March 2024

110 E. Washington St. | P.O. Box 1380 | Middleburg, VA 20118 | 540.687.5588 | sheridanmacmahon.com

HIGH ACRE FARM

SPRING GLADE

THE PLAINS, VIRGINIA

263 acres between Middleburg and The Plains | c. 1909 brick Georgian main residence | Gorgeous millwork & fine finishes | 7 fireplaces | 4 bedrooms | Lovely rolling and elevated land with mountain views | Mix of open usable land and mature woods | Extensive stone walls, notable formal garden & terraces | 3 tenant houses and multiple farm buildings

MIddLEBuRG, VIRGINIA

SOUTHPAW PLACE

LEESBURG, VIRGINIA

French Country home, with renovations in 1999 & 2017 | 4 BR, 5 full & 2 half BA, 5 FP, hardwood floors, flagstone terrace | Beautiful drive to hilltop stetting overlooking pond, lake & mountains | Improvements include pool, 2-car garage, 2 BR guest house & apartment | Lovely boxwood gardens | Kitchen allowance to be provided | 79.89 acres

$6,500,000

Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905

Helen MacMahon 540.454.1930

$3,900,000

SALEM HILL

Custom built brick home, 6,000 sq ft | 5 BR,4 1/2 BA, 2 FP, 3 car garage 50.72 acres | 6 stall barn w/tack room, feed room & large hay loft | 3 run-in sheds,7 fenced paddocks, full size riding ring, trails throughout the property | Turn key equestrian facility | Farm office building w/ 2 oversized garage doors | Stone terrace w/fire pit

$3,965,000

WEST RESERVOIR ROAD

WOODSTOCK, VIRGINIA

MARSHALL, VIRGINIA

Retail parcel in Woodstock, Virginia, directly off I-81, corner of West Reservoir Road and Woodstock Commons Drive | Starbucks, Cracker Barrel, Walmart, Tractor Supply and Jersey Mikes all within eye shot | Zoned B2, potential restaurant, car wash, retail or office Currently site plan approved for restaurant with pole signage

$2,000,000

Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905

Brian MacMahon 703.609.1868

Well protected Fauquier location | 6 bedrooms | 4 full and 2 half baths | 3 fireplaces | Great views | Pool with large flagstone terrace | Large county kitchen | 4-car detached garage with apartment/ office | 9-stall barn | Covered arena | Outdoor ring | 4 stall shed row barn | 51 fenced acres

Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905

Brian MacMahon 703.609.1868

$3,690,000

Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905

Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905

GLENDONNELL

WARRENTON, VIRGINIA

540.454.1930

UPPERVILLE LAND

UPPERVILLE, VIRGINIA

Built in 1918 | Features light-filled rooms, a center hallway with arched doorways leading to the living room, dining room, and 2nd floor | Kitchen gives the gourmet cook all the amenities for efficient food prep | dining and living rooms are perfect 5 wood-burning fireplaces | A separate office and gym on the first floor | Four bedrooms, 2 full baths on the 2nd floor, 2 half on the first The home has a rear stone patio for outdoor generating - a detached garage with room for additional storage Oil radiator heat, town sewer and water | 1.14 Acre

GAME CREEK

MIddLEBuRG, VIRGINIA

Total of 44.55 acres of which 15 acres were producing grapes | Prime location w/mountain Views & privacy | Vineyard infrastructure still remains &includes fencing, irrigation system and computerized well | Perc site for 4 bedroom home. Property is in conservation easement | Property can be converted to Residential use. $1,195,000

A remarkable property located within a private enclave just minutes from town | Stone and stucco manor house with main level master suite | 7 additional BR | 5 stone FP | Beautiful gardens, terraces, salt water pool, cabana, carriage house & stable with 2 paddocks | Lovely finishes throughout & sweeping lawn to private trails to Goose Creek | 31 acres | Private, elegant & convenient

$1,500,000

Lynn Wiley 540.454.1527

203 acres in River frontage

4 full & 3 1/2 Gunnite pool and private | 5 stall Jim paddocks, pasture | Old d alix

NEW MOUNTAIN ROAD

ALDIE, VIRGINIA

HALCYON HILL

60 wooded acres on top of a ridge | In conservation easement, trails throughout, elevated building sites, 1500 ft of frontage on Little River | 25 minutes to Dulles, close to Aldie and Route 50

RECTORTOWN, VIRGINIA

Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905

Brian MacMahon 703.609.1868

$2,650,000 helen MacMahon 540.454.1930

$990,000

17 acres of rolling pasture land in the village of Rectortown | Convenient to both Routes 50 & 66 | Newly renovated | Private setting with magnificent mountain views | 4 bedrooms, 4 full bath, 1 half bath, 2 fireplaces | Heated pool & spa | 2 bedroom guest house | Large shed & 2-car garage

Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905

$2,475,000

Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905

dELAPLANE, Circa 1850’s rebuilt at beams and Barn also 2 bedroom multiple building outside Paul

Artwork

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Kaitlin Hill | kaitlin@middleburglife.com

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ON THE COVER

Catherine “Bundles” Murdock poses outside the National Sporting Library & Museum. In celebration of Women’s History Month, she sat down with Middleburg Life to share memories from her extraordinary life. To read the full story turn to page 6. Photo by Michael Butcher.

ON THIS PAGE

Middleburg Life got a sneak peek inside the Museum of Hounds & Hunting North America expansion in Middleburg’s Duffey House. For the details on the newest exhibit to come to town, turn to page 10.

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All editorial matter is fully protected and may not be reproduced in any manner without the written permission of the publisher. All unsolicited manuscripts and photos must be accompanied by return postage; the publisher assumes no responsibility. Middleburg Life reserves the right to reject any advertising. Distributed in Aldie, Alexandria, Boyce, Centreville, Delaplane, Front Royal, Great Falls, Haymarket, Leesburg, Manassas, Marshall, Middleburg, Millwood, Paris, Purcellville, The Plains, Rectortown, Tysons, Upperville, Vint Hill, Warrenton, Washington, D.C., and Winchester.

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Photo by Shannon Ayres.

CONTRIBUTORS

Shannon Ayres is a Reston-based freelance photographer. His work has appeared in Arlington, Chesapeake Life, Northern Virginia, Virginia Business, and USA Today magazines. He has an MFA in fine art photography from San Francisco’s Academy of Art University. His editorial work can be seen at sdayres.com

Callie Broaddus is a Warrenton native and graduate of the University of Virginia. After seven years as a book designer at National Geographic Kids, Callie founded the nonprofit, Reserva: The Youth Land Trust, in 2019. Callie’s land preservation projects and focus on youth empowerment are aided by her talent as a professional photographer. In her spare time, Callie enjoys Earl Grey tea, Harry Potter trivia, and dreaming of getting back into the jumper ring.

Tony Gibson, a native New Yorker with a dedicated career in military service and support to the defense community, now spends much of his time as a passionate sports, equestrian, and event photographer. Tony currently lives in Nokesville, Virginia, with his wife and two “rescue” dogs. He enjoys travel, spending time with family, and working on his cars.

Diane Helentjaris chose Loudoun as her “forever home” in 1990. Following years as a clinical physician and public health administrator, she returned to her humanities roots. A finalist in the 2020 Icelandic Writers Retreat, her book “The Indenture of Ivy O’Neill” was released in June 2022. Diane also writes a monthly newsletter, The Silk Mill, which is dedicated to those in love with fabric in all its glory.

Dulcy Hooper and her husband Richard moved to the country from Washington, D.C., nearly 10 years ago. Shortly thereafter, both began writing occasional articles for Middleburg Life. Dogs are a big part of the Hoopers’ lives and several of Dulcy’s earlier articles focused on the couple’s Chinese crested powderpuffs!

Carlo Massimo is a reporter based in Washington, D.C., and a columnist at InformationWeek. A poet and literary translator outside work, his book-length translations of Mario Scalesi and Salvatore Mugno are due in 2024. Carlo joined Middleburg Life in April 2023.

Beth Rasin graduated from Middlebury College, where she studied nonfiction creative writing. She worked as a writer and editor at The Chronicle of the Horse for more than 25 years, including 10 years as the president and executive editor. As a freelancer, she’s contributed since 2015 to Middleburg Life, as well as Northern Virginia magazine, Blue Ridge Outdoors, the former Loudoun magazine, and many others. She lives in Hume, where she and her husband and daughter run a boarding facility for retired horses. She enjoys running, hiking, and spending time with her adopted dogs and cats.

