Middleburg Life | June 2020

Volume 37 Issue 6 | June 2020 | middleburglife.com

MIDDLEBURG

LI F E THE HOMES EDITION

+ What Agents Are Doing Differently + Historical Renovations & Design & Community-Supported Agriculture

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 .

20858 GREEENGARDEN RD | BLUEMONT

3251 MOUNTAIN RD | HAYMARKET

$1,800,000 | 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..

$1,575,000 | Country estate on Evergreen Country Club's 18th fairway showcasing seasonal mountain & golf course views! This custom-built home on 11 acres provides serenity on one of the finest lots. Bright, spacious home with upgrades galore: gleaming HW floors, fresh carpet, wood blinds, plantation shutters & updated baths.

Peter Pejacsevich 540.270.3835

Scott Buzzelli 540.454.1399

Scott Buzzelli 540.454.1399

Peter Pejacsevich 540.270.3835

UNDER CONTRACT

36519 FOX HAVEN LN | PURCELLVILLE

721 KENNEL RD | BOYCE

$1,199,999 | Hickory Grove is a timeless, all-brick estate on 12 private acres conveniently located in the village of Philomont. Equidistant to Purcellville & Middleburg, this property is an excellent commuter location. The home has been meticulously cared for and updated in the past 6 years to make it completely turnkey, offering elegant living inside and out!

$950,000 | Rare opportunity to build your ideal home in a super private setting in southern Clarke Co. 87 acres, partially wooded, open farmland, beautifully maintained. Small farm building exists on property (2017) w/ bathroom, good well & septic field for 3 BD, could be expanded. Spectacular views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Kristin Dillon-Johnson 703.673.6920

Anne McIntosh 703.509.4499

776 KENNEL RD | BOYCE

4518 HIGHPOINT LN | THE PLAINS

$845,000 | Unique find in Clarke Co - 9.77 acre horse operation south of Rt 50! Turnkey property - 3/4 bedroom house, main master, totally updated, open floor plan, quality custom construction, solid doors, insulated windows, and much more.

Custom 6 stall stable, wash stall, tack room w/ laundry, feed room, 1 BD apt, stone schooling arena, 3 paddocks w/ water, all board fencing.

$565,000 | If you're a lover of nature and peaceful surroundings, this is the place for you! 1940s hunting cabin turned cottage on 4 parcels totaling 24+ acres. Beautiful, serene place with mature woods, a pond (stocked with bluegills and bass), fruit trees, and an open meadow. In addition to the cottage, there are 2 additional building sites. Great hunting property or family compound.

Anne McIntosh 703.509.4499

Maria Eldredge 540.454.3829

Maria Eldredge 540.454.3829

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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Maria Eldredge 540.454.3829

Anne McIntosh 703.509.4499

Middleburg, VA 540-687-4646

Charlottesville, VA 434-245-2211

Annapolis, MD 410-990-1700

Greenbrier, WV 304-956-5151 JUNE 2020

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MIDDLEBURG

LI F E JUNE 2020 middleburglife.com

PUBLISHER: Greenhill Media LLC EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jennifer Gray | editor@middleburglife.com EDITORIAL ASSISTANT: Laura Pizana 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 CONTENT CREATOR: Laticia Headings DESIGNER: Elisa Hernandez PRODUCTION DIRECTOR: Nicky Marshok ON THE COVER Agents sit in front of John Coles’ current listing “Muster Lane.” From L to R: Laura Farrell and Bundles Murdock are partners at TTR Sotheby’s International Realty. Peter Pejacsevich is a co-founder, principal broker and managing partner at Middleburg Real Estate | Atoka Properties. Joyce Gates is a realtor with Long & Foster and Christie’s International Real Estate. John Coles is a real estate professional at Thomas & Talbot Real Estate. Muster Lane is minutes from the Village of Middleburg and sits amidst prime horse country in the Orange County Hunt Territory.

Photographed by Joanne Maisano.

ON THIS PAGE A girl and her chicken playing dress up at home.

Photographed by Andrea Martin Photography.

RETRACTION: The May issue improperly printed the word “Former” in front of the title of this story: Field Master For Orange County Hunt Opens Larkins Leather Repair In Marshall.

CONTRIBUTERS Dulcy Hooper, Heidi Baumstark, Chelsea Moore, Richard Hooper, Kaitlin Hill, Joanne Maisano, Laticia Headings, Patrick Mulrooney, Shayda Windle, and Doug Stroud 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.

FIND US ON: Instagram @middleburglife Twitter @middleburglife Facebook.com/middleburglife LOOKING FOR MORE?

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MEET YOUR NEIGHBOR

Owner of Southerly House, Jennifer Gunn BRINGS TIMELESS DESIGN TO MIDDLEBURG Story by Shayda Windle Photos by Jennifer Gray

S

ince launching her interior design firm and furnishings boutique in the Spring of 2019, Jennifer Gunn, owner of Southerly House, hasn’t looked back. The boutique, nestled on Federal Street in the heart of Middleburg, offers a little something for everyone. From small-and-large-scale interior design projects, to custom pillows dressed in designer fabrics, elegant window treatments and vintage heirlooms, she has always had one vision for Southerly House: to help her clients design a space from top to bottom that truly expresses their own style.

Gunn, a native southerner, came back to Virginia after moving 11 times across the country as part of a military family. With every new home, she incorporated her favorite design elements from the region while exploring the ins and outs of interior design. Along the way, she helped her friends and family make each home one their family would cherish, and found so much joy in the process.

After settling in Middleburg, Gunn says she decided “almost immediately” to open her own interior design business. She wanted to give back to the town she fell in love with by helping “bring out the best in everyone, starting with the sanctuary where customers spend the most valuable time of their lives: their home.” With that vision in mind, she opened Southerly House to provide a custom, curated selection of some of her “personal favorites that represent traditional Americana, with a gentle modern revival.”

It was important to her that the items available on her website could also be found on the showroom floor, tying in the authenticity of what clients and customers can expect when they visit the design studio. When clients enter Southerly House, they can speak with Gunn in a private space created specifically for meetings; one that’s “surrounded by an extensive design library full of fabric, trim and wallpaper memos, furniture finishes, catalogs, rugs samples and more.”

“Our business is more than happy to work with the trade and other designers who may want to utilize that resource for their clients as well,” she adds.

Southerly House serves clients at any level, from those looking for a new furnishing piece, to others wanting a complete home

redesign. Gunn says she enjoys “helping people with projects of all sizes that will represent them, their family and their personality,” adding: “I want my clients to feel like their true self can be expressed without someone telling them what they ‘should’ have. There’s a Design | Page 4

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Design | From page 3 reason that timeless elements never go out of style. Most of my customers become long term design clients.”

Gunn leans toward traditional design with a hint of contemporary flair.

“My happiest moments professionally are creating design schemes that truly help define a client’s own personal style and make them fall in love with their home again, or for the first time!” she says. “It’s amazing how much a person’s life story helps when choosing fabric and wallpaper samples. It can mean anything from ruling out more delicate items based on activity level, to incorporating favorite colors, patterns and finishes throughout the home. Whatever it may be, our purpose is to listen to our client’s goals and make sure they love the end result.”

Gunn shares, “Do I have my favorites? Of course! Blue and white is one of my signature themes. A mix of antiques and new pieces gives a home a more established look, and a painted ceiling is almost always a good idea. That said, I don’t let my favorites influence what I know is something my clients will love.”

She continues: “Custom pillows in designer fabrics seem to fly out the door! Quality has always been a cornerstone of what I look for as a designer. All of our pillows, window treatments and other soft goods are made locally here in Virginia. American manufacturing is very important to us. Almost everything we have is made in the USA.” While Gunn professes to be a traditionalist through and through, she says a mix of old and new is what really gives a space character.

“I encourage my clients to invest in heirloom quality pieces that would only need to be reupholstered to give it new life as time goes on and can be passed down for generations. I try to combine form and function because people should feel like they can live in their house and not sacrifice style. I believe all good design is informed by the past. And perhaps most importantly, the smallest amount of patina is never a bad idea.” ML Southerly House is located at 103 W Federal Street, Middleburg. Visit it online at southerlyhouse.com.

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“Blue and white is one of my signature themes. A mix of antiques and new pieces gives a home a more established look, and a painted ceiling is almost always a good idea.”

MIDDLEBURG

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

REAL ESTATE

2019 Transactions

2020 Transactions YTD

MIDDLEBURG REAL ESTATE: 104

MIDDLEBURG REAL ESTATE: 35

WASHINGTON FINE PROPERTIES: 72

WASHINGTON FINE PROPERTIES: 16

SHERIDAN-MACMAHON: 55

SHERIDAN-MACMAHON: 14

THOMAS & TALBOT: 50

THOMAS & TALBOT: 13

LONG & FOSTER: 30

HUNT COUNTRY SOTHEBY’S: 6

HUNT COUNTRY SOTHEBY’S: 14

LONG & FOSTER: 3

BLUE CREEK REALTY: 2

MCENEARNEY ASSOCIATES: 1

Middleburg Real Estate has been proudly serving our Hunt Country community since 1939. Visit our site middleburgrealestate.com to see how the leading real estate firm in Middleburg is doing things differently - even now - so that you can have a better, simpler real estate experience. *Statistics taken from BrightMLS 5/7/2020. Transaction totals based on Middleburg office locations only.

1 4 61 81

Leading Middleburg Brokerage The numbers speak for themselves: Our Middleburg office is the number one firm in town.

