Personality Profile

I’m very proud to be called a pig. It stands for Pride, Integrity and Guts

Lonesome Dove Meet “Sophie”

Admit it. Spotting a celebrity is fun. A “meh” day turns exciting when you realize the familiar dude ordering a latte played Owen Wilson’s buddy in that movie about crashing weddings.

Not so in the village of Middleburg in rural Virginia where the sport of celebrity sightings is as common as the sport of polo. This tony enclave for the horsey set boasts a plethora of restaurants, boutiques, antique shops, wineries and upscale hotels, all serving as a magnet for the rich and famous for decades.

Jackie Kennedy could be spotted attending church in Middleburg and on horseback galloping through fields following a pack of hounds. Elizabeth Taylor shopped at the local Safeway when married to Virginia’s beloved Senator John Warner. Last year, the Boss himself cheered on his daughter, Jessica Springsteen, an equestrian show jumping champion and Olympic medal winner, at a prestigious horse show.

One exception exists. While generally adopting a blasé attitude toward celebrities, catching a glimpse of long-time resident Robert Duvall provides the jolt that enhances your day and makes you want to call a friend and say, “Guess who I just saw.” Mr. Duvall, fondly remembered for his award-winning portrayal of Texas Ranger Gus McCrae in Lonesome Dove, is much like Gus. Gracious. Feisty. Funny. Genuine.

Mr. Duvall’s unique status notwithstanding, recently Middleburg’s typical insouciance toward celebrities has been subsumed by the excitement and anticipation of a sighting of another sort. Meet Little Yellow Sofa.

Named “Sofia”, at first glance she looks like just another pretty couch. But scratch her upholstery and discover a Little Yellow Sofa imbued with a certain je ne sais quoi combined with an aura of gravitas and, yes, even mysticism.

Little Yellow Sofa, silently, mysteriously and randomly, manifests herself in absurd settings. She makes cameos at the Middleburg post office, in the woods as a tiny but mighty fixture between towering trees, surrounded by hounds at a steeple chase event. Photos of these appearances, accompanied by a witty saying or motivational quote, appear on Facebook and Instagram. They inspire joyful comments from her legions of followers who express delight and appreciation for Little Yellow Sofa’s wisdom or silliness.

Serendipity, teamed with brain-storming among Natalie Fox and two friends, spawned the concept of Little Yellow Sofa. In an enlightened moment, the threesome brought Sofia along to their elaborate tailgate at a local point-to-point race. The reason: it was a ridiculous thing to do. But Sofia’s presence was such a hit and drew so much attention that the idea of a traveling Little Yellow Sofa sprang to life.

Natalie Fox, an artist and the owner of what used to be an inanimate object, is clearly blessed with the creative gene. Born and raised in Alexandria but soon to move to Middleburg, Natalie is a familiar presence in the arts community. She recently was named one of the “women to watch in Hunt Country” for her drawings and paintings, particularly of scenes depicting equestrian themes. Her realist paintings of horses demonstrate a passionate admiration for the animal. They often sell before the paint fully dries.

When asked the meaning of Little Yellow Sofa, Natalie returns to a quote of Lonesome Dove’s Gus McCrae: “The only healthy way to live life is to learn to like all the little everyday things, like a sip of good whiskey in the evening, a soft bed, a glass of buttermilk, or a feisty gentleman like myself.”

To be clear, Sofia has no plans to nudge Mr. Duvall off the celebrity pedestal. Her focus remains on bringing smiles and joy to her followers and, just maybe, provide a moment of reflection on life and what is truly important.

Sofia remains grounded despite an ever-expanding fan base. Her ego is intact.

Little Yellow Sofa harbors no ambitions to become a sectional.

About the Author: Meg Mullery is a contributing writer and Blue Ridge distribution “assistant” to the OTC and just a great all around person. She is a Middleburg resident and spends some of her valuable time selling real estate for Washington Fine Properties and volunteering at Sprout – a therapeutic riding program in Aldie.

Interpreting the Enslaved People of Mount Vernon

7 p.m. Admission: $8 per person Lee-Fendall House 614 Oronoco Street 703-548-1789 leefendallhouse.org

Join in this talk and learn about various ways of interpreting the enslaved people at George Washington’s Mount Vernon. Learn about the different techniques, the challenges and future goals. The talk will be given by Jeremy Ray, the Director of Interpretation at Mount Vernon.

5TH & 19TH

Free Yoga in the Fresh Air in Old Town North

9 to 10 a.m. Admission: Free Montgomery Park Gazebo 901 North Royal Street 571-218-2161 riversedgeyoga.com

Start your day with a burst of energy from this all-level al fresco yoga class offered on select Sundays throughout the summer.

10TH & 24TH

Trivia Nights at Historic Sites 7 to 9 p.m.

