Country ZEST & Style Holiday 2022 Edition

ALL’S WELL FARM

MARSHALL, VIRGINIA

Prime

Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905

Brian MacMahon 703.609.1868

BELLE VIEW FARM

WATERFORD, VIRGINIA

74.11 acres Frontage on Catoctin Creek, sweeping views, pond 3 homes, all updated in excellent condition | “Stabler House” - 3 BR, 1 1/2 BA, FP & wood floors “Oak Grove” - Stone and frame construction, 3 BR, 1 1/2 BA & wood floors | “Tenant House” - Frame construction, 2 BR, 1 BA, FP Historic stone Quaker barn completely restored, 12 stalls, 4 stalls adjacent, 4 more stalls in pony shed Board fencing, 8 paddocks, 6 run in sheds, water in every field | Property in Conservation Easement $2,450,000

Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905

Brian MacMahon 703.609.1868

Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905 Brian MacMahon 703.609.1868

WIND FIELDS

MIDDLEBURG, VIRGINIA

324.18 acres in prime Middleburg location | Frontage on Snickersville Turnpike | Rolling acreage with Blue Ridge views, creeks, ponds, mature woods and Goose Creek frontage | Lime Kiln cottage with remains of original mill | Property is in Conservation Easement, may be subdivided 3 times $5,511,060

Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905

Brian MacMahon 703.609.1868

CATESBY VINEYARD

UPPERVILLE, VIRGINIA

44.55 acres of which 15 acres are producing grapes | 8.5 acres of Chambourcin, Traminette on 4.3 acres and Vidal Blanc on 2.1 acres Vineyard infrastructure 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

CLIFTON STREET

MARSHALL, VIRGINIA

Charming cottage located on a corner lot | House circa 1944, completely restored, 3 bedrooms, 1 bath, new flooring throughout | Open floor plan, kitchen updated with new granite counters, new HVAC, blinds | Large fenced yard, mature planting | Historic Rector cemetery in portion of back yard | Gravel driveway & new storage building $590,000

Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905

Brian MacMahon 703.609.1868

OUT WEST

WARRENTON, VIRGINIA

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

$3,000,000

helen MacMahon 540.454.1930

WARRENTON, VIRGINIA

The house & the mill together offer 4/5 bedrooms | Renovated into a charming enclave of two homes | Almost all of the mill’s working parts have been preserved | Just miles from historic old town Warrenton | Filled with natural light, this property brings together the craftsmanship of Old Virginia with modern luxury

$1,295,000

helen MacMahon 540.454.1930

Brian MacMahon 703.609.1868

JOHN MARSHALL HIGHWAY

Paul MacMahon 703.609.1905

Brian MacMahon 703.609.1868

MINTER-SPILMAN

It Takes A Village

Punkin

A

t this festive time of year, Country ZEST likes to feature children on the cover. Enter three-year-old Pierce McPherson, first spotted all dressed up as a policeman on a mid-fall Wednesday at the Buchanan Hall Farmer’s Market. He’s the third generation of his family to live here. Later we invited Hannah Fitzgerald and Lola Adeane Gomez-Boyce, both age two and, bingo we had our cover. Lola is the fourth generation of her family in Middleburg and her great grandfather was a local publisher.

Then, we wanted to add a bit more meaning and a purpose with another layer. Enter Punkin Lee, who has deep roots here and is the nonstop dynamo and president of the Middleburg Business and Professional Association.

She’s coordinating with the Middleburg Police and Seven Loaves under the banner of “Tiny Tim for Toys” to collect and distribute new toys to under-served children in the area. The toy drive will run from Dec. 1-16 and donations can be dropped off at police headquarters or Journeyman Saddlery, both on Federal Street, or at Seven Loaves at the Middleburg United Methodist Church.

Next, we contacted Betsy Allen Davis and her sister, Page Allen, Middleburg natives and owners of The Fun Shop on West Washington Street. Their colorful and popular shop was established by their late parents, Nancy and Howard Allen, in 1956. “Would they like to donate toys we could use on our cover?” YES, YES. Hooray. So many thanks for the Night Sky Projection kit, The Shape Factory and the very popular stuffed toy dinosaur. Punkin Lee accepted the donation with pleasure.

Thereafter, we went to visit Sandy Abbott at Little Lambkins with The Shaggy Ram on East Washington Street in the village. She supplied Pierce’s red jacket and the red and green flair coats on the girls. These adorable outfits of Merino wool are made in Spain by Marae and are literally fit for Royalty. They often are worn by Her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte of Wales.

Finally, the big day for photos arrived and we all met up at the studio of Middleburg Photo with photographer Doug Gehlsen and his wife, Karen Monroe, who created the clever set. Oh, and did we mention…although born in Australia, Karen grew up in Middleburg, attended Middleburg Elementary and Banneker and is a graduate of Loudoun Valley High School. Here’s to many more generations in Middleburg. Ho, Ho, Ho!!

Grace Church Concert Series Saturday, November 19, 2022, 5:00 pm

Washington National Opera’s CAFRITZ YOUNG ARTISTS

We welcome some of America’s most talented rising stars of the stage and explore the whole gamut of emotions with high-flying showstoppers, powerful ensembles, and tender melodies from opera and musical theatre’s most beloved titles.

Paragon Philharmonia

Sunday, December 11, 2022, 5:00 pm

Baroque Christmas

Presenting beloved carols and Baroque music of the season, featuring excerpts from Han del’s Messiah, in collaboration with the Grace Church Choir and soloists.

Grace Church Concert Series Sunday, February 5, 2023, 5:00 pm

PETER AND WILL ANDERSON TRIO

Virtuoso jazzmen Peter & Will Anderson and special guest guitarist Adam Moezinia play works from Irving Berlin, the iconic Ameri can master of ragtime, tin pan alley, and broadway. His memorable songbook includes Blue Skies, There’s No Business Like Show Busi ness, White Christmas, Always, and Puttin’ on the Ritz.

For tickets please visit: http://artsintheplains.org/

Photo © by Vicky Moon Policeman Pierce McPherson.

Photographer Doug Gehlsen has a chat with Pierce McPherson.

Lee accepted the do nation for “Tiny Tim for Toys” from The Fun Shop with pleasure. Country ZEST & Style | Holiday 2022

ZEST & Style Country

Personalities, Celebrations and Sporting Pursuits

© 2022 Country ZEST & Style, LLC.

Published six times a year

Distributed and mailed throughout the Virginia countryside and in Washington and at key Sporting Pursuits and Celebrations

MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box 798

Middleburg, Virginia 20118

PHONE: 410-570-8447

Editor: Leonard Shapiro badgerlen@aol.com

Art Director

Meredith Hancock Hancock Media

Contributing Photographers:

Doug Gehlsen

Crowell Hadden

Sarah Huntington

Missy Janes

Douglas Lees

Karen Monroe

Tiffany Dillon Keen

Donna Strama

Contributing Writers:

Emma Boyce Sean Clancy

Kerry Dale

Philip Dudley

Mike du Pont

Carina Elgin

Valerie Archibald Embrey

Jimmy Hatcher

M.J. McAteer

Joe Motheral

Jodi Nash

Tom Northrup

Ali Patusky Melissa Phipps

Pat Reilly

Linda Roberts

Eugene Scheel

Constance Chatfield-Taylor

John Sherman

Peyton Tochterman

John Toler

Leslie VanSant

Jimmy Wofford

Louisa Woodville

For advertising inquiries, contact: Leonard Shapiro at badgerlen@aol.com or 410-570-8447

ON THE COVER

These kids were terrific! Just too cute, and thanks to the editors, we had three kids to work with. Why are three important? One of the basic rules for the composition of portraits is showing a connection. Connections may be physical such as a family holding hands, or mom and dad holding a child while in a gentile embrace. For nonfamilial relationships, such as professional group portraits, we look to have a connection through implied shapes. For three children, the easiest is to have them arranged in a triangle pattern, if we had four, then a square or rectangle pattern. The same connection can also be physical and implied at the same time if the physical connection is real. It was an easy decision to have the kids form a triangle which resulted in a pleasing composition.

/ Country Zest and Style / @countryzestandstyle / @countryzestand1 www.countryzestandstyle.com

of NOTE

BE ON THE LOOKOUT through this issue of for the hummingbird.

ZECountry ZEST

& Style Country

Country

ZEST & Style

He appears in two ads and the first two readers to find him (one each) will receive a gift from THE RED TRUCK Rural Bakery, with locations in Warrenton and Marshall. Send your reply to badgerlen@aol.com

A Time to Celebrate

In this Holiday issue of 2022, there’s plenty to celebrate.

We’re finishing off a record year for the number of pages, stories, photos, ads and, best of all, reader compliments for a magazine that folks keep telling us they read cover to cover and can hardly wait for the next one to hit their mailbox.

We’d like to think this edition is equally well worth waiting for, with a wide variety of compelling columns, fabulous features and unforgettable photographs, starting with those three precious children gracing our front cover thanks to the usual brilliant work of photographers Doug Gehlsen and Karen Monroe of Middleburg Photo.

I’d also like to cite the eye-popping work of Tiffany Dillon Keen, who keeps coming up with so many intriguing angles in her feature photo shoots,. And, also our newest picture-perfect addition, Donna Strama, who took all those lovely shots of the glorious Ginkgo trees in full fall color over the past few weeks.

I’d also like to give a gigantic shout-out to Meredith Hancock, who designs all of our pretty pages and many of our ads and has never once in four years of putting it all together said “no way” to a single request. And trust me, some of those requests, usually mine, definitely deserved a “no way” response.

Hats off to what I like to call our “shadow” editor. That would be none other than my amazingly talented wife, Vicky Moon, who married a techno-moron but makes up for it by meticulously laying out the magazine, deciding where every ad, story and photo will go, handles all the photo spreads and the magazine’s marketing and, oh yes, writes more than the occasional story. She’s only authored 11 books, but who’s counting. Me. I’m four behind and will never catch up.

Finally, there’s our dedicated and oh-so-talented roster of phenomenal freelance writers. They run the age gamut from teen to octogenarian, and obviously we couldn’t do any of it without their enormous skills, their passion for the subject and their prowess with the written word.

There are countless examples in this issue—John Toler’s piece on a long-forgotten Fauquier town, John Sherman writing about another memorable day at the Ashby Inn, Linda Roberts on an amazing 94-year-old artist (along with three other stories), M.J. McAteer on Windy Hill’s young new executive director and on and on.

As for those reader compliments, we can’t thank you enough. My old boss at The Washington Post, the late, great executive editor Ben Bradlee, used to call such kind words and complimentary notes and emails “psychic income.” Of course, it doesn’t pay college tuition, but trust me again, it makes it all worthwhile for every recipient writer or editor on the planet.

So many thanks for putting a little more ZEST on your reading list every other month, and wishing one and all a happy, healthy holiday season and a grand new year. It will be our fifth for the magazine. More to celebrate. Can’t wait!!!

Leonard Shapiro Editor

Badgerlen@aol.com

Doug Gehlsen and Karen Monroe of Middleburg Photo

Photo © by Vicky Moon And speaking of Ginkgo trees, this one on the southeast corner of the Safeway parking lot caught our eye.

The Christmas Shop Making a Welcome Comeback at Emmanuel

By Leonard Shapiro

The Rector missed it. His parishioners missed it. Holiday shoppers missed it. And the vendors missed it.

But not any more.

After a two-year, pandemic-induced hiatus, Middleburg’s Emmanuel Episcopal Church will present the 74th version of The Christmas Shop, its popular holiday event that began in 1948 featuring a selection of mostly regional merchants bringing their special wares to town to allow people to shop for a good cause.

So while shoppers are selecting quality holiday gifts for their friends and family, a portion of the vendors’ profits will go to local charities and non-profits like A Place To Be, Seven Loaves, F.I.S.H., Windy Hill, the Loudoun Abused Women’s Shelter and Blue Ridge Hospice, among others.

“People did miss it,” said The Rev. Eugene LeCouteur, Emmanuel’s rector. “It’s always been a fun social event as well as a fundraiser, with a portion of it going to our outreach.”

The in-person sale this year is particularly inviting because it hasn’t happened since the pandemic’s early days in 2020. It’s also returning to Emmanuel’s Parish House at 105 East Washington St., where it’s been held for most of its history.

The Christmas Shop, with Viviane Warren as the honorary chair and Anita Bown chairing the event, also will be held closer to Christmas—Friday, Dec. 9 through Saturday Dec. 10 from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. There also will be a preview night on Thursday, Dec. 8 from 6 to 9 p.m. for sponsors and other guests.

Seventeen vendors, some old friends and a few new, will set up tables on the spacious first floor of the Parish House. Men’s and women’s clothing, health and beauty products, jewelry, decorative arts, kitchen wares, fine art, books and photography are among the many curated items shoppers can browse.

The church also still offers its online Middleburg Marketplace year-round at www.MiddleburgMarketplace. org. Participating merchants at both venues contribute 15% of sales to Emmanuel Church, which then shares the proceeds through grants with its local partners.

For details: www.emmanuelmiddleburg.org/christmas-shop.

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Viviane Warren is Honorary Chairman of this year’s Christmas Shop in the Parish House at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Middleburg on December 9 and 10. A 74-year tradition, there will be gifts and goodies galore. And a tip of the hat to Viviane for her very generous contribution to Emmanuel Church to restore the 8.5 rank tracker organ, built and installed by Rieger Orgelbau in 1976. Mrs. Warren had the organ restored in memory of her beloved mother-in-law Hope Winchester Pratt who was a graduate of Foxcroft School. “There are few in this world who are as kind, gracious and generous as Viviane. We are so blessed that she calls Emmanuel Church her home” said The Rev. Eugene LeCouteur, rector of the parish.

Christmas In Middleburg: A Tradition Like No Other

By Peyton Tochterman

Since 1979, at 10:59 a.m. on the first Saturday of the last month of the year, nearly 100 horses and riders accompanied by many howling hounds pass the Middleburg Library, turn left on Washington Street, and proceed to the crest of the hill.

The first rider from the Middleburg Hunt, dressed in traditional scarlet attire, leads a mile-and-a-half procession down into an appreciative crowd of thousands lining the streets to witness and be part of this small-town tradition.

To the local community, seeing the Hunt Review, established in 1908 and scheduled this year on Dec. 3, pass through the town’s Federal Style buildings, inns, shops, and antique street lamps decorated with Christmas signs designed by former Hill School art teacher, the late Emily Sharp, Christmas in Middleburg has begun.

One of the most popular attractions are the mounted Charros in full regalia.

“Christmas in Middleburg exemplifies our spirit of community, friendship, and that small-town feeling,” said Middleburg Mayor Bridge Littleton. “It’s the biggest event every year where anybody can come and experience that unique element that makes our town so special.”

Following the morning Hunt Review comes the afternoon Christmas parade. The lineup consists of local high school marching bands, over 80 floats, local fire and rescue trucks, antique cars, dog breeders, Charro cowboys, motorcycle clubs, book groups, children from local schools, and of course, Ayrshire Farm hauling Santa Claus on a horse-drawn carriage at the end.

Most of the floats are staged locally on the Hill campus. Kelly Johnson, the school’s director of enrollment, sees the annual event as another opportunity to give back to the community.

“In 1990-91, the Clark family generously donated The Hill School land, and with that gift, we want to continue in the spirit of giving,” she said. “We’re happy to play a role in the town’s largest event of the year by having so many floats staged on campus.”

Planning for the parade begins almost immediately with the new year.

