Middleburg Life | August 2020

Volume 37 Issue 8 | August 2020 | middleburglife.com

MIDDLEBURG

LI F E Back to Business with Sheila Johnson + Back to School or Homeschool? & Remembering our Black History

POSTAL CUSTOMER PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE ECRWSS PAID FREDERICKSBURG, VA PERMIT NO. 75 EDOM

MIDDLEBURG REAL ESTATE

ATOKA

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$4,400,000 | Trappe Hill Farm is a 474 acre estate in 5 parcels. Includes a lovely residence w/ 1st floor master suite, library, formal/informal dining, and living/family room that opens to a stone terrace. 3tenant houses, stable w/ 13 stalls, wash stall, office & 1 BD apt. 4 bay machine shop. Fenced paddocks & fields w/ 11 run-in sheds.

$1,995,000 | Fabulous turn-key Equestrian Estate. 3BR, 4FB & 7 Fireplaces. Large kitchen w/ dual ranges & granite countertops opening to spacious family room with stone fireplace. Equestrian amenities are ready to enjoy in prime Piedmont Fox Hounds territory: 7 stall center-aisle show barn w/ its own office/guest quarters complete w/ hardwood floors & exposed beams, kitchen and full bath. Wash stall, climate controlled tack room, separate feed, paddocks and more.

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$1,500,000 | Elegant 5BR/5BA, 4220 sq ft home with lots of natural wood and light, french doors and balcony overlook a courtyard below, with views sweeping past gardens, a variety of flora and fauna, and a small pond. Enjoy a full-sized, heated pool and pool house, which reside in their own little oasis, surrounded by mature trees.

$1,500,000 | Country estate on Evergreen Country Club's 18th fairway showcasing seasonal mountain & golf course views! This custom-built home on 11 acres provides serenity on one of the finest lots. Bright, spacious home with upgrades galore: gleaming HW floors, fresh carpet, wood blinds, plantation shutters & updated baths.

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$619,900 | This adorable stucco colonial is Middleburg in-town living at it's finest. Own a piece of Middleburg history with all the updates done for you! This 1939 gem has been lovingly updated to bring modern convenience, while preserving its vintage charm. Gourmet kitchen has glass-front cabinetry and tons of butcher block counter space. Original hardwood floors, separate dining room, spacious family room with beautiful wood burning fireplace. Beautifully landscaped backyard.

$269,000 |This gorgeous building lot features lovely trees and incredible veiws. It includes 10.42 beautiful acres and a new pond, just waiting for rain to fill it.

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M I D D L E B U R G R E A L E S TAT E . C O M MIDDLEBURG: 540.687.6321 | PURCELLVILLE: 540.338.7770 | LEESBURG: 703.777.1170 | ASHBURN: 703.436.0077 CORPORATE: 10 E WASHINGTON ST, MIDDELBURG, VA 20117 | 540.687.6321 | LICENSED IN VA + WV

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Middleburg, VA 540-687-4646 Charlottesville, VA 434-245-2211 Greenbrier, WV 304-956-5151 Annapolis, MD 410-990-1700 AUGUST 2020

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MIDDLEBURG

LI F E AUG. 2020 middleburglife.com

PUBLISHER: Greenhill Media LLC EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jennifer Gray | editor@middleburglife.com COPY EDITOR: Chelsea Rose Moore ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER Christian Bentley | christian@middleburglife.com ADVERTISING SALES REPRESENTATIVES Rebekah Greenhill | info@middleburglife.com Vicky Mashaw | vmashaw@middleburglife.com Jennifer Richards | jennifer@middleburglife.com Andrea Ryder | andrea@middleburglife.com ACCOUNTS ADMINISTRATOR: Joanne Maisano DIGITAL SALES & MARKETING SPECIALIST: Laura Pizana DIGITAL CONTENT CREATOR: Laticia Headings DESIGNER: Elisa Hernandez PRODUCTION DIRECTOR: Nicky Marshok ON THE COVER Sheila Johnson graces this month’s cover. She is pictured walking through the Salamander Resort’s culinary gardens. Photographed by Sienna Turecamo Photography. Floral installation provided

by Nature Composed.

ON THIS PAGE The Old Dominion Hounds hosted a puppy party on July 11 at the ODH kennels in Orlean, Virginia.

The junior handlers paraded the 2020-’21 entries for a showmanship and handling class. The evening included pony rides, a puppy naming auction, and the dog show. Photograph of Isabella and Samuel Fidero taken by Joanne Maisano.

CONTRIBUTERS Heidi Baumstark, Chelsea Moore, Richard Hooper, Kaitlin Hill, Joanne Maisano, Laticia Headings, Patrick Mulrooney, Shayda Windle, and Kailey Cheng ADVERTISE IN MIDDLEBURG LIFE Greenhill Media, LLC P.O. Box 328 | Middleburg VA 20118-0328 540.687.5950 | info@middleburglife.com 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, Ashburn, Boyce, Delaplane, Dulles, Front Royal, Gainesville, Haymarket, Leesburg, Manassas, Marshall, Middleburg, Millwood, Paris, Purcellville, The Plains, Rectortown, Reston, Tysons, Upperville, Warrenton, Washington, D.C., and Winchester.

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MEET YOUR “NEW” NEIGHBOR

Master Sommelier Opening Pizza & Wine Spot on Main Street Story and photos by Kaitlin Hill

J

arad Slipp is a master sommelier, Culinary Institute of America-trained chef, and former RdV Vineyards estate manager. Now, he is bringing a lifetime of fine dining experience and a wealth of wine knowledge to his new West Washington Street shop, Knead Wine.

Slipp’s interest in cooking developed early.

“Jarad was always cooking with his grandfather, and that’s where his love for cooking started,” Allie Nault, Slipp’s girlfriend, said from the sun-soaked entrance of Knead Wine. “And, it took him to the Culinary Institute of America, where he was one of the youngest people to actually go and graduate.”

Slipp started his formal training at the Hyde Park school at age 16 and honed his skills as a chef at notable restaurants around the world and with household names after graduating.

“That [training] really propelled his culinary career,” Nault said. “He worked in London for Gordon Ramsay at his Michelin three-star restaurant, he came back to D.C. where he owned his own restaurant in his early 20s called ‘Nectar,’ then to New York City where he worked for Fabio Trabocchi.”

Slipp returned to D.C. to work for Eric Ziebold at CityZen before finding his way to Middleburg as the estate director at RdV Vineyard in 2013. During his time at RdV, Slipp would add the title “master sommelier” to his already impressive résumé. He is one of 269 master sommeliers in the world.

After six years at RdV, Nault said, “it came time for him to decide what the next step was for him, and it was loving pizza and loving wine.”

“And loving this area too,” Slipp added. “I didn’t want to move away.”

Though his CV is stacked with fine din-

ing’s best, Slipp’s latest project is decidedly and pleasantly unfussy.

“I always wanted to have some super fancy Michelin three-star, but been there, done that,” Slipp said. “And I think the older you get, you just want something that is simple, and yours, and pure.”

The small but smartly dressed space, formerly Le Petit Marche, is warm and inviting with Middleburg-blue walls and original wood floors. The shop is refined but undeniably relaxed, a little like Slipp himself, who has done most of the rehab and redecorating firsthand.

“I’ve done a lot of the work inside myself,” Slipp said, indicating the textured wallpaper on the back wall. “[The design] just popped into my head. It was literally three o’clock in the morning, and I was looking at paint schemes, colors, and whatnot. And I have a very mid-century modern aesthetic,” he added, gesturing toward the large central table and wine racks that line the walls. “And I wanted the natural wood, the unfinished wood. It kind of fits with the Middleburg country chic.”

His concept of well-done-but-not-overdone applies to the wine and pizza he serves.

Slipp has curated a collection of wines and pies that reflect his in-depth knowledge and propensity for excellence, as well as his attention to accessibility.

“Being a master sommelier is to demystify wine and not make it snooty, snotty, or uppity,” he said. “We are trying to keep things light and fun and approachable — not haughty.”

For Slipp, part of being approachable is being affordable. He sources his wines from “classic regions with an oddball or great Sommelier | Page 4

Jarad Slipp at Knead Wine.

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Sommelier | From page 3 curiosity here or there, [and] everything on that wall is 20 bucks and everything on this wall is $45. Doesn’t matter what you pick.”

He is similarly minded about his pizza, which is beyond gourmet and best described as “near flawless.” It is not served on the white linen or silver platter it may merit, but as dressed-down takeout for a weekly or daily pizza fix.

“Jarad is a master Italian chef. He’s very humble and will never tell you,” Nault mentioned, aiming a sly smile at Slipp. “He trained in Italy.”

But the pizzas — though the product of Italian training — won’t be strictly Italian.

“Pizza is obviously rooted in Italian foodstuffs, but pizza is also staunchly American,” Slipp said. “We don’t subscribe to any one genre. It’s not Neapolitan. It’s not deep-dish.

It’s an amalgamation of all my travels.”

Slipp’s sample menu reveals six specialty pizzas and the option to build-your-own with toppings like house-made fennel sausage, soppressata, and chili-spiked honey.

“They’re all individual 12-inch pizzas,” Slipp said. “[In addition to] the six specialty pizzas, we do one grandma pizza, the precursor to a Sicilian. It’s a little crispier, a little flatter, not quite as doughy.”

Whatever toppings and white or red sauce, Slipp’s pizzas are expressions of his mastery of craft. His classic margherita is an excellent example of doing something simple and doing it well. The crust is fired to perfection, resulting in an enviable combination of glutinous chew and charred crunch. The red sauce is silky with just the right amount of acidic kick from fresh tomatoes, pairing beautifully with the creaminess of melted mozzarella.

His white pizza offers a glimpse into his genius, too. The same impeccable crust is slathered in expertly seasoned white sauce, an ideal vehicle for savory roasted mushrooms and tender sausage with a hint of anise flavor from the fennel.

Though, if possible, even more indulgent than his pizzas is Slipp himself. In addition to being exceptionally humble despite his impressive accomplishments, he loves what he does and is excited to do it, even in the

“You have to be half insane to do this, but here I am … I am one of the lucky ones. I am a guy that’s opening a restaurant during COVID, not closing one.”

— Slipp middle of a pandemic.

“You have to be half insane to do this, but here I am … I am one of the lucky ones,” he said, laughing. “I am a guy that’s opening a restaurant during COVID, not closing one.

But, this is kind of built for these times. It’s takeout only, and if you’re not comfortable coming in, that’s fine; we’ll stick it through your car window.”

Slipp is mostly looking forward to being part of the community that has served him.

“The thing I am excited about is how excited everyone has been for me,” he said. “The town has been super positive, and it feels so good to be indoctrinated into the community, and that is a part of the reason I never wanted to leave anyway.”

With exquisite pizza, affordable wine, and a keen sense of hospitality, Middleburg is fortunate that Slipp is planning to stay. ML

Top: Margherita Pizza. Middle: White Pizza. Bottom: Jarad Slipp at Knead Wine.

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N

obody could have anticipated the events of 2020. The way we shop, interact, and work is drastically different from this time last year. For parents of school-aged children, the spring semester’s traditional, in-person learning turned overnight into “crisis schooling” at home.

Many parents struggled to balance working from home with keeping children busy and focused on school. As the months progressed, frustrations grew for both parents and kids, prompting many to look toward alternative options and ask difficult questions about the school year.

While school districts have announced plans for the 2020-2021 school year, parents have agonized over their own decisions as they prioritize the safety and wellbeing of their children. No one knows what the rest of 2020 will hold, but regardless, kids must still start school this month.

