to thank everyone who made 2009 an "O' Be JoyFull" great year for me and to also wish you all a very happy, healthy and successful 2010!

There were more changes for "O' Be JoyFull" in 2009 which made my updating this NEWS PAGE a real challenge, so much so that my last update to this page was last April!  Yeeeessschhh!

I guess the two most news worthy items would be that since March of 2009, there are now over twenty-five (25) great comments and reviews for "O' Be JoyFull" Historical Tours & Entertainment and myself on www.tripadvisor.com, and over forty (40) great comments and reviews which were either emailed or snail-mailed to me that I've posted on this website, on the "O' Be JoyFull" Customer Comments Page.  I know that these great customer comments and reviews have had a very positive impact on the number of people who had, and/or will have great "O' Be JoyFull" experiences of their own!  

So, I'd especially like to thank all of you who have taken the time to either send me an email, or snail mail comment, or review of your "O' Be JoyFull" experiences, as well as all of you who have taken the time to sign into the TripAdvisor.com website and post a review for your "O' Be JoyFull" experience.

The second piece of big "O' Be JoyFull" news would, of course, have to be "O' Be JoyFull's" acquiring "Ghost Tours of Harpers Ferry," the oldest ghost tour in all of America!

Begun by Shirley Dougherty around 1972, after opening The Iron Horse Restaurant in Harpers Ferry, in the late 1960's, Miss Doughery's granddaughter, Ann Kelican, began conducting the tour for her grandmother approximately five years ago, after an illness confined Shirley to a wheel-chair.  Then last year, due to Ann's own immediate family's and children's needs, Ann decided that she simply could no longer devote her time to conducting the tour, and asked me to take over and carry on this great and very popular Harpers Ferry tradition, by adding the Ghost Tours of Harpers Ferry to the offerings of "O' Be JoyFull" Historical Tours & Entertainment!

Of course I was both happy and honored to continue this wonderful and popular Harpers Ferry tradition, though since adding the Ghost Tours to my already busy schedule, I do have to admit to struggling at times with keeping up with updating all of the various aspects of this website, and especially with this "O' Be JoyFull" NEWS PAGE!"  However, one of my New Year's resolutions is to keep this page updated on more consistent basis!

Well, that's about it for now, I again wish you a Happy "O' Be JoyFull" New Year!

I do hope you'll keep your eye on this, my "O' Be JoyFull" website, and pay special attention to the "Special Events Page," which I do always make sure to keep updated, (and make your plans to have an "O' Be JoyFull" time with me at one of my special events and/or on one of my regularly scheduled tours or concerts in The "O' Be JoyFull" Center!

And I do have some great Special Event Dinners sheduled at Gettysburg's Battlefield Bed & Breakfast in January, February and March!  You can check them out on the "Special Events Page!"

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**NEWS FLASH**NEWS FLASH**NEWS FLASH**
April 22nd, 2009

HOW TIME FLIES * THANK YOU * GHOSTS GHOSTS GHOSTS
 & HISTORICAL CORRECTION

How times flies when there's something new every day to wake up to!  I can't believe that the last "O' Be JoyFull" News Update was way back in February!  But, there's been so much happening since then that, well, that's it, there's been so much happening!  So here's the latest "O' Be JoyFull" News!

First, as I guess some of you have noticed, in March I launched this new and improved "O' Be JoyFull" website!  It has double the number of pages and contains a lot more information about "O' Be JoyFull" Historical Tours & Entertainment, including new pages for Assisted Living and Nursing Home Facility entertainmnt services, suggested places to stay overnight when visiting either Harpers Ferry, WV, or Gettysburg, PA, and perhaps most importantly a page soley dedicated to "O' Be JoyFull" Customer Comments!

The new Customer Comments page, along with some great reviews posted by happy "O' Be JoyFull" customers on a few on-line travel sites like www.TripAdvisor.com, have seemingly greatly increased the number of people who are giving an "O' Be JoyFull" experience a try, which has consquently resulted in more and more happy "O' Be JoyFull" customers!  Kind of like a catch 22, but in a very good way!

In any case, I'd just like to thank all those "O' Be JoyFull" customers who have been kind enough to send in their wonderful email comments and reviews, as well as those who have also posted on-line reviews about their "O' Be JoyFull" experiences, which are now proving to be so beneficial to the start of the 2009 Spring and Summer travel season!

GHOSTS!  GHOSTS!  GHOSTS!

Wow, how ironic is that with the continued increase in ghost businesses in Gettysburg, PA over the last few years, which had a significant influence on my deciding to move "O' Be JoyFull" to Harpers Ferry, WV, that I have now acquired what is probably the oldest Ghost Tour company in the entire country!

When I first began offering "O' Be JoyFull" entertainment services in Gettysburg, PA in 2003, there were only four ghost tour companies in "The Burg," and now there are over twenty, or more!  It seemed and seems that behind hotel rooms, burgers & beer and ice cream cones, that ghosts have become one of the top five "Burg" businesses!

It therefore surprised me more than anyone could possibly imagine that when Ann Kelican decided to retire from the Ghost Tour business, established by her Grandmother in Harpers Ferry in 1977, she asked and encouraged me to take over the reins and continue this long established attraction and tradition in "The Ferry!"

It has turned out to be especially rewarding for me to have the opportunity of sharing the many legends, lore and ghost stories of "The Ferry" with so many interested people, and these stories are somewhat more lighthearted than the stories associated with my strickly historically oriented tours!  I also have to be honest in saying that the younger adults especially do seem to greatly enjoy these stories and they are a whoe lot of fun to tour with!

I conduct the tours myself Monday through Thursday nights, and I have a lovely assistant, Amelia, who conducts the tours on Friday and Saturday nights while I entertain at The Secret Six Tavern Restaurant with my "O' Be JoyFull" Celtic Show!

Anyway for more information on the Ghost Tours of Harpers Ferry by "O' Be JoyFull", go to www.harpersferryghost.20m.com!

HISTORICAL CORRECTION

On many of my recent "O' Be JoyFull" Historical Tours, I have told a story that I was told at a recent gathering of local Harpers Ferry residents!  The story has to do with John Denver's ever popular song "Country Roads."  I was told that John Denver had actually been hiking on the Appalachian Trail near Harpers Ferry, WV when he became disoriented and didn't know which direction he needed to go, so he sat down to ponder the situation and was admiring the beauty of the scenery, the mountains and the rivers, much as Thomas Jefferson had done in October, 1783. 