Multiple Office Locations With four strategically placed offices across Loudoun, we’re well tied into the local market.

Strong Agent Presence Our 61 agents are full-time professionals, masters at their craft, who loyally serve the communities they love.

Nearly a Century of Experience Our legacy dates back to 1939. Our roots in Hunt Country are still a part of how we do business today.

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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Ringling College of Art & Design University of Virginia Clemson University Villanova University University of South Carolina University of North Carolina Northeastern University Pennsylvania State University

Congratulations WAKEFIELD SCHOOL CLASS OF 2020

“Wherever a beautiful soul has been there is a trail of beautiful memories.”

-Ronald Reagan Maximilion Schaefer

Virginia Commonwealth University James Madison University Virginia Tech Gettysburg College High Point University Elon University Virginia Military Institute Old Dominion University College of Charleston

United States Merchant Marine Academy University of Wisconsin-Madison Case Western Reserve University Shepherd University University of Connecticut

2001-2019

Hamilton College Bucknell University University of Arizona Boston University Purdue University Emmanuel College College of Wooster College of William & Mary

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WAKEFIELD SCHOOL

Training the intellect while fostering self-discipline, independence, creativity, and curiosity NEW SUMMER PROGRAMMING: - Bridge Courses - Credit Courses - Academic Enrichment

OFFERING ENTIRELY VIRTUAL ADMISSIONS

WWW.WAKEFIELDSCHOOL.ORG JUNE 2020

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AS PEOPLE ESCAPE THE CITY, THE HUNT COUNTRY SPRING MARKET SURGES HERE’S WHAT LOCAL AGENTS ARE DOING DIFFERENTLY Story by Kaitlin Hill

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ately, the idea of home has taken on a whole new meaning. Our homes are our offices, schools, gyms and safe bases as we navigate the mounting challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The importance of having a home, especially in these troubled times, is perhaps why realtors across the country are working tirelessly to help their clients safely navigate the process of selling their properties and buying new ones. This is certainly true in Middleburg, where the small population and open acreage are more appealing than ever.

Whether you are buying a Hunt Country escape or looking to sell in uncertain times, local experts offer their advice for navigating the market and share how they are handling the new normal.

Peter Pejacsevich is a co-founder, principal broker and managing partner at Middleburg Real Estate | Atoka Properties. Joyce Gates is a realtor with Long & Foster and Christie’s International Real Estate. Laura Farrell and Bundles Murdock are partners at TTR Sotheby’s International Realty. Paul MacMahon is the principal broker at Sheridan-MacMahon Realtors. John Coles is a real estate professional at Thomas & Talbot Real Estate.

How has the Hunt Country market been during the COVID-19 pandemic?

MacMahon: “Even throughout the whole frame of this, it has been busy. Before [the pandemic] hit, it was chaotically busy; the market was great. Since it hit, we have had ups and downs, but it has been decent, and it is starting to get better.”

Farrell: “Active and we are in a strong market. Initially, when COVID hit mid-tolate March, everyone was scared, and I was anticipating an economic slowdown across the board. But our Hunt Country market became more active each week as we moved through April and May.” Pejacsevich: “When this all first happened, things definitely fell down, but the market has since picked backed up significantly. We are seeing many people trying to

escape the city, which, of course, dramatically impacts our Hunt Country market. We are having much more traffic on listings than we would have anticipated, given the circumstances. Our sales are actually up 30% yearto-date.”

In what ways has COVID-19 led to increased demand in Middleburg?

Murdock: “People want to come west, and they want to have security, knowing that there aren’t large groups of people; there aren’t crowds; it’s just open countryside. And that is the reason people have always been attracted to the Middleburg area.”

MacMahon: “We are seeing that telecommuting is going to become more of a factor in everyone’s daily lives. And we have had some sales where people have left areas that are more infected — New York and several other major metropolitan areas — because people do want to get where they have some elbow room, potentially cleaner air, and maybe less cause for concern. And still close to an airport. I’ve got people coming from all over because they think it’s going to be a safe environment.”

Gates: “I think people are getting back to the basics and realizing what’s important, the basic enjoyment of life, to be healthy and to not be restricted. So, although there are wonderful things about living in a city, you want your kids to be safe and healthy, and it’s nice to have more room to go outside, have a bigger yard, or just be able to take walks, bicycle rides, or go horseback riding out in this beautiful surrounding. So, I think we are going to see more people exiting the city.”

How has the approach to property showings adjusted because of COVID-19?

Gates: “Just making sure everyone is safe.

We are not riding in the same car [as our clients]. We are wearing facemasks and having extended conversations outside. When houses are being shown, I wipe everything down, all the surfaces they might touch beforehand.

And after [the potential buyer] leaves, I do the same thing to protect my client, the seller.”

Coles: “We do whatever the owners want, and it’s all over the board — masks, booties,

gloves and wiping everything down when we leave.”

Farrell: “In the past couple of weekends, we have had people asking to drive by properties. So rather than going inside a stranger’s house or allowing a stranger into houses, we’ve seen the drive-by trend from Realtor | Page 9

Top: Bundles Murdock, Peter Pejacsevich, Laura Farrell, John Coles and Joyce Gates. Photo By Joanne Maisano. Bottom: Peter Pejacsevich. Photo By Jennifer Gray.

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Realtor | From page 8 Washington clients. It’s kind of a win-win because they don’t go into the house, but if they like what they see, we know they are serious.

Also interesting, I have sold five houses this year with the buyer signing a contract sight unseen.”

As more and more industries go contactless, are you seeing a shift to virtual?

Pejacsevich: “Our marketing strategy was already very focused online, but we have had a 50% increase in engagement on social media overall in the past two months. In fact, many showing requests are now coming from this avenue, even allowing for virtual showings where advisable. Even how we interact in our company has changed. We now have bi-weekly virtual meetings to stay up to speed with our agents. And honestly, it’s gone better than expected. Internally, we almost feel more connected because we can have meetings for five minutes and don’t have to drop everything to meet in the conference room for an hour.”

Gates: “All types of businesses are having to make adjustments and rethink the way they operate; we are no exception. We are using the virtual aspects as much as we can.

Instead of just pictures in your MLS listing, there are videos. Our agents, myself included, are going to the properties and shooting videos for our clients. I go through the house and the grounds, and I send the footage to the prospective buyers. Even the closings, the entire process for the buyer and seller, can be done electronically. We have adapted to make it seamless.”

MacMahon: “Even before this hit, this was kind of standard operating procedure.

There are virtual tours available and drone videos. But I think now, because people are able to use that and Zoom conferences to in-

terview, they are able to really fine tune what they are looking for. So, when they come out and look, instead of it being 10 properties, it’s down to three. I’ve actually had a couple of interesting experiences, fairly recently, where people have put in offers on properties they have only seen online.”

Do you have any advice for sellers who are unsure of how to navigate the market during a pandemic?

Coles: “Set the right price. The buyer is very sophisticated because they look at everything on the computer, and the market is good, so it is important that properties are priced correctly. For properties that are overpriced, we are not getting calls, and we are not getting showings.”

Gates: “I am a very optimistic person. I follow the news, the science, the briefings, and I know this is going to pass. This will be behind us. So I would say to the majority of sellers, just wait a little longer, just a couple of weeks. If they can’t wait, by all means there are safe and effective ways to have their house on the market.”

Murdock: “I think you need an agent who will show your house with common sense and respect. They should come prepared with wipes and masks.”

What would you tell buyers looking to purchase in Hunt Country in the near future?

Gates: “It’s more of a buyer’s market right now. So if a buyer needs or wants to purchase a home, they are in a really great position.

They have less competition, fewer buyers out looking, and there are phenomenal mortgage interest rates.”

MacMahon: “Interest rates are at a level that you are never going to see again. I think people are getting a better value when they buy here right now. Like I said, for some

of these price ranges, the interest rate is very appealing.”

Pejacsevich: “I would say: Bring your mask and gloves, and be respectful of the people selling their home. Make sure that you are protecting yourself and others during walkthroughs. And truthfully, it’s not a bad time to buy, because interest rates are extremely low right now, and the market is still rapidly moving forward.”

Do you think COVID-19 has made any changes to the real estate industry that will endure beyond the pandemic?

Farrell: “I think there will be a trend to work from home. People may not want to go into other people’s houses in the next few months. People want to protect themselves.”

Pejacsevich: “I think the industry itself will mostly go back to business as usual, but there are some adaptations due to the pandemic, such as the shift to virtual and how we are approaching showings, that will last.

Internet advertising and showing properties online are going to be stronger than they were before and will become the rule rather than the exception. Communication will be more like what it has now evolved into because it’s faster and more convenient, allowing clients and agents to accomplish their transactions with greater ease.”

Gates: “I think some of the changes that have happened are going to stick. They are going to be permanent because they work better. They’re smarter. For instance, I’ve been on video conference calls for weeks now; this is how we are meeting. I can even talk with clients that way. Certain things just make more sense and are more efficient; those changes will stay. I think that, in general, the way people buy and sell homes is going to return to normal. We all want normal again.” ML

Top left: John Coles. Top right: Joyce Gates. Bottom: Laura Farrell and Bundles Murdock. Photos by Jennifer Gray.

