Middleburg Life| February 2018 by Middleburg Life

POSTAL CUSTOMER

Volume 34 Issue 16 | February 2018 | middleburglife.com

Presort Std ECRWSS US Postage Permit #75 Fredericksburg, VA

MIDDLEBURG

LI F E Getting Away in Style + Feeling Your Best & The Makings of Romance

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MIDDLEBURG • 540-687-6321 PURCELLVILLE • 540-338-7770 LEESBURG • 703-777-1170 ASHBURN • 703-436-0077

MiddleburgRealEstateAtokaProperties AtokaProperties MiddleburgRealEstate

Start your search at atokaproperties.com E

466 MONTANA HALL LN S, WHITE POST

39984 BRADDOCK RD, ALDIE

16182 HILLSBORO RD, PURCELLVILLE

Spectacular farmland in south part of Clarke Co in 1 parcel with a minimum of 200 acres, options up to 400. Options include 8,000+ sf main house (separate in-law quarters) renovated “summer kitchen”, 2 story 4 bay garage, historic ice & spring houses, pond, gardens, outbuildings, rental houses, barns. Amazing views, 1 hr. to Dulles. Anne McIntosh (703) 509-4499 Maria Eldredge (540) 454-3829

6,300+ s/f custom stone chateau. Gourmet kitchen with granite countertops and commercial appliances. Main level bedroom, aupair suite/artist studio. 12 stall barn with full 2nd floor. 8 fenced paddocks with waterers and run-in shed. Equestrian’s dream!

Exquisite, with every amenity. Light filled, high ceilings, top of line materials. Beautiful master suite w/private balcony overlooks pool. Spacious lower level suite w/outside entrance has kitchen, LR, 2BA, office, theater. Outdoor living spaces, in-ground pool, pool house w/bath & kitchen. Perfect for a B&B!

Offered at $2,850,000 200 ACRES | 3 BR | 9 BA

Offered at $1,985,000 27 ACRES | 6BR | 5BA

Scott Buzzelli (540) 454-1399

Peter Pejacsevich (540) 270-3835

Offered at $1,485,000 22 ACRES | 4 BR | 6.5 BA

Carole Taylor (703) 577-4680

George Roll (703) 606-6358

NDALE A L RS FO

L SO

SYLVANSIDE, PURCELLVILLE*

40124 NEW RD, ALDIE

20252 UNISON RD, ROUND HILL

Extraordinary historic farm with two main residences and a tenant/guest house, amidst towering trees, stone walls, brilliant gardens and a spring fed pond. Two stunning stables including 20 stalls with huge lofts, opening to the paddocks and overlooking the pond. Pristine condition and absolutely charming!

Two separate parcels 14.9 & 15.2 acres, AR-2 zoning. Beautiful rolling fields & woods. Well-designed contemporary on west parcel, sited for views and gorgeous setting. Superbly located close to shopping and commuting, just east of Middleburg. Great investment: Build, incorporate into 30+ ac farm or sell off 2nd parcel.

Custom all brick, quality built Flemish bond home, privately sited on 11+ acres between Purcellville and Middleburg. 4 Br, 4 Ba, 4500+ finished sq. ft. Elegance abounds in large bright rooms with stone fireplaces and high ceilings. Vulcan gas range. Potential 1st-floor master suite.

Sold at $1,400,000 24 ACRES | 6 BR | 2 BA

Jane Hensley (571) 550-2728

Kim Hurst (703) 932-9651

Offered at $1,195,000 30 ACRES | 2 PARCELS

Carole Taylor (703) 577-4680

George Roll (703) 606-6358

Offered at $1,170,000 11 ACRES | 4 BR | 4 BA

Jane Hensley (571) 550-2728

Kim Hurst (703) 932-9651

292 HITE LN, STRASBURG

17971 YATTON RD, ROUND HILL

35469 MILLVILLE RD, MIDDLEBURG

Circa 1812 Mt Pleasant Farm, steeped in history. Beautiful setting & views. Live today’s lifestyle in gracious period home. Sits on bluff overlooking Cedar Creek. In protected area. Crafted from brick made on site. Original millwork & hardware. Beautiful mantels, large kitchen, great floorplan. B&B potential, 1+ hr DC.

Beautiful Runnymede Farm, c. 1777 upgraded for today’s lifestyle, it’s rich historic character preserved. Stone manor home sited on rolling fenced acres. Gourmet kitchen, dining room & cozy library with fireplace, stone tavern room with built-in wet bar & brick floors. Covered porch, terrace, springhouse, and small barn. Very commutable. Carole Taylor (703) 577-4680 George Roll (703) 606-6358

Animal Swim Center, equine/canine hydrotherapy, darling 2 BR cottage with gourmet kitchen, granite, stainless steel, wood floors, fenced yard, deck; 24 stall barn, recently replaced fencing, multiple paddocks, run-in shed, ring, incredible ride-out, multibay garage/shop, indoor circular 12 ft deep swim pool and linear 4 ft deep hydrotherapy pool, wash area. Joy Thompson (540) 729-3428

Offered at $1,100,000 106 ACRES | 5 BR | 3/1 BA

Carole Taylor (703) 577-4680

George Roll (703) 606-6358

Offered at $1,099,000 20 ACRES | 4 BR | 2 BA

Offered at $850,000 15+ ACRES | 2 PARCELS

R T DERAC N U NT CO

N RE

34642 ATOKA CHASE LN, MIDDLEBURG

306B MARSHALL ST, MIDDLEBURG

20427 UNISON RD, ROUND HILL

11+ scenic acres with view of Blue Ridge Mountains. 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath Cape Cod is just minutes from downtown Middleburg. Large, bright rooms, main level master suite. Great rideout!

Charming New England style farmhouse with 9ft ceilings, light open floor plan, and private deck perfect for entertaining. Private peaceful location within minutes to shops and restaurants. Inlaw/au pair suite with entrance.

Charming 3 bedroom stone cottage. Renovations in 2017: kitchen with stainless steel appliances, two baths, fresh paint, refinished wood floor and wood stove! Large family room with breakfast nook, study, laundry/mud room, screened-in porch!. Pets case by case. Located between Middleburg and Purcellville. Lawn care included! Available now! Mary Owen Chatfield-Taylor (540) 454-6500

Offered at $849,900 11 ACRES | 3 BR | 2.5 BA

Jane Hensley (571) 550-2728

Kim Hurst (703) 932-9651

Offered at $679,000 5 BR | 4/1 BA

Peter Pejacsevich (540) 270-3835

Scott Buzzelli (540) 454-1399

For rent at $2,900/mo 3 ACRES | 3 BR | 2 BA

Please Consider Us For All Your Real Estate Needs! *represented the buyer

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ON THE

COVER By Chelsea Rose Moore

n a bone-chillingly cold day, we headed to a local overlook to capture this month’s cover photo. The February magazine focuses on romance and great escapes, and what better way to incorporate both elements than with a romantic mountaintop scene? We chose local residents Drew and Laura Scala to grace our cover. Their real-life engagement took place on a mountaintop and we wanted to recreate their inspiring story for you. You can read more about their life together later in the magazine, which highlights the mountaintops and valleys they experience. They are fierce lovers of adventure, and

23887 Middleburg Life FEB 2018 Issue.ai

advocates of spending time in the great outdoors. They radiated their happiness and somehow managed not to look cold in the midst of freezing temperatures! The cover was shot by Yetta Reid Photography, a Loudounbased photographer (she captured January’s beautiful cover as well!). Middleburg Life’s Elaine Anne Watt and Chelsea Rose Moore tag-teamed on setting the stage. A special thank you to Lucy Olmstead, the beautiful golden retriever who modeled for us. She was such a good sport! As you read this issue, we hope the stories inspire you to fill your month with adventure and romance. ML Drew and Laura Scala with Lucy. 1/22/18

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MIDDLEBURG

LI F E FEB. 2018 middleburglife.com

PUBLISHER Greenhill Media LLC EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Elaine Anne Watt COPY EDITORS Chelsea Rose Moore, Rachel Musser ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER Alexa Wolff ADVERTISING SALES REPRESENTATIVES Shonna Call, Jennifer Richards CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Mollie Bailey, Heidi Baumstark, Callie Broaddus Kerry Phelps Dale, Morgan Hensley, Kaitlin Hill Dulcy Hooper, Richard Hooper, Carolyn Kincaid Peter Leonard-Morgan, Peter Milligan, Chelsea Rose Moore Kate Parker, Beth Rasin, Ashley Bommer Singh Anne Sraders, Summer Stanley CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Callie Broaddus, Eryn Gable, Doug Gehlsen Tony Gibson, Crowell Hadden, Joanne Maisano Karen Monroe, Julie Napear, Yetta Reid MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER Abbey Veith DESIGNER: Elisa Hernandez PRODUCTION DIRECTOR: Nicky Marshok ADVERTISE IN MIDDLEBURG LIFE Greenhill Media, LLC P.O. Box 328 | Middleburg VA 20118-0328 114 W. Washington Street, Ste. 102 | Middleburg, VA 540.687.5950 | info@middleburglife.com SUBSCRIBE TO MIDDLEBURG LIFE www.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, Charlottesville, Delaplane, Dulles, Front Royal, Gainesville, Haymarket, Leesburg, Manassas, Marshall, Middleburg, Millwood, Paris, Purcellville, The Plains, Rectortown, Upperville, Warrenton, Washington, D.C., and Winchester.

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FIND US ON Instagram @middleburglife Twitter @middleburglife Facebook.com/middleburglife ON THE COVER Drew and Laura Scala with golden retriever, Lucy Olmstead, at local overlook Bear’s Den. Styling by Chelsea Rose Moore and Elaine Anne Watt. Photo by Yetta Reid Photography. ON THIS PAGE Curl up under inviting blankets with your Valentine’s sweets! Photo by Callie Broaddus.

38386 John Mosby Highway, Middleburg VA

22553 Creighton Farms Drive, Leesburg, VA 20175

38386 John Mosby Highway, Middleburg VA Mosby Highway, 22553 Creighton Farms Drive, Leesburg, VA 2017 38386 John Middleburg VA 22553 Creighto

22553 Creighton Farms Drive Leesburg, VA 20175

38386 John Mosby Highway Middleburg, VA

$2,099,990

$2,699,990

$2,099,000

Welcome Woodland breathtaking acres of of equestrian property Investors Dream with a five year tenant in place through May, 2022. 9,000 Welcometoto WoodlandFarm… Farm…1616 breathtaking acres equestrian property Investors with a five year tenant in place through May, hand2022. and majestic countryside nestled in the heart of Virginia’s renowned Hunt Hunt square foot Dream Farmhouse-style home with Habersham Plantation kitchen, and majestic countryside nestled in the heart of Virginia’s renowned 9,000 square footfloors, Farmhouse-style home withwalk-in Habersham Plantation Country. Stately masonry pillars and a winding paved drive will guide you over scraped hardwood elegant master suite with closet fi t for royalty. Country. Stately masonry pillars and a winding paved drive will guide you over kitchen, hardwood floors, master with the clear mountain hillhill toto the extraordinary, custom, stone Lower levelhand-scraped theater room and wet bar, stone wineelegant cellar and 4-stopsuite elevator. the clear mountainstream streamand andup upthe the the extraordinary, custom, stone walk-in closet fit for royalty. Lower level theater room and wet bar, and hardiplank main residence. Situated on a knoll, views of lush pastures, Extensive hardscaping and heated custom pool with spa and pool house. and hardiplank main residence. Situated on a knoll, views of lush pastures, stone treed, wine 3cellar and 4-stop elevator. Extensive hardscaping and rolling hills and Private, acre fenced lot. rolling hills andwooded woodedland landcan canbe beseen seenfrom from all all sides sides of of this this exquisite exquisite home. home. heated custom pool with spa and pool house. Private, treed, 3 acre This beautiful country estate also boasts a fiave-stall center aisle bar,bar, fenced This beautiful country estate also boasts five-stall center aisle fenced fenced lot. riding ring and a Guest Cottage with with two separate apartments that each riding ring and a Guest Cottage two separate apartments that each $2,099,990 $2,699,9 $2,099,990 overlook overlookthe thewoods woodsand andstream streamlocated locatedon on the the property. property.

Welcome to Woodland Farm… 16 breathtaking acres of equestrian property Welcome to Woodland Farm… 16 breathtaking of with equestrian Investors acres Dream a fiveproperty year tenant in place through May, Investors Dream wit and majestic countryside nestled in the heart and of Virginia’s Hunt majesticrenowned countryside nestled in the heart of Virginia’s renowned Hunt home with 9,000 square foot Farmhouse-style Habersham Plan 9,000 square foot F Country. Stately masonry pillars and a winding paved driveStately will guide you over Country. masonry pillars and a winding paved drive will guide you over kitchen, hand-scraped hardwood floors, elegant suite kitchen, master hand-scra the clear mountain stream and up the hill to the the extraordinary, custom, stone clear mountain stream and up the hill to the extraordinary, custom, stone walk-in closet fit for royalty. Lower level theater room and walk-in closet fit we fo and hardiplank main residence. Situated on a knoll, views of lush pastures, and hardiplank main residence. Situated on a knoll, views of lush pastures, stone wine cellar and 4-stop elevator. Extensive hardscaping stone wine cellar a rolling hills and wooded land can be seen from allrolling sides hills of this exquisite home. and wooded land can be seen from all sides of this exquisite home. heated custom pool with spa and pool house. Private, treed, 3 heated custom poo This beautiful country estate also boasts a five-stall aisle bar, fenced This center beautiful country estate also boasts a five-stall center aisle bar, fenced lot. fenced lot. riding ring and a Guest Cottage with two separate each riding apartments ring and a that Guest Cottage withfenced two separate apartments that each overlook the woods and stream located on the property. overlook the woods and stream located on the property.

22694 Creighton Farms Drive, Leesburg VA 20175

10595 Brookeville Court, Great Falls, VA 22066

22694 Creighton Farms Drive, Leesburg 2017 10595 Brookeville Court, Great Falls, VA Brookeville 22066 22694 VA Creighto 10595 Court, Great Falls, VA 22066

$22,000

$2,699,000

10595 Brookeville Court Great Falls, VA 22066

$2,699,000

22694 Creighton Farms Drive per Month Rent Leesburg VA 20175

$22,000 per Month Rent

$2,699,000 $2,699,000 Double thick honed Calcutta marble, commercial grade Wolf$22,000 appliances, per Mon situated on

Incredible Great Falls location with public water perfectly May/June 2018 delivery. Incredible Great Falls location with public water Double thick honed Calcutta marble, commercial grade Wolf appliances, dual wine refrigerator, 8 indoor/outdoor fireplaces, 6-car garage, infinity 1-acre cul-de-sac lot backing to mature trees. 2nd home being built in perfectly situated on 1-acre cul-de-sac lot backing to mature trees. 2nd home dual wine refrigerator, 8 indoor/outdoor fireplaces, 6-car garage, infinity Double thick honed Calcutta marble, commercial grade Wolf appliC Incredible GreatHomes. Falls location with public water perfectly situated onoutdoor Double thick honed Incredible Great Falls location withliving public water perfectly situated on bar, pool, room, handsome basement movie-theater, and Enclave of five Custom Over 9,000 square feet of being built in and Enclave five Custom Over 9,000 square feet outdoor living room, handsome basement bar, movie-theater, sunroom dual wine refrigerator, 8 indoor/outdoor fireplaces, 6-carrefrigerato garage, 1-acre of cul-de-sac lotHomes. backing to mature trees. 2nd home beingpool, built in dual wine 1-acre cul-de-sac lot backing to accordion mature trees. 2nd home being built inoverlooking sunroom with glass walls and balconies majestic unparalleled living space on three levels with 11' ceilings, Pella windows, of unparalleled living space on three 11’ ceilings, PellaOver windows, with glass wallsoutdoor and balconies overlooking majestic water view. pool, livingsquare room, feet handsome basement bar, movie-th and Enclave of levels five with Custom Homes. square feetaccordion of pool, outdoor living and 9,000 Enclave of five Custom Homes. Over 9,000 of water view. Monthly rent11' includes: Alarm monitoring, electric and gas Quartz counters, Thermador appliances, high-efficiency multiple zone Pella sunroom accordion glass walls balconies m unparalleled living space on three levels with 11' HVAC, ceilings, sunroom with accord Quartz counters, Thermador appliances, high-effi ciency multiple zone Monthly rent includes: Alarm monitoring, electric and gasand bills*, hand’s offoverlooking unparalleled livingwindows, space on three levels with with ceilings, Pella windows, bills*, offwater landscaping (including a re-fresher), Spring cleanup and Fallelectric view. Monthly rent includes: monitoring, an Quartz Thermador appliances, high-efficiency multiple zonehand’s HVAC, four carThe garage. The luxury Owner’s Suite boasts two walk-in water view. Monthl Quartz counters, Thermador appliances, multiple zone Alarm four car garage. luxurycounters, Owner’s Suite boasts two walk-in closets, spa bath, landscaping (including ahigh-efficiency Spring cleanup and Fall hand’s off pool bills*, offboasts landscaping (including a bills*, Springhand’s cleanup HVAC,steam four car garage. The luxury Owner’s Suite Visit boasts walk-in off an la HVAC, four cartwo garage. Theservice, luxury Owner’s Suite two service, walk-in re-fresher), hand’s off hand’s pool and hot tub HOA/Trash, closets, spaVisit bath, shower. May/June 2018 delivery. steam shower. BrookevilleEstates.com for more information. (Please note and hot tub HOA/Trash, HVAC maintenance, pest control, septicHVAC tank re-fresher), hand’s pool and HOA/Trash, closets, spa bath, steam shower. May/June 2018 Visit re-fresher), hand’s closets, spadelivery. bath, steam shower. May/June 2018 off delivery. Visithot tub service, maintenance, pest control, septic tank maintenance. BrookevilleEstates.com for more information. that property photoBrookevilleEstates.com is similar to home beingfor built) maintenance. maintenance, pest control, septic tank maintenance. more information. BrookevilleEstates.com maintenance, pest c for more information.