Jefferson subsequently published a travel book entitled, "Notes on Virginia," and wrote about the beauty and serenity of the mountains, as well as the wild and tremendous Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers, waxing very poetic for three long paragraphs, at the end which he said, "The scene is worth a voyage across the Atlantic!"

Well, I was told that as John Denver sat by the trail, figuring out which way to go on the trail and admiring the beauty of the area, he described what he saw, but in a much more abreviated manner than did Thomas Jefferson, when he wrote the lines, "Almost Heaven, West Virginia, Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River."  What a great story, I thought, so I started telling it on my tours without doing my own research on the subject.  Well, I did that research today only to find out that while it is a really great story, it is not, in fact, true at all!  But it is a great story! 

Anyway, if you want the real story, just "Google" for it, or better yet, come and take an "O' Be JoyFull" Historical Tour of Harpers Ferry and I'll tell you the real story of "Country Roads!"  (How's that for a shameless marketing trick?  Hey, this is a business you know, despite all the fun I have with it!  Hee, hee!)

Till nex time....
"O' Be JoyFully" yours...
Rick Garland  !

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**NEWS FLASH**NEWS FLASH**NEWS FLASH**
February 5th, 2009

YOU HAVE TWO CHANCES THIS YEAR TO
CELEBRATE SAINT PATRICK WITH
"O' BE JOYFULL"!!!

Saturday, March 14th, 2009, 7:00 PM
at...
The Secret Six Tavern
186 High Street, Harpers Ferry, WV

Tuesday, March 17th, 2009, 7:00 PM
at...
The Battletown Inn
102 West Main Street, Berryville, VA

More details below....
Reservations strongly suggested!
Call 732/801-0381

Have you made your plans to celebrate Saint Patrick's Day yet?  No?  Good!  Because now you have something worthwhile to plan for, an "O' Be JoyFull" Irish Sing-A-Long Show!  And you have two, that's right, two chances this year to celebrate with "O' Be JoyFull"!!!

On Saturday night, March 14th, the 2nd Annual Harpers Ferry Saint Patrick's Celebration will take place once again at The Secret Six Tavern Restaurant, 186 High Street, Harpers Ferry, WV, (right across the street from The "O' Be JoyFull" Center) and the party starts at 7:00 PM!  Last year was a total sell out with standing room only, so reservations are the best way to go!!!  Call Rick at 732/801-0381 to reserve your "O' Be JoyFully" Irish good time!!!

The Secret Six Tavern Restaurant is also located right across the street from The Towns Inn, a great rustic and historic lodging establishment, circa. 1840, that will make sure that your Irish Heart and Head will be well cared for after a night of eating, singing and dare I say it, drinking, because no drving is required!!!  This great Inn is just a few steps away from the tavern!!!  Hostel beds start at just $30 per night and private rooms with private baths start at just $79!  Not only are all the rooms great and reasonably priced, Karan Townsend the Innkeeper will welcome you with her Irish Texan Heart and make sure you're tucked in safe and sound after a great night of Irish, Irish, Irish!!!  Check out The Towns Inn website at www.thetownsinn.com and then call Karan at 877/489-2447 to make your reservations!

Your second "O' Be JoyFull" chance for a great Saint Patrick's Celebration is on that very special day itself, Tuesday, March 17th, 7:00 PM, at the Battletown Inn, 102 West Main Street, Berryville, Virginia, 540/955-4100 * www.thebattletowninn.com.  The Battletown Inn was built in 1809 by the founder of Berryville, Benjamin Berry, and can trace its hospitality roots back over 200 years!!!  Wow!!!

The Inn's Gray Ghost Tavern, which is reportedly haunted by a Confederate soldier who was jilted by his girl for another soldier, of the Union persuation no less, is the perfect place to celebrate this very special Irish day with a corned beef & cabbage dinner along with an "O' Be JoyFull" time of great traditional Irish Songs & Stories!!!

And here's the best part, you don't have to drive anywhere after your eating and singing and drinking!!!  The Battletown Inn offers some of the most comfortable and authentically cool rooms araound, all with private baths and some with jacuzzi's to recoup in after you've had your fill of the food, the music, and of course, the ultimate Irish beverages, whiskey & Guinness!!!  It's about an hour from D.C. and makes for an incredibly romantic get-a-way for you and your lovely Irish lassie!!!

Call for reservations and ask for one of the owners, Jim Lynch, a wonderful red-headed Irishman himself, or his partner and chef Ming Chan (Hey!  Everybody's Irish on Saint Patrick's Day!), who'll be preparing his very special Irsh corned beef & cabbage. 

Jim and Ming are offerring some very special "O' Be JoyFull" room rates for all you good (and not so good!  Hee, hee!) Irishman and lassies out there who want to stay over that night!!!

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**NEWS FLASH**NEWS FLASH**NEWS FLASH**
January 6th, 2009

Wow!!!  Where did the Holiday Season Go? 

We here at "O' Be JoyFull" hope you enjoyed the holiday season as much as we did and that you will also enjoy a happy and healthy new year!  Oh, yeah, and of course, we hope to see you sometime this year for a guided tour of Harpers Ferry, WV, or Gettysburg, PA, and/or a historical concert show of "O' Be JoyFull" songs & stories!!!

A new series of "O' Be JoyFull" special event appearances have just been scheduled at Gettysburg's Battlefield Bed & Breakfast Inn, in addition to it's weekly Wednesday morning history presentation.  These special events promise an extraordinary good time with, "An Evening With Confederate General J.E.B. Stuart," which includes a musical presentation of the General's favorite songs, plus a civil war dinner and discussion of General Stuart's controversial ride and actions during the Gettysburg Campaign.  Other special events are a Valentine's Day theme Murder Mystery Victorian Dinner in February, and then in March, two special evenings in celebration of Saint Patrick's Day that include Civil War Irish Music, a traditional Irish Dinner, and then more Irish Pub Songs & Love Songs!!!

