Middleburg Eccentric September 2022

Jackie Fishman

Middleburg’s proud history

is gaining another foothold in pres ervation. The Town Council took action at its September 8 meeting to retain its ownership of the historic Asbury Church, 105 N. Jay Street instead of turning it over to a dif ferent entity. Thanks to the town’s current budget surplus, the structure will be stabilized immediately and restored, making it ready for visitors.

“This vote is an im portant step in protecting and preserving one of the most historic buildings in Middleburg,” said Mayor Bridge Littleton.

The Town Council ex pressed gratitude for all the efforts and hard work of those who submitted proposals to the town. These proposals were not accepted, and the town will retain ownership based on its significance to the community and the budget surplus.

It was built in 1829 on donated land as the home of the Methodist Con gregation in Middleburg until that congregation merged with a larger one.

Subsequently donated to the African Ameri can Methodist Church in 1864, it became a central component of the town’s African American com munity. It also served as a school for that congre gation’s children. The city received the church building as a gift in late 2014 and invested over $174,000 to stabilize the structure and protect it from further deteriora tion.

The church initially was a separate worship facility for Methodists who no longer wanted to worship with other de nominations. The struc ture served as a Methodist Church until 1857, when it wasn’t abandoned but used as a depot, store house, temporary hospi tal, and morgue during the Civil War.

In 1864, the white own ers donated the church to the local black Method ist community to use for worship as a school.

As the African Ameri can community in Mid delburg thrived through out the latter half of the 19th century, the church continued to be in con stant use, growing in wor shipers and square foot age. It was added to and renovated several times, including the addition of an organ in 1880 and a bell in 1884.

In 1994, the church’s congregation merged with the Willisville Unit ed Methodist Church, and the building was aban doned.

The church’s future in cludes serving as a gath ering place for all com munity members while preserving a unique part of the town’s history. Ac cording to town manager Danny Davis, the posi tive fiscal budget year the town has enjoyed pro vides the luxury of in vesting in this historically significant building and helping to preserve the town’s legacy. All com munity members who want to get involved with this renovation and help develop future program ming and activities for the building are welcome.

The town will develop ongoing partnerships with local entities interested in hosting events, commu nity activities, and histori

Photo

Middleburg community News of Note

the internet.

Who has time to go to town council meetings? Who has the energy to review the minutes of these meetings ?Who has the resourc es to find out what new busi nesses are coming to town, what events are taking place and how these things will change life in Middleburg? The answer is your local community newspaper...the Middleburg Eccentric.

The paper serves as the unit ing voice of the community. It reaches all those living in town and its environs, regardless of their economic status, technolog ical expertise, or ability to access

Community newspapers are a dying breed in the world of social media, shrinking advertisement budgets, and a dwindling sense of what is local. The void they leave behind once they cease to exist is large and destructive to a community.

The Middleburg Eccentric is an essential part of the town and its communities of nonprofits, charitable organizations, local businesses, and events. Besides covering and reporting on lo cal news, it contributes in many ways to improve the lives of its residents. The paper often runs advertisements for nonprofits for free. It supports local charities by disseminating their news releases

on its pages. The paper also en courages its readership to partici pate in and care about their town and its people.

Nonprofits such as A Place To Be, a therapeutic arts orga nization that offers unique and innovative programs to emotion ally and intellectually challenged young teens and adults, run free ads in the paper regularly. Middleburg Humane Fondation’s ads also are published with out charge. Other organizations such as the local Seven Loves, Middleburg Community Center, and the Windy Hill Foundation are all supported regularly in the pages of the Eccentric.

This kind of activity is part of the mission of a community

newspaper. The paper is essen tially the glue that holds the com munity together. It provides a place for all these activities and events to coalesce. It is where all different interests, concerns, and beliefs can meet and discover what the rest of the town is doing. It is a place for people to care and to be cared about. It is personal and it is public.

In a nutshell, the Middleburg Eccentric shines a light on the community in a holistic way. In this role it helps to protect the future of the town and provide a forum for all of its facets to be represented and heard. Many readers have commented on how they depend on it. So, in order to continue to have this valuable

voice in the life of Middleburg, there must be support. Commu nity members both individually, and in their business concerns, must include the paper in their marketing plans and ensure the paper is supported with their ad vertisements throughout the year.

Make sure that you and your business ensures this voice of the town continues to exist by including it in your advertising programs. Not only will this help support this voice and all the lo cal charities it supports, but it will benefit your bottom line. Your ads will reach the people you need to reach, your neighbors and fellow community members. It’s a win/ win you can’ ignore.

P.O. Box 1768 Middleburg, VA 20118 540-687-3200

Editor Jay Hubbard editor@mbecc.com Middleburg Eccentric

Jackie Fishman

News of Note

Fauquier Habitat for Humanity

Celebrates its First Virginia Statewide Community Land Trust Homeowner

SayingFauquier County has a housing affordabil ity crisis isn’t controver sial.

A review of the most recent sales data from Realtor.com high lights the affordability challenge, with the median sales price for a home in Fauquier County remain ing above $500,000 as of August 2022. A search of current inven tory (as of September 19, 2022) finds only 16 properties avail able for purchase at a price point below $350,000, 9 of which are single-family homes (with 3 in need of significant renovation). With most new developments in the surrounding area “starting in the low $500,000s”, there is no indication these price pressures will improve any time soon.

Rental options are equally as challenging. If you want to live within 20-miles of Warrenton,

you can find 33 rentals below $1600 per month on Craigslist –with only 4 units offering more than 1 bedroom. And even if you find a rental available, you will likely find yourself among a pool of applicants desperately trying to secure housing.

With limited affordable hous ing inventory available, indi viduals and families are left with few options. Do you move your family farther away? Do you move into a smaller space than you need? Or do you pay more –like 33% of all Virginians paying more than 30% of their income to housing costs, or 7% paying more than 50%?

There are no quick fixes or easy solutions for addressing the issue of housing affordability –but breaking away from using the same strategies that put us in our current situation is an important

first step.

In early September, Fauquier Habitat for Humanity “broke out” of its traditional model of homeownership when it placed its first home with The Virginia Statewide Community Land Trust (VSCLT). In doing so, Fauquier Habitat guaranteed that every home it builds will be per manently affordable for the life time of the home.

As a founding member of the Virginia Statewide Community Land Trust, Fauquier Habitat for Humanity has long envisioned a future where we could expand the amazing work we do to pro vide deeply affordable home ownership to families in need. VSCLT’s partnership allows us to do just that. Now this home will serve not only this first fam ily, but each subsequent family to purchase it will receive an afford

able price. That is the power of CLTs.