Purcellville mom and Middleburg Life writer Shayda Windle has struggled through the concept of distance learning with her son, Will, who is going into second grade this fall.

“I loved being able to sit next to him and see how his brain worked when I went through different activities with him last year,” she said. “One of the silver linings from all this is that my family has gotten much closer because we’ve had so much more time together. As a mom, it was amazing to watch Will learn new things right before my eyes.”

Windle said one of the biggest challenges of distance learning last spring was the limitation of teacher-led instruction to one hour a week via Google Classroom. During the rest of the week, parents were responsible for helping their kids through the curriculum.

“I think it was very difficult, but I don’t

Homeschooling photo by Libbi Moore.

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think I’m alone in that,” she said. “Especially for anyone that has to work, we are taking on the role of the teachers.”

But every teacher is approaching distance learning differently, and Windle is optimistic about the upcoming school year.

“I definitely hope that going to the 100% distance learning program this fall, there is more teacher involvement, but also more assessments and expectations communicated to parents,” she said. “There isn’t a perfect solution right now for anyone in public schools.”

During the spring, her son Will told her a few times, “I love school with you, Mom!” His statement helped her realize she needed to do more of the things that drove and pushed him: more learning games, more applications, more teaching to his learning style.

Learning As A Lifestyle For parents who choose traditional homeschooling, this concept of personalized learning is deeply woven into their approach to individualized education.

There’s no such thing as one-size-fits-all homeschooling. With a variety of homeschooling methods — Waldorf, Montessori, Charlotte Mason, classical — and hundreds of curriculums, co-ops and extra-curricular programs, there is something to suit every parent and child’s learning style and needs.

Homeschooling can be many things, but as a homeschool graduate myself, I would best describe it as a lifestyle. My brother and I did science experiments at the kitchen table, poetry recitations while sitting in the grass, and multiplication tables in the car. Recess was running barefoot in the backyard, digging in our garden, or searching for wildlife in a nearby forest. My homeschool years were a season of wondering at the natural world, falling in love with the act of learning, and letting my creativity and imagination run free.

Sarah Hall, a second-generation homeschooler living in Round Hill, attended a private school through fourth grade, when her Schooling | Page 7

Schooling | From page 6 parents decided to homeschool her. Soon after beginning school at home, the holes in her education became evident. Her mother retaught her fourth-grade grammar and moved her up a grade in math.

“That’s the beauty of homeschool,” Hall said. “You don’t have to fit inside a box within homeschooling. You can pick different things that will work for your kids. We are doing Charlotte Mason and Montessori and cultivating a love of learning.”

Her daughter Heather, 4, is a perfectionist and “desperately wants to learn to read.” After looking through a wide spectrum of curriculum, Hall chose a program that turns reading into a game. As she considered her daughter’s other interests, she selected a separate math program.

Over the past year, Hall led an informal preschool co-op in her home. Using the “Busy Toddler” curriculum, she hosted 12 preschoolers and took turns teaching the unit with other parents. In her co-op, one parent taught the lesson, while another family brought a snack to share, and other parents would assist with teaching, rotating roles each week.

“Homeschooling is flexible,” she said. “If something really captured the attention of the kids, it was OK to pause the plan and focus on that. If something wasn’t capturing their attention, we didn’t have to focus on it. That’s the beauty of being outside a classroom.”

Hall has relied on Facebook groups to discuss curriculum, ask questions, and find supplemental learning materials.

She said that the spring’s “crisis schooling” experienced by parents of public-schooled children was drastically different from home schooling.

“All the crisis school materials were from teachers trying to replicate the classroom,” she said. “That’s what teachers knew, and that’s what they sent home. There’s an aspect in homeschooling of the parent learning alongside the child. I have intimate knowledge of what my daughter has done before to inform what she does next. With crisis schooling, there was no emotional prep; there was no academic prep. Being prepared for it — even just emotionally — is important. Being taught in a classroom and being taught at home feels entirely different.”

For the fall, Hall has selected a few kindergarten programs to use with her daughter, borrowing aspects she likes best from each one. She’s also enrolled in The Orchard, a Purcellville-based cooperative providing classical education programs for K-12.

“You can’t please all the people all the time, as we figure out what is the best approach and what is the safest approach,” she said. “Homeschools, public, and private schools are having to make the same decision. Hopefully everyone will have lots of grace and patience.” — Davis The Orchard currently enrolls 127 students and has operated as a homeschool coop for six years. The group takes field trips that correspond with learning objectives and offers weekly classes for K-12. High school classes include literary analysis, chemistry, and electives.

The Orchard’s director, Andrea Davis, has been homeschooling her three girls, aged 14, 12, and 9, since they were in preschool. Davis and her husband both attended public school, but her husband convinced her to start homeschooling their oldest daughter in order to take charge of their education and go at the pace best suited to their children.

Her favorite part of homeschooling is the extra time she’s been able to spend with her daughters. “I’ve gotten to truly know them, because I’m with them most of the time,” she said.

Even after 10 years of homeschooling, she still has to remind herself that her days don’t need to look like public school.

“Homeschooling is not for everybody,” she said. “It’s not going to fit well into everyone’s life, but I think a lot more people could do it if they gave it a try. It’s not going to be easy, but it’s not impossible either.”

Just like public and private school administrators, Davis and her team are making hard decisions about the upcoming school year.

“You can’t please all the people all the time, as we figure out what is the best approach and what is the safest approach,” she said. “Homeschools, public, and private schools are having to make the same decision. Hopefully everyone will have lots of grace and patience.”

For parents interested in homeschooling, the Home School Legal Defense Association in Purcellville offers legal services to protect the rights of homeschoolers, resources for homeschooling, information on state requirements and testing, and tips on navigating homeschooling for kids with special needs or learning disabilities. They also provide personalized guidance from educational consultants, from choosing curriculum to making a transcript.

A Montessori Alternative While some parents switch to homeschool, others hire tutors or build “micro-schools” for the fall. Single parents or families with two working parents are often unable to homeschool but may still desire an educational alternative.

Montessori programs are a popular alternative method, combining individualized education, a classroom setting, and self-autonomy.

Mountainside Montessori in Marshall enSchooling | Page 8

Homeschooling photo by Jennifer Gray.

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Schooling | From page 7 rolls students from 18 months to 9th grade. With a program focused on agricultural education, free play in nature, and foreign language, the school’s mission is to develop the whole child.

“Children want to learn; children want to know,” Edel Kunkel, the founding head of Mountainside Montessori, said. “Children are highly motivated to learn and explore. You keep making the environment more complex, and [they will] continue to be joyful learners. Children are workers; it’s our system that makes them less curious or not good

workers. Give them the tools as they grow and understand what their developmental needs are.”

Kunkel started the school in 2003 to give her own daughters a Montessori education. Her first class began in her basement, and the school grew to take over her entire house. In 2015, the school moved to its current location in Marshall.

“Instead of buying furniture, we bought Montessori,” she said. “I knew that if we were going to spend our money on anything, we were going to make sure our children had a Montessori education. I believe in it 100% for any human. Montessori believes children came with evMountainside Montessori. Photographed by Bryan Esposito.

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“Montessori believed children who were raised with that [exposure] respect nature and become someone who is more of an environmentalist. They will promote global change versus someone who has never had that and doesn’t know where their food comes from.” —Kunkel erything they need to reach the full human potential. They were born with that.”

Growing up on a cattle and dairy farm in Ireland, Kunkel’s love for agriculture and the natural world is deeply ingrained into the heart of Mountainside. The school adheres to the high standards of the Association Montessori Internationale and subscribes to Maria Montessori’s vision of educational excellence. The school is situated on a farm with pigs, chickens, and goats. A flourishing garden, nature trails, large boulders, plants, and trees are designed to welcome childhood exploration and imagination.

As part of their education, small children learn to compost and collect chicken eggs. By the time they reach middle school, they’ve learned to run the farm themselves by selling meat and eggs, managing the farm’s business, doing the the marketing, and handling Quickbooks.

“I am a naturalist and a gardener,” Kunkel said. “I wanted to create an environment where children love and become comfortable with bugs. Montessori believed children who were raised with that [exposure] respect nature and become someone who is more of an environmentalist. They will promote global change versus someone who has never had that and doesn’t know where their food comes from.”

Children of multiple ages take classes together. Teachers take every child’s unique gifts into consideration and help them learn at their own pace. Since younger children are grouped together with older children, young students learn from observing the older ones, similar to practices in a one-room schoolhouse.

In traditional schools, “You are preparing children for college; you are preparing them for one aspect of life,” Kunkel said. “Montessori prepares them for life. It’s essentially building the human potential, the human being.”

Mountainside will continue its in-person learning in the fall, with smaller class sizes, increased sanitation, and more time outdoors.

Mountainside offers Zoom calls, a tour of the school, and even trial contracts. To learn more about Mountainside’s offerings, visit mountainsidemontessori.com.

All parents are facing the same difficult decision about school, a uniting factor as we navigate these uncertain times together. In this season, it is necessary for grace to abound — grace for our school administrators and teachers, grace for the parents balancing work with their child’s school, and grace for the children adapting to a new learning environment. And perhaps most importantly, grace for ourselves, as we remember every day is a new day, and at the heart of our decision, we’re each doing what is best for our children and our families. ML

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A Bridge Between Business and the Arts Sheila C. Johnson

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Story by Laticia Headings

I

t should come as no surprise that someone as successful as Sheila Johnson is equally as talented.

“I like being a mystery,” Johnson says, smiling.

As a mother, musician, educator, hotelier, philanthropist, film festival founder, sports team owner, and executive producer, she believes in bridging the arts and business in everything she does.

An ardent supporter of the arts, Johnson serves on the Board of Governors for Parsons School of Design and funded the Sheila C. Johnson Design Center there. Last year, she chaired the New York Metropolitan Opera’s season-opening gala of “Porgy and Bess.”

Locally, she established the Performing Arts Center at the Hill School.

In March, the Washington Performing Arts held a virtual gala in her name, honoring her contribution to arts and entertainment, titled, “A Celebration of Women.”

Johnson credits a lifetime in the arts to her voracious work ethic. At 5 years old, she started playing the piano. In fifth grade, she began to master the violin. The prodigy later took violin lessons at the Fine Arts Music Conservatory, located 12 miles from her Maywood, Illinois, hometown.

Her talents brought various accolades, including being chosen as an Illinois Music AllState, selected to play with the Chicago Youth Symphony, and being awarded a full scholarship to the University of Illinois.

“The arts really establish discipline,” she says. “I believe that every child should have some sort of an artistic background … it keeps you focused.” Her latest endeavor is learning to play the cello.

Johnson went on to teach music. In 1972, she relocated to Washington, D.C., where she taught for three years at the elite private school, Sidwell Friends, before starting her own business.

“Sidwell gave me the foundation to really get my career started as a business woman,” she says.

In addition to teaching private lessons, Johnson created an orchestra called “Young Strings in Action,” an ensemble of 110 of her students from different schools in the D.C. area. Ranging in age from 5 years old to high school, the unique group danced while they

played. One of their local performances captured the eyes of King Hussein and Queen Noor of Jordan.

The orchestra was asked by Her Majesty Queen Noor to represent the U.S. at the 1984 Jerash Festival of Culture and Arts in Amman, Jordan, held annually at the biggest Roman site in the Middle East. Appropriately dressed in cowboy outfits, “Strings” was the only children’s group in the festival.

“We came in dancing behind the Dixieland Jazz Band and when we got up to the throne, all of the sudden, King Hussein stood up … and embraced every one of the students,” Johnson says, smiling. “It was one of the highlights of my musical career.”