Heidi Baumstark has been writing for several lifestyle magazines and newspaper publications since 2005, specializing in history-related articles highlighting Virginia’s Piedmont. She has been with Middleburg Life since 2014. Heidi hopes to inspire readers to pause and consider the people, places, and events that have shaped the story of our local history.

Michael Butcher is the owner of Butcher Photography. Originally from Christchurch, New Zealand, he resides in Springfield, Virginia, with his family. For the past 15 years, Michael has specialized in portraiture, event, and editorial photography. When not behind the lens, he enjoys gardening and swimming.

Caroline Gray is a D.C.-based lifestyle and travel photographer. A native to Northern Virginia, she holds a MBA from the University of Virginia. In September 2023, she launched her own photography brand after eight years in the fashion industry. When she is not behind the camera, she enjoys hiking with her Labrador retriever, Captain, visiting her retired horse, Cleverly, and trying new restaurants in Washington, D.C.

Lia Hobel is a freelance journalist, known for her blog, Uplift Loudoun. In addition to her work for Middleburg Life, Lia writes periodically for online platforms with articles appearing on GOBankingRates, Forbes, Huffington Post, and Yahoo! She is a Loudoun 40 Under 40 honoree and a Certified Tourism Ambassador for the county.

Bill Kent’s journalism has appeared in more than 40 national and regional publications including the Washington Post, Art & Antiques, Philadelphia Magazine, Baltimore Magazine, New Jersey Monthly, and The Hunt. A former correspondent for the New York Times, he taught writing and journalism at the University of Pennsylvania, Rutgers, and Temple universities, and is the author of seven novels, a Fodor’s Guide, and a history of Atlantic City. When not writing, he enjoys walking his westies on Washington Street.

Gracie Savage is a local photographer who grew up in the village of Aldie and has been photographing local weddings, portraits, and events since 2016. Her passion began when she received her first camera in middle school and she continued to study the craft in high school and in college. She was a photographer at Georgetown University for over three years and joined Middleburg Life as a contributor in the spring of 2022.

Shayda Windle is a freelance writer covering the arts, people, and places that make Hunt Country so special. Her work has been featured in Plein Air Magazine, the Fairfax County Times, and several online media outlets. In her spare time, you can find her enjoying the great outdoors and exploring Northern Virginia with her husband and two children.

Nearly a Century of Excellent Camping

Camp Mont Shenandoah provides a traditional summer camp experience for girls between the ages of 7 and 16. Nestled along the pristine Cowpasture River in Bath County, we are one of Virginia’s best loved overnight camps. Recently listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register, we are the oldest private residential camp in continuous operation in Virginia.

Ready for your daughter or granddaughter to have the best summer of her life? Ask us how she can become a Camp Mont Shenandoah girl.

CampMontShenandoah.com

The Many STorieS of CaTherine “BundleS” MurdoCk

Written by Kaitlin Hill Photos by Michael Butcher

Upon entering the Middleburg home of Bundles Murdock, her frequent refrain of “Everything is a story” is manifest in framed photos, fading letters, and cabinets of collectibles each with its own significance.

On a side table in the living room, you’ll see former President George Bush with his wife Laura; Diana, Princess of Wales, with now King Charles III; and former President Ronald Reagan all smiling from behind their glass encasements. Look a little closer, and you’ll even spot Murdock in many of the photos — shaking hands or receiving awards.

On bookshelves, mantles, and desks, her family takes center stage in portraits spanning generations. Her grandparents, parents, sisters, and many inherited grandchildren are pictured around the world, on special occasions, and, of course, arm-in-arm with Murdock. She calls attention to her sister Pamela and her godchildren. Pamela lives in Florida, and Murdock visits frequently.

In her hall there’s a missive of gratitude from Queen Elizabeth’s personal secretary, and in the powder room, a sketch of Murdock’s mother

Stories | Page 7

Murdock with her dog, Charlotte.

Stories | From page 6

wearing the Tiffany Diamond. All are evidence of an extraordinary life.

Known as “Bundles” or “Bunny” to friends, Murdock’s nicknames come from growing up in two households between New York and New Jer-

At age 12, Murdock would leave the Tri-state area and her schooling behind to move to Switzerland with her mother and stepfather. “That’s when I left formal education, and I had no schooling afterwards. I have no high school degree. I have no college degree. I have no schooling whatsoever.”

sey. “My parents divorced when I was very, very young. Maybe 2 years old,” she shares. Both her parents remarried and she was dubbed Bundles under her mother and stepfather’s roof and Bunny at her father and stepmother’s house.

Lack of a formal education did not prove to be a barrier to success. Encouraged by her boyfriend of the time, she got a job in investment banking and would become fluent in French with the help of a coworker. “I had two private phones, and the ticker tape for the New York Stock Exchange… They would call me and demand what IBM was going for at the moment and what General Motors was going for.” She continues, “I would say, ‘Oui monsieur,’ and tell them what it was.”

After a little over a year at Smith Barney, Harris Upham & Co., Murdock shares, “I left that job because there was an older woman there who thought I was a terrible threat. She chased me around with a pair of scissors.”

Murdock would return to New York to work at Tiffany’s in 1973. “My stepmother knew the vice president. She got me a job and I started at the very bottom, behind the diamond ring counter.” She adds, “And if you survived the wedding band counter, you got to move up.”

Murdock moved through the ranks at Tiffany’s, training in and mastering every department. Mr. Platt, the vice president, even sent her to Florida to set up a temporary branch and manage it for six weeks. “Then, we set up a traveling exhibit to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.” Though she wasn’t allowed to go to Saudi Arabia on the basis of being female, she did travel to Kuwait. Of her time there she says, “I went to Kuwait with additional merchandise strapped around my middle

and full briefcases — which is actually where I met the future ambassador.” But more on that later.

First, she shares another story of her time at Tiffany’s when a family trip to Kenya became something out of a spy novel. She starts, “He knew I was going on a safari, and Mr. Platt called me into his office.” Platt explained that while she was on her trip, Murdock was to meet a man named Campbell Bridges, a Scottish-born gemologist living in Kenya. She remembers that Bridges was “the man who found tanzanite and had also discovered tsavorite, but we didn’t know how much he was mining. And we needed some information out of him.”

Per Platt’s instructions, Murdock, just in her early 20s, was to make a deal with the bartender at the Norfolk Hotel in Kenya to over-serve Bridges. As instructed, Murdock met Bridges and plied him with drinks and questions about how much he was mining until finally, “I said ‘I can’t do this,’” she remembers. Her admission of guilt earned her Bridges’ affection, who would — after they spent a night in a game park surrounded by the roar of lions — take her into the mines and personally train her on gem identification. She says, “That was the beginning of this stone, tsavorite, that Tiffany’s launched, and they now have it in the Smithsonian.”

Following this trip, Murdock became a diamond buyer for Tiffany’s at age 25, and would later be known as “The Diamond Buyer” in New York City. This title didn’t come without complications, and being well known earned Murdock her share of enemies. She says, “I had to leave New York City, so I moved to Washington,” and Middleburg.

Murdock was no stranger to Hunt Country. In fact, four generations of her mother’s family lived in the area. She says, “I came down here and had a cottage on Hickory Tree, thanks to my godmother Alice Mills.”

After moving to Middleburg, she says, “I did a couple little jobs and I worked on the Reagan-Bush campaign.” Her experience at Tiffany’s landed her in the Office of Protocol under Reagan in 1981. “Mrs. Annenberg was the first chief officer of protocol … [and] she hired me as the gift officer.” She laughs, “Which was like buying

Stories | Page 8

Top: Mementos from Murdock’s time in Washington, and a few Cheerios for Charlotte. Bottom: Signed images of then Prince now King Charles III, Princess Diana, and Queen Elizabeth.

a Christmas present for an aunt you’ve never met before in your life, and you didn’t know what to buy on Christmas Eve. It was that pressure 365 days a year.”

More than a long-lost aunt, however, Murdock's recipients were heads of state and foreign dignitaries. She remembers, “I bought the wedding gift for the prince and princess of Wales — a beautiful, crafted bowl from Steuben, made especially for the occasion from the president and Mrs. Reagan.” She estimates having bought thousands of gifts during her time there.

From gift giving, Murdock was promoted many times, working her way through Ceremonials and the Visit Department. “I liked that job the most,” she shares. While in the Visit Department, she coordinated travel for Gorbachev, Queen Elizabeth, and “everything, I mean everything came to our office.” She says, “There was always drama, always problems. Instead of screaming and yelling at staff, we’d make it into a story, because I love stories.”

