Country Zest and Style Spring 2021 Edition by Country Zest & Style

SPRING 2021

THE VEEPS: Shelby Bonnie & Betsee Parker Help Guide Upperville Horse Show

INSIDE: Stacy & Chuck Kuhn Free State Hessians Normandie Cows

PRSRT MKTG U.S. PoStaGe

PAID

PERMIT NO. 82 WoodStoCK, Va

RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER

Personalities, Celebrations and Sporting Pursuits

SPRING 2021

Stacy & Chuck Kuhn: Moving to Save the Countryside

INSIDE: Normande Cows Free State Hessians Upperville Veeps PRSRT MKTG U.S. PoStaGe

PAID

PERMIT NO. 82 WoodStoCK, Va

RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER

Personalities, Celebrations and Sporting Pursuits

of NOTE

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BE ON THE LOOKOUT through this Country issue of

ZEST & Style ZES ST TStytlel &

Country

for the hummingbird.

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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.

FINALLY SPRINGING FORWARD

POULTRY & SMALL ANIMAL AUCTION th

Sa turda y, April 24 , 2021 a t 1:00PM Animal Take-in Day of Sale:

Saturday, April 24 at 1 p.m. 7:00AM - 12:00PM

of Sale: *No SAn a turimal da y, ATake-In pril 2out-of-state 4th, 2Day 021birds* *All poultry to be in cages*

a*25% t 1:0Commission 0PM– 12:00PM on all items* 7:00AM

*Food available for purchase* Animal Take-In Sale: *NoDay out ofof state birds*

April Sales - Regular Sales Every Tuesday 1:30pm at the Marshall Sale Barn

pring has sprung in all its gorgeous glory around these parts, and there is an increasingly illuminating sliver of light at the end of our collective tunnel.

In our area, there are many events to look forward to in the coming months, including the steeplechase and point-to-point seasons and the early June Upperville Colt and Horse Show. State mandated restrictions have slightly eased, and this year, far more folks can watch up close and personal, masks and maybe tailgates included, of course. In our spring issue of Country ZEST, we have feature stories on two of the historic (1853) Upperville show’s long-time board members and now vice presidents—Shelby Bonnie and Betsee Parker.

poultry to be in cages* 7:00AM*All – 12:00PM FEEDER SALES *25% Commission on all items* APRIL 9 IN CULPEPER *No out of state birds* *Food available for *All poultry to be in cages* APRIL 16 & 30 INpurchase* MARSHALL *25% Commission on all items*

*Food available for purchase* For more information, contact: For more information, contact: For Office: more information, contact: (540) 364- 1566 Office: (540) 364- 1566 Office: (540) Stan Stevens: (540)364-1566 631-3523 Stan Stevens: (540) 631-3523 Stan Stevens: (540) 631-3523 FLX is not responsible for accidents

FLX IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ACCIDENTS | NO GUARANTEE ON ITEMS SOLD | NO PUPPIES TO BE SOLD

 FLX is not responsible for accidents  No guarantee on items sold  No puppies be guarantee sold  to No on

items sold

7404 NoJohn puppies be sold PO Box 247, Marshall, VA 20116 Marshallto Highway, Marshall, VA 20115 (540) 364-1566 FauquierLivestockExchange.com FauquierLivestock@yahoo.com

7404 John Marshall Highway, Marshall, VA 20115 PO Box 247, Marshall, VA 20116 7404 John Marshall Highway, Marshall, VA 20115 540-364-1566 | FauquierLivestockExchange.com | FauquierLivestock@yahoo.com (540) 364-1566

FauquierLivestockExchange.com

We’ve got picture pages that include colorful cows and eager beagles as well as a gorgeous spread previewing the upcoming Garden Club of Virginia Garden Tour that includes two local properties. And also give a special welcome to Philip Dudley, an Upperville native contributing his first column for ZEST on personal finances, with a terrific tax tip just in time for the May 15 filing deadline.

MAKE THE SWITCH TO

Speaking of special, how about the great good works performed by Chuck Kuhn and his wife Stacy. He’s the owner and founder of Loudoun-based JK Moving, the largest independent moving company in North America. Far more germane are their philanthropic, conservation and preservation efforts.

CHECKING

That would include a farm purposed to provide produce and beef for food insecure area families; saving and dramatically upgrading the Middleburg Training Track and, most recently, purchasing historic White’s Ferry and currently working on details to get it up and running again. Local history is always a hallmark of these pages, and John Toler’s intriguing tale on the early settlers of the Free State area of Fauquier County may surprise some readers. German speakers, maybe not. Back to the 21st century, we’ve got stories on a dedicated Foxcroft instructor who’s making a difference in attracting more young women into the often maledominated science, technology, engineering and math fields (STEM). And read all about a local entrepreneur making Wi-Fi technology more available to underserved areas in Loudoun and Fauquier counties.

FauquierLivestock@yahoo.com

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We’ve been told many times (blush, blush) that ZEST is the most respected and entertaining magazine in our area. We’re humbled, of course, and will continue to strive to justify that flattering description. We’re also offering our readers a wide variety stories and photos in this issue, all the better to add more Zest to your reading pleasure. Leonard Shapiro Editor Badgerlen@aol.com

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Country ZEST & Style | Spring 2021

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ZES ST T & Sty t lel

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

lel

Contributing Photographers: Crowell Hadden, Sarah Huntington, Doug Gehlsen, Douglas Lees, Karen Monroe and Tiffany Dillon Keen

MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box 798 Middleburg, Virginia 20118 PHONE: 410-570-8447 Editor: Leonard Shapiro, badgerlen@aol. com Wine Editor: Peter Leonard-Morgan Food Editor: Daniela Anderson Art Director Meredith Hancock Hancock Media @mhancockmedia

Contributing Writers: Anita Sherman, Carina Elgin, Caroline Fout, Emma Boyce, Jimmy Hatcher, Philip Dudley, Jimmy Wofford, Jodi Nash, John Sherman, John Toler, Kevin Ramundo, Leslie VanSant, Linda Roberts, Louisa Woodville, M.J. McAteer, Melissa Phipps, Mike du Pont, Sean Clancy, Tom Northrup

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

ON THE COVER Once again, I used my Sekonic light meter to place and set my studio lights before our guests arrived. This allows them to quickly come in, pose and complete the shoot without having to re-arrange or adjust the studio lights. The brevity of these studio shoots is important during these pandemic times. Lighting is arranged in my typical fashion, with a key light near the front center and a fill light to the camera right. I keep the camera’s ISO low Doug Gehlsen at 64 which provides for the best image quality and shutter speed at 200 which reduces the inclusion of ambient light. The camera aperture for this shoot was set at f5.6 per the Sekonic reading. / Country Zest and Style

/ @countryzestandstyle

/ @countryzestand1

www.countryzestandstyle.com 4

Country MATTERS

Conservation Easements Preserving Our Precious Countryside

By Kevin Ramundo

his month marks the 51st anniversary of Earth Day, first introduced in the United States and now celebrated around the world. In our little nook of the planet, let’s applaud the growing use of conservation easements in Fauquier and Loudoun counties. Together, they have almost 170,000 acres, or over 22 percent of their land, under permanent conservation easement. Conservation easements are one of the most important tools for preserving rural lands and open space while providing an attractive option for landowners who prefer to keep their land, rather than sell it for development. Everyone benefits because easements reduce development pressure in rural areas; provide cleaner air and water; keep prime land available for agriculture and forestry; maintain wildlife habitats; enhance recreational opportunities; and, preserve scenic landscapes for the enjoyment of all residents and visitors. The following properties are just two of the hundreds under easement through various programs in Fauquier and Loudoun. We owe a huge thanks to these programs and all the landowners who protect their land this way. Special thanks to the Land Trust of Virginia (LTV) for sharing the following stories. Gently Now Farm: Kyle and Sarah Jo Luby decided to put their 31-acre farm just outside The Plains into conservation easement after they purchased the property in 2017. They love the property because of its varied terrain and lovely pastoral views. A natural spring sits at the roadside and joins up with a stream that spans the length of the property. A large portion of the land is wooded and provides habitat for wildlife. Rolling pastures are home to several horses and the property is used for training and rehabilitating horses. The farm could have been split into three separate lots, but will now remain intact. Like so many in this area, Kyle and Sarah Jo have witnessed the rapid loss of farmland and open space in Virginia, which is why they decided to protect their property permanently. “As growth continues, the amount of land for equestrian and outdoor activities is rapidly disappearing,” Sarah Jo said. “We wanted to do our part to help maintain a thriving horse industry and preserve the scenic, rural character of our region for everyone to enjoy.” Orchardcroft: Gene and Annette Scheel, who own this 48-acre historic farm, fell in love with Virginia’s countryside and well-preserved history. It’s located 1.5 miles west of Waterford ,which has been designated as a historic district at state and federal levels. The easement permanently protects the scenic open space and agricultural lands of the property which features rolling hills, views of the Blue Ridge, and an active cattle operation. Without the easement, the land could have been divided into nine separate lots. Gene, a noted historian often focusing on our local area, said he and Annette, “Realized how important it was to protect and honor the history of this land and those that passed before us.” Both LTV and Loudoun County assisted with the costs of putting the farm under easement. Virginia has long favored the use of conservation easements and recently passed legislation ensuring that any dispute over easement terms are decided in favor of the conservation purpose of the easement. Clearly, it’s critical to encourage elected officials at the county and state level to support programs that promote easements and land conservation. Kevin Ramundo is a former communications executive who is resident of Citizens for Fauquier County (CFFC) and serves on the board of Land Trust of Virginia.

Go Green Middleburg | Spring 2021

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Slater Run Vineyards Barrel Gallery Open for viewings May 20th, 2021 2:00-6:00 PM A benefit for Middleburg Montessori School

Country ZEST & Style | Spring 2021

A Big New Middleburg Police Presence By Leonard Shapiro

aybe you’ve noticed Middleburg’s new police officer. How could you not? He’s a big man, 6-foot-4 and built like an NFL offensive tackle. But he never played football, even though his high school coaches tried to convince him to try out, for all the obvious reasons. Instead, Shaun Jones, had a better idea. The Boy Scouts in Spotsylvania County had a program called Police Explorer, with Jones and other teenagers riding in squad cars alongside local officers. Clearly he was hooked on law enforcement at an early age, and it also may have been in his genes. Jones said “idolized” an older brother, William, who once had been a policeman. Two uncles on his mother’s side had been officers, and an uncle on his dad’s side had Photo by Vicky Moon been with the FBI. For the last 21 Middleburg Police Lt. Shaun Jones years, Jones has followed in all of their footsteps, culminating with his hiring Dec. 3 as a lieutenant on the town’s police force, and second in command to Chief A.J. Panebianco. “We had eight or nine applicants and were looking for someone who would fit this community,” Panebianco said. “He was easily the best candidate for the job.” Jones, 43, had been with the Spotsylvania County Sheriff ’s Department, where he headed administrative services and community outreach. A native of Westmoreland County, his family moved to Spotsylvania when he was in fourth grade. Jones first started on that county’s police force in 2002, had a three-year stint working as a campus officer at Mary Washington College, then went back to the Spotsylvania’s sheriff ’s office in 2012, where he’s had many varied roles. They include foot and car patrol, detective, community outreach and running a drug abuse program to visit schools and educate children on the danger of drugs and alcohol. Most recently, he headed up community policing and served as a crime prevention specialist. He’s also taught policing at the local and state level, and also started a program called Operation Blue Christmas. “We parked police cars in front of a Wal-Mart and people came up to donate toys and coats,” he said. “In 2019, we had more than 800 kids come to the sheriff ’s office for new toys and coats. We gave 100 teenagers $100 each and took them to a store to buy clothes. We gave $100 to 100 senior citizens to go shopping, and we also did food baskets for seniors.” When Jones saw the job posting for the Middleburg, he was intrigued, mainly because his ultimate goal has always been to be a police chief. Panebianco, a widely respected chief all around the state, “is a just great person to learn from,” Jones said. Something else to notice about Shaun Jones. He’s only the second African-American to serve on the town police force, though Panebianco said that had “absolutely nothing to do with hiring him.” “I’m a people person,” Jones said. “I believe in treating everyone the same, no matter what your race is. I don’t look at color. I look at who they are.” And in Middleburg, he clearly likes what he sees. “The people have been great,” he said. “They’re walking, running, driving and they wave to you. I know all the dogs and their owners. I’ve never been in a town where everyone knows the officers by their first name. “I love it here. The community has welcomed me with open arms. People are still coming up to me to say hello, and ‘welcome to Middleburg.’ The highlight of my day is walking around town. I’d like to finish my career right here.”

Go Green Middleburg | Spring 2021

MARSHAL 7-ELEVEN

YOUR HOMETOWN GO-TO CONVENIENCE STORE “Give the customers what they want, when and where they want it.” —Joe C. Thompson Jr., 7-Eleven Founder

7-Eleven was the first to provide to-go coffee cups! 7-Eleven was the first to operate 24 hours a day!

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Milk Bread Cereal Medication Laundry Car Maintenance • Telephone Chargers • Batteries • AND SO MUCH MORE ...

7-Eleven was the first to offer a self-serve soda fountain! 7-Eleven coined the phrase “Brain-Freeze®”!

As a franchise owner and an active member of my community, I’m proud to be a part of the 7-Eleven and Marshall, VA story. Stop by and see us! — Bernice Simpson

Country ZEST & Style | Spring 2021

Seen & SCENE

Sebastian Langenberg and Jordie Bentley, Jr. took third place in the Men’s Winter Tournament. Photo by Vicky Moon

Louisa Woodville and Tara Wegdam captured the Women’s Winter Championship Finals at the Middleburg Tennis Club.

Owner, trainer and rider Julie Nafe on Sky Babe won the Viola T. Winmill Side Saddle Chase Cup at the Warrenton Hunt Point-to-Point races after traveling from Pennsylvania to be part of the race. Photo by Middleburg Photo Photo by Middleburg Photo

Photo courtesy Jodi Nash

Carsyn Nash, known around her native Warrenton as “The Fighter Chick,” has turned professional in her chosen sport— mixed martial arts—and recently moved to Denver to join the Elevation Fight Team for more structured training and better promotional support. She’s hoping to make her pro debut later this spring.

Fletcher, Caitlin and Bowen Slater presenting the trophy to jockey McLane Hendriks, winner of the George Robert Slater Memorial Maiden Timber riding Irv Naylor’s Irish bred Indian Hawk, trained by Cyril Murphy at the Piedmont Point-toPoint races.

Go Green Middleburg | Spring 2021

Photo by Vicky Moon

Bill Hines, Connie Hines with Carol and Thomas Rose enjoy a free Community Curbside lunch at Grace Episcopal Church in The Plains. The event was launched by Sue and Paul Smith in 2005 and will continue on the fourth Saturday each month until all can safely gather in person. The town of The Plains contributed to the lunch from money received from the Cares Act Fund. The local Tea Room prepared the food. “This is an important part of our life,” The Rev. Weston Mathews noted.

The Kuhns: Moving Toward Leaving a Proud Legacy

he list of good works involving conservation, preservation and charitable giving that benefit the area courtesy of Chuck and Stacy Kuhn could fill volumes. Chuck Kuhn is the founder and CEO of JK Moving based in Loudoun, the largest independent moving company in North America. They recently answered a series of questions posed by Country ZEST. ZEST: Giving back is clearly in your and Stacy’s DNA. Where did that come from and why is it so important to you both. In recent years, what has prompted you to become such a dedicated and generous steward of the land in Loudoun and Fauquier counties? K: Giving back has always been important to Stacy and me. We’ve supported many nonprofits and efforts over the years through our company and family. However, we’ve always wanted to contribute in a way that was sustainable, targeted and long-term. Now that we are in a position to do more, we’ve decided to be very intentional in our philanthropic investments. We’re an outdoorsy family and passionate about protecting the environment. As Loudoun residents, we are awed by the beauty, history, and wildlife in the county and the surrounding communities and are committed to protecting more of it. It’s important that we leave a legacy for future generations. Using land that we protect to feed and educate is another way we’re investing into the community and its future.