“We came in dancing behind the Dixieland Jazz Band and when we got up to the throne, all of the sudden, King Hussein stood up … and embraced every one of the students,” Johnson says, smiling. “It was one of the highlights of my musical career.”

—Johnson

The orchestra was invited and privately flown back to Amman three more times.

Johnson’s rapport with the royal couple led to her being asked to establish a music conservancy in Jordan, still operating to this day.

Constantly recreating herself is partially why the CEO of Salamander Hotels & Resorts has been able to overcome the challenges of a global pandemic in an industry that has been hit devastatingly hard.

“Nothing is going to tear us down,” she says, stating the symbolism of the salamander and the name of her farm which means “perseverance, courage, fortitude, and resilience.

That’s my motto.”

Being closed for 13 weeks allowed time for the resort, which normally operates at high occupancy, to undergo a deep cleaning and deferred maintenance upgrades.

“My entire corporate staff and resort team have been amazing,” Johnson says. “It looks better than ever … and that’s been the silver lining.”

Resort general manager Reggie Cooper says every single aspect of daily operations has changed.

“We have eight ambassadors who, each day, do a full inspection of every operating department to make sure all the protocols are being followed,” he says.

Cooper and Johnson feel a deep responsibility to the community.

“We’re very important to the county of Loudoun … and we want to set an example of how it’s done,” Johnson says.

Bridge | Page 13

Left page: The tapestry pictured in the hallway came out of Napoleon’s Palace and once hung in Johnson’s home. Johnson selects all of the art on the walls at Salamander Resort and photographs some of the photos on the wall herself. Photos by Sienna Turecamo Photography.

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A rare turnkey architectural masterpiece. Secluded country living on 102 Virginia acres with easy access to Washington, DC.

Cedar Hill, The Plains, Virginia Wendy Lind 703-408-0719 | wendy.e.lind@gmail.com Samson Properties,14526 Lee Road, Suite 100, Chantilly VA 20151

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Bridge | From page 11 Making the decision to break into the hospitality industry came in 2002 after selling Black Entertainment Television — the network she co-founded — her divorce, and much reflection.

“I felt as though it was time for me to sit back and reflect on what I really wanted to do,” she says. “I still had a lot of life ahead of me and a lot to give.”

After looking at the 340-acre property where the resort now stands and doing a feasibility study, Johnson knew this was her “next act in life.”

“I think there’s a spirit in all of us that are part of this at a senior level that we are doing something some said could never be done or some say would never be successful,” Cooper says.

In 2019, Johnson was in Milan and cried when she found out Salamander Resort & Spa

received a Forbes Five-Star rating, six years after the resort opened in August 2013.

“I’ve been working for that since the moment we put the shovel in the ground,” Johnson says. “When you are going after a Forbes Five-Star, you think about that from the very beginning.”

The Salamander Hotels & Resorts portfolio has expanded and now includes Salamander Resort & Spa in Middleburg, Hotel Bennett in Charleston, South Carolina, Half Moon in Montego Bay, Jamaica, and two Florida resorts: The Henderson in Destin and Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor.

Even with her five-star success, art is at the heart of it all.

“If you look around this resort, it’s art,” she says. “All of the artwork is part of me. I want to create theater. You’re stepping on a stage as soon as you come in the front door.” She even shot some photography in the resort, includ-

ing pieces displayed in the guestrooms.

As always, Johnson bridges the arts with business. When friend and fellow filmmaker Robert Redford walked the resort’s property before it opened, he told her she should start a film festival. At that time, she had executive-produced several documentaries and sat on the board of Sundance, Redford’s critically acclaimed film festival in Park City, Utah.

Not daunted by the copious details of executing Redford’s idea, Johnson saw an opportunity.

“The film festival is all part of that creation of the arts,” she says. “To be able to put that on here has just been amazing. It fits right in with what this whole resort is about. It’s transformative. I want people to be transformed inside and out in their thought, their mindfulness.”

Most likely, health and safety concerns will necessitate that the annual Middleburg Film Festival (Oct. 15-18) go virtual in its eighth year. Johnson and her team promise attendees will still experience the best in films, engage in conversations with leading filmmakers and actors, savor fine wine and local cuisine, and enjoy the festival’s signature concert honoring a noted film composer or songwriter.

“I’m just plain, old competitive in every aspect of my life,” she says.

Her competitive edge has earned her the title of being the only African-American woman to have ownership in three professional sports teams: the Washington Mystics (WNBA), the Washington Wizards (NBA), and the Washington Capitals (NHL).

When she was given the opportunity in 2005 to buy the Mystics, her lawyer advised against it.

“I said to him, ‘If you were offered that, what would you do?’ and he hesitated,” she says. “I said, ‘You just gave me your answer.’”

She countered the ask with an offer to Ted Leonsis, Chairman of Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE, then Lincoln Holdings), to buy into not just one, but three sports teams.

“You get a woman and an African-American,” she told Leonsis. “No other sports team has that. He went to his partners and I got voted in.”

As President and Managing Partner for the Mystics, Johnson watched the team grow Bridge | Page 14

Johnson with the team. Photo credit: The Washington Mystics.

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Bridge | From page 13 over the past 15 years and waited for a championship, which finally came in 2019. She says it was worth the wait, and she even designed the championship ring for the ring ceremony at the Salamander Resort in July 2020.

“It was emotional. There were tears,” she says of the team that hadn’t been together in months.

Johnson’s passions in life are reflected by her many philanthropic projects.

“Philanthropy is very important to me,” she says. “It really helps me a lot psychologically to know that I’ve done my fair share of trying to lift others.”

Johnson is the vice-chair of the board of directors for the Trust for the National Mall and the chair of the capital campaign to redesign and rebuild the U.S. Park Police horse stables for the mounted unit on the National Mall. After seeing the condition of the outdated stables, temporarily built in 1976 for the bicentennial, Johnson was horrified.

Moisture problems and poor ventilation were posing safety concerns for both the officers and their horses.

“We now have the funds to begin construction in late September with estimated completion in fall of 2021,” she says.

The $15.2 million campaign enables building state-of-the-art, environmentally sustainable stables with an education center where visitors can learn about the horses and the mounted unit.

The philanthropist was a longtime global ambassador for CARE, a humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. In 2016, she created a fellowship at the Harvard Kennedy School for 50 student leaders to address disparities in underserved communities.

A fierce champion of diversity and equality, Johnson believes in the importance of awareness through education. She grew up during the MLK riots outside Chicago, was one of 100 African-American students at a college of 52,000, and the only Black student in her music school.

“I experienced firsthand racism at its highest level,” she says. “I did not let it stop me.”

Given the current state of race relations in

America, Johnson admits, “I’m a grandparent now and if things don’t change, I worry about [my grandchildren’s] future.”

But events like Middleburg’s peaceful June protest celebrating the beauty and importance of Black lives are making strides.

“I think it brought awareness to this community … and was done beautifully and very thoughtfully,” she says.

Johnson has made her mark on a wide range of industries and stays focused on growing her hospitality business despite the pandemic. She admits that in the absence of her constant travel schedule over the last few months, she’s had more personal time.

“It has made me slow down a little more and take care of myself a little better,” she says.

The mother of two has enjoyed spending time in her own hometown with her family and husband, Arlington County Judge William Newman.

“I love it here,” she says. “I feel comfortable here. People say, ‘You look better than you have ever looked,’ and I’m like, ‘Yeah, I’m happy!’” ML

Top: Reggie Cooper and Johnson at the post COVID-19 shutdown re-opening ceremony at Salamander Resort. Bottom: The floral design behind Johnson was created

by Jenn Pineau of Nature Composed. Photo by Sienna Turecamo Photography.

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After 47 Years of Rescue, Aldie-Based No-Kill Shelter Has Saved Over 16,000 Animals And Here’s How They’re Doing It Story and photos by Laticia Headings

F

riends of Homeless Animals has rescued and found homes for more than 16,000 dogs and cats during its 47-year

disillusioned by the fact that no other no-kill

existence. The shelter was founded in 1973 by

doned, and abused animals by starting a res-

Judge Anne Lewis, who later bequeathed her

shelter options existed in the area, she vowed to create a safe haven for homeless, abancue of her own.

40-acre property in Aldie to the continuation of what she had started.

At full capacity, FOHA can house 65-70 dogs and 30-40 cats. Upon entering the pic-

In the late 1960s, Lewis found a feral

turesque property, located on Goodpuppy

mother dog and pups on her family’s prop-

Lane, an expanse of land can be found with

erty and turned them over to an organization

endless wooded walking trails, three large en-

that euthanized the dogs. Heartbroken and

closed dog play areas, both open and covered,

John and his dogs (left to right: Meredith, Abbey, Shiobhan).

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AUGUST 2020

two catteries, an adoption center, a senior center for aging animals, and a sizeable cabin (the former Lewis residence), where potential adopters can experience dogs in a “home” environment.

FOHA, a strictly no-kill shelter, pulls dogs and cats from high-kill shelters throughout Virginia, Maryland, and West Virginia, and sometimes from as far as Memphis, Tennessee. The shelter is one of the few that will take heartworm-positive dogs during its intake of roughly 15 dogs and five cats every two weeks.

“We never know what we’re getting but … once a dog or cat comes to us, they get the best care possible. Last year, we spent about $250,000 on medical care,” executive director John Borgersen says.

The facility, which uses solar panels to generate some of its own electricity, goes to great measures to relax the dogs and cats that find their way to FOHA. They use aromatherapy in the kennels and calming music in the veterinary clinic to help settle and comfort the animals.

“We believe there are no bad dogs and cats here,” Borgersen says. “There are just misunderstood dogs and cats.”

Enrichment is another key factor at FOHA. Volunteers and staff members spend a significant amount of time with the animals.

Dogs are regularly walked, and a feline program is designed specifically to cozy up with cats, aptly named “cat snuggling.” One volunteer even frequently reads to the cats.

“A lot of times, you’ll see an employee clock out for the day and then come back and sit with a dog or a cat just to spend time with them,” Borgersen says.

Volunteers play an invaluable part by proRescue | Page 17

Rescue | From page 16 viding the highest level of animal care possible. FOHA has an enthusiastic group of over 200 volunteers who assist with the daily duties and activities at the facility.

“There is a core of about 30 people or so that are here all the time,” Borgersen says.

FOHA also has a unique senior program, where aging dogs have their own “village.”

Instead of being housed in a kennel, each dog has a sizeable doghouse with heat and air conditioning and a small front and backyard run. There are currently 10 spots in the senior village and plans for more to be built.

For people who adopt a senior dog, FOHA waives the adoption fee and provides a $1,500 voucher to aid with the medical expenses of having an aging animal.

The shelter raises funds mainly through donations and major fundraisers each year, but also has a consignment shop in Chantilly, called the Treasure Hound, that donates all of the proceeds to FOHA after expenses.

“We would have a hard time meeting our mission without the support of the ‘Hound,’” Borgersen says.

With an approximate annual operating budget of $1.2 million, 10 board of directors, hourly staff, four full-time employees — including a facilities manager, a medical coordinator, and a shelter manager who currently lives onsite — FOHA is a busy facility.

“It’s a challenge logistically to run a place like this,” Borgersen says. “It’s similar to running a small city.”

Borgersen hails from a 35-year career in environmental consulting as a vice president of Strategic Planning and has been an animal lover his entire life. He has three dogs of his own, a great pyrenees named Siobhan, a blind 17-year old cichon/king Charles mix named

“Everyone knows us,” Borgersen says, laughing.

