Middleburg Life | January 2021

Volume 38 Issue 1 | January 2021 | middleburglife.com

MIDDLEBURG

LI F E The Free State Legend Lives On

HOW RAISING PUPPIES IGNITED A Purpose Within A Town

LIVING IN A SNOWGLOBE

Health Coaches Reveal Their Top 10 Tips

Are Women The New Face of Wealth?

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

MIDDLEBURG REAL ESTATE

ATOKA

PROPERTIES

S I M P LY B E T T E R .

FLEETWOOD FARM | DELAPLANE

21167 TRAPPE RD | UPPERVILLE

$21,700,000 | Fleetwood Farm showcases the rolling hills & majestic mountain views that Virginia's Hunt Country is known for. 26 parcels totaling 2,477 acres of mature farmland. This massive plot sits just 60 miles west of DC. 4 rental homes, historic stone mill, surrounded by Gap Run, Crooked Run, and other creeks, streams, and ponds.

$3,950,000 | Stunning manor home with 4 BD, 3 bathrooms, & 3 half bathrooms w/ a beautiful lake view on 166 lush acres. This light-filled home features exposed beams, exquisite HW floors, updated bathrooms, custom cabinetry, & countertops. Large kitchen island, numerous living spaces, & back porch make this home an entertainer's delight.

Peter Pejacsevich 540.270.3835

Scott Buzzelli 540.454.1399

Peter Pejacsevich 540.270.3835

Scott Buzzelli 540.454.1399

3194 LOST CORNER RD | DELAPLANE

20858 GREEENGARDEN RD | BLUEMONT

$2,700,000 | Feel a world away in this luxurious stucco retreat just 20 min from historic Middleburg. This 6 BD, 4.5 BA, 5,200+ SQFT home was built in 2018 by AAA contractor Gretchen Yahn with the highest quality materials. Enjoy meaningful moments and fireside chats with your friends and family in the large, open kitchen and living room.

$1,700,000 | 120+/- acres of beautiful land with far reaching pastoral views in a peaceful, private location! Multiple outbuildings including a shed, run-in and barn.

Cape Cod/Bungalow home with 2 full beds, 1 full and 1 half bath. An incredible opportunity! The property is in land use and conservation easement.

Peter Pejacsevich 540.270.3835

Scott Buzzelli 540.454.1399

Peter Pejacsevich 540.270.3835

Scott Buzzelli 540.454.1399

10995 HARPERS FERRY RD | HILLSBORO

FAUQUIER AVE | THE PLAINS

$349,000 | Completely renovated Cape Cod with mountain views and scenic vistas from the front porch. Hardwood floors throughout, brand new paint, upgraded appliances & counters, newly tiled bathrooms, loads of storage basement. Enjoy the country and be close to commuter routes.

$185,000 | Great opportunity to build a beautiful home on over an acre in the heart of The Plains. Build amongst existing residential homes just minutes from John Marshall Hwy. Enjoy the local restaurants, coffee shop, and antique stores a stone’s throw from your door.

Mary Kakouras 540.454.1604

Peter Pejacsevich 540.270.3835

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

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Scott Buzzelli 540.454.1399

SAVOR MIDDLEBURG SAVOR MIDDLEBURG THE CONSERVATORY AT GOODSTONE HAS REOPENED FOR FINE THE CONSERVATORY AT GOODSTONE HAS REOPENED FOR FINE D I NEI N VO ITE YOU TO SA V ON R EXA E C URTEIOVPEE C E FF JOARN FVI N AN TH CG O ..N SW EE R VII N AT ST NH ED E D ININ G W E N V I TREY YAOTUGTOOO D SA V O R EE H XES CUTIVE C H EF JAN VAN UTE'S W H OTM GROW T TING MEN . JAN VAN DINING. H WA I TN EE OE RN XA ES HU EF H AEUITNEV' S N EYWO U HOM ESGARVOOW NE T A SCTUITNIGV EM C EN U .

HAUTE'S NEW HOMEGROWN TASTING MENU. DESTINATION WEDDINGS | EXECUTIVE RETREATS | WINE & HUNT COUNTRY FINE DINING DESTINATION WEDDINGS | EXECUTIVE RETREATS | WINE & HUNT COUNTRY FINE DINING ONE HOUR WESTRETREATS OF DC IN MIDDLEBURG,VA DESTINATION WEDDINGS | EXECUTIVE | WINE & HUNT COUNTRY FINE DINING ONE HOUR WEST OF DC IN MIDDLEBURG,VA GOODSTONE.COM | 540-687-3333 ONE HOUR WEST OF DC IN MIDDLEBURG,VA GOODSTONE.COM | 540-687-3333 GOODSTONE.COM | 540-687-3333

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MIDDLEBURG

LI F E JA N . 2 0 2 1 middleburglife.com

PUBLISHER: Greenhill Media LLC EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jennifer Gray | editor@middleburglife.com COPY EDITOR: Chelsea Rose Moore ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER Christian Bentley | christian@middleburglife.com ADVERTISING SALES REPRESENTATIVES Rebekah Greenhill | info@middleburglife.com Vicky Mashaw | vmashaw@middleburglife.com Jennifer Richards | jennifer@middleburglife.com Andrea Ryder | andrea@middleburglife.com ACCOUNTS ADMINISTRATOR: Joanne Maisano DIGITAL SALES & MARKETING SPECIALIST: Laura Luck DIGITAL CONTENT CREATOR: Laticia Headings DESIGNER: Elisa Hernandez PRODUCTION DIRECTOR: Nicky Marshok ON THE COVER An early snowfall arrived on photo day for this little girl, Olivia Signorello, who loves snow and ice skating. This beautiful scene was captured at Montresor in Leesburg, Va., and photographed

by Gayle T. Tiller Photography.

ON THIS PAGE The Blue Ridge hounds leaving 2020 behind them during their morning run just after the first snowfall in December.

Photograph by Joanne Maisano.

CONTRIBUTORS Heidi Baumstark, Chelsea Moore, Kaitlin Hill, Laticia Headings, Shayda Windle, Victoria Peace, and Erika Reynoso ADVERTISE IN MIDDLEBURG LIFE Greenhill Media, LLC P.O. Box 328 | Middleburg VA 20118-0328 540.687.5950 | info@middleburglife.com All editorial matter is fully protected and may not be reproduced in any manner without the written permission of the publisher. All unsolicited manuscripts and photos must be accompanied by return postage; the publisher assumes no responsibility. Middleburg Life reserves the right to reject any advertising. Distributed in Aldie, Alexandria, Ashburn, Boyce, Delaplane, Dulles, Front Royal, Gainesville, Haymarket, Leesburg, Manassas, Marshall, Middleburg, Millwood, Paris, Purcellville, The Plains, Rectortown, Reston, Tysons, Upperville, Warrenton, Washington, D.C., and Winchester.

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

FIDELIO

RUTLEDGE FARM

CATESBY

DEERFIELD

THE PLAINS, VIRGINIA

MIDDLEBURG, VIRGINIA

MIDDLEBURG, VIRGINIA

UPPERVILLE, VIRGINIA

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

Premier Middleburg estate | Main house of stone and frame construction circa 1740 w/addition in 1820. 6 BR, 3 1/2 BA, 5 FP, high ceilings, moldings & detailed woodwork throughout | Equestrian facilities are unmatched | 113 lush acres. 5 barns totaling 35 stalls | 19 paddocks | Derby field | 218 x 80 indoor arena | 250 x 150 all-weather outdoor arena | 80’ lunging arena | Polo field (or 2 grand prix fields) | 4 board, double fencing & automated nelson waterers | Other improvements include 3 BR, 2 1/2 BA guest house | Farm office attached to 3 BR house | Machine shed | Carriage house w/apartment | Stone spring house/office | 3 BR apartment | Pond with gazebo

SPRING GLADE

MIddLEBuRG, VIRGINIA

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French Country home, with renovations in 1999 $8,750,000 & 2017 | 4 BR, 5 full & 2 half BA, 5 $8,000,000 FP, hardwood Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905 Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905 floors, flagstone terrace | Beautiful drive to hilltop stetting overlooking pond, lake & mountains | Improvements include pool, 2-car garage, 2 BR guest house & apartment | Lovely boxwood gardens | Kitchen allowance to be provided | 79.89 acres

$3,900,000 Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905 elen MacMahon 540.454.1930 h CREST HILL MAYAPPLE FARM HUME, VIRGINIA

203 immaculately maintained acres w/ approximately 1 mile river frontage | 1 acre stocked pond | Elegant stone & clapboard house | 5 BR, 4 full & 3 half baths, gourmet kitchen, spacious great room | Gunnite pool w/stunning views of Blue Ridge Mountains | Old Dominion Hunt | 5 stall Jim-Fletcher built barn | Residence set back 1/2 mile from road | VOF easement w/pot for 30 acre subdivision

$3,600,000 Alix Coolidge 703.625.1724

MIDDLEBURG, VIRGINIA

Original portion of house built in 1790 in Preston City, CT | House was dismantled and rebuilt at current site | Detail of work is museum quality | Log wing moved to site from Western Virginia circa 1830 | 4 BR, 4 full BA, 2 half BA, 9 FP & detached 2-car garage | Historic stone bank barn and log shed moved from Leesburg, VA | Private, minutes from town | Frontage on Goose Creek | 37.65 acres

$3,200,000 Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905

Gracious Georgian Manor home, 11,000 sf, built in 1930 | Updated and suitable for large scale entertaining | 7 BR, 7 1/2 BA, 7 FP | High ceilings, formal gardens & private setting | Belmont style stable w/30 stalls and 2 apartments | 4 BR guest house/entertainment complex, 4-car garage w/office | 4 restored tenant houses, skeet range, pool & tennis court | 167.59 acres mostly open & rolling with bold mountain views and large spring-fed pond | Also available with 241 acres for $8,500,000

181 acres | Brick manor house c. 1844 | 4 bedrooms, lovely kitchen, multiple porches, pine floors, 7 fireplaces, original mantels, large windows, detailed millwork | c. 1810 log cabin/pool house, guest house with theater, 2 tenant houses, 5-bay garage and workshop | Sizable pond