“We sit down with reps from the town of Middleburg and with A.J. (Panebianco, Chief of Police) to revisit the previous year’s parade while it’s still fresh,” said Michelle Myers, who, along with her husband Doug, are the lead organizers.

“We’re brainstorming about strategic planning year-round,” Doug said. “But the lion’s share of the work begins in July.”

The Myers took over from former organizer Jim Herbert after meeting him four years ago.

“I couldn’t believe Jim was doing all the work by himself, so we volunteered,” Doug added. “Not long after that, Jim stepped aside, and we jumped in. We were new to town, having moved to Bluemont from Ashburn, and we’re fortunate to be part of this remarkable tradition…Our long-term goal is to help local charities, through the proceeds of the parade, give back to this wonderful community.”

Penny Denegre, Joint Master of the participating Middleburg Hunt, also is eagerly awaiting the 2022 parade.

“I see it as an opportunity to give back to a community that has been so supportive of the Middleburg Hunt for so long,” she said of an event many local residents call their favorite of the year.

And so, On Dec. 3, at 10:59 a.m., when the hounds come over the hill, in that highly anticipated moment, everyone in attendance will feel what Middleburg has always been, what Middleburg is, and hopefully what this picturesque Virginia village will continue to be – a tip of the cap to small town life and tradition.

Jane Caspar’s Enduring Passion for the Arts

By Linda Roberts

The face on the small oil painting is that of a young woman with brown hair cut chin length, with expressive eyes that look out from the canvas with an inquisitive stare. Sitting on her sofa last month, some 60 years since the self-portrait was created, is the artist, 94-year-old Jane Caspar, who offers a perky smile and eyes that twinkle.

“Well,” she said of the painting, “it was nothing special.”

That young woman, who majored in art at Cornell University, not only kept on painting, but expanded her keen interest in the arts to music, theater, pottery, knitting, crocheting and more—creating the framework for a lifelong passion for her love of the arts.

Thanks to the efforts of several friends who hung her art, arranged her well-loved crocheted animals and filled display cases with her pottery, Caspar recently competed a showing of her work at Long Branch Historic House & Farm, which created a retrospective exhibition of her life’s work.

A life well lived describes this remarkable woman who goes about her days quietly without fanfare, and who continues to amaze and inspire others to lead their own best life.

As neighbor and poet Wendy Clatterbuck said, “Janie is the most optimistic person I’ve ever known. In seeing the best in a person, she therefore brings out a person’s best. To my mind, she’s the spiritual core of our church (Christ Episcopal). And her love of animals shows in her subjects—cows, birds, goats, cats dogs—and in her whimsical crocheted

animals. I’m glad she’s my friend and neighbor.”

Caspar met and married Alan in 1948 while they were both students at Cornell—she in the arts program and he in agriculture. They came to Clarke County in 1956 when he took a position at Blandy

Experimental Farm. They raised two children at their property named Hillhurst, which Jane named after her family’s farm in upstate New York.

Never far from the arts, Caspar began singing in the choir at Christ Episcopal Church, where she is a faithful member, and started the art program at Powhatan School, teaching there for 20 years.

“Many of my friends are people I taught,” Caspar said. “I just loved teaching there.”

Another love is the Winchester Celtic Circle, where Caspar plays the fiddle. Although COVID kept the group from performing for two years, it’s now back on track and Caspar will be performing at upcoming holiday performances in Winchester and Middletown. Caspar also admits she “plays a little” guitar, banjo, dulcimer and the psaltery.

While her music, painting and fiber arts are favorites, “the great love of my life was doing theater,” Caspar said. “I did just about everything behind the footlights—building and painting sets, running the lights and acting with the Blue Ridge Players…I’m not in my dancing days anymore, but I had fun doing ballet, folk dancing and the jitterbug.”

Her advice to young people looking to try something new is “don’t worry about it, just do it, get involved, and try it.”

As for her own endurance in staying involved in the arts, Caspar said, “I’m kind of a positive person, but I have had good luck…My degree qualified me for everything, but being useful. Because if there was art involved I was always in it.”

And, at 94, Jane Caspar remains involved..

Photo by Linda Roberts Jane Caspar and faithful companion Cheyenne

Photo by Bonnie Nichols

The Hill & Hollow Bassets with William Cohen Uziel (whipper-in), Robin Conrad (whipper-in), Carter Amigh (MBH), and Rita Bush (whipper-in).

Photo by Bonnie Nichols

Mary O’Connell was a judge during the basset field trial, and her horse Red was ready to go. “Red doesn’t like standing still for long and he was bored.”

Photo by Bonnie Nichols Denali, a basset with Hill & Hollow Bassets, participating in the field trial.

Photo by Bonnie Nichols Mary Reed, MBH, Ashland Bassets. For five couples, the Ashland Bassets won first place followed by Three Creek Bassets, Monk Hall and Ripshin Bassets.

“Identity & Restraint: Art of the Dog Collar”

Dog Collar, Dutch, 1793: brass with modern felt lining, 6 x 1 1/2 inches inscribed Jan D Hont 1793, Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Timothy J. Greenan, 2014 National Sporting Library & Museum

An exhibition of rare and antique dog collars along with artwork spanning the 17th through 21st centuries was launched with a stellar opening at the National Sporting Library & Museum on the west end of Middleburg.

The 70 collars on display are part of the largest publicly held holding of its kind of 187 collars graciously donated to the NSLM by Timothy J. Greenan and his spouse, Jocelyn Greenan. The paintings, works on paper, and sculptures are on loan from the American Kennel Club Museum of the Dog and American Kennel Club collections. They create an appreciation of the collar as art and object and how its design transformed in relation to different dog breeds and their evolving relationship.

NSLM Executive Director Elizabeth von Hassell noted, “With shared aspects of our mission statements, being able to bring our collections together is a natural partnership.”

The museum held an opening celebration attended by 100 guests following a cocktail hour. Timothy J. Greenan gave an introduction before a viewing of the galleries began with Claudia Pfeiffer, the NSLM’s Deputy Director and George L. Ohrstrom, Jr. Curator.

Guests included NSLM Board Vice-Chair Jac queline B. Mars, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Roberts, and board members Fran ces Massey Dulaney, Jenny and Robert Irwin, Mary and Don Shockey, and Dana and F. Turner Reuter, Jr.

“Identity & Restraint: Art of the Dog Collar,” is on view through March 26. The Museum charges $10 for adults, $8 for youths (age 13-18), and $8 for seniors. NSLM members and children age 12 and under are admitted free of charge. Library & Museum hours are Thursday–Sunday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. More at https://www. nationalsporting.org/index.php/nslm/visit.

David Wright, Jacqueline B. Mars and Chief Justice John Roberts

NSLM Executive Director Elizabeth von Hassell and Timothy J. Greenan

Danny Hazel, Dana Reuter and Leslie Hazel

Identity & Restraint

MIDDLEBURG SUSTAINABLE COMMITTEE| Holiday 2022

At Boxwood Winery, the festival countdown included Beth Erickson, CEO of Visit Loudoun, on the far left. Next to her is Giardy Ritz, Sean Martin of Boxwood with the orange poster, and Peter Leonard-Morgan, vice mayor of Middleburg, Suzy Molak of the Middleburg Cultural & Community Events Committee, Michelle McNaughton, owner of the PlayRoom toy store, council member Cindy Pearson, and, on the far right, Kerry Roszel of the Land Trust of Virginia with husband Dev Roszel , planning commissioner of Middleburg.

10 Day Countdown to the Middleburg Film Festival in honor of its 10th anniversary I

n celebration the recent Middleburg Film Festival’s 10-year anniversary, the Town of Middleburg hosted events with a variety of speakers to share and highlight different aspects of local film history. Some of the stops included Mt. Defiance Cider Barn, Lost Barrel Brewing, the Master of Foxhounds Association and the National Sporting Library & Museum. During the four-day festival, anchored at Salamander Resort & Spa in mid-October, a record number of 45 films were screened. Honorees and special guests included director Gins Ptinvr-Bythewood, writer-director Noah Baumbach, director Edward Berger, writer-director Florian Zeller and many other sparklies.

Leonard Morgan | Associate Broker

Peter

At the Middleburg Community Center, the focus was on Doc Week with Annie Clancy, Robert Dove, Kevin and Lori Daly and the ever-affable Peter Leonard-Morgan.

At the Old Ox Brewery: Middleburg Film Festival founder Sheila Johnson, Ali MacIntyre, Middleburg Mayor Bridge Littleton and Town Manager Danny Davis.

Country ZEST & Style | Holiday 2022

A Coalition Where There’s Always A Seat at the Table

By Leonard Shapiro

Hope Laingen, Director of Mission and Evangelism at Grace Church in The Plains, likes to say that, “Our whole idea is that the table is never full. There’s always room for more people, so you go out and get a bigger table.”

Laingen also coordinates members of the Northern Fauquier Assistance Coalition, an ever-expanding group of churches, civic organizations, nonprofits, government agencies and individuals “dedicated to addressing the needs of our neighbors” in the county and surrounding areas.

The mission: “Member organizations address hunger, clothing and household needs, personal care needs, animal health and welfare and family and academic support.”

The coalition has more than 20 members, and that table keeps growing. In recent weeks, a group called Brotherhood on Wheels has joined, adding a Christian motorcycle club with several members who live just down the street from Grace church.

Call it meals on two wheels because they’ll start delivering food to area residents who can’t get out on their own. They’ll carry those meals (carefully) on their motorcycles and deliver at least once a month starting in December.

The coalition also is involved in a number of community-wide events, including free back to school markets in August, Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter food distribution and December toy and clothing distribution.

“It’s all about relationships,” said Laingen, a Grace parishioner since 2019 who has been working in her current position since last April.

“I coordinate it,” she said. “I don’t see this as being in charge, because many of these people have worked together before. We’ve all been working here and there because there are so many needs. We realized that we could all help each other accomplish more and make it easier for our neighbors to receive the help that they need. And it’s been beneficial across the board.”

As an example, in the spring of 2020, at the height of the pandemic, Carolyn Colbert, the long-time director of Potter’s House in The Plains, was advising some of her under-served regulars who often stop by for household needs, clothing and occasionally food that Grace also would welcome them to Peas and Grace, the church’s food bank.

“Many of them were still hesitant,” Colbert said. “They didn’t know anyone, and they were concerned about having to give them personal information before they could get the food. But they went over there and came back and said ‘Oh those people were wonderful. They didn’t ask any questions, they were just there to help us.’ Now, I send all our food distributors over to Grace.”

Said Laingen, “the people at Potter’s House were willing to vouch for us and tell them we were their friends. We’ve been able to grow and meet people’s needs. It was really something beautiful.”

Grace Rector Weston Mathews has always been a firm believer in working with other similarly inclined local organizations. “My role is just to encourage the church to get to know our neighbors,” he said. “That’s what this is all about.”

Coalition representatives meet at various locations in person once a month, with meetings also available on Zoom.

“Every time we get together,” Laingen said, “a new idea comes in, and that’s very exciting. It’s just been very cool because everyone has something to bring to this group.”

You might even say bringing it to a still growing table.

Linda Cook with the Potter’s House, Hope Laingen, director of mission and evangelism at Grace Church, Carolyn Colbert, Potter’s House, and Rev. Weston Mathews, rector of Grace Church.

New Faces Hope to Revitalize an Old Baptist Church

By M.J. McAteer

On any given Sunday, Upperville Baptist Church, an imposing neo-Gothic brick edifice on the main street of Upperville, attracts only a handful of congregants, mostly members of the fifth or sixth generation to have worshiped at a church in continuous operation for 189 years.

Recently, though, welcome new blood arrived in the form of two additional worshippers “that tripled the size” of the congregation, quipped Upperville Baptist’s new pastor, Michael Husfelt, exaggerating only slightly.

Husfelt, 59, is taking over the venerable church’s part-time pastorship from Dr. Louis “Bill” Thigpen, who served in that role for nearly a decade but now has health issues. Husfelt had a 30-year career as an Air Force chaplain, during which he gave spiritual succor to more than 52,000 members of the military and their families.

He and his wife, Michele, and their five children lived in a dozen different places, including California, Ohio and Florida, and, overseas, in Norway and Great Britain. He served in boots-on-the-ground hot spots, too, including Afghanistan and Iraq. Closer to home, the now-retired colonel was the senior chaplain at Arlington Cemetery and the White House Military Office Most recently, he was senior chaplain at the Joint Base McGuire-Dix in New Jersey.

“I see it as the hand of God that we ended up in Upperville,” Husfelt said of what he described as “the next chapter” in his ministry.

With a small congregation, the church can’t offer its new minister much in the way of pay, even though tithing is a strong tradition among Baptists. Husfelt, who will have his military pension for support, said

he plans to tithe himself and despite these financial strictures, Upperville Baptist will be sustained “through a lot of grace.”

The church has provided the new pastor and his wife, now empty-nesters, a place to live--a substantial parsonage. It was built in 1869 with bricks from the original church damaged in the Civil War and then demolished. The parsonage sits across Route 50 from the current, 1891 church, and it will be much more than just a home.

The couple envisions it as “a B&B dedicated to faith,” where people can gather for church, interdenominational and civic meetings, meals and social events. As part of that mission, the parsonage will be open to the public this year as part of a local Christmas house tour.

“The house will be born again,” Husfelt said.

Michele, 58, works for the Northstar Church Network, an association of 180 Northern Virginia congregations based in Manassas. She’ll play a big role in what her husband describes as a “hospitality ministry” that will be reaching out far beyond the church pews and into the community.

“She’s a one-woman chamber of commerce,” her husband said. “People love me a lot more when they know Michele.”

Husfelt said he’d like to explore starting up Spanish language services for the many Hispanic workers on area farms and estates.

After Covid, Husfelt believes that, “People are hungry to get out and have community.” He also has full faith he’ll be finding “lots of possible ways for the church to make a difference.”

Photo by M.J. McAteer Michele and Michael Husfelt at Upperville Baptist Church

“I

Down In The Goose Creek

Photos by Doug Gehlsen of Middleburg Photo

The circa 1802 four-arch stone bridge over Goose Creek between Middleburg and Upperville was originally part of the Ashby’s Gap Turnpike and became Route 50 in 1957. It is believed to be the oldest and longest in Virginia. During the Civil War, in June 1863 it was the location of a cavalry and artillery duel during the Battle of Upperville.

Steve Putnam has a memorable moment with his daughter Gwenevere.

Gwenevere and Lila Putnam were recently baptized in the Goose Creek and The Rev. Jonathan Adams of Trinity Episcopal Church in Upperville performed the Liturgy of Baptism.

marked them with the seal of the Cross as Christ’s own forever,” Adams said. “Christian Baptism is the first step in following God. He is show ing us one way love from heaven reminding us that His yes was on us way before we said yes to Him. Next up for Gwenevere and Lila is confirmation this spring.”

Bess and Steve Putnam with daughters Lily and Gwenevere. The Reverend Jonathan Adams with Gwenevere. The Reverend Jonathan Adams reads.

MIDDLEBURG SUSTAINABLE COMMITTEE| Holiday 2022

RACE INTO THE Holidays.

If you’ve never been to Middleburg for Christmas, you might be surprised at just how big our little town does it up! Come on out for the day or the weekend, and experience the truly unique Christmas in Middleburg. We’re proud that it’s earned international recognition – but even more proud that you’ll still enjoy the same charm, character and community that we’re known for. We can’t wait to see you!

Accommodations

Shop Local

An ideal village blend of refined luxury and unpretentious comfort.

Eat Well

Our restaurants, bistros, cafés, pubs, and brewery scene in our village rivals that of any big city.

