February 2023

$8,300,000 | Welcome to the luxurious Littleton Farm on 153+/- glorious acres* in Upperville's Hunt Country, part of the historical Piedmont hunt! This premier estate is an equine and entertainer’s paradise. For more information, video, and tour go to bit.ly/33846foxleaseln.

Peter Pejacsevich 540.270.3835 | Scott Buzzelli 540.454.1339

$5,148,787 | Located 60 miles west of Washington DC, this beautiful land showcases the rolling hills and majestic mountain views Virginia's Hunt Country is known for. Subject to Conservation Easement.

Peter Pejacsevich 540.270.3835 | Scott Buzzelli 540.454.1339

For more about any of these listings scan this QR code or go to bit.ly/AsFeaturedInMLFeb2023

$2,800/mo | Live in beautiful Middleburg right off Route 50 on West Washington Street. This recently renovated 3 bedroom, 2 bath home is a commuters dream! One year lease preferred, but will accept shorter term if necessary.

Shannon Casey 540.222.2119 | Brittany Hartz 540.212.3773

$2,200/mo | Live in beautiful Middleburg right off Route 50 on West Washington Street. This recently renovated 2 bedroom, 1 bath home is a commuters dream! One year lease preferred, but will accept shorter term if necessary.

Shannon Casey 540.222.2119 | Brittany Hartz 540.212.3773

PUBLISHER: Greenhill Media, LLC

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Kaitlin Hill | kaitlin@middleburglife.com

COPY EDITOR: Susan Stark

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR | PUBLISHER Christian Bentley christian@middleburglife.com

ADVERTISING SALES REPRESENTATIVES

Vicky Mashaw | vmashaw@middleburglife.com

Jennifer Richards | jennifer@middleburglife.com

ACCOUNTS ADMINISTRATOR

Joanne Maisano

DESIGNER: Elisa Hernandez

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR: Nicky Marshok

ON THE COVER

A couple poses in Glenstone Gardens, a new Hunt Country wedding venue with lush gardens, towering trees, and a restored farmhouse. For more on Glenstone Gardens, and other local venues, turn to page 22 to read Lia Hobel’s roundup. Photo by Anna & Mateo Photography.

ON THIS PAGE

Nikita and James celebrated their wedding across two days at Goodstone Inn & Restaurant. For more on their countryside ceremony, turn to page 12 for our Best of Hunt Country Weddings 2022 roundup. Photo by Jordan Maunder Photography.

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P.O. Box 328 | Middleburg, VA 20118-0328 540.687.5950 | info@middleburglife.com

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

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If you’re suffering from Fibromyalgia you understand this sentiment all too well. Local resident Elyse K. found herself at a turning point when she noticed her diagnosis had started to take a toll on her marriage.

I WAS TIRED OF LIVING WITH MY FIBROMYALGIA PAIN

Fibromyalgia has been difficult to treat and even more difficult to understand, UNTIL NOW! Rachal Lohr, L.Ac. provides patients with much needed relief from Fibro symptoms!

And too often, these symptoms are only made worse because practitioners find it difficult to understand and even more troublesome to treat. It’s characterized by widespread pain in muscles, and tissues rather than inflammation of the joints, muscles and tissues.

Then your primary care doctors suggest dietary changes, pain liniments and, pharmaceuticals to the point where your life is no longer ruled by Fibromyalgia It’s now ruled by a difficult routine and pill regimen in order to avoid flare ups.

Acupuncture is a form of Chinese medicine that is commonly used to reduce various forms of pain. It works by reducing inflammation, stimulating the release of endorphins and offers much needed, effective symptom relief for Fibromyalgia. Then Rachal skillfully layers other non invasive therapies like ATP Resonance BioTherapy™ and other natural therapies for amplified, longlasting results.

our lives miserable.”

Fibromyalgia affects the entire body. To make things complicated it affects everyone’s body a little differently. To make things even more complicated, those effects can change on a daily basis Some times you’re plagued with wide-spread muscle pain and fatigue, and other days it’s a headache and heightened sensitivity to touch.

“I could barely stand to have the light weight of bedsheets touching me, much less a hug from my husband.” explains Elyse.

This is what it’s like to suffer from Fibromyalgia. Symptoms make everyday life incredibly difficult. Mundane, daily tasks are nearly impossible

Elyse put it this way, “My life was no longer my own.”

Eventually Elyse did her own research and discovered that acupuncture can improve the quality of life in Fibro patients. Determined to find the best in the business, she discovered FIREFLY Acupuncture & Wellness lead by Rachal Lohr, L.Ac.

Rachal has been successfully treating difficult to manage, chronic pain cases for over fifteen years. She uses the time tested science of acupuncture integrated with modern medical advancements in healing and recovery.

“I feel like a new person. My husband comes with me to my appointments. He spends most of it thanking Rachal for giving him back the woman he married. For the first time since we moved here, one of my neighbors told me I looked good! It’s a miracle she treated my Fibro, I don’t know how else to explain it.”

If you’re looking for a practitioner and a clinic who understands your diagnosis and has a proven solution for chronic pain, look no further than FIREFLY. Elyse describes FIREFLY almost as enthusiastically as she does their treatments. “I love it here!”

Rachal Lohr, L.Ac. is now accepting new patients and offering $40 consultations, but only for a limited time.

So call (703)263-2142 now to schedule a consultation.

“I was angry all the time because of all the things I couldn’t do anymore because of my Fibromyalgia. That anger cycled through to depression and affected everyone around me, my husband more than anyone. It made

CONTRIBUTORS

Heidi Baumstark has been writing for several lifestyle magazines and newspaper publications since 2005, specializing in history-related articles highlighting Virginia’s Piedmont. She has been with Middleburg Life since 2014. Over the years, she has featured hundreds of businesses, leaders, residents, historical sights, lectures, heritage programs, and museums in her work. Heidi hopes to inspire readers to pause and consider the people, places, and events that have shaped the story of our local history.

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

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

Lia Hobel is a freelance journalist, known in town for her blog, Uplift Loudoun, which she launched during the start of the pandemic to share uplifting stories. In addition to her work for Middleburg Life, Lia writes periodically for online platforms with articles appearing on GOBankingRates, Forbes, Huffington Post, and Yahoo! Lia began her career as a broadcast journalist, but left TV news when she moved to Leesburg, Virginia, with her family. She is a Loudoun 40 Under 40 honoree and a Certified Tourism Ambassador for the county.

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

Victoria Peace is a recent graduate of Georgetown University and holds a degree in French and Art History. On the weekends, she frequently visits her family in The Plains. In her free time, she enjoys playing polo with Twilight Polo Club, riding with the Georgetown Equestrian Team, gardening, walking her family's dogs at Sky Meadows State Park, and visiting her retired horse, Taco. Her perfect “Hunt Country” day would include a stop at the local farmers market in The Plains, a trip to her favorite Middleburg antique stores, and a sunset trail ride in the Virginia countryside.

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

Laticia Headings is grateful to call Middleburg home. She discovered Middleburg by attending the first annual Middleburg Film Festival in 2013 and has come back to the event every year since as a volunteer, attendee, and for the past several years, as a writer for Middleburg Life. Laticia is the founder of Latitude Media and has 23 years of experience as a producer, writer, and camerawoman for television (Discovery, National Geographic), documentary film “Everest: A Climb for Peace,” and multi-platform media, and hosts and produces the docu-series, The Middleburg Life. Now, as a full-time realtor with McEnearney Associates, she is helping her clients realize their dream of calling Hunt Country home.

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

Will Thompson is a writer and photographer interested in all things related to nature, conservation, and outdoor recreation. He has worked in communications and project management roles in renewable energy, international development, and mission-driven journalism. Will graduated from the College of Charleston in 2010 with a B.A. in Communications.

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

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

Also in this issue: Lindsay Hogeboom. Wellington Correspondent: Jesse Baker.

WE ARE WHAT YOU WEAR

The Lockkeepers Collection Exquisitely Created and Designed Jewelry to Celebrate The American Story that Connects us all. Locally Inspired and Designed by Sherrie Beckstead. The Collection Benefits The Trust for The National Mall.

MEET YOUR NEIGHBOR: Hannah Lessard of The Willow

Written by Dulcy B. Hooper | Photos by Gracie Withers

At The Willow, Hannah Lessard can often be found bubbling over with enthusiasm about her shop, her clients, and her special affinity for weddings. “I never thought I would actually be able to open a shop here in Middleburg,” she says, “but it has all just come together so perfectly.”

Lessard is delighted that word about The Willow — and her work with brides and wedding parties — is getting around. “I do weddings,” she notes, “but that’s only a part of what I do.” Since The Willow’s opening in June 2022, Lessard has built up nearly 500 clients. “Someone will put a photo or two of something I’ve done on social media, and right away, I will get all kinds of reactions. Or one of my clients will say, ‘Oh, my husband really needs a haircut,’ and next thing you know, I have a lot of men making appointments and coming into the shop, as well. It’s all been so rewarding and so much fun.”

Lessard credits Dwight Grant, owner of Salon Aubrey, for being so welcoming to her when she initially began to explore opportunities in the area several years ago. “I really got to grow there,” she explains. “Dwight was so wonderful. He was always saying to his male customers, ‘You ought to bring your wives in here to meet Hannah!’ That really meant a lot to me.”

Lessard began doing weddings in Middleburg and the surrounding area in 2018, much of it through word of mouth. “I would get a call about a wedding from someone at Salamander,” she said. “And I have done a lot of wed-

Willow | Page 9

“I never thought I would actually be able to open a shop here in Middleburg.”

– Lessard

Hannah Lessard.

Willow | From page 8

dings at Red Fox — they have so many rooms to help wedding parties prepare.” Lessard says that it’s better to do weddings on location “especially since weddings have gotten a lot bigger.”

The largest wedding party Lessard worked with was a party of 12. “I did the hair, and a colleague working with me did the makeup. It was

about six hours to get everyone ready,” she remembers. Lessard frequently traveled to clients’ houses during the pandemic. “I was really looking for a mobile van initially — I thought that if I

had a van and could travel and do weddings, that would be ideal.”

