Middleburg Eccentric May 2022 by Middleburg Eccentric, LLC.

Printed using recycled fiber

Potato Pancakes with Smoked Salmon Middleburg’s Communit Community Newspaper Middleburg’s y Newspaper

Volume 19 Issue 2

Page 25

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May 26, 2022

Steeplechasing Stars at Glenwood and Great Meadow Page 12

Community Newspapers The Struggle and Value Are Real

Jackie Fishman

facebo ok .c om/MiddleburgEc cen tric

Continued page 7 POSTAL CUSTOMER

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Request in homes by Thursday 5-26-22

Middleburg Annexation Proposals Facts vs. The Fiction

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lthough we spend more time in front of screens and less with the printed page, there is a trend running counter to this. Community newspapers, both free and subscription-based, serve a need. They keep people connected to their communities and support local businesses. You are probably reading one of these “artifacts” right now. Picking up a The Middleburg Eccentric from your neighborhood store or library is something you do because you value the information affecting your daily life. But the financial struggle to stay viable is real. Both rising newsprint and gas prices affect these publications’ bottom lines. Then there are all the other rising costs including rent, salaries, and many other necessities. Loudoun Now Reports on Things that Matter to Readers The Loudoun Now is one of the local papers struggling with rising costs. According to publisher/editor, Norman K. Styer, “We report on things important to our community, such as happenings at the school board, court house, information you won’t find elsewhere. We go to meetings so you don’t have to.” The paper started up seven years ago when the Leesburg Today shut down. The publication started the week after Leesburg Today shut down. According to Styer, local business leaders saw the need for the paper and supported it right away. Styer says the most

significant challenge the paper faces is on the business side- a decrease in advertising. The paper has grown from 12 pages to 48, which means advertising needs to support this growth. Local advertising means the money stays in the local community. Leesburg Today also has an extensive online readership of 150,000 readers. However, Styer points out, “Print advertisers want to see ads in the physical paper.” Styer says they have created podcasts and vodcasts without advertising support. He hopes to reinstate “Morning Minute,” a vodcast featuring the top five stories which ceased 18 months ago. He is in the process of upgrading the paper’s current website. As for the future, Styer is considering a voluntary pay program- lots of papers are going that way, he says. Also, local people often ask him how they can help to ensure the paper’s existence. He would not consider a paywall, common to many online publications, because he says it runs counter to the paper’s community service mission. He says that while increased costs of newsprint and gas have affected the paper, but these are costs he cannot pass on to readers. Mountain Courier Continues to Serve Community Despite Rising Costs of Printing Jeffrey DeVito, publisher of the Mountain Courier says the cost of publishing his paper has increased significantly this year, from 33 cents per issue to 45 cents. He has not yet passed this increase on to his advertisers, instead maintaining the same advertising charges put into place

Page 2 Middleburg Eccentric

• May 26, 2022

News of Note

Middleburg Annexation Proposals: How we are Considering and the Facts vs. The Fiction

Bridge Littleton

Middleburg Mayor

s most members of our community are aware, the town of Middleburg has received two preliminary concept plans for potential requests to annex property into the town with the desire of building housing. We presented the facts and details of these proposals in a public information session on April 19, (thank you to everyone who attended). The goal

of that public information session was to provide as much information as the town currently has, allow folks to see what the potential impacts will be, outline the town’s process for receiving input and feedback from the community, and to ask questions. Since that time, many folks in the community have either sent in questions or directly asked a member of the town government excellent and thoughtful questions and also provided valuable input, recommendations and feedback. Unfortunately, there has also been

a good deal of misinformation, speculation, and simply erroneous info that has made its way into this very important community discussion. Our goal here is to lay out again the correct facts, our process, and reiterate our request for input and ideas from the community. It is very important to note at the outset that no applications have yet been filed by either party, and the Council has made no decisions. The town felt it best that before taking on the expense, time, and

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effort for the applications to put together required for annexation applications, that it made more sense for the applicants to provide the community with a draft proposal and an overview of requests that we could then present to the community to receive feedback, input, suggestions. This feedback and input will ultimately guide us to understand if these proposals have merit to move forward or not, and/or what changes or revisions are necessary in order to address any concerns of the public. It is important to state again, no actual applications for annexation or BLAs have been made to the town at this time, so there is no action before the Town Council to take – this is all about education and information gathering. As mentioned, it is important to lay out again the facts of these proposals, our process going forward and dispel a certain amount of misinformation currently being circulated. Q: Why is the Town considering these proposals at all? This is a very important question, and probably the most important question. The town is considering these proposals for two key reasons. First, in 2018-2019 the town rewrote its entire Comprehensive Plan which governs land use for the next 20 years for Middleburg. The comp plan is a policy document which guides and captures the needs, hopes, vision, and desires of the community and how we will manage our zoning and land-use. At that time the town held three public input sessions, with several hundred citizens participating. The number one recommendation from the community was the desire for more price-varied housing for younger families, teachers, and workforce in Middleburg. Housing prices in Loudoun and in Middleburg have been outpacing salaries for many years, pricing out those looking for starter homes. The second reason is because in the Comp Plan we sought to establish a greenbelt of protected land around the town. The applicants are proposing to put almost 90% of their acreage in open space conservation easement to establish that greenbelt. This too is something our town citizens said they wanted. Q: What is the Town process going forward? From a big picture perspective our goal is this: over the next several months to receive feedback and input from the community. We will then provide that feedback and input to both applicants and ask them to revise and update their proposals. They will then bring their revised proposals back to us and we will again present those to the community and again receive feedback and input from our citizens to understand how best to proceed. That will drive the ultimate decision as to whether the town will move forward or, more importantly, not move forward with either of the proposals. Remember, each proposal stands on its own and are not linked to each other in any way.

Q: How do I get information and provide my input? The Middleburg community has multiple ways to view all the available information and provide feedback and input. We created a special page on our website which has all available documentation (https:// www.middleburgva.gov/386/Proposed-AnnexationsBLAs). It also contains an online form to submit input and ask questions with no limits on multiple submissions. Additionally, we have an FAQ which we update every Friday with all new questions submitted and the answers. At each Town Council meeting for the next two months, we are reserving a special session at the beginning for public comment specifically on the annexations. If you wish to speak to the Town Council, you can do so at any of those meetings. Directly after that session, the Town Council will discuss the feedback received. Lastly, you can reach out directly to any member of Council, or a member of the town staff. Our principal responsibility is to provide the community with as much information as we have and answer every question that we can. We want to hear from you. Correcting the Record. Fact vs. Fiction: Fiction: The town is only doing this for more revenue to pay for the new town hall. Fact: There could be nothing more patently false than this assertion. The fact is residential real estate taxes account for a minimal amount of our overall town revenues. In fact, of our total town revenues of $4.4 million, residential real estate taxes from the approx. 450 homes we have makes up just $270,000, or less than 7.5%. Residential real estate taxes do not even pay for a third of the cost of our Police Department, much less all of the other services provided to town citizens and businesses. Over 70% of our revenues come from business activities in town. Adding any additional housing will have no appreciable impact on our revenues. As the Town is currently running a surplus of $880,000 over expenses, we have no need for additional revenues to run the Town or pay for the new Town Hall. Fiction: The proposed homes at the Homewood Farm site are going to be affordable dwelling units (ADUs) or some other form of subsidized housing. Fact: This again, is utterly untrue. The owner has proposed to build small sized units aimed at entry-level homebuyers but fully market rate driven and unsubsidized in anyway. Fiction: We have to accept these two proposals of 126 homes as is. Fact: That is incorrect, as was mentioned in every public meeting, these are first draft proposals. The town has unilateral authority to approve or deny any proposal, or ask for a modification. These

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May 26, 2022 Page 3

Middleburg Safeway celebrates renovation applications are not set in stone. And yes, if the overwhelming feedback from the community is that they want to see a reduction in the scale and scope of these projects, that is what we will take back to the applicants. We reiterate, at the end of the day no matter what proposal is submitted, the town can still ultimately say no and the applicants/land owners will simply exercise their by-right zoning rights in Loudoun County. Fiction: The Town Council and the Mayor do not care about conservation or protecting the west. Fact: Nothing could be more absurd or offensive than this statement. The Council has worked extremely hard over the last four years to fight back against suburban sprawl, the threats to Middleburg and Western Loudoun County. This should be clear by our effort on many issues such as working to preserve historic Aldie from developers, fighting on behalf of St. Louis to fight the MOJAX development, advocating hard and working with others to restrict the by-right cluster zoning in Loudoun County- these are just a few of many examples. We have met with the Board of Supervisors during public comments and individually dozens of times and worked closely with conservation preservation groups and uniting with COLT (the Coalition of Loudoun Towns) to protect rural western Loudoun. The fundamental fact about these properties is that they are going to be developed one way or the other. One way is under by-right uses in Loudoun County. The other way is through the town having control. What that control looks like is up to all of us. But as we learned with the Banbury Cross development, change is going to happen. We can either engage and shape that change or allow the County zoning to shape it. Either is an approach, and we want to know from you what is the best path. In closing, we again want to thank all the members of our community who have taken the time to understand the details of these proposals and provide meaningful and thoughtful feedback and recommendations. We are going to continue this process for the next several months and we ask everybody to provide us with their thoughts. As stated earlier, the town has made no decisions on these proposals, and we are dedicated to understanding what the community wants. What has always made our Town the special place that it is, is the diversity of people in it, and how everyone genuinely cares for each other regardless of background, wealth, race, or religion. We are all bound together by wanting to do what is best for each other and to ensure our legacy of community is preserved for the next generations.

afeway unveiled extensive renovations to its Middleburg store in Middleburg, with a ribboncutting ceremony on Friday, May 20. Town of Middleburg’s Vice Mayor Peter Leonard-Morgan joined Safeway leaders and store staff for a celebration, which was also include live music, free gifts, and refreshments. Safeway has a long and proud history of being a supportive member of the communities it serves. As part of the May 20 ribboncutting celebration, Safeway presented donations to Seven Loaves Services food pantry and the Middleburg Humane Foundation. “We are pleased to share the numerous renovations we’ve made to enhance our Middleburg store,”

said Jim Perkins, Safeway MidAtlantic Division President. “We have added new features and expanded our selections in multiple departments to make the shopping experience even more enjoyable for our Middleburg neighbors.” Numerous departments have been upgraded, including: Safeway’s deli department has expanded its selection of readyto-go prepared meals, its specialty cheese, and its fresh sliced meats and cheeses. The meat department has added new cases featuring a variety of organic and natural chicken, as well as a wide array of beef selections from which to choose, including choice beef, grass-fed beef, natural beef, and organic beef.

