March 2022 by Middleburg Life

Volume 39 Issue 3 | March 2022 | middleburglife.com

Talking with Thaisa Erwin FOXCROFT EXHIBITS “The Bluest of Blues”

TWEED: TRADITIONS & TRENDS

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ATOKA

MIDDLEBURG REAL ESTATE

PROPERTIES

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

33846 FOXLEASE LN | UPPERVILLE

19492 SHELBURNE GLEBE RD | LEESBURG

$9,500,000 | Magniﬁcent Foxlease Farm on 160+/- acres. One-of-a-kind equestrian facility: 2 horse barns (12 stalls/17 stalls), 3 run-ins, machine shed, hay barn, riding ring, multiple fenced paddocks, 2 silos. Beautiful stone center building added to the existing 19th-century home.

$5,200,000 | This tranquil 229.52+/- acres estate of signiﬁcant historic importance oﬀers a main house, guest house, and several out buildings in an 18th century setting. It overlooks Oliver Lake and has broad views to the west of the Blue Ridge. Add’l acreage available upon request.

Peter Pejacsevich 540.270.3835

Scott Buzzelli 540.454.1339

NEW PRICE

Peter Pejacsevich 540.270.3835

COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL

40213 DOE RUN LN | PAEONIAN SPRINGS

36933 & 36939 CHARLES TOWN PIKE | HILLSBORO

$2,499,999 | This 6 bed/6-full bath & 2-half bath, 6,766 sqft contemporary farmhouse-style compound of 3 buildings, including a main house, guest house, guest tower and detached garage is located on 17+/- acres near Rt 7 & 9 with views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and woods.

$1,300,000 | A unique commercial and residential oﬀering, the Hill Tom Market and adjacent stone building, located in the heart of Hillsboro on route 9 are now available for sale! The Hill Tom Market currently operates as a thriving local convenience store.

Scott Buzzelli 540.454.1339

Peter Pejacsevich 540.270.3835

Middleburg Brokerages 2022 CLOSED TRANSACTIONS MIDDLEBURG REAL ESTATE: $21,451,372 THOMAS & TALBOT: $18,875,000 SHERIDAN-MACMAHON: $11,322,500 WASHINGTON FINE PROPERTIES: $11,235,000 HUNT COUNTRY SOTHEBY’S: $6,738,000 37110 SNICKERSVILLE TPKE | PURCELLVILLE $799,000 | The J. Patrick House. This historic gem has 5 beds/3.5 baths, a 1 bed/1 bath guest house and a large detached 2-car garage. The home has a gourmet kitchen, gorgeous wood ﬂoors, 4 ﬁreplaces (2 operational), beautiful woodwork, long windows, & 2 outdoor patios. It has been operated as a B&B! Comcast is available.

MCENEARNEY ASSOCIATES, INC.: $1,483,000

*Statistics taken from BrightMLS 1/1/2022 - 2/23/2022. Transaction totals based on Middleburg oﬃce locations only.

Joy Thompson 540.729.3428

S I M P LY B E T T E R . | M I D D L E B U R G R E A L E S TAT E . C O M MIDDLEBURG, MARSHALL, PURCELLVILLE, LEESBURG, ASHBURN, WINCHESTER & CHARLES TOWN | CORPORATE: 10 E WASHINGTON ST, MIDDELBURG, VA 20117 | 540.687.6321 LICENSED IN VA + WV + MD | VA PRINCIPAL BROKER, PETER PEJACSEVICH | WV + MD PRINCIPAL BROKER, JOSH BEALL

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Private sale of your assets with absolute discretion.

Eric M. Diello REALTOR®, PSA | Licensed in VA 703.232.7265 10 E Washington St Middleburg, VA 20117 VIRGINIAHORSEANDHOME.COM

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ADVERTISING DIRECTOR | PUBLISHER Christian Bentley | christian@middleburglife.com ADVERTISING SALES REPRESENTATIVES Vicky Mashaw | vmashaw@middleburglife.com Jennifer Richards | jennifer@middleburglife.com ACCOUNTS ADMINISTRATOR: Joanne Maisano MARKETING: Shell Peterson

MAR. 2022 middleburglife.com

PUBLISHER: Greenhill Media, LLC EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Kaitlin Hill | kaitlin@middleburglife.com COPY EDITOR: Victoria Peace

DESIGNER: Elisa Hernandez PRODUCTION DIRECTOR: Nicky Marshok ON THE COVER Al Griffin and Maureen Britell sport tweed coats from Country Classics in Middleburg. Learn more about this popular equestrian attire on page 8 where writer Diane Helentjaris details the textile’s traditions and trends. Photo by Joanne Maisano. ON THIS PAGE A peek inside Nature Composed where owner Jenn Pineau offers guidance on spring planting. She shares quick tips for spring gardening success on page 24 in an interview with Sarah Hickner. Photo by Michael Butcher.

m i d d l e b u r g l iLooking f e . c o m • for MAR C H 2 0 2 www.MiddleburgLife.com 2 more?

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

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Middleburg Consignment Appointments Our Specialists will be in the Middleburg area evaluating single items and entire collections for auction consignment across all categories, including American Paintings, Silver, Furniture & Decorative Arts. Discover our full range of auction and appraisal services. INFORMATION & APPOINTMENTS

Samira Farmer DoyleDC@Doyle.com 301–348–5282

Property from The Christine Biddle Wainwright Collection including American Paintings, Furniture, Silver and Historic Documents Auction May 4, 2022

DOYLE CHICAGO

AUCTIONEERS & APPRAISERS

CONNECTICUT

LONG ISLAND

NEW YORK MASSACHUSETTS

CALIFORNIA NEW JERSEY

FLORIDA

WASHINGTON DC

NORTH CAROLINA

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PENNSYLVANIA

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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. Sarah Hickner was born in Mississippi and pursued her dream of galloping racehorses to the backside of Churchill Downs while at college in Kentucky. Sarah has authored one book, “Stories from the Barn Aisle,” and is the host of the Author Shenanigans and the LiveRideLearn podcasts. She lives in Virginia with her husband, two kids, dog, and horse. 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 senior at Georgetown University studying 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. Shayda Windle is a freelance writer covering the arts, people, and places that make Hunt Country so special. Her work has been featured in Plein Air Magazine, the Fairfax County Times, and several online media outlets. In her spare time, you can find her enjoying the great outdoors and exploring Northern Virginia with her husband and two children.

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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. 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. Austin Kaseman grew up along Snickersville Turnpike in a foxhunting household. He took a liking to photography when his mother asked him to take photos of her before each meet. Eventually, Austin bought his own camera and some business cards to stick on riders' windshields and the rest was history. 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.