SALEM HILL

$4,500,000 MARSHALL, VIRGINIA

Helen MacMahon 540.454.1930

Well protected Fauquier location | 6 bedrooms | $6,500,000 4 Paul fullMacMahon and 2 half baths | 3 fireplaces | Great views 703.609.1905 | Pool with large flagstone terrace | Large county kitchen | 4-car detached garage with apartment/ office | 9-stall barn | Covered arena | Outdoor ring | 4 stall shed row barn | 51 fenced acres

$3,690,000 Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905 DIXONS MILL ROAD

FIRETHORN LANE

MARSHALL, VIRGINIA

THE PLAINS, VIRGINIA

Lovely brick home on hilltop setting, completely redone by current owners | Wood floors, high ceilings, lots of light | 6 BR, 5 1/2 BA, 5 FP, sweeping stair case in foyer | Basement level finished for family enjoyment w/ media room, office, gym, billiard room, full bar w/ kitchenette, full bath & outside entrance leading to pool and spa | Improvements include 3-car garage, heated 4-car garage w/car lift | Potting shed/studio w/ attached heated green house | 20 car barn for serious collector | Swimming pool with spa | 5-stall barn | Property fenced and cross fenced | 68.23 acres

$2,375,000 Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905

Privately situated on 2 acres | 3 BR main residence - each BR with separate bath | Spacious master BR - Elegantly decorated and appointed | Conveniently located between Middleburg and The Plains | Large open eat-in kitchen w/ bar and center island | Living room w/ fireplace | Formal dining room | Space for home office w/ fireplace | Basement includes ample storage & exercise room | 1 BR guest house | Lovely gardens and wrap around porch for outdoor socializing

$1,250,000 Alix Coolidge 703.625.1724

GAME CREEK

HALCYON HILL

MIddLEBuRG, VIRGINIA

RECTORTOWN, VIRGINIA

A remarkable property located within a private BUST HEAD ROAD 11 SOUTH MADISON STREET enclave just minutes from town | Stone and stucco THE PLAINS, VIRGINIA MIDDLEBURG, VIRGINIA house with main level master suite 7 in 82.69manor acres | Mostly wooded, mountain The Old Middleburg Pharmacy| | Built views, bold stream in very protected 1934 | Wonderful old stone building on additional BR | Can | 5notstone FP Madison | Beautiful gardens, area | Conservation easement Street in Middleburg with endless be subdivided | Prime Countypool, cabana, optionscarriage | Main level retail, full basement terraces, saltOrange water house & Hunt location | Halfway between for storage or separate entrance and stable with 2 paddocks | Lovely finishes throughout Middleburg and The Plains 3 rental apartments upstairs | Approximately 7,000 sf | C-2 zoning $1,100,000 & sweeping lawn to private trails to Goose Creek | provides for many uses | Rear parking Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905 31 acres | Private, elegant & convenient $1,100,000 Helen MacMahon 540.454.1930

$2,650,000

helen MacMahon 540.454.1930

20 Riv 4 fu Gun and | pad

17 acres of rolling pasture land in the village 10 CHINN LANE 109 THE PLAINS ROAD ofMIDDLEBURG, Rectortown | Convenient toMIDDLEBURG, both Routes 50 VIRGINIA VIRGINIA & 66 Newly renovated | Private setting with In town living w| /main level primary bedroom with Very private office building in Middleburg | pocket doors that open into the living room | 3 BR, Located on The Plains Road directly across mountain | the 4 Sporting bedrooms, 2 1/2 BA,magnificent hardwood floors & fireplace | French doors views from Library | Charming office open to with mature gardens & space 2 fireplaces 3 levels with lower level used for over flow and 4private fullpatio bath, 1 half bath, | Heated for expansion | Great full time or weekend getaway break room/kitchen | Surprisingly large parking & spa | to2town. bedroom lotguest house | what many other propertypool within walking distance behind the building offers buildings are lacking in town | Building has $899,000 Large shed & 2-car garage many potential uses with C-3 Zoning

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Margaret Carroll 540.454.0650

$589,000 $2,475,000Helen MacMahon 540.454.1930

Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905 helen MacMahon 540.454.1930 J A N U A RY 2 0 2 1

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Meet Your Neighbor: KAZLYNN MARIE Green Beauty and a Fresh Face in Skincare Written by Kaitlin Hill | Photos by Jennifer Gray

A

t the heart of Middleburg’s charm is the tight-knit community of familiar faces that fill the businesses along East Washington Street and the diverse services they offer. For her part, Kazlynn Johnson of Kazlynn Marie Studios is not only a familiar face, having grown up in Middleburg, she is familiar with faces providing a holistic, green-focused skin care to patrons of her shop. So much more than masks and moisturizers, Johnson stands apart because of her years of training, dedication to her clients, and affection for her hometown.

Though born in Oregon, Johnson grew up just outside Middleburg.

“I grew up in the area,” she says. “We live in Rectortown, just down from Atoka. And I went to Foxcroft, so very local.” After a childhood in Virginia, Johnson went to Washington College, before moving to D.C. to begin her career in green beauty.

“I started as a buyer,” she says. “In D.C. I worked for a company called Follain. They are a green beauty company. I ended up moving to New York with them.” In New York, Johnson joined the ranks of CAP Beauty, also as a buyer. “CAP Beauty is a Mecca for green beauty in New York. I was their buyer, which was probably the most fun I’ve ever had. It was very exciting. I was essentially using the products and deciding what is going to be in the store and then selling them.”

From years of working as a buyer, Johnson developed a depth of knowledge with green beauty products that she would later apply after training to be an esthetician.

“I realized while being a buyer, as much as I loved it, I wanted to have more of a role that interacted with people,” she says. “I’ve always been a huge yoga person, so I wanted to do something that was focused on wellness and healing. I landed on being a holistic esthetician.”

While working full-time, Johnson went to school to train for her dream job. After completing her courses, Johnson landed a gig with celebrity esthetician, Shamara Bondaroff, with whom she would continue her education in the field.

“I was able to train with her which was huge and I was just so grateful for the experience,” Johnson says.

Under Bondaroff ’s tutelage, Johnson developed her own facial style and started to practice at her mentor’s Manhattan studio, SB Skin. In March 2020, she returned to Middleburg to open her own outpost, and started seeing clients in September. Now, she splits her time between both locations.

“I think by nature I am an introvert-extrovert,” she says. “I thrive in the city, but I am also a very calm person. I love the city, but I love nature at the same time. So there is that balance.”

Her homecoming to Middleburg was, at first, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. “I came back last March because of COVID-19 Above: Kazlynn Johnson in her waiting room.

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… when I first came home, I thought of it only as a waiting or stopover place,” she says. “But, I’ve always loved Middleburg. It’s so special to me. And, I realized there was room for me to be an esthetician here.

Then I started thinking about the long-term of me wanting to settle down here.”

Settling down meant securing a studio, starting to build clients slowly, and having the support of the community.

Through a family friend, Johnson found the perfect spot in the historic stone building at 111 East Washington Street. Though the building, housing six offices, was built in the 1800s, Johnson’s suite is the picture of modern and sleek.

“I love my space,” she says, gushing. “I think it is so perfect for me.

And I don’t think I will ever want to change it.” Her waiting room is drenched in natural light and decorated simply, reflecting her organic approach to skincare. In the back, her treatment room is completely zen with lowlights and just enough space for one client, which works for Johnson who has purposely built her client list steadily and meaningfully.

“I have tried to take things slow and organically, I am not really seeBeauty | Page 5

“There is just such a warm sense of community here. So I think I will be here more full-time as opposed to being in New York City and commuting down here.”

– Johnson

Beauty | From page 4 ing many clients,” she says. “I think it is more important to build one-on-one relationships with people. You know them and have them trust you and so you build something that is more long-term.”

In addition to the long-term relationships with her clients and love of her space, the support of the community has Johnson thinking she will stay in Middleburg more. “Everyone has been so supportive and it’s so nice,” she says. “There is just such a warm sense of community here. So I think I will be here more full-time as opposed to being in New York City and commuting down here. I think that this will be my home base.”

Johnson offers visitors to her studio access to top-quality facials as well as her fresh perspective on skincare. “I think we have lost

sight of what real skin looks like,” she says.

“And I think this quest for perfect skin has gotten out of control, over extracting, over exfoliating and all of these different things.

I think the most important thing is nourishing your skin. So, I definitely take a holistic approach to it because skin is so much more than what you are putting on it.”

Johnson’s process starts in the studio where she specializes in microcurrent and LED light treatments. “For the microcurrent, it is a machine that mimics your own body’s current and it helps repair the muscles in your face,” she says. “[I use] the LED light for light therapy. It is a blue light and a red light, and then a mix of them that helps with anti-aging and also acne. It helps heal your skin.”

For Johnson, an essential part of skincare is what happens beyond the treatment table too. “I think the most important thing about

skin care is that it should be an accessible thing to people,” she says. “That’s why it is really important to teach people how to take care of their skin at home, and that skin isn’t this overwhelming thing you should be fighting against, but instead working with.”

She happily makes product recommendations and demonstrations for clients to develop a practice at home. But, she argues, it doesn’t need to be fussy. “I am huge on helping people build a routine in a way that is not overwhelming,” she says.

Johnson’s belief in accessibility, years of training, and commitment to her clients not only makes her a talented esthetician, but also an asset to the Middleburg community. More than a familiar face in town, she is a fresh face in the skincare scene, and Middleburg is fortunate to have her back. ML

Above: Products inside Kazlynn Marie Studio.

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Local Health Coaches Reveal Their Written by Shayda Windle | Photos by Jennifer Gray

W

ith the New Year upon us, we are all searching for ways to improve our everyday lives, especially when it comes to our health. Two local health coaches, Natasha Frisk and Katie Lauverboth, have practices in and around Hunt Country, and share their thoughts about health and wellness as we embark on a new year.

After having two children of her own, Natasha Frisk realized her passion for helping others. As an athlete, it wasn’t until after Frisk had her second child that she realized her need for a personalized approach to health and fitness to get back to the shape she wanted. To fill her need, she became a certified group fitness instructor to help others achieve their goals too.

During classes, her clients would ask for advice about meals, including what to eat

before and after workouts. Frisk saw the demand for more than just exercise-coaching and became certified as a holistic nutritionist.