The seafood department has added a new refrigerated grab & go seafood case with crab meat, smoked fish, and more. An expanded selection of fresh cut fruits and vegetables has been added to the produce department, now showcasing over 150 organic items. The expanded juice section features more than 100 different varieties of premium juices and beverages, including Kombucha, specialty juices and juice shots, with additional healthy alternatives and soy offerings. The Safeway Pharmacy has specially trained pharmacists who are available to fill prescriptions, administer immunizations (including COVID-19 vaccines,

travel vaccines and flu shots), and consult with patients about their specific health conditions, including medication administration for behavioral health medications. The store’s pharmacy also offers prescription delivery by mail and same day delivery. And finally, Safeway’s floral department features top quality fresh cut flowers, seasonal bouquets, and assorted blooming varieties of plants, orchids, and more, as well as in-house floral designers who will create custom arrangements. The Middleburg Safeway, under the supervision of Store Director John Hill, will continue to operate from 5 am until midnight seven days a week as well as offer timesaving amenities such as DriveUp & Go curbside pickup.

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P.O. Box 1768 Middleburg, VA 20118 540-687-3200 news@mbecc.com

Editor Jay Hubbard editor@mbecc.com

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Publisher Middleburg Eccentric LLC

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Page 4 Middleburg Eccentric

• May 26, 2022

News of Note

Appleton Campbell Receives 2022 President’s Award from Carrier,Earns Honors as Outstanding Dealer

Jason Anderson, Betsy James, Michael Appleton, Scott Wayland, Dave Elphee, Katelynn Stern & Travis Jackson

ppleton Campbell is a recipient of the prestigious President’s Award from Carrier for the eighth year in a row. This award recognizes outstanding dealers in the heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) industry. Carrier is part of Carrier Global Corporation (NYSE: CARR), the leading global provider of healthy, safe, sustainable

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and intelligent building and cold chain solutions. One of Carriers highest honors for its dealers, The President’s Award, is given to Carrier Factory Authorized Dealers who achieve excellence in product promotions and deliver superior customer satisfaction. Appleton Campbell is one of the seven recipients in the state of Virginia to be awarded.

Recipients of this award demonstrate the very best in operational excellence, business effectiveness and the delivery of cutting-edge technology and service to its customers. Appleton Campbell demonstrates technical expertise, while also serving as a leader in promoting the Carrier brand and raising the standard of equipment sales. This company exemplifies

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service excellence and provides exceptional customer care. Appleton Campbell began in 1976, is locally owned and operated, and is proud to serve its customers with quality HVAC, Plumbing and Electrical repairs and replacements with honesty, integrity, and experience. “The 2022 Carrier President’s Award recipients exemplify ex-

cellence in the industry by consistently providing customers with exceptional service,” said Justin Keppy, President, NA Residential & Light Commercial HVAC, Carrier. “These companies demonstrate how HVAC businesses can thrive in any region and are leaders in their communities. Being names as a President’s Award recipient amplifies the impact that these businesses have made on the industry. They are a model for other Carrier dealers to follow.” The President’s Award is designed to encourage Carrier dealers to objectively review their businesses and to reward dealers who have excelled in customer satisfaction. This award presents the opportunity for recipients to serve as role models, share best practices and offer peer mentoring to help cultivate excellence across Carrier’s independent dealer network. Mike Appleton, President of Appleton Campbell stated “I am thankful and appreciative for our customers, employees and vendors as we celebrate forty-six years in business together.” To learn more about Appleton Campbell please visit appletoncampbell.com

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May 26, 2022 Page 5

Virginia Piedmont Heritage Area Association offers “‘Fiery Trials’ of Bel Air During the Civil War”

Bel Air, the historic home of Civil War diarist Lucy Buck in Front Royal, Virginia

he Virginia Piedmont Heritage Area Association (VPHA) is pleased to offer an inside look at historic Bel Air, home of Civil War diarist Lucy Buck. Coming of age during the American Civil War, Front Royal resident Lucy Buck kept a diary which

preserved her thoughts and opinions of a southern planter family on the front lines of war at Bel Air. Such experiences include Confederate General Robert E. Lee stopping at the home with the Army of Northern Virginia on their way to Gettysburg.

On Sunday, May 29, 2022, from 2:00pm-4:00pm, attendees will hear from Dr. Elizabeth R. Baer, editor of Shadows on My Heart: The Civil War Diary of Lucy Rebecca Buck of Virginia, who will discuss Lucy’s life at Bel Air, opinions on southern society, and the war waged on her

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doorstep. We will also be joined by Architectural Historian Maral S. Kalbian, who will discuss the history of the preserved house and property, and its significance in Front Royal. The event will take place at Bel Air in Front Royal, Virginia.

The discussions will take place outside (weather permitting), signed copies of Shadows on My Heart will be available for purchase, and afterwards there will be an open house with a beer and wine reception. Tickets are $65 for VPHA members $75 for nonmembers.

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Page 6 Middleburg Eccentric

• May 26, 2022

News of Note

Mature tree preservation secrets

Robert Banner

he tree was absolutely massive. I had never measured it, but it was easily 20 feet in circumference and 120+ feet high. Its limbs stretched to the sky as if to support the clouds. If that wasn’t enough, it stood at the top of a hill overlooking a heart-stopping view to the west. From the hilltop, you could see for miles down a pristine valley of open fields and forest. Turn around, and you faced the tree. You were dwarfed by its size, feeling like a single leaf at the tip of a branch as thick as your body. I lived nearby, so I went to the hill often to admire the view and marvel at that tree. I was always undecided by which way to stare. The view to the west is easily one of Virginia’s finest, but it was the tree that stirred my thoughts most. What had it witnessed over the course of its long life? What had happened under its spread-

ing branches, and why? Civil war lookouts? Marketplaces? Hunters? Lovers? Duels? Hangings? While my imagination ran rampant, the tree stood silent, filled with a knowledge I would never know. Occasionally, I would invite friends to ride horseback there to stare, marvel and muse. Eventually, I dropped off a small picnic bench, a place to sit, look and think. Sometimes, I would pack a meal, blankets to spread, and tiki lamps for night light. Guests would reverently watch the summer sun set as we shared thoughts about the history that tree had witnessed. Today, I would consider the massive amount of carbon stored in that trunk. Imagine the work this tree had done for us all! While traffic streamed east and west on a nearby 4-lane highway, the tree was quietly pulling carbon emissions from the air to be stored in its trunk as it grew larger and larger. The genius of nature is amazing when you consider its

patience, persistence and beauty in the process of healing our dirty work. Nothing lasts forever, though. Even the proudest of trees eventually die. In this case, weather took a toll. Large limbs came crashing down as pieces of the tree began to succumb. Then, buyers found the spectacular view and bought the site to build their forever home. In the construction process, the tree was removed. It was a sad day for me. But now, years later, I feel profound hope. As it turns out, the new landowners heard about our work to grow trees for carbon and nutrient credits, became interested and are now committed. Their goal will be to convert 40 acres of pasture at the base of the hill into a hardwood forest. The same trees will do double duty cleaning the air and water. Two programs. Two ecological benefits. Two financial rewards, as well. It’s no secret. You can do the same. Today, conservation means commerce

What are they all talking about?

Nutrient credits? Carbon credits? Mitigation banking?

What’s in it for you? Ecological credits are the new currency of conservation. Even land under conservation easement retains valuable ecological rights that you can use. To use them shows you want to help the environment. In return, they provide financial reward as you contribute to cleaner air and water. Let Conservation Plus show you how you can put your land to work doing the right thing. Call now, while the idea is on your mind.

VALUING OUR NATURAL CAPITAL

Robert Banner, Senior Project Officer 4243 Jackson Street, The Plains, VA 20198 (540) 729-1335 cell, (540) 253-2509 direct, or rob@acre-investment.com

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in the Virginia nutrient trading program and the international carbon offset markets. As our founder, Chandler Van Voorhis, says, “By growing trees for today’s ecological credits, we give conservation a purpose and capitalism a heart.” The landowner’s goal is laudable, to be sure. Replace one massive tree with 24,000 saplings on 40 acres! Yes, this gives me great hope, but you know, we need so much more. Yesterday, The Washington Post reported global warming is advancing far faster than projected. The World Meteorological Organization reports we will likely reach thresholds we were projecting to reach this century … in the next 5 years! Pick up the May issue of National Geographic dedicated to saving forests. “Each year, forests and other vegetation absorb up to a third of the CO2 released from burning fossil fuel.” Yet, “Earth has lost a third of its forests over the last 10,000 years, half of

that just since 1900,” notes senior environment writer Craig Welch. Today, extreme conditions related to climate change fuel the fires that multiply that massive loss many times over. What are we doing to replace the “lungs” of Earth? Sadly, not enough. I may never live to see the saplings we manage grow to the size of my large limbed friend. But even when that happens, long after we are all gone, future generations dealing with seething oceans, scorched ground, hurricanes, tornados, and other extreme weather events will be asking, “Didn’t they see what was coming? Why didn’t they do more?” Believe me, now is the time to plant more trees. Robert Banner is Senior Project Officer at ACRE Investment Management in The Plains, VA managing ecological credits for all concerned landowners. Contact Rob at rob@acre-investment.com, or call his cell (540) 729-1335.