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PRIVATE AVIATION: STYLE PLUS CONVENIENCE MADE EASY

By Elaine Anne Watt

e have entered a new age where air travel is becoming accessible to more people in more ways than ever before. And, along with accessibility comes increased competition and choices. In the past, most of us would think of private aviation as a luxury that we’d never be able to afford or experience. While still a luxury, the gap between the advantages and cost is closing, especially when you considerthe time factor. Owning your own plane remains the most exclusive, and in most cases, the most expensive option. It’s not just the millions that go into your initial purchase, it is the staffing, management, facilities access, maintenance and amenities that make the cost soar. Addi-

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tionally, you have to choose the size and flight range of the aircraft for not just your most frequent destinations, but for any locations likely to be part of your travel itineraries. In short, you may have to go big and expensive, with all the accompanying costs, to fully enjoy the advantages of having your own plane. Even corporate America has become more discriminating as to whether owning is the best option, and the rules for expensing and use of such planes have become stricter. Nevertheless, aircraft are different from cars. They have a longer lifespan, typically 25-30 years, and they can retain considerable value as the improvements from year to year tend to be minor compared to automobiles, for example. Though expensive, older aircraft can be retrofitted to accommodate technology improvements. Most younger aircraft

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today have all the latest in safety, comfort, and increasingly, secure communications and connectivity. So, if cost is not an issue and privacy and convenience are your chief considerations, owning may be the way to go. Bombardier would love to talk to you! Next up, and the choice of many, is fractional jet ownership. You can find an array of competitors in this category offering plans structured to fit the needs of frequent, occasional and even minimal usage by the owner. NetJets, Inc., a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, says on its website that its “shared ownership program means you can access the largest private fleet in the world---without experiencing the complexities of whole aircraft ownership.”* How does fractional jet ownership work? Aviation | Page 5

Aviation | From page 4 You buy into a particular aircraft, with certain guaranteed access rights or the right to substitute or upgrade or downgrade to other aircraft in the fleet depending on your needs. You share in the benefits of ownership, including depreciation of an asset, without all the costs of ownership. You pay certain fees and expenses based upon usage. The maintenance and coordination of the use of the aircraft is given to the service provider, removing much of the responsibility and headaches of ownership from your shoulders. The hope is that this becomes a much more cost effective and enjoyable way to meet your travel needs. NetJets, for example, is so confident that their fractional jet ownership program will work for you, that they will buy back your share at the end of three years if you do not want to stay with them. They offer three distinct options: NetJets Share, NetJets Lease and Jet Card programs. Jet Linx has a major presence in the D.C. area and falls into the next general category of private aviation companies. They operate and manage aircraft accepted into their program for members to use through their Jet Card programs. Unlike NetJets, Jet Linx HBM Middleburg Ad Flattened a 1-2-2018.pdf

1/2/18

You get a whole team that knows you personally... and who are individually committed to make your experience with us the best possible one. - Scott Clarey does not own the aircraft. They differentiate themselves from others through the level of “concierge” service they provide, getting to know each client to be able to anticipate their needs and offer travel solutions that exceed their expectations. Scott Clarey, Director of Jet Card Sales, sums it up perfectly: “You get a whole team that knows you personally, greets you as you arrive at our private, Dulles-based jet terminal, and who are individually committed to make your experience with us the best possible one.” Jet Linx’s website says: “With a per-

sonalized, local approach to service backed by the power of a national fleet, we’re able to give you a private travel experience that’s luxurious, convenient, and second to none.”** Scott welcomes the opportunity to sit down with aircraft owners thinking about placing their aircraft with Jet Linx or anyone thinking about how private air travel might fit with their lifestyle and needs. He also wants to assure potential clients that Jet Linx meets the highest level of safety standards, Aviation | Page 6

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Aviation | From page 5 guarantees the price and availability of their aircraft, and uses their own pilots fully trained on the aircraft. “You absolutely know what you are getting with us and can count on it.” There also are charter operators that have regular fleets and may or may not manage and lease aircraft on behalf of owners. Examples are Million Air and Martinair, and they offer their own unique package of programs to meet your needs. Million Air says: “We give you 24-hour access to private jet aircraft that are safe, secure and tailored to meet your specific needs and schedule. Through private charter, you can go wherever you want, whenever you want. You share the flight exclusively with the passengers of your choice.”*** When asked what he sees as the biggest competitor to his company, Clarey says charter brokers. Charter brokers connect customers with aircraft all over the world, for a price, but they accept no responsibility and do not provide any of the operations or maintenance of the aircraft. It’s a bit like calling a taxi based on their database of potential aircraft availability, location and timing. You may get a deal on price, but not the quality or level of service that you might be expecting. As with any field, some will be better than others. Clifton “Kip” Hayes, Vice President of Avjet Global, mentioned Air Partner as being a good resource for locating charter options. Vince Groome of Groome Transportation, specializing in on-ground people transportation solutions, utilizes private aviation services for both business and personal travel. While acknowledging that it very much is still a luxury, he sees value that adds to his quality of life and efficiency on the job. “If I want to retain a plane for a four-day weekend with six of my family or friends, I can fly from Richmond to Florida in a couple of hours, have the plane sitting on standby for when we are ready to leave, fly home, and it might cost all of us $15,000, or a little more than $2,000 apiece,” he says. “But, we get to enjoy all four days. It is seamless.” As a busy businessman who might need to take his team of four or five to multiple cities, “We can visit all over Georgia in two days instead of four. And, we can leave when we want to and return as soon as time allows.” Groome owns a fractional share of an aircraft, but he appreciates that he can reserve and use a wide-range of aircraft that fit the exact needs of his travel plans. Above all, he values that, “My time is truly my time. I don’t waste any time traveling.” Another advantage of private aviation is that many of the planes and fleets have access to more airports than commercial airlines that only can operate out of larger commercial facilities. Depending on where you are traveling, you can land much closer to your ultimate destination flying private. So, if you’re contemplating squeezing in a

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ski trip to Wyoming or Colorado with those precious few days that are open on your calendar, private aviation allows you to maximize your time on the slopes while traveling with ease and comfort. Granted, for most people it only makes sense to be a jet card member or fractional owner if you travel a certain minimum number of hours a year and likely don’t travel alone. That’s when it’s good to have a friend who does! ML * See www.netjets.com or call 1-877-356-5823

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** See www.jetlinx.com or call 703-570-6900 *** See www.millionair-richmond.com or call 1-713-640-4000

Page 4: You can arrive in style and on your own schedule flying private. Page 6, top: Today's cabins are equipped with comfort and ease in mind. Page 6, bottom: Flying private can take the hassle out of travel and might even get you closer to your destination than commercial options. Photos courtesy of Jet Linx.

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FIRST-TIME HOME BUYER EDUCATIONAL SEMINAR

VEHICLES TO HOME

OWNERSHIP Go from Zero Out-of-Pocket to a New Home in as little as 30 Days

Hosted by Access National Mortgage, a Division of Access National

Wednesday, March 7, 2018 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

6:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. — Networking 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. — Presentation 7:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. — Q&A

Middleburg Community Center 300 West Washington Street/ P.O. Box 265, Middleburg, VA 20118

http://bit.ly/ANM-Home-Own-MB

Co-Presenters:

Join us & learn from the experts! Ownership Advantages • Tax credit for paid mortgage interest • Build equity over time • Secure a great investment

Available Programs • Credit repair • Approval solutions • 100% financing loan programs

Special Incentives • $500 credit toward closing costs for loans closing through July 30, 2018. • Atoka Properties Agent — wave $350 processing fee. • Settlement company — $300 settlement charge credit. • $100 premium home insurance discount. • $100 home inspection discount. • $100 moving company discount.

Featuring Mortgage Industry Leaders: • Regina Pinkney — Business Development Officer, VA Housing Development Authority • Ryan Clegg — REALTOR®, Atoka Properties • Danielle Tubbs — Director of Operations & Settlement, Bankers Title Shenandoah • Bill Stern — Sales Manager, Access National Mortgage Middleburg Bank: With the recent addition of Middleburg Bank to Access National’s family, local borrowers gain access to home loan products and low rates.

William “Bill” Stern Sales Manager NMLS#267577 wstern@accessnational.com 703-737-3408 8

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AccessNational.com

By Chelsea Rose Moore | Photos courtesy of Playa Cativo Lodge

PLAYA CATIVO LODGE:

AN OASIS FOR YOUR SOUL

hat do you see when you close your eyes and picture paradise on earth? Many of us imagine quiet beaches accented by sweeping sunsets, a glass of wine in hand, and a place to give our bodies and souls rest. That’s exactly what you’ll find at Playa Cativo Lodge, The Goodstone Inn’s sister property in Costa Rica. You’ll discover an oasis for your soul.

“The property itself is very special,” said General Manager Allen Mairena. “It’s a feeling [here], and it’s really hard to explain. Having nature in your face all the time makes you change. Every single guest who comes and stays with us appreciates that. Living in peace with nature and enjoying it, every day— that’s what’s special.” Located on the coast of Golfo Dulce in the Osa Peninsula, Playa Cativo is situated on what National Geographic has called “the most biologically intense place on the planet.” The adventure begins with the journey to the resort, as it’s only reachable by a 30-minute boat ride. During the ride, guests often catch glimpses of dolphins, humpback whales and turtles, setting the stage for the dreaminess ahead. The resort is surrounded by the Piedras Blancas National Park, protecting 35,000 acres of tropical rainforest (which includes 750 species of trees, 367 species of birds, 140 species of mammals, 117 species of Oasis | Page 10

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Oasis | From page 9 reptiles, and nearly 10,000 species of insects). The resort has a total of 18 rooms, small enough to feel like a private paradise. Luxurious rooms overlook the ocean and rainforest and offer the natural sounds of the environment—birds, monkeys and frogs. With a hyper-focus on sustainability, the resort uses solar-panels, recycles plastic and plants organic gardens—all in hopes of creating a better world for future generations to enjoy. They frequently involve guests in their efforts to raise awareness about sustainability, so guests can replicate the process at home. The resort is creating a biological research station to allow long-term study of the rainforest and the creatures inhabiting it (projected completion is May 2018). One of the resort’s sustainability initiatives is their Cayetano Organic Farm, which supplies 70 to 80 percent of food served at the resort’s fine dining restaurant. Guests are encouraged to tour the farm, learn about the process of planting and harvesting, and can even help harvest fresh produce. The farmers emphasize the importance of raising happy animals, and they feed pigs leftover food from the restaurant’s kitchen to reduce waste. Their farm-to-table restaurant, El Gavilán R e s t au r ant , of fe r s a multi-sensory dining experience capturing the history and culture of Costa Rica. Through the aromas, tastes and meal presentation, guests learn stories of local towns, climate zones, and the north and south pacific. Guests interested in the culinary arts can take cooking classes at the resort to learn more about Costa Rican cuisine. Playa Cativo’s TripAdvisor is filled with glowing reviews, with guests detailing the attentiveness of staff, stunning setting, and the magical feeling of being in paradise. Some guests have even visited both Playa Cativo and The Goodstone Inn and have fallen in

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love with both properties. The two hotels work closely together, from promoting each other, to holding the same standard of excellence and attention to detail. They are both owned by Mark Betts, who opened The Goodstone Inn in the late 1990s and Playa Cativo in June 2014. “[Playa Cativo] is such a magical place,” said Marketing and Sales Director Cesar Vargas. “There is this energy—as soon as you get off the boat and step on the property, it covers you. It’s something I really can’t explain. I fell in love with it.”

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Guests can choose from an extensive list of activities to incorporate into their stay. Tours range from adventurous to relaxing and include nature hikes, massages in the rainforest, snorkeling trips, and nocturnal rainforest expeditions. “We customize everything for our guests,” said Vargas. “Every package will be different according to your likes. When a guest arrives, they will be introduced to one of our nature guides. [We ask] if they like more adventure or relaxation, and we make a special itinerary for them.” The itinerary, he pointed out, is not dependent on the resort’s schedule or timeline but is tailored to the preferences of its guests. Another point of interest is the yoga platforms, where guests can take classes. If a guest has a particular interest in yoga, they can select a day of yoga on paddleboards or spend a morning practicing yoga on the beachfront. The resort also offers a fresh water, chemical-free swimming pool with stunning views of the ocean and a small library filled with books on the natural history and culture of Costa Rica. “What I like about the hotel is that it’s very small, very boutique, and very unique,” said Vargas. “It makes a unique experience for all of our guests. One of the most common comments we get is that [visiting the resort] is the experience of a lifetime.” ML For more details on Playa Cativo Lodge, visit their website www.playacativo.com or find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ PlayaCativo. Page 9: Take a dip in the pool and soak in the beautiful views. Page 10, top: The resort's El Gavilán Restaurant provides a multi-sensory dining experience. Page 10, middle: The resort provides rooms with stunning views. Page 10, bottom: The resort offers a variety of tours and experiences, including kayaking on the river.

WINTER WELLNESS WITH JESSIE BAKER

By Chelsea Rose Moore Photos by Jessie Baker

s a mama to six children and wife to a farmer, Jessie Baker’s life is full of good things

– and a whole lot of herbs. She grew up with a mother who ran a wholesale herbal, honey and vinegar business, and by the time she was two years old, she was able to identify more herbs than her father could. When her oldest son was diagnosed with Lyme Disease, Baker focused on improving her family’s health through farming and healthy eating. As owners of Middleburg’s Winter | Page 12

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Winter | From page 11 Day Spring Farm, Baker and her husband raise pasture-fed and chemical-free meat, and they offer produce, eggs and milk through their CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). Their mission is to raise happy, free-range animals, without GMOs, antibiotics and growth hormones. Although the Baker family was healing themselves through clean eating, they began to wonder: How could they continue supporting their immune systems and maintain overall wellness? Baker began researching medicinal herbs, and her discoveries have worked wonders for her family. “If we look around us, we’ve already been given a lot of things that can benefit our health, so we can take control of and provide for ourselves,” she said. “It’s empowering as a parent. It’s so important that the doctors are there and available for emergency care, but I think it’s wonderful to bring comfort and healing to your children with things located around you.” While healthy eating is the best preventative measure, she has benefitted from building an herbal cabinet filled with tea, fire cider, elderberry shrub and Vitamin C. “It’s not usually a matter of if you’ll need it, but when you’ll need it,” she said. “You can do so much for yourself. It is very effective, easy, and it is not costly. Herbs really help prevent a minor illness from turning into something greater that would need medical attention. It’s a wonderful first step to take.” By her bedside, she keeps a stack of herbal books to reference frequently. One of her favorites is Back Yard Pharmacy: Weeds That Heal by Rachel Weaver, which discusses common plants as healing properties. “Reading her book is like sitting down and having a cup of tea with a really educated herbalist,” Baker said. “She doesn’t just give you a list of herbs and what they can do, but she presents stories and examples. My girls and I get really excited by the fact that there are so many herbs in your backyard you can use to heal yourself (as long as your lawn care is organic).” 1. FIRE CIDER A popular herbal remedy, fire cider is known for its healing abilities. It is immune-boosting, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial. A spicy vinegar tincture, fire cider was invented by respected herbalist Rosemary Gladstar in the early 1980s.

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2. HYDRATION To support her immune system, she hydrates by drinking water, herbal tea and homemade lemonade. She makes a lemonade for her family with lemons, garlic, cayenne peppers and honey. 3. ELDERBERRY SHRUB A historical way of preserving elderberries, Elderberry Shrub is sweetened with honey and made with apple cider vinegar. Baker’s Elderberry Shrub is available for purchase at her Cabin Store. 4. IMMUNE-BOOSTING TEA Baker makes an Herbal Immune Support tea, which includes a variety of herbs containing healing qualities. She and her daughters enjoy creating new teas by finding herbs that blend well together and researching their healing properties. Their immune-boosting tea, and other loose-leaf teas, can be found at Day Spring Farm’s Cabin Store. Baker is teaching a two-day class in July 2018 offered through the Waterford Craft School. Her class, entitled “Herbal Medicine Cabinet,” is designed to teach students about herbs grown in their backyard and share ways to harvest and store herbs. Students will make tinctures and teas to take home. For more details, visit www.waterfordfoundation.org. Her herbal products can be purchased directly at Day Spring Farm’s Cabin Store, at

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Mom’s Apple Pie at Hill High in Round Hill, and at The Paris Apothecary in Paris, Virginia. Baker also offers an Herbal CSA through Day Spring Farm, with herbal salves, oils, tinctures, and teas, and details on herbs and proper usage. Baker is not a doctor and is not providing medical advice. Herbal remedies are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. In the event of a medical emergency, call 911 immediately. The information provided is for the reader’s general knowledge and is simply Baker’s preferred methods for maintaining overall wellness. She does not recommend taking any immune-boosting herbs for longer than a two-week period. Only take when needed, and do not use on a regular basis. Day Spring Farm’s Cabin Store is open during the winter by appointment only. From April – October, they are open Saturdays from 3-5 p.m. and Thursdays from 2-4 p.m. The farm is located at 21388 Steptoe Hill Rd, Middleburg, Virginia. To keep up with farm happenings and class information, follow Day Spring Farm on Facebook and Instagram at @dayspringfarmva or visit www.dayspringfarmva.com. Page 11: Jessie Baker's homemade loose-leaf tea. Page 12: A few of Jessie Baker's herbal remedies.