After working with countless clients, Frisk tells us there is no “one size fits all” approach to health and wellness. “Everyone is built differently and has different goals and expectations,” she says. “That’s why I offer programs that are tailored towards individual needs.”

Frisk sits down with her clients one-on-one and offers suggested meal plans based on their goals. She also offers cooking lessons, both in-home and virtually.

Frisk created an “8 Week Better Body Balance Program” designed for women to “become their optimal selves.” She says the program is explicitly geared towards females and provides insights on how balancing your menstruation, metabolism, exercise, and nutrition leads to better overall health.

“When you are out of balance in your body, this can cause you to become out of

Top: Natasha Frisk.

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sync with life,” she says. “This program will help you find what makes you feel well, be well, move better, and live a life of balance.”

She offers the following tips for the new year: Move with intention. Find a way to move that you enjoy and it will bring your energy up.

Eat with intention. Eat foods that support you and nourish your body. Eat foods of all colors, textures, and flavors.

Consume things that will grow and support you – this is true of food and what we read and watch in the news.

Consume what will work in your favor and support your overall health.

Breathe deeper. Breathe with more inhalation and release bigger with your exhalation. When you breathe better, Health | Page 7

Health | From page 6 you will feel more comfortable, have more insights into your mind/ body connection, and feel better.

Listen to your body and be aware of your space. Check-in with your body as it talks to you with aches and pains. Gas and bloat are signs that your body is asking for attention and help.

Katie Lauver, holistic health coach and owner of Meadowood Wellness, adds that more people today focus on gut health and intermittent fasting. “When our guts are healthy, our whole body is supported,” she says. “The gut is where your immune system lives, and when our immune system is in top shape, everything flows as it should in our bodies. Intermittent fasting is also an amazing way to support your gut and support your body overall.”

“By fasting, we are actually allowing our organs to stop consuming food for a period and work to flush out toxins in our system,” she says.

“Fasting will help to reduce your toxin body burden and, in turn, shed unwanted pounds. The body stores fat to protect us from impurities.

When our toxin overload is high, the body releases fat to protect us from those impurities being too much for our system. Therefore, when we detox impurities from our system, we lose weight.”

Lauver’s 6-week program “Vitality: A Holistic Lifestyle Rejuvenation For Mamas” creates a solid foundation for total body wellness.

“We set goals and create a routine to lay the groundwork for daily wellness,” she says. “We focus on nutrition and supplementation, gut health, mindset shift, fitness, and personal development. Each week my clients get a one-hour call where I educate them on that week’s topic and listen to their needs so I can support them in the best ways possible. We go over meal planning, fitness routines, herbal and foodbased supplementation, journal prompts, affirmations, guided meditation, and more. My program is totally customized to fit each person’s individual needs. After six weeks, each client has the perfect foundation for making healthy choices moving forward. If someone needs more time with me, I offer extended services.”

When it comes to cleansing and flushing toxins from the body, Lauver personally utilizes a series of food-based supplements to help support gentle cleansing of the gut and detoxifying of the kidneys and liver. She currently has over 25 women using these supplements, all citing positive experiences. From weight loss to increased energy and reduced stress levels, these food-based, all-natural supplements are a game-changer when it comes to effectively supporting your internal systems.

“I’ve never felt better,” Lauver says. “I’ve always used supplements in my own wellness journey, but adding in a few new items lately has really transformed my health. I feel better than ever and have more energy than ever before. Fasting with these added supplements and utilizing techniques from my own 6-week program have been the cherry on top for myself and my clients.”

Lauver shares the following tips for a better body, mind, and soul in 2021: Come up with a routine that works best for you to incorporate intermittent fasting into your life. This could be the 16:8 plan, which is the most common, or the 14:10 plan for beginners. This means you would fast for either 16 or 14 hours and then eat during an 8 or 10-hour window. For example, you could eat from 11 a.m. — 7 p.m. and then fast from 7 p.m. — 11 a.m. the next day.

Move your body. Physical fitness is crucial for overall health. You don’t have to be intense, just move. Go for a brisk walk, do some yoga, jump on a bike, or hit a fitness class. Whatever your experience level — nonexistent or advanced, move daily.

Up your veggies. Try and make half your plate vegetable-based – the more fiber in your diet, the better.

Lower your added sugars. Try and reduce added sugar in your daily diet. Sugar is a huge culprit of stagnant belly fat.

Add a self-care routine to your day. Whether it is mindful meditation, listening to a personal development podcast, journaling, or doing affirmations — be sure to elevate your mind every day — it does wonder for your mood and overall well being. ML Find out more at meadowoodwellness.com, contact Katie directly at meadowood.wellness@gmail.com, or find her on IG @meadowoodwellness. Follow Natasha on Instagram @holisticnatasha or Facebook @fitnessandenergy4u. Visit her website fitnessandenergy4u.com.

Right: Katie Lauver.

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Crossing the Line Author Talk with Kareem Rosser

Photo by Lezlie Hiner

Thursday, February 25 | 6pm Free, Live, Virtual Event RSVP for your spot: info@NationalSporting.org or 540-687-6542 x 4

NATIONAL SPORTING

LIBR ARY & MUSEUM

Greer’s Greer’s Antiques GREER’S ANTIQUE CONSERVATION Antiques Quality you can trust GREER’S ANTIQUE CONSERVATION Quality you can trust

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Open House www.greersconservation.com www.greersconservation.com November 8 & 9, 2014 Open 37627 Allder School Road, Purcellville, VA 20132 House www.greersconservation.com 37627 Allder School Road 10am-4pm 540.338.6607 | greersant@gmail.com November Purcellville, VA 20132 8 & 9, 2014 37627 Allder School Road 10am-4pm 540.338.6607 Open Monday - Friday 9-4 &VAWeekends

by Appointment Purcellville, 20132 www.greersconservation.com greersant@gmail.com Museum Level Conservation and Custom Furniture for 44 years 540.338.6607 n

www.greersconservation.com greersant@gmail.com

Open Monday - Friday 9-4 & Weekends by Appointment n Museum Level Conservation and Custom Furniture for 44 years Open Monday 37627 Allder School Road - Friday 9-4 & Weekends by Appointment Museum Level Conservation and Custom Furniture for 44 years

Purcellville, VA 20132 37627 Allder School Road 540.338.6607 Purcellville, VA 20132 greersant@aol.com 540.338.6607 greersant@aol.com

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Regular hours are by appointment only

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Regular hours are by appointment only

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37627 Allder School Road Purcellville, VA 20132 540.338.6607

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www.greersconservation.com

Holiday

November 8 & 9, 2014 10am-4pm

Join us for our

2nd Annual

Open House

Holiday

Holiday

Join us for our 2nd Annual

2nd Annual

Join us for our

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Greer’s Antiques

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Hunt Country 22443 Creighton Farms Drive

Sotheby’s

22 West Market Street Leesburg,VA, 20176 Office: 703.443.1757 huntcountrysir.com

INTERNATIONAL REALTY

17050 Silver Charm Place

40650 Grenata Preserve Place

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Written by Chelsea Rose Moore Photos by Jennifer Gray

D

estiny is a funny thing. Sometimes we find our destinies quickly, as the result of an overnight decision. And other times, we find it through a series of random events, leading us closer and closer one small step at a time. Erin Mann discovered her destiny — and her elderberries — the latter way.

Mann’s parents worked for the FBI, and she always knew she would grow up to do the same. With a master’s degree and a doctorate, she thrived in her role as an FBI intelligence analyst for 15 years until her son was born.

When she was 22, she was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, a disease causing inflammation and ulcers in the digestive tract. Crippled by its severity, she was forced to be on a liquid diet. Over time, she learned colitis could be managed by food and lifestyle choices, and

she began making healthier decisions.

During this time, she and her husband Craig struggled to conceive a child. In the midst of a pregnancy she miscarried, she almost lost her life, and lost a fallopian tube.

She began eating organic foods and carefully considering what she was putting in her body.

It was then that she conceived her son Lucas, her rainbow baby.

Lucas struggled with a variety of health issues as a toddler. At one point, in the midst of a bad virus, his doctors thought he had leukemia. Although he didn’t have leukemia and eventually recovered from his virus, he became sickly. He was on two inhalers, one in the morning and one at night. He took Benadryl and Zyrtec, had regular visits with an allergist, and practically lived at his pediatrician’s office.

Erin Mann in her home office.

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A routine visit to his allergist’s office set Mann on a path to heal her son. When she asked what she could do to help Lucas, the allergist told her she couldn’t do anything because his lungs wouldn’t grow stronger.

“That was literally my breaking point,” she said. “That doctor looked at me square in the eyeballs and said, ‘There is nothing you can do to make his lungs stronger.’ You don’t tell me I can’t do something. That’s exactly what I needed. Up until that point, we had been treading water.”

The researcher in her began studying germs and natural remedies. She discovered information on elderberry syrup as a remedy for cold and flu viruses. She learned the berries could be used as a preventative measure for fighting bacteria, decreasing the time it Destiny | Page 11

Destiny | From page 10 takes to recover from a virus, and reducing the chance of being hospitalized if taken at the onset of symptoms.

She learned that local raw honey could help allergies, and a teaspoon taken every other day could build up a tolerance for pollen over the course of several months.

“I’ve always heard that the lung is a muscle, and muscles can always weaken or get stronger,” she said.

Through her research, she determined that her son needed elderberry syrup with local honey. She spent a week and a half testing recipes, concocting the perfect elderberry syrup for her son. She gave it to him at night before bed.

“He started using it in September, and by March, Lucas had an amazing turnaround in his health,” she said. “His colds went away, his chest congestions went away, and the child hasn’t been to the allergist since. We went once to get released, and [the allergist] said, ‘I don’t know what happened, but you don’t need to see me anymore.’ Once that happened, we just kept on with it.”

She also took elderberry syrup daily. With her colitis, she went from taking 10 pills a day and having two flares per year, to being medication free for the past four years without any flares. “Elderberries reduce inflammation,” she said. “You can use food for health. Food is amazing. It nourishes us.”

Mann founded a private Facebook group called “Raising Tiny Healthy Humans,” which is designed to be a safe space for mothers to share bits of their journey as they raise children. She posted about her elderberry syrup and soon had friends and friends-of-friends texting her asking for some syrup for their families.