Wineries

More than 20 wineries within a 30-minute radius.

Choose from a historic inn, traditional B&B, or a 5-star sprawling country estate and spa.

The Great Outdoors

Open spaces and rural calm inspire invigorating hikes, relaxing strolls, picnics & horseback riding for all levels.

HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES

Join us all December long for food, shopping, and festive activities - celebrate with a “Dickens of a Christmas in Middleburg”

Middleburgva.gov/holidays

The Fine Art of Dancing in the Dark

By Leonard Shapiro

It was called “Ridgeline…a “flash art experience.”

But if you asked any of the 300-plus local students who assembled on the airplane runway at Oak Spring near Upperville what they had just experienced over a memorable 45 minutes, surely their description likely would be a single word: Fun!!!!

Elizabeth Turk, a widely-regarded sculptor of marble among her many other artistic talents, was asked by the Oak Spring Garden Foundation to put together what became a magical community performance as a drone filmed the entire process from above.

The children and some of their parents and even grandparents were given LED-lit umbrellas that featured images of endangered flora of eastern North America. The gorgeous umbrella canopies, designed by Turk, became “pixels” that, in the fading light of a fall evening, created dynamic patterns captured overhead by the drones.

“The gathering becomes a dance of light, and from afar, a vibrant field of plants and flowers swelling and swaying with grace and joy against the backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains at sunset…allowing the individual movements to be seen collectively as one.”

Said Turk, “Using movement, music and technology, while surrounded by nature, we hope to inspire dialogue, raise consciousness and invite individuals to transcend boundaries as a larger,

creative and more optimistic community.”

Sir Peter Crane, president of the Oak Spring Garden Foundation, said he and the foundation were “delighted to involve our local community, and especially our local schools, in this unique experience that is not only innovative and fun, but also helps raise awareness of the vital importance of environmental stewardship.”

The event began with a performance by dancer Demetia Hopkins, choreographed by Lara Wilson to a commissioned piece by Dena Jennings of Imani Works. After that, live music by Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen, a multi-Grammy award nominee, encouraged everyone to join together and start moving around and twirling their umbrellas.

According to Turk, through collaboration and

involvement, Ridgeline participants become artists, dancers, choreographers, neighbors, and friends, transforming each person into the artwork itself.

A Southern California native, Turk is a MacArthur Fellow, an Annalee & Barnett Newman Foundation and Joan Mitchell recipient, and has been a Smithsonian Artist Resident Fellow.

“This was truly a labor of love for us as artists,” Turk said in an interview. “Some of the children weren’t old enough to lift an umbrella. It ranged from 18 months old to grandparents. You watch the kids jumping around, darting under the umbrellas, just having a wonderful time, it’s truly a magical experience for everyone. And when you see some of the footage from the drones, it just makes you smile.”

Fun it was, from start to fabulous finish.

A boy and his umbrella.

It began with a performance by dancer Demetia Hopkins.

Merry Christmas

From Dawn The Virginia

Photo by Bradley Duckworth  Tara de Nicolás with baby Claire and Rebecca Thistlethwaite with baby William at the Virginia Fall Races.

Photo by Vicky Moon Racing aficionado and race commit tee member Gordie Keys.

Photo by Vicky Moon

Tweed clad Wendy and Mike Smith had an enjoyable afternoon out at the races.

Photo by Vicky Moon Verna Stern, Melanie Blunt and Ashley Kennedy recently spent an afternoon at Glenwood Park for the Virginia Fall Races.

Photo by Doug Gehlsen of Middleburg Photo Jacqueline Ohrstrom presented the trophy in memory of George Ohr strom, Jr. for the National Sporting Library & Museum Cup $30,000 timber stakes to the The Hun dred Acre Field’s Cracker Factory connections: trainer Mark Beecher, jockey Jamie Bargary with Amy Fenwick (far right).

Photo by Vicky Moon Tailgate hostess extraordinaire Robin Keys doesn’t miss a detail such as these designer cookies with appropriate silks and names of 2022 flat racing super stars such as Epicenter.

Dawn To Dusk At Virginia Fall Races

As president of the Middleburg Fall Races, Punkin Lee had a very long day behind the scenes of an event that has attracted and captivated huge crowds at Glenwood Park since the event began in 1955. It started this year not long after sunrise as Punkin and her fellow volunteers began doing all the little things—and the big ones as well—to assure another highly successful day of racing, tailgating, wagering, people-and horse-watching at Middleburg’s premier sporting venue.

Photos and copy by Leonard Shaprio

Punkin hung up the banner for INOVA Loudoun Hospital Foundation a beneficiary of the event along with The Glenwood Park Trust.

Opening up the boxes for some of the trophies to be presented later in the afternoon.

The Punkin mobile.

Setting up snacks for the grooms.

Secretary/Treasurer Cricket Bedford stepped up to help Punkin set up.

Spreading out the tablecloths for the trophy display.

By Joe Motheral

Among its many attributes, Franklin Park in Purcellville features an arts center that houses an art gallery and an indoor amphitheater for the performing arts, with every seat offering an unobstructed view of the stage and near perfect acoustics.

Managing Director Elizabeth Braces has been a lifelong supporter of the arts and has served in that capacity for nine years. The highlight this past year was “difficult to gauge coming out of the second pandemic. But a wonderful performance over the summer had to do with Georgia O’Keefe.”

The Center had a one person-theatrical production along with an exhibit of George O’Keefe’s paintings. She’s also proud of an ongoing music series since 2020 called “Music for Dessert.”

“It’s been successful for two reasons,” she said. “We had in person audiences and virtual audiences. It was a very successful program.”

In October, jazz musician Todd Wright, who has collaborated with Celine Dion among others, was joined by vocalist Ryan Wright, a singer/ songwriter/producer.

The pandemic obviously had a significant impact on the theater as well as the performers. “One of the problems for the performers is getting back into the routine,” Braces said. “What we found is that for some of the people coming here it’s their first live show. And I think it has been difficult for the

community theater groups.”

The theater works closely with the Virginia Commission for the Arts.

“They do the curating of performers,” she said. “Our technical director is a musician so he fully understands. We do a lot of vetting between the two of us. It’s just experience, knowing what people are interested in….More of a challenge is finding performances that are meaningful to people.”

The Arts Center has several intriguing productions scheduled for the this spring.

“We have Beauty and the Beast coming in March, 2023,” she said. “The Goose Creek Players,

with a more traditional production—Sense and Sensibility—will be coming in April. And another company called Jupiter Theater –all young people— will be performing The Scarlet Pimpernel.”

Bracey has committed herself to a lifetime in the arts.

A University of Virginia graduate, she’s spent the past 27 years “building community connections with the visual and performing arts.” She sees the arts as an “equalizer, a way to bring people together across all demographics.”

For more information on performances and art exhibitions, go to www.franklinparkartscenter.org.

Built on Trust Since 1976

Courtesy Photo Franklin Park performing arts center.

The 74th annual Piedmont Regional Art Show & Sale attracted large crowds to view many magnificent works from the area’s artists and photographers on display over three days on the last weekend of October at Grace Episcopal Church in The Plains. Funds raised at the three-day event will enable Grace to continue a rich tradition of drawing together regional artists and patrons of the arts as well as providing support for the ministries of the church.

Ken Garrett, a world class National Geographic photographer and a Grace parishioner, focused on a table of sculptures.

Rick Miller was not the model for “The Whiskey Glass,” but a dead ringer for the man in the painting.

Pat and Bobby Turner attended the Opening Gala.

honors went to Jennifer Sims for “Queen Maeve.”

Grace Rector Weston Mathews en joyed the art and the nibbles.

Photos by Leonard Shapiro

“The Ginkgo plantation at Blandy is spectacular - just the place to enjoy the brilliant fall color of the leaves and take a guess at when they will fall. Ginkgo leaves drop with eerie sychronicity leaving a dense carpet of hundreds of thousands of spectacular ‘brimstone yellow’ leaves.” –Sir Peter Crane, president Oak Spring Garden Foundation.

At Blandy Experimental Farm, part of the State Arboretum of Virginia just west of Upperville on Route 50, the Ginkgo Grove undergoes a magical transformation each fall. The leaves transition from green to gold. Country ZEST photographer Donna Strama got there just in time. Here’s what the Ginkgo Grove looked like in late October.

Thebook,Ginkgo:TheTreeThatTimeForgotwaswrittenbySirPeterCrane, president of the Oak Spring Garden Foundation in Upperville. He is an expert onthehistoryoftheGinkgobiloba.“Ginkgo,withitsdistinctiveleavesand200 millionyearevolutionaryhistory,isoneofthemosteasilyrecognizedofallour trees, and also one of the most fascinating. It is as unique among trees as the platypusisuniqueamongmammals.”

Photos by Donna Strama

WEST VIRGINIA BREEDERS CLASSICS

The West Virginia Breeders Classics began 36 years ago under the direction of the late National Football League Hall of Famer and West Virginia native Sam Huff and fellow horse racing devotee Carol Holden, both of Middleburg.

Since then, it has grown into a weekend celebration with a Gala at the Bavarian Inn in Shepherdstown, a Hat Contest with $3000 in cash prizes, and the Sam Huff Golf Classic at the Locust Hill Golf Course.

Also at the Gala from the West Virginia Lot tery Kari Blankenship and Danielle Snidow and from the Holiday Inn Express Dana Fadeley with Phil Quinones and Jason Butt (General Manager) with his wife Jolene Butt.

The ten-race card included: West Virginia Dash for Cash Breeders’ Classic S. Presented by ROCKWOOL Stakes, West Virginia Triple Crown Nutrition Breeders’ Classic Stakes, West Virginia Vincent Moscarelli Memorial Breeders’ Classic Stakes, West Virginia Roger Ramey Breeders Classic Distaff S. Presented by Beau Ridge Farm Stakes, West Virginia Department of Tourism Breeders’ Classic Stakes, West Virginia Thoroughbred Breeders Association Onion Juice Breeders’ Classic Stakes, West Virginia Cavada Breeders’ Classic Stakes, West Virginia Lottery Breeders’ Classic Stakes and the Blue and Gold Stakes. The feature race was the $300,000 Sam Huff West Virginia Breeders’ Classic.

Among those attending the Gala: Dickie Moore, Paul Espinosa, Jr., Kaitlin Christopherson, Carol Holden, Mary Huff, Bob Huff (Sam’s grandson), Sharyn Corry, and Georgiana Pardo.

Photo by Coady courtesy WVBC

The 2022 winner of the Sam Huff West Virginia Breeders Classic was Muad’dib, owned by David Raim, trained by Jeff Runco and ridden by jockey Arnaldo Bocachica. The same group also won in 2021.

Photo by Coady courtesy of WVBC Winners circle presentation for inaugural running of Sam Huff West Virginia Breeders Classic.

Lilly the Librarian Is Always Booked Up

By Leonard Shapiro

Lilly Newton has only been on the job as branch manager for the Middleburg Library since September, 2021, but she’s already had a significant impact on expanding its seemingly countless services and programs. You can even do yoga—floor or seated—in a corner of the 2,200-square foot building, with no reading required.

Newton, a Maryland native, commutes to Reid Street from her home in Summit Point, West Virginia. She took over from beloved Sheila Whetzel, who had retired as the library’s first and only manager since 1988, at a time when Covid restrictions were starting to ease.

For many months, children’s story times, adult book clubs and other popular programs had been suspended. But these days, with Newton and her dedicated six-person staff showing the way, the library once again clearly is thriving.

This past summer, library weekly summer reading events partnered with a dozen community organizations, with nearly 450 participants. Newton also arranged monthly mobile library visits to Levis Hill House senior residence at Windy Hill, with books, newspapers and magazines available to be checked out right at their front door.

The staff visited local schools to promote summer reading in May and June and also created over 75 new accounts during its library card sign up in September. In the last year, they’ve added more story times, a Pre-K skill building class, chess club, an English conversation group, and an all ages art session on Saturday mornings.

There’s a winter reading challenge for adults, who can win gift cards if they complete 16 books between December and February. And how about Rambling Readers, a monthly gathering to discuss a book while walking around town.

“Lilly has been a wonderful addition not only to our fantastic library, but to our community,” said Alix Coolidge, president of the library’s advisory board. “She put together the most incredible series of programs in the past year… and she has been very involved in the community, making sure that those who cannot get to the library have the library come to them.”

Newton also likes to emphasize that, “Everything here is free and open to everyone. That’s our rule.”

And clearly, more people are taking full advantage. This past September, 1,953 people walked through the front door. The previous September, the number was about 1,600.

Newton is obviously delighted.

“The reason I got into library work was because I wanted to help my community,” she said. “When I finished college, I worked with the military in government contracting, but I didn’t feel I was making any kind of impact. When I switched careers, I wanted something challenging that would actually help people.”

She got a Masters in library science at Clarion University in Pennsylvania and eventually ended up as head of children’s services in Shepherdstown, WVA. After two years, she moved to Leesburg’s Rust Library and was promoted to head of children’s services. She spent seven years there, and when she learned Whetzel was planning to retire, she was intrigued by the possibility of moving to the Middleburg branch.

There also were openings in Purcellville and Lovettsville, “but Middleburg was my first pick,” she said. “I thought it was a great opportunity, and it reminds me of Shepherdstown—a small town, everyone knows everyone. I like that small town feeling.”

And after less than 15 months on the job, the feeling about Lilly Newton among countless library users is mutual.

NOVEMBER 20 TH

Tea in the Mansion, Decorated for the Holidays

Two Seatings Available — Register Today!

Artisan Craft Fair in the Carriage House & Door Prizes!

Live Holiday Music and Entertainment

TEA IN THE CARRIAGE HOUSE

An Elegant Tea, Throughout the Holiday Season Saturdays and Sundays in December Limited Seating

HOLIDAY WEEKENDS AT

OATLANDS

Twilight Tours Stagecoach Theater Holiday Shopping in the Gift Shop

STAY AT OATLANDS FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Beautiful Historic Airbnbs Mansion & Grounds Decorated for the Holidays

Photo by Vicky Moon Middleburg Library Branch Manager Lilly Newton

Experts at Educating Girls

This Price For Piedmont

By Leonard Shapiro

rowing up in Falls Church in the 1950s, Stephen Price can almost pinpoint the precise time he became enamored with history. His older sister was teaching at the Calvert School in Baltimore and gave her elementary school little brother a copy of a book, “A Child’s History of the World.”

“That definitely stimulated my interest in history,” said Price of what has become a lifelong passion. In August, the board of Virginia Piedmont Area Heritage Association voted him to a three-year term as chairman, replacing outgoing Dulany Morison, who will continue leading the Preservation Committee in his capacity as Chair Emeritus with Ashton Cole.

Price, a long time and widely regarded Leesburg attorney who is a partner in the Northern Virginia law firm of McCandlish & Lillard, has been on the board since 2010 and served as its chairman from 2018-2019.

“I guess you could say this is my second coming,” Price said. “Preservation through education is what we do. Along with the real landscape, the cultural landscape in our area is also beautiful, and we want people to experience and appreciate the significant events that occurred right here.”

Over the years, Price, a VMI graduate with a law degree from the University of Virginia, has been instrumental in developing new VPHA programs and three years ago, directed the successful “Year of John Marshall,” which brought guests

Photo by Leonard Shapiro VPHA Chairman Stephen Price

elegant

for year-round

VPHA Annual Civil War Conference

S

ince 1998, the Virginia Piedmont Heritage Area Association has hosted an annual three-day Civil War conference examining the war in Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania through the lens of leadership as well as historic preservation.

