We have news about Jamestown 2007. America's 400th Anniversary launches with an 80-day sail of the newly commissioned replica Godspeed, bringing an important part of American history to six major ports along the eastern seaboard.

Godspeed, one of the three original ships that brought America's first permanent English colonists to Jamestown in 1607, our nation's birthplace, will serve as a floating museum for families, students, and tens of thousands of visitors. We invite you to come and explore a sampling of 17th-century America ... 21st-century style!

Join in the excitement of the "Landing Party" - featuring live musical performances, family entertainment and historical and cultural displays highlighting the legacies of Jamestown and the growth of America -- all free to the public, at the following ports of call:

• Baltimore, Maryland: June 9 – 12, 2006
• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: June 16 – 19,
• New York, New York: June 27 - July 6, 2006
• Boston, Massachusetts: July 14 – 19, 2006
• Newport, Rhode Island: July 25 – 30, 2006

Colonial Williamsburg launched a new and critically- acclaimed “Revolutionary City” program this season. It is a dynamic two-hour event that reflects Williamsburg’s role in one of America’s defining historical periods. Each day, the east end of the Historic Area comes alive as you become a part of the town’s activities. Witness the collapse of the royal government and revolutionary citizens at war. Join the debate over the newly written Declaration of Independence. March from the Capitol to the Courthouse as George Washington and his troops begin their journey toward Yorktown and victory.

The program has met with very high praise and many positive reviews by both the media and our guests. While you're at it, visit Colonial Williamsburg’s new website. Let us know what you think.

225th Anniversary of the Victory at Yorktown (19-22 October 2006) The 225th anniversary of America's decisive Revolutionary War victory at Yorktown will be celebrated October 19-22 with "A Salute to the Military." Re-enactments, parades, patriotic ceremonies, hands-on activities, live performances, juried art show, tall ship displays, and fireworks will take place at the Yorktown National Battlefield, Riverwalk Landing, and the Yorktown Victory Center.

General George Washington's 1781 victory over the British at Yorktown secured independence for the emerging United States of America, 174 years and only 15 miles from the nation's founding at Jamestown in 1607.

We have been watching with interest the FBI's search for Jimmy Hoffa in Michigan. When the Michigan search came up empty, we decided to conduct a search of our own for Jimmy at the Cedars! Where better to search for Jimmy than in a place where we are always finding things in the ground?

You may ask, why Jimmy Hoffa at the Cedars? It all began through discussions with the City regarding replacing an aged storm system that ran through the Cedars property. From the Hoffa news reports, I realized that the City Engineer, Steve "Soprano" Martin, and the boys from Minor Construction "Little Carmine, Vito, Silvio & Paulie," bore a striking resemblance to the last known people to see Jimmy Hoffa alive. I thought, "Jimmy is HERE!" After all, we know the reputation of Caroline "Carmela" Murphy, City of Williamsburg Zoning Administrator. I heard that Jimmy once tried to put up a gazebo in Williamsburg without telling her!

After months of discussion, the City made us an offer to repair the storm system that we couldn't refuse! (I know I'm mixing metaphors). Fortunately, we do not own a horse but we kept a watchful eye out to make sure the pet-count at our residence remained constant and that all of them kept their heads.

The search for Jimmy project began uneventfully on May 22nd. As the search area expanded, we watched with interest as "the boys" dug trenches, poured concrete, and dug really DEEP holes with ease. Obviously, they have done this before. We were encouraged when we found a very old bottle of Budweiser, known to be Jimmy's favorite beer.

One day Little Carmine and Vito expertly fitted one of their associates with concrete tennis shoes. We haven't seen him since!

From the beginning, we decided to make this a covert operation so as not to attract too much attention to the real reason for our efforts. We knew we would be under the prying eyes of Livia & Junior "Rackley" Soprano, so we told everyone we were replacing/repairing a City storm system that ran through the property. It worked! No walk-by shootings (pictures), no hit contracts (aka Gazette's Last Word), no sit-downs with the big bosses (City complaints.)