She officially opened Erin’s Elderberries in March 2019 as a fully licensed and inspected food business. Each month, she makes two thousand bottles of elderberry syrup and 800 bottles of aronia syrup. Made in her kitchen in Warrenton, Va., she ships her syrups to four countries and sends thousands of bottles worldwide.

“My kid was sickly, and I wasn’t going to stand for that,” she said. “I worked as hard as I possibly could to make my child better. And I found something to help other families too.

I never in a million years thought I would get messages from people thanking me for having their grandpa recover in a couple days after being sick for weeks.”

As the next step in her journey, she became a registered holistic nutrition coach.

“I wanted people to know I am very serious about health and wanting to educate people,” she said. “I don’t want you to just buy my elderberry syrup. I want people to know why they are using it and how they are using it.”

Known in the community as “Miss Elderberry” or “The Elderberry Lady,” Mann is at three farmers markets during market season.

“I didn’t make elderberry syrup to sell. I made it for my family and for my son, and then everybody wanted it,” she said. “Nothing has changed [about it]. It’s exactly the same.”

In addition to her elderberry syrup, she sells aronia syrup, made from the aronia berry. As an underappreciated berry, the aronia berry is high in antioxidants and other healing properties. Mann balanced the astringent aronia flavor with raw honey and elderberries, making it to help a client with chronic sinusitis. When it helped heal her sinusitis, Mann continued making the syrup for others.

Mann’s online shop is a curated collection of products from women-owned small businesses. She offers handmade teas, soaps, make-your-own syrup kits, and many other natural products. She also makes a healthy alternative to Kool-Aid for kids called “Yum Punch,” which is packed with herbs and electrolytes.

With a heart for giving back, she donates her syrups to families battling pediatric cancer. “If I hear that their doctor sent them to me because their child is receiving treatment, I give them the bottles for free,” she said.

She makes every retail stockist sign a pricing agreement, so that her products are attainable for families seeking health, regardless of income level.

“I am in this to help people,” she said. “I am not going to sacrifice that.”

Her husband pointed out that she has always worked to help others. While with the FBI, she was dedicated to keeping people safe, but the families she served never knew she was helping them. With Erin’s Elderberries, she’s found a way to continue helping people.

“Stopping work for the Bureau was hard for me when I had my son,” she said, noting that she had always found her identity in the FBI. But her desire to serve others has motivated every one of her business decisions for Erin’s Elderberries.

If she hadn’t worked to find a solution for her client with chronic sinusitis, her aronia syrup wouldn’t exist.

If she hadn’t decided that a family should never have to choose between healthy food and a roof over their heads, her products wouldn’t be as accessible, and therefore, wouldn’t have helped as many families.

“I worked as hard as I possibly could to make my child better. And I found something to help other families too. I never in a million years thought I would get messages from people thanking me for having their grandpa recover in a couple days after being sick for weeks.”

— Mann If she hadn’t taken her son’s health into her own hands and fought with every fiber of her being to help him, her elderberry syrup wouldn’t exist.

If she hadn’t been true to herself by serving the people in her life, she wouldn’t have found her destiny in helping families heal their loved ones. Isn’t destiny a funny thing? ML Learn more about Erin’s Elderberries and shop her products by visiting erinselderberries.com.

Find her on Instagram @erinselderberries.

In the elderberry production kitchen.

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G

et some greens into your New Year routine with this easy to make — and even easier to devour — hidden greens blueberry smoothie. Frozen blueberries and banana slices make this smoothie extra creamy, while the cup of spinach provides a healthy punch of iron, vitamin K, vitamin C, magnesium, and vitamin B2. An optional scoop of ground flax seeds adds 2.8 grams of fiber and a dose of omega-3 essential fatty acids or “good fats.”

Don’t have blueberries? No problem. This recipe works great with blackberries, raspberries, or strawberries too!

Servings: 2 Ingredients: • 1 cup of frozen blueberries • 1 cup of spinach • ½ cup of frozen banana slices (about 1 medium banana) • 1 cup of almond milk • 1 tablespoon of ground flax seed (optional) Recommended toppings: • Banana slices • Extra blueberries • Sprinkle of granola • Drizzle of nut butter Directions: Put all the ingredients in your blender and blend until smooth and creamy.

Portion into glasses and serve with your favorite toppings. ML

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The Free State Legend Lives On Written by Heidi Baumstark

D

eath and taxes. That familiar claim holds true. But for people living in Fauquier County’s “Free State” area — the tax part — was questionable.

Certainly, Fauquier’s region that conjures up the most mystery is the area known as “Free State.” Its roots stem from the Revolutionary War (1775-1783) era beginning with tenants’ refusal to pay rent and taxes for the land they occupied. After all, that land belonged to Thomas 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron (1693-1781) and his heirs. Being British, they were the enemy. And colonists beat them during the Revolution, so why should they give money to their enemy?

The question in their mind was: Who owned public lands gained by conquest? The answer carried weighty implications for the status of property rights. After all, they had grown into a distinct community in these

remote mountains. And it was this — their defiance of lawful authority and rugged individualism — that earned them the “Free Staters” title.

ginia’s Piedmont” (1987). This idea became entrenched in the hearts and minds of those known as self-reliant and fiercely independent.

Where was the Free State?

The region is an approximate 12-mile stretch (about 8,000 acres) in the mountainous land west and southwest of Marshall in Fauquier County, which was established in 1759. The book “250 Years in Fauquier County: A Virginia Story” (2009) places it in the mountains with Thumb Run on the west, Orlean on the south, and the “graded road to Marshall” on the north. The village of Marshall (originally established as Salem in 1796) was considered the capital of the Free State.

With no fixed boundaries, no political status, it was referred to as a “state of mind,” according to John K. Gott’s book, “High in Old Vir-

Who were these Free Staters?

Beginning in the early 18th century, immigrants were granted leases to settle on Lord Fairfax’s five-million-acre Northern Neck Proprietary that stretched from the Tidewater to the foothills and mountains of western Virginia, including land between the Potomac and Rappahannock Rivers; basically, it amounted to roughly a quarter of Virginia. Many of those immigrants who came to the Free State were thought to be of German descent. According to a New York Times July 16, 1911 article, many Free Staters were

Justin Ashby and his son. Photo by Unearthed Photographical, Ana Gabriele Rodriguez.

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Legend | Page 15

Legend | From page 14 Hessian soldiers who had been hired by the British to fight the colonists during the Revolutionary War. After the Battle of Trenton in New Jersey, hundreds of Hessians were captured by George Washington and the Continental Army the morning of December 26, 1776, a decisive American victory. The 1911 article states these “1,000” captured Hessians “did not go home after the war … they live and flourish to-day in the most aristocratic county of the most aristocratic State in the Union, according to the carefully considered verdict of the inhabitants — Fauquier County, Virginia.”

The New York Times article describes how the Hessians had “looked upon the fields of Fauquier and found them good in their eyes.

They had observed, too, that nobody seemed to be exercising any active ownership over large tracts of them. The settlers were few, and the Hessians, finding none to say them nay, squatted upon as much as each man thought would serve his wants.” Gott’s book comments on the Hessians, noting that one Free State leader, Thaddeus “Thad” Gray, was “particularly irked, according to tradition, when Free Staters were sometimes referred to as ‘Hessians.’”

When it comes to Free State leaders, “A mythical kingdom needs a king,” Gott wrote.

Among the best known “King of the Free State” was Timothy Bray (a senior and a junior) described as squatters living on Wildcat Mountain near Warrenton. A Fauquier County map published by the Warrenton Chamber of Commerce in 1934, shows “Tim Bray’s Cabin” and includes a description that reads: “A portion of Lord Fairfax’s ‘Manor of Leeds’ lay in Fauquier County. While title to this estate was in litigation after the Revolution, the tenants successfully resisted the collection of rents and taxes. Among the best known leaders of this law-defying community was a giant by the name of Tim Bray, the site of whose cabin has been identified [on ‘Wild Cat Mtn.’].”

Later kings were Zibadiah Newhouse and Alexander “Sandy” Jeffries. They had a rowdy reputation of gambling with dice, cock fighting, and making and selling moonshine.

During Civil War days, Colonel John Mosby (known as a teetotaler) did not trust Free

Staters and excluded the area from “Mosby’s Confederacy,” the region in which Mosby’s Rangers boarded in homes throughout Loudoun and Fauquier, according to Waterford historian and mapmaker Eugene Scheel in a Washington Post April 2, 2000 article.

Consulting with Gott, Scheel published one of his popular hand-drawn maps outlining the general Free State boundaries.

In the latter 19th century and into the early 1900s, the king’s mantle passed to Charles (“Charlie”) Burroughs Ashby (1854-1931) who lived at Loch Lomond, the Ashby’s home place built in 1801 on Wilson Road in an area known as “Dudie.” He was the last King of the Free State, known as the unelected spokesman and for his impromptu appearances before the state legislature in Richmond.

Though he never forwarded a bill there, he voiced his opinions and those of his neighbors. Except for the Brays, the other “kings” were unofficial.

“Since I was a kid, I’ve always heard about the Free State,” Ashby descendant, Justin Ashby, of Marshall, said. “I knew it had to do with men who fought in the Revolutionary War and settled on land that Lord Fairfax was overseeing. I heard they ran off the tax collectors. My grandmother said it was good sport to shoot out oil lanterns in house windows up and down Main Street in Marshall — just crazy stuff. I heard stories from family growing up that it was a struggle to continue a life of true freedom. The outside world was changing, and they were holding on to their ways.”

Maureen Ashby Lawrence of Marshall is a ninth generation Ashby going back to the late 1600s. “The Ashbys were landowners; Thomas Ashby came from Virginia’s Tidewater region and settled on Paris Mountain, then Delaplane and Marshall,” she said. Born in 1938, Lawrence grew up in Orlean, but her father (Charles Bryan Ashby) was raised at Loch Lomond. (The stone house at Loch Lomond burned in 1919, but the stone section and chimneys survived, and the house was rebuilt.) “We had such good times going to family reunions at Loch Lomond,” she said, reminiscing.