VSCLT is an innovative mod el and the only Statewide Com munity Land Trust (CLT) in the United States that works primar ily with Habitat for Humanity af filiates to create permanently af fordable homeownership. In this instance, FHFH built an afford able home in the town of Rem ington and sold it to an incomequalified Habitat Partner Family. VSCLT, a Statewide non-profit organization, supports FHFH to use the CLT legal structure to make the home permanently affordable. The end result is a home that will be sold at an af fordable price to an individual or family earning 30% to 60% of area median income.

Amelie Rives, VSCLT’s Ex ecutive Director, highlighted the critical role of the land trust in

high-cost communities. “Home ownership is the American Dream and for too many of our community members this dream cannot be reality. Inflation, ris ing interest rates, and limited housing stock has made hous ing extremely unaffordable. This VSCLT home is an innovative approach to creating and retain ing affordable homeownership in even our most expensive com munities.”

The partnership between Fauquier Habitat and VSCLT enhances the work Habitat al ready does to connect families to wealth building opportunities through homeownership by am plifying this impact for families through permanent affordability of the home for current and fu ture generations to come.

News

Salamander Hotels & Resorts, the luxury ho tel company founded by renowned busi ness leader Sheila Johnson, along with Henderson Park, a global private equity real es tate manager headquartered in London, yesterday launched Salamander Washington DC, bringing Salamander’s wel coming and diverse style of luxury hospitality to the heart of the nation’s capital for the first time.

The two companies recent ly partnered to purchase and re-brand the 373-room prop erty, which formerly operated as a Mandarin Oriental. Under new ownership and Salaman der’s management, the hotel will undergo an exciting, allencompassing enhancement program that will be carefully executed so as not to inter rupt business. Program high

lights include a renovation of the hotel’s suites includ ing the three-bedroom Presi dential Suite with sweeping views of the Potomac River, the remodeling and reopen ing of the club lounge, reconcepting and redesign of its signature restaurant and grand lobby lounge, and activation of the hotel’s unique outdoor spaces which overlook DC’s waterfront.

“Salamander Washington DC is already a grand luxury hotel and we intend to intro duce the warm and inviting feeling that guests enjoy at other Salamander properties,” said Johnson. “Together with Henderson Park, we will cre ate a gathering place for the community in a relaxing and refined setting. We are also delighted to welcome the ho tel’s employees into the Sala mander family and introduce

our unique style of service to this exceptional property.”

In a glamorous, celebratory event held yesterday in the property’s Grand Ballroom, a gathering of 300 regional tastemakers and VIP listened to remarks Johnson, Sala mander Hotels and Resorts’ President Prem Devadas, Washington, D.C. Mayor Mu riel Bowser, and Washington Commanders President Jason Wright.

Prominently located along the capital’s vibrant South west waterfront, Salamander Washington DC is a short walk from the nation’s most cherished monuments and the exciting attractions and restaurants in the new Dis trict Wharf. The elegant hotel features beautifully designed rooms, spacious suites, Wash ington, D.C.’s finest spa, and

some of the city’s largest meeting and event spaces.

Nick Weber, Founding Partner of Henderson Park, added: “Our investment into this hotel is driven by a recognition of both its dis tinguished reputation as an established luxury property in the US capital as well as the significant long-term po tential that we believe it of fers. Washington D.C. holds enduring appeal thanks to its vibrant blend of culture, art and history alongside the seat of federal government and many international orga nizations, making a hospital ity investment particularly compelling and aligning with our global strategy. Through partnering with Salamander, a premium luxury hospitality brand, we will reposition this elegant property and further enhance its allure for busi ness and leisure guests alike, and also fully capitalize on its striking riverside location amidst all of the city’s major attractions.”

Salamander’s inclusive style of luxury has become a defining approach to hos pitality and the company is renowned in the region for its Forbes Five-Star rated Salamander Resort & Spa in Middleburg, VA, just an hour away from downtown D.C. Salamander is already devel oping synergies between the two properties for the benefit of its many guest loyalists, including special ‘Town and

Country’ packages. Salaman der Washington DC joins the company’s unique collection of iconic properties in sto ried destinations, including Charleston, Aspen, Tampa Bay, Jamaica and Anguilla.

Johnson is a trailblazer whose business ventures have touched almost every section of Washington D.C. for 50 years. Before entering hospitality, she co-founded Black Entertainment Televi sion (BET), and is currently Vice Chairman of Monu mental Sports & Entertain ment, which owns the NBA’s Washington Wizards, the NHL’s Washington Capitals, and the WNBA’s Washington Mystics, for which she serves as President and Managing Partner. Additionally, she has become a voice for the hospitality industry, serving on both the Executive Com mittee for the American Ho tel & Lodging Association and the Forbes Travel Guide Strategy Committee. She is currently Co-Chair of the Greater Washington Part nership’s Inclusive Growth Council, bringing together business leaders to make the Capital Region a national model for advancing equi table economic solutions.

“DC is open and so are our beautiful hotels,” said Mayor Muriel Bowser. “We are excited to welcome Sala mander Hotels & Resorts to DC – so close to downtown, to our beautiful waterfront,

and to all the destinations at The Wharf. Congratulations to Sheila Johnson, her team at Salamander, and the team at Henderson Park.”

Complete details of the hotel’s improvement pro gram will be finalized and announced in the coming weeks, and at conclusion, the hotel will employ ap proximately 100 additional team members. Some of the signature projects include a glamorous transformation of the hotel’s stunning ro tunda lobby, and the re-pro gramming and re-naming of the lobby bar as an inviting, community space. The hotel will also activate its Grand Lawn, a space that is unsur passed among Washington, D.C. hotels, with program ming for leisure and corpo rate groups alike.

Salamander Washington DC’s signature restaurant (currently open only for breakfast) will be revital ized, and the hotel is work ing with a noted chef to re position the restaurant with a projected springtime open ing. A patisserie will also be added on the main level for grab-and-go items featuring freshly baked items from the property’s pastry shop. The spa, already considered the finest in the city, will become a Salamander Spa – a brand known for its Forbes FiveStar rating in Middleburg.

Additionally, the spa will undergo an expansion

to include more treatment rooms and a street-level en trance. Every guest room will receive new, regionally inspired artwork, includ ing photography personally taken by Johnson, while all suites will receive a complete refurbishment. Additionally, the club lounge, which has

been closed since the start of the pandemic, will be reno vated and reopened as the Monument Club.

For more reservations and more information about Salamander Washington DC, visit www.SalamanderDC. com.

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Middleburg – Commercial building ideally located on the town’s main street and offers two front entrances with two large bay windows. Inside is made up of three large rooms, a half bath, storage room and a utility room. Large open parking area behind offers potential for expansion of building footprint. Tenant occupied. Zoned C-2 and within Historic District.

News of

Town of Middleburg Votes to Retain and Restore Historic Asbury Church

Contunued from page 1

cal commemorations, especially making the building available for community use, such as for small events and use by small groups. The town has com mitted to working with the Middleburg Museum Foun dation and other local histor ic and preservation groups in these efforts.