FOHA dogs come from a variety of challenging situations. For example, when Meredith first came to the shelter, she had given up on life. She wouldn’t come near people, refused to walk, and would stand in her kennel and shake. After working with Meredith every day to overcome her fear, Borgersen was able to take her home where she seamlessly fit in with his other two dogs.

When Borgersen was sick with COVID-19 symptoms in April 2020, Meredith was by his side, watching closely. When he’d been on the couch too long, she would nudge him.

“She literally pulled at my pants as if to say, ‘We need to get you up, John,’” Borgersen says. “In animal rescue, we frequently ask the question: ‘Who rescues who?’”

FOHA has actually seen an uptick in business due to the pandemic. In the first six months of this year, 218 animals were adopted. Though protocols have changed, and visits are now by appointment only, the adoption rate has skyrocketed due to more people being home and having time to care for a pet.

Potential adopters can expect a thorough application process, including a home visit (now done virtually) and vet check to assess prior pet histories.

In addition to providing medical care and rehabilitation, FOHA’s goal for 2020 is to will include hiring a behavioral specialist to do onsite assessments of each animal to determine the mental aspects of their issues.

“We are trying to make their lives as great as possible while they’re at this ‘in between’ time of their life,” Borgersen says. “That’s why our mission statement is ‘Home with us until they are home with you.’”

With their 50-year anniversary around the corner, FOHA plans to keep improving

an Australian shepherd/pyrenees mix adopt-

its successful track record by helping every

ed from FOHA after four months on the job.

animal be their best until they find a loving

Borgersen and his clan can be seen any day

forever home.

burg.

— Borgersen

fund a formalized behavioral program, which

Abbey, and the newest member, Meredith,

of the week walking around downtown Lees-

“A lot of times, you’ll see an employee clock out for the day and then come back and sit with a dog or a cat just to spend time with them.”

“Life is good when you work on Goodpuppy Lane,” Borgersen says proudly. ML

Top: Senior village for dogs. Bottom: Happy dog frolicking in Pearl’s Playground.

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

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Gracious Georgian Manor home, 11,000 sf, built in 1930 | Updated and suitable for large scale entertaining | 7 BR, 7 1/2 BA, 7 FP | High ceilings, formal gardens & private setting | Belmont style stable w/30 stalls and 2 apartments | 4 BR guest house/entertainment complex, 4-car garage w/office | 4 restored tenant houses, skeet range, pool & tennis court | 241 acres recorded in 3 parcels | Land mostly open & rolling with bold mountain views, numerous ponds and vineyard

Prime Fauquier County location minutes from Middleburg | Unbelievable finishes throughout | Antique floors and mantels, vaulted ceilings | 6 BR, 5 full BA, 2 half BA | 6 FP, gourmet kitchen | Improvements include office/studio, stone cottage with office, spa, guest house, pool and lighted tennis court | Landscaped grounds with stream, waterfalls, boxwood and special plantings | 61 acres

SPRING GLADE

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French Country home, with renovations in 1999 $9,950,000 $8,750,000 & 2017 | 4 BR, 5 full & 2 halfPaul BA, 5 FP, hardwood Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905 MacMahon 703.609.1905 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

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$3,900,000 Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905 elen MacMahon 540.454.1930 h CREST HILL PHEASANT’S EYE HUME, VIRGINIA

Experience unparalleled privacy on this exceptional Fauquier property along the Rappahannock River | 203 immaculately maintained acres w/ approximately 1 mile river frontage | 1 acre stocked pond | Elegant stone & clapboard house | 5 BR, 4 full & 3 half baths, gourmet kitchen, spacious great room | Gunnite pool w/stunning views of Blue Ridge Mountains | Old Dominion Hunt | 5 stall Jim-Fletcher built barn | Residence set back 1/2 mile from road | VOF easement.

$3,600,000 Alix Coolidge 703.609.1724

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MIDDLEBURG, VIRGINIA

Solid stone home c. 1790 expanded to 5 BR | First floor master suite and large family room additions | 10 FP, antique floors and millwork | Extensive outdoor living spaces, large pool and terrace, multiple outbuildings | 2 car barns used to garage 20+ cars | Accommodates large scale entertaining

$3,200,000 Helen MacMahon 540.454.1930

296 acres of farmland off the Atoka Road | Working farm in crops and hay and improved with multiple large farm buildings and 3 cottages | Beautiful building site for a main house if desired | Conservation easement allows for 1 division and permits construction of an indoor area and additional equestrian and farm buildings | Mix of open land, creeks, pond, woods, pasture, crops and rolling topography

SALEM HILL

MARSHALL, VIRGINIA

$5,800,000 Fauquier location | 6 bedrooms | Well protected $4,950,000 Helen MacMahon 540.454.1930 4 full and 2 half baths | 3 fireplaces | Great 540.454.1930 views Helen MacMahon | 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

$3,690,000 STONE BRIDGE FARM

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LEESBURG, VIRGINIA

MIDDLEBURG, VIRGINIA

Main house c 1890 with total renovation & expansion 2003-2004 | Stone and stucco exterior | 4+ BR, 5 1/2 BA, 3 FP, exposed beams, vaulted ceilings, recording studio | Beautiful gardens, in-ground pool with spa | Terrace overlooking spring fed pond, 72.1 acres, 2 barns, totaling 14 stalls | Fenced and cross fenced, mature woods with riding trails | Close to Leesburg and Middleburg

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$2,400,000 Paul MacMahon 703.609.190

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Helen MacMahon 540.454.1930

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helen MacMahon 540.454.1930 middleburg life.com • AUGUST 2020

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Prime Middleburg location | c 1830 farmhouse expanded over the years |5 BR, 5 full BA & 2 half BA, 9 FP, original floors | House has been gutted, some interior work done | Grand stone entertainment complex includes greenhouse, studio, party room & guest suite | Old barn complex, outbuildings on 103.54 rolling acres | Mountain views, stone walls and 2 ponds.

HALCYON HILL

Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905

20 Riv 4 fu Gun and

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GAME CREEK A remarkable property located within a private HILLCREST 4 CHINN LANE enclave just minutes from town | Stone and stucco UPPERVILLE, VIRGINIA MIDDLEBURG, VIRGINIA manor house master 7 master Spectacular hilltop setting, bold with mountain main level Impressive and elegant suite home | Main| level views and Paris valley views | Home updated in suite opens to large blue stone terrace & privat BRkitchen, | 5 vaulted stone FP | | Beautiful gardens, 2017 | 4 additional BRs, 4 BA, 3 FP, gourmet garden Gorgeous finishes through out the home | ceilings, skylights, lovely gardens, walkways and Stunning living room openshouse to the dining& room terraces, salt water pool, cabana, carriage terrace | Improvements include in ground pool with & a wall of windows and french doors | 2 wood paddocks finishes throughout spa |stable 2 stall barn with with tack 2 room, room for horses, | Lovely burning fireplaces, new roof, new siding and updated spring fed pond |13.37 acres next to kitchen and baths, lots of storage | Absolutely &parkland sweeping lawn to private trails to Goose Creek | surrounded by large estates turn key | 2 car garage and greenhouse 31$1,425,000 acres | Private, elegant & convenient $1,295,000

18

221 acres | Brick manor house c. 1844 | 4 BR, lovely kitchen, multiple porches, pine floors, 7 FP, original mantels, large windows, detailed millwork | c. 1810 log cabin/pool house, guest house, 2 tenant houses | Equestrian complex on separate 40 acre parcel, 24 stall stable, indoor arena, outdoor ring, jump field and 3 BR cottage, sizable pond | 6 Parcels

17 acres of rolling pasture land in the village OLD ALDIE RECTORY 109 THE PLAINS ROAD of Rectortown | Convenient toMIDDLEBURG, both Routes 50 ALDIE, VIRGINIA VIRGINIA & 66home| circa Newly renovated | Private setting with Historic 1803, in village of Aldie | Very private office building in Middleburg | Originally a parsonage, part of land surveyed by Located on The Plains Road directly across magnificent mountain viewsfrom | the 4 Sporting bedrooms, George Washington | Four bedrooms, two full Library | Charming office and4 onefull half bath, six fireplaces and old wood 3 levels with lower level used for over flow and bath, 1 half bath, 2 fireplaces | Heated floors | Front and rear porches, garden, in-ground break room/kitchen | Surprisingly large parking & spaarea, | gazebo, 2 bedroom lotguest house | what many other pool, hotpool tub, entertainment behind the building offers walkways and patios | Large studio or office | buildings are lacking in town | Building has Large shed & 2-car garage Conservation easement | B & B potential many potential uses with C-3 Zoning $995,000 Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905 Helen MacMahon 540.454.1930

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John Coles 540-270- 0094 Rebecca Poston 540-771-7520 Specializing in Large Land Holdings D

E UC

D

RE

Heronwood

Upperville ~ Heronwood Farm & Golf Course is on the market! This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to own 501 magnificent acres of breathtakingly beautiful property in the heart of Virginia’s Hunt Country. Its stunning setting with a private 18-hole golf course, world-class horse facilities, main house and tenant houses is located on renowned Rokeby Road. This property is an incomparable treasure with easy access to Washington DC and Dulles $19,500,000 International Airport.

R T DE RAC N U NT CO

Muster Lane

The Plains ~ 108 gorgeous acres, this stately and historic estate with its grand rooms is in prime Orange County Hunt territory, minutes to Middleburg. It also features a pool and pool house, 5 bay garage with office, 2 tenant houses, newly remodeled 11 stall center aisle stable with apt. & office, riding arena and exceptional ride-out to $6,950,000 wooded trails and open pastures.

LD

Deerfield Farm

Upperville ~ The farm and it’s brick manor house, ca. 1844 is a gracious Hunt Country Estate listed on both the Virginia and the National Register of Historic Places. The home has been beautifully restored and features 11 elegant and inviting rooms. Additional homes feature 2 guest houses, 2 tenant houses and a farm manager’s residence. Separate 40 acre parcel with direct access to Rt. 50 features an impressive horse facility with an indoor arena. $5,800,000

Our hearts go out to al

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Tuleyries & Westfield Farm

Boyce ~ The Tuleyries, (168 Acres) Exquisite Federal Style Mansion, c. 1833 features grand rooms, high ceilings, 5 en suite BRs, extensively renovated in 1990 and beautifully maintained. $3,000,000 The adjacent Westfield Farm includes 237 acres in 2 parcels with a one level residence, tenant house and stables. $2,000,000 The Tuleyries and Westfield Farm may be purchased together or separately. Conveniently located 10 Minutes to Winchester Regional Airport.

Spring Hill

Spring Hill Farm’s 20 acres offers a charming setting for its main residence, accessory dwelling and it’s office/gathering house, with stone walls, gardens, pastures, pond and pool.

Below the guesthouse is a four stall stable with it’s own parking area and driveway. The original 1870 log cabin was expanded several times creating a very welcoming home featuring a first floor master suite, vaulted ceiling kitchen and family room each with large picture windows. This farm and its prime location, halfway between Middleburg and The Plains, provides the perfect way to social distance while being able to keep family and friends close. $2,250,000

Smitten Farm Lane

The Plains ~ Finely built custom residence on 16 acres minutes from Middleburg in Prime Orange County Hunt Territory. Designed for Grand Entertaining both inside and outside. The rooms graciously open into one another and lead out to the deep porches, which wrap the home and overlook the pool, grounds, gardens and conservatory. $2,950,000

Hill Crest

Delaplane ~ This beautiful 153 acre parcel is located in prime Virginia Hunt and Wine Country in the Piedmont Hunt Territory. Surrounded by magnificent views, this gently rolling land offers over half of the property cleared and the remaining in forestry. This property is protected by an Easement with Fauquier County, which allows the purchaser to purchase 78 Acres in lieu of the entire 153 Acre Parcel, please call the listing agent for details. Convenient to Upperville, Middleburg and Marshall, this location also offers easy access to I66. $1,990,170

During this difficult time in our Estate’s virtual doors remain ope remotely, given the nature of o to provide the highest service a This rural life has neve

Stone Haven

Woodville ~ Nestled on 158 acres in pristine Rappahannock County, Stonehaven offers a picturesque and tranquil retreat.