Lawrence’s grandfather was Nimrod Thomson Ashby. “My grandfather’s uncle was Charlie B. Ashby; ‘Uncle Charlie,’ as we called Legend | Page 18

Top: Map showing approximate boundaries of the Free State. Courtesy photo by Fauquier Heritage and Preservation Foundation (map drawn by Eugene Scheel). Middle: Ashby family, photo courtesy of Maureen A. Lawrence. Bottom: 1967 Washington Post article, photo from the scrapbook.

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9:14 AM

Legend | From page 15 him, was such a colorful character, a real gentleman, and not a fighter,” Lawrence said. “He was a jack of all trades. He made caskets and even built his own. He loved to hunt and fox hunt. And made moonshine. And I remember hearing about how he rode his horse to Richmond, and he never owned a car.” His 1931 obituary states he had a “knack with horses,” and was “one of the greatest fox hunters that the county has ever known and in all his dealings was upright, honest, and just.” He “stood head and shoulders above the crowd, since he excelled in all he undertook.”

Local resident, Ben Merchant, grew up in The Plains. “I’ve always heard many in the Free State were former Hessian soldiers,” he said. “Growing up in the 1970s, people from Free State would come [to Marshall] and get into fights. They were famous for shooting at tax collectors in the teens, 1920s/30s. They didn’t like authority and were very territorial, very hard working — rough-and-tumble people … and moonshiners. Most Free Staters lived in the Cobbler Mountain area, Ada, Hume, and Orlean.”

What about Lord Fairfax, first owner of the land? And later, John Marshall?

Lord Fairfax first voyaged from England to Virginia in 1735 to 1737 to inspect and protect his land inheritance. He then came back to America, and in 1748, made the acquaintance of George Washington who was

“They didn’t like authority and were very territorial, very hard working — rough-and-tumble people … and moonshiners.

Most Free Staters lived in the Cobbler Mountain area, Ada, Hume, and Orlean.” — Merchant then only 16 years old. Fairfax employed him (Washington’s first employment) to survey his lands west of the Blue Ridge Mountains. In 1752, Lord Fairfax ventured to the Shenandoah Valley making his residence at Greenway Court in Frederick County that in 1836, became Clarke County, which borders Fauquier. He spent the remainder of his life there and was the only ennobled British colonial proprietor to live in one of the thirteen colonies. From his Greenway Court estate, he administered his land holdings.

The land was sparsely settled with virtually no inhabitants beyond the Blue Ridge.

The task of Fairfax’s agents — men like Washington and Thomas Marshall (father of John

Marshall, for whom the town of Marshall is named) — was to survey the tract and assist in finding people to settle there, arrange title transfers, and collect modest “quitrents” (a tax or land tax).

In making grants of his lands, Lord Fairfax (known as the “proprietor”) leased certain tracts to immigrants representing various nationalities who migrated to what was then the frontier of the colony. According to “Fauquier County, Virginia: Historic Notes” (1914), in the subdivision of his lands in the Northern Neck, Lord Fairfax created a manor which he named “Manor of Leeds” (also known as Leeds Manor) after Leeds Castle, a seat of the Fairfax family in the county of Kent, England.

Grants of some of these lands are recorded as early as 1759, the year Fauquier was formed.

Lord Fairfax never married or had children, so upon his death in 1781, the land was inherited by other Fairfax heirs who ultimately sold the 122,850-acre Manor of Leeds on October 18, 1806 to John Marshall (then chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court from 18011835), his brother James Markham Marshall, and his brother-in-law Raleigh Colston, referenced as the “Marshall Syndicate” led

by John Marshall. The Free State was only a portion (about 8,000 acres) of this Manor of Leeds tract.

Described in a deed dated August 21, 1767, this 122,850-acre Manor of Leeds tract was in the counties of Loudoun, Fauquier, and Frederick on the northernmost branch of the Rappahannock River, on the upper side of Carter’s Run, on the branches of Goose Creek, on the lower side of the Shenandoah River, and below Happy Creek, including the Blue Ridge Mountain between Happy Creek Gap and Ashby’s Bent Gap. (In addition, there were two other tracts: one containing 26,535 acres and the second one, 13,920 acres, bringing the total acreage to 163,305 in what now belonged to the Marshall Syndicate.)

Here lies the connection. With Thomas Marshall as one of Lord Fairfax’s land agents, his son — John Marshall — became involved, ultimately purchasing Fairfax’s own private Manor of Leeds tract in 1806 from Fairfax’s heirs. While there is no evidence that the young John Marshall met the Proprietor, he easily could have while accompanying his father on surveying expeditions for Lord Fairfax.

Maureen A. Lawrence holding a scrapbook with Charlie B. Ashby (King of the Free State) in Ashby scrapbook. Photo by Heidi Baumstark.

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Legend | Page 19

Legend | From page 18 When the Manor of Leeds was acquired by the Marshall family in 1806, little attention was at first paid by them to these mountain tenants, who, in the lapse of years, had grown into a distinct community. “Without education or religion and influenced by leaders who encouraged them to resist all authority, they lived as outcasts of society, governed only by their own customs, and paying neither rent to their landlords, nor taxes to the state,” according to the 1914 source.

After so many years undisturbed in their occupation of the land, these residents eventually laid claim to it. And when Marshall attempted to collect rents — or to evict those who refused to pay — they declined to recognize him as their landlord, alleging that the original titles had lapsed. Many lessees argued that the Marshall syndicate still did not have legal title to the land since they purchased it from heirs of the enemy (Lord Fairfax). So, they continued their refusal to pay. Lawrence added that Free Staters felt they lived there long enough and owned the land, so they didn’t think they had to pay rent or taxes.

Finally, in search of a resolution, in September 1833, Marshall brought a suit in Fauquier County Court in Warrenton (Marshall v. Foley et als.) and won, establishing his title to the land. New leases were then executed by many of the occupants; others left entirely, migrating to the new frontier country further west.

“This officially ended the era of the Free

State, but the legend lived on,” Ed Ashby said, whose great, great uncle was Charlie B. Ashby.

“Free Staters declared themselves free,” Laura Kelsey, board member of the Fauquier Heritage and Preservation Foundation in the town of Marshall, said. “When Marshall purchased the land in 1806, they tried to evict tenants or collect rents; we’re talking about hundreds of leases. Later, it would be the tax collectors coming after them. Some folks moved away, others stayed and ignored requests to leave or pay rent or taxes. Basically, they ignored whatever they felt like ignoring. By the time Charlie B. Ashby died, lots of people already left; others stayed, and some were squatters. But descendants of Free Staters are still there today.”

A poem titled, “Our Mountain Boys” written in 1879 by Warrenton poet, James DeRuyter Blackwell (1828-1901), sums up the pride and independent spirit of these Free Staters:

voice of honor bids they did not fear to die.

In vain ye search the lettered page of classic Greece or Rome, for truer and for nobler men than are our boys at home.”

At the time of Charlie B. Ashby’s death in 1931, no official tombstone was laid. At a former Ashby reunion, family members pitched in to help pay for a proper tombstone for him in the family’s burial lot at Loch Lomond.

To forever memorialize his role in Fauquier County, Lawrence had these words inscribed on his tombstone: “King of the Free State.”

“Yes, this was the era of the Free State,” Ed Ashby ended. And the legends continue to linger. ML

“Our mountain boys!

Our mountain boys!

Their hearts are bold and true, and pure as the unclouded sky above our mountains blue.

Their step is free as forest deer, like eaglet’s glance their eye, and when the

Below and right: Justin Ashby and his children. Photo by Unearthed Photographical, Ana Gabriele Rodriguez.

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THOMAS & TALBOT REAL ESTATE Opening the door to Hunt Country for generations

heels down, chin up. here’s to a fabulous 2021!

2020 was a year of unprecedented challenges. My heart goes out to the many who have suffered this year. I feel certain 2021 will be a smoother ride and with resolve we will prevail. We’ve all taken more time to focus on what matters most. We’ve also been reminded of how important it is to support charitable groups that protect open spaces and this healthy way of life we live. I’m so grateful and honored to have been able to help more people than ever find their perfect place in Hunt Country this year. Here’s to health and happiness in 2021!

~ C ricket

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Hathaway

90 acres $4,350,000 The Plains – Sweeping panoramic views and grand trees surround this recently renovated, turn-key residence set on a private...

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Little Bit Farm

9+ acres $1,695,000 Middleburg – Charming c. 1850’s home has 3 BRs / 3 BAs and was fully renovated by wellknown local builder. No details spared! ...

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Four Chimneys

6+ acres $1,250,000 Middleburg – Luxurious, custom home just minutes from Middleburg. Over 6,000 sq. ft. sited on 6+ acres. 3 finished levels boast 4...

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Logan’s Mill

209 acres $3,272,000 Located just 2 miles south of Middleburg, Virginia, this exquisite hunt country estate is in prime Orange County Hunt territory...

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West Riding

$2,850,000 25 acres The Plains – Stunning renovation offers a masterpiece of old-world charm coupled with a sophisticated, contemporary design...

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Mountain Field Farm

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Fox Meadows

$1,500,000 82 acres Delaplane – A private hilltop setting surrounded by 82 acres of lush rolling hills, mature woods and the ‘Crooked Run’ river...

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Dover Road

The Grange

18+ acres $2,675,000 The Plains – Stunning addition and complete renovation create a classic and elegant Virginia Manor house with exquisite details...

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30+ acres $1,675,000 The Plains – 30+ acres horse farm. Custombuilt 5 BR/ 3.5 BA home using materials from an 1840’s log cabin - logs, beams, hardwood...

Bedford

Upperville Hous

$699,000 3+ acres $995,000 Middleburg – Lovely brick Colonial in sought Upperville – Fully renovated c. 1843 Greek after location just 2 miles West of town.

Revival style home in the historic village of House offers 4 bedrooms and 3 1/2 baths...

Upperville. 4 BR, 3 BA, Front and rear...

Treetops

14+ acres $1,350,000 The Plains – Renovated with beautiful views!

The farm has 14+ acres of fenced pasture and mature woodlands. 3 BRs, 2.5 BAs...

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Local Taste

Commercial $325,000 Upperville – Located in the heart of the village is this iconic fieldstone building that has been operating over the last 5 years as a...

