June 2023

20954 HIGHLAND CREEK DR | LEESBURG, VA $1,195,000

|

BA | 5,810 SQFT | .63 AC | Popular and gorgeous ‘Monterey’ model in the sought after community of Red Cedar. This brick front, 4BR, 4.5BA home with 3 car garage and over 1/2 acre premium lot is a STUNNER! Red Cedar amenities include a pool, clubhouse, tot lots and more, all within minutes of both historic downtown Leesburg and upscale Brambleton. Easy access to dining, shopping, wineries and commuter routes.

Licensed in VA 540.364.9500 amg@ amgreenerealtor.com amgreeneco.com

If you are thinking of selling don’t let the headlines about high interest rates deter you. This is a strong market with lots of buyers, and with inventory of existing homes low, many properties are getting multiple offers. You have nothing to loose by having a conversation with me…you won’t regret it! Give

Sellers

94.5 ACRES CREST HILL RD | MARSHALL, VA $840,000 LAND | 94.57 AC | This 94.5 acres is a cornerstone to the intersection of Crest Hill Road and Leeds Manor Road in Marshall, Virginia. The quiet setting is surrounded by young trees and mature hardwoods which offers a canopy to the property’s rolling landscape of springs, active creeks and trails. The topography offers quite a few home sites with higher elevations that overlook the creeks or pasture land of the adjacent parcel.

PUBLISHER: Greenhill Media, LLC

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Kaitlin Hill | kaitlin@middleburglife.com

COPY EDITOR & DIGITAL ASSISTANT Susan Stark

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR | PUBLISHER

Christian Bentley christian@middleburglife.com

ADVERTISING SALES REPRESENTATIVES

Sophie Aros | sophie@middleburglife.com

Vicky Mashaw | vmashaw@middleburglife.com

Jennifer Richards | jennifer@middleburglife.com

ACCOUNTS ADMINISTRATOR

Joanne Maisano

DESIGNER: Elisa Hernandez

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR: Nicky Marshok

ON THE COVER

Somerset Farm in Lincoln, Virginia, is on the market and the perfect summer escape. Ryan Clegg of Atoka Properties takes Middleburg Life for a tour of the property on page 6.

Photo by Callie Broaddus.

ON THIS PAGE

On May 16, the Aldie Horticultural Society celebrated its centennial. For more on the event at Stoke Farm turn to page 26.

Photo by Gracie Withers

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CONTRIBUTORS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lindsay Collins is a writer, editor, and photographer based in Warrenton. Her interests include conservation, recreation, public art, and human interest stories. Prior to moving to Virginia, Lindsay attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where she received a bachelor's degree in legal studies and political science. When she isn't writing or behind the camera, Lindsay enjoys exploring the outdoors with her dog Romeo, gardening, crafting, and spending time with family and friends.

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

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

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

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

Welcome to your very own slice of heaven in historic Waterford, where luxury meets country living! This stunning dream property spans over 55 acres of picturesque rolling hills, woods, and fields, complete with a meandering stream that adds to the natural beauty of the surroundings. Perfect for horse enthusiasts, the property boasts 4 large paddocks, pasture, hay field, and 4 board wood fencing.

This magnificent listing offers the best of both worlds- the privacy and tranquility of serene rural surroundings, while still being just minutes away from the charming towns of Leesburg and Lucketts, as well as local vineyards and breweries. The beautiful home is a masterpiece of design and architecture, with a stately exterior that boasts multiple decks, a patio, and a stone front porch that will take your breath away.

Step inside to find a beautifully designed interior with hardwood floors throughout the main level and tile floors in the charming farmhouse-inspired kitchen. The chef's kitchen is equipped with ample cabinetry, a center island, and a farm sink, and features a breakfast area in a beautiful morning room that is the perfect spot to enjoy a cup of coffee. The main level also includes a 2-story family room with a stone fireplace, a dining room to host dinners, a library with built-in bookshelves, and a primary bedroom with a bathroom that features exterior access to a deck with a hot tub. With windows galore, natural light and stunning views of the property are never in short supply.

The fully finished walk-out lower level includes another bedroom with a full bathroom, an additional full bathroom for convenient changing when you're enjoying the 20x40 pool, a workout room, and a large recreational room with a wet bar and ample storage space. Perfect for horse owners, the 4-stall horse barn includes a tack room, wash stall, and hay loft, making caring for your horses a breeze. The 50x25 combined garage and workshop is timberframed and features 4 large bays, with an additional 25x25 covered 2 bay area for equipment and toys.

Don't miss out on the opportunity to make this stunning property your own!

Petersen

SOMERSET FARM

A Historic Country Estate in Lincoln

In the village of Lincoln, near Purcellville, among the sheep and shorthorn cattle and patrols of turkey along the blue gravel roads, sits Somerset Farm. It was a Quaker property at

the time of its construction, around 1830, and it obeys the Quaker philosophy of architecture: to work with nature, rather than dominate it. You’ll need to drive a good way up the half-mile

driveway to see its red roofs, nestled in a natural hollow. It’s a 10-acre property, with four riding

Estate | Page 7

Written by Carlo Massimo | Photos by Callie Broaddus

Somerset Farm in Lincoln, Virginia.

paddocks, an eight-stall barn, and a pond, but the embrace of the hill makes it snug, more intimate than the numbers would suggest. A forest of pine, magnolias, and cedars — the legacy of a botanist former owner — gives it a vague, “Secret Garden” touch of comfort and mystery combined.

The house itself is 5,059 square feet, with five beds and four full baths. The west wing of the house is original; the east is from the 1950s, but both are built of stone, with handsome mahogany doors and rare, distinctive Virginia fieldstone. Working shutters, bolted on properly, and an antique joggling board along the porch introduce a rustic quality that subsequent owners have worked hard to maintain. The house still has its original brass door hardware, knobs, locks and

all. That, in itself, is a marvel. The two-story foyer still has its heart pine floor, some of the planks reaching 16 feet by 12 inches and showing the pleasant discoloration of long use. The ceilings are relatively low in the old wing, none of them over 10 feet, and in the basement they’re even lower, a memory of a past that seems infinitely remote. The walls down here are exposed timber; you can feel the tree bark of the 19th century under your hand, smooth and cool with the passing of the centuries.

But Somerset Farm is not a museum piece or a fixer-upper, and if you pass into the east wing you’ll find yourself in a recently renovated kitchen and dining room, with chic track lighting and a lovely, custom-sized stone counter, ideal for anyone whose idea of entertaining involves cooking. The cabinets are pine, inset, and the appliances are luxurious: a Viking range, notably, and a Sub-Zero refrigerator. Behind the kitchen sits the sprawling old pantry, since rechristened “the whiskey room” and put to work as a drawing room, perfect for an evening drink.

Indeed, the house at Somerset Farm has at least three such recreation rooms. One is in the basement, and it wouldn’t take much work to transform this room into a spectacular wine cellar. It sits next to an office with French doors that open onto the graded garden. Don’t miss the old, sand-blown window panes in these rooms, which give a distinctive shimmer to the light. A third

recreation room is in the attic, under the dramatic slope of the gabled roof.

If Somerset Farm is a marriage of modern luxury and rusticity, the master bedroom sits decidedly on the luxury side of the scale. Only the working fireplace, and the charming 19th-century inclusion of a separate sitting room, suggest the property’s Old Virginia heritage. Bathed in southerly light, the master bathroom was recently redone in stone tile to remind an Italian owner of their beloved Rome. The floors have radiant heating; the shower has a rain head; the closet is a walk-in.

For many prospective buyers, however, the real appeal of Somerset Farm is outside. Walking through the French doors of the office, you will find yourself looking directly at a saltwater swimming pool, with a separate hot tub. The pool is heated, for those lovely September and October afternoons when the temperature drops a bit. An enormous maple shades the barbecue, and down the flagstone path, by the herb garden, sits a fire pit.

Beyond the pool is the pond, the original water source of the property. The Taylors, the old Loudoun County family who built Somerset Farm, had the good sense to put up a pump house with a root cellar underneath. It’s a lovely little building, and no subsequent owner has had the heart to tear it down. Nor is the sizable chicken

Left: The house still has many of its original features. Right: The kitchen is a cook’s dream with a view.

Estate | Page 8

Estate

Estate | From page 8

coop in use, but an enterprising owner could find themselves with more eggs than they know what to do with if they wanted to use it.

Walking north, stands one of the property’s most distinguishing monuments: a 200-yearold cedar, mutilated by a lightning bolt and then filled, in a stroke of genius, with concrete. Beyond the cedar sits the barn, banked, like the house, against a hill. Filling the hayloft here is just a matter of parking a tractor or golf cart. The barn has a spacious tack room and bathroom, and upstairs an 1,800-square-foot apartment, with its own full bath and an open concept floor plan. It was remodeled about five years ago.

It’s the scene of another of Somerset Farm’s surprising little stories: Diane Crump, the first woman to ride in the Kentucky Derby, lived up here and worked as Somerset’s resident riding master and groundskeeper for some time.

Atop the hill is a riding ring with a few small jumps and, conveniently, lighting, which means the short days of winter are no bar on practice time. It’s from here, perhaps, that you can appreciate Somerset Farm best. Your voice rings sharply through the hollow, like in a Greek theater; the seams of the red metal roofs stand out richly.

When asked who would ideally buy the property, listing agent Ryan Clegg of Atoka Properties considers the question carefully. “There are two ideal options,” he says. “One would be a family where the kids ride. Lincoln Elementary is three minutes away; the high school is about seven minutes by car. You wouldn’t have to figure out how to take the kids to and from lessons. And then Lincoln is a tight-knit little community. It’s a great place to raise kids; I grew up around here myself.

“The other option would be someone in Washington, or somewhere else in the region, looking for a country escape — a weekend getaway from the city, a place to relax.”

Of course, the 10 acres and five bedrooms (and eight potential horses) of Somerset Farm require upkeep, but Clegg believes that the maintenance of the house itself would pose no problem.

The standing seam metal roofs last 75 years and occasionally even 100, and the plumbing is good enough that during a recent rain storm, the sump pump never needed to activate. Somerset Farm

isn’t a DIY project: It’s a living piece of Northern Virginia history, continually and lovingly maintained. The next owners will be part of that history. ML

Top: The sprawling backyard offers many spots to relax. Bottom left: The grounds are dotted with charming structures. Bottom right: Ryan Clegg in the doorway of Somerset Farm.

DESIGN TIPS to Make Your Home Stand Out

Written by Kaitlin Hill, Susan Stark, and Jess Harrell

“Isee interior design as a form of self-care. I think that your home has a huge impact on how you feel … that can spill over into all different areas of your life. I think it's important that you walk into your home, look around, and that you love what you see,” shares Jess Harrell of The Styled Domicile, a Purcellville-based interior design studio. She adds, “My philosophy is to not be afraid to go against the grain.” Whether planning a decorative overhaul or simply inspired to spruce up your home, for Harrell originality is key when designing a space that attracts the eye and inspires joy. To accomplish this, she shares her top five tips for making your home your own.

Celebrate Your Authenticity. Embrace what makes you different and be unapologetically authentic about what you like. Trends come and go, but your personal style is timeless. Fill your home with items that speak to you and make your heart skip a beat. Let your gut guide your choices, regardless of what others may think.

Design | Page 11

Photos courtesy of Jess Harrell

Left: This stunning room showcases many elements of Harrell’s design philosophy. Right: Jess Harrell.

2.

Break the Rules. Don't be afraid to break design rules and explore outside your comfort zone. Something that makes you feel a little bit uncomfortable is where the magic happens. Sometimes, hanging art at an unusual height or placing decor in unexpected spots is just what a space needs. Pushing boundaries and thinking outside the box separates the spaces that stand out from the ones that feel one and the same.

3.

Spark Conversations. Include a conversation starter that stops people in their tracks and makes them curious. Something that makes your guests pause and say, "What is that?" It could be a thought-provoking piece of artwork, an unusual sculpture, or a chair with an exciting shape. The goal is to create an environment that gets people talking and makes your space unforgettable.

4.

Embrace Sentimental Value. Instead of keeping cherished possessions hidden away, proudly display them to make your home feel more personal and meaningful. Whether it's your grandmother's china collection or a heartfelt card that you can't seem to part with, these sentimental pieces are what make your home uniquely yours.

5.

Seek Vintage and Antique Finds. Incorporate older pieces into your decor for a truly distinctive look full of character and soul. Rather than going for the mass-produced lamp, explore local vintage stores, antique markets, or online platforms to discover a hidden treasure that no one else will have. Adding these one-of-a-kind elements creates a home that stands out from cookie-cutter designs.

Remember, making your home stand out isn't about impressing others or following the latest trends — it's about curating a space that reflects your individuality and tells your story. Embrace what makes you unique, think creatively, and let your home become a true reflection of who you are. ML

Top: A bathroom with a bold green wall and gold details. Middle: Harrell embraces a wild side with the use of jungle cat accents. Bottom: This bedroom layers colors and textures for a cool yet comfortable look.

Magnificent Equestrian Estate

Magnificent Equestrian Estate

11612 PUTNAMS MILL ROAD, HUME, VA 22639

Magnificent Equestrian Estate

11612 PUTNAMS MILL ROAD, HUME, VA 22639

An incredible opportunity to own this classic, 20-acre Equestrian estate offering a lifestyle every Rider dreams of having! Featuring a 135’ x 72’ Morton-built, Indoor Sand Riding Arena with attached 6-Stallion (reinforced) Stalls, Tack Room, Viewing Room and a German-designed (and built) Arena Waterer to help eliminate dust and improve comfort while riding. PLUS, an additional 6-stall Center Aisle Barn with Broodmare dividers, Tack Room, Heated Wash Rack and Hay Storage. It gets better! There is also an outdoor arena and round pen for exercise/training and the entire property features 100% Solar offering Electric bills often limited to only a nominal service fee! A 4-bedroom Colonial-style home naturally awaits following the beautiful treelined drive with pasture and mountain views. After your ride, enjoy time relaxing by the newlyreconditioned pool and hardscape patio. Or, during Hunt Season, capture the excitement of the Old Dominion Hounds running across the Land - A true dream property! Offered at $1,750,000

An incredible opportunity to own this classic, 20-acre Equestrian estate offering a lifestyle every Rider dreams of having! Featuring a 135’ x 72’ Morton-built, Indoor Sand Riding Arena with attached 6-Stallion (reinforced) Stalls, Tack Room, Viewing Room and a German-designed (and built) Arena Waterer to help eliminate dust and improve comfort while riding. PLUS, an additional 6-stall Center Aisle Barn with Broodmare dividers, Tack Room, Heated Wash Rack and Hay Storage. It gets better! There is also an outdoor arena and round pen for exercise/training and the entire property features 100% Solar offering Electric bills often limited to only a nominal service fee! A 4-bedroom Colonial-style home naturally awaits following the beautiful treelined drive with pasture and mountain views. After your ride, enjoy time relaxing by the newlyreconditioned pool and hardscape patio. Or, during Hunt Season, capture the excitement of the Old Dominion Hounds running across the Land - A true dream property! Offered at $1,750,000

11612 PUTNAMS MILL ROAD, HUME, VA 22639

An incredible opportunity to own this classic, 20-acre Equestrian estate offering a lifestyle every Rider dreams of having! Featuring a 135’ x 72’ Morton-built, Indoor Sand Riding Arena with attached 6-Stallion (reinforced) Stalls, Tack Room, Viewing Room and a German-designed (and built) Arena Waterer to help eliminate dust and improve comfort while riding. PLUS, an additional 6-stall Center Aisle Barn with Broodmare dividers, Tack Room, Heated Wash Rack and Hay Storage. It gets better! There is also an outdoor arena and round pen for exercise/training and the entire property features 100% Solar offering Electric bills often limited to only a nominal service fee! A 4-bedroom Colonial-style home naturally awaits following the beautiful treelined drive with pasture and mountain views. After your ride, enjoy time relaxing by the newlyreconditioned pool and hardscape patio. Or, during Hunt Season, capture the excitement of the Old Dominion Hounds running across the Land - A true dream property! Offered at $1,750,000

The Plains Brokerage 6474 Main Street, The Plains, Virginia 20198 | +1 540 212 9993

For centuries, museums have played an integral role in the preservation of valuable artifacts, collective memories, culture, and local stories. Without museums those stories risk being forgotten, but with them new revelations are waiting to be discovered.

Thanks to the Middleburg community, The Middleburg Museum has expanded allowing for more local history to be unveiled and a deeper understanding of the role Middleburg played in the story of our commonwealth and beyond.

THE NEW LOCATION

What started as a smaller space in The Pink Box Visitor and Information Center, The Mid -

MORE SPACE FOR THE MIDDLEBURG MUSEUM

dleburg Museum is now right next door at 8 N. Madison Street. “Yes, we’ve moved next door where there is ample space for exhibits and hosting more events. It’s the perfect location,” says Suzanne Obetz, the museum’s executive director.

The original plan was to keep The Pink Box (at 12 N. Madison Street) and add onto it. But last November the building next door, formerly the office of Long & Foster Real Estate, became available. Shortly after, the nonprofit Middleburg Museum Foundation acquired the space. The Foundation, which was created to preserve Middleburg’s rich history through the museum, also still owns The Pink Box building, which it purchased in 2016 from the Town of Middleburg.

“Since we still own it, someday we hope to reoccupy it and incorporate it into the museum space, but we’ll continue to host our events in the courtyard garden out back,” Obetz explains. The museum will celebrate its grand opening on June 30.

MUSEUM HIGHLIGHTS

The museum’s new 2,000-square-foot space will include wall panels, timelines, old photographs, exhibits, and artifacts of the area’s history. “Artifacts are coming in fast; people are donating. Now that we have the space, we’re ready to accept

Museum | Page 15

Suzanne Obetz.

Written by Heidi Baumstark | Photos by Michael Butcher

them,” Obetz shares.

One of the rooms in the museum will be named after the late Eura Lewis (1929–2022), a Middleburg resident and former Town Council member. “She will be a prominent feature in the museum because none of this would have happened without her,” Obetz explains. “Eura was the one who is credited for sparking inspiration for a town museum and would often say, ‘We need a history museum; let’s do it.’” Her daughter, Merley Lewis, has been invited to help cut the ribbon at the grand opening.

Obetz gave a preview of a few of the museum’s artifacts. “My pride and joy is the bar top from The Red Fox Inn. It’s from the Civil War when the inn was used as a military hospital and the bar top was used for surgeries and amputations.” The museum has also received the equipment of one of John Mosby’s raiders: sword, stirrups, and bits.

Another artifact is the bell from Asbury Church, an African American church on 105 N. Jay Street in town. Made in Philadelphia, the bell was fashioned by the same company that cast the 1752 Liberty Bell. Like The Red Fox Inn, the church also served as a hospital during the Civil War and was used as a morgue. After the war in 1864, the church was donated to the African American Methodist Church, which became central to the town’s African American community.

Over the years, Obetz has asked people what

they wanted to see at the museum. The answer?

The Coach Stop, which was the neighborhood restaurant at 9 E. Washington Street (today it is Zest Clothing & Co.). Obetz plans to recreate it with an exhibit including a restaurant booth where people can actually sit down and imagine what it was like. “I’ve been in touch with two former owners who are digging through their basements for stuff,” she says. “They still have old menus and photographs, so we can recreate a setting where people can get the feeling of being there. I want people to come in, sit in the booth, and experience it.”

There is also a room for guest lectures, events, and movies. “We’ll show movies. There’s an old Alfred Hitchcock movie that was filmed in Middleburg at The Red Fox that I’d like to show,” Obetz notes.

The museum also plans to feature a timeline showing the progression of Middleburg’s history, from its beginning as “Chinn’s Crossroads” to its renaming in 1763 as “Middleburgh,” the Colonial era, the Civil War, local African American history, and Middleburg’s desegregation in the 1960s. Obetz remarks, “Middleburg was far ahead of its time; it was the first town to successfully desegregate in Virginia.” The museum will also highlight Hunt Country equestrian and fox-hunting notables, plus more recent celebrities from the 20th century like the Kennedys, actress Elizabeth Taylor, and former Virginia Senator John Warner.

BRICK BY BRICK

The community can play a key role in the museum’s mission through the Brick Fundraiser, which presents an opportunity for people to become part of Middleburg’s story for generations to come. People have the choice of purchasing bricks that come in two sizes, which can be en-

Museum | Page 16

Top: Artifacts featured within the museum. Bottom: Photographs depicting the races.

graved with names of individuals, honoring past loved ones, or to memorialize names of businesses or organizations. “We plan to lay the engraved bricks in the back courtyard near the Christmas tree,” Obetz explains. Brick by brick, this fundraiser supports the continued development of The Middleburg Museum.

Museum membership is also an option providing supporters four different membership levels: Chinn (Individual) at $50; Mellon (Family) at $150; Powell (Patron) at $300; and Kennedy (Benefactor) at $500. Coming soon is a Kids Club Membership level. The museum’s first 100 “Founding Members” will also receive a commemorative tote bag.

UPCOMING EVENTS

The museum will offer special programs for the whole family, several of which are just around the corner. One is a program on June 15, from 6

to 9 p.m., titled, “The American Indian in Lower Loudoun and Upper Fauquier,” featuring historian and professional mapmaker Eugene Scheel of Waterford. Scheel will have his books and maps for sale, and snacks will be provided. Tickets are available through the museum’s Facebook page. Obetz also plans to stock Scheel’s books and maps at the museum for purchase.

The Museum will also host Fun Fridays. Every third Friday of the month beginning at 5 p.m., the public is invited to gather for food and live music from local favorites in the back courtyard, and to connect with neighbors and friends. Although Fun Fridays are free, sponsorship opportunities and donations are welcome. “My husband, Doug, is our cook for Fun Fridays,” says Obetz. “He’s my number one volunteer! He does all the grilling. And, The Woolley Fox, which now occupies The Pink Box, will stay open late those days so people can shop.” Summer dates include June 16, July 21, and August 18. Looking to the fall season, anoth-

er event for the calendar is October 13, which will be the museum’s second annual Chili Cook-Off in the courtyard garden.

Earlier this spring, the museum celebrated its soft opening April 20–23 to coincide with the weekend of the Middleburg Spring Races. Visitors got a sneak peek of a pop-up exhibit on the history of Virginia horse racing and the historic Glenwood race course. Of the weekend, Obetz says, “It was such an emotional day — not only for me but for everyone involved in this long process. It’s like, ‘We did it!’ I cried for two days; I’ve put my heart and soul in it. It’s a very personal and passionate thing for me and our board members. We want this for our community that we love so much.”

Visit The Middleburg Museum at 8 N. Madison Street in Middleburg. For more information, check out their website at themiddleburgmuseum.org and follow them on Facebook. ML

Left: Old photographs. Middle: A vintage copy of The Middleburg Chronicle. Right: The bell from Asbury Church.

Museum | From page 15

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

| 540.687.5588 | sheridanmacmahon.com

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

HICKORY TREE FARM

THE PLAINS, VIRGINIA

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

SPRING GLADE

$7,950,000

Helen MacMahon 540.454.1930

MIddLEBuRG, VIRGINIA

MIDWOOD

THE PLAINS, VIRGINIA

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

OUT WEST

WARRENTON, VIRGINIA

SALEM HILL

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

$3,000,000

MARSHALL, VIRGINIA

Helen MacMahon 540.454.1930

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

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

Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905

FULTON RUN

MIDDLEBURG, VIRGINIA

helen MacMahon 540.454.1930

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

$2,982,250

Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905

Brian MacMahon 703.609.1868

$6,000,000

Helen MacMahon 540.454.1930

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

$3,690,000

Mahon

HUGHESVILLE ROAD

LEESBURG, VIRGINIA

99.33 acres in prime Loudoun Hunt country location, easy access to Leesburg, Purcellville & Lincoln Property is in conservation easement Mountain and valley views Rolling acreage Approximately 65 acres of pasture, 35 acres of woods, major creek frontage Property has road frontage on Hughesville Road and Holmes Mill Road Very protected location.

$1,995,000

Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905

Brian MacMahon 703.609.1868

GAME CREEK

NEW MOUNTAIN ROAD

MIddLEBuRG, VIRGINIA

ALDIE, VIRGINIA

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

ST LOUIS ROAD

PURCELLVILLE, VIRGINIA

RECTORTOWN ROAD

MARSHALL, VIRGINIA

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

$1,250,000

Helen MacMahon 540.454.1930

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

HALCYON HILL

OTLEY ROAD

RECTORTOWN, VIRGINIA

PURCELLVILLE, VIRGINIA

$1,200,000

Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905

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

10 acres in hard to find location between Middleburg and Purcellville, no HOA or covenants | Mostly open with room for house, creek frontage, mountain views.

$600,000

Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905

$2,650,000

helen MacMahon 540.454.1930

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

Hard to find 10 acre parcel between Purcellville and Middleburg | No HOA/covenants Partly open, some mature woods, creek frontage, possible pond site Potential building site is now closer to Otley Road

$475,000

Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905

Brian MacMahon 703.609.1868

$2,475,000

Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905 h

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

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

Jim McGowan | 703-927-0233

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

Julia O’Regan | 202-468-0751

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

Will Driskill | 540-454-7522

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

John Coles | 540-270-0094

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

John Coles | 540-270-0094

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

Mary Ann McGowan | 540-270-1124

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

John Coles | 540-270-0094

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

John Coles | 540-270-0094

Once part of the famed Mellon Estate, this exquisite land offers expansive views and wonderful privacy. NOTE: Within this 57 acre parcel, the residence and 15 acres are in a LIFE ESTATE. John Coles | 540-270-0094

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

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

Now offered separately for the first time, this is Alnell Farm’s Main Residence and charming, adjacent Guest House. Primarily one level living, main house features 3 BRs / 2 BAs; guest house 2 BRs / 1 BA. Julia O’Regan | 202-468-0751

When

Warrenton – A very special and rare private sanctuary. Designed with the architectural elegance of the 18th Century Georgian Manor Homes, it has been transformed to a 21st century estate.

– New estate home ready for the most discerning buyer. This stunning colonial offers extraordinary living on three finished levels. Also: heated pool, fire pit, outdoor kitchen and 3 car garage.

– Charming Country Estate in prime Orange County Hunt Territory. Geothermal heating, salt water pool. Horse facilities include 10 stall stable, 2 wash stalls, feed room and large hayloft.

Build your dream home with stunning western mountain views on this spectacular 78+/- acres, complete with rolling fields, lush woodlands, meandering streams, and a beautiful small pond.

Meet Your Neighbor: THE WOOLLEY FOX

Written by Lia Hobel |

Broaddus

Two local friends, who share an artistic bond, are the creators of the new boutique in downtown Middleburg that highlights local artisans within Hunt Country. Their hope is to change the connection between those artists and potential customers by providing space to showcase and shop all under one roof.

Pam Woolley and Natalie Fox (hence the name of the establishment) met through a mutual friend who connected Fox with Woolley for equestrian lessons to reboot her equestrian life. “I used to ride in college and after a really bad fall I kind of needed some encouragement, and Pam turned out to be the best possible thing for my confidence,” says Fox. “She and I hit it off right away and became fast friends.”

Fox, an oil painter with an artist bloodline, and Woolley, known locally for her incredible soaps and bookmaking, knew too well the challenges for artisans to market their work. “We have talked for the last couple of years as we’ve gotten to know each other about how challenging it can be to find buyers and to market our work to sell,” explains Fox. “We always kind of poked around the idea of having our own store, but we

Photos by Callie

Pam Woolley and Natalie Fox outside their new shop.

Fox

didn’t have a way to secure premises in town easily. When The Pink Box came up for rent and we both found out, it was kind of a ‘are you thinking what I’m thinking’ kind of deal.”

Fox adds, “I have always wanted a brick-and-mortar store to showcase my work and sell the other things that I make as well, so this is all very exciting.”

The Woolley Fox is a welcomed concept for Middleburg. Fox says they interviewed several local artists and makers to pull together the best arts and made crafts that they could bring into their store. They hope to be a new gift destination for locals and tourists alike, and be a positive reflection of the talented artisans across Hunt Country. “If we can’t find what we’re looking for locally, then we try to source women-owned small businesses and handmade goods from the United States that are also unique and curated,” says Fox.

Within the space, customers can find pottery, leather goods, woodworking, woven items, drawings, paintings, candles, food, and “anywhere from whiskey shortbread to spiced sugared pecans, and local chocolate,” Fox notes. The Woolley Fox also carries a small selection of professional art supplies to bridge a gap for local artists who don’t have the time to drive from town to the supply store or can’t wait for an Amazon delivery. On hand, there are brushes, oil paints, watercolors, and some fine papers.

When shopping at The Woolley Fox, customers will appreciate knowing that a portion of the profits will go to the Little Yellow Sofa Foundation nonprofit. “We have started to help single mothers in

the area with small gap grants to pay bills,” explains Fox, who knows firsthand the hardships these women face. “They may not be able to make [it] month-to-month. I have been a single mother for 15 of my 18 years of motherhood, and the struggle is real. I feel like single moms kind of fall into a gray area a lot and get overlooked by people. We want

to help ease some of the stress that comes with trying to make ends meet without a second income.”

Since opening in early May, the community has warmly embraced the boutique. As Fox says, “We are really excited about our little store. The reception from the community has been overwhelmingly amazing. We are humbled by all the well wishes and are thrilled to be a part of our little town in this way.” ML

The Woolley Fox

12

North Madison Street Middleburg, VA 20117

“I have always wanted a brickand-mortar store to showcase my work and sell the other things that I make as well, so this is all very exciting.” – Fox

Top: A display of art supplies. Middle: Hunt Country-themed journals. Bottom: The shop has a little bit of everything and mostly local.

Summer Reading Picks from your Local Librarian

Written by Diane Helentjaris | Photos by Kaitlin Hill

Looking for something good to read? Elizabeth Gregg, the adult services librarian at Middleburg Public Library, says, “We’re always ready for that question — what should I read next? Truly it is our favorite thing. … This is the best part of our job. We love … to connect people to the stories that change their lives. That’s what reader advisory is all about… I think it’s a beautiful piece of the work we do.”

With that in mind, Gregg shares her summer reading picks in a few categories, all of which are available at the Middleburg Library.

Summer | Page 23

Top: The Middleburg Library. Bottom: Elizabeth Gregg.

Summer

An Equine Story for Everyone

“The Eighty-Dollar Champion: Snowman, the Horse That Inspired a Nation”

by Elizabeth Letts

“First and foremost,” says Gregg, “it’s a story of an underdog. A man, a recent immigrant, purchases a horse off the back of a truck — a horse meant for the meat market. The horse becomes a champion jumper … smashes all the records, really a miraculous story, really one of the best stories. … It’s a horse book for non-horsey people, a nonfiction story about a real horse folded into a story about his owner and our country.”

Memoire

“Truth & Beauty: A Friendship”

by Ann Patchett

“[It’s] one of my favorite books because it’s a story about a lifelong friendship. Ann Patchett and Lucy Grealy became friends in grad school. For twenty years they were friends and muses, [who] came from very different backgrounds. … It’s a really beautiful story about two people who find each other, a beautiful story of what it means to have a friend.”

A Look at Vulnerability in America

“Rough Sleepers: Dr. Jim O’Connell’s Urgent Mission to Bring Healing to Homeless People” by Tracy Kidder

Gregg believes Pulitzer Prize-winning author Tracy Kidder, in his narrative nonfiction books, helps readers keep “track of being human. ‘Rough Sleepers’ is the story of Dr. Jim O’Connell who works to bring healthcare to the homeless. I trust Tracy Kidder. He’s such a master of storytelling.”

Family Saga Echoes Today’s Topics

“Mad

Honey: A Novel”

by Jodi Picoult

“This is the new fiction book on everybody’s list. Jodi Picoult is extremely prolific. Whenever she has something new, people pay attention. Jodi Picoult is a fantastic author. [This is] a story about a do-over. I kind of like that. It’s especially important for all of us to have reminders —things don’t always turn out and that’s OK. … [It’s] a fantastic romance, a story about becoming one’s self. [I] don’t think anyone can go wrong reading it.”

Fiction Inspired by True Events

“Horse: A Novel”

by Geraldine Brooks

“Brand new. Can’t keep it on the shelf. … Geraldine Brooks’ ‘Horse’ reminds me of Marguerite Henry’s ‘King of the Wind,’ not only because of the connection between the groom and foal, [but also] because it folds together a beautiful equine story and reflects how we culturally have treated race in the last 100 years. Three timelines in the book are juxtaposed with three views.”

Virginia True Crime

“Truevine: Two Brothers, a Kidnapping, and a Mother’s Quest: A True Story of the Jim Crow South” by Beth Macy, Suzanne Toren, et al.

“‘Truevine’ is a narrative nonfiction. Beth Macy writes from southwest Virginia. She wrote this before she wrote ‘Dope Sick.’ [It’s] about a couple of young men abducted from their families, albino brothers, African American, who were used to make money. Embedded in their story is what it means to live in that part of the world. It’s an interesting study on the things we do sometimes and how stories go on…”

Summer | From page 23

Easy Cooking

“Milk Street: The World in a Skillet” by Christopher

Kimball

“I am lazy and also love my cast-iron skillet. [I’m] always looking for something to cook for dinner in one pan and utilize my cast iron. … ‘Laziness makes you efficient’ was my quote when I was a waitress. [This book has] really good recipes.”

Best Upcycling of a Classic

“Demon Copperhead: A Novel” by Barbara Kingsolver, Charlie Thurston, et al.

“New and exciting, it’s hugely popular and a really intriguing story retelling ‘David Copperfield’ but set in Appalachia. [Kingsolver] has the ecological narrative down pat. She gets a story into a place.”

Elizabeth Gregg enjoys children’s books and believes they are not only for children. Recently, she has hosted an adult book club dedicated to rereading children’s classics. During the height of the coronavirus, she found solace in reading children’s books. Here are her recommendations for children or simply the young at heart:

Two Buddies Travel Around the World

“The Epic Adventures of Huggie & Stick” by

Drew Daywalt

“Hysterical. A little boy’s two favorite toys, Huggie (a stuffed toy) and Stick (a stick), and the story of their adventures around the world trying to get back home. A lesson in the many perspectives in the universe.” Drew Daywalt is a New York Times bestselling author who wrote the immensely popular “The Day the Crayons Quit.”

A Child and His Pet

“This Moose Belongs to Me” by

Oliver Jeffers

“Oliver Jeffers — [I] love all of his children’s books and own all of them. The artwork is really interesting [and the book is] very funny. In ‘This Moose belongs to Me,’ a little boy named Wilfred owns a moose. But it’s really a story about how he doesn’t own a moose. He tries to teach the moose to be a good pet — a very funny, silly tale which takes him around the community. Oliver Jeffers tends to write silly stories which have a point.”

An Adventure Tale

“The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane” by Kate

DiCamillo

Gregg says this is “a tough story, full of hope.” The protagonist Edward Tulane is a china rabbit. Targeted for children ages 7 to 10, first to fourth grade, adults have written rave reviews as well. This illustrated chapter book is by bestselling author and Newberry Medalist Kate DiCamillo.

Summertime is prime time for reading and for enjoying the outdoors, often simultaneously. Elizabeth Gregg also wants readers heading to one of Virginia’s state parks to know Loudoun County Public Library has provided a number of free state park passes at its branches, including Middleburg. They are available on a first-come, first-served basis. ML

For more information see library.loudoun.gov/middleburg.

Middleburg Library

101 Reed Street

Middleburg, VA 20117

540-687-5730

THE ALDIE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY CELEBRATES CENTENNIAL

Written by Victoria Peace | Photos by Gracie Withers

On May 16, the Aldie Horticultural Society (AHS) celebrated its 100th anniversary at Stoke Farm in Aldie, home of AHS member Eleanor Morison and her husband Dulany. The event featured a tea party, a display of silver bowls awarded to members over the years for various flower shows, and a history table exhibiting pictures and minutes from the society’s long history of meetings and gatherings. Guests also had the opportunity to learn about the history of the venue, Stoke Farm, and take a tour of its gardens.

The AHS was founded in Aldie on March 9, 1923, by 18 local women and an Episcopalian minister. As noted in the minutes of that day, members specifically decided that the organization would be designated as a society in order to foster inclusivity — they feared that being a club could possibly “deter others from joining.” The only bylaw for the society was that members were expected to attend every meeting. Membership grew quickly, kindling a century of camaraderie, community service, and cultivation.

Mrs. Eleanor Truax Harris of Stoke Farm was elected as AHS’ first president and served in that role for 14 years. A member of England’s Royal Horticultural Society, vice president of the Garden Club of Virginia, president of the Fauquier-Loudoun Garden Club, and lecturer to the Garden Club of America, she cultivated the Stoke Daffodil, named for her home in Aldie. Harris, described by members of the club as a “visionary,” encouraged members to purchase daffodils and other bulbs from Europe before the Dutch Elm Disease Embargo was implemented in 1926. The flowers that these bulbs produced were later cut and sent to New York to be sold, which helped support many AHS members through the Great Depression.

During World War II, AHS members continued to grow and sell flowers, donating the proceeds to local nonprofits supporting soldiers. They also assisted the war effort by cultivating victory gardens and filling Christmas boxes for men in nearby hospitals.

Following the war, the mission of the AHS shifted to beautifying the village of Aldie. Mem-

Celebrate | Page 27

Cute cookies to celebrate the centennial.

bers sold plants and bulbs to the local community and used the funds to plant memorial trees and shrubs, sponsor contests among students, and provide gifts to care home residents.

Over the past few decades, the AHS has also consistently lobbied for trash pickup, helped with Keep Loudoun Beautiful campaigns, and decorated for the holidays with the Greening of Aldie in December. During the Greening of Aldie, members hang garlands, wreaths, and decorative swags from the western entrance of Aldie to the eastern end at Mt. Zion Church to celebrate the holiday season.

Today, the AHS meets regularly to hear pre-

sentations of interest to gardeners, undertake projects to enhance various sites in Aldie, visit gardens of interest, and sponsor shows of several varieties of plants, including a yearly daffodil show for members of the society and biennial daylily and iris shows. Furthermore, the society continues to support Aldie Elementary School, awarding two annual nature camp scholarships to graduating fifth graders.

Laura Senty joined AHS in 2014 and currently serves as the society’s president. Her favorite aspect of AHS is “the enthusiasm and generosity of the members to share their horticultural knowledge and work collaboratively to accomplish the society’s goals.” She notes that the Aldie Horties (as the group was affectionately named many de-

cades ago) are very willing to pitch in and work hard, and are always appreciative of each other’s efforts and expertise.

The AHS is tentatively planning to host a plant sale this fall. Be sure to check out their website, aldiehortie.wordpress.com, for additional details about upcoming events.

While the past century has brought dramatic changes for both the world and for Hunt Country, the AHS has remained dedicated to the beautification of Aldie’s landscape, the promotion of horticultural knowledge, and the preservation of a close-knit community. “Our friendships, traditions, and outreach in the Aldie community are valued by all of our members,” Senty emphasizes. ML

Celebrate | From page 26

Top left: Society members gather at Stoke Farm. Top right: Awards for members. Bottom left: It’s easy to see why Stoke Farm made an ideal setting. Bottom middle: A celebratory cake. Bottom right: Revelers also enjoyed a tour of the grounds.

accessible units in beautiful Middleburg

The Michael G. Santangelo Scholarship Fund

WELCOMES HILL SCHOOL STUDENTS AND NEWBURGH COMES TO MIDDLEBURG AGAIN

The Michael G Santangelo, Jr. Scholarship Fund has been supporting the educational work of San Miguel Academy of Newburgh, Student Sponsor Partners in New York City, and is excited to announce a new partnership with The Hill School in Middleburg. The Foundation provides scholarships to allow students to attend private High School. Sponsors of the foundation include Georgia Derrico & Rod Porter of Marblehead Farm in The Plains and Tim Whitbred of Atoka Chase Farm in Middleburg. The 4th Annual Picnic will be held on June 24th, 2023, at Marblehead Farm, where guests will be able to meet the students and the Foundation thanked the local donors. Contributions are greatly appreciated. For more information please visit our website below or contact kate.ryan@marbmgmt.com.

MICHAELJRFUND.ORG

Middleburg and Northern Virginia Donors

Middleburg essentials: SHERRI TWEED’S NEXT CHAPTER

Written by Kaitlin Hill | Photos by Michael Butcher

Sherri Tweed of Middleburg Massage hardly needs an introduction. The Warrenton native has been in Middleburg since 1994 with only a short stint elsewhere.

For those who don’t know the story, Tweed landed in Middleburg fresh out of massage school. “I opened up the phone book and was looking for possible places to do massage,” she remembers. She found a chiropractor with plenty of room and the kind offer of, “You’re welcome to come work here when I’m not here,” Tweed explains. She continues, “That is how Middleburg came into my life. And it was the best thing to come into my life for my career and all the people I have met through the years.” She adds with a laugh, “Being a massage therapist is a very personal business. So, you get to know a lot of people pretty well.”

Though well known, Tweed’s loyal fanbase, Middleburg locals, and visitors to town are just discovering her latest endeavor: Middleburg Essentials, which opened in August 2022. “The more and more people that come in, they are like, ‘We didn’t know you were here,’” she shares. Her first retail shop is not necessarily an extension of Middleburg Massage, but there is an undeniable focus on all things comfort and wellness. Of the shop’s offerings Tweed says, “They are things that I love. I wanted to get things for self-care and that make you feel good.”

Visitors to the shop will find body scrubs, essential oil-soaked towelettes, soothing body washes, and soy candles — all the makings for a luxurious at-home spa day — many of which are sourced locally. “I order from a local company out of Warrenton called Simply Pure,” she shares. Tweed adds, “Their ingredients are quality ... and I like working with them because they take my feedback.”

Tweed sells clothes, too. Since opening, she says her business has “evolved into resortwear, casualwear, and comfort clothes like caftans and kimonos.” She adds, “I try to think of all body sizes when I’m buying ... I’m trying to find something for anybody who walks in here.” Hats, headbands, and flowy blouses line the walls, as well. She concludes, “I wanted to put something in [town] that I feel is a little different for Middleburg.”

Though more than the soothing nature of her products, customers can feel good about where Tweed is sourcing them. “They are small businesses, fair-trade businesses, and each [product] will tell you the story of the business.”

Better yet, if a shopper can’t find what they are looking for, Tweed will

Top: Sherri Tweed. Bottom: Middleburg Essentials’ aesthetic storefront.

Tweed | Page 31

“They are things that I love. I wanted to get things for self-care and that make you feel good.” – Tweed

Tweed | From page 30

track it down. “I’m always open to suggestions. If somebody has a particular, let’s say it’s this obscure or particular oil they want, I’ll start looking for it.”

When asked what has been her favorite aspect of running the retail outlet, Tweed says, “It is really nice to have the social connection with the people coming in,” noting that this is a change from her massage work where there typically isn’t much conversation. She adds, “It’s more personal because it is a small shop.”

Looking ahead, Tweed has her sights on a few short and long-term goals for Middleburg Essentials. In the year ahead, she’ll have the website up and running, allowing for online shopping. Expansion into a bigger space is her goal for year five. And in 10 years, she’d like to think about adding “another location where I plan to retire eventually. Three of my children live on the eastern shore

in North Carolina.”

For now, Tweed can be found at 103 West Federal Street, Suite 115, Tuesday through Saturday, just in time to stock up on summer skin care and vacation essentials. As Tweed says, “There’s something for everybody!” ML

Top left: Tweed’s locally sourced products. Top right: Some soothing self-care items. Bottom: Comfortable fashion at the store, including hats.

“It is really nice to have the social connection with the people coming in.” – Tweed

Our Favorite Local Gifts for Father’s Day

Tennessee Whiskey Shortbread, $10.25, Available at The Woolley Fox

Beneficial Bug House, $46, Available at Nature Composed

Southern

Truffled Sauces, $16.50 each, Available at Middleburg Gourmet

Photos by Callie Broaddus

Tide Linen Blend Shirts, $105 each, Available at The Lucky Knot

Cigar Book, $1,100, Available at Crème de la Crème

Playforever Cars, $35-$75, Available at The PLAYroom

Handmade Silk Ties, $169, Available at Country Classics No Boring Socks, $19 each, Available at Highcliffe Clothiers

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

AN EVENING WITH ALFRED RUSSEL WALLACE

June 1 | 5 to 9 p.m.| osgf.org

Please join the Oak Spring Garden Foundation for this unique opportunity to learn about the life and work of Alfred Russel Wallace, one of the most celebrated naturalists of the 19th century, in the company of Professor James Costa of the Highlands Biological Research Station at Western Carolina University.

“STYLE POINTS” WEARABLE ART

June 1 – 30 | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.| thebyrnegallery.com

The Byrne Gallery is pleased to present “Style Points,” the wearable art show for June 2023. This special exhibition will feature clothing, jewelry, and accessories for the new season by four local designers: Clara Graves, Caroline Cutrona Hottenstein, Susie Lipscher, and Kathryn Stan-

ko. Each artist presents a one-of-a-kind collection, incorporating floral patterns and sometimes an abstract composition, to create the latest summer fashions. Commissioned pieces are also available to be specially designed for you with your favorite jewels. “Style Points” will be on display all month long. Please join us for a special reception for the artists on Saturday, June 10, from 4 to 7 p.m. The show and receptions are open to the public and everyone is invited to attend!

GARDEN GATHERING: COMPOSTING AND WORM BINS

June 3 | 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. | naturecomposed.com

Join Nature Composed owner Jenn Pineau and get your hands dirty in this Garden Gathering workshop about composting and worm bins. Tickets for the workshop are $15 per person and available through eventbrite.com

UPPERVILLE COLT & HORSE SHOW

June 5 - 11 | upperville.com

The 170th anniversary of the oldest horse show in America will run June 5–11, 2023. During this week, the nation’s top ranked hunters and jumpers will compete alongside the local ponies, sidesaddle ladies, and “Silver Foxes.” Additional non-horsey competitions include the Horses & Horsepower Car Show and the Hat Contest.

K9'S IN THE VINES

June 11 | 11 a.m. | wineryatlagrange.com

Bring your four-legged friends and join us for a special dog walk and tasting through the vineyard! Stop at tasting stations throughout and enjoy samples of estate wines. Each participant will receive a complimentary K9's in the Vines stemless glass to take home along with the tasting. Stay after for dog-related vendors and adoptable

Calendar | Page 35

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

dogs! Tickets are $25 per person.

SUMMER SOLSTICE FESTIVAL AT LOST BARREL BREWING

June 17 | 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. | lostbarrel.com

Join Lost Barrel Brewing to celebrate the longest day of the year at our Summer Solstice Festival! The festival will feature local vendors, flower crowns, festive food and drink, and lots of good music! This year, the June solstice occurs on Wednesday, June 21, marking the astronomical first day of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. This event is from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., does not require tickets, and is open to the public.

UNDER GILDED EDGES: DEMYSTIFYING THE FORE-EDGE PAINTING WITH CAT TAIL RUN HAND BOOKBINDING

June 24 | 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. | nationalsporting.org

With Ann Loomis and Cate Whitehorne of Cat Tail Run Hand Bookbinding, learn the delightful art of fore-edge painting and how gilt edges are crafted. Sometime in the 1500s, an unknown artist decided to try painting on the page edges of a book while the book was fanned open. The result was an edge painting that was only visible when the pages were fanned and disappeared when the book was closed. The event is free for NSLM members or has an admission fee of $5 for others.

THE SILVER TONES LIVE

June 30 | 6 to 8 p.m. | nationalsporting.org

Bring your chairs or blanket and enjoy a free concert by the Silver Tones on the lawn of the National Sporting Library & Museum. The concert and museum admission are free and open to the public from 6 to 8 p.m. Picnics are welcome but

no glass containers or outside alcohol is permitted. Concessions will be available, and there is free parking on-site. Pets must be leashed. For more information, please call 540-687-6542 or visit nationalsporting.org

HUNT COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL 2023

June 30 – July 2 | 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. | huntcountrymusicfestival.org

The festival offers three days of exciting musical performances in Virginia’s scenic Hunt Country, only 30 minutes from Dulles International Airport and just one hour from Washington, D.C. Attendees will enjoy an eclectic mix of music as well as free live street entertainment, free walking tours of Middleburg, Virginia’s historic sites, delicious food and wine, and warm hospitality available through Middleburg’s local restaurants, wineries, and unique specialty boutique shops.

As the vibrancy of the Virginia landscape comes alive, awaken your senses to new beginnings. Let the bespoke outdoor experiences, integrative spa treatments and imaginative local cuisine guide your wanderlust and ignite your soul.

As a marketing mastermind, Vicky spent her career perfecting exceptional client service by using research strategies, clear communication, and active collaboration. She believes buying or selling a home is not just a financial transaction; it’s an emotional one. At McEnearney, our associates are more than real estate agents; they are your locals next door, trusted and experienced advisors who help you make informed decisions on your next move.

As a marketing mastermind, Vicky spent her career perfecting exceptional client service by using research strategies, clear communication, and active collaboration. She believes buying or selling a home is not just a financial transaction; it’s an emotional one. At McEnearney, our associates are more than real estate agents; they are your locals next door, trusted and experienced advisors who help you make informed decisions on your next move.

Meet McEnearney Associate, Vicky Mashaw

Meet McEnearney Associate, Vicky Mashaw