Photo by Middleburg Photo

Stacy and Chuck Kuhn

ZEST: The Middleburg Training Track has been transformed since you took it over a few years ago. Is the facility now where you want it, or are more changes on the way? K: It’s a 149-acre horse training venue located in Loudoun. Built in 1956 by philanthropist Paul Mellon, we purchased Crowell Hadden Photo the training center White’s Ferry after it fell into disrepair. Today, under the direction of our son and partner in the training center, Steve Kuhn, it’s complete with 11 barns, 220 stalls, 22 paddocks, and a 7/8-mile race track fitted with a brand new Duralock race rail. It’s always going to be a work in progress since maintaining the center is an ongoing process. Right now though, Steve and his team are focused on leasing the stables and we’ve completed placing the land into conservation easement to protect it from future development. ZEST: Talk about your plans for the JK Community farm. K: We started JK Community Farm in 2018 to help address the growing food insecurity in our region and the need for fresh, healthy food. The non-profit farm is located on a 150 acres in Purcellville that we bought and placed into conservation easement. Last year, the farm grew and donated nearly 147,000 pounds of protein and chemical free produce to local food banks, exceeding our goal by 11,000 pounds in response to—and in spite of—the pandemic. Now the nation’s largest chemical-free community farm, the donated yield translated to 117,258 healthy meals and was produced with the help of nearly 3,000 volunteers. Our daughter Samantha is the executive director and is putting her interests in farming, relieving poverty and health to work for people in our community. Her leadership was pivotal in helping the farm adapt to COVID limitations while addressing exponential growth in demand last year. The pandemic challenged us to grow more while keeping our volunteer workforce safe. Samantha ensured that we could continue to serve by spreading out volunteer shifts and

pushing to increase yield to make sure more families had healthy meals on their plates. To continue the focus on food and health education, the farm supplemented distance learning by creating a field trip program, enabling more than 1,000 students to take self-guided tours with tailored programming tied to Virginia Standards of Learning to teach about farming and nutrition. In 2021, the farm plans to produce 230,000 pounds of healthy food, increasing its donations to nonprofit partners—Loudoun Hunger Relief, Food for Others, and Arlington Food Assistance Center—as well as expanding distribution into DC. In addition, educational programming will incorporate a bee hotel, beneficial insect habitat, pollinator habitat, flowers, blue bird trail, and a sensory footpath. ZEST: Saving White’s Ferry has been your latest major project. How and why did you get involved in trying to preserve such a historic landmark? K: The 240-year-old White’s Ferry represents a piece of our region’s past as an early commerce route that built and sustained local economies and remains so today. This fits with my family’s interest in conserving land and history as well as supporting business and local communities. White’s Ferry has provided an important and scenic transportation alternative to the swelling demands on our local roads. We’re working with nearby landowners and local jurisdictions to make this viable for the region. Bringing a fresh perspective to the ferry will enhance the experience for riders. We’re also planning on making a number of upgrades to the store. ZEST: Without giving away too many secrets, what’s next? K: We remain open to exploring new opportunities. Our goal is to add another 5,000 acres into easement in the Loudoun/Fauquier area over the next two years. Currently, we’re placing over 12,000 acres in the county into conservation easement. On the business front, we’ve been working with my son, Scott Kuhn, who has started Kuhn Aviation at Leesburg Executive Airport. In 2020, Kuhn Aviation opened a state-of-the-art 25,000 square-foot hangar at Leesburg Executive Airport to support its growing aircraft management and sales, charter service and hangar/refuel business. ZEST: Developing all those acres with new homes or commercial ventures would be far more financially beneficial. Surely there are tax benefits for what you’re doing, but it’s pretty obvious that’s not your or Tracy’s motivation. K: I started JK Moving in my parents’ basement when I was 16. I built the company around two main values: care and respect. I wanted to treat our customers and community the way each of us deserves to be treated. Even as we’ve grown to be the nation’s largest independently owned moving and storage company, we haven’t lost sight of these values or the importance of giving back to the community. Increasingly we do this through the land…by protecting it for future generations.

Country ZEST & Style | Spring 2021

At AHT, It’s I

By M.J. McAteer

n 2016, Middleburg was the local epicenter of a violent hail storm that wreaked memorable havoc on houses, businesses and vehicles large and small.

Treavor Lord, head of The Hill School, was on campus when the storm blew in and, within minutes of its passing, was outside to inspect the damage done by the icy, golf-ball-sized missiles. The school’s metal roofs were ruined, he said, “and all but two cars in the parking lot were totaled. It was a huge claim for Hill School.” Almost immediately, Lord got a reassuring call from Kate Armfield of AHT Insurance. “We’re here for you,” she told him, a rapid response that was gratifying, if no surprise. Hill School, which has had decades of experience with AHT, had come to expect a high level of personal service from the insurance broker. “We really, really trust them,” Lord said. Other clients obviously also have trusted AHT; the firm recently celebrated its 100th birthday. “Only a small percentage of companies make it to that number,” said Armfield, a managing partner in the firm who lives in Middleburg. For most of its long history, AHT was largely a family affair. Armfield’s grandfather bought the Leesburg-based company in 1936 and her father, Howard, ran it until he retired about 15 years ago. Kate Armfield worked her way up through the ranks to her present leadership role.

Kate Armfield

Family-run did not equal small, however. AHT, which specializes in property and casualty insurance and employee benefits, recently was ranked No. 65

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Go Green Middleburg | Spring 2021

All About Personal Service “Over the years, it has been great to see people start their insurance careers at AHT and really become successful,” she added. “We’ve worked hard to set up the right type of support team and mentors to help people reach their goals as quickly as possible.” on Business Insurance magazine’s list of the top 100 brokers in the country. It’s become a national presence with nine offices, including Seattle and Chicago, and it has established a substantial footprint in downtown Washington, D.C. AHT has 225 employees, and annual revenues exceeding $52 million. In December, its principals decided it was time to start a new chapter, and the company was acquired by Baldwin Risk Partners, an insurance distribution firm. Armfield said Baldwin “is like-minded” in its emphasis on taking care of clients and empowering employees. Like AHT, Baldwin also is innovative and growing, but comes with access to far more resources and 1,500 employees.

Partnering with the larger company won’t affect AHT’s long-standing policy of customer service or its efforts to do good in the areas it serves. In Middleburg, for example, the firm supports Windy Hill, The Hill School and the Community Center. All employees also are given three paid days off every year for charitable work. “We’re always trying to give back,” Armfield said. That commitment to client and community is matched by the firm’s emphasis on helping its own employees. “Over the years, it has been great to see people start their insurance careers at AHT and really become successful,” she added. “We’ve worked hard to set up the right type of support team and mentors to help people reach their goals as quickly as possible.” Armfield’s own original goal wasn’t a career in the

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“I studied politics,” she said, earning a degree in public policy from Duke University. Her first job out of school was as a personal assistant to Maureen Reagan. She then did opposition research for seven candidates for House seats, all of whom lost their races. “Maybe it was not for me,” she said. But the insurance business obviously has been for her. Armfield’s seat on the board of the Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers along with various industry advisory organizations is testament to her expertise in the field. And recently, she marked her 28th year with AHT. “The level of satisfaction[I get] can be a little mysterious to people,” she said, but she clearly puts a premium on it.

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Country ZEST & Style | Spring 2021

Vineyard VIEW

Bravo to Breaux at Governor’s Cup Competition 2016 Nebbiolo.

By Peter Leonard-Morgan

The Breaux Meritage is a Bordeaux style blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon and a soupçon of Malbec, aged in French and American oak barrels for 14 months. The word Meritage is a contraction of merit and heritage, created in 1988 from a competition to describe an American blend of a minimum of two of the French noble grapes.

Loudoun County was well represented in the 2021 Virginia Governor’s Cup competition, with two of Breaux Vineyards’ excellent wines being included in the Governor’s Case, an honor bestowed on only a dozen top Virginia wines each year. This year’s annual competition attracted more than 100 Virginia wineries to submit their best vintages to be critically reviewed by 16 respected judges. the final 12 which will be included in the coveted Governor’s case.

The Nebbiolo grape hails from the northwestern Piemonte region of Italy, and is aged for 17 months, also in French and American oak. Nebbiolo generally produces a nice light-colored red wine with cherry, raspberry and tobacco aromas.

The judging methodology uses Wine Spectator magazine’s scale of 100-95, 94-90, 89-85, 84-80, 79-75 and 74 and below. Scores are then averaged into one score for each wine, with the lowest being discarded from the competition.

The ultimate accolade, the Governor’s Cup, is then awarded to the highest overall scoring wine from the case. For 2021, this prestigious honor went to Barboursville Vineyards, located just 16 miles northeast of Charlottesville, with its 2015 Paxxito, a dessert wine made using the Italian Passito method.

A first for the Virginia Governor’s Cup in 2021 was best in show cider. Lost Boy Cider, based in Alexandria, came away with the inaugural winning submission with its 2020 Comeback Kid, a sugar free dry cider with a tangy flavor, and a wonderful option for anyone requiring a gluten free diet.

For the final round, 12 judges decide upon the highest ranked wines from round one, during a three-day event in which each judge tastes every wine which made it to this stage of the competition. As with round one, the scores of all the wines are averaged, with the lowest being dropped. A new average for each is then calculated to decide on

With this process, grapes are air-dried for four months before crushing and pressing, followed by a further six months of slow and cold fermentation. Finally, the wine is barrel-aged to ensure a delightful sweetness and optimum acidity.

Lost Boy was founded in 2019 by Tristan Wright, and creates its ciders using selected apples from the Shenandoah Valley. Congratulations to Lost Boy and Comeback Kid, and we look forward to an exciting future in this new category.

The two case winners from Loudoun County’s Breaux Vineyards were its 2016 Meritage and

All in all, Northern Virginia was well represented at the Governor’s Cup, so keep up the good work.

SP URG RING EB

CES RA

MID DL

During the course of the first 10-day round of the competition, 544 wines were tasted, with each being sampled by seven judges in what is referred to as a ‘blind tasting.” Each judge is told only the grape and category, but not the vintage, winery or name.

VIRGINIA’S OLDEST STEEPLECHASE Est. 1921

We made the decision earlier this year to ask all our friends to join us in a special fundraiser to support those most hard hit by the pandemic. We are proud to support Inova Health Foundation and Seven Loaves Services, a food pantry in Middleburg that has become a lifeline for many families. Please consider making a generous donation to the MSRA COVID Relief Fund. Make your check payable to Middleburg Spring Races, write “COVID Relief Fund” in the memo and mail to: Middleburg Spring Races PO Box 1173 Middleburg, VA 20118 You may also donate online at middleburgspringraces.com/make-a-donation/ or call us at 540-687-6545. Middleburg Spring Race Association is a 501(c)3

Due to attendance restrictions we will be running on May 1st with a limited number of spectators. If you are unable join us in person you can watch the livestream on a big screen at Lost Barrel Brewing.

Lawn seating closest to the screen is first-come, first-serve and fire-pits with Adirondack chairs require reservations. No tickets are required and the brewery opens at 11:00 am. No outside food or beverages, please. Race Programs will be available for purchase.

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Go Green Middleburg | Spring 2021

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PSO Young People’s Concert Carries On

PSO Presents:

Dances of Transylvania

Featuring our Annual Young Artists’ Competition

By Leonard Shapiro

he show must go on for the Piedmont Symphony Orchestra’s April Young People’s Concert, with a major accommodation to protect musicians young and old and the throngs of classical music lovers from around the region who would normally flock to the PSO’s popular live events. But not this year.

Because of the continuing pandemic, the three teenage finalists in the PSO’s 20th annual Young People’s competition will not perform in front of a live audience, or with the full orchestra. Instead, they’ll be playing their particular pieces with a piano accompanist in a session at Buchanan Hall in Upperville on April 18. A recording of those performances will be available to season ticket holders on discs. Three judges will be in attendance at the session, with the first place winner awarded a $3,000 scholarship, second place $1,500 and third place $1,000. “This year, we’ve had to do it differently,” said Glenn Quader, the PSO’s music director and conductor. “We usually have an art contest along with it, but most schools are not in a position to do that this year, and we did not want to over-burden the teachers. Our musicians submitted their entries on YouTube this year, and the judges picked the top three finalists.” This year’s finalists are Noelle Fiegl, a violinist from the Fredericksburg Young Musicians School, Kelsey Payne, a violinist from Mary Washington College, and flutist Naomi Wall from Battlefield High School in Haymarket. They’ve all been asked to select one movement from a concerto of their choice to play in the finals. Debbie Gilbert, the PSO’s principal flutist, oversees the Young People’s Concert and said at one point, they considered cancelling the competition. “But we didn’t want the students to miss out on these scholarships, so we decided to try to make it work.” Young musicians from around the region were asked to submit their individual performances on YouTube. In a normal year, four semifinalists are chosen, and they rehearse several times with the full orchestra before performing in a live concert. This year, the three judges picked the top three from the initial submissions, and the Buchanan Hall session will decide the rest. All the finalists, like so many past participants in the competition, seem likely to go on to careers in music, either teaching, playing, composing or conducting. Several participants from past Young People’s concerts are now playing with the PSO.

Kelsey Payne

Naomi Wall

Noelle Fiegl

Even in this unprecedented time, the PSO’s educational outreach mission remains a top priority. In April, we will welcome three talented young musicians to the PSO stage to perform in the annual Young Artists Competition, as they compete for scholarship prizes. Works being performed include Bartok’s Dances of Transylvania, Janacek’s Suite for Strings and Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings.

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“They are all very talented young musicians,” Gilbert said. “I really believe classical music is here to stay. Many parents want it for their kids to have the opportunity to expand their horizons. And many of them are very serious about it.” Said Quader, “When they played with the full orchestra in past years, it really was huge for them. This year will be a little different, but we’re also going to try to make it a great experience, no matter what.”

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At the National Beagle Trials at Institute Farm in Aldie, friends, fanatics and family gathered to watch 16 packs entered. Each pack had 50 minutes to hunt a rabbit. And, among the locals entered: MOC, Wolver and Ben Venue.

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Go Green Middleburg | Spring 2021

Perspectives on Childhood, Education, and Parenting

March Madness? The NCAA Dictating Academic Standards “There is no such place as the ‘big time.’ The ‘big time’ is where you are.” Author Unknown

By Tom Northrup

ecently a friend asked me if any of the Penn teams I played on had gone ”dancing,” that is, participated in March Madness— the NCAA basketball tournament. Our 1965-66 team earned a spot, Tom Northrup but our invitation was rescinded three days before we were to play in the East Regional in Blacksburg, VA. Why? Essentially because the adults in charge couldn’t get along. The roadblock emerged from the fact that the NCAA had issued a decree that all student athletes applying to college had to demonstrate they could achieve a 1.6 grade point average (D+/C-). The

Ivy League presidents and athletic directors took the position that an athletic association (NCAA) had no business micromanaging college admission standards and policies. The result? Our team learned three days before we were to play Syracuse that we should unpack our bags. Today’s fans may not realize that until 1985, there were only 32 or fewer teams (22 in 1966) in the tournament. To make the ”Final Four,” a team only needed to win two or three games. Now with a 68-team field, all-consuming television coverage, office pools, bracketology, and sports talk radio, March Madness generates over a billion dollars annually for the participating schools and the NCAA. The distribution of this revenue, and whether the players should receive some, is currently being considered by the Supreme Court. My opinion on this issue isn’t the subject here. Instead, by taking a step backward, I’d like to offer a perspective on how parents should think about their children’s participation in sports outside of school: Sports should not be pursued or thought of as a ticket to anywhere; the experience itself provides its value. Learning to work hard, to be a good teammate, to put others before self are the lasting benefits. Excellence may result in a favorable college

placement or scholarship, but don’t count on it. Children learn more from losing than from winning. Dealing with disappointment is a far better preparation for life. Those opportunities should be embraced. Recent books such as Paul Tough’s How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character and Angela Duckworth’s Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance explain why. Short term pain often leads to long-term gain. Daniel Kahneman, in Thinking, Fast and Slow, explains that our memories of our life events are governed by our two selves—the “experiencing self ” (how we actually feel at the time of the experience), and the “remembering self ” (how we remember the event later—often much later. Frequently these two “selves” are not aligned. Fifty-five years later, reflecting on being denied the opportunity to play in an NCAA tournament, my ”remembering self ” tried to make it seem significant, but it simply was not a major blow. While we were disappointed that a compromise wasn’t reached, the consensus of my teammates was that the Ivy League was justified in standing on principle, and our lives quickly moved on. What my “remembering self ” tells me now is that the lessons learned on the fields and courts of my childhood in Parkersburg, West Virginia were the formative ones.

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Country ZEST & Style | Spring 2021

Modern FINANCE

A Welcome Gift from the Tax Gods

By Philip RC Dudley

eflecting on the proper message for my first column in Country ZEST, I’m going to address a rather mundane but most important subject (it is tax season after all!)—the Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD). I’ve been tasked with writing about all things financial in these pages and hope you’ll learn something new. After all, as they say, knowledge is power, particularly when it comes to personal finances. The pandemic obviously has taken a serious toll on many Americans, so why not consider making charitable contributions this year from your retirement account to help satisfy those Required Minimum Distributions (RMD) as well as supporting countless worthy causes. The QCD has been around for years but took on a heightened level of importance in 2018 for taxpayers over 70 wishing to make charitable contributions while lowering their Adjusted Gross Income (AGI). It clearly was a win-win situation.

Philip Dudley

And why is that such a big deal now? The answer is simple. Former President Donald Trump’s 2017 tax law changed the way many Americans claimed deductions. This “gift” from the Tax Gods was eliminated in 2020 due to the pandemic, but has been reinstated this year.

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With taxpayers now being faced with a higher bar to itemize deductions, the QCD makes a lot of sense. It works something like this. As an example, let’s say a fictional fellow named Bushrod Rust (a nod to the man who, in 1846, built my home) is now 72 and required to distribute $50,000 from his IRA. Bushrod could make direct charitable contributions in the amount of $10,000 from his IRA, reducing his taxable income by 20 percent and, at the same time, satisfy this current RMD because he can claim the full $50,000 distribution on his federal tax return. And so, I urge you to consider this tax-savvy move in 2021 as we start to emerge from our homes and our great country takes early steps to re-open. Currently, there are many in need and I know this area has a well-deserved reputation for helping those less fortunate. And if Mr. Bushrod was alive today, I’d definitely be advising him to take a very strong look at the QCD option. Upperville native Philip RC Dudley is managing partner of Dudley Capital Management, 115 The Plains Road, Suite 250 and PO Box 494, Middleburg, VA 20118. For more information, he can be reached at philip@dudleycapital.com and (O) 540-687-4600 or (C) 202-441-7707.

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Go Green Middleburg | Spring 2021

A Place for Members to Call Their Own

The Middleburg Tennis Club is a full service, private, member owned club. We host members, their families, and guests in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. A wide range of services and amenities are offered to help provide optimum enjoyment of our club. Opened in 1969, the club resides on a 10+ acre site nestled in the heart of Virginia Hunt Country, just outside historic Middleburg, Virginia. With nearly 400 memberships, MTC has a warm and friendly environment with a country casual feel.

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Awarded United States Tennis Association Mid-Atlantic Section 2018 Outstanding Tennis Facility Contact: Kevin Brundle, General Manager, Middleburg Tennis Club, (540) 687-6388 ext. 101 Country ZEST & Style | Spring 2021

Much More Than Just Brick and Mortar I By Vicky Moon

PHOTOS BY MIDDLEBURG PHOTO

t’s a long way from The Hague in the Netherlands to the main street of Middleburg, but that’s how the journey to retail success began for entrepreneurs Tara and Ben Wegdam, with more to come.