Saturday, January 24th, 6:00 PM - "An Evening with General J.E.B. Stuart"

Saturday, February 7th, 6:00 PM - Valentine's Theme Murder Mystery Dinner

Saturday, February 28th, 6:00 PM, "An Evening with General J.E.B. Stuart"

Friday, March 13th, 7:00 PM - Saint Patrick's Celebration

Friday, March 20th, 7:00 PM - Saint Patrick's Celebration

For more information on these very special event evenings, check out the "OBJ" Schedule Page, and/or the Battlefield Bed & Breakfast web page at:   www.gettysburgbattlefield.com.

Reservations to the inn are a must and based on past experience, sell-outs are expected.  As there are limited seats and rooms at the inn, you'll want to make your reservations A.S.A.P!

So you can see that there's already lots of new things we've already planned for in our "O' Be JoyFull" year of 2009.  We're also planning a new "O' Be JoyFull" web site, which is currently being designed, and is scheduled to be up and running by the end of February!  The new website will include a page dedicated to all of the wonderful comments and compliments received from very happy "O' Be JoyFull" customers about both the Town Tours, and the Historical Songs & Stories Shows.  Hopefully, listing customer comments will inspire motivate even more people to have an "O' Be JoyFull" experience this year!  

For example, a very fine fellow living and working in Alaska for the National Forest Service, Joe, along with his lovely wife, Heather, as well as Joe's parents happened by The "O' Be JoyFull" Center in Harpers Ferry, WV one day this past summer and decided to attend an "O' Be JoyFull" historical song & story show.  They all enjoyed the show so much that they then immediately scheduled a Harpers Ferry Town Tour for the very next day!  They all enjoyed the Harpers Ferry tour so much that they then also immediately scheduled an "O' Be JoyFull" tour of Gettysburg, PA, for a couple of days later, while on their way to Philadelphia! 

When all was said and done, Joe took me by the hand, shook my hand and said, quote, "I just want to personally thank you.  I've traveled extensively during my life and have taken countless tours and attended countless historical musical presentations and I have to say that you are by far the most magnificent interpretive artist that I have ever encountered!"

An Antique Santa Claus collector, by the name of Debbie, a member of "The Golden Glow Club," wandered into the "O' Be JoyFull" Center on her way to a candle light tour of St. Peter's Church, during Harpers Ferry Old Tyme Christmas Celebration, and came back after the church tour with her husband to experience an "O' Be JoyFull" Christmas Customs & Traditions Show.  After the show, Debbie's comments included, quote, "After all these years of collecting antique Santa's, I feel guilty that I never knew all the incredible Santa Claus history that you just told me about today!  Along with your story and performance of Oh Holy Night, your show was all very inspiring!

After that, what more could I possibly say, or do, to inspire and motivate you to experience an "O' Be JoyFull" Show for yourself?

But wait there's more....new additions to the Harpers Ferry tour are more first person quotes from the people who personally witnessed Harpers Ferry's History in the making, as well as additional Gettysburg civilian stories and alternative tour routes to provide those of you who have already experienced an "O' Be JoyFull" tour, additional and different historical stories and sites to hear and see this year!

Hope to see you soon!!!
Rick Garland

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**NEWS FLASH**NEWS FLASH**NEWS FLASH**
December 4th, 2008

Additional "O' BE JOYFULL" CHRISTMAS SHOWS!!!

On Friday & Saturday, December 5th & 6th, Rick will be performing the "O' Be JoyFull" Customs & Traditions Christmas Show at 2:30 PM, 4:00 PM & 6:00 PM.

On Sunday, December 7th, Rick will also have shows at 4:00 PM & 6:00 PM.

On Friday & Saturday nights, December 5th & 6th, Rick will perform Irish & Christmas songs at The Secret Six Tavern Restaurant, right across the street from The "O' Be JoyFull" Center from approximately 8:00 PM until closing!

The following weekend, I'll once again be taking the "O' Be JoyFull" Christmas Customs & Traditions Show to New Jersey, where my Historical Songs & Stories Shows all started, but the following weekend, Friday, Saturday & Sunday, December 19th, 20th & 21st, I'll be back here in "The Ferry!"

On Friday, Saturday & Sunday, December 19th, 20th & 21st, I'll also be offering a 7:30 PM Christmas Show, in addition to the shows at 2:30 PM, 4:00 PM, & 6:00 PM!

So don't miss out!!!  Make your plans to come to The Ferry and celebrate an "O' Be JoyFull" Christmas season with a very special holiday show of songs & stories that will entertain you, tell you of the origins of our Christmas customs and traditions, and really put you in a Historical Christmas Spirit!

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**NEWS FLASH**NEWS FLASH**NEWS FLASH**
November 21st, 2008

I'd like to wish everyone a very happy Thanksgiving and Holiday Season!

Despite these hard and trying times, the holiday season is a time when we are reminded to look around and to be thankful for those people in our lives who we care for and love, our families, and our friends, for they are our true gifts. 

While many people may perhaps not be in a position this year to show their holiday spirit in the same generous manner as they have done in the past, with the showering of gifts, maybe we can remember and remind each other that our most important gifts are those of our love and friendship, and maybe something that could be even more important and valuable to those we love, our time!

It seems that when you talk to many people, people who are by necessity caught up in today's very busy world, dealing and coping with pressure filled daily lives, lives often including getting the kids up and to school, commuting to their jobs, and meeting numerous and sometimes countless schedules and deadlines, so many people mention and maybe wish for those "simpler times" of the past.

And maybe that is the answer!  Remember those times in our past, when we were living simpler lives, when electronics didn't control everything in our lives, from our time, our schedules, our jobs, and even our communications and entertainment.  Maybe we should remember those days of playing board games, or cards, with your family and friends?  Maybe some of you even remember just sitting around the kitchen, or dinning room table and talking to each other, telling stories of the family, and of the past.  Or maybe you remember singing together around the piano, or with a guitar, or how about when you took an afternoon ride in the big old family car and sang songs, or counted license plates?