One of her stories includes explaining to a customs agent that Queen Elizabeth didn’t need a passport. She reminisces, “When [Queen Elizabeth] was coming to Kentucky for the first time, I was out on the airstrip... [The customs agent] was adamant that she was not going to let the Queen of England off the aircraft!” She continues, “So I called Alice Hopkins, who was important in customs and immigration, and said, ‘Get rid of this

[person]. I don’t want to see her again.’ So she was removed, and Queen Elizabeth got off the plane.”

Murdock was promoted to assistant chief of protocol and, finally, deputy chief. She would be awarded the State Department’s Distinguished Honor Award in 1989.

In 1991 she became the assistant to the Kuwaiti ambassador to the United States, circling back to that earlier connection she had from Tiffany’s. In 1993, while on a trip to Kuwait with the former President Bush, she survived an emergency landing when part of the plane’s wing peeled away. Later, she discovered, had the plan gone accordingly, there was an assassination attempt waiting for Bush and his party in Kuwait. She remembers, “[The emergency landing] turned out to be a good thing, as Saddam Hussein had planted bombs all along the parade route from the airport to the palace welcoming the Bush party to Kuwait. We all would have been dead. Because of the delay, the Kuwaitis discovered the bombs and we were saved.”

Murdock would work for the ambassador until his death in 2012, all the while involving herself in local projects as well. She joined the Middleburg Town Council in 2004 and served until 2016. And, though she never hunted, she is the honorary secretary and road whip of the Orange County Hounds. If that weren’t enough in itself, she serves as the advisory director at the National Sporting Museum & Library and on the Middleburg Board of Zoning Appeals. She is also on the board of the Blair House (The President’s Guest

House) Restoration Fund, keeping her connected to D.C.

Of Murdock’s work, her friend Jacqueline Mars shares, “Bundles Murdock is the backbone of so much that goes on in two local counties, from her past work on [the] Middleburg Town Council and present board involvement in the National Sporting Library, to honorary field secretary of Orange County Hounds, all the way to [the] Richmond General Assembly to protect the character of rural countryside. Our area would not be the same without her wonderful support. She is the hardest working volunteer I know, and my admiration knows no bounds.”

There is no question that Murdock has lived a storied life. As for her next chapter? “I want to write,” she shares. Perhaps as important as preserving the bucolic nature of Middleburg and the territories in which she follows the hunt, Murdock is determined to preserve her own stories. Though, her new goal doesn’t come without trepidation. A master of self-reflection, Murdock admits, “I want to write, but I don’t know how to write.” She concludes, “When I send it in I’ll say, ‘Look, I never went to school. Deal with it.’”

Perhaps the most impressive thing for such an accomplished woman is her quiet confidence. When asked how she handled diamond mines, Queen Elizabeth’s visit, and faulty aircraft, to name a few, she recalls a saying from her time at the State Department: “The bigger the problem, the bigger the smile.” And finishes, “You just do it.” ML

Left: More portraits nestled among her many books. Right: Murdock poses outside the National Sporting Library & Museum.

The Museum of Hounds & Hunting Expands to Middleburg

Written by Kaitlin Hill | Photos by Shannon Ayres

Originally founded on May 24, 1985, at Morven Park in Leesburg, the Museum of Hounds & Hunting North America is adding a second location in Middleburg’s historic Duffey House located at 11 W. Washington Street. The exhibit will officially open on March 14, with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

“What was so attractive to all of us is that we feel this is the heart of Hunt Country,” shares Donna Rogers, a founding member of the museum who has worked with Nancy Bedford, the museum’s board chairman, on the expansion.

For Rogers and Bedford, the preservation of foxhunting art and artifacts hits close to home. They are the wives of Dr. Joseph M. Rogers, MFH of the Loudoun and Fairfax Hunt, and Erskine L. Bedford, MFH of the Piedmont

“We have things in storage that we didn’t have room to exhibit in Morven Park. Now with this second location … it’s a great opportunity to get more of our exhibits out where people can see them.” – Rogers

Left: A view of the Duffey House from above. Right: Donna Rogers and Nancy Bedford.

Museum | Page 11

Hunt, the founding fathers and trustees of the Westmoreland Davis Foundation. Named for the last private owner of the estate, WMDF opened Morven Park to the public in 1967 with a mission of preserving collected art and artifacts.

Of the decision to expand, Rogers shares, “We have things in storage that we didn’t have room to exhibit in Morven Park. Now with this second location … it’s a great opportunity to get more of our exhibits out where people can see them.”

A sneak peek of the space reveals carefully curated rooms of all things hounds and hunting with pieces from George Washington and installments that hit even closer to home, such as the opening exhibit of Jean Bowman’s paintings and the display of Howard Allen’s photography. Captivating foxhunting paintings are complemented by an impressive collection of bronzes, books, bits, and spurs. Bedford explains, “Everything is related to the hunt world. We will have pieces that horsemen will relate to and appreciate, but we will also introduce visitors to the history and art of the hunt world.” She continues, “We also plan to enhance our exhibits to include art from sporting art collectors.”

Conservation will be a focus, too. “Just like it’s seen in Sam Savitt’s paintings, we hope to include hunt scenes set in our lovely scenic Virginia countryside to reflect the beauty of land conservation,” Bedford notes.

Visitors to the museum will even have the chance to take a piece of the exhibit home with them. “We will offer for sale some fine paintings and bronzes. In our museum gift shop, visitors will find a selection of prints, posters, books, cards, and

small gift items,” explains Bedford.

Though, the ability to offer programs is perhaps what Bedford and Rogers are looking forward to most in the new space. “We think we can do more gathering here,” Bedford says. She adds, “We are going to have refreshments, fireside chats, and other events inviting speakers to enlighten and entertain visitors with stories on distinct items in our collection.”

“We are so grateful to be here in Middleburg. The whole community has been so welcoming and working with the town has been just wonderful.” – Rogers

So much more than a static display or solemn museum, “it is something that is active,” Rogers emphasizes.

Part of the action is engagement. Bedford and Rogers, the only remaining members of the museum’s original founders, are hoping to attract younger generations. “We’re looking for people interested in the museum and who would like to be involved with us, that would like to be docents or serve on a committee.” Bedford continues, “We are additionally looking to involve new members, younger members on the board to carry on the legacy into the future.”

“We want it to be warm and wel-

Top: The museum has no shortage of books on hunting. Bottom: "Ms. Cornelia Harriman Gerry, Bronze" by Charles Carey Ramsey sits on a table in front of "Gentleman on Grey Horse" by John Frederick Herring Sr. (1795-1865), an oil painting donated by Grace Rosenberg.

Museum | Page 12

Museum | From page 10

Museum | From page 11

coming,” Rogers says. Bedford adds, “On select days and times, a reading space in our library room will be available for members.”

As the ribbon cutting approaches, Rogers shares, “We are so grateful to be here in Middleburg. The whole community has been so welcoming and working with the town has been just

wonderful. We are delighted for the museum to have this opportunity to expand our exposure to the world.”

Bedford adds, “We wish to acknowledge and thank the many generous donors that enriched our museum collection.”

Take one look around the space that both women have worked so diligently to set up, and there is no question that the new museum is a

must-visit for seasoned foxhunters, equestrians, and those completely new to the sport alike. Each room with its art and artifacts captures the spirit of foxhunting and the culture of Hunt Country that Rogers and Bedford have dedicated so many years to preserve. ML

For more information on the Museum of Hounds & Hunting North America, visit mhhna.org.

“Running Hounds” by Jean Bowman (1916-1996).

Left: The first floor has a little bit of everything, from hats and spurs to bronzes and prints. Right: A close-up of

hiSToriC all-GirlS CaMp prepareS The nexT GeneraTion of leaderS

Written by Bill Kent | Photos courtesy of Camp Mont Shenandoah

No cell phones, no tablets, no computers.

“Though they’ve been told what to expect, some first-time campers are a bit upset,” says Camp Mont Shenandoah Director Ann Warner. “Our office has landlines and internet. But the initial benefit the girls receive begins with their direct experience of the natural world surrounding them.”

A direct descendent of Camp Mont Shenandoah’s family owners, Warner rides any of her five horses throughout the year. During the summer season, she supplements her stable with an additional 20 horses so her campers can develop equestrian skills.

“I didn’t start out as a camp person,” she adds. “When I was younger, my family lived in Ohio, where I first learned to ride. Then my parents sent me here and I fell in love.” She spent several seasons as a camper and counselor, and, finally, owner.