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CHOCOLATE CAKES FOR A CHANGING HOLIDAY

By Kaitlin Hill Photos by Callie Broaddus

rom the ancient Roman celebration of Lupercalia to today’s Hallmark-fueled love frenzy, Valentine’s Day traditions are always changing, but chocolate is here to stay. Make my Molten Chocolate Cakes this holiday, and you’ll see why. In its earliest form, Valentine’s Day was known by the ancient Romans as Lupercalia. The mid-February Pagan party was the festival of fertility. Far from swapping cards or making dinner reservations, the Romans celebrated with drunken excess, nudity and sacrifice. Holiday history paints a passionate picture but perhaps doesn’t evoke the roses and candy hearts we think of today. Cakes | Page 16

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Cakes | From page 14 The transition from sacrificial to sweet began in the 5th century when Pope Gelasius rechristened the holiday “St. Valentine’s Day” and tried to expel some of the more exhibitionist Pagan practices. As historian Noel Lenski, then with the University of Colorado at Boulder, put it in a 2011 interview with NPR, "It was a little more of a drunken revel, but the Christians put clothes back on it. That didn't stop it from being a day of fertility and love." Gelasius chose the name St. Valentine after the third-century Roman saint synonymous with courtly love. In life, St. Valentine was a local hero, and in death he was a martyr praised for secretly marrying young couples even though it was prohibited at the time. It is even believed that before his death St. Valentine signed a letter, “from your Valentine.” Sound familiar? Centuries later, Shakespeare and Chaucer continued the shift by romanticizing Valentine’s Day in their writings. Chaucer refers to “Saynt Valentyn” in his poem, “The Parliament of Foules,” noting it’s the special day when birds choose their mates. This new, more sentimental version of Valentine’s Day became hugely popular and, in time, an

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excuse to eat chocolate. While love notes and flowers have been given as tokens of affection longer than there have been lords and ladies, chocolate came into the gift game a little later. Some historians believe that chocolate became a Valentine’s Day staple in the 1840s, when Richard Cadbury developed “eating chocolate,” a product of the coco butter left over from the already popular “drinking chocolate.” Seizing a business opportunity, he packaged his chocolates in hand-decorated boxes and sold them as gifts. Cadbury is even rumored to have made the first heart-shaped chocolate box, a Valentine’s Day icon. In 2009, Nielsen’s, a global data analytics company, reported $345 million in chocolate sales on Valentine’s Day. Whether it’s simply the desire to give something sweet to someone sweet or because of its aphrodisiac qualities, some form of chocolate is a Valentine’s Day tradition that is sticking around. One of the most popular chocolate variations on Valentine’s Day in modern times is the Molten Chocolate Cake. This cross between a soufflé and flourless chocolate cake first appeared in American restaurants in the 1980s. Celebrity chef Jean-Georg-

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es Vongerichten claims to have invented it in 1987 in New York, although celebrated French pastry chef and chocolatier Jacques Torres argues the dessert already existed in France long before Vongerichten started serving it. Either way, it’s become a classic in high-end restaurants across the country and a favorite dessert of couples on Valentine’s Day. Prized for its rich taste and oozing chocolate center, the cake is a treat often left to the professionals. But you don’t have to shell out at a fancy restaurant to enjoy it. You can avoid the February 14th reservation rush and make this decadent treat at home. Whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day with your significant other or a group of close friends or taking inspiration from the Romans with a bit more extravagance, indulge in this easy but elegant dessert that will make all who eat it feel warm and gooey inside. My recipe for Molten Chocolate Cakes couldn’t be more straightforward, but it tastes like Vongerichten made it himself. Follow the recipe below, and impress your loved ones with this new Valentine’s Day tradition. I think the ancient Romans would approve. Cakes | Page 17

Cakes | From page 16 MOLTEN CHOCOLATE CAKES: Makes 6, 4-ounce ramekins Ingredients: •

2/3 cup butter, cut into cubes

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4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped

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1/4 teaspoon salt

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1/4 teaspoon instant coffee powder

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4 eggs

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2/3 cup sugar

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1/2 cup flour

and the insides are still very gooey. Remove from oven, and let sit for five minutes before turning out onto a plate.

should make “ribbons” and fall back on itself.

Directions: 1. Butter six ramekins. Lay a circle of parchment in the bottom of each ramekin, and butter the parchment. Set aside. 2. Place cubed butter, chopped chocolate, salt and coffee in a medium-sized bowl. Place the bowl over a saucepot of simmering water, and melt the chocolate and butter, stirring until smooth. Once the chocolate and butter have melted, set the mixture aside to cool slightly. 3. Place the eggs and sugar in a large bowl. Using a hand mixer, beat the eggs and sugar until they are pale and thick. When scooped, the egg mixture

4. Add the flour to the egg and sugar, and mix in until incorporated. 5. Next, stir in the melted chocolate and mix until the batter is one smooth consistency. 6. Scoop the batter into the prepared ramekins, filling nearly to the top, leaving about 1/4 inch of clearance. 7. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. 8. When you are ready to serve, preheat oven to 400° F. 9. Remove ramekins from the fridge and place on a cookie tray. Transfer to the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes until the tops are just set

If they need help getting out, carefully run a knife around the edges before flipping. Dust with powdered sugar or top with whipped cream for an elegant end to a romantic evening. ML Page 14, top: Take a bite and watch the chocolate flow! Page 14, bottom: Simple ingredients that you may already have on hand lead to an elegant dessert. Page 16, left: Melt the chocolate, butter, coffee powder and salt over a saucepan. Page 16, right: Dress it up with a simple whipped cream or a dusting of powdered sugar. Page 17: Remove after fifteen minutes, when the cakes look just set.

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HISTORIC CATESBY FARM OPENS FOR INAUGURAL CELEBRATORY RETREAT WEEKEND By Peter Leonard-Morgan Photos by Pixelme Studios

weekend awash with festivities took place at Middleburg’s historic Catesby

Farm, beginning on Friday, January 5, and culminating on Sunday, January 7. The occasion was a surprise 40th birthday party for local resident Eric Combs, hosted by Eric’s wife, Suzi Molak, together with her business partner Jodi Moraru and their company SPACEZ, which was recently awarded the exclusive rights to operate Catesby Farm for limited events.

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Guests arrived early Friday evening from all parts of the country to celebrate in style, and no detail was overlooked. Suzi conceived and designed the party, creating an ambiance which she felt strongly highlighted what Catesby has to offer its clients, bringing in teams from Washington, D.C., and Middleburg, to light up the house with love, laughter and entertainment. The party’s theme, as well as the invitations, which included a request for a hushhush of surprise, was “I call a Mulligan”. A dedicated hashtag of #middleagedinmiddleburg was, quite literally, the icing on the cake, as evidenced in these photos. A sit-down dinner for an intimate cadre of 20 guests kicked off the weekend, with catering from Heirloom Caterers, decor and flowers from Amaryllis Designs, lighting and music from Bruce Pike Productions, rent-

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als from Capital Party Rentals, photography from Pixelme Studios and graphic design by Emily Baird Designs. Despite frightfully cold weather outside Catesby, wine flowed within, and music wafted throughout, providing revellers with a truly unique experience. That night, 20 guests slumbered lavishly in three of the five houses which are available as accommodations on the property. They awoke to a fresh-pressed juice bar complete with service from a Jinsei Juices & Tonics branded bicycle! The biggest hits were “The Hydrate” with fresh coconut meat and “The Cure” with activated charcoal for cleansing— the perfect detox! During the day, Hammerdown BBQ, a local Middleburg favorite, provided a buffet lunch served in the main house to guests and Farm | Page 19

Farm | From page 18 new arrivals who came to enjoy a relaxed afternoon of fun and friends. Saturday evening’s diversions kicked off at six o’clock, this time with entertainment for 50, including friends from Middleburg and surrounding areas. Tours of the main house were provided throughout the evening, and everyone enjoyed a fabulous buffet dinner courtesy of Spilled Milk Caterers. When the sun rose on Sunday morning, the winds had settled down, and a breakfast buffet was enjoyed with hugs and laughs before departure. The weekend was fashioned to showcase the Catesby Farms experience—unadulterated luxury at every stage of interaction with the property and the occasion. In announcing that Catesby’s doors are open for select significant milestone family occasions and corporate retreats, up to 20 times a year, its owners are committing to the upkeep of the house and gardens in all their glory, while retaining the peace and tranquility for which this area of natural beauty is renowned. Built in 1930, Catesby Farm sits on 170 acres of some of the loveliest countryside in America, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, just west of Middleburg, Virginia, the nation’s home of foxhunting. Like a number of important Middleburg estates, Catesby has historically focused on equestrian sports, in particular racehorse training, and to this day it boasts a magnificent barn and inside ring, all of which is surrounded by extensive paddocks. Additionally, Catesby has its own tennis and basketball courts, a fully stocked pond for fishing and a swimming pool. With five homes on the property, each meticulously designed and ideal for hosting the most intimate of occasions, Catesby is able to accommodate and pamper up to 34 guests. However, it is the main house which captivates its visitors as they pull up the driveway to this impressive, expansive and breathtaking residence. SPACEZ’ Suzi Molak looks forward to hosting a number of elegant events at Catesby, and she stresses that these occasions will be in keeping with the location and history surrounding this magnificent property. Suzi commented: “We at SPACEZ have been given the privilege of providing a limited number of discerning customers a discreet yet extraordinary venue at which to celebrate important personal occasions. We want to oversee functions which Catesby’s earlier stewards would be proud of, and which bring the property to life with laughter and energy.” ML Suzi Molak manages, and has designed and created, two other event locations in Washington, D.C.: Long View Gallery located on 9th street NW and AJAX DC, a SPACEZ property on 4th street NW. Catesby will be the second SPACEZ property and Suzi’s third venue.

Page 18: Catesby Farm. Page 19, top: Suzi Mokak surprised her husband, Eric Combs, with a weekend birthday bash. Page 19, middle: Liquid Awesomeness to start the day. Page 19, bottom left: The themed cake captures the fun of the weekend. Page 19, bottom right: An elegantly set table to accompany the celebration.

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ADVENTURE AWAITS! By Chelsea Rose Moore Photos by Yetta Reid Photography

or many couples, “going out” means an evening filled with a romantic dinner and

perhaps a movie, but for Drew and Laura Scala, “going out” quite liter-

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ally means going outside together. Their dates are frequently centered around hikes, mountain climbs and travels to exotic places. Prioritizing the outdoors is representative of their commitment to live to the fullest.

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“Being in nature is good for more than just the fresh air,” said Laura. “It gives you a fresh perspective on life. By living in Northern Virginia, it’s easy to get swept up in the hustle and busyness of everyday life. But letting yourself take a break and giving yourself time to explore and marvel at the beauty of the world provides a sense of peace and Adventure | Page 22

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Adventure | From page 20 calmness that’s hard to find elsewhere.” Even in the midst of hectic schedules, the Scalas are relaxed and easygoing people. Drew works in law enforcement, and Laura is a digital marketing consultant, but on weekends they unplug and head outside. They often work at target practice in the fields behind their home, cycle through Loudoun County on the W&OD Trail, and hike local mountains on their days off. “We love the outdoors,” said Drew. “We try to go hiking and walking outside as much as possible. It’s a really good release for both of us. Our hope and dream is to have the outdoors be a part of our life in the future as much as possible.” During the week, they incorporate yoga, running, weight lifting and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) into their morning exercise routine. They save longer activities for weekends, and they take evening bike rides or runs together. One of their goals for 2018 is to summit Mount Kilimanjaro together. To prepare, they are hiking the Appalachian Trail with weighted backpacks and participating in a variety of workouts. “Early in our marriage, we started embracing the mantra of ‘We want to make memories and not collect material things,’ ” said Drew. “We didn’t want to own things; we wanted to experience things.” Although they’ve been married for nearly three years, they carry a deep-seeded wisdom combined with a profound respect and adoration for each other. Being intentional in life—from prioritizing the outdoors, to organizing their time, to building their marriage—is a fundamental part of who they are as individuals and as a couple. They focus on finding fun things to do together and sharing hobbies and interests. Their love language is “quality time,” which means participating in activities together builds their relationship. They have regular “check-ins” with each other by asking questions like where they each want to be in five years and what their long-term dreams are. “I always refer to Laura as my teammate,” said Drew. “If you are a team, you have to communicate. Communication is also about listening well. I know for us specifically, when we communicate, we are learning about the other person and how they learn and how they’re motivated.” Their relationship began over a Fourth of July weekend (“We saw more than one kind of firework that weekend,” Laura teased) and was filled with plenty of outdoor adventures. When the time came for an engagement, Drew planned a day centered around the things they loved most: the outdoors, adventure and friends. He asked Laura to reserve a specific Saturday for climbing Old Rag Mountain in the Shenandoah National Park. He told her to be ready at 1:00 in the morning so they could

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climb the mountain and watch the sunrise from the top. Originally, he had promised some friends would meet them at the mountain, but later, he came up with excuses for why they couldn’t be there. Laura and Drew began the strenuous, nine-mile hike in the middle of the night in complete darkness. Drew was hiking it “at a crazy speed” because he was worried they

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would miss the sunrise. After climbing to the top, they were relieved to have arrived, alive, and in time to catch the magnificent sunrise. They found a spot with a 360-degree view of the Shenandoah Valley and stopped to soak in the views and take some photos. Drew began setting up his camera on a tripod. He got down on his knee and asked her to marry Adventure | Page 24

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Adventure | From page 22 him. She said yes, of course—and his camera captured it all. After they hiked down the mountain, she discovered he had planned a fun-filled afternoon with her closest friends, and then he whisked her to a romantic dinner at Purcellville’s Magnolia’s at the Mill. Meanwhile Drew’s family and friends were setting up a secret engagement party on a private farm in Purcellville. Before Drew drove Laura down the quiet country lane, he asked her to close her eyes in order to unveil the celebration once they drew close. She opened her eyes to discover a roaring bonfire with hundreds of Edison bulb lights sparkling in the twilight sky. Friends roasted s’mores over the fire and enjoyed a selection of wines, cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, while acoustic music played in the background. It was sweet, the kind of moment you want to bottle up and remember forever. They were married in Indiana on Laura’s family’s farm, the place she grew up. Their love of the outdoors played a large role in their wedding: The ceremony was held beneath a tree, and the reception was inside a tent, with a full-grown tree inside. They spent their honeymoon exploring Hawaii. But adventure doesn’t always mean ex-

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...Letting yourself take a break and giving yourself time to explore and marvel at the beauty of the world provides a sense of peace and calmness that's hard to find elsewhere.

periencing mountaintop moments; Laura and Drew walk through valleys together too. Drew suffers from debilitating migraines, which has landed him in the hospital on more than one occasion, including New Year’s Eve. “It’s a humbling feeling when you are in that much pain and are dependent on somebody else,” said Drew. “It’s a crazy feeling; it’s so helpless. Laura is the best teammate and will pick up the slack. And you are so thankful that you’ve found someone who would do it lovingly and without question.” Although primarily hereditary, his migraines are also triggered by a combination of stress, climate and allergies, but sometimes they even come “out of nowhere.” His health will sometimes prevent him from doing normal activities, which is deeply frustrating for him. But as with all things in life, they are taking it one step at a time, walking

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— Laura Scala

the path together. If you head to their house for dinner, Laura will mix you a cocktail from their minibar, while they prepare a healthy and delicious meal. You’ll immediately feel relaxed in their presence and inspired to fill your own life with more intentionality and adventure. The walls in their home are filled with maps and photos of their adventures around the world, sparking conversation and tales of their travels. “Our relationship in general could be described as an adventure,” said Drew. “From the proposal and climbing the mountain at 1:00 in the morning, to spending time in the hospital together. Life is pretty cool, how it twists and turns and changes. You’ve got to choose every day to love on the other person.” ML

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THEN & THERE

ROLLING STONES A VALENTINE’S STORY Story and Photos by Richard Hooper

ranz Liszt, Frédéric Chopin, George Sand and Marie, Comtesse d’Agoult, were all born between 1804 and 1811 and came to know each other in Paris in the 1830s, within the era of Romanticism in literature, music, art and life. When the woman known as George Sand became enraptured with Chopin, she was legally separated from her husband, with whom she had borne two children, and well established as a novelist of high repute. Born Amandine Aurore Lucile Dupin, she adopted the masculine identity first as a pen name. She scandalously smoked cigars in public, and her long list of lovers was legendary. Sand was also known for frequently dressing in men’s clothing. As a child, she rode

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horseback so boldly that her tutor had her dress as a boy in order to be more comfortable riding astride. She explained that in later life, she initially picked up masculine dress in order to attend the Paris opera and concerts. She could not afford the expensive loge or orchestra seats, so to be seated in the balcony (where women were forbidden) she dressed as a man. Something clicked, and when it struck her fancy, she would also dress as a man on the street and in salons. Given the strictures imposed upon that society, it is difficult to imagine counterparts to the rock stars of today. However, if any could have fit that persona it was Chopin and his friend, Liszt. Liszt’s natural habitat was the concert hall, where, “Onstage,” as described by Joseph Barry, “he would strip his gloves, drop them dramatically on the floor, toss back

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his long hair, turn his Florentine profile to the public, and then—destroy the piano.” When Liszt played, “the keys seemed to bleed” and “women became intoxicated.” In counterpoint, Chopin did not like playing in front of large audiences. He preferred to perform in private salons and acquired an air of mystery. His primary income came from giving piano lessons. His fees were exorbitant, he dressed as a dandy, and his following was huge. Shy, he was nonetheless very witty. Sand adored the music of Chopin. Sand also adored Chopin, who had been in Paris some six years before they met late in 1837 or early 1838. She was awestruck in his presence. Sand similarly made a deep impression on Chopin, but not like the one he had made upon her. He wrote to his parents in Poland Valentines | Page 27

Valentine | From page 26 that, “Her appearance is not to my liking. Indeed there is something about her which positively repels me.” Clearly, Sand could not offer herself to him as she had with others. Sand was strong and bold; Chopin was of ill health (suffering from tuberculosis) and withdrawn. When he gave piano lessons, he was emotionally unable to receive compensation directly from his patrons; payment had to be left in the room. Sand was amorous; Chopin wasn’t sure what that was all about. If anything, physical intimacy for him was something best avoided. Slowing her tempo, Sand inserted herself into Chopin’s life. She was assisted in her quest by her friend Marie, Comtesse d’Agoult, who had left her own husband to be with Liszt. Marie made certain that Sand would receive invitations to society salons where Chopin would be a guest. To gain his attention at one such soiree, Sand attired herself in feminine silk the colors of Chopin’s Polish flag. Marie cared for Sand’s happiness, but she was concerned that her lover’s passion was on the wane. She could not risk having George Sand a free agent as far as Liszt was concerned.