JUST SOLD - Llewellyn Farm - $5,200,000* Thank you to the listing agent, John Coles of Thomas and Talbot

Susan was patient and very informative as she drove us around Middelburg and its surrounding counties and we learned from her about the history of Virginia horse country. She calmly and steadily took the time to understand the style and nature of the estate property we were seeking and we are delighted to say that she delivered exactly what we were looking for, Llewellyn Farm in Clarke county. Her guidance and counsel were unparalleled. Thank you, Susan - you are a unique and special asset to Sotheby’s and to the Middleburg Hunt Country community. – Fred and Nancylee

18426 Blueridge Mountain Rd. Bluemont - SOLD $1,100,000.* Listing agent, Bill Dudley of Dudley Associates

69 Twin Post Ln. Huntly SOLD $1,635,000.

7340 Fox Call Ln. Warrenton - SOLD 950,000.* Listing agent, Cynthia Holz of Washington Fine Properties

664 Zachary Taylor Hwy. Flint Hill SOLD 895,000.

5553 Beverleys Mill Rd. Broad Run - SOLD $1,610,000.* Listing agent, Kristin Ahearn of Berkshire Hathaway Realty

35404 Hamlin School Ln. Middleburg SOLD $482,500.

15242 Golf View Dr. Haymarket SOLD $950,000

4175 Jackson Glen Dr. The Plains - SOLD $485,000.* Listing agent, Allison Monnet of Long and Foster

408 E. Washington St. Middleburg SOLD $1,625,000.

* Buyer Representation

Hunt Country Sotheby’s International Realty 2 W. Washington St PO Box 1033 Middleburg, VA 20118 www.hcsir.com Each Office Is Independently Owned and Operated.

Susan M. Hensley Broker Associate

703-732-5867

(703-REALTOR)

susan.hensley@hcsir.com

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TWEED:

TRADITIONS & TRENDS Written by Diane Helentjaris

o one knows which handsome horse will lead at the Middleburg Spring Races on April 23. However, one thing is for sure: There will be tweed. Donegal tweed with yellow and red flecks, windowpane, checks, herringbones, houndstooth, tattersalls. Tweed jackets, caps, bags, vests, and maybe even shoes. The fabric is deeply woven into the history and culture of British and Irish equine sports. And when these sports came to America, tweed came with them. For centuries, British and Irish weavers transformed the springy wool of their sheep into tweed. Queen Victoria’s husband Prince Albert supposedly designed the gray and red estate pattern for Balmoral Castle. Sherlock Holmes’s deerstalker hat is a Harris tweed. Mr. Toad of “The Wind in the Willows” sports a Harris too. Sean Connery wore a brown barleycorn tweed coat in “The Untouchables.” Mark Metzger, owner of Highcliffe Clothiers in Middleburg, describes the fabric as “old time, durable … handsome to most, elegant to many.” At Highcliffe, he offers custom-made and readyto-wear clothing for men and women. Like other shops in the area, Metzger uses tweeds imported from Britain and Ireland. His stack of tweed pattern sample books could fill a wheelbarrow. “Tweed,” Metzger says, “can truly take a beating.” A tweed hacking jacket can withstand brambles and burrs while protecting the wearer. Being able to say, “This is my dad’s tweed” is a source of pride. He frequently alters tweed jackets from earlier decades to fit new generations of wearers. “I consider it the original camouflage,” Metzger declares with a smile. Originally, only natural dyes were available to color cloth. Blackberries, lichen, roots, moss, leaves, and even

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whelk shells were used. The result was a palette of colors that echoed the environment. The broken-up patterns hid wearers in bracken, bushes, and brush. The cloth is silent. Game hunters in tweed can move undetected. Diane Rigden, whose family shop, Country Classics, opened in 1989, points out another advantage. Tweed, with its earthy colors, does not readily show the dirt associated with an outdoorsy lifestyle. “Tweed is just timeless,” she says. Meticulous in her style choices, Rigden travels to the U.K. (usually the Cotswolds and Scotland) to work directly with weavers. Upon request, a Tweed | Page 9

Left: Maureen Britell in a Country Classics tweed jacket. Above: Al Griffin and Maureen Britell in tweed jackets provided by Diane and Rod Rigden of Country Classics in Middleburg. Photos by Joanne Maisano.

“I consider it the original camouf lage.” – Metzger

Tweed | From page 8 weaver might experiment with an extra thread of one color through a swatch to see how it looks, share older archived samples for inspiration, or swap out a traditional color for an updated neon. Marion Maggiolo is the owner of Horse Country Saddlery, a popular equestrian outpost in Warrenton since 1970. “We’ve developed our own patterns over the years, keeping traditional appeal with some updated twists,” Maggiolo says. “Each of our jackets, either for men or women, will stand the test of time. From bright herringbones to colorful windowpanes and the in-between houndstooth, we've always had a great selection on hand.” “Just today, tweed cloth samples arrived by mail. We're planning the color range for [the] 2022 and 2023 fall seasons. It's exciting to see the collections come together from our three makers. As one woman said [while wearing] a new tweed jacket… ‘My granddaughter will wear this,’”

Maggiolo shares. Rigden echoes this sentiment. “One big thing I’ve noticed is everyone getting away from [fast] fashion,” she says. “Tweed is sustainable. You can have it for decades. The whole fashion world is going toward sustainability. With tweed, you can mend it, let it in, or let it out, [and] have it for an awfully long time. It’s easy to take care of.” Tweed is not locked in the past. Woven in many colors and patterns, it readily absorbs innovation. Rigden likes to keep an eye on what’s going on in Europe and has noticed a lot more plaids, bolder tweed patterns, and checks. Karen Thompson of Tully Rector, a women’s clothing shop in Middleburg, likes pieces that “[have] an English-y feel, [and] an updated kind of look.” She readily lists a number of today’s designers who “do some really classic fabrics … yet they are very trendy. Hot designers do so many tweeds and classic prints. Anytime I’m at [the] market and see a tweed, I gravitate toward it as I

know it will sell around here.” When asked about new styles, Metzger brings out a sample book labeled “Urban.” The lightweight tweeds, suitable for jackets or suits, each have a fine glittering thread of silver running through them. The thread is so narrow, it sparkles like a wink that you’re not sure ever really happened. Anyone wanting to bring more tweed into their life might choose a suit, jacket, vest, or hat. Women could go with a cape or handbag, or even shoes. According to local retailers, subtle patterns, lightweight fabric, and checks are the most popular styles of tweed in Hunt Country. For those who want to pull some tweeds into their outfits for the upcoming races, Rigden suggests considering a jacket or coat. She is especially fond of tweed hats with self-fabric bows for ladies and trilby hats for men. According to Rigden, “A piece of clothing is a statement and a reflection of the person [wearing it].” ML

“Tweed is just timeless.” – Rigden

Left: Lovely ladies’ tweed outerwear from Horse Country Saddlery in Warrenton. Photo by Joanne Maisano. Middle: Tweed swatches from Highcliffe Clothiers in Middleburg. Photo by Diane Helentjaris. Right: A smart tweed vest from Tri-County Feeds in Marshall. Photo by Joanne Maisano.

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SEEN AT THE RACES Glorious hats, made in England for Horse Country.