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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

WIND FIELD FARM

CATESBY FARM

ARLINGTON FARM

AQUINNAH

MIDDLEBURG, VIRGINIA

MIDDLEBURG, VIRGINIA

MARSHALL, VIRGINIA

RECTORTOWN, VIRGINIA

circa 1853 colonial of stone and frame construction | House and property have been meticulously restored and maintained | 8 BR, 9 full BA and 3 half BA | 9 FP, antique pine floors, high ceilings, detailed millwork, gourmet kitchen | 466 rolling acres with mountain views | Long frontage on Goose Creek | Guest house, office, 8 stall center aisle barn with apt, 4 additional stalls, lighted sand ring, numerous tenant houses, greenhouse, circa 1800 lime kiln cottage | Property is fenced and cross fenced, ponds, creeks and mature woods with trails

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

SPRING GLADE

MIddLEBuRG, VIRGINIA

French Country home, with renovations in 1999 $14,500,000 $9,950,000 Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905 & 2017 | 4 BR, 5 full & 2 halfPaul BA, 5 FP, hardwood MacMahon 703.609.1905 floors, flagstone terrace | Beautiful drive to hilltop stetting overlooking pond, lake & mountains | Improvements include pool, 2-car garage, 2 BR guest house & apartment | Lovely boxwood gardens | Kitchen allowance to be provided | 79.89 acres

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$3,900,000 Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905 MacMahon 540.454.1930 helen SPRING GLADE CASTLE MOUNTAIN MIDDLEBURG, VIRGINIA

French Country home, recent renovations | 4 BR, 5 full & 2 half BA, 5 FP, hardwood floors, flagstone terrace | Beautiful drive to hilltop setting overlooking lake & mountains | Improvements include pool, 2-car garage, 2 BR guest house & apartment | Lovely boxwood gardens | 79.89 acres

$3,900,000 Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905 Helen MacMahon 540.454.1930

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CASTLETON, VIRGINIA

292 acres in private park like setting | Enjoy fishing on the spring fed pond or enjoy the one mile of Thornton River frontage | Custom built residence includes 5 bedrooms and 4 1/2 baths - main level master bedroom, gourmet kitchen, maple floors, generator and much more | Machine shed & barn | 30 minutes from Warrenton and 20 minutes to Culpeper | Maintained trails for hunting and hiking through the diverse property - some open and some wooded - lovely grounds | Property is in VOF Conservation Easement

$3,750,000 Margaret Carroll 540.454.0650 Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905

Residence circa 1850 has been completely updated | 8 bedrooms, 8 1/2 baths, 6 fireplaces | Mountain views | Gourmet kitchen with gas range, subzero fridge | Master suite with balcony | Indoor heated pool, attached gym, par terre garden, greenhouse, tennis courts | Separate building office or guest house | New 8 stall center aisle barn with office and tack room | Riding ring, new fencing, 200 degree mountain views with unbelievable sunsets

SALEM HILL

MARSHALL, VIRGINIA

Well protected Fauquier location | 6 bedrooms | $4,850,000 $4,950,000 4Helen full MacMahon and 2 half baths | 3 fireplaces | Great703.609.1905 views Paul MacMahon 540.454.1930 | 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 HALCYON HILL

HILLCREST

RECTORTOWN, VIRGINIA

UPPERVILLE, VIRGINIA

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 baths, 1 half bath, 2 fireplaces | Heated pool & spa | 2 bedroom guest house | Large shed & 2-car garage

$2,250,000 Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905 Helen MacMahon 540.454.1930

Spectacular hilltop setting, bold mountain views and Paris valley views | Home updated in 2017 | 4 BRs, 4 BA, 3 FP, gourmet kitchen, vaulted ceilings, skylights, lovely gardens, walkways and terrace | Improvements include in ground pool with spa | 2 stall barn with tack room, room for horses, spring fed pond |13.37 acres next to parkland surrounded by large estates

$1,425,000 Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905

HALCYON HILL

MIddLEBuRG, VIRGINIA

RECTORTOWN, VIRGINIA

$1,175,000 Alix Coolidge 703.625.1724

$2,650,000

helen MacMahon 540.454.1930 middleburglife.com • JUNE 2020

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Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905

GAME CREEK A remarkable property located within a private BICKERING OAKS THE BEE HIVE enclave just minutes from town | Stone and stucco HAYMARKET, VIRGINIA RECTORTOWN, VIRGINIA Endless possibilities for working from home or creating manor house with main level suite | 7village of Elegant master and manageable home in the cottage industry on this tranquil 18 acre property | Residence Rectortown | 3 bedrooms 2 and 1/2 baths | Stunning 23’ & outbuildings including 8 stall barn, stable converted to additional BR | 5 stone FP | Beautiful gardens, x 21’ addition with beautiful millwork | wood burning home office, 80 x 100 car barn and picnic pavilion |Enjoy the open space, fresh air &salt sunshine in the best of both fireplace and in-floor heat | Gorgeous new entry terraces, water pool, cabana, carriage house & | new worlds | Country Living at its finest but close to major standing seam metal roof | lots of windows | Lovely commuting routes | Beautifully appointed sun-filled 4 BR stable with 2 paddocks | Lovely throughout home with finishes extensive plantings, porch, balcony, private main residence in park-like setting | Two-story living room w/ back yard and high speed internet picture windows, recently renovated eat-in kitchen with top &appliances sweeping lawn toroomprivate trails to Goose Creek | of the line & finishes, spacious family w/bar, $785,000 separate laundry room, wrap around partially covered deck 31views acres Private, elegant & MacMahon convenient w/ stunning of Bull Run| Mountains Helen 540.454.1930

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296 acres of beautiful farmland off the Atoka Road | A working farm in crops and hay and improved with multiple large farm buildings and 3 cottages | Beautiful building site for a main house if desired | Property is in conservation easement which allows for 1 division and permits construction of an indoor arena and additional equestrian and farm buildings | Beautiful mix of open land, creeks, pond, woods, pasture, crops and rolling topography - western views of the Blue Ridge Mountain.

17 acres of rolling pasture land in the village MAGNOLIA COTTAGE MILLWOOD SHOP ofMIDDLEBURG, Rectortown | Convenient to MILLWOOD, both Routes 50 VIRGINIA VIRGINIA &story 66living| close Newly | Private setting with One to town | renovated Stone home with Prime retail/office space in downtown new roof, new windows, new kitchen and hardwood Millwood | Two doors from Locke Store | | visibility 4 bedrooms, floorsmagnificent just west of town | Quietmountain no - thru street | views High | Well-heeled pedestrian traffic Lovely4 plantings large patioalmost 1bath, acre with 2 fireplaces | Remodeled 2018 with new bathroom and full and bath, 1 half | Heated a huge fenced in back yard | 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, kitchen area | 1035 sq. ft. | High speed poolcombination & spaliving | room 2 bedroom guest house | large open versatile dining internet through ComCast cable with large windows and built ins. $275,000 Large shed & 2-car garage $535,000 Helen MacMahon 540.454.1930

$2,475,000

Tom Cammack 540.247.5408

Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905 helen MacMahon 540.454.1930

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HISTORIC RENOVATIONS WITH THE THORSEN FAMILY

Story by Kaitlin Hill Photos courtesy of Thorsen Construction

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or the team at Thorsen Construction, home is where the heart is. The third-generation family business has spent nearly 50 years building exquisite new homes and restoring historic structures from Alexandria to Middleburg. Though more than firm foundations and creative carpentry, it is the way the Thorsens have built their business that makes them truly unique.

Their passion for family, craftsmanship and Historic | Page 12

Top: An open concept renovation designed by Barnes Vanze Architects featuring reclaimed wide plank heart pine floors and rough sawn oak beams. Bottom: The Thorsen Family pictured during little Hudson’s cowboy themed birthday party.

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Historic | From page 11 philanthropy are all part of what makes a Thorsen house a true family home.

The firm was established in 1976, when father-son team, Jim and Bob Thorsen, began developing houses along the Shenandoah River outside of Woodstock, Virginia. Third generation Thorsen, John Thorsen, says, “They decided in 1978 to take Thorsen Construction to Alexandria, Virginia, where our main office has been ever since.”

Soon the business expanded beyond Alexandria into D.C., Maryland and farther reaches of Virginia.

“For a while, a large part of our business was the D.C. area, but our roots have always been in Fauquier County,” Thorsen notes. “In 2006, we opened a satellite office in Warrenton, and that’s when we started building more projects in the Fauquier area.”

More offices called for more Thorsens, so John and his two brothers joined the family business.

“It’s kind of funny, we grew up working in the business during all of our [school] breaks. My dad worked us super hard during those breaks, so we would do well in school and never have to work construction when we got older. So, it’s kind of ironic that we all are here,” Thorsen says, laughing. “It wasn’t until my junior year of college that I really started to consider the family business as a

legitimate career path.”

In addition to John, his brother James works for the company and lives in Aldie.

His older brother, Robert, recently moved to Richmond to start up a Thorsen division, serving clients from the Northern Neck to Charlottesville.

For Thorsen Construction, the term “family” stretches a little further than blood relative.

“We’re a tight-knit bunch, and we treat all of our employees, architects and clients like they’re family members,” he says. “I think that really shows up in our carpenters’ work … The passion they put in translates into a superior finished product because they take so much pride in what they do.”

In addition to passion and finished product, working with a tight-knit team means work can be done in-house and efficiently.

“There are three major benefits for this ‘in-house’ business model,” he explains. “The first is our ability to control the timeline. We are not at the mercy of subcontractors to show up and do their work because in many cases, we have our own guys who can do it.

