July 2023

HIDDEN GEM HIKES IN HUNT COUNTRY

We are thrilled to announce a merger with McEnearney Associates. This strategic union marks a significant milestone poised to affirm our corporate mission: to provide unrivaled support to our agents and clients. The merger will expand the firm’s footprint to 16 offices throughout Virginia, Maryland, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia.

You

Would you like to work with a REALTOR® who:

• Has 35+ years of real estate and home lending experience?

• Treats you as a partner in the transaction?

• Returns your e-mails, texts, and phone calls promptly?

• Keeps you updated?

• Has has a good working knowledge of mortgages, contracts, surveys, wells, septic systems, construction, etc?

• Knows how to help you get your home ready for the market?

KRISTIN DILLON-JOHNSON REALTOR®

Licensed in VA 703.673.6920 kristin@ atokaproperties.com kdjrealestate.com

which was built in 2015.

In such an active and competitive real estate market, it pays to have the right information and insight before you buy or sell in Northern Virginia. That’s why more people turn to Kristin Dillon-Johnson to find the tools and resources they need to seize their investment opportunities. Kristin will guide you in your research of current market trends and your search of latest property listings resulting in valuable information for your move.

Kristin Dillon-Johnson not only brings her extensive expertise and knowledge to your investment, she is also part of the powerful marketing clout of Middleburg Real Estate | Atoka Properties. The expertise of Middleburg Real Estate | Atoka Properties deliver the highest level of real estate service available in the surrounding counties and Northern Virginia.

Put Kristin’s knowledge and expertise to work for you!

GRI

Licensed in VA & WV 540.219.2633 rocky.westfall@ gmail.com

Professional Experienced Dependable Local

MARIA ELDREDGE REALTOR® Licensed in VA 540.454.3829 maria@middleburg realestate.com

ANNE MCINTOSH REALTOR® Licensed in VA 703.509.4499 annewmcintosh@ gmail.com

mcintoshand eldredge.realtor

• Can interface with, and manage, the various parties and vendors?

• Is respected by other REALTORS®, buyers, sellers, and lenders?

• Will take on difficult situations and has the gravitas to get things done?

• Is not scared to tell all parties the kind truth?

• Is an expert guide to one of most important endeavors of your life?

If your answer is “yes” to any of these questions, give me an hour of your time, you won’t regret it!

ANNE

will continue to receive the highest level of service from Atoka Properties | Middleburg Real Estate and McEnearney Associates.

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ON THE COVER

Avid hikers Ronnie and Josie Ross of Middleburg enjoy Pua Falls on Mt. Weather with their two kids. To discover more hidden gem hikes in Hunt Country turn to page 10. Photo by Callie Broaddus.

ON THIS PAGE

A shot from the beloved Leadline tradition at this year’s Upperville Colt & Horse Show. For more scenes from the event, turn to page 30. Photo by Joanne Maisano.

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CONTRIBUTORS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

HICKORY TREE FARM

THE PLAINS, VIRGINIA

304 acres | Main house, stunning guest house w/ garage, 2 tenant houses, manager’s house, apartment complex, pool, 5 barns, approx 60 stalls, 3/4 mile all weather sand track, pond & extensive paddocks, fencing & sheds | Panoramic views of Bull Run Mountains & the Blue Ridge Mountains | Original home site still surrounded by towering trees, garden & stone walls

SPRING GLADE

$7,950,000

Helen MacMahon 540.454.1930

MIddLEBuRG, VIRGINIA

MIDWOOD

THE PLAINS, VIRGINIA

64 acres on a lake in two parcels and extensive Little River frontage between Middleburg and The Plains Elegant French Country stone home with a slate roof Very well-appointed home with large rooms for entertaining and an elevator 5 bedrooms, including two large suites with balconies Full compound includes a large pool with spa and spacious pool house, pavilion, tennis court, gazebo, barn with two apartments, equipment building/garage and 2 generators | All major systems updated Open fields and rolling pasture with extensive wooded trails in prime Orange County Hunt territory

FULTON RUN

MIDDLEBURG, VIRGINIA

SALEM HILL

Middleburg Hunt location House built in 2020, Amish built, quality construction, frame exterior and metal roof 3 BR, 3 1/2 BA, 11 ft ceilings, moldings, tons of light Antique french doors from the Heinz family estate | 50 acres are gently rolling & useable | 40 acres are fenced 4 large paddocks & 3 small holding fields | 24x48 barn/farm structure w/ tack room, 24 x 14 run in shed, 12 x36 2-bay run in shed w/ feed room, 12 x14 tack room Mountain views, koi pond

MARSHALL, VIRGINIA

$2,982,250

Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905

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

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

Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905

OUT WEST

WARRENTON, VIRGINIA

helen MacMahon 540.454.1930

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

$2,850,000

Helen MacMahon 540.454.1930

$4,900,000

Helen MacMahon 540.454.1930

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

Brian MacMahon 703.609.1868

GAME CREEK

PIEDMONT DRIVE

MIDDLEBURG, VIRGINIA

RECTORTOWN ROAD

MARSHALL, VIRGINIA

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

$1,100,000

Helen MacMahon 540.454.1930

$3,690,000

Mahon

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

NEW MOUNTAIN ROAD

ALDIE, VIRGINIA

60 wooded acres on top of a ridge | In conservation easement, trails throughout, elevated building sites, 1500 ft of frontage on Little River 25 minutes to Dulles, close to Aldie and Route 50. $1,200,000

Paul MacMahon 703 609 1905

HALCYON HILL

MIddLEBuRG, VIRGINIA

Elegant end unit all brick townhouse | Almost 4,000 sf. Living room with additional sitting area, fireplace & built in book cases | Kitchen has it’s own outside entrance, large island, formal dining room 3 bedrooms on the upper level include large walk in closets and laundry & two full baths. The lower level is fully finished w/ 2 priva te home offices, a full bath & family room w/ fireplace, additional built in cabinetry and wet bar. | Back garden is fully fenced and provides private outdoor space with flagstone terrace for outdoor grilling and dining.

ROBINSON ROAD

WARRENTON, VIRGINIA

RECTORTOWN, VIRGINIA

FOREST HILL ROAD

BLUEMONT, VIRGINIA

$895,000

Helen MacMahon 540 454 1930

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

Potentially lovely country home on 10.43 acres in Bellevue Farms With some clearing huge mountain views to the west House built in 1997, frame construction, beautiful floors, built-ins, gourmet kitchen, 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, 2 fireplaces, 10 ft ceilings, front porch, rear terrace and deck |Improvements include detached 2 car garage with office, 2 stall barn & run-in shed.

$800,000

Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905

Brian MacMahon 703.609.1868

$2,650,000

helen MacMahon 540.454.1930

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

East side of Blue Ridge, all wooded, old logging trail, could clear views of Loudoun Valley and Bull Run Mountains 10.94 acres, easy access to Routes 7 and 50 Tough to match the seclusion.

$250,000

Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905

Brian MacMahon 703.609.1868

$2,475,000

Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905

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

MEET YOUR NEIGHBOR: Shaun JoneS: Middleburg’S Chief of PoliCe

Written by Carlo Massimo | Photos by Michael Butcher

Several mornings a week for the past six months policeman Shaun Jones has strolled into Common Grounds, on W. Washington Street, for a cup of tea. People in Middleburg seem to be slightly taller than average, on the whole; this man is taller than most, with much bigger shoulders, and a knack for keeping his uniform pressed in sharp lines. Despite his towering stature and no nonsense approach to dressing, he’s

disarmingly gentle. Until May of this year people greeted him as Lieutenant, or LT, or Big Shaun. Many of them would run into him later, on his beat, as he greeted shop owners and gave biscuits to their dogs.