Horse Country

(540) 347-3141 • 800-88-2-HUNT (4868) 60 Alexandria Pike, Warrenton, Virginia 20186 Order online! www.HorseCountryCarrot.com

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om out | | 6 n | ttage ed eam, acres

ains | ently ge

ater o,

ALL’S WELL FARM

MARSHALL, VIRGINIA

RUTLEDGE FARM

HALFWAY FARM

MIDDLEBURG, VIRGINIA

SPRING GLADE

PLAINS, VIRGINIA

Privacy and 107 acres between Middleburg and The Plains | Residential enclave of great character within a rich array of natural resources | Classic Virginia stone and stucco c. 1820 | 4 bedrooms, antique floors and rich pine paneling Two guest houses, stone cottage, farm managers house, 2 stables, machine shed and work shop| Extensive Little River frontage and 2 ponds | Tremendous views.

SALEM HILL

$3,975,000

$7,500,000 MIddLEBuRG, VIRGINIA MARSHALL, VIRGINIA Helen MacMahon 540.454.1930 $6,000,000 (also available with 113 acres for $7,000,000)

Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905

$3,900,000

$3,690,000

Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905

P MVINEYARD acMahon 703.609.1905 50aul WEST MASON FARM, LIGHTRIDGE FARM ROAD ALDIE, VIRGINIA M M 540.454.1930 h Existing farm winery established in 2015 | 38.47 acres 20+/- acres in fast growing Loudoun location | Currently zoned TR3UBF | MIDDLEBURG, VIRGINIA elen ac ahon

recorded in two parcels | Hilltop setting with magnificent views | 2,500 sq ft wine tasting room, main level consist of tasting room, seating areas, kitchen, restrooms, 2nd story more seating areas and bathroom | Club House of 5,100 sq ft contemporary style, wine tasting bar, seating areas, bathrooms, large deck, terrace & pool | 40 x 60 Butler building, large parking area | Unique opportunity

Willowsford, South Riding, Stone Ridge, minutes away | New county high school next to property | Currently improved by 2 residences, 2 ponds | Northstar Blvd around corner

$3,462,000 Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905

203 acres i River fronta 4 full & 3 1/2 Gunnite pool and private | 5 stall Ji paddocks, pa | Old d

ATOKA STORE

MARSHALL, VIRGINIA

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

$2,700,000 Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905 Brian MacMahon 703.609.1868

$3,950,000 Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905

COMING SOON

GAME CREEK

HALCYON HILL

ICE POND & 106 PENDLETON STREET JOHN MARSHALL HIGHWAY MIddLEBuRG, VIRGINIA104MIDDLEBURG, RECTORTOWN, VIRGINIA VIRGINIA MARKHAM, VIRGINIA

MIDDLEBURG, VIRGINIA

Custom built home on 13 acres | Reclaimed heart pine floors | 4 BR, 4 FP, antique mantels and beamed ceilings | Main level suite with 2 separate baths and dressing room | Private library/office with fireplace and large family room open to kitchen with butler’s pantry | Extensive millwork, wonderful screened in porch, pool, garden, 2 ponds | All very private | Large lower level for storage and additional space finished currently for exercise space | Fenced yard, one small paddock and 2 run in sheds | 2 car attached garage

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

3 recorded parcels in Markham, VA. Frontage on Goose Creek, land rises to great views, mountain meadows on upper portion. Access over Railroad and creek. Excellent hunting land, surrounded by large tracts | 162.86 acres

A remarkable property located within a private 17 acres of rolling pasture land in the village enclave just minutes from town | Stone and stucco of Rectortown | Convenient to both Routes 50 manor house with main level master suite | 7 & 66 | Newly renovated | Private setting with $1,400,000 $997,160 additional BR | 5 stone FP | Beautiful gardens, magnificent mountain views Paul | 4MacMahon bedrooms, Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905 703.609.1905 Brian terraces, salt water pool, cabana, carriage house & MacMahon 703.609.1868 4 full bath, 1 half bath, 2 fireplaces | Heated stable with 2$1,500,000 paddocks | Lovely finishes throughout pool & spa | 2 bedroom guest house | Helen MacMahon & sweeping lawn 540.454.1930 to private trails to Goose Creek | Large shed & 2-car garage 31 acres | Private, elegant & convenient

$2,650,000

$2,475,000 M A RC H 2 0 2 2

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Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905

Circa 18 rebuilt a beams an Barn a 2 bedroom multiple b outsi 11

Pau

FOXCROFT PRESENTS “THE BLUEST OF BLUES” AT THE ARTISTS IN MIDDLEBURG GALLERY Written by Shayda Windle | Photos by Callie Broaddus

n 2017, Julie Fisher began teaching digital arts at Foxcroft School. A passionate advocate for arts education, she started thinking of new ways for her students’ artwork to be promoted throughout the town and beyond. Fisher decided to reach out to the owner of the Artists in Middleburg Gallery (AiM), Sandy Danielson, to see if she would be interested in exhibiting student work at their Washington Street gallery. “AiM is a unique, non-profit organization dedicated to bringing together a community of artists and [supporting] arts in education,” Fisher says. “It seemed like the perfect venue to promote our girls and our wonderful arts program.” Danielson agreed and the two immediately began discussing the idea for a student exhibition. Foxcroft’s first exhibit at AiM was in 2018. Since then, the show has traditionally taken place in March during Youth Arts Month, a program that began in 1984 to emphasize the value that visual art education brings to children. In 2018 and 2019, Foxcroft photography students selected a favorite image from their body of work to display at the gallery. Each student prepared their own exhibition labels, and signed, editioned, framed, and hung their artwork in the gallery. They had the opportunity to experience the full gamut of an exhibition experience as independent artists Bluest | Page 13 Top: Julie Fisher holding “The Bluest of Blues” by Fiona Robinson. Bottom: Helen Ventikos, Julie Fisher, and Juliana Rose review cyanotype projects.

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Bluest | From page 12 promoting their work. They even helped to create and distribute promotional materials as well as coordinate and set up each opening reception. AiM graciously donated 100% of the sales back to the school to support its art programs. When COVID-19 hit in 2020, the exhibit was put on hold much to everyone’s disappointment. However, now able to bring the Foxcroft project back, this year’s exhibit at AiM will be called "The Bluest of Blues." Fisher explains that the theme pays homage to a children's book written by Fiona Robinson in which she tells the story of Anna Atkins, the first female artist to publish a book of photography. Atkins was a botanist and she used the cyanotype process to make impressions and catalog various plant specimens. This year, Fisher read the book in her classroom as an introduction to the cyanotype process. “Even the older students always enjoy a good story time,” she shares. “My photography class will be visiting Claude Thompson Elementary School to share this book and teach young artists how to make a cyanotype. After learning about this project, the author was delighted to give us permission to use her book title for this collaborative exhibit.” For this exhibit, Fisher adds, “We envisioned Bluest | Page 14 Top left: Juliana Rose and Helen Ventikos demonstrate their camera skills. Top right: Juliana Rose and Helen Ventikos. Bottom right: Juliana Rose, Julie Fisher, and Helen Ventikos.