Because of the vital role the building played in the community’s history, its res toration will be swift in the next 12-18 months. This his tory includes a discussion of race relations in Middleburg and the brave men and wom en who brought integration to the community.

The Town Council will involve local historical and community groups to cre ate an interpretive history of the Asbury Church. Part of this effort will highlight the church’s role in Middleburg’s history of race relations.

According to Davis, when

President Kennedy and First lady Jackie Kennedy visited Middleburg in 1961 and at tended Catholic services at the community center, town officials realized they needed to integrate the town. They did not want to embarrass the President, who came to Middleburg frequently and supported integration.

Students from How ard University came to Middleburg to push integra tion on what they perceived as the President’s turf. They walked into a local drugstore in Middleburg in late Febru ary of the same year and sat at the lunch counter. This in cident kicked off a series of events that eventually led to the town’s complete integra tion by May of that year.

Asbury Church and its part in the community’s original African-American popula tion renders it a crucial piece of this history.

5 acres

The Plains – Pristine brick rambler on 5 private, wooded acres off prestigious Zulla Road. Renovated with 4 BR / 4 Full BA. Country kitchen has gas cooking. Lower level walk-out suite with kitchenette, could be a separate living space/ apt. Rear deck ideal for entertaining. 2-car attached garage. The back lawn area is open and fully fenced. A large separate workshop completes the property.

NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS

September 15, 2022 Town of Middleburg P.O. Box 187 Middleburg, VA 20118 540-687-5152

These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be under taken by the Town of Middleburg.

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS

On or about October 3, 2022, the Town of Middleburg will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Community Planning and Development for the release of a grant under the Economic Development Initiative for the purposes of Community Project Funding/ Congressional Directed Spending funds under the Community Project Funding Awards of the Consol idated Appropriations Act, 2022 (P.L. 117-103), as amended, to undertake a project known as the Mid dleburg Town Hall for the purpose of construction of a combined Town Hall and Police Department facility, in the total estimated amount of $12,253,111 (inclusive of HUD and non-HUD funds).

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

The Town of Middleburg has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environ mental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) on file at the Town Office of the Town of Middleburg at 10 West Marshall Street, Middleburg, VA 20117 and may be examined or copied weekdays 8:30 A.M to 4:30 P.M or on the Town’s website at www.middleburgva.gov/townhall

PUBLIC COMMENTS

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Middleburg – c.1820 remodeled Victorian-era frame house with 3 BR / 3 full BA. Unique 2-story portico w/ balcony. Many upgrades and renovations. Standing seam metal roof, 4 fireplaces, wide board pine floors. Solar panel array. Out buildings include an open 1-car garage, two storage sheds and a well house.

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the Town Manager of the Town of Middleburg. All comments received by September 30, 2022, will be considered by the Town of Middleburg prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION

The Town of Middleburg certifies to HUD that Danny Davis in his capacity as Town Manager consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the Town of Middleburg to use Program funds.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

HUD will accept objections to its release of fund and the Town of Middleburg’s certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the Town of Middleburg; (b) the Town of Middleburg has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to HUD, 820 First Street, N.E., Suite 450, Washington, DC 20002-4255,

Attention: Mr. Michael D. Rose, Director, Community Planning and Development Division. Potential objectors should contact HUD at (202) 775-6266, to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

Danny Davis Town Manager

A New

Direct Collection

News of Note

The Salvation Army of Loudoun Announces New Advisory Board Chairperson

The Salvation Army of Loudoun is pleased to an nounce that Mr. Anil Sharma is the new Chair of the Board of Advi sors.

“God has given me ev erything and I want to try to give back. I feel fortunate to be able to help others, which is why I volunteer and support the Salvation Army of Loudoun in its mission. The mission of the Salvation Army aligns with my values, and I am fortu nate to give back with an organization that does so much for my community,” according to Anil.

Anil is a successful firstgeneration immigrant with humble beginnings who came to the US in 1997 from India with $100. He is a successful entrepreneur, philanthropist, visionary, angel investor and strat egist with a progressive 25-year career in building innovative companies and providing customer-driven

IT Solutions. He is current ly the CEO of 22nd Century Technologies, Government focused IT integrator with 6000+ employees.

Anil is a Servant leader with a heart for community service. He is passionate about helping those less fortunate and improving the human condition. He has boosted the life trajec tory of thousands of people through his work in India and USA. Anil enjoys help ing people and giving back so he joined the Salvation Army Advisory Board as a venue for his passion to serve the community where he has served on the Board of Advisors for about 5 years. He supports and volunteers for many nonprofits including the Feed the Hungry of Loudoun, Missionaries of Charity, Special Olympics, FACETS and HOPE. He provides food services on a regular basis to homeless and un derprivileged families in Washington DC. He and his company are supporting

STEM program in Loudoun County Public Schools and offering internships to high school students. Anil has been fundraising and help ing people during COVID in several ways in Loudoun County as well in India. With his contributions, he was recently recognized with the Distinguished Ser vice Award in recognition of his philanthropy, entre preneurship, and service to the community by the Na tional Council of Asian In dian Association.

He has been married to his wife Anupama for 25

years and they are the proud parents of two college go ing children.

“Anil will bring a vision and a passion as he works with me, my wife, our staff and the other members of the Board of Advisors to nurture and to perpetuate the services that the Sal vation Army of Loudoun brings to people in need in our community,” said Ser geant John McKee. “There are so many people who are struggling and desper ate for assistance. Quite frankly, it is increasingly more difficult to meet the

demand financially. We know that Anil will be able to lead us as we remain steadfast in our ability to meet the demand. We live in an amazing and generous community. Please join us in welcoming Anil in his new role”.

The other members of the Board of Advisors are Brendan Bowie, John Chapin, Bob DeLuca, Jen nene Estes, Jane Hannah, Keith Null, Steve Radich, Jim Snyder, Michael Whit lock, Melinda Wooden and Travis Worsham.

Faces, Fashion & Fun

Eventing Team USA wins the Silver in Italy

Nancy Kleck

Eventing is an ex traordinarily dif ficult discipline requiring horse and rider proficiency in dressage, stadium jumping, and cross-country jump ing over natural and manmade obstacles. And some would say the toughest of all equestrian events. Few would have imagined that day at the MARS GMI

CCI4*-S last month at Great Meadow would be a preview to the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Squad earn ing the team silver weeks later at the FEI Eventing World Championships in Pratoni, Italy.