Located in Bath County’s Millboro

Springs, Camp Mont Shenandoah is one of Virginia’s oldest summer camps. Except for 2022, when the pandemic closed camps throughout the Commonwealth, a summer hasn’t passed in 98 years without 300 or so girls attending, ages 7 to 15, leaving homes as far away as Florida, California, the Caribbean, and the United Kingdom.

Once the girls say goodbye to their parents, campers spend anywhere from one to six weeks sleeping in rustic wooden cabins. On any given day they ride, compete in team and solo sports, learn various arts and crafts, perform in camp musicals, sing songs around a campfire, swim in the Cowpasture River, and show their counselors — most of whom are former campers — that they have written at least one letter home each week before sitting down to Sunday’s fried chicken supper and ice cream sundae dessert.

“Of course, there have been changes over the years,” Warner continues.

Camp | Page 15

Top: Camp Mont Shenandoah’s historical marker. Middle: A group of campers from yesteryear pose in the camp uniform. Bottom: Modern-day campers in the same uniform.

Camp | From page 14

“But the essence of the camp has stayed the same from the beginning: love, loyalty, friendship, sportsmanship, and spiritual awareness.”

Later in life, Camp Mont Shenandoah’s attendees have distinguished themselves in professional careers, education, sports, and the arts. Among relatively recent campers have been bluegrass singer Rebecca Frazier, equestrienne Katlyn Parker, and the daughters of Virginia Senator Mark Warner. Though not related to Ann, Senator Warner sent the camp a letter of commendation, citing it as a place that “prepares the Commonwealth’s young women to become the next generation of leaders.”

Included in that next generation are the daughters of Cathy McGehee, head of the Middleburg’s Foxcroft School.

“Eliza and Jane flourished there,” McGehee recalls. “During those notech weeks at camp, they could unplug and notice the world around them... They learned to compromise with their cabin-mates, [and] be part of a team. They also learned valuable outdoor skills, and returned more confident and mature.”

Both daughters became counselors. They then went on to base their college essays on their experiences at camp. The subject? “How CMS transformed their lives,” McGehee supplies.

Transformation, according to Cathy Hutchins, an editor, publisher, and retired Camp Mont Shenandoah

program director now living in Delaware, is what makes the camp special. Founded by Richmond Settlement House Director Nannie Crump West, the camp, now on the National Register of Historic Places, was built on ideas considered revolutionary at the time. “In 1927, to have a place for young girls to be independent and out in nature was a very forward thing to do,” Hutchins explains. “To have activities that developed self-confidence, to encourage girls to speak their minds and take leadership positions — this was something new, and very important for a young girl growing up. I felt this as a camper and a counselor. It is how I became what I am.”

The camp survived the Great Depression, as well as the hardships and shortages of World War II. In the late 1970s, American universities began to compete with summer camps with academically oriented on-campus, college-preparatory summer courses.

Camp Mont Shenandoah stuck to its traditional emphasis on outdoor activities. “We added soccer, field hockey, and lacrosse because the high schools were offering them,” Hutchins continues, “and having them at camp was a good way for girls who were acquiring skills in those sports to practice and improve. Other things we offered the girls had a lot to do with what skills the counselors brought to the camp.”

When one counselor told her that she knew how to knit, Hutchins de-

Camp | Page 16

Top: A young archer finds her mark with assistance. Middle: Archery was taught in the early days of camp, as well. Bottom: The picturesque camp setting.

cided to reintroduce it. “I don’t know when the camp stopped doing it. I was surprised at how many girls had no knowledge of it. But they took to it well. It became a kind of empowerment: If a girl can learn to master one thing, she can do anything.”

This said, it took a while before past participant Pamela Minkler became the proverbial happy camper. “For my first dinner, they were serving meatloaf, green beans, and mashed potatoes. I don’t know if I ate anything. I’m a vegetarian now, so I probably didn’t.”

She did find her way, but isn’t sure exactly how. “One morning I just woke up and felt great. Do you have any idea what it’s like not to worry about what you look like, or how you’re dressed, or what others think of you? When my parents came to take me back, I refused to leave.”

A doctor of family medicine living in Lynchburg, Minkler spent 15 summers as both a camper and counselor. She has since founded a camp alumnae-supported fund to cover the costs for families that may not be able to afford it.

Kathy Hudson, now living in Baltimore, became an author, journalist, and regular contributor to several publications because of songs she was asked to compose at Camp Mont Shenandoah. She also remembers being discouraged from running. “Maybe they didn’t want us to trip on a tree root,” she says. “Some of us did it anyway. Others found different ways to let off steam.”

She recalls two campers, “Boodie” Wiltshire McGurn and Natalie Easterly from Richmond, “who were good at every sport we had. They were unstoppable.”

Among the activities the camp didn’t offer at the time was golf. Both McGurn and Easterly later went on to become champion golfers and are currently in the Virginia Golf Hall of Fame.

Easterly credits Camp Mont Shenandoah with teaching her to accept “the ups and downs of winning or losing. I learned to try my best and put the full 100% of my heart into what I was doing and focus for the love of the team.” She adds that during an archery tournament, she first experienced “being in the zone and literally feeling like I couldn’t miss. Our team went on to win.”

Though Carol Keiger’s granddaughter is still too young to go to Camp Mont Shenandoah, Keiger returned last year as a “camp grandmother.” An administrator and educator at St. Catherine’s School in Richmond, her camp duties were to assist counselors and pitch in when needed.

Among the improvements she noted was that the camp’s dining hall, affectionately called The Feed Bag, now serves vegetarian, gluten-free, and other diet alternatives at every meal. Vesper Hill, where campers gather around a central fire and sing songs, had not changed. “It’s still one of the most beautiful places in the world,” she says.

She was asked to help a first-time camper cope with homesickness. “The girl was very sad. I wanted to tell her that I was also homesick when I first went to camp, and that I got over it. But I couldn’t remember how I got over it. So we just walked to her cabin.”

As they neared the cabin, they noticed campers inside talking, laughing, unpacking.

“And she just took off. She ran to that cabin and it was like the homesickness had never happened.” ML

Camp | From page 15

Left: Camp attendees learn equestrian basics. Right: A group of campers out for a ride.

ON DISPLAY: youTh arT MonTh

Written by Kaitlin Hill

This month marks National Youth Art Month, and we are celebrating with the help of talented local high school students. There is no question that, as Highland 11th grader Rileigh Dydo says succinctly, “Art is an expression of the mind.” From emotion-evoking photography to an exquisite, painted portrait, students from Foxcroft, Wakefield, and Highland showcase their skills and share why art is so important to them in this collection of thought-provoking pieces. ML

“I created this piece to showcase people's true smiles when laughing. A lot of times people are just smiling for the camera in photos and it never captures their full and true smile. With this project I wanted to show people that their true smiles may be different than the ones in photos, but they can be even better. One of my favorite photos of myself was taken when I was laughing, so I wanted to spread the love and show them theirs.”

- Rocky Cole, 12th Grade, Foxcroft

“In this work, I explore the concept of life's lessons through the act of braiding hair. Each strand represents a unique experience or challenge that we encounter. Just as my mother carefully braids my hair, life weaves together these lessons to shape us. It's a powerful metaphor for resilience, growth, and the beauty of embracing life's ups and downs.” — Lema S., 12th Grade, Foxcroft

“I decided to draw this because it depicts one of the happiest memories of my life; it reminds me of a trip I took to a small town in Slovakia (called Bardejov) when I was younger. This town is so charming and exquisite to me now, but as a child all I noticed was the colors. I chose to use oil pastels to imitate the simplicity of my younger self’s vision, and the bright colors represent the nostalgic recollection I have of this town. This image is very straightforward, and there is not a lot of room for interpretation; however, the viewer can agree with my piece by reminiscing on their own childhood memories and nostalgia associated with the bright colors that I incorporated in this painting.” - Bronte Broadwell, 10th Grade, Foxcroft

“Art is important to me because it is my escape from reality. When I do any form of art it melts away all my problems and puts me into my own world where I can control everything. Art has also helped me a lot with moderating my emotions by allowing me to express what I'm feeling in my drawings.” - Denise de Leon, 11th Grade, Highland

“Art is important to me because it allows me to showcase emotions through the power of color rather than [expressing them] through words that can get lost in translation.”