Those kinds of gifts, the gifts of our friendship and of our spending time together, whether by just sitting around together with a cup of tea, or coffee, or dare I say it, a beer, or maybe even some "O' Be JoyFull," (for those of you who don't know, or haven't figured it out yet, "O' Be JoyFull" is a nickname for moonshine whiskey!) and just talking with one another, telling stories, or playing cards, or how about those old fashioned board (not bored!) games like monopoly and scrabble?  Many old time games and activities included the gift of our time and our personal interaction with each other, in contrast to many of our current electronic activities that seemingly serve to only isolate us from each other, plus most of the above mentioned old time activities, from those "simpler times," typically cost a lot less and in many ways gave a lot more!

So, maybe we could enjoy this holiday season even more with some simpler activities, like those mentioned above, or by attending your local Christmas Tree lighting, singing some Christmas Carols together, or just spending quality time together with family and friends, talking, telling stories, playing games, playing music, or even singing songs!  (You know it has been scientifically proven that singing releases endorphins into your brain!  It makes you feel good!)

So, I again wish you all a very happy holiday season and I hope that maybe I've given you an idea for a family holiday activity that will harken you back to those happy and "simpler times!"

Of course, if you need any help with the telling stories, or the singing thing, or would like to know more about releasing some of those endorphins, I'm always here to lend a voice!

Happy Holidays!!!
Best wishes...
Rick

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'd first like to thank everyone who made 2009 an great year for me and to also wish you all a very happy, healthy and successful 2010!There were more changes for in 2009 which made my updating this a real challenge, so much so that my last update to this page was last April!  Yeeeessschhh!I guess the two most news worthy items would be that since March of 2009, there are now over twenty-five (25) great comments and reviews for  and myself on , and over forty (40) great comments and reviews which were either emailed or snail-mailed to me that I've posted on this website, on the   I know that these great customer comments and reviews have had a very positive impact on the number of people who had, and/or will have great experiences of their own!So, I'd especially like to thank all of you who have taken the time to either send me an email, or snail mail comment, or review of your experiences, as well as all of you who have taken the time to sign into the TripAdvisor.com website and post a review for your experience.The second piece of big news would, of course, have to be acquiringthe oldest ghost tour in all of America!Begun by Shirley Dougherty around 1972, after opening The Iron Horse Restaurant in Harpers Ferry, in the late 1960's, Miss Doughery's granddaughter, Ann Kelican, began conducting the tour for her grandmother approximately five years ago, after an illness confined Shirley to a wheel-chair.  Then last year, due to Ann's own immediate family's and children's needs, Ann decided that she simply could no longer devote her time to conducting the tour, and asked me to take over and carry on this great and very popular Harpers Ferry tradition, by adding the Ghost Tours of Harpers Ferry to the offerings of Of course I was both happy and honored to continue this wonderful and popular Harpers Ferry tradition, though since adding the Ghost Tours to my already busy schedule I do have to admit to struggling at times with keeping up with updating all of the various aspects of this website, and especially with this However, one of my New Year's resolutions is to keep this page updated on more consistent basis!Well, that's about it for now, I again wish you a Happy I do hope you'll keep your eye on this, my website, and pay special attention to the which I do always make sure to keep updated, (and make your plans to have an time with me at one of my special events and/or on one of my regularly scheduled tours or concerts in And I do have some great sheduled at in January, February and March!  You can check them out on the

I'd first like to thank everyone who made 2009 an great year for me and to also wish you all a very happy, healthy and successful 2010!There were more changes for in 2009 which made my updating this a real challenge, so much so that my last update to this page was last April!  Yeeeessschhh!I guess the two most news worthy items would be that since March of 2009, there are now over twenty-five (25) great comments and reviews for  and myself on , and over forty (40) great comments and reviews which were either emailed or snail-mailed to me that I've posted on this website, on the   I know that these great customer comments and reviews have had a very positive impact on the number of people who had, and/or will have great experiences of their own!So, I'd especially like to thank all of you who have taken the time to either send me an email, or snail mail comment, or review of your experiences, as well as all of you who have taken the time to sign into the TripAdvisor.com website and post a review for your experience.The second piece of big news would, of course, have to be acquiringthe oldest ghost tour in all of America!Begun by Shirley Dougherty around 1972, after opening The Iron Horse Restaurant in Harpers Ferry, in the late 1960's, Miss Doughery's granddaughter, Ann Kelican, began conducting the tour for her grandmother approximately five years ago, after an illness confined Shirley to a wheel-chair.  Then last year, due to Ann's own immediate family's and children's needs, Ann decided that she simply could no longer devote her time to conducting the tour, and asked me to take over and carry on this great and very popular Harpers Ferry tradition, by adding the Ghost Tours of Harpers Ferry to the offerings of Of course I was both happy and honored to continue this wonderful and popular Harpers Ferry tradition, though since adding the Ghost Tours to my already busy schedule I do have to admit to struggling at times with keeping up with updating all of the various aspects of this website, and especially with this However, one of my New Year's resolutions is to keep this page updated on more consistent basis!Well, that's about it for now, I again wish you a Happy I do hope you'll keep your eye on this, my website, and pay special attention to the which I do always make sure to keep updated, (and make your plans to have an time with me at one of my special events and/or on one of my regularly scheduled tours or concerts in And I do have some great sheduled at in January, February and March!  You can check them out on the

 

I'd first like to thank everyone who made 2009 an great year for me and to also wish you all a very happy, healthy and successful 2010!There were more changes for in 2009 which made my updating this a real challenge, so much so that my last update to this page was last April!  Yeeeessschhh!I guess the two most news worthy items would be that since March of 2009, there are now over twenty-five (25) great comments and reviews for  and myself on , and over forty (40) great comments and reviews which were either emailed or snail-mailed to me that I've posted on this website, on the   I know that these great customer comments and reviews have had a very positive impact on the number of people who had, and/or will have great experiences of their own!So, I'd especially like to thank all of you who have taken the time to either send me an email, or snail mail comment, or review of your experiences, as well as all of you who have taken the time to sign into the TripAdvisor.com website and post a review for your experience.The second piece of big news would, of course, have to be acquiringthe oldest ghost tour in all of America!Begun by Shirley Dougherty around 1972, after opening The Iron Horse Restaurant in Harpers Ferry, in the late 1960's, Miss Doughery's granddaughter, Ann Kelican, began conducting the tour for her grandmother approximately five years ago, after an illness confined Shirley to a wheel-chair.  Then last year, due to Ann's own immediate family's and children's needs, Ann decided that she simply could no longer devote her time to conducting the tour, and asked me to take over and carry on this great and very popular Harpers Ferry tradition, by adding the Ghost Tours of Harpers Ferry to the offerings of Of course I was both happy and honored to continue this wonderful and popular Harpers Ferry tradition, though since adding the Ghost Tours to my already busy schedule I do have to admit to struggling at times with keeping up with updating all of the various aspects of this website, and especially with this However, one of my New Year's resolutions is to keep this page updated on more consistent basis!Well, that's about it for now, I again wish you a Happy I do hope you'll keep your eye on this, my website, and pay special attention to the which I do always make sure to keep updated, (and make your plans to have an time with me at one of my special events and/or on one of my regularly scheduled tours or concerts in And I do have some great sheduled at in January, February and March!  You can check them out on the