Saturday’s talks are followed by an evening banquet. On Sunday, the final day of the conference, several of the historians take attendees by bus into the field to walk the ground and note the preservation efforts involved. The 2023 conference, with a topic still to be determined, is scheduled from Friday, Oct. 6 through Sunday, October 8.

Price was particularly taken with two new significant Piedmont Heritage programs last year, including a concert in Purcellville dedicated to the works of country singer Patsy Cline and a presentation at Buchanan Hall and Welbourne on F. Scott Fitzgerald.

“We’re going to do the Patsy Cline program again, people really liked it,” he said, adding that he also plans to focus on the history of the area’s endangered historic villages, and programs are underway to focus on places like Paris, Lucketts, and Browntown.

Looking ahead to 2024, he’s also excited about the organization’s plans to commemorate the 200-year anniversary of the Marquis de Lafayette’s reunion tour through the United States, which will include a series of events highlighting the sites he visited in the Heritage Area.

“He came back to the United States in 1824,” Price said of the French officer who was a hero of the American Revolution. “And he came back to Virginia in 1825. He rode out here from Washington in a carriage with John Quincy Adams and we’re going to have events in Leesburg and Warrenton and Oak Hill, James Monroe’s home.”

As always the mantra of the Virginia Piedmont Heritage Area Association will remain “preservation through education” and it’s slogan “see it, save it, pass it on.” The goal is to “educate about the history of, and advocate for, the preservation of the extraordinary historic landscape, culture, and scenery in the Northern Virginia Piedmont for future generations to enjoy.”

Much of that work goes on with the association’s outreach to a wide variety of local schools. Since 2005, the association’s programs have reached out to more than 55,000 students, providing a variety of educateonal experiences based on the history the areas where those students live and attend school. They hope to reach 75,000 students by 2025.

In addition to his work for the PAHA, Price also has served as president of the George Marshall International Center at Dodona Manor during the restoration of the General’s home, and he was a member of the Loudoun County Sesquicentennial Committee and Commissioner in Chancery for the Loudoun County Circuit Court. He also serves as general counsel for the Land Trust of Virginia.

“I’m a great believer in working with like-minded organizations,” he said. “There is definitely strength in numbers.”

At the Parish House of Emmanuel Church

VPHA brings vetted experts with links to both the leaders of the Civil War and the battlefields and landscapes on which their actions played out. Meeting at the Middleburg Community Center, eight provocative talks on the annual topic begins on the Friday night of the conference and ends with a panel discussion of historians on Saturday.105 East Washington Street For more information call (540) 687-6297 or parishsecretary@emmanuelmiddleburg.org Come Experience the Magic of Fine European Wares!

Country ZEST & Style | Holiday 2022 29

Photos by Vicky Moon

At the Cherry Blossom Breast Cancer Tennis & Pickleball Tournament at the Middleburg Tennis Club. Kudos to Co-chairs Jennifer Austell and Verna Stern with thanks to the Louise B. Cochrane charitable foundation and many others.

Hooray for Pickleball

Photo by Leonard Shapiro Tennis Club General Manager Kevin Brundle, Verna Stern, Jennifer Austell and Kyla Walgren.

The Season’s Grand Finale at the Buchanan Hall Farmers Market in Upperville is in the books. Just ask board members Fletcher Slater, Britton Condon, Eloise Repeczky and Erik Scheps.

New Places and Faces For 7-11 in Marshall

By Leonard Shapiro

Some mornings, Kim Doffermire leaves home in Front Royal a couple of hours early just so “I can go see all those smiling faces” she knows so well at the original downtown Marshall 7-11. She’ll hang out there with some of her old pals and regulars at the Main Street location before she heads over to the new 7-11 a few hundred yards from I-66.

Kim managed the original store for a number of years and now is doing the same at the new one. Her daughter Brooke, who lives in Marshall, is now the manager at the original store, and both are owned by long-time Marshall natives Clyde and Bernice Simpson.

It’s less than a half-mile between the two locations, but something of a world apart when it comes right down to it, according to Bernice.

“The old-timers are still going to the old store,” she said. “And we’re getting a lot of new people at the other one. It’s been fantastic at the new store. We’re selling food, gas, beer. Everything is going out of there. And the older store is doing great, too.”

The new store, with 16 gas pumps, “is more of an afternoon store,” Bernice said. “People are coming in after school, after work, and from every direction. The other one (with four gas pumps) is more of a morning store. A lot of people hit the other one pretty early. And we have basically the same stuff in both of them.”

The new store opened officially on Sept. 29 with free cookies, $1 hotdogs and gas priced at $2.99 for one eight-hour celebratory grand opening stretch.

“It’s a lot bigger store,” Kim said. “We have probably double the merchandise than the other one and we have to do a lot more traveling to get things done. We see a lot more new faces, and we already are starting to get some regulars coming over from the townhouses behind us. People have been very friendly. We’re always hearing ‘we’re so glad there’s something else on this side of the town.’”

Bernice Simpson splits her time between the new and the old store, and her husband, Clyde, is now helping out at the new one. For many years he had his own popular heating and air conditioning business in the area.

“I thought I was retired,” he said with a smile one morning, standing outside the new store. Clearly, Bernice had a better idea. Check out the Beer Cave in the new store.

Since 1957 Dealers and Appraisers for Fine Antique Firearms, Edged Weapons & Armor Recipient of the United States Department of the Interior Citation for Public Service Toll Free 1-800-364-8416 109 E. Washington St. (Rt. 50)

Post Office Box 7 Middleburg, VA 20117 Middleburg, VA 20118 Tel. 540-687-5642 Fax 540-687-5649 Email: info@davidcondon.com www.davidcondon.com

Photos by Leonard Shapiro Clyde Simpson at the new 7-11 in Marshall.

Leslie

of Andi’amu

$75,000

Photo by Vicky Moon Al Griffin, vice president and co-race chairman chats with his fashionable wife Maureen.

Photo by Vicky Moon Jockey Graham Watters weighs in with Clerk of Scales Harrison Young.

Photo by Vicky Moon Montana Ruffner and Dan Moore took a stroll along the rail.

Photo by Doug Gehlsen of Middleburg Photo

Young trainer

winner of the

International Gold Cup Timber Stakes with her son Rory with the perpetual gold King of Spain, Alfonso XIII, trophy.

Photo by Vicky Moon

me to the race on time.

Photo by Vicky Moon Diane and Will Russell were on hand to watch his horse Seismic Wave in the first race.

AN UNSUNG HERO

Ashley Randall has been around horses all her life growing up in the Green Spring Valley area of Baltimore County, with parents who worked for Hall of Fame rider Charlie Fenwick, one of only two Americans to win the iconic Grand National Steeplechase in England in 1980. Now, at age 32, she’s an assistant trainer and a groom for Maryland-based trainer Jack Fisher, and there she was on race day at the International Gold Cup with two of her barn’s charges winning races on the card. Randall, one of many unsung heroes behind the racing scenes, was up at 3:30 a.m. that morning, fed the horses at 4 and an hour later was behind the wheel driving a six-horse van for the two-hour drive to Great Meadow in The Plains. Then it was a full day of brushing, braiding, bathing and lots of hot walking, including taking great care of Potus, owned by Riverdee Stable’s Sean and Annie Clancy of Middleburg and the winner of the second race. “I love these horses, it’s all I ever wanted to do,” Randall said. And it obviously shows.

Photo by Karen Monroe of Middleburg Photo Ashley Randall leads Graham Watters and Potus from the paddock to the post.

Photo by Leonard Shapiro

Under the rules of the Virginia Racing Commission, all horses must be stabled in a designated fenced and guarded area.

Photo by Doug Gehlsen of Middleburg Photo. Potus, by Lemon Drop Kid out of Place of Honor, is owned by Annie and Sean Clancy of Riverdee Stable and trained by Jack Fisher. En route to victory in the $30,000 Virginia Equine Alliance Maiden Hurdle, the four-year-old brown gelding sails over the liverpool.

Photo by Karen Monroe of Middleburg Photo After a photo in the winner’s circle, Ash ley leads Potus back to the stable area.

Photo by Leonard Shapiro Groom Ashley Randall cools Potus out.

Photo by Doug Gehlsen of Middleburg Photo. In the winner’s circle, Sean Clancy, Sheila Fisher, Annie Clancy and Robert Dove with Kitty Dove obscured, Ashley Randall holds Potus with Graham Watters up and trainer Jack Fisher, far right.

A Breakfast Gathering

The Fauquier Habitat for Humanity recently held an inaugural breakfast gath ering at the Middleburg Community Center to celebrate its role in providing affordable housing for local residents. CEO Darryl Neher addressed an audience of 125 area business, civic and nonprofit leaders in what likely will become an annual event.

Photos by Leonard Shapiro

Fauquier County Sheriff Jeremy Falls

Habitat’s Melanie Burch

Habitat Executive Director Darryl Neher

Kelp Armstrong, John and Robyn Thompson

Chuck Akre and Andrew Stifler

Retiring Windy Hill executive director Bob Dale

What a Bargain at Refurbished Trinity Thrift & Boutique

by Dillonkeenphotography

By Leonard Shapiro

There is a spectacular newly refurbished boutique in downtown Upperville these days, with incredible rock bottom prices on a wide variety of antiques, art, high (and low) end men’s and women’s apparel, bridal wear, household goods, books and even horse tack, riding jackets and boots.

Welcome to the three floors of merchandise at the newly rebranded Trinity Thrift & Boutique. So what if it’s all just a tad slightly used? Where else can you find an Evan Piccone tuxedo priced at $25, a stunning woman’s blue polka dot wool jacket from Nieman Marcus at $20 or a shiny pair of men’s cowboy boots, size 12, for $35.

Trinity Episcopal has had a thrift shop for more than 30 years, with proceeds going to the church’s outreach programs. Outreach ministries at Trinity fund local, national and international projects brought to the attention of the Outreach Committee or Vestry.

But until Eloisa Miller, who prefers to go by Chloe, came along last May and warily walked into what once was a cozy country home, the place had never looked like this.

In fact, she said, back then it looked virtually beyond salvation.

“It was a mess,” she said. “I was in shock. It was covered in dust. Before I started, you couldn’t even walk in here there was so much trash. There were racks and racks of clothes everywhere. I went upstairs to one room and underneath a pile of stuff a heater had been left on, maybe for a couple of years. They’re very lucky the place didn’t burn down.”

They were also very lucky that Chloe, after a long and continuing career as an interior designer based near Front Royal, had decided to take a part-time job managing the shop. She’d been contemplating retirement, but instead made it her mission to turn it into a warm, welcoming space that keeps drawing big crowds the three days it’s open every week—Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Photos

Laurie Volk always arrives in grand style.

If the shoe fits.

“The reason I wanted the job was because all the money goes to their outreach,” she said, adding that she recently took in $3,600 in sales one day. “On Saturdays, you can hardly walk through this place there are so many people.”

Laurie Volk, pictured here modeling some of the fabulous fashions, is a member of the church vestry that decided to upgrade the thrift shop.

“She’s done an outstanding job,” Volk said. “It now creates more funding for Trinity’s outreach ministries to reach local needs. It’s open longer hours and is more like an attractive boutique. It continues to meet the practical needs of local shoppers in need of kids clothes, housewares, etc. The more practical stuff is upstairs. Downstairs may have designer items, but at very reasonable prices. The renovation is a huge success thanks to vision and effort of countless people. I’m delighted.”

And so is Chloe.

“I like things to look perfect,” she said. “Right now, there’s no perfection yet, but we’re trying to get there.”

Needless mark-up.

Dog on it, belt and buckle.

Happy New Year, bring on 2023.

A TWEED HUNTING COAT

PHOTOS by Dillonkeenphotography

If only one of our favorite mystery writers were still with us, because Dick Francis would have a hay day with this one. An equestrian happens into the Trinity Church Thrift shop and finds a lovely tweed riding jacket for sale. Someone says it once belonged to a well known local lady. This has never been confirmed. In addition to riding clothes and used tack, there are also many handsome riding boots for sale at the shop. Meanwhile, we just wanted to share all this with our Zest-filled readers. There’s far more in this shop than dresses, designer shoes, pretty hats and fine china. We welcome any comments and leads on the mystery of the tweed hunting coat.

These boots are made for riding.

As worn by the current owner.

Photo by Doug Gehlsen of Middleburg Photo The competitors in the Virginia Field Hunter Championships which took place at Foxcroft School.

Photo by Doug Gehlsen of Middleburg Photo Dawn Dugan Colgan (far right), winner of the Virginia Field Hunter Championship with Tracey Cover, Kip Holloway, M.F.H; 2020 winner; Anne McDowell, owner of the 2021 winning horse; 2021 winner George Kingsley and Neil Morris, M.F.H.

Photo by Doug Gehlsen of Middleburg Photo Huntsman Graham Buston and Sheri Bayly pass in front of Carter Hall in Millwood at the Blue Ridge Hunt Opening Meet.

Photo by Doug Gehlsen of Middleburg Photo Huntsman Richard Roberts and Shannon Vene zia at the Middleburg Hunt Opening Meet at Groveton Farm.

John B. “Jeb” Hannum, III with his daughter Chloe on Catch the Echo, reserve champion in the Virginia Field Hunter Champion ship. And p.s. This horse was in the Maryland Hunt Cup four consecutive years from 2013. Jeb rode him once, Diana Gilliam once and McLane Hendricks was up two times.

Crane won the 2022 Theodora A. Randolph Field Hunter Champion ship on her  For ever Bernardini at Glenwood Park in Middleburg prior to the Virginia Fall Races.

At the Opening Meet of the Orange County Hounds at Meredyth Farm: Erica Picking, Maryalice Larkin Matheson Thomas, John Coles M.F.H., Fiona Anderson, Huntsman Reg Spreadborough, M.F.H., Jeb Hannum, III M.F.H and James Piper. (center) Malcolm Matheson III, M.F.H. with Rector Weston Mathews of Grace Episcopal Church The Plains and Austin Wendt, seminarian.

Photo by Doug Gehlsen of Middleburg Photo

Mary

Photo by Doug Gehlsen of Middleburg Photo

Photo by Dillonkeenphotography Piedmont Fox Hounds Huntsman Jordan Hicks at the Opening Meet at Shelby Bonnie’s Oakley.

KELLYSVILLE:

Long Gone But Not Forgotten

By John Toler

For generations, Kelly’s Ford on the Rappah annock River below the town of Reming ton has been the go-to place for low-key recreation, including fishing, swimming and canoe ing. The river, rushing through scattered boulders, and the quiet woods reveal no evidence of the once-booming commerce and industrial village of Kellysville that once existed there.

John P. Kelly (1789-1866), a native of Westmoreland, Virginia, came to the area in 1829, eventually owning 1,000 acres along the Culpeper side of the Rappahannock. An astute businessman, Kelly built a water-powered grain mill with a half-mile millrace, and in 1837 opened a toll bridge over the river.

With the building of the Rappahannock Canal linking farms and businesses in northwestern Fauquier and Culpeper counties with the port city of Fredericksburg, Kelly’s business ventures grew to become Kellysville. Additional facilities included a sawmill, shops producing shoes and dyes, a community store, and a clothing factory run by Kelly’s son, Granville.

Smaller enterprises included a wheelwright, cooper (barrel maker), a brick kiln and a creamery. At its height, 100 workers, both free and enslaved, were based in Kellysville, with many living in cabins and houses on the property.

