BEHIND THE SCENES WITH A WILDLIFE REHABILITATION EXPERT
Born in Loudoun: Purple Uncle Baby Products
REBECCA KIDDER OF Federal & Black
WHERE TO WATCH LIVE MUSIC THIS MONTH
Executive VP, Managing Partner
Licensed in VA
540.270.3835 peter@ atokaproperties.com
SCOTT BUZZELLI Executive VP, Managing Partner
Licensed in VA 540.454.1399 scott@ atokaproperties.com
MARIA ELDREDGE REALTOR®
Licensed in VA
540.454.3829
maria@middleburg realestate.com
ANNE MCINTOSH REALTOR®
Licensed in VA 703.509.4499
annewmcintosh@ gmail.com
mcintoshand eldredge.realtor
MARIA ELDREDGE REALTOR®
Licensed in VA
540.454.3829 maria@middleburg realestate.com
ANNE MCINTOSH REALTOR®
Licensed in VA
703.509.4499
annewmcintosh@ gmail.com
mcintoshand eldredge.realtor
REALTOR®
Licensed in VA
$7,490,000
4 BD | 4/2 BA | 8,779 SQFT | 175 AC | Welcome to Tulip Hill! This stunning estate is just a stone’s throw (2 miles) from historic downtown Middleburg. Newly-constructed, contemporary masterpiece on 175+ acres of picturesque rolling hills with stunning mountain views. 9,700+ SQFT of luxurious living space, 4 bedrooms, 4 full & 2 half baths, two garages for 5 cars, & private pool.
703.673.6920 kristin@ atokaproperties.com
kdjrealestate.com
Business internet.
2438
VA
$2,295,000
4 BD | 3/1 BA | 3,700 SQFT | 60 AC | The Hunting Box has been central for the Blue Ridge Hunt for decades. Perfectly located 60-acre turnkey horse property. 3,700+ SQFT main house has been fully rebuilt in recent years. Horse facilities include 18-stall barn with wash stall, tack and feed room, 2 apartments, turnout paddocks, pastures, indoor & outdoor schooling rings.
Associate Broker, REALTOR®, SRES, SRS
Licensed in VA 540.364.9500 amg@ amgreenerealtor.com
amgreeneco.com
5 BD | 5/2 BA | 4,631 SQFT | 28.67 AC | Welcome to Deerhaven! This magnificent country estate is nestled in the Virginia countryside on 28-acres and offers breathtaking 180-degree views of the Paris Valley and the Blue Ridge Mountains. A stately classic brick Georgian style, this residence offers spacious living areas and expansive decks for outdoor enjoyment
1143
REALTOR®, GRI
Licensed in VA & WV 540.219.2633 rocky.westfall@ gmail.com
530 ASHBY STATION RD | FRONT ROYAL, VA $1,800,000
4 BD | 3/1 BA | 4,671 SQFT | 18.31 AC. Experience unique Oakland, a turnkey, private horse property. This fabulous property includes 18.31 fully fenced acres, and a beautiful home tastefully renovated in 1996 keeping the original 1731 structure. Extensive landscaping makes the immediate yard and pool extremely private while opening the property to mountain views.
Professional Experienced Dependable Local Buying or
$1,398,000
6 BD | 5/1 BA | 6,000 SQFT | 1.07 AC | Embrace luxury living in this newlyconstructed, expansive, modern farmhouse boasting breathtaking western Blue Ridge mountain views. Thoughtfully designed spaces include open floor plan, soaring ceilings, two primary suites (one on the main level), lavish bathrooms, multiple home offices, and a finished lower level with home theater, wet bar, and wine room.
Call 540.219.2633
SEPT.
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ON THE COVER
Rebecca Kidder, owner of Federal & Black, welcomes shoppers to her new, chic boutique. For more on the gifts and homegoods store, turn to page 6. Photo by Callie Broaddus. Hair and makeup by Hannah
ON THIS PAGE
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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” was released in June 2022. Diane also writes a monthly newsletter, The Silk Mill, which is dedicated to those in love with fabric in all its glory.
Shannon Ayres is a Reston-based freelance photographer. His work has appeared in Arlington, Chesapeake Life, Northern Virginia, Virginia Business, and USA Today magazines. He has an MFA in fine art photography from San Francisco’s Academy of Art University. His editorial work can be seen at sdayres.com
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.
Dulcy Hooper and her husband Richard moved to the country from Washington, D.C., nearly 10 years ago. Shortly thereafter, both began writing occasional articles for Middleburg Life. Dogs are a big part of the Hoopers’ lives and several of Dulcy’s earlier articles focused on the couple’s Chinese crested powderpuffs!
Victoria Peace is a recent graduate of Georgetown University and holds a degree in French and Art History. On the weekends, she frequently visits her family in The Plains. In her free time, she enjoys playing polo with Twilight Polo Club, riding with the Georgetown Equestrian Team, gardening, walking her family's dogs at Sky Meadows State Park, and visiting her retired horse, Taco. Her perfect “Hunt Country” day would include a stop at the local farmers market in The Plains, a trip to her favorite Middleburg antique stores, and a sunset trail ride in the Virginia countryside.
Callie Broaddus is a Warrenton native and graduate of the University of Virginia with a degree in Architecture. After seven years as a book designer at National Geographic Kids, Callie founded the nonprofit, Reserva: The Youth Land Trust, in 2019. Callie’s land preservation projects and focus on youth empowerment are aided by her talent for storytelling through her camera lens as a professional photographer. In her spare time, Callie enjoys Earl Grey tea, Harry Potter trivia, and dreaming of getting back into the jumper ring.
Bill Kent’s journalism has appeared in more than 40 national and regional publications including the Washington Post, Art & Antiques, Philadelphia Magazine, Baltimore Magazine, New Jersey Monthly, and The Hunt. A former correspondent for the New York Times, he taught writing and journalism at the University of Pennsylvania, Rutgers, and Temple universities, and is the author of seven novels, a Fodor’s Guide, and a history of Atlantic City. After graduating from Oberlin College with majors in English and Religion, he published his first piece in The Georgetowner. When not writing, he enjoys walking his westies on Washington Street.
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.