Sand, as well as being a writer, played guitar exceedingly well and collected folk music, attributes that no doubt attracted Chopin’s interest. Over numerous meetings, she gained his trust and stirred his curiosity. He began to invite her to soirees at his apartment. Finally, one evening they became lovers. Sand described the early evolution of the relationship with Chopin in a play, “The Seven Strings of the Lyre.” In the play the heroine brought forth music from the hero’s soul by playing him with her eyes “without touching the strings.” He “trembled,” and “they vibrated strongly.” In the play, the strings can be read as symbolic of various attributes and conditions of humanity, but clearly the instrument being stroked was Chopin. Joseph Barry, in “Infamous Woman,” described it as “a bad play, but a beautiful love letter.” While Sand’s strength and boldness, introduced gently, became something Chopin could rely upon, they were also draining. To escape the cold of France, they went to Majorca, where Chopin’s tuberculosis became much worse. Out of fear of contagion, they were refused rides in public carriages. For the same reason, renting rooms was nearly impossible: If not outright refused lodging, they would have to pay for furnishings to

be replaced, as anything they used would be burned upon their departure. They had not escaped the cold, and it rained constantly. After months of barbaric conditions, they struggled back to France, to Nohant, Sand’s country estate, which became their primary residence. During his relationship with Sand,

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Valentine | From page 27 Chopin created more than half of his compositions. On the one hand she provided the security for him to compose. On the other, she began additional affairs of which he became jealous. Nohant provided quiet and solitude to concentrate, but Chopin actually preferred Paris. He missed the salons and his ability to earn income from his piano lessons. Growing discord between Sand and her children and their lovers and Chopin had turned Nohant into a caustic domestic cauldron of dysfunction that makes today’s reality television seem tame by comparison. At the end of October 1846, Chopin left Sand and Nohant for Paris, succumbing two years later to tuberculosis. Over 3,000 people attended his funeral. George Sand was not among the mourners. Of Marie d’Agoult and Liszt? They parted company after four years of living together and producing three children. Liszt continued composing and performing for decades. In the same year that they separated, 1839, Balzac published a thinly disguised portrayal of them in the novel, “Beatrix,” whose early working title had been “The Galley Slaves of Love.” Marie d’Agoult, who had written, under Liszt’s name, numerous articles about

music during the affair with him, became a professional writer. She wrote her own account of her romance with Liszt entitled “Nelida.” It helped to inspire the 1975 fantastical movie, “Lisztomania,” in which Liszt was portrayed by Roger Daltrey of The Who, and Ringo Starr played the Pope. Sand continued to write prolifically until her death in 1876. The title of one of her later novels was “Pierre Qui Roulle.” It translates as “A Rolling Stone.” ML Sources: Joseph Barry - French Lovers: From Heloise & Abelard to Beauvoir & Sartre. Arbor House: 1987. Joseph Barry - Infamous Woman: The Life of George Sand. Doubleday: 1977. Benita Eisler - Naked in the Marketplace: The Lives of George Sand. Counterpoint: 2006. Author’s Correction to last month’s Great Hounds Match: The first volume of A. Henry Higginson’s “The English Foxhound Kennel Stud Book of America” was published in 1909, not 1915 as stated in the article. It was the second volume that was published in 1915.

Page 26: A drawing by Ingres of Marie, Comtesse d'Agoult, with her daughter Claire, dated 1849. Claire was born to Marie and her husband before Marie ran away to be with Liszt. Christie's photo. Page 27, left: A lithograph of George Sand dressed in men's clothing by Paul Gavarni, circa 1840. Page 27, right: A lithograph of Franz Liszt by Joseph Kriehuber, dated 1840. Page 27, bottom right: A watercolor of Chopin by Maria Wodzinska from 1835 when Chopin was age 25. The National Museum Warsaw. Page 28: A caricature of Liszt at the piano by an unknown artist, dated 1843. Biblioteque-Musee de l'Opera.

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Spring & Fall Horse Trials

July & August Polo in the Park

Fourth of July Sparks at the Park

MIDDLEBURG HUNT $2,195,000 | 35679 Millville Road, Middleburg, VA Gloria Rose Ott +1 540 454 4394

GEORGETOWN $6,850,000 | 1403 30th Street NW, Washington, DC Michael Rankin +1 202 271 3344

PIEDMONT HUNT $2,595,000 | 1787 Light Horse Lane, Delaplane, VA Gloria Rose Ott +1 540 454 4394

MIDDLEBURG $719,000 | 208 Locust Street, Middleburg, VA 20117 Laura Farrell +1 540 395 1680 Bundles Murdock +1 540 454-3499

RAPPAHANNOCK RIVER $6,300,000 | 12473 Crest Hill, Flint Hill, VA Gloria Rose Ott +1 540 454 4394

MIDDLETOWN Price Upon Request | 171 Crest River Drive, Middletown, VA | contemporarylistings.com/171crestriver Ron Mangas, Jr. +1 703 298 2564

GEORGETOWN $6,500,000 | 2720 Dumbarton Street NW, Washington, DC Michael Rankin +1 202 271 3344

MILLWOOD/CLARKE COUNTY MILLWOOD/ CLARKE COUNTY $789,500 | 1133 & 1119 Bishop Meade Road, Millwood, VA $375,000 | 30 Colonial Lane, Millwood, VA Carole Stadfield +1 703 899 8468 Carole Stadfield +1 703 899 8468

WATERFORD $419,000 | 15481 Second Street, Waterford, VA Laura Farrell +1 540 395 1680 Bundles Murdock +1 540 454-3499

MIDDLEBURG, VA +1 540 212 9993 • GEORGETOWN, DC +1 202 333 1212 • DOWNTOWN, DC +1 202 234 3344 • CHEVY CHASE, MD +1 301 967 3344 • McLEAN, VA +1 703 319 3344 ALEXANDRIA, VA +1 703 310 6800 • ARLINGTON, VA +1 703 745 1212 • ANNAPOLIS, MD +1 410 280 5600 ttrsir.com ©2018 TTR Sotheby’s International Realty, licensed real estate broker. Sotheby’s International Realty and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered service marks used with permission. Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated. Equal housing opportunity. All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Price and availability subject to change.

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BRINGING YOUR BEST LIFE TO FRUITION By Elaine Anne Watt

here are a multitude of moments and choices we make each day that im-

pact our health and well-being, but if we are not attuned to them and let the unconscious take over the conscious, then we may wake up one day, look in the mirror and say: How did I get here, and what can I do? Many of us have been there. Some of us have found the answer on our own or have tried and failed to get to where we want to be. A year ago, Michele Ballarin, founder and CEO of Rejuvenescence Limited, was worried about her physical well-being and really trying to find her own answer. Now, 70 pounds lighter and “full of energy,” she is dedicating

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her time and resources to share what she has learned to help others. “The answer really is at the end of your fork, and you have to hit a reset button mentally and for your metabolism,” says Michele. “You have to allow it to be totally, 1,000 percent about you.” And, it’s not just about weight loss, it could even be about weight gain, as it’s about your body’s composition and “global health.” Hence, the approach is individualized. There is no one size fits all plan. Are you fatigued or operating at less than optimal at home or at work? Are you able to live the active lifestyle you once imagined? If not, there may be a solution. Rejuvenescence calls it “perfecting you.” Rejuvenescence was born by combining a team of talented individuals willing to be accessible to you as you commence your own journey towards wellness. Of course, they recommend consulting with your doctor before beginning any program with them, and they will require participation of yours or one of their affiliates if you have any special health considerations.

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The process begins with a full-body assessment using their state-of-the-art InBody 570 equipment, which uses a precise body composition analysis through electrical impedance (non-invasive). A qualitative approach that goes beyond weight measures body fat percentages, total body water, lean body mass and visceral fat, the fat that often accumulates around our essential organs. It’s as easy as stepping onto the machine with bare feet for about five minutes. Additionally, information is gathered on any medications, allergies or restrictions that may apply. Sometimes, the data gathered above will uncover a potential problem needing medical assessment. Each individual’s nutritional needs are then addressed to change the culture of the way eating and hydrating is utilized as part of a holistic approach to health. There is a very strong educational component to this process. What does your body need from a chemistry perspective to perform at peak levels, and how can a positive, supportive environment contribute to reaching your Rejuvenescence | Page 31

Rejuvenescence | From page 30 goals? When your mind and body are ready, an appropriate exercise routine is incorporated. For this reason, this is not a moment in time but a lifetime mindset that is being cultivated. Only a sustainable behavioral change will bring lasting results. With wholesome foods, equipped with knowledge about nutrition and exercise, this commitment towards yourself and your body results in better sleep, leaner, stronger musculature and the energy to function at your best. Beginning with “clean cuisine” developed and curated by their internationally recognized chef, Roger Wiles, overseen by Director Felicia St. Clair with her background in exercise science, and monitored closely by Deborah Kim who has a master’s in nutrition, a client’s individual needs and pace are nurtured every step of the way. Each client decides whether to meet weekly with their team at one of their two locations to assess progress and pick-up a week’s worth of prepared meals and snacks or to have the team come to them. Having tasted a range of the flavor-packed dishes personally, this is not deprivation at all, but an opportunity to savor your meals as if in a fine dining establishment—yet with all the work and nutritional planning done for you. Do you have to skip eating out? Absolutely not. You can even ask for assistance in choosing healthy substitutes when on the road or at events. Life happens, and the goal is to fully prepare you for maintaining healthy practices that are practical and practicable. Michele acknowledges the challenges we all face. “We as a team want to find that balance that works for you,” she says. “We need to reward ourselves and have our indulgences. But, it is a treat, not a cheat here.” How does it work? You arrange a private consultation, discuss your concerns, plan your goals and consider whether this is a choice that fits you. If so, you can be sure that you’ll be working with a team every bit as committed and determined as you. Your success is theirs. Felicia took a moment to discuss the meaning she finds in her work. “You can have the toughest client, but the biggest joy at the same time, because when they overcome those hurdles and reach that breakthrough moment, and you’ve been a part of mentoring and enabling that to happen, it’s just so wonderful,” she says. “Rejuvenescence is a very strong, faithbased organization that believes in what we do,” says Michele, “and we feel blessed to provide a service that we are honored to be a part of.” ML For more infor mation, v i sit www.re-juvenescence.com or call 540-3471897 or 202-330-5662.

Page 30: Felicia St. Clair, Director, Michele Ballarin, Founder and CEO, Sharon St. Clair, Design and Administrative Director, and Deborah Kim, Nutritionist. Page 31, top: Chef Roger Wiles' pork sirloin with brussel sprouts etuver (cooked in its own stock). Page 31, middle: Rejuvenescence Executive Chef Roger Wiles. Page 31, bottom: Flavorful pan-seared rockfish with salmoriglio and roasted red pepper sauces served over julienne of vegetables.

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John Coles s s “ Specializing in Large Land Holdings” oAtLAND vieWS

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Oakendale Farm is the epitome of an exquisite Virginia hunt country estate in prime Orange County Hunt territory. From the William Lawrence Bottomley designed Manor house to the meticulously manicured gardens, grounds, dependencies and the hundreds of acres of surrounding pastures with protected view-sheds. 333 acres @ $8,990,000 or 837 acres @ $17,990,000

ALDIE – OATLAND VIEWS off of Oatlands Road - 271 ACRES divided into 11 Parcels ranging in size from 13 – 41 Acres with private road frontage on Clear Creek Lane. 10 of the 11 parcels have wells and Certification Letters for 4 Bedroom septics. Land protected by Loudoun County Open Space Easement. $5,500,000.00

World class equestrian facility comprised of 115 Acres in the OCH Territory. The U shaped complex encompasses an 80’ x 180’ lighted indoor riding arena connected by a breezeway to the 12 stall center-aisle barn and extraordinary living and entertaining quarters overlooking the outdoor ring. Additional structures include tenant houses and large heated equipment barn. $4,400,000

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LANDmARk

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Breathtaking mountain views and glistening spring fed 10 acre lake, create a magical setting for this stunning historic estate. Encompassing over 180 gorgeous acres features include a stone and stucco 16 room residence with an ultra modern gourmet kitchen, new tiled baths and separate 2 bedroom guest wing. The 10 stall stable & tennis court complete this fabulous estate. $2,995,000

Great elevation, fantastic views, open land, woodlands and river frontage on the Rappahannock River. 726.66 acres in 14 parcels, all of which are 50 acres or larger. Accessed from Hume Road and from Black Rock Ford. Mixed game for hunting. Great opportunity for tax credits. $2,979,306

Stone posts and walls mark the entrance to the 133 acre country estate of Landmark. As the driveway gently rises, curves and then circles in front of the handsome twostory stone manor house, one notices that the home is sited perfectly to enjoy the expansive mountain views from the Bull Run to the Blue Ridge. The setting for this four bedroom, four bath residence is further heightened by the massive boxwoods and the stately trees. $2,790,000

NoRWooD

LibeRtY HALL

10 S. mADiSoN St.

The 176 Acre Estate of Norwood is approx. 1 mile east of Berryville. An allee of mature Maple trees line the long driveway of the manor house, c. 1819, listed in the National Register as, “One of Clarke County’s most elegant, intact examples of the Federal style of architecture.” The brick home offers 11’ ceiling height, original flooring, moldings, gracious entertaining rooms, 3 bedrooms and 3+ baths. $1,700,000

Paris~Circa 1770, Lovely Stone and Stucco Farmhouse sits at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, 20+ acres surrounded by Protected Lands, Incredible Views, Meticulous exterior renovations include Re-Pointed Stonework, Metal Roof, 2 Large Additions, Covered Porch, Basement, Buried Electric, Well and Septic, Fully Fenced, Mature Trees, $1,550,000 Boxwoods, Ready for all your interior finishes.

Rebecca Poston (540) 771-7520

Handsome Building ~ 25 Yr Established Business~Turn-Key & Inventory in the center of Historic Middleburg. Stunning upscale home items, crystal, unique gifts, cards, custom stationery, gourmet chocolates and much more. Approx. ½ of inventory is offsite and included in sale. $1,400,000 Rebecca Poston (540) 771-7520

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Fenced pastureland and 2 stall barn are to the right of the drive that leads up to the Charming 3 bedroom, 3 ½ bath Williamsburg Colonial. Special features include first and second floor master suites, hardwood floors, 3 fireplaces and gracious entrance foyer. Sited high, the 20 area parcel enjoys spectacular western views to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Wonderful Orange County Hunt Territory, convenient to Middleburg, Marshall, The Plains, and I66 to Washington, D.C. $975,000

50+ Acres of good mixture of hardwoods and open land on Leeds Manor Road with easy access to Warrenton, Marshall, Middleburg and I-66. $454,000

379.75 Acres on the north side of oatlands Road between Rt. 15 and Snickersville turnpike. Currently divided into 16 building Lots developed under the Low Density Development option. Homesites range in size from 13.83 Acres – 38.12 Acres. open Space easement in place with potential for tax credits. $7,500,000.00

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

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( 5 4 0 ) 27 0 - 0 0 9 4 StoNeLeDge

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This grand 101 acre equestrian estate in the Warrenton Hunt Territory and is within easy reach of Washington DC. Elegant custom-built home with 11,000 sf, smartwired, 3 finished levels-all accessible by elevator. Features include 12-foot ceilings, heart pine floors and granite and Viking kitchen. Guest cottage, Barn, 2 streams, Stocked pond. Stunning countryside retreat. $3,475,000

c.1823, with a stunning tree lined entrance, offers one of the grand manor homes in the famed horse country of Upperville. Recently renovated, the home offers wonderful indoor and outdoor living areas. Porches, gardens, barns, paddocks, riding arena, pond, pool and magnificent views from the Bull Run to Blue Ridge Mountains. $3,200,000

Middleburg~A graceful & charming 5 bedroom French Country home is set amongst nearly 40 serene acres enhanced by majestic trees, rolling lawns and fenced paddocks. This wonderful horse property also includes a 7 stall center-aisle barn with office, additional 4 stall barn with apartment, indoor arena, and tremendous ride out potential. Located in the OCH Territory. $3,200,000

DeStiNAiRe FARm

mouNtviLLe LAND

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Impeccably maintained, this is an exquisite 118 acre horse farm with ten fields and paddocks of 4 board fencing, gently rolling land and panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains with glimpses of Skyline Drive. In addition to the stucco and stone main residence, there are guest and tenant homes, numerous barns and run-ins to house 25 horses comfortably, and an indoor dressage ring. $2,750,000

145+ acres of land in sought after location on Mountville Road near Foxcroft School. Several home sites with wonderful views and vistas yet extremely private, half wooded and half pasture with over 2,000â&#x20AC;&#x2122; of Goose Creek frontage. Minutes from Middleburg with easy access to Dulles International Airport and Washington DC. Middleburg Hunt Territory. $2,465,250

A picturesque and tranquil retreat nestled on 158+ acres in pristine Rappahannock County. At the end of the private drive is the historic Stone residence, c. 1745 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. $1,845,000

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Beautiful rolling land with excellent views of the Blue Ridge just outside of Upperville. 93+ Acres in a great location. This is a portion of Tax ID#:656382092000 and is subject to Loudoun County approval. $1,397,173

The lovely 22.8 Acre Ridgeview Farm offers a private, 4 bedroom residence sited on a knoll, with spacious rooms and views into the trees that border Little River. Located in prime Orange County Hunt territory the horse facilities include a 6 stall barn with tack room and wash stall, machine shed, run in shed and 4 beautiful board fenced paddocks, fields and round pen. VOF Easement. $1,095,000

Enjoy the pastoral views from this prime 151.61 Acre Hunt Country Property. The land consists of 3 parcels and offers open land, pond, stream and woods. Desirable Leeds Manor Road location with easy access to Warrenton, Marshall, Middleburg and I-66. $1,060,000

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50+ Acres of good mixture of hardwoods and open land on Leeds Manor Road with easy access to Warrenton, Marshall, Middleburg and I-66. $454,000

ROKEBY ROAD ~ Upperville 1.84 acre parcel with 3 Bedroom septic Certificate on hand. Mostly wooded with fantastic views to the east! Great opportunity to own in a prime location! $299,999 Barrington Hall (540) 454-6601

FReD WARReN LANe With frontage on Little River, open Space easement, rolling fields with mature hardwood forest, orange County Hunt territory, great ride out, very private, within 5 miles of the village of middleburg. 3600 views. 137.74 acres $2,534,500

ThoMAs AnD TAlBoT ReAl esTATe (540) 687-6500

middleburg, virginia 20118

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THE VIRGINIA GRAPE DECIPHERING THE MYSTERIES OF WINE BUYING

t was probably 40 years ago. I was at a gathering, and a couple brought what they referred to as a “really good bottle of wine.” Basically, it was an expensive bottle. After the wine was poured, they were stunned to discover they had purchased a very pricy and very sweet German dessert wine. In this case, it was a quality wine, but not exactly what they expected. Price might tell us something, but it does not guarantee we will be satisfied with our purchase. It was also 40 years ago, in 1978, that Robert Parker began publishing the Baltimore-based Wine Advocate. This ushered in an era of access to real information that helped decipher the mysteries of wine. His 100-point rating system provided a way of distinguishing quality from plonk. Descriptions also gave us some way of knowing, for instance, if the expensive German wine was the right wine for the occasion.