The founders and owners of Crème de la Crème, loulou and zest in Middleburg, with shops in 24 additional locations on the East Coast, are about to open a fourth business in the village. It’s called Brick and Mortar and will be located in the old Southern States building on the west end of town. “We found that products for home, entertainment and a strong sense of local will be required ingredients to be successful in brick and mortar retail going forward,” Ben Wegdam said of the new venture. “This is how we came to naming it Brick and Mortar.

“Think of it as a collection of products that each have a story to tell, that are unique and create conversation. Brick and Mortar takes a new approach by encouraging customers to not just shop, but to genuinely engage and be entertained in a traditional retail store.”

Photos by Middleburg Photo

Ben and Tara Wegdam are stepping up with a new shop in Middleburg.

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Brick and Mortar’s first location opened in Leesburg about two years ago. Wegdam said the shop tries “to tell a story with our merchandise, our non-clickable interactions and our in-store entertainment, such as a piano, parakeets, live music and writers’ talks. We’re also applying for an ABC license and might even open up a beer once in a while.”

45209

every smile

comes from a place of safety and security that only a home can bring.

The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) and the Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign (CVC) are now underway for all Federal and Virginia State employees and retirees. Please consider giving to Fauquier Habitat for Humanity.

Everyone deserves the opportunity to build a better life. Donate or volunteer at Fauquierhabitat.org.

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The new Middleburg shop will include a mix of well known national fashion brands, home accents, books and gifts, with a distinct touch of humor.

Brick & Mortar Mercantile 34 S. King Street Leesburg, VA 20175

“All the products we sell have something you can talk about,” Ben Wegdam said. “Whether it’s American made, different, unique or naughty. We believe brick and mortar retail can only survive when you provide an entertaining experience.” Both Ben and Tara’s parents were in retail. Tara is a native of Nashville, where her folks had boutique stores. Ben’s father worked in the grocery industry in the Netherlands.

Brick & Mortar Mercantile 29 E. Patrick Street Frederick, MD 21701

The couple met in Europe at the end of their college years and opened their first retail store in 1992 in The Hague. Tara ran that store for eight years while Ben was working for Dutch food retailer Ahold, which also now owns Giant Food Stores, Stop & Shop and other businesses in the U.S.

Brick & Mortar Mercantile 201 W. Washington Street Middleburg, VA 20117

Ahold transferred Ben to Virginia and, he said, “We packed up our store in a container and unpacked it a couple of months later on Madison Street (in the building currently housing Salon 17). This was Crème de la Crème’s first localion. “With the generosity of local customers, we were able to grow Crème de la Crème and ultimately moved to our current location on Washington Street,” Ben said. “In 2002 we opened a store up the street from Crème, carrying ladies clothing, and called it loulou (now zest). Soon we found out that accessories were selling better than clothing, so we opened loulou too, in its current location.”

loulou 18 E. Washington St. Middleburg, VA 20117 zest 9 East Washington St. Middleburg, VA 20117

Like many other businesses, the COVID crisis has had a significant impact and they’ve had to adjust. The rise of on-line sales in recent years and the now year-long pandemic forced them to close 10 of the loulou locations this past year and go through a reorganization of the loulou format.

Crème de la Crème 23 East Washington St. Middleburg, VA 20117

And now, here comes Brick and Mortar. The Wegdams recently got approval from the town’s historic review board to paint the outside of the building and to do necessary renovations on the inside, the better to adhere to their retail philosophy.

For further information go to: justbrickandmortar.com.

So, now, they currently have the four shops in Middleburg, one in Leesburg and another in Frederick, Maryland. Ben and Tara Wegdam have plenty of bricks and mortar to work with for new shop on West Washington Street.

“All of our formats will be focusing on going back to becoming a local destination,” Ben Wegdam said. “Carrying local products and run by people who care about the community where they work.”

Money Talks. Now, Teach it to Hug. From memorial funds, to scholarships 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.

Won’t You Join Us? CommunityFoundationLF.org  (703) 779-3505 Country ZEST & Style | Spring 2021

Trinity Teams With Tree of Life on Securing Needed Food

By Bob Appenzeller

he continuing pandemic has wreaked havoc on folks from all walks of life, and particularly those who may be food insecure.

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I’ve learned after serving in the Outreach program of Trinity Church in Upperville, there are plenty of gaps right here in Loudoun County. Like so many places in the state, there is food insecurity due to the economic downturn and glacial movement of the Virginia Employment Commission to issue unemployment benefits. I was introduced to Tree of Life (TOL) early in the Covid-19 crisis while searching for well-established Photo by Leonard Shapiro local charities making significant Tree of Life volunteers David Augenblick (left) progress in reaching those facing and Jim Gemmer at Upperville Trinity Church packing lunches for local distribution. uncertain food resources. Several are operating out of Leesburg and points east, but finding a local faithbased organization that had a need for Trinity’s support was where Tree of Life gained the support of the church’s Outreach Committee and parishioners. Tree of Life Ministries is a not-for-profit organization. In 2008, Purcellville Baptist Church committed to set aside 10 percent of all annual giving to meet the needs of the poor in their western Loudoun community. From there, the Tree of Life Ministries was born. The need for a Leesburg-based food pantry also become clear in recent years, particularly in 2020. The number of individuals served with food donations from TOL has climbed 300 percent last year alone.Last March, TOL increased its food distributions from once to twice weekly, and now serves more than 50 families weekly. They also partner with local churches in Leesburg and Purcellville to provide support to its five branches of service. That includes food assistance and a food pantry; life skills, including English language instruction and tutoring services, subsidized housing; healthcare vouchers; and other relief services. TOL has handled 900 percent more financial relief requests since the pandemic hit. Jim and Katherine Gemmer now lead the team from Upperville’s Trinity Church, which provides 30-plus meals every other month and seems likely to increase that to monthly. There are 20 church volunteers involved in preparing the food, packing it up and delivering it to a facility in Purcellville behind the W0&D train station. “They have a drive-up there,” Jim Gemmer said. “People come through and they ask how many meals they need that day. It might be two, it might be ten. There are other churches also providing food, and everyone gets fed. It’s a wonderful program.” Most of the church volunteers consider what they do a “giving back” effort. For TOL staffers like Kristen Hickman and Rebecca Edwards, the Tree of Life communications and community kitchen directors, it’s a full-time commitment and a passion.

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I’ve also toured the food pantries in Purcellville and Leesburg. Watching Brenda Zavaleta coordinate the delivery of 30 days of groceries (including frozen products) to families in need looked effortless.. Connie Franz oversaw a recent To-Go meal operation in Purcellville and was supported by a Boy Scout getting a merit badge and neighborhood group from Round Hill. At Tree of Life, clearly it’s all about the staff and volunteers doing whatever it takes to make certain food insecurity is a thing of the past.

Go Green Middleburg | Spring 2021

Carry Me BACK

Sky High With a Mellon Martini

By Jimmy Hatcher

had been out of my native Richmond for about seven years and living in the Middleburg area, in the real estate business and properties were selling well. I had two horses who both hunted and showed. And so, I decided to have a three-piece suit made when H. Huntsman and Sons of Savile Row came to town. The Piedmont Hunt met on Friday back then. We had a meet at the Mellons and had a good run. I had to pull out early so I could hunt the same horse back on Saturday because I wanted to show my other horse in a hunter trial on Sunday. As I was leaving the field near Mr. Mellon’s airstrip, Jackie Eldridge sidled up to me and asked if I’d like to go to the Colonial Cup in South Carolina the next day. “Oh Jackie,” I replied, “that’s eight hours down there and the same coming back. Of course I suppose it’s only 15 minutes to this airstrip.” Enough said. Saturday morning, I was at the Mellon runway dressed in all three pieces of my new Huntsman suit, the better to hop on a plane and fly down to Camden. The group heading south included Erskine and Lily Bedford, Margaret Watters and her son Rick,

Photo by Hyphen-Inc.

Betty Vickers, Jackie Eldridge and a very contented Jimmy Hatcher. The Mellon Gulfstream shot into the clouds like a rocket. We hardly had time to eat the hors d’oeuvres supplied by the Mellon kitchen and the watercress and asparagus sandwiches made by Mary White. Mary’s marmalade tarts were consumed just as we

arrived in Columbia, South Carolina. Mary and her husband, Ridgley White, the Mellon’s trainer, whisked us off to the Camden Springdale course. Once we got there, Mr. Mellon went off to do something official and our group was left to greet friends and be invited to after race parties once they found out how we had flown to the races. The group had a little meeting and it was decided that we all had plans for that evening and I, for one, wanted to get back to Middleburg to tell people where I had been and how I had traveled there. Once back on the plane, even before we leveled, off Mr. Mellon was making his special gin and vodka martinis. So I arrived in The Plains at Molly Wiley’s dinner dance in great cheer. Her Gordonsdale home had a back-door eentrance. But when I arrived somewhat late, I went to the front door, still in my three-piece suit with my tuxedo over my shoulder. The door was locked and I rang or knocked several times, then waited and waited some more. Finally the door sprung open and the man who greeted me was none other than Bill Perry, who said, “Where have you been?’ I immediately shot back, ‘I thought you’d never ask.’”

Country ZEST & Style | Spring 2021

It’s All About Service A

By Leonard Shapiro

s commander of Middleburg’s American Legion Post 295, Vietnam veteran John Molière is always looking to recruit new members for his local chapter now celebrating its 75th anniversary. Perusing a local magazine one day, he took particular notice of the cover story and photo. The focus was on Fauquier County resident Caroline Kirklyn and she soon became the object of his attention. Before long, this 85-year-old former Lt. Commander in the Navy Nursing Corps had become a member of the Middleburg Legion post. Better yet, within a few months, two more women had joined up as well. She’s clearly in good demographic company. Former Virginia Senator John Warner, now 92, remains a dues paying member and attends occasional functions. And so does Frankliin Payne, 94, a long time and well-known Middleburg resident now living in Winchester. Both are World War II veterans.

Sen. John Warner and Legion Commander John Molière

Go Green Middleburg | Spring 2021

at Legion Post 295 Molière, a New Jersey native with the accent to prove it, was the founder and owner of a national telecommunications firm. He’s also proud of a post recently honored by the state organization for adding the most new members last year.

on an IED in Afghanistan.

One of those newbies was Rob Jones, a graduate of Loudoun Valley High and Virginia Tech who served as a Marine in Afghanistan and lost both legs after an improvised explosive device (IED) went off. Jones drew national attention when, running with prosthetic limbs, he completed 31 marathons in 31 days.

Molière grew up on his family’s dairy farm in Germantown, N.J. ten miles from Easton, Pa. His father was in the Navy during World War II, and a couple of farms over lived another old Navy man, best known by his nickname “Bull.” That would be William F. “Bull” Halsey, a four-star admiral who headed America’s Pacific Fleet doing World War II.

In April, 2019, the Purple Heart recipient and his wife received the keys to a brand-new, mortgagefree, barrier-free home as a gift from the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, named after a fallen New York City firefighter who died on Sept. 11, 2001. At the ceremony, Jones was welcomed to Middleburg by Mayor Bridge Littleton. Molière also spoke and presented Jones with an honorary membership to Post 295. In December, 2020, Molière did the same for Loudoun County veteran Mark Holbert, an Army Special Forces officer who also lost two legs and two fingers when he stepped

“All of a sudden, we were getting more interest in people joining” the Middleburg Post, Molière said, adding that among its 50-plus members are veterans from wars in Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq.

Molière was a fine student-athlete in high school. Halsey read in the local paper one day that he had caught a couple of touchdown passes and took an interest in young John, who had shown an interest in attending the Naval Academy. Halsey drove him to Phillipsburg, N.J. one day, the better to meet a Navy recruiter who showed him a possible path to Annapolis. It involved joining the regular Navy for two years, then attending the Naval Academy Prep School (NAPS) for a year before becoming a plebe at the Academy. It all worked out quite nicely for Molière.

He was a catcher in baseball and an end on the Navy football team until an injury forced him to give up the sport. His Navy teammate, Roger Staubach, became a Heisman Trophy winner and a Hall of Fame NFL quarterback. When Molière graduated from the Academy, he spent the next eight years as a Navy officer. Fluent in French, he was sent to Vietnam in a unit that was the forerunner of the Navy Seals. Wounded in action with serious knee and hand injuries from shrapnel wounds, he headed back to civilian life. He served as Commander of Post 295 from 2003 to 2010, then became Commander again last year. He’s been involved in a number of good works under the Legion banner over the years, including recently placing a memorial plaque in the village to honor Henry Milton Seaton, the only police officer on the town’s force ever killed in the line of duty (1899). These days, he remains focused on raising funds to renovate the kitchen at Post 295 headquarters on the Plains Road. All donations are gratefully accepted. And what better way to help honor these men and women who can’t be thanked enough for their selfless service.

Country ZEST & Style | Spring 2021

Antiques... Food & Wine... ART! Make a Day of It in the Village of Millwood

April 24 through May 9 Sunday - Friday, 12-5 Saturdays, 10-6

Sunny Bouquet by Trisha Adams

COVID Protocols will be observed.

Art Mill at the

Burwell-Morgan Mill, Millwood, VA 540.955.2600 540.837.1799

https://www.clarkehistory.org/art-mill.html Sponsored by The Clarke County Historical Association and Tito’s Vodka

Pimento Cheese, the Guest of Honor at Every Southern Celebration

By Daniela Anderson

imento cheese is a “Southern Institution,” one of the region’s most legendary, quintessential staples. From a well-known, annual golf tournament in Augusta, Georgia to baby showers, church picnics and tailgates, Pimento cheese always adds to a celebration. Actually, this delectable concoction originated in New York State in the 1870s, when farmers started making a soft, unripened cheese similar to French Neufchatel which they called cream cheese. Simultaneously Spain started exporting canned sweet red peppers, called Pimientos, to the United States. The “i” in Pimiento was dropped, and they became known as Pimentos. In 1908, an article in Good Housekeeping published a recipe blending cream cheese, chives, mustard and pimentos as a sandwich filling and gave birth to “pimento cheese.” In 1910, commercially prepared Pimento cheese hit the market and quickly became popular. The following year, farmers in Georgia began growing domestic pimentos to keep up with the demand. After World War II, home cooks started making their own version, swapping out the cream cheese for “hoop cheese,” and then later, cheddar. They added mayo to bind it all together, and voila, this Southern icon was born. Decades later, there are as many variations as there are personal preferences. The most interesting recipe I received came from a friend from Georgia, passed down from her grandmother’s housekeeper. She roasted her own red peppers, DANIELA’S SIGNATURE leaving just a bit of the charred PIMENTO CHEESE skin on the pepper for depth of flavor. 1 lb extra sharp yellow cheddar The most amusing anecdote 1 lb extra sharp white cheddar came from my friend Rebecca 4 oz cream cheese (room temperature) Webert. Pimento cheese shows 1/2 cup shredded Vidalia onion up at all her family functions. 9 oz fire roasted red peppers or jarred pimentos “I had to call my grandmother 1/2 cup Duke’s mayonnaise, plus another 1/4 cup to get the recipe because I’m not 2 tsp garlic powder old enough to be trusted with a 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce written copy yet, ” she said. “And 2 tsp Louisiana hot sauce she made sure to ask if I had a Ground fresh pepper, to taste hand mixer, because it was a must In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and for this.” mayonnaise with a hand blender until smooth. Grate She definitely hasn’t told her the yellow and white cheddar cheese and add to grandmother that she now uses bowl. Add the garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, a food processor. ground fresh pepper and Louisiana hot sauce. Mix Cookeville, Tennessee native using hand mixer until all the ingredients are well Suzi Worsham, another friend, blended. Add the roasted red peppers or pimentos. suggested the following tip. If roasting your own peppers, remove the skins and “Taste your pimento cheese after seeds after roasting and chop into small pieces. it’s been sitting for several hours Mix with hand mixer until well blended. When or overnight to see if you need to you reach your preferred consistency, add 1/4 cup add that little addition that makes more mayonnaise to compensate for absorption by it your version.” the cheese over the following 24 hours. Flavors will Suzi owned Heart in Hand deepen and intensify over the next 12-24 hours and restaurant in Clifton for 30 the cheese is best after 48 hours. Keep refrigerated years and wrote a popular cookbook called Cooking with before serving. Heart in Hand.

Go Green Middleburg | Spring 2021

that run 300 years deep.

Thomas Glascock Slater Upperville, 1933

1500 Crenshaw Road • Upperville • VA • 20184 540.878.1476 Country ZEST & Style | Spring 2021

Saving Forests Will Help Save the Planet

By Leslie VanSant

he Rainforest Trust was founded in 1988, when the importance and urgency of climate change was not well understood. Nor was the critical role forests play in removing carbon from the atmosphere and storing it in wood and soil. Rainforest Trust is an international conservation organization based in Warrenton, working to conserve rainforest and habitat across the tropics. Over the last 33 years, more than 34 million acres have been saved by local conservation organizations in partnership with Rainforest Trust. We now know that about a quarter of the 1.5 trillion tons of carbon dioxide humans have emitted since the industrial revolution has been caused by land-cover change and food production, especially deforestation. At the same time, more than half of these emissions have been safely re-absorbed by forests, soils, and oceans. Sadly, the increasing rate of deforestation is tipping this delicate balance. Every week an area of rainforest, slightly larger than Fauquier County (651 square miles), is destroyed. Centuries old forests and the biodiversity within them are disappearing, the carbon they stored is returning to our atmosphere and warming our planet. The climate crisis and biodiversity collapse are huge, global problems. But most experts agree that

a third of the global effort on climate change should be on nature-based solutions: halting deforestation, building back soils and planting trees. It all starts by creating protected areas. This year, Rainforest Trust has doubled down on its past success and is pledging to invest $200 million in conservation projects to save endangered species and protect the planet, resulting in 125 million acres protected and 15 billion metric tonnes (=3x the total annual U.S. emission) of carbon stored by 2025. To meet these ambitious goals, Rainforest Trust is placing renewed focus on projects to protect three types of high impact forests, that through their protection will have tremendous positive impact on the climate crisis: frontier forests, super-sequesters and carbon vaults. Frontier forests are abutted by wall-to-wall agricultural plantations, cattle pasture and

development. Protecting these forests massively reduces carbon emissions in the immediate future because it stops the imminent danger of deforestation and destruction, by those who wish to convert the land to those same uses. Most forests actively draw carbon out of the atmosphere and sequester it underground. But forests inundated by water are particularly efficient at sequestering because the water blocks the oxygen required for decomposition. These “super-sequesterers” include the flooded forests of the Amazon, swamp-forests of the Congo, peat-forests of Borneo, and mangroves which fringe many of the world’s tropical coastlines. The world’s mangroves are estimated to sequester as much as a ton of carbon per acre per year, so saving even a few acres of mangroves can contribute more to fighting climate change than, say, buying a Tesla. Large, tall, intact tropical hardwood forests are carbon vaults; they store vast amounts of carbon in their wood, roots, and soil. And while the threat of destruction to these forests is not immediate, they will, if unprotected, eventually be degraded and destroyed. The cost of protection, to establish a park, indigenous or community reserve is reasonable and the long-term impact for the planet is huge. Leslie VanSant of Middleburg is vice president of philanthropy for the Rainforest Trust. To learn more about Rainforest Trust, visit www.rainforesttrust.org.