Sited at the end of the private drive is the historic Stone residence, c.1791 with additional stone cottage for guests or office and tucked into the woods, beyond the home, is a charming and beautifully restored 2 bedroom log cabin.

Gardens, lawn, barns, paddocks and tremendous ride out potential provide an outdoor haven. $1,695,000

Offers subject to errors, omissions, change of price or withdrawal without notice. Information contained herein is deemed reliable, but is not so warranted nor is it otherwise guaranteed.

2 South Madison Street | PO Box 500 | Middleburg, VA 20118 | Office: 540-687-6500 | Fax: 540-687-8899 | thomasandtalbot.com

m i d d l e b u r All g lPages ife.com • AUGUST 2020 2007-28_ML_JohnColes-DT.indd

John Coles 540-270- 0094 Rebecca Poston 540-771-7520 Specializing in Large Land Holdings

White Oak Level

Beautiful land-Great location and Incredible mountain views!!! Close to the Clarke County/Warren County Line this property features large open fields beautifully maintained in an area of large estates. Fenced paddocks with run-in sheds provide a home to 70+ horses. Residences include the historic 3 bedroom/2 bath stone residence which dates from 1792 and a 2 bedroom tenant house. This property offers a great location, convenient to Interstate 66, Interstate 81, Route 50 and within 15 minutes of the $4,589,000 Winchester Regional Airport.

ll who’ve been adversely global pandemic.

country Thomas & Talbot Real en. Being familiar with working our business, we will continue and support in Hunt Country. r been more desirable.

Chilly Bleak

Marshall ~ This 152 acre horse farm features beautiful open gently rolling pastures and fields in prime Orange County Hunt Territory. The historic fieldstone home dates to 1820 with later additions creating a 5 BR / 5 BA home with stone terrace and pool. Two Stables - 15 stalls and 6 stalls, Kraft Walker, 8 paddocks, 6 fields, 3 cottages. The home is perfectly sited for privacy with easy access to I-66 and Rt. 50. VOF Easement. Shared listing with Sotheby’s. $3,750,000

Holly Hill

Middleburg ~ A gracious and elegant stone manor conveniently located on 37 private acres just 2 miles from Middleburg. Historic property has been meticulously renovated in the French Antebellum style with luxury finishes and tasteful upgrades throughout. Four bedrooms, 4 ½ bathrooms. Formal dining room, large garden/family room with stone floor, Ballroom, Chef ’s kitchen, library, 6 fireplaces.

Charming guest house, pool, 2 barns. Large exercise/art studio. Dressage arena and grass jumping arena. Beautiful gardens, ponds and views. OCH hunt territory. $3,299,000

D

N LA

Mountville

Middleburg ~ 145+ Acres of land in sought after location on Mountville Rd. near Foxcroft School. Several home sites with wonderful views and vistas yet extremely private, half wooded and half pasture with over 2,000’ of Goose Creek frontage. Minutes from Middleburg with easy access to Dulles International Airport & Washington DC. Middleburg Hunt Territory. $2,465,250

Moreland Farm

Delaplane/Marshall ~ Spectacular Views! Approx. 250 acres available in 2 parcels. The primary parcel of 142 acres features the 3 BR/3 BA stone home, 2 tenant homes, barn and 5 bay machine shed for $1,600,000. The secondary parcel of 107 acres offers a 2 BR tenant home and potential to build a primary dwelling for $826,000. The 2 parcels may be purchased separately or together $2,426,000

LD

SO

Crosswinds

Delaplane ~ 72 Acre Horse Property in Piedmont Hunt Territory. Features Handsome 7 stall stable perfectly sited for cross ventilation, built by P. J. Williams and features an upscale 1 bedroom + den apartment with screened porch.

Generator. Perfect for training Cross County/Eventing.

Uphill gallop with good elevation, 100’ x 200’ riding ring with all weather footing, 5 fenced paddocks and 2 run-in sheds. $1,050,000

Zulla Road

The Plains ~ Bordered by large estates, this charming country home features 5 bedrooms, 3 full and 2 half baths.

Wonderful gourmet kitchen with DCS-Professional Propane Stove and breakfast bar which opens into the spacious family room. Often requested, this home features a spacious main level bedroom and second level master suite. A divided lower level provides a bedroom on one side and game room on the other. This 7.2 acre parcel also has a 4 stall barn, 2 fenced paddocks and tremendous ride out potential in Orange County Hounds hunt territory. $995,000

Delaplane Grade

This 49 acre parcel features beautiful rolling land in prime Delaplane wine and horse country in the Piedmont Hunt Territory. Fronting on Delaplane Grade Road and identified as Lot 2, it offers a 70’ private access and utility easement to Lot 1, which sets east of this parcel. Lot 2 has a portion of the property subject to building restrictions; however, the remainder of the land sits high with Blue Ridge Mountain views providing gorgeous home site potential. $875,000

Offers subject to errors, omissions, change of price or withdrawal without notice. Information contained herein is deemed reliable, but is not so warranted nor is it otherwise guaranteed.

2 South Madison Street | PO Box 500 | Middleburg, VA 20118 | Office: 540-687-6500 | Fax: 540-687-8899 | thomasandtalbot.com

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2:36 PM

A Middleburg Slave’s Journey to Freedom and the American Dream MIDDLEBURG LIFE STAFFER RECOUNTS THE STORY OF HIS ANCESTOR Story by Heidi Baumstark

R

oots. They remain hidden, but their fruits are revealing.

For Christian Bentley, he is proud of his roots — and for good reason. Because of the positive choices his ancestors made generations ago, a solid groundwork was laid, paving the way for a promising future. Today, he is the sales and account manager for Greenhill Media, publishers of Middleburg Life magazine.

In the Alexandria Gazette Packet (The Connection Newspapers), a Sept. 4, 2018 article titled, “Richard W. Bentley: 19th and 20th Century Businessman,” featured Bentley’s relatives. Written by historian, genealogist, author, and columnist Char McCargo Bah, it chronicled the life of Richard W.

Bentley, Christian’s great, great, great, great grandfather, born a slave in 1850 in Middleburg. His parents were William and Fannie (records also show Fanny) Bentley. When the Civil War broke out in 1861, Richard was only 11 years old.

“They were slaves on a Loudoun County plantation,” Christian said. “My great, great aunt, who I call Aunt Dorothea, is now 97 years old, and was the granddaughter of Richard W. Bentley. She always said that everyone — black, white, young, and old — called him ‘Mr. Bentley.’ He was respected because of the way he carried himself and treated people.”

Bah also has a blog titled, “The Other Alexandria,” that includes stories about a different side of this popular port city on the Potomac River that was founded in 1749.

“Like Char’s ‘The Other Alexandria’ blog, I would say there is also ‘another Middleburg,’” Christian said. “Yes, Middleburg is known throughout the world for foxhunting and horse country, but there’s a whole other community of people who helped start and maintain those traditions, and kept those farms running.”

Today, people flock to Middleburg for its pristine beauty, historical interest, and wide, open spaces. But during wartime, at least one community of people fled Loudoun in search of freedom.

It’s time we bring those stories out of the shadows.

“Many African-American families have not dealt with their history of ancestors in slavery; it’s not an easy topic to discuss, but a necessary one to share,” Bah said. “Because to know one’s roots makes you even more proud of your family’s achievements.”

Consider the Bentleys. During the Civil War, young Richard escaped Loudoun with his mother, Fannie, and his sister. They ran away to Alexandria and were considered contraband of the Union army.

“They lived in a shack until Richard could be enrolled in school,” Christian said. “But then he had to work.”

Richard W. Bentley (1850-1939). Photo permission from Christian Bentley.

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But why Alexandria?

Because of its prime location directly across the Potomac River — within eyesight of the city of Washington — it provided wider opportunities for African Americans since it was so close to Union territory. On May 23, 1861, voting citizens of Virginia approved the April 17, 1861 Ordinance of Secession, which declared that Virginia had repealed its ratification of the United States, and therefore, officially joined the Confederacy. But the next morning on May 24, Union forces arrived in Alexandria, marking the beginning of a fouryear occupation of this Virginia city, now a part of the Confederate States of America (CSA). Alexandria would become the longest Union-occupied city in the entire Confederacy. And African-Americans began to settle there.

As a major transportation hub by water and by rail, this seaport town was the perfect location to dispatch supplies and troops. The city was flooded with wounded soldiers from both sides of the conflict, military personnel, civilians, nurses, and doctors, plus a growing population of escaped slaves attempting some type of freedom and employment. Escapees were labeled “contraband” and were essentially refugees. It became the new destination of former slaves — like the Bentleys — who made Alexandria their home.

According to Bah, at the end of the Civil War in 1865, Richard was 15, and contracted himself as a farm laborer to Henry and Amanda Brown in West Bloomfield, a town in Ontario County in New York. Many former slaves contracted themselves out for work during, and shortly after, the war. When his contract ended, he returned to Alexandria in 1870.

“Richard worked and worked, and saved and saved; eventually, he purchased property on 315 N. Patrick Street in Alexandria,” Christian said.

With earnings from his job as a railroad porter and farm laborer, he purchased his first land parcel in 1873. The Jan. 4, 1873 Alexandria Gazette states the lot on “Patrick st, between Queen and Princess, 25 feet by 118 ft. sold by Wm Gregory to Richard Bentley, for $120.”

Two years later, on June 24, 1875, he married Susan Craig in Alexandria and the couple lived at 315 N. Patrick Street where they raised 10 children: Laura, Lula, Raymond, William, Nettie, Mabel, Cora, Morrison, Frederick, and Lewis.

Bah’s article stated that at a young age, Ancestor | Page 23

Ancestor | From page 22 Richard knew what he wanted to accomplish.

Each job prepared him for his lifetime goal of owning a business and managing his properties. In his lifetime, he was a railroad porter, farm laborer, hotel waiter, carpenter, store owner (coal and wood), grocery store owner, merchant, property owner, and a builder.

In fact, he built his house at 315 N. Patrick, and a second one on 313 N. Patrick, using railroad boards. Over several decades, these houses were renovated to meet current standards. He was a multi-talented person and a businessman.

“You could call him a serial entrepreneur,” Christian said. “He was a hustler. He also owned a tractor supply store in Alexandria.”

He would eventually own three houses: 313, 315, and 317 N. Patrick Street and they stayed in the family until recently.

“Chance and opportunity — what people of color did not have,” Christian said. “But Mr. Bentley made his own chance and opportunity because certainly none was given to him.”

The Bentleys provided a middle-class life for their family. Bah’s article stated that Richard was one of the few Alexandria African Americans who had a car in the early 1900s.

The last vehicle he owned was a five-passenger 1923 Buick, Model 23-47 Sedan. Their sons attended Snowden School for Boys and the daughters attended Hallowell School for Girls, which were the first public schools for black children in Alexandria. (In 1920, the Snowden and Hallowell schools were consolidated into the Parker-Gray School, now gone, but in its place is the Charles Houston Recreation Center at 901 Wythe Street.) Some of their children also became entrepreneurs.

