The following information was disseminated by the Travel Berkeley Springs office:

Berkeley Springs in days of yore (that means before anyone reading this was alive) was the final stop on springs tours of the Blue Ridge and the prime time was end-of-summer. It's that time and Berkeley Springs, 21st century hot spot, spa town and art destination, is geared up to make these final weekends memorable.

Marking off the special events, we have Irish and American folk music from the trio Garryowen in their final appearance of the year at the Fairfax Coffee House on Saturday beginning at 8pm. It's the final weekend of the very popular African Art show at the Ice House Gallery with a recent delivery of more of the fine woven baskets from the Ugandan women of the Hopkins health project that benefit from the sales. Speaking of shopping for a cause, stop down at Valley Caravan to buy some exquisite Afghan and other oriental rugs with all profits going to support education efforts for women in Afghanistan.

The Star Theatre welcomes all adults for a truly funny, grown-up romantic comedy -- The Ugly Truth -- Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 8pm. In other nightlife, La Luna Wine Bar and Gallery has special on wine by the glass all weekend which for them means Friday from 5 to 11pm, Saturday from 3 to 11pm and Sunday, delicious brunch at 11am and wine from 1 to 3pm. Earth Dog Cafe has music fun Wednesday through Saturday nights along with their daily fine food including barbecue and breakfast all day. Wednesday and Thursday you provide the music; Friday and Saturday it's the pros. Tari's Cafe has the longest-running Jam Nite in the region on Thursdays at 8pm.

For a dining treat new to Berkeley Springs try a sushi sampler at Rose Cafe on Saturdays. Another new dining spot is Ambrae House with a wine bar and small plated meals Thursday through Saturday evenings. There are plenty of other fine dining restaurants in Berkeley Springs with several of them focused on bringing you the best in local and regional produce and meats including Panorama at the Peak, Lot 12, The Country Inn and Tari's Cafe.

The shopping must-do of the weekend is Sunday's Farmers Market from 10am to 2pm since everyone is overflowing with sweet corn, tomatoes and other late summer treats. Peek in at the new Pocket Meadow Farm location next to Recycling Works books on the main street and welcome fabric artist and yarn goddess, Ellen Kardell. Knitters will not be able to resist her treasures. For other stitchers, it's Acorn and Oaks Quilt Shop further north on Washington St.

Let's focus our attention this week on outdoor fun in case you have not yet been outside this summer. Cacapon State Park is outdoor central. There is a ravishing 18-hole golf course as well as clay shooting and horseback riding. The lake has a sand beach for swimming as well as fun pedal-boats for scooting around. There are miles of mountain hiking trails and an overlook easily accessible with a stunning view and the trailhead of a 12-mile long, top of ridge, nearly flat hiking trail. There are cabins and a lodge but everything is open for day guests also including the nature center, game courts and picnic grounds.

In town, Berkeley Springs State Park has an outdoor pool open daily as well as its massage services and the historic Roman Baths which are like tiny swimming pools in a private room for each person (or couple if you're really adventurous.) Upstairs over the bathhouse is the Museum of the Berkeley Springs, open Friday through Monday 11am to 4pm where you can catch glimpses of life at the springs when 18th century planters like George Washington and 19th mothers came for the social life as well as to take the healing waters. To spend more time contemplating our first president, follow the self-guided driving tour of the Washington Heritage Trail National Scenic Byway. Make certain you follow it over the mountain, along the lushly forested, winding road that leads to Paw Paw and its marvelous tunnel, largest handmade structure on the C&O Canal. You can walk the tunnel, enjoy the tiny park nearby and stop in the town of Paw Paw to dine at Grandmas -- the cafe, not some old lady set up in the square. Also seek out Camp Hill Cemetery, another stop on the trail and just south of town, for one of the best views in the county. At the eastern edge of the trail, Spruce Pine Hollow Park is a way onto the challenging Tuscarora Trail that heads up Sleepy Creek Mountain. Speaking of Sleepy Creek, it's the wilderness area on the eastern border of the county and boasts primitive camping as well as a 200 acre lake for fishing, boating but NO gasoline motors. Bring your paddles instead.

The most fun comes on summer evenings when you can enjoy the porch or deck or woods at and around where ever you choose to stay. And there are plenty of choices. This is the final weekend for Berkeley House's 15% discount on any two night stay. Other lodging places have other special offers so check the lodging listings and pick the perfect pillow to lay your head for a fabulous end of summer weekend in Berkeley Springs, favorite destination for the 18th,19th, 20th and now 21st century!!