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Bluest | From page 13 an entire display dedicated to the cyanotype photographic process. Paper or fabric is coated with a simple two-part, non-toxic chemical solution, then objects, drawings, or negatives are placed on top and it is exposed in the sun. Anywhere that light reaches the surface will turn a deep cyan blue. The material is then washed with water and once it dries you have an archival image that will last a century or more.” Foxcroft junior Helen Ventikos, who is participating in the exhibit, says she wanted to create something a little more natural while working with cyanotypes. She chose the theme of a journey. “There is a road with a compass on top; this displays the direction and path,” Ventikos says. “The steering wheel shows movement. Movement is also demonstrated with the wave background. Lastly, the evil eye symbolizes protection. All of these symbols have circular backgrounds to illustrate how the journey is a circular motion. Furthermore, the circles provide unity among the three objects.” Juliana Rose, a sophomore at Foxcroft, also expressed her enthusiasm about the project and the two pieces she created for the exhibit. The first is a photograph of her cat which reminds her of home, and the second is an upright picture of the Foxcroft schoolhouse with a blueprint underneath. Rose says she “went from attempting to expose the image onto wood, to moving to paper, and from then on, sealing an image to a wooden backing that was laser cut.” She adds, “The wood itself was an important part of the result for me, as I wanted to symbolize as much of the idea of blueprints and architecture as possible.” After years of canceled events, this exhibition is especially exciting and marks a return to celebrating arts education in person. Don’t miss out on “The Bluest of Blues” which will run from March 25 through April 3 at the Artists in Middleburg gallery in downtown Middleburg. ML Top: The students display their different approaches to cyanotype. Bottom: Juliana Rose’s cat photo is a group favorite.

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WANT TO MAKE THINGS JUMP IN 2022? CALL CRICKET LD

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Innisfree Farm

$4,500,000

Westbrook

$1,995,000

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Little Bit

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$1,195,000

Dover Springs

11.77 acres

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Warwickshire Den

5+ acres

$755,000

Cricket Bedford (540) 229-3201 Real Estate Professional As one of the top selling agents in the area, Cricket views every property as it is—unique. She instinctively knows exactly what it takes to successfully match buyers and sellers. Add experience, perseverance and personality to the equation and there you have Cricket Bedford. Get a jump on the Spring market, call Cricket.

THOMAS & TALBOT ESTATE PROPERTIES

Opening The Door To Horse Country For Generations 2 South Madison Street | PO Box 500 | Middleburg, VA 20118 | Office: 540-687-6500 | thomasandtalbot.com M A RC H 2 0 2 2

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GREAT MEADOW CELEBRATES 40 YEARS IN THE PLAINS Written by Heidi Baumstark

ne man’s field of dreams transformed into a dream come true for millions. That field – now Great Meadow – is the nation’s premier equestrian field events center located in The Plains, which is the heart of Virginia’s Hunt Country. And that man was news executive, equestrian, and philanthropist Arthur W. “Nick” Arundel (1928-2011) who in 1982 finalized the purchase of a property he envisioned would become the

permanent home for the Virginia Gold Cup steeplechase races, plus other field events, with the added value of preserving open space and averting a planned housing development. Today, Great Meadow is a 374-acre field events center and steeplechase course which operates under the stewardship of the nonprofit Great Meadow Foundation (GMF). With the 1982 purchase of the property – and then its grand opening in 1984 – Great Meadow plans to

Great Meadow map by Lydia Marie Elizabeth. Courtesy of Lydia Marie Elizabeth.

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commemorate its 40th anniversary over the next three years. Carrie Hull, GMF’s executive director, shares, “Celebrations are being planned to recognize milestones of what would become the permanent home of the legendary Virginia Gold Cup each spring. After all, that was the major reason why Nick purchased the property.” Overseeing it all, Arundel is immortalized in a bronze statue on Members Hill. Celebrates | Page 17

Construction of the racecourse began in April 1982. Two years later marked the grand opening during which a gathering of some 3,000 guests enjoyed festivities including carriage driving, foxhound demonstrations, and skydivers. Arundel, along with local point-to-point jockeys, galloped horses through a ribbon to formally open the course. On October 20, 1984, the first annual Great Meadow Races, later known as the International Gold Cup, was held. And, May 4, 1985 saw the first Virginia Gold Cup at Great Meadow with a record 32,000 spectators.

Celebrates | From page 16 In addition to the Virginia Gold Cup, Great Meadow hosts many other events including the International Gold Cup, Twilight Polo, Mars Great Meadow International, Fourth of July celebrations, and The American Rocketry Challenge. Hundreds of thousands enter the gates each year to witness top-level equestrian sports and festivities against the backdrop of the majestic Bull Run Mountains. WHO WAS ARTHUR W. “NICK” ARUNDEL? Arundel, a native of D.C., graduated from Harvard University in 1951. Following Harvard, he served as a U.S. Marine Corps paratrooper officer in Korea where he was wounded, earning him the Purple Heart. He rose to the rank of captain and was an attaché to the CIA in the Vietnam War where he was again wounded earning a second Purple Heart. He left the Marines in 1955 and became a Defense Department correspondent for the Washington bureau of CBS News covering D.C., and later, the White House, for United Press International.

Notably, Arundel was also a founder and president of the Piedmont Environmental Council, the co-founder of the National Press Foundation, and a 2001 inductee into the Hall of Fame of Virginia Communications. He was also named Outstanding Virginian in 2011 by the Virginia General Assembly. He died on February 8, 2011, at the age of 83 at his beloved home, Merry Oak Farm on Wildcat Mountain near The Plains.

POLO AND MORE Arundel’s son, Peter Arundel, founded the Great Meadow Polo Club, bringing polo to The Plains for the masses to enjoy. Peter remembers a conversation over dinner one evening in 1992, when he first brought the idea to his dad: “We could do arena polo on Friday nights,” he said. “My father replied, ‘Yes, there’s not enough going on around here anyway on Fridays, so let’s go for it.’” In 1993, the arena was built (now Greenhill Stadium) for polo, horse shows, and rodeos. In June 1994, the first arena polo games were held on Friday nights under the lights at Great Meadow. “Suddenly, arena polo became more Celebrates | Page 18

BUILDING GREAT MEADOW While looking for the new home of the Virginia Gold Cup, Arundel found Fleming Farm in The Plains, known by locals as the “old crayfish field.” The site was an overgrown, swampy dairy farm. He purchased it at a bankruptcy auction on the steps of the Fauquier County courthouse, acquiring it through a trust he had established. “He needed to gather the support of the community to build the racecourse,” Hull explains. With the dual motive of using it for the Virginia Gold Cup and protecting the open space, Arundel purchased the property for two million dollars and gifted it to Meadow Outdoors Foundation. In 1996, the foundation was renamed Great Meadow Foundation.

Top left: Nick Arundel in 1982 at the future site of Great Meadow. Bottom right: 1994 Inaugural Season flier. Photos by Callie Broaddus.