In the intervening years other agencies have borrowed Parker’s system, and a variety of competing systems have been introduced. Now in the age of information, we are presented with a wide range of tools, numbers and descriptions. These have come in response to the overwhelming number of wines we are presented with both online and in local shops. SO MANY RATINGS When searching online or in a wine shop, you might notice a numbered rating with a letter or letters that indicate the rating agency. Some of the most common are:

WA—Wine Advocate (this might also be RP for Robert Parker) WS—Wine Spectator WE—Wine Enthusiast W&S—Wine and Spirits

JS—James Suckling TP—Tasting Panel D—Decanter There are certainly more rating agencies than the ones listed above. In addition, if I had a nickel for every wine writer trying to establish themselves as rating authorities, I would be a wealthy man. So what do we make of all the numbers? First of all, you will seldom see a rating below 80. This is simply because rating agencies are reluctant to assign scores to wines they consider “flawed.” It’s probably a mistake to assume that a rated wine and similar unrated wine from the same vintage are equal. There are many reasons for this, but they are too numerous to cover in this article. You may also find multiple ratings, and they can vary by several points. You should

Gallery

Mysteries | Page 35

Sunday Sketch!

Talk

FREE PROGRAMS AT NSLM FAMILIES & CHILDREN WELCOME!

Every Wednesday, 2pm: Gallery Talk Join an NSLM Educator or Curators for an informal tour of the galleries. Learn something new about art, history, and the sporting life through NSLM’s collections and exhibitions of fine artworks. All ages are welcome, and no RSVP is required.

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Sunday, March 4, 2-4pm: Sunday Sketch with Alice Porter Artists of all ages are invited to sketch alongside local artist and art instructor Alice Porter. Get inspired by works on view in the Museum to create your own masterpiece! Admission is free and materials are provided. Please register to let us know you are coming, (540) 687-6542 ext. 25, ABarnes@NationalSporting.org

Mysteries | From page 34 know that different agencies look for different qualities. Various authorities give more weight to some rating agencies over others, but that seems equally subjective. I typically look at the average. Hint: In an effort to impress guests, only share the highest score while pouring the wine. Finally, it seems like a no-brainer, but look at the written description of the wine, and consider it in addition to the rating. Numbers alone will not match the wine to your palate or an intended food pairing. WINE TOOLS IN THE DIGITAL AGE For the purposes of this article, I will not advocate for one wine app over another. You will need to ask me directly, and you can do that through my website thevirginiagrape.com. I dare say there are a number of different applications, and they have grown exponentially in sophistication. I recently downloaded an app that allows me to photograph a wine label, and within seconds I will be provided with ratings, descriptions and an average retail price. There also are applications that can interpret a photograph of an entire wine list and provide feedback. How cool is that? Maybe I’m a geek and I almost certainly spend too much time looking at wine, but I have found such apps to be extremely helpful, and they are, for the most part, free. BUYING ONLINE VS. WINE SHOPS Online sites have become popular resources for wine shopping. I went through a long phase of online wine buying. It’s convenient; the price point is often lower, and online sites offer access to wines that are un-

available locally. These are advantages, but shopping online also presents a few pitfalls. One little-known fact is wine does not travel well. This is particularly true for unfiltered wines, but no purchase that arrives in the mail should be opened immediately. The rule of thumb is to let a wine “rest” for between seven and 10 days before drinking. Another consideration is the time of year the wine is shipped. Extreme heat or cold are bad for wine. Glowing wine ratings mean little after your wine has bounced around in the back of a delivery truck during a July heat wave. Brick and mortar wine shops, on the other hand, may lack convenience and may seem a bit old school, but they do offer some advantages. Not the least of these is regularly scheduled wine tastings. No less an authority than Robert Parker pointed out, “There can never be any substitute for your own palate nor any better education than tasting the wine yourself.” Wine shops and even higher-end grocery stores frequently label wines with clues like “best buy” or “staff favorite,” which are ratings in their own right. In addition, they typically have experts on hand to offer advice. Finally, the local wine shop received their wine through regular wine distribution channels. Wine importers and distributors have an interest in maintaining the best possible conditions during shipping. At the end of the distribution chain, retailers are likely to store the wine properly. So you can have a little more confidence in the bottle’s treatment prior to purchase. BUYING LOCAL Since I am “The Virginia Grape,” I would be remiss in not plugging local wine. Of

course, local tasting rooms are dedicated entirely to educating visitors about their offerings and providing curated tastings. We also are beginning to see some superior Virginia wines rated 90 points or higher, but let your palate be your guide. It’s important to know Virginia wine is not the same from vintage to vintage. This is largely due to differences in growing season. So if you loved a particular wine from 2010, do not assume the 2015 will taste the same. Depending on whom you ask, 2007 and 2010 are regarded as two of the best Virginia vintages. Of course, those are nearly impossible to find. I am a huge fan of 2013, but many winemakers prefer 2014. The 2017 vintage is being lauded as one of the best in the history of Virginia wine, but it will be a while before we start seeing those wines in shops and tasting rooms. FINAL NOTE We have come a long way in the last 40 years. It is infinitely easier these days to avoid accidentally purchasing the very pricy and very sweet German dessert wine. Unless, of course, that is the wine we want. Access to tools and ratings is really at the tip of our fingers, and we can all capitalize on collective expertise. ML Brian Yost blogs as The Virginia Grape and writes for a number of local, regional and national publications. His articles concentrate on wine trends and wineries in the Eastern United States. Find more of his writing at thevirginiagrape.com. Page 35: Numbered ratings and descriptions can help inform our wine buying.

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“NEWPORT RISING” A NEW NOVEL BY JOHN ROLPHE GARDINER

By Richard Hooper

he writer John Rolphe Gardiner, resident of Unison, has set his latest novel, “Newport Rising,” in the thriving port of Newport, Rhode Island, just before and during the American Revolution. Gardiner’s knowledge of the time and place sets the stage, and the cadence of his prose and styling of dialogue transport the reader there. The protagonist, Cotton Palmer, arrives in Newport in 1762 aboard the ship Piety, which is carrying Spanish lace, gunpowder and molasses that the captain of the ship intends to smuggle past British customs. It also carries two slaves who did not sell in the markets of the Caribbean or Charleston. On Narragansett Bay, Newport was the largest home port to colonial slavers and the center of an enterprise know as the Triangle Trade. Rhode Islanders produced rum in copious quantities, then shipped it to West Africa where it was exchanged for slaves. The slaves were transported to the West Indies and the Southern Colonies to be sold. There, the ships would load on molasses for the return to Newport, where it was used to produce more rum, then off again to West Africa in a cycle that repeated itself for some 80 years until 1807, when the last Newport slaver docked. Palmer was a free thinker and printer. It was a time when gossip and innuendo could quickly attain the status of fact, and Palmer would use his trade to inject his own observations (under assumed names) in letters to the editors of the numerous gazettes for which he had worked and been dismissed over the years. Using this method as his own social media outlet, he managed to poke his thumb into nearly everyone’s eye. His ruse usually did not last long, and he was distrusted by both the British Crown and its supporters as well as those who favored independence. Also onboard the Piety was the young,

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pregnant woman, Sally Warren, who was without husband but with a letter of introduction attesting to her virtue. She was staunchly against slavery and worked to smuggle escaped slaves to freedom. She caught the attention of Cotton Palmer and was the object of his desire and, occasionally, he of hers. Gardiner creates a fascinating pas de deux between them. Their relationship is a mix of curiosity and suspicion, at times restrained, but levered forward by the forces of carnal attraction and other needs. Throughout, it is guided by mutual respect for each other and is a very moving aspect of the book. Newport was a religiously open commu-

nity: Baptists, Quakers, Jews and others flourished. Although Palmer was not convinced that any of them held the answer, he was concerned enough for the destiny of his own soul to take an interest in all of them. He did not succumb to any of the various efforts to convert him, which became a further reason for people to dislike Palmer. The conflicting viewpoints of the various faiths and Palmer’s observations about them, the descriptions of traveling ministers and ministers with churches are all wonderfully depicted by Gardiner. This variation of

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religions at the time of our country’s founding forms one of the strands of the Newport social structure. It weaves together with other strands such as the various trades of furniture making (some of the finest craftsmen, including the Goddard and Townsend families, were working in Newport), shipbuilding and makeshift employment to simply stay alive. Newport, like all other places, was not utopia, and the warp of vulgarity is very well described as it crosses over (or would it be under?) the weft of civility. Eating away at the entire fabric is the hypocritical worm of slavery. Newport and Rhode Island not only traded in slaves but also had a

proportionately large slave population. Newport had a market for auctioning slaves, and at one point, there was a law denoting that if a slave was found in the home of a freed slave, both would be whipped. Enveloping this was the growing hostility between colonials and the British. In the early 1770s, the British Navy positioned itself in the bay to intercept smugglers and collect tariffs. When one of their ships ran aground, colonists torched it. In a show of power—like Newport | Page 37

autumn of 1779, some 30 percent of Newport had been destroyed. It is within this environment that Palmer, Warren and their friends navigated. To achieve their goals was a delicate balance between taking action and not being caught. At times, their activities could raise suspicions with the British and colonials alike. I am reminded of a trip to Colonial Williamsburg one winter. There was no electric lighting, and at night, a wood fire blazed in the middle of the street every couple of hundred feet. Only candles glowed on the tables at the eateries. Outside any perimeter lit by fire there was darkness, and you could only imagine what it might contain. In “Newport Rising” Gardiner gives a wonderful description of navigating with integrity through the darkness of Revolutionary America, illuminating some of our own time as well. ML

JOHN ROLFE GARDINER The work of a writer is “bending an idea toward your way of looking at something,” said John Rolfe Gardiner in a recent interview. He does it well in his sixth novel, “Newport Rising.” Gardiner also has three collections of stories and his work has appeared in O. Henry Prize Stories, Best American Short Stories, American Scholar and many other anthologies and journals, including The New Yorker. He has also written lyrics for the Furnace Mountain Band. He and his wife, ceramic artist Joan Gardiner, reside in Unison.

Newport | From page 36 tweets emitted in the middle of the night— the British would lob cannonballs into the town, chipping away at wharves and other structures. Cold, bored and convinced of their superiority, they dismantled buildings for firewood. When the navy departed in the

Copies of “Newport Rising” are available from Amazon Books. It can also be read as an e-book on Kindle. Page 36: Author, John Rolfe Gardiner (photo by Richard Hooper). Page 37: “Newport Rising,” the new novel by John Rolfe Gardiner of Unison (photo by Richard Hooper).

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Weschler’s and The Byrne Gallery are pleased to announce a Consignment Day Event in Middleburg on Saturday, March 10, 2018! Our appraisers will be at the Byrne Gallery to provide complementary verbal auction estimates for up to three items from 10am to noon. Other consultation times available on March 10, please call 202-628-1281 to schedule an appointment.

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COMMUNITY MOURNS THE LOSS OF

Kathryn (Katy) Morton Krista By Elaine Anne Watt

the most stressful of circumstances.

he fatal car crash that claimed the life of local veterinarian, Dr. Katy

Krista, on January 5, near the intersection of U.S. 50 and St. Louis Road west of Middleburg has resonated deeply throughout our community. In the words of Holly Rachel Smith: “She was my vet, the most amazing, warmest, kindest person and incredible vet. You can’t even imagine how wonderful she was.” The hundreds that gathered at Fox Chase Farm on January 15 to both celebrate her life and to comfort each other in their loss echoed the same sentiment over and over again. They spoke of her sensitivity, uncanny instincts and ability to connect with the needs of her patients and their owners, often under

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Nick Greenwell went through losing several of his horses with Katy. “She was measured, practical, talented and compassionate, almost with a sixth sense of knowing just what to convey to a frightened animal and its similarly frightened owner.”

members of the Little Fork Volunteer Fire & Rescue squad, who had worked with Katy on large animal rescues. “She was just phenomenal, calm in moments of crisis with the horses and their owners,” said Melissa Mainville. “She was kind, thoughtful, and we were just blessed to have known her. It is a great loss.”

Beth Eichberger spoke of meeting Katy while she was a senior on rotation at Leesburg’s Marion DuPont Scott Equine Medical Center and Katy was an Intern and Surgery resident there. “She was such a wonderful mentor. I don’t think she recognized how much effect she had on so many people.”

Sandy Clark and Patty Henry of the Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO) worked with Katy in the Leesburg chapter. Patty said, “she was so busy with her job but wanted to make time to help further the education of women.” “Yes, and she was wellloved,” said Sandy.

Dr. Courtney Bolam represented The Piedmont Equine Practice — where Katy worked — with her comments. “We’ve lost a daughter, wife, sister, friend, soulmate, vet and colleague…she was beautiful inside and out, genuine, passionate and fun…she brought people together, loved with all her heart and soul. She found her soulmate in Ben.”

Katy’s father, John Morton, thanked everyone for their overwhelming support. He said, “she loved this place and what she was doing.”

Honoring her with their presence were

Krista | Page 39

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Maureen Hanley of Fox Chase Farm said opening her doors to the community was “the least we could do for Katy.” The tables were laden with food brought by many in attendance, and the catering was

Krista | From page 38 donated as well. Katy’s husband Ben, himself a farrier, has been deeply affected by the many messages of kindness and support he has received. “We thought we were here all by ourselves…and just look at this.” ML A memorial honoring Dr. Katy Morton Krista has been established supporting the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine at the Kansas State University Foundation. Contributions can be sent to KSU Foundation, 1800 Kimball Avenue, Suite 200, Manhattan, Kansas 66502, marked for the fund as MH7180. Donations online may be made at www.ksufoundation.org/give/ MortonKrista.

Page 38: Katy on her beloved Milton. Page 39: “Goodbyes hurt the most when the story is unfinished” will adorn her tombstone. Here Ben and Katy shared the gardens together at Queen Victoria's house, Osborne, on the Isle of Wight where Ben is from.

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GARDEN DISPATCH By Ashley Bommer Singh

he cruel cold mornings have broken, and the sun is shining. Chores must be done, but snowdrops peek out, and one can finally picture the crocuses, daffodils, forsythia, quince and witch hazel to come. Frostbitten hands and frozen pipes will soon

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be a thing of the past as our thoughts turn hopefully to spring. Gardens surprise and there are always unexpected highs and lows, but to get through it all smiling, a master plan is helpful. Whether you wish to create a kitchen garden or a bee and butterfly sanctuary or the perfect walkway, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time to dive into seed and summer

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bulb catalogues. If you do not have a greenhouse filled with white camellias, the watercolors, photos and sketches in great catalogues are the next best thing for winter cheer. My neighbor, Kate Shields, lovingly tends her kitchen garden at Hastening Farm from Gardens | Page 41

Gardens | From page 40 March through October. Over coffee in front of the roaring woodstove one bitter winter morning we poured through her wide assortment of catalogues. We soon warmed and were on the hunt. And it is a golden road to be on. One publication says that a package of seeds translates to 360 pounds of produce. The gardens we could grow. Of course, successfully starting seeds and getting them to the garden takes serious effort. There are so many gadgets nowadays, it can make your head spin. There are peat pots and seed trays with humidity domes and even plug-in heating cables for the soil and mini greenhouses. Where to begin? Gary Hall, owner and chef of Brassicas Farm Fresh Market and Café in Aldie, shared that his favorite catalogue is Southern Exposure Seed Exchange, an organic, heirloom, open-pollinated source from central Virginia. It has great planting tips, gorgeous photos and a focus on the region. He even wallpapered Brassicas’ powder room with pages of an old Southern Exposure catalogue. Architectural Digest, make note Gary’s go-to seedling plan is soil blocks: lightly compressed growing medium blocks that hold their form without a flat. “When transplanting one avoids disturbing the plants’ roots, and before transplanting the seedlings’ roots are given an environment with more air circulation and drainage,” he

says. “Soil blocks help prevent transplanting shock, essentially, and encourage stronger seedlings.” With a greenhouse behind the café, Gary extends his growing season. His onions, leeks, kale, chard, spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, beets and peas were started under grow lights indoors in late January. “When plants have three to four true leaves, I move them to the greenhouse,” he says. Most of us don’t have that infrastructure, of course. For her part, Kate used to start seeds in flats on sunny windowsills but found the daily watering tedious. They dry out fast. She now finds success from the beautiful pages of The Whole Seed Catalogue from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. She has ordered peas, potatoes, fava beans, broccoli raab, carrots and lettuces and will plant them outside in March, accepting the risk of a late freeze. You can start earlier and with less frost risk by sowing in simple cold frames right on your garden beds. This year my sunroom is filled with an assortment of non-practical, make-me-happy plants: hibiscus, all spice, coffee trees, ferns and a fiddle-leaf fig that will move out to the patios for summer. I haven’t much room for flats and grow lights right now. However, a gardener is always dreaming, so I too jump on the bandwagon to order summer flowers. My favorite bulb catalogue is Brent and Becky’s from Gloucester, Virginia. They de-

liver just when it’s time to plant to reduce the guesswork. If you plan now for midsummer dahlias and asters, salvias and late-blooming varieties of whimsical allium like “Millennium” (the 2018 Perennial Plant of the Year) and “Summer Beauty” you will be rewarded as the zinnias, cosmos and cleome fade. I usually wait until Mother’s Day to get my vegetables in the ground, relying on young plants started in Abernethy & Spencer’s greenhouses. But inspired by my friends above, I’ve decided to take the plunge for a few varieties and have ordered swiss chard, broccoli raab and leeks. In a week or two they should arrive and will slip into trays under a window in the sunroom (with watering can nearby) or under a cold frame in the garden. Long before those take off, I’ll be enjoying Brassicas’ delicious spring harvest chicken salad served with fresh pea shoots and sauerkraut. See you in the garden. ML Ashley Bommer Singh is a writer and owner of Unison Garden & Design. She lives with her family on a small farm with cows, chickens, beehives, a rescue dog, visiting horses and her many gardens. Page 40: Seed and summer bulb catalogues are a source of garden dreams and winter cheer (photo by Vikram Singh). Page 41: Southern Exposure Seed Exchange's colorful vegetable and herb packets soon to be planted at Brassicas Farm Fresh Market & Café (photo by Vikram Singh).

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L’Auberge Provencale Bed & Breakfast Restaurant & Bar 13630 Lord Fairfax Highway White Post, Va 22620 540-837-1375 Events & Special Occasions Christian Bentley 540-837-1375.

Why wait to discover a world apart for a day, a weekend, or more. Experience the warmth of our lovely inn, with bedrooms and villa accommodations that promote relaxation. Dine at our exquisite restaurant where our chef will prepare farm-to-table cuisine to please the most discerning palate with wine pairings selected for you by our sommelier. You can reserve the entire property for your intimate wedding or special event. Come to L’Auberge Provencale and embrace a bit of France in the heart of hunt country.