Serving as the final man datory outing to observe and prepare in the last stage of training before the World Championships, onlookers and fans spread about this beautiful course

to cheer on their favorite pair. Liz Halliday-Sharp of Lexington, Kentucky, finished in first place with her stunning grey Cooley Quicksilver. Finishing sec ond and third respectively were Tamie Smith of Mur rieta, California, with Mai Baum and Will Coleman of Gordonsville, Virginia, with Off The Record. All five squad members, Team USA, along with the eight reserve and alternate com

binations, completed the CCI4*-S at MARS GMI. Now off to Italy.

The team at Pratoni con sisted of Will Coleman and Off The Record, Boyd Martin and Tserserleg TSF, Lauren Nicholson and Ver miculus, and Tammie Smith and Mai Baum. Ariel Grald and Leamore Master com peted as an individual only. Though not fairing as well individually as hoped, team members pushed through

to earn silver, ending a 20year drought in the program and securing qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympic games. Years of hard work, dedication, and extraordi nary fortitude finally paid off.

For the team and event ing fans alike, these next two years will undoubtedly be some of the most excit ing in the sport. I’ll keep you posted!

Bruce Davidson on Erroll

Gobey

Boyd Martin on Tserserleg

Ariel Grald on Leamore Master

P

4th place in the Mars GMI CCI 2022 Lauren Nicholson on Landmark’s Monte Carlo

Lauren Nicholson on Vermiculus

Danielle

Poulsen, on Capability Brown

3rd place in the Mars GMI CCI 2022 William Coleman on Off The Record

2nd placer in the Mars GMI CCI 2022 Tamie Smith on Mai Baum

Faces, Fashion & Fun

A Fine Day at the NSLM Polo Classic

Nancy Kleck

Many people are unaware of how valuable and important the National Sporting Library and Museum is in the art world around the globe. It quietly sits atop the hill on the west side of town, keeping some of the finest sporting art available to the public. The NSLM is not only known for its depth and scope in its collections of sporting art but for its li brary that would rival any

collection. And with all great institutions, they must be supported, nurtured, and loved.

Ominous skies above the tent at Great Meadow did nothing to dampen the atmosphere and excite ment of the annual Polo Classic, the primary fund raiser for the NSLM. Ex ecutive Director Elizabeth von Hassell and her staff, Director of Development Reid O’Connor, and De velopmen Associate Raven Orlikoff, to mention two, once again offered support

ers and guests a marvelous day of fast polo, a silent auction including the paint ing by Linda Volrath that was on the program cover, a visit with the Middleburg Hunt’s foxhounds, divot stomping, hat, and dapper dresser contests, and last but not least, a quick visit into the tent by John Gobin still mounted on his pony. No better photo op!

In the first match, the NSLM team (Terri Camp bell, Wyatt Harlow, John Gobin, and Chris Finlay) held on to best Holman

Hall (George Walker, Mark Cann, Harold Hodges, and Captain Robert Gourlay) to win the Founders’ Cup. After the lunch break, TTR Sotheby’s team (Laural Far rell, Daymar Rosser, Tano Vial, and Kareen Rosser) played the Netjets’ team (Catherine Brentzel, Andy Hertnecky, Marcos Bigno li, Jr., and Nicolas (Nico) Eurnekian) to take home the Mars Cup.

This year’s Classic was again a huge success, but it’s not the only way to support this gem of a mu

seum. Become a member, and take your family and friends to visit the museum. Copied from their website, the NSLM is “dedicated to preserving, promoting, and sharing the literature, art, and culture of equestrian, angling, and field sports. Telling the story of sport ing life through books and art.” Visit their website, www.nationalsporting.org, for more information.

Glen and Natalie Epstein

Jenny Irwin and friend

Jacqueline Mars and friends

Robert and Jennifer Mihlbaugh

John Gobin hamming it up in the tent

John Gobin giving high fives to guests

Executive Director Elisabeth von Hassel and Director of Development Reid O’Connor

John Gobin thanking a young guest

Mark Duffell and Erin Michele Michele Smith

Kareem Rosser

Natalie Fox and Karla Etten and friends

Anne Arundel and a friend

Susie Dushman Speer and friend

Blue Ridge

Progany

Discover Foxcroft School

Familiesseeking an out standing secondary school experience for their daughters are in vited to visit Foxcroft School on Friday, October 7, for the first of three Admission Open Houses scheduled for this school year at the boarding and day school for girls in grades 9-12 and postgrad.

Additional Open Houses are scheduled for December 2, 2022, and April 28, 2023. To register for these events, visit www.fox croft.org/admission/visit. Space is limited, so register early! Families are also welcome to schedule visits at other times by contacting the Admission Office at admission@foxcroft.org or 540.687.4340.

Beginning with student-led walking tours of Foxcroft’s un commonly beautiful campus, attendees of the October Open House will experience essential elements of Foxcroft life through the eyes of current students! Pro spective students and parents will join a community-wide Morning Meeting — a biweekly, studentled meeting that updates the Foxcroft community on campus news and events!

Open House attendees will split up after the meeting to be gin customized programs. Cur rent students will lead innovative

STEM-related activities for pro spective students, highlighting the engaging, hands-on curricu lum that encourages problemsolving and critical thinking skills while building confidence in the classroom. Riders may also participate in a barn tour to learn more about Foxcroft’s nationally recognized riding program.

The parents’ program features a conversation with Head of School Cathy McGehee, Director of College Counseling Barbara Conner, Dean of Students Jodi Campbell, and other esteemed faculty members to learn more about Foxcroft and its unique programs.

Founded in 1914, Foxcroft School is a college-preparatory boarding and day school for girls in grades 9-12 and post-graduate with a mission of helping every girl explore her unique voice and develop the skills, confi dence, and courage to share it with the world. Foxcroft offers 72-76 courses, including 16+ AP classes and 5+ post-AP offer ings, and a STEM program that inspires girls to pursue studies in fields where women are un derrepresented. Foxcroft fields athletic teams in 9 sports and has a nationally recognized riding program. For more information about the School, visit our web site at www.foxcroft.org or call 540.687.5555

Pastimes

Hazel Sweitzer

Icannot drink Pumpkin Lattes but love when a crumb of pumpkin bread falls to the ground. The turning of the season brings me many different feelings. There is a sadness that sum mer is ending because I love to lie in the sun and go on long hot walks, but Fall is my fa vorite because of the air and leaves. Alright, I will confess I have an obsession. I LOVE fall leaves. They are pretty to look at, but that is not the rea son. I LOVE to pee on them and stick my nose in them, not necessarily in that order. There is something about fall leaves that makes me happy.

Toward the end of October, when brown leaves are on the ground, Tom will ensure I get time to nestle in them. Brown leaves are my absolute favor ite.