A week into the search, I thought for sure we had found old Jimmy when local turkey buzzards began to gather on and around the property. Alas, no Jimmy, but likely the buzzards were one of Livia's spies.

As the search concluded, we noted how well the flowers grew in the area between the St. Steven's Lutheran Church and the Cedars. I saw some of the church members planting flowers in a spot we had not searched. They both had those wry grins that told me they knew something we did not! It seems Jimmy has been pushing up daisies here on Jamestown Road all along. Wonder if he was a Lutheran?

At any rate, most speculate that Jimmy's demise had to do with his Detroit associates. I think not. I think it was the Williamsburg gazebo incident that led to his disappearance. The moral of the story; never fool with Carmela. Nevertheless, we ended up with a significantly improved storm system.

FOOTNOTE: Congratulations to Caroline "Carmela" Murphy for her recent promotion to Deputy Director of Planning for the City of Williamsburg. (They must of heard about Jimmy Hoffa in City Hall!)

We hosted a group of ladies who rented the entire house for a weekend in early April. We were told it was a Washington, DC ladies book club. It turned out to be more like the "Washington Wild Women." We all had a grand time and they were a wonderful group. Four of us did a 50-mile bike ride on a rainy Saturday afternoon.

The ringleader was Sharon Armstrong, who designated me an "Honorary Washington Wild Woman." Of course my first question was "Is there any surgery involved!?" I was glad to find out there was not.

Sharon Armstrong is a Human Resources Consultant and Trainer. If you want to meet someone with connections in Washington, look Sharon up. By the way, Sharon's husband just published a book, God Doesn't Shoot Craps, A Divine Comedy. According to best- selling author Frank Scoblete, "God, greed, sex, con games, casinos, murder, the Mafia, and an incredible gaming system that just might beat the house. Great characters, fast moving and surprising plot twists..." Buy his book at Amazon.

Some of Sharon's buddies include:

• Margaret Fisher - Strategic Planning - Fisher Group Solutions
• Annie Scheppach - Holistic Health Consultant
• Veronica Adams - Creativity, Diversity & Values Alignment Training

The weekend started off with a bang when Auntie Betty checked in at the Cedars and met six members of the original cast of Chippendales. (Actually they were Lutheran ministers with their wives!) Before we knew it, Aunt Betty was posing with the six gentlemen offering her candy, wine, and flowers. When I told Aunt Betty they were the original Chippendale cast, she perked up!

When I asked them to pose for the picture, one of the gentlemen asked, "Should we take our shirts off?" It was Aunt Betty who gathered her collar up and said "No, not this time!"

Sticking to our motto "what happens in Williamsburg stays in Williamsburg," the rest of the family arrived the following day. Everyone enjoyed sharing stories about Aunt Betty. On Saturday, they celebrated Aunt Betty's 80th birthday at the Whitehall Restaurant, a good time was had by all. Last I heard, Aunt Betty and her family are busy planning her 90th here at the Cedars! See Aunt Betty's photo album.

One of our favorite activities is hosting small wedding ceremonies at the Cedars. It is very rewarding to be involved in these important life events that build those special bonds with our guests. Grace introduced an elopement package last year that has been very popular.

Since our last newsletter, we have hosted numerous weddings. See their wedding photo albums:

• Leslie Caldwell/Jay Phillips - 4 June 2006
• Michele Myers/Hillary Hopkins - 2 June 2006
• Sharon Ryan/Richard Puchanty - 6 May 2006
• Teresa Cooper/Paul Messina - 22 April 2006
• Janet McCormick/Shawn Peddicord - 11 February 2006
• Kristi Crews/Lee Russell - 21 January 2006
• Celisa Wilson/Steve Lehew - 10 December 2005
• Sandi Coyle/Bruce Rubchinuk - 26 November 2005
• Abe & Denise Merkl - 31 October 2005