NOTICE
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We are currently paving in your area. With our crew and equipment close by, we are offering prompt service and reasonable rates to all area residents for a short time. Please call immediately if you are interested in having any asphalt paving done this year.
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HOUSE DRIVEWAYS • PARKING LOTS FARM LANES • LONG LANES • DRIVEWAYS PRIVATE ROADS • PATCHWORK NEW HOMES GRADEWORK • SEAL COATING BASEWORK • ASPHALT MILLINGS Maybe you have a small area you would love to have blacktopped but you can’t afford to pave the whole thing right now. We install partial driveways. We can pave an area by your house just big enough to park your vehicles, or we can install as little as one load for you.
Tired of a Dust Bowl in the Summer and a Mud Hole in the Winter? Don’t Fuss ... CALL US!
Free Estimates • Fast Service • Quality Work Full-Service Asphalt Paving Please call John Donohue for a FREE ESTIMATE
(571) 255-9187
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Country Spirit • Summer 2018
Licensed and Insured
By Sophie Scheps In 2016, Elaine Boland and her daughter, Bernadette, opened up Side Saddle Café in Middleburg, serving true comfort food made from the highest quality ingredients and named for Bernadette’s passion for riding aside. The journey to their restaurant’s location began over a decade ago at their own Loudoun County family farm, Fields of Athenry. “At first we started out with two sheep,” said Bernadette. “My sister and I got them on Easter Sunday. We started selling eggs and lamb sausage at a farmer’s market in Purcellville.” The family became actively involved in 4-H and raised their animals on traditional, commercial feed. After dealing with different family illnesses, Elaine read a book by famed nutritionist Weston A. Price and switched their livestock to all grass-fed. Their whole family began to notice the effect of these higher quality proteins on their own health and Elaine began her mission to share this knowledge and her products with the greater community. In 2008, the Bolands opened up their farm store in the basement of their house and earned a large following. After the perfect space became available in Middleburg, they were ready to take their business plan to the next step. “We used to have the Middleburg Hunt point-to-point organizational meetings here, when it was the Fox’s Den,” Bernadette said. “We loved the fireplace, loved the coziness of it, and we always said, if this place ever became available, it would be such a cool place to have.” Now the café has grown to serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, with happy hours featuring live music and, as of this past January, the farm store. Patrons can shop for local meats and other products that stock the freezer while they wait for a table. “It gets people questioning and talking,” said Bernadette. “It’s a good conversation starter.” The number one selling product is their bone broth, made from simmering meat bones and vegetables
PHOTOS BY SEBASTIAN LANGENBERG
Bernadette Boland for many hours until a rich broth full of vitamins and minerals develops. Drinking a cup a day has been linked to many health benefits, including helping with Lyme Disease. The family now raises a variety of animals on their own farm and leases about 600 acres throughout the area to supply their store and café. “We go through one or two whole steers a week and five to eight lambs a week,” said Elaine. “We probably butcher six to ten duck per week and two to three geese. We went through 600-700 turkeys last year. We have the feed mixed for us, it’s our recipe. No corn or soy, and it’s non-GMO. It’s taken us years to develop.” All the food served at the Side Saddle Café is organic and they’re expanding to include local produce, including potatoes, lettuce and tomatoes this year. The focus remains on offering food Elaine would serve to her family. No corners are ever cut. “We are committed to you,” said Elaine. “We are committed to this land and Loudoun County.” The Side Saddle Café is open Wednesday for lunch, Thursday for lunch and dinner, and Friday-Sunday for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Each week features new specials made with seasonal ingredients.