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Peter Leonard-Morgan | Global Real Estate Advisor | Hunt Country Sotheby’s International Realty Direct - 443.254.5530 | peterleonard-morgan@hcsir.com © MMXXI Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC. All Rights Reserved. Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated. Sotheby’s International Realty and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered (or unregistered) service marks licensed to Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC.

T H E O F F I C I A L B A K E RY O F G R E AT M E A D OW

Go Green Middleburg | Spring 2021

FaceTime With Kazlynn Johnson

lmost a year ago, Kazlynn Johnson can recall her parents urging her to return home to Virginia from Manhattan for what they said might be “just a week or so.” They were concerned about their daughter being up there in the Big City during what was the beginning of a then mostly unknown virus spread. Being the responsible first child, Kazlynn obliged and returned home to Middleburg with a duffle bag of clothes for a long weekend. Everyone has their own version of how the pandemic interrupted their personal stories, and Kazlynn’s involves making proverbial lemonade from lemons. Her career path after graduating from Washington College developed organically from sales and management in the Green Beauty industry in Washington, D.C. to becoming a buyer in New York City at CAP Beauty to evolving into a holistic esthetician studying under her celebrity facialist employer.

Photos by Vicky Moon

Kazlynn Johnson

Her products are not big box store lines but come from her knowledge as a buyer and include small, womenowned brands such as Palermo that is handcrafted in Brooklyn.

And then the world stopped. That long weekend back home in Virginia turned into a couple weeks. Then a month. And soon after it became clear that normal life would be on hold for quite a while longer. And so, what better time to start a new business then during a pandemic, right? Except that this local girl also knew there was a void in these parts for everything she knew about holistic skin care. “People, especially young people, forget that skin is an active, constantly changing, living part of us,” Kazlynn said. “It’s not exactly the same every day and we need to work with it, not against it. It’s meant to protect us from the elements, not be a pore-less canvas like social media wants to make us believe. I realized that everything I had learned were things that many people didn’t know.” This is where the lemonade begins. Kazlynn began studying for an additional license in Virginia and opened Kazlynn Marie Studio in Middleburg. Her modality is a combination of education, facial massage and micro-current which is like an electric exercise for the muscles in the face. “I believe deeply in helping girls and women understand their skin,” Kazlynn said. “It’s something we all have in common and need to understand. I’m not a lotions and potions facialist. I help my clients better understand their own skin. And I’m so happy to be able to share what I know in my hometown.” For more information on Kazlynn Marie Studio,111 East Washington St., Middleburg. go to www.kazlynnmarie.com and hello@kazlynnmarie.com

Country ZEST & Style | Spring 2021

Closing the Gap, By Kristine Varney

e’ve all heard about the gender gap in STEM.

The percentage of female students who select science, technology, engineering or math majors in college is about 35%, despite high demand for workers trained in these fields. Whether due to gender stereotypes and perceptions, or girls’ preferences for other subjects, the causes can begin to take root in elementary school. Even when educators make significant impacts on interesting high school girls in STEM fields, that doesn’t always translate to pursuing STEM in college. It can all leave a STEM teacher feeling quite hopeless about her ability to impact the world. But then I reflect on my own experience, anecdotal as it may be, and I remember that for some, teachers can make all the difference. The story of how I became interested in physics starts in college,

Kristine Varney and Foxcroft STEM student Maya.

CELEBRATING 45 YEARS!

“I have worked hard to ensure that the honesty and integrity my grandfather brought to his work continues every day” – Mike Appleton Current President

ounder) Appleton (F Nellie & Jim

540.349.6701 | appletoncampbell.com 28 AC CountryZest_Ad.indd

Go Green Middleburg | Spring 2021

3/1/21 3:55 PM

One Girl at a Time but how I became disinterested in physics begins in high school. I took honors physics in my junior year. I’m sure my teacher was well-meaning, but he would approach each problem in a disorganized way, as if it was totally unlike the problem before it, and I left feeling like I just never “got” physics. I was always pushing myself toward the most challenging curriculum, so despite my struggles in the prior class, I signed up for AP Physics my senior year. At my school, girls just didn’t take advanced math or physics classes, and I could not figure out why. I wanted to find out for myself. AP Physics turned out essentially the same as my first course. The material was more abstract, so I understood it less. I faked my way through problem sets and labs. I actually self-selected as the lab group secretary, so all I had to do during lab was write down the data and make nice-looking charts. By the end of a year in a course on electricity, I could not measure the current in a circuit. (That’s one of the reasons why, in my physics classes now, I make everyone participate and write a lab report.) I struggled, and it caused me to put a label on myself I thought I’d carry with me for the rest of my academic career: bad at physics. In my mind, I was starting to believe that maybe physics really was

better suited to a man’s brain. In college, I put the experience behind me, but when it came time to choose courses for the spring semester, my new friends were enthusiastic about taking a physics course, Newtonian Mechanics. Still irked by my high school strugges, I wanted to prove my “girls-can-do-physics” hypothesis. So I signed up for the class. Immediately, this course felt far different. My professor, Susan Watson, was orderly and methodical in her problem-solving and quickly taught us a strategy that we could use on our own problem sets. For my students, these were the early beginnings of what I call the GRASP method—a way of organizing your work and your thinking. It felt like a revelation. It also was clear Professor Watson was going to teach. She wanted her students to participate, and class became an active endeavor. For the first time, seeds were planted in my mind. Women can do physics. There is a way of being organized and methodical in problem-solving. Teaching doesn’t have to be lecturing. I can do physics. The rest is history. I went on to major in physics and become a physics and math teacher. Now, I’m committed to doing my part to ensure that other young women don’t have the same high school experience I did.

At Foxcroft, I’m honored to lead an amazing STEM faculty who go above and beyond to connect with girls, to find a spark of passion and fan the flame, just as Professor Watson did for me. But we also know that the environment at Foxcroft is very special, and not all students have access to that. The school has been recognized as a national leader in girls’ STEM education, as one of two schools in Virginia and only 56 in the world to earn the prestigious College Board AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award for achieving high female representation in both AP Computer Science A and AP Computer Science Principles. Events like our Coding Carnival for middle school girls and the annual STEM Challenge in February speak to the essence of who we are. Not only do our girls love participating in fun STEM events, they also take an active role in planning and leading those events, setting an example for girls who might not have many role models for female excellence in STEM to look to. Ultimately, not all our girls will choose to pursue STEM, and that’s fine. But we definitely want to make sure they all have the option. Kristine Varney is Director of STEM Education at Foxcroft School in Middleburg.

Exceptional Design for Luxury Living

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Awesome Internet Service? What a Schoch

By M.J. McAteer

he neighborhood has a cocktail party, and, at some point, the local organizer and head motivator says, “Raise your glasses if you’re in.” And almost every glass goes up because the neighborhood is desperate. “And that’s how it’s done,” said Claude Schoch.

By “that,” Schoch means how rural communities doomed to execrable internet service come together to bring in his company, High Mountain Farm Broadband, to lay fiber that provides lightning-quick connectivity. So far, Schoch has hooked up about a thousand households in The Plains and some 1,500 more in Marshall, Rectortown, Middleburg, Delaplane, Upperville, and Aldie. He’s laid 60 miles of fiber and covered “every last house” in one 30-square-mile area. Schoch’s process is both local and cooperative. “It’s actually quite simple to do,” he said. “Ninety-nine point nine percent of doing fiber has no technical aspect whatsoever.” Instead, getting access to fiber mostly involves digging out the route the cable must travel, and neighborhood volunteers can and have helped with that. “Rural people are used to hopping on their four-wheelers. They know how to work with dirt,” Schoch said. “They never get paid, but they know they got connected by what they did.” Good internet service started out as a personal quest for Schoch. “Fifteen years ago, I needed internet, and I happened to own one of the tallest mountains in the area,” he says of his farm in the Bull Run Mountains in The Plains. That gave him the height to set up a transmitter that served his own needs as well as those lucky enough to have the correct sight lines to get service. At that point, he couldn’t help lots of people, and his philosophy is “you have no business being in business if you can’t connect everyone.” About six years ago, Schoch started laying fiber. “I founded and owned software companies,” he said, “so I had the background to inexpensively and reliably solve the problem locally. We’re not doing it in a big, bureaucratic way. You don’t need a Verizon. It’s a matter of people and communities working together.”

Go Green Middleburg | Spring 2021

HOME SWEET HOME IMPROVEMENTS

Whether you are planning to remodel your kitchen, transform your master bath, finish a basement or build an addition, you need more than a contractor. You need a partner you can trust with the possession that says the most about what you value and the way you live.

Claude Schoch Can Wi-Fi Wire You Up. Photo by Tara Schoch

Self-help is actually a tradition in these parts, Schoch explained. Back in the late 1800s, local farmers banded together to put up poles and wire to bring telephone service to the The Plains and the Middleburg area, eventually extending lines all the way to Leesburg. That infrastructure later served to bring electricity to western Loudoun. Now, the same process is happening with laying fiber, as essential in the 21st century as telephone service was in the 19th. Matt Calligan bought a converted old stone tavern in Rectortown a few years ago and unhappily discovered that it was sited in a dell too low to get much of an internet signal. So he and several neighbors hosted an informational get-together to see if Schoch could help. Later, they went door-to-door to enlist about 100 households eager for better service. The process took about 18 months and was completed just as Covid hit last sping. “It made everyone’s life so much better,” Calligan said. The story was much the same at Atoka Chase, an affluent neighborhood off St. Louis Road just outside Middleburg. Before the arrival of fiber last December, “We couldn’t stream, we couldn’t do anything,” said Jane Hensley, a real estate agent with Washington Fine Properties.

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Now, her son, whose job is in social media, can actually work out of her home when he visits from Washington. “Without sounding too dramatic, it has changed our lives,” she said, adding that, from a real estate agent’s perspective, good Internet service is a huge selling point with potential home buyers. Many are moving to western Loudoun to escape the city during the pandemic. Said Schoch, “every house that has my fiber sells instantly.” In addition to its speed, fiber is an eco-friendly alternative to other forms of internet service. “I’m anti-tower, and dishes are eyesores,” he said. DSL and wireless services also cannot deliver the reliability of underground cables. “Fiber has no end to its ability to carry speeds needed in the future,” Schoch added. True enough, but only if only you can get him to come to your neighborhood.

Country ZEST & Style | Spring 2021

Get the primary care experience you deserve Same-day or next-day appointments Reach your doctor after hours Unhurried visits that start on time

Call 540.724.2054 or visit mdvip.com to schedule a complimentary getacquainted meeting with Dr. Royston. Norris Royston Jr., MD Family Medicine 8255 East Main Street Marshall, VA 20115 mdvip.com/NorrisRoystonMD

Appleton Campbell: More than “AC”

By Jodi Nash

t’s more than “AC” folks! Appleton Campbell, in business for 45 years, still locally owned and operated, handles heating, plumbing, air conditioning, and electric, both repair and new install, in over 13 counties. A trusted regional presence, now headed by Mike Appleton, Michael Appleton, Kathy Godfrey and Jason Anderson the grandson of founder Jim Appleton, the company relocated in May, 2020 to a new commercial building in Warrenton and is now poised for smart growth. It’s a quintessential American ‘can-do’ story, with a value-driven work ethic behind it. Not surprisingly, there’s also a fourth generation on board at the company. Mike’s son Michael, 31, offers a strong leadership presence both in the office and out in the field. He had just started working there in 2007 when a strategic decision was made by the company to shut down “new construction,” eliminating its status as a subcontractor in order to singularly focus on homeowners needs for residential service, repair and replacement. The prevailing intent was to work directly for the client, provide trusted personal service, assess their needs, educate them on their options, and execute the work expeditiously and professionally. Appleton Campbell promises to offer no hard sell, no surprise charges, an up front flat rate, and a true 100 percent guarantee. If a technician mis-diagnoses the problem, the added cost is the company’s, not the customer. Michael and service manager Jason Anderson, want their clients to be satisfied from the first call to the after-service follow up, for the optimal customer experience start to finish. Just as an example, a customer called to replace a water line Appleton Campbell had installed 11 years before. When they dug it up, the line had plastic fittings, instead of brass as industry standards recommend. So the company replaced it at no charge. With 90-plus employees (55-60 in the field) and a fleet of 65 plus trucks, serving an area of some 75 towns and cities, it’s a busy operation. “Recruitment is our biggest challenge,” Michael said. “We have to grow our own technicians.” Appleton Campbell recruits from local high schools and community colleges, and partners with the federal Department of Veteran Affairs to also provide possible candidates. The training, including classes, meetings, videos, slide shows, and skills practice, is held in-house for apprentices and helpers. There is further schooling out of state, followed by ride-alongs with experienced lead techs. Service support, both remote and on site if needed, is provided by Jason Anderson and each individual trade manager he supervises (HVAC, plumbing, and electric). Trucks are stocked with common parts and pieces, but all other inventory is delivered daily from distributors or manufacturers to warehouse space at Appleton Campbell. Kathy Godfrey, the public relations manager, related that technicians (in best practices mode) have moved snakes from under houses, carried in groceries, and removed big tree limbs as a courtesy to their clients. Jason, an Air Force and Air National Guard veteran with temporary deployments to Saudi Arabia and Egypt, has been with Appleton Campbell for 11 years. “It’s the best place I’ve ever worked—a family experience for all of us,” he said. There are birthday parties, holiday celebrations, donuts & coffee, ice cream, yoga classes, trade-athalon contests before work (winners receive a set of expensive power tools), and a culture where transparency and clear communication is encouraged across all levels of employment, the better to create a collaborative spirit. The company also offers competitive wages, paid training, paid vacations/holidays, truck/gas/uniforms, medical and dental insurance, and a retirement plan. When queried about working with family, Michael said with a big grin, “I wouldn’t have it any other way.” One day recently, Michael was offered a chance to go in on a lottery ticket at work. “No thanks,” he answered simply. “I’m doing what I want to do for the rest of my life.” All and all, it’s a nice gig for everyone at Appleton Campbell.

Go Green Middleburg | Spring 2021

t’s all about the history at The Old Rectory of St. James Episcopal Church in a quiet neighborhood on Culpeper Street in Old Town Warrenton, only a short walk from shops, restaurants and this charming village’s post office. Built in 1869 and lovingly restored by previous owners Mary and Christopher Reed, this threebedroom, Williamsburg-style home was initially purchased by Mrs. Reed’s grandmother in 1922. It’s nestled on 1.3 acres, surrounded by gorgeous mature oak trees and zoned for an additional three lots on the property.

Presenting

THE OLD RECTORY

Former Rectory of St. James Episcopal Church Located in the Historic District in Old Town Warrenton

CHARLIE EBBETS

540.341.3547 | 540.229.7808

charles.ebbets@longandfoster.com

A soft green tin-roof accents a pale yellow clapboard home that features 10-foot ceilings, a cozy bookshelflined study off the living room, hardwood floors, a thoroughly modern kitchen, formal dining room, wood burning fireplace and two staircases to the second floor. The basement level offers considerable storage space, as well. The Warrenton Hunt long ago once met on these grounds to trot out and cry “Tally Ho” in the nearby open fields. Now, this tastefully landscaped historic home offers in-town living with a touch of the countryside as an added bonus. PRICED AT $950,000

Country ZEST & Style | Spring 2021

A Normande Invasion In A Virginia Field PHOTOS © DILLONKEENPHOTOGRAPHY.COM

n a brisk spring afternoon, an adorable young boy named Ian completed feeding rounds for a herd of sienna and umber brown speckled Normande cattle, looking like a living, dripping, breathing work by late abstract expressionist Jackson Pollock. Inspired by a family connection to the D-Day invasion of Normandy, France of June, 1944, the herd began in 2005 on a Loudoun County hillside. “They’re beautiful animals,” said owner Susan Wallace, Ian’s grandmother. “Good foragers, superb mothers, delicious meat and, I am told, fantastic milkers--as in Camembert cheese.”

It’s tough tending to these cows but someone has to do it

Ian and his grandmother Susan Wallace share a moment Meet number 90

It’s petting time

“They are totally grass-fed,” Susan Wallace tells ZEST, “we do not inoculate them with anything including antibiotics or hormones - just grass and water - both from the farm.”

It’s feeding time

And a few have names like Cleopatra

A NEIGHBORHOOD BUILT FOR GENERATIONS TO COME Nestled into the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a new Van Metre community is taking shape. Heritage at Marshall is an impressive master-planned community of single family and townhomes in the heart of downtown. Experience a neighborhood that will strengthen Marshall for generations to come—amazing amenities, easy access to Main Street, outstanding schools and a superior quality of life are just a few reasons Heritage at Marshall will be one of the premier communities in all of Fauquier County.