Christian’s mother came from the Parker

and Dogan families who were devout Catholics and helped start the first black Catholic church, Saint Joseph Catholic Church at 711 N. Columbus Street in Alexandria, established in 1915. The Bentleys, Parkers, and Dogans were instrumental in forming this church, about half a mile from Richard’s house at 315 N. Patrick Street.

“We all still worship there, including Aunt Dorothea,” Christian said. “So basically, I’m related to half of the church.”

On May 2, 1919, Richard’s wife, Susan Craig Bentley, died. Richard lived for another 20 years and died on April 18, 1939. At the time of Bah’s article in 2018, Richard had three living grandchildren: Dorothea, Teresa, and Frankie. He has many great grandchildren, including Lynnwood Campbell and Howard Dishman, Sr. Bah wrote of how proud Howard Dishman Sr. was of his great grandfather’s achievements and “thanks his ‘Poppa’ for leaving his family a great legacy.”

“This is actually my family,” Christian said. “We talk about slavery like it was so long ago, but there’s still a connection today. It’s soul riveting to speak to my Aunt Dorothea — this relative whose grandfather was a runaway slave. It’s important we start telling the true story of history. I grew up in the Mount Vernon area of Alexandria and learned all about Washington’s estate. But when you consider who built it and what happened there ... it makes you think.”

To illustrate the confusion around records for African Americans, Bah provided Richard’s death certificate which clearly shows he was born in “Middleburg” and died April 18, 1939 from “disease of heart,” and his address as 315 N. Patrick Street in Alexandria. But for his age, the certificate shows “74?” (with the question mark), implying uncertainty. Next

to “birth date,” the entry is blank.

“On Richard’s death certificate, a relative who did not know his exact age provided the information,” Bah explained.

Even official census records show inconsistency. Bah’s research produced four U.S. Federal Census documents dated 1880, 1900, 1910, and 1930. The 1880 census records his birth date “Abt 1853.” The 1900 census shows “1850.” The 1910 states “abt. 1850,” and the 1930 shows “abt 1853.” This discrepancy of birth information is common.

“It’s not unusual to see several documents on a person showing differing ages for that person who was born during this time period — especially for a person who was born a slave,” Bah said. In her research, she found no documents stating where in Middleburg the Bentleys lived.

“I’m fortunate that my ancestors made their own chance and opportunity — that’s my heritage,” Christian said. “There are lots of people I know who don’t know their heritage.

I’ve been given a chance in life that puts me in better circumstances.”

“This is just one family’s success story that has been documented,” Bah said. “There are African-Americans who are unaware of their history for various reasons. Look into your past — you might find a ‘Richard’ in your family’s history. Once you know your history and find your family’s achievements, you will be a truly changed person.”

“After the official ending of slavery in 1865, Richard W. Bentley went from being enslaved to being a landowner and a businessman all within eight years [1865-1873],” Bah said. “He took his freedom and achieved the American dream.”

“To know your roots is to know where you come from,” Christian said. ML Visit Bah’s blogs at theotheralexandria.com and findingthingsforu.com.

Top: Bentley’s 1939 death certificate showing “74?” — a guess for his age. Photo permission from Char McCargo Bah. Bottom: Christian Bentley, photo by Nancy Milburn Kleck Fine Art & Photography LLC.

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HOW JILL PERLA USES ART TO FIND HER VOICE

By Shayda Windle

A

s a former business executive turned art consultant, coach, and writer, Jill Perla fell into her profession through an unusual path. She grew up with a sister, who was both hard of hearing and aphasic, and a bipolar mother, which came with its own set of challenges.

“It was through these experiences I learned coping skills and how to think creatively in all aspects of my life,” Perla says. “My mentality was always keep running forward and don’t look back.”

In her 40s, Perla’s father passed away from dementia. Before his passing, he created art as part of his therapy. It was then Perla took up painting as a way to cope. “[It] spurred my creative journey into a Voice | Page 27

Top: Jill Perla, photographed by Jennifer Gray. Bottom left: “My Turn,” 16” X 20.” Bottom second: “No Fly Aways,” 18” X 24.” Bottom third: “Faith,” 8” X 10.” Fourth: “Patience,” 30” X 40.”

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Voice | From page 26 self-sustaining and profitable business,” she says.

Her philosophy on life is one of pure optimism.

“Our cups are not half empty or half full, but instead they are overflowing and often we simply fail to recognize it,” she says. “By harnessing our inner creativity, I believe we can break free of preconceptions and old habits or mindsets, embrace the present, express gratitude, and re-energize the everyday.”

During these times of uncertainty and unrest, her sense of gratitude for the present is something we should all exemplify.

Her creative business has been nothing but a thriving staple to Loudoun County’s economy. She has received multiple accolades for her art, including her most recent award as Loudoun Now’s Favorite Artist of 2020.

“Creativity is the most in-demand soft skill, according to a recent LinkedIn study,” she says. “Adaptability is on the short list too.

That’s because both skills help you overcome obstacles by imagining new solutions and being open to new ways of thinking.”

Her courses focus on harnessing the power of creativity, from team building events in the boardroom to paint-and-sip parties with friends.

In addition to her courses, Perla works on a commissioned basis and creates original work to support the causes she’s most passionate about. She recently joined the #artistssupportpledge, a movement that began for artists in need of help during the pandemic.

As exhibitions have been canceled, commissions put on hold, and income has all but disappeared for many artists, the pledge states that for every $1,000 reached in sales, $200 will be spent on another artist’s work. “[I] purchased some pieces during the pandemic and hope that offering some works at a heavily reduced rate will allow me to continue that support,” she says.

Most recently, she worked on a piece to pay homage to the Black Lives Matter Movement, as a part of her “Ladies Series.” All pieces in the series have sold aside from “Patience” (shown above).

“I wanted to do something, but it felt like

everything I was about to say seemed trite,” she says. “So, I decided to use my brushes instead of written words. I have painted women from behind for years now and have painted all sorts of skin tones and hair colors to showcase all women. For this particular piece, I chose gold leaf accents as a way to elevate her even more than my typical women. She is painted in lilac to symbolize tranquility and happiness. This is what I want for her.”

For almost 40 years, Perla has given back to Childfund, an organization that aids deprived, excluded, and vulnerable children in 30 countries, and she announced that the proceeds of Inner Strength would go to Childfund.

“Collectively, we can make a difference,” she says.

Perla’s dedication to making a difference prompted the Women’s Speakers Association to invite her to co-author the book, “Voices of the 21st Century,” a collection of inspiring stories from women of all walks of life sharing the common trait of resiliency.

“Everyone has a story, and one day I woke up with the urge to tell mine,” she says. “My dad was the one who kicked off my art career and I think of him every time I paint.

Before he passed away, he wrote down his life’s memories — and it ended up being 500 pages. It’s amazing to have his memories in written form now that he’s gone. With that, I just started writing, and the more I wrote, I realized how cathartic it was and that I had my own story to tell.”

She says the book has “been a whirlwind of activity,” but has enjoyed every minute.

“The stories from the other women are so impactful and I’ve learned so much about resilience from these ladies. I’m sure you would find some of their stories, some harrowing, some uplifting, and some just downright empowering.”

The book is currently the No. 1 international bestseller in the “Women and Business” category on Amazon.

Perla is empowering others through her art, her writing, and her activism, prompting change reverberating across Loudoun County and the country. ML

“Our cups are not half empty or half full, but instead they are overflowing and often we simply fail to recognize it.”

— Perla

To learn more, visit jillperlaart.com.

“Inner Strength,” 10” X 20.”

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The 50 Year Fight to Preserve Goose Creek Continues: GCA CO-CHAIR SHARES THE JOURNEY

By Kaitlin Hill

“We aren’t antidevelopment, but we try to shape development according to what the planners in their wisdom have already articulated.”

—McGuninness

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E

stablished in 1970, the Goose Creek Association in Middleburg works tirelessly for the environmental and historic protection and preservation of the Goose Creek Watershed and beyond. In its 50th year, with a battalion of eco-focused members and a multi-pronged advocacy approach, the non-profit shows no signs of slowing down.

Goose Creek is a 54-mile long state scenic river with a 358-square mile watershed and is an important part of the Potomac and Chesapeake watersheds. Not only significant for providing water to Fauquier and Loudoun counties and the Town of Leesburg, it’s also historically significant as a point of interest to Native Americans, George Washington, and Goose Creek, photographed by Mona Botwick.

John Marshall, as well as being the site of notable Civil War battles at Goose Creek Bridge.

“The Goose Creek Association is a volunteer-driven, boots-on-the-ground organization [whose] main focus is our watershed,” Florence “Lori” Keenan McGuinness, cochair of the Goose Creek Association, says.

“It’s primarily focused on the environment, pollution in particular. But we try to raise people’s awareness about how special this area is historically, and we get involved in activism that puts into motion our concerns.”

What started as a group of concerned neighbors has blossomed into a multi-hundred-member non-profit spanning Fauquier Preserve | Page 31

Preserve | From page 30 and Loudoun counties. The association takes a multi-angled approach to environmental preservation including mindful planning, educational programs, volunteer activities, and close working partnerships with like-minded organizations.

McGuinness says involvement in planned expansion is an important tool in fighting irreversible environmental damage to Goose Creek and, more broadly, the relentless march of climate change.

“What we’re trying to do is delay the inexorable outward growth of a population into our counties by bringing attention to the environmental concerns that come with such growth,” she says. “We aren’t anti-development, but we try to shape development according to what the planners in their wisdom have already articulated. The plans, in both Loudoun and Fauquier, appreciate the rural and agricultural nature of those counties.

We’re trying to preserve that special character that makes it so beautiful out here.”

More than preserving the bucolic beauty of the area, environmentally minded planning is also important to preserving the health of the Goose Creek Watershed.

“Because of residential development, there’s a lot of run-off from hardtop and fertilizers used on lawns,” McGuinness says. “As you get down south, there is a certain amount of impairment with agricultural fertilizer, pesticides, as well as E-coli from the cattle. There are two types — human-created impairments and agricultural impairments to Goose Creek — that we try to make people aware of so that we can mitigate those impacts.”

The association’s educational efforts take the form of documentaries, lectures, and volunteer work.

“For many years, we put on an annu-

al educational forum, for instance, forums on native trees, riparian buffers, and so on,” says McGuinness. “But then we switched and started doing documentaries, and now there is a wealth of wonderful documentaries out there. We’ve done one on alternative energy, plastics in the water, and just last year we did one on [the development of] an organic farm in California over a 10-year span.”

To celebrate its 50th anniversary, the GCA put together the “Goose Creek Documentary.”

“It was something we thought we could take on the road and show to people who are not aware of the river and its tributaries,” she says. “We want to enlighten people about why we consider it such a special area and why we’re trying to protect it.”

Lectures are an important part of getting the message out too, and they can prove to be as interesting as they are educational. McGuinness reflects on a memorable talk with Dr. Ellen Stofan, director of the National Air and Space Museum.

“She spoke to us about what we can learn about Earth from space,” she says. “It was extremely informative and somewhat alarming.

But these movies and these lectures we put on are done in a very articulate and well-constructed way that can reach our audiences really well. They’re entertaining and educational. And, it’s something to do in the dead of winter.”

In warmer months, the GCA creates opportunities for volunteers of all ages to get outside and protect Goose Creek firsthand.

“We have a notable and instrumental member named Marcia Woolman who started many of our programs,” McGuinness says.

“She started the stream monitoring program and the riparian buffer program that we coined ‘The Goose Creek Challenge,’ and she encouraged us to support the kids going to

environmental camps.”