Lessard shares that she “moved around a lot in childhood as part of an Army family” before the family settled in Ashburn. “When it came time to decide what to do, I knew I just loved playing around with hair and makeup.” She was concerned about the business aspect, though, and knew that it would be an important component to master in order to be successful. She studied at Paul Mitchell, a nationally accredited hair and beauty school, in Maryland. Fortunately, one of her teachers was a wedding specialist, prompting Lessard to take extra classes on makeup and providing her with the opportunity to study the business side of what she wanted to do.

“The wedding business has just boomed,” Lessard says. “So many weddings were pushed back during [the pandemic] — some for two years or more — and it’s all really coming back now.” She anticipates that spring and summer will be “packed back-to-back with weddings.”

What Hannah Lessard loves most about weddings is “just being surrounded by all the energy. It is just so much fun! I feel so grateful for this business — for meeting brides and members of wedding parties and for being part of such a special day that they will always, always remember.”

One of Lessard’s favorite memories is that of working with a couple in Purcellville who eloped. Several months later, the couple flew her to Palm Beach to do hair and makeup for their more formal wedding. “I just felt so special,” Lessard recalls. “A driver met me at the airport. It was my first time in Palm Beach and it was so much fun. I remember thinking at the time, ‘I’m 23 years old. How fast this is all happening!’” ML

The Willow is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The Willow 7 East Federal Street Middleburg, VA 20117 571-255-0715

hblbeautybiz@gmail.com

Services and booking information can be found at the-willow.square.site

“I feel so grateful for this business – for meeting brides and members of wedding parties and for being part of such a special day that they will always, always remember.” – Lessard

Top left: Comfy chairs for a relaxing hair treatment. Bottom left: Pops of green and plenty of plants add to the shop’s tranquil vibe. Right: Salon details.

“The Oaks”

150 acres of rolling Virginia Hunt Country

The Oaks, Circa 1931 is a stunning example of a neoclassical-style mansion with a slate gable roof. The front porch is a classic Revival-style portico with a herringbone brick floor and four extraordinary fluted Tower of Winds columns on limestone bases. The Federal-style front entrance is embellished with fluted pilasters, leaded glass sidelights and a leaded fan light. Most windows and doors have limestone sills and keystones. A four-bay arcade connects the three car garage which has a 2-br apartment above and a large English-style greenhouse. The rear elevation features a 60’, two story, Greek Revival-style porch with a purple and green slate flagstone floor. French doors open on to the porch from the east Dining room and west Library wings. One enters the front into a 16x28 Grand Hall with a palatial stairway with mahogony bannisters that leads to a landing with an exceptional Palladian Window and then up to the second floor. There is a powder room and a concealed elegant back staircase that leads to all four floors. From the Grand Hall, one turns left into the 20x32 library with rare red gum paneling, bookcases, doors and a fireplace. From the Grand Hall to the right is the 19x20 drawing room with fireplace, then a cozy pine paneled den with fireplace before entering the 30x20 dining room with fireplace and coveted Zuber wallpaper. The kitchen complex is next with a 16x9 butler’s pantry, 20x10 cooking area and 12x12 farm office. All with beautiful glass-front cabinetry and undercounter cabinets. The first floor features random width, wide plank oak floors, second floor has white oak floors, and the third has Alabama pine floors. On the second floor one finds four spacious bedrooms each with fireplace and private bath. On the third level there are three charming bedrooms and one hall bath. All together there are twenty two rooms, six bathrooms, twenty four closets and ten fireplaces.

“The Oaks”

Beautiful Mountain Views Near Warrenton, VA.

The wonderful grounds offer an 18th century feel with vast green lawns, a lily pond, pool with bath house with full kitchen, bath and changing room, many flowering shrubs, hollies, magnolia, dogwood and oaks and cedar trees. There are two cottages, each with two bedrooms. This historic property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Va Landmarks Commission and is protected by a Va Outdoor Foundation easement allowing only two divisions. In the wooded section is the site of the last duel fought in Northern Virginia in 1881. The Oaks is located on Springs Road in an area widely protected by conservation easement, one mile from the historic Fauquier Springs Country Club and the Scenic Rappahannock River. Exclusive with Allen Real Estate. $5,700,000

Best of Hunt Country Weddings 2022

Hunt Country had no shortage of gorgeous weddings in 2022. From a traditional Hindu ceremony at Goodstone Inn to a classic Hunt Country celebration at Stoke Farm, here are some of our favorites that are easy to love.

NIKITA & JAMES

Goodstone Inn & Restaurant, Middleburg, VA 6.2.22 - 6.4.22

Nikita and James celebrated their nuptials across two days with both a traditional Hindu ceremony followed by a Cinderella-inspired celebration complete with a baby blue dress. The couple shares, “Our two-day fusion wedding was a dream come true in every way possible! We hosted a traditional Hindu ceremony on the first day that allowed James and I to fully embrace my Indian background, while sharing all the cultural significance with our loved ones. … We couldn't have imagined a more magical time with our friends and family!”

Vendors:

Venue & Catering: Goodstone Inn & Restaurant

Planning and Design: Cherry Blossom Weddings and Events

Photographer: Jordan Maunder Photography

Florist: Wild Fleurette Floral

Hair: Shannon Kappel and Maria Arsha

Makeup: Sara Mabrou

Officiant: Rakesh Pathak and Wedding Ceremonies by Jeff

Horse: Harmon’s Carriages

Cake: Market Salamander

Henna Artist: Maria Arshad

Indian Attire: Custom Shyamal & Bhumika

MORGAN & JOSEPH

Red Fox Inn & Tavern, Middleburg, VA 6.18.22

Morgan and Joseph exchanged vows and hosted guests in the heart of Middleburg. Their ceremony was held at Emmanuel Episcopal Church and followed by a reception at the Red Fox Inn & Tavern. Morgan and Joseph share, “Our wedding perfectly married who we are as a couple and our love for Middleburg, the place where we grew most as a couple. So much credit is owed to our incredible planner, Kim Newton. We explained to Kim that we wanted the details to accentuate our incredibly beautiful venue, Red Fox, which to us is the epitome of Middleburg charm.”

Vendors:

Venue: Red Fox Inn & Tavern

Planner: Kim Newton Weddings

Photographer: Vicki Grafton Photography

Florist: Floral & Bloom

Cake: Market Salamander’s Jason Reeves

Rentals: Party Rental Ltd., White Glove Rentals, BBJ La Tavola

Tent: Sugar Plum Tents

EMILY & MICAH

Rust Manor, Leesburg, VA 9.16.22

Emily and Micah’s late summer celebration could best be described as “marvelous,” with touches from the Marvel universe like the Infinity Gauntlet and Captain America socks, a glow stick send-off, and an abundance of love which is apparent just from the photos. Pops of dark green and pale gold added extra elegance to this stylish wedding weekend.

Vendors:

Venue: Rust Manor House

Wedding Coordinator: Meghan Farra

Photographer: Karis Marie Photography

Florist: Wander & Whimsy Floral

Hair & Makeup: Beauty by Aubrey

Cake: Honey Bee Pastries

DJ: Ian Lade

KELLY & ANDREW

Stoke Farm, Middleburg, VA 9.17.22

Andrew and Kelly’s Stoke Farm wedding is classic Middleburg with Hunt Country touches around every corner. When asked about his wedding day, Andrew says, "Two moments stand out to me when I think back to our wedding in the fall. The first was seeing Kelly walk through a pergola of wisteria down to the garden where our ceremony took place while a string trio played our favorite song. It was the exact scene that we had dreamed about for over seven years since we first came to Stoke Farm together.

And the second was when we were finishing up our dinner at the sweetheart table and looked out across the

tables of guests. Not one person wasn't engaged in conversation with someone else, a lot of them [just] meeting for the first time, and it filled us with so much joy seeing everyone else laughing and smiling with each other."

Vendors:

Venue: Stoke Farm

Catering: Bluewater Kitchen

Planner: Joy Suits

Photographer: Danielle Towle

Florist: Mini Rose Farm

RYANN & KEVIN

Mortgage Hall Estate and The Middleburg Barn, Middleburg, VA. 10.14.22

Ryann and Kevin describe their wedding best, saying, “It was really important to us that our wedding was a true representation of the people that we are. We are proud to have showcased that in all of the details that we included on our big day. From our epic entrance, dancing on a cloud, a horse at cocktail hour, our late night speciality cocktail, a getaway car, and cold sparks, our wedding was a dream and we feel lucky that we were able to celebrate our special day at two of the best Middleburg venues, the Mortgage Hall Estate and The Middleburg Barn.”

Vendors:

Venue: Mortgage Hall Estate and The Middleburg Barn

Photographer: Kir Tuben

Planner: Alyssa Carl from B.Mingled

Florist: Lisa from Rosy Posy

Catering: Main Event

Desserts: Simply Dessert

DJ & Special Effects: John Howard from A2Z

Music Factory

Hair: Nam Nguyen

Makeup: Kaytee Spanoghe

Tap Truck: Bubbles & Brews

JESSICA & BRANDON

Great Marsh Estate, Bealeton, VA 10.23.22

For Jessica and Brandon, the color orange took center stage at their Great Marsh Estate wedding. The groom’s suit, groomsmen’s ties, pops of orange in the table settings, and the venue’s fall foliage all added up to a very autumnal feel. The duo exchanged vows in front of friends and family on the sprawling lawn with the statuesque Manor House as the perfect backdrop to their big day.