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Celebrates | From page 17 accessible,” Peter recalls. “People could see polo, smell the sport, hear the pounding of the horses.” Though Peter was away at college when his father purchased Fleming Farm he shares, “[From] what I remember, it was when the parties started.” Festivities like wine festivals were held there in the 1990s, as well as activities including rocketry groups, astronomy clubs, soccer, therapeutic riding, and high school cross country. “It was very important to dad and the foundation that it be open to all, not just for equestrian pursuits,” Peter explains. That same theme of inclusion and accessibility extended to their concept of polo. “With arena polo, we took it to a whole other level,” Peter says. In addition to arena polo, grass polo is played on the Sheila C. Johnson field. Built in 2004, it is home to the National Sporting Library & Museum’s Polo Classic. In 2006, professional polo player John Gobin joined Great Meadow. He suggested shifting polo from Friday to Saturday nights to avoid rushhour traffic for spectators. The event also adopted a more family-friendly format by including activities such as the famous tug o’ war during halftime. In February 2014, then-president Rob Banner nearly doubled the size of Great Meadow with the purchase of the adjacent 174-acre parcel of Fleming Farm, bringing the total size of the property to 374 acres. This expansion allowed for construction of additional infrastructure including a large all-weather, world-class arena referred to as the Fleming Farm Arena. This site was chosen to host the first FEI Nations Cup™ Eventing series ever held in North America in 2016. The event welcomed the best horses and riders in the world

to Great Meadow to compete in three distinct disciplines: dressage, show jumping, and cross country. “Beyond creating the initial racecourse, this arena was the next biggest project,” Banner says. Ultimately, it would establish Great Meadow as an international equestrian facility. To ensure Great Meadow would be forever protected from development, the property was placed in a conservation easement with Fauquier County in 2014. GREAT MEADOW TODAY AND TOMORROW On January 1, 2022, Natalie Miller Epstein took over as Chairman of the GMF Board, a position previously filled by John Hochheimer. She shares, “I am very passionate about Great Meadow as it is truly a gem in our own backyard. I have great respect for Nick and his vision for Great Meadow. It is now up to us to carry that vision forward to ensure that this extraordinary place in the Virginia Piedmont remains here for future generations.” She continues, “To that end, there is much to do not only to maintain the gorgeous grounds and historic buildings and structures that are Great Meadow, but also to expand on that original vision to continue to serve everyone in the greater community, and, in the case of some events, the global community as well.” “I never met Nick. But before making a decision about the property, I always ask myself: ‘What would Nick do?’ His vision for this place was remarkable. People didn’t believe the property could be turned from a swamp into the country’s best steeplechase course,” Hull shares. Great Meadow is something far beyond the events that are held there. “Throughout this three-year celebration of our 40th anniversary, we want people to understand the emotion

and passion that went into its establishment,” Hull explains. “I’m sure Nick would be cheering from Wildcat Mountain,” Banner adds. “He would be so pleased that we took Great Meadow to the next level. Considering the natural beauty of the property, the site is a wonderful promotion of open space, a cathedral of beauty, and now privately protected through a conservation easement. I’m really proud we were able to carry on Nick’s legacy.” When asked why he was giving so much of his time and effort to the undertaking, Arundel is quoted as saying, “I just want to give something back to this sport, further open space, visual order, and the spirit of volunteerism here. In the first third of your life, you learn; in the second, you earn; and then finally, you give it all back.” ML

Top left: Tug o’ war at Great Meadow. Photo by Tony Gibson. Top right: VUP pro match at Great Meadow. Photo by Joanne Maisano. Bottom right: The grandstand at Virginia Gold Cup. Photo by Joanne Maisano.

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Design-Build • Remodeling • Additions • Custom Homes • Showroom GoldenRuleBuilders.com | 3409 Catlett Road, Catlett, VA | 540.788.3539 M A RC H 2 0 2 2

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MEET YOUR NEIGHBOR:

THAISA ERWIN Written by Victoria Peace

ome people work to live, while others live to work. Thaisa Erwin, an internationally renowned show jumper and the founder of her own Middleburg-based training, coaching, and sales operation, definitely falls into the latter category. According to Erwin, “There is nothing better than competing and riding horses.” And thanks to the successful career and business that she has worked so hard to build, she gets to do just that every day. For Erwin, Australia has always been home. However, during her childhood, she traveled frequently because of her father’s work. “The first time I fell in love with horses we were living in Norway,” she says. “There was a stable on the way to school. I convinced my mom to take me and that started the process of horse riding.” Erwin moved back to rural Armidale, Australia, when she was 11 years old. Her family had a lot of land and many of her neighbors rode horses and competed in show jumping. Erwin describes this as the period when she first got heavily involved in the sport. “I am grateful that my mom let me pursue my dream,” she says. Erwin attended the University of Newcastle in New South Wales, Australia, where she obtained both a Bachelor of Engineering and a Bachelor of Science with a specialization in rural science and natural resources. Despite being a full-time student and working part-time for an engineering firm, she managed to find time to ride by keeping her horses at a nearby dressage barn with a lighted arena. She took lessons in the mornings at 7 a.m. and rode in the evenings after she finished work and school. She also competed on the weekends. While this may sound like a crazy schedule, “It’s doable when you love it,” Erwin emphasizes. Following graduation, Erwin accepted a Erwin | Page 21

Erwin and her daughter, Emilia Rosalind, in Middleburg. Photo courtesy of Dillon Keen Photography, LLC.

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Erwin | From page 20 position at an environmental consulting firm. However, after qualifying for the 2004 Athens Olympics, her company granted her permission to travel to Europe for eight months to work under internationally acclaimed riders and trainers Peter Weinberg and Eric van der Vleuten. It was there that she “fell in love with full-time riding and the training of young horses.” Upon returning to Australia in 2006, she decided to pursue this dream and made the decision to move to the United States. In 2011, she founded Erwin Equestrian, a training, coaching, and sales business in Middleburg, Virginia. Erwin chose to base her business out of Middleburg because “the lifestyle that horses can live there is incredible.” The quality of the pastures, the hills, and the fact that they can go out at night and “live like horses” keeps even the most high-strung horses happy. Erwin also appreciates the close-knit community in Middleburg. “It has become home,” she says. Middleburg’s proximity to Dulles International Airport is convenient for Erwin, who travels frequently. In addition to competing across the country, she spends every winter in Wellington, Florida, at the Winter Equestrian Festival. She appreciates the international community that gathers there. “To further yourself in the sport, there is nowhere else to be in the wintertime,” Erwin says. Erwin has two up-and-coming horses that she is excited about showing this season. The first is an 8-year-old prospect who is currently competing in the 1.40m classes. By the end of the season, she hopes that he will be ready for some two-star and National Grand Prix competitions. The second is a 10-year-old International Grand Prix jumper named Vanturo. Purchased for Erwin by Michael and Wendy Smith of Middleburg, Virginia, Vanturo most recently competed under the Canadian flag with Gavin Moylan. Erwin is still getting to know Vanturo, but her goal is to enter him in the four-star Grand Prix at Upperville this summer. Erwin is also hoping to be chosen as a member of an Australian FEI Nations Cup™ team. She has been selected for this honor before, and loves the feeling of “fighting for your team, and wanting everyone on your team to do well” in what is typically such an individualistic sport. “It pulls