NEW MODELS COMING SOON LET OUR FAMILY BUILD A HOME FOR YOURS VanMetreHomes.com/heritage or 703-272-2715 Images, renderings and site plan drawings are used for illustrative purposes only and should not be relied upon as representations of fact when making a purchase decision.

Go Green Middleburg | Spring 2021

Love Of The Land In Lovettsville

THE PLAINS - DELAPLANE - UPPERVILLE

The Land Trust of Virginia is a nonprofit organization that partners with private landowners who voluntarily protect and preserve properties with significant historic, scenic, or ecological value. LTV now holds 204 easements protecting a total of 23,076 acres in 18 Virginia counties.

Friday, April 23, 10am-5pm | Saturday, April 24, 10am-5pm

Photo by Missy Janes

art and Carol Hodgson of Lovettsville have recently entered in an Open Space Easement with the Middleburg-based Land Trust of Virginia (LTV) for their 35-acre Linden Hall Farm. The property was purchased in 1997 had the potential to be developed into seven parcels. This conservation easement drastically reduces that number to one.

2021 HUNT COUNTRY House & Garden Tour

Hosted by FAUQUIER AND LOUDOUN GARDEN CLUB AND LEESBURG GARDEN CLUB

CO-CHAIRS CATHERINE ADAMS AND GEORGIANA WATT

Three magnificent properties:

White Hall, Ashleigh, and Oak Spring

Linden Hall Farm is part homestead, part B&B and part working farm. It’s home to a variety of farm animals that include cattle, sheep, donkeys, chickens, dogs and cats.

Tickets for White Hall and Ashleigh are $40 Tickets available for purchase online only at www.vagardenweek.org

It’s easy to notice that this slice of history, surrounded by pastures, is also surrounded by a growing number of houses dotting the landscape. Lovettsville, Loudoun County’s northernmost town, was founded in 1732 by Pennsylvania Germans. The once rural area is now fighting off development sprawl. In the late 1990s, while on a Loudoun County Farm Tour, Bart and Carol were struck by the beauty of Lovettsville’s rolling hills and pastures as well as its unique rural, historic, and scenic character. Following research, the Hodgsons can trace the ownership of the land to King Charles II of England, which was granted to Thomas, Lord Fairfax, in 1742. The property was first established as a home in 1789 and since has had several prominent residents, each with large families, each between eight and ten-plus children. They worked with LTV to place the property in a voluntary conservation agreement, known as a “conservation easement.” It permanently protects the historic buildings—the existing circa 1780s farmhouse and a schoolhouse, circa 1790. Other public benefits of the agreement are the permanent protection of the scenic open space, agricultural lands and water resources, which will all remain intact. The property is home to productive fields and rolling pastures where cattle and sheep graze. There’s also an intermittent stream and pond that is important to the abundance of birds and other wildlife that call Linden Hall Farm home. “There is peace of mind knowing that the farm will be protected from the surrounding development pressure, “ Bart Hodgson said. “When we are gone, if we can leave something that lives on, that’s the legacy we want to leave behind.” “This land has significant conservation values, both historically and agriculturally,” said LTV Executive Director Sally Price. “We’re honored that the Hodgson family has chosen the Land Trust of Virginia to hold the conservation easement on this property. We’re also honored to share that LTV’s Malcolm Forbes Baldwin Fund and the Deborah Whittier Fitts Battlefield Stewardship Fund assisted with the transaction costs of protecting the Hodgsons’ farm.”

Country ZEST & Style | Spring 2021

OAK SPRINGS ETERNAL Jane Kim’s style has been defined as scientific illustration. The mural of 270 species took two and a half years to complete and is intended to illustrate the 375 million-year evolution of birds, from an ancestor of the first feathered dinosaur, to a minuscule hummingbird.

By Vicky Moon

he late Bunny Mellon’s gardening beguilement began at age six on the family property in Princeton, New Jersey. She was indulged with a small plot by her father, Gerald Lambert. Her lifelong passion— and yes, obsession—was nurtured and grew into a remarkable oeuvre of gardens including additional family estates in Millwood and Upperville. Her other impressive locations included a project while a student at Foxcroft, friends’ homes around the world and, of course, the Rose Garden at The White House. At Oak Spring, the Upperville farm she shared with her philanthropic equine enthusiast husband Paul Mellon, she created gardens that appear to be simple but are actually intricately laid out as a living trompe l’oeil. The dénouement was a library to house an enviable collection of books, manuscripts and art. The Oak Spring Garden Foundation led by British botanical and plant expert Sir Peter Crane has created many horticultural programs since Mrs. Mellon’s death at age 103 on March 17, 2014. On May 6, artist Jane Kim will speak there on “Art, Wonder and the Natural World.” She’ll also show

her work for The Wall of Birds, a 2,500-square-foot mural celebrating the diversity and evolution of birds at The Cornell Lab of Ornithology. “Our activities at the Oak Spring Garden Foundation are focused on plants, gardens and landscapes, but we interpret our charge broadly,” Crane told Country ZEST. Additional programs will include: “Permaculture Design” September 9-16 with Danielle Wyman Castellano featuring innovative methods to unite landscapes through observation, interaction and ultimately design. Additional topics will cover how to cultivate food and fiber to mimic nature. A program on “Paper Making” is scheduled for September 20-24 with Alyssa Sacora speaking on the multi-steps of this discipline from plants grown on site at the Biocultural Conservation Farm. “So the paper-making course, using plants grown on site, and the permaculture course, about growing row crops using sustainable practices, are both terrific new additions to our developing set of programs,” Crane said. “We hope that they will be popular for both regional and national audiences. ”

Photo © Ink Dwell Studio

Artist Jane Kim’s ostrich struts in style for The Wall of Birds, a 2,500 square-foot work she created at The Cornell Lab of Ornithology. It’s the only mural in the world that displays all modern families of birds.

For further details go to: osgf.org.

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Go Green Middleburg | Spring 2021

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Country ZEST & Style | Spring 2021

Senator Jill H. Vogel April Legislative Update

he House and Senate of Virginia adjourned March 1st after meeting since January in a very unconventional legislative session. This followed a marathon in the fall when the legislature met to overhaul Virginia’s election laws and the budget in response to COVID-19. We are meant to act as a part-time, citizen legislature, but with every passing year the founders’ vision of part-time has eluded us. We met 150 days last year, with an 84-day special session. There was a short break at the holidays before returning in January to our makeshift Senate Chamber in the Science Museum of Virginia. Set up to accommodate COVID protocols, the Science Museum operated as an office, committee room, remote constituent service hub, and Senate floor.

In a typical session, the legislature considers between 2,500 and 3,000 bills and resolutions. This session, the total number introduced was just under 1,500 due to the bill limits set by each body--7 bills for each House member and 12 bills for each Senate member. This was a wise decision in a year when meeting with anyone outside of the Senate was nearly impossible. Some of the more controversial bills debated this session included marijuana legalization; the death penalty; expungement of criminal records; gaming; repeal of mandatory sentencing minimums; reducing SOLS; amendments to the 2020-2022 Biennial Budget; conforming Virginia’s tax code to the federal code; and protecting PPP loans from increased taxes. Communications from around my district were overwhelmingly focused on two issues—opening schools and improving the distribution of vaccines. My goal was to do everything in my power to improve Virginia’s performance on both. After a long fight, the legislature ultimately passed legislation to require in-person learning in Virginia’s public schools. We also passed emergency legislation to expand the pool of qualified people eligible to administer COVID vaccines and increased funding for mass vaccine distribution. Other high-profile legislation that passed included: a phased in cannabis legalization bill; abolition of the death penalty; mandated paid sick leave; repeal of Virginia’s ban on gay marriage; implementation of California’s low emission/zero-emission standards for vehicles; expansion of Virginia’s Court of Appeals from 11 to 17; temporary suspension of gun rights for domestic assault; cash rebates for purchase of electric vehicles; and state-run retirement for private sector employees. 2021 was certainly a legislative session where sweeping changes were made, especially changes affecting small businesses. The House and Senate met on April 7th for the Veto Session to address changes to any legislation made by the Governor. The Governor has made a number of substantive amendments to bills and to the budget and those changes are currently being considered by members. It is expected that after the conclusion of the Veto Session, the Governor will call a special session for later in the summer to consider bills related to criminal sentencing. Also, 2021 is the year that census data is delivered to Virginia and the House and Senate must pass legislation enacting newly-drawn legislative districts. Thus, there will be significant additional legislative work remaining in the year. It is an honor to represent the 27th District in the Senate and I welcome your feedback. If you have questions or concerns, please contact me any time via email at district27@senate.virginia.gov.

Go Green Middleburg | Spring 2021

It’s an Upperville Ring of Honor for Betsee Parker I By Leonard Shapiro

s it any wonder Betsee Parker, the Middleburg philanthropist, preservationist and conservationist, has a particular passion for the Upperville Colt and Horse Show?

As a junior rider, she’s competed in the oldest horse show in America. As an owner, her horses, including Way Cool and Ovation, have won multiple grand championships and countless titles over the years. Same for her championship ponies: Elation and Vanity Fair.

She’s served on Upperville’s board of directors for a dozen years and now is a vice president along with Shelby Bonnie. She’s been a generous contributor to the show, and this year donated three large trees planted on the hunter side to replace other weather damaged oaks inside the historic competition rings. Oh yes, she also met her late husband, Irwin Uran, the father of their 17-year-old daughter Rosie, at an Upperville ringside tailgate party. And so, is it also any wonder her fellow board members have honored Parker by voting to name the main hunter ring as “The Parker Ring?” During a recent virtual board session, one of the committee members made the ring-naming suggestion and Horse Show President Joe Fargis announced they would vote on it right then and there. There was nothing virtual about the decision. It was quickly approved, for all the right reasons.

“She has been a very valuable board member and participant,” Fargis said. “She’s been extremely generous with her time and so much more. And she’s been a great friend and supporter of the horse show and the community for a long time.” Parker said she was totally surprised, and greatly honored. “I never imagined as a junior rider from Minnesota that something like this could happen,” Parker told Country ZEST. “Any time I showed a pony at Upperville, I was just in awe of the place. I’m humbled that my peers in the horse show world and the committee would do this. It is very special.” Just as special, it’s the only named ring at Upperville. She’s also believed to be the first woman to have a show ring named for her on the major show circuit. “If any of the Upperville rings should be named, it ought to be for Colonel Dulany,” Parker said, referring to Colonel Richard Henry Dulany, who founded the show in 1853. “It’s just a great honor.” Parker is no stranger to such things. She’s an ordained Episcopal minister and has a Masters from the Harvard Divinity School. Living in Manhattan in 2001, she was among the first responders at the World Trade Center on 9/11, working primarily with the Chief Medical Examiner of New York to help identify victims. She was later honored for her service. She’s a decorated member of the United Nations, serving in multiple capacities, with an emphasis toward sustainable development and climate-change issues in Africa. She’s also been a keynote speaker on sustainable development at the Vatican. In Middleburg, her Huntland Farm is home to many of her retired world-class show horses and ponies. She’s also the proud owner of a 15th century castle, Ackergill Tower on the rugged northeast coast of Scotland, converting it from a luxury hotel into her private home. The castle once was a garrison for Oliver Cromwell’s troops. Still, Middleburg remains her main residence, and the Upperville Horse Show remains one of her main passions. “It’s just a wonderful show,” she said. “I’m thrilled to be a part of it.”

Photo by Middleburg Photo

Betsee Parker

Due to COVID-19 regulations, we are uncertain about spectator restrictions. Please check the website for the latest information. 42

Go Green Middleburg | Spring 2021

SHELBY BONNIE:

It’s All In The Family With An Eye On

THE WIDE OPEN COUNTRYSIDE By Vicky Moon

Photo by Vicky Moon

As president of the Upperville Horse Show, Mrs. Randolph (center) watched from a box along the sidelines and waited to present the trophy to the winner of the Sunday jumping finals.

Shelby Bonnie is following in his grandmother’s footsteps in Upperville.

helby Bonnie came from a family deeply rooted in Upperville, with the historic horse show, slated for June 7-13 this year, and also as a Master of the Piedmont Fox Hounds.

Let’s go back to his late, forthright grandmother, Theodora Ayre Randolph, a skilled and proficient equestrian who lived next to the show grounds at Oakley. Once known as Grafton, those grounds are now owned by the horse show. Mrs. Randolph was president of the Upperville Horse Show from 1977 to 1992. She also served as Master of the Piedmont Fox Hounds with Paul Mellon from 1954-1958 and then on her own from 1959-1979 and shared the honor from 1979-1996. Bonnie and his brother Robert (currently Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Senior Advisor, Climate, in the Office of the Secretary of Agriculture) grew up in Louisville, Kentucky. Their father, the late Edward “Ned” Bonnie, was an attorney who specialized in equine matters as well as a trainer and amateur rider of steeplechase horses. Their mother, Cornelia “Nina” Bonnie, has been equally involved in all things horse. A daughter, Virginia, is a successful competitor on the show jumping circuit. In 1996, Bonnie’s grandmother died and he inherited Oakley. He now owns 1200 acres, which includes several other area properties. In an interview, he began with an anecdote from Jim Bill Fletcher, the late Rappahannock attorney and raconteur and the father of Upperville-based attorney Mildred “Bucky” Slater. “He said, ‘there’s a great saying in Virginia that if you don’t like someone give ‘em one farm and if you really don’t like ‘em give ‘em two farms,’ Bonnie recalled. “As a farm owner, that’s about right.” Bonnie followed his grandmother as a member of the Upperville Horse Show board in 1998. He said: “I was living in California, pre-conference call and wasn’t all that involved.” He’s now a vice president, a role he shares with Betsee Parker. His philosophy on the significance about the Upperville Horse Show and all other horse-related events is something he cares about deeply.

Photo by Middleburg Photo

“It’s preserving the countryside in our area, keeping farms as farms,” he said. “I think doing the horse shows and the Piedmont races and all those types of things are important in supporting the horse

Photo by Howard Allen

The forthright Theodora Ayre Randolph was a skilled and proficient equestrian. eco-systems of trainers, riders, blacksmiths, vets, people who sell feed, people who take pictures.” Although he did not ride at Upperville as a child, in recent years he has shown in the jumper classes. He’s involved with the Loudoun Horse Show, which follows Upperville the next week. In the fall, his presence is vital for the Piedmont Jumper Classic and the Middleburg Classic, all of which take place across the road at his Salem Farm. “The horse shows and the races provide an important place to provide the vehicle to support the equine community and I think it’s important to put on these events.” Upon reflection, Bonnie said the show has gotten a little bit better each year. “We’re blessed with really good leadership historically and in recent years, with [past presidents] Barb Roux and Mike Smith. We’re incredibly fortunate that Joe Fargis has agreed to be the president. ” And, said Fargis, “Our hope, as a group dedicated to the horse show, is that we continue and succeed after a year off.” “The wonder of Upperville is you can go as someone who likes horse sports and McLain Ward and other top riders are in the grand prix ring and turn around see McLain Ward leading his daughter in the lead line class under the oaks,” Bonnie added. “There’s some wonder and beauty to be able to straddle both worlds of history and the oaks.” He has ridden in the family class with his father, mother, brother, sister-in- law and daughter. “There is pageantry and history and that we’re able to live both of these worlds is incredible.” His grandmother would be proud.

Country ZEST & Style | Spring 2021

Cup of COFFEE

Photo by Crowell Hadden

They’re off and running…

Hooray! The Flag Is Up and Running

ambitious green tufts sprouting sporadically, the mountains running the backdrop, a painter’s first and last lines across her canvas.

By Sean Clancy

e went racing.

Wow, what a joy to go racing again. Entries printed and folded. Two pens. Binoculars. Leather boots, racing corduroys, vest, no tie. The prerequisite Covid forms, sad, but necessary. To the Piedmont Fox Hounds Point to Point, Salem Course, Upperville, Virginia, March 20. Simply Piedmont. A right, left, right, left, right from home. I had my first crashing fall there in 1988 on a pickup ride on the flat (the last time I listened to Gregg Ryan), spent two nights in the hospital (hey, I got to meet Dr. Jim Gable), dried blood across the back of my head, whiplash from the fall and a tongue lashing from my dad who didn’t approve of pick-up rides. For the next 13 seasons, I thought about what Dad would say before I said yes to any ride. It was a lesson learned – the hard way. We’ve been there in the snow. We’ve been there in the rain. We’ve been there in the wind. And sometimes all three, proper chasing weather as they say across the pond. This year, it was crisp and clean, blue skies, white whisps, leafless old-growth trees standing like guards across a jail-house playground,

Our first runner of 2021, Include It, finished second in the maiden timber. Amateur Chris Gracie, a friend from Pennsylvania now living in Middleburg, gave him a sweet, precise ride for his first start over timber. There is nothing more important than a gentle introduction to a new endeavor, especially when it’s a malleable horse jumping solid timber. The water gets deeper, of course, but it was a steppingstone to a long-term goal. Beautiful, crisp, gorgeous day of racing on an old-school, purist steeplechase course. Through the stretch toward Middleburg, a loop out in the country, back through the stretch toward Upperville, another loop out in the country and back home through the stretch. Stone walls both directions, yeah, old school. A flattened-on-one-side figure eight is how I heard it described. Yeah, that’s close. Unfortunately, no spectators, as Covid restrictions continue to grind away at the essence of life. You knew everybody there. Railside parking, you got it. Drive back and forth from the barn to the paddock, no problem. You could feel the horses’ hooves across the rain-soaked clay, you could hear their hind shins ticking over the top boards, high-stakes braille. You could listen to the jockeys bemoan a tough trip, a

Go Green Middleburg | Spring 2021

missed gap, a lost opportunity. Another Pennsylvania ex-pat, Chloe Hannum, rode a double, winning the Thomas M. Beach and Virginia A. Beach Memorial on veteran Cocodimama and the Hilary Hitchen Bateman flat on Paddy’s Crown. I originally typed lady rider timber and maiden flat. Then I thought back to when Brad Hitchen, Hilary’s brother, pulled the trophies from a paper bag and readied for the presentation in front of the wooden wagon that seemed to come with the place. Photographer Liz Callar began, “Brad, this is your race...” He looked up, hesitated, “It’s Hilary’s race.” A loyal friend to everyone who was at the races, yeah, it was Hilary’s race. I walked away thinking about Hilary and other Piedmont loyalists with races named after them – Thomas M. and Virginia A., George Robert Slater, Col. Richard Henry Dulany and C. Reed Thomas, who surely spent afternoons at Piedmont, on days like this, watching horses and seeing friends at the annual rite of spring, even when it was snowing or all three. Ah, the importance of horses and races and their large-scale impact in a small-town way. Short fields running for nothing more than trinkets, but after a year of disturbance and disruption, the importance had never felt greater.