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HIP & HUMBLE ANTIQUES AND INTERIORS By Dulcy B. Hooper Photos by Richard Hooper

ith its sprawling, jam-packed showroom occupying historic Aylor’s Mill in downtown Berryville, Hip and Humble is well positioned to do what it does best: “rescue history and find good homes” for antiques and architectural salvage. In the process, Hip and Humble owners Julie Ashby and Steve Scott are providing the mill with new life and with a purpose that is certainly both hip and humble. “We work seven days a week,” said Ashby. “But it’s not really working—it’s just so much fun, and we never know what we are going to find.” Hip and Humble was located in Strasburg for many years prior to Berryville. Before that, Ashby and Scott were in business together at Red School House Antiques, also in Berryville. “We find, salvage and repurpose materials and other items to create new and unexpected things that are both useful and decorative,” said Ashby. There are also antiques and items that don’t need much repurposing. Ashby and Scott say they can find value and purpose for most everything—even good-as-new juice cartons from the 1950s, neatly laid out side by side in a box that seems to have been made for just that purpose. From floor to ceiling and wall to wall, the array of antiques and salvaged pieces is mind boggling. Interspersed throughout are more modern items—for instance, near a window overlooking the train tracks, tables display quirky bits and pieces of the past alongside a pair of elegant, modern barstools. Among the hundreds of items that have been salvaged, reclaimed and repurposed are tables, doors and windows that have mostly been something other than what they appear Antiques | Page 43

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Antiques | From page 44 to be now. There are cupboards with their own stories to tell, and Ashby and Scott are happy to elaborate. “This was in the Johnstown Flood,” said Scott, showing how high the floodwaters had risen when the cupboard had resided in Pennsylvania. Near the front entrance, bolted to the walls, are window grates taken from the Berryville train station. “All hand wrought iron,” said Scott. Overhead, a mammoth chandelier made from the blades of a metal windmill is artfully strung with lights. Perhaps not for sale: a couple of old pieces of luggage retrofitted with speakers from which—with surprising clarity—songs were playing from the ‘40s. Ashby and Scott have the help of a number of individuals who serve as “scouts,” identifying barns and old buildings about to be taken down. With salvaged wood, the factory turns out tables, cupboards, media cabinets and center islands. Between the showroom and the factory, located a block or so away, Hip and Humble employs a staff of five who are demonstrating their respect for the “old art of knowing how to put things together with hand tools.” According to Ashby and Scott, many of Hip and Humble’s regulars are designers and decorators. “They come in looking for their design clients,” said Scott. “Frequently, they are building new houses, but they come to us so that they can incorporate some old wood into those houses. We just finished a cupboard that is 10 feet tall and eight feet wide for one customer.” Regulars have learned not to assume that a piece they like will necessarily be there the following weekend. “One of our regular customers was here looking at a couple of chairs,” Ashby recalled. “She left without getting them but then called me when she was just a couple of miles down the road, saying she had had a change of heart. ‘They’re gone,’ I said. ‘They went out the door two minutes after you left.’ ” After a similar experience, another customer brought in a sign that hangs on the wall near the front of the shop: “Ya snooze, ya lose.” “If you come back next week, the showroom will be totally different,” Ashby confirmed. We did, and she was right: The showroom was totally different. ML Hip and Humble is located in the historic Aylor’s Mill at 401 East Main Street in Berryville, Virginia. They are open to the public on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and can be reached at 540-327-5669. Page 43: Part of the main floor at Hip and Humble where you can find treasures galore. Page 44, top: Windmill. Page 44, middle: A cozy nook. Page 44, bottom: Dining table made at Hip and Humble from repurposed materials.

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Kevin H. Adams Anthony Barham Brittany Beiersdorf Ross Misia Broadhead Lauren Bruce Armand Cabrera Catherine Giglio Seth Hill Tara Jelenic Cody Leeser Julie Miles Marci Nadler Tom Neel Lee Newman Lilla Ohrstrom Patte Ormsby Jill E. Poyerd Katherine Riedel Bill Rock Dana Lee Thompson Diane R. Weiner Cathy Zimmerman

Please join us for the 7 th annual

Middleburg Community Center Friday ◆ February 23, 2018 ◆ 6 –8 pm

Dana Lee Thomspson A Place to Rest Your Head

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See website to purchase tickets and for latest auction info a benefit for Middleburg Montessori School

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NEW SALAMANDER HOTEL REIMAGES NOPSI WITH THE SAME SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY AND CUSTOMER SERVICE By Kaitlin Hill

rimly located in New Orleans’ Central Business District, The Salamander Group’s new hotel, NOPSI, gives a historic building new purpose while honoring its past. NOPSI, or New Orleans Public Service Incorporated, was officially recognized in the 1920s, but its story starts nearly 100 years prior. Following the success of his theater company, New Orleans resident James Caldwell opened the New Orleans Gas Light Co., which was believed to be the first commercial coal-fueled energy company in the area. Caldwell’s success in the 1820s inspired many to follow suit, and by 1900 there were more than 200 gas, electric and streetcar firms in New Orleans. Competition coupled with poor management led to inefficient use of resources and financial troubles and brought the city’s infrastructure to the brink of collapse. Desperate for a solution, the city formed the “Citizen’s Committee of Forty” made up of respected professionals from nearby neighborhoods. The committee decided that a single organization should oversee all resource coordination and distribution. In 1922, NOPSI was born. During NOPSI’s first year, it was comprised of six gas companies, 30 transit authorities and at least 18 electric organizations. In

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1927, the rapidly expanding organization set its headquarters in a nine-story brick building in the Central Business District. The ambitious project required huge numbers of employees, and locals answered the call. Ellen LeMaire, general manager of the NOPSI Hotel, explains how the large scale of public service operations created jobs for nearly everyone in the community: “NOPSI employed so many people from so many backgrounds. Certainly from an engineering side and utilities side but they also had a whole marketing department as well.” NOPSI employees did it all, organizing transit, managing bills, providing gas and later electricity to all of New Orleans. They even ran a department store selling the latest gadgets to local homemakers. NOPSI’s combination of services not only made it one of the city’s largest employers; it became a social hub as well. LeMaire explains how visits to the utilities firm were a favorite pastime. “For locals, they made a day out of it,” she says. “They got dressed up, came in to pay their bills and then decided whether to go shopping, have lunch, or go to the park. For them it was an outing.” NOPSI also offered appliance demonstrations, cooking classes, and later published their own cookbook and newsletter. “NOPSI was very engaging with the community. Not only that you came in and paid a bill, but

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there was so much interaction,” says LeMaire. Now, 90 years later, Salamander hopes to preserve the interaction between NOPSI and the New Orleans community and extend it to visiting guests as well. Part of the preservation meant keeping most of the building’s historic charm during reconstruction. “There are pieces throughout the hotel— like the transaction table, which is in the original location—the columns, the sconces, that spark the guests’ interest,” LeMaire explains. The dedication to honoring the site’s history is even integrated into new employee training. “Each of our service professionals is educated on the history of NOPSI, so that they understand what New Orleans Public Service Incorporated was back in the day,” says LeMaire. “They can tell the guests what was there before and what NOPSI did for the community.” While its history is certainly part of NOPSI’s charm, the hotel’s new additions are an equally enticing draw. “I think it’s interesting for both the locals and the guests to see how we’ve reimagined the space,” says LeMaire. The former office building is now a 217-room luxury hotel with three restaurants and a rooftop pool and bar. Each space pays homage to New Orleans culture and the building’s heritage with playful nods. Guests can enjoy Gulf CoastCommunity | Page 47

Community | From page 48 inspired cuisine at the “casual-yet-sophisticated” Public Service. The menu highlights products of New Orleans fisherman and farmers in an open kitchen. Legend has it that the modern cocktail was invented in a New Orleans apothecary. At Undercurrent, guests can celebrate with cocktails as big as the legend, inspired by the Prohibition era, featuring generous pours of gin and special champagne libations. Above the Grid, the hotel’s rooftop bar is multi-functional. During the day, visitors can enjoy a relaxing swim in the pool with a cold drink. By night, its cool vibe and sweeping views of the city make it a hotspot for tourists and locals alike. NOPSI’s stunning views aren’t the only perk of its location. The hotel is steps away from most of New Orleans’ hip neighborhoods and fun activities. The popular French Quarter is blocks away, as are many interesting museums. The Museum of Death,

The Backstreet Cultural Museum and the Audubon Butterfly and Insectarium are just minutes away by foot or cab. The hotel is also ideally located to experience some of New Orleans’ iconic events. With Mardi Gras and the city’s Tricentennial celebration just around the corner, LeMaire tells me what makes their location so unique: “We like to say we are on the ‘right side’ of all the parade routes.” Being on the edge of the parades gives visitors a front row seat to all the action, but also an accessible exit when they need it. When most of the city roads close, “on our side you have the freedom to walk in and out.” This convenience allows visitors to pick and choose their level of participation in a city known for its parties. Whatever your preferred party level, from Fat Tuesday debauchery to spa day, NOPSI has a package to accommodate you. Book in time for Valentine’s Day to enjoy their Romance package with breakfast in bed each

morning and champagne and chocolate covered strawberries on arrival. Hoping to getaway with friends? The Girlfriend’s getaway includes in-room massages and a shopping experience at Saks. Whatever your reason for visiting The Crescent City, NOPSI will gladly welcome you to the community. ML

Page 46: NOPSI Hotel, New Orleans’ original façade was meticulously restored. The building dates back to 1927 and was originally designed by Favrot & Livaudais. Photo by Modus Photography. Page 47, top: NOPSI Hotel, New Orleans features a sweeping lobby with faithfully renovated vaulted ceilings, graceful arches, ornamental columns, brass grills and stone terrazzo flooring. Photo by Modus Photography. Page 47, bottom: Classically designed, each guest room at NOPSI Hotel, New Orleans features refined furnishings and artwork inspired by the building's history, and the technology demanded by today’s discerning traveler. Photo by Modus Photography.

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MIDDLEBURG HUMANE FOUNDATION'S

Good Friends for a Good Cause ESTATE DINNERS

By Elaine Anne Watt Inviting people to an intimate dinner at your home featuring deliciously prepared food and for a beloved cause in our community is the perfect mix for a successful evening. And so it was on Saturday night, January 20th, as ten host homes opened their doors to tables for ten on behalf of the Middleburg Humane Foundation. I had the opportunity to join

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Josh Muss and Bibi de Heller at their lovely home, along with their two canine members of the family. Over lots of laughs, new and old friends relaxed in the welcoming atmosphere in front of a roaring fire in the fireplace. Joanne Maisano visited Jill Davisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; beautiful home, where her dog Cooper held court as the host. She then joined in the festivities at the home of Roma and John Sherman, the original owners of the Ashby

Photos: 1. Ron Bradley, Roma Sherman, John Zugschwert, Diane Russell, John Zugschwert, Danielle Bradley, Will Russell, and Rose Rogers (photo by Joanne Maisano). 2. LaurieMcClary and Milton Sender at Jill Davis' home enjoying the evening (photo by Joanne Maisano). 3. The beautifully arranged table at Jill Davis' home. Photo by Joanne Maisano. 4. Host Cooper at Jill Davis' home, Alston (photo by Joanne Maisano). 5. Kelly Hymes and Jim Kleeblat enjoying the evening at Josh Muss and Bibi DeHeller's home (photo by Elaine Anne Watt).

3 Inn, where Roma was the chef for many years. Melanie Burch, Director of Development for MHF, attended Michael and Lee McGettigan’s gathering at their historic home, Delacarlia. Guests enjoyed fabulous food in the original dining room of the home over engaging and lively conversation. “What a lovely dinner party,” said Louisa Woodville. “I had such fun with all the guests, in addition to meeting new people I hope to see again. And the food, yikes! Delicious. The McGettigans set the bar high!”

Other hosts included Lisa and Marvin Jawer, Ms. Jean Perin, Nicky Perry and Andrew Stiffler, Laura “Loki” Van Roijen, Deborah and James Mill and Virginia Jenkins. Participants traveled from as far as D.C. to attend, and it’s easy to see why this annual event is so successful. The Middleburg Humane Foundation is grateful for the many ways their work is furthered by the generosity of the hosts and their guests. If you would like to receive an invitation to next year’s event, please contact admin@middleburg humane.org. ML

Photos: 1. Host John Sherman (photo by Joanne Maisano). 2. Standing L to R, Sherry York, Michael McGettigan, Shaun Arden, Mary Arden, Andy Hartnecky and Lee McGettigan. Sitting L to R, Gale Delaschmutt, Louisa Woodville, Sue McManus and Melanie Burch. 3. Katherine Berger and Barb Batterton at Alston House (photo by Joanne Maisano). 4. A well-set table at Josh Muss and Bibi DeHeller's gracious home (photo by Elaine Anne Watt). 5. Josh Muss and Bibi DeHeller hosted a delicious home-cooked culinary delight with a lively group of friends and supporters of the Middleburg Humane Foundation. (photo by Elaine Anne Watt).

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FROM THE SHELTER TO THE COUCH Story and photos by Joanne Maisano

iddleburg is one of the most dog friendly towns in Virginia. Dogs are welcome in almost all the shops in town and even at some of the restaurants. While some may prefer a specialty or purebred dog, a lot of people find their companions at local shelters. There are wonderful rescues surrounding the Middleburg area such as Middleburg Humane Foundation, WAAAG, PetConnect Rescue and the local county shelters.

I wanted to see the adoption process initiated from a high-kill shelter through to placement in a forever home. My journey started at Geraldine Peace’s farm just north of town. Geraldine is an extraordinary woman who

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rehabilitates problematic dogs needing extra help adjusting to their new life as a domestic pet. Although she will work with anyone who is having behavioral problems with their dog, she predominantly works with organizations like PetConnect Rescue and more recently, the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria. She explained that rescues receive pleas for help with lists of available dogs from numerous high-kill shelters around the country. The shelters might be overloaded due to sheer overpopulation of stray dogs in that area or because of a natural disaster such as the hurricane and flooding in Texas and Puerto Rico. Adoption coordinators review the lists and determine which dogs they think will be easily adoptable for their demographic. They will then “pull” those dogs, having them first spayed or neutered, brought up to date on inoculations, microchipped and checked for any health issues. Sometimes there will be special pleas for dogs in need of medical treatment in hopes that an establishment with the resources will take on the Shelter | Page 51

Shelter | From page 50 dog and its treatment expenses. Once the pulled dogs arrive, they are put into foster homes where they get to decompress and learn the joy of being loved and cared for like someone’s companion rather than a number. Most dogs arrive un-housebroken, thin, filthy and with no training. Dogs being dogs, most adjust extremely fast and soon become wonderful adoptable family companions and move quickly on to their forever homes. Occasionally however, the dogs display behaviors that the average dog owner can’t handle such as aggression towards other dogs or humans, eating problems, resource guarding or extreme anxiety. These are the dogs that come for a stay at Geraldine’s farm! Geraldine is the female Cesar Millan, aka The Dog Whisperer. Dogs, like most animals, need and want a leader, someone who is in charge and who will tell them what is acceptable behavior. Geraldine uses her own pack of dogs, predominantly made up of rescues deemed unadoptable due to extreme behavioral issues, to help with their assessment and the ongoing rehabilitation. These dogs help socialize the new dogs, keep them in line and teach them acceptable behavior. Shelter | Page 52

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Shelter | From page 51 The first step is immersing the new dogs into her pack. “Often initially, it could be risking everyone by having them here as I never know what the reality of the situation is,” she says. “I have to be very careful which dogs I use and how I go about doing it; every dog is different. The foster or owner will tell me what they perceive to be the problem with the dog, but ultimately, it is my dogs who tell me what the real problem with the new dog is and what needs to be done to fix it. I just know how to read what my dogs are telling me.” Geraldine explains that most problem dogs are fearful and insecure, and they present as aggressive because they haven’t been socialized properly with other dogs and humans, and they don’t know how to behave under pressure. They have the attitude of “attack first and ask questions later.” For them it has been a matter of self-preservation. Recently a dog named Faith, a Japanese Tosa (mastiff) rescued from a Korean dog meat farm by the International Humane Society, ended up at the Alexandria Rescue League. Faith arrived so fearful of humans she would convulse when touched. She’d been raised with her siblings in a small wire pen under nightmare conditions. After be-

ing housed at the rescue league for a year without enough progress to become adoptable, the decision was made to send her to Geraldine’s farm. Geraldine initially kept Faith tethered to her so she would get used to being around humans, and then she put her on a 20-foot leash when outside loose in the fenced yard. This allowed her to catch her when needed and to get her used to coming with the pack when called. Like all the dogs that come to the farm, Faith lived inside her home as a member of her family during the rehabilitation so she could easily transition to a regular home. Faith’s treatment was documented on social media. The first video is of Faith sitting in the kitchen with Geraldine gently stroking her. The look on Faith’s face just melted the hearts of the more than 700 people who viewed the video. Faith would tolerate touch, but she certainly did not enjoy it. Over a month, you could see the transformation take place. Geraldine’s expertise in socializing Faith with her pack gave Faith confidence and taught her not to be afraid. By the end of the month Faith was catchable, followed Geraldine everywhere, loved to go on walks and play with the other dogs, and was well on her way to becoming a normal dog. She still wouldn’t seek out touch, but given time

PET OF THE MONTH dogs and children. I’m up-to-date on all of

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home once again.

Hi, I’m Mopsy, and I’m FIV positive and just 10 year old. I have been with the Middleburg Humane Foundation for 1 year and 9 months, which is a long time when you’re hoping for a new place to belong! Although I’m FIV+, I can have a long life and be very comfortable, but the virus is transmissible to other cats. I am looking for a home where there are no other cats, or where the other cats in the house are already FIV positive like me. I’m affectionate with people, and I have excellent social skills with other cats,

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Domestic Short Hair Special Diet Needs. ML

Article courtesy of Melanie Burch, Director of Development. For more information, visit www.middleburghumane.org or call 540-364-3272. Middleburg Humane Foundation operates a private, 4.5 acre farm shelter located in Marshall, Virginia. It is their goal to provide a haven for abused, neglected, and at risk animals, both large and small.