On May 1, Lieutenant Shaun D. Jones became chief of the Middleburg Police Department, taking over from A.J. Panebianco. It’s a small department, with only six full-time staff and three

part-time, but the new rank is a well-deserved milestone for a 24-year police veteran like Jones, the scion of a Northern Virginia policing dynasty who made a name for himself at (among other places) the Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Department, and who lectures on community policing.

Chief Jones won’t volunteer any of this if you don’t ask. He doesn’t want to talk about his career. He wants to talk about the future. Just six weeks into his term as chief, Jones is brimming over with projects and ideas. “Community policing and engagement,” he shares, “is our number one priority: building rapport with the community, bridges over gaps.”

In practice, this means partnering with the American Legion for Memorial Day celebrations and sponsoring this year’s Juneteenth commemoration. His first Stuff-a-Cruiser event — a food drive in which people are invited to help fill a police car chock-full with groceries — yielded 1,000 pounds of donations for the local food bank Seven Loaves. Community policing also means cultivating close ties with Levis Hill House, a community for low-income seniors. “I come by and check on [the residents] once a week,” he says, “and if I don’t, let me tell you, I’ll hear about it from them.”

It’s a sweet gesture, but it’s a serious one as well. Middleburg is quite a safe community, compared to other towns in Northern Virginia; former Chief Panebianco used to joke that “we don’t allow crime here.” But elder abuse, especially in the form of scams, happens more frequently than anyone would like. Chief Jones has taken a special interest in stamping it out, working with local banks to identify the signs of fraud and engaging

Neighbor | Page 7

“Community policing and engagement is our number one priority: building rapport with the community, bridges over gaps.” – Jones

Chief of Police Shaun Jones.

with elderly residents.

“Now they’re starting to come to us before it happens,” he says, with evident pride.

Jones’ campaign against elder abuse reveals two typical characteristics of his tenure. One is his ability to build relationships horizontally, with partners who are neither under nor above his grade. The Middleburg police work “hand-inhand” with their colleagues in Warrenton and the Loudoun County sheriff, but also with banks and

businesses. The other is his instinctive trust in education. Jones already gives seminars for the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police, and many of Jones’ big plans for Middleburg involve community classes: fraud detection courses for local banks, kids’ safety classes, and more. He is even considering a “Read with a Cop” storytelling program at one of the local toy stores, as part of that youth education effort. “Walk a Mile Wednesday,” another program in the pipeline, has a didactic angle as well. The idea is to walk with the police

chief every Wednesday morning, developing healthy habits and a solid rapport with law enforcement.

It's one of his defining traits. Jones joked that he had a protégé, with whom he speaks most mornings — his nephew, a young officer in Manassas. “He just won’t admit that I’m his mentor.”

This schoolteacher instinct appears in his internal plans for the department. When the police department finally moves to the new town hall complex on W. Marshall Street, Jones is insistent that the new hall have a gym, for the health of his officers. His other plans for the new facility are more practical, including a new bullpen for officers, a new evidence room, and updated vehicles. Jones’ insistence on what he calls the 21st-century model of policing means more and more digitization, too. This is especially true for evidence records, for instance, which at the moment must be printed and filed by hand. Jones hopes to have this new standard in place by August. It’s not the only policy that needs upgrading, Jones told us; much of his time at the desk this summer will be spent in careful review.

But policies and digital archives sometimes seem a world away, especially when the chief is out walking the beat. The animals he encounters in Middleburg fascinate him: the donkeys who eat Life Savers candies out of his hand; the dogs who expect their biscuits with strained patience; more recently a bull named Fred, whose size and grim expression seemed to have taken the brawny cop aback.

Jones, a keen appreciator of cars, admitted that the sight of Ferraris and Porsches on the street was another unexpected pleasure of working in Middleburg. But his dedication to the town is obvious, and runs far deeper than fast cars and friendly dogs. He explains that his reaction upon arriving at the Middleburg police in December 2022 was like “falling in love.”

“Middleburg is a hidden treasure,” Jones says. “It’s a beautiful town, it’s diverse, it’s non-judgmental. Everyone is welcome here. With all the stuff going on in the world, it’s rewarding to be here. It really is the best-kept secret of Northern Virginia.” ML

Top: Jones walks with Windy Hill’s executive director, Eloise Repeczky. Bottom: Jones helps with directions.

“It’s a beautiful town, it’s diverse, it’s non-judgmental. Everyone is welcome here.” – Jones

Looking for your special place in the country? I’ve been helping people find their dream homes for nearly three decades. Let’s get started on your move.

Nokesville- 225 acres on Burwell Rd. with Kettle Run flowing though year round. Perfect for a family compound and recreational use. Fauquier County approved to subdivide into 11 lots. Hardwoods can be harvested for timber and income. $2,220,000 MLS # VAFQ2004514

Looking for your special place in the country? I’ve been helping people find their dream homes for nearly three decades. Let’s get started on your move.

Nokesville- 225 acres on Burwell Rd. with Kettle Run flowing though year round. Perfect for a family compound and recreational use. Fau-quier County approved to subdivide into 11 lots. Hardwoods can be harvested for timber and income. $2,220,000 MLS # VAFQ2004514

Old Town Warrenton- Historic 10,000 SF Manor Home on 4 acres 9 BR, 9 BA zoned commercial and residential. Unique offering $1,900,000

Old Town Warrenton - Historic 10,000 SF Manor Home on 4 acres 9 BR, 9 BA zoned commercial and residential. Unique offering $1,900,000

Markham- 2.17 acres with 4 BR perc has beautiful mountain views & great commuter access. Great price! $140,000 MLS # VAFQ2006136

Markham - 2.17 acres with 4 BR perc has beautiful mountain views & great commuter access. Great price! $140,000 MLS # VAFQ2006136

Marshall- 330 S.F. office space for lease in an historic house. Utilities, parking, kitchen use included. $975.00 mo. MLS # VAFQ2003556

Marshall - 330 S.F. office space for lease in an historic house. Utilities, parking, kitchen use included. $975.00 mo. MLS # VAFQ2003556

JOYCE GATES celebrating 26 years in Real Estate 540-771-7544 call me for all

JOYCE GATES celebrating 26 years in Real Estate

540-771-7544 call me for all of your real estate needs joyce.gates@LNF.com 540-338-1350 office

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HIDDEN GEM HIKES IN & AROUND HUNT COUNTRY

Novice or Expert, Nature Beckons

Jody Brady blossomed into a full-fledged outdoorswoman after moving to western Loudoun. A Girl Scout growing up, she “always hiked.” Today she directs the Appalachian Trail Festival in the Gap, leads hikes for the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, and is a Virginia Master Naturalist. A talk with Brady will make most anyone’s feet itch for the woodland path, the mountain overlook, or the meadow trail.

“My big deal is, if we all get outside, get ourselves on the trail, and in nature,” Brady says, “we’re more likely to care about the future. Hiking can turn people into activists. It’s hard to walk down a trail and not get all sorts of mental health benefits … and it’s just plain fun!”

Glen Gillis, an avid hiker with 40 years’ experience as an outdoor guide, helped create many trails, including those at Gilbert’s Corner Regional Park and Oatlands Historic House and Gardens. Gillis notes, “The trail system is built by volunteers. Come out and give a hand!”