2 South Madison Street | PO Box 500 | Middleburg, VA 20118 | Office: 540-687-6500 | Fax: 540-687-8899 | thomasandtalbot.com m i d d l e b1u r g l i f e . c o m • J A N U A RY 2 0 2 1 2001-17_ML_Cricket-FP.indd

12/21/20 2:15 PM

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HOW RAISING PUPPIES IGNITED A PURPOSE WITHIN THIS SMALL TOWN Story and photos by Laticia Headings

M

ost dog lovers dream of getting a puppy just once in their life. This past December, Colleen Roberts got her 14th Canine Companions puppy just in time for the holidays.

As a volunteer puppy raiser, Roberts is part of a nationwide network of over 4,700 people who donate their time, energy, and money to raise puppies for Canine Companions for Independence, the largest non-profit provider of service dogs in the country.

Founded in 1975, Canine Companions breeds and trains service dogs for adults, children, and veterans with physical and developmental disabilities other than blindness. Through their powerful program, the non-profit serves 65 different disabilities and works to unite highly trained service dogs with qualified recipients, free of charge.

To date, over 6,500 service dogs have been placed with recipients.

“Since I was little, I’ve been obsessed with dogs,” Roberts says, whose husband, Richard, is the huntsman for the Middleburg Hunt.

“I then met my husband and it was a perfect match because of our passion for understanding dogs. Putting your love and affection into raising a puppy for someone who needs and appreciates it is one of the best feelings in the world. In most instances, you share a unique bond with that person for the rest of the working dog’s life.”

Roberts became involved with Canine Companions in 2004 after she met fellow Middleburg residents, Carina Elgin and her eight-year old daughter, Caroline, in a Marshall vet clinic. Caroline had just been paired with a black lab named Sajen. “We had an amazing conversation and Caroline just lit up as she talked about and showed me all the things her dog could do,” Roberts says. “Carina gave me a puppy raising pamphlet and I walked out of there thinking, ‘This is for me, this is my calling’ … so that night, I applied and it was a week later I had my first Canine Companions puppy.”

Volunteer puppy raisers keep the puppies for up to a year and a half. “The puppy raisers are really the backbone of the organization,” Debra Dougherty, the Canine Companions executive director, says. “They are very selfless. Taking a dog for 18 months and then giving it back is not an easy thing to do. WithPuppies | Page 23 Colleen Roberts and her 14th Canine Companions puppy, Lumen.

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Puppies | From page 22 out our volunteers to help us with training and socialization during that 18 months, we wouldn’t be able to fulfill our mission.”

“It’s a very emotional journey but with every dog you get, your heart gets bigger,” Roberts says.

Service dogs are specifically trained to perform physical tasks such as opening a door or retrieving a dropped item. The dogs are utilized in specific situations: a one-onone “team,” defined as the dog and the recipient, paired with a professional in a healthcare, criminal justice, or educational setting, or as part of a skilled companion team which is made up of a child or adult, dog, and the supporting adult handler.

There are broad categories of service dogs, including guide dogs for the visually impaired, hearing dogs for people who are deaf, service dogs for people with mobility issues, and medical alert dogs that can warn of an impending medical event.

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service dogs are protected and allowed to be in public spaces such as restau-

rants, stores, and public buildings.

“Service dogs empower people by helping them to do things that may be difficult to do on their own,” Roberts says, who graduated from The University of Massachusetts with an equine degree. “To have a dog to help with tasks prevents an individual from having to ask other people. It’s a great feeling of independence.”

The bond between a person and their service dog goes far beyond physical measure.

There is an emotional connection that is invaluable to both human and canine, rooted in mutual trust and affection.

Inspired by Roberts, 10-year old Gwenevere Putnam suggested to her parents that they apply to the puppy raising program after years of teaching circus tricks to the family dogs, Dutch and Emma. “I have a real passion for teaching dogs tricks, but I really wanted to raise service dogs because they will actually help people,” the enthusiastic fifth grader says.

On Nov. 24, 2020, the Putnams got their first Canine Companion puppy named Jensen V. Within three weeks, Gwenevere had

mastered teaching Jensen eight commands.

“We’re friends with Miss Colleen and she helps a lot and there’s also a guide book for first timers,” the young animal lover says, who lives down the road from Roberts.

Gwenevere’s parents, Bess and Steven Putnam, are legally responsible for Jensen when in public (puppy raisers must be 18), but at home, Gwenevere is in charge of the feeding, training, and attending local puppy classes, which Roberts co-teaches.

All puppy raisers must agree to a strict set of guidelines that includes teaching the dog 40 basic commands, filling out a puppy progress report every month, attending training classes twice a month, and socializing the puppy at appropriate age markers.

“We are a very volunteer driven organization and work closely with each of them to ensure that the puppies are being trained along the same continuum so that when the volunteers give them back to us, they’re all in an equal place and have the same kind of skills,” Dougherty says.

Applicants to the puppy raising program Puppies | Page 24

Left: Gwenevere Putnam and her first Canine Companions puppy, Jensen V. Right: Colleen teaching Gwenevere dog commands.

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Puppies | From page 23 are vetted by a thorough application process and phone interview before being accepted.

First time puppy raisers also complete a halfday orientation in a regional office and agree to cover food and medical costs.

Every year, Canine Companions breeds 900-1,100 puppies at their headquarters in Santa Rosa, California. They use golden and labrador retrievers (and a cross of the two) because both are social, easily trainable, food-motivated, have a good work ethic, and can quickly adapt to new situations. “These breeds transfer easily and with the least amount of anxiety from person to person,” Dougherty says.

The first eight weeks of a puppy’s life is spent with breeder caretakers. The puppies are then placed with a puppy raiser for the next 15 to 18 months, during which time the puppy is socialized in many different situations. “That’s the most important job that people do for us,” Dougherty says. “We don’t know where the dogs are going to be placed or who they’re going to be matched with, so they need to have a lot of socialization to remain calm in any kind of environment.”

Once the puppy raising process is complete, the dog goes to one of six Canine Companions regional training facilities for six months of professional training where the dogs are taught over 40 advanced commands that are useful to people with disabilities.

Not all dogs will graduate. “There’s a twoyear process that goes into creating a service dog and there are a lot of people involved,” Dougherty says.

The application process to get a Canine Companions dog is rigorous. Applicants must provide references and medical records, and attend an in-person assessment before being put on a waiting list. Once approved, they’re invited to a regional two-week group training. During this time, observations are made to determine the final matches between the dogs and recipients. “When a person is invited in for a training we don’t know which dogs will be matched with them,” Dougherty says.

Although every graduate dog is fully trained, not every dog is a match for every person. The process for choosing a team is given much scrutiny. “People are placing a lot of trust in us,” Dougherty says. “There’s a lot that goes into that match in terms of knowing and understanding the applicant’s lifestyle and needs.”

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Each year, Canine Companions graduates 250 teams nationally. During the graduation ceremony, the puppy raiser ceremoniously “hands over the leash” to the recipient.

In 2013, one of Roberts’ proudest puppy raising moments happened when she handed over the leash to 20-year old Forrest Allen, who was recovering from a devastating snowboarding accident that left him with a catastrophic traumatic brain injury.

Roberts had many connections to Allen, who grew up in Middleburg, and his family prior to his accident in 2011. In fact, Roberts taught Allen how to ride a pony when he was

“On graduation day when Colleen turned that leash over to Toliver was pretty breathtaking!” she says. “For that to happen in a small, tight knit community like Middleburg was just mind-blowing.”

- Dougherty just five years old.

During a visit to the hospital, Colleen and Richard brought along their Canine Companions puppy at the time, Halle, to cheer up Allen, who was unable to walk or talk. “Halle put a smile on everyone’s face,” Roberts says.

The visit sparked something in Allen, who was able to open his fist and toss Halle a ball.

Seeing a change in Allen during the visit was the catalyst for his family to apply to the Canine Companions program.

The next year, Roberts raised a puppy named Toliver, and Allen was accepted into the Canine Companions program and invited to the two-week training. He was matched with Toliver.

“I was in shock,” Roberts says. “I raised

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Toliver when I was living down in Richmond so he never met Forrest. There are four or more team training classes each year, so for Toliver to be fully trained and ready to graduate in the same class that Forrest attended was amazing in and of itself. And then to learn that he and Toliver made a match was almost incomprehensible because of the remarkable chances of these stars aligning.”

Dougherty concurs that the pairing was an extraordinary match. “It just does not happen,” she says. “I can’t think of another time where I’ve seen that happen, where the recipient of the dog actually knew the puppy raiser.”

Toliver was matched to Allen because of his emotional output when performing commands and his alert response to Allen’s voice, which was barely a whisper.

Dougherty recalls watching Forrest evolve during the two-week training. “On graduation day when Colleen turned that leash over to Toliver was pretty breathtaking!” she says.

“For that to happen in a small, tight knit community like Middleburg was just mind-blowing.”

For Roberts, the moment was paramount.

“I felt like this match was this perfect culmination of my years in the service dog world connecting with my personal life in a really powerful and profound way,” she says elatedly.

In Loudoun County, there are currently 24 graduate teams and 18 puppy raisers.

“Middleburg is an amazing town to raise puppies … not only are the residents and shop-keepers dog friendly, they are also knowledgeable and invested animal lovers,” Roberts says. She credits many people for helping during her 15-year tenure of puppy raising. “I couldn’t raise so many puppies without my sponsors, Dr. Renee Nolan of The Small Animal Clinic at Piedmont Equine, Jacqueline Mars and Royal Canin, and Middleburg Photo.”

Roberts intends to keep puppy raising for many years and encourages others to experience the life-changing impact a Canine Companions puppy can have on everyone involved. “Whenever people see a dog they smile,” Roberts says, beaming. “For people who need these dogs the most, they’re no longer defined by their disability, but instead they become known as the person with the really cool dog.” ML To learn more about Canine Companions for Independence, visit cci.org.

A Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year to All! SOLD

SOLD

22941 Foxcroft Rd, Middleburg sold $4,300,000 - Peter Leonard-Morgan

SOLD

18599 Calumet Lane, Bluemont sold $3,000,000 - Peter Leonard-Morgan

40310 Hurley Lane, Paeonian Springs sold $2,223,000 - Peter Leonard-Morgan

FOR SALE

FOR SALE

Majestic house on private 130 acres with pond. 69 Twin Post Ln, Huntly - $1,950,000 – Susan Hensley & Nathan Hensley

Expansive views on 25 acres with 3 barns.