It all goes back to my pup py days, I am sure. No one has ever found out where I was before the horrible Dog-

shelter I was found in eleven years ago. I think I blocked out those first few years from my memory. Sometimes that’s what you have to do to sur vive. But Tom is pretty sure from what they did find out about my history, I was prob ably raised on a farm with cats because I am not a fan of other dogs, but I like cats. I love the outdoors, feel com fortable around barns, and of course, found residence in the town of Middleburg. Cats and People are the easiest animals to be around for me. Dogs give me anxiety. My Vet has diagnosed me with anxiety, but they have not come out with a medication that works for dogs. Maybe I should try Music Therapy. Get it? I’m funny. Tom, my human, is a Music Therapist.

Anyways, I digress.

I love Fall because that sense of change in the air, the anticipation of holidays, and the crispness of the outside reminds me of memories. I think Fall air is what memo ries feel like. As a dog, I also

love Fall because people and animals like to cuddle closer, and Tom has warm blankets all over the house and some times puts a fire in the fire place. And last, I love Fall be cause Tom loves Fall. A dog is happy when their human is happy. Tom goes a little over board with the decorations but also enjoys the season change and does everything he can to celebrate. You should smell our house. Pumpkin candles, Gingerbread in the oven, Cin namon sticks and oranges in boiling water, Hot Chocolate, and Halloween décor. He’s gotten better throughout the years. Not being so Fall-ob sessed. He used to bring out his “Fall” decorations dur ing September. Now he waits for October 1st. I am proud of him. Oh, and also, we do a Fall Coat drive. Drop off a new or slightly used coat at our Snoopy house in our yard starting October 1st. I hope you all have a great Fall season and try peeing in the leaves. I am telling you, there is nothing like it.

Want But

Tim Burch

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Our goal is to accommodate your needs for ease, efficiency, and staying informed, while sav ing you the hassle of traveling back to the DC area for regular meetings and project oversight. When it comes to project feasi bility, project planning, progress updates/oversight, and home management, you can trust that all steps of the process flow

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Pastimes

Steve Chase

Ienjoyparticipating in a few music communities on the Internet. Each one fo cuses on particular artists I like--Pat Metheny, Lyle Mays, Umphrey’s McGee, and a smat tering of Jamgrass bands. These groups are great platforms to share thoughts about the music and the musicians and discover obscure concert videos. In some cases, “tribute” bands often do a great job interpreting the music of more prominent groups.

Make no mistake, Metheny fans have a lot of passion and re ally love the work of guitarist Pat Metheny and pianist Lyle Mays, who served as kind of a Len non and McCartney for Jazz Fu sion music from the mid-1970s

to the mid-2000s. The Band’s Swan Song was in 2007 with the release of The Way Up, a fourpart magnum opus that ran at more than an hour. I was lucky enough to see it live at GW’s Lisner Auditorium in 2007, and what a show it was. The Way Up is a complex and provocative piece that culminates decades of writing and touring for Metheny and Mays. Some of its melodic themes draw back to untitled tunes the Band played in the late seventies. I have come back to this piece more and more, there are new things to hear and realize every time you listen. That said, my favorite ear for this band is the seventies and eighties, when much of their finest work was written, thanks to a youthful en ergy that matured over the years of the Band.

This last weekend I read a post from a guy on the Lyle Mays group on Facebook. He linked to a YouTube video of a group called First Circle, a trib ute band for the Pat Metheny Group. There have been a num ber of cover productions for the Metheny work over the years. Bob Curnow’s LA Big Band put out an album of Metheny in 1994 that was a great effort. Recently, there have been a few more rel evant releases--John Pizzarelli released an excellent solo guitar outing of Metheny tunes in 2021, and Peter Sprague just released a two-volume set of his interpreta tion of Metheny, and it is another fine effort. But the best I had seen is another YouTube artist, Michele Fischietti, an amazing Italian musician who for more than a decade has taken a number

of Metheny tunes and reproduced them in video format where he plays all of the instruments--the guy is amazing--check his work out here: www.youtube.com/ user/miki2676 .

In May 2022, the band First Circle posted was a Metheny classic, Phase Dance, which the band used to open their shows for years. It was the first song I ever heard Metheny play live. The video opened with a wide shot of the stage, with a sextet of musi cians. There were two guitarists, bass, keyboards, drums and per cussion, who launched into the tune with gusto. The lead guitarist notably was a lefty, and looked a bit like My Morning Jacket’s Jim Jones. He wore a blue horizontal striped shirt like Metheny. But he had chops, and played the music

well. The pianist was especially fine, playing the music in his own way, quite capably, with vestiges of Lyle Mays coming through each phrase. It was a damn good cover. They also have a video of their interpretation of the song September 15th, and I can not stop playing it-- see it here: https://youtu.be/kp81g5D_htI .

After viewing the Phase Dance video, I wrote a post for the Lyle Mays Group and posted it, only to see that another mem ber had beat me to it. After I de leted my post, I added a comment to the original. Then the magic of social media came into play, and the pianist, Christophe MagnanBosse’ responded to my com ment. He continued to engage other members of the group, as he commented on their approach to Metheny’s music:

“We are undeniably and strongly influenced by the play ing of Metheny and Mays, but every musician has his style/vo cabulary of improvisation. You are right about the tribute bands. We try to find the right balance between their style and ours. I’m glad you like it! The very nature of this project makes it impos sible for anyone to 100% imitate the original band. We would have to play all the solos as is? That just makes no sense. And their gear!! They had a lot, including many instruments that are now super rare and goddamn expen sive. Luckily with modern tech nologies, very good VST emula tions of vintage instruments are available [so we can recreate the sound]”.

First Circle has a YouTube page set up with a number of videos of Metheny music (www. youtube.com/c/FirstCirclePat MethenyGroupTribute), and they bring youthful energy back to Metheny’s catalog. After more than a decade of no new Metheny Group shows, many fans are hun gry for new interpretations, and Lyle May’s death made things even worse, ending the possi bility of anything new coming out from him or the original Pat Metheny group.

At a Metheny show I went to last November, there were few people there under 50--there needs to be an infusion of young er fans to keep this amazing mu sic alive. It is great to see that a new generation of jazz musicians taking on Metheny’s formidable music, and doing it with great skill. Hopefully more young mu sic lovers will discover this amaz ing music. If you are unaware of Pat Metheny and Lyle May’s work, by all means check it out. I promise you will like what you hear. There is great variety of styles in their music, songs that sound easy that are anything but that-- soft jazz it is not.

Steve Chase is on the porch in Unison with a Pat Metheny play list keeping him calm.

Ugandan Rolex

Emily Tyler

Chapati bread*

Hot sauce for serving

Whatbetter way to get to know a country than through its food.

This recipe is a popular street food found in Uganda - Rolex (evolved from rolled eggs..)chanted from vendors has be come a staple in the streets of their cities. And I can see why, simple and delicious and fast food at its best. Our family supports a Christian ministry in Uganda supporting educa tion for children, one village at a time. If you would like to learn more, join us for a “Get Together for Hope” at Slater Run Vineyard, Friday Octo ber 14th, 4-6 pm and learn more about the amazing work of this ministry.