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Go Green Middleburg | Spring 2021

It’s Horse Heaven for Sprout’s Angels on Earth By Carina Elgin

hen the Sprout Therapeutic Riding and Education Center in Aldie opened ten years ago, Executive Director Brooke Waldron admits she gathered the most amazing horse partners. As the cornerstones of the Sprout kids and their beloved horses. Center’s programs, the “foundation” horses of Sprout are now heading towards old age, loved and respected, having given unconditionally to the humans that need them most. Sprout’s team of 18 horses are carefully selected for temperament, soundness, size and gait patterns, to meet the needs of riders of all ages and abilities. Each horse averages eight lessons per week with one of Sprout’s certified instructors, from walk only sessions with volunteer leaders and “sidewalkers” to independent riders, jumping, to therapeutic driving lessons. The beautiful state of the art, handicapped accessible stabling area and indoor arena, are evidence these horses are cared for in a way rivaling any top show horse facility. While 2020 was a tough year, this nonprofit survived, and indeed thrived, adapting services for safely during a pandemic. Waldron noted that, “Our services reached a historic peak this fall as we blended on-horse, off-horse, in-person and virtual services.” With their everpresent creativity, energy and fun, Sprout staff offered things like Zoom “lunch with the ponies,” a “Horsie Happy Hour,” and online book clubs to keep their clientele connected. It also was a tough year because several of the first horses Sprout recruited to their team went from “angels on earth” to angels in horse heaven. There was Phin, a short but stout Haflinger. PacMan, a colorful paint, and David, whose beautiful “eulogy” on Sprout’s Facebook page brought tears to many eyes. Most recently it was small and spunky Cowboy, a week shy of 25, who had to move on. A finely-bred, dapple grey Welsh pony, he came to Sprout in 2013 from the Scharfenberg family of Middleburg. Waldron said the kids loved him, “And his quiet calmness made him a favorite of the moms who entrusted him with their priceless possessions.” In her speech honoring Cowboy as Sprout’s 2020 Horse of the Year, Waldron told a story about a seven--year-old girl named Josie, who had been riding at Sprout since she was 2, for help overcoming a traumatic birth injury. Waldron’s speech began: “During a photo shoot…she asked, “Can we go faster? She was proudly sitting atop her valiant steed, Cowboy…He was our canter horse… an elusive unicorn… they have it or they don’t. And they have the hardest jobs in the barn because canter horses take riders into the unknown…alone.

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“If a kid with limited vision, hemiparesis and a heart condition asks you to canter…in a field…In front of a thunderstorm…you better pray you have a Cowboy. Josie fixed her gaze on the top of the hill. She kicked with all her might. She grabbed opportunity by the mane. And when logic said she’d surely fall... Josie flew. “Most people don’t come to Sprout to learn how to ride a horse.,” Waldron continued. “They come to Sprout to grab the reins on their lives and show it who’s boss. To be challenged, to be empowered, to have hope and opportunity. And that is a responsibility we don’t take lightly. Our students are more than their diagnoses and time at Sprout is more than a pony ride. We are the bridge between life in a box and life without boundaries.” That bridge would not exist without programs like Sprout’s, and the amazing horses that bring the magic. For more information, please go to www.sproutcenter.org.

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Country ZEST & Style | Spring 2021

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HISTORIC GARDEN WEEK IN MIDDLEBURG

The Path Forward APRIL 23-24

The entrance at Ashleigh sets a tone of serenity

“Gardens are symbols of hope and renewal. They express creativity and provide an opportunity for reflection. During these trying times, many of us are enjoying more time spent in our gardens.” Missy Buckingham, president of the Garden Club of Virginia

istoric Garden Week in Virginia was cancelled in 2020 and is now back to celebrate and reflect on 101 years for a tour in full bloom featuring inspired private landscapes, public gardens and historic sites across the state at the peak of springtime blooming. The Middleburg portion of the tour, sponsored by the Fauquier Loudoun Garden Club, will take place on April 23-24. An estimated 2,200 floral arrangements created by members throughout the state will enhance 30 tour properties hosted by 48 member clubs. This year the Middleburg area stops will include the gardens at Ashleigh in Delaplane and White Hall in The Plains. Both are Greek Revival homes and visitors will be delighted by the diversity of these grand estates and landscapes that celebrate the open spaces of this part of Virginia. “Tour proceeds continue to keep Virginia beautiful,” said Betsy Worthington, chairman of the Restoration Committee of the Garden Club of Virginia, which oversees the selection and management of their projects. The group has been focused on the carriage turnaround at Poplar Forest and the Reveley Garden at The College of William & Mary. “With over 50 active restoration sites across the state, we’ve got plenty to keep us busy,” Worthington added.

The 98-acre Ashleigh is located in Delaplane.

Xavier Medinia-Campeny’s “The Conversation” is settled amid a backdrop of spectacular green.

Photo courtesy of the Lynchburg Garden Club

WHITE HALL This year’s Middleburg tour includes Ashleigh and White Hall. Oak Spring has been sold out.

A garden gate has been embellished appropriately

Dogwood by Dale Edmonds for the GCV

Landscape architect Barry Starke also included a pair of oversized parlor chairs by Xavier Medinia-Campeny, which once belonged to the late art and horse patron Sandra Payson, who also had a farm in Delaplane.

Tickets for Friday, April 23 and Saturday, April 24 can be purchased online at

www.vagardenweek.org Middleburg Tour Headquarters 4133 A Rectortown Road Marshall, VA 20115

French tulips by Karen Ellsworth for the GCV

Art at the Mill Survives

By Nathan Stalvey Director Clarke County Historical Association

n 1990, a small group met outside the historic Burwell-Morgan Mill in Millwood to discuss ideas for an art show.

That October, 14 artists opened the first show, hanging their own art inside the mill using whatever material they could find. And so “Art at the Mill” was born, and 30 years later, the 2021 edition starting April 24 will feature works from over 200 artists. Proceeds support the Clarke County Historical Association, the owner of the Mill. At that first meeting, Sarah Trumbower, president of the Clarke County Historical Association, and her friend, Bonnie Jacobs, were joined by Susi Bailey and Billy Thompson from the Berryville/Clarke County Chamber of Commerce. To Trumbower, the mill was an ideal space for an art gallery and a way to highlight local artists in a unique venue. “That first show was very different from the shows you see now,” Bailey said, noting it ran only three days in October, compared to the current two-week shows. “I remember one work was so new that the paint had not yet dried on it. Another was made entirely of dryer lint.” The initial opening was small and featured valet parking, refreshments and food, all provided by the Chamber. Although only a few works sold, there was

local buzz about the art and venue. Over the next few years, Trumbower vigorously promoted the show. CCHA oversaw artist recruitment and the Chamber dealt with all art entries. The event took a major step in 1996, expanding from one weekend in the fall to a twice-annual, twoweek show. The early years of the 21st century brought some challenges. Show founder and CCHA President Trumbower died in 2003. To honor her contributions, CCHA set up a scholarship in her name to help Clarke County high school students pursue college arts degrees. Soon after, Roger Chavez, Vice President of CCHA and his wife, Snow Fielding (an artist herself), took over managing CCHA’s role with the show. Two years later, the Berryville/Clarke County Chamber of Commerce merged with the Top of Virginia Regional Chamber, ending its involvement. All operational duties and costs then fell squarely to the CCHA. “It was a huge undertaking when the Chamber was gone,” Fielding recalled. “There were so many challenges, but we found ways through it.” To get more artists interested, she and Chavez traveled all over the region to recruit. Fielding also remembers the financial difficulties without the Chamber. “Instead of a caterer, food was brought in by the volunteers,” she said. “Roger came up with a

brochure and targeted potential buyers, and he was also able to secure a bank loan to cover some of the operating costs.” At that point, sales and attendance increased rapidly, and Art at the Mill was becoming a destination art show.

In order to maintain an art presence at the mill during the pandemic, Board President Randy Sprouse came up with an idea for an Artist in Residence series that would allow individual artists to set up and sell their works inside or outside the mill on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the fall. While not on the same scale as Art at the Mill, it kept local art on display at the Mill once again. These days, buyers and artists come from all over the Mid-Atlantic. The spring and fall showing will be back for 2021 and beyond. For the April 24 show, buyers can peruse and purchase art online for the first time. One facet hasn’t changed. The level of dedication and hard work remains in place, ensuring Art at the Mill has endured, and will continue for years to come. “There were many challenges over the years, and many things we tried. Some worked, some did not.” Fielding said. “But the attention to detail on every level, the dedication and hard work of every volunteer, every artist, has led to the success and sustainability of the show. And that’s why it succeeds.”

The Emmanuel Episcopal Church invites you to

Go Green Middleburg | Spring 2021

es and Thrives at 30

2021 Workshops & Short Courses The world of plants is incredibly beautiful, diverse, and inspiring. At the Oak Spring Garden Foundation, we offer an array of educational opportunities – from one day ticketed workshops to multi-day short courses – for plant lovers of all kinds to learn new skills and gain new insights. Our 2021 roster of programs is our biggest yet, and covers topics ranging from ecology & invasive plant management to nature writing & papermaking. Visit our website to see our full roster of programs and learn more about ticketing and applications.

www.OSGF.org/short-courses-workshops OSGF is an operating foundation dedicated to sharing the gifts and ideas of Rachel “Bunny” Mellon. Its mission is to support and inspire fresh thinking and bold action on the history and future of plants, including the art and culture of plants, gardens, and landscapes.

Photo by Roger Foley Country ZEST & Style | Spring 2021

Lovely Lavender

Provides Bliss in Delaplane

By Daniela Anderson

avender Bliss Farm in the hills of historic Delaplane, owned by Ana and Jerry Thomas, is a charming oasis of fragrance and vibrant color that reflects Ana’s lifelong love for nature, gardening and landscaping. Born and raised in the mountains of the Eastern European nation of Georgia, Ana’s first college degree was in biology, specializing in botany. Her childhood was influenced by hard-working farmers in the Georgian wine country and she loved tending the little tarragon and strawberry garden given to her by her father when she was six years old. She eventually found her way to the United States, where she met her husband, and they settled in the Washington area. In 2018, they moved to a small country cottage in Delaplane. The idea of growing lavender came to Ana that fall and the dream became more serious after she learned there weren’t many lavender farms close by. Though Virginia’s climate is not ideal for growing lavender, Ana was determined to thoroughly educate herself on the process and has achieved wonderful success in expanding the gardens at Lavender Bliss.

The farm currently has over 200 lavender plants and ten Ana and Jerry varieties that include English Thomas of lavenders ( Folgate, Hidcote, Lavender Munstead, Melissa, True Blue, Bliss Farm Victoria Amethyst, Lavandula Angustifolia) and French lavenders (Provence, True Grosso, Phenomenal, Lavandulaa x intermedia/Lavandins). The lavender is grown organically and used in a variety of handcrafted products, ranging from culinary lavender to fragrant mists, sachets, lavender infused oils, tinctures, decorative bouquets, wreaths, and much more. Ana also creates custom tea and herb blends with the culinary lavender she cultivates in the farm’s herb gardens. She uses the wide variety of herbs to create beautiful swags as well. This year, Ana and Jerry plan on adding over 130 lavender plants and expanding the varieties. Guests will be able to visit the farm during the peak lavender blooming season, beginning June 5 and running through the end of July. Several workshops at the farm are planned in 2021 as well, including a wreath building

workshop, another involving crafting with lavender and a session they call “All About Lavender” focusing on how to grow and use lavender in the Virginia Piedmont. Guests will have the opportunity to buy lavender plants for their own gardens beginning in June. Workshops will run May through August . Jerry and Ana also sell a variety of products made from their lavender at the Archwood Barns Market in The Plains every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Customers also can shop online, and shipping is available nationwide. Lavender Bliss Farm delivers products locally at no charge within 20 miles of Delaplane. Customers also can pre-order online and pick up on Sunday at the farmer’s market. For more information, visit www.lavenderblisscottage.com.

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Go Green Middleburg | Spring 2021

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The Spirits of

Selma

Sharon Virts and Scott Miller

Selma from the outside.

Sharon makes herself at home in the living room. By Jan Mercker

haron Virts likes a challenge.

When the Loudoun-based entrepreneur bought a crumbling early-20th Century mansion five years ago, some thought she was crazy. Selma Mansion near Leesburg was in nearcomplete disrepair after years of neglect. But Virts was determined to preserve a historic gem and make it an inviting family home. “I never saw the mess,” she said. “I only saw what it could be.” When Virts and her husband, Scott Miller, bought the property in 2016, it had been neglected for more than a decade, open to vandalism, looting and damage from the elements. Originally built in the early 1800s by war hero and politician Armisted Mason, the mansion was destroyed by fire in the 1890s and rebuilt in 1902 by Leesburg businessman Elijah B. White as a colonial revival mansion. And Virts was determined to raise it from the ruins and restore it to its former glory. “I said to myself: listen, we can do this,” Virts said. “And like I would do anything else, I sat down and made a plan.” Acting as general contractor, Virts developed a timeline to move in less than 18 months after purchase. She stuck to her plan, and she and Miller took up residence during the summer of 2017, with the main living space restored but construction ongoing. With new lab puppies and plenty of construction dust and mud for a year, Virts and Miller finished the restoration in 2018. Virts said her biggest challenge was restoring a former living quarters for enslaved people that had been turned into a laundry and kitchen in 1902. The brick building off the north side of the mansion had suffered extensive water damage, and Virts said the county recommended tearing it down.

With the help of expert masons from Jamestown, the couple salvaged the space and it’s now one of their favorite parts of the house. The renovated wing functions as a family kitchen and family room, with an open loft for office space. Virts documented the project with a popular Selma Mansion Rebirth Facebook page, drawing fans from around the country and 77,000 followers. “What I enjoyed most was when the finishes went in,” Virts said. “When the chandeliers went up and we got the curtains hung and you stood back and looked at these rooms and said, ‘My God, it’s grand. It’s lovely.’ It was that reward at the end, but it took so long to get there.” While Virts and Miller loved opening the house for parties and dozens of charity fundraisers preCOVID, they’re not using the mansion’s formal areas much these days. Dinner is usually at a small table in the kitchen or on the verandah. They spend time together in their morning room, a former sewing room above the porch, and Miller uses White’s smoking room as a den. Virts grew up down the road from Selma near Lucketts and launched a successful government contracting business while raising four sons. And the Catoctin Mountain where the mansion sits always had a lifelong pull. “What’s most majestic about this is not looking up at the house. It’s watching the sunrises,” she said. “We have the best view in Loudoun County and I love watching that sun dance across the horizon.” Virts and Miller have lived in Selma for nearly four years. Since then, Virts has become fascinated with the histories of the people who resided there over the centuries--and possibly a few ghosts. As she started researching the former residents, she became so fascinated by the mansion’s stories that she turned it into a new career. She can now add novelist to her list of accomplishments. Her first novel, “Masque of Honor,” published earlier

this year, is a fictional account of the famous duel between Selma’s original owner, Armisted Mason, and his cousin and political rival, Jack McCarty. Her second novel, “Veil of Doubt,” set for publication next year, is based on an 1872 murder trial in Leesburg involving a woman accused of murdering her husband and four children. And there’s also a Selma connection: the defense attorney in that case, Powell Harrison, was the father of Elijah B. White’s wife Alice, known as Lalla. While making plans for her third novel, Virts is preparing to take on another historic preservation project. She recently put a contract on a historic home just south of Selma in downtown Leesburg-also rumored to be haunted. She plans to turn the property into an inn, with proceeds going to the Virts Miller foundation focusing on historic preservation and other Loudoun community initiatives. Virts will close on the new property in April and will begin documenting its restoration on the Selma Mansion Rebirth page. “I’ve got the bug,” she said.

A Real-Life Duel and Political Intrigue in “Masque of Honor.”

hen Sharon Virts started her first novel, “Masque of Honor,” in 2018 she thought the hero would be Armisted Mason, the original owner of her historic home. But as the entrepreneur and new author got deeper into her research, she discovered the novel’s real protagonist was his cousin and political rival, Jack McCarty, with Mason as a fascinating foil. The political tensions between the two men eventually led to a deadly duel, the event at the heart of Virts’s new book. “Masque of Honor” is available on Kindle and in hardcover at amazon.com. For more information, go to sharonvirts.com.