59 Riley Hollow Rd, Huntly - $1,649,000 – Susan Hensley

Under Contract

SOLD

SOLD

Represented Buyer 18426 Blueridge Mountain Rd, Bluemont - $1,290,000 – Susan Hensley

SOLD

Under Contract

120 Quail Ln, New Market – sold $1,075,000 – Susan Hensley

SOLD

Represented Buyer 10634 Pleasant Vale Rd, Delaplane - sold $862,000 – Susan Hensley

Susan M. Hensley Broker Associate

Licensed in VA and FL susan.hensley@huntcountrysir.com direct 703-732-5867

20597 Furr Rd, Round Hill sold $1,300,000 – Susan Hensley

20769 Blueridge Mountain Road, Paris $924,500 - Peter Leonard-Morgan

FOR SALE

2748 Zion Church Rd, Maurertown sold $775,000 - Peter Leonard-Morgan

Hunt Country Sotheby’s International Realty 2 W. Washington St PO Box 1033 Middleburg, VA 20118

Two beautiful 3+ acre build able lots on Hurley Ln, Paeonian Springs - $550,000 each - Peter Leonard-Morgan

Peter Leonard-Morgan Realtor®

Licensed in VA peterleonard-morgan@huntcountrysir.com dir 443.254.5530

Each Office Is Independently Owned and Operated.

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Are Women The New Face of Wealth in 2021?

VIRGINIA-BASED FINANCIAL EXPERTS WEIGH IN ON A BOOMING TREND Written by Erika Reynoso

S

ome experts are predicting that 2021 will be the year of the she-cession, where more women will leave the workplace and amass less personal wealth due to fallout from the pandemic. However, financial experts are seeing quite the opposite. More women than ever before are building their own wealth — and seeking advice on how to manage their money.

Helping women own their financial futures is in Hume resident Sarah Atkins’ blood. Atkins grew up watching her mother take the lead on the family’s finances, investing in treasury bills by phone from the kitchen table. Atkins initially worked as a chemical engineer, but often mentored her friends on their finances. At age 40, she decided to turn her hobby into a new career. Based in Marshall, she now works as a financial advisor

and certified financial planner for Edwards Jones, where she serves a growing number of local female clients, many of whom are increasingly serving as the financial heads of their households.

“I work with many financially-empowered women who are making great progress toward meeting goals, and that’s something that’s been a multi-year trend in my business,” Atkins said. “More married women are contacting me, and more women are taking the leadership role in their family’s financial plan.”

While only 15 percent of current financial advisors are female, Atkins and her practice represent part of a growing demand for more women-centered services in the wealth management industry. According to a recent McKinsey study, women are increasingly

Above: Chris Merchant with a client. Photo by Still Blessings Photography.

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serving as their family’s breadwinners, and are expected to control as much as $30 trillion in U.S. household financial assets by 2030. As a result, they’re seeking financial advice more than ever, and are on the hunt for advisors who fit their personalities and backgrounds.

Atkins, a local horseback rider and avid fox hunter, said the connection of a shared experience can be invaluable to her clients.

Her typical clients are single, college-educated women between the ages of 50 to 70.

“Clients will ask me a question and often it’s something I’ve personally pondered for myself, and that’s where my best answers come from,” Atkins said, noting that she puts a high priority on ensuring her clients have the financial education they need to inform their decisions. “We work to develop an unExperts | Page 27

Experts | From page 26 derstanding about how today’s actions impact tomorrow’s goals, and that can empower women to make good choices. That’s a basic part of my practice.”

Experts have long known that women tend to approach money differently than men, and often bring a number of attributes to the table that can benefit their long term investment plans, according to Chris Merchant, a Hunt Country wealth management advisor who co-founded his Winchester-based firm with his wife Heather.

While Merchant’s practice specializes in catering closely to needs of both male and female clients, he has noticed that women excel in some areas, including patience and a willingness to ask for help.

“Decisiveness is also something that a lot of men would like to say they are, but in my experience, after women know their financial strategy, they tend to commit to it and let it play out. Those traits are so important as an investor,” Merchant said. “The future is already here and women are already a big part of the financial landscape.” Merchant’s firm was recognized with the Financial Advisor Women’s Choice Award last year.

While personal relationships have always

“Decisiveness is also something that a lot of men would like to say they are, but in my experience, after women know their financial strategy, they tend to commit to it and let it play out. Those traits are so important as an investor.” — Merchant been an important part of wealth management, Merchant agrees that female investors tend to put more emphasis on finding a customized connection.

“We know women are typically more apt to seek advice, and interestingly, a lot of

women aren’t necessarily happy with their financial adviser,” Merchant said. “Research shows 70% of the time they will fire their financial adviser and find someone new after their husband dies.”

While neither Atkins nor Merchant have had many clients significantly impacted by the economic turmoil of the pandemic, both experts encourage women to take the New Year as an opportunity to strengthen their financial management goals for the long run.

Atkins’ advice: seek education, as it creates confidence. “‘Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world. He who understands it, earns it; he who doesn’t, pays it,’” Atkins said, quoting Albert Einstein. “If clients have a high level of anxiety about their finances, often education is the best anecdote. It can tell them what to expect both in good and bad years.”

Merchant’s advice: don’t be afraid to break up with your existing adviser if he or she is not a fit.

“My advice is to find a firm you’re comfortable with, one that is collaborative and education-based,” Merchant said. “A lot of Wall Street cultures aren’t that way, and if you don’t feel good with someone, there are a lot of other good firms out there.” ML

Left: From left to right: Heather Merchant, Naomi Merchant, Christian Merchant, Chris Merchant, Natali Merchant, and Holli Merchant. Photo by Stephanie Leigh Photography & Design. Right: Sarah Atkins. Photo by Jennifer Gray.

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OHANA AINA:

FAMILY LAND

81 Acres of Land Placed into Conservation with LTV Written by Victoria Peace | Photos by Joanne Maisano

“O

hana aina” means “family land” in Hawaiian, signifying a cherishing and passing down of something from generation to generation. Melissa Pankas, the Hawaiian-born co-founder of Ohana Aina LLC, says the concept of “ohana” carries a certain responsibility: to take care of those in your community as they take care of you.

This principle was perfectly illustrated when 81 acres of land owned by Ohana Aina LLC was put into conservation easement with the Land Trust of Virginia last month. Situated in Aldie, an area that has been vulnerable to increasingly rapid rates of development, the easement marks important progress in protecting the rural landscape and historic character of the region. The property includes 55.9 acres of “prime farmland” soil, plus 27 acres of forested land, and will retain no right of division, meaning it can never be split up into smaller parcels.

Ohana Equestrian Preserve ensures that

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land preservation and conservation, community programs, and equestrian facilities work in harmony with one another.

Ohana Aina LLC was founded in 2015 by husband and wife Jim and Melissa Pankas.

They were approached by a neighbor about purchasing a 25-acre farm that bordered their property in Aldie, Va. While initially unsure about what to do with the land and its existing four-stall barn that was in need of repair, the Pankases knew they wanted the property to remain in agricultural use and provide a way for them to give back to the community.

Although no one in their family rode horses, the Pankases wanted to honor Virginia’s strong equine heritage.

“We believe every community needs a well thought out infrastructure and balanced combination of buildings, people, animals, and open space to coexist,” Melissa says. “We feel what sets Loudoun apart from many other communities is its rural beginnings and rich equine history, which in so many ways

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speaks to the area’s culture, values, beliefs, and attitudes. The equine industry not only adds to the aesthetic beauty of the area but, in addition to this, we believe horses have a huge people element through the many positive aspects of various therapeutic benefits.”

From this desire, the Ohana Equestrian Preserve was born.

The couple’s first priority was updating the existing facilities to support equine mental health therapeutic coaching. This included renovating the existing barn into a six-stall facility, installing new footing in the outdoor ring, and reconfiguring the paddocks to accommodate more horses. However, the upgrades did not stop there.

In February 2017, the construction of a 32,000-square-foot facility was completed featuring a state-of-the-art 20,000-squarefoot indoor arena with 20 attached stalls, climate-controlled viewing spaces, walnut wood tack rooms, and heated grooming and wash stall areas. In October 2019, Ohana Aina LLC Conservation | Page 29

Conservation | From page 28 expanded the farm by purchasing an additional 53 acres of land. In January 2020, the Ohana Preservation Foundation became a nonprofit 501c3 with a stated mission “to preserve land, promote the therapeutic nature of horses, and to support community programs through the Aldie Conservation Fund, Dropping the Reins Initiative, and The Jubinsky Fund.”

Melissa says their commitment to community outreach on a broad and inclusive level is central to their philosophy. “As part of what Ohana Aina LLC is about and through our community outreach, we strive to share our farm with not just the local equine community but also with the community at large,” she says.

The Pankases believe that horses have great potential to aid in the process of healing and personal rejuvenation. Melissa says her ultimate goal for the farm is to share it with “people who have the propensity to heal mentally and physically by interacting with animals and open space.”

One example of how this vision is being brought to life is through “Healing with Horses,” a free program run by Capital Caring Kids and hosted by Ohana in December 2020. The day’s activities centered around using the therapeutic nature of horses to help kids battling serious illnesses or grieving the loss of a loved one. The farm’s adorable min-

“We feel what sets Loudoun apart from many other communities is its rural beginnings and rich equine history, which in so many ways speaks to the area’s culture, values, beliefs, and attitudes …”

— Melissa Pankas is — Pineapple and Coconut — took center stage, in addition to a visit with Santa and a special craft.

Over the course of their five-year journey, the Pankases have gained a tremendous amount of knowledge about the equine business and the challenges faced by owners as they struggle to balance the high costs of running and maintaining an equine facility, the increasing scarcity and price of land in this area, and the accompanying issues of traffic and congestion.

Melissa spoke about the difficulty of competing against developers and development in Loudoun County. “We hope businesses like ours will be taken into consideration when all

of these developments and encroachment to the transition zone are being approved as we feel that if this continues, we may not survive because the land around us may not be suitable or attractive for equine folks to board or train there,” she says.

The Ohana easement marks the Land Trust of Virginia’s 202nd conservation easement, and the property is now part of 9,583 acres that are protected by the trust in Loudoun County. While there is still work to be done and challenges to overcome, the easement of the Ohana Equestrian Preserve is a step in the right direction toward protecting the gateway to rural Loudoun county.