Demand for the flour shipped downriver grew to the point that the mill ran continuously until midnight Saturday, resuming at midnight Sunday. Two boats each carrying 100 barrels of flour regularly made the trip down the river and back, according to Kelly’s grandson, D. W. Kelly, in the March, 1941 edition of the Virginia Chronicle.

Described as a heavy-set, smooth-shaven Irishman, John P. Kelly’s success as a businessman was eclipsed by his reputation as a mean-spirited, conniving self-dealer. While his Kellysville complex was the largest non-farm operation in the region, he was “…the most feared and hated man in Culpeper County,” wrote Sarah K. Bierle on the Emerging Civil War website.

Kelly’s frequent confrontations with his neighbors, notably George Wheatley, who had two mills and a tannery upriver from Kellysville, often came to blows over issues like wandering livestock or diverted river water. Any stranger crossing Kelly’s property without invitation—or paying a toll—was likely to be attacked and beaten.

Suffering the worst treatment were Kelly’s slaves, numbering 71 according to the 1860 slave census. Whippings were meted out for minor infractions or for no reason at all.

In an article published in The Fauquier Democrat in 1936, Works Progress Administration field worker M. D. Gore recounted one ugly incident. Returning home one day, Kelly was not met at a stile by the young boy who was to take charge of his horse. Angrily, Kelly rode the animal into the house, where he confronted

Union Army sketch artist Pvt. Robert K. Sneden drew a panorama of Kellysville as it appeared in November, 1863, during the Second Battle of Rappahannock Station.

Sneden’s close-up drawing of Kelly’s grist mill, “showing the effect of artillery,” the damaged cotton factory in the background, and front porch of Kelly’s house at far left.

Detail of Pvt. Sneden’s map of the battle lines on Nov. 7, 1863 shows Kellysville and the Wheatley property along the Rappahannock River.

the cook in the kitchen, who simply asked him what he wanted.

Further enraged, Kelly struck her in the mouth with his fist, knocking her down and breaking off a front tooth. “But the tooth cut the joint at (Kelly’s) index finger,” wrote Gore. “The housekeeper put sugar of lead on the wound, but it poisoned him from the start, and grew steadily worse.” Although Kelly later sought medical treatment for blood poisoning, gangrene eventually set in and his right arm had to be amputated below the shoulder.

Kelly’s business success continued through the 1850s, but significant challenges were on the horizon. The Rappahannock River Canal, which had struggled from the beginning with financial problems and natural disasters, was reorganized several times but was effectively closed by 1857.

No longer able to transport flour and goods by water, Kelly put his wheelwrights to work building wagons to make the runs to Fredericksburg. But there would be serious challenges as the nation moved toward Civil War.

Even before Union army units moved into the area in early 1862, the nature of the coming war was felt in Kellysville. Confederate troops passing through “requisitioned” Kelly’s chickens and hogs and other property.

Cloth for Confederate uniforms was being made in Kellysville, but by June, Granville Kelly was so concerned that advancing Union forces would capture the machinery from the mill and clothing factory that he had it dismantled and sent by wagon to Lynchburg and Danville.

The first big hit on Kellysville happened a few months later on March 17, 1863, when 2,100 Union cavalrymen under Brig. Gen. William W. Averell crossed the Rappahannock from the Fauquier side, attacking Confederates led by Gen. Fitzhugh Lee. The skirmish is remembered as the Battle of Kelly’s Ford.

Union troops took Kellysville, but soon learned that the milling and machinery had been removed. Meanwhile, Lee’s men counter-attacked, forcing Averell’s troops to withdraw. The result was inconclusive, but the effect on the village was severe. Few of Kelly’s businesses could still operate, and many of the former slaves – freed earlier by Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation – fled behind the Union lines.

The next major military action involving Kellysville was on Nov. 7, 1863, when Union troops attacked Confederates under Gen. Robert E. Lee positioned along the river during the Second Battle of Rappahannock Station. Maj. Gen. William H. French attacked the Rebels at Kelly’s Ford, and a force under Maj. Gen. John Sedgwick struck the bridgehead further upstream.

The Confederates were overrun, and retreated into Orange County. Union troops then occupied the area, including what remained of Kellysville. Pvt. Robert K. Sneden, a Union mapmaker and sketch artist, came to the village after the fighting.

“We met ‘Old Man Kelly’ at the mill. He looked gloomy and sullen, and being a rabid Rebel denounced our men in loud and futile oaths for stealing his cattle and hogs,” Sneden wrote. He described the damage done by Union artillery, and made sketches of the shattered village.

John Kelly remained at Kellysville through the rest of the war, and it was noted that he “found religion” and helped his neighbors rebuild, including Mt. Holly Church, which had been destroyed by the Union army.

Kelly died in 1866, and was buried in the family cemetery off Edwards Shop Road. Over the years, what was left of Kellysville was either dismantled and hauled away, or retaken by nature. The last survivor was the old Kelly home, which burned in the 1930s.

“Now there is nothing left of this thriving center,” wrote D. W. Kelly in the Virginia Chronicle. “It was destroyed during the War Between the States, and never rebuilt.” In later years, vandals stole John Kelly’s gravestone, leaving only memories of the man and the village he founded.

PSO HOLIDAY CONCERT: “Messiah Sing Along” Plus traditional Holiday & Pops Favorites!

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2022

PSO Young People’s Concert: “The Pines of Rome” Young Artists Competition & Student Art Contest

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2023 - 3 PM

“Ludwig!” All Beethoven Concert In collatoration with the UMW Philharmonic Beethoven Festival SUNDAY, APRIL 16, 2023 - 3 PM

“Russian Masters in Concert” Shostakovich, Tchaikovsky & Glinka

SUNDAY, JUNE 11, 2023 - 3 PM

FOR INFORMATION & TICKETS: www.piedmontsymphony.org

The PSO is Generously Funded in Part By: Luminescence Foundation & The Ben-Dov Family

Phillip A. Hughes Foundation

The Margaret Spilman Bowden Foundation Nicolaas and Patricia Kortlandt Fund The Wise Foundation The Crossfields Group

The Land Trust of Virginia’s 2nd Annual Sunset in the Field took place at Betsee Parker’s Farmer’s Delight. The evening included blue grass music from The Seldom Scene, a silent auction, drinks and a BBQ supper.

Bibi deHeller and Josh Muss

Land Trust communications director Sophie Langenberg

Land Trust vice chairman Chris Dematatis and Turner Smith

Bob and Stephanie Thompson

Kastiane Pellegrino and Natasha Folens

Laura Chester and Gail Clark

Farmer’s Delight owner Betsee Parker with Jana and Jonathan Adams

Laura Wernlein and David Sterling

Tom deButts, Jane Kaler and Charlotte deButts

Country ZEST & Style | Holiday 2022

Windy Hill Welcomes A New Executive Director

n the 40-plus years Middleburg’s Windy Hill Foundation has been providing affordable housing to local families, older adults and people with disabilities, its executive director has always been drawn from people who had served on its governing board.

Repeczky’s arrival also marks a second never-before for Windy Hill: At 33, she’s its first executive director to be younger than the organization she’ll be leading.

“I’m used to being the youngest,” said the unfazed Repeczky. “I have familiarity with working with a lot of generations.”

Eloise Repeczky, who took over the executive director’s job Nov. 1 from the retiring Bob Dale, is a break from that tradition.Gabrielle Gallegos, president of the Windy Hill board, is a member of one of those “other” generations, but she has zero concerns about Repeczky’s relatively tender age.

“Even [at that age], people can be seasoned,” she said. “Eloise brings a breadth of experience” to the job.

A glance at Repeczky’s resume bares out that assessment.

In her previous employment with several large Washington law firms, she proved herself to be a marathon multitasker. Repeczky devised marketing and business development plans, handled communications, managed websites, organized webinars and symposiums and dealt with workflow issues. All those skills will come in handy at Windy Hill, along with her age-appropriate ease with modern technology.

Law firms can “be a real pressure cooker,” said Gallegos, an attorney. “Eloise survived it with grace. She is amazingly poised.”

Repeczky left her last job with the global law firm Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP in the summer of 2021. She was the Business Development Manager for the firm and has led significant volunteer fundraising efforts with multiple non-profit organizations. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in international and global studies from Sewanee: The University of the South.

“I wanted to reevaluate and give serious thought to what should come next,” she said of her ensuing work hiatus. During that down period, she took a three-month road trip with only her dog, Souffle, for company, while her husband, Will Nisbet, stayed in Middleburg to work. Nisbet is director of institutional development at The Hill School, and the couple reside in faculty housing off Madison Street.

On her solo journey, Repeczky drove 15,000 miles and logged 700 miles of hiking, which gave her plenty of time to think.

“I’m incredibly grateful to have had that opportunity,” she said. “It put into perspective what I wanted--to be in a community setting with a missionbased organization. Now, I can’t wait to collaborate.”

Repeczky will have some big shoes to fill. Bob Dale was a retired CPA when a couple of his fellow board members approached him six years ago about taking on Windy Hill’s top job. His tenure as executive director turned out to be “an encore career,” he said, and a win for the foundation.

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By M.J. McAteer

I

“Bob understands complex business and banking arrangements inside and out,” Gallegos said, which was hugely helpful in getting housing built. Just as important as his clinical expertise, however, was the depth of his personal relationships in the community.

Windy Hill works “with friends and neighbors, not some distant beneficiaries,” Gallegos added. And having lived in the Middleburg area for more than 45 years, Dale was a natural to represent the nonprofit.

His personality was another big plus. “Bob is the most pleasant person you could ever hope to work with,” Gallegos said. “He is gracious, considerate, kind and unflappable.”

As executive director, Dale oversaw the completion of two projects--30 townhomes at Washburn Place in Marshall, and 96 apartments at Heronview in Sterling. That brought Windy Hill’s housing inventory to about 310 units, now home to more than 850 people.

He also built up resident services programs such as after-school programs and an educational fund to fill gaps in financial aid for students. He’s especially pleased when Windy Hill residents manage to move on to marketrate housing and even become homeowners.

“I love the cause, and I love making a difference,” he said. “My greatest fulfillment was helping residents improve their lives.”

Dale will stay on as chief financial officer for an indeterminate time as Repeczky learns the ropes. Then, he said, “I’ll ride off into the sunset.”

Still, apparently he won’t ride far, because he expects he’ll find ways to volunteer his services to Windy Hill. Don’t be surprised, Gallegos said, to spot him behind the wheel of one of Windy Hill’s minibuses one day soon, assisting residents in getting medical care or taking their kids to camp.

Eloise Repeczky, Windy Hill’s new executive director

Tree of Life Provides a Hand Up— Not a Hand Out

Roberts

By Linda Roberts

In 2008, Purcellville Baptist Church in western Loudoun County committed to set aside the first 10 percent of all its annual giving to meet the needs of the under-served. From that decision, Tree of Life Ministries (TLM) was born and subsequently registered in 2012 as an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Today, what once was a fledging organization has continued to grow exponentially to serve not only the Purcellville area, but Leesburg and Sterling. Its five ministries—food, life skills, shelter, healthcare and relief—touched the lives of some 20,000 people last year. Churches, individuals and businesses in these geographic areas, including Trinity Episcopal in Upperville, collaborate with TLM to strength its outreach to those in need.

“We are here to provide ‘a hand up, not a hand out,’ said Kristen Hickman, TLM’s communications officer. Once a stay-at-home mom who re-entered the workforce in the field of education, Hickman had a deep interest in doing more to help the under-served.

“This was an opportunity that God put in my path,” she said, adding that while TLM is best known for providing food to the under-served—delivering groceries once a month to 3,490 people last year and providing once-a-week dinner meals at its three locations—this outreach often opens the door to its other ministries. When volunteer teams deliver groceries to TLM’s partners (rather than “clients”) doorways are often opened to other areas where the organization can be helpful.

The Middleburg Library Advisory Board invites you to join us for our new Local Book and Author Series: a lively book talk and signing, complete with Red Truck Bakery treats, by Brian Noyes on his new book, The Red Truck Bakery Farmhouse Cookbook, on Tuesday, November 29 at 6:00 p m at Buchanan Hall, 8549 John Mosby Hwy, in Upperville

Enjoy Brian's baked treats and leave with an autographed copy or two of The Red Truck Bakery Farmhouse Cookbook, which contains more than 95 all new comforting recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert from his award winning Marshall bakery

Brian Noyes is the founder of the Red Truck Bakery in Marshall and Warrenton and the author of the best selling Red Truck Bakery Cookbook The bakery ships thousands of baked goods nationwide, and has earned accolades from President Obama, Oprah, and countless regular customers in Loudoun and Fauquier Counties

Photos by Linda

According to its literature, the mission is “… to serve people of all faith, or no faith. Programs are offered without religious strings of any kind, our heart is to serve you.”

And serve its does. Last year the community donated 267,102 pounds of food for its pantries, 383 partners were impacted by its English classes and 54 through its tutoring ministry, 55 persons attended dental clinics in Purcellville and Sterling, 680 partners received financial relief, and135 families received free clothing from its Clothing Closet shop in downtown Purcellville.

Volunteers, TLM’s backbone, put in 13,800 hours supporting its ministries in 2021. “We couldn’t do what we do without our volunteers,” said Hickman. “We have about 700 active volunteers supporting 47 different programs at our three geographic centers.

This holiday season, TLM is preparing its “Thanksgiving Together” meal at St. Peters Episcopal Church in Purcellville and its “Christmas for Others” annual event. This program centers on a meal and different types of entertainment, much of which is geared toward families. Volunteers are always welcome.

Along with its food ministry, TLM’s housing ministry is fulfilling a vital role in the lives of some of its partners, who are women and children needing shelter.

This program was launched in 2011 in response to Loudoun’s severe shortage of affordable housing. TLM sponsors an 18-month transitional housing program that makes available five apartments at $500 a month rent. Upon entering the program, residents establish personal goals covering personal finance, employment, health, community service and securing long-term housing. They have access to the TLM community dinners, English classes and other ministry components.

“This gives our partners the opportunity to get on their feet and make a fresh start,” Hickman said. “At the end of the 18 months, this has hopefully given them time to save some money and go out on their own.”

The program has a 70 percent success rate and so far has assisted 75 women. Still, the need for housing far outweighs what TLM has to offer and “we are constantly looking for additional housing,” she said.

The apartments are all one-bedroom with the exception of one that offers two bedrooms. “We would love to accommodate families, but with the space situation we are helping primarily single women or women and children,” she said.

To reinforce the importance of the shelter ministry in the lives of TLM partners, one woman beneficiary said, “I went from being in a dehumanizing circumstance to being offered real, life-changing help. I consider this program a miracle.”

Tree of Life welcomes volunteers and community organizations wishing to partner with its ministries. For additional information visit www.tolministries.org or contact Hickman at khickman@tolministries.org.

Tree of Life’s communications officer Kristen Hickman (left) with Purcellville director Susannah Lee and Sterling director Salah Sabat.

MODERN FINANCE Roiling The Market Bit by Bit

By Philip Dudley

Great Britain’s King Charles is not the only new king on the planet.

Changpeng Zhao, or CZ as he is commonly known, has emerged as a potential royal monarch of finance in a seemingly continuous cycle of turmoil in the world of cryptocurrency.

CZ is the co-founder and CEO of Binance, the world’s largest crypto exchange by trading volume. He’s managed to throw the third largest crypto exchange, FTX and its cofounder and CEO Sam BankmanFried (SBF), into free fall.

Binance recently announced it was backing out of its plan to save FTX, less than 30 hours after announcing its intent to acquire it.

Don’t let all these acronyms get you down. Let me explain CZ vs. SBF.