Vendors:

Venue: Great Marsh Estate

Catering: Serendipity Catering & Design

Planner: Vida Events

Photographer: Jennifer Gray Calcagno

Photography (Second Shot under Victoria Heer Photography)

Florist: Sarena Floral Designs

Hair & Makeup: Evergreen Beauty

Makeup & Hair Design

Desserts: Signature Sweets by Amanda

DJ: Repeatable DJ

AirPac Portable Air Conditioners & Heaters: Are you planning an outdoor wedding or event in beautiful Hunt Country? AirPac’s tent and barn cooling and heating will tame Mother Nature and assure your event is comfortable and memorable for all the right reasons! No need to worry about a melting cake, wilting flowers, uncomfortable guests or worse yet, a medical emergency. COVID is an unwelcomed guest so we installed a UVC germicidal light and MERV8 filter for increased sanitation and filtration in our HVAC units so you can breathe easier. Contact us today: 540-635-5011 ext. 117, tbs@AirPacInc.com Facebook and Instagram @AirPac

A collective of experienced wedding

HuntCountryCelebrations.com

Follow us on Facebook @HuntCountryCelebrations

Bakerture - We’re a creative photo & video team rooted in a deep connection with our couples to embrace and highlight their own personal story with photographs and films that are lucid, yet emotionally powerful. Our passionate team thrives on pairing genuine moments with the craft of creative storytelling to preserve the moments of your wedding. www.bakerture.com

Instagram @HuntCountryVA

Artistic Concepts Group: Special Event Services – Décor, Lighting & Audio Visual. ACG also offers Specification, Sales, Integration and Installation & Repair of Lighting and Audio Visual equipment. ACG stocks a full line of theatrical and event expendables! Rentals are also available. Come visit us. 703-631-2213

ArtisticConceptsGroup.com

info@ArtisticConceptsGroup.com

doolittle.wedding - A luxury stationery and design studio, ensures that you’re getting more than a piece of paper, you’re getting a full-service experience and a keepsake that lasts a lifetime. We create a cohesive wedding brand, with designs that are unique to you and are reflected in your invitations, save-the-dates, and signage. www.doolittlewedding.com info@doolittlewedding.com

Bella Villa offers a curated collection of antique furniture, decor and chandelier rentals for weddings and lifestyle events. The owner’s “Squirrel Stash” collection is adaptable for combining elegant Italian antiques with rustic farmhouse pieces creating vignettes that inspire guests to share stories, memories and traditions. Her goal is to not only make a space beautiful, but also to weave together celebrations with an underlying theme of preservation of the past while also looking to the future. Contact Rosanna Funiciello Smith by visiting www.bellavillavintagerentals.com 571.921.0356.

HUNT COUNTRY CELEBRATIONS

Kalero Vineyard: Kalero Vineyard offers a rustic yet elegant venue for your special day with beautiful mountain and vineyard views.

540-717-8119

and event professionals

HuntCountryCelebrations.com

@HuntCountryCelebrations

@HuntCountryVA

36140 Charlestown Pike, Purcellville, VA 20132

kalerovineyard.com

info@kalerovineyard.com

Instagram @kalero_vineyard

Riverside on the Potomac (circa 1750) is a beautifully restored 80 acre historic family farm and wedding venue located North of Leesburg, Virginia on the Potomac River with views of Sugarloaf Mountain. The river, gracious gardens, historic chapel, and The Waterfall Terrace all provide for exceptional photo opportunities. Owners, Travis and Suzi Worsham have over 42 years of wedding experience beginning with Heart in Hand Restaurant and Catering Company in Northern, Virginia to weddings at Riverside on the Potomac beginning in 2012. The historic reception barn can accommodate up to 300 guests, is climate controlled for year round comfort and has been meticulously restored for clients to be a part of this amazing history with their new memories being made. We pride ourselves in attention to detail, and our years of experience assisting in making special memories to last a lifetime, it’s truly an honor!

www.riversideonthepotomac.com/

Wanda’s Cakes - Wanda creates wedding and specialty cakes that are as individual as the client’s wishes. All of Wanda’s cakes are artistically created using award winning designs. Visit wandascakes.com for more information.

703-830-3866

VP Consulting Wedding Planning and Management - Our professional support will ensure quality, design and confidence; delivering cutting-edge celebrations for the most distinguished of clients and savviest of guests.

www.VPConsultingEvents.com

VPPure Perfection Catering: Chef inspired cuisine and professional service for weddings, celebrations and all of your catering and event needs.

Contact: 703-579-4868

pureperfectioncatering.com

Facebook @pureperfectioncatering

Instagram @pureperfectioncatering

HUNT COUNTRY CELEBRATIONS

The Middleburg Barn®, is our version of rustic luxury! Designed and built with a tradition of preservation and conservation in mind. Warm details, like Virginia Southern Yellow Pine post and beam timbers, custom ambient lighting juxtaposed with Swarovski crystal chandeliers, and 40 foot majestic ceilings, are just a few details of our beautiful venue. We are in a landmark location, open four-seasons with a comfortable atmosphere for any time of the year for corporate, weddings, or any type of event. 540-687-5255

www.TheMiddleburgBarn.com

office@TheMiddleburgBarn.com

A collective of experienced wedding and event professionals

HuntCountryCelebrations.com

Facebook @HuntCountryCelebrations

Instagram @HuntCountryVA

Oatlands Historic House and Gardens

-Celebrate life’s most special occasions with Oatlands Events. Surrounded by historic buildings and tranquil gardens, enjoy exquisite cuisine crafted by renowned chefs to make your celebration truly memorable. Learn more at www. OatlandsEvents.com

Bluemont Vineyard - Our completely restored barn wedding venue combines rustic, authentic charm with the luxury and modern comforts. Located in the heart of DC Wine Country, our panoramic views set the backdrop for your outdoor ceremony and cocktail hour, then dance the night away under the twinkle lights in our climate-controlled stable. From the moment you visit The Stable and Tasting Room to the moment you walk down the aisle, a unique wedding journey awaits you.

www.bluemontvineyard.com/celebrate-your-love

Instagram: @bluemontvineyard_weddings @bluemontvineyard

Olivera Music Entertainment -

Music is Power!

Music is Energy!

Music is the Life of a Celebration! 703.724.0505

www.oliveramusic.com

At Hunt Country Celebrations, our mission is to uphold the highest standards in the wedding and special events industry. Our highly vetted members are committed to offering the best service for couples planning a wedding in Hunt Country. Learn more and connect with the industry’s best event professionals at HuntCountryCelebrations.com

With the new year brings the newly engaged and those on the hunt for the ideal wedding venue. This may be the most important aspect of wedding planning. After all, this is where friends and family will gather and celebrate the joyous occasion.

Hunt Country has no shortage of special plac-

NEW & UNIQUE VENUES FOR YOUR NEXT EVENT

Written by Lia Hobel

es to exchange vows and host memorable receptions. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up new and noteworthy venues for couples to consider.

GLENSTONE GARDENS

Luxurious weddings at a private estate. Exclusive, elegant, and immaculate perfectly describe the experience that awaits a soon-to-be

married couple at Glenstone Gardens. The hidden gem (so private that an address is not given out until you book a private tour) is fitting for any pair who envision formal gardens and restored farmhouses as their ideal wedding backdrop to say their vows and dance the night away. “We’re

Venue | Page 23

Top: Glenstone Gardens. Photo by Bowen Films. Bottom: An intimate table at Glenstone Gardens. Photo by Jenny Haas Photography.

really a national wedding destination,” says Glenstone Gardens and Red Fox Inn & Tavern proprietor Matilda Reuter Engle. She explains that many couples hail from D.C. and travel from all parts of the country for the one-of-a-kind venue. “We offer an amazing luxury setting that is meticulously manicured for couples to use as the unique backdrop to bring their grand wedding weekend to life.”

A groom’s cottage is available for the groom and his groomsmen to relax and entertain. And, the bride has the ultimate bridal suite with space for hair and makeup and everything in between that’s needed to make the day go off without a hitch.

Couples have two experience choices, both boasting chic and timeless elegance. The Grand Garden experience is perfect for longer guest lists with space for up to 300, whereas the Petite Farmhouse experience is a special setting for more intimate affairs with under 100 guests. Ceremony and picture opportunities are plentiful in the lush, centuries-old gardens. Ancient trees with lovely canopies, such as the 450-year-old Tulip Poplar tree, are popular photo spots, according to Engle. Unique structures, open vistas, Bull Run Mountain views, a reflective pond, and a secluded, boxwood-hedged garden hidden from plain sight also await the bride and groom.

A seasoned events team is devoted to work with the engaged couple to tailor the country estate and everything the property entails to create the wedding of the couple’s dream.

THE BARREL ROOM

7134 Farm Station Road, Vint Hill, Virginia 20187

The Barrel Room is an industrial-chic venue in a 1950s warehouse building at Old Bust Head Brewery in Vint Hill. The ceiling’s iron beams and exposed pipes complement the concrete floor for a minimalistic starting point that is easily customizable. Owner Julie Broaddus says the place can host 150 guests with the bride and groom typically playing off the rustic charm or transforming it into their personal fairytale. “Our space is really a clean slate that can be whatever type of space our customers really want it to be,” she says.

A large wooden barn door separates the bar room from the main dining area. Natural light filters into the beautiful space and earth tones throughout create the perfect ambiance. Burning candles are welcome as well as provided lanterns to romanticize the mood. The venue also features a selection of outdoor spaces, including a beer garden. The brewery and new wedding venue are

part of a unique farm called “Vint Hill” that for 50 years operated as a top-secret military listening post, making it the perfect spot for the betrothed with an interest in local history.

Couples can tap into the Barrel Room team’s endless knowledge of local caterers, florists, musicians, and more to build the ideal vendor list unique to each couple. The event space is conveniently attached to Serendipity Catering, which many couples choose to cater their big day. And the Barrel Room will soon offer in-house grazing boards.

OVOKA FARM

750 Gap Run Road, Paris, Virginia 20130

Situated in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Ovoka Farm has views of the Shenandoah Valley and western Piedmont region. The working farm is prestigiously known for its mostly F-1 Wagyu and full-blood Wagyu beef, a valued commodity for top chefs in the area. Ovoka dates to a 1731 land grant and served as a strategic location during the Civil War with both sides occupying the farm at one point in time.

With its rich history and sprawling rural acreage, the farm owners firmly believe in sustainable practices, even beyond the cattle raised. Ovoka owner Karen Way says the 700-acre estate provides the perfect foundation for couples to join

Venue | Page 24

Top left: Glenstone Gardens offers a variety of outdoor ceremony spaces. Photo by Anna + Mateo Photography. Top right: The industrial-chic Barrel Room is easily customizable.

Photo courtesy of Old Bust Head Brewing Co. Middle: An outdoor patio gives guests the opportunity to space out. Photo courtesy of Old Bust Head Brewing Co.