For the Goose Creek Challenge, the association relied on the efforts of student volunteers to help plant over 20,000 feet along the stream bank with 12,000 native trees and shrubs that will protect against erosion. Hard work, certainly, but McGuinness notes that the stewardship is great fun too.

“We do this canoe cleanup,” she says. “I did one a year ago in May, and it was such a beautiful day. The bluebells were blooming, and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. I just thought, ‘What a pleasure this is.’”

While volunteers help with the legwork, strategic partnerships with groups like the Land Trust of Virginia, the Piedmont Environmental Counsel, and the Mosby Heritage Area Association also benefit the Goose Creek Association.

“I think we’re all very compatible with each other, even though we might have different focuses,” McGuinness says. “We all have different areas of expertise, and, frankly, it helps to spread the responsibility around.”

With a clear mission, educational outreach, and productive partnerships, the Goose Creek Association has spent the last 50 years making good on that sense of responsibility to the environment and the future generations who will inhabit it.

“We’re leaving it better than we found it, or at least we’re trying to,” McGuinness says.

“We’re trying to keep our eye on the ball: We all want a good place for the next generation and future generations to live. We don’t want to spoil it.” ML

Left: Volunteers stream monitoring, courtesy of the Goose Creek Association. Right: Florence “Lori” Keenan McGuinness, photographed by Mona Botwick.

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From scenic vistas to small town vibes, reconnect with what you love this summer on a road trip to beautiful, historic Winchester, Virginia.

From scenic vistas to small town vibes, reconnect with what you love this summer on a road trip to beautiful, historic Winchester, Virginia.

Find road trip inspirations, self-guided tours, and up-to-date visitor information at:

VisitWinchesterVA.com | 877-871-1326

Find road trip inspirations, self-guided tours, and up-to-date visitor information at:

VisitWinchesterVA.com | 877-871-1326

AUGUST 2020

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PERFECT WEEKEND GETAWAY

PLAN FOR THE HISTORY LOVER Story by Kailey Cheng

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s the warm, fleeting days of summer come to an end, take one last adventure with your family or loved ones and visit these historic sites in and around Middleburg. From hip and historic Leesburg, to the beloved hunt and wine country of Middleburg, to the rolling hills of Paris, this weekend getaway is ideal for any history lover. Experience, dine at, and stay in historic properties dating as far back as the early 1700s.

Oatlands Historic House and Gardens – Leesburg Start your getaway in historic Leesburg at the Oatlands Historic House and Gardens.

These 3,408 acres of Virginia farmland were inherited by George Carter in 1798, who created a successful plantation through the slave economy. When Carter died in 1846, Elizabeth O. Carter continued work on the plantation, keeping a diary that included references

to Oatlands’ slaved people. These detailed entries allowed for a glimpse into life during and after the Civil War. This National Historic Landmark comprises the iconic two-story columned portico mansion, smokehouse, barn, carriage house, schoolhouse, greenhouse, and garden. Currently, Oatlands is open for property, enslaved community, and garden tours.

Tuscarora Mill Restaurant – Leesburg Take a lunch break at Tuscarora Mill Restaurant — nicknamed “Tuskies” by locals — in Leesburg’s picturesque historic downtown. Named for the Indigenous American tribe of the Carolinas that once dwelled in Leesburg, the property was operated by William Jenkins and was intended to be a grain mill in 1899. It eventually became an old-time general store that sold seed and farm machinery, also functioning as a meeting place Getaway | Page 35

Top and middle: Oatlands Historic House and Gardens, photos courtesy of Oatlands. Bottom: Tuscarora Mill Restaurant. Photo by Suemedha Sood.

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Getaway | From page 34 for farmers, businessmen, and politicians. In 1985, the property became the award-winning restaurant locals know and love today, serving American fare and Virginia wines.

Inside the building, timbers, belts, pulleys, and scales were left in place to reserve the remarkable architecture of the original mill.

Aldie Mill Historic Park – Aldie Travel south to Aldie to experience this 200-year-old grist mill — the largest of its kind in Loudon County’s industrial history.

The mill, a four-story brick building with Virginia’s only tandem medal waterwheels, was built from 1807-1809 by William Cooke for legislator Charles Fenton Mercer. It included a merchant mill, country mill, and granary. Farmers relied on the mill for their livelihoods; their refined products were sold at Alexandria and shipped to Europe. Out of a number of noteworthy visitors was President James Monroe, who held his grain ground at Aldie Mill. Free tours are available.

Chapman Beverly Mill – Broad Run Drive down to Broad Run and you’ll find another grist mill about half a century older than Aldie Mill. Chapman Mill (also known as Beverly Mill) was built in 1742. This grist mill — now in the form of ruins — ground corn and flour for seven years, through the French and Indian War to World War II. Like Aldie Mill, products from Chapman Mill were transferred to Alexandria, allowing for steady business for over a century. In the mid-19th century, a railroad was built by the mill and business grew faster than ever before. During its 200 years of operation, it was set on fire twice. The first time was during the Civil War, when the mill developed a meat curing operation for Confederate troops. Once Union troops pushed closer into Virginia, the Confederates left the mill, burning it to keep the Union Army from advancing. The second time was in 1998 by trespassers, but it’s currently structurally stabilized for visitors.

Red Fox Inn & Tavern – Middleburg Enjoy fine al fresco dining and an overnight stay at the Red Fox Inn & Tavern, a location that’s lived through both the American Revolution and Civil War. Since 1728, remarkable politicians, authors, musicians, and celebrities have visited Red Fox, including George Washington, President John F. Kennedy, Ambassador Pamela Harriman, U.S. Senator John Warner, and even actor Tom

Cruise. It was called “Chinn’s Ordinary” in 1728, the “Beveridge House” in 1812, “Middleburg Inn” in 1887, and finally “Red Fox” in 1937 — named after Middleburg’s reputation for fox hunting. It’s been owned by three generations of the Reuter family, preserving Middleburg’s historic charm for four decades.

Hunter’s Head Tavern – Upperville Indulge in an old-fashioned Sunday brunch and gastropub fare with local meats and produce at Hunter’s Head Tavern, a traditional English pub built in 1750 in Upperville — just down the road west from Middleburg.

In 1750, it was called “The Old Carr House,” a log cabin built by Scotsman Steven McPherson. The menu features fresh meats and produce from Ayrshire Farm, on-tap beers, and local or imported wines. Experience oldworld décor in this colonial-era house and vast patio seating.

Caleb Rector House – Marshall Further down the road is the historic Caleb Rector House, built in 1801 with field stone and beams, and was owned by Caleb and Mary Ann Rector during the Civil War. Here, John Singleton Mosby formed the 43rd Battalion Virginia Cavalry and Confederate cavalry commander J.E.B. Stuart called it his headquarters during the Gettysburg Campaign. In 2016, renovations were made to the home, including a series of historical panels that showcase the chronology of the land.

Take a walk through the historic parlor, beginning with Native American settlement, to the Civil War, to the Cold War and present.

The renovations have also preserved architectural details that add to the narrative of the historical construction and use of the house.

The Ashby Inn & Restaurant – Paris Finish your weekend getaway at The Ashby Inn & Restaurant for an award-winning, farm-to-table dining experience. Menus are seasonal, and ingredients are locally sourced from sustainable operations; each meal is inspired from the inn’s own gardens. In 1829, blacksmith Manley Pierce built the Ashby Inn as a four-room private residence. Confederates Stonewall Jackson and Joseph E. Johnston slept on Ashby Inn’s front porch prior to the First Battle of Manassas in 1861. In 1940, Norman and Marie Ashby purchased the rectory as their private residence until 1980 when Norman died. John and Roma Sherman purchased the property in 1984 and opened the inn and restaurant. ML

Top: Aldie Mill. Photo courtesy of NOVA Parks. Second: Chapman Beverly Mill. Photo by August Currier. Third: Ashby Inn. Photo by Christian Giannelli Photography. Bottom: Hunter’s Head Tavern. Photo by Jennifer Gray.

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Create Your Own Patio Pollinator Garden WITH FIVE COLOR THEMES THAT ATTRACT DIFFERENT POLLINATORS

Written by Patrick Mulrooney ISA Certified Arborist MA-5036 Photos by Jennifer Gray

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t is too hot to go outside. We should probably do our garden viewing from the inside, under the safety of air conditioning and with the aid of a huge window.

That’s what I was thinking recently when I decided to make some colorful potted plant arrangements for my patio. My challenge? To find, out of all the showy flowers and hybrid cultivars that I can buy at the store, the ones that actually produce resources for pollinators.

After some serious research and weeks of personal observation, I ended up with a sizable list of native and non-native annuals that are good nectar producers, as well as some powerhouse perennials to add to the mix.

Finding a theme for the first pot was easy — hummingbirds (aka RED). For the centerpiece, I chose a red coneflower (Echinacaea purpurea, “Sombrero Tres Amigos”).

The shiny green and blue sweat bees (Agapostemon, Augochloropsis, and Halictidae) loved this plant. While buying a perennial might seem like a waste of money for a seasonal display, think about transplanting it to the garden in the fall.

Around the coneflower, I used two types of red sage (Salvia splendens), multitudes of pentas, a red nicotiana, and a very “loud” firecracker cuphea (Cuphea purpurea). Drooping off the sides are two fuchsias. All the usual visitors loved the nectar, but the moth-friendly nicotiana attracts the strange hummingbird moth, which is as interesting as the name suggests.

It was at this point I remembered bees cannot see the color red. To make sure they felt included, the next planter would have a blue theme. According to scientists, blues are the most likely colors to attract bees. The centerpiece was again a perennial — Phlox

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paniculate “jeana,” which I should be able to transplant into the garden come fall as it claims to be immune to powdery mildew.

The rest of the plant choices were equally strong — native annuals such as agastache and ageratum as well as non-natives like cleome, hardy plumbago (Ceratostigma plumbagnoides), borage (Borago officinalis), Garden | Page 37

Garden | From page 36 verbena, and a purple flash ornamental pepper for background.

Due to their consistent nectar production, herbs are always a welcome plant for the pollinators. Fortunately, there were several with blue tones that went well with the composition. I was thrilled to find a dwarf lavender, and then added some dill and common sage,

that I will let go to flower immediately. Little bluestem perennial grass, while not flashy, fits the blue theme and feeds several caterpillars in the skipper butterfly family as well as songbirds which eat the seeds.

So many yellow flowers are in bloom right now that I had to build two planters to represent this color. To cater to the birds, I

chose an annual sunflower (Helianthus anuus) as the centerpiece of the first one. Shiny little sweat bees love it now, and the seeds will be a great food source for songbirds later on. For the second yellow-themed planter, I chose a native goldenrod (Solidago sp.) for the center. This plant’s prodigious nectar production lasts four to six weeks and can greatly increase a bee colony’s winter survival. No doubt it will be making it into my garden at the end of the season.

Surrounding the centerpieces are mixes of orange and yellow perennials and annuals.

Perennial milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) provides nectar and is a larval host for monarch and grey hairstreak butterflies. Perennial coreopsis “sweet marmalade,” and the regular, taller coreopsis provide nectar and pollen.

Other dependable nectar plants are lantana, zinnia, calibrachoa, and petunias, for a trailing effect. I added marigolds as well due to their ability to repel pests and promote good vegetable growth for my nearby tomatoes and Brussels sprouts.

Herbs can provide understated beauty in a planter, even with few other flowers. Again, I chose echinacea for the centerpiece, this time in white. Spearmint, thyme, rosemary, and peppers surround it and white lobelia, zinnia, and Salvia farinacea provide the color. In my opinion, the most interesting plant I came across was the ornamental oregano (Origanum rotundifolium), which makes a sweetly elegant trailer and an even better nectar source.