Beth Rasin graduated from Middlebury College, where she studied nonfiction creative writing. She worked as a writer and editor at The Chronicle of the Horse for more than 25 years, including 10 years as the president and executive editor. As a freelancer, she’s contributed since 2015 to Middleburg Life, as well as Northern Virginia magazine, Blue Ridge Outdoors, the former Loudoun magazine, and many others. She lives in Hume, where she and her husband and daughter run a boarding facility for retired horses. She enjoys running, hiking, and spending time with her many adopted dogs and cats.
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.
Washington St. | P.O. Box 1380 | Middleburg, VA 20118 | 540.687.5588 | sheridanmacmahon.com
from throughout | | 6 kitchen | cottage lighted stream, acres
110 E. Washington St. | P.O. Box 1380 | Middleburg, VA 20118 | 540.687.5588 | sheridanmacmahon.com
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
$7,950,000
Helen MacMahon 540.454.1930
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
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
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
$4,900,000
Helen MacMahon 540.454.1930
Well protected Fauquier location | 6 bedrooms | 4 full and 2 half baths | 3 fireplaces | Great views | Pool with large flagstone terrace | Large county kitchen | 4-car detached garage with apartment/ office | 9-stall barn | Covered arena | Outdoor ring | 4 stall shed row barn | 51 fenced acres
Brian MacMahon 703.609.1868
$3,690,000
Mahon
203 acres in River frontage 4 full & 3 1/2 Gunnite pool and private | 5 stall Jim paddocks, pasture | Old d
helen MacMahon 540.454.1930
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
Built in 1918 Features light-filled rooms, a center hallway with arched doorways leading to the living room, dining room, and 2nd floor | Kitchen gives the gourmet cook all the amenities for efficient food prep | dining and living rooms are perfect | 5 wood-burning fireplaces A separate office and gym on the first floor Four bedrooms, 2 full baths on the 2nd floor, 2 half on the first | The home has a rear stone patio for outdoor generating—a detached garage with room for additional storage Oil radiator heat, town sewer and water | 1.14 Acres
$1,500,000 Lynn Wiley 540.454.1527
Total of 44.55 acres of which 15 acres were producing grapes | Prime location w/mountain Views & privacy | Vineyard infrastructure still remains &includes fencing, irrigation system and computerized well | Perc site for 4 bedroom home. Property is in conservation easement | Property can be converted to Residential use.
$1,300,000
Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905
Brian MacMahon 703.609.1868
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
$1,250,000
Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905
Brian MacMahon 703.609.1868
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
2 commercial spaces side by side available in the desirable retail complex Entire complex has been renovated and both units are currently leased to established businesses All details provided reflect both units being offered together Both units include a fully finished lower level for additional retail space or storage High ceilings , hardwood floors, updated finishes throughout Nice foot traffic and large display windows Private off street parking.
$874,900
Helen MacMahon 540.454.1930
$2,650,000
helen MacMahon 540.454.1930
17 acres of rolling pasture land in the village of Rectortown | Convenient to both Routes 50 & 66 | Newly renovated | Private setting with magnificent mountain views | 4 bedrooms, 4 full bath, 1 half bath, 2 fireplaces | Heated pool & spa | 2 bedroom guest house | Large shed & 2-car garage
East side of Blue Ridge, all wooded, old logging trail, could clear views of Loudoun Valley and Bull Run Mountains | 10.94 acres, easy access to Routes 7 and 50 | Tough to match the seclusion.
$250,000
Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905
Brian MacMahon 703.609.1868
$2,475,000
Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905
dELAPLANE, Circa 1850’s rebuilt at beams and Barn also 2 bedroom multiple building outside Paul
Walking into Middleburg’s new home and gift shop, Federal & Black, is a treat for your senses. Smell the sweet, musky woodsmoke candle burning as you step through the door; notice the patina on the shop’s vintage fixtures against the deep, carbonized wall color. Hear some classic blues and a little rock ‘n’ roll playing in the background; taste small-batch cardamom and Madagascar vanilla-soaked cocktail cherries or black lava salted caramels, and feel the soft, luxe Merino lambswool throws made in a mill that dates back to 1837 in Yorkshire, England.
“It’s about providing an experience to visitors,” says owner Rebecca Kidder. She adds, “The shop really represents my roots.”
Those roots trace back to the Virginia countryside and extend to Europe, specifically Germany, where she and her family lived next to Grunewald, West Berlin’s largest forest. That influence translates in the shop with an “elegant country living” motif contrasted by “the grittiness and edge of New York City,” where she also has family.
“I like to think I have a unique perspective,” Kidder says. “I’ve always been drawn to the early American style, growing up in Virginia, casual country living mixed with European country, contrasted with a bit of edginess.”
Many of the shop fixtures have a hard finish — think rustic barn wood, weathered zinc buckets, antique warehouse pendant lights. “They’re hard surfaces; the wall trim color, carbonized, is hard, so I balance with softer, feminine goods like baby lambswool throws, pretty hand-blocked
Neighbor | Page 7
“I kept feeling this nudge to explore the idea of opening a shop in town.”
– Kidder
throw pillows, [that are] casual, not fussy, that complement this area really beautifully.”
Ever since she was a girl, Kidder has dreamed of opening a shop. She credits her mother, Bernadette Kidder, with teaching her the value of quality products. That influence, plus experience managing a 4,000-square foot, high-end shop in North Carolina where she started an interior design program and went on buying trips with the owner, prepared her to open her own space.
“I have a lot of branding and marketing experience,” Kidder says. “I was fortunate to pick up a lot of skills that perfectly prepared me for doing this.”
She debuted the first version of Federal & Black at the end of 2019 as an online shop — fortuitous in the soon-to-come pandemic. Then she had the opportunity to open with Chartreuse & Co., an antique mall in a converted barn outside Frederick, Maryland. But the Middleburg boutique is the full realization of her dream. “I feel incredibly blessed that I can do so and do it in
town. I kept feeling this nudge to explore the idea of opening a shop in town,” she explains.
When she discovered a small spot on South Madison Street, between Washington Fine Properties and Posh Pixies, she knew it was an answer to her prayers.
“It just felt right,” she says.
As she prepared to open in time for the summer sidewalk sale in August, the shop became a family project. Her brother painted the walls. One of her sisters assisted in cutting fabric leaves for an autumn pop-up. Her husband does the bookkeeping and helps source items; another sister helps price the items. Her nephews collected the oyster shells on display, and her niece works behind the counter. Then there are her parents, who live in Middleburg and can often be found in the shop talking to visitors.