 

I'd first like to thank everyone who made 2009 an great year for me and to also wish you all a very happy, healthy and successful 2010!There were more changes for in 2009 which made my updating this a real challenge, so much so that my last update to this page was last April!  Yeeeessschhh!I guess the two most news worthy items would be that since March of 2009, there are now over twenty-five (25) great comments and reviews for  and myself on , and over forty (40) great comments and reviews which were either emailed or snail-mailed to me that I've posted on this website, on the   I know that these great customer comments and reviews have had a very positive impact on the number of people who had, and/or will have great experiences of their own!So, I'd especially like to thank all of you who have taken the time to either send me an email, or snail mail comment, or review of your experiences, as well as all of you who have taken the time to sign into the TripAdvisor.com website and post a review for your experience.The second piece of big news would, of course, have to be acquiringthe oldest ghost tour in all of America!Begun by Shirley Dougherty around 1972, after opening The Iron Horse Restaurant in Harpers Ferry, in the late 1960's, Miss Doughery's granddaughter, Ann Kelican, began conducting the tour for her grandmother approximately five years ago, after an illness confined Shirley to a wheel-chair.  Then last year, due to Ann's own immediate family's and children's needs, Ann decided that she simply could no longer devote her time to conducting the tour, and asked me to take over and carry on this great and very popular Harpers Ferry tradition, by adding the Ghost Tours of Harpers Ferry to the offerings of Of course I was both happy and honored to continue this wonderful and popular Harpers Ferry tradition, though since adding the Ghost Tours to my already busy schedule I do have to admit to struggling at times with keeping up with updating all of the various aspects of this website, and especially with this However, one of my New Year's resolutions is to keep this page updated on more consistent basis!Well, that's about it for now, I again wish you a Happy I do hope you'll keep your eye on this, my website, and pay special attention to the which I do always make sure to keep updated, (and make your plans to have an time with me at one of my special events and/or on one of my regularly scheduled tours or concerts in And I do have some great sheduled at in January, February and March!  You can check them out on the

 

I'd first like to thank everyone who made 2009 an great year for me and to also wish you all a very happy, healthy and successful 2010!There were more changes for in 2009 which made my updating this a real challenge, so much so that my last update to this page was last April!  Yeeeessschhh!I guess the two most news worthy items would be that since March of 2009, there are now over twenty-five (25) great comments and reviews for  and myself on , and over forty (40) great comments and reviews which were either emailed or snail-mailed to me that I've posted on this website, on the   I know that these great customer comments and reviews have had a very positive impact on the number of people who had, and/or will have great experiences of their own!So, I'd especially like to thank all of you who have taken the time to either send me an email, or snail mail comment, or review of your experiences, as well as all of you who have taken the time to sign into the TripAdvisor.com website and post a review for your experience.The second piece of big news would, of course, have to be acquiringthe oldest ghost tour in all of America!Begun by Shirley Dougherty around 1972, after opening The Iron Horse Restaurant in Harpers Ferry, in the late 1960's, Miss Doughery's granddaughter, Ann Kelican, began conducting the tour for her grandmother approximately five years ago, after an illness confined Shirley to a wheel-chair.  Then last year, due to Ann's own immediate family's and children's needs, Ann decided that she simply could no longer devote her time to conducting the tour, and asked me to take over and carry on this great and very popular Harpers Ferry tradition, by adding the Ghost Tours of Harpers Ferry to the offerings of Of course I was both happy and honored to continue this wonderful and popular Harpers Ferry tradition, though since adding the Ghost Tours to my already busy schedule I do have to admit to struggling at times with keeping up with updating all of the various aspects of this website, and especially with this However, one of my New Year's resolutions is to keep this page updated on more consistent basis!Well, that's about it for now, I again wish you a Happy I do hope you'll keep your eye on this, my website, and pay special attention to the which I do always make sure to keep updated, (and make your plans to have an time with me at one of my special events and/or on one of my regularly scheduled tours or concerts in And I do have some great sheduled at in January, February and March!  You can check them out on the

 

I'd first like to thank everyone who made 2009 an great year for me and to also wish you all a very happy, healthy and successful 2010!There were more changes for in 2009 which made my updating this a real challenge, so much so that my last update to this page was last April!  Yeeeessschhh!I guess the two most news worthy items would be that since March of 2009, there are now over twenty-five (25) great comments and reviews for  and myself on , and over forty (40) great comments and reviews which were either emailed or snail-mailed to me that I've posted on this website, on the   I know that these great customer comments and reviews have had a very positive impact on the number of people who had, and/or will have great experiences of their own!So, I'd especially like to thank all of you who have taken the time to either send me an email, or snail mail comment, or review of your experiences, as well as all of you who have taken the time to sign into the TripAdvisor.com website and post a review for your experience.The second piece of big news would, of course, have to be acquiringthe oldest ghost tour in all of America!Begun by Shirley Dougherty around 1972, after opening The Iron Horse Restaurant in Harpers Ferry, in the late 1960's, Miss Doughery's granddaughter, Ann Kelican, began conducting the tour for her grandmother approximately five years ago, after an illness confined Shirley to a wheel-chair.  Then last year, due to Ann's own immediate family's and children's needs, Ann decided that she simply could no longer devote her time to conducting the tour, and asked me to take over and carry on this great and very popular Harpers Ferry tradition, by adding the Ghost Tours of Harpers Ferry to the offerings of Of course I was both happy and honored to continue this wonderful and popular Harpers Ferry tradition, though since adding the Ghost Tours to my already busy schedule I do have to admit to struggling at times with keeping up with updating all of the various aspects of this website, and especially with this However, one of my New Year's resolutions is to keep this page updated on more consistent basis!Well, that's about it for now, I again wish you a Happy I do hope you'll keep your eye on this, my website, and pay special attention to the which I do always make sure to keep updated, (and make your plans to have an time with me at one of my special events and/or on one of my regularly scheduled tours or concerts in And I do have some great sheduled at in January, February and March!  You can check them out on the