- James Cooper, 12th Grade, Highland

“Photography is important to me because it provides me with a creative outlet that I would not otherwise be able to simulate. It allows me to look back in time and remember everything I was feeling in that moment.” - Lexi van der

“Art is the expression of the mind. ” - Rileigh Dydo, 11th Grade, Highland

Woude, 12th Grade, Wakefield

“Photography is important to me because it allows me to capture the beauty of a single moment and share it with others.” - Libby Puchalla, 12th Grade, Wakefield

“ As someone who wants to pursue a photography career, I have found myself obsessed with telling a story through photography and giving a photograph life and emotion. Photography is important to me because I want to tell the stories of the little and forgotten things. Stories need to be preserved and shared, and photography allows me to do so. It enables us to stop time and share a moment with the world.”

- Brandon Rutherford, 12th Grade, Wakefield

HUNTLAND, ca. 1834

one of the most remarkable Hunt Country Estates, sited on 129 beautiful acres at the corner of Foxcroft Road and Pot House Road, 4 miles from the historic village of Middleburg. The current owner, Dr. Betsee Parker has restored this estate to its early 1900’s glory when owned by Joe Thomas, founding member of American Foxhound Club and Master of Piedmont Fox Hounds. It was Joe Thomas who named the estate Huntland, which is not just a name, but the very essence of this estate.

OAKENDALE FARM, ca. 1938 is the epitome of an exquisite Virginia Hunt Country Estate. Designed by William Lawrence Bottomley, the manor house sits high on its 435 acres from which one enjoys magnificent and protected views. Located within minutes of historic Middleburg, this property is in the Orange County Hunt territory with potential for incredible ride-out. This estate also features beautiful gardens, guest and tenant houses, pool, car-barn, greenhouse and stables. Oakendale is in a class of its own.

MEET YOUR NEIGHBORS: LOCALS WE LOVE

Women Making a Difference in The Community

Written by Shayda Windle

There is no doubt that an entire magazine could be dedicated to stories of the inspiring women who make Hunt Country so special. Since we can’t fit them all in this issue, we asked around for nominations of women who embody the spirit of our community for Women’s History Month. Read on to learn about these exceptional women who make a meaningful impact in the lives of those who call Hunt Country home and elicit smiles from all who cross their paths.

PEGGY SIMMONS, LEAD CLERK AT THE MIDDLEBURG POST OFFICE

Peggy Simmons, lead clerk at the Middleburg Post Office, knows most people by name, as she engages with customers daily over the counter and in the lobby. Postmaster Terrance says she is one of the most knowledgeable individuals he has ever met. “You can ask Peggy a last name and if it registers as a person in our system, whether it be a route that goes out of our system or a

BETSY CRENSHAW, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT AT TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH

Betsy Crenshaw at Trinity Church in Upperville has been an administrative assistant to the church since 1990, providing support to the clergy and staff for the past 34 years. Crenshaw makes Middleburg more vibrant by advocating for those in need with the Churches of Upperville, a group of four churches that have come together to sponsor outreach projects for the wider community. She is a former chairperson of the Trinity Church Stable Tour and is currently a serving member of

the Stable Tour planning group. Richard Jones, director of operations for the church, has worked alongside Crenshaw for the past three years. Of working with her, he shares, “Betsy loves to serve others: members of the Trinity Church, visitors to the church, especially the wider community, and those most in need. She has frequently facilitated vital support to an individual or family who may find themselves in dire circumstances and makes a practical difference for good in the lives of locals.”

P.O. box, she can almost spot-on tell you without a moment’s notice,” he adds. “Not only do most folks prefer speaking with Peggy, but she’s also probably one of the most detail-oriented people I’ve ever worked with. It's been a phenomenal career for her.” Simmons has served the Middleburg postal service for over 40 years.

Top: Peggy Simmons. Photo by Caroline Gray. Bottom: Betsy Crenshaw. Photo by Joanne Maisano.

Love | From page 24

KAYSE SMALL, OWNER OF LE BOUDOIR

As the owner of Le Boudoir in Middleburg, Kayse Small has touched the lives of countless women with her bra fitting services and “infectious smile,” as Lee Ann Adams Mikeman, owner of The Middleburg Bride, says. She continues, “She has that big smile, one of the biggest smiles in town. And her energy is unbelievably positive. She’s an optimist.”

Small is a veteran of the United States Air Force, a mother of six children, and grandmother of six grandchildren. Adams Mikeman says, “She is a fabulous mother, amazing wife, and really great friend.”

“Another thing I love about her is [that] she is a mentor. She has a young staff, young women that she is mentoring.”

Le Boudoir Sales Associate Jordan Gensur-

owsky echoes Adams Mikeman’s sentiments. “I have had the privilege of working for Kayse for the past few months and she is one of the kindest people I have ever met. She has a genuine compassion for others and aspires to lift women up through her amazing store and bra fitting experience. She has created a space in Middleburg that makes women feel beautiful and confident.”

As Le Boudoir’s website says of the in-store experience, “All women who come through the doors will leave happy, lifted, and confident.” The same can be said of a simple interaction with Small, who has the ability to light up the room with her smile and spread joy with her laugh. Adams Mikeman concludes, “She’s inspirational. She’s fearless. She’s resilient. I feel very fortunate to know her.”

LOUISE ROSS, BANK TELLER AT ATLANTIC UNION BANK IN MIDDLEBURG

Louise Ross has served as a bank teller for Atlantic Bank in Middleburg for the past 23 years. She works behind the counter and in the drive-thru, and chances are if you have banked at Atlantic Bank, you have crossed paths with Ross. Branch Manager Natalie Lacaze says, “Everyone

KAY COLGAN, OWNER OF MIDDLEBURG PILATES

Kay Colgan is a nationally certified Pilates and fitness professional who has been teaching for the past 40 years, 28 of which have been in Middleburg. After a breast cancer diagnosis, Colgan shares, “Opening the studio was the driving force to get through cancer treatment, which happened in January 2003.” She adds, “Life can get hard, and Middleburg Pilates is a place to come and breathe and let go.” Her clients share how Colgan’s practice has not only helped them physically but also

been a source of community support.

Dr. Janice Blanchard was grateful to come across Middleburg Pilates, where she was able to find relief for her hip arthritis and scoliosis. “Kay is different. She tries to help you with your specific needs. She has a lot of clients who are older and with injuries and [she] understands them… I look forward to the sessions, which are so important in helping to stay motivated.”

Melanie Hitchen echoes Blanchard’s senti -

knows that Louise is in the drive-thru, and she gets to know locals through community events on behalf of the bank. Her laugh and sense of humor are the best. She knows most of our clients and treats them very well.”

Top: Kayse Small. Photo courtesy of Le Boudoir. Middle: Louise Ross. Photo by Joanne Maisano. Bottom: Kay Colgan. Photo by Shannon Ayres.

Love | From page 25

ment, saying, “Meeting Kay for Pilates has been life-changing for me [in] terms of managing my back pain and fitness. Not to mention her personality is very uplifting and motivating, and that makes you never want to miss a class.”

And Jean Perin endorses, “All around total fitness training with the most professional Pilates

instructions! Clients of all ages and levels of ability!”

As for her work in the community, Alison Firestone Robitaille says, “Kay is such an asset to the Middleburg community, and it’s incredible how she remembers so many details of each client’s life.”

Robert Duvall adds, “Kay has helped me for

NICKY PERRY, PHILANTHROPIST

Nicky Perry is an active member in the community and supporter of so many organizations that keep Hunt Country flourishing, like the Middleburg Community Center, where she is an emeritus board member and former board chair, and Trinity Episcopal Church, where she is a trustee and former Vestry member. She’s a “quiet force in the community,” says Joe Fargis, a friend of Perry’s who helps her riders with show jumping. “Everything she does in the community is done quietly and beautifully.”

Perry is a thoroughbred owner, a patron of the

HEATHER REED, THE UPPER

The Upper Crust is known for its homemade baked goods like croissants, pies, and cookies that keep customers coming back for more. But there’s also one employee who stands out, greeting customers each day “with a smile,” according to bakery owner Scott Stine. “Heather has been a great employee for many years, and goes above and beyond to ensure customers are satisfied.” While she

is busy making soups, salads, sandwiches, and more, “Her smile makes Middleburg,” he shares. Next time you are visiting The Upper Crust, be sure to look out for Reed.

While you are out and about in Hunt Country, consider stopping by to say “Hi” to these women who make such a meaningful impact on the community. There is no doubt it will brighten their day, and yours. ML

the better for many years. Her exercise work has helped the community and made us aware of better things and times to come. We need her, and we thank her for her expertise. Three cheers and more!”