Secondly, the cost. We don’t have to worry about unnecessary change orders from subcontractors that would then typically have to get passed on to the client, so we can control the cost much better. Lastly, and most importantly, is the quality. We have several guys who have been with us for over 25 years and no subcontractor is going to execute at the level of quality those guys are.”

These attributes and an early start in Alexandria have made Thorsen Construction a go-to for historic building projects in ‑the area.

“When we moved to Alexandria, a lot of the work we were doing was historic restorations, you know, homes built as early as 1750,” Thorsen says. “We were indoctrinated early, working with historic structures. We did the Lafayette House in Old Town, John S. Mosby’s House in Warrenton and several other pretty prominent historic buildings.”

He continues: “When you are working in Old Town, Georgetown and Middleburg, you have to know how to work in these historic buildings. Our carpenters are very well trained and are experts in what they do. And I Historic | Page 14

Top: Clean and contemporary pool house designed for year-round entertaining by Rill Architects. Middle: Vaulted ceiling and checkered painted heart pine wood floors highlight this addition and renovation in The Plains. Bottom: A beautiful front door that is perfectly lined up with the front elevation of the new horse barn beyond.

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Historic | From page 12 think that is why we are asked to do a lot of these historic projects. You can’t just trust anyone to come in and match a trim profile that’s 200 years old, but our guys are trained to do so.”

Thorsen Construction recently completed a project at The Masters of the Foxhounds Association on Washington Street.

Thorsen says, “Most of our Middleburg projects have a historical component to them in terms of matching the architecture that has always been a part of the Northern Piedmont region — wide plank floors, hand-hewn beams, Virginia fieldstone veneers … so, blending new construction with the existing and making it seamlessly match the historical profiles of the original is something that we take pride in.”

They also take pride in giving back. A trait that, no surprise, comes from family.

“There has always been this spirit of creating, contributing to society and entrepreneurship in the family. And the idea that there is always something needed in the world,” says Thorsen.

Perhaps no Thorsen embodied that spir-

it more than Rebecca, John’s sister, who sadly passed in October 2016. In addition to working full-time for Thorsen Construction, Rebecca was actively involved with A21, a non-profit organization committed to ending human trafficking.

“She was the heart and soul of the family.

She was the rock. So [her passing] was really tough for the family and the business. But we do our best every day to remember her in all that we do,” Thorsen shares.

In her honor, the Thorsen family donates annually to A21 and hosts A21’s Walk for Freedom in Washington, D.C. each year.

“We are picking up where she left off,” Thorsen says. “Because of her, we converted to a mission-driven company.”

One look at the Thorsen operation and the mission is clear. The family business is built on generations of experience, a dedication to excellence and a desire to make a meaningful impact.

“We are a passionate bunch that really enjoys what we do,” Thorsen says. And it certainly shows. ML

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Top left: “White Hall Estate” by Sarah Florjancic.

Middle left: Sarah Florjancic in the studio. Bottom left: “Wedding Venue”

by Sarah Florjancic. Top right: “Our Saviors Way Lutheran Church” by Sarah Florjancic. Middle right: Original watercolor painting, “Rust Manor.”

PAINTING THE TOWN AND ITS HISTORIC CHARM Story by Shayda Windle

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oudoun County is home to some of the oldest buildings and historical sites in the United States, combining distinct architectural styles that span generations. These buildings represent significant moments in our country’s history and tell a story about their unique time period.

Charm | Page 19

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Charm | From page 17 From federal-style townhomes to bungalow-style homes, from a Gothic Revival Church to a Colonial Revival commercial building, Middleburg encompasses nearly every style of architecture depicted throughout our country’s history.

And it’s not just Middleburg where visitors can catch a glimpse of these historic buildings. Many towns in Northern Virginia have preserved these sites as national landmarks that are maintained through federally funded and non-profit organizations.

Perhaps that’s why artists like Sarah Florjancic are determined to capture the beauty of this region’s architecture in a modern way, one in which memories can be stored as keepsakes for those who have experienced how special these landmarks are.

Florjancic is a watercolor artist with a focus on home portraits, historic buildings and architecture in Northern Virginia. She attended James Madison University (JMU), obtained an art degree, moved back to the region and landed a job as an art teacher in Northern Virginia. During this time of quarantine, she said she “set up a home studio and began working on abstract acrylic paintings as well as commissioned home portraits as a way of continuing a creative practice alongside teaching.”

She developed a passion for creating unique keepsakes of home portraits for friends and family and receiving commissions for her artwork.

“Even with an art degree, it took many hours of practice to find my artistic style,” she said.

Once she found her style, she opened an Etsy shop to create custom architectural portraits for clients all over the country.

“I’ve always loved history and the stories that come with it,” she said. “Architecture feels like the visible form of those stories. I think that’s why I have always been drawn to architecture in my art, whether it is a home portrait, a wedding venue keepsake, or a historical site.”

Florjancic has painted many historic buildings, including Rust Manor, White Hall Estate, and Great Marsh Estate, paying careful attention to the color and texture that have

been cultured over centuries within the walls and exteriors of these buildings.

In addition to painting historical sites, she has an eye for custom home portraits.

“I enjoy adding the special touches that make a home memorable,” she said. “Recently, I was commissioned to paint a childhood home as a gift for the client’s parents. The client wanted to include the crab apple tree that had been previously removed from the front yard. Of course, I was happy to include the tree into the final painting. It’s so special to be

“Architecture feels like the visible form of those stories.” able to follow through with those requests to make the painting as memorable as possible!”

Combining her love for authenticity with a desire to please, she captures the sentimentality and spirit behind each home.

“It starts with a photo of the building and a conversation about what the client envisions in their custom portrait,” she said. “After getting the details from the client about color preference, the landscape, and any other specifics, I can start painting! I enjoy building each painting piece by piece, starting by blocking in large shapes and then adding the small details on top. It’s rewarding to see the full picture emerge out of the small details.”

While she enjoys the work she’s already created, she’s nowhere near finished with her artistic journey. She has recently been exploring her family history and Slovenian descent.

“To connect more with the Slovenian side of my family, I’ve been working my way through painting the castles from that region of the world,” she said. “I’m hoping to visit in person one day!”

She hopes to paint many more local sites, including downtown Leesburg, Oatlands Historic House and Gardens and the Red Fox Inn. ML View Florjancic’s work at sarahflorjancic.com or follow her on Instagram @sarahflorjancicart.

Top: “Rust Manor” in process. Bottom: “Great Marsh Estate” by Sarah Florjancic.

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

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Heronwood

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

Cleremont

Upperville ~ The Impressive & Historic 1511 acre Estate & Prize Winning Cattle Farm of Cleremont is an assemblage of 3 contiguous farms, which can be purchased separately.

Through exceptional management, which is willing to stay, this is some of the most magnificent farmland with 33 verdant pastures, natural water resources and forest, which creates a haven of tranquility. $13,000,000

Chudleigh Farm Section 2

(Adjacent to OATLAND VIEWS SECTION 1) Aldie ~ 379.75 Acres on the north side of Oatlands Road between Rt. 15 and Snickersville Turnpike. Currently divided into 16 HOMESITES developed under the Low Density Development Option. Homesites range in size from 13.83 Acres – 38.12 Acres. Open Space Easement in place with potential for tax credits. $7,500,000

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Holly Hill

Middleburg ~ A gracious and elegant stone manor conveniently located on 32 private acres just 2 miles from Middleburg. Historic property has been meticulously renovated in the French Antebellum style with luxury finishes and tasteful upgrades throughout. Four bedrooms, 4 ½ bathrooms. Formal dining room, large garden/family room with stone floor, Ballroom, Chef ’s kitchen, library, 6 fireplaces.

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

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During this difficult time in our c Estate’s virtual doors remain ope remotely, given the nature of o to provide the highest service a This rural life has never

Tuleyries & Westfield Farm

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

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Delaplane Grade

Potts Mill Farm

VERY PRIVATE 137+ Acres within minutes of Historic Middleburg. The northern boundary of the property includes approx. 3,765’ of frontage on Little River, a tributary of Goose Creek. Open Space Easement, gently rolling fields with mature hardwood forest, Orange County Hunt Territory, great ride out, pastoral views in all directions. $2,534,500

Mountville

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

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

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

All Pages middleburglife.com • JUNE 2020 2005-22_ML_JohnColes-DT.indd

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

N LA

Muster Lane

The Plains ~ 108 gorgeous acres, this stately and historic estate with its grand rooms is in prime Orange County Hunt territory, minutes to Middleburg. It also features a pool and pool house, 5 bay garage with office, 2 tenant houses, newly remodeled 11 stall center aisle stable with apt. & office, riding arena and exceptional ride-out to $7,250,000 wooded trails and open pastures.

l who’ve been adversely global pandemic.

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

Oatland Views Section 1

(Adjacent to CHUDLEIGH FARM SECTION 2) Aldie ~ 271 Acres on the north side of Oatlands Road between Rt. 15 and Snickersville Turnpike. Divided into 11 HOMESITES ranging in size from 13 - 41 acres with private road frontage on Clear Creek Lane. 10 of the 11 parcels have wells and Certification Letters for 4 bedroom septics. Land protected by Loudoun County Open Space Easement. $5,500,000

Chilly Bleak

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

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Smitten Farm Lane

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

Clearwater Farm

Marshall ~ Handsome custom built Residence with first floor Master Suite and perfect mix of open and traditional floor plan beautifully sited on 50 acres. Special features include: Swimex Swim Pool, 2 Stocked Ponds, High Speed Internet, Whole House Generator and Geothermal Heating and Cooling. For the equestrian: located in the Orlean Community Trail System and adjacent to a Premier Equestrian Center with stables, riding arenas and trails. $2,900,000

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Stone Haven

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

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

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

Crosswinds

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

Generator. Perfect for training Cross County/Eventing.