Admission: $8 Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden 614 Oronoco Street 703-548-1789 leefendallhouse.org

Staff members at Carlyle House Historic Park and the Lee-Fendall House Museum combine their knowledge to create bi-weekly trivia nights throughout the summer in the beautiful gardens of the Lee-Fendall House. Test your knowledge on everything from pop culture to history. Registration must be done in advance. Limited capacity so register early! Tickets include snacks and one complimentary drink. Additional drinks can be purchased at our bar. Teams are limited to 6 people, ages 21+ only. Each trivia night will have a different theme, ranging from literature to horror to 1990s. There will be weekly prizes for the winning team as well as a grand prize for the team that wins the most points over the entire summer.

7th Annual Well Ray Festival

9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission: Free Mount Vernon Ave. and the Mount Vernon Recreational Center wellraydelray.com

The Del Ray Business Association will host its 7th Annual Well Ray Festival on Saturday, June 11 in the heart of Del Ray from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The free event will include more than 100 health and lifestyle-inspired vendors offering demos and sample treatments such as health screens, massages, acupuncture, physical therapy, nutritional assessments, and reiki energy treatments.

10 to 11:30 a.m. Admission: $20 per person Carlyle House 121 N. Fairfax Street 703-549-2997 novaparks.com/parks/carlylehouse-historic-park

Alexandria has grown from a small town in the 18th century to a bustling small city in the 21st century. Join Carlyle House for a tour of Alexandria, exploring the various architectural styles that adorn the city streets and make it one of the best places to live and work. Reservations are required as space is limited. All COVID-19 procedures will be in place during this tour. Please wear comfortable shoes for this one and a half-hour guided tour. Tour is held rain or shine unless there is severe weather.

Beyond the Battlefield: A Walking Tour of Civil War Alexandria

9 a.m. Admission: $15 per person Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden, 614 Oronoco St., Alexandria, VA 22314 703-548-1789 leefendallhouse.org

This walking tour shares the stories of soldiers, citizens and self-liberated African Americans in Civil War Alexandria, covering the military occupation, the conversion of public and private buildings into hospitals, and emancipation.

16TH

Old Town Art Walk

5 to 8 p.m. Admission: Free Various locations in Old Town oldtownbusiness.org

Enjoy a self-guided tour of Old Town Alexandria and explore the fine art and studio crafts found in art galleries and boutique shops on the third Thursday of each month, May to October. The stroll is a great activity after an early dinner, or before enjoying a meal at one of Old Town Alexandria’s restaurants. The Old Town Art Walk is presented by the Old Town Business Association.

Music at the Market at Old Town North

6 to 7 p.m. Admission: Free Montgomery Park 901 N Royal Street oldtownnorth.org

The Old Town North Community Partnership, with support from NOTICe, The Old Town North Alliance and local businesses and residents, present Music at the Market on the third Thursday of the month throughout the summer. Head to the Old Town North Farmer’s and Artisans Market to browse, pick up a bite and picnic in the park while soaking in great live music. Rain date are June 23rd.

1 to 3 p.m. Admission: Free Torpedo Factory Art Center 105 N Union Street 703-746-4570 torpedofactory.org

Enjoy a free workshop or live demo with a Torpedo Factory Art Center artist at the Waterfront entrance of the Art Center. There will be a different project every third Saturday of the month through October.

19TH

Juneteenth at the Torpedo Factory Art Center

10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission: Free Torpedo Factory Art Center 105 N Union Street 703-746-4570 torpedofactory.org

America’s second Independence Day is a time to celebrate, reflect, and learn about the end of slavery in the United States. It’s a celebration of freedom, and also an opportunity to deepen our awareness of the nation’s legacy of systemic racism and oppression. Join artists at the Art Center for a shared community space in the Grand Hall to create artistic messages with your loved ones.

Sundays from June 19 to Sept. 4 Admission: $5 per adult; $3 per child (ages 5 to 12) and free for city residents Gadsby’s Tavern Museum 134 N. Royal Street alexandriava.gov/GadsbysTavern

Gadsby’s Tavern Museum’s Junior Docent Program is back with an exciting new offering this summer thanks to American Heritage Chocolate! Every Sunday, June 19 through Labor Day weekend, from 2 to 5 p.m. guests can meet Junior Docents (grades 4 and older) who will be stationed throughout the tavern. They will be sharing the history of the early America and the tavern, but also the history of chocolate, including a hands-on demonstration of historic chocolate-making in the ballroom.

25TH

The Old Town Arts & Crafts Fair

3 to 8 p.m. Admission: Free Market Square 300 King Street volunteeralexandria.org/arts-andcrafts-festival

Volunteer Alexandria is thrilled to implement the popular Old Town Arts and Crafts Fair on Saturday, June 25th at Market Square featuring local and regional artists and crafters who showcase their pieces across various mediums, including pottery, stationery, fabrics, paintings, jewelry, photography

An eclectic shop specializing in clothing, jewelry & Latin American art as well as special occasion & wedding dresses.

GOSSYPIA

325 Cameron Street • Old Town 703-836-6969

www.Gossypia.com

Authentic Creole, Cajun and Seafood Specialties Since 1985

3804 Mt. Vernon Ave. | Alexandria, VA 22305 | (703) 684-6010 | rtsrestaurant.net “Top 50 Southern Restaurants in the Country”—Forbes Magazine