“This is very personal to us; it’s building relationships and getting to know the people who walk into the shop,” says Kidder, who lives in Arlington but plans to move to Middleburg. “I want
visitors to feel welcomed and hope they’ll leave feeling a bit inspired. The tagline is: ‘Be inspired. Be delighted.’”
She sources products from décor and gift shows, online and in-person auctions, and from people who reach out and call her. You’ll find anything from 100% soy wax candles with intoxicating scents to handpicked, one-of-a-kind antiques, like a vintage science beaker or classical herbarium pages waiting to be framed and hung in a family room. A gift section offers charcuterie staples like heirloom quality, hand-worked pewter cheese knives and spreaders, delicious bacon and apple jam, and cheese storage bags.
“Our bread and butter has always been our gift
section,” Kidder notes. “I love helping customers find just the right gift for a friend or a treasure for their home.”
Rebecca says she’s received a warm welcome from the town and other shop owners.
“I feel incredibly, incredibly thankful to be able to do this. I love helping people find things for their home, getting to know my customers, being in a place that welcomes people,” she says. “I have two really comfortable chairs, so if people want to sit down and chat for a little while they can. Success is people walking out saying, ‘I feel inspired and welcome. It’s a warm, happy place in here.’” ML
“I love helping customers find just the right gift for a friend or a treasure for their home.” – KidderNeighbor | From page 7 Top: Dried flowers and woven baskets are perfect for a fall picnic. Bottom: The store has a surprise on every surface.
This is what’s called a story from the field: A ferocious great horned owl was discovered in a squirrel trap, dangling by one leg, flapping its wings in irritation. The leg was damaged but not irreparably. After medical attention, the owl returned to the woods.
Here’s another: A peregrine falcon, now called Goose, flew directly into an airplane taking off at Dulles. Today she sits in a tall, shady cage, half a wing gone at the joint, staring at visitors with an air of vacuous nobility.
Another: A fox named Jasper lived in a private Virginia residence, in defiance of the law. He’s quite used to humans now; in the middle of the day he curls up by the bars of his enclosure, resting his head on his elegant tail.
All of these stories happened in one place, the Blue Ridge Wildlife Center (BRWC), a teaching hospital exclusively for wild animals. The facility, founded in 2000 and much bigger than it first appears, sits in 17 acres of hardwood forest in a crook of the Shenandoah near Boyce. The center’s patients include nearly every local wildlife animal: raccoon, fox, skunk, chipmunk, opossum, turtle, owl, eagle, heron, snake, bat, frog, and whatever else people find injured by cars or limping through their gardens, except bear and deer. The 11 staff members and 25 volunteers at the center handle everything from surgeries to the kind of blood tests you might have had yourself at the doctor’s. They also carry out ecological research, offer educational programs, and occasionally drive out to capture an animal that someone reported but couldn’t catch themselves.
An integral part to this all-in-one hospital is
Wildlife
page 10
rehab associate Sarah Midolo. Warm and vivacious behind her mask, Midolo has a hand in everything that happens at the hospital, from intake to the care of baby animals to the euthanasia of those beyond repair. (Don’t let this frighten you. “We’re really proud of our humane euthanasia here,” she shares. “Wildlife has to be basically perfect to be released.”)
difference between an emergency room and an elderly folks’ home in terms of predictability and pace.” In the summer she’s at the center before 8 a.m., and the work varies day by day. She helps with patient admission, and pitches in whenever one of the three on-site vets needs a hand. She designs enclosures and plans enrichment exercises, which are games that mimic the challenges of an animal’s normal life and keep them mentally
as bird flu, has spread at an alarming pace from Virginia’s waterfowl population to the bird population in general. It’s a lethal, highly contagious virus, and has been reported in raccoons and foxes as well. The hospital does not allow birds to be brought in the front door, with the other animals; intake happens outside, behind layers of protective gear, and the patient has to sit under observation for over 24 hours before admittance.
Midolo is a Purcellville native and still lives there. She graduated from Elon University, in North Carolina, in 2019, with a degree in environmental and ecological studies and a minor in geography. A post-graduate fellowship with the U.S. Geological Survey convinced her that mapping was not her métier. She ended up, instead, in the world of animal rehabilitation, which suited her better: first at the Virginia Living Museum in Newport News, then with a veterinarian, and finally, in January of this year, at BRWC.
“I didn’t realize this could be a career,” she admits.
The work suits her, even more than domestic practice. “I really did miss rehab. It’s like the
stimulated during their captivity. Baby foxes, it seems, love playing with balls; other animals dig through sandboxes for food.
Midolo takes care of the BRWC’s babies as well, peeing them and feeding them at intervals (“I have timers going off all day”) and checking on their weight and general condition.
Then around 6 p.m., “the day just suddenly ends,” she says with amusement.
It’s exciting work, if not always pleasant. The occasional instances of neglect or abuse would challenge anyone, and the job requires rather intimate terms with death. “I recommend a good therapist,” Midolo laughs. This year has been particularly difficult. Avian influenza, better known
The halls of the hospital reek of bleach, and every door has its footbath.
Wildlife | From page 11
swallowing a fish hook.
The hospital keeps some animals as ambassadors, for educational purposes and to demonstrate the importance of wildlife rehabilitation. These animals must be juveniles when they arrive, and must be too injured to release but healthy enough to live comfortably, without injuries or diseases that grow worse with time. Goose the magnificent falcon is an ambassador, as is Jasper the handsome fox. There are vultures as well, and an eagle, and a screech owl named Dopey.
Rejected by her parents, Dopey stalks around the floor of a large indoor cage, perfectly able but unwilling to fly and looking much sweeter than she actually is.
Midolo thrives amid this huge variety. Hers is a “continuously growing knowledge set,” strengthened by the conferences she and her teammates attend every year. The commitment is more remarkable for the fact that BRWC is entirely private, and receives no public funding. But it’s not surprising. The BRWC attracts people with energy and restless intelligence — people like Midolo, who is now
beginning to plan the next steps of her career. She’s still in her early 20s, but rehab is a young person’s game. The physical side alone, wrestling animals at intake and hauling around enclosure materials, inevitably wears out the joints. It can only last so long as a career. Midolo is leaning toward the education side of wildlife rehabilitation, and probably a master’s degree.