 

I'd first like to thank everyone who made 2009 an great year for me and to also wish you all a very happy, healthy and successful 2010!There were more changes for in 2009 which made my updating this a real challenge, so much so that my last update to this page was last April!  Yeeeessschhh!I guess the two most news worthy items would be that since March of 2009, there are now over twenty-five (25) great comments and reviews for  and myself on , and over forty (40) great comments and reviews which were either emailed or snail-mailed to me that I've posted on this website, on the   I know that these great customer comments and reviews have had a very positive impact on the number of people who had, and/or will have great experiences of their own!So, I'd especially like to thank all of you who have taken the time to either send me an email, or snail mail comment, or review of your experiences, as well as all of you who have taken the time to sign into the TripAdvisor.com website and post a review for your experience.The second piece of big news would, of course, have to be acquiringthe oldest ghost tour in all of America!Begun by Shirley Dougherty around 1972, after opening The Iron Horse Restaurant in Harpers Ferry, in the late 1960's, Miss Doughery's granddaughter, Ann Kelican, began conducting the tour for her grandmother approximately five years ago, after an illness confined Shirley to a wheel-chair.  Then last year, due to Ann's own immediate family's and children's needs, Ann decided that she simply could no longer devote her time to conducting the tour, and asked me to take over and carry on this great and very popular Harpers Ferry tradition, by adding the Ghost Tours of Harpers Ferry to the offerings of Of course I was both happy and honored to continue this wonderful and popular Harpers Ferry tradition, though since adding the Ghost Tours to my already busy schedule I do have to admit to struggling at times with keeping up with updating all of the various aspects of this website, and especially with this However, one of my New Year's resolutions is to keep this page updated on more consistent basis!Well, that's about it for now, I again wish you a Happy I do hope you'll keep your eye on this, my website, and pay special attention to the which I do always make sure to keep updated, (and make your plans to have an time with me at one of my special events and/or on one of my regularly scheduled tours or concerts in And I do have some great sheduled at in January, February and March!  You can check them out on the

 

I'd first like to thank everyone who made 2009 an great year for me and to also wish you all a very happy, healthy and successful 2010!There were more changes for in 2009 which made my updating this a real challenge, so much so that my last update to this page was last April!  Yeeeessschhh!I guess the two most news worthy items would be that since March of 2009, there are now over twenty-five (25) great comments and reviews for  and myself on , and over forty (40) great comments and reviews which were either emailed or snail-mailed to me that I've posted on this website, on the   I know that these great customer comments and reviews have had a very positive impact on the number of people who had, and/or will have great experiences of their own!So, I'd especially like to thank all of you who have taken the time to either send me an email, or snail mail comment, or review of your experiences, as well as all of you who have taken the time to sign into the TripAdvisor.com website and post a review for your experience.The second piece of big news would, of course, have to be acquiringthe oldest ghost tour in all of America!Begun by Shirley Dougherty around 1972, after opening The Iron Horse Restaurant in Harpers Ferry, in the late 1960's, Miss Doughery's granddaughter, Ann Kelican, began conducting the tour for her grandmother approximately five years ago, after an illness confined Shirley to a wheel-chair.  Then last year, due to Ann's own immediate family's and children's needs, Ann decided that she simply could no longer devote her time to conducting the tour, and asked me to take over and carry on this great and very popular Harpers Ferry tradition, by adding the Ghost Tours of Harpers Ferry to the offerings of Of course I was both happy and honored to continue this wonderful and popular Harpers Ferry tradition, though since adding the Ghost Tours to my already busy schedule I do have to admit to struggling at times with keeping up with updating all of the various aspects of this website, and especially with this However, one of my New Year's resolutions is to keep this page updated on more consistent basis!Well, that's about it for now, I again wish you a Happy I do hope you'll keep your eye on this, my website, and pay special attention to the which I do always make sure to keep updated, (and make your plans to have an time with me at one of my special events and/or on one of my regularly scheduled tours or concerts in And I do have some great sheduled at in January, February and March!  You can check them out on the

 

I'd first like to thank everyone who made 2009 an great year for me and to also wish you all a very happy, healthy and successful 2010!There were more changes for in 2009 which made my updating this a real challenge, so much so that my last update to this page was last April!  Yeeeessschhh!I guess the two most news worthy items would be that since March of 2009, there are now over twenty-five (25) great comments and reviews for  and myself on , and over forty (40) great comments and reviews which were either emailed or snail-mailed to me that I've posted on this website, on the   I know that these great customer comments and reviews have had a very positive impact on the number of people who had, and/or will have great experiences of their own!So, I'd especially like to thank all of you who have taken the time to either send me an email, or snail mail comment, or review of your experiences, as well as all of you who have taken the time to sign into the TripAdvisor.com website and post a review for your experience.The second piece of big news would, of course, have to be acquiringthe oldest ghost tour in all of America!Begun by Shirley Dougherty around 1972, after opening The Iron Horse Restaurant in Harpers Ferry, in the late 1960's, Miss Doughery's granddaughter, Ann Kelican, began conducting the tour for her grandmother approximately five years ago, after an illness confined Shirley to a wheel-chair.  Then last year, due to Ann's own immediate family's and children's needs, Ann decided that she simply could no longer devote her time to conducting the tour, and asked me to take over and carry on this great and very popular Harpers Ferry tradition, by adding the Ghost Tours of Harpers Ferry to the offerings of Of course I was both happy and honored to continue this wonderful and popular Harpers Ferry tradition, though since adding the Ghost Tours to my already busy schedule I do have to admit to struggling at times with keeping up with updating all of the various aspects of this website, and especially with this However, one of my New Year's resolutions is to keep this page updated on more consistent basis!Well, that's about it for now, I again wish you a Happy I do hope you'll keep your eye on this, my website, and pay special attention to the which I do always make sure to keep updated, (and make your plans to have an time with me at one of my special events and/or on one of my regularly scheduled tours or concerts in And I do have some great sheduled at in January, February and March!  You can check them out on the