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May 26, 2022 Page 7

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The Struggle and Value Are Real Continued from Page 1 in 2020, just before the pandemic took hold. And that is exactly when he and his wife, Amy VossDeVito, who serves as editor and a writer for the paper, took it over from the previous publisher. Started by the Bryce Resort in 1994, Peggy and Bernie Boston acquired it in 2016. He had been a photojournalist for the Washington Evening Star and a White House photographer. When the DeVitos took over the paper, they found their staunchly loyal readers and advertisers supportive throughout the pandemic. DeVito is “frankly amazed to have made it through the pandemic’’ and says that ad sales have actually increased, with the paper printing its maximum number of pages during the busy warmer months of 48 pages. DeVito says he maintains a 60/40 split of copy to ads and runs between 50-70 ads per month. This loyalty may not be surprising partly because some of the reporters are retired journalists from publications such as the Washington Post and National Geographic. Interestingly, some loyal readers are located far away from its home base in Shenandoah County. “We have 120 subscribers across the USA– some of these are not familiar or local. Some of these readers even send us notes. We received a fake million dollar bill that said this is what your paper is really worth.” he said. DeVito maintains a FaceBook page as the paper’s online presence and has no plans to expand that presence. He distributes the paper as far west as Winchester and Front Royal as south as Fairfax County. As far as the future, DeVito

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Page 8 Middleburg Eccentric

• May 26, 2022

News of Note

4-H’ers Learning to Become Entrepreneurs Kentwood 189 acres $5,150,000 Middleburg – Ideal horse and / or cattle farm; Stone main house w/LL apartment & 2-car garage, 3 tenant houses. 5 barns, 40+ stalls, fenced paddocks & equipment sheds. Great ride out with miles of gravel roads and trails. Pond & Beaver Dam Creek. Piedmont Hunt territory. W

Naomi White will be selling beeswax wraps, succulents, eggs, and veggies at the July 2 and August 6 Warrenton Farmers Markets.

Aylor House 5 acres $950,000 The Plains – Pristine brick rambler, wooded and private. Renovated with 4 BR and 4 Full BAs - over 3,300 sq ft. LL walk-out suite with kitchenette. 2-car attached garage, rear deck & fenced lawn area, detached workshop/shed. R CT DE RA N U NT CO

Tober Chlair 1.49 acres $735,000 Upperville – 3 BR / 2 BA Cape nestled down a side street in the quaint village of Upperville. 2,300 sq ft of living space with an open floor plan. Wonderful location within walking distance to the Bluewater Kitchen, Hunter’s Head, post office, churches and more. Offers subject to errors, omissions, change of price or withdrawal without notice. Information contained herein is deemed reliable, but is not so warranted nor is it otherwise guaranteed.

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Claire Correll will be selling slime and cake pops at the Warrenton Farmers Market

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auquier County 4-H and the local farmers markets are teaming up to help young entrepreneurs grow. Thirty-six youth have participated in the 4-H Next Generation Entrepreneurs Program where they learn how to build a business and sell their products at local farmers markets. This year’s participants are selling baked goods, crafts, cut flowers, vegetables, and eggs. You can find them at the Warrenton Farmers Market on the first Saturday of each month from May – October and at some of the other local farmers markets throughout the season as well. Before they become vendors, youth first participate in a series of educational activities where they learn how to do market research, prepare and label food safely, market their products, and create a business plan. Meanwhile, they are also

honing valuable life skills such as goal setting, planning, record keeping, and reflection. Tenyear old Kaylee Watts says that she is most excited about selling her vanilla cake pops, because they are “a portable piece of cake goodness on a stick.” Nine-year old River Maloney who is selling garden accessories, cookies, and artwork said, “I’ve learned that starting a business is really hard work. It takes a lot of time, money, creativity and stuff.” Five of this year’s vendors sold at markets last year and are improving on lessons learned last year. One sunflower vendor said that he is planting fewer varieties of sunflowers this year after learning which ones were best for cut flowers and sold the best last year. Those that would like to purchase goods from these young entrepreneurs are encouraged to bring cash.

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May 26, 2022 Page 9

100WOMENSTRONG awards grants to Local Non Profits $3.5 MILLION IN GIVING TO NONPROFITS IN SUPPORT OF SHELTER, HUNGER, HEALTH AND EDUCATION

his year, 100WomenStrong is giving $475,000 to 42 nonprofits headquartered or providing services in Loudoun County, bringing their total funding to Loudoun County nonprofits to $3,593,391 million since 2009. The group has reverted to its normal grant-giving cycle of once per year after pivoting in 2020 to COVID-19 emergency grants. COVID emergency grants were designed to meet the immediate essential and emergency needs of Loudoun County residents. During the pandemic, the organization gave more than $760,000 in 10 monthly rounds of funding and, in addition, created the “Pay it Forward” Direct Assistance loan program, which continues to offer help to area residents to cover basic expenses. Many of the nonprofit organizations’ 2022 grants are in support of affordable-housing initiatives because safe and affordable housing is an element of economic stability, which is one of the main Social Determinants of Health. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), housing instability can encompass the inability to pay rent, overcrowding or spending the majority of your income (more than 30%) on housing. These experiences can negatively affect physical and mental health. “The founding members of 100WomenStrong understood the crucial role that safe and stable housing has in our ability to live healthy and productive lives, so it is built into our core mission,” said Kirsten Langhorne, chair of 100WomenStrong’s affordable housing committee. “It has been proven that even short-term housing challenges can create poor health outcomes and stress and that those who face chronic homelessness have higher rates of physical and mental health issues than the general public. “Before the pandemic, we had the opportunity to fund several shelter-oriented programs, but the COVID-19 pandemic has pushed many more of our neighbors out of stable housing,” Langhorne continued. “It is incumbent upon our community to do all we can to stabilize housing because we also know that unstable housing can affect the health of a neighborhood and community. With our focus this year on mental health and housing, we hope to alleviate some of the pressing issues that many in Loudoun County face right now. We also are so thankful we can support the wonderful organizations working hard to help our neighbors stay in their homes or find other safe housing solutions.” The 2022 100WomenStrong grants are as follows: • A Farm Less Ordinary $10,000 • A Place to Be - $15,000

• Bringing Resources to Aid Women’s Shelters (BRAWS) $15,000 • Capital Caring Health - $7,500 • Center for Adoption Support and Education - $10,000 • Crossroads Jobs - $10,000 • Dulles South Soup Kitchen $20,000 • Every Citizen Has Opportunities (ECHO) - $15,000 •FAMIL - $10,000 • Friends of Loudoun Mental Health - $10,500 • Good Shepherd Alliance $5,000 • Healthworks - $25,000 • Heeling House - $4,000 • INMED Partnerships for Children - $12,000 • Insight Memory Care $10,000 • JK Community Farm - $6,500 • Just Neighbors - $10,000 • Loudoun Abused Women’s Shelter (LAWS) - $20,000 • Leonard W. Kidd American Legion Post 2001 - $10,000 • Loudoun Cares - $10,000 • Loudoun Coalition on Women and Girls - $1,000 • Loudoun Hunger Relief $15,000 • Loudoun Literacy Council $13,000 • Loudoun Serenity House $20,000 • Love, KK - $2,500 • Mobile Hope - $13,000 • Northern Virginia Family Service - $10,000 • Pathway Homes - $10,000 • Ryan Bartel Foundation $10,000 • SCAN of Northern Virginia $13,000 • Seven Loaves Services, Inc. – $15,000 • Shelter House Inc. - $15,000 • The Arc of Loudoun - $16,000 • The Chris Atwood Foundation - $6,500 • The New AG School - $6,000 • The Fenwick Foundation $10,000 • The Step Sisters - $4,000 • Veterans Moving Forward $5,000 • Volunteers of America, Chesapeake & Carolinas - $12,000 • Windy Hill Foundation $7,500 • Women Giving Back - $15,000 • Youth For Tomorrow $20,000 John Wolff, 100WomenStrong treasurer, has been an active member for more than six years and has been involved with local nonprofits for more than 25 years. Being the treasurer for 100WomenStrong is one of his favorite roles among

the many that he holds as a business owner, restauranteur and venture owner. “I have enjoyed watching the real impact that our grants make right here in Loudoun County,” Wolff said. “I can see that impact every day through the nonprofits that can help more people in Loudoun County with our funding. “This year is especially gratifying because our total funding now is more than $3,500,000 – an incredible milestone for us and one we are very proud of,” he continued.

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Page 10 Middleburg Eccentric

• May 26, 2022

save date THE

MORE THAN HOUSES BREAKFAST FUNDRAISER Thursday, October 27, 2022 Middleburg Community Center, Middleburg, VA ~ Be Local ~

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News of Note

Middleburg Eccentric

• May 26, 2022 Page 11

Big Things Happening at Land Trust of Virginia

LTV celebrates a passing of the baton from Executive Director Sally Price to Director of Conservation and Stewardship Ashton Cole

and Trust of Virginia (LTV) is pleased to announce several staffing changes. Executive Director, Sally Price who joined the organization in 2017, plans to retire at the end of 2022 and Ashton Cole, LTV’s Director of Conservation and Stewardship, will step into her place. “I have enjoyed every minute of my time with LTV and I am confident in my departure knowing that it is in very capable hands with Ashton,” said Price. Over the last five years, Price has led LTV through a period of strong growth across all facets of the organization. The staff has grown from three to 10 members with a diversified skillset to better carry out our mission to preserve open space. Price also developed LTV’s signature event, Bike the Gravel: Tour de Conservation Easement. Now in its 5th year, this event welcomes nearly 500 cyclists on a special one-day-only tour along beautiful rural roads and through numerous conserved properties to educate the participants and highlight the importance of conservation easements in preserving our farms, forests, and historic resources. Price successfully led the organization through the pandemic with creativity that inspired the community to continue their support, in some ways better than ever before. “Even as

we canceled our biggest annual fundraising events, our donors remained connected and generous,” Price said. “Sally has been a wonderful addition to LTV and we wish her all the best in her retirement,” said Childs Burden, chairman of the LTV Board of Directors. “She came to us with immense knowledge about nonprofit structure and helped us to develop a team that is highly professional and dedicated to our mission, along with boosting our fundraising efforts to improve our organization’s financial health.” It was a natural decision to promote Ashton Cole to the Executive Director role following Price’s announcement. “We are an organization that holds conservation easements and so it seems more than appropriate that the person in charge of leading LTV into a period of easement expansion is our easement expert,” said Price. “Plus, the hires of the past five years have built the organization’s infrastructure so that we are primed for being capable of doubling the number of easements we do each year.” As LTV’s longest tenured employee, Cole has a wealth of knowledge about the history of LTV and has played a role in all aspects of its work. Ashton started as a recent college graduate

in 2007 as LTV’s Stewardship Coordinator. In 2016, he was promoted to Director of Conservation and Stewardship and is responsible for having negotiated and drafted over 75 of the 220 easements LTV currently holds. This is a huge testament to his knowledge of, and dedication to, land conservation and LTV. Ashton is known statewide and highly regarded by the professionals who work with landowners on their conservation easements. In addition, he was a part of LTV’s accreditation by the Land Trust Alliance’s Accreditation Commission in 2009 and renewals of their accredited status in 2014 and 2019. Price and Cole, along with the Board of Directors, have care-

fully outlined a transition plan to ensure that going forward, our landowners, conservation partners, and supporters will receive the same level of dedication and service to protecting our natural and historic resources. In Cole’s place, Amanda Scheps has been hired as LTV’s new Director of Conservation. Amanda has spent 15 years working with both the Virginia Outdoors Foundation and Department of Forestry in their easement and stewardship programs. Her expertise will ensure LTV continues to produce high-quality easements as Cole oversees additional responsibilities as Executive Director. “In my 15 years with LTV, I have watched the organization grow from a small local conser-

vation group to an accredited land trust with a strong reputation in the conservation community,” said Cole. “I credit a lot of that to Sally and her work over the past five years and I look forward to seeing what we can accomplish in my new role as Executive Director. I am very thankful to our Board and the rest of the staff for all their support and I feel confident we have an excellent team in place. We will continue our high-quality work, while also increasing the pace of our conservation efforts in the face of ever-increasing development pressure.” For more information about our work, please visit http:// www.landtrustva.org.

