3 minute read
BACK TO THE PAST
BACK TO THE PAST
By Leonard Shapiro
“Don’t know much about history” began the classic Sam Cooke song “Wonderful World” written in 1960. Too bad Sam never had the good fortune to meet the three gifted men on our cover of this fall issue of Country ZEST.
That would be Alex Nance, executive director of the Atoka-based Virginia Piedmont Heritage Area (VPHA), Travis Shaw, director of education, and Ian MacDougall, the public programs coordinator. This talented trio, all great friends, are taking the organization to new heights, all the while spreading the word far and wide, to young and old, about the rich history of our region.
We’ve profiled all three and told you a bit more about the VPHA, and by no means is that the end of our history content in the first issue of our sixth year of publication.
Denis Cotter has a fascinating story about controversial World War II General George S. Patton and his connection to the Middleburg area. He was an enthusiastic equestrian—often going fox chasing and playing polo out here— and you won’t believe his connection to another storied local military man, Confederate guerrilla leader John Mosby.
John Toler has contributed another illuminating local history piece, this one on the origins of the railroad line that crosses northern Fauquier County, where freight trains continue to come rumbling through to this day. It started as the Manassas Gap Railroad in 1851, built to connect the farms and markets in the Shenandoah Valley eastward to markets in Alexandria.
Ever wonder about the origins of the road named Zulla that connects Middleburg to Marshall? John Ross has written all about it, including the fact that it once was known as Jericho Turnpike, a famous road where I grew up on Long Island. What’s the connection? You can read all about it in this issue.
The here and now also is definitely well represented. Middleburg and the surrounding area has been facing drought conditions this year, including water restrictions in the village, and John Ross explores some of the reasons why.
We have other liquids represented, as well, including several stories centered around beer. There’s a new brewery in Aldie on Route 15. There’s a unique beer museum in Front Royal. And we’ll also tell you why a frosted mug of your favorite brew may not be advisable.
Finally, at the very end, we’re going to pay tribute to our late, great Delaplane artist and friend Alan Rubin, with a series of the whimsical cartoons he loved to draw. He called them “punjabs,” and I hope they add some laugh-out-loud ZEST to your reading pleasure.
Leonard Shapiro
Editor
badgerlen@aol.com
410-570-8447