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

Zulla Road

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

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

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

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

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Finding Our New Normal In The Countryside Story by Dulcy B. Hooper

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rom TV and radio ads to blog posts and conversations with friends, we hear it daily: “new normal.” Many of us wonder what this new normal will look like and how we’ll find it. Will it mirror life before COVID-19 or will it look drastically different?

After a few months of quarantine, families and individuals are finding their “new normal” by modifying their business infrastructure and changing routines to stay safe while continuing to Countryside | Page 25

Photos by Douglas Stroud Photography.

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Countryside | From page 23 meet the needs of others. We spoke to some individuals about what their new normal has been, giving us a little glimpse into their life lately.

DAY SPRING FARM Sean and Jessie Baker’s Middleburg community-supported agriculture business (CSA) allows them to feed their family and provide “healing and nourishing food” to the community throughout the year. The couple and their seven children (an eighth is due in August) work as a team.

“Day to day, our lives aren’t too different,” said Jessie. “We don’t leave the farm much, anyway, because our work is here. But I do think this has made local food even more appreciated.”

In fact, Day Spring Farm has been “swamped with customers” since the outbreak of the coronavirus, with new customers now being added to a waiting list.

“They know that they are safe with the systems we use here, how we harvest and process,” said Jessie. “We already have lots of systems in place to produce food in a clean and safe manner, but we did make some changes.”

One of those changes is a “you choose” system for meat and vegetables. Rather than customers touching the products they are choosing, there are signs made up so that it is “sort of like ordering at a deli.” According to Jessie, customers are still able to choose their items, but “We are doing the actual touching, so each customer doesn’t touch someone else’s food.” She added that CSA customers receive a higher quality product and likewise expect a higher level of safety.

Another change: “We like to reuse egg cartons because they are as hard to find as toilet paper these days. But in order to be safe, we quarantine them for three weeks before reusing. I never expected to do that.”

Jessie said the most difficult change has been ordering and obtaining seeds.

“There is a seed shortage for seasonal farms, so we have to plan even further in advance,” she said. “For instance, just to have broccoli on your plate in June takes us six months. We order the seeds in January, plant them in mid-February. We used to order our seeds one quarter at a time. Now, we have to look ahead at four quarters for specific varieties that we know do well here.”

WINGFIELD FARM “I’ve got some cows on the property, but they’re not mine,” said Margaret Gardner. “And a chicken coop, but no chickens.”

What Gardner does have, and in spectacular

“A friend once said, ‘team work makes the dream work,’” said Jessie Baker.

“And that has been very true for us.”

Another member of the Day Spring Farm team is Cadi, the family’s border collie, who now has her own book as part of National Geographic’s Doggy Defenders series for young readers.

“We are thrilled that our dog Cadi was featured in the Doggie Defenders series,” said Jessie. “We spent weeks with the photographer catching photos of Cadi moving our cows, who are rotationally grazed on pasture. She is a smart dog and knows lots of commands. She pretty much speaks English! We take it for granted, but people are amazed to see her work.”

Jessie added that her favorite command is “look back,” at which Cadi will actually look over her shoulder to see what cow or sheep may have been missed.

“Cadi, The Farm Dog” is available on Amazon and will be at the Day Spring Farm store soon, as well. ML

abundance, are her beautifully landscaped, terraced gardens, including a topiary of the hunt which she designed and maintains herself.

“And let’s not forget the vegetable gardens,” she added. “I’m doing most of that myself, too. I just planted okra yesterday and now I’m spending hours sorting out the asparagus.”

In finding her new normal, Gardner said she is adjusting to the restrictions imposed by social distancing. “With the coronavirus, what choice do I have? I’m not going to go out if I don’t have to. I’m even avoiding the wig wash for now — that’s how serious I am about it.”

Gardner takes a five-mile walk most mornings, regardless of the weather, and plans to continue doing so “at least until the snakes come out.” Even after sustaining a broken hip last fall — ironically, while running from a snake! — Gardner is committed to her walks and can often be spotted on Snake Hill, Foxcroft or Pot House Road, “picking up everyone’s trash” along the way.

In addition to walking, gardening,

reading, knitting, working on jigsaw puzzles and “keeping up with every single thing that comes along,” Gardner continues to work on refurbishing her collection of “rescued” antique rocking horses.

And then there are the dogs (currently, 10, and like all dogs, in steady need of time and attention).

“They are mostly rescues,” Gardner said.

“Down from 20, which is what I always used to have. I’m not rescuing any more, though, because I don’t want my dogs to outlive me.

Who would take care of them?” Gardner’s dogs are all seniors, and just keeping their “lotions and potions straight takes a lot of time.”

The “new normal” that has been the most difficult for Gardner to adjust to is the curtailment of her frequent trips to London. Since breaking her hip, and now with the additional restrictions brought about by the coronavirus, Gardner thinks it will be a year before she sees her son.

“I am a news freak,” she said. “I listen to it all, and it’s all pretty abnormal. For now, I am just staying put.” ML

Wingfield Farm photos by Richard Hooper.

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HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS A LOOK INTO LOUDOUN AND FAUQUIER’S HABITAT FOR HUMANITY Story by Laticia Headings

B

oth Loudoun and Fauquier counties are known for their pastoral beauty, considerable affluence, and robust equestrian and agricultural industries that help drive the economy. What residents may not realize is that there is an affordable housing crisis in their own backyard.

The affordable housing problem isn’t centralized to one state or a particular zip code.

According to a Harvard University study, nearly a third of U.S. households (38.1 million) paid more than 30% of their annual income for housing in 2016.

In Fauquier County, 31% of households fall into the United Way ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) Report threshold. These households are working but struggling to cover the costs of basic living.

Habitat for Humanity serves families with incomes between 30-70% of the average median income, which in Fauquier is $94,347.

“For example, the Town of Marshall has a total number of 604 households,” says Melanie Burch, the associate director of development for Fauquier Habitat. “Marshall is incredibly rich, but 57% of the people who live in the Town of Marshall fall within the ALICE and poverty rate. People are just barely making it.”

Fauquier, a county with less than 70,000 people, has a wide range of incomes. “You have people who are at the lower end of the income spectrum and a number of people at the higher end of the income spectrum and that inflates our overall median income which often misrepresents the needs in our community,” says Darryl Neher, CEO of Fauquier Habitat.

“It’s a very weird dichotomy,” remarks Burch. “We all love the hunt country, we love

the jewel that is this area … but at the end of the day, we still have to have viable, good, safe housing so we can end this consistent strain in our community. People don’t realize that there are a lot of hardworking people who are struggling every single day to pay their rent or put food on the table.”

In Loudoun County, four in 100 families, or approximately 13,593 people, live at or below the federal poverty level. Twenty-six thousand children live below the ALICE Survival Budget threshold.

“Loudoun is very different from other places,” says Kari Murphy, director of resource development for Loudoun Habitat. “We have more of an urban landscape to the east … and then you go further west and south and it’s gorgeous rural communities.”

Two of the most common housing problems in Loudoun are overcrowding and constant relocation.

“We may have three to four couples or families sharing a townhouse just to afford housing,” says Murphy. “Or find that families are moving many times just to find rents that are affordable.”

Both Loudoun Habitat and Fauquier Habitat, which includes Rappahannock County’s 7,373 residents, raise local funds to help local families. Each has dedicated 55 homes to families in need in their counties. In addition to building new houses, Habitat also rehabs and renovates homes to add to its inventory.

“It’s a hand up, not a hand out,” says Murphy. “The [Habitat for Humanity] mission of ‘bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope’ is so important.”

Founded in 1976, Habitat for Humanity Heart | Page 29

Top: 116 Haiti Street in Warrenton. Building and raising walls. Middle: Oct. 2019 Women Build Volunteering in the Haiti Neighborhood’s “Rock the Block.” Fifteen Women Build ladies worked alongside the neighborhood residents to repair their home exteriors and landscaping. Each woman raised a minimum of $100 but doubled their goal in only two weeks. Bottom: Carolina and Ramon. The home dedication of 110 Haiti Street. The Habitat homeowners are Carolina and Ramon Navarette. Photos by Fauquier Habitat.

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Heart | From page 28 International has 1,100 affiliates in 40 countries and helped more than 29 million people build or improve the place they call home.

Each affiliate has unique policies and challenges based on geographical location and population demographics.

“Homes aren’t given away. That’s a huge myth that people assume about Habitat homeowners,” Murphy emphasizes.

In addition to having stable credit, homeowners are required to take financial courses and must be willing to partner with Habitat.

They pay a mortgage that is either 0% or very low interest and perform “sweat equity” hours as part of their down payment: 300 hours for a two-person household and 200 hours for a single household. Kids can also get sweat equity hours for good grades.

“We are here to set people up for success,” Murphy continues. “We educate on budgeting, saving, what is a mortgage, mortgage insurance, all those things … even take them on tours through home improvement stores.”

Loudoun Habitat, founded in 1993, has created the “Tools for Life” Learning Center, offering classes and resource material to Habitat homeowners and the general public. Webinars on a wide range of topics are currently being held virtually.