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Page 12 Middleburg Eccentric

Lungeline

• May 26, 2022

Steeplechasing Stars at Glenwood and Great Meadow

Horse-Crazy

Lauren R. Giannini

2022 Gold Cup winner Andi’amu and his jubilant team: jockey Freddie Proctor, trainer Leslie Young, Virginia Korrell at the reins; (from left) owners Tom and Roxy Collins of Ballybristol Farm, Eliza Edwards, Jaden Shore, former champion jump jockey Paddy Young, Rory Young, Tom Young, Will Slater, Brianne Slater, Liam McVicar. Photo by Nancy Kleck Photography

Upland Flats Racing’s Pleasecallmeback, Parker Hendriks doing the honors, trained by Keri Brion, crossed the finish line unchallenged in the Matthew Leslie Memorial Maiden Hurdle at Middleburg PTP. Photo by Lauren R Giannini

hat a wild spring! Mother Nature’s seemingly determined spells of rain, thunderstorms, gusting winds, humidity, extreme high and low temperatures couldn’t dim the brilliant racing at Middleburg Hunt Point-to-point and Virginia Gold Cup. The final two local spring race meets are similar but different. Middleburg PTP is a traditional fund-raiser and community sporting event. Gold Cup Races are run under NSA rules and award prize money. It’s a sure bet either way: exciting action, al fresco party, gorgeous Thoroughbreds. On Sunday, May 1, Middleburg Hunt welcomed enthusiasts to Glenwood Park with its spectacular setting of the racecourse in a bowl-shaped expanse with views extending westward to the distant mudgy sprawl of Blue Ridge Mountains. It’s beyond beautiful and, honestly, you don’t have to know anything about horses or racing to enjoy great scenery and socializing. As wet as it was earlier, Ma Nature allowed the day to get a bit nicer, which added to the enjoyment. The Middleburg Bowl Open Timber is the prestigious highlight of Middleburg PTP’s race card; for five-year-olds and up, running over a three-mile course. Four horses started and placed, with an exciting stretch duel be-

tween two horses, both in training with Todd Wyatt (Monkton, Md.). Be Counted, owned by Peter A. Jay and Sarah M. Jay, led the way, tracked by stablemate Lonely Weekend. After jumping the final fence in sync, the two horses thundered down the hill and around the turn to the long and somewhat uphill run to the wire. Thrilling and very close finish: Be Counted by a determined nose over Lonely Weekend. It will be interesting to see what happens should they meet again under starter’s orders. In the Maiden Timber, five started and the only two to finish almost followed the horse disqualified for going off course. Fortunately, the riders of Overdrawn and Night Sounds reacted quickly to correct their horses. Once back on track, the horses raced for the finish, but Overdrawn went into overdrive, winning by a huge margin. Trainer Neil Morris saddled two flat winners: La Hara with Parker Hendriks in Novice Rider Flat and In Effect, ridden by Gerald Galligan in the Open Flat. Trainers based at Fair Hill (Md.) had a good day at Glenwood. Niall Saville saddled the winner of both divisions of the Samuel E. Bogley Memorial Maiden Flat: Sunnyvale Farm’s Bay B and Freya Gerlach’s Boppin Road with Thomas Garner in the irons for both victories. Trainer Keri Brion (recent Eclipse Award with The Mean Queen)

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Middleburg Eccentric

• May 26, 2022 Page 13

2022 Twilight Polo PRESENTED BY WISEMAN & ASSOCIATES WEALTH MANAGEMENT GREENHILL STADIUM

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THE PLAINS

SATURDAY POLO UNDER THE LIGHTS 28

Ballybristol Farm’s own comeback kid: Andi’amu with a very happy Freddie Proctor cruises to epic win in the Virginia Gold Cup at Great Meadow. Photo by Douglas Lees

and jockey Parker Hendriks earned the Maiden Hurdle win with Pleasecallmeback, owned by Upland Flats Racing (Tn.). It was a congenial meet featuring some up-and-coming stars. The Virginia Gold Cup Races at Great Meadow on Saturday, May 7, drew intrepid racing fans despite rain, wind and cold temperatures. Some were totally into celebrating “Spring at Gold Cup” and arrived attired in garden party regalia complete with fascinators and stilettos. Yet others wore layer, looking prepared and even cozy in waterproof outerwear, head to toe. The weather might have been wet and dreary, but the racing was amazing as top NSA trainers Leslie Young and Keri Brion dominated the results of all seven races. Brion, relatively new head trainer and already an Eclipse winner, sent out four winners. Buttonwood Farm’s Baltimore Kid (IRE), Parker Hendriks in the irons, won his first outing in Maiden Special Weights Hurdle. She saddled her second winner in the Schwab Hurdle (four-yearolds and up, which never won two races) in which Irvin Naylor’s Howyabud (IRE) and Hendricks crossed the finish first by 10-plus lengths. The second-ever career outing for LJay (IRE) and Mikey Hamill earned Brion’s third win on the Gold Cup card when the young duo prevailed by one-length in the hotly contested $50,000 Sport of Kings Hurdle Stakes. Brion and everyone associated with her earned boasting rights with their fourth victory on Gold Cup Day when Sa’ad (FR), Hendriks in the plate, made it a sure one-length

win over Naylor’s Fearsome (GB) in the card’s finale, $50,000 VEA, VHBPA, and VTA Flat stakes, 1½ miles on turf. It’s a battle of the best in the NSA Trainer standings with Leslie Young in the top slot for both wins and money won, then Keri Brion, and legendary multiple title holder Jack Fisher in third place… This is great for racing because there is room at the top for more of the best. They are great ambassadors for horses and racing and rural traditions. Young’s three winners ran in three different jumping races over Great Meadow’s hallowed course, which showcased her talents and versatility as a trainer. Silverton Hill’s Bodes Well (IRE) won the $30,000 Steeplethon (in honor of the late Speedy Smithwick); a mixed bag of jumps that requires a very special racehorse. Sharon Sheppard’s Redicean (GB) in the $75,000 Hurdle Stakes, both horses ridden by Thomas Garner. To top off her day, Young witnessed the ultimate comeback of Ballybristol Farm’s Andi’amu (IRE), previous Gold Cup winner and timber champion, who spent 20 months recovering from a tendon injury Piloted by Freddie Proctor, Andi’amu finished 23½ lengths ahead of Schoodic for an epic win in the $100,000 Gold Cup Timber Stakes. The stars have been out all spring. If you weren’t at races, PTP or NSA-sanctioned races and-or you would like to refresh your memory, you can enjoy NSA’s video archives at nationalsteeplechase.com — it’s the next best thing to being there.

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THE PLAINS

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Page 14 Middleburg Eccentric

• May 26, 2022

Faces, Fashion & Fun

Goose Creek Association Awards

Photos by Nancy Kleck embers of the Goose Creek Association (GCA) gathered on May 5 at Dundrillin Farm, the home of Russell

and Sally Fletcher and formerly the Duncan Read family estate. Jeff Millington of Upperville was awarded the Golden Goose Award for leading GCA’s stream

monitoring program for over a decade. The gathering also celebrated GCA’s commitment to restoring the quality of the Goose Creek to a recreational

level from its current impairment by continuing its riparian buffer plantings with volunteers and expanding its stream monitoring with volunteers and professional

The Goose Creek Association Board and Staff

chemical testing. For more information and to become a member, go to www.goosecreek.org

Dulany and Eleanor Morison, Vivian Warren

Gloria Armfield, Sally Fletcher, Howard Armfield

Pete Sacripanti, Samantha Franklin and Andrew Richards

Kevin Ramundo and Ann D’Ignazio and Thomas and Charlotte Debutts

Lori Keenan McGuinness and Jeff Millington, recipient of the Golden Goose Award

Vicki Bendure, Matt Sheedy, Leslie Hazel

Bill and Susan Ferster

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Middleburg Eccentric

• May 26, 2022 Page 15

Middleburg Humane Foundation Denim & Diamonds Gala

Photos by Nancy Kleck he annual gala held at the Middleburg Barn was reported to be the MHF’s most successful fundraiser yet. Welcoming guests was MHF Board Member Candy Fazakerley and her adorable Pet of the Year Spike, a tiny 7-pound bundle of loving chihuahua who seemed to be taking the festivities in stride at 6 inches off the ground. You could feel the excitement in the room as guests schmoozed, sipped and giggled free of the

Covid prophylactic after a 2-year hiatus. Dinner was well worth the ticket, and the heartwarming news of the foundation’s yearly accomplishments was better than dessert. Among the dozen big ticket auction items was a magnum of Billecart Brut Rose champagne; a mid-century and hand-painted coin operated horse restored by Wakefield School’s advanced art students; an electric guitar signed by The Eagles; Braves tickets; an original by Anthony

Barnham, and next year’s Pet of the Year who would be the face of MHF’s 2023 Gala. Lucky bidders included the Ben-Dovs, Mike and Wendy Smith, Andrew Hertneky and Sherri York, and so many more who gave in the paddle bidding. For Pet of the Year, the bidding started off slowly when a cowgirl with a rhinestone brimmed cap quietly raised her paddle, surrounded by nine other rhinestoned cowgirls. Then a paddle appeared high above the

heads from across the room. The room got quiet. Rhinestone cowgirl raised her paddle again. Like a pointer watching a pheasant, the bid spotter sauntered over to her table. The other paddle went up again. Her paddle went up again, and again, and stayed up until none were left, reaching a hefty five figures. The room roared with congratulations. Since its inception with Hilleary Bogley at the helm, the MHF continues to grow and expand to help more and more

domestic, feral and pet animals thanks to the most compassionate community support in and around Middleburg. From a little chihuahua to a one-and-a-halfton Hereford bull named Big Red Fred who loves ear scritches, they are all worthy of the best life possible. Big Red Fred will grace next year’s cover according to the rhinestone cowgirl, aka Patti Thomas.