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and the right environment that too will come. Faith found a home and was adopted shortly after leaving the farm due to the incredible work of Geraldine and her dogs. After a stay with Geraldine, the dogs often will go to another foster like Kristin Noggle, a Middleburg resident who fosters for PetConnect Rescue, or France Bognon, the adoption coordinator at PetConnect, and they’ll work on basics such as walking on a leash. Subsequently, the dogs will go to other foster homes until they are completely ready for adoption. It’s imperative these dogs are socialized and adapted to living in a home before they are placed. Geraldine and the rescue determine what type of home is needed for the dogs, as not all dogs can go to any home. In every case, it has to be a specific family with the right situation. Social media is a wonderful way to get the word out about these dogs. Every shelter or rescue will also use Petfinder.com to showcase available dogs. ML Page 50, top: After nearly starving to death, Justice is loving his life in his temporary home with Geraldine (photo by Joanne Maisano). Page 50, bottom: Faith (photo courtesy of Geraldine Peace). Page 51: Geraldine Peace with her pack and rescues (photo by Joanne Maisano).

My name is Sully and I am a 5-year-old, 98 lb, Doberman who is just full of love and life. I am a friendly guy but I do not do well with kids. Come by and meet me!

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HIDDEN FIGURES AUTHOR

Margot Lee Shetterly

JOINS TERRA ALPHA INVESTMENTS ADVISORY BOARD Story and photo by Callie Broaddus

erra Alpha Investments has grown in staff, portfolio, and star power since I last wrote about their story in the October 2016 issue of Middleburg Life. This December, along with celebrating their threeyear anniversary, Terra Alpha welcomed author Margot Lee Shetterly to its already illustrious Advisory Board, joining the likes of former NASA Chief Scientist Ellen Stofan, Harvard Business School Professor George Serafeim and Frank Loy, the former Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs under President Clinton, among others. Shetterly joins the team fresh off the wildly successful release of her 2016 book, “Hidden Figures: The Story of the African American Women Who Helped Win the Space Race,” as well as the Hidden Figures film, on which she worked as executive producer. But before her foray into media, Shetterly cut her teeth in the investment banking world, working for J.P. Morgan and later Merrill Lynch after graduating from the University of Virginia McIntire School of Commerce.

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“It's exciting to be doing finance-related work after so many years, particularly with Terra Alpha, a firm committed to sustainable investment practices and environmental advocacy,” says Shetterly. “Working with smart people is always enjoyable, even more so when the goal is to come up with solutions to one of the most pressing issues facing our world today. “I hope that I can bring my experience in finance as an investment banker and also as a writer to help [Terra Alpha] execute on its mission,” she continues, “but I'm also excited to learn from the many talented people that Tim has brought together.” Tim Dunn and Andrew Geller co-founded the groundbreaking “advocacy investment firm” in November 2014, in what could be considered a paradigm shift in the world of traditional investment management. Terra Alpha’s strategy is predicated on the idea that companies that use natural resources efficiently will produce a greater long-term return than their industry peers. They call this metric “Environmental Productivity.” “Margot's experience in the finance world and with start-ups will be of enormous help

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to the Terra Alpha management team as we grow,” says Dunn. “And her success as a reporter and writer will enhance our ability to communicate our advocacy message that all businesses’ and investors’ returns would be improved by incorporating Environmental Productivity into their decision-making. “ In early January, Terra Alpha held their first Advisory Board Meeting with Shetterly in attendance, at their second office in Washington, D.C. “The whole team found her questions and insights exceptionally valuable,” says Dunn. “She also brings a very contagious level of optimism and enthusiasm.” Terra Alpha now employs 10 fulltime employees and manages $32 million in assets in their fund. For more information on their advocacy, assets, and advisory board, visit their website at terraalphainvestments.com. ML Above: Some of the newly expanded Terra Alpha team. From left to right. Andrew Geller, Chief Financial Officer, Ellen Stofan, Advisory Board member, Margot Lee Shetterly, Advisory Board Member, Tim Dunn, Chief Investment Officer.

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2/1-3/18

The Horse and the Camera from the Judith and Jo Tartt, Jr. Photography Collection, National Sporting Library & Museum (Wed. – Sun. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.): Come see this insightful exhibition of exceptional photographs now nearing the completion of its time here. 102 The Plains Road, Middleburg. Admission is Adults $10, Seniors & Youth $8, Children Free. For more information, please visit www.nationalsporting.org or call 540-687-6542.

2/7, 14, 21, 28

National Sporting Library & Museum Gallery Talks (2 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.): Each week, NSLM’s Clarice & Robert H. Smith Educator or museum curators will give attendees a personalized peek at traveling exhibitions, permanent collections and the fascinating stories behind the works in the museum’s art collections. No two tours are alike, so come back for more! Reservations are not required, and admission is free. Bring your friends! Gallery talks are every Wednesday at 2 p.m. For more information, please visit www.nationalsporting.org or call 540-687-6542.

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2/8

Town Council Meeting (6 p.m. – 7 p.m.): Come join your town council and interested members of the community as they hold their regularly scheduled meeting open to the public. For more information, please visit www.middleburgva. gov or call 540-687-5152.

2/ 8, 15, 22

C o c kt a i l s ‘n C h a rcuterie at Side Saddle Café (4: 30 p.m. – 8 p.m.): Join us every Thursday evening for Side Saddle Café’s weekly happy hour! Lovely cocktails and gorgeous charcuterie plates crafted by Side Saddle’s culinary team. So come on out, relax and chat with the gang over soft tunes floating through the cozy atmosphere. For more information, please visit www.fieldsofathenryfarm.com/content/ side-saddle-cafe or call 540-326-8177.

2/10

Opening Reception for “Love in the Burg” at Artists in Middleburg (2 p.m. – 5 p.m.): Come see the works accepted into the juried competition and hear the artists speak about their works. For more information, visit www.theartistsinmiddleburg.org or call Debbie Cadenas at 703-489-4643.

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2/10

Bourbon & Bacon Romance Class at Salamander Resort & Spa (2 p.m. – 4 p.m.): Bourbon and bacon is a romantic combination! Bring your sweetheart and join Executive Chef Ryan Arensdorf and Executive Pastry Chef Jason Reaves to learn the art of bacon cupcake design while drinking bourbon as well as bacon and chocolate martini making. Cost is $79 per person. Price does not include tax and gratuity. For more information, please call 540-326-4070.

2/10, 11,17, 24

Live Music at 50 West Vineyards (1:30 – 4:30): Enjoy wine and music with Far Away Songs, Jason Masi or Jazz Duo Mangione & Benton. For more information, please visit www.50westvineyards.com or call 571-367-4760.

2/10-11

Cupid’s Cave at B oxwo o d E state Winery: Enjoy a seated tasting with wines, cheese and chocolate. Plus, receive a souvenir glass. Tickets and reservations are required. Cost is $55 per couple. To make a reservation and for more information, please contact dorothy@boxwoodwinery.com.

2/11

“All About Lyme Disease: Lyme in Horses and Humans” Tricounty Feeds, Fashion, Finds (1 p.m. – 3 p.m.): Lyme disease doesn’t discriminate! Join integrative veterinarian Dr. Joyce Harman, founder of Harmony Equine Clinic, and Naturopathic Dr. Sheeba Asad of Lifestyle Physicians as they team up to talk about how Lyme affects both humans and animals. They’ll talk diagnosis, treatment and integrative therapies. For more information, please visit www.tricountryfeeds.com or call 540-364-1891.

2/11

Fly Me to the Moon Valentine’s Cabaret at Salamander Resort & Spa (3:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.): What is the feeling you get when you know you’re in love? You feel like you can fly to the moon, right? The crooners of the ‘40’s & ‘50s had it right and so did the songsters of the ‘60s and ‘70s. Join us as we fall, heart first, into some of the greatest love songs of all time performed New York cabaret-style by some of the best local talent in the area. Let us serenade you and your valentine. Cost is $59 per person. For more information, please call 540-326-4060.

2/14

L’Auberge Provencale Valentine’s Day Celebration (5 p.m. – 9 p.m.): Located at 13630 Lord Fairfax Hwy in White Post, Virginia. Executive Chef Richard Wright is offering a special lovers tasting menu for two, paired with wines by Sommelier Christian Borel. Also available is a five-course pre fixe menu. The menus will feature the best of the season from our local farmers and friends with extravagant touches equal to the occasion. And we have a nice gift for each loving couple to take with you. For information or reservations, please call 540-837-1375.

2/14

Goodstone Inn & Restaurant Valentine’s Celebration (5:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.): Celebrate Valentine’s Day with your special someone at our cozy restaurant. Cost: Tasting Menu: $105 per person, plus tax and service. Champagne Pairing (optional): $70 per person plus tax and service. Total cost: $105-$175 per person. A Valentine’s Day-inspired tasting menu will be available Thursday, February 15th through Sunday, February 18th with optional champagne pairing. For more information, please visit www.goodstone.com or to make reservations, call 540-687-3333.

2/16

The Andy Bergner Center at Emmanuel Episcopal Church (10 a.m. – 3 p.m.): The Center is a community outreach ministry of Emmanuel Episcopal Church, located in the Parish House at 105 East Washington Street, Middleburg, which provides a free day of fun, food, fellowship and life-enhancing information designed to stimulate the mind, body, heart and soul of Adults 45+ who want or need a day of diversion. For more information, please call Kay Redditt at 540-687-6297.

2/16-19

Middleburg’s 7th A n n u a l Wi n t e r Weekend Sale (10 a.m. – 5 p.m. or as posted): Please join in for great savings and fun at area shops and businesses. Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday hours as posted by the shops. Look for the winter white and blue balloons at participating businesses. Sponsored by the Middleburg Business and Professional Association and the Town of Middleburg. For more information, please go to www.visitmiddleburgva.com.

2/17

Bingo Night at Middleburg Community Center (6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.): Located at 300 West Washington Street, Middleburg. Have some fun with friends new and old. Ticket price includes bingo cards, dinner, a drink and a raffle ticket. Cost: $35 per person. Buy your ticket early at www.eventbrite.com.

2/18

Live Music at Greenhill Winery & Vineyards (1 p.m. – 4 p.m.): Come listen to Andrew O’Day and enjoy the afternoon sipping some of your favorite wines. For more information, please call contact Lisa Capraro at lisa@greenhillvineyards.com.

2/18

Chopin the Traveler, Chopin the Teacher: Community School of the Piedmont (5 p.m. – 8 p.m.): Come attend the CMSP’S annual Candlelight Concert Fundraiser featuring stellar pianist Brian Ganz in an all-Chopin program. His “Chopin always blends the wisdom of age with the enthusiasm of youth” (DMV Classical). Much of Chopin’s music debuted in aristocratic Parisian drawing rooms; Barton Oaks is similarly a small, intimate performance space, making it perfect for the works of this Polish master! Admission is $125 per person. Tickets may be purchased at www.piedmontmusic.org or by calling Martha Cotter at 540-592-3040. Seating is limited.

2/18

Spain vs. France Wine Dinner at L’Auberge Provencale (12 p.m. – 4 p.m.): Join us for an eventful afternoon while we explore wines from both Spain and France, with wine representative Hugues Beaulieu from Elite Wines. He, along with our Sommelier Christian Borel, will duel at whose wine is the best. Chef Richard Wright will pair each wine with inspired regional dishes with the best of what the Shenandoah Valley has to offer. Cost is $135 per person. For more information, please visit www.laubergeprovencale.com or to make reservations call 540-837-1375.

2/19

Senior Citizens Bingo at Middleburg United Methodist Church (2 p.m. – 4 p.m.): Held the first and third Monday of every month, come have some fun with your peers! For more information, please call Jan Coxwell at 540-687-6492.

2/20

Cooking Class with Chef Patierno at Girasole Ristorante (6:30 p.m.): Learn how to make authentic pasta with Chef Patierno! Includes class, dinner and wine pairings. 4244 Loudoun Avenue, The Plains. Cost is $85 per person. For more information, please visit www.girasoleva.com or call 540-253-5501.

2/23-25

Three Fox Vineyards & The Briar Patch Inn Cooking Class Weekend: The Briar Patch Bed & Breakfast Inn invites you and your favorite foodie/travel companion to book a weekend visit and learn how to bring together a delicious 3-4 course meal with all the flare of a professional chef. Some spaces available for just attending the cooking class without an overnight stay. Visit the Briar Patch website at www.briarpatchbandb.com for details.

2/24

Foxcroft School presents Expedition K2M: The STEM Challenge (8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.): Come watch 40 high school and middle school teams of girls take on a number of STEM challenges in hopes of taking home the all-school trophy, some medals or other prizes. Everyone has fun with STEM at Foxcroft! Athletic/Student Center at 22407 Foxhound Lane, Middleburg. For more information, please contact Cathrine Wolf at cwolf@foxcroft.org or call 540-687-4511.

2/24

Spay-ghetti & No Balls Dinner & Raffle at Barrel Oak Winery on behalf of the Middleburg Humane Foundation (6 p.m. – 9 p.m.): Proceeds from this fun Italian dinner, catered by Karen Harper-Fuog, will support the MHF Community Cats Trap/Neuter/Return program and the low-cost spay-neuter program for low-income families. Barrel Oak Winery is located at 3623 Grove Lane, Delaplane, VA 20144. Cost is $45 Adults, under 21 $40, children up to age 12 $15. For more information, please visit middleburghumane.networkforgood.com.

2/25

“Hidden Figures” Movie Night at The Hill School (3 p.m. – 6 p.m.): Join us for a movie night at The Hill School’s Sheila C. Johnson Auditorium! 130 S. Madison Street, Middleburg. We’ll have snacks, pizza and a discussion of the movie. Free community event! Presented by Hill’s Committee on Culture, Inclusion and Equity. For more information, please visit www.thehillschool.org or call 540-687-5897.

2/28

Main Street Middleburg Meeting (8 a.m. – 9 a.m.): Join Mayor Betsy Davis and other committee representatives to learn what is going on in Middleburg! You will have an opportunity to ask questions and express concerns. For more information, please contact Jaime Gaucher, Business & Economic Development Director at www.middleburgva.gov or by calling 540-687-5152. Seating is limited.

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A FITTING STORY By Elaine Anne Watt

ometimes it’s timing, sometimes it’s providence, and sometimes it’s a little of both. In the case of Kayse Small and Sara Crutcher, somehow it was meant to be. Kayse fell in love with lingerie while living in France for four years. Socializing meant spending time with European women eating delicious food and visiting lingerie boutiques when not handling her responsibilities as President of the Parent/Teacher Organization (PTO) of Marymount International School. “I started out feeling very uncomfortable because I wasn’t taught to think about myself,” she says. “I had six kids. It was supposed to be all about them. My time there was a great influence on reframing my mindset about being a beautiful woman. I learned about feeling confident about your body, whatever your body type, style or size.” Fast-forward to 2009, and Kayse started working at Jos. A. Banks. Although only there for three months, she realized that she was good at sales and wanted to get more training in retail. She was living in Haymarket and started a position at Market Salamander learning all she could about events, catering and retail services. After one and a half years, she joined the opening team for Salamander Resort & Spa, managing the gift shop for the past 4 ½ years. She remembers dreaming about opening a lingerie boutique in Middleburg about seven or eight years ago, but she didn’t think it was a viable option for the town at that time. Meanwhile, Sara’s passion for lingerie started early. By the end of her first semester at Hampton University, she was working at Victoria’s Secret over breaks and even during the school year. She loved the colors, lace and textures. Graduating with a degree from the School of Communications in AdvertisFitting | Page 59

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Fitting | From page 58 ing, Sara worked with advertising agencies in Atlanta, New York and Chicago, the hubs of that world. Simultaneously, while in Atlanta, Sara worked at a high-end lingerie boutique, Blue Corset Company, where she was introduced to quality brands like Cotton Club, La Perla and ID Sarrieri. She then joined Intimacy, both in Atlanta and then New York, which is now Rigby & Peller, where she was trained to be an expert bra fitter. Sara took classes at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, and she gained valuable online retailing experience with Freshpair. In Chicago, she worked at one of La Perla’s premier locations on the famed Magnificent Mile. What happened next could be considered coincidence or something more. While visiting Middleburg, Sara’s mother, Dr. Betty Neal Crutcher, went into Salamander’s gift shop and met Kayse, becoming friends. Later, both Sara and Kayse happened to visit Sara’s Mom in Richmond on the same weekend and discovered their mutual love of lingerie. “We started to go to trade shows together and bouncing off ideas,” says Sara. “I was living in Michigan, and Kayse was here in Virginia, both of us doing our own lingerie mobile service and pop-up businesses.” Over one and a half years, they made connections with vendors while attending trade shows together every six months. Then, Kayse found available space to rent right on

I want women to feel the freedom to be able to wear whatever they want to wear... - Kayse Small North Pendleton Street in the heart of Middleburg, and they were ready to act. Kayse and Sara officially opened their boutique, Le Boudoir, on November 24, Black Friday. The Town held a ribbon-cutting for them on December 15, and the Grand Opening was the next day. The women feel they complement each other. Sara is more about the fashion and is very comfortable with wearing lingerie for the personal joy it brings. She understands, however, that for some women it is not a passion but a necessity. “I want them to know that they can have both,” she says. “The right fit, style and color can make you feel amazing and confident. Nobody may know what you’re wearing, but you have more pep in

your step when you know you look great.” Kayse is more about women “accepting our bodies for what they are and adorning them the way we want to. I can always tell how a woman feels by looking at how she carries her body, sits or moves. I want women to feel the freedom to be able to wear whatever they want to wear, not for their partner, or for someone else, but for themselves as a woman.” Sara points out that women “never think of lingerie as a source of confidence as we go through life’s processes. Our bodies and lives are always changing. It makes you feel good to have something on underneath to make you feel better.” And, it’s all about the fit. Most women don’t wear the right size or style. Think you do? Well, you might want to make an appointment or stop in to Le Boudoir. If experience is a good measure, then I can attest that the results won’t disappoint. Sara summed it up: “We feel just so blessed, fortunate, excited. Every emotion. It’s a dream for both of us.” ML Located at 10 North Pendleton Street, Middleburg, VA. For more information, visit www.leboudoirfits.com or call 540-883-3129. Page 58: Sara and Kayse feel blessed to help women find their best fit and style (photo by Elaine Anne Watt). Page 59: Sara and Kayse celebrating the grand opening of their boutique (photographer Clarke Betz @clarkebetz).