Venue | From page 23

their lives with a celebration unparalleled to any other. “We have a very unique wedding program,” Way says. “In fact, we call it the Sustainable Life Farm Tour. This name suits Ovoka’s sustainable values as it incorporates a menu from beef produced here on the farm,” although vegetarian options are also available, “and provides insight to a true working farm. It’s an opportunity for a farm tour with your wedding celebration. It’s as elegant as they’d like or as casual,” Way explains.

With the farm tour portion, guests are shuttled to the top of the mountain “where there’s this beautiful landing area and the most incredible view,”

she explains. “Their ceremony would be up top and then we come back down and that’s where the tent is set up and the reception would be held afterwards.”

Way and her business partner, Jessica Morton, directly work with the couple or the wedding planner to make the wedding day exactly the way that they envision. “We can literally make it start to finish easy for the couple in terms of getting the tent organized. We have all the recommendations.”

A renovated historic cabin is also available to the newlyweds and their wedding party, such that the wedded couple has the option to stay overnight after their celebration. ML

As a boutique-style studio Lavanda & Eucalypto Designs brings a creative edge to your wedding and engagement We approach each wedding with the care and devotion the special day truly deserves Each event is different fun and our clients are always smiling

Littleton Farm

153 acres

$8,300,000

Upperville – This premier estate is a paradise with the main house for grand living and entertaining; 2 horse barns, riding ring and trails to ride out. Multiple outdoor living spaces perfect for enjoying the stunning landscape of Virginia’s horse country.

John Coles | 540-270-0094

Millwood Farm

111+ acres $3,730,000

Boyce – Main Residence w/ 6 BRs /4 full and 2 half BAs, 6 car garage, Swimming pool, hot tub, pool house w/ full BA, Tenant House w/ 2 car garage, Office w/ an apt building of 3 one-bedroom apts + office. Stable w/ 21 stalls, Outdoor riding arena.

John Coles | 540-270-0094

23259 Dover Rd

3+ acres $975,000

Middleburg – MOVE IN ready and/or a structure to renovate on a lovely lot. 3 BRs / 3 full and one half bath. One level living, wood burning fireplace, sunroom, deck, heated pool and spa, storage shed/workshop and nicely landscaped.

Chris Malone | 540-454-3775

Alnell Hidden Trail

541 +/- acres $8,000,000

Beautiful rolling hills and pasture located in Flint Hill, Virginia. This scenic property is surrounded by unspoiled countryside and expansive views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, offering a private and quiet escape to enjoy.

John Coles | 540-270-0094

Stoneledge

101 acres $5,500,000

A very special and rare private sanctuary. Extraordinary location only 6 miles west of Warrenton, 45 min. to Dulles Int. Airport and one hour to the White House. With world-class construction, Stoneledge is the benchmark for a luxury countryside retreat.

John Coles | 540-270-0094

107+ acres $5,495,000

The Plains – Exceptional and surrounded by magnificent countryside with views. Stone and stucco residence, beautiful terraces. Geothermal heating/cooling, heated 20’ x 40’ pool, 8 stall center aisle stable with 14’ x 14’ stalls. Stunning indoor riding arena.

John Coles | 540-270-0094

Lockwood

51+ acres $2,680,000 Middleburg – Charming Country Estate in prime Orange County Hunt Territory. Geothermal heating, salt water pool. Horse facilities include 10 stall stable, 2 wash stalls, feed room and large hayloft. Perfectly sited to enjoy privacy and lovely views.

John Coles | 540-270-0094

Mountainview

58+ acres

$2,500,000

The Plains – Sited on a peaceful hilltop w/ spectacular mountain views. 8,000+ sq ft custom-built brick home with 4 BRs, 3-car garage and pond. Room for your horses. Architecturally designed to blend the serenity of nature with stylish living spaces.

Cricket Bedford | 540-229-3201

Serenity

22 acres $1,875,000

Marshall – This private oasis is a 6 BR / 6 BA Cape Cod home on 22+ open and wooded acres with spectacular mountain views. Immaculate, fully renovated and features a mix of formal rooms and comfortable spaces to take in the gorgeous views.

Cricket Bedford | 540-229-3201

Aurora

3 acre $899,000

Built in 1799, has all the charm and character of a 200 year old house with the modern amenities of one that has been well-loved and beautifully cared-for over the years. Located just outside the town of Berryville in historic Clarke County.

Cary Embury | 540-533-0106

10153 John Mosby hwy

10 acres

$685,000

Upperville – Elevated building site offers amazing long distance views in several directions. The land is dotted with mature trees and has a large stonewall, fire pit and sitting area. Certified for a 4 BR septic system. Well and pump installed.

Will Driskill | 540-454-7522

280 Bishop Meade

2 acres $350,000 Solid brick rambler from the 70’s with many attractive features that were added in 2002. This could be a charming home in the country for someone who is willing to do some needed repairs. Being sold “As Is”.

Cary Embury | 540-533-0106

when you’re ready to sell, list with the preferred agents in horse country

10 acres $4,250,000

Beautifully sited in the heart of historic Middleburg, this spectacular custom residence offers the utmost in a luxurious and gracious country lifestyle. This is a stunning estate of uncompromising quality and extraordinary beauty.

Mary Ann McGowan | 540-270-1124

Atoka Chase Foxglove

3+ acres $1,800,000

Middleburg – Immaculate, solid brick home only minutes to town. Features over 5,000+ sq. ft. to include 5 BRs, 4.5 BAs with oak flooring throughout the main level. Expansive finished walk out lower level. Large deck and a lower terrace.

George Miller House

303 acres $3,750,000

This estate is waiting for someone with the eye for interior finishes to bring it to life. Minutes from the charming village of Sperryville and enjoys convenient proximity to Culpeper Regional Airport and Warrenton-Fauquier Airport.

John Coles | 540-270-0094

LAND

Moss Hollow

246+ acres $1,800,000 Markham – Beautiful and protected area of Fauquier County. Pristine forest land with several high points and clearings suitable for building. Spectacular views in all directions. Eligible for division and conservation potential with tax benefits.

Cricket Bedford | 540-229-3201

SOLD UNDER CONTRACT

Rein duPont | 540-454-3355

When you’re ready to sell your property, you want to list it with the preferred agents in Horse Country - Thomas & Talbot. We know the best way to sell your property because we know Horse Country. We have unmatched passion for the area, and know exactly why people love living this unique way of life. With decades of experience, international reach and modern real estate and promotional strategies, we can match your home with the people who are interested in buying it, no matter where they are. Contact us today to learn how our personalized, top-notch service is right for you.

Warren Street

.08 acres $349,500

Marshall – Fully renovated, NEW: paint, carpet, tile flooring, kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities, stainless steel appliances... and more. 3 BRs / 2 BAs. No HOA. Walk to the shops, restaurants and post office. Ideal location just minutes to I-66.

Cricket Bedford | 540-229-3201

Elk Run

1.75 acres $265,000

Midland – 2 BR / 1 BA cottage, renovated with fresh paint, carpeting and a newly cleared out paddock area in the back. Wrap around porch overlooks the large, open side yard. Main lawn area and the back yard are fully fenced. Move in ready.

Cricket Bedford | 540-229-3201

75 Years of MeMories AT THE MIDDLEBURG COMMUNITY CENTER

Written by Bill Kent

Olivia Rogers remembers it as a simple request: The groom wanted to ride a white horse up Washington Street and meet his bride on the Middleburg Community Center’s steps.

As the center’s executive director, Rogers says she “didn’t want to say no, because I am not a ‘no’ person. I explained that this is Middleburg and we love horses. But riding a horse on any part of Route 50 is not safe. We’d need some kind of police presence."

Rogers thought the gentleman understood. Part of her job is to approve everything that happens at the center. She then works with everyone involved to make sure the event happens smoothly.

On the day of the wedding, the groom mounted the horse on Pendleton Street, then trotted out onto West Washington. A construction vehicle blocked a portion of westbound traffic. Cars reduced their speed. Rogers’ heart skipped a few beats until horse and rider safely gained the center’s front steps.

Community | Page 29

The Community Center. Photo courtesy of the Community Center.

“We try to meet most requests,” she continues. “When people first see what we have here, they tend to make big plans. The only thing I ask is that they look at what we have here already.”

When an afternoon hailstorm knocked out power, plunging a wedding at the Community Center into darkness, Rogers opened the “candle closet.” “We have an entire closet full of candles. I passed them out. We lit them and, in the nine years I’ve been here — even during my wedding — I’ve never seen anything quite so beautiful.”

Born and raised in Loudoun County, Rogers was married at the Community Center in 2013. A year later, she became the center’s assistant director.

“This is the true hub of Middleburg. Just about everyone passes through here. We host galas, parades, movies, concerts, ballet, theater, fun things for kids like Hot Dogs on Halloween, a kind of personal favorite of mine because it’s so nice for families. Or you can just hang out around the pool. There’s nothing like it anywhere.”

Current events held at the Community Center are, perhaps unknowingly, connected to the venue’s past and by extension Middleburg’s own history. Elizabeth Taylor played poker here. Hank Williams and Patsy Cline sang broken-hearted love songs on the ballroom stage. Jacqueline Kennedy and her husband, President John F. Kennedy, used it as a chapel. The celebrant who led the Mass, the Rev. Albert F. Pereira, became an important civil rights advocate.

More recently, the Middleburg Film Festival uses the center’s ballroom, screen, and dedicated projection booth. Upstairs, Academy Award-winning actor Robert Duvall’s wife gave dance lessons. President Ronald Reagan dropped by. The center has seen the likes of Jacqueline Mars, Sheila Johnson, and just last year, Martha Stewart, who then went on to tour the town.

Everything about the center comes from Hunt Country: It was conceived at the end of the Second World War by Mrs. Howell E. Jackson of the Bull Run Stud Farm as a nonprofit community focal point, designed by local architect William Dew Jr. and constructed on a portion of Mrs. D. N. Lee’s 25-acre horse farm.

During the design process, nearly 500 Hunt

Country families were asked what kind of activities they wanted to enjoy at the center. The plans included a lending library (currently housed in the nearby library building), a full-service kitchen, classroom space, and a ballroom that could also double as a theater for movies, stage shows, and concerts. The basement once housed a bowling alley that

is a swimming pool and a public garden perfect for picnics and weddings.