One of the main challenges for many affiliates is the resale of a Habitat home. Habitat often has the first right of refusal to buy back a home when it sells but, most of the time, it doesn’t make financial sense and it’s often cheaper to build a new home.

Habitat is often competing against commercial developers for available land, another significant challenge.

“Affordable land is a challenge for our affiliate and is often a barrier to entry to home ownership,” says Neher. “Our goal is to build an inventory of affordable homes in the communities we serve. That’s where a community land trust comes into play.”

A land trust is a non-profit organization’s stewardship over a piece of land for the purpose of preserving it. In the case of Fauquier Habitat, established in 1991, they are the first Habitat affiliate to put together their own “Community Land Trust” in Virginia as a way to promote permanent affordability and a pathway to home ownership. Loudoun is also investigating this option.

With a community land trust, Habitat will buy a property and build a house. A mort-

gage is written for the home on the property and the land is leased to the homeowner for a nominal cost per year, which reduces the overall cost of home ownership.

“The exciting thing is that once that house sells, it doesn’t leave the inventory,” says Neher. “With the community land trust, we are able to build up an inventory of affordable homes that will remain affordable for the residents of Fauquier and Rappahannock County.”

In order to achieve success, Habitat affiliates are largely reliant on community support, both volunteers and monetary donations.

“I think that community piece is really important. I think that’s one of the differentiators of our non-profit,” says Murphy.

Women Build is a national Habitat program that operates differently in each affiliate.

Fauquier Habitat’s Women Build built their first home in 2005 and with the leadership of all-women volunteers and associate director of development, Liz Rose, it has captured recognition with an innovative peer-to-peer fundraising model.

In the fall of 2019, the first team leader meeting was held to target young professionals to get involved.

“We didn’t expect many people to show up, but 50 did,” says Rose. “From there, recruitment teams formed, some leaders recruited more than 30 people, and before long there were over 140 women signed up and a waiting list was created.”

Within five months, over $36,000 was raised with each volunteer raising a minimum of $250.

“There’s a little bit of healthy competition and there’s such an amazing spirit behind this,” comments Rose. “That social connection is what makes the Women Build model powerful.”

The long-term goal for Women Build is to raise enough money to fully sponsor a home every year. “I look at a Habitat site as sacred ground,” says Neher. “[It’s] one of those places where differences melt away. You don’t know someone’s political affiliation, their religion, their income status but you know you’re standing next to a person building a home for someone who needs a safe and decent place to live … it’s sort of the great equalizer.”

Habitat for Humanity continues to be on the forefront of remedying the vast inadequacies of affordable housing locally and engaging the community.

“Home is everything,” Neher states.

“We’re coming to learn that more, especially in this environment of COVID-19. Home has become … our place of work. It’s where we find safety and stability. That’s what we’re after, to provide safe housing to people who live and work in the communities we serve…so they are able to experience home ownership, something so many take for granted.”

Monetary donations are gladly accepted

by Loudoun and Fauquier affiliates. Programs are also set up for house, car, boat, land, and building supplies donations. Proceeds are tax-deductible and will help Habitat families build strength, stability and self-reliance in the U.S. Additionally, Habitat ReStores are located in Chantilly, Leesburg, and Warrenton. Each of these independently-owned reuse stores accepts donations and sells home improvement items to the public at a fraction of the price. ML To donate, find volunteer opportunities, or find more information, please visit loudounhabitat. org and fauquierhabitat.org.

Top: Jallu Family, Photo by Loudoun Habitat.

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DISCOVERING A SENSE OF PLACE:

ARTEMISIA FARM & VINEYARD

“Wine is not simply the solution of alcohol and water. Food is not something that springs forth in the supermarket,” said Allen. “All of these things have stories.”

Story by Chelsea Rose Moore Photos by Jennifer Gray

T

he American novelist and essayist Wendell Berry wrote, “Eating is an agricultural act.” But for many, the act of eating carries no connection to the local agricultural landscape. Many Americans purchase food shipped from another state at big-box stores, with no thought given to the process of how it was made or prepared, or in the case of meat, the life it lived before arriving at the store.

This is the bleak American food landscape.

But two farmers in Delaplane, Andrew Napier and Kelly Allen, are working to change this narrative. They started Artemisia Farm & Vineyard in the summer of 2019 to revitalize Virginia’s rural food landscape, “shifting the agricultural focus from industrial to local.”

“We’re trying to create a new dynamic for viticulture and agriculture,” said Allen. “When you think about food and local production — even if it’s a craft, like wine or jam — that kind of local production is the heartbeat of a community and a culture. Once we lose touch with that, Artemisia | Page 31

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Artemisia | From page 30 we lose part of our identity. It’s important as an individual and as a greater culture.”

With eight acres under vine (North American hybrid grapes), they’re restoring and rehabilitating the vines using sustainable practices. Instead of opening their own winery, they will sell the grapes to other wineries.

They’re creating a “new genre of viticulture” they hope will define the Mid-Atlantic region. One of their practices is “growing the right crops for the right place,” said Napier, “not European vines.”

They’re also working a farm, which provides a steady income and enables them to connect more deeply to the community by providing healthy food to their neighbors.

From radishes to bok choy, peppers to eggplants, they’re growing heirloom crops native

to the region, thus preserving Virginia’s culinary heritage.

They offer a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) and have reached maximum capacity for the season. When they started, they were marketing to local restaurants and wineries.

“We had a long list of restaurants and wineries that wanted to work with us, but then COVID-19 happened,” said Allen. “We wanted to switch to the CSA for more socio-cultural reasons, ensuring people have access to local foods without going to the store.”

They’re grateful to be able to provide nourishment for their neighbors, and they’ve partnered with three locations for pickups: The Whole Ox in Marshall, The Wine Attic in Clifton and Crystal City Wine Shop in Arlington. Each location offers curbside pickup or a socially distant delivery.

The name “Artemisia” stems from the Latin genus for “wormwood,” a plant they plan to introduce to the farm and use to produce absinthe.

“Wormwood is a plant that is between the wild and the domesticated,” said Allen.

“That’s the theme of what we really wanted to do,” said Napier. “[We are] halfway between wild and cultivated, which is what you find in sustainable models of farming and in the wild.”

Meet The Farmers Allen and Napier are partners both in business and in life.

Allen always had an interest in the out-

doors. As a child, she wanted to be a paleontologist (“But I’m still digging in the dirt!” she said), and then she wanted to be a park ranger. She has a degree in sustainability and served in AmeriCorps VISTA teaching arid-lands agriculture at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Before pursuing the life of a sustainable viticulturist, she worked in wine sales. She’s a published author, with her most recent work “Brettanomyces” available on Amazon and in major bookstores.

Napier’s story began in his grandparents’ backyard. His grandfather, born into a family of orchardists, maintained a large garden and grew cherry trees in his yard.

“We really celebrated the bounty and wonder of nature,” said Napier.

He pursued a degree in theatre that opened his eyes to the importance of storytelling as a way of connecting to oneself, the past and the future. But it was his early exposure to gardening and nature that brought him to the food and wine industry. After working in restaurants for a decade, he took a job at Linden Vineyards, where he learned the ins and outs of the wine industry. He went on to manage the wine program at The Whole Ox, deepening his love of viticulture.

“I see that food, wine and the farming of those is the story we want to tell everyone in our community,” he said.

“Wine is not simply the solution of alcohol and water. Food is not something that Artemisia | Page 34

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Artemisia | From page 31 springs forth in the supermarket,” said Allen.

“All of these things have stories.”

Their love for storytelling extends beyond the practice of farming. It’s engrained into who they are, the way in which they share their narrative and their view of life itself.

Their website, filled with beautiful images and poetic descriptions, feels like a storybook, and their explanations of the natural world are almost lyrical. Their eye for beauty and love for language is contagious.

They want to develop programs to educate children about farming, with the goal of sparking curiosity and a love for the natural world. In the future, they hope to work with schools to offer educational programming.

They also plan to host classes for adults.

One example is a winter pruning class, where Allen and Napier will explain the lifecycle of the vines. They’re bursting with ideas for classes and events once the coronavirus pandemic passes.

The Coronavirus Pandemic While uncertainty is part of any small business venture, the past few months have been a wild ride. Allen voiced her concern about the void local wineries and restaurants would leave if they closed, describing small businesses as “our cultural narrative.”

“Restaurants and retail shops are the gatekeepers of everything,” said Napier. “Without them, so many people are left stranded. People have to go to a supermarket and wonder if things will be available. There’s a way to do that: It’s through small shops and farms.”

The lockdown required Allen and Napier to rewrite their business plan in two days, pivoting to meet changing needs. The Artemisia CSA has supported their efforts to restore the vineyard.

Allen’s days are defined by “peacefulness,” a word not often heard when describing one’s job.

“I have my hands in the vines; there are animals and sunshine,” she said. “It feels really human. It feels like this is what we were designed to do. It’s really a gift to have that.”

Napier outlined his favorite part of his days. “Being present with nature, being grateful for the bounty of what nature provides to us, being in tune with the cycles of life,” he said. ML Artemisia Farm & Vineyard is located at 3663 Double J Lane, Delaplane, Virginia. Visit their website at artemisia.farm and find them on Instagram @artemisia.farm.