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middleburglife.com

A Conversation with

Bridge Littleton By Elaine Anne Watt January has arrived with the official opportunity to file to run for the office of Mayor of Middleburg with the coming elections in May. As expected, there are new candidates stepping forward to join the announced campaign of Vincent Bataoel. Middleburg Life intends to sit down with each of the candidates to discuss their visions for our beloved town.

rowbridge (Bridge) Littleton met with me just after Middleburg’s first B2B Expo, where the town council hoped to encourage businesses to get to know each other better and seek ways to collaborate for the good of the whole community. As a council member, Bridge participated in the planning and execution of the event, and he was pleased with the results. “We heard everyone saying that they had a greater appreciation for how we can help each other be more successful,” he says. “Several businesses already picked up customers at the event.” Bridge wants to continue to be a part of the “measured change” that will make our town thrive. “It’s very important to me that people vote for the right reason,” he says. “Does the person bring the right vision, experience, background and dynamic to look at this community and move forward as a community together.” Bridge believes his legal training, experience in advocacy with the Aerospace Industry Association, working with the federal government on policies affecting the marketplace, and his position as President of Hellen Systems, LLC has honed his skills as a consensus builder, a valuable trait in public service. He is the eighth generation of his family to grow up in the same home here in Middleburg. Unlike previous generations where when young people went away to school and to start their careers almost all came back to settle in the area, with his generation maybe a little less than 50 percent have come back. And, he sees more problems ahead. “Middleburg struggled for many years with a positive operating cash flow of approximately $100,000 for a town budget of between 1–1.5 million dollars,” he says. “The town was millions of dollars in debt with infrastructure desperately in need of repair.” His father was on the town council then, and everyone was trying to do the right things and do them incrementally as money allowed.

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He acknowledges that Salamander Resort’s contributions to the tax base have enabled the town to progress significantly on services such as essential utilities, infrastructure and even the police force. But, “it is a decades long thing. We still have a lot to do and aging structures to replace or maintain.” Planning is essential. In fact, Bridge says that the town has “$3 million in infrastructure project spending that needs to happen in the next five years – that’s a big financial commitment we have to be prepared for.”

resident is somewhere in the range of $260,000-$275,000 for a home. Loudoun County’s average income is $125,000 per year. And, the average age of a person living in Middleburg is 11 years older than in the rest of Loudoun.” How do you attract young people to live somewhere they can’t afford, and what effect does that have on the tax base for the future? “The essential question is to figure out how teachers, young families and our police officers can afford to live in town,” he says.

In making important strategy and funding decisions, “you have to look at the law of unintended consequences to make sure that when you adjust utility rates or consider a change in the taxes levied, that you don’t actually hurt your ability to pay your bills or plan for capital expenses,” Bridge says. “Purcellville had that experience.” With population growth flat and the changing demographics of the town, Bridge is concerned that the next generation of current and potential residents will be priced out of living in town. “The average household income in the town of Middleburg is $56,000 a year, whereas the average home price is $445,000,” he says. “The affordability curve for a town

“We’re fortunate. The town has been running a surplus in the General Fund of about $1 million dollars for the past three years largely because of Salamander. We have to make investments during the good times that will make us more efficient and save costs during bad times,” he continues. “Government needs to be in a position to step in and help when tough times come.” Bridge noted how even with the best planning, catastrophic things might happen. “We ended up fiscal year 2017 with $3.2 million dollars in true capital reserves,” he says. “We have $6 million in long-term, inexpensive and bonded debt at 1.4 percent. I’d like to

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Conversation | Page 61

Conversation | From page 60 raise our capital reserve from 20 percent to 100 percent and put $1.5 million in the bank as an untouchable strategic reserve to ensure that we can weather a long-term storm.” He’d like to see other monies spent on modernizing the town government and support so that the town is “IT enabled, so that the town clerk and others can be doing the important work that needs to be done instead of clerical duties like making paper packages of documents in preparation for town meetings.” He’d like to see the town meetings online and the access to important information cloud based. He wants to see competitive bid processes and transparent government. “I want to empower people to be more successful by giving them the tools they need to do so,” he concludes. “I want to live by the mission adopted by the council: Preserving our heritage through purposeful change. The job of a good leader is to enable others to do their best work.” ML Currently, there are three registered candidates for Mayor of Middleburg: Vincent Bataoel, chairman of the town’s Economic Development Advisory Committee, Mark Snyder, a Town Council member since 1998 and Bridge Littleton, a Town Council member since 2016. Page 60: Mayoral candidate Bridge Littleton. Page 61: Bridge talking to senior girls at Foxcroft School about going into aerospace engineering and STEM education.

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MEET MIDDLEBURG

Robert Carter, school principal Story and photo by Kerry Phelps Dale

t was during a month-long high school mission trip to China that Robert Carter discovered the two loves of his life: his future wife, Elsie, and teaching. Thanks to the internet Robert and Elsie kept in touch until Robert could return to China his sophomore year of college and once again teach English, this time for a full semester, long enough for the pair to know they wanted to be a couple and that Robert wanted to pursue a degree in education. He later added graduate degrees in reading and education administration from Shenandoah University. Fast forward, and the Carters now live in Round Hill with their three children ages 3 to 8, Elsie has a law degree from William and Mary, and Robert is the beloved principal of Middleburg’s home school, Banneker Elementary off of Saint Louis Road. Winchester born and raised, Robert is now fully “over the mountain.” Both residing and working in Loudoun County, Robert

inched his way east first to Clarke County as a middle school science teacher, then as Clarke County Elementary vice principal, then became Purcellville’s Emerick Elementary vice principal and now he’s at Banneker Elementary, where he hopes to settle for the

foreseeable future. Robert feels he was called to be a teacher during that first visit to China when he realized that students wanted the knowledge he had to offer, and he felt unexpected rewards in providing it to them. So, the question begs to be answered. Does he miss the classroom? “No,” he says of the question he’s been asked many times. “I have a greater impact on a greater number of students’ lives. I know every kid in the school and know things I wouldn’t have known about them as a classroom teacher.” “I wouldn’t change the relationship I have with the kids for anything,” he says. “I see them in the lunchroom, on the playground and in the halls.” Most importantly he still sees them in the classroom when he observes, and he likes what he sees. “I really appreciate good teaching and teachers who can inspire the kids,” he says. The small school, supportive community, great teachers and kids are all he hoped for in an administrative positon. “This school and community is the pinnacle,” says Robert. ML

Middleburg’s First B2B Expo Held at Salamander Resort By Elaine Anne Watt

n Thursday, January 18th, the Town of Middleburg held its first Business-to-Business Expo at Salamander Resort to encourage area businesses to get to know each other and seek ways to collaborate. Jamie Gaucher, our Business & Economic Development Director, and the town council members worked closely to launch this initiative. With the town becoming more of a destination and reliant on its visitors for retail and commercial success, making sure that everyone at Salamander knows about the local resources available for their guests to enjoy, and for town business owners to know about the amenities available at Salamander, makes great sense. Likewise, the town has seen a lot of changes in the past few years. Sometimes, we’re just not aware of what’s new or different, and those resources might fit well with our own plans and initiatives.

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Held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., the retail, business and hospitality communities were well represented, offering participants a relaxed way to share information about themselves and their services. Afterwards, Jamie expressed satisfaction with the success of the inaugural event. “I think this might well be more than once a year,” he said. “Next time, they’ll be many

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more people joining us.” ML The B2B Expos are open to all companies with a business license in the Town of Middleburg who register to participate. 25 Middleburg businesses took part in the first B2B Expo. General Manager Reggie Cooper of Salamander along with Council Member Bridge Littleton welcomed participants to the event.

COMING HOME ON SAFARI

By Joanne Maisano

he pilot finally announced that we would be landing in Nairobi in 20 minutes. I was sitting by the window in the darkened aircraft looking out at nothing but darkness. As I stared down at the lights, becoming closer as we neared our destination, I had the most peculiar feeling that I had been to this place before. I couldn’t see any buildings or lights from cars on the highways, just blurs of something. But the feeling kept growing stronger. There was no explanation that I could rationalize, but it was there. I was arriving home. I was pulled away from my thoughts when the cabin lights were turned on and the chaos of getting off the plane began. As I looked down from the top step, I was amazed at the number of personnel waiting to do whatever

they do when a plane lands. They all wore blue jumpsuits and had the widest, whitest smiles I’d ever seen. That look captured the country of Kenya as it transmitted the warmth of the people and the joy of seeing us arrive. We were met by the welcoming crew from African Quest and whisked off to our hotel where we were served delicious fruit drinks and received instructions regarding our flight to Amboseli National Park in the morning. Leaving Wilson Airport we encountered low-hanging clouds, unfortunately blocking our view of Mt. Kilimanjaro. We checked into our lodge, and our guide, Ernest, assured us that we would see the mountain that morning. He took us out on a well-traveled road before making a sharp right onto a two-track path. We were preoccupied with the zebras and warthogs on the left when Ernest suggested we all look to the right. Standing there alone in its pristine glory was Kili.

It seemed like it was five minutes before a word was spoken. My brother Tom turned to his wife and said, “It looks as if God was walking around the world with Kili in his hands looking for a beautiful spot to place him and selected this one.” Dad mentioned that the beautiful green grass came courtesy of Kili. That snow on top constantly melts, supplying fresh water to the animals and people for miles. “Thanks be to God.” We took our eyes off Kilimanjaro, and ½ mile in front of us and heading exactly in our direction was a huge herd of elephants marching briskly in an almost military formation. We asked Ernest if we should get out of this area quickly. He said, “No, this is an experience you will never regret. Try to count the number passing.” There were elephants to the right of us,

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Safari | From page 63 elephants to the left of us, elephants in front of us, all marching briskly with the young elephants being forced back into the formation after wandering outside their guarded line. Amazingly, they made no sound. There was no grunting, no howling nor noise from their footsteps. Our 4x4 was silent from Ernest’s last words to three or four minutes after the last elephant passed. Our best estimate was 300 elephants. We continued on our safari and saw quite a few species of mammals. Before heading back, we wandered into a grove of fruit trees, and there we saw nine giraffes quietly stretching their necks to reach the fruit or berries in quiet solitude as the sun disappeared under the horizon. Seeing these giraffes transformed me, made me feel that I was truly in Africa. This was a remarkable day. The next day we flew to the Samburu National Reserve due north of Nairobi. The terrain was more desert and far drier than Amboseli. We slept in our first tents, and they were fabulous, set up on a wooden base. We walked up two steps and unzipped our “door,” and presto we were inside a bedroom with a bed on each side, night table and lamp, and a couple of relaxing chairs, all with plenty of head room. Continuing to the back we could zip open another door to the bathroom with hot and cold running water, a flushable toilet and shower (sometimes a bath tub). There was a mirror and good lighting for women applying makeup or men shaving. The big event here was watching a leopard kill a young impala. After the kill, the leopard picked up the impala by the scruff of his neck and walked about 100 yards to his favorite tree. He climbed that tree faster than we could with an impala in his mouth! He stretched his dinner across two branches, made himself comfortable and took a nap! Some people have gotten queasy watching an animal being killed, but less so when on safari. Here, you have delved into a world that has existed a million or more years. What I watched was life in the raw. The strong conquer the weak. Other animals with sharper minds will outthink the plodders and win. At our next destination, Maasai Mara National Reserve, considered one of the best parks in Africa, we stopped at the top of a hill and saw a cape buffalo sitting alone in the grass. Usually that means that the animal is in trouble, perhaps sick or hurt. Soon, a lioness appeared and worked her way past the buffalo, exposing herself at about 100 yards. The buffalo saw the lion and started heading for her, obviously looking for a fight. They came to within three feet of each other, both growling and making threatening gestures. Then to our amazement, they lined up like two football lineman facing one another. A buffalo’s weakness is in its horns. The tips cannot lie flat in a fight. The lioness lined up less than

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a foot from the horns but flattened herself to a point where we gasped in disbelief. The buffalo charged, but the points of his horns skimmed over the lion. The buffalo came to a stop after 10 yards. The lioness didn’t attack but ran and lined up for the next charge, which ended with the same result. After several more passes, the lioness ignored the buffalo and ran to the original spot where she first saw the buffalo. She ducked her head in the high grass, came up with a baby buffalo stuffed in her mouth, and trotted home. It was heartbreaking looking at the buffalo standing alone with slumped shoulders and a sagging body watching the triumphant lioness bringing dinner to her hungry babies, but soon the conversation focused on the cunning and athleticism of the lioness. We had witnessed the Circle of Life. After two fabulous weeks away, my Dad, who went on his first safari in 1979 and has

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done more than 25 since, came up to me before we boarded the plane for home. He wanted to discuss the feeling I’d shared about being here before. He shocked me when he admitted that he had experienced the same feeling many times. He’s convinced that this part of Africa is where God started human life. Millions of believers say that Ethiopia is where the Garden of Eden was planted, and that is why this area is called The Cradle of Civilization. ML Joanne Maisano, a well-known photographer in the area, is co-owner with her dad of Safari and Beyond, LLC, a safari planner headquartered in New York with an office in Front Royal, Virginia. Page 63: Photo courtesy of John Maisano. Page 64, top: Photo courtesy of John Maisano. Page 64, bottom: Photo courtesy of client, Patrick Wilson.

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ProPerties in Hunt Country gone awaY farM

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The Plains~Set on a knoll with views of the Blue Ridge Mtns, this 83 acre farm is well designed and was extensively remodeled in 2011 offering every amenity. The main house has 4 BD, 7 BA, 4 fireplaces, gourmet kitchen, and gracious entertaining spaces inside and out. There is a 3BD, 2 BA tenant house, charming guest house, swimming pool, outdoor kitchen, 4 ponds and extensive landscaping. There is a 4 stall barn, 2 stall shed row barn, equip. shed, 3 run in sheds. Protected by a conservation easement, $4,980,000

Middleburg ~ Custom built Colonial manor house on 23+ acres just 1.5 miles from downtown Middleburg. Recently renovated with new SS appliances, bathroom countertops & toilets, carpet, paint & roof. 8 Bedrooms, 6 Full Baths, 21⁄2 Baths. Exquisite details throughout include . Eat-in Kitchen, formal DR & LR, Library with Wet Bar, Sunroom, LL Family Room, Rec. Room & Wine Cellar., 3-car Garage with 2 BR Apt, pool, 3-bay Workshop, Shed, Garden House, Koi pond & stream. Room for horses. $1,850,000

This fully renovated brick home by Swiss architect Henri de Heller in 1938 sits on 5+ professionally landscaped acres in downtown Warrenton. House has influences from the Modernistic Movement & listed on the Nat’l Register of Historic Places. 5 BRs, 5.5 BAs, formal Living Room, Dining Room, Den, Conservatory, gourmet Eat-in Kitchen, Family Room & 6 fireplaces. The grounds have over 100+ species of trees, shrubs, flowers, terraced gardens & stonewalls all centered around a sunken garden. 3-car Garage. $1,775,000

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Marshall~Fully renovated home nestled amongst large farms on 1 manicured acre in sought after area. Enjoy a traditional country home on the outside with a sophisticated, contemporary design within. 3-4 BRs, 2.5 BAs w/open Kitchen & Eat-In area, DR w/original stone fireplace, LR with built-ins, bay window and fireplace, separate Office or 1st Flr BR. Master Suite w/lux BA & His & Her Walk-ins. Large open flagstone terrace, porches and extensive landscaping. $1,135,000

The Plains ~ One of Fauquier County's oldest properties on 17.3 acres. The main house, c:1790 is stucco over frame and has heart pine floors, beamed ceilings, 5 Fireplaces, 6 bedrooms 5 full and 2 half baths. It is surrounded by boxwood and perennial gardens with a lovely pool, pool house and stone cabin guest house. An old Virginia Classic and a must see! $1,100,000

Delaplane~ Located in the historic village, this 4 Bedroom, 2.5 Bath home has been meticulously renovated. Features original hardwood floors, 5 fireplaces, formal Living Room, Dining Room & Library. All new gourmet Kitchen, Baths & Master Bedroom Suite. Re-plastered walls, new lighting, new furnace/AC, sound system, extensive landscaping, fenced back yard, expansive rear terrace, covered front porch & detached 2-car garage. $749,000

emily ristau (540) 687-7710

Cricket Bedford (540) 229-3201

1122 PoPlar row lane w

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Cricket Bedford (540) 229-3201

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THISTle HIll~ Spectacular land with rolling, verdant fields, lush woodlands and a spring fed pond, on 415+ gorgeous acres in unspoiled Hume. Offering four parcels of 100+ acres each, this property is ideally located off scenic Leeds Manor Road, amongst other beautiful estates, many in conservation easements. Easy access to I- 66 and within an hour of the nation's capital. $5,000,000

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Upperville ~ Lovely restored 3 Bedroom home on over an acre of Cleared, open land. Very Private, Great Location, Master Bedroom on Main Level, Large Living Room, Spacious Kitchen with new Stainless-Steel Appliances, Newly Renovated Baths Large Recreational Room on Lower Level with Bedroom, Bath and Exercise Room/Office. Must see to appreciate. $420,000

Barrington Hall (540) 454-6601

BerrYVIlle lanD ~ 255 acres of beautiful open, rolling land in VA horse country with mature pastures, cropland and several lovely home sites. Listing includes an income producing, established equine vet clinic/surgical center with 6 stalls, 50 x 120 machine shed, paddocks, sand arena and an open turf gallop of nearly a mile in length & Gordonsdale event course. $1,900,000 roKeBY roaD~ Upperville 1.84 acre parcel with 3 Bedroom septic Certificate on hand. Mostly wooded with fantastic views to the east! Great opportunity to own in a prime location! $299,999

Upperville ~ Lovely 3 Bedroom Home on 1+ acres on a quiet country lane in Upperville. Second Floor Master with WB Fireplace, Cozy Living Room with WB Fireplace, separate Dining Room for formal entertaining, Full Bath on main level, Laundry/Mud Room off of the Kitchen accesses the Fenced-in Yard, Mature trees, Stone Walls, Detached Garage and in a Great Location! Walk to the Store, the Winery down the street or even to Hunter's Head! This home needs some TLC and is being sold “as-is.” $380,000

Barrington Hall (540) 454-6601

Please see over 100 of our fine estates and exclusive country properties by visiting www.THOMAS-TALBOT.com Susie Ashcom Cricket Bedford Catherine Bernache Snowden Clarke John Coles Rein duPont Cary Embury Barrington Hall

THOMAS AND TALBOT REAL ESTATE a STaUnCH aDVoCaTe of lanD eaSeMenTS lanD anD eSTaTe agenTS SInCe 1967 Middleburg, Virginia 20118

(540) 687-6500

Phillip S. Thomas, Sr.

Celebrating his 56th year in Real Estate.

Julien Lacaze Anne V. Marstiller Brian McGowan Jim McGowan Mary Ann McGowan Rebecca Poston Emily Ristau

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.