The use of leverage with a volatile asset is a killer, even more so when you have a run on the bank.

That’s the situation FTX found itself in. CZ and SBF have been sparring for months on online media channels. Then a news story broke revealing the relationship between SBF’s hedge fund Alameda and FTX.

Alameda’s roots are in cryptocurrency arbitrage, but it turned to market making with quantitative trading strategies. Alameda in the beginning was FTX’s first market maker because FTX needed the liquidity in the early days as an exchange.

This nepotism relationship has apparently been an issue (as it should) for many years. But it didn’t stop white-glove venture/ private equity firms and celebrities from pouring money into FTX as they raised institutional capital as recently as 2021.

It appears that FTX prioritized Alameda’s order flow in front of other traders and skimmed fractions

of basis points. This may not seem like a big deal, but when you’re the third largest crypto exchange in the world, it definitely adds up.

To make matters even more extreme, almost half of Alameda’s capital was in FTX’s exchange token $FTT and Solana ecosystem tokens. If there was ever a need to sell $FTT token to raise capital, it would be very difficult because they controlled two to three times the supply that circulated.

Enter CZ and Binance. He went public on Twitter that the company intended to sell all of its $FTT holdings ($500 million-plus) due to “recent revelations.”

This was CZ’s chance to sink SBF, and the run on the bank began in earnest with customers withdrawing billions from FTX in a matter of days.

What did our newly crowned King CZ know? It doesn’t really matter. What’s clear is the relationship between Alameda and FTX was doomed from the start and a larger competitor simply started the process of taking the house down with a single tweet.

So it goes in the world of crypto, and long live the King. For now, anyway.

THE HILL SCHOOL

Individualized, caring attention with a 6:1 studentteacher ratio

Outdoor science center, ponds and wetlands on our 140 -acre campus

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Hands Make Good Horsemen

By Jimmy Hatcher

Carry me back to November, 1950 and 1951. Those were the first two years I went to New York City to ride in Madison Square Garden at the National Horse Show.

The class I competed in was the ASPCA Maclay finals. In those days it was a hunter-seat equitation class. A rider showed over a suitable hunter figure-eight course. Before the class, you were allowed to school over the course in hunt team fashion. The ASPCA class also was known as “The Good Hands” class.

Some basics: juniors from Virginia were allowed by big stable owners to borrow seasoned show hunters (and usually winners). Most judges, if they didn’t know who you were, surely knew your steed.

In 1950, I borrowed Kenny Darling’s conformation show horse, Reno Rose. I was able to do this because Kenny was at Foxcroft and Foxcroft didn’t allow the girls to miss school to compete in horse shows. I finished seventh because the girl who was eighth fell off in the final ride-off.

The next year, 1951, I borrowed Mr. and Mrs. William Haggin Perry’s great mare, DynaFlo. I was reserve champion because DynaFlo went even better for the fellow they put on her for the ride off. Actually, I was put on a beast who had trotted the corner with its rider and the rider had not offered me her spurs when I was given her horse in the ride-off.

So DynaFlo not only won the Maclay, she also won the Ladies Hunter class the next night for Mrs. Perry. The mare was given to Watts Humphrey for a junior horse because the Perrys were going into racing and out of horse showing.

A few more things about the Maclay back then:

1. The entry fee was $5.

2. My parents and I were given tickets for all sessions of the horse show that weekend.

3. Junior exhibitors were treated to a luncheon at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel both Saturday and Sunday.

My reserve championship also got me a headline in the Richmond TimesDispatch newspaper and several weeks later I went to the Thanksgiving hunt breakfast at the Deep Run Hunt Club.

One of the first people to congratulate me that day was Mrs. James Ball, the sister of Miss Charlotte Noland of Foxcroft fame. She was sitting with Mrs. James Wheat, the wife of Mr. Wheat of Wheat First Securities. Mrs. Ball congratulated me on my reserve championship in the “Good Hands.”

Mrs. Wheat, who was blind, asked Mrs. Ball what the “Good Hands” meant. She explained that it was a first-class equitation class at Madison Square Garden.

Mrs. Wheat then asked me to let her feel those hands. So, with as much moxie as a 16-year-old could muster, I put my hands in front of Mrs. Wheat and she remarked to Mrs. Ball and myself “they are good hands” as she softly held them.

Jimmy Hatcher

The ASPCA Maclay trophy

For Paul Aliloo, A Magic Carpet Ride

By Carina Elgin

Paul Aliloo is back.

Actually, the mustachioed gentleman with graying black hair and smiling eyes, never left.

In 2016, he tried to retire from the widely-regarded oriental rug store he’s owned in Middleburg for over 30 years. He held a big sale and then hosted a reopening celebration a few doors down in a bigger space at 11 South Madison Street, as Aliloo and Son Rug Gallery was taken over by his son, Arash.

“I have to thank Arash for making me realize I wasn’t ready to retire,” Aliloo said. “Thanks to him, I didn’t just close up shop as I had thought I might. I didn’t know what to do with myself, and I understood how much I missed the rug business, my clients, and the town of Middleburg. I was able to come back. It just wasn’t time to retire.”

Aliloo came to America from Iran in 1976, and earned an MBA while living in Oklahoma. “After school, I climbed up the ranks at the Marriott Corporation,” he explained. “I started by waiting tables and eventually helped open new properties at different East Coast locations.”

Though he enjoyed what he was doing, Aliloo saw an opportunity when some of his clients encouraged him to move to Texas to try the oriental rug business. He discovered that he liked it and was good at it. A passion was born.

In 1983, he was visiting his brother who lived in

Northern Virginia. They went out for a drive and happened upon Middleburg.

“I liked the town right away,” Aliloo said. “There was a service going on in one of the churches. There were no fast-food places or big buildings. I really liked the feel.”

He decided to open his business in Middleburg. After 30 years in the same location, he moved a few doors down on Madison Street to the old pharmacy building. Aliloo has a loyal following and many new patrons, he said, “thanks to excellent product, quality service and our dedication to our customers.”

He continues to be a direct importer of oriental rugs from many different countries. He used to travel extensively to find supply, but after so many years in the business, with a great reputation, he now has a network of suppliers who know what he wants.

He understandably takes pride in a world class collection of antique Persians and masterpiece silk rugs, as well as Serapes, Herezes, Farahans, Sarouks, and more. The rugs come in all sizes, with the colors and patterns reflecting the culture, skill and creativity of the weavers.

Aliloo is happy to share his extensive knowledge with anyone who wants to know about the many rugs spread out on the floor, and rolled up against the wall. He can tell you the age, the techniques used, the natural dyes of his plentiful inventory, and why the prices vary.

There are price points for those just starting their interest in these functional works of art, as well as

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the very serious collector. And, he said, “I will bring the rugs customers choose to their home so that they can see how they look.”

Aliloo Rugs also does appraisals, and is wellknown for specializing in cleaning, repairing and restoring Oriental rugs, an art in itself. Talented and patient craftsmen can even reweave and restore old rugs worn thin by years of use.

Glad you’re back, Mr. Aliloo.

Detail: alilooantiquerugs.com

Paul Aliloo back where he belongs on Madison Street.

AiMing to Reach Children With Hands On Art Education

By Louisa Woodville

Under the aegis of Artists in Middleburg (AiM), executive director Sandy Danielson, volunteer artist Barbara Sharp, Art Therapist Lilla Ohrstrom and artists Toni Barnham and Jim Burns all have a mission: to teach children how to express themselves through art and, in that process, make their lives less stressful and more rewarding.

Besides being fun, creating art can be therapeutic in managing the tension childhood often can create. Covid created trauma that, when coupled with financial hardship, can exacerbate childrens’ insecurities. Enter art therapy to help them cope.

“One of our primary focuses is art and the children,” said Danielson, explaining that AiM is a nonprofit dedicated to reaching out and serving the community through art education.

AiM has conducted programs with Claude Thompson Elementary School in Rectortown, Middleburg Montessori, Middleburg Community Charter School, and Foxcroft.

Julie Fisher, Foxcroft’s department chair for fine arts, has been the “brainchild of student exhibits,” Danieson said. “Her girls have assisted the younger children by demonstrating and helping these students understand how to create their art.”

Artist Barbara Sharp of Unison works with children from Claude Thompson, whose 250-plus students learn the basics in Barbara’s art class: how to recognize shapes and forms, how to work with media such as acrylic, oils, watercolors and pastels; and the differences

between landscapes, portraits, and still lives.

Children learn to appreciate their own creativity as they explore lines, shapes, colors, textures, and rhythm in their attempts—and successes—to articulate space, form and plane.

“I try to teach them the art of seeing,” Sharp said. “I tell them we are not seeking perfection but expression. We don’t want picture-perfect; we have cameras for that.”

Exploring different aspects of their creativity is important to children, said Sharp, who believes such explorations may one day prompt students to become engineers or architects.

“You never know where these kids will go,” she said.

Sharp donates not only her time and energy, but art supplies as well—all of which she finds incredibly rewarding.

“A fun day is to bring tee-shirts that they can paint, and it’s something they can take home that is theirs,” she said. “When you work with these children, they listen and they do the work.”

The parents, too, are often delighted by their sons’ and daughters’ creativity.

“I remember one time when I taught a class,” Sharp added. “I had the students’ works framed, and one father came to me and said, ‘Is that my son’s work?’ He was all smiles.”

Teachers also receive AiM support.

“We began this school year by providing an art therapy session for the teachers and additional sessions to follow for the students,” said Danielson, referring to Lilla Ohrstrom’s professional development day for teachers.

Ohrstrom, who lives in The Plains and is trained

to assess mental health using art, employed collage cards and a poem project—the same resources these teachers can use for students.

“Because I’m an art therapist and not just a visiting artist, the requirements are a bit more stringent,” said Ohrstrom, emphasizing that the benefits to the kids can be amazing. By tapping into their own creativity, the children also can get insight into navigatating life’s challenges.

“While art making can be fun and relaxing, it can also bring up challenges,” she said. “In schools there is a great need to allow for creative time, as that’s when children can have moments of self-realization.”

Art instructors confess that they love their work.

“Working with these children is food for the heart and soul,” Sharp said. These grade-school kids, she noted, are passionate about expressing themselves. “They are like sponges—they want to learn.”

Financing art education and therapy is an ongoing mission, said Danielson, and AiM has applied for grants to underwrite the costs of supplies and art teachers.

“We are thankful for the grant we received from The PATH Foundation in Warrenton so we can provide this service,” she said.

Teachers also are in short supply.

“We reached out to our members and contacts searching for excellent educators to work with these schools,” said Danielson. If someone wants to volunteer as a guest art teacher, she can be reached at sandy@theartistinmiddleburg.org. The school principals, teachers and most especially the students will be most appreciative.

Miguel’s piece of art.

AiM instructor Barbara Sharp and her artful students.

The Thrill of Victory Is Never Gone

By Sean Clancy

And that’s a wrap.

Another steeplechase season comes to a close. March to November, from New Kent to New York, Monkton to Middleburg, Foxfield to Far Hills. Helter on skelter. Like always, there were ups and downs. It’s the definition of the sport, the highs and lows, the wins and losses, the crest and the crestfallen. I guess that’s why we do it.

Back when I was riding, I couldn’t understand why owners owned horses. Now, over 20 years since I last rode a race, I understand it. People still ask me, “Do you miss riding?” It took a while to process it, but eventually I realized how I miss it.

Like college.

College was great, but do you miss it? Do you want to go back? Do you want to do it again?

I miss riding races like college. A segment of time, a time of my life. But I don’t yearn to do it again, I don’t wish to go back, I don’t want to be the person I was then. And I certainly don’t need the thrills I needed then. Sure, I still have frustration dreams—can’t find my tack, can’t get out of the paddock, can’t get to the start. That’s normal, surely, please tell me that’s normal…

Now, we own horses and now I understand why owners own horses. The challenge, the distraction, the thrill, the camaraderie, the competition.

You’ve seen the ZEST ad, right? That’s me, fist pumping after City Dreamer won a $100,000 stakes in Nashville, Tenn. That’s the euphoric moment of winning a race, winning a photo finish, when everything goes right. Your horse, your team, your idea, your passion, your dream. It’s not the same euphoria as riding the winner, but it’s close. As close as you can get.

A few years ago, I tried to sell a share in a horse to a former jockey (it could have been City Dreamer!) and he declined. “Sean, I’ve owned some horses and, you know, winning a race as an owner doesn’t come close to the feeling of riding a winner.”

I looked at him, dumfounded. I nicely took his no and walked away, thinking, “Of course it doesn’t. Why would you think it possibly could?”

A veteran jockey came to me in the paddock at Montpelier in early November and said he was thinking about retiring if he rode a winner on the day. He said, “I still enjoy it. I still like doing it. I like the people I ride for. I like the horses. I don’t know what I’d do…”

I stopped him right there and launched an advice column.

“You won’t find anything to replace it. Find something that will challenge you, entertain you, confound you, energize you, but forget about trying to find something to replace it. You never will. You’ll be jumping out of airplane windows and buying fast red cars if you spend your life trying to replace it.”

He nodded his head, agreeing, but had no idea what I meant. He will.

Life goes that way. I talk to my 88-year-old father after every one of our horses run. We celebrate. We commiserate. We criticize. We consternate.

He used to ride them, own them, train them and give his son a leg up in the paddock. From 1983, when I was 13, slipping and sliding on the back of a pony until 2000, when I was 30 and my ability had been honed and my desire had waned.

We had great days and, by God, we had some bad days. Now, we share the highs and lows, the wins and losses, the ups and downs. We live away from the direct heat we both once craved but are still on the hearth of a sport that has defined our days.

It’s a different view than it once was but a nice view just the same.

Photo by Vicky Moon Sean Clancy still looks at racing through excited eyes.

For a moment we thought we were in the offices of a certain local attorney when we spotted Cissy Rice and Candy Glascock. But no, we were at Slater Run Vineyard for members night. Ho, Ho, Ho.

Common

and

of Middleburg at a recent fundraising event for an organization that offers youngsters of deployed National Guard, deployed Reserve, or post 9/11 combatinjured service members extracurricular activity grants that build the child’s selfconfidence, enhance family wellness, and strengthen a shared sense of community.

Country ZEST notes there are so many worthy local charities and in our area. We want to call attention to the Middleburg Fire Department. This follows a late summer barn fire which resulted in a total loss of the building but no loss of life. We have learned the workers would appreci ate food, or better yet, someone to deliver / or come to the station and cook dinners for them. Gift cards to food businesses in town are a thought. Take the cards to the town office to get them to the firefighters and rescue personnel, they then can order whatever. Another suggestion is to pay for a catering company to go in and feed the troops. And finally, this note: Don’t try to leave/ drop off a check or any money, it will just go to the County’s General fund, where any entity can get it, and not necessarily to the Middleburg crew.

Mathews

Photo by Vicky Moon

Photo by Leonard Shapiro

Grounds owner Duane Ellis, Kara Dallman, executive director of Our Military Kids,

Jimmy Harris

The Rev. Weston

during a light moment while baptizing Lola Boyce-Gomez as her mother Emma Boyce and father Damian Gomez also participate at Grace Episcopal Church in The Plains. With best wishes to all.

Photo by Vicky Moon Piedmont Pride was a roaring zesty success at Buchanan Hall.

Photo by Vicky Moon

At the Sully Historic Site, No Runway Necessary

By Joe Motheral

The Sully Historic Site in Chantilly, also known as the Sully Plantation, has come a long way since original planners of Dulles Airport in the late 1950s wanted to build a runway on the property, until wiser heads prevailed.