One thing that the center does not accommodate are political events of any kind. “That’s in the by-laws,” Rogers says. “No politics.”

The Renaissance Revival façade fits so modestly into West Washington Street that it’s easy to miss. Go through any of the three front en-

Community | Page 30

has been removed, though one pin machine is visible through a glass plate. Outside

Top left: Olivia Rogers and Sue Foote. Photo by Kaitlin Hill. Top right: A party spills out onto the center’s steps. Bottom right: Elizabeth Taylor playing poker. Photos courtesy of the Community Center.

“This is the true hub of Middleburg. Just about everyone passes through here.” – Rogers

trances and you’ll find a series of paintings in the lobby commissioned by Paul Mellon, who, with Bunny, donated a great deal of the center’s original $470,500 cost, portraying the Hunt Country landscape and highlighting Middleburg’s roots in agriculture, commerce, hunting, and equestrian events.

This year the center will celebrate its 75th anniversary with the addition of an outdoor pavilion that will act as a stage for outdoor concerts, and provide some shade for those lounging about the pool.

A transplant from upstate New York, Sue Foote loves the pool. She took her first plunge in the pool 20 years ago. As the mother of four sons, “I needed a place to tire the kids out, and this was perfect. I have so many great memories of the pool. It didn’t matter who you were or where you came from. You felt welcome.”

Four years ago, Foote became the center’s executive assistant. Both Foote and Rogers live nearby, and one is on-site at all times. Those who want a tour of the center will usually have Foote leading them. “When I bring a group into the ballroom, I’ll hear someone say, ‘I did cotillion here.’ When we go outside and they see the elm in the garden, I’ll hear that their parents got married here. The memories come full circle.”

As have those of Melanie Blunt, vice president of the center’s board. “Some of my very best childhood memories were at the Middleburg Community Center.” She went to birthday parties at the bowling lanes. “My mother was the music director for the Middleburg Players, and I remember attending the shows and practices at the center with her every summer. Of course, every Halloween ended at the Community Center with the contest for best costume.”

Her father, Wharton Anderson, his brother Joseph and sisters Helen and Betty were often seen around the pool. Blunt’s grandfather, Joe Anderson, played in the center’s bowling and softball leagues and went to “sock hop” dances on the top floor. Wharton and Carolyn Boyd Anderson — Blunt’s mother — had their wedding reception and attended casino nights there.

“I have enjoyed watching the center become a part of my kids’ lives as well,” Blunt contin -

ues. “They have attended preschool at the center and enjoyed climbing the playground. They swam at the pool during Hill School summer camps. My family watched the fireworks every July Fourth. We attended Halloween festivities every year. Those are special memories. Now, as an adult, the holiday ball is my favorite event at the center. Olivia, her team, and many board members spend days decorating. It’s always so beautiful.”

Last autumn, Blunt went to a 60th anniver-

sary party of a wonderful couple who’ve been in Middleburg since childhood and raised their family here. “It was touching to see them celebrate with their children, grandchildren, and all of their friends.”

For Blunt, and all of Hunt Country, the Middleburg Community Center “is about building memories.” Special memories. ML

“It didn’t matter who you were or where you came from. You felt welcome.”

– Foote

Top: The Kennedys with Melanie Blunt and her grandmother in the left corner. Bottom: The bowling lanes. Photos courtesy of the Community Center.

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

from throughout | | 6 kitchen | cottage lighted stream, acres

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

WIND FIELDS

MIDDLEBURG, VIRGINIA

324.18 acres in prime Middleburg location Frontage on Snickersville Turnpike |Rolling acreage with Blue Ridge views, creeks, ponds, mature woods and Goose Creek frontage | Lime Kiln cottage with remains of original mill | Property is in Conservation Easement, may be subdivided 3 times.

SPRING GLADE

$5,511,060

Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905

Brian MacMahon 703.609.1868

OUT WEST

WARRENTON, VIRGINIA

Gracious home with impressive renovated kitchen. Hardwood floors, substantial millwork and fine finishes and 4 fireplaces Perfectly sited to enjoy the views of surrounding farmland | 5 bedrooms, home office, large family room, newly resurfaced tennis court, wonderful pool with cabana and 4 bedroom guest house with workshop/3 stall stable Large field for turn out, 1 paddock and lovely hay field | 32 acres in 2 recorded parcels

MIddLEBuRG, VIRGINIA

$3,000,000

Helen MacMahon 540.454.1930

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

Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905

CATESBY VINEYARD

ATOKA STORE

MARSHALL, VIRGINIA

SALEM HILL

Property has been a landmark for community for decades | Major frontage on Route 50 & Atoka Rd Commercial kitchen, beer cooler, grocery items, pizza oven, in store seating Potential to be very lucrative Property also improved by older home, old gas station has been renovated for potential office space or storage & stone spring house | 2 lots with commercial village zoning

$2,700,000

MARSHALL, VIRGINIA

Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905

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

Brian MacMahon 703.609.1868

$3,690,000

Mahon

helen MacMahon 540.454.1930

UPPERVILLE, VIRGINIA

44.55 acres of which 15 acres are producing grapes 8.5 acres of Chambourcin, Traminette on 4.3 acres and Vidal Blanc on 2.1 acres Vineyard infrastructure includes fencing, irrigation system and computerized well Perc site for 4 bedroom home Property is in conservation easement Property can be converted to Residential use

$1,300,000

Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905

Brian MacMahon 703.609.1868

Lovely country home on private lot in the village of Rectortown FIBER INTERNET Open floor plan with main level suite and home office | Upper level overlooks large family room with two story vaulted ceiling and stone fireplace and two large bedrooms and second family room | Multiple porches and decks with extensive plantings - easy maintenance. Easy to show.

$1,250,000

Helen MacMahon 540.454.1930

GAME CREEK

8495 MAIN STREET

MAIN STREET

MIDDLEBURG, VIRGINIA

Rare opportunity | 2 recorded lots with C-3 zoning in the town of Middleburg | 2 separate buildings with 8 offices, 5 storage bays and ample parking

All buildings are in excellent condition

$1,250,000

Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905

Brian MacMahon 703.609.1868

HALCYON HILL

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

MARSHALL, VIRGINIA

MIddLEBuRG, VIRGINIA

Lovely 3 bedroom, 2 bath house on over 1/2 acre | Great commuter location, just min to I66 Fenced yard, hardwood floors, new kitchen, and remodeled bath Fireplace with gas insert.

THE PLAINS, VIRGINIA

RECTORTOWN, VIRGINIA

MARKHAM, VIRGINIA

$524,900

Lynn Wiley 540.454.1527

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

This property has been used as a commercial property for over 30 years | Zoned residential and has the potential to be converted into a residence Two half baths and fireplace on .54 acre.

$485,000

Lynn Wiley 540.454.1527

$2,650,000

helen MacMahon 540.454.1930

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

49.16 acres in 2 recorded parcels Frontage on Goose Creek, land rises to great views, mountain meadows on upper portion Access over Railroad and creek Excellent hunting land, surrounded by large tracts

$300,000

Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905

Brian MacMahon 703.609.1868

$2,475,000

Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905

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

104 & 106 PENDLETON STREET

JOHN MARSHALL HIGHWAY

MARSHALL, VIRGINIA

RECTORTOWN ROAD

Let us help make your event memorable!

Let us help make your event memorable!

in Marshall, is home to a lovely event venue, perfect for hosting weddings, bridal showers, rehearsal dinners, birthday parties and more. With a 75 guest capacity, The Rosemary is your prime location for an intimate birthday party or a lavish wedding. Located in a historic renovated home, The Rosemary houses The Rooms Up There, three luxury Airbnb suites, perfect for your out of town guests.

The Rosemary, formerly known as 8393 W Main in Marshall, is home to a lovely event venue, perfect for hosting weddings, bridal showers, rehearsal dinners, birthday parties and more. With a 75 guest capacity, The Rosemary is your prime location for an intimate birthday party or a lavish wedding. Located in a historic renovated home, The Rosemary houses The Rooms Up There, three luxury Airbnb suites, perfect for your out of town guests.

The Rosemary, formerly known as 8393 W Main in Marshall, is home to a lovely event venue, perfect for hosting weddings, bridal showers, rehearsal dinners, birthday parties and more. With a 75 guest capacity, The Rosemary is your prime location for an intimate birthday party or a lavish wedding. Located in a historic renovated home, The Rosemary houses The Rooms Up There, three luxury Airbnb suites, perfect for your out of town guests.

BORED REBEL

Graphic Undershirts with Something to Say

Written by Will Thompson

Boundaries are meant to be pushed. Rules are made to be broken. Expectations are set to be exceeded. So why can’t an undershirt be the most self-expressive article in a wardrobe?

Long the unsung, load-bearing heroes of a smart ensemble, a decent undershirt can soften the touch of stiff fabrics, extend the life of dress shirts, and, a friend in all seasons, wick sweat in the heat and provide a layer of extra warmth in the cold. Despite their comfort and utility, the undershirt has varied very little over collective couture memory from being a stark, plain white T-shirt. To call the undershirt downright boring would not be undeserved.

Bored Rebel, a Haymarket-based startup, is spinning a new thread in the garment game, turning the humble undershirt into an avenue for self-expression, humor, and empowerment.

In the rebel spirit, Bored Rebel is the first of its kind: a graphic undershirt company. Adorning the ultra-soft fabric of each shirt is a hidden message designed to sit behind the placket — the row of buttons on a dress shirt — which won’t show through even the whitest button-up. The slogans range from the inspirational (for example “Unleash Your Inner Superhero”), to the comedic (“Smartest Person in the Zoom”), to the downright irreverent (“My Boss Sucks”). By placing the words on an undergarment, these messages are for the wearer, their own personal postmodern mantra to help them laugh

Rebel | Page 35

Left: “Team groom” makes the perfect groomsman gift. Middle: Stacy Flax, founder of Bored Rebel. Right: The “Father of the Bride” printing can make an undershirt more sentimental.

Photos by Michael Butcher

Suits supplied by Highcliffe Clothiers

Cocktails supplied by Anna Adams at The Red Fox Inn & Tavern

off workplace strife, get through a mountain of chores, or even to mark special occasions.

Bored Rebel’s founder, Stacy Flax, began the graphic undershirt company after spending time in the corporate world delving into executive strategy, marketing, business development, and strategic partnerships consulting. Suffering from severe burnout and searching for an endeavor that would feed her creative side, Flax’s stroke of genius came when her husband all-too-frequently left his undergarments on the bathroom floor.

“The boxers all had fun designs on them. I looked at his undershirts and wondered why they were so boring,” says Flax. Like a true rebel, Stacy challenged that status quo, and Bored Rebel was born.

Since its earliest days, Bored Rebel has now grown to offer a wide range of personalized graphic undershirts. Shoppers can combine 54 messages with three different ink colors (“Not So Corporate Grey,” “Bcc: Blue,” and “Punt it Purple”) to create their unique garment. Shoppers in Middleburg can also find an exclusive design, “Get the Fox Out,” at Highcliffe Clothiers on West Washington Street. Along with our hometown fashion scene, Bored Rebel shirts will soon be gracing the red carpet, being part of the famous Oscars gift bag given to nominees at the upcom-

ing 95th Academy Awards in March.

In early 2023, Bored Rebel also launched a wedding collection featuring more than 100 different wedding-themed slogans and a space on each shirt for customizable text to commemorate the event. The shirts, with slogans such as “Groom Squad,” “Happy AF For You Two,” and the perhaps inversely related “Here for the Open Bar” and “I’ll Behave” can make fun bonding experiences and keepsakes for wedding parties, and will add a celebratory personal touch to a wedding outfit.

The shirts themselves are an incredibly soft blend of cotton and moisture-wicking synthetic fibers. When designing the first prototypes, Flax sampled almost 300 different fabrics to find just the right material to make a shirt that is soft, comfortable, breathable, and durable. The longer cut of the shirts will ensure that they stay tucked and flatter every figure. “They’re very comfortable,” says Mark Metzger, owner of Highcliffe Clothiers. “You hardly know that you have them on. It’s a fun play on something that most men take for granted.” Bored Rebel tees are highly functional as an undershirt, yet of high enough quality and cut to be worn alone as outerwear T-shirts.

“Printing on an undershirt instantly felt rebellious,” says Flax, explaining how the name Bored Rebel was created to reflect the company’s goal

to disrupt the classic, boring undershirt. “Many people say to me, ‘I’m a bored rebel!’” she continues. “It’s a bit like art; people identify with the name, but they take from it what they want.”

In terms of Flax’s own journey, leaving the corporate world to create an entirely new fashion product in an entrepreneurial landscape where only 3% of venture capital goes to women-run businesses was an act of rebellion. “It’s incredibly hard,” she explains. “This is an unpaved road, and you’re building it as you’re going, and you’re constantly having to deal with issues and challenges. But that creative problem-solving is fun. It’s the best kind of hard.”

Bored Rebel and Flax’s entrepreneurial journey are reminders that with creativity — and perhaps a bit of rebellion — the seemingly mundane, expected, or overlooked can be transformed to something exciting, vibrant, and even treasured. “Every day is a leap of faith,” says Flax. “The risks are real and scary. But I’m more afraid of not doing this.”

Bored Rebel shirts, including the wedding line, are available at boredrebel.com. The company donates 10% of its profits through in-kind gifts of their “You’ve Got This” shirts to Washington, D.C.-area workforce development nonprofit organizations, including A Wider Circle and D.C. Central Kitchen. ML

Middle: A “Just Married”-wearing groom is flanked by his “Best Man” and “Team Groom” supporters. Right: “Pop the Champagne” works for everyone.

Rebel | From page 34

STEP INTO THE PAST ON BUREAU CORNER

Written by Diane Helentjaris

The intersection of North Jay and Marshall Street in Middleburg appears like many other small-town crossroads — an old house, an office, nearby churches. But this intersection was once known as Bureau Corner.

One swoop of a panoramic camera can capture Asbury Methodist Church, the old Marshall Street Community Center, and Shiloh Baptist Church. With a pivot, 10 North Jay Street pops up. In the aftermath of the Civil War, this building housed the Freedmen’s Bureau Office, the origin for the neighborhood’s nickname, “Bureau Corner.” The house, one of the oldest in town, includes a 1790 log structure with an 1840s addition.

The Freedmen’s Bureau was created in 1865 by the federal government as a tool for recovery from the Civil War. Assistance in education, clothing, food, and legal matters to newly emancipated African Americans was a major focus. In 1872, Congress dismantled the Freedmen’s Bureau.

Bureau | Page 39

Photos by Lindsay Hogeboom

Top: Freedmen’s Bureau Office. Middle: Asbury Methodist Church. Bottom: Middleburg Pharmacy.

Asbury Methodist Church, built in 1829, is the oldest church building still standing and the first African American church in Middleburg. Initially, the congregation included African American and white members, but ruptured in the 1850s over slavery. The majority of the white church members left. During the Civil War, Asbury Methodist Church served as a storage depot, a hospital, and a morgue. In 1864, the church was turned over to the African American Methodist Episcopal congregation. After the Civil War, the gallery was used as a school and dining facility. This ceased with an 1888 renovation to enlarge the sanctuary. In the 1990s, the congregation left to join with a Willisville church. The building has been vacant since 1995. Plans are now underway for the town of Middleburg to take responsibility for renovating the old church.

Phyllis Cook-Taylor, a fourth-generation native of Middleburg, readily recalls attending Asbury before it closed. Today she volunteers as part of an effort forming a 501(c)(3) on behalf of its preservation. Active in local history and preservation efforts, she believes “The first aspect of preservation is recognition. All involved parties must see the value of what is to be preserved and invest in the incorporation of said value to the town. The restoration of Asbury Church will assure Bureau Corner's important place in the historic overlay.”

Shiloh Baptist Church, built in 1913, has been recognized by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources and the National Register of Historic Places. The nomination for national recognition remarks on its architecture and its role in “the history of African Americans living in Middleburg, Virginia, during the tumultuous years of Jim Crow segregation and the Civil Rights era ... [as well as] the freed African American community who built and supported the church and congregation.” The building, created by master stonemason and church member Nathan Nathaniel Hall, has been described as “a vernacular adaptation of Late Gothic Revival.”

Middleburg resident James Smith, 86, recalls attending Grant School at Bureau Corner, as well as the potbelly stove which heated it. Education was segregated. Built in 1888, the two-room structure closed in 1948 when Banneker Elementary opened. The old school was incorporated into the Marshall Street Community Center. Architect William B. Dew used Asbury Methodist Church as inspiration for the design of both the Marshall Street Community Center, which was built to serve African American residents, and the Middleburg Community Center, originally built for the white community. Smith correctly remembers that the Marshall Street Community Center incorporated the old Grant School space. The schoolhouse’s “ghost” is still seen in the southern portion of the building.

In 1961, Smith would play a pivotal role in the desegregation of the town of Middleburg, by

staging peaceful sit-ins at local establishments. On April 8, Smith along with Reverend William Swann, Clarence Grayson, and Roger Dodson went to the New York Café (the original name of the Coach Stop). They ordered “something small — like ice cream or a Coke — just to say we were served.” They were served, and next went to an eating establishment across from where the Safeway is now, and then, lastly, the Middleburg Pharmacy lunch counter. At each place, they were served. James recalls, “It felt a little scary but had to be done. … Someone had to do it.” He says there was no retaliation.

Up past the Sporting Library, a narrow lane leads to Solon Cemetery, organized in 1883. This African American burial ground is set in steeply rolling terrain. Just to the south, an old ice pond collects any run-off. Canada geese float on its

Bureau | Page 40

smooth surface. Dotting the hills above the pond are the resting places of many who once sat in the pews at Shiloh and Asbury, danced at Marshall Street, and learned their ABCs at Grant. Solon Cemetery offers a place for quiet reflection on the important people and places of Middleburg’s

past.

Smith and Swann share more details of their April 8 experience with Middleburg Life contributor Heidi Baumstark in her online exclusive: “Two Men Take a Stand, By Taking a Seat: The Desegregation of Middleburg.” Find the article and more stories celebrating Black History Month at middleburglife.com. ML

Note: The majority of the historic sites mentioned are privately owned.

Here are resources to learn more:

AFRO-AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION OF FAUQUIER COUNTY

4243 Loudoun Avenue

The Plains, Virginia 20198

540-253-7488

aahafauquier.org

FRIENDS OF THOMAS BALCH LIBRARY

BLACK HISTORY COMMITTEE

540-579-2825

balchfriends.org

THE LOUDOUN COUNTY

VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER

112 South Street Southeast, Suite 200

Leesburg, Virginia 20175

703-771-2170

visitloudoun.org

THE PINK BOX

12 North Madison Street Middleburg, Virginia 20117

540-687-8888

themiddleburgmuseum.org

THOMAS BALCH LIBRARY

208 West Market Street

Leesburg, Virginia 20176

703-737-7195

leesburgva.gov

Bureau | From page 39

Top: Bradfield’s Drug Store. Bottom left: Solon Cemetery. Bottom right: Solon Cemetery entrance.

Nearly a century ago (or so it seems!) in December of 2019 the SECURE Act was approved by the Senate. Many of you probably have no recollection of The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act (The SECURE Act) because it has been overshadowed by other international events. While that is old and maybe even forgotten news, the fresh news is that the SECURE Act has a sequel. The SECURE Act 2.0 was signed into law at the end of 2022. The two pieces of legislation share a common goal: to reform America’s woefully inadequate retirement system and to incentivize the average joe to save more.

Let’s take a step back in time and try to recall the highlights of the original SECURE Act. At the close of 2019, Trump was still president, most folks had never worn a face mask, and the S&P was up over 28% at year-end. The SECURE Act’s most notable takeaway was arguably the elimination of the stretch IRA which ruled that non-spouses inheriting IRAs must take distributions to drain them within 10 years. Other significant changes, to name just a few, included:

• Required minimum distributions (RMDs) age limits were pushed from 70.5 to 72

• Regardless of how old you are, if you are working (or have a spouse that works) you may make traditional IRA contributions

• Many part-time workers may now participate in an employer retirement plan

• It is easier for small business owners to setup retirement “Safe Harbor” plans that are less costly and simpler to administer Good stuff, right? Now we can all retire! Not so fast. Probably the one thing Congress agrees on is that that while these are helpful, more must be done to encourage the American individual be it the YOLO enthused Gen Z or the sandwiched boomer to approach retirement planning in a more effective manner. While The SECURE Act 2.0 spans 150 pages, let’s try to boil it down to 150 words. You are free to read the actual document on your next vacation or other leisure time -- it’s captivating (yawn). Here are the mainstays that are being rolled out in 2023 and subsequent years:

• Individuals may delay their first RMD until April 1 of the year following the year in which they reach age 73 (2023). Age 75 in year 2033.

• The penalty for not taking an RMD is cut in half from 50% to 25%. And only 10% if it is caught the year after it is due (2023).

• If you are 60-63, you may contribute an additional $10,000 or 150% of the “standard” catch up to your 401(k) or 403 (b) or an additional $5,000 to your SIMPLE IRA (2024).

• For those of you who have student loans and are unable to contribute to your retirement plan at work, your employer can now match student loan payments up to a certain percentage of your salary and deposit into your retirement account (2024).

• All new, eligible employees are automatically enrolled in retirement plans starting at a 3% contribution rate that would increase annually at 1% until it reached 10% (2025).

• Rollovers of 529 balances up to $35,000 to Roth IRAs (2024)

• Employers now may make matching after-tax Roth contributions in retirement plans (2023).

• New rules for qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) allow increased contribution amount based on inflation rate (2024). These are just the bare bones of the 92 retirement savings provisions of which the SECURE 2.0 Act is comprised. The rules are complex and affect each person’s financial plan differently. As you think about what strategies to implement and enrich your retirement savings plan, it may behoove you to speak with a financial professional and consider what is appropriate for your own unique situation.

Lucy Zimmerman, CFP®

Tom Wiseman

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photo by Boheme Bridal

A heartfelt note to everyone who knew our beloved Mikey.

A force of love we lost after 14 years. He was a joy and treasured spirit that had to be put humanely to sleep. Big surprise that he had an enlarged heart that his precious little body could no longer accomodate. We and all his friends in Middleburg will miss him so much. Rest in peace Mikey.

November 24, 2008 – January 4, 2023

HUNT COUNTRY HEADS SOUTH: Inside Florida’s Equestrian Scene

Written by Victoria Peace

For riders in Virginia, February is often synonymous with icy water buckets, endless blanket changes, and frozen footing. However, some lucky Hunt Country equestrians have headed south to wait out the winter in Wellington and Ocala.

For those of us that can’t make it down this year, Middleburg Life interviewed riders competing at the World Equestrian Center, the Winter Equestrian Festival, and on the Wellington polo fields about what the season has been like so far. Read on to hear about their experiences spending the winter in the sunshine state!

GRACE LONG

Grace Long, co-owner of G&T Equestrian in The Plains, has been heading to Florida for the winter annually for the past decade. This year, Long is based out of Ocala. “WEC is such an incredible place, you really can’t beat it,” she says. However, Long and her clients also travel to HITS and the Winter Equestrian Festival to compete during the winter season.

Long is originally from Australia. She studied law and economics at university and worked in that field briefly after she graduated. However, she ultimately decided that sitting in an office all day was not for her and transitioned toward riding and teaching full time. Long competed up to the Grand Prix level in Australia before moving to Middleburg ten years ago to work at Badger Hill Farm with Tom Bebb.

Five years ago, Long and Bebb founded G&T Equestrian. Today, the farm serves both hunter and jumper clients, many of whom are currently competing in Florida. “We have a great group of clients,” Long emphasizes. “We have a few clients with younger horses that they are bringing along. [Florida] is a great place to do that because there are so many different rings and they get a lot of diverse experiences.”

At G&T, Long and Bebb instruct riders and

horses of all different levels from the baby green hunters up to the Grand Prix. “We really appreciate all of those levels. … We want everyone to do what they want to do but well,” Long says.

Long believes that a central part of what makes G&T Equestrian special is her partnership with Bebb. “Tom and I do everything. I’m the rider in the ring but in terms of the training and the planning and everything that’s involved, that’s really both of us,” she says. “I feel like that gives us a strong position in the fact that there’s both of us as trainers there. … We can help out everyone in the way that they need it.”

This winter season, she has brought a mare down to Florida who was off last year with an injury and has just started back up again. By the end of the winter, her goal is to have her jumping at the Grand Prix level.

SOPHIA DOBLE

Sophia Doble is spending her first winter season in Wellington this year and is planning to compete in the 6-8 goal league at Grand Champions Polo Club and the Grand Champions Women’s League.

Of her time in Florida, Doble says, “It’s a different environment, but everyone is very kind, sweet, willing to help, and welcoming. And, the horses seem to really enjoy it.”

Doble lives in Warrenton and started riding when she was 6. She took up polo at age 16 and started training with John Gobin at Twilight Polo Club in Middleburg during the summer of 2021. Doble, now 18, just graduated from high school this past December, a semester early.

Doble is most excited to play in the 6-8 goal league this season because she has never had the opportunity to play polo at that speed before. In order to prepare herself for playing in Florida, Doble traveled to Argentina from late November to early December to train with Memo and Meghan Gracida. While she was there, she pur-

chased several horses that she is keeping in Florida for the winter.

This season, Doble is hoping to up her handicap and become a stronger player. Specifically, she plans to focus on improving her defensive skills and becoming more aggressive.

LANE COSTA

Fifth-grader Lane Costa is spending her first season competing in Florida this year. Costa and her new pony, MacGyver, have been showing in the Small Regular Pony Division at the World

Equestrian | Page 45

Grace Long. Photo by Phelps Media.

Equestrian Center in Ocala. Costa is from Leesburg, Virginia, and rides at Rutledge Farm with Jonelle Mullen.

Costa’s goal for the season was to qualify for Pony Finals, however she already accomplished this feat her first week showing! The class she is most looking forward to showing in is the pony derby.

Costa’s favorite thing about being at WEC is that she gets to meet a lot of friends around her age. She loves getting to spend multiple weeks with her fellow riders and says that everyone is so supportive. Costa also loves WEC’s facility, and the fact that she can walk around the showgrounds and see all of the different rings and vendors. There is even a Starbucks at the show.

Costa is looking forward to consistently showing MacGyver throughout the rest of the season, getting to know him more, and becoming a real team.

JESSICA RICH

Jessica Rich has been coming down to Florida for the winter on and off for the past decade. She is based out of the World Equestrian Center in Ocala this year, but in past years has competed at the World Equestrian Festival in Wellington. Rich’s successful career in riding has spanned many different disciplines including show jumping, hunters, foxhunting, racing, and polo.

Rich’s mother was one of the first women jockeys and taught Rich to ride at a young age. During her childhood in Middleburg, Rich grew up riding other people’s ponies and took lessons everywhere, including with local Olympian Katie Prudent. As a teenager, Rich broke yearlings for Paul Mellon at Rokeby Farm.

Rich galloped horses on the track for decades.

Her stepfather, Billy Turner, trained Seattle Slew. Turner and Rich’s mother had a successful training business together, and Rich rode for them and had her assistant trainer’s license in many states.

Now, Rich no longer rides professionally. “At this point in my life I’m doing it more as something that’s not a job — I’m doing it because I want to,” she says. Rich does not have a set discipline that she competes in; she usually gets her horses off the track and likes to do whatever they are best at, whether that’s eventing, show jumping, or something else. However, right now, she owns a Dutch Warmblood — her first one ever — and is competing in the jumper ring.

According to Rich, when she started riding her current mare, Juno, she was practically feral. She had never worn shoes or a blanket, and while she was not wild or crazy, she had very limited riding experience. Rich brought her along slowly, and she has since shown quite a bit of talent. Rich’s goal for the winter season is to get Juno really comfortable at her job, and eventually move her up to a higher level. Right now, she’s starting to compete in the 1.10 meters. Eventually, Rich would like her to graduate to the 1.20 meters.

Rich rides with G&T Equestrian in both Florida and Virginia. “I love the training and Grace’s riding, and it’s a great group of people,” she says. “Everyone they have working here is so good with the horses. … You want to walk into the barn and have it be an atmosphere that’s happy and pleasant — not stressful. Their farm delivers on that. And, the farm in Florida is a great location.”

One of Rich’s favorite things about being in Florida is the proximity of the farm to the showgrounds. “In a place like WEC, you can get a lot done. You

can go back week after week and you get a lot accomplished,” she says. “It’s nice that you don’t have to drive as much.” Back at home in Middleburg, Rich prefers to foxhunt, trail ride with friends, or do dressage. “There are so many fun things to do with a horse in Middleburg. Because my horse is so small, I even hit the polo ball off her as well!” Rich says.

Riding is not the only thing that Rich appreciates about being in Florida — she also enjoys opportunities to compete in CrossFit. Rich took up CrossFit during COVID. She was used to riding ten horses per day seven days per week, and when that number was reduced to one, sometimes two horses, not even every day, she needed something else to do. Rich previously competed in virtual CrossFit competitions but did her first in-person one in Miami this winter. She’s signed up for another one soon. “It’s fun and it keeps you fit and strong, and helps with the riding,” she says.

JOHN

GOBIN

John Gobin, the founder of Twilight Polo Club in Middleburg, has been coming to Wellington for over 30 years. Gobin is the former captain of the U.S. Polo Team and has played in prestigious tournaments all over the world. “Wellington is the best polo in the country,” Gobin says. “If you want to test your skills, you do it down here.”

Currently, Gobin prefers to play in more relaxed matches during the winter season and focuses on training his green horses. He finishes them and then either sells them or brings them back up to Virginia in the spring. Several members of Twilight Polo Club also come down to Wellington to play with Gobin over the winter.

Like so many other riders, one of Gobin’s favorite things about coming to Florida is the weather, and the sheer amount of equestrian-related activities in the area. “It’s crazy how the

Top: Sophia Doble. Photo by Crowell Hadden Photography. Bottom: Lane Costa. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

Equestrian | From page 44

Equestrian | Page 46

Equestrian | From page 45

town just explodes with horse people after Christmas — the roads are full, the restaurants are full, the tack shops are full — it’s a great environment,” Gobin says.