But perhaps Cricket MacDonald puts Colgan’s impact most succinctly: “Lots of laughter and a good workout are what you can find at Kay’s!”

show jumping world, and a supporter of equestrian athletes and their horses. She is a Capital Campaign committee member for the Upperville Colt & Horse Show, and a supporter of the Piedmont Environmental Council, the Windy Hill Foundation, and the Fauquier Free Clinic in Warrenton, to name a few.

Daphne Alcock, who has worked for Perry for many years, adds, “She comes to the shows and is a cheerleader for the show jumpers. She is so nice to people, no matter their status, and patient when things don’t go perfectly. She is a kind soul.”

CRUST

Top: Nicky Perry. Photo courtesy of Andrew Stifler. Bottom: Heather Reed. Photo by Caroline Gray.

Babette Surgent Scully, 86, of Chester Springs, PA, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, in Park Lane, West Chester, PA.

Born in Passaic, NJ, Babette was the daughter of the late Basil W. and Anna (Hrib) Surgent. She was the wife of the late Raymond Francis Scully, who passed away in 2011.

Babette grew up as the oldest of four children. She was known for her caring heart, leadership, and fantastic humor. Those qualities came in handy when she married her adoring and adorable husband Raymond, who brought together her five children and his four children, ages 10 to 20. There was never a dull moment in their Villanova, PA, home. As the kids left the nest, Babette and Raymond moved to New York City, Washington, DC, and Clarke County, Virginia. They ultimately made Loudoun County, Middleburg, VA, their home. At their annual Thanksgiving family gathering, her natural qualities shined brightest. Her glamour, style, and “let’s try it” attitude made these reunions can’t-miss events. Imagine having nine kids, spouses, significant others, grandchildren, and friends from China to Buck Hill Falls together. Add in horses, donkeys, sheep, dogs, and cats; Babette (Bobo) was the center of it all. Oh, her beloved standard poodles. They were all always by her side for over fifty years, each with a unique personality. Those memories and the gratitude for her leadership comfort us in our grief. We will miss her stylish hats, glamorous mink coats, and everything leopard skin. Whether you had known her forever or had just got to meet her, she made you feel special, and that’s what made her most remarkable.

Her children survive Babette: Pamela R. Tcharkovski of Keene, NH, Raymond V. Scully and wife Sloan of Fanwood, NJ, Liz S. Burt and husband Joe of Boca Raton, FL, John B. Alliger and wife Melody of the Philippines, Babette M. Alliger of Warrenton, VA, Bradford D. Alliger and wife Julie of Chester Springs, PA, Barbara S. Farrer and husband Bill of Wayne, PA, Charles J. Alliger of Frisco, TX; 12 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; sister: Georgene Bleuler of Dallas, TX. She was preceded in death by her brother, Theodore W. Surgent, and sister, Patricia W. Surgent.

A Celebration of Life and services will be conducted privately at the family’s convenience in Middleburg, VA.

Memorial contributions in the name of Babette S. Scully may be made to Compassus Hospice: www.compassus.com/about-us/giving-and-donations/

To leave online condolences please visit www.jamesterryfuneralhome.com

There are those who walk into a room and then there are those who light it up. Katie Barchas Wilson, founder of The Market Group, is the latter. If you have ever been to one of her High-Heeled Happy Hours (a female networking event series that raises money for charity and causes) then you know. Her quiet confidence and undeniable talent as a marketing and brand strategist has made her a voice to be reckoned with in Loudoun County. She’s also the co-founder and chair of Loudoun 40 Under 40, an annual event that honors the county’s rising stars. With her office on Washington Street, Katie continues to spread her wisdom and energy to help brands succeed.

ML: As a female business owner, what is it like to work in your profession?

KB: As a woman business owner that primarily works with female founders, I take immense pride in fueling their growth through branding and marketing services. This starts with foundational work: defining/redefining the underlying principles of the brand, the way they are communicated to the public, and the visual elements that bring them life. This branding work provides messaging for marketing collateral, content campaigns, public relations, and community outreach.

ML: How do you support female entrepreneurs?

KB: There are a number of barriers that women face in business from limited access to funding to struggling to be taken seriously to lack of support systems. When I worked in the financial sector, a male-dominated field, I felt like I had to

Q&A with Marketing Maven & Brand Consultant Katie Barchas Wilson

Written by Lia Hobel | Photo courtesy of Katie Barchas Wilson

hide my femininity to get ahead. When I changed careers, I launched my event series, the HighHeeled Happy Hour, to celebrate women in business. With these events, I honored female business leaders and raised money for local charities. I attribute the success and longevity of that brand to it filling a very real need for women: community.

Now with my consulting services, I'm able to provide much-needed support to female founders. I help them define what makes them exceptional and align with their purpose. I'm currently building an online learning platform that will house a virtual community for my clients so that they can learn from and support each other. Having a like-minded community is essential for all entrepreneurs, but female entrepreneurs in particular benefit from the confidence, accountability, expertise, perspective, and relationships that a community of peers provides.

ML: What do you enjoy most about the work that you do?

KB: The most gratifying aspect of what I do is seeing my clients succeed when they deploy our strategies. Hearing "we've had our highest-grossing year to date" or "your services were the single best investment I made in my business" reminds me that I'm in the right place.

This past summer, I shuttered the tactical arm of my agency to focus on consultative services. We were facing burnout from managing content for a number of different brands. Hustle culture was killing our creativity and ability to deliver results. So we disbanded and I spent the summer

traveling across Europe and the U.S. I also spent the summer learning, researching, and finally, for the first time in far too many years, working on my business instead of just in it. I knew my value was in my unique approach to brand design, messaging, and marketing strategy, and thus, I returned to work in the fall focused on a new goal: empowering business owners — primarily women business owners — to master their own marketing by working together to design sustainable strategies for measurable growth. My format went from a "white glove" do-it-for-you to a doit-with-you model that some may call "coaching." And I love it.

ML: Who has been your biggest role model and why?

KB: It's hard to speak of role models without talking about my parents. My dad was a marketing and sales executive in the cable industry before he retired. He's extremely charismatic and knows how to work a room. I share his gregarious nature. My mother was an educator with a heart for philanthropy. My community involvement has been heavily influenced by her giving spirit. She passed away during the COVID pandemic and I think she'd be very proud of my recent change in trajectory. I'd also be remiss in not mentioning my mentor, Kristina Bouweiri of Reston Limo, who has opened doors for me throughout my career. She truly embodies the spirit of "lifting others as you rise" and I aspire to her level of leadership.

Katie Barchas Wilson.

Maven | From page 28

ML: What do you love about working in Middleburg?

KB: Moving my office to Washington Street from Ashburn was life-changing. I traded a commute down a congested Route 7 East for the winding beauty of Foxcroft Road. It made sense for me to be close to my children's schools — The Hill School and Foxcroft — and I love being steps away from my favorite haunts. I frequent Common Grounds for my daily dose of caffeine and community. My wardrobe is primarily sourced at Chloe's, Zest, and Tully Rector. My jewelry is from Mystique Jewelers, including a custom cocktail ring Liz designed with a diamond I inherited from my great-grandmother. On warm days, you'll find me with my son in the after-school line at Scruffy's Ice Cream Parlor. I spend happy hours at the Oyster Bar and at the Gold Cup at Salamander, and weekends at Lost Barrel, Greenhill, and Boxwood. And I'll stop my list there, because in truth, there isn't a destination in Middleburg that I don't love and to list only a few means to exclude so many others. It just doesn't seem like a fair ask.

ML: As a brand strategist, how would you describe the Middleburg brand?

KB: I'd start where I do with all my clients: with the why. Why do people care about Middleburg? What does the town offer its residents and visitors? And I think the answer is rooted not in the scenery, or even in the attractions. Yes, Middleburg is beautiful. Yes, we have amazing places to visit and things to do. Our shops, restaurants, wineries, breweries, cideries, farms, museums, events, and accommodations are world-class. But it's the faces, not the places, that bring visitors back. It's the faces, not the places, that make our town a community. And so the brand story of Middleburg, the why behind what makes our beloved home so special, is the story of our people.

There are people who have shaped the town: people like longtime resident Punkin Lee, who has tirelessly served the Middleburg community for decades, and newcomers like Chief Shaun Jones of our police department and Ali MacIntyre of the Town Office, who work hard to ensure everyone feels safe and welcome. People like Tami Erickson of Seven Loaves who help ensure the less fortunate in our area have nutritious food without sacrificing their dignity. People like Don

Woodruff of The Hill School who has ignited a love of learning in his students for over 50 years — nearly 30 at Hill. People like J. Douglas of Salamander Resort whose art adorns its walls and whose service ensures its repeat guests.