Consider it another story from the field, then: Young adult human arrives at BRWC and makes steady progress. Date of release unknown. Prognosis excellent. An exemplary ambassador. ML
Written by Bill Kent | Photos by Shannon Ayres
On a quiet street in Philomont, close to the Community Center and the General Store, stands a white clapboard with a porch and two doors, one leading to what is now an upstairs apartment, the other into a spacious room lined with shelves from a century ago when this was a store, then a school, a post office, and
a small business. Last year it was bought by Simon and Christine Fleming, who turned it into a short-term rental, what is commonly called an Airbnb.
A mental health therapist and daughter of a U.S. Navy lieutenant commander, Christine Sentlinger met Simon Fleming, a native of Northern
Ireland, while they were working at a Hunt Country outdoor camp. They married in 2014, and settled in Middleburg. When Simon got a new job in Belfast working for a religious missionary organization, the family — which now includes three children and Lucillo, a German shepherd —
Store | Page 15
The Upper Store from above.Store | From page 14
knew they had to leave.
Then, while driving through Philomont, which Christine calls “one of the most beautiful and overlooked areas in Loudoun County,” they saw the house.
“The first time we entered the building,” Christine says, “it felt almost magical to imagine all the people that have been in this space. We loved the history of the building and wanted to honor it. We wanted to be part of its history.”
The Upper Store, built circa 1890, was also known as Van Sickler’s Store. The Flemings purchased it the summer of 2022.
Christine researched online what she would have to do to create a short-term rental. She found a clawfoot tub, and picked out the kitchen appliances and furnishings. Simon started some of the interior renovations and sketched out the basic interior design, being careful to preserve the original cabinets, hand-blown glass, and drawers, which he stocked with toys, games, books, and odd knick-knacks. They also added an outdoor area with chairs near the parking area. Inside, the bedrooms are away from the road, providing the
comforting solace so desirable in rural settings.
J.R. Snider from Marshall upgraded the preWorld War II plumbing and Lauten Design & Construction of Purcellville did the kitchen area. Simon remodeled the second floor into an apartment for year-long leasing. By the spring of 2023, as the Upper Store Airbnb welcomed its first guests, the Flemings moved permanently to Northern Ireland.
The Flemings have since had a dozen shortterm renters, including a “famous writer” whose name Christine will not divulge.
Donnie Walker, a contractor who specializes in historic preservation and manages the property for the Flemings, says the Upper Store “has great potential. It is quirky, in a great location, with great historical interest and perfect for a party of four coming to a wedding. And it has fast Wi-Fi. Slow Wi-Fi is the number one thing shortterm rental guests complain about.”
What’s number two?
“Stink bugs. It doesn’t have any of them, either.”
According to Visit Loudoun, the county’s convention and tourism association, the Upper Store is one of 700 short-term rentals that, with
37 hotels, resorts, and bed-and-breakfasts, provide around 6,000 rooms for overnight stays. The majority are in the eastern part of the county near the shopping malls and Dulles Airport.
Walker thinks that is nowhere near enough. Ten years ago, Walker, then a Waterford residential construction contractor, overheard his wife, who worked with a wedding planner, tell a bride “who wanted a small wedding — not more than 50 guests — that she’d have to book the rooms a year and a half in advance.” Walker says he couldn’t believe what he’d heard. “In 2016 I opened my first short-term rental.”
He now owns 15 and manages 25. Next month he will open his sixteenth: a tree house designed for family visitors. A board member of Visit Loudoun, Walker says that the kind of guests who come to western Loudoun differ from those who stay in the east. “Most places have one wedding season, in the spring to early summer, and then they’re done with it. We have spring to summer and then fall to almost Thanksgiving, and then two weeks around Valentine’s Day. In wedding season in western Loudoun, you still can’t get a room on weekends.”
Wedding guests aren’t the only visitors for whom convenient lodging can be difficult. Spectators and participants in equestrian events and day-tripping patrons of vineyards, breweries, and restaurants are also in the market for overnight stays.
And, “during C OVID,” Walker continues, “we were booked solid with remote workers and people who wanted that peace and solitude. Since then, we’ve had a cooling of demand because of inflation. A lot of people no longer have as much to spend as they used to.”
A recent Bloomberg Businessweek article showed a double-digit decline in bookings that has cut into the bottom line of short-term rental landlords in such tourist destinations as Orlando, Florida, and Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
The rentals, and some of the guests who occupy them, have been blamed for harming, if not irrevocably altering, neighborhoods everywhere from Lower Manhattan and Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter to the eastern Loudoun community of Countryside, where a petition was launched on Change.org to regulate short-term rentals much
Store | Page 16
more closely.
The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors responded last April by extending the Temporary Occupancy Tax to all short-term rentals (previously, those limited to one to two occupants were exempt) and capping the number of people who could occupy a short-term rental to no more than six at any time. Walker personally advocated for the cap “to reduce noise and eliminate parties,” he says.
Another change will require any new shortterm rentals to include access to at least one parking space, and undergo an inspection that could add several thousand dollars to the initial startup costs.
Visit Loudoun President & CEO Beth Erickson says that these changes will only improve the options available for visitors. “I think it’s important to put into context that Loudoun is the top
generator of visitor revenue in the Commonwealth of Virginia. We topped just over $3 billion in 2021. Loudoun is unique because our diversity of product — equestrian experiences, craft beverage and restaurant scene, agriculture and historic attractions, and outdoor recreation assets — make us a very attractive destination. Just like some travelers like to stay in a Marriott or a Hilton, others like to stay in a B&B or short-term residential rental. It’s important that we have the product mix that travelers seek by providing a myriad of options at different price points.”
For Christine and Simon Fleming, owning a short-term rental is a point of pride. Before they moved to Northern Ireland, Simon’s parents came to visit, and stayed in one of Walker’s properties. Their experience confirmed the value of what the Flemings wanted to do with the Upper Store.
Creating a short-term rental can be “a lot of tedious and frustrating work and it is easy to become discouraged and overwhelmed,” Christine
recalls. “We felt a responsibility to honor the people of the past who walked through the doors of the store. We feel a connection to them and taking care of the property is a way to communicate that their lives and work mattered. This gave us the heart and drive to continue.” ML
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Written by Kaitlin Hill
In his final interview for Sprout Therapeutic Riding & Educational Center, Tim Mooney said, “Courage and kindness will change the world. It certainly changes the world here at Sprout for the people that come to us. And there is courage like I have never seen before, and there is kindness around every corner.” Mooney, who passed away on July 9, 2023, was the embodiment of both courage and kindness, and so much more. After being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in January, he succumbed to the disease bravely and peacefully surrounded by friends and family. In his honor, we asked those who knew him to share their memories of him. Unsurprisingly, the tributes poured in.