Ugandan Rolex Serves 1

2 eggs

¼ cup thinly sliced green cabbage

¼ diced tomatoes

¼ cup diced sweet pep pers

1 tablespoon diced red onion

2 teaspoons avocado oil

In a small bowl, mix all of the above except the hot sauce

Heat a cast iron frying pan to medium high heat

Add the avocado oil

Pour in the vegetable and egg mixture

Distribute the mixture evenly in the pan to create a thin layer

Cook the mixture about 2-3 minutes or until brown and set

Put the Chapati (or flour tortilla) on top and flip

Warm the flat bread for a minute or two

Turn out onto a plate, roll, cut in half, douse in hot sauce and enjoy

*Chapati bread is the clas sic flat bread used in this recipe - if you can not find chapati bread you can substi tute a good quality soft flour tortilla.

*Chapati bread is the clas sic flat bread used in this recipe - if you can not find chapati bread you can substi tute a good quality soft flour tortilla.

Mind the Thorny Bush

Sincerely me

Brandy Greenwell

In another life, I traveled ex tensively in Ireland in the horse industry. From 1997 through 2004, I made sev eral trips a year, generally for weeks at a time. It was the best of times.

Before the EU, many motor

ways were built, so traveling the country was like being on Snickersville Turnpike in a stick shift tuna can. You had to com monly back up and pull over to oncoming traffic, and the coun try was much more agricultural than today. It was dreamy, and I feel fortunate to have memories of “the way it was.”

My favorite place was a tiny pub called Fagan’s outside of Moynalvey in Co. Meath. It was the “local” to our dear friends, and everyone knew everyone, and there was rarely a “yank” to cross the threshold in 1997. Picture this: a small building with a pot-bellied stove and the back seats of cars as guest

seating. You could cut the air from the smoke and no matter how cold it was, Fagan’s was always warm inside with plenty of laughter and cheer.

Farmers pulled up to Fa gan’s for a pint in their tractors (some could be seen sleeping in off in the cab in the morn

THE SCHOOL

ings). Kids rode ponies up to get crips. Teens could buy fags for their parents without questionif their parents smoked. The barkeep would deny minors of non-smoking parents by saying, “Jaysus Albert, git outta here before I call your mam.” It was so authentically Ireland.

The locals knew that if you had to use the toilet, you went out back and peed around the torney bush. There were both men’s and women’s water clos ets indoors yet, why did every one go outside? I found an an swer one night, and the lesson has always stuck with me.

You see, Fagan’s got fined by the authorities for not hav ing proper urinals and toilets for their guests. So the owners put a urinal and a toilet in their des ignated areas. Again I ask, why then go outside? Well, because the authorities didn’t say any thing about plumbing.

So what are the lessons here? Don’t make assumptions. Al ways give accurate instructions for your desired result. Do what the locals do. And mind the thorney bush.

Outdoor science center, on

Dehydration fitness Pro

creased blood pressure, sugar/ carbohydrate cravings, reduced reaction time, and difficulty con centrating. These are just a few ways even minimal dehydration can affect the body.

Drinking water helps to flush out the kidneys and keep your body running smoothly. If you are active, you need more water to replenish what you lose through sweat. However, drink ing half your body weight in ounces of water a day is a good measure. For example, a 125 lb person can try to consume 62.5 ounces of water daily. That sounds like a lot, but it’s easy to do. Having access to a water container that shows the ounces helps so you can keep track. An other school of thought is that we don’t need that much water. The belief is to drink when you are thirsty. However, once you are thirsty, aren’t you already be coming dehydrated?

Kay Colgan certified fitness professional and health coach

First, our body needs wa ter to survive. Definitely, we

Weall know we should drink good clean water. But sometimes, we don’t. Too much coffee or other beverages so we don’t crave the water our body needs. I am aware there are many schools of thought on how much water one should drink in a day. Let’s dive into some of the facts about water in the body.

get some water from the foods we eat, but is that enough? As I researched this from several sci entific sources, our bodies are approximately 75% water over all. The breakdown is muscles at 75%, blood at 82%, brain at 85%, and bones at 25% water. So water plays a massive role in the health

of our body. Even minimal dehy dration can have side effects that can hurt your health and wellbeing.

A 1 to 5 percent fluid loss can cause…headaches, muscle pain, cramps, fatigue, mental fogginess, muscle weak ness, constipation, tiredness, de

Water is an easy solution to keep your mind and body run ning at optimal performance. For more information about health and fitness, please contact Kay Colgan, Middleburg Pilates and personal training, 14 S Madison Street, Middleburg, Va, or call 5406876995.

Letter from The Plains

Anthony Wells

By now, many Eccentric readers will have seen the blockbuster movie “Top Gun Maverick,” and each will have formed their own opinions. I have friends who have seen this movie more than once. It is a global success, no question, and a financial windfall for all involved, notably Tom Cruise. The screenplay writers Ehren Kruger, Eric Warren Singer, and Christopher McQuarrie did a brilliant job. They created the means to an end. For me, this movie resonated because of its poignancy, personal interactions, as well, of course, the flying scenes. The F/A-18 is an excellent aircraft of which the US Navy is justly proud. We, taxpayers, are getting a serious bang for our buck and are justly admiring the “Blue Angels” and those other US Navy pilots who fly this great aircraft from our nuclear-powered aircraft carriers (CVNs). The “Growler” electronic warfare version of the F/A-18 is a particular favorite of mine. It is hugely capable in a world of electronic warfare, electronic countermeasures, deception, and cyber.

Since the original 1986 “Top Gun” movie Tom Cruise, technology has come a long way. Notwithstanding the various technical air warfare modalities, the personal interactions were

symbolic for me. Maverick’s relationships with the sick and dying “Iceman” (played by Val Kilmer, himself a sick man), now a four-star admiral, and his care for the son of his dead back seater, “Goose,” in the original movie were indeed superbly done, as was Maverick’s relationship with the lead lady, played by Jennifer Connelly. Miles Teller was outstanding as “Rooster,” the reborn Goose, Nick Bradshaw. The father of “Rooster” was originally played by Anthony Edwards.

Now to the real world. Most Eccentric readers may not have heard of a Royal Navy pilot who I regard as the most distinguished British combat pilot since World War Two, Commander Nigel “Sharkey” Ward, DSC (Distinguished Service Cross), AFC (Air Force Cross), Royal Navy (retired). Amongst many outstanding achievements, Sharkey was the commander of the lead squadron, 801 Naval Air Squadron, on board HMS Invincible during the 1982 Falklands Campaign.

Admiral “Sandy” Woodward, a submariner, the Falklands Task Group Commander in the carrier HMS Hermes, made a hugely significant statement at the successful conclusion of the campaign with the liberation of the islands: “If Sharkey Ward had not disobeyed my orders we would not have won the Falklands

Rebirth of a Nation?