And then there are the people who have shaped my own personal experience: people like Wendy Osborn of Chloe's, whom I'll visit when I'm having a tough day because she's always ready with a smile and a compliment. People like Mark Metzger of Highcliffe Clothiers who, somewhat miraculously, got my leisure-wear-loving husband to don a tuxedo with tails. People like my own "auntie" Lisa Vella, who first introduced me to the Middleburg community many years ago and ensured that I, for the most part, stayed out of trouble.

Middleburg may be steeped in history, imbued with equestrian tradition, and adorned with the bucolic beauty of the Blue Ridge, but its charm — and its mystique — are the result of the individuals who have shaped and continue to write its story. ML

For more information on Katie Barchas Wilson, visit katiebarchas.com

Locally Sourced for the Passionate Palate

Enjoy warm dishes that nourish the soul, locally-sourced ingredients at our charismatic wine dinners, and gourmet grab-and-go in the heart of Middleburg.

Academy Award Nominee Dave Mullins Reflects on the Value of Hard Work & Family

Written by Diane Helentjaris

Family. Hard work. These concepts are central to Dave Mullins’ discussion of his creative journey. Mullins wrote and directed “WAR IS OVER! Inspired by the Music of John & Yoko,” a film nominated for this year’s Academy Award for the Best Animated Short Film. Though, it’s not his first rodeo. He also wrote and directed the 2017 film “Lou,” a heartfelt treatise on bullying, which was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film at the 90th Academy Awards. “This is my second one and it’s as exhilarating as the first,” Mullins shares. It's been more than 50 years since John Lennon and Yoko Ono released their anti-war song “Happy Xmas (War is Over),” and war is still in the headlines. The haunting song from the Vietnam conflict era ties together Christmas sentiment with the declaration that war is over “if

you want it” to be. Their son Sean Ono Lennon explained in a panel discussion of the film that he’s been given some custodial responsibility for his parents’ music and work. “And so, my hope overall was to make good decisions and try new things … while also giving honor and being careful with their art.” He wanted to make a companion film for the song. Mutual friends introduced Mullins to Lennon. The result, after nearly two years of work, is the 11-minute film “WAR IS

OVER! Inspired by the Music of John & Yoko.” It was released in 2023 by the animation studio ElectroLeague, which Mullins co-founded with partner Brad Booker. Yoko Ono and Sean Ono Lennon are executive producers.

The film is set in a war reminiscent of World War I. As Mullins says, “Our goal was [inspired by] the message of peace of ‘Happy Xmas (War

Award | Page 33

“With so much divisiveness, so many so sure about their views on opposite sides, we wanted to figure out a way to have two sides connect.” – Mullins

A scene from “WAR IS OVER! Inspired by the Music of John & Yoko.” Copyright ElectroLeague.

“My mom was always supportive of the arts. She loved art, drawing.” – Mullins

Award | From page 32

is Over).’ With so much divisiveness, so many so sure about their views on opposite sides, we wanted to figure out a way to have two sides connect. Maybe they could have been friends [under other circumstances].” The film tells the story of two soldiers on opposite sides of the battle line who play a game of chess. They share their moves on tiny bits of paper ferried back and forth by a carrier pigeon. Violence escalates and tension builds toward the film’s climax.

Mullins says, “I do like to make films that speak about somewhat serious subjects but leave you with a positive feeling… In all things, there’s always a feeling of hope, a recognition of struggles. Everybody struggles. I like to show a real struggle, not something saccharine, not condescending — conflict as real as possible with a resolution as real as possible. There are dramatic or tragic endings, comedic ones, and upbeat. I tend to feel stories with an ironic ending are the most realistic to life, its bittersweetness. There’s always a mix. I like writing those stories.”

He explains, “The big questions of all artists, the two aspects, are the creative, inspirational aspect to all artists’ work, and then the technical aspect as well. When I studied painting, I focused in college more on the technical. I wanted to understand structure, anatomy, the tools to use. When younger, I was not as creative as I am now, after having years on the road behind me. I’m a lot more experienced, have a lot more to say.”

Though Mullins now lives in California and his family moved around when he was a child, he spent much of his youth in Virginia. He considers Virginia his home state, and is no stranger to Hunt Country. His parents Joyce and the late David H. Mullins I retired to build their dream home, Mullwyck Manor, outside Upperville in the 1990s. Several of his three siblings live in the region. Mullwyck Manor is their “holiday hangout.”

Looking for childhood hints of what he would become, Mullins confessed to having a deep love for “Dungeons & Dragons.” “As a kid, I often played by myself, as we moved a lot, though

I did play with cousins at times.” He still enjoys playing in his garage, but now he has a full panoply of game-mates, including his 20-year-old son and colleagues from his animation career. “As a dungeon master, I can create a movie on the fly. Role-playing is an incredible way to have a really special moment, to get together and play. [It’s] just great.”

Mullins harkens back to his parents and family as the keys to his success. He is effusive in praising his wife Lisa, also an animator, for her support as he worked on “WAR IS OVER! Inspired by the Music of John & Yoko.”

Mullins combines creative excellence with technical ability. His father, also multitalented, was an engineer who went on to earn an MBA, a technical person who crossed over into management. His mother loves the arts and backed up Dave’s interest in fine arts. Mullins chuckles recalling his father’s initial response to hearing that he wanted to study art, not medicine or pre-law or engineering, explaining that “Mom talked to

Award | Page 34

Left: “WAR IS OVER! Inspired by the Music of John & Yoko” movie poster. Copyright ElectroLeague. Right: Dave Mullins and Brad Booker. Photo by Bret Green Photography.

him.” As a young man, he studied painting at the Rhode Island School of Design and earned a BFA while also taking courses in computer engineering at Brown University.

“My parents influenced me. I grew up loving movies. One thing my dad and I connected on were movies… We would watch movies and talk about them. He was such a good storyteller. He could walk in a room and have everyone rapt in his presence. I get my storytelling, at least some

of it, from him. My mom was always supportive of the arts. She loved art, drawing.” His short film “Lou” is dedicated to his father, who passed away during the making of the film.

Mullins believes in hard work. “Everyone has some talent. Talent is only part of what it takes to aspire. It’s really about the dedication to craft, to make the best art I can.” He emphasizes, “I’ve seen groups of artists who may not have been particularly talented, but work so hard at it, they appear that they are. They are most successful if they have the drive to be, [and] follow through

with beliefs and dreams. This separates someone who’s doing something important from those who are not. I can’t remember who said it, but it’s the idea that success is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration.”

Mullins then circles back to his family. “I take that [concept] back to my parents. Dad instilled in all of his kids a strong work ethic. I’m thankful every day for this. I get the creative side from my mom, the technical from Dad. This work ethic got me where I am today.” ML

Award | From page 33

The animated landscape. Copyright ElectroLeague.

The 48Th runninG of The old doMinion houndS poinT-To-poinT

Written by Carlo Massimo | Photos by Joanne Maisano

For as long as they’ve hunted foxes in Virginia, the point-to-point has marked the closing of the hunt season and the coming of spring. At first it was a matter of friendly competition: After a few months of vigorous hunting,

whose mount is fittest? Who can cover a rough couple miles fastest?

At the historic Ben Venue Farm in Washington, Virginia, the Old Dominion Hounds have been running their spring point-to-point for 48

years. Robert Banner, horseman, publisher, and pillar of Virginia’s equestrian sector, is confident that Ben Venue is the perfect course for a pointto-point.

Hoffman in the Maiden Hurdle. Owned by Michael Smith, trained by Leslie Young, and ridden by Mikey Hamill.

“The course is under a hill,” he explains, “and you can see every step of the race. It’s a fair course, too, a nice footing.”

A point-to-point, for those new to horse racing, is a race of two or three miles over open country. Traditionally, the riders would jump whatever obstacles presented themselves, from hedges to fences. Today the courses have standardized jumps. These come in two varieties: hurdle and timber. Hurdle jumps are made to look like brush, while timber jumps look like more traditional eventing jumps, but at 3 feet 6 inches, tend to slow the pace of the race. The Ben Venue course has both types. An allday event, the Old Dominion Hounds Point-to-Point features a staggered start time, with the best riders leaving last.