Jacqueline Ohrstrom, Leah Palmer, Snowden Clarke and Barbara Sharp

MHF Board Member Candy Fazakerley with MHF Pet of the Year Spike

Patti Thomas celebrating MHF 2023 Pet of the Year Winning Bid for Big Red Fred

Jim Thompson, Wendy and Michael Smith

MHF Board Member and Gala Co-Chair Lisa and Zohar Bendov and Ellen Hall

Todd McDonald, Carolyn Polhemus and former MHF Board Member Steve Harkabus

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Woody and Erika Offutt and John Buhl

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Page 16 Middleburg Eccentric

• May 26, 2022

Faces, Fashion & Fun 2022 Virginia Gold Cup Photos by Nancy Kleck

FLAMING SWORD (IRE) 3rd The Virginia Gold Cup with McLane Hendriks up for owner Fat Chance Farm and trainer Richard Valentine

ANDI’AMU (FR) Winner The Virginia Gold Cup with jockey Freddie Procter up for owners Ballybistrol Farm and trainer Leslie Young

Eva Smithwick and Laurie McClary

Anastasia and David Tafuri

Lindsay and Sondra LeHew with friend

Jim and Gwendolyn Sutton, Jennifer McCoy Mack and Robert Mihlbaugh

Lindsay and Sondra LeHew with friend

Hat and Tie contest winners.jpg

Doug and Wendy Grills and Pete and Lisa Kolb

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Middleburg Eccentric

• May 26, 2022 Page 17

Winner of the hat contest Devon Zebrovious (and best golashes too)

The best hat cover

Tickets available on Eventbrite here Thursday, June 16, 2022 mbecc.com

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Page 18 Middleburg Eccentric

• May 26, 2022

Faces, Fashion & Fun

Middleburg Hunt Point-to-Point Photos by Nancy Kleck

Cynthia Daily and her champion Afghan Hound

Evan and Beth Dombrowsky

Jacqui Porter, Wendy Lind, Katie Dodson-Terwilliger and children

Future foxhunters

Mark Duffell and Erin Michele Smith

Middleburg Hunt Masters Penny Denegre and Jeffrey Blue

Sisters Aliene Laws and Jeannie Rofe and their fabulous 1928 Model A

The Porters and new baby

Wendy Lind, Pam Woolley and Natalie Fox enjoying the Little Yellow Sofa and accompanying footstool

Winners of the Best Hat and Tie contest

Outrider Shannon Venezia and Huntsman Richard Roberts getting some hound love

Pam Wooley and Devon Zebrovious comparing notes about umbrellas

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The ladies of Celtic Venture

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Vikki Van Meter

Middleburg Eccentric

• May 26, 2022 Page 19

Art in the Burg Photos by Nancy Kleck

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Page 20 Middleburg Eccentric

Prodgeny

• May 26, 2022

Wakefield Sophomore to Attend Summer Residential Governor’s School

akefield is proud to announce that sophomore Riley Harper of Haymarket has been accepted to the 2022 Summer Residential Governor’s School for Mathematics, Science, and Technology, to be held at the University of Lynchburg from June 27 to July 23. According to the Virginia Department of Education website, the program “provides gifted high school juniors and seniors with intensive, educational experiences in mathematics, science, and technology…students are involved in classroom and laboratory work, field studies, research, individual and group projects, and seminars with noted scholars and other professionals.” The Summer Residential Governor’s School for Mathematics, Science, and Technology is one of several Summer Residential Governor’s Schools, and is part of

the State of Virginia’s broader Governor’s School programs. In addition to possessing an affinity for science and mathematics, Riley is a full-fledged technology guru, with a special flair for video documentary. He is a member of the school’s new Digital Videography class this year, but since Middle School he has given countless volunteer hours for Wakefield developing and editing footage for many areas of the school. He is also a technical theater aficionado, serving as Sound Engineer for the school’s recent performance of Grease and assisting all with the learning curve involved in mastering the new GLO Theater’s muchexpanded technology. Riley is the son of Wakefield Head of School Ashley Harper and her husband Doug Harper.

Foxcroft School Junior Helen Ventikos Awarded Prestigious National Gold Medal in Scholastic Art & Writing Award Contest Ventikos is one of fewer than 900 students nationwide to receive this honor

urcellville resident and Foxcroft School junior Helen Ventikos was recently awarded a National Gold Medal in the Photography category of the Scholastic Art & Writing Award contest for her photograph titled “Kafes.” Fewer than 900 of the more than 260,000 works of art and writing submitted to the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards this year, in 28 categories ranging from memoirs and critical essays to sculpture and photography, were awarded this prestigious

~ Be Local ~

honor. In addition to being invited to a weeklong national celebration in New York City (which includes a ceremony at Carnegie Hall), she is also eligible for scholarships of up to $10,000. Helen’s artwork may also be featured in exhibitions in New York City, Washington, DC, and throughout the country, as well as highlighted in Best Teen Art and Best Teen Writing. A list of all National Medalists is also included in the Yearbook.

Making a cup of coffee is a simple part of a morning routine, not typically something that would inspire an award-winning photograph steeped in culture and heritage. Yet for Helen, this came to be with her captivating piece, “Καφές/Coffee” or “Kafes” (Greek for coffee). “Being Greek is a part of me,” explains Helen. “It is really meaningful to share that part of me throughout my work.” Because Greek coffee must be watched to prevent it from overflowing, Helen has

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had the advantage of observing this process many times from various perspectives. She had the idea to capture this from a bird’s eye view, standing on a kitchen step stool with her camera in hand. Fascinated by its symmetry, abstract vantage point, and varying textures, Helen discovered an interesting approach that would lead to a technique used on all of her photos, unexpectedly deciding to showcase them all in black and white. With an interest in biology and engineering and as Club Head of Robotics and Cyberpatriots at Foxcroft, Helen plans to study STEM in college. Photography, however, remains an outlet for her creative side — it has become one of her passions. “After taking multiple photography classes at Foxcroft, I learned that I love using my camera as a tool for expression.” Foxcroft had a strong showing in this year’s Scholastic competition, with 16 works from ten students earning regional recognition. Four submissions, including Helen’s “Kafes,” received Gold Keys, the highest regional distinction, and advanced to the national level. All of the art and writing submissions are blindly judged — first locally through the more than 100 affiliates of the Alliance and then nationally by panels of judges comprised of renowned artists, authors, educators, and industry experts — based on the same three criteria that have been in place since the program’s founding in 1928: originality, technical skill, and emergence of personal vision or voice. As a Gold Medalist, Helen shares the same title as other National Gold Award alumni including artists Andy Warhol and Cy Twombly, actors Robert Redford and John Lithgow, director Ken Burns, authors Stephen King and Joyce Carol Oates, and poets Sylvia Plath and Amanda Gorman.

Middleburg Eccentric

Why stretch? fitness Pro

Kay Colgan, Certified pilates instructor, health coach

hat if you could improve your flexibility, balance and strength in three steps? Is it possible. The Mayo Clinic recommends stretching two to three times a week. Skipping your stretch routine means you will miss the opportunity to reduce your risk of injury and improve your range of motion. Better flexibility can improve your performance in physical activities as well as greatly reduce the risk of injury. Some of the other benefits are; help joints move through their full range of motion ,enable your muscles to work most effectively. The debate of when to stretch is ongoing. Best rule to follow is not to stretch cold muscles. Warm up first, then stretch. Make the focus on major muscle groups and then stretch each side equally. Bouncing is not a good method of stretching. Instead try to stretch in a smooth movement. Bouncing when you stretch can actually injure your muscles and contribute to tightness. Holding a stretch for 30 seconds is best. If you have areas that are more problematic then 60 seconds is better. If you experience pain when you stretch you have pushed to far, back off to where you don’t feel pain , then hold the stretch. Finally if you want to increase flexibility, strength and balance then look into pilates or yoga. Both of these disciplines work on all three principles and will allow you to stretch, while strengthening the muscles and creating balance too. A win-win recipe for success. So, while the debate continues about the proper time to stretch, I believe building it in to your workout is the most efficient way to get the best result and also to be consistent. For more information about health and fitness, please contact Kay Colgan at Middleburg Pilates and personal training, 14 S Madison Street, Middleburg, Virginia or call 540-687-6995.

• May 26, 2022 Page 21

14th Annual Candlelight Concert Community Music School of the Piedmont

2Bassoons 2Clarinets 2Oboes 2Horns Paragon Philharmonia Wind Ensemble June 26, 2022 5:30pm

Community Music School of the Piedmont

Tickets $135 Tickets & Information: piedmontmusic.org 540.592.3040 mbecc.com

The Home of Tom & Nancy Dungan 7152 Rockhill Mill Road The Plains, VA 20198 ~ Be Local ~

Page 22 Middleburg Eccentric

Pastimes

• May 26, 2022

There is something about a jazz club In Unison

Steve Chase

had a blast the other night speaking for a few moments at the DOCWEEK Middleburg Film Festival at the Community Center. The film that night was called Ronnie’s, and the topic was a great Jazz club. After some wicked good food and wine from Neal Wavra’s Field and Main, and some live jazz from some talented young musicians from Shenandoah Conservatory, I had a few moments to answer questions onstage with festival organizer Robert Dove. I thought I would expand on those remarks here this month, following up on my words last month about Jazz clubs. When I was in High School, I played trombone in the jazz band and the school orchestra. In jazz band, which was actually called Dance Band back then, we played big band music from the forties, music some called sweet jazz. When I wasn’t playing Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, or Maynard Ferguson, I was listening to groups like Elton