your country together, and it pulls your friends together,” she emphasizes. One of Erwin’s most meaningful victories was when she won her first World Cup at the Sydney Royal Horse Show. It was made even more special by the fact that the horse she rode was an ex-racehorse that she retrained herself. She also remembers the first time she jumped the FEI four-star event in Fontainebleau, France. She walked onto the huge grass field feeling starstruck — Big Star, a horse that had won a gold medal at the London Olympics, had gone before her and had knocked one or two rails. The jumps were set very large and the course was intimidating. However, after pulling the first rail, Erwin’s horse Matilda had a clear round. She felt proud knowing that she could have full trust in her horse’s ability to jump a huge track. Another horse with a special place in Erwin’s heart is a mare named Evita. Erwin rode Evita before her pregnancy, up until she was seven months pregnant, and then after giving birth to her daughter. Erwin credits Evita as the horse that brought her back to doing International Grand Prix events after becoming a mother. “That was a really good feeling getting back into it at a high level after having a child, and having such a good relationship with a horse,” she says. The last class they did together was a three-star event under the lights. The buyers interested in Evita told her that they had to jump a clean round for them to go through with the sale — and they did. This year, in addition to a full season of competing, training horses, and coaching, Erwin is expanding her business. She recently built a new barn in Middleburg and has room to take on a few more clients and horses. She is looking forward to developing another international horse and hopes to “get back on the big tour and jump some big classes.” “2022 is going to be an exciting year for us,” she says. When talking to Erwin, it is clear that she genuinely loves what she does. “I always like to be really positive and encourage people to get into the sport and achieve their goals all while having fun,” she explains. If anyone is thinking of getting involved in show jumping, she tells them: “Absolutely, do it. There’s nothing better.” ML To learn more about Thaisa Erwin and her business, visit erwinequestrian.com.

Top: Erwin riding Evita in Evita’s first World Cup. Photo courtesy of Split Rock Jumping Tour. Middle: Erwin, Emilia Rosalind, and Up Des Chaines. Photo by Meraki Creative Group. Bottom: Erwin and Evita competing in Wellington. Photo courtesy Sportfot.

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N LA

Heronwood Estate

Middleburg Country Estate

Legacy Farm

Chestnut Hill

550 acres $23,500,000 Upperville – Main house, private 18 hole golf course built to USGA standards. 2 world class stables, 45 stalls, arena, 28 fenced paddocks. Spectacular Blue Ridge Mountain views. Convenient to Dulles, Reagan National and Washington, D.C.

30 acres $5,900,000 Spectacular Country Estate with manicured lawns, lush woodlands and towering trees. Superbly built in a classic Tuscan style architecture, it includes 5 bedrooms 8 1/2 baths, 8 fireplaces and wood, stone and marble floors.

450 acres $4,500,000 Stretching from 5 Points Rd in the Plains, to Rectortown and Frogtown Roads in Marshall. Protected by an Easement with the Virginia Outdoors Foundation. Located in Prime Orange County Hunt Territory, a most prestigious location.

37+ acres $3,495,000 Bluemont – Just north of Middleburg, stunning colonial 12 rooms, 6240 sqft of living space with 10 foot ceilings, 4 BRs/ 4½ BAs, wood burning fireplaces, gourmet kitchen. A 6 stall stable and board fenced paddocks. Blue Ridge Mountain views.

John Coles | 540-270-0094

Mary Ann McGowan | 540-270-1124

John Coles | 540-270-0094

Jim McGowan | 703-927-0233

Willwyn Farm

37 acres $3,495,000 Purcellville – Spectacular horse facility with 2 barns, indoor and outdoor arenas, paddocks and ride out. Rolling pastures are anchored by a meticulously restored 1700’s stone main house with a log guest house on 2 parcels. Fios internet.

Cricket Bedford | 540-229-3201

Chilly Bleak

MARCH 2022

Lucky Hit

152 acres $3,400,000 Open, gently rolling pastures and fields in prime Orange County Hunt Territory. Historic home dates to 1820. 5 BR / 5 BA with stone terrace and pool. Two Stables - 15 stalls and 6 stalls, Kraft Walker, 8 paddocks, 6 fields, 3 cottages.

1.5 acres $3,390,000 An extraordinary opportunity to own an income producing property. Two separate parcels being sold together. Zoned Rural Commercial and Countryside Residential. Includes a 4 BR residence, and a second building, for use as a country store.

84+ acres $2,500,000 Lucky Hit is one of the oldest of the important houses in historic Clarke County. Built in 1791 it is located south of Route 50 in a beautiful area of the county, surrounded by large farms, and across from the 400 acre State Arboretum of Viginia.

John Coles | 540-270-0094

Jim McGowan | 703-927-0233

Cary Embury | 540-533-0106

W NE

23424 Sally Mill Rd.

Aldie Commercial

Corgidale

5536 Freestate Rd.

ER ACT D R UNNT CO

Belvoir

44 acres $1,995,000 Ideally located on a quiet country road just east of historic Middleburg, this gracious two story Cape Cod home is completely renovated and available immediately. Center hall floorplan, light filled rooms, huge gourmet kitchen, six car attached garage.

10+ acres $1,850,000 Stunning custom built colonial in pristine condition. Over 5000 sq. ft. with a fabulous open floor plan, 4/5 BRs, 5.5 BAs, granite counter tops, refinished HW floors, new carpeting and freshly painted. 2400 sq.ft. stable, 2 fenced paddocks, automatic waterers.

164 acres $1,525,000 4 BR, 5 BA mountaintop home in hunt country, while still only minutes from Marshall. This home sits atop Swains mountain, with an elevation of 900 ft. Wraparound porch provides the perfect setting to enjoy the unparalleled views.

21+ acres $1,495,000 Aptly named for its beautiful sunset and sunrise views. This 3 BR 3 BA 3000+ sq. ft. home is situated on top of a rolling hill looking out at the Blue Ridge Mountains. Features HW floors, a stone fireplace, and exposed beams.

Brian McGowan | 703-927-4070

Isabella Wolf | 703-338-7452

Offers subject to errors, omissions, change of price or withdrawal without notice. Information contained herein is deemed reliable, but is not so warrante

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ER ACT D R UNNT CO

PRESERVING THIS WAY OF LIFE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS

Old Winery

44 acres $3,495,000 Rectortown – Turn-key estate protected by conservation easement, which allows for develop-ment of equestrian facilities. Views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a 7-acre fenced vineyard with vistas of rolling hills, woods and pastures all around.

Isabella Wolf | 703-338-7452

Worth The Wait

50 acres $2,489,000 Marshall – Virginia’s horse and wine country w/ mountain, lake and pastoral views. Custom-built home has 5 BRs / 4.5 BAs. High ceilings; HW flooring; 4 fireplaces. Fenced, mature pasture for horses. New 45’ x 70’ equip. building.

Emily Ristau | 540-454-9083

ER ACT D R UNNT CO Photo Credit: Gomer Pyles

Lux Cabin

28 acres $975,000 Millwood – Luxury cabin lifestyle in the heart of hunt country. This spacious log cabin features a great room with fireplace and vaulted ceilings, nestled in 28 wooded acres, providing a secluded feel with a convenient commuter location.

Isabella Wolf | 703-338-7452

ed nor is it otherwise guaranteed.

Thomas & Talbot respects the beauty of the land, lifestyle and the place we call home—now, and for future generations. We support and celebrate organizations like the PEC, Land Trust of Virginia and Goose Creek Foundation who make it possible to protect open spaces while enjoying the natural resources.