Country ZEST & Style | Spring 2021

Ellie’s Is The Place To Be in Warrenton Federal Street Café in Middleburg from 2015-2017. His food amed for their daughter, philosophy is straightforward— Ellie’s Place opened in Old keep dishes simple and tasty. Town Warrenton during With a larger kitchen, Dial the summer of 2019. has added to the menu with Owners Alexander “Zan” and Ann burgers and hand-cut fries. “It’s Dial quickly became familiar faces on really good beef,” said Dial, who Main Street, cooking up tasty soups, showcases meat from Mast Farms sandwiches, salads and yummy stuffed in Midland. He also plans to offer baked potatoes. their products in a retail setting Then came the pandemic, and the within the restaurant. Dials were forced to close. At the Neighboring businesses were same time, they decided to move to happy to see Ellie’s reopen. Several a larger space further west at 26 Main stopped by at their soft opening in Photo by Anita Sherman Street. It was risky, and the challenges late February. Evelyn Cobert, who mounted for this small business Zan, Ann and Ellie Dial at their works as marketing manager at Warrenton restaurant. confronted by a hard-hit economy. nearby This ‘n That Amish Outlet, Now, with a two-year anniversary was among them. this July, they are open again and business is brisk. “I was really excited when Ellie’s Place put their “So far we’ve had a great response,” said Zan Dial, menu on Facebook,” said Cobert, who was having who expressed gratitude to the many folks who one of her favorites, the Classic BLT. “It’s wonderful helped with the move and the community for its having another business open or re-open in Old ongoing support. “According to the numbers, we’re Town. I love seeing our little town grow and having doing better than pre-COVID.” another awesome restaurant gives customers a great Dial has no regrets about making his home in the variety in Old Town.” kitchen rather than the courtroom. “I’d been accepted And breakfast anyone? Ellie’s Place now offers to law school but after talking with several of my a full range of breakfast items from scrambled friends, decided that wasn’t the life for me,” said Dial eggs and crab and avocado omelets to pancakes who headed to culinary school and has had no regrets. and homemade biscuits and gravy. Oh, that house Before coming to Warrenton, Dial operated the made sausage. By Anita L. Sherman

As before, Ellie’s Place handles many take-out orders but limited seating inside is available. “We’re operating now at 50 percent in terms of how many people can sit inside and I’m hoping to add some outside tables soon,” said Dial. Like ice cream? It may be hard to pass by the gallons of Hershey ice cream when you enter. They’ve boosted their flavors from eight to 32. Try a hot fudge sundae or milkshake. Having a professional and personal relationship doesn’t always work but at Ellie’s Place it’s all in the family. Zan handles the cooking while Ann takes care of the tables and dispensing ice cream. “We work together well,” Zan said, admitting that the last six months have been tough getting the new location ready to open. “It’s long days. But by the grace of God, we’re here.” Their daughter Ellie is comfortable and knowledgeable about the restaurant. She knows where things are and is happy to show you around. Her favorite ice cream flavor is pink and blue cotton candy with chocolate sauce. Ellie named the restaurant. “She was three when we moved to Warrenton,” Zan said. “We were wondering what to name our new restaurant…when she came in, she looked around and exclaimed, This is my place…my place forever.’” And so it is: Ellie’s Place. Ellie’s Place, at 26 Main Street in Warrenton, is open Tuesday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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Millwood’s Locke Store and The Buttery Please the Palate By Linda Roberts

“W

e are seasonally inspired,” proprietor Max Emma said recently, referring to the Locke Store’s fledging restaurant, The Buttery. Located in the tiny village of Millwood, The Buttery features a prePhoto by Linda Roberts fixe, three-course menu, which changes every three weeks and is driven by Some staff members from the Locke Store and The Buttery gather on whatever produce is available at that the patio. From left: Trish Epperson, time of year. Brandon Milhon, Ellie McMillen, Kelly Executive chef Ellie McMillen and McGrath, Mindy Biddle, Max Emma Buttery chefs Adam Steudler and Jess and Shauna Volmrich. Foltz have been consistently busy turning out sought-after foods that bring locals and out-of-towners flocking to The Buttery on Thursday through Saturday nights and for brunch on Sundays. Emma said the pandemic has not been a deterrent to business at The Buttery nor has the cold weather, which brought patrons in from the patio this past winter to the welcoming log interior and handsome fireplace. “We began transitioning to a spring menu in February because people are over winter at that time,” said Emma. Local greens, salads and lighter menu selections lead the way as the menu rotates from winter’s heavier foods. Emma, who owns both the Locke Store and The Buttery with his wife, Ruth, estimated The Buttery seats 50-70 diners (at hourly seating times) on an average night and 50-80 for brunch. He recommends reservations. “Like everybody else, I fell in love with the Locke Store and knew I would buy it when I first saw it,” said Emma, who took over the business last year from former owners Juliet Mackay-Smith and Brian and Shauna Volmrich, who continue to work in the business. Emma, formerly in the food industry in Northern Virginia, knew he’d made the right decision when day-to-day operations were supported by the store’s customer base even when other food businesses were left floundering in the wake of the pandemic. “In addition to having a great staff, we have always been supported locally,” he added. The Locke Store’s long-standing connection to the community can be traced back to 1836 when James H. Clarke built a brick store with large bay windows across the street from the Burwell-Morgan Mill in the heart of Millwood. He started a tradition of service to the surrounding community that today remains at the core of the store’s business philosophy. In keeping with that commitment, the store operates a community board where patrons may post a monetary donation and those in need may redeem the posting for a lunch or grocery item. A succession of owners followed until brothers Phil and Oppie Cunningham purchased the store in 1956, running a dry goods and grocery until 2002 when local resident Mackay-Smith bought the property. Word spread of her passion for sustainable agriculture and quality, locally sourced foods. The small store gradually became a draw for area locavores and wine lovers and a destination point for weekend travelers. “Juliet gets all the credit,” said Emma, “she positioned the store and laid the groundwork.” The Emmas plan to continue her legacy and make changes as appropriate for growth. Those changes include the recent purchase of the two buildings adjoining the store to the west. Emma said the “demand for product has outgrown the footprint” of their current buildings. “Our intention is not to change the feel of the store or the foods we offer,” said Emma, adding that he plans to add more space. For example, the current kitchen will double in size and the popular wine area will be three times its present size. “We want to utilize what’s here and take care of it,” he said. “The more we expand, the more it will keep Millwood thriving.”

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The Hessians and Fauquier’s Free State By John Toler

ich in history, the section of northwestern Fauquier County known as the Free State has roots going back to royal land grants, the early days of the county, and notably the American Revolution.

The rugged land encompassing the Rappahannock Mountains and valleys between Thumb Run, Orlean and Marshall was considered on the frontier of the county, and was home to immigrant communities who leased their farmlands from the holders of vast royal land grants. This would soon lead to conflict. The tenants of the land that became the Free State came from various backgrounds, but living in relative isolation, they developed attitudes of rugged individualism and had little use for outside authority. As the American Revolution drew to a close, a new group of immigrants found themselves in the Free State. According to the article, “What became of the Hessians?” published in the New York Times in July 1911, soldiers from the Hesse-Cassel region of Germany were hired out to King George III of England by the Elector of Hanover to help fight the rebellious American colonists. On December 26, 1776, Continental soldiers under Gen. George Washington attacked the British garrison at Trenton, NJ, capturing about 900 Hessian troops and killing their commander, Col. Johann G. Rall. The prisoners were taken first to Philadelphia, and later confined to sites in Virginia, including Winchester, Charlottesville and western Fauquier County. “They found themselves quite comfortable in Virginia,” according to the Times article. “They were quartered in ramshackle barracks, with small pretense of duress by wall or guard. The great distance to the enemy lines, through hundreds of miles of hostile country, trackless and utterly unknown to them, held the Hessians tighter than bolts or bars.”

The Continental Army’s assault on a Hessian position is dramatically depicted in The Battle of Trenton, painted by H. Charles McBarron (1902-1992). The prisoners had adequate food and shelter, which lasted until the war was over in 1783. “The captured ‘hirelings’ were turned adrift, national orphans, political babes in the woods,” according to the Times. No longer cared for by the Americans and unable to get home, “The Hessians had looked upon the fields of Fauquier and found them good. They had also observed that nobody seemed to be exercising active ownership of them.

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“The settlers were few, and the Hessians, finding none to say nay to them, squatted upon as much as each man thought would serve his needs. Secure in life and liberty, the Hessians now turned to the pursuit of happiness.” This meant finding a wife and settling down. They looked to the west, to the Blue Ridge Mountains, where they found “Redemptionists” – male and female bond-servants brought to America as “indentured stock.” Realizing that their family’s goal of paying off their indenture was always being moved further out, daughters of the redemptionists were often ready to take a hasty leave. Abandoned long ago, this house in the Free State was likely owned by a native Free Stater. Courtesy Fauquier Heritage & Preservation Foundation.

“And so, it came about that the sons of Hesse took to wife daughters of the bond-servant,” according to the Times. “In time, every little squatter farm among them was alive with tow-headed babies.” Even with the respectability of family, the Hessians still had difficulty assimilating in Fauquier. They would have nothing to do with the “lowland elites” to the east, and their native-born neighbors, who looked down upon them, kept their distance. Calling someone in the Free State a “Hessian” was considered an insulting epithet for many years. The situation in the mountains changed in 1806, when Chief Justice John Marshall, his brother James and brother-in-law Raleigh Colston purchased from the heirs of Thomas, 6th Lord Fairfax a large portion of his old royal land grant.

Courtesy Fauquier Heritage & Preservation Foundation.

Early homes in the Free State were usually small, one-room cabins.

The new owners demanded that existing leases on

the property – which had long gone unpaid – would be collected, and squatters would either agree to a lease, or be forced off. The Hessians, some whom had lived in the mountains for nearly 20 years, found themselves embroiled in a bitter court fight. It was finally resolved in Fauquier County Court in 1833 in favor of the Marshalls and Colston. “But many lessors still refused to pay, arguing that the Marshalls did not have legal title to the land because they bought the property from the heirs of an enemy,” wrote historian Eugene M. Scheel in an article published in April 2000 in the Washington Post. “Their stubbornness and defiance of authority earned them the title of Free Staters.” A compromise was eventually reached between the title claimants and the Free Staters, but collecting the rent – and taxes owed – often cost as much as they would yield. Some Hessian descendants with no other ties to Fauquier left the area. Written over a century ago, the Times article concludes with an accurate appraisal of a place – and a state of mind: “The Free State is well-named, if absence of all social, political and economic bonds is a badge of freedom. The Free Stater is above the law; if he needs any, he makes it for himself. “Once a settlement of more than a thousand souls, the Free State today numbers only a few hundred, but it persists. One of the mysteries of American History has been solved. The mercenaries captured by Gen. Washington settled in Virginia, and their descendants are there yet.”

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Jimmy Rankin: “I

By Anita L. Sherman

can’t hide,” Jimmy Rankin said, laughing as he showed the way to his office— an inner sanctum sheltered from the numerous showrooms that make up Rankin’s Furniture in Warrenton. The office shelves are filled with books, photographs, model trains and decades of memorabilia. The walls are graced with framed certificates acknowledging a lifetime of achievements. If you’ve been in Fauquier County long, no doubt you’ve met him or know of him. At 90, owner James A. “Jimmy” Rankin remains bright-eyed, witty and sharp. “My wife thinks I’m getting senile,” he said, clearly with a twinkle in his eye that says otherwise. Age has not diminished his spirit and enthusiasm as a successful businessman who has no plans to slow down. For 29 years, Rankin’s Furniture has anchored Waterloo Station in Warrenton, serving a client base that spreads well beyond Fauquier County. Like Rankin himself, his brands of furniture are strong, stable, predominantly traditional in style, colorful and long lasting.

Go Green Middleburg | Spring 2021

Quality counts for this man. Recently, he’s added Amish craftmanship to his collection offering an array of tables and chairs from Lancaster Iron and Wood out of Pennsylvania. He turned 90 on January 16, and celebrated another milestone on March 20 – an anniversary marking 67 years of marriage to the former Shirley Payne. Recently returned from Korea in 1954, his courtship to Shirley was short. “I knew her two months and five days and then we were married,” he said. “Why wait? I figured that having a lifetime together would work better.” They raised two sons and two daughters and now have eight grandchildren and 17 greatgrandchildren. Jimmy’s work ethic was part of their children’s early upbringing. At young ages they were all helping at Rankin’s True Value Hardware store which he started earlier in 1965. For Jimmy, working in a hardware store was extremely educational. “You learn about everything.” In the mid-1960s when he opened the store, there was other competition but Jimmy took a calculated risk, mortgaging his home and borrowing more

At 90, Still Going Strong from the bank to launch his business, which, until last month, was owned by his children. The store has been going strong for nearly 60 years and was sold in late March to Ace Hardware.

as the Cedar District representative on the Fauquier County Board of Supervisors and a recipient of the Roland Tapscott Fauquier Good Scout Award. His legacy is long in the community.

Jimmy’s business world has been focused in recent years solely on the furniture store. “It’s all mine,” he smiled, “nobody’s else.”

He didn’t have to think long when I asked him which of his life achievements marked his defining moment.

He grew up on a farm near Opal. He and his siblings worked hard. The loving care and wisdom from both his parents helped shape his defining character. To this day, like generations before him, he is a member of Midland Church of the Brethren.

“It taught me what life is all about,” he said recalling a young man of 17 who spent 13 weeks in boot camp before being sent home. “I did it on my own…my parents knew…but nobody had signed for me,” he mused happy to enlist again after he turned 18. “I had a leg up.”

Knowing and caring for customers and the community have been guiding lights along with a strong dose of business common sense. Civic and patriotic duty have been a big part of that formula. Chapters could be written about his many affiliations including the Warrenton Rotary Club, Fauquier Chamber of Commerce, Warrenton/Culpeper Elks, Warrenton-Fauquier Jaycees, Advisory Committee for the State Bank of Remington Board of Directors, Fauquier County Armory Board, Fauquier Veterans Memorial, American Legion Post 72, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1178, 187th Airborne Association of the U.S. Army not to mention nine years serving

Exercising daily and with no major health problems, Jimmy does not drink or smoke. He credits his mother Naomi. A post-war celebration on his return from Korea had his mother upset seeing him imbibe. “I promised her then that she would never see me that way again…and I’ve kept my vow. She was a wise woman.” As I listened to Jimmy, who has spent his entire life and career in this county, share the many chapters of his life and his enthusiasm for the chapters ahead, my thoughts centered on character and how much it matters and the influence it can have.

Jimmy has been and is a successful businessman, a devoted husband, caring father and grandfather, fervent Christian, a veteran, civic leader, staunch patriot, and community advocate. He is soft-spoken, humble but looks at you clearly and with conviction. He stands by values and traditions that are deeply rooted in his life, he is passionate about those he loves and he is generous to those in need. He’s right. You can’t hide a good man.

Rankin’s Furniture Home Accessories and Gifts 360 Waterloo Street Warrenton, Virginia www.rankinsfurnishings.com 540-349-0617 Monday – Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Sunday Delivery Available

Country ZEST & Style | Spring 2021

Clermont Farm—A Woman’s Plan to Make a Difference

Elizabeth Rust Williams

The north side of Clermont’s main house taken on a spring day. backgrounds in agriculture. Stieg also provided a close-up look both inside and out at the main dwelling, a timber frame and shingle-roofed structure that’s been added onto over the years.

By Linda Roberts

estled against the southeastern edge of Berryville sits the 360-acre Clermont Farm, one of Clarke County’s best-kept secrets. The livestock and crop farm has slumbered here, quietly under the radar screen, since 18-year-old George Washington surveyed it in 1750 from Lord Fairfax’s 5.2 million-acre Northern Neck tract. Owned by only four families since that time until its donation in 2004 to Virginia’s Department of Historic Resources, the farm’s existence is due to the love of the land by its former owner, Elizabeth Rust Williams. “She was a pioneer,” said Bob Stieg, CEO of the Clermont Foundation, established after Williams’ death in 2004 to provide property oversight support and management. The daughter of Edward and Caroline Rust Williams, Elizabeth grew up at the next-door farm of Airlie. The Williams’ family purchased Clermont from cousins in 1958 and Elizabeth inherited the farm in 1981. Under her direction, Clermont continued to thrive as an agricultural operation for livestock and field crops. Its significant 1755 home and historic outbuildings were preserved. Williams received her formal education at Clarke County’s Powhatan School and later at Madeira School, George Washington University and American University. Initially, she worked as a freelance journalist for The Washington Post. Her second career choice—the law—firmly established Williams in history. Her father was Clarke County’s longest serving commonwealth’s attorney and Elizabeth was one of the first two female members of the Clarke County Bar. She was appointed as a general district court and juvenile and domestic relations judge and became the first woman to serve as a judge of the Virginia 26th circuit. Recognized as the Outstanding Woman

“We’re in the process of the long-term preservation and stabilization of the house,” Stieg added.

Clermont Foundation CEO Bob Stieg points to ongoing work on the south side of the main house. Attorney of Virginia in 1986, she also served as president of the Clarke County Bar Association from 1983 to 1988. Active in the Clarke County Historical Association and an enthusiastic game hunter, gardener, cook and friend of cats and dogs, Williams never considered being a woman should limit what she could achieve. It also was her wish that the Clermont acreage she loved remain intact, that its buildings and landscape be preserved, and that agriculture continue there using the best practice methods possible. Using the tools she learned in her judicial work, her keen sense of history and stewardship of the land, coupled with her desire that Clermont should serve the community, Williams laid the groundwork for her wish to come true. She conducted extensive research on the property and completed several detailed manuscripts outlining the farm’s long history and ownership. At her death, she left her assets in a charitable trust, The Clermont Foundation, a non-profit educational organization governed by a 12-member board of local residents. They oversee education, archaeological research, and actively pursue the demonstration and teaching of agriculture, history and historic preservation. Farm manager Tait Golightly and assistant manager Ty Unger are both young men with deep

Go Green Middleburg | Spring 2021

He pointed to the 1755 original house, its 1777 kitchen and 1788 dining room, 1803 smoke house and 1823 slave quarters. The remains of a cemetery with its rock wall foundation are still visible along with several rocks in place that serve as grave markers. There are five graves, but it remains a mystery as to who is buried there. Stieg, the former head of Grafton School in Clarke County, is also a well-versed historian who started a second career in 2006 when he began to direct the Clermont Foundation. Clermont is recognized and highly valued in a number of agricultural circles. Viable partnerships exist with Clarke County high school and middle school students in the study of livestock and crop farming and joint projects are ongoing with Virginia Tech and Farm Bureau. According to Stieg, working in partnership with students opens the door to the practical aspects of agriculture and the many available career paths. “Elizabeth wanted to help students appreciate agriculture and delve into agricultural careers,” Stieg said. “I think she’d be thrilled with the many public partnerships we have.” A pressing goal this year is the rebuilding of the 1917 barn lost in a fire several years ago. Once rebuilt, this working farm can resume its education classes and bring back its hog breeding operation. “It’s an endless task, but from our aspect it’s an endless opportunity,” Stieg said. For further information, go to www.clermontfarm.org. Visits are by appointment only. Call 540-955-0102 or email bstieg@clermontfarm.org.