John, The Allman Brothers Band, and Yes-- I arrogantly and ignorantly thought these bands were simply the best. How wrong I was. In my senior year of high school, the school had a talent show, and I got asked to play trombone with these guys that wanted to play songs by Larry Coryell, Herbie Hancock, and Weather Report. I had never heard of any of these guys before. So we went into the choir room, where they had this immense stereo, and a friend put on the tune “Birdland” by Weather Report. It blew my mind—music unlike anything I had ever heard-melodically, rhythmically, and the sheer technical ability of the musicians. My entire musical palate was transformed, guided by enlightened musician friends. Soon, bands like Weather Report, Return to Forever, Mahavishnu Orchestra, and Frank Zappa became my daily musical fare. We won the talent show. The summer after graduation, I parked cars for tickets at the Telluride Jazz Festival in Colorado, and had another musical revelation, this time under the stars in a

box canyon at 9,700 feet. When I heard the Pat Metheny Group start their set with a tune called Phase Dance, and wrap with the best piano solo I had ever heard, on a tune called San Lorenzo, my musical palate was again transformed, and I could not get the sheer brilliance of Pat Metheny and Lyle May’s music out of my head. Soon, my musical explorations continued into a number of genres and musical communities- Canterbury progressive rock bands from the UK, Frank Zappa, the early bands of new wave music like XTC, the great compositions of Donald Fagen and Walter Becker, the next generation of King Crimson, and Bill Bruford’s amazing explorations in Fusion. But while my musical knowledge was expanding, but I still had a ways to go. In my senior year of undergraduate school, I needed a history elective, and I was lucky enough to enroll in a Jazz History class, taught by the great alto saxophonist Jackie McLean. A protege of Charlie Parker, McLean played with all of the greats over

the years, and he became a star in his own right. In every class, we were treated to stories of his times in Jazz, while exposing us to the great early Jazz pioneers--Buddy Bolden, Jelly Roll Morton, James Reese Europe, James P. Johnson, Sydney Bechet, the great Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday, Charlie Christian, Lester Young, Art Tatum, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis. These early artists wove the foundational fabric of Jazz, setting the stage for the explosion of music in the 50s and sixties that Jackie had significant involvement in. The music increasingly reflected the complex nature of society at that time. Pat Metheny, who became a commercially successful jazz guitarist and composer who has maintained his musical integrity, writing and playing sublime music for four decades, once spoke on the complexity of Jazz in a commencement speech : “My contention has always been that Jazz is, and I hope will always be, a form of folk music, but a very, very serious and sophisticated, scientific folk music. When I say folk music,” said Metheny, “I am talking about the tradition of musicians using every aspect, all the materials, all the sounds and moves and vibes and spirits of their time in a musical way.” So jazz mirrors culture--what society is doing at the time, decade by decade. Bebop reflected the rebellion from the norms of the thirties and the exuberance of post WWII years; cool jazz started in the mid-fifties to be overcome by Jazz fusion by the middle of the chaotic decade of the 1970s. And so it goes, year by year until today--it really is what Metheny says, Jazz is serious folk music where each art-

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ist, influenced by societal forces, finds their own sound and place in a wide-open genre only to inspire the next generation to find their own way. The new generation who play music today--they all grew up listening to decades of jazz innovation and have their own way of looking at the music-- players like Aaron Parks, Joshua Redman, Kurt Rosenwinkle, James Francies, Savannah Harris, Antonio Sanchez, Linda May Han Oh, Tigran Hamasyan, Kamasi Washington. In each country or culture, they have their own complex folk music that is Jazz. Online, you can discover and listen to new Jazz talents and amazing jazz playlists from around the world, every hour of every day, and you will never hear the same track twice. The Doc5 film tells the history of one of the world’s great Jazz clubs, Ronnie Scotts. Scott was an accomplished British Jazz saxophonist who did something everyone told him not to do--he started a Jazz club. Ronnie Scott’s became a community that focused on great music over profit, and over the years, it drew more and more of the world’s great musicians to perform there. Ronnie once said it was easier to name artists who had not played at Ronnie’s. The film serves as an important reminder of the essential role live performance plays, especially in jazz. For a couple of generations, jazz clubs have been in decline. While the reasons for this are multi-varied and debatable, this film is an important documentary of the role clubs such as Ronnie Scott’s played in evolution of jazz and also a reminder of the importance of community and the human connection that is music. Many important live albums were also recorded at Ronnie Scott’s-- artists like Wes Montgomery, Soft Machine, Brand X, Stan Getz, Ella Fitzgerald, and Buddy Rich. The film reveals the vision of a great musician and an even greater venue owner, who devoted his life to live music. Every night, even now, people are invited into this amazing club to gather with friends and listen to amazing music--The night of the screening, the great saxophonist Joe Lovano, who influence crosses generational lines from Charlie Parker to the Dave Mathews Band (Jeff Coffin mentor), played a few live sets. The next night, the outrageous and visionary George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic performed (ever hear the guitar solo on the title track of 1971’s Maggot Brain?). I would expect nothing less at Ronnie’s. I highly recommend the film, and thank Tom Foster for his vision of film and community-everything screens better when a bunch of people from a community watch together. Steve Chase is in Unison listening to Jackie McLean.

Middleburg Eccentric

• May 26, 2022 Page 23

The Autopsy of a Horseman Sincerely me

Brandy Greenwell

orse people are a special breed. Whether you ride for sport, pleasure, or not at all, if you are a horseman, your life is centered on a magnificent, 1000-plus pound animal that, by nature, sees you as a predator. Bonding with horses is a relationship unlike any other that will leave an imprint on your soul forever, and sometimes your body as well. When you eventually end up with the tag on your toe, hopefully not from

a horse related incident, what will your autopsy say about you as a horseman? Starting with your toes, most of them are fused from being stepped on numerous times over the years. There are no records of your breaks because, of course, you would just secure it to its neighbor with vet wrap instead of seeing a doctor. On occasion, your vet was consulted. Your legs might be slightly bowed from all the time in the tack and your knees have multiple scars from repairing torn menisci. You have zero joint flu-

id left because you always cared for your equine friend’s joints before your own and both were not in your budget. Your hips have been replaced and your pelvis is completely uneven because for one reason or another you have ridden with one stirrup longer than the other for most of your life. If you are male, your poor boys had a relationship with the pommel that was not unlike Tyson vs Holyfield. If you are female, you’re so strong you could have cracked a walnut with your inner thighs from riding a hole

longer to get your horse to engage from behind. You may or may not have your whole spleen, your liver is shot, because generally, horse people like to drink a lot, and your lungs could be compromised from either smoking or standing next to the chimney trainer outside the schooling ring for all those years. Spine- serpentine like with a fused vertebra or two. Ribs- so compromised that not even forensics can tell what happened. Your collarbones, shoulders, and elbows are like a Jenga puz-

zle. There is at least one bone sticking out where it shouldn’t be, and if you tried to correct it, your whole body would crumble. Hands. Your hands are huge with giant knuckles and sand paper like skin. The fingers that do bend, do so in different directions. You could never really flatten your hands to give a high five upon victory because your muscle memory pulled you into a fist from years of riding with contact, braiding or clutching a curry. Horse people invented the fist bump for this reason. Your face is weathered with sunspots and wrinkles from years of taking care of your friends in extreme heat or cold, without a day off since you first met. Wrinkles, no, they are lines of joy and your bright smile will be frozen for eternity like the very first time you swung a leg over to feel the gentle breath of the wonder beneath you. Lastly, your heart is enormous and could still beat otherwise because it was so strong and steeped in unconditional love from your horse. “God forbid that I should go any heaven in which there are no horses.” R.B Cunninghame-Graham

Congrats to the Eccentric Around the Town

Hazel Sweitzer

have been lucky, especially as a dog to be a contributor to this paper. I met DeeDee Hubbard many years ago walking in town. I liked her the moment I met her, and although she had no clue about my exper-

tise as a writer and storyteller, she opened the door to me to try my paw at newspaper writing. Not many dogs get the opportunity that was given to me. To have a voice about things we believe and how we see life from our perspective. As Middleburg Eccentric celebrate a milestone,

I want to thank them for taking a risk on me. For years, Middleburg Eccentric has worked hard at tell the stories about our community. They offer uplifting, informative, and personal stories that make us feel connected and part of a

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neighborhood. I thank the entire Eccentric family for all they have done to support our Middleburg family. I feel I have been giving a chance to share a dog’s view and throughout this journey I have learned about what it means to be human.

We are all looking for news, but how lucky are we to have a paper who cares about its neighbors. Happy Anniversary Middleburg Eccentric! Love, Hazel

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Page 24 Middleburg Eccentric

Pastimes

• May 26, 2022

Outdoor Life: 10 Outdoor Living Ideas that Everyone Will Love

Tim Burch

t’s pretty wonderful when the stars align and you find yourself with the time, perfect weather and space you love to enjoy outdoor time with family and friends. If you’re contemplating an outdoor renovation, you should think about all the ways you could use the space before tackling your design. Consider the following 10 great out-

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door living ideas to create areas that everyone will love. 1. Family Room: Create an inviting family space complete with comfy furnishings, fans and a firepit. 2. Outdoor Kitchen: Go all out and create an outdoor kitchen that you can enjoy throughout the year, perhaps with a grill, smoker, pizza oven or all the above. 3. Wet Bar: Everyone needs an area for refreshments, so you

aren’t constantly running back inside. Stock your mini fridge with your favorite beverages and snacks and plan to store glasses, openers and other essentials.

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4. Outdoor Games: Everyone loves a good game of horseshoes, cornhole, pickleball or disc golf! Plan for your favorites and enjoy a little friendly competition with your family and friends. 5. Kids’ Corner: Create a safe area specifically for your children, including age-appropriate toys, activities, and items that they enjoy. Build a playhouse, treehouse or tepee for your children. A kids-only feature doesn’t have to be large to bring enjoyment, just big enough to help their imaginations grow. 6. Picnic Area: Create a picnic area that is separate from your normal outdoor dining area. This area should be grassy and perfect for a red checkered blanket and basket full of goodies. 7. Garden Area: Create a kitchen garden, large or small, using your existing yard space. Or if you would rather save room, hanging pots, planters, or window planters make a great addition. 8. Pets’ Corner: Don’t forget Fido and Fluffy! Create an area where your pets can safely play

outside without constant supervision. A fenced in area, shelter and access to fresh water are ideal. 9. Create a Hang Out: Hanging chairs are a wonderful addition to your outdoor living area. Hang a few chairs and hammocks for the ultimate in relaxation. No trees? That’s okay! Build a structure to hang your new seating options. 10. Sprinkler System: A sprinkler system is an excellent way to keep the lawn looking fresh without adding to your honey-do list. If you’d like some help in planning your perfect outdoor retreat, I’m happy to assist. Give me a call at 540-687-6771. Tim Burch is a Vice President and Owner of BOWA, an awardwinning design and construction firm specializing in renovations ranging from owners’ suites and kitchens to whole-house remodels and equestrian facilities. For more information, visit bowa. com or call 540-687-6771.