THOMAS & TALBOT ESTATE PROPERTIES Opening The Door To Horse Country For Generations 2 South Madison Street | PO Box 500 | Middleburg, VA 20118 | Office: 540-687-6500 | thomasandtalbot.com

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PREPARING YOUR GARDEN

FOR SPRING SUCCESS Written by Sarah Hickner

pring is one of my favorite times of year. It’s the sunrise to a long night, the bright spot on the horizon, and the light at the end of the tunnel. The flowers bloom, the vegetables are planted, and the sun is a welcome warmth on my face. There is fresh hope and new life. As a novice who has attempted to grow tomatoes, carrots, wildflowers, and even keep a baby cactus alive with zero success, I reached out to some local experts to ask how to best prepare our gardens for a successful spring. Jenn Pineau from Nature Composed explained that failure is just part of the process. It’s all about getting out there with dirt under our nails and interacting with nature. By that logic, it hasn’t just been five years of failed tomatoes. It’s been five years of practice, spending time with worms and sunshine, and learning what wasn’t fruitful. When I asked her how we could get ready for spring, her eyes lit up. “First you need cardboard.” I looked at her, a bit confused. My grandparents ran the garden club in Jackson, Mississippi, maintained the flowerbeds at our church, and always had the most beautiful displays of manicured nature at their home. There was never cardboard involved, at least that I saw. But, Pineau is the expert, so I decided to roll with it. An hour later I started collecting all the cardboard boxes in my house to attempt Pineau’s recommended process for preparing the garden. Nature Composed practices permaculture gardening. The goal is to leave and even use the life in the soil instead of killing it or scaring it

away by tilling the land. Pinneau recommends these four basic steps to get the process started:

Use a broadfork to aerate the soil.

Gather cardboard — corrugated is best — and soak it in a kelp solution or manure water. Don’t have either? Call up your neighbor with livestock and ask to relieve them of some of their manure. They’ll likely be happy for you to come scoop some up and take it away.

Lay the soaked cardboard over the area you aerated.

Set bales of straw on top of the cardboard.

Over the course of a few weeks, the grass and plant life will be smothered. The manure draws worms to the area, which serve as excellent free labor for your garden. Once things have been allowed to sit anywhere from four weeks to several months, break up the straw bales and spread them out. Pineau recommends adding more layers to the soil now, alternating carbon and nitrogen, as well as wet and dry layers. For example, you could create layers of cardboard, fresh compost, straw, leaf litter, and even plants from last year’s garden. Ready to plant? John Magee, host of The Garden | Page 25

Rachel Minchew at Nature Composed prepares an overflowing basket of plants. Photos by Michael Butcher.

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Garden | From page 24 Native Plant Podcast as well as president of award-winning Magee Design in Middleburg, has several tips. “Think about the birds and the bees — 80% of our native songbirds don’t come to bird feeders. If you want to help them out, plant a good selection of native plants. Native plants help our native pollinators as well and it’s always good to give bees a chance.” Magee also recommends starting your own compost pile. You will probably never compost enough for an entire yard, but you’ll reduce waste sent to landfills while creating a nutrient-rich mix for your potted plants and small garden areas. Speaking of yards,“Reduce your lawn,” Magee says. “Lawns are one of the most time-consuming and pollutant-producing parts of our landscape. Set a plan to reduce your lawn by at least 10% each year and you’ll be reducing your carbon footprint while beautifying your home.” A few more tips I got from Magee and Pineau: To help dissuade pests in your garden, try cluster planting and experiment with placement. Growing strong smelling herbs can dissuade a lot

of the bugs and animals that love to dine on your hard work. Also, flowers and food are best grown together. If you want to attract butterflies, have a mud puddle! Don’t forget ergonomics. No one wants to spend the most beautiful part of the year stuck in bed because of aches and pains. Use tools correctly, take breaks, be careful not to overdo it, and drink lots of water. Lastly, have fun. Whether your tomato plant provides enough fruit for one BLT sandwich or keeps the entire neighborhood fed, it’s really about finding joy in the process and getting closer to nature. ML For more help with gardening, stop by Nature Composed in downtown Middleburg, or visit NatureComposed.com. They will be offering classes in the spring that will be announced on their website. Learn more about native plants and gardening with John Magee’s The Native Plant Podcast, nativeplantpodcast.com

Top right: Gardening advice to live by. Photo by Michael Butcher. Bottom right and left: The products of good garden preparation. Photos courtesy of John Magee.

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540.619.2334 amazingoutdoorsco.com 310 N 21 St Unit B Purcellville, VA 20132

Lawn Maintenance Plans Landscape Maintenance Plans Spring and Fall Cleanups Seasonal Pruning Tree and Shrub Installation Landscape Design Services and much more!

EQUINE | HOME | FARM | BUSINESS TARA TROUT Partner, Farm & Equine, Private Client Specialist tara.trout@ahhns.com 703.737.2244

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TAILGATE KEEPSAKES by Middleburg Photo Written by Lia Hobel | Photos courtesy of Middleburg Photo

he season of themed tailgates has arrived again in Hunt Country. Friends and family will gather every weekend for local

elegantly accentuate tablescapes — tea towels. “Doug and I document life in the horse com-

can relate to.”

munity,” Monroe shares. “Our new line of tea

As distinguished photographers, the couple

towels brings that vision forward. The tea towels

has “years of images to use as inspiration to draw

ers, floral arrangements, and unique equestrian

are created in vivid color blocks that naturally fo-

upon.” Monroe and Gehlsen united their photog-

décor. Local photographers, Karen Monroe and

cus the eye on the silhouette of a local huntsman.

raphy talents in 2011 and opened their studio a

Doug Gehlsen, the creative powerhouse of Mid-

“Cropping or focusing on details is one of [the]

few years later outside of Middleburg with the

dleburg Photo, have designed a new product to

trademarks in our images,” Monroe explains. “It

Keepsakes | Page 29

point-to-point races with shiny silver wine cool-

Below: Two tea towels from the Middleburg Photo, LLC collection.

is important to get the right image that someone

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local flavor,” Monroe shares. “This is my signature

goal of capturing the essence of Hunt Country in

piece on all our tea towels.”

portraits. “Everything we do involves communi-

Monroe is delighted to think of these tea

ty — local meets, horse racing, people with their

towels as a memorable part of tailgate décor at

dogs — we document a lifestyle,” Monroe em-

upcoming races. From start to finish, Monroe

phasizes. As artists, Monroe says they are always

and Gehlsen work as a team to create them. “It’s

looking for new ways to express themselves while

amazing to see an idea come to life.” It is simply one of the many ways Monroe

staying involved with the community. “Using our images in a creative new way is natural for us.”

and Gehlsen artistically preserve the memories

Monroe always makes a point to purchase tea

of Hunt Country — and capture classic moments

towels both as personal keepsakes and to bring

that can be treasured forever. ML

back as gifts during her travels. After realizing not everyone wants large portraits for their walls

To purchase a predesigned tea towel, you can

anymore, tea towels seemed like a good fit for the

contact Middleburg Photo directly (details@

Middleburg Photo product line as they are small,

middleburgphoto.com) or visit Middleburg Photo

transportable, and can be imprinted with beauti-

on Etsy (MiddleburgPhotoShop). The shop features

ful imagery. “Silhouettes are timeless with a sim-

a collection of Equestrian-styled designs from

ple elegance that enhances any bar tailgate with

Middleburg Photo, LLC.

