Warrenton Lifestyle Magazine October 2024 by Warrenton Lifestyle Magazine

Bringing Quality Care to

Bringing Quality Care to Our Community

Surgical Care in Our Community

Bringing Quality Care to Our Community

Fauquier Health Physician Services has grown the number of primary care and OB/GYN providers in our community to give you access to the care you and your family need. Our practices are all welcoming new patients.

Surgical Care in Our Community

With primary and OB/GYN care, close to home, we’ll help you live your healthiest life.

Primary Care

Surgical Care in Our

When you or a family member needs surgery, we have experts who can help. Our surgeons perform advanced, minimally invasive techniques using the latest technology.

Fauquier Health Primary and Specialty Care at Lake Manassas

Internal Medicine

Community

When you or a family member needs surgery, we have experts who can help. Our surgeons perform advanced, minimally invasive techniques using the latest technology.

Fauquier Health Primary and Specialty Care at Lake Manassas

With surgical care close to home, you can live your healthiest life.

7915 Lake Manassas Drive, Ste. 101 Gainesville, VA 20155

703.743.7370

Kearn Ghuman, DO Family Medicine

Allan Hardy, MD Gastroenterology

Jenna Wong, DO Family Medicine

Fauquier Health Family Practice at Bealeton 6200 Station Drive • Bealeton, VA 22712 540.439.8100

540.439.8100

Nchang Azefor, MD General Surgery

Fauquier Health Family Practice at Bealeton 6200 Station Drive • Bealeton, VA 22712

Olga Mazur, MD General Surgery

Bortun, MD Family Medicine

Ahmed Fida, MD Family Medicine

Fauquier Health Primary Care at Culpeper 1100 Sunset Lane, Ste. 1211-A Culpeper, VA 22701 • 540.316.5950

When you or a family member needs

When you or a family member needs surgery, we have experts who can help. Our surgeons perform advanced, minimally invasive techniques using the latest technology.

Piedmont Internal Medicine 419 Holiday Court, Ste. 100 • Warrenton, VA 20186

With surgical care close to home, you can live your healthiest life.

Fauquier Health Primary Care at Culpeper 1100 Sunset Lane • Culpeper, VA 22701 540.316.5950

Tony Fiore, DO Family Medicine Christopher Nagle, MD Internal Medicine

Barry Aron, MD Obstetrics & Gynecology

MD Internal Medicine

OB/GYN

Fauquier

Joseph Brown, MD General Surgery

Internal Medicine

who can help. Our surgeons perform advanced, techniques using the latest technology.

With surgical care close to home, you can live your healthiest life.

Nathaniel Saint-Preux, MD General Surgery

When you or a family member needs surgery, we have who can help. Our surgeons perform advanced, minimally techniques using the latest technology.

When you or a who can help. Our techniques using

When you or a family member who can help. Our surgeons techniques using the latest With surgical care close

Fauquier Health OB/GYN and Midwifery at Lake Manassas 7915 Lake Manassas Drive, Ste. 101 • Gainesville, VA 20155 • 703.743.7300

With surgical care

With surgical care close to home, you can live your healthiest

With surgical care close to home, you can

Fauquier Health OB/GYN and Midwifery at Lake Manassas 7915 Lake Manassas Drive, Ste. 101 • Gainesville, VA 20155 • 703.743.7300

Allan Hardy, MD Gastroenterology

G. Benjamin Wampler, MD General Surgery

MD Obstetrics & Gynecology

Victoria McDonald, MD Obstetrics & Gynecology

Urology

To find a healthcare provider, visit

Barry Aron, MD Obstetrics & Gynecology

Mohamad Salkini, Urology

Cynthia

Victoria McDonald, MD Obstetrics & Gynecology

Nchang Azefor, MD General Surgery

Allan Hardy, MD Gastroenterology

Joseph Brown, MD General Surgery

Nathaniel Saint-Preux, MD General Surgery

Olga Mazur, MD General Surgery G. Benjamin Wampler, General Surgery

Barry Aron, MD Obstetrics & Gynecology

Mohamad

Victoria McDonald, MD Obstetrics & Gynecology

Nchang Azefor, MD General Surgery

Allan Hardy, MD Gastroenterology

Joseph Brown, General Surgery

Nathaniel Saint-Preux, MD General Surgery

Olga Mazur, MD General Surgery G.

Barry Aron, MD Obstetrics & Gynecology

Victoria McDonald, Obstetrics & Gynecology

Nchang Azefor, MD General Surgery

Allan Hardy, MD Gastroenterology

Nathaniel Saint-Preux, General Surgery

Olga Mazur, MD General Surgery

Barry Aron, MD

Nchang Azefor, General Surgery

Allan Hardy, MD Gastroenterology

Nathaniel Olga Mazur, MD General Surgery

Allan Hardy, MD Gastroenterology

Olga Mazur, General

Jae Lee, MD

Candice Davis, FNP

Hasina Hamid, MD

Demetrius Maoury, MD

Mandy Colegrove, WHNP Gynecology

Tony Fiore, DO

Christopher Nagle,

Jae Lee, MD Internal Medicine

Candice Davis, FNP Internal Medicine

Hasina Hamid, MD Internal Medicine

Victoria McDonald, MD Obstetrics & Gynecology

Erica Coleman, FNP

Demetrius Maoury, MD Internal Medicine

Mandy Colegrove, WHNP Gynecology

Aliona Bortun, MD Family Medicine

Joseph David, MD Internal Medicine

Barry Aron, MD Obstetrics & Gynecology

Monica Freidline, CNM Obstetrics & Gynecology, Midwife

Candice Davis, FNP Inter nal Medicine

Kearn Ghuman, DO Family Medicine

Ahmed Fida, MD Family Medicine

Hasina Hamid, MD Internal Medicine

Victoria McDonald, MD Obstetrics & Gynecology

Erica Coleman, FNP Internal Medicine

Lauren Kim, CNM Obstetrics & Gynecology, Midwife

Demetrius Maoury, MD Internal Medicine

Mandy Colegrove, WHNP Gynecology

Mohamad Salkini, MD

Cynthia Dougherty, General Surgery

Aliona Bortun, MD Family Medicine

Joseph David, MD Internal Medicine

Monica Freidline, CNM

Jae Lee, MD Internal Medicine

Gabriela Ammatuna, PhD, CM, IBCLC Obstetrics & Gynecology, Midwife

Candice Davis, FNP Internal Medicine

Kearn Ghuman, DO Family Medicine

Ahmed Fida, MD Family Medicine

Hasina Hamid, MD Internal Medicine

Victoria McDonald, MD Obstetrics & Gynecology

Erica Coleman, FNP Internal Medicine

Lauren Kim, CNM Obstetrics & Gynecology, Midwife

Demetrius Maoury, MD Internal Medicine

Mandy Colegrove, WHNP Gynecology

Jenna Wong, DO Family Medicine

Cynthia Dougherty, MD

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Most of the articles included in Warrenton Lifestyle are written by talented freelancers, but usually I write one or two myself. Sometimes because it’s a time crunch, sometimes it’s more convenient for me to handle, or I know a bit about the subject beforehand so I have a leg

up. But then there are some stories that I keep because it’s a really cool story and will be fun to write.

My readers probably know that I love dogs and have a golden retriever. He’s very sweet and tries really hard to be well-behaved. Can he sit on command? Yes, for the most part. Can he fetch? Well, sort of. He’ll go find the ball once it’s thrown, but then makes you chase him to get it back. Can he stay on command? Well…not really, and not for very long.

But, after having trained horses for years, I am fascinated by dog training, and especially fascinated with impeccably behaved dogs. I came across Leverage Animal Actors mentioned on social media, and I jumped on it. These are two young women who train dogs to act in movies and commercials.

No way I was going to let a freelancer in on this one. I wanted it for myself!

WARRENTON LIFESTYLE

A Celebration of Fauquier County

PUBLISHER

Dennis Brack dennis@warrentonlifestyle.com

EDITOR Pam Kamphuis pam@warrentonlifestyle.com

ART DIRECTOR Kara Thorpe kara@warrentonlifestyle.com

ADVERTISING

Sales Director: Jim Kelly jim@warrentonlifestyle.com, 434-987-3542

Senior Account Executive: Cindy McBride cindy@warrentonlifestyle.com, 540-229-6038

CREATIVE SERVICES DIRECTOR Jay Ford creative@warrentonlifestyle.com

And it really was one of the most fun stories I’ve written. I had a great time chatting with Kelly and Katie and loved their enthusiastic attitude about the industry. They are down to earth, love their dogs, and their dogs love the spotlight.

Magazine articles are ideally about 800 words, sometimes a little more. A cover story might be 1000-1200 words. This one, well, is even longer. But I know Fauquier County loves dogs, so maybe you’ll overlook the length and enjoy it anyway.

Happy October!

EDITOR Pam Kamphuis

The Warrenton Lifestyle Magazine is published monthly and distributed to over 11,500 selected addresses. While reasonable care is taken with all material submitted to The Warrenton Lifestyle Magazine, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage to any such material. Opinions expressed in articles are strictly those of the authors. While ensuring that all published information is accurate, the publisher cannot be held responsible for any mistakes or omissions. Reproduction in whole or part of any of the text, illustration or photograph is strictly forbidden. ©2024 Rappahannock Media LLC. The Lifestyle magazines is a sister publication with Fauquier County's Leading Online News Source, FAUQUIERNOW.COM Visit us for the latest local news, calendar, classifieds, obituaries, real estate announcements, newsletter sign up, Warrenton Lifestyle

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of Service

Warrenton Volunteer Fire Company celebrated the centennial with a grand parade in Old Town Warrenton BY GRACE SCHUMACHER

Adventures

Not-to-be-missed experiences to enjoy the fall season within a few hours’ drive BY BROOKE ARTHUR

Close at your First Rodeo

A photographer’s view of September’s Culpeper Rodeo BY LUKE CHRISTOPHER FOR FOOTHILLS FORUM

Entertainment Lights! Camera! Bark!

For two friends and their pets, there’s no business like show business

Writers’ corner Essay: A Good Ride, All the Way

A horsewoman says goodbye to treasured horses and a way of life

Justin and Crystal Willis of Warrenton Functional Fitness inspire their family and a community to become stronger. BY MARY SCRO

SHANNON CHIERICHELLA

Real Estate Roundup Fauquier’s Top 10 home sales

and Dine

the Dead Cocktails for a spooky holiday BY DANIEL DUCA

THE COVER: Kelly Litchford and Katie Wellington of Leverage Animal Actors with Sequel, Dolly, Presto, and Premiere. Photo by Luke Christopher

Global Citizenship

World language study as a pathway to broad horizons

BY TUTT STAPP-MCKIERNAN

Many were shocked last year when some universities began to announce the slashing or even the elimination of their world languages departments–but the trend is broader than just those headlines. The State of Virginia no longer requires that a student take a world language to graduate, for example, and many elementary schools where enrichment language study had been offered are cutting those programs, either to meet budget constraints or to focus on different priorities.

There are, however, excellent reasons to study a second language, and to start that learning as early as possible. Aside from the fact that most selective colleges and universities still either encourage or require two to four years of the same world language, there are 21st-century learning objectives that are beautifully fulfilled by the study of another culture and its language.

At Wakefield School, a mission-based commitment to the cultivation of global citizens drives a robust and vibrant World Languages (WL) Department that begins at the beginning: JK students enjoy twice-weekly world languages experience in both Spanish and French, continuing through Grade 7. In Grade 8, students choose either Spanish, French, or Latin for their required Upper School studies–two years of the same lan-

guage required, four years recommended.

Despite the necessary focus in the Upper School on the grammar, vocabulary, and verb conjugation that all language study requires, all of Wakefield’s WL teachers are in agreement that it is the sparking of curiosity, cultural awareness, and confident communication in the world community–in other words, the cultivation of global citizenship–that is the actual payoff for such systematic exposure.

Here’s what they have to say:

Ana Lizarraga, WL Department Chair and Spanish teacher for Grades JK-7: “In JK, we will tell them, ‘OK, we are going on a pretend trip! We are going to fly!’ and we show them the map and where we’re going to go…or we will show them objects from the country we’re studying and ask them to choose one they like and describe it. This expands their curiosity [about a different country]. We emphasize conversation, and curiosity.

Connie Lalonde, French teacher for Grades JK-7: “We’ve always been clear that in the Lower School the goal is not to develop any level of proficiency. It’s more than just language–we talk about France, Canada, countries in Africa–there are more French-speaking people in Africa than in all the rest of the world combined! In Middle School, we have intentionally taken an approach that is cultural more than [strictly] language. It really is the key to global citizenship…especially now when students have the whole world at their

“The most important thing that we do is offer two languages, starting at age four! The earlier you start, the easier it is to learn a language–and not just learn, but develop a love and connection to language and to what it opens up for them.”

—Connie Lalonde

fingertips, it is important to make connections in a positive way, to establish [understanding and] a rapport with someone.”

Makaila Daeschel, Latin teacher: “One thing I think of with Latin especially is, because I teach ancient languages and they’re dead, how can I approach that global identity?..I think the reason that a lot of kids take Latin is that it’s such an exciting culture–they are so interested in what the day to day life was like. And especially living in this area, where we have so much of it mirrored in the founding of the United States, that makes a connection [for the older kids].”

Casey Eriksen, upper level Spanish teacher: “Developing global citizens gives relevance to the study of language, connecting students to the world beyond Wakefield. The idea of being able to communicate with others piques student interest. We emphasize nuances that are specific to effective communication...even framing some work around how to write a friendly email and what tone to use in that application gives language study a practical aspect that students enjoy.”

Jeannine McKee, upper level French teacher: “We are living in a world where students in the future will travel and live in [other] countries. Learning a language will help them in their careers. We want to broaden their horizons, to broaden their vision of the world.”

From awakening curiosity about the world in the youngest students, to expanding Wakefield’s emphasis on articulate communication to the broader world, the study of other cultures and languages serves the school’s mission well. As Dr. Eriksen puts it, “The idea of becoming a global citizen makes language study fun and meaningful.”

SPONSORED CONTENT

The Book Cellar Celebrates 25 Years

BY CASSANDRA ANDERSON FOR FAUQUIER PUBLIC LIBRARY

of used bookstores only have soft covers, but

Housed in the basement of the John Barton Payne Building, The Book Cellar offers a variety of used items such as paperback and hardback books, audiobooks, art and architectural magazines, CDs, and DVDs.

Recently the store has added popular items such as vinyl records, jigsaw puzzles, and board games.

Ashley Jeniec from Orlean visits The Book Cellar one to two times a month with her children because she “likes for them to have less screen time. We trade out old books and pick out new ones for a reasonable price.”

“We love reading and it’s good to have something local so kids can pick out a stack of books,” Jeniec said.

Members of the Friends of the Fauquier Library, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, opened The Book Cellar on October 8, 1999, to replace the annual book sale. The store has since grown into a full-scale operation with more

than 40 volunteers.

Since Mayer took over as manager five years ago, the store has focused on refreshing inventory more quickly, lowering the price of books, and keeping the store meticulously organized by genres including Classics, Mystery, Fiction, Vintage, Romance, History, Children’s, and sometimes a special “quirky” book display.

Affordable prices keep patrons coming back – most items cost 50 cents or $1.

“It’s a lot cheaper to buy a hardback here than anywhere else. You can’t beat the prices,” Warrenton patron Keith Braesicke said. “I always run into someone I know here. It’s a neat little meeting place.”

“The price is right,” volunteer recruiter Judy Hagerman said. “A new children’s book is so expensive, and you can come here and buy 10 books for $10.”

Ninety-five percent of items come from community donations. The other five percent come from the Fauquier County Public Library as books get phased out, and occasionally from local schools.

“We have a very generous community who donates beautiful books to us,” volunteer Nancy Johnson said.

If books have been on the shelf longer than a few months, they get moved to the 25 cent “last chance” section. From there, unsold books are either placed in the store's free section, donated to other non-profit organizations, or recycled.

Plenty of behind-the-scenes work goes into making The Book Cellar a success. In 2023, dedicated volunteers donated 4,278 hours of their time sorting book donations, shelving books, preparing displays and working during the store’s retail hours.

“We strive to make sure all the books on the shelf are in good condition,” Mayer said.

The bookstore also carries vintage and rare books which volunteers appraise and price accordingly. A set of books related to the Civil War recently sold for $300.

“It’s like a treasure hunt,” Johnson said. “We try to be good stewards of what we receive from the community.”

“People love to come in and get 10

Susan Roberts and Daniel Wheatley browse the Book Cellar’s shelves.

Five-year-old Harper Jeniec chooses a book

CDs for $1 and explore different musical genres,” Johnson said.

Originally, the store was open only on the second and fourth Friday and Saturday each month. But it has since expanded its hours and today is open every Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“The Book Cellar is such a gift,” Fauquier County Public Library Director, Maria Del Rosso said. “It provides an opportunity for people who are clearing house to donate books . . . It’s a great way to recycle books. It’s also a place for the community to come together to interact, share a love of learning, and share what they are reading.”

For a quarter century the Friends of the Fauquier Library has donated its proceeds from the Book Cellar to the library.

This year the Friends of the Fauquier Library will give an estimated $61,000 to support library programs.

“The Friends of the Fauquier Library helps us with things we can’t afford to do otherwise,” Del Rosso said. “It’s a wonderful microcosm of what the community can do together.”

Contributions help fund the annual summer reading program; “Sundays @ 2” — conversations with distinguished writers, artists and scholars; Meet the Author virtual talks from bestselling authors; Story Walk displays at the Warrenton Branch Greenway and Crockett Park; gift books for local Head Start children who visit Gumdrop Square; six book clubs; and additional eBooks for the library’s collection.

A young Warrenton couple, Daniel Wheatley and Susan Roberts, wander in on

The entrance to the Book Cellar is at the back of the John Barton Payne Building

The Warrenton Book Cellar

Location:

Basement of the John Barton Payne Building, 2 Courthouse Square, Warrenton (entrance in rear)

Hours: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Phone: 540-341-3447

Payment: Cash or check only; all proceeds benefit the Fauquier County Public Library

Donations: Accepted during regular operating hours. Please check the facebook page for detailed donation guidelines

Follow: facebook.com/ TheBookCellar2

a Saturday morning after visiting the Farmer’s Market down the street.

“Ninety percent of my library at home is used,” Wheatley said as he browsed the science fiction section. He always enjoys a good used bookstore because they “make books more accessible.”

Their friend Lindsey Gibson, visiting from Arlington, said, “You find more niche books at used stores that you might have never found” at other places. “I love the used bookstore smell. The books have been loved.”

“It’s the best deal in town,” volunteer Anne Walsh said.

To commemorate The Book Cellar’s 25th anniversary, the store will have an open house on Saturday, October 12 with cookies, beverages, and a raffle to win one of 25 prizes. L

community

A Century of Service

Warrenton Volunteer Fire Company celebrated the centennial with a grand parade in Old Town Warrenton

BY GRACE SCHUMACHER

The Warrenton Volunteer Fire Company marked a century of dedication to the community with a grand 100th anniversary Firefighters Parade through Old Town Warrenton on Saturday, September 7. The event drew large crowds as over 80 antique and modern fire trucks and emergency medical service apparatus cruised through Warrenton’s Main Street.

The parade, reminiscent of the old Firemen's Carnival tradition, showcased a wide range of fire trucks, ambulances and antique equipment. Former and current members of

the Warrenton company participated, some driving the apparatus they had served on.

Following the parade, the community enjoyed various activities, including kids' games, raffles, fire safety handouts and food from local vendors such as El Jefe, Kona Ice and BBQ Rescue.

“At Warrenton Volunteer Fire Company, we commonly refer to ourselves as ‘One Family,’” the company wrote on its Facebook page. “This weekend demonstrated that the motto goes beyond just Company One and extends to the entire fire service.”

The parade entries were judged by a panel of active and retired Fire and EMS professionals, including Derek Mabie, Greg Leitz, Billy Walker, and Kevin Good. Former Supervisor Chris Butler, a former volunteer with the Remington Fire Department, provided commentary from the courthouse steps, announcing each department and apparatus as they passed through town.

The Warrenton Volunteer Fire Company was incorporated in 1924 after a group of citizens from Warrenton came together to help save their neighbors’ homes from fire.

Dale Koglin, who has been a member of the company since he was 14 and served as one of the company’s former fire chiefs, played a key role in organizing the event. Reflecting on the parade, Koglin noted this was the first such event in Warrenton in nearly 30 years.

Scan to see a slideshow of photos of the September 7 parade:

Clockwise from top:

Marshall Volunteer Fire Co. showed off its antique Ford “Sadie”. Betty Compton, a Fauquier resident, was thrilled to sit in a firetruck for the very first time... she even got to wear a chief’s hat! Firefighter and paramedic Tim Massey, Fire Chief Mike Irvine, Fire Captain Russell Pauley and firefighter Jack Balderson represented Oak Grove Volunteer Fire Department The Honor Guard and Warrenton Police Department Motor Unit led the procession.

members working to ensure the event's success. Fire departments from across Virginia, including those from Richmond, Greene County and even as far as West Virginia, participated in the celebration. In total, there were 88 entries in the parade, with about 90% of them representing fire departments and rescue squads. Additional entries included the Miss Fauquier pageant winners and other local participants.

Scan to read: “Dedicated Service: Warrenton Volunteer Fire Company marks 100 years”, by John Toler, published in the April 2024 issue of Warrenton Lifestyle

Scan to read: “Down Memory Lane: Warrenton Firemen’s Carnivals” by Joe Austin, published in the April 2019 issue of Warrenton Lifestyle

“We used to have the firemen’s carnivals with the parade to kick off the celebrations. It helped bring people out from town and was something fun to do in Warrenton,” he said. The carnivals, which began in 1930 and became a staple within the community, ended in the early 1990s.

The planning for the parade began in December 2023, with a committee of six

“Everyone at WVFC is volunteering their time. We have the exact same training as the career or paid people. The same exact training, exact same certifications and everything,” he added, noting the celebration not only honored the history of the company and its volunteer firefighters but also the strong sense of community that has sustained it for a century. L

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Autumn Adventures

BY BROOKE ARTHUR

Autumn is a beautiful season to enjoy the natural wonders of the outdoors. Between Northern Virginia, the Piedmont, and the Shenandoah Valley, the opportunities for adventure are endless. As the leaves transition to their colorful coats, nature invites us to welcome change as well. Whether you enjoy the journey that it takes to reach the reward, or prefer a lighter form of indulgence, Virginia truly has it all.

Hiking

Many of us are familiar with the timeless beauty and hiking opportunities of Shenandoah National Park, but why not explore further? From more local spots like Riverside Preserve to hidden gems like The Daughter of the Stars loop, everyone is bound to find something that excites them.

Prince William Forest Park

Only a hop, skip, and a jump away in our neighboring county is a lovely park located in Triangle, VA. With a multitude of hiking trails and ranging distances, there is much fun to be had. Enjoy camping, hiking, picnicking, and bicycling under the serenity of the fall leaves. For avid historians, experience the stories of the early settlers to today within the park. nps.gov/prwi/planyourvisit/ basicinfo

Daughter of the Stars

Loop

Explore the rich history and glimpse some wildlife by hiking some of the sites on the Daughter of the Stars loop named after the Native American legend that artfully described the Shenandoah River and Valley as a place where, “the morning stars placed the brightest jewels from their crowns in the river.”

The loop encompasses hiking opportunities in Front Royal, Bentonville, and Luray; try Hawksbill Greenway, Big Gem Park, Catherine Furnace, or the Raymond R. “Andy” Guest, Jr. State Park. **Some parts of these sites are official Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trails where dogs are not allowed. Check each site’s rules before bringing furry friends.** dwr.virginia.gov/vbwt/ mountain-trail/MDS

Riverside Preserve

Nestled in Fauquier County near Orlean and Warrenton, this park provided the county’s first river access to the Rappahannock River. Enjoy fishing, hiking, and picnicking or bring your own canoe or kayak to put in. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife in this designated Audubon at Home Wildlife Sanctuary. Navigate three trails during the peaceful autumn season as you take in the nature around you. fauquiercounty.gov/government/ departments-h-z/parks-andrecreation/parks/riverside-preserve

Lake Anna State Park

One of those most popular summer destinations also offers a pleasant experience during the autumn season. With more than 15 miles across 11 trails, you can hike, bike, and horseback ride (bring your own horse) to your heart’s content. Explore Lake Anna’s extensive history with nearby historic sites like the May 1886 Battle of Spotsylvania Courthouse. For more fun, Kings Dominion and Dominion Raceway are close by as well. dcr. virginia.gov/state-parks/lake-anna

Sky Meadows

The state park many of us know and love offers plenty of fun for the fall season. Embark on a variety of hikes and keep your eyes peeled for birds and critters hidden within the fall foliage. (dwr.virginia.gov/ vbwt/sites/sky-meadowsstate-park). Venture a little further to Hartland Orchard (hartlandorchard.com) in Markham for apple and pumpkin picking, a country store, and farm animals.

Prince William Forest Park, Laurel Loop.

COURTESY National Park Service

View from Sky Meadows State Park. COURTESY Virginia

Brian

Bickley 10743 Greenbriar Ln Spotsylvania, VA 22553 brian.bickley@american-national.com

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Try Something Different

Canoeing/tubing on the Shenandoah

Make a splash with an exciting river trip by canoe, raft, or water tube. With cooler temperatures, this is the perfect time of year to take in the vibrant colors of the Shenandoah Valley from the river. Nearby options include Down River Canoe Co., and Front Royal Outdoors. Whether you prefer the fast lane, or slow and steady, the choice is yours. downriver.com, frontroyaloutdoors.com

Jeeping/ATVs

Fuel the daredevil within as you tackle variable terrain in a vehicle built for adventure. Bring the family along for an experience that you’ll never want to forget. View the fall colors while driving through nature’s finest forests. A nearby option is Appalachian Adventures in Luray. appalachian-adventures. com

Hot air balloons

Take to the skies in the coolest ride of them all. Picture the shades of red, yellow, and orange visible from far above the treeline. Nearby options include Monticello Country Ballooning (Charlottesville area, virginiahotairballoon. com) and Balloons Unlimited (Loudoun County (Round Hill) various locations in NW VA, balloonsunlimited. com)

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

Enjoy the journey down to Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, a national historical park that gets even better in autumn. Ready to get moving? Pick from light riverside strolls to historical battlefields to mountaintops with over 20 miles of trails. Bicycle, picnic, and climb to your heart’s content. With so many things to do, the only difficult decision is picking one! nps.gov/hafe

Balloons Unlimited

Downriver Canoe Company

Wineries/ restaurants

Ducard Vineyards

Nestled in close to Shenandoah National Park, this #1 rated Central Virginia Winery boasts traditional winemaking methods in a farm to table environment. Enjoy the fall foliage amidst the Blue Ridge Mountains as you sip wine flights or share a bottle. Reservations are recommended due to limited seating. Enjoy live weekend music through October, themed events, and exceptional service. ducardvineyards.com

Blue Mountain Winery

Coupled with sweeping views, this old-world style winery welcomes all. Take part in a tour and tasting combo as you go beyond the cellar door. This family-owned winery invites you to enjoy the fall colors in traditional comfort. bluemountainwine.com

Pollock Dining Room

Dine in style with stunning autumnal views of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Shenandoah National Park. This full service experience offers terrace dining, the Mountain Taproom, and a jam-packed schedule of live entertainment. Satisfy your sweet tooth with the Mile-High Blackberry Ice Cream Pie, recently recognized in the American Automobile Association (AAA) magazine. goshenandoah. com/dining/skyland

Ducard Vineyards. PHOTO BY Javluc Photography, LLC

Railroad trips

VA Scenic Railway

A little bit closer to home, this Staunton railway is Virginia’s only steady tourist train excursion through the beloved Shenandoah Valley and Blue Ridge Mountains. Excursion tickets are released quarterly due to demand and advance purchase is required only through the website. Choose from either the Alleghany Special or the Blue Ridge Flyer for your experience. Meals and restrooms are available on the journey. Relax and watch the fall colors stream by through your window as the train chugs on. virginiascenicrailway.com

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. We hope you will take some time this month to educate yourself about the risks, symptoms and various screening tools.

BREAST CANCER FACTS

In 2024, an estimated 310,720 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in women in the U.S., along with 56,400 new cases of non-invasive (in situ) breast cancer.

Adult women of all ages are encouraged to perform breast self-exams at least once a month. While mammograms can help you to detect cancer before you can feel a lump, breast self-exams help you to be familiar with how your breasts look and feel so you can alert your healthcare professional if there are any changes. Visit nationalbreastcancer.org/ breast-self-exam for more information.

Cass Scenic Railroad. PHOTO BY Walter Scriptunas II

Cass Scenic Railroad State Park

If adventure calls you, this locomotive up the mountain is meant for you. In Cass, West Virginia, nothing beats the sights, sounds, and ambiance that accompany riding a piece of history up the mountain. Stock up on old-fashioned candies and snacks in the country story at the foot of the mountain before your journey begins. Advance booking is highly recommended, particularly for weekends, as this is a popular excursion. Choose from two unique rides, each featuring their own unique qualities. mountainrailwv.com/ legacy L

entertainment

Up close at your first

A photographer’s view of September’s Culpeper Rodeo

BY LUKE CHRISTOPHER FOR FOOTHILLS FORUM

Sometimes, it actually is your first rodeo — as a spectator, at least. And when you first see, and feel, a 2,000-pound bull thrash around just yards away, it’s enough to make you feel like a kid again. But there’s no kidding around inside the arena, especially from the rodeo clowns who bravely distract the bull after he’s tossed his rider and is still looking for a target. Keagan Mayo, the head clown, part carnival barker, part lasso artist, actually wears a bullseye patch on his backside. But it doesn’t seem right to apply the title of clown to the two other men who risk their bullseyes diverting bulls all day. True Grit Rodeo co-owner Daniel Lanier calls them “bullfighters,” and

after seeing them in action at September’s Culpeper Rodeo, you would have to agree. One of them, Cleive “Wolfpack” Adams, looks like his name sounds, only lankier — which helps when you have to push yourself off a bull’s charging head with your hands. Countless times, he and his cohort Jonaton Rodriguez rushed in, defying gravity, and two-stepped around the furious beasts while the rider was ushered to safety. As Lanier says: “It’s all live, nothing is scripted.” It may have seemed scripted, or velcroed, for Matt Allgood of Saline, Mich., who won the 2024 Culpeper Rodeo with a time of 8.95 seconds. In the moment, nine seconds feels like nine minutes. Not only did Allgood

rodeo

A competition bull can weigh up to 2000 pounds. When not on clown duty, Keagan Mayo performs ‘Trick

Clockwise from left: Kim Kulenguski of Madison, Va. drove with Meahgan Boucher after the slack race to another rodeo event in Moneta, Va. Meaghan Boucher, originally from Sperryville, grooms her horse, Hokie. Fifteen riders took part in the performance barrel racing segment.

Roping’.

beat out 22 riders from all over the country and as far away as Brazil, but he was the only one to ride both bulls for more than eight seconds, which is the minimum for a score. In the final round, he bested five other riders who could not hang on long enough to score.

Another flavor of rodeo action offered lasts 15 seconds. That’s about how long it takes a barrel racer to circle two barrels on a horse and dash down the home stretch of the arena. For Rappahannock County native Meaghan Boucher, who grew up showing English and western, “barrel racing was kind of like my stress relief, because I got to go play and go fast, and I didn't have to worry about how I looked on a horse … I'm not going against what a judge says. I'm racing against a clock and myself.” L

The bull riders make their way out for the opening festivities.

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health&fitness

A FitnessFamily Journey

Justin and Crystal Willis inspire their family and a community to become stronger.

BY MARY SCRO

What happens when two entrepreneurs who have been passionate about fitness since their youth meet at work, get married and start a family? They bring their love of fitness to their community by opening a gym and raising extremely strong children. Meet Justin and Crystal Willis, owners of Warrenton Functional Fitness, the new home of CrossFit Warrenton.

Early Interest in Fitness Guides Their Path

Justin’s fitness journey began at 13 when he got a 300-pound weight set. Without a rack or bench, he used milk crates to improvise. Hooked on strength training, he ranked consistently in the top five in strength tests in high school and went on to take strength and conditioning training in college.

Crystal’s interest in fitness started by playing multiple team sports in high school and then recreational volleyball in college. She worked her way through school as a physical therapy aide, which kindled a passion for helping seniors.

After college, they both ended up at Worldgate Sport and Health in Herndon.

CrossFit Warrenton is Born

When Justin and Crystal married in 2008 and started their family, they quickly realized their long commute from Amissville to Northern Virginia was not practical or affordable. Nor could they maintain their personal hourslong daily workout schedule while raising small children. The solution: Opening their own gym.

The Willises had discovered a new style of workout called CrossFit, which combines consistent training through constantly

varied, functional movement, and they quickly realized it was an efficient way to work out and get the same benefits in less time. They earned their CrossFit certification and opened their own gym in their detached garage in 2009. By 2011, the business had grown enough to move the gym into a 4,000-square-foot space in Old Town Warrenton.

Fitness is not just a job for the Willis family, it’s a lifestyle. Justin and Crystal live what they teach: The kids all began working out at a young age, and working out together became quality family time.

“They wanted to be involved because they saw it was something that we did. Now it’s just a way of life for all of us. Even when

Clockwise from top: L-R: Crystal, Caleb (16), Olivia (11), Preston (14), and Justin Willis. Crystal and Justin Willis outside Warrenton Functional Fitness, which opened this summer. Justin playing his main sport in high school.

Olivia exploring the gym as a child. A young Caleb testing his strength while Preston practices on rings in the background.

we travel, we bring equipment along with us,” said Crystal.

Daughter Olivia, 11, said, “The thing that inspired me to learn about working out is my parents. I want to be like them when I’m older, because they are very healthy and very strong. They’re basically my role models.”

All three children, who have always had a fitness regimen that far exceeds that of most of their peers, do not see workouts as anything out of the ordinary. In fact, the lifestyle is a bonus. Caleb, 16, appreciates the opportunity he had to start developing strength at a young age, and loves the freedom to work out at the family’s gym whenever he wants.

“My favorite part of owning a gym is that we can work out whenever we want. I got inspired because I wanted to get stronger and faster,” said Preston, 14. “Gym class is

easy now.”

All three kids value the fitness and strength which gives them a leg up in sports.

“Being in the best shape possible [means] I can be ready for anything that is thrown at me throughout the season,” Preston said, “Gym class is easy now,” and Olivia said, “Working out helps me hit/throw the ball harder. And it gets me compliments and helps me be tough.”

Continuing to Grow

Inspired by some of his clients who were firefighters, Justin became a professional firefighter in 2012, and Crystal stepped up to take the lead in the business. She thrived in her new role.

“Turns out I thoroughly enjoy taking charge, and I’m very particular about how things are done in the gym, which is necessary when you want things to run smoothly,” she said.

Justin and Crystal also came to realize that while CrossFit is an excellent fitness workout program, there are other fitness needs that might be addressed with different regimens. And they each had other interests they wanted to explore as well: Justin wanted to train youth and high school

Preschool 2 through Grade 5

PRESCHOOL POP-INS

JOIN US!

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Pop in to Saint James’ Episcopal School (SJES) for some free preschool fun from 9:30am-10:30am on Friday, October 18 or Friday, November 8!

RSVP by October 15 online at saintjamesepiscopalschool.org

WHAT’S A POP-IN?

Parents/guardians and children (ages 5 and under) will enjoy a music class, story time, unstructured play, and a craft activity (geared for ages 2+).

Meet other adults with children while experiencing a piece of preschool!

Children must be accompanied by an adult.

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Accredited by VAIS. Voted Best School in Fauquier County 2024! ABOUT SJES

SJES provides exceptional, affordable educational offerings in Preschool 2 through Grade 5 that build strong intellect, character, and faith. We offer: social emotional learning truly caring faculty appropriately challenging academics Christian-based formation community service opportunities

athletes in speed, agility, strength and conditioning, while Crystal wanted to work with elderly and bariatric clients. If her busy life allows, she’d like to pursue a degree in physical therapy in the future.

“I think it’s important for everyone to feel included, and to believe they can improve no matter where they are starting or what health issues they may have,” said Crystal.

So in 2022, the Willises purchased a lot in North Rock Plaza and designed and built their own gym, which opened last summer. With the move came a new name: Warrenton Functional Fitness, a name that welcomes everyone. By adding new classes and promoting the importance of exercise and movement, they aim to educate and inspire the community, attracting new members while continuing to maintain the CrossFit program for clients who love it. L

Warrenton Functional Fitness warrentonfunctionalfitness.com

Crystal and the gang out for a hike, enjoying nature and family time. Caleb following in his dad’s footsteps with baseball. Olivia has her game face on.

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Lights! Camera!Bark!

Bark!

For two friends and their pets, there’s no business like show business

BY PAM KAMPHUIS

“On opening night of ‘Annie’ in the summer of 2022, which was Sequel’s first live performance, I pulled back the curtain from backstage and sent her onstage by herself to join the little girl playing Annie. She’d taken about two steps, and the audience all said, “Awww!”. She stopped, looked out into the audience and realized they were reacting to her. She was thrilled,” said Kelly Litchford of Warrenton.

Sequel, Litchford’s 5-year-old Bernedoodle, had discovered that she loved show business, purely by chance. While working at a doggy day care in Chantilly, Litchford was approached by a community theater group who wanted a live dog to play Sandy in their production.

“I’d been training our family dogs. I thought it looked like it would be a lot of fun, and I like acting, so I decided to try it. We jumped in — I didn’t know what I was doing so it was trial and error — but Sequel and I had so much fun.”

It was the start of something that has become a bigger enterprise, Leverage Animals Actors, and the start of a fulfilling career for Litchford, who immediately pulled her friend Katie Wellington of Nokesville, also a dog lover and trainer, into her new plan.

In addition to their love of dogs, Litchford and Wellington both have an interest in theater. Wellington participated in plays in school, but didn’t like the pressure of being in the limelight. Litchford, who spent two years pursuing an acting dream in California, discovered that being in front of the camera gave her anxiety.

They realized that training animal actors was the best of both worlds: they could be part of the theater community with-

Clockwise from left: Kelly Litchford, left, and Katie Wellington, right, with Sequel, Dolly, Presto, and Premiere, their talented acting dogs. Sequel in a production of “My Favorite Things” with Jubilee Performing Arts. Behind the scenes on live shoots: Sequel shooting a Greenies commercial, and Kyoto in a book trailer for “Jones Point”.

out being a performer, and they could have fun with their dogs. They attended a workshop for animal actors with four of their dogs where they all had a blast. They were hooked.

BREAKING INTO SHOW BIZ

“I deep delved and researched and found some wonderful animal actor agencies,” Litchford said. “They put out casting calls, and you submit your dog, and they represent you with producers when jobs become available. They’re wonderful to have in your corner.”

In March 2023, Sequel was booked through one of the agencies for a commercial for Ling Ling frozen food. Litchford said, “She was only in the commercial for about half a second, but I had the time of my life, and I thought, ‘This is what I want to do.’” Shortly after that, the same agency booked Wellington’s 3-year-old basset hound Dolly in a commercial for Ollie Fresh Pet Food. They, and their dogs, were on their way.

THE STARS

Both Kelly and Katie each have three dogs. They are all first and above all beloved family pets who sleep in their bedrooms with them and participate in recreational dog sports like dock diving and agility. Of the six, four are animal actors. Litchford’s Sequel and golden

retriever Premiere, and Wellington’s Dolly and golden retriever Presto love the attention and filming environment. The other two didn’t like it so much.

“At the end of the day, the comfort and happiness of the dogs is our priority. We will never take an animal into a situation where they’re not going to enjoy it,” Litchford said. “If you have an animal on set who’s not enjoying it, it will come across on screen.”

TRAINING DOG ACTORS

Preparing the dogs for roles is both easier and harder than you would think.

“Most of the work is not tricky because in a lot of the productions the dogs aren’t the center focus, they’re more like the family pet. Unless it’s a high action film, it’s not like they need to do parkour. Friends ask us to show them animal acting behaviors, and we have to tell them that a lot of it’s not very flashy,” Litchford said.

What the dogs do need is impeccable obedience skills at a level that far surpasses what is expected of most pets. While the commands are not difficult, the dogs need to perform behaviors on cue, repeatedly, for however long is needed, in what can be a very distracting and stimulating environment.

from left:

advertising

at Mets

in national television commercial for Greenies. Dolly in Spirit Halloween poster. Sequel in “Annie” with Jubilee Performing Arts Dolly, Presto, Premiere, and Kyoto at an animal acting workshop in March 2024.

“Thank

Clockwise

Katie guiding Presto through an

photoshoot

Baseball Stadium. Sequel

DURATION AND DISTANCE

Wellington breaks the training skills into two categories: duration and distance. For example, they must obey a cue for a behavior (for example sit or lie down) and then hold the position for as long as 3-5 minutes, occasionally longer, (duration) and they need to do it without their handler close by or even within sight (distance). “I have to pull the curtain back and tell Sequel, ‘Hit your mark, good luck, have fun,’ and send her off,” said Litchford.

DISTRACTIONS

In addition, the dogs must resist distractions and temptations. “It’s a lot to get used to,” Litchford said. “For example, my dog might have to lie there with her head down with me 20 feet back hiding behind a bush and actors are walking by and interacting with them and the cameras and lights are rolling and swinging in and around. It’s not like any dog can do it; they have to be especially patient.”

To train for this type of scenario, Wellington and Litchford take their dogs to Manassas Mall which, between the bumper cars and go carts and running kids and axe throwing activity, is full of distractions. “If your dog can perform in that environment, you're golden,” said Wellington.

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Sequel

Five-year-old bernedoodle

Feature Films

“Connescence” *PostProduction* Ads

Ling Ling Frozen Food

Ollie Fresh Pet Food

Greenies

Gray Malin

Photoshoot: Mets Baseball

*PostProduction*

Stage

“Annie”

“My Favorite Things”

Dolly

Four-year-old basset hound

Feature Films

Major Motion Picture

Musical (NDA restricted)

Presto

One-year-old golden retriever Ads

Gray Malin

Photoshoot: Mets Baseball

*PostProduction*

Premiere

One-year-old golden retriever Ads

Gray Malin

Photoshoot: Mets Baseball

*PostProduction*

Retail Commercial *Post Production

Ads

Ollie Fresh Pet Food

Gray Malin

Photoshoot: Dogs of Boston Spirit Halloween Photoshoot

Insurance Commercial *Post Production*

SOCIALIZATION

Animal actors need to be extremely well socialized. Depending on the job, they may be interacting with children, other animals, or working with actors with whom they are not familiar and who may not have had much experience with dogs. Again, it comes down to what environment the dogs thrive in. “When ‘Annie’ wrapped up, Sequel thought the world had ended because she didn’t get to go play with all the kids anymore,” Litchford said.

NAUGHTY BEHAVIOR: PEANUT BUTTER TO THE RESCUE

Leverage Animal Actors’ dogs have impeccable manners, of course. They would never, ever steal a sandwich off the kitchen counter or knock over the garbage can. But sometimes a job calls for just such behaviors and the dogs are reluctant.

“It’s the hardest thing to teach,” Litchford said. “You train them from day one to not jump on the furniture or steal shoes, and now you’re asking them to do it.”

“For Dolly’s role in the Ollie Fresh Pet Food commercial, they wanted her to put her head in the garbage can like she was playing in the trash, and she wouldn’t do it until I put peanut butter inside the can,” Wellington said.

SUCCEEDING IN SHOW BIZ

At only a year in, Leverage Animal Actors is still in its infancy, but Wellington, Litchford, and their dogs are developing a good reputation for solid work, happy dogs, reliability, and professionalism.

Their canine protegees are building an impressive resume on stage and in film and commercials. Sequel and Dolly each have a

feature film under their belts: Sequel in the upcoming “Connescence” with Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgewick, and Dolly in a major motion picture musical (a non-disclosure agreement prohibits revealing more information now). Sequel just finished filming another high-profile movie; again, information is restricted.

“We’ve gotten to interact with some amazing, phenomenal actors, but it’s important to be professional and not ‘fangirl’ them,” Litchford said.

At this point Leverage Animal Actors is doing one big project a month consistently. Animal acting requires quite a bit of travel, and Kelly and Katie have taken dogs to locations up and down the east coast and as far west as Chicago. Sequel’s role in “Connescence”, even though it wasn’t a huge part, required she and Litchford to be in New York for 2 weeks during which she worked nine 10–12-hour days, most of the time waiting in a holding area for when she would be needed. But Litchford and Wellington also love to work close to home. Another dog they work with, Kyto, performed in a trailer for Prince William County author Sean Hagerty’s recent book “Jones Point”, filmed at Whitney State Forest outside Warrenton. They’d also like to connect with local theater groups and help local film students gain experience working with animal actors.

Litchford said, “I look at it like a Venn diagram, where what you are good at and what you enjoy doing and what you can make money at all intersect. You find that center, it’s so rare to be able to find that one thing, and this has been that thing for us. The joy of it is bringing out an animal who just loves it so much.” L

Check leverageanimalactors.org and instagram.com/pawstoapplause for more photos and videos of Leverage Animal Actors’ stars in action.

EXOTIC ANIMAL ACTORS

Litchford and Wellington also have a hedgehog, a corn snake, and a bearded dragon available for acting. “With the dogs performing, I like to say to them, ‘you need to pay your rent too,’” Litchford laughed. “It’s a whole other world. I never thought I’d bring a hedgehog to New York City in his carrying case to film a commercial, but we did. The most important thing is that they need to be really socialized with people and not afraid.”

There are basically two ways to train exotics: food and sanctuary. They can be encouraged by food, or, using their natural instincts, you can lure them to a specific location by recreating an environment they gravitate towards. For instance, a snake will seek out a warmer spot, so using an appropriate heat pad will do the trick.

“In the end, there’s only so much you can teach exotics. You can only work with natural behaviors. You can’t teach a duck to play basketball or anything,” Wellington said.

2025EDITION

DISTRIBUTION DETAILS:

FA

Warrenton Lifestyle’s featured advertising section Faces of Fauquier is an ideal opportunity for business leaders to expand their message to the Fauquier community and give readers the opportunity to learn more about their services and meet their team. The feature is a full page professionally written 350-word customized article with a professional photo. This feature portion of the magazine is open to all businesses in the Fauquier area.

• 11,800 copies of the magazine printed, with a readership of 60,000 reached through direct mail and self selection at newsstand locations.

• 50 copies of the magazine supplied to each featured customer for personal distribution.

• Online exposure in digital flip book format with link to your website.

PUBLICATION DATE: January 1, 2025

DEADLINE: December 1, 2024

COST: $995

CONTACT:

Jim Kelly: 434-987-3542

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Cindy McBride: 540-229-6038

cindy@whglifestyle.com

Your feature will be presented in a special section in the January 2025 issue of Warrenton Lifestyle.

writers’corner

A Good Ride, All the Way

A horsewoman says goodbye to treasured horses and a way of life

BY SHANNON CHIERICHELLA

Iam making plans for the final event in my horse life. I will oversee the end of two of my retired horses—the last two. I am serious when I say this will mark the end of my horse life. Viewing the compassionate death of one aging and suffering horse is unsettling; viewing the compassionate death of two pasture mates, together, is heart-break-

ing. But what is happening here takes on an even bigger meaning for me—a meaning beyond the life of two horses, as important as the life of two horses may be.

Let me explain. Although I was a horsecrazed girl, my life as a true horse person started when we moved to Warrenton from Fairfax. My husband, a New Yorker and a

city boy at heart, took a tremendous risk and bought a 16-acre horse farm, small by Virginia standards, in the heart of horse country. This was it. I had a full-time horse operation where I could wake up and look out the window and see my horses loping around the fields; where I could look out the back window at lunch time and see

•

He was the first horse I had touched since my surgeries and he is the last— until now .

loved. The rest were at the farm because they had a job to do. But I loved Manny. He was such a character. In the end, there was no selling Manny. I gave him to a lady that would rather feed her horses than herself. I knew Manny would live the life of a king in her barn, under her tutelage, and with her thoughtful care.

I have seen Manny once since I gave him away. I cried untold tears while I stroked his extraordinary red coat as he stood in the vet hospital recovering from a colic episode. He was the first horse I had touched since my surgeries and he is the last—until now. And that leads us to tonight. Seven p.m. is the appointed time. I have two horses we

retired and left on the property. Jazzy is a sassy brown mare with a black mane and tail. I showed her, I took her on the trails. We tried to lend her to a horse therapeutic facility, but she was just sassy enough as to be unsafe for some of the patrons. Jack came to me from a hunt master. He was good-looking and easy to ride. Unlike Jazzy, he had a long and stupendous career at that same therapeutic riding facility, offering patrons, young and old, many hours of therapy. He and Jazzy are tight buddies and have been for years.

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but when that 1200-pound animal falls to the ground; it’s gripping. But I know these horses have had it. They are tired, tired of the heat and the flies. I also know that the winter they would inevitably face would be terminally debilitating. As for now, they are just tired and old and ready to go.

We wait until no one is around. No one should see what I am about to see. You wouldn’t think it would be so traumatic

Enough said. An important part of me is dying with Jazzy and Jack tonight. Although tragic, it’s a fitting end to this slice of my existence. But, as an eternal optimist—I have to say—I have other hills to climb and many flute pieces to play. Besides, it was a good ride, all the way. L

Shannon Chierichella, a Tennessee native, has lived in Fauquier County for 25 years. She is a retired litigation attorney, an avid horse enthusiast, and an amateur flutist. She lives in The Plains with her husband, John, and their four dogs.

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Fauquier’s

TOP 10

Top Sales

The ten highest-priced homes that sold between mid-August and mid-September in Fauquier County. Data and photos from Zillow.com.

10436 JOHN S MOSBY HWY., PARIS

$2,100,000 Sold: Sept. 13 3 bedrooms

bathrooms

square feet

acres

3819 LANDMARK RD., THE PLAINS

$2,000,000

Sold: Sept. 16

4477 PARADIGM FARM LN., WARRENTON

$1,550,000 Sold: Aug. 28 3

6995 HILLTOP LN., MARSHALL

$1,445,000 Sold: Sept. 11

12340 ELK RUN RD., MIDLAND

$1,150,000 Sold: Sept. 16 5 bedrooms 3 bathrooms

The Big Picture

Home sales activity rose in the Greater Piedmont area in July. There was a 33.3% increase, which is an additional 45 sales. Pending sales also increased (6.1%) compared to last year. In regards to home prices, the upward trend continued for a second month with a 2.5% increase. Although Fauquier County saw a drop in inventory, it has grown overall in the Greater Piedmont area for a third consecutive month.

—Greater

Piedmont REALTORS® 2024 President Steve Gardner

The July Details for Fauquier County

Compared to July 2023

Median Sales Price: $592,000, up 3% Sales Activity: 98, up 36% Days on Market: 24, up 99%

Greater Piedmont REALTORS® is a trade association representing 650 REALTORS® in Fauquier, Culpeper, Rappahannock, and Madison counties.

8047 SIDE HILL DR., WARRENTON

$1,000,000 Sold: Sept. 11

7332 FOX CALL LN., WARRENTON

$935,000 Sold: Sept. 3

Together we bring so many skills to the table to help our clients get the very best of their real estate journey. We love to keep up with the latest educational opportunities. Both Wendy and I sit on different boards and committees to not only give back to our community but also to understand the needs of the people we serve. Wendy brings a talented eye for design and staging that compliments Dawn’s compassion for her clients and patience to get them where they need to be. The two of them communicate with clients together providing an exceptional level of service. They are a powerful pair of real estate professionals ready to take on your next real estate journey!

About the Home Economist: Karla Jones Seidita has cooked up a very tasty life. She has been a restaurant and bakery owner, award-winning food writer, lifestyle radio host, cookbook author, country inn proprietor, and farm-to-table teacher. Currently she spends her days at her laptop and in her garden in Sumerduck. Find her at cheesecakefarms.com

wine&dine

Delicious Donuts

BY KARLA JONES SEIDITA

Fall is donut season and, with the kids back in school, those long summer hours spent as event planner and entertainment facilitator can be redirected toward other pursuits. Making donuts, for example. Fried or baked, these small batch yummies encourage lingering over a second cup of coffee.

Spice Cake Baked Donuts

Easy, no fry, donuts rich with seasonal flavors. Top them with cinnamon sugar or maple walnut glaze. So scrumptious. So easy!

Makes 6

Needed: one (6 count) donut pan (each cup measuring 3 1/4 inches in diameter x 1 inch deep)

Donut pans are like cupcake pans only the cups are donut shaped. Available wherever bakeware is sold.

BATTER INGREDIENTS

1/3 cup sugar

3 Tablespoons brown sugar

¼ cup vegetable oil

1 egg

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/8 teaspoon baking soda

¾ teaspoon nutmeg

1 1/3 cups all purpose flour

¼ cup milk (any type)

BATTER DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease pan or coat with baking spray. Set aside.

2. In a medium bowl, cream sugar, brown sugar, and egg. Add baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg, flour and milk forming a thick batter.

3. Spread batter into prepared pan. Bake till donuts are set to a light touch and a toothpick comes out clean – 10 to 12 minutes. Don’t over bake. Donuts will not brown much.

4. Cool 5 minutes. Remove from pan. Continue cooling on rack. Top as desired.

TOPPINGS:

Cinnamon Sugar

INGREDIENTS

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/3 cup sugar

4 Tablespoons butter (melted)

DIRECTIONS

Combine cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl deep and wide enough to dip the donuts. One at a time, brush donut tops and sides with melted butter and dip into cinnamon sugar.

Maple Walnut Glaze

INGREDIENTS

1 ½ cups powdered sugar

3 Tablespoons maple or pancake syrup

1/8 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons water

1/3 cup walnuts (finely chopped)

DIRECTIONS

Mix powdered sugar, syrup and water. Mixture will look dry but keep mixing. Spread on donuts. Sprinkle with walnuts.

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Fauquier l Gainesville (Moving to Bristow Fall 2024!) l Woodbridge

Pumpkin Crullers

Full of pumpkin and spice, these are the taste of the season. Don’t make them bigger than recommended or the centers will not cook properly.

Makes 12 (2.5-inch) crullers

Needed - heavy pot, paper towels, tongs, extra sugar for rolling – about 1/3 cup

INGREDIENTS

¾ cup all purpose flour

3 Tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

¼ teaspoon salt

3/4 teaspoon cinnamon

¼ teaspoon nutmeg

¼ cup canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)

1 Tablespoon vegetable oil

1 egg

For frying - oil (like canola) or shortening (like Crisco)

DIRECTIONS

1. Mix ingredients forming a smooth batter.

2. Put oil/shortening into a pot to a depth of 3/4 inch. Heat till a test drop of batter sizzles and quickly browns or until a thermometer reads 350 degrees.

3. Using 2 spoons, gently drop a scant tablespoon of batter into the hot oil/ shortening. Let the batter free fall into irregular shapes.

4. Cook until deep brown – a minute or more on each side using tongs to turn.

5. Drain on paper towels.

6. Roll in sugar while still warm.

Variations

Swap apple butter for whatever you like and have on hand - pie filling, jelly, Nutella.

Apple Butter Filled Donuts

Some call these Chinese restaurant donuts because they’re always on Chinese restaurant buffets. Others call them canned biscuit donuts. Either way they’re just plain good. I like mine filled with apple butter.

Makes 8 donuts

Needed: heavy pot, paper towels, tongs

INGREDIENTS

1 (16 oz.) can jumbo buttermilk biscuits (8 count)

Vegetable oil (like canola) or shortening (like Crisco) for frying

TOPPING

½ cup sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

FILLING

¾ cup apple butter (in the jelly section of grocery stores)

DIRECTIONS

1. Leave unopened can of biscuits at room temperature for 20 minutes to take the chill off. (If dough is cold, donuts won’t rise well.)

2. For the topping, combine cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl deep and wide enough to dip the donuts. Set aside.

3. Put oil/shortening into a pot to a depth of 3/4 inch. Heat on medium.

4. Open the can of biscuits. Gently stretch each biscuit to about 3 inches in diameter. (If the dough is too thick, the centers will not cook properly.)

5. Test the temperature of the oil/shortening with a pinch of dough. It’s ready when the dough sizzles and quickly browns. Alternately, using a thermometer, heat oil/shortening to 350 degrees.

6. Fry biscuits till deep brown – 1 minute or so on each side.

7. Remove from pan with tongs. Drain on paper towels.

8. Roll in cinnamon sugar while still warm. Cool.

9. When cool, poke a knife into one side of each donut and form a small pocket within the donut. (Think jelly donut.) Using a spoon, fill pocket with apple butter. L

Dr. Shannon Moore | Dr. Lisa Butterfield | Dr. Barbara Masiello

BY DANIEL DUCA

At the end of the day, October is about Halloween for me, which is why I chose cocktail selections with names reflective of the spooky holiday. But, believe you me, they are more than just fun titles, they earn every syllable. Both cocktails employ varying degrees of absinthe, which is always fun, and the rest (outside of lemon juice in one and a bit of sugar in the other) is just varying forms of liquors.

The Corpse Reviver No. 2 can trace its origins back to the 1870s and it was meant, as the title suggests, to raise one from the dead, whether it be to cure a hangover or reinvigorate the drinker. But be wary: Harry Craddock, the man who helped to re-popularize the drink in the 1930s, warned, “four of these taken in swift succession will un-revive the corpse again.”

stirring the dead corpse

As for the Death in the Afternoon, it is a creation of none other than Ernest Hemingway, a man who was famous for many things but sobriety was not one of them. Instead of using my words to break this one down, I’ll leave it to the man himself, I hear he’s pretty good at it: “Pour one jigger absinthe into a Champagne glass. Add iced Champagne until it attains the proper opalescent milkiness. Drink three to five of these slowly.” Cheers.

reviver no.2

Absinthe to rinse

.75 oz. London Dry Gin

.75 oz. Lillet Blanc (a wine-based aperitif)

.75 oz. Orange Liqueur

.75 oz. Lemon Juice

Rinse the cocktail glass with absinthe, discard the excess, and then set the glass to the side. Add the rest of the ingredients into a shaker tin, add ice, shake, and then fine strain into the absinthe-rinsed glass. No garnish.

death in the afternoon

1.5 oz. Absinthe

4.5 oz. Chilled Champagne

What he said. Pour absinthe into a coupe, martini, or other cocktail glass and then top slowly with the Champagne. Some recipes also include a sugar cube or simple syrup, but it is up to your discretion. Honestly, this man just poured absinthe and Champagne into a glass…there are no rules.