As the director of philanthropy for Sprout Therapeutic Riding & Educational Center,
Mooney touched countless lives of both the center’s patrons but also its staff. Brooke Waldron, Sprout’s founder and executive director, writes, “Tim joined the team at Sprout in 2020 and quickly became an essential member of our family. As the first director of philanthropy, he pulled Sprout through the pandemic, led the celebration of our 10th anniversary, and spurred us into our next decade of growth.” She continues, “ Over the years, Tim made what we never thought was possible happen for Sprout. And we will be forever grateful for who he was.”
And of his character she shares, “He was thoughtful. He knew everyone's birthday, loved to celebrate each holiday by making it special, and was quick to send a card, flowers, dinner, cupcakes, or a bottle of wine to his friends when
they needed it. … He always knew the right inspirational quote, joke, or one-liner to garner a smile, a laugh, or an attitude adjustment. He was a true friend to everyone. All of the time. He showed us how to live, how to work, and most importantly, how to love. We will miss his vibrant presence but we know his spirit will remain with us forever.”
Susan Fitzgerald, a longtime friend and Sprout Board of Directors chair, remembers Mooney’s initial connection to and enduring passion for Sprout. “In September 2019, Tim came to his first Sprout gala as our guest and he met Brooke and this loving community. At that time, Tim was
working as the director of development for JUST TRYAN IT and the next month we went to their 10-year anniversary celebration to support Tim. As always, he was gracious in listening to my inquiries about potential caterers and development approaches for Sprout, and took time to share his insights and recommendations.”
She continues, “In January 2020, Gary and I invited Tim to dinner to share more information and discuss the mission and work of Sprout and a potential offer for a new position. He was interested in learning more and continuing our conversation about the potential opportunity and as he said, the ‘specific needs Brooke has to insure the growth, evolution, and success of Sprout and the life-changing programs that they offer to those they serve.’ He told me later that he made up his mind that evening — it sounded like a perfect fit for him. In February 2020, he accepted the
new full-time position as the director of philanthropy.
“What I did not know is how perfect of a fit it would actually be. Tim fell in love with the Sprout community, and, of course, they with him.
“He often said that the last three years of his life at Sprout were his absolute best years. [During] a recent visit, Tim said he [was] not afraid of dying because he knows where he is going. He was just going to miss all of us so dearly as we’ve had absolutely so much fun. Sprout was his heaven on earth and I am thankful and blessed that God brought him into our lives.”
TIM-ISMS
Lynn Bronson, a Sprout coworker, fondly recalls the many “Tim-isms” Mooney was known for around the office:
“He’d start all his emails with, ‘Hello my friend,’ and end his emails with, ‘Love you to the moon and back … twice.’
“When he was grateful he’d say, ‘Please know when I count the amazing blessings in my life, and there are many, I count you at least 12 times,’ or, ‘God smiled the day you walked into Sprout … and each day you return.’
“When work got crazy and voicemails piled up he'd say, ‘Apparently, someone left me a message as long as the Gettysburg address.’
“In difficult situations he’d say, ‘As my dearly departed grandfather used to say … “never fight with a pig; you both end up getting dirty and the pig is having fun.”’
“If he happened to forget something he’d say, ‘As my dearly departed mother used to say … “of all the things I have lost, I miss my mind the most.”’
“And who hasn’t heard this one at least a dozen times or more: ‘I love you like a cop loves donuts,’ and boy did Tim love donuts!”
Of the many things Mooney was to the many people that knew him, Nancy Davidson, a Sprout coworker, remembers what a fantastic storyteller he was. She writes, “Tim was a true Irishman — he was funny, he was a gentleman, he was generous, he was the best the Irish have to offer. But the most defining Irish thing about him was that he told a good story.” She continues, “At first blush it might appear Tim's story at Sprout ended
Left: Tim Mooney and Sprout horse VIP Z. Right: Mike Pratt, Eric Stiber, Brooke Waldron, Paul Fox, Katie Newmiller, Diana Newmiller, and Tim Mooney.too soon. But he wove together everyone in this room through the stories he told, the stories of his life and the stories he was creating through his observations at Sprout. There are some people who live on top of their jobs. Then there was Tim; he lived into his job, it infused every fiber of his being. He worked seven days a week, always thinking of ways to increase Sprout's visibility in the community. He would watch riders from that ledge up there and always afterward he would say, ‘It's magic.’
“Sprout is an extraordinary place. Tim told the story of Sprout well, because he saturated himself into our community. His story was as authentic and genuine as he was. Sprout is a community of riders, families, volunteers, horses, donors, guests, barn cats, and service dogs — all of our stories join together to create the heart of Sprout on a daily basis. Tim knew this.”
When those we care about leave us, what remains? In his poem, “Death Is Nothing At All,” Henry Scott Holland argues that nothing should change, and that loved ones lost are simply out of sight.
Death is nothing at all.
I have only slipped away to the next room. I am I and you are you. Whatever we were to each other, That, we still are.
For those who knew Mooney well, benefitted from his work, or even just crossed his path, he is still and will always be Tim Mooney: friend, brother, coworker, optimist, and ardent supporter of Sprout’s life-changing work. In his wake, he leaves a legacy of kindness, courage, and compassion, and an example of an extraordinary life well lived. ML
For more memories of Tim Mooney visit MiddleburgLife.com.
Northern Virginia’s wildly popular vintage market showcasing more than 200 of the best “vintage hip” vendors on the East Coast! Including live music, Vanish Beer Garden, & tons of cool vintage finds!
Solutions for life’s messes. That’s what Ben Avor devised when his company, Purple Uncle, developed baby and toddler products. Specifically, super-soft, absorbent diapers and pants that can be trusted for life’s … yes … messier moments.
Inspired by his Uncle Victor, Avor chose to name his entrepreneurial enterprise in his uncle’s honor. And purple? “Purple is, of course, a regal color and I believe a lot of parents — like myself — treat their children like royalty. There’s lots of symbolism here; my goal is that when people think of the Purple Uncle they think of a loving uncle,” Avor says.
Purple Uncle is an upshot of the pandemic, when Avor became a parent. “My daughter, Esse, was born in October 2020. I spent a lot of time with her because of the whole lockdown, so it all started with her. My uncle inspired the name of my company, and my daughter inspired the product.”