Tea towel design highlighting rider silhouettes.

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2nd Annual

Holiday Holiday

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Join us for our 2nd Annual

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November 8 & 9, 2014 10am-4pm

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AWAKEN YOUR INNER NATURALIST WITH BULL RUN MOUNTAIN CONSERVANCY’S SPRING & SUMMER PROGRAMS Story by Will Thompson

n a chilly Saturday morning in February, a group of 10 or so nature enthusiasts gathered at Leopold’s Preserve in

the misty clouds to cast a welcome reminder:

naturalist walks. Ice still circled the water’s edge

outside and enjoy the beautiful landscape of the

throughout the preserve’s wetlands, but in mo-

Piedmont. Through BRMC’s spring and summer

inner naturalist by deepening their understanding and appreciation of their local ecosystem. Since 1994, BRMC, a Broad Run-based nonprofit, has worked to protect the Bull Run Mountains — from their southern ridges in New Baltimore to their northern end in Aldie, Virginia — through education, research, and stewardship.

Broad Run, Virginia, to partake in one of Bull

stir once again, the warm weather months bring

ments of passing warmth, the sun broke through

offerings, participants of all ages can awaken their

Naturalist | Page 33

Run Mountains Conservancy’s (BRMC) monthly

Spring is on its way. As the natural world begins to bloom and the opportunity — and the inspiration — to get

At Silver Lake in Haymarket, nature enthusiasts can observe ducks, geese, and mergansers wintering on the wetlands.

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Naturalist | From page 32 Rather than treat nature as an entity separate from the people who call it home, BRMC’s approach to conservation aims to immerse people in their landscape and to inspire them to appreciate and care for the ecosystem. As part of its mission, BRMC offers educational programs for adults and children that focus on the ecological, historical, and cultural features of the Bull Run

their own backyards, from birds and amphibians, to geology. “We’re truly an outdoor educator,” says Michael Kieffer, BRMC’s executive director. “Everything that we do is outdoors, either with a naturalist or with experts in their field. It’s about really engaging the community at all age levels to get a better understanding of not only what’s [in] their landscape, but why their landscape [looks] the

like ducks sporting impressive punk rock mohawks — and informed the participants about the species’ behaviors and conservation history. Luke Tauzon, 9, and his mother Tracy were among the participants. They were introduced to BRMC in 2021 through its annual Halloween Safari and have since attended several of the walks. While closely examining a sycamore tree seed pod and an organic artifact that was identified as

Mountains. Those interested in learning more about the Piedmont ecosystem and its protected areas can join year-round excursions led by BRMC, including those in Leopold’s Preserve sponsored by the White House Farm Foundation. In this ever-changing series of walks, participants observe and learn about the wonders, big and small, in

way it does.” Kieffer led a naturalist walk in February which focused on observing the birds that call the wetlands of Leopold’s Preserve home during the winter. Drawing on his 30 years of experience in the field, Kieffer excitedly pointed out different species of birds from the shoreline — including a pair of hooded mergansers that look something

a caterpillar egg case, Tauzon shared how interesting he finds birds and nature (especially fungus) and how important it is for his fellow kids to learn about their local ecosystem. BRMC’s school programs, scout programs, and summer camps aim to inspire local youth to explore the outdoors as a fun and exciting place Naturalist | Page 34

Left: A Canadian goose observed in Broad Run. Right: A hermit thrush observed in Broad Run.

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Naturalist | From page 33 — one that we all have the responsibility to protect. BRMC’s summer camps include naturalist camps, a herpetology camp, and a Chesapeake watershed workshop. Through each, children get to spend an adventurous week or so interacting with the natural world through hikes, stream walks, searching for wildlife, collecting insects, and playing games. “They get to visit three Piedmont perennial streams — they love water, and just getting dirty, finding crayfish, exploring, and having the freedom to be in nature,” Kieffer says. Campers might expect to observe salamanders, frogs, newts, turtles, and snakes, as well as learn to recognize the tracks and signs of racoons, foxes, coyotes, bears, deer, and even otters. Kieffer notes that several people who went through BRMC’s summer camps earlier in life have gone on to have careers in conservation, including a marine ecologist, an entomologist, and an environmental lawyer. Helping people find the beauty and excitement in nature is an important first step toward protecting the natural landscapes of the Piedmont. Given time, these protected areas can heal from human intrusions and become complex, biodiverse, and abundant ecosystems once more. The process may take centuries, but its future seems to be secure as long as children continue to find wonder in exploring streams, catching frogs, and being in nature. ML BRMC’s calendar of programs includes nature walks which are open to the public, a homeschool series, and summer camps. The calendar is available on their website: brmconservancy.org. Top: Nature enthusiasts guided by Michael Kieffer, the executive director of Bull Run Mountains Conservancy, observe waterfowl during a naturalist walk in February at Leopold’s Preserve. Middle: Luke Tuazon examines a caterpillar egg case during a February 12 naturalist walk hosted by Bull Run Mountains Conservancy. Bottom: Nature enthusiasts explore Leopold’s Preserve in Broad Run, Virginia, hoping to find waterfowl during a naturalist walk.

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At Home with Geri Deane Geri Deane, McEnearney Associate

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SPRING 2022 SCHEDULE POINT-TO-POINT: March 5: Rappahannock Hunt Point-to-Point Races at The Hill in Boston, VA More Information: rappahannockhunt.com/rh-point-to-point-races March 19: Warrenton Hunt Point-to-Point at Airlie Racecourse in Warrenton, VA More Information: warrentonhunt.com/point-to-point March 26: Piedmont Fox Hounds Point-to-Point at Salem Farm in Upperville, VA More Information: facebook.com/PiedmontFoxHounds April 9: Old Dominion Hounds Point-to-Point at Ben Venue Farm in Ben Venue, Virginia More Information: theolddominionhounds.com April 17: Blue Ridge Hunt Point-to-Point at Woodley Farm in Berryville, VA More Information: blueridgehunt.org/wp/events April 24: Loudoun Hunt Point-to-Point at Morven Park Equestrian Center in Leesburg, VA More Information: loudounhunt.com/point-to-point-races.html May 1: Middleburg Hunt Point-to-Point at Glenwood Park in Middleburg, VA More Information: middleburghunt.com/pointtopoint.html

NSA SANCTIONED STEEPLECHASE: April 23: Middleburg Spring Races at Glenwood Park in Middleburg, VA More Information: middleburgspringraces.com April 30: Foxfield Spring Races at Foxfield in Charlottesville, VA More Information: foxfieldraces.com/spring-races/ May 7: Virginia Gold Cup Spring Races at Great Meadow Foundation in The Plains, VA More Information: vagoldcup.com/va/race-day-information For more information, visit: centralentryoffice.com | Photos by Joanne Maisano.

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