 

I'd first like to thank everyone who made 2009 an great year for me and to also wish you all a very happy, healthy and successful 2010!There were more changes for in 2009 which made my updating this a real challenge, so much so that my last update to this page was last April!  Yeeeessschhh!I guess the two most news worthy items would be that since March of 2009, there are now over twenty-five (25) great comments and reviews for  and myself on , and over forty (40) great comments and reviews which were either emailed or snail-mailed to me that I've posted on this website, on the   I know that these great customer comments and reviews have had a very positive impact on the number of people who had, and/or will have great experiences of their own!So, I'd especially like to thank all of you who have taken the time to either send me an email, or snail mail comment, or review of your experiences, as well as all of you who have taken the time to sign into the TripAdvisor.com website and post a review for your experience.The second piece of big news would, of course, have to be acquiringthe oldest ghost tour in all of America!Begun by Shirley Dougherty around 1972, after opening The Iron Horse Restaurant in Harpers Ferry, in the late 1960's, Miss Doughery's granddaughter, Ann Kelican, began conducting the tour for her grandmother approximately five years ago, after an illness confined Shirley to a wheel-chair.  Then last year, due to Ann's own immediate family's and children's needs, Ann decided that she simply could no longer devote her time to conducting the tour, and asked me to take over and carry on this great and very popular Harpers Ferry tradition, by adding the Ghost Tours of Harpers Ferry to the offerings of Of course I was both happy and honored to continue this wonderful and popular Harpers Ferry tradition, though since adding the Ghost Tours to my already busy schedule I do have to admit to struggling at times with keeping up with updating all of the various aspects of this website, and especially with this However, one of my New Year's resolutions is to keep this page updated on more consistent basis!Well, that's about it for now, I again wish you a Happy I do hope you'll keep your eye on this, my website, and pay special attention to the which I do always make sure to keep updated, (and make your plans to have an time with me at one of my special events and/or on one of my regularly scheduled tours or concerts in And I do have some great sheduled at in January, February and March!  You can check them out on the

 

I'd first like to thank everyone who made 2009 an great year for me and to also wish you all a very happy, healthy and successful 2010!There were more changes for in 2009 which made my updating this a real challenge, so much so that my last update to this page was last April!  Yeeeessschhh!I guess the two most news worthy items would be that since March of 2009, there are now over twenty-five (25) great comments and reviews for  and myself on , and over forty (40) great comments and reviews which were either emailed or snail-mailed to me that I've posted on this website, on the   I know that these great customer comments and reviews have had a very positive impact on the number of people who had, and/or will have great experiences of their own!So, I'd especially like to thank all of you who have taken the time to either send me an email, or snail mail comment, or review of your experiences, as well as all of you who have taken the time to sign into the TripAdvisor.com website and post a review for your experience.The second piece of big news would, of course, have to be acquiringthe oldest ghost tour in all of America!Begun by Shirley Dougherty around 1972, after opening The Iron Horse Restaurant in Harpers Ferry, in the late 1960's, Miss Doughery's granddaughter, Ann Kelican, began conducting the tour for her grandmother approximately five years ago, after an illness confined Shirley to a wheel-chair.  Then last year, due to Ann's own immediate family's and children's needs, Ann decided that she simply could no longer devote her time to conducting the tour, and asked me to take over and carry on this great and very popular Harpers Ferry tradition, by adding the Ghost Tours of Harpers Ferry to the offerings of Of course I was both happy and honored to continue this wonderful and popular Harpers Ferry tradition, though since adding the Ghost Tours to my already busy schedule I do have to admit to struggling at times with keeping up with updating all of the various aspects of this website, and especially with this However, one of my New Year's resolutions is to keep this page updated on more consistent basis!Well, that's about it for now, I again wish you a Happy I do hope you'll keep your eye on this, my website, and pay special attention to the which I do always make sure to keep updated, (and make your plans to have an time with me at one of my special events and/or on one of my regularly scheduled tours or concerts in And I do have some great sheduled at in January, February and March!  You can check them out on the

 

 

 

This Saint Patrick?s Day celebration will be centered around an "O? Be JoyFull" Saint Patrick?s Day Irish Historical Concert, at The Secret Six Tavern, Lower Town, Harpers Ferry, on Saturday Night, March 15^th, 2008, at 7:00 PM. Of course, food and beverages will be available for purchase at The Secret Six, and Rick will request a $10.00 per person contribution to the "O? Be JoyFullness" of the evening. If you would like to attend this very special Saint Patrick?s Irish Celebration, please give Rick a call at the "O? Be JoyFull" Hotline, (732) 801-0381, by Saturday, March 8^th, 2008.

Because it is the "Off Season," so to speak, we need to know if you?ll be attending this event, by March 8^th, 2008, so that The Secret Six Tavern can have the appropriate service personnel on hand for the evening, so please call as soon as you can! (There is also a limit to the number of people that can be accommodated for the evening.) 

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**NEWS FLASH**NEWS FLASH**NEWS FLASH**
February 21st, 2008

INTIMATE LIMITED SEATING "O' Be JoyFull"
 CONCERTS A BIG SUCCESS IN HARPERS FERRY, WV!!!

On the previous two Saturday nights, February 9th & 16th, a sold out house, of a little more than a dozen people, experienced "O' Be JoyFull's" newest show, "J.E.B. Stuart Sings Again!!", in the wonderfully cozy and intimate setting of The Towns Inn's Heritage House Parlor, 179 High Street, Harpers Ferry, WV, (877) 489-2447, www.thetownsinn.com, and the shows received absolutely rave reviews!!! 

Guests also enjoyed some light snacks and refreshments, during the evening, including a complimentary glass of wine, or soft drink, as a part of their "Old Time American Experience!"

Karen Townsend, the lovely and wonderful new proprietor of Harpers Ferry's newest establishment for overnight accommodations in Harpers Ferry, had a vision of bringing some kind of wholesome, old time, entertainment to "The Ferry," and to her Inn, and after attending a number of "O' Be JoyFull" appearances in The Ferry last year, Karan decided to bring the "O' Be JoyFull" experience to her new Inn to see what would happen.