John P. Flannery

Recently, President Biden spoke at Independence Hall, focused on our founding documents and their significance today, first, on the Declaration of Independence that announced: “all men are created equal,” and second, on our Constitution that established that it was “We the People” who found this democratic nation.

Biden left behind the quiet of the Rose Garden to join the heated discussion - how “we the people” may preserve and protect “our democracy.”

Given our times, this pronouncement was bold, significant, and historic.

Biden set the table, explaining how both “equality” and “democracy” are at risk and under assault. He made it crystal clear that we do ourselves no favor to pretend otherwise.

Biden said, “look at the mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol on January 6th – brutally attacking law enforcement.”

Trump and the MAGA Republicans don’t acknowledge that they are insurrectionists; Biden charged they “placed a dagger to the throat of our democracy, but they look at themselves as patriots.”

Biden said, “Democracy can’t survive when one side believes there are only two outcomes to an election – either they win or they were cheated.”

Many MAGA cult members know very well there was no fraud, that they were not cheated; therefore, we know they are just plain lying.

Remember Trump’s volatile counsel, Rudy Giuliani, whose advice on election night was“just say we won.”

Unsurprisingly, Giuliani’s N.Y. law license has been suspended, and he may be disbarred from practicing law.

Almost daily, some new facts and related crimes are attributed to Trump. There’s much handwringing – talk about how shameful the conduct is – but then little or nothing is done to hold Trump accountable.

In the first speech Trump gave after the G-men found the state secrets that Trump took from the White House, Trump attacked Biden.

Trump’s over-arching trash talk – the springs and wheels of this ignoble public figure – were directed at Biden, charging that he, Biden, was “the enemy” of the State.

There is an artistic parallel and plenty of historical examples

campaign.” Commander Ward’s book, “Sea Harrier over the Falklands.” However, one book that I enjoin you all to read is Sharkey’s very recent book, “Her Majesty’s Top Gun”. This is simply an outstanding book.

When you read it, you will see the true measures of an actual “Top Gun” pilot. A recent article in the Petersfield Post, a Hampshire, UK local newspaper akin to the Eccentric, described what happened when Sharkey received the call at 4 am on Friday, April 2, 1982, while visiting family in Rutland, to hasten back to the Royal Naval Air Station at Yeovilton in Somerset and mobilize his squadron for war immediately. During the Falklands Campaign, Commander Ward flew more than 60 missions in his Sea Harrier jump jet from HMS Invincible. On May 21, 1982, he and his wingman shot down a Pucara, three Argentinean Air Force Mirage V Dagger jets. On June 1, he downed an Argentinean C-130 Hercules conducting reconnaissance against the British Task Group. Sharkey was involved in ten “kills” and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for gallantry.

“Her Majesty’s Top Gun” has more significance for Eccentric readers than meets the eye. In an age when China is challenging the United States Navy and our allies in what is becoming the

most serious strategic threat to the US and allied security since World War Two, notwithstanding even Putin’s egregious invasion of Ukraine, maritime air power together with our extraordinarily capable submarine and surface fleets, together with the outstanding capabilities of the US Marine Corps and Royal Marines, is at the heart of US and allied forward based deterrence and power projection. Sharkey has firmly and irrevocably dispelled many inaccurate and spurious claims by the UK’s Royal Air Force’s advocates that land-based air power played a significant role in the Falklands Campaign, a somewhat egregious claim. All in the name of advocating a hugely expensive next-generation landbased fighter that will have little or no strategic relevance.

I have been a fervent advocate for the UK to have a joint USUK program for the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force to buy the F/A-18 and the Growler variant, which can be land- and carrier-based, interoperable, and interchangeable with the US aircraft carrier fleet. The F/A18 would complement from land-based bases the F-35Bs on board the UK’s two aircraft carriers, HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales, both of which will operate more and more with US Navy carrier strike groups after the 2021 successful deployment of HMS Queen

Elizabeth to the Far East where she operated with the US and other allied and friendly navies.

“Sharkey” Ward is far more than the UK’s most distinguished combat veteran and naval air power advocate in an era when the sea is key in modern strategy. The UK government’s lead persons in the various defense and intelligence committees in Britain’s House of Commons and House of Lords need to pay serious attention to the writings of an accomplished strategic thinker who has also “Been there and done it.” Together with other distinguished Falklands veterans such as Admiral Lord Alan West, Major General Julian Thomson, Royal Marines, Rear Admiral Jeremy Larkin, and Commodore Michael Clapp, all highly decorated, the UK’s Cabinet Office and the Ministry of Defense need to reassess operational requirements as a matter of critical urgency before the UK makes what may become the worst acquisition and strategic blunder in modern British history at the huge expense to the British taxpayer and strategic priorities.

“Top Gun” has much more significance than meets the eye. As our most crucial ally, let us hope that the UK leadership has a strategic awakening. They owe Sharkey Ward a huge debt for his outstanding combat service and leadership and the fine quality of his strategic thinking.

where the true hero is declared the enemy.

Henrik Ibsen wrote a play in 1882, “Enemy of the People,” about how “the people” found Dr. Thomas Stockman, a medical officer, the enemy because he disclosed a threat of pollution in the spa’s water supply. They couldn’t dispute what Stockman found. They went after Stockman instead for telling his “inconvenient truth.”

Nor is Trump just about “trash talk.”

Trump has coerced witnesses, congress, and courts and obstructed the various federal and State investigations of his ongoing misconduct.

Biden said, “…history tells us that loyalty to a single leader, and the willingness to engage in political violence is fatal to democracy.”

We know how past autocrats or dictators were brought low, but not before they caused a lot of suffering.

Biden said, “Donald Trump and the MAGA republicans represent extremism that threatens the very foundation of our republic.

Biden said, “We can’t be pro insurrectionist and proAmerican. They are incompatible positions.”

Biden could have gone further and said we couldn’t accept a dictator, an autocrat when we are a democracy.

The contrasts are striking.

Biden believes in the rule of law; Trump ignores the law.

Biden believes in free and fair elections; Trump does not.

Biden honors the will of the people; Trump does not.

Trump called the FBI that found the contraband at Mar-aLago - “vicious monsters.”

Our best weapon against Trump is the truth.

MAGA Republicans, Biden charged, “live not in the light of truth but in the shadow of lies.”

Our efforts must be directed to drive Trump out of the shadows.

House Minority Leader McCarthy claimed that Biden “slandered tens of millions of Americans as fascists.”

McCarthy ignores the fact that any slander stands that is true.

Biden said, “We, the people will not let anyone or anything tear us apart.”

When we say we will not “let” this happen, we will do more than talk against such misconduct. We are going to act against it. Still, the fair question is, do we mean something more than talk?