With experience in international banking, Avor, who is originally from Ghana, now lives in Loudoun County, and understands trade and the dynamics of revenue drivers. This put him in a position to find a meaningful product that could be introduced into the market. “One day I looked at my daughter and thought of this idea,” he remembers. “I saw [a] deficiency in the major brands I was using and thought I could make it better.”
Avor and his team have poured their hearts into creating a product that parents can trust and easily access. Clients can choose auto-renewed monthly subscription deliveries brought right to their doorstep, or arrange for customized delivery cycles that fit each lifestyle. Diapers come in sizes beginning with newborns, and pants come in sizes for toddlers who can pull them on by themselves as they enter the potty-training stage. Purple Uncle represents premium
Purple Uncle | Page 25
Purple Uncle products are pleasing for parents and babies. Photos by Jennifer Gray Calcagno Photographyquality products at a price point with parents in mind. How? By seeking the best deals from suppliers and keeping margins “greed-free.”
The diapers and pants are hypoallergenic, dermatologist tested, approved for sensitive and eczema-prone skin, eco-friendly with a carbon offset, and made with no fragrances, optical brighteners, or harsh chemicals. Soft and breathable with maximum absorbency, the products are made of six layers so there is no need for “overnight” versus “day” diapers. Diapers fasten with standard Velcro and pants have tear-away sides with a simple pull-up design easy for toddlers becoming self-sufficient. Pants are made to allow for plenty of movement and stretch with no restrictions to a child’s ability to run, jump, and play.
What distinguishes their diapers from others is the polymers, or absorbent gels. “We’re not skimping; we’re putting a lot more of those polymers into our products,” Avor explains. What makes it unique is that out of the six layers, there are two main absorption layers; normal diapers have only one layer. Average diapers are filled with fluff and cotton with not much absorbent quality. When the SAP (superabsorbent polymer) content is increased, marketers charge a steep price and call them “overnight diapers.” The Purple Uncle design features a lot of SAP, but not
a lot of thick fluff. So, the products are light, can be worn day or night, and one diaper does it all.
Their products meet U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission requirements as well as EU measures. “And regulations in the EU market are more stringent,” Avor notes, “so meeting those standards makes us stand out.” The long-term goal is to open a facility in Virginia for manufacturing and provide local employment.
When considering aesthetics, Avor wanted something subtle and clean; the focus is on the function as a hygiene product. “We spoke with a mother in Canada, Elle Stefanski, a surface-pattern designer specializing in hand-drawn art,” Avor says. “She designed our logo based on the allium flower, which is purple; the logo is embossed at the front of the diaper, and we incorporated her beautiful allium hand drawings.” Through gentle strokes of a fine-lined pen, the delicate and intricate life cycle of the allium flower is artfully depicted on the products. Tiny seeds are thoughtfully integrated into the design, symbolizing how every baby starts as a seed. With this design, the hope is to offer — for both caregiver and kid — a sense of tranquility and appreciation for the wonders of nature.
The company’s website includes a Community Page with tips on parenting, resources, and other products Purple Uncle will be launching. Website visitors can even share their own tips,
helping build a supportive community through shared knowledge about raising happy, healthy, and confident children. The blog acts as a forum where customers can submit parenting questions on topics including: expecting parents, navigating the newborn stages, traveling with infants, potty training, bedtime routines, ways to manage tantrums, and more. There is even a section to exchange jokes. Not just “mom or dad jokes,” but good “uncle” jokes, the webpage states.
Part of Purple Uncle’s brand ethos is to emphasize the importance of father figures. “There’s a myth of what fathers are supposed to do and what we’re not supposed to do. With my male friends, we get together and talk about parenting while having a drink; we share tricks about getting kids to sleep, and other tips,” says Avor. “Growing up, my Uncle Victor was such a warm and generous person. I wish everyone had an Uncle Victor.”
On Purple Uncle’s website, one parent in Alexandria, Virginia, commented: “Without a doubt, Purple Uncle diapers are the softest I've ever chosen for my little one. Not only are they more reasonably priced in comparison to other big-name brands, but they do a good job at keeping her dry, even throughout the night."
And a Washington, D.C., customer added: “These are our favorite diapers so far! They're soft and we haven't had any major leaks or blowouts. We loved them for our son."
Avor’s advice? “Don’t just take our word. Get a hold of our product; we can send a sample to put to the test. Pour water on your diaper, and then on our diaper and see for yourself which works better. We’re confident it will be a no-brainer.”
If Uncle Victor knew about Avor’s new venture, what would he say? “He’d probably give me a hug, and knowing who he is, he would have ideas on how to market or improve it,” Avor admits. “He’d say, ‘Ok, I inspired you — and now here’s my take.’” ML
For tips, updates, giveaways, ordering info, and more, visit Purple Uncle’s website at purpleuncle.com
On August 30, 2023, Greenhill Vineyards celebrated 10 years of business. The milestone was marked with a weekend of activities including a club member reception, live music, swag bags, and a 10th Anniversary Toast Package with three new wine releases: 2021 Blanc de Blancs, 2022 Chenin Blanc, and 2021 Cabernet Franc Limited Release. Greenhill Vineyards sits on 128 pristine acres in the heart of Middleburg, Virginia. A working farm since 1762, it was purchased in 2013 by David Greenhill and transformed into Greenhill Vineyards which opened on August 13 of the same year. Over the years the property has expanded to include a vineyard in Amherst, Virginia, a first-class processing facility, and, in 2017, a new tasting room.
2023 also marks the 10-year anniversary of Sheila Johnson’s Salamander Resort & Spa in Middleburg. Since opening the property, her first of seven, in 2013, Johnson and the Salamander Resort & Spa team have earned countless accolades, including The Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five-Diamond. The 340-acre property is home to a world-class spa, numerous fine dining experiences, state-of-the-art equestrian facilities, countless outdoor activities, and highly anticipated annual events like Family Reunion and The Middleburg Film Festival.
Congratulations to Greenhill Vineyards and Salamander Resort & Spa on 10 wonderful years in Middleburg!
profit organizations that serve Loudoun County. SHAED will perform on Friday with special guest Ryan Wright. This performance is open to the public and will take place on the Loudoun County Courthouse lawn starting at 5 p.m. On Saturday, 12 stages will be spread across 11 different venues around Leesburg with each artist performing a 60-minute set. Passes for Saturday can be purchased in advance online for $20 or on-site for $30. The full list of bands, venues, and pass information can be found at crossroadsmusicfest.org.