“I drive by this property almost daily and it brings me such joy to look over and see the green space that I know will be protected forever from the very intense rate of development that is literally on Ohana’s doorstep,” Ana-Elisa Bryant says, the stewardship manager at the Land Trust of Virginia.

Through Ohana Aina LLC and the Ohana Preservation Foundation, the Pankases have created a special place that protects the land of the Ohana Equestrian Preserve for future generations, gives back to the local community, and reflects the historic roots of Virginia horse country.

Ohana Aina LLC is “the sharing of our land (‘aina’) to our ‘ohana’ (local community) with much ‘aloha’ (love, peace, and thankfulness),” Melissa says. ML

Left: Jim and Melissa Pankas.

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Anita Baarns’ Journey to Becoming a Sporting Artist

Written by Shayda Windle Photographed by Jennifer Gray

Top: Anita Baarns. Bottom row: (From left to right) “Sydney,” 2020, pastel on gray paper, 7 x 6 inches. Private collection. “Country Cousin,” 2014, oil on linen, 20 x 18 inches. Private collection. “Zoey,” 2013, pastel on gray paper, 10 x 8 inches. Private collection. “George,” 2018, oil on linen, 10 x 8 inches. Private collection.

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W

hen Anita Baarns came to the United States in 1988, she had her hopes set on becoming an artist. But little did she know where her path would lead — her shift from abstract painter to sporting artist wouldn’t become clear until later in life.

Baarns graduated from the University of Maryland with a BFA. It was there she learned to paint large abstract paintings. “Abstract art was the preferred subject by the docents, but I soon shifted to creating abstract paintings of horses because that’s what I was truly passionate about,” she says.

She and her husband James bought a farm in Virginia horse country and Baarns became a member of Piedmont Fox Hounds. It was then she began honing in on her love of the fox hunt and the artistic beauty that comes with the adventures found in equestrian sports.

“My shift [from abstract art] came when I moved to Meadow View Farm and opened my small studio,” she says. “I started painting landscapes, but in my heart, I knew I wanted to paint horses and dogs.”

After moving to the farm, a neighbor and a friend from Washington D.C. commissioned Baarns to create two different copies of George Stubbs’ paintings, which she says were the guiding forces “to becoming a sporting artist.”

“When I met the Devans, who introduced me to foxhunting with the Piedmont Fox Hounds, I fell in love with the hounds and foxes,” she says. “It changed the course of my career as an artist. I wanted to paint the

beautiful hounds and foxes and soon started selling my paintings. I also started to receive commissions for portraits of horses and dogs from my new friends in the community.

Commissioned work became the main focus of my career. I love painting my patrons’ beloved animals.”

“When I met the Devans, who introduced me to foxhunting with the Piedmont Fox Hounds, I fell in love with the hounds and foxes. It changed the course of my career as an artist …”

— Baarnes

Over the years, Baarns’ love of her new farm life and the animals she acquired became the center of her artistic world. She began documenting her experiences with an annual tradition of creating Christmas cards featuring her farm, her animals, and the hounds and foxes she adored.

Each Christmas card is personal, recounting significant moments in her life. “I enjoy working with people who love their animals

as much as I love mine,” she says.

The stories shared with her clients about their animals created personal bonds over the years. Encouraged by her husband to write a book about how her annual cards shaped her career as an artist, Baarns spent three years writing “The Country Life of An Artist,” a 200-page full-color coffee table book that includes stories about her art and Christmas cards, which are placed in chronological order throughout the book.

“My greatest achievement is publishing my book,” she says. “It is the pinnacle of my career as an artist. I also had to retrieve and photograph much of the artwork from my clients. It was so rewarding to see my older works of art again and learn from my patrons how they have treasured them over all those years.”

The stories throughout “The Country Life of An Artist” explain why Baarns’ early abstract style evolved into what it is today, as she continues to focus on realistic portraits of animals. Through the book, Baarns encourages readers to seize every opportunity, as each will always lead to another.

“I hope this book will encourage aspiring artists to follow their dream; stay the course, never give up, and take every opportunity offered to you and use it to promote your art and yourself as an artist,” she says. ML Purchase a copy of “The Country Life of an Artist” through Baarns’ publishing company, Dog Branch Publishing LLC, at dogbranchpublishing.com.

Left: “Everyone Loves Bailey!” 2019, pencil on paper, 7 x 5 inches. Collection of the artist. Right: Anita Baarns.

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Laura Farrell | Bundles Murdock We Welcome 2021!

MIDDLEBURG | Commercial & Residential Opportunities Almost an acre | $3,900,000

CHILLY BLEAK FARM | 153 acres Prime Horse & Hunt Country Location | $3,250,000

WARRENTON | Horse Property | Guest House Springs Road, Warrenton, VA | $924,900

LITTLE WASHINGTON | In-Town Living Main Street, Washington, VA | $795,000

PLEASE VISIT OUR OFFICE IN

The Plains 6474 Main Street, The Plains, VA +1 540 212 9993 | ttrsir.com

Laura Farrell +1 540 395 1680 lfarrell@ttrsir.com

Bundles Murdock +1 540 454 3499 bmurdock@ttrsir.com

©2021 Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC. All Rights Reserved. Sotheby’s International Realty® is a licensed trademark to Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC. Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated. SIR1

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Moments that Matter.

Take a moment to play this winter. From billiards at Gold Cup Wine Bar to an outdoor culinary experience in a private dining dome to bespoke in-room dining by the fire. Be sure to dedicate time to calm your mind, body and spirit at the acclaimed Salamander Spa. 855.421.3045

SalamanderResort.com

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THOMAS & TALBOT REAL ESTATE Opening the door to Hunt Country for generations LD

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Dunnottar

Rock Ridge

400+ acres $4,125,000 Warrenton – Historic 400 Acre farm with 6 BR / 3 BA Main House on 3 levels. Attic, Formal Dining Room, original Hardwood Floors, new Windows and Sun Porch with large Fireplace. Panoramic mountain views, Great Run creek flows the length of the whole farm, and there are two ponds.

Approximately 300 acres of grasslands for horses or cattle.

The farm is in a Conservation Easement with The Virginia Outdoors Foundation which gives a new owner permission to to divide into 3 parcels.

Susie Ashcom | 540-729-1478

94+ acres $3,674,999 The Plains – Hilltop custom French Country stone manor with magnificent views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

5 BR / 6 BA. 5 fireplaces. 1st floor luxury Master Suite. Great Room opens to terrace with views, formal Living and Dining Rooms, gourmet Kitchen and paneled Library. Lower Level with Rec Room/Office and Fitness Room. 2 guest/rental houses. 22-stall center aisle barn, fenced paddocks and riding ring. Income producing farm. Easy access to I-66 & Dulles International Airport.

Cricket Bedford | 540-229-3201

Fox Ford Farm 239+ acres

$1,991,000

Jeffersonton – Unique 4 BR country house with pool and outbuildings. One and 1/2 mile of Rappahannock river frontage. Open, rolling fields. Investment, horse farm, brewery, B&B, or winery potential. All around views, flowering gardens, privacy and peace. 15 minutes to Warrenton.

Rein du Pont | 540-454-3355

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The Orchard 4.82 acres $1,950,000 Middleburg – 1st time offering one of the largest residential parcels available “in town!” Brick home built by local master builder WJ Hanback. 3/4 BRs, 3 full BAs, eat-in kitchen, combo living/dining room with two large bay windows overlooking terrace, sweeping lawns & large pond. Gorgeous details include spiral staircase, built-ins, hardwood floors and fireplaces. Fully finished LL. Fenced garden extensive landscaping and mature trees included.

Cricket Bedford | 540-229-3201

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201 W Washington 2,400 sq ft

$1,090,000

Middleburg – Rare main street commercial location in the heart of historic downtown. Two large picture windows and large glass doors shed light into 2,400 square feet of space with 10’+ ceilings. This rectangular brick front and stucco sided building offers an open interior space ready for a new owners design. Plenty of parking and a large paved side lot.

Zoned for a wide variety of uses!

Cricket Bedford | 540-229-3201

Ashby Gap Trading Post 10 acres

$885,000

Amazing opportunity! Includes a 4 BR house; a separate 3,170 sq. ft. building (currently rented) with 2 BR apartment above. Commercial use permitted, certain restrictions apply.

High visibility, ample parking and road frontage for the commercial building. Separate access for the residence and additional building site. Great location for retail space, farm store, antique shop, complete with employee housing... Rental income can support the business use. Or, work where you live!

Emily Ristau | 540-454-9083

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Old Post Office Madison & Federal $699,000

Middleburg – One commercial building that appears like two, which are adjoined on the corner of Madison & Federal Streets. 4 separate entrances. Zoned for mixed use with Retail & Office spaces. This building includes 7 rare parking spaces off Federal Street! Long time, active retail business in one building. Seller desires to rent back. Priced well below appraised value. Zoned C-2.

Cricket Bedford | 540-229-3201

1 acre $595,000 Paris – Charming!!! This single family home served as the Post Office from the 1800’s to the 1980’s in the historic village of Paris. Beautiful lawn and mature trees. Extensive renovations include NEW: separate HVAC system for the second level, kitchen, bathrooms, thermopane windows, gutters and shutters. The antique wood floors have been refinished. Minutes to the Shenandoah River. Easy access to Rt. 50, I-66 and I-81, convenient to Dulles International Airport and Washington, D.C. Rebecca Poston | 540-771-7520

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Clark House 900 sf $1,900/mo. 1,100 sf $2,300/mo. Or both $3,800/mo.

The Plains – Away from the maddening crowds! Come work in this lovely office space. Wood floors, High ceilings, half bath and kitchenette. Great WiFi. Street and garden views. Walk to post office, coffee shop and popular small restaurants. Historic Clark House, surrounded by a garden with ample parking. Ground maintenance and waste removal included. Wakefield School Neighborhood.

Rein du Pont | 540-454-3355

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

2 South Madison Street | PO Box 500 | Middleburg, VA 20118 | Office: 540-687-6500 | Fax: 540-687-8899 | thomasandtalbot.com 12-17_ML_TTRE-BCVR.indd 1

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