What happened was two incredibly wonderful and fun filled nights of 19th Century "O' Be JoyFull" entertainment!!!  The Towns Inn Heritage House Parlor, built in 1840, is simply one of the most perfect venues to transport yourself back in time and to experience the day and age when entertainment meant gathering with family and friends around the piano, telling stories, and singing songs!!!  An experience that provides all the good things in life, songs, stories, friends, family, comradery, and simply some of the best of old time America, and its Family Values! 

With guest comments like, "...So unique and wonderful!," "A real treat and a pleasure!," "I felt like I went back in time...", and "Thank you so much for a simply wonderful and truly unique experience...," it really was a no brainer to schedule additional Intimate Limited Seating "O' Be JoyFull" Concerts, at The Towns Inn, and that's exactly what we now have done.

So, in the tradition of "O' Be JoyFull's" history and continuing mission to bring light hearted and fun entertainment to as many people as possible, as well as a little education and American history, in the process, "O' Be JoyFull" has now been scheduled to appear in The Ferry, at The Towns Inn, on most every Saturday night throughout 2008!!!

For those of you who have experienced an "O' Be JoyFull" Show before, you should experience another show in what just might be the most perfect, cozy, and intimate venue ever for an "O' Be JoyFull" Show experience!!!  And for those of you who have never had the opportunity to "O' Be JoyFull", WHAT IN THE WORLD ARE YOU WAITING FOR???

Check out the "O' Be JoyFull" Schedule page on this website RIGHT NOW! (Please?), make your plans, and call either Rick, at the "O' Be JoyFull" Hotline, (732) 801-0381, or Karen Townsend, at The Towns Inn, (877) 489-2447, and make your reservations for an "O' Be JoyFully" wonderful night of old time American fun!!!  DO IT NOW!!!  (Please, pretty please?) 

(Due to size limitations, seating is strictly limited to just 16 people for each show, so call now!)

If it is new and exciting adventures you are wishing for this year, may you have those adventures, if you are simply wishing for the peace, solitude, and happiness of your life to continue as is, then may you have that, and lastly, if you are wishing for a combination of both, may you also be blessed and "O' Be JoyFully" pleased and happy with all that this year brings to you!

As you have perhaps noticed, when viewing the first page of this website, "O' Be JoyFull" is wishing for just such a combination of happenings, both a continuance of what has been, as well as a continuance of new beginnings! 

While "O' Be JoyFull" will continue to reach out in a light hearted and high energy way to both entertain and educate people about 19th Century Culture, Pastimes, and History, with its Historical Concerts & Stories, for as many people and in as many venues as possible, Rick and "O' Be JoyFull" will also be expanding and aspiring to new adventures and horizons, with the introduction of Historical Walking Tours of both Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, and Gettysburg, Pennsylvania!

"O' Be JoyFull's" new company name is "O' Be JoyFull"TM Historical Tours & Entertainment, and its new address is P.O. Box 1148, Harpers Ferry, WV, 25425!  The "O' Be JoyFull"TM Hotline's phone number will stay the same as it has always been, and you can call it at anytime at (732) 801-0381!!!

Harpers Ferry, WV, may very well be "The Smallest Town in America with The Biggest History!," and "O' Be JoyFull" will be doing everything it can to tell people how and why this may be true, with its new Harpers Ferry Walking Tours.  Many people DO NOT realize that there is much, much more to Harpers Ferry's history than just John Brown's Raid, even though many people, especially in West(ern) Virginia, and even some published historians, consider that event to be the real beginning of America's Civil War!

There are an absolutely incredible amount of "Firsts," associated with Harpers Ferry, WV, that most people are simply not aware of, including... the first collapsible boat... the first steam boat... the first firearm designed and manufactured solely in the U.S.... the invention and manufacture of the first ever breech loading rifle... the arrival of America's first successful Railroad... the first Mid-Atlantic Railroad and Canal outlet to the Ohio Valley... the first movement of military troops by train... the first American Civil War command of Thomas J. (Stonewall) Jackson... the first Civil War Cavalry command of J.E.B. Stuart... the first Union Army Pontoon Bridge, and the list goes on, and on, and on!!!

So, I would like to highly suggest and greatly encourage you to plan an "O' Be JoyFull" visit to "The Ferry," sometime soon, and to take an "O' Be JoyFull" tour of this wonderful and quaint little town?  Do you know that "The Ferry" has been voted the town with the best collection of original 19th Century buildings of anywhere in America!  And perhaps you will also consider experiencing an "O' Be JoyFull" Historical Concert & Stories Show during your visit?  If you do, I can guarantee you an "O' Be JoyFully" wonderful time and experience!!!

For more information on the "O' Be JoyFull" Historical Tours & Concerts, or for reservations, please see the main page of this website, or call Rick at the "O' Be JoyFull" Hotline, at (732) 801-0381.

Of course, just about everyone knows, at least a little, about the importance of Gettysburg, PA's role in the American Civil War, with the largest and most horrific battle of the war being fought there, but not everyone has given thought to the role and experiences of the approximate 2,500 resident citizens who lived in Gettysburg during the time of the battle!  If you'd like to hear about some of the stories of these resident's experiences during the battle, as well as some of the many resident heroes and heroines, join Rick, a former Gettysburg Licensed Town Guide, for what some people have said to be, "The best tour I have ever taken!!!"

You can call the "O' Be JoyFull" Hotline, at (732) 801-0381 to make your reservations for either town tour, or for any of the "O' Be JoyFull" Historical Concert & Stories Shows, and now you can also call "O' Be JoyFull" for recommendations on places to stay overnight, eat, and/or visit while in either Harpers Ferry, WV, or Gettysburg, PA, so you'll be sure to have an "O' Be JoyFully" awesome time!!!

Well, the winter weather will soon be passed and we will all be enjoying the sights, sounds, and smells of springtime!!!  The buds will be blossoming on the trees and flowers, the birds will be singing their wonderful and "O' Be JoyFull" songs, and we will all, once again, be experiencing those wonderful springtime aromas of blooming flowers and fresh cut grass!!!  Ah, the "O' Be JoyFull"ness of it all!!!