Hikers may already be familiar with nearby world-class pathways such as the Appalachian Trail, Sky Meadow State Park, the C&O Canal, and the W&OD Trail. But for those looking for new paths to explore or innovative activities, here’s our list of Hunt Country’s hidden gems:

Hidden | Page 11

Written by Diane Helentjaris | Photos by Callie Broaddus

Foxcroft’s Dean of Residential Life Josie Ross and her son on the Hollow Brook Trail.

BLANDY EXPERIMENTAL FARM, THE VIRGINIA STATE ARBORETUM

Blandy Experimental Farm, a University of Virginia 712-acre site in Clarke County, is dedicated to research. The Virginia State Arboretum occupies Blandy’s 172-acre center. Walkers and hikers have several options. The Nancy Larrick Crosby Native Plant Trail is a halfmile gravel path through a woodland, a 24-acre meadow, and a wetlands boardwalk. Flowers, trees, and grasses native to Virginia are highlighted and home to diverse birds and wildlife. Walkers can download a free app to their cell phone and follow a self-guided audio trail with 11 stops to learn about the history, flora, and fauna of Blandy. A three-mile geocaching loop trail with 11 stops can also be downloaded to a cell phone and followed. A kiosk with maps and a picnic area are adjacent to the parking lot. Free. Open daily from dawn to dusk.

400 Blandy Farm Lane

Boyce, Virginia 22620

Telephone: (540) 837-1758

Email: blandy@virginia.edu blandy.virginia.edu

GILBERT’S CORNER REGIONAL PARK

People have been traipsing through the crossroads of Gilbert’s Corner, the junction of today’s Route 15 and Route 50, for millennia. Native Americans, pioneers, and Civil War soldiers all used this pathway to travel between the Carolinas and Pennsylvania and from the Tidewater west to Kentucky. Today, remnants of history remain. Just off Route 50, the 156-acre Gilbert’s Corner Regional Park is located across from Mount Zion Historic Park. Gilbert’s Corner Regional Park features the Eliza Davis Bluebird Trail, named for a woman who lived on the land and wrote of her eyewitness experiences during the Civil War. The American Chestnut Foundation, a group dedicated to reviving the chestnut trees which once covered over 200 million acres of the Eastern Woodlands region before succumbing to a lethal blight, has planted a grove of chestnut trees. Mowed trails go through meadows, woods, and pass by wetlands. The Loudoun County Public Library

maintains a StoryWalk activity for children and adults on one of the small trails. Pages from a children’s picture book are posted along the trail to encourage the love of reading. Sunset over the Bull Run Mountains is a peaceful view from the parking lot. Free. Open daily from dawn to dusk.

23557 Watson Road

Leesburg, Virginia 20175

Telephone: (703) 327-9777

Email: gilbertscorner@nvrpa.org

novaparks.com/parks/gilberts-cornerregional-park

HOLLOW BROOK TRAIL ON MOUNT WEATHER

Just 29 minutes from Middleburg’s main street, the Hollow Brook Trail on Mount Weather is little known but much loved by those who have visited the spot. The trail is part of the Appalachian Trail, marked by white blazes, and a short way up hikers will find a lovely waterfall, Pua Falls. The out-and-back route to the waterfall is an easy two miles, and the entire trail is nearly four miles. The extended loop includes two scenic overlooks and multiple campsites for hikers planning to make a weekend of it. Hollow Brook insiders note that there is a parking area off Morgan Mill Road that offers quick access to the trail.

Appalachian Trail Access

Morgans Mill Road Parking Area

1953 State Rte 605 Bluemont, Virginia 20135

OATLANDS HISTORIC HOUSE & GARDENS

Well-known for weddings or afternoon tea, Oatlands is a 400-acre, 200-year-old former plantation that also offers eight miles of equestrian and hiking trails. The trails meander through open meadowlands and woods and feature a couple of creeks. Hikers and riders are encouraged to rest and enjoy a picnic at the Oak Grove or the Picnic Grove’s wooden tables. Tracy Drash, operations manager for Oatlands, says this “wonderful plot of land is open to anyone to come and enjoy. People can come any day — the trails are always open, dawn to dusk.” Maps are online. Day passes ($10) or an Oatlands membership is

The trail that winds its way to Pua Falls.

required to use the trails. These are available for purchase online or at the Gift Shop on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Open daily from dawn to dusk.

20850 Oatlands Plantation Lane

Leesburg, Virginia 20175

Telephone: (703) 727-0670

oatlands.org

ROLLING RIDGE CONSERVANCY

Few can resist the lure of a short hike to a hidden waterfall, the most popular sight on this 1,400-acre privately held wilderness preserve. Nestled between the Blue Ridge and the Shenandoah River, and less than an hour from Middleburg, over seven miles of hiking trails are open to the public. The Appalachian Trail is accessible from Rolling Ridge Conservancy’s trails. A $5 do-

nation per visit is suggested. Open dawn to dusk except when closed during deer hunting season. Just south of the Rolling Ridge Conservancy preserve is Virginia and Shenandoah University’s Campus at Cool Spring Battlefield. This 195acre property, site of the 1864 Civil War Battle of Cool Spring, was formerly a golf course. With its transition to an outdoor classroom for university students and the public, the golf cart paths were repurposed into hiking and biking trails. One of two trails is flat enough to be accessible for strollers, wheelchairs, walkers, and bicycles. Ronnie Ross of Middleburg loves the campus because it “provides hikes for a wide range of abilities” and offers “a little something for every type of family.” The nearby Shenandoah River and ponds foster a rich bird watching experience. Herons, cormorants, and eagles are common. Native plants and trees flourish, including Virginia bluebells and the rare (in the region) bur oak tree. On clear days, the vista opens up across the Shenandoah Valley all the way to West Virginia’s Allegheny Mountains. Free. Open daily from dawn to dusk.

Rolling Ridge Conservancy

671 FLOC Way

Harpers Ferry, West Virginia 25425

Telephone: (301) 789-9097

Email: info@rollingridgesconservancy.org rollingridgeconservancy.org

Shenandoah University Cool Spring Battlefield

1400 Parker Lane

Bluemont, Virginia 20135

su.edu/cool-spring

SWEET RUN STATE PARK

This brand new 884-acre state park opened this May in Loudoun County’s northwest corner. Eleven miles of hiking trails and nine miles of equestrian trails cover creeks, forests, meadows, and mountainside terrain. Hikers can explore the ruins of a 19th-century farming community and enjoy views of the Blue Ridge mountains. Children have a nature play area to burn off energy. Free. Open 8 a.m. to dusk. ML

11661 Harpers Ferry Road

Hillsboro, Virginia 20132

Email: sweetrun@dcr.virginia.gov

dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/sweet-run

Ronnie and Josie Ross with their sons Ronnie Jr. and Barry at Pua Falls.

Hidden | From page 11

NATIONAL HISTORY ACADEMY: Future Leaders Learn from the Past at Foxcroft

When considering the question, “How do we prepare an informed citizenry in the country?” William Sellers, president and CEO of the National History Academy and president of the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area, believes that studying the past is essential to understanding the present and planning for the future.

“The study of our past is just as much the study of our present,” Sellers explains, adding, “Our history, in many ways, is being politicized and weaponized. To have academic programs that allow

students to study our history in a meaningful and direct way, and to make sense of it is really important.”

Sellers became president of the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area in 2015, and quickly experienced the concept of contextualizing history for future generations. “In my first summer at the Journey, I was exposed to our ‘Extreme Journey’ day program for middle school students locally, mostly from Loudoun and Fauquier counties.” The program, which includes a hike up a mountain to learn

about Jefferson at Monticello, a canoe trip down the Shenandoah River to study John Brown at Harpers Ferry, and even a bike tour of Gettysburg, would serve as inspiration for the National History Academy. “I was looking at all of our programs and thought, ‘This is something that every student in the country should have the opportunity to experience.’

“So we started to plot out how we might build an academic program for high school students that was based around place-based learn-

Written by Kaitlin Hill | Photos courtesy of National History Academy Academy | Page 15

Students taking a break with the statue of James and Dolly Madison at Montpelier.

ing.” Sellers expands, “We launched the concept in the summer of 2017. Jacqueline Mars hosted our kick-off event for us with David Rubenstein as our keynote speaker … and there was nothing like it in this country.”

Using sites from the Journey Through Hallowed Ground region and adding others a stone’s throw away like Shenandoah National Park, Antietam National Battlefield, Manassas Battlefield, the Library of Congress, Montpelier, Mount

Vernon, and Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Monument (to name a few), Sellers realized the program could “tell the entire scope of American history” from the signing of the Constitution to Martin Luther King, Jr., and the American Civil Rights Movement.

Sellers centered the program around historical and civic literacy, using Harvard Business School professor David A. Moss’ “Democracy: A Case Study” to develop the curriculum. Moss even came down from Harvard to lead case discussions with students for NHA’s first two sessions. But, according to Sellers, another, even more important lesson learned by graduates of the academy is social literacy. “So often students say of their schools that either they are in an echo chamber, and everyone thinks the same, or they have a minority opinion and, if they speak up, they’ll be shouted down. It’s the same problem we have with adults in the country right now, too.”

The solution? For Sellers, bringing together a diverse student body in an atmosphere that encourages conversation. “The diversity piece is so important in creating a cohort of students that reflects America. It’s geographic diversity, political diversity, socioeconomic diversity, racial diversity, ethnic diversity. We bring together students from all corners of the country.” He adds, “This summer we’ll have students from 31 states, plus D.C., the Mariana Islands, and Guam. We want to get to the point where every state is represented every summer.” Though the student population is undeniably diverse, there is one applicant quality that has proven to be the same. “They are interested in

our history because they are worried about our country,” explains Sellers. “They see history as a tool to understand our present.”

Creating a college-like campus is crucial to fostering connections between National History Academy participants. That’s where Foxcroft comes in. “To be able to make those connections, we have to have that college prep emphasis. Foxcroft is such a great campus to host us.” He continues, “It’s beautiful, it has all the amenities and facilities you could ask for. We really do turn it into a mini college campus every summer.”

Sellers praises the Foxcroft leadership, too. He says, “The staff and leadership at Foxcroft is just wonderful. I have so much respect for Cathy McGehee and what she is accomplishing there.” He continues, “Her team is so easy to work with and provides such a great experience. … There is not a single thing we are doing that Foxcroft can’t help provide us.”

During the four-week program, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students reside at Foxcroft, visit sites of historical significance, participate in case studies and debates, and attend a speaker series that includes experts in the field and local leaders.

“One of our speakers, the past three summers we’ve operated at Foxcroft, has been Ernest Green, who is one of the Little Rock Nine. Local political leader Bridge Littleton talked to the students last summer. And, Phyllis Randall, the chair of the board of supervisors in Loudoun County spent two days [with us].

“In our first two years, Robert Duvall talked to the kids about portraying historical figures in film and even gave a short acting lesson.”

When asked about the desired outcome for those who attend the academy, Sellers says, “This program is an attempt to save our democracy, in a way. I know it sounds puffed up, but our democracy is in crisis. To study our past is to understand the foundations of democracy and what it means to be an American in 2023.”

He adds, “Every summer I see a bunch of future leaders for this country.”

Looking ahead for the program, Sellers hopes to make it available to even more students and in more regions of the U.S. And he is always working toward more scholarships to support more students. He says, “It is something that has great potential for growth.” ML

For more information on the National History Academy, visit nationalhistoryacademy.org.

Top: A group learns from reenactor Donald Francisco at George Washington’s Mount Vernon. Bottom: Students crossing the Burnside Bridge at Antietam.

Academy | From page 14

WILLING WARRIORS & WOODHOUSE SPA Team Up to Support Veterans and Their Families

Written by Lia Hobel

“Home Away from Home” greets guests as they arrive in the driveway of a 37-acre getaway at the base of the Bull Run Mountains. The visitors are those who have served our country and have been gifted a private stay with their families at the place known as the Warrior Retreat.

Willing Warriors, the nonprofit behind the Warrior Retreat, provides cost-free stays and programs for recovering soldiers that are injured, disabled, or challenged by invisible wounds, such as post-traumatic stress disorder or a traumatic brain injury. Although acquired in 2013, the Warrior Retreat didn’t open until two years later. After a labor of love, and the help of more than

1,000 individuals and in-kind donations from contractors and building suppliers, a place for warriors to relax away from the medical center environment was born.

Dianne Polk is the director of operations at the Warriors Retreat. She explains that the average hospital stay for the recovering warriors who come to the Retreat is about 300 days. Once physical wounds are cared for, that’s when the internal healing journey begins. “The mission is to rebuild and rebond that family unity,” she says. “When a warrior is injured, they could be in recovery at a hospital for anywhere from three months to three years depending on the severity of their injury. The families are separated and the children don't

get to see their parent and it's very hard on the family.”

At the Warrior Retreat, the veterans are cared for in several ways. One highlight is a visiting chef night, where guests are offered a hassle-free meal of their choice. Polk said this is very special since “a lot of the warriors can't go to restaurants,” as the noise or crowd can be too much for them. “We had a family here that had 10 children and they said to be able to sit at a table together and eat a meal with all of [them] in one spot hasn't happened before,” shares Polk. Additionally, there are over 40 cost-free educational and recreational activities available to veterans. Everything

Warriors | Page 17

“As a veteran myself, I know that it's hard to find companies or businesses that support veterans.”

– Kuhn

“Home Away From Home” warmly welcomes veterans as they enter The Warrior Retreat at Bull Run. Photo by Willing Warrior Retreat Staff Photographer.

offered is intended to refresh and put their worries at ease.

Aiding in the healing process is a nearby veteran-owned business, Woodhouse Spa in Gainesville. Since opening in 2020, co-owners Walt Kuhn and Colleen Quintana made it a big part of their mission to give back to the community, particularly veterans and active service members. Kuhn was in the Navy for over a decade and has served as a defense contractor. When the team was approached about the opportunity to work with Willing Warriors, it aligned perfectly with their business philosophy. “As a veteran myself, I know that it's hard to find companies or businesses that support veterans,” shares Kuhn, who admits that he loves hearing the gratitude from the veterans during their visits at the spa.

With many of the veterans who come to Woodhouse Spa suffering from PTSD or something else, the owners of the spa make sure to customize the environment to their needs. Typically, they receive their own private suite with chocolates to enjoy as they browse a list of massages to choose from. “When volunteers from the Willing Warriors Retreat contact me through email, we set something up for them and they just show up

and we take care of them and pamper them,” says Quintana. “They get their complimentary services and can stay as long as they like.” Seeing the results from their massage therapy services is the most rewarding part, says Quintana, who credits their talented massage therapists. “We have veterans that have never been able to reach their arms above their head before coming to us. They're almost in tears because they now have the range of motion of putting their arm above their head that they haven't had in so many years,” she explains.

The Woodhouse Spa owners are normally present at the spa to make sure not only veterans, but every guest receives a personalized and exceptional service. Guests have time to relax and enjoy snacks and tea with an option for a lavender neck wrap in the lounge. “They’re extremely relaxed,” Kuhn notes, regarding the veterans who’ve visited over the last few years. “We’ve made personal accommodations — for instance if they couldn’t be on their tummy because of injuries that they had. They’re very appreciative of that.”

“The volunteers at the Retreat always give positive feedback,” says Quintana. Sometimes appointments are canceled because the warrior while staying at the Retreat may feel too overwhelmed and can’t leave that day. In that case,

the spa owners say they’re “understanding and we just go with the flow to help them however we can.”

In addition to their complimentary services for those who stay at the Retreat, Woodhouse Spa in Gainesville also contributes a raffle prize to the Willing Warriors gala each year. The basket is full of services and products valued over $500, says Quintana.

“It takes a village” may sound cliché, but for the Retreat to operate, it truly does. From volunteer groundskeepers, to the cooks, to the spa services at Woodhouse, every piece contributes to the total package. “Without partnering with the community and the community supporting the warriors this way, it just wouldn't be [possible],” says Polk. ML

Willing Warriors

16013 Waterfall Road Haymarket, Virginia 20169 willingwarriors.org

Woodhouse Spa – Gainesville 8114 Stonewall Shops Square Gainesville, Virginia 20155 woodhousegainesville.com

“They get their complimentary services and can stay as long as they like.” – Quintana

Warriors | From page 16

Left: Walter Kuhn and Colleen Quintana. Right: Inside Woodhouse Spa. Photos by Austin Kaseman.

Marshall – Magnificent country estate is one of the finest in all of Virginia’s famed horse country. 17,800 sq.ft. of exquisite living space, spectacular equestrian facilities and acres of extraordinary beauty.

Jim McGowan | 703-927-0233

Upperville – This premier estate is a paradise with the main house for grand living and entertaining, plus multiple outdoor living spaces. 2 horse barns, riding ring and trails to ride out.

Julia O’Regan | 202-468-0751

Beautiful rolling hills and pasture located in Flint Hill, Virginia. This scenic property is surrounded by unspoiled countryside and expansive views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Will Driskill | 540-454-7522

The Plains – Exceptional and surrounded by magnificent countryside with views. Stone and stucco residence, beautiful terraces. 8 stall center aisle stable with 14’ x 14’ stalls.

John Coles | 540-270-0094

Delaplane – Exquisite and beautifully sited. Located within the Crooked Run Valley Rural Historic District. 10 BRs/6.5 BAs. Behind the house are a pool, barns, paddocks and mature woodlands.

John Coles | 540-270-0094

Beautifully sited in the heart of historic Middleburg, this spectacular custom residence offers the utmost in a luxurious and gracious country lifestyle. 3 stall barn, board fenced pastures.

Mary Ann McGowan | 540-270-1124

John Coles | 540-270-0094

– Main Residence with 6 BRs /4 full and 2 half BAs, 6 car garage, swimming pool, hot tub, pool house with full BA, tenant house with 2 car garage, office building with 3 one-bedroom apts. John Coles | 540-270-0094

Middleburg – Charming Country Estate in prime Orange County Hunt Territory. Geothermal heating, salt water pool. Horse facilities include 10 stall stable, 2 wash stalls, feed room and large hayloft. John Coles | 540-270-0094

Enjoy the pleasant aspects of country life with serene mountain views! Main House w/recent improvements, c.1741 cottage, stable, cattle shed, equipment shed. Land in easement with VOF. OLREA Susie Ashcom | 540-729-1478

Markham – Beautiful and protected area of Fauquier County. Pristine forest land with several high points and clearings suitable for building. Spectacular views in all directions. Eligible for division. Rein duPont | 540-454-3355

Upperville – Enjoy as a weekend retreat or full-time residence on almost one acre. This home was fully renovated in 2010 and no details were spared. Wonderful, move in ready property! Cricket Bedford | 540-229-3201

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

Boyce

outdoor deCor at the bitterSweet garden

Written by Bill Kent | Photos by Callie Broaddus

Pass under the leafy bittersweet vine curling over the arbor of Bittersweet Garden on Main Street in The Plains and you’ll enter a maze of stone figures.

“We have very few plants,” says Nicole Siess, who opened the garden shop 27 years ago.

Instead of living things, the cottage’s front porch and yard are filled with statues of horses, foxes, eagles, cats, dogs, wizards, gargoyles, Regency damsels embracing handsome strangers, classical gods and goddesses, and even a garden gnome.

But not just any garden gnome. This one is of unpainted, molded concrete and so intensely detailed that it seems to stare into your soul.

“I imagine everything here as being in some-

one’s garden,” Siess continues. “If you think of a garden as a safe place that endures the seasons, the ups and downs of life, the bitterness and the sweet, then what you find here may be interesting.”

After she graduated from Virginia Tech and founded her own landscaping firm, LanDesigns LLC, in Gainesville, Siess and husband and busi-

ness partner Mark discovered The Plains when they bought their children for brunch at The Rail Stop. They enjoyed the ambiance of the little village.

At around the same time she learned “that you can’t solve all problems in a garden with plants. I

Garden | Page 21

The Bittersweet Garden in The Plains.

began to search for other beautiful things that can go into a garden.” That search connected her with ironmongers, stone masons, and craftspeople throughout Hunt Country and in Europe, with several trips to the Royal Horticultural Society’s Chelsea Flower Show.

“After a while I wanted a place to put these beautiful things, so I could have them to use in my clients’ gardens, and so others could find them and put them in their gardens.” She thought The Plains would be an ideal place to have such a shop, and, in 1996, she and Mark bought the Main Street cottage and filled it with plant containers, lamps, fountains, and outdoor statuary. Largely by word of mouth, Bittersweet became

a destination shop for those who want things in their gardens that they won’t see anywhere else.

Take flower pots, for example. “We have pots that, as far as I know, are not like any others,” Siess says. “We also have them in as many sizes as possible so you can get the right one for the plant.”

She also stocks “pot feet” — stone blocks (some shaped like feet!) to put under plant containers that lift them off the ground, improving drainage.

Some of the pots are large enough to use as firepits. “Others are just…” she pauses, running her fingers over a vast Turkish copper kettle, “unusual. And I don’t know where else you would go to find an armillary.”

An armillary is a spherical sundial made of metal that, in addition to telling time and indicating solstices and equinoxes, has a stylized arrow that points to true north. A feature of classical gardens from ancient times through the Renaissance, it is typically mounted on a pedestal and, like statuary, can be used as an outdoor focal point that draws attention, or suggests an antiquarian mood.

The Bittersweet Garden has four, ranging in size from a soccer ball to a beach ball. The shop

also stocks several varieties of pedestals because “they are very important to a detail [oriented] person like me,” Siess continues. “The armillary gets your attention, but the pedestal that it is mounted on connects it to the garden and the space around it. Part of the enjoyment of a garden comes from the many things that you don’t see immediately but can affect how you feel and what you discover as you explore.”

The Bittersweet Garden almost demands exploration. Among the things you may not see at first are cast lead turtle and salamander figurines, high-end garden tools, flower arranging supplies, steel watering cans, fishing flies (made by Siess’s son Christopher), aromatic soaps, gardening-themed greeting cards, skin oils, gardening books, indoor growing novelties like an avocado rooting glass (fill it with water, add the avocado pit, wait a few days and you have the beginnings of a plant), an exquisitely rustic handmade broom from California, and other items that “we absolutely love,” says Bittersweet’s manager John Gardner.

A graduate of the Savannah School of Design who created store interiors and retail displays for

Garden | Page 22

Garden | From page 20

Left: Nicole Siess. Right: Plenty of pots for a variety of plants.

Garden | From page 21

iting his family in Haymarket when his mother, a Bittersweet fan, told him that he must see the shop. Siess’s brother, architect Mark Alvarez, had

previously run the shop.

Gardner “hit it off immediately” with Siess. He offered to make subtle changes in the arrangements of the items and learned quickly that some of the statues are HEAVY. “But I managed to get the horses and foxes up front. This is Hunt Country! Customers must see these things!”

Seeing is one thing. Bringing it home is another. Bittersweet does not ship any item over five pounds. It will deliver larger pieces and statues up to 15 miles from The Plains. For longer distances, customers must make their own arrangements.

After helping a customer wrestle a 250-pound figurine into the back of a Mini Cooper, Gardner decided to defer all heavy lifting to the forklift, and forklift operator, that Siess uses in her garden design work.

Gardner also developed an appreciation for how selective Siess is. “As busy as Nicole is, she spends a lot of time thinking about everything that goes into the store. The level of quality and craftsmanship of every piece has to be very high. You will never see trendy here. You will never see throwaway.”

The spring and summer tend to be Bittersweet’s busy seasons. Gardeners, as well as those attending equestrian events, visit the store regularly.

Siess credits the shop’s longevity to those loyal customers, as well as what she calls the enduring nature of what she sells. “Our best customers are those who love their gardens. A garden is made of many different elements, each reflecting its owner. It is a place to find peace and calmness. A garden is also work ... stretching, sweating, spending, researching, lifting, measuring, weeding, watering, placing, planting, pruning, spraying, feeding, in general toiling, but the result is so satisfying. Hence, The Bittersweet Garden, with the emphasis on ‘sweet.’” ML

Marc Jacobs and Kate Spade, Gardner was vis-

Top: Garden statues for owl enthusiasts. Bottom left: Stone animals and angels are available in many sizes. Bottom right: Dried flowers and elegant vases.

PoSh PixieS KidSwear: Middleburg’S neweSt boutique for KidS

Written by Heidi Baumstark | Photos by Michael Butcher

The phrase “posh pixies” likely conjures up images of stylish youth, making it an apt name for the new children’s clothing boutique on S. Madison Street.

Shop owner Robin Klombers came up with the name after searching for something whimsical that conveyed elegance and style — the definition of posh. And pixie implies small and spright,

“so I thought there could be some fun play on words there,” she adds. “Even my water bowl for dogs out front says ‘Posh Pups!’”

In May, this charming shop opened its doors offering stylish and affordable fashions for preemies to size 10 for boys and girls, including gender-neutral styles. “A variety of price points — and a focus on responsible sourcing with nat-

ural and eco-friendly fibers — are important to me,” Klombers shares. “Though I may have a $90 dress for a 10-year-old, I also have $10 Van Buren T-shirts.”

Some of those natural fibers include muslin, linen, cotton, silk, and fabrics made of TENCEL™

Robin Klombers in the doorway of her new shop.

Modal fibers, which are extracted from naturally grown beech. “There are no allergens in that; it’s an eco-friendly tree, and the fabric is exquisitely soft,” Klombers adds.

Other clothes are made from bamboo, which is a natural UV protectant and wrinkle-free. Even raincoats are made from fully breathable fabric on the outside and are waterresistant. “It’s the way the fabric is spun, and they’re machine washable,” Klombers says. “So, you’re not wrapping someone in a product full of chemicals.” There’s even a clothing line with magnets instead of zippers or buttons. Some customers with children with disabilities prefer magnets, making it easier for self-dressing, leading to a sense of independence and empowerment. Other clothes have zippers that open and close in both directions.

Many of the suppliers are women or family-owned, use recycled or biodegradable materials for packaging, and purchase USA-grown fabrics and materials. “I’m super picky about sourcing. I source everything myself and look for quality, detail, and value in everything I buy,” Klombers admits. “I’ve been doing this for a long time traveling to New York and south to Atlanta and Charlotte for clothes. I’m originally a New Yorker and have a mix of styles; we have some really fun lines.” There are even matching shirts for father/son and dresses for mother/daughter duos perfect for that timeless family photo — or a memorable day in Hunt Country.

Posh Pixies also carries blankets, accessories, and books, and offers shipping, online shopping, gift registry for new babies, and private appointments for birthdays and special occasions.

Klombers moved from New York to the D.C. area when she was 11. “My parents often spoke of our family background in New York’s ‘garment district’ and I recall visiting showrooms and design studios, and even getting to ‘shop’ in warehouses full of children’s clothing

that my great-uncle owned.”

In high school, she worked in retail, and was promoted to assistant manager at age 16. She was in her 30s when 9/11 happened. “As it turned out, the company where I was a publisher in the media industry was acquired the day before, on September 10; so, I woke up the morning of 9/11 without a job while on maternity leave,” Klombers says. “We had a full view of Manhattan from our home and watched the events of the day from our front lawn.”

In light of the tragedy, she decided to make a change by turning down an offer to run BusinessWeek given the time it would require her to be away from her new baby. “So, I took this as a business opportunity to do something that was always a dream of mine,” says Klombers, “and opened my first store close to home using the bonus check from the acquisition of the media company I had worked for.”

Klombers has two daughters, Hanna and Zoe. Hanna was less than a year old when Klombers opened her first store. Now a college graduate, Hanna has an incredible sense of style; she created the sidewalk sign for Posh Pixies. Zoe, a junior in college, has always liked less frilly fashions, choosing blues and darker colors, and is an inspiration to her mother, still preferring those non-pink dresses or outfits.

Of her new location, Klombers says, “I feel so fortunate. For people to come in and say we love your line, your price points; it’s super rewarding. It makes me feel this store is really needed in the Loudoun area. One customer told me she used to travel to Alexandria, but now can shop here, closer to home.”

Posh Pixie’s tagline? “Responsibly sourced, natural fiber apparel from preemie to size 10 for girls, boys, and gender-neutral fashionistas at a variety of price points.” With that motto, every customer can be a “posh pixie.”

Visit Posh Pixies Kidswear at 9 S. Madison Street in Middleburg. For more information, check out poshpixies.com, follow the store on Facebook, or call 540-296-4649. ML

Top: Cute socks and sweaters for very little ones. Middle: Bright floral patterns just in time for summer. Bottom: Bucket hats are back in style and available at Posh Pixies.

REMEMBERING HUBERT PHIPPS

Story by Kaitlin Hill

Hubert Phipps passed away on June 18, 2023, at his Middleburg home, Whiskey Hill Farm. His passing was the result of

a tragic tree clearing accident. Phipps was 65.

In a May 2021 Middleburg Life article titled, “Meet Your Neighbor: Inside the Mind of Hubert Phipps,” I characterized the Middleburg-based, nationally recognized artist as “hard to describe” in an attempt to capture his otherworldliness. For the interview, Phipps opened the doors to Whiskey Hill Farm and invited me to explore every corner and ask every question I could think of. A few hours with him resulted in a conversation about art, fast cars, success, and self-doubt. I reflect on that conversation frequently not for, as one might think, the degree to which I was deeply impressed by him, but because of how disarmingly down-to-earth he was.

From a young age, Phipps loved to draw. He would transcribe political cartoons from his father’s paper, the then-Fauquier Democrat, later the Fauquier Times. In 1974, at just 17, Phipps would become a member of New York’s Art Students League and later enroll at the San Francisco Art Institute at 21.

Even with formal training, his focus wouldn’t zero in on art until later in life. In 2021 he shared, “I got involved in many other endeavors in life. I am a lifelong aviator. I got my student pilot’s license when I was 16. Plus, I had a career as a professional racecar driver back in the 1980s.”

Phipps raced from 1980 to 1985, winning the SCCA Formula Atlantic National Champion title

in 1981.

In the early 2000s, Phipps decided to center his focus. During our interview he explained, “I had never stopped doing art… It was just always in the background or not the most important thing. Around 2002 or 2003, I decided that I was going to make a commitment to my artwork.”

He moved back to Middleburg in 2004 and transformed an old helicopter hanger into his studio, office, and exhibit.

In that space, Phipps worked in a variety of mediums including metal, clay, pigment, light, sound, and even soot, creating art that could be described as transcendent, futuristic, and utterly unique.

Standing at nine feet tall and stretching 25 feet across, his “Dream Wall” (2019) exemplifies Phipps’ passion for pushing the limits. The piece was done in collaboration with three artists (Jeff Grantz, Jason Crigler, and Samo Okerstrom-Lang) and represents three mediums: structure, light, and sound. In my original interview, he shared with me, “There can be impossibilities, physical limitations to achieving what I have in my mind. And sometimes, the physical realities of making something will not achieve the aesthetic goal I have. One of the challenges is to overcome the mind’s thought of ‘this is not going to work,’ and rather, take on ‘this is not working, but if this door closes, another door opens.’”

Pursuing the impossible is what made Phipps a great artist. But, his humility is what made him a great man. In 2021, arguably approaching the height of his success, though sadly we’ll never know that upper limit, Phipps said to me, “One of the things I really struggle with is my lack of confidence in the work that I do.” As he looked around his studio filled with masterpieces of all artistic forms, he seemed to solidify himself against his own self-doubt. “For somebody to excel at whatever they do, at least my experience is, is to not be preoccupied with the results. And if it’s something you enjoy doing, do it for the enjoyment of doing it. This has been an absolute key idea that did resonate with me.”

To me, and I hope to the many people that knew and loved Hubert Phipps, that’s the takeaway of his life. “Do it for the enjoyment of doing it.”

Hubert Phipps is survived by his sister, Melissa Phipps Gray; his cousin, Susan Phipps Cochran; his nephew, Justin Phipps Boyce; his niece, Emma Bouverie Boyce; and his mentor, Cameron Lancaster. ML

As you walk into “Women & Horses Revisited,” the National Sporting Library & Museum’s latest exhibition, you are immediately struck by the sheer abundance of photographs. One hundred fifty lacquer shadow boxes spill out from between bookshelves, into the Federal Room, down the staircase, and into the lower level of the library. Charles Rumph’s photography covers the breadth of the equestrian world and showcases women’s deep commitment to caring for and showing horses. His scenes range from the elegant dance of dressage to the gritty work performed by farriers, dentists, and veterinarians.

“WOMEN & HORSES REVISITED” AT NSLM

“‘Women & Horses Revisited: Charles Rumph Photography’ is a unique opportunity to present the exhibition of 150 photographs throughout the Library,” says Head Curator Claudia Pfeiffer. Pfeiffer believes that “the images resonate with us just as much today as they did when Rumph created the comprehensive series capturing the variety of roles women had come to embody across the equestrian industry by 1996. It is exciting to be able to share Rumph’s groundbreaking project and examine what it represented then and now.”

The exhibition is a revitalization of Rumph’s show “Women and Horses: A Celebration,” held at the International Museum of the Horse in Lexington,

Kentucky, in 1996. The idea for the photographic series was conceived while Rumph was on assignment for The Washington Post at the Laurel Race Course in Maryland that same year. A panorama of the Lexington exhibition in the lower level of the National Sporting Library & Museum mirrors the room around it as large parts of the exhibition are curated according to the original exhibition at the Laurel Race Course show.

In Rumph’s photographs, women occupy positions of both labor and performance, and in many images, these roles are intertwined. Train-

Women | Page 28

Written by Willow Podraza

Photos courtesy of the National Sporting Library & Museum

Charles William Rumph (American, 1932–2019), Competition; Hunter/Jumpers/Eventers; Rolex, c. 1994–1996.

Women | From page 27

ers endure mud and cold to prepare young riders for competition, while exercise riders wrangle unruly thoroughbreds before handing them over to jockeys. The zoomed in, closely focused frame in much of Rumph’s photography cultivates a deeply personal relationship between horse and rider. Rumph’s representations of women, as Diane Heilenman wrote in her 1996 review for the Courier-Journal, are neither “patronizing nor cli-

of the Washington International Horse Show hum with energy, the painterly blur running down the center of the photograph translating the swift movement into the frame. Pfeiffer says that as a “highly trained photographer, [Rumph] also showcased the depth and breadth of his technical and artistic abilities, in many cases methodically pushing the limits of his cameras to diverge from a traditional photographic approach.” Rumph’s blurs are highly intentional. His technique is

horses.” Rumph’s deep appreciation for equestrians and their craft in part comes from his own history. Growing up in Texas, Rumph spent time working as an amateur rodeo rider. In two blackand-white reproduction photographs, Rumph himself is mounted and leading a horse.

While women and horses cover the walls of the National Sporting Library & Museum, Rumph and his wife are at the heart of the exhibition. Pfeiffer explains that Rumph’s wife,

chéd.” Rumph appreciates the contrast between women and the power of a rearing 1,000-pound animal, yet his subjects are not meek in the shadow of horses. In Rumph’s own words, the exhibit “illustrates the remarkable extent to which the horse relies on and looks to women.”

Several of Rumph’s photographs veer far from the crispness of traditional portraiture and embrace blur and smudges of color. These photographs, dubbed “abstractions,” recall Rumph’s earlier work, most notably his 1980 exhibition of abstract architectural photography at the Phillips Collection in Washington, D.C. His photographs

“especially evident in his ‘abstractions,’ in which he worked with slow shutter speeds to capture blurred motion,” says Pfeiffer.

Two glass display cases in the principal room of the exhibition are filled with contact sheets, artist’s statements, letters, and undeveloped film. A look through the various documents and ephemera reveals Rumph’s sincere attention to detail and care for his subjects. In his artist’s statement written for the Lexington exhibition, Rumph writes, “I am attempting to truly celebrate the skill, daring, and competence of women in all the various ways in which they are engaged with

Shirley Johnson, “generously donated the works of her husband to the NSLM after his passing in 2019. The NSLM acquired five of Rumph’s photographs to the permanent collection but is not able to house the entire body of work. Rumph’s wife understood this and donated the collection with the intention of benefitting the NSLM’s Art Acquisition Fund. This enabled us to develop the online silent auction in conjunction with the exhibition.” All of Rumph’s 150 photographs of women and horses are now digitized and live in

Left: Charles William Rumph (American, 1932–2019), Competitions; Hunter/Jumpers/Eventers; WIHS, c. 1994–1996. Middle left: Charles William Rumph (American, 1932–2019), [cow roping], c. 1994–1996. Middle right: Charles William Rumph (American, 1932–2019), Competition; Team Driving; Cindy Goff, n.d. Right: Charles William Rumph (American, 1932–2019), Racing; Trainers; Donna Ward, c. 1994–1996.

Women | Page 29

Women | From page 28

the Charles Rumph Digital Archive, maintained by the NLSM, for all to enjoy. ML

“Women and Horses Revisited: Charles Rumph Photography” is on display at the National Sporting Library & Museum June 3, 2023, through September 17, 2023. Five of the photographs were accessioned into the permanent collection. The rest of Rumph’s body of work is being offered for sale in person at the Library and online at nslm.betterworld.org/auctions/women-horses-revisited-charles-r.

Top: Charles William Rumph (American, 1932–2019), Competition; Hunters/Jumpers/Eventers; Washington International Horse Show: Susan Ericcson, Dressage Exhibition (1), c. 1994–1996. Bottom left: Charles William Rumph (American, 1932–2019), Caitlin Larson, n.d. Bottom right: Charles William Rumph (American, 1932–2019), Debbie Stroup, Equine Dental Technician, n.d.

Scenes from the 170 th

UPPERVILLE Colt & horSe Show

Photos by Joanne Maisano

Left page: Top left: Hannah Fitzgerald. Top middle: Hunt Tosh. Top right: Margaret Frank.

Bottom left: Wall of Honor recipients. Bottom right: 2nd place winner Finn O'Regan on Iflirt.

Right Page: Top left: A junior rider in the Medium Pony class. Top right: Jimmy Torano.

Bottom left: Wall of Honor Recipient Ovation. Bottom right: Michele Trufant. For more 2023 UCHS photos from Joanne Maisano, visit middleburglife.com.

Our Favorite Local Gifts for Equestrians

Photos by Callie Broaddus

Oughton Shirt, $59, Available at Tri-County Feeds

Italian Marble Coasters, $13.99 each, Available at The Bittersweet Garden

Middleburg Horse Crew Sweatshirt, $48, & Middleburg Hat, $28, Available at The Lucky Knot

Evocateur Middleburg Foxhunting Cuffs, $372 - $375 each, Available at Mystique Jewelers

Salt and Pepper Set, $232, Available at The Woolley Fox

Luxury Turkish Cotton Beach Towels, $125 each, Available at Atelier Maison

on Washington

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

THE CATS OF LONGSTREET WINE AND WHISKERS MORNING YOGA

July 8 | 10 to 11 a.m. | thecatsatlongstreet.org

The Cats of Longstreet presents “Wine & Whiskers: Morning Yoga” on Saturday, July 8, 2023, at Lost Barrel Brewing. Start your Saturday morning off right with a flow yoga class by YogaSix and help cats while you do it! This outdoor, hour-long flow is intended for all levels. Participants only need to bring a mat and water bottle. Tickets are $30 per person and include the 60-minute yoga session and a glass of wine after class. For more information and to purchase tickets visit: thecatsatlongstreet.org/events

VIRGINIA REGENERATIVE MEDICINE & SPA ANNIVERSARY PARTY

July 14 | 4 to 7 p.m. | varegenmed.com

Join Virginia Regenerative Medicine & Spa on July 14, 2023, to celebrate five years of busi-

ness! The event will feature a catered spread and champagne with huge giveaways from the team at Virginia Regenerative and their partners. This open house event will be co-hosted by Permanent Line and The Willow. Admission is free, but visit eventbrite.com to register.

WHITE FORD BRONCO AT TARARA WINERY

July 15 | 6 to 9:30 p.m. | tarara.com

See D.C.'s all-90s cover band at Tarara Winery in Leesburg. Grab your friends, a chair or a blanket, and your will to party like it's 1999. Nineties lovers can enjoy the nostalgic tunes at Shadow Lake at Tarara Winery and groove to some classics under the stars. Net profits from the Tarara Summer Concert Series benefits the Bow Tie Fund, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The Bow Tie Fund supports the arts and advancing education with a focus on

single-parent households. Tickets are $20 for participants over 21, and $10 for 21 and under. Kids under 7 years old are admitted for free. For more information and to book tickets visit: tararaconcerts.com

VETTES FOR VETS CAR SHOW

July 15 | 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. | willingwarriors.org

Join Willing Warriors for the third annual corvette show. The event will be held at the Warrior Retreat at Bull Run, 16013 Waterfall Road, Haymarket, Virginia. All car show participants will register at the Retreat on the day of the event. The on-site registration fee of $25 includes a challenge coin and best of show trophies. Awards will be presented at approximately 1:30 p.m. for People’s Choice, Warrior’s Choice, Founder’s Choice, and Pastor’s Choice. The celebration will include live music, food, vendors, and tours of the Warrior

Calendar | Page 35

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

guest lodgings houses. All proceeds will benefit the Willing Warriors. The rain date is July 30.

CHRISTMAS IN JULY TRIVIA NIGHT

July 21 | 6 to 8 p.m. | oldbusthead.com

Join Old Bust Head Brewing Company for a festive evening of holiday cheer in summertime with their Christmas in July Trivia Night! Gather your friends and form a team to compete in a holly jolly trivia challenge on all things Christmas movies. From beloved classics to modern favorites, this trivia challenge will put your knowledge to the test. The SexiMexi food truck will be on-site and Peppermint Caramel Macchiato Stout will be on draft. For more information visit: oldbusthead.com/brewery-events.

WICKED OLDE AT CANA VINEYARDS

July 22 | 12 to 4 p.m. | wickedoldemusic.com

Don’t miss Wicked Olde perform live at Cana Vineyards on Saturday, July 22, 2023, from 12 to 4 p.m. Wicked Olde’s eclectic repertoire includes classic oldies from The Byrds, Bob Dylan, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Joni Mitchell, and Steely Dan, as well as Celtic, blues, jazz, and country styles. The quartet features strong instrumental teamwork with three-part and four-part harmonies for a unique musical experience.

PURCELLVILLE WINE AND FOOD FESTIVAL

July 22 | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. | purcellvillewineandfood.com

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Purcellville Wine and Food Festival in Dillon’s Wood. Vendors include 8 Chains North Winery, Endhardt Winery, The Big Cheese, Parallel Food Truck, Doughboy Creamery, Bilstad’s Beignets, and many more. Advanced tickets are $5 per

person, or $10 at the gate. Participants can also purchase VIP tables for $275, which includes VIP seating for six people, souvenir glasses, three bottles of wine, early entry, and goodies. For more information and to purchase tickets visit: purcellvillewineandfood.com.

FOX TALES STORY TIME AT NSLM

July 29 | 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. | nationalsporting.org

On the fourth Saturday of each month join NSLM for Fox Tales Story Time, in partnership with the Middleburg Public Library. Gather the family and find a cozy spot in the NSLM's main reading room for a story hour that celebrates the storytime tradition of Middleburg Library and the history and inspiration of the National Sporting Library & Museum. The event is free and all ages are welcome.

Introducing the newest

Introducing the newest powerhouse brokerage

Two of the most respected names in local real estate – McEnearney Associates and Middleburg Real Estate/Atoka Properties – have combined their exceptional talent and resources into one powerhouse firm. This strategic union marks a significant milestone poised to affirm their long-standing traditions of excellence and transform the future of independent real estate. Exceptional properties, exceptional service, exceptional growth.

Two of the most respected names in local real estate – McEnearney Associates and Middleburg Real Estate/Atoka Properties – have combined their exceptional talent and resources into one powerhouse firm. This strategic union marks a significant milestone poised to affirm their long-standing traditions of excellence and transform the future of independent real estate. Exceptional properties, exceptional service, exceptional growth.