The 130-acre site now includes the main house, six outbuildings, a Visitors’ Center and grounds located in Chantilly off Route 28. It was built by enslaved people in 1794 for Richard Bland Lee, an uncle of Robert E. Lee. The Lee family lived there until 1811 when the property went through a succession of owners until 1959, when the Federal Government deeded it to the Fairfax County Park Authority.

The runway plan was vigorously opposed at the time by the owner, Frederick Nolting, a former ambassador to Vietnam, along with local historian Eddie Wagstaff and the Society of the Lees of Virginia. Wagstaff later endowed the Sully Foundation that still provides support for the site. In 1959, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation making Sully a national historic site.

Carol McDonnell, the site manager, said it remains a popular attraction for a wide variety of visitors.

“We’ve had people like Senator Mark Warner take a tour, as well as Sasha Obama when she was in the second grade,” she said. “Of course when the Lees had the house, James Madison was a guest.”

Richard Bland Lee was Northern Virginia’s first congressman and had much to do with moving the nation’s capital from Philadelphia to Washington.

Why the name Sully?

“We don’t know for sure,” McDonnell said. “But Richard Bland Lee studied French agriculture and political writing, and there were memoirs of Maximilien de Bethune, first Duke of Sully in France. There is also a Chateau de Sully, built in the late 14th century, on the banks of the Loire River. Early Americans were very much into French culture. An example of this connection is the name Chantilly, where Sully is located.”

Originally, Sully was farmed by as many as 40 enslaved people owned by Lee and managed by an overseer. Five of the original buildings have survived and the Authority built representative slave cabins. There is a kitchen/laundry with a covered walkway to the main house, a smoke house, and a stone dairy.

The farm originally raised tobacco, but eventually switched into diversified edible crop rotation: timothy grass, clover, apples, peaches, wheat, and rye, among others.

The main house was described in a letter to his wife by then owner Stephen Collins in September, 1794.

“It is a very clever house,” he wrote. “Has an elegant hall 12 feet wide and handsome staircase and two very pretty rooms on the first flore(sic)…two large and one small chamber in the second story and one handsome and large chamber in the third or garitt story and another good lodging room besides.”

During the Civil War, the Sully House served as a temporary resting place for the wounded. Letters and various sources mention hearing the gunfire from the Ox Hill battle and that of Manassas. All that history, as well as extensive information on the enslaved community, is available during tours and in Sully House exhibits.

To arrange a tour, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/sully. Tours are conducted Thursday through Sunday.

Slave quarters at Sully Historic Site.

The Sully House in the spring.

Fair Trade Connects Global Markets to Clarke County

By Linda Roberts

Although My Neighbor and Me has been in its present location in downtown Berryville for only four months, this thriving little Fair Trade business was actually hatched in 2010 at the Reston Farm Market. Its growth has continued in various locations, mostly in Clarke County.

Owner Christina Kraybill launched the prototype for the shop by telling the product of two women’s organizations. The wares were globally sourced and Kraybill says that no one else in her area was promoting the sale of Fair Trade products at that time.

By 2011, Kraybill and her husband, Eugene, an airline pilot flying out of Dulles Airport, had relocated to Berryville for a quieter lifestyle than their Herndon address. By the following year, Kraybill was selling Fair Trade wares at the Clarke County Farmer’s Market and also had license to sell from the front porch of her home. But she was ready for the next phase of securing a retail location for her business.

Kraybill needed to test the market for her products made by marginalized people of the Global South before she took the plunge and opened a shop in downtown Berryville.

There was local, regional and tourism interest in her wares, which included baskets from Africa, copper bells from India, Guatemalan pieces, batiks,

shawls, pillows, colorful jewelry, toys, books, Colombian coffees and much more. And, the story of Fair Trade comes from places that have no market to promote and sell their unique goods.

“Without the retail component the product stops,” she said.

Trip Advisor listed her as No. 1 and glowing remarks such as one reader’s quote “This little shop is a treasure trove,” along with Facebook and Yelp promote My Neighbor and Me. Her location, next door to The Tea Cart, regularly brings in shoppers fascinated by the array of unique goods.

Kraybill said as a teenager she dreamed of one day owning a business that promoted the artistic goods of people who lived in impoverished countries. In the 1990s, she was working for Staples “in every part of the store” gaining valuable business experience and researching Fair Trade. A sociology/business major, she felt she had at last gained the proper skill set to take her teenage interest to the next level and open a store that sold Fair Trade products from some 50 countries.

A native of Concord, PA, Kraybill and her husband, who also is an ordained minister, are volunteer chaplains at Dulles Airport, available to talk with passengers or employees. “People so often just want someone’s time…they just want to talk,” Kraybill said. “I believe in meeting people where they are.”

An avid gardener who enjoys camping and reading, Kraybill is looking toward a strong holiday season in Berryville this year. Reflecting on the women-owned businesses that have chosen the town to put down retail roots, Kraybill wants to explore how the resurgence of retail in town can continue.

Of My Neighbor and Me, Kraybill said her business ties in with her volunteer work with people from all walks of life.

“I was brought up to know that neighbors encompass the whole world.”

My Neighbor and Me is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. For more information, call 540-955-8572 or visit myneighborandme.com.

Margie Markham

Photo by Linda Roberts

Christina Kraybill (right), owner of My Neighbor and Me, and her next door neighbor, Malissa Mallory, who has worked with Kraybill since 2014. They have 50 years of retail experience between them.

Conservation Trail Ride Helps Show the Way

By Marica Woolman

The Orange County Hounds fall Conservation Trail Ride started with a clear mission—environmental education with hands on experience that the participants surely will always remember.

Each year this ride finds ways to get better. Amy Johnson, with a doctorate in conservation ecology and program director of Virginia Working Landscapes, led the 2022 tour in October, with a focus on the integration of wildlife habitats into a working farm at Kinloch near The Plains.

By setting aside some of the land for natural meadows and preserving woods filled with native trees and shrubs, wildlife can coexist with cattle and hay fields. Johnson delivered her remarks from horseback so the other riders could see her examples and her explanations first hand. It was the perfect lesson in the perfect setting.

The OCH Conservation Foundation was created to preserve Northern Virginia’s rural landscape, protect wildlife habitats, and strengthen connections to nature through its support of traditional equestrian and sporting hound activities.

The recent ride included several focal points. The first involved riparian buffer projects, under the direction of Brian Mayell, who explained the process of adding native shrubs and trees along the streams

on the farm to create stream banks filled with trees and undergrowth.

Why is this important? As riders stood near the stream in a small clearing, Mayell explained how dense cover along a stream keeps contaminants from entering the stream through filtration and purification by the roots of these plants. The pollutants might be coming from nearby roads, livestock pastures or fertilized fields, buildings, or equipment, all of which provide some measure of pollutants into the areas where they are located.

With a well-developed riparian buffer from 15 to to 30 feet wide on both sides of a stream, Mother Nature works her magic, protecting the watershed

and providing critical wildlife habitat.

Another section of the farm explored by the riders was the creation or enhancement of natural meadows on this northern Fauquier property.

The important aspect of natural meadows is the replenishment of native grasses and shrubs. When they’re allowed to flourish, birds and other wildlife living there find the nourishment they need and they stay in the transformed meadows or natural openings in the woodland.

Under the direction of owner Andrea Currier and farming and conservation manager Mike Peterson, Kinloch Farm provides a textbook example of how a working farm can also sustain a wide variety of wildlife.

Currier hosted the OCH group at her activities building and discussed her philosophy of stewardship and the importance of creating a balance between farming and wildlife preservation. Johnson also gave a presentation on grassland birds and the native flora and fauna that attracts them.

Most important, participants were reminded that no matter the amount of land or resources an individual has, everyone can help protect waterways and enhance wildlife habitats by encouraging native plants and protecting wild spaces.

The information presented helped enhance the group’s understanding of the importance of letting nature show us the way.

DONATIONS

your support builds the story of home.

It’s the story of kids playing in their own yard while mom or dad cooks in their own kitchen. It’s the story of everyday security and dreams for the future. It’s the story of an affordable home a family built themselves with help from Habitat for Humanity, volunteers and you.

Photo by Marcia Woolman Orange County Hounds Conservation Ride.

Wonderful, Whimsical Artist Alan Rubin Loved His Punjabs

By Leonard Shapiro

There was sad news out of Delaplane in early November— widely-acclaimed artist Alan Rubin passed away at the age of 85.

Of course, anyone who ever had the great pleasure of knowing him would have expected him to probably make light of it. After all, he once told an interviewer, “artist

Alan grew up in Brooklyn as an only child and loved to draw as a youngster. He spent a career in Washington, D.C., eventually finding his forever home in Fauquier County in 1976.

He worked at the U. S. Geological Survey at the

Natural History Museum. His first apartment was near The Phillips Collection where he absorbed the artwork of Goya, Renoir and Monet.

In 1967, he started the Biograph movie theatre in Georgetown with five friends, mostly screening artsy films, until it closed in 1997. At that point, he returned to art full time. His creativity was enviable, his sense of humor so obvious in his more whimsical works among his 500-plus paintings and countless “Punjab” cartoons.

Alan was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2008, but it hardly slowed him down. In an interview with Country ZEST a few years ago, he was asked how he would paint if his hand tremors became worse.

“If I get too shaky,” he said, “I’ll become an abstract expressionist.”

An exhibition of his work, The Fantastic Art of Alan Rubin, will run through Nov. 28 at the Booth & Nadler Gallery in Marshall at 8355 W. Main St.

“You Talkin’ To Me?”

“Hangin’Out”

“Road to Enlightenment “

One of Rubin’s cartoon ‘punjabs’: “Home on the Range”

is one of the few occupations where death is a good career move.”

Back Seat Driver

A Country Wedding to Remember

By Constance Chatfield-Taylor

It was Sunday of a not so long past Labor Day weekend. We had just finished riding and were standing in the middle aisle, a beautiful breeze coming through the barn. We were hot and sweaty, discussing the polo match we had just played, and plans for the rest of the weekend.

I picked up my phone from between the brushes and leg wraps, and checked my texts. I had a current group checking out of my VRBO rental in Upperville at 11 a.m. and another group arriving at 3. The new guests were driving from Georgia and had asked to come early if possible.

With the tight turn-around, I told them we needed the full four hours to clean. Hang out at the pool, I suggested, until the cleaning crew was done.

I was laughing with my teammates and checked my phone again. There were two texts. The first was from Michelle, the current guest, was sent at 11:30

a.m.. “Hey, I’m so sorry I completely forgot to ask if I could stay here, only until 2 p.m. or so. We’re getting ready for my wedding this afternoon. I’m so sorry – so many details and it completely slipped my mind. Doing hair and makeup!”

Wedding?

The next text was from the cleaning crew saying that there were a lot of people at the house. What should they do? It was now 12:15 and I was 25 minutes away.

I sent two texts. The first to the bride: “No, there are guests coming in, it needs to be cleaned, move out of the upstairs and then the rest of the house, pronto.” The other, to the cleaning crew: “start cleaning the upstairs, please.”

I ran down the hill to the car, throwing my mallets and helmet in the back and jumping in with my boots and kneepads on, visualizing eight girls with suitcases and hair stuff and makeup and bridesmaids dresses and a billowing wedding gown churning around the 1740 house.

Perpetuity

The Land Trust of Virginia (LTV) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit land conservation organization dedicated to preserving and protecting Virginia’s open space, agricultural land, natural areas, and cultural heritage. To become a business sponsor, please contact kerry@landtrustva.org or call 540-687-8441. For more information, go to www.landtrustva.org

The Land Trust of Virginia is truly grateful for the annual support and partnership of the following businesses. They support conservation of the spaces we all love, so we hope you will support them.

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Protector

When I got back to the house, there were 14 cars in the parking lot.

I clomped into the great room in my sweaty jeans and dirty boots, just my eyes showing above my Covid mask. There were two makeup stations set up, one in front of the big stone fireplace, the other by the window. The two makeup artists turned slowly, looked at me and casually turned back to their charges on the bar stools.

Large ring lights illuminated the girls. The stylists had brushes and jars and cases full of color and powder. Music blared from wireless boom boxes. Think “Staying Alive” by the Bee Gees, or “Dancing Queen.”

I looked at one of the girls and yelled over the music, “Are you the bride?” She pointed slowly to the adjacent study, her shoulders moving to the music. Both the girls on the stools had on silk boy shorts with matching tops, an island theme, I wondered? Their bare feet with perfectly manicured toes clutched the bottom rungs.

Following directions, I walked to the small adjacent wood paneled study with the hunting prints, a fireplace flanked by club chairs, the bar set up behind the love seat.

A photographer stood in the corner, and girls were on bar stools from the kitchen—more makeup stations, and satin boy shorts.

Everywhere.

Again, I paused and asked “Are you the bride?” to one of the silk pajama girls. She pointed to another who lifted her chin and said, “Yes, I’m the bride,” crossing her legs and tucking her bare feet under her.

“We’re all cleared out of upstairs,’ she said with a demure smile. “I’m so sorry.”

“Let’s just get through this,’ I said, then headed out of the room to find the cleaning crew.

From the living room came a great billowing fog floating out the door from multiple hairdryers, smelling of conditioner and shampoo and hair spray. More silk short boy shorts and stylists were visible through the mist. They were everywhere.

The cleaning crew was coming downstairs, three instead of the usual two.

“We finished upstairs,” they said.

Great!

I moved the hair people out of the living room and moved the cleaning crew in, then returned to the study. I opened the old door with the heavy, original 1740 lock and started ushering the girls with the suitcases out that rarely used door.

Now, more girls were hovering. I counted 16, then stopped counting. Most had on identical silk short pajamas and all were beautiful. Frankly, I couldn’t tell one from another because now their hair all looked the same, too.

The makeup crew in the main great room seemed totally unimpressed with my deadline and told me they’d be finished in another 15 minutes max.

Seriously? How long does it take to do makeup?

Eventually, all the girls and stylists and makeup artists were on the screened porch, still with no sense of urgency, all with beautiful bare feet, now around the long table. They had cleaned out the fridge and picked up odds and ends and had most everything on the porch.

They were now getting little sprigs of identical white flowers, baby’s breath, I think, put in their hair. They were chatting and laughing because they were

having a portrait done in the boy shorts. They would change to their bridesmaids and wedding dresses at the venue, YAY!!!!.

I checked my phone and saw it was now 2:15. The other guests were supposed to arrive at 2 and there was no parking at the pool or anywhere that would make sense. The Georgia couple was looking to get away from it all and wanted peace and quiet.

I herded the girls off the porch with the photographers and wedding planner and stylists. The satin boy-shorts girls with flowers in their hair walked down the flagstone steps pulling their enormous suitcases bop, bop, bop. They were all in their bare feet, inching their way across the gravel to their cars.

The cleaning crew, meanwhile, was finishing in the kitchen. They had returned all the furniture to its normal place. One cleaner was at the pool arranging the chairs, the other was working on the outside pavilion. It was now 2:30 and cars were pulling away slowly, one after another.

I turned around as the last car left, walked to the house, wrote the cleaning crew a check and collapsed in the nearest chair on the porch. And at that very moment, a white jeep pulled into the area down by the pool and parked.

Still polo sweaty and dirty, my boots and knee guards were off. Did I have time to make a run for it? No. As they walked up the stairs, I stood up and pulled my hair back.

“Welcome to the Mill House,” I said, cheerfully. The Georgia couple clearly was grateful to be there.

“Thanks for letting us come early,” they said.