Middleburg Eccentric

• May 26, 2022 Page 25

Potato Pancakes with Smoked Salmon The Kitchen Philosophy - www.thekitchenphilosophy.com

Emily Tyler

love these little potato pancakes as they are very versatile - delicious per recipe or pair them with a green salad, or maybe some thinly sliced roast beef and horseradish sauce and always good with a dollop of caviar… Makes 8 4” pancakes 2 cups peeled and cubed potatoes 1 cup chopped onions (I use frozen) 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter 2 tablespoons whole milk 2 eggs 2 tablespoons potato starch ½ teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon kosher salt (Diamond Crystal) ½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper 3 tablespoons chopped chives Avocado oil for sauteing For serving

4 ounces thinly sliced smoked salmon ½ cup sour cream Capers Lemon slices Fresh dill In a food processor combine all of the pancake ingredients except the oil for sauteing Process for about 1 minute or until well combined, the mixture will be grainy Heat a large saute pan to medium high heat and add about ¼ cup of avocado oil Using a ¼ cup scoop add the batter, spreading it to about 4 inches, saute about 3-4 minutes per side, reduce the heat if necessary to allow them to cook through without burning, do not rush the process, use a timer When cooked through transfer to a paper towel Continue the process sauteing in batches and adding more oil when necessary To serve, top each pancake with a slice of smoked salmon, dollop of sour cream, capers, dill, and squeeze of lemon

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Page 26 Middleburg Eccentric

Obituaries

• May 26, 2022

Daniel M. “Speedy” Smithwick Jr. aniel M. “Speedy” Smithwick Jr., 62, of Middleburg, passed away on April 23. Speedy’s passion was the sport of horse racing. He was born on October 27, 1959 to two Hall of Fame horse trainers, Dorothy Fred Smithwick and D.M. ‘Mikey’ Smithwick. As a child, he juggled his time between Hydes, MD and Middleburg. He spent his summers on the Ogden Phipps’ estate in Old Westbury, Long Island watching his dad train steeplechase legends such as Neji and Top Bid. Later, Speedy would become one of the nation’s top amateur steeplechase jockeys with victories in the 1984 Virginia Gold Cup, the 1985 Pennsylvania Hunt Cup, and the Iroquois Steeplechase (three different times). On December 10, 1988, Speedy married the love of his life, Eva Dahlgren, who shared his passion and gift with horses. Together, they took a big leap of faith and started their flat track careers training for the late Jack

Kent Cooke out of Elmendorf Farm in Lexington, KY. Cooke also had a farm in Middleburg and was the former owner of the NFL Washington Redskins, the NBA Los Angeles Lakers, the NHL Los Angeles Kings and the Los Angeles Wolves of the United Soccer Association. On the flat track, Speedy found a path different from his parents and discovered his true passion. He raced all across the country at tracks that included Del Mar, Hollywood Park, Saratoga (where he worked out of the Clark barn), the Fairgrounds, Keeneland, Churchill, Gulfstream, Belmont and Arlington Park. He made friends wherever he went. In fact, some would stay with him for the remainder of his life, like his beloved groom Clementino Salazar. Speedy trained multiple graded stakes winners for various owners, but some of his favorite horses from those days included Ziggy’s Act, Zignew, Glacial, and Sauve Voir Faire. He could recall with vivid detail any horse that he ever

trained or rode, which made him an excellent storyteller. After the death of his mother, Speedy returned to Sunny Bank Farm in Middleburg, where he and Eva dabbled in steeplechase, foxhunting, and herding cattle. Speedy was known for his sense of humor, his kindness, and his optimism. He was a loving father and grandfather of Dorothy, named after his late mother. Speedy is survived by his wife, Eva Smithwick; his daughters, Kathy Smithwick Swain and Patricia Smithwick; his granddaughter, Dorothy Adelaide Swain; his brother, Roger Smithwick; and many dear friends. A memorial service will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church in Upperville, on Monday, May 16 at 11 a.m. with a reception to follow. The family suggests memorial donations to the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation and Backside Learning Center at Churchill Downs.

Elizabeth Williams Gookin lizabeth Williams Gookin, at age 100, died at home on Wednesday, May 11, 2022, after a brief illness. She was born in Washington, D.C. on April 7, 1922. Betty was the wife of Richard Gookin and mother of Elizabeth Stewart Meyer Anderson (Richard) and Anne Kimbrough Meyer Ford (James), and step-mother of Liza Lowndes Gookin Hodskins (Steven). Betty’s parents were Mr. and Mrs. John Chauncy Williams of “Rockhill,” Casanova, Virginia; her grandparents were General and Mrs. Baldwin Day Spilman of “Elway Hall,” Warrenton. She was the great granddaughter of U.S. Senator and Mrs. Johnson Newlon Camden of West Virginia. Betty was one of the first students at the Warrenton Calvert School which later became Highland School. She attended St. Catherine’s School in Richmond and later graduated from Oldfields School at Glencoe, Maryland. Betty received a B.A. degree from Sweet Briar College in 1944. She was an educator in Richmond for many years and a founder of Stony Point School in nearby Bon Air. In 1971, she moved to Middleburg, Virginia, where she taught at Hill School for three years, after which as a spouse, she took a special interest in her husband’s career at the Department of State in Washington. Betty was much admired in promoting goodwill with members of the diplomatic

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corps and their families, and with visiting foreign chiefs of state and heads of government, who were guests of the President. In 1994, on the death of her aunt, Margaret Spilman Bowden, Betty and Richard moved to “The Oaks,” near Warrenton. Betty was a gracious hostess, opening “The Oaks,” to community charitable events, family weddings and celebrations, and holiday gatherings. Betty was twice President of the Warrenton Antiquarian Society, an active member of St. James’ Episcopal Church in Warrenton, a board member of the Fauquier County SPCA, and of the John S. Mosby Foundation. Lovingly known as “Gigi” to her five grandchildren, Michael Anderson (Kathryn), Caroline Elizabeth Anderson (deceased), Anne Berkeley, David Ford and Christopher Ford (Megan), and to her great-grandchildren Margaret Caroline Anderson and Walter Stewart Anderson, she will be remembered for her warmth, humor, and charm, devotion to family, and life-long support of animal welfare causes. Memorial contributions may be made to the Fauquier County SPCA, PO Box 733, Warrenton, VA 20188, or to the Warrenton Antiquarian Society, PO Box 239, Warrenton, VA 20188, for the restoration of “Weston.”

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Middleburg Eccentric

mbecc.com

• May 26, 2022 Page 27

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Page 28 Middleburg Eccentric

• May 26, 2022

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Middleburg Eccentric

• May 26, 2022 Page 29

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Page 30 Middleburg Eccentric

• May 26, 2022

Opinion - Letters@middleburgeccentric.com Letter to the Editor

Morris “Bud” Jacobs Council Member Middleburg, Virginia

To the Editor: As everyone knows by now, Middleburg’s mayor, town council and staff have been discussing two potential boundary line adjustments or annexations, as they are known. The issues are complex and require thoughtful consideration of the benefits and costs of proceeding or not with these adjustments. Recently the mayor held a well-attended public information session regarding these actions, and the town also

has information about them on its website, including a section for public comment (www. middleburgva.gov/bla). We have also set aside a separate public comment session for each of our twice-monthly council meetings and will continue to do so for several months more. Our goal is not only to keep the public informed about possible actions that affect the town, but also to solicit ideas and suggestions we may not have considered. So far feedback has been informative and comments – both pro and con -- have been helpful. The town council appreciates the thoughtfulness of most; it is the only way we will get any

Letter from The Plains Anthony Wells

Mothers’ Day 2022 will be remembered as the day First Lady Jill Biden visited the Ukraine and showed the Ukrainian people and the world that the United States stands for freedom, democracy, and upholding international law and human rights. Her meeting with Olena Zelenska, first Lady of Ukraine and wife of President Volodymyr Zelensky, was a huge triumph of grace and humanity at a time when Russian aggression and war crimes reach new heights, including the bombing of a school. The following day, Monday, May 9, in Moscow, Vladimir Putin entered a new phase of unleashing demagogic deceit and falsehoods on his people with a speech to mark the end of the war in Europe in 1945. At the time of writing we are all holding our breath and praying for Ukrainian military success in repulsing a new Russian onslaught and the evil commission of war crimes and crimes against humanity. In the April Letter I committed to giving an assessment of where support stood from our government, and specifically the US Department of Defense. Before we look at the facts and issues be aware that for several years I have been on the record with fellow professionals in the intelligence community in assessing that the Russian Army is nothing like as capable as is perhaps commonly believed. This is across the board. However there is one worrisome major capability exception, and this is the one that concerns me most – sheer unadulterated fire power from Russia based cruise missiles and artillery, leading to the tragic loss of Ukrainian civilian and military lives, and sheer devastation of mainly civilian targets, all in violation of the Geneva Conventions. The recent provision of US heavy long range artillery to the Ukrainian Army will hopefully redress this imbalance.

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Since 2014 the United States has given Ukraine military assistance, so the argument that we have not done much before the Russian invasion is simply not accurate. One highly reliable assessment from the Soufan Center in New York City estimates that we have supplied Ukraine with more than $2.5 billion in military assistance prior to the invasion. Weapons pre the invasion included Javelin anti-tank missiles and counter mortar radars. The training and weapons that we and our allies have given Kyiv since 2014 have proven crucial to date in destroying significant Russian capabilities and inflicting what are undoubtedly massive casualties on the Russian Army. The UK and Canada have been particularly supportive in providing training. In addition several of the other key NATO allies have provided weapons, ammunition, and supplies. We have all watched more recently the steady stream of equipment ferried across the Ukrainian border. The one exception has been Germany that at one stage even banned over flight rights to Royal Air Force supply aircraft ferrying vital war materials to the Ukraine. In addition one aspect has been crucial that is not commonly reported, though I believe that Yahoo News went public on this. Under 50 US Code the President of the United States may approve and order covert action without full public disclosure and with the approval of the appropriate Congressional Committees of Record. In effect what this entails is that US Special Forces may transfer to the CIA for paramilitary operations. In the Ukrainian scenario such training and direct support from the US has become indispensable to Ukrainian forces. Covert action training of the Ukrainians by the US and British is crucial. The latter covers multiple domains. Sniper training is a good

of this right. However, a recent letter to this newspaper not only mischaracterizes possible consequences of the BLA proposals, but also attacks the mayor, imputing base motives for even considering these questions. Among the writer’s misleading assertions was his charge that annexations are tied to a desire on the part of the town to gain funding for the new town hall through the increased real estate tax revenue that would come with these adjustments. In reality, real estate taxes form a small percentage of the town’s budget (less than 15%), with over 70% of our tax revenues derived from our businesses. Real estate

taxes do not cover the costs of the services our citizens receive. In fact, following substantial increases in 2022 real estate tax assessments by Loudoun County, the town council significantly reduced real estate tax rates to minimize the impact of the increased assessments on our property owners. It should also be clear that the town hall project is fully funded through very favorable loans, money already in our budget, and county and federal grants. There is simply no relation between the town hall and the potential annexations. Again, we thank those who have reached out to get the facts to understand these proposals.

The same writer -- instead of offering concrete suggestions on how to do the annexations smarter or influence development outcomes if we do not proceed with them -- only demands that we “fight” the possible developments. Fine, but how are we to fight in a way that will have any impact? We only control what happens in our borders; Loudoun controls the rest. Perhaps if the writer had examined how “by right” development works in Loudoun County, he might have come up with ideas – instead of empty exhortations -- to help the town as it tries to navigate these waters.

example. The Ukrainian military of 2022 is not that of 2014. It is far superior thanks almost largely to US and UK support. No one wants to witness a repeat of what happened in Afghanistan in August, 2021, where we foolishly publicized our deadline for withdrawal. By contrast in Ukraine we and our allies have provided the Ukrainians with excellent operational security, and ways and means to evade surveillance, limiting electronic signatures, providing covert communications, and countering Russian electronic warfare. Recall please that in an earlier Letter I emphasized the 1994 Budapest Agreement whereby the United States, the UK, and Russia agreed to guarantee Ukraine’s security after the Ukraine agreed to destroy its nuclear stockpile, the third largest in the world at the time. The United States and the UK have total legitimacy in defending Ukraine. So, has enough been enough? What we have done for Ukraine after 2014 and the Russian invasion of Crimea has been extremely beneficial as indicated above. However, where my concerns lie are in the crucial weeks leading up to the Russian invasion. I quoted Churchill in my prior Letter. “You cannot negotiate with a tiger when your head is in its mouth”. Other totally well coordinated military and intelligence operations needed to be initiated well ahead of what was clearly Russian intentions – to invade and inflict catastrophic damage on the Ukraine and its people. The Biden National Security team played out the diplomatic game, which was necessary, no question. However, in parallel we needed to ramp up in my opinion one crucial capability for the Ukrainians in addition to an intensified supply chain of weapons and ammunition. This is the “T” word: “Targeting”. What does this entail and why is it so critical? The sheer destruction

of Ukrainian civilian targets and huge loss of civilian lives speak for themselves. Without being immodest I have been heavily involved in TTL, tagging, tracking, and locating, and then, where necessary, targeting. The United States has extraordinarily good means to execute near or real time targeting against fixed and moving targets. While the diplomatic moves were being made, with full knowledge that Putin was playing a disingenuous game of prevarication while his Army prepared to invade the Ukraine, we should have given the Ukrainians maximum targeting support. This should have been done as discreetly as possible so that when the first Russian units crossed the Ukrainian border they could have been engaged to maximum effect. Many readers were undoubtedly aghast at the one event where a 40 miles Russian column of tanks, armored personnel carriers, and their key logistics support, were simply nothing less than sitting ducks for several days. These units in due course inflicted brutal damage and tragic Ukrainian civilian casualties. Taking down the Russian fuel supply trucks and other logistics support is a much vaunted War College principle as old as General Sir Bernard Montgomery’s defeat of Rommel at the Battle of El Alamein and General George S. Patton’s great Third Army victories. The reality of the Russian invasion seems to have hit the Defense Department like an ice cold shower with very positive effects. The recent ramping up of US weapon supplies for the Ukrainians could not have come sooner, and the Secretary of Defense’s and Secretary of State’s speeches have been explicit. The Stingers and Javelins sent to Ukraine have challenged the US weapon supply chain and it behooves the Department of Defense to examine this aspect

as a critical issue. Guns without bullets are not effective. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link and the Stinger and Javelin supply chain has been sorely tested. If the Russians are successfully pushed back it is increasingly likely that Putin will order the use of the last of his missile inventory inside Russia to fire indiscriminately at more civilian as well as military targets. The Ukraine Security Service (SBu) estimate that Putin is running very low on weapons and ammunition. Sanctions stopped the flow of spare parts from Slovenia, Finland, and Germany. The war may be costing Putin as much as US $20 billion per day. Can he sustain this? The answer is a resounding “No”. The Russian government is running out of weapons and resources. The major issue at the time of writing is what will Putin do next? In desperation will he order the use of tactical nuclear weapons in the eastern Ukraine region in order to save every kind of face possible inside Russia? The consequences of this possibility at all levels are potentially catastrophic. Next month I will address the major issue of electronic warfare and the use of cyber in the Ukrainian war. Meanwhile let us all hope for a Ukrainian victory, the safety of President Zelensky and his leadership, and peace. NATO is emerging stronger than ever and hopefully the Russian Army will be so decimated as not to be a threat to other NATO countries for the foreseeable future. Anthony Wells’ new historical novel, “Crossroads in Time. Philby and Angleton. A Story of Treachery”, is available on Amazon. This book is a revelation about the relationship of the UK’s worst ever spy, Kim Philby, with James Angleton, the head of CIA Counter Intelligence.

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Middleburg Eccentric

A Republic in Danger

John P. Flannery

A nation without laws that are enforced or a constitution that is not embraced by the body politic is a nation at risk. As a young prosecutor, I was drawn to prosecute corruption cases, the betrayal of a public trust, persons in low and high office who were unfaithful to their office and oath, and took what they could anyway they could. I didn’t know if I’d be accepted in the Southern District of New York after my clerkship; I believed that was the best legal office in the nation.. I was particularly drawn to that office because the US Attorney Whitney North Seymour, a republican appointed by Nixon, who served the Attorney General John Mitchell, took the extraordinary step of indicting his own boss, Mitchell, in what was the first of the Watergate prosecutions. Now, that’s independence. I sat in that court, at the trial of John Mitchell, invited by the presiding district judge, whose chambers adjoined my office, and I listened to John Dean, former counsel to the president describe in great detail what had gone badly and corruptly wrong. Main Justice, those offices in DC, thought of the Southern District of New York as the “Sovereign” District of New York because my old office had a reputation for going our own way. I’d like to think it was the right way. But they are not doing much this political season. I’ve since been involved in a number of positions and investigations in and out of court and on and off the Hill but I’ve never seen so many prosecutors auditioning to fail, to play the big palooka who takes a dive to the canvas in the first round rather than fight for what’s right and just. My old office has not indicted anyone involved in former President’s Trump’s ambit. Not for Trump’s earlier

obstruction offenses (reported by the disappointing Robert Mueller). Nor his campaign violations (remember the ladies for favors he sought to silence). There was Trump’s competing sets of accounting books (inflating properties to obtain debt, and deflating the value of the same props for tax purposes). But the topper after two impeachments, was Trump’s effort to overthrow the government (to declare he won what he had soundly lost)/ On the night of the presidential election, Rudy Giuliani, who was following the returns in the White House while drinking, went to Trump and gave him this advice – JUST SAY WE WON. When AG Garland was installed as mouth piece Barr’s successor, he spent enormous time and resources to prosecute the rioters who did what Trump told them to do directly and indirectly. Mostly, they were charged with trespass. Only a few received heavier charges. The Department and its resources was absorbed into chasing those who did Trump’s corrupt bidding and stormed the Congress. But what about those in the Oval Office, Trump, and his Chief of Staff, Mark Meadows, and the outsiders, Rogue Rudy, and Steve Bannon? Who investigated them at AG Garland’s direction. No one. All we hear are crickets. What prosecutor would think chasing after broken windows was more important than getting the ring leaders? What prosecutor would not feel duty bound to bring to justice those who betrayed our nation. The Justice Department should have instituted long ago a “Get Trump” investigation, like Bobby Kennedy launched against Jimmy Hoffa. Rip Van Garland, however, apparently doesn’t see this historic effort to undo our government as worth his time.

He’s not casting an investigative eye toward Trump, the head of the snake, and all his loyal minions in the West Wing and on the Hill. Consider the fact that the 1/6 Congressional Committee and the Congress passed a contempt resolution against Meadows for failing to appear and to supply documents demand from him; Garland hasn’t done anything with it since December to prosecute this referral; this is a one hour trial; the indictment could be written and rubber stamped by a grand jury in about an hour. Still, nothing. More crickets. It’s hard to believe Garland would do so little if President Biden didn’t want it that way. Some hold out the hope that the 1/6 House Committee will

• May 26, 2022 Page 31

recommend prosecution. Plainly we don’t want Garland to be the one who executes that directive should it occur. We need a prosecutor and staff independent of the cavalier Justice that is the hall mark of the Garland Administration. Number One, the President should call for an independent prosecutor. His oath does say preserve and protect. Number Two, under Article I4, section 3 of our constitution, a person who took an oath of office but who then betrays that oath by seeking to overthrow the government may be barred from holding any public office. We have to rid out nation of these traitors. It is a shortcoming that the Congress can’t indict anyone,

when the Justice Department sleeps. The 1/6th Committee can’t even pass a resolution in both houses, nor any legislation, and that’s because of the 60 vote cloture requirement in the Senate the Dems won’t vote to change. Third, our last form of action, given the delay by “our leaders” is political – to fight like hell in the closing days of the mid-term elections - to win the mid term elections. Our democracy is at risk if we don’t fight Trump’s preference for a monarchy over democracy. Benjamin Franklin was asked in 1787 if we had a Republic. His answer was – “you have a Republic if you can keep it.” Can we?

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• May 26, 2022

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