This year’s race, on April 6, will feature a number of illustrious mounts and riders, many of them flying in from Ireland and the U.K. Banner admits that personally, he’ll have his eye on Snap Decision, a 10-year-old gelding on a winning streak. The Old Dominion Hounds Point-to-Point is a feeder event to bigger races, like the Gold Cup and its $150,000 purse, so the stakes are higher than bragging rights at the stables.

In fact, they’re considerably higher this year: The 2024 Old Dominion Point-to-Point purse is about $60,000. (Formerly, point-to-points offered silver plate trophies in lieu of cash; they are still known in some quarters as the “pots and pans circuit.”) This year’s race will also be “run under the rules,” or under the sanction of the National Steeplechase Association. This includes drug testing, video reporting for evaluation of the course

and riders, and three licensed stewards to adjudicate fouls. This lends the race a certain prestige, too, which ought to translate to an exciting field and crowds bigger than usual.

But the Old Dominion Hounds Point-to-Point never lacked for attraction or spectators. The April 6 date practically guarantees mild weather and beautiful spring blossoms. Then there’s the plantation house at Ben Venue Farm, with its Greek Revival façades and elegant boxwood gardens, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. They alone make the trip well worth the admission, even for the spectators least enthusiastic about spending an entire day trackside. “It just begs you to check it all out,” says Banner.

But that implies that anyone could look away from the spectacle of these horses, in peak condition, thundering over jumps and rough ground at speed. “It’s like getting shot from a cannon, riding like that,” Banner reminisces, an experienced foxhunter and occasional point-to-point rider himself. “It’s hard to describe to someone on the ground.” ML

Top: Sea Mast wins the Amateur/Novice Hurdle race. Middle: Fits the Jill wins Filly Maiden Hurdle race. Bottom: Hoffman ridden by Mikey Hamill.

SPRING RACES 2024

Photos by Joanne Maisano For more information, visit centralentryoffice.com/Calendar.aspx

March 2: Rappahannock Hunt Point-to-Point The Hill, Boston, VA

March 16: Warrenton Hunt Point-to-Point Airlie Race Course, Warrenton, VA

March 23: Piedmont Fox Hounds Point-to-Point Salem Course, Upperville, VA

March 24: Piedmont Fox Hounds Hunter Pace Events Salem Course, Upperville, VA

March 30: Blue Ridge Hunt Point-to-Point Woodley Farm, Berryville, VA

March 30: Orange County Hounds Hunter Pace Events Old Whitewood Farm, The Plains, VA

April 6: Old Dominion Hounds Point-to-Point Ben Venue Farm, Ben Venue, VA

April 7: Old Dominion Hounds Hunter Pace Events 40 Hungry Farm Lane, Amissville, VA

April 13: Rappahannock Hunt Hunter Pace Events Pine Rock Farm, Reva, VA

April 20: Middleburg Spring Races Glenwood Park, Middleburg, VA

April 20: Blue Ridge Hunt Hunter Pace Events Fox Spring Woods Farm, Boyce, VA

April 21: Loudoun Hunt Point-to-Point Morven Park, Leesburg, VA

April 27: Foxfield Spring Races Foxfield Race Course, Charlottesville, VA

April 27: Warrenton Hunt Hunter Pace Events Winfall, Catlett, VA

April 28: Middleburg Hunt Point-to-Point Glenwood Park, Middleburg, VA

May 4: Virginia Gold Cup Races Great Meadows Course, The Plains, VA

Our Favorite Local Gifts for Kids

Photos by Callie Broaddus

Color-Changing Umbrella, $28, Available at Posh Pixies

Venus Lavender from Antoinette of Paris, $150, Available at Little Lambkins

Silk Paper Flower Garland, $18.99, Available at Middleburg Essentials

“Oona” Book Series, $17.99 - $18.99 each, Available at Middleburg Books

Botanical Drawing Kit, $36, Available at Nature Composed

Coral Reef Science Kit, $35, Available at The PLAYroom

LeMieux Toy Pony, $79.95, Available at The Tack Box

Iced Horse Cookies, $1.50 each, Available at The Upper Crust

Donsje Sandals, $95, Available at Little Lambkins

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

“THE HAPPINESS OF COLOR” AT THE BYRNE GALLERY

March 1 - 31 | thebyrnegallery.com

Don’t miss the Byrne Gallery’s March exhibit, “The Happiness of Color,” featuring art by Richard Binder, Joe LaMattina, Anne Marchand, Sharon Pierce McCullough, and Carolyn Marshall Wright. Paintings and sculptures by the featured artists will explore how color impacts mood and its ability to uplift. A reception will be held March 16 from 4 to 7 p.m. and the public is invited to attend.

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY YOGA

March 8 | 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. | salamanderresort.com

Spend International Women’s Day with a vinyasa yoga class at Salamander Resort & Spa. The class will be led by Kelly Little and will incorporate strength, stretching, and balance while focusing on mindful movement and proper posture align-

ment. This class is perfect for all levels. Tickets are $45 per person and reservations are required. Book your spot on Eventbrite.

LEARN THE BASICS OF GOUACHE AT AIM

March 14 | 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. | theartistsinmiddleburg.org

Join instructor Kim T. Richards for three hours of gouache instruction at the Artists in Middleburg. The workshop will provide an introduction to gouache as participants explore the capabilities of this medium while working from a still life setup. Tickets are $100 per person and available through the AiM website.

ST. PATRICK’S DAY WEEKEND AT LOST BARREL BREWING

March 14 - 17 | lostbarrel.com

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at Lost Barrel Brewing. All weekend long the brewery will offer festive food, new drink releases, trivia, and live mu-

sic. This is a gathering appropriate for all ages.

ST. PATRICK’S DAY R-RATED COMEDY NIGHT AT WINERY AT BULL RUN

March 15 | 7 to 8:30 p.m. | wineryatbullrun.com

Spend St. Patrick’s Day weekend with wine and laughter at The Winery at Bull Run. The winery will host two comedians, Laurie Kilmartin and Robert Mac, in the Production Barn. The show starts at 7 p.m., but doors open at 5 p.m. for food, wine, and fun! Be sure to dress in green to be entered to win a raffle prize. Tickets are $35 per person and can be booked through the winery’s website. This is a 21+ event.

13TH ANNUAL ART OF THE PIEDMONT AUCTION GALA

March 15 | 6 p.m. | artofthepiedmont.org

On March 15, show your support for Art of the

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Piedmont at their 13th Annual Auction Gala at the Middleburg Community Center. Enjoy hors d’oeuvres from Bluewater Kitchen as you mix and mingle with local artists. Proceeds from the art auction will benefit Middleburg Montessori School. General admission and limited VIP tickets are available through Art of the Piedmont’s website.

WORKSHOP & WINE AT GOODSTONE INN

March 18 | 5 to 7 p.m. | goodstone.com

March’s Workshop & Wine will feature watercolor painting with Lorrie Herman. This beginner-friendly class is an all-inclusive event. Supplies, snacks, and sips will be provided in the Conservatory. Tickets are $75 per person and can be purchased through Goodstone Inn’s website.

AUTHOR EVENT WITH PETER MALONE ELLIOT

March 19 | 6 to 8 p.m. | middleburgbooks.com

Stop by Middleburg Books on March 19 to experience Peter Malone Elliot’s debut novel “Blue Ridge.” The event will include an excerpt reading from the book as well as signed copies for sale. Light refreshments will be available, too! Event admission is $5 per person, and includes a preorder of the book for $16.95 per person. Tickets can be booked through Eventbrite.

BASICS OF PRUNING AT OAK SPRING GARDEN FOUNDATION

March 23 | 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. | osgf.org

Join the OSGF Arboriculture, Conservation, and Landscapes team for a morning of presentations covering the basics of pruning. Participants will first learn about the tools for pruning woody plants before putting their newly acquired knowl-

edge to the test with a hands-on experience. Light refreshments and snacks will be provided. Tickets are $50 per person and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

EASTER EGG HUNT AT IDA LEE PARK

March 23 | 12 to 3 p.m. | leesburgva.gov

Kick off the Easter celebrations early with an Easter egg hunt at Ida Lee Park in Leesburg. This activity is appropriate for kids aged 1 through 8 and admission is $10 per child. Accompanying family members get in for free. Kids will have the chance to hunt for eggs throughout the park and then be provided a treat bag at the end. Registration is required and can be accomplished at leesburgva. gov

For more Hunt Country events, visit MiddleburgLife.com or scan here:

Calendar | From page 42

Where You Belong

As the promise of spring beckons, savor your escape to Virginia’s horse and wine country with sweeping views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and endless immersive experiences at our Forbes Five-Star resort, restaurant and spa.