I recommend this project. It was a lot of fun. In the midst of COVID-19, gardening is helping us stay active and engaged as we are more confined to our homes. Practically, it feeds and attracts the pollinators that help produce our vegetables and balance our ecosystem. Aesthetically, it is enjoyable and calming to create and to look at. There might also be an additional box to check as scientists warn about worldwide insect decline.

Recently, I heard about the “windshield phenomenon,” the observation that dead insects no longer accumulate on the windshields of people’s cars after a long drive, and it affected me much more than any grim statistic could.

But let’s not end on a somber note! The fact that you are reading this means people are paying attention to the wonders of the garden and the many gifts a thoughtful gardener can make available to our pollinators. The return on that investment is priceless. ML

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Everything tastes better Al Fresco Join us for happy hour and outdoor dining on the Back Porch at Market Salamander also proudly offering:

Breakfast | Carry-out | Family Meals To-Go Fine Wine & Craft Beer

540.687.8011 Wednesday & Thursday 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Friday - Sunday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm MarketSalamander.com

In Bronze: Herbert Haseltine July 17 - August 23, 2020

To reserve tickets and view visitor requirements please visit: www.NationalSporting.org Left: Herbert Haseltine (American, 1877–1962), Percheron Mare: Messaline and Foal; modeled circa 1922-24, cast in 1925, bronze with greenish-brown patina and stone, 21 ½ inches high, National Sporting Library & Museum, 2019; image ©2019 Christie’s Images Limited Right: Herbert Haseltine (American, 1877–1962), Percheron Stallion: Rhum, modeled circa 1922-24, cast in 1925, parcel-gilt bronze with greenish-brown patina and stone, 28 inches high, National Sporting Library & Museum; purchased with funds from a private donor, 2019; image ©2019 Christie’s Images Limited

NATIONAL SPORTING 102 The Plains Road | Middleburg, VA

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LIBR ARY & MUSEUM

540-687-6542 | NationalSporting.org

THEN & THERE

Foxhounds and Early Dog Shows Story and photos by Richard Hooper

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n September 1859, at the 26th annual Cleveland Agricultural Society Fair, there was an exhibition of foxhounds. Previously, there had been sheepdog exhibitions at agricultural meetings, but, as reported in a local newspaper, “This was the first show at which a prize had been offered for a display of such animals.” Actually, there were two prizes: a silver mounted hunting whip and £5 for the best couple of foxhounds, and a pair of spurs and £2 for the second best. The fair was held in Yorkshire at Redcar, a town north of York on the coast of the North Sea. Eight nearby hunts exhibited 10 couples of hounds. Among those participating were the Sinnington and Bedale, territory that was hunted by George Villiers, second Duke of Buckingham, during the last quarter of the

17th century. Until this time, the fox was hunted as vermin by whatever dog or hound that was handy; beagles, terriers, harriers, greyhounds, and staghounds among them.

For foxhounds to be developed as a breed, the status of the fox had to be elevated, which in reality, did not take a great deal of promoting.

The fox had always provided an exhilarating chase. As described in 1674 by Nicholas Cox in “The Gentleman’s Recreation,” “Fox-hunting is very pleasant; for by reason of his strong, hot scent he maketh excellent cry.”

Villiers hunted from Helmsley Castle, midway between York and Redcar, and kept hounds for hunting the fox for sport. His interest would lead to selective breeding and the formation of the Bilsdale Hunt, dating from 1689.

In December 1860, Birmingham hosted the first dog show to be billed as an exhibition of sporting and other dogs. There were 267 dogs on display, including six foxhounds from two hunts. The foxhounds, according to The Illustrated London News, “were a mere name, both in quality and number, and, considering how many kennels there are within an hour’s ride of Birmingham, it was rather strange that a ten-guinea cup and three other prizes should not have roused the masters and huntsmen into action.”

At the 1862 dog show that took place at the Agricultural Hall at Islington, London, with over 800 entries, there was a special exhibition of foxhounds. A competition between Shows | Page 40

The Duke of Beaufort’s foxhounds at the Islington show, 1862.

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Shows | From page 39

— the noise and excitement caused by visi-

packs had been envisioned, with a valuable

tors and other dogs was taking a toll on their

silver cup as first prize. Only one pack, how-

health. A writer in “The Field” stated, “We

ever, made an appearance. It was the Duke of

fear that the public will never again have a

Beaufort’s hounds from the Badminton ken-

similar opportunity of seeing such a pack of

nels, composed of 20 couples (the maximum

foxhounds exhibited.”

size allowed for each entry) divided between

Far more often than not, there were no

dogs and bitches. They were watched over

foxhounds exhibited at early dog shows.

during the show by the huntsman and the

The shows in Birmingham, however, were

first whipper-in. With no other kennels com-

an exception and continued to draw en-

peting, the duke declined to accept the tro-

tries through 1867, following which there

phy. The show committee then awarded the

was a long hiatus. The popular opinion was

duke’s huntsman a different silver cup valued

that masters of hounds knew who the good

at over £10, for making such a fine show of

hounds were and did not need shows for im-

the hounds.

proving the breed, something they had been

The hounds were singled out in the journal, “Bell’s Life,” as particularly praiseworthy

doing on their own since the time of George Villiers.

for being “especially even and well matched,”

While they did not need a general show,

and “having the same character about them

a specialty show was another matter. The

all; with size, bone, and symmetry, they had

impetus set in motion by the Cleveland Ag-

the same good-looking ‘hound heads,’ finely

ricultural Society’s meeting was sustained

shaped and well marked.”

by the York Hound Show. The demise of the

After four days in the exhibition hall, with

York show led to the creation of the famous

two days left in the show, the huntsman took

Peterborough Hound Show, still in existence

the hounds back to the Badminton kennels

today. ML

Top: The York Hound Show, 1877. Middle: The first prize foxhound at Islington, 1863. Bottom: The first Peterborough Hound Show, 1878.

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Salamander There’s no place like home.

Welcome back to our wide open spaces.

M O M E N T S T H AT M AT T E R .

877.840.2063

SalamanderResort.com

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THOMAS & TALBOT REAL ESTATE Opening the door to Hunt Country for generations Our hearts go out to all who have been adversely impacted by the global pandemic.

During this difficult time, Thomas & Talbot Real Estate’s virtual doors remain open and we continue to show properties with social distancing in mind. Being familiar with working remotely, given the nature of our business, we will continue to provide the highest service and support in Hunt Country. This rural life has never been more desirable.

Hunt Country Estate Bluemont ~ Just north of historic Middleburg, this country estate is over 104 acres of lush pastures and has gorgeous mountain views. Includes approx. 9000 sq. ft., a picturesque pond, pool and spa, guest house and apartment over the four bay garage. 6 stall stable and fenced paddocks complete this idyllic setting. $5,200,000 Mary Ann McGowan 540-270-1124

Rock Ridge

Holly Hill

The Plains ~ French Country stone manor house with magnificent views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. 94+ acres.

5 BR / 6 BA. 5 fireplaces. 1st floor luxury Master Suite.

Great Room opens to the terrace, formal Living and Dining, gourmet Kitchen and paneled Library. Lower Level with Rec Room/Office and Fitness Room. 2 guest houses. 22-stall center aisle barn, fenced paddocks and riding ring. Easy access to I-66 & Dulles International Airport. $3,750,000 Cricket Bedford 540-229-3201

Middleburg ~ Stone manor on 37+ acres. Historic property on 3 parcels has been renovated with luxury finishes and tasteful upgrades. 4 BR, 4 ½ BAs. Master suite with rooftop deck, 2 BAs, library. Formal dining room, large family room with stone floor. 6 fireplaces. Chef ’s kitchen with Carrera marble and Lacanche range. Beautiful gardens. Guest house. 2 ponds. 2 barns. Dressage and jumping arenas.

Conservation easement potential. $3,299,000 Emily Ristau 540-454-9083 | John Coles 540-270-0094

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West Riding The Plains ~ The house is made up of thoughtful additions anchored by a 1700’s log cabin on 25 rolling acres in 3 parcels. 3 BR / 3.5 BA. Gourmet kitchen opens to a glassfilled Family Room. Main level Master Suite with luxury bath & walk-in. Paneled library, Den, 4 fireplaces, hardwood floors, all new windows/doors & so much more. Extensive landscaping, mature trees, pool, fenced garden, 2-car garage, guest house, 5-stall barn, paddocks, run-ins, equip. shed & riding ring. Orange County Hunt territory. $2,350,000 Cricket Bedford 540-229-3201

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The Grange The Plains ~ Stunning addition and complete renovation create a classic and elegant Virginia Manor house with exquisite details throughout. Custom designed Jan Forte gourmet kitchen. Features 4 bedrooms and 3 ½ baths.

Includes 2-car garage, pool, guest house, 4-stall barn and paddocks on 18+ acres in Orange County Hunt.

Convenient to I-66, Rt. 50 and Dulles Airport. $2,675,000 Cricket Bedford 540-229-3201

Herringdon Farm The Plains ~ Great country retreat. Sited on 21.4 private acres. Virginia farmhouse with parts dating back to 1880s.

5 BR, 3 ½ remodeled BAs. New stainless steel appliances.

Hardwood floors. 2 fireplaces. 3 covered porches. Sunset views. 75’ pool, spa and vine covered pergola. Separate 3 car garage with equipment storage building. Garden cottage.

Back up generator. High speed internet. Excellent ride out potential. Protected by conservation easement. $1,600,000 Emily Ristau 540-454-9083

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Four Chimneys

Cannon Ridge

Middleburg ~ Luxurious, custom home just minutes from Middleburg. Over 6,000 sq. ft. sited on 6+ acres. 3 finished levels boast 4 BR’s & 4 full BAs. Gourmet kitchen, Breakfast area and Family Room. 2-story foyer and large Living Room, multiple fireplaces. Formal Dining Room, Library, Mudroom/Laundry complete the main level. The upstairs Master BR Suite has luxury Master BA and large walk-in closet. 2-car garage, fully fenced back yard, and 2-stall barn with 3 paddocks. High speed internet. $1,250,000 Cricket Bedford 540-229-3201

Middleburg ~ Beautiful Colonial style Southern Living home on 10 acres. Open floor plan w/gourmet kitchen, breakfast area, family room w/fireplace & dining room. Covered rear deck. 3 BRs on main level, each w/separate baths.

Also features Brazilian teak floors, quartz counter tops, a built-in sound system and FIOS. Walk out LL offers space for another BR, BA and more. Pastoral views from every window. Property is mostly open w/small creek & mature trees. A fenced yard and attached 2-car garage. $925,000 Cricket Bedford 540-229-3201

Upperville Cottage Upperville ~ Ideal weekend retreat or full-time residence.

This charming cottage blends old with new combining a 1919 log cabin with a creative addition. Living Room has log walls and separate small office. Main level Master bedroom suite w/full bath. 2 more Guest Bedrooms & 2 full Baths. Updated windows, well, septic, roof, geothermal and large fenced back yard on 2+ acres. Walk to $650,000 restaurants, churches & Post Office.

Cricket Bedford 540-229-3201

Offers subject to errors, omissions, change of price or withdrawal without notice. Information contained herein is deemed reliable, but is not so warranted nor is it otherwise guaranteed.

2 South Madison Street | PO Box 500 | Middleburg, VA 20118 | Office: 540-687-6500 | Fax: 540-687-8899 | thomasandtalbot.com

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