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Peak Performance Is Definitely a Head Game

By Leonard Shapiro

here are countless advantages to growing up on an Angus cattle farm in Lynchburg. For one, there’s plenty of room to lay out a dirt tennis court, upgraded a few years later with a red clay surface. It all led to Tim Harvey falling in love with the game at age ten, and making it his life’s work, along with another passion, sports psychology. Now a resident of Millwood, for many years Harvey has commuted to Gaithersburg, where he’s executive director of the Quince Orchard Swimming & Tennis Club. He’s a teaching pro as well as an impressivelycredentialed sports psychologist with an undergraduate degree from William & Mary, a masters from North Carolina and a doctorate from Maryland. Over the years he’s worked on the minds and bodies of athletes ranging from rank beginners to elite professionals. His main sports specialities are tennis, swimming and golf, but Harvey also has helped soccer and basketball players, track and field athletes, long distance runners, polo people and the occasional equestrian, a field he’d like to get more involved in after nearly two decades living in horse country. His side business is Peak Performance Concepts, with a stated goal of “partnering with the athlete individually or with coaches/performance teams to integrate the science of mental, physical and emotional preparation during skill acquisitions practices and competition necessary for optimal peak performance.” He’s been teaching tennis since he was 16, and has coached at a number of Olympic Festivals sponsored

Photo by Joanne Maisano

Dr. Tim Harvey is a man for all sports seasons. by the U.S. Olympic Committee to develop athletes for future Games. He tries to impart some basic keys to eventual success. “First, you’ve got to control your basic intensity in practice and competition,” Harvey said. “You’ve got to have a routine. What are you doing the week before to prepare for that competition? How well do you know the golf course, the tennis court, the pool where you’re going to compete?” At the Festivals, he tried to take his athletes out to the venues where they’d be performing, the

Go Green Middleburg | Spring 2021

better to ease anxiety and get them familiar with the surroundings they’d face on competition days. “I also want to know their relationship with the coaching staff, their teammates. Is there cohesion on the team? And the biggest thing: never think about the outcome while you’re competing. You have to think about that particular moment, concentrating on what you have to do right then.” Elite golfers frequently talk about “one shot at a time.” The translation: it’s total concentration on every swing and not being concerned about how many birdies are needed to win. “I’m there to help someone play better, and not to have bad thoughts,” Harvey said. “I want to teach them how to work with their coaching staffs to perfect the skills they’re going to need in competition. I use what we call performance cues. I try to find a phrase—head rotation, knee lower to the ground, hip up—they can think abut. Not about what happens if I mss this putt.” Harvey’s sessions run 45 minutes to an hour. He can meet athletes at his Gaithersburg office, though he prefers to visit their practices. He also believes in using video to show clients “the way it’s supposed to be done. And they have homework to watch that video every night.” For Dr. Tim Harvey, “It’s all about controlling the thought process,” he said. “You really can’t fool your brain.” For more information on Peak Performance Concepts, go to peakperformanceconcepts.net or call 202-251-2704.

Home on the Upperville Range for A Cowboy Sculpture

The Community

Music School

of the Piedmont

By Drew Babb

PHOTO BY SARAH HUNTINGTON

ou’ve got to have some moxie to put up a life-size homage to a broncobusting cowboy and his aboutto-be-broken mount amidst our region’s herds of fancy thoroughbreds, steeplechasers, show horses and polo ponies. Jim and Jamie Stokes clearly have moxie. Their larger than life “Cowboy” statue inspired by Frederic Remington’s “Bronco Buster” stands proudly (albeit temporarily) close to Route 50 just east of Upperville.

WE HAVE

Stokes’ company is Stoladi, a property management firm dealing with commercial and residential properties in D.C. and Virginia. He and Jamie had two other farms in Northern Virginia, but the chance to put a home and stable on this new property called West Addy Jim and Jamie Stokes with their favorite cowboy. Farm, with its lake and sublime views of the Blue Ridge, very much appealed to them.

FOR ALL AGES AND ALL INSTRUMENTS, IN PERSON OR ONLINE!

Jim Stokes stumbled upon the statue in an internet rabbit hole a while back. He had a number of Remington’s smaller pieces. But this big guy captivated him. “Have to have it,” he said to himself. Let’s rewind to 1888 when Remington, the transplanted Eastern dude, sketched and then painted this lively quirt-swinging, stirrup-flying, mane-grasping Wild West moment. The painting appeared in the March issue of Century Magazine illustrating a piece called “The Home Ranch” by another transplanted Easterner, one Theodore Roosevelt. (TR re-enters this yarn later.) Because of its vigor and energy, Remington decided to make the painting his inspiration for his very first sculpture, also called “Bronco Buster.” The original 23 inch tall version, owned by The White House Historical Association had been on display in The White House Oval Office until the start of the Biden administration. The first Remington bronze was created and registered with the Library of Congress for copyright in 1895. Three years later, TR’s old Rough Riders presented him with a casting. It’s still displayed at Sagamore Hill, the 16th president’s home on Long Island in Oyster Bay, N.Y. The best quote to pop up about Remington and his objet is his own. “Few Eastern people appreciate the sky-rocket bounds, the grunts and the stiff-legged striking.” Jim Stokes, a Texas transplant, pointed to a dip on his rolling hillside ranch, er, farm. “Bronco Buster’s going to go there in a few months.” Jamie added, “But right now it’s safely out of the way of our construction crews.” Until the Stokes’ home is finished, Buster will stand on display yards away from John Mosby Highway. You have to think the Gray Ghost, the personification of moxie, himself a Wild Westerner for a spell, would get a real good cackle out of that.

Middleburg, Purcellville, The Plains and Waterford

Country ZEST & Style | Spring 2021

PROPERTY Writes

White Oak Offers Room With a View

n 1957, the Russians had launched Sputnik 1 and Americans were adding bigger tailfins to their cars. It was also the time when many local houses and buildings were built with the utmost care and attention to detail by the famed local Hanback firm. One such home is White Oak, designed by Washington Reed, Jr., notable for his work on the redesign of historic Williamsburg. The house is dominated by locally sourced fieldstone and discretely situated in the western corner of Loudoun County outside of Middleburg. This 93-acre farm, which has been in the same family until now, presents 180-degree sweeping views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The main 5,900 square foot five-bedroom, five-and-a-half bath house is sited on a knoll with enviable breathtaking vistas.

The dining room has bay window with lovely mountain views

The property includes a swimming pool with pool house and changing rooms, a two-bedroom, one-bath stone tenant house and two large spring fed ponds. Listed in a 2004 perpetual conservation easement held by the Virginia Outdoors Foundation, it’s within the Piedmont Hunt territory with a stone and block six-stall stable, large paddocks and an equipment/storage shed. The den and living room share a unique pass-through wet bar

Go Green Middleburg | Spring 2021

White Oak offers room with memorable views

This 93-acre farm, with 1957 custom built 5,900 square foot home and outbuildings has been in the same family until now

It’s the attention to details that made the Hanback building firm so legendary in the area A large formal living room filled with windows, showcases Blue Ridge Mountains views

Currently listed at $3.8 million by Cricket Bedford at Thomas & Talbot Real Estate Cell 540-229-3201 or Office 540-687-6500 or Email: cricket@ thomasandtalbot.com The property includes a swimming pool with pool house and changing rooms

Country ZEST & Style | Spring 2021

Community Center Getting Back to Business

By Carina Elgin

ince opening in 1948, the Middleburg Community Center, the stately yellow stucco building at the western edge of the village,, has seen many people come and go through its arched white doors. As the pandemic of 2020 brought most activities to a halt, Executive Director Olivia Rogers said the staff is “taking it day by day and staying optimistic,” making needed renovations, planning for the future, and continuing to take bookings for weddings and other activities. ]In 2019, some 115 events were offered, Rogers noted. The ever-popular Halloween party went through a Photo by Carina Elhin record 500 hot dogs in 90 minutes. The A friendly fox keeps his eye on the Middleburg Community Center. center has become home to a bustling crafts show. Fourth of July festivities traditionally featured small-town charm with spectacular fireworks. The beautiful ballroom and its stage hosted everything from hunt balls to fundraisers to Bingo night. Various classes, meetings and 15-20 weddings a year were held there. Rogers herself is an expert on wedding opportunities at MCC, having been married there before taking her current job. And then, the pandemic hit MCC hard. A few socially-distanced events were able to be held outside, including “Music in The Park” and outdoor movies. Some classes, including yoga, and an art program, were offered with strict guidelines. Others were cancelled. And yet, despite precautions, the pool was actually busier than ever. “People weren’t traveling and there were no camps for the kids,” Rogers said. “We were glad we could offer that to the community.” In the Covid lull, significant renovations have already been made to the pool. Building and grounds maintenance has been completed. The airy Terrace Room is being totally revamped, with, as Rogers explained, “a brand new look and experience.” “I’m really looking forward to reopening the Center after Covid and celebrating our renovations and new programs.” said Bethann Laign-Beeman, who recently returned as president of MCC’s executive committee. As a community-supported nonprofit, one-third of the operational budget has typically come from venue rentals, with the rest coming from individual and business donations. Rogers and the all-volunteer board are preparing fundraising plans for the MCC Endowment, looking to raise $6 million by 2025 for the 75th anniversary. This treasured facility was the inspiration of Mrs. Howell E. (Dorothy) Jackson, who felt the area needed a hub for “community spirit and civic work” She convinced some of her friends to chip in and they purchased about 30 acres of what was then Mrs. D.N. Lee’s horse farm on the edge of town. The yellow house just to the west of the current building was the original farmhouse, and continues to be part of the well-tended complex, along with an herb garden, playground, baseball field and picnic areas. MCC got off to a busy start, with picnics, bowling, dances, movies, swimming and educational classes, clearly filling a need for the mostly rural population in and around Middleburg. Virginia was still segregated when MCC first opened in 1948. The first community center for Black residents opened on the east side of town three years later, at about one-tenth the cost. In 1962, an agreement was reached to open the pool to all residents. Now, Rogers said, “Middleburg is special in that it welcomes so many demographics, ages and beliefs. There’s nothing more special than living and working in a small town of people who love and care about one another. We’e proud to be a hub for so many of these folks.”. Mrs. Jackson surely would be proud, too.

Go Green Middleburg | Spring 2021

MIDDLEBURG REAL ESTATE

We’re proud to welcome these fine Fauquier community experts to the MRE | AP team. ATOKA

PROPERTIES

S I M P LY B ELinares T T E| REALTOR® R. Shay 571.331.6000 | shay@atokaproperties.com | novaﬁneliving.com Shay has been a top performing REALTOR® since 2014 and has been consistently recognized as a Top Producer in the Northern Virginia market. Priding herself on the her honesty, work ethic, and master negotiation skills, Shay's vast knowledge of real estate and construction are a true asset to her clients. She has lived and worked in Northern Virginia for over 15 years and has garnered an intimate understanding of the nuances of the local market from Alexandria to Delaplane and every area in between.

Anne Michael Greene | Associate Broker 540.364.9500 | am.greene@middleburgrealestate.com | amgreenerealtor.com Anne Michael Greene is a lifelong resident of Marshall. As a licensed Associate Broker, she harnesses the knowledge and experience in all aspects of Real Estate - Residential, Commercial, and Land. In 2003, Anne Michael began her real estate career as a second-generation REALTOR® with her father Mike Greene. She has been committed to maintaining a real estate presence in Marshall to service the needs of its residents and the region, considering Marshall as a gateway to the Virginia Piedmont Region.

Vinny Esposito | REALTOR® 703.468.1677 | vinny@middleburgrealestate.com | vinnyespositorealtor.com After experiencing the home buying and selling processes, Vinny saw an opportunity to use his skills and passions to help others by becoming a licensed REALTOR®. Vinny possesses exceptional communication skills, ﬁrmly believing in the importance of closing loops and keeping his clients educated and informed through every step. His experience as an EMT has allowed him to help strangers in stressful situations. This experience makes Vinny a great, compasionate partner throughout the momentous undertaking of buying a home.

Richard Gargagliano | REALTOR® 571.331.6000 | richard@middleburgrealestate.com Richard has a variety of experiences in real estate including property development, managing architectural design, custom home construction, and commercial/historic restorations. He recognizes that people aspiring to live in Virginia’s Hunt Country have a variety of needs and interests, spanning from purchasing a simple starter to restoring a historic property. His 30 years operating the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center at Morven Park greatly serves his equine-focused clients as he helps them navigate intricate farm purchases.

LIST WITH THE TEAM THAT HAS THE BEST LOCAL SERVICE AND GLOBAL REACH W

Glen – Ora

Deerfield Farm

130 acres $6,150,000 Middleburg – Rich in history, Glen Ora, ca. 1815 is the epitome of a very private and charming Hunt Country Estate, restored and renovated for today’s lifestyle. In the Orange County Hunt Territory, the estate features courtyard stables and gorgeous views.

181 acres $4,500,000 Upperville – Impeccably restored brick manor house, ca. 1844. Perennial gardens and orchard, guest house with theatre, guest/pool house, pool, 2 tenant houses, 5 bay garage, workshop, 2 ponds, fenced fields and paddocks.

John Coles | 540-270-0094

Carrington Land

White Oak

Fort Valley Rd

Poe’s Run

410+ acres $4,310,000 This spectacular 410 acres of land consist of rolling fields, lush woodlands, streams, a small pond, and mountain land. The 6 tax parcels which comprise the 410 acres are protected under a conservation easement which allows for a maximum of 4 divisions.

93+ acres $3,800,000 Middleburg – 1st time offering of this wonderful ‘Hanback built’ home with spectacular Blue Ridge Mtn views. 5 BR / 5.5 BAs. 4 fireplaces, hardwood floors & mature landscaping. 2 BR / 1 BA tenant house, 6 stall barn w/paddocks. 2 ponds.

148+ acres $2,964,000 Two lots of land for sale in the heart of Rappahannock county. The smaller parcel (Tax ID 54-28C) sits on 49.6 acres and the larger lot (Tax ID 54-29) encompasses 98.6 acres. This land offers privacy and is located minutes from Sperryville.

50 acres $2,000,000 Beautiful, historical home with 4 BRs and 5 BAs; the home was originally constructed in the 1700’s, and was added onto in both the 1800’s and 1967. Features 3 stall barn, with a center aisle, tack room, and wash stall. Property has Exceed Internet.

John Coles | 540-270-0094

Cricket Bedford | 540-229-3201

John Coles | 540-270-0094

D VE O E PR RIC M I P

The Orchard

Stone House Stables

Five Forks Farm

Ashby Gap Trading Post

4.82 acres $1,950,000 Middleburg – Largest residential parcel “in town!” Built by local master builder WJ Hanback. 3/4 BRs, 3 full BAs, details include spiral staircase, built-ins, hardwood floors and fireplaces. Fenced garden extensive landscaping, pond and mature trees.

16+ acres $1,195,000 Warrenton – Horse property with history dating back to land grants, the main home, ca. 1790. 10 stall barn, 5 bay machine shed, 2 car garage, 4 paddocks and grass riding ring, making this an ideal property for a horse enthusiast.

39+ acres $1,100,000 Woodville – Charming home with log walls and exposed beams. Convenient to Culpeper, Warrenton, Little Washington, Shenandoah National Park, Sperryville and Luray. Nature lovers paradise. 8 stall barn and a small guest house.

10 acres $819,000 Amazing opportunity! 4 BR house; a separate 3,170 sq. ft. building. Commercial use permitted, certain restrictions apply. High visibility, ample parking and road frontage. Separate access for the residence and an additional building site.

Cricket Bedford | 540-229-3201

John Coles | 540-270-0094

Emily Ristau | 540-454-9083

Offers subject to errors, omissions, change of price or withdrawal without notice. Information contained herein is deemed reliable, but is not so warranted nor is it otherwise guaranteed.

THOMAS & TALBOT REAL ESTATE Opening the door to Hunt Country for generations

2 South Madison Street | PO Box 500 | Middleburg, VA 20118 | Office: 540-687-6500 | thomasandtalbot.com 02-12_CountryZest-TTRE-BC.indd 1

3/23/21 3:21 PM

Country Zest and Style Spring 2021 Edition

Articles inside

Pimento Cheese, the Guest of Honor at Every Southern Celebration

Carry Me BACK: Sky High With a Mellon Martini

Trinity Teams With Tree of Life on Securing Needed Food

Conservation Easements Preserving Our Precious Countryside

Much More Than Just Brick and Mortar By Vicky Moon

Modern FINANCE A Welcome Gift from the Tax Gods

Perspectives on Childhood, Education, and Parenting March Madness? The NCAA Dictating Academic Standards

PSO Young People’s Concert Carries On

Vineyard VIEW - Bravo to Breaux at Governor’s Cup Competition

At AHT, It’s All About Personal Service

Seen & SCENE

FINALLY SPRINGING FORWARD

A Big New Middleburg Police Presence

A Normande Invasion In A Virginia Field

The Kuhns: Moving Toward Leaving a Proud Legacy

THE VEEPS: Shelby Bonnie & Betsee Parker Help Guide Upperville

Country MATTERS Conservation Easements Preserving Our Precious Countryside