We have plenty of infractions without action. That’s not right.

Are we prepared to act, to arrest Trump?

Anything less exposes us as poseurs, lacking the resolve to do anything but talk.

One voter yelled at Harry S. Truman during the 1948 election, “Give em Hell Harry.”

Truman answered:

“I don’t give them hell. I just tell them about the truth and they think it’s hell.”

Our truth is that Trump has committed crimes.

We claim no one is above the law.

Let’s prove we mean it – by how we act.

There are a variety of possible remedies.

But this is a significant national problem.

We need a “clear and present danger task force” composed of federal, State, and local law enforcement, up and down the east coast, to join their investigative forces as one and to make Trump suffer equal justice under the law and hold him accountable for his criminal misconduct and for trying to overthrow our government.

Obituary

Susanne Landa Moliere

Susanne

Landa Moliere, 80, of Hume, Virginia, passed away from cardiac arrest on September 1, 2022, at Fauquier Hospital in Warrenton, Virginia. Susanne was born in the Orange Memorial Hospital, Orange, New Jersey, on March 29, 1942. She grew up on farms in Bedminster and Croton, NJ, where she was an avid 4-H’er raising and showing her beloved sheep at the Flemington Fair. Sue graduated from North Hunterdon Regional High School, Annandale, NJ, with the 1960 Class of Champions and from Colby Junior College in New London, New Hampshire, in 1962.

She leaves behind her husband and fellow high school classmate, John Paul Moliere, Sr., her beloved son Michael Christian Sprouse, his wife Adrienne, her grandson Christian and two granddaughters, Ruby and Vivian of Hamden, Connecticut. Her daughter, Stephanie Sprouse, and grandson Jackson of Stratford, Connecticut. Her brothers Scott Landa and his wife SueAnn, of La Grange, Georgia, her brother Steve Landa of Cincinnati, Ohio, and her brother Rick Landa of Trumbull, Connecticut. Also, a

stepson, Brian Moliere of Ormond Beach, Florida, and a stepdaughter, Suzanne Moliere of Cambridge, Massachusetts, as well as five step-granddaughters and an autistic step-grandson of Brockton, Massachusetts. Susanne was predeceased by her son David Andrew Sprouse and three weeks ago by her stepson, John Paul Moliere, Jr. She also leaves behind her dear friends at the Hill School in Middleburg and the Middleburg American Legion family of friends.

Susanne never met someone who didn’t like her. She was gregarious in a reserved way, willing to do anything for anyone, anytime. We will all miss her smiling face.

A Requiem for Susanne will be held at 10:00 Saturday morning, September 24, at St. John the Baptist Anglican Catholic Church in Marshall. This will be followed by a Repast and a Celebration of Life at the American Legion Hall at 111 The Plains Road, Middleburg, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Donations in Susanne’s name may be made to the Moliere Family Memorial Fund. c/o Carol Moliere, 42 Dixon Road, Brockton, MA 02302-2234.

Wilma Avery Hoovler

Volunteer & Homemaker

Wilma

Avery Hoovler, age 89, passed away peacefully near dawn on September 10th, 2022, with her sister, Sue, by her side. She was born on March 3rd, 1933, in the District of Columbia to William Eugene Avery and Lois Hurlbut Avery, both now deceased, and preceded in death by her husband Chuck Hoovler, daughter Cyndy Hair, brothers John and Billy Avery, and sister Caryl Felder. She is survived by her sister Sue Richardson (Bobby); her daughters Karen Crane (Michael) and Shelley Payne (George); five grandchildren: Avery Hughes (Collins), Wesley Hall, Lauren Chakalos (Alex), Austin Payne, and Marshall Payne; and three great-grandsons William Hughes, Jr., Bryan Hughes, and Charlie Hughes. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews and their children and grandchildren.

A child of the depression, Wilma and her family moved several times during her early years. In Kansas, with her maternal grandparents, she learned about life on the farm and enjoyed sharing many stories from that time with her children. The family also relocated to Pulaski, VA, where Wilma attended middle school at Pico Terrace, whose school song she would happily recite for friends and family. Following the conclusion of World War II, Wilma and her family settled in Fairfax County. There, Wilma met her high school sweetheart and eventual love of her life, Chuck Hoovler, at 13. She graduated from Fairfax High School and attended one year at Radford college before marrying Chuck in 1952. While Chuck attended William & Mary, Wilma worked diligently for The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. As a result, it became a favorite game among her children to try to “find Mom” in the background of Colonial Williamsburg postcards. When Chuck began his business, Communications Inc., Wilma worked alongside him before transitioning to full-time homemaker to raise their three beautiful daughters: Cyndy, Karen, and Shelley.

Wilma dedicated her life to serving others and her community. She was highly active at Highland School and Notre

Dame Academy, where her daughters were students, and spent many years giving her time to Fauquier Hospital’s ‘The Thrift Shop.’ She was a devoted member of the Middleburg Garden Club, receiving many awards for her beautiful floral arrangements. However, Wilma’s dedication to service was perhaps best displayed after her eldest daughter, Cyndy (and soon after Cyndy’s younger sister, Karen) fell in love with horses. Wilma quickly became the quintessential horseshow mom: serving for decades as President of The Short Circuit, a series of local summer horse shows, providing a venue where local riders would compete for year-end awards. Wilma’s passion for service was most evident in the time she gave to the Warrenton Pony Show. She made sure all three daughters served on the Junior Committee and was instrumental in bringing the pony show back to Warrenton after it had been moved briefly to Culpeper. Wilma remained a dedicated servant to the pony show, occupying the role of adviser to the Junior Committee until her failing health no longer permitted her to maintain her standard of excellence. She was also proud that all three of her granddaughters served on the Junior Committee. Wilma’s legacy was cemented in 2019, with the Centennial Pony Show being held in her honor.

Wilma loved to entertain and would dance whenever a toe-tapping song was played. She and Chuck hosted legendary New Year’s Eve parties for years, and her tailgates at every spring and fall race meets were local legend, especially when her signature brownies were on the menu (and they always were). As exemplified in her children and their children and all of the accountings of her closest friends and family, Wilma Hoovler personified class, grace, service, motherhood, peerless wit, humor, and so much more.

There will be a public visitation from 4-6 PM at Moser Funeral Home on Sunday, October 2nd. Interment will be private, followed by a Celebration of Wilma’s Life on Monday, October 3rd, from 2:30-5:30 PM at The Warrenton Horse Show Grounds, 60 E. Shirley Ave., Warrenton, VA 20186. In Lieu of flowers,

memorial contributions may be made to The Warrenton Horse Show Association for the Wilma Hoovler Memorial Tree Fund, PO Box 535, Warrenton, VA 20188.

Online condolences may be made at www. moserfuneralhome.com.