MICHELE TRUFANT

Michele Trufant is currently based out of the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, competing in the adult amateur jumpers. She rides with Denice Perry at Skyland Farm in Middleburg. Last year was Trufant’s first year in Florida. She came for a month initially, but she liked it so much that she kept adding on a week, and then two weeks, until eventually she stayed for three months. Her favorite part about heading south is the warm weather, the proximity to the ocean, and the frequency with which she is able to ride. She also loves being able to ride to the showgrounds from the farm instead of having to worry about trailering. Often, after she is done showing for the day, she walks down to the beach and goes surfing. “It doesn’t get much better than that for me,” she says. And, as if riding and surfing weren’t enough to keep her busy, Trufant also teaches virtual yoga classes.

Trufant loves all of the opportunities to watch high-level competitions at WEF. “To be able to walk around the showgrounds and see the best riders in the world — that [is] an amazing experience,” she says. “I [spend] hours and hours in different rings watching people ride.”

Trufant began her career in riding

as an event and racehorse rider before turning to the hunter jumper ring. She did not learn to ride until age 30 and had limited means at the time, so she took advantage of every opportunity possible in order to advance in the sport. “I was breaking horses, I would ride anything,” she says. “I would do anything I could to make a little money and make my dream come true.”

Trufant moved from Louisiana to Middleburg in 1995. The first job she got in the area was working for Barbara Graham at the Middleburg Training Center. During this period, Trufant also rehabbed racehorses in order to train and resell them as eventers. She took one to Denice Perry who told her, “Don’t ever jump that horse over a ditch again; he needs to be [a] show hunter!” From then on, Trufant started taking lessons with Perry and has been with her ever since. The horse, Prime Time, went on to become famous locally and was a consistent winner at Upperville.

Trufant has never set specific goals for her riding, but simply decided that she would try to be the best that she could be, no matter what that meant. And so far, this philosophy has worked beautifully. “I’ve been so satisfied,” she says. “I got to do the advanced course at Kentucky as a three-day event rider, [and] I completed Fair Hill three-star. Those are things that I never dreamt of. Both of those I came out of and thought, if I never compete again, I’m happy.”

This season, Trufant is leasing a horse for the winter. He’s so experienced, “I’m having the time of my life!” she says. ML

Also in Wellington: Chloe's Style Mobile

Chloe Osborn shares, “The Style Mobile is located on Hunter's Hill, across from The Gallery, where the weekly Grand Prix takes place. ... We have curated an amazing collection of apparel, accessories, and gifts that will appeal to both the equestrians and the spectators. We look forward to building new customer relationships with equestrians both near and far in Wellington. We are also excited to reconnect with customers from Hunt Country, who have traveled down to Wellington for the winter circuit.”

Top: Jessica Rich and Juno. Photo by Patricia Rich Turner. Middle: John Gobin. Photo by Rachel Elizabeth. Bottom: Michelle Trufant. Photo courtesy of Michelle Trufant.

Our Favorite Local Wedding Gifts

Middleburg Gourmet

SERRV

Trade

Photos by Callie Broaddus

White Porcelain Ice Bucket, $225, Available at Chloe’s of Middleburg

Flora Nikrooz Bridesmaid Robes, $90, Available at Le Boudoir

1928 Bronze Medal Freshwater Pearl Necklace (various antique medals available), $470570, Available at The Shaggy Ram

Fair

Mandala Breadwarmer, $35, Available at Latitudes

FP Crafted Salad Servers, $55, & Terra Firma Ceramics Centerpiece Bowl, $265, Available at Crème de la Crème

Shenandoah Valley Honey, $12.99, & Assorted Teas, $13-22 per tin, Available at

Pewter Fox Cufflinks, $139, Available at Country Classics

In2Green Blanket, $170, & Horse Rein Throw Carrier, $75, Available at Salamander Touch

Antique Engraved Maps from around the U.S. and the World, $30-45, Available at Middleburg Antique Gallery

Grace Church Concert Series

Peter and Will Anderson Trio

Sun., Feb. 5 - 5:00 PM

Virtuoso jazzmen Peter & Will Anderson and special guest guitarist Adam Moezinia play works from Irving Berlin, the iconic American master of ragtime, tin pan alley, and broadway. His memorable songbook includes Blue Skies, There’s No Business Like Show Business, White Christmas, Always, and Puttin’ on the Ritz.

For tickets please visit: http://https://www.gracetheplains.org/grace-church-concert-series

Paragon Philharmonia

String Fever

Sun., Mar. 5th - 5:00 PM

Paragon Philharmonia’s string section presents masterworks of the string orchestra repertoire by Vivaldi, Vaughan Williams, Tchaikovsky, and Jessie Montgomery.

For tickets please visit: https://www.paragonphilharmonia.org/event-details/string-fever

Grace Church Concert Series Sat., Mar. 25th - 5:00 PM

Washington Performing Arts .. Children of the Gospel Choir

Prepare to be inspired! As one of the region’s most celebrated youth ensembles, Children of the Gospel Choir has performed at the historic Lincoln Theatre, the White House and, among other venues, the Washington National Cathedral.

For tickets please visit: http://https://www.gracetheplains.org/grace-church-concert-series

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

WINTER CHILL AT THE BYRNE GALLERY

February 1 - 26 | thebyrnegallery.com

The Byrne Gallery is proud to present “Winter Chill: Abstracts for the Quiet of Winter,” their exhibition for February 2023. These abstract paintings explore the quietude of winter, when one can enjoy daydreaming and slower living. The color palettes of the works represent the chilled atmosphere of the winter season and evoke the beauty that is ever present despite the barren landscapes. Artists Mark Dassoulas, Andy Hill, and Carolyn Marshall Wright are showing their abstract pieces. The exhibit is open to the public and everyone is cordially invited to attend.

“THOUGHTS ON FOX HUNTING” AT THE MIDDLEBURG COMMUNITY CENTER

February 4 | 7 - 9 p.m. | middleburgcommunitycenter.com

The Friends of Emmanuel Episcopal Church and Folkstreams.net will celebrate the golden anniversary of the film “Thoughts on Foxhunting” with a special showing on Saturday, Feb. 4 at 7 p.m. at the Middleburg Community Center. The 1972 production by filmmakers Tom Davenport and Harrison O’Connor was funded by the late Paul Mellon and the National Endowment for Humanities. Legendary foxhunters Melvin and Peggy Poe and the hounds of the Orange County Hunt near The Plains, Virginia, are featured. Tickets are $39 per person and can be purchased through eventbrite.com.

SECOND ANNUAL CONCERT

“THIS OL’ COUNTRY GIRL”: THE MUSIC OF PATSY CLINE

February 11 | 7 - 9 p.m. | piedmontheritage.org

Enjoy Valentine’s Day weekend with the musical stylings of Patsy Cline and learn about her

rise to prominence in the Virginia Piedmont and Shenandoah Valley. Live music will be performed by Bess Putnam and the Virginia Pickers Collective. Tickets are $35 per person or $60 for couples. Children 12 and under are free. Sweets, wine, beer, and soda are included. For more information and tickets visit: piedmontheritage.org

GALENTINE’S DAY GRAND

OPENING AT AIYANA ATELIER

February 13 | 5 - 8 p.m. | aiyanaatelier.com

Join Aiyana Atelier as they celebrate the grand opening of their new Middleburg location. See the beautiful new space and enjoy some light bites, beverages, and learn about the products and services offered at the studio. They will have special giveaway prizes and promotions. To RSVP visit: aiyanaatelier.com

Calendar | Page 51

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

“BE JEWELED” POLYMER CLAY WORKSHOP AT CANA VINEYARDS

February 19 | 1 - 4 p.m. | canavineyards.com

Grab a friend, grab a drink, and join Klayish to learn the basics of polymer clay jewelry and create your one-of-a-kind piece of wearable art! The workshop will go through the steps of conditioning, color mixing, shaping, and baking, and by the end of class participants will leave with two finished pairs of dangle earrings. No experience is necessary. Please note that each workshop participant must purchase an individual ticket. Tickets are $65 per person and include one free tasting flight and the supplies for the workshop. Reservations are required.

A CELEBRATION OF YOUNG VOICES AT EMMANUEL CHURCH

February 19 | 3 p.m. | emmanuelmiddleburg.org

Join Emmanuel Church in Middleburg to celebrate the area’s many young singers and their talents with a multi-school concert. The event will be part of the “At The Parish House” series and will take place on Sunday, Feb. 19 at 3 p.m. at the Parish House, next door to the church. Choruses from area schools will showcase their wide-ranging repertoires with genres ranging from Renaissance madrigals, pop, Broadway, folk, contemporary and international favorites. Reservations are recommended, but not required (540-687-6297). A donation of $10 is suggested, but no one is turned away.

WATERCOLOR FUNDAMENTALS WITH LORRIE HERMAN AT AIM

February 23 | 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. | theartistsinmiddleburg.org

Learn about the watercolor materials, painting techniques, color mixing, color value and composition. In the morning, the class will start with the basics and several exercises to understand how to

use the watercolors. In the afternoon the focus will be on a painting project. The class costs $135 per person and includes supplies. For more information and tickets visit: theartistsinmiddleburg.org

BLACK HISTORY MONTH WINE PAIRING DINNER

February 24, 25, 26 | 7 p.m. | salamanderresort.com

In honor of Black History Month, Market Salamander is proud to present the second annual Black History Month Wine Pairing Dinner. Chef Pete Smith has collaborated with Kindra Dionne of The Fifty Leven Collection to curate a locally-sourced menu paired harmoniously with Fifty Leven wines. The delicious Southern-inspired menu features dishes like shrimp & grits, blackened lamb chop with collard greens, Southern fried chicken, and more. $155 per person, excludes tax and gratuity. Reservations required. To reserve, please call 540-687-9726.

Jessica Dean is your local neighbor

Jessica Dean, McEnearney Associate

For Jessica Dean, building community has been an essential part of her life as far as she can remember. She grew up in a family-owned business that supported small-town living for over a century and continues to fund small-group programs. After serving in the Air Force, Jessica was naturally drawn to real estate because she loves using her hyperlocal knowledge to help people fi nd their dream homes. At McEnearney, our associates are more than just agents; they are your neighbors, trusted advisors, and local experts.