“No problem,” I said. “Can I show you around?”

Money Talks. Now, Teach it to Hug.

From personalized family foundations, to memorial funds, to scholarship funds, to donor-advised funds, we can help you make a difference that never ends.

Since 1999, the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties has helped generous donors support a variety of charitable causes in our region. We salute the leaders who wrapped their vision and commitment—and arms—around this community to create and sustain a permanent charitable resource.

You’ve WATCHED the race…

This is what it’s like to WIN the race.

RIVERDEE

One More Time for The Fighter Chick

By Jodi Nash

My daughter, Carsyn Nash (aka “Fighter Chick”), recently flew home to be a bridesmaid in a friend’s wedding.

She didn’t exactly glide down the grassy aisle like the others. She strode boldly in her rose colored gown and navy blue chucks, hair and make-up all girly-girl pretty in the late afternoon autumn light.

And then there’s her unique “body art.” In the gritty Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) combat-sport world she lives in, those tattoos are badges of honor and a stark expression of her personal journey.

A Warrenton native and a graduate of Fauquier High and Virginia Commonwealth University, Carsyn became enamored with MMA and moved to Albuquerque in early 2019 to train at Jackson-Winks Fight Academy. After two years, she relocated to Denver to train with Evolution Fight Team. She posted a 6-1 amateur record and was a month out from her professional debut when it happened—the first of two serious injuries.

P u m p i n g o f R e s i d e n t i a l a n d C o m m e

c i a l S e p t i c T a n k s a n d G r e a s e T r a p s O p e r a t i o n & M a i n t e n a n c e ( O & M ) f o r S e p t i c S y s t e m s R e a l E s t a t e S e p t i c a n d W e l l I n s p e c t i o n s S a f e , A d e q u a t e , a n d P r o p e r I n s p e c t i o n s S e p t i c S y s t e m R e p a i r s I n s t a l l a t i o n f o r B o t h N e w C o n s t r u c t i o n o r R e p l a c e m e n t o f O l d e r S y s t e m s B u i l d i n g o n R a w L a n d ? B u i l d i n g o n R a w L a n d ? N e e d S o i l s w o r k d o n e N e e d S o i l s w o r k d o n e f o r y o u r p r o j e c t ? f o r y o u r p r o j e c t ?

O u r S i s t e r C o m p a n y S o i l s , I n c , O u r S i s t e r C o m p a n y S o i l s , I n c , c a n s t a r t y o u r p r o j e c t o f f w i t h c a n s t a r t y o u r p r o j e c t o f f w i t h p e r c o l a t i o n t e s t i n g a n d s e p t i c d e s i g n s p e r c o l a t i o n t e s t i n g a n d s e p

She was sparring with a high-profile UFC professional champion in June, 2021, honored she’d earned this opportunity to test herself.

“I understand grappling innately, but struggle with striking,” she told me. “You have to learn the alphabet before you learn grammar. Boxing is like a dance. If you go straight in, you get lit up, so you don’t try to hit. You bait your opponent, set a trap, feint.”

She’d improved significantly, and in the first round, her strong chin kept her on her feet. But then, in a regular takedown which she resisted “way too late,” Carsyn heard an audible pop. She finished the second round, but when she went to put on her shoe, she realized her left knee was unstable and the kneecap was misaligned.

A subsequent MRI revealed a hairline tibia fracture tibia, total rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and torn meniscus. She had to wait two long months for the tibia to heal before surgery. After six months of physical therapy and “back blasting” (upper body strength-training and hand speed boxing drills), she was 90 percent ready to fight.

Carsyn Nash in full fury training.

She began rolling again, until February, 2022, and a second traumatic injury. She already had suffered a partially injured collarbone that had healed. But in another takedown, she heard it go, felt movement in her chest and throat, the loosening of the joint, and pressure on her trachea. It hurt to take deep breaths, to lean over to tie her shoes, and it was uncomfortable to swallow. Multiple consults and much research made her realize how unusual (and serious) this sterno-clavicular joint injury was.

Still, she told her knee surgeon “I can’t retire as an amateur. Just give me one professional fight!”

After finding a specialist, a surgical team operated on April 26. And then came the lecture.

“Carsyn, I won’t do this surgery again,” her surgeon told her. “It was a sphinctersqueezer. When I was drilling holes in your collar bone, your brachial vein and pulmonary artery were exposed. Rehab the way I tell you…We want as much scar tissue as possible.”

Her right shoulder was totally immobilized for six months. With her arm taped to her chest, Carsyn still did lower body strength training, with a load of fast footwork and left-hand jabbing. (Her right hand is her power shot).

Shocked by how much more invasive the second surgery was, sobered by the loss of almost two full years at a pivotal point in her career, Carsyn remains focused. Cleared in October to resume strength training for her right shoulder, she has an uphill road back to achieve cardio-fitness, along with sparring, grappling, and strength training.

Carsyn turned 30 on Nov. 2. She can resume cage fighting in January. Time is short and she knows it. Still, she amazes me.

“No matter what order those injuries happened,” she said, “I’m lucky because it forced me to sit out grappling for two years and concentrate on boxing.”

When I asked how she feels on the other side of all this trauma, she answered with no hesitation.

“I feel hungry. I want to feel the anxiety of the fight life again. Plus, a sound butt-whipping does your soul good if you can take it.”

There speaks the bridesmaid, my daughter, Fighter Chick.

I recently read a line from a poem that resonated with me.

“I would rather have a body full of scars and a head full of memories, than a life of regrets and perfect skin.”

One more time Carsyn, one more time.

Carsyn Nash is the Fighter Chick.

Writes

An Old Mill and New Luxury All in One

The house and the mill together offer 4/5 bedrooms. The unique opportunity provides exquisite finishes while maintaining the historical integrity of the property.

The mill and original meat house with root cellar are anchored by the elegant mill house with beautiful brick details. Almost all of the mill’s working parts have been preserved, including the massive steel waterwheel that remains in tact.

With original wooden beams, stonework, and more, this thoughtfully renovated mill-to-home sits just miles away from historic Old Town Warrenton. Filled with natural light, this property brings together the craftsmanship of old Virginia with modern luxury.

Minter-Spilman Mill and Mill House on 3.5 acres have been renovated into a charming enclave of two homes and outbuildings.

The house and mill from the front.

The main upper level bedroom comes with a spectacular view.

The expansive playroom offers plenty of possibilities.

The dining room and convenient kitchen

Dancing the Night Away

This is a recall—-or the best I can make of it—-of two late nights in the tap room. Clinton was president. I confess adding a pinch or two of artistry to thicken the tale.

By John Sherman

It was a late Saturday and our Ashby Inn diners were drifting toward the door.  Some regulars were hanging on to the last drinks.  Chatter stopped when two women, with husbands, appeared at the foot of the stairs.  They wore matching Little-Bo-Peep dresses slit up the side with white socks and sparkles in their hair.

The couples were staying the night.  A bottle of Veuve Clicquot was ordered.  Turns out the two women were lawyers on a Congressional committee (where I once defended democracy) who had done a charity gig that night in Middleburg.

Edna Vaughn, whose long hours poolside accentuated her bleached blond hair and blue eyes which were always in a high state of merry, was not a shy, reserved woman.  Zany might be a more apt description.

Although she was brought up in Winchester, her accent drifted well to the south.   She could play the southern belle as well as Vivian Leigh, if she wanted.  The drawl wrapped her stories in a kind of make believe. She also was arguably the funniest woman I ever met.  At its core were telling of her own pratfalls.

One of my favorites: After reading a story in a woman’s magazine entitled “How to Tempt your Lover,” she laid an erratic trail of Hershey kisses from the front door, up the stairs, right to her boudoir, leaving nothing to the imagination.  In the telling, when she heard the door open and close, she stretched out on the bed with one arm resting on pillows.  The full Delilah.

She paid no attention to the muttering below.  Her man took forever to reach the top of the stairs.  She was poised.  The door pushed open, with him standing there shaking his head.  “Edna, what the hell is this?” he asked, stupefied, as he let a flutter shiny candy wrappers from his hand.  “Jesus, the place is a mess.”

Turns out their lab, Hank, had beaten him to her come-on and was throwing up on a handsome Heriz rug.

In response to Edna’s obvious question about the two lawyers’ attire, the blond one, Emily, explained, “We’ve been doing this tap dance routine for some time. It gives us an excuse to travel to fun places and take a deduction. Our husbands like to come along for the hell of it.” Also lawyers.

Edna quickly followed, “Where are your shoes?”

"Right in this bag," answered the other performer, a brunette named Patty, pointing to a zip-up gym bag.

Edna asked them whether they could do their routine. The dancers, who were clearly flattered, shrugged their shoulders and unzipped the bag. Their husbands just rolled their eyes. Once their black patent leather shoes were tied, Emily clicked-clacked her way across the room and handed the bartender a cassette, which he exchanged for “Ella at Carnegie Hall.”

The song was predictably bouncy. A Gene Kelly "Singing in the Rain" rendition. The room didn't give them much space, but their act did not demand much. They began holding hands, and moving in unison back and forth, their faces bent forward, their smiles genuine. Clackity-clack. Clippity-clip. Up and down and across they moved, holding up their

flaring skirts a la Ginger Rogers. The familiar tune ran on a bit past their repertoire.

No matter.

Edna had been transported. Her face turned girlish, eyes wide and mouth open, as if a pony had just arrived for Christmas.. Tap shoes. Metal on leather. Anyone could make the sound. It wasn't like ice skating. These two ordinary women (lawyers, yet) could do it. The moment the routine came to an end, Edna pushed out from her table and jumped up to applaud. Others in the room followed, but only politely.

“Oh, my god. Oh, my god,” Edna shrieked, ignoring her husband’s entreaties to head for home. “I want those shoes. I need them right now.”

Looking at Patty, Edna asked, “What size shoe do you wear?” It wouldn’t have mattered. Then came, “How much?”

“You can buy them on the internet,” Emily explained, defensively.

“No, I want those,” Edna said, as if they just came off Ginger Rogers, loaded with soft shoe routines. “I’ll pay you right now.”

The deal done, Edna. immediately put them on. She gave the toes a few taps. She was making the same sounds as Fred Astaire and the Hines brothers. She took to the floor, did a couple of toe and heel clicks with her right foot. She put her arms out, as if waiting for Gene Kelly, tapping with both feet.

Thus began Edna’s dancing days.

To be continued…

Photo courtesy RKO Radio Pictures

s t L I S T E D L I S T E D

T h i s p r o p e r t y o f f e r s a l o v e l y 4 b e d r o o m h o m e o n 5 f e n c e d a c r e s r i g h t i n t h e h e a r t o f h o r s e c o u n t r y a n d i n t h e P i e d m o n t F o x H u n t t e r r i t o r y . I n c r e d i b l e v i e w s c a n n o t b e m i s s e d w h i l e w a l k i n g o u t t o c a t c h y o u r h o r s e i n t h e f r o n t p a d d o c k , o r p l a y i n g b a l l w i t h t h e k i d s o r d o g i n t h e f r o n t y a r d T h i s c h a r m i n g c o l o n i a l s t y l e h o m e i s s u r r o u n d e d b y 3 l u s h g r e e n p a d d o c k s w i t h b l a c k b o a r d f e n c i n g , a r i d i n g r i n g , t w o s h e d r o w b a r n s t o t a l i n g 3 t o 5 s t a l l s , a n d a r u n i n s h e d S o m e i n t e r i o r f e a t u r e s i n c l u d e 2 f u l l y f i n i s h e d l e v e l s o f l i v i n g s p a c e , b e a u t i f u l r e f i n i s h e d h a r d w o o d f l o o r s , a n d f r e s h p a i n t t h r o u g h o u t . L o t s o f w i n d o w s t h a t p r o v i d e t o n s o f n a t u r a l l i g h t a n d f a r m v i e w s i n e v e r y d i r e c t i o n ! S o m e a d d i t i o n a l o u t d o o r f e a t u r e s i n c l u d e a 2 c a r a t t a c h e d g a r a g e , a d o l l h o u s e , a f e n c e d d o g y a r d , a n d a 2 s i d e d p o r c h w i t h s t u n n i n g m o u n t a i n v i e w s f r o m b o t h s i d e s ! S o m e u p d a t e s i n c l u d e n e w H V A C o n t h e l o w e r l e v e l , a n e w h o t w a t e r h e a t e r , a n e w w e l l w a t e r t a n k , a w a t e r f i l t r a t i o n s y s t e m , a n e w f r o n t w a l k w a y , f r e s h p a i n t o n t h e 3 b o a r d f e n c e , s m a r t l o c k s , n e w l i g h t f i x t u r e s , a n e w r e f r i g e r a t o r , a n i s l a n d c o u n t e r t o p , a n e w g a r a g e d o o r , a n d n e w p l u m b i n g f i x t u r e s t h r o u g h o u t . T h e s e t t i n g i s i n c r e d i b l y t r a n q u i l t o o !

I D I N G R I N G

I D E O U T P I E D M O N T H U N T T E R R I T O R Y

R D R E A M H O M E W I T H M I L L I O N D O L L A R V I E W S A W A I T S

153 acres

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Upperville – This premier estate is a para dise with the main house for grand living and entertaining; 2 horse barns, riding ring and trails to ride out. Multiple outdoor living spaces perfect for enjoying the land scape of Virginia’s horse country.

John Coles | 540-270-0094

541 +/- acres $8,000,000

Beautiful rolling hills and pasture located in Flint Hill, Virginia. This scenic property is surrounded by unspoiled countryside and expansive views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, offering a private and quiet escape to enjoy.

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107+ acres

$5,750,000

The Plains – Exceptional and surrounded by magnificent countryside with views. Stone and stucco residence, beautiful terraces. Geothermal heating/cooling, heated 20’ x 40’ pool, 8 stall center aisle stable with 14’ x 14’ stalls. Stunning indoor riding arena.

John Coles | 540-270-0094

58+ acres $2,500,000

The Plains – Sited on a peaceful hilltop w/ spectacular mountain views. 8,000+ sq ft custom-built brick home with 4 BRs, 3-car garage and pond. Room for your horses. Architecturally designed to blend the serenity of nature with stylish living spaces.

Cricket Bedford | 540-229-3201

22 acres

Serenity

$1,875,000

Marshall – This private oasis is a 6 BR / 6 BA Cape Cod home on 22+ open and wooded acres with spectacular mountain views. Immaculate, fully renovated and features a mix of formal rooms and comfortable spaces to take in the gorgeous views.

Cricket Bedford | 540-229-3201

3+ acres

$1,800,000

Middleburg – Immaculate, solid brick home only minutes to town. Features over 5,000+ sq. ft. to include 5 BRs, 4.5 BAs with oak flooring throughout the main level. Expansive finished walk out lower level. Large deck and a lower terrace.

Cricket Bedford | 540-229-3201

58+ acres $1,799,000

Reconfigured acreage, beautiful views!

Isabella

Cricket

.41 acres

$845,000

Middleburg – c.1820 Victorian-era frame house with 3 BRs / 3 full BAs. Unique 2 sto ry portico w/ balcony. Many upgrades and renovations. Standing seam metal roof, 4 fire places, wide board pine floors. Fenced back yard w/sheds. 1 car garage.

Cricket Bedford | 540-229-3201

0 John Mosby hwy

10 acres

$715,000

Upperville – Elevated building site offers amazing long distance views in several directions. The land is dotted with mature trees and has a large stonewall, fire pit and sitting area. Certified for a 4 BR septic system. Well and pump installed.

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Emily

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