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Two Properties Reveal Middleburg Legacies AN IN DEPTH LOOK AT THE HISTORY BEHIND THE HOUSES Story by Heidi Baumstark

O

wnership becomes part of one’s legacy. While uncovering stories of two Middleburg properties, their owners leave a rich legacy peppered with historical treasures.

Sotheby’s International Realty in downtown Middleburg is the listing agency for two historic properties: Middleburg House dating to 1790 and Stonyhurst, built a century later, 1890. Middleburg House was built just a few years after the 1787 establishment of Middleburg and sits in the center of town on 105 S. Madison Street, which is part of the Middleburg Historic District that includes 18th-century structures with most dating to the mid19th century. This property has strings to the family of Leven Powell, founder of Middleburg, who fought with George Washington during the American Revolution.

The Stonyhurst estate (originally called Mount Olive) is just shy of 95 acres, only a mile from town on winding Foxcroft Road where hunters and riders have galloped for centuries; today, Middleburg is known as the nation’s fox hunting capital. Its original owner, Edward Samuel Duffey, fought in the Civil War, reportedly firing the last shot at Gettysburg.

Gail Reardon is the listing agent for Mid-

dleburg House and Peter Leonard-Morgan is the agent for Stonyhurst. Reardon shared information about Middleburg House noting that the oldest part started with a log room with one floor above. The earliest sections include thick, sturdy walls that are 2-plus-feet deep with thick-beamed ceilings in the front rooms. Large, original fireplaces are in five rooms. The lower level has an original “tap” room with a separate kitchen and bath. Updates include a spacious kitchen and dining room, plus French windows overlooking a private, landscaped back yard. Clearly, it is one of the unique historical residences within easy walking distance to shops and restaurants in town.

What about its legacy? According to Laura Christiansen, curator of manuscripts and archives at Thomas Balch Library in Leesburg, the property is included in John Lewis’ 1977 architectural survey of Middleburg as property number 259-110, and is described as a “Two story stuccoed and pained four bay Town House, with hipped roof and four part front porch with Roman Doric Columns, on high basement. Good lattice work under porch. Un-

usually large exterior chimneys on both gable ends. Circa 1800’s or earlier.”

The 1982 National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) inventory nomination form for the Middleburg Historic District also states that property “259-110” is a “Two-anda-half-story stucco town house, with hipped roof and four-bay front porch with Roman Doric columns. Unusually large exterior chimneys on both gable ends. Early 19th century.”

Who lived here? Christiansen’s research uncovered Wynne Saffer’s maps of Loudoun prepared from the 1860 tax maps. The east side of S. Madison Street is shown as being acquired in 1853 by M.F. Powell. The tax record lists “Marietta F. Powell” (Marietta Fauntleroy Turner Powell, 1812-1894) and references a deed for “243.75” acres. The drawn map outlines this area of her property that includes the S. Madison Street section and extends to what was Burr Powell’s Hill Farm on the south edge of Middleburg. Burr Powell (1768-1839) was the father of Marietta’s late husband, George Cuthbert Powell (1807-1849), who died at the age of 41. Burr Powell (son of Legacies | Page 36

Top left: Middleburg House, 105 S. Madison Street, Middleburg. Photo by Heidi Baumstark. Top right: March 13, 1855 deed stating Marietta F. Powell as owner of Middleburg property. Bottom: Marietta F. Powell (1812-1894), owner of 243-acre property in Middleburg.

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Legacies | From page 35 Middleburg founder, Leven Powell) served in the Virginia General Assembly from 1798 to 1807. He was a state senator from Loudoun and Fauquier counties from 1813 to 1815 and practiced law in Middleburg.

Christiansen also found a copy of the deed referenced above, written in beautiful scrolled writing. It is dated March 13, 1855 and provides detail about land ownership, but it does not specifically mention or describe exact houses on the property belonging to Marietta F. Powell, although two town lots are mentioned. However, the deed does clarify that her property was part of Burr Powell’s original Hill Farm. The deed states that “the said Marietta F. Powell became the purchaser she being the highest bidder, at the price of $30.00 per acre.” The deed reveals that Marietta was involved with other Powell family members over her late husband, George C. Powell’s estate. However, Christiansen noted, “I can’t find conclusive evidence that Marietta, George, or any of their children had anything to do with the house at 105 S. Madison Street, but clearly ‘town lots’ were changing hands in George’s estate, and the deed isn’t specific.”

So who was Leven Powell? Born in Dumfries in Prince William County, Powell studied in private schools and was deputy sheriff of Prince William County before he moved to Loudoun in 1763 where he engaged in mercantile pursuits, including the mill he purchased on Hunter Run. He named it Sally Mill after his young wife, technically named “Sarah” Harrison Powell (1746-1812), also from Dumfries, who he married June 2, 1763 in Prince William County. Also in 1763, Powell purchased 500 acres from Joseph Chinn (first cousin of George Washington) when the area was still under colonial British rule.

It was first known as Chinn’s Crossroads.

When war came, Loudoun County joined the cause of freedom, sending over 2,000 men to fight with General Washington during the 1775-1783 Revolutionary War. One of those men was Leven Powell who rose to the rank of colonel in the Continental Army and spent the harsh winter of 1777-1778 with Washington at Valley Forge until ill health forced Powell to resign his commission in 1778. He

returned to his wife, Sarah, and children in Loudoun County, and wanted to establish a town surrounded by abundant farmland.

Four years after the war, the NRHP document referenced above states, “In 1787 [November 2, 1787], pursuant to an Act of the Assembly, Powell subdivided fifty acres of his Loudoun property into seventy lots for the development of a town to be known as Middleburg.” Powell refused to have the town named for him, so the town was called Middleburgh, then simply Middleburg, as it is known today because of its location as a “midway” between Winchester in the Shenandoah Valley and the port of Alexandria along a major trade route, Ashby’s Gap Road, today’s U.S. Route 50. Powell adopted a rectangular-grid plan for the town streets, nearly all of which were named for prominent friends of the Constitution. The original town plan called for two main streets: Washington and Madison.

Now, to Stonyhurst (originally Mount Olive), an iconic stone manor house built in 1890. Edward Samuel Duffey (1841-1926) lived here after serving as a Confederate soldier in the 1861-1865 Civil War. When war was declared on April 12, 1861, he enlisted at the age of 19, fought in several battles, including on local fields at First and Second Manassas (July 21, 1861 and Aug. 28-30, 1862, respectively). Reportedly, he fired the last shot at the Battle of Gettysburg on July 3, 1863.

According to Jim Burgess, museum specialist at Manassas National Battlefield Park, having been born and raised in Alexandria, Duffey enlisted in Captain Delaware Kemper’s battery (Alexandria Light Artillery) on April 17, 1861, the day Virginia seceded from the Union. Kemper’s battery participated in the First Battle of Manassas and Duffey can take credit for firing some of the last shots of First Manassas in the direction of the Cub Run Bridge (just below Bull Run). Burgess confirmed that he also fought at Gettysburg where his battery reportedly fired 800 rounds on July 3 and was among the last batteries to leave the field after Pickett’s charge was repulsed.

An August 13, 2016 post in Crossroads and Crossfire, a blog about the Civil War, includes a newspaper clipping of an article Legacies | Page 37

Top: Old postcard from the 1930s-40s of Mt. Olive (now Stonyhurst). Second: Edward Samuel Duffey (18411926) fired last shot at Gettysburg; in this 1925 photo, he was 84 years old. He lived at Stonyhurst (originally called Mount Olive). Third: Historic Stonyhurst estate on Foxcroft Road. Bottom: Harry J. Duffey, Sr. and Alice “Lalla” Hawkins Duffey celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary in Nov. 1959.

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Legacies | From page 36 titled, “Soldier Who Fired the Last Shot At Gettysburg Tells His Story.” In the article, Duffey refers to Pickett’s charge: “… it was after Pickett’s charge. Gen. [Robert E.] Lee and Gen. [James] Longstreet were standing together under a tree in the old peach orchard at Gettysburg, when I came out with my gun and seven men. (I was an Artillery sergeant with Parker’s battery.) It was about 7 o’clock on the evening of July 3, 1863. Gen. Lee said something to Longstreet, and the latter came up to me and said, ‘Sergeant, have you any ammunition left?’ I replied that I had a little canister.

‘Very well,’ said Longstreet, ‘elevate your gun and give it to those Yanks coming up the road.’ “‘And that shot of mine was the last one fired at Gettysburg,’ he continued, still chuckling. Mr. Duffey has in his possession a letter endorsed by James Longstreet, which states that the incident happened as it was related here, and that his was indeed the last gun fired on the famous battlefield.”

After Lee surrendered to Grant on April 9, 1865 at Appomattox Court House, Duffey re-

turned home and established his jewelry and watchmaking shop in Middleburg. On March 8, 1869, he married Loudoun County-born Amanda Muir Smith Duffey (1842-1926).

One of their sons, Harry Johnston Duffey, Sr. (1871-1964), acquired Mount Olive. He served on the Board of Directors for the 1924-established Middleburg National Bank at 1 E. Washington Street, currently the home of King Street Oyster Bar. On November 1, 1899, he married Alice “Lalla” Pagaud Hawkins Duffey (1880-1965) in Charlottesville.

Regarding H. J. Duffey, Sr.’s equestrian legacy, he is listed as a founding member of The Middleburg Hunt, which dates as an organization to 1906. Just down the street from the Duffey property is Glenwood Park, home of Virginia’s oldest continuously running steeplechase since 1911. Middleburg Spring Races, the premiere steeplechase horse race held at Glenwood Park, has evolved into an annual world-class race event. Traditionally held in April, it has been rescheduled to June 13 of this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Stonyhurst remained in the Duffey family

until the 1970s. The current owners acquired the 94.36-acre property in the early 2000s, and in 2005, invested in landscape designs and major renovations, returning it to its original glory with several improved amenities that have garnered two awards from the American Institute of Architecture. This revived manor house is centered on a large parcel of rolling land minutes from downtown Middleburg.

Leonard-Morgan added: “The current owners of Stonyhurst had a vision of restoring the historic property, ensuring it wouldn’t be destroyed. They created an amazing revitalization of this old 19th century hunt country estate; it’s become this impeccable property.”

To protect it from future development, they placed it under conservation easement.

From the Powells to the Duffeys, both properties leave their mark for new owners to forge their own legacies. ML For more information on these two properties, visit Sotheby’s International Realty at 2 W. Washington Street, Middleburg; call 540-6878500 or visit sothebysrealty.com.

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CREATING HABITAT TO BOOST YOUR BIRD POPULATION Story by Patrick Mulrooney ASHS Certified Horticulturist ISA Certified Arborist

B

irds. These things are hilarious. Not only do they provide a good laugh, but they occupy a crucial role as apex predators on the top of the food chain, providing us clues about the health of the environment. This month we will focus on those special trees and shrubs that attract birds to our yard.

To attract birds to your yard, it is important to provide a diversity of plants, as the birds’ survival requirements change with the seasons. A Cornell study in 2019 found that birds’ numbers have dropped by 30% since 1970. In general, we want trees and shrubs that support insect populations, provide fruit throughout the year and offer habitat and cover. First, we will discuss the shrubs and small trees, which are less expensive and easier to add to the borders of our yards than the large trees covered later.

If you have full sun, there are few plants superior to the highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosm). A mature plant can produce hundreds of berries for humans or animals Habitat | Page 39 Top: Rose-breasted grosbeak. Middle: Wild blueberries. Bottom: Pileated woodpecker. Photo by Jeff Jones.

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Habitat | From page 38 and offers much more than its fruit; blueberry leaves and flowers feed dozens of native butterflies, moths and insects. For a less sunny site, consider the elderberry (Sambucus nigra canadensis). Both plants are loved by the eastern bluebird and cedar waxwing, and are a favorite food source of the Baltimore oriole.

Moving out of the sun and back toward the edges of the landscape, we have an often-overlooked group of native shrubs: the viburnums. Three types worth checking out are the possum haw (V. prunifolium), arrowwood (V. dentatum) and black haw (V. nudum), which are powerhouses to wildlife.

Many birds feed on the fruit and still more insectivorous birds will visit the shrubs for the caterpillars that host on the leaves. Caterpillars are an important food source for baby birds preparing to leave the nest.

Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) is classified in the laurel family. Its bright red fruits, which ripen in September, are more than 50% fat, and are loved by migrating birds such as vireos, tanagers, robins and thrushes. Another autumn-ripening shrub is beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) and is quite a stunner when its purple berry clusters mature. It will not be overlooked by robins, finches, thrushes and towhees as the fruits persist on the bare branches for months. Both of these plants will be content in part shade.

The serviceberry is an elegant and statuesque small tree with an impressive display of small white flowers in the spring. It prefers sun to part shade and comes in single or multi-branched forms. Its nutrient-dense berries are edible for humans and are enjoyed by goldfinches, cardinals, Baltimore orioles and many others. There are a ton of varieties available. Check out ‘“regent” for a compact variety that stays under 6 feet tall or “autumn brilliance” for impressive fall color.

While the shrubs and understory trees are beneficial, it is the full-sized trees that provide the true ecological foundation that birds need. The sheer scale of the resources is what sets them apart. The mighty white oak (Quercus alba) and American beech (Fagus grandiflora) host hundreds of species of caterpillars.

Most fruit-eating birds supplement their diets with insects, so these two trees are always a

good idea and will attract your insectivorous birds: vireos, warblers and nuthatches.

Wild cherries (Prunus sp.) will provide both caterpillars and a large quantity of fruit.

The black cherry (Prunus serotina), choke cherry (Prunus virginiana) and pin cherry (Prunus pensylvanica) are all suitable species for this. Finally, no discussion is complete without mentioning the red mulberry, which is considered by many to be the favorite food of most birds. These trees will increase your chances of seeing the often-elusive scarlet tanager and rose-breasted grosbeak. And for those who wish to think outside the box, you might consider leaving up some dead and dying trees (where they are not endangering lives or structures, of course) as the insects found inside attract one of our most impressive native species, the pileated woodpecker.

While we have mentioned many food sources, we have overlooked the vital function of shelter in our discussion. For this, evergreen trees are most important. The American holly (Ilex opaca), Virginia juniper (Juniperus virginana) and eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) are three native species: that provide cover from predators and a place for nesting. These trees will help bring in the chickadees, thrashers and purple finches, among others. They are also vital as their fruit doesn’t ripen until the winter, when birds are really in need of food.

Providing a habitat for birds can be a fun and rewarding hobby over the years. In my backyard, it is always exciting to see a new rose-breasted grosbeak or a Baltimore oriole and wonder if he is just passing through or a permanent resident. Currently, there are no incentives for creating habitat, but the National Wildlife Foundation does offer a certification for those interested. As long as your property provides food, water, cover for shelter, places to raise young and employs sustainable practices to keep the environment clean, you can earn this certified wildlife habitat certification by filling out a form describing your yard and paying a small fee. While the only benefit is a small plaque to post by your driveway, it is a good way to share your commitment to the environment with your neighborhood. A high five from a neighbor is better than a pat on the back any day. ML

Top: American goldfinch. Photo by Maria Corcacas. Middle: Wild cherries. Photo by Joanna Plaszewska.

Bottom: Elderberry. Photo by John Nyberg.

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ur hearts go out to all who have been adversely impacted by the global pandemic.

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

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Rock Ridge

The Plains ~ Hilltop custom French Country stone manor house with magnificent views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

94+ acres. 5 BR / 6 BA. 5 fireplaces. 1st floor luxury Master Suite. Great Room opens to 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. Easy access to I-66 & Dulles International Airport. $3,750,000

Cricket Bedford 540-229-3201

Gone Away

The Plains, VA ~ Amazing opportunity to own this 83 acre farm with beautiful views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Main house has 4 BR / 7 BA, 4 fireplaces, gourmet kitchen & gracious entertaining spaces inside and out. 3 BR tenant house, guest house, swimming pool, 4 ponds & extensive landscaping. The farm offers 3 barns, a riding ring & 3 run in sheds. Located in Orange County Hunt territory, the farm has miles of ride out opportunities. Protected by VOF easement. $2,995,000

Emily Ristau 540-454-9083

The Grange

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

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

Convenient to I-66, Rt. 50 and Dulles Airport. $2,675,000

Cricket Bedford 540-229-3201

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Mountain Field Farm

The Plains – 30+ acre horse farm with custom-built log, frame & stucco 5 BR, 3.5 BA home using materials from an 1840’s log cabin. Extensive hardscaping surrounds swimming pool & gazebo w/distant mountain views. 1 BR/1 BA guest house w/ workshop/garage below & sep. Game/Party Room. 6-stall center aisle barn w/wash rack & heated tack room. 6 paddocks, 2 w/run-in sheds & riding ring. Storage shed & chicken house. In 2 parcels. $1,675,000

Cricket Bedford 540-229-3201

Wolf Den

The Plains ~ Nature lovers Paradise! Custom built in 2007, the French Style Country home sits high overlooking Little River and tree tops, absolutely serene. This home provides privacy and security including gated entrance and cameras around home and 4 stall barn with 1 bedroom apartment. The 18.67 acres are in 2 parcels, the home and barn on 17.05 acres and additional vacant 1.62 acre Parcel.

Orange County Hunt Territory. $1,250,000

Rebecca Poston 540-771-7520

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Summerland South

Susie Ashcom 540-729-1478

Rein du Pont 540-454-3355

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Rixeyville ~ 23 acre horse property. New center aisle stable with rubber tiles in center aisle & 4 matted stalls, wash stall & tack room. Big new arena. Two Story 4 BR colonial with new Kitchen appliances, HVAC & waterfall feature at swimming pool. Stone flooring in First Floor master suite. Hardwood through out Living room, Dining room & Kitchen. $800,000

Fox Ford Farm

Jeffersonton ~ Unique country house on 142+ acres with pool and outbuildings. One and a half miles of Rappahannock river frontage. Open rolling fields. Investment, horse farm, brewery, farming or winery potential. All around views, flowering gardens, privacy and peace. 15 minutes to Warrenton. Additional 97 acres available, totaling 239 acres for $1,991,000 $1,443,000

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N. Jay Street

Middleburg ~ Spacious end-unit just a few blocks from town. Enjoy wonderful views of a small stream & open fields.

2 Master Suites & 2 1/2 baths. Open floor plan w/gleaming hardwood floors on 3 levels. Granite counter-tops. Side covered porch & rear flagstone patio. Finished LL & 2-car garage. Includes two installed home theater systems & freecurve stairway chair lift. Easy living with great conveniences.

Walk to coffee shops, restaurants & grocery. $655,000

Cricket Bedford 540-229-3201

Upperville Cottage

Upperville ~ Ideal weekend retreat or full-time residence.

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

Cricket Bedford 540-229-3201

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

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