September boasts a long list of live music events that are perfect for a family outing or an intimate date night. From acoustic sessions on brewery patios to a lawn picnic set to the tune of classical music, there are plenty of opportunities to catch a concert in Hunt Country this month!
Running all month on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, Lost Barrel Brewing in Middleburg has an impressive list of performers lined up for live music in September. Headliners include JP Jones, Crazy Jane Band, Juliet Lloyd Trio, Dennis & Brad, Summer & Eric, Thirsty Drifters, and
2MB. For lovers of classic rock like the Eagle's “Hotel California” and “Summer Breeze” by Seals & Crofts, don’t miss Winchester band Acoustic Soul on September 15 at 5:30 p.m. Artists Shane Gamble, Steve George Band, and Just South of 7 finish out a month of wonderful live shows at a venue that has it all: delicious drinks, tasty food, and a stunning setting.
The Crossroads Music Festival is back with musical trio SHAED. This year, the event will span two evenings, September 15 and 16, and feature a total of 35 artists to raise funds for non-
If you haven’t visited Hamilton Station before, September is the perfect time to do it. Each weekend the venue will host a different live music act in their picturesque vineyard setting. Enjoy a glass of wine while taking in the talents of Acoustic Moose, Liberty Street, Lenny Burridge, Jim Steele, and Sela Campbell. While most performances are free to enjoy, a few of the events will be ticketed, so make sure to check out the online events calendar. And Beatles lovers take note: Mostly Fab, a Beatles tribute band, will be there on September 29 from 7 to 9 p.m. Tickets for this concert can be booked through The Barns at Hamilton Station Vineyards’ website.
This Aldie winery and brewery will have live music on Fridays and Saturdays throughout the month of September. Local favorites like Jason Masi, Nathaniel Davis, and Gary Smallwood are among the musicians that visitors to the winery will enjoy this month. And don’t miss original
Music | From page 28
tunes from Dave Mininberg on September 30 who, according to his website, loves playing here for the setting, people, and pizza.
FREE CONCERT SERIES
Join the Middleburg Community Center on September 15 to enjoy the musical stylings of Fountains, an alternative rock/jazz band out of Warrenton. The band shares, “We are excited to show Middleburg what we’ve been working on and new music to debut!” The concert will be held in the community center’s amphitheater where guests are invited to bring a blanket or chair and get comfortable for a night of fantastic music, food, wine, and beer! This year’s concert series is also a celebration of the amphitheater, now called the Fox Trap, which was built 75 years ago. Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to lis-
ten to music under the stars in a historic setting!
On September 16 from 6 to 9 p.m. Main Street in Warrenton will transform into an old school block party with food trucks, a beer and wine garden, kids’ activities, and live music by The Souled Out Band as part of the Allegro Concert Series. Band members Lydell Patterson, Robbie Shiley, Graham SPICE!, Jeff Bell, and Larry Banks will rock the block with a dizzying array of styles from soul and R&B to rock and country music. The setlist could include songs from favorites like Kool & The Gang, James Brown, Four Tops, ZZ Top, Eric Clapton, The Rolling Stones, Lil Jon, Nelly, and many more. ML
For additional information on these live music events and more, visit MiddleburgLife.com.
There’s the old adage that cats have nine lives, which references their resiliency and stages of life. But not every feline is gifted with the same opportunity to be in a welcoming and loving home. Some are without care from the start or given up for behavioral or physical issues — or even no reason at all.
Fortunately, there’s a Northern Virginia nonprofit that helps all cats and kittens land on their feet, often saving ones that would otherwise be euthanized. The Cats at Long Street is an all-volunteer nonprofit specializing in cases where life hasn’t been so kind and placing cats in homes for their remaining days.
Although the nonprofit was founded in 2017, Dr. Kathi Werden, who serves as CEO, and COO Kristin Lassiter have been performing their healing work for well over a decade. The two kindred spirits met at a veterinary clinic. “Sometimes you meet people that you're supposed to meet when you're supposed to meet them,” says Werden fondly.
The organization started at Werden’s home on Longstreet in Round Hill, Virginia (hence the name), where she took in her first foster cats. In the early years, expenses were paid out of pocket or with generous donations from those who knew of the exceptional work that they performed. Thousands of cats have been helped by their hands and support team. “It was very organic,” says Werden, who notes that even before moving to Virginia more than a decade ago, she
was helping cats at Michigan State veterinary school. “When I moved down here, it was the same thing where there was just a need, and I was
like you know what — I have a bathroom. I have
Cats | Page 31
a place that I can work to try to save this cat who deserves something better than spending her entire life in a basement.”
Werden describes all cats as agoraphobic, therefore needing to be given a small space when introduced to a new environment. Over time, she’ll gradually increase the space allotted to them. Her first bathroom cat was Sophie. “Sophie
call to assist. “I put the kitten back together — literally took it to surgery and put it back together,” she recalls.
It's stories like these that show that life can be rewritten for felines when there is willingness and compassion. From an early age, Werden was one of those people who had both attributes. “When I was a kid, I remember a mom cat that belonged to a neighbor and she had kittens and one of the
ting at her feet who had come to them pregnant with a compound fracture of her femur. “She was miserable, so we paid a small fortune to have her fracture repaired … and then she had her babies.” Werden said other rescues would have aborted the babies, even though they were close to term, and then done the surgery.
was brought in for euthanasia after being locked in a basement by herself for her entire life, which was seven years. From what the owners told us, someone went down every few months to change the litter box and she was just left there, and she peed all over the basement.” Werden took Sophie into her home and retrained her to use the litter box. In time, Sophie was adopted by Jen Zimmerman, who is now the treasurer of the nonprofit.
The next cat that she helped was a tiny black kitten that had been hit by a car, and one of the assistants that worked at the clinic brought him in on Werden’s day off — and she answered the
kittens, a little orange striped one, was stillborn. I remember looking at that itty-bitty kitten and being frustrated that there wasn't anything I could do to help it,” she remembers.
As the practice owner of Harmony Hill Hospital in Sterling, Virginia, Werden helps all pets, from dentistry, pain management, behavior, internal medicine, and end-of-life care. She says the nonprofit occasionally helps dogs too, in addition to cats, but cats tend to be the “underserved population.”
During the interview, Werden had a cat sit-
The Cats at Longstreet is a collective effort, with four officers and six directors in addition to the support team. “All of us wear more than one hat, but we would not be able to do half the stuff that we do if I didn't have other people helping.” The organization also teams up with other nonprofits, including in West Virginia and underserved areas within Virginia. Werden finishes, “It just blows me away with all the stuff that we're able to accomplish now.”
But there is always room for more help, and the organization is in need of foster parents. “We need people who are willing to open their hearts
Cats | From page 31
and their homes to senior cats that nobody wants because they're seniors. And we always need financial donations,” says Werden, as the toughest cases often require the most funding. “We take the hard luck cases, so we take the ones that are covered in maggots. We take the ones that have a broken limb.”
Community events are one way for those interested to learn more about the opportunities available for volunteering and adopting from The Cats at Longstreet. In September, volunteers will be at the Loudoun Pet Expo to answer questions, and there is currently an ongoing flower sale online to support The Cats at Longstreet mission. ML
For more information, visit thecatsatlongstreet.org.
Top: Izzy, a cat lover, plays with Potato. Bottom: Potato and a feline friend face off.
Color Change
Hayley Color-Changing Raincoats, $70, Available at Posh Pixies
Microscope, $30, and Nature Fun Compass, $10, Available at The PLAYroom
Pickleball Paddles, $98 each, Available at Chloe's of Middleburg
Seattle Seed Co. Pruning Snips, $9, Saved Seed Envelopes, $9, and Gardener’s Hand Soap, $12, Available at Federal & Black
Cartridge Bag, $239, Available at Country Classics
The Original Windproof Shirt Jacket and Full Zip, $295 each, Available at Highcliffe Clothiers
Live Music at Cana Vineyards & Winery
September 9 | 12 to 4 p.m. | canavineyards.com/event-calendar
Dixie Danielle of Winchester will be at Cana Vineyards from noon to 4 p.m. on September 9. Stop by to enjoy her original compositions and covers in several musical genres including: classic and alternative rock, pop, country, folk, R&B, and more. While there, take in the beautiful surroundings and a delicious glass of wine.
Third Annual Oyster Riot
September 9 | 12 to 3 p.m. | boxwoodwinery.com
Enjoy Boxwood Estate Winery’s Third Annual Oyster Riot. Lunch from Salerno's on the Chesapeake Bay will be paired with a Boxwood Estate sauvignon blanc half-bottle. Musician Matt Waller will play ‘80s and ‘90s rock. Tickets are $95 per person. Wine Club members receive a 10% discount on tickets. You can book tickets online at boxwoodwinery.com/events.
Archwood Green Barns Farmers Market
September 10 | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. | archwoodgreenbarns.com
The Archwood Green Barns producer-only farmers market in The Plains has been in operation on Sundays for 25 years in 2023! Experience a unique Sunday farmers market destination in Northern Virginia, offering the best in Virginia-grown products.
Middleburg Oktoberfest 2023
September 16 | 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. | middleburgva.gov
Join the Town of Middleburg for Oktoberfest. The event will include traditional German food, live music, festival games, and local beer and wine. Local artists will also line the streets offering fine art, pottery, jewelry, wearable art, and more. This is an all-day, family-friendly event. For more information, visit: middleburgva.gov
The Bluemont Fair
September 16 - 17 | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. | bluemontfair.org
Don’t miss the 53rd Annual Bluemont Fair. Spend the day wandering the 200-year-old village in the Blue Ridge Mountains while browsing artisan crafts and enjoying local wine, beer, and live music. There will be an archaeology demonstration and free games for kids. Admission is $10. Kids age 9 and under enter for free.
Sunday Polo with Polo in the Burg
September 17 | 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
September 17 is Hawaiian Luau-themed at Sunday Polo with Polo in the Burg at 23156 Carters
Farm Land, Middleburg, VA 20117. Admission is free and there will be food, wine, and music! For more information visit: visitmiddleburgva. com.
Calendar | Page 35
Plein Air Workshop at Grace The Plains
September 22 - 23 | 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. | teresadukefineart.com/events-1
Becky Parrish and Teresa Duke are pleased to offer a two-day plein air painting workshop on the grounds of Grace Church in The Plains. The class is open to students of all levels, and the registration fee is $375. Parrish and Duke will work in oils but students are encouraged to work in the medium of their choice.
Old Town Warrenton Fall Festival
September 23 | 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. | fauquierchamber.org/old-town-warrenton-fallfestival
Historic Old Town Warrenton will have arts, music, crafters, strolling entertainment, and festival food on Main Street to celebrate the 44th annual festival. This event is perfect for families and one of Virginia’s top festivals.
Cloverleaf Polo Classic
September 23 | 12 to 5 p.m. | cloverleafequinecenter.org
Join Cloverleaf Equine Center for their largest annual fundraising event. Guests are treated to an afternoon of world-class polo, live and silent auctions, music, drinks, and dining. The Polo Classic showcases the inspirational work of Cloverleaf to serve children and adults with disabilities, youth from marginalized communities, and recovering military personnel. For tickets, visit: cloverleafequinecenter.org/events
Supper Club: Dried Flower Wreaths & Brooms
September 26 | 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. | fromtheearthcreative.com
September's Supper Club at the Middleburg Community Center Makerspace will be hosted by Amy Potter who will lead a fall wreaths and brooms workshop. Participants can choose to either make a wreath or broom out of locally grown dried flowers and materials. Tickets are $111 and available at fromtheearthcreative.com
CBBCF Tennis and Pickleball Tournament
September 30 | 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. | cherryblossombreastcancerfoundation.org
Grab your racket and partner to spend a funfilled day of tennis and pickleball at the Middleburg Tennis Club, organized by the Cherry Blossom Breast Cancer Foundation. This event is intended for all skill levels. Team tickets include tournament play, gifts, prizes, live music, and a buffet dinner. Attendee tickets are also available for those who would prefer to just watch. Tickets are available on Eventbrite.
Marshall Day Fall Festival
September 30 | 12 to 4 p.m. | marshallvirginia. com/event/fall-festival
Celebrate Marshall’s 225th anniversary this year at the annual Fall Festival. The festival will feature handmade crafts, delicious food from local vendors, and live entertainment.
For more Hunt Country events